#i think i kind of went off the rails and just started talking about why i love them and not necessarily picking favorite things lmao

[zepskies]

Girl YAAAAS!! 😍 I'm so glad you decided to dive into @chevroletdean's fun moodboard challenge~ 💛🧡🩵

I can't believe you've wanted to write about my home state, but I was cackling right from the start at the accuracy 🤣👌🏽

chasing a ghoul through backyards full of pink lawn flamingos and chainlink fences.

🤭 sounds like Miami! loll

And Dean doesn’t mean the good kind of eating ass, either. Nope, he means the swamp-ass, sunburned, get-mauled-by-an-alligator kind.

Girl don't make me quote this whole fic, we're only like 100 words in! "swamp ass" is deadly accuracy, I cannot 😆😆

And yes we are indeed cursed - with throat-closing humidity and heat upon heat all year round, tropical storms, expensive bread, terrible traffic, and too many damn snowbirds coming to live here year 'round now 🫠🫠🫠

It’s humid enough to drown standing still, and the sand sticks to everything, including parts of him he’s not ready to confront.

lmfaoo we call that ✨making a pearl✨

Also not the drone-sized mosquitos 🦟 <- THAT is also on point, especially in summer - and the closer you get to the Everglades. 😭 And the "fried seafood and moldy flipflops" def reminds me of the boardwalk at Fort Lauderdale Beach lolll

Florida’s not even a real fucking state. Can’t be.

hahaaa We mostly divide ourselves by North, Central, and South Florida (SoFlo). All are different countries, essentially. I think a comedian once called it the dick of the U.S. or something, but I went to a Def Leppard concert years ago and Joe Elliot called it "Satan's ass crack." I haven't recovered since 🤣🤣

The bikini strings are tied in neat bows at your hips, a popsicle melting bright mango-orange between your fingers, and you’re working the thing over like it owes you goddamn money with the most sinful mouth he’s ever had the misfortune of knowing.

lmaooo absolutely LOVE this. She's really working that orange dreamsicle. Bet he wishes she'd do him like that 😝🧡

Also - "molten saffron sun" is my new favorite description ever now. 💓

That would explain why he’s three seconds away from dropping to his knees and offering to be your loyal, desperate, sunburnt servant.

LOL I'm cackling imagining a sunburnt Dean, willing to do "whatever it takes" to be her new dreamsicle 😝

Time freezes. The ocean quiets. The gulls freeze midair. Dean’s pulse slams loud and dizzy in his ears. His world narrows to you, your suntanned legs, the glint of sea-salt crystals on your skin, your bright and glistening mango lips. Jesus fucking Christ. You just– Did you– He stares at you, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “Huh? What?” he croaks, voice pitched embarrassingly high. You blink at him, then repeat – slowly, sweetly, “I said: Should we check if it sucks the breath outta people like a leech?” “Uh, yeah,” he croaks. “Suckin’. Life. Outta dudes. Totally.”

DEANNNN. LOL just fucking talk to her already, before you implode!!! 🤣🤣 But I love how this scene played out in my head like a movie. Such a good freeze frame and cut to the reality of the moment 😂

He is too old, too tired, and too desperately in love with you for this shit.

Oh poor baby. I feel so bad for you. 🙄 Talk to her!!!!!

He imagines you bent over the hood of the Impala, bikini tangled around your ankles, hands bracing against the hot metal while he rails you like a man possessed.

oh my God poor girl, she'd burn the fingerprints off her hands - but I can appreciate where Dean's going with this 😂😂

But he sooooo is gonna die of heatstroke in his usual hunter garb, and I love her for cheekily calling him out on it! He's about to catch on fire in so many ways 🔥🔥🔥

Dean looks at you – skin kissed by flame-petals and sunset sugar, hair blowing soft in the briny breeze, popsicle stick clutched between your fingers like a crime scene weapon.

Ahhh you wove so much beautiful poetic imagery throughout this, but I really love this one^ and the "skin glinting like bronzed sugar" line 😍💖💖

Before he can say something catastrophic (like “Marry me right now” or “Please put your mouth on me, I'm begging”), Sam comes jogging up the beach, waving his phone like a savior in flannel.

Noooooo why does Sam have to butt in!! lmfao I love him but Dean was maybe on the verge of making a move! Maybe?! 😂

Yeah, Florida is one hell of a drug, but you’re the one that fucked him up.

(lol sorry I had to)

But omg this was too much fun! Part of this felt like FL tourism in the early 2000s, but a lot of it was very legit and accurate too. 🤣 This story was so layered with rich imagery (which you're so amazing at), but also fun and playful and torturous for Dean.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like after a while she kind of knew what he was thinking! 🤭❤️‍🔥 I could so see her finally being the one to make the first move and be like, "now why couldn't you do that yesterday?" 😆😆

Florida!!!

Summary: One fishy monster hunt, one sweaty afternoon at the beach, and one innocent popsicle – Florida is fucking hell for Dean.

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader

Warnings: +18 language and smut in the form of dirty fantasies, severe pining, one idiot in love, humor, Florida, one popsicle, unresolved ending & feelings

Word Count: 2.8k

A/N: My entry for @chevroletdean's 500 Follower Celebration! Congrats again, lovely, and thank you so much for hosting this challenge and creating this awesome moodboard!! I was immediately inspired (and have wanted to write something set in Florida for an eternity). This was perfect and so much fun! 💛🧡🩵

Main Masterlist || DW Masterlist || Tag List

Florida can eat his ass.

Dean’s decided this at least seventeen times today. He has known this little fact since the first time he set foot here at nineteen, chasing a ghoul through backyards full of pink lawn flamingos and chainlink fences.

And Dean doesn’t mean the good kind of eating ass, either. Nope, he means the swamp-ass, sunburned, get-mauled-by-an-alligator kind.

Because no matter how pretty the scenery looks – sugar-powder beaches and sea-glass tides, slats of the boardwalk bleached bone-white under a honeyed sky – the whole damn state feels cursed.

It’s humid enough to drown standing still, and the sand sticks to everything, including parts of him he’s not ready to confront.

And between the humidity thicker than chowder and the scent of fried seafood and moldy flip-flops lingering like a bad decision, every drone-sized mosquito here is carrying at least three diseases and a vendetta. The crime rate also looks like a Mad Libs page: “Florida Man assaults alligator while wearing tutu and high on bath salts.”

It’s too hot, too wet, and too damn weird and crazy. Every breath here tastes like sweat, regret, and a hint of swamp water.

Florida’s not even a real fucking state. Can’t be.

Dean’s convinced it’s a bad trip someone had in the ‘70s that somehow got voted into the union. The sun feels less like it’s shining and more like it’s attacking. Everyone’s either a retiree, a guy named Skip with a neck tattoo of a flaming dice, or some batshit meth-head who thinks they saw Bigfoot behind the Waffle House.

Dean hates it with every fiber of his being. Florida is Satan’s back porch.

And now, thanks to a string of weird drownings at a no-name beach town outside Destin, Dean is trapped in the sweaty armpit of the country, baking alive in jeans, while trying very hard not to stare at you.

Which is impossible.

Because you’re right next to him in a little turquoise lounge chair and a skimpy bikini the color of wild citrus – or tangerine, maybe. You hum a little tune – that stupid Weezer song that only plays on the radio during summer. You kick your feet lazily in the sun, flashing him a smile so bright he’s pretty sure it could get him legally blinded.

The bikini strings are tied in neat bows at your hips, a popsicle melting bright mango-orange between your fingers, and you’re working the thing over like it owes you goddamn money with the most sinful mouth he’s ever had the misfortune of knowing.

All tanned legs and unapologetic sunshine. A vision of temptation under the molten saffron sun.

Dean sweats. Internally and externally. Better than that: He is cooked. Absolutely fried. Every casual motion of yours is branding itself into his frontal lobe forever.

Your tongue flickers out again – pink and wet and glistening – smoothing a drip from the rounded tip, completely oblivious to the fact that you’re currently starring in every X-rated daydream Dean’s ever had.

His vision whites out at the edges.

You hum absently, flipping through the manila folder in your lap. Your voice floats over, sweet as saltwater taffy. “So,” you say, casual and sunny, “are we thinking mer-creature, or like, a shapeshifter with a thing for boats and aquatic cosplay? Or what if it’s a water demon? Like a kelpie, but more murdery?”

Dean makes a strangled sound that’s supposed to be a word but comes out more like a dog’s dying whimper.

You blink at him. Tilt your head. Wait.

Dean clears his throat. “Yeah. Mer-thing. Whatever.”

“Or,” you muse aloud, tongue darting out again to lap at a drip, “maybe it’s like–… like a water wraith? Something that sucks the breath outta your lungs?”

You pop the popsicle out of your mouth with an obscene little smack. Dean’s mouth works soundlessly. Because all he can imagine is you on your knees, tongue slick against him, big eyes wide and innocent while you–

Focus, he barks at himself. For the love of fucking God, focus, Winchester.

Dean swallows hard, dragging his eyes off your mouth and back down to the battered folder in your lap.

This isn’t normal. He’s doomed. Maybe even cursed.

Yeah, that’s gotta be it. He’s probably been hit with a lust spell. Florida is full of weird shit, right? That would explain why he’s three seconds away from dropping to his knees and offering to be your loyal, desperate, sunburnt servant.

But then again, this isn’t entirely new either.

You’ve been driving him nuts for goddamn years. Laughing too loud at his dumb jokes. Sitting too close in motel beds when you both casually watch movies. Calling him Winchester in that honeyed voice that makes him feel like he’s being dared to fuck up and kiss you.

And still, he’s always been good. Good at pretending. Good at stuffing all that want somewhere deep under rib and bone and battered leather jackets.

But this? This is fucking torture. This is some bikini-clad Greek tragedy, starring one dumbass in boots on a beach who can’t stop fantasizing about licking saltwater off your thighs.

He should be thinking about the case. About that water-witch or whatever the fuck they are hunting this time. He should be thinking about hex bags and salt rounds, not about how your bikini bottoms ride up just a little when you stretch your arms over your head–

Stop it!

You lean forward to show him something on a photocopied page and tap a newspaper clipping about the latest victim – some unlucky fisherman who swore he saw a “golden-scaled woman” before getting dragged into the shallows.

But the little bow at your hip shifts, skin glinting like bronzed sugar under the clear sky. Dean makes a small, wounded noise in his throat, and his brain immediately supplies another vivid fantasy:

You perched in his lap, that bow coming untied with a lazy pull of his fingers, your thighs slick and hot against him, the ocean thundering in the tropical background while you ride him so slow it borders on a religious experience.

He blinks against the burning sun, feels himself slipping again, heat and blood rushing downward. The image hits him so hard he has to adjust himself in his jeans, subtle as a heart attack.

His dick twitches miserably.

He slouches lower, trying to think of anything not filthy – taxes, Sam’s hair care routine, the time Bobby caught him naked in the kitchen with a meatball sub – but it’s useless.

“Dean? You even listening?” you ask, laughing, poking his leg with your sandy toes.

Dean grunts something noncommittal that might be English, jaw clenched so tight he’s surprised his teeth don’t shatter. He tries to answer. Really, he does. But the words get bottlenecked behind the visual of you dragging your tongue slowly up the side of the melting treat.

You bite your lip, thoughtful, tapping the end of the popsicle stick against your mouth. “Maybe it’s something worse,” you continue. “Like a siren who doesn’t seduce you to death, just… I dunno. Sucks you off and leaves you floating.”

Dean’s soul physically leaves his body.

You tilt your head, grinning wickedly. “You want me to suck you off too, Dean?”

Time freezes. The ocean quiets. The gulls still midair. Dean’s pulse slams loud and dizzy in his ears. His world narrows to you, your suntanned legs, the glint of sea-salt crystals on your skin, your bright and glistening mango lips.

Jesus fucking Christ.

You just–

Did you–

He stares at you, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “Huh? What?” he croaks, voice pitched embarrassingly high.

You blink at him, then repeat – slowly, sweetly, “I said: Should we check if it sucks the breath outta people like a leech?”

“Uh, yeah,” he croaks. “Suckin’. Life. Outta dudes. Totally.”

You stare at him a second longer, suspicious, before shrugging and going back to the file.

Dean exhales, trying to will his hard-on into submission through sheer force of shame. You’re systematically dismantling his ability to think in complete sentences. His entire brain is on fire.

His internal organs shut down one by one. He drops his head back against the lounge chair, squeezing his green eyes shut. He is too old, too tired, and too desperately in love with you for this shit.

The sun beats down, hot and merciless, painting everything in shades of clementine and burning copper. Apricot umbrellas dot the beach like slices of candy. The ocean blinks lazy and endless, a rolling quilt of bottle-green and blue-fire sapphire. Seagulls wheel overhead, shrieking insults.

Dean’s mind drifts again.

He imagines dragging you down into the frothy surf, your hands curling into his hair, your giggles swallowed by the sea.

He imagines you mouthing at his jeans, impatient and greedy, while the sun sets behind you in a tangle of electric clementine and bruised lapis skies.

He imagines you kneeling between his legs, licking a stripe up the underside of his cock like you’re taste-testing it, humming around him, sweet and filthy and happy about it.

He imagines you under the boardwalk, hips rocking against his like the waves, bikini strings snapping loose with frantic fingers.

He imagines you bent over the hood of the Impala, bikini tangled around your ankles, hands bracing against the hot metal while he rails you like a man possessed.

He imagines your thighs caging his head, that same lazy, teasing look on your face, and him savoring your taste of sugar and salt and heat, while the whole crazy, humid, goddamn state of Florida spins off its axis.

“You’re quiet,” you chirp, tossing a sideways glance at him. “Florida getting to you?”

Dean clears his throat, gruff. “Yeah. Somethin’ like that, sweetheart.”

You raise your sunglasses, peeking at him over the frames. “You know, Winchester, you’re the only guy on this beach dressed like he’s about to sell used beach towels out of the back of a van."

Dean frowns, looking down at himself: worn boots, jeans, his favorite faded black tee with a sun-bleached flannel thrown over it. Practical. Battle-tested. Entirely inappropriate for beachside Florida.

“First of all,” he says, lifting a finger, “this is classic Americana ruggedness. Chicks dig it.”

You lean your head back and laugh, all bright and cruel. “You’re sweating through your ‘Americana ruggedness.’”

Dean scowls, dripping like a busted fire hydrant. “I told you. I’m not gonna wear fucking board shorts like all the other frat boy idiots here.”

You laugh again, the sound bright as bells, and Dean’s heart trips hard enough to hurt.

“You’re gonna die of heatstroke,” you tease. “Right here. Buried in Florida sand. Some old lady’s gonna find your corpse and knit you a ‘Bless Your Heart’ sweater.”

He snorts a chuckle. “I’ll haunt this beach just to piss you off.”

“Promise?” you ask, giving him a cheeky wink.

Dean is about five minutes away from lighting himself on fire. And honestly? Florida would probably consider it normal Tuesday behavior.

Your gaze drifts out to the ocean beyond your feet and sandy calves with a blissful little sigh. “It’s kinda pretty, though, isn’t it?”

Dean looks at you – skin kissed by flame-petals and sunset sugar, hair blowing soft in the briny breeze, popsicle stick clutched between your fingers like a crime scene weapon.

Yeah. Pretty.

Pretty much the goddamn end of him.

“Victim said he saw orange,” you murmur thoughtfully. “Bright, like-… like a koi? A clownfish?”

Dean is about to make a dumb Finding Nemo joke when you lick a bead of melted popsicle off your wrist, slow and absentminded.

And all Dean wants is to dig a hole right here in the sugar-white sand and bury himself alive in this cursed, gator-infested sandpit.

“Dean?”

He snaps back to reality so hard he gets whiplash. “What?” he wheezes.

You arch an eyebrow. “I said, should we check the tide charts? Maybe the creature only comes out during low tide.”

Dean coughs into his fist, face hotter than the sun overhead. “Uh, sure. Tide charts. Definitely. Research.”

But all he can think about is those legs locked around his waist, sand clinging to your thighs as he fucks you into the waves. You moaning into his neck, salty and sweet, fingers yanking at his shirt like you can’t stand to have him dressed another second.

You nibble at the edge of the popsicle, teeth scraping the melting mango sheen, and Dean watches helplessly as a single sticky bead runs down your wrist.

He fantasizes about leaning over, licking it off your skin, trailing his mouth up your arm to your shoulder, your throat, your mouth. He imagines you gasping against him, laughing breathless.

He fantasizes about hauling you out of that chair and onto his lap, mouth on yours, sticky hands sliding under the knot of your bikini top, tugging until you’re bared for him and only him, sunshine turning your skin to gold, and–

Greatly frustrated, Dean runs a hand down his freckled face. Why the fuck can’t he bring himself to stop? You’re unraveling him atom by atom.

But then, the fucking frozen treat drips again, and you lean forward to catch it with your mouth, lips wrapping tight around the end. Dean watches you hollow your cheeks slightly when you suck, head tilted thoughtfully like you’re considering footnotes and not absolutely wrecking his entire being. You pull the melting syrup back again with a soft, wet pop.

At this point, he wants to fucking throw himself into the ocean and let the sharks tear him apart like Hellhounds. He’s pretty sure his soul leaves his body, too.

He grips the arms of his chair so hard they creak in protest, knuckles turning white as he’s trying to tether himself to reality and not his fantasies.

Florida is hell.

You are hell.

And he’s a good man being punished for crimes he hasn’t even committed yet.

Dean shifts in his chair, crossing one leg over the other like that’ll hide the state of emergency going on in his jeans. He’s surprised no one here has asked any questions yet or called fucking 911.

Meanwhile, the world keeps spinning. The ocean rolls in lazy, glassy sheets of turquoise and teal. The sun licks liquid gold down your shoulders. The salt air curls the loose strands of your hair into a halo. And Dean – miserable, desperate, wildly in love – watches you polish off the last inch of your popsicle, tongue flicking the stick clean.

“Earth to Dean,” you sing-song, waving a hand in front of his face and kicking sand lightly at his boots.

Dean jerks back into consciousness. “Yeah?”

“Should we check out the marina witnesses after this?” you ask, tossing your popsicle stick into the trash bucket next to your chair.

