#i’d like you to know that the second i refreshed my dash and this popped up the whole app crashed again

[wondersofdreaming]

Sex on Fire - 3

Co-written with @radaofrivia​

Characters: AU Captain Syverson - Gynaecologist, dr. Syverson x female reader

Word count: 7.601

Warnings: NSFW! Overthinking. Talking to a dog. Flirting. Nervous energy. A little awkwardness. Smut. 69. Making love. Love. Fluff. The end.

Author’s note: This story was co-written with the lovely @radaofrivia​​ - who wrote the beautiful smutty parts.

The dividers are made by @firefly-graphics

This story is dedicated to all the women who struggle with pain. It doesn’t matter where that pain is, but know that you are not alone.

Please go enjoy her stories here:

Rada’s Masterlist

I do not own any characters in this short story, except the reader who is a figment of my imagination.

MY MASTERLIST

Sex on Fire Masterlist

Feedback is appreciated.

“What have I gotten myself into?

You stood in front of the mirror, having changed into the fifth dress, but nothing you had tried on was good enough for a date with the hottest doctor in town. A loud groan left your lips, making your sister peek inside your room.

“Everything alright in here?” she asked, looking over the room. Clothes were spread everywhere, shoes thrown all over, and you pacing in front of the closet, desperately trying to find something fitting to wear. “Looks like a tornado went through.”

“I have nothing to wear! So please, either come help me or get out,” you snapped. You heard the angry tone in your voice and turned around to face your younger sister, who looked mildly annoyed at you. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound like a bitch.”

“Care to tell me what’s going on? I thought you were excited to go out with the dashing doctor?” She asked and went to sit on the only available space on the bed.

You picked up the five discarded pieces of clothing.

“This,” you held up the first dress, “is too short. He’ll think I’m a whore.”

“Then wear leggings underneath it. Do I need to remind you, sissy, that he has already seen you butt-naked?”

You glared at your sister, feeling she didn’t understand your situation that this date had to be perfect.

What if our attraction was a fluke?

“This,” you showed the second dress, “is too long. He’ll think I’m a prude.”

“Then cut it to the right length.”

What if he thinks I was an easy prey? I was. I practically begged him to fuck me. Fuck!

You were starting to sweat as you held up the third dress.

“This shows too much cleavage. He’ll think I’m trying to seduce the entire restaurant.”

“Wear a shirt under it.”

What if he isn’t taking me to a restaurant? What if we’re going to his place?

You kept rambling about the fourth and fifth dress, and your sister retorted with solutions to each of them.

“Sissy, your thoughts are so loud I think even he can hear them.”

You threw a dress in her face.

“You’re thinking of every possibility that this could go wrong, aren’t you?”

“No…” you mumbled, but a good death stare from your sister made you change your mind from lying, “Yes, I’m scared, Pat. What if he isn’t the man he made me believe he is? What if he’s a serial killer disguised as a vaginal doctor? What if he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing? What if I’m walking right into grandma’s house and get eaten by the big bad wolf?”

“Stop, stop, you’re making no sense whatsoever…”

“And what if he doesn’t like me? What if we don’t have any chemistry? What if… oh my god, what if he only wants me as a fuck-buddy?”

You were pacing around your room, walking through the clothes, kicking the shoes away from your wandering path. Your sister grabbed your wrist and pulled you down on the bed.

“You are overthinking,” she booped your nose, “You are a gorgeous human being, very pretty too, if I have to say so myself. If he was only going to have you as his fuck-buddy, then you either say yes, because God knows you need a good fuck, or you say no because you’re looking for something deeper. And he wouldn’t have asked you on a date if he wasn’t into you! Take a deep breath with me.”

You both inhaled and exhaled, again and again, until your heartbeat wasn’t about to gallop right out of your chest.

“Now that you’re nice and calm… eh, ish, let’s put on some music and get you ready for your date. I have the perfect dress for you to wear tonight, just promise not to spill wine on it.”

Lucas walked out of the steaming shower, wrapping a large fluffy towel around his hips. His dog, a German Shepherd, was lying on the carpeted bedroom floor by the door. Her brown eyes were staring at him intensely like she knew that he was going somewhere.

“I’ll be home as soon as I can, Aika. And I promise to bring your favourite treat from the restaurant,” he told the dog. Mention of the treat perked her ears up.

Sy chuckled as he started grooming his beard. Then a light went off in his mind.

Fuck, what if she doesn’t like dogs?

He looked apologetically at Aika, who was drooling on the carpet, already tasting the treat on her palate.

Lucas finished in the bathroom and went to his spacious walk-in closet.

“What should I wear, girl?” He asked as if Aika knew what was hot in fashion. She walked over to where he hung his trousers, sniffed a few before picking a grey pair down from the hanger. She then managed to trot over to him with a pair of brown leather shoes.

“Well, thanks, girl, these are perfect. So what do you think, a white shirt or a black shirt?” Sy held each piece up to Aika, and she barked happily at the white shirt, her tail wagging excitedly. The dashing doctor also chose a matching grey suit jacket. He looked himself over in the mirror.

“I really want this to work, Aika,” he mumbled to his dog, who cocked her head to the side. “I think she’s amazing, and I hope she likes dogs because if not, I would be really sad… to say goodbye to you.”

Aika growled at him, making Sy laugh out loud.

“Sorry girl, I’m just kidding, I’m kidding. You belong with me, forever and always,” he scratched her belly. “What do I do if I make an ass out of myself?”

Aika rolled around and let out a loud ‘woof’ as if she was saying that he should just be himself.

“Okay, I’ll do my best. But what if she’s not who I think she is? What do I do then?”

Aika let out a deep rumble from her chest. I’ll bite her sorry ass if she isn’t.

You walked down the pavement looking for the restaurant Sy had texted you the address of. Sy was standing out front, waiting for you, he looked so handsome in his grey suit, and now you felt you might have been under-dressed. His face lit up in a warm grin, and his eyebrows arched when he saw you moving towards him. You smiled shyly back.

As Sy leaned down to kiss her cheek, you were going for his lips, ending in an awkward angled greeting.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” you whispered at the same time he said: “Sorry!”

You stood there, looking down on the pavement, red-faced and suddenly very shy, not knowing what to do next while he was staring at you, not being able to take his eyes off you.

Lucas chuckled and presented his arm.

“Shall we go in?”

He was smiling at you, trying his best not to make your encounter awkward. You took his arm and was led into the restaurant. You looked around at the warm and comfortable atmosphere of the room. Chinese lanterns were hanging down from the loft, casting a soft light over space. The wooden tables had an induction heating plate for the hotpot that could contain either one, two or four different soups. The couple were seated near the covered fishing pond that was placed in the middle of the restaurant, a glass wall surrounding the pond, so no one could fall and get wet. The koi fish were swimming around, showing off their orange, red, white, and black scales. It was a soothing and calming sight and helped you relax in the presence of the handsome doctor.

A waitress came to take your drink orders while you looked through the menu.

“Oh, I don’t know what goes well with anything here,” you said, suddenly feeling so out of place.

“May I suggest one of their beers? They’re really good,” Lucas smiled at you warmly as he gave his drink order. You ordered one of their light and refreshing beers.

You looked down at the menu again. Not knowing what to pick as everything sounded delicious.

“There’s so much food,” you commented with a giggle.

“Do you want to try one of their special menus? That way, you can try a little of everything,” Sy suggested.

“I’d like that.”

The waitress came back with their drinks, and Sy rambled away your order. He ordered the four soup hot pot, various meats, seafood, vegetables, and an enormous amount of different types of noodles.

“How did you come by this place?” You asked, taking a sip of beer.

“I was walking around the neighbourhood one day with my sisters, and one of them wanted dumplings, another some noodles, and the third wanted some soup. I searched for a restaurant that had all three things, and this place popped up. It has become my favourite restaurant in the entire city,” he was a vivid storyteller that doctor.

“You brought me to your favourite restaurant?”

“Well, yes. I know it’s not the most traditional place to have a first date, but the food is amazing,” a pink blush crept up his neck and reached his cheeks.

“I think it’s the perfect place for a first date. I like trying new things,” you assured him, watching as a boyish grin of pride spread on his lips. God, how you wanted to kiss those lips.

“I hope you mean that because here comes the food,” Sy nodded towards the three waiters walking with an extra table full of food and the pot filled with the four soups.

“Oh dear,” you watched as they set the plates full of meat around you. “Are we feeding an army?”

“Trust me, darling, this might not be enough when we first get started,” Sy smiled. He reached for his chopsticks, “Have you eaten with chopsticks before?”

You gasped, pretending to be offended.

“I will let you know, doctor, that I was trained by the best to eat with chopsticks,” you showed him your hold, “My sister loves to get Chinese takeout when none of us feels like cooking, and there’s a restaurant that makes the best potstickers and chow mein.”

“Maybe we can order from there one day,” Sy suggested, his voice soft and full of promises.

“I’d like that. So, how do we do this?” you asked.

Lucas told you about the four different soups. They ranked from not-so-spicy to hell’s gate spicy. He talked about all the different cuts of meat, how to just put the ingredients in the soup, advising that you put in the lotus root first as it took a long time to cook.

While the doctor was talking, you were watching him. Your sole focus was on the way his lips moved and his tongue darting out from time to time. That tongue, that godly tongue.

His voice was rich and deep, so smooth and velvety you wanted to hear him talk forever. He caught you ogling at him.

“Everything alright?” he asked, looking a bit confused.

“Yeah, I was just thinking how amazing you look out of your white coat,” you blurted, making Sy laugh and blush an even deeper shade of pink before turning red.

“Why thank you, but I think the real showstopper tonight is you. You look beautiful,” he complimented.

“You’re just saying that because I complimented you first,” you giggled like a teenage schoolgirl with a crush.

Sy shook his head as he reached for the pieces of meat he had put in the soups. He picked one out and moved the chopsticks closer to your mouth.

“Try this,” he recommended. You closed your mouth around the chopsticks, letting the meat fall on your tongue. The sweet umami flavour of the pork was melting in your mouth, and you let out a soft moan.

Lucas was watching your mouth closely. The mouth that had been sucking him off a few days earlier in his office. The pretty mouth that swallowed his seed. His pants were suddenly feeling very snug around his groin area. Fuck, not now!

Thankfully his horny thoughts were interrupted by your suggestion.

“My turn to feed you,” you dove into the spiciest soup and picked out a dumpling. Why does he look so good? Lord, what is he thinking? Why is he looking at me like that? Something on my face?

Your hand was shaking a bit as you leaned over to give the dumpling to Sy, and then you dropped it, watching in slow motion as gravity did its thing, making the dumpling land on Lucas’ crisp white shirt and then down to his lap it went.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” you exclaimed. You quickly stood with your napkin and went over to clean the mess you had made. Lucas had picked up the fallen dumpling, not even thinking about the stain the red soup had made. He was having sinful thoughts of you sitting on your knees trying to wash off the red colour with your napkin.

“I ruined your shirt,” you sighed as the stain became worse, and it started to spread the more you rubbed the fabric.

“You’ve made it a habit to ruin my clothes, sunshine,” Lucas chuckled, but his laughter died quickly as you dabbed the napkin on his thigh, moving closer to the hard-on he was willing to go soft, but too late.

Oh, ooooooh.

“Maybe I don’t like that they’re hiding what nature has so gracefully given you,” you smirk up at him, giving him a sultry look.

Lucas swallowed hard. You could see his throat tensing as his Adam's apple bopped up and down. He’s looking you straight in the eyes, trying his best to restrain himself from taking you right then and there.

“God, I love your boldness,” his voice was low, soft, almost velvety, as if he was trying to tell you with the tone of his voice alone how much he wanted you. The smoothness of his voice was sending shivers down your spine, and some part of your brain was signalling that now was the time for you to attack him, rip his clothes off, ride him right there in the chair, not even caring about the people around you.

“Is everything okay?” A waitress asked, interrupting the moment. You snapped out of your lust-filled haze and went back to your chair. Sy coughed, masking his even dirtier thoughts.

“Yes, everything is good. The food is amazing. Can we get two shots of baijiu?” he asked, suddenly in need of something strong to stay put during dinner.

The waitress came back with the shots. Lucas held up his glass.

“Cheers,” he said and downed the clear liquid in one go, but you took a small sip.

“Oh shit, it’s burning my throat,” you gasped, putting the shot down.

“Believe me, you’re going to need all of it until we’ve finished eating,” Sy hinted at something more.

You inhaled the shot, letting the fire spread throughout your chest all the way down to your thighs and throbbing core. Your brain was slowly getting fuzzier, giving you the courage to ask him what had been on your mind since he asked you on the date.

“What are we, doctor?” You blurted, not thinking about how loud you actually were. You continued as you watched confusion spread on his handsome face: “What are you looking for in a partner? Are we going to be a no-strings-attached kind of thing? Casual hookup?”

You stopped and took a deep breath, waiting for his answer. You watched his lips, trying to avoid his eyes. If he wanted a ‘friends with benefits’-relationship, you would be devastated.

“There’s nothing casual about you, buttercup,” Sy was surprised by what you had just told him. He couldn’t deny the connection there was between the two of you. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he felt it deep in his guts that there was something more, and he wanted to be more for you. “I want to get to know you. I want to explore the deep connection that we have and see where it leads us. What about you? What are you looking for?”

“I… I want that too. Because to me, this. What we have is too good to be just an emotionless thing,” you started, “I feel safe around you, Lucas. I don’t know why, but I do. Do I make any sense? Because I feel like I’m just sitting here rambling…”

Lucas grabbed your hands across the table, avoiding the soups. He caressed the soft skin over your knuckles. His protective instinct was on overload, he wanted to protect you, and his heart was racing from hearing you say that you felt safe around him.

“You make sense to me, bug.”

Your first date had been perfect, so were the following dates afterwards. Lucas Syverson was the perfect gentleman and taken it like a champ when you had asked to take things slow, especially with you not knowing if it was still going to hurt when having sex. You wanted to have your ‘problem’ solved before you took that all-intimate next step with Sy. You built a beautiful relationship and a strong friendship from your attraction.

Lucas had invited you out for lunch one day. He asked about how it was going with the new gynaecologist he had recommended, a woman, as he wasn’t keen on knowing another man touching you in such an intimate place. You told him that you had been referred to a physiotherapist and was going to see a specialist in vaginal diseases.

With time you hurt less and less, and it was with the support from your sister and Sy that you continued the different treatments the doctors gave you. You stretched out muscles in your abdominal area. You used soap that was for intimate use only. You even started using an anaesthetic gel to relax the nerves in your vagina by Sy’s recommendation. You had cursed him all the way to hell the first time you’d used it, even as far as telling him that it burnt worse than the alcohol shot he made you drink at the Hot Pot restaurant. You were walking like you’d ridden a horse all day long until the burning stopped after a few minutes, and Sy had kept his laughter to himself, not wanting to hurt your feelings, but when you had started giggling from looking at yourself in the mirror, he couldn’t stop the roaring laughter either.

Sy was very helpful when you were exercising. He had made the stretching into a game of some sort. You might not be having sex, but you could still tease each other, orally or with your hands, anything to build intimacy between the two of you. He was determined to make the process sexy and fun, not dull and boring.

You asked him to penetrate you a few times but had to tell him to pull out because the pain became too intense. Sy was extremely understanding, and he helped you through the crying afterwards, as you felt that you were never going to heal again. He loved that you were comfortable enough around him to tell him to stop, and you felt so safe with him.

It became your goal not only to have sex but to be penetrated without the pain. And you would get there eventually. For now, you would just bask in the afterglow of a good make-out session with Lucas on the sofa.

You had always felt that there was a part of you missing, a vital part, and now, with Lucas, you felt whole. You couldn’t go a day without at least texting him, saying you missed him, or when you were together, and he went to the bathroom, you missed him. When you had to go home the following day after a night of cuddling, you missed him the minute you walked out the door. Both of you felt like you were addicted to the other. It was almost becoming an obsession.

Life with a boyfriend like Sy was amazing, incredible, fantastic. He was everything you needed without having known it. And Lucas loved to have someone he could take care of, protect and maybe even love. Sy had never felt this way about anyone before. It was a fantastic feeling to have this wonderful woman he could call his girlfriend. His.

Not only were you an extraordinary human being: you also loved animals just as much as he did. If you were allowed animals in the apartment you lived in with your sister, you would have filled it already. Sy had let out a breath of relief when you’d told him. You and Aika had become cuddle buddies whenever you were visiting Lucas. The German Shepherd would completely ignore Sy and follow you around instead, and Lucas was only happy to share his girl with his other girl. The sense of having found you excited him, completed him and made him so happy.

There are two kinds of tired: one that needs a good night's sleep and one that needs so much more. Lucas fell into the second category. He was both physically and mentally exhausted from a long and hard day at work, and he also had to face the guilt for ruining your plans for a quiet dinner.

“Plans are made to be changed,” you told him when he called you to cancel your dinner plans and suggest grabbing something to eat and spend the evening at his place instead.

"And I really like the sound of staying in and just cuddling with you, big bear," you whispered in your phone so your colleagues wouldn’t hear you.

"Big bear?"

"Yes, you're massive, hairy and just like a big cuddly teddy bear," finishing the phrase you noticed that one of your colleagues, Rita, was looking at you, chuckling at your big bear comment. You cleared your throat and with all the seriousness you could muster you told Sy: “I can’t talk right now. Call me when you get here,” and quickly ended the call, turning to her, “he’s an activist for the conservation of big brown bears.”

“Yeah, right,” she laughed. “Have fun with your bear-man, girl, you don’t need to explain yourself.” She winked at you and went about her work.

To your dismay, Lucas didn’t follow your instructions and decided that would be the day he showed his face to your work coming into the library to pick you up. He walked into the place, standing tall, his long strides and posture showing a sense of confidence and ease. He was as handsome as always, in his dress jacket, white shirt and jeans. Upon entering the library, he took off his sunglasses revealing his cobalt blue stare that made people stop in their tracks and this time was no different.

“Oh my God!” You heard your colleague gasping next to you when she laid eyes upon him. A small grin formed on your face to her reaction. You watched your man getting closer, noticing that his face looked tired, something only you would notice. The moment your eyes met a warm, sweet smile spread on his gorgeous lips, lighting up his face.

“Do they accept new members in the bear conservation club?” She asked not too loud, but loud enough for Sy to hear, who was standing right in front of you now. You blushed from embarrassment and broke eye contact with him. His soft laughter brought your eyes back on him.

"Sadly all positions have been filled up," he countered looking directly at you with a lopsided grin. “Ready to go home, sunshine?” You nodded excited, picking up your things quickly and moving on Lucas’ side, looping your arm around his offered elbow.

“Have a good evening, Rita,” you said giddily, looking back at her as she was fanning herself trying to cool off to the sight of Sy’s behind.

"What would you like to eat for dinner?" Sy asked as he opened the car door.

"You," you whispered silently.

In the shower, the water came down warm and soothing, washing the weariness and bad energy of the day off of Lucas’ body. He took some time for himself to relax and find his balance again. But the thought of you sitting on the other side of the wall made him impatient. He needed to be close to you.

Aika whimpered at you, licking your fingers and begging for another treat. You were lying on Sy’s bed, flipping through channels, nibbling at the leftovers of your Chinese takeout, with a comfortable, fluffy pillow behind you, soft and crisp sheets underneath you and Aika laying across your lap, sharing the guilty pleasure of eating in bed with you.

“Shhh, girl! Do you want him to hear us?” You whispered at her, feeding her another bite of the delicious potstickers you had for dinner. She gulped the treat and then licked your hand in gratitude. “Eating in bed is the best, right Aika?” You told her in a colluding way, scratching your accomplice behind her ears. You knew that Sy didn’t approve of eating in bed nor sharing food with Aika, so you both were on the lookout for when he would finish his shower. You didn’t want him to find out the ‘magic tricks’ you had used to gain Aika’s trust so fast.

The moment you heard Sy turning off the water, you both jumped up, Aika taking her usual place at the foot end of the bed acting all cool, and you ran to hide the evidence in the kitchen and wash your hands from the grease. In a minute, you were back in bed pretending you were watching TV. Of course, you had no idea what was on.

“What are my girls doing?” The bathroom door opened, and Sy came out with a towel wrapped loosely around his hips. He leaned lazily on the door frame, smiling in all his wet, half-naked glory, making you choke on your own drool. Quickly, you gathered yourself trying to sound as convincing as possible.

“Nothing special, just sitting here and relaxing.”

Sy walked across the room heading for his dresser that was on your side. Your eyes followed every move he made, studying even the tiniest dent and bump his muscles formed. At the view of his butt, a very unladylike sound escaped your throat.

‘Everything ok, sweetheart?” Lucas asked absentmindedly while looking for his underwear.

“Mh-mm,” you nodded, turning your eyes to the TV. There was a short pause after you heard him close the drawer.

“Babe, is there something you want to tell me?” You craned up your head to meet his eyes. His face was serious. The only thing that kept you from worrying was a small twitch of a smile on his lips. Oh, his lips.

“Huh? Like what?” You asked puzzled.

“I don't know, maybe you want to confess something?” Your mind started racing, a hundred thoughts per second: you are so hot, take off that towel, take me now, how lucky can a girl be, you are perfect, I love you. What? Where did that come from?

“Uhh, no. I don’t think so,” you mumbled trying to hide the instant blushing on your face.

“Don’t you think that trust and openness are important, darling?” He leaned over you, his hand running over your jaw. So busted! But how?

“Of course!” You gulped, readying yourself for the revelation.

“Then can you tell me, why are there crumbs on the bed, bug?”

“What?” That was not what you were expecting.

“Aika?” Sy turned to the German shepherd. She whimpered, hiding her snout in her paws and quickly left the room.

“Traitor,” you muttered.

“I thought we had an agreement on this,” Sy spoke softly, putting on his underwear and sweatpants and headed to his side of the bed.

“I want her to like me,” you confessed in a small, guilty voice.

Lying down, Lucas let a deep sigh out, finally being able to relax and cuddle with his girlfriend. He pulled you closer letting you rest your head on his shoulder.

“Baby, you don’t need to buy her off. I’m sure that Aika loved you the first moment she met you… just like her owner.” Sy’s voice drifted off as he started zoning out, feeling so relaxed in your arms. Your breath caught in your throat, gazing at him like you saw the sun for the first time after an eternity of darkness. You wanted to say so many things but couldn’t find the words to bring out of your head. The only thing you could utter was:

“Wrap your arms around me,” you felt the need to be close to him, lost in him.

“How’s that?” He murmured with his eyes closed.

“Perfect.” He brought his face in your hair, inhaling deeply from your scent.

“Mmmmm, you smell amazing.” This felt so right to him, holding you and being held. He tightened his arms around you. Being in his embrace felt so soothing, calming and safe to you, that you let out a soft purring sound.

“Did you just purr?” He opened his eyes, a huge grin forming on his face.

“No….”

“I think you did.”

“Uh-oh,” you said lazily, burying your face into his neck.

“Alright. But in case you did, I find it really cute.’’ He let you know in his deep, soft and gentle voice.

“I might have…” Your admission made you both dissolve into laughter allowing you to release all the pent up energy. Once out of your laughing fit, you were both left gazing into each other’s eyes. It was you who made the first move, bringing your hand on his cheeks, your fingers idly playing with the curls in his beard before you kissed him, slowly at first, lips tracing lips, becoming deeper, bolder and more intense as your tongues danced in a passionate rhythm. The moan that escaped his mouth when you finished the kiss, gently biting and tagging his lower lip set you on fire.

Sy felt he was on cloud nine. His head was spinning with giddy happiness. The way your body was moulded to fit him like a puzzle piece. His heart was galloping, his mind was going crazy, his feelings were all over the place with joy and love, he felt loved, so loved. But the minute you moved to sit in his lap, grinding against him as if you were riding a horse, his mind was transported to another place, only thinking about how good the friction between you felt, he wanted so bad to make love to you, to make you feel as good as you were doing to him at the moment.

He was still lost in your kiss, basking in your touch with his eyes closed as you kissed your way from his neck to his ear whispering:

“Baby, I think I'm ready.”

He opened his eyes, blinking lazily. At first, he didn’t understand what you were talking about. He looked straight into your eyes, his eyebrows furrowed with question. You caressed his face softly, waiting for realisation to hit him. The smile on your face, the feeling in your eyes soon let him in on the meaning of your words. His heart had skipped a beat as he truly grasped your words. You saw the surprise register on his face, his breathing quickened, his lips parted ever so slightly, his hands stilling on the lower part of your back and a faint wrinkle showed between his eyebrows. And then immediately his short-lived surprise gave its place to happiness shining through his eyes, fueled with desire as the colour of his blue orbs turned to a dark navy ring around his full-blown pupils.

His arms wrapped around you and you felt him pulling you onto his chest. You could feel the urgency in his movements, there was raw emotion in the way his fingers curled around the fabric of your dress. He claimed your lips once again, kissing you deeply, absorbing every detail of the moment, your scent, the weight of your body against his, all the feelings that were washing over him, raising a wave of heat inside him.

The taste of him stripped you from all your thoughts, fears and senses. His kiss, hungry and intense, ignited a fire inside you. Your palms were flat on his chest, your fingers were trying to dig into his skin as if wanting to hold on for dear life before you let go of all inhibitions and get lost in him. His hands trailed down your neck, never releasing your mouth from the hot, wet kiss he had you captured. Your body reacted to his touch, sending shivers down your spine and making you moan. You brought your hands to his deep brown curls, carding your fingers through them, tugging at his roots, to feel a little bit of control as your sanity was in the balance of tipping over. The little pain that he experienced made him exude more lust, he loved how you took control, as he could unwind and let you loose.

With one strong arm around your waist, he gathered you up and moved you both to a sitting position, letting you sit astride his lap. His fingers dug into your hips and pulled you closer to him, pressing your core to his straining bulge. You couldn’t help but grind against him, letting your instinct take over. Your kissing grew more passionate, more urgent, muffled moans and gasps filling the room. Sy brought his hands on your breast, kneading the soft flesh over the light fabric of your sundress and realising that you had no bra on. A throaty noise escaped him as he broke the kiss, looking at you with blazing eyes.

“You had it planned all along, you little minx!” he growled, his thumbs tracing your perky nipples through the thin layer, weakening your core, making you lean your forehead against his for purchase. He could feel the warmth coming off your skin through the lite fabric, but it wasn't enough. He wanted to touch you, he wanted to see the delicate, subtle flesh of your breasts.

You could feel the feral animosity inside him, as you kept grinding your core to his groin. You had never seen him like this before. His hands were eager to touch more than just your dress. Before you could think about taking the dress off, it was ripped from your chest, the fierce action kicking the breath out of you. Buttons flew in every direction and landed on the soft carpeted floor.

“That was my favourite dress,” you said in a shuddering voice, watching him take in the image of your naked body like a starving beast.

“Payback time,” he snarled. He studied you, running a finger over your breastbone slowly down to your stomach, his eyes following the invisible trail his touch burnt on your skin. He left a wet kiss on your chest and licked his way to one of your nipples, taking it into his mouth, torturing it with his tongue and tugging it with his teeth making it even harder. Although his moves were slow, you could feel how aroused and ravenous he was, his breathing shallow and fast just like yours. You closed your eyes, burying your face in his hair, feeling him everywhere; his lips on your breasts, his fingers pressing into the flesh of your lower back, his erection stirring between your legs. His scent and taste defined your reality now.

