#i want my friends hearts and minds SOOTHED i must let them know how much i love them

[littleplantfreak]

how to let my friends know i love them and am always thinking about them without seeming crazy clingy 🧎‍♀️

[honnelander]

I CAME AS SOON AS I SAW THE POST

can we get a little snippet of go fish!reader maybe reading Pride and Prejudice aloud to Zoro after he had been struck down by Mihawk, like how Nami did, and Sanji over hearing and just staying by the door to listen to her read or something? i think a little blurb like that would be so cute

AHHH CUUUUTE!! i modified this a bit to have it fit into the overall story's timeline. instead of Zoro being struck down by Mihawk, he's sick and bedridden. thank you for this :))

here's go fish!Sanji listening to you reading:

masterlist

"Ohhh Zoro," you quietly squealed, trying your best to keep your voice down from disturbing a very ill and bedridden Zoro from waking. "Are you ready for this? Oh my god, this is another one of my favorite parts," you gushed, sighing dreamily as you put your very loved and well-worn copy of Pride and Prejudice on your lap before hurriedly picking it up again to continue reading aloud to your friend in his room.

"I'm in love with you, most ardently," you read, voice quiet enough and full of wistfulness.

As you continued to read the story, your voice going up and down in excitement as you read the scene aloud, Sanji could hear your quiet gushing from the hallway. He was carrying a small tray of food, two bowls of his special homemade chicken soup sitting right in the middle, one for Zoro and another for you since he knew you'd spent all afternoon reading to the sick swordsman and figured you must be hungry by this point as well.

With careful steps, he silently stood right behind the doorway as he listened to your soothing voice bring the words that were printed on the page of your favorite book to life with a small smile on his face. The blonde cook closed his eyes for a minute, letting the sound of your voice wash over him as he admired you without you ever knowing.

He leaned his shoulder on the doorframe right outside of Zoro's room, gently resting the side of his head against it as well, as his mind wandered for a second, getting lost in the story.

Apparently, it was the part in the story where Mr. Darcy was confessing his love to Elizabeth, but as he listened further, he realized that it wasn't the end of the story where they both confessed their feelings mutually, it was more in the beginning where Mr. Darcy's sentiments were one-sided and Sanji couldn't help but feel a sort of kinship with the fictional man.

While the situation he was in with you wasn't as dramatic as Jane Austen's creation (if there even was a 'situation', he thought dejectedly), the feelings he had for you were certainly real and very complicated.

Was he in love with you? He wasn't entirely sure, but he did like you, much more than a friend should. He had feelings that he only had for you, and no one else. Sure, he's come to love the rest of the crew and Nami too, but none of them could make him feel the things that he only seemed to experience with you.

Suddenly, he wondered how he would confess these sentiments to you one day. Would he pull a Mr. Darcy and just walk into your room one night, spilling out his heart's desires for you in a single breath because if he didn't, he might not have the courage to tell you otherwise? Telling you the thoughts that consistently plagued his mind, trying to sort them out aloud in front of you because they were driving him mad like poor Mr. Darcy? Or would he plan something out and take his time? Wait until he understood what he felt because he 'wanted to get it right'?

Sanji didn't know, it was too soon to tell... but what he did know was that if he stood out there loitering any longer, the soup would get cold and the chef in him would rather die than serve you something like that.

Coincidently, it seemed like the chapter had just ended, you letting out a lighthearted sigh as you softly commented to Zoro, "Ok Zoro, now wasn't that chapter just... extraordinary?"

"It certainly was, Missus," Sanji commented cheekily, suppressing a smile as best he could as he walked into the room.

"Oh! Sanji!" you gasped as your hand quickly covered your racing heart. "Jeez, you scared me." You watched as Sanji placed the tray of soups onto the nightstand. "Sorry. I, uh, didn't realize I was reading so loudly I attracted an audience," you said, your cheeks heating up slightly at the thought that Sanji had been listening to you for who knows how long.

"'Sorry'?" Sanji repeated, a slight frown on his face momentarily as looked down at the tray, glancing at you over his shoulder. "There's nothing to be sorry for, my love." Once the tray was secured on the nightstand, he fully turned to face you, his hands in his pockets as he put on his most charming smile. "Now," he started smoothly, "I'm starting to think that maybe I should get sick so you can come and read to me in bed all day."

Sanji's smile only grew as he watched your face become even more flushed at his words.

You laughed slightly, eyes darting away from his as you asked, "Don't you mean when you're bedridden?"

There was a long pause, the silence becoming deafening at your question. You could feel the tension in the room become thicker the longer that Sanji stayed quiet. Your hands started to feel slightly clammy as your heart rate picked up.

You swallowed. "You know, instead of 'in bed'... since you'd be sick and everything?" you asked finally, as you mustered up the courage to look back up at Sanji from your chair.

At his expression, your heart skipped a beat. Sanji was still looking at you, his eyes twinkling with mischief (and sincerity?) and another emotion you didn't understand, a soft smile on his face. You couldn't help but feel like Sanji knew what he said and that he had said it on purpose.

His crooked smile only deepened. "Sure," he agreed simply. "When I'm sick and ill, and completely bedridden." He blinked, inhaling a small breath as he looked down at his shoes for a moment before looking back up at you, a small questioning look in his eyes as he quietly asked, "And you'd do that? Come and read to me all day?"

"Of course," you answered without hesitation, frowning slightly at Sanji believing that you wouldn't do for even a moment. "I would do anything to help you feel better, Sanji."

Now, between the two of you, it was pretty obvious that Sanji was the smooth-talking flirt, with you never really outrightly flirting with him in the conventional sense, but wow, you might as well be labeled the biggest flirt in his mind because your kind, thoughtful words and gestures never failed to make his heart flutter and knees go weak.

And the way you would look at him, time and time again, whenever you would gently reassure him that yes, you did indeed care about him and that you never truly forgot him... it was enough for him to feel his heart nearly explode.

There it was again, your kind, thoughtful, and beautiful expression on full display for him as you looked up at him through your lashes.

And just like that, Sanji's fears were completely washed away.

He let out a slight laugh, turning his face to the side, his blonde bangs facing you to try and hide the very faint blush on his cheeks. "Aw, you're too kind to me, Missus." He looked back at you, his rosy glow fading slightly, however, his smile was still bright. "Thank you."

At seeing Sanji happy, you were happy. You returned his smile and with a slight teasing tone you said, "But I'll only read to you if you promise to read to me when I'm in bed, sick and completely bedridden."

The blonde chef laughed lightly again, partly because of your now little inside joke, but because the thought that you even had to ask him if he 'would ever do that for you' was completely absurd. Of course he would. He would've been reading to you from the moment you were awake and not feeling well, all the way until you were sleeping, and even then he would continue to recite the pages of the book you loved aloud while you slept, so your dreams and subconscious mind were filled with the sound of his voice well into the night.

Sanji would do anything for you. And you never even needed to ask.

But he didn't tell you all that, not wanting to freak you out with his intense train of thought, so he simply said, with a small smile and twinkle in his eye, "Consider it done."

From Sanji's right, the sound of bedsheets rustling caught both of your attention.

Zoro groaned, gingerly opening his eyes as he pulled his blanket closer to himself. "Ugh... waiter? What are you doing here?"

Sanji looked down at him, a hint of concern on his pretty features as he replied, "Ah, Mosshead, you're awake. I, uh, thought I'd do a little room service and bring some soup for you and y/n."

At hearing your name, Zoro opened his eyes again. "Y/n?" He slowly turned his head towards you. "What are you-" he started to ask but when he saw the book on your lap he groaned and covered his eyes with the crook of his elbow. "Oh don't tell me- you've been reading that garbage to me while I was sleeping this whole time?"

But you weren't offended by his question. Instead, you laughed. "If you mean masterpiece then, yes. You're right. I had just gotten to the good part too!"

Zoro shifted in his bunk, getting comfortable. "Well, by all means, keep going," he deadpanned. In a more sincere tone he said, "I haven't slept this good in a while." But then, with a ghost of a smile, he added, "Your book is so boring it puts me right to sleep."

"Hey, a win is a win," you laughed joyfully. You looked up at Sanji for a second, wanting to share your little moment of happiness of Zoro wanting to continue reading with him.

But Sanji was already looking at you, eyebrows raised in surprise and a disbelieving closed-lipped smile on his face. His smile only grew at seeing the happiness you radiated, his eyes scanning over your face. "Well, in that case," he started as he made his way towards the door. "Let me excuse myself then. I wouldn't want to get in the way of your storytime, Mr. Mosshead."

As Sanji left the room and stepped out into the hall, he could hear you giggle at his 'Mr. Darcy' joke while Zoro grumbled, a sweet sense of satisfaction coming over him.

But before he went back to the kitchen to start on tonight's dinner prep, he loitered outside of Zoro's room again, leaning against the doorframe like he did moments earlier, out of view, so could listen to you read once more for a bit, a small, wistful smile on his face.

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[eleanor-bradstreet]

Let Me Be Your Anchor

Chapter 16: Teatime

Benedict Bridgerton x Sophie Beckett An Offer from a Gentleman reimagined Chapter rating: 18+ - explicit sexual content, drug use Word count: 4.4k

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The next day Aubrey Hall continued to teem with activity under the watchful eyes of the Duke and Duchess. Benedict notified Mr. Dewitt that Sophie would be retained as a member of the housekeeping staff during the country visit. If the steward had any thoughts about the whiplash instructions he was receiving in regards to the newly arrived maid, he was wise enough not to betray them. 

Benedict’s mind hadn’t stopped whirring since his encounter with Sophie in the drawing room the previous day. After returning from the lake, his sister gave no indication that she suspected anything untoward. It seemed their secret was safe. But how much longer could they carry on like this, sneaking through hallways in the dead of night, scurrying into unoccupied rooms? The risk of their discovery would increase tenfold when the family and guests started to arrive. Sophie was correct that they would need to actively avoid one another. He hadn’t even contemplated what would happen at the conclusion of his family’s hosting duties when he would be expected to return to London. 

In the midst of his colliding thoughts, all he could think of was his need for Sophie; his yearning to watch her lips part as he made her gasp, his hunger to make her come apart, his ache to hold her in his arms. He set up an easel in his bedchamber and tried to unleash his feelings on a canvas, but found himself lost in daydreams of her. Rash as it may have been, he sent word to the kitchen specifically requesting that Sophie bring him his tea.

His heart bounded when she opened the door, tray balanced on her hip as he had seen her so many times before while convalescing. Her smile was brighter than the sunlight streaming through the windows. 

She set the tea tray on a table and curtsied. “Mr. Bridgerton.”

“Sophie.” Her name left his lips with a sigh of relief. “Are we not done with formalities when we are alone together?”

She returned a coy smile. “Very well, Ben. I assume you summoned me for a reason. Would you like me to sit for my portrait?”

He stepped toward her, feeling a stab of guilt that he could never seem to concentrate long enough in her presence to complete his work. “I certainly intend to finish your portrait. That is a gift I promised you. But I’m afraid my thoughts are too preoccupied to give it the attention it deserves at the moment.

“Preoccupied?” Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as he closed the distance between them and ran his knuckles across her cheek.

“Anticipation of my family’s arrival. And thoughts of you. Knowing we must keep our distance once they arrive.” 

“Yes, we must.” Sophie swallowed, feeling the familiar bloom of heat just from his proximity. 

“But we have today.” Benedict nuzzled against her cheek, delighting in her scent, the faintest hint of amber and vanilla. 

Sophie’s eyes rolled closed and she grew pliant in his arms, but her mind still registered the risk of their encounters. “The Duke and Duchess…”

“Are calling at Romney Hall nearby,” he explained. “My sister is a friend of Lady Crane. She is ill and won’t be able to attend the visit.”

“The children?”

Benedict snickered. “Are with their army of nurses. The time is ours.” He pressed his lips to hers, soft and plush, and she was bereft of any further protest. “I wanted to ask if you’d like to…join me in calming my thoughts?”

“How do you mean?” Sophie asked, noting the mischievous flicker across his features, his crooked grin triggering a spark of excitement.

“An elixir procured by my younger brother in his travels. Whatever it may be, I find it both soothes the nerves and opens my mind to artistic inspiration. When paired with a canvas it helps me produce some of my most…experimental work.” He ran a hand gently through her hair, gazing at her as if she were his greatest muse. “It’s an experience unlike any other, and one that I’d like to share with you, if you are willing.”

Sophie was surprised by his offer, that he was inviting her to join him in more than just carnal pleasures. She had never tried any such substances, but assumed the effects must be different than strong drink. On a few occasions she had indulged enough to experience drunkenness with her fellow servants, usually on holidays. She found the sensation not unpleasant, a numbing carefree haze, but it did have a way of stealing joy from the following day when she would wake with a headache and bitter mouth. But she trusted Benedict implicitly. He would ensure her enjoyment as he introduced her to something new.

“How does one take this elixir?” She asked.

“A powder added to tea.” He wiggled his eyebrows and moved about the room, producing a small pouch from a drawer in his writing desk and shaking it playfully before resting it beside the teapot. “Medicinal in a way not unlike your tinctures, but entirely unique.”

Nodding her consent, Sophie sat across from Benedict at the small table and watched as he poured them each a cup of tea and added small spoonfuls of the pouch’s vibrant purple powder. He stirred and handed her the mixture, insisting she take the first sip. Tentatively, she brought it to her lips.

“You may wish to hold your nose,” Benedict coached. “The smell and taste can be a bit foul.”

Sophie did detect a whiff of something pungent, vegetal but charred somehow. Holding her breath, she took a full sip and scrunched up her face as the aftertaste withered her tongue.

“Ugh,” she grimaced as Benedict giggled. “You claim this makes you feel better?”

“Give it a moment,” he grinned. “You will see.”

___

In what felt like no time at all, Sophie became aware of her altered state. A single cup of Benedict’s mystery tea and she found herself able to count the motes of dust that floated in the shafts of sunlight. As opposed to the numbing effect of alcohol, she found her mind and body heightened in awareness. She was fascinated by the friction of her dress against her skin, the tactile surface of the table and the fine china, and the colors of the fabrics throughout the room. Having drunk his own cup, Benedict seemed to be fixated on color too. After ensuring she was feeling well, he had gone to his easel and was blending oil paints directly with his fingers on both palette and canvas, making sweeping motions with his arms, entirely lost to inspiration. 

Sophie didn’t know how long she lazed in her chair watching him. The tea made time seem untrackable and irrelevant. She certainly did feel her nerves calmed and mind opened. She was content to simply gaze at Benedict, the man she secretly loved, drinking in the sight of him and every feature she adored. His tousled dark hair, his animated brow, pale blue eyes locked on his work, lopsided smirk appraising what he was crafting. Her focus narrowed to the sweat beginning to bead on his forehead, the tendons flexing in his muscular neck, and the veins surging in his paint-streaked forearms. He had rolled his sleeves to the elbows but was otherwise fully dressed in a floral patterned waistcoat and pinned cravat, and for some reason this struck her as aggravating. With every inch of her skin sensitized in a way she had never known before, she wanted to touch and be touched, to taste and be tasted, to learn what it felt like to ascend to the plane of bliss when she already felt herself high above any clouds.

With a boldness that surprised even herself she rose, marched to Benedict’s side, took his face in her hands and kissed him deeply. Light danced behind her eyelids as the sweet flavor of his lips cascaded over her own. Benedict froze, holding his hands to either side so as not to cover her in paint.

Sophie pulled back and they both chuckled, heady with the closeness of each other as much as with the tea. Kissing him again, she found herself entirely absent of inhibition. With his hands unavailable she was in control and the realization was undeniably thrilling. There was something she had been longing to try and now was the perfect moment.

Continuing to savor him, her hands went to work unwinding his cravat. Benedict stood still, humming in amusement as they kissed. Once the fabric was in her hands, cool and slippery, she moved to stand behind him. On tiptoe she wrapped the dark blue silk around his eyes and knotted it in the back.

“Blind man’s bluff?” Benedict quipped, sounding befuddled.

“Shh.” Sophie giggled as she moved back to face him and contemplated her next move. The buttons on his waistcoat were slowly unfastened and the garment slipped carefully over his technicolor arms and onto the floor. Biting her lip, she snapped his braces against his chest causing him to gasp before she pulled them down from his shoulders. Next was his shirt. Sophie could hear him breathing harder as she pulled the hem from his waistband. She leaned to his ear and whispered, “Raise your arms.”

Giving himself over to her direction, Benedict grinned uncontrollably as she undressed him. He did as he was told, lifting his arms in front of himself to accommodate her height and she pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it across the room. He stood before her blindfolded and shirtless, chest heaving, trousers jutting out unnaturally with his stiffness. Feeling more seductive than ever before, she traced a finger from his jaw down his neck, chest and abdomen, admiring. He was muscled, athletic, and his pale skin was so soft, smelling of soap and his oil paints. Sophie knelt down to pull off his boots, running her hand lightly down the front of his trousers on her way, causing him to hiss from the sensation.

“Lift your feet.” He obeyed and she pulled off his boots and stockings. Sophie remembered the night at the inn where she had awkwardly relieved him of his clothing out of necessity. This was a decidedly more pleasurable echo of that encounter. They were both breathing quite hard now, knowing there was only one more garment left to remove. Sophie remained on her knees and reached up, slowly unbuttoning his trousers. His hands clenched into fists and she could see him gritting his jaw. She smiled as she slid the last of his clothes down and bid him to step out of them. Now he was nude and erect with anticipation. She delayed a moment, waiting to strike. She would surprise him. She knew he was expecting her hands; how she usually touched him. She would skip that step.

Benedict gasped as her hot, wet mouth encircled him. It was a shock to his system, standing naked and blind in excruciating silence, broken suddenly by his cock being devoured. He reached out to hold her head but she swatted his hand away, reminding him of how soiled they were. Groaning through clenched teeth he fought to stand still and just let her have her way with him. It was agony and paradise combined, a flood of feelings as his swirling senses honed in on her attentions. The minx inside sweet Sophie had been unleashed by the tea and he was both proud and humbled that she was offering her own form of experimentation to match his. 

At long last Sophie was fulfilling her wish to take Benedict in her mouth, to show him just how fervently she longed to please him, to worship his body as he had worshipped hers. She found the act surprisingly enjoyable, knowing the power she wielded from her knees. Hearing the needy sounds he made and looking up to see his mouth hung open with awe gave her her own satisfaction in turn. After a few pulls along his manhood she leaned back. “How is this, Ben? Inspirational?” She flicked her tongue across his tip.

He groaned, legs buckling. “Yes, Sophie. It’s…you’re wonderful. Just…just like this. Your lips are like the kiss of heaven.” She chuckled, knowing he would likely spout something poetic even if they were not under the influence. Motivated to push him even higher into the firmament, she leaned forward to consume him again. She tried different motions, licking and sucking, back and forth, her tongue dancing around his veins, her hand rising to join her mouth in stroking. Whenever Benedict moaned above her, she persisted with that action. 

Then she tested herself, seeing how deeply she could take him. Slowly, she pushed further and further toward his body, pulling him into her mouth, relaxing every muscle she knew how. She knew he was in her throat once she could no longer breathe. An odd, somewhat alarming sensation but she felt in control. Staying relaxed she began to move gently, sucking him as before, letting him penetrate an entirely new area of her body. Having the most intimate part of him warm and heavy in her mouth was a comfort and sin she could never have imagined.

Benedict positively shouted with surprise as he breached Sophie’s throat. He instinctively tore the cravat from his eyes, looked down and saw her face practically flush with his pelvis, eyes closed in concentration as she rocked back and forth. He was buried so deep that when she finally gagged, he felt as if he were swallowed, squeezed with a pressure and heat that threatened to topple him. He shuddered, mind gone completely blank. Sophie pulled back and came up for air, gasping after his entire length slid out of her beautiful mouth. She wiped her lips on the back of her hand and smiled up at him, looking proud of herself.

“Sophie Beckett, you marvelous creature,” he beamed down at her. With a smug gleam in her eyes she set herself on him again and Benedict rocketed skyward. He murmured praise and suggestions, hips beginning to thrust as she sucked him eagerly. She had a natural talent with her tongue that he knew was liable to destroy him. The warmth of her mouth, the suction of her lips, the challenge in her dewy eyes gazing up at him, it grew too much to bear. As he felt himself nearing the peak he pulled back.

“Sophie, I’m…I am nearly there.”

“Good,” she smiled, tearing away the collar of her uniform and beginning to loosen her frock. Benedict watched, agog as she undressed, stripping down to the waist. Then she wrapped a warm hand around his length and began to pump, her breasts bare and bobbing hypnotically as she stroked him. Whatever fire had been lit within her, he vowed to keep it tended. Gazing at each other open mouthed, she commanded him softly but intently. “Come on me.”

Seeing and hearing how hungry she was for his release brought it to fruition in a moment. Knowing nothing but the wave of ecstasy beginning to spasm through his body, Benedict needed to stabilize himself before he jettisoned off of the earth. His hands fell to Sophie’s shoulders and gripped tight, smearing her in a rainbow of fingerprints as he dropped his head with a cry. Painting her in two ways at once, his breath escaped in halting gasps as she milked him onto her chest. 

Sophie never stopped her movements, coaxing him through the aftershocks. When Benedict fell to his knees before her panting, she grinned with devilish victory. She was just as capable of reducing him to a breathless mess as he could her. It made her feel closer to him, more trusted, and more desirable.

“Sophie,” Benedict marveled at her, barely able to muster words. “I’m sorry. Your shoulders…”

He pointed at the streaks that ran across her skin. She looked down and saw the epaulets she had earned. Bright ornaments of sinful endeavors. The fingerprints of her lover seared into her for all to see. The whole room was twinkling in a dazzling spectrum before her eyes and she felt honored to be made a part of it. With a twist of her lips she collected the palette he had dropped nearby and dipped her fingers into a sky blue shade, then swiped it gently across his abdomen, coloring him as well.

Benedict looked at her quizzically, then she ran a purple thumb across his jaw. Catching on, he wet his fingers in forest green and brushed them across her cheeks. Giggling, Sophie next took a daub of orange and swirled it in circles across her chest, blending it with his seed, painting herself with his essence. Benedict swallowed hard, dumbfounded, and then found himself moving like a man possessed, stripping her of her remaining clothing, hauling her up onto the settee and burying his face between her legs. 

The day progressed as a gauzy fantasy, the two of them wrapped in intoxicated wonder and all the sensations they could gift each other. They lost count of their climaxes, Sophie returning time and time again to swallow Benedict and bob her head until he gasped her name, and Benedict on his knees in equal measure, sucking her furiously as she bounced against his tongue. After the poetry they penned with their moans, they broke to make art with their flesh, painting arcs, swirls and handprints across skin, gradients of desire and whimsy, blending with their own juices, traces of themselves ending up on the canvas which had clattered to the floor.