Before he can say something catastrophic (like “Marry me right now” or “Please put your mouth on me, I'm begging”), Sam comes jogging up the beach, waving his phone like a savior in flannel.

“Got a lead! Marina worker said he saw something with gills and claws dragging people under.”

Dean launches out of his chair like his ass is on fire. A man escaping execution.

“Awesome. Let’s roll!” he barks, voice too loud and way too eager.

You tuck your notes into your beach bag and sling it over your shoulder, grinning wide and bright as the sunset. The same grin that ruined him long before the bikini did.

You hop up beside him, laughing, brushing sand off your thighs with maddening slow sweeps, and Dean bites back a groan so hard it nearly gives him a hernia.

“You sure you’re okay, Winchester?” you ask, teasing. “You looked like you were about to pass out there for a second.”

“I’m great,” Dean lies, voice strangled, letting the sun melt him into roadkill. “Peachy.”

“You sure? Seriously, you’re a walking heatstroke PSA,” you quip, hip-bumping him lightly as you fall into step beside him.

Dean coughs. “'M fine, sweetheart. Just… dehydration. And Florida. And mermaid murder.”

As you brush past him, the smell of your sunscreen and coconut shampoo punch him square in the gut. Dean follows, trying very, very hard not to watch the way your hips sway like you own the whole damn coastline.

He thinks about how easy it would be to slip his arm around your waist, how natural it would feel to lean in, to kiss you like he’s wanted to for years. Instead, he shoves his hands deep into his jeans pockets and marches grimly through the sand, already planning a quick, ice-cold shower and about eight beers after this job’s done.

Yeah, Florida is one hell of a drug, but you’re the one that fucked him up.

Okay, I may have had way too much fun with torturing Dean here. Forgive me, guys 😂☀️🏝️

Hope you enjoyed this one! 🩵

Tag List Pt. 1:

@alwaystiredandconfused @xlynnbbyx @lyarr24 @deans-spinster-witch @blackcherrywhiskey

@deansbbyx @foxyjwls007 @ladysparkles78 @roseblue373 @zepskies

@agalliasi @yvonneeeee @hobby27 @iamsapphine @globetrotter28

@lori19 @lacilou @feyresqueen @suckitands33 @onlyangel-444

@syrma-sensei @perpetualabsurdity @yoobusgoobus @jessjad @dayhsdreaming

@hunter-or-the-hunted @k-slla @just-levyy @mrsjenniferwinchester @illicithallways

@muhahaha303 @ultimatecin73 @nancymcl @leigh70 @brightlilith

@nesnejwritings @samslvrgirl @xx-spooky-little-vampire-xx @fromcaintodean @barewithme02

@impala67rollingthroughtown @star-yawnznn @spnaquakindgdom @thej2report @americanvenom13

@lamentationsofalonelypotato @supernotnatural2005 @stoneyggirl2 @kr804573 @m0e0v0v

[goldfades]

im afraid i need more mamas boy hayes

i kinda went off the prompt but there's a little mama's boy hayes somewhere in there LMAO. also this is when hayes is a little older (i'm thinking 7-8 years old)

You had always been skeptical about Hayes playing football.

It wasn’t that you didn’t believe in him—you did, wholeheartedly. He had Joe’s talent, his love for the game, his competitive edge. But he was still just a kid, and no matter how many times Joe assured you that injuries were just part of the sport, that he’d be fine, that he’d be careful—you never stopped worrying.

And today? Today proved why.

The game had been intense from the start—two undefeated teams, the stakes higher than ever. Hayes had been playing great, making sharp plays, throwing with precision, running the field like he was born for it.

But then it happened.

It was one play, one moment, one second that changed everything.

Hayes had the ball. He was running, weaving through defenders, moving with that same effortless agility that Joe had when he played. You could hear the crowd cheering, your heart pounding, your fingers clutching the fabric of your jeans as you sat on the edge of your seat.

And then—a collision.

Hard. Fast. Loud.

Your stomach plummeted as Hayes was taken down, his body crashing into the turf with a force that made your breath catch in your throat.

Then, silence.

Not from the crowd—the crowd was roaring. But from Hayes.

He wasn’t getting up.

Your heart stopped.

Joe was already on his feet beside you, his entire body tensed, his eyes locked on the field with the kind of fear you rarely ever saw in him.

"Come on, buddy," Joe muttered under his breath. "Get up. Get up."

But Hayes didn’t move.

And that’s when you felt it—pure, unfiltered panic.

You shot out of your seat so fast your legs nearly gave out beneath you, your hands gripping the railing in front of you. The medical staff was already running onto the field, coaches kneeling beside Hayes, and you swore your vision blurred as you tried to see if he was okay.

"He’s fine," Joe said beside you, but his voice was tight, like he was trying to convince himself more than he was trying to convince you. His hand gripped your arm, steadying you, but you could feel the tension radiating off him.

He was scared too.

Your breath felt shaky, your heart hammering in your chest. You weren’t even aware of the fact that you were gripping Joe’s sleeve until he pulled you closer, his other arm wrapping around you.

Joe didn’t even think.

One second, he was gripping the edge of his seat, heart hammering in his chest, and the next, he was on his feet, storming down the bleachers before anyone could stop him.

You barely had time to register what was happening before you were chasing after him, weaving through the crowd as he marched straight past security, past the coaches, past anyone who might have told him to stay put.

His only focus? Hayes.

And you could see it—the fear in him.

Joe was always calm, always composed, but this? This was different. He looked sick, his jaw clenched so tight it could’ve cracked, his fists balled at his sides.

By the time you caught up to him, he was already dropping to his knees beside Hayes, voice low and urgent.

"Hey, buddy. Hey, I’m right here." His hands hovered, unsure where to touch first. "Talk to me, okay?"

Hayes winced, shifting slightly as the trainer kept a firm grip on his shoulder.

"My arm hurts," he muttered, voice small.

Joe swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. His eyes darted from Hayes' face to the trainer, as if begging for an answer.

"He took a hard hit," the trainer said, voice calm but firm. "We’re checking for a dislocation or fracture, but nothing looks broken right now."

Joe nodded once, but his face was still pale.

And you? You couldn’t take it anymore.

You dropped down beside them, brushing Hayes’ hair back from his forehead, your hands shaking slightly.

"You scared us," you murmured.

Hayes’ lower lip jutted out, his little brow furrowing. "Sorry, Mom."

Joe exhaled sharply through his nose, running a hand down his face. His other hand finally settled on Hayes' good shoulder, gripping gently, but firmly.

"We’re done for today," Joe said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"But—"

Joe cut him a look, and that was it. End of discussion.

"We’re getting you checked out," he continued. "I don’t care if it’s just a bruise, I want a full scan. No debates."

Hayes sighed but nodded, letting the trainers help him sit up fully.

And that’s when Joe finally looked at you.

Like really looked at you.

And you saw it then—the sheer panic he’d been trying to bury.

His blue eyes were still blown wide, his breathing still shallow. He looked like he wanted to throw up, or punch something, or both.

So you reached for him, squeezing his wrist, grounding him.

"He’s okay," you whispered.

Joe let out another sharp breath and nodded.

And then, without another word, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to Hayes' hair, lingering for just a second longer than usual.

And you knew.

Knew that no matter how much Joe loved this sport, no matter how much he wanted Hayes to love it too—

This?

This right here?

Was his worst nightmare.

—

The room was too quiet.

The kind of quiet that felt wrong, like the air had been sucked out completely. The kind of quiet that made your chest tight, your throat dry.

Hayes sat on the exam table, his small fingers curled into fists at his sides. His football jersey was wrinkled, his cheeks still red from exertion, but his expression was eerily blank. Too blank.

You knew that look. He was trying to be tough.

Joe stood beside him, arms crossed tightly over his chest, jaw locked. His knee bounced—a dead giveaway of the nerves he wasn’t voicing.

And you? You were perched right next to Hayes, one hand settled on his knee, rubbing slow, absentminded circles. It was instinct, really—the need to comfort him, to remind him that he wasn’t alone.

The trainer took a deep breath before speaking, eyes flickering between all three of you like he was trying to soften the blow.

But nothing could soften it.

"It’s a fractured clavicle."

Joe exhaled sharply through his nose. You felt Hayes stiffen beneath your touch.

"How bad?" Joe’s voice was tight, his usual composure barely hanging on.

"It’s a clean break, but it’s still a fracture. That means no football for at least three to four months."

Silence.

You swore you could hear Joe’s teeth grinding.

Hayes swallowed, the first sign of movement from him in minutes.

The trainer continued carefully. "Realistically, he’s out for the season."

Joe’s breath came out in a low, sharp exhale. He dragged a hand down his face, eyes closing for a second like he needed to reset.

You watched Hayes closely, your heart aching.

He still wasn’t saying anything.

But you could see the way his bottom lip trembled, how his eyes flickered to the ground, how his little fists clenched even tighter in his lap.

He was trying so hard to be tough, to take it like a real football player, like his dad would.

But he wasn’t Joe. Not yet.

He was still your baby.

Joe must’ve realized it too, because instead of arguing or pressing for other options, he simply nodded. "Alright. We’ll do whatever he needs."

The trainer nodded back, relief flashing in his expression. "We’ll get him set up with a sling and schedule follow-ups. He’ll heal up, I promise."

Hayes only nodded, but the way his little jaw tensed, the way he refused to look up—it told you everything.

Your heart cracked right down the middle.

Joe knew it too.

Which is why, instead of speaking, he just placed a hand on Hayes’ shoulder—the good one.

But Hayes barely reacted.

That’s when Joe finally met your eyes.

And in that moment, you both knew.

Right now, Hayes didn’t need Joe.

He needed you.

So without hesitation, you scooted closer, wrapping your arms around him and pulling him in without waiting for him to ask.

And the second he was against you, he broke.

His small fingers curled into your hoodie, his face burying itself in your chest as a small, shaky breath escaped him.

Joe exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw as he watched, but he didn’t seem upset. If anything, he looked… grateful.

Because he knew.

No matter how much Hayes wanted to be like his dad—right now, he just needed his mom.

The ride home was quiet.

Hayes barely touched his phone, which was rare. Usually, he was either texting his friends about the game or watching highlights, but tonight, his eyes stayed locked on the window, watching the city lights blur past. His good arm rested in his lap, and the sling they’d given him looked too big, too awkward on his small frame.

Joe kept glancing at him in the rearview mirror, his fingers flexing over the steering wheel like he wanted to say something—anything—but didn’t know where to start.

So you reached over, threading your fingers through his, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.

You’d handle this.

Once you got home, Hayes shuffled into the house without a word. He bypassed the living room, the TV, even the couch where he usually flopped down after a game.

Straight to his room.

Joe sighed, rubbing a hand down his face.

"He’s shutting down," he muttered, more to himself than to you.

"He’s upset," you corrected gently. "Just… let me try."

Joe hesitated but nodded.

So you followed Hayes down the hall, knocking lightly before pushing his door open.

He was curled up on his bed, staring at the ceiling, the dim glow of his lamp casting soft shadows across the room. He didn’t look at you when you walked in, but his brows furrowed when you sat on the edge of the bed.

"You need to eat," you said softly.

"Not hungry."

You sighed, shifting closer until you could run your fingers through his hair, something you’d been doing since he was little.

"You know I’m not letting you go to sleep without eating something," you murmured.

Hayes let out a small, defeated sigh. "Fine."

"Good choice," you teased, pressing a quick kiss to his forehead before heading toward the kitchen.

You made him a plate—nothing too heavy, just something simple—and brought it back to his room. He sat up enough to take it, murmuring a quiet, "Thanks, Mom," before picking at the food.

It wasn’t much, but it was something.

When you stepped back into the kitchen, Joe was gone.

You frowned, checking the living room, then the backyard.

Nothing.

Then your phone buzzed.

Be back soon.

You rolled your eyes, but your lips twitched in amusement.

Joe had his own way of handling things.

—

Exactly 45 minutes later, the front door creaked open, followed by the sound of a paper bag crinkling.

You turned from where you sat on the couch, raising an eyebrow as Joe walked in with two large bags from a familiar ice cream shop—the one that was nearly an hour away.

"You’re insane," you said, crossing your arms as he set the bags down on the counter.

He just grinned, pulling out the pints one by one. "Tell me I’m wrong, though."

You sighed, shaking your head because—damn him—he wasn’t wrong.

You grabbed two spoons and followed him down the hall.

Hayes was still awake, lying on his side and scrolling through his phone.

"Hey, bud," Joe said, stepping inside. "Got you something."

Hayes barely glanced up—until Joe held up the ice cream.

The familiar packaging caught his attention instantly. His brows lifted in surprise, and for the first time all night, his expression softened.

"You drove all the way there?" he asked, his voice still a little hoarse from earlier.

Joe just shrugged like it was no big deal. "Figured it was a special occasion."

Hayes scoffed. "Getting hurt is a special occasion?"

"You being sad is," Joe said simply, handing him a spoon.

Hayes hesitated, then took it.

And just like that, the tension eased.

You settled in next to him, Joe took the chair beside the bed, and for the first time all night, Hayes actually smiled.

It wasn’t much.

But it was something.

[cottonlemonade]

Marriage Of Convenience [Part 1]

word count: 1705 || avg. reading time: 7 mins.

pairing: post-time skip!Kuroo x chubby!Reader

genre: fluff, friends to lovers, slow burn, slice of life

warnings: spoilers

synopsis: Marriage is not a big deal, right? Anyone can do it and it comes with a whole lot of benefits! That’s why your friend proposes to you one morning with all the elegance and romance of an empty pudding cup.

The honey drizzled in deep golden ribbons onto the still warm buttered toast. The first signs of spring were in the air and the thickly plumed sparrows chattering on your balcony outside the kitchen window, hopping from railing to empty plant pots, almost drowned out the noise from the busy road down below. In typical Monday morning fashion, you only half-paid attention to your breakfast while you scrolled through your emails, picking out the important from the irrelevant and barely took note of the front door opening. Shuffling footsteps hurried along the short hallway. A few moments later, Tetsuro plopped down across from you, snatching a grape from your plate.

You looked up from your phone with a cocked brow when he took a second one, and he held your eyes questioningly, the grapes still bulging out his cheeks like a hamster, “What? You want them back?”

With pursed lips, you pushed your plate to the middle of the table and bit off a corner of toast, still scrolling.

“Did you see the email from Mr Maeda?”

Testuro nodded, “That guy really has nothing better to do on a Sunday than count coffee filters and complain about the office’s excessive caffeine consumption.”

You got up to quickly reheat the kettle for a second cup of tea, “I’ll have to go to the downtown office this morning, but I should be done by lunch. Wanna meet up at that new sushi place?”

“Sure thing. - Oh! Also, I went down quite the rabbit hole last night and I wanted to run something by you.”

“Is this a “I can’t believe pandas ever made it this far” or more a “we should totally start our own quilting business” kind of rabbit hole?”

Steam rose from the spout of the kettle, and you began pouring it over the loose green tea you knew was his favorite.

“How would you feel about getting married?”

You almost broke your neck, snapping your head around to look at him, “What?”

“It’s not weird, I promise. I saw this video of a couple yesterday who talked about how they were tired of dating and annoyed that they were getting overlooked on apartment hunts, perks at work, always being hounded by their families about when they’d finally find someone etc. and so just decided to marry their best friend. And I looked into it, they’re completely right! The amount of benefits married couples get is insane! And don’t even get me started on taxes.”

The cup was by now overflowing, and hot water trickled steadily from your kitchen counter onto your house slipper. You didn’t notice it because you were still staring at him.

“You’re dripping.”, he informed you, helpfully.

With a little shake of your head, you returned to reality in which Kuroo Tetsuro, local office dork, just casually suggested marrying him over a half-eaten slice of toast and remnants of grape stalks.

He went and grabbed the dish towel from the hook by your sink and crouched down to wipe up the small puddle. As he did, he looked up at you, continuing, “Anyway, I figured since I’m not seeing anyone, and you’re also nowhere near close to marriage-”

“Hey!”

“I thought I’d ask.”

“Are you gonna randomly propose to other people if I don’t say yes?”

“I dunno, actually. - Don’t think so. Why?”

You took a deep breath and accepted the wet towel he held out to mop up the rest from the counter.

“Alright. I’m not saying yes, yet!”, you clarified quickly as he was about to raise his hand for a high five, “I’m saying: bring me some actual facts about this, not just social media hearsay, and then I’ll decide.”

“You got it. I’ll present my findings to you by tomorrow night.” He ended with his most professional nod, then smiled and began clearing your table so you could head to work together.

After the morning meeting, you heavily neglected your tasks to sort your thoughts. A spreadsheet was made and pros and cons began slowly filling in either side of the neat list.

Pros:

> Tax deductions (!)

> he knows how to do laundry and picks up after himself

> Respectful, most of the time

> fun and comfortable to be around

> I’d not be offended if people assumed we’re married

You paused and looked at a small plant pot on your desk, deep in further consideration. Then you took to your keyboard again.

Cons:

> might have to pretend like all of his jokes are suddenly funny

> having to explain the situation to everyone

Your fingers stopped typing and after a heartbeat or two you deleted the last line, writing instead:

> having to pretend to be married in front of everyone

Much to your surprise, he didn‘t address the elephant in the room over lunch right away. Instead, you talked as per usual about this, that and everything, pulling small plates with bites of sushi from the conveyor belt in front of you. He had his tie flipped over his shoulder and the JVA lanyard was safely tucked in the breast pocket of his shirt to not accidentally dunk it in the little dish of wasabi and soy sauce in front of you. In your mind, you quietly added “good table manners” to the pro list.

“What’s up?”, he asked as he stacked an empty plate onto the ever-growing dish tower.

“Nothing.”

“Yes, there is.”

“Nope.”

“Come on, I might be your husband soon, we should be able to tell each other everything.”, he grinned.

“You’re very on board with this whole idea.”, you noted after a short pause.

Tetsuro made that smile he always did when he was about to deliver an awful pun, “One could say I’m pretty married to it, yes.”

You continued, unperturbed, “What about your dad? What would you tell him?”

“He likes you.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“He’s gonna be fine as long as I am.” Tetsuro dipped the salmon of a nigiri in soy sauce and held it out to feed you - a poor attempt to distract.

“Don’t worry so much about it.”, he said to his very worried friend with a reassuring shrug when you took the bite, “He knows you make me happy. And that’s all there is to it.”

“I make you happy, do I?”

“Yeah, of course. What - don’t I make you happy?”, he grinned.

“Well.” With a raised brow, you pulled out your phone and, after a bit of tapping, turned the screen to show him your list.

Squinting a little, he produced his glasses from his pocket and put your phone on the table to scroll through the bullet points.

“Okay, first of all, I can’t see anything on here about my looks. That should be a major pro. Just look at these glasses.”, he gestured to the dark frames, “Don’t they scream office siren? That should definitely go into the pro column. You should write that not only am I gonna be an amazing husband but also some real eye candy”, under his breath he added, “which one might argue is the healthiest kind of candy.” He smirked at his own joke.

“That’s not relevant, though.”, you countered.

He disagreed, “It’s very relevant for bragging rights. I know, I’ll brag about you non-stop. Just look at how you did this Excel spreadsheet. Dream girl right there.”

“I know you’re joking, but I’m actually very proud of my skills, thank you very much.” You snatched the phone away again and answered his smile with your own. Maybe it really wouldn’t be so bad after all.

The following night, you settled in on his couch waiting for him to make his case, although, if you were honest, in your mind you were already picturing what life with him as a glorified roommate would be like. Tetsuro tipped on his laptop for about a minute, then rolled up his sleeves and turned on the TV. It showed the title card to a PowerPoint presentation by the name of Why You Should Marry Me. The next slide, reached by the click of a button from the little black remote in his hand, let you know that it was sub-sectioned into Perks, More Perks, Possible Issues and Even More Perks.

“Do you have any questions?”, he asked once the final slide read Thank you for your attention.

You took a deep, quiet breath, looking down at the empty notepad in your lap and back up at him.

“Nope. Let’s do it.”

He beamed and clicked the remote again. It jumped to a new title card: Guidelines For Our Happy Marriage.

Thanks to Tetsuro’s extensive research you had a list of needed paperwork ready to go and after a quick trip to your country’s embassy you soon stood in line at City Hall on Friday afternoon, both still in your office clothes, to get married. It felt much more like an errand than anything else, like popping into a convenience store on your way home from work because you forgot the milk on your last trip to the supermarket. Stacks of documents were signed and stamped, and once you were done, you received a coupon for a nearby restaurant as a gift. When you stepped out of the tall unassuming building, the last slivers of sunbeams peeked through the alleys and the streets were bathed in a subtle golden-gray glow. You came to a halt at the bottom of the steps.

“How do you feel?”, you asked.

He stretched his neck and rolled his shoulders as if looking for a crank somewhere. “No different. You?”

You shook out your body as well, more so to make fun of him than anything else, and shrugged, “Nope. All good.”

On your walk to the restaurant for your discount wedding dinner, you simply carried on your usual conversations about a book you were currently reading and thought out loud about what you would pick off the menu.

The only indication that anything had changed was that when you reached your table, he pulled up the chair with a slight bow saying, “Mrs Tax Deduction.” and you played coy and did a small curtsy before sitting down with the reply of, “Too kind, Mr Tax Deduction.”

art: @freaka_loonyz on Instagram, X, Pinterest and TikTok

a/n: sooo, here we are. I really hope you’ll enjoy this one ✨

Huge thank you to @haikyu-mp4 for listening to me ramble about this incessantly and for brainstorming and for helping me edit.

[Part 2]

[daryltwdixon]

Can you do Daryl with an intelligent girl who maybe came from the same trailer park but went to nursing school or something

Summary: Daryl never could accept the fact that you were leaving him. He knew you were meant for more than the trailer park, that you were making something of yourself, chasing the kind of life he never thought he could touch. But that didn’t make it hurt any less when you got accepted into nursing school. So he did what he always did—lashed out with sharp, thoughtless words he didn’t mean, and let you walk away before he could ask you to stay.

|| angst, hurt with delayed comfort, tp!daryl, farm!daryl, kind of established relationship with no label, the man has a lotta feelings and has no clue how to handle them || notes: I'm so sorry this is probs NOT what you were expecting but god I love angsty Daryl. This is like what the ruins of us could’ve been if they’d just accepted their feelings.

The porch creaked when you stepped out, half-empty beer in one hand, the other bracing against the chipped doorframe. The air smelled like hot asphalt and cheap cigarettes—someone in the next lot over still had their music playing, something low and twangy.

Daryl was leaning against the railing, a nearly empty bottle dangling from his fingers. But he wasn’t where you left him—not lounged into the second rocking chair, hidden in the corner of the porch out of the baking sun like usual. He was standing now, stiff-backed and still, staring down at the paper in his hands.

“You weren’t even gonna tell me,” he muttered without looking at you, and he held up the paper.

Your opened acceptance letter.

You blinked. “I was. I am.”

His jaw tightened, like he didn’t believe you. Or maybe he didn’t want to. He dropped the letter onto the small cigarette littered table by the door. “So that’s it, then? You’re just leavin’.”

You stepped down from the doorframe to stand beside him, the wood warm from the sun even this late. “I told you I was applying. Daryl, they gave me a full ride scholarship. That’s not just—”

“Yeah, I know what it is,” he snapped. His arms folded across his chest like armor. “Ain’t gotta talk to me like I’m stupid.”

Your mouth opened, then shut. “I never said that.”

“You didn’t have to.”

Silence stretched out between you, thick and restless. The cicadas screamed in the trees. Down the road, a truck rumbled past with its headlights off.

“I thought you’d be happy for me,” you said after a long beat. Voice quieter now, uncertain.

Daryl let out a short, humorless laugh. “Yeah? Well, guess I ain’t real good at pretendin’.”

You stared at him, trying to find the softness underneath all that bark, the boy who used to hand you bottle rockets and steal peaches from old man Gentry’s tree. The man who held you close at night, who kissed you in the bed of his truck on summer evening at the drive in.

“Why are you bein’ like this?”

He finally turned to look at you, and you wished he hadn’t. His eyes were sharp and wild and wounded.

“’Cause you’re actin’ like this place never meant nothin’ to you. Like I never meant nothin’.”

That landed hard. Your chest pinched around it.

“That’s not fair.”

“No?” His voice rose just a little. “You get to run off, play nurse, start some new life, and what? I just stay here? Fix Merle’s shit, watch Pop drink himself to death?”

“I never asked you to stay here.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t ask me to come with you, neither.”

That stopped you cold. Because you hadn’t. You hadn’t even thought to.

“Daryl…”

He looked away again, chewing at the inside of his cheek. Angry. Embarrassed. Small.

“You’ve always thought you were better than this place,” he muttered. “Better than me.”

You stood up then, heart pounding, beer forgotten. “That’s bullshit, and you know it. I’ve fought for everything. I worked my ass off to get outta here.”

He nodded, jaw working. “Yeah. And now you get to go patch up college boys and drink your little lattes and forget all about the rest of us.”

“You think I’m gonna forget you?”

“Ain’t that what you do?” he shot back, standing up, crowding your space. “Climb high enough, leave the rest of us in the mud.”

It hurt. God, it hurt more than you thought it would. More than it should’ve.

“I loved you,” you said, voice shaking. “I love you, Daryl. But I can’t stay here and rot just to prove it.”

Daryl’s mouth opened. Closed. He didn’t know what to do with that. With love. Especially not yours.

So he did what he always did. He lashed out.

“Go play nurse for all them rich boys,” he said, tone flat. “Bet they’ll eat that shit up.”

You flinched like he’d hit you. Over and over like each word he spewed as a hit to your gut.

The porch lights buzzed above you. Inside, the old box fan in the window rattled against the frame. You suddenly hated this place. Hated how it was in your lungs, in your clothes, how it would never let him go.

“I’ll call,” you said, softer now.

Daryl shook his head, not looking at you as he stepped off the porch into the Georgia night.

“Don’t bother.”

Daryl

Fourth day out.

The sun was high, thick in the trees. The air pressed down on Daryl like it had weight, clinging to the sweat on his back, his neck, the inside of his shirt. His legs ached, but it didn’t slow him. Nothing would. Not yet. Not until he found Sophia or dropped dead trying.

He hadn’t slept right in days. Couple hours here and there. Rested up in trees like he used to, one eye open. Rick kept saying they had to keep faith. Carol was hanging on by threads. And the others...hell, most of them didn’t believe she was alive anymore.

But Daryl did. Because she had to be.

The heat made his vision blur around the edges.

He’d been walking since sunrise, following signs—scrapes on bark, half a shoe print in the mud that might not’ve even been hers. But it was something.

His body was on autopilot now. Step, scan, step. Branches slapped at his arms. Sweat stung his eyes. He barely felt it.

He dragged the back of his dirty hand across his forehead, took another few steps up the ridge, eyes scanning the trail ahead. The air felt different here. Cooler. Stiller.

He paused.

Listened.

Something moved through the trees—soft, fast. Too light for a walker, too smooth for a deer. The trees were quiet. That kind of quiet that made his skin crawl, like the whole world was holding its breath.

Daryl raised his crossbow without thinking. “Sophia?” he called, voice rough from hours of silence.

No answer. Just another rustle. Closer. He moved toward it, careful.

And then... You stepped into view.

And the world stopped.

You looked like a ghost. Not clean, not untouched—no one was anymore. He couldn't tell if he was hallucinating or not. Standing there in jeans stained at the knees, a pack slung over your shoulder, sun catching in your hair like it always had.

His lungs quit working.

Then you said his name.

And Daryl Dixon, who had gutted walkers, walked through fire, faced death over and over, had flinched.

He knew your voice. Knew it better than anything. Could’ve picked it out blindfolded in a storm, could’ve followed it straight into hell. And here it was, soft and real and saying his name like he hadn’t shattered everything the last time you stood in front of him.

He didn’t move. Didn’t blink. His brain went blank and loud all at once—static and screaming, every memory shoving itself forward like it had claws.

The memory of the last time he saw you, a memory he only saw in dreams now because he would shove it away every time it surfaced in the days afterward, was fresh behind his eyes. The things he said—sharp, stupid things—just to make you feel as bad as he did. You’d looked at him like he’d broken something between you, something that couldn’t be put back.

Now you were here.

And you didn’t hesitate. You ran.

Boots hitting the earth fast and sure, arms open, crashing into him like you were sure he’d catch you—and he did, though his feet stumbled back a step and his breath seized like he’d taken a hit to the ribs. For a heartbeat, he didn’t move. Couldn’t. He still wasn't entirely sure he wasn't hallucinating. That maybe he was dying on the ground from heat stroke and you were some angel come to take him to hell.

But your arms were real. Solid around his shoulders. Your body warm against his. And then his own arms, slow and unsure, wrapped around you like they were remembering something they hadn’t felt in years. They settled there—tight, desperate, almost trembling—and then he buried his face into the curve of your neck, because there was nowhere else in the world he wanted to be.

You still smelled the same, now with the undeniable scent of dirt and sweat from months of survival on your own. But you still had that faint, warm sweetness that had haunted him on nights he couldn’t sleep. His fingers clenched at the fabric of your shirt, bringing you closer to him like he was scared you’d disappear again. And for the first time in a long time, he let himself breathe. Let himself feel.

You held him like no time had passed. Like the years hadn’t hollowed both of you out. Like he hadn’t said the one thing he regretted more than anything in the whole damn world.

And that… forgiveness? That grace? That mercy cracked something open in his chest. Because maybe you remembered every word. Maybe you hadn’t forgotten a thing. But you were still here. Still choosing him.

He’d expected a reckoning if he ever saw you again. Silence. Distance. Maybe a slap. But instead, he got this. You pressed against him. Breathing him in. Holding him like coming back was never a question.

And he was surprised when it didn’t feel like punishment.

Because it felt like hope.

And when he finally opened his mouth, the words barely made it out.

“I’m sorry,” he shuddered into you.

“I know,” you breathed.

You pulled back just enough to look at him, your hands still warm where they rested on his shoulders. Your eyes searched his face, like you were trying to find all the pieces he’d buried and put them back together.

And then you did the thing he’d tried hardest to forget. The thing that twisted in his gut whenever it surfaced in the dark. The thing that lived somewhere just behind his ribs, where no one else could reach.

You kissed him.

And Daryl didn’t stop you.

Couldn’t.

He kissed you back, rough and aching, like something in him had come loose. Like all the time between then and now had built up behind his ribs, waiting to crack open the second your mouth touched his. There was no thought, no hesitation. Just instinct. Just you. His hand found your waist, pulled you in, desperate to feel all of you—solid, breathing, here.

The first kiss was quick. Too quick. Like he was afraid to take too much. But then you leaned into him, your hands curling into the back of his sleeveless shirt, and whatever hold he thought he had on himself snapped like dry twigs.

He kissed you harder. Messier. His mouth pressed to yours with a kind of hunger he didn’t know he still had in him. You were warm under his hands, grounding. Familiar and different all at once. And God, the way you held onto him—like you wanted this. Like you still wanted him—it nearly dropped him to his knees.

He didn’t even realize he was shaking until you slid your hands up to his shoulders, steadying him. He pressed his forehead to yours between kisses, trying to breathe, trying to think, but nothing made sense except your mouth and your hands and the way your breath caught when he kissed the corner of your lips.

“I’m sorry,” he said again, breathless, eyes squeezing shut like it hurt to say it. They were the only words he knew right then. Everything else was too big, too messy. But those—those three words—were the truth. They scraped up from somewhere deep, somewhere buried, and left him raw. “I’m sorry.”

He felt you nod, felt your hands curl tighter in his shirt, grounding him.

“It’s okay, Daryl,” you breathed, the words quiet but certain. He barely had time to register the sound of them before your fingers slid into his hair, fisting the short, sweaty strands around your knuckles. “It’s okay.”

He let out a ragged breath. His eyes stayed shut, like if he looked at you too long, it might break the spell. No one said things like that to him. Not like they meant it. Not without an edge, not without a catch. But you did. You always had.

The woods were quiet around you, all dappled light and heat rising from the earth. His hands stayed on your waist, thumbs brushing your skin just beneath the hem of your shirt. Not thinking about it, not trying to start anything—just needing that contact. That proof.

He finally opened his eyes, just a crack.

You were already looking at him.

Not with pity. Not with anger. Just that same steady gaze you’d always had when he was trying to hold himself together and failing miserably. Like you saw straight through all the armor and decided to stay anyway.

He swallowed hard. His throat was tight.

“You’re really here,” he murmured, more to himself than to you.

“Yeah,” you said, smiling just a little. “I am.”

He let out a quiet laugh—barely a breath. “Didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”

“I didn’t think I’d ever find you.”

And that hit something deep. He dipped his head, pressed his forehead to yours. Just stayed there. Breathing the same air, feeling the same weight settle between you.

It didn’t feel like a dream anymore.

It felt like a second chance.

And slowly—like you both knew there was nowhere else to go—you leaned in at the same time.

This kiss wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t about need.

It was about recognition.

About two people who had been carrying the same ache for too long finally setting it down.

[willowed-wisp]

relationship headcanons [ ghost ]

SFW

- You didn’t know what to expect being set up by your childhood friend Kyle Garrick

- Having an inkling it would be someone he worked with in the ‘parachute regiment’. So you expected 5’11”, stocky build and maybe a Mohawk?

- What you got was 6’4”, unable to tell what build he had because of the hoodies and a mask?

- He scared you to begin with, especially when you heard his voice. And Simon was used to that, that’s why he didn’t date… he couldn’t remember the last time he had sex or even spoke romantically to a woman.

- You thought about walking out on the date, but held in there. Realising maybe he was so awkward around the other people in the pub. “Wanna take a walk?”

- “Think you can keep up?” That was the first confident thing Simon had said that night.

- Maybe walking along the canal wasn’t the best choice but he seemed harmless, not a serial killer… He leant against the railings… his eyes reflected the street lamp, the night a dreary sight.

- You went to start your car, no such luck- like your date. He hadn’t told you one thing about himself… date failed and now your car refused to work with you. Your phone at 1% charge… you couldn’t even call a taxi.

- When you started to walk to the pub, an off-road jet black 4x4 pulled up beside you. It was Simon. “Car trouble?”

- “Yeah…”

- “Get in.” Was it a bad idea to jump into the car of someone you’d only just met and communicated with through Kyle? Yes. Were you in any position to turn down his kindness? No. “I’ll drive ya home…”

- Then the pin dropped, “My house keys are in the car,” A dry laugh came from him- trying to imagine what he looked like under that thing.

- “I can’t leave you on the street…” And that’s what led you straight into the passenger seat. His truck was spotless and surprisingly comfortable, like nobody had ever sat in that spot before you. “You can stay at mine for the night, don’t tell Garrick… he’ll have a field day….”

- “Thanks, but you could just drop me at a bus stop?” Not that you wanted that, not that you wanted anything from the good samaritan at the wheel.

- His head shook, “In this area? No chance, love,” You wondered how long he had travelled to go on this date because he had been driving half an hour before he pulled into a drive. From how he looked around getting out of the car and how high the garden hedge was, you thought it was lucky he hadn’t thrown a bag over your head.

- Not that you’d remember where he had taken you anyway.

- His house was almost barren, not many belongings. “Kitchen is on your left, living room on the right and bathroom is upstairs the first door you see…” He was talking much more than he had in the crowded environment.

- “D’ya have a phone charger? I’ll call Kyle to come get me tomorrow to look at the car…” He just gave you a stare, then you realised. Kyle didn’t live in your area anymore, over a hundred miles away. “Fuck…”

- “I’ll take a look at it in the morning…”

- “You sure? I can pay you fuel money,”

- Long story short, Simon turned down your money. And he kept coming back after he fixed your car, jotting your number down in case it gave you any more trouble.

- He doesn’t take his mask off until you have sex for the first time

- After that he rarely wears it when in private with you

- It’s weird when you have guests over (TF141) and he wears the damned thing

- You make sure you wash the masks every other day and make sure Simon alternates

- Never gets spots from them, either.

