#i wonder if i play my cards correctly i could convince them to watch all the TF shows with me

[noritaro]

I'm a little jealous....😣 you have friends who are interested in transformers🥺

actually currently I'm the most obsessive bitch about it in my IRL friend group, its just that some of my irls actually grew up watching some transformers shows (unlike me who was watching anime but shhh cough) so it's very easy to talk to them about my beloved robots

and thank god honestly- I dont have to explain every little thing... not that I mind

[wolken-himmel]

In which Rook plans a school stage play about a princess being kidnapped by a pirate, and her prince having to save her.

And coincidentally, he already has all the main leads in mind:

The pirate — Leona.

The prince — Malleus.

The princess — (Y/n).

Now the biggest challenge stands before Rook: Convincing all of them to join in. But much to his convenience, he already knows how to play his cards right with all three of them.

[This is Part (1/2); Part (2/2) can be found here.]

"Mademoiselle (Y/n)? May I have a minute of your precious time?"

Jumping a little bit due to not having heard the newcomer's footsteps before, you almost dropped your phone to the hard wooden floor of the classroom. You put your hand over your rapidly beating chest in an attempt to calm yourself as you gazed up at Rook curiously. "Rook! Haven't Deuce and Ace told you not to sneak up on people?!" You exhaled dramatically, pushing back a strand of loose hair.

He started chuckling, bowing to apologise. "Pardon, I didn't mean to scare you, Mademoiselle!" When he resumed to his straight posture, he shot you a big smile that had an eerie feeling to it. "But I have a favour of you to ask."

"Oh, a favour?" You leant closer to him, much to the blond's amusement. Somehow, you reminded him of a little child when you demanded, "Tell me more!"

"I'm planning a magnificent stage play!" Positioning himself next to you, he slung an arm around your shoulder, raising his other free hand to slowly wave it in front of you two. Your eyes followed as his hand moved through the air, as if showing you some sort of visionary future. "And I want you, my dearest (Y/n), to play one of the lead roles!"

At first, you thought you had misheard the eccentric hunter. But once you realised you heard correctly, you found your eyes lighting up in glee while you yelled, "A stage play?!"

"Oui, indeed! It's about a beautiful and lovely princess being kidnapped by a pirate because she owns the only existing map to a treasure he's desperately hunting for! Her prince has to save her from the vicious pirate's claws!"

"Wow..." Speechless, your jaw hung low, and your eyes were emptily boring into Rook's. You nudged him impatiently when he dramatically paused to raise the tension. Patting your head while chuckling, he eventually felt merciful enough and decided to continue.

"But, as time passes on, the pirate starts falling in love with the lovely princess! And eventually, it's not only the treasure he cares about~" Gently pinching your cheeks, his own lips pulled up into a giant grin. Your eyes were twinkling as bright as the stars up in the sky at night time while your heart felt like it was about to explode from sheer excitement. "Eventually, he abandons the treasure, just to solely focus on keeping his darling princess away from her prince — so that he can have her for himself."

Blinking, you rather innocently asked, "Is the prince going to save her?"

"Mademoiselle, yes," Rook said, clicking his tongue as if the answer was obvious. Rolling his eyes playfully, he let out a little chuckle. "It's not Vil who wrote the script, after all."

Letting out a little hum, you scratched the side of your face. "And you want me to play the princess?"

"Who else could be a better damsel in distress?" Rook asked with a charming and sly smile.

Not sure whether to pout or to smile, you simply furrowed your eyebrows in skepticism and responded, "...you truly are the master of handing backhanded compliments."

"Merci beaucoup, Mademoiselle~!" He took his hat off, clutching it to his chest before bowing courteously like the gentleman he was. "So, what do you say?" he asked once he stood straight again, his eyes full of hope.

Smiling, you felt like a giddy child who had just received candy. "Of course I'll play the princess for you!"

"Phew, merci..." Rook smiled before he bid you a goodbye, watching in relief as you skipped away to probably find Grim to scream his ears off and tell him of the wonderful news. Putting his hat back on, the blond started to smile; his face resembled that of a sly fox. "That will make convincing Malleus to join much easier..."

"Excuse moi, Roi du Dragon?"

A little bit surprised by being approached by such a fearless individual, Malleus at first though it wasn't him whom the enigmatic blond had chatted up. Turning around to see if any other student was standing behind him, he could find no one else who might have been addressed aside from him. "Oh... you mean me, am I correct?" Malleus asked, tilting his head to get a better look at the blond whose face was obstructed by the seam of his large hat.

"Quite correct!" he chirped, once again taking off his head and bowing in respect. "I'm Rook—"

Malleus let out a polite hum. "Of Pomefiore? Vice leader, right?"

Feigning a little gasp to accentuate his surprise, Rook rose back to his formerly straight posture. Grinning from ear to ear in genuine surprise, Rook cooed, "You know me already~ I consider myself flattered!"

"You're not the only observant one at NRC." Malleus lips curled up into a little grin, Rook swearing that the dragon fae was looking right into his soul. So maybe Malleus wasn't as oblivious of the hunter's observant tendencies as he had thought; but that only made him more interesting in Rook's book. Growing more and more curious, Malleus eventually asked, "Anyway, what might you need, hunter?"

"Just a speck of your time, Roi du Dragon!" Rook chirped, easily having regained his composure. "Have you ever taken part in a stage play before?"

Malleus furrowed his eyebrows, resting his chin in his palm. "...I can't say I have," he admitted, even more intrigued.

"Then, I invite you to play one of the lead roles in my upcoming stage play about a pirate kidnapping a princess, resulting in her handsome and powerful prince having to save her!" Rook exclaimed, his hands doing wild gestures that left Malleus amused. "And you're going to be the prince!"

The last part, Malleus definitely didn't expect.

"Y-You're inviting me to something?" the dark-haired male choked out in disbelief. When Rook started to nod eagerly, Malleus swiftly turned around, his back now facing the blond. "Excuse me, I need a minute..." Softly sniffling to himself in delight, he took a few minutes to calm down and process these delightful news. Then, he turned back around to shoot Rook a professional and graceful as ever smile. "Alright, tell me more."

Laughing, Rook continued, "After his beloved princess has been stolen away from him, the brave prince works tirelessly on saving her from the evil pirate's clutches!" He paused dramatically, raising his hand to point his gloved index finger at his opposite. "And the princely prince spares no expense in striking down the evil foe~"

Although Malleus felt flattered by all the compliments he was receiving, he wasn't too sure in his abilities of playing the good guy. A little bit of doubt clouding his mind, he admitted, "And you want me to play this 'princely' prince? I'm not sure if I can—"

"(Y/n), your beloved treasure, already agreed on playing the princess," Rook cut in, knowing this was his joker card. Clasping his hands together, he let out a dreamy sigh. "Just imagine sweeping her off her feet! What a hero you'll be!"

Malleus' eyes lit up in delight when your name reached his ears. The distant expression on his face softened as he murmured, "(Y/n)—? How interesting..."

"You're a real prince anyway, aren't you?"

"Yes, but aren't there a few other princes, too? Like Leona?" Malleus shrugged.

The grin on his face widening, Rook explained, "For Leona, I already have a different role in mind— but come on, Roi du Dragon! If I think of someone with manners and a graceful aura, it's you who first comes to my mind!"

"I feel flattered, Rook. You certainly have a way with words." Humming, quite the satisfied yet silly smile appeared on Malleus lips as he murmured, "Saving my little treasure from danger does sound quite intriguing..."

"Is that a oui?" Rook asked as he stared down at his feet that were teasingly prodding one another.

Even though Malleus was still a little bit unsure, the thought of standing on stage with you made most of his worries disappear. "If you mean to ask if I agree to your terms, then — for now — I do."

Doing a little victory dance, Rook whispered to himself, "Great! That will make it a lot easier to convince the hardest of them all: Leona. Hehe~"

"Roi du Leon?" Rook asked politely as he poked the Savanaclaw leader who was lazily napping on one of the benches in the courtyard.

No answer.

"Roi du Leon?" he called out once again, which prompted Leona to force one eye open. His formerly so peaceful face turned into a vicious scowl, as if he was ready to pounce onto his prey.

"Can't you see I'm trying to ignore you?" Leona growled, waving his hand in front of Rook's eyes dismissively. "You — as a hunter — better know not to wake a lion while he's sleeping."

"I apologise deeply, Roi du Leon!" Rook precautiously took a step back to avoid the lion's wrath, a smug smile on his face when he exclaimed, "But I solemnly swear that this disturbance is of utmost importance!"

Leona let out an annoyed huff, his tail angrily flicking back and forth. "What can be more important than sleep?" he snarled as he closed his eyes again, trying his best to resume his nap; but Rook wouldn't have any of that.

Coughing into his fist, Rook grinned when Leona's eyes snapped open once again, now more angered than ever. "My stage play, I may humbly brag," he explained before Leona could start yelling at him. A little bit curious, the brunet clamped his jaw shut and looked at his opposite in disdain. "It's about a dangerous yet dashing pirate abducting a lovely princess because she has a map that leads to the treasure he's hunting for—"

"Sorry, I find it hard to care—" Despite his words, Leona got himself to sit up into a more suitable position.

"Long story short: I want you to play the pirate," Rook cut him off, pointing his finger at Leona.

Leona, quite taken aback, raised his eyebrows at the sudden revelation. Eventually, his surprise faded away, and was instead replaced by utter amusement and smugness. "...how interesting. But rehearsals take so much energy... and learning the lines, too," Leona said, putting his hands behind his neck. "Give me reasons why I should join..."

Rook, who knew it would come to this, and therefore already had prepared himself accordingly, took out a list from the pocket of his jacket. He opened the scroll, preparing himself to read his points out loud. Taking a deep breath, he peeked out from behind the paper scroll to find an eager grin on Leona's lips. "First of all," Rook announced. "You looked magnifique in your Halloween pirate costume."

Clicking his tongue, Leona rolled his eyes. "I know."

Rook didn't let himself be swayed by his attitude, and instead continued on with even more vigour. "Second of all, (Y/n) is going to play the princess."

That definitely caught Leona's attention, causing him to lean forward with shimmering eyes. The grin on his lips seemed to have widened, now a little bit too big for his face. Seemingly liking the idea very much, the lion purred, "Oh my, stealing (Y/n) away does sound enticing~"

Behind the paper scroll, Rook was whispering cheers to himself, knowing he had just managed to lure his prey into a trap. "Lastly! Third of all—" Rook announced whilst neatly putting his list away, "Malleus is going to play the prince."

"Malleus?!" Leona yelled out as he jumped up from the bench, his green eyes ripped wide open in disdain. As if Rook had managed to activate a switch inside of him, Leona lurched forward and grabbed the hunter by his shoulders, shaking him back and forth vigorously. "I can't lose to the lizard—"

"Yes, quite interesting, isnt it?" Rook cooed with a low chuckle. "And did I mention that there are a few kissing scenes here and there~?"

"Say no more! I'm in!" Leona, now looking like an excited lion cub, jumped up and down with such energy that Rook was quite taken aback. Sleepiness was no more as he radiated happy energy, a big toothy smile on his lips.

"That's the excitement I've been looking for!" the blond cheered, throwing his hands into the air. "I am glad to have you on board, Captain Leona!"

"I never thought I'd see the day where I'd be standing on stage— but that's your problem now, little hunter." Not before too long, Leona found sleepiness taking over, prompting him to return to his bench. He laid down, but wasn't able to close his eyes and fall asleep like usually, which left him quite annoyed. Knowing that Rook still stood next to him, simply basking in his own success, Leona growled in utter disdain, "Great... now I'm too excited to fall asleep again— all because of you, little hunter."

Stalking away, Rook charmingly announced, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't eat me, Roi du Leon, for I still have a grand stage play to plan~!"

TO PART (2/2)

[maraudereestauderelb]

Touched

A Duff McKagan smut One Shot

Prompt: You go to a concert with one of your friends and band mates, who's having a thing with no other than the band's guitarist Slash. After the show you get to meet Duff McKagen and somehow end up having your first time with him.

MASTERLIST

Warning: sex (duh)

"They're good aren't they?", Y/F/N shouted over the loud music. "Amazing!" "Told ya!"

We were dancing along to the loud music and enjoying ourselves. It had taken her quite some time to convince me to come with her instead of heading for the Troubadour with our other two band mates. Apparently coming with my bassist had been the right choice though.

After a world tour, a successful album and quite a bit more money in my bank account than before we had left LA, I still felt more at home right here. In a rundown club on the strip with a still upcoming rock band on stage.

Y/F/N and I had fit in perfectly. Nobody would recognize just the two of us having a great time and getting drunk. Except maybe the group of aspiring musicians and rising rock bands of the strip. In this circle everyone knew everyone, knew in which bands they had played, who they were associated with, had partied together before and so on and so forth.

That was exactly the reason why we had ended up here. The lead guitarist used to play in a band called Road Crew and had surely attended one of the parties at our trailer before. Y/F/N knew him and she had told me he was in a new band that was very close on getting a record deal. "You gotta check them out! Heard they're fuckin good", had been the argument that had won me over in the end. Not so much her initial reason to come here. That being the fact that apparently the guy had been an awesome fuck and she wanted to get laid by him again.

Now being here, I didn't regret it. I was having fun! And I was back in my usual habitat and in a situation that was familiar. If after the concert she wanted to leave with her black haired curly-head she was free to do so. Either I'd bump into someone I knew or would simply head home and call it a night.

The singer seemed familiar as well and if I remembered correctly Nikki had left his ass outside at one of their parties.

"Yo, what's the lead singer's name again?", I asked Y/F/N. "Oh that's Axl. Hollywood Rose, remember?" "Oh yea, right!"

I got why those boys were apparently very close to making it. Shit, was Guns n' Rosesgood!

Y/F/N had successfully gotten us all the way through the crowd to the stage, where we danced and sang along some more until the band was finished.

A few moments after the last song had ended the club put on some generic rock music and blasted them through the speakers.

"You gonna head backstage or wait here?" This wasn't the type of club in which the band would go off stage and head backstage never to be seen again. They had a small room for all of them to change and would then most likely come out to party. I knew, because we had played here before.

"He saw me, so trust me, he's gonna come to me", she grinned, and I once again admired her confidence.

It didn't take too long before Slash really showed up. He greeted me as well and congratulated on our album, so I told him what a sick guitar player he is. I give credit where it's due.

But I also understood that it was probably best for me to piss off now. So that's what I did. I figured I'd get one last drink and keep my eyes open in case of seeing anybody I knew. And for real I spotted a few people I knew from college who quickly waved me over.

After telling them the generic shit everybody wanted to know coming back from tour, it actually turned into a lot of fun to party with them. No coke but sure as hell a lot of alcohol.

It was hours later when they decided to leave and I had actually planned to leave with them

when I spotted a barkeeper, I knew. He had also attended a bunch of our parties and was a cool guy. So I sat down at the bar and joked around with him some more as the club kept getting emptier.

The club surely was anything but empty at one point, neither was it packed. It wasn't so crowded anymore, and I had completely lost track of time when someone sat down on the barstool next to me.

I didn't pay much attention and simply took another sip from my vodka lemon until he said: "You know, your friend's already gone, right?"

I turned to face him and recognized him as one of Slash's band members, right after I had been speechless for a moment because of how handsome he was.

"Yea, I know", I nodded and added grinning: "So is your guitarist, right?" "Obviously", he answered laughing: "Should've seen him backstage after the concert, couldn't get to her fast enough!" I joined his laughter, finished my drink and looked around. "Your remaining band member's left with a groupie as well, huh?" "No, fuckin idea where they are", he smiled and waved over to Jimmy, the barkeeper: "Another one of these for the little Rockstar here and I take whatever she has."

"Thank you", I told him with a soft smile. He waved it off: "I'm Duff McKagan by the way." "Y/N Y/L/N", I replied. "I know, was at one of your trailer parties before ya guys became famous." "Oh were you?", I asked surprised. I would've bet I'd recognize such a pretty face. Blond, tall, bassist. I was in fuckin heaven.

"You then ones with the trailer with the IV in the living room, right?" "Yupp, that's us", I nodded with a smirk: "Then I'm sorry for not recognizing you..."

"Don't worry bout it", he smiled: "Doubt we got the chance to talk...not that I wouldn't have wanted to..."

"We should have! Then I probably would've listened to you guys sooner! And Oh. My. God. You're amazing!", I gushed excitedly. "Thanks! Hoping it'll get us where you are now." "You'd have to be a complete idiot not to fuckin sign you!"

"I fucking hope so", he sighed and took a big gulp from his vodka: "You the song writer, right?" He suddenly changed the topic.

"Yes, why?" "I dunno", he shrugged: "When I first saw your music video on TV I couldn't help but fuckin wonder what complete asshole hurt this beautiful girl..."

His words hit me like a fucking train, because they reminded me of my former best friend Nikki Sixx, whom I had been stupid enough to fall for, but soon my drunken brain focused on something else: He thought I was beautiful...

"An asshole that's no longer a problem", I laughed. "Well cheers to that", the blond guy smirked and clicked our glasses: "Lucky me."

I returned his smirk and soon felt his hand on my thigh.

"How come you didn't leave with a groupie?", I tease him and sip on my glass. "Not my thing..." "What an utter liar", I thought. "And also", he went on: "I saw you in the crowd dancing next to your friend and knew exactly who to go for."

The way he looked into my eyes send chills through my body and I quickly took another sip from my drink.

"You alright?", Jimmy asked from further away to make sure I was fine, and I quickly nodded.

"You're pretty confident, huh?", I asked Duff. "Why?" "Well, what if that one girl you decided to go for wasn't interested?", I teased him.

Was I interested? I mean...damn he was hot and watching him on stage had been hot! His touch on my thigh made me feel hot! But for fuck's sake I didn't knowhim!

"That would be pretty sad for both of us", he shrugged and winked at me before looking at his glass and away from me.

Was he right? God, I could already feel the heat inside of me rising and a quiet voice in the back of my head reminded me that I had seen him shirtless on stage and wondered what it would feel like to touch him.

But damn it, I was drunk!

He lit a cigarette and I gave my everything not to stare at his lips for longer.

"I liked you better when you were funny and not seductive", I shrugged as well with a smirk and made him laugh. "Ouch, thanks!", he replied smiling: "In that case you'd have loved to see me lookin like an idiot when I got to Slash and your friend hours ago just to realize your gone."

"Maybe you should've hurried more, you know, the way your friend Slash did", I teased him more and calmed my nerves.

"He's just a funny guy", I told myself: "Joke around with him some more and then get your ass back home."

"Well, in the end you waited here for me anyway." "Rockstars don't wait for anyone", I joked and took the cigarette from him to take a drag as well. I could tell he was staring at my lips this time but was ripped out of his thoughts when I handed it back.

He cleared his throat and said: "Always wanted to fuck a rockstar."

I almost choked on my drink. That was my sign. The cards were on the table. I should tell him that this certainly wouldn't be the night he'd get what he wants and leave! But I was curious... so damn curious...

I couldn't deny that I was attracted to him! Maybe I could at least make out with him...find out what his lips felt like...there was nothing wrong about that.

"That's what the girls always tell you?", I tried to mock him but was too nervous to sound convincing. "You're quite a joker, huh?" "At least tryin to..."

"It's cute", he admitted. "Good, because I never run out of stupid jokes..."

"Trust me, I'd know a way or two to shut you up", he grinned to himself and took a last drag before he stubbed the cigarette out.

God, his words went straight to my core and put pictures in my head I hated but at the same time desperately wanted to happen. I wanted to find out what he wanted to do!

"Ya know what I always wanted to find out?", I asked without thinking about it twice. "What is it, gorgeous?" "If it's true that bass players don't just have skilled fingers when it comes to playin instruments."

I cracked the joke before I had thought about it. Why? Because I always had to listen to idiots tell me that and because I somehow really wanted to find out.

His smirk grew winder than I had seen it all night and it made me knees weak. "I can definitely show ya that."

"How about you first make me shut up?"

I had barely finished my sentence before I felt his free hand in my neck and soon enough his lips on mine.

I felt like melting right then and there! His lips moving against mine felt so good! But what started as a rather innocent kiss quickly became more heated. I grabbed the hem of his leather jacket, not to pull him closer but because I needed to hold on to something, anything."

His lips were moving against mine before he gently captured my lower lip with his. It was hard not too moan on the spot! And even harder when I tasted his tongue.

I damned those stupid barstools! I wanted him closer, needed him closer.

When we finally separated again my entire body was totally antsy!

"Speechless?", he asked teasingly. God, he was so damn hot!

I tried to think of something witty and fun, but I couldn't summon a single proper thought.

"You know...to prove the other thing we should probably move this somewhere more private...", he whispered into my ear and hadn't goose pumps already covered my entire body they definitely would have after he seductively kissed my neck.

I should tell him no. I should move my fucking ass back home.

But when he leaned back again and all I could think about was how I buried my fingers in his blond hair, I just nodded...

He had his arm around my waist when he let me out of the club and down strip. It was still dark and it wasn't hard to tell that there were still a bunch of parties going on in other places as well. Like I said, I had long lost my sense for time.

"My place ain't far from here", he told me and I nodded. Excitement was bubbling inside of me and gosh, I couldn't wait to kiss him again!

All worries and negative thoughts had been long gone as we walked through the cold night. I kept looking at him from the side and tried to hide the excited smirk on my lips. But

damn, he was even taller than I had guessed and looked so handsome in the dim glow of the streetlights.

I didn't know what to say. Where words needed?

I realized how he eyed me as well and a smug smile appeared on his lips. Shit, I wanted him. I had never felt this need for someone before, but I had also never allowed myself to get this carried away.

I bit my lower lip and tried to clear my thoughts but that attempt was quickly thrown completely over board when he suddenly pressed my back against the closest wall and kissed me. The kiss almost took my breath away.

Here I was standing on the strip with my back against the wall of some club and making out with a complete stranger. And it felt so right.

"Duff", I whimpered against his lips in a needy tone. "We should probably keep going, huh?", he smirked a little out of breath himself. "Except you consider this somewhere more private", I said with a grin on my lips but felt how he led me on with his arm around my hips once again.

"Wouldn't mind", he shrugged and lit another cigarette: "But I wanna take my time with you."

I swallowed hard and accepted the cigarette he wanted to share with me.

The next five minutes of us walking passed mainly without much talking but then I found myself in his one-bedroom apartment.

Alone with him now I felt the nervousness set back in.

So this was how it's gonna be?

"You want somethin to drink or anything?", he asked from behind me and I shook my head. Soon I felt him against my back with his arms around my body and his lips on my neck and shoulder.

I suppressed the low moan that had wanted to escape my lips and simply leaned back against him.

He had soon gripped the hem of my dress and pulled it over my head. A shiver ran through me but his warm hands that travelled my body soothed me and quickly found the clasp of my bra and opened it.

He was still kissing my neck when he whispered: "Turn around to me." I obeyed immediately.

The sight of my bare breasts exposed before him made him fight to contain his arousal as he hardened in his boxers. He lowered his head and wrapped his lips around my nipple. He sucked gently and I failed to find something to hold onto.

It was weird to be almost naked in front of him while he was still fully dressed, at the same time it made me feel excited.

"Get on the bed, I got something to prove", the blond haired told me smirking and I nodded. I tried not to run to the bed and could barely believe how caught up in the moment I was. My entire mind was foggy!

I watched him take off his leather jacket before he walked over to me and moved my thighs apart so he could lay down between them.

I could feel him hard against my center through our clothes but before the nervousness consumed me he had his lips on mine again and consumed my senses instead.

His body was pressed against mine and he traced his fingers down my body. He stroked over my thighs and spread them even more before moving to my panties.

Through the fabric he pressed his hand against me and gently rubbed me. A soft moan left my lips and I stirred underneath him and spread my legs further. Duff smirked against my breats and took my nipple in his mouth again as he began to rub me through my panties. His fingers ran over my slit as heat began to pool and I whimpered.

"Duff", I moaned softly.

He pulled away from my titts and brought his lips to mine while his fingers rubbed at my clit.

My eyes were closed, and I was lost in the moment, but I managed to bring my hand to his head and tangled my fingers in his blond, long hair. My lips parted as another soft moan left them and Duff pushed his tongue inside my mouth, massaging my tongue with his own.

His fingers were moving in circles over my clit and I whimpered against his lips as my panties became more soaked with each move he made.

I moaned and writhed on the bed as his hand travelled beneath my panties. Both of us moaned as he ran his middle finger between my folds, feeling how wet I was.

I whined his name again and lifted my hips to meet his hand.

He pushed his erection against my thigh and instinctively I reached down and stroked him through his pants.

"God you’re so wet for me", he growled in in my ear.

I bit my lip and raised my hips when suddenly he pulled away from me.

He knelt on the bed and smirked at me before ripping my panties down my thighs and tossing them to the floor.

My heart felt like it was about to pump out of my fucking chest.

He moved between my legs and crashed his lips against mine.

His fingers made their way back to my core and he pushed his middle finger inside me with ease, making me gasp.

"You want me to fuck you?", he pulled his finger out teasingly slow.

I bit your lip and without thinking I nodded as he pushed his finger back in.

He added a second finger, stretching me slowly: "But not yet."

He pulled his fingers away and I whined at the emptiness. But before I could protest Duff spread my legs apart and laid between them.

He ran the flat of his tongue along my slit, making me gasp and clutch at the sheets.

His tongue ran over my clit in two slow strokes.

I quickly covered my mouth with my hand and let out a moan.

His tongue ran over my clit in slow circles and he reached his hands up to squeeze my breasts. When he sucked at my clit I let out another moan into my hand and Duff pulled away.

"Oh No, baby", he told me and moved my hand from my mouth: "I wanna hear you."

I bit my lip and watched as he went back to his slow licks and his eyes never left mine as he ran his tongue over me. I felt like I was burning.

I squeezed my eyes shut and reached down, wrapping my fingers in his blond hair and raised my hips to meet him. He pulled back, only slightly and ran his fingers over my slit. He let out a growl as he watched, pushing two fingers into your throbbing pussy.

"Duff", I gasped and already felt extremely full. "Don't panic", I told myself and threw all worries away when he began to pump his fingers in and out of me, slowly at first before he increased his speed.

"You like that, baby girl?"

I moaned in response and he stopped his movements. He sucked at my clit and the change in pleasure made me squirm.

I whined and lifted my hips to meet the strokes of his tongue.

He moaned against me and the vibrations sent pleasure soaring through my veins. He began pumping his fingers once more, curling them against my wall and rubbing against my gspot.

I writhed on the bed, clutching at the sheets because of the amount of pleasure.

"Fuck..."

"You gonna cum for me doll?", he growled against me.

I sunk my teeth into my bottom lip as my orgasm coursed through me. MY walls clenched around his skilled fingers and his tongue didn’t stop running over your clit, making my legs tremble.

When my orgasm started to slow down he got up and took his clothes off, throwing them anywhere. Before he sat back down between my thighs, I watched him put on a condom through barely open eyelids.

Without a warning and therefor without giving me the time to over think this he plunged his cock into me. I gasped at his size and raked my nails down his back.

The pain was sharp and unknown.

"God you feel so good baby."

He crashed his lips against mine, stifling my moan as he pulled out of me slowly.

"So tight." He pushed into me again. I was frowning and pushed my eyes closed as I was trying to adjust to him. Fuck, he felt so good at the same time this hurt so bad but in the best way possible.

