#i’m gonna go outside and appreciate nature now

[wishchip106]

Wish, you are genuinely the funniest person on Tumblr and literally every post of yours makes me laugh. Thank you, please never shut up <3

this made me tear up OMG THANK YOU😭😭😭

i feel like that should be an award to be funniest person on tumblr…. where do i go to get my trophy

i’m so glad i can make you laugh ❤️ i feel like that’s my unintentional goal for most things i do ngl…

i promise to keep yapping away 🫡🫡

[romanoffsbish]

You Can Run, but You Can’t Hide

Alpha!Natasha Romanoff x Omega!Reader

Natasha always knew the truth, but it wasn’t until a mission where she had you alone that she set her plan in motion. Come the end of the trip she planned to make your hers in the most natural way—claimed and bred. | WC: 1,440

Warnings: NC Themes (Discarding of hormone blockers) | Guns / Death (to Hydra)

Smut: Kotenok (R) | Penetration (P in V — Natasha has a penis) | Public (Over [a balcony railing]) | Choking | Breeding

Natasha watched the way you paced around the room, it'd been a weeks time since you'd arrived in this hotel. A mission that you were assigned on with Natasha, an Avenger first, Alpha second, but nonetheless an Alpha.

Which would be fine, since you were a beta, but with your medicine missing the truth was coming to light. The truth that the redhead was aware of from the second the lie left your lips, you were an omega; hers, waiting for what, she didn’t know, but she was over it.

———

That's why she took your stash of hormone blockers and poured them down the toilet on night one, at first she appreciated your concealment since she was busy. Missions were at an all time high last year when you joined Shield, but with the incoming fall of Hydra, as this mission is designed for such a thing, there was no longer a need for you to hide from predatory alpha's.

Natasha was here now, to make sure they all knew you were hers. Hers to claim, to wreck, to fill with her pups.

Her cock twitched when she got a whiff of your scent, it was dull from the prolonged use of drugs, but it was still clear enough for her to feel comforted by the soft swirls of cinnamon and vanilla. Then it soured as your body began to fight against the natural, debilitating heat that followed a sudden change, such as quitting your meds. Natasha was quick to croon from the other room, pumping out thick pheromones as she slowly entered the room. You looked up at her so pitifully.

"Oh kotenok," she coo'd, "You don't look too good, what's wrong beta? Are you going through a period?"

You whimpered, body trembling as your natural instincts made you throw yourself into her chest. "Alpha please." Natasha wrapped her arms around you, and held you close enough that you could feel her twitch through her pants. You cried and she smirked. “Oh, what a naughty girl, you’re no beta after all…”

Judging by her teasing tone, you understood that she knew, and with the way she gripped you, it was even more clear what had happened to your supply. You should be angry, but you were actually relieved. A single alpha like Natasha was rare to find, she was kind, soft when off the clock, and gorgeous in all facets. You’d almost poured the pills down the drain yourself every time you caught her staring at you after an event.

“I’m sorry, but please don’t pull away, I-I need you.”

"Are you gonna tell me why you've been hiding?"

"I-I wasn't ready to give up my life just yet, but fuck, I swear I'm ready now, if it's with you alpha, please."

"We have a mission," she reminded you, her eyes cast outside the window to catch movement of the enemy.

"Please!" You gripped her biceps, body shivering at the chiseled muscles that flexed beneath your fingers, if you didn't need her before, you sure did now. "Shit."

Natasha kept your body from falling with the buckle of your knees, her free hand reached for her long rifle and she took the both of you outside onto the balcony.

"I'll fuck you," she gave in with ease, and you purred softly at the good news. Then you felt her slipping your pants off and softly shrieked, "We're outside Natasha, anyone can see us." She chuckled, "Good observation."

Natasha continued to strip you while her other hand set her gun up on its stand, a bit of a multitasker.

"I can wait," you tried to stop her, but not really as you arched your bare ass into her dicks imprint, your body having a mind of its own, your heat was too strong. "Well, I don't want to detka, I've waited far too long."

Though you’d guessed it, you were shocked at the way she confirmed it without an ounce of shame. “Y-you knew?" Natasha gripped your hip, and brought your dripping entrance to her thick tip. "Of course I did, you can't hide from a super soldier's senses," her nose nuzzled over your neck and you whimpered at the hopeful promise of her claiming you. No longer were you worried about anyone seeing you two, the rest of the world faded away as she slipped herself inside.

Her hips stayed still, allowing your slick walls a moment to catch up with the stretch before she was lifting you off the ground. "Na-Natasha, what are..."

The redhead grunted as she lifted your body onto the railing by her grip around the nape of your neck, and you cried out in both fear and pleasure. It was muffled as she alluringly slid her hand around to squeeze your throat. The tip of her cock had slammed into your cervix just as you stared down at the far away ground, full of tiny silhouettes to remind you it was day time. 

The railing shook as Natasha picked up a brutal pace, her face never lost its smirk as she felt your legs wrap around her backside, your heels painfully dug into her covered back. "Alpha, I-I'm not sure about..."

"You wanted to be filled Y/N," she taunted, "I said we had a mission, that means you'll take your pleasure while I do all of the work. Be thankful, not bratty."

"Sorry Alpha," you whimpered, and held on tighter.

"There's the leader," she pointlessly alerted you, who couldn't see anything other than her demise if she slips over the railing. Your walls were clenching so hard, hoping to instigate her knot so that you'd have a more secure base, but it was fruitless. Natasha's stamina was unworldly, and you were completely at her mercy here.

You heard a muffled shot go off over the sound of the railing squeaking beneath your moving body, then the gun was going off again. "Partner is down, two to go."

Natasha picked up her pace, and was rewarded with your filthy moans that were once muffled by your fear, and she knew she wouldn't last much longer. Which was fortunate for the both of you since she already shot another member, and was left with the other who had caught sight of the both of you. He was stuck in place, unable to comprehend that he was going to die by the hands of the Black Widow, who was railing her omega.

Natasha smirked, and finally gave into your cries to be upright. She grunted as your back pressed to her front and your slick, from your first orgasm, ran down her legs. "Last one detka, keep him distracted for me."

Your eyes locked on the others, the mans mouth was agape as he watched you get railed, it distracted him from the red dot that illuminated his forehead. He was clearly unaware of his fate as his eyes lost their life but you were aware of yours as her knot locked in place and her potent stream of cum filled you with a future.

"You are going to look so beautiful full of my pups," Natasha hoarsely groaned against your neck, her teeth barely scraped over your sensitive gland and you mewled, your walls milked her cock even more and her knot subsequently deflated after a minute of your persistence . “Fuck, I need to fill you again kotenok.”

Her strong hands held you by your hips as she carried you back into the hotel room. She laid you flat on the mattress, and pulled out of you, just long enough to flip you over and thrust right back inside of you. It was loud as your arousals rushed out, only to be sloshed all over the place as her cock entered you mid disposal.

Your body then thrashed at the harsh fill up and her canines dug into your scent gland, leaving behind her unbreakable mark as your core fluttered around her as you came again without much work. "Keep squeezing me just like that detka and we'll never be apart again."

"Good," you sighed softly, happiness clear in your eyes, "I was getting tired of being apart to begin with."

Natasha chuckled, and leaned in to chastely kiss your lips, "It was your choice to hide detka, I was waiting."

"I'm glad you grew impatient," you mused, then you nervously pressed a kiss to her neck, wet lips grazed over her scent gland. "Can I claim you too, Alpha?"

"Wait," she whispered, voice raspy as she began to pump in and out of you, "Wait for my knot detka..."

[wcnderlnds]

alone together | jimmy darling

・❥・ summary: jimmy saves you from twisty and you end up catching feelings for him. ・❥・word count: 2.3k ・❥・warnings: 18+, nsfw. female reader, virgin!reader, p in v, unprotected sex, maybe some swearing, clown mentions. ・❥・ authors note: im still not super confident writing smut so we all gotta keep pretending its decent until i am thank u love u.

The damp smell of mould filled your nostrils, eyes straining to see through the bars you were held behind. It had been days since you’d eaten more than half a cracker, your stomach hurting from the lack of food and water. How much longer could you survive this? Escaping wasn’t an option. You and your fellow captives had tried but each time it had failed. All you could do was sit and suffer through each and every day of this torture. 

The door to the small trailer was thrown open and in stepped the clown. His terrifying face looming through the bars at you, holding out… flowers? Shaky hands took them from him but when you didn’t smile or thank him he started rattling the cage, moans of anger coming from the mask on his face. He threw open the cage door, grabbing your wrist roughly and dragging you outside where there was another clown. It took no time at all for them to tie you up, the other one more talkative — his voice seemed familiar to you but you couldn’t quite place it.

The talkative of the two skipped over to you. The weapon in his hand brought up to your throat…

You jumped up in bed, sweating buckets, fear coursing through you as you once again dreamt of that night. As your eyes focused, you noticed another person in the room. He was looking at you with concerned eyes, slowly edging closer to you. Scooting back on the bed was all you could do to put some distance between you and the mystery man.

“Hey, calm down, toots. I’m not gonna hurt you. It’s me, Jimmy,” his soothing voice said calmly. His hands up in the air. That’s when you realised who it was. The man that had saved you. 

“Sorry,” you mumbled.

“Now what’re you apologising for? You went through a real traumatic experience, doll face. I'd be concerned if you weren’t a little cautious.” His voice was like a soothing balm, easing a little bit of the fear.

“I appreciate it. You rescuing me and letting me crash here. I don’t got nowhere else to go.”

“You can stay here as long as you like. I’m sure we can bother Elsa to give you a job around here to help out — make you a part of the family. Besides, here, you’ll be safe. I’ll make sure of it.”

For some reason, you believed him with all your heart and soul.

Elsa had given you a job. It wasn’t anything special — just to clean up around the place and help the others get ready for their acts. It was easy work but it made you feel important. Everyone had accepted you the instant Jimmy introduced you to them. It had taken a while for you to open up and actually hold a conversation but they had been so patient with you. They knew the whole story of what you’d been through. It was probably why they were just as protective of you as Jimmy was. Well, no. Nobody was as protective of you as Jimmy. He had stuck to his word and made sure you were safe. Anyone even so much as looked at you funny and he was by your side ready to defend you. The fact you had someone looking after you made you feel special. Jimmy made you feel special. The closer the two of you got, the easier it was to fall for him.

Whether it was his charming smile or his caring nature, he always found a way to make you swoon. Not that he knew. No, there was no way you were telling him. The thought alone was almost more terrifying than being kidnapped by that awful clown.

The nightmares still came but they weren’t as frequent anymore. They never came on the nights where you fell asleep on Jimmy, held tightly in his arms. Those were your favourite nights. It often happened when you were talking — he was a touchy guy and always liked to have his arm around you. Who were you to refuse a cuddle from a handsome guy like that? It was purely platonic even if your herat beat a little faster any time he touched you.

“You busy after the show tonight?” Jimmy asked, approaching you with his hands in his pockets and a grin on his face.

At his question, you stopped sweeping the floor, turning to look at him. “No, why?”

“Thought I’d treat you. Meet me at my trailer after the show?”

“Yeah, okay.”

It felt like the night dragged, each acting seeming to take twice as long as normal when in reality you were just being impatient. Ever since Jimmy had asked you to meet him after the show, it was all you could think about. Maybe there was some hope that he did actually feel the same way you did. The thought alone was enough to make you feel giddy. It didn’t help when Jimmy caught the wide smile on your face from the other side of the stage and threw a wink your way. 

When the show finally came to it’s end, you almost ran to his trailer - but didn’t because you didn’t want to seem too eager. When you stepped inside, Jimmy was already there. Turns out he was just as eager as you were. He gestured for you to take a seat and you almost couldn’t believe your eyes. This man had cooked you dinner. He’d taken the time to actually cook for you. That meant the world to you, especially knowing Jimmy wasn’t that much of a cook in the first place.

Was there anything more romantic than the person you liked making you dinner? He’d even set the small table out with a candle in the middle.

The two of you chatted, laughed and ate. It was like nothing else in the world mattered but you two. It had been so long since you felt so carefree. With that thought in mind, you decided to be brave. You had to take your shot while you had it, right? So, you leaned in and captured Jimmy’s lips with yours. At first he was surprised, his eyes wide but soon enough he relaxed into it, his lips moving gently against yours.

It felt like heaven kissing him. It was everything you’d dreamed of and more. He nibbled your bottom lip trying to deepen the kiss so you parted your lips, your tongues tangling together in a frenzied dance. Jimmy’s hand rested on your hip, gently laying you back on the bed where you’d moved over to relax after dinner, his body gently resting on top of yours. The second you felt his hand slide up your thigh and under your dress, you froze. That caused Jimmy to instantly stop, pulling away with a confused look on his face. 

“I thought….” He furrowed his brows.

“No, I mean…” Before you could finish your sentence, he cut you off.

“It’s because of these right, right? You don’t want these hands touching you. I should have guessed it was too good to be true. I thought you were different than everyone else but turns out you’re just the same as them,” Jimmy’s eyes were ablaze with anger. He had a short fuse, you knew this so you tried to diffuse the situation quickly. As he tried to get to his feet, your fingers gently encircled around his arm not letting him move.

“It’s not that. I don’t care about any of that. Your hands are part of you and… I like every part of you. I just…” you swallowed, almost mumbling your next words. “I’m… a virgin.”

That took him by surprise. His features softened immediately. It had nothing to do with him. You liked him. All of him. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. But, I gotta tell you doll, I really like you. You drive me crazy.”

“I… want to. I’m just nervous.”

“We’ll go slow, alright? I do something you don’t like then you tell me to stop and I will, I promise.”

You nodded your head, hands threading through his hair as you pulled him back down to your lips. This time when his hand slid up your thigh, you didn’t stop him. His fingers softly rubbing you through your panties causing a moan to slide from your lips. The noise sent shivers down his spine. If he could hear you make noises like that for the rest of his life then he’d be a happy man. 

“Can I?” He asked as his fingers found the edge of your panties. With a nod, you gave him permission. Jimmy wasted no time at all in pulling them off, bunching your dress up around your waist so he could get a better view. He groaned at the sight, his cock already half hard and straining against his pants.

His fingers slid through your folds with ease, the skin on skin contact causing you to moan out, your hand grasping his wrist as he softly moved his fingers. You’d touched yourself before but it had never felt as good as this. His eyes kept focused on you, taking note of what made you moan, what made you squirm. Sensing how wet you were, he decided to push the boundaries a bit more, his fingers rubbing against your entrance. He pushed them inside slowly. You gasped out. He slowly began to slide his finger in and out, trying not to hurt you. With his conjoined fingers, he knew he had to be careful. The last thing he wanted to do was cause you any harm. Your soft moans echoed through the trailer, your orgasm fast approaching.

“Ohhh, Jimmy,” you whined, back arching off the mattress as you bucked your hips into his hand. That familiar feeling was pooling in the pit of your stomach and all it took was his thumb circling your clit for you to fall apart around his fingers.

He continued pumping his finger into you through your release only pulling out once he was sure you were finished. The smirk on his face as he leaned down to capture your lips once again was captivating. In your still dazed state you barely felt the way he was moving his hips against you, his hard, clothed length rubbing against you. “Jimmy?”

“Hmmm?” He mumbled, his lips now pressing along your neck.

“I want you.”

His head shot up, eyes searching yours to make sure you were certain. When he found no hesitation he didn’t waste any time in pulling your dress off you along with his own clothes. As he laid back on top of you, skin on skin, you felt the nerves bubble up. Sensing it, he rested his forehead against yours. “We don’t have to do this.”

“I want to. I trust you. You once told me you’d keep me safe and… I know you will now too.”

“Well, shit, way to make me feel like the luckiest guy on the planet.” His lips found yours in a soft gentle kiss saying more than words ever could. His free hand rested on your hip as he positioned himself at your entrance. “You sure? I’ll go real slow. Tell me to stop at any point, okay?”

“I trust you,” you whispered.

That was all he needed. Slowly, he pressed his tip into you, pushing in until he heard you gasp. The sharp ache that ran through your body hurt like hell, your eyes scrunched up. Jimmy looked at you with concern, his hand finding yours letting you squeeze it if you needed to. “You okay?”