- Has tattoos but would never get a matching one with anyone

- He thinks it’s a jinx on any relationship or friendship

- You’re probably his first proper relationship

- Discloses he’s in the SAS when he gets deployed about a year into your relationship

- You never realised how worried sick you’d be until he got through the front door

- Bundles you in his arms, never taking the smell of your hair, perfume and skin for granted again

- Fixes all of your car troubles- he may have gone into mechanics had he had a settled childhood

- Finds it difficult to introduce you to the family, not because of you. Because of the baggage.

- His mother welcomed you but with caution in hand. Until you got talking to her and she just seemed to open up to you.

- She invites you round for dinner every Sunday. It makes Simon smile

- Never worked through his emotional baggage about his dad

- So when the subject of kids is brought up, he shudders

- You don’t press the matter, not with Simon

- He’s stubborn and you seem to be the only one who can change his mind

- Simon doesn’t fall in love easily but when he does, it’s deep and he’s never leaving your side

- Much more of a goofball than other people see- those dad jokes are primed and ready for an occasion

- Not a jealous guy, he knows you’re his…

- He’s more worried about you when he’s away

- It’s like a hole in his heart being away from you and he strives to get out uninjured and alive not to burden you

- Knows that if you can get past his work, you’ll get through anything

NSFW

- Your first time was very spontaneous, two months into you seeing him.

- The back of his car, you couldn’t remember the cause of it but you remember making out in the back of his truck

- Going out into the woodlands to cool off but instead, you were hitched on his hips and fingers dragging across his muscular shoulders.

- Clung to each other while his body rolled into yours, you biting down slightly on his clothes. Instead of purring his into the daylight air.

- It didn’t end there, the back of the truck and back at his.

- Practically never ending until the morning… where you’d lay on his chest. He was stroking through your hair

- Whenever he’s asleep, he recounts those memories and every encounter after that.. just so he can be close to you when away

- Surprisingly gentle- knows he’s a big guy

- Though he’s not without his rugged potential. Prefers not to be too rough

- Has sexual experience but nothing above 5 women and then it wasn’t reoccurring

- Doesn’t have a vice for sex, he loves feeling close to you

- Loves facing you, he loves that intimacy

- He’s quite an intimate guy

- Never wears the mask when you have sex

- If you ask him, he refuses… finds it difficult to open up about work and his experiences

- Closer than anybody else would be able to get, over his dead body

————

cod m.list | request guidelines | ghost m.list

[buggachat]

To be clear, I goddamn hated the finale on first watch. I was withering in my seat. My heart had dropped to my stomach. I had no fucking idea what I was watching in that final scene lmao

and then Adrien said "when Ladybug gave me the rings—" and I was like— wait. LADYBUG? LADYBUG STILL EXISTS?

I THOUGHT THE ENTIRE TIMELINE HAD BEEN REWRITTEN 😭😭😭😭 I THOUGHT LADYBUG AND CHATN OIR DIDNT UFCKING EXIST uNTIL ADRIEN SAID THAT I WAS SO SO SO SCARED

and then I realized, oh wait. This isn't a complete utopian timeline rewrite. This is just a timeskip of a few months and Mme Bustier is just a kickass mayor. In fact, she's only mayor BECAUSE it's still the same timeline. And then I realized, hey, wait, if they didn't rewrite the timeline, then how tf is Emilie casually there with no questions?

And then I realized she was wearing black. And Félix was there. And I remembered Amelie exists.

Basically, I went into the finale chanting to myself "it's okay, it's okay... they probably wont bring Emilie back... they probably won't rewrite the entire timeline permanently.... right? please....", even though I didn't actually expect it to happen, but just because I was terrified that it could. And apparently that fear actually got to me so much that I misinterpreted the episode as being everything I didn't want it to be... when... it actually wasn't that at all

anyway, all of this is to say, everything in the episode happens so fast that it confused and terrified me at first. And when I realized what had happened, my opinion went from "my year is ruined" to "oh. well. okay. kind of disappointing, I guess". And then I kept thinking about it, and the ending, and all that is set up and rewatching the scenes and all the loose ends still in place and.... i realized I loved it?

like, every time I think about this finale, I love it more. every time i rewatch a scene, I get a little obsessed. this episode went from my nightmare to actually really really cool to me, and I'm still kind of reeling from it

Basically, this is why I've been kind of passionately defending the finale— not because I think people who don't like it are """dumb""" or anything, I don't blame people at all for that, and I totally get the confusion. I was confused too. And I know I'm not the only one who went in preparing themselves for the worst, or went in with very specific expectation on what will happen, because this finale has been long awaited for so long. I think everyone was shocked with how it ended. I think most people probably startled at Amelie's face (it's so easy to forget she exists....)

Anyways, I started this post basically as an apology for if I seem too aggressive or defensive about the finale. Because I get it! I get hating it! I get being disappointed or frustrated or confused! Part of why I'm so defensive is because I have all the arguments so ready on the tip of my tongue because I had the very same argument with myself already 😭 So I'm sorry if any of my posts came off as too aggressive and in advance for any future posts that might. I promise promise promise I'm not trying to make anyone feel bad for having bad opinions on the finale! I just think this episode is really cool and the fact I related to a lot of the nay-sayers makes it easy to feel so impassioned about it.

But this post is getting off the rails and I'm just gonna let it, because some of my regrets w my participation in fandom is that I find myself chickening out of actually talking about my thoughts on episodes a lot. I get kind of overwhelmed and overthink everything after I've posted it and I'm a shy person. But my inbox is closed and this is the season 5 finale and I want to ramble and ramble so I will allow myself this

Basically, I went in with some very specific expectations for this episode. We all know about the Hawkmoth defeat story. Many of us have read it in fics over and over again, it was teased in Chat Blanc, we all know what we expect, we all know our favorite beats from it.

And what actually happened....... met virtually none of those beats. (For me, at least).

Like, Adrien wasn't there for the final episode. At all. He was completely absent from the confrontation. He never found out his father was Hawkmoth. He got his rings, but he never found out he was a sentimonster. He is living in the dark.

Ladybug confronted Monarch... alone. Which is sad, when so much of the series is dedicated to the partnership of her and Chat Noir. Them against the world....... and Monarch was "defeated" with nary a Chat Noir in sight.

The whole entire "Gabriel is known as a hero" thing. I don't think anybody was expecting that. Absolutely shocking.

The fact Marinette would lie to Adrien like that. The fact she's keeping so much from him. The fact everyone is. SO MANY people in Adrien's life (Marinette, Plagg, Nathalie, Felix, Amelie, Kagami, probably Alya, maybe more I'm not thinking of....) are just... lying to him, now. He is so in the dark. He knows nothing.

But.........

I kind of like that I didn't predict nearly any of this. I like that it caught me off guard. I love how this show just completely baffles me at every turn, how it will present concepts and ideas to me that I've never read a fic about.

In retrospect, Chat Noir being absent from the final battle... makes sense. It actually makes a lot of sense, if I think about it, because... there is only one possible way that could've gone, right? Chat Noir would not be allowed to have the emotional implosion that he would have to have. This is devastating. This is SO devastating. This is the entire shattering of Adrien's entire world we're talking about, and Chat Blanc is the only real way for that to end. Adrien has an emotional implosion in front of Monarch, he gets akumatized, it turns into an emotion explosion, extinction event. The end. We've already seen it.

And........ even if it didn't end that way, even if he managed to avoid akumatization...... how could the finale satisfyingly end on that note? How could it end in any semblance of a "wrapped up" way, at the very start of Adrien's emotional breakdown? It couldn't. I wouldn't WANT it to. In retrospect, Adrien finding out his dad is Monarch and then.... what? The season ends on a close-up of him crying? The season ends with a time-skip to the new school year where they skipped his entire grieving period!? I would HATE that, actually. I would hate that. I thought I wanted it, but I would hate it. I would hate it so so so much.

What's kind of amazing is that the finale ended with Monarch being defeated.... but Adrien still has those realizations to make. He still has those betrayals to come to terms with. There is time for him to make these realizations, for him to come to these conclusions, perhaps one at a time, perhaps in a more controlled environment.... and that gets me far, far more excited for the seasons to come than an episode that tried to wrap it all up in the last 5 minutes.

Also, the reason Adrien didn't go to the final battle was because he feared becoming Chat Blanc. He didn't know the truth to it, didn't understand that literally, yes, that's what would have happened if he was there, even if he hadn't been under a nightmare curse. But he still knew. He still expected it. He willingly chose to sit it out, no matter how much he hated it, because he knew. And there's something kind of powerful to that, I think, of Adrien making a choice that is so unequivocally the Correct choice, even more than he realized. And the strength it took for him to make that decision...... damn.

As for the lies and the Gabriel statue? I... it's upsetting, but it's supposed to be. And I believe it. I absolutely believe it. I 10000% believe Marinette would keep the secret of Monarch's identity to herself to try to save Adrien the pain. I 10000% believe that the population could easily be led to believe a famous billionaire is a hero. I 10000% believe that Adrien would WANT to believe it. I 10000% believe Tomoe would take advantage of it.

And I can't wait to see that illusion crumble.

Also.... this is the beginning of The Lila arc.

And the Lila arc begins on........ Marinette telling the biggest, boldest face lie she ever told. The Lila arc begins on the most extreme city-wide illusion we've ever seen. It begins on such a huge fabrication and....

..... it's Marinette's lie.

............ and Lila knows that it's a lie.

I'm

!!?!?!?!

This is so fucking cool???? The irony here??? the deceit???? All these loose ends, all the possible confrontations, all the ways this could GO. I don't know where the show is taking this, obviously, because nobody ever can predict where this show is going apparently (and I love it for that), but oh my god. I'm imagining all the fics I could read about this. all the fics I could write. all the thoughts and scenarios that this finale has provided me with to daydream about as I go to sleep.

Adrien, going through the motions of life. Looking up to his father as a hero, despite the fact the last time he saw him, Adrien was sobbing, in tears, and cursing his name. Adrien, after all the abuse he was subject to, having to look up at a statue of his father and...... be forced to think that maybe he was wrong about his father. But he's not wrong. He WASN'T wrong. He just THINKS that he is. His father is going to continue to loom over his life in ways I never expected post-hawkmoth. Adrien's relationship with Gabriel has not ended, a new and terrifying and horrible new chapter of it has simply begun, and Adrien is still as manipulated by his father's ghost as he was by his father himself.

THAT'S. WILD!!!

also, Adrien now believes that MONARCH MURDERED HIS FATHER. Chat Noir now believes that his greatest nemesis KILLED HIS FATHER. CHAT NOIR, resident self-sacrificer, believes that HIS FATHER was a HERO who DIED FIGHTING MONARCH. Adrien thinks that maybe he should be more like his father— more like his father who died in battle. This is. Not Good. For Adrien.

And it's Marinette that started this. Well intentioned Marinette, who doesn't really understand the extent of the horrors. Marinette, Adrien's girlfriend, the person he trusts most. She did this.

And, I mean.... god. I totally get how this sucks for a lot of people, because it's objectively upsetting.... but I LOVE lovesquare tension. Season 4 is probably my favorite season for that reason alone (still mulling over if season 5 beat it for me). I love the relationship drama, I love that it's in character drama, I love how it fits everything we know about them sososo well, I love that it's horrible and it's terrible and it's awful and it's all because Marinette loved Adrien too much to want to hurt him.

I was worried no reveal would mean that season 6 would just be... what? adrienette fluff? not that I don't love that, but where's the drama? well. there it is. that's the drama.

I need to stop typing this. I know this is abysmally long and ranty and if you read all of this then I'm sorry. But I wanted to get some of my thoughts out.

But basically, I was expecting a lot of things for the finale.

In my best case scenario, it would somehow, miraculously tie up and address all the loose ends with Adrien's angst and character arc in two episodes.... and then end with me totally satisfied, ready to only half-heartedly watch season 6 like it was just a small dessert after the main course.

And I already described my worst case scenario (my first impression of the episode lmao)

But it wasn't that. I was expecting a series finale, but I got a season finale. And I love season finales. I love how they keep me wanting more. I love how excited I am for season 6, because in both my best and worst case scenarios, I honestly didn't expect to be. I love all the new ideas and thoughts and scenarios swirling around in my brain. And even if season 6 doesn't address some of the things I want addressed, I'm so excited to see the creative content in this fandom that DOES

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - Bit Slow

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

Jan 2025 Week 1

Ongoing Series - Thai

ThamePo (Fri YT) ep 4 of 12 - Okay, that bit where Jun tells Po not to “get carried away” did you notice Jun's particle use? He went informal/intimate with an elder AND he also went slightly queer coded - illustrating he knows Po is gay. Interesting, slightly rude, and confrontational choice. I like Jun less because of it.

Frankly speaking, I'd rather a rap battle than sing-off but I still fast forwarded the rap (I muted the singing). Not sorry.

The bit where the 2 of them are talking for hours was the most realistic portrayal of a budding romantic relationship I’ve ever seen in a BL. Virginia Woolf was an interesting choice.

Your Sky AKA How to Train Your Seme (Sun iQIYI) ep 7 of 12 - Fah is so sweet. He’s terrible at talking but he’s always trying to communicate with Rak anyway. I love that for them, and us. Rak's confession to his friends scene was so adorable. I love this friendship group a lot. Thomas’s English is v good, also I kinda love his parents. Still the mains were apart for most of this ep so it fell in the standings.

Sangmin Dinneaw (Sun iQIYI) ep 1 of 10 - Oh my goodness aren’t these 2 pretty? What a fun little show. I am enjoying it so far. I really like that Sangmin is actually bilingual. Or at least has the appearance of being so. This feels a lot stronger to start than any of the other co-country BLs I've seen.

Fourever You (Thurs YT) ep 14 of 16 - They cute. I remain a little concerned that North is so easygoing that he got railed into this relationship (literally and figuratively). His body language indicates he’s not super into Johan, so with these 2 I’m often thinking about peer pressure.

North didn’t keep that gear for very long, did he? I would’ve loved it if the twist was just that North was secretly a genius. He aced all of his tests, and was lazy because he wasn’t being challenged.

Gamer side couple are bothering me, now that there’s catfishing involved. 

Caged Again (Fri Gaga) ep 9 of 10 - Why am I now thinking of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the child catcher with these bad guys?

Again I found myself largely bored. I’m beginning to think this show could’ve been cut down by at least 2 eps.

For linguistic cuteness, did you notice Sun & Junior use rao/ter? SO ADORABLE!

Perfect 10 Liners (Sun YT) ep 10 of 24 - I like Santa and Perth’s chemistry more than I thought I would. The brothers' bickering and tension is interesting, are they all adopted or meant to be actual bothers? Meanwhile, cohabitation trope is a go.

The Heart Killers (Weds Gaga) ep 7 of 12 - no episode this week because of New Year’s.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

See Your Love (Taiwan Weds Gaga) ep 12 of 13 - "Happiness came so fast I couldn't think about how long it would last" could be the statement for every penultimate BL episode ever. This main couple is just so gorgeously wonderful and precious and lovely. What a way to execute the Adams apple fetish.

Our Youth AKA Miseinen: Mijukuna Oretachi wa Bukiyo ni Shinkochu (Japan Tues Gaga) ep 9 of 10 - Just so painful. "You've always been alone." These characters are so casually cruel to each other. And, of course, the running of the gays! 

Eternal Butler (Taiwan Fri Gaga) eps 4 of 12 - I am growing to love that little push-up of the glasses that he does. Sex herb trope continues to be v amusing. Nice to see Ever 9 again! We got backstory for our poor little damaged rich boy, very soap opera. I am more interested in Ever 4's backstory tbh. Uh oh the glasses came off.

Teenager Judge (Vietnam Sat YT) ep 14 of ? - Well at least something happened and things finally came to a head (or "a body" as the case may be). Will we continue with any kind of progression next week? I hope so.

It's airing but......

Winter Is Not The Death of Summer (Thai ???) - has been picked up to air on WeTV, or something? Criminals who meet in prison fall in love. I did find it on YouTube, initially un-subbed, then subs happened by which time I got distracted. It is very pulp but intriguing. For now it's to the wayside until someone tells me it landed safely. Occasionally Thai pulps want to be edgy and it's not a good look on them. But sometimes they do good.

In Case You Missed it

End of year wraps are here!

2024 Trend Report

MY BEST & WORST BLs of 2024

Best Kisses (and sex scenes) of 2024

BL's 2024 Quirky Awards

2024 Awards - Quick Picks

Strange is doing a pretty interesting deep dive into Omegaverse et al. I particularly enjoyed this week's installment: Why Do Women Write So Much Gay Fanfiction?

I rarely (if ever) report on the gossip, BTS relationships, or sasang behavior of the fandoms but here is a 2024 retrospective from someone else if you want all the gossip and drama (YouTube). Or are afraid you missed something important.

Next Week Looks Like This:

2 ending, 2 starting.

January Drops

1/5 The Boy Next World (Sun IQIYI) 10 eps trailer - MAME warning. Multiverse slip through time kinda thing. Mame + high concept, we in for a bumpy ride. I should trash watch and live blog but I don't think I have the energy.

1/6 Ossan‘s Love Thailand (Mon YouTube) 12 eps - WHY MUST THIS BE?!!

1/9 When it Rains it Pours (Japan Thurs Gaga) 10 eps - Convoluted story about a man in a relationship who is sexually unfulfilled and his friend who is in love with him, who accidentally become secret confidants.

1/15 Impression of Youth (Taiwan Weds ????) 9 eps - Same team as DNA Says Love You, so I have high hopes.

2025 Line Up

BL Announced for 2025 - PART 1

BL Announced for 2025 - PART 2

20 BLs Announced for 2025 That I'm Really Excited About

GMMTV 2025 Line Up - My Totally Biased and Wildly Flawed Feels

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

Yeah I got nothing for ya. It'd just be all ThamePo.

(last week)

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs

[batllethinker]

Can I request for something with boyfriend Leah meeting a model reader at a fashion show and Leah chasing her all night to at least get her number, and obviously she does ;)

Cherry Flavored | L.W

Pairing: Leah Williamson + model reader

Summary: Leah hasn't been able to take her eyes off of you since the night begun and she doesn't really want to

Warnings: pre established relationship, meet cute, Leah is kind of a loser, reader is super bold, they basically fuck in a bar, suggestive content | 18+ mdni

A/N: this went off the rails, and definitely isn't the request, so sorry 😅

She hadn't been able to take her eyes off of you since you first stepped onto the runway, and the first thing she did after finding out your name was to follow you on every social.