I moaned and ran my hands over his back as he set a pace with deep and slow thrusts. He wanted me to feel every inch of him entering me and he lost himself in the little whimpers I made as he pushed into me. After a few more thrusts when the pain was starting to die down, he pulled out of me and knelt on the bed.

"Rollover", he ordered.

I bit my lip and obeyed, kneeling in front of him on all fours. Duff let out a breath as he looked at my ass.

I felt him run his cock over my center before he pushed into me once more.

"Duff...", I hissed.

His change of angle set a whole new sense of pleasure and he set a faster pace. It hurt but felt so good... His cock slammed into me and I collapsed against the mattress, falling onto my elbows, arching my back more in doing so.

He brought his hand down swiftly, slapping my ass and making me gasp.

Duff gripped my hips and I moaned between breaths as he picked up a fast and hard pace, slamming into me hard and fast. He leaned forward and pulled my hair into a ponytail, his thrusts never slowing down. With a gentle tug at my hair he pulled me back onto all fours and with his spare hand he reached under me.

His fingers found my clit and he rubbed clumsy circles. I bit my lip, trying to contain my moans and arched my back. He leant over me, his breath on my shoulder and hearing his staggered breathing sent me into overdrive. He released his grip in my hair only to wrap his hand around your throat gently and pull me back enough so he could turn my head around to kiss him. Just what I needed.

"You gonna cum for me?"

I attempted to nod, which proved difficult with his grip on my throat. He didn't wait for an answer though and rubbed his fingers over my clit faster.

"Cum for me, babygirl."

I lost all control, my eyes rolling back as the waves of pleasure rolled through me, sending shivers all over my skin. His pace was sloppy now and I knew he was almost ready as well. He slowly pulled away and turned on his back so I knelt down on wobbly legs. I removed the condom and licked along his throbbing cock and he let out a low moan. I took him as deep as I could and began to suck him off until he grasped his cock and pumped it a few times before coming in my mouth.

I swallowed his load and his deep moans send a few last chills through me.

Both of us collapsed against the sheets, a sheer layer of sweat covering my skin as I tried to catch my breath.

"Shit that was good", he exhaled and placed a lazy kiss on my shoulder. "Yes, it was", I thought and grinned to myself, trying to process what had happened.

[apiratewhopines]

I’m going to alternate artwork so we get leather-clad Killian and fancy dress up Killian.

Midnight

Chapter 3 — The Godfather

Summary: In which our heroine accepts the finer things in life

Chapter 3 of 7 on AO3

“He gave her things that she was needin’

He gave her a home built of gold and steel

A diamond car with platinum wheels”

-Minnie The Moocher, Cab Calloway

The creeping pace her warden set was nerve-racking. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination or if every eye in the place was watching their slow procession through the ballroom. Finally exiting the room, they paused in the hallway and Emma said resignedly, “Let’s get this over with.”

“I’ve had my eye on you from the moment you walked in,” the other man commented, nodding to passersby with no hint of distress. “You should have known better than to think you could escape unnoticed.”

“Well, I thought if I left quietly, no one would be the wiser,” she replied, smiling at him with a hopeful kind of chagrin. “You can’t blame a girl for trying.”

“Don’t apologize, my dear. There are three of us in rebellion against this entertainment if you want to call it that. I think I may turn down all future invitations from Regina if this is the torture we will be subject to…” Grabbing her arm softly, he started steering them through the throng still attempting to find a place in the ballroom.

She was shocked they weren’t heading to the front entrance. The man, who had yet to introduce himself, was leading her down a back hallway. Moments later, he paused in front of a closed door. “You do play bridge, yes?”

Emma hadn’t played the game since she was a teenager staying with Granny, but as usual, the lessons the older woman taught her were going to save her from a terrible fate. “Yes, though I’m a bit rusty. But why me?”

“You’re charming, you’re bored, and you have the face of someone who wouldn’t trump your partner’s ace,” he explained with a breezy smile. Placing his finger to his lips to hush any further conversation, he pressed an ear to the door and then gave two quick raps against the frame. Taking one more second, he then opened it and ushered her in.

Upon entering, she saw two occupants huddled by the fireplace, which blazed happily with a roaring fire in opposition to the warm night. Immediately, his pause made sense as she noticed a faint smudge of lipstick on the smooth skin of the man’s face.

“Lancelot, Guinevere, allow me to introduce Madam—I’m sorry, I don’t think I caught your name.”

Scrambling, she said the first thing that popped into her mind. “Jones.”

“Ah, Madam Jones, I’m Sidney Glass, your knight in shining armor for the evening. This is Guinevere Soberano and Lancelot du Lac, your fellow insurrectionists.” Her knight joked before adding, “Lance is the most dangerous man in the room, so watch yourself.”

Seeing how the tall, handsome man took his time sizing her up, she had a feeling she knew what made him dangerous. The fashionable lines of his tuxedo did little to hide his muscular build, and while he wasn’t the sexiest man she’d met that evening, she knew if they had met on any other night of her life, he would have been. She could tell by how his eyes continued to seek her out that he wasn’t immune to her charms either. It should have made her feel better considering she’d been in the same outfit for nearly two days and her hair was still wet from her dash through the thunderstorm. Instead, it made her feel tired.

Taking a seat with trepidation, she tried to hide her feelings of discomfort. She was the one who ran when offered a cozy landing place, so now she needed to play the hand she was dealt. Literally. Watching as Sidney took over as dealer, she asked, “What are we playing for? Bragging rights?”

“How about our normal stakes? Five dollars a point?”

Eyes wide, she calculated if she remembered the game correctly, there would be thousands of dollars exchanging hands tonight. If only a fraction of that money came her way, she may be able to get out of this dress and fill up her tank so she could hit the road and resume her search. She refused to think about what she would do if she didn’t win. Granny had been a cutthroat player, so she had more than enough practice.

Lance settled in as her partner, his eyes never leaving her face as the group silently arranged their cards and planned their strategies. Her heart racing, Emma mumbled, “Two spades.”

And the game began.

Hours later, they were in the hole and she couldn’t help wishing Sidney or the other woman was her partner. Lance seemed much more interested in flirting with her than winning, and if she weren’t sure it would get her thrown out, she would have kicked him under the table for screwing up her chance to turn her luck around. Not to mention the fact that with every suggestive exchange, Guinevere’s eyes grew a little bit colder. She had a feeling the woman would make a formidable enemy.

The door to their hideaway opened to admit her former neighbor, his eyes as unnerving by firelight as they had been in the brighter gleam of the ballroom. The ever-present smirk was there in full force as he made his way to their table and planted himself between Lance and Guinevere. “Darling, why don’t you introduce me to your newest recruit?”

“Madam Jones, this is my husband Arthur Soberano, the only man on the planet who enjoys these little parties. Arthur, this is Madam Jones, a woman in need of a better bridge partner.”

“It’s so hard to concentrate on cards sometimes,” Lance murmured, his heated glance never leaving her face so no one had any doubts about what was distracting him.

Arthur observed the exchange, and the subsequent reactions, with the expression of a man who finally found his silver lining. She hoped it was catching. “Jones, eh? Would you be one of the Rhode Island Joneses?”

Pasting a bright smile on her face, she demurred. “No, but I’ve heard they’re lovely people.”

“You’re American, correct?”

“What gave it away? My abysmal accent?”

“Something like that,” Arthur responded with a smile. “So if not Rhode Island, what Jones clan do you hail from?”

“Oh, Jones is my married name. My husband is from Cambridge.”

“Of course! I should have known. I ran into Baron Jones a few years ago in Budapest, and he spoke of an American girl. How is he? Is he here tonight?”

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, because of course there would be a Baron Jones and of course this enigmatic man would know him, she stared at her cards and hoped she sounded more convincing than she felt when she said, “No, no. He’s still in Budapest. He wasn’t feeling well enough for transatlantic travel. You know, the old trouble flaring up.”

Tsking with a hint of amusement, Arthur narrowed his eyes. “That’s too bad. Guinevere, we really must make a trip there soon. Beautiful city. Tell me, Madam Jones, did they ever finish the metro Line 1?”

For the love of all that was holy, would the man never stop with the questions? “You know how construction is…the roads are still a mess here and there.”

She knew by the way his body shifted that she had misstepped. She wasn’t sure what trap he laid, but she walked right into it. To add insult to injury, the final hand of the night went into their loss column.

Lance shook his head in defeat and pulled out his wallet. “I really must apologize, Madam Jones. I’m usually a much better player. You’ll have to let me make amends to you. Perhaps lunch tomorrow? What’s your favorite place?”

“That depends, Lance. How much money am I out tonight? I will exact revenge in corresponding measure.”

Sidney piped in with a gleeful laugh. “Four thousand dollars from each of you. Not a bad haul, if I do say so myself. But bypassing the awful concert makes the win priceless.”

Her head swam with the figure, trying to ignore the way Arthur was circling the room like a caged lion and wondering how plausible it was for a baroness not to carry cash. Surely, the nobility class had people to handle this kind of thing for them. “I’m not sure I have that much on me. I hope you’ll accept my IOU. Has anyone seen my bag?”

She saw the look Guinevere and Sidney exchanged and her stomach dropped. They wouldn’t let it go. Perhaps looking for her non-existent purse would allow her to sneak out.

“Is this it, Madam Jones?”

“Yes, thank you.” Turning around, she saw a beaded clutch she’d never laid eyes on before in Arthur’s extended hand. She hadn’t stolen a single thing in her life, and she wasn’t thrilled to start now, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

Opening it, she found a wad of cash that looked like it could bankroll a small country for a year. Shocked, her gaze flew to meet Arthur’s and he winked before departing the room.

—

No matter how hard she tried to shake him, Lance would not leave her alone. Subsequently, everyone in the entourage hung on like they had nothing better to do than tag along while she flitted around the club trying to lose them. Finally, the evening started breaking up. Large groups of people gave each other air kisses and made plans to meet at various houses for brunch the next day. Freedom was within reach if she could only make it out the front door.

They bid goodbye to their hostess, who was high on finding the supposed party crasher, an older woman they dragged from the downstairs powder room and tossed out into the night, still swearing she didn’t know anyone named Neal and claiming she was the Duchess of Longbourn.

Emma thought a silent apology to the woman and hoped karma graded on a curve.

“Allow me to wait with you until your car pulls around,” Lance said, offering his arm to help her down the steps.

“I’d hate to trouble you,” Emma ground out, her voice deepened with the effort of holding in a groan of frustration. “My chauffeur is habitually late.”

“Then I should give you a ride,” Lance countered. He had yet to let go of her arm, and she was afraid she would have to cut it off to make a clean break. “Where are you staying?”

Having no clue of the lodging situation in Misthaven, she worried about another trap under Arthur’s expectant stare. “I’ll give you three guesses.”

“The Ritz,” he immediately countered.

“Right in one! But really, I’d rather wait for my car.” When the words left her mouth, the familiar lines of a black BMW cruised down the street slowly like the driver was looking for something. Or someone. Panicked, she flashed her new admirer a dazzling smile. “On second thought, let’s get out of here.”

As Lance handed her into his sports car, she heard Guinevere’s voice muttering to Sidney, “We don’t know anything about her. She came here all alone.”

“I notice she’s not leaving alone,” Arthur replied, smile widening as he caught her eye through the window and gave her a jaunty wave.

By jumping into a car with a virtual stranger for the second time that evening, she avoided one issue but created another. Her time was running out because this charade was doomed to fail when they arrived at the hotel and there wasn’t a room for Baroness Jones. She’d have to get rid of him in the parking lot.

Unsurprisingly, considering how her night was going, it was easier said than done. Lance appeared to be a gentleman if you overlooked his tendency to have affairs with other men’s wives and wouldn’t hear of dropping her off at the entrance. Throwing his keys toward the valet stand, he made his way to the concierge desk over her protests that she had some things to handle in the lobby before heading to her room.

She closed her eyes as she heard him say, “Checking into Baroness Jones’s room.”

Here it came. The boom.

“Of course, sir. Will that be all?”

Opening one eye, she watched as the employee handed over the room card. This couldn’t be right. She must be trapped in some nightmare where her pain and humiliation hung like a knife above her head, and the anticipation of the stabbing turned out to be worse than the violent act itself.

Laughing with fake merriment, she snatched the card from Lance before he could pocket it and said forcefully, “Thank you for a lovely evening. Good night.”

“My mother always said to see a woman to her door, or my job wasn’t done.”

Unable to hide her exasperation one second longer, she asked, “Don’t you know when to go home?”

“No.” With a broad smile, he held the elevator door open while she entered and wished for death. In hindsight, her original plan of sleeping on a park bench seemed like a real winner compared to this slow torture. She wouldn’t allow herself to think about the warm bed and warmer smile she had also turned down.

Tired, annoyed, and pining for her original driver of the evening, she didn’t even try to maintain a conversation with the man beside her, her head filled with dread at the idea she was about to open the door to a hotel room occupied by the real Baroness Jones. With the resigned stride of a prisoner walking the green mile, she reached the room slower than the situation called for and leaned against the door facing Lance. With a stony expression, she said pointedly, “Look, right to the door. You did your mother proud and can go home and sleep peacefully.”

“What? No nightcap?”

“No, absolutely not. I don’t need a mother to tell me inviting a man into my hotel room in the middle of the night is a bad idea. Go home.”

Laughing, he reached out and pushed her hair away from her face. “You’re magnificent.”

“I’m also married,” she bit out, barely resisting the urge to slap his hand away. There was something riveting about a man with an overabundance of confidence, but she refused to be charmed. If she were going to give in to any urges, she would have done it with the person behind Door Number One.

“So I’ve heard. At least make sure the card works. Those things are notoriously fickle, like most wives I’ve met.”

Chuckling despite herself, she swiped the card against the reader, grateful to hear the lock disengage in the quiet hallway. “There. Good night.”

Before he could say or do anything else, she slipped into the room and clicked the door firmly back in place. She tiptoed through the suite, not daring to turn on the lights while she looked for any trace someone else was in the room. Her search coming up empty, she reached over and flooded the bedroom with light.

The king-size bed looked heavenly. Giggling, she decided to make the most of this temporary reprieve. She dropped her clothes in a pile and ran to the bathroom, happy to find it as luxurious as the rest of the rooms in the suite. Turning the water all the way to hot, she allowed the steamy spray to wash away the hurt, the hopelessness, and the hysteria.

She stepped out of the shower an hour later, eyes red-rimmed and body weak with fatigue. Not even bothering to dry off, she collapsed in the bed and fell into a sleep plagued with blue eyes and black cars.

—

The sound of the antique telephone ringing penetrated the fog in her brain as the last strands of sleep broke. Startled, Emma glanced down at her nude form and immediately looked beside her to see if she was alone. Her dreams of the previous night didn’t fade quickly, and the vivid image of the Captain and his wonderful stubble made her ache.

Groaning as memory replaced fantasy, she plopped back against the mattress and grabbed one of the nearly two dozen pillows haphazardly strewn across the bed to cover her head in an attempt to drown out the noise.

It wasn’t really her hotel room, so she probably shouldn’t answer it anyway.

Unfortunately, the caller didn’t know she was an imposter and seemed determined to reach the room’s occupant. She picked up the receiver and pulled it under the pillow to join her. In a groggy voice she asked, “What?”

The chirpy voice of a hotel employee responded, “Good morning, Baroness Jones. Your luggage has arrived.”

“From Boston?” That didn’t make any sense. She’d pawned her last remaining possessions less than forty-eight hours ago, but unless she packed a boomerang in the pocket of her favorite jeans, she wasn’t sure what they were doing in Misthaven.

“I’m not sure, madam. The delivery driver only mentioned it was for the baroness. It should be arriving at your room momentarily.”

As if summoned by magic, there was a knock and she hung up the phone while trying to wrap herself in the thick comforter. Dragging the ends of the blanket like a train behind her, she threw open the door and felt her eyes widen at the sight greeting her. Lining the hallway was a parade of hotel employees carrying a few pieces of luggage each.

In mute shock, she moved out of the way and the group started piling the bags in the living room of the suite. When the final trunk was laid in the corner by the wall of windows overlooking the town, she stood staring unblinkingly at the head bellhop.

“Will there be anything else, Baroness?”

“No, I think this is quite enough.”

“Very well.”

The group seemed hesitant to depart, and she did a quick check to make sure her makeshift toga hadn’t slipped. Finding everything was as it should be, reason soaked through her dazed brain and she said, “Oh, the tip!”

“No, madam. Your chauffeur took care of it already. He wanted to know if you’d be needing the car today. It’s beautiful weather out.”

“My chauffeur took care of the tip and wants to know if I need the car…” she echoed back, trying to see if the words made more sense if she was the one saying them. No. No such luck. She was going mad. That was the only explanation. Or maybe the Captain wasn’t all he seemed to be and he had drugged her and this was simply a hallucination. Noticing the flock of bellhops was waiting patiently for her response, she smiled benignly and said, “I wouldn’t be surprised.”

A voice called out from the doorway, “And what about breakfast, Baroness?”

The hotel employees filed out, leaving her and her unexpected visitor alone. Pulling the comforter more tightly around herself, she hissed, “Arthur. It was you.”

“What was me, my dear?”

“The money, the room, the clothes, the chauffeur. Does Baron Jones even exist, or did you make him up?”

“I like to think of him as more of a group effort. You provided the inspiration; I provided the title. Seeing you in all your lost girl glory last night gave me an idea.”

“From the moment you looked at me, I had an idea you had an idea. I’m not interested.”

Chuckling, he tossed his hat and jacket across a nearby chair and sank into the couch. “I’m sure there is a robe or something a little less linen closet in one of these suitcases. I’ll close my eyes while you look if you’d like.”

“I think I’ll stay over here.” Where it’s safe.

“You have nothing to fear from me, dear. I’m here to make a proposal. One that will be mutually beneficial, I hope,” he drawled, picking a piece of fluff off his pants. He continued to avert his eyes, which she found strange since he stopped by to proposition her over breakfast apparently. “This is only the tip of the iceberg. I can guarantee you’ll never have to worry about money again.”

“Still not interested. You know the way out.”

“Come on, Baroness. Why don’t you slip into something more comfortable and hear me out? I promise it’s nothing like what you think.”

“Arthur, when Little Red Riding Hood spots long, gray whiskers, it’s ridiculous to keep insisting you’re the grandmother,” she retorted, moving carefully toward the nearest bag so she didn’t accidentally flash him. Pulling out a shirt at random, she riffled through the case until she found a pair of shorts as well. Scrambling to the bathroom, she called out over her shoulder. “Go huff and puff somewhere else.”

“I guess that means I’m the big bad wolf,” he said with a smile as he moved to trail after her. When she slammed the door in his face, he raised his voice and added, “I’ve certainly been called worse. Tell me, what was your impression of Lance?”

“I think neither of you takes no for an answer very well,” she mumbled as she pulled on the shirt and stared at herself in the mirror. What bizarre alternate universe had she stumbled into, and how in the world was she going to return to reality. Talking to her reflection, she said, “You’re Emma Swan. You’re not a baroness. Killian Jones is not your husband. You are not going to shack up with Lance or Arthur.”

“Nice pep talk, but if I may be so bold as to suggest a different path,” her visitor interrupted from the other side of the door. “You see, my old friend Lancelot and my wife think they are in love.”

“That’s very cozy but not my problem.”

“I’d like to pay you to make it your problem, Emma Swan. Nice name, by the way. Last night was the first time since their affair started that I thought there might be a ray of hope. The whole time Lance was flirting with you, my wife was fighting tears.”

Rolling her eyes, she snapped open the door and was satisfied to see him lose his balance. “Who won?”

“I plan to, and I’d like you to be on my team. I just need you to keep his attention long enough for Guin to come to her senses.”

Moving past him, she picked up her discarded dress from the prior evening and grabbed the laundry bag out of the nearby closet. “Why don’t you punch him and be done with it?”

“He’s the top man at our boxing club. And besides, the last thing I need is to drive her further into his arms by making him a martyr.” He reached over and placed his hand on her arm, stilling her frantic movements. “Please. At least hear me out.”

Meeting his gaze for the first time since he entered the room, she observed, “You really love her, don’t you?”

“Yes. She’s not the only one who made mistakes. I need your help to make this right. And it might work out well for you too, you know. Lance’s family makes a superior income from a very inferior champagne. He’s no baron, but he does have the bank account of one.”

“I think you need a lawyer, not another homewrecker.”

“I’ll never get a divorce. Come on, Emma. We’re having a party at my estate in the Enchanted Forest. Come out this weekend and give it a go. I’ll pay you fifty thousand to show up and another fifty if this harebrained scheme works.”

“I… I’m not sure…”

“Am I upsetting some other plans? Do you have another offer?”

Thinking of black leather jackets and pie, she smiled wistfully. Shaking herself, she tried to focus on the fact that a hundred grand would pay back what Neal had stolen from Granny and leave enough for her to put a down payment on a place in the city. “Yes, I think I do. But fine, I’ll play along through the end of the weekend. Then I’m out regardless of what happens.”

“Fair enough. I’ll let Guin know I ran into you and invited you to join the party,” he said with a grin. If he had a mustache, she was sure he’d be twirling it.

Before they could discuss any other details, there was another knock at the door. With an exasperated expression, Emma asked her companion, “What now?”

Putting his hands up in a placating gesture, Arthur assured her, “Hey, this one isn’t me.”

Yanking open the door, she saw an enormous bouquet of red roses. She took the flowers with both hands as Arthur cocked his eyebrow in silent question and pulled out the card. “‘If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden. -Lance.’ Huh. I rather resent that. The note to Guin just said, ‘So glad we met.’”

Notes:

For those who were wondering about Arthur’s trap, the Budapest subway is one of the oldest in the world and the line he mentioned was completed in 1896.

The quote on Lancelot’s card is from Claudia Adrienne Grandi.

@teamhook @kmomof4 @jrob64 @stahlop @motherkatereloyshipper @xarandomdreamx @xsajx @klynn-stormz

[shini--chan]

Yandere England HCs

I remember somewhere around here in my inbox somebody requested yandere England hcs. If I recall correctly, there handle was @hehehhewaitwhat  Sadly, the ask has vanished from the box, but I still recall receiving it! So here you go:  

Yandere England

Arthur would be one of the yanderes that would play it cool at first. No cool isn’t the right word – it is cold. He would believe in keeping a tight control on his emotions, least they take over him and he is no longer his own master. All in all, a very good idea, it is just the matter of execution that matters – Arthur would be doing this in a very unhealthy way. He’d bottle up his feeling on a large part, refusing to analysis them and locate the source, not to mention expressing his emotions in healthy ways. And here would be where the yandere tendencies start to blossom.

It would result in all his ignored and unacknowledged feelings for you start to seep through in the most eery ways, ways that would be borderline toxic. What could have potentially been love would become twisted and wrapped, some of Arthur’s other issues just amplifying this. In the end, he wouldn’t be able to prevent himself from either manipulating you into his web, or outright kidnapping you.

The insistent burning in his veins never ceased, rather it grew even worse when you weren’t close to him. It was magma rolling in his veins, eradicating even more of his rational thoughts the longer he attempted to ignore it.

In an attempt to remedy it, Arthur turned the water in the shower to ice-cold. A mistake on his part. It had gave a sharp contrast and thus made the concoction of emotions stand out all the sharper. It made him wonder if the only cure would be to give into them and let nature take its course.

Yet that was something he couldn’t allow. Emotions were the leftovers of a primordial past – notions that didn’t follow any logic or decency. If they weren’t controlled, then they would control.

He turned his face up to the stream of water, as if it could wash away all the sinful thoughts about you that had begun to haunt him. That was a tragedy on its own – he never could be rid of you. You would come to haunt his dreams uninvited, invade his thoughts unwelcomed. He remembered when his interest in you had just been a mere sapling. Now it was a field of weeds, a contagion that was completely out of his control and still demanded his attention.

He shouldn’t have ignored his love when it had started to sprout, for now it had turned into obsession.

Of course, he’ll try the former way first before anything else – he would know that you wouldn’t really appreciate it if he abducted you. England would turn the charm on and boy, can he be charming when he wants to be. It wouldn’t be in grand, over the top gestures – that is for amateurs. It would come in small, effective gestures that would become bigger over time – freshly picked flowers from his garden, biscuits he made himself and then he would go over to bigger presents like a dinner in a fancy restaurant. His aim would be to have you completely smittened before he would start to cut you off from the rest of the world and to mould you into what constitutes for a perfect person.

It was a fine day; the sun painting the sky in a kaleidoscope of warm colours and caused the green of the hills to become so saturated. Or maybe it was because you were in love that the world was all the more vivid, that the air smelled sweeter and the arm that was curled around your waist felt so right.

Arthur was being charming, a good-natured smile making his sharp features softer. He had taken you out to dinner tonight, a brief affair at a rustic inn out in a no-name little village. Yet the simple meal had been the best you had had in a long time.

So, with a full stomach in satisfaction in your heart, Arthur was accompanying you back home on this summer’s evening.

“My dear, that was a very wonderful day with you”, he remarked warmly, echoing your thoughts.

“Yes, it was. You couldn’t have picked a better place to go out. I would like to do such a thing again.”

He chuckled lowly at your affirmation. “Oh, love. I wouldn’t mind doing that every day with you for the rest of our lives.”

Under other circumstances, if you weren’t so smittened with him, you would realise that what he had said couldn’t be right. Good days can’t be copy-pasted on the future forever, happiness can’t be played constantly on repeat. It has to be experienced, the cause ever varied and reinvented so that it doesn’t become dull.

Yet you weren’t not in love with him. You were neither alarmed by the clinginess the statement implied or by how sappy it was. And that was exactly what Arthur wanted.

To be clear, he wouldn’t want a weak, stupid lover. There would be nothing more off-putting to him than a whiny, spineless idiot who can’t do anything on their own. In that way, you could say he’d have high standards. He’d want somebody who is a challenge, you’d be tactful in their conduct and somebody who’d have wit to match his. Arthur has a sharp tongue and even with you he wouldn’t shy away from dispensing chidings and sharp remarks. He’d also demand you have a spine of steel, that you wouldn’t simply cave in the face of danger. If you wouldn’t have these qualities, then you’d have to adopt them, and he would be never uncompromising about that.

Ironically, while he would manipulate you into having these qualities, he wouldn’t tolerate you having them to the extent would make your relationship impossible. He wouldn’t want to be taken care of in the terms of you being the breadwinner, doing business and all that. He would want to fulfil that roles for you, whether you’re a woman or a man. It would be a chronic need to provide for you, to be the dominate one in the relationship.

You sighed for the untempt time this afternoon. No matter how much you read the page of the book, the meaning of the passages eluded you. At this point, you only had a gist of what was going on and it frustrated you to no end.

Carefully, you placed a bookmark on the page that you had been busy with and closed the hard-cover novel quietly. You knew all to well that one of the easiest ways to get Arthur in a hissy fit was to maltreat one of his books. He claimed that books had to be treated with respect, because somebody had once put a lot of effort and time into writing it. A disrespect to the book was therefore an indirect disrespect to the author.

You leaned back in your chair and stared up at the decorations of the room. Arthur of course had to live in a mansion that seemingly was a time capsule for the age of Empire. Talk about being attracted to the glorious old days.

Carding your fingers through your hair, you cursed yourself. When did you get the brilliant idea to study the classics? Oh yes, it was when Arthur mentioned the benefits of higher literature while the two you had been cleaning. He had claimed that the complex characters made the reader better at socializing, at understanding that even the most despicable characters had softer sides. That it made a person for eloquent and at understanding the nuances of reality.

And of course, since you were constantly seeking to improve yourself, you had asked him if you could peruse his library. Arthur had whole-heartedly encouraged you and you knew that he would be extremely disappointed if you abandoned this chance to grow.

So, you opened the book again and reassumed the torture.

The need for dominance would be a manifestation for Arthur’s addiction to be in control. He is sort of the opinion that power is best left in his hands, and that nobody except him can properly wield it. And if he’d have the feeling that his control over would be slipping, then he would lash out. The most physical he’d get with his punishments would be caning. All in all, punishments would always be along the lines of what detention looked like in the old public schools during the Empire.

He would also have a certain image of what intelligent would look like. That would mean restrictions in your activities: no comics, no cartoons, no fizzy drinks, god have mercy on you is you have an addiction because he would have none, he says which parties you’re allowed to go to (that would be more in the beginning of the relationship), no sleeping in, no being lazy. And if you wouldn’t conform, then he’d manipulate you into doing so.

Arthur is a man who would quickly become jealous. He’d be scared if you’d be plotting to leave him, or worse, rope other’s in into helping you plunge a knife in his back. So, he would be quick to convincing you to cut of contact with people that he wouldn’t like. This would be a win-win situation for him because the less social contact you’d have beside him, the deeper your bond with him would become. Further on in your relationship, he’d convince you to rely solely on him and that other people wouldn’t be trustworthy. That he’d be the only person that would ever truly understand you, that would have your best interests at heart, that would help you grow into the best person you could be. That the world is a shit place and that you should be grateful that he is there to shield you from it. In order to encourage that last one, he would allow you to watch the news, extensively.

If wooing you into being with him wouldn’t work, then he would coerce you into a relationship. However, he wouldn’t do anything drastic such as threatening your loved ones, rather the threats would be hidden, or he would present himself as the best option of getting you out a ditch (such as financial issues). He’d try his best to construct the situation so that you would be inclined to trick yourself into thinking you wanted it. Kidnapping would be a last resort for him.

[cafedanslanuit]

♡   f l u f f v e m b e r   2 0 2 0   ♡ 

♡  week three  —  kuroo tetsurou   |   first date

♡  summary  —   it was just a boba date, what could go wrong? apparently, everything or highschool student kuroo tetsurou finds a way to epically mess up his first date with you

♡  masterlist  ♡

It was Kuroo’s first date.

No, scratch that. He had had dates before. But it was the first time he had ever asked someone out. Kuroo had managed not to stumble over his own words as he invited the libero from the girls’ volleyball team to a boba date. Kuroo waited for you after class and walked you to the gym, as your team was using the space that day. He noticed the blush on your cheeks as you agreed, trying to play it cool. He couldn’t blame you as he was trying to do just the same (he did wish he was doing a better job, though). You gave him your number and waved him off as you joined practice.

“What do you think about them?” he asked Kenma, as he walked him home after school. He hadn’t stopped talking about you in the past few weeks, bothering his friend about this joke you had made or the way he caught you staring in awe at a stray cat on the street. ‘Ask them out’, had been Kenma’s only advice (and a not-so-direct manner to shut him up). He then had watched Kuroo rehearse the question about whatever a boba date was in front of his mirror for a long time while he played with his Switch.

Kenma let out a long sigh, his eyes darting to the sky.

“They’re okay.”

“Just okay?”

“They offered me their notes one day I missed class,” Kenma remembered. Kuroo smiled and kept walking, hands in his pockets.

Tomorrow was going to be easy. He would meet you near the park and you would walk to this boba store he had found out was very popular on Instagram. You would walk around town, it would get cold and he would offer his jacket. Yes, Kuroo Tetsurou had it all planned and he was confident it was going to be a date to remember.

He really wished he had chosen his words more carefully.

Kuroo was already at the park when he realized he had forgotten his leather jacket. He cursed under his breath as he sat on one of the park’s benches. It’s going to be fine, he told himself. So what if you can’t lend her your jacket? That doesn’t mean anything. You both can still have a good time. He sighed and passed a hand across his face.

Keep it together.

He looked up at the sky and saw the grey clouds from that morning still lurking around. It had been raining for a couple of hours, but it had thankfully stopped before ruining his date. The air was cold, but it was nothing he couldn’t handle. He just had to focus on being himself, relaxing and having a good time.

“Hey!”

Kuroo turned around and saw you walking to him. It felt unreal to see you without your uniform, but he had to admit he liked it. It was like getting to know another part of yourself, a bit of what you liked and the knowledge you had dressed up knowing you were going to meet him. Still, you looked comfortable and he greeted you with a smile. He didn’t fail to notice the sweater you were carrying on one arm. Of course.

“Hey,” he replied, standing up and going to meet you. “Should we go?”

The walk to the boba store was filled with small talk and your laugh as he cracked a joke or two. He remembered why he asked you out in the first place, how your sole presence could brighten up even the grey clouds above both of you and make him forget all about the forgotten jacket. He watched you stare at the menu board and hum to yourself as you picked your order and told the girl behind the bar something he didn’t pay attention to.

“And you?”

Your voice brought him back from his daydreaming, and he finally looked at the board above both of you. His eyebrows furrowed as he noticed the different combination and options shown there. Four steps? Thirty five flavours? Wait-- did he read correctly? Thirty-five? Kuroo was convinced it would be like going to Starbucks and just now he was realizing his mistake. Who invites someone over for boba tea when they don’t know anything about those stores themselves?

“Do you like mango?” you asked, once again bringing him back to reality. “The matcha mango one is really good and kind of sweet. I think you’ll like it,” you said, offering him a smile.

“Sure, that sounds good,” he said, his eyes darting to the other options on the board. “And also a couple of chocolate chip cookies,” he told the cashier, who added it to the list.

“Oh, I love those,” you muttered to yourself, and he grinned at your excited expression. Kuroo took his wallet out to pay for your drinks.

A chill ran down his spine as he found his card slot empty. Scared, he looked in every compartment of his wallet, and then inside his jeans pockets. Nothing. A vague memory of him needing some cash and taking out the card from his wallet to go to the ATM the day before crossed his mind. Of course. He hadn’t put the card back to his pocket when he returned home.

He couldn’t face you now. Who the hell takes someone to a boba store, not only not knowing anything about boba, but also forgets his money? He counted the cash he had and realized it wasn’t enough to cover for everything. Fuck. Fuck.

“I’m so sorry, I left my card at my house,” he said, his eyes fixed on his almost empty wallet.

“Oh, it’s okay,” you say, taking out your wallet and handing your card to the girl in front of you.

“I’ll pay you back, I’m actually so sorry”, he apologized, masking his deep embarrassment with a smile. You smiled sweetly at him while shaking your head and he managed to feel even worse than before.

As you waited for your orders, you looked at how nervous Kuroo looked. He didn’t look like the confident guy who you had been talking to the past few weeks, who always had a funny remark or proud smirk when he won a debate. You nudged your shoulder at him, forcing him to look at you again.

“Hey, did you manage to talk to the science teacher about that problem he got wrong?” you asked, trying to take his mind out of it. His eyes lit up, and he started rambling about the chemistry problem he noticed the teacher had been wrong about.

You kept listening to Kuroo as he picked up your order and looked for an empty table to sit with you. He found one at the back of the store and led you there. Kuroo sat in front of you and you watched him take special care in popping the lid of his drink with the straw, as if he was scared of somehow messing it up. You hid your smile and poked the lid of your own drink, taking a sip and humming at the known flavour.

“Had you come here before?” he asked.

“No, I usually go to one that is next to my house, but this is really good. The thirty-five flavours plus the toppins really gives you a lot to choose from,” you smiled, taking another sip and munching on one of the pearls. “How is practice going?”

“It’s good. We’ve actually invited some schools over next week for practice matches, so it should be fun. How is your knee going?”

You blinked at him in surprise.

“Hey, you remembered,” you said, a smile drawing on your lips.

“Of course I did,” Kuroo said, rolling his eyes playfully. “I’m a nice person.”

“No doubt there,” you chuckled. “I’m actually feeling a lot better. I still have another appointment with the physical therapist tomorrow and--”

You proceeded to explain about how your therapy was doing and Kuroo listened to you, all his senses focused on no one but the person in front of him. He wondered if you knew about the little mannerisms you had when you talked and daydreamed about telling you all about them, only this time you would be resting in his arms. He thought about taking the hand that was resting on the table but forced the thought out of his head. No, maybe in a while. It was too soon.

Kuroo has been on dates before, sure. But it was the first time he was the one who asked someone out. His previous dates had been fun, but they had also felt like he was talking to any other friend, hence why there never was a second date. So, this newfound nervousness was tearing him apart, forcing his confident self into unknown territory. He took a sip of his drink and noticed a combination of citrus and sweetness. Somehow, knowing you had picked it made it even better. You laughed at your own joke and he smiled back, entranced by your spontaneity, being thankful you had agreed to go out with him. Maybe--

Kuroo coughed.

You kept talking, unbothered.

He coughed again.

It took a couple of seconds for you to realize he was choking.

“Oh no, water? Do I bring you water?” you asked in fear. He saw you standing up, attempting to go ask for some water, but he tapped the table, making you look back at him. Kuroo shook his head and patted his chest with force twice. He coughed inside his hand a couple more times and finally he felt the damn pearl travelling down his esophagus and the air entering his lungs once again.

You took his drink and moved the straw up, making sure he only drank liquid and handed it to him, trying to soothe him. He didn’t look at you as he drank a few more sips, mentally kicking himself for being so entranced in watching you he forgot about the damn pearls in his drink. You waited for him to take a deep breath and continued your conversation.

(You didn’t mis the way Kuroo was way more wary whenever he brought the straw to his lips).

Almost an hour later, you decided to walk around town, finding a small volleyball court behind an Elementary School. You convinced him into joining some kids playing volleyball there, who were in need of someone to set for them. He watched in awe how you laughed, even if both you and him were not used to setting for someone. By the end, the sun was setting and you said goodbye to them, getting lost in the streets of Tokyo as the night started.

The signs from the stores shined brightly against your skin, making you look even prettier than before, Kuroo noticed. He knew it was almost time to let you go, but he had to admit he didn’t want to. Still, he was thankful he had gotten over the initial awkwardness. Spending the afternoon had only taught him more things about you to like, and he wished there was a way both of you didn’t have to go back home that night.

As you were both waiting to cross the street, he thought about holding your hand again. It was a small gesture, but he thought it was enough to let you know how he felt about you, in case you had wondered about the nature of the date. There wasn’t an inch of him that wasn’t intoxicated in your existance, the sound of your laugh, the way you talked with the kids as you played volleyball with them or the way you handed him his drink after he choked. Kuroo was falling, and he was falling hard. Honestly, if he didn’t end up kissing you by the end of the night, it would only be because he wanted to take his time and do things right by you.

The traffic light changed from green to yellow and Kuroo noticed a car speeding up. He put his arm in front of you and pushed you slightly backwards, shielding you, as the car passed in front of both of you.

Immediately followed by a big splash of water staining his white shirt.

Of course. It had been raining earlier after all.

The light turned red and the rest of the people started crossing the street, a couple of people looking back at the highschool student with the wet shirt.

Okay, it was a sign. Maybe it just wasn’t a good day to go out.

Kuroo let you move him aside and grab the hem on his shirt, squeezing it and trying to get rid of all the excess water. He watched you as you did, knowing there was no point. Even if it magically dried, the water was dirty and had already left an ugly grey stain.

It was time to call off the date.

“I’m so sorry,” you whispered, squeezing his shirt as much as you could. Kuroo shook his head and gently guided your hands down. That wasn’t the way he expected to touch your hands for the first time.

“No need to be sorry, it wasn’t your fault,” he assured you, forcing a smile. “I’ll just throw this to the washing machine and it’ll be as good as new. But, um-- probably should head back now. Can’t get sick when we have those practice matches next week,” he explained, with a small shrug.

You nodded, slightly biting your lip. Before he could talk again, you took the sweater you had been holding under your arm and offered it to him.

“It’s over-sized, so it will fit you just fine,” you say, holding the sweater in front of him. You noticed the doubt in his eyes. “C’mon, I don’t want you to get sick either. And it isn’t really cold anymore, so I’ll be fine.”

Kuroo took your sweater and put it on. You had been right, it was big so it fit him nicely. Not to mention your scent was now even closer to him, a lovely mix of flowers and a bit of sweetness filling his senses. He looked at you, who were smiling softly at him and wished this date had turned out different.

“I’ll give it back to you Monday,” he promised, but you waved your hand.

“Don’t worry about it, take your time. Kind of looks nice on you,” you joked, pinching the hem of your sweater.

Why were you so sweet? You were trying for him not to feel as bad as he felt in that moment. It was probably one of the most laughable dates you had been in, he thought.

Forcing another smile, he offered to walk you to the station, to which you said it was fine. He should hurry and get home, so he didn’t catch a cold due to his wet shirt. Right. It was understandable you would want to finish the date soon.

Kuroo said his goodbyes and turned on his heel, the fake smile dropping from his face as soon as he did. He hadn’t taken more than two steps when he felt someone gripping on the sleeve of the sweater, forcing him to stop.

“Kuroo!” you called. He turned around again and faced you, his right eyebrow raising questioningly. “We should keep going back until we try all the thirty five flavours,” you said, a small smile playing on your lips.

He couldn’t stop himself from laughing, but this time, it was different. Despite everything that had happened, your eyes were still looking kindly at him, your lips slightly parted after basically asking him out on a second date.

And there wasn’t anything in the world Kuroo wanted more than that.

Before he could stop himself, he leaned down and pressed his lips against your forehead. He heard a small gasp eliciting from you, but then felt your hands closing on the sweater he was wearing. When he looked down at you again, he noticed how red your face was, all the remains of the confidence you had just shown him gone.

Kuroo smiled again. He could get used to seeing you like that.

“We should,” he agreed with a small nod.

In the middle of a busy street in Tokyo, no one paid attention to the tall highschool boy threading his fingers on your hair, but you could have sworn the whole world stopped every time Kuroo Tetsurou set his golden eyes on yours.

[introvertguide]

Bonnie and Clyde (1967); AFI #42

The next film that we covered for the group was the period true- crime drama, Bonnie and Clyde (1967). It is the story of the notorious Barrow gang, led by Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, during the American Great Depression. This film features a cavalcade of some of Hollywood's biggest actors including Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Gene Hackman. It is supposedly quite accurate because some of the witnesses and even a couple of the gang members of the actual crimes were still alive during the production of the film. Actress Estelle Parsons won Best Supporting Actress for he portrayal of Blanche Barrow, which I would like to comment on. I also want to speak a little to the accuracy of the story, but first I want to spoil the plot of the film.

SPOILER WARNING!!!! I AM GOING TO REVEAL THE WHOLE MOVIE SO I CAN COMPARE TO WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT THE ACTUAL HISTORY!!! THE MOVIE AND THE REAL LIFE STORY WILL BE SPOILED COMPLETELY!!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

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In the middle of the Great Depression, Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty) and Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway) of Texas meet when Clyde tries to steal the car belonging to Bonnie's mother. Clyde had spotted Bonnie hanging out in her room naked from the heat, and she spotted him watching her and was intrigued by the danger. Bonnie is bored by her job as a waitress, which Clyde correctly guesses, and decides to take up with him and become his partner in crime. They pull off some weak crimes including a bank heist at a location that has been hit by the depression and there is no money. Clyde actually makes the teller come out to the escape car and tell Bonnie what the deal is and she just laughs at the situation.

The pair find an extra man in a worldly ignorant but mechanically inclined gas station attendant named C.W. Moss (Michael Pollard). Clyde apparently has a way with words because people just join him for no real reason besides being bored. Clyde's older brother Buck (Gene Hackman) and his wife, Blanche (Estelle Parsons), a preacher's daughter, also join them. The two women dislike each other at first sight because Bonnie thinks that Blanche will ruin their fun (she does) and Blanche believes that Bonnie is evil and wants to get rid of her (she does). Keep in mind while watching this that Estelle Parsons won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for this portrayal.

Bonnie and Clyde turn from pulling small-time heists to robbing banks since they now have a full gang. Their exploits also become more violent when C.W. comically botches a bank robbery when he sees an open parking spot and decides to parallel park. He can't get out of the space quickly and he delays their escape, forcing Clyde to shoot the bank manager in the face when he jumps onto the slow-moving car's running board. The gang is pursued by law enforcement, including Texas Ranger Frank Hamer (Denver Pyle), whom they capture and humiliate by taking his photo and setting afloat on a little dingy on a nearby river.

The group likes to switch out cars because they treat the getaway vehicles very rough. When they are seen stealing a car by its owner, a young man named Eugene Grizzard (Gene Wilder) and his girlfriend Velma Davis (Evans Evans), the robbed couple attempt to follow the stolen car. The gang stops and takes the couple hostage in the chase car and even pull over to get some burgers. They let the couple go when they find out they are in their 30s (too old apparently) and find a roadside stop. A raid later that night catches the outlaws off guard, mortally wounding Buck with a shot to his head and injuring Blanche so she can't see. Bonnie, Clyde, and C.W. barely escape alive. With Blanche sightless and in police custody, Hamer tricks her into revealing C.W.'s name, which they use to find any safe places where the remaining gang might go (until then, C.W. was only an "unidentified suspect").

Hamer locates Bonnie, Clyde, and C.W. hiding at the house of C.W.'s father Ivan (Dub Taylor), who thinks the couple have corrupted his son (as evidenced by an ornate tattoo that Bonnie convinced C.W. to get). The elder Moss strikes a bargain with Hamer: in exchange for leniency for the boy, he helps set a trap for the outlaws. When Bonnie and Clyde stop on the side of the road to help Mr. Moss fix a flat tire, the police in the bushes open fire and riddle them with bullets. Hamer and his posse come out of hiding and look pensively at the couple's bodies as a nearby flock of swallows fly away.

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This film stood out as it was a comical version of the super violent gangster films that were popular in the 30s. Storywriters David Newman and Robert Benton wanted to punch up the violence with a romantic undertone so they sent the script to French New Wave director Francois Truffaut for contributions. Warren Beatty was visiting Paris and heard about the project then decided he wanted to produce the picture. He was going to have his sister, Shirley MacLaine, play the roll of Bonnie until he decided that he was going to play the part of Clyde. That would have been really awkward, so he tried find a lead actress that he could have a romantic scene with. Many actresses were approached and Faye Dunaway was eventually chosen for the part.

Beatty decided that they needed an American director and offered that job to a plethora of established directors in Hollywood and finally landed on Arthur Penn even after he turned down the position multiple times. What it all comes down to is that not a lot of people wanted to be part of this production. It was considered somewhat of a risky art film at the time because of the questionable sexuality of Clyde and the heavy violence.

So what was so risky? Looking at films that were made only a few later, this seems rather tame. This film came out just a little before the MPAA was established and the writers had been influenced by the French films that didn't have the same restrictive film rules that were present in the United States. It was originally proposed that Clyde be played as bisexual, but the script eventually called for him to be more asexual. The real Clyde Barrow had been sexually assaulted in prison so he would have been scarred by that experience and might not have been interested in Bonnie in that way. This depth into a character's sexuality had generally been avoided in American cinema before this film and there was concern about audience reactions. They shouldn't have worried because the movie was a sleeper hit, eventually making $75 million on a $2.5 million budget.

The number of graphic murders actually shown on screen (especially when Clyde shot a guy in the face who jumped on the car during a get away) was unprecedented at the time. There was also some dismay by critics about the portrayal of Bonnie as sleazy and the whole gang as somewhat stupid. These were a bunch of uneducated folks that grew up in a time when it was more important to find a job. They were smart enough to avoid capture for years, which is shown in the movie, so they had to have some sort of intelligence.

There is a little bit of an elephant in the room with this movie and it involves the historical accuracy. The dates and crimes are well documented and a lot was known about the characters when the movie was produced. However, a major part of the movie was speculation and fabrication about the personalities in the gang. The characters that were based on living people at the time were actually the least accurate as C.W. Moss was a fictional person based on two different gang members (one who was still alive) and the actions of Blanche Barrow were based on a different member of the gang. The real Blanche Barrow lived until the 1980s and famously complained that Parsons's portrayal "made [her] look like a screaming horse's ass!" Parsons is the one the went on to win Best Supporting Actress.

This film was much more enjoyable for me on second watch. The first viewing left me hating the character of Blanche and I wondered if there was some sort of conspiracy to get that actress an Oscar. On second view, I realize that she was necessary to be a foil to the gang. There had to be a weak link in the chain and the audience knew that she would be the downfall of the group. Her presence made the police encounters all the more intense because there was this crazy wild card that could ruin everything at any time. It really adds a touch of comedy along with a bigger element of suspense. She is annoying, but enjoyable, and the people around her react to her behavior in a realistic way, so I appreciate what the character brings to the table.

I would highly suggest looking into the real life of Bonnie and Clyde along with the whole Barrow Gang because they took major advantage of the Great Depression banks, but not so much the suffering people. To some, the members of the Barrow gang were considered celebrities or even heroes because they were getting back at the banks that had mishandled so many people's money. I started my search off with this nice article on the Encyclopedia Britannica site and dug deeper to find out more about the connections between the real people and the film:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bonnie-and-Clyde-American-criminals

So does this film belong on the AFI top 100? I absolutely think so. It has some connections to French New Wave, but it is American directed with American actors and it tells the story of some of the most notorious criminals in American history. It is also a very good film that won Oscars and was a box office success. Bonnie and Clyde are part of Americana and were almost the equivalent of a Robin Hood character to many at the time. Would I recommend this film? I would. Keep an eye out for the Blanche character because she can be annoying, but know she serves a purpose and the movie is not all about her. The connection between Bonnie and Clyde is epic and has influenced a lot of American films, so enjoy it for the cinematic quality, the history in film, and the history of the United States.

[starrynite7114]

everything is you: eight

A/N: Happy Monday everyone! Monday is such a hit or miss, I will let you all know how Monday is once I get to work later. I hope you all are having a wonderful Monday thus far. I know I’ve been promising Snapshots, I am working on it. I’m just having a difficult time with it for some reason, but I’m pushing through!

School starts back up again next week, yay! Pray for me. Full time school and work again, yay! This is my literal escape, so I hope it will continue to pull through for me. 

Anyways, hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Enjoy the update! <3

Thank you @carlaangel86​ for the collage! <3

everything is you

one : two : three : four : five : six : seven

Word count: 9562

Warnings: Angst

Masterlist

Request tagged list: @justahopelessssromantic : @ifoundmyhappythought : @carlaangel86 : @woahitslucyylu : @encounterthepast : @enamoured-x : @thewarriorprincessxo : @briana-mishell24 : @bribri-82 : @chibsytelford : @agirllovespasta : @twistnet : @everyhowlmarksthedead : @trulysuccubus : @jadert15 : @sammskellington : @cind-in-real-life :  @claytoncardenasbabymama : @sadeyesgf : @thickemadame : @summertimesadnesswithadashofsass : @gemini0410 : @elcococruz : @samcrobae : @sesamepancakes : @iambabyharry : @blackmissfrizzle : @mrs-losa : @1-800-imagines : @phoenixhalliwell : @lady-pswrld : @dazzledamazon  : @getyourcrayoncas : @fvckthisbxtchup : @lukealvxz : @scuzmunkie : @lilac-tea-time : @danie1432 : @cocotheclown : @soaronmywings : @my-rosegold-soul : @buttercup812 : @itskiranbitch : @angelreyesgirl : @sheeshgivemeabreak : @vicmackeybullshxt : @bigcreatorwombatdreamer : @khyharah : @strawberrywritings : @cherry-icetea : @fuzzy-jellyfish : @losolvidad0s : @brownsugarcoffy : @courtrae89 : @prdsdjarin : @blessedboo : @marvelmaree : @enamouravecleslivresetlechocolat : @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead : @thesandbeneathmytoes : @dark-twisted-and-mechanical-mind : @maddie-georges : @pearlkitten33 : @aquamento : @incorrect-mcdanno​

If you would like to be added to the tag list, please let me know!

Alena yawned as she gathered her things, glad to be finally done for the day. She was out at her scheduled time of six in the evening. Cruz was with Angel so she was free to do as she pleased. She messaged Carla, but she picked up a shift at work. She decided she was going to stay in and order some food, catching up on some Korean drama she’s been meaning to see.

Making her way down the stairs, she forego her car today since she wanted to walk home. It was Friday and she meant to call Victor, but she knew he had family dinner tonight. She was invited as well, but she didn’t want to make their relationship more personal till she and Angel were divorced. 

She missed Angel.

She thought of going to see Angel, but she had to remain strong. As much as she wanted to just go back to normal with Angel, this was for her own good. 

Walking out of the building, she was surprised to find EZ outside.

She hasn’t talked much with him either since everything fell apart between him and Angel. While she understood his reasoning to some extent, he put Angel in danger. He was holding the sleeves of his kutte and offered a smile.

She returned his smile and gave him a questioning look. “What are you doing here?”

“You got plans?” EZ knew she didn’t, but things could have changed since Carla informed him of their failed plans. He knew he shouldn’t approach Alena for help, and she technically wasn’t talking to Angel. But he figured he could help his older brother out, maybe Angel would forgive him.

“No, well besides enjoying some take out and a Korean drama, no.” 

“Want company?”

Alena was hesitant, but it was EZ. The same one who betrayed Angel. “I don’t know. Angel wouldn’t want me to speak to you.”

“Well, Angel isn’t around is he?” EZ sighed. “I’m sorry, come on Alena, just like old time, our Friday night hangouts.”

“Okay.”

Alena held the door for EZ as he brought up the food Alena picked up. They set it up on Alena’s coffee table, sitting on the floor against the couch. Ever since EZ got out, he’s never had a moment alone with Alena, but with her not talking to Angel as often, keeping a distance between them, he had the opportunity to talk to Alena.

And if he played his cards correctly, he could convince his sister-in-law to have mercy on his idiotic brother and in turn, maybe Angel would forgive him.

“Why won’t you catch me up?” EZ opened the packages of Korean fried chicken that Alena picked up. They had original flavor and a spicy one, which EZ knew was mostly for Alena. She loved spicy food. Two individual containers of rice, and udon that they could share. She also got French fries, since Alena loved the carbs. Alena always has a big appetite, so he wasn’t even surprised that they had this much food.

“About?” Alena handed him a paper plate. EZ knew everything in some sense, maybe not all the gritty details, but he didn’t need to know that.

“Come on Alena, about you and Angel, you and Cruz. Apparently you and Victor now.” EZ teased her making Alena blush, playfully smacking her brother-in-law.

“There’s nothing to talk about. I realized it was time for us to just put some boundaries so that we can still remain friends once we divorce.”

“You’re going to divorce my brother?” EZ thought it was cute that Alena thought Angel would let her go.

“That’s what he wants.”

“But what if that’s not what he wanted? What if he wants you to stay by his side?”

Alena smiled, slightly laughing. “He doesn’t, your brother made that very clear a few months ago. It’s time to stop hoping you know? I’ll always cherish my friendship with Angel, but that’s all we’ll ever be.”

“God, Carla is right, you’re infuriating.” EZ shook his head. “How can someone so smart be so naive and stupid?”

“Ezekiel Reyes!”

EZ chuckled. “I’m joking, but you are. You’re refusing to see what’s finally in front of you.” He knew of Alena’s crush on Angel. She used to tell him about Valeria and Angel whenever she came to visit and how happy Angel appeared. Yet, when EZ spoke to his father, he didn’t even fucking know Valeria. 

“Can we just enjoy a quiet night, no mention of your brother or Victor? We can talk about Cruz though, I’m glad you finally can spend time with him.” Alena would bring Cruz from time to time to meet EZ, after all, he should know his uncle. Angel wasn’t really onboard at first, but Alena eventually got him to see her reasoning. 

“Alena, Angel doesn’t want to divorce you.”

“And you know this as the person he confides in?” Alena sighed. “I’m not going to apologize, what you did to your brother was not right.”

“I fucked up, I get it, but that’s why I want to help him. If he doesn’t forgive me that’s fine, but he deserves to be happy and that happiness is with you.” 

“EZ, your brother is a great guy, he has a big heart and he would do anything for you. When he told me you were getting out, expressed your desire to join the club, he was overjoyed. Something he could share with his baby brother, help him assimilate back into this life.” Alena placed some food on her plate, starting to nibble on the chicken. “All he wanted was for you to be happy, to be safe. Regardless of how he felt towards you, Angel prioritized you because that’s what big brothers do.”

“I’m not going to excuse my actions, but I always made sure Angel and the club would be protected.”

“That’s not the point. You didn’t trust Angel enough and yet again, he was left out by you and your father.” 

EZ saw Alena’s point, he came here to help Angel out and somehow, Alena helped him out with his struggling thoughts about his betrayal with Angel. 

“Can you help me?” EZ put some food on his plate as well, his appetite gone with the shift in conversation.

“No, this is up to Angel, I wouldn’t force him to talk to you. He’ll talk to you when he’s ready.”

“What if that never happens?” EZ itched to tell Alena about his mother since she was such a big part of Alena’s life as well, but he knew it would upset Angel if he dragged Alena into this. 

“You're his brother, he’ll come around.”

==================

Carla walked in Alena’s apartment and gave Letty and Cruz a quick hug before dropping her purse at the dining table. Alena called her over since they haven’t seen one another and Alena wanted to catch up.

“Where is Alena?” 

“Room, she’s catching up on her korean dramas before dinner.” Letty nodded her head towards the room. 

Carla went inside Alena’s room and found her watching television. “Alright, first of all you look like hell.” 

“Hell?” Alena sat up frowning. She looked at the mirror across from her and she didn’t see any difference. “Thanks for the insult jerk.”

“Alena, your eyebags look like that cartoon dog with droopy eyes.” Carla teased, sitting next to her best friend. 

When EZ first told her that Alena finally put some distance between herself and Angel, she didn’t believe it. After all, who would? Alena was in love with Angel and the last thing she wanted was to put space between them. But when EZ told her why Alena put the distance between them, she went to Angel’s while Cruz was napping and slapped him. He had given her an incredulous look before she uttered Alena’s name and he took it, nodding his head. 

After that, she rarely spoke to Angel, upset at him for his actions. 

She was on Alena’s team afterall. 

“How are you doing?”

“I’m good.”

“This is good to you?” She looked around and Alena was much neater than usual. She figured with all the time in her hands, all she did was organize and clean. 

“Carla, I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m hurting, but I don’t want to dwell on it. I made my choice and it’s better for us to get used to this instead of just ripping off the bandaid.” Alena turned her television off, giving her full attention to Carla.

“True, and I’m proud of you Alena, I just want to make sure that this is what you truly wanted.” Angel was such an idiot. All he had to do was confess to Alena, but instead, the two were suffering. 

“I don’t even know, what I do know is that I want to get used to not having Angel around. I can’t always count on him.” Alena knew that she eventually had to pull away from Angel. It would make things easier and on Cruz as well. They could just co-parent and Cruz was used to going back and forth anyway.

Carla frowned. She was all for Alena moving on, honestly whatever made her happy she was happy with, but she was conflicted. Angel was prone to making stupid ass decisions that he thinks was a good idea, but in reality, it was far from that. She was sympathetic to Angel, who basically became a brother to her, but maybe this was what he needed, to lose Alena to finally prompt him to do something. 

“You’re right, you can’t. But I always thought you would do it slowly, not rip the bandaid off.” Carla slightly laughed. “Alena, are you really okay? It’s me, you don’t have to lie.”

“I’m not, not at all. But I always figured it was going to hurt, I didn’t think it would hurt this much.” Alena felt herself tearing up, but she tried to hold back, tired of always shedding tears.

“Alena, you can’t keep doing this to yourself. You have to make a stand. If you want to stay away from Angel, hold your ground, but if you want to stay until it’s done, then stay. But for once, think of yourself. Angel will never hate you for thinking of yourself, maybe this would wake his big butt up.” Carla wrapped an arm around Alena’s shoulders, pulling her close to her.

“He told me he had feelings for me.”

“And you don’t believe him.”

“Am I supposed to? He tells me that then next thing I know, he takes it back. I just don’t want to fall for it. I feel that he just tells me that to keep me grounded cause he knows I have feelings for him.” Carla agreed. Angel definitely knew Alena had feelings for him, but she doubted that Alena would believe it. It was definitely a dick move on Angel’s part, but Carla knew it had something to do with Angel’s own insecurities of not deserving Alena. That if he gave her enough, she would stay, but joke was on him, Alena would eventually reach her point. 

And this was her point.

They were supposed to divorce after the fifth year. 

“Good on you Lena, it was time for you to walk away.” Carla softly squeezed her arm. “What about Cruz?”

“I’ll always be here for Cruz.”

“Look, I get it, you don’t want to believe Angel has feelings for you, but Angel almost always takes it back right away. Did he take it back this time?” Carla didn’t want to push Alena, but she had to do her due diligence.

“No, he kept telling me that he had feelings for me.” Alena looked at their reflection on her television. She was always so grateful for Carla. One of the few women who didn’t befriend her due to her connections to the Reyes brothers and her older brother. “I don’t know. It’s not about Victor or anything, it’s about me and Angel, it always has been. Maybe it was a mistake I stood by him, but have you seen him with Cruz? He’s so happy, so good with him. He’s always felt inadequate in their family, but now he has Cruz, a family of his own.”

“Don’t do that Alena, you’re Angel’s family. Look, I’m not his biggest fan right now, but you should see how he talks about you. Whenever you’re not around it’s my wife this, my wife that, my wife and Cruz did the funniest thing.” It was the reason Carla slightly favored Angel. Whenever Alena wasn’t around him, he always spoke about her. “I’m not trying to convince you to stay, but I also want you to know that Angel is a big dummy, your big dummy.”

Alena wipes her tears, slightly laughing. “He really is, I miss him so much.”

“He misses you two you know, he’s miserable with you. He’s also a pain without you. He’s not talking to EZ, so she bugs me more.”

“Did you know about the deal?”

Carla sighed. “I did, but Angel chooses to ignore it because he knows you listen to me.”

Both women laughed knowing that’s most likely the reason Angel was talking to her. And he didn’t expect anything from Carla. EZ and Felipe were different, they were his family and they shunned him as always.

“I’m serious though, you’re Angel’s family. You, Cruz and Angel, that’s what he needs, that’s what he’s needed for the last few years.” Carla leaned her head against the top of Alena’s head. “I love you Alena, you’re my best friend, but I also want you to know that this time, I don’t think Angel is going to take it back. I think he finally realized what you’ve been waiting for, he just hasn’t come out and said it yet.”

Alena remained silent, letting Carla’s words sink in. She wasn’t sure where they stood, but whatever it was, she wanted to move forward. Whether it would be with Angel or not, that was yet to be determined.

==================

Coco watched as Angel busied himself with the vehicle in front of him, Angel had been picking up more hours when Cruz was with Alena and taking on more runs to keep himself busy.

It’s been a month since Alena put her foot down with whatever was going on in their relationship and Angel has not been taking it well.

Not even close.

Coco has seen Alena a few times, he drove up to San Diego to see her and she looked better than Angel, but this distance was taking a toll on her as well. She came to the scrapyard and Vicky’s to do her weekly drop off, but she avoided Angel as much as possible.

Watching them do this, it was painful, and he thought it would be what pushed Angel. But from what he understood, Alena put a wall between them and Angel couldn’t tear it down as he was accustomed to do so.

“How long is this going to go on for?” Gilly was watching Angel as well, breathing out the smoke from his lips. “He isn’t talking to his brother and he’s barely talking to Alena.”

“There’s just so much he could take.” Riz added. “Is Alena with the Italian now?”

“No, she’s getting closer to him, but from what I understood, she’s just busying herself with her job.” Coco was coming over Alena’s later. Letty has built a relationship with Alena and was currently over at San Diego, taking her away from the craziness of Santo Padre. He appreciated Alena’s help knowing she would be a good influence on Letty. She took care of Cruz while Alena was at work. “This isn’t healthy man,” Coco shook his head.

“What can we do?” Gilly questioned. 

“For once man, I don’t think we can interfere. If we do, we might hurt Alena and none of us want that. Maybe this is for the best. Angel took advantage of having her around for all these years. Alena deserves to be happy.” Coco threw his cigarette butt to the floor. “And maybe her happiness isn’t with Angel anymore.”

Angel took out his phone after he wiped the grease off of his hands. It was nice to busy himself so he didn’t constantly check his phone. Usually, he would have a picture of Alena and Cruz on their latest adventures, but Alena rarely texted him these days. They were very formal and to the point. He didn’t know how much more he could take, but he would give her time.

He would do anything to appease Alena.

Angel was a prick and he thought she wouldn’t last long. Alena has tried putting space in between them before, but was always able to charm her and she came back to him.

This time around he wasn’t able to do so.

She was fed up.

Rightfully so.

He treated his feelings for her like a yoyo and he was a fucking idiot.

“You good?” Bishop’s voice broke Angel from his thoughts.

“Yeah prez, I’m good. You need something?” Angel slipped his phone back in his pocket.

“Coco tells me you sleep in your car these days.” Bishop was well aware of what occurred with Angel and Alena. 

Everyone did. 

Alena was slightly putting distance between herself and the club as well and no one was a fan.

Angel has been sleeping in his car from Sunday-Thursday in Alena’s parking structure. He didn’t want to be far away just in case Alena needed him. He felt pathetic, but he tried to sleep in his home after he dropped off Cruz and he couldn’t. He became anxious and all the thoughts wouldn’t turn off.

They quieted down when he was in her parking structure.

It wasn’t ideal, but he couldn’t let her go.

He didn’t want to push her, so it was the second best thing. Luckily, he was cool with the security guards and they didn’t pay him no mind when he slept there.

“Yeah, I can’t sleep at the house without Cruz.” He couldn’t sleep without Alena, but having Cruz slightly made him feel at ease.

“Angel, you can’t keep doing this.”

“I’ll do it for however long it takes. I’ve always pushed Alena and this time, I want to give her time. I want to let her come to me.” Angel pushed the hood of the car closed, leaning against it. “I honestly don’t know how to fix it.” Angel chuckled as he placed a cigarette in between his lips. “She closed me off. Alena has never closed me off.”

Bishop sighed, leaning against the car beside Angel. “Have you told her you love her?”

“Did everyone fucking know?” Angel mumbled under his breath as he shook his head. “I did, I just don’t think it registered.”

“Angel, even a blind man could tell you love Alena. You have a hero complex and Alena was the perfect damsel in distress. Somewhere between that and now, your dynamics changed and Alena is the one whose saved you. She let you become a father to a son your ex gave away to spite you.” Bishop fucking hated Valeria. “She married you, became Cruz’s mother, and was content with whatever you two had because Alena has always love you. Now, she’s twenty-nine years old with nothing to show for. She gave away her 20s to you and Cruz. She stood by and smiled at all those girls at Vicky’s knowing there was a possibility they all slept with you while she was gone.” Bishop always adored Alena. She was a genuinely kind person who never expected anything back from anyone. Her actions was purely selfless and it was rare for him to see. It was the reason most of the Mayans men were protective over her, even going against Angel at times since their brother couldn’t get his head out of his ass. “Never once did she expect anything from you, want to know why?”

“Why?” Angel felt that familiar pressure on his chest, this ache whenever he thought of all the sacrifices Alena made for him and Cruz. People rarely spoke to him about it, but he wasn’t obtuse, he knew the lengths Alena went for him.

“Because you’re her angel, as cheesy as that fucking sounds. You saved her when she was drowning in her own pain and she would forever be thankful for that. And because of that, she doesn’t think you could fall for her.”

“I’m so in love with her, it’s fucking suffocating. I can’t breath without her. I can’t sleep without her. I’m at a fucking lost.” Angel threw his cigarette butt to the ground. “I’m fucking losing her to that pendejo and it sucks.”

“Then I guess it’s time for you to truly fight for her.”

“What you mean? That’s what I’ve been doing.”

“No, you’re playing a pity party hoping Alena will realize how pathetic you are right now.” Bishop chuckled. “It’s time for you to man up and show Alena why you deserve her.” Bishop clapped a hand on Angel’s shoulder, giving him a soft squeeze. “Try to do it before the second week of August cause I got big money on this.”

Angel laughed genuinely for once in the last few weeks. “How the fuck are all of you always making a bet on Alena and I?”

“Cause we’re fucking invested. You have two weeks to fix this, don’t disappoint.”

Angel knew he had to fix this with Alena. He wasn’t sure how much more his sanity could take.

==================

Angel settled in his car for the night letting out a sigh. Every night when he was done with whatever club business he had to handle, he made his way to Alena’s apartment, parking at a free spot the security guard let him take up. It was within sight of her car and the elevator so it kept him at ease. 

It was ten at night so Cruz and Alena should be sleeping.

“You really do this every fucking night?” Coco questioned. 

He decided to accompany Angel tonight, just to see what he did when he went to San Diego.

“Yeah man, only way I can sleep.”

They heard the laughter before they saw them. Cruz walked out of the elevator with Victor holding his hand. On his other hand was a trash bag. Angel sat up then watching as his son was animatedly talking to Victor who was paying attention.

If Angel was honest the fucking whole thing killed him. Alena was preparing for this life without him and he just couldn’t have that. They came out from where the bins were, Victor now carrying Cruz. 

He was fucking playing stepdad to his son.

“Don’t bro,” Coco dissuaded Angel knowing the look on his brother’s eyes.

“I can’t do this man.” Angel sighed, closing his eyes. “I can’t fucking do this.” This feeling of dread just seeped in and he felt nauseous.

“Angel, come on, no one would ever replace you.”

“Maybe not to Cruz, but what about Alena?”

Coco sighed. “This was your own doing. I told you to tell her what was going on, but you know, you became complacent.”

“Coco, I literally don’t need this right now.”

“Tough shit, you didn’t want to tell her you love her, fine, now you have to live with that decision. Don’t play this pity party. You love her? Prove it. You want her to stay? Deserve it.”

Angel was not happy with the Church of Coco, but he definitely needed this. And he was going to show Alena he was worthy of her, he just had to break down her walls. He wasn’t used to being the one that Alena closed off. Seeing her do it to her father, he was proud of her. 

Her doing it to him?

The worst fucking thing.

==================

Alena frowned at Coco’s message. Angel slept at the parking structure in his car? She was frustrated at him. How could he do that? He knew he had a bad back and it was the reason they got that expensive mattress that would help with his back pain. She watched as Letty and Cruz were finishing off Moana. 

This past month has been hard avoiding Angel, but after the reports Coco was giving her, he was making it harder and harder on her to continue this. She missed Angel terribly, she never thought this was how dependent she was on him, but this was painful.

Whenever she saw him, all she wanted to do was hug him, care for him, but she couldn’t. She had to protect herself.

But not at the expense of Angel’s health. 

Cruz wasn’t taking this too kindly either. He was confused and she shouldn’t have put him through this, but she just explained to him that mommy had loads of work lately so she had to stay in San Diego. 

It worked for now, but she wasn’t sure how long it would.

“Can you just put us all out of our miseries and talk to the Giant?” Letty didn’t mind staying with Alena in San Diego, there was more to do and Alena was amazing. At times, she wondered who Angel fucking killed for Alena seeing as how devoted she was to him, but after seeing how Angel was without her, it was evident that Angel was definitely more into her than he let on. He was pathetic and honestly, it kind of made her like Angel more. He wasn’t Coco’s obnoxious best friend. He was Alena’s obnoxious husband.

“Letty, I’m sure he’s fine.” 

“Oh, I’m sorry, have you had to deal with him these past few weeks? He’s annoying. He sleeps in his car just in case you need him so he can be here immediately.” Letty didn’t believe much in love or romance, but seeing Angel and Alena, she might actually start believing in it. “And you think he doesn’t love you? Pssh, you’re fucking crazy.” 

“Ooh, Lele said a bad word.” Lele, a nickname Cruz made for Letty and it was her favorite word.

“Sorry Cruzie.” Only mommy and Lele could call him Cruzie, no one else. 

“It’s okay,” he hugged Letty’s middle before he continued to watch Moana.

“You two are so cute.” Alena gushed, taking pictures of them.

“Yeah, we are.” Letty grinned. “So are you going downstairs or you’re gonna keep punishing yourself?”

“What?”

“Don’t you think that maybe you’re putting distance between you and Giant because you feel bad for kissing Victor?”

“What?” Alena always admired Letty. Due to her circumstances, she had to be more mature than anyone her age. She was strong and just pushed through everything. Alena was going to make sure she was taken care of, that she didn’t have to feel alone again. “That’s crazy.”

“No it isn’t, you decided to protect your heart, I get it, but you feel like you did Angel wrong by kissing Victor, but you didn’t. You two are technically not together. You’re punishing yourself because you hurt Angel so you’re keeping yourself away since you don’t feel like you deserve Angel’s devotion to you.” Letty looked at Alena who was sitting on the armchair with her legs under her. “You’ve given up a lot for Angel, that’s what Coco tells me. He finally realized how much he really needed you and it seems like you have as well. Go get your boy, the other Mayans are plotting on how to kill him.”

Alena sighed, closing her eyes. She didn’t see it that way. She wasn’t punishing herself, this was just for the best so they could get used to the arrangement. This was so complicated and fucked up.

But she wasn’t going to let Angel sleep in his damn truck. 

Grabbing her keys, she made her way downstairs, taking the stairs since she was too wired to wait on the elevator. She could have sworn she heard Letty say thank god and explain to Cruz where mommy was going. When she reached the parking lot, sure enough, Angel’s car was right there. Walking to the car, she saw Coco who muttered a thank god. He exited the car and Alena handed him her keys. 

“Don’t do this again and if you do, just give all of us a heads up.” Coco kissed her forehead after he pulled away from hugging her. 

Alena got to his window, and watched as Angel was laying on his side, arms crossed over his chest. She frowned knowing how uncomfortable this must be for him. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the window, startling Angel. 

His eyes focused on her, and she saw a small smile appear on his lips.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” Angel opened the door. 

Alena moved to stand next to him, frowning. “Why are you doing this Angel?”

“I can’t sleep at home alone.” Angel studied her, making sure she was okay. “Sorry, if you don’t want me to be here I can leave.”

“No, I just,” Alena wanted to tell him that she did want him here, she always did. “We bought that bed for a reason because of your bad back from that football injury in college.” It was during his brief stint in college. Angel played football and had so much potential, but he was injured and he was never really able to play again.

“I know, but it didn’t matter how comfortable I was, I couldn’t sleep.” Angel’s eyes connected with hers, man did he miss seeing her. Just being in her fucking presence. “You doing okay? How are you?”

“I’m good,” she smiled, her hands folded in front of her. She wanted to reach out to him, smooth back his growing hair, run her fingers through it, but she had to keep to herself.

“I miss you, Cielo.” Angel sighed. “I’m sorry, I know you don’t want to hear that, but I really do. I can’t fucking sleep without you.”

“Do you want to come upstairs? I don’t like you staying here.” Alena offered. She didn’t tell him that she didn’t sleep much without him as well. 

“Do you want me to come upstairs?” Angel questioned.

She looked up at him then. “Yes.”

Angel internally cheered, overjoyed by this whole situation. He didn’t know who the fuck told Alena, but he didn’t care, just to be able to see her he was thanking every deity out there. 

He followed her up, noticing that she still kept the distance between them. He unlocked the door for her when they arrived in front of her door and held the door open. When they walked in, Coco was on the couch getting ready to sleep.

“Letty brought Cruz to the second bedroom, you two good?” Coco mostly looked at Alena since he was done with Angel today.

“Yes,” she nodded her head and smiled. “Good night Coco.”

She made her way to her room, stopping at the door to wait for Angel. He looked at Coco and mouthed a thank you.

“Yeah you fucking owe me.” He chuckled, turning the television on.

Angel walked in Alena’s room and she closed the door behind her once he was inside. She got into bed at her usual side and turned the television on. Angel joined her once he stripped to his undershirt and boxers. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he was pretty sure that it was due to Alena’s presence that he felt more at ease. She laid on her back and he did the same.

He was becoming sleepy, but he was trying to stave it off so he could just enjoy being around her.

“I missed you too.” She broke the silence between them and Angel just let out a sigh of relief turning to Alena.

“I can’t do this Alena, I’m going fucking crazy without you. Please don’t continue this, I get you’re trying to protect your heart, but I don’t know how much I can take.” Angel waited for her to react, he saw the tears spill from her eyes. “Cielo, if this is what you want, that’s fine, I just, I miss you so fucking much.”

Alena turned to him and she moved till her arms were around him. Angel’s arms immediately wrapped his arms around her. 

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be selfish. We can just keep it how we’ve always done it till we separate.” Alena made up her mind. She was just going to cherish these moments with Angel and go from there. 

“You’re not being selfish Alena, you’re far from that.”

Angel was going to confess to her soon. He couldn’t let her go, this was such an eye opener for him. He would be lost without her, he would die without her. He was going to convince her that he was worth it, that he deserved her.

She gave up so much for him.

It was time he repaid her tenfold.

Alena was the love of his life and he was done playing games.

==================

Angel has been giving Alena space ever since they reconciled three days ago. They were back at their house and Alena kept sleeping with Cruz, which was not ideal for him. When they woke up the next morning, Alena was talking to him, but she kept her distance, which he could respect. But he just wanted her to be playful with him again, to blush every time he flirted with her.

He was going to win her back.

Currently, he was at Vicky’s playing with the guys before going home to have dinner with his two favorite people. He’s avoided EZ successfully and he planned to do so till he was ready to forgive his younger brother.

Angel laughed as everyone around him groaned after he put down another winning hand. 

“Seems to be my night boys, let’s do another hand.” Angel ordered before he left the table to use the bathroom. 

His phone began to rang, Myrna who was standing behind Angel’s chair noticed it. She picked up the phone and smirked.

‘Wifey ♾👑💍’

“Hello?” She answered. The guys looked at Myrna in curiosity, she was far too bold to answer someone’s phone who clearly disliked her. But none of the guys made a sound to stop her.

“Hi, sorry, I think I called the wrong number.” Myrna heard Alena’s confusion.

“No, it’s the right phone. Angel’s busy, can I take a message?” Myrna’s smirk grew knowing that this would hurt Alena. 

“The fuck are you doing?” Coco grabbed Angel’s phone, checking the caller ID. “Are you fucking insane?” Coco walked away, placing the phone on his ear. “Lenny, hey, Angel went to the bathroom. Everything okay?”

“Yeah, sorry, I was gonna ask him to buy the VapoPads for the humidifier, but it’s okay, I’ll go get it.” 

He could see the thoughts running in Alena’s head and he couldn’t have that, they just made up. He couldn’t fucking deal with mopey Angel again, fuck no. 

“Lenny, don’t let Myrna get to you, you know Angel isn’t interested in her.” Coco reasoned.

“No, it’s okay, I don’t need an explanation. I’m gonna go to Target with Cruz. You don’t have to let Angel know I called.” Alena requested. “You guys have fun, remember to wrap it up. Please tell Maxine the cake is ready for Olalla’s birthday.”

“Alena, I’ll go to Target, just stay home.” Coco knew that Alena was having her seasonal allergies right now. The last thing he wanted was for her to go outside when she should be resting. 

“No, you’re fine, I don’t want to intrude.”

“What the fuck are you doing?” Coco turned around and found Angel behind him giving him a curious look as to why he had his cell phone and saying Alena’s name. 

“That bitch Myrna answered Alena’s call, insinuating she was busy with you. Handle that.” Coco kept Angel’s phone to his ear, hearing Alena’s disagreement with his actions. “You know she’s been targeting Alena right? That night at the club, it wasn’t the first time she’s given her shit. Now be Alena’s husband and handle her.”

Angel’s eyebrows furrowed, his good mood down the drain because of this stupid woman. She was a thorn to his side that he never paid much attention to, but knowing he mistreated his wife more than once, that was fucking unacceptable.

He made his way over to her and Myrna’s smile could only be categorized for him as creepy.

“I’m going to say this once, and only once. I’m not fucking interested and never will be. I’m married and even if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t give you the time of fucking day. Who the fuck do you think you are to answer my phone when my wife is calling?” Angel got in her face, making her step back due to his intimidating stance. “Stay the fuck away from my wife, if you even breathe the wrong way towards her, I have a bullet with your name on it.”

Myrna nodded her head before running up the stairs. Gilly, Creeper and Riz looked on at Angel, impressed by his words.

“About fucking time.” Gilly clapped.

“The fuck? You all know this has been an ongoing thing?” Angel sat back down on the table, looking over at Coco, slightly worried that this put things between him and Alena in a bad place again. “Why didn’t any of you tell me?”

“We didn’t want to fall out of grace with Alena.” Riz answered. “She said she had it handled, we never let her go too far.”

“That’s not the fucking point, she’s my wife, she should have told me that she was being mistreated by one of Vicky’s girls.” Angel was frustrated with Alena. She always did this. He knew he couldn’t fight every battle for her, but this was fucking ridiculous. How many more times have Alena endured shit from women and not told him?

“It’s Alena, she knew you would have waged war against all these women.” Creeper reasoned. “You have to let her fight her own battles.”

“So how many of these women did you all fight for her?” He knew his brothers were hypocrites. They all had a soft spot for Alena.

“All of them of course.” Coco joined the conversation, placing Angel’s phone on the table. “Alena needs the VapoPads.” 

“Next time this happens, please fucking tell me. I’m not going to fight these women, but I just want to know what’s going on with her.”

“You’re so fucking whipped.” Creeper teased.

“Don’t give a fuck, you fuckers are just jealous that Alena’s my girl.” Angel slipped his phone inside his kutte. 

“Yeah, if we didn’t like you so much we would have made a move on Alena.” Gilly shook his head. “Fair game if we all met her at the same time.”

“Tough shit, she’s my wife, always will be.” 

==================

Alena sneezed into her mask as she made her way down to the medicine aisle at Target. She paused and sneezed before continuing to walk. Cruz was walking beside Alena, holding her hand. 

“Bless you mommy,” he told her, looking up at her. “Mommy, why didn’t daddy get it?”

“Daddy is busy baby, don’t you want to go on an adventure with mommy?” Alena looked down at Cruz who smiled up at her.

“I always like going on adventures with you.” 

“Cute kid.” 

Alena looked up and as luck would have it, Dante was standing at the same aisle she needed to go to. She immediately stepped in front of Cruz and Dante held his hands up.

“Hey, you know I honestly mean no harm.” Dante knew the kid was Angel’s and judging by the ring on Alena’s finger, he finally made a move. “I’m glad Angel got his head out of his ass and married you.”

“What are you doing here?” Alena questioned.

“Visiting my sister, just came to pick up some VapoPads for my nephew’s humidifier.” Dante held the box up. “Your guard dog isn’t here?”