You nodded your head. Once he was certain you really were fine he pushed in a little more. You squeezed his hand, breathing out to ground yourself. He stilled once he was almost all the way inside giving you time to adjust to him, peppering kisses all over your face to ease you. “Y-you can move, Jimmy.”

He pulled out slowly, shallowly then back in testing the waters. It still hurt but you weren’t going to let that stop you. His pace was slow, the tightness of your walls almost overwhelming him. The more he moved against you, the more enjoyable it became and slowly but surely the wince of pain turned into soft moans. It was like music to Jimmy’s ears. He picked up the pace just a little bit more, a groan slipping past his lips when you moved your own hips with his.

“You feel so good, dollface,” he whispered in your ear, his lips finding that sweet spot on your neck, gently biting down. “Can’t believe you’re letting me do this of all people.”

Your hands rested on his back, your body moving with each thrust. As your release grew closer, Jimmy felt your nails digging into his back. He let out a hiss, the feeling only bringing his own release closer. 

“Jimmy!” You gasped as he sped up, his hand moving to bring one of your legs to hook around his waist. His thrusts were becoming sloppy now, his own high on the horizon. Your body arched into his, walls clenching around him as you came, his name falling like a prayer from your lips.

“That’s it, baby, I’ve got you,” he grunted. The feeling of your body convulsing around him was enough to send him over the edge, burying himself inside you as he coated your walls with his release.

His body collapsed on top of you, the both of you sweaty and spent. All that echoed through the room were your heavy breaths as you tried to calm down. Jimmy’s head was buried in the crook of your neck, peppering light kisses there as your hand ran through his dark messy hair. Eventually, he lifted his head up to look at you with a lazy smile. “I meant it, y’know? When I said I was crazy about you. Have been since I met you. My life isn’t the greatest but you’re a sliver of hope in all the darkness. When I’m with you I feel…normal.”

“I’m all yours for as long as you’ll have me, Jimmy Darling.”

“Alright, how’s forever then?”

tag list (ask to be added!): @juliamaximoff @lemoniiiiiii @jazz-berry @xmidnight-rain @honeymoon8

[rafesbambiangel]

golf lessons — rafe cameron

pairing ; sweet!rafe x bambi!reader

summary ; rafe teaching bambi how to play golf

warnings / notes ; mention of sex, other than that just fluff 🫧

it was a pretty day outside so you and rafe decided to go down to the golf course, you had always thought golf was boring but rafe really liked it so you thought “why not give it a try.”

rafe had kindly agreed to teach you how to play, he was now standing behind you, his hands resting on your hips to slightly guide your movements as you held the golf club.

“okay do i just swing now?” you asked, looking back at him. “yeah” he replied he was very gentle despite his usual short fuse, which you found was sweet… in an unusual way. he always had his ways of showing love, he was just very protective. “not too hard” he reminded you.

he didn’t care if you were good, or if you were horrible at golf. he still found it adorable seeing you trying to concentrate on the game, and he loved how cute you were when you got frustrated. he gently guided your arms some more, a small smile forming on his face.

you sighed, “what if i’m just not good at golf?” you were used to being a natural in basically… everything so the fact that you still hadn’t gotten the hang of it was kind of pissing you off.

rafe let out a laugh “nah baby don’t give up that easy, i was worse when i first started, just need practice” he said, his hands still resting on your hips, rubbing circles on the material of your skirt.

as the afternoon progressed, you were actually getting a hang of the game. you were still bad, but not as bad as before. He stood back, grinning at you as he watched you struggle. he was impressed with your attempts to do well, he knew you hated the golf, but you were willing to try for him, which he found cute.

eventually you got bored, because golf can only be entertaining for so long. “i’m gonna go get a drink, you want anything?” i asked watching him swing another round

he shook his head, “nah I’m okay, thanks.”

rafe leaned against the golf cart, waiting for you to walk back out with whatever drink you were gonna get. he pulled his phone out of his pocket and scrolled through social media, his eyes flickering up from the phone, to the entrance of the country club every so often.

you got yourself a sparkling water, then walked back to where he was standing, you couldn’t help but admire how he looked, he was wearing a blue polo shirt, which you had picked out of course. and a pair of beige shorts, “fuck he looks so good” you thought to yourself.

he put his phone away, putting it in his pocket as he saw you return with your drink. he smiled, standing up from the golf cart and walking over to you. you reached up to him, pulling him in for a quick kiss, “this was actually really fun.” you said.

he smiled, putting an arm around you as you kissed him. he was genuinely enjoying himself today, he rarely let himself have fun, as ward would always scold him about taking over cameron development in the future and “needing to be prepared”

“yeah?” he chuckled, he was glad you were enjoying the day so far as well, he wanted you to feel good in his presence. you nodded and smiled, wrapping an arm around his. he genuinely looked happy and that made you happy too. “yeah, think i’m starting to like golf.”

“really?” he questioned, he didn’t expect you to actually grow an interest for it. he was glad it was growing on you though, he appreciated you putting in the effort to be a part of his life.

you nodded. “it’s not as bad as i thought it would be.”

“glad you’ve finally found some enjoyment in it.” he said, grabbing your hand, holding in loosely in his. he was really sweet, but he didn’t let many see that side of him. he was sweet around you though, very soft and caring. he brought your hand to his lips, softly brushing his lips against your knuckles. he was so in love with you, something so rare to see. you were his girl, his baby, his everything. “i love you rafey” you said, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. “I love you too.” he replied, resting his hand on your waist.

“you wanna go home?” he asked, his lips brushing against your hair. “mhm” you mumbled, tired from being in the sun all day. “gonna take care of you when we get home kay?” he said, putting the golf clubs back in the cart. you smiled, you knew what that meant, you were getting fucked.

[ice-man-goes-bwoah]

Two peas in a pod||Lando Norris x single mom reader and OC!Jasper

Word count 851

The knock on her door was light but insistent, a familiar rhythm that Y/N had come to associate with her next-door neighbor.

“Lando!” Jasper bolted from the couch, dropping his crayons mid-doodle as he darted toward the door. His small feet thudded against the hardwood, his excitement visible.

“Hey, champ!” Lando greeted him with a wide grin, crouching to meet the boy’s height. In his hand was a brightly colored toy car, one that looked like his McLaren.

Jasper’s face lit up as he took the car. “Whoa! It’s like your race car!”

“Pretty close,” Lando said, “Now, here’s the deal: you’ve got to take care of it while I’m gone. Think you can do that?”

Jasper nodded so hard it looked like his curls might bounce off his head. “Yes! I’ll keep it super safe!”

Lando stood, his smile softening as Y/N appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. “You’re going to turn him into a collector at this rate,” she teased, but her eyes sparkled with appreciation.

“Better a collector than a critic,” Lando shot back with a wink. “Besides, he earned it. Heard from a little birdie that he got a gold star at school yesterday.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been talking to his teacher?”

He grinned sheepishly. “More like eavesdropping in the hallway yesterday when I ran into you both.”

She shook her head but couldn’t hide her smile. “Well, come in. Dinner’s just about ready.”

The scent of lasagna filled the apartment, warm and inviting. It was a small space, but Y/N had made it feel like home—photos of her and Jasper lined the walls, alongside the boy’s finger-paint masterpieces. Lando always felt a little more at ease here than in his own apartment next door.

He hung his jacket on the back of the chair and settled in at the table. Jasper immediately climbed onto his lap, launching into a detailed recount of his day.

“And then we had art, and Miss Clara said mine was the best!” Jasper held up his crayon drawing—a wobbly but colorful rendering of what might have been a racetrack.

Lando studied it like it was a masterpiece. “Mate, this is incredible. You’ve got talent. You’ll be designing the next Formula 1 racetrack before we know it.”

Jasper giggled, his face glowing with pride.

Y/N watched from the counter as she poured water into glasses, her heart squeezing at the sight. Lando was so natural with Jasper like he’d been doing this his whole life.

“So, how was testing?” she asked as she brought the glasses to the table and took a seat.

“Not bad,” Lando said, shifting Jasper slightly so he could dig into the lasagna. “The car’s feeling decent. Few tweaks here and there, but I think we’re in a good spot for the season opener.”

Jasper’s eyes widened. “Are you gonna win, Lando?”

“I’m gonna try, buddy,” Lando said, ruffling his hair. “And when I do, you’ll be the first person I call.”

Y/N shook her head with a laugh. “No pressure or anything.”

The evening passed in easy conversation, punctuated by Jasper’s endless energy. By the time the boy was tucked into bed, clutching his new toy car like it was a treasure, Y/N, Lando was standing in the hallway outside his room.

“He’s out like a light,” Lando whispered, glancing back toward the door.

“He always is after you visit,” Y/N said, her voice soft. “You’re like his favorite person in the world.”

Lando shrugged, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—a mix of pride and vulnerability. “He’s a great kid. Hard not to like him.”

As they walked back to the front door, Y/N lingered for a moment, her fingers brushing the edge of the counter. “Thanks for coming over. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate with the season starting soon.”

Lando turned to her, his expression gentle. “You and Jasper aren’t just my neighbors, Y/N. You’ve done more for me than you probably realize.”

She blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. “We’ve just… fed you a lot of lasagna,” she joked, trying to lighten the moment.

He laughed softly but didn’t let the moment slip entirely. “Seriously. This place feels more like home than mine ever has. That’s because of you two.”

Y/N felt her chest tighten, the weight of his words settling somewhere deep. She offered him a small smile. “Well, you’re stuck with us now.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said before stepping out into the hallway.

As the door closed behind him, Lando made his way to his apartment. He glanced back at her door for a moment, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through his chest.

What was it about that tiny apartment, that little boy, and that woman that made him feel more at ease than he had in years?

He told himself it was nothing. Just a good night with good people.

But deep down, he knew it wasn’t that simple.

[simpxxstan]

i’ve just finished reading your wonwoo!fics from the 550 followers event and i decided i need to request something myself because they were just TOO GOOD

given that, i thought about police officer!wonwoo (or mingyu, i wouldn’t mind—) who’s like super handsome and hot and all but also super nice and helpful and loves cats and—

and maybe he’s living in the same neighbourhood as y/n and they just feel drawn towards each other? idk, i’m not really good at making up scenarios 😭😭

it can go both ways, starting fluffy and then get smutty or angsty, everything’s gonna be fine <3

all i know is that i need to read something from you again 🫶🏼🫶🏼

THANK YOU FOR THE REQUEST! so firstly, I apologise if I disappoint you because instead of wonu, I did mingyu, because I had this wildest fantasy about him but I hope you like it still!! And I also added a few twists in the plot, because I wanted to spice it up a bit. I really pray you'll enjoy my version too!

this is part of my 550 followers celebration event! find the rest of the content of this event here!

also, thank you to everyone who's interacted with the event <333 your enthusiasm is so so much appreciated! the event is still on till the end of this month so you can still send in requests, my inbox is open hehe :) also to those who have sent in requests, T_T i am SOR SORRY for making you wait but honestly i am trying my best :((( i will answer your request as soon as i can, thank you for your patience <3

genre: strangers to lovers, police and criminal au, smut, fluff, neighbours au

word count: 5k words

warnings: 18+ NSFW MINORS DO NOT INTERACT police officer!mingyu, discussions of illegal racing, gangs, criminals, criminal activities, gambling (but nothing is explicit except the racing activities). smut warnings: unprotected sex (please please do not do this irl), almost public sex, oral (m. receiving), making out, usage of pet names, size kink, mingyu's a perv for reader

It's been six months since Mingyu has shifted to this town, and he's not regretted it a single day. it's a wonderful, quaint little town, on the edge of the city, that's close enough to the hustle but far enough to not be a site for trouble. The people are lovely and they've really accepted him with a full heart- the old ladies who bring him their delicious cooked food during his lunch breaks, the young boys who follow his gym routine meticulously, the mothers who either shamelessly flirt with him or try to set up their children with him, the fathers who pat his back proudly after a long day of work, the children who run around his clean police station with curious eyes.

After his busy five years in his posting at the city, this feels like heaven to him. He had joined the force in his craving for adrenaline and his innate nature of being helpful to everyone had driven him deeper into the profession. But he's twenty-seven now, and maturity has dampened the fire within his soul, although not his desire for social peace and justice- hence his choice to shift here.

It's not a town renowned for crime, and most of his days are peaceful with minor reports of petty theft or pickpocketing. But Mingyu has his fair share of excitement- being on the outskirts of the city, the edges of the town are less tame than the heart of it. It's a den for many gangs- all linked by the illegal racing grounds outside the town. Mingyu doesn't have any way to reach the gangs- they're being pursued by the force in the bigger cities with far more resources than sanctioned to his police station. But he tries to ensure the gangs and their dirty business doesn't get into his town. And Mingyu has his hands full with it.

But being busy keeps Mingyu happy. He's loved by the townsfolk and he's found a kind of peace here, different and yet beautiful. It's a slow town, and he's fallen into a routine that's good for his slowing-down body and his slowing-down mind.

So it's been a long, long day of work and at the end of the week, he's tired and ready to fall into his bed after eating anything that's in the fridge. But when he's walking up the stairs of his apartment building, his eyes meet a scene that's out of routine.

"Hello? Can I help you?" Mingyu walks up quickly as he sees you struggle to pull up two suitcases up the stairs, along with the clearly heavy rucksack on your back. "No! Thanks, no, I'm fine." "Please allow me, I live right here on this floor." And Mingyu casually picks up the suitcases, with a smile on his face. He doesn't miss the ways your body relaxes instantly and your eyes light up. "Umm, I'm here on this floor too. Just moved in into 309." "And I'm in 311. Right across your flat!" "I'm so happy to meet a neighbour already. I'm Y/N." "And I'm Mingyu."

And Mingyu feels the exhaustion of the day wear out when he sees your whole smile- not a tight-lipped smile, but the one that shows your teeth and your dimples. Well, dimple. There's only one big dimple on your left cheek, and it's a beautiful smile that stays on Mingyu's mind long through the night after you disappear into your flat and Mingyu goes into his own.

_

Mingyu doesn't know why he's suddenly choosing to skip his daily gym routine in favour of a run through the town at 5.30 am (nearly an hour before he's ever woken up in his entire life). Maybe one day he wakes up at 5.30 to use the washroom but spots you leave the building in your jogging shorts and earplugs. He joins the dots and his body joins them too- safe to say, he couldn't sleep again that morning. And neither the morning after that, because he's determined to join you on your run.

You don't talk much except brief interactions, and your speed is much faster than him, but he doesn't mind the exhaustion. The wink you throw him every time he lags behind and the bottle of water you offer him right after you drink from it too is enough motivation for him to keep running. Of course it helps that you compliment the way his muscles strain through his tank top and Mingyu's chest blows up even further with pride.

And it's so subtle, but Mingyu feels you slowly open up more to him.

It's in the won't you come in for coffee? I make a mean iced coffee.

It's in the I was shopping for groceries and brought you cooking oil, since you were asking for it yesterday. I thought you may not have had the time to go for shopping, since you're so busy at work.

It's in the see this magnet? my baby cousin made it.

And Mingyu goes to you like a moth drawn to a flame. He's drawn to you when he decides to take you out (for a friendly afternoon outing, he calls it officially, but internally he's treating it as a date). He's drawn to you when you show him around the veterinary where you work. He's drawn to you when he sees you eating ice cream on his couch after he's cooked dinner for the two of you. He's drawn to you when you barely touch his arm and tell him that you really like all your neighbours and the entire community in the town is great, but you're especially glad to have found Mingyu because he's one of the only people here who's near your age. And he's drawn to you when you smile for him, that rich, dimpled smile, after he tells you that you're exactly the friend he's been looking for since he's come here.

After that, Mingyu doesn't know what happens in what order. Do you kiss him first? Or does he kiss you first? Do you climb into his lap? Or does he pull you onto him? Do you bite his lip when his hands wander down to your ass that he's been eyeing for weeks now on every morning run? Or does he bite your lip when your hands weave through his hair? It's a blur, and when you pull back for a breath, your lips swollen, the first button of your shirt open, and a hickey already blooming near your collarbone, Mingyu knows only one thing. How he wants. Wants you. Wants more. Wants now-

"Mingyu, I- I don't know how to say this... it's not like I didn't like this. And I- I- umm. Maybe I should leave? Because if I stay I won't be able to hold back and I want to think about this a little bit?"