Leah had followed you with her eyes ever since you had come to mingle from backstage, you really were the most captivating person she had ever seen.

It was only because of a nudge from her friends and seeing you all alone by the bar that she had the courage to approach you, although nervously.

Standing behind you she was kind of just hoping that you would notice her but ofcourse she would have no such luck.

"Uhm, hi!" Awkwardly waiting for you to turn around, she gave an even more awkward smile once you did meet her gaze. "I'm, I'm Leah"

You gave her a charming, award winning smile as you took an once-over of her outfit before meeting her bright eyes once again.

"Leah, I do know who you are" you chuckled, turning your whole body to where she was still awkwardly standing, "miss european champion"

Watching in amusement as she blushed bright red, fidgeting nervously with her rings as you very obviously checked her out. You loved the fact that you stood taller than her, which made it really easy to take in every single detail of her, and god, the way she looked up at you.

"I. I don't like to brag but that's me" Leah gave a sheepish smile before finally deciding to order a drink, and you couldn't help but admire her drink of choice. Everything about her was admirable, really.

"So, why are you here? Talking to me?" You raised an eyebrow as the other woman flustered, stumbling over her words before gathering herself somewhat.

"Oh, uhm, you're just like – really pretty and uh, I apparently couldn't stop talking about you" embarrassed was the only way you could describe her as the blonde shrunk into herself, which you promptly put a stop to with a hand on her forearm, briefly admiring just how firm she felt in your hand.

Her wide eyes met yours again, face painted in what seemed a permanent blush, tensing slightly as you pulled her against you.

"You're cute and I'm really flattered" giving her a small smile, you gently cupped her cheeks, smile widening when she immediately melted into you.

"Thank you.." Biting her lip to keep herself from breaking out into the biggest smile, she just nuzzles into your hand instead. You were sure that if anyone saw you two right now they would think that you were a couple.

"Leah, can I kiss you?" The blondes eyes widened before giving you a brief nod, eyes already closing as you lean down just enough to press your lips against hers.

Humming softly against her, just loving the way she felt against you, how eager she was to kiss you as you were pressed against the bar counter, her tongue licking across your lower lip just enough for you to open your mouth.

Cherry. She tasted like cherries and you couldn't get enough, your grip tightening on her as you pulled her closer, thigh slipping in between her legs, carefully pressing up against her.

The other woman gasped into your mouth, hips jerking against your thigh before you started to pull away, unable to keep your smile at bay when she whined.

"Leah..we should maybe go somewhere more private" she nodded, taking a few moments to catch her breath before downing her drink.

"Yeah, let's go" you chuckled as you watched her, before taking her hand and dragging her out of the venue and to your car.

You just knew that whatever the outcome, it would be beautiful and several articles would be written.

[bots-and-cons]

Hi so idk if this is the right place to request but I wanted to ask if you could do the cons reacting to the little 15-16 year old reader (gn pls) just absolutely wiping the floor with someone like four times their size and then just asking to go get McDonald’s or take a nap ✨

(I’m guessing this is the ask box and now I feel stupid lol but I just copy and pasted it so again tysm I love your writing!)

A/N: Yes, the askbox is the right place when you want to request something. I just did a couple of cons together, it’s a holoform (like a human avatar thingy) thing because I felt it was better that way. Also thank youuuu! This went a bit off the rails tbh, but I couldn’t be bothered to start over at almost 400 words, so I just kept going until I finished whatever the hell this ended up being

•Knockout, Breakdown, Soundwave and you had gone out on the town

•It was very, very rare for Soundwave to ever leave the Nemesis, but he wanted to observe some humans and you whined too much about him never going anywhere with you, so he promised just this once

•Knockout is probably the most adjusted to being in his holoform and acting like a human, Breakdown is also pretty well-adjusted

•Soundwave on the other gives off a very odd vibe, and there’s this uncanny valley thing going on with him, where people just get the creeps

•People visibly moved out of the way when you walked around town with these three, though it was mostly because of Soundwave and Breakdown’s constant angry expression

•So you would think no one would mess with you, but some of the bullies you’d been dealing with at school happened to come across you while you were separated from the three cons

•You’re a pretty chill person and you’re quite small for your age, but you have limits of how much shit you’re willing to take

•These bullies had been hounding your friend for months and you’d stepped in a couple of times to stop them, but it had never escalated to anything physical before

•So now that they saw you and assumed you were alone, these two idiots decided they would teach you a lesson

•When the commotion started, the three cons immediately started looking around, because they didn’t see you anywhere

•Knockout went to check out what was happening over where the people were gathering, and saw you standing over two other teenagers that were now laying on the floor

•You wiped the blood away from your upper lip and told Knockout you wanted to get something to eat

•He was like “Alright then” and just gave one last glance to the kids you had apparently beaten up

•Breakdown and Soundwave joined you while you were going to eat and Breakdown asked why you had blood on your knuckles

•You didn’t say anything, so Knockout told Breakdown you’d gotten into a fight

•”Well did you win?” Breakdown asked

•You weren’t really sure how they would react to you beating up some idiots, but you really should’ve guessed they would’ve been just fine with it

•You were like “Of course I won” with a grin

•Breakdown just smiled very widely and said “That’s the spirit” before ruffling your hair

•You went to get food and even Soundwave gave you a thumbs up

•Breakdown has kind of secretly been teaching you how to throw a proper punch, so he’s very proud of you, they all are, but especially him

•Knockout is more sneaky when fighting, because he’s not as strong, so he fights kinda dirty

•Soundwave is more the type to blackmail someone to get them to stop doing something, but he would definitely win in a fight too

•The four of you actually ended up talking about how to win a fight and how each of them does it

•Soundwave was a bit more cryptic about it, because he doesn’t really talk, he just said “blackmail” and left it at that

•It got a good laugh out of you but go Knockout and Breakdown wondering what kind of blackmail material Soundwave might have of them

[elizabethsnuts]

Heyy love your work! Could you write one about connor rhodes!daughter where Robyn ends up having a episode and the daughter gets hurt and then Robyn ends up moving away

Nightmare Robin

Connor Rhodes x Daughter!Reader

Summary: When Robin’s concerning behaviour turned into a psychotic break, she wasn’t the only one to have suffered during it.

A/N: I tried to keep the Robin slander to a minimum, I never liked her and I never will, she always got on my nerves 😔

———

It had just been you and Connor for most of your 2 years of living, he hadn’t really made a relationship stick, and you were way more important than any other girl who had come into his life. You were always his first priority. You were fine with Robin, kind of, you were a little shy and just wanted Connor, she was nice enough but you had your dislikes. One of them was when she took Connor out on dates which meant less time to spend with him after shifts. You were only a toddler so you didn’t understand why.

It started off small, with Robin coming over to the apartment due to her supposed rat problems in her walls. But then it was that she could hear them in their apartment too, asking both you and your dad if you heard them too. Obviously, neither of you did. You were pretty upset at the whole “rats in the apartment” problem, you didn’t like rats at all. You had seen them scurrying the streets of Chicago occasionally, making squeaking noises and even in one instance running straight at you for a sandwich. You wanted nothing to do with the feral rats.

Robin kept talking about the rats in the walls since she couldn’t sleep which was making you more afraid and not wanting to sleep as well. He had tried to get Robin to stop talking to you about rats but it still went on.

“No nigh-nigh! Rats gon’ bite!” You squealed nervously, standing up in your crib and gripping the rails.

Connor just sighed loudly, rubbing his eyes, he was sick of these imaginary rats, he knew the idea of rats was put in your head by Robin and being as young as you meant that the amplified fear was pretty unsurprising. “Y/N… there are no rats, okay? Remember we checked? There are no rats in the apartment. It was properly some wind in the vents or something. No rats are going to bite you while you’re sleeping. I promise.”

The rats in the wall had blown over after a week, it only got worse from there though. Connor was woken up late at night to glass smashing and frantic yells from Robin while she attacked the air with a broom thinking that someone was there. You were somehow out of your crib, most likely her taking you out just before she broke. You were standing on the hardwood floors, crying loudly as you just watched everything play out.

You were just about to run over to Connor when he walked in, but he quickly stopped you as he saw all the broken glass shards on the floor. “No, no, no! Just stay there, sweetheart! Just stay there, baby girl… Daddy will come over in a second.”

He knew you were terrified but he had to handle you and Robin who was waving the broom around frantically, a little too close to you. Connor reached out to touch Robin’s shoulder but she immediately jerked back and swung the broom at him, causing him to step back on a piece of glass. You were even more distressed, your cries turning into frightened wails. Robin immediately bolted out the sliding door and onto the balcony, closing and locking it. You couldn’t bear to see your daddy hurt, even if it was just a small cut but you didn’t know that. You immediately ran to Connor, your tiny foot slicing open in the process.

Connor was putting most of his attention on you but also keeping an eye on Robin, grabbing and pulling you into his arms. It was a hard situation, you were his daughter with a sliced open, bleeding foot and Robin who was his girlfriend and having a psychotic break. He had rung the ambulance at some point during the whole ordeal and he could hear sirens approaching in the distance. Connor gently stroked your hair to comfort you as he took a look at your heavily bleeding foot. “Shhh… sh-sh-shh, it’s okay, it’s okay, it’s just a little owie. It’s alright, honey, everything’s fine.”

You were absolutely beside yourself, your foot was hurting so much, and Robin’s behaviour was scaring you to no end. You just wanted your daddy, you just wanted him to make everything okay. Your sobs were muffled slightly as you buried your head into his t-shirt, holding onto him tightly. “Dada! Owie… got owie! Owie- Dada!”

The ambulances had eventually arrived, taking Robin in one and you and Connor in the other, he wasn’t about to leave you, a literal toddler, alone in an ambulance. He was comforting you the whole way to Med, holding your tiny hand to try and comfort you.

Your tiny foot was stitched up in no time when the three of you made it to Med, you doing a lot better, physically that was, but mentally you were still shaken up. The doctors ended up figuring out Robin had a benign tumour in her brain, causing all the psychiatric symptoms. It was successfully removed and she recovered fine, just like your little foot had with the stitches.

Connor wanted to help Robin, wanting to support her through the whole thing, be by her side and take care of her, except he also had to think about you, think about how you felt. You did not feel safe or comfortable with Robin around anymore, you had always been a little iffy around her but the whole situation just made it worse.

A couple of weeks had passed, and Connor had gotten home that night after picking you up from daycare. Robin was nowhere to be seen and there was a little note left on the kitchen counter. The paragraph inside contained stuff about how Robin left to go live with her mother and how she didn’t want to be a burden which ultimately made your father tear up. You looked at him with a small, cute frown. “Dada sad… Robin stay here ‘gan?”

Connor shook his head slowly, putting the note down and adjusting you on his hip. “Daddy’s okay, gorgeous girl. Robin’s not coming back okay?”

Connor would be lying if he said he didn’t miss Robin but he would also be lying if he said he didn’t feel immense relief that she was gone. You were sleeping through the night again, you were no longer anxious about rats in the wall or Robin going crazy in the middle of the night. He knew that her being gone was for the better, he slept better knowing that you weren’t in any potential danger. You will always be the most important thing to him and you will always come first, no matter if he has a girlfriend or not.

[totheblood]

superposition. (four)

pairing: dealer!ellie x best friend!reader

summary: a flashback to when ellie and petal first met...they hang out in a bathroom for some reason?

warnings: 18+, no smut! (i'm sorry it's just necessary for the plot) cursing, drug/alcohol mention and use, cheating if u squint

a/n: i am so sorry but this chapter has no smut and yes that was a decision i made on purpose, it will be back and i am already working on it so don't be mad at me.. this chapter is important for the plot and is mainly from ellie's point of view. also there are ai audios but they are not ... nasty... cause no smut! also reblogs, asks, and replies are so appreciated and encouraged! thank u kisses

wc: 2.9k

masterlist for previous chapters

"why don't we rely on chemistry?"

It was decided, Ellie wanted to crawl inside your chest and live there forever. 

She can’t remember a time she’s felt this involved with someone, this desperate for another person’s touch. Any free space of her mind was taken up by you, by your smell, the way your skin felt under her fingertips. There was only you. 

Ellie had always fantasized about this being a reality. About you leaning into her, delicately murmuring her name onto her flesh, coming undone on top of her several nights in a row, but she never expected it would hurt as much as it did. Every time you rushed out the door, fixing your hair in the mirror before you went, or she checked your location and saw that you were at some new restaurant or bar, her heart sank to her chest. 

She was unsure of what she expected when she first kissed you. She knew it was a bad idea, that nothing could come from it that would stop the swirling in her stomach when it came to you. The pit in her stomach could only be filled by you, by being on, around, or inside you. 

Ellie had met you during her junior year in high school when she was just starting to discover herself. She always knew she liked girls but before she turned 16 she had never kissed one. Everything about her was more chaotic at 16, her freckles seeming more scattered and auburn hair always slightly messy. She had been falling behind in most of her classes, except physics, and found herself not sleeping. She was an overly anxious kid with a mind that never stopped turning until she met you. 

Jackson was a small town with an even smaller high school; everyone had some connection to someone. So when you sauntered into class, with shaking hands gripping the straps of your backpack unsure of where to sit, Ellie had offered you Dina’s seat. She told herself she was just being kind and it wasn’t because Ellie’s brain came to a halt when she saw you, which was wildly untrue. Dina cursed her out for giving you her seat, but when she grew to know you she understood.

Ellie was soccer captain, the one sport that the high school had for girls. When her body was moving she wasn’t thinking, all she could think was: ball, net, don’t trip, you? You slipped into her mind when she was on the field, looking up and seeing you perched on the bleachers, a book in your hand. Upon seeing you, she smiled to herself, but that smile was quickly wiped off her face as another girl on the team bumped into her, shaking her from her thoughts.

She approached you after practice, wiping the sweat from her forehead and briefly smelling her pits before getting too close. Your legs crossed over each other as you hummed, flipping the pages in the worn-down book and not noticing Ellie’s presence. 

“Hey,” she grinned, hands coming forward to lean on the rail of the bleachers as she looked up at you, “came to watch me practice?”

“You wish,” you giggled, tucking your book into your backpack, “needed to find a quiet place to read. Not much action on the field.”

Ellie faked a gasp and rolled her eyes, hoping her face wouldn’t betray her but it did. The sweet blush crept up on her face as her eyes blinked at you, what a tease, she thought. 

“Talking a lot of shit for someone who probably can’t make a goal,” she replied, making the playfulness in her voice evident. It was your turn to fake a gasp as your hand came over your chest. 

“Excuse me, I’ll have you know I was goal champion back in New York,” you added a bit of cockiness to your voice, fully knowing you were faking it.

“Goal champion?” 

“Yup.”

“Never heard of it.” Ellie laughed, shaking her head before turning back and seeing the field empty. The sun was going to set soon, nighttime just around the corner. She usually hated walking home in the dark, but decided she wanted more time with you. Any amount would do. “Wanna show me your moves, goal champion?” 

“I don’t think you could handle it,” you giggled, picking your bag up and walking down the steps to the field. 

“Try me,” Ellie looked back at you, a shit-eating grin on her face as she ran onto the field. The night was spent with you trying, and failing, to make one goal against Ellie. She giggled as you made one goal and threw your hands up in the air chanting ‘goal champion’. She decided to never tell you that she let you make that goal. Her smile never left her face and for a brief moment in time she wasn’t thinking about all the work she had to do, or how she was going to do it, or how Joel would react when he found out she failed her Algebra test, she was just happy. She slept like a baby that night thinking of the sound of your laugh. 

She kept her crush on you secret, letting it fizzle out slowly. Every sleepover the two of you had, the fear that if you found out about her crush on you that you would think she was a creep crept up the back of Ellie’s neck. It was a fear that wasn’t exclusive to you, but the rest of her feelings were. The way you sat posed for her, smiling with your teeth on display as she painted a portrait of you for art class created a new feeling she had for you, and only you. She couldn’t name it but she believed it was love. 

When you came around to look at the finished product, you gasped. Ellie had painted you with flowers coming out of your hair, tulips, lilies, and roses surrounding you. You never believed you could look that beautiful, but it was how Ellie saw you. Your mouth hung open as you gasped, eyes taking in the artwork and glossing over with tears. The pink, orange, and red hues adorning your pictured face. 

“Ellie, this is-” Your mouth fell open again, eyes too shy to meet her. 

“You like it?” Ellie asked nervously, eyes darting between you and the painting. 

“I, I love it, Ellie,” then a smile was on your face from ear to ear, “I didn’t know I could look so beautiful… and the flowers I mean?”

“The flowers are meant to represent you,” Ellie’s voice was small as she looked up at you, “beautiful and delicate.”

When you beamed at her and brought a finger to trace the lines of her art she was sure she melted. It was over for her. Every waking moment would be now spent trying to get that reaction out of you. That was the day she began calling you ‘Petal’, her own face blushing at the memory. 

Her plan had always been you, even when she wasn’t sure she was making a plan. So when you and Malia had become ‘Instagram official’ she couldn’t stop herself from keeling over and throwing up into the trash can she kept beside her bed. She didn’t feel like she was going to be sick, she was just sick. 

There was jealousy, and then there was whatever Ellie was feeling right now. It was almost a blind rage. She knew she didn’t have any claim to you, but didn’t she? It was her fingers, her lap, and her mouth that you came onto, not your ‘girlfriend’s’ and Ellie made sure of that. 

She didn’t feel the need to call you for two days after seeing the post. She texted you to let you know she was sick, which wasn’t technically untrue, and you texted her back a sad face paired with a message to get better before the formal on Saturday insisting that you couldn’t do it alone. She wanted to reply with some snarky comment about why your girlfriend couldn’t take you, but she refrained. 

The upcoming formal was something you attended for Dina and Jesse’s sake. It provided an excuse for you to wear a fancy dress while also providing a large and willing customer base for Ellie. These things were boring, and at most became fun when the music got slightly more uptempo. The point was to raise money for the fraternities, not shake your ass in front of your classmates. 