Hours later as the sun began to set, they found themselves looking like madmen, wrapped in sheets, disheveled and covered in streaks of paint from head to toe. Benedict had the presence of mind to wrap Sophie in one of his shirts and hide her in the bedroom next door while he donned a robe and called for a bath. He didn’t much care what the maids thought of seeing him smeared with paint with his hair standing on end. It wouldn’t be the first time he had ended up like this after a dose of the powder.

Working together and casting him sideways glances, Finian and Lizzie brought a large copper tub to his room and filled it with steaming water. Lizzie scented it with oil and a sudsy soap that left bubbles floating on the surface. When they finally exited, Benedict collected Sophie again and locked the door behind them. She giggled helplessly while he stripped her of what little she was wearing and helped her step into the steaming water. She shivered and sank down, allowing the water to rise above her shoulders and neck, even right up to her nose, and then closed her eyes. It felt like heaven.

“Lean forward,” Benedict murmured, kneeling on the floor beside her. She did, and sighed with pleasure as he began to wash her back, making clouds of red and yellow paint swirl into the water. 

“We’ll make you all shiny and new again,” he grinned, kissing her shoulder as he scrubbed her arms. Sophie leaned forward and rested her forehead on her bent knees, blushing.

“Dunk your head so I can wash your hair,” he ordered.

She slid under the water, a magical, enveloping sensation while she still felt the fuzzy influence of the tea, and then quickly came back up. 

The green streaks of paint on her cheeks started to run down the length of her face. But rather than make her look wretched, Benedict thought it gave her a phantasmal beauty. It made her eyes glow as he had never seen them - glittering emeralds refracting all the light in the room. He rubbed the paint from her face with his thumb as she held his gaze. He suddenly found that it was hard to breathe. Probably a side effect of the tea. 

He busied himself by rubbing the bar of soap in his hands and then began to work the lather through her hair. “Do you prefer your hair short?” he asked.

“I had to cut it,” she said. “I sold it to a wigmaker.”

She wasn’t sure, but she thought she might have heard him growl.

“It used to be much shorter,” she added.

“Back under.” 

She dunked back in the tub, swirling her head this way and that under the water before coming back up for air. 

Benedict cupped his hands and filled them with water. “You’ve still got some in the back,” he said, letting the water pour over her hair.

Sophie let him repeat the process a few times, until all the paint was removed as far as she could tell and the water had turned a milky purple. “Aren’t you coming in?” She raised an eyebrow and was met with that cheeky lopsided grin.

Benedict let his robe fall to the floor and stepped in across from her. He groaned with pleasure as he lowered himself, immediately dunking under the water and smoothing back his hair. Sophie took the cloth and went to work scrubbing his fingers, his arms, every inch of him. Their incessant giggling was fading into pleasurable hums and sighs as they caressed each other in the water, gently, curiously. They kissed each other’s necks, arms, foreheads. There was a chastity to it despite that they were fully nude together after an outrageously lascivious afternoon.

Sophie was drained. It had been without a doubt the wildest and most exploratory day of her life thus far. She knew she was still under the giddy haze of the tea but her senses were growing sharper. Time slowly seemed to be returning to its normal rate and her mind was quieting. The last of its effects, the joy of being with Benedict, and the warmth of the lapping water made her euphoric. Benedict had leaned back against his end of the tub, eyes closed. Sophie couldn't stretch out her legs underwater without awkwardly laying on top of him, so she planted her feet to frame his head which made him look up and chuckle. She grinned and bent an elbow over the side, resting her head on her arms. Benedict ran his hands lazily over her knees and the two of them sat in contented silence, descending from their high and soaking up all the heat the water could offer.

Benedict stared at Sophie, resting serenely as glinting water droplets ran across her collarbone. She was dazzling. Never a word that he had thought to associate with a housemaid but it was truly how he felt. Where in the world had she come from? This beautiful, daring and exciting woman whose wit, moods, pleasures and interests so perfectly aligned with his own? He genuinely wondered if she had worked in the Cavender house at all and wasn’t some faerie that had wandered out of the woods to enchant him. These days alone with her in the country had been some of the happiest he had experienced with a woman. He was ready to find her an apartment in London, to send her there with an allowance to buy anything she fancied, and to have all of her servant’s clothes burned. He could do it tomorrow. She shouldn’t spend another day working for his family.

“Why do you want to keep working at this ball?” He asked her.

Sophie lifted her head, brow furrowed. “So I can earn some money.”

Benedict sat up and leaned toward her. “You don’t need to earn money. I’ll take care of you.” He pressed his torso against hers and murmured, “I can give you whatever you want.”

Whether it was her pride or some courage gifted to her by the tea, Sophie felt no fear in being honest with him. “I don’t want you to.” Her voice was more stern than she had intended and he scowled. 

“Why can’t we just stay like this? Have this time together?” She nuzzled against his neck and planted a soft kiss on his lips. This was everything she wanted, or at least everything that she could reasonably have with Benedict. She would never experience her dreams of marrying him, or walking on his arm in public, or being with him forever. But she could have these days, weeks or even months if she were lucky, where they enjoyed each other’s company and bodies, and she was grateful for it. Incredibly grateful. It wasn’t perfect, but it was closer to her dreams than she could have ever imagined over the past two years. She would cherish these days forever, but she refused to hinge her hopes or her future on them, when they would never lead to anything.

“I don’t want to be kept somewhere,” she confessed. “Locked in a pretty box for you to play with.”

Benedict pulled back, looking insulted. “Why?”

Sophie sighed, overcome with the weight of her emotions and a wave of approaching sleep. “Because it can’t last forever and I will need work to fall back on.” She rested her head back on her arms and closed her eyes. “You must tell me once you find her,” she sighed.

Benedict looked at her, startled. Find who? Surely she didn’t know about…

As if reading his mind Sophie continued, mumbling. “The woman you will marry. So that I will know to leave. Promise me, Ben.” Her head lolled as she drifted off, her last words barely above a whisper. “I cannot share you.”

Something in Benedict’s chest clenched and again he found himself struggling to breathe. Suddenly the thought of not having Sophie around was unsettling. More unsettling than it should have been for having known her such a short time. She didn’t want to share him with his wife. Did she mean to reveal that to him or did it slip out? He couldn’t tell how it made him feel. Once again he knew she was right. He doubted he could sustain a life as a bachelor chasing after a maid who refused to be kept as a mistress. He would need to marry. Hell, a part of him wanted to marry. It was who that was the problem. He couldn’t find the lady in silver but knew that if he ever did and if she would have him, he would marry her and then there would be no room for Sophie. It made him sad and it made him confused and he was so damned tired. So he resigned himself to following Sophie’s lead and just enjoying the time they had together, for however long it lasted.

Tagging: @angels17324 @broooookiecrisp @secretagentbucky @eg-dr3amer3 @time-to-hit-the-clouds @lyta2323 @autumn-grace @sadprose-auroras @the-other-art-blog @goldrambutan @colettebronte @heeyyyou @musicismyoxygen84 @faye-tale @ambitionspassionscoffee @starchaser325 @malna4903 @sincere-sarcasm @kmc1989 @makaylan @queen-of-the-misfit-toys @alexandrainlove @chase-your-dreams-away

[selfindulgentpixies]

And part 6 is here! This chapter is very mellow I guess compared to the others? Just a sweet break from everything else because honestly it's what they all deserve and I feel like you all might be ready for a break from the angst. Part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 part 5 part 7 Contains: Satoru x reader x Suguru, Gn!reader, reader has 'chan' attached to the end of their name, reader is referred to as cute. (Keep in mind this is very self indulgent) Spoilers up to episode 28. This chapter and next can be viewed as taking place between hidden inventory and premature death. I hope you all enjoy this. Word count: A lil over 3K

____

The boys look at you when you curl and cover your face, their expressions amused and a touch concerned.  “If I’m getting the wrong thing from what the two of you are talking about and you tease me when I ask, I'll hobble my way back to the infirmary and not speak to either of you for a week.” You mumble into your hands. 

“Satoru,” Suguru says, giving him a look. 

“Yeah I get it, I won’t make fun of them for what they’re gonna ask,” he says with an eyeroll you can hear and you know is directed at Suguru. Of course he’s not gonna fuck this up. 

You take a deep breath and let it out slowly before lowering your hands. You really wish you weren’t right between the two of them for this. “So uh… Does this mean that the two of you…” You trail off and stare hard at the blanket, suddenly painfully shy and nervous. 

You feel Suguru’s hand brush against your cheek. “Go on. Ask us.” 

You glance between the two of them, only seeing encouragement and perhaps a bit of their own apprehension.  Swallowing you wiggle from between them and crawl a little ways away on the bed so you have the space to turn and face them both. You must not have done the best job concealing your wince of pain at the movement because you can see a crease of worry on both their faces when you meet their eyes though they don’t comment on it and instead wait for you to speak again. 

You force yourself to not fidget.. “So does this mean that the two of you like me as more than just a friend then?” Your stomach is a mess of knots and you feel like your face is on fire. 

There's an amused quirk to Satoru’s lips now and when Suguru notices he elbows him in the ribs. “Ow! I didn’t say anything,” He hisses at Suguru.  

Suguru gives him a look that says he looked like he wanted to before turning his gaze back to you. You were so cute it made his heart ache, though the longer they didn’t say anything the more nervous you looked and he thought perhaps you might flee if the words were left hanging in the air long enough, not that he’d let them. “Now do you think we’d pull just anyone into our bed?” His smile is warm.

“Well i-” 

“Of course we like you as more than a friend.” Satoru cuts in, giving you the more direct answer that’s needed to soothe your nerves. “The real question we have is do you actually want both of us. He ignores how Suguru’s eyes flick toward him, knowing that he was aware of Satoru’s own insecurity that you actually only liked Suguru. After all, you'd warmed up to the other curse manipulator much more quickly than you had to him. 

Your mind reels. They both really did like you. You hadn’t been reading too deeply into teasing like you’d been telling yourself the past few months. You release a breath you hadn’t realized you’d been holding. “Yeah… I like both of you a lot,” You glance away, looking toward the window that’s now being battered with rain. “I want to be with the both of you.” for the second time tonight not looking at one of them while talking results in you getting startled, drawing a yelp from you as you suddenly feel yourself being tugged back up the bed, being gently and quickly rolled onto your back. You blink up at Satoru as he half covers you, an excited and soft grin taking over his features. 

“You really mean that.” And there’s a note of wonder in his voice. That’s another thing that clicks for you, the way he’d sounded hurt when he found out you were using Suguru’s first name and not his, the way he’d been so insistent you use his too. The way he’d almost always tried to be at your training sessions with Suguru even if he wasn’t doing anything other than watching. The great Gojo Satoru had been feeling insecure. Jealous even.

You blink up at him and then reach up and touch his face with your right hand. “Yeah I do.” 

Oh he feels absolutely giddy. It’s only slightly tempered by Suguru suddenly poking his cheek. “Don’t hog them now. You’re not the only one who got confessed to just now.” 

Satoru whines “Oh come on them liking you was a given.” 

“W-was I that obvious?” You hadn’t meant to say that out loud. 

Both of them look at you and in unison say “Yes.” 

Just Satoru this time, “Proves my point that you should let me have my moment.” Suguru shoves his shoulder, forcing him to flop over next to you. He lets out an annoyed grunt.

You cover your face with your hands, embarrassment running hot through your veins. You hadn’t thought you’d been that obvious with your crush on Suguru. 

“Hey now, you don’t need to hide.” Suguru coos and then you feel his hands gently uncovering your face. You consider fighting to keep your hands in place but ultimately let him have his way. He’s smiling at you. “Honestly I thought it was cute, though it was definitely making Satoru jealous,” the warmth in his voice shifts to being more teasing. 

“Suguru.” Satoru’s voice is caught somewhere between a whine and a warning. 

Your eyes flick to Satoru, he looks disgruntled, a pretty blush staining his cheeks. For as much as Satoru liked being in the spotlight he didn’t like it in this way. “Well..” You start carefully, “now you know I like you both, and I’m with you both so there’s no reason to be jealous now, right?” You give Satoru a warm little smile.

And something about those words and that warm smile draws him in. There’s a lump in his throat and his heart thrums against his ribs. It’s no great distance, not really a moment for a second thought before his lips are pressed against yours. Kissing you gently for what are several heart-stuttering moments, you’re not sure what to do but you press back into the kiss for just a moment before he pulls back. You’re staring at him bewildered, cheeks hot but a giddy feeling unfolding in your chest. “That was my first kiss..” the words are so quiet neither boy actually thinks you meant to say them. 

The effect the words have on each of them is different. For Satoru it’s pride, you may have liked Suguru first but he got to kiss you first. Not just your first kiss with them, but your very first kiss. Something tightens in Suguru’s chest, a thread of an emotion he doesn’t want to examine in that moment. 

“And how about your second now?” Suguru questions, moving in close so his face is right next to yours. His eyes flick for the briefest of moments to Satoru before going back to you. 

“Y-yeah okay…” Your voice is shy but no reluctance lies beneath it. Sugruru’s kiss presses a bit harsher against your lips, something possessive bubbling under the surface.

Satoru lays down next to the two of you, watching before he runs his fingers through Suguru’s hair at which Suguru becomes gentler, jealousy soothed at the reminder that there’s also affection between him and Satoru to be had. You look a bit dazed when Suguru pulls back. 

The rest of the night passes in small kisses and quiet conversation with the two of them tangled around you. 

__

Several loud knocks sound at the door. “Geto! Gojo! I better not find my patient in there with you!” 

All three of you jerk in the bed. You didn’t even remember falling asleep. 

“Shit- Suguru, did you lock the door?” Satoru asks.

As if in answer Shoko slams the sliding door open. So that was a no. She surveys the three of you, relieved to at least see you’re all clothed. “You three are so lucky Yaga left on a mission before he could go check the infirmary today.” Her gaze zeros in on you, still blinking groggily but with your heart racing from being startled awake. “Please tell me one of them at least carried you here and you didn’t walk here on your own.” 

“Ahh wellll…” You look away from her. 

She pulls at her hair. “You’re a terrible patient, you know that?” 

“I’ve been told that before yeah.” You glance away sheepishly.

“I won’t but I really should tell Yaga. You need to be in bed and resting.” 

“They are in bed,” Satoru quips, propping himself up on his elbow. 

“And they’ve been resting, slept all through the night,” Suguru adds. 

“They’d still be asleep if you hadn’t woken us all up.” Satoru again, god how the two of them had the energy to be smartasses already was beyond you. You just wanted to curl back up and sleep more..

Shoko glares at them and gets two sleepy grins in return. She sighs. “So I take it the three of you stopped dancing around each other finally?” She starts patting at her uniform pockets looking for a cigarette. 

Oh. It had been obvious to Shoko too? You did not need to feel embarrassed right after waking up but here you were trying to sink back into the pillows. “Was.. Was I the only one who thought I was just being teased?” God even Haibara had been poking at you about it now that you think of it. 

Shoko finds her cigarette and puts it between her lips. “Sure were.” She says flippantly as she walks into the room and goes to sit by the window which she slides open. It’s a gray morning but the rain has mostly stopped. “You followed Suguru around like a lost puppy half the time after your first mission with him.” 

You roll over and bury your face in the pillow. “I’m going back to bed.” You blindly reach around and pull a blanket over your head and pointedly ignore the conversation still happening between the upperclassmen. You’re not sure whether it’s Satoru or Suguru but you feel one of them rubbing your back through the blanket, helping to coax you back toward sleep. 

It feels like only a moment later when you blink your eyes open and peek out from the blanket. You sit bolt upright when you realize you're the only one in the bed. Suddenly quite awake your eyes move around until they land on Shoko who’s sitting by the window still. 

She glances up from her phone. “Don’t look so panicked, they just went to pick up some breakfast. They asked me to stay with you, like I wasn't going to already.” She seems to debate something for a moment. “How are you feeling today? Apparently you were well enough last night to make it here on your own. “

“Ah.. I’m okay. Thanks to you. I’m still sore basically everywhere between my neck and hips but nothing I can't manage.” 

She frowns though when she speaks her voice is gentle. “You got lucky, when Geto carried you in I thought you were already dead for a second. I’ve never seen him look so desperate before. Even with his own injuries he wanted to be sure I saved you before even beginning to heal him.” The events play back through her mind, the campus was already in chaos with no one sure exactly what was going on. Just that there had been fighting and fly heads were  everywhere. Then Geto was bursting in to see her looking absolutely desperate, bloody and tired.  He’d begged her to save you, demanded it because he couldn’t lose you too. That’s how she’d found out about Gojo being ‘killed’. Her hands shook the entire time she healed you. Healed you enough that you’d be able to recover normally before moving onto Geto so he could get back out there.

You look down at your hands. “I’m so-” 

She sighs. “You don’t need to apologize to me. Missions go bad.” She shrugs one of her shoulders and then reaches into her pocket to pull out your phone and toss it to you.”You left this in the infirmary.”

You catch it, nearly fumbling the dead lil brick. “O-oh thank you.” You got the distinct impression that neither Satoru or Suguru had given Shoko the details on how you’d ended up in such bad shape. Now that you think of it, you don’t think they actually gave Yaga the details either because you’re pretty sure you would have gotten way more of a lecture if so. You’d have to ask them exactly what they’d told people about how you’d gotten so injured so you don’t contradict them by accident. 

“You know.. I hope you’re able to ground those two a bit.” Shoko says, breathing smoke out the window. 

You blink. “Huh?” 

“Gojo and Geto. I hope you’re able to keep the two of them more grounded. They seem so far away and on their own, even when I’m with them they always feel a bit out of reach. But it really seems like they may be letting you into their little world, I just hope you’re able to bring them out of it a little and don’t get lost in it yourself.” You can’t help but think the small smile she gives you carries a certain sadness to it.

“Shoko-” 

The bedroom door slides open. “We’re back and we have breakfast!” Satoru sing songs as he breezes into the room, Suguru not far behind. He plops onto the bed heavily enough to make you bounce before reaching into the bag he’d be carrying to pull out a box that he then sets on your lap. “I noticed you kept getting strawberry flavored things while we were on the mi- while we were out.” He falters slightly but maintains a cheerful smile. He flips open the box and it’s a pretty stack of fluffy pancakes with whip cream and strawberries. Your face lights up.

Before you actually say anything though Suguru knocks the bag he’s carrying against the back of Satoru’s head. “Don’t take all the credit.” And then he pulls a box out of said bag and passes it to Shoko. “This one should be yours.” 

“And here I thought you might forget me.” She stubs out her cigarette before getting to her food. 

“Of course we wouldn’t forget you. Give us a lil more credit,” Suguru says as he sits down by you as well on the bed. 

The meal passes in relative peace, the four of you mainly focusing on eating. Though Shoko makes a face when Suguru wipes whipped cream off the corner of your mouth with his thumb  and then licks it. She supposes she should just be glad he didn’t kiss it off- and there goes Satoru. She only watches the blush bloom across your cheeks for a moment. 

She stands up. “Thanks for the breakfast but i’m not gonna sit here and watch the three of you do-” she makes a sweeping hand gesture at the three of you, “do whatever it is you’re doing.” She waves off any protest as they start. “Just make sure you actually rest, ___-chan.” She says with a wave, leaving the room with the rest of her breakfast. 

You pout a little “Well there she goes…” You close the box containing your meal. 

“You only ate a third of your food,” Satoru points out. “Was it not good?”

“Ah no it’s really good. I’m just not super hungry.” You furrow your brow, looking as if you were considering a question. 

Suguru takes the box containing your food and sets it on the nightstand along with his own. “Something on your mind?” 

“I was uh.. Just wondering what the two of you told Shoko and Yaga about how I ended up in such critical condition. Kinda feel like Yaga would have chewed me out a lot more if he knew and I feel like Shoko would have been at least a little more irritated.” Despite your current safe position you feel a sick feeling begin to unfurl in your chest as your mind runs over the end of that mission. 

“Oooh yeah we left some things out. As far as anyone outside the three of us is concerned he attacked you as soon as both of us were down. He was too fast for you to avoid the fight,” Satoru explains.  

At this you nod. Your mind thinking about that man and how he must still be out there and your shoulders begin to shake slightly. This is why every time you’d thought of that man you’d tried to redirect your thoughts.

The boys share a look before Satoru speaks. “No one’s given you a proper mission debrief yet so you wouldn’t know yet, but I took care of it.” The words hang heavy in the air as the meaning sinks in.

You look at Satoru your eyes refocusing on him. His face is solemn and a brief glance at Suguru shows the same. Both of them suddenly looking so tired, the cheerful atmosphere of just a few minutes ago melting away. “You mean that you-”

“After I healed myself I went after him. He’s dead and won’t be able to harm anyone else.” Satoru smoothes a hand over your hair. The look he’s giving you telling you don’t need to be scared. He can see all the other questions swirling behind your eyes, because while knowing that the man, hell you never even learned his name, who brought so much pain is dead brings on questions of its own. 

“We’ll tell you everything later, ___. “ Suguru’s voice is a bit strained and you realize that maybe he even more than Satoru doesn’t feel up to talking about this. 

You nod. “Alright.. Yeah we can leave it for later.” You glance away, releasing a slow breath. You would take comfort in what they’ve told you so far. They probably have good reasons for not going into further details. They both looked haunted and you were almost afraid to hear all that had happened while you were unconscious.

“Are the two of you doing anything today?” It’s summer afterall, even under the current circumstances you wouldn’t be surprised if they were already going to get sent back into the field today but you’re relieved when Suguru answers for them both. 

“If you mean anything mission wise then no, we’ve been given at least a few days leave to recover.” 

“And outside of missions?” You prod. 

Satoru cracks a smile. “Nothing. Sounds like maybe you have an idea. Though you're supposed to stay in bed.” 

You stick your tongue out at him and he gives you a mock offended look. “I know that. How about we have a movie marathon today?” You give both of them a hopeful smile and really how could either of them say no to you when you look at them like that. That’s how the three of you spend not just today but also the next, curled up in a bed that is too small for three of you, and basking in the glow of new love and taking shelter from the harrowing ordeal that had nearly extinguished it before it could take form.

___

And that's it for part 6! Thank you all for coming on this journey with me. This has been so much fun to write. I hope you don't mind that reader never leaves Suguru's bed for this chapter. Just a whole lot of talking and the slow burn finally starting to cook.

Also your kind comments have gone a long way in keeping me motivated so thank you all for that.

Remember if you wanna be on the taglist you need to have your age listed and be 18+ The fic may not have anything that requires that at this point but my blog itself isn't for minors.

Taglist: @strawberrystepmom @nanamikentoseyebags @gojoest @yuuuumii @yokaimoon @chibiizzy @porridgesblog @icy-spicy

[kitthepurplepotato]

Chapter 10 - The end and the beginning.

Last chapter!

Summary: It’s the last day of your trip with Shouta; it’s a day filled with tears, laughter and a bunch of confessions.

Warnings: Swear words, mentions of sex, keep an eye out for the !!! sign because this chapter has some saucy bits. Please skip it if you are under 18 or not comfortable with that kind of content. No actual smut though! Thank you for your cooperation!

First Chapter Master List

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

It’s your last night at Shouta’s holiday home. To be honest, the vibe isn’t the best; the teens were really quiet today compared to their usual selves, Shouta’s been in his own head all day, barely responding to anyone, Present Mic tried his best to keep the gang entertained but somehow, even the loudest ones needed a bit of solitude on the last day, rather talking on the beach in small groups than playing around with the whole gang. For your surprise, the quietest one was Kaminari today; he’s been moping around since the morning, taking deep breaths before every single fake smile. There’s only few hours left before it’s bedtime so you decide to take the matter in your own hands; you absolutely hate seeing this boy all sad and mopey.

“What’s on your mind, Denks?” You ask him, slowly approaching the sulking boy who’s sprawled out on the sofa, all alone. You’ve been around the teen enough to know he’s not actually interested in the random show playing on the TV; his eyes are clouded with something sorrowful, fingers playing with the edge of the pillow he’s clutching to his chest.

“I’m okay, Y/N! Just a little bit tired.” Denki tries to make a fake smile. Instead of telling the boy off for lying, you take the pillow from him; first, he looks really confused by your actions but when the pillow is being replaced by your own body and you pull the boy to your chest in a motherly hug, the facade breaks; tiny sobs leave the youngling’s mouth, his fingers clutching the back of your shirt as he cries.

“It’s okay, Denks. Let it all out.” You tap his back soothingly. Hitoshi appears in the door leading to the beach, worried and just as sad as the blonde in your arms; you make a motion with your head, telling the boy to leave. He nods with a sad face and makes his way back to his friends; it breaks your heart to do this to him but you really want to talk to the boy and help him with his confession - let’s be honest, this must be about that - because it’s clearly killing them both.

“I can’t do this anymore.” The boy mumbles, completely broken. “It hurts so much but every time I think about being rejected and losing him as a friend hurts even more.”

“First of all, Hitoshi would never do that.” You reprimand. “You are his best friend and he would do anything to stay by your side. He’s not going to ghost you just because of this. Also, I’ll be honest with you; you are really fucking stupid if you think he doesn’t feel the same.”

Apparently, Denki didn’t like your answer because he pulls away, his voice loud and angry when he speaks up next.

“You literally heard me saying that I think he’s the hottest guy in the class and he didn’t even say anything about it since. He’s ignoring all my flirting. Stop giving me false confidence!”

“Denki, lower your voice, I’m not here to be yelled at, I’m here to help!” You reprimand again, this time with much more fervor. The blonde boy cowers under your gaze, probably realizing how disrespectful he’s being, but instead of saying sorry he stands up, ready to flee the scene. You roll your eyes and push the boy down to sit back. “I’ll tell you a story and you’ll listen. I’ll let you go after that, okay?” Your tone changes into a mild, soothing one. “Toshi probably told you most of the story anyway but I want you to listen to my side of it.” You sigh. “Shouta and I had a really nice first date. Honestly, it was the most perfect day ever but I knew Shouta only said yes to that date because of Megumi and it wasn’t supposed to be this great. We were both really confused by the end of it. I was with him the whole day, I met his family and loved them all; but then the day ended and he rejected me on the spot.” You give the sobbing blonde a sad smile. “That day, I went straight to my bed, ignoring my girl and cried the whole night. It was only one date but I liked that man since Megumi started UA and all my feelings came back to the surface and they started to suffocate me after that day so I decided to push him away instead of talking it all out. I was childish.” You sigh again. For your surprise, Denki looks really invested in your story now, sad puppy eyes staring into yours as you finish your story. “I was an absolute asshole to him the next time we met but instead of yelling he pulled me close, told me to stop and gave me his number. And now look at me.” You smile at the boy, ruffling his messy hair.

“You think I should tell him? Even if he might reject me?” Denki mutters then goes on a rant. “I want to tell him. I want to tell him how special he is, because I know he has no idea. He has no fucking idea how head over heels I am for his stupid lavender eyes and Gucci eye bags. He doesn’t even know that every time he touches me I feel like I’m being electrocuted even though I’m literally a guy with an electric quirk. He needs to know that his smile cures my depression and every time I feel down I think about him and life is suddenly so much brighter! Fuck, I’m gonna tell him now! Thank you, Y/N!” Denki jumps off the sofa but he can barely make two steps before he runs right into Hitoshi who clearly didn’t listen to you when you told him to leave. Denki pales completely, his confidence shattering right away as he’s face to face with the boy of his dreams.

“How… much…” Denki stutters, slowly stepping away from the purple haired boy.

“All of it.” Hitoshi pants, not even letting Denki to finish his sentence. He pulls the blonde boy to his chest, in a tight embrace. “Y/N is right by the way. You are really fucking stupid.”

… Okay, this is your time to sneak out of the room. You barely make it out to the beach before Hitoshi takes Denki’s confused face into his hands and crushes his lips together with his.

Uhh, that must have hurt. Oh well, they will get the hang of it by the time the gang goes back into the house tonight.

~•🩶•~

“Your kid is probably having a heated make out session on the couch, you two are like two peas in a pod.” You giggle as you lower yourself next to Shouta. He’s laying on a massive towel sprawled out behind a bunch of massive rocks, hidden away from the eyes of the youngsters and Present Mic.

“Thank you, now I’ll never be able to close my eyes without thinking about those two making out in Hitoshi’s room.” He frowns and wiggles around until he can put his face on your squishy chest.

“Tell me about it, they didn’t even wait until I left the room. I had to witness their first kiss, Shouta.” You retort, looking like you went through hell before coming out here.

“How bad was it?” Aizawa snorts, grinning. Your hands wander into his hair, massaging his scalp and Shouta murmurs quietly at the nice feeling.

“Really bad. Like teeth clashing, noses-in-the-way kinda bad.” You laugh, utterly amused.

“That’s our boy. I’m proud.” Shouta snorts again. Your heart skips a beat and you forget to laugh so Shouta looks up at you, worry written all over his face.

“Our… boy?” You mutter, hands falling from the hero’s hair. Shouta realizes his mistake, a tiny blush appearing on his face as his words sink in.

“One day, yeah.” He puts his head back, faking nonchalance. “If you want to.”

Silence falls on the two of you, only the sound of the rumbling sea and the distant laughter disturbing the peaceful, quiet night. After a few minutes, Shouta takes a deep breath, his head facing the rocks.

“Do you remember when I said Megumi will be yours sooner than you think?” Aizawa mutters into your chest.

“Yeah and I told you I can’t provide all the necessities to get accepted…” You start your rant but Shouta doesn’t let you finish your sentence.

“You do… have all of that now.” Shouta speaks up, his head facing your way now. For some reason, the man looks terrified. “I…” he sits up and takes your hand into his lap, caressing the skin to calm himself down. “I want us to be a family, Y/N. I know, this is really sudden and you probably think it’s too soon, but I told you how heroes think there’s no tomorrow when it comes to these things and I’m also one of those people who think that way.”

You are rendered speechless. Shouta trembles like a leaf, anxiety showing clearly on his face and if you look close enough you can see the fear of rejection in his eyes.

Your heart is about to explode in your chest, mostly from happiness but also from the fact that this is clearly not the end of his speech; there is something else, something extremely important for the hero in front of you so you decide not to show your happiness yet in case it all goes wrong. He fiddles your fingers and takes a deep breath before he continues.

“But…” There it is. There it fucking is. You knew it. “I don’t want any of this if Megumi can’t be officially a part of it. And I also don’t want you to be my date. Or my girlfriend.”

Your heart shatters into pieces. On the last day of your perfect holiday, your whole being is being crushed into the sand on this fucking amazing beach, by the hands of the man you loved with your whole being. Tears trail down your cheeks and you try to move away but your hand is stuck between Shouta’s so you can’t go to far; Shouta pulls you back into a sitting position and moves his hand to the side of yours; you look down at your hands, incapable of looking into the man’s eyes and something glistens in the moonlight; there is a ring on your ring finger, white gold with a black crystal in the middle. You look at Shouta with pure confusion.

“… I want you to be my wife, Y/N.” Shouta smiles, his eye shining from unshed tears. “I want you to be the mother of my kids and I want to be the father of Megumi. So… what… do you think?”

“I thought you are about dump me, you fucking idiot.” You start sobbing into the man’s shirt, pulling him as close as humanly possible.

“I tried my best with the speech, I’m sorry if it wasn’t the best, I’m not good with feelings…” He mutters, but you shut him up with your mouth.

“Marry me, Shouta.” You whimper into his mouth between two kisses. “I can’t wait to have a big, loud family with you.” You move away to give the man a big grin, happy tears still falling down your cheeks.

“I hope you guys can pack quickly, because I want you two in my house as soon as possible. I already asked Cementoss to fix my house by tomorrow in case you say yes.” Shouta admits with a blush.

“Is this why you were away that day? To have this all sorted?” You mumble into his chest.

“Yes. We can do the paperwork now then have a proper ceremony later. Megumi’s adoption papers are ready to go as well. I hope that’s okay.” Aizawa mutters, a little bit ashamed.

“Of course it’s okay, Shou.” You laugh. “Oh my god.” You yelp, shaking from the excitement. “We need to tell the kids.” You grin like a maniac, eyes shiny from the recently shedded tears. You pull your boyfriend… wait… fiancé?! up from the towel and make your way towards the loud group sitting around the other side of the beach. For your surprise, Hitoshi and Denki also joined the group, now shamelessly cuddling; Denki sits between Hitoshi’s long legs, his back resting on the purple haired boy’s chest, while Hitoshi’s arms are wrapped around the smaller boy, his chin on his shoulders.

“Attention!” Shouta speaks up and the group of younglings automatically sit up straight, like they’re still at school. It’s really adorable. “We have something to tell you…” Shouta says with utter seriousness but you don’t let him finish the sentence.

“We’re getting married!” You yell in a high pitched voice, jumping around like a lovesick teenager with your hands in the air, showing off the new ring Shouta just gave you.

It’s a lot to take in. It’s sudden and probably a little bit irresponsible; getting married to a guy you’ve only known for a year and dated for a few weeks… but that’s also the thrill of it. You lived your life doing what’s the best for the others around you; you helped out your sister, took in a kid in need, stopped dating to have more time to spend with your daughter… you never partied, never did anything stupid and while you certainly don’t think there is anything about this situation that’s considered stupid, it’s definitely something new, something that you’ll do for yourself, someone might even say it’s selfish but honestly, you don’t fucking care.

Since you got to know Shouta, your whole life turned upside down in the best way possible; seeing his little, hidden smile on the screen of your phone made even the worst day into the best one, his touches healed your broken soul and mended your broken heart; it might have been only a couple of weeks but you already know Shouta is the one. Fuck, you knew it from day one, when Aizawa-sensei opened his office door for you with a sleepy look on his face, cold as ice but somehow still warm under the surface. You knew it when Shouta brought you into that cute cat coffee and hogged all the cats to himself, you knew it when you met his two children, those broken souls with a heart of gold, you knew it when he first kissed you, first held you in his arms… the list goes on and on, a never ending circle of appreciation swirling in your mind when you think about Shouta. You look into your partner’s eye and he understands it all; there is no need for words, no need for reassurance; you both know this is the right thing to do for you, for him, for your children, for the world, for the whole fucking universe. You two are like two, off-shaped puzzle pieces, meant for no one but the other.

“Good luck finding a boyfriend if Aizawa-sensei is your father.” Katsuki snickers, his eyes glinting with mischievousness.

“Well, thank fuck he really loves you then.” Megumi retorts, not even looking at the blonde as she makes her way towards you to give you a massive hug. Katsuki just sits there, cheeks ruddy, his aggressive retort frozen on the tip of his tongue. “I’m really happy for you, Mom.” Megumi sniffles into your shirt then makes her way towards Shouta with a teary eyed smile.

“Aizawa-sensei, with all due respect, if you ever make her cry I’ll ruin your life.” Megumi tries to make a mean face and Shouta giggles at her. The whole gang gawks again, just like the last time but they school their faces just in time to not get caught.

“Call me Shouta when we’re not in class.” The hero mumbles with an almost red face.

“Give me 5 to 7 days to get used to that, Shouta…sensei.” Megumi mutters, giggling to herself as she hugs your partner affectionately.

You really shouldn’t cry again, fuck.

“You really did it, oh my god.” Hitoshi jumps up, letting Denki fall into the sand. He yelps then laughs, looking fondly at his new boyfriend embracing his father with nothing but pride and love. “You are a legend, dad.”

“I have a mom now!” Eri yells and jumps into your arms, happy tears trailing down her cheeks. “I have a big family! This is the best day ever!” The little girl smiles while she gives you a bone-crushing hug.

Shouta and you look at each other and you don’t need to say anything out loud for you two to know this was the best decision of your lives.

~•🩶•~

“Hey kids, do you mind if I crash with you tonight?” Present Mic comes out of your room with his super fancy, black and gold sleeping bag, ready for the impromptu sleepover with the kids. He gives you two a knowing look; both of you flush from his cheeky gaze, because you know what the real reason is.

“Make yourself comfortable, sensei! You can use my sleeping bag if you are cold!” Denki adds proudly; you are not even suprised to see the two boys sharing a sleeping bag. You have no idea how did those two fit into it, they might look thin and lanky from far away, but both of them have just enough muscle on them to make this stunt impossible. Well, with enough love in your heart, you can achieve whatever you want, they say.

“Oh my god Denks, stop throwing your happiness in our faces.” Megumi grins at the two boys, clearly not meaning any of it; apparently everyone decided to do a massive sleepover in the living room on the last day of the trip, even little Eri came out of her bedroom, her hello Kitty themed pillow and throw ready for her on the sofa. It melts you heart how it wasn’t even a question for them to let the little girl take the best place in the room, bless their little hearts.

“You two will boil to death in there, it’s the middle of the summer you stupid fucks.” Katsuki murmurs, disgusted by the PDA.

“Yeah, I’m quite sure you would be just as keen to boil to death in this situation, Katsuki.” Mina murmurs under her covers, half asleep.

“There’s literally no such thing as too hot with my quirk.” Katsuki retorts, clearly aggravated by the challenge.

“Well… there is only one way to find out if that’s true…” Mina goes from a sleepy potato into a wide-awake, ferocious animal as she moves towards the blonde with quick steps, not even giving the guy enough chance to react before her body falls on him. The rest of gang decides to do the same, plopping next to or on the top of the blonde; yells, explosions and death threats are being thrown around the room but none of them cares; the teens make a big pile around the angry Katsuki, giggling while Mic takes a picture of the group with a massive grin on his face.

“Let’s go.” Shouta murmurs into your ears and your heart stops for a second; his arms wrap around your hips from behind and pulls you into his chest, his whole body flush against you.

“Uhumm.” You agree and that’s all Shouta waited for; in a matter of seconds the door shuts behind you and your back hits the soft bed with Shouta right on top of you.

!!!

It all starts with heated kisses and gentle touches all over your clothed body; Shouta kisses your neck, your collarbone, your chin, your arms and slowly moves his hand to get rid of the “offensive”, oversized shirt you stole from Shouta’s dresser. Needless to say, you don’t wear a bra at home. Thank god Shouta had enough care for you to pop a throw over the two of you before his shenanigans.

The shirt is gone, your hands are under Shouta’s own top, mapping around his chest; finally, you are able to touch him all over, even the sensitive areas and nothing can stop you right now; the happiness of getting married and the excitement of a new life makes you brave and unstoppable, and Shouta clearly doesn’t mind your wandering hands all over him.

He kisses your fingers one by one then stares at the ring with a dark, possessive look on his face; needless to say it all goes right between your legs. The laughter has subdued outside the room; by the sound of it, the kids are already asleep.

“How quiet can you be, Y/N?” Shouta’s hand caresses your whole body; it moves from your neck all the way through the middle of your upper body in one straight line, then he stops at the hem of your joggers, absently playing with the strings then he starts to pull, slowly and gently, not breaking eye contact.

It’s soo much. It’s too much, really. But somehow, you want to push your limits today.

“Let’s find out.” You whisper into his mouth, your own hands working their way down to rid him of his underwear.

… apparently, you can do quiet, but not quiet enough to not rile up Shouta until he starts biting and panting, body bursting from lust and affection.

!!! - cheekyness done

Today, you’ve learned that Shouta isn’t just an amazing person; he’s also amazing at everything else. You can’t wait to live your whole life with this wonderful, hidden gem of a man.

“I love you, Shou.” You mumble into his naked chest, legs tangled together under the light comforter. Shouta pulls you even closer and takes a big breath right in the crook of your neck; you are quite sure you don’t smell that nice after the shenanigans you’ve been up to but you decide not to comment on that.

“I love too. I can’t wait to call you my wife. I’ll put a picture of you on my desk so everyone can gawk at how pretty you are.” He murmurs, clearly out of it. Post-sex Shouta is an interesting species. The guy has no filter.

“People usually say things like that before the action, not after.” You giggle to yourself, tired and ready to sleep.

“Who said we are done here?” Shouta mutters as he leaves tiny kisses on your neck. You are quite sure you have goosebumps in places goosebumps shouldn’t even appear.

“Your alarm clock set to 5AM, Shou.” You sigh into the man’s mouth.

“Want me to stop then?” He smiles like a cheeky child, leaving kisses everywhere he can reach.

“Don’t you dare.” You giggle; tomorrow’s problems doesn’t matter today anyway.

… needless to say, you both slept through your alarm the next day and got bullied for it during breakfast, but it was definitely worth it.

You started this journey as a lonely soul, but left Shouta’s holiday home as a part of a new family; finally, everything is okay and there is nothing but anticipation in your heart, burns and bruises long forgotten.

~•🩶•~

4 years later

“We’re home!” The two boys, Hitoshi and Denki stumble in through the door, hands full of gift bags.

“You two!” You put your ladle down right away, sprinting towards the two with pure anger in your eyes. These two motherfuckers are the bane of your existence. Why, you ask? “Don’t you fucking dare to leave me for a month ever again, you hear me?!” The two boys look at your teary eyes with nothing but fondness as they hug you, each on one side. You are so sad Mic couldn’t make it today due to a mission; he missed his boys so much he called Shouta every day to cry about it. Shou really knows how to choose the perfect godfather for his kids; they are all spoiled to death by him, especially the little one.

“We missed you too, mom!” Hitoshi snickers and hugs you tighter; you can’t believe these two boys are almost 20 years old. They went to America for a month by themselves, for fucks sake! Where has the time gone?!

“Mama said a bad word!” The little boy yells, sitting up straight on his favorite kitten bean bag.

“Yes she did.” Shouta makes a suprised face at the kid. “And what happens when someone says a bad word in this house, Oboro?” Shouta makes a wondering face, stroking his stubble and all that jazz. You love this man so much.

“Bad word… box!” The boy says and you roll your eyes.

“Swear jar, honey, but that’s right.” You put a few coins into the jar sitting on the coffee table.

Hitoshi hugs his little brother and tickles him viciously; the sound makes the rest of the household and Katsuki come out from Megumi’s room to investigate the sudden commotion.

“Toshi! Denks! Finally!” Eri and Megumi runs towards the two boys, tackling them to the floor out of pure love.

“I won’t leave you alone until you finished your assignment, young lady! Chop-chop!” Katsuki murmurs towards the pile on the floor; Megumi stands up and makes her way towards his boyfriend of 4 years and leaves a tiny kiss on his cheeks. Funnily enough, Katsuki still gets all red when Megumi does anything romantic when others are around and it’s the cutest thing the world has ever seen.

“Let her enjoy this moment, Kat. It’s so rare we have the whole family together now that we all moved out.” Megumi snuggles into the blonde’s arms and his frown changes into a fond look; oh damn, you give them another year before Katsuki pops the question. That boy is head over heels for your girl and you absolutely love to see it. Talking about popping the question…

“… then we almost got married in Vegas.” Denki finishes his sentence with a dreamy look on his face while Hitoshi spits his virgin margarita on the dinner table.

“Honestly? I’m surprised you didn’t actually do it.” Megumi grins at the two lovebirds.

“Apparently we were too drunk for the ceremo…” Hitoshi’s hand lands on Denki’s nape with a loud slap, his whole face flushed with guilt. “I’m so sorry, Toshi.”

You can barely contain your anger.

“We let you two go away for a month and you thank us by getting wasted on a foreign land?! Illegally, I must add?!”

Shouta can’t hide his giggle; he puts one hand on your thigh, stroking it gently to calm you down.

“They are both in University, trust me it wasn’t the first time they got wasted.” Shouta smiles and your anger evaporates into thin air, your frown changing into a fond, lovesick look as you gaze at your perfect husband.

“Oh my god, not at the dinner table!” Megumi retorts with a grin. “It has been 4 years but you two are still insufferable. I can’t believe you.”

Honestly? Neither can you. The amount of love and affection you feel towards your husband even after all these years is almost ridiculous and it goes the other way around as well; Shouta saw you giving birth to his child yet he still looks at you like you are the most perfect human being, with your loose skin, stretch marks and all that jazz.

“What can I say, love is like a truck; you can’t just dust your legs and walk away when you get hit by it.” Aizawa retorts then hides his face with his hands, embarrassed. “That sounded so much better in my head.”

“Did you just compare me to a terrible accident, Shou?!” You laugh like a maniac, cuddling into your husband’s arms to make him feel better.

“At least he didn’t compare you to Shigaraki’s decay.” Megumi retorts. “Love is like being hit by Shigaraki’s quirk; once it’s done it lasts forever.”

For everyone’s surprise, Shouta is the one who starts to howl at that, tears falling on his face at how hard he’s laughing.

“Bro, too deep.” Katsuki says but he can’t hide his fond smile as he looks at the whole family laughing their asses off.

“Why is this so funny?” The little boy blinks a few times, his face hilariously confused. Needless to say, that triggers another laughing fit and you are quite sure the whole UA can hear your laughter in their dorms but they are quite used to Aizawa sensei’s loud family by now so it’s okay.

Fuck, your life is amazing and so are the people surrounding you; you couldn’t be more proud of them.

Life is fucking good, Goddammit.

You pop a few coins into the swear jar sitting on the table, conveniently placed in the middle in case someone says something nasty during dinner time; the whole family looks at you with questioning eyes, and you couldn’t keep the smile off your face even if you tried.

“I fucking love you, guys.” You grin at them and continue eating.

“Mom is so cheeky.” Oboro mutters to himself, his hands deep in his bowl.

“And we love her for that.” Shouta murmurs into your ears, leaving a tiny kiss on your cheeks.

You feel like you’ll never get used to this constant feeling of happiness but that’s not a problem; you have at least 40 more years to get properly used to it.

The end.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Potato ramble:

- Oh my goodness, it’s over! What the heck?! How did this happen? Also, this was supposed to be a 5 chapter long short-story yet it ended up with 10 chapters, the last chapter more that 5K words, I must add.

I want to thank you guys for your patience, but I hope this chapter soothes your bothered soul! Also thank you for reading this silly fic, your comments always make my day! You are the best of the best and I love all of you so much! 💜

- Some plus info about the end of this story: Hitoshi moved together with Denki after graduating UA. They collected enough money this year to finally start traveling around the world during their summer breaks.

Megumi also wanted to move out when Hitoshi did but her parents didn’t let her until she graduates so Katsuki worked his little ass off in that one year to have enough money to get a really nice flat for them! Oh, and Y/N was absolutely right, Katsuki proposed to Megumi in front of the whole family on her birthday. 💜

Y/N and Aizawa has a kid; little Oboro was born a year and a half after Aizawa’s proposal on the beach. He was named after Aizawa’s best friend who died during his high school years. Present Mic was almost taken to a hospital due to dehydration on the day Aizawa told him what the kid’s name will be.

If you have any questions, I’m more than keen to answer them in the comments! 💜

I hope you enjoyed this story and don’t forget to check the Master List if you want to read more, it’s pinned to the top of my page! 🩶

TL - thank you guys for being here 💜 -

@cheesenmax @bobcar1 @ginevraxrogers @garfieldthomas @venuseuripedis @mrsyixingunicorn10 @millerworld @keeri-vents @pwinglez1 @desired-realitea @yao-ai

[sidekick-hero]

I want you to want me

(Teen | wc: 922 | steddie | prompt: open mic night for @steddieholidaydrabbles | tags: exes, open but hopeful ending, inspired by my favorite movie of all times 10 things I hate about you)

"Come on, Eddie. You've been moping around for weeks. Let's have some fun like we used to, man." Gareth was practically whining at Eddie and it was getting on his nerves.

"No way, man. I'm not moping, I just don't feel like going to some dumb-ass party to watch preppy jerks get drunk and barf in the bushes."

Never mind that the one person he actually wants to see won't be there. He'll still spend every second looking for that familiar shock of hair he loved running his hands through. He dreams about it still, can still hear the way Steve sounded when he tugged at the strands at the back of his neck.

He wonders when it'll stop hurting so much to think about him. To miss him like a fucking limb or something and still be afraid to even call him. What could he even say? I'm sorry for breaking your heart and I understand you hate me. The problem is that while acting like I cared about you for money I actually went and fell in love with you, so will you please give me another chance.

Yeah, sure.

"You're not even listening, dude. Harrington has really gotten to you," Gareth huffs, sounding genuinely upset. Eddie has hurt enough people he cares about, so he gives Gareth a look that says ‘I’m listening’ and Gareth rolls his eyes at him, but continues. "I told you about the open mic night, Will's reading one of his short stories and asked me to come. Me. This could be my chance. And you owe me man for all the crazy shit I helped you with while courting a jock of all people. So you coming or what?"

Gareth’s right, is the thing. Eddie owes him for everything, helping him in so many ways to make Steve fall for him. Coming with him to this stupid thing is the least he can do. He doesn’t have to like it though, so Eddie throws his arms up in the universal gesture of ‘fine, whatever, but I'm not going to enjoy watching you make goo-goo eyes at Will Byers’.

Gareth's rubs his hands together like some sort of super-villain with extremely fluffy hair and Eddie regrets all his life choices.

Open mic night is just as awful as Eddie thought it would be. There's this girl, something silly Thompson, and Eddie feels like he's listening to a small animal giving birth as she sings the national anthem. It's deeply disturbing.

He lost Gareth as soon as they entered the bar and Will spotted them and waved Gareth over. And that's a good thing, he's really not in the mood to watch them fall over each other.

They've been in this hellhole for almost an hour when he spots something that makes his stomach do somersaults while his skin starts to tingle all over. A shock of mousy brown hair, messier than usual, probably from Steve running his hands through it nervously.

His breath stops as he sees Steve climbing onto the stage with a single sheet of paper in his hand, chewing on his full lower lip as he stares out at the crowd. Eddie wants his eyes to find his. He is afraid that they will.

"Hey, uh, everybody. My best friend thinks I need to find some closure? Or something. Maybe she just likes to see me suffer for being an asshole in school. Anyway, I, uh, I'm just starting, I guess."

Eddie's stomach plummets at Steve's words. Closure. He should leave before he has to listen to Steve tell him and everyone in this room how much he hates Eddie.

He's not sure if he'll survive the damage to his heart, but he deserves the pain, he knows it. So he stays.

To everyone else, Steve must look calm, maybe a little embarrassed to be up there. But Eddie sees the way the hand holding the paper trembles, the way his eyebrows knit together, and the self-soothing way the fingertips of his other hand keep tapping his thumb.

I hate the way you talk to me, and the way you cut your hair. I hate the way you drive my car, I hate it when you stare. I hate your big dumb combat boots, and the way you read my mind. I hate you so much it makes me sick, It even makes me rhyme. I hate the way you're always right, I hate it when you lie. I hate it when you make me laugh, even worse when you make me cry. I hate it when you're not around, and the fact that you didn't call. But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you, Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.

Halfway through, Steve's eyes find his, and even with the way Steve pinches his nose, there is no way to stop the tears from streaming down his face. Eddie's heart breaks again for the man in front of him. God, how could he have been so stupid and selfish to accept an offer from Carver, of all people, to woo Steve so he could make a move on his sister Chrissy?

When Steve’s finished, he almost runs off the stage and out the door while Eddie stands shocked, Steve's words ringing in his ears.

But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you, not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.

Maybe they still have a chance.

[atinylittlepain]

Only Lovers Left Alive

vamp!joel miller x f!reader

joel miller masterlist

He offers her another option between life and death. How could she refuse?

warnings | 18+ smut, spitting lol, gore, blood, dark themes in general, joel and his lady dunk on a preacher, you've been warned muah hahahaha

a/n | hello and welcome to the second installation of my vamp series. i'm placing this one around 1910, just FYI. that's all, enjoy

...................................

“We must be delivered from our own evil, our own debauchery! I implore my fellow man, brothers and sisters of Christ, to cast out the wickedness in their hearts and rebuild this town in His image! There is something sinister running through the streets of New Orleans and it is our god-given duty to seek it out and destroy it with His righteous light!”

“Fucking mouth on that one, huh, darlin?” 

“At least this one has a little showmanship. The snake is a nice touch, I’ll admit. Remember that one in Utah? He was practically boring people to tears.” 

“Mormans never did have much flare. Easier going down than Catholics though.” She offers him a faint hum, all this talk starting to fray her nerves, a dull ache in her skull that she knows isn’t just from the sunlight seeping through the fabric of her parasol. Judging by the way he’s pinching the bridge of his nose, Joel is starting to feel it too, hooking his arm with hers as they both start to thread through the crowd that has gathered around the barking preacher.

“You, sir! Surely you and your good lady are god-fearing citizens that will join the battle against darkness!” He’s in front of them in a flash, white collar glinting in the midday-sun, making her squint while Joel angles his broadness between her and the gesticulating preacher whose snake is held by its skull in one of his doughy hands. 

“You’ll excuse us, friend. My woman isn’t feeling well.” She doesn’t even have to pretend, that ache turning insistent, dizzy, until she sees the snaring jaws of two snakes instead of one, her hold on Joel’s arm becoming hard and desperate. 

“Well it’s a simple question, friend. Are you or are you not one of His flock?” A rushing in her ears and a quick flicker behind her eyes, tiny pinpricks that bloom into darkness, the faint feeling of Joel holding her up against the solid weight of him.

It’s the heat.

She needs space, give her space.Let the woman through for Christ’s sake. 

Her mind is alert enough to let out a weak laugh into Joel’s suit jacket at that particular admonition. The crowd parts around them with a wave of murmurs and gasps, a small mercy for them to slip away through the throng, away from that man. They pass down an alleyway, enough shade, enough safety for her to regain her legs, untangling from Joel’s arms to press her palms against the wall of whatever building they just slipped between. 

“I’m sorry, darlin. Shouldn’t have stayed out there that long.”

“Did you not feel that too?”

“I did, but not as strong as you seemed to. Reckon I’ve worked up a little more tolerance over the years than you have.” All she can do is nod, still not quite back from whatever that brink was, barely registering his palm running a soothing circuit between her shoulder blades. She knows he’s right, the few decades he has on her shoring him up against things like that while she still finds herself surprised and stunted by all the unsuspecting vulnerabilities. For all the ways they are steeled and strengthened in this world, the scale is made equal by all the ways they must hurt and hide. 

“It’s not just that, Joel. It’s been too long.”

“I know, darlin. Tonight. As much as you want.” 

…

Dusk pulls a heavy pall over the streets of the city, heralded by the hot brass of trumpets, a warbling cry that resounds in almost every quarter these days. Jazz and its dragging, doleful rhythms, the constant push and pull of sound snaking through the clambering streetcar lines. 

“They’re powered by electricity, you know.” She can feel Joel’s grumble where her palm is resting against his chest, the subtle shake of his head letting her know he isn’t impressed.

“Always something new, darlin. I still prefer a horse myself.” 

“Sorry, baby, but it looks like those days are long gone.” It never fails to amuse her, the act, the game they play. A couple like any other out for a night on the town at one of the city’s many dancehalls, perhaps. Delicate lace creeping up her throat, up her hands, a mercifully looser corset than what she had grown accustomed to in the past wrapped around her ribs. And he in his suit, straining against the starched collar, just a touch out of place, out of time.  Always changing, always shifting in this constantly moving world. Talk like this, look like this, be like this. They do it so well. 

“And you, Miller? Certainly fortune has been kind to you to have a woman on your arm as beautiful as that.” New money, oil tycoons and traders. Vultures, she muses to herself, might be less exacting, staring down their beaks at any new flesh that comes their way in this casino, greedy fingers curled over gold chains. 

“I’d rather not discuss business tonight, gentlemen. It’ll distract a simple man like myself from my cards.” He’s always been good at that, a disarming smile, something earnest in the downward tilt of his lashes, coaxing a laugh out from around the whole table.

“Mrs. Miller, wouldn’t you be more comfortable in the parlor with the other women? I’m sure you’d find their conversation a bit more interesting than all our dry talk.” Joel squeezes her thigh under the table, a silent warning to sheath any sharpness she has at the ready. She’s always been prone to temper when she’s hungry, a short fuse and a snapping snarl. 

“With all due respect, gentlemen, I’d rather like to watch.” Lips curled back in what could be a grin, sweet and stupid enough for them to settle back into shuffling their cards in a thick haze of cigar smoke. Talk flows loosely between plays, though what game it is she isn’t certain, too busy letting her gaze wander across the table. Skin, spilling over shirt collars, ruddy with booze and the close heat and haze of the room, enough to make her gums twinge with the promise Joel made her earlier. But she has to be patient, and so very lovely. All smiles, all deference, hands folded in her lap just so, her nails digging into her palms until it starts to distract her from that throb in her throat. Light hums and nods whenever the conversation lobs her way, not really listening to the words, more watching the way they jump around the men’s necks, tendons and muscle and–

“It’s getting awfully late, my fine companions. I do believe our women have already retired for the night, save for you of course, Mrs. Miller. It is probably wise for us to call this game while we’re still fresh enough to wander home ourselves, eh?” Big, gray mustache and blubbering lips, eyes drooped with drink, a similar look on all the other men’s faces, except for Joel.

“What’s one more round? Won’t you gentlemen give a poor man the chance to make up his losings?” Again, unassuming, eyes rounded with a little pout. It works every time.

“Well alright, Miller. One more round and then we oughta all go home so they can close this place for the night.” Theirs the only table still occupied in the casino, bartender and attendants gone as well it’s so late, most likely waiting in the back for their lingering group to finally leave. Though they won’t be a problem, this she knows. Money moves in this town, an easy bribe made easier by the ask. Work so hard, just take off a little earlier tonight. 

“Miller, I’m sorry to say it, but it looks like your luck isn’t getting any better.” It’d be friendly if the man didn’t look so smug saying it, fanning out a flush of cards on the table that even she knows is a winning set. 

“I’m afraid you’re right. Not sure what I’ll do seeing as I’m all out of chips to bet with.” 

“Why don’t you wager something else?” Said with a grin wrapped around a cigar, always so predictable she finds herself having to swallow a yawn as her eyes cast lazily onto Joel, something like a smile twitching around his mouth. 

“And what might I wager?” Another one of the men leans forward in his seat, and though he speaks to Joel, his eyes stay on her.

“That woman of yours has been so sweet all night sitting and watching. How about a kiss for the winner?” Blink and miss it, the tick in Joel’s jaw, quickly schooled behind a slippery smile. She knows the man would already be dead if this wasn’t a part of their well-worn dance. Something is skittering across the table as they start to play, like schoolboys excited by a shared secret, hands a little quicker, voices a little louder. It makes her teeth hurt with want.

Joel doesn’t win because Joel isn’t supposed to win. Big, gray mustache curled around a sickening smile, looking right at her.

“Fair is fair, gentleman. Why don’t you come over here, sugar, and give me my winnings?” Joel lays one final squeeze to her thigh before she gets up, a reminder that lingers on her skin as she slips around the table to the man who won.  She’ll admit she’s a little caught off guard by just how handsy he is, pulling her over his lap before she can get her bearings.

“You are a beauty, aren’t you? How about a kiss right here, sweetheart?” He points his fleshy finger to his cheek, dimpled with how smug he is. She keeps her lips pulled over her teeth in a smile, leaning in, though her mouth doesn’t find the spot he directed her toward. That quick, quivering beat of life, so easy to seek, so easy to burst in her jaws. His hands curled around her waist go tense for only a moment, before slackening still as she takes and takes and takes. 

The sounds around her barely register in her slow sate, a murmuring scuffle that she knows means Joel is taking care of everything, everyone else. She never realizes just how badly she needs it until she has it between her teeth, mind going heavy and hazy in the swimming satisfaction of a finally full stomach. Every last drop, pinkness dimming to a dull blue beneath her lips before she finally pulls away with a contented sigh. 

“There’s plenty more, darlin. Have your fill.” Always the gentleman, even with it dripping down his chin, though she’s quick enough to thumb it away before it can stain his suit, humming around her finger as he grins at her. 

“Thank you, baby. Always works like a charm.” 

Neither of them have been this full, this satisfied in a few weeks, limbs turning languid and heavy with it as they slink out into the night. She’ll admit it isn’t their tidiest work. Though it isn’t uncommon for a card game to end in bloodshed with all the money fluttering around in this city. But right now, there’s too much thrum in her veins for her to care much about it, tugging Joel along by the hand through the thick night. Neither of them are used to it, the perpetual light of the city, electricity pulsing and prolonging the day, casting everything in a flickering shade of orange. Loose and pliant, bodies swaying to the dragging rhythm of a distant band. She’d coax Joel into a dance if she wasn’t so hellbent on getting home, driven by a different want simpering along her spine. 

“What a beautiful couple.” They’re both surprised by it, stuttering stop in their walk home and whipping around, catching sight of the woman who said it.  She’s older, curled over with age, a street vendor, one of the invisible people that gets passed by day in and day out as she sits vigil over her small tent of wares. 

“I will read your palm if you like, free of charge for such loveliness as you.” She can already hear Joel telling the woman off in her mind, though she cuts in before he can get the first word out, already stepping toward the woman and her booth, palm extended. 

“I see a long life for you.” She can’t quite hold back her snort at that, glancing over her shoulder at Joel who looks equally amused. But the woman isn’t done yet, still holding onto her hand in both her palms. 

“There is something. Something dark. Something has its hooks in you, deep.”  She jerks her hand away before the woman can continue, taking a stumbled step back right into Joel’s chest. The woman’s eyes are wide, a pale, milky blue that she finds herself unable to meet,  steeling her face with what she can of a smile, leaning into Joel’s palm curling over her shoulder. 

“It’s more of a mutual thing actually. But thanks for the warning.” Those pallid eyes follow her the whole way back to their apartments. She can’t look at Joel, her gaze skittering somewhere over his shoulder as she fumbles with the buttons at the back of her dress, something setting a shake in her fingers that she can’t quite name. 

“Darlin, let me help you.” She does, mutely turning around, muscles jumping as his fingers start to trail down the back of her dress.

“You alright?” She hums, airy, not a yes or no, stepping out of her dress to stand before him in the thin fabric of her shift and corset.

“You’re mine, right, Joel? This isn’t– you aren’t–” He’s quick to cut her off, hands coming to frame her face, to focus her gaze on him.

“Hey, hey, none of that. What’s got your mind spinning like this?” She feels foolish for it, and if he wasn’t holding her jaw steady she’d already be tucking her chin down, a bit bashful, a bit embarrassed to admit it.

“That woman–”

“That woman probably says the same damn thing to every person that comes her way. She talked to you for, what, five minutes? If that. Tell me, darlin, how long have we been together now?” The math is simple, but the result is dizzying, a number she feels silly even saying out loud, though Joel fills in the gap where her mind refuses to catch up.

“A long time. And longer yet. Longer than anyone else can imagine.” His words temper into a quiet murmur, forehead to forehead, his nose trailing the line of hers.

“I just– I need to hear you say it, Joel. That you are mine.” His first answer to her is a kiss, give and take in the way he opens her mouth up to him, a slow, hot drag of tongues and sighs. 

“Yours, always. You know that, darlin.” His chin tilts for another kiss, but before he can she presses her palms against his chest, holding him where he is as a smile slips across her face. 

“Take off your clothes for me, now.” A flicker of recognition, understanding in his expression. He knows what she’s really asking for, and he’s more than willing to give it to her, already shucking off his suit jacket. She watches, barely blinking. The steady work of his hands popping open his collar, tugging loose his tie with just a touch of exasperation. She knows how much he hates all of it, the wool trousers, the shined shoes and sock garters. She supposes that he’d walk down mainstreet in bluejeans and flannels if it didn’t mean sticking out sore and strange. Never far from the plains in his mind. But bare beneath it all, he’s still the same, still all hers. Circling, palm slipping from his chest down the soft strength of his side, along the curve of his ass, his shudder making her sigh as she slinks back around to stand in front of him. And though he reaches out for her, she steps back just enough that his fingertips only brush fabric. Not tonight. Not like that. 

“On the bed, baby.” He’s being good tonight, compliant, a rarity that tells her that he knows. How much she needs this, eyes watching him watching her as she slips the lacing of her corset loose, letting it drop to the floor along with her shift. Always a sigh settling into his lap, her thighs splayed over his hips, nails digging into his shoulders with the drag of her cunt against him, already hard, already aching for her. She’s not looking to tease, not tonight, not tangled in this strange feeling that she wants to chase away with the taut stretch of him, a cry stuck in her throat when she sinks all the way down. 

“There you go, darlin. Gonna take what’s yours, huh?” She does, pressing him down into the sheets, her palms splayed over the span of his chest as she lets her hips grind against his, feeling that fill, that perfect press that makes her eyes roll back. He lets her take exactly what she wants from him, his palms splayed over her ass, a staying, a steadying to the rolling bounce she finds, little moans that break like beating wings. Only she gets him like this, his head pressed back into pillows, curls mussed and mangled, brow pulled down in a pleasure only she can provide. Something about the power of it, the possession of it driving her to curl over him, her palm coming to his jaw, just a little mean in the press of her fingers. She doesn’t even have to ask, his lips already parted around a groan, enough for her to let her mouth hover over his, a thin slip of spit falling onto his tongue. His eyes widen only for a beat before drooping hazy and low, his lips pressing together with a rasped hum in his throat. All hers.

“Fucking filthy, ain’t you? Been a bad influence on you, darlin, fuck.” He’s getting greedy, impatient, bending his knees so he can meet her own jolting rhythm, a quick and desperate snap to his hips that makes her preen.

“Maybe, but you like it, don’t you, baby?”

“You know I do. My angel’s made just for me, huh? All mine.” All she can do is nod, a yes slipped between sighs as everything furls up in a perfect twist of pleasure, spine snaring tight before slackening slow, her body melting over his as he follows her over the edge. Chest to chest, a nip to the hinge of his jaw, just a little one, enough to make him huff and tuck his knuckles under her chin to coax her mouth up to his. 

“Feel better, darlin?”

“Shut up.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Shutters closed, curtains drawn, keeping out the creeping Sunday morning sunlight. They’ll sleep through the day, maybe two with how full they are, limbs slumping into a close tangle as the city starts to wake up.

Men in their finest, shirt collars prim and pressed, holding the brim of their bowlers in one hand, offering their other elbow to their wives, dripping in lace and wide wicker hats. Everyone making their way to church. He doesn’t have the snake out this morning, just a cracked Bible tucked against his chest and a flurry of words ready to jump from his throat, pacing at the pulpit.

“Brothers and sisters, I stand before you today, my heart heavy with sorrow because the devil has struck again in our good city!” A wave of murmurs, hands clasped to chests in shock at his blunt exclamation. His voice rises above the throng, building on the encroaching twinge of hysteria.

“Last night, in one of those dens of degeneracy and sin, four honest and hardworking men of our community were murdered, a most perplexing and pernicious crime.” The crowd is stirring itself up into what could become a frenzy now, men rising from their seats, women clutching at their gloves, though the preacher is quick to silence them with his continued cries.

“Please, everyone, let us keep our heads! We must if we are to strike this evil from our hearts and from the streets of New Orleans. I have already organized evening vigils for the rest of this week and I implore you to come out and pray with us. We must come together now to drive the devil out of this city before he has the chance to propel any more of these heinous crimes!” 

…

“Hmm.”

“You awake?”

“Just about.”

“You thirsty?”

“A bit.”

“What are you in the mood for, my darlin?”

“I’ve been thinking about that preacher man, if I’m quite honest.”

“You know he won’t taste good. Always a little bitter, those ones.”

“I know, but I could do without him shouting up and down the streets at all hours of the day about evil.” She can feel Joel’s huff of laughter against the back of her neck, the warmth of him settling over her where she’s slumped into the mattress on her stomach. Stretched out after a long, languid sleep.

“Well why don’t we take care of him and then find something a little more appetizing for dinner.” She cranes her neck to glance over her shoulder, being greeted by the slip of his grin and the silver of his teeth.

“Now you’re talking, baby.”

[bhaalbaaby]

Title: i must make you the perfect evening (829 words) Pairing: astarion/tav Warnings: angst, first time I love yous lol A/N: finished astarion's companion quest and I'm feeling things ;-; this would be before they confront cazador. still feeling fragmented at least with how I write so lol anyways brb crying :")

Sarnarei misses his touch, but sex isn't required. Never was. She flashes a smile at Astarion as they settle in for the night, in a proper camp. They didn't make a verbal agreement about their sleeping arrangements. She just didn't go back to her tent, their bedrolls side by side, cuddled close, arms wrapped around each other.

Tonight is no different. He starts reading more to occupy his mind with the tomes Gale brought along. Sarnarei writes in her journal about their day, trying to remember the details while their mind flayer friend gently reminds her.

She glances over at Astarion, comfortable with his silence, and his presence. He glances up from his book, a smile slowly spreading along his lips. "Yes, my love?"

She leans over, pecking him quickly. "Nothing. I am happy I have you." She says, suddenly sentimental. Time is ticking down. They've made it back to their hometown, the goal clear. The thought terrified her, but they all need this tadpole out of their heads.

Astarion nods, "I'm glad I have you too, my perfect girl."

She scrunches up her nose, "I am far from it."

Astarion sets his book to the side, his hands snaking around her waist as he brings her closer, "You're selling yourself short, Sarnarei." He pauses, looking far away, sighing deeply. "I don't know how to be a good partner without sex." He confesses, his brows lowering. "But you're being so patient with me. You're understanding. You say really sweet things and I don't get it." Astarion whispers quickly, afraid the others could hear him.

She props her head on her elbow, his hand trailing along her jutted hipbone that peaks between her clothes. "You're the best partner in the world, Astarion." Her brown eyes search his face as he looks everywhere but her eyes. "Despite everything going, I wouldn't change anything. I would do it all again to be with you. Sex or not." Her hand rests on his still heart, her hand slightly warming with a silent spell. "My heart calls out to you, sings your praises, even on the rare occasion we're apart." She smiles, removing her hand, her mind working overtime for her magic to stay under control. She would hate if it backfired and she hurts him in this intimate time.

He holds her wrist before she can fully withdraw, pressing his lips against her heated palm. He lets out a soft moan as he shakes his head, swallowing hard. "You say pretty words like that and I want to believe them. I want to believe that you love me that much."

She sits up, resting on her knees. "How do you feel about me?" She asks, tucking an auburn strand behind her ear.

His breathing quickens as he sits up as well. "Hard to put into words. You're the first person I've been vulnerable with. The only person I could afford to be. My thoughts are my own… I don't have Cazador telling me to seduce you, bring you back to him." Anger bubbles up behind his words, but he keeps it at a simmer. His anger is directed at his master for controlling him. Making him into this monster, unable to be his person.

She rests her head against his, her hands resting on his neck now cooler to calm him down. "I know… I know how you feel." She pulls away, staring into his red eyes. "We have all the time in the world. Well, once we get the Absolute under control. You don't have to do anything you don't want to, Astarion. I will never force you." She whispers, hoping her words would soothe him for the evening.

He nods quickly, closing his eyes as he takes in a deep breath. "Sarnarei." Her name sounds like music on his lips, the perfect melody. "Thank you." He looks away, shame and regret washing his face quickly. He hides it, flicking his eyes back to the watchful Tiefling. "I love you."

For a moment she ponders if he does, not because of his situation, but because of her traumas. Her heart falls over itself as she blinks quickly, realizing she's said nothing. "I love you too." She smiles softly, letting her hands fall from his shoulders to her lap. "I love the way it feels to say it out loud," She confesses, feeling her eyes start to fill. She looks down at her hands, focusing on not letting any tears fall.

When she cried in front of him before, Astarion awkwardly would tell her there, there, and swap someone else in for the emotional labor. But he couldn't do that to his partner, not now. He takes in a shuddered breath, putting his hand on her waist, bringing her closer to his side, "I'm glad we have each other. Thank you for your patience." She doesn't say anything back, quietly sobbing into his shoulder, so grateful for this love that blossoms between them.

[alxirai]

I had never felt so alive before, my heart pounding in my chest as I took my first steps into the land of Teyvat. Every inch of me felt like it was bursting with excitement and wonder. I had come to this land with a goal in mind, to find my long-lost twin and figure out what happened to them.

As I walked through the lush, green landscapes, I suddenly heard a voice calling my name. I turned around to see a tall, handsome man with long, flowing hair and piercing amber eyes. "Are you the traveler?" he asked, his voice low and soothing.

I nodded, not knowing what to say. He reached out his hand and I took it, allowing him to lead me to a small cottage in the distance. "My name is Aether," he said, his voice full of warmth. "It's nice to finally meet another person from another world in Teyvat."

I couldn't believe my luck. I had been searching high and low for any clues as to where my twin had gone, and now here was a person who looked just like me, and who seemed to be in the same boat.

"May I ask you something?" I finally found the courage to ask. "Do you know anything about the other sibling?"

He looked away, his face unreadable. "I don't know for sure. But I have a feeling that they've been taken advantage of by a group of powerful people in this world. They must be in a lot of danger."

My heart dropped at the thought of my twin being in trouble, but I knew that Aether was right. Whoever was behind all of this must be stopped at all costs.

"We have to find them," I whispered, my voice full of determination. "We have to stop them from hurting anyone else."

Aether looked up at me, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I agree. But we can't do it alone. We need to find allies in this wild world. Are you ready?"

I smiled, feeling a rush of adrenaline as I nodded my head. "Let's do this." Aether and I travelled throughout Teyvat, gathering allies wherever we could. We met all kinds of people, from powerful warriors like Noelle and Amber, to wise scholars like Lisa and Kaeya. Each of them played their own unique role in our quest to uncover the truth about my twin, and each one brought their own special skills and knowledge to the group.

But as much as I enjoyed the company of my new friends, I couldn't shake the feeling that Aether was holding something back from me. There was a sense of tension in the air around him, and no matter how hard I tried to get him to open up to me, he would always brush off my questions with a vague response or a change of subject.

Finally, one evening as we sat around a fire, I decided to confront him. "Aether, what's really going on?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why won't you talk to me?"

At last, he looked at me with those piercing amber eyes, and for the first time, I saw a hint of sadness beneath his veneer of calmness. "I'm sorry, I know it must be hard for you. But there are certain things that I'm just not ready to share yet. I promise, I'll tell you everything in due time, but for now, I need your trust."

I felt a pang of disappointment in my chest, but I knew that he was right. Aether had been with me through everything, and if there was anyone in this world that I could trust, it was him.

So we continued our journey, my curiosity piqued by the mystery surrounding my twin and the powers we held within us. Together, with our motley crew of allies, we tackled any challenge that came our way, from battling huge monsters to solving complex puzzles. And through it all, our bond only grew stronger, as we worked towards the same goal of discovering the truth behind my lost twin's disappearance.

But even as the days passed and our adventures grew more and more exciting, I couldn't help but wonder what secrets Aether was keeping from me. And so, I resigned myself to the fact that some things were just meant to remain mysteries, at least for now.

As time went on, our friendship with Aether only grew stronger. He was everything I had ever wanted in a companion: strong, brave, and kind. And with each passing day, I found myself falling more and more in love with him.

Of course, I didn't want to ruin our friendship or make things awkward between us. So, I kept my feelings to myself, instead choosing to focus on our quest and our growing connection.

As we travelled throughout the lands of Teyvat, we faced all sorts of challenges and overcame great obstacles. With each victory, our bond deepened, and I found myself falling more and more in love with Aether.

I knew that I had to tell him how I felt, but I didn't know how. I was scared that I would put too much pressure on him or scare him away. But I knew that I couldn't keep my feelings a secret for much longer.

And so, one night as we sat by the campfire, I gathered up all my courage and professed my feelings to Aether. To my surprise, he didn't recoil in horror or back away from me. Instead, he looked at me with those warm amber eyes and smiled.

"I feel the same way, Traveler," He said softly, taking my hand in his. "I've been trying to figure out how to tell you, but I didn't know how. But you just made it so much easier for me."

And with that, we sealed our fate, starting a new chapter in our lives as partners, both in our quest for knowledge and in our growing love.

From that day forward, Aether was always by my side, through thick and thin. Our love only grew stronger with each passing day, and we knew that we were meant to be together, no matter what.

As we continued to explore the vast world of Teyvat, we faced many more dangers and challenges. But with Aether by my side, I knew that we could face anything that came our way, and come out the other side stronger then ever before.

And so, we continued on, hand in hand, as partners in life and in love, ready to face whatever the world might throw at us.

Hello, I don't know what I did. Haha it's like they switched roles but also not..? Idk😥

Enjoy this mess that I made.

[distant-velleity]

Two Is Just As Good As One

Summary: Even when the Mostro Lounge is empty, people like Yu and Chrysos can experience companionship there. Word count: ~900 A/N: A short little unbeta'd thing, since I wanted a little bit of Yu from a POV that isn't his. These two were always meant to be similar, and I took it a step further bc Chrysos is always interested in people who aren't what they appear to be. Like Yu "I can and will pretend to be someone I'm not" Wei. Two people who want to be free but can't handle negative perception... wow. Let them be friends !!! (bonus note: this takes place on Day 3 of A Fair Price. Just so you know :> )

~

For a Saturday evening, the crowds have cleared out rather quickly. 

By the time Chrysos emerges from his room with a thermos of soothing tea for his strained previously-singing voice, the Lounge is empty. Everyone else who was on shift earlier must be in the kitchen washing dishes. Well, save for a certain otherworldly boy wearing a borrowed Octavinelle uniform, sleeves rolled up as he uses a rag to wipe down the tables.  

Yu hums quietly to himself, looking rather serene and satisfied for someone on solo cleaning duty. He doesn’t seem aware that Chrysos is watching him from the shadows of the hallway, as he even chaînés turns from the now-clean table to another one.

For someone so frequently swapping personas to appeal to others, his true self has some rather simple desires. Like dancing and humming to his heart’s content.

Another similarity between the two of us, it would seem.

Chrysos recognizes the tune after listening and watching Yu dance between cleaning for a bit, finding himself singing along without realizing—

“Seeking thrills makes me me, it’s an essential piece / In the darkness, I’ll enchant you, so take my hand,” he sings, soft as to not irritate his throat. “Witness this wondrous, twisted land~”

It’s almost comical, how Yu snaps out of his solitary reverie as soon as he realizes that it’s not just a figment of his imagination singing. “Chrysos?!” he yelps, almost shouting as he clutches the rag to his chest. 

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.” Chrysos dips his head apologetically. “I heard you humming Piece of My World and couldn’t help myself.”

“Ah…” Yu relaxes, hands falling back to his sides. He puts on a sheepish, small smile. “I guess it is kind of my fault for thinking I could just do whatever while I was cleaning. That song’s been stuck in my head lately.”

“It was the audition song for the SDC team, right?”

Yu nods. “And it’s really catchy, too. I can see why it was so popular.” He leans over to continue wiping a table. “Have you considered performing it here?”

“It was one of my first songs here, back when the trend was still dying down,” recalls Chrysos. 

“Oh, makes sense.”

Inevitably, because it’s not in either of their natures to make small talk, they both fall silent. Yu tightens the hairtie on his ponytail and continues his work.

However, it’s starting to occur to Chrysos that there’s still quite a few tables left and only one magicless human on the task. If he hadn’t walked in then he probably wouldn’t have paid it any mind, but now that he’s here, it’s a little difficult to shrug and walk away. 

“Do you…” Chrysos starts, and then stops himself out of embarrassment when Yu turns to look at him. The TA offers him an encouraging tilt of the head, though, so he continues. “Do you want any help with cleaning the tables?”

(He’s really starting to get why Santiago curses out his conscience so much. Remembering how he’d treated certain students with disdain and disregard back in early December… it makes him want to make up for that, and it’s awful.)

Yu’s eyes widen. “Oh! No, no, it’s fine. I know it looks bad because it’s just me working, but there was another guy helping me out earlier. You just performed, so you should rest.” He pauses. “Also, didn’t Azul explicitly tell you to use less magic outside of classes?”

Chrysos grimaces internally when he remembers the stern talking-to he’d gotten from his upperclassmen. It’s already been a few weeks since winter break, but he’s probably still not off the hook. “I can grab another rag and clean manually. It’d still be faster.”

Yu visibly hesitates. “If you want…”

He has that look in his eyes when he glances at Chrysos. A look where it seems as if he’s not looking at the person themselves, but through their facade and into them. People like Leona, Azul, and Jamil have been on the receiving end of it more times than Chrysos can count. 

The TA doesn’t consider himself perceptive, but at least to others, he is in some way. Consequently, that perceptiveness leads to concern for what he sees in others. Concern that is… a little more than partially warranted, but—

“It won’t be a problem,” Chrysos assures him, because he does want to offer his help. It’s easy, if mundane, work.

(And, he can think to himself with the second-hand humiliation of a child watching his older sibling fall in love, the housewarden is in the VIP office with Jayme right now, so he isn’t around to tell me no.)

There’s a moment in which Yu continues to hesitate, battling with himself on the inside, before finally opening himself up to accept help. “Okay,” he concedes. “I haven’t gotten to the tables by the bar yet.”

“Got it. I’ll take care of those.”

He makes a quick trip to the storage closet and gets to work as soon as he comes back, offering Yu the mop for the floor once the tables are nice and clean. With two people on the job, the work may not be as quiet—even with two introverts—but it’s easier.

And if Chrysos accidentally makes eye contact with Yu only for them to share a little companionable smile, that’s something that doesn’t need to be discussed.

[incorrect-baldurs-gate-3]

(Just a bit I might put later on in Night Falls, my childhood friends to lovers au spawn!Astarion x Elf bard/storm sorcerer!tav fic...)

The whole evening after Astarion finally rid himself of Cazador once and for all, Iardi wasn't sure what to even say to her old childhood friend... the boy she knew was still there deep down inside, but he couldn't see it himself... he couldn't even really remember much of his life before the bastard found him. And it hurt... seeing him torn to pieces like this over what he went through, what he chose, and what he gave up...

It just about ripped her heart out, and she could barely hold back the tears to put on a brave face for her new friends... but mostly for his sake.

But around 2:30 in the morning, she couldn't take it anymore... she couldn't sleep she was so worried.

But she couldn't find him at camp... and at first she panicked, and started looking in the woods around the campsite for him... not having much luck.

And then she heard the faint sounds of sniffling... and her heart nearly shattered into a million tiny pieces like glass.

She rushed towards the sound, he couldn't have been far if she was able to hear it.

And she found him sitting in a clearing, face in his hands...

If he wasn't so distraught she would have thought him beautiful... the moon hitting him, making him look almost ethereal... like that first night they spent alone together.

But she shook that thought from her mind, and eased her way over to him, quietly so she wouldn't startle him.

She reached for him, putting a hand on his shoulder,

"Star...?"

And he flinched. He had a couple of empty wine bottles scattered around him, having tried and failed to wipe away the memories... the pain.

"What...?" he muttered, the sound muffled slightly by his hands that covered his face.

"I... uhhm... Astarion... sweetheart... are you... are you all right?"

He sighed,

"I was just... lost in thought I suppose..."

She frowned, she knew he probably didn't want to show weakness... that monster basically carved that into his very soul even... like those awful runes he had carved into his back... that he had to live with now... the permanent reminder of him... and everything he did to him.

But she knew that it wasn't good for him to be alone like this...

To dwell on the dark thoughts. To let them go round and round in his mind forever...

He needed someone to talk to... to get him through this...

so, he could start to finally heal properly.

After losing him for two centuries, thinking he was dead and buried long ago, and that she'd lost him forever...

She needed him to see he was not alone in this...

And as long as she lived... he never would be.

She moved his hands from his face, and he kind of frowned at her... but he wasn't angry or annoyed... just... numb... because of how broken he felt.

She raised a hand to his face, to stroke his cheek...

"Look... I know what you must be thinking... how you must be feeling right now... and I understand-"

His eyes glared at her now, his mood instantly turning from numb to just... frustration and rage... from the suffering he went through... and nothing to take it out on.

"You have no idea- you don't KNOW what it was like!!!" He took a shaky breath and shook his head,

"and you never will..."

Iardi shook her head,

"Star... that's not what I meant it's not like that I- I'm just worried about you... I don't wanna lose you again I just got you back finally and I-"

He groaned in frustration at her rambling and felt like she was staring at him like she pitied him...

He didn't want anyone's pity.

"what are you staring at me like that for damn it?!"

"Astarion I-"

She tried to put a hand on his back to soothe him, but it just brought back the painful memories of Cazador carving those damn runes for the ritual on his back, and His frustration started to boil over at that moment, and he lashed out, screaming at her-

"GET AWAY FROM ME!!!!! GO!!!!" He started to push himself up off the ground to leave, but he accidentally broke one of the wine bottles with the force of him slamming his hands to the ground, and Iardi flinched, as flashbacks of her alcoholic father who used to scream at her and beat her, especially when she tried to protect her little sister from his ire, flooded her mind. Her eyes welled up with tears and she sniffled, and started to leave, and he realized his mistake, as he remembered something... she had never told him outright... but the signs were there. Even in the few memories he had of her in his life before he was taken by Cazador.

He cried out, reaching for her-

"No wait! Don't leave me!!! I'm sorry!!!" and he sighed in defeat, his voice shaking with unshed tears, as he said...

"Please...?"

She froze, her back facing away from him, tears threatening to fall.

But instead of her breaking down in tears... he beat her to the punch, and started sobbing himself, his arms wrapped around himself, sitting with his legs crossed, rocking gently, trying to stop crying because he felt like a baby... and that she didn't deserve to have to deal with him... especially after what she went through... all for his sake.

And even before that... he could tell from her reactions to certain things that she was abused by someone close to her...

Including her flinch when he screamed at her and accidentally smashed a bottle on the ground trying to hurry and get up and leave before she could see him going through a mental breakdown right in front of her.

She deserved better...

But instead of her leaving, like he expected her to, and he wouldn't have blamed her if she did, she turned around, face flooded with tears of her own... and she rushed to sit down on the ground beside him, shoving the empty glass bottles aside and hugging him, her arms wrapping around his neck, instead of his back, thinking it was her touching the markings on his back that triggered the reaction. And Iardi took all her years of experience soothing her little sister after she and their father got into a fight, and started trying to ground Astarion. Flashbacks of Astarion crying on the floor of Cazador's dungeon, covered in the bastard's blood, creeped back into her mind, and it almost shattered her heart again seeing him like this again, she would get him through this... she'd be the person to him that she needed when her dad would drink, scream at her and her little sister, and beat her... because nobody deserved to go through things like she and Astarion did alone.

"Shh... shh shh shh shh... deep breaths... deep breaths my love... you're having a panic attack."

He sobbed,

"I'm sorry!!! I'm so sorry!!!!! You deserve so much better than me!!! PLEASE DON'T HATE ME!!!!"

"No no no no no of course not... it's not your fault... you did nothing wrong."

"Bullshit. I saw how you reacted... I should have seen it sooner someone hurt you didn't they the signs were there all along WHO WAS IT I'LL KILL THEM WITH MY BARE HANDS!!!!!"

She shook her head,

"No no no it's fine... I'm fine... let's just get you grounded first then we can talk okay?"

He nodded, sniffling, and Iardi sighed, hugging him again, this time around his waist like she did once before, but with her head on his shoulder. It seemed to help a little,

"breathe... it's going to be all right... I'm here... I'm helping... I'm here... you'll never lose me again... you can't get rid of me now I promise."

He took a shaky breath as his sobs subsided, and she sighed, it was a good sign at least...

"I'm here now... it's okay... I'm not leaving you... I'm helping..."

"I'm so sorry you deserve so much better I-"

"no... never say that... I love you... and you are not getting rid of me that easy okay? It's alright...just... breathe slowly for me okay...? Deep breaths for me."

He shuddered, and did as she asked. And it seemed to help a lot. She lowered her hands and backed up a little, looking into his eyes.

"Now... I'm gonna teach you something I learned to do years ago to deal with panic attacks okay? It'll be our little secret..."

His eyes widened in curiosity,

"Okay.. the trick is... to name one thing you can see around you... then one you can feel... then one you can hear... then one you can smell... and finally one thing you can taste..."

His eyebrow shot up in confusion and skepticism.

"Come on try it! It really works! been doing it since I was little."

He frowned,

"Sweetheart... the fact that you've had to do this multiple times since you were just a little girl is kind of concerning-"

She shushed him,

"Please... for me?"

He sighed looking around,

"let me see... uhhm..."

He looked up and smiled weakly,

"The moon..."

Iardi smiled,

"good good!!! now one you can feel!"

Astarion hesitated, seeing her in her pajamas and wanting to hug her so badly but not trusting himself to break down again from being touched just yet, so he stroked the back of her hand instead,

"Your hand..."

She smiled,

"one you can hear... it's starting to work now right? Just a little?"

Astarion nodded,

"A little... hm... I hear crickets..."

Iardi beamed,

"Okay good keep going! Now move on to smell!"

He sniffed, and sighed, a delectable feather light floral smell seeming to float through the air like a cloud,

"your soap..."

She smiled,

"okay... last one... one you can taste, you think you can think of something you can-"

But she's startled by his lips slamming to hers, his fingers carding through her hair, and she squeaks in surprise at first, then he gently pulled away,

"Thank you... so much for that... I needed that."

She turned pink,

"N-no problem... heh... so what was up with the-"

"I just... I was so... overwhelmed with gratefulness and love for you... for sticking with me through all this bullshit... for trying to see in me the boy you befriended all those years ago even though I'm pretty sure he's long been dead and buried... but despite that you believed in me... and I..." He sighed, shaking his head, "T-thank you."

Iardi frowned,

"He's still there deep down inside... I've seen him... it'll just take time to get him back enough to where you can see it too... but you've gotta heal first for that to happen."

He nodded,

"You did nothing wrong Star..."

"He looked at her with wild panicked eyes,

"I'm glad YOU think so... because I'm still not sure! I just feel... I feel... ill... cold... broken... numb."

She wasn't sure what to say, she started to reach for his shoulder to comfort him but then he said something that caused her heart to crumble for the hundredth time tonight.

"Repaying what he did to me... is impossible... as much as I wish I could fix it... to be who you want to see in me... the boy you fell for all those years ago... to pick up where we left off and to help YOU heal from those who hurt you for so long... I don't think I could possibly come back from this the same person that I was back then... and for that I am so sorry... it isn't fair. And you deserve better... because that boy you cared for all those years ago... is gone forever I fear. So it'd be better for you if you just moved on..."

Iardi shook her head,

"No... never. I'm not gonna leave you... I'm not losing you again."

He took a shaky breath... relieved that he didn't have to deal with that monster ever again, and happy, despite how selfish it seemed to him, that she wasn't going to leave him... so he didn't have to deal with these memories that haunted him alone.

"It's over... it's finally... over. I'm free from him... forever..." He sighed, "a bit of a novel concept... so strange... knowing he'll never be able to hurt me... control me... rule over my life... ever again." he shook his head, "I'm sorry... I need to process this... I think... what it means now that he's finally gone."