“Right behind you, asshole.” Alena looked up and found Angel standing tall, his hands holding his kutte by the zippers, gloved hands covering his rings. “What are you doing here? Thought we had a talk.”

Dante froze up and turned around facing Angel.

“Daddy!” Cruz ran to Angel who easily picked him up. 

“Hey, man, I honestly just ran into her.” He quickly turned to face Alena, the frightened look on his face surprised her. Dante was always so confident and sure of himself. Nothing hardy scared him. “It was nice seeing you, I’m sorry again Alena for the way things ended.”

Alena just nodded her head. Angel kept his eyes on Dante till he was out of sight. He looked over at Alena, shaking his head. 

“Why are you so stubborn? I told you I was picking it up.” Angel picked up the box of VapoPads making his way over to her. 

“And I also told you I got it.” Alena countered taking the VapoPads from him.

“Cruzito, mommy’s stubborn huh?” 

Cruz shook his head. “No, mommy just knows you forget.” Angel doesn’t know why he bothered, Cruz always took Alena’s side.

“Me?” Angel tickled Cruz causing him to shriek in delight. “Doesn’t daddy take care of you and mommy?”

“Yes.” Cruz nodded his head, coughed a little due to the laughing fit he had.

“So Daddy wouldn’t forget right?”

“Mmm, yes, but mommy said you were busy.” 

“I’m never too busy for you and mommy.” Angel looked at Alena as he said that. She was walking in front of them and she didn’t skip a step, but he knew he heard her. Alena chose not to acknowledge Angel’s words. She had to get used to doing things on her own, she couldn’t rely on Angel.

They went to the self checkout, paying for the VapoPads. Angel held Alena’s hand then, walking her to her car. He parked his motorcycle right next to her vehicle.

He buckled up Cruz, closing the door once he was set.

“Did you eat?” Angel questioned as he opened the door for Alena.

“I made pasta, but I wanted to get the VapoPads first.” Alena placed her purse on the front passenger seat.

“Okay, I’ll see you at home.” Alena slid in the seat and before she could close the door, Angel prevented her from doing so. “Hey, that thing with Myrna, you know it’s not true right?” They literally just made up, the last thing he wanted was for Myrna to get to Alena.

“Yes, of course not. I would like to think you have some standards.” Alena teased. Coco talked her off the ledge and after everything that happened with Myrna, she trusted that Angel wouldn’t do anything with her. 

“Yeah, I do, you’re my standard.” He was pushing it, but he wanted her to be flirty and playful with him again. Maybe if he showed her it was okay, then she wouldn’t be opposed to it.

Alena blushed, playfully pushing Angel away. “You’re trouble.”

“Let me get a kiss.” Angel puckered up and she giggled. 

“Nice try.”

==================

Alena got out of the car and opened the door for Cruz who jumped out of the car. Angel has Cruz’s backpack while Alena carried Cruz all the way inside the school. 

It was Cruz’s first day of school. 

It was the day Alena had been dreading, but she was excited for Cruz as well. It would be good for him to meet kids his age and it was a plus that their neighbor and Cruz’s best friend Devin was in the class with him.

“Mommy and Daddy will come at three, okay? Stay with Devin or the teacher then we can go get a snack. What do you want to have Cruzie?” Alena was rambling on because she was nervous. How would Cruz do with other kids? Was he nervous? 

Angel smiled watching Alena. She couldn’t sleep last night due to how anxious she became. No matter how many times he tried to reassure her, nothing got to her. He understood, he was nervous too, but he figured he had to seem less anxious to keep Alena sane.

They stopped in front of the classroom and he had to laugh at how fate could be.

“Monica?” Angel came face to face with his ex-girlfriend, Monica Avalos. They were together for four years and broke up when she left to further pursue her education. It hurt when it first happened, but over the years they kept in touch and he was happy for everything she’s achieved. 

“Angel Reyes, still a looker I see.” The two embraced, confusing Cruz. 

“Mommy, who is daddy hugging?”

“That’s your teacher.” Alena answered. The one that got away, she knew how much Angel and Monica meant to one another. It was crazy that Monica was his teacher. Alena looked at Monica’s ring finger and there was no ring.

Oh lord, it was like those romantic films, this was their chance to reconnect.

“Alena, oh my god, last I heard you were going to Paris.” Monica walked over and was going to hug her, but Cruz has his arms wrapped around her. “Oh hello, you must be Cruz.” She gave Cruz space, not wanting to overwhelm him. “I’ll be your teacher Ms. Avalos.”

“Hello,” Cruz looked at Angel who gave him an encouraging smile. He looked uncertain now, noticing how his mother tensed up. “Mommy, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine Cruzie, mommy is just nervous cause it’s your first day of school.” She placed him on the ground and crouched before him, holding his hand. “Mommy packed you a snack and you can share with Devin too, okay? Be a good boy for Ms. Avalos. I love you.”

“Okay mommy, I love you.” Cruz hugged her and Alena fought her tears, not wanting to be that mom. 

Angel crouched beside Alena and gave his son a hug and a kiss on the head. “Daddy and mommy will be waiting for you.”

“Cruz, your mommy and daddy were my friends when I went to school.” Monica heard the gossip around town, but she didn’t think it was true. She was always confused as to how it happened. She thought Cruz was Alena’s child and Angel was just helping her out. It turned out it was the other way around especially since Cruz looked so much like Angel. “And you’re married.” She smiled. “Always thought you would end up with EZ.” Monica teased Alena knowing it would irritate Angel.

“Haha, so fucking funny.” The two kept in touch these past few years, so she knew he was married to Alena. 

“Angel, language.” Alena scolded him.

“Sorry cielo.” Angel kissed her cheek.

Monica envied them, mostly Alena. She always had Angel wrapped around her fingers, it wasn’t even funny. She never mistreated Alena or hated her, she knew that somewhere down the road, Angel would get his head out of his ass and she was glad he finally did.

The two stood up, handing Cruz his backpack. 

“Let’s go Cruz, say bye to mommy and daddy.”

Cruz waved goodbye to them before running in the room when his eyes landed on Devin. Angel wrapped his arms around Alena, leading her away after saying goodbye to Monica. Once they were outside, Alena cried a bit harder and Angel just hugged her.

“Cielo, don’t cry.” Angel kissed the side of her head. It wasn’t like Cruz never did school before. He has a hybrid for kindergarten, which was also a daycare. But that wasn’t as bad as this. He was starting first grade, he would have homework and field trips. “Cruz is going to have so much fun and at least Monica is his teacher.”

Alena nodded her head, pulling away from him and wiping her tears. They went back to their car and drove home. Angel had a shift at the scrapyard for a few hours, but he was free after that.

“I’ll drop you off at the house then pick you up before we get Cruz.”

“Sure.”

Alena remained quiet and she just mostly paid attention to her cell phone. Angel hoped she wasn’t rattled by Monica’s appearance. 

“You okay?” 

Alena nodded. “Yes, sorry.” She felt stupid for fretting over Monica. It’s been years since they were together, but it was too convenient that she came back around the time she was divorcing Angel. This was their second shot and Alena was the one before his forever. She let out a bitter laugh, startling Angel.

“Hey, you’re overthinking this, don’t let that shit sink in.” Angel knew what she was thinking and he wasn’t going to let that sink in. Monica didn’t mean anything to him, she was just a memory. “Monica means nothing to me, get out of your head.”

Alena turned to Angel, surprised that he knew what she was thinking. “Don’t act brand new cielo, I know you, I told you, I have feelings for you and have had feelings.” He took her hand in his, kissing the back of it. “Let’s go grab food and just stay at the clubhouse with me, I don’t want to leave you alone cause god knows what you’re gonna conspire against me.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “It’s fine Angel just drop me off.”

“Nope, you’re stuck with me.”

==================

Alena was sitting in the office with Chucky, when a customer walked in. 

“Howdy John.” Chucky greeted the man that walked in. 

Alena looked up and greeted him with a smile before going back to the files she was organizing for the yard. 

“I’ve never seen you around,” John commented, leaning against the countertop of the office that separated the customers and the workers.

“Oh, I don’t work here often.” Alena answered once she realized he was speaking to her.

“Better not miss my opportunity then, you want to grab dinner sometime? I’m new here so it would be nice to have a local take me around.” John smirked, watching as Alena looked over at Chucky.

“Oh, is he your husband?” He was slightly judging her as Chucky wasn’t much of a looker, but ugly men usually got the most beautiful women.

“No sir, but I’m sure her husband wouldn’t appreciate you hitting on his wife.”

“I don’t see a ring on your finger.”

Alena cussed under her breath. She had taken off her ring since she washed her hands. Her ring was loose and she was afraid it would slip off of her finger. 

“Oh, I was washing my hands.” Alena took it out of her pocket and slipped it back on. “But I am married and not interested.”

“I’m sure a friendly date wouldn’t be so bad, just take me to the spots around town.” Marriage was a farce for John. A beautiful girl like this woman before him wouldn’t be happy with just one man. “Maybe I can entice you enough to leave your husband?”

“Can I help you?” Chucky and Alena looked over at Angel who heard the whole exchange.

“Just trying to get your secretary to give me her number.”

Creeper who was standing behind Angel, moved in front of Angel, making sure his brother didn’t do anything crazy.

“I’d be careful, Angel is her husband.” Chucky warned.

John looked back at Angel and then at Alena. He knew he fucked up. He’s heard of the Mayans and the last thing he wanted to do was get on their bad side.

“My bad bro, I didn’t know.” 

Alena stood up and tried to diffuse the situation. “It’s okay, he didn’t know Angel. It’s fine.” Alena made her way over to Angel and wrapped her arms around him. She didn’t want him to fight anyone for her behalf.

The way Angel quickly relaxed, it always surprised Creeper. He was hot tempered and acted on impulse, but Alena just had this sense of calm and control over him.

Alena stood on tiptoes and kissed Angel, which surprised him, but he was completely distracted after that. Who the fuck was John? Where were they? His girl just kissed him after a month or so, he just needed to bask on that.

John quickly excused himself and left. Creeper just chuckled and patted Angel on the back. But nothing could get to him. He had his girl in his arms.

“You just have to be so damn cute cielo.” He playfully scolded her, kissing her again. 

“Shut up.” Alena tried to pull away, but Angel just kept his arms around her. 

“Just stay like this.”

“Is it close to his time yet?”

“No babe, it’s only 930, we dropped off Cruz an hour ago.”

Alena groaned, resting her head on Angel’s shoulder.

“It’s literally too early for this cute shit.” Coco teased as he walked by them. 

“You're just jealous, you want a hug?” Angel extended an arm towards Coco making him laugh.

“From Alena, sure.”

“Nope, fuck no.” Angel wrapped both arms around her again.

“You’re so needy.” Coco rolled his eyes, shaking his head.

“Let me get another kiss.” Angel bent down and kissed Alena once more earning groans from the people around them. Angel lifted one of his hands and flipped them off.

“I rather have them kissing than fighting.” Coco chuckled, happy that they were finally back in good terms.

“Come on, let’s go take a nap, you slept a whopping three hours last night.” Angel led her to the clubhouse, she waved goodbye to Coco and a Chucky.

Once inside, the cool air made Alena sigh. Angel wrapped an arm around her shoulders, leading her towards the back.

“Hey, no fucking, it’s too early.” They heard Taza tease making Hank and Bishop laugh.

Alena blushed and Angel just laughed. 

“I mean, if you really want to cielo, I would not be opposed.” Angel whispered into her ear, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

“Stop it,” she hit his stomach. 

They entered Angel’s designated dorm room in the clubhouse, a place he hasn’t used in years. He’s had a few escapades with Alena here, but it was rare since he was mostly at his home or hers. Alena immediately took off her flats and slipped under the covers. 

“You want to change baby?” Angel took off his sweaty Romero Brother’s work shirt and changed into a white muscle shirt. 

Alena couldn’t help but check him out. It was sinful how good Angel looked. She was going to enjoy these last few months with him. This was so depressing. 

“No, I’m okay.” Alena pulled the blanket to her chest since the AC was blasting in Angel’s room and she was trying to remain as modest as possible. She felt like an idiot for doing so since Angel has seen everything, but a little boundary didn’t hurt anyone. 

“Are you cold? Do you want me to turn off the AC?” Angel stood beside the bed, waiting for Alena’s answer.

“No, it’s okay,” she took off her glasses and turned away from Angel. 

He knew what she was doing and he didn’t want to push her. But she just kissed him, what would be so bad with cuddling?

“Cielo, you don’t want to cuddle with me?” Angel slipped in beside her. 

“I’m okay,” Alena kept her back turned to him. 

Angel started poking her back, Alena had to pay attention to him. This was unacceptable. Finally after ten pokes, Alena turned around and she glared at Angel. He chuckled, awing at her attempt to look annoyed.

“Baby, you look so cute glaring at me. Come on, cuddle with me.” Angel pouted. Alena hated the man before her. She did not want to cuddle, she literally hasn’t slept on the same bed as him since they made up. 

“No, your body heat is literally not what I need right now.” 

“Alena, you covered yourself all the way to your neck, I think you need my body heat.” He wiggled his eyebrows, pulling on her shirt. 

“No, I’m good, so good.” Alena shook her head, slapping his hand. “Behave or I’m going to Coco’s room.”

“Fine,” Angel huffed and puffed, turning away from Alena. This would work, he knew it would. All he wanted was to fucking cuddle. They did that before they were married. 

Alena didn’t want Angel to be upset at her. He was going to hold this against her the whole day. 

She sighed and scooted closer to Angel, wrapping her arms around him. Angel smirked triumphantly. Alena closed her eyes, not wanting to admit how much she enjoyed hugging him, or any contact with Angel. She really enjoyed any contact with Angel, he always made her feel safe, protected and comforted. If she was being honest, the thing she loved the most was being wrapped around Angel’s arms after a long day. When he would run his fingers through her hair when she was having an especially awful day. When Angel would hold her hand whenever she became anxious. 

God, she loved him so much, it was going to be awful to try and get over him.

Angel turned around, crushing Alena to his chest. 

“Thanks cielo,” he kissed the top of Alena’s head just as sleep took over. 

[wastelandcrown]

logan lark’s adventures in trying to appease his parents

CHAPTER 5: helpless

Summary: Logan Lark is a fairly average high school student. By all means, he should be impressing his parents on all grounds. Except...he doesn’t exactly have a social life. So after his parents give him puppy dog eyes, he decides to join the local theatre's youth production. Good grief...His life is about to get weird isn’t it?

Warnings: Potential ooc behavior, Roman is a teenager who makes bad choices, Remus being Remus, Emojis (If I miss something please tell me!)

Notes: This fic is based off an idea from @under-the-blue-moonlight. If you wanna be tagged in chapters, please ask!! Here’s the fluff before the storm!! Next chapter two chapters are Heavy.

Pairings: Intrulogical, Eventual Rociet, One-Sided Logicality, Platonic DRLAMP

Word Count: 3296

Tagslist: @under-the-blue-moonlight @why-should-i-tell-youu2 @im-actually-ok @hauntedturkeycalzonedreamer @croftersjam15 @rainbowsixth @snaketho 

His newfound appreciation for Patton didn’t change the fact that the idea of losing his first kiss to a stage performance sent shivers down his spine. 

It’s not like he didn’t like Patton! That wasn’t it at all! Patton has been sailing in the high numbers ever since they had hung out at his home, Virgil had even made a group chat for the three of them where they talked regularly. It’s just that Patton was Patton. And Patton was certainly not his type. They had tried to practice helpless, but Janus kept telling them they were missing something. Remus said Logan sounded like a “sexless moron”, and though Patton disagreed and blushed furiously, Logan knew he was right. He had never had a boyfriend, let alone a crush on a boy. He knew he was gay because he found certain boys attractive, but he had never liked a guy like that. Yet. 

He figured it would happen at some point, but until that point...he would have to be clueless. He ended up spending a lot of time with Remus as rehearsal continued. Though Patton wasn’t fond of him, he was Roman Repellent ninety percent of the time. Pretending that was all he wanted from Remus was easy. The other option was acknowledging how much he genuinely liked Remus. The whole time he’d known him, he’d told himself to steer clear of him. He’d never managed to do it, but he still told himself to. Something about Remus was interesting. He was a sort of enigmatic person who you could never figure out beyond the persona they portrayed. Logan was nothing if not inquisitive. 

Sitting in the tech booth with Virgil and Remus, watching the Schuyler Sisters vocal practice, he couldn’t really be mad when Remus’ legs fell into his lap. They were in such close proximity, and Remus always seemed to have a need to touch people. Remus is talking about something mindless, and Logan is listening intently.

“If they have the gun, why wouldn’t they just shoot him?” Logan asks.

“That’s what I said! It’s like they don’t care about efficiency! You don’t have to torture every character!” 

“Honestly, I cannot believe they would disregard the gun like that. Why introduce it in the first place?” 

Virgil looks at Logan inquisitively, “Logan, do you even watch that show?” 

“No,” Logan muttered, “Remus just tells me about it a lot.”

“I have no idea how you’re able to follow his train of thought, I have a hard time listening to him about regular stuff, let alone his favourite things.” Virgil says, and Logan knows he doesn’t mean it in a bad or mean way. Anxiety can make a person have a hard time listening, Logan just thinks it’s easy to listen to Remus. 

He’s called back to the stage, so he can practice Helpless with Patton again. Remus moves his legs and pulls Logan up to his feet. They are standing nearly chest to chest for a few seconds, and Logan notices each time they’re this close how tall Remus is. He’s a little over a head taller than he is, and it's jarring to him. Remus pulls him down the tech booth stairs by the hand, practically dragging him like a rag doll. Virgil should feel lucky that Logan didn’t catch his snicker at Logan’s expense. Once Remus is beside his brother in the audience, they begin. 

Patton’s performance is adorable, as usual. For Remus’ tastes it’s a little fluffy, but that’s the song for you. Much too full of innocence, he was about ready to beg for his chance to sing as Maria. He knew he had to wait his turn. Watching Logan’s performance was downright painful. His romantic face was a simple, deadpan thing, and he had flirted with enough boys to know you should never look that bland. Bland of emotion, not bland in general. No, absolutely not. Remus was well aware that Logan was hot, just in the way that cool anime boys are hot. All cold and domineering, but secretly an absolute angel. Remus planned on changing that angelic nature, but he had to give it time. Logan’s rap was abysmal in terms of emotion, and by the time it was over even Patton was cringing a little. 

Roman nudged Remus, smirking as he whispered, “I think he’s hopeless.”

“I think he could use a good teacher,” Remus smiled at Roman’s wide eyed reaction.

“You can’t possibly mean you can you?”

“Oh, I absolutely mean me.” 

Bounding up the stage stairs, Remus forced himself between Logan and Patton who were discussing the performance. Grabbing Logan by the hands excitedly, Remus beamed at him. Logan knew he had a very stupid plan just from the way he smiled. 

“Logie-bear, let me be your personal coach on how to not be an absolutely sexless moron!” 

The entire theatre went quiet.

“Remus, shouldn’t I be the one to help Logan?” Patton asked softly, his smile was nervous and Logan didn’t know why, “I am playing Eliza, aren’t I?”

“Yeah, well, you aren’t exactly dripping in hoes, are you Patton?”

“Wha-That’s not very nice! No, I am not dripping in….h-o-es, but that doesn’t mean you should help him!”

“I wouldn’t mind the help,” Logan chimes in, “I really didn’t want to have to ask Janus or Roman. Remus seems like the best option. He can give me pointers.” 

Patton could argue that Janus and Roman were much better at romance than Remus could ever be, but if Logan really thought Remus was the best option he couldn’t say no. 

When they met up at lunch, the room they had found was empty aside from the three of them. This would prove to be a bit of a mistake. When Logan made a mistake and it was called out by Remus with a quip or a joke about his romance abilities, Patton seemed to get a little huffy. Logan enjoyed his encouragement from Patton, but the comments from Remus always made him force away a smile. He was brutally honest, and Logan liked that. He wanted to be told when he looked like a complete doofus. Patton seemed to not agree, and interjected a lot on Logan’s behalf. After the first few runs, Remus seemed to be getting agitated. All it took was one more comment from Patton before Remus dragged him out by the wrist and shut the door behind them. Logan couldn’t help but wonder why. 

“Will you stop that?” Remus hissed at Patton, they were around the corner but he was trying to be quiet in case Logan was eavesdropping.

“Stop what? Trying to support Logan? You’re just being mean to him!” Patton whispered back, obviously thinking the same.

Rolling his eyes, Remus let out a big huff of amusement, “You’re really dumb, aren’t you Padre? Look at him! He might be hot, but his whole face is like a dead fish when he’s trying to be romantic!” 

“Wait, what?”

“What?” 

Patton blinked slowly, staring at Remus like he had two heads.

“Patton, if I’ve suddenly grown a dick out of my forehead that’s stood at full mast and oozing baby goo, I’d love to hear about it.”

That made Patton recoil, but he raised his voice above an angry whisper to say, “You think he’s hot?”

“I mean...duh? You’re telling me you haven’t noticed?” 

“No! No-I’ve-I’ve noticed! I just-” Patton stops, and Remus is confused now.

With a nervous laugh, Patton mutters, “It’s fine, it’s not like you’re actually trying to...Maria him. Heh.” 

“Oh no, I am. I’ve been flirting with him this whole time, I think he’s just fucking dense.”

With that Remus watches Patton go pale, and force himself back into their practice room. Remus doesn’t follow. He’s pushed enough. If Patton decides to tell Logan though, Remus may have to kill him. He trudges over to the boys dressing room and throws the door open dramatically.

“What’s wrong?” Roman asks with a smirk, “Love confession gone wrong?”

“Pft. More like a bitchy third wheel.” 

Remus lays on the ground, gently bumping his head into Roman’s knee and keeping it there. Roman moves a hand to pat his brother's head, but ends up carding a hand through his hair. 

“Do you wanna pout about it or plan some thematically appropriate revenge?”

Remus lights up, craning his head up to stare at his brother, “I thought you hated Logan!”

“Oh, I do. That’s why I think he should date you.”

They both laugh, and then they get to work. 

After flashing puppy dog eyes to Janus, they manage to convince him to help set up their exclusive after hours group practice. Somehow they rope in Remy, Emile, Logan, and Virgil. They know Emile, Logan, and Virgil will bring Patton. They also know that this is the perfect time for both their agendas. If Roman perpetuates drama, maybe Logan will get stressed and leave. If Remus gets to act out seducing, and-or marrying, Logan, then maybe he’ll have a chance at getting his number. He’ll have to try and get Logan to practice romance with him, because if he waits until he’s Maria he may have lost Logan to the unthinkable. Patton.

The teenagers all meet at a public park picnic table at around six. Patton, Virgil, Remy, and Emile sit on a blanket Patton brought from his car. Roman, Janus, Remus, and Logan sit at the picnic table, though none of them are sitting correctly. Roman takes the lead, standing on the table and addressing the group. 

“My stupid brother and I have brought you all here today for an extra special practice session! We, the leads, have much work to do!” 

Remus nods excitedly in agreement, “I personally think our first order of business should be to help Nerdy McSpecks to not look like getting it on is his worst fear!”

Most people laugh at this, and Logan even smirks a little.

“I’m more than willing to work on that first! It sounds like fun!” Patton chimes in, getting a nod of agreement from Virgil who is splayed out on the grass with his hood pulled over his face. 

“So that Logan can be most equipped, everyone who wants to can try and be Eliza!” Remus calls out loudly, and Remy chokes back laughter.

“That’s totally not just for Remus.” Janus mutters, but Logan catches it.

He’s confused now. If Remus wanted to help him practice he should have just asked? He’s certain that a guy like Remus would ask, but he disappeared at lunch. Logan wonders whether he was embarrassed to ask, but that couldn’t be it. Remus was never embarrassed. Had Patton said something to him in the hall? No, no, he wouldn’t have! Logan is zapped into his own mind, not realizing everyone is looking at him for a response until Patton speaks up.

“Well, he doesn’t have to practice with Remus is he doesn’t want to,” 

He shakes his head, “That’s not it. I was only wondering why Remus hadn’t asked before. It’s out of character for him.”

Remus cackles like a witch and grips his stomach like that was the funniest thing he’s ever heard, “Worried about me, Logie-bear?”

“Should I be? If so, then yes.” 

The whole group was silent until Remus laughed again, giving Logan a playful kick. 

“Get on with your marriage to Patton, loverboy!” 

The practice with Patton went about as well as it did in the theatre. Virgil had a clear view now, and was trying desperately not to break into a fit of laughter at Logan’s expense. It really was funny, the lack of emotion in his face seemed like it was purposeful rather than a genuine lack of knowledge. When they were finished, Remus popped up, taking Patton’s place in front of Logan. 

“First step to flirtation!” Remus begins loudly, most of the group deciding to tune them out while he instructed, “Lose your self-respect!”

“...Absolutely not.”

“Logan, boobear, you need to lose something to get the emotional stick out of your ass!” 

Logan didn’t respond, looking away from Remus. That...that one did hurt. Even if he knew he wasn’t the most emotional person, it wasn’t exactly nice to hear. 

Of course, Remus noticed, “Hey-Uh-I didn’t mean it like that! Maybe...Maybe…” 

A light bulb goes off in his head and he grabs Logan’s hands, he beams as he drags Logan further out into the grass. 

“Remus, what are you-” 

He doesn’t get to finish, Remus places a hand on Logan’s hip and holds the other tightly. 

There’s nothing he can do but follow his lead, getting another very close look at Remus as he places his hand tentatively on Remus’ shoulder. Today his makeup is purple, and his eyes look a lot less wild. His shirt has the name of a band Logan’s never heard of on the front, and his leather jacket is covered in patches and spikes. There’s no mistaking the distinct scent of Roman’s rose perfume, surely he was doused in it after practice to make up for taking a bite out of his deodorant instead of putting it on. Usually it smells awful and makes Logan want to gag, but something about a scent so sweet on a person so wild almost makes Logan lose his grip. Dancing with him is mindless, he’s being led like they’ve danced together a thousand times. When Remus raises his arm and spins Logan out, his demeanor breaks. He smiles softly, not because of the dancing, but because Remus is looking at him with the widest grin he’s ever seen. His teeth are so sharp, and on his face it looks so right. 

He feels breathless when Remus spins him back in.

“You look happy,” He chimes into his ear, “Could it be that I’m already a talented seductress?”

Logan presses his head back into Remus’ chest and really laughs for the first time in a long time. 

“Eliza,” Logan starts slowly, moving back to dancing position, “I don’t have a dollar to my name.”

Remus is confused for a moment, then has to fight back his blush.

“An acre of land, a troupe to command, a dollop of fame,” Logan has no idea the group is staring at the pair. 

He’s wrapped up in dancing, a sweet smile on his face, “All I have’s my honor, a tolerance for pain, a couple of college credits and-”

“Your top notch brain,” Remus spins Logan again, and boops his nose before he returns a hand to his hip. 

He can’t help but laugh again, “Insane, your family brings out a different side of me, Peggy confides in me. Angelica tried to take a bite of me-”

Remus feigns an offended gasp at this which makes Logan laugh a third time, “No stress, my love for you is never in doubt,”

Now Remus can’t stop the blush on his cheeks, with the combination of the lyrics and Logan’s laughter there’s no way he wouldn’t. 

“We’ll get a little place in Harlem and we’ll figure it out,” 

The dancing has led them into a more secluded area now, and though the others are peering through trees to try and see the pair but they can only see their legs. 

“I’ve been living without a family since I was a child,” They stop dancing and stand and sway together. 

Logan and Remus stand chest to chest, “My father left, my mother died, I grew up buck wild.”

“That’s more of a me thing-”

Logan rolls his eyes and plays him off, “But I’ll never forget my mother’s face, that was real.”

He raises a hand and cups Remus’ cheek like he does in practice with Patton, and Remus nuzzles into his palm. Patton does that too, but somehow this feels more...intimate. It must be the privacy.

“As long as I’m alive, Eliza, I swear to god, you’ll never feel so…” 

Remus clears his throat then moves his head out of Logan’s hand, but doesn’t step away.

“If you’re that good with me, why not in practice?”

Logan is compelled to tell the truth, “Don’t laugh.”

“Mmm, No promises.” He’s clearly teasing, Logan knows him well enough to know he means he won’t.

“I have to kiss Patton at the end of the song. I think it freaks me out. I-I’ve never-” 

Remus smirks, he squeezes Logan’s hip a little, “You know you have to kiss me too, right?” 

“Somehow, that freaks me out less.” He admits, because he’s on a particularly honest streak. He doesn’t know why the idea of kissing Remus doesn’t perturb him. He watched him bite his own deodorant stick today. Bite, chew, and swallow. 

“You know that’s weird as shit, right? Patton looks like the definition of a good kid, and is basically the sweetest person ever. You’d rather lock lips with the resident fucktard?”

“I don’t think of you like that.”

Remus has to take a step back and cover his face with the sleeve of his jacket. 

“Logan,” Remus starts in the quietest voice he can manage, “You know you don’t have to kiss either of us, right?”

Logan makes an agreeable noise and nods, so Remus takes his arm back off his face. 

“If it’s somehow less weird for me to be your first kiss, then you know I’d kiss you right?”

Whipping his head around and looking slightly shocked, Logan whispers, “Right here?”

“Take me for a coward, Logie-bear?” He teases, stepping back into Logan’s personal space.

Logan smiles wide, something he’s going to have to grow accustomed to Remus drawing out of him, “Only on occasion.” 

Which is somehow the perfect answer for Remus, who laughs beautifully and takes Logan’s chin in his hand. The kiss is short but more delicate than anything Logan had ever witnessed Remus do.

Moments after, Janus yells at them to stop making out, and Remus throws himself through the trees to yell at him. 

Logan has to take a moment and take in the fading tingle on his lips, it’s magnetic. 

“Logan?” Patton had come looking for him, “You okay?”

“Yes, very. Remus was very helpful.”

Patton smiles at him, “I saw that laughing you did! You looked so happy!”

“I…” Logan is stunned from words, but Patton picks up the slack. 

“It’s okay, I get it! Virgil gets embarrassed about laughing like that too!” 

He follows Patton back to the group, and they move on. Logan’s mind won’t stop racing, and he can’t stop thinking about Remus. Patton and Remus are critiquing Janus’ performance of Wait For It while Logan sits with Virgil in the grass. 

“Do you want his number?”

“Whose?”

“Remus’ number. Do you want it?”

“Why would I-”

“You looked like you wanted it.”

In the end, he gets Remus’ number. He texts him later that night after he finds himself unable to sleep and unsure why.

‘I apologize for the late hour, but this is Logan. I couldn’t sleep, and Virgil gave me your number this evening, so you can see as to why I am texting you now. I wanted to thank you for all your help today. I had fun, which surprises me. I do not say that often.’

Barely a minute later, he gets a response.

‘😍😍😘😘OH MY GOD LOGIE-BEAR YOU ASKED FOR MY NUMBER!? YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST ASKED ME!! 😍😍😘😘🤬🤬🤬Anyyyyyywayyyyyy If you can’t sleep maybe I can entertain you ;)))😳😳😳😳’

‘I would enjoy that. Isn’t there a new episode of that show you like out tonight?’

‘THERE IS!! I can’t believe you remembered 💕💖💕💖💕💖SO I’ll give you my IN DETAIL thoughts on this weeks 🤬🤬HUGE fucking disappointment!🤬🤬’

Logan didn’t end up sleeping until the early hours of the morning. 

[legobiwan]

TCW Recap: “The Gungan General” (S1, E11)

I HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THIS EPISODE AND 90% OF IT IS ABOUT OBI-WAN AND DOOKU. THIS IS GOING TO BE *LONG*, PEOPLE.

Hondo would disagree, I think.

Speaking of whom... Narrator guy: “...the brigand, Hondo Ohnaka.” This is great. Brigand. Hondo would love it. 

And now what might be one of the greatest scenes of denial/rationalization in all of Star Wars, and I’m including Obi-wan’s infamous equivocation when it came to telling Luke about his father:

These guys are a mess. 

Come ON, Kenobi. (And you, too, Anakin.) I mean, honestly. “wE WeRe DruGGed, OhhhBvIouSlY.” Please, we all saw you chug that pirate drink, Kenobes. At least Anakin actually only took a sip.

I feel like this incident was kind of formative for Anakin. This won’t be the first time this episode we see Anakin’s Sith incarnation quote Obi-wan.

But you know what the absolute best part about this entire scene is? Dooku has been watching this go down the entire time. I MEAN. First of all, how did they get Obi-wan and Anakin tethered to Dooku, who would probably have rather swallowed his lightsaber than be in the same room as Anakin. But then he sits there, watches the last of his Lineage passed out on a floor and denying anything had happened? AMAZING. 

CAN WE PLEASE NOTE the first thing Dooku says, the very first words out of his mouth are this:

The first thing Dooku does is praise Obi-wan for being smart. And he calls him “Master Kenobi.” I have always been fascinated by Dooku’s predilection for calling Obi-wan by his formal title, because he certainly doesn’t do the same for Anakin (who Dooku usually refers to as “Skywalker” or some other demeaning, generalized noun.) I think (I would need to check again), but I think Dooku only calls Obi-wan by his first name in AotC, when he’s trying to play shared love of Qui-gon card on Geonosis. Sometimes he’ll refer to him just as “Kenobi,” but very often, and usually when Dooku is saying something complimentary to him, Dooku will use that moniker. It’s fascinating. The way these two are framed - the blocking - this episode is also telling and I’m going to point it out, because I feel like the animators went out of their way to show Obi-wan and Dooku together, and that, at times, Obi-wan was deferring and conferring with Dooku as much as Anakin. Which...so. much. to. read. into. that.

Oh yeah, and Dooku’s wonderful meditation pose here. He was meditating. I love it! That pose will come back later in this review. 

Okay, so I’ve mentioned this before, but the way they are tethered. Dooku to Obi-wan to Anakin. In perfect lineage order, Obi-wan the linchpin between the two sides.

Bless Hondo and his mother. 

You know what I find funny? The turncoat pirate, whatever-his-name-was thinks it’s going to be so easy to pull one over on Hondo. Hondo, who somehow captured two of the most accomplished Jedi in the Order and a Sith Lord. Who knows what a Sith Lord is. Who knows what a lightsaber is (laser-sword.) Hondo plays dumb and fast-and-loose because he can. He expects his men to turn on him and knows he’ll deal with it. Smart man. His mother was smart, too. Also, he is hilarious I love Hondo so much. 

So Palpatine sent Jar Jar on this mission so it would fail, right? At least, that would be his reasoning. But! Jar Jar was super-competent this episode! (More on that later. I am part of the Jar Jar Defense Squad, I have to admit.)

Plus, Jar Jar’s antics just make me laugh. 

Here’s a question. Those binders our trio had. They’re Force-suppressing, at least a little bit, right? They have to be, otherwise, there’s no way Dooku would be wasting his time levitating a knife off a plate to jimmy the cell door.

Now, I love the whole exchange here: Dooku: “Do control your protégé’s insolence so I can concentrate.” Obi-wan: “Anakin!” Anakin: “What?” Obi-wan: “Control your insolence. The Count is concentrating.”

This is great for about five different reasons. One, Dooku always addresses Obi-wan and Obi-wan only, never Anakin, unless it’s a retort to something Anakin said. The term protégé is also funny. I don’t know, it’s just very Dooku language. Now, mind you, Dooku doesn’t know Obi-wan all that well. They met on Geonosis, Qui-gon may or may not have told stories about Dooku to Obi-wan (my guess is that Qui-gon didn’t, given their contentious relationship when Obi-wan was a Padawan). So this is really the first time Dooku is getting to learn just who Obi-wan is, and Obi-wan is responding with some first-class snark. And the two of them low-key snark each other the rest of the episode. There’s an almost-playfulness to the exchanges between Obi-wan and Dooku (as opposed to Anakin and Dooku who just want to rip each other’s throats out) and you have to wonder what is going through both their heads at this point.

Dooku: “Well done, if I do say so myself.” (you asshole, Dooku) Obi-wan: (snark)

Anakin out there having PTSD from being chained to a Sith Lord and watching his Master low-key banter with his Dark Side Grandmaster 30-something years later.

 Yikes, they killed off two pilots and a Senator in that crash?

Okay, the whole deal with “Do we know where we’re going?” Anakin absolutely cannot ask that question of Dooku because Dooku will tear him a new one. Obi-wan, however, not only can get away with it, but get some semblance of an answer out of Dooku. These two, I SWEAR.

I don’t know, this screencap just amused me.

Getting back to blocking. Check this out:

Anakin gets the keycard while Obi-wan listens to Dooku. This is telling and it happens more than once. 

Again with the blocking. Again with Obi-wan getting away with sassing the hell out of Dooku. Also, Dooku’s claim of “Of course it’s safe?” Did this man train Qui-gon Jinn, or what? Honestly.

“I don’t want to kill you, per se.” Oh, Hondo. “You seem like decent fellows, even you Count.” Interesting observation and Hondo’s not wrong - at this point, at least. Hondo is observant. He knows what a Sith can do. Dooku could do serious damage and he’s controlling himself here and Hondo, I think, notices. 

And then after Hondo leaves? Obi-wan addresses Dooku first.

hmmmmm

Interesting that they bury Senator Kharrus on Florrum and don’t try to bring the body back when they do make a deal of bringing back the bodies of slain Jedi to Coruscant. 

THIS PART

They way Dooku is in this shot, almost observing like he’s some kind of teacher. They way Dooku turns Obi-wan’s own words on him with the “most impressive” bit. Poor Anakin must really be confused as to what was going on there, because a) he wasn’t part of this subtle banter and b) Obi-wan is bantering with a Sith Lord who happens to be Obi-wan’s Grandmaster and there’s a lot more connection between those two than between Anakin and Dooku. 

Competent!JarJar!!!!

The framing, again. You know, in recounting this, it kind of strikes me how much this is an episode about Dooku and Obi-wan, with Anakin being kind of an afterthought. 

I have to talk about this little moment. When Dooku says he would kill them both if he didn’t have to drag their bodies. Look real closely at Dooku and Obi-wan here.

That little movement at the end. Dooku actually gives Obi-wan a little shove! Not to hurt him, but probably to get back at him for the way Obi-wan pushed him behind some crates by the shoulder earlier. These two are having a constant, very very subtle confrontation throughout this episode, each one answering the other in a mirror. And Anakin is just *super* confused. I mean, wow, are Dooku and Obi-wan a mirror of each other or what? 

FRAMING ALERT

And then this. Obi-wan saves Dooku. I’ve already gone on about this at length elsewhere but the symbolism of Dooku’s tether breaking, Obi-wan reaching out, the way they are inverted, the way it could be implied that either Obi-wan could pull Dooku up or drag Obi-wan down, that Anakin could destroy them all if he let go (what?!?), the gap between Obi-wan and Dooku where Qui-gon should have been. This is one of my favorite bits of subtle symbolism in the series. SO. GOOD.

Okay, this is the last bit we get with Dooku and Obi-wan interacting, so I should be wrapping this up soon, hahahaha. Things to note here. Dooku is always angled towards Obes, the body language says everything. Obi-wan is meditating in a position that mirrors Dooku’s from the opening, and Anakin is not. The entire rest of this scene you have to wonder if there’s some kind of Force communication going on between those two. And in the last screengrab, it almost looks like Dooku doesn’t want Obes to leave. They have a bizarre, twisted relationship and I. LOVE. IT. (plus, that was kind of a Dooku-ish line there, Kenobi.)

*adopts Hermione Granger voice* EXCUSE ME, DISNEY, IT’S BOMBAD clankens! Don’t be doing by boy Jar Jar wrong here.

You know that’s right. I am fully convinced Jar Jar didn’t actually slip when he took control of that tank. While Jar Jar is clumsy, he also uses that to his advantage sometimes. A little bit like Hondo plays the fool. 

I love the fact Hondo is just like, well, “I guess we have to torture them now.” It’s so random, hilarious, and over-the-top.

Oh, Hondo.

Ah, now that Obi-wan is gone Dooku can let loose and kill people. How much do you want to bet he was reigning in his impulses because Obi-wan was around and he still entertained the notion of getting Kenobi to his side? Because I think so. 

No more Kenobi = time to murder someone brutally.

It’s nice to see Dooku flying his own ship for once, instead of hailing the droid Uber. He’s not only a good swordfighter, but I imagine a pretty good pilot and fond of racing in his younger days, if I’m remembering Jedi Lost correctly. 

AND FINALLY. This is why Hondo loves Obi-wan. Ha! Yeah, we’ll let you go Hondo, but Dooku knows where you live. 

I love this man.

[lailannajacobs]

Heart to a Gunfight - Chapter Four

Pairing: Bucky x fem!reader

Summary: You didn’t want to help Bucky Barnes make it through the party by pretending to be his fake girlfriend, after all, you had just met him. You also didn’t plan on the charade lasting as long as it did. 

Warnings: None! 

Word Count: 2.7k

A/N: Dealing with a bit of writers block at the moment, but I hope you enjoy this chapter regardless! Would love to know what you think! <3 

Heart to a Gunfight | Chapter Four

“First place, huh? How does it feel to know you beat the future bride and groom at a game they were supposed to win?” You asked Peggy as the two of you waited for the guys to come back with drinks.

Peggy smoothed out the table cloth, looked up, red lips spreading in a cheeky grin, “This is the engagement party. They can handle the loss. We’ll let them win at the actual wedding.”

“So, you don’t feel bad about it at all?” You laughed, leaning back in your chair.

She shrugged, “No. I never seem to get tired of winning.”

“Of course you don’t,” Glancing over at a grinning Steve, you figured he didn’t seem to be tired of it either, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone as competitive as the two of you. Sometimes I wonder if it’s even healthy.”

Peggy stopped fiddling with the table cloth and stared at you, “Have you looked in a mirror recently?”

You stared at her, “Why do you say that?”

“Really?” She scoffed.  

“Yes, really! How can you say I’m as bad as you are?”

“It took all of what, an hour for you and Bucky to turn this scheme into a competition?” Peggy crossed her arms, an infuriating little smirk pulling at the corner of her lips, “I see the way you guys look at each other. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that the only reason the two of you are going to manage to tolerate each other all evening is by competing with one another.”

“It’s not the same as you and Steve,” You protested, even though deep down, a small part of you knew she was right.

“How so?”

You crossed your arms, “It’s for the greater good. How else am I supposed to tolerate the guy? He’s not exactly a joy to be around.”

“He’s really not that bad,” Peggy said with an exasperated sigh, “If you actually get to know him instead of acting so hostile towards him, you’d see he’s a really good guy and I think the two of you might get along pretty well.”

“Me, hostile? Have you seen him?” You demanded.

She waved her hand as if it was unimportant, “If he’s a little hostile too it’s only because of the situation he’s in.”

You scoffed, “He came at my car with no good reason. Betty never did anything to him. It was completely uncalled for.”

“You know, if you both started working together instead of against each other, maybe you wouldn’t have come in last in the three-legged race,” She pointed out.

“Ouch.”

“Too far?” She asked, unable to wipe the grin from her face.

“Too far,” You laughed, “The feeling of that loss is still raw. It’s not every day I come in last in a three-legged race.”

Peggy deflated, serious all of a sudden, “I wish you guys had beaten Kira; wiped that smug look off her face.”

“You know…I was actually hoping the same thing. Next time, I guess.”

“Next time?”

You stopped short at her words. Had you seriously just implied that you’d be keeping this charade up for longer than one night? No. There was no way you were going to spend another night faking this relationship with grumpy blue eyes over there. It wasn’t like you wanted to anyways. You weren’t even having fun, so why would you even say next time?

“You know what I meant,” you mumbled, “Later on tonight. There are always a whole bunch of silly games at these parties. That’s what I meant. Later tonight when that happens.”

“What’s happening later on tonight?” Steve asked, sliding into the seat beside Peggy.

Peggy glanced at Bucky, who took the seat beside you, opened her mouth, shut it, and changed her mind again, “We’re hoping to remind Kira that she’s here as a party guest. Not here to cause unwanted drama.”

“That’s not why she’s here.” Bucky protested weakly. You and Peggy just stared at him while Steve gave him two consolatory pats on the back. “I’m telling you, she’s not.”

“Sure,” You said, your tone clear that you didn’t believe him, “At least tell me they’re not seated at our table.”

Steve nodded toward the little place cards in front of the two empty seats, “No such luck. At least it will give you another chance to make up for that three-legged loss.”

“Neither of you will let that go, will you?” You smacked Steve playfully.

“Not for the rest of the night we won’t.”

“You know, a little break would be nice,” You complained, “It isn’t easy pretending to be his girlfriend.”

Bucky narrowed his eyes at you, “You’re no piece of cake either, Speedy.”

You grit your teeth, inhaled deeply and then let it all go, “Do you think maybe you could learn my name before the night’s out? It’s the least you could do to for your fake girlfriend.”

Peggy laughed, “Come on guys. People are getting up for the buffet. Let’s get some food.”

“And I wouldn’t worry about being convincing,” Steve piped up as you all stood, “Your bickering should be more than enough to convince them.”

You were about to follow them when Bucky stepped in front of you, blocking your path, “Just because I call you Speedy, doesn’t mean that I’m the reason this whole thing will fail. If I remember correctly, I’m the one pulling the team here.”

You crossed your arms, jutting out a hip, “That’s only because you decided this was a game before I was aware it was one.”

He took a small step forward, practically closing the remaining space between your two bodies, and drawled, “If I remember right, you were the one who started it by kissing me first.”

You lifted your chin to try and meet that piercing blue gaze head on, “Try not to flatter yourself. I was only doing what I had to do to save your drowning ass.”

He smirked, “Then how about this, Speedy, we call it even starting now.”

“If this is official,” You began, warming up to the idea forming in your mind, “What does the winner get at the end of the night?”

He seemed surprised but hid the emotion as quickly as it had appeared, “What did you have in mind?”

“If I win, I want you to admit that my driving is not terrible and that it’s actually better than yours,” He looked like he wanted to interrupt so you lifted a finger to his lips, silencing him, “And I want you to admit that my car isn’t a piece of garbage.”

He gently moved your hand away from his mouth, but didn’t let go, “That’s a pretty steep price, doll. Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”

“Why would I do that?” You tried to pull away, but he held on, that lopsided smirk growing.

“Because I’m going to name my price to match yours, and knowing you’re going to lose, I’m not sure you’ll want to agree.”

This confident Bucky took you by surprise, but you weren’t about to let him start this game off in the lead. Not when he was playing the game so well and turning out to be an interesting adversary.  

You took back your hand, letting it trail across his chest, “And what is it that you want, Soldier?”

“I want you to take a ride in my car when the night is over and see what it’s like to drive in a nice car at a decent speed.” He whispered, blue eyes alight, “See what it’s like to sit in a car that won’t disintegrate over the next speed bump.”

You raised a brow, “Is that all?”

“No. I also want you to admit that I’m the better driver.”

“So essentially we’re playing to see who the better driver is, without actually driving at all,” You clarified.

He chuckled, “Looks like it.”

“Seems fair,” You amended, “We should probably catch up with the others before they begin to wonder what’s going on.”

He stepped even closer, stopping so that either of you could take in a deep breath and your chests would be touching. Righting the strap of your top he murmured, “I’m sure we can think of something a couple would do to make them late for dinner. However, we just need to make one thing clear before we start this little game.”

“What’s that?” You asked, annoyed by the little goosebumps his rough fingertips left on your bare shoulder.

“Deciding what’s off limits,” His eyes were serious now, searching your face, “You’re doing this to help me out, after all. I’m not about to do something that will make you uncomfortable as a thank you.”

You were flattered by the concern, and then reminded of your own actions, “Maybe we should have had this little talk before I walked up and kissed you.”

He smirked, “In your defence, there wasn’t a lot of time for planning.”

“Good to know you’re not upset about it.”

He half shrugged, “It would take more than a beautiful woman kissing me to get me upset.”

You hated the little flip your heart did in your chest and rolled your eyes instead, “You should save the flattery for when we have an audience.”

There was a slight pause and then his lips spread into a grin, “Just getting into the act early.”

“Still won’t help you win,” You said.

“It’s worth a try.”

“You ever hung around Steve and Peggy in public?”

He cocked his head as if searching for the cause in the abrupt change in conversation, “Obviously. Why?”

“You asked what was off limits,” You shrugged, “Whatever they don’t do in public, neither do I. That work for you?”

He nodded, “Seems reasonable.”

You brushed a strand of hair behind his ear, fingers lingering to cup his stubbled cheek. Leaning in slightly, you kept your eyes on his, watching as he did the same. With a quick, stinging little pat on his cheek, you grinned and pushed past a stunned Bucky.

“You coming?”

“Sure, Speedy.” He chuckled, catching up quickly.

When your plates were filled and you were back at the table, Kira and Brad still hadn’t joined your table. It didn’t make you sad in the slightest.

“Everything good between the two of you?” Steve asked, “It took you guys a while to come get food.”

You shared a look with Bucky and nodded, “We should be fine for the rest of the night.”

Peggy crossed her arms, not amused, “Only for the rest of the night? You know both of you are bound to see each other again because you’re both friends with us, right?”

“We’ve managed to avoid meeting each other for this long, I can’t imagine it would be all that hard from now on either.” You said flippantly, not at all worried that you wouldn’t be able to leave this night behind the moment you got in your car and drove home.

Bucky ran a hand through his hair, “I was on tour for the past couple years. That’s probably why.”

“That’s probably why, what?” Kira asked, catching the end of the conversation as she and Brad put their plates down and took their seats across the table.

Bucky’s eyes widened and you had to admit that although he was a pretty decent fake boyfriend, his poker face wasn’t worth much. But if you were being fair, he had more to lose if this scheme was discovered and would be more worried about Kira finding out the truth.

You sucked in a deep breath and smiled, spouting out the first lie that came to your mind, “That’s why we haven’t moved in together yet.”

“But haven’t you been back for, like, six months now, James?” Kira furrowed her brows, though you had the distinct impression that she wasn’t at all confused, “Wouldn’t it have been easier for you to move in with your girlfriend rather than keep paying for your own place?”

You stared at her, not sure what to say, but interested in the fact that she was well aware that he had been back in New York for six months now. From what you could tell, there were no good feelings left between the two of them and she shouldn’t have had any good reason to keep tabs on him. Of course, she could have simply been curious, but somehow you doubted it. The more time you spent with Kira, the less you trusted her. You snuggled in a little closer to Bucky for good measure.

Thankfully, Bucky had gotten over his surprise and managed an answer, “That’s what I had said, but Speedy had been insisted on keeping our own places.”

You wanted to glare at him but figured it wouldn’t portray a very unified front.

“Afraid the two of you couldn’t handle the distance?” Kira smirked, the hit directed at you.

“No,” You stared her down with a pleasant smile, “I just wanted to make sure that when he came back, he knew he could go somewhere that was his own space if he needed to decompress a little. Sometimes coming back into the world can be a little jarring.”

“And I’m truly grateful that she did,” He interrupted, moving an arm around the back of your chair, fingers lazily playing along your arm, “Sometimes I think she knows me better than I know myself.”

“Sometimes?” You laughed.

“All the time,” He amended, “And anyways, we’re moving in together next month so I don’t see how our situation could have been any better, considering.”

Kira’s victorious smile faltered for a moment, “And what happens when he gets shipped out again?”

Shrugging, you looked up at Bucky with a loving smile, “Then we figure it out.”

“We always do,” He said, mirroring your look.

“I’m happy for you two,” Kira muttered, without sounding like she meant it and turned back toward Brad.

Peggy gave you a slight nod and you grinned back. It seemed like maybe she was enjoying this as much as you were. Which, if you had to admit, was more than you thought you would. You turned to look back at Bucky and realized he was already staring at you, a funny look on his face.

You raised a brow.

He did the same.

That was when you realized he was asking you a question. Who scored that point? Tilting your head, you smirked so that he would know you meant yourself. He shook his head and though the movement practically imperceptible, you knew he disagreed. You narrowed your eyes, hoping he’d understand that you weren’t about to let this one go.

“That’s crazy,” Brad’s voice broke the silent chattering at your table, capture everyone’s attention, “I feel like I just witnessed a whole conversation without the two of you saying a single word. So crazy.”

You froze, an awkward smile on your face. Bucky let out a chuckle that felt just as uncomfortable, yet neither of you said anything in response. Neither of you had realized you were being watched, and the only good thing was that thankfully, neither of you had actually said anything incriminating.

The silence stretched on until Steve came to the rescue, “They do it so often, half the time they don’t realize the rest of us have no idea what they’re saying.”

“It is pretty crazy, Brad,” Peggy jumped in, “Ever since they met it’s like they had this unspoken language between the two of them, almost as if they were meant to be together.”

She punctuated the last words with a smug look in Kira’s direction that was in no way discreet, but very much appreciated on your part. Kira’s earlier look was long gone, and you could practically see the storm cloud forming above her head.

Bucky pulled you in a little closer, pressing a light kiss to the top of your head, “Sorry, bad habit. We’ll try to keep it to a minimum.”

“Nah, that’s cool,” Brad waved his hand, picking up a carrot with the other, “I just thought it was pretty crazy and had to point it out. You guys do you.”

You picked up a sandwich and nodded at Brad, interlacing your free hand with Bucky’s. Steve asked Peggy a question about the bride to be and just like that, the chattering at the table returned to normal. You let out a sigh. You were off the hook. For now.

[shawn-mendes-post]

Hoodie

A/N: I do not own anything. The song, Hoodie is by Hey Violet. 

(Y/N) stared at her phone since she was waiting for the interviewed. 

She hated interviews because of the relentless questions about her friendship with  Shawn. She did not know what the fascination of their relationship is. She hasn't been around him in months because they were both busy. 

Her manger knocks, letting her know it was time. 

Interview 

"Please welcome back (Y/N) (L/N)! " Jimmy said. 

The crowd cheers as she walks towards the comfy chair. She smiles and waves before sitting down, tossing a piece of her hair behind her ear. 

"Thank you for inviting me, Jimmy," she said, fixing her dress since it rose a bit. 

"No, thank you for joining us. I  appreciate you fitting us in your busy schedule. "

She laughs, denying she was busy, but she was. She hardly had time to go home before she had to work. Shawn tried to tell her to slow down before something bad happens, but she never was a good listener. Shawn would surprise her by taking her on to his tours whenever he knew she needed a break. Now, he is not there to help her, so she just working until she is exhausted. 

" You were amazing at the VMA's. Was it your first performance? How did you feel?"

" I was nervous in the beginning since I was performing live. When I started, the adrenaline-filled my veins, and I was able to get more relaxed. I loved it in the end and was sad it was over."

"Your friend Shawn was there. Did he speak to you? Offer any advice?"