Despite how excruciating these things felt, you and Ellie had gone together for the past two years. She always wore a suit and tucked your pink flask into the pocket inside her jacket, spiking your drink whenever you flashed her the signal. What started out as a boring night always ended with you and Ellie in a fit of giggles on the bench outside the venue. It was one of those traditions that you continued to look forward to.

Ellie showed up that night, a tequila-filled flask pressed tightly against her shirt. She even felt bold enough to wear a bowtie. She waited in the lobby of the venue, occasionally staring at her feet as she waited for you to arrive. She expected to drive you but you told her that you would come on your own. That alone should have raised some flags. 

You showed up with Malia, her arm linked with yours. Ellie's green eyes widened but she had to maintain her composure as you approached her with a giant smile plastered on your face and arms open for a hug. She took you in, breathing in your scent which now felt unfamiliar to her. You smelt like pink pepper, Malia was rubbing off on you. Ellie shivered at the thought. 

“Malia,” your voice was sweet and sing-songy, “this is Ellie, my best friend.” You gestured to Ellie who reached out her hand to Malia, a smile on her face that said ‘I’ve fucked your girlfriend, in fact, I took her virginity and I felt good doing it’ but only she knew that. 

“Nice to meet you, Ellie,” Malia said as she shook Ellie’s hand, her own warm smile on her face, “this one’s told me so much about you.” Internally, Ellie scoffed. 

Ellie wanted to hate Malia, and for the most part, she did. She was objectively beautiful and had this aura around her that made things in the room glow. Everyone who knew her always raved about how kind and caring she was, you being one of them. Ellie wanted to hate her, but more than that she wanted you to be happy. Malia made you happy. She had to like her. 

“Same here,” Ellie shook her hand before pulling it back. Her eyes glanced to the door of the room the event was being hosted in, classical music seeping from the walls. “Should we go in?” 

“Oh, uh, yeah,” you smiled as you took Malia’s hand in your own and walked towards the room. Ellie followed after, feeling like a third wheel. This was the night that your tradition would die. 

Ellie had to make some quick exchanges and so she had to reluctantly leave you. She didn’t want you to get too comfortable without her, but she had a job to do. When she returned she found you and Malia on the dance floor and had to actively ignore how much she wanted to throw up again. 

Ellie leaned back against the cold metal backing of the chair as she watched you and Malia dance in the center of the room. You looked like you were having fun, laughing and throwing your head back as Malia whispered something in your ear. Malia’s hand was on the small of your back, mine, Ellie thought. Her lips grazed the shell of your ear, mine, Ellie’s mind rang again. Her hand moved down to rest at the top of your ass, min-

Fuck it, Ellie thought, as she got up and stormed out of the room. She found herself in the ladies' room, eating the mints that were in a bowl by the sink and taking swigs of the liquor she bought for you. The bathroom surprisingly smelt nice and some lady handed Ellie a five, thinking she was the bathroom attendant, and tipping her. She didn’t even try to correct her, she just thanked her by nodding her head and opening the door for the woman. Easy five bucks.

Then you were pushing through the door, looking underneath the stalls, and locking the bathroom door behind you. Ellie was so flustered she didn’t even know what to do. She just stood up straight as she watched your movements carefully. 

“Hi?” she questioned, eyeing you with a confused look on her face. 

“You brought the tequila?” You questioned, your eyes wide and frantic, glancing down to her chest where you knew the flask was. 

“Oh, um-” Ellie’s fingers pulled the flask out and handed it to you. She watched you intently as you took a giant swig, attempting to pretend she couldn’t read you like a book. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m a shitty fucking girlfriend.”

“No, you-”

“Yes, I am,” you sighed, leaning your head back against the wall, hitting it with a cold thud. You were about to groan in pain when someone tried opening the door. “It’s fucking occupied!”

“Jesus, Petal,” Ellie cursed under her breath as she watched you take another swig from the flask. 

“I just, I can’t do it,” your eyes looked glossed over, Ellie had to stop herself from pulling you into her arms, “She’s just so nice, and every time she tries to… you know, I just can’t.”

“Is she pressuring you?” Ellie’s voice had a bite to it as she crossed her arms across her face. Her eyebrows knit together and her mouth was in a permanent frown.

“No!” you quickly assured her, “not at all. She’s actually been really nice about it and I have no idea why I can’t just go all the way with her.”

“You’re not ready,” Ellie’s voice was softer now, “that’s okay. You don’t have to be.”

“Then why…” you took another deep breath, avoiding eye contact with her, “why am I ready to do it with you?”

Ellie’s breath caught in her throat, the words getting lost on her. She wanted to speak or to lean forward and kiss you, but she couldn’t. She was a lot of things, crass, rude, occasionally a bitch but the area that was once grey was now so clearly black. You had a girlfriend, and if she kissed you, she would be a homewrecker. She couldn’t speak, but she could whisper your name. It sounded like an apology. 

“Ellie, I know you were just being a good friend but I think you ruined me.”

“What?”

“You’ve ruined me for anyone else. Every time I kiss her, it’s just…” Your hand came up to pinch the bridge of your nose, “It’s not you, and I can’t understand why that’s so disappointing.”

“I’m not,” Ellie breathed out the words, eyes staring at the floor, “I’m not a homewrecker, Petal. I can’t keep doing this.” 

“I know,” you took a step closer to her, causing her eyes to look back up at you. She looked so sad, or conflicted, you were having trouble reading her, “I know you’re not, I’m sorry.”

“Do you like me?”

“Of course, I like you.”

“You know what I mean.”

“What does it matter?”

“It matters to me.” Her voice was louder now as she attempted not to choke. She knew the liquor was giving her the confidence to do this, but also knew that it would give you the push you needed to be honest.

“Do you like me?” 

“Yes,” Ellie answered quickly, too quickly. You took a step back from her causing her to shrink almost immediately. This was the first time in her life she felt like she couldn’t read what was going on inside your head, “I like you, not as friends or any of that crap. I like you more than I like myself, more than I like anyone, and now that I know what it’s like to kiss you… I can’t go back to being your friend.”

“Ellie-”

“And you know this has been really shitty for me. This was supposed to be our night and you bought your girlfriend?” She took her own step back, leaning against the counter of the sink. “And I know this is my fault, I shouldn’t have kissed you or,” she made a weird gesture with her hand, “done any of that. I know but, it’s you, Petal. I would do anything for you. I will do anything for you, except for this.”

“Ellie, I-” your voice was cut off by the sound of your name being called from the other side of the door. It was like reality had hit the both of you and immediately you were both sober, “I have to go.”

“Of course you do.” Ellie rolled her eyes, moving back to sit on the bathroom counter. She watched as your nervous eyes scanned her and you turned around to open the door, hand stilling over the lock. Quickly, you turned around and hurried over to her and pressing a kiss at the side of her lips. Her eyes fluttered closed at the feel of your lips so close to her again. She was fucking losing it. 

“We’ll talk about it?” You whispered, mouth still close to hers, “I have to go but can we please talk about it later?”

Ellie nodded, eyes still closed. She heard you breathe a sigh of relief before opening the door and leaving. She only opened her eyes when she knew you were gone, letting the tear slip down her cheek.  

ai audios:

[boothillssugarmomma]

An Oni's Careful Watch

(Itto x Fem! reader)

cw: Mentions of injury, mentions of gangs, Protective!Itto, Boyfriend!Itto

🎀 authorsnote: Hi guys! I'm back! My nails are still on but I'm working with it! I have many many fics coming up of both Genshin AND Honkai Star Rail so stay tuned it wanted!

please don't steal my work!

Taglist🎀Genshin Master List🎀Other Lists

A week ago you had a run in with a local Inazuma gang who didn't take kindly to Itto's. While you can always protect yourself, Itto doesn't think so.

You had taken your vision off that day, leaving it at home so it didn't call too much attention while you went out running errands for the day.

Which was a pretty big mistake seeing as it landed you with a black eye and a broken wrist.

Itto was FURIOUS about this when you showed up to the gang's usual meeting place. He even stopped his Onikabuto match after you told him what happened!

So now your boyfriend won't stop trailing you around and keeping an eye on you. Sure it was sweet at first...but now he's overbearing and over cautious about every little thing!

"Oh woah woah woah! Anddd what do you think you're doing?" Itto huffs, pulling you back into his arms, making sure you don't go within two feet of him. You two were running your weekly errands as normal, but this was exhausting with his constant nagging.

"Just because I got jumped by another gang doesn't mean that I can't protect myself!" You sigh, looking up at the Oni. His eyes meet yours and you can tell he isn't going to budge.

He was quick to scoff at your little attitude, his chest puffing out a bit.

"Handle yourself, huh?" He laughed down at you. Finding it humorous you were speaking like you know what you're doing, and that just riled him up. He pulled you to his body, so you were practically flush against him, making you stumble over your feet a bit.

"You really think you can take care of yourself? Like you haven't gotten yourself into trouble already, multiple times might I add..."

The air gets kind of crisp as he sees your eyes glare into his. He shivers a bit, and Itto just knows he started something.

"Woah! Woah! Let's get this straight it was two times!" You hiss softly. "And one was your fault!"

Itto's mouth fell open in shock. How dare you say he was the one at fault! He'd been protecting you, that was all. It was your own fault for getting into the mess anyway!

"Bullshit!" He argued back. His fingers dug into your waist, his hand squeezing your hips almost possessively. You weren't about to get away with putting the blame on him.

"I was trying to keep you safe, that's all! I wasn't the one who was talking back to gang members!"

Pausing in the street to raise an eyebrow at him, your eyes narrow even more if that's even possible. "And care to remember why was I talking back to them?" You fold your arms.

"Because you're too troublesome and can't keep your mouth shut!" Itto retorted, refusing to back down in the midst of the argument. A part of him wanted to roll his eyes at the ridiculousness of it all.

"When those guys were talking to you, you should've just walked away! But NOOO, you had to say something to them, and the next thing I knew, they were holding you at knifepoint!"

You let out a breathy laugh and roll your eyes. "Oh really? So I wasn't arguing with them because they hurt your feelings!?" You poke his chest with your finger.

The audacity you had. Itto felt himself grow a little irritated. You were completely ignoring the fact he was just trying to defend you! He wasn't hurt, his feelings hadn't been messed with. His feelings of annoyance on the other hand, sure...

"What the hell are you talking about? They didn't hurt my feelings. It was you they hurt!" Itto protested, his grip on your hip tightening in frustration.

You let out a small huff and pull away from him. "Sue me if I don't appreciate people talking bad about my boyfriend!"

Itto suddenly had a change of expression, eyes slightly going wide before an annoyingly smug expression appeared.

"You...You got mad cause they were talking about me?" The oni repeated to clarify. A smirk tugged at his lips as he pulled you a little closer to his body.

You don't even want to answer him, especially with his ego sky rocketing, but you know you have to. "Yes!" You whisper, looking away to avoid his stupid grin.

Itto chuckled, his chest rumbling as he let out a soft hum. Feeling your back against his front was a pleasure in itself, but seeing you look away from him in embarrassment was even better.

"Aww...Were you defending my honor, princess?" He taunted, a devious smile slowly creeping onto his face.

With that you immediately scoff and pull away, walking along to continue the errands.

Ah, that reaction was exactly what Itto was expecting. He chuckled to himself and followed after you. It didn't take him long to catch up and fall into step with you, and he quickly placed his hand on your back.

"Hey, hey, hey! Where are you going?" He asked, giving a small pout as he looked down at you. "Don't be like that, babe.. I was just teasing you."

You ignore him, sticking your nose up in the air. "And that's what you get!" You huff walking along and glazing over merchant stalls for your errands.

"Don't be so pouty!" Itto sighed dramatically, his hand moving to grab your forearm, slowing down your walking.

He gently pulled you to his side, his arm wrapping around your waist as he smiled sheepishly. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry!" He began, clearly not sorry at all.

"Come on... Don't give me the silent treatment, you know it's annoying," Itto whined.

"You gonna stop teasing me?" You fold your arms with a gentle hum.

Itto seemed to hesitate, thinking to himself as he weighed up the options. He definitely wasn't going to stop teasing you, but he also didn't want you to be mad at him for too long.

"Maybe?" He answered. A cocky grin appeared as he gave you a mischievous look, his eyes flickering over your pouty expression.

"If you promise not to get mad at me. Or yell at me. Or walk away like just now." He added.

You sigh loudly, shaking your head before glancing up into his eyes.

Itto's expression softened for a moment, and he took a moment to admire your face. Your eyes, your pouty lips, the redness of your cheeks, he took in every feature. You were adorable when you were upset, but he'd rather have you smiling.

"Oh, come on, babe..." He protested, his hands moving to grab your waist. He gently pulled you close to his body, his arms slowly enclosing around you.

"Please don't pout at me like that. You know I'm gonna give in.."

You flutter your eyelashes up at him with a sly smirk. "So it's working?"

Itto made an exaggerated groan, his head tilting back in frustration.

"Yes, you little- URG, it's working." He chuckled and rolled his eyes.

"You're playing with my emotions right now, you know that right?" He pointed out, his eyes flickering down to meet yours again. His grasp on your waist gently tightens, you keeping you flush against his body.

"And you most certainly never play with mine huh?" You roll your eyes playfully before laughing.

A smug smirk tugged at the corners of Itto's lips.

"Oh, you're going there, huh?" He chuckled, his eyes roaming over your expression.

"You love it when I play with your emotions. I give you a little attention and spoil you and you melt for me." He teased, squeezing your waist playfully.

"Dangerous game Oni...dangerous game..." You tease, taking his hands off your waist and continuing errands, picking out groceries and paying for them.

Itto chuckled as he followed you over to pay for the groceries. He watched with amusement as you picked out what you needed, staying right by your side.

"It's not dangerous if I know I'm going to win!" He confidently said, a smirk appearing on his face.

Leaning against the merchants counter, he watched you handle the payment. He looked you up and down shamelessly, admiring you.

--

After all your errands you begin walking home, chatting like and laughing like normal.

As usual, Itto was a constant presence by your side, walking alongside you as you continued on your walk back home.

The sun was setting, and the sky slowly darkened. The soft orange hue of the sky quickly faded to night as the streetlamps and street vendors' lights came to life.

"Man, that took forever. But I don't regret tagging along..." Itto commented, his eyes flickering to your face as he smiled.

"You better not since it was your idea to tag come with." You point out.

Itto let out a scoff and rolled his eyes, a small pout appeared on his face.

"Hey, hey, I was just trying to be a supportive boyfriend, okay!" He protested, raising his hands up in defense.

"And you were all like, 'yeah, I'm going shopping!' so I was just like 'I'll tag along to keep you safe!'." He added, mimicking your voice.

"And you're a great boyfriend for doing that." You smile before rolling your eyes.

"Damn right I am!" Itto smirked, satisfied to hear you say those words out loud.

He chuckled in response to your eye rolling, and gently nudged your shoulder. He looked over at you as he spoke.

"Although I don't trust those vendors. They were looking at you a bit too much."

"Itto..." You sigh. "Cmon babe..."

"What? They were!!" Itto protested. He wasn't making stuff up, those vendors were absolutely checking you out. Who could blame them though, you were gorgeous.

"I didn't like it. They need to keep their eyes to themselves." He added, his tone now a bit huffy.

"Just stick to being my guard...little Oni..." You kiss his cheek softly.

Itto huffed in response to the kiss, but a small smile tugged at his lips. He loved it when you called him names like that, even though he'd never admit it.

"I am being a guard..." He protested. "A guard who is also your boyfriend. I can multitask, you know?"

He stuck his tongue out playfully before he wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you closer to his body.

As you keep walking you both overhear the gang from last week snicker at you two. Mostly directed at Itto.

"Archons above it's so embarrassing for adults to act like that..." You grimace a bit with second hand embarrassment.

Itto's expression immediately darkened as he heard the sound of the gang laughing. It just HAD to be the same group you had a scuffle with last week.

His grip on your waist tightened, and he pulled you against his body even more. He gave you a warning glance before he looked over at the gang members. He met their gazes with a scowling glare.

"Itto..." You hum softly, tugging on his choker a bit as a warning.

Itto's attention snapped back to you once you called out his name, his expression softening a bit.

"Yeah, babe?" He replied, trying to hide the tension and the protective anger he was feeling.

"Don't do it." You whisper with gritted teeth.

Itto let out a huff, his shoulders tensing. He understood your warning, but he also wasn't the type to back down from a fight.

He let out a long exhale, closing his eyes in an attempt to calm himself down.

"Relax, I wasn't going to do anything..." He grumbled, even though it was a lie.

"Woww...the only and 'Oni' Arataki Itto being held on a leash?" One of the gang members snickers, mocking him.

"And what a pretty thing tugging on it..." Another member glances at you.

Itto's grip on you tightened as he heard the gang member's words. The mere suggestion of him being on a leash infuriated him. The audacity of these people.

And when he heard them say ONE thing about you...his blood ran hot.

"You wanna say that again, punk?" Itto retorted, his voice a low growl as he spoke through clenched teeth.

"Itto!" You hiss warningly as you try to get him to keep walking, tugging on his hand. "They're seriously not worth it..."

Itto was just about ready to pounce and pummel those gang members into the ground. He wanted revenge for the stunt they pulled last week.

But then he heard your voice. It snapped him back into reality and he reminded himself what was important right now.

You

With a huff and a clenched jaw, he forced himself to turn away, but only barely. He kept walking alongside you, but his glare was still fixated on the gang members.

"See cmon honey..." You take his hand and kiss it gently. "They're not worth it..." You quietly remind him.

Itto's eyes softened as soon as you grabbed his hand and kissed it. Your touch seemed to pacify him, at least for the moment.

He let out a sigh and nodded reluctantly, knowing deep down that you're right and they were not worth his time.

"Yeah, I know..." He mumbled, his eyes still flickering back to the gang, watching them cautiously. "But I just can't stand people who mess with you."

"Hey it's alright I get it love..." You smile a small smile.

Itto let out a breath, his anger slowly fading. With your hand in his and gentle words, he found himself calming down.