And oh, your eyes are so wide and so pretty, and the skin of your arms feel like butter under his touch, but he lets you go. He lets you walk away, a shy smile on your lips. He lets you kiss him on his cheek once before disappearing into your own flat, and Mingyu shuts the door and takes deep breaths as he leans on his door.

He's ready to give you all the time in the world to think, but he's sure that he's already yours. He just knows at the end of it, he needs to make you his too.

_

"Hello, darling."

The tone on the other end is unmistakable, and Mingyu sighs. "Don't try to seduce me, love. It's not gonna work." He's said this before, but the message clearly hasn't gotten through. The honey voice drawls on in a painfully slow pace, "You're late tonight. What's up?" "I was busy," he huffs, his heart still beating fast from making out with you a few minutes ago.

"Busy? Unbelievable." "A police officer can't be busy? Is it so unfathomable?" "No. What's unfathomable is that Kim Mingyu is off his routine. I wonder if there's something new... or someone new?"

The voice laughs, and Mingyu knows it's friendly prodding. His relationship with the person on the other side of the line might be anything but friendly but it's yet again become a part of his routine, and at least the friendly banter breaks the monotony.

"Are you jealous that I talk to women apart from you?" Mingyu smirks, knowing two can play this game.

"I'm jealous that she's taking up my time. You have to show her what's her place, really."

"Don't be rude love. You know I've got my ears on your voice only. Now, tell me if you have any news."

"Oh, getting straight to the point, I see..."

"Oh come on!"

The voice becomes serious instantly. Gone is the sexy drawl, and it's replaced by crisp words that are music to Mingyu's ears. "I've heard Taffy's gang making some noise in the borders. You might wanna come and look at it once for yourself."

"Do you have any more information?"

"Nothing much right now, officer. Look, I'm holding up my end of the bargain but you've got to be patient."

Mingyu groans. It's not good news, and it's certainly not enough news. But he'll take a look himself to make sure he understands the graveness of the situation correctly.

"Okay. When should I come? Tell me when Taffy's men are lurking around the area?"

The voice shifts again into a teasing, seductive tone, making Mingyu jerk at the sudden transition.

"Come tomorrow? Race night."

"Yeah no that's not happening. I'll-"

"Tomorrow, babe. Wanna see you race. A big boy like you likes his fast bikes, don't you?"

The thought of racing sends a spike of adrenaline rushing through his veins, but he knows this is illegal. It's one thing allowing the leader of the races to become his informant so that he can keep an eye on the circuit as well as get key pieces of information that remain hidden to the legal eye. But it's an entirely different thing getting into the centre of the mess himself and be involved in it.

And yet, a part of him wants to feel the thrill again. Tonight, after years, he felt that adrenaline rushing through him when you'd tugged at his collar and kissed him repeatedly. Fuck. It had felt good, hadn't it? One night won't matter, will it?

"I'll be there."

"Fantastic. Can't wait to see you, babe."

_

Mingyu doesn't see you the next morning. He waits outside your door at 5.30, but doesn't knock, hoping you'll come out eventually. But you don't. He doesn't spot you through the rest of the day either, and it makes him worry. But he's decided to give you your space and time, so he will be patient... at least for one more day.

It's a Sunday so Mingyu has a half-day at work. When he's back from work, his mind is still all over the place. Should he even go to the race tonight? He's raced a bit back in college days, but everything pretty legal. Nothing like the den of vice he knows he's going to walk into tonight. But he also knows that this is the best way for him to infiltrate through the layers of middlemen that stop information from reaching his ears.

By the time 8.30 comes around, there's no text from you. Instead, there's a text from his informant, saved under the codename of layla (he knows it's not her real name, but he doesn't care enough to ask about it).

I'll see you at the circuit tonight, darling. Don't be late.

Mingyu's heart speeds up. Is it wrong to feel excited right now? As a conscientious police officer, he should definitely not feel excited. But as nothing more than a man, he feels his blood become warm at the thought of meeting the woman behind that voice he's spoken to for almost three months now. He's almost 100% sure the voice isn't generated by a voice modifier or AI, but it's also impossible for that to be someone's real voice, so there must be some pitch changes or something along those lines. Nevertheless, their conversations has often made him wonder about the woman herself.

She's a shadow- no one really knows who she is. But about four months ago, when she'd called him up herself to supply information in order to buy protection for herself and her racing infrastructure, Mingyu had yielded instantly by weighing his priorities. And since then, he's tried endless times to put a face to the voice, but it's been a search in vain.

Not tonight.

Tonight, he's gonna see the face for himself and put all his wandering thoughts to rest. Thoughts late at night after a particularly long phone call with his informant, that made him wonder whether the flirting was real or all for show. Wonder whether the woman herself would be as sexy as the voice. And wonder what kind of woman she must be in order to be capable enough to singlehandedly run an entire illegal racing system.

Fuck it, Mingyu thinks, after seeing the clock strike 8.45 and still no contact from your end. He wears a black tank top along with a black leather jacket- intending to fit right into the crowd he expects to see there. He just hopes there's no one else there who'll recognise him. And he certainly hopes nothing will happen to make him regret this decision for life.

_

You're such a fool, Mingyu, he thinks to himself. You're such a fool for thinking you'd fit in.

Mingyu may be just twenty-seven but he doesn't feel young at all when he sees the crowd at the race. The people here must be of his age, but they all seem so different from him. Perhaps it's because his job has taken away his youth that he'll always feel perpetually distant from even people of his own age.

And so Mingyu stands there awkwardly, stiff amidst a crowd of half-drunk and half-high people, wearing colourful headbands and smearing eclectic neon colours on their skin. He feels out of place- and yet, a part of him wishes he could fit in. He wishes he could have enjoyed his youth like this- on the edge of the other side of the law. He wishes he could have lived like this for even moment of his life- beyond academics, beyond career, beyond mere survival.

"Hi beautiful, looking for someone?" A woman with a cigarette between her fingers strolls up to him. Her hair is flying in the wind, exposing the tattoos all over her skin.

Before Mingyu can say anything, the crowd around him suddenly erupts in loud cheers, and she quickly pulls his hand and drags him towards the centre of the entire crowd. He sees two bikers mount on their bikes- exquisitely reworked to glow in the dark. A woman hops up on a platform in the middle of the two bikers and lifts a gun towards the sky. And as the crowd counts down, she shoots the gun right after 1 and the two bikers zoom out into the blackness ahead, the crowd going wild with cheers for the biker they support.

The scene makes Mingyu's skin feel alive too- the sheer speed of the two bikes, the sound of the engines revving and the general merriness around him induces adrenaline to flow through his veins. When he turns to look at the woman next to him, he sees her looking at him with a curious smile on her face. "Umm, I'm... I'm not really here for the race."

"You're not? Layla told me you would be." The smile on her face deepens, and Mingyu gasps. "You know Layla?" "I do. But that's not important. Let's get you on a bike, hmm?" Mingyu's somehow missed to noticed how her hand's still on his arm, gently stroking his bicep over his jacket. "No, really I don't want to." She steps right up close to him, "But you can try once, pretty boy." Her eyelashes cast long shadows on her cheeks, but Mingyu doesn't care. "I don't want to try." "Let loose for one night." "I'm not here for fun. I'm here for work-" The woman in front of his laughs. "Yes Layla said that too. Don't worry, she's going to work. But only after you race against her."

Mingyu feels his heart speed up. Race against Layla? Fuck. Now, why does that sound so tempting? It makes him only more curious to meet his informant, because why must she make herself so mysterious?

"Are you her friend?" Mingyu knows that this woman is not Layla, because the voice doesn't match by miles. This woman here has a lisp in her voice, unlike Layla's clear diction, and no amount of pitch changing or machine alterations can change that (Mingyu knows that the hard way).

"I'm her sister. Well, kind of. Now, no more questions pretty boy. Next race starts in a few minutes. Let's get you on a bike!" And Mingyu finds himself in no position to protest as the woman drags him away without hearing him anymore.

_

In the blink of an eye, Mingyu finds himself on a beautiful beast of a motorbike, his entire body drunk on adrenaline. There's so many people he's never even met before, but they're hyping him up. The attention-whore in him goes crazy at the cheers. There's coloured smoke being released into the sky, and Mingyu wears his helmet to prevent it from clouding his eyes. And finally when the smoke fades away, he sees his opponent standing along side him.

Layla.

Fuck.

Still no face to the voice in his head, but it's still an enigmatic visual that draws Mingyu in and reels his mind. He watches the way her black latex pants hug her long legs as she swings her legs over her bike. And he watches the way her helmet covers her face but her hair's still flying in the air. There's something still mysterious about her, and yet so oddly familiar.

But before he can say or do anything, the crowd begins the countdown, and in a second, the gunshot goes off. And Mingyu zooms ahead, revving his engine from 0 to 100 in a moment, a smile spreading on his face as the excitement of the speed injects itself in his veins. Out of the corner of his eye, he notices Layla take a spin around the corner of the racetrack, her stable figure undeterred by the sharp turn. Mingyu may not be a professional, but it's not the first time he's racing. He's done this before and he can feel that familiar thrill returning, as he picks up speed and makes up his mind to defeat his worthy opponent.

It's a long and winding course, but to Mingyu it feels like a few minutes only. The cold night air hits his body and makes him feel like he's flying. Soon the ending flag is in sight, and he sees Layla speed up, hunching over her bike, determined to get there first.

But at the last minute, she steps back, her posture loosening as she sits back and watches Mingyu whizz off ahead of her.

Fuck, he mutters under his breath. Knowing she let him win easily hurts his ego, and he slows the bike down as they drive into the nothingness of the deserted roads ahead. When he finally comes to a stop, he gets off the bike and sees her stand a few metres away from him, her helmet still on her head stretching her legs.

"Hey! Layla! You let me win! I would've won anyway- fair and sq-"

Layla spins around and takes off her helmet, her hair whipping across her face, and Mingyu finally sees the face behind the voice.

_

"Y/N?" Mingyu's eyes are wide, his brain running as fast as his bike was a short while back, as he tries to connect the dots.

The voice is unmistakable, now slightly higher in pitch, and Mingyu wants to kick himself as he realises how big a fool he's been. "We finally meet, Kim Mingyu." There's a beautiful smile on your face, one he's not seen before. There are other things too- there's a nose pin on your button nose, making your features look sharper, and a necklace hanging off your neck, which is odd since he's never seen you wear jewellery before.

"Y/N? H- wh- how?!"

You don't answer him. You simply walk towards him, your hips swaying and Mingyu groans at the sight of your pretty legs in those tight pants. Fuck him for not recognising that ass sooner in spite of being obsessed with it for weeks.

"I thought I should come clean to you, officer, before you make any choices." You casually slot yourself between his legs, as Mingyu leans back against his motorbike. "What do you think?"

What does he think?

He thinks he's a fool for not finding out more about you before falling for you. He thinks he's a fool for maintaining a contact with someone as dangerous as La- you. And he thinks he's a fool for finding you even sexier after discovering this persona of yours.

And he thinks he would be a fool with regrets for all his life if he lets go of you now.

So Mingyu grabs onto your hips, and pulls you closer.

"You've got me by my balls, baby. Got me eating out of your hand. And you know I happen to like it. So it doesn't matter what I think, love. What matters is what you think." His fingers rub against the skin exposed as your crop top rises up as you dangle your hands around his shoulders. You laugh at his words, pressing even closer to him, the air between you two turning to electricity. "It doesn't matter what I think either- because I'd fallen for you ages ago when I first saw you around in town. The new, dashing police officer, Kim Mingyu, enquiring about gangsters and fending himself off prying old ladies at the same time. Since then I've just wanted to make you mine." Mingyu's heart hasn't stopped thumping loudly all night, and at your confession, his body tingles with a dangerous feeling.

"Glad we're on the same page, baby."

_

"This is my office," you whisper to him in between kisses as you drag him to a shady-looking room at the back of the building that's on the edge of the racing circuit, now deserted because everyone's busy at the races. "Office?" Mingyu giggles, because the term is ridiculous. The place is anything but an office- with the way dishevelled boxes are just stacked everywhere, and instead of desks there are more pool tables and boxes of alcohol. It's a small, dingy place, and the single tubelight at the end of the corridor flickers every other minute, but it's a vibe. Mingyu's not unfamiliar with seedy places in his line of work, but it's so novel to think this is where you truly work.

But fuck him if he doesn't think it just makes you hotter. Because there's something about you being the boss of a pack of hundred delinquents associated with even more hardened criminals that makes his dick chub up real quick.

Like it is right now, when your hands make quick work of removing his jacket and throwing it on the floor as you touch his bare muscle. Mingyu carelessly runs a hand through his hair as he sees you push him onto a chair on a desk that's in your office, the room lit only by the mercy of the distant tubelight and the moonlight streaming in through the window panes. "Fuck, you're so big Mingyu. Let me blow you? Please? Wanted to do this for so long." Your eyes are so pretty as you bend in front of him, fingers lazily rubbing into the tent in his pants, making him hiss. "Go on, baby. Whatever you like. Fuck, but kiss me once more."

And you do. You taste like berries, and Mingyu loves it. Mingyu knows he's got it bad, but he doesn't care. You're on your knees and you want to blow him, and if this isn't the mental image to which he's jerked off for days now, he'd be damned. So he pushes you down in between his knees after kissing you to his heart's content, and you quickly take off his pants. "God," you almost drool and Mingyu whimpers when you take off his boxers too. "You're so fucking big, Gyu. Never seen such a big, pretty cock," you say reverently, as you pump it and it twitches in your hands. Your eyes go wide when you lick it and fit your mouth barely against the tip, and Mingyu throws his head back and moans. He's not going to last long, if just this much has got him feeling like this.

Thankfully, you don't tease him much, eager to feel the heavy weight on your tongue too. So you take him as much as your throat allows, and Mingyu feels himself on the brink of heaven. When you bob your head a couple of times, Mingyu reaches down to tug your hair back and you moan around his cock. The vibrations send him over, and he cums into your mouth even as you continue to suck him. When you finally pull off with a pop, another squirt from his dick leaves a string of white cum on your lips and Mingyu feels himself getting hard again.

"That was so hot baby. You're so hot," he says, as he picks you up from the floor and on the desk. It's so easy for him to manhandle you like that, and you pull him close quickly. "You're hotter, Gyu. Can't tell you what fantasies I've had about you in these last few months." Mingyu smirks, his hands removing your beautiful pants, and spreading your thighs apart as he feels his way through your folds. "Umm? Really? Now don't be a bad girl, and tell me what you've thought about me."

You open your mouth to say something but then Mingyu pinches your clit, and any words fall away as you moan out loudly. Your hands steady themselves on his biceps as Mingyu begins to finger you painfully slowly- to the extent that he can hear the squelching sounds, and it drives him crazy.

"Tell me, Y/N."

When your breathing slows down as you feel Mingyu driving two fingers into you at a steady pace, his eyes fixed on yours, biting his lip in concentration, you tell him softly.

"Before I shifted into the flat... I wondered what you'd be like from up close. Because I'd only seen you from afar. And after hearing your v- aaah- voice, it just got worse." You feel Mingyu stretching you, hitting your g-spot repeatedly as he kissed your neck.

"And then when I did shift in... fuck. It was so hard to not give in to you. Whenever you looked at me with your puppy eyes and y- y- your smile- ah, fuck I'm g- gonna cum, Mingyu!" You scream as he fingers you through your orgasm, and he licks his fingers clean once you come down from your high.

"Then who asked you to not give in to me?"

"I wanted to make sure you'd like me in real life and not judge me simply as an informant." Your simple, vulnerable words take his breath away, and Mingyu pulls off your top in one go. "Fuck, you're so cute baby. I'd like you in every form, in every life. You drive me crazy, do you know that?" And Mingyu knows that now, as you hold on to his shoulders as he enters you in one go. "God, you're so tight, Y/N. Tighter than your pretty mouth, fuck." He's trying so hard not to cum right now, but as you grip his hair and moan filthily, a stream of curses falling off your pretty lips, Mingyu lets his adrenaline take over. And he thrusts into you without any hesitance, hips moving fast, his balls heavy as he slams against you again and again. The desk creaks, and you pant in his ears, begging him to go harder, and Mingyu can feel the way your pussy clenches him at every thrust.

"Gonna cum, Gyu. Please-" Your nails dig into his nape, and it drives him over the edge. When you come along with him, there's a sharp buzz spreading through his body and he feels like he's gone to heaven.

He holds you close like that for the next few minutes, unable and uninterested in letting you go. When you both finally feel the high subside, you look up at him, a hazy smile on your face. "I really like you, Gyu. I hope you can like me too beyond who I am in this racing circuit. Trust me, it's.... it's not my entire life. I am a person bey-"

He kisses you quiet. "Stop explaining yourself." You try to protest, but he kisses you again. "You know Y/N, I think I liked you from the first day I met you. And I get what you're saying but... trust me. Fuck. I don't know how to say this. But safe to say if I thought you were amazing as Y/N? I think you're absolutely the epitome of perfection as Y/N plus Layla. So hot, so gorgeous, and I love every bit of you."

And then there's that single-dimpled smile again.

"I also like the nose pin. Why'd you take it off?"

You giggle, "Didn't want it to be a deal-breaker once I had my mind set on you."

Mingyu kisses your nose at the pin itself and you shiver in his arms.

"Nothing about you can be a deal-breaker, baby."

[nova-is-a-writer-now]

Hidden Embers

Series summary: You return to your home state the summer after graduating college. The relentless Texas heat, the suburban southern bubble and your treacherous relationship with your mom give you the feeling this will be a long summer. That's until Joel Miller enters the picture.

Summary: Your welcome-back party brings a re-encounter with one of your dad’s old friends, one you don’t remember looking so good.

A/N: Hello strangers, haven't seen you in a long long time. This is something that's been on the works for months now. Ideally, I wanted to put this series out when I had a good enough chunk of the story finished since I'm the most undecisive person ever. However, I wanna start posting some chapters on here as I go and then post the full completed thing on AO3. I will warn you though, it is very likely that as I write the story, I will keep on making some changes to previously posted chapters just so in the end it all makes sense and it's cohesive, I will let you guys know whenever there has been a major change. Take this as me asking the tumblr girlies to beta read this series before i publish it over on AO3. In any case, I hope the ones who decide to start reading here instead of waiting for the full thing enjoy it very much, I'm very open to suggestions, opinions and constructive critisism. :)

Warnings: Age-gap (Reader is 22, Joel is 46), Dbf!Joel, mommy issues

It was your first summer back home after graduation. The relentless Texas heat was bringing memories from your childhood that had been buried away until now, some of them felt more like dreams at this point. You had never been too good with the heat, but spending four years in chilly, gloomy New England had certainly birthed a new appreciation for it.

You weren’t sure you wanted to come back and stay for the entire summer, but your southern-to-the-core mother has a knack for getting her way. Something about “You were away for four whole years, I’m sure you can spare us a couple months before you jump right into a job in god knows where. Who knows? Maybe you’ll end up moving back and finding something around here, a nice guy to settle down with and finally get your life going.” 

God forbid. 

Naturally, in true southern fashion, your parents had to make your graduation celebration a neighborhood affair. A big barbeque, with all the nice people your parents grew up with, went to highschool and college with, who married and had kids with each other. People who haven’t, a day in their lives, given a single thought to what might exist outside of their perfect suburban bubbles. 

You weren’t trying to act ungrateful – it was a celebration of one of your most important milestones after all. People were coming together to congratulate you and your achievements. But if it were up to you, none of them would have been invited and you wouldn’t have celebrated it like this. Honestly, you missed the trips you used to take with your dad as a kid, all the way out in the countryside. Just the two of you for a week during the summer, staying in an old cabin that creaked and shook whenever your steps were too heavy. You don't remember why you stopped going, but you wished you still did. It would have been a much nicer celebration.

None of today’s guests knew you as anything other than your parent’s daughter, the shiny new thing your mother was choosing to show off. You knew that’s how it was gonna be the second your mother told you there was no point in attending your college’s graduation party, why would you when they could make you your own celebration back home with all the nice neighborhood people instead of a room full of strangers?

Your dad had good intentions, you knew that… deep, deep down. But it had always just been the three of you, and even when it was blatantly obvious your mother was in the wrong, even when there was no way of justifying her behavior, he still stood behind her, echoing her words. 

And that's how you ended up here, prepping food for your own graduation barbeque, decorating your own garden, cleaning up your own house so it would be squeaky clean for people you hadn’t seen in well over a decade. It’s what a “Do it for me, i’ll make it up to you I promise. The community is just really important to your mom” from your dad gets out of you. 

You had probably been looking at yourself for a good twenty minutes now. Nothing you tried on felt quite right. It was either too formal, too casual, too revealing or too childish. This was a direct consequence of moving out of the south at the ripe age of 10; No one in Virginia taught you how to dress for a neighborhood barbeque. 

Last minute you land on a blue sundress, delicate white flowers scattered around, long enough to cover your knees but not enough to make you look like you just walked out of Sunday school. You took that as a win. 

At the sound of your mother loudly complaining about no one in the house ever helping (a comment undoubtedly directed at you), you decide to drag yourself downstairs. The sooner you get this party started, the sooner you could be done with it.

Rushing down the stairs, distractedly gathering your hair up with a tie, you unexpectedly bump into something – or rather someone.  

"Easy, there. Where's the fire?"

That familiar voice… same old Joel Miller. A few more grays overpowering the darkness of his hair, a couple more wrinkles here and there and a deeper tan painting his skin a more caramel-y shade. But it was still him. 

You knew very little about Joel, just that he was your dad’s best friend for as long as you could remember. The periodic phone calls they filled with hour-long football discussions, the christmas cards exchanged and birthday wishes texted. You remember him being around the house a lot before moving out of Texas, although the specifics of it escape your memory.

Now he’s standing right in front of you, firm hands holding you by your arms to make sure you won't lose your balance, and you’re faced with the fact that twenty-two-year-old you might be seeing Joel Miller through a different lens. 

Your brain isn’t really doing what it’s meant to do, which in this exact moment would be produce an acceptable response for the six-foot-something man with broad shoulders, dark brooding eyes and a musky, woody scent that made you wanna… No. Focus.

“I am so sorry, I didn’t even see you there… I didn’t think anyone would arrive until five.” you finally reply to his expectant stare. 

“No need to be sorry.” He says back, letting go of your arms once he’s sure you’re able to stand on your own. “Well, welcome home. Haven’t seen you since you were running around in mermaid tees” 

Yeah, now seemed like the right time to look for a hole in the ground to crawl into. 

“Oh, that’s not fair, I grew out of my mermaid phase long before we moved.  I was well into boyband territory last time you saw me” you try to joke your way through the conversation, hoping the burning sensation crawling up to your cheeks isn’t as obvious as it feels. 

The embarrassment of the moment would have churned your insides for much longer if Joel's mouth hadn't quirked up in a charming smirk, so captivating it was hard to believe he wasn't aware of its effect. 

That on its own was already causing some conflicting feelings to boil up inside you, but then he had the nerve to let out a small chuckle he seemed to have been trying to hold back. He was chuckling... Texas’ resident grump was chuckling at your joke, which wasn't even that funny if we’re being fully earnest. Why did you like that thought so much?

You were about to say something, anything really, in a shameless attempt to see if you could earn one more of those, when your mother's approaching voice snapped you out of the haze.

“Are you gonna make me drag you in here, or will you do me the courtesy of helping out... Oh, goodness me! Joel! I didn’t hear you come in, you’re here early.” She switched gears faster than a professional racer. Suddenly, she was back to being the neighborhood’s sweetheart, her voice dripping with that sickly sweet drawl.

“Yes, ma’am. Sorry for the intrusion,” Joel replies, slipping back into his usual, almost stiff demeanor. Whatever new side you had seen of him a second ago was quickly gone. “Hank asked me to drop by a bit earlier to bring him the grill. Said mine’s better suited for the amount of meat he’s buying.”

“Oh, how that man refuses to listen. I told him we didn’t need that much meat. I'm making a whole lotta side dishes,” she whines, waving her hand dismissively. “Well, I guess everyone will be taking leftovers home then. Hank went over to the store to grab me some stuff I was missing. He should be back in a heartbeat.” She glances back at you and, in that passive-aggressive tone that almost anybody else would miss, said, “Well, sweetheart, don’t just stand there. Go help Joel unload his grill and show him what a good host you are.” 

It was only your third day back home. Somehow, four years of freedom had made living in this household even more unbearable. 

Smile, turn around, walk away. Choose your peace, choose your peace, choose your peace.

Heavy footsteps echo yours all the way to the garage, where Joel's truck waited. You let him walk past you to unlock the tailgate. “Your mom hasn’t changed one bit, has she?” Joel says distractedly while grabbing some metal pieces that looked like parts of his grill. 

“Oh, if you only knew.” you say back, trying your best to conceal the sharpness of your tone. 

He hands you the cold metal parts, surprisingly lighter than you anticipated. You were convinced he only made you carry them to let you feel useful. “Believe me, I know. Known your mom since way before you were even a thought runnin’ through her mind.” 

Right. Because Joel happens to be your parents’ age and over twice your senior. One of the many reasons why getting distracted by the way his muscles flexed while picking up the grill was so beyond wrong. 

“You uh… you still live a few houses up the street?” You asked, trying your best to redirect your reckless thoughts. 

“Same old house.” He replies with a slightly strained voice from carrying the weight. Once he set it down in the backyard, he turned around to take the pieces you were holding onto. “Renovated some of it, built a new pool out back.” 

“That sounds nice, might have to check it out sometime.” You said it without even thinking much. What compelled you to think it was acceptable to tell a man you haven't seen in over a decade you would like to ‘check out’ his pool, was beyond you.

You thought Joel would chuckle it off or maybe not even acknowledge it, which he would’ve been well within his right to do, but he looked up to you from his leaning position next to the grill and said “Yeah, I think you might.” 

You couldn’t shake off Joel’s words throughout the whole afternoon. 

First chance you got to zone out in between introductions, awkward small talk and getting asked the same thing for the thousandth time, your mind drifted back to Joel’s words. 

He was just being polite, right? He has always been a gentleman after all. Maybe it was just the southern hospitality in him, maybe he didn’t even mean it and was just trying to be nice.

Yeah, I think you might

You were probably just reading too much into it, but the way he said it seemed like a lot more than just being polite. Or, and this is a very big possibility, it’s been way too long since you’ve let anyone take you to bed and you’re latching onto the first man who looks your way. 

You try to distract your brain with the old lady in front of you instead, who’s been chatting you up about her four cats for over fifteen minutes. She’s surprisingly nice but you think you’d be enjoying her chatter a lot more if your mind wasn’t so distracted.

She notices as much.  “You doin’ alright there, sweetheart?” 

You  brush it off as best as you can. “Oh, I'm alright. I just think the trip and the unpacking is finally catching up to me.” You stand up from the lawn chair you’d been lounging on. “I’ll go grab myself a drink, can I grab you anything?” 

She smiles sweetly up at you and replies “No, sweetness, you go ahead.” 

The chatter outside dulls out as you close the glass doors behind you. You don’t bother turning on the kitchen overhead lights, relying only on light seeping in from the back yard.

The chill from the fridge hits your chest as you crack the door open to grab a can of coke. Just as you pop the tab, a shadow leaning against the door frame makes you jump. 

“Jesus, give a girl a warning.” you say bringing your hand to your chest trying to slow your heartbeat back down. 

“Sorry darlin’, didn’t mean to scare you.” Joel's voice comes from the shadow

Darlin’ ? Lord, were you screwed. 

You hoped the dim lighting was doing enough to hide the burning red that was probably staining your cheeks already, especially since Joel was pushing off of the door frame and walking over to you. 

“Needed a break from the crowd too?” you ask softly, cutting through the quiet.

The corner of his lips curves up in one of his killer smirks and you can already tell that’s gonna be one of your favorite things about him. “You readin’ me like a book.” 

You give him a tiny smile and take a sip of your Coke, the cold liquid a welcome distraction. “I thought you’d be manning the grill.”

He grumbles softly, the sound reverberating in his chest. “Hank’s got it covered for now. Figured I’d come check on you.”

You look up at him confused. “Check on me? Why?”

He shrugged, his eyes meeting yours with an intensity that made you feel seen in a way you hadn’t felt in a long time. “Just wanted to make sure you’re doing alright. This can’t be easy, coming back after all this time.”

More than the charming smirks or the pet names or the indecipherable jabs, this knocked the air out of your chest. You were so used to everyone telling you how lucky you were, how wonderful your parents were and how great it was they could put you through college, how perfect of a life you had and how easy it seemed for you to deal with it all. You get it, that’s how it looked from the outside and you didn’t blame people for thinking that. But the truth was you had just become shockingly skilled at hiding your struggles, pretending you had everything under control and plastering a big, dazzling smile on your face.

Somehow, in the few hours that Joel has been around you, at least in this past decade, he managed to see right through this smoke screen you’ve been building your entire life to keep people from seeing what’s going on inside. 

It leaves you speechless for a second. “Oh, um…” you can’t take your eyes off of him now, far too unconcerned to notice if you’re staring. “It’s been… exhausting and a bit hectic but, you know... I’m alright. Thank you for asking, Joel.” His name slips out of your lips so easily, like you could picture yourself saying it over and over again without ever burning out. 

He looks down, almost like he isn’t used to doing this either, like he’s searching for something else to say. Then his hoarse voice breaks through the silence “Well, if you’re not, you know where to find me.” 

With one last glance, a lingering one at that, Joel turns back and leaves where he came from. Like he didn’t just tip your entire world out of balance. 

And you’re left there in the dark, trying to figure out what the hell this feeling on your chest is and why, on god's green earth, your father’s best friend won’t leave your head. 

[dabihatemail]

Tomura Shigaraki x Reader: Snowfall

MDNI / My blog is 18+

Contains: fluff, tomura being evil (cold hands)

Winter was hit or miss in terms of endearment for you. The sentiment of the season along with warm drinks and multiple blankets made it more bearable. It was just… what was the point of the biting cold only to not have snow?

Lounging about in your bedroom was the plan for today. It was way too cold to go out for supplies or any recruiting (at least in your eyes). Tomura had to leave for some sort of meeting and had yet to return. While it did get dark out way faster than usual, he was still gone for longer than you expected.

Checking the time, you huff and wrap the heaviest blanket around yourself as you get up to peer through the window. The frost sticking to the panes isn’t too remarkable, but the amount of snow falling outside…

The door kicks open as you’re rushing to put on bundles of clothes to keep warm. Tomura looked more exhausted than usual. The cold definitely did not help.

“What are you doing?” His voice cracks at the end, he clears his throat. “It’s cold as fuck out there, you can’t be intending to go out after the fuss you made this morning…”

“Well, it’s snowing now. So I’m gonna go roll around in it, appreciate nature or somethin’!” you smile brightly at him.

He scowls and steps over towards you. You look up at him, about to question if he would want to walk with you, as he slumps against you. Humming softly as your hands card through his tangled hair, you can’t see the devious grin on his face as he moves to press his bare hands (pinky fingers lifted) under your shirt, against your stomach.

“Tomura, you asshole!” You seethe through your teeth. The cold of his hands stings and definitely makes you reconsider going out. His laughter rough and disjointed, he clings to you tighter and presses a soft kiss to your neck.

“You sure you still wanna go out after that?”

a/n: we had our first big snow of the season yesterday and i was inspired :3 i just typed this up so if there’s any mistakes i am sorry orz

[leaawrites]

Poetry Confessions

Elijah Hewson x fem!reader

Summary: writing poetry with Eli.

Wordcount: 0.9k

TW: none

A little appreciation post and a (late) happy birthday to one of my favourite irish lads, Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q Hewson.

Masterlist

Softly the rain outside played a melody she wanted to capture but just didn’t know how. It was such a sweet, soft sound that couldn’t be described in words. It was a echo but nothing more. Some sensual beating of natures heart. How could you capture a heartbeat?

The door creaked open and was shut close shortly after. Eli carrying in two mugs for the two of them. Both filled with the tea of their preference. The smoke of it was dancing through the air before dissolving into nothing. Cooling off.

He put them on his table before turning around to talk to the girl, who was sitting on his bed, about the song they were just about to write.