Sliding your hand between your bodies and pressing firmly on his arousal made him growl like a wild animal against your skin. He looked up at you with lustful eyes ordering you to take off your clothes. The demand in his husky voice stole your breath for a second. He commanded and needed you at the same time. You stood up obediently, let the dress fall down to your ankles, slowly peeled off your panties down your legs and stepped out of them with small moves while watching him watching you.

You crawled back onto the bed languidly, wrapping your fingers at the waistband of his sweatpants, removing them slowly along with his black boxer briefs, revealing his throbbing manhood and his muscular thighs. He stared at your face through half-lidded eyes with desire, taking in how you ran your tongue over your lips at the sight of the glistening precum that oozed from the top of the head, showing your eagerness to taste him.

He pulled you against his body, holding you close, feeling the warmth of your body skin on skin, your breasts pressed into his chest and his erection straining against your body. His lips captured yours in a deep passionate kiss, owning your very existence.

“The things I wanna do to you, right now,” he moaned in your mouth, locking eyes with you.

“Tell me what you want.”

“I want to make you come. Hard.”

“Mmm, how?” you purred, biting your lower lip to the suggestion. His eyes fell on your lips again and a small wicked grin appeared on his.

“Ride my face and I’ll show you,” his voice low and heavy with desire. His words sparked an adventurous excitement inside you, making your heart start racing. A bold smile appeared on your face taking up his challenge and the look of awe in the doctor’s eyes gave you the courage to move over, stride his beard, facing towards his body. His strong hands guided your knees on either side of his head and then trailed over your body, adoring every inch of it.

The beautiful close up of your dripping core mere inches from his eager mouth made him salivate, yearning for the taste of you. His tongue started tracing the inner of your thighs, writing small circles on the sensitive skin, lazily finding his way to your lips, licking, sucking, and making them beautifully wet. But his hands on your butt cheeks, kneading the round flesh with fervour showed you that he was impatient to dive into the main course immediately.

A warm, coiled tension started building up inside you, feeling your muscles quivering in anticipation. You couldn’t stop yourself from grinding on the soft bristles of his beard, the variation in textures making you weak. You leaned slightly forward, putting your hands on his stomach to hold on, the small change in angle intensifying the sensation and giving him more space to navigate. You couldn’t tell the difference between his lips or tongue. All you could feel was just a nice, sloppy warm mess. A loud gasp escaped you when you felt his tongue run over your opening, lapping your juices.

“You taste like honey,” he grunted into your core, the vibration of his bass hitting you hard. He didn’t wait for you to answer, he went on with his smooth, wet and warm stimulation. When he hit your clit, your whole body shuddered in his tight grip. The effect he had on you made his cock jump. You leaned lower, putting your mouth on him, your fingers wrapping around the base of his shaft. You felt his body jerk upon contact and he tried to drown a curse clenching his teeth, causing you to laugh around him. But you didn’t stop, taking him deeper, giving him the attention he needed.

For a moment, he let himself get lost in your ministrations, having your eager, soft tongue wrapped around him, eyes closed, moaning deep, feeling he was growing bigger and harder in your mouth. You took advantage of his openness and brought your hand over his sack, massaging it softly, accelerating the pace, your tongue twirling around his glands every time your lips were around his head.

“Fuck!”

His hips thrust up involuntarily, searching to go deeper into the wetness of your mouth. You felt like you had the upper hand, loving the power he granted you over him, the naughty side of you wanting to make this a race of who was going to come first. But you should have known better, Sy wouldn’t let you have this one. He pressed his tongue flat on your core, intensifying the sensation and then ran it over your opening and sliding it inside you. You couldn’t keep the needy moan from escaping, feeling his tongue teasing your moist entrance and penetrating you.

Your focus was lost and so was your balance. You leaned your forehead on his pelvis, concentrating on all the pleasure he was giving you, stroking him slowly with your hand.

"Don't stop,” you whimpered, feeling the warmth of your orgasm spreading all over you. He pulled you closer against his face and shoved his tongue deeper inside you, fucking you at a frantic pace while his beard set your clit on fire. Your legs started trembling, his firm grip not allowing you to move away from him, the light tremors of your orgasm building into an earthquake, making you shudder and scream.

“God, Luc! Your tongue is magical,” you gasped as you collapsed on the bed, panting with your eyes closed. You heard his deep chuckle and felt the bed shift as he moved over, lying next to you. His arm wrapped around your waist and he scattered small kisses on your shoulder and collarbone, his beard wet from your nectar left a cooling sensation on your skin. You turned to face him, bringing your hand on his jaw, guiding him into a deep kiss. His kisses were always a delicious treat but now that you tasted yourself on his lips and tongue, it made you feel amazing and aroused again.

Never breaking your kiss, Sy laid on top of you, his weight spreading your legs apart. You couldn’t stop your hands from tracing his taut body, relishing in the texture of his muscles. You could feel he was tense, his strength, his heat increasing as he was taking over you and you couldn’t get enough of it. You needed this. You wanted to watch his face as he came inside you, to have his sweat all over you and you couldn’t believe it was finally happening. And neither could he.

He fought to control his movements and the urge to claim you hard, pouring all his passion on you. He needed his mind to take over the primal, animal instinct he was feeling at that moment. He was too far gone by now, his whole body aflame. Your voice brought him back.

“Lucas,” you whispered more breath than voice.

“Say it again. Say my name,” he said in your ear, his voice a low groan.

“Lucas, do it.”

His expression was one of intense concentration, replaced by wide sensation, as he eased slowly inside you. His thrust was slow, gentle, allowing your body to get used to his size and open up for him. You took in a deep breath as your body prepared for that familiar feeling of pain to come and tensed up but his kisses, his bites, his touch, his fire engulfed you, making you relax and forget about everything. Without even being aware of it, your pelvises touched and there you were, one deep inside the other. The realization alone made you both gasp, staring at each other with awe.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Sy murmured, the overwhelming feeling choking him.

You paused for a moment, running a mental check before nodding faintly and breathing: “More”.

Sy took a moment trying to catch his breath and allowing you to catch yours. Eventually, your bodies unwinded and your breaths almost synced. With slow, soft thrusts he started moving inside you, claiming your mouth at the same slow, languid pace. Your bodies now were the closest they could be. The intense feeling of your tightness made him moan against your lips.

“I can feel every muscle inside you moving,” he gasped, “and it feels fucking incredible.”

"I love the way you feel inside me," you said, your voice giving away a slight hint of breaking, feeling a lump in your throat. You just needed to say it, tell him before your heart burst.

"I love the way I feel inside you," he let out a low content groan, not picking up your emotional overload.

"I love that I can trust you," you went on, closing your eyes trying to contain your feelings, trying to find comfort in his motions, rocking back and forth inside you.

The tears in your voice were more evident, making Sy stop and look at you with worry on his face.

"Baby... Look at me."

You couldn't bring yourself to open your eyes, you didn't want to ruin this moment for both of you.

"It's OK, bug. I'm here for you. Open your eyes."

"I love how you are always here for me," you gasped an intense sob ripping through you. "I-I love... you."

His eyes travelled from your lips forming those three words to your eyes, gazing inside them, finding your soul and claiming it as his own. He saw you, really, truly saw you and loved what was there. He tenderly caressed your face with his fingertips, wiping away the trail of your tears. He placed a feathery kiss on your lips and whispered:

"I love you too."

[jisungscaramel]

vexation | hyunjin

❀ genre; smut, college au, enemies au  ❀ pairing; hyunjin x reader (fem) ❀ word count; 2.7k 

[warning] strong language, explicit sexual content, dry humping, (mild) begging, hate sex

There it was: Hwang Hyunjin, name beautifully printed right above yours. You shuddered in complete disgust, not believing that you were paired with him of all people for your history presentation. There were 34 students in the class; that meant you had a whopping 97% chance of being paired with literally anyone else, but no. Your professor, Dr. Zhang, just had to pair you with him. 

Overachiever: that was an understatement. He was the type to want all of the glory for the taking, the type to enjoy making others feel like they were dumb, the type who had no issue in forsaking common morals for his own gain. 

You couldn’t fucking stand him. 

Begrudgingly, you stood up from your original seat, trudging your feet to sit next to him - at your professor’s instruction, of course. You planned on at least being polite, and you thought for a second that he might do the same, but he didn’t even bother looking at you, staring through to the front of the room, eyes stoic. If he was trying to provoke you, it was definitely working. 

You dropped your backpack to the ground, unceremoniously, sound drowning in the increasing levels of chatter in the small lecture hall, but clearly loud enough to make his composure teeter; his head jerked back a millimeter, a minuscule gesture but it was painfully obvious to you. And you let out an equally obvious slew of snickers before sitting back in the seat, neck meeting the old frayed fabric as you tilted your head back, arms stacking on one another as you folded them, woman spreading to occupy more real estate than you actually required.

You had to at least try to keep yourself amused. 

Hyunjin began scribbling mindlessly on a blank piece of paper - still acting as if you were not even there. 

He slammed the white sheet down on your knee, sending vibrations straight up your leg rather rudely. 

Asshole. 

Oh, baby, he hadn’t even started yet. 

“Okay. We’re doing our paper on I-Hotel and… I’m gonna write it. All you have to do is find these books for me at the library.” He turned to look at you with a very aggravating smirk… maybe you’d notice the tiniest hint of flirtation if the feeling of overwhelming irritation didn’t encompass you. 

But the chance passed when his countenance morphed into counterfeit concern, tapping his chin in contemplation for added effect, “although, I think the library’s computer system is down… I guess you gotta find them the old-fashioned way.” God, you just wanted to smack that smug grin right off his face. “I’d love to help you with that... but I’m just too busy…” It should’ve been illegal for intolerable people to be that gorgeous.

You blinked in complete confusion. “Ummm… excuse me?” 

“I’m… sorry… do… I… need… to … talk… slower…?”

You gingerly picked up the piece of paper, promptly getting up from your chair, glaring at him. You made sure your backpack was secure on your shoulder before dramatically lifting the note in front of his face to tear what he wrote to shreds, scattering the bits over his laptop’s keyboard. “Stick a motherfucking cactus up your ass.” 

You stormed out of that hall with your head high, not daring to look back despite your innate desire to see his response - you were sure it was priceless. 

‘I’ll just have to do this damn thing on my own.’

Oh, if it could only be that simple. 

The first thing that popped up on your laptop when you opened it from the safety of the library was an unexpected email. 

Since you ripped up my list - rather rudely I might add - I’ve attached the list of the books I require. I will be at the library at four PM sharp. Please plan accordingly. Hyunjin 

“Fuck.” 

‘Plan accordingly,’ your ass, according to you, your plan was to minimize the amount of time you had to spend dealing with Hyunjin, and you had been 100% sure he had the same sentiment… so much for that. 

Speaking of the devil, as soon as you decided to dismiss his outlandish request and settle in to get some of your research started, Hyunjin yanked your attention away from your laptop with merely his presence, almost as if your nerves were hypersensitive to his saccharine dipped aura, and most definitely not to the signature sway of his frame as he walked. 

You didn’t dare grant him the luxury of your direct gaze. Instead, you kept a close eye on him in your peripheral, hoping you’d blend in with the people around you… but there was still at least a 92% chance he’d see you.

“Did you get my sources?” and now he was right in front of you, nothing but a measly table in between. 

Your nostrils flared in an effort to not retort back at Hyunjin, eyes still fixed on your screen in a successful attempt to ignore him. 

Then he pushed your laptop closed, hand planted firmly on the device rather invasively. “Excuse me, I’m talking to you.”

You gritted your teeth, tilting your head up in a menacing stare, eyes narrowing, eyebrows furrowing. “What do you want?” 

God, you didn’t know his smile could get more fake than it already was. “I told you to get my sources for me,” his tone was exaggeratedly slow, “did you get my sources?” 

You shoved his hand away from your laptop. “Get your own sources.” 

Immediately his fake smile turned into a sincere snicker, rolling his eyes off to the side. “Uptight bitch.” 

His words sank in for a moment. “You wanna say that again?” 

He leaned over the table, face a mere six inches from yours. “Uptight,” you could feel your fists involuntarily clenching, digging into your palms what would soon be prominent crescents in a matter of seconds, “bitch.” 

You almost raised your palm to gratuitously slap him across the face but the simmering mellowness in you kept a tight grasp of your boiling anger. You leaned back in your seat in an effort to widen the physical gap (or the lack thereof) between you. “Fuck off.”

<><><><><><> 

“Hyunjin, y/n, can you both come down to the podium,” Dr. Zhang added at the end of his lecture, halting your plans to b-line straight to the library. 

As the aisles began to empty, you made your way down the steps to the front of the room, purposefully standing at the side opposite of Hyunjin, frankly paying no mind to him for all intents and purposes. 

Your professor glanced between you two, clearly noticing the oddity of the image but purposefully choosing to ignore it. 

“I noticed that both of you submitted first drafts for your paper, and at first I thought it was an accident, until I opened both files and realized you’re writing completely separate papers. Care to explain?” 

“Yeah y/n, care to explain?” What a fucking dicktard. 

Your lips pressed into a thin line as you wracked your brain for some feasible excuse. “Well,” but nothing came to mind… oh fuck it, “we’ve had issues working with each other.” 

Dr. Zhang raised an eyebrow cautiously. “Elaborate.”

“We really don’t get along.”

He sighed, crossing his arms. “Well you’re gonna have to try to find some middle ground. I’ll give you two a second chance to put a first draft together. If you can submit a collaborative piece by midnight, I’ll still give you full credit for that part. If not, it stays as a zero. Subsequently, you will keep getting zeroes for the following checkpoints if you submit them separately. Any questions?” 

“No, sir,” much to your surprise, that was the first moment thus far wherein both you and Hyunjin were on the same wavelength. 

“Good, that is all.” 

You felt like two negatively charged magnets as you walked side by side up the aisle to the exit. “I’m not getting a zero for this,” Hyunjin spoke up. 

You rolled your eyes. “At least we can agree on that.”

As the cold, crisp air of the outside refreshed your nerves, he lightly gripped your shoulder, swerving you to face him. “Look, I know we’re like oil and water, but I’m willing to at least try to get along for the grade.” His fingers trembled on your shoulder; his teeth lightly grazed his bottom lip, eyes searching yours for a sign of truce. 

Needless to say, the sentiment from him was unexpected. You exhaled deeply, brushing his hand from you. “Fine.”

<><><><><><><> 

But two hours spent alone in a library study room proved to be more difficult than originally anticipated. Trying to work together felt like pulling teeth - a true collaboration of absolute vexation.  

“What about this passage?” You pointed to some text in a book you were sifting through. 

He swiveled his chair around, only looking at your find for a solid half a second before, turning back around. “Nah, that’s not good enough to use as evidence.” 

“What the fuck, Hyunjin? You didn’t even read it.”

“I didn’t have to. I assumed whatever you found was as subpar as everything else you’ve ‘found.’”

You dropped the book on the table with a loud plonk, partially in shock at what he said and partially due to a natural tendency to want to irritate him. “Well let’s see what you ‘found,’” leaning over the table in a relaxed manner, carrying a dash of nonchalance as you scrolled through his writing. “You call this good evidence?”

“What on earth are you talking about?” You wanted to laugh at his defensive tone. 

“It’s obvious that you’re framing your own narrative by taking shit outta context. Not to mention all the ellipses and brackets are terrifically horrendous, visually. You’re taking literally all the credibility out.” 

“What do you know? I doubt you even read that article,” he dismissed your legitimate critique in a manner you unfortunately predicted. 

“As a matter of fact, I did… two. hours. ago. And you told me the article didn’t seem ‘reliable’ enough for you, but here you are… you must think I’m fucking stupid.” 

The side of his lips curved up in the slightest smirk. “Not true, I think you’re annoyingly absentminded.” 

You rolled your eyes for the umpteenth time in the past minute, whispering, “fucking cockmaggot,” under your breath, diverting your attention back to your screen. 

“What did you just say?” His tone suggested he wasn’t being rhetorical - he really didn’t hear you. There was something cute and innocent about his ignorance, the way his lips formed a subtle pout unintentionally, nose wrinkling in distaste. You mentally shook the image from your head, cursing yourself for thinking he was… ‘cute’ to begin with. 

“Nothing, My Liege, nothing at all,” mocking sarcasm spilled from your lips as you parted them to give them a disapproving smack. “This is complete shit; we can’t submit this.”

Hyunjin slammed his laptop closed, standing up abruptly. The action took you by surprise, making your neck shudder in a startle. “I can’t fucking do this anymore. Why do you have to be so fucking difficult?” Pent up rage was slathered all over his face, eyes twitching, eyebrows tightly knitting together, jaw unhinging from an excess of epinephrine. 

His anger diffused to you, violently charging your nerves. There was no way you were just gonna take his shit sitting down. “Why do you,” you stood up, chair rocking back from the velocity of your limbs, “have to be,” you turned around and gripped his collar with both hands, “such an insufferable asshole?” 

He was dumbfounded, wordless much to your satisfaction, but his eyes were unwavering, devoid of reaction. The time you spent stabbing each other with your unfaltering gazes felt like a goddamn eternity, tension coarse, sinfully tangible on your skin. 

It was fucking stifling. 

Before you even realized what was happening, your lips were latched together in a fervent frenzy, tension thickening for an entirely different reason now. 

There was something so breathtaking about the way his lips tightened against yours - literally. It felt like he was siphoning your soul from your body - any thought that dared to grace your mind oddly dissolved into nothingness as Hyunjin molded your lips into submission, tongue colonizing your oral cavity in an authoritative manner that was so in character for him. 

Not that you gave a fuck. 

His hands aggressively tugged at your waist; the impact of your body crashing onto his sent pangs up your spine, and in seconds, your back thudded against the wall, maintaining the momentum. You had to grip his shoulders purely for support, and definitely not because you were immersing in the moment.

You felt his grip loosen as his hands roamed downward, playfully drawing patterns on your skin with his fingers en route. And then they constricted around your thighs, lifting them up to his hips, and you hooked your ankles around his back as if it was the natural thing to do. 

The fabric of his pants became taut around the building frustration underneath, becoming oh so apparent to you when he started steady grinding against the thin fabric of your underwear - why did you have to wear a skirt today of all days?

You passed a reluctant whimper through his lips, wholly unable to deny the way your pulsing desire radiated heat through your core at the increasing friction. 

You broke away from the kiss, gasping. “Hyunjin…” you whispered almost breathlessly, desperation filling you as he continued his tantalizing test of your patience. 

“Hmmm?” There it was: that signature smug grin, but by this point, your senses were too preoccupied to even register it. 

“I can’t take this anymore.”

“Is that so?” He lifted you off the wall, pushing your laptops to either side so he could lay you on the table, spreading your legs to give him clear sight of your dampening sex. He snickered. “You look much better like this…” While ghosting one hand around your inner thighs, conveniently avoiding the place you needed him the most, he undid the button and zipper of his jeans with the other, sliding them down to his knees. 

You found yourself licking your lips at the silhouette of his bulge, now more prominent with less restricting fabric. Of course, he noticed; “so these are you true colors… I never would’ve thought you were such a dirty girl.” He brushed his fingers over the waistband of your underwear. “Where do you need me?” He pressed his thumb on your clit, “here?” 

Your teeth pressed down on your lips in an effort to stifle a moan. “Yes…” and even though you were successful the first time, there was no stopping the sounds from seeping through your lips when Hyunjin slammed his clothed erection on you once more, picking up exactly where he left off just moments ago. 

“Please, Hyunjin…” he pushed your thighs further apart, keeping them in place. 

“‘Please,’ what?” 

“I need you inside me, please.” 

His sinister laugh filled the small room. “I don’t know if you deserve it.” 

“Fucking asswipe.” 

“Now that doesn’t sound very convincing…” 

You groaned in pleasurable displeasure. “Hyunjin… please, I’m begging you. I really can’t take this.” 

“Don’t you care if someone tries to come in?” He raised an eyebrow, partially in curiosity, mostly in amusement. 

You glared right into his eyes. “No.” 

He shook his head, clicking his tongue as he stood back. “Get up.” Any urge you had to defy him before was long gone; you did as he asked and he harshly turned you around by your waist, pushing you toward one of the windows. 

While pushing you down against the glass with one hand, he reached in his front pocket with the other, grabbing a condom. He ripped the packaging with his teeth, skillfully sliding his boxers down to slip the vinyl over him. 

Not wanting to wait any longer, you aided him by pulling your panty down leaving yourself completely exposed for his taking, and you quickly pushed your hands on the glass, bracing yourself for the next few seconds, but nothing could’ve prepared you for that stretch that came. Your wrist slid down on the window pane to bite back a scream. 

“So tight.” 

 ><><><><><><><

A/N I’mma be honest: I had a fucking field day coming up with all those weird insults

[drarrymybeloved]

for the romance

i’ve been toying with the idea of sharing a few fics i've read for easy access to my faves + author appreciation, and i finally decided to just get off my ass and do it!

this is, in no way, a comprehensive list (it is also very subjective-not a rec list although you're welcome to use it as one!) & i’m sure i’ll be making a part 2 to this at some point in the future. also, these are my interpretations of the fics, so maybe for u it's not the romance that pops out in these & that's okay!

as the title suggests, these are fics i read for the romance <3

1. Turn by Saras_Girl

you knew this would make it onto the list. of course it would. i think we’ve all wondered at some point or the other what would happen if we had done that one thing differently & Saras_Girl explores this concept of actions and their consequences so intricately, i could lose myself in it (and i have. multiple times) the characterisations too are original yet spot on- blaise was such an ebullient surprise! i thought about putting it on my 'for the plot' list too for sheer length + fleshed out plot, but at the end of the day, i come back to this when i want to read a soft familiar romance

2. The Courting by the Pureblood Who Only Has Five Milligrams of Romantic Intelligence and Thinks He’s Real Smooth by @cibeewastaken

read this fairly recently and what a treat!! two idiots pining after each other, a relationship-but-not-really, super earnest draco & a harry that is so completely gone on draco- what more could you want?

3. Little Deaths and How to Avoid Them (or Draco Malfoy’s Guide to Stop Dying and Start Living Instead) by dustmouth, nerakrose 

a soft & sweet fic i’ve revisited so many times. featuring harry working in an archive & draco researching death (ways people have died not the actual concept, it’ll make sense i swear) in said archive. i loved the exploration of draco’s anxiety & the way he deals with it & harry understanding his asexuality. also really appreciated the underlying emphasis on communication & consent between partners. 

4. The Kisses Don’t Count, If No One Else Knows by oldenuf2b

friends with benefits to fake lovers to actual lovers?? delicious smut streaked through with aching tenderness?? sign me tf up. featuring quidditch player draco, minister for magic harry, under secretary hermione & (scarily competent) head auror ron. this fic gave me everything i could ask for & then some more. 42k has never felt shorter.

5. Right Hand Red by @lqtraintracks

a classic drarry fic, this was one of the first i read and i was immediately enamoured. the slow build up of tension between draco & harry eventually reaching a fever pitch- not quite a slow burn but the effect is the same- keeps you on the edge of your seat, just waiting for the collision you know is coming. the balance of fluff & angst is ideal, with the angst leaving you yearning for the sweet ending more than aching through the angsty bits, if that makes sense.

6. A Song, Incomplete by RurouniHime

this is a fic with layers to it- it features middle aged draco & harry and is essentially placed in present time. it’s left to the reader to pick up on the information given by the author & piece together the backstory of the characters post-war, something i thoroughly enjoyed. the relationship between draco & harry before the events of this fic is hinted at so you know the basic outline of what happened but it’s not so thoroughly fleshed out that there’s no room for subjectivity (again, something i love). the characterisations are so rich, albus especially was so interesting to me, both as a character & the nature of the relationship he shared with his father. the balance between plot and romance is fairly even, but the slow build is just so intense & rife with emotions, it really feels as if the plot is background for draco & harry’s relationship. this is an achingly sweet fic as opposed to a feel-good fic, but definitely one i've revisited many times.

7. Good to Me (And I’d Be So Good To You) by AWickedMemory (TeddyLaCroix)

such a sweet 8th year fic with harry determined to make friends with a subdued draco & then falling for him along the way. i love how well both boys know each others tells & draco’s reluctant acceptance of harry’s attempts at friendship is so endearing. special mention to an apparently oblivious hermione who was (in true hermione fashion) not oblivious for a second & was in fact the reason harry confessed his feelings for draco. definitely a fic that’ll make you smile!

8. if you've changed your mind by warmfoothills

mamma mia au!! need i say more? though i suppose it's not so much an au as it is draco just going full donna-from-mamma-mia post-war. complete with an island, a son, and an embarrassing diary found by said son. 

9. Way Down We Go by @xiaq

(this is going to go on my 'for the plot' fic list too because Reasons) this has all of my favourite tropes oh my god. i love xiaq's take on werewolf!harry; it's so refreshing to see were!harry that isn't like, a big dramatic thing. less beast of the night, more cuddly silly large dog. on that note, draco figuring out that harry is a werewolf in like, 1 second, is so spot on lmaoo. the slow burn is so good (so much domesticity!! so! much! also hurt/comfort). it has a dash of angst which is balanced out so well by the fluff. i've read it recently so i'm waiting for it to settle into my memory a bit (do y'all do that? is it just me??) but this is definitely a fic to revisit.

[yunhoez]

Swell

♄ pairings: suna x reader (in their 20s)

♄ genre: romance, angst, bestfriends to lovers (if u keep one eye open)

♄ warnings: cussing, vulnerability talk, suggestive scenes ??, nothing else really

♄ wc: 2.2k

♄ song: only in my dreams - the marias

Chapter 1

3 Years Ago ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

The light scent of honey surrounds you, bubbles pillowing every movement you make, as the warm water sways slightly. Rei sits across from you with her arms folded on the edge of the tub, laying her head on them as she sighs deeply. The relaxing atmosphere and her presence always set your mind at ease, especially with the soft music coming from her record player. Rei lifts her head, stretching her arm to reach the bottle of soju outside of the tub.

“What are you afraid of?” she asks, pouring herself a shot before downing it and raising a brow at you. You hum at the question. It wasn’t something she’s never asked before, rather it was something she always asked when she could tell your mind was elsewhere. When your eyes wandered down to your hands, as you fidgeted with your rings.

“Mice?” you tilt your head and smirk.

“Something other than that!” she laughs and splashes you lightly before handing you your glass filled with the strawberry flavored liquor.

“Vulnerability, I guess.” you answer, sinking back into the bath after placing your empty cup on the side of the tub.

“Really? What about it scares you?”

“How easy it is for people to take advantage of it and toss you to the side after seeing it.”

“Yeah, I get that, but we’ll never know people’s true intentions… so why deny your right to feel everything and express it regardless of the outcome?”

“It’s uncomfortable though, showing people every part of yourself and not knowing where it’ll lead to.”

“Sometimes you have to be uncomfortable in order to move forward and grow.” she shrugs, leaning her elbow on the tub and propping her head on her palm.

“I’d rather be comfortable, it’s a lot safer that way.”

“You sure about that?”

“For right now, yeah.” she nods at your response, as you sigh in content after she accepted your stubbornness. Her lips perk up into a smug smile and she shoots you a teasing glare.

“So, Rintaro, is he your idea of comfort?”

You roll your eyes, sinking deeper into the tub, your knees covering your face as they pop out from the warm water. She continues to stare at you with a teasing smile, waiting eagerly for your response.

“Did you really have to bring him up?”

“Hey, I’m just trying to figure out what comfortable means to you.”

You send her a blank stare, not believing her statement for a moment. Rei met Suna around the same time you did, the both of them hit it off and quickly became best friends. He’d always try to set her up with his teammates or the girls he rejected back in highschool, but she was much more interested in bullying him at the corner store with you, Ava, and Atsumu.