He glanced down at your face, meeting your smile. It made his heart flutter a bit. How could he stay angry when you were being this sweet to him?

"You're too damn good at calming me down, you know that?" He said with a chuckle, his eyes softening even more.

"It's a good thing~" You giggle. Before you two even get to keep walking a grainy annoying voice calls out.

"Hey Itto when you're done with it pass it over here!" A gang member calls out and they all laugh, slapping each other's arms and keeling over laughing.

Itto's eye twitched as he heard the gang member's comment. Did they just... did they just refer to you as an object?! His grip on your hand tightened in irritation, and he felt his blood boil once again.

"Watch your language, punk!" Itto hollered back, his voice raised. "She's not some thing to pass around!"

"Itto calm down sweetheart!" You try to hold him back but he's already gone...

Itto was already seeing red, his protective instincts took over, and he couldn't hold back any longer.

He let go of your hand and started walking toward the gang, his strides determined and his expression fierce.

"You bunch of idiots have a death wish, don't you?!" He growled as he got closer to them.

"Whatcha gonna do Oni?" One sneers at him. Trying to square him up.

Itto clenched his fists at the gang member's taunting words. He has had enough of their attitude.

He came to a stop right in front of them, standing tall and letting out an angry huff.

"I'm gonna teach you a lesson you won't forget, that's what I'm gonna do..." He responded, his voice low and threatening.

--

Walking home came later than expected as you had to break up the fight, the gang members had slunk off with their injuries and Itto had a few bruises and cuts.

Itto grumbled to himself as you two finally arrived at home. He was still feeling angry and frustrated, and his body ached from the injuries he had sustained from the fight.

As soon as you stepped through the door, he let out a sigh and flopped down onto the couch, wincing a bit as the pain shot through his body. He looked haggard, his clothes disheveled, and his face sporting a few cuts and a black eye.

"Alright...that's it shhh..." You sit next to him and mess with his hair, carefully massaging his scalp a bit.

The Oni reluctantly sat quietly, a pout on his face as you began to pet his hair, gently running your fingers through his messy locks.

He leaned into your touch, his frown softening a bit as he let out a sigh. Despite the fact that he was still simmering with anger, your gentle touch and soothing voice were helping to calm him down.

"I'm fine, y'know..." He mumbled, his eyes closing half-way as he spoke.

"Oh I know..." You lie. "This is...uh...for me!"

Itto opened one eye, peering up at you for a moment before letting out a huff and a small scoff.

"Bullshit... I know you're just doing this for me..." He grumbled, though there was a hint of a smile on his face.

He closed his eye again and leaned his head back against the couch, enjoying the feeling of your fingers running through his hair. Although, he wouldn't admit it out loud, he secretly loved these moments where you pampered him like this.

"Alright...maybe it's a little bit for you..." You slide your hands out of his hair and down to his shoulders.

Itto let out a hum as your hands moved down to his shoulders, a pleased smile on his face. He was still trying to act tough, though, even though he was secretly enjoying the way you were taking care of him.

"You know I can handle myself," he said with a huff. "You don't need to baby me, babe."

"You sure you don't want me to?" You whisper in his ear, leaning your head to rest on his shoulder.

Itto's breath caught in his throat as you whispered in his ear. He tried to hold back a shiver, but he couldn't help the reaction. Your teasing, coupled with the proximity of your body against his, made his heart race a bit.

He looked down at you, his expression softening as he spoke. "I mean... it does feel nice when you pamper me like this..." He admitted, his voice a little rough.

"There's my Itto..." You laugh breathily. Letting out a sigh of relief at his change in attitude.

Itto let out a scoff, but his smile grew wider as you laughed. He couldn't help but feel a bit flustered by how easily you could get him to open up and show his soft side.

"Hey, I'm still the tough guy, okay?" He protested, though his tone was playful. "I can kick ass and still like getting some affection, thank you very much!"

"Alright tough guy...I believe ya..." You tilt his chin to face you, leaning up to kiss his lips.

The moment your lips met, Itto practically melted against you. Your touch and kiss was like a soothing balm to his bruised and battered ego.

He returned the kiss eagerly, his hand coming up to cup your cheek and pull you closer. It felt like all the tension and anger he had been feeling slowly subsided as he focused on the feeling of your lips against his.

"Damn..." He murmured in between kisses. "You really know how to make me swoon princess, ya know that?"

You pull away to look up at him. "You think?" You whisper.

Itto chuckled in response to your whisper, his breath tickling your skin. He pulled you even closer, his arms wrapping around your waist and holding you tight against him.

"Hell, yeah, I think!" He replied, a sultry tone in his voice. "You've got this magic spell over me or somethin'. I'm usually all tough and confident, but one look from you, and I'm like a damn puddle."

You tease him affectionately at that. "Then I guess the one and 'oni' Arataki Itto...can be taken down..."

Itto grunted in mock offense, his eyebrows raising at your teasing remark. He couldn't deny that you had a point, though. You were the only person who could bring out his softer side and make him feel vulnerable.

"Hey, I'm still a strong guy, okay?" He protested, a hint of a pout on his face. "I'm just...selective about who I show my emotions!"

"I love you..." You sigh "But what am I going to do with you..."

Itto's expression softened once you said those three words. No matter how many times he heard you say them, they never failed to make his heart flutter.

He let out huff in response to your question, a smirk appearing on his face. "You're gonna love me and pamper me, of course!" He replied, jokingly teasing you back.

"Hmmm true!"

Your boyfriend chuckled in response to your giggle. The sound was like music to his ears.

He hugged you even closer, his arms encircling you in a tight embrace. He nuzzled his face into the crook of your neck, his lips brushing against your skin.

"Damn right, you are..." He murmured, his voice low and warm. "I expect pampering after this whole gang incident, y'know. I took quite a beating for you."

"For me?" You scoff and slap his arm gently.

Itto playfully rolled his eyes at your scoff.

"Uh, yeah? Did you see how they were talking about you? Like they owned you or something!" He huffed, a hint of irritation in his voice just recalling the memory.

"I had to teach them a lesson. No one speaks about my babe like that." He looked down at you with a smirk, his eyes flickering over your features.

"No one..." You kiss his forehead.

Itto's smirk softened into a warm smile as he felt your lips press against his forehead. He let out a soft sigh and leaned his head against your touch.

Exactly!" He agreed, his voice quieter now. "You're mine, and I'll protect you from anyone who tries to mess with you."

Itto looked at you with a mix of affection and determination in his eyes.

"Because you're everything to me..." He said simply. "Because I love you more than anything, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect you and make you happy."

He placed a hand on your cheek, his thumb gently brushing against your skin. "You're the most important thing in my life, babe."

"Even over Onikabuto?" You hum

His smile widened at your playful remark.

"Hey, don't even get me started. Onikabuto are a close second, alright?" He replied, feigning offense.

He knew that you were just teasing him, but he couldn't help but play along. He leaned in a bit closer, his expression turning serious for a moment.

"But seriously, nothing compares to you. You're irreplaceable."

"Even over your gang?" You tease him

Itto chuckled at your question, his eyes glistening with amusement. He knew you were just trying to rile him up.

"Well, now you're just being cruel!" He joked, feigning hurt. "But yeah, even the gang. They're cool and all, but they don't even hold a candle to you."

He reached out and gently pinched your nose, a playful glint in his eyes. "You're definitely the top priority, babe."

"You're so sweet..." Your eyes soften as you lean up to kiss his cheek.

Itto's cheeks turned slightly pink at your compliment, and he let out a soft huff as you kissed his cheek. He was never one to admit it, but he secretly liked it when you praised him like this.

"Ah, shut up..." He muttered, a small smile on his face. "I just have a soft spot for you, that's all."

You gaze over his face and trace a finger over his cuts. "Alright now...let's get these cleaned up..."

Itto's expression turned a bit sheepish as he saw your gaze focused on the cuts and bruises on his face. He tried to act tough, but deep down he knew he must look pretty battered right now.

"Yeah, yeah, okay..." He mumbled, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.

He let you gently touch his face, flinching slightly as your fingers grazed his wounds. "Just be gentle, alright?"

"Always..." You promise.

🎀End🎀

[miyu-d]

Ace with the tailor reader part 2

A/N: @boomboom-tanjiro2019 it made me so happy when you requested a part 2. Here it is. I'm sorry it took me some time. Hope you'll enjoy this...

[ Part 1 ]

Everyone was so happy about Ace's arrival and threw a party to celebrate. They were talking and laughing so loudly when you went there after finishing your work. It was more lively than other days. Chopper was showing his chopstick dance to Ace, and he was laughing at it. Then Sanji came out of nowhere and served you a drink.

"Neeehhh~ Y/N-chwan! I brought you your favorite..."

"Thank you, Sanji-kun." You smiled and took the drink.

When you gave your attention back to Ace, he was already looking at you, resting his chin on his hand. A spark ran through your body, and your legs felt a little numb when you saw the way he was looking at you. A small smile curled in the corner of his mouth. His eyes were talking, looking deep into your soul. That moment was so intimidating; you felt time had stopped, and only two of you were in the room. You looked back into Ace's eyes with the same passion, subconsciously. Only a few seconds passed, but it felt like forever.

You snapped out of it when you heard Chopper screaming and yelling. Both of you immediately broke the eye contact and looked at him. You got relaxed for a moment when you saw it was nothing serious, just Luffy playing with Chopper.

But you didn't have the guts to look back at Ace again. You walked towards a seat in the corner, hoping no one else saw what happened between you and Ace.

(Actually, only Robin saw it. She giggled a little to herself and went back to reading her book.)

At night, you went to the spot on the ship where you loved to sit and draw new designs while enjoying the sea breeze. You kept thinking about what kind of outfit you could make for Ace. Even though you had so many ideas when you first met him, now you can't imagine him wearing anything other than his significant outfit—no top, just a short with some accessories.

You leaned back more comfortably and looked out at the calm sea. After a few minutes passed, you let out a huge sigh and opened your sketch book. You felt the presence of someone, so you lifted your head up and looked. You saw Ace watching you, leaning over the railing.

"How long have you been there?"

"Not so long," Ace said, slowly walking towards you. "So... what are you doing there?"

"Nothing special. Just... trying to design some new clothes, I guess..."

"Can I see?"

He was really interested in it. So you showed him your designs and explained them to him. You had no one to talk to about this before. So you enjoyed telling him everything. You talked his ears off. Ace also enjoyed listening to your ramblings. He shared his thoughts about them too... You two became more comfortable with each other.

"I don't like this one."

"Whaaaaaaat?? That is one of my favorites."

"But it's too plain."

"That makes it more elegant."

"Add some sequins or something."

"Nope. Not gonna happen. This is perfect."

Ace gave you a pouty face. He sat down on the floor and started to mutter to himself.

"Oh, come on, Ace~" You also went and sat down next to him. "Fine, I will design a new dress the way you want. So leave that one alone. Okay?"

He stayed pouty.

"Okay?" You peaked to see his face. "Hmm?"

He kept hiding his face from you.

You signed and gave up on pestering him. You leaned on your back and looked up at the sky.

...

"Why do you care about it anyway? Do you want it for your girlfriend or something?"

"What? No!! I don't have anyone!!! It's just..." He blushed and looked away. "I thought it would... look good on you that way."

"Maybe... maybe that plain one, that one you called elegent, or something is also... look good on you."

He gave you a quick look, checked what you were wearing, and looked away again. "That one also looks good on you.."

Ace was so flustered. "Anything looks good on you." He was really a flustered mess.

You tried your best not to laugh. You wondered where that cool and firm Ace had gone. But you loved this side of him more.

You slowly put your head on his shoulder and whisper, "I think anything looks good on you too."

He slowly tilted his head and looked at you. You smiled at him. He blushed and looked away. You couldn't help but chuckle.

You had no idea how you got the confidence to act like this, taking the lea and all. But somehow, you could.

"Let's go" You pulled him by his hand and started walking.

"Where are we going?" Ace let you pull him and followed you.

"You are my new and first fashion model. I'm gonna make you the best outfit ever. (Y/N)'s designs, special edition, one and only, only for you, Ace collection, first outfit."

Both of you chuckled and walked to your sewing room, holding hands and swinging them back and forth.

Masterlist

[areyoudreaminof]

Feysand as parents incoming for @officialfeysandweek :

Nyx gripped Rhys’s hand tighter as he used his chubby legs to keep up with his parents. His wings twitched and spread slightly with every step. From his flying lessons, Nyx knew that having a strong body was just as important as having strong wings. So, the little boy took the advice to heart, making sure to walk and run wherever he could and offer to carry “big” canvases and bags for Feyre. He had even offered to carry the picnic basket after he stuffed it with food.

Nyx could fly well for a boy of his age, Rhys thought with pride. One of his favorite things to do was fly with his son. Rhys had strapped Nyx to his chest as an infant and took to the skies. Now, Nyx could soar off the ground on his own, yelling “Papa! Papa!”, as he showed off his small aerial tricks.

With help, Nyx could fly to great heights and Rhys knew he could start taking Nyx on longer and higher flights soon.

But watching puffed cheeks and the red nose of his toddler, Rhys decided to offer a little break.

“Want to ride on my shoulders?” Rhys asked, even though he knew the answer.

“Nope. I wanna walk.” Nyx replied with his eyes ahead. “I don’t wanna scare the ducks away.”

“Oh?” Feyre asked, “Why would the ducks be scared of you.”

“Cause my wings are big, and I’m big too. I don’t want them thinking I’m a hawk that wants to fight them.” Nyx said with a firm nod.

Feyre’s cheeks retreated as she sucked down a laugh. “I didn’t know hawks fought ducks.” she said with as much control as possible.

“Well, hawks always want to fight.” Nyx said solemnly, “The other day, me and Aunt Nesta went to the bookstore and a hawk came down and tried to grab a dog off a balcony!” His wings flapped slightly as he stretched his arms and screeched. “But the dog was kind of fat, and a lady came outside on the balcony and chased the hawk away.”

“Aunt Nesta didn’t mention that,” Feyre said, “we’ll have to ask her at dinner.” She shot a quick look at Rhys, who was desperately trying not to laugh.

“That’s ‘cause Aunt Nesta was talking to Miss Carys about their kissing books.” Nyx rolled his eyes at the memory. “You can look if you don’t believe me.”

The memory came to Rhys insistently, just as Nyx wanted. Rhys saw the fat pug snoring on the deck of the small apartment, while an equally fat starling came onto the railing looking for a fight. But to the eyes and mind of his four year old, it was an epic battle of bird and beast.

“See? I told you. Hawks always wanna fight.” Nyx said with a huff.

“Well then, we’ll just have to make sure to protect the ducks.”

“I will. Aunt Nesta got me a book about birds, so I know all about ducks.” Nyx nodded his head with a sort of seriousness that only a young boy could have.

“What other birds do you know about?” Rhys asked.

Nyx furrowed his brow, “Turkeys can run really, really fast. But I could beat them in a race.

[bagerfluff]

Heart Eyes

Nico di Angelo x Male Demigod Reader

Prompt - "He's so pretty I think I'm going to faint"

You stared at Nico as you leaned against the rails on the deck of your cabin.

Nico wasn’t doing anything special. He was just talking to his sister. Who was visiting from Camp Jupiter with her boyfriend. You were just watching them as they talked about who knows what. You were staring at him with heart eyes.

You’ve liked Nico since he first came to Camp Half-Blood. Well, you thought he looked pretty when he first came. But once you got to know him that’s when you started to like him. Most people didn’t, but they just didn’t try to understand him.

You liked Nico.

You just needed to take the time to understand him. You did and you loved it. Nico was funny and kind and weird. All in his own way. That’s why you liked him. He was pretty too. With fluffy black hair, deep brown eyes, pale skin.

He was pretty.

You wanted to tell him how you felt, but you had no idea if Nico liked you. Or he even liked guys for that matter. Nico was great at hiding his feelings.

So you kept this a secret.

But all of your friends were trying to convince you to confess and they were winning. Truth was that Nico was your best friend. You hung out with him all the time and Nico seemed to really like your company.

“You're staring again”, you glanced over to see Annabeth looking at you. Annabeth wasn’t one of your friends trying to convince you to confess, but she did point out all of the times you stared at Nico.

“He’s so pretty I think I’m going to faint” you sighed out in a dreamy voice.

You leaned on your arm more and just smiled as you watched Nico. Annabeth rolled her eyes and walked away while saying, “You’re hopeless”. You kinda agreed.

You were hopeless.

You heard laughing and looked over to see Hazel and Nico looking at you. You smiled and waved at Nico. Nico blushed a bit but waved back and went back to talking to Hazel.

You sighed and walked away. You were this close to confessing. You should, it would be better if you did. You were half way to confessing every time you talked to Nico anyway. But if you confessed you had to do this right.

You had to ask questions.

“So you want to confess to Nico?”

Jason asked as you tried to knock him off balance. You were sparring with Jason, and you figured that you should ask him how you should confess. Jason was good friends with Nico, so you figured that he was a good person to ask.

“Yes. I thought I already said that”, you counted Jason’s questions and his attack but swinging at his arm. Jason smiled and let out a little laugh. “What's so funny?” You asked as you swung at his arm again.

Jason ducked and swung at you. Jason hit your leg but you were able to regain balance. “It’s just that Nico likes you and you like Nico so it won’t really matter what you do”, Jason looked a little scared after he said that.

You stopped circling Jason and your mouth dropped a little bit. “Nico likes me?” You asked. You were shocked but you also weren’t. You knew that Nico could like you but it was still shocking to hear that he did.

It was also shocking to hear it from Jason. But by the way he looks he looks like he wasn’t supposed to say that. “Yes. But I wasn’t supposed to tell you”, Jason said.

Jason stopped moving when you stopped. “But I think you should just tell him”, Jason said and he gripped his sword again and got into a battle stance.

You did the same but you were distracted. You needed to confess and Jason didn’t really tell you had to do it. Maybe you should do flowers, or chocolate?

Maybe you should ask someone else?

“So you want to confess to Nico but you don’t know how?”

Hazel asked as you both sat outside of the Hades Cabin. “Yes”, you said. The sun was setting and you really wanted to confess to Nico today. But you still had no idea how you wanted to do it.