He invited her over to his after reading a bit of her poetry by what you could call rather an accident than for the reason of her offering it to him. Rob had given it to him, explaining that it was from a friend and that he should hold the papers for him while he set up his bass. The words memorized him and he could imagine a rhythm behind it. It was as if they were his own, but at the same time they weren’t. They told a story he saw himself in but he wasn’t the main character. They felt like one. Sharing a mind.

After talking to Rob about it and inviting her to a band practice before going to his home, she agreed to work with them. At first, she was mad at Rob for just handing the papers out like they were free advertisement and embarrassed that someone else besides her closest friends read her most conscious thoughts, but the lads were nice and she quickly bonded with them, which made her appreciate it a little more. Plus, she was now actively working together with people that she was convinced had a great future in front of them. For most people, you could tell if they were gonna be stars in their future at the mere age of 17, but with them, you just knew.

“What are you thinking about?” Eli asked, sitting down next to her. His eyes switched between her profile and the world outside his window. He watched the rain but to him it was a rather ordinary thing to admire.

“It’s beautiful. The rain, I mean. It’s so loud but so gentle,” she explained, turning her head to look at him. “I’ve tried writing about it, but I never really got to capture it’s beauty quite like I hoped to. It always seemed off.”

He had never heard anyone talk about nature like that - besides Bobby’s endless speeches about birds. But that - the rain and it’s magic - he understood it - not like the birds. He just sat there and watched her like he couldn’t comprehend she was real. What a mind, he thought.

“I think you can’t capture the most beautiful things in something like words or pictures. Reality is always more fascinating,” he answered, watching her to make her understand what he was referring to. Her.

“I don’t think that’s true,” she argued, pulling her legs up to sit cross legged opposite him.

Eli did the same, turning so he could look at her fully. “Then how do you explain your struggle with writing about rain?”

She shrugged. “Maybe I’m just bad.”

“When you’re bad then I’m horrible. No, even worse than horrible. A total disaster,” he joked, making her laugh. “You wanna test it?”

“How?” She asked, intrigued by his offer.

“We each write one poem about something that we find semi beautiful and one thing that we are fascinated by. Then we see which one is better,” he explained his idea.

“That’s not gonna work,” she said.

“You don’t even wanna try? Party popper,” he said, looking bored at her.

She laughed at his behavior before finally agreeing to his offer. “Which one do we write first?”

“The semi beautiful,” he decided.

Getting paper and two pens, he hands her what she needs before they both think and create.

“I say, we write the other one now and then we compare them together,” she said after they both finished writing their first poem.

They kept on writing, letting their creative stream lead them where they went with their poem. Y/n noticed, how every 2 seconds, Eli would look up at her and watch her for a moment before continuing writing.

“Can you please stop looking at me?” She asked, feeling small under his gaze.

He was still writing, so when he heard her talk he quickly looked up. “Sorry, what?” He asked, still half immersed in his lines and verses. Not expecting her to voice anything while concentrating.

“I don’t like when people look at me when I write, so could you please stop that?” She asked him.

She didn’t want to be rude, but she felt uncomfortable when she knew someone was watching her while she was willing to write about something personal. It was a nagging feeling she couldn’t shake off. Some distaste she imagined reflecting in their eyes, disgust of her mind. Some sort of making fun of her while writing. She felt insecure with the knowing of eyes watching her, afraid she might fail in front of them.

“Can’t do,” he said, deciding to just shoot his shot. Now or never, right?

“Why not?” She asked, putting her pen down on her paper and looking at him.

“I have to focus on my subject while writing.”

[irisintheafterglow]

*runs out of my cave* I can not be silenced any longer. So like... best friend biker satoru... the campus heart throb.. wearing jeans, a white T and a black leather jacket, picking you up from class and he's right there leaning on his bike or doing the thing where they sleep/lie down on top of the bike with his legs crossed at the ankles while he waits for you and he hands you a spare helmet, takes you out on an impromptu date cause you've been studying too much (according to him) and after that he takes you back home, parks his bike for a bit and walks you to your door and before you go in he cups your face and he- oh my time's up *gets dragged back into the cave* //this brainworm has been in my head for FAR too long feel free to do what you want with it babes 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

james dean, daydream look in your eye

wc: 1.5k

cw/tags: best friends to lovers, swearing, mutual pining but reader is in denial, so fluffy you can sleep on it like a pillow

note: *drags you back out from the cave* LET THEM COOK and GUESS WHAT i'm bringing back law student!gojo. hope you enjoy!!

likes, reblogs, and replies are always appreciated :))

“Now, what the hell is Greased Lightnin’ doing outside my building?”

“I was going for Rebel Without a Cause, but I’ll be whatever you want me to be,” he replies without missing a beat. You roll your eyes and his grin only gets wider as he hands you the spare helmet from the storage box. “What, not digging the look?”

“You look like you’re gonna cut someone with a switchblade. Also, workshop that last line; it’s a little too pretentious.” His jaw hangs open in exaggerated shock at your blunt criticism of his pickup lines. You’re a little shrewder than usual after a group-turned-solo assignment irritated you beyond belief, and it was easier to mess with Satoru than to acknowledge how good he looked in his stupid leather jacket. The leather jacket, you noted, that he bought while thrifting with you last week and the same jacket he’d turned his nose up to thinking it was “not his style.” Though Suguru was practically tackling Satoru to get his hands on it, the latter had ultimately decided to buy it after you made an off-hand comment about how it’d fit nicely with his bike. 

“You wound me. I personally thought it was a great line,” he laments, stuffing your bag in the back container of the bike while you slip on the helmet. When he’s done locking up the box, his legs effortlessly stretch over the motorcycle and you climb on behind him, snaking your arms delicately around his waist. “Just for that, I’m kidnapping you.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I’m starting the bike now, so you better hold on tighter than that if you don’t wanna fall off,” he says and you can hear the smirk in his voice. Begrudgingly, you obey his suggestion and shimmy closer to him until his back is against your chest and your arms are wound tightly around his torso. You thank every deity you can think of for creating your helmet so your best friend can’t see the warmth rising to your face when you feel the pure muscle cut into his abdomen. “We’re getting dinner and you can’t stop me!”

“You’re a menace to society!” 

“And yet, your fine ass is still on the seat!” With a jerk of the key, he starts the bike before you can spit out a retort. It hums beneath your bodies and your feet leave the ground on instinct when Satoru gives the kickstand a firm strike, cutting a dangerously risky turn that has you cursing his name over the sound of the engine. His laugh reverberates against your forearms and you rest your chin on his shoulder, relishing in his natural body heat that helped stave off the chilly wind as you passed car after car. The cacophony of noises are familiar to you by now, finally unbothered by roaring vehicles, sputtering engines, and snippets of blasted radios. 

“I think you need to pick a lane and stay in it, Satoru,” you managed to verbalize after he opened the ginormous doors of his garage, effectively unveiling his newest impulse purchase that was sure to tank his dad’s credit score for the fourteenth time. It was pretty, you had to admit, and very Satoru. He definitely ordered a custom paint job on it for it to be such a deep shade of black and the subtle purple lightning accents running down the hardware were a nice touch. His helmet had the same design scheme and he was very excited to show you your helmet, matching his but with bright blue bolts instead. To match his eyes, you figured. 

“The whole point of this thing is so I can go between lanes, silly.” His fingers lightly flick your forehead as he enters the garage, running his hand over the new leather like it was a prized racehorse. “Haven’t you seen those bikers on the highways? They’re in all the lanes, all the time.”

“You know what I mean,” you say. “I don’t know how many clients are gonna take you seriously if they see their lawyer rolling up on two wheels instead of four. You’re not really helping the ‘rich boy whose dad paid for his entire tuition’ allegations.” 

“That’s why I’m going into entertainment law, so I can kick legal ass and look hot at the same time. Also, I really couldn’t give a shit about my tuition or my dad or school in general. I’m only here because you are.” 

“That’s the biggest lie I’ve ever heard,” you scoff and he quirked an eyebrow at your blunt dismissal of his reasoning. “Admit it, you’re only going to law school so you can pick up the hot girls in mini skirts.”

“They’re a bonus, yeah,” he admits and you shake your head in disbelief, too exasperated to ask if he’s joking or not. Part of you died a tiny bit every time he talked about a new girl he was talking to or told you about how many people asked him out. You commended them for doing what you never had the courage to do for fear of ruining your friendship with him. For now, you just laughed off his trial attempts at flirting and looked away when he stared at you a little too tenderly for comfort. “Wanna take her on her maiden voyage with me?”

“That’s what you say about ships, Satoru, but sure.”

“Maybe I want this ship to sail, then,” he says suggestively and you resist the urge to hit him in the head with your new helmet. Rides with Satoru became much more frequent after you finally agreed to let him pick you up from class despite only living a few minutes away. Often, he decided to make an unplanned detour at your favorite fast food place or a random grocery store as an excuse to spend more time with you. Maybe it was selfish or maybe it was more, but you didn’t mind his hand finding your thigh when you were stopped at a red light or his lingering gaze when you took off your helmet. You forced yourself not to think anything of it, but found it pretty hard to ignore him this time when he parked his bike on the curb and walked you to your door. 

“I should probably give this back; thank you for letting me borrow it,” you say quietly, attempting to shrug off his jacket from your shoulders when his hands are suddenly there to keep it in place. He wordlessly draped it over your shoulders when he came back from the bathroom at dinner, noting the goosebumps on your exposed skin and the way you crossed your arms to conserve warmth. As if Fate could get any crueler, he looked even better in just his jeans and his white tee-shirt, all charming and tempting and everything that you never could have. 

“Just keep it for now and give it back to me tomorrow, yeah?” He was looking at you in that way again, the one that made your knees turn into putty and had your heart racing as fast as the bike down a straightaway. It was a gentleness that he only reserved for you, or at least you hoped he did. 

“Okay, I’ll give it back after my 9:00 A.M. Is that okay?”

“Keep it however long you need it. It suits you.” His voice was too soft, too fond, too loving. The way his hair reflected the warm glow of your porchlight wasn’t helping, either.

“Thanks, ‘toru, for the jacket and for the impromptu dinner date.”

“Of course, gorgeous. Anything for you.” He turns to leave you alone again and the thought fills you with so much dread that you want to throw up. 

Fuck it. 

Before you have time to think, your hand is on his arm and spinning him around, your other hand grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and pulling his face down to you. He’s kissing you back within a microsecond, as if he was waiting for you to stop him and make a move. It’s as natural as blinking, pulling him close until your back hits the door and feeling him grip your waist. He sighs into your mouth when your fingers find the hair on the back of his neck and you’re barely able to pull away before he’s chasing you down again, kissing you like he’s starving. When you’re both breathing a little heavier and your foreheads rest against each other, his hand gently cups your cheek and he runs his thumb over your skin. 

“You stole my thunder,” he murmurs, your fingers still carding through his hair. “I was gonna spin around and kiss you, but you beat me to it.”

“I got impatient,” you state simply, pressing another kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Can I still keep your jacket?” He chuckles under his breath, nudging his nose against yours.

“Baby, you can keep all of my jackets.”

if you enjoy my writing and would like to support me, you can buy me a coffee on my ko-fi! you can also check out my full masterlist here :)

[mariacallous]

On Friday, staff at what was formerly the United States Digital Service and is now part of Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative met with Stephanie Holmes, who identified herself as a part of the DOGE team and as the staff’s new HR representative.

Throughout the meeting, which started at noon ET, dozens of USDS employees lobbed questions at Holmes related to last week’s “Fork in the Road” email offering federal workers “deferred resignations,” according to documents detailing the meeting obtained by WIRED and corroborated by sources in attendance. The questions covered issues ranging from the future of staff projects to whether the return-to-office mandates would apply to fully remote workers, as well as the exact nature of the offer the federal government was making employees.

Holmes—who did not immediately respond to a request for comment—could fully answer only a few of the questions. She said, when asked, that the offer was “lawful,” and later said, “We believe the offer is lawful,” and could provide little additional guidance beyond that. At one point, she was asked if there would be a more formal way to accept the buyout than replying to an email with the word “resign” in the subject line. One employee expressed concerns that outside actors could send resignation emails on staffers’ behalf by spoofing their email addresses.

“I assume that, if folks do decide to go through with the deferred resignation, there’s some kind of actual agreement that we sign,” one employee said. “Can we get a copy of that ahead of time to preview? Can we get a copy of the agreement if there is an agreement?”

“I don’t know,” Holmes replied. “But will circle back on that.”

The confusion comes as the February 6 deadline looms for federal workers to accept the deal. In the email—which was very similar to one Musk sent Twitter employees in 2022—the sender, identified as the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), suggests that workers who choose not to resign could still lose their jobs later down the line. Holmes was asked if she could commit to a specific time to provide the DOGE workforce with additional details on the deferred resignation deals.

“No,” Holmes said. “You know, I think the information that you’re going to have about this is available to you right now, and again, you’re just gonna have to make a personal decision based on the information that’s available to you right now.”

The same employee responded, saying, “I apologize for the interjection, but there are a variety of things that this room has brought up that are contradictory or challenging to understand … I’m just wondering why you are unable to commit to providing those specifics right now.”

“Yeah, I appreciate your question and I don’t mean to be repetitive or appear to be argumentative in any way, but again, I would just encourage you to not lose sight of the big picture here,” Holmes says. “The benefits of accepting the deferred resignation is that you will be guaranteed not to be subject to reduction in force and you’re exempt from the return to office mandate. So I would just encourage you to focus on the generous aspects of the offer.”

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, by reorganizing the US Digital Services, an existing entity housed within the Executive Office of the President, as the US DOGE Service. Trump appointed Elon Musk as the head of DOGE, which would take great lengths to cut spending across government agencies. As of publication, DOGE faces at least three lawsuits challenging its designation as a federal agency.

While Musk has installed lieutenants at its top levels and is now using it as a lever to exercise control over the federal government, prior to the recent executive order, the US Digital Service was a relatively small agency with about 200 employees. Its mandate was to help untangle dysfunctional technology across the government, in service of which it had the ability to enter government agencies and access their software and technical systems.

On Saturday, 404 Media first reported that Holmes, an employment attorney and consultant, was being brought in as the head of HR for DOGE. In her previous work, Holmes developed her own brand of “non-woke” and Christian DEI for clients to deploy.

“Working in the HR space and seeing the DEI efforts and progressive ideology that HR was pushing into corporate America was particularly concerning to me, and I didn’t see any other alternatives for employers in the HR space. I care a lot about these issues and saw a problem I wanted to help fix,” 404 Media reported Holmes said in a speech at a Federalist Society event.

The resignation uncertainty extends to other government agencies as well; senior leaders at OPM were reportedly told Friday to prepare for cuts of up to 70 percent of the agency’s workforce and programs.

On Friday evening, a senior OPM staffer sent an email to staff, obtained by WIRED, explaining that they did not have information on the details of potential cuts.

“You may have seen news reports that OPM leaders have been asked to prepare plans to significantly reduce future staffing at the agency,” the email read. “I do not have any definitive answers at this time about overall future staffing levels, potential change to our organizational structure, or the impact on specific positions. I understand that this uncertainty is very unsettling. Please know that when I have more information to share, I will.”

[leviathansshadycorner]

Rope Him In ( Cato x District 10! Reader x slight! Marvel) Pt. 7

Summary: Interview

A/n: Sorry for any inconsistencies and spelling errors, enjoyyyyyy!

Pt.6Pt.5 Pt.4 Pt.3 Pt.2 Pt.1

____________________________________

Chapter 7: Interview

The games were Tomorrow. Today was your last day of peace and possibly life. Most of the time today was supposed to be spent preparing for the interview, however, Dolly and Rasmey gave you two or three hours of bliss before having to prepare. 

You were positive Buckley was out in the rose garden with Dolly. It was only natural for him to want to be outside instead of cooped in like you. Ramsey had come in to check on you twice but eventually stopped when he assumed you were sleeping. In reality, you were crying. Crying the whole two hours mourning the fact that you’d never get to see the faces of your family again. 

You remembered Amaranto and how the two of you would’ve been having breakfast together at this time. Or how you would have packed your Pa a lunch to take to work. You thought about those Sunday afternoons spent sitting on the dry grass with a blanket, just the three of you talking about life and reminiscing about your mother, occasionally eating something special when they’d work overtime. 