“Fine, he keeps asking about you.” she admits, rolling her eyes with a slight giggle leaving her mouth.

“I knew it.”

She moves closer to you in the tub, taking your hands in hers and pulling you up from the bubbles that collected around you. You place your head on your knees, as she mimics your position.

“C’mon, bubs. What’s going on?”

“He’s not.” you mumble, she swirls the water beneath her with her hands, waiting for you to continue.

“He’s not comfortable. He’s the complete opposite of what I’m used to and it scares me.”

“What are you used to that makes you feel comfortable?”

“Uncertainty, callousness…mended with absolute certainty of security.”

Rei lets out a loud sigh, pouring both herself and you another drink. It’s not that I want these traits in a relationship, it’s just easier to accept when I’ve gone through them already. You thought to yourself, as she placed your glass on your side.

“Maybe you do need therapy.”

You scoff, splashing her and crossing your arms. She laughs and shakes her head at your pouty face before smiling at you.

“You need to let go of the idea that you deserve hostility instead of love.”

You cup your hands in front of you, picking up the bubbles and blowing them towards her in an effort to ignore what she’s saying even if you knew she was right.

“You’re not alone though.” she smiles, picking her glass up. “I’m still working on it too. So, let’s both try to accept love and vulnerability as strengths and not weaknesses, okay?” She boops your nose with her soapy hand before bringing the other one with her glass towards you. You grab your own glass and raise them together, toasting to the new goal she set for both of you.

Present ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Two glasses clink in front of you, bringing you out of your trance. The sound of people conversing amongst themselves becomes louder, as Suna and Atsumu down a shot of Fireball. Ava nudges you lightly with her elbow with a concerned look on her face. You smile, reassuring her you’re okay before your gaze meets Suna’s. He leans close to your ear, his warm breath laced with the strong scent of whiskey sends shivers down your spine.

“Can we talk?”

“Sure.” You mumble.

“Meet me at the back door, yeah?” He shoots you a smile before dashing to the refreshments bar. You let Ava know you’re going for some fresh air, walking slowly to the exit. Your stomach fills with the familiar sense of butterflies, the kind you get when you’re about to drop from the highest point of the rollercoaster. A scary, yet thrilling feeling that you could live without.

Suna comes back with his pockets full, you send him an inquisitive look and he winks in response. He opens the door, waiting for you to step into the chilly air before shutting it and walking in front of you. You both walk up the little hill outside the studio until he finds a spot. He sits down, looking back at you and patting the spot next to him.

“C’mon! Since when are you shy?”

“Shy? No, I just like my personal space.” you scoff, taking your seat next to him. He rolls his eyes, as he hands you a small glass bottle shaped like an apple.

“Got this for you.”

You grab the delicate bottle, running your fingers along the etching of it and smiling to yourself. He blushes slightly at how pleased you look, just like you did when he’d hand you that same brand of apple juice before he went off to practice.

“So, you just carry apple juice with you?”

“Yeah, got a problem with that?”

You deadpan him, unamused at his attempt at a joke. He scoffs, opening his own drink.

“Got it from the bar, stupid.” he takes a sip of his seltzer water and sighs in delight, noticing your lingering gaze. You stifle a laugh before turning away from him.

“What’s so funny?” he questions, staring at you. You shrug, opening your juice and taking a sip of it.

“Just interesting watching someone enjoy TV static.”

“At least I don’t have the tastebuds of a fucking toddler.” he retorts, smirking at your offended expression.

You take another sip of your juice, placing it next to you before flipping him off. He laughs, grabbing your hand that was once telling him to fuck off. You stare at his hand laying on top of yours, the warmth of his calloused hands reminded you how much you missed his touch. He quickly releases your hand after staring at them for a second too long, your hand falling down to your lap slowly. He rubs the back of his head, as the two of you refuse to make eye contact.

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

You bring your knees up to your chest, looking out at the city lights as Suna propped himself on his arms to peer up at the stars.

“I’ve always enjoyed this.”

“Hm?” you hum, looking over to him.

“Sitting her in silence, it’s oddly comfortable.”

“Yeah, I guess there’s not many people that find comfort in silence.”

Suna shakes his head, a smile plastered on his face. When was the last time you saw him smile this much? He certainly didn’t smile this much before you parted ways, not even when you two went to school together. The little crinkles next to his honey colored eyes made your heart swell, his usual deadpan look was so full of light that it made your heart flutter in the most uncomfortable way.

“I was talking about being in silence with you, dumbass” he interrupts your thoughts, looking over to you and locking eyes. You cough, looking out towards the city once again.

“It’s cold, huh? I don’t remember it getting this cold here.” you stutter, rubbing your hands on your legs to warm them up. He smirks at your nervousness and shrugs off his jacket, placing it over your shoulders.

“I wasn’t implying I wanted your jacket.”

“I know, feel free to take it off.”

You roll your eyes, adjusting his jacket on yourself. The spicy sweet scent of his cologne lingered on the fabric, making you miss all those times he’d leave his clothes at your place ‘in case you missed him’ he’d say.

“Aren’t you cold?”

“Honestly, my nerves are enough to keep me warm right now.” he admits, staring off at the skyline. You smile at his honesty, whenever you were around Suna you knew you’d always get a straight answer. And although that made you feel at ease, it also scared you.

“Hey, why didn’t you try-”

“I’ve missed you.” he cuts you off, his gaze still fixed on the city. You cuddle further into his jacket, inhaling the comforting scent. “And being here with you right now feels like nothings changed.” Well shit.

“I know… it’s annoying.” you mutter. He turns to you, frustration evident on your face as you huff and stretch out your legs. “Nothing ever changes here and it’s irritating.”

“Why is that?” he smirks, enjoying your little fit of anger that he couldn’t get enough of.

“Everything in this world is subject to change. Nothing ever stays the same for long, and if it does it’s just waiting to be destroyed.” he stares at you intently, as you continue to rant and stare out at the city, as if preaching to a group of people. “Everyone loves nostalgia, but never stops to think about how change is inevitable. Being comfortable without changes sets you up for failure. A sense of false hope that’ll kill you in the end.” you take a deep breath, realizing you went off on a tangent and look over to Suna, who’s gazing lovingly at you.

“What’s with the dumb smile on your face?”

“I just like hearing you talk, it feels like old times.”

“Did you even listen to a word I said?” you scoff, rising from the ground and walking a few feet in front of you to pace around. “Jeez, it’s like talking to a wall. Nothing’s the same about us, so stop acting-” you pause at the realization of what you were about to say. You avert your gaze to the city, feeling the chill in the air while the heat burns through your cheeks. Suna lets out a small laugh and walks over to where you are, standing dangerously close to you.

“You’re so stupid sometimes, ya know?” he jokes, nudging you softly. “I know nothing’s the same between us. It never will be, but I’d like to try to start something new.” he sighs, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “You can blame it on nostalgia or comfort, sure. But what is it about being comfortable that scares you?” you freeze at his question, realizing how much you’ve changed since that conversation with Rei. Suna peers down at you, giggling before pulling the hood of his jacket over your head.

“Let’s head back in before Rei thinks something’s up.” he tells you, walking away from you slowly. You follow, walking in front of him before stopping right at the door and handing him his jacket. He sends you a confused look, as he takes it back.

“For the record, I never said I was scared of it. It’s just annoying.”

He gazes down at you and nods, putting his jacket on. A small smile tugs at your lips as he fumbles around his pockets, pulling out a lollipop. He raises a brow at you and you turn around to open the door. He pushes it closed with his arm, caging you between him and the heavy door. You turn to face him, his warm breath fanning over your face, the faint scent of cinnamon still lingering. He brings his arm back, unwrapping the candy and pocketing the trash.

“What flavor?”

“See for yourself.” you tease.

He smirks, bringing it to his mouth slowly. You watch him, not sure why you haven’t moved an inch. He was no longer caging you, but his captivating movements that were so foreign to you kept you from walking away. He brings his hand to cup your cheek softly, his thumb running over your lip and parting them slowly. You obey him, the heat in your stomach building, telling you not to get too close... again. The hard candy slips past your lips, the sweet taste of cherry tackles your taste buds as he pops it out of your mouth, gazing at you with an inquisitive look.

“Cherry.” you tell him, turning away and opening the door.

“Thanks, pretty.” he hums, popping the lollipop into his mouth as he watches you leave his side.

a/n: ahh hi hi, I hope you enjoyed chp 2! more suna content in this one hehe, I have a lot more in store for this so pls let me know what y'all think! kisses xx

[tigerkirby215]

5e Rakan, the Charmer build (League of Legends)

(Artwork by Riot Games)

Happy day after Valentine's Day friends. I wrote this build in August, and a lot has happened to my little bird twink during that time. Along with a damn good new skin (and you know: new season) he’s become one of the more sought out supports in pro play. Also I got him to Mastery 5 at time of writing (December 13th, 2020.) Who knows: I might update this little blurb to say I got him to a higher mastery.

Sadly I don’t have a Xayah to duo queue with. But I’m always ready to be the support that you need~ 💓

GOALS

Am I not magnificent? - Rakan’s title is literally “the charmer.” Of course we’re gonna need some charms.

War is in the dance - With an ability called “Battle Dance” we’ll need to be quick on our feat, dashing around our foes and popping them up with a Grand Entrance.

Nothing's fun without risk - While he may not be the best enchanter Rakan has a ton of heals and shields for both himself and his allies.

RACE

Rakan is half bird, but he doesn’t do a lot of flying which leaves Aarakocra out of the picture. He’s also incredibly chatty (holy shit have you seen how many voice lines Xayah and Rakan have?) so Kenku is definitely not an option. So when in Rome as a furry look no further than a Shifter.

All Shifters have Darkvision and their Shifting ability to gain temporary hitpoints, but everything else is determined by their subrace: to be ever quick and ever charming go for a Swiftstride. As a Swiftstride Shifter your Dexterity increases by 2 and your Charisma increases by 1. You are Graceful and have proficiency with the Acrobatics skill, and your Shifting feature lets you get down with The Quickness, moving 10 feet faster and being able to move 10 feet as a reaction if an enemy ends their turn within 5 feet of you, all while not provoking oppertunity attacks!

ABILITY SCORES

15; WISDOM - Rakan is all about the spirit of the wild and the subtle magic of nature. Wait Nature and Arcana are Intelligence skills? Uhhhhh... 

14; INTELLIGENCE - Rakan certainly doesn’t show that he’s smart but Nature and Arcana are Intelligence skills. That, and this is a requirement for a very particular class.

13; CHARISMA - A charmer of course needs to be charming. (Feel free to swap this with CON if you want more health but worse RP.)

12; DEXTERITY - Even if Rakan is normally shirtless this is enough for good ol’ Medium Armor thanks to our Racial stat increases.

10; CONSTITUTION - Even though Rakan plays up close and personal he’s certainly not a tank.

8; STRENGTH - You wouldn’t risk ruffling your feathers by doing heavy lifting.

BACKGROUND

While Rakan didn’t start out a rebel like Xayah he gladly joined her cause, and while a background like Entertainer might make more sense for him he’s without a doubt a Freedom Fighter now... unfortunately there’s no Freedom Fighter background so Faction Agent is the next best thing.

You get proficiency with any Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma ability and naturally we’ll be going for Performance. You also get proficiency in Insight but we’re actually going to be replacing it with Arcana for knowledge of the magic of the wild. Additionally you can learn two languages of your choice: unfortunately Aarakocra isn’t an option but Auran (or rather Primordial) is. And to learn the ancient language of Ionia I’d recommend Sylvan.

As a vastayan rebel you can gain access to a Safe Haven for you and your allies. By using secret signs and passwords you can identify other rebels who can bring you to a safe house, give you a free place to stay, or assist you in finding information. They won’t risk their lives for you but as long as you remember the password they’ll be willing to help. You... did remember the password, right?

(Artwork by Riot Games)

THE BUILD

LEVEL 1 - CLERIC 1

Starting off as a Cleric, the king of supports. As a Cleric you get proficiency in two skills from the Cleric list: this is actually where we’ll be grabbing Insight proficiency from along with Medicine to keep Xayah safe.

Clerics get to choose their subclass at level 1 and there are obviously a lot of options to go for: Peace to bond with Xayah, War to better your battle dance, Nature or Arcana to further your connection to natural magic... Bet you wouldn’t expect the choice to be the Order Domain from Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica! (Also reprinted in Tasha’s Cauldron.) (I’ll go over why Order whenever we get abilities important to the build.)

For a start Order Clerics get proficiency in Heavy Armor as well as either Intimidation or Persuasion; Xayah’s got the scary part down so go for Persuasion, since someone’s gotta be the smooth talker! You also get Voice of Authority, letting you set up for an ally with a Grand Entrance. If you cast a spell with a spell slot and target an ally they can use their reaction to make one weapon attack against a creature of your choice. You have to be able to see the enemy you want them to target, and if you target multiple allies with a spell only one of them can use their reaction to attack. But setting up for friends to cut through foes is what you do best!

Speaking of spells and set-up Clerics get access to Spellcasting! You can learn three cantrips at level 1: for a Gleaming Quill grab Sacred Flame which does Radiant damage (not Fire damage!) to a foe. If you’re getting surrounded however Word of Radiance will let you shine on your foes for more Radiant damage! And to be a good support and help your allies out of combat Guidance lets you add a d4 to ability checks.

You can also prepare a number of spells equal to your Wisdom modifier plus your Cleric level. As an Order Domain Cleric you have Heroism and Command as part of your Domain Spells, meaning that you don’t have to prepare to be the hero and force your enemies in line. For a close range heal look no further than Cure Wounds. For a shield grab Shield of Faith to make it harder for enemies to kill your allies. And to set up for your friends grab Bless, making it easier for them to hit and survive.

LEVEL 2 - CLERIC 2

Second level Clerics can Channel Divinity once per short or long rest, invoking the power of the gods to help them. All Clerics can Turn Undead, forcing undead within 30 feet to make a Wisdom save or run away from you. However Order Clerics can charm their foes with Order’s Demand. You can charm (yes charm!) anyone of your choice within 30 feet until the end of your next turn, or until they take damage. Additionally you can force them to drop whatever they’re holding so they don’t shoot Xayah!

This is one of the many abilities I wanted out of Order Domain. A big AoE charm that also stops enemies from hitting you and your friends is right up Rakan’s alley.

You can also prepare another spell and while Rakan doesn’t have a ranged heal in-game Healing Word is just too good to pass up on as an Order Cleric. Bonus action let your friend whack an enemy!

LEVEL 3 - WIZARD 1

Didn’t take Rakan as the bookish type, did you? Well, he isn’t, but we need some abilities from Wizard that we can’t get elsewhere except Clockwork Sorcerer which makes even less sense for Rakan. Regardless Wizards also get Spellcasting. You learn 3 cantrips from the Wizard list: for a more direct autoattack grab Firebolt because I like having a variety of damaging cantrips, to add some pizzazz to your dance Prestidigitation will let you add a bunch of funky visual effects as you please, and for some coordination in Team Chat grab Message! "Did you notice the sky?" "It's lovely." "Not as beautiful as you."

You can prepare a number of spells equal to your Wizard level plus your Intelligence modifier, but when you multiclass into Wizard you can learn 4 spells to put in your spellbook. You can only prepare spells in your spellbook is the long-and-short of the class. Anyways: to bedazzle your foes grab Color Spray and blind them with your beauty. For a little owl companion take Find Familiar. To run when you need to Expeditious Retreat will help. And finally to detect the magic of the world take... Detect Magic...

Wizards also have Arcane Recovery, letting them recover a spell slots of a combined level equal to half their Wizard level rounded down. In short every spell slot counts the same number of “points” as the spell’s level, and you can recover a number of spell points equal to half your Wizard level. So a third level Wizard can either recover a 2nd level spell or two 1st level spells. Oh and you can’t recover spell slots past 5th level.

LEVEL 4 - WIZARD 2

Second level Wizards can choose their Arcane Tradition, and to protect yourself with Fey Feathers the School of Abjuration is here for you. Along with being an Abjuration Savant (letting you learn Abjuration spells in half the time for half the cost) you have an Arcane Ward to shield you: when you cast a leveled Abjuration spell you can also create a magical ward on yourself that lasts until you finish a long rest. The ward has a hit point maximum equal to twice your Wizard level plus your Intelligence modifier. (So currently 6 HP.)

Whenever you take damage, the ward takes the damage instead. If the damage reduces the ward to 0 hit points, you take any remaining damage. Whenever you cast an abjuration spell of 1st level or higher, the ward regains a number of hit points equal to twice the level of the spell.

You also learn 2 more spells so how about some Abjuration spells? Shield is a reaction Abjuration spell to protect you from melee attacks, while Absorb Elements is a reaction Abjuration spell to protect you from magic. AR and MR!

(Artist unknown. Made for Riot Games.)

LEVEL 5 - WIZARD 3

3rd level Wizards can learn second level spells but I’d actually suggest learning Alarm back at 1st level. Why Alarm? It’s an Abjuration spell you can cast as a Ritual, so you can just cast it continuously to refresh your Arcane Ward even without preparing the spell. For your other spell Mirror Image is a quick and easy way to keep the baddies from whacking you.

LEVEL 6 - WIZARD 4

4th level Wizards get an Ability Score Improvement but I’m actually going to suggest the Observant feat to increase your uneven Wisdom score. Every Support’s gotta pay attention to their wards!

You can also learn another two spells along with a cantrip: take Dancing Lights to set up a stage! As for spells you’re the loud and proud sort so to make a Grand Entrance grab Knock to make way for your party! Meanwhile if you want to keep yourself and your allies safe from ranged harm Warding Wind will do just that and more, but it will also make it harder for Xayah to hit. "What the hell were you thinking?" "Back there?" "Yes." "I wasn't. I never think. Ugh... thinking."

LEVEL 7 - WIZARD 5

5th level Wizards can learn third level spells so it’s time to grab our first mass charm: Hypnotic Pattern, which isn’t an Enchantment spell but in fact an Illusion spell (which will be important later.) If you want to get down with The Quickness however there’s nothing better than some good old-fashioned Haste.

LEVEL 8 - WIZARD 6

6th level Abjuration Wizards can finally protect their party and their girlfriend thanks to Projected Ward, letting you use your reaction to reduce the damage an ally takes with your Arcane Ward. “Thank you honey!”

You can also learn two more spells from the Wizard spell list. Xayah need to call someone? Help her with Sending. Want to go full AP for the traditional D&D Grand Entrance? Fireball.

(Artwork by Riot Games)

LEVEL 9 - CLERIC 3

We’ve spent enough time down in Nerdsville so how about some more Cleric levels? Third level Clerics can prepare second level spells like Aid to boost up your teammates with a Knight’s Vow. Speaking of Knight’s Vow Warding Bond will let you bond with Xayah so you take some damage for her.

Additionally as an Order Domain Cleric you have Hold Person and Zone of Truth innately prepared. Keep enemies at bay and let them know the truth!

LEVEL 10 - CLERIC 4

4th level Clerics get an Ability Score Improvement and I’m going to suggest further increasing your Wisdom, as it’ll help us more with our Cleric abilities which will be important later.

You also learn another cantrip such as Mending to keep your outfit in check. Additionally you can prepare two new spells with your increased Wisdom: Lesser Restoration can give you or Xayah some Tenacity when needed, but I’d suggest holding off on the other slot.

LEVEL 11 - CLERIC 5

5th level Clerics who use Turn Undead now Destroy Undead of CR 1/2 or lower. It’s unlikely that you’ll be fighting CR 1/2 enemies at level 11 but hey: it’s still useful!

What’s more useful however is that you can now prepare third level spells! As an Order Cleric you have Mass Healing Word for Redemption, or Slow to... slow the enemy. Maybe you grabbed Righteous Glory? Who knows.

Regardless the important thing is your charms so grab Fast Friends to charm single targets and Incite Greed to get a whole crowd to follow your Fey Feathers!

You may be asking why we’re grabbing Enchantment Spells of all the spells that Clerics get a third level. Well for one it’s because you’re The Charmer, but more importantly...

LEVEL 12 - CLERIC 6

At 6th level you become an Embodiment of the Law as an Order Domain Cleric. The law of dance that is! If you cast an Enchantment spell of first level or higher you can choose to make that spell a bonus action instead, and can do it a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier. You regain these fast charms after a long rest.

This was the main reason I went into Order Domain. Being able to quickly charm foes is textbook for Rakan, which made this subclass ideal for this build.

You can also prepare another spell at this level: Dispel Magic with Mikael's Crucible in case of any strong debuffs. Also more Abjuration spells for your shield!

(Artwork by Yusuh on DeviantArt. You have no idea how hard it is to find solo artwork for these two.)

LEVEL 13 - WIZARD 7

7th level Wizards can learn 4th level spells like Confusion; something that fills my allies whenever I take Rakan into the jungle. For your other spell I’d actually suggest hopping back to third level for Counterspell to keep your allies safe with more Abjuration. Trust me it’ll be important later.

LEVEL 14 - WIZARD 8

At 8th level you get an Ability Score Improvement and despite being a Wizard we’ve kinda been ignoring Intelligence: let’s fix that with a +2 so our Ward can be stronger as can our Wizard spells.

You can also learn two new spells: more Charms? Charm Monster, so even the mighty Volibear can’t resist you. Other than that there are tons of great Wizard spells but I’m never going to say no to Dimension Door.

LEVEL 15 - WIZARD 9

9th level Wizards can cast 5th level spells like Dominate Person for charms on-par with mind control! (Because it is Mind Control.) For more combative 5th level spells Synaptic Status will let you bedazzle everyone in a 20 foot radius sphere, making it harder to hit as they’re stunned by your beauty. Rakan can have some AP; as a treat.

LEVEL 16 - WIZARD 10

10th level Abjuration Wizards get Improved Abjuration, letting them add their proficiency bonus to any ability check to Dispel Magic (such as with Dispel Magic or Counterspell.) If you wish you can also have Bless active on yourself for a d4 + 5 to any counterspell check. When you consider that the DC is equal to 10 plus the spell’s level and you have up to a +9 to the check it’s more than likely that you can be a Guardian against any dangerous spells!

You also get another cantrip at this level: do you already have too many cantrips? Yeah probably, but to get more props for your dance take Minor Illusion.

As for your two new Wizard spells Hold Monster is like Hold Person, but it works on Baron! And how about something to keep Zoe in her dimension? Banishment is a 4th level spell that works like a super CC that knocks an enemy out of the fight completely. You can’t attack them while they’re on another plane, but if they’re not native to the plane and spend a full minute Banished they go back to their original plane.

(Artwork by Riot Games)

LEVEL 17 - WIZARD 11

11th Wizards can prepare 6th level spells. Want to keep Xayah safe from a falling temple and shadow ninjas? Globe of Invulnerability blocks all spells of one level lower than you used to cast the spell. In general. The globe surrounds you but you can dive in to protect Xayah. But what if you just want to dance? Look no further than Otto's Irresistible Dance! It’s a spell that forces everyone to dance; that’s all you need to know! But seriously read the description of your spells.

LEVEL 18 - WIZARD 12

12th level Wizards get another Ability Score Improvement: seeing as we are going deep down the Wizard path it only makes sense to get a bit more Intelligence.

You can also learn 2 more spells: Contingency will let you cast a spell in case of emergency. Choose a spell of 5th level or lower that can target yourself and a trigger for the spell: when the trigger happens the spell activates. Backup plans are more of Xayah’s thing, but something like “Banish myself if I’m about to die because Xayah would kill herself if I died” is a good plan.

There are tons of other good Wizard spells; so many that I can’t choose any that would particularly fit Rakan or the build as a whole. You have a limited number of prepared spells anyways so take something you think will be useful.

LEVEL 19 - WIZARD 13

13th level Wizards can prepare 7th level spells: want to do a conjoined recall? Teleport will let you and up to 8 willing creates teleport to a location, such as your fountain. There’s a table of places you can end up which I suggest looking at for the full details of the spell, because it’s a rather overwhelming spell to explain without copy-pasting the description. But because I further suffer with what spells to give you in a high leveled Wizard build how about a fancy light show? Crown of Stars lets seven stars orbit your head which you can shoot out at enemies or light up the night!

LEVEL 20 - WIZARD 14

Our capstone is the 14th level of Abjuration Wizard for some much needed MR. Spell Resistance lets you resist all damage coming from spells and have advantage on all saving throws against spells!

Speaking of spells you can learn your final two but... pick for yourself this time! Xayah will love you despite all your faults, and I’m sure that you can make a choice for yourself. This is my way of saying I’m sick of picking Wizard spells.

FINAL BUILD

PROS

You will see my dance - You are the master of keeping your friends safe with charms to keep fights from happening and both shields and heals to keep your allies from being hurt.

Look at me now! - You are incredibly elusive: 18 AC (Scale Mail + Shield) you can bump up with the Shield spell, a 32 HP ward to protect you and your allies, and even Shifting for Temp HP and more dodging.

You put us in a cage? I put you in the ground - And of course as a caster with full caster levels you are more than capable of putting down the hurt, especially due to the added efficiency of being able to cast two spells in a turn (well a leveled spell and a cantrip) thanks to Embodiment of the Law.

CONS

I don't have to remember the plan if you do - You are essentially mixing two spellcasters who want you to use extremely dedicated spell lists. Abjuration spells to make Abjuration Wizard work and Enchantment Spells to make Order Cleric work. Sure you don’t only need to cast Enchantment and Abjuration spells but there also aren’t that many Abjuration spells to power up your ward.

I can't die looking this good! - The vast majority of your levels being in Wizard combined with a 0 Constitution score results in a health bar that’s easily under 100. You may have advantage on all saving throws but Power Word Kill has no save.

Woo! You animals are dumb! - The other problem with mixing two full casters together is that you can’t get the best of both worlds. You aren’t getting 9th level spells in general (even if you get the slots for ‘em) and both your Wisdom and your Intelligence aren’t maxed out. Sure if you aren’t using Standard Array that isn’t an issue but you’re bound to drop something.

But if you were perfect why would you need Xayah? She completes you, and you complete her. Fight along side her and together you’ll be unstoppable. There’s nothing you can’t defeat with the power of love... But a plan would also probably be good. "I think Xayah told me to improvise. At least, that's the only part of the plan I remember."

(Artwork by Riot Games)

[iwillbeinmynest]

Old Lady - Frank x Reader(f)

Author’s Notes: Okay this one has me melting lol. I’ma actually relived to be on this fluff kick for a bit. Its refreshing and fun. Especially during a time when, I think, everyone could use some.

AU: Biker

Word Count: 1.6k + (Okay, so this one is a one-shot, to a dabble. Sue me.)

Notes/Warning: Fluff, tiny bit of stress and embarrassment, kissing

Masterlist

Frank walked out from the club house and grabbed his helmet off the handles of his bike.

“And where are you headed so early?” Sam asked as he stood with crossed arms and a smirk. He leaned against the porch railing with his hips.

“I got somethin’ I need to do.”

“I bet you do.” Sam’s grin grew wider.

Frank huffed, “Don’t you have anyone else you can bother?”

Sam only shook his head.

Frank rolled his eyes and then swung a leg over his bike. He cranked it up and the engine roared to life.

Steve walked outside and stood next to Sam. “Where is he going?” he asked as Frank rode away.

“Where do you think?”

Steve smiled. “I’m happy for him.”

“It’s a shame he’s going soft, though.”

“I’d say he’s got a pretty good reason for it though.” Steve added.

*  *  *  

Frank shut off the bike and ran a hand through his hair and gave his head a shake to try and get rid of his helmet hair- he wanted to look his best, this was a big day.

