#i’ve been wanting to make this for YEARS so i’m v happy it’s finally done eep

[sassycordy]

every friend group should include stargate atlantis edition 🤞🏽

audio credits: littleredinmotion/ ib/rm: aeschylusfilms & softdecades

[noxiwrites]

Forbidden

Synopsis ˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪

The new teaching assistant is too hot for his own good, distracting most of the girls in your class. You’re not too bothered by him, he’s just another pretty face- until you get pulled by him for failing the class. It’s every girls wet dream, getting taught by the hot new teacher- and you find yourself slowly falling into a sickly sweet situation.

Warnings ˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪

Age gap, inappropriate touching, arguments, angst, eventual smut, obsession, hidden relationship, public sex.

Word count ˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪

2.3k

Add yourself to my tag list | Masterlist

I II III IV V

Chatter mulls through the room as you sit quietly at your desk, reviewing some of the content for the final year of your class here. You can tell everyone is excited, the final year of this four year course upon you.

You, on the other hand, were less excited. The pressure of the material was very demanding already and you just wanted to get on top of it, keep it down to a minimum so it wouldn’t collapse your entire life.

A door opens at the back of the classroom and the chatter is suddenly gone, a stiff silence falling over the rest of your classmates as they take in someone who is definitely not your teacher, stood at the desk at the front of the class.

Immediately, you hear the hustles of chatter from all the girls in class as they take in the very obviously handsome man stood waiting. He grins, looking around the room and soaking up the attention. You roll your eyes and scoff, not bothered by his pretty face as you look down to review the material for what felt like the ten millionth time.

“Okay guys, enough chatter, let’s get started,” his voice scratches at the back of your brain, something about the way he sounds making you turn all mushy.

“So, you’re probably wondering where Dr.Mendez is, right?” A murmur of agreement washes the room and you glance upward, watching as his hands clasp around a book, stance all flexed as he leans against the edge of the desk. You can see him scanning the room and your eyes meet for a second, him flashing you a brief smile before you’re looking back down, again.

He’s hot. He’s making you all flustered, no doubt like all the other girls in the class- and it frustrated you. You’re just here to learn.

“Well he’s swamped with other classes this year so I’m stepping in to teach, you’re stuck with me,” you can hear the smugness in his tone, basking in the attention from the girls fawning over him.

“I’ll die a happy woman stuck with you, sir,” a whiny voice giggles from behind you and you already know it’s Kendra, a self centered bitch who has done nothing but make your life living hell while being in this class.

He laughs, thanking her, before moving on. You look up again, watching him as he strides around the desk to take a seat on the front of it and opening the book in his hands.

“I’m Rafe by the way. I’d prefer if you guys just called me that,” he looks around the room, thumbing the page he’s currently on as he takes in the entire class. Again, your eyes meet and he smiles again, something you don’t return as you expectantly wait for him to move on with the class.

“Right, so, I’ve been filled in on what you guys have been learning for the past three years, and this is your last year, yeah? Very important.” A chorus of further murmurs flow from the class and Rafe, now you know his name, nods. He slaps his knee, standing as he walks back to his laptop, clicking some buttons before it connects to the large projector.

“I won’t keep you waiting then, let’s get started shall we?”

By the end of the three hour class, you’re exhausted. You’re so ready to climb into your car and get home, climb into bed and have a fat nap. As usual, you’re one of the last to leave class, hating getting caught in the throngs of people all leaving with the same goal as you.

Kendra and her cronies are stood talking to Rafe at his desk as she giggles and twirls her hair around her finger about something he’s saying, and you roll your eyes as you shove your book bag further onto your shoulder and descend the steps down the the bottom of the class.

It really makes you want to scoff, how fucking sleazy she is- really, the guy has just started to teach the class and she’s already trying to get her claws into him. You wonder, sometimes, how she managed to get into an advanced class, but then you remember she was born into money, her perfectly bleached blonde hair and always perfectly manicured nails reminding you of that.

“See you later,” you hear Rafe say and you turn, to see his focus completely on you instead of Kendra. Her scowl could kill if it were possible, mad that his attention is on you rather than her. You smile and nod, waving goodbye before rushing for the door and leaving.

It’s cold out in the parking lot, and you regret parking your car at the far side this morning when you were in a better mood. You’re thankful, however, that this is your only class today and you can just go home and sleep.

The drive to your apartment only takes fifteen minutes, traffic light as a slight drizzle begins to fall on your windscreen, rolling your window down to scan your badge to get into your estate gate.

Your cat greets you through the window of your ground flat as you pull into the parking spot in front of it, turning the engine off and grabbing your stuff before rushing to the door, leaving down to greet whiskers as you close the door.

“Let’s go to bed, eh?” You ask, and he purrs, following you down the hall. When you’re finally relaxed in bed, you find yourself thinking of the new teaching assistant, wondering if he knows what he’s signed himself up for.

“Good morning guys, we ready to start?” Rafe asks the room, cup of something steamy in his left hand. You can hear Kendra giggle from behind you and you just know she’s twirling her hair in her fingers, which makes you sigh.

Today, your friend, Molly, had decided to turn up. You’re grateful, telling her about yesterdays events in a hushed tone as her eyes grow wider the further you tell.

You drop your eyes down to Rafe to see him setting up his PowerPoint again, clicking away on his keyboard.

“Yeah and he literally said goodbye to me, and she was all like grrrr and scowley like? I didn’t do anything,” you tell her, Molly flashing a frown over her shoulder to signify her displeasure. She hates Kendra just as much as the next person.

“To be fair, he is very attractive. I’d be mad if I put that much into my appearance and you stole his attention just like that,” she snaps her fingers to give you an idea of what she means and you blush. You definitely didn’t steal his attention, he was just saying goodbye. Right?

You both fall into silence as Rafe begins talking to the class about different formulas, all the basic stuff that you noticed at the beginning of the content paper. This class is shorter, only being an hour and a half, before you’ve got another class in the afternoon with another teacher.

As you work through the slides, you find yourself glancing at Rafe more and more. You had to give it to him, he was very attractive. Buzzed hair, sharp jawline and sparkly eyes that everytime they looked into your own, sent you dizzy.

Alas, he was your teacher. It begged the question in the back of your head of how old he was, because he didn’t look much older than you to be honest. The slides soon come to an end, Rafe clapping his hands as he thanked everyone for turning up today. Everyone grapples to leave, Kendra hanging by his desk as he lazily entertains her while typing away on his computer.

You bid Molly goodbye as she rushes off out the door, desperate to see her boyfriend before he goes to his next class, leaving you to pack your things as you earwig on what Kendra is saying.

“I think I could do with some extra tutoring, Rafe,” she twirls her hair around her finger again, eyes blazing down at him. Rafe grins, laughing up at her before going back to his computer.

“You’re fine Kendra, I reviewed your papers from last year. No tutoring needed,” you can practically hear the sarcasm from here, and you’re sure Kendra is one more comment away from bursting into tears and ringing her father because the teacher won’t fuck her.

“Oh, okay. If you say so Rafe, but I’m always free,” she scrapes her fingers along his desk, and act that makes you wince as you walk down the steps.

“See you next week, Rafe,” she drawls, before throwing you a scowl, leaving the classroom. You’re about to follow, not wanting to stop and chat, but Rafe does so anyway.

“Hey, I’ve been meaning to speak to you, actually,”

You turn on the spot, swallowing despite suddenly having a dry mouth. You walk back, standing in front of his desk as he closes his laptop and smiles up at you.

“I uh, had a look at your papers from last year,” he begins, but you can’t help your mind from racing already.

“What? I’m not doing anything wrong am I?” You ask, words rushing out of your mouth like you’re spewing.

Rafe shakes his head, eyes never leaving yours. “No, no. I just think you’re lacking some certain aspects that could definitely help you be the top of the class,”

You breathe out, not realising you weren’t breathing at all. He grins, lazily, as he begins to toy with the edge of one of the books on his desk.

“I think I can help you be the best. I’d like to tutor you, if you’d like the help. You can say no and still pass the class but I think the extra help will get you to the top,” he concludes, fingers dancing along the edge of the book.

“I uh, I don’t know. I don’t think that’s very fair one other students,” you quip, pushing your bag up your shoulder. As you do, your skirt pulls up your legs a bit more and you see the brief second his eyes flicker down, before looking back up at you and gulping.

“I can see that, yes. I just think you have the most potential,” you eyes wander back down to his hand, now playing with the edge of the book, other moving up to rest under his chin.

He has nice hands, you think, and immediately want to slap yourself. He’s your teacher.

“Uh, thank you?” It comes out as more of a question and Rafe laughs, circling the edge of the book. You have to pry your eyes away from it.

“You can think. Let me know next Monday, after class. Have the rest of the week.” You nod meekly, smiling lightly at him as you bid him goodbye, heading for the door.

“Oh, and before I forget, make sure you read up on pages one hundred to one hundred and sixty for next week. I know you like to get ahead.”

“You’re going to say yes, right? I mean it’s a no brainer,” she continues, rambling. Truth is, the more you’ve thought about it, the more appealing it sounds. You’d love to be top of the class, make your dad proud, and rub it in Kendras face, like a reminder that money can’t buy grades.

“Like imagine? What if he tries to make a move on you, I mean look at you? Why would he not? Oh my god, this is perfect,” she almost yells, before taking a sip of her wine. You’d not actually thought about that part of it, choosing to mostly ignore it.

But then, if that were his motive, who would he ask you and not Kendra? She was the better option for something like that. You would like to think that it wasn’t one of those deals, that he actually wanted to help you, and that was the part that was convincing you.

“I think I’m gonna say yes, but just for the tutoring, I wanna get better grades,” you tell her, taking a sip of your own glass of wine. Whiskers jumps down from the windowsill next to you, fawning around in your lap before collapsing down and falling asleep. You scratch his head, looking over at your friend who wiggles her eyebrows at you.

“But you wouldn’t turn him down if he made a move, no?”

“I don’t know Mol, he’s just another pretty face to me,” you say, looking over at the tv. You were trying to watch twilight, until you got distracted by rambling Molly who only comes out after some wine.

“Cmon, he’s so totally into you! Turning down Kendra to then offer the exact same thing to you,” she declares, pushing your shoulder back. You have to admit, there may be some truth in her statement, because why would he do that for you but not her?

“I just hope I actually get taught what I’m missing,” you say, causing Molly to roll her eyes. “You’re not missing anything, you’re already one of the top in the class, he just likessss you,” she drawls the likes, making you giggle at her as you bite the edge of your wine glass, contemplating the pros and cons of letting Rafe be your tutor.

You’re going to do it.

Note ˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ Hello!! First series I’m actually excited to write ! Teacher Rafe is just 🤩 much love, let me know what you think <3

Check out a teaser for a new series here <3

[freshsturns]

𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑰 𝑾𝑨𝑵𝑻 𝑭𝑶𝑹 𝑪𝑯𝑹𝑰𝑺𝑻𝑴𝑨𝑺 | 𝑴.𝑺

𝒔𝒚𝒑𝒏𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒔: y/n and matt have liked each other for years, it’s christmas time. matt and y/n are being super flirty, so chris and nick plan to tease them with the mistletoe causing things to progress. this is little collab with @mwahsturns ୭

fluff, smut, oral (female receiving), fingering, p in v, swearing, praise, teasing, flirting, pet names, aftercare, mentions of drugs.

2.5k words!

christmas is exactly three weeks away, it has always been a stressful time of the year, especially these last few years.

between me landing a job at a nursing home, two hours away from our home in la, and the boys with their youtube career we rarely have moments when we’re all together. this year, we didn’t even find the time to decorate.

christmas is my favourite holiday, i love when we can all come together and just have fun, stress free. the boys need it especially with everything they have going on with their career.

I absolutely love buying everyone gifts especially because I know them so well i know exactly what can make them feel special. I love putting a smile on their faces, seeing them happy is so therapeutic to me as they’ve done so much for me for so many years.

i know matt so well, i know exactly what he wants this year. well, maybe i was ease dropping a little when he was yapping about what he wanted to nick and chris a few days ago. but we’ve always had some strange bond which makes us closer, so i just had to make sure i bought him what he wanted.

i think that decorating for christmas is what makes the holiday so special, and that’s what makes this moment, right now so special. matt, nick and chris had pre filmed the video that is due tomorrow and i finally have christmas break so it’s the perfect time to begin decorating!

-

matt and i had finally gotten the decorations out from the garage while nick and chris walked to the grocery store. we started putting ornaments on the tree, as christmas music softly filled the home.

‘don’t put em too close together’ he smirks. ‘i know what I’m doing, matthew’ i laugh continuing putting the ornaments on.

he smiles taking the lights out of a box staring at me and smiling as he untangles the lights. i smile then look back at him.

‘what?’ i laugh, he shakes his head still smiling. ‘no it’s nothing’ i know him too well, he’s lying. ‘oh come on tell me’

he smiles. ‘you’re just- idk I’m just glad your here.’ he smiles eventually looking down as he finishes untangles them, now wrapping them around the tree. ‘I’m glad to be here’ I smile nudging his shoulder.

after we finished the tree matt and i decided to bake some brownies. ‘how are you feeling about that trip to Boston?’

matts lips turn revealing with that perfect smile then continued mixing the brownie mix. ‘i’m excited, i mean i’m sad you’re not coming though’ i look up at him with glistening eyes. whenever he says things like that it makes my heart melt in ways I can’t even begin to explain.

i’ve liked him for so long now, i’ve never done anything about it though because i’m terrified of ruining our relationship, our bond is so special and i would hate to ruin it. i look down at the brownie mix, sticking my index finger in and gliding it along the inside of the bowl and licking my finger clean.

‘oh hush, you’ll be having so much fun you won’t realize I’m not there’ i smile spreading butter over the pan. ‘of course i will, i’ll always need you around’ he lets out a small laugh shaking his head slightly before pouring the brownie mix into the pan.

matt takes in a breath and before i could say anything he picks up the pan. ‘come on silly let’s get these in the oven’ i nod slightly with a grin, walking beside him.

nick and chris swing open the door walking inside. ‘we’re back and we brought food!’ chris yells making me snap my head at the sudden noise, matt looked at me as we roll our eyes looking at the two.

‘oh wow, the house looks good’ nick says surprised, placing the bag down. ‘couldn’t have done it without her’ matt smiles indicating to me before nudging my shoulders as i blush softly cleaning up the counter.

‘y’all are so cute’ chris sings. ‘don’t make this weird, chris’ i say pretending to be annoyed but gosh, i can’t help but wish it was true. ‘we’re just friends’ Matt says unsure but hiding it. my heart sinks at his words, ‘just’ but it’s true, we are just friends.

minutes pass, we’re all talking about the plans for christmas while we wait for the brownies, when Matt grabs my shoulder.

‘oh, you got a little something here’ he says getting closer to my face placing his hand on my cheek as he wipes off some brownie batter from my bottom lip. He looked at my lips then into my eyes, we stared at each other for a moment completely ignoring the fact nick and chris are right there.

nick looks at chris and signals him upstairs, as they head upstairs into nick’s bedroom and shuts the door behind them. ‘what’s wrong?’ chris crosses his arms looking at Nick.

‘dude, you’re seeing this shit right?’ nick smiles and he continues ‘they clearly like each other’ chris smirks ‘i mean they’re not very subtle, they’re just to stubborn to admit it.’

nick nods. ‘I have an idea’ chris looks intrigued. ‘go on.’

‘what if we were to hold the mistletoe over there heads, they’re gonna have to kiss.’ chris nods. ‘then they might finally confess their feelings, like where your heads at. alright let’s go’ they grab the mistletoe and head back downstairs to see y/n and matt standing by the tree.

'no we have to watch home alone! it's so much better than the polar express!' i giggle, matt and i were discussing which movie to watch later, when chris unexpectedly runs up behind matt holding something up above our heads. i look up to see it was a mistletoe. 'chris, what are you doing?'

chris smirks as he looks over to nick 'y'know what you gotta do’ matt looks at me nervously then at his brothers. nick sits down on the couch behind them, 'kiss her, matt' he smiles as he leans back crossing his arms.

'guys stop' matt continued his protest. 'kiss, kiss, kiss' we heard softly behind us. i look around meeting nick and chris's gaze, before finally stopping on matts. he took in a breath while he analysed my face his eyes stopping at my lips, eventually lifting his arm and grabbing my cheek and kissing me softly. i immediately kiss back, my hand going to his hair as his hand creases the curves of my waist and his other moving from my cheek to my neck.

my mind is going crazy, everything i’ve ever dreamed of is finally happening. i can’t believe it i’m kissing him, i’m kissing matthew sturniolo, the only guy i’ve ever loved.

our kiss was slow but passionate, the way his soft lips synchronised with mine like our lips were made to touch. the way his hand travels back up my skin and his fingertips softly caress my cheek. our kiss deepens, our tongues fighting for dominance, his hands roaming my body. my hands moving from his hair to the back of his neck, this feeling is making me want him even more than I already do.

he eventually pulls away both of us out of breath. i look into his eyes then realize nick and chris are no where to be seen. ‘y/n i can’t do it anymore, i can’t keep pretending we’re just friends. i love you’ he breaks the silence.

‘matt, you know i love you but our friendship means the world to me and I can’t lose you, i can’t lose this’ he cups my cheeks staring into my eyes.

‘look y/n, i really don’t care if you think this will ruin our friendship. you know why?’ he stops. i flick my eyes between his lips and his eyes waiting for him to continue.

‘i’ve spent years loving you from afar and i want us to be together. this won’t change anything between us. i promise’ tears well up in my eyes i try to speak but i’m cut off by the lump in my throat. ‘but what if this doesn’t work..’ i finally manage get out.

‘even if eventually this doesn’t work out, I’m willing to make anything happen for you. nothing could ever change the way that feel about you’ he whispers before kissing my forehead.

i slowly nod at him, a smile forming on my face. ‘okay..’ I say softly. ‘okay?’ matt repeated confused. ‘if you believe in us working then..we can try’ he smiles picking me up spinning us around. my giggles filled the living room, he placed me back down kissing me again this time more deeply and passionately.

he let out a soft moan into the kiss before lifting me up and carrying me to his bedroom, where he gently tossed me onto the bed. "you okay with this?" matt asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice. "matt," I replied, my tone serious, locking my gaze onto his anxious eyes, “shut up and kiss me.”

he wastes no time, suddenly positioning himself above me, and kisses me deeply. i feel his tongue graze my bottom lip, prompting me to part my lips and invite him in. as his tongue explores my mouth, i can’t help but moan, my fingers tangling in his hair.

i flip us over kissing him passionately as i slide my own tongue into his mouth. his hands slowly move down grabbing my ass making me grind against him. his hands on my body was addicting, he felt so good against me, like his touch was a drug i couldn’t escape from.

he slaps my ass making me gasp into the kiss. he breaks the kiss working his way down to my neck and sucking on my sweet spot. ‘matt..’ was the only word that filled my mind as his lips brushed against my skin, sending shivers of bliss through me.

‘you’re so soft.’ he whispered against my neck sending chills down my body, the way his smooth lips kisses me and fingertips teases my skin makes me go insane.

he kissed his way up my neck placing a soft kiss on my cheek before pulling away and creasing my cheek. ‘you’re so pretty.’

i blush kissing his lips softly ‘i’ve always wanted this matt.. it’s always been you’ i look down. He lifts my chin up staring into my eyes. ‘you have me’

that did something to me i can’t explain it but i needed him, and i needed him bad. i pressed my lips gently against his, then softly kissed his neck.

he sat up letting me pull his shirt off over his head. ‘wow..’ i whisper staring at his chest. he grabs my hand having me trace his body as he stared into my eyes. ‘matt i uh-‘

he shushed me with a kiss to my lips smiling softly. ‘don’t rush it take your time, baby’ i nod lightly, wanting nothing more than to get on my knees in front of him already. he lays me down positioning me at the end of the bed, him standing up. his hand begins tracing the top of my jeans.

‘can i?’ he asks nervously. i nod as he lifts my body and unbuttons my jeans and pulls them down. ‘woah’ he says with a huge grin plastered on his face. ‘these are pretty’ he says, tracing the rhinestones on the side of my victoria secret underwear. his finger hooks onto the side of my thong slowly pulling them down.

he tosses the glittery thong across his room, he smiles at me being bare from the body, half giving him access to my already soaked cunt. ‘fuck, already dripping’ he said before licking up my walls taking in all my juice, my body shaking slightly before moaning just a bit, knowing how this was gonna go.

he plants kisses all over the inside of my thighs slowly making his way to my cunt. he looks up at me before kissing my clit, gosh he does it so well. his tongue slipped out of his mouth and lands itself onto me licking and sucking at my clit.

i run my fingers through his hair, my lips parted slightly no sounds even able to come out. i throw my head back biting my lip, as he begins to shove his tongue in my wet hole. ‘taste so good, baby’ he mumbles against my pussy making me moan softy. the way he’s eating me like he hasn’t eaten in weeks, and making me feel so good i can’t think straight.

he slightly takes his mouth off, spreading my lips then spitting on my pussy. he shoved two fingers into me making me moan gripping his hair tightly.

‘fuck matt..’ i moan uncontrollably as he puts his mouth back onto my clit as he pumps into me. ‘matt please- don’t stop’ i whimpered making him moan against me. my thoughts clouded with pleasure, unable to comprehend anything but his mouth and his fingers.

‘baby, i’m gonna cum please..’ my legs wrapped around his head as i grind against him making his nose graze my clit and his fingers hitting deeper. just as i was about to cum he pulls away from me making me whine in disappointment.

‘don’t worry sweetheart, i’m coming back’ he smirks and he unbuttons his jeans followed by his boxers and flings them somewhere with the other pile of clothes. he takes his dick in his hand pumping a few times before lining himself up with me, looks up at me for approval, the second i nod my head he buries himself inside me.

my head drops back and my mouth creates an ‘o’ shape. ‘you’re so big’ my moans are muffled. he grunts as he begins thrusting in and out slowly but deep, hitting every spot. ‘oh god..” i mumble as the pace picks up. i’m so close, just by looking at matts face, his mouth propped open, his forehead covered by sweating strands of hair, the way his hands grip the side of my thighs and his biceps tense with every trust.

‘matt, i’m gonna cum-’ i let out breathlessly, his eyes avert from my pussy to my eyes. ‘hold it baby, just for a second’ he grunts, thrusting faster as he builds up his release.

his thrusts getting sloppy, my hands scratching his back. ‘matt- so good’ i whine, as his hands squeeze my hips. ‘c’mon on cum f’me’ i nod out of breath as no words were able to form, cumming over his dick. he pulls out cumming into my stomach.

‘fuuck’ he pants trying to hatch his breath. i lay there my chest rising up and down, my pussy still pulsing. matt gets up and makes his way to the bathroom, coming back seconds after. i feel a warm rag on my stomach and my pussy making me flinch.

‘it’s okay sweetheart, i’m just cleaning you up’ he kisses my forehead softly. after we cleaned up he helped me get dressed and took my hand leading me into the living room.

nick and chris smirked giving each other a high five, until chris speaks up. ‘next time be more quiet when you’re fucking our brother’ chris laughs.

‘ohhh fuck matt’ nick mocks jokingly. ‘shut the fuck up’ Matt says then kissing my lips softly. i can’t believe i finally got him, the only thing i wanted for christmas.

© freshsturns

@astronomysturniolos @sunrisemill @lovingchrissposts @sturniolossss @stargirll567 @whoisabbyysblog @slut4matthew @vanteguccir @strniohoeee @ashsturns @jamiesturniolo @mattscoquette @starsfortaylor @patscorner @gamermattsgf @hysteria-things @sluts4matt @mattslutt @slutformenn @mwahsturns ❥

[dc418writes]

Welcomed Distraction

Summary🪄: Both you and Frankie need comforting after a tough day

🚨: 18+ NO MINORS, happy adult fun times (be safe out there!), breeding kink, unprotected p-in-v, language, unclothed female-semi clothed male, mention of pregnancy/trying for baby

A/N🎤: Hello🌸 long time no see (*ahem sorry🥴) lol. So firstly, this is my very first Pedro boy fic and I’m v nervous (then again when am I not 🙃). Also, this is my submission for the #hotdilfsummerchallenge by @hellishjoel and I’m hoping you guys enjoy what I came up with, as well as read the other works (or even submit something yourself!✨)

*DISCLAIMER(S)!: I DO NOT CLAIM OWNERSHIP of pictures used as they all were found via Pinterest. Although my works are typically imagined with a black!reader, everyone is welcome to read*

At the sound of your sigh as you locked the door behind you, Frankie knew what kind of day you had. Not to mention the way you took off your shoes.

If you gently toed them off next to the others, taking your sweet time, you were exhausted and would more than likely crash on the couch once you eventually sat down. Left them scattered making your own little trail from the door? You were excited about something. He was man enough to admit that although he knew you were very happy to see him, - flashing your bright smile before pecking his lips and updating him on what your day entailed - that excitement was mostly for his son. “How was your day huh?,” you’d ask the adorable eight month old making him giggle from all the kisses you’d leave on his juicy cheeks. “I missed you!”

When you’d kick off your shoes though, not caring when they’d knock against the wall - like you did tonight - you were pissed. And Frankie just hoped it wasn’t something he’d done or forgotten to do.

“Everything alright?,” he asks over his shoulder while he mutes the football game currently on tv.

“I secretly hope that place burns down overnight so I won’t have to step foot in it ever again.”

“So no,” Frankie states as you finally make it to the couch with a beer in hand. A much needed smile curls along your lips - and in turn loosens a bit of the tension still plaguing you from earlier - noticing the boxes of takeout from your favorite restaurant on the coffee table in front of him. Before you can say anything, his strong hands are gripping your hips guiding you towards his lap. Both sets of your lips automatically being drawn towards each other as you settle in your favorite seat.

Well second favorite.

“Francisco Morales I’d marry you right now if I could.” He only chuckles leaving a chaste kiss on your temple.

“Tell me what happened.”

“Well, first it started with a couple calls from patients upset they needed to be seen before getting a refill. Like I’m sorry you haven’t shown up for your appointments in two years!” A grin spreads on his pink lips as he gently shakes his head of envy inducing chocolate curls.

“Then for a while now I’ve been getting calls when the phones are supposed to be on downtime. It’s also happened to the lady that sits next to me a couple times, so she decides to say something. My manager just says ‘well if you’ve given your extension out or if it’s transferred to you, then the phone’s gonna ring’.”

“But if the phones are down in the first place, either way that shouldn’t happen,” your boyfriend finishes practically reading your mind.

“Exactly! But nooo it has to be something I’m doing, it can’t be the shitty phone system.” Frankie knows you’re angry - and reasonably so- but he can’t help the way his stomach flutters at your cute little groan. How he wants to kiss that pout away until you can’t remember why you were mad in the first place. “Maybe he’ll listen to you since you have a penis.”

“Just tell me when and I’m there baby,” he murmurs against your neck trailing kisses from your pulse to your jaw. His mustache prickling your skin and making you softly giggle.

Even if you didn’t say, you wouldn’t be surprised if he made a little visit to the clinic within the coming week. Standard manners and gentle smile to everyone else as if he was just innocently coming by to see his girl when you both knew he was liable to strangle the slender, uptight man once he set his eyes on him at the mere mention of making you upset.

“Then, as the cherry on top, the last call I get today is this guy getting mad at me because his results aren’t ready, which I have no control over since I don’t work with that doctor,” you explain taking a quick pull from the sweating bottle in your hand. “I keep trying to tell him there’s nothing I can really do, but then he has the audacity to say ‘You’re not understanding me. I need this for another appointment and now I’m not sure if I’ll make it!’ Sir I understand fine; don’t insult my intelligence. Still won’t get you your results sooner.”

The stranger’s words and harsh tone repeats in your mind only making you upset all over again. And not only could Frankie see it, but he could feel the effect such a short interaction had on you. Your back practically going rigid with tightness and prompting him to rub soothing circles over your shirt trying to relax the muscles there. That vein near the pulse in your neck on full display as if standing in solidarity with you.

A stream of frustrated air leaves your nostrils trying to remind yourself that everything was in the past now. How tomorrow would be a new day with, hopefully, little to no rude patients. “Sorry, I know that’s probably my ego talking-,”

“Still doesn’t give him, or anybody else, the right to talk to you like that.” So two men he now needed to hunt down. No problem. “I’m sorry you had a rough day.”

You simply shrug - your attempt to brush it off feeling like you need to be strong and just forget - as his lips softly press against your temple. “Comes with the territory. How was your day though? Hopefully better than mine.”

“It was alright. Elaine came by with ‘hot shot’ to get Isaiah.” Hot shot being her new fiancé that was some fancy lawyer based out of Los Angeles. They met a few months after she broke up with Frankie and got engaged not long after.

“And how did that go?”

Now was Frankie’s turn to shrug taking the offered beer from your hand to get a pull. “Fine. Said hello, made sure she had everything, then left a few minutes later. Short and sweet.”

Although they’ve had this arrangement since baby Isaiah was just a couple months old, it always hurt Frankie having to let his son go. The apartment was uncomfortably quieter without the little babbles and gurgles, and no longer felt like home. Given he’d see him again next week, but he’d began to worry if his ex would move away now she was engaged. Wanting to start fresh with the ‘man of her dreams’ and start their own family.

And if that happened, who knows when he’d see his son again.

The thought’s kept him up plenty of nights unknown to you, but his solemn mood is easily read looking into his brown eyes. Your palm caresses his cheek bringing his attention back to you on his lap. Thumb softly tracing over the worry line between his brows before leaning in to tap your nose against his. “Hey, it’s gonna be okay.”

Your boyfriend just nods flashing a glimpse of a soft smile. A quiet, “I know,” falling from his lips after pecking your full, bottom one.

“If it’d make you feel better, I’ll give you one.”

Any time you said that in the past, he’d just chuckle and shake his head. Maybe even click his tongue before he’d reply with, “let’s focus on this one for now.” It’s not that you were trying to give him a replacement kid, you just hated to see him sad. And similar to how Frankie was willing to do anything for you, you were easily as smitten for the former military pilot.

His larger hands - slightly rough from years of work - grip your hips gently moving you so your thighs now straddle his hips. A glint in his darkening eyes that surprises you, but also has a familiar sensation building between your legs. “You mean it?”

The husky way he whispers near your mouth has an embarrassing moan slipping past your lips that even catches you off guard. A wet patch growing in your panties already as you nod nearly dumb just from his voice alone.

His lips crash into yours rhythmically moving together as if one was complimenting the other. Your fingers tangle in his silky strands while his tongue glides over yours and hands knead at your lower cheeks. You can’t help but grind and shift trying to find some sort of friction as your core throbs incessantly.

“Frankie please,” you pant. His mouth descends to your heated neck nipping at your skin while his hand moves to toy with your achy nipple through your top.

“Have to tell me what you want baby.” He sounds nearly gone himself - hardness poking you through his jeans - but he chooses to tease instead. Any other time you might play back with a smart reply, maybe a little edging, but tonight your need is too strong and mind too hazy with lust and the man beneath you for games.

“N-Need you in me..now Frankie.”

A deep groan vibrates in his chest when you bump against the now prominent bulge becoming painful from the quick rush of blood. “Can’t say no to that now can I?”

In a flurry of movements, Frankie’s removing your scrubs and underwear between deep, hurried kisses, and soon you’re bare; quickly unlatching his buckle to remove his stiff and reddened member leaking and more than ready for you. The mess between your thighs makes it easy to slide down, taking him inch by inch until you’re both connected and moaning from the tightness.

“Fuck don’t think I’ll last,” Frankie grits shifting to taste one breast while his hand plucks and squeezes the other making you whimper. “Feels so good baby.”

Adjusted enough, your hips begin to move and bounce filling the living room with slaps of skin and moans. You try to contain yourself - worried about being that couple - but when Frankie plants his feet on the plush carpet below bucking up into you so hard you have to grab the armrest while your other hand grabs his broad shoulder, you can’t control what leaves your mouth.

“Wanna give me a baby huh? Want me to fill you up?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Want everybody to know you’re mine?” His grip on you is sure to leave bruises in the morning. “That I’m the only one that makes you feel this good?”

“Yes!” The faster you both move, you can see and feel stars. Feel hundreds, maybe thousands, of them tickle and prick your skin that have you believing you have to be experiencing something other worldly. Your spirit ascending to some sort of nirvana that you’d never want to come down from.

“Shit - might have to just keep you on my cock. You like that idea?,” he grins biting at your earlobe.

You frantically nod. “D-Don’t stop, please baby! Mm there..Frankie..Frankie!”

Gripping the back of your neck bringing you as close as he can, Frankie buries his face in your neck letting your noises and babbling spur him on. You’re both painfully close - panting and sticky with sweat - just needing that extra push only you could give each other.

“Shit, feel you squeezin’ me. Cmon let go I got you.” Shifting to the edge of the couch, he angles just right where your swollen nub gets the nudge and pressure that has your back arching and toes curling. You feel teeth and curses growled against your neck along with the spurts of his release inside you as his pumps become staggered and slower.

All that can be heard now is you both catching your breaths and holding onto each other as if afraid to somehow float away from the post orgasmic high.

“You okay? Still with me?,” Frankie asks tracing his thick fingers up and down your spine. You merely hum in response making the man you love chuckle. His pride loved how sleepy and clingy you got in the midst of your afterglow.

“Alright let’s get you cleaned up.”

His strong arms easily keep you attached to his sturdy chest as he stands ready to take you to the bathroom. Your nose automatically nuzzling and running along the side of his neck loving the smell of his cologne mixed with his sweat. “Wait!”

He halts just before stepping into the hall. “What’s wrong?”

“The food,” you sleepily reply making him grin kissing your shoulder.

“I’ll take care of it.”

“M���kay,” you yawn comfortably closing your eyes as you’re gently rocked from him beginning to move again. “Have a baby.”

He knew it wouldn’t happen that quickly, especially with you still actively on birth control, but the thought of you carrying his child had a warmth spreading along his bones. He could vividly see you with a hand on your extended belly smiling and glowing like the sweetest angel. Isaiah would nearly be two, but walking around keeping a close eye on his sibling.

Did it also make Frankie nervous? Of course, but he couldn’t lie that his excitement of seeing a bright eyed bundle that looked exactly like you outweighed the fear.

“Yea, we’re having a baby.”

-

Loosely inspired by the rough day I had at work some time ago🥲 lol. But again I hope you guys enjoy and please let me know if I missed any warnings!

[jjks1ut]

Crawling Back To You

pairing: toji x reader

summary:after a major argument having you and Toji breakup here you are to get your things from your apartment but he's ready to convince you to stay, you always come crawling back to him anyways.

cw:explicit content edging, cheating, arguing, manipulation, foul language, degrading, pet names, unprotected sex, tit-sucking, fingering, overstimulation, some praise, p in v, heated making out, slight breeding kink

a/n:hi and happy holidays to all my followers, im so sorry for my lack of content for the longest as for a good while I've lost motivation in writing and been so caught up in life. I hope u can come back and enjoy my writing again even if its a bit rusty :)

“You already found another boyfriend?” Toji asks, there’s almost a sneer on his face. “You can’t even handle being single for a month.”

He doesn’t even mean what he’s saying, but he hates seeing you move on. Toji’s self-aware enough to know he’s in the wrong. He wasn’t a good boyfriend. That doesn’t mean you’re allowed to move on, though. Isn’t it obvious he still wants you? Why do you need some other guy? Just come crawling back to him like you always do.

“I’m sorry Toji”, were your only words as you began to pack a suitcase to take all the things you had left in his place.

Deep down inside you really didn't want to leave him but after the last argument you two shared. It had been over something so small, but Tojil continued to reject that he was at fault and it drove you crazy and up the walls of your apartment as you yelled at each other all that night, and when Tojil left to go ‘blow off some steam’ you knew this was the last straw.

So after your breakup you found yourself going to parties, bars, and all kinds of social places while you stayed at your friends place hoping to blow off some steam of your own now without Toji in the picture. So when you found yourself hooking up with a guy or two one of them had finally asked to take things further and make you his lover.

Since then you went straight to dating that new someone to get Toji off your mind and push away your deep down longing. When Toji heard your sudden acceptance and eagerness to leave and move on to someone new it cut him deep.

He doesn’t want you to go. He knows he doesn’t deserve to have you in his life. Not after the way he treated you. But just the idea of you leaving? For another guy? No. He can’t let you go. Not this easily. He can’t let you move on from him. He’s not going down without a fight.

“Wait, please don’t leave babe”,he spoke practically begging you to just hear him out and stay as he went to grab for your wrist. Toji looks up at you, the expression on his face shifting as his expression becomes more sincere. He holds your gaze, making his voice soft.

“Please baby, I know I’ve done a horrible job as your boyfriend these past few years. I took you for granted. I didn’t appreciate you the way I should have. And I regret all of that more than you know”.

He continued as he came closer to you, taking your hands in his own as he began to trail light kisses along them trailing them down until they reached your upper arm bringing out a small moan at your lips bringing a smirk from Toji’s smug grin.

Yet even with the way Toji was making you feel, you felt guilty. Your mind was telling you no, to not put yourself in the same situation you had been in with Toji for so long but your body told you something different as you felt the throbbing of your core as Toji’s ever so hulking form was towering over you. But, to your body’s dismay you followed your mind.

“After everything we’ve been through Toji, I just can’t”, you sighed, pulling your hands away as you went back to packing your things.

As you continue to maneuver around the house getting more of your things each time Toji tries to slow you down or stop you spewing apologies. Even trying to convince you to stay a little longer. Probably just even hear him out but you refuse each time.

Toji’s eyes widened at your refusals, not wanting to let you go so easily. He steps in front of you. "Please. Don't. This time it'll be different. I can fix things, I know I can." He steps closer to her.

"I need you. You can't leave me alone to pick up the pieces." That last sentence comes out just as he intended. He needs you. He needs you to be with him. He can't do this alone.

It’s those first three words that make a small ache form in your heart. Somewhere deep down inside you knew he was lying about trying to fix himself. But, the way he spoke those three words ‘I need you’ made you want to come crawling back but you continued to refuse those feelings.

“It’s no Toji”, you protested as you finished with your bag beginning to make your way to the door with your luggage in hand rolling right beside you. But, what was to happen next you didn’t expect.

As you made your way to the door, Toji wasn’t taking your shit anymore and went to the last thought and resort he had. “Does he make you happy? Does he please you the way I do?”He spoke, leaving you to completely stop in your tracks. It’s a question you never wanted to have to answer when it was coming from Toji.

You had to admit the new guy you were dating was a nice man, a great man even but you knew he could never compare to Toji. From the way his hands would roam over the expanse of your body even outside the bedroom just hoping to get you flustered.

From the way you didn’t even have to ask him and he knew you wanted him. Even needed him to fill the intoxicating throb you felt at your core whenever you two were apart. So that’s exactly why you ran straight to another even after only a month apart hoping to fill that void but to your disappointment it never was.

“What did you say?”,you asked, turning to look at him with a slight eye roll.

“You heard me”, he spoke sternly as he stepped towards you with a slow but almost intimidating pace as he carefully took each step approaching you.

When he finally reached you he slammed the slightly open front door behind you shut, having you jump slightly now backed into the door with his hulking form. At this point you could feel the atmosphere thicken and your skin seem to warm at the sudden closeness Miguel was now bringing at his proximity.

“Toji-“,you try to speak but are soon cut off by his hand covering your mouth, feeling the warmth of skin rise even more. “You didn’t answer my question, y/n”. Toji replied with a smirk forming on his smug face as his other hand brushed some of your hair from your face.

“Now tell me, does he please you the way I do? Make you weak in the knees just at his touch?”, he continues his hands now leave their place on you as he steps back giving you any chance at this point now to leave, to walk right out his home and leave him feeling defeated knowing you’re now not his anymore. But your next words surprise him…

“No he doesn’t, and he never will”,you reply stepping an inch closer as you take his hand into your own.

This now brings a smile on Toji’s face as he steps back towards you placing a hand on the side of your face caressing it with his thumb as he presses a soft kiss against your lips. “That’s a good girl”,he whispers as his kisses begin to trail down your neck leaving you to melt into his arms before carrying you back to his(your shared) bedroom.

Once finally in the room Toji tosses you effortlessly onto the cool mattress where you two spent many heated nights together. That has always been the effect of your disputes. Where he would show how sorry he was through the way he laid you out and used you like his own personal slut.

“Be a good girl for me and strip out those clothes of yours”,he demanded without a second thought. You pulled the sweatshirt of yours over your head and slipped off your pants revealing a lacy bra and panties you had under. “I can’t believe the sight I’m seeing right now”, Toji laughed with an amused look written all over your face.

Just a moment ago you had been eager to leave him but here you were undressed in some sexy underwear as if you came here just to do this with him.

“Now tell me, was this little set for me, or that dumb fuck you’re dating instead of me?”. Toji spoke as he came close to your quivering form to lightly hook his finger at the band of your panties and let go just as fast to hear the quick snap of the material against your skin eliciting a soft mewl from your lips.

In any other circumstance these would be bold words and a straight insult coming from anyone else but from him it just made you need him even more as your thighs clamped together on instinct to hold in the way your core began to leak with arousal.

“Come on, talk to me, pretty girl”, he said, holding your face in his hand to make sure you were looking right at him as his brown eyes bore holes into your skull.

“They just looked nice is all Toji'',you replied, placing your hand on top of his. With your words he smiled, pressing a small kiss on your cheek before he completely pulled off the lingerie, tearing off the bra and doing the same with your panties.

“Toji! That was expensive!”you shouted in protest, now completely bare for his eyes to see as you tried to cover yourself with your hands as heat began to rise on your face, contrasting unfortunately with the cool bed sheets.

“Shut up and just let me pound you into this mattress like the dirty little whore you are sweetheart. Besides we can just buy you a new one once we’re back together just as pretty”,he spoke in an almost cruel tone but his words were filled with sincerity almost hinting at the fact you’ll be coming back to him even with your new boyfriend.

Now with you completely bare in front of Toji everything was open and ready for him to access. So to start the night off he continued to kiss you like he did earlier now trailing his kisses from your neck down to your collarbone until it reached your soft mounds as he took one in his mouth flicking his tongue against the erect nipple and doing the same on the other side but with his finger.

“Toji~”, you moaned in ecstasy at the way his tongue ran circles along the tips, having your whole body quiver beneath his touch already clawing at his back for leverage.

“Fuck I missed this feeling baby, the way you feel under my touch. Tell me, does that new boyfriend of yours make you feel like this?”he whispered as he ran a finger along your silk folds in sensual and long strokes as he watched the way you gasped and trembled at the feeling.

“Tojil..I-”, you began to speak but all that came out was a whimper of yours as you felt him push in another finger into your seeping wet heat. “Speak up, pretty thing, I want to hear what you have to say about the bastard. The one that I know could never make you feel the way I do”. He continued as one finger ran circles around your clit as two others of his thrusted inside your puffy folds.

With one swift motion he began to pump his fingers inside separating your folds apart with two fingers of his. Just one of his fingers felt like two, almost three of your own.

“Just shut up already, Toji.” You whined as his pace increased his hands working in tandem with the way your hips thrusted against his fingers hoping to get the best out of the feeling his fingers had you under.

With each thrust all you could think of was Toji and how well he did you, even if it was just his bare hands he knew each and every spot that would have you squirm.

So as his fingers continued their tantalizing pace inside you, it was only a few seconds until your orgasm washed over you causing your back to arch and mouth to fall open in a silent scream, and no matter if you wanted to deny it or not all that could be heard was you screaming Toji’s name as you left your high.

“I knew you missed me”, he smirked as he could already feel the ache from the forming dent in his pants. “You think your ready for what you’ve been missing out on the most'' he smirks as you can already hear the unzipping of his jeans and as he lifts up his shirt showing off his toned pecs he had always been running to the gym to make even bigger and bulky.

But what really had your eyes widening and mouth watering was the dent in his boxers from his member hidden within his drawers. “You think you can take all of me? Or you've gotten used to that other guy’s micro shit”, Toji teased as he slipped off his boxers, slapping his member against your walls as he let it slide up and down your soaked lips watching the way your pussy seemed to puff up at his member against it.

“Look at you, I haven’t even put it in yet and you're soaking wet practically begging me to put it in”, he continued to tease as he took your lips into his own as he muffled your whiny moans with his tongue sucking in your rambling words of release and for him to already use you already which he obliged happily. “You asked for it pretty thing”

Your breath caught, the unexpected contact of his member sending a shiver down your spine. You met his eyes, finding a silver of vulnerability in his usually cheeky behavior as he let out a breathy groan upon entering your soaking cunt. For a moment, the air crackled with an unspoken tension as he let himself take the final push inside you.

“You good sweetheart? You think you can keep going?”, he spoke softly the first time he generally spoke words of comfort without any backhand talk as he caressed his hand along the side of your cheek his thumb running small circles there.

But, once you nodded in consent his fat dribbling tip finally seeped inside your slick walls. Almost instantly your thighs spread unconsciously for his long legs to take place in between them, an arm snaking from below your side to hold onto your hips as he kept a steady pace slipping in out of your hole that was clenching at the large size stretching your walls.

You feel like a fucking toy under him, just taking all of him at once as he pleased but you wouldn’t deny in the slightest you took in every last bit of his cock as you could hear every noise that was coming from the two of you. From your breathy moans of desperation begging for more of him, to his grunts and groans as you dragged your fingernails along his back gasping from each time his cock would hit that sweet spot inside of you.

The feeling of his length’s veins coming in and out of your chasm is so euphoric, and the kisses to your cervix left your body to writhe and squirm. Yet your haze gets more potent once he picks up the pace, rutting into you with increased speed. Your slit, still sensitive from earlier, gets overstimulated with the constant grazes on your gummy walls and jabs to your tender cervix.

And no matter how badly you want to last longer for him and not come so early you can already feel your brain turning into mush from the relentless ruts against your puffy wet lips.

“Toji~, Please I’m gonna come~” , are your last words as you feel your eyes roll into the back of your lids as tears streamed down your cheeks and drool falling past your lips running down your chest but Toji continued his onslaught even with his precise hits to your canal of nerves.

“You just feel so good princess, let me come inside you first.”, he whispered as his finger slipped between your thighs playing with your clit as he watched the way another wash of release was already on your face. “You gonna let me come in this pretty cunt of yours? Let me be yours instead of that stupid bastard?” Toji mumbled into your ear as he grabbed you by the chin forcing you to stare into those green eyes.

The mere thought of having a child is the last thing that should be on your mind. But in a time like this, who in their right mind would be thinking straight? So without a second thought you obliged as you were practically rutting against his thrusts as you watched the way his cock would make its way in pushing the mix of slick and previous orgasms back inside you.

With one final shared moan between you both you felt his hot seed slip inside your walls filling you to the brim. “Fuck I can’t wait to see you with my baby”, Toji sighed with one final breath before falling against the now warm sheets as he pulled you in close.

Later that night, you would wake up to go use the bathroom with Toji dead asleep knocked out with the occasional snoring from the bigger man. But, even with this clear chance to sneak out and leave you had no intention to. Just like he said you would, you came crawling back to him like you always do.

As you pulled out your phone while on the toilet you were met with over 20+ messages from the guy you had been talking to in your time apart from Toji and when you opened the messages you were met with an interesting sight.

There you were sprawled out on the sheets you had just been on with Toji as a video played of your moaning and drooling face crying Toji’s name as he practically made you his bitch on screen ;).

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - it was a pretty darn good time, frankly

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

Feb 2024 Wk 4

Ongoing Series - Thai

The Sign (Sat YT) ep 12fin - Everyone looked like they were having a lot of fun in the fight sequences. I’m very happy for them. I’m not surprised they shot Khem and Chart. A little shocked it wasn’t also Yai, TBH.

I found this final episode rushed. According to rumors, The Sign was originally slated to be 14 eps, and it probably should’ve been. And I don’t say that often about Thai BL. But we all knew it was getting too bloated for its britches, so I'm not surprised they fumbled the ending. For me personally, it just wasn't that bad. It was fine and I was fine with it.

Tho, Billy does not look good with facial fur, messes up those gorgeous angles.

I was ultimately amused that the solution to the mythology thread was simply to talk to the river god and persuaded him to give up... off screen. It felt very old school wuxia. Or like Aeschylus or something. I did adore the stinger, Saint was basically like “I want wings too”. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

This show is literally everything (except straight) all at once. It's BL, queer, band of brothers, romcom, erotica, PNR, fated mates, police procedural, fantasy, mystery, suspense, and slasher. It’s the king of genre mash-up chaos. Sure, it's madness but there is genius in it. Was it a crazy unhinged mess +1 roll for damage? Yes. Yes it was. Did it manage to hold all those tangled threads together? No it did not. Was it also a charming, sexy, engaging, non-stop piece of entertainment? Sure thing. I think this show is basically my KinnPorsche, and frankly I’ve been chasing that dragon naga since KP aired. Is it perfect? No. But it was balls to the wall FUN and that gets a 9/10 from me.

I'm thinking of doing a full recap review (partly because I have so many great screen shots.)

Cherry Magic (Sat YouTube grey) ep 10-11 of 12 - Since this series is following the yaoi so closely, I knew these were the separation eps. (Also I knew with would be a soft non-doom ep 11, Japan rarerly does these.) I like that they used it to show improve communication and development in all relationships, but, frankly, TayNew are just best when they are TayNew together on screen. So yeah. Let’s keep them back together, please?

Meanwhile, TayNew gifted us a gorgeous loving sweet sex scene. Thanks OG for doing us a solid. 

I wanna add, it sure is fun to see New play as soft and vulnerable character, I feel like he hasn’t done that since SOTUS. 

(Read all about distribution issues here.)

Cooking Crush (Sun YT) ep 12fin - 1/3 of this is a sweet romance about a student doctor falling in love with a student chef, and the rest of it is utter dross. Look the OffGun bits were GREAT.. In fact, I think they’re better AS A PAIR in this show than in any of their other BLS. And I'm a hard sell on any OffGun being better than PickRome. Saying that, how can I review a show where I could only tolerate 1/3 of it? Because I didn’t like any other aspect of this show, no other pairs and no other plots. That gives me: 9/10 for the OffGun bits, 5/10 for everything else. Frankly it probably should be an 8 but I gotta go with my gut and it's upset about this so 7/10. Sorry boys. It’s GMMTV’s fault. Your heart was in this show, mine wasn’t. 

City of Stars (Fri iQIYI) ep 4 of 12 - These two are so good at making heart eyes at each other. It’s ridiculous. They don’t need any cartoon images or noises. Moot crush but "I wanna flirt and court more" is so flipping awesome. I love this for them… and us. 

1000 Years Old ep 2 of 12 - It’s very silly and we have been gifted with the dorkiest vampire ever. But... the smell thing makes me so happy. And I like that the vamp uses chan/nai or tan = v old fashioned. Nahlak. I love our ghost girl. Did you notice she wasn’t in the room with them but they left an empty chair for her? Also nahlak.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Perfect Propose (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 5 of 6 - Kai was pretty much just “you're a workaholic but I basically married you whether you like it or not.” SMOOCH. What can I say? I'm a sucker for this dynamic.

AntiReset (Taiwan Fri Viki/Gaga) ep 5 of 10 - How is this show so cute? How do they both love and hurt each other so much. They are both just scared of loosing each other. Gah.

Unknown (Taiwan Sat Youku YouTube) 1 of 12 eps - Youku dropped the first ep to their YouTube channel but I doubt we can expect that to continue. Still, it was nice to be able to watch it in a convenient way. I enjoyed it. But I am cautious about it. Of course this is possibly two of my favorite tropes of all time (stepbrothers or a variation + hyung romance). So I’m looking forward to the romantic thread, but from the gritty style, it feels a lot more like a Taiwanese short. Which means it could go very dark and may not end happy. 

Although I Love You and You AKA Sukiyanen Kedo Do Yaro ka (Japan Thurs Gaga) ep 7 of 10 - I just don’t know if the main couple should be a couple. But when they finally get around to talking to each other, they sure are lovely. Also how great is it to see a uke initiate a kiss? Even if it’s not a very good kiss. 

My Strawberry Film (Japan Thurs Gaga) ep 2 of 8 - I am still not sure about this one. I am not contesting its quality, just saying it’s not for me. Also I’m not wild about what amounts to basically a redo of everything that already happened in the first episode from a different perspective. I know it’s a tall order with Japan, but I would like (when it’s a short series) for each new installment to actually move the plot (such as it is) along in someway. Am I asking too much?

It's done but I have no time

What Did You Eat Yesterday Season 2 AKA Kinou Nani Tabeta? Season 2 (Japan Gaga) 10 eps - will binge when I have any spare time. 2024 is crazy busy for me so far.

The Servant and the Young Master - from Vietnam, it's on YouTube. I will give it a try when I have a window of time.

Began Beginning (Myanmar YouTube) - A Burmese BL? @heretherebedork vouched for it, so I will give it a watch.

It's airing but...

Dead Friend Forever (Thai iQIYI) - rumors are it's interesting but full of unlikable characters. I'm waiting to know how it ends.

Ossans Love Season 2 (Japan Gaga) - 5 years later, will anything have changed? This is Japan so… probubly not. I won't be watching this. I disliked Season one and actively hated the follow ups. No thank you.

Playboyy (Thurs Gaga) 14 eps - Dear Playboyy, it's not you, it’s me… I hate you. You’re about as deep (and as palatable) as a shot glass of cum. While I'm sure you’re someone’s kink, you're my weakest link. Goodbye. I DNFed this at ep 5. Frankly I'm impressed with myself for getting that far. Ends next week TF.

Time the series (Tue Gaga/YT) 10 eps - dropped it at ep 4.

A Secretly Love (Thai WeTV) - I tried but I can't get into my WeTV account anymore and I'm way too lazy to figure it out. Should I bother to go grey for it?

To Be Continued (Thai C3 Thailand YT) - High school sweethearts who had a bad break up reunite when both of them have full time jobs but coming out is still a problem. You can watch this on YT but it has no Eng Subs.

Next Week Looks Like This:

We're light on content right now, but frankly I'm so busy with work I don't really mind.

3/6 Born to be Y (Thai ????) 10 eps - 14 contestants who audition to compete in Born To Be Y, a program that searches for the best couple of the year to work together on a giant project. Described as semi-reality series. So I probably won't bother.

3/7 Deep Night (Thai iQiyi) 10 eps - Multiple romances set in a host clubs. Nice to see First back on my screen but this is not my favorite setting.

Upcoming BLs for 2024 are listed here. This list is not kept updated, so please leave a comment if you know something new or RP with additions.

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

The eyes have it.

Your random BL moment brought to you by my ult-bias being a hyung smartass to his maknae.

(Last week)

[bisexualiteaa]

Caught

Viktor Vektor x Fem!V Reader (SMUT MDNI!!)

CW: established relationship, pre-Konpeki Plaza incident, slight deviation from plot, slight deviation from story, slight deviation from game, mentions of injuries, mentions of surgeries, cursing, dirty jokes, accidental Voyeurism, masterbation, getting caught, p in v, unprotected sex, oral (m and f receiving) fingering, cream pie, possible spelling/grammar errors.

AN: Hi guys! Been a minute but I’ve been suuuper hooked on Cyberpunk and lately the hyper-fixation has resurfaced. There is a criminal lack of smut for our favorite Ripper-Doc daddy Viktor here and I wanted to help change that! Please be forgiving, I wrote this rather late at night and on a manic whim, but otherwise I hope y’all enjoy! ♥️

It had been a few days since the last time you got a chance to see and spend time with your favorite ripper doc, and more recently your boyfriend Viktor. You were on a rather stressful, yet important mission with Jackie that you had just returned from. You were happy to finally be done with it so you could relax some and recoup from your injuries obtained from it. It was nothing major of course, some bruises, sore muscles and a couple of nasty looking gashes but nothing terribly urgent. However, you knew Viktor knew best about these sort of things and would help you out, plus you knew it was an excuse to stop by his clinic. Not that you really needed one, you were his partner after all, but you took the opportunity anyway to pay him a surprise visit. “Don’t know about you chica, but I’m starving, thinking of going and grabbing a bite to eat. Wanna come with?” Jackie offered kindly, as he always did. Something you normally took him up on after missions as big as these were to celebrate coming back from, but since you’d gotten with Vik, you spend a lot less time at the bar drowning your stress with tequila shots and spending it with your loving ripper. The days of pondering if anyone would miss you if you didn’t come back from missions, or pondering if you would ever find someone to come home to after them that would be glad to see you back alive were over. You didn’t feel a need to get as wasted as you used to before, not with Vik around. You had proof that someone in Night City cared if you came home, cared if you made it back alive. That was more than you could ever want. “Thanks Jackie, but I think I’m gonna pay Vik a visit. Haven’t seen him since before we left, might see if he wants to grab lunch together and have him check out the damage” you replied, watching as a knowing grin reached your best friend’s face. “No hard feelings chica, I get it. I’m sure he wants to know his el cariño is safe and made it back in one piece. I’ll probably drop by afterwards to see Misty, bring her something to eat from her favorite place as a surprise. Have fun playing doctor” he said with a grin and wiggle of his eyebrows, making you laugh and roll your eyes at his silly comment. “Yeah, yeah. See ya later Jack” you replied, making him laugh before waving goodbye as he started to walk towards his and Misty’s favorite place to eat and from there that’s where you two parted ways.

As you made your way to the ever familiar back alley clinic, whose path you’ve likely taken over a million times in the years you’d known him, you couldn’t help the excitement that began to flutter in your stomach with seeing him. Sure you’d been on missions before where you couldn’t come and see him after, but for the most part, you spent all your free time together. Whether it was enjoying some drinks together while watching old boxing matches, or having nice date nights, there was a reason why some of your things were left at his apartment and why some of his things were left in yours. Spending the night over was a common occurrence between the two of your apartments. You smiled warmly as you greeted Misty, giving her a hug, assuring her that both you and Jackie were safe and well, then letting her know Jackie would be by later for her before descending to Viktor’s clinic. You entered as quietly as you could in order to surprise him, but also not to distract him incase he was in the middle of a procedure or with a patient. The clean smell of sanitary products and rubbing alcohol, mixed with his cologne, filled your nose with a sense of familiarity that had you relaxed already. You were glad to be back. You found him to thankfully not have any clients at the moment, and instead found him lounging in his chair watching something rather intently on one of his monitors. You figured it was likely one of his old boxing matches, he always liked to watch them in his free time when he didn’t have any clients or after the shop was closed up for the day. He would sit, picking apart his techniques and sort of reliving his younger days through them all, sometimes even using them to give you tips on how to better your close combat skills. You couldn’t quite see what it was that he was watching, but judging by the occasional sounds of what sounded like skin being slapped or hit, you figured it to be the case.

That was, until you saw his head tip back. His eyes fluttering shut and a deep, almost gravely, groan escaping his throat that left you blushing. It was soft, quiet enough to just barely be heard but you would never mistake that low timber for anything, not when you heard it just about every night you shared a bed with the man. “V…” he quietly moaned, further proving your growing suspicion that you had accidentally walked in on him working off some stress. You’d never walked in on him taking care of himself before, you didn’t really know what to do in this instance. You wanted to look away and turn around to allot him his much deserved privacy, but you couldn’t seem to tear your eyes away from the sight of him like this. The pornographic sounds of his whines and moans, the slick sound of his pre cum as lube that clearly was being lathered up and down his dick as he pumped it in his hand. You wondered if maybe you were dreaming, that this was all some heated dream you’d wake up from but no. This was real.

You were surprised at the fact that he still hadn’t noticed your presence, usually he was so vigilant when it came to people coming into his clinic, or at the very least he would spot you through the reflection off of his monitors. Yet it was as if you weren’t even there. Even as you stood just feet away from him, completely enamored and absorbed into watching how his tattooed arm would flex, showing off the veins and muscles underneath all the ink as his large hand would glide up and down his shaft. A blush rose to your cheeks as you watched him please himself, unable to help the heat that coursed through you at the sinful sight you had walked in to see. Paired with the utterance of your name from his lips, you could feel the fire beginning to stoke in your core with growing need, morphing from a small ember into a raging flame rather quickly. You let your curiosity get the better of you, doing your best to peek your head at what he was watching, and trying to do so without disturbing him or being caught. Seeing as you now knew what he was up to, you were curious as to what it was that grabbed the man’s attention, what fantasies plagued his mind that you could keep in the back of yours to use sometime. You wondered if he would be the type to be embarrassed by his browser history, or if he was rather vanilla. However, to your surprise, instead of seeing him browsing through any porn sights Viktor was watching a sex tape you both had made a few weeks back. One where you were riding him, donned in a nice lingerie set that he had surprised you with as a gift after seeing you admiring it at one of the stores he accompanied you to. You remember coming home from that date night, having finished a rather fancy dinner at one of your favorite restaurants, followed by a trip to the mall where you had no idea he bought that set for you when you weren’t looking.

You couldn’t tear your eyes away from the decadent display of Viktor, the calm, collected and never untidy ripper doc, with his pants dropped just enough to allow him to hold his dick in his hand, jerking off in his chair to a video of you riding him in a cute teddy bodysuit with the bottoms of it pulled to the side. You grinned to yourself, almost with pride, as that heat filled your core upon your discovery. You left him like this. You did this to him. You unraveled the man that was always so put together, and something about knowing that sent pleasant shivers through you. You couldn’t help the way your body grew almost unnaturally hot, the way your need for touch had grown nearly unbearable as you watched him get off. Your need to be with him, to feel him had grown so much more apparent. It had only been a few days but to you, it might as well been weeks, months even with the way your body craved him like an addiction. But he was the finest addiction in your eyes, and perhaps now you weren’t the only one in need of a fix.

“Hey Vik” you finally spoke, casually enough to not let on that you’d been watching him for a while now, but it was still enough to make him jump and do his best to tuck himself back into his pants as fast as he could without raising any suspicion. “V! Shit, you startled me kid” he said, making you chuckle as he powered off the monitor he was watching the video on. “Glad to see you made it back in one piece, started to worry when I didn’t get a call or text from you” He added, making you smile softly at his concern for you and your safety. It always made you feel loved, cared for in a way that only Viktor could make you feel. “Sorry. I meant to text you but, thought dropping by for a surprise would make your day a little brighter” you said, a blush rising to your cheeks as you looked at him, trying your absolute hardest to look him in the eyes and speak to him like you didn’t just see him fucking his hand and wishing it were you. His face was flushed a slight tinge of red, his breathing still not fully under control yet and you could see the outline of him through his pants. Was there anything this man could do and not look so damn good while doing it? “I clearly do more for you than just startle you by the looks of it. Was coming by to surprise you and see if you wanted to grab lunch but I think I walked in on a more…intimate matter. Been a stressful day, or did you just miss me?” You asked with a playful grin and watched as his face turned even more red upon the realization that you had caught him in the act. He chuckled a little at your question, hoping it would ease his nerves some from being caught. You’re his girlfriend after all, he knew he didn’t need to be ashamed of you catching him, you’d been together long enough and known one another long enough for that to never be an issue. Yet being walked in on like he was a horny teenager incapable of resisting the hormonal influxes, left him more than just a little embarrassed. “Ahh, seems I didn’t hide the evidence quick enough. Forgive me, it’s been a rough few days and I so happened to stumble across the video we made. Had me thinkin’ about you” he admitted as you came closer to him, looking him up and down and enjoying the slightly disheveled and rather flustered sight of him that you were graced with. “You don’t have to explain yourself or apologize to me babe, I get it. It’s been a rough few days for me too, nothing to be ashamed of. It’s nice to know I’ve been on your mind like you’ve been on mine” you said sweetly, your hands massaging his shoulders to help relieve the tension from them, and judging by the groan that left him, you’d say it was appreciated. “You’re always on my mind, kid” he said, making you giggle as your hand traveled down his arm comfortingly before you leaned down to kiss him softly and slowly. “Purely or impurely?” You asked between kisses with a cheeky grin, making him laugh. “I think we both know the answer to that, V. I might be getting old, but I’m still a man” he said, making you giggle. “I’m flattered, truly” you replied with a smirk that never seemed to leave your lips. “Do I even dare ask the same question in return?” He asked with a playful grin of his own, making you hum in response. “You’re always on my mind, Vik. Purely and impurely” you admitted before kissing him once more, allowing you both a peaceful moment to enjoy being back in one another’s presence again. Getting lost in the feeling of his lips against yours, the taste of him dancing on your tongue. “Although I have to say, it’s pretty hot seeing you all disheveled and desperate in your normally clean and orderly clinic. Was quite the sight to walk in to” you said, making him chuckle as he pinched your hip playfully in retaliation, making you yelp in surprise and him smirk as he pullled you into another kiss, wanting to feel you against him again, be close to you after not seeing you for the past few days.

You hummed pleasantly into it, wanting nothing more than to melt into him as your legs straddled his lap. “Need some help? I happen to be pretty good at helping you work off stress” you offered between kisses, making him chuckle as his hands found their way to your hips again, soon resting there. A deep, gravely groan left his throat into it at your kind offer and the way you rolled your hips against his. “Fuck, I missed you kid” he said, making you giggle softly into it. “I missed you too, Vik” you replied softly, pulling away to look into his eyes beneath his dark shades, your hand resting on his stubbled cheek. God it felt good to be back. “What do you say I help you take care of that tension and we go grab lunch afterwards, hmm? My treat” you asked, making him chuckle as your fingers drew absent minded shapes along his chest and collarbone. “Sounds like an offer I can’t refuse” he said, making you giggle as you got up from his lap only for a moment, swaying your hips as you sauntered towards the entrance to his clinic, locking and closing off the gate so that no one would try to stop by and interrupt your much needed alone time. “Good! We can even record it if you’d like. Happy to make another tape with you seeing you liked the last one so much” you suggested with a wink, making him chuckle. How could he say no?

You smiled happily as you straddled him on his chair once more, his large hands resting on your ass beneath your short skirt, groping it on occasion as he kissed you deeply. You both moaned into it as you rolled your hips against his, feeling his clothed dick throbbing and rubbing against your aching clit. As you moaned into your shared kiss, his tongue began to explore yours, tangling in a fight for dominance that neither of you truly cared to win. You just needed one another. You could taste the coffee he’d been drinking, mixed with the addicting taste that is him. Your hands were at the back of his head, fingers carding through and tangling in his dark hair in a desperate attempt to keep him as close to you as you possibly could. You wanted so badly to take things slow, to savor the feel of him against your skin but you both were so desperately in need that you knew it was going to be impossible to take things slow at this rate. You both felt like two feral animals in heat, you could hardly keep yourselves off of each other.

When you both broke for air was when you started removing each other’s clothes. First was his scrubs shirt and under shirt, followed by your shirt and bra, then next was his pants and boxers. You truly could never get over the sight of him naked. From every part of his toned and muscular body, to the dark, but well groomed, happy trail leading to his dick, you swore there was no better sight in this world than the man that sat before you. You sunk down to your knees in front of him, practically drooling over the sight of his cock that throbbed with need just inches from your face. You laid teasing butterfly kisses to his inner thighs, your hands squeezing and kneading them as you worked your way towards where he needed you most. “Missed you so much, Vik” you said, your eyes fluttering up to look at him through your lashes from where you were kneeling. Had he no restraint, he would have likely cum right then and there from the sight alone. You had a wonderful way of making him feel young again. “Missed cuddling you” you started as you laid another kiss to his inner thigh. “Missed getting absolutely ravaged by you” you added, placing another sweet kiss, this time to the underside of his shaft, making him groan as his dick twitched against your soft lips. “Missed waking up to you” you continued as your lips finished their ascent to his tip. “Missed this…missed you so much, daddy” you said sweetly, your tone dripping with sweet saccharine as you threw out one of his favorite things to be called by you, and that was what really got to him. His hand came to your head, fingers carding through your hair to keep it out of your face as you dragged your tongue up his length before swirling it around his sensitive cock head. He groaned as you did so, making you giggle as you looked up at him while you did it. “Yeah? Daddy missed you too, baby. Missed that sweet mouth and this gorgeous body so fuckin’ much” he admitted, making you hum as you wrapped your lips around just his tip, giving a few sucks while looking up at him before popping him back out of your mouth. “Gonna show you how much I missed you” you said, your hand cupping his balls before wrapping your lips back around him and taking as much of him as you could. He groaned as you did, spreading his legs more to allow you better access before tipping his head back. “Fuck…good girl. You always make daddy feel so good, daddy’s perfect girl” he praised as you bobbed your head up and down his shaft, being sure to use your tongue to swirl around his head, and stroke the sensitive vein that traveled along the underside. You looked up at him through your lashes as you did, granting him the sight of your teary eyes as mascara began to run and transfer onto your cheeks as well as the look of pure pleasure and love that filled your eyes upon looking at him. You wanted nothing more in this world than to make him feel good, to make him anywhere near as happy as he makes you and damn it you were going to do whatever it took to make that happen.

The sloppy, near pornographic sound of your mouth on his dick and his low moans filled the space of the otherwise empty clinic. You looked up at him, marveling in the way his brows knitted together with pleasure, the way his eyes, when they weren’t fluttered shut, were trained on you. Watching intently from beneath his shades as his cock disappeared and reappeared from between your lips. “Doin’ so good for me. Makin’ me feel so good, you miss the taste of me while you were gone? Miss having daddy’s cock in your mouth?” He asked, making you look up at him and mumble a “yes” the best you could with him sitting heavily on your tongue. “It isn’t polite to talk with your mouth full, baby- fuck…but I’ll forgive you” he replied, pulling your head off of him before you would make him cum. “Can’t let the fun end here though, sweetheart. Got too much I want to do to you” he said, sending pleasant tingles straight to your aching core as all sorts of ideas began to race through your mind at what he had in store for you.

You yelped playfully in surprise and interest as he picked you up effortlessly, your legs wrapped around his hips as he placed you down in the operating chair. You grinned and giggled as he climbed on top of you, pulling your bottom lip between your teeth as your eyes trailed his every move. “You know, I always have fantasized about having sex with you in your operating chair” you admitted, making him chuckle as your arms looped around his neck, looking up at him with a lustful, yet loving gaze. “I know” he said, making you blush out of surprise at his reply. “You *knew*? How?” You asked, genuinely curious now, making him grin wider. “Last time I upgraded your chrome and put you under for it, when you woke up you were still rather out of it and told me” he admitted, making you laugh because that sounded exactly like some shit you would do. “Fuck, of course I did. Well, hey, at least it shows you how much I want you” you replied with a giggle, making him chuckle. “Dirty girl, whatever will I do with you?” He asked, making you grin as your eyes peered up at him with that half lidded expression he loved so much. “Fuck me good and show me how much you missed me” you answered coyly, making him chuckle again as you giggled mischievously. “Ask nicely, only good girls get treated like that. You gonna be a good girl for me?” He asked, making you shake your head yes as he removed your underwear from you, tossing them aside to be forgotten about until later. “Be so good for you, daddy” you replied in almost a whisper, making him grin. “Good girl. How about you let daddy repay the favor of you making him feel so good then, hmm?” He asked, making you bite your lip again as his lips trailed down your body, stopping at your chest to bring one of your sensitive nipples in his mouth, sucking and laving his tongue over it before letting off with a pop to pay attention to the other one. Your body arched up against him with a whine, your fingers finding their way into his hair once more as he showed some love to your tits before returning to his original path. He made it down your chest, past your stomach, soon kissing your inner thighs as you’d done to him before sliding your skirt up a little and finally reaching your dripping cunt.

Viktor wasted no time, almost as soon as your skirt was lifted up enough to allow him space to slot himself between your legs, your cunt was on his mouth. You moaned as his tongue flicked and circled your clit with practiced precision, your eyes rolling to the back of your head from the blissful sensation. “Fuck! Vik, oh my god…feels so fucking good” you moaned desperately as your chest heaved with every breath you took, your hips rolling against his tongue in time with his rhythm. He chuckled into you, looking up at you from between your legs to see you writhing with pleasure, pride filling his chest at the way he already had you nearly crumbling in his hold. Your head was tilted back, your bare chest rising and falling with each labored breath you took and your thighs held him captive in a near vice like grip. All the lovely things he’d been picturing while you were gone, he could finally have now. “Always such a sweet thing for me” he praised, spreading your thighs apart and pinning your hips down as he indulged in you as if you were his last meal on death row. You bit your bottom lip to hold back the loud moan that threatened to leave you as his tongue circled your clit in a rhythm that left your head spinning. “Oh no, none of that. I’ll warn you if you’re being too loud, I want to hear you, baby” he replied before diving back down to flutter his tongue against your clit and occasionally prod your entrance with the wet muscle. You sighed blissfully as he did, feeling that knot beginning to pull taut within you rather quickly. “Better. Keep makin’ those pretty sounds for me” he said as he continued at the pace he was at, feeling the way your cunt fluttered around nothing and hearing the way your voice grew a little higher in pitch. All tell-tale signs that your climax was near. “Give it to me baby, c’mon, cum for me” he said, making you look down at him, and you swore if it weren’t for the way his tongue worked you expertly, it would have been the sight alone of him between your thighs devouring you that sent you to your peak. “Fuck! Vik!” Was all you could get out before your thighs tensed, your back arched and a powerful orgasm washed over you, making him moan into you at the sight before helping you down from cloud nine.

The look on your face was one he did everything he possibly could to ingrain into his memory forever. You always looked absolutely stunning in his eyes, but underneath the fluorescent lighting of his neon signs, the medical lights and the reflecting blue light of his monitors, you looked ethereal. Your furrowed brows, your kiss swollen, spit slickened lips that were opened in an O shape, your pupils blown wide with lust and need as you looked up at him. He admired the scratch marks and hickeys that now adorned your skin, his eyes tracing their descent down to where your bodies were connected. With each intense thrust of his hips, he watched as your breasts would jiggle along with your thighs and ass, a display he just couldn’t get enough of. He swore you were a goddess lying before him, and he had no idea how he was the man lucky enough to win your affections but he was damn proud of it. His one hand was planted next to your head, keeping him up and stable as his other gripped your thigh while he rutted into you. The sounds of skin slapping against skin, paired with your shared pants and moans, filled the air of the clinic in a sinful cacophony. “Vik…” you let out, making him snap back into reality as he smiled softly down at you. He loved the sound of his name falling from your lips. It had never sounded sweeter than when spoken by you. “Yeah, honey? Feel good?” He asked, as if he even needed to with the sounds that you were making for him. You could have easily been mistaken for a cock drunk whore with the way you were reduced to nothing but incoherent babbles and whines of his name. You shake your head yes at him in response nonetheless, knowing that your mind was too lost in pleasure to form a coherent response, much less the proper words to speak them. Your arms reached out for him, begging him to close the distance between you and kiss you. A subtle, yet sweet reminder that you weren’t here just for the sex, you weren’t around just because you needed a good fuck. You were here because you wanted *him* and craved the intimacy of having him against you. He chuckled as he closed the distance between you, lowering himself enough to bring his lips to your softer, but slightly chapped, ones while still angling his hips to hit those spots deep inside you that made your eyes roll back. You moaned sweetly into it, your hands migrating all over his body as your sweet kiss turned into a passionate, almost carnal battle of tongues and teeth. Your nails dug crescent shapes into his back, as well as leaving trails of puffy red lines along his skin from pleasure as you were both swept up in the heat of the moment. “Viktor…” you sighed blissfully as his tip nudged that spot deep inside of you that had you seeing stars, your body arching a little from the cushioned chair you were lying in. “Right there, fuck…!” you moaned, making him grin and chuckle as he angled his hips to specifically brush past that spot.

You could feel the coil in your stomach beginning to wind tight again, with each stroke leaving you closer and closer to tipping off the edge and into pure bliss. “Cum for me, V. I’ve got you” he assured as his gaze once again fixed on you. Despite the fact that he was dangerously close to his own climax, Viktor was a man of class. He always made sure you finished first, no matter how long he had to prolong his pleasure for. His free hand trailed up your thigh to your core, his fingers rubbing tight circles into your clit to push you further towards the edge. After all, what’s more romantic than steamy, welcome home sex where you cum together? He felt your walls close around him a little tighter, fluttering slightly, a sign his fingers were doing just the trick in helping you reach your peak. “Oh fuck, Vik! ‘M gonna-“ was all you could utter out before your orgasm washed over you like a tidal wave, leaving your body arched from the chair as you clung to Viktor for dear life. Your cunt clenched down around him, milking him of everything he could possibly give you as he came in you with a deep, sexy groan. You both sat still for a moment, panting in the effort to catch your breath and calm down as you both took the time to bask in the glorious afterglow together. “I love you, V” he spoke, breaking the peaceful silence with heart spoken words. You smiled warmly up at him, he didn’t need the words in response, that gorgeous smile of yours was enough of a reply in his eyes. You hummed pleasantly as he kissed you, his lips a tender, sweet caress compared to just moments before as you felt him pulsate inside of you with each rope of his seed that filled you. “I love you too, Vik” you replied with a happy smile, pressing your forehead against his, your eyes fluttering shut for a moment to enjoy the intimacy for just a little longer.

When Viktor found his forearms aching was when he finally pried himself from you, albeit begrudgingly, but he knew better than to risk the mobility and surgical precision of his hands and arms. You giggled as he sent you the most star struck look, smiling at you with nothing less than pure love and adoration after he pulled out and looked for a towel to help clean you up. “Now that’s one hell of a sight” he commented as he came back over, gesturing to you on his operating chair, naked, legs spread and his cum dripping out of you. You giggled again before hissing in over sensitivity at the feel of the wet towel cleaning your spent pussy. “Maybe next time I’ll dress like a nurse, and let you do it again” you quipped with a grin, making him shake his head and laugh as he stopped the recording and helped you retrieve your clothes before putting his own back on. “Already bad enough that I’ll never be able to look at it again without picturing me fucking you in it” he said, making you grin. “But is that *really* such a bad thing?” You asked playfully as you leapt up from the chair, on slightly wobbly legs, to get dressed, earning an eye roll from him at your jest. “Yes and no. While it’s a great mental picture, it’ll be hard to explain to clients why I might be a little…lost in thought when I ask them to lay on it” he replied, making you hum. “Fair point, but was it worth it?” You asked, making him laugh as he came up from behind you, wrapping his muscular arms around your frame as he placed a quick kiss to your cheek. “Always” he replied with a contented smile, feeling your hands come up to touch his arms as you leaned your head against him. “You really know how to wear me out, kid” he joked, making you giggle. “Well, a handsome ripper once told me that if you aren’t feeling a hundred percent; that you should stay home, hydrate and rest. Recovery is always important” you replied, making him laugh as he pinched your hip playfully to get a squeal from you. “Not that you ever listen to that advice” he jabbed, making you laugh. “Touché but c’mon, Vik! Just let me have a good excuse to drag you from the clinic and spend the day with you. I’m still buyin’ lunch!” You said, giving him your best puppy dog eyes you could to convince him to close up for the day and spend it with you. “Alright, alright. I guess closing up early for once to spend time with you wouldn’t hurt” he said, making your eyes light up with joy as you smiled happily. “Fuck yeah! Should probably head home and shower first though, I can’t say I’m exactly the most presentable” you said, making him quirk a brow at you in interest as he got all his things together. “Just where are you planning on taking me?” He asked, making you smile excitedly. “‘member our first date? Thought maybe we could pay it a visit again. Get all gussied up and treat ourselves to a nice night filled with champagne, good food and love” you said, floored at the fact that you could think of something so mushy and romantic on such short notice. “So long as you’re there, any of it sounds delightful” he said as you both walked out of the clinic after locking up. “Careful Vik, say shit like that and you might charm me right out of my panties again” you joked, making him chuckle. “Maybe that’s the idea” he said with a flirty wink before holding out his hand for you to take as you both walked to his car. You laughed as you both walked as one thought filled your mind.

Fuck was it good to be back.

[adrianicsea]

it may seem a bit trite to do so, but i realized i don’t make all that many REALLY personal posts about my life on this blog anymore, and as new years’ eve draws near, i wanted to share some of the highlights of what i’ve seen and done this year with you all! the way i use this blog may have changed, but it’s still the longest and most self-reflective diary of my lifetime so far 🩵

in the beginning of the year, one of the resolutions i made to myself was to get engaged to my now-husband! we celebrated our fifth anniversary as a couple in february, and in august, with the help of all of our closest friends, i was able to make our engagement night really special and something that we’ll both remember forever. he had no idea it was coming, which really made me happy, because i feel like i struggle to plan surprises!

while i did NOT make a new years’ resolution to get fully MARRIED, the outcome of the presidential election motivated us both to at least get legally married before the year ends, as we live in a state where marriage equality will immediately go away if obergefell v hodges falls in the supreme court. so we got married! our full, originally-planned ceremony still waits for us next autumn, but i’m still very excited and feel very safe to have it in legal writing. my insurance will also be much better now!!

on the note of insurance, i finally got top surgery this year! it’s something that i’ve known i wanted for more than half of my life, but it was never really financially (or emotionally tbh) accessible for me until now! i was pretty scared, as i’d never had any sort of major surgery before, but i’ve been SO happy and at home in my body ever since!! i was also able to get through the surgery and the recovery without my parents even knowing about it, which was a really great confidence booster for me— to see that i AM able now to get on in life and that i’ve found a support system who can help me with the things that my parents can’t or won’t.

march of this year marked my first full year of consistent therapy, and i’m nearly at two years now! being able to see an lgbt-specialized therapist has made a HUGE difference in my ability to really be vulnerable and discuss things with my therapist, and i feel as though i’m really starting to see how therapy has positively affected me in the ways that i think, view my feelings, and communicate with others. i feel like i understand my emotions better now than i ever have, and like i’m more confident and less afraid of standing up for myself and having difficult, potentially conflicting conversations!

i’ve been working on understanding and accepting my autism, and with seeing how it has affected my childhood and teenage years. i thought that the initial shock and reconciliation of realizing i’m autistic would be the only hurdle, but now i’m starting to see that there’s a lot of pain and emotional work that goes it to FULLY accepting it as a part of yourself and seeing the pain that it caused you (or at least, this is how i’ve felt about it).

partially related to the above, i’ve been making more of an effort to try new things, be more social, and to step out of my comfort zone in ways that aren’t TOO frightening for me! this year i went camping for the first time ever, went to my first renaissance faire, and formed a LOT of new friendships with all sorts of people, both in my city and online. i’ve also been trying to stop diluting/masking so much of myself in person, and while that still feels like a work in progress, it’s been really wonderful to find that people in the real world DON’T automatically write me off as weird if i go to the bar with earplugs or talk at length about my love and study of horror movies.

this may sound a bit paradoxical after some of what i’ve said already, but i feel like i’ve become closer to my parents and improved my relationship with them this year. we have a… challenging relationship due to differences in religious opinion, political views, and some generational differences in how we view mental health and emotional openness. i really resented my parents for a long time for their (inadvertent) emotional neglect of me as a child, but after having a really rewarding conversation with them about my transition and how their refusal to accept it has affected me, i feel like i was FINALLY able to understand and forgive them for a lot of the things i’ve been carrying against them all this time. we still don’t have the perfect relationship, and there are lots of things i hope my parents will grow and improve on (like STILL misgendering and deadnaming me after all this time lmao), but i feel like now i’m able to better understand where they’re coming from and to meet them where they’re at, so to speak. it’s always been difficult for me to accept that i might just never have the warm, emotionally effusive relationship i used to idealize having with them, but this year i feel like i’ve finally been able to make peace with the fact that they just aren’t those kinds of people. and that’s okay!

and here’s some other “smaller” things i did this year that made it feel a little fuller and brighter:

got a new tattoo, my most complex one yet! for the tv show that brought my husband and i together 🥹

got to see both MY favorite band AND my husband’s favorite band in our home city in the same year! i even got to be on the barricade for the first time at one of these shows!

got a piece of my writing published (and printed!!) in a fan zine!

got REALLY into final fantasy xiv, which has been my most-played game of the year and has become both a fun way to bond with my friends who also play AND a really nice emotional grounding tool!

i bought a five-year journal at the beginning of this year, and with the exception of a few days (maybe 7 or less total), i’ve filled out every day of it this year! it’s my first time ever completing one year of a planner/journal like that :)

did the daily sudoku puzzle on my sudoku app every day this year, and within the last three months, started doing the puzzmo daily crossword every day as well!

improved some of my art techniques, and learned a lot of techniques and technical skills for the digital art program i use!

started making more of an effort to spend time with my childhood friend of 20+ years, with whom i’d drifted apart a bit recently!

started learning how to typeset, print, and bind my own books, and even printed/bound my first big-ish book to give as a christmas gift this year!

sought out more movies from outside the US and/or from before the 1970s to watch. still not as many as i’d like, but i’m happy to have begun diversifying my film habits :)

learned to cook shakshuka, which has gone on to become one of my favorite meals to cook at home and a huge comfort food!!

my husband and i started going to the gym, as much as our busy schedule will allow us to :)

when i look back at 2024, one of the big regrets that sticks out to me is that i didn’t do more writing— ESPECIALLY sleeping with ghosts, my longest and most emotionally-invested project and one i REALLY want to make sure i finish. but when i think about how much growing and learning and DOING i did this year, it’s hard to be too mad at myself for not writing more! maybe it’s just that i’m getting older, but i’ve spent a lot of my 20s so far feeling like a child in suspended development, wondering when i was finally going to feel like a “real” adult. 2024 has FINALLY been that year for me— i can see the progress i still need to make, but i can also see all the HUGE steps i’ve made this year to become a more fully-realized version of myself, and now i feel excited and capable to continue on that journey!! hopefully including finishing SWG, as well as finishing/starting on some other writing ideas i’ve had.

if you’ve read all this, thank you so much for taking the time, and for following me on this blog! whether we’re longtime friends, recent mutuals, or even if we haven’t spoken, i hope that this year has been kind to you, and even if it wasn’t, i hope that 2025 is a better, easier year for you 🫂🩵

[sisiren]

I discovered Audacity was free and decided to make a TAZ: Balance edit! More information under the cut.

Song: Experience - Ludovico Einaudi

Quotes (in order of which they appear in the audio): “One day I made the decision to… stop championing other people's heroism and to take the direction of my life into my own hands.” - Lunar Interlude III, Rest and Relaxation

“This is just for a little bit, I’m gonna stop this, what we’ve done to this world.” - The Stolen Century 7

“And, I lost dear, dear friends because of that decision, but it was the only one to make.” - Lunar Interlude III, Rest and Relaxation

“I’m gonna find you a place where you can be happy again, it’s just for a little while, and then, you’ll remember, I promise.” - The Stolen Century 7

“Magnus Burnsides” - Here There be Gerblins 1

“T-A-A-K-O” - Here There be Gerblins 1

“Merle Highchurch” - Here There be Gerblins 1

“Barry Bluejeans” - Lunar Interlude V, Reunion Tour 1

“I’m Davenport” - The Stolen Century 7

“Blasted the letters L U P into the wall.” - Lunar Interlude III, Rest and Relaxation

“I pull out the Umbra Staff and I point it at Lucretia” - Story and Song, Finale 1

“You fucking took everything from me” - Story and Song, Finale 1

“Oh shit! Is it today?” - The Stolen Century 6

“It’s today.” - The Stolen Century 6

“I did this one already. I did this world and kind of… crushed it.” - The Stolen Century 1

“I’m begging you, let me finish this and we can talk about it.” - Story and Song, Finale 1

“Are you my friend?” - The Stolen Century 4

“To have friendship, Merle, it requires you to...[sighs] love someone.” - The Stolen Century 4

“Our capacity for love increases with each person we cross paths with throughout our lives, and with each moment we spend with those people.” - The Stolen Century 5

“I said: I love you, Jules.” -The Eleventh Hour 8

“You are my heart.” - The Stolen Century 6

“I - I love you dad.” - Story and Song, Finale 3

“I love you too, baby.” - Story and Song, Finale 3

“And these things, Merle, friendship and love and happiness, they’re- they’re all so… small.” - The Stolen Century 4

“But I’ve been living a hundred years with me and one year with millions of people.” - The Stolen Century 7

“Honestly; do whatever you want. I don’t care anymore.” - Story and Song, Finale 1

“Everybody else that I ever met, aside from the six of you, were dust.” - The Stolen Century 7

“Dead…got turned into ash.” - Lunar Interlude V, Reunion Tour 1

“They were just talking dust.” - The Stolen Century 7

“I have nothing, and I don’t give a shit. The world is ending, and I. Don't. Care.” - Story and Song, Finale 1

“But the one thing we do have, is the thing that people in love rarely ever have enough of. And it’s time.” - The Stolen Century 5

“You found her! Maybe not how you expected to, but when you weren’t looking you found her.” - Story and Song, Finale 1

“Who?” - The Stolen Century 7

“I wonder which one would be worse to take from you: the person that you loved or the person that you… hate.” - The Suffering Game 5

“They are beings of pure, concentrated evil.” - The Suffering Game 1

“And they’ve all been evil?” - The Suffering Game 1

“Invariably.” - The Suffering Game 1

“Lup, they don't trust me.” - The Eleventh Hour 9

“The light is a sickeningly powerful energy source. Any items powered by that energy are going to be...devastating.” - The Stolen Century 7

“This is it!” - The Stolen Century 7

“Lup made us promise that we would never again put a world in danger just to thwart The Hunger's plans. And that is exactly, exactly, what we did to this world!” - Story and Song, Finale 1

“Did we make the right decision?” - The Stolen Century 7

“Sometimes there aren’t right decisions. Sometimes there’s just decisions.” - The Stolen Century 7

“Kind of seems like I've got you right here.” - The Stolen Century 4

“And the devastation it wreaks is immeasurable.” - The Stolen Century 7

“What if you didn’t have to worry and you could just cut out the bullshit and do good recklessly?” - The Eleventh Hour 7

“Merle...will you sit with me? Just...just for a moment?” - Story and Song, Finale 3

“...You got it, buddy.” - Story and Song, Finale 3

“And suddenly thousands of bonds are threaded between the three of you.” - Story and Song, Finale 3

“I know we don’t say this enough, but… Thank you.” - The Stolen Century 7

“I saw seven birds: The Twins.” - The Crystal Kingdom 11

“You ready bro?” - The Stolen Century 7

“Hell yeah!” - The Stolen Century 7

“The Lover.” - The Crystal Kingdom 11

“It’s only been twe— Um… Twenty-one years…” - The Stolen Century 3

“The Protector.” - The Crystal Kingdom 7

“Magnus rushes in.” - Story and Song, Finale 3

“The Lonely Journal Keeper.” - The Crystal Kingdom 7

“I’m gonna save us all, I - I promise.” - Story and Song, Finale 1

“The Peacemaker.” - The Crystal Kingdom 7

“I find joy whatever I do.” - The Stolen Century 4

“And The Wordless One.” - The Crystal Kingdom 7

“Have we not… earned a little wrath?” - The Stolen Century 6

“You got all the time in the world, my man.” - The Stolen Century 3

[olinblogin]

hey there! so I wanted to request a nezha and reader (PLATONIC) angst? maybe nezha had been neglecting reader just a lil bit? or you can just have fun with it (no pressure at all to do it) sorry if this sounds awkward this is my first time requesting anything 🫶‼️

No you’re totally fine! I’ll do my best but I’m not the greatest at angst so please cut me some slack ;v;

(WARNINGS - ANGST, NEGLECTFUL BEHAVIOR, CHILD READER, BITTER ENDING)

The last couple of weeks have been.. hard, to say the least. You’re a mortal, bound to the mortal realm, often secluded away from people because of your disinterest in socializing and mingling with others.

You’d been that way for a long time, in an isolating pit that you refused to dig yourself out of.

It was like that until you met him, Nezha, the deity that protects children and youth. Children like you.

He’d visit you every day, make sure you’d been healthy, you’d play and have fun… he visited every day, until he showed less and less,

Every day to only a couple of days a week,

Soon only one day a month…

Then he hadn’t shown up.

It’s been months. Months since you’ve seen your friend. You would call for him upon your meeting place, never answered.

You sat at your meeting place for days on end until you were dragged back home by your parents who would reprimand you, claiming this ‘imaginary friend’ was getting out of hands with how frequently you visited you used to meet him.

But he wasn’t an imaginary friend, he’s a real friend.

Or at least he was.

More months passed at an agonizingly slow pace, you were only barely able to continue with your life going on with what he’d promised, “every day I’ll meet with you at the top of this hill. No matter how busy I may be, I will answer to your call.”

The promise only played over and over in your head until you couldn’t take it anymore, you found yourself sneaking out in the middle of the night to the meeting place. This went on until it had been two years since you’d seen him.

Until he finally came back.

After two years, he came back.

You didn’t know whether you should be angry, or if you should be happy he finally answered on your calls. He stood at the end of the hill, not speaking with a scowl on his face.

“Nezha.. I’ve missed you—“

“Why do you insist on calling upon me.”

His tone of voice frightened you. He never spoke to you like this. Never with such malice.

“Because I wanted to see you.. you promised to meet me every day… it’s been two years since I’ve seen you, Nezha..”

There was an awkward silence on your end, but Nezha’s eyebrows only furrowed to your words.

“Has it never come to you I may be busy in the celestial realm,”

“But I—“

“I don’t need your constant calling when I’m busy.”

The harsh words hit you like a whip. Your own friend going back on his promise. You couldn’t bring yourself to say anything, only tears would well in your eyes and eventually spill.

“Go back home, and do not call for me again.”

You could only plead as you watched one who was once your friend retreat back to the celestial realm. One who you’d trusted with all that burdened you had suddenly left with them all.

All you could do is stand atop the hill, staring into the sky, no matter how much the light hurt your eyes you never looked away. You couldn’t look away. In fear that if you left he would come back for you.

It had been hours you stood like that, until you were eventually dragged back home again by your parents.

You would count the days since then.

Since his betrayal.

You had to move on with your life, forced to move on. You eventually forgot all about him in your later teenage years, but when he came to chew at the back of your mind, you would find yourself contemplating if your parents were right, if he was just an imaginary friend, only to push those thoughts back once again as you’d done dozens of times.

“I’m so sorry.”

[ladydaybreaker]

Bit of an Announcement

A year ago today I posted and finished the last chapter of Memento Nori with the expectation that no one was going to ever want me to continue. That the story was done and over and no one wanted to see more. 

Oh boy was I wrong . 

I mentioned that I did have a couple chapters of a story that would basically continue on to become What Friends Are For and people started clamoring for it.

I originally was asked by a close friend of mine Izayoi_Drifter on AO3 to make a oneshot of N teaching Uzi to fly as a birthday gift. I then started doing exercises on the characters to make them believable (V you absolute terror I still was fearful of writing you). And then I started writing what would become the fight between Nori and N in chapter 11 of Memento Nori . I got intrigued by the purple spitfire I created based off of the few pictures we saw of her and how Khan talked about her and she literally grabbed me by the hand, yanked me forward with “C’mon, loser, we’re writing.” and so Memento Nori was written. I am…incredibly surprised and incredibly happy that I managed to actually get her spot on from what we saw in Mass Destruction (I just wasn’t expecting her to be ALIVE).

After I started posting What Friends Are For , I reached a dead end…quite literally. As at the time I had just finished up the Home arc and Dead End had just released. I sat there thinking “What the hell am I going to do while I wait for episode 7?” and I looked back to Memento Nori thinking “Y’know…I could write more of her…” and by doing so I started To Stay In Heaven, For Fear of Your Creation and in doing that started the series of Ad Astra, Per Aspera . Which had gone from being just a short story on Nori and a retelling of Home and Dead End (at the time) to being something that spanned from the Lab Experiments of 98.7 to generations after the canon timeline. 

And I have you guys to thank.

If you guys hadn’t clamored on Memento Nori to see the oneshot turned seven chapters turned retelling of canon, then Ad Astra would not exist. I wouldn’t have found my enjoyment of writing these cute little robots with trauma and murdery tendencies, I wouldn’t have met my friends that have helped my writing improve and helped me find voices for characters that I never cared for or had difficulty writing. I wouldn’t have cried, have fretted, have worried, have cheered, have whooped and hollered over the little things of me being right in my theory crafting. 

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

As a thank you and in honor of Memento Nori being a year old, I’ve completely revamped the story so that it better fits with the “canon” of Ad Astra . If you’ve read it already, that’s awesome! I’m glad you liked it in its not-as-polished-as-everything-else state haha. It’s always been a source of annoyance to me that it was the ‘weakest’ of the series because it was the oldest and done without any info on the Cabin Fever things. My writing was shaky there and I…want to say I’ve improved but I’ll leave that for people to say. 

I know the series is ending. I am a bit sad of it, but that means that I can do what I want with the story after haha. With Episode 8, the finale, coming up in two weeks, I am a bit nervous of what it’ll entail. I will admit that there will likely be very little that makes it into What Friends Are For . But, I still want to try and incorporate that. Now, when I get there in Cross the Jaded Stars …uhhhh yeah that might be canon. We’ll see. 

I’m a sucker for happy endings after all. 

But, all in all…I just wanted to thank you guys. And because some people don’t read authors notes, I wanted to make it a whole thing so y’all could see it. Thank you for sticking with me on this wonderful ride. You’re not getting rid of me that easily, I’ve still got more stories to tell after all :) 

Máriessë ar mára tecië

Farewell and fair writing

-Lady Daybreaker

[leiawritesstories]

PART FIVE: MAY

First of all: the biggest, most heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been reading this AU. you have my heart, as angst-loving as it is, and your responses are everything to me :))

Second note: this chapter is ridiculously long, and I do apologize for the insanely long chapters... but also there is SMUT AHEAD!!! if you're not here for sexual content, stop at "Their exit from the archery range" and skip down to "It was May 25" and know that not wanting to read smut does not make any difference and i will always appreciate you reading :) okay I will stop rambling now

Word count: 10.4k (whoops...)

Warnings: swearing, weapons, crime talk, made-up police stuff, badly concealed horniness, fighting, flirting disguised as archery, SO much innuendo, and smut! NSFW!! 

Enjoy!!

Masterlist

Read on AO3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Happy birthday, boss lady!” Elide cheered, pulling the blindfold from Aelin’s eyes with a flourish. “You can’t run back to your apartment now, so sit on down and enjoy a dinner that you aren’t paying for.” 

“You’re the worst best friend, El,” Aelin complained, but she was beaming. “I thought I specifically told you nothing over-the-top.”

Elide shrugged. “You don’t turn twenty-seven every day, Ae, and it’s about damn time you took an evening off. Plus, Aedion would be griping all night if he got dragged out of work for you not to show up.” She wrapped her arms around the taller woman. “Happy birthday.” 

“Fine, fine.” Aelin hugged her second-in-command fiercely. “Thanks, El.” 

Gavriel was next in line, his hug stealing her breath. “Happy birthday, Aelin. Though I think I’m the one who deserves a present for getting my son here.” 

She snickered. “I’ll buy you a drink or something. Thank you for being here.” 

“Anytime.” He flashed her a cunning little grin. “I’d never miss a chance to see my beautiful, sharp-witted niece turn my best lieutenant into a tongue-tied mess.” 

“Gav!” She swatted his shoulder. “You’re more meddling than Elide, Lys, and Ansel all together, I swear.” He just smirked and returned to his seat, leaving her to be swallowed up by Aedion’s embrace. 

“I don’t think I’ve seen you without your lab coat in years, Aedy,” she teased. 

“Shut up,” he grumbled. “It’s a special occasion.” 

“Mhmmm,” she hummed, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively at Lysandra. 

Aedion blushed an endearing shade of pink. “So what if we happen to sit next to each other? It’s a private party, little miss birthday girl.”

“Not that private,” she snickered, dodging his outraged squawk and smack. “Love you too, Aeds.” 

“You’re the worst.” He groaned, but he was grinning. 

Lysandra raised a perfectly threaded brow. “Do I want to know what that was about?” 

“You’ll find out soon enough.” Aelin smirked. “What? My birthday present can be you and Aedy fu—” 

“No!” Lys clapped her hand over Aelin’s mouth. “If you get to say things like that, then I get to ask you when you and Whitethorn are going to bang. If you haven’t already.” It was her turn to wiggle her eyebrows. 

Aelin’s face heated. “Pretend I never said anything.” 

“That’s my birthday bad bitch.” Lys adjusted one of Aelin’s curls. “Now go say hi to the man who hasn’t taken his smitten eyes off you since you walked in here in a dress to bring him to his knees.” She patted Aelin’s ass as she walked away. 

Aelin breathed deeply, closing her eyes for a few seconds. 

“Done with the party already?” Rowan’s voice broke her out of her snatch of silence. “We can probably sneak out the staff door.” 

“Don’t tempt me,” she replied, finally meeting his appreciative gaze. “Hi, Ro.” 

“Hi.” His eyes trailed down her body, admiration lighting his face at the way her tailored gold sheath dress molded to every angle and curve of her frame. “That is one hell of a dress, Ae.” 

“Thanks.” Just to tease him, she did a slow spin, reveling in his sharp gasp as he drank in the deep V-cut of the back that highlighted the ink flowing down her spine. 

“I didn’t know you had a spine piece,” he said in a soft, gravelly rasp. 

A dangerously lazy smile curved across her maroon-stained lips. “I keep it hidden while I’m at work. Professionalism and all that.” 

“Oh, you mean the fire-breathing dragon screaming up your spine isn’t professional?” He chuckled. “It’s…incredible. Where’d you get it done?” 

“I know a guy,” she said, deliberately cryptic. 

He bit back a sigh. “Does this guy have a name and a place of work?” 

“Don’t tell me you’re going to arrest my tattoo artist for touching my back with my full consent while he did my tattoo.” 

“I’m not.” A grin flashed across his face. “I’m just going to make him squirm a little.” 

She chuckled. “You’re impossible. How about we make a deal? You overlook the simple reality that someone had to give me this tattoo, and you can see how lovely of a contrast it makes with my sheets.” 

Rowan inhaled sharply, dark flames smoldering in his eyes. “The tattoo, or that dress?” 

“I prefer not to wear clothes when I’m in my bed.” She smirked. “Don’t just stand there gasping like a fish, Ro. Escort me to dinner like the gentleman Uncle Gav thinks you are.” 

“I think you’ll find that I’m not much of a gentleman, Ae.” His hand landed on the small of her back, its heat rippling deliciously up her spine. 

“Good.” She lowered her voice to a whisper only he could hear. “Because I like it rough.” 

~

Aelin barely had a chance to say goodbye to everyone after the absolutely delicious dinner, because Lysandra, Ansel, and Elide clustered around her as soon as she left the bathroom, shepherding her out the door and down the street. She only managed to wave to Rowan as she left, certain that she’d find more than one message from him waiting on her phone when she was able to look at it. 

With Elide on one arm and Ansel on the other, Aelin found herself squeezed into an inescapable sandwich of her closest girls, and although she pretended to groan when Lysandra, three steps ahead, pulled open the door to the Vaults, a popular bar, she was beaming. 

“Do you really think it’s the best idea to get drunk on a Tuesday?” she called over the thumping beat of the music pouring through the surround-sound speaker system. 

Lys rolled her eyes. “It’s your birthday, bitch! You can decide tomorrow is a remote workday!” 

“Shots!” Elide squealed, flagging down the closest bartender and rapidly ordering a whole string of drinks. “I’ve got this round, ladies.” 

“I’m scared,” Aelin teased, sliding into the closest open booth. “If Ells is buying, I might just pass out now.” 

“Fuck off,” Elide laughed, smacking Aelin’s shoulder. “We both know you’re only going to drink enough to get yourself ready to go jump on Whitethorn’s di—”

“Stop!” Aelin squawked, clamping her hand over Elide’s mouth. She composed herself and winked wickedly at the petite woman. “I don’t need liquid courage to do that, Ells.” 

“My gods, you are the worst.” Ansel groaned dramatically. “Add that to the list of things your lawyer should never hear.” 

“Thought you weren’t my lawyer for tonight,” Aelin shot back, grinning. 

The redhead laughed. “Fair enough. Ooh, the drinks are here!” She took the tray from the bartender and passed the cocktails and shot glasses around the table. “Cheers, birthday girl!” 

Aelin clinked her shot with the girls and tossed it back effortlessly, only grimacing a little bit at the burn of straight vodka. “Fuck, El! A little warning next time?” 

Elide snickered gleefully. “Why?” The song changed, and she perked up, clapping. “I love this song!” She took a long pull of her cocktail, draining nearly half of it, and grabbed Aelin’s hand. “Come on, birthday bitch! We’re dancing!” She tugged Aelin out onto the crowded dancefloor without waiting for her to protest. 

“You’re lucky I have alcohol in me,” Aelin giggled as she wedged herself into the sea of swaying bodies next to Elide. “God, I missed being able to do this.” 

“All the more reason to—ah shit. Behind you, Ae.”

“What?” Aelin turned, following Elide’s dark brown glare, and found, to her unpleasant surprise, a rather drunk Sam Cortland less than two feet away. Burning hell.

“Hey,” Sam called over the music, surprisingly coherent for the glassiness of his eyes. “Wasn’t expecting to see you here.” 

“Because the stick up my ass is too big?” Aelin asked sweetly. 

Sam coughed. “Well, um, because you—because it’s a Tuesday?” 

“Liar.” She snorted. “A woman is allowed to go out on her birthday, y’know.” 

“Happy bir’day,” he offered, trying his best to disguise his sneer. 

“I’d say thanks, but you don’t really deserve my manners.” She flashed him an angelically sweet grin. “Fuck off, Cortland.” 

“Bitch,” he grunted.

Aelin’s eyes flashed with a dangerous gleam. “What was that?” 

Elide grabbed her arm. “Don’t you fucking dare,” she hissed, her command cutting through Aelin’s alcohol-loosened fury. “He’s not worth it, and you’re Aelin right now.” 

Aelin blinked, snapping herself out of the thoughts of violence. “Right. Okay.” She turned her back to Sam—who had wisely chosen to slither away, hopefully leaving the bar—just in time for Ansel and Lys to appear with more shots, these ones electric blue. 

“Cheers!” Lys yelled, tapping her small glass to Aelin’s and throwing back the shot. Aelin laughed and followed suit, exhaling sharply at the strength of the tiny glass of alcohol. 

“Lyssie, if I’m hungover tomorrow, I’m blaming you!” 

“Oh, calm down,” Lys snickered. “It won’t knock you out.” 

Aelin snorted in disbelief, then caught Lys’s arm before she could head back to the bar. “It’s our song, Lys! C’mon, dance!” 

Lys laughed and jumped into the knot of dancers, shaking her hips the way she used to back in college when she and Aelin would hit five different bars a night on the weekends. “Still got it!” 

After so many songs that Aelin’s feet were starting to cramp, the women finally half-stumbled off the dance floor and headed out of the bar, gulping down the fresh night air as they stepped out into the street. 

“Fuck, it gets so stuffy in there,” Aelin complained. She shivered. “And it’s cold!” 

“It is not, you little wimp,” Ansel said, poking Aelin in the side. “You just wish that man of yours was here to whip his jacket around you like a gentleman.” 

“Mmm, I wouldn’t mind that,” Aelin hummed, smirking wickedly. “You know what happens after a man gives you his jacket.” 

“You are the worst.” Ansel shoved her lightly. “Again, things you should never fucking ever tell your lawyer: whose bones you plan to jump.” 

“If I make it home,” Aelin grumbled. 

“You ladies need a ride home?” Out of nowhere, Sam Cortland appeared in front of them, his eyes still glassy with alcohol haze and an oily smirk painted across his face. 

“Fuck off, Cortland,” Elide retorted, folding her arms across her chest. “You aren’t anywhere near fit to drive, anyway.” 

“And I wouldn’t willingly get into a car with you if it was the last option on Earth,” Aelin added.

Sam scowled. “Have it your way, then.” He stalked off, heading down the nearby alley. “Fuckin’ whore,” he muttered, thinking he was far enough away for her not to hear.

She heard. And she followed him, her heels clicking with dangerous precision against the sidewalk. “Want to repeat that, scumbag?” 

He stopped, whirled around, and apparently decided he had a death wish. “I said, you’re a fucking whore.” 

Her fist smashed into his smug little grin with an immensely satisfying crunch. “Take that, you sleazy bastard,” she growled.

Sam screeched, pressed his hands into his rapidly swelling face, and moaned pitifully. “You bit–”

She kneed him in the groin, and when he doubled over, whimpering, she slammed her knee into the side of his head. His eyes rolled back, and he slumped to the ground, unconscious. She and Elide—who had followed her, of course— maneuvered his limp, unresisting body into the shadows of the alley and left him there.

“No, Aelin, you can’t kill him yet,” Elide reminded her, catching the taller woman’s wrist. 

Aelin sighed dramatically. “But it’s my birthday!”

“So what?” 

“So no murder in plain sight.” Ansel cut in.

“You’re no fun,” Aelin sighed. “Fine.” She delivered one last kick to Sam’s groin. “I wonder if he felt that.” 

Elide snorted. “And this is where I drag you off before you ruin your life by being hauled off to jail on your birthday.” Wrapping one arm around Aelin’s waist, she directed her back onto the sidewalk and away from the shadowy alleyway. “How about we finish the night at your place?” 

Aelin perked up. “I’ll make margaritas!” 

She was ordering an Uber before Elide could protest that they’d all already drunk half their body mass in alcohol that night. 

Just birthday girl things. 

~

Kaltain Rompier tapped her black acrylic nails against her iPad screen, idly waiting for the guy who’d texted her last night (after weeks of absolute silence) to show up. He said he’d be there right at eleven, and it was almost at the point where she was about to leave. 

“Shit, sorry I’m late.” Sam Cortland dropped into the seat opposite hers as her office door closed with a soft click. “Didn’t get out of the damn meeting until ten minutes ago.” 

“Mhmm, right, I forgot how important you businessmen were.” Her reply was acerbic. 

He sighed, sheepish. “I’m really sorry, Kal.” 

“How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?” She picked up her stylus pencil and tapped it against the blank screen. “You’re here to give me a story, Cortland.” She glanced at him, noticing for the first time since he’d rushed into her office that he looked a good deal worse for wear. “Does your story have anything to do with the fact that you look like shit?” 

“It’s because Aelin fucking punched me,” he griped. 

Kaltain’s brows shot up. “Aelin…Galathynius?”

“Yeah.” Sam scoffed. “Dressed up like a fuckin’ slut last night. I ran into her at a bar; she was out with some people I didn’t recognize, and when I tried to buy her a drink, she laughed in my face.” 

“Laughing doesn’t leave black eyes, Cortland,” Kaltain returned dryly. 

“I haven’t got to the part where she punched me.” He scowled, the aggrieved expression drawing attention to the vivid bruising encircling his right eye and the scattered smaller bruises and little flecks of scratches on his face. “I left the damn bar before she did, ended up taking a call outside the place, and I was there when she and her friends left, all drunk and stumbling. So I did what any decent guy would do and offered to drive them home, and Aelin punched me in the goddamn face.” He was practically raving by the end of his little rant. 

“You offered to drive Aelin Galathynius home?” Kaltain repeated, stylus flying over her iPad as she took notes. She chuckled. “Cortland, the woman probably has more than one driver. Not to mention that by all accounts, she’s so not interested in you that she bought your company.” 

He shrugged. “Sounds like interest to me.”

“Yeah, for her bank account,” she snorted. “Anything else for the story, Cortland?” 

“Just that I woke up in a goddamn alley like this.” His frown dug a deep groove between his eyebrows. “That bitch.” 

“If you don’t have anything else for the story, get the hell out.” Kaltain set down her stylus, got up, and opened the door. “We’re not spending any more time together, or did you not mean it that way?” Her saccharine smile made Sam cringe. 

“Kal–I–I didn’t–”

“Yes you did.” She pointed out into the hallway. “You’ve given me a good story, Cortland. Now get your fancy little ass back to Daddy’s office.” Pissed, Sam roughly stood up and stalked out of her office, muttering something about stupid bitch under his breath. 

She almost pitied the man. Someday, his misogyny would get him into a tight little corner that he couldn’t crawl his way out of. But there was a column waiting to be written—a particularly sordid one, just what the public was craving—and she couldn’t let his chauvinism get in the way of her job. 

The article dropped late that afternoon, and Kaltain came into work the next morning still grinning, still riding the high of an instantly viral article. Maybe being a gossip columnist wasn’t always the most rewarding job, but the times when she got to see her work splashed all over the internet were…euphoric. The short hallway leading to her office was quiet, as usual, and she was buried so far in the notifications she hadn’t read that she didn’t notice that the whole floor was also quiet. 

Only when she strolled into her office and dropped her shoulder bag into someone else’s lap did she realize that she wasn’t alone. 

“Good morning, Miss Rompier.” The voice was female, throaty, slightly raspy, and utterly devoid of pleasantry. 

Slowly, Kaltain dragged her gaze from her desk to the lean, masked and hooded, black-clad figure lounging in the other chair, black combat boots propped carelessly on the low bookshelf beside the desk. “What is this? Who are you?” Instinctively, she reached for her belt, where she always kept a tiny can of pepper spray. 

“Not so fast, Miss Rompier.” The masked woman lifted her chin, and Kaltain felt a hard, heavy hand close around her wrists in a vice-like grip. “We’re going to have a little chat about the article you just posted.” 

“I–” Before Kaltain could protest, a needle pricked at the back of her neck, and everything faded to black. 

~

She awoke in a dimly lit room that smelled faintly of mildew, sitting in a wooden chair with her hands bound behind her back. Her head throbbed, her neck was stiff, and her heartbeat raced with adrenaline and terror. Where the hell was she?

“Good to see you awake, Miss Rompier.” The woman who’d had her drugged and kidnapped sat across from her, the dim overhead light throwing shadows across her still-masked face. 

“Who the hell are you?” Kaltain snapped. 

The woman chuckled softly, a lethal, raspy breath that sent ominous shivers down Kaltain’s spine. “My name is Celaena.” 

Fuck. “And why do you give a shit if one of those filthy rich people you supposedly hate is featured in one of my columns, Celaena?” 

“Because it’s not time for that quite yet.” Celaena clicked her tongue. “Don’t ask questions you don’t actually want answered, Miss Rompier. Aelin Galathynius needs to stay out of the tabloids for now, but…” She trailed off, absentmindedly dancing a throwing star across her gloved knuckles. “But I rather liked how you didn’t hesitate to drag her through the muck.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Kaltain shot back, feeling defensive.

“It means that when it’s time, I want you to publish every dirty little detail that I send you.” 

Kaltain narrowed her eyes, still suspicious. “You’re taking down Galathynius?” 

Celaena shrugged. “Again, don’t ask questions you don’t want answered. The wrong things could get you killed, Miss Rompier.” She leaned in close enough for Kaltain to see the glint of steel hiding beneath her sleeves. “I wasn’t planning to kill you, but I’m not afraid to do it.” 

“You–you’ll send me everything you want published?”

“Every single sordid detail.” 

Slowly, Kaltain nodded. “Alright. What do you want me to do now?” 

~

“All of them?” Rowan dropped his blue-light glasses on his desk and pinched the bridge of his nose in a feeble attempt to stave off the headache. 

“All of them, sir,” Luca confirmed. “Three years of tabloid history wiped clean, and it appears that practically every mention of the recent Galathynius article is being scrubbed from the internet.” 

“How the fuck is that happening?” Rowan demanded. “The damn column should have left such a large footprint by now that we’d be able to find it even though the original publisher took it down.” 

Luca chewed his lower lip. “I…I don’t know, sir.” 

Rowan swore viciously under his breath. “Get me Kaltain Rompier’s address, Luca.” 

“One sec.” Luca rapidly typed something into his laptop, then scribbled down a few words on a plain yellow sticky note. “Here you go.” 

“Thanks.” Rowan grabbed the note, threw his jacket over his shoulder, snatched his keys from the wall, and strode out to the garage. His mind was whirling with a hundred different theories about why the viral gossip article about Aelin Galathynius’s recent, rather colorful, night out had abruptly vanished from the internet, along with the last three years of the columnist’s history. 

Half-baked ideas churned through his brain with dizzying speed, and Kaltain Rompier was a crucial part of all of them. 

Within twenty minutes, he had pulled up to the building where Kaltain worked, parked in a visitor spot, and made sure his badge was easily visible. He strode into the office, took the elevator to the floor where her tabloid was located, and pushed open the front doors with little effort. 

“I’d like a few minutes to speak to Kaltain, please,” he said to the young woman at the front desk. 

The young woman’s huge blue eyes grew wider, and her hand trembled as she pointed wordlessly down the hall. “Th–that way, Officer.” 

“Thank you.” He knew he was being a dick, but he headed away without saying anything else. 

Kaltain Rompier was sitting at her desk typing away on her laptop when he knocked twice at the half-open door and let himself in. 

She muffled a shriek, hands flying to her throat. “What the hell?!” 

Rowan raised his empty hands in a show of approachability. “Kaltain Rompier?” 

The columnist slowly sank back into her seat. “That’s me.” She eyed him suspiciously. “Are you going to tell me why the goddamn cops are here?” 

“It’s just me.” He sat down in the chair opposite hers. “I have a couple of questions about your most recent article, if you don’t mind.” 

Her expression shuttered. “I took it down, Mr…what should I call you?” 

“‘Lieutenant’ is fine. I’m not police, I’m TSF.” 

She nodded. “I took down the article, Lieutenant.” 

“Why?” He leaned slightly forward, waiting for an answer to the question that had plagued him ever since PD had received notice that Kaltain had gone missing. That was five days ago. He’d feared that there would be another victim in the never-ending string of homicides, but she was sitting there in front of him, alive and well if a little shaken from his sudden appearance in her office. 

“It was…” Kaltain sighed. “I’m a gossip columnist, Lieutenant, which means that my job is to dig up people’s dirty little secrets and make them public. I’ve never seen the true ugliness of it until I wrote that piece on Aelin Galathynius and instantly hated myself.” 

Rowan blinked. “You wrote a tabloid article on Aelin Galathynius, based on whatever source you could find, and that made you…guilty?” 

“It made me realize how awful the tabloid industry is,” Kaltain murmured. “It’s not like I haven’t seen the tabloids about Ms. Galathynius that have floated around, but she’s so…so highly regarded, and the tabloids have always been obviously contrived. What I wrote…it wasn’t.” 

“What was your source?” 

“Sam Cortland,” she admitted. 

Rowan froze, pieces clicking together before his eyes. “Who?”

“Sam Cortland of Cortland Advertising,” Kaltain repeated, a tinge of bitterness clouding her tone. “He showed up at my office with a hell of a black eye and a hell of a story, and I wrote and sold it without even thinking until it was done.” 

“I see.” Closing his notepad, Rowan stood up. “Will you still be working here, or are you going to seek something else?” 

“I’m trying to get a real journalist job,” the columnist replied. “I just…I don’t want to feel grimy like this all the time anymore.” 

Rowan nodded. “Well, best of luck.” He moved towards the door. “One more thing. You were missing for several days, Miss Rompier. Why was that?” 

“Family emergency,” she admitted, a haunted look flickering through her eyes. “I had a friend drive me to the airport. Didn’t trust myself to drive safely.” 

“My apologies.” Rowan stepped out into the hallway. “Thanks for letting me drop in on you, Miss Rompier, and good luck with your job search.” With that, he left the office, got back in his cruiser, and headed back to PD with a whole new chunk of information ready to add to his theory. 

Sam Cortland. 

As much as Rowan wanted to deny the ease of the truth, it made so much sense. Cortland was a petty, unhappy little man who hadn’t taken well to Gal Inc. acquiring his family’s company, and while his father, the elder Cortland and current CEO of Cortland Advertising, was adjusted to the merger, Sam was not. Apparently, he’d deemed it best to go after Aelin like a jilted ex-lover–straight to the tabloids–in a vain attempt to see her thrown out of power and popularity. 

It didn’t entirely explain why Kaltain (or someone else) had scrubbed the internet clean of all traces of her article, but it was a start. And if he was correct, Kaltain’s “family emergency” hadn’t been an emergency at all, but an intervention from a certain unseen criminal–the barely-noticeable needle mark on the side of her neck spoke of something other than running to the airport at the last minute.  

It seemed that Celaena Sardothien had something to gain from Aelin’s current status, and she wasn’t afraid to resort to violence to keep her schemes running. 

~

Aelin swept one final gaze over her reflection in the full-length mirror mounted on the far wall of her expansive walk-in closet and nodded in satisfaction. Her dress–a casual but classy cap-sleeved sheath of powder-green linen that was perfect for the balmy spring evening–flowed gracefully down the lines and curves of her figure, her light makeup masked the dark shadows smeared beneath her eyes, and her hair was half-up in a wooden clip, the rest cascading in tamed waves down her back. Beige, wedge-heeled sandals added a few extra inches to her height (and cleverly concealed a pair of flat little knives), and a matching beige handbag completed the look. 

If she’d agonized over every little detail of this outfit and this night for the last two weeks, it was only because she wanted to properly impress the man who should be about to knock on her door. It had nothing whatsoever to do with the increasingly filthy dreams she’d been having–featuring that very man–nor what she did when she awoke from those dreams. 

As if her wandering thoughts had summoned the man, he knocked three times on her door, three firm, authoritative thuds of his fist against the thick, lacquered oak front door, and—though she would never admit it—the scrap of lace between her thighs dampened. 

“You aren’t working right now, Lieutenant,” she teased as she opened the door, a grin unfolding across her face as she watched his face flicker through shock, nervousness, and anticipation. 

“You’ll forgive me if it’s hard to get out of the work habits, Miss CEO,” he returned, emerald eyes glinting with humor. 

“Fair enough.” She stepped backwards into her apartment. “Welcome to my humble dwelling, Rowan.” 

“Humble,” he echoed, both incredulous and teasing. “This place’s rent probably costs more than my mortgage.” 

Aelin flashed him a grin. “What good is my career if I can’t afford a comfortable place to live and still have some left to donate?” 

“You donate?” 

“I thought we’d established you weren’t working, Ro.” 

He chuckled. “I’m…call it a first-date question or something. I didn’t expect you to say that.” 

“Not many do,” she admitted, shifting her gaze out the window, where Orynth’s skyline was washed in gold and copper by the setting sun. “But nothing gives me more genuine pleasure than seeing the faces of every child who gets to go to school because I make more money than I can possibly spend.” 

“You set up a foundation?” 

“Have you heard of the Fireheart Foundation?” 

Rowan’s face slackened in appreciative shock. “That’s you?” 

“Well, my parents started it—‘Fireheart’ was Dad’s nickname for Mom—and I continue their legacy.” A soft flush crept up her cheeks, heating her face. “It’s not that big of a deal, Ro.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “And you distracted me so much that it’s after seven-thirty.”

“Hmm, we’d better get going, then. And by the way, it is a big deal, but I won’t bother you with that if you don’t want me to.” Easily, naturally, he laced his fingers with hers, and led her out into the hall, waiting for her to lock her door. “Close your eyes, Ae.” 

“In my building?” 

“Fine, as soon as we get to the car.” He pretended to sigh at her good-natured giggle. 

As she clicked her seatbelt into place, she snickered. “Is it bad that I’m thinking this is some elaborate scheme to kidnap me?” 

“I’m offended!” he gasped, mock-theatrical. “I’m the guy who rescues you from the big bad kidnapper, Ae, not the big bad kidnapper himself.” 

“You can be the big bad something else,” she mumbled, just loud enough for him to hear. 

He spluttered out a cough, his tan cheeks flaring scarlet. “Aelin!” 

She just smirked. “You heard me, darling.” 

“Dinner first,” he grunted, his voice more raspy than he probably intended. He managed to compose himself, and he shot her a blazingly hot gaze in the rearview mirror as he backed out of the parking garage and drove into downtown Orynth. “Then I’ll give you big bad something.” 

“We’ll see about that,” she purred, her voice like silk and sin. Then she closed her eyes, smothering a wicked little chuckle that rose in her at his frustrated, half-strangled exhale. 

About thirty minutes later, he stopped. “Open your eyes, Ae.” 

She did. “East Orynth Sporting Range? Are you sure this isn’t a kidnapping scheme, Lieutenant?” 

“Funny,” he deadpanned, hurrying around the car to open her door for her. “Have you ever done archery before, Miss Galathynius?” 

“Drop the title, Lieutenant, and yes. I took lessons when I was younger—you know, like a good little rich girl.” 

“Let’s see how well this good little rich girl can still shoot, then,” he murmured, the low rumble of his words dancing deliciously down her spine. 

“If I miss every target, I’m blaming the lack of flexibility…in the bow, of course.” She laughed softly at his muted blush. “Maybe you’ll have to come stand behind me and guide my position.” 

“Oh, I’ll guide your position, alright,” he agreed, the simmering heat of his gaze searing right through the soft linen of her dress. 

“Only if necessary,” she said, taking his hand as they walked up to the entrance. Like the gentleman he was, he held the door open for her. “Thank you, Ro.” 

“Anytime.” He strolled up to the check-in desk and waved at the middle-aged woman sitting at the counter. “Hey, Philippa!” 

The woman’s kind face split into a crinkled, joyful smile. “Rowan Whitethorn! I haven’t seen you in years, you little troublemaker!” 

“He’s a grown-up troublemaker now,” Aelin joked. 

Philippa’s smile widened as she took in Aelin’s appearance and closeness to Rowan. “And who might this be, Rowan? She’s far out of your league, that I can tell.” 

“This is Miss Aelin Galathynius,” Rowan said. 

Philippa reached across the counter and squeezed Aelin’s hands. “Lovely to meet you.” 

“The pleasure is all mine.” Aelin beamed at the maternal-looking woman. “Tell me, has Rowan really been coming here since he was a mischievous little scamp?” 

“I still remember him being dragged away from the rock wall,” Philippa said, eyes twinkling. 

Rowan sighed. “I suppose I’ll just go to the range while you spill all my life’s secrets, hmm?” 

“I would never miss a chance to show off my little-rich-girl tricks,” Aelin returned. “Shall we?” 

Philippa passed a clipboard across the desk. “Sign this, both of you, and then go on ahead. Rowan, you can show Miss Aelin everything; you know where it all is.” 

Aelin signed and passed Rowan the clipboard, and he signed and handed it back to Philippa. “I’d be happy to. Thanks, Philippa.” 

“Enjoy!” the older woman called, waving as the pair headed for the equipment room. 

Rowan’s hand shifted to the small of Aelin’s back. “We have the range to ourselves for an hour; I convinced Philippa to let us in during what’s usually janitorial hours. Don’t worry, they don’t actually clean right now. They just use it as a built-in break.” 

“How clever,” Aelin mused. “I…oh, wow!” She turned in a slow circle, sweeping her eyes over every piece of equipment that lined the neatly organized racks and walls of the equipment room. “Why didn’t my parents send me here?” 

“Too afraid you’d never leave?” Rowan teased. 

She swatted his shoulder playfully. “You think you’re so funny.” 

“We’ll see who’s laughing when you shoot the floor.” His eyes glittered with challenge. 

Aelin cracked her knuckles. “Bring it on, Robin Hood.” She perused the racks of bows, testing a few before settling on a lightweight but sturdy fiberglass recurve bow. She slung a quiver of the range’s standard blunt practice arrows over her shoulder and joined Rowan, quelling the surge of lust that flared between her legs at the sight of him with a bow slung over his shoulder. 

“Satisfied with your choice, Ae?” 

“Unless it performs poorly, I am.” She winked, dropping her gaze for a brief moment. 

“I’ll show you poor performance,” he all but growled, leading the way into the range. 

The expansive, high-ceilinged space stretched from one end of the long building to the other, with several rows of targets lined up at various distances across the turf-floored expanse. There were lines of chalk painted onto the turf, indicating where archers of different ages and heights should stand. Overhead fans blew with a low mechanical whirr, circulating the faint odor of leather and resin through the air. 

Confidently, Rowan took a stance at one of the white lines, nocked an arrow, aimed his bow, took a breath, and released the arrow on the exhale. It sliced cleanly through the air and embedded itself in the tiny red bulls-eye of one of the mid-distance targets. 

Aelin whistled. “Impressive.” She took her own stance three spaces away from him. “I’d tell you what that sight did to me, but then we’d never make it out of here.” 

His next shot, which he’d been releasing as she spoke, shuddered and went wide, landing in an outer ring of the target. “Distraction is a cheap trick, Ae.” 

“Who said this was a competition?” With a sweet smile, she shook out her arms and legs, planted her feet in a stance that her muscles had never fully forgotten—hell, who was she kidding? She’d maintained that skill, and it had come in handy more than once as she built the Boss’s empire—fitted an arrow to the taut string of her bow, aimed, and let it fly. The arrow whistled through the air and thudded cleanly into her target, exactly where she had aimed. 

“Maybe it really has been too long,” Rowan teased, amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes as he looked at where her arrow had landed. 

Smack dab in the middle of the wooden crossbeam from which the target hung. 

“Aim a little lower next time, love,” he said, low and slow. 

“Wouldn’t you like that,” she returned, a slow smirk curling her lips. She nocked another arrow and aimed again, fired on the exhale, and sent the arrow slicing straight into the bulls-eye of the target in the row behind the one she’d just shot into. 

Rowan whistled in admiration. “How about a contest, Ae? A real one?” She raised her eyebrows in interest, and he continued. “We take turns picking targets, the one who’s closest gets the point, and whoever has more points at the end wins.” 

“And what’s the prize?” 

“Loser buys dinner.” 

“That’s boring.” Her eyes sparkled with eager challenge. “If you win, you get to see what’s under this dress. Or not under it.” 

He inhaled and exhaled slowly. Very slowly. “If you win, I’ll show you what you missed when you left me hard and leaking in that damn hallway at your gala.” 

“Deal.” She held out her hand, he clasped it, and they shook hands, the warm heaviness of their contest settling between them with no small amount of tension. “You are going down, darling.” 

“If I’m lucky, that’ll only be the beginning.” He smirked at her soft gasp. “Can’t wait to hear that sound again, love.” 

“You wish.” She rolled her shoulders. “First target: the bulls-eye of that second-to-last target.” In one fluid motion, she nocked, aimed, and fired, and her arrow speared clean through the bulls-eye she’d pointed at. 

Rowan whistled. “Haven’t practiced archery since you were a kid, my ass.” 

“You do have a rather fine one,” she said lightly, snickering at his flustered cough. 

“If you’re trying to distract me, try again.” Confidently—and dear god, the things that confidence did to her—he fired an arrow, sending it into the exact same spot she had hit. “Looks like it’s my turn to pick a target.” 

“Choose wisely.” 

His smirk was edged with something wild and challenging and deliciously dangerous. “Bottom left corner of the target at the hundred-meter line. Not the outer ring, the bottom left corner.” He rolled his shoulders, carefully aimed, exhaled, and released his arrow. It sang through the air and embedded into the lower left corner of the farthest target with a muted thunk. 

“Impressive,” Aelin hummed. Narrowing her eyes, she carefully aimed, ignoring the sights on the bow and using her instinct to push her bow just a fraction to the right. 

“You sure about that position?” Without warning, Rowan stepped up behind her and settled his hands onto her hips. “Looks like you’re aiming too far right, darling.” 

She stifled the delightful tremor that shuddered through her at his closeness. “I know the path of my shots, Lieutenant.” With a bright smile, she loosed her arrow, which whistled through the air and cleanly skewered the lower left corner of the hundred-meter-away target, a good inch and a half closer to the juncture of the corner than his shot had been. 

He inhaled sharply and stepped back just a smidge, but not before she’d felt the thick, hard evidence of what her shot had done to him. “I’ll have to pick a more difficult target,” he said, though there was no small amount of admiration in his voice. “Your turn.” 

Aelin swept her gaze around the range, a wicked grin lifting her lips as she settled on a target. “See that target hanging up on the far wall?” 

“Mhmm.” He moved to her side, sharp gaze calculating the distance. “That has to be two hundred, maybe two hundred fifty meters away.” 

“There’s a chain at the top that anchors that target to the wall, which has to be padded for safety. Our target is the top link of that chain—land your shot through the chain so it goes into the wall padding.” 

He stared at her in shock. “Are you insane?” 

“Maybe.” She winked. “Why, are you afraid you can’t make it?” 

“Why don’t you let me take the first shot to prove that I’m not afraid of anything?” 

“If you want.” She stepped aside. “All yours, big boy.” 

“Say that again.” His voice was a soft, gravelly rumble, laced with the kind of command that she’d only ever dreamed of hearing. 

Rather than give into her fantasies and jump him right then and there, Aelin just smirked. “Make that shot, and I’ll say it again.” 

“Fuck,” he murmured, mostly under his breath. He took his time lining up his shot, carefully aiming just a few inches too high to compensate for the arc the arrow would take at such a long distance. Finally, he drew back his arrow and let it fly, watching it like a hawk as it sliced through the faintly stale air of the range. The arrow arced up, then gently down, and landed with a clean thud three inches to the right of the chain suspending the target from the wall. He grinned, proud that he’d managed to get so close to the almost-impossible target. “Beat that shot, darling.” 

She stepped up to the shooting line and rolled out her neck. “Let’s hope I can live up to the way I felt when I picked this target.” She took a good minute to line up her shot, her brows furrowed in deep concentration. After settling on her aim, she pulled back her arrow, took a deep breath, and released on the exhale. Her arrow whistled across the distance in a precise, beautiful arc and skewered through the second-highest link of the chain holding up the target on the far wall. 

Rowan’s jaw gaped in complete shock, his eyes wide with incredulity. 

Aelin sucked in a gasp, her eyes going wide as she realized that she’d made the shot. Two thoughts raced through her mind—one being fuck, what if he starts suspecting me now? and the other being I can’t fucking believe I made that shot!

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d suspect you of being some kind of archery master,” he said, unabashed appreciation replacing the shock written all over his face. “That was fucking insane, Ae.” 

She laughed quietly, still stunned herself. “I honestly don’t know how in the hell I made that.” 

“I think that makes you the winner.” He looped his free arm around her waist. “And I recall something about the loser buying dinner.” 

“And dessert,” she added, leaning into his side and looking up at him through half-lidded eyes. 

~

Their exit from the archery range was a blur of rapid motion and badly concealed desire, and she only blinked back into reality when they climbed into the backseat of his car and he practically lunged across the small distance between them and crashed his lips into hers. 

She threaded her fingers into his hair and angled his head to deepen the kiss, her tongue tangling with his. A soft moan broke free from her throat, and he groaned in response, breaking the kiss and shifting his lips to her throat, tracking a trail of soft, hot kisses down her sensitive skin. 

“No…no marks,” she managed to say. He hummed in assent and nipped lightly at her fluttering pulse point before working his way back up her throat and kissing her deeply again. She moaned into the kiss, her hips inadvertently rolling, shifting her body closer against him. 

He groaned. “Aelin…” A short pause, their heartbeats so loud they could practically hear each other’s pulses. “I won’t take you in the backseat of a car this first time.” 

“Why not?” She dragged one hand ever so slowly down his chest, almost reaching his throbbing erection before he caught her wrist with a growl. 

“Because anyone could walk past and see us, and I don’t need an audience when I make you scream my name.” 

She went silent, her slightly-swollen lips dropping in aroused surprise. “Then get me home, Lieutenant.” 

A dark little smile crooked his lips. “Have I ever told you that I’ve dreamed of you using my title in bed?” 

“Now you have.” She climbed into the passenger seat. “Lieutenant.” 

He drove back to her apartment building with so little heed for traffic rules that she almost didn’t believe he was a cop. And when he parked and opened her door for her, the promise lighting his eyes made her knees turn to jelly. 

“Nervous, Ae?” he asked as they stepped into the elevator. 

“Hardly.” She pressed the button for her floor. “I recall you talking some big talk about showing me what I missed, so I’d only be nervous that you won’t last long enough to do that.” 

His hands flexed against her waist, the heat of him seeping through her linen dress. “Keep saying things like that and we’ll see who doesn’t last.” 

“Ah-ah, big boy.” She clicked her tongue. “Loser doesn’t get to call the shots.” 

“Aelin,” he groaned, eyes fluttering closed. 

“Rowan,” she echoed, giggling at his evident frustration. The elevator stopped with a ding, its door opening to Aelin’s floor. She threaded her fingers with his and led him down the hallway to her apartment, unlocked the door, and let him in. She’d just finished locking the deadbolt behind them when his hands circled her waist and his lips pressed against the back of her neck, soft but so intensely heated that she drew in a tiny gasp. 

“Told you I’d hear that sound again,” he murmured into her ear. 

She arched backwards, molding her body against his. “And I told you the loser doesn’t get to call the shots tonight, love.” Smoothly, she moved out of his embrace, bent down, and unfastened her heeled sandals, leaving them on the short shoe rack by the door. She strolled through the living room, mentally counting the seconds until he followed. 

Five, six, seven. Seven seconds. Then Rowan kicked off his shoes, crossed the living room in four long strides, and backed her into the closest wall in another two steps. 

“This doesn’t look like my bed,” she teased. 

“We’ll get to that.” Cupping his hands under her ass, he hoisted her effortlessly up and kissed her, his tongue slipping between her parted lips. She groaned softly and tangled her fingers into his hair, unapologetically ruffling up the short strands as she kissed him harder, nipping at his lips, a challenge and a tease all at once. 

“Gods,” she moaned as his lips worked down her neck, her hips grinding into his. 

“Just me,” he mumbled into her skin. 

She huffed out a breathy laugh. “How are you so funny and so hot right now?”

“Call it a special skill.” He chuckled at her wry laugh and abruptly pulled her away from the wall and down the rest of the short hallway to her bedroom, where he set her down on her feet. “Dress. Off.” 

Faster than he could blink, she hooked her foot around the back of his legs and knocked him to his knees. “What did I tell you about giving me commands tonight, love?” 

“Fuck me,” he breathed, cock straining at the front of his pants, probably leaving a permanent imprint of his zipper. “I didn’t know you could do that, Ae.” 

“Now you do.” Her turquoise gaze trailed lazily down his body. “Clothes off, Ro.” 

He yanked his shirt over his head and had his pants down to his knees before he looked up at her with a wry smirk. “Can’t exactly get my pants all the way off like this.” 

She chuckled. “Here.” Leaning down, she pulled his belt out of his pants, looped it swiftly around his wrists—deliberately making the restraint very simple so that investigative brain of his wouldn’t suspect anything—and let him stand up. “Now get your pants off, love.” 

“I…” His cock was practically shoving through his boxers. “My hands…”

“Don’t tell me you need your hands to get your pants off, my darling Lieutenant,” she hummed. With a wicked half-smirk, she pulled her dress up and over her head, revealing a lacy, golden bra and panties set. 

It took him exactly ten seconds to kick off his pants and drop back to his knees, a desperate groan ripping from his throat as he drank in the sight of her in scraps of golden lace. 

“Look at you already on your knees for me,” she cooed, sauntering across the room until she stood before him. She trailed her fingers through his hair and down his face, dancing across the intricate craftsmanship of his tattoo. “Good boy.” 

“Aelin,” Rowan moaned, desperation bleeding into his tone, “please.” 

“Please what?” 

“Please,” he said, eyes wide and begging, “let me touch you. Let me taste you. Please.” 

“Such pretty manners.” She dropped down on the end of her bed, conveniently stripping off her panties as she did, and let her legs fall open. “Only when I say so, Lieutenant.” He groaned but didn’t move, his whole body tense with the effort it took to keep in place rather than lunge for her and bury his tongue between her thighs. “Good boy,” she gasped, her head falling back as she circled her clit with her thumb, the soft touch lighting a fire in her blood. “Touch me, darling.” 

She’d barely spoken the words before he yanked his hands free, launched himself forward, fell back to his knees at the end of her bed, and replaced her thumb with his. 

“Fuck,” she gasped, hips jerking. “More, Ro.”

He circled her entrance with one fingertip before plunging his finger into her, the wetness that had pooled between her legs naturally slicking the digit. She moaned with pleasure, guiding him to add a second finger, and reached up to tease her nipples. His eyes went huge and pleading, and he struggled to find words before he managed to choke out a coherent thought. 

“Let me taste you, Ae,” he begged. “Fucking please.” 

She hummed, pretending to consider it. “Thank you for asking,” she finally said, running her free hand down his throat. “Go ahead, Ro. Put that filthy mouth of yours to work.” 

Wisely, he kept his fingers moving, twisting and curling inside of her, as he buried his head between her legs and swept his tongue in a broad, strong stroke up her cunt. He circled her clit with his tongue, sucked the throbbing little bud between his lips, and groaned deeply as the taste of her exploded on his tongue.

Between his ridiculously fucking talented mouth and the headiness of ordering around the gorgeous man she’d been dreaming of since February, Aelin didn’t last long before she clamped her thighs around Rowan’s head and called out his name as she came all over his face. Her body shook as her orgasm subsided, ripples of bliss passing through her. 

“Fuck me,” she sighed, her head clearing again. “That was so good, darling.” 

Slowly, he lifted his head and withdrew his glistening fingers. “You want me to fuck you?” 

“Oh, I want you to do much more than just that.” Languidly, she moved up the bed and stretched out against the multitude of pillows. “Take off the rest of your clothes and come here, love.” 

It took him all of five seconds to tear off his boxers, revealing a thick, hard cock that made her pussy clench just thinking about how fucking amazing it was going to feel filling her up, and position himself atop her, his weight braced on his forearms so he wasn’t crushing her. “Here I am.” 

“Here you are.” A softer light replaced the commanding glint in her eyes. “And here I am. What you do next is up to you, Rowan.” 

He exhaled shakily, a warmth bordering on love suffusing his face. “I’ve dreamed of this since the night of that goddamn gala, Aelin.” 

“Me too.” She draped one arm over his shoulder, tracing the defined planes of his upper back. “So do something about it.” 

And Rowan did.

~

It was May 25, which made it, as Gavriel would probably scream, time to stop fucking around and start producing some concrete proof. Rowan knew he’d been putting off actually filing the evidence he’d collected, using the flimsy excuse of the amount of paperwork it would take, and he was finally having a calm enough week at Orynth PD to lock himself in his office and start the task. 

He went through the homicide reports mechanically, having filed so many of them during his career that he had the process down to muscle memory. The only thing he had to consciously remember for these reports was to track the consistency of the victims’ MO’s, because that was one of the key things upon which his case rested. If he was going to get Celaena Sardothien convicted for her reign of shadow-cloaked terror—and he swore he would—he needed to make certain that he drove home the point about her preferred mode of torture-to-murder being the same. 

The fact that his suspect had never been seen in person would be an obstacle, but not an insurmountable one. He had full faith that when his trap was set and baited, Sardothien would come right into its open arms. 

He took a lunch break after finishing the reports, during which he allowed himself to open his personal cell phone and scroll through his and Aelin’s recent texts. He even managed to call and catch her during a break, which meant they could spend a few minutes talking. Which had him grinning like an idiot when he returned to his office. 

Turning back to the evidence filing, Rowan picked up the small plastic bag containing the tiny piece of mysterious fabric. Aedion had left a copy of his analytical notes, as his explanation of the material would be just as crucial as the material itself when this case eventually came to court. Rowan flipped through the pages, noting down any key information as he filed the fabric scrap as evidence, when two separate details caught his eyes. 

First, early in his initial observations, Aedion had noted that the fabric had “remarkably straight, cleanly squared edges.” Rowan turned over that thought in his head, jaw dropping when he realized the implication—the fabric had not been torn, but cut out of a larger piece. 

Which left the distinct possibility that it had been planted at the explosion site. 

“Fucking hell,” Rowan swore, jaw ticking as he added that note to the evidence report. 

The second thing that caught his eye was towards the end of Aedion’s notes, an otherwise ordinary note about the place of manufacture. Developed at Galathynius, Inc. Laboratories. Rowan shook his head, blinked a few times, and reread the note five more times to make sure he was reading it correctly. Each time, it said the same thing. 

The mysterious foreign fabric had been developed at the labs of Aelin’s beloved company. 

Rowan’s mind raced a mile a minute through the possibilities of that one little note. On the extreme end, it implied that Aelin had created the fabric—which was impossible, because she’d told him herself that she had an engineering team. So perhaps her engineers had developed it? Without her knowing? But that would make no sense, since Aelin was clearly invested enough in her company to be fully aware of what was developed in her labs. So…a secret project?

Or, as Rowan began to suspect, if Celaena Sardothien was using Aelin Galathynius as a cover-up, it followed that she would have been able to use the lab and develop some kind of near-impenetrable material for her nefarious schemes. 

All the more reason to end the Shadow Assassin before she decided Aelin was no longer useful.

~

On the unseasonably warm evening of May 30, Aelin—clad in the form-fitting black suit of Celaena Sardothien—wove her way through the shipping district, darting from shadow to shadow like a breath of nighttime breeze. A few days ago, Nox had left her a note that there had been a suspicious figure seen lurking around Warehouse 4, and because she needed to let off some steam, she’d decided to go investigate it herself. With the SecondSkin covering her true skin and her suit snug against her body, she blended into the dark little nooks and crannies of the industrial sprawl of buildings, and she made it to Warehouse 4 undetected. At the perimeter of the security cameras’ field, she tapped her boot twice against an innocuous-looking crack in the unkempt pavement, disarming the cameras temporarily. 

Footsteps silent, she crept up to the steel-sided building and paced a careful lap around the structure. She’d just started a second lap when there was a faint rustle from the cluster of nearby shrubs, and a knife sliced through the night and embedded itself in her arm. 

Or it would have, had she not caught it before it could make contact. 

Thick, tense silence stretched across the short distance between her and whoever the fuck was hiding in the shrubbery like a damn coward. 

Then, with a muffled “fuck,” a tall, muscled, black-clad male figure exploded out of the shrubs and rushed at her. 

She dodged his initial brute rush, kicking out as she sidestepped and managing to get the man in the back of the leg. He grunted, reversed direction, and swung a powerful right cross punch at her, which she blocked with one forearm and returned with a left hook. He swatted away her strike, so she launched into a flurry of rapid-fire punches and strikes, distracting him enough that she was able to get in close quarters and drive one knee into the juncture of his leg and his groin. He swore viciously and retaliated with a brutal punch to her side, which made most of her breath whoosh out of her lungs. 

“Dick move,” she huffed. 

The man scoffed. “Says the woman who literally just kneed me in the dick.” 

“Obviously you have no knowledge of anatomy.” She landed a punch to his shoulder joint and followed it up with a boot to his thigh. “Or you’d know that I kneed you in the thigh joint, idiot.” 

“Nobody told me the Boss was such a smart-ass.” He smacked the small knife out of her left hand. “Now who’s not playing by the rules?” 

“What rules?” With a vicious grin, she ducked his roundhouse swing and thrust her elbow into his stomach. He folded over with a groan, though he recovered rapidly. Not rapidly enough to fully dodge the high, sweeping kick she directed at his face, hitting his jaw enough to bruise and send his head jerking sideways. “There aren’t rules in this world.” 

“No…shit,” he wheezed. He dodged her sudden rush and whirled around to meet her head-on again, flicking open a switchblade. 

“Nice blade.” Aelin’s smirk flashed white in the blue-black darkness as she whipped twin serrated daggers from her thigh sheaths. “Little bit thuggish though, don’t you think?” 

“Says the goddamn Boss.” 

God, but it was fun to go into combat with someone who wasn’t afraid to dish her sarcasm right back at her. “You’ve got quite the mouth on you, hmm? Pity I won’t be able to listen to it much longer.” 

“That’s what you think.” He swiped at her thigh, gasping shortly when she whipped her leg up to avoid the blade. Gasping in a more strangled manner when she wrapped that leg around his neck and half-threw, half-strangled him to the ground in a single fluid, brutal maneuver that was some kind of unholy cross between martial arts and street fighting. “Fuck!”

She stomped on his wrist, forcing him to release his knife, and swiftly immobilized him, though he was a good deal taller and heavier than she was. “Any last words?” The tip of her dagger touched his pulsing jugular, eager to rip open the skin. 

“Only–”

“WAIT!”

Aelin muffled a particularly colorful curse. “What the fuck, Con?!” 

“Boss, wait!” Con sprinted around so he was in her view, glancing quickly at the man she had pinned to the ground. “I know him.” 

“You have fifteen seconds to explain.” 

Con yanked the man’s dark mask and hood off, revealing tawny skin, blonde curls, and an oddly familiar face. “Long time no see, brother.” 

“Brother?” 

“Boss, this is Fen.”  

The blonde–who, Aelin noted, was indeed Con’s mirror image, but blonde–grinned. “Fenrys Moonbeam, at your service.”  

She snorted softly. “I’ll be the judge of that. Con, is he safe?”  

Con shrugged and addressed his brother. “Where have you been, Fen?”  

“Evading authority, like usual.” 

The dark-haired twin rolled his eyes. “He’s safe. Good eyes, good ears, talks too much but knows when to shut his stupid face.”  

“All right, Fen, you’re hired. I could use another pair of eyes, and your brother could use a break, if he knows what that is.” Aelin released Fenrys and stood up, brushing off her hands. 

Fen pushed himself to his feet with a groan, shaking out his cramped, sore limbs. “So the interview consists of almost dying. Got it.” 

She threw him a vicious grin. “And if I decide I won’t hire a candidate, the ‘almost’ part goes away.” 

“Terrifying.” He gulped. “Well, then I’ll count myself lucky.” He shook her offered hand. “Thanks for the opportunity, Boss.” 

“I’m looking forward to seeing how your particular skills can be an asset.” She winked, relishing the way he shuddered ever so slightly at the obvious hint of her scheming. “I’ve been in need of a decent trespasser since the last one had an unfortunate run-in with a bullet.” 

“Unfortunate, huh?” 

“Very unfortunate.” She chuckled, low and dark. “He went two steps too far.” 

Fenrys grimaced. “I’ll be here whenever you need me, Boss.” With a lazy mockery of a salute, he limped off beside his brother, headed for Con’s truck. 

~

Back at his apartment that was little more than a shitty, rundown box with paper-thin walls, tucked into one of many nondescript brick apartment buildings bordering the industrial district, Fenrys Moonbeam stretched his aching body out on his crappy couch, settled an ice pack on his throbbing knee, and picked up the cellphone lying on the side table. Opening the short list of contacts, he scrolled for a moment before tapping on an icon and letting the phone ring. 

The call connected just after the third ring. “Moonbeam?” 

Fenrys knew better than to waste words. “I’m in, Cap.” 

“Wrong title.” Rowan Whitethorn’s grunt dripped with acerbic sarcasm. 

“Apologies, Lieutenant,” Fenrys simpered. “Anyway, I’m in.” 

“Good.” 

Click. The call went dead. 

Fenrys sighed. He really should have expected Whitethorn to be as terse as his reputation suggested; the man had sent him an actual paper printout of his instructions, for fuck’s sake. At least the assignment was fairly simple. 

Infiltrate Celaena Sardothien’s ring of criminals. Check. 

Get into Sardothien’s good graces enough to go with her when she inevitably committed her next murder. Check…right? 

Collect as much evidence as possible of the Boss’s numerous heinous crimes so the TSF could convict her and end her rampage of villainy. He was working on that.

And preferably don’t fucking die in the attempt. That last part had been spoken in Rowan Whitethorn’s famously dry voice. 

No sweat. 

Aching from the unexpectedly brutal fight, Fenrys Moonbeam stretched out on his shitty couch, wincing at the unpleasant feeling of every goddamn spring in the bloody couch digging into his body, closed his eyes, and dropped into shallow sleep, hyperaware that he laid exactly twelve feet atop the equally rundown, mildew-ridden apartment of Boss Celaena Sardothien.

~~~

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[smolwritingchick]

The Bangtan Gal Chapter 69- GAYO Daechukje & GAYO Daejejun

Chapter Summary: JenKook shippers finally catch Jungkook staring at Jennie when they film Season's Greetings. Jen takes fans to church with her improved vocals and Aliee inspired high note during a secret collab with some of her fellow 97 Liners. (Jungkook fluff!)

Words: 7,000+

Author's Note: Ironically, the V, Jimin and Jungkook hide and seek video at the end of this chapter was the reason I wanted to make this story years ago back in 2016. I asked myself what if a girl was with them? And funny enough, I switched it up and let this be where the most crucial moment happens in the story. I like how things came full circle. And I don't regret taking a break from writing and editing every single chapter so far, deleting and adding things. I like how things have come about. Stay tuned :) Thank you for sticking with me to this point.

------

After opening presents, Jennie decided to check out BTS’ Seasons Greetings which they filmed. She enjoyed filming for it and loved the photoshoots and her outfits.

They had filmed in Yangpyeong to shoot this year’s Season’s Greetings. After Jimin had done his shoot first, Jennie was dressed as Princess Tiana in her yellow waitress outfit. While she watched herself posing on the screen, she felt so giddy. She loved being Tiana and chuckled when she watched the Maknae Line trying to distract her with funny faces.

“She is too cute.” Hobi took some photos of her

After posing around, she then changed into Tiana's green dress.

“I feel like a princess.” she twirled around.

The photos of her being Tiana went viral and even got to Black Twitter and the Cosplay community which gave her even more exposure and followers on Instagram. It touched her to see her photos as Tiana be received so positively. 

“Ah, Jennie, she looks so pretty.” Jimin smiled

Sitting on the couch, Jennie read, “A quick interview...”

‘Any regrets for the year 2015?’

“Hm...nah, not really. Whatever mistakes I’ve made, I learned from them and moved on. No regrets for 2015.”

‘What is your goal for next year?’

“I want to rap. I’ve been learning thanks to Suga but I’m not sure if I’m ready to showcase it yet. That’s a goal for 2016, that I would love to do. And also to be more charismatic on stage, getting the crowd moving. I want to be a great performer and be able to have the ability to stand on the stage and the crowd gets hyped with just looking at me. And another goal is to continue to improve my vocals.”

‘2015 was a tough year. Say a word to yourself.’

“You’re improving every day. Keep going.”

‘What will you be like in 10 years?’

“Hm...2025...I'd like to be married by that time. I also just want to be happy and make sure I’m enjoying life while still being successful with Bangtan."

After the interview, Jen watched Yoongi’s photoshoot as Jack Frost. He looked so adorable with his white hair and blue contacts. After he was done, she chilled with him on the couch and he fell asleep with his head on her shoulder. Soon after, she had placed her head on top of his to take a short nap.

Of course, when you nap around the members, they’ll mess with you, so Jungkook, Hobi and Jin were taking funny photos and laughing at how they didn’t get caught. 

“Wow, so y’all really took photos of us?” Jen murmured as she continued to watch what was happening on the screen. 

When they moved to the next destination, she watched Jungkook laugh while he messed with Jimin’s hair. She thought it was one of the best things she had ever heard and it brought joy to her heart, hearing him so happy.

When she walked past J-Hope, Jimin and Jungkook trying to harmonize, especially with J-Hope’s little high note, Jen commented sarcastically, “That was beautiful.” and the three boys burst out in laughter

Walking into a room, she was joined by two female stylists who shut the door and helped her get changed.

“I’m wearing that?” she pointed to the black lace dress with the open back. 

When they had giggled and said yes, Jennie was here for it and became excited. This had to be her favorite outfit by far. After getting her hair and makeup done, she put on the dress and checked herself out in the mirror.

“I love this so much.” she beamed.

When she walked out, Jungkook had been occupied, taking photos for his individual shots. But when his attention turned to the door and he saw her, he had to do a double take. He immediately stopped posing with the red guitar and opened his mouth to stare in awe. He couldn’t even concentrate, anymore. She looked gorgeous.

Just wow...

With Jennie, her back was to him, talking in front of the camera filming her spinning around to show off the short black lace dress. 

“You know what? Out of every outfit I have worn, this is my favorite. Like, look at this dress! The stylists hooked me up! I look great! Who am I going home with today?” she joked.

ARMY on Tumblr, who had already made posts and gifs about BTS Seasons Greetings 2016, had finally caught Jungkook. They caught him staring at her in the background while she spoke on camera. He had been sitting down at the time, taking a break from his shoot so the camera crew could check out the photos so far. He was just watching her, longer than usual.

At one point he had to take a walk for a moment to control himself. 

Fans had commented:

‘It took forever to find this moment but CAUGHT!’

‘Don’t @ me, he was clearly staring at her ass XD’

‘His face is priceless! What he concentrating so hard for?’

'He better get in line!! We all want her! She fine as hell! I know she can fight but can Jungkook fight? Cause we all want Jennie lmfao'

'SHE IS MOTHER!! MY GAWDDDD! HER BODY IS BODYING!'

'There is just something about this woman right here...'

'MA'AM!'

'Waiiiiiiiiiitttttt!'

'LMFAO did you see his hands twitch like he wanted to grab her!?'

'Jennie is growing too fast! Slow down baby girl omg!'

'It just doesn't make any sense how fine she got over the years!'

'She is so fine for what!?'

'I love her so bad! Nobody is doing it like her. The face card! The BODY!? She is gonna eat every time!'

'I bet you if she saw the way he was staring at her she'd fold. Cause shit I would! He staring HARD!'

'Just give me three and a half minutes, maybe even four!'

‘Ooh, Jennie watch out. My international playboy senses are tingling. I think it’s safe to say that you are clearly wanted by the Golden Maknae.’

‘She said who am I going home with today, I think Jungkook wants to take her home, ahahaha’

‘Haha, that’s probably the biggest behind he has ever seen, and he just doesn’t know what to do XD’

‘Uh oh, somebody collect this boy!’

‘Jungkook, whatcha staring at my boi?’

'Lmfao Jungkook can not handle all that. There is no way'

'Do you know how strong Jungkook is? Yes tf he can handle that! He'd pin her down in a heartbeat!'

'Agreed. He can use his strength on me if she don't want him. I volunteer as tribute!'

'I hope y'all know that Jungkook is not the pure little baby y'all think he is.'

'War of hormone 2.0!'

'I love when she wears bodycon clothes! It hugs her body so nicely! I don't blame him for staring, she looks amazing!'

‘Ayooo he really is staring hard. Kookie, you’ve been caught!’

‘I love how he tried to look away when he finally noticed the camera. You already got busted XD’

‘Guys...I’m actually here for this. If he likes her or something, I hope he shoots his shot very soon’

‘Jungkook, you ain’t slick.’

‘He looks like he about to pounce, hahahah’

‘Jeon Jungkook you have excellent taste. Please risk it all. Our Golden Maknae has become a man.’

‘JenKook shippers rejoice! I am so here for this! Look at how he looks at her! I see love in his eyes, I’m screaming’

‘She is a whole woman! Looking like a snack! I think he got up from his seat to restrain himself, I’m cackling’

‘Is he OK? She got him in a trance, lol’

‘He was so focused on her that he didn’t realize he was also in the shot’

‘This is tea! Haters are pressed! I love it. There is no denying that he’s into her.’

‘Seeing this gives me hope’

‘Pretty sure he enjoyed the view, lol’

‘I hope Jennie sees this on Tumblr, soon. I know she lurks on the BTS tag. Let’s get these notes to a high number. Keep reblogging and liking’

‘My boi is ready!’

‘And she has no idea! That’s the crazy part! Someone look at me like that when I’m not looking.’

‘That’s some...intense staring Jungkook. Care to explain?’

‘Hol’ up, I know this man wasn’t checking out our girl and tried to be slick when he noticed the camera.’

When Jungkook was back taking photos, he kept getting distracted by her. 

“Jungkook-ah! Look at the camera. Focus!” the staff called out, amused. 

They knew exactly what was going on. They thought it was cute to see him like this.

Turning around, Jennie found herself watching him. The hair, the suit, he looked fine as hell if she was being honest. This time, Jungkook had caught her watching and smiled. She had smiled back and looked away, feeling her cheeks flush.

“Jennie! Where is the rest of your dress?” Jin exclaimed, pointing at the exposed back.

“This is the dress.” she laughed

“Oh, my goodness. Why do you do this to me?” he asked the stylists who giggled at his dramatic complaining.

“Let’s have Jungkook and Jennie together.” The staff requested. 

As soon as JenKook heard that they would be taking photos together, their mood was boosted as bright smiles were on their faces. With his red guitar in his hands, Jen had her acoustic guitar and they stood back to back, posing for the camera before doing various other poses. If anything, it truly looked like they were dating based on how close they were and how they would look at each other.

While watching the season’s greetings video, Jennie recalled how handsome Jungkook looked in that suit. They made a great pair for that photoshoot and their chemistry was off the charts.

She continued to watch as the members were involved in a quiz. She remembered failing miserably. But it was hilarious to see J-Hope get the shorthand of the stick. Poor Hobi.

--------

Seeing all the JenKook posts from Season’s Greetings, an ARMY created a Tumblr post called:

‘Why I ship JenKook, want them to date, think they could be dating right now and support Jungkook liking Jennie’

Yeah! I said it! All you haters are pressed! It’s no denying that Jungkook likes our beautiful black queen and I’m here for it! I’m here to state the facts and make haters more pressed because I’m petty like that. So, let’s get started! Block me if you want idgaf, there is no other ship in Bangtan that is more friggin obvious than JenKook. Not BamJen, not Jennie and Hayoon (JenYoon), not JenMin, not Taennie, no other damn ship with Jennie is more obvious and more real than JenKook. FIGHT ME!

ARMY is back on their investigation habits and this time it involves our beloved Maknaes. The Golden Maknae and our Miