#i want people to confess ab just the new series okay

[trafficblr-confessions]

can any of you read

[theenbynightingale]

CLONE HIGH (2023) EP. 8 SPOILERS

Okay, I know I’m opening up myself to a bunch of arguing but like... We need to have a talk. I should preface this by saying I’m not a die hard fan of Clone High. I only caved into watching the original series a few days before the reboot dropped despite hearing about it for years. I think they’re both good but I have my problems with both.

But I wanna talk about Topher Bus, a Christopher Columbus clone in a Gen Z world. He’s kind of taken over the role of Ghandi as Abe’s best friend in the revival, since the creators don’t want to bring him back unless they know they’re gonna be able to make more seasons. He hasn’t had a lot of screen time or development because the abundance of characters in this version. However, him becoming somewhat close with Abe has resulted in some fans shipping them.

So imagine their surprise when Topher tries to blackmail (or white leverage) Abe at the end of the final episode because he is attracted to Joan as well. I’ve seen so many people actually get angry about this. Many found themselves disappointed that Topher wasn’t straight or that he’d do something so terrible to Abe.

To which I say... Why would you expect anything else from this guy?

Topher’s whole thing was that he was an asshole who tried way too hard to convince people he’s progressive or an ally or “woke”, a term he unironically uses. He goes on and on about how he’s looking out for poc and women because he’s just trying to survive in a world that has flat out rejected his clone father.

“But he has a ‘Everyone is Welcome Here’ rainbow flag in his room!” Yeah, he does. He also has a co-exist poster, too. Good for him. Except there’s also a poster that says “Not a paid activist”. It’s a front! That’s the point! 

“But he keeps trying to drill it into everyone’s heads that he’s straight, like a closeted person!” Yes, he does. But it’s not just closeted people who do that. I went to a Catholic school and I also live in the real world. I’ve seen dudes be afraid to drink tea or hug because it might make them look “gay” or “feminine” or whatever bullshit.

“The way he said he liked Joan and white women in general was so exaggerated that he must be forcing himself to say it!” This is Clone High! Everything in this show is so exaggerated. From the very beginning, it’s been a parody of teen satires. It was created by the duo that would go on to make Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, 21 Jump Street and The LEGO Movie. This is their style.

“The episode would have been better if he blackmailed Abe into not confessing to Joan because he had a crush on Abe.” So you’re saying you would have liked the episode more if Topher had gone “Abe, the reason I almost got you molested by a teacher was because I’m in love with you”? I need you to realize how fucked that is.

Topher is a weasly little shit who tries to convince everyone how progressive he is when he’s actually a total asshole. That was the point. Y’all thinking he was in love with Abe or that he had Abe’s best intentions at heart just means that it worked. You took the bait. I’m not saying shipping Tophabe would be immoral (okay maybe after the whole statutory rape thing but that’s just for right now). There’s a solid chance that their friendship could be salvaged after this. I certainly never thought I’d ship Cleo with anyone but know she and Frida are my OTP. But you gotta stop pretending that this character is someone he isn’t.

I might delete this because I’m just trying to get my feelings out. I’m not calling anyone stupid or whiny just because they got upset by the new episodes. (Shoutout to my boy, @warcrimetime​. Sorry they took JoanFK from you so soon). This is just another case of me getting annoyed by people calling queerbait just because a ship didn’t become canon and me getting everything out of my system. (But also, if Joan does see Topher’s blackmail and her reaction is anger at Abe and not “HOLY SHIT YOU WERE MOLESTED?!” then that would actually be legit bad writing).

TL;DR:

Although, maybe I’m just not upset because I got Kahlopatra and you guys lost your OTP and I just don’t understand, I dunno. 

[nikethestatue]

I myself, am an ACOTAR girlie through and through, but I agree on everything you said regarding SJM and her writing now.

HOFAS was all over the place. I still enjoyed it but it’s nowhere near as good as other books. She was just throwing every information she could possible think of, even in fight scenes, there was too much of a dump info. HOEAB stays superior in that series imo.

I still think she knows and can do much better, but started relying too much on others, on her new editor if I recall correctly? And that’s why she rewrote HOFAS in five weeks.

but I do think this is why TOG is superior for the majority of people in this fandom. It’s finished long ago and 90% of things that happens in that series in the beginning, especially AB comes back towards the end. And again, different editor.

When asked questions about series, next book etc. she tiptoes a lot. No one expects for her to reveal her plans and plots regarding books, but there are things that still aren’t clear to the good part of this fandom and she should come clean about it.

I really want to put all of my trust in her for next ACOTAR book, but I am honestly scared she will somehow ruin it. Not with the romance and ships, but rather storywise.

As for romance part, I don’t want it to be ACOSF 2.0 with overused smut scenes. I love Nessian but their relationship in this book is more about physical attraction rather than emotional depth. We had great love confessions but still, both of them haven’t matured enough and grew as a couple and BC in HOFAS just confirms it imo.

I think TOG is superior in plotting, because she knew what she was writing from start to finish. Kind of same with the 3 first ACOTAR books.

She had a beginning, middle and end. There was a clear vision.

Now, it's so disorganised, I can't even believe it.

She is switching mid-series between YA and Adult.

She started writing another series in the middle of an unfinished older series--which is okay in itself, but then she needs to be able to write BOTH at once. There shouldn't be an expectation that everyone wants to read both series. If I am an ACOTAR reader, I expect reasonably timed updates (annual book) and not a 4 year break, so she can devote herself to writing something else entirely.

At this point, unfortunately, I am almost convinced that she will ruin it. I want to stick around and finally read Elain's book, after all these years, but my expectations are tiny now. 3 huge books back to back of questionable quality, a muddled plot, unclear antagonist, unclear protagonist, unclear LI, unclear setting--all don't give me much hope for anything amazing. Elain, I am sure, will be ruined, as will be the Elriel romance. SJM hasnt written much smut in CC, so I am sure all of it will fall on ACOTAR5's shoulders.

[mrsalwayswrite]

To Call Forth Love - Chapter 9

Yay! Next chapter! True confessions, this *sorta* slow burn is killing me....and i’m the one writing it! (sorry not sorry?)

Warnings: some swearing, nothing really, Hvitserk being a good bro?

Words:7100 (I hope these longer chapters make up for the wait)

Tag List: @youbloodymadgenius @evelynshelby @pomegranates-and-blood @deans-ch-ch-cherrypie @heavenly1927 @zuxiezendler @punkrocknpearls @love-all-things-writing @southernbe​

Series Masterlist

The ringing of her phone had Kari dropping the leggings she was folding on her bed to quickly snatch it up. 

 "Albus!"

 The voice on the other end sighed. "You know I hate that nickname."

 Kari laughed, picking the leggings back up to fold. "But it fits you so perfectly."

 "I am not an old wizard."

 "I'll give you that, but you're studious, kind and too wise for someone your age. So close enough."

 "I suppose if I haven't been able to convince you to drop that nickname for the past ten years, I won't be able to now."

 "Nope." She cheerfully said. "So, how are you? Your mother still wreaking havoc in your life?"

 "She set me up on a date last week." He grumbled after a moment's hesitation. 

 In her mind, she could imagine him sitting at his desk with a slight furrow between his brows and lips pursed as he lamented his mother's involvement in his love life. This would not be the first time he complained to Kari about this topic. "Ohhhh? How did that go?" She asked, even if by his tone she could already guess his answer. 

 "I know my mother means well, but the women she thinks I should date…." He trailed off with a forlorn sigh. 

 "Not your type?"

 "No."

 "I'm sorry. You'll find someone and your mother won't be able to help but love them."

 He snorted inelegantly. "I won't hold my breath for that."

 "See, you're so wise." She teased, smiling as she folded a work shirt. "Now, what else is new since last month?"

 The two spent the next hour talking. It had become their tradition after she moved. Hearing the gentle cadence in his voice, his quiet chuckles, it sent a wave of nostalgia washing over her. He was the only person from England she still kept in communication with, the only one who knew where she was. The last string tying her to her prior life. Although she would not have labeled him her best friend, they were certainly close and even more so after she moved. In their monthly conversations, they would chat about anything new in their lives, TV shows watched, books read, his latest exams in university. He always made sure to inform her what he knew about her family. Something she was grateful for but it always felt like a knife to the heart after. 

 As they talked, she finished folding her laundry, a necessary evil in her opinion. Once done with that, she moved on to the package she received in the mail today. It was addressed to her but the sender was a designer name she would never be able to afford in her lifetime. She shook her head, wondering what surprise the youngest Lothbrok had bought for her. 

 Listening to him regale her with the latest family drama of his, she opened the package and had to muffle a gasp at the two dresses that lay inside. The first was an off-the-shoulder, black skater dress that would reach mid-thigh in length. It was a classy and elegant cocktail dress that reminded her of the dress she wore on her and Ivar's "date" but way more sophisticated and stylish. It was the second dress that made her pause and wonder where Ivar thought she would ever wear something like this. It was a deep red evening gown, the hem long enough to trail slightly on the ground. The dress was gorgeous with a tight bodice and slight flair of the skirt. It was the slit in the skirt that touched her upper thigh and the sheer middle of the bodice that made Kari raise her eyebrows. The gown was the perfect blend of chic and sexy. What was Ivar thinking? She would feel so self-conscious and she never went anywhere fancy enough to wear it. Though as she stared at both dresses, she decided it never hurt to admire them on the hanger, even if she never got the chance to wear them. As her friend continued speaking, she hung both dresses up in her closet, making a mental note to talk to Ivar. 

 "It's probably good your brother moved out last year." She commented, tucking her laundry basket away in her closet. 

 "Yeah. He only comes over to the house if he has to." He said with a resigned sigh. After a long moment of silence, he spoke up again. His voice hesitant, almost remorseful, as what had been obviously on the tip of his tongue finally came forth. "Your mother has been talking about trying to find you again."

 Kari froze, her mind shorting out and heart rate skyrocketing as his statement sunk in. "What…. what did she say?"

 "Not much that I overheard." He confessed, sympathy in each word. "How much she misses her only daughter and feels abandoned by you. She has been telling people that you're doing charity work in another country when they ask about you."

 "It's been almost two years… I hoped…" She slumped onto her bed, legs wobbling and mind whirling. 

 "That your mother would forget about you?"

 "I don't know. I just…. I don't know."

 Silence reigned for a moment before he spoke again. 

 "Are you ever coming home?"

 "I…. I don't think that's home anymore."

 "I miss you." He whispered. 

 Tears welled in her eyes. She took a deep breath forcing them back, but knew her shaky voice betrayed her. "I miss you too. Maybe you can come visit me here?"

 "That would blow your cover."

 "Could we meet up somewhere? You take a vacation or something?"

 "I'll consider it…." His voice trailed off, only to come back stronger. "You know, when you wanted help to leave England, I thought it was just a temporary reprieve. I didn't imagine you would stay away."

 It felt like a knife twisted in her gut, because he was right. She had never thought she would be gone this long. "I know…. I just…. I like my life here. I don't…. I don't want to go back to that."

 He sighed as if giving up on convincing her to return. "I understand. I'll always be here for you. I still think of you as one of my closest friends."

 "Same. We've known each other since we were thirteen. A few countries between us isn't going to stop that."

 He chuckled. "Right. Well, I'll still hold you to your promise. If we're both unmarried by thirty-five, we'll have a courthouse wedding to keep our families off our backs."

 "Sounds good." She laughed out, wiping the tears from her eyes. 

 "I have to go. I'll text you about when we can catch up next month."

 "Perfect. Stay safe, Albus."

 "You too, Abs."

 "Ugh! That nickname is worse than yours!" She groaned, hearing a small chuckle on the other end of the phone. "Bye!"

 After hanging up, she stared at her phone for a minute, the smile fading as her mind revisited the conversation. The weight of everything slammed into her, her body no longer able to support her under the strength of her duress. She crumpled onto her bed, curling into a fetal position, tears streaming down her cheeks. It hurt that England no longer felt like home to her, but neither did where she currently lived. What hurt and confused her most, was when she thought of being home- Ivar's face filled her mind's eye. 

 *****

 "Thank you everyone for coming to class today. I'll see you either tomorrow or next week." 

 With the lights still dim, Kari turned off the soothing water music over the speakers in the yoga studio room. The women who had been laying in corpse pose on their mats began to rise and gather up their personal items. A quiet murmur of voices replaced the music in the enclosed room. She waved at a few of the regulars as they left her class. Even if she was not the one doing all the poses, by the end of class she still felt refreshed and rejuvenated. It always brought her joy to see people come in, stressed or anxious, and leave her class with a smile on their faces or just looking less tense. 

 Through the mirrors along the wall at the front of the room, she could see the tall, statuesque blonde making her way over, yoga mat tucked under her arm. 

 "Hey, you doing anything for lunch?" Gyda asked, coming up beside her. Even in leggings and a tight tank top, she looked like someone off the covers of a women's magazine. All Kari could figure was it was in the Lothbrok blood. 

 "Um, working on inventory?"

 "How about instead you come out to lunch with us?" She motioned vaguely towards Torvi, who was gathering up her yoga mat. "We planned on stopping at that new boutique down the strip. So, we can just meet you for lunch when you're done."

 "Really?" The brunette was startled by the offer. Sure, she had gone out with Gyda a few times but never with Torvi too. The three would chat occasionally before or after class and she liked Torvi's no-nonsense attitude. They had flippantly made comments about the three of them going out but to actually hear they wanted her presence both surprised and warmed her heart. "Torvi is okay with this too?"

 Gyda rolled her eyes. "Yes. So…. Yes? No? Don't leave me in suspense."

 "Yeah, I'd love to."

 "Great. Text me when you're done and we'll meet up."

 "It'll be at least half an hour…." 

 Gyda waved her off, her voice growing louder. "That's fine. Torvi takes forever when she browses anyway."

 "Sorry, I like to think through my purchases before I buy something!"

 Kari smiled at Torvi's retort. The other blonde was checking her phone, a smile on her face though as she peered up at her sister-in-law and her yoga instructor. 

 "Are you joining us?" She called over. 

 "Of course, she is!" Gyda replied, before Kari could respond. "But she's only coming if you swear not to share any stories about you and Bjorn's kinky sex life. Nobody wants to hear that."

 Without a word, Torvi gave her the middle finger salute, before looking back down at her phone. 

 Gyda chuckled then turned to raise an eyebrow at the shorter woman. "Unless you're into that kind of stuff…."

 "Oh gods, Gyda! No!" Her face flushed at the thought. 

 "Hey, it's the quiet ones who are the kinkiest. I bet Ivar would like that." She laughed as Kari tried to swat at her. Taking a step back, she pretended to zip her lips. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. Text me when you're done! We can meet at the café down the street. " 

 Kari waved at Torvi as the two blondes walked out of the studio room. Quickly, she hurried to finish tidying up. It had been a long time since she felt this excited to go out to eat with some female friends. A handful of times she had gone out with some coworkers or Lydia. In the beginning she was excited when Alana would invite her out with her friends to a club or bar but Kari quickly learned that was not her scene and began making every excuse possible to not be forced out with them. She always felt like an afterthought amongst the group, especially since getting drunk nor sleeping around was not her style. This time, she had high hopes for spending time with Gyda and Torvi. It would be nice to have female friends again. 

 The door to the studio room opened and Lydia popped her head in. "Almost done? You've got a visitor out here and he's causing quite the distraction." She said with a distinct shit-eating grin and wink before ducking back out. 

 "He?" Kari questioned out loud, although her mind suspected who it was. He was the only one who ever visited her. Slipping her phone into the pocket of her maroon leggings, she gave the room one final survey, wanting it to be ready for the next class before she left. With a nod, she headed out, the door swinging shut behind her. 

 In the large open area, she understood what Lydia meant by 'causing quite the distraction'. If she paused for a moment to drink the sight in, no one could possibly know, right? 

 Ivar leaned his shoulder against a wall, arms crossed over his chest with the sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up to display his toned forearms. His dark locks were pulled back loosely in a man-bun, a few tendrils slipped free. Even in jeans, braces and smart-looking leather shoes, he looked quite handsome. With no cane in sight, it must be a good day. 

 Kari noticed more than one pair of eyes lingering on him from around the studio although he did not seem to notice as he stood there talking with Gyda and Torvi in hushed tones. The latter said something that immediately caused Ivar to narrow his eyes at her as he snapped a comment. 

 Even from across the room, Kari could read the tension in his frame and decided to intervene before he caused a scene. Walking over to them, aware of the many sets of eyes upon the group of three, she fixed a smile on her face. Once those intense, blue eyes locked onto her and his posture softened marginally, her smile transitioned into a genuine grin. "Hey, Ivar, what are you doing here?" She asked, coming to stand between him and Gyda. 

 "Do I need a reason to come see you?" He smirked down at her.

 That look released butterflies in her stomach but she ignored them to tease him back. "Usually that's how it works."

 "And if that reason is to fulfill my quota?"

 The blush that rose to her cheeks was so hot, she wondered if you could fry an egg on her face. Immediately, she dropped her chin to her chest, willing the warmth to vanish. 

 "Hmmm…. that blush for me, kattungen?" He shifted closer so his mouth was near her ear, his question asked in such a lecherous tone, Kari felt her core clench. 

 "Shut up." She mumbled, pushing him away. He rocked back on his heels, a smug grin on his face, and an amused chuckle leaving his lips. 

 Gyda patted Kari's shoulder, drawing the brunette's attention upward again. "Text me when you're done. We'll leave you with this grumpy asshole. I'm sure you can think of a way to cheer him up." She winked as she took a step away. 

 For a moment, Kari wished the ground would open up beneath her. Between Gyda's teasing comments and Ivar's blatant remarks and heated looks, Kari's face was going to be permanently red in an endless flush. 

 "Good luck on your trip, Ivar." Torvi called over her shoulder as she followed Gyda. 

 "Oi! Tell Bjorn to keep his big fucking mouth shut!" He yelled after the blondes; the tension returned with Torvi's parting statement. Glaring at the door the two women passed through, he muttered something in a foreign language as he rubbed his hand over his mouth. Briefly, his thoughts seemed to take him elsewhere but he quickly snapped back, blue eyes finding Kari once again. 

 It was only something she had realized lately, but when he looked at her, that consuming and burning gaze landing on her with all the impact of a sledgehammer, it made her feel like the only woman in the room. It was such a cliché thing, something stupid out of a romance novel, but it was the only way she could describe the feeling. When he looked at her like this, nothing else mattered in the room. She had his whole attention, all his focus. It was heady and powerful and terrifying and astounding. The weight of others watching made her skin itch but with his gaze locked on hers, lips tilted up slightly in the hint of a fond smile, she felt in the eye of a hurricane. 

 Her blue-green eyes dropped to his chest, unable to maintain eye contact when it left her feeling so flustered. Tugging on her earlobe, she quietly asked. "What are you doing here? I thought I wasn't seeing you until you picked me up for dinner tonight?"

 "Something came up." Silently, he reached over and grasped her hand, causing her head to jerk up. Intertwining their fingers, he watched her with regret in his eyes. "I have to fly out to Italy in two hours."

 "Oh. Is everything okay?" That was not what she had expected to hear. Her heart plummeted that their dinner would have to be canceled but tried not to let it show. 

 "Is there somewhere we can talk in private?"

 "Um, sure." Emotions flickering between curiosity and concern, she guided him back to the studio room. The weight of eyes lingered as they walked, especially since he refused to release her hand. A brief glance at the front counter, only to see Lydia and Sasha both staring at her with amused and proud smiles, had Kari trying to hurry out of sight with Ivar in tow. 

 Soon as the door shut behind them, hiding them from view, he pulled her against his body, one arm wrapping around her waist, trapping her against him while the other hand gripped the back of her neck. He kissed her passionately, like a man dying of thirst and only she could save him. 

 "Ivar…." She tried to pull away, aware she was at work and anyone could walk in. Instead, he held her tighter, molding her body to his. The drugging kiss that followed had her all but melting against him, knees weak and her resolve disappearing like smoke in the wind. When she opened her mouth, inviting his tongue to dance with hers, the growl that erupted from him was so thready and rough, it called to a primal part of her, making her warm all over and a tightness grow in her belly. 

 It had been two days since they had seen each other and she genuinely missed him. They had been texting during that time, but it was not the same. She missed his presence, his touch, his kisses, his grumpy comments and the way he made her laugh. Even when he annoyed or frustrated her, he still was the color in her otherwise monochromatic world. And with each day that passed, her desire to push him away fractured a little bit more. 

 When their mouths finally unlocked, both panting and lips swollen and red, she was almost shocked the nearby mirrors were not fogged up. Breathless and overwhelmed, she pressed her forehead to his, her arms around his neck. For a minute they stood there peacefully, only the sounds of their ragged breathing and the occasional noise from those outside of the studio room broke through their tranquility. 

 "What's going on, Ivar?"

 "Something with work." 

 "Does this have to do with why you've been so busy?"

 He sighed but when he spoke in a hushed tone, the rage painting each word was undeniable. "Someone on the inside has been selling information about us." She gasped, shocked but when she tried to pull away to look at him, he tugged her back against him, placing his chin on the top of her head. "I think I know who the fucker is."

 "That's why you're going to Italy?"

 "Hmmm."

 "Will you be safe?"

 That made him chuckle, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Are you worried about me?"

 She thought about making a joke, about teasing him about his recklessness. Instead the question knocked the air from her lungs momentarily, because the truth was, she was. What little she had gleaned about his work when he needed to vent, there was still an element of danger to it. She tipped her face up to look at him, her answer a quiet murmur that did nothing to hide the emotion behind her words. "Yes…. I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt."

 The amusement in his eyes drained to be replaced with a softness that made her heart clench. He inhaled sharply and glanced away for a moment. "Fuck, kitten…." When he turned back, he kissed her tenderly, a slow melding of their mouths like the taste of her was a fine wine he wanted to sip on endlessly. There was a promise in his action, just as much as his words when he finally whispered against her lips. "I'll be safe, just meeting with a contact. That's all."

 "Okay, just please be careful." Worry still tainted her, but she trusted Ivar to keep himself safe. He had been doing this job far longer than she had known him. 

 "Don't tell anyone about what I've said. No one else knows."

 "I promise. Not a word."

 "Good girl." He swatted her ass, making her squeak and glare up at him. "I'm going to have Hvitserk check up on you later."

 "That's not necessary." She tried to say. She would hate to be a waste of time for the older Lothbrok. The look he gave her said to not argue with him. "Fine," she dramatically sighed, "maybe him and I will watch movies and cuddle since you're soooo busy. I wonder if he'd think my bed is comfy enough or if the couch is better?"

 "Don't you fucking dare." He growled, gripping her waist in a possessive hold. 

 She just laughed at how easy he was to wind up. It was mean and she knew it. 

 He nipped at her bottom lip. "Keep playing, Kari and I'll have to punish you."

 "I have no idea what you're talking about." She batted her lashes at him, failing to suppress a childish giggle. 

 He rolled his eyes, the twitch of his lips betrayed his amusement. "I need to go." He softly said though he made no move to release her from his arms. 

 With that a wave of worry and fear cascaded over her, it was unfounded she knew, but it still threatened to drag her into its depths. Not giving it a second thought, she raised up on her toes to plant a lingering kiss on his lips. 

 "You're not helping." He muttered, never removing his mouth from hers. 

 "Maybe take the next flight?"

 "Don't tempt me, vixen. I'll lock that door and have my wicked way with you right fucking here until everyone hears you screaming my name."

 Between the image he painted in her mind and his mouth having moved to her pulse point, heated arousal pooled between her legs. She gulped, her mouth suddenly dry and words sticking to her throat.

 He leaned back, a devious smirk on his lips at her obviously flushed face. "No, my priestess," he purred, a filthy, predatory glint in his blue eyes, she could not help but gasp as her knees threatened to buckle under her. "When I finally have you, it'll be somewhere I can both worship you and fuck you all night long without fear of being interrupted."

 She let out a shaky breath. "But, um…. we…. ah."

 "Soon, Vakker, blir du min." He kissed her roughly, as if sealing his words. "I do need to leave. Walk with me." He took her hand, leading her out of the studio room, giving her no choice but to walk beside him. Not that her brain was fully able to make coherent decisions at the moment. 

 As they walked towards the front of the building, she wondered if their make-out session was obvious. Her lips felt red and swollen and a blush still colored her cheeks. A glance at Ivar showed his lips fuller but he appeared so calm and collected it was unfair. 

 "Did you like the dresses?" He asked, breaking her out of her thoughts. 

 "I do. They both are gorgeous, but they're too much. I don't have a reason to dress up that fancy."

 "With me, you will. I'll get you some casual dresses too."

 "Ivar…." She whined. 

 "You need more clothes, Kari."

 "Fine. Not because I want more clothes but because I know you'll buy them for me anyway."

 He winked at her, his tone smug. "I always get my way."

 "You're unbelievable."

 They stopped beside his SUV, parked next to the sidewalk. His driver was already in the driver's seat waiting. Kari made sure to wave at the man, earning a nod back from him. The driver was a huge guy with long, thick locks of white hair and a scar on his face. He intimidated Kari but she tried to ignore that and be friendly. Even if Ivar made fun of her for it. 

 "I should be back tomorrow unless some shit comes up." Ivar stated, opening the back door. 

 "Okay. Be safe."

 "Stop worrying. Shit. I'll be fine." He remarked, sliding into his seat. Before he closed the door, he met her gaze. "I'll text you."

 She smiled in acknowledgment and stepped back, giving him a quick wave as she headed back inside and his SUV started off.  

 Lydia leaned against the front counter with Sasha and Alicia now, all three watching her with expressions ranging from amused to shocked. 

 "Um, I'm going to…. go on my lunch break now." She mumbled and hurried away to grab her purse from the office, the sounds of laughter following her. 

 The stray thought crossed her mind that she would need some new bras if Ivar was set on buying her new clothes. Not that he would see those bras, but it would be good to have…. and maybe some matching panties.

 *****

 Summer was transitioning to fall, cool undertones intermixed with the residual warmth of a September evening. 