As he approached the house Frank heard the sound of shouting and crying. He knocked on the door.

“It’s open!” Her shout muffled.

Frank opened the door to see the living room a mess of glitter and dance costumes. Toys littered the floor and the four year old Hannah dashed from one side of the room to down the hall in nothing but an oversized tee-shirt and dance tights.

Frank found Y/N and looked at her with wide eyes.

Y/N was close to tears and went to him. “She won’t let me do her hair and we are about to be late for her call time,” Y/N’s chin quivered and she dropped her head against his chest. “I’m the worst dance-mom ever.”

If it was any other woman, Frank would have laughed but, this was Y/N. So, he  rubbed her back and kissed her head before taking a deep breath. “What needs to get done so we can go?”

Y/N inhaled and stood upright, detaching herself from Frank. “Um,” She wiped her face of tears, “I need to get her costumes and shoes together and I need to get her hair into a bun but she keeps running from me and I don’t know what else to say to her to get still.”

Frank nodded, “Okay how about I do her hair and you get her clothes.”

YN looked at him like he had three heads. “You can do a ballet bun?”

“I’ll manage.” He said matter of factly, “How hard could it be?”

Y/N sniffed, “Have you met Hannah?”

Frank put his hand at the back of Y/N’s head and pulled her to him until he could kiss her forehead. “You do your part, I’ll take care of her.”

* * *

  Frank walked into Hannah’s room to find her standing dead still and staring at her T.V. which was playing Sophia the First.

Silently as he could, Frank grabbed a hairbrush and hair ties from Hannah’s dresser and stood behind her. He gathered up all of her hair and, when she started to squirm, he gave her the Elsa doll that was sitting on her bed. Hannah stopped moving and Frank kept working. Before the episode was over, he’d done it and it wasn’t half bad if you asked him.

He went to the living room and found that Y/N seemed less stressed.

She looked up from butting Hannah’s tap shoes in the dance bag. “Did you get it?”

Frank smirked with pride, “Yes, I did. I just need some hairspray for the back.”

“Well, who’d have thought,” Y/N smiled as she tossed him the can of spray - he caught it with ease. “Thank you.”

 He winked at her then disappeared back into Hannah’s room. He came out seconds later with Hannah and she was surprisingly quiet.

Y/N gasped dramatically, “Hannie! You look beautiful, baby!” She looked over Frank’s handywork and really was impressed. “I think it may need a few bobby pins but it looks great.” She grabbed a handful and let Frank continue to hold her daughter while she snuck them in.

Hannah rested her head on Frank’s shoulder and held Elsa tight.

“You ready to go, now, baby?” Y/N asked.

Hannah nodded her head but otherwise didn’t move from Frank’s arms.

Y/N gave Frank a look and grabbed all of Hannah’s dance clothes before heading to the door.

Frank chuckled, “You gonna go out in that?”

Y/N paused and looked at her sweat pants and sports bra. She slammed the door shut and dropped the costumes back on the couch. She ran down the hall to her room and called out, “I’ll be ready in two minutes!”

* * *

 She kept to her word and reappeared with seconds to spare. She was twisting her hair up as she came down the hall and pinning it into place.

Frank’s brows shot up. “Wow,” he said at the sight of her.

She was wearing a black lace dress with a blue lining, it fit like a glove. Her heels, a baby blue t- strap, really helped to show off her legs.

“What? Does it look bad?” She stopped in her tracks, ready to change if she needed to.

“No, you look…” Hannah’s head popped up from Frank’s shoulder to look at Y/N, too. “Wow. I just hope you don’t go out in that too much or I might have to crack some skulls.”

Y/N rolled her eyes but smiled softly. “It’s brand new and just for you.” She placed a hand on his chest and leaned in to give him a kiss. “Besies, unless you’ve done something I should know about, I plan on keeping you Frank Castle.”

“No, Ma’am. I’m all yours.”

“What are skulls?” Hannah asked.

Frank pulled his lips down in a dramatic frown, “Oops.”

“It’s nothing, baby. Come on. It’s time to go.” Y/N said quickly to avoid the conversation.

* * *

  At the theatre, Y/N rushed back to her seat. Frank smiled at her and the stage lights lit up his face gently.

“She okay?” He asked her.

Y/N nodded. “Yeah. I left her with Jess, one of the other mom’s. Hannah likes her so she didn’t freak out when I left.”

“Good.” Frank put his hand on her knee and patted it. “She’s gonna be great.” He encouraged her quietly.

The lights faded to black as the current dance number ended and Y/N grabbed Frank’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

The lights came up and there was little Hannah just off center in the very front. She was grinning wide and stood proud with her hands and feet in first position. The music started and Hanah began her dance. Her evergreen, romantic, tutu flowed around her as she ran from one side of the stage to the other in time with the other girls.

Y/N watched her with pride and Frank watched Y/N.

He loved to see the love Y/N had for her daughter. It gave him hope. His mother was never like this, in fact he wasn’t sure if she’d ever been proud of him. But Y/N- she was an amazing mom and if he had his way she was gonna be a great old lady. His old lady.

The song ended and everyone clapped and cheered.

Y/N clapped and then wiped tears from her eyes. When she noticed Frank watching her she blushed, embarrassed. “Sorry. I was just so nervous for her. She did great.”

“She was amazing.” He smiled at her.

“I guess I’d better go get her ready for her tap number. I’ve only got five songs in between.” Y/N grabbed her purse.

Frank took her hand, “I’ll walk you.”

He escorted her through the dark theatre and then held the door for her. When they reached the lobby Frank grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into a kiss.

She fell into it and placed both hands on his kutte. She pulled back and looked at him curiously with a smile. “What was that for?”

He shook his head. “Just...’cause. You… Y/N Y/L/N you are the most perfect woman I’ve ever met in my life and I know you hate him and I know I shouldn’t be but I’m so glad Hannah’s father bailed on you cause he gave me you. And I swear on my kutte that if you’ll have me, I’ll do right by you and our little ballerina princess.”

Y/N tried to breathe through the tears that threatened to fall.

“I love you, Y/N.”

Y/N kissed him and pulled him close by wrapping her arms around his neck. “I love you, too, Frank.”

He grinned down at her before kissing her again.

Someone entered the lobby and Y/N and Frank jerked away from each other like teenagers-  flushed and all but giggling.

“Well, I better get back there.” Y/N finally said.

“Oh, yeah- yeah, okay. I’ll, uh, I’ll see you back in there then.” He couldn’t get rid of the smile on his face if he tried.

Y/N nodded and then headed down the stairs and towards the backstage entrance.

Frank watched until he couldn’t see her any more then shoved his hands in his pockets and allowed himself a moment to revel in the moment since he was alone in the lobby again.

But when he turned around he froze.

Standing smug and smirking, on the stairs to the balcony, stood Steve and Sam. Steve nodded and Sam wiggled his brows at Frank.

Frank’s smile vanished and he was suddenly embarrassed, wondering how much they’d seen. But all he said was a grumbled, “Shut up,” before returning to his seat.

* * * * * * * *  

Forever Tags:

@cassiopeiassky​ 

@sgtbxckybxrnes​

@itsanerdlife​

@beccaanne814​

@tanelle83​

@artemis521​

@elaacreditava​

@feelmyroarrrr​

@palaiasaurus64​

@the-stuttering-kiwi​

@destiel-artemis​

@sexyvixen7​

@girl-next-door-writes​

@coolest-avenger​

@xoxabs88xox​

@youclickedthislink​

@also-fangirlinsweden​

@widowvinter​

@daughterofthenight117​

@drayshadow​

@archy3001​

@miraclesoflove​

[snowdice]

Finding the Time to Study Fic 2 [Day 10]

Here is my starting post for today’s study break stories session. See this post for more details and feel free to send me asks to keep me going! It’s been a lot of fun so far! I will reblog this post with the story as I write them today. I’ll be constantly looking for ideas of times and places for Janus to have missions, so feel free to send in any you can think of at any point!

If you are a new follower or just don’t want all of these posts clogging your dash, please feel free to block the tag “study break stories” as all posts and voting about it will go there. You can still see the finished product of the story even if you are blocking that tag as I will not tag the edited chapters with “study break stories” but with the tag “folds in paper.” See edited chapters below. Chapters 2, 3, 4, and what I have of Chapter 5 are under the cut.

My Masterpost Part 1

I also have a playlist on youtube (because Spotify didn’t have one of the songs I wanted). It’s short, and not really for serious listening, but I had fun with it.

It’s going to be stop and go for most of the night because a lot of things will interrupt me, but I hope to do a good amount of this today.

Chapter 2

The morning was just as torturous as Janus had expected it would be. He chewed through another pop-tart, this time bothering to actually check and see that it was a cinnamon-sugar one and drank three cups of caffeinated orange juice. Then, he waved his hand through the air and selected the 1st saved location on his device. He popped up directly behind his desk where he’d been standing the night morning before.

Someone, probably Remus, had shut his integrator down. He swiped a finger across the power button, and it flickered back on, scrolling through its morning start up routine.

 The machine scanned through all of the data in the three main system it was connected to and sorted all information into things that concerned him, could concern him, and did not before then sorting the first two categories into order of importance. As it did, he set up his screen reader so he would hopefully not start the day with more of a migraine than he already had. It took about 3 seconds for everything to turn on and settle.

Sitting down in his desk, he dismissed the notification that Remus had finished and submitted the report from their mission the day before.

 A mission had been scheduled for him today, and the details were in his inbox. A piece time travel technology had been accidently dropped by an archology student in the 1890s during a trip. It was an earlier model of emergency time travel given to time travels that would dump them back into the Registration Office in the year they originated. It wasn’t extremely dangerous, but could pose some problems, especially if someone who didn’t know what it was activated it.

Surveillance agents had tracked it down and found that it had been picked up by a local and sold. Though no one from that time had known what it was, they had identified that it was made out of a precious metal and it had been crafted into an expensive necklace. Janus and Remus were supposed to retrieve it today. It had been pinpointed that the most opportune time for the extraction was 1923 during a masquerade ball held by those who had bought the necklace.

 It was a fairly low stakes mission. He wasn’t set to leave for another couple of hours, so he clicked through the rest of the important notifications and then set off to meet his missions coordinator, Rhi, in her office.

Rhi and Janus got along fairly well. She was a well put together woman who took her job incredibly seriously. It was fair as her job was to organize all information and materials from every other department and make sure the agents she was assigned to got and understood all of it. A mistake from her could lead to an agent’s death or something far worse.

 This, of course, made her relationship with Remus… interesting to say the least. Janus could never place whether they were nemesis, frenemies, or mortal enemies, and he doubted he would ever know.

“Okay, but it’s the 1920s America,” Remus was already in her office arguing when Janus arrived. “There were so many gangsters! I could be a gangster. I would make a fantastic gangster! Just give me a gun, a snazzy suit with a white hat, and a buttload of alcohol. I will be running Chicago with Al Capone in five minutes.”

“Al Capone didn’t become a crime boss until 1925 and you are going to 1923,” Rhi said, sounding bored, “you aren’t going to Chicago, and as I have already stated, your cover is already decided.”

 “But-”

“It is nonnegotiable, Agent Clockson,” she said firmly. Remus pouted, but seemingly accepted his fate.

“May I come in?” Janus asked.

“Please do,” Rhi said. “You have been to the 1920s before, correct?” she asked Janus.

“Yes ma’am.”

She tapped the screen on her desk in response. “In the last two years?”

“About two months ago,” he responded. She tapped something else.

“Any blacks, reds, or yellows?” she asked.

“All green.”

“Great. Do you need a refresher course on basic cultural or linguistic procedures?”

“No.”

She pushed one more thing and then swiped the check-in document over to him. He glanced at the report stating he’d had no incidents of any level the last time he visited the 1920s and had opted out of the optional refresher course, and then pressed his finger against the screen to sign it with his fingerprint.

 The document returned to her side of the desk automatically. “Okay,” she said swiping another document from her left over to be in front of her. She twisted her wrist to copy it and slide copies to Janus and Remus. “Here are exact details on the time, place, and event you are going to, as well as details about your cover.” Janus scrolled through his quickly. It wasn’t as detailed as some he’d had considering this was a brief in-and-out missing, but he still took care to memorize everything on the page.

As he and Remus read through their things, Rhi got to her feet and turned to the storage compartments behind her desk.

 She grabbed out two packages and when they’d both signed that they’d read and understood the paperwork, she slid them across the desk to them. “These have everything you need,” she said. “Clothes, money, and an invitation to the party you’re off to attend. You are to get changed now, have a last check in with costuming to make sure everything is in order, and then report to decontamination in 23 minutes. Your set to leave in 38 minutes. Any questions?”

“How much-?” Remus started.

“None, agent,” Rhi said.

“But-”

“No alcohol,” Rhi said. “It is the prohibition era in the United States anyway.”

“Like there’s not going to be alcohol at the rich people party,” Remus said sullenly.

She pressed her lips together. “It is an in-and-out mission,” she said to both of them, and then turned to glare at Remus. “Do not get arrested.”

 “I don’t know,” Remus said joyfully. “I think I still have room for a 1920s mug shot on my wall.”

“Behave,” she said, “or I’ll report you for the cat you smuggled in from the 1800s.”

“You’d never,” Remus said. “You enjoy the cute pictures of Diesel Fuel I send you every day too much, and you know it!”

“Just… don’t get arrested.” She turned to Janus. “Don’t let him get arrested.”

“I’ll do my best,” Janus promised, standing. “Now come on, Remus, we need to get changed.”

“You just want to see me naked,” Remus replied with a wink, but he did stand.

 “If I see you naked one more time in my life Remus, my eyeballs will fall out of their sockets,” Janus said, waving to Rhi as he pulled Remus out of the door.

“Kinky.”

Janus’s eyeballs almost did fall out right then and there with how hard he rolled them.

They got changed quickly, Remus complaining and saying if he couldn’t dress like a gangster, he should at least be allowed to wear a flapper dress. Janus had long ago learned to ignore his ramblings. He did seem enthused about the included mask for the masquerade. It was a silver fox shaped mask with green accents that reminded Janus of the Egyptian God Anubis.

 Janus’s own mask on the other hand, was only designed to take up the left half of his face. It was mostly golden with a black swirled design. Attached to the side there was a plume of golden tipped white feathers. He had to give it to the costuming department, they did have good taste.

Once they were both dressed, they were poked and prodded by one of the costumers to make sure everything was accurate, fit right, and had been put on correctly.

After that, they went to the decontamination area to have themselves and everything they were taking with them sterilized so they didn’t accidently take any pathogens to the 1920s. They also received an oral vaccination to be sure they didn’t pick up anything from the 1920s and bring it back.

Then they were ready to go. The correct time-space coordinates had already been sent to their timepieces. With a push of a button, they were off.

  Inciting Incident

Chapter 3

Janus and Remus both appeared at the same moment a couple of feet apart in what looked like the inside of a garden shed. There was already a man waiting for them a few feet away. “Sup babes,” Remy said, just like he always did. The T-Agent looked their costumes up and down and whistled. “Now that,” he said, “almost makes me want to be one of you time jockeys.”

“They wouldn’t let me have a gun or a canister of moonshine,” Remus pouted.

Remy snorted. “Sorry, babes, but that makes my job a lot easier. If I’ve gotta fish you outta the 1920s criminal justice system, I’d rather it not be because you shot someone on accident ‘cause you don’t know how to use the safety.”

 Remus groaned dramatically. “Everyone is lame.”

Remy just shook his head. “Meet back here when you’ve got the necklace,” he said. “Don’t make a move until after 11:05pm and before 11:17. That’s your window.”

“We know,” Janus said. “See you then.”

“Have fun at the party boys,” Remy said and then lowered his shades to look at Remus, “but not too much fun.”

“Yeah, yeah,” said Remus, already towing Janus out of the garden shed. The way had been specifically cleared for them, so they met no other people before they’d rounded the house the party was taking place and had gotten onto the driveway in front of the house.

 Without missing a beat, they strolled up to the front of the house, just as a car pulled into the end of the driveway. Janus rang the doorbell, and a few moments later, a man who was clearly the butler answered the door. They handed over their invitation, and the man immediately let them in.

The party had already started when they slipped into the medium sized ballroom that had been decked out in streamers and other decorations. Janus’s nose immediately wanted to scrunch as the smell of sweat from all the dancing already going on as well as the too strong perfume meant to cover that stench wafted over him. It was by far not the worst smelling time period, but he was pretty sure some people still weren’t aware deodorant had been recently invented.

 He checked his time piece which had been disguised as a fancy wristwatch for this trip. “Okay,” he said. “We have about two hours before we need to make our move. We should…”

Remus’s attention was already being dragged away by a young man who seemed to be providing guests with food. “I’m going to go ‘mingle’,” he said, winking.

“No!” Janus hissed. “Re- Richard! No!”

Yet, he was already disappearing into the horde of stinky bodies, likely to go scandalize a bunch of rich folks, and leaving Janus alone. Janus mumbled a curse under his breath that he was sure no one around him would understand even if they could make it out.

 Unsure what to do with himself, he wandered over towards where the live musicians were playing jazz music, being sure to keep out of the way of the dancers. He was edging around the makeshift dancefloor, when one of said dancers must have misstepped and knocked into another one. The second man stumbled right towards Janus, arms pinwheeling. Janus reached out on instinct to catch the man as he fell.

There was a moment where the two of them just stared at each other, surprise evident on the other man’s face. He was wearing a mask that just covered the area around his eyes and the top of his nose, revealing a smattering of freckles across his cheeks that Janus imagined extended to his nose.

 The mask was a light blue velvet with a flower stuck on the side near his right ear, and a trail of curled golden ribbon bobbed down around his chin. The party continued on around them, a blur of movement and sound.

“Are you alright?” Janus asked.

The man blinked up at him and then tilted his head slightly to the side as though confused, before a smile slowly grew on his face. “Oh, I’m fine Dove.”

“Dove?” Janus asked.

He giggled. “You have dove feathers on your mask,” he explained, reaching up a hand to touch one. His finger brushed the tip of Janus’s ear, “and I don’t know what else I am supposed to call you.”

 “My name is Lee,” he automatically lied.

“Is it?” he asked, sounding amused. “Doesn’t seem to fit you well. I like Dove better.”

“Oh?” asked Janus. “And what’s your name so I can not call you that?”

The man chuckled. “Call me Pat.”

“Hello Pat,” Janus said.

“I thought you didn’t want to call me by my name.”

“I changed my mind.”

“Hmmm,” Pat said, finger tracing idly across Janus’s forearm which was when Janus realized with a start that he was still holding the man in his arms. He quickly went to release him, which Pat allowed with clear amusement.

 Yet, instead of completely stepping away, Pat grabbed Janus’s arm. “What are you doing all the way over here by the way?” he asked. “Don’t you want to dance.”

“Oh,” Janus hesitated. “I don’t really dance.” Or at least not in the way the people around him were. He’d had basic training for this style, but it had been a while and he was a bit rusty.

“Everyone dances Dove,” Pat claimed. “At least if they know the steps and have the right partner.”

“But I don’t know the steps,” Janus said with an eyebrow raise.

He hummed. “Well, I know the dance pretty well by this point,” Pat said. “Why don’t I teach you how it goes.”

 He was agreeing with the soft beseeching tone before he even realized it. Pat pulled him into the middle of the throng of people. He seemed to think, bopping his head to the music playing for a moment, before looking back at Janus. “Heard of James Johnson?”

Janus inclined his head.

“Well, have you heard his new song? Because there’s a dance that goes with it.”

He took a few steps away from Janus and started to dance. Despite his claim to know the steps, he wasn’t particularly good, but he made up for any loss of rhythm with pure enthusiasm.

 Janus found himself smiling at the man, and after a few moments, joined in with the dance. Despite his lack of practice, he ended up having a better natural rhythm than Pat. Pat didn’t seem to mind that he was being outperformed, however. On the contrary, he giggled at himself the couple of times he stumbled.

When he fell into Janus’s arms for the second time that night, Janus decided he’d probably had enough dancing for the moment and pulled him off to the side to get something to drink and cool down a bit.

He watched the man take a snack and some punch from one of servers and thank him happily before turning back to Janus. Pat was easily able to keep Janus’s attention as they chatted. He was bubbly and soft, and Janus found himself enchanted as they talked.

 He was explaining the steps of a different dance, a couples one. “Knowing how to perform the tango will entrance any girl you want,” Pat said, something mischievous sparkling in his eyes. “Assuming you’re that type of fella.”

“As opposed to what?” Janus asked.

Pat leaned in a bit closer. Not too much, but enough that he was definitely in Janus’s space. “A different type of fella,” he said simply, before smiling and leaning back.

Janus let out a shaky exhale and took a sip of punch. He glanced over at Pat. “Tell me about yourself, Pat,” he said.

Pat hummed in contemplation. “Well, I went to France recently.”

 “You did?”

“Oui, c'était amusant, mais j'ai eu des ennuis”

“What kind of trouble?” Janus asked curiously.

“Oh, the kind with a pretty boy and crepes that were way too sweet. Anyway,” he continued. “Other than that, I mostly help out my friend. He’s an inventor.”

“And how do you help him.”

He shrugged, “Running errands mostly, and making sure he gets enough sleep, because otherwise he gets distracted and forgets. And you?”

“I’m a banker,” he said, remembering his cover, but felt compelled to add, “but I like to travel as well.”

“You do look the type?”

“And how is that?”

   Pat shrugged. “I can always tell a wandering spirt from the masses, and you are easy to spot.” Pat looked at him then with a secret smile on his face, and Janus felt suddenly known, like the man in front of him had known him for years even though they’d only just met. Looking at him then, he wanted suddenly for that to be fact and not a flight of fancy.

He was brought firmly back to reality in the next moment. “Lee,” a pointed and familiar voice said. Janus’s head snapped up to see Remus, staring at him. He tapped his wrist. Janus glanced at his own wrist: 10:58pm. He just barely managed not to curse.

 “I,” he said looking up at Pat. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

“That’s okay,” Pat said easily. “It is getting rather late.”

“Yes,” Janus agreed. “Well… goodbye.”

Pat, titled his head, a half smile on his face. “I’ll be seeing you around.”

Janus nodded, and turned away from him towards Remus. He didn’t look back as they excited the ballroom. They snuck into a small side closet for coats that wasn’t being used as it was summer.

“So,” Remus said when the door closed behind them.

“Don’t,” warned Janus.

“I’m not one to judge,” Remus said.

“Shut up.” He glanced at his watch. It was 11:02. “We’ll go in 5.”

 “I have to give it to you. He was very cute.”

“We’re not talking about it.”

Remus just laughed joyfully, and Janus did his best to halt the blood rushing to his cheeks.

At 11:07, well into their window, they slipped back out of the closet, and towards the stairs as the party raged on.

Despite how Remus usually never shut up, he was able to be quiet when it counted. They snuck to the master bedroom of the home’s owners in silence. The door was already wide open by the time they got there, and Janus didn’t think anything of it. At least, he didn’t until they entered the bedroom, and there was someone already there.

 He turned from the dresser he’d been standing in front of to face them, sending Janus the same smile he had down in the ballroom. Janus and Remus both froze. “Sorry, sweetie,” Pat said. “Were you here for this too?” he held up the necklace they’d been sent for. He closed his fist around the charm made out of time travel tech.

“What?” Janus said.

Pat giggled and winked. “Unfortunately, I need it a bit more than you at the moment. So, I’m gonna have to go.” Janus stepped forward, not really sure what he was intending to do, but Pat just smiled. “See you some other time, my Turtle Dove.” With a snap of his fingers and loud crack, he disappeared. The mask he’d been wearing fluttered to the ground.

  Arc I: Finding Cinderella

Chapter 4

Janus was frozen in surprise for a few long moments after Pat disappeared. Which had been, admittedly, his mistake, because, while their window had technically been until 11:17pm and it was only 11:10, the loud crack that whatever Pat had been using for time travel made, garnered the attention of someone else.

“Uh oh,” Remus said, likely hearing footsteps. “Hide.”

That snapped Janus into action, but instead of hiding immediately like a sensible human being, he chose to go for the only link to the man who’d just stolen time travel tech and waltzed away, the mask.

Which was why he ended up getting arrested.

 Remy tsked the moment they were all alone in the police car having come to ‘transfer Lee to another facility.’ Remus was already waiting in the front seat, and flashed Janus a smug smile. If Janus wasn’t still handcuffed, he’d slap him.

“Well,” Remy said. “At least you didn’t shoot anybody like I asked. I was joking by the way. I didn’t really want to pick you up from a 1920s police station period.”

“It wasn’t my fault.”

“Mmm, nah, ‘cause Remus managed to not get arrested this time, so you defiantly screwed something up.”

“Oh, he defiantly wanted to screw something all right,” Remus said joyfully.

 “Remus,” Janus hissed.

“What?” he asked. “I’m not the horny one for once. Well, no, that’s a lie, but it didn’t affect the job this time.”

Janus groaned and leaned his head back against the seat.

Remy pulled into a seemingly random garage around 20 minutes later. “Alright,” he said. “Here we are.” He got out of the car and then helped Janus out before uncuffing him. “Here’s your ‘watch,’” Remy handed him the timepiece that had been confiscated when he’d been arrested.

Janus put it on and activated it. “Shit,” he said.

“What?” Remus asked.

“An appointment with cultural outreach has already been downloaded to my calendar for once we get out of decon.”

 “Oof. Going to baby jail,” Remy laughed. Remus was cackling.

“This,” Janus said, “was not a cultural faux pas. I did nothing that indicated that I was not from this time. I am not some rookie.”

“Don’t forget cell phones don’t exist in the 1920s,” Remus sang.

“The real question is whether or not my foot exists in your…” Remus disappeared before he could finish, a smirk on his face. Janus growled. “By Remy,” he gritted out. He selected the decontamination chamber from his queue, ignoring the appointment that came after it for now.

He knew exactly where Remus would be standing when he landed, which was why he stepped forward on reentry to ram into him.

 He yelped in surprise. “Sorry,” Janus said pleasantly. “I must have also forgotten landing procedures.

Remus laughed good naturally. “Aw, come on Jay,” he said, bumping Janus back, albeit much gentler than Janus had been. “It’s not a big deal. You just go talk with some crusty old college professor who is far too interested in spoons and then everything’s fine.”

“It’s the principle of the thing,” he growled. “They’re treating me like I’m an idiot who accidently invented disco in the 1920s when I was conned by some free agent time traveler.”

“‘Conned,’ Remus said. Is that what they’re calling it now?”

 “I know where and when you live Remus,” Janus said.

Remus gave him a dopey smile as the decontamination cycle finished and the door unlocked. Janus’s wrist buzzed telling him that the coordinates to the cultural outreach office were now unlocked. Instead of pulling them up, Janus walked to the door.

“Um,” Remus said, following him. “Aren’t you supposed to be going to your appointment?” Janus just kept walking towards their office. “Uh… Jan?”

“It’s absolutely ridiculous that I have to go to cultural outreach,” Janus said. “In fact, no one can make me. If they want me to go have a discussion about the definition of ‘bushwa,’ they’re going to have to have me dragged there.”

 “Mmm, I feel like The Boss won’t be too happy about that, and I have a feeling she’d be 100% down to dragging you there herself.”

“Well, then, let her,” Janus said, stalking through the door to his office. “I’m not going to…”

“Ah, Agent Picani,” the woman standing next to his desk, clearly waiting for him, said when he came through the door. “Dr. Picani was informed that there were complications with your last mission and wishes to have a conversation with you and asks that you meet him in his office at the AMO.”