Jason didn’t help you so now you were asking Hazel. But she wasn’t a big help either. She was a bit better at helping you then Jason but still not a big help. “Just do it”, Hazel said and you sighed and placed your head in your hands.

“That's what Jason said”, you sighed. If this is what everyone was telling you, then you should do it. But you were scared, Nico liked you, that was what Jason said.

Then why were you scared?

Maybe just a single flower would be best. Just one flower and a confession. That would work. You knew what Nico’s response would be. You smiled and stood up.

You needed to find a Demeter kid and ask for a rose. “Thank you Hazel”, you said and looked back at her. Hazel smiled, “Just don’t hurt my brother”.

You smiled and walked away yelling, “I would never!”

You stood in a clearing with a single rose in your hand.

You were waiting for Nico to come here since you asked him to meet with you. You knew what you wanted to say and you were going to do it.

You were still a little nervous but you could do this.

You looked down at the rose as you mumbled what you wanted to say. You were practicing when you heard footsteps. You looked up to see Nico walking towards you.

He still looked really pretty.

You smiled and watched as Nico walked closer to you. You saw Nico’s gazego down, and you knew that he was looking at the flower in your hands. Once Nico was a few feet in front of you, he opened his mouth to say something, but you beat him to it.

“I like you Nico”, you handed Nico the flower, “do you want to be my boyfriend?” You knew what Nico was going to say but you were still overjoyed when he said, “yes”.

You smiled and hugged Nico.

You remember that Nico didn’t like to be touched so you went to pull away but Nico wrapped his arms around you slightly. “Does this mean you’ll stop staring at him with heart eyes”, Nico asked and you blushed.

“You knew about that?” You asked a little embarrassed as you pulled away from the hug. “Hazel pointed it out to me”, Nico said with a shrug. You smiled and placed a kiss on Nico’s forehead, making Nico blush.

“No. I’ll always stare at you with heart eyes”.  

[leggerefiore]

Population Growing!

cw: fluff, feelings realisation

pairing: Tom Nook/Reader

my first proper fic in a while... a

The train moved along the rails at a comforting speed as you watched the landscape pass by from the window. Finally, you had found yourself able to move into a new town far from the one that you had grown up in. It was a daunting task as much as it was exciting. The place was a bit far out from any major city, but you figured that would give it a certain rustic charm that could prove a pleasant change. Everything felt a little less frightening when you thought of it that way as well. Few other passengers had caught a ride on the train. Really, the car you sat in was mostly empty, barring an old, napping sow.

It was just you and the world.

Until, the door of the car slid open, and a blue and white cat walked in and looked around before spotting you. His red eyes went wide as he waved at you and approached. You perhaps would have felt a bit nervous, but he seemed relatively normal, if not a tad too amicable. “Uh… Excuse me… Do you have a second?” he asked. You gave a nod in reply. He then asked you the date and time to which you gave an answer. His smile was stagnant as he nodded this time and seemingly corrected a wristwatch. Then, he glanced back up at you. “Do you mind if I sit across from you? I promise that I won't fall asleep and start drooling on you!”

With your permission, he down on the seat and glanced out the window for a moment. Then, his attention landed back on you. “Thanks again! It sure is nice meeting friendly folks on the train… You aren't some dangerous criminal, are you?” his lips curled back into a playful expression, “Just kidding!” You gave a slight laugh. It seemed that he really just wanted to talk to someone. The conversation continued with him giving you his name and asking for your own, asking about where you were going and why, and then where you were moving to. Though, his shock was plain on his face when you replied that you had no idea. At first, he tried to laugh it off as you messing with him, but he soon realised that you were not joking.

“WHAT?!” his voice actually raised in shock, “You can't just show up with no place to live-! Oh, duh! A friend of mine runs a shop there. Let me give him a ring and see if he has anything.” The cat gave another look at you as he got up and walked away to step outside the train car for a moment. You watched him pick up his cellphone and make a call out. Listening as best you could on the quiet train, you heard him speaking to someone. A name, Nook, stood out to you. You heard him mention your situation and name to the person on the other end of the line. Part of you did feel a bit worried about this being some kind of situation, but Rover had seemed genuine enough.

Soon, the call came to an end, and he returned to his seat across from you with a comforting smile. “Right, so my friend has some places. Dirt cheap, actually,” he reassured you, “Apparently, he was having some trouble renting him so he is willing to unload them at a loss.” His red eyes met yours. “You have money, right?” he tilted his head. You nodded, not really thinking much of the situation. “Then you'll be fine!” his smile became that amicable one again, “Oh, look!” His attention shifted to the window. “We're pulling in right now!”

Your heart raced as you saw the station's imminent approach. Soon, the train had come to a stop, and the cat waved a goodbye to you as you departed. The cool crisp air of autumn greeted you as the browning scenery of a small town met your eyes. You stepped down from the platform, wondering where you should go when you heard someone shout out. “Excuse me! Hey, hey! Hey, you there — Yes, you!” Your attention went in the direction of the voice, spotting a tanuki rushing over towards the station. He panted when he saw he had your attention and came to stop to regain his breath for a moment. You tilted your head. He rose up his head and asked your name, which you gave.

“Good, good! I just had a phone call about you, hm?” he let out a breath, “Whew, I'm glad I made it in time to meet your train. I'm afraid I'm not in the best shape of my life…” He shook his head. “But, I ramble. My name is Tom Nook. I, uh, run the store here in town.” A look over was given to you as he remarked on your interesting decision to move to a town before deciding on a place to move into, even giving a laugh at the absurdity of the thought to him. You finally supposed that it might not have been the best idea, admittedly. With that, he assured you that he had a few homes that were ready for someone to move into and had you follow him down a path to where four homes stood.

All were a quaint size, but it seemed that it was not irrational for the price it likely was to be. He offered you to peer into any of them to get a feel for whichever you liked. Taking him up on his offer, you headed inside the closest to your right. Nook warned you that the home would be quite “cosy” to which you opted to ignore. Inside, you were greeted by a small space with some dingy wallpaper and flooring. A tape deck sitting on the floor and a box with a journal on top of it sat in the far corners of the room. You let out a sigh. What was this? You supposed this is a bit of what you deserved for making a hasty decision with little forethought. Heading out, you found Nook waiting for you by the door.

He confirmed that it was the one you liked and proclaimed the home to be yours at your second agreement. The tape deck was even provided to you for free. Though, you did hear him mumble under his breath about it not selling in his shop. Assurance about the lack of furniture being a you problem was made clear and a simple explanation about getting some ideas on how to decorate by visiting your neighbours was given. Then, finally, the chatter ended, “And… That brings your closing costs to 19,800 bells!” He nodded. You felt yourself grow a bit nervous. Reaching into your pocket, you offered what you had inside.

At first, he accepted the bag with little worry, but when he opened it, sweat began to pour from him. “That is not nearly enough!” he fretted, “This must be a joke, yes? You cannot only have 1000 bells! You know what happens to those who don't have money, don't you? They can't buy a house!” For a moment, he seemed deep in thought before shaking his head. “... You still need a place to stay, don't you? Hmm… A thorny situation. Yes. Rather thorny…” You felt yourself panicking internally. Really, what had you been thinking? His lidded eyes glanced at you as you shrunk into yourself. “… Then here's what we'll do! You can work part-time at my shop to pay off the rest! Yes, that's acceptable.” You perked up a bit. An agreement was made for you to settle in for a moment then to meet him at his shop to discuss things further.

Thus, you truly began your life in your new town.

Nook proved to be a bit of an ass as a boss, handing you a uniform and giving you some basic tasks to do. One of which had you planting flowers and saplings… To only be paid 80 bells. Deliveries were another one, but they were not so bad. Through your work, you ended up meeting plenty of your neighbours and finding yourself with some budding friendships. Of course, just when you felt decidedly comfortable to keep working away at your newfound debt at the job, Nook informed you that he had nothing left for you to do. You wanted to stand a-gasp at the shopkeeper, but he informed you that you had a good idea now of how to get out there on your own to pay it off.

Though, you supposed it was not so hard. Finding assorted things to sell to Nook and slowly chipping away at the bill was manageable. Various neighbours also dumped items off on you for doing odd jobs that you often sold when you felt uninterested in it. Not to mention capturing fish and bugs — Granted, you still frequently ended up giving the first one of whatever you caught to the museum curator. That poor owl often jumping away as you stood directly in front of him. Fossils were also fun, though having to mail them off made the excitement rise and fall. It had not been long until the autumn days shifted into the first snow of the season.

Winter had come, and you found yourself approaching Nook's shop. The small shack of a shop had changed into something more of a convenience store due to the increased needs of the town, supposedly. As you approached, something made you stop in your tracks. Two little tanuki were playing just outside of the shop, rolling up a snow ball together. You could not recall having seen them before. Did Nook have children? He certainly had not mentioned it. Perhaps they were visiting relatives? But, was this not his home town? Sable of the Able Sisters had certainly told you it was. The two seemed to catch sight of you and lose interest in their snow ball. Running up to you, they both stood up at with big, round eyes. The resemblance was certainly uncanny.

“Hello, hello,” the two spoke in sync, catching you off-guard, “Can you help us… us?” One of the two trailed just behind at the end. You blinked. Well, maybe getting a new axe could wait. Nodding, you helped them roll the snow ball on top of another to make a snowman. A few decorations were added to dress it up as they cheered happily at the sight. You felt a bit strange gazing at the two kids. They glanced back at you. “Thank you… you!” their voices were so genuine and sweet. You could not help but smile in return and reassure them it was no problem. They continued to play around the snowman as you slipped away into the store, seeing the tanuki lazing behind his register for a moment.

Maybe it was a slow day. He instantly perked up at seeing you, switching into his customer service mode. You obtained the axe that you were after but stopped as you were heading out of the store. A question about the two kids outside hung in the air. He was shocked for a moment before letting his guard drop. “… Those two? They are my apprentices, hm?” he replied simply. You blinked. What did… that even mean? Apprentices? He sighed. “No, they are not my children,” he said simply, “… Sometimes I just need extra hands when working.” For some reason, you doubted that. But, there was no need to protest his words, so you nodded. Whatever he wanted to call it, you supposed. Heading out, you waved by to the kids who waved back at you.

Slowly, you found yourself spotting more and more of the little tanuki - Timmy and Tommy as they had introduced themselves. It seemed that they were truly apprentices of the older tanuki, referring to him solely as Mr. Nook. They claimed to be learning how to run a store from him, but you listened to plenty of stories from both that seemed to paint a more familial situation at play. Maybe it was simply some cultural thing that you did not understand, so you simply kept it to yourself. The two were occasionally pulled away from their studies for a break from their dear mentor, which led to you often playing with them between your tasks. They had watched in excitement as you reeled in fish from the river or caught a few bugs to show them. Sometimes, you even unconsciously ended up gifting them something that you obtained, watching their eyes light up brightly at it.

Whatever odd home situation they had, they were truly just kids. Though, it had become a bit more frequent you brought them back to the store after your hang-outs with them. Nook simply watched as you walked them to the door, mostly giving a nod or a polite thank you for watching over them. You had taken to just shrugging. Really, you did not mind. It was a nice way pass around a less eventful day. Though, Nook seemed to soften up a bit towards you, ending the awkward retail worker-landlord relationship that you had.

Entering his store, you sighed as you looked over the furniture selections he had that day. Nothing to suit what theme you had begun to decorate your home with. He caught your sigh and tilted his head. “Do you want something in particular?” You shook your head. It just seemed hard to decide these days. “... I'd be willing to order ahead for you if you did,” his voice was a bit quieter, as if this were some secret, “I do appreciate your patronage… And help.” You glanced at him. That last past had barely been audible. Help… Did he feel as if he owed you a bit for hanging out with the twins? You wondered. Smiling at him, you simply shook your head. It was something that you could only pick out when you looked at it. And, well, having an excuse to pop by the store for a visit was never a bad thing. The boys certainly liked to pop out from the connected family living unit to see you.

“Well, if you ever do, the offer remains up in the air,” Nook nodded. Then, you heard your name shouted as two fluffy forms rushed towards you. They dragged you away towards the door to have you play hide and seek with them outside.

As you went, a small smile crossed Nook's usually unreadable countenance.

Somehow, you ended up in a strange market tent that had come to town. A neighbour had told you the supposedly super secret password to get in, and you ended up having to instantly dump 3000 bells just to shop. Though, you found yourself a bit suspicious of the owner. The fox was up-front with a penchant for calling you cousin. Supposedly, you were getting a discount on account of being “like family.” Granted, you recognised one of the items he had on display as one that you had seen in Nook's shop. The price, however, was a fair bit higher. As much as you wanted to believe the tanuki would cut you a deal, you doubted it. While that should have truly deterred you from purchasing anything, you felt drawn in by the painting for sale.

Really, seeing the Mona Lisa should have been your first red flag, but you still purchased it. The fox assured you that you would not regret it as you stepped out of the tent with your purchase. Knowing that Blathers would simply love an addition for the art section of the museum, you brought it in to him. However, you stomach soon dropped as he recoiled in shock. “Upon a closer look, I must inform you that this is a vile, shameless forgery!” he looked offended that you would even offer him such a thing as he handed it back to you. However, when he saw your expression, he became a bit more sympathetic. Shaking his head, he lightly chided you for buying from such a shady seller and reassured you that it could happen to anyone.

With that, you found yourself trailing towards the dump to toss the fake. Though, you caught a familiar figure as you dropped the item to be taken away. Nook stood there, seemingly offloading a few boxes from his stocking. He blinked at you, having noticed your gloomy state. “What happened, hm?” his voice was gentle. You felt your frustration come rushing out as you ranted to the tanuki about what had happened. He nodded at your words before letting out a sigh. “I see… That does sound about right,” he patted your shoulder reassuringly, “There, there. Foxes should never be trusted, yes, yes. Let this be a hard lesson learnt.” You sighed again. His eyes darted away for a moment.

“Why don't you join the boys and I for dinner,” Nook offered, “It might be a nice change of pace, hm? They have been asking for you today, anyways.”

You felt a bit better at the thought of seeing the twins. At least, they were too cute to let you keep stewing in your frustration. The tanuki led you away to his store for a nice evening in with the strange family.

Though, admittedly, you did not learn your lesson and kept shopping from the fox. Redd did seem to have some legitimate paintings, after all. That, and, well, you did find him a bit funny to see in action.

Another upgrade to the store had come, giving the shopkeeper shorter hours. Though, there had been an unfortunate incident where you had needed something late at night after the store closed. Needless to say, no matter how close you had become to the tanuki, he was not happy to open his doors at two in the morning to you. Still, he sold you the shovel you needed, albeit at a price hike. As you headed out to return to your plans, you heard him scold you for being up and out so late.

The next day, he had insisted that you needed to work on your sleeping schedule, lest you cause him to worry about what you were doing in the middle of the night with a dire need for a shovel. Apparently planting some new fruit trees was not a reassuring answer. He did appear to be over it, however. Especially when the twins popped out and dragged you into the home unit to show you some new show they were into. He simply could only roll his eyes in reply. Your visits to the store had mostly become social ones, but he never had the heart to complain. Your presence had become an expected thing, in truth. It would feel odd for both of you if you had shown up less.

It was during one of these visits, that you found yourself sitting with him during a slow period in the store. His customer service front had been entirely dropped around you. The landlord half had completely vanished with your last payment on your loan, too. Really, you had just become two people. Perhaps, well, you were friends. That was not something either of you spoke aloud, but it was something understood. You watched his “apprentices” and often ended up sharing meals with them nowadays. There even had been a few times you slept over. Though, those were extremely uncommon even still. Toy Day had been spent with the tanuki, having enjoyed watching just how happy the twins become at the gifts you got for them. New Years had also been spent over…

Your head somehow ended up on Nook's shoulder as you remained lost in thought. He did not react nor did he attempt to move you. The two of you just sat like that for a moment. Snow had begun to pile up outside again. You knew he would likely be on his feet to clear a path if it became too much, but for now, he was unmoving. Your eyes felt heavy. Though, you startled awake when a customer entered the store, and Nook got up to greet and tend to them. You found yourself missing his warmth.

During his time off, you both found yourselves at the Roost. You sat at table together, simply enjoying the ambience of the café while a musician played at the stage. Nook seemed entranced by the dog. You giggled at his clear interest. This brought his attention back to you. He blinked. “… What?” he questioned. Your reply made him appear bashful. He scratched the back of his head while his fluffy tail stood on alert. “Ah, well, I'm quite a fan of him, yes, yes,” Nook admitted, “It's very fortunate he was playing during this time…” You nodded. He had another sip of his coffee and stared at you. “… I genuinely wish to thank you for watching over the twins so often,” he started. You reassured him that it was nothing, but he shook his head.

“Ah, no, see, I am finally able to upgrade my store once more, hm?” he explained. You listened in. It was unsurprising. People even came from out of town to shop there, but everyone in town certainly did. His store really was a centrepiece of the local economy. “I plan on having Timmy and Tommy tend to the second story,” his words shocked you, “… I wish to do more hands-on training with them. I cannot have my apprentices under-trained.” You wanted to roll your eyes. Really, the twins had basically been begging to help more. Though, it did make you sad that there would be less time to spend with them. Nook caught on to that quickly.

“… You are still free to join us at any time,” he reminded you, “They would be far too sad if you stopped showing up.” You let out a relieved breath. His hand grasped your own. “… And, I, too, quite enjoy your company.” Your cheeks burned at his words. His attention drifted back to the musician while your heart raced in your chest.

It was natural change that followed.

Really, it had already been basically what you two shared even it was unspoken. The twins had been put to bed in their room while you sat with Tom in the family room. His arm was around your shoulders as you both watched some old show that he had insisted was good. You rested your head on his shoulder once more. A few times, you had dozed off. Eventually, you heard the television cut off. “Ready for bed?” he asked. You nodded and let him lead you to his room. Somehow, you both had just settled into a routine. Nothing needed to established aloud as it was simply understood. You nuzzled into him as the cover came over you both. His arm secured you into place. Soon, you were drifting off again. A gentle kiss was pecked to your head. A declaration of your feelings was said sleepily.

“I love you, too,” was Tom's reply as you both finally gave in to sleep.