 Kari stared at the book in her lap but the words blurred together no matter how many times she reread the same line. She loved reading outside, sitting on the small patio behind the townhouse, especially when none of the neighbors were out. She could pretend it was her own place of solace, being out in nature. The sunlight shined through the line of pine trees separating their row of townhouses from the ones behind them, bird songs mixed with the sound of traffic from the nearby roads. She much preferred this too being stuck indoors. 

 Today though, her mind drifted like the breeze, but it all centered on a conversation she had not even ten minutes ago. If she listened closely, she could hear Alana through the screen door, making her dinner in the kitchen. She knew it was not Alana's fault, but the conversation still felt like a rug had been yanked from underneath the brunette. With everything going so well in her life, of course fate had to throw her a curveball. 

 Now her mind scrambled as what to do next. 

 A sound from her left had her glance over to see Erik stepping out of his back door. A boyish grin lit up his face when he saw her. 

 "Hi, Kari. Beautiful evening, isn't it?"

 "Yeah. It is." She gave a half-hearted smile, watching as he closed the door behind him and stepped closer. 

 "Mind if I join you?"

 She waved a hand at the patio set. "Not at all." Hopefully talking with Erik would be the distraction she needed for the moment, to pull her out of her quagmire of thoughts. 

 Dropping onto the cushioned chair to her left, he ran a hand through his dirty blond hair. In jeans and a t-shirt, he appeared ready to relax for the evening. 

 "What are you reading this time?" He asked curiously. This would not be the first time he had found her outside reading. 

 She reclined on the two-person, cushioned couch, legs up and bent with her open book resting against her thighs, wearing her typical leggings and slouchy shirt. At his question, she flashed him the cover. "The Princess Bride."

 "Isn't that a movie?"

 She pretended to gasp in horror. "Yes, but the book is still a classic."

 He raised his hands in surrender, grin spreading across his face. “If you say. Not really my taste. So how was your day?"

 "Nothing exciting. Yours?"

 "The usual. Customers thinking they could do my job better than me."

 She winced. "I know the feeling."

 They made small talk for some time, talking about work and a documentary he recommended for her to watch. They argued which was the better coffee shop nearby, something they continuously disagreed on. Soon the upsetting conversation with Alana drifted to the back of her mind. It did not take long for her to close her book and set it on the ground so she could be fully invested in the conversation, especially when Erik became so animated about a topic, his hands waving around like a conductor in his enthusiasm. It was an endearing trait of his, but also alerted her to settle in because it meant he would not need much encouragement to keep talking. 

 The opening of the sliding door behind Kari stunted their conversation.

 "Kari, someone is here for you." Alana said sweetly, stepping out onto the patio. 

 Unsure what she meant and since Kari never had visitors except for Ivar, she finally turned around. Only to be met with the view of Hvitserk leaning against the doorframe, a smirk on his lips. Standing there looking quite handsome in a dark navy business suit with a white undershirt, sans tie. Even his hair was nicely pleated back, making him look very professional and attractive. 

 "What are you doing here?" She asked in surprise, wondering if he just got off work. 

 Pushing off the doorframe, he meandered past Alana to approach Kari's side. "I came to check on you." He answered easily then scooped her up like she weighed nothing, making her squeal, and casually resettled them on the couch. Now he sat where she had been with her tucked against his side and his arm behind her. She also noticed how he purposefully put himself between her and Erik but chose not to comment on that. 

 "Ivar sent you, didn't he?" She grumbled, poking Hvitserk in the chest. "I told him it wasn't necessary."

 "Well, you know him." He shrugged, that teasing smirk still adorning his lips. When she tried to poke him again, he snatched her hand and held it hostage, even as she tried to tug it back. Ignoring her, he turned his attention to Erik. "Hey, man. I'm Hvitserk."

 "I'm Erik. I live next door." He responded warily, eyeing up the man as if debating to be friendly or not. 

 "Ah." With that understanding, Hvitserk seemed to give Erik a more assessing look before peering down at Kari. "You eat dinner yet?"

 "Sorta. I'm not too hungry."

 Alana spoke up from leaning against the other chair. "If you're hungry we can order something, Hvitserk. It's not a big deal."

 Kari's head whipped around to stare at her roommate in shock. Never had Alana played the hostess to Kari or anyone she knew. Then she really noticed the coquettish look of her roommate- the fluttering lashes, the sensual biting of her bottom lip in mock innocence, the way she casually leaned against the chair in a way to best highlight the curves of her body. Kari wanted to sigh. Of course, the only reason Alana pretended to care was to try and entice Hvitserk. An attractive man in their home, it was as if Alana could not help herself. 

 Apparently the flaxen-haired Lothbrok noticed her flirtatious manner also. He tipped his head, eyes blatantly tracing over her body with appreciation. Kari could see the blonde preening under Hvitserk's gaze. 

 "Did I fuck you?"

 What confident, amorous expression on Alana's face dropped in a second. "Excuse me?"

 Hvitserk waved a hand dismissively. "Sorry, you seem familiar but I can't remember…. Did you fuck one of my brothers?"

 Anger transformed her face, making her rigid and lip curled back in a snarl. "Fuck you, asshole." She shrieked, then stormed back inside, slamming the door shut. 

 He chuckled. "Huh. I take that as a yes…. ouch!"

 Kari slapped his chest. "That was extremely rude and insensitive."

 "Why? Because it's the truth?"

 "You can't just…. ask something like that." She turned to look at the closed door, wondering if she should go apologize to Alana and check on her. After a moment's debate, she turned away from the townhouse, figuring seeking out Alana would most likely end up with a door slammed in her face. 

 Hvitserk shrugged, pulling his phone out of his pocket and checking it before slipping it back in.  

 His nonchalance baffled Kari. Did he not care that he just humiliated her roommate? Should she make him apologize? Though she doubted he would. Finally, she settled for just muttering, "you Lothbroks are unbelievable."

 "Oh, are you related to…." Erik's question trailed off. Where he once had been relaxed back in the cushioned chair, now he sat tensely, one of his hands tapping his knee repeatedly. 

 "Ivar? Yeah, he's my brother." Hvitserk said with a knowing smirk. 

 "He's, um…"

 "A crazy, mad bastard? Yeah. Don't recommend getting on his bad side."

 "I was going to say intense."

 Hvitserk threw his head back as he laughed. Even Kari smiled at the hesitant way Erik answered. Intense was an understatement for the youngest Lothbrok. "Yeah, he's family." 

 Erik then motioned between Kari and Hvitserk. "So are you two…. just friends?"

 Before Kari could explain, Hvitserk jumped in to answer. 

 "Ivar and I share her."

 Immediately Kari choked on air due to his candid response. Her gaze darted to Erik in horror, seeing his jaw dropped and eyes wide as saucers. Beside her Hvitserk cackled like a hyena at both of their expressions. 

 "That's not…. ugh! No!" Kari tried to speak, once she could functionally breathe again, only to cover her face as her words tumbled out of her mouth inelegantly. 

 "Awww, come on, Kari. You know I'm teasing." The elder Lothbrok tugged her hands away from her face, which only caused her to bury her face in his shoulder. "We know Ivar doesn't share. But if you ever get tired of his cranky ass, I'll be more than willing to show you a good time."

 "Oh my god." She mumbled to herself, completely mortified. The evening had been going so well, and now…. all of this. Whose grave had she accidently stepped on today? 

 Erik awkwardly cleared his throat as he rose to his feet. "Um, I'm going to go."

 "I'm so sorry, Erik." She elbowed Hvitserk when he refused to release her hands, earning an 'oof' from him. Turning her body to give Erik her full attention, she continued, hoping this had not ruined their friendship or his night. "I know this is last minute but do you think you can give me a ride to work tomorrow? If you don't want to, that's fine, especially after all of this, I wouldn't blame you."

 "No, no. I mean, sure. It's not a problem. Just, ah, text me when you're ready."

 She smiled gratefully at him. "I will. Have a good night, Erik!"

 "You too, Kari." He gave her his signature boyish grin. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he looked at Hvitserk. "Nice meeting you."

 "Yeah, nice meeting you too." He said back, draping his arm once again behind Kari. 

 Erik gave Kari another brief smile before disappearing back inside his townhouse, the door sliding quietly shut behind him. 

 Hvitserk continued to stare where Erik disappeared for a long minute before muttering, "boy better watch himself."

 "What are you talking about?" She sighed out, feeling the lurking sensation of a stress headache coming on.  

 "He wants to fuck you. Ivar won't like that."

 "What is with…. No. I'm ignoring all of that." She pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes. "Ugh, my evening was going so well until an hour ago."

 "What happened? That guy showed up to bother you? Want me to tell him to lay off?" His questions came out in rapid-fire, concern infused in his voice. 

 "No, Erik is fine. It's …. it's nothing like that."

 "So, what happened?"

 "Nothing important. Have you heard from Ivar?"

 He raised a brow at her dismissal but changed the subject. "Yeah, looks like he got what he needed so he'll be back tomorrow morning."

 "Oh good."

 "Hmmm…. which means he'll want to take you out tomorrow."

 "He bought me some dresses." She softly confessed, fiddling with her diamond stud earring. 

 "I'd recommend wearing one of those."

 She swatted at him, only to mirror the easy grin on his face. After a moment, she asked, "I just…. is it weird for him to do that?" 

 "What?"

 "Buy me stuff."

 "Does it bother you?"

 "I don't know."

 "If you want my advice, I'd say to let him." He lifted a finger to silence her protest. Her mouth snapped shut at his pointed look. Once he was sure she would not interrupt him, he spoke. "Ivar has never been good with…. verbally expressing affection, something I am sure he learned from our father. So he buys gifts, something he can touch and control. If he's buying you gifts, not out of obligation but because he wants to spoil you, then you mean a lot to him."

 She pondered his words and how she felt about them. Never did she want Ivar to feel taken advantage of by her, especially in regards to his money. She would rather tear her own heart out than make him feel used again. It grated slightly how freely he wasted money on her. The dresses were lovely, something she could only dream of having with her current salary. But she worked hard for her life, to be independent. Even whenever they went out to eat together, he never let her pay for her own meal. She had given up that fight already but this…. It felt different. Yet what Hvitserk said slunk back to the forefront of her mind. If this was his way of showing affection, of letting her know he cared about her, would it do more damage to refuse his gift?

 "How did you become so insightful into Ivar?" She teased, deciding to think about this more later. 

 He laughed, flicking her ear with the hand he still had behind her. "Out of necessity. I don't think anyone can fully understand him, not even himself."

 "He's complex." She agreed. 

 "That's a nice way of putting it." He tipped his head to the side to meet her gaze. "Now, tell me what happened earlier."

 "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

 "Ivar told me to check on you. If I left you trying to hide tears and he found out, he'd probably break my hands or legs, not sure how particular he would be."

 Biting her bottom lip, she debated blowing him off again. It was not his problem, she could deal with her own issues. But there was something about Hvitserk that made her feel comfortable around him. Even though he was under no obligation, he seemed to actually care about her. 

 Finally, she gave in with a sigh, laying her head against his shoulder. "Alana said…. Um, this townhouse belongs to her uncle. Him and his family moved into a bigger home and instead of selling this place decided to rent it out for a little extra cash. The rent is minimal, since he isn't renting to really make a profit. It's honestly the only way I've been able to afford being here. Well, Alana told me earlier that he is having to increase our rent. She didn't really tell me why but now it's going to be an extra 300 a month…. and I don't have that. So unless I want to find somewhere new to live, it kind of looks like I need to get a second job."

 He waited a moment before flatly stating, "have Ivar pay the extra. Fuck, he'd probably pay your whole rent if you asked him too."

 "No! I don't want that!" She sat up so fast, it was a miracle she did not fall off the couch. Her eyes turned to the brother beside her, wide and pleading. "Please don't tell him, Hvitty! I don't want him thinking I'm using him for his money. I…. I need to do this on my own somehow. I'll figure it out, honestly. I just wasn't expecting this to happen, that's all."

 "You really don't care about our money, do you?"

 "No." It broke her heart a little at the shock in his questioning tone. Did any of them ever expect someone to care about them without the influence of their money? 

 He stared off into the distance before looking back at her with a solemn expression. "I'll make you a deal. I won't say anything to Ivar about this, but if you are struggling, even if it's just one month's payment, you come to me and I'll help until you get your head above water again, got it?"

 "Why would you want to help me?" She quietly asked, meeting his gaze. 

 He smirked. "I like you. You're genuine. Plus, you're also great for Ivar. I'd like you to stick around and if this is one way to help with that, it's an easy solution." He narrowed his eyes at her as she started to protest again. "Don't fight me on this."

 "You Lothbroks are unbelievable. Fine." She laid her head back on his shoulder. "Thank you, Hvitserk…. and thanks for coming to check on me."

 "Anytime. You've got my number. Just cause you're Ivar's woman doesn't mean we can't be friends. But my offer still stands, if you get sick of him, I'll be the first to snatch you up."

 She laughed, heart feeling lighter than it had all afternoon. "Stop. I'm not Ivar's woman."

 "You keep telling yourself that."

 They sat quietly for a few minutes, watching the sky change colors. 

 "Mmmm…."

 "What?" She looked up at him. 

 He peeked down at her with a shit-eating grin. "I still can't remember if I fucked your roommate or not."

 "Gods, Hvitserk!"

 *****

 Before she fell asleep that night, she checked her phone one last time. A jolt of elation shot through her when she saw an unread text from Ivar. Her fingers fumbled with how quickly she tried to unlock her phone to read the text. 

 Ivar: good nite, kitten. C u 2morrow.

 A silly smile on her face, she replied. 

 Kari: sweet dreams, Ivar.

 After that, she plugged in her phone and curled up under her covers. Relief and excitement bled into her veins, allowing her to drift off to sleep with thoughts of the dark-haired Lothbrok coming home to her.

[littledrummeraussie]

drown me in love. / getaway series

Word count: 7000+ Warnings: Smut. Blowjobs. Body appreciation. Slightest bit of breath play. Lots of loving as always. Author’s note: The sixth part of my getaway series. This took me like a month but I’m really loving how it turned out and I’m glad I waited until now with writing it. ❤️ Thank you all for being such lovelies! Feedback is always appreciated, and stay safe all you beautiful people. ❤️ If you missed the previous parts:

getaway masterlist. / masterlist.

The quiet of the room was broken only by the sound of the flames crackling in the fireplace next to you. Ashton let out a satisfied little sigh as he burrowed closer to you, burying his face against your thigh where he rested his head in your lap. He wanted to spend one last day out in the forest, exploring the other path that led you deeper into the woods, only to find a lake nearby. There was only a moment of hesitation as you looked at each other, both of you asking the other with your eyes if they were thinking the same thing, then Ash grabbed your hand and pulled you towards the shore with a giggle.

He was already down to his shorts as he dived into the cold water, laughing as he resurfaced while shaking his head, black hair and water drops flying everywhere. Ash only waited a second when you dipped your toe in, knowing that you will probably chicken out, and he didn’t have any of your protests as he wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you into the lake with himself. You splashed around like kids, giggling as you pushed each other under the surface, your laughter echoing around you. It was the most fun you’ve had in a long time, clothes wet and bodies pressed close together as you kissed, stifling your giggles against the other’s lips.

On the way back home Ashton gave you a piggyback ride, claiming that was the fastest way to get you both back to the cabin without catching a cold after your impromptu beach day as he referred to it. The whole thing reminded you of your first vacation together just after you started dating, both of you young and still madly in love, the days spent with arms wrapped around each other as you explored your surroundings, the nights never-ending with long talks and love making. You squeezed your arms around his shoulders, kissing into his neck as he stopped on the front porch, putting you down and ushering you inside. He claimed that the blush colouring his cheeks was from carrying you across the forest, but you knew your words against his ear were to blame.

You were still madly in love with him, but it was a more mature love now you realized. For weeks every day was a struggle, never knowing when the moment will come when your feelings for each other were just not enough anymore. It would have been so easy to move on, claiming that you just didn’t work out anymore – but you chose the other way, facing your own fears and each other as you sat at the exact same place, crossed-leg and knees bumping, fingers tangled between you as you’ve talked through everything you didn’t say before.

Now you were both showered and in your comfy clothes, Ashton’s head in your lap as you combed your fingers through his hair, lightly playing with the dark locks. His eyes were closed as he nuzzled against your hand, mumbling something about wanting to buy the house in the middle of the woods and move in there when life gets too much to handle.

”…and the thing is that I’m not even surprised,” you chuckled when he finished, fingertip running over the shell of his ear. ”This was the most Ashton thing you’ve said today.”

”Is there such a thing as an Ashton thing?” he opened his eyes, looking up at you with a crooked smile. ”What’s that like? Tell me more about it!”

”You just did it again – that right there was an Ashton thing,” rolling your eyes you leaned forward, pressing a kiss against his nose and he scrunched up his face. ”Could maybe even call it an Irwinism.”

”And that was the most you thing you could have said,” he lightly shook his head in your lap, smile still sitting on his face. ”How do you come up with these?”

”It’s a talent,” you shrugged, curling a lock of his hair around your finger. ”You know my thoughts, they just come and go. Sometimes they make sense.”

”And most of the time they don’t,” Ashton teased you, already knowing what your next words will be, and you needed to laugh again.

”You know me so well. It’s hard to surprise you with new stuff at this point.”

”Well, I don’t expect you to,” he shifted in your lap, tilting his head back to look at you again. ”I love what I already have with you. I love knowing you. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

”Yeah, me neither,” you leaned down to him again, kissing his forehead as he hummed happily, lifting his head a little to press your lips together.

”So how about you come and cuddle up to me now?” Ashton asked, hands lightly squeezing you where he could reach you. ”I miss you being close.”

”Am I not close enough?” you smiled, pressing another kiss on his chin, and he closed his eyes with a little purring sound, moving so he could whisper in your ear.

”You could always be a little bit closer.”

A chuckle left your mouth as you looked at his pouty lips and big eyes, gazing at you like a puppy dog. You reached for a pillow to slide it under his head, and he rested against it as he opened his arms, ready to pull you to his body. He curled his arm around your waist, making sure you were pressed up close with no space between the two of you, legs tangled and hands on each other’s faces as he leaned in for another kiss. You smiled against his lips, thumb caressing his cheek as he nuzzled closer, switching between little nips and pushing his tongue against the seam of your mouth, lightly licking and sucking your bottom lip as he tried to kiss you deeper. You shared your breaths and moans, his fingers pushing under your sweater to press his fingertips against the small bruises on your skin.

”I’ll be permanently marked and bruised if you keep that up,” you nuzzled your nose against his with a chuckle, and Ashton kissed your cheek, a smile on his lips.

”That just means you’ll be mine forever,” he whispered, tucking a lock of hair behind your ear.

”I’m already yours, my moon,” you mirrored his movements, brushing the black curls back from his forehead, a faint blush colouring your cheeks. ”Your sunshine.”

”My sunshine,” he agreed, pressing another kiss on your lips. ”You light up my life.”

”You guide me when the darkness gets too much,” you nuzzled against his neck, burying your face in the soft skin of his throat, and he hummed lightly, fingers tangled in your hair.

Ashton’s hand was warm, his palm pressing against your lower back, keeping you close to his body as you lay on the carpet. You let your fingers run up his side and over his chest, tugging on the string of his hoodie when you found it. You could feel him smiling against your temple, his own fingers curling around the hem of your sweater, playing with the soft fabric as you cuddled.

”I love how you feel against me,” you said finally, burrowing closer. ”Warm and soft and big and you.”

”And I love how you fit so perfectly against me,” Ashton squeezed your hip as he spoke with a whisper. ”Your face in my neck, hair tickling me, all pressed up to my side. And yes, your fingers sliding under my shirt…”

”Dunno what you’re talking about,” you giggled, fingers teasing around his navel.

”Of course you don’t,” he chuckled, abs tensing under your touch as you caressed his stomach. ”It’s not like you know how sensitive I am there.”

”Nope, not a clue,” you smiled, pushing your nose against his neck. ”God, I love how you smell.”

”Yeah? You like the citrusy thing going on?” Ash asked with a smile, trying to stifle his next giggle.

”It’s not just that,” you said, pushing yourself up next to him.

He followed you with his eyes as you climbed up on his waist, his hands quickly finding their place on your hips again, giving them a light squeeze, letting you know that he was listening to you. You rested your hands on his chest, fingers splayed against the hoodie covering his body. He looked at you curiously, bottom lip caught between his teeth as you slowly let your fingers draw out the letters on the front of his sweater, the yellow of his band’s logo standing out against the black fabric.

”It’s you,” you curled your fingers around the strings again, tugging them a bit. ”Underneath it all. It’s you I love.”

”And for me it’s you, Y/N. You’re everything and much more,” he tilted his head up, and you leaned forward, pressing your lips together. ”I love you, sweetheart.”

Ash reached for your hands, lacing your fingers together as you stayed there in silence, just looking at each other, not bothering with words. There was a permanent smile on his face, something you’ve missed dearly, and wished more than anything that you could keep it there for the rest of your lives. He squeezed your hands and lightly lifted up his hips, making you shake your head and come back to reality and him.

”What?” Ash smiled at you, and you felt yourself blush.

”I just…”

”Missed this?” he prompted, thumbs caressing your knuckles.

”Yes. It feels good to be able to tell you how I feel again,” you confessed, pulling his hand up to your mouth, pressing small kisses against his palm.

”Sorry it took us so long,” he whispered, cupping your face in his hand.

”It’s okay, Ash. We’ve talked about it.”

  Things could have gone another way – you only needed to sit down with each other and talk through your problems. But everything seemed more important than taking the time to work on the thing you’ve claimed was the most important to you: your relationship. You made a hundred promises to yourself that you will finally gather your courage and sit down with Ashton, knowing that the longer you put off this conversation, the harder it will get.

In the end, something always came up when you decided it was time to take the first step. A phone call from his family, an urgent email from your boss, Calum stopping by to hang out, Michael inviting Ash over to discuss some ideas, Luke needing help with cooking tips to try and impress his girlfriend. You were always left with the words stuck in your throat, and whenever Ashton asked you what you wanted to talk about, you just smiled and shrugged, saying it was not important. He let you pretend.

It was another weekend you needed to spend in the office, leaving Ashton alone at home. You knew he will find something or someone who will keep him occupied, so you took the time to finish everything for your upcoming project. When you finally left the building it was already dark outside, and all you could think about was a quick shower and your bed when you got home.

What you didn’t expect was finding the house empty and quiet, something that never really happened with Ashton. There was always music in the background, him practicing day and night, writing songs or talking to his friends. He was constantly moving and doing something, so coming home to the stillness and silence of the living room was something new. Then your eyes caught movement, yellow and orange flames flickering outside in the garden, and soon you saw Ashton’s back as he sat next to the fire pit. Even from the distance you could see his knees bouncing, making it clear that he was anxious. You put your bag down and picked up the blanket from the couch, taking a deep breath as you stepped outside.

”Hey, I’m home,” you stopped next to him, but he didn’t look up at you. ”You’re okay?”

”I needed to set something on fire,” he mumbled, staring at the flames dancing before him, fingers nervously twitching in his lap.

”Better the pit than the house,” the comment made him snort, so you took the blanket and put it around his shoulders. ”Here, I’ve thought you might need it.”

”Thanks,” he pulled it tightly around himself, still looking forward. ”Are you finally done with your work?”

”Hopefully,” you sat down next to him, letting your hand rest between you on the bench. ”Might be able to take a few days off, if nothing goes wrong.”

”Looks like they cannot function without you,” Ash scoffed, pushing the toe of his sneakers against your shoes, and you slightly pushed back against him.

”What’s wrong?” you put your head on his shoulder, looking up at him as he sighed.

”I just…” he started, then stopped, taking another deep breath before he continued. ”I missed you. I miss you. It’s like whenever we plan something for us things just get in the way.”

”Oh god, what did I forget?” you paled, but Ash just rolled his eyes, shaking his head.

”I wanted to surprise you with dinner. Then when you texted me that you’ll be late, I’ve thought that I’ll just take you out when you arrive. But we’re well past that time now too, so I don’t know… maybe I can make you a toast or something.”

”Ash, I’m so sorry,” you reached for his hand, pouting slightly when he finally looked at you. ”I– I didn’t know.”

”You’ve been so deep in your project that you didn’t even think about asking me if I had any plans, even though I’ve been home for the last week,” he laced your fingers together, squeezing them slightly. ”Sorry if I’m being a bit moody about it.”

”No, you have every right to be mad at me,” you scooted closer, pressing your thighs together. ”Gosh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you like this. I wish I could make this up to you.”

”I just wish… I just wish you would talk to me a bit more,” he finally said, curling his arms around you to pull you into his lap. ”Please just promise me you’ll talk to me. Don’t shut me out.”

His eyes were pleading as he cupped your face, almost like waiting for something. You’ve tried to make yourself say the words that you kept to yourself for so long, how you were scared you were on the wrong path and if you kept this up, you will end up breaking each other’s hearts. But maybe this was all you needed, just a promise that you will do better now, and then you could work from there. Maybe there was no need to talk about anything, maybe you just made it all up in your head, and the only thing that needed changing was you calling him up during the day a few times. It sounded like a good enough starting point. You could work from there.

”I’ll do my best, I promise you,” you nodded, hands on his cheeks, foreheads pushed together. ”I’m gonna make this up to you, any way I can.”

”Well, I could think of a few things,” Ash let out a sigh, his breath hot on your lips. ”Like, this is nice, I love having you in my lap… but I would love to have you in other ways as well… can’t remember the last time we had sex.”

”Too long ago,” you whispered, pressing your lips to the corner of his mouth. ”But maybe you would like to have some make up sex with me now. I could show you how much I’ve missed you too. How does that sound to you?”

”Rather: how does it feel to you?” he chuckled, pulling you in for a kiss as he pressed his hardening cock against your ass.

”Like a promise,” you giggled, tugging on the blanket around his shoulders. ”So – you put the fire out, and I wait for you upstairs, maybe even wear something nice for you. How does that sound?”

”Like everything I want and need,” Ashton smiled, pecking your cheek before sending you inside to wait for him.

It was well past midnight when you finally came down from your highs, bodies pressed close together, leaving love confessions on each other’s skin. Ashton fell asleep with both arms wrapped around you, his light snoring tickling your ear as you’ve tried to sleep too, but your thoughts kept you up. Your promise to him felt like a lie, a poison that slowly killed the both of you. You needed to find the courage to really talk to him from now on, to let him know the truth about how you were feeling. Tomorrow, you made another promise to yourself. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.

But tomorrow never came, slipping away with the morning to another day.

  Ashton hummed as his thumb caressed your cheek, then let his hands slip down on your sides and thighs, running them up again to slide them against your ass, slightly grabbing onto you. He bit his lips as he looked you up and down, eyes shining with something between adoration and lust.

”You know, you look hella sexy like this,” he squeezed your ass, fingers pushing against the fabric of your panties. ”Fluffy sweater, sexy underwear, both showing and hiding your beautiful body…”

”I wanted to make an effort,” you gave him a flirty look, biting your own lip. ”I know you’re liking this look. Might as well take advantage of it.”

”And what about the socks?” he chuckled, fingers gliding down on your legs, playing with the knee high socks you had on. ”Cause you know, it does add to the look, but I have a feeling this is about something else.”

”Cause your toes are always cold!” you pouted, and Ashton started laughing. ”I’m not taking any chances with those when we cuddle! They are like icicles!”

”God, Y/N, I love you so damn much! You’re sexy and cute and just everything I need in my life. How did I get so lucky?”

”More like how did I get so lucky?” a blush coloured your cheeks at his words, and to divert the attention away from you you started to tug on his hoodie again, sliding it up on his chest. ”Arms up, loverboy!”

Ashton didn’t ask any questions, didn’t even wait for you to help him, just grabbed the hem of his sweater and pulled it over his head, tossing it into the corner as he settled back against the pillow with a grin, arms above him.

”You know I could just… tickle you…?” you ran your fingers over the insides of his arms, nails lightly stroking against his soft skin. ”You did not think this through…”

”I could always just reciprocate it,” he chuckled, wiggling his fingers. ”I’m much stronger than you, sweet girl.”

”Yes. Yes, you are,” you sighed to hide your whimper, hands rubbing against his biceps. ”Love those muscles and those hands… and what they are capable of.”

”Yeah? You like this?” he bit his lip to hide another smile, curling his arms around your waist to pull you closer to his chest. ”Like it when I use them to make you come close to me?”

”Whatever they are doing – can’t complain,” you kissed his cheek, brushing your lips against his ear. ”Love everything about you, Ash.”

You felt his cheek warming against yours, turning his head to hide his face in your neck as you kissed the soft spot behind his ear. A moan left his mouth as you kissed along his jaw, his chin, paying special attention to the purpling hickey you’ve left on his skin, lightly sucking on it as he tilted his head back, giving you more space. You felt him shift under you as you licked against his Adam’s apple, throat working around another groan, fingers grabbing your ass to keep you in one place.

”Am I too much?” you pulled up to rest your forehead against his, a smile on your face, and Ash just shook his head, cheeks slightly pink as he looked up at you.

”You’re never enough,” he whispered, eyes shining in the glow of the fire. ”I– I want more of you.”

”How much more?” you combed your fingers through his hair, lightly tugging on the curling locks.

”All of you,” Ash confessed, licking his lips. ”I want all of you.”

You pressed a chaste kiss on his forehead and he relaxed back against the pillow again, eyes half-closed and lips slightly parted. He let out small, happy little sounds as you brushed your lips along his nose, his jawline, giggling as you licked a ticklish spot on his neck along his necklace. His chest was heaving in sync with the kisses left on his collarbones; the small licks against his nipples made him shiver and shift under you, trying to push you against his hardening cock.

”Patience, love,” you laughed lightly, pulling up above him, hands resting on his shoulders. ”Good things come to those who wait.”

”I already feel like I’m losing my mind and you’ve barely touched me,” he moaned, frustration and pleading in his voice. ”What are you doing to me?”

”Just loving and appreciating everything that you are,” you pressed your lips against his, and he kissed you back, trying to follow you as you pulled back again. ”All you have to do is just to enjoy yourself.”

”I can definitely do that,” he grinned at you, hands resting on your thighs.

”Good. Cause I plan on rocking your world,” you winked back, sliding lower to press the next kiss onto his stomach, working your way down on his body.

His abs tensed under your tongue as you licked over his navel, nuzzling against the soft flesh of his stomach as his fingers twitched next to his body, unsure if he can touch you or if he has to keep them out of the way. You took one of his hands, giving it a light squeeze and pressed your lips against his knuckles, his palm, and he brushed his thumb against your cheek, following your every move with his eyes.

You let your gaze linger on him as you breathed against the bulge in his boxers, brushing your bottom lip against it as Ashton’s body shivered, his moans getting rawer with every touch. You pressed a kiss against the straining fabric, making his cock twitch under your lips. A satisfied groan left his mouth as you slowly kissed up the length of his cock, swirling your tongue around the tip where it soaked the fabric of his shorts. You lightly sucked on the head, teasing him through his boxers as he slowly lost himself in the pleasure building inside him.

You tugged on his boxers, and he lifted his hips so you could pull them down on his legs, tossing it behind you. As you looked back at him you needed to swallow down your own moan escaping you: Ashton looked golden in the glow of the fire, skin shining and muscles tensing, chest heaving with heavy breaths, eyes dark and full of lust, his cock thick and hard as it rested on his stomach. You couldn’t hide your own body’s reactions to the beautiful man lying in front of you – suddenly you felt warm, your stomach pleasantly flipped at the thought of feeling him against you, inside you. As you climbed back over him you felt your panties sticking to you, your own wetness seeping through the fabric at the sight of him.

Ashton was ready to start begging, you could see it in the way his throat worked around unsaid words as he swallowed, fingers twitching to bury themselves in your hair, his cock leaking pre-cum against his stomach. Before he could form any actual words you leaned closer, licking up his cum and brushing your lips against the tip, slowly closing them around it. Ash let out a broken moan, hands flying up to his own hair to tug on it as you sucked him lightly, stroking his full length with your tongue. Every touch sent another shiver through his body, and your ears were full of his babbling praises as you started to take him into your mouth. He was already halfway in when you pulled back and he let out a frustrated little sound, looking at you pleadingly.

”Babe, fuck! Please,” he reached down to run his thumb over your bottom lip as you lazily stroked his cock up and down.

”You can touch me… if you want to…” you brushed a kiss against his palm, nuzzling your face closer.

”You’re gonna be the end of me,” he moaned, fingers tangling into your hair.

”I’m aiming for a happy ending,” you giggled, lips closing around the head of his cock again, and Ashton let out a breathless laugh as well, slightly pushing you down on his thick length.

It was something you’ve always enjoyed, Ashton’s fingers running through your hair and slightly guiding the movements of your head as you took him deeper into your mouth, licking and sucking him as he groaned above you. You loved the heavy feeling of his cock on your tongue, how he twitched when you brushed against a sensitive spot, how he pulsed when he was getting closer.

”Fuck, that’s good,” he threw his head back as you relaxed your throat, letting him push his cock deeper. ”You love taking all of it, don’t you?”

You hummed around his cock, fingers brushing against his heavy balls as he kept you there for another moment, then let you pull back again for air. Your pussy was clenching at the thought of having him inside you soon, but you wanted to take your time, to build up his pleasure again before giving in to your needs as well. You wrapped your fingers around the base of his cock, stroking him up and down as you looked up at him again, head resting on his hipbone and tongue swirling around the tip of him. You felt him getting closer as more pre-cum slid down his hardness, and his fingers tugged on your hair to guide you back to suck on his cock.

Taking him back into your mouth you started to bob your head up and down, sucking and stroking him at the same time, and you felt Ashton lose himself in the feeling. His fingers were aimlessly working through your hair, both wanting to hold onto it and to let you pleasure him the way you wanted to. Then his abs tensed, hands tugging on the locks of hair between his fingers as he whined, hips moving up and down, chasing his orgasm.

”Fuck baby, please please please,” he begged, words slurring as he fucked your mouth, working towards his release.

You only needed a moment for your eyes to meet, and then suddenly he pushed back against the pillow behind him, head thrown back and lips parted in a heavy moan as he grabbed your hair, moving you up and down on his cock as you swallowed his hot cum. He tasted heavy on your tongue, something uniquely Ashton, and you groaned around his length, ready to lick up every last drop of his pleasure.

He was trying to catch his breath as you pulled off of his cock, licking the underside when he finally looked down at you, giving him a flirty look. His cheeks were pink, body sensitive and eyes full of lust as he watched you giving him small kitten licks, making his cock twitch where it rested on his stomach, spent and softening after his orgasm.

”You taste like heaven,” you whispered, lightly kissing his stomach and Ashton groaned, voice breathy as he shifted on the floor, trying to get comfortable.

”You really are trying to kill me,” he sighed, fingers caressing your cheek with feathery touches. ”God, babe, I think I blacked out for a moment.”

”Did you see stars?” you bit your lip to hide your smile, and Ashton let out a chuckle, still high on the pleasure coursing through him.

”You’re my brightest star, little sun,” Ash gave you a loving look, and you returned his laugh, kissing his fingertips as they brushed against your lips.

Ash let out a soft whine as you kissed his hipbone, lightly grazing the skin of his lower stomach with your teeth, sucking and licking the soft flesh under your lips until you were sure there will be another mark left on him, one only you could see or touch. His hips were slightly moving as you worked on the little love bite, his cock already trying to get hard again. Your lips pressed against the tip in a small kiss, making Ash groan, then you started to make your way up, kissing all the sensitive and ticklish spots on his body. He needed to a giggle when you nudged your nose against his wrist, wanting to kiss every inch of inked skin, starting from the tally marks, working your way up and over the moon tattoos, and finishing with soft, tickling kisses on the star tattooed on the inside of his arm.

”You’re not done yet, are you?” he bit his lip to hide a cheeky smile, and you leaned over him, caressing his cheek.

”Where do you want me to continue, little moon?”

”Hmm,” with a breathless smile he grabbed your face with both hands, tugging you closer. ”Come ‘ere.”

He pressed your lips together, humming as you kissed him back, pushing his tongue in your mouth when you tried to pull back for air. You could feel his laughs as his hand slid down to your waist, wrapping an arm around you just to suddenly turn you over, pushing you onto your back as he hovered above you. His hair tickled your face as he continued kissing you, your cheek cradled in the palm of his hand, and you wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him as close as you could.

”Little sunshine,” he nuzzled his nose against yours, pecking your lips. ”You make me feel so much, I can’t even start to explain.”

”Then show me,” you pressed another kiss on his lips, combing your fingers through his hair. ”I know I will understand.”

Warm hands moved under your sweater, pushing it upwards on your body until Ashton curled his fingers into the soft fabric, slowly pulling it over your head. His lips found their way back to yours, moving to your neck and collarbones to kiss over them, palms cupping your breasts to squeeze them. He flicked his tongue over a nipple, sucking it into his mouth as his thumb brushed against the other, playing with the hard nubs, making you moan and press your thighs together. Your pussy pulsed with need, the wetness between your thighs almost uncomfortable as your hips moved against his, wanting to feel as much of his warm body as you could.

”How do you feel about the socks?”  Ash chuckled against your chest, giving a small lick to your other nipple. ”Do you want to keep them?”

”Are your toes cold?” you gave a light tug to his hair, brushing through the silky black locks.

”Probably,” he shrugged, but a smile was still playing at the corner of his mouth.

”Bring it on, loverboy,” you pretended to be annoyed, but your own laugher gave you away, and Ash pressed a smiley kiss between your breasts.

He kneeled up and took one of your legs in his hands, slowly sliding down the knee high socks and kissing every inch of skin he uncovered. He pressed his lips against your ankle, running a finger down the sole of your foot in an almost tickle, then put it back in his lap to tug off the other sock. He repeated the kisses on your other leg too, working his way up to your knee and the inside of your thigh, leaning forward to continue at your bellybutton, lightly licking it. Ash rested his forehead against your stomach for a second, fingers curling into the sides of your panties, pulling them down just enough to press a kiss against the skin he just uncovered. Your soft, needy moans fuelled the fire in his eyes, and he tugged off the last of your clothes, ready to reciprocate the pleasure you just gave him.

”Ash?” you bit your lip as he kissed lower, and he looked up at you, eyes questioning.

You brushed your thumbs against his cheeks, and he pressed his lips against your palm, waiting for your next words.

”I only want you,” you whispered, resting your hands on his shoulders. ”Please.”

There was a soft smile on his face, knowing exactly what you meant, and he pushed himself up to you, wrapping you in his arms as he pulled you to his body. His kiss was deep and passionate, a confession you’ve shared every day since you came here, a reminder of what it really meant to love and to be loved.

He shifted you both so you could lie comfortably on the floor, his hand sliding between your legs to slip two fingers inside, groaning against your neck as he felt how turned on you were. His thumb brushed against your clit, making you clench around his fingers as he slowly pulled them out. His hard cock twitched against your hipbone, smearing pre-cum against your skin. Ash wrapped his hand around his cock, giving it a few pump and spreading your wetness on his shaft, then pulled your leg around his waist.

He ran the head up and down between your wet folds, forehead pushed against yours as you kissed and breathed each other in. Then a whimper escaped your throat as the tip pressed against your entrance, and Ash bit your bottom lip as he pushed inside, kissing away the sting as he stretched you inch by inch. He only needed to pull out once, just so he can push all of his cock back in your pussy, hips flush against yours as he filled you up.

”I wanna see you. I wanna feel you close,” he swallowed around his moan, voice rough and full of emotions. ”Fuck, you’re everything to me.”

”You’re everything to me,” you repeated his words, pulling his face back to yours to kiss him. ”Ashton, please.”

”You can have anything,” he breathed, slowly moving his hips against yours.

His scent clouded your mind, his warm, naked body wrapped around you in an embrace as he moved in and out, hand looking for your hand to tangle your fingers together. Ashton’s sounds were a melody to your ears, whispered on your skin and against your lips, making your heart beat even faster. It was impossible to be closer to each other, yet it still felt like he wasn’t close enough – you wanted more of him, you wanted every inch of his skin against yours as you made love.

Ashton pulled both your legs around his waist, the tip of his cock dragging against your sweet spot, making your pussy clench and your thighs shake as he fucked you a little faster. His lips skimmed over your collarbone and shoulder, leaving barely there teeth marks on your skin as he slowed down, nose pressed against your wrist and lips kissing your skin, pressing his cheek against it as he looked at you. You’ve never been more in love with him than in that moment.

Ash pushed himself up so he could lean forward and rest on his elbows, bracketing you between his strong arms. His fingers tangled into your hair, angling your head up to his as he pushed his forehead against yours, hips picking up the pace again. He knew your body better than anyone else, and it took him only a few more thrusts inside you to make you lose yourself in pleasure. He held you close as you clenched around his cock, body trembling as he whispered against your ear, peppering your face with more kisses.

The last kiss was pressed against your nose, then Ashton pulled away and out of you, and you already missed his warmness, suddenly feeling chilly now that he wasn’t pressed against your body. But then you felt him shift beside you, slowly turning you onto your side as he slid behind you, wrapping his body around your back. His lips were already on your neck and jaw, one arm around your waist as the other pulled your thigh over his, slowly pushing his cock back inside you, groaning at how your pussy twitched and pulsed around him.

”You feel like heaven, little sunshine,” he sighed against your ear, face buried in your hair. ”Wanna love you, wanna cum with you, beautiful.”

”Fuck, make me, Ash,” you turned your head around and he cupped your face, kissing you deeply. ”Want everything you can give to me.”

Ashton pulled your hips back against his, fucking his cock back into you as you both moaned. You moved in synch with his thrusts, wanting to feel as much of him as you could. His eyes were staring into yours between kisses, his fingers slightly slipping into your mouth to make you suck on his knuckles, then sliding them down your neck. Your breath hitched as he kissed you while his fingers wrapped around your throat, giving it a light squeeze, and you felt dizzy with pleasure. It was only a moment, and then his hands were making their way down your body, pinching your nipples and pushing against the bruises on your skin, slipping between your thighs to rub against your sensitive clit.

”I’m gonna– fuck, Ash!” you whimpered as he quickly circled your clit, fingertips brushing over your lips where they were stretched around his cock.

”Cum for me, Y/N, cum for me,” he kissed into your ear, panting against your skin as his hips stuttered against yours, body tensing behind you as you clenched around him.

Your body trembled with the pleasure of your orgasm as Ashton fucked into you, riding out his own release as he came deep inside you, his cock pulsing with every thrust. His chest was pressed against your back, arms wrapped around your waist as he pulled you as close as he could, face buried in your neck, soft moans leaving his lips. You squeezed his fingers where they rested on your stomach, and he looked up at you, eyes shining and cheeks pink as he burrowed closer, pressing your lips together in a sloppy kiss. Ash rested his forehead against yours, shifting a little to pull out, and you instantly reached back to squeeze his hips, pulling him back to you.

”Just… stay a little more, please,” you swallowed around your words, feeling yourself lightly squeeze around his cock.

”Not going anywhere, beautiful,” he nuzzled against your cheek, lightly kissing it. ”I love being this close to you.”

”Am I close enough now?” you smiled, and he happily nodded against your neck.

”Exactly where you should be.”

For the next few minutes you’ve stayed like that, bodies pressed together, lightly kissing while Ashton’s cock was still buried inside you. He finally pulled out with a groan, his body shivering from the last of his pleasure. You turned around to snuggle up to his chest, and he reached back to tug the blanket down from the couch, pulling it over you and tucking it around your shoulders. His lips were pressed against your temple, fingers lightly brushing your hair as you drew patterns on his shoulder, stroking the back of his arm where the rose tattoo was inked into his skin.

”This is nice,” he hummed with a smile, angling his face towards yours to kiss you. ”I love how you touch me.”

”I love touching you,” you laced your fingers together between your bodies, stroking your thumb against his. ”And I love it when you touch me.”

”Even this?” he giggled, pushing his foot against your ankle, and you hissed as his cold toes touched your skin.

”You are the worst,” you laughed, squeezing his fingers. ”You should be the one wearing socks.”

”Not as sexy as you wearing them,” he wiggled his eyebrows with a crooked grin, and you lovingly rolled your eyes at him, pushing your feet against his.

”Do you think I could spoon you tonight?” you asked, brushing the hair back from his forehead and you could see a light blush colouring Ashton’s cheeks.

”You don’t want my cold toes nudging you during the night?” his voice was a self-conscious whisper, and you needed to kiss away the pout forming on his lips.

”No, I just want to spoon my boyfriend. Cause I love him so damn much and he deserves cuddles during the night too.”

”I’m sure he would appreciate it,” he bit his lip, trying to hide his toothy grin. ”Does he maybe get extra neck kisses too?”

”Neck and ear kisses,” you smiled at him, running your fingers down his side and over his stomach, brushing against his navel. ”And maybe some light caresses here…”

”If you keep this up I’ll need to fuck you again during the night,” he groaned, reaching for your hand to pull it back around himself.

”Good,” you pushed yourself up above him to kiss the soft spot behind his ear, whispering when a shiver ran though his body. ”Cause I’m not done with kissing all of your tattoos just yet.”

”Well, you could start right here,” he chuckled, moving his hand over his eyes, displaying the small red heart on his wrist. ”You can have it, if you want to.”

”But what if I want the snake?” you pulled his hand away with a grin to look into his eyes. ”Can I have that too?”

”Fucking hell, Y/N,” he cupped your face with a laugh and pulled you in for a kiss. ”Yes, you can have it. Any time you want it.”

part 1 // part 2 // part 3 // part 4 // part 5 // part 6 // part 7 // part 8 // story tag.

[gazebobullshit]

tell me when 

pairing: eddie kaspbrak/richie tozier ( reddie )  rating: teen ( for language )  word count:  2284 summary:  Richie and Eddie spend a night in, Eddie asks some important questions. gift for: Christine ( ladystvrk ) for the @it-fandom-exchange ao3 link: here

“Alright, alright Trashmouth!” Eddie’s hands are up, half empty beer dangling from his right. “If you were so sure, then when did you know?”

Richie snorted, his own beer nestled in his lap. “Are you seriously asking me when I realized I had a crush on you?”

“Yeah, well-” Eddie opened his arms out in a challenge, face flushed from the drinks he’s already had that night. “You keep saying since we were kids and I’m calling bullshit.”

Richie can’t help but laugh at that, elbow resting on his knee and body leaning forward to support his chin on his open palm. “I know. Hard to believe that I, Derry’s number one pussy slayer, was in fact very gay for one Mr. Edward Kaspbrak.”

“Please. The closest you’ve been to a naked woman is Bev in her underwear.”

“Ouch Eds.” He pointed with his free hand, “I mean you’re not wrong, but- ouch.”

“C’mon. I’m serious.” Eddie straightened his legs out on the floor, enough to bump his socked foot against Richie’s knee. “When did you know? And be real with me Tozier, no jokes.”

“Fuck. If I’d have known we’d be playing twenty questions tonight I’d have vetoed the booze.” He straightened, hands pressing against his face, pushing his glasses up into his hairline. He could feel Eddie tapping at his knee with impatience and he grumbled low in his throat as a response. Hands dropping enough to let his glasses slide ( somewhat ) back into place. Just enough for him to glare at Eddie over the tops of his fingers. “Give me a goddamn minute. We only got these memories back like four months ago.”

“Bullshit. You’re fucking stalling.”

“So what the fuck if I am? It’s embarrassing.”

“Please Rich. I want to knoooow.”

Richie might have found it amusing, even borderline adorable,  that tipsy Eddie got whiny. His cheeks flushed as he took another sip of his drink, shooting Richie a look that’d put the puppies in those adoption commercials to shame.He looked so comfortable, and far more at ease than Richie thinks he’s ever seen him, even back when they were kids.

“Okay. Okay. Just- don’t fucking laugh at me.”

“Absolutely no promises, but continue.”

That earned Eddie a middle finger, which got Richie double the response back.

Richie settled back against his couch, head tilting up towards the ceiling. He knew of course, how far back the crush went. Maybe not the exact date and time when he’d realized it, but he did know a vague enough answer.

“Well, there’s that summer.” And sure, saying it like that’s kind of vague, but they all know what ‘that summer’ usually refers to. Sweet summer of ‘89 with its clown bullshit. “I was kind of ignoring it until then.”

“The crush or the-”

“Both.” Richie shrugged, nail scraping at the label on his beer. “Figured if I just never shut up about how much tail I was getting on the reg’ people wouldn’t notice, you know? Or I dunno, fake it till you make it, I guess.” He flinched, letting his head fall forward again but keeping his eyes squarely off of Eddie’s face. “It took Bowers being an asshole and the clown chasing me through Bassey as that fuck ugly lumberjack for me to think, ‘Hey dickhead. Maybe this is a thing.’”

“So, what? When we were thirteen? That tracks I guess. You were extra annoying that year.” Richie might not have been looking at him, but he could hear the expression on Eddie’s face. That frown of consideration that made the wrinkle between his brows more prominent. “Still not seeing the whole crush on me thing.”

“Eh, I’m getting there.” He exhaled, shifting where he sat, lifting his beer to take another big sip. When the bottle was back in his lap he let his gaze drift, spacing out somewhere in the general area above Eddie’s head. This memory, unlike some of his others, was crystal clear and distinct. The very first one to hit him when he’d walked into the Jade and set eyes on Eddie for the first time. It was almost...too much to look at. The colors are too vibrant, the feel of the wood assaults the nerves at the end of his fingertips. He got a splinter that day and he can feel it now, like it’s been digging itself under his fingernail for the past twenty-seven years. It takes him a minute to wade through all of that to find his words again. “Remember the Kissing Bridge?”

“Of course. Isn’t that where Bowers got Ben the day we met him.”

Richie winces, and nods. “Yep.” He pops the ‘p’ on that, “Well, I didn’t go there to carve up new kids like Thanksgiving turkeys. Call me old-fashioned but I kind of prefered the original purpose.”

“Oh God. Don’t tell me. You fucking didn’t.”

“Oh yeah.”

“Oh my God Rich.” Eddie snorted, “What the fuck.”

Richie finally let his gaze drop to Eddie’s face only to find Eddie trying to muffle his laughter with the palms of his hands.

“Hey! I told you this was fucking embarassing!”

“Yeah, but I didn’t think- Jesus Christ Richie, the Kissing Bridge? Are you serious? You can’t be fucking serious.”

“Fuck you.” He pointed a finger at Eddie, wagging it in the air between them. He’s trying to be serious but the grin on his face and the laughter in his voice is giving him away. “I thought it was fucking romantic, and it wasn’t like I was about to confess my undying love for your hyperactive ass.”

“You’ve gotta be bullshitting me. There’s no fucking way. Nope. I don’t believe it.” Eddie’s head is shaking, and he’s leaning back on his hands. “You know I’m not about to step foot in that town again to check.”

“Hah, but that’s where you’re mistaken. You don’t have to do shit. I took a picture.”

“Bullshit.”

“Get ready to eat your words Kaspbrak.” Despite himself he was grinning as he shifted to pull his phone from his back pocket. Thumbing quickly to clear the screen of the avalanche of twitter notifications and angry messages from his manager. Pulling up his camera roll he pulled up the snapshot he’d taken of the Kissing Bridge just before he’d left town, his old carving done up fresh and standing stark against the wood. “Read it and weep, bitch.”

Tipsy Eddie did not have the sort of hand eye coordination necessary to catch a phone but Richie tossed it anyway. Then laughed as the other man fumbled not to drop it before it flopped face down on his lap. Once he could actually look at his screen, Richie watched as his eyebrows did some complicated gymnastics routine on the upper part of his face, mouth turning down in a frown.