“Oh, um,” Janus said, stumbling a bit before plastering on a regretful half smile. “Unfortunately, I actually have an appointment right now at Cultural Outreach. It’s mandatory and very important, and I have to go now. So, I’ll have to take a raincheck on that.”

 “But-” she started, frowning.

“Remus, work on the report!” Janus said quickly as he waved his hand to bring up his timepiece display and jammed his finger at the glowing appointment card in his queue. A few moments later, Janus was at Cultural Outreach.

Cultural Outreach was not part of the TPI, though it often worked very closely with them. It was a collaboration between the government and multiple universities to help government workers, politicians, and other citizens understand and bridge cultural gaps. It had existed before time travel was invented but had expanded to also teach people who needed to time travel how to behave in unfamiliar times and cultures.

 After it had to be expanded to provide for the TPI, it had been moved to Silver Mountains University. The building had once just been a museum, but it had been thoroughly renovated and there had been add-ons for office space and some classrooms. It was still a museum, however, its purpose had expanded greatly and there were many areas that were off limits to the general public.

One of these areas was the fourth floor, where Janus’s timepiece had dumped him. This was the floor that was almost exclusively for TPI agents and staff of Cultural Outreach who worked with them.

 He immediately turned away from the reception area, hoping that he could escape and go sit on the university’s quad or something of the like for the next hour or so in hopes the woman his brother sent to fetch him would give up and go back to the AMO. Yet, the receptionist apparently saw him.

“Janus Picani?” he asked.

Janus grimaced and turned back towards him. “Yes,” he said.

“Is something wrong?” he asked. “You’re 5 minutes late for your appointment and seem disoriented.

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“Is your timepiece malfunctioning?”

“No.”

“Uh… okay. Well, if you sign in here, I can take you to your appointment.”

“…Fine.”

 He begrudgingly stepped forward and touched the screen he’d gestured to sign with his fingerprint, and then let the man lead him down the hall.

The door they stopped at was propped open slightly, but he still paused and knocked. “Professor Eran? Your 2:30 is here.”

Janus had just a moment upon hearing the name to think that maybe there was actually some sort of intelligent design of the universe and whatever being of ultimate power had crafted it was a dick.

The door opened and Virgil Eran’s eyes immediately narrowed on him. “Janus.”

“Virgil.”

“I see you’re still late for everything.”

“I see you’re still a bastard.”

 Janus saw the receptionist slowly back away in the direction they’d come.

“Why don’t you come in?” Virgil said faux pleasantly.

Janus did, because he really didn’t have much of a choice at this point unless he wanted to jump out of a window… or push someone out of a window.

Virgil turned back into his office and took a seat behind his desk. Janus unhappily followed him in and sat across from him.

He took his time pulling up whatever the TPI sent him and reading it over. “So, I see you failed your recovery mission and were arrested in 1923.”

 “It wasn’t like that,” Janus said. “I shouldn’t be here.”

Virgil gave him that same suspicious look he used to give Janus whenever Janus claimed to have not eaten his hot pockets out of the freezer in the middle of the night. He’d only been lying 80% of the time. Virgil had a tendency to forget what he’d eaten in a half-conscious state at 3 o’clock in the morning.

“I shouldn’t,” Janus snapped defensively. “Nothing went wrong with anyone from the time period. An illegal time traveler screwed up the mission details.”

“Well, it is still protocol to make sure nothing slipped when agents go off script. You weren’t prepared to be in a jail cell, and it is possible that you screwed something up.”

 “I didn’t screw anything up,” Janus growled.

“Alright,” Virgil said pulling up a document on his desk. “The mission started on July 27th, 1923 at 9:58pm, correct?”

“Oh, god, we’re not really going to fill out a time sheet. I don’t have time for that today.”

“It is protocol and best that the information is documented when it is still fresh in your mind. Besides, your schedule has been cleared for the rest of the workday.” The bastard was enjoying this. He knew how much Janus hated this stuff.

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” Janus said, “it was the damned illicit time traveler.”

“And I will be the judge of that,” Virgil said. Janus should have just bit the bullet and had coffee with his brother. “If you truly did nothing wrong, your supervisor will see that when I send this to her.”

 Yet, despite the fact that Virgil clearly relished in his suffering, he was charitable enough to do most of the actual filling out of the forms. He’d read out the questions and write down what Janus said instead of making him do it himself. Janus really only had to do a quick quality check and sign it at the end.

He still was an asshole about the details, but really he’d been like that about stupid thing like the settings for the dish washer and how the pantry was organized during their college days before they’d had their falling out, so Janus wasn’t particularly surprised. When they were finally done, Virgil sent it off to get filed by the TPI.

 Then, they were left staring at each other with nothing between them but almost a decade of radio silence and a whole lot of awkwardness.

“I should go,” Janus finally said, standing up.

Virgil tilted his head slightly to the side and gave him a half smile. “Don’t lock the door behind you,” he said. “Not that I’d expect you too.”

Janus took it for the clear attempt at a joke it was intended to be and puffed out a breath of amusement with a head shake. “No risk of that,” he said. Then, he turned and walked out of the office.

 Chapter 5

Janus stepped back into the reception area and booted up his time piece. Instinct said to go back to the office despite the fact that it was late enough that most people had gone home, but he hesitated. Surely Emile had given up by now, but considering he’d sent someone to ambush him in his office, Janus wasn’t sure if he should trust that. He could just go home, but he already knew his mind was racing too much to sleep tonight so he’d probably just end up staring at the lake for the next 6 hours. So, he decided on the only other legitimate option he had. He pulled up Remus’s home coordinates and selected.

 The home that Remus had chosen (after his long line of rejected requests) managed to somehow make no and absolute sense simultaneously to anyone who knew him. It was a small farm in the United States just west of the Mississippi in 1842 in what would be ratified as the state of Iowa in a few years. When asked why he would choose that time and place, Remus always responded with “I thought it was funny,” whatever that meant.

Unlike most time agents who simply used the identities assigned to them by the AMO as a cover, Remus actually lived his part time.

 Janus was… fairly certain he was cheating a bit to get everything done, but he maintained his small farm all on his own, growing most of his own food. The neighbors he had lived very far away, but he still spoke with them far more than Janus did his own.

Janus appeared inside the small home, his eyes already shut. “Are you hear and dressed?” Janus called. Something bumped lightly into his legs.

“I’m in the kitchen!”

Janus peaked his eyes open and squatted to pet the cat at his feet. “That doesn’t answer my question!” he called back to Remus.

 “It’s a surprise!” Remus said.

“Remus.” Diesel Fuel the cat flopped to her side on the ground as Janus continued to pet her ears. He heard Remus’s footsteps, and saw cloth covering his legs, so risked looking up. He was currently not only dressed, but wearing an apron that Janus was fairly sure was not time appropriate judging by the fabric and cat pawprint design. He had a bit of flour on his hands, and it may have been a bit too white for the time and place, but Janus couldn’t be completely sure.

“What’re you doing here?” Remus asked.

 “My day has been an endless series of frustrations,” Janus said. “So, I have come to see the only tolerable being in the history of the universe.”

Remus snorted. “Since I know that isn’t me, I’ll assume you’re talking about the cat.”

“I still don’t understand why you tolerate this creature,” Janus addressed Diesel Fuel. She blinked slowly up at him. “To be fair, he was assigned as my partner. I didn’t have much of a choice in it. You could go always run away and become feral in the woods if you’d like.”

“So could you, technically,” Remus pointed out.

“I’m thinking about it after today.”

 “Would you like some bread?” Remus asked. “That’s all I’ve been making this afternoon. Some fresh should be coming out of the oven in a few minutes.”

“Do you have anything stronger made out of wheat?”

“Ew, no, but I do have vodka.”

“Vodka works.”

“Want me to mix it with something?”

“No.”

“One of those night then,” Remus said, easily. “Let me finish up the bread, so I don’t burn the kitchen down. You can go get the alcohol from the cellar while you wait if you want, or you can just flop down on the couch.”

He was going to just flop down on the couch.

[blueluneacy]

Omg as soon as I refresh my dash I see requests are open again!! I'm the one who requested the delinquent x yandere 3taro and I LOVED it! Any chance I could request a sequel to it? Maybe of their date?

bro, BRO, your MIND is so huge. That prompt was so good! I had a lot of fun writing this one, although it’s a lot more soft than yan!

If you want to read the first part, it’s HERE!

Warnings are: none? I mean, yandere technically, but its p much just soft. hes not even really possessive whoops-

“Is this place alright with you?” Jotaro asked, and you just popped out of your thoughts, looking at the man across from you. He had called you that day after school, ironing out details of where the two of you would meet and when for a date that you were semi roped into.

“Oh! It’s nice, I promise!” You told him, and you weren’t lying. It was nice, really. You just weren’t sure what you were supposed to be doing or saying to Jotaro. You had seen a few schoolmates pass by the two of you and gawk, leaving you feeling embarrassed and exposed. You played with the edge of your coffee cup, thinking for a moment. 

“S-So, um, what exactly are you… Interested in?” You asked him, hoping not to sound like a total idiot. You already had a feeling there wasn’t going to be a second date with how bumbling you were in your attempts for conversation. Jotaro just kept looking at you with that same cold expression, which just made you more certain that this was all falling apart. And Jotaro was so nice to ask out someone like you, the person he always ended up standing out in the hall with. This was sure going to make those days of getting punished for being late all the more awkward. But, Jotaro just hummed for a moment, thinking.

“I like books. I tend to read about airplanes and ships.” Jotaro noted, and you just smiled. You weren’t sure how he could be so calm while you were practically falling apart on this date, but the fact that he was so easy going about it put you at ease. 

“Oh, really? Are you planning on maybe becoming an engineer or mechanic after school?” You asked, trying to continue the conversation, but Jotaro just shrugged.

“Haven’t thought about it.” He replied, and that was the end of that. You swallowed, looking around. God, things would be so much easier if he would establish a back and forth with you! This was just leaving you struggling to figure out what to say in general.

“Oh, haha, I get that! I don’t really know what I’m going to be doing yet, either. My parents want me to go to college, but who knows.” You replied, laughing a bit. Jotaro just hummed, staring right at you. You didn’t quite realize the obsession that was in his eyes, the absolute adoration when he looked at you. Maybe that was why this was all scary for you.

“You could always get married and stay home.” Jotaro noted, leaning back and taking a sip of his drink. You just sputtered, feeling your face flush as you looked for some sort of out.

“M-Married?! But, that would take a while to find and d-date the right person, a-and you know how floaty I am, I’d probably be terrible with housework, you know?” You tried to reason, embarrassed and a bit confused that Jotaro would even bring up such a thing on something like a first date. You swallowed, looking at the ground.“But, if I were to get married… Someone like you might be nice…” God, what were you even saying at this point. You looked up to see Jotaro staring at you, his face just as flushed as yours at this point. You gasped, trying to clean up the terrible situation that you had escalated.

“Oh god, forget I said anything! I’m rambling, really, saying nonsense!” You told him, trying to laugh off what you said. Jotaro pulled his hat down to cover his face, shaking his head. 

“Good grief..” He sighed. You couldn’t see how he was smiling under his hat, the utter joy he felt from your acknowledgement of him. To you, all you knew was that you were totally bombing on this first date. Not that whenever you spoke, Jotaro’s heart fluttered. When you looked at him, he felt like he was in heaven. He could already imagine a life with you, coming home from work to see you cooking dinner with him, maybe even with a child. While Jotaro never really wanted that domestic type of life, the idea of having it with you completely changed his mind, showing it as something rather appealing. 

The two of you finished your food, smiling. Jotaro didn’t even bother arguing with you about paying, he simply told you that you weren’t going to. His pointed look told you not to argue. You moved to wave goodbye to Jotaro outside of the restaurant, but he just stuck to you like glue.

“Let me walk you home. It could be dangerous.” He told you. You rolled your eyes. It was cute how he was worrying about you, but didn’t he know that only more rumors would spread like that? Maybe that’s what Jotaro wanted, for everyone to believe that you were his. After all, no one would ever dare to touch someone with Jotaro, unless they really wanted to lose a few teeth. 

“Jotaro, it’s three in the afternoon. I promise I’ll be fine.” You told him, but Jotaro just shuffled closer to you, moving to hold your hand, even. It was so much bigger than yours, you noticed.

“Well, then it’s just a thing I was taught. You’re supposed to walk someone home after a date.” Jotaro reasoned. You were too embarrassed to actually argue with him, nodding dopily as the two of you began to walk home. Jotaro just kept you close, listening to you continue to talk about whatever popped into your head. Your voice wasn’t grating to Jotaro, rather, it seemed to keep him calm, in a way. You were someone that kept him grounded in this crazy world, that reminded him that things would be alright. 

When you got to your house, you smiled up at Jotaro. This was nice, it really was. While it was confusing at first, you really wouldn’t mind being with Jotaro in that way. 

“Hey uh, would you… Like to do this again? Same time next week? We can go somewhere else, if you want.” You offered, and Jotaro just looked away, once again pulling his hat over his face.

“... If that’s what you want.” He replied. You giggled, quickly picking up on his little mannerisms. 

“Alright, well, I’ll see you at school tomorrow, okay? Today was nice!” You turned to move inside, but Jotaro grabbed onto your hand, keeping you from leaving. You turned, about to ask what was wrong, when Jotaro’s lips met your own, the man pulling you into a warm embrace. You gasped into the kiss, looking at Jotaro with shocked eyes. You never thought he could be so passionate.

But, you felt yourself melt into the kiss, warm and soft and safe. Though Jotaro’s body seemed hard and muscular, all sharp lines and edges, his lips were soft against yours. You felt your heart start to beat faster, the realization causing your face to heat up slightly.

Ah, so this is love.

[flowerthornsart]

Haven meets Sybil

A drabble that i ended up working on for the day, it ended up being longer than i thought it would (3493 words) but I’m super happy with the result!

CW for blood, body horror, and medical grossness

Applying for nursing jobs was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I wasn’t expecting to have a job right away, but with my rent, bills, and student loans cropping up, it’d be nice to get a higher paying job than door dash and Walmart. Sure, I was getting by, but it felt almost as though I had wasted those years studying. It was getting more and more disheartening with every email stating I wasn’t “quite what they were looking for”, if I even got an email or phone call back at all.

I was lying in bed, scrolling through social media, and trying not to let the weight of the last rejection email I had gotten suffocate me when a notification popped up.

 1 new email.

 I sat up a little, clicking on the notification and being taken to my inbox. I refreshed, and refreshed again, but nothing popped up. That’s when I noticed that there was a 1 next to the spam folder.

“Thank you for your application!” the title read, and I could feel my heart start to flutter with nervous excitement as I opened it up.

“Hello Miranda Havis, thank you for submitting your application. We here at Mending Collective have looked over your application and would love to interview you in person. Please give us a call at…”

I barely read the rest as I looked over the number, typing it into my phone and waiting with bated breath for an answer. After a long bout of ringing, it cut off suddenly.

“Mending Collective, Sybil speaking.”

The woman’s voice on the other end was low, in both volume and tone. It took me a second to speak up, nerves getting the best of me for a moment.

“Yes, this is Miranda Havis. I had gotten an email about the position?”

“Oh, Ms. Havis!” The voice sounded more sing song at that. “I’ve been waiting for your call; you’re wanting an interview, right? How about this, I have a client I’m going to meet tomorrow, so why don’t you come with me and show me just how good of an assistant you can be? It beats sitting in my office and asking a bunch of questions.”

“err…” I stammered, unsure what to think. This was in no way professional; I wasn’t sure how to react. “I could always meet you after, if you’re busy.”

“Well, if you’re there, you can show me how well you preform under pressure. If not, I can go alone and consider other applications.” She replied bluntly. “Meet me at the address listed on the email by 3:00 pm. If you come early with some coffee, that might warm me up to you more!” She cackled a bit at that. “Hope to see you then!”

Sybil hung up before I could even reply, and I was left stunned, mouth gaping. Did I really call the right number? I looked over the number listed again and again, even clicked through to the official site linked, only to be greeted with a very early 90s looking site. It had the same number, the address, and a little about the head and seemingly only doctor, Dr. Sybil. There was a picture of what looked to be an almost generic woman in a doctors’ uniform, face framed in grey hair and smiling a pearly white grin. The description of services was vague at best, things like “surgery, pharmaceuticals, and cleansing.” I sat back, eyebrows furrowed, and phone still clutched in my hand as the picture stared up at me. This couldn’t be real. To have a practice so small, to have such a strange doctor with an even stranger idea of an interview, it all seemed too crazy. But I did need the money, maybe Sybil was just getting started, as bizarre a start that would be.

I went through the rest of the day in a haze, flipping from going, or not going, or reasoning behind why someone would pull such an elaborate trick. Kidnapping? Murder? From sundown to sunup the next day, my mind was racing.

Yet I found myself getting dressed, and ready to go by 1:30. I wasn’t completely stupid, I texted a couple friends the address, a vague sense of what was going on, and what I was wearing to the ‘interview’. I didn’t tell them of the odd phone call, just that I felt safer letting them know where I was, since it was in the town over. I could tell they thought it was odd, but they assured me the interview would go well and to not be so nervous.

So, I drove, and picked up coffee on the way while I was at it. The office ended up being in a building consisting of different offices and clinics. If it wasn’t for her office being pushed into a back corner, the black out curtains covering the glass front along with the sign “by appointment only” being plastered on the door would have made it stick out like a sore thumb.

I shifted one of the coffees into the crook of my elbow and tapped twice on the door waiting for a response moment trying the door. It swung open, and the first thing I could smell was potpourri. Its strong scent in comparison to the slightly sterilized smell of the outside hallway made my nose itch, but I shook it off as I walked in. It wasn’t as dark as I thought it would be, the fluorescent lights overhead buzzing as I took in the room.

There were shelves of books, jars, knickknacks that made the whole area look eclectic. There were only a couple chairs in this, what I could only assume to be a waiting room. The plush carpet seemed to hold on to the scent of the potpourri on a couple of the shelves, though there were some petals and plants in there that I just couldn’t identify. The door on the other side of the room had the plaque for Sybil’s practice, though it still only listed the name “Dr. Sybil”. No first name or indication that she had any other surnames. Before I could go to knock on that door, it swung open.

I wasn’t expecting the doctor to be so tall, or to look so different from the picture online.

If I had to guess, Dr. Sybil is easily 6’0”, give or take. Her skin is a pale grey, oddly shiny in the fluorescent light as though she was drenched in water. Her hair was a pale, almost grey purple, her wild hair tied in two loose pigtails on either side of her face. Though the first thing I noticed after her height was the scowl on her face.

She had many sharp teeth, too many for a human to have. Her yellow sclera made her white eyes even more piercing, before her expression changed to a strange crooked smile.

“Oh, look who showed up! Ms. Haven, right?”

“uhm, M…Ms. Havis, ma’am.”

“I didn’t expect you to actually bring coffee! I can already tell we’re going to get along great.” She took the coffee cup from the crook of my arm. As she spoke, I could see glints of even more teeth peeking from the sides of her lips. She took a long swig of the coffee before looking to me again. “Follow me, I’ve got what we’ll need for the house call, and I think I have an extra mask for you.”

“extra mask? Wait-!” I finally bring myself to speak. “Who are you? I mean, what are you? What kind of practice is this?”

Sybil stopped at the door, turning back to me before shaking her head.

“Ah, I forgot I pulled from some human candidates. I didn’t realize I pulled from ones that are unfamiliar with less… mainstream practices.” She turned fully to look at me, tilting her head.

“you already know my name, but as for what I am… well, best way I can put this…” she furrowed her brows for a moment. “You know what a vampire is right?” I nod, taking a step back. “Christ, calm down, if I wanted to bite you I would. I’m sort of something like that, but not in the traditional way. I don’t turn other creatures to vampires, I don’t burn in the sunlight, I’m more akin to a leech, I suppose.”

Sybil pulled her lip back, revealing what I thought I had seen: Her teeth seemed to circle her mouth, and there were a few more hiding behind the from teeth.

“I’ve been around humans for centuries, long enough to learn about you, the way you work, and what shouldn’t be there. Including more supernatural things. That’s what we’re dealing with today.” Sybil put her hand on the handle of the door, looking at me expectantly. “I may have pulled resumes from places other than my usual, I forgot that humans don’t always want to dabble in this sort of environment. If you don’t want to come with me, that’s fine, I don’t even mind if you tell people, because who would believe you? I will say I pay handsomely, but this is ultimately your choice.”

“Handsomely? How much would the payment be?” I blurted out. As unsettling as Sybil herself was, and the idea there was more out there like her, I did still have rent to pay. Sybil’s grin crept back onto her face as she chuckled.

“There’s not exactly co-pay for the visits I do, usually I get to keep the money for myself. But I don’t really need a lot of money, just enough for upkeep and I get my meals as payment from the client as well.” She must have seen the horrified look on my face because she waved me off. “Its nothing deadly, I promise. The most the client has after is a bite mark. My point is, I don’t mind doing a fifty-fifty split with you. These sort of jobs are high demand, there’s very few people who can do it, and my services can range from 3,000-5,000. So, half of that at least 3 times a week if not more.”

I opened my mouth to speak, before closing again. That sounded like an amazing opportunity, almost too good to be true. But if there was even a chance… I nodded before speaking again.

“I’d like to try and see how this first day goes.” I replied, and Sybil gave me a firm pat on the shoulder.

“Atta girl, you’re a brave one Ms. Haven! Let’s get going.”

             The ride there went without a hitch, Sybil asking small questions and I asking small questions in return. Ones like “how was your day? what was college like? Man, the weather outside is too hot isn’t it?” It was almost like I wasn’t sitting next to a vampire leech. It wasn’t long before we pulled up outside of a residential house, a cookie cutter house that looked like the ones surrounding it, save for the tacky flamingo lawn ornaments outside. Sybil reached into the backseat, pulling out a bird mask before fishing out what looked like a gas mask. She measured the band between her fingers, looking from it, to me, before handing it over.

“Here. It’s good practice to have your face covered, and for a human like you, its best for creatures like these to not be able to recognize you later.”

I was about to ask, but she put her mask on and opened the car door, and I just went along with it. It fit fairly smug over my mouth and nose, my eyes the only thing really visible. I followed tentatively behind after Sybil retrieved a bag from the trunk. She knocked on the door, and I could hear the sound of multiple locks being slid open before it opened. A face of a man peeked out from the door, looking the two of us over before opening the door completely. He looked to be in his 50s, haggard, his T shirt drenched in sweat down the collar and pits. I shoot a glance to Sybil before she clears her throat.

“Good evening, Mr. Paisley, I take it Mrs. Paisley still isn’t feeling well?” She asked, a lilt of concern in her voice.

“Feeling well? She’s torn up the whole basement, she looks like a fucking nightmare!” He snapped, a tremble in his voice. Sybil lifted a hand.

“Language, sir. That’s why me and my assistant are here. Did you mix the sleeping medicine into her food like we discussed?”

“Y…yes… she fell asleep twenty minutes ago. She actually looked peaceful, and…” He trailed off, swallowing the knot in his throat before continuing. “Please help her, Doctor. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

Sybil nodded, walking past him as I followed after.

“So, what it sounds like is a possession, but not the usual demon kind. From what it sounds like, something implanted into her, maybe she ate something, on their last camping trip that’s been driving her to animalistic tendencies. My thoughts are that whatever it is, it’s using her like a skin suit. Its not too late to save her, though.” Sybil explained as we walked down the hallway, to the staircase that lead to the basement. She stopped, looking to me as I had very obviously paled at the thought. “Your job, quite simply, is to assist me in this surgery. Be alert: this is a live creature, and you’ll have me by your side. And this.”

She stepped down a couple steps, grabbing a baseball bat leaning on the stone wall and handing it to me. “your resume said you were quick on your feet, Ms. Haven, we’re putting that to the test.”

My stomach churned as I thought of turning back, but I felt I couldn’t just leave, not after entering this house. I followed after Sybil, closing the door behind me. The lights in the basement were dim, torn up cardboard boxes and the contents inside were strewn around the room, the stench of rotting meat mixed with the musty smell of the basement and made me gag. In the middle of the room was a woman, lying on her side. Red liquid was dried on her face, and her fingers looked caked in pieces of ground meat. Sybil pointed me to a knocked over ping pong table in the corner, and as quietly as I could I set it back upright. Sybil set the woman on the table, handing me plastic gloves, and putting on ones of her own. I swore I could see movement under the woman’s skin.

“Alright, lets start with the scalpel.”

For a bit, I was simply helping Sybil with tools, watching as blood pooled, cuts were cauterized, flesh was moved away, and her chest cavity revealed. Except, there wasn’t natural.

If you’ve never seen a teratoma before, it looks like a lump of flesh with teeth, eyes, but is ultimately benign. This, however, looked more like a large bone growth. I wouldn’t have thought it was alive if it didn’t have eyes that immediately snapped to me. It was nestled just below the ribs, the woman’s’ organs pushed out of the way enough to accommodate the boney mass as tendrils of flesh twisted into each other and were trailed out to keep it anchored in the body. It clicked and writhed in the light, making the woman’s skin undulate in different areas. I couldn’t see Sybils face, but I could hear a steely resolve in her voice.

“Be ready.” Is all she said, before grabbing the pair of forceps she had laying on the table and clamping it around the creature. There was a loud wail, muffled but still audible, as it tried desperately to get its hosts’ arms to move. One of its tendrils ripped through the skin of her forearm, bringing muscle with it before letting it fall back and shooting out at me on its own. It wrapped around the front of the gas mask with surprising force, pulling me forward and making me stumble nearly face first into the wound. I clawed at it as I started to coil around my neck, trying to get a grip on it but the mixture of blood and whatever other fluids it secreted made it hard to get any sort of hold. I looked to Sybil for help, but she was too busy dealing with the creature herself, fighting against a few of the tendrils as she pulled the creature with the forceps. As my vision started to get fuzzy, I spotted a scalpel on the table. I snatched it, using the last of my strength to plunge the blade into the creature. Another muffled shriek escaped the core as I stabbed, it pulled tighter around my neck until I sawed through the flesh, an off-white ooze bursting from the middle and smelling distinctly of sulfur and rotting flesh.

“Get the bat!” Sybil yelled, yanking the forceps back and falling flat on her back as the creature was pulled from the body with sickening pops and squelches. It wriggled, the full length of its tendrils finally on display, tall enough to easily pull away from Sybil. I could see now why the screeches were so muffled: teeth clattered on the top of its form, stained red from having been buried in the flesh surrounding it for so long. It attacked Sybil head on, ripping into her now held up arm to protect her face and mask. Quick as I could I wound up with the bat, smacking it hard enough to launch it across the room. The force of the hit and how hard it slammed into the wall caused it to crack open, grey brain matter oozing with that same off-white fluid pouring onto the floor. It twitched and gurgled, still trying to crawl towards us before the extent of its injuries finally caught up to it, curling into itself and going still.

“good work, Ms. Haven.” Sybil panted, a rivulet of blood staining her sleeve. “Take this jar and this solution, scoop some of that creature into the jar and whatever else is there, dissolve it in the solution. I’m going to fix Mrs. Paisley up.”

How she was so nonchalant about what just happened, I don’t know, but the rest of that procedure was a blur. I vaguely remember scooping the remains into the jar, tightening the lid, and cleaning up the excess. My body felt shaky with adrenaline, and I remember Sybil telling me to take the bag and jar to the car while she discussed payment with Mr. Paisley. I heard the front door open after what felt like hours, but what could have only been a few minutes, with Sybil walking out to the car while Mr. Paisley waved, looking relieved and less haggard than before. I couldn’t help but stare at the wound on his shoulder, ringed teeth marks threatening to bleed again until Sybil blocked my view by leaning on my door.