Iardi nodded, understanding,

"all right... I guess I'll turn in for the night then... see you in the morning."

He grabbed her wrist in a panic,

"Wait!"

And she paused, confused, worried.

"Don't leave me... please... take me with you." he pleaded, on the verge of tears again, and she sighed, and nodded,

"all right... let's get you on your feet then shall we?"

She helped him up off the ground, taking his hand and squeezing lightly, then she pulled him in for a gentle hug, and he sighed in relief.

"Thank you... for not giving up on me... for everything really..."

Iardi nodded, and then he tilted her face up to look at him, his index finger under her cheek, looking over her face, staring for a moment, then he kissed her.

She sighed contently, and he gently pulled away,

"I... I love you... so... so much... never forget that." he whispered, and Iardi's heart melted and she nodded,

"I love you too... always and forever." He smiled gently at her response, kissing her again under the moonlight, and for the first time all night... he almost felt... happy.

Iardi sighed as he held her,

"I don't know what the future holds for us now... but... if you'll have me... I'd like to pick up where we left off all those years ago... if that's all right that is... because a life without you... I don't know what I'd do without you now..."

Astarion smiled, relieved, burying his face in her soft ebony locks, inhaling the smell of her... committing everything to memory at last.

"Life... is what you make of it my love... and... I'd like to spend it with you..." he whispered against her hair before leaning in to kiss her.

His time of freedom and healing... had finally begun.

And as he cuddled with Iardi, spooning her tiny figure, her back against his chest, his arms wrapped around her waist as they rested for the night... for the first time in 200 years... he felt... at peace.

[skullaton]

Ch 1. You've wandered too far from home

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 Wally Darling / GN Reader

Rating: M Summary:

The city is full of people. Then why did it feel so lonely? Memories of clinking bottles and dazzling neon lights flickered through your mind. Misty, car filled streets with humans, but no humanity. A bridge and a phonebooth. And a sweet voice that wanted you to come home. You've wandered too far, and you don't know how to get back. But don't worry! You've made some friends from a colourful town that can help you!

TW: Childhood trauma, scopophobia, alcohol references AO3 link: here Wally logo by Clown

A sweet voice drawled from the other end of the receiver, “I just thought you needed a friend.”

“I don’t have any friends,” you shot back venomously.

A gasp! “Well, I could be your friend!”

Tears began to prickle at your eyes.

“No, you can’t. You won’t want to be”

“Why’s that?”

“I’m a freak. A loser. A waste of space.”

He clicked his tongue, “Nonsense! I think you’re the absolute most!”

Most… most of what?

He continued slowly, “Do you want me to come get you? Do you need help?”

Now you’re sobbing. You sit on the chipped asphalt, hand grasping the phone as if it were a lifeline. Your eyes clenched shut as tears flooded down your face. You hiccupped helplessly into the receiver, all while a soothing voice on the other end whispered saccharine praises.

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

Your head pounded, a terrifying reminder of last night’s escapades. You felt the heat of the sun warming your skin, the brightness of the day begging to be let into your vision.

You squeezed your eyes shut further and rolled to the side, the hard, metal surface pushing into your skin. Few more minutes of sleep, you begged internally. Please.

“Where did they come from?” A cheery, quizzical voice chimed from a direction.

“I don’t know, but what if they’re hurt?” a mother hen chirped in.

“Well, frankly speaking, they’re definitely an outsider. Maybe we should be more cautious.” A nasally voice responded.

Too much talking. You can’t fall back asleep now.

Your lids finally flutter open, cringing at the brightness that invaded your senses. You released an audible groan as your head pulsed. As the world started to focus, you noticed a ring of people surrounding you.

Adrenaline kicked in, churning away the remaining inebriation. You shot up, feet planting on the ground. The crowd, in response, jumped back in surprise.

You could feel your heart hammering in your chest as you stared wide eyed at the people. They didn’t… look human. Each one was vibrantly coloured, adorning fuzzy shapes and cartoon-esque dimensions. This is it, you lost it. You really lost it. You’re in Elmo’s playland now.

You pushed your palms into your eyes, rubbing the remaining sleep from them.

Everything was… loud. Not just the people, but the colours. So many colours.

You dared not to peak from your hand-hiding spot. Your voice creaked out, the scent of alcohol rich on your breath. “Where… am I?”

A different voice from earlier responded. It was a velvety, smooth monotone. The ends of his words tilted in friendliness, “Oh, why, you’re in the neighbourhood of Home! Good morning, neighbour!”

You dared to peak from your haven, stealing a glance at the blue pompadour wearing figure. He smiled softly, his sleepy eyes locking with yours.

This must be a dream. That’s the only thing you can think of.

You decided to play along, your hands finally falling to your lap. “’Home?’”

“Yes,” the gray-coloured … puppet? spoke matter-of-factly, “It’s a small town in the outskirts of a forest.”

You released a noncommittal noise before trying your luck at standing up. You swayed a bit, but you were able to find your balance. A giant bird creature had reached out her wings to try to catch you in case you fell.

“Well,” you started talking to your own ‘delusions’, “I really should get going. To go to my actual home.”

The one with the pompadour and blue cardigan spoke again, starting his statement with a low hum. “That would be really far, friend. It’s a few days trek through the forest to reach the nearest town.”

A coldness pitted in your stomach. You released a nervous laugh, “Th-that’s impossible. How did I even get here then?”

Everyone looked at each other in confusion, a concerned frown marking all of their faces. The puppet with tiny horns spoke softly, “Do you not remember?”

You wracked at your brain to try to remember the events of last night. The memory of desolate city streets and the clank of bottles echo in your mind. You grasp at your forehead to try to remember. Nothing. You cursed your terrible habit for indulging in liquor.

A tightness clenched at your chest as you tried to breath. A dread settled on your senses as reality came crashing down. If this really were a dream, you’d wake up now, right?

You slapped the palm of your hand against your cheek, the sound of flesh on flesh creating a smack. The stinging on your skin confirmed that this was definitely real. The puppets around you simultaneously jumped at the noise

It became harder to breath. Your lungs desperately tried to fill with air, but your throat tightened in defiance. The rainbow characters all crowded you, hands outreached to catch you if you were to fall.

The Mr. Rogers knock-off spoke in his soothing monotone, “H-hey, neighbour. Take it easy. You don’t look so well.”

Your legs wobbled as you sat back down on the metal bench behind you, your hands cusping your cheeks. “This can’t be real…”

“Oh dear,” the Big Bird-adjacent crooned worriedly, “Take deep breathes!”

The cardigan man pushed passed his friends to sit by your side. He leant down to try to reach your gaze. You begrudgingly followed his pupils, your head feeling light, your senses fuzzying.

“Deep breathes,” he instructed slowly, sucking in air, and then slowly exhaling to demonstrate. “In… and out.”

You took in shaky breathes, following his exercises. You willed your throat to ease, the air now filling your lungs easily. The static from your mind was lifting.

He only smiled, eyes never leaving yours. “Better?”

You nodded gratefully, “Much.”

The other puppets released the breath that they were holding.

“How about we settle you with a nice cup of tea?” the feathered one stated sweetly.

The horned monster’s face lit up instantly, her pitched voice grating your ears, “Like a TEA PARTY?”

You stiffened at the suggestion. The man next to you never gave up his eye contact before speaking, “Maybe a bit more low profile. Like a tea picnic?”

“That… I think that sounds good,” you agreed, voice low, your body still tickling from the adrenaline that pumped through your blood.

The four puppets escorted you off of the bench, which was located right outside of a local store. You caught a glimpse of a sign that stated, ‘100% off!’. You scoffed internally at the absurdity.

They made their way to a small hill in the centre of the town. The bird and monster scampered off to get some supplies, leaving you with the gray and yellow puppet men. You awkwardly stood, arms folding across your chest. Suddenly, your shoes were very interesting to watch.

It didn’t help that they were both staring at you like you were an alien.

The gray one cleared his throat, “I don’t believe we caught your name?”

“Oh,” you finally glanced up, cautiously disclosing your name to them. “And… what are your names?”

The cardigan puppet released an audible gasp, offering a kind smile, “Oh my! That’s not very neighbourly of us! I’m Wally.”

The grey one gave Wally a side eye, that defining frown furthering even more. “And I’m Frank.”

“And the others?”

As if on cue, the bird came over with a folded checkered blanket. Frank gestured to her, “That’s Poppy.”

The monster puppet tagged behind, holding a metal tray with a full teapot and cups. She spoke up for herself, a beaming smile gracing her fuzzy features, “I’m Julie!”

Poppy unfurled the blanket and settled everything down neatly, gesturing to you, “It’s so nice to meet you.”

You sat down with the others, reintroducing yourself to Poppy and Julie as they passed around hot cups of herbal tea. You relished in the feeling of heat against your skin, the soothing aroma already calming your frayed senses.

“Does this make you feel a bit better?” Poppy watched you worriedly as she sipped from her cup.

You took a sip of the tea, the sensation warming your exhausted body. It wasn’t McDonalds, but this was the next best hangover remedy. “A bit better now, thank you.”

“So,” Frank started, voice dripping in skepticism, “you really don’t remember how you got here?”

“Last night is really fuzzy right now,” you tried to explain without exposing how you binged. You don’t even know if these cartoons would even know what that is. “But I’m sure it’ll come with some rest.”

He was unsatisfied with the answer, but he decided not to pry, sipping his tea in silence.

Wally interjected, scooting closer to your side, “But it’s good that you stumbled upon this neighbourhood! It would have been bad if you got lost in the forest!”

“That’s true…” you mulled over the thought. That would probably not be ideal.

Out of the corner of your eye, you spotted movement from a towering being with multiple arms. You scrambled back, tea sloshing to the ground as this apron-clad creature approached the group. You held back a yelp as you decided to cower behind the shortest member of the group - Wally.

Wally looked on, amused at your antics. His low voice called out to the intruder, “Oh, hello Howdy! Would you like to join us?”

The multi-limbed creature was huffing, looking absolutely frazzled as he held a paper bag full of goods, motioning to you, “Oh, there you are! I was packing a welcoming bag for you, and you just vanished!”

You peaked out from behind Wally, giving him a squeaky, ‘Huh?’

Howdy bent his legs to sit on the blanket, carefully extending out the bag of goods to you. He offered it to you as if you were a lost animal, trying to coax you out into safety.

You cautiously scooted closer to view the contents. Shifting through the items, you spotted some canned food, a tooth brush, tooth paste, and some bottled water. “B…but why?”

He finally relaxed onto his back legs, a hand rubbing at the back of his neck while the others rested on his knees. “I found you passed out on the doorstep of my bodega! You didn’t look so well, and… as a responsible shop owner, I have to take care of my customers!”

The niceness was overwhelming. You can’t remember when the last time people were this nice to you. You swallowed heavily, forcing down any emotions that were trying to surface. “What do I owe you?”

Howdy offered a smile, “Nothing! But maybe when you’re feeling better, a few jokes would pay off the debt!”

You had no idea how to process this information, agreeing just to nod.

“So,” Julie started, leaning forward a bit, “How can we help you get back?”

“They’d have to prepare for a journey, that’s for certain,” Frank stated matter-of-factly.

“A few days walk,” Poppy hummed sadly, “I suppose I can prepare some food for your journey!”

The group of puppets collaborated with each other, each offering ideas on how to help. You sat back in silence as you watched them, dread settling back into your stomach.

The only one not offering advice was the man next to you.

Wally.

He was watching you with his droopy eyes, a calming smile gracing his lips. He leaned over to whisper to you, that tone of his sounding even more sedated, “This must be a lot for you.”

You gave him a nod, the hopelessness creeping up into your thoughts. You tried your best to soldier a placid expression.

“Maybe you should rest for the day and think about it?”

“Where would I even stay?” your voice betrayed you as it cracked with fear.

He hummed, letting silence rest between you two for a few beats. Finally turning back to the crowd, he spoke at his normal tone, and everyone seemed to stop to look at him. “Where should they stay in the mean time? We could plan another day, when they’re all rested.”

Everyone looked at each other. Julie started prattling that it should just be a giant sleepover, at which Wally quickly dissuaded.

“Well, I do have a spare room in the bodega,” Howdy started slowly. “It’s not much, but there’s a bed.”

“I can’t let you do that!” you interjected. “You already helped me out!” You gestured to the groceries he gave you.

Howdy gave a sheepish smile and shrugged. “It’s the least I can do for a new customer! Besides, it’s only until you set off, right?”

You gave a glance at the crowd, hoping that someone could help dissuade from the sheer amount of niceness.

Nobody intervened. They all smiled and praised the idea. Your shoulders slumped in response.

“Well, that settles that, then,” Wally leaned back, giving you a relaxed smirk.

A pent up sigh released from your nose. You resigned to the generosity of others.

After some time, everyone helped pack up the picnic supplies, which ended with happy farewells, and until tomorrows. The group dispersed, now it was just you, Howdy, and Wally.

“Are you ready to see the room?” Howdy had leaned down to talk to you.

You shifted the paper bag in your arms as you gave him a hesitant nod.

Howdy started down the hill, his long legs guiding him quickly to his shop. Watching him move, you found it hard to even lift up your feet. The uncertainty of everything was still heavy on your mind.

You sensed a pair of eyes staring at you, which you assumed was the cardigan puppet. What you gathered from today is that he really loved to stare. Perhaps he didn’t realise he was doing it? You dared to give him a shy glance.

Sensing your nervousness, Wally’s voice had dropped down into his pacifying whisper, “If you want, you can give me a ring once you’ve settled in?”

You didn’t answer immediately. You really don’t want to burden anyone else right now.

You thought about how he helped you today, how he was the first to give a helping hand to all your worries.

Maybe… you really did need a friend right now.

A tiny smile played on your lips as you nodded, “What’s your number?”

Wally’s smile furthered at your response.

“And this,” Howdy flicked on some overhead lights, “will be your room.”

He introduced you to his humble bodega. In the back of the shop was a storeroom, hosting shelves of ordered products that needed to be organised. A tiny cot hid in the far corner as well as a mounted wall phone.

“It really isn’t much.”

A warmness spread through your chest at the quaint arrangement. You can imagine him dipping into the back for a nap on slow days. You gave him a thankful smile, “I really appreciate this, Howdy.”

The caterpillar flushed, waving away your compliment. He started to make his way out the door, “The bathroom is upstairs, down the hall, to the left. Let me know if you need anything.”

He closed the door with a click.

You released a full body sigh as you flung yourself onto the bed, the cot creaking under your weight. You relished in the privacy from the chaotic day. Your muscles ached, screamed for any type of solstice from the rampage of events.

So much has happened. And quite frankly, you had no idea how to process any of it. What if this all was just one big hallucination? You played with the thought a bit as you dug into the grocery bag for you tooth brush.

You also really couldn’t wait to scrub every bit of last night’s events off of you.

Once you heard no more movement from Mr. Pillar, you padded your way to the bathroom. You gazed at yourself in the mirror and saw a husk of a human.

Well… you definitely saw better days.

You ran your hands under hot water, scrubbing your face in the sink.

Your mind wandered as you tried to remember last night. Quick snippets were slowly revealing themselves, but nothing to really tell a whole story.

You brushed your teeth and tongue vigorously, freeing yourself from any remaining evidence of alcohol.

Maybe with sleep, you’ll remember more.

Satisfied, you maneuvered back to your makeshift room. You stopped in front of the phone, contemplating whether to give the strange yellow puppet a call. Would Howdy mind if you used his phone this time?

You weighed the options for a few moments.

You decided to pick up the receiver and dial the number.

A nervousness rumbled your stomach as the line rung. After the second ring, that low voice answered.

“Hello~?”

A frog was in your throat as you tried to speak, “H-hi, Wally?”

You could hear him smile through his voice, “Why, hello there! How are you settling in?”

“Well, it’s definitely a day, alright.”

“Ha ha ha,” Wally gave a bizarre laugh. It caused goosebumps to run down your arm. “It definitely was, wasn’t it?”

You rubbed the back of your neck. “I just wanted to thank you for being so nice today. You didn’t have to be.”

“Nonsense. That’s just what friends do for each other.”

A sourness settled in your mouth. ‘Friend’, huh…?

“Hello~? You still there?”

You pulled yourself from your thought, “Y-yeah, I am.”

“Do you think you will be able to sleep tonight?”

“I hope so. I desperately need it, at this point.”

He hummed in agreement. “Well, if you need anything at all, please feel free to call me.”

This time, a fluttering lifted in your stomach. “Thanks, Wally…”

“No problem!”

“I should try to hit the hay,” you paused, rolling your tongue over you lips. “Good night, Wally.”

“Sleep well,” his words sounded like a lullaby. You heard a click on his end as he hung up, and you decided to do the same.

The bed welcomed you for the night. The sheets cradled your body snugly as your eyes got heavy. Your mind didn’t have room for any meandering thoughts as a deep slumber quickly found you.

[sharkpupsblog]

🤤 Christmas Cookies 😋

A Katja x GN! Soul rider Reader Fanfic!

Wooo!!!! Another silly Katja fic 🗣🗣🗣‼️‼️‼️ hope u guys are enjoying all the silly katja fics!! A jay one will be coming soon and then another Katja fic so you get a little pause in between Katja fics! I gotta write more stuff for Jay and Sabine 😭 anyways Ty @ mistfalldruid for another awesome req you keep me goin and you keep Katja fans fed 🗣‼️ i don’t have much to say so!!! Enjoy!!! :D

Summary: You and Katja bake cookies.

Warnings: none

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Katja asked you and you nodded as you put icing on cookies you had baked for a Christmas party. Katja watched as you decorated them surprised by how pretty your work was, she hummed “I didn’t know you knew how to decorate cookies?” you looked up at her smiling smugly you were about to say something to her, but she was quicker “I never said it was good wipe that smile off your face.” She was playing with you she thought the work you were doing was better than good you knew she was playing so you played along pretending to be hurt. You put a hand over your heart giving her a sad look “you’re evil” you told her, and she smiled “it’s my job” she walked over to you hugging your waist from behind “and unlike you I’m good at my job.” She rests her chin on your shoulder and you roll your eyes telling her to “fuck off” before continuing to decorate. She let out a small laugh when you told her to ‘fuck off’ and she kissed the spot where your shoulder and neck met. You spent a few minutes decorating, and she watched you and told you about her day which you listened to as you decorated. You loved hearing about your girlfriend’s day because her voice was soothing, and her stories were interesting. It seemed like there was never a boring moment on the oil rig or on Jorvik for her. When you finished decorating the last cookie you smiled “done!” You looked to her “you want try one?” Katja shook her head “I’m fine” she was not a fan of cookies…she was not a fan of anything sweet really which you knew but still you offered her a cookie just to be polite. The woman moved off of you and a shiver went down your spine from the loss of warmth. You shook it off she didn’t see it she was looking at the cookie tray “what are they for?” you never told her you completely forgot to. You looked for something to put the cookies in as you talked “they’re for a Christmas party my friends are doing!” you found a nice little Christmas bowl and you grabbed it putting it on the counter you put all the cookies in the bowl being careful so they wouldn’t break. Katja smiled “am I invited?” she was playing again she did not want to hang with or see your loser friends you shook your head “you and I both know that if you were the party would end in flames” you huffed “literally.” Katja rubbed your back and she laughed “you know me so well” she looked into the bowl, and she pursed her lips a bit in thought. You saw the look on her face, and you worried “what?” you looked into the bowl and at the cookies “is there something wrong with them?” Katja looked to you, and she told you the reason for her look. “It seems like very little to me” she leaned against the counter “maybe you should make more?” you sighed you had felt like they weren’t enough, but you were sadly running out of time the party was soon and there was no way you could finish another batch quick enough for the party. Katja must have read your mind because she said, “if you need it I can help you” she looked at the little digital clock on your oven “together we can get them done in a few minutes” she looked back at you and you nodded “that would be wonderful thank you Katja.” you both got to work in making more cookies but after finishing one tray shit started to go wrong. You and Katja put the tray in the oven and while you waited you played with the left-over flour throwing it at each other. While playing you both completely forgot about the cookies and when you remembered them you ran to the oven opening it to find burnt cookies. Katja told you it was fine you still had a ton of cookie dough and time left so you could just make more cookies with the cookie dough that you had so that’s what you did. With the cookie dough you had left you got to work trying to keep yourselves on task but after a few minutes you got back to playing. You laughed when Katja put icing on the tip of your nose, and you told her to stop playing and to keep helping you but you both kept playing and by the time you were done making the cookies you were covered in icing.

You both watched and waited as the oven baked the second batch of cookies you made and while you did you told Katja about how yesterday Mortifa and your horse were playing in muddy snow. You told her about how your horse had accidentally bucked snow onto Mortifa causing the mare to squeal loudly which scared both you and your horse. Katja laughed and she told you that Mortifa had told her the story as well and that the poor mare had gotten spooked by the random splash on her fur. You frowned and asked Katja to please apologize to the mare for you and she said she would. Five seconds after that the oven dinged and you walked over to it carefully opening it to find that the cookies had flattened and now you had what looked like a cookie cake. You groaned and Katja laughed telling you that you both could just try again. So you did you tried again. This time you both talked and made the cookies, but you did not play you were too tired and scared to. When you finished the cookie dough you had a full tray of cookies and you looked to Katja “I’m so scared” you looked at the oven “do you think they’ll come out this time?” Katja looked at the oven as well and she hummed “let’s hope so.” You put the tray in, and you started praying that these cookies would come out. Katja handed you a towel and you took it cleaning yourself up she did the same. You and Katja sat on the floor of your kitchen leaning against the kitchen counter. you were both extremely tired it had been a long day of baking and playing. You were seated a few feet away from the oven watching it bake the cookies. The heat coming from it was nice and so was the smell of what was currently being baked. You heard Katja huff, and you looked to her seeing her wipe her face with a wet towel she was covered in flour. You leaned against her also wiping your face you were covered in icing. When you leaned against her, she put the towel down on her lap and she held you close to her kissing the top of your head. You smiled at her, and she gave you a tired smile back. You sat on the floor for a while enjoying each other’s company in silence. You closed your eyes after deciding to take a nap as you waited for the oven to finish its baking. While you slept Katja wiped your face clean of frosting being careful not to wake you. You had slept for about twenty minutes before you were being shaken awake by Katja. Your eyes slowly opened, and you yawned “is it done?” you asked Katja, and she kissed your cheek “it’s done” she looked at the oven “it has been for a while I let it cool before I woke you.” You kissed Katja thanking her for waking you and then you stretched trying to wake yourself up you were still sleepy. Once you were awake enough to move you stood up walking over to the oven you grabbed the handle, and you stopped before pulling the oven door open. You looked to Katja, and you crossed your fingers she did the same. You turned back to the oven, and you opened it gasping as you saw the contents of the oven. You gasped as you saw the perfect cookies on the tray. You looked to Katja smiling and she smiled back at you glad that the cookies came out. You checked the clock seeing that you still had a few minutes before the party, so you quickly got the tray out of the oven and you put it on the counter grabbing the icing “want to help me decorate?” you laughed when Katja groaned and she nodded “we have to be quick your lame party is in a few minutes” she stood up “no more playing” she narrowed her eyes at you “I mean it!” You crossed your heart “I promise!” your promise was not kept because as soon as Katja stood by your side you put icing on the tip of her nose which started a game…your friends could wait for you…you would only be a few minutes late they could wait…right?