“I can’t believe you’re serious.” He squinted, fingers moving to expand the picture, before he glanced back up. “This shit looks too fresh to be from 1989.”

“Recarved it.”

“You’re joking.”

“Nope.” He brought his beer back up to his lips, drinking the last of what was left in one quick gulp. Tongue dragging out  to lick his lips before continuing. “You almost died-”

“But I didn’t.”

“Right, but you didn’t.” He shrugged, “I don’t know, it just felt cathartic. I thought maybe if I carved it again I could just leave all those feelings there. Put them to rest.”  He gestured between them vaguely, “I didn’t think- I mean, I had every intention of keeping it to myself for the rest of forever.” He never once thought he’d be here, with Eddie. That talking about all this shit would be so easy, embarrassing sure, but easy nonetheless. Because Eddie knew and Eddie was here, and despite everything Richie woke up with the man of his dreams half tucked under his side.

Eddie was back to staring at the picture, only this time his face was all pinched in thought. “So that’s when you knew? When we were thirteen.”

Richie moved, stretching to put his bottle on the coffee table, before settling back in his spot. “That’s when I accepted it. Realizing it was a lot more fucking embarrassing.”

Eddie looked skeptical. “More embarrassing than carving our initials on Derry’s horny make-out spot?”

“Remember the day we met?”

“No! Richie- Richie we were six years old! No fucking way.”

“I told you this shit was embarrassing!”

“You were not in fucking love with me when we were six.”

“Hey! You’re the one holding my phone. Go ahead, dial my mom, ask her! I swear on Ben’s perfect abs I told her I’d marry you the second she picked me up from daycare.”

“I’m not- Richie it’s like 3 in the fucking morning where they are. No.”

“Then you gotta take my word for it.” He lifted his hands, palms up towards the ceiling. “Your mom dropped you off and you looked so mad about it. I thought you were one of those kids who bursts out crying the second their parents left them alone, but nope! You were just pissed because everything was a mess.” He laughed, and this memory- this memory wasn’t like the other one. It was faded and delicate. When Richie picked it up he felt like he had to be careful or he’d risk tearing it apart, like an old piece of film. Bits and pieces shone through well enough, the things that he’d always liked about Eddie since the start. His loud, fast voice, and animated hand gestures. The way his fanny pack looked too big and cumbersome, especially back then when he was nothing but tiny hips and twiggy legs.

The way he’d looked at Richie like he found everything he did physically repulsive, and yet didn’t pull away. Instead he’d clambered all over him, manhandled him into obedience so he could apply brightly colored bandages to the scrapes and bruises on Richie’s knees. All while yelling about cooties and calling him a dummy.

He expected to hear Eddie laughing, but when he looked up, he was looking at Richie’s phone, thumb pressed lightly to the screen.

“Eds? Spaghetti?”

“Don’t call me that.” Absent and automatic, without bothering to look up.

“Which one?”

“Both, dipshit.” One eyebrow arching up as their gazes finally met for a moment, before Eddie was taking his beer and downing the last of it in a series of furious gulps.  

Exhaling, he set the empty bottle down next to Richie’s, and held  the phone out. Not like he was handing it back, but so that Richie could see the screen. The picture had been shifted, zoomed in a little off to the side to show a different part of the screen. Another carving, faded with time but still visible.

R, with a heart around it.

“Eddie…”

“For the record. It was that summer for me too.” When their eyes met over the phone Eddie’s were intense and focused. No signs of the alcohol in his system, though he was breathing a little harder. “You told me to look at you. You kept telling me to look at you instead.”

They both swallowed, not really wanting to relive that moment, but finding it bursting through their defenses unbidden anyway. For Eddie it was the way the clown’s hand had felt on his face, the pain of his broken arm, and the smell of rancid breath washing over him. For Richie it was hearing Eddie scream, seeing the clown standing over him with drool dripping from IT’s jaws.

Then it was just the two of them. Richie’s hands on Eddie’s face, his voice yelling at him to look away. Just like it was the two of them right now, only instead of chaos and children screaming, the world was quiet, like it was holding its breath.

“I can’t believe you gave me shit. You’re just as big a sap as I am.” Richie’s voice sounded hoarse to his own ears.

Eddie just smiled, pushing up onto his knees so he could close the distance between them. Dropping Richie’s phone in his lap, before lifting that same hand to tilt up Richie’s chin. “You’d probably think I was body snatched if I didn’t give you shit, admit it.”

“Touche.”

Eddie’s head lowered, Richie could taste the beer on his breath and it made him feel drunker than any of the alcohol he’d had that night. Light-headed and wanting. Head tilting to the side to accommodate the kiss he felt like he’d die without.

“One more question.”

“Jesus Christ, Kaspbrak. You’re going to kill me.” He groaned, letting his head fall back against the couch. This close he could feel Eddie’s laughter like the rumble of a distant thunderstorm vibrating the air between their bodies.

“Do you still love me?”

Richie’s head snaps back up slightly, one eyebrow trying valiantly to reach his hairline. His hands had settled on Eddie’s waist, but now he let them slip down the rough fabric of his jeans. Giving him a brief pat on the ass, before he hooked the back of his thighs and guided Eddie into his lap. “Eddie my love, that is the stupidest question I’ve ever heard.”

“That’s not an ans-”

Richie can only hope that the kiss they share, just like every kiss that came before and all the ones he prays are still to come, will be answer enough. When they pull apart it’s with Eddie’s hands cradling his face, and a dopey smile slowly spreading across Richie’s features. “I love you Eddie Kaspbrak.”

Eddie beams, actually beams, and Richie feels his heart stutter. “I love you too Richie Tozier.”

“Sap.”

“Oh fuck off, Trashmouth.”

[nolongerironicteenwrites]

it’s been a while hasn’t it?

times have been, rough yeah? how bout a fluffy ship post because i’m feeling emo for haikyuu!! and i haven’t had a chance to watch season four yet. and i am v sad ab it rn k? k. 

prompt: Person A: “I have something to tell you.”Person B: “Oooh~ Are you about to profess your undying love for me?”Person A: “Yes, I am.”Person B: “.....What?”

Iwaizumi Hajime x Oikawa Tooru

Hajime and Tooru have been friends for the better part of ten years, to the sound of twelve. Tooru would always be grateful for that. Even when the two of them going in very different directions wit the rest of their lives, they are still there at each others sides. No amount of banter or ill-timed joke can separate the two of them. Tooru can be as overbearing as he wishes and Hajime can be as collected as he wants and the two balance each other out well-enough.

No stone can be left upturned with them.

Well almost no stone.

One year into university and a new found friendship in his roommate, Hajime finds himself sitting in his shared dorm eating plain Capn’Crunch talking with his roommate in question.

 “Daichi what am I doing with my life?”

 “Besides eating my cereal?” he asked, laughing looking up from his book.

 “Hey now, I’m serious about this one Dai.”

 “Hajime what do you actually mean then?”

Hajime sighs and puts the box down on the bed side table and looks at him.

 “I’m still in my home town, my best friend, no offense, is like four hours away, and I’m not even playing volleyball right now.”

 “First off, you are recovering from an injury. Secondly, Oikawa understands and he tries to talk to you as much as he can. But you’re at the school for the best physical therapy because of your best friend. Thirdly, I accepted the first time Oikawa and I properly meet I knew I was never going to be your actual best friend.” Daichi replied putting his book aside and taking off his glasses.

Hajime smiled at him, but his eyes look sad and unconvinced. Daichi knew he was over thinking. Daichi was smart enough to realize there was something more on his mind.

 “You don’t have to talk to me, but I’m here.”

 “I’m about to make a mistake.”

 “What do you mean?”

 “Daichi do you know when the buses start and stop?”

Daichi knew this was a bad idea from the start, but he saw the look on Hajime’s face he knew he was in this for the long haul.

 “Let me make a few calls.”

Hajime picks back up the box and Daichi walked away to make a few calls and do a bit of Google searching. Daichi was calling three people, Suga, Kuroo, and Ennoshita to make sure that he wasn’t be irrational. Ennoshita replied no, helping a friend in love was a very chivalrous. Daichi laughed, he wasn’t sure if that’s what he was doing or not, but he did feel good about it all.

 “You need more cereal.”

Daichi sighed. He needed to help him. And get him to stop eating his cereal.

 “Buses to where you want to go start at 7:20 and stop running at like 2 in the morning.”

Hajime looks at the clock. It read nine am. He jumped out of bed and started throwing together a backpack. Daichi nodded and followed along.

 “How’s your boy?”

  “He’s fine. School has been rough but he’s doing great.” 

Hajime holds his bag close and picks up keys and wallet. He looks like a kid in a candy store for the first time. Daichi picks up his backpack and keys as well pocketing his phone. 

  “Well come on now before I loose my nerve.” 

  “What are you going to do? Confess to him?” asks Daichi. 

  “Yes..” 

Daichi sneezes. He’s not sure why his body’s response was sneeze but he looks at Hajime like are you insane? Hajime isn’t looking back though, he has the dopiest smile on his face paying the other no real thought. Daichi rolls his eyes and locks up their dorm room. 

Hajime just follows with his jacket thrown over his arms and smiling to himself. Daichi sends a quick text to Chikara that they’re leaving and will keep him updated. Then he texts Suga to tell him that he’s on his way. Suga responded with a series of obscene emojis. Daichi nearly gagged and pocketed his phone. 

  “What?” Hajime asked. 

  “Suga is just being himself you know?” 

  “Not well enough no actually.” 

  “He is a beast in his own right. And that is all I can say on that.” Daichi responds. 

Hajime laughs and opens the stair doors. The two of them walk down the stairs together and burst through the doors together. 

  “Are you sure you are okay with this?”

  “For you? Anything.” 

Hajime nods to show his approval and that he would do the same. Daichi nods back and offers a fist bump. Hajime responds and slips his earbuds in as does Daichi and they walk side-by-side. Once at the station Hajime bought Daichi’s ticket, ‘for coming with him”. 

Daichi just shook his head. He set himself up to read by the window while Hajime just watched the scenes pass in front of him. His phone was buzzing on his lap and every so often he would tap away, messaging someone back. 

  “Oikawa?” 

  “His sister actually. Turns out Oikawa like flowers, lilies.” 

  “You told his sister you were going to confess?” 

  “I told his mom and she told her.” 

Daichi snickered. He shook his head and goes back to reading. Hajime smiles to himself and goes back to watching. He was so excited for this. He’s been waiting for months figuring out what he needed or wanted to tell him.His mind was racing what he could say. 

Haijime wanted to be as straight as possible so Tooru never questions it. LAy it all out on the table for him. Four hours is a long time to think. An even longer time when you don’t remember falling asleep till you’re being kicked awake. 

  “What?” 

  “We’re hear.” 

Hajime nearly bolts up and runs off the train. Daichi has to stop him before he hits a little lady in front of him. Hajime nods and waits for the isles to clear. 

  “I will literally buy you all the ramen you can eat for this.” 

  “No need. I love being here for you.” Daichi replied looking down at his phone. “Okay they leave like four blocks from here.”

Daichi guides Haijime around the corners and up to the apartment building. Hajime shakes his head.  

 “I can’t do this. Daichi what if he-”   

“Iwa-chan, Dai-san? What are you two doing here?” 

  “I missed my best fried.” Daichi reaches for Suga and pulls him to a choke hold. 

Suga coughs a bit and tries to wiggle away and Daichi. Tooru laughs a bit and looks at Haijime with a twinkle in his eyes. He offers a hug and Haijime with out hesitation squeezes him. 

  “What bring you here as well them?” Tooru asks. 

  “I have something to tell you.” Haijime smiles pulling away. 

  “Oooh~ Are you about to profess your undying love for me?” he teases wiggling his eyebrows. 

  “Yes, I am.” 

  “.....What?” Tooru backed away panicked. 

Hajime nods smiling awkwardly. Tooru sniffs and shakes his head. 

  “You’re lying. This isn’t- no.” Tooru smiles, “You love me?” 

Hajime nods and moves closer to him cupping his face. He’s smiling and kisses his softly. Tooru kisses him back. Suga and Daichi are watching. 

  “Why don’t you kiss me like that?” 

  “Because I’m not dating you?” 

Tooru pulls away laughing looking at the two. 

  “Are you two always like this?” 

  “Yes, I even did this when him and Chikara got together.” 

Tooru and Hajime laugh pulling each other in again. 

[inkribbon796]

Clipped Wings

Summary: Yancy tends to know more than he lets on, which is why the heroes have some questions for him.

A/N: Happy Visitation Day Everyone! Yancy still didn’t want to leave.

Silver touched down just outside the security gates of “Happy Trails Penitentiary”. Jackie zipping in to stand beside him in the same second.

The black and white themed superhero let out a long sigh, “Honestly, it amazes me that more of these guys aren’t in prison.”

“Real question is why it took so long fer us ta find out about him,” Jackie questioned. “Shouldn’t Dark have broken him out ages ago?”

“Yeah, that’s been bothering me all night,” Silver walked up.

The two heroes walked up to the front gate.

“I.D,” the woman at the heavily secured booth ordered.

“Are you kidding me?” Silver asked.

“We live in a town of shapeshifters and illusionists,” she reminded, “ID.”

Jackie nodded, “Fair, how can do this without showing our identity where Dark can get them?”

It took a considerable amount of time, and Abe vouching for their identities in person, and by that time, Silver was certain that Dark had to know they were at the penitentiary. But they walked in the staff lobby to meet the Warden.

“Greeting gentlemen, I am Warden Murder Slaughter,” the Warden smiled.

Silver and Jackie both glared at the name, immediately suspicious but that was an investigation for another day. “Now you two are here for an inmate? I can assure you my prisoners are well-behaved and we haven’t had any problems in this prison for decades.”

“Right, we’re here to speak with a Mr. Yancy Times,” Silver asked. “He knows information that we need for an investigation.”

The Warden smiled, leaning in a bit, “Might I ask which investigation that is?”

“Not a lot ta talk ‘bout,” Jackie confessed. “But Yancy’s got information on a series a cases we’re tryin’ ta solve. That he can give us info on a suspect.”

The Warden smiled, looking between the two of them before he began to walk away, “Come with me. I’ll have our Yancy brought to a questioning room.”

A guard led them into a room with a couple tables and chairs. The room was empty but Jackie could see areas where people had recently been. “Hey, this guy’s creepy right?” Jackieboy asked.

“Oh yeah, but we need to talk to this Yancy kid, and hope it goes somewhere,” Silver answered.

The two heroes sat down at a table and about five minutes passed before the Warden walked back in, “Well, here he is boys.”

Behind the Warden was a younger man with greased back black hair, and tattoos all over his arms and knuckles. He gave a small, non-committal wave. The Warden slapped Yancy on the shoulder, “We’ll be watching, have fun.”

“Course, Warden,” Yancy answered before sticking his hands under his arms and walking over to sit down.

The three of them were left with a single guard watching them. They sat in silence for a little bit.

“So,” Jackie began, “Yer Yanc, huh?”

Yancy frowned, his head slightly cocking to the side as he glared at them, mouth forming a thin line. “Whatever happened, I’s gots two life sentences an’ I’m not goin’ anywheres.”

“We wanted to talk about Dark,” Silver corrected. 

Yancy froze, his mouth tensing twice, “Well he works outta couple weird warehouses an’ lives in’a freaky haunted house.”

“Is that place actually haunted?” Jackie asked.

Yancy let out a little huff and a smile, then he shrugged, “Prolly, I mean have youse really seen the guy?”

“Several times,” Silver reminded. “We know you used to work for him, it’s how you wound up in trouble, he possessed you didn’t he?”

Yancy let out a laugh, “Me, possessed by him? Nah, youse got it the other way around. I’s did that, it was all me. An’ I ain’t givin’ the Ol’ Man credit fer it.”

“We think one of the other kids that Dark grabbed killed people like you killed people,” Silver told him.

Yancy leaned back, “Look, news flash if youse guys are reopenin’ missin’ cold cases, last I heard the guy was dead as a doorstop. Don’t know how but I wasn’t exactly surprised, he made more enemies than anyone’s I know.”

“This killer is alive an’ kicking,” Jack warned. “Dark is usin’ him ta kill people like he used you ta kill people.”

“Look, it’s sweet that youse guys wants ta make me feel better,” Yancy spat, clearly getting increasingly angry. “But I was the one who chose ta kill two completely inn’acent, that’s why I’m in here an’ not out there wit’ the rest of youse!”

“Kay, okay,” Silver cut in, trying to calm Yancy down. “You say you did it, you did it.”

“I did,” Yancy spat.

“Okay,” Silver agreed, “but people are still dying. It’s not you, because like you’ve said you were here, but there’s still someone out there. All I have to ask is this: how many kids did Ed give Dark. We know he did, he gave you to him. How many kids did Ed give him.”

Yancy scoffed, looking at the guard, looking at his knuckles for a little while, “Five.”

“Just five?” Silver asked.

Yancy nodded, “Yeah, not that that tellin’ youse anythin’ cause on’a ‘em dead and another went missing since I’ve seen them.”

“Ye know where the bodies went?” Jack asked.

Yancy let out something half-between disbelief and a nervous chuckle. “Bodies? Word ta the wise, give up. Youse guys ain’t findin’ no bodies, ain’t nobody ta find anymores.”

“There must be someone,” Jack reminded. “Even the most successful serial killers mess up.”

Yancy rolled his eyes, “Yeah, well Dark only wanted Eddy ta grab orphans an’ I guess he messed up too.” The prisoner gestured to himself. He thought or a couple seconds, scratching his chin. “Look, I’s don’t know where the bodies went, but . . .”

He stopped, “Wait, ta clear the air, we talkin’ bout Artie or someone else?”

“No,” Silver jumped in before Jack could. “We’re looking for someone who’s killing co-ed’s and the bodies are never found. The guy you’re talking about, we know he’d dead.”

“Yeah, no surprise,” Yancy scoffed, he tapped the table and looked back at the camera.

“Worried about the Warden?” Jack asked.

“Nah,” Yancy smiled. “But the Warden’s not the only one watching me. I bet my left foot that both Google and Anti have their hands in the system. The order of the place tends to get him to show up.”

Yancy leaned in whispering, “Look, if I’s tells youse guys about this, youse have ta leave.”

Silver and Jackieboy looked at each other and nodded.

“If it’s not Artie, then it’s Bim,” Yancy whispered. “I don’t know where the bodies go, Artie an’ Bim learned ta kill from Wil, but Dark actually taught ‘em how ta hide the bodies, they would make a whole weekend of it. Youse two ain’t gonna find the bodies in town.”

“I knew it,” Jackieboy’s hand tightened into a fist.

“Yeah, yeah, just don’t go expecting me ta sing in court, I’s ain’t leavin’ my family here,” Yancy said louder, leaning back.

“We could protect you,” Silver promised. “He won’t hurt you.”

Yancy stood up, holding his hands up, “Forget about it, I’s leave, an’ he wins.”

“Who?” Jack asked.

“Who else,” Yancy scoffed, squaring his shoulders. “Now if youse will ‘cuse me, fellas, I got’s ta make myself scarce fer a couple hours.”

“What do you mean?” Silver asked.

Yancy smiled and backed up to the long-haired security guard standing by the door. “Hey, buddy, how’s it goin’?”

“Yancy, the hell you want?” The security barked angrily.

The inmate gave a wry half smile, then punched him across the face.

“Hey! Hey!” Silver flew over and pulled Yancy off who started humming and Silver froze as if something held him spellbound. His arms dropped Yancy as the prisoner began snapping his fingers rhythmically.

“Stop him!” The guard shouted and tackled Yancy to the ground, forcing his head to the ground. “If this punk start’s singing he hypnotizes people”

“Is he kept around other prisoners?” Jackie asked,concerned. Yancy was clearly wincing in pain, but beneath it there was a hint of a smile.

“We use him to keep the other prisoners in line,” the guard said.

“What the Sam Hell is going on in here?” The Warden stormed in through the doors, glaring at everyone.

Yancy stopped smiling.

“This punk walked over and started punching me, then he tried to thrall the superheroes,” the guard accused.

“Really?” The Warden glared at Yancy. “Take him to solitary, I’ll have words with him in a minute.”

“E’pect my uncle to come by,” Yancy grimaced as he was hauled up. “Bunch ‘a loose lips around here.”

“I don’t wanna hear a peep out of you, or I’ll ship you back to that demon, Heaven knows he complains enough,” the Warden threatened.

Yancy’s mouth became a flat line and to both Silver and Jackie’s amazement, Yancy didn’t say anything. The guard pulled him away.

The Warden watched him go, “I blame that cotton candy psycho for teaching him such poor manners.”

“Isn’t this a prison,” Jackie asked. “Don’t people want’a leave?”

The Warden just smiled, “You’ll find that here in Happy Trails Penitentiary, we believe in rehabilitation and keeping the truly dangerous separated from society until they can reintegrate with society.”

Jackieboy Man clapped his hands and brought his hands to his mouth.

“What?” Silver asked, in surprise and a little bit of confusion.

“Well we got what we need, an’ we’ll get outta yer business,” Jackie interrupted.

“For the best,” the Warden smiled. “A guard will see you out.”

“Right, let’s go Silv’ come on,��� Jackie smiled and zipped out with Silver before another guard could show up.

“What was that for?” Silver asked, the two of them a safe distance from the penitentiary.

“Look, thanks ta Marv, I’ve dealt with a lot’a cults, an’ that in there is a fookin’ cult,” Jackie spat, pointing back in the direction of the prison. Both of the heroes were too heated with their conversation to notice the cameras in an alleyway shudder and snap in their direction, the lens turning green.

“Kay, so what do we do? Shouldn’t we go back in there?” Silver motioned back.

“We’ll talk ta Morality and the others, I don’t like the whole mess,” Jack said. “See yah back at the base, I think Marv was out looking for more spells, gonna talk to him.”

“Right, see you around,” Silver said as Jack raced off. The monochromatic superhero flew off, the camera watching him go before shaking and returning to normal, Anti slipping out to follow the direction that Jack had run off towards.

[lorenahqs]

❤ POOL DAY -  DISCORD PARA

LORENA: " I know, that's why i made myself at home out here, " the femme said with a laugh.  her eyes were covered by sunglasses and she had chosen to wear one of her new bikinis she had purchased a few days prior - one with tropical patterns and a black base. her lips formed a smile at his touch, and it grew more with every second. " i'll take the free massage that comes along with applying the lotion," she spoke softly - small moans escaping her lips from his hands rubbing just the right areas. " you always gave me the best massages ! i'm pretty sure i reached the point of annoying you because i was always asking you for them. " lorena giggled while her body moved slightly, hoping that it didn't cause his hands to slip from the current spot he was working on.

KAINE: This was her home. He wanted it to still be her home. But those were thoughts he kept in his head. “Like this bikini on you.” Fell from his lips easily, thumbs really working into the most tense areas of her neck muscles. She carried their boys and was so tiny, it was the least he could do. “it’s been a while since I’ve given you one, and I know the boys both keep getting bigger. “ Kaine said in a lower tone, palms working over her shoulder blades and fingers into dips. The sounds she was making had him so pleased with himself and made his own abs tighten. “If you wanna know a secret, I just would pretend I hated giving you massages so you’d appreciate them more.” Laughing at his admittance, he found a super tight muscle and used both hands to knead it out, digging deep with his palms and knuckles so she could feel all the pleasure possible with this. “If you think about it, is there ever really a time I don’t like touching you and having my big hands all up on you? Your skin is probably my second favorite thing in this world to touch. Your lips being number one.”

LORENA: she missed everything the two of them used to do together. she missed the massages, him tickling her even though he knew she hated it, she missed the breakfasts in bed, falling asleep on his chest, all the exploring they did together, the family movie nights where they each took a turn picking movies, except for evian because he was too little; she missed EVERYTHING and all she wanted was to gain it all back and be given the ability to experience the world with kaine and her family. " wow, i see your strategies, floyd ! " the brunette said with a laugh - moving her arm so that her the palm of her hand playfully hit his arm. "seriously though, i want you to know that i appreciate and love everything you do for me.  I know i don't say it enough sometimes."  another series of muttered moans flew out of her mouth, causing her to bite her lip. "hmmm, i don't think there has been ! you've always been a handsey one,  especially to the point where multiple people have told us to stop with the PDA, but i liked how often you touched me; i still do."

KAINE: It was hard not to worry that every day that passed that they weren’t together, that she was getting over him. That little by little she would move on and eventually fall out of love with him. It drove him crazy, made him insecure sometimes and he found himself expressing it incorrectly because it all just pent up inside him. “Now that I don’t have you shoving your legs in my lap anymore and expecting massages, I realize how much I miss touching you like this and how much you love it.“ He said in a low, slightly raspy voice before clearing his thought and laughing as her hand connected with his skin. “I’m never going to stop fighting for us and loving you. I just, hope to see that there’s a possibility of a light at the end of the tunnel somehow. I want to know that...that it’s not too late or something.” The thoughts that filled his head escaped without him even fully thinking through if it was okay to admit and share, but it was too late now. “I miss grabbing your butt and kissing you. Wrapping my arms around you and holding you against me. Or tackling you with Tide and having kissing competitions with him on who can give you more.” Kai said as he applied more sun screen and to her lower back and dragged his finger tips over her ribs then pushed them up and underneath the band of her bikini to tease the soft skin.July 3, 2020

LORENA: she listened to every word that poured out from his pale lips, every emotion that he expressed she took in. the brunette slipped her sunglasses up onto her head to reveal her eyes - moving her body in a way that made it possible for her to look at him. "kai, it's not too late. i promise you that it's not! " and she truly meant that. she felt that it would never be too late for the two of them. she always swore they were meant for each other and it was their destiny to end up together ; they just had to figure out how to intertwine again without all of the turmoil following them. "he actually asked me the other day why we don't do those anymore," she expressed with a sadness in her voice. she spoke low and her eyes traveled to look at the ground. "I didn't even know how to answer, but i told him that i missed them..and i want you to know that i cherish everything we did and do together still." lorena smiled at him as she suddenly sprang up from the lounge chair, dragging him by the arm to the pool slide. "want to go down together ? "

KAINE: His fingers flexed against her sides as he watched her face come closer in view. Eyes locking into hers, he took in a deep breath and rubbed his lips together with a nod. “I-I’m putting everything into believing you right now. It’s scary, but as long as you don’t give up on me and us, I’m gonna keep doing everything I can to win you back over and fix us.” Leaning down, he brushed his lips against her cheek before letting out a heavy breath, eyes falling shut knowing that tone of hers all too well. “I’ll tell Tide it’s my fault. That I have to work on things. I know now it falls on me and that-that I gotta do better as a man. “ Following her pull, he raised his brows and laughed because he could make a sexual pun but instead just swooped her up in his arms. Holding her protectively, he jumped into the water as high as he could with her in his arms before they hit the deep end and sunk them both to the bottom with the biggest grin on his face.