You thought about the times you spent with Clarabell in the angry rivers, scared out of your mind that a peacekeeper would come and hurt you both, but having so much fun in the water that you forgot that they even existed in the first place. 

Your mind went to Buckley. It was crazy how you went from greeting each other in the morning at school to being with each other every day. He looked out of place in the Capitol, and so did you. It was odd seeing someone from home on the screen, but you guessed that’s how he felt about you too. The two of you had grown closer than you would have ever at home. That’s when you started realizing that you should’ve appreciated everything you had at home instead of slowly isolating yourself as you grew up. 

Wiping the snot from your nose you decided to get up and wash your face. The clock read 12, and that meant it was time for your mentors to get you interview-ready. The actual interview itself was to start at 6 pm. However, you still had to practice your speech and what you were going to say to several different questions. The whole point was to make you appealing to not only the sponsors but the Capitol as a whole. After all, the sooner the tributes get used to the Capitol’s mannerisms, the better the victor will adapt. 

“Alright, let's try this again.” It had been thirteen minutes and Pradain was still struggling to get you to sit up straight. 

“Come on, we started an hour ago, I’m sure they can learn how to sit up straight later. What’s important is that we get them to speak clearly and with charm.” Dolly protested as Pradain pressed a hand to your back to get you upright. 

Pradain’s outfit consisted of satin gloves, and a matching dress that towered to his ankles, his feet adorned with five-inch  platforms. It was beyond you how he had learned to walk in those. 

“Don’t be ridiculous Dolly, this is a must when it comes to Capitol mannerisms. Now up!” Groaning you forcefully sat up, your shoulders still drooping.

“Ah! See- I thought you were shaped weird, but you’re just not lifting your shoulders.” He clasped his hands onto them, bringing them up and fixing your head’s posture. “See? That wasn’t too bad. Now let’s do it again.” He instructed, 

You looked over at Buckley- who had a scarf tied around him and the chair, propping him up straight. “I think I got it.” The poor boy pleaded to be untied. 

“You stay. And you,” He pointed at you, “Up!” 

Ramsey rolled his eyes. “Alright well, I’m just gonna go ahead and start reading these questions. Ramsey was already dressed in his suit claiming that he didn’t want to put it on later, so he decided to put it on now. 

He shuffled through some cards with common interview questions. “Alright, Buck-o this one’s for you. How would you describe home?” 

Buckley perked up, “Easy- Home is-” 

“AH! This isn’t a test, it's an interview. Tell them why you like home, what makes it special. Start with, ‘Well, home to me is-’” Pradain scolded Buckley. 

“Right, ok.” He nodded and looked at Ramsey to reread the card. 

“How would you describe home?” You looked over at Dolly, your face bored and uninterested. She noticed it and ushered you to pay attention to Buckley, sitting up straight which reminded you to sit up as well. Your back was on fire, you always thought you had an okay posture, but only now knew that it was too forward leaning. 

“Home to me is..” He stopped to think, his nose twitching as he was lost in thought, “Home to me is the yellow sunset, the dirt on my boots after a long day of work, the voices of my siblings arguing over a small toy, the pretty girls fluttering their eyelashes at me, the way their hair falls on their shoulders, and how round their-” 

“Okay, no stop- you’re getting distracted.” You laughed at Buckley’s response, starting nicely but going off-topic. 

“Alright then, at least you’ll make them laugh. You’ve got a good voice too Buckley, nice start.” Dolly tried making the best of things. 

“Same Question for you (Y/n). How would you describe home?” Ramsey put the cards down, his tired eyes looking at you as he waited for your response. 

“Any time now.” Spoke up Pradain. 

“Home to me is…Home to me is.” There was about a three-second pause, “My Brother. My Pa. Our little house by the wheat fields, and the river that runs through 10.” It wasn’t much, but it’s all that could come to mind. 

“That’s a start.” Dolly smiled. 

“We need you to say more, and don’t be afraid to get emotional, the Capitol loves that. They eat it up.” Ramsey crossed his legs. “We’re gonna have a long day.” He sighed. 

4 pm came quicker than anticipated. In the period you’d been practicing you were able to learn to project your voice, and Buckley learned how to be quieter. The two of you learned some fancy words, though you doubted you’d use them in a genuine sentence. 

Sashay and the rest of the stylists waited for you down at the stylist quarters where you were ready to get replucked like a chicken. It didn’t hurt as much as the first time, but the stinging feeling was still there. After you got bathed, they began working on your hair. Its (H/c) color being amplified and made brighter as they put some chemicals on it. It smelled foul, far worse than the cow poop at home. 

Your nails were painted black and white, You mentally groaned knowing where this was going. When your hair was finally dried they worked to braid it, putting some turquoise accessories on you before handing you to Sashay. 

She smiled brightly at you and kissed your cheek, “My my don’t you look beautiful.” She complimented taking your hand and leading you to the hanger where a long sleek cow print dress hung. It looked to have fur on it, and you assumed it’d come from home. 

“You’re going to look amazing.” She said excitedly as she instructed you to take your robe off. Sashay herself was dressed in all black, contrasting with what Dolly was wearing- white. You assumed the whole theme surrounding 10 would be cow print, and you were right. She helped you put the dress on, making some adjustments while it was on you so it would hug your figure better. It draped down longer on one end, the other end having a slit and exposing much of your leg. Below you wore some high-heeled boots that you thought looked ridiculous, but Sashay seemed enamored by them. She adjusted a belt on your hips- also containing hints of turquoise, and finally a necklace on you, tying the look together. 

“Oh!” She sighed clasping her hands together, “(Y/n), when you go home I guarantee you every man will want your hand in marriage.” She cooed as she circled you. “Perfect, now all we need is makeup.” The lady sat you down for another hour and a half of makeup application. You liked Sashay, she was more level-headed than Pradain and had such eloquence to her, however, the mix of having to speak in front of millions, and the games being tomorrow was not settling in right. Ramsey had to ask Pradain for a pill that would calm down your stomach. 

Sashay was escorting you out to the backstage area where Dolly and Ramsey were waiting. Ramsey was wearing black, Pradain opting to wear white, both of them sticking to the theme Pradain and Sashay had planned. You looked around for Buckley but he was nowhere in sight. 

“Wow.” Ramsey let out a long whistle, “You do not look like yourself at all.” He said admiring Sashay’s work. 

“(Y/n), you look stunning.” Dolly’s mouth was agape as she went to hold your arm and observe you. Your hair had been taken out of the braids, leaving behind curls in its place. 

“I can’t walk in these.” You whispered to her frantically. You didn’t want to fall on stage, but that seemed like something that would happen in your near future. 

She laughed, her smokey eyes closing making it look like she had hollowed eyes, “It’ll be fine, just try not to think about it.” She assured you. 

The stage was light as people began to flood the venue. There were stagehands all over the place, getting things set and ready. More tributes flowed in, you shrank back when you realized how extra Sashay had been with your interview gown since the others looked to be more playful and simple. People kept staring at you as they walked in, and that was a bad thing in your book. Eventually, Buckley came in. His stylist next to him as they chatted about god knows what. When he spotted you he froze slightly, keeping his gaze on you as they made their way to the group.

His hair was slicked back, his face looking more square but in a good way. He had some makeup on, but it was only to even out his tone, his freckles had been redrawn over his real ones since the base of his makeup had covered them. He wore a black suit, with hints of cow print on the inner side and flaps that poked out towards the neck of the suit. His boots matched yours, and he had a belt as big as one of the screens on. The two of you looked like you ran some sort of Texan Casino. 

“(Y/n), You look beautiful.” He complimented, his hands taking yours as he made you spin. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”  He said light-heartedly. 

Buckley’s attention made you flustered and you felt the room get warmer, “I could say the same,” You smiled, “Have you seen your hair?” You asked carefully, poking his gel-held hair. 

“Alright well, we’ll be out in the front row. Look for us alright?” Sashay excused herself and Pradain, leaving the two of you with Dolly and Rasmey. 

“They’re gonna line you up again, two lines- boys and girls.” Ramsey explained, “There’s a screen back here so y’all can watch but don’t miss your cue alright?” He ordered. The two of you nodded. 

“(Y/n), remember what we went over alright?” Dolly caught your gaze. 

Previously you’d spent time with Dolly going over some things you could do to emphasize your image as the Capitol’s cowgirl. Dolly had instructed you to speak with more southern twang than usual, keep a smile and hospitable personality, and speak on the livestock and ‘ranch life’ back at home. All things that would make a District 10 resident roll their eyes, but a Capitol citizen clap and shout. Unfortunately for you, you knew that this whole act would blow up in your face. You wouldn’t get taken seriously by the tributes, and if the small chance of you winning existed, you’d have to keep up the stereotype. 

Your mentors left you to take their seats. There was about an hour until show time, and some makeup artists stuck back to touch up some of the tributes. You and Buckley paced around the backstage, practicing lines with each other, and working on pronunciation. You hadn’t even noticed that the careers had flowed in. Glimmer was wearing a pink poofy dress, far too short for her. The only thing that distracted from her body was her giant blonde hair that cascaded perfectly, but even then she wore body glitter that made her shine. Clove on the other hand wore an orange dress and a hairdo that puffed the top part of her hair up. The two looked at you and laughed, making it obvious that they were laughing at your gown. You couldn’t blame them though. You would’ve laughed at yourself too. Buckley defensively went to stand in front of you to block their view, but it didn’t do much since they’d have to walk past you anyway. 

Behind them came Marvel and Cato. Both their faces were serious as always as they discussed something about weapon quality. You paid no mind to them, knowing that if you did they’d find a way to cause a scene. You weren’t sure why you were their favorite tribute to a bug, but you blamed it all on your stunt on your first day here. As they walked closer Marvel patted Cato on his chest, and the taller male turned to look at where you were standing. 

“Damn, never knew the girls from District 10 could look like that,” Cato said as they walked past the two of you, pretending to be nonchalant although you knew he had purposely said it. 

“Nice dress 10,” Marvel said, eyeing you as he trailed behind Cato. The two of them shook their heads and laughed as they approached the front of the line. 

“If I were a career I think I’d go after those two first.” You told Buckley who gave you an amused smile. 

“If you were a career you’d be with them.” He corrected. It wasn’t far from the truth. In almost every game, the careers were quick to form alliances with each other, alienating the weak from the strong. 

“You ready for the spotlight?” Talking was something you’ve come to realize that you did when you were nervous. Your hand practically shook, and you wore a nervous smile on your face. It was involuntarily there, however as much as you tried you couldn’t get rid of it. 

“No.” His simple reply. “Not too thrilled about it.” He exhaled. He had been holding a straight posture, his shoulders up, turtling his neck. 

“They’ll love you.” You reassured, but it only made him smile, his nerves still present.

 “Just don’t want to be laughed at.” He mentioned. 

The lights were beginning to flicker, meaning that it would soon be time for the show to start. 

You thought about what he had said. “Trust me. No one’s going to laugh at you.” Dolly and you had trained for your interview. Everything you were instructed to say made you look like a country bumpkin. If anything Buckley would be District 10’s saving grace- and you its fool. 

“Wow. You look beautiful.” Came the voice of District 12’s Katniss. It sounded rehearsed, void of any emotion. The same went for the smile she threw at you. 

You returned it and bowed your head. “Please, you’re the one who deserves such praise.” You guessed she was only saying that because her mentors wanted her to make allies in the arena since her high score presented a problem. 

That was the entirety of the exchange. The stage managers lined everyone up in order of appearance, hushing them as the presentation started. Once again you found the insides of your palms to be sweaty. You tried everything to ease your beating heart, deep breaths, pinching yourself, thinking of other things. However, none of them got rid of the sensation in your stomach. You felt like throwing up. 

Up on the screen Caesar Flickerman’s silhouette appeared, his signature ponytail obnoxiously hanging from his head as he leaned back on the chair. His theme song played, the bass so loud you could feel the floor rumbling. Cheers from the crowd erupted. Buckley stood attentive, watching the screen with his hands on his belt, his stance wide to keep himself in balance. From where you stood you could see Marvel and Cato hyping each other up, Glimmer joining in to fix Cato’s neat suit. 

“Let’s bring her out!” It had been a good couple of minutes, though it seemed like seconds as Caesar called out for Glimmer. She was the first one to go. Leaving about 19 people ahead of you. You watched as her clear, shimmery dress bounced as she stepped onto the stage with a huge smile, waving to the crowd. Her hair effortlessly dropped into place, making her look all the more attractive. The crowds were loud. Your eardrums could only handle so much before you reached out to cover them. 

Eventually, it was Marvel’s turn. He seemed so confident in everything he said, you learned just how charismatic he could be. Clove went next, her interview only made you more cautious of her. Soon after it was Cato’s turn. Unlike Marvel, he gave off boisterous energy. Almost as if he was too good to be there. However, the crowd was eating it up. He ended his interview with a hollar and returned backstage. It was almost the two-hour mark, some interviews taking longer since he wanted to give the tributes who didn’t stand out some limelight. Eventually, it was your turn. 

The stage manager came back to look for you, their hand on your shoulder as they walked you up the stairs. You glanced back to catch the reassuring gaze of Buckley, but instead found Marvel’s. He gave you a wink as a token of good luck, and off you were. 

“Now I’m sure we all remember our next tribute from the tribute parade. I mean how could we forget after the thrilling act she performed!” Flickerman emphasized his words, stretching them at the appropriate time. 

A couple of ‘woos’ and whistles came from the crowd as the anticipation built up. “From district 10- (Y/n) Cuernos!” He announced your cue to cross the stage. The lights were extremely bright, you had to look down as you stepped onto the stage. The crowd cheered at your out-of-place attire, it being one of the most unique (and ridiculous) outfits of the night. Shyly you put on your best smile before catching a glimpse of Dolly in the crowd, making gestures for you to smile bigger. 

You cringed when you thought of your family back at home watching this. Saying a silent apology, it was as if a switch turned on in your brain. Suddenly, your teeth shone as you stretched your lips into a smile, fluttering the huge eyelashes your makeup team glued onto you. With a hand on your hip, the other one waving, you swayed like you saw glimmer doing, your dress’ fabric swishing in the gap your legs left as you strode. 

“(Y/n)! My, my, how you clean up!” Flickerman commented, standing to greet you. 

“Thank you, Caesar.” Your eye nearly twitched at the forced southern twang in your voice. It was a whole lot more than Buckley, who had a natural southern accent, you had close to nothing of an accent. Even when it did slip, it sounded nothing like this. “My stylist purtied me up didn’t they?” 

He looked to the crowd, “Indeed they did.” He motioned for you to sit. 

It helped that the stage lights practically blinded you. You could see that people were sitting in the stands, but you weren’t able to make out distinct features- save for the front row where the mentors sat. 

Remembering what Dolly had told you, you sat up straight, teeth-baring into a cheesy smile. 

“Did that print you’re wearing come from a cow you raised?” The presenter’s teeth glinted in the light as the crowd erupted in laughter, “Oh! ‘course not- just inspired by them.” You giggled back, hating yourself even more. Your heart was beating hoping the president would accept your performance. 

Flickerman adjusted himself in his seat, “Now, I was going to leave this question for last- but I just know the audience has been anticipating the answer, am I right?” He turned to the audience who were cheering blindly. 

Like a doll in a box you smiled stationary, waiting for him to ask the question, but of course, he needed to prolong it for suspense. “What was going through your mind when you rode that steed?” There were some woo’s from the crowd, and you watched yourself on the screen as they replayed the moment. That clip gave you an ego boost each time you saw it. Giggling a bit too nervously you shook your head. “Nothing.” That earned a laugh from the audience. “I just remember wanting to ride it- couldn’t help myself I guess.” You gave a small shrug. 

“What a wildflower this one is.” Caesar made some amused faces. 

The interview lasted for another couple of questions, he seemed to have a lot for you. He asked you about home life, your loved ones, Buckley, and about skills. You didn’t have as many questions as the careers, but it was more than District 8’s tributes who had the least. 

“And do you have a strategy to win the games?” His tone was more serious now. 

Here it was. Your closing line. The one that took you and Dolly two seconds to come up with, but would echo in the minds of the audience. 

“I’m from District 10. I’m a born and bred cowgirl. I have to win. ” 

Cato couldn't help but smirk at your response, crossing his arms and leaning on the wall, he watched with attentive eyes as your interview continued.