" I did not have the chance to speak to him. He was busy getting ready for his performance with Camila. I would have been nervous to even listen to him if he did offer me advice. "

Jimmy nods, flipping through his cards. "Shawn and you have been friends since the two of you were little. " Jimmy then tilts his head, looking serious," you know, Shawn is my best friend too."

"Oh yeah? I bet Shawn and I would answer more questions right on the best friend challenge," she said cocky, making the audience laugh. Jimmy pretends he is offended and shakes his head.

"We will just have to see another time. You have been writing songs since you were in high school?" 

" Yes, I was, in my free time, or whenever I was stressed, I would write songs. I usually kept them in an (f/c) journal. The only person I showed the songs to was Shawn. I would help him sometimes with vines, and we would spend time talking about my songs.  He encouraged me to sing with him, but I would get nervous. It took a while before I did sing with him." 

"That is wonderful. We do have another game to play if you are up to it. "

" I'm up to it, let's go," she said, standing up, fixing the hem of her dress.

***

The two stand side by side, both of them standing in front of a microphone.  (Y/N) sways to an imaginary beat, waiting for him to speak. 

" (Y/N) and I are about to face off in a game called, "slay it don't spray it. 

We are going to take turns trying to sing well-known songs.  We will have most of the lyrics in front of us on cue cards. When the music stops, we will only see a blank, and it will be up to us to finish the line correctly. If you get it wrong then, the microphone will spray you with water. Also, if you slay it then, your opponent gets sprayed in the face. "

" I chose the wrong make up to wear today, " she grumbles, making everyone laugh. "I would have worn waterproof make up, but no." 

Jimmy laughs, shaking his head," it was a last-minute deal. You can go first. Push the button."

She was about to push the button, but he waves his hands frantically. 

" We have to put on our safety glasses first because of safety is sexy. " The two put on their glasses, showing off how they looked with them on.

She then pushes the button, hoping it is a song she knows. The random generate stops, and she internally groans. 

"Lost in Japan" - Shawn Mendes 

" That is not fair. If I get it wrong, so many of his fans are going to be mad at me. I will be mad at me, especially since I love this song. Shawn, I am so sorry. I know I am going to butcher this song."

The band starts to play, making her sway to the beat. She closes her eyes, envisioning the days she helped Shawn with this song. She remembers she was in Japan, and he would text her. The two missed each other; furthermore, he decided to surprise her. 

Opening her eyes, she starts to sing, watching the cue cards. 

" I could feel the tension, " she starts, moving her hips. "We could cut it with a knife," she gets more into the song. "I know it's more than just a friendship," she blushes faintly, hoping they don't notice. 

"I can hear you thinking about it, yeah," she points at Jimmy. "Do I gotta convince you that you shouldn't fall asleep?" She sung, shaking her finger in a no motion before her eyes widen when she sees the blank space. 

"It'll only be a couple of hours, and I'm about to leave. Do you get plans tonight?  I'm a couple of hundred miles from Japan, and I. I was thinking I could fly to your hotel tonight 'cause I-I-I can't get you off my mind," she sings perfectly, making the crowd cheer. Jimmy is then sprayed with water, surprising him as he tries to cover his face. 

"Wow. You are the first to slay a song. I am nervous know since you are amazing at this." He hits the button, and then slowly, the generate stops. 

"There is nothing holding me back" - Shawn Mendes.

" What are the odds?"

"This a Shawn Mendes edition or something?" (Y/N) asked, watching Jimmy fail terribly at the song.  It was her turn again, so she pushes the button.

 "Kiwi" - Harry Styles

 She smirks, knowing the whole song because she would sing it whenever. She moves to the beat, singing from the cue cards. She strides toward the microphone, "She worked her way through a cheap pack of cigarettes," grabbing the microphone and bringing it to her plumb, reddish lips. "Hard liquor mixed with a bit of intellect," she makes a drinking motion.

 Pointing to Jimmy, "And all the boys, they were saying they were into it," she steps closer to Jimmy. 

"Such a pretty face, on a pretty neck," she sings, running her fingers down her left cheek down to her neck, stoping to the valley of her breast. She lifts her left hand in her hair, running through her locks, singing," She's driving me crazy, but I'm into it, but I'm into it." She makes a face as if she was interested, "I'm kind of into it," she belted out as the music stops.

 ***

(Y/N), was in the breaking room again, not knowing she was also performing. She was giving a stern talking to with her agent since he forgot to mention this detail. 

" Now, you know how I felt when you strung the song on me. I need time to prepare to upload a song, not a few hours. "" I am sorry. I just wanted to release new music, and I did not want to wait. I already have three more songs I wrote. Then I have to go and film in the movie. There is also the Nextflix show I have to appear in and the other show. Then the premiere for the 100th episode of American Horror Story is coming up.  I have stuff I need to get done now I need you to help me.  You know why I have put a lot of work on myself. " She explained, changing into a  long sleeve, off the shoulder dress.  It was strapless, ending at her thighs and sweet lacy pink all over, fitting perfectly against her body.

 Matthew was looking on his phone, facing away from her as she was changing. " I know. I will do better in helping you deal with your problems. I do need you to keep me updated and not spring anything on me. "

She steps out, twirling to show her dress. She asks for his help to zip up her dress before walking out of the room. 

***"

“Please, welcome back (Y/N). She is singing her newly released song as of today, Hoodie."

The blue light shines on her, the band behind her starting to play. She sways to the beat, eyes closed as she getting into the rhythm. 

"You'd probably think I was psychotic," she sings with the backup chorus singing, "if you knew."  Her face was in a frown, "What I still got in my closet."

 "Sad but true," the chorus sings. 

"Slip it on over my shoulders," she makes a motion on putting on a hoodie, "Something I'll never get over," wrapping her hands around her waist to hug herself.

 "It makes me feel a little bit closer to you," she sings, feeling nostalgic. 

Memory 

Shawn had taken her to the beach, finally making time for the two of them. He had taken her to a reclusive spot where it was only them. He had on his favorite hoddie because it was chilly surprising the two. 

They both laid on the towel, snuggle up close together, watching the sunrise after a full day of swimming. They just wanted to hold each other because he was about to go on tour again while she would have to go back to school.

 " Why can't you join me?" Shawn asked, looking down at the most beautiful girl he ever saw.  He tried to push down his feeling for her, but they would always be there.

 " You know I can't, " she mumbled, knowing her parents would get mad. She begins to fumble with his broken zipper, not understanding why he still wore it. He nods, leaning down to kiss her forehead, a signal to tell her he isn't mad. Their relationship confused him because they acted more than friends, but never crossed the line.

 They would kiss but always apologized after then start avoiding each other. Shawn kept pushing down his feeling because of what happened with Tristan, her ex. Shawn is brought out from his thoughts, noticing she was shivering. Shawn took off his hoodie, wrapped it around her, pulling her closer to him.

End of Memory 

 "I can't keep your love," she sung, feeling tears build up in her eyes, "I can't keep your kiss. Gave you everything, and all I got was this," singing as she remembers everything she had done for Shawn.

 "I'm still rocking your hoodie and chewing on the strings." She bobs her head, dancing to the music, "It makes me think about you, so I wear it when I sleep," her cheeks flushed at the notion Shawn could potentially see this.

  "I kept the broken zipper and cigarette burns. Still rocking your hoodie Baby, even though it hurts," she points at the audience.

 " I used to put my hand in your pockets," she sings while the chorus sings, "holding on."  

"The smell of your cologne is still on it." 

"But you're still gone," the chorus sings. 

"Slip it on over my shoulders. Someone I'll never get over," she sings, referring to Shawn, knowing the fans will speculate about the guy.

 "It makes me feel a little bit closer to you. I can't keep your love," she sung, tears sliding down her face, "I can't keep your kiss. I gave you everything, and all I got was this. I'm still rocking your hoodie and chewing on the strings." She bobs her head, dancing to the music, 

"It makes me think about you, so I wear it when I sleep," she wipes the tears, hoping no one will talk about it. 

"I kept the broken zipper and cigarette burns. Still rocking your hoodie Baby, even though it hurts," she points at the audience.

 "Still rocking your hoodie and chewing on the strings." She shakes her hips, "It makes me think about you, so I wear it when I sleep," moving her shoulders to the beat, trying to bring up the mood.

 "I kept the broken zipper and cigarette burns. Still rocking your hoodie Baby, even though it hurts," she points at Jimmy. 

"If you want it back. If you want it back. I'm here waiting," she makes an open gesture with her arms. 

"Come take it back. Come take it back. If you want it back. If you want it back. I'm here waiting. Come take it back. Come take it back. Still rocking your hoodie and chewing on the strings. It makes me think about you, so I wear it when I sleep," she makes a sleeping motion. 

"I kept the broken zipper and cigarette burns. Still rocking your hoodie Baby, even though it hurts," she makes a heartbroken gesture. 

"Still rocking your hoodie and chewing on the strings," she does a little spin, running her fingers through her locks. "It makes me think about you, so I wear it when I sleep,"  her hands trailing down to her neck, roaming over her body. 

"I kept the broken zipper and cigarette burns. Still rocking your hoodie Baby, even though it hurts," she points at a random guy.

 "I'm still rocking your hoodie and chewing on the strings," she ruffles her dress, being careful not to show anything. 

"It makes me think about you, so I wear it when I sleep. I kept the broken zipper and cigarette burns. Still rocking your hoodie Baby, even though it hurts," she points at a brunette girl.

 "Still rocking your hoodie and chewing on the strings." She shakes her hips, "It makes me think about you, so I wear it when I sleep. I kept the broken zipper and cigarette burns. Still rocking your hoodie Baby, even though it hurts," she points at a member of the band. "I'm still rocking your hoodie," she sung before smiling at the cheering crowd. 

 "Thank you!" She yelled, walking off stage, waving bye at the crowd. 

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

Shawn could not stop staring at the tv screen in his hotel room. He was watching Jimmy Fallon's show because he heard about (Y/N) was a guest. He knew he should have turned it off, but something was compelling him to watch. He wanted to see how she was doing since he was keeping his space. Something in his heart was yearning to be with her, to kiss her, to proclaim his love for her. 

He knew it was wrong to have feelings for (Y/N). He talked to Brian about how conflicted he was, but that did not help him. He was just more confused than before. 

He couldn't even think straight when he was on tour and having dates with Camila. He was either focus on singing or trying to be in the moment with Camila. Deep in his mind, he would start to think about their friendship. 

His heart flutters when (Y/N) sing one of his songs. He knew Lost in Japan was one of her favorite songs of his because it was about the two of them. 

Shawn was in his hotel room, feeling lonely. It was a bad day at rehearsal, and he missed his best friend. She was currently in Japan shooting in a film she was happy she got the role. 

Shawn then got the brilliant idea to fly to Japan and surprise her. 

" Hey, I miss you," she says, after calling him. 

" I miss you, too. Do you have any plans tonight?"

"Uh... no. I got done filming for today, so I am free. " 

" Get some rest, knowing you stayed up late yesterday. "

" How did you know?" 

" I know you."

She laughs before hanging up. Shawn got up, quickly packing an overnight bag, yearning to be with her. He tells no one what he was going to do because he wanted it to be a surprise. He contacts someone to get him a ticket to Japan before heading to the airport. Hiding, from the paparazzi, and fans, he was able to get on the airplane. He was stressing over the idea she would not be happy in seeing him. 

After the plane ride, he makes his way to the hotel. He stopped at a florist, getting her favorite flowers as a gift. He wanted to show her how proud he was of her getting the part she wanted. He would stop at a shop to get a few things to make her something to eat, knowing she would have forgotten to eat. 

Knock, Knock.

The door opens slowly, but all Shawn notices is the beautiful eyes of hers, shinning with happiness in seeing him. "W-what are you doing here?" She asked, not believing he was here in person. 

"I wanted to surprise you because I missed you too much. " 

She allows him to enter, still in shock as she glances at the flowers and bags in his hands. She helps him set the stuff down on the counter then hugs him. 

" I love you, Shawn. You are the best friend anyone can ask for," She said, braking Shawn's heart. His smile falters, nodding his head. 

" I love you, too." He had replied, shaking his head to get rid of his feelings. 'Just friends.' 

While she places the flowers in a vase, he starts to cook her dinner. The two were chatting as if they were not separated for a few weeks. When dinner was ready, the two sat down on the bed and turned on the tv. Both were quiet, watching the movie that was one as they ate. 

The two were drinking Sake with their dinner, slowly becoming tipsy. Shawn would glance at her a couple of times, debating with himself on kissing her. She was talking to Shawn, but he was not paying attention. 

Finally, he leaned down, pressing his lips against her like all those years ago when he was fifthteen. Her arms wrapped around his neck, loving the feeling of his lips on hers.  His hands moved to her waist, slowly rising to explore her body. His hands sent shivers through her body as she wanted more. She was craving more. 

"Shawn, I want you," she moaned breathlessly. He lays her on the bed, not caring about the plates as they fall on the floor. He takes off his shirt, capturing her lips in another kiss. His fingers running along her thighs, moving under her skirt. 

***

He remembers where he is and groans, seeing he is all alone in the room. He sees his erection and gets up to go and take a cold shower. 

'I need to sort out my feeling now.'

[kkaeyva]

Hello! I do hope that there's still slots open now!

I would like to request a matchup for Genshin impact, please! Male Is preferred, but I can go either way!

I'm a short female standing at 5'1! I have shoulder long, black, messy and curly hair! I'm rather pale though for reasons that will be stated soon-

My personality can be rather different, depending on who I'm with. If I'm around strangers or people I generally don't know well, I tend to be rather quiet and pretty much am like a loner. I avoid talking to others mostly because I get really tired by IRL social interaction! Plus, I'm already rather reclusive sooo...

Though when I do have to interact, I try my best to be polite and respectful.

Though, with friends I'm almost entirely different! I'm a lot more open and happy around them, and I like to talk a lot! Maybe even to the point of accidentally hurting myself because of my muscle tension dysphonia ;;

Anyway, I'm definitely a lot more chaotic and tend to tease my friends a lot. In a joking manner of course! If I notice how they get uncomfy, I will definitely apologize and stop. However, if they do write that I should stop in what looks like joking around to me, I will easily misunderstand..

On the topic of this, I also have a rather big problem with overwhelming guilt, so If I do feel it, I definitely have extreme self-deprecating thoughts and will have to be reassured a lot!

Ah, that reminds me, for friends I'm super caring, even to a fault. For example, if I want someone to go to sleep because it's really late for them and I care, I will pester them and even take extreme measures to convince them to go to sleep. This has caused me to accidentally hurt people in the past which I'm still super sorry for,, I'm working on it though! I think I'm doing a lot better now :>

In general I also have anger issues, so I get mad really easily- I do try to hold back on it though, since I can get really impulsive and just say stuff that I don't want to!

I guess that I can just add some other quick stuff real quick before coming to the next part?

I'm an ISFP-T and also a Gemini if you also look for that! I haven't been diagnosed just yet with the pandemic being a problem and my therapist just not responding anymore, but I have been suspected to have ADD!

So, hobbies! I don't really have a lot, honestly. Since I tend to shut myself in, I obviously don't go out a lot so I only have stuff in my home!

I really like to draw, and have been practicing and teaching myself to draw for a long time now! I also really love to listen to music, preferably jazz! Jazz is nice and I'd never get tired of listening to it! ★

I also really love to play video games! Mostly single player though, since multiplayer stresses me out. I do have a few select multiplayer games though, but I'd rather play with friends then.

I don't really watch a lot of movies, but if I do, then my favourite genre would be horror! While I don't get scared, I just love seeing what happens and maybe make fun of stupid decisions that happen!

If I'm honest, I have no idea what my goal is, I'm still wondering haha..

So onto the last part finally: the relationship info!

I'm gonna be honest, I have slight Philophobia, the fear of falling in love, especially since stuff has happened in the past. But I'm working on it!

The last time I was in a relationship, I remembered that I acted pretty much how I act around my friends too. But the difference here is that I almost immediately pay attention to them and care for the other way more. I genuinely enjoy the company, and never seemed to get tired! I was still rather shy about speaking out stuff like "I love you" and all that- I prefer not to give nicknames too!

I really had to break it off though after the simple assumption of "you just want me gone" came up,, it hurt badly because I just wanted them to rest because it was late and they were tired! And of course that contributed to my phobia more,,

So yeah, stuff like that is definitely not in the cards for me

Anyway, as for love language? I don't really know.. I do like giving gifts to people I care about, so maybe it's that?

Yeah! This was all I hope! I'm super super sorry for this being so long;; I like being descriptive and usually try to provide everything I need to!

Please take your time on this and stay safe though! 💖

thanks for all the details! i hope i understood it all correctly <3

i match you up with...

venti!

— i feel like venti is the type of extrovert to “adopt” an introvert, you could say? he’s definitely a friendly individual who wants to put smiles on everyone’s faces, which could work well with you in the way that he will try to get you to warm up to him. — he’ll be ecstatic the day you open up to him! though, he will still try to do most of the talking (he doesn’t want you to strain yourself by making you talk too much!) — venti is a very mischievous person in my opinion— he’s had a lot of people ahem, diluc and rex lapis get mad at him for his pranks, but he brushes them off easily so he’d definitely be okay with teasing, especially since paimon already calls him the ‘tone-deaf bard.’ — i’ve never seen venti get mad or upset, he always seems to brush off insults/threats very well with a smile, so he could possibly defuse the situation if you were to get upset with him somehow? — venti is the perfect person to listen to music with; he’d sing and dance along to it and just have fun with the music. and of course, he can even make his own music,, hope you like ballads too :’) — i think as long as you voice your opinions to him, venti would do his best to not cross any boundaries. he wouldn’t dare make you unhappy/uncomfortable with anything he does, so if you wish to take it slow with your relationship he’ll respect that! <3

[cwmoonglum]

Reversion

It was fifteen Octobers ago and the three of us were sweating in Tom's coffin sized room because his sister Caroline was using the shared computer. Left with little else to do but watch the same ten looping videos on Scuzz TV and play cards we swiftly grew disillusioned with the few games we knew. Having no money made most of the games dull; there was more tension in wondering when the shelves in Tom's room would give way under the weight of the home recorded VHS tapes of Coronation Street he kept.

We might have gone outside, but none of us were sporty. Instead, we decided to create a new game: Reversion. The rules elude me now (as then), but I can still picture the cards laid out. Seven cards formed an H (originally a sad R we agreed looked more like an A), and the rest were divided amongst the players equally. It was difficult perched on Tom's bed to hold such a large hand correctly, and we often dropped them.

Every card played in Reversion had to be played next to another, Tetrising the original H beyond recognition. The cards had a cascading effect on every other card in play, swapping their places or forcing your opponents to pick them up. This was the aim of the game: discard your hand, and revert the cards in play to your opponents'. 

Constructing the rules was easy, learning to apply them was harder. Our dog eared notes were hastily rewritten as flaws and simple win strategies appeared. This was proof that Reversion was a real game, because we cared enough to insist on an element of truly random luck. Eventually, the formal rules were agreed, though the sheet looked more like Caroline's MSN chats than anything so lofty. Tom's sister had bound custom emoticons to nearly all of her keys, so that her sentences looked Tokyo hieroglyphic, all flashing lights and pictograms. We had tried objecting to her taking the shared computer on this basis, but this fell on deaf ears. This, too, was the application of the rules.

Tom's dad was a cop, and had a cop's insistence on the rules. Reversion was a game we played in near silence, and Caroline listened to 'My Humps' furtively, on headphones. A card played in Reversion had a cascading effect, and could swiftly upturn the order of the game.

A drizzly Saturday morning one month after we invented the game, we held the finals of the World Championship. The people we had foisted the game on during school had fallen aside. I suspect they didn't fully grasp the rules. Tom, however, had yet to lose a game.

With no proper recollection of Reversion I can't tell you how he did it. Even when Tom explained it later, all he managed to do was convince me of the gulf between our minds. I was, at the time, having near nightly arguments with my parents about how much I detested maths class. No wonder, then, that it appeared a form of magic to me. Our hands would swell phonebook fat in our hands while Tom cackled and brayed and his VHS tapes trembled on the shelf. His mother crept up the stairs to whisper at him to keep it down. He dutifully apologised, and we decided to spend the little money we had anointing Tom as the champion.

Tom's dad wasn't the kind to give lifts, so we were soaked through by the time we got to Burger King. Tom was disappointed when he found out that they didn't have any cardboard crowns left. I made him one out of napkins instead.

[mysticmylifeisamess-enger]

As Regular As Clockwork

Pairing: Jumin/Reader

Word count: 3,365

Summary: Jumin is a man of many talents. Though saying no to you wasn't one of them.

A/N: So here was an art trade for someone since they mentioned on twitter wanting a fic of MC teasing Jumin with the cameras in his penthouse bc there’s plenty for Seven but not enough for him and my horny ass jumped at the opportunity because who am I if not a slut for Jumin Han

It should also be worth mentioning that this would be a good example of what you’d be receiving if you commission me ^^ here’s the info on that

Not safe for kiddos below the cut

When it came to work, Jumin was much like a clock. Precise in every action and gesture, punctual to any meeting he attended, and methodical, as if his every movement was timed. He’s often compared to a robot, but not even a robot, no matter how advanced it is, could be as meticulous as him.

He was also predictable to those that would observe closely. Anyone that sat down and watched long enough would pick up on just how he worked. Though there were very few people in his life who took the time to truly understand this pattern; a less than handful amount that truly understood the way he worked in, and even out, the office.

You, on the other hand, not only took the time to observe, but to even put to memory these patterns. He welcomed you into every aspect of his life and you took this as an opportunity to get know him beyond the things even he wouldn’t notice. At any given moment of the day, you could tell anyone what Jumin must be doing with almost perfect accuracy. Though the moments that always intrigued you were the ones where his attention was turned somewhere else.

From your observations, he’d look over the documents on his desk, mark down any revisions, place it in the outbox on the corner of his desk, and repeat the process for a few hours. At exactly 2:32 pm, in the midst of his work and 13 minutes short of his scheduled daily meeting, his eyes would glance over the monitor on his desk— open to the CCTV in his penthouse— and smile to himself to see the white coat of his beloved pet before he continued onto his pile.

It made you wonder just how he looked at the screen when you weren’t around and instead on the other side of it. Did his gaze linger just a bit longer? Was his smile just a bit wider at the thought of seeing his loving partner? Or would he even look at all, considering the original intent of this camera was to watch after Elizabeth? But what you really wanted to know was whether you could use it to break that precious, commendable concentration of his.

His greatest gift, what truly made him the heir extraordinaire that he is, was how steady his focus could be. It was a little shaken up at your arrival, but he was able to manage after a while, finding you to be the new center of his focal point. You always admired this about him, a trait that he fully used to learn everything about you in no time, especially when it only seemed to heighten once you two became intimate.

But to find a weak spot, a vulnerability in his everyday flow that you could easily pervade proved to be your hardest task as a spouse yet. Weeks on end and you had yet to see an opportunity.

Until one morning. One morning that you woke up to find his grasp on you just a bit tighter than usual. His every word as you two had breakfast together had an underlying need to it. And the usual goodbye kiss you sent him out the door with seemed much more covetous, tugging at your bottom lip as he pulled away and leaving you weak in the knees at his departure.

‘Bingo,’ you thought to yourself, biting back the devious smile that threatened to spread.

~

The end of his pen tapped against the desk incessantly, fidgeting with it between his fingers every once in a while before they signed away at a document and repeating the process. It was unlike him to be so restless, as if his hands couldn’t stay still and needed to find some sort of occupancy to them.

His usual three-piece suit felt much more restricting than usual, shifting uncomfortably in his seat every so often. His hand constantly found its way to the tie around his neck, loosening it just a bit every time. It made him wonder whether they were dry-cleaned correctly or if he had hit some sudden growth spurt at 28.

Every sound behind the closed doors of his office seemed much louder than they actually were, testing at his patience at every little tick. In particular, the wall clock that hung above the door sounded as if it was right in his ear, ticking continuously with no end in sight.

And in all these subtle nuances, you happened to sit on the forefront of his mind. With every thought, every scenario his imagination would drift into, and every bit of semblance he’d fixate on, his restlessness would only get worse.

It started innocently, wishing he could have convinced you to come along for the day. Your presence sitting patiently on his office couch, getting up occasionally to plop on his lap and give him a quick kiss. Your fingers carding through his locks as they always did. Lips moving from his to the corner of his mouth, pressing along his cheek slowly until it was just under his jawline. Lingering for a second until your tongue darted out to press a wet kiss on his neck, shifting to straddle him between your legs.

The pen in his hand snapped in half, bringing him out of his thoughts. Luckily, it was a simple bik pen— plastic and disposable compared to the others that sat on his desk. A frustrated sigh passed his lips, throwing the pen away as he noticed the time on the clock. 2:31 pm, 14 minutes before his scheduled group meeting and right on time to glancing at the CCTV for a quick revival in energy.

Sure enough, he saw his lovely cat perched on the cat-tree and sleeping soundly, smiling softly at the sight. His eyes then went to scanning the rest of the room for your presence only to see nothing, demeanor falling just a bit at that. He had hoped to see you, to sate this need of his with simply knowing that you were home and waiting for him.

Just as he was about to close it, he saw you walk into sight. Slow, precise steps as you walked through the space, silk robe lazily draped over your figure and coming off your shoulder. Intrigued, he continued to eye you as you sat yourself on the living room couch, getting comfortable right within view. Your hands went to the tie around your waist, undoing it to reveal the lingerie you had on underneath— a lacy two piece he carefully chose for you— and he felt his breathing hitch at the sight.

He pondered whether he should be spying on you like this, but his eyes just couldn’t seem to tear from the screen; absolutely enamored by every curve and dip of your skin he could see. Before he could even think to close out, your legs spread apart in plain sight of the lens and your eyes flicked between the phone on your side and up to meet his own.

Your hand slid between your thighs and rubbed tight circles over your panties, the other hand coming up to your chest and pinching the pert bud over your lacy fabric. You were clearly moaning, head thrown back in pleasure. He could only imagine the sounds you were making, his hand moving down to palm over his pants at the growing erection.

His other hand moved to the phone on his desk, quickly dialing your number and pressing it to his ear. Leaning back in his seat, he could see your phone light up and the small smile on your features as you went to pick it up.

“Hi honey,” your voice answered on the other side, punctuating your words with a breathy moan. He could see the sly grin on your face deepen as your hands still clearly rubbed over your panties, biting your lip before you continued, “Weird of you to call in the middle of work, what’s going on?”

He knew your teasing tone all too well, smirking to himself at your faux innocence. It was endearing to see you act so ingenue when your actions were so contradictory. Though he decided to play along, wondering just how long you could keep up this front.

“I thought I’d check up on my dearest,” his voice low and sultry “Make sure that you’re behaving.”

“Well,” you paused, emphasizing the silence with a drawn out gasp as he watched your fingers drag over your sensitive nub, “I can assure you that I’m being very good.”

“Is that so?” he asked, though you could hear the upturn of his lip, “And what exactly are you doing?”

“Thinking about you.”

At that, he couldn’t fight the low, breathy chuckle that reverberated in his chest, his hand moving from his clothed shaft to the buckle on his belt. Just as he tugged on it, a knock at the door startled him up straight, coughing between a ‘yes?’ to hide his previous tone. To hear how flustered he was only encouraged you to moan against his ear throughout.

He quickly composed himself, putting on a poker face as the door opened slightly only for Jaehee to pop her head in. The only evidence of his previous actions was a flushed face that only grew deeper to hear your lewd sounds on the other side.