LORENA: “hey, it’s not all your fault. I’m just as much to blame for us falling apart,” which she wholeheartedly believed. It took two to tangle, therefore it took two to get into the position they were currently. she would prefer to put her house on the market and move back in with kaine and the boys, have everyone under one roof, but life just didn’t permit that yet. “I get too angry over things, I realize that, and that did add fuel to the fire when we fought.” once her feet were lifted off the ground, her arms wrapped around his neck as she giggled. “don’t even warn a girl before you lift her off her feet,” lorena said once they both reached the surface.

KAINE: Part of him thought she was just being nice and making him feel better about it all. He appreciated it and it showed in his face as he pulled her in against his body in the water. “Don’t use this against me, but you’re hot when you’re all mad and riled up. When you get jealous, it just makes me want you even more. “ Kaine confessed before splashing her slightly then letting out a laugh, stroking over his slight scruff. “You would have yelled no or tried to convince me not to throw you, so I had to go a head and give you no choice. “ Pulling them both to an area to where only he could stand, he held her in his arms and encouraged her to wrap her legs around his body. “How do you always manage to look good wet?” He asked before a laugh ripped through his body and his abs, vibrating against her before shaking her head. Not meaning it in a sexual way, he clarified himself. “I mean like in the shower, the pool, some girls look like a little weird with their hair slicked back. But you...you just always look so damn good. “ The last few words were whispered into her ear as his hands sprawled out against her back, finger tips grazing against her skin.July 5, 2020

LORENA:  with the pull of his hands bringing her body against his in the water, she could feel her cheeks start to go tomato red. "you like when my brazilan firecracker side comes out, " lorena said with a giggle.  "você também é quente." though the male didn't understand portuguese, although not to lorena's knowledge, she thought saying ' you're hot too ' in her native tongue would sound sexier than simply saying it in the english language. " you're damn right because i didn't even get a chance to hold my nose before we touched the water." the femme took notice of his suddle cue's and hesitantly wrapped her legs tight around his waist. it felt like for once since the breakup, she was letting herself truly enjoy the moment between them. she had tried to fight it every day -- pulling away after seconds and not allowing them to get too close, but she let her walls come down just for one day, and it was already feeling like normal.  "shut up," she said giggling. all of sudden, something inside of her took over and pushed her to bring her lips on top of his, kissing him softly. she was tired of talking all the time and she just wanted to feel what it would be like to kiss him again. "you're the one who looks good wet here."

KAINE: It was easy to notice him making her blush and he couldn’t help but smirk at himself for putting that color on her cheeks. Making a Latina blush is goals and as Lo’s man, he always strived to make it happen.  “I do.” Kaine said, holding her still against his body and biting the inside of his cheek in pleasure as she spoke in her native tongue. It was clear as day that his eyes were heavy with love and admiration as he watched her lips move and his brows traveled upwards, wondering what she said. “You’re gonna teach the boys Portuguese so you can all talk behind my back, aren’t you?” He asked with a laugh that rippled throughout his body and against hers, trying to hide how turned on he was right now. “Hold your nose, Lo? Really?” Kaine teased as his muscles completely were put into ease and relaxed as her body was once again against and wrapped up in his. Being able to hold her again and set his arms around her had Kaine in literal heaven. This is all he ever wants. “Make me.” The red head teased in a heavy whisper, the smile on his face truly not being able to leave. And then, she did just that. His lips met hers instantly and he took his time, savoring her taste and bringing a hand up to sink into her hair. Just kissing her made his heart rate increase and he couldn’t help but deepen the kiss, sensually sucking on her bottom lip and putting his all into it. “Is that a challenge for me to make you extra wet in here?” Kaine joked against her mouth, his tongue brushing against her bottom lip as his hands in her hair massaged at her scalp. His hand was big enough that his thumb was still able to settle against her cheek and he brushed against the bone as he kept kissing her, showing her with every fiber in his being how much he missed this, missed her and loves her. “I’m never gonna take kissing you for granted again. “ The male assured her in a hot and heavy whisper into her mouth as his nose brushed against hers.

LORENA: "well, if you must know, i've already make flashcards in portuguese to teach them." she laughed playfully at the thought, "I stayed up until three a.m. when you had them two nights ago and made them. one side has pictures on it with the word or words under it in portuguese, and then the other side is just the english word  or words." she wasn't not going to teach her children her native tongue. lorena wanted nothing more than to hear her boys communicate to her in her first language. the brunette knows more than anyone that she doesn't quite speak it enough, but them learning would be her greatest gift. "maybe it is, floyd. are you gonna accept it or pussy out?" she joked in between their kiss. their lips colliding felt like fireworks and sent a tingle down her spine. it felt like the first time they had ever kissed and she was happy to see that their passion was still there. she had been worried that it faded away since the two of them hadn't connected like that in so long. "i love you," the femme whispered against his pale lips - her fingers intertwining through locks of his hair. she pulled on it teasingly but not enough to hurt him. she never wanted this moment to end. she wanted the world around them to stop moving, to become still in time so that the two of them would never have to break apart from their current bliss. "your kisses still send shivers down my spine and cause butterflies to sworm in my stomach."

KAINE: Laughing through his nose, his head shook because he expected nothing less. She was such an amazing mother and his kids were so well loved and taken care of by her, it make his heart literally sore in places he didn't know it could. "If you put your glasses on when you teach them, maybe I'll sit in Miss Lo's class and learn alongside our boys." Both their background, ethnicities and heritages meant a lot to them, so he wanted to put the effort in to appreciate hers even more. He was so fucking stuck in his Hawaiian and Samoan upbringing that he needed to make sure his boys were raised better than he was. "Pussy out? Lo, it's me. The only out and pussy I'm doing is eating. Yours." biting her bottom lip and soothing over the mark with his tongue, he worked on pushing up her bathing suit, just needing to feel the soft skin beneath it on both ends. god, her skin was even softer than before and it wasn't fair. like at all. his thick fingers teased both her back and front, playing with the strings and cleavage as he practically hissed. "i love you, too. i love you so fucking much." the feeling of her hands in his red locks was enough to make his stomach tighten and lower region do the same. she knew that it was his weak spot and when she played or tugged on his hair, he completely came undone and so weak for her. "when you kiss me, everything feels right again. you're my girl. my world. this is where we're supposed to be, you in my arms and our lips glued together." kai husked out into her mouth, his tongue massaging against hers as he kissed her slowly and passionately, his body grinding and closing any gap between them. it had been so long and just her kisses alone had him half hard, which he wasn't shy to show against her thigh. "i want you. now and always." kaine admitted hotly into her mouth, hands settling on her ass and fingers holding on for dear life.

ENDS WITH THEM MAKING OUT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE LORENA HEARS HER PHONE - GETTING A CALL FROM HER DAD THAT WAS BABYSITTING THE KIDS THAT EVIAN WOULDN’T STOP CRYING. IT’S BEEN A FULL DAY NOW AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT SPOKEN ABOUT THE EVENTS OF THAT DAY.

[sorcerusdragonbionics]

Reading list 6/22-6/29

So I got this from a few places, such as the FanFic Summer Reading Challenge as well as one of the profiles I’m following mentioning that they wanted to do a reading list of every fanfic they’ve read. I read A LOT, hence why wanted to do the Summer Reading Challenge, but I also wanted to share fics with people, so I’ve decided that every Sunday I’ll post the fics I’ve read in a Reading List for the week.

Fic ratings range from G to E, but all of them are labeled so if something isn’t your cup of tea, don’t read it. Since this is my first list and I want to see how it turns out I’ll keep them all together for now, but depending on how it turns out I might start dividing them up by fandom and possibly by Rating.

For Now: Tell me if this Sharable Link works for you Google Drive Folks, or Read More if you feel so inclined.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Py4njs7UTYOijl3TkGAB2MouJ4uiTa4e3uB6ThpMjs/edit?usp=sharing

Revenge of White Rabbit

Fandom: Tiger & Bunny

Author: TiBun, UnknownPaws

https://archiveofourown.org/works/4832390/chapters/11067851

Status: Complete

Series: https://archiveofourown.org/series/329461

Complete

Three works

Chapters: 14/14

Summary: They say that bad things happen in threes, but they never specify just how Nightmarish "bad things" can get.

Rating: E

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Major Character Death

Words: 45091

You’re All I Need

Fandom: Tiger & Bunny

Author: towokuwusatsuwu

https://archiveofourown.org/works/8565637/chapters/19636612

Status: Incomplete

 Last Updated 2016/11/17

Chapters: 2/?

Summary: In a world where you only see in shades of gray until you meet your soulmate, Barnaby has his literally fall into his arms.

Rating: M

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Words: 2891

 Of Tigers and Bunnies Series

Fandom: Tiger & Bunny

Author: MarchWindsAprilShowers

https://archiveofourown.org/series/1332236

Status: OnGoing

Last Updated 2019/6/25

Works: 7

Home Sweet Home Summary: Barnaby wasn’t sure exactly what it was that made his partner’s home feel like...home. At least, he feels more at home there than anywhere else, including his own apartment.

The Group’s Couple Summary: Every large friend group has at least one honorary couple and this one is pretty annoying. (A short and completed drabble series of how the other heroes deal and interact with TaiBani.)

Already Perfect Summary: If there’s one thing Barnaby actively avoids in interviews, it's the subject of children in his future besides Kaede.

Fried Rice and Promise Summary: In which Barnaby decides to return the favor and kick down Kotetsu's door unannounced with some fried rice to cheer up the old man.

My Hero! Summary: Okay, alright. Social media has even pointed it out at this point. Barnaby will admit it. // He can be a little protective of Kotetsu. // Maybe even unreasonably.

For the Last Time, Go to Bed! Summary: Keith is sick with a cold and keeps bothering Ivan who is currently making him some soup.

Betrayed by the Heart Monitor Summary: Barnaby is injured on the job and is in the hospital. Kotetsu is with him and refuses to go home. It's 1AM, so that's the perfect time for confessions (obviously)!

Rating G - T

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Words: 7424

The Prophecy

Fandom: BBC Merlin

Author: VikingSong 

https://m.fanfiction.net/s/10463682/1

Status: OnGoing

Last Updated 2019/6/22

Chapters: 79/?

Summary: Uther learns Arthur is the Once-and-Future-King of prophecy and declares him a traitor, forcing him to flee with Merlin. The catch? Arthur has no idea who Emrys is and no desire to fulfill the prophecy. Reveal!fic. T for action sequences/some deaths; no slash, no smut, no language. Cover art by AlexandarCho on deviantART (used with permission).

Rating: T

Different Tagging System so not marked for whole work, but Author is vigilant to point out moments of violence that will be coming up in the chapter.

Words: 110584

The Only One

Fandom: Tiger & Bunny

Author: Rinienne

https://archiveofourown.org/works/7085107/chapters/16103044

Status: Complete

Chapters: 8/8

Summary: There was nothing funny about a NEXT ability which made some people lose their minds to lust, especially while it had such deadly consequences. Others were not affected by it the same way, but what was the difference between the two groups was a question yet unanswered.

Rating: E

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Warnings

Words: 46668

Zero to Hero

Fandom: Hero Academia

Author: ryrybread

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19323073/chapters/45963673

Status: OnGoing

Last Updated 2019/6/24

Chapters: 2/?

Summary: Midoriya Izuku has had a hard time getting through life as long as he could remember. Not only was he quirkless, but he was born in the wrong body, gender-wise. // If it wasn't for his childhood friend standing up for him, he wouldn't even been here, let alone being face to face with his ultimate role model, All Might. // Follow Izuku through his high school experience, dealing with feelings, villains, and transitioning to become the boy he always was meant to me.

Rating: T

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Words: 2057

Something To Look Forward To

Fandom: Hero Academia

Author: jooniebears14

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19206946/chapters/45661945

Status: OnGoing

Last Update Approx 2019/6/25

Chapters: 2/?

Summary: After leaving his horrible middle school Izuku Midoriya starts fresh at a new one. Making plenty of friends and experiences along the way, everything was perfect until… // “Izuku were getting married” // “ Oh that’s great I’m so happy for you guys” // “ Yeah and were moving back to Musutafu” // “Wait what”

Rating: T+

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Words: 3293

Zero: the World’s Best Hero Duo

Fandom: Hero Academia

Author: Toboe1087

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18548689/chapters/43963657

Summary: There was a next to zero percent chance that it would happen. That two infants would meet each other in the park and have a soulmate connection. That they would grow up together and change the world forever. But that's the thing, the chances were next to zero, but not quite zero.

Status: OnGoing

Last Updated Approx 2019/6/25

Chapters: 24/?

Rating: G

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Words: 40125

Three’s a Crowd

Fandom: Hero Academia

Author: ScatteredSounds

https://archiveofourown.org/works/15960185/chapters/37223450

Summary: Izuku wasn't sure if he was ready to find his soulmate, then he found two. He swears upon All Might's abs that he is not ready to handle this shit. Todoroki has had a rough past and finds it difficult to show emotion. Bakugou only know how to show 50 shades of anger. And Izuku is just so happy to have both of them in his life he doesn't really know what to do with himself.

Status: OnGoing

Last Update Approx 20169/6/17

Chapters: 13/?

Rating: E

Warnings: Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings

Words: 43949

A Suitable Nickname

Fandom: Tiger & Bunny

Author: Fujiwara_no_Seimei

https://archiveofourown.org/works/216812

Status: Complete

Chapters: 1/1

Summary: Kotetsu and Barnaby have been living together for years with Kaede, and now a teenager, she's pushing her boundries. Barnaby learns what his real role is in this dysfunctional family.

Rating: T+

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Words: 797

Win Some, Lose Some Series

Fandom: Tiger & Bunny

Author: Lirillith

https://archiveofourown.org/series/12623

Status: Incomplete

Last Update 2012/2/13

Works: 3

Win Some, Lose Some Summary: Barnaby visits Kotetsu in the hospital after the final confrontation.

Better Late Than Never Summary: Set during the episode 25 timeskip. Kotetsu and Barnaby get their chance to talk before Kotetsu leaves Stern Bild.

Keep Your Chin Up Summary: Barnaby navigates Christmas solo.

Rating: G-T

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Words: 7096

Potential Happy Endings for Tiger & Bunny

Fandom: Tiger & Bunny

Author: wickedorin

https://archiveofourown.org/works/308846/chapters/494248

Status: Complete

Chapters: 5/5

Summary: While I was waiting for the final episode, I had a little fun writing the possible endings that were in my head. Many spoilers, but not really for the final episode.

Rating: M

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death

Words: 5326

Seasons Will Change

Fandom: Tiger & Bunny

Author: Tru

https://archiveofourown.org/works/253126

Status: Complete

Chapters: 1/1

Summary: A "what if?" post episode 24.

Rating: T

Warnings: Major Character Death

Words: 1807

Me in You, You in Me

Fandom: Attack on Titan

Author: fromstarlighttodust

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19338721

Status: Complete

Chapters: 1/1

Summary: When an experiment goes wrong, Levi and Eren end up in swapped bodies. Unfortunately, existing as each other until they can figure out how to reverse it turns out to be more difficult than they had anticipated. Ultimately, it leads to a journey of hard truths, mutual discovery and a greater understanding of one another--not to mention an appreciation for being themselves.

Rating: M

Warnings: Underage

Words: 9732

Hero Name

Fandom: Hero Academia

Author: miarinnes

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19364635/chapters/46072966

Status: OnGoing

Last Updated 2016/6/26

Chapters:1/?

Summary: Bakugou Katsuki was visited by a "ghost" girl named Katsumi. The bubbly 5-year-old instantly got immuned by Katsuki's angry outbursts and a wide range of curses. Who was this girl, this -- Katsumi who had curly blonde hair, round ruby eyes, and freckles across her cheeks? Bakugou does not seem to care until she had talked about her Papa that reminded her of spring and the color green.

Rating: M

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Words: 3957

I’m Only Yours (Forever and Ever)

Fandom: Attack On Titan

Author:Siamesepolyporegoat

https://archiveofourown.org/works/15778020/chapters/36707862

Status: Complete

Series: https://archiveofourown.org/series/1164533

Incomplete

Last Update 209/6/20

Chapters: 26/26

Summary: Eren was the second son. He was supposed to be free to love and marry whoever he wanted. So why was he being sent to marry some stranger?

Rating: M

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Underage

Words: 67781

On the Shoulder of a Giant

Fandom: Attack on Titan

Author: Written By:  Emamel 

Read By: Opalsong

https://archiveofourown.org/works/2791343

Status: Complete

Chapters: 11/11

Summary: The Scouting Legion receives word of a rogue titan in the battle of Trost. // They didn't know what to expect - it certainly wasn't Jaeger.

Rating: M

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Podfic- 0 words read

Savior

Fandom: Hero Academia

Author: jaegerackereri

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18077612/chapters/42727589

Status: OnGoing

Last Update 2019/6/29

Chapters: 6/?

Summary: When Izuku's brother Kota becomes gravely ill, the only person that is able to save him is the cruel Dragon King Katsuki Bakugou, but how far is Izuku willing to go to save his brother...

Rating: M

Warnings: Author Chose Not Use Warnings, Rape/Non-Con

Words: 10232

[choiceslife]

When Worlds Collide: Part One (Limited Series)

Disclaimer: Based upon characters in Choices - Endless Summer, It Lives in the Woods, The Royal Romance, #LoveHacks, Home for the Holidays and ?? series. All characters presented are the property of Pixelberry Studios. I claim no ownership. This story is purely the work of the poster as fanfiction.

Overall Series Rating: 18+ (NSFW)

Warnings: Adult Language, Adult Content, Sexual Discussions. Future chapters may contain SMUT and Gratuitous Sexual Descriptions

Overall Series Summary: The sisters are together again and Ava Cunningham believes only they can help her.

Author’s Note: This Limited Series is a companion/sequel to Divided By Circumstance. I suggest you at least read that series in order to understand this one. As with most of my stories, this is a crossover and is part of my interconnected Chromatic AU. My MC’s are as follows: Carrissa Monroe (TRR), Abby Bennett (#LH), Scarlett Joy (HFTH), and Taylor Reed (ES). There will be an End Note following this chapter.

Tag List: @brightpinkpeppercorn @mysteli @cinnamonroll-duffy @darley1101 @debramcg1106 @katurrade @ladynonsense @luxurylives @regrettingnathan @akrenich @teamtomsato @riseandshinelittleblossom @kinkykingliam @jlouise88 @kenjikatsoros @eileendannie @marshmallow-ortega @littlecrookedheart @i-choose-liam @boneandfur @bobasheebaby @tmarie82 @walkerismychoice @europeanguy @pixieferry @sstee1 @3pawandme

This is very much sensitive content and NSFW. You have been warned.

***

Louisiana - Somewhere

Barely 8am and the rural Louisiana heat was quite high for this late in the fall. But Jake McKenzie didn’t mind. He preferred warm weather over anything remotely cold. There was just something about being able to go outside and let the sun’s rays soak into your skin that Jake enjoyed. Sure, he’d been to places with colder climates and had a good time, but he found the process of bundling up to be rather annoying.

Plus, he wouldn’t be able to go for his routine run outdoors if he lived some place with colder weather. He’d be trapped inside on a treadmill at one of those cookie cutter, corporate gyms that he despised. World Fitness. Jake tried it out once during a free trial weekend. It sucked. He much preferred the makeshift gym in his garage and the ability to jog without worrying about a time limit because the place was stuffed to the rafters with people. Too many people. This eventually led to several other patrons always waiting to use the machines.

But running outdoors on his own time, without anyone else around, was much more in his comfort zone. Just him and nature. And running outside meant that Jake didn’t need headphones to tune out unwanted distractions. He was able to run freely with his own thoughts and nothing else.

The repeated ‘thwap thwap’ sound of Jake’s worn sneakers ricocheting off the pavement always brought a soothing calm to his mind. He could usually tell from the repetitious noise just how close he was to meeting the Navy required time for a mile and a half run - 16 minutes 10 seconds - the new maximum time allowed. In his prime, Jake could easily best that time with a 6 minute mile pace, but nowadays he’d be lucky to run a mile in under ten minutes.

Gotta ease up on all the beers, Hotness Jake imagined Taylor saying to him playfully as he wiped his brow with the back of his hand. The sweat had matted his shaggy brown hair to his head and periodically a rogue drop would try to course its way towards Jake’s eye. Burning eyes while running wouldn’t feel good at all. The sweat running down his bare chest and what was left of his abs, however, felt great. Particularly because of the heat. Whenever a brief breeze did blow, his body would get a momentary reprieve from the humid feeling with a slight cooling effect.

As Jake crested a slight hill in the road, he noticed a car parked along the side of the pavement well off in the distance. It was a pretty unusual sight as his chosen running route was a very desolate, practically abandoned, stretch of highway. Jake couldn’t remember the last time he saw a vehicle that wasn’t his truck or Old Man Crabbypant’s rust-covered Cadillac.

___

“I think I see him. Shaggy brown hair. Average height. Crooked smile.”

“That’s him. That’s Jake McKenzie,” Ava said as she slammed the trunk of the car. “Quick, hide the binoculars and take off your shirt.”

“What? Why?”

“Dan Pierce!” Ava snapped. “Don’t question me! Just do it!”

“This is ridiculous,” Dan replied as he tossed the binoculars into the back seat of the rental car and slipped his tight blue t-shirt off. He kept muttering to himself as he moved to the front of the car and set the hood open to rest on the prop rod.

“He’s a lonely man, yet he ignored every person that approached him at the bar when I was observing last night. I just need something to entice him to stop and chat. Now stop complaining and work what your momma gave ya Dan. And pretend I’m not here.” Ava quickly made her way down the slight embankment off the side of the road and crouched down out of site.

“How do you know he’s lonely?”

“Hush. Pretend to be inspecting the engine. Pull out one of those hose thingys.”

“But...”

Ava shushed her friend again and flicked her hands in agitation towards the front of the car. A small trail of white smoke began to creep up from the engine bay startling Dan.

___

Jake slowed his pace as he approached the stopped car, taking in the beautifully sculpted masculine sight before him. The shirtless, mop topped brunette’s hands were firmly planted on the front of the car, supporting him as he peered over the engine. His well defined back muscles flexed slightly with each shifting movement as he inspected the disabled vehicle. Jake couldn’t help, but to admire the man’s broad shoulders that tapered to a trim waist with lower back dimples. Taylor had those as well and Jake was such a sucker for a man with them. He continued to drink in the gorgeous backside before him. Tight dark blue jeans situated low on the hips accentuating a cute, bubbled behind elicited a mild gasp as Jake’s jog shifted to a walk. He’s still not Taylor. As he approached, Jake placed both hands onto his hips as he took deep gulps of air in an effort to regulate and normalize his breathing. “Everything okay?”

From the side of the road, Ava watched as Jake strolled his slim, taut frame beside Dan. Now she just needed her friend to lull the fit recluse into a friendly conversation so that he’d let his guard down and she could have a much needed chat with him. Ava had hoped to talk to Jake the night before, but he was clearly giving off a vibe that said ‘Fuck Off’ to everyone. So Ava decided to go with Plan B: Shirtless Dan Pierce beside a ‘broken down’ car. And it seemed to be working.

___

Although Dan had seen Jake through the binoculars earlier, he hadn’t expected him to be as attractive as he was up close and personal. Dan couldn’t help his eyes wandering all over the jogger’s body. From his tantalizing and inviting blue eyes to the way his lopsided grin showcased his kissable lips; Jake was more man than Dan expected. “Not sure. It started to smoke and then just quit.” Dan’s eyes continued to wander down Jake’s body following his white lie, admiring the way the sun glinted off of his sweat laced chest and how his matted blue shorts hugged high and tight to his muscular thighs leaving almost nothing to the imagination.

“Mind if I take a look?”

“Not at all.” Dan stepped to the side allowing Jake to inspect the car’s motor to see what the problem might be. He glanced towards where Ava had been hiding, but she waved him off to pay attention to Jake. Dan returned his eyes to the man beside him, noticing the strength and definition in his body. “You’re hot,” he reflexively said; his eyes going wide the moment he realized that his comment was out loud and not in his head. “I mean, you look hot...like... hot like you need a drink. Do you want a water?”

Jake flashed a wry smile at the man’s moment of fluster. Still got it Jake. “Sure. A water would be nice.”

“K. I think we got some in the trunk.”

“We?”

Shit! Dan’s face immediately flushed with worry. He caught me. He knows. He fucking knows. “I. I’ve got some in the trunk. I have no idea why I said ‘we.’” Dan’s voice cracked as he nervously laughed. He made his way to the back of the car, hoping that Jake wouldn’t challenge his lie. Dan reached into the soft Coleman cooler and yanked a bottle of ice cold water from its depths. He closed the trunk and jumped back in surprise. The former pilot was standing near the driver’s side rear door with his arms folded across his chest. “Jesus Jake. You scared me. I didn’t hear you walk over.”

“How’d you know my name is Jake?”

___

Damn it Dan. Ava watched as her friend got flustered after Jake caught him in his faux pas. She couldn’t hide any longer. As much as Ava had hoped to get Jake to let his guard down before she broached the difficult subject of his lost love, she couldn’t let her friend Dan suffer Jake’s questioning on his own. “Wait Jake. I can explain everything,” Ava confessed as she made her way up the embankment towards the two shirtless gentlemen.