“Ms. Haven, hand me the gauze, I didn’t even realize I was bleeding until now.”

I nodded, reaching into the back, and grabbing the gauze, passing it through the window. She wrapped her arm as she walked to the driver’s side, sliding in, and tearing the gauze with her fingernails before tucking the excess in.

“M…my name is Ms. Havis.” Was the only thing I could think to blurt out.

“Oh. Do you mind if I call you Haven? It rolls off the tongue a little better.” She smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but notice the red tint. I nodded and sat back in my seat. “You did wonderful, by the way. You’re stronger than I thought! You handled it like a professional, so I guess college is good for something!” She laughed. “Listen, you’re going to see and deal with a lot of dangerous things working with me, but on the bright side, we got 4,000 for that arrangement. So, 2,000 in one day isn’t so bad, right?”

I nod, smiling a little up at her as she started the car, taking off her face mask. I pulled mine off as well, feeling how sore my throat was after that ordeal. It felt like that surgery should have taken the whole night, but it was only an hour and a half tops. Maybe it was the adrenaline, but it was just as exciting as it was frightening, and the money was great already.

“I think I would like to work with you again, Doctor.” I said, and Sybil cracked a genuine smile.

“I’d hope so! Let’s get some booze, and some food in you, and we can discuss if you want it in cash or not.”

An odd start, for sure, but I was starting to get used to strangeness already.

[queen-paladin]

White Queen (John Deacon x fem! Reader)

A/N Written for Laura’s extravaganza! Enjoy! From the prompt of the song “White Queen (As It Began).

Word Count: 2,000 Paring: John Deacon x fem! Reader, Freddie Mercury x Platonic! fem! Reader

Content Warnings: brief swearing, mentions of drugs/smoking/alcohol, a bit of angst, fairy gay godmother Freddie, liberties from the song inspired for this, and tooth-rotting fluff.

“Darling, you are going to my ball tonight or I will drag you by your hair!” Fred was declaring as his car was pulling up to Garden Lodge. 

Your heart was pounding in your chest and you were looking down at your hands folded on your lap. Creamy, clean insides of cars were still something you had to get used to, being a close friend of none other than Mercury himself.

“Fred…It’s just…” you mumble.

“I know you don’t normally like to go to my parties, Y/N, but you can’t cower anymore!” he said with a little huff. The car was slowing to the front and Fred was saying his thanks to the driver.

To think that twenty minutes ago, you were canceling to Freddie via the phone. There was a click and you were preparing for a quiet evening. A limo outside honked with your whistling tea kettle. 

Now here you were. 

Thanks to Working early in the morning, you felt drowsy. The thought of being crowded in a room full of loud, obnoxious people lining up for crack buffets was unappealing. If you showed up tomorrow hungover you would have to kiss your job goodbye.

Besides, there was the matter of Fred’s friends altogether. You met the band members several times prior. The tall guitarist and the blonde drummer had their constant moments of explosion with Freddie joining in until it was a pure cacophony.

Then there was their bassist. He would only nod politely and gently strike the strings of his instrument. But he hardly said three words together. When with you especially he seemed especially shrunk and unwilling to speak.

What other sorts of wild guests would come to the party? Hosted by the only person you were close with? 

Exhausted misery was creeping inside you.

Fred dashed over to the other side of the car and led you out. Your arm looped around the dark leather of his jacket out into the cool air. Stepping up to the entrance, he opened the door courteously to show you into Garden Lodge.

“But Fred…what if I don’t like it?” you ask. Echoes of your voice drip around the front parlor.

“You’ve never been to one of my parties, how can you say if you don’t like it! Besides, it’s different this year-it’s a bloody costume ball! There will be dancing and champagne and everything you could dream!” Freddie cheered. He gave a smile that reached both of his cheekbones.

The clicks of your shoes against the tile floor kept the rhythm of your wandering. A delicate chandelier crinkled over you. Directly under it was a vase full of yellow roses beaming like beads of sunlight. What sunlight there was now began to fade through the wide windows of the house, dripping the place in orange light.

“It does…sound wonderful. Like a fairy tale” you coo.

“Well, I always wanted to be your fairy godmother, Y/N. You do so much for others. And me. I thought you deserved to have some fun. A shame if you missed the chance to live a fairy tale, darling Y/N.”   Freddie compliments.

You walk over and greet your hellos to the staff polishing the place spotless for tonight. In their white suits and dresses with black bows, they were like reverse penguins. Fred would shake their hands, call them by their first name and “darling” and occasionally pop out a little present from his pockets for them to open later.

You looked around at the extravagant house. In just mere hours, there would be an army of people dripping in jewels, satin, and lace all over them. Your formal dress from your high school prom was sighing in a bedroom closet under your parents’ roof.

Fred leads you to up his grand staircase. You glance down at your dark blue t-shirt and jeans. Your face gets hot.

“Freddie…” you start, stopping in between two steps. He turns his head back and takes a step back to be at your level.

“I…I don’t have anything to wear. I don’t think any of the nice shops are open now. They’ll all laugh at how…ugly I look” you mourn. You start to notice how muddy your sneakers have gotten compared to the crisp whites of Freddie’s.

Fred gasps a little with a large “What? Nonsense, Y/N, don’t you dare think like that. Did someone say that? They’re an idiot and I’ll hit them” he insisted.

You give a little smile. Leading you up to the top, you see a hallway with four doors. he points to the door at the end to the left.

“That’s the guest bedroom. Well, for tonight, it will be your room. You’re sleeping over here tonight, you and anyone else you bring upstairs. I provided condoms, too” he informed cheekily.

“Fred!” you exclaim.

“Just in case! I’d rather you be safe! And darling…” he leaned over to your ear. You could feel his giddy, childish excitement bubbling up, ready to burst any second.“I bought a gift for you. For tonight. It’s on the bed. You’ve been an angel to me these past few years, through everything. I thought I might do something in return. And you don’t owe me a penny” he affirmed.

 You walk to the guest bedroom and curiously opened the door. You saw a large white box, wrapped up in silk, silver ribbon laying on the large, pink canopy bed. It’s almost the size of three of the white, lace pillows. 

You undid the ribbon gingerly, opened the lid, and were speechless. 

You heard Fred’s fingers tapping against the doorframe in excitement.

“Darling, your stylist will come to help you in five minutes. As my bonus…” he gushed.

With the stroke of nine o clock, Freddie swept you in your gown among the guests down the stairway. It went a little quiet. You were wearing your gift from Freddie, a white ball gown with a crinolined, puffy skirt, a delicate sliver that puffed out from the sleeves dripping down to reveal your shoulders, collarbone, and neck in only little clouds and was dripping with small silver sparkles. There were endless layers on the skirt, and you had to ask Fred to help you put it on. It almost made a swish sound whenever you moved. Sparkling silver heels embraced your feet. There were also little star jewels that the stylist tucked into your half-updo.

Fred insisted you wait until he himself entered. You found out that you would be walking down the staircase together, looking almost like a couple in a melodramatic wedding. With Fred’s long, black cape, Victorian-era black suit, and black fedora, it pulled off seamlessly. In one hand he held a stick that placed a threatening white mask on the end. But his beaming face expressed otherwise.

You noticed there was a pair of green-brown ones tracing your every step. Familiar. Quiet. Soft. Ignoring those, Freddie indulged the gaping crowd by waving an arm and bowing down low enough to touch his toes to applause. The chatter continued and heads turned away.

“It wasn’t just for me they were silent for, darling” Freddie complimented with a wink.

You felt his arm tugging you across the heads of people, red, gold, silver, and blue bodies. Sometimes there were masks - some ranged from plague masks with daggers for noses to delicate lace masks that blended like veins into their skin. Crinkling skirts covered the hall. Violins and cellos plucked out complicated Mozart lines like breathing. Bodies pressed against your wide skirt. Cigar smoke drenched the air.

Greeting everyone by name, Freddie’s arm nearly strung you around until you saw the eyes you felt earlier. Taller than he looked in pictures, his eyes that crinkled despite his youth as he gave Fred a smile and stopped it midway when his fluffy reddish-brown head turned to you. He was decked in blue trousers and a puffy-sleeved blue shirt opened to reveal his pale chest and long pants the same color of blue. He had a silver vest too large for him kept barely straight with pins. A silver crown rested on his head. Freddie nudged you with him. 

“Deacy, this is Y/N. Y/N, Deacy-or just call him John, if you’d like”.

“I met you before! You’re the bassist!” you exclaim. As you offered your hand to shake his, he took it hesitantly. His hands were sweaty.

Freddie nudged John and said “start off with your thoughts on Flash Gordon! He’s an expert!”

A raspy voice suddenly shouted “Freddie!” and he turned, with a dramatic swish of his cape, with an excited “Rog!” and jogged off.

You two stared at each other. Deacy bit his lip.

“Y/N” he stuttered, his northern twang slipping out “who…where is the bathroom?”

“It’s down that hallway,” you said, pointing “to the right.”

He nodded at you and gave you a smile as thanks before walking away. Something about it, the gentle way he carried himself, the shyness of the nod, and his sweet smile made you feel a little dizzy.

It was ten minutes until you were already sweating. You couldn’t find the refreshment table, no one seemed to want to talk to you, and it was too loud to think. With the crowding and the heaviness of your gown, you needed air. You turned your head to see the glass door. 

You make your way to the entrance of the garden. You slide out, relieved for the bit of clear air. It was falling to night-time. The garden was filled with rose bushes of yellow, red, and white like luminescent gems. You bend down to see the tulips for a bit and sniff them. A lovely break from the stench of tobacco. Now there was only the faint sound of cars and the muffled sound of the party. You walked a bit, admiring the flowers.

“Bloody hell.” Someone sighed.

You let out a little yelp and in surprise, you tripped on your skirt and fell, your hands landing on the dirt and your nose grazing grass.

“Oh! Y/N! I’m so sorry!” John apologized. 

He had been right behind you and did not see anything until you screamed. Feet rushing over he helped you up. John noticed the sight of your hand grabbing his arm and immediately retracted. He bit his lip and kept his eyes down.

“Are you okay? And your dress?” he pondered. 

You turned over to a green stain on your white balloon of a skirt.

“Oh god, I’m so sorry, you must…” he said. He began to hide his face in his hands.

“It’s alright, John” you insist…maybe you can fix it. 

You glance over to notice some red roses in full bloom.

“Could you get one of the roses and help me pin it over the stain, please?” You ask. You start to wheedle a pin from your special hairdo. 

“Of course!” John insisted.

He rushed over and plucked it out easily. The attachment of the rose over your grass stain was so tender you fought back a smile.

“I’m sorry…but earlier, I knew already where the bathroom was.” He confessed as he bent down to start pinning the flower.

“Really?” you ask.

“I…I always notice you around Freddie. I know we met a bit before. And, he talks about what a kind person you are. And… I thought, maybe you really fancied him and that there was a slight chance he fancied you back, so you were...I want to talk to you but…I’m pathetic, I’m sorry, I don’t even know how to approach you and tonight…well, it was especially hard because…. you really do look lovely” he said. 

His eyes kept down as if he was daring himself not to stare right at the sun.

The secret smile of yours wins.

“Fred and I are just friends, John, thank you… for the flower, and pinning it up too…and the compliment, I mean. It’s nice to talk to you” you say.

John finally looks up in your eyes. Electricity burns inside you.

“I…I’m afraid I never really knew what to say with you, I don’t like small talk” he blurts.

“Well, we could start with what our favorite colors are…or Flash Gordon, or Fred” you offer with a toothy grin.

You hear violins sweeping out a ¾ melody. People inside the building begin rushing over to the biggest room. You can even make out Fred’s cheer of “who doesn’t love a good waltz, darlings!”

You grab his hand, every bit as soft and sweet as you imagine. And a little less sweaty now.

“But first, can I have one dance with you?” you plead. 

He nods and you both run inside in time.

It would be a better night than you thought. You didn’t know how much time you would spend with him. Goodbyes would eventually be exchanged. Now you wanted to savor every second.

Tagged: @bensrhapsody​ @littledarlingwellaway​ and my angelic beta-reader @thosequeenboys​

[tbehartoo]

Chat Club Members

Characters (in order of appearance): Adrien Agreste, Alya Cesaire, Nino Lahiffe, and Marinette Dupain-Chang

Rating: General

Fluff index: 100%

Angst reading: 0

Summary: Everyone knows that Alya and Adrien are huge fans of Ladybug, but doesn’t Chat Noir have anybody in his corner? You bet he does! And they are two of his most important people- Nino and Marinette!

For: @ladyblargh, @scarlet-curls, @chronicallylatetotheparty, @chatnoirinette, and @maribug-adrienoir ! Awhile ago your public conversation bewailing Chat Noir’s lack of fanboys/fangirls crossed my dash. I really wanted to write something for you in the hopes that others may have also picked up your rallying cry for Nino to totally embarrass Adrien with his gushing about Chat Noir to Marinette who gushes back. I hope you enjoy this.

Not beta’d. Sorry, not sorry!

***

“Alya! Alya! Alya! Did you see?” Adrien practically threw his bag on his desk as he rushed toward the smiling girl. “Ladybug-”

“- liked my video!” Alya squealed.

They both hugged and then sat together at Alya and Marinette’s desk to watch her latest video, again.

“Pause it,” Adrien begged. He pointed at one part of the screen without touching it. “Right there! That’s the instant she knew how to use that crazy Lucky Charm.” He sighed, “I always love that moment.”

Alya nudged his side, “You’re missing the best part,” she hit play and paused it again a few seconds later, “That glint in her eye when she’s finally got the akuma?” Alya put her fingers to her lips and let them explode outward as she made a kissing sound. “Perfection!”

Just at that moment Nino came through the door. 

“Thanks, babe,” he said as he put his backpack on his desk before moving up to give her a kiss on her cheek, “I think you’re perfect, too.” He put a fist toward Adrien. “Dude, looking lively.”

“Nino!” Adrien chided even as he gave his friend a fist bump. “Alya’s latest video just got posted and Ladybug’s given it a like!”

“Did she really?” Nino said a little less enthusiastic than Adrien expected. “I thought what she said was,” Nino pitched his voice into a higher register, “ ‘Thanks for trying to get my good side in your shots Layblogger, but I’d prefer it if you filmed from a greater distance. Alya for the love of my sanity, please invest in a telescopic lens.’ I don’t think she just gave Alya’s video a thumbs up.”

Alya huffed and rolled her eyes while Adrien glared.

“I love you Alya and so I say this in all seriousness,” Nino put an arm around his girlfriend and gave her a gentle squeeze, “Please find a way to stay further back from the action.” He gently nuzzled her temple causing his hat to be pushed up and knocking his glasses askew. “I don’t know if I can take watching Ladybug or Chat Noir snatch you from under an akuma’s foot any more.” He kissed her gently and then straightened up. Grabbing his glasses, he tried to clean the smudges off.

“That happened one time Nino,” she said.

He stopped wiping his lenses to give her an indignant look. “It happened three times this week,” he said flatly then proceeded to finish cleaning his glasses. He put them on then grabbed Alya’s face and squished her cheeks to the front making her have fishy lips. “Someone’s been hit on the head by the big, bad akuma a few too many times,” he teased.

He turned his face back and forth a few times, obviously not looking at Alya. He sighed and snatched the glasses off his face to try and clean them on a different spot on his T-shirt.

Meanwhile Adrien had pulled out his phone to watch the footage while his friends flirted.

“Alya, you’ve got to look at the hit count on this video,” he said as he shook her arm. “I think this might be your most popular video ever.”

Alya waved off Nino’s hands as he tried to grab at her face again and refreshed her blog page.

“Hey guys!” Marinette greeted her three friends and noted how they were all squeezed into her and Alya’s desk. She sat in Nino’s spot and turned around before asking, “What’s up?”

“Alya’s newest video is trying to break the internet,” Nino said with a grin as Alya worked at getting her jaw off the floor.

“Well of course!” Marinette responded. “Didn’t you see Nino?”

The boy leaned forward toward Marinette, his eyes narrowed, but brows raised in inquiry.

“There’s a really great paAAAarrrrt-” she had her finger hovering over her screen, “-right here!” She jabbed her finger at the phone then turned it for  Nino to see.

“No way!”

He left Alya’s bench to slide Marinette over while reverently cradling her phone.

“Is that what I think it is?” he asked her in hushed tones.

Marinette just nodded eagerly.

“A 720 Vault,” Nino’s voice went really high on the last word.

“And he followed it up with a double Kong into a Palm Spin with a flare ending!”

“Wait, HE?” Alya asked. “My video is about Ladybug. And she has said on more than one occasion that she uses the pronouns she/her.”

“We know,” both Nino and Marinette said with a defeated sigh.

“But SOMEtimes we can catch a glimpse of OUR favorite superhero,” Marinette said brightly. “So we like to show those parts to each other when they do pop up.”

“We’ve even cataloged each of his moves so we can try them when we go to our parkour club,” Nino said.

“No one is as good at it as Chat, but Nino comes real close sometimes,” Marinette said as she clapped Nino on the shoulder. “You should come join us, Alya. Might help you get out of the way more easily in an akuma attack.”

“Chat Noir is your favorite superhero?” Adrien asked timidly as he looked back and forth between the two sitting in front of him.

They nodded enthusiastically. 

“Oh yeah,” Nino said. “We’ve been fans from day one.”

“How could you not be?” Marinette asked indignantly. “He’s so funny and athletic and super smart!”

Adrien felt heat invading his cheeks at her words.

“And he’s always got Ladybug’s back,” Nino added then looked hard at Alya. “And Alya’s back, sides, and front to keep her out of harm’s way.”

“Hey!” Alya objected.

“He’s saved you seventeen times this month and twenty-two last month,” Marinette responded.

“See that’s at least less,” she grumbled.

“The month isn’t over,” Marinette replied with a grin.

“Well he’s saved you guys, too.” Alya felt she was a little bit under attack.

Marinette nodded. “I don’t remember seeing him save Adrien. You two though-” she gave both of them a hard squint, “Usually if he’s saving you then Ladybug’s got Nino, but if Ladybug’s got you then he’s got Nino. ” She grinned at the boy next to her. “Pretty soon your going to have to ask for a frequent flier discount.” She poked at his side as she said it.

Nino laughed and Adrien swore he saw a light dusting of pink on his best friend’s brown cheeks.

“Yeah, well if I get a frequent flier thing then you should get a-” he stopped, “- get a-”

“Free rescues for life card?” Adrien offered to help out Nino.

Marinette smiled shyly but didn’t seem to be smiling at anyone involved in the conversation.

“I think I’d like that arrangement,” she sighed and then seemed to realize she said it out loud. 

Her “eep!” made the others chuckle.

Ms. Bustier’s entrance into the classroom reminded everyone that class was about to start.

“I think Adrien should sit here, by me,” Alya said. “Show some Ladybug solidarity.”

“That’s okay with me,” Marinette said. “I’m proud to sit next to a fellow Chat Club member.” She looked at the boys. “Are you okay if we switch, at least for this morning?”

Adrien nodded, not quite trusting his voice at the moment.

Nino reached out a fist toward Marinette, “You know it’s cool with me!”

Marinette gave Nino a fist bump and then handed Adrien’s bag to him.

As Marinette’s hand brushed against his, Adrien suddenly realized two things: One, Marinette knew Chat personally and seemed to really like him. Like she like liked him. And two, Chat Noir really like liked Marinette back! Things were certainly going to get tricky.

All through morning classes Adrien watched Marinette and Nino pass notes to each other. As soon as the bell rang for lunch, Marinette was out the door like a shot.

Nino turned back to Adrien and Alya. 

“Hey would you guy’s be okay if we kept the seats switched for the rest of the day?” he asked.

Alya shrugged when Adrien looked at her. “Fine with me.”

“It’s okay with me, too,” Adrien said.

They all collected their things and walked out of class. Usually Nino and Alya escorted Adrien to his car before doing whatever they had planned for lunch.

“Hey Nino-” Adrien said as they walked down the stairs.

“Yeah?”

“What was with all the note passing you and Marinette did?”

“Yeah,” Alya said. “”So many notes going between you two and not ONE was passed back to me!”

Nino grinned at them before saying, “You’ll see.” 

“We’ll see?” Alya asked. “When will we see?”

Nino pretended to stroke a beard. He put on his best German accent before saying, “I predict that you will see in prezisely-” he took out his phone, glanced at the time, and put it back in his pocket, “forty-seven minutes und-” he looked at the phone again, “achtzen seconds.”

Alya shoved him gently into Adrien.

“You dork,” she said while smiling up at him.

“But he’s your dork,” Adrien said as he knocked Nino back toward Alya.

She grabbed Nino’s arm and gave it a squeeze. “Yup, he’s mine for sure.”

Nino put an arm around Alya and then one around Adrien. “I belong to both of you and don’t you dare forget it.” He gave them both a squeeze before dropping his arms to his side.

Alya grabbed his hand and started swinging it as they walked.

“I’m glad you still love us even if we aren’t in your Chat Noir fangirl club.”

Nino laughed and Adrien soon joined in.

Alya and Nino waved Adrien off to his lunch at home before hurrying to their favorite cafe.

Adrien was still curious about the note passing when he returned from his lonely lunch at the mansion.

His curiosity was instantly cured when he walked in the classroom and saw Marinette and Nino grinning at everyone that entered. They were wearing black T-shirts with green printing on the front that declared they were “Chat Noir’s #1 fan!”

Adrien was overcome with a love and appreciation for his friends that he couldn’t even express. He wanted to thank them, but there’s no way he could tell them that Chat Noir is their #1 fan, too.

“Those shirts look great, Marinette!” He said as he climbed up to sit next to Alya.

“Yeah, do you think you could do some red Ladybug one’s for me and Adrien?” Alya asked.

Marinette laughed as she pulled out little red gift bags and handed them back. “Ask and ye shall receive!”

Alya tore into her bag while Adrien tried not to show exactly how excited he was even as he eagerly dove into his present. They each held up a red T-shirt with “Ladybug’s #1 fan!” on the front and on the back was printed “Founding Member of the Lady Crew!” with Ladybug’s signature symbol in the middle.

“OMG, they’re perfect,” Alya shouted.

“Yeah, what she said,” Adrien’s voice was clogged with emotion. He scrambled to take off his white overshirt and put on the red Ladybug shirt. It fit him perfectly.

Alya put a fist toward the center of her friends They all added theirs as they yelled, “Pound it!”

Ms. Bustier called the class to order and Adrien finally got to read the back of Marinette and Nino’s shirts. He had to put his head down on his folded arms for a full ten minutes to hide his grin. There in neon green letters above and below a green cat’s paw, printed for all the world to see were his friends declaring their support of his secret, superhero identity with:

“Chat Noir’s OG Pawwwsie!”

[isitgintimeyet]

The Ties That Bind

Previous

AO3

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment/ like/ reblog. I really appreciate it.

Thanks to @mo-nighean-rouge for the beta

Chapter 5 : A Sneaky Set-up

I just have a few more questions for you, Ann. What if he shows up with another woman? What if one of my sleeves catches on fire and it spreads rapidly? What if, instead of Tic Tacs, I accidentally pop a couple of Ambien and I have to keep punching my leg to stay awake? -Leslie Knope, Parks and Recreation

Although the discreet lighting gave the Italian restaurant an intimate atmosphere, very few of the rays cast by the old, smoked glass lamps actually made it into the wooden booths favoured by Claire and Geillis on their frequent visits. Fortunately, this didn’t bother them, even though reading the menu proved to be a challenge.

“You did what, G?” Claire stared intently at her friend.  

Geillis continued to focus on her menu. “Ye ken, I canna read this damn thing. How do I decide what tae have?”

“Stop ignoring my question and put the bloody menu down, G. We come here all the time. You always have the same thing. Talk to me.”

Geillis peered over the top of her menu. “Ach, all I did was give yer phone number tae a certain gentleman I saw in the Emergency Department. I think his name was Jamie Fraser. I kent he was wi’ his nephew and I thought, just in case he may need some more medical advice for the wee lad, ye ken.”

From the corner of her eye, Claire could see the white shirt of a nearby waiter. She beckoned him over. “Hi, could we have two spaghetti with meatballs, please, with garlic bread to share and a bottle of Pinot Grigio? And could we have the wine as soon as possible, please?”

The waiter disappeared with assurances that the wine would be there straight away. Claire’s mind was in a whirl. On the one hand, the emotional side of her brain seemed to be doing its own little happy dance, complete with rockets and confetti, but was being tempered by the logical side, which featured disciplinary panels, codes of conduct and probably a deafening silence from Mr. Jamie Fraser.

A click of glasses announced the arrival of the wine. Declining the offer to taste it, Claire gratefully accepted a half full glass from the waiter and took a large gulp.

“But, why would you do that?” She resumed her questioning of Geillis. “Did you not think about professional conduct?”

“The way I see it is… point one…” Geillis counted off the points on her fingers. “Point one, Jamie Fraser isna and has ne’er been your patient. Point two, you gave a consultation tae his nephew, who has since been discharged from yer care. Point three, I didna give yer number tae yer patient, merely a relative. Point four, he has a useful contact if he’s worried about the wee laddie. And most importantly, I reckon he fits the first criteria for yer fling. I ken he was wearing jeans today, but they were verra well fitting, did ye no’ notice? So tall and broad, he has tae look good in a kilt… and no’ a disappointment out of it, I’m sure.”

Claire drained her wine. “Christ, these glasses don’t hold much, do they?”

She helped herself to a second. The happy dance in her head was being liberally pissed on by her brain’s logical side. “I’m still not sure about a relationship… sorry, fling. Besides, that’s not the point, he won’t ring, I know. Passive rejection, that’ll be.”

“For an intelligent woman, Claire, you do talk some shite sometimes. Frank really messed up yer mind. Can ye no’ see - ye’re beautiful and bright and funny? What man wouldna want a fling wi’ ye? God, if I were that way inclined, I’d have a go meself!”

Claire snorted into her wine. “I’m sure Dougal would have something to say about that!”

“Aye, that he would... including the words, ‘please,’ ‘do it,’ and ‘can I watch’... bless him.”

Two plates of spaghetti and meatballs appeared in front of them followed by a waiter brandishing a huge pepper mill. Geillis shook her head as the pepper mill hovered over her plate.

“I’m sure my friend would be interested in some, though.”

Claire nodded and tried not to catch Geillis’s eye as the pepper was added to her meal.

“D’ya like that grinder then, Claire?” Geillis giggled. ”Length and girth there, as with certain other things, I imagine. I’d be verra interested tae find out, wouldn’t ye, eh?”

**************

Jamie breathed a sigh of relief. It had been a very long and trying day. He loved looking after his nephew. He enjoyed their games, the time spent building with Duplo. He was looking forward to the day when they could progress to proper Lego. In fact, he had a whole box of it up in his loft, just waiting, including the seven and a half thousand pieces needed to build the Star Wars Millennium Falcon. It said ages nine to fourteen on the box, but Jamie was sure they could tackle that next year - once Wee Jamie had got out of the habit of licking all the blocks.

But today had been exhausting. The park had been fine until they started to chase the ducks and then, bang, Wee Jamie had gone flying over a partially concealed tree root, scattering the food for the ducks all round and bursting into noisy sobs. When even the promise of an ice cream had not halted the flow of tears, Jamie had suspected a more severe injury and whisked him straight off to the Emergency Department. Thankfully, it was only a sprain and Jamie had deposited his nephew back with Jenny and Ian generally undamaged, once he had made sure that the smell of chips no longer lingered on him.