“Mr. Han, I apologize for interrupting, but you have a meeting in 10 minutes.”

“Assistant Kang,” he started, steely gaze moving between the monitor and door, “I’m taking care of an urgent matter at the moment. If I’m not out in time, apologize on my behalf and assure them that I’ll be there soon.”

From his peripheral, he could see you stripping the layer you had, baring yourself to the camera as you continued your ministrations. His cheeks deepened in color at this dirty little secret and he was thankful that only he could see.

“Alright, I will, just please don’t keep them waiting long,” she said simply before closing the door behind her.

“Yeah Mr. Han, don’t keep them waiting,” you teased, drawing out your words and eliciting a low groan from him.

“Then you’re going to have to do exactly as I say,” his voice as commanding as it was deep, hand moving to undo his belt in one fluid motion.

“Oh,” you mused, “And who said you could take the lead on this?”

He let out another small laugh, amused at this change in character.

“Am I supposed to ask for permission?” his words sturdy in their silent demand, but hitching as his member met the cool air. You couldn’t see it, but you could imagine the smug smile on his face.

“Well no, but I thought it’d be nice to have the upper hand for once,” he could see the pouty expression on your lips and he couldn’t resist, not when you looked so enticing.

“Alright,” he finally said, “Whatever it is you desire of me, I will gladly do it.”

“Good,” you said just above a whisper, watching as your expression shifted to a sly smile, “Take a picture for me.”

“A picture? Of what exactly?” he questioned, obviously baiting for a specific response.

“Well I don’t think it’s fair that you can see all of me so clearly,” you continued, emphasizing your words with a drag of your fingers over your thigh, “Shouldn’t I get a peak too?”

“If that’s truly what you want,” his grin deepening, “Then your wish is my command.”

To see your simper smile and body writhe slightly at his words made him bold. He found it all too entertaining, not only that you were able to get him to do something so lewd and so out of his character, but that he would hand the world over to you on a silver platter if he could and that this was what you wanted. You wanted to see him, to have an intimate reminder of just what you do to him. And he was more than happy to indulge you.

He moved the phone against his ear to navigate to his camera, pointing it towards his view. One hand holding the base of his shaft while the other snapped a picture and sent it your way. The tinge of embarrassment would have taken over had he not heard your impressed gasp, seeing you smile as you gazed at your phone.

The picture itself wasn’t entirely steady in true Jumin fashion, but you could see every little detail that practically made you water at the mouth. The precum glistening and dripping from his tip, plump and reddened head you knew had to be sensitive to the touch, and every ridge and vein taut and outlined perfectly. Though the most impressive had to be his length— long, thick, and sturdy as it stood fully erect. Your digits truly couldn’t compare, thrusting them into yourself as you imagined his cock in its place.

“I’ll assume you’re pleased with the photo,” he said watching you closely, though you could pick up the hint of smugness in his tone. To see you trying to find purchase, uttering his name between gasps, he felt a bit of pride swell in his chest. The hand around his base gripped and slowly stroked, letting out a low moan to let you know exactly what he was doing.

“Very,” you teased back, “You have a lot to be proud of, Mr. Director.”

“Really?” he purred, thumb circling his tip and spreading his precum, “I could say the same about you.”

“The only thing I’m truly proud of is how hard I’ve made you,” your words practically dripped like honey as he hung on to every syllable, languid strokes timed with your own movements.

“Are you touching yourself right now?” you asked, catching him off guard, but that didn’t stop him. You could hear his labored breathing, the small moans that rippled out at your words, followed by a small, confident chuckle.

“And if I was?”

His words almost seemed like a challenge. A test to see how long you could keep up this act, to see how long it would take until you handed control back over to him as he desired. But that wasn’t something you could easily give up, especially not now and especially not when you practically had him at the palm of your hand.

“Well I just didn’t take you for someone that would do that in your own office,” you offered, a faux shock in your words.

“It just makes me wonder what you would do if I was there. If I just happened to be under that desk right now.”

At your words, his mind quickly went to the vision of you on your knees below his desk. Letting out a low groan, he couldn’t help but imagine your hand taking his place. And to hear your name under his breath had you biting back a wide grin.

“If only I could be right there, between your legs,” your words egging him on to increase his pace, breathy moans accentuating your pauses, “Tasting every bit of your cock, tongue sliding up from base to head until I’m taking it all in, gagging at your every thrust. And lapping up every bit of your cum once you finish.”

His head lulled back at your graphic descriptions, relishing in every little detail with a low groan. You truly had a talent for riling him up like you were and using something as simple as his imagination to drive him wild.

“But what I truly want is to be sprawled on your desk, completely on display for you. Having your way with me the way you always do, my nails raking down your back as you thrust into me over and over,” your eyes closing shut as if you were just imagining it, “Your hands pinning me down in place until I’m begging to touch you again.”

The pumping of his hand increased to a brutal pace, hips jerking up meet it. He tried to suppress his moans, but it was no use, letting them slip much like his restraint.

“And to call out your name, loud enough for the entire office to hear so they know just who is pleasing me so well, who I truly belong to,” you half-whispered, following it with a small laugh to hear just how ready he was to collapse with every gasp he sucked in through gritted teeth.

All the images you painted in his mind had him reeling, thinking of how truly unfair this current situation was. He could only watch as you touched yourself from afar, unable to provide the touch and feel he was longing for. And all while your voice teased him from the opposite end of the line. When agreeing to this, he gave you an inch and you took a mile before he could even realize.

“MC, you’re walking a fine line,” he cautioned, though the broken moans that followed his words had made you dauntless. You knew exactly what he meant by that, but it didn’t stop your almost taunting demeanor.

“And here I thought that you’d do anything I desired,” you pouted, feigning an innocence he could see right through. He knew you had a point, he did hand power over to you, but he didn’t realize just what it would do to him. How incessantly you planned to bait him or how badly he wanted to see you wriggle under his own control.

But he couldn’t quite deny how much he loved it. And all he wanted right now was a release; entirely deprived of your touch but needing just that bit of release.

And there was something incredibly pleasing about hearing just how desperate he was for you. The coveted heir-to-be on the other line—  a successful, educated, and completely composed man who is constantly commended for his strong will and unwavering focus— was a complete moaning mess that found himself aroused with your every word and every action. He was practically subservient to anything you asked of him and you wanted nothing more than to give into just what he wanted, knowing he was so close.

“Come for me,” your words just above a whisper, but firm in their command.

His eyes squeezed shut, feeling the coil in him tighten with every unrelenting stroke. His body jerked forward a bit at the oncoming release, writhing in pleasure as he called your name breathlessly. The internal clock he solely depended on had practically stopped without a care, instead focusing wholly on you.

It didn’t take long for him to unravel, letting out a strangled moan as the warmth in the pit of his stomach burst. His cum spilling and collecting in his hand, body in tremors as he came down from his high and leaving him a disheveled mess. His shallow, ragged breathing the only sound between you two.

Your own movements had slowed down, almost coming to a halt as soon as you noticed that he had reached his breaking point. Looking back up at the monitor, he could see the sly smile form on your face before you broke the silence.

“Look at that, 2:44. Right on time for your meeting, looks like I’ll have to leave you here. Good luck dear, I love you,” you practically chimed, a complete 180 from the previous few minutes. And before he could find the words to respond, you quickly hung up. From the camera, he could see you throw your robe back on, blow a kiss to the camera, and saunter off and out of sight.

He sat at his desk, completely dumbfounded and mouth hanging in confusion. You had practically left him a mess, both physically and mentally, and he loved every second of it. Though it left him completely depraved without truly sating his previous need for you. In fact, it made him much more worked up. And the only thought running through his mind was just how he was going to punish you for this as soon as he gets home.

[paradise-of-guilty-pleasures]

Shattered Reflections {6}

[Helsa RP- Fanfic]

Fandom: Frozen

Genre: Post-Frozen/ Canon Divergence

- Hurt/Comfort, Drama, Romance

Pairing(s): Hans/Elsa, Kristoff/Anna

Previous Chapter: 5. Words of Wisdom

A/N:

If you wish to read Shattered Reflections with slightly better formatting (since Tumblr tends to mess it up), I suggest checking it out on either:

AO3

FF.net

Wattpad

6. Most Memorable

Hans seemed to be recovering quite well, according to the doctor. He was taking the antibiotics and bandages without complaint or fuss, though the doctor still suspected he was downplaying his pain. He was even allowing some degree of physical therapy (though they didn't call it that, at the time) in testing Hans' shoulder movements. There were a number of salves and bandages involved in the healing, and Hans often ignored a shirt in his own time, but as Elsa entered again he at least picked one up and threw it over his bandages, so she might not see the scars that the bandages didn't cover.

"Good afternoon, your Majesty. Or I believe it's afternoon, anyway." He didn't have a clock and didn't ask for the time. What did it matter to him, but for greeting the Queen?

"Have some new questions for me, I hope? Or will I entertain you with another story? I have a fair few about my travels, if that so, suits you. I think my range of motion may almost be well enough for the Harp again." He was light and conversational, his forced neutrality ignored for a moderate lightheartedness. In spite of being a prisoner, he was quite chipper. Being treated so well by the doctor did put him in brighter spirits. If he wasn't otherwise treated well, it didn't show.

Elsa had made a habit of visiting the Prince most everyday, trying her best to make time in her busy schedule to have even a brief visit to check in on him.

There had even been a couple times Elsa had dropped by while he was asleep. Even then she would find herself lingering for a moment or two. There was something captivating about watching him sleep, it was the only time she was certain she could see Hans' true self without his defenses, so she tried her best not to wake him up.

Today she had a bit more free time than usual.

" Good Afternoon," Elsa replied, he had guessed the time correctly. She made her way to the bedside.

"It's good to hear that your motion is improving, I can almost hear the harp, but it's probably still best not to push it." She smiled, as she sat at the foot of the bed, she had made herself a bit more comfortable than in the beginning, no longer afraid to approach him.

" I'd be pleased to listen to your travel stories," she said sincerely. "But first I would like to know if the newest books that were brought to you, were to your liking?" They had made a habit to have a small book review, Elsa enjoyed finally having a fellow bookworm to talk to.

"Still working on The Hunchback of Notre Dame and glad I didn't elect to try to read it in the original French, it is agonizingly long." he admitted with a chuckle. "And my French is very poor."

"Frankenstein was very good and much easier to make it through, though perhaps a bit close to home. I rather enjoy the Shelley's work, Mary in particular has a keen understanding of seeing the lighter side of darkness, and how the road to hell is paved with good intentions- or alternatively, that one should not attempt to play god and be surprised when it goes awry." Hans was quite a reader, astute and taking an interest- not because he wanted to read the books, per se, but that he had little else to do, and it gave them something to talk about. Elsa chose the books, so he would take an interest and see what in it she took a liking to.

"Now I have one for you, 'Confessions of an English Opium-eater.' Some say that De Quincey is not negative enough, I'm afraid I must agree if one takes it as a document for 'what to expect of opium', but I take it as 'one man's personal diary, attempting to make a great and painful change worth something'. In ways, it's both saddening and inspiring."

An odd choice for an admiral, and no doubt there were reasons, but he figured she didn't need a lecture on what he knew of the occasion.

"Of course I can always recommend Shakespeare, but everyone has read that- yet, few mention Titus Andronicus. It may be one of his earliest works, but it certainly is one of his most entertaining to read in the modern day. Personally, I have Macbeth memorized, but that's for other reasons. Partly to give me an excuse to say 'Macbeth' at home. Mother was an actress, it was my little revenge, petty as it is." He couldn't help but smile a little at the silly little thing. He thought it was quite amusing.

Elsa enjoyed a long read, she often got lost in book and end up staying up way past her bedtime reading, slightly regretting it the next busy morning.

"I'll keep those titles in mind for my next read," Elsa nodded. She was always curious of his recommendations and made sure to read or reread them to try to gather some more insight on Hans, herself.

Elsa noticed Hans had mentioned his Mother once again, he definitely seemed to carry some resentment towards her, yet Elsa was too sensible to ask, she didn't like to pry and only inquired about Southern Isles when Hans was the one opening up himself to talk.

"Mind, Titus Andronicus may not be Appropriate for a young lady, but it's Shakespeare, and everyone seems to make exceptions for him. Perhaps that's why everyone reads Hamlet and Macbeth instead, no-one wants to read about the grim business of killing families and turning them into pies." He shrugged a little, considering it offhand. "Hm," He seemed highly amused by a thought, but he let it go. "Anyway, you asked for travel stories? Have a theme in mind? The open sea? China, India, Japan, how the English are doing, anything in particular? Hot memories or chilly ones, fond or foul, city or country, high culture or low? I have a great many experiences, though perhaps fewer stories, but I'm certain I can remember something interesting in any of them."

She enjoyed listening to his stories, he really did have a great many experiences, more than she's ever had and maybe ever will. It made her almost envious of all the freedom he had, while she'd been trapped in her room for almost half her life. Yet, Hans was a wonderful storyteller, momentarily making her forget all that; His words painting vivid images in her mind that made her feel like she was actually there experiencing his adventures herself.

"Hmm," she considered. "What would be your most memorable voyage? Why don't you tell me about that."

He smiled a little. "Well, the siren story, for certain." He pointed out with a little shrug.

"But, what of places I've been...?" He thought a moment.

"Hm, there's many reasons to be memorable. In many ways, Arendelle was my most memorable visit, unfortunately. But perhaps not for the reasons one might think. Maybe I should have kept that to myself." He grimaced a bit. "Oh, how about this fun little piece: I learned to walk barefoot on hot coals in India, simply because I was curious to see how it was done- and I wanted to spook my crew a little bit, too. They were so convinced I'd die horribly. It was uncomfortable, but watching Captain Janssen pale and fetch a bucket was priceless. I think I was more damp by the end of that than burnt, though that might have been his revenge on me for giving him such a fright." He smiled and laughed at the thought. More fond words about his Navy men, it seemed- and this time, a name. "The old man who taught me was very pleasant. I think he was just surprised a white person stopped to talk to him about his practice. I'm not afraid of much, certainly no man, nor pain. There are very few experiences I'm not willing to try at least once."

So, Arendelle. She shouldn't be surprised. 'But perhaps not for the reasons one might think'? Those words lingered in her mind, distracting her from paying close attention to his new story like she normally would. She had to know what exactly he meant by that, she couldn't let it go.

So she dared to ask: "Not for the reasons one might think?"

He gave a bit of a rueful smile.

"I knew you'd hang on that," He admitted."You'd think, 'for his treason'. I'd think 'I've managed to see magic and that's mighty impressive. Not simple street performers playing at magic with cards and sleight of hand that any idiot bored enough can learn, but true magic. I'll always remember my crimes, yes, but I am glad I got to see magic once more in my lifetime, after the sirens. There is little more memorable than that. At least this way, I know I didn't imagine the whole event. I do wish things had gone differently, of course, but a wish is like a shiny bauble, I suppose: nice to have, but not particularly useful."

He thought a while, and leaned back. He tilted his head a bit and closed his eyes, his only acknowledgement of the slight pain his back was giving him. He likely only did that so she would be reassured that he was telling the truth.

"More than that, perhaps. I got to meet you, and you are, yourself, a memorable person. With or without ice magic. Your sister as well, but I had a whole day to converse with her, to get to know her. I don't believe we exchanged more than cursory warnings across a fjord and the few words I could get in edgewise around Anna when we were 'engaged'. I would have spoken to you first, ideally. I wonder how that would have gone." He didn't like that line of thought, but he couldn't help but think of it.

"I suppose I'd have followed you up to the ice castle a lot sooner. I tried to convince Anna to stay, but she wasn't having any of it. She ran up the mountain in a dress and short sleeves, I remember thinking she ought to have at least paused to get a coat. I was so busy passing out blankets and maintaining the kingdom... incidentally, you really ought to retrain your guard staff. No offense but your kingdom is woefully under-defended and it's unnerving." He had rather spiraled off into other thoughts.

"Sorry, I ramble away from home." He waved himself off with a bit of a sigh.

Magic. She looked down at her hands. She often dreaded her magic, considering a curse rather than a blessing. She didn't realize how impactful magic could be, having lived with it all her life. She easily forgot how marvelous her powers could appear, to those that found it more alluring rather than frightening.

He thought she was a memorable person? With or without her ice magic? Elsa felt a sudden flush overcome her. Elsa turned her face away.

Her mind briefly wandered. What would have happened, if he had approached her first? She probably would have still pushed him away like she had pushed everyone else...or maybe not. Had he been persistent he might have broken past her icy walls. Why was she even contemplating this now? She shook those thoughts away, besides she knew it really was senseless dwelling on a hypothetical.

Yet she asked herself: Would Anna have been spared a frozen heart had Hans come sooner? Hans had a knack of lowering her defenses, that not even Anna had, she recognized that.

She stayed quiet for a long time, lost in her thoughts.

Elsa finally ended up letting out a deep sigh, that brought her back to her senses.

He had mentioned Arendelle's defense and the tail end of his ramble, she thought it was the best thing to address, rather than anything else, to try to rekindle their conversation.

"You're right," she admitted letting out another hefty sigh, as she placed one hand over her forehead holding her temples.

He was right Arendelle had not properly re-trained their guard staff, even after the coronation incident. A few more guards had joined the royal brigade, but even then they were definitely understaffed and ill-prepared. The rumors of Arendelle's Ice Queen's wrath had really been the only deterrent keeping potential invaders at bay.

Hans wondered which part he was right about. He let his own mind wander while she thought, and her words brought him back.

"About the rambling, or the guard staff?" He asked, only mostly as a joke. He could see by her frustration that it was probably the latter.

"Both your guard staff and castle staff are, and I do apologize, too gullible. Even without prompting, I was practically handed control of the kingdom in Anna's absence. Granted it's not like I could have passed laws- but I was able to bring together a small army of foreign troops, and everyone seemed okay with that. Nobody minded crossbows on a 'search and rescue' mission. Not with wolves in the woods." He frowned a bit.

"Nobody asked questions when I claimed to be married to Anna after we'd known each other for what, two, three days? Most of it apart? No witnesses, and no-one checked the room when I claimed she had died. Somehow I ended up with castle keys, because somebody trusted me. I haven't had keys to my own room since- Never mind, that's not important. The point is your castle is hardly safe. I could educate them about how to think about cons, but you'll need a guard staff with good training. Perhaps import somebody, our sword master in the Isles is in good form yet, I believe. But your guards have a preference for pike weapons, I suppose? Some variety wouldn't kill them."

Hans' voice made Elsa look back up at him.

His words, reminding her how quickly Arendelle had fallen to shambles after run away to the North Mountain, made her wince. It made her annoyed with herself, feeling it was all her fault. She thought she was fleeing to protect everyone when instead she ended up endangering them even more.

Hans had seen an opportunity and taken it, yet no one even questioned him, they had been gullible indeed. Yet, could she really blame them? They were scared and leaderless, he appeared to be a hero amidst a snow queen's tempest. That they'd unquestioningly allow anything to stop the endless winter. Elsa continued to blame herself.

" Thank you for your recommendation, it is something I need to sort out right away." She said letting out another sigh. "I don't know why I haven't addressed this issue yet."

The truth was, even now, Arendelle was still dealing with the aftermath of the coronation incident, it was a lot to put on a new Queen's plate, cleaning up the mess she made (on her first day) on top of all her new duties. Even if she tried her hardest, things still easily slipped through the cracks. She hated to admit it, but was still young and inexperienced, with no one to guide her.

Hans waved a hand. "The life of a Queen is a busy one, there are a hundred thousand new things to address every day and one can only complete half of them." He assured.

"Besides, you were going through a lot that day. I've known desperation, I can understand what you did." He sighed a bit and shifted to lean back against the wall, to cool his wounds a little through the bandages and cotton shirt.

"I've given you truths, might I ask for one in return? Did you intend to die up there in your castle? You left without food. I remember the fear in your eyes when we met there, but it wasn't fear for yourself. Then I put on the mask for you that told you not to become the monster they thought you were. Unsaid, the monster you thought you were. I've known that feeling, too. All too well." Maybe he should have kept his mouth shut, but his curiosity was boundless.

Hans had opened up to her (countless times in fact), it was only fair that she return the favor, besides it was something that had constantly been on her mind and would be good to let out, now that it was prompted.

" If it wasn't painfully obvious already, I aimlessly went up the North Mountain," Elsa softly scoffed at herself. "I wasn't in the right mindset to really think things through. All I wanted to do was get as far away from Arendelle, to keep Anna and everyone else safe. The cold never bothered me, and I didn't think anyone would be foolish enough to follow me," A sad smile crossed her lips thinking about her headstrong little sister. "I should have known better than to think that the girl that spent years knocking at my door, asking me to build a snowman with her, wouldn't come follow me up the North Mountain without a second thought."

She technically already truthfully answered his question, yet she felt impulsed to continue (over)explaining. It was as if the question had opened up a floodgate of information that was just waiting to come out.

Elsa let out a melancholy sigh before carrying on.

"Aside from distancing myself from Arendelle, I had pointlessly gone up the mountain." She acknowledged. "When I finally reached the summit, I recognized my isolation... I realized nothing was holding me back anymore... I no longer had to conceal the power raging inside me, I could finally let it go... that was my new purpose." she spoke with a strong sentiment. "After years trapped inside my room, I was finally liberated! It was truly exhilarating to let my powers flow freely as I tested my limits creating the Ice Castle." Elsa looked down at her hands as she spoke, remembering the sensation.

"I was so overcome with ecstasy of finally tasting freedom for the first time in forever, that food and survival never even crossed my mind," she admitted. "I know it was selfish of me to believe my actions of leaving Arendelle were be honest, I didn't even realize I started an eternal winter until Anna arrived."

"After sending Anna off...there was a brief moment... after realizing I could never be truly free...and not knowing how to stop the storm I started, that, I did wonder if the world was just better off without..." she trailed off. "But then you and the other men arrived and brought me back to Arendelle."

Elsa reflected on what Hans just revealed about their North Mountain encounter. How he put on a mask for her, telling her not to become a monster she feared. If it was only a mask he'd put on, it made her wonder: What was he hiding behind? Did the mask conceal his true fear of her? She didn't know why it stung a little, thinking that might have been the case, but whatever it was, wasn't really important, all that mattered was he helped her snap out of her fearful rampage.

Her thoughts lingered on the encounter. Her voice was softer than before.

" Hans..." It was the first time she addressed him without a title, but she was too lost in thought to notice. "Even if it was a mask... and regardless of what happened afterwards," she said pensively. "...Thank you," she said sincerely. "Thank you for stopping me from becoming the monster I feared... I don't know what would have happened or how I could live with myself, if I actually..." She trailed off again.

Elsa never wanted to hurt anyone, she had gone to all the trouble to distance herself from everyone to avoid that risk. She only started using her powers to protect herself against the Duke's Men, but she almost lost control and crossed the line, had it not been for Hans' words bringing her back to her senses. She wondered how things would have played out; Had he not been there and not spoken up. Had she prevailed in killing those men, she feared she would have pushed herself past the point of no return. She would have become what she feared most of all an irredeemable monster. The mere thought sent shivers down her spine.

Hans listened with interest. It filled in a lot of context for him, a lot of things he had been missing.

"Here's a funny story," He began, and offered her his hand, in case she needed some support.

"When I was a boy, I learned to love exploring, running off with my horse into the forests along the beaches, until I learned to love the sea. It was a wider range of unexplored places and unknown things. I took to making rafts and trying to sail off on them. Had I had any foresight, I might have thought about the fact that if I left, no-one could watch Sitron. Soon my father caught on, and set out a rule that until I was sixteen, anyone in the Isles at a boat who saw a raft at a drift was required to find me and pluck me out. The Captain of my ship to this day is a man so old that he was old when he was plucking me out of the water and growling at me about 'Shirking princely duties' that I didn't have." He laughed a little.

He still called his navy ship 'my ship', in spite of everything.

"You never had time to be shortsighted or explore you and your needs. It was overdue, there's no shame to be had in that. Unfortunate that it unfolded as it did, but I'd not blame a child for accidentally starting a house fire, no matter how horrific. Accidents happen, even if they are incredibly unfortunate. Of course, we must react well to them. You fixed things in time. I, on the other hand, cannot fix my treason." He shrugged a little. Matter-of-fact. Unfortunate, but true.

Hans had offered her his hand.

Elsa had been quite taken aback by his courteous gesture. She paused momentarily, contemplating whether or not it was wise to accept it. After some initial hesitation, she decided to take it.

His hand was warm, feverishly warm, compared to her only other point of reference: Anna's. Her hand felt minuscule, opposed to his much larger one. His skin was a bit more coarse than her own, though it's to be expected from a man of the sea. Elsa's felt a slight tingling sensation as they made contact. She nervously clasped his hand with hers.

'...I'd not blame a child for accidentally starting a house fire' his words had struck a memory. The day that her one little mistake completely closed the doors of her childhood and her freedom. She loved her parents, she truly did, but in retrospect she questioned if their decision, of shutting her in to shut everyone else out, had been the correct one. She understood they thought they made the right choice in order to protect her and Anna. But, was concealing and not feeling really the only option? How different would her life have been, had they taken a different approach. She knew these thoughts were fruitless, since the past was in the past, but still she couldn't help but wonder.

"...I often wonder how different my life could have been had I not- " her grip began to tighten as she lost herself in thought. "Had I not accidentally struck Anna with my powers that night," It pained her to recall that she'd critically hurt Anna with her powers, not once but twice. "I really should have stayed in bed instead of allowing Anna to coax me into playing with my powers." she let out a melancholy sigh. "She always wanted to build a snowman, and I just couldn't say no." Her grip continued to tighten.

"Had I instead been the good girl I was always meant to be, maybe it wouldn't have happened. I could have grown-up continuing to explore my powers. All that time I lost locked up I could have spent with Anna, giving her warm hugs instead of pushing her away." Her voice was quivering. "The gates would have remained open and maybe..."

She paused briefly.

"We might have even crossed paths under different circumstances." Her voice had softened as well as her grasp.

She could have thought of a life without her ice magic, as well, yet it had been such an innate part of her, whether she was fond of it or not, it was hard for her to imagine a life without her powers.

Hans had a thought he wanted to share- and he about lost it when she suggested they might have crossed paths differently. Was that affection in her tone? Surely not?

He was silent for a long moment, until he again remembered what he had been thinking about.

"You'd blame it all on wanting to stay up late and play?" He pointed out, with a little softness of his own in his tone.

"That sounds as absurd as blaming my treason on my rafting." He smiled a little. Maybe in a way; If he hadn't taken to the sea, he wouldn't have gone to Arendelle, perhaps. But it was so far removed.

"One of the hardest things to learn, and I still haven't quite learned it for myself: Not everything is your fault. I wouldn't expect a little girl to be completely responsible, nor parents for being afraid for their children. Not everything can be blamed on someone. Sometimes, bad things just happen. My father is dying of an illness, and my brother inherited it from him. Do we blame my father for my brother's illness, because he had children?" He shrugged a little.

"Maybe things could have gone differently. But they didn't. Time moves forward, I'm afraid. If only we could correct the past, we would not be the people we are. Correct the past in the present, not in the past we can't access. I suppose that's what I'm doing. Correcting." He held her hand a little tighter, a little more warmly. He was surprised that she took it, and honored, too.

"I must be doing a pretty good job of correcting, hm?" His look was apologetic and hopeful.

He didn't ask for forgiveness, because he knew he couldn't achieve it. That didn't stop him from wanting it.