TY FOR READING! ❤️❤️❤️🐴🐴🐴

[fervency-if]

You're such a kind soul😩Your words are healing my parent's issues(💀'cus it's both of them). Thank you for being so welcoming. Somehow, talking to you feels like I'm talking to a famous person😂I mean, in a sense you are famous, don't know how many readers you have but in my mind is a headcanon that you're known among the IF community.

Talking about our dear Elan, I saw that you updated the game🥰I'll play it as soon as I finish this message, I'm missing him rn😔I was romancing the Psysichian in my second playthrough, but as as soon Elan's deathbed scene comes up, I drop everything to save that man lol

Then I'll keep up supporting you guys💗I follow at least 12 IF blogs, I need to learn how to type faster if I plan on messaging all of you💀but the time I spend typing isn't nearly half the time ya'll spend writing those masterpieces🤌🏼

Is really nice, isn't it? Sometimes our names can tell a little something about us.

Oh! If you were in the Physician's shoes, what would do? Dying from plague really isn't a great way to go, but not everyone had the chance to say if they wanted the Nocturnal life for themselves since there's isn't much explanation before the bloodletting.

Kinda giggling now remembering Twilight because Edward spent 24/7 thinking about the dilemma of turning Bella, he felt as if he was condemning her soul to Hell😭

That's really impressive😮Writing is a skill that can be learnt and polished along the way, but I do think some people are naturally inclined to it. Is writing something you always liked to do?

I'm glad you're having fun with it, you're the author so you enjoying your story as much as your readers do is a must🥰

😔there you go again soothing my nerves in asking things, you feed your public way too good.

Oooh I see!I was quite surprised when Roswhen turned out to be a cannibal, I thought they would thirst for blood since I choose that option and was the one to bloodlett them. Kinda nonsense on my part since the Physician did the same with Aubrey and he turned to be a Cannibal lol

Hahah, a fun find indeed! Thank you for the bonus information, getting to know your characters and ideas has been quite fun 🫂

Oh! And I'd like to know, which one of your RO's would you romance? Since you like it so much making your audience thirst over the whole cast, let's turn the tables now🥸

Aah, right back at you, so are you! (Or bounce back, as our friend Elan would have said.) It's always nice getting asks from you! 🌸 (Aw...) Haha, ah, that is fun I must say! I am not one of the 'bigger names,' so to speak, but I definitely have more readers than I thought I would have, which, of course, is beautiful to me!

I'll put the rest of the reply below a cut, since it got long:

I hope you will enjoy spending some more time with Elan and the others - I bet he would be flattered to hear that people missed him! Oh, that's the 'trouble,' or how to put it, when a game has more than one love interest that one likes, isn't it! It doesn't always go as planned, haha! I certainly don't blame you!

That really is kind of you, to take the time to do that! 🫶 Hehe, aw!

You're right about that - sometimes little secrets, even, in a sense.

Oh, that's an interesting and tricky question, regarding what I would do if I were in the Physician's shoes... I would definitely want to be less secretive than her, that much I know; I would certainly try to be as upfront as I could from the start, and I would want people to be as well-informed as possible - not that it would be easy in certain situations, since many of her patients are delirious or actively dying without any time to think such a decision through. I would have too much of a bleeding heart to simply ignore the sick and go on with my day, even though the alternative isn't exactly ideal either...

Haha! I was unaware of that, I never read those books! Aah what a dilemma the vampires have...!

Aw, thank you! Yes, I have always been interested in writing; even before I learned how to read and write at age four, apparently I sat in my bed telling stories to my stuffed animals according to my parents, so it seems as if I have always wanted to get some stories out.

I feel very happy that I'm this motivated regarding my story - I think the fact that it's an interactive novel helps me combating writer's block since there are much alternative text and different ways to go; it's harder to find myself stuck when there is more to do, hehe.

You really are sweet! 🍀

I would say it made sense for you to be surprised about that even so, since it would have made a lot of sense for them to become a vampire, so I certainly wouldn't call it nonsense!

My pleasure - I'm glad you found it fun to read! 🫶

Ooh, let's see here! That's a tricky question in a sense, who I would romance, since I love all my character the same amount, but seeing this from an outside perspective, how I would have played the game if it wasn't mine and I didn't know what I know right now, thinking about the playstyle I would pick... I think I will have to say Aubrey, because I wouldn't be able to resist playing as an absolutely unhinged and ravenous character during my first playthrough, haha, just embracing each and every craving, and since Aubrey is and does just that, they would be quite compatible, my character and him... So chances are that his romance would come quite naturally to the sort of character I would amuse myself with!

[ikaroux]

Hello, I am feeling a bit sick tonight and so I figured I would try requesting something. How would Kaeya, Venti, and Diluc comfort their close friend or s/o after having an upset stomach because of anxiety? Feel free to ignore if this breaks any rules or is triggering ;;

Hey, I hope you're feeling better? I understand how you feel, I've had a rough week myself and this request has made me feel a lot better. I hope it helps ease your mind a bit <3

Synopsis: You've had a bad day, stress and fatigue are getting to you and you find yourself with a stomachache. Your boyfriend comes to comfort you in the most adorable way.

Style: Cute, fluffy, f!reader.

Alert: None

Characters: Diluc, Zhongli, Kaeya, Xiao, Venti, Albedo, Kazuha, Tartaglia/Childe, Razor, Scaramouche, Dainsleif.

Note: In the end I find myself once again doing all the characters, I can't take it anymore... I can't help it, I love them too much!

For the french people who pass by, I also post on wattpad !

Masterlist

Projects in progress and to come

You had been doing back-to-back adventurer's guild requests for several days in a row, each time coming home a little later than the day before. You were so tired, your week had been terrible and the stress was more present than ever. Everything you had accumulated during that week was eating away at your stomach, forming a painful knot inside. You wanted to go home to your lover. You wanted to be in his arms, to feel the warmth of his embrace. You wanted to hear his voice to soothe your soul. You wanted to cry, hoping that your tears would not disappoint him...

Diluc

The faint glow of dusk barely illuminated the vines surrounding the Domaine. Still, Diluc stood outside, examining each cluster, waiting for you to return. He missed you terribly. He was so worried about you, he hadn't heard from you in several days now. He knew that your missions were difficult and knowing you, they must have left you in a state of stress that was almost unbearable.

Diluc sighed silently, staring at the bunch of grapes in his hand. Tonight Diluc had made sure to get home early to spend as much time with you as possible. He had prepared a dinner for you, which had long since gone cold.

Worry was pressing on him.

He offered to help you, but you refused categorically, saying that he was already overworked between his inn, his business transactions and his nightly activities. You were not entirely wrong, he knew it, but he still regretted not having insisted more.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps followed by the slamming of the Domaine's front door alerted him. It was you, he was sure! Diluc quickly left the vineyard to join you, climbing the stairs two at a time. He looked for you in his office, in the library, before arriving at his bedroom door. Slowly, he turned the door handle, letting the sound of your sobs escape the room.

Diluc frowned with concern, hearing and seeing you crying was tearing at his heart. Without further thought, he entered the dark room, moving without hesitation to the bed where you were lying. Diluc had good vision, even in the dark, so he could see your body in the fetal position without any difficulty, clutching the pillow Diluc used to sleep on.

He inhaled sharply, his breath shaking slightly. He wanted so much to be your pillar, the one you would lean on in this kind of situation. So he lay down gently beside you, caressing your bare arm. You barely glanced at him, but he didn't take offense. You've often told him that you don't want to show your weaknesses or cry in front of him for fear of disappointing him. But that would never be the case. How could you disappoint him? He loved you so much, and just as you had accepted his qualities and flaws, he happily accepted yours.

"Come into my arms." - He had whispered affectionately to you.

You didn't immediately respond. He continued to caress your arm, hoping to encourage you with this gesture, and when another sob escaped you, you turned to bury yourself in Diluc's reassuring arms. Your legs entangled together, you could feel each other even closer.

Your face was buried in his chest and one of your hands dropped from his pillow to clutch his shirt. He was holding you so tightly to him, Diluc wished he could suck your pain away... The kisses he planted on the top of your head were so warm, you wanted to return all the affection he gave you, but not like this, not in this state.

His hands began to massage your tense shoulder blades before moving up to your neck. His hands were warm and soothing, you felt a part of you relax a little.

"It's going to be okay my love. I'm here..."

You slowly nodded, focusing all your attention on his voice. Diluc continued to whisper soft words to you until you felt your shoulders relax. His right hand came to rest under your chin, moving up your face to kiss it lovingly.

"Does your stomach hurt?" - You with nodded again. Diluc was a good observer, in fact, he had noticed that you were pressing his pillow against your stomach in the hope of easing some of the cramping that was shaking you. "Lie on your back, I'll give you a massage."

A little embarrassed, you still followed his instructions. Diluc kept his left arm wrapped around you as he began to lightly pull up your tank top and massage your stomach. His unoccupied hand stroked your hair. Throughout the process, he never stopped kissing your face or looking at you adoringly.

The pain in your stomach eventually faded away, your muscles relaxed. All the stress you had built up during the week seemed to be gone thanks to Diluc's care.

"Are you feeling better? Do you need a glass of water? I cooked something if you're hungry." - You shook your head, whispering to him that you only needed him near you. Your hand, already clutching his shirt, tightened its grip on him. You could hear his heartbeat, a heart that belonged to you. Diluc blushed with affection at your words and gestures. He adjusted his embrace on you to have you closer to him.

"I missed you Diluc..." - He smiled tenderly at you.

"I missed you too (y/n)... What do you say we take a little time for ourselves tomorrow? Just... you and me?" - You nodded with a tired smile. Relieved, Diluc continued his caresses and kisses until you fell asleep in his arms, and even so, he continued to whisper sweet nothings in your ear... He would not let you leave his arms tonight, and even tomorrow he would keep you close to him.

Zhongli

Zhongli knew that you had to return tonight from your missions. It was the first time you and he had been apart for so long, and although Zhongli kept a calm and serene facade, deep down his heart was longing for you. He would wait for you in your living room, sitting on the couch while reading one of the novels you had given him. Often, his gaze would turn to the clock that adorned the room. The clock was ticking and you were still not home...

The clatter of the door sounded in the house. Zhongli raised his smiling face to the hallway that connected the entrance to the living room. He carefully placed his book on the coffee table and prepared to join you... Until your blank stare froze him in his action. He slowly sat back down on the couch mattress without taking his eyes off you, holding out his hand to invite you to join him. You looked so tired, the pallor on your face worried him enormously. The trembling of your limbs did not escape him, Zhongli knew you well enough to know that your body was reacting to an intense accumulation of stress and exhaustion. He settled you on his legs, wrapping his arms around you and cradling you tenderly. His hand massaged your belly, relieving stomach cramps from your anxiety. He knew you were prone to pain when you were in this state.

He pulled you closer to him with his hand on your hip. You were safe in his arms now, your head resting heavily on his shoulder, close to his neck. Your hand clung to his strong chest as tears began to sting your eyes. You were so tired and restless, how could you not be after such a terrible week? Zhongli's lips were kissing your forehead, your nose. He whispered sweet nothings to you, reassured you. The spasms that shook your stomach began to calm down thanks to the tenderness of your lover.

"Tell me about your week, my love." - You had missed his deep, gravelly voice so much.

"Terrible. The adventurers' guild sent me all over Teyvat. There were so many problems, so many unexpected things... I thought I was never going to get home... I was so anxious to see you again Zhongli." - Your tears finally flowed. Your hands trembled as your nerves relaxed. Zhongli lifted your chin to gently kiss your lips, he was so gentle, so warm with you. He did not judge you. He didn't scold you. He was whispering softly in your ear, telling you that he missed you terribly too, and that he was happy to see you come home safely.

"Rest, my love. I will take care of you now." - Relieved by his words, you drifted off to sleep. Zhongli kept you in his arms for a few more minutes, basking in your presence. He would kiss your forehead before resting his cheek on it. Sometimes he would close his eyes just to smell you better. Seeing you in this state always made him feel very distressed and he was happy that his presence was enough to calm you down.

He eventually gently lifted your sleeping form in his arms to bring you back to your bed. Lying across from you, his fingers caressed your face, occasionally removing a few strands of hair.

"I love you (y/n)."

He kissed your forehead one last time before holding you close, resting his chin above your head. He would keep you like this until daybreak and more if necessary...

Kaeya

Kaeya was waiting for you at the entrance to the city, watching for any distant movement he could perceive. His patience was wearing thin, and if he didn't see you arrive in the next few minutes, he vowed to join you on the path that would take you back to Mondstadt. Your absence had been a real torment to him. He could not do without your presence, your love. He had only one thing to look forward to: finding you in his daily life.

His anticipation was rewarded by the sight of your silhouette approaching in the distance. Kaeya knew immediately that something was wrong. Your head was down and you were holding your stomach with your hand. Were you hurt?

Alerted, he ran towards you at full speed. He stopped abruptly in front of you, out of breath and worried.

"Are you hurt? Show me..." - Your hands were shaking and the area around your eyes was blackened with dark circles. Removing your hand, he saw no injury, which partially reassured him.

"Kaeya I... I'm not hurt, it's just... my stomach hurts... and I..." - your tears were starting to fall - "Sorry, I'm sorry... don't look at me please." - your nerves were giving out on you, intensifying the painful knot in your stomach.

Kaeya was looking at you with deep concern, he had never seen you in this state. You had told him before that stress could make you sick, but he had never imagined how much... Your hands hid your face as you crouched down in front of him. Kaeya reached down to your level, gently removing your hands from your face.

"Come (y/n), let's go sit down..." - He gently pulled you by the wrist to take you under the shade of a tree, sitting against the trunk first before settling you between his legs, your back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around you, his head resting on your shoulder. - "Calm down princess, you're home now..."

His hands gently rubbed your arms as his lips kissed your neck. He wiped your tears with his thumb. His hands never stopped caressing you until you stopped crying. Once you calmed down, Kaeya gently took your chin so that you could look into his eyes. A tender smile lit up his face.

"Let's go home. I'll run you a bath. What do you say?" - You smiled at the offer, rubbing your tear-swollen eyes.

"Only if you come inside with me..." - Your smile warmed his heart.

"Your wish is my command, ma'am." - You let out a soft laugh.

He helped you to your feet. He intertwined his fingers with yours, his thumb lovingly stroking you. He never let go of your hand, keeping it warmly in his until he reached the threshold of your apartment.

As promised, he ran you a hot bath. Kaeya helped you remove your dirty clothes before taking off his. Once both of you were naked, he entered the hot water first and as soon as he was comfortable, he held out his hand to invite you to join him. He placed you between his legs, massaging your shoulders and kissing your skin. He wanted to cherish you, to help you relax, which he did wonderfully. You fell asleep against him, your head resting against his chest. Kaeya looked at you adoringly, continuing his caresses on your water-warmed skin. He couldn't help but admire you, he thought you were so brave despite your tears. He was so proud to have you by his side that he couldn't help but whisper tender words in your ear.

"I love you, sunshine. Sweet dreams."

Xiao

Xiao was sitting on the roof of the Wangshu Inn, patiently waiting for you to come. A week without seeing you had been such a torture for him, although he would never admit it to you. How could he have become so attached to such a stubborn mortal? He had offered to accompany you on your missions, but you had refused, reminding him that his obligations to Liyue did not allow him to be away for a whole week. Xiao knew that you were right and that was what made him even angrier.

You were late, which had a way of annoying the Yaksha even more, though the annoyance was more due to his concern than your lateness itself.

"Xiao..."

Xiao gasped, listening more carefully to where the call for help was coming from.

"Xiao..."

He recognized your voice. Xiao disappeared, leaving behind a violent gust of wind.

He had appeared in front of you. His eyes were filled with concern when he saw you sitting against a rock, painfully holding your stomach. He quickly approached you, looking for any small injury. Your tired gaze met his amber eyes. He could see the tremors that shook your body. You slowly raised your hand to his face, gently caressing his cheek.

"Xiao, I'm... sorry. Can you... can you take me home please?"

Without saying a word, he grabbed your wrist to place a quick kiss on it before lifting you into his arms. He used his vision again to bring you both back to the room at the inn. He helped you sit in a chair before quickly fetching you a glass of water. He stayed by your side, caressing the exhausted features of your face.

"Are you in pain somewhere?" - You simply nodded, pressing your hand to your stomach. - "Are you sick? I'll go get you a healer..." - Xiao was already heading for the door when you stopped him by grabbing his hand.

"I'm not sick, I'm... just having trouble dealing with my stress. I'm sorry to bother you Xiao, please stay close to me... I missed you." - You started to sob. Your tears were Xiao's weakness and he couldn't resist hugging you anymore.

"I... missed you too (y/n)."

He had crouched down in front of you, intertwining his fingers with yours. He pressed his forehead against you, closing his eyes at the sensation. His thumbs tenderly caressed the backs of your hands, waiting patiently for your sobs to subside. He wanted to see your smile, he wanted to know you were happy and rested. The pain in your belly was fading until it disappeared completely. Xiao's presence and kindness had been a real remedy for you.

"Thank you Xiao."

"Why are you thanking me? I didn't do anything special." - You smiled tenderly at him. He didn't realize that his presence alone was enough to take the weight off your shoulders.

"Thank you." - Xiao blushed slightly, averting his gaze from yours.

"I really don't understand mortals..." - You wrapped your arms around his neck, kissing his lips to silence him. Xiao lifted you up in his arms to lay you down in the bed, continuing to tenderly kiss your lips and face. He didn't stop, even when you fell asleep in his arms. He wanted your sleep to be peaceful... making sure that no nightmares disturbed you.

Venti

Venti was pacing the streets of Mondstadt. He was waiting for you impatiently, watching the entrance to the city every minute. He couldn't stand your absence, he needed to hear your voice, to feel your embrace. You were his love, his muse, and the current source of all his anguish! By the seven, why were you so late?! Venti couldn't take it anymore, he went to the gates of the city to look for you, but he was quickly stopped in his momentum. He collided violently with your exhausted body, making you fall heavily to the ground.

"Haa! (y/n) Sorry! I didn't... see you..." - Venti had knelt down beside you. He immediately noticed from your pale complexion and dull eyes that something was wrong. His fingers found your hair, tucking a few strands behind your ear. Without asking, he helped you up and dragged you through the streets of the city. He stopped for a few moments in front of a bakery, buying some pastries before heading back to the lake surrounding Mondstadt.

"Wait Venti... please..." - He turned his gaze to you for a few moments, slowing his pace slightly. When he saw your eyes glistening with tears, he instantly stopped walking. He drew you into his arms, his hands caressing your back reassuringly. - "I'm tired, my stomach hurts, I can't take it anymore and... I missed you..." - He smiled into your neck.

"I missed you too my beautiful flower." - Venti straightened up to face you. He stroked your cheek with his thumb before kissing your trembling lips. - "Come on, just a little more effort and you can rest!"

You nodded, wiping your eyes with the back of your hand. You grabbed the one Venti was holding out to you to continue on your way leading you to the lake. He led you near an apple tree, where the shade would protect you both from the sun. Once comfortably seated on the grass, Venti invited you with a gentle smile to rest your head on his thighs. You were already feeling better, the warmth of the archon was energizing you and his fingers stroking your hair was soothing the lump that had once formed in your belly. Venti knew that when he stroked your hair, you relaxed instantly.

Your eyes closed on their own as your ears enjoyed the archon's song. You felt so calm, so serene, as if this week had never happened, and in a final whisper, you told him:

"I love you Venti..." - His cheeks flushed. She had missed hearing those words so much.

Despite his happy face, Venti hated to see you in such pain. He would have done anything to get rid of all the burdens that were weighing you down. He had bought you your favorite pastries with the moras he had saved for his own use. He let you sleep quietly on him, continuing without interruption his caresses in your hair and singing some tunes that you had inspired him. When you woke up, he would offer you something to cheer you up. In the meantime, his loving gaze would not leave you for a single moment...

"I love you more (y/n)."

Albedo

Your absence had been harder to bear than he thought. Albedo had had the idea of going to Dragonspine Mountain during your absence to better cope with the separation, but even so, he couldn't stop his mind from wandering. How many times had he taken out his sketchbook to draw a sketch of you? He had stopped counting long ago.

When the day of your return arrived, Albedo had come down from the mountain very early in the morning to welcome you home. Since he had your spare keys, he was able to enter your apartment with the groceries in hand to prepare your favorite dish. Since he had not taken the time to return home, his belongings had been placed nonchalantly on the shoe cabinet at your entrance. Even though it was strange for him, he couldn't deny his need to see you again soon. He missed you, terribly...

He kept looking at the wall clock in your kitchen, constantly wondering what could be keeping you waiting. But he was instantly reassured when he heard the sound of your keys in the lock.

You dropped your belongings heavily to the floor, sighing with fatigue at the loss of the weight that encumbered you. Your head hurt and your stomach hurt. Once in the quiet of your home, you couldn't help but replay the week in your head. You were sick to your stomach just thinking about it, your nerves were on edge and you were still wondering how you didn't snap. You put your keys on the shoe cabinet, noticing Albedo's bag and sketchbook a little late. You couldn't help but open it to look at his sketches. As you looked through it, tears came to your eyes, there were only drawings of you. You then put the notebook down in its place to run and find your lover.

"Albedo! Albedo!" - Your voice trembled with emotion and fatigue. You wanted to see him, you needed to see him. A succulent smell coming from the kitchen indicated to you the position of Albedo, who was already rushing out of the kitchen to meet you. You jumped at his neck, taking him by surprise.

"(y/n), what's wrong? Did your assignments go badly?" - You shook your head. The concern in his voice touched you deeply.

Albedo hugged your waist, immediately noticing your tense muscles. He then lifted you in his arms back into the living room chair. You were sitting on his lap, your legs on either side of his hips. One of his hands was resting behind your neck to keep you against his neck while the other clung to your back, rubbing it up and down. He didn't really know what he should do to help you relax, so he continued his caresses, sometimes drawing random shapes on your skin and occasionally placing hesitant kisses on your temple. He had never seen you in such a state of anxiety, your body was shaking and your muscles were tense to the extreme. Albedo knew the human anatomy, he suspected that the state you were in must have caused you some muscle pain and maybe even a stomach ache.

"Do you have any pain? I can make you a potion to ease the pain." - You pulled your face away from his neck to look into his eyes.

"It's better now that you're here..." - A strong blush painted his cheeks. It was his turn to plunge his face in the hollow of your neck, his arms tightening their embrace around you. You stayed in his arms for a few more minutes, each filling the void left by the other's absence, until Albedo suggested you go and eat the dish he had prepared for you.

He would end up massaging your body muscles with oils he had concocted himself until you fell asleep...

Kazuha

Kazuha was on the Crux fleet when you left for your missions. Beidou had pledged to bring him back for your return, which added to the list of things Kazuha owed him. He had left before you did, extending your separation by another week. Your farewell had been hard on both of you, two weeks without seeing you, without talking to you had inflicted more sadness on him than he could have imagined. He had held you in his arms for fifteen minutes on the pontoon that was connected to the Crux, kissing your neck, your lips, your eyes. When he was called by the crew, his heart sank, and when he parted from you, his hand only let go at the very end.

He knew you were stressed from the week's work ahead, he could tell by your pallor and squirming. Your stomach was already in knots when he left, Kazuha was afraid you would end up getting sick.

He was waiting for you at the northern entrance of Liyue Port, sitting on a rock, a tree leaf pinched between his lips. He played an Inazuma tune to wait until he saw your figure in the distance.

You looked more tired than when he left, barely paying attention to what was in front of you. You hadn't even noticed him yet...

Rather than waiting for you, Kazuha came to meet you, raising your face to him when he was in front of you. You were even paler than the day he left you. Your face was tired and you were trembling, showing a strong nervousness. You were not well and he knew it, which made him even more upset.

At first surprised by his sudden presence, you quickly recovered from your emotions and silently wrapped yourself in his arms. Kazuha was not surprised, he needed your physical contact as much as you did. It was the best way for both of you to forget all your anxieties and problems.

He cuddled you gently at first, before tightening his embrace as you did with him.

"It's okay (y/n), you can relax now..." - His voice was soft and soothing. It had an immediate effect on your nerves.- "Breathe slowly, first through your nose and then through your mouth... there you go, listen to my breathing, follow the rhythm of my chest."- You listened to his instructions, following his rhythm. Very quickly, you felt calmer, more relaxed. - "Let's go home for..."

"Just a little longer please." - He smiles into your neck.

"Whatever you want sweetheart."

And as promised, he held you in his arms for as long as you needed. He only broke away from you when you placed a kiss on his neck. His cheeks were slightly rosy and he kissed you on the lips in return. He was so happy to see you again. So happy to be back home.

Childe

Childe didn't know which of you would be more stressed. He, who couldn't stand a week without you, imagining you facing all the dangers? Or you, who would spend a week doing one mission after another for the guild, far from home, far from him?

Childe sighed, he thought he was immature sometimes.

He was well aware of the look on your face when you left, which showed a growing nervousness in you. He would have loved to come with you, but the Tsaritsa had ordered him to stay in Liyue until further notice. Childe knew how difficult it was for you to deal with stress, he had seen you bend over in pain after a particularly complicated mission. You would easily get teary-eyed when the weight on your shoulders became too much and the harbinger was the only one who knew how to calm you down.

The week passed slowly without you, and when the long-awaited day of your return arrived, Childe was waiting for you at home, pacing around your living room. He had sent all his subordinates packing, telling them not to come and disturb him or face his wrath. He wanted to spend this day with you, and only you. He was nervous himself, he didn't know in what state he would get you back. To calm down, he had to go out into your garden, sword in each hand to start a training session. He was going through the motions, both fast and agile, he did not hear the sound of your footsteps approaching him.

"Childe..."

He stopped all his movements to turn hastily to the source of the noise. You were sitting on the stairs leading to your garden, your arms wrapped around your stomach. Childe dropped the weapons he was holding to rush to you. His hands went to either side of your cheeks, cupping your face as his eyes searched you up and down for any injury. Reassured to find none, he kissed your lips before coming to sit behind you. His hands went first to your shoulders. He could feel how tense they were, so he quickly massaged them before wrapping his protective arms around you.

"It's okay, honey, close your eyes..."

Your eyes closed under his instruction. You felt his hands move over your eyes as his lips brushed the skin of your ear.

"Relax, just imagine that you are sitting on a beach. The sea in front of you is a beautiful azure color. The cry of the seagulls blends perfectly with the sounds of the waves..."

You listened intently to Childe's voice, imagining everything he was telling you until you forgot your pain and anguish. He guided you perfectly, his voice was full of love for you, it hypnotized you, captivated you. When he felt the calmness take hold of you, his arms came back to embrace you.

"There you go my beautiful. Now tell me about your week..."

Razor was waiting for you at the edge of the forest, sitting quietly on the trunk of a tree. A few wolves were lying around him, comforting the young man in need of you with their presence. He was focused on the noises, the smells that penetrated the place, hoping with each new sound, each new flagrance that it was you who was coming back from your mission. His gaze went to the starry sky, the moon shining high in the sky. It was already late... You had told him you were coming back today and he was waiting for you, again and again, getting sadder and sadder with every minute you were gone.

Razor closed his eyes and sighed loudly. A part of him was uncomfortable and he was now able to put a word to what he was feeling: worry. Yes, he was worried about you and even more so when he finally smelled your scent, which was slightly different than usual. It didn't seem as sweet... he didn't smell blood, just... a smell that reminded him a bit of wolves when they were scared or anxious. Razor rose from his makeshift seat to join you.

You walked slowly along the forest path, gently massaging your aching belly. Your week had been particularly rough and stressful and now that you were back home, all your negative feelings seemed to be focused on your stomach, making you feel almost unbearably nauseous.

The sound of a broken twig made you jump violently. Turning your head sharply toward the source of the sound, you opened your eyes wide at the sight of Razor, perched on top of a small cliff along the path. When he saw you, his eyes were lit with sudden joy. He jumped from his perch to run to you. Without warning, he took you in his arms, hugging your exhausted body a little too tightly.

"(y/n) Finally home, Razor was worried!" - a sigh of relief escaped you as you were finally in Razor's arms.

"Sorry I'm late..."

You felt him sniff your skin, making you blush with embarrassment. He moved away from you to get a better look at you, stroking the top of your head as if to reassure you.

"Lupical needs to rest. Razor senses that Lupical is not feeling well. I'll take care of you." - You smiled tenderly.

"Thanks wolf." - This time it was the young man's turn to blush. He didn't know why, but he loved being called that by you. You drew him to you, caressing his lips with yours in a soft kiss before taking him in your arms. He wasn't used to the typical human affection yet, but he loved it. He stroked your back as you sometimes did with him when he was sad, he even dared to place a small kiss on your neck.

Razor was so adorable, how could you not relax when you were in his arms?

"Who gave me a bunch of good-for-nothing, unable to follow my instructions? Get up!"

Scaramouche stared hatefully at his kneeling underlings on the ground, exhausted after inhuman training imposed by the harbinger. He was angry and frustrated, and that much anyone could tell by his frozen expression and haughty eyes.

"Please sir, just give us a few moments to recover..."

Scaramouche's eye jumped. He was boiling inside, he wanted to hit something, someone. Maybe that fool who had just begged him to rest, thus challenging his authority?

He kept thinking about you. You were late for a whole day! How dare you keep him waiting!

"Shut up. I didn't tell you to rest. Go on. I want to see you spit blood if I have to."

Dismayed, his henchmen struggled to their feet before picking up their weapons again. One of them looked hopefully behind the young man.

"Sir..."

"What?!" - Gunner Fatui pointed at a few things behind Scaramouche, who turned around with a sigh of boredom before flinching at the sudden assault of your arms around his neck.

You hid your exhausted face in his neck, rubbing your nose against it. Scaramouche didn't know what to do, his arms were frozen at his sides and his eyes looked at you in horror, darting between you and his minions.

"What are you looking at? Go away!"

He didn't have to say it twice. The two of you were soon alone, allowing Scaramouche to relax his arms and wrap them around you.

"You are so embarrassing..." - The sound of your sobs reached his ears. He hated to see you cry. He sighed, adjusting his grip on you.- "Don't cry..."- He could feel your body shaking, at the end of his nerves. Scaramouche felt that anger rise in him again. What could have put you in such a state of stress? Unconsciously or not, his fingers got tangled in your hair, massaging your scalp while his other hand tended to your neck. Despite his harsh words, he was still loving and kind to you. You were special, unique to him, and seeing you in such pain upset him more than he could imagine. He didn't know what to say to you, in fact... he preferred to keep his mouth shut for fear of hurting you. He thought he couldn't soothe someone because of his... twisted nature?

When you stopped crying, you moved away from his chest, looking him straight in the eye. You stroked his cheek before placing a tender kiss on his lips, causing a faint blush to form on his cheekbones.

"I'm home..."

"Tch, you're late..." - you smiled softly, linking your lips with his again. His hands clutched at your clothes with passion. You were so... Awkward, yes so... adorably awkward.

Dainsleif was naturally calm and thoughtful. His presence alone was usually enough to calm you down when you felt anxiety creeping up your gullet. His deep voice hypnotized you and his eyes made you sink into a silent and serene ocean. You needed him, you needed his presence. So why did your legs refuse to move? Your meeting place was not far away, you were about to see him again!

Your stomach twisted with pain with every movement, fatigue weighed on your body, stress prevented you from thinking properly. You felt so bad... so bad... that your eyes closed on their own.

When you woke up, the light of a campfire partially blinded you, forcing you to hurriedly close your eyes with a low groan.

"It's all right (y/n). Open your eyes slowly." - That voice? Dain?

As he advised you, you cautiously opened your eyes, slowly letting them adjust to the light. Before you sat cross-legged Dainsleif. He was affectionately stroking your hair, his concerned gaze never leaving your face.

"There, that's good. Drink this." - He handed you a wooden cup filled with a purple substance. You didn't know what it was and the smell of it didn't make you want to know. - "I know, the smell is not pleasant, but this potion will calm your tummy talk." - You winced as you took the cup from his hand. Your eyes lingered on his before you swallowed the foul-smelling liquid in one gulp. The taste was like the smell, disgusting.- "That's good my love, you were brave."

"Dain... how... I think I passed out... and... how did I end up here?" - He gently stroked your forehead, wiping away the few droplets of sweat that beaded on your skin.

"I was worried that you wouldn't show up. I looked everywhere for you, until I found you lying along the path. I'm the one who brought you back here."

You slowly straightened up, staring at the ground with a blank stare.

"I'm sorry I worried you Dain... I can't control my anxiety, it's like it's eating me up inside. I feel... so weak... I'm probably not made for this."

You felt a hand grab your head, pulling you closer to Dainsleif's broad chest. His arms wrapped around you, he cuddled you with love and tenderness.

"You are not weak. You never were. You're just human and it's normal for humans to succumb to their emotions sometimes. (y/n)...you're so human, that's why I love you so much."

A sudden warmth had invaded your cheeks. Tears came to your eyes, Dain was such a gentle man, so tender. The wisdom of his words brought you back to reality. You were human and therefore not infallible. Dainsleif accepted you completely.

You settled better in his arms, lifting your head to claim a kiss on your lips, which he gladly gave you.

"I love you my love. Rest, I will be by your side when you wake up."

[wandasleftshoe]

Glimpse of Us (Eddie Munson x Reader

Summary: Your timing had never been good when it came to Eddie Munson, nor had his been with you. Until one day, just maybe it was finally right.

A/N: I’m blasted rn, so it’s either gonna be good or it’s going to be shit. I live by that quote “write drunk, edit sober” or whatever tf the quote is. Enjoy, or don’t. Idc. Also, yes this is HEAVILY inspired by the song Glimpse of Us by Joji and minorly a part of my life that I wish to forget. Life imitates art, as they say. Feel free to listen to the playlist I listened to while writing this. 

Warnings: kinda sad, angst, cursing, mention of substance abuse, probably some grammar mistakes lol

Word Count: 2,739

I. 

It was sophomore year of highschool when Y/N started dating Eddie Munson. Life was like a dream, he was kind, funny, and only wanted to love and be with her. And she felt the exact same for him. It was like she found her missing piece, the flame burned bright between the two of them and everyone could see it, though people still talked.

That might have been what caused everything to happen. For months, the two basically lived together. Ate, breathed, and lived to be with each other. Others were jealous that Eddie “the Freak” Munsons had ended up with Hawkin’s local bombshell. Kids around school would whisper, the town loves to gossip, as we all know.

“He’s just using her to gain social status,” or “There’s no way she actually wants to be with him, it must be some charity case.” Everyone heard the whispers, even Y/N and Eddie, in their love sick world. That might have been why the two soon grew to loathe each other, or maybe, as they say, the flame simply burnt out. Either way, after about a year of bliss, a month of low communication, the two were done.

Soon after the breakup, Y/N climbed the social chain, of course she had always known everyone, and everyone knew her. But now that she was a single gal, the boys flocked, and she didn’t deny them. She joined the cheer squad, had a “close” group of friends within it. She played the part really well, everything in her life felt okay all things considered.

Until Eddie got a new girlfriend.

II.

After the breakup, Eddie was a mess. He didn’t know why things turned out the way they did, he loved Y/N. She was his girl, his heart, his entire fucking world. But when people started to talk, he listened to them, and not the girl he loved. In the deepest parts of his mind, he did feel inferior, like maybe what they were saying was true. How could a girl like her; gorgeous inside and out, the kindest, wisest soul he had ever met- want to be with a freak like him? What did he have to provide? A shitty cover band and some cool t-shirts? That was the kind of thinking that led him to letting her go. To give her a real chance at a good life, find someone just as caring, just as loyal, just as perfect as her.

When she rose to be one of the most popular girls at school, he couldn’t blame her, though it hurt to watch her go. He was proud of how she was blooming. But when the other boys at school started openly flirting and she didn’t turn them down, he figured it was time to move on.

I mean, how could it have been real to her if she could move on so easily, so fast? Or at least- that’s how it felt to Eddie.

Though if Eddie had been a mind reader he would have seen how much it pained her to not be with him. So she distracted herself the way she saw all of her friends did- with boys and alcohol. A little mindless flirting here, an insignificant date there, parties all the time. In all honesty, it did nothing to soothe the pain of not being with him. He was like her favorite drug, and now she was going through withdrawals.

So when Eddie showed up to school with his arm slung around some chick Y/N vaguely remembers walking down the hall from time to time, she couldn’t decide if she was crushed or if she was irrevocably angry. He had done the same thing to her not even a month ago, and now- now he was with some other girl? No, this wasn’t happening. How could she be so replaceable to him after all the time and love they shared? Her heart hurt, it felt like it was going to burst out of her chest and right out onto the floor in front of Eddie’s feet just to be crushed once again. This was her sign to move on, as impossible as it felt.

On the other side of things, Eddie felt like he was slowly being pulled out of that pit of darkness his mind swam in since the breakup. Rachel Fox, a girl he had known of since elementary school actually wanted to date him and after a few dates, they made it official. Eddie and Rachel, boyfriend and girlfriend. She saw Eddie in these dark times and she shown a light. And though he was slowly climbing his way out, she was patient with him. So careful not to tug on his fragile heart.

But sometimes, when they were alone together, Eddie couldn’t quite shake the thought of Y/N. He sees her in Rachel sometimes, when she’s extra caring or hugs him from behind, or kisses him in just the way to make shivers run down his spine. Something in his mind always snaped back to those times with Y/N, and he would catch a glimpse of what he used to have. And everytime he can’t help but still feel those feelings for her.

But he tried, he really did. Because Rachel was wonderful, she was a perfect girl. Only it felt like she wasn’t the perfect girl for him. He tried to appreciate everything he has right in front of him. Rachel loved him openly, quietly, in a way of her own that made him feel special. It’s just- she wasn’t Y/N. Y/N was loud with her love, just as he had been with her. She was a fierce lover, a solid foundation, and now that she was gone everything was rocky and shaky.

When the guilt of not being able to give Rachel the love she was giving him, he broke it off. He just couldn’t go on living in his head with the love of his life while this girl looked at him like he was her everything, it wasn’t right. He knew that. So he broke up with her, and he planned on going to Y/N and telling her everything. How he never stopped loving her and he was just too insecure about himself and let everything go too far. How he would never let her go again if she just took him back or even just let him into her life as a friend, he found himself and he could be the man she already thought he was. Because he realized something in the months that he wasn’t with her; it was all just talk. Nothing could replace the way he felt for this girl, nobody could tell him he wasn’t enough for her, not even himself. Eddie Munson was finally sure of himself and his feelings, and this time he was not going to let her go.

But he was too late.

III.

In the few months that Eddie and Rachel began dating, Y/N decided that enough was enough. She was Y/N motherfucking L/N. She was not going to let one stupid boy ruin her time. Nor any other boys. If she was going to date, it was going to be legit from now on and that’s exactly what she did. After about 6 months of working on herself, and figuring out what life is like by herself, she felt good enough in her own mind to begin opening back up again.

There was a period where she was stuck, drowning in the pain of losing Eddie. She couldn’t stand to be by herself. When she was at school she was always with someone in those first few months. At home, she was bugging her mom to hang out with her or out partying and drinking herself to death. It was only when she saw Eddie loving another girl that it snapped her out of that trance. Eddie would be so disappointed to see her doing this to herself, staying up all night crying and taking a shot of whatever liquor her parents had in the cabinet when she felt the slightest bit sober. It was like she could hear his voice in her head, telling her she was slowly ruining her own life. She needs to get up and rock life’s shit. She needs to do better, for herself.

That’s exactly what she did.

After some time, she was okay being alone. She could finally read again, something she enjoyed all her life until the breakup when she couldn’t stand her own thoughts. She could go to a party and be completely sober and have a wonderful time. She could go on a date with a boy and feel a connection.

The boy with said connection was David Mitchell. A linebacker who was really nice to talk to and made her have butterflies in her belly again. It was a relieving feeling, to feel excited about a boy who wasn’t Eddie Munson. And date after date, she came home feeling like maybe she was going to move on this time.

David was as lovely as any boy could be, he laughed loudly and was unapologetically himself not only around her but everyone else. She could see herself falling in love with him, though every time she caught Eddie staring at them from across the cafeteria, there was a tug at her heart. But that was over, right? He moved on, even said it the one time they spoke after the breakup.

But even after Eddie wasn’t in sight, she still thought of him. When David was professing his heart to her, that he savored every moment they were together like a dehydrated man finally getting a drop of water. Though David was amazing, on the lonely nights she didn’t think of David. She thought of Eddie.

It only got worse the day after news went around that Eddie and Rachel broke up. Y/N was sitting in David's car when she saw Eddie’s van whip in the school parking lot the way it always did, but he whipped it right to where her car was sitting. Like he was on a mission. Only to find she wasn’t in her car, she was in the spot beside it, in David’s. She only noticed the look of defeat on his face when David opened her door, pressed a kiss on her forehead, and said those god forsaken words, “I love you.”

It all felt like deja vu. Once upon a time, this was her and Eddie.

In that moment her heart broke once again. All those feelings came crashing back like the waves on a rocky shore.

She pushed them as far away as she could, but that entire day there was something in the back of her head, nagging at her to listen to her heart one more time. Stop using her brain and let herself fall back into those arms.

How could she though? She had everything right here. She was secure in her mind, she was sober, she had a guy who would walk thousands of miles just to tell her how much he loved her. She was happy, or at least that’s what she kept telling herself. It felt wrong to think that maybe she was unhappy with where she was, she wasn’t. Unsatisfied might be a better word for it. Even when she laid in his arms on those late nights, as happy as she felt, she knew this spot in his heart wasn’t meant for her.

Weeks went by before she could fully admit this to herself.

Weeks of her heart and her head battling each other, ripping and tearing at one another like starved lions fighting over the first live prey they’ve seen in days. It kept her up many nights, to the point where she thought of picking up that bottle again, but one thought kept her from doing that.

Eddie wouldn’t want me to go down that road again.

It was that thought that snapped it all into place for her. Eddie was the one that came to mind, not David. Sweet, sweet David, who was going to be heartbroken at this revelation. But it wasn’t fair to him, keeping him for as long as she had wasn’t fair to him, just as Eddie had thought about Rachel. Stupid great minds think alike. It’s as if they were never really meant to leave each other in the first place, who knew?

So she did it the very next day, unable to drag this on any longer. Yes, it hurt her very much, but it was for the best. She could not fully give herself to someone when she still loved another with all of her heart. All of her soul.

IV.

It wasn’t long (about 10 minutes to be exact) before word got around school that the golden couple, David and Y/N, broke up. As I’ve said before, Hawkins LOVES gossip, so much so that it got to the point where Y/N just decided to go home. A day, that was all she needed to get her mind together- or at least that’s what she told herself. At least now she wasn’t just wasting David’s time.

When news got around to Eddie, at first he didn’t know what to do with himself. This was it, finally after all this time of being out of time with Y/N, maybe this was his chance to win her back. Wait, but didn’t they just break up? Yes, this thought did run through Eddie’s mind. Being the gentleman he is, he decided to wait just a little longer, I mean he waited all this time. What's a few more days, or weeks just to let her feel all of her feelings. He just wanted her to be okay.

Eventually, days went by, and there was no sign of her at school. At this point, Eddie was getting worried. Y/N was at school the day after they broke up, looking like nothing was wrong. It made him feel like maybe this was hitting her harder than anything before. And though he might not know a lot, he did know Y/N. He knew her heart, and how fragile it was. He knew she needed a shoulder to cry on, to caress her sweet head and tell her everything was going to be okay. He decided he was going to go to her tonight, and offer that- as a friend. Not spring his feelings on her, just let her live and have someone on her side if she needed, he loved her enough that just having her in his life as even just a friend was enough.

So he did just that. That night, dark and stormy as he was, he grabbed the hand picked flowers he stole from his grandma’s yard earlier and ran to his van in the pouring rain.

Only he didn’t make it that far when a pair of headlights pulled into his driveway.

No, no, that’s not right. That familiar little Station Wagon wasn’t the one he thought it to be. That wasn’t Y/N’s car in his driveway. Not the girl he was just about to go see, practically falling out of her car and running up to him, hair already clinging to her face from the pouring rain.

But it was, it was his Y/N.

There she stood in front of him, looking like she just cracked some top secret government code, a familiar, warm look in her eyes.

“Eddie- I still love you.” Those words washed over him in a way he never thought they could. It was desperate, needy, all the things that he felt towards her. God, was this a dream? It had to be a dream. Y/N standing right in front of him confessing her love to him just as he had only hoped in his wildest dreams to happen again.

“I still love you too. I’m so wildly, unbelievably, profusely in love with you, and I’m sorry for everything that happened between us, but I’m ready to be with you again. I’ll wait- as long as you need me to, I’ll do it for you, Y/N-”

But his words are cut off by a kiss.

A single kiss that will lead to a lifetime of happiness.