Jamie poured himself a large whisky, added a dash of filtered water and settled down on his large burgundy sofa. He flicked idly through the channels on the television, before switching it off, enjoying the silence of his living room and contemplating the other interesting part of the visit to the hospital.

He now had the mobile number of Doctor... no, she was a surgeon, so it should be Miss… Claire Beauchamp. At least he hoped she was a miss, not a missus. But in that case, would that nurse have given him the phone number? Well, maybe she would have if it was just for professional reasons. So, was it professional only? That nurse said...

Things clicked into place in Jamie’s memory. He had seen that nurse before, when he was in the pub with Geneva last week. She was the one who leant over and claimed that tatty old napkin. Jamie tried, unsuccessfully, to remember what had been written on it but his mind was a blank. He must have been too busy gazing at her friend in the doorway… Claire Beauchamp, orthopaedic surgeon and owner of a mobile phone. He reached into the pocket of his jeans and unfolded the small piece of paper.  With his other hand, he lifted his phone and dialled.

**************

Having managed to finish the meal without actually throttling Geillis to stop her constant stream of double entendres and suggestive comments, Claire was looking forward to taking advantage of the light summer nights and taking a refreshing walk back to her flat. However, as she stared out of the restaurant, she could see that was not going to happen. The sky was already dark, filled with heavy grey clouds. Rain lashed against the door and windows, with large puddles already forming on the pavement.  

“Have to be a taxi, then, G.” Claire fumbled in her oversized handbag for her mobile. “Oh, I’ve a missed call here… not one of my contacts. Probably one of those pain in the neck marketing calls. You know, you have recently been involved in a no-fault car accident and so on. Funny, you think I’d remember if I had been.” Claire felt herself babbling, suddenly feeling nervous.

“Let me see,” Geillis made a quick movement and snatched the phone from Claire’s hand.

“It’s a mobile number. You have such an unoriginal passcode, Claire.” She unlocked the phone and pressed redial, ignoring Claire’s feeble sounds of protestation.

“Here, it’s ringing.”

She passed the phone back. As Claire put the phone to her ear, she heard the call connect.  

“Hello?”

Claire immediately recognised the deep, Scottish burr from earlier in the day. She swallowed and tried to move further away from Geillis, who was straining like a dog on a leash to get as close as possible to the phone, avid to hear every single word of the conversation.

“Hello, this is Claire Beauchamp. I’ve got a missed call from this number? Who is this, please?” She was conscious of how formal and English she sounded and how she was lying.

“Hello, this is Jamie Fraser. We met earlier today at the hospital with ma nephew, Jamie Murray?”

“Ah yes, is there a problem? Is your nephew alright?”

Jamie’s heart sank. So the nurse had given her number for professional reasons. “Aye, he’s grand. No, it’s no’ that…” He hesitated.  

Jamie was rarely lost for words, with an appropriate phrase for every occasion and a set of charming chat up lines - none of which he wanted to use on this woman. No cheesy chat up line for Claire, just plain honesty.

“I’m glad that nurse gave me yer number. In the hospital, I was wondering if I should ask ye for yer number. But then ye disappeared afore I had chance. So, I was wonderin’ if ye would like tae go out wi’ me sometime this week or next week. Fer a meal, or a drink. If ye’re no’ able, I understand. I ken ye must be busy.” Jamie decided to shut up before he managed to talk her out of this date completely.

Claire turned her back on Geillis who was now making kissing noises and licking her lips seductively.

“Yes, thanks, that would be very nice.” She screwed her nose up in disgust. I must sound like a old maiden aunt to him, she thought, enough to make him go off me before anything’s even begun. “Lovely. I’d like that very much.”

“OK, weel, now ye have my number, how about ye text me when ye’re free. As a doctor, I guess ye’re no’ too flexible… with dates, I mean.”

“I’ll check my diary at home and get back to you. Bye, Jamie”

“Bye then Claire.” Jamie put the phone down and finished his whisky.  Now he just had to wait for Claire to text him.

Claire turned to Geillis. “I think I’ve got a date”

Geillis made an exaggerated bow. “Thank ye. My work here is done. I would say to name yer firstborn after me, but as this is a fling that willna happen. So, all I ask is that ye tell me all the gory details. Every little, or no’ so little, thing. Dinna leave anything out. Deal?”

Claire laughed “G, you are obsessed.”

“Aye, But ye love me anyways!”

**************

Claire: I’ve checked my diary and I would be free on Thursday evening. Are you ok with that date?  Claire

Jamie Fraser: Thursday is fine with me too. Any type of food you don’t like?

Claire: Sorry, hope I didn’t wake you with that text. Didn’t realise the time.

Claire : I’m fine with most food, although I have a confession

Jamie Fraser: That’s ok. I wasn’t asleep

Jamie Fraser: Confession? That sounds interesting. Should I get a priest?

Claire: Haha. Not that serious, although you may be shocked when you hear it

Jamie Fraser:  Go on. Not sure I like where this is going

Claire: I don’t like haggis

Claire: ...

Claire: or deep fried mars bars

Jamie Fraser: Well that’s all my restaurant choices gone then. Maybe go for Italian? Would that be ok?

Sassenach: That would be lovely

Jamie Fraser: OK. I will book it and let you know the arrangements.  

Sassenach: Goodnight Jamie

Jamie Fraser: Night Claire

[sweetcatmintea]

Just another cabin in the woods WIP

I couldn’t finish this story in time but figured I’d upload what I have in the mean time. It’s not been edited and is subject to change later. With some luck, I’ll be done by next Sunday. Hope you enjoy! Feedback is appreciated! 

Words: 2505

Updated: 4102 (Still incomplete)

As is tradition, we start with a girl, Holly Roe, packing for a fun break with her friends. She busies herself around her room pulling out this and that, evaluating it, and putting it away again. Or at least, tossing it on her bed and promising to put it away in a minute. Her red hair stuck to her lip-balm in a ritual known to anyone with anything longer than a bob cut. So far, she’d decided on four shirts, undecided two of those for being too revealing, then replaced them with two more shirts with an almost identical floral print. Two more were stuffed into a backpack along with four pairs of jeans, a handful of socks, extra underwear, and her most appropriate pjs. Was that too much? Probably. The trip was a maximum of five days but what if she spilt food on herself every single meal? You know how it is when you go away. Her hands rested on a thick textbook. A future historian. There’s bound to be lulls while they’re there, perfect to refresh before classes begin again. She seems to have forgotten studying never happens on trips. It doesn’t matter what you think beforehand, it just doesn’t. If I may interject with my opinion, unless you’re planning on improvising a melee weapon, leave the books at home. They’re just so heavy. Pack extra snacks or something.

Before Holly could decide, a large German shepherd bounded into her room. His sopping fur disguising him as a darker, skinnier animal. Cries of ‘Catch him!’ rang out from the bathroom. Too late. With all the cheek of a dog knowing exactly what he was doing, he leapt onto her bed, rolling gleefully on the pile of clean clothes.

“Louie! Off!” Holly jumped at him but he was gone again. Dashing down the hall to find more trouble. She sprinted after him. Her mother had the same idea, narrowly avoiding a collision as they manoeuvred to corner Louie. If there’s anything anyone knows about dogs on a mischief spree, luck rarely falls on the side of the owner. Louie saw his opportunity and dog gamn, he seized it. All but bouncing off the wall, he bypassed the human barricade to head straight for the good couch. ‘No Louie, wet dogs can’t be on fabric.’ ‘Floor time until your dry Louie.’ Not today! He will be oppressed no longer! A powerful leap sent him flying. Only to be enclosed in arms before he could make contact. Blast it! Foiled again.

Tiffy, Tiffany to acquaintances, twirled with Louie’s momentum, coming to a stop in front of Holly. Laughing, she released him into Holly’s mother’s custody to be returned to the bath. “It’s always exciting at your house.” She flicked her arms to remove lingering moisture, adjusting her crop top in the process. Despite her slender body, she was quite strong.

Holly sighed, blowing her bangs out of her face. “Nice catch! Your timing is great, as usual.” The familiar hug greeting was postponed. There was no need for them both to smell like wet dog.

Tiffy winked. “As usual, yours is terrible. Are you ready to go? The guys’ll be here any minute.” She plonked her bags down, looking around for Holly’s. The sheepish grin she received did not inspire confidence.

“Oh please, you know they’re always late. Besides, I’m almost done. I was just trying to decide whether or not to bring a book.”

Tiffy’s face deadpanned. “If you bring a single textbook, I will murder you myself.”  

“I didn’t say textbook!”

She narrowed her baby blue eyes at Holly.

“Fine. I was thinking about bringing a textbook.”

“You’re such a nerd. Relax, take some time off. We’re on holidays for crying out loud! You’re gonna burst a blood vessel or something at this rate.”

Holly waved her off. “Yeah yeah, don’t pretend you don’t hit the books constantly. If you think I’m a nerd, you need to look in the mirror.”

“What, to see someone cute?” She fluttered her lashes at Holly. Holly just sighed again, taking her arm and directing them both back to her room. In fairness, Tiffy was studying to be a nurse. Reading was a requirement.

“Since you’ve got so much energy, you can help me pack.”

~

Thanks to Louie’s intrusion, it took another twenty minutes to finish packing, sort out what now smelled of dog and had to be washed (sorry Mum!), and then put away what was left. The guys, Ethan, Michael, Max, and Peter, for those wondering, had yet to arrive. Surprising no-one. Holly had managed to squash everything into two backpacks, left beside Tiffy’s bags by the door. The pure volume of which was equal parts admirable and horrifying. These girls would put a boy-scout to shame. Holly spent a further five minutes thanking her mother for looking after her dog and then fussing over Louie, telling him she’ll be back before he knew it. It’s always good to be optimistic about these things. He smiled at her in that blank way dogs do. Personally, I’ve always preferred beagles. They’re much more in tune with their people. There’s no accounting for taste, I guess.

The girls sat waiting on the front steps. A text assured them that the guys were almost there and the trip was still on. As the evening approached, lorikeets took up their screeching song. Tiffy’s fingers ran deftly through Holly’s hair, pulling the strands together into a neat braid. Her own honey locks were pulled into a pretty little updo. Well, it’s not like there was anything better to do.

Finally, finally, a beat up van rolled into view. The girls cheered, waving to the driver. Peter waved back, pulling to a stop in front of them. He was the third wheel friend. The friend called when no other friends were available. He knew this and was okay with it. He got on well enough with everyone, but no one knew who had befriended him in the first place. Ethan, much like Louie, barely waited for the van to still before bounding out, wrapping Tiffy in a hug and going in for a kiss. He was the Ken to her Barbie in more than his appearance.

“Oh barf.” Holly mimed throwing up before playfully bumping shoulders with Ethan. Well, bumping her shoulder to his pec area at least. Releasing Tiffy, Ethan feigned a hurt look.

“Aww, afraid you’ll miss out? Here, I can give you a kiss too.” He leaned down, comedically puckering his lips.

Countering with her palm, Holly laughed, pushing him away. “Haha gross.” While Ethan pressed his hand to his heart, she shouldered her bags and handed Tiffy hers. Fluttering baby doll eyes were all it took to convince Ethan to take Tiffy’s bags instead. He offered to take Holly’s but she declined. It was only two bags. Then, just because he’s a show off, Ethan picked Tiffy up as well. Ignoring her giggled protests, he sauntered to the car.

Max joined Holly for the two second walk. His black hair and grey eyes may give a dark and brooding impression, but he was usually awkward around her. Neither Tiffy nor Michael wasted an opportunity to speculate as to the reason why. He denied their teases of a crush whole heartedly. Lying doesn’t change the truth. Despite seeing Holly reject Ethan’s offer, Max offered to take her things. By the time the question was asked and denied, they were in the van.

Michael and Peter in the front, Tiffy and Ethan took the middle, that only left the back seats for Holly and Max. Tiffy grinned a Cheshire grin at Holly as she shuffled past. A punch to the arm was her reward. Holly shoved some random stuff out of the way so she could sit. The fabric was protected by a faux fur seat cover. Probably the worst possible choice someone could make for their car. Max squeezed in next to her. She suspected he sat closer than was strictly necessary. His deodorant was really strong. Interjecting again, it was the kind that’s advertised as the secret pheromone for attracting women. Did he think that layering it on would increase his chances? Poor sweet Summer child. No.  

“Everyone got their seatbelts on?” Michael leaned around to address them. A collection of ‘yeah’s and nods, then they were off. “Because of reasons, we’re behind schedule, but we’ll drive through the night and still reach the cabin by tomorrow. Hopefully before lunch.” Before anyone could voice their concerns, he continued. “Don’t worry, Peter’s only on first shift. I’ll sleep then swap with him so no problems there. We should be fine doing that. If we’re not and I get tired, I’ll just wake Peter up and we’ll swap again.” He flashed a cheeky grin. His brown skin contrasting nicely with his white teeth. “If you guys weren’t collectively useless and had licences, we could all take a short turn.”

“Hey!” A unanimous response. Wrapped candy rained down on Michael. He wasn’t wrong though. Tiffy lost her logbook at 80 hours, Ethan panicked and messed up on the parallel parking three tests in a row, Holly was putting off driving, and Max was still saving for more lessons. They may have been in university but that didn’t mean they weren’t hopeless.

“Better late than never!” Tiffy chimed in. The attack on Michael drew to a close. “I’ve never stayed in a holiday cabin before! Do you think it’ll be nicely furnished?” She put her finger to her lip. “What if there aren’t enough beds,” Holly could feel the smug look as Tiffy spoke, “and we have to share?” Because there can never be enough stories about that. Tiffy was not prepared for Ethan’s betrayal.

“I guess you girl’s’ll have to sleep on the floor. I dunno, maybe there’ll be a couch?” He popped a starburst into his mouth. “Or a tent.” Unable to maintain the charade, he started chuckling. He cracked himself up, launching into a full-fledged laugh and almost choking on his candy.

“Just for that, I wouldn’t have saved you if you really had choked.” Tiffy crossed her arms and turned her nose up at him.

“Aww Babe, you’re so cruel.” He leaned against her. She did not break her pout. “Ah well. Hey Max? Tiffy doesn’t want me anymore. Wanna be my gal?”

“Sure, pick me up at eight.”

Tiffy shoved Ethan, rolling her eyes. “You’re such an idiot.”

“Yeah, but I’m your idiot.”

She kissed his cheek. “Unfortunately.”

Not wanting to give them the opportunity to go overboard on the PDA again, Holly changed the topic. “I can’t believe you actually won something from that Maccas sticker game.”

Peter glanced at her through the rear-view mirror. “Yeah, it’s pretty lucky. Actually, I didn’t even notice at first, I almost threw the cup out. I thought it was going to be one of those,” air quotations over the steering wheel, “ “chance to win” prizes. But no, I called them up and they gave me the cabin for a week.” He shrugged. “Maccas monopoly came through.”

“It’s still kinda amazing. The best I’ve heard anyone get was a free macaron. What are the odds, right?”

Peter chuckled. “Would you prefer it if I suddenly inherited it from an estranged uncle or something?”

Max elbowed Holly. “I wouldn’t call it luck.” Nodding towards Peter, “If we look at it from a statistical probability standpoint, if anyone was going to win, Peter was.”

  “Are you griefing me for winning a holiday? From MacDonald’s? So help me, I’ll turn this car around!”

“No, of course not! I was just saying we shouldn’t be surprised that you won since you basically live there.”

The group chuckles died down as Peter pulled the car over. Had Max hit a nerve? Peter turned, green eyes capturing grey. “If you’re gonna be so ungrateful,” he jerked his thumb outwards, “you can ride the rest of the way on the roof.” His stony composure cracked with a smirk.

Realising no feelings were hurt, Max was quick to play along. “Oh no, not the roof. Oh great and powerful Peter, please accept my humble apology for my heinous transgressions against you.” He stretched his arms out, waving them in front of him in an over dramatic bow. “We thank you for your noble generosity in allowing us to accompany you.”

Everyone joined the bow. “Thank you! All hail noble Peter!”

Peter nodded graciously to them, returning to the road.

~

Time crawled as they travelled. Quiet murmuring was interrupted only by occasional requests for a window to be wound up or down again, and a single excited announcement of ‘Bats!’. The fact that the car moved at all was a miracle. Air condition was a luxury they had to go without. It may have been a blessing in disguise that they had started their trip so late. Boiling alive in the mobile rust bucket was certainly not preferable to night travel. Peter and Michael both kept their eyes peeled for kangaroos that felt like testing their luck on the roads. Old car, candy, sweat, deodorant, and ancient air freshener mixed together to form a certain Eau de Roadtrip. Max fidgeted beside Holly, seeming incapable of getting comfortable. He tapped his foot, bounced his leg, wiggled around in the seat. It was getting beyond his usual fluster. Holly poked his side as he shifted position for the thirteenth time in fifteen minutes.

“What’s up? Do you need to pee or something?”

He jolted, stilling. “What? Oh, no, I’m fine.”

Holly pressed her lips together. “Really? You’ve been tapdancing since we passed the servo.”

“You noticed that?”

“China noticed that.”

“Ah.” He seemed to look past her for a moment. “I don’t know. There’s just… Does something feel weird to you?”

She blinked. “No? Like nostalgia or déjà vu or something?”

“No, I don’t think that’s it.”

“Maybe there’s a storm in the air? My cousin sometimes gets weird feelings when the air pressure changes.” Whatever it was, it was bothering him. He shook his head, rejecting her guesses. “Why don’t you tell me what it feels like?”

  Max paused to think. What did he feel? It was hard to put his finger on it, let alone attach a name to it. “It’s kind of like, I guess, you know that feeling when you’ve been sick for a couple days, then you have a Vicks cough lolly and you can breathe in 4D out of nowhere?” Holly nodded. “It’s kind of like that, but everything. Like someone did a zoom and enhance on reality. Does that make sense?”

Holly bit her lip apologetically. “I get what you’re saying but I don’t really know why you’d be feeling like that. Did you have a strong coffee or a really good meal earlier? Maybe?”

“Yeah, that’s probably it. I must’ve overpoured the coffee this morning.” Noting her concerned expression, he added a cheerful ‘thanks’.

~~~

It didn’t take long for each passenger to fall asleep, lulled by the motion and gentle rumble of the car. Max was the last awake. The niggling unnamed emotion squirming in his mind. Maybe it was sitting so close to Holly? Or electricity building before a thunderstorm? On the lonely road there was no twinkling above them. Thick clouds dipped them into an inkwell, only the high beams to guide them. It was probably the weather thing. He closed his eyes. Maybe he was just tired.

Holly woke as Michael and Peter exchanged places. She offered hers to Peter, kindly volunteering to keep Michael awake through conversation. Peter was less thrilled to have Max leaning on him, but no reasonable argument came to him, so he concurred. It would have been terrible if Michael fell asleep at the wheel. We can’t have the characters die before we even get to the cabin. Actually, dear reader, I must apologise. I don’t really mean that at all. And we really should try to mean what we say. I’ve taken a rather blazé tone but my heart is heavy. I almost wish I could tell them the kind of tale they find themselves in. I rather like these people. We must carry on, the narrator has no place meddling in the outcome of the story.

~~~

The van eventually completed its journey mid-morning the following day. Harsh sunlight split the canopy overhead, sending crackles of light and shade over the moderately sized cabin. A pleasant looking two-story building that was a hodgepodge of timber and stone slabs. Large windows took up most of the exterior real estate. A thick stone chimney made promise of the luxury of a fireplace. Leaf debris scattered from under the tires, making a satisfying crunch as the group exited the vehicle.

“I thought it’d be greener.” Ethan mused, passing the bare trees on his way inside.

“We’re still in the middle of a drought.” Holly pointed out. Eager to stretch her muscles again, she made quick work of getting her things to the building.  

Tiffy hurried after Ethan, trotting to keep up with his long legs. “I guess we should be thankful there are plants at all. It’s so hot. I think I’ll cry if the lake is dried up.”  

Michael lingered at the back of the group arching his back to pop the stiffness out of his spine. “It should be fine. This place belongs to Maccas. They’re not going to risk giving a refund for a disappointing stay. I’m pretty sure the lake has never gotten past half empty.”

“Did you research the area before hand?” Peter shook his head. Half-hearted disbelief set in his face. “You’re such a nerd.”

Tiffy cut off Michael’s response. “Don’t start this again. It’s already been decided that Holly is a massive nerd.” She ignored Holly’s indignant response.

Michael sighed. “First, I’m not a nerd, I’m a hobbyist chronologist – there’s a difference! Second, we can’t ‘start this again’ because we weren’t there when you apparently had the same discussion. Get your facts straight!”

“That’s just fancy talk for ‘biggest nerd here’ but whatever. Help me get the rest of this stuff.” Peter nodded towards the boot, his arms occupied with a crate of something. Michael pulled a face at Peter but started unloading the last bags.

Despite racing ahead, Holly could not pass the wooden door. She had forgotten a very important component of entering a building. The key. Why was Peter the last person to even approach the building? He increased his ambling pace at her beckoning, throwing another joke over his shoulder to Michael in the process.

“Do you have the key?” She asked when he reached her.

He nodded. “Yeah. It’s in my back pocket.” Drawing attention between the lines, he rattled the crate.

“Really?”

A grin. “Really really.”

The key was snatched out before Holly had even raised her hand. Ethan twirled the keyring on his finger, winking over Peter’s head. Her hero.

Holly had thought quite a lot about what the interior of the cabin would look like. The nature of humanity is to avoid ambiguity after all. She never expected this. A smooth click and quiet creak and they were in. Everything was covered. The walls, the floor, the counters, even the table. Covered in… frogs. Small cement coloured amphibians had invaded the cabin, conquering it for themselves.

“What on earth…” The sound of her voice animated the frogs. At once, they scampered into motion. Bouncing in every direction, the halls were alive with the sound of frog popcorn. As suddenly as it started, the noise and the frogs, were gone.

“Probably cooler in here than outside.” Max broke the silence. “If you see any more, just toss them out. It’s fine.” He dropped his luggage on the table, prompting the others to do the same. Although the air felt dry and dusty, the place was pretty clean. Michael was right about Maccas wanting to maintain appearances. Peter found a freezer and shoved the crate inside. It fit, but barely. Rosemary and lavender drifted around them, humbly overpowering the eucalypt creeping in from the windows. Poking around the kitchen, they found herbs hung in clusters near a stack of baked beans in the pantry. That explained things.  The place was well stocked with all of the essentials for an easy holiday. The stove seemed to work, there was a TV in the main room (Tiffy immediately threatened murder on anyone daring to ruin the ‘cabin atmosphere’ by turning it on), comfortable couches, spare toiletries in the bathroom – everything. Except enough beds. Tiffy was glowing with the delight the grinch would experience if he discovered Hanukkah. It was cut short when Michael called shotgun on rooming with Ethan. She was not so selfless to volunteer to share with Peter to further her pairing goals. Instead, opting to call dibs on Holly, leaving Max and Peter together. The guys weren’t unhappy, but it was hard to miss the look of disappointment. What were they expecting? They’d be spending most of their time as a group anyway.

Rooms sorted, belongings unpacked, and lunch consumed, there was only one thing left to do. Time to check out the lake. Everyone took a few minutes to change into their togs, then a few minutes more to lather up the sunscreen at Tiffy’s insistence. Her skin was tinted gold thanks to the formula in a bottle, a fact she was not ashamed of. “Slip, slop, slap! Shirt, sunscreen, hat.” She said as she handed each group member a personal sunscreen roller. Max attempted to refuse but she narrowed her eyes at him. “Tanning is skin cells in trauma!” Defeated, he took the roller, sheepishly returning to his room. He may have been able to ignore the advice of a future health practitioner, but the government slogans were dyed so deeply into his psyche there was no way to argue.

It wasn’t too long until they were all tracking down the path that lead to the lake. Taking any opportunity to show off, or really to just be helpful, Ethan took responsibility for hauling the esky down. It would have been easier for two people to carry, but he insisted. Rather than argue, the rest of the group loaded up on towels, pool noodles, an inflatable flamingo, and a speaker set to pump music through. No one was around for ages so they shouldn’t get any noise complaints.

The land grew more vibrant and the air rang with bird calls. They heard the water before they saw it. It was beautiful. Clear blue water bordered by chalky white stones that intermingled with greenery more fortunate that the plants near the cabin. Fish darted between cracks in the rocky lake floor while lizards lazed about in the sun above. A waterfall gushed over the cliff wall that enclosed half of the area. The only indication that the droughts had reached this oasis was the rim stain suggesting more plentiful rain once upon a time.

“Last one in is a rotten egg!” Ethan dumped the esky, making a beeline for the water. The childish shout sparking a competition. Items thrown to the side and feet pounding the ground.

“Wait!” Holly’s shout brought her friends to an abrupt halt. They looked back at her quizzically. What could possibly be wrong? She huffed. “Haven’t you ever seen the news during schoolies?”

“What about it?” Peter inched closer to the lake. If he was discrete, he could probably push Michael in while Holly was talking.

She shot him a dumfounded expression. “Every year, there’s about a dozen reports of teens breaking their necks because they jumped blindly into a body of water. We’re in the mountains. You know how long it would take an ambulance to get to us??”

Tiffy was the first to agree, returning to find a good place for her towel since the race was cancelled. “Mum’s right guys. We should probably be boring responsible adults and not get grievously injured on the first day.”

The boys grumbled, but agreed. Tiffy and Holly set out the towels. Michael righted the esky – abandoned on its side – and set up the music. ‘Fun fun fun’ by the Beach boys was the obvious choice. The resounding groan from the rest of the group was clearly an indication they had no taste. Peter set to work inflating the flamingo. The water steed was a necessity for the days to come. Ethan and Max were the first in the water, circling the lake for deep drops and hidden shallows.

Again, this is the first draft, I’ll come back later to fix some of the clunkiness and add more flavour :)

Hopefully the formatting is easier to read now. 

Tag list: @inkovert 

If you want to be added, feel free to let me know ^u^

[my-emotional-self]

The Accident Chapter 9

Pairings: Chris Evans x OFC

Warnings: Swearing, Fluffy fluffiness

Summary: After yet another fight with your boyfriend Chris, you go for a drive and get into a terrible accident.  Upon waking up in the hospital, you find both Sebastian and Chris sitting there.  The only problem?  You have no recent memories and you think you are still dating Sebastian.

Thank you for all your help @missecharlotte

The following morning was like all the rest.  Chris made breakfast while you showered.  The two of you ate before taking Dodger on a walk or to the dog park.  It felt refreshing having everything repeating each day, but you still hadn’t had a new memory since the whole ‘wine’ incident and you were starting to become frustrated with yourself.  

You were sitting on the couch, your laptop on your lap as your hands hovered over the keyboard.  It was giving you anxiety just thinking about logging into your social media accounts and googling your relationship with Chris.  By now, you would give anything to have some memories back, even if it meant going as low as reading gossips sights.  

Chris came and sat down next to you, a sly smile on his face as you turned to look at him.  “What’s gotten you in such a good mood?” you questioned with a grin.  

“I have a couple of errands to run.  But I need you to be ready by 7 o’clock tonight.”

Your brows furrowed in wonder.  “And what do I need to be ready for?”

“I’m taking you on a date.”

You couldn’t help the smile that pulled at your lips.  Giving him a nod, you asked, “an adventure date, or a food date?”

Naturally your question caused Chris to rifle out a laughter.  “Food.  It’s a food date.”

“And on a scale of 1 to 10, how fancy is this food date?”

Chris pondered a minute, his head going from side to side.  “I’d say about a 7.”

You smiled, nodding back. “It’s a date.”  He gave you a soft kiss on your forehead and those same tingles you always experienced when he touched you came coursing through your body. Watching him walk away, you had to hold back your happy dance you wanted to do.  Of course it wouldn’t be your first real date with him, but to you, it felt like a first date.  

~~~

Later that afternoon as Chris was still out running errands, Sebastian had finally texted you.  He knew you were mad at him and he was giving you some space to cool off; it’s just the way you had always been.  

Seb: I’m sorry              

Erica: Are you now?

Seb: You know I am.  

Erica: I’m just frustrated right now Seb.  I finally recall a memory and you just flat out tell me to drop it.  I thought you wanted to help me with my memories?

Seb: I do sweetie, I do trust me.  It’s just that it was a really bad memory for you to remember. I was kind of taken aback by it when you brought it up.  It was a really dark time between us and I just wasn’t ready to talk about it.  

You re-read his text again, Chris’ words also echoing through your mind.  Both of them explaining that it was a hard time without your relationship.  With a sigh, you texted back.  

Erica: I get it Seb.  It’s alright.  Just please, once I get more memories and I ask for your help, please don’t push me away.

Seb: I won’t.  I promise.

Just as you were about to set your phone down, you decided to hold onto it.  You had forgone not going through your phone, looking at pictures and your social media because you weren’t ready for all of that yet.  You just wanted to settle into somewhat of a normal as possible routine.  But now here you were, sitting down, phone in hand.  

Taking a deep breath, you opened up your gallery and began scrolling up to the year of 2015; you weren’t ready to see anything after that just yet.  There were many pictures of you and Sebastian together in your apartment in NYC.  You kept swiping through the photos, many of them you remembered as it was a time before your memories became fuzzy.  

Having enough of the trip down memory lane, you resolved it was time to take a shower and get ready for your second-first date with Chris.  

As you lathered your hair and body, the smile on your face never faltered and you felt all giddy inside, happy to finally get a chance to hopefully remember more memories of you and Chris.  After drying off, you put on your robe and began to blow-dry your hair.  Looking through the drawers of the bathroom, you chose to keep your hair simple, giving your strands a loose curl.  

Grabbing your makeup you also kept it easy with a little foundation, mainly to cover your bruising, eyeliner and mascara.  Giving yourself a once-over in the mirror you made your way to the closet to determine what to wear.  

You soon became overwhelmed with all the clothes you saw to choose from; dresses, slacks, blouses, evening gowns, there was just so much!  Your eyes landed on a little black dress that you thought would be perfect for this evening.  It wasn’t anything over the top, but it was definitely more than just a simple summer dress.  

The dress had a sweetheart neckline, the top half of the dress was black lace.  It cinched at the waist and then flowed out from there, stopping just before your knees.  You paired them with a pair of black high heels and you were ready to go.  

You opened the door and made your way down the hallway; your heels clicking loudly on the hardwood floor. Coming into the kitchen, you saw Chris standing with his back to you.  You cleared your throat to get his attention.  

He swiftly turned around, his eyes going wide as he took in your appearance.  “Shit baby,” he cursed as you felt blush creep up from your neck and to your face; his pet name not going unnoticed.  “You look fucking incredible.”

You chewed on your lower lip as you took in his appearance as well.  He was wearing black slacks, black dress shoes and a dark blue button down shirt; and he pulled it off as if it was the easiest thing in the world.  

“You look rather dashing yourself Chris,” you replied with a wink.  

He smiled, still not taking his eyes off you as his hand reached onto the counter behind him. Chris finally snapped out of his little staring problem since he couldn’t find what he was looking for. He quickly turned around and grabbed what was on the counter before walking towards you.  

“I got these for you,” Chris declared, his voice rather husky in that moment.  In his hand was a beautiful bouquet of lilies, your favorite flowers.  

“Chris,” you took the flowers from them, inhaling their delicious smell, “you didn’t have to do that. But thank you.  They are beautiful.”

~~~

Chris had called ahead and made a reservation at the restaurant and now the two of you were seated inside.  You two were far back in the corner, away from prying eyes in the dimly lit room. There were candles on each table along with soft jazz music playing in the background.  The walls were painted a deep red and were lined with black and white photos of jazz players.  

The waiter came over, holding a bottle of wine.  “Your usual Mr. Evans?”

Chris smiled at the waiter, nodding his head.  “Yes, that would be great.”

The waiter popped open the wine bottle, poured your glasses before putting the bottle in the wine bucket; your eyes never leaving Chris’ gaze.  

“The usual?” you asked with an amused smile once the waited had left.  

“What can I say, this is our favorite restaurant,” Chris mirrored your smile before you clinked your glasses together.  The wine was delectable as it smoothly ran down your throat; you knew it was the same wine you and Chris shared just the other night.  “This is also the place where I took you on our first date.”

Your eyes grew large as you set down the wine glass, your stomach fluttering with butterflies. “So, you are recreating our first date then huh?” you asked bemused.  

“I guess you could say that, although, you’re also seeming to remember it quite clear.”  Cocking your head, you gave him a look of confusion. “That dress you’re wearing is the same dress you wore when we came here on our first date.”

Looking down, you smoothed out the skirt of your dress, a soft blush coating your cheeks; your subconscious mind must have helped to pick out the dress.  

The dinner was amazing, and after you had ordered your meal, another smirk appeared on Chris’ lips, letting you know it was what you always ordered when the two of you came here. While you were happy that you were subconsciously remembering things, it would have been more helpful if your actual memories were to start popping up at some point.  

Chris paid for the tab and the two of you headed out the back door of the restaurant; Chris’ hand at the small of your back.  His simple touch sent a shiver down your spine; you craved more, it felt natural. Walking up to his car, Chris opened the passenger side door for you but you paused before you turned around the face him.  

You looked up at his face, biting your lip in anticipation.  “Can I ask you something?”  A memory had resurfaced as you and Chris were walking out of the restaurant; it was almost as if it was déjà vu; the memory clear and vivid.  

He smiled at you tenderly, nodding.  “Of course you can.”

With your heart beating erratically in your chest, you went for it, not even giving it a second thought. Reaching up on your toes, you wrapped your right hand around his neck and placed a kiss to lips.  In that moment, it might have sounded cliché, but it was if everything in the world disappeared; the only thing that mattered was you and Chris.  His lips were soft as his beard tickled against your face, but you loved the feel of it.  Your insides tingled as you pulled away; your eyes closed as his breath fanned your face.

“That wasn’t really a question Erica,” Chris began to say as you opened your eyes, “but I’m not complaining one bit.”

“I had a memory Chris. When you and I were just leaving the restaurant.  It was crystal clear, no fuzziness at all to it. I kissed you.  I initiated the kiss on our first date, right when we got into the parking lot.”

If Chris could have smiled any wider, you would have been shocked.  His skin stretched over his cheekbones as he wrapped his arms around your back, lifting you off your feet and twirling you around.  You squealed in such heavenly delight at how happy he was for you.  He placed you back down on your feet, your faces millimeters apart as you felt his warm breath on your face.  

Chris lowered his head, your heart beating wildly as he placed his lips to yours.  His hand came up to fist in your hair, holding you close as your hands rested on his hard chest.  His kiss was intoxicating and you felt as if you could never have enough of this.  

Too soon, he pulled away, rubbing his thumb across your plump, just kissed lips.  He gave you a lopsided smile before pulling you into his arms for a hug; a hug so comforting you never wanted to let go.    

Tag List: @iamthemaskhewears @janeyboo @trees-and-ink @nina-bok @geektastic84 @sarahp879 @our-daily-struggle @nomadicpixel @pathybo @be-amaziing @wipplog @ashann7 @have-aheart @agambleaway @lizzyclifford13-blog @lovinquotes @titty-teetee @patzammit @missfirstavenger @brastrangled @miss-cap21 @pumbibaby @marvelouslyme96 @kanupps06 @zohoffman @the-real-kellymonster @princess-evans-addict @remember-that-one-blog @white-chocolate-mocha-fan @mustbenot @marvelmakeuplover @aubreystilinski @cevansadmirer @projectxhappiness @libbitinasdeath @hispeculiartreasure @guera31 @ssweet-empowerment @sfreeborn @sophiealiice @jjlevin @badassbaker @supernatural-girl97 @crushed-pink-petals @coffeebooksandfandom @esoltis280 @poerebel @csrfavs @laochbaineann  

[kaaras-adaar-a]

// So things I like about pillowfort so far? (just typed fart omg) just in case people are curious or a bit too ehh and want to know more info before they sign up to something:

Everyone on there seems super nice! I know it’s just the beginning, and overtime I am sure the rubbish pile will move in but eh, it’s a given if the site becomes popular. I’m pretty good with avoiding drama since I stay in my own, little corner and am too old for that shit, lol.

The comments are threaded! That’s great. No having to @ people to reply to them, you get notified when someone has replied to you on your side dash thingy.

I can post all my art there, including the raunchy shizz.

When you reblog something, the original person’s icon appears instead of yours (with just text saying you reblogged it from them). I feel like that gives them so much more credit, ya know? 

You can join communities (of groups is what I’d call them). Basically, you join and you can post whatever you want in that community (AKA the Dragon Age one). The cool thing about this is, you can actually make a new post from your dash and have the option to post it on either your account or the groups page. I think that’s neat. 

You can turn NSFW on and off for your posts. You can also choose to see or not see those posts on your dash with quick toggle options. 

There are read more options, so for Rpers that’s great if that’s why you’re there, you can add read more options to posts.

Things I hope to see improvement on in the future/am not overly fond of.

It’s very bland. Profiles are SUPER bland, and all you can do atm is change the colour. I’m hoping eventually you can have themes. 

There’s no notification on dash that pops up when someone likes or reblogs something. I like knowing when someone has reblogged or liked something original of mine. Without it, it feels a little dead.

I don’t think you can have multiple blogs on there, but I’m not sure if it’s something they are going to work on in the future. 

It’s slow. Loading pages, refreshing, uploading is a bit laggy and slow, it takes a good 7-10 seconds or something to refresh or open a new page. I imagine that’s because so many people are joining and being active and their servers are having trouble. So I think that is something that will eventually improve. :) 

No easy accessible side dash for if you wanna check someone’s page or your own, so there’s also no quick tag search. Not sure if that will ever be a thing tho. 

For now, I think that’s about it. Generally speaking, I think it’s quite nice. 

[buriednurbckyrd]

Perfect Fit

Part 2 of my ongoing dominant!reader series.  Also available on AO3

Y/N sat in front of her mirror meticulously filling in her lips with a classic red, her eyeliner was applied to perfection.  Natasha fluffed her red hair and looked over her shoulder at Wanda who was idly flipping through a magazine, already finished getting ready.  

“Wanda, be a pal? Zip me up?”  Natasha asked.  The other woman pulled the zipper up on Nat's dress.  

“You look very beautiful,”  Wanda told her friend.  “Dr. Banner will not be able to keep his eyes off of you.”  Natasha smoothed out the black satin that hugged her curves.  

“That's the idea.”  She replied with a wink.  Wanda tugged at the hem of her dress.  It was a simple vintage inspired silhouette, intricate black lace laid over a white lining.  She was a little nervous that it was too short.  Tony Stark was throwing one of his infamous parties, this one with a black and white theme, and she had let her friends pick her outfit. Y/N was still in her dressing gown, and having finished her makeup was putting the finishing touches on her hair.  She decided to leave it down and loose, so she used a curling iron to achieve gentle waves.  “So, Y/N, are you planning to run into anyone special tonight?  Perhaps a certain… Captain?” Natasha teased.  

“I don't plan to do running of any kind.  He can come to me.”  She stood up and slipped out of her robe.  She picked up a bottle of perfume and sprayed a fragrant cloud to walk through on her way to her closet to put on her dress.  Natasha wolf whistled at her mostly naked form.  

“If he knew how small your panties were he'd beg you to skip the party.”  She called out, and Y/N chuckled in response.  

“Steve does not seem like the begging kind.”  Wanda said.  “But I am confused, did you two have a fight?”  

“Not at all,” Y/N's voice sounded from behind the closed closet door.  “He's been the perfect gentlemen.”  

“That's the problem.”  Natasha stage whispered.  

“He has taken you out for dinner several times, yes?”  Wanda asked.  

“Six times,” Y/N answered.  “Dammit, where did my shoes go?”  The two women heard her curse and rummage around her closet.  “Oh!  Found them! Anyway, we've gone out six times.  First night he kissed my hand. Next, my cheek.  Date three I kissed him and he made sure it was short and sweet.  I get it, he's from a different time, and I love how nice he is.  It's so refreshing to not have to fight off some creep's wandering hands, but Steve is not a creep and I wouldn't want to fight him off!  So I upped the ante and finally got some tongue action after date six.”  The door opened and Natasha smirked.  

“Oh I think you can count on some action tonight.”  Y/N laughed and linked arms with her two friends.  

“Ladies, let's go knock 'em dead.”  

…

Music was playing at a tasteful level, drinks were flowing, and guests were already dancing and mingling when Steve and Sam arrived at Tony's latest party.  Discreet wait staff made rounds with trays full of fancy finger foods.  Sam plucked a bacon wrapped scallop and shoved it in his mouth.  

“Not bad.”  He said after he swallowed.  “Stark throws a decent shindig.”  

“I'm sure his lady had a lot to do with this,”  Steve replied.  “This has her classy hands all over it.”  The two men made their way over to the host and hostess.  “Everything looks lovely, ma'am.” Steve told her and the woman thanked him and kissed his cheek.  

“Stop hitting on my girlfriend, Rogers.”  Tony joked.  “Don't you have a chick of your own, now?”  

“I doubt she would appreciate being called a 'chick', but I suppose I do.”  Steve scanned the room.  “I guess she isn't here yet.” He was mildly disappointed.  He knew she was coming, and he couldn't wait to see her again.  He thought about her all the time.  The way she smiled at him, her voice, her laugh, her eyes…  Before he could stop himself his mind filled with memories of their latest date.  When he kissed her goodnight her arms had gone around his neck, those clever fingers teased the short hair at the base of his skull, and her lips had completely undone him.  It had taken all his willpower to bid her goodnight and walk away.  He had to take a freezing cold shower when he got back to his room.  

“There's Natasha,  Wanda and Y/N can't be far behind.”  Tony's voice interrupted Steve's thoughts.  He turned and very nearly swallowed his tongue.  

“Well Tony, you've outdone yourself, which is what I'd say if I didn't know for a fact you had almost nothing to do with the plans.”  Natasha said as she strolled over.  “But you did pay for everything so I suppose you deserve some credit.”  

“Nat, you flatterer.”  Tony replied dryly.  “May I say that you ladies look absolutely ravishing?”  Steve could barely register how Natasha and Wanda looked, his eyes were solely for Y/N.  In a sea of guests dressed mostly in black with pops of white accents, she stood out in head to toe white.  The neckline plunged in a deep V, and a slit cut up to just above her knee.  When she turned, he saw that the dress was backless, save for two thin straps that criss-crossed over her skin.  It might have been risque, but on her it managed to be effortlessly sexy, leaving just enough to the imagination. The only accessory she had chosen to wear was a pearl tear drop that rested just below her collarbone.  

“Wow. Y/N, you look stunning.”  Sam took her hand and she laughed when he lead her into a twirl.  Silk flowed like water over her body.  

“Thank you, Sam.”  Her eyes flicked over to Steve and her lips curved in a seductive smile.  “You look very dashing tonight, Steve.”  He struggled to find his voice for a moment.  

“You look beautiful.”  He finally managed.  Y/N kissed his cheek.  

“Thank you.  I think I'm going to go find myself a drink.”  Wanda followed her, and Steve couldn't help watching her walk away.  

“Sam, I think you better grab a napkin before Rogers drools all over himself.”  Natasha joked.  Steve blushed and looked down at his feet.  Y/N always made him feel nervous when she was around, and he had never seen her so dressed up.  She looked glamorous and untouchable, like the women that had always intimidated him before the serum.  When he looked back up he saw her laugh with Wanda at the bar, her nose crinkled in that way that way he loved.  In that moment he knew that no matter how polished she was on the outside, on the inside she was still the funny, kind woman he was falling for. Natasha nudged him with her elbow.  “I think you should go ask the lady for a dance.”  Steve smiled at his friend left her and Sam.  

Y/N sipped her drink, Wanda had seen Vision hovering by one of the exits and left to go talk to him.  A Frank Sinatra song began to play and she hummed along.  When she felt a tap on her shoulder she turned and was relieved to see Steve. He was the only guy she wanted to approach her tonight.  

“I was wondering if you would like to dance?”  He asked.  Y/N nodded with a grin and took a last sip of her cocktail before leaving the glass on the bar.  Steve's hand went around her to rest on her lower back.  She let him lead her to the dance floor and was happy to find that he wasn't as bad a dancer that he claimed to be. He was always self deprecating when it came to his skills, telling her that Bucky had been the dance hall regular back in the 40s.  

“You've been holding out on me, Captain.”  She said.  “Any other hidden talents I should know about?”  Her mildly suggestive tone caused a pleasant heat to bloom in his lower stomach.  

“I guess you'll have to wait and see.”  Y/N's eyes widened at his flirty remark.  

“So mysterious.”  She slid her hand up his arm to rest on his shoulder.  Feeling empowered, his hand stroked down her bare skin until it rested at the small of her back.  

“You're so soft.”  He said, and cringed, feeling a little foolish.  She smiled and leaned up to peck a kiss to his lips.  

“You don't ever have to second guess with me, Steve.  I like you even when you think you're being awkward.”

“Is it that obvious?”  

“Just a little,” her eyes lit up with humor.  “But you should know that I'm totally smitten with you.”  Steve grinned.

“Smitten? Do people still say that?”  

“If they don't, they should.  It's a very good word.”

“In that case, I'm pretty smitten with you too.”  Y/N giggled.  He decided it was one of his top five favorite sounds.  

“I'm relieved to hear that.  I would have been so disappointed if this dress had gone to waste on a man that wasn't interested.”  

“I was interested before the dress, but if I'm being completely honest,” He looked into her eyes.  “You took my breath away when you walked in here tonight.”  She saw the spark of lust in his expression.  

“I really hope I'm not reading this wrong.”  Her arms went around his neck and she kissed him again.  She heard him make a pleased sound low in his throat and it gave her all the encouragement she needed. She nipped at his bottom lip, licked against his tongue when his lips parted in surprise.  The two broke apart when they heard Tony wolf whistle.  

“Perhaps it's time we moved to a less public location?”  Steve said.  Y/N smirked.  “What?”  

“Natasha was wrong.  She thought I would need to describe my underwear to you before you'd want to skip the party.”  Steve swallowed hard.  

“Well, if you wanted to I guess it would be rude to stop you.”  She laughed and tugged at his his tie, pulling his head down.  He shivered when her lips grazed his ear.

“I would have to still be wearing them to describe them to you.”  His breath hitched and he grabbed her hand.  As she was led out of the party Natasha shot Y/N a thumbs up.

…

“Wait! Steve I'm going to fall off my shoes!”  Y/N giggled and stopped to slip out of her heels.  They had given her an extra four inches of height, but they weren't made for running down dimly lit hallways. Or anywhere, really.  When they reached the elevator they paused again.  Steve looked a little nervous again.

“Um, where should we…  Who's room…?”  Y/N silenced him with a passionate kiss.  

“FRIDAY? Take us to my room, please.” Her delicate fingers began undoing his tie and unbuttoning his shirt.  She trailed her fingers down his chest and stomach.  Every one of his muscles twitched at her touch.  “Mmm.  Very responsive, aren't you?”  The elevator dinged and she gently pulled him out and towards her room.  

Finally finding himself in her space, Steve looked around her room.  It was very her; mostly tidy, feminine, and comfortable.  His heart raced when she pushed his shirt off, but he was with her and that soothed his nerves.  Until she started pulling him towards her bed.  

“Uh, Y-Y/N...” He stuttered.  She dropped her hands immediately and stepped back, her face full of concern.

“Too fast?  I'm sorry, Steve.”  

“N-no. Perfect speed, really.  It's just...”  He rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed.  

“Hey, just tell me.”  She sat down and patted the bed next to her.  

“I haven't been with many women,” He admitted.  “And it seems like when I get to this point, they expect me to…  Take charge.”  Y/N nodded in understanding.  “Like I'm the same guy I am in the super suit, you know?  But that's not me.”  The tips of his ears burned bright red.  Y/N cupped her hand around his cheek and turned him to face her.  

“I'm not really a lie down and take it kind of girl, sweetie.” Her tone sent excited tingles through his body.  “If I'm understanding correctly, you want the woman to take the reins?”  Steve bit his lip and nodded.  Y/N's lips curved into a seductive grin.  “Oh, I think I can do that, Captain.”  She reached over and unbuckled his belt.  He was already hardening in his slacks, and it thrilled her.  With one swift motion she pulled the belt off and snapped it playfully. The sound both startled him and fueled his arousal.  “That was an interesting reaction,”  She tapped the leather against her palm. “But we don't want to start off too big, do we?  We have to leave something to explore later.”  Relief mingled with slight disappointment.  

“May I touch you?”  He asked in a rough voice.  Y/N smiled and took one of his hands, laying it over one of her silk covered breasts.  Steve moaned and rubbed his thumb over her nipple.  He sucked in his breath as she undid his pants, sighed when the pressure eased on his erection.  

“Lay back.”  She told him softly.  He followed her direction and made himself comfortable.  Steve had no idea watching a woman remove his shoes and socks could be a turn on, but watching her undress him in that seemingly innocent way, her eyes darkened with lust gazing up at him, was absolutely electrifying.  Y/N ran her hands up his legs.   His eyes closed when she grazed his cock and he was mildly disappointed when she didn't pay more attention to it.  “These need to come off.”  She started pulling his pants down his hips, and he shifted to help her work them down his legs.  He was now more than half naked, and she was still standing in her dress.  

“Are you going to…?”  He mimed pulling clothing over his head.  She chuckled and pushed the tiny straps down her arms.  

“It actually goes the other way.”  She said, and the silk slid down her body and pooled at her feet.  Steve couldn't have taken his eyes off of her if his life had depended on it.  

“Wow.” Y/N straddled his hips and leaned down to kiss him.  She hummed in approval when his arms went around her and his hands stroked down her back.  She pulled away from his lips but peppered his neck with licks and little nibbles.  When she found a particularly sensitive patch of skin she spent a few moments lavishing attention on the spot until he thought he would come apart at the seams.  His heart beat wildly in his chest when her exploration moved lower.  Tongue and teeth found one of his nipples and he arched in surprise.  “I didn't think guys liked that.”  He said.  Y/N looked up at him and grinned.  

“Everyone's different.  Looks like you do, though.”  

“Yes.” At this point he wasn't sure there was anything she could do that he wouldn't like.  She gently bit down and soothed the ache with a swipe of her tongue. “Oh, shit.”  He heard a quiet laugh and she eased her way down his body.  His stomach quivered under her mouth and hands and his dick throbbed in anticipation.  Y/N straightened and sat back on his thighs.  Steve was a flushed, writhing mess.  His normally neatly combed hair was thoroughly mussed and his lips were slightly swollen from him biting them.  

“Gorgeous,” she purred.  “I could spend hours taking you apart.  Find every single spot on your body that brings you pleasure.”  She rolled her hips against him and he moaned.  “Learn how to keep you right on the edge until your only coherent thought is release.  You'll beg for it.”

“Y/N!” He yelped as she stuck her hand inside his boxers.  She swirled her thumb over the dripping head, teasing him.  

“I admit I'm a little impatient tonight, so we'll just have to imagine that for now.  Right now I'm dying to get my mouth on you.”  A vague, confused thought floated around his mind, she had already had her mouth on him.  When she yanked down his underwear and her lips closed around him it became stunningly clear for him.  

“Oh, ohhhhh...”  He groaned and propped himself up on his elbows to watch.  She sucked at the head at first and then traced the tip of her tongue up and down the prominent vein along the length.  With a wicked grin she suddenly swallowed him down to the root, her eyes never leaving his.  When her throat constricted around him, his vision grew dark around the edges and he collapsed back with a loud moan.  “I'm so close.” He choked out and she just hummed around him.  The vibrations pushed him closer to the brink.  “Please don't stop, oh fuck...”  She swallowed again and he was lost.  He cried out her name while she sucked and licked him through his climax until it was overwhelming.  Before his brain cleared her dripping core was hovering over his face.  

“While we wait and see what kind of refractory period a super solider has, why don't you return the favor and get me ready for the main event.” Steve gripped her hips and pulled her down, plunging his tongue into her heat.  Y/N let out a long moan.  What he lacked in experience he made up for in enthusiasm.  He wasn't a total novice, and knew the basics.  His mouth had her worked up faster than she expected and she was soon just as desperate as he was.  “Oh, Steve.  I need you to lick my clit, come on babe, make me come.”  He grunted and swiped his tongue over the little nub. Her legs trembled and she was thankful that his arms were holding her up.  “Right there, yes!”  The orgasm ripped through her like a hurricane.  When she couldn't tolerate anymore of his touch she pulled away and laid down next to him, needing to catch her breath.  

“That was…  Wow.”  Y/N laughed weakly and rolled over, throwing her arm over his chest.  She tasted herself on his lips when she kissed him.

“And we're not even done yet.”  She said and slid her hand down his body, very happy to find him already semi erect again.  “I think this is my favorite super solider perk.”  His laugh quickly turned to a moan while her hand stroked him to full hardness.  “I can't wait to ride this.”  She breathed in his ear and he shivered. She swung her leg over him and rubbed herself against his cock. With her free hand she pushed his arms over his head and pinned his wrists.  “We both know you could overpower me in about three seconds,” she said.  “But you're going to be good and pretend you can't, right?”  When he only nodded she squeezed his dick, not enough to hurt, just hard enough to get his attention.  “What was that?”

“Y-yes ma'am.”  

“Shit, why did that sound so damn hot?”  She slowly sank down on his length and heard him whimper.  “You fill me up perfectly.” She rolled her hips, feeling him pulse inside of her.  With one hand still holding his wrists, she placed the other one on his chest for leverage and began a slow pace.  The drag of his cock against her walls was exquisite, like he had been made to fit inside of her.  

“Y/N, oh please...”  He didn't know what he was asking for, just that she felt like heaven around him and he needed more.  She sped up, rotating her hips on the down stroke.  Steve felt his eyes roll back into his head.  Even though she had already brought him to orgasm he was afraid he wouldn't last much longer.  Everything with her was so intense, and he felt the pleasure build in his groin.  “Doll, I'm close again.”  He warned.  She leaned down and gave him a filthy kiss.  

“Don't move.”  She ordered and took her hand away from his wrists.  She sat up and continued to ride him, moving faster.  With one hand she cupped her own breast and rolled her nipple in her fingers, with her other she pressed against her clit.  The visual of her touching herself while she rode his cock was the final push he needed.  With a sound that bordered on a yell his body was overcome.  A few more thrusts and just the right pressure on that little bundle of nerves she followed him seconds later.  She convulsed around him, milking every last bit of pleasure out of him.  Still panting from her climax, she gently slid off of him and curled into his side.  She stroked a hand over his damp skin in a tender gesture.  For all the dominance she demonstrated it seemed that she craved to be held after being in control.  Steve pulled her in close and pressed gentle kisses to her face.  

“You are amazing.”  He murmured and tucked her hair behind her ear.  Y/N kissed him softly.

“Thank you, Captain.”