Jake took in the towering woman approaching him and the attractive stranger. She wore her hair in a beautifully braided style with several streaks of pink throughout. Her clothes looked like the latest in goth fashion from Hot Topic and no doubt many people lumped her into the goth chick category. But Jake knew better. He knew a witch when he saw one. “Who are you? Who is this guy? And what do you want?”

“My name is Ava Cunningham. That’s my friend Dan Pierce. And we both just want to help you, Jake.”

“You want to help me? You don’t even know me, Hermione. You think having some Handsome Guy chat me up means I’ll let you use your witchcraft to get into my head and poke around?” Jake saw the confusion on Ava’s face as she processed his words. “Yeah, I know you’re some kinda witch. Not the first one I’ve come upon in my life. You and Sexy Mop Top here can go back to Hogwarts and leave me alone.” Jake turned to leave the two young strangers, hoping he wouldn’t have to resort to other unpleasant means to get them to leave.

“How’d you know I was a witch?” Ava asked before Jake could even take two steps. She watched him pause in his tracks for a moment as if he was contemplating his thoughts.

Jake smiled to himself, his back facing Ava and Dan. So I was right. He loved when he read people correctly. Jake turned around, gesturing towards the front of the car as he did. “The engine. Nothing was loose or cracked. No obvious signs of damage, yet there was smoke coming from the bay. Growing up in Louisiana, you come to learn those parlor tricks. Also, there’s still a faint amount of smoke emanating from the palm of your right hand.” The instant Jake pointed out her tell, Ava looked down and clenched her fist extinguishing the last of the embers. “Next time Hermoine, just lead with the magic tricks. People love them.”

“But you’re not most people, Jake! I know what you’ve been through and...”

“You don’t know anything!” Jake whirled around to leave again; his face red with rage.

“Stuck in a time loop on a tropical island. Battling sea monsters and giant crabs. Fending off your old boss from Arachnid. But it wasn’t all bad. You helped protect a bunch of scared college kids. Reunited with your friend you thought was dead. Married the love of your life.” Ava watched Jake’s shoulders slowly rock up and down. She couldn’t tell if he was getting more agitated by her words or if she was getting through his gruff exterior and he was finally listening. “I know what Taylor means to you Jake. And I think I know a way to get him back.”

Jake took a few paces towards the front of the car. He dropped the prop rod and slammed the hood. “Screw the magic tricks. Next time lead with that.” Jake pointed to a smiling Ava and a confused Dan, “Get in the car. I’m driving.”

Rarely one to show genuine excitement, Ava giddily ran over to get into the front passenger seat beside Jake, while Dan remained glued in place behind the car. “So, can I put my shirt back on now?”

___

“So you’re telling me the Queen of Corona, some life-style blogger, and an editor are the most powerful witches in the world? And they don’t know it?” Jake plopped down onto the old couch in his living room, running a hand through his sweat dampened hair, before twisting open the water bottle Dan hand been intending to give him earlier. He gulped down about half of the refreshing liquid, letting out an exaggerated sigh of satisfaction when he was done.

“Cordonia,” Ava corrected, leaning against the door jamb that separated the kitchen from the living room. “And I know it sounds ridiculous...”

“It sounded like a joke when she told me. Which is crazy cuz I believed her when she told me about our friends battling moss creatures during the Homecoming dance senior year,” Dan interrupted. He pulled up a seat on the overstuffed leather chair across from Jake. The chair had seen better days, but damn was it comfortable. “An editor, a blogger, and a queen walk into a bar...” Dan chuckled softly, quite pleased with his humorous quip.

Ava rolled her eyes at her friend. “Weren’t you wanting to put your shirt back on Dan? I’m sure it’s still in the car if you wanna go get it and I’ll speak with Jake.”

“I’m good. It’s hotter in his house than it is outside.”

Jake flashed his award winning grin - Pearl River High School’s Mr. Bayou three years in a row. He swept the swimsuit and athletic events each time he won. Jake didn’t mind if Dan remained shirtless. He could appreciate the man’s appeal, but Jake’s heart belonged to Taylor and he was intrigued to know how Ava intended to bring him back. “He’s fine Hermoine. And I don’t think it sounds ridiculous at all. The things I’ve experienced on La Huerta; whatever Sexy Mop Top was talking about... I believe you.”

“Thanks Jake.”

“Hell, you could tell me that vampires roam New York and a robot is dating President Thompson and I’d believe you.” Jake finished the rest of his water and got up from the couch. He looked back and forth between Ava and Dan. “What I don’t believe is how you’ll be able to convince those sisters of who they really are, let alone get close enough to them to even try.”

Ava just stood silent. She didn’t have an answer for him as to how they would accomplish that feat. A few of her friends were in New York with her girlfriend, Stacy, working on a plan, but she hadn’t received an update on their progress. Ava watched as Jake excused himself from the room to finally go wash off the grime from his run. “Have you heard from Stacy, Lucas, or Cade yet?” Dan shook his head, giving Ava a brief moment of stress before she collected herself again. “Guess we’ll have to go New York and figure it out together.”

___

From within a living room mirror, Donovan Bailey observed Ava take a seat across from Dan. “The sisters are in New York,” he said turning to his friend, Shreya.

“I’ll tell the others and see if they can get a lock on their location.” Shreya quickly vanished leaving Donovan alone to continue keeping an eye on Ava Cunningham. While she wasn’t naturally attuned like Donovan and his friends, the magic world had become aware of her developing powers. After all, it wasn’t every day that a mortal human learned to harness powerful magic on her own.

***

End Note: Donovan Bailey is the name of my MC in The Elementalists. In regards to Endless Summer, I went with the third ending so this story takes place roughly a year after MC disappeared to save the others and free them from La Huerta.

[hellomissmabel]

A thirst for whiskey and gold (7)

MASTERLIST

Pairing: Lance Tucker x photographer!plus size!reader

Warnings: Mentions of suicide following a war trauma, PTSD, suicide is not described in a graphic way but still explicitly worded how. Foul language, talk of sex.

Word count: 4k

Summary: Soulmate AU where people see their whole life flash by before their eyes when they first kiss their soulmate. After Y/N receives word of her husband James’ death, she moves to Ohio where her best friend Karen has just given birth to a baby girl, hoping to find some piece of mind. Karen has asked Y/N to be the godmother and it just so happens Lance is the godfather to this little bundle of joy. One night, Lance gets drunk with some of his friends and they play ‘truth or dare’ which leads to an unexpected discovery.

A/N: Written for @whotheeffisbucky

Series masterlist can be found here

There’s a Greek myth you’ve always loved, about how soulmates were reportedly created. At first, a human being consisted of two people merged as one. They were completely, unconditionally happy. But Zeus grew jealous of their happiness and decided to cut all of them in half.

Once he split every human in two, these humans were no longer happy or complete. On the contrary, they would search their entire life for that same feeling of being complete again in the arms of their loved one, their soulmate. Some found their other half, others didn’t, but when they found their soulmate they’d forsake all nourishment in favour of that feeling of being complete again.

But they would never feel the same again, never be as complete as when they were still one unity, one body. So Zeus started to feel sorry for the humans and felt bad for what he had done to them. He decided to fix the damage and give the humans the ability to love and make love to one another.

Love was a substitute for being complete again, as love would never allow the same level of unity. Therefore the act of making love was introduced, to at least let humans experience this level of unity again in the same bodily way, just like before they were torn apart.

Making love for the first time, with your soulmate, it changes everything. It changes the way you feel, the way you think and act, maybe even the way you see the world. You slept with Lance Tucker and you have no idea how to feel about that.

After what happened at the gym between you and Lance, you didn’t talk to him for another two days. You didn’t know what to think of it, your thoughts jumbled and your feelings making your insides churn. Karen was getting increasingly worried as her NYE dinner was only one day away and you and Lance are supposed to go together.

He’s a cocky bastard and you’ve never been one to be seduced by the bad boy type. You prefer your men to be good guys, sweet guys, adorable dorks with a heart of gold. You don’t want a womanizer who spends his spare time chatting up girls in bars and getting laid on the premise of his former glory – and his notorious tattoo.

Your phone didn’t light up with missed calls from Lance. On the contrary, it stayed eerily quiet. Even when the day came round that you and Lance had scheduled your photo session. Albeit dragging yourself out of the house, you picked up your camera equipment and headed to the gym. You were early, very early, and so you waited on one of the benches while playing with your settings a little.

Soon girls started to flow in and you felt increasingly uncomfortable. If these are the girls Lance trains with, you don’t stand a chance, soulmate or not. You were beginning to realise what he saw in Mimi, spending his days around these gorgeous, lean girls with a perfect figure. When eventually Lance walks into the gym with his usual swagger, you straighten your back and get up to meet him halfway.

His face exhibits clear signs of shock as he did not expect to see you here. “Hi, Y/N!” Lance swings his bag to his other hand so he can give you a small hug, but you take step a back and smile apologetic. Fortunately he understands you’re not a big fan of physical contact at the moment.

“So are you ready?” He nods and tells you he’s just going to change into his work-out clothes in his office. There’s no cheeky smile or a sexual innuendo that follows, he just goes into his office with a sad look in his eyes. A pang of guilt follows and you have to calm your heart before it jumps out of your chest.

Once Lance emerges from his office, he calls all the girls around him and it’s back to business. You take photographs of the girls’ routines and of Lance correcting their figure or showing them how it’s supposed to be done. Sometimes your eyes linger a little longer on Lance, especially when he effortlessly demonstrates a triple backflip. At the end of practice, your memory card is about half full and you thank all the girls for being so professional about it.

Some ask when they can see the photographs and show genuine interest in your work, though others don’t show the slightest interest, bidding goodbye to Lance with a flirty grin.

“So… I’m next?” He scratches the back of his head with a shy smile. It’s the first time you actually see him with a blush on his cheeks and an insecure look in his eyes.

“Yeah, just show me a couple routines that you normally do and maybe a previews of what you wanna do at the Olympics?”

“Alright, I can do that,” he chuckles softly, pulling his shirt over his head and catching you off guard.

“What on earth are you doing?,” you snap at him with a slightly horrified look on your face as you take in his chiselled chest.

Lance just shrugs and it looks like he’s back to his old ways. “I’m sweaty,” he replies casually, taking a swing at the bars first, flexing his arms and though you don’t like to admit it, much to your entertainment he makes a little bit of a show out of it, grunting and groaning while he perfectly delivers his routines.

Once he’s finished, little beads of sweat are dripping over his chest and you lick your lips at the sight. Although you try to be subtle about it, Lance catches you gazing anyway and struts towards you, shaking his hips as an imaginary song plays in his head. It makes you laugh, the sound freeing you from the chains of insecurity that caused the distance between you and Lance to become almost unbearable.

“When do you think I can pick you up tomorrow?” He figures you’ve danced around each other for long enough, going straight for the kill.

You stutter a little at first, thinking of how much time and effort you’re gonna have to put in editing the photographs before they’re ready to be send to your editor. “Maybe around seven?”

His face instantly perks up now you’ve confirmed you still want to go to the party with him. In his happy daze, he quickly and unexpectedly pecks your lips. Once he realises what he’s done, he curses under his breath and walks away.

You have half a mind to follow him to his office and stop Lance before he can go inside. “Hey, Lance, it’s okay.” Resting a hand on his arm, you give him a reassuring smile before you drop your hand again. “I’m not saying I didn’t… like that,” you confess gingerly, “But it’s too soon after… you know…”

Lance bows his head and hums a quiet ‘yes’. You don’t want to end on such a low note and press a chaste kiss to his cheek, Lance’s hand smoothing over the skin you just kissed when he gazes up at you with a boyish smile.

He doesn’t have to say thank you as you can already see it in his eyes, a little grin tugging on the corners of your lips as you walk backwards to the exit. You only turn around when he gives you a small wave and you’ve woven back.

“What is Lance going as again?,” Karen disrupts your thoughts as you’re zipping up your dress before she returns the favour. Karen is dressed as the Goddess Hera to Ethan’s Zeus, as Karen is the one that planned the event in the first place and Ethan arranged the venue.

“The self-proclaimed God of Gymnastics apparently,” you shake your head as you reply, rolling your eyes at Lance’s humour. “Well, at least he’s got the abs of a Greek sculpture.” Your comment makes Karen cackle in hearty laughter, and you’re happy that the mood is so light considering Mimi is also coming to the ball.

“The self-proclaimed God of Gymnastics and his Goddess of Spring.”

Karen makes you twirl around and gives you a nod of approval. You’re all set and ready to go. Some of the guests have already arrived at the venue, waiting for Karen to assign them their seat at the dinner table, but she wanted to steal a moment of your time first to talk about something important. She has yet to tell you what’s so important.

“Hey, it was you that picked out the theme! Gods and Goddesses of New Year’s Eve,” you bounce back with a laugh, bubbling up from deep in your chest with genuine feeling.

It’s been too long since you’ve felt this kind of light-heartedness, the joy of simply living life instead of just existing. You have no idea what changed, but maybe it’s Lance’s dozen of roses he got you when he came to pick you up. Or maybe it’s the good news from your editor that your pictures are outstanding and she’ll publish them first thing next week.

Karen rolls her eyes and agrees. “So… what I wanted to talk to you about…” She leaves a dramatic pause, scanning your face for the truth about what she’s going to ask you. “Are you and Lance officially together now? Like, a proper couple? Boyfriend and girlfriend? Dating?”

You gaze down to your hands, fumbling with the roses of your dress. “No, we’re not. We are…” You mull over the words in your mind, hoping you’re not overestimating Lance’s feelings for you. “Weighing our options.”

Melinda rushes inside just in time to hear those final words, dressed as the Goddess of Wisdom Athena, pumping her fists in the air in victory once she registered your sentence. “Weighing your options? That totally means you’re dating, Y/N!”

“No, it doesn’t!,” you pipe up, your voice a pitch higher than usual. You thought you were doing a pretty good job at hiding what you and Lance did the day after the snowstorm. So far, you figured nobody suspected you and Lance had sex and you made Lance swear he wouldn’t boast about it to anyone, not even his best friend Ethan.

Humming her words, Melinda goes on to speak about how Hope saw you head inside the gym yesterday with your camera. “You did go through with the photoshoot, right?”

“Please tell me you did. You have to think about the soul mark, too, Y/N,” Karen joins Melinda, her brows furrowed.

“Yes, we had the photoshoot. But I can’t exactly force myself to love him, now can I?!,” you defend yourself against your two friends, getting agitated by them probing around in your love life.

They mean well and you know they do, but somehow you’re more on edge when talking about him. It’s like you feel the need to protect him and defend yourself towards others because they’re so quick to judge.

“I know I have to think about the soul mark,” you whisper gloomily, “I know that it can disappear and I know that will mean we are no longer soulmates. But I am trying to accept Lance as my soulmate.”

Ethan peaks his head around the corner, alerting Karen that more guests have arrived and that her presence is required. “You can’t rush love. It’s already a big step for you to let someone else in after… James,” she smiles warmly as she squeezes your hands in hers.

“I heard from Mike that Lance told the guys the mark is brighter again, so that’s a good sign.” Melinda sits down next to you and her voice takes a softer tone, as if she’s about to handle you with velvety gloves. “Mike also says Lance was a bit reluctant to talk about the night you got snowed in. That he was very vague about it. Did something happen, Y/N?”

Locking eyes with her, you know you can’t keep this a secret for much longer. If Mike is already asking question, Mike who is always oblivious to the most obvious of things, then surely Ethan and Oliver have already picked up there is something going on. “I slept with Lance,” you suddenly blurt out.

“NO WAY!,” both women exclaim in unison, eyes going back and forth between you and them. Then they just gasp while scanning you from head to toe as if they can’t believe you actually did sleep with Lance.

“How was it?,” Melinda is the first one to ask.

Shrugging with one shoulder, you try to brush off the subject as quickly as possible. “The date was super romantic, the sex not so much. It was –“ Pursing your lips as you’re trying to find the right word, you then decide on “Hungry.” With a nod, you confirm you statement one more time. “Hungry, sweaty sex.”

“The best kind,” Melinda agrees with a girly giggle, prompting a baffled laugh from Karen and you, too. The girls don’t ask you any more questions, just leave the subject there for you to pick up again if you wanted to or felt the need to talk about it.

“I just gotta touch up my make-up a little and then I’m ready to roll,” you tell your friends when they join their soulmates and already head downstairs. You check your eyeliner and hairdo, deciding to adjust your lipstick and add some more blush before following them.

Suddenly there’s another knock on the door and you figure it must be Lance, wondering what’s taking you so long. You tell him to come in, only to see from the mirror it’s not Lance but Mimi. Snapping your head in her direction, you lock eyes and immediately ask her what she wants.

“Nice dress,” she comments, seemingly unimpressed. “The Goddess of Tulle and a fat ass, hm?”

Mimi is dressed in a black, luscious yet see-through dress that leaves little to the imagination. When she notices you’re scoffing at her choice of attire, she flips you off and tells you she’s the Goddess of Night. “I bet Lance will love it.”

“Don’t be stupid, Mimi. What you and Lance had was a fling.” Standing up from your seat, your dress elegantly flowing from your curves, you walk past Mimi to the door and not so accidentally bump your shoulder to hers.

“And you’re a fat cow!,” she yells at you in frustration. She really can’t take it when people talk back, even though she’s the one that started the argument in the first place. “You don’t deserve Lance. Just like you didn’t deserve James.”

It’s as if you’re frozen in time and nailed to the spot. You’re absolutely sure Karen never told her sister about James. She swore it on the life of her future child that she would never, ever tell anyone but Ethan, who was James’ best friend and buddy in the army.

With a menacing look, you turn around and point a stern finger at the girl. “What did you just say?”

There’s victory in her eyes as she notices she’s hit quite a sensitive nerve. “What do you think Lance will say or do when he finds out what happened to James? It’s your fault he’s dead.”

Mimi bats away your hand and you react instinctively, striking her hard across the cheek to punish her for her audacity. “You have no right to speak his name. You have no right to accuse me of his death.”

Despite looking scandalised, you can’t wipe that triumphant look off her face. “He came back from the war with severe PTSD, and you did nothing. You let him kill himself.”

A series of flashbacks violently resurface, most of them from the day you found James in your bedroom, with no pulse and a bullet through the head. You vividly recall the blood spatter and how your hands were stained red when you cradled his face in your hands in disbelief.

“I loved him, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.”

Clenching your jaw, you contemplate whether to slap Mimi again, or keep your anger to yourself and not give in to her bullying. She’s obviously trying to lure you out and frankly, it’s working. “James was a broken man when he returned. He saw young, small children blow themselves up because their parents are dead and the regime fed them lies, telling them it’s for a noble cause.”

“You have no idea of the horrors he saw there. You have no idea and how could you? You’re just a foolish girl who’s jealous and envious because a boy she likes doesn’t like her back.”

Mimi’s face is aw shite as a sheet, intimidated by the darkness of your words, your voice deeper than usual as you recall the images James had stuck in his head, the stories he told you that still haunt you to this day.

When you think you’ve said enough to stop her childish actions, Mimi surprises you once more. You’re almost out the door, your back turned to her again, when she delivers the final blow, plays her last card in the hopes of bringing you down with her.

“Lance ‘the fucker’ Tucker,” she rushes out in one heavy breath. “We fucked, you know, two days ago. He was at the bar, we were both hammered and started making out. He took me back to his place and we fucked. So it seems he isn’t as loyal to you as you think.”

When you see Lance waiting for you like a prince straight from a fairy-tale, or more likely a god straight from mount Olympus, your heart does that weird little dance move again. Once downstairs, he takes your hand in his and instantly intertwines your fingers, as if he wants to show everyone that you are in fact his.

“Your highness,” he chuckles playfully into your ear as he kisses your cheek.

“I’m not a queen, Lance. I’m the Goddess of Spring. Persephone, remember? I told you the Greek myth in the car.”

“Well,” Lance winks while jokingly pinching your ass. “We did other stuff in the car as well. Can you blame me for not remembering your lecture on Greek mythology.”

You immediately press a finger to his lips to silence him, afraid someone might be eavesdropping on your conversation, sending him a dirty look as well for being so talkative. “We kissed, that’s all.”

Lance wiggles his brows suggestively. “A French kiss,” he replies with a shit-eating grin and you playfully slap his arm in your defence.

Karen is busy assigning seats so you figure you will find your spot by yourself, searching for Ethan’s name since Karen must’ve placed the four of you together anyway. But much to your surprise and disappointment, your name isn’t anywhere near Ethan’s.

Instead it’s at least two tables away and next to three empty seats, two of which don’t have a name tag, just a card that says ‘reserved’. But luckily there’s Ben and Hope sitting right across from you, Hope dressed as the Goddess of Victory.

“You know who these seats are for?,” you ask Hope to see if she knows who the mystery guests are.

Holding up the card next to Ben, she mumbles Mimi’s name. “Can’t believe Karen seated her on our table,” she scoffs and Lance joins in on her discontent, humming in dismay.

You only chuckle nervously, Mimi’s confession still fresh in your mind. There’s a part of you that wants to believe she’s lying to you, because it could just easily be another trick to get back with Lance. But a part of you is nagging and itching and scratching at you. There’s a part of you that believes Lance would easily succumb to his old ways if he thought you’d turned him down.

Your smile never quite reaches your eyes when Lance bites his lip, looking about ready to devour you. All you have to do is get through the night and avoid repeating your earlier mistakes. No hot ‘n heavy make-out session and certainly no sex. Just innocent teasing and light flirtations, so he doesn’t suspect a thing.

“Yeah, what is wrong with Karen?,” Lance groans as he remembers Christmas Eve and how childish she acted, not just towards him but also towards you. He already expected Mimi to throw all her shit at him for cheating on her with Hope, but that Mimi would do anything to discredit you, that’s taking it a step too far.

Ethan takes the microphone and thanks everyone for coming, passing along the microphone to Karen who begins her speech. You only listen half to what she’s saying, enraptured by the man sitting next to you. There’s way too much gel in his hair and it’s too sleek for your taste since you like a little bit of fluffy hair you can card your hands through. It does make him look regal, you have to give him that.

As Karen is nearly finished with her speech when the doors behind you creak open as the final guests arrive a modest fifteen minutes late. All the heads turn in their direction and Karen even interrupts her speech to see who dares to walk in now when she’s almost done. You’re glaring daggers when you see who is the first one to strut inside but soon it turns into a panicking gaze when the other two mystery guests finally show their face.

In walks Mimi and behind her is Irina, ironically dressed as the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite. However, holding Irina’s hand is her little girl, Lance’s daughter Adriana.

Here are the dresses I used as inspiration (pics found on pinterest, so I don’t own them!)

Karen’s dress:

Mimi’s dress:

Hope’s dress:

The reader’s dress:

Irina’s dress:

Series tag list: @bbparker @mistlethor

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[latetothegreysparty]

She Gets That From You: Blowing Off Steam

Hello, beautiful people! Tonight I finally had a bit of time to write, so I decided to initiate a new little series of one-shots. The series is called She Gets That From You, and it features Ella, the Omelia child who was in Carsickness and Puppy Eyes. I hope you all enjoy it!

She Gets That from You: Blowing Off Steam

When Amelia arrived in the parking lot of the elementary school, she turned off her car and walked quickly to the door. She was responsible for picking Ella up from school today, but she’d gotten hung up in a consult, and now she was half an hour late picking Ella up. This wasn’t the first time she or Owen had been late, so she knew the drill by now. Kids whose parents were late were taken outside to the playground to occupy themselves while they waited for their parents. The school found that the children caused less trouble that way. Amelia stopped into the office to speak with the secretary so that she could be escorted out to the playground to meet her daughter. “Hello, Dr. Shepherd,” the secretary said with a warm smile. “Here to pick up Ella?”

Amelia smiled sheepishly and nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry for being late again.”

“Not a problem,” said the secretary as she stood up from behind her desk. “Here, let me take you outside.”

“Thank you,” Amelia responded as she followed the secretary toward the door to the playground. After holding the door open for Amelia, the secretary returned back inside, leaving Amelia to go approach the teacher who was on duty and inform her that she was here to pick up her daughter.

As Amelia glanced around the playground in search of the teacher, she was surprised to see Ella sprinting back and forth across the pavement. A flash of anger coursed through Amelia as she looked more insistently for the teacher. When she found a teacher standing in the shade by the building, she walked over briskly. “Excuse me, ma’am, could you please tell me why you have my daughter running sprints on the asphalt?” Amelia asked in a clipped tone, gesturing toward Ella with a toss of her hand. “Is this some kind of disciplinary practice? Because I’d think I would need to be consulted before you employed a physical punishment on my six year-old.”

The teacher looked perplexed as she stumbled over her words. “Um, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, Mrs. Hunt-”

“Doctor Shepherd,” Amelia interrupted.

A look of annoyance briefly crossed the teacher’s face, but to her credit, she masked it well. “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, Dr. Shepherd, but nobody made Ella run. She decided to do that herself.”

Amelia’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and she could feel herself blush slightly as she realized that she had made an incorrect assumption. “Do you have any idea why?”

“I came over to the swings when I saw Ella and Claire arguing,” the teacher said, gesturing toward another child who was currently playing on the jungle gym. “I asked if there was a problem that needed to be handled, and Ella told me, ‘No, ma’am,’ and then she went over to the asphalt and started sprinting. That was about five minutes ago. She hasn’t stopped since.”

Amelia nodded slowly, still not fully understanding what had happened. “Sorry for the misunderstanding,” Amelia said, figuring she should do something to apologize for the accusation she’d made. “Is it alright if I take Ella home now?”

“Certainly,” the teacher responded.

With that, Amelia walked over to the edge of the asphalt to intercept Ella as she returned from one of her sprints. Ella’s eyes were so intensely focused on the ground in front of her that she ran straight into Amelia’s legs. “Whoa there, tiger!” Amelia said, wrapping her arms around her daughter to steady her before squatting down to her level. “You ready to head out now, or do you need some more marathon training?” Amelia asked, tapping her daughter affectionately on the nose.