His open mouth smile followed by “woah woah woah!” made the stadium rumble. You smiled and waved out to the crowd, Dolly giving you a thumbs up. 

“That’s an ambitious statement! I love it!” He did a little kick, “Well, you go out there and rope them in (Y/n) Cuernos! District 10’s very own cowgirl!” 

If only you could see Cato’s pissed-off face next to Marvel’s smug one. 

As you walked backstage again you were greeted with a bone-crushing hug from your fellow tribute. “Hey, that was good! Though you were a little strong on the accent.” Buckley patted your back. 

“Yeah, I had no idea you had one.” Glimmer teased as she and the other careers leaned against the wall. “Stop trying to win them over, I’m already the Capitol’s sweetheart.” The tall girl crossed her arms, the jewels in her dress reflecting. 

Marvel came around you, making space between you and Buckley who knew better than to cause a scene. “Did they make you skin that cow yourself?” His fingers scraped the waist of your dress, he let out an “O” when he realized it was just fabric. 

Cato gave him a look, causing him to back off. “You have to win huh? How do you think you’re going to do that?” 

“Don’t worry about it.” You refused to look at him. 

“Oh, I’m not worried. You see if anyone should be worried about you.” He sneered, his gaze getting darker. “Save yourself the disappointment, enjoy your time in the Capitol, and accept your fate. I’m winning this one.” 

“As if.” Clove rolled her eyes. 

Buckley and you both stared down Cato. 

He snickered, “And don’t go around thinking your friend here is going to help you. If you’ve been doing your research you know that there’s no such thing as friends in the arena.” 

That irked Buckley, “So who’s to say your little posse won’t turn on you and gang up on you in the arena?” 

“Pft, then let’s hope they can outrun me.” His response made the careers shift uncomfortably.

“We knew what we were doing when we signed up.” Marvel spoke up,” It’s our job to ween off the weak ones, so the strongest can prevail.” He said looking at you. 

“So is that what Cato’s going to do to you?” You didn’t mean for it to be a comeback. It just came out that way. The careers looked pissed now, but a stage manager came just in time to lead them back to their mentors. 

“Watch it 10.” Cato’s wild grin didn’t deter you, you continued to stare him down.  

Just like that, your time at the Capitol was coming to an end.

____________________________________

Tags: @randomgurl2326

[trials-of-a-spirit-worker]

Just as a Reminder this Year

We are not Shane Medej, that is his fucking bridge now. Whatever luck, higher power or whatever he may be you are not that guy. Don’t do Shane Medej shit. You have been warned.

Ghost hunting is not a joke. Please respect the fucking dead. There are reason why so many cultures and people have different ways to honor those we’ve lost. Don’t be a fucking asshole. Do no desecrate graves, clean up after yourselves.

Ouija boards and the like are fine (wish my spouse would be convinced of this, but I digress)! No. No higher demons are gonna come out the dan board and come choke our asses out. It will not be a booktok adventure, it will not be main character energy. No.

Live your NPC/side character/extra life and just go talk to grandma, okay?

Spirits can be fucking liars. Do your research where you hunt. Many of them can be mischievous and can misinform to scare you.

Explain what you’re doing to the spirits. Sometimes they get spooked. Then that means 1. They don’t show up give you results, and you get disappointed. 2. They might be angry and come after you and you still have a bad time.

“This tripod is not harmful. Its here to catch some images of you if you would like to show yourself.” “This is a voice recorder, I’m going to use it so I can hear you the best I can.”  You want the spirits curious and not fearful or resentful.

Try not to lose your shit when ghost shit happens. No one likes a wig out…living or dead. I mean, a surprised “oh, shit” is fine. It’s natural Especially when you get touched or an intelligent response and then something happens. That’s fine. What’s not is the screaming and the “ASJDKALSJFEIOGH”  They don’t like that.

Keep ya ass out of closed practices and cultures. Spirits of those practices and such, may not appreciate outsiders...don't do it. If you're speaking to them, keep it respectful, err on the side of polite. They aren't gonna tolerate much especially if you are not...uh...them. Not to say they're mean/racist. But they are protective. Many cultures, especially closed ones, have been at the risk or verge of complete elimination by those who refuse to branch out and understand them. They are rightfully apprehensive. Just...keep it very, very respectful. Thank them for allowing you to be in their space and if they tell you fuck off especially. Do so with a fucking quickness.

Don't be a zac bagans. Just...no. All that shit. Challenging the ghost, being obnoxious. No one likes that...living or dead. Don't be a bagans. Yeah he does his research, can put out the right offerings and such. But...anyone can do that. He likes to push the limits and does not understand no from the spirits. If you are told to leave and you hear it first hand, just leave!? Cause like...”why do you want me to leave? I don't want to leave." Does not help. I know other ghost hunters do it. Just...don't be them, they're doing it for content. 

[tearsfortheyouth]

OBSESSION - Steve Kemp, Part Two

Part two!! Welcome back guys :) Make sure to leave a vote/reblog/comment. It really helps!!

Five months into her best friend’s disappearance, (Y/N) meets someone new, and for the first time in months she feels as if she can finally breathe again. She never thought she’d become the newest obsession of a charming psychopathic cannibal.

- WARNING(S): NON-CON/DUB-CON, grief, drug abuse, kidnapping, Steve Kemp is a red flag himself, cannibalism, manipulation, blood

The car was silent, the heater the only source of noise between us. I fiddled awkwardly with the hem of my sweater, the purse in my lap. One of Steve’s hands held the wheel of his car, the other holding his half-finished cup of coffee, and he sipped at it, his eyes on the road.

From outside my window, I could see it had started to snow, and a thick white blanket began to slowly but surely coat the city's roads. It was pretty, but I shivered at the thought of walking to and from work in this weather.

I hated the cold.

“Thanks again for giving me a ride,” I broke the silence, eyes shifting to the man beside me. “I really appreciate it.”

He turned, grinning at me. “No trouble, (Y/N). The city can be dangerous, ‘specially for pretty girls like you.”

I blushed, turning away from the man to look back outside the window, hiding my face. He seemed to notice this and groaned. “I shouldn’t have said that, I was just meaning that— well, you’re pretty, and obviously it’s really late and—“ he shook his head, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. “Jesus, I’m just gonna stop talking now.”

I smiled at his awkward nature, my teeth nipping at my inner cheek. It was cute, the way he got embarrassed. He seemed awkward, and part of me liked it. “It’s fine,” I assured quietly. “I just…I don’t know how to handle compliments.”

He glanced at me, eyebrows raised. “Really?”

I nodded. “I just don’t get very many, I suppose. They make me nervous.”

He hummed quietly, his brows furrowed as he stared ahead. “You—you don’t get any?” He sounded surprised, almost as if he were in disbelief, and I shrugged.

“I keep to myself,” I said simply, and his eyes flickered towards me briefly before quickly moving back to the road.

“I don’t see how,” he began, taking another sip of his coffee. “You’re definitely the cutest barista I’ve ever seen.”

I flushed red once more, an embarrassed laugh escaping me. “You’re just a charmer, aren’t you?”

He smirked, tilting slightly. “Guilty as charged.”

“Oh hey, you missed my turn, Steve,” I quickly pointed out just as we passed by the turnoff to my apartment.

Before getting into his car, he had told me he knew the city like the back of his hand, and I furrowed my brows, nipping at my bottom lip nervously.

“Oh, we did…” He replied, turning behind him to cast a quick glance to where we were supposed to have turned. “I know another way, don’t worry,” he said, turning to cast a charming smile.

I nodded slowly, my hands coming to grip my purse tightly. Part of me knew it was nerves. Afterall, I hadn’t been alone with a man since the summer of my senior year in college. The bundle of anxiety chewed the inside of my stomach.

What if Steve was a murderer? Was he going to take me and kill me? Was he going to kidnap me?

Suddenly, I remembered the paper on my medication bottle.

Paranoia was a side effect of my meds.

I took a deep breath, my eyes falling shut.

Steve isn’t going to kill me, I tried reasoning with myself. Steve seemed like a genuinely nice man. He was awkward and nervous and good looking. Creeps weren’t good looking.

Right?

I looked over at him, his handsome face concentrated on the road as he drove, his other hand gripping his coffee. He had mentioned he was a doctor, and that he had files to look over tonight. In the back, a stack of files sat, a thick yellow folder with a patient's name being all the proof that I needed to know he wasn’t lying.

Creeps weren’t doctors.

The silence in the car seemed to go on and on, and part of me yearned for him to break it.

Opening my mouth to speak, I quickly shut it when I realized I truly had nothing to say. Instead, I continued fiddling with my purse, every so often glancing over to the doctor beside me.

After a couple minutes, he seemed to catch up on this, and he turned to send me a quick look. “Do I have something on my face?”

I smiled, shaking my head with pink tinted cheeks.

“Just can’t get enough of me, can you,” he winked, a laugh leaving his lips.

“Dear god, just keep your eyes on the road, okay?” I giggled, rolling my eyes.

It was about another five minutes of driving before we turned onto a familiar street, and I breathed a small sigh of relief.

It had just been my paranoia.

See? Steve was a nice man.

“It’s this unit right here,” I smiled, and his car came to a stop outside the building, putting it into park.

Neither of us made a move.

Sitting in silence for a couple seconds, I picked up my purse, bringing it against my chest and hugging it, turning to face the man beside me.

He was already looking at me, his blue eyes soft and inviting. Even in the darkness of the car, they seemed to glow.

“Well, um,” I coughed awkwardly, brushing hair from my face. “Thanks for the ride.”

He smiled in response, nodding once, placing his coffee cup into his cup holder.

“Well, uh, I should…I’m just gonna go. Have a good night, Steve.” I smiled, my hand reaching to open the door.

When he said nothing, I hopped out, letting it shut behind me.

Snow fell around me, and suddenly, I longed to be back in Steve’s warm car. I shivered as I wrapped my jacket tighter around me, blinking away the snow from my lashes as I hurried up the sidewalk.

Just as my hand hovered over my building's door handle, a voice called from behind me, and I turned, squinting my eyes to see through the snow.

“Wait, (Y/N)!”

“Steve?” I called back, confused. “What-?”

Finally, Steve reached me, panting and drenched in snow. “I” he breathed heavily, “I’m gonna regret it so much if I don’t. Can I please have your number?” He held his phone out, lips parted as he scanned my shocked face. “I don’t know when I’ll see you again. I don’t wanna wait too long.”

Wiping snow from my frost-nipped face, I breathed a laugh, nodding my head quickly and taking his phone. My heart fluttered as I punched in my number, a handsome grin adoring his face. Handing back his phone, he took a glance at it before switching it off.

My breaths blew out in puffs of smoke, and I licked my chapped lips.

“I’ll text you,” he promised, watching as I pushed open the door of my apartment unit.

“You better,” I mumbled, flustered. “I’ll see you later, Steve.”

With a final smile, I let the door shut behind me, and I breathed a sigh of relief as I was once again greeted with the heater of the apartment lobby. Rushing upstairs and into my own apartment, I locked the door, a huge smile on my face.

I felt giddy, and I couldn’t stop myself from giggling at the thought of Steve. The way he had run into the snow after me, just to get my number.

I blushed at the thought.

Moving to my nightstand, I picked up my medication, quickly grabbing two from the bottle and shoving them into my mouth, swallowing them dry.

I quickly changed into my PJ’s, brushing my teeth and putting my tangled hair up.

Throwing myself onto the bed, I stared up at the roof, and soon, I found myself drifting to sleep, Steve on my mind.

————————————

It was only a few days later that Steve and I had our first date. It had been his idea that we have a picnic under the night sky.

It was a cute idea that I loved, so I didn’t hesitate to say yes.

He had come to my place around eight that night, a bag full of groceries and an expensive bottle of wine. Together, we put together sandwiches and other types of food before getting into his car and making our way to a park nearby.

So, here we sat, a blanket the only barrier between our bodies and the damp grass beneath us. It was cold, but we were prepared. A thick blanket covered each of our bodies on top of jackets and mittens. The cold was strong, but so was our ambition for seeing the stars.

Already on my second glass of wine, I sipped carefully, watching as my breath turned to smoke. Though it was below thirty degrees that night, I could hardly feel it thanks to the blankets and jackets that surrounded me.

Steve sat beside me, his chin lifted as he looked up at the dark sky above us. His eyes gleamed, taking in the beauty of the stars. Slowly, I did the same, staring up into the abyss.

It was truly beautiful.

“Do you see that one there?” Steve asked, his finger lifting to point to a constellation.

I glimpsed where he was pointing, my gaze falling on a clump of stars. I nodded, humming as I took another sip.

“That one’s Leo. The stars take the shape of a lion.” His finger drifted over to another bundle of stars. “Then there’s the Ursa Major. Over there is Cassiopeia.” His hand moved over once more, finger pointed. “This one’s my favorite— the Orion.”

I licked my wine stained lips, the cold nipping at them as I looked towards Orion, amazement gleaming in my eyes.

“In Greek Mythology, Orion was a hunter, just about the fiercest hunter ever. Achilles is the most well known Greek warrior, but I’ve always thought Orion was the greatest.”

I turned to look at him, eyes drinking in the man before me. He stared up at the sky, and suddenly, his eyes flickered to meet my own. I blushed, quickly turning away and taking the last sip of my wine. I didn’t miss the way he smiled in adoration.

“Are you going to have another glass?” I asked, eyeing what was left of the wine.

“Mmhm. It’s all yours. One of us has to drive tonight,” he teased, picking up the bottle and pouring me the last of its contents. I giggled, the alcohol making me feel warm and less awkward.

I liked this version of me.

Bringing the glass back to my lips, he watched me closely as I took another sip, and I looked at him, almost choking on the liquid. “Don’t look at me like that,” I said, flustered. “It makes me feel nervous.”

“I make you feel nervous?” He pressed, a teasing smirk resting on his face. He took a grape from the bowl of fruit, popping it into his mouth.

I snorted at his cocky attitude. “Maybe…just a little bit.” I held my fingers up to show him the amount he made me nervous, and he raised his dark brows.

“Just a little?”

“Mmhmm,” I confirmed, snacking on a strawberry.

His gaze lingered on my face, a soft smile tugging at his lips. He hummed, eyes scanning each detail of my face before flickering them back up to the sky. Suddenly, his hand gently pushed my shoulder, his finger flying backup to point to something in the sky. “Quick, look! It’s a shooting star.”

I glanced upwards, and sure enough, a shooting star passed over our heads.

“Make a wish,” he urged, looking back down towards me.

Quickly, my eyes fell shut, and I tried to find something I truly wanted in life.

A face flashed before my eyes, and my heart fluttered at the familiar warm eyes that once lit up my life.

My wish was decided.

Finally opening my eyes, Steve was still looking at me, his features soft. I smiled gently, taking one last sip of wine from my cup.

He shifted himself on the blanket, leaning to lay down and stare up at the sky. I followed suit, hugging the blanket closer to me.

“Tell me about your family, (Y/N),” he said quietly, his eyelashes fluttering as he looked upwards, his gaze observing the stars above us.

I forced a tight-lipped smile. “I grew up in the foster care system, so, I don’t really know much about them, honestly.”

“Oh,” he mumbled quickly. “I didn’t mean to-“

“It’s fine,” I giggled. “I don’t really mind not having a family. Definitely saves me from the family drama.”

He pursed his lips and nodded. “You’re telling me.” He adjusted himself on the blanket once more, arms coming to rest behind his head. “What about your friends?”

I bit my inner cheek. “I don’t really have any,” I admitted.

He turned to look at me, brows knitted together. “Not even one?”

Silently, I shook my head, ignoring his eyes on me. He looked back up at the sky.

“I had one.”

I sucked in a breath, pausing.

I didn’t really talk about Lilith. I hadn’t spoken her name since the moment everyone began to accept that she was dead and gone; however, this time, something felt right about saying her name. It felt like it would be…okay to tell her story.

To tell Lilith’s story.

“She was the only person in my life, really,” I continued, my eyes never leaving the stars above me. They seemed to urge me to speak, calling for me to continue my story.

“She went missing in May. She had told me she was going to Manhattan for a doctor's appointment, but I knew she was lying. My birthday was that Friday, and we had been in Manhattan together a couple weeks before.” I sighed sadly at the memory of Lilith and I walking the streets, glancing into the windows and gazing at expensive gifts we longed to afford but knew we never would. “I had seen these beautiful necklaces—two of them with pink heart diamonds and gold chains. They were the most beautiful necklaces we had ever seen, and I had promised her that one day, they’d be ours.” A solemn laugh fell from my lips, and I could feel Steve’s gaze burning into my face.

I could feel tears welling in my eyes, but I blinked them away.

“She had spent the next coming weeks saving every cent of her paycheck. She had picked up so many shifts from her job that I had hardly seen her during the time between our shopping day and the day she left. I waited and waited for her to come back.” A tear slid from my glazed eyes, trailing down my face until it reached my lips, and I licked it away, a sad smile gracing my lips. “My birthday came and went. So did Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and next week, it’ll be Christmas.”

Steve was silent beside me, and I felt a warm hand caress my arm, his thumb massaging the area in comfort. Leaning up onto his arms, he leaned over me, his face contorted into a look of grief. “I’m so sorry, (Y/N)…I-I couldn’t even imagine-“ His hand reached up to wipe away a tear from my eye, eyes trailing up and down my face.

It was as if a boulder had been lifted from my chest, and I breathed a shaky sigh. It felt good to be comforted, to have someone to wipe away your tears. I had forgotten what it was like to have someone care, and now, as Steve’s hand brushed against my cheek, I couldn’t stop myself from leaning into his touch.

His lips turned up into a gentle smile, blue eyes glistening in the moonlight.

Lilith would want me to be happy. That was all she had ever wanted for me in life, so wouldn’t she want the same in death?

Death.

All these months, I had been fighting the idea that Lilith was dead, battling a war in my mind that so desperately ached to see her again. When you’re alone, it’s easy to hyperfixate on daydreams, to fill your head with delusions and convince yourself that things aren’t the way they truly are.

Lilith was gone. My best friend was dead, and no amount of sulking and isolating myself was going to change that. No amount of depriving myself with human connection was going to bring her back.

Staring into his blue eyes awoke something in me. Staring into his blue eyes made me realize what I was missing in life. It made me realize I couldn’t go back into the abyss. I could no longer stare up at my ceiling longing to sleep and never wake up. I could no longer find comfort in scalding hot water, or spending all my free time in bed.

I couldn’t, and I wouldn’t.

Staring up into his blue eyes, I did something that even surprised myself.

I leaned upwards, closing the gap between us, and pressed my lips against his.

[c1trvswrites]

-> She Smelt of Dead Flowers...

The ripples of Gabriella's death just started to hit Miguel's shores.

read on ao3 ->

RELATIONSHIP: GEN, N/A, Gabriella and Miguel O'hara

STATUS: completed

TAGS/WARNING: Child death, character death, angst, character study/analysis, language I think, hurt no comfort, violently un-beta old crappy writing)

Gabriella smelt of the outside and the earthy tones of the dirt and grass. Always has.

Especially in the summertime where’d she spend hours and hours just out there, always coming back with a fistful of trinkets and an even more fistful of cuts and bruises. But it was all in a day’s work for a child her age.

How Miguel would lavish whatever she brought back to him like a crow gifting an old friend something new it found- from rock and marbles she just found pretty that day to old vintage pieces of jewelry.

As Miguel packed away the last pieces of cutlery he peeked over his side only to be met with a tug from someone one-third of his size trying to get his attention. “Hi mija” He kept his voice quiet and gentle, glancing softly. “Ready for dinner or still got a couple more minutes of outside left in you?” Drying off his hands he patted her head and wiped away a piece of grass stuck firmly to her face. Making sure to sneak in a quick pinch.

“Nuh-uh, I’m starving.’

“Thought so, you’ve been out there since five,” He chuckled while wrinkles fading in at the corners of his eyes. “Alright go clean up...Pilluela” Sneaking in the last part he snickered hearing Gabriella turn the corner and shoot ‘hey!’ from a distance.

The soft glow of the kitchen lights cast a warm ambiance as he carefully set the dinner table. The aroma of a home-cooked meal wafted through the air, creating an inviting atmosphere. Tonight was just like any other night- just him and his daughter, the quiet comforting in the midst of the night.

Miguel unfolded the freshly laundered tablecloth and laid it out, smoothing the fabric with a satisfied hum. The table, a simple yet sturdy little one, had seen countless dinners (after all he stole it from his mom when he moved out), each mark adding to the collection of memories, arguments, and silence. Tonight's dinner promised to be an exception. Glad it's been one for eleven years ongoing.

He reached for the set of mismatched but dearly loved plates, the clinking of cutlery echoed in the room as he carefully placed the utensils in their designated spots. Miguel took a moment to admire the arrangement.

The pièce de résistance was the centerpiece—a small bouquet of wildflowers gathered from their garden. If you were to ask him a couple of years ago had thought simple things like this were bullshit, but with age, he couldn't help but find beauty in the every day, and these flowers, with their vibrant colors, added a touch of nature to the table. He adjusted the arrangement until he was satisfied, the flowers now standing tall in a simple vase.

With the table set, he moved to the kitchen to check on the final touches of the meal. The savory aroma of roasted vegetables and the sizzle of a pan hinted at the culinary delights awaiting them.

As he returned to the table, Miguel couldn't help but smile at the anticipation of sharing this moment with his kid. He imagined her reaction when she walked into the warm, fragrant kitchen, greeted by the sight of her favorite meal. It wasn't just about the food—it was about the connection, the shared space, and the simple joy of being together.

Stage set.

Gabriella peered around the corner rushing once she got a hint as to what was being served tonight.

As they both got settled they talked about their day, just like they always did, always nothing eventful. But still very much appreciated, kinda like routine.

Miguel could never place where this conversation started but he could remember when it picked up.

“¡Ándale jefazo, dame permiso de ir a la fiesta!”

“Ni hablar.”

“But-”

“En absoluto.”

Playfully she sucked her teeth knowing that that was gonna be the answer no matter what “How come you never let me go out? If I become a socially awkward creature it’s your fault!”

“Uh, you went out today?”

“I mean like with other people, y’know?”

“Well I don’t really like your friend ‘y’know?’ He rolled his eyes and briefly smiled before speaking up again. “Now pass the butter.”

Gabriella mumbled something about him not liking any of her friends before fulfilling his request.

His hands moved along the sides of the knife slowly as he sliced into the perfectly browned loaf of bread. After that, it was the usual dinner talk, life, friends, work.

It was always the usual with them, and that was great. Their conversations were like shooting fish in a barrel, they flowed without needing a whole lot of effort or force, like second nature. That was the great thing about having a child, something unplanned but worked well. A sense of responsibility wrapped up.

That’s why when conversations began to slow down to a sharp halt one day it took him by surprise.

One day she was there one day she wasn't. but that's just how life goes right? She was gone, and he was left behind wondering where he stood.

All of a sudden those usual conversations conversation with her were switched out with visits to a funeral home.

Various packages, floral arrangements, and burial options, but Miguel’s mind floated in a sea of detachment.

Until one morning he woke up and felt raindrops hit the crown of his head.

The air in the cemetery hung heavy with a mix of grief and reverence as Miguel huddled around to bid his final farewell. The somber melody of a distant hymn provided a melancholic soundtrack to the scene. Under the overcast sky, a lone casket, adorned with flowers, rested over the open grave.

No one there to stand in a circle around the burial site, Miguel opted to grieve in private, and a sense of sorrow gripped his throat as he heaved. The priest, his words a comforting murmur, but useless to Miguel— spoke of the Gabriellas’s life—a tapestry woven with moments of joy, struggle, and the quiet beauty of everyday existence. Tears glistened on his face through shut lips.

The pallbearers, their movements deliberate and respectful, approached the casket. Each one placed a hand on the polished wood, a final gesture of solidarity with the one they carried. Slowly, almost ceremoniously, they lifted the casket and began the solemn walk toward the waiting grave.

The procession moved with a measured cadence, the weight of the moment evident in every step. Miguel’s eyes cast downward as they navigated the uneven ground of the cemetery. The sound of soft sobbing intermingled with the rustle of leaves overhead. He didn’t even recognize those sounds as his own.

As the pallbearers reached the edge of the grave, they carefully lowered the casket. The gentle descent seemed to echo the finality of the moment, a profound silence settling over the assembly. She, once vibrant and alive, now rested in the quiet solitude of the earth.

The priest offered a final prayer, a poignant farewell to the departed soul. A lone violinist, positioned at a distance, began to play a mournful tune, its haunting melody weaving through the air.

The casket, now nestled in its final resting place, a should be symbol of closure. Miguel hovered over and stepped forward with a fistful of soil and even more fistful of cuts and bruises to toss handfuls of soil onto the casket—a ritualistic gesture marking the return of Gabriella to the embrace of the earth.

As the first clumps of soil fell, a hushed stillness enveloped the scene. The quiet thud of earth against wood resonated like a heartbeat, a rhythmic acknowledgment of life's cyclical nature. Gabriella, in her eternal repose, became one with the earth.

Gabriella smelt of the outside and the earthy tones of the dirt and grass.

Always has.

[winphoria]

the moonlight & other natural phenomena (tsukkiyama)

the blossom of the spring sakura, the summer gust of evening wind, the stars of the midnight constellations, and the orbit of the moon — ever-constants in a fleeting world. as two boys follow the next chapter of their lives together, they find that they too, are one of few constants in each others' fleeting lives.

tsukishima kei x tadashi yamaguchi (haikyuu)

tags: fluff, childhood friends, friends to lovers, love confession, mutual pining, sleepovers, one-shot

now playing: ordinary things by ariana grande, nonna

1.3k words; ao3 link

Friday evening, 7:54 pm.

After what felt like forever, Karasuno High School’s volleyball team finally finished a day full of practices and drills, preparing for the next few big matches. First-year Tadashi Yamaguchi, already feeling the physical drain, stares at himself in the changing room through his locker’s tiny mirror with heavy eyes.

“Plans tonight, Yamaguchi?” A voice asks from Yamaguchi’s right, taking him out of his short daze. He recognizes the familiar voice as Koushi Sugawara, his teammate two lockers down. He also looks ready to get out of here but still manages to spark conversation as he quickly dresses.

“I’m heading over to Tsukishima’s tonight. Probably gonna do some studying for our English quiz next week.”

“Oh, that’s nice!” Sugawara shoots Yamaguchi a smile. “Hopefully it’s not all just work. Both of you deserve a break after this week.”

“Usually we end up watching a random movie or falling asleep too quickly to do anything else, honestly.” Yamaguchi laughs.

“I see…” Sugawara says, trying not to read into it. “Well, don’t work too hard, you two.” He locks up his locker and heads out to catch up with Daichi. “See you both next week!”

Back on the court, Kei Tsukishima gathers his things before heading to the club room.

“Hey, Tsukishima!” Hinata calls over from the net. It’s clear he and Kageyama have no speck of intent to leave anytime soon.

“Mm.”

“Where you going? Don’t you wanna practice a bit more with us?” Hinata asks, even though everyone knows the answer to that question already. As persistent as he is, Shoyo doesn’t see the harm in asking every time.

Tsukishima breathes out a sigh. “I’m done for today. Knock yourselves out,” he says before meeting with Yamaguchi at the door.

“See you, Kageyama, Hinata.” Yamaguchi waves before the two head out of the gym.

“Wait, are you guys gonna practice at Tsukishima’s?! Fun!!! We should totally go along with them sometime, Kageyama!” Hinata is so busy grinning at the idea of even more volleyball practice outside the gym that he doesn't notice Tsukishima and Kageyama flinch at his absurd suggestion. “See ya!”

It wasn’t exactly an uncommon occurrence for the pair to head home together, especially during peak volleyball season. In truth, Tsukishima appreciated the company.

Well, Tadashi’s company, specifically.

“I wonder what’s that about.” The team’s captain Daichi points down to the pair walking as he locks up the club room. Asahi, Sugawara, and Kiyoko look down to where he gestures.

“You noticed, too?” Sugawara replies.

“Well yeah, almost everyone has. They’ve been going home together more than usual, hanging out on weekends, coming to practice together.

“Really? I didn’t catch anything. I thought they were just really close childhood friends,” Asahi says, prompting a chuckle from Daichi and Sugawara for his cluelessness.

Sugawara takes a final look at the pair before they turn a corner. Yamaguchi is visibly giggling about something while Tsukishima looks down at him. “Their friendship… it’s sweet. I’m glad they have each other on the team.”

Saturday morning, 1:32 am.

After dinner and some time studying, the Tsukishima residence is quiet. The two boys are the only ones awake, sitting in the dark of Kei’s room watching a space documentary — the only remotely interesting thing on TV at this hour. Their respective right and left ears each hold half of some tangled wired earphones.

“God, this documentary is so dated. Pluto isn’t even a planet anymore,” Tsukishima says with a slight eyebrow raised at the film’s credibility (or lack thereof).

Unsurprisingly, Tsukishima is tuned in while Yamaguchi’s attempts to stay awake are in vain. When he does fall in and out of consciousness, he finds himself looking at Tsukishima.

By the time the documentary’s credits roll across the TV screen, Tsukishima finally notices his friend next to him — head buried in his knees, out cold.

“Hey. Movie’s over, sleepy. Time for bed,” he says to Yamaguchi as he gives him a shove. It’s a bit stronger than he intends.

“Huh?” Yamaguchi whips his head up, “Oh, yeah, that was a really good movie.”

Normally Tsukki would give a slight scoff at anyone’s attempt to save face, but with Tadashi, it just comes off as endearing.

“Come on, I’ll help you make your bed.”

Soon enough, the pair find themselves in their respective sleeping spots. Yamaguchi on the floor mattress and Tsukishima on the bed, his back to his friend and the rest of the room.

With the television off, nothing but a sliver of moonlight illuminates the room, specifically on to the back of Tsukishima’s head. Despite being knocked out 15 minutes ago, something stirred within Tadashi. He couldn’t get himself to fall back to sleep.

“Tsukki?” Yamaguchi whispers, unsure if his friend is still awake.

“Mm,” Tsukishima responds to signal some form of listening.

“Do you ever feel like the world stops sometimes?” Yamaguchi blurts out, wanting to keep Tsukishima awake for just a bit longer but unsure how.

A small pause. Tsukishima isn’t sure how to respond.

“No, not really.”

“Oh.”

A few seconds go by.

“Sometimes, in the spring, I watch the blossoms fall from the trees outside of our classroom, floating, one by one gracefully to the ground.”

“Tadashi. You don’t even have the window seat… no wonder you’ve been getting distracted in class lately.” Tsukishima manages to reply. It comes out less sarcastic than expected with his half-conscious voice.

“Right, that’s my bad.” Yamaguchi chuckles awkwardly.

A few more seconds pass. Tadashi can’t tell if he’s overthinking things.

“Other times,” he continues, “when we walk from practice, I can feel the familiar gust of the evening winds blowing through my hair strands.”

Tadashi’s restless pupils scan around the room, searching for something mundane to focus on and calm his thoughts. It’s useless, he thought, not noticing his heart beating a little faster as he hugged his pillow a bit tighter.

“Even today, coming home with you I noticed way more stars. It’s like… the sky was a painting.”

“Hm,” Tsukki mumbles. It’s unclear to Yamaguchi if he’s actually retaining any of this.

“I ask because I, um…” Tadashi starts. His eyes rest to focus on his friend’s blonde hair. His mind draws a blank. “Well, I’m not sure why I ask.”

Silence from Tsukishima. His breathing is steady, his body still. He ruminates on his childhood friend’s words.

2 am crickets begin to fill further silence through the cracked window.

I’m just rambling now, Tadashi thought, but his mind continues anyway.

“You know, it’s funny because…” He breaks the short silence again. “I notice every time I feel like the world stops… it seems that you're there, Tsukki,” Yamaguchi says, the last part much softer, almost inaudible.

But Tsukishima hears every word.

Yamaguchi isn't sensing any more half-asleep responses from Tsukishima anymore. With the words slipping out of his mouth, for some reason, he feels a little less restless. A little… lighter.

Turning to his other side, his back to Tsukki, Tadashi closes his eyes and whispers one last thought to the moon before succumbing to exhaustion.

“In those moments when it feels like the world has stopped…

I will always be thinking of you.”