To Amelia’s surprise, the teasingly affectionate gesture didn’t elicit even the barest hint of a smile from her daughter. “We can leave,” Ella replied sullenly, her eyes still directed at the ground.

Amelia was a little worried about what had caused her daughter’s mood, but she did her best not to let Ella see that. “Alright then, go grab you backpack and we’ll go.” Ella obediently jogged over to the side of the building where her backpack sat, picked it up, and came back over to take her mother’s hand so that they could walk to the car together.

Not a word was spoken as the pair made their way to Amelia’s car. Ella continued to remain silent as Amelia opened the door and fastened her into her booster seat. Once she had Ella all buckled in, Amelia grabbed her daughter’s hands and waited until Ella looked her in the eyes. “Ella, you seemed pretty upset back there. Do you want to tell me what happened?”

Her mini-me paused a second before responding. “Claire told me my shirt looked dumb,” she said quietly, deflecting her gaze back down toward the floor of the car.

“Hmm, that wasn’t very nice,” Amelia sympathized. “What did you do then?”

Ella looked up at Amelia before responding. “I wanted to tell her, ‘You are dumb because you still don’t know how to tie your shoes,’” Ella confessed. It was all Amelia could do not to laugh. Most days she thought it was hilarious and adorable that Ella had inherited Amelia’s witty sarcasm, but today she was feeling like maybe it wasn’t such a good thing. “But then I remembered that you and Daddy told me that I shouldn’t say mean things, even if somebody else was mean first.” Amelia smiled. Okay, maybe she hadn’t completely screwed the whole parenting thing up. “But I was mad, and I felt like I was gonna explode. So I went over and started running so I would have something to do.”

At her daughter’s description of feeling the need to blow off steam, Amelia’s mind couldn’t help but wander to an experience from several years prior.

Amelia walked into the house to find a shirtless and sweaty Owen cranking out sets of push-ups in the middle of the living room. “What are you doing?” she asked after stopping in the doorway.

Owen finished his set of push-ups before sitting back on his heels and looking up at Amelia. “The interns are incompetent. Two of them massively screwed up in the pit today, and I spent my entire afternoon cleaning up their mess. I know they’re learning, but they really should have it figured out by now.”

“Okay,” Amelia replied, dragging out the word. “But what does that have to do with this?” she asked, gesturing first toward him and then the floor.

He stood up and crossed the room to come stand in front of her. “This is what I do when I get pissed off and need to burn some energy. Everything that happened this afternoon got me hot, and I needed an outlet.”

Amelia bit her lip as she reached her right hand out so she could trail her index finger down his sweaty abs. “Oh, you are most certainly hot,” she said in a low timbre that went straight do his groin. “May I assist you in finding ways to blow off steam?”

She had to stop herself before she allowed herself to ponder what had happened after that question. She might win the award for worst parent of the year if anyone found out that she got distracted during a conversation with her six year-old daughter because she’d been thinking about the time she and her husband did it against the living room wall.

“I’m very proud of you, Els,” Amelia said softly, stroking a hand across her daughter’s face as she spoke. Ella cocked her head and looked up at Amelia, wordlessly asking her to elaborate. “What Claire said to you wasn’t nice. I’m sure that hurt your feelings.” Ella nodded. “But you’re right: it isn’t okay to hurt someone else’s feelings just because she hurt yours. You found a way to deal with your feelings that was respectful of everybody else around you. That was very grown up of you, and I’m so proud.” Ella beamed at the praise her mother was lavishing upon her. “And you know what else?” Amelia asked. Ella widened her eyes and shook her head. “The way you handled your feelings was just like what Daddy does.”

“Really?” Ella asked, eyebrows shooting up. The tone of her voice made it very clear that she felt that this was a huge compliment.

Amelia nodded. “Yep, he gets angry or frustrated sometimes, so he exercises until he’s not so upset anymore.”

Ella nodded but then stopped and looked questioningly at Amelia. “What does Daddy get angry about? Does he get angry at you?”

Amelia chuckled. “You’ll have to ask him that yourself.”

“That means yes,” Ella replied confidently.

Amelia’s chuckles turned to full-on laughter. “You get that from me, though.”

“I get what from you?” Ella asked.

“Your smarts and quick mind,” Amelia said with a wink.

“I get that from you and not Daddy?” Ella asked.

“Yep,” Amelia replied.

Ella grinned widely. “I’m telling him you said that!”

Amelia’s jaw fell open in mock outrage. “Excuse me, little miss, no you will not!”

Ella giggled. She was thoroughly enjoying this little piece of leverage she’d gained. “Yes I will,” she threatened.

Amelia narrowed her eyes, doing her best to keep up the appearance of being displeased, but internally celebrating that her daughter seemed to be in better spirits now. “What if I take you for ice cream?” she bargained.

Ella pondered the proposal for a moment before slowly nodded. “Okay, then I won’t tell.”

Amelia reached her hand out to shake Ella’s. “Deal,” she agreed.

Amelia began to stand up so that she could shut the door and go climb in the driver’s seat, but Ella’s voice stopped her. “Mommy?”

“Yes, baby?” Amelia said as she turned back to face Ella.

“Can we get something for Daddy? I think he’ll want ice cream when he gets home.”

Amelia smiled. Always thinking of others, she thought. She gets that from Owen too. “Yes, we can get something for Daddy too.” Ella smiled. “But when we get home, you have to take a bath. You, my dear, are sweaty and gross.” Ella opened her mouth to argue, but Amelia kept talking. “I make Daddy take a bath when he does this. It’s only fair that I make you take one too.”

Ella sighed but nodded. “Okay,” she agreed.

Amelia was about to turn around and shut the door, but she stopped at the last second. “Ella Margaret,” she said softly and waited until a pair of blue eyes peered back up at her. “I love you so, so much.”

“I love you more!” came the enthusiastic reply. Amelia smiled widely as she reached behind her for the car door. She gets that from him, too, she thought as she shut the door and walked around the car.

[spongeekat]

Smuuuuuut pleeeeeaaaase

Finally finished this! I think I got this ask back in April??? Lol. Also posted on ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/13064247

Steve Rogers was the definition of textbook perfection, and while he didn’t seem to know it, Peter Parker definitely did.

The small crush that Peter had formed on the older man had primarily stemmed from a childhood fascination with one of his favorite heroes, someone he’d had posters of sitting on his walls right next to Howard Stark and Marie Curie. Of course meeting him had been a nerve wracking experience, and Steve had admittedly been one of the first Avengers to leave Peter jelly-kneed from one smile. While Peter had written his reaction off rather well- in his eyes- by continuing to geek out over the rest of the heroes personally requesting he be part of their team, his eyes continued to fall back to the overlooming team leader until he had to forcibly drag them away. He realized later that the racing of his heart wasn’t entirely just due to the fact he was staring at a  National hero… but Captain America was absolutely stunning. Everything from the curve of his bulging muscles to the sweet, sparkling grin had made his stomach jump right up to his throat, and Peter instantly felt small and wimpy in comparison.

How did someone like Tony Stark work with him all the time? Even if he was shorter than Tony, Peter was more toned than the old guy and could likely bench press close to what Steve could. But he had still sensed inadequacy creeping up into his mind when facing him. It was insane.

Peter tried to ignore his crush the best he could, divulging himself into their missions and keeping his attention off of Steve each chance he got. It worked for the most part, until the times Peter would say a dorky reference to some old time sci-fi movie Steve hadn’t watched. Steve would then confess his ignorance, which led to post-mission movie time relaxation, then meeting up twice a week to marathon the entire series. Which, in turn, was how Peter found himself showing Steve an entire collection of classic movies, mixed with some of his own personal favorites, any night the two of them had free. Peter often had to do some early-morning scrambling to finish his homework assignments, but he made sure he had as much room as possible for Steve in his schedule.

Their first kiss had been during Beauty and the Beast. Missing the rest of the movie in way of Steve’s hands pulling his waist in closer and his lips exploring his neck was well worth it. They’d even rewatched it a second time, to see if Steve could digest any more information, though most movie nights had begun to transition further towards heated make out sessions than actual watching. Eventually, they got good at multi-tasking, at least, in that regard.

Who knew their first time having sex would be during the very iconic Rocky Horror Picture Show? Give yourself over to absolute pleasure… 

“This movie can’t be a classic.”

Peter’s eyes trailed up rock hard thighs pulsing with pure muscle, up through a matching set of abs, then landed loosely on Steve’s face. His eyes were locked on the screen flashing bright reds and gothic blacks, darting around to capture every detail of the cult film. Soft, high pitched singing played statically behind Peter, though the hand laced in his hair kept his body from being able to turn. He could only guess where they were based on loose knowledge (And Steve’s inability to sit through 10 minutes of a movie without commenting on the ridiculous plot.)

“Mhm.” Peter hummed back in reply, lips preoccupied with the throbbing erection tucked between them. Fingers tugged harder, sub-consciously, on his head, and Peter easily complied as his throat relaxed to take more of his length down. The soft groan he earned enticed him further, and he slipped closer to the couch to give his other hand a chance to trace fingernails over warm, tan skin.

“Wasn’t this a romantic movie before? Why is this Butler singing in the window?”

Peter raised an eyebrow at Steve’s question, grunting in response. His fingers dug into Steve’s hip for a perch, focusing on quieting his inquiries with his tongue.

“Also, is the Time Warp some sort of famous dance I haven’t heard of yet? It looks ridiculous. Peter?” Steve drug his eyes down to meet the annoyed gaze looking up at him, realizing he couldn’t answer (his mouth very much preoccupied) as he broke into a sheepish grin, and drug his heavy hand off of the young man’s crown. “Sorry.”

Peter finally pulled his lips free, wiping them on the back of his hand. He expertly crawled up beside Steve to glance at the TV, immediately met with the sight of Susan Sarandon taking a dramatic dive in the wake of Tim Curry’s sudden appearance. “This is the best scene in the entire movie.”

As if on cue, Steve’s eyes bulged and Peter was dropped off into a laughing fit while the Transylvanian danced half-naked on screen.

“Right. Not sure how long it’ll take me to get used to people dressing this way.”

“Don’t worry, even this is overemphasized. But you would meet some nice Drag Queens if you tried Midtown.”

“Hmm. Remind me later.”

Peter carefully picked his way back onto Steve’s lap, maneuvering him to lay on the couch to their original position. Slender fingers poked intensively at the hem of Steve’s shirt, who relaxed into the touch and let it slip up and off. Then Peter worked on his jeans, and went for his own while he was at it. He’d grown used to those blue eyes mostly remaining focused on the TV. He didn’t mind. The original goal of these nights were acclimating him to pop culture, and getting off was a sweet bonus.

Steve’s hands eventually found Peter’s waist during one of the lower energy scenes, and he finally took the chance to gaze at the lithe figure waiting somewhat patiently for his attention. A gentle smile crossed his lips that had Peter melting against him a moment later, and then they were kissing and everything felt so right. The perfection of the moment was only enhanced when a strong roll of Steve’s hips up against Peter’s had him mewling. Steve all but forgot about the movie when his sounds drew him in. He sat up, keeping Peter’s hard on slack against his own while creating hot friction between his boxers. Strong hands kept him anchored against his thighs at an angle that would have any normal person groaning in effort, though Peter’s flexible body was easily manipulated to accommodate Steve’s need to hold him tight.

And then hot lips danced over Peter’s collarbone and his soft voice breathed out in a moan in reaction. Each gentle but firm grind was sending him into a euphoric high that he collapsed into.

“Peter.”

His name was a soft grunt of appreciation for the heat building, and Peter’s eyes traced the beautiful curve of Steve’s beautiful skin spread out before him.

“You’re perfect.” The words caught both Steve and Peter off guard, escaping from Peter’s lips before he had had time to stop them. But Steve kissed them right off of his mouth with a teasing look that gave them the chance to catch their breath.

“I was engineered to be.” Steve murmured as they drew apart, hands disappearing up Peter’s shirt to drag it off while also shifting to pin him to the couch. Taut leg muscles pulled Steve down to lay atop him, which he easily moved with.

“N-No, Steve, I mean it.” Peter argued back, watching intently as Steve’s boxers were dragged off his hips and discarded on the floor. “You aren’t just some…”

The Sword of Damocles is hanging over my head

“You aren’t some Rocky Horror.”

Steve paused his hands lingering on Peter’s waistband  long enough to look back at the fleeing monster on screen, and the confusion was evident on his face. “Thank…you?”

“It makes sense! Like, he was engineered by a scientist to function as a muscular tool for Frank-N-Furter, and that’s what he died as–”

“Is that one of those ‘spoilers?’” Steve quirked an eyebrow down at the flushed boy, those wide eyes surprised, but amused by his response. Still, the older hero laughed, making Peter grin right back. “Is this even worth watching anymore?”

“Well, yeah! That’s why I turned it on. Cult classic.”

“Mmm.” Steve released a long drawl on the word as he finished his mission and discarded Peter’s boxers, then socks, until he was shyly exposed underneath him. “But do you want to keep watching?”

Peter opened his mouth to express that yes, he actually really liked this movie and wished he’d continue, but he was promptly cut off by fingernails grazing the soft, sensitive skin of his inner thigh. His senses went on high alert as he looked back up at Steve almost questioningly. They’d done everything, from oral to foreplay to rimming, but the heavy way Steve was breathing indicated something else was changing between them. Something new, and possibly a bit scary.

“I, uh… Steve?” Peter swallowed nervously, smiling up at him to mask his confusion and racing heart. “I-I mean, only if you wanted to.”

Steve leaned in, his lips brushing oh-so-lightly against Peter’s ear, making him shiver. “Can I finger you?” He murmured.

Peter’s heart was racing a thousand beats per minute by then, but he nodded quietly and reached down under the couch to locate the orange bottle of lube he kept hidden. He passed it up to Steve, who took it with such a warm and handsome smile it was hard for Peter to stay nervous.

“You okay?” Steve inquired, drizzling the liquid on his fingers before one slipped probingly down to his entrance. He testingly slid a fingertip past the tight muscle, making the boy squirm. “Does it feel alright?”

“Y-Yeah, it’s fine.” Peter gasped, forcing himself to relax and parting his knees more ever so slightly. Though he’d been touched this way by Steve before, he noticed the American hero was always very conscious about passing any borders, typically allowing Peter to be the one to decide when things would move on. Steve was being uncharacteristically bold, though it’s not like the brunette minded.

He bit his lip when Steve’s finger curved, pressing inside him in ways he had learned Peter enjoyed, shivering when sensitive areas were touched. Steve was warm and gentle and everything that made Peter feel safe, which helped him to relax through his anxiety when faced with those gorgeous blue eyes staring down at him in concern.

Steve pleasured him for a bit longer, changing the direction or using varying pressure to entice the sweet sounds from Peter, until he felt slender fingers gripping his wrist and heard a small panting voice pleading.

“Are you… Do you want to like, you know, uh…” Peter stammered to get the words out, unsure what he was allowed to say. Maybe that was too far for Steve. Peter didn’t know his sexual history, or if he had ever intended to go beyond foreplay. He definitely didn’t want to say the wrong thing and have Steve walk out on him before they even got to Rose Tint My World and the pool orgy. That would for sure shock the older soldier.

But beyond not getting to finish Rocky Horror together, Peter just really didn’t want to be rejected by someone he had feelings for.

“What’s wrong?” Steve asked in his patient voice, and Peter almost wished he wasn’t so nice and would just force the question out of him. “Am I hurting you?”

“No!” His heart leapt at his own shout, and he had to reel his emotions back in. “No, I was just thinking um… We’ve been doing this for a while and I’m like… I’m ready. Whenever you are.”

“Ready for…?” Understanding passed over Steve’s face, and he withdrew his fingers, much to Peter’s dismay. “Oh. Peter… you’re young. Are you sure sex is something you want?”

The word ‘sex’ was jarring, but not as jarring as getting called young. Offense crossed into Peter’s expression, and he frowned. “This wouldn’t be my first time. Or even my second, if that’s what you’re worried about. Also, I’m one-hundred percent legal and able to make my own decisions.”

“Yes, yes, I know.” Steve soothed, brushing Peter’s hair back in an attempt to calm him down. “I just mean I am a considerable amount older than you. I don’t want you to feel you’ve made any mistakes.”

“I want to do this. It’s not a mistake. You’re not pressuring me into it or anything. Don’t worry.” Peter forced a smile to replace the nervous twitch of his lip, raising a hand to run an impulsive thumb over Steve’s flushed cheeks. He was glad he wasn’t the only one embarrassed. “I have everything in the table behind you.”

Sure enough, when the perplexed Steve rummaged through the drawer, he withdrew a condom that he took no time tearing open.

Peter watched as Steve gently pressed his thighs further apart, rolling the latex over his member. He gripped onto his ass to lift him up enough that Peter’s legs could wrap around his waist, and took his sweet time finding a comfortable position for both of them.

“Are you okay?” Steve hummed in concern, wanting another confirmation of consent.

“I’m fine. No sweat.”

“You haven’t changed your mind?”

“No, I still want to do this.”

“If you do at all, at any point, tell me to stop and I will.”

“I know.”

“Okay.” The All American hero breathed, and lightly pressed the tip inside Peter. The younger boy squirmed, but gave no indication of pain. “Try to relax.”

“Mm-hmm.” Peter breathed back, closing his eyes so he could focus on forcing every tense muscle into submission.

Steve was all the way in seconds later, the pair breathing with rigged excitement. When Peter shifted, Steve patiently waited until he seemed ready enough to continue, and made soft but firm movements with his hips. Peter felt his chest had been lit on fire as the realization dawned that he was actually having sex with The Captain America, but he forgot any freak out when pleasure started to course through his body like electricity.

Steve worked Peter heavily into the couch cushions, sinking in under the weight of his thrusting. Peter wasn’t weak, and he knew he could take anything Steve gave him, so he encouraged him with soft groans. The blonde kept up with Peter’s whimpers for more, his hands eventually finding his hips to pin them bruisingly.

“You’re so cute, Peter.” Steve groaned into his ear, making Peter’s burning face practically catch on fire. “Do you feel okay?”

Peter nodded numbly, too focused on the way his body shuddered in appreciation with each roll of his hips.

“Good.” Steve kissed his neck, then down his chest, and nipped lightly at a hard nipple. “This is amazing for me.”

His hands moved from holding him taught to rubbing circles on his shoulder while the other suspended himself above his head until their chests were touching. Sweat dripped down Peter’s neck, shaking as pre-orgasm rocked through his body.

Steve was really actually…good. He was strong, but caring, and found ways to get deeper inside Peter than he thought possible. Peter wanted to stare at him, and watch every pleasureful moment, but he knew that would be increasingly awkward and he didn’t quite have the self control to look away once he had started.

A hard attack on Peter practically sent him screaming as he covered his mouth to hide the ecstasy. He spilled over both of their chests, shaking, small jolts moving through his body everytime Steve fucked him. It took almost no time for Steve to find his orgasm as well, and a warm heat poured into Peter’s aching body.

“Peter…” Steve panted, managing to hold himself up above him still to prevent crushing the poor, exhausted spider.

Peter’s eyes slowly slipped open, hands finding their perch to try to move. He stopped himself with a moan as the soreness had begun to sink into his muscles, collapsing back onto the couch.

Steve chuckled breathlessly, and maneuvered himself off the couch to fetch the blanket. When he returned, he pulled Peter’s feet onto his lap and draped the fleece over both of them.

“Thanks.” Peter mumbled, stretching out tiredly. “That was…um…”

“Yeah.” Steve agreed, running his fingertips comfortingly over the smaller boy’s calves. “It was something.”

Peter turned his head as the chorus of Superheroes began to play, mesmerized momentarily by the figures of the sexually revived characters crawling through the fog. “You missed the movie.” He pointed out with a small grin, glancing back up into that sweet expression.

“We can watch it again.” Steve promised as he placed a soft kiss to Peter’s wrist, sighing in content as he relaxed back into the cushions. “And this time you can explain why they’re in corsets.”

Peter reached for the remote as he reset it to the beginning, laughing quietly. “Honestly, Steve, some things like this just can’t be explained.”

Science fiction…double feature…

[bowtomycoolclocks]

Just Let Go Part 2

Pairing: Archie Andrews x Reader

Summary: The core five have just met you, the new bad-ass of Riverdale. However, when you first meet them it doesn’t go as smooth as some predicted until you met Archie Andrews. Will you level with the core four or lose Archie in the process?

Warnings: Slight cussing, fluff, insults to a cute ginger boy (sorry!).

A/N: Hey guys! New post for the second part of this series. Let’s just say, there are going to be some real plot twists :). I am reallllyy proud of this part, and I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I loved writing it! Plus this is a pretty lengthy part so I also accomplished something! Yay! Anyways, stay tuned for next week! I hope you guys enjoy once again. Don’t forget that requests and tags are still open. 

Archie’s POV

It was the morning after of me speaking to Y/N. When I had first met her, I thought she was mean for no reason. Until yesterday, she proved me wrong. I enjoyed talking to her, even if she was “different” from the rest of our school. I was taking my morning jog around Riverdale when I came up to an oddly familiar car. I stopped and looked at the tail of the car. It was Y/N’s! I wondered if she lived around here. I looked around and I forgot that this isn’t a neighborhood, it’s the side of a road. Why is her car parked here if she lives in a neighborhood? I walked to the car and saw a figure through the tinted windows. I inched closer to the window and squinted my eyes. The figure had was asleep in the back, a blanket wrapped around its body. Then I looked upwards, I saw the features of this figure. The sweet, innocent eyes closed, the plump lips pursed, the eyebrows relaxed. It was her, I could recognize it then.

“Y/N?” I questioned aloud. She didn’t reply, her features perfectly still and peaceful. I banged against the window and called her name once more. She groaned as she sat up. She wiped her eyes with her palm and finally looked at me.

“Pretty boy?” She asked startled, then she opened the car door across from where I was standing.

“Y/N, what are you doing here?”

“Um, my parents were being assholes, so I decided to sleep here. I did not want to be in their presence.” She looked away, guilt in her eyes.

“Can I come in?” Y/N slid her body to the other side of the car. I sat two seats away from her and closed the door. I moved my body toward her.

“Now can you tell me the real reason why you’re sleeping in your car.”

“Listen, Jim Halpert, I already told you-”

“But people could listen then, please whatever it is, I won’t judge you.” She squinted at me. Probably wondering if she should tell me, she took a long deep breath in.

“I live in here.”

“You’re homeless?!?!”

“Yeah what’s so wrong with that!” She crossed her arms.

“There’s nothing wrong with that! I’m just surprised.”

“Listen, not everyone has a perfect family like yours.”

“My family is by all means, not perfect. But did you run away because of your family?”

“Not yet abs-for-brains, not yet.” I sighed and lifted my hands in defeat.

“Wait! What day is it?!?!” Y/N started to freak out, she was searching for something, most likely her phone.

“It’s Saturday.” She relaxed back into the seat.

“Thanks. Since I’m up, I guess I should change, so could you make like an Autobot and roll out.” Y/N demanded, crossing her arms.

“That was pretty clever. Fine but I’m hanging out with you today.”

“Really? To be honest I’ve had enough of stereotypical teen football star for a while.” I shook my head and rolled my eyes, smiling.

“Well I haven’t had enough of the teenage dirtbag, so we’re hanging out again.” She smirked.

“Fine. Get me my clothes from the trunk.” I glared at her and crossed my arms.

“Please.” She begged while she pouted. I groaned and opened the car door. Then I walked to the back of the car and banged on it.

“Hey, my baby was expensive, you dent it, I dent your face!” I laughed and the trunk popped open. The trunk had a bunch of things other than clothes hidden inside. There were packs of cigarettes, blankets, pillows, tooth paste, a tooth brush, a hair brush, a razor, a bottle of soap, shampoo, and conditioner, lastly, there was a journal. My fingers gravitated towards it, but I retracted. If I had invaded her privacy, she would trust me even less. I got a random shirt and pants and brung it to where she was. I handed her the shirt and pants, and she peered out the door frame.

“If you peek, just once. I’m going to go rip out your balls and attach them to your face.” Then she entered back in and closed the door. I placed my back against the door, to make sure no one would peak on this side. However, I am a boy with hormones. I started to heat up, and I was blushing thinking about what she was doing right behind my back. I shook my head, trying to let those perverted thoughts leave me.

Then there was a knock on the door, and I turned around. She looked changed and ready to go, so I pushed off the car and opened the door for Y/N.

“Well aren’t you just charming.” She stated sarcastically getting out of the car.

“I know, that’s what makes me so likable.” I replied staring at her. She rolled her eyes, “Anndd you just turned back to a jerk.”

“Was I ever a jerk though.” I winked at her.

“Not until now.” Then she winked at me and walked to the driver’s seat. My heart fluttered and my cheeks got rosy. I then walked to the passenger’s seat and got inside the car.

“Let’s go to ‘Pops’.” I suggested.

“Why should I let you tell me what to do?” She questioned, raising her eyebrows at me.

“You always tell everyone else what to do, I think it’s only fair.” I smirked.

“Damn, you got me there,” She started the engine, “Nice comeback by the way.” Then she zoomed into the direction of “Pops”.

When we reached “Pops”, Y/N and I exited the car and walked to the front door. She held it for me.

“Ladies first.” She spoke smiling, I couldn’t help, but return the smile and I entered the restaurant.

Pops walked up the counter.

“Hey Pops, we’re going to get take out.” I said to him. Y/N then turned to me, a confused look on her face.

“Sure Archie, whatcha want?”

“Six burgers, two fries, two root beer floats, and some of your delicious apple pie.” I smiled at him.

“Okay son, I’ll be out as soon as the orders finished.” Then Pop entered the kitchen.

“I have a question, why are we ordering out?” Then I turned to Y/N.

“You’ll see soon enough.”

“Oh, whatever. Just so you know, I hate surprises.”

“Who woulda thunk it?” I quipped sarcastically.

“You know, you’re starting to become a lot more me. I like it.” She smirked at me.

Then soon after Pops brought out bags and bags of our food. I beamed at him and took out a 20 dollar bill and a 10 dollar bill, and handed it to him.

“Keep the change,” I told him and waved goodbye to him, walking out of the diner. We walked up to the car.

“I have to tell you something.” I spoke up and turned around with some bags of food in my hand.

“What is it?” Y/N looked concerned which warmed my heart.

“I have to drive your car to get to the place we’re going.” I confessed.

“Ohhh no, no, no, this baby is my home, literally, and if you scratch it by driving I will destroy you.”

“I’m a good driver!” I exclaimed.

“You could tell me where to go and it could drive there! Also, do you even know how to drive?” She asked, putting her hand on her waist.

“It would ruin the surprise! Besides, I have my learners permit.”

“Are you kidding me! Hell no!”

“What about you?! You’re the same age as me, where’s your license?” I interjected.

“I have one!”

“Then show me it.” I demanded. She groaned and searched her pocket. Y/N took out her license and held it out to me.

“Y/N L/N, age 19, Riverdale.” I read.

“This is fake!”

“Hey, could you be any louder?” She hushed me and looked side to side.

“Fine, it’s fake, but who cares! I am an amazing driver!”

“If I say you’re an amazing driver can I please drive the car.” I pleaded.

“I want you to beg.” Y/N pointed to the ground, and I squatted down, my knees rested on the gravel.

“Please Y/N! Let me drive your beautiful car. I know you’re the best driver around here and I know I am not worthy but I have to please! I need to. Please!” I begged, holding my arms out in front of me. Y/N started to laugh, then she started to laugh harder, tears prickled down her face. She whipped the tears and sighed.

“That was the best thing I have ever seen in my life, ever. I also didn’t imply for you to go that far, but you still did and it was incredible. Even the compliment towards me and my baby was unnecessary but sooo worth it.” My mouth dropped open, I stood up and dusted the gravel off my knees.

“You got what you wanted, can I drive the car now.”

“Fine let’s go.” Then we both walked to the car and got inside.

“I am being serious though, don’t scratch her.”

“I promise.”

We got to Sweetwater River, where Jason Blossom was murdered. I know, very creepy, but before his passing, it was a place of relaxation and serenity. Who knows maybe that feeling will come back.

“Where are we?” Y/n asked, looking at the river, still sitting in the car.

“Sweetwater River.”

“I’ve heard of this place. This is where that kid Jason Blossom mysteriously died.” Y/N stated, and got out of the car.

“Uh yeah, this is the place.” I said, getting out of the car as well.

“Sooo why are we here exactly? As much as I am obsessed with death, this is kinda creepy.” Y/n announced, wrapping her arms around her chest.

“I thought you were brave, fearless. Where is that girl right now?”

“For god sakes, we are near the crime scene of a death, much less a murder! I am allowed to feel a little creeped!” Y/N exclaimed.

“Calm down…”

“Oh don’t you tell me to calm down! I have been putting up with you for two days straight! Don’t even get me started on your friends and their crazy obsession trying to ‘befriend’ me! And if you think I’m-!”

“Just shut up!” I yelled. Then she stopped talking and looked at me, silent.

“I’m sorry I yelled. But before this massacre ever happened Sweetwater was a place to go when you wanted silence and peace. I know it doesn’t seem like it anymore, but this place was amazing. I wanted to have a picnic with you and try to bring back those emotions.”

“Oh.”

“So can you try to eat here? If it’s too weird, we can go. But just try.” Y/N’s look softened and she nodded her head. Then I took out the bags of food from the car and placed them on the ground. I took off my letterman and placed that on the ground as well.

“I’m not going to sit on your jacket.” Y/N started.

“Why not?”

“Because it’s yours, I have blankets in the car, I don’t want to ruin it for no reason.”

“I know you have blankets but it’s okay.“

"Stop being such a pain in the ass and let me get us a blanket.” Y/N said pointing to the trunk. I put my jacket back on.

“Fine.”

“Thank you.” She breathed out and then walked to the car. She opened the trunk and got out a big quilt. Then she placed it on a spot where we could see the river and the trees behind us. This reminded me of the date I had with Miss. Grundy. Now I felt bad, my eyes looked down. This was the place I took Geraldine for our first date, if you could call it that. I know this isn’t a date with Y/N-although I’d like for it to be- I couldn’t help but feel a tinge amount of guilt.

“Hey Marty McFly, are you okay?” Y/N asked, making me look up at her. The blanket was set up and the food containers were opened.

“You did that very quickly.” I chuckled.

“Nooo, you were just in la la land for quite some time.” She smirked. I then sat down on the blanket and patted the plush material so Y/N would sit next to me. She followed in pursuit. We sat there for a while, and watched the river rip through the rocks.

“You see this isn’t so bad.” I spoke up.

“If I hear one thing that isn’t coming from over here, I’m zooming.” I laughed and continued to stare at the forest.

“As much as I would love to watch the waves, I’m starving.” Y/N added. She then took out a burger and her teeth clamped around the bun. She chewed for a moment then swallowed her food.

“I gotta tell ya’, Pops burger’s might be the best I’ve ever had. If I had known that Riverdale held the best burgers in the world, I would have been here sooner.” Y/N laughed taking another bite of a new burger.

“Where did you live before Riverdale?” I asked tilting my head at Y/N.

“About two county’s away from here. I had heard about Riverdale from the Jason Blossom thing on the news one day.”

“The Jason Blossom thing?” I questioned raising my eyebrow at her.

“You know what I mean. I don’t want to say the word. Who knows, he could be here right now.” Y/N wiggles her eyebrows at me and she finished her last burger.

“Were you friends with him?” She inquired as I took a bite out of my burger.

“With who? Jason?” I replied, my mouth stuffed with the delicious goodness of the burger.

“Yes with Jason.” She remarked laughing.

“I mean I’d seen him around the school, but I never talked to him, he was really popular and at the time Betty and Jughead were my only friends.” Y/N frowned at me.

“That can’t be possible.”

“But you stand, or better, sit, corrected. I really didn’t have many friends. When I joined the football team as varsity captain I suppose I got ‘popular’, even though I really just hang out with the core five.”

“The core five?” Y/N looked sideways, an incredulous look on her face.

“Yeah, Veronica, Betty, Jughead, Kevin and I, we are the core five.”

Y/N scoffed, “That’s ridiculous.”

“You know, you could join us.”

“Sorry Ron Weasley, I’m a lone wolf.” Y/N commented shooting her hand into the breeze.

“You don’t have to be! I know you and Ronnie aren’t on good terms, but what about Jughead?!?! It’s evident Betty looked wants to get to know you better. I’m not too sure about Kevin. But I think you’re really cool, if that matters.” I looked down pink tinting my face. Y/N gave me a light shove with her arm.

“You know out of all the people I’ve met in Riverdale, I hate you the least.”

“That is the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.” She started to laugh.

“Don’t get used to it.”

“So what do you say?”

“About what?”

“You know joining the core five!”

“Nah, I think I’ll pass.”

“Aww come on.”

“No!” She giggled, wait did she just giggle?

“Pleeeaaaaseee.” I pouted.

“You can’t break me, kid, I’m tough as nails.”

“You can be the tough one in our group!” I exclaimed.

“Uh huh.”

“Just think about it?”

“Fine.” I then looked at her eyes wide.

“What?” She questioned, I shook my head.

“Nothing.”

“Let’s change the subject. Hmm,” She turned to the sky, a thinking look on her face, “Since you’re the 'All American Boy’, how many girls have you slept with this year.” Not pink, but red spread all over my face.

“Wh-what?” I stuttered, scratching the back of my head.

“I mean, you’re captain of the football team, you’re innocent, you’re weirdly sweet, you have the boyish charm, you’re attractive, and albeit you have a what? Six pack? Girls and guys are into that. So, how many girls OR guys have you slept with this year?” Did Y/N in a strange way compliment me?

“I thought I wasn’t your type, why are you complimenting me?” Y/N looked down at the blanket, what was that on her face? Was she blushing?

“I’m stating the facts. But, a long time ago, you would have been like my dream guy.” My face light up.

“Really?”

“Yep, I would have probably fallen for you, hard.”

“But not anymore.” Y/N added.

“I learned my lesson liking guys like you.” She looked up, staring at me.

“What do you mean?”

“Guys like you from the outside perspective, you are perfect. I thought so too, but I had fallen for your type. I’d try going up to him, but he was cruel and mean. He’d always pick on me and tried to make me feel lesser. And I felt bad for him! Then one day, something just hit me. I knew that what he was doing was terrible, so I vowed to never like guys like him.”

“I’m not like him though.”

“How do I know that?”

“I’ll prove it to you.”

“Sureee you can, as you may tell, I’m pretty stubborn for my views to be changed.” Y/N said gesturing to her body.

“That’s putting it lightly.”

“Ha, ha, ha. Anyways you didn’t answer my question.” Y/N stated, trying to go off topic. However, I won’t pry her for more information, she’ll tell me when she’s ready.

“Okay, well I haven’t 'done it’ with any of the kids out our school.” That’s the truth, Miss. Grundy was definitely not a kid. Stop it, Archie!

“I find that very hard to believe.”

“I tell the truth.” Kinda.

“Well, it doesn’t matter 'cause you haven’t tried fries with the vanilla and chocolate milkshake.” I said.

“For some reason that sounds like something a cult would do. It’s a little weird.”

“Trust me, when you try it, you’ll be a changed woman.” She smirked at me, and I got the shakes and fries ready. I demonstrated to her what to do, although it was common sense. She then followed, and when she bit into the fries, her eyes lit up.

“Oh my gosh!!!” She gushed taking in a handful of fries.

“Told you.” I stuffed my face with fries and milkshakes.

“You have to taste the apple pie next!” I exclaimed.

It was night time, Y/N and I stared at the stars.

“The stars are beautiful huh?” I breathed out.

“I guess so.”

“Do you not like stars?”

“I don’t think so. Stars are liars. You think that they are magical, that they have special powers or something,” She inhaled deeply, “But they’re just gas. They’re just made out of gas and they’re not special. They lie and I- we, believe that they mean something. But in a universe, a galaxy with infinite planets they are nothing but gas.” I turned my face and saw there was a tear down her face. I then sat up and Y/N did the same. I tucked in a piece of hair from her face.

“Stars give people hope to reach them.”

“Not the stars I’ve interacted with.” I hugged her, she was at first tense then she relaxed in my arms and returned my hug. I pulled away. The lights of the car were the only thing keeping us from the dark. She looked so beautiful, I couldn’t help but close my eyes and inch towards her. I could tell we were inches apart, then she coughed. I opened my eyes and saw that Y/N was farther away from me. She stood up and started taking the garbage.

“It’s late we should probably get going. Don’t want to see the monsters out here.” She gave me a tight lipped smile and walked to the back of the car and dumped the trash in. Then she walked to the driver’s seat and got in the car. I, however, was still on top of the blanket, staring straight ahead. What did I just do?

Tags:

@allison0609 @lupinlys @graysonmalfoy @rosaetum @parkcrspeter

[skullgirlfatales-moved]

Fitting In

This is really long so read more.

“Hey everyone! Check out my new hair! It came out great if I do say so myself,” Filia greeted everyone with her teal color hair.

“How is anyone suppose to take my seriously when you look like the twin of a Japanese pop star?”

“It’s very becoming I might say. It could be perfect for Halloween.”

“I think it suits you. Not my style.”

“I love it. it is iridescent! I was the one to take her to the salon for this, but I think you could have gone with even more colors! Full rainbow next time!”

“Oh I’m always full rainbow all the time~” Filia says with a wink.

“Oh you did not girl!”

“I guess it is appealing, like one of those... Crayola Crayon packs,” Carol chimed int.

“That is your standard of appealing?” Cerebella asked.

“I-I don’t know, I’m trying to not bring the group down here,” Carol confessed.

“You only help to lift me up, you sweet and sour misunderstood shadow-ling.”

“.... What?”

“Just nod and agree, she has a lot of love to give,” Samson said, rolling his eyes with Filia’s puppy eyes.

“All I am saying is, it is easier to blend in. When you stand out like this, it could lead to being... the odd one out,” Carol continued.

“I see the concern, but I don’t think that should keep us from taking that risk. If it’s not hurting me or others, sometimes being the odd one out can be fun,” Filia said, trying to comfort Carol.

“Well being the odd one out is my thing and it is not fun.”

“Aha!” Cerebella chimed in. “That is the crux of this issue. Carol is a little too familiar with rejection and has had her fill. She doesn’t realize that standing out can feel outstanding, and I would know!”

“Oh, well shoot. Maybe we need to make you feel included as a valued part of this group so you don’t feel wrong for being different.”

“Cere, that was... astute,” Parasoul said, impressed by her deduction.

“I know!” Cerebella cheered, feeling proud of herself.

“And you used the word ‘iridescence’ earlier. You are on a clever streak today, which is unusual for you.”

“I know- wait what?”

“TONKS!!!!”

“GAH!” Cerebella screamed, Vice Versa’s arms out into fists before calming down. “Geesh! I was about to punch your head off. Don’t scare me like that.”

“That’s what your hair reminds me of. Nymphadora Tonks. The metamorphmagus with an odd color of hair from Harry Potter,” Fortune explained.

“Okay, everyone seems to be using big words today,” Parasoul said, feeling she is slacking off with intelligence.

“HARRY POTTER!” Filia screamed.

“WHY IS EVERYONE YELLING?!” Cerebella shouted, frustrated.

“Oh, sorry. I got a Harry Potter themed idea I had,” Filia explained before facing Carol. “Carol, Harry Potter was this amazing book series that combined magic and fantasy and giant trolls and-”

“I know what Harry Potter is,” Carol pointed out.

“But it also gave us this really cool system that helps us figure out where we fit in.”

“Ah, you mean the sorting system to the four houses base off the qualities that they exhibit?” Parasoul asked.

“Yep! It was a device in the books, people reading them also began to be curious what house they would be in, so a lot of Harry Potter house quizzes appeared online. It sort of helped promote this idea that we may be different, but we’re all valued and important and part of the same “school.”“

“But the school’s not real,” Cerebella said.

“It’s a metaphor. Erlenmeyer trash,” Parasoul said with a dead pan look on her face.

“Oh! Schooled you!” Fortune shouted.

“Fantasy worlds are my jam.”

“So what are we doing?” Carol asked, confused as the outbursts made it hard to pay attention.

“We’re gonna sort you,” Filia concluded.

“Sort me?”

“I myself am a Hufflepuff-”

“Sadly,” Samson grumbled.

“But we can possibly figure out where you belong, and the others in here while we’re at it. It might take some time, but I am sure we can thoughtfully deduce where each of you--”

“Gryffindor. Hufflepuff. Ravenclaw. Slytherin,” Cerebella listed, pointing at herself, Fortune, Parasoul and then Carol. “Okay, we’re done.”

“Oh, cool. I’m gonna get a snack,” Fortune said as everyone began to leave.

Filia slid in front of them to stop them. “Woah! Wh-whoa! Whoa! Whoa!”

“Why am I a Slytherin? What are the qualifications?” Carol asked.

“Well you’re the...” Cerebella was hesitant as she didn’t want to hurt her feelings. “You’re the dark and sinister one.”

“Pump the breaks, Cere! That is not what qualifies a Slytherin!”

“Well all the other houses are taken, so it’s the only one she could possibly fit into.”

“And that is a great example on what we’re NOT going to be doing with Carol,” Filia said with a pout.

“Okay, look Harry Potter is not entirely my pickle. My pickle of choice is Rick Picks,” Cerebella said as she pulls out a jar of pickles. “And I’m not sponsored, I’m just a fan. Rick Picks, the only pickle I will pick.”

Everyone was silent for a moment in confusion.

“What as that?” Filia asked.

“Yeah, I mean, I love a good meal of Rick Picks,” also pulls out a jar, “but that was a little out of left field, Cerebella.” Proceeds to eat a pickle.

“What is happening?!” Filia exclaimed, utterly confused at the randomness.

“Pickles aside, I think we should actually go over what these houses are like, to reinforce Carol’s sense of self. You have Gryffindor,” Parasoul began.

“The brave ones!” Cerebella boasted.

“Well. Yeah, but that’s an oversimplification.They’re also determined and chivalrous.”

“And this is the one Cerebella thinks she’s in?” Carol asked, gaining a narrow eye look from the performer.

“Then there’s Ravenclaw,” Parasoul continued so no more distractions. “Typically known as the wise and clever ones. Then there’s Hufflepuff, the loyal and friendly ones.”

“Aww, is that what you think of me, Cere?” Fortune asked, hugging her.

“And then there is Slytherin, who, yes, get a rep in the books for being the bad guys but they’re mainly known for being ambitious, cunning, strong leaders.”

“But that’s not me,” Carol pointed out.

“Ye-N-No...” Cerebella said, confused, looking around a bit as she came to terms that she might have been off with her sorting. “What the heck-ity heck? Five abs and one peck.”

Everyone gave a raised eyebrow at those words.

“What was that?” Filia asked.

“Just something I say when I am confused so I won’t be alone in my confusion. See? It works,” Cerebella explained before moving on. “Carol is not a Slytherin.”

“Well, sorry to ruin that for you,” Carol said with a huff and a bit of a slouch.

“If you keep talking bad about yourself, I’m going to physically fight you!!” Filia shouted, pointing the finger at her.

“No. No. That is the opposite of helpful, Filia,” Parasoul said.

“No one talks about my sister like that,” Filia said, a dead serious tone in her voice.”

“O-okay,” Carol said, gaining a ‘I’m watching you look’ from Filia. 

“Well, now that I think about it, Cerebella seems like a Slytherin,” Parasoul said.

“What? I am not!”

“Oh, you don’t think you’re a good leader, you don’t think you’re cunning?”

“I’m not evil!!!”

“Slytherins are not evil, okay?! Let’s just get rid of that idea!” Filia shouted, having enough of that thinking process.

“Well, Nadia seems more like a Ravenclaw to me,” Cerebella said, her anger rising.

“I’ll CLAW you up,” Fortune said with a grin, making a clawing motion.

“Um... that doesn’t seem right,” Parasoul said.

“Well, she’s always the one coming up with those witty puns!” Cerebella argued.

“You call those witty?”

“You call those heels?” Fortune asked.

“I mean, yes. I’m not sure if you’re implying, something--”

“Well I HEEL like they won’t pick up. They don’t have a phone. ZING!” Fortune laughed.

Parasoul exhales in frustration and says, “Okay, I’m gonna walk that off for a second,” before heading out the door to calm down.

“You see? This is what I mean by rethinking qualities,” Filia said.

“Parasoul seems more like a Gryffindor,” Fortune said as she came back, calm, only to make her more frustrated.

“You see? Fortune makes statements like that and you think she is a Ravenclaw?” Parasoul asked Cerebella.

“Why is that now?” Cerebella asked Fortune.

“Because she’s feisty like a lion~”

“We get it! You’re punny!” Parasoul shouted, clapping between each syllable.

“Fortune may have a point. I mean Hermione was a Gryffindor ad she was the smartest of them all. They’re also known for having short tempers, which I think can be said for you two,” Filia said as she pointed at Cerebella and Parasoul.

“Oh, shut up!”

“FALSEHOOD!”

“Wow. I did not miss that,” Carol said, rubbing her ringing ears.

“Gryffindors are self-righteous and arrogant,” Parasoul argued.

“Oh, okay, Fortune. I wasn’t totally convinced before, but maybe Parasoul is a Gryffindor,” Cerebella said with a smirk as she wanted to be sassy with her.

“Also, that would leave Carol with Hufflepuff?” Parasoul asked.

“I mean, you guys don’t have to be in different houses,” Filia said.

“But wouldn’t that be nifty?” Fortune asked.

“How would I be a Hufflepuff?” Carol asked.

“You are hard working,” Filia said with a smile.

“Working hard at being parano-” Cerebella gets a mean look from Filia. “-vigilant! ‘Paranovigilat!’ Did you like that? I just made that word up just now. I’m basically Shakespeare!”

“I don’t work that hard,” Carol said, shaking her head.

“Oh! Hufflepuffs are also modest,” Filia said, brightening the good qualities of her friend.

“Less modest, more self-deprecating,” Carol corrected.

“What’s that?”

“I talk bad about myself.”

“I will physically fight you! Let me love you!”

“Hufflepuffs are also known to be honest, patient and impartial. They tend not to take sides unless given a good reason to,” Parasoul said.

Carol laughs before she said, “One thing I am NOT in this group is impartial. I have been forced to take a side than be given a choice.”

“Oh... I don’t think that’s not what Parasoul meant,” Filia said, feeling bad for her.

“I don’t know... plus, I’m hardly patient.”

“No bigger! If that’s not what you feel you are-”

“We can keep this magical mishmash going. Cerebella could be Hufflepuff,” Fortune said.

“Okay, but this sorting has to make some sense,” Cerebella said, unsure about this.

“Cedric Diggory was a Hufflepuff and he was a Triwizard champion. Before he died,” Fortune pointed out.

“So was Harry and he was a Gryffindor,” Cerebella mumbled.

“And Hufflepuffs are said to make the best companions,” Filia chimed in.

Cerebella thought about it before looking at Filia curiously. “In a romantic sense?”

“Why not?”

“Okay, well, Parasoul. You could be the Slytherin of the group,” Cerebella said.

Parasoul tapped her chin before humming in interest. “I can actually understand that. Cunning, resourceful, a strong leader.”

“Fortune could be Gryffindor,” Carol said.

“Meow~” Fortune purred.

“Is it because she’s a cat?” Cerebella asked, squinting at Carol.

“She just seems like the most impulsive and reckless at times. I mean we’re constantly working to rein her in,” Carol said.

“Good point, Carol! That must mean, you’re a Ravenclaw,” Filia said.

Carol hummed in uncertainty, feeling anxious. “I mean, maybe,” she said.

“If anyone else here was going to be Ravenclaw, I’d think it be you,” Parasoul said.

“You pick up on things quick, you think through all possible outcomes, you have common sense,” Filia pointed out.

“I suppose, but I don’t know. I’m just the one who points out the problems. Ravenclaws are innovative enough to actually solve the problem,” Carol said.

“But you’ve done that before.”

“By accident, or had no choice, or by drawing upon information already known...”

“So... you think that’s also an uncomfortable fit?” Filia asked.

“I don’t think it fully sums me up.”

Cerbella then sighs and said, “Perhaps you’re right. We found certain traits that we can relate to, but maybe it’s best we stick with where we feel most comfortable.”

“Well, if we went soley byt that,” Parasoul said as she returned with robes, putting on Slytherin. “Slytherin feels the most accurate to me.”

Fortune wears a Gryffindor robe. “This seems the most right for me!”

Cerebella wears the Hufflepuff one. “I might be brave, but I am loyal to those I love.”

“Carol? How you feeling?” Filia asked, sounding concerned.

“I’m not sure,” Carol said, having a hard time choosing.

“Well, uh... they don’t all have to be different. Does Gryffidor feel best for you?” Fortune asked.

“I might be aggressive, but I am not reckless,” Carol said as she looked at the red robe before putting it down, going through the other houses. “I’m not impartial and not confident around others, and frankly not friendly anymore. I am a problem identifier, but not a problem solver.” She stops at Slytherin. “And then there’s what everyone expects me to be. But I don’t feel like an ambitious cunning leader. I feel more like a play-it-safe, evasive, worrier.” She sighed before asking, “So, what does this mean? I-I went into this hoping to make better sense of it all but now I’m even more confused than ever.”

“So you don’t quite fit into any of the houses perfectly, big deal. You know who could have been in Slytherin or Gryffindor? Harry Freakin’ Potter,” Filia said, trying to boost moral.

“Hermione was going to be in Ravenclaw, but exemplified Gryffindor trats more,” Parasoul added.

“Neville wanted to be in Hufflepuff because he didn’t see the Gryffindor traits in himself at all,” Cerebella chimed in.

“You guys are making me feel really good about my house. Thank you!” Fortune cheered.

“Point is, there are examples of people who toe the line between multiple categories. And they fit however they wanna fit,” Filia said.

“But I don’t fit, that’s the thing,” Carol argued with a sad tone.

“Says who?!” Cerebella shouted.

“You could be a Raveclaw with Hufflepuff tendencies, a Slythering with Gryffindor tendencies- no wait. They’re kinda similar,” Parasoul said.

“You can be Raphael and Donatello,” Fortune said with a cheerful tone.

“Well that’s mixing metaphors. Let’s not confuse the issue-”

“A water-bender and an eather-bender,” Cerebella said.

“O-only if you were the Avatar. Wha- I thought we were talking about Harry Potter,” Parasoul said.

“You’re a Greyjoy,” Filia chimed in with a deep voice. “and you’re a Stark.”

“Filia, you don’t even watch Game of Thrones. How- how do you-”

“You should though, it’s soooo good,” Cerebella suggested.

“Yeah, I’ve heard.”

“I think I’m getting it guys. It’s just, I wish that I as a little bit more simple to understand,” Carol said.

“Oh, who wants that? No one is or should be that simple have you looked at us? We certainly stand out from the crowd. Figuring yourself out should be an adventure, Carol. Don’t be afraid to stand out a little! Embrace your difference, heck, I dyed my hair this styling shade for a change, and I like feeling a bit unique. Hopefully you can too,” Filia said, giving a warm smile.

Carol was silent, feeling Filia’s words hard ground to them. “Well...”she said, as everyone waited for her decision. She then tossed the robe aside. “I am not picking a house. I don’t need to belong to a specific Hogwarts house in order to belong with you guys.”

Everyone smiled, Filia, Cerebella and Fortune hugging Carol in a group hug.

“Ten points to Carol!” Filia cheered.

“Well, I hope you feel more a part of this group, Carol,” Parasoul said.

“I do, thank you,” Carol said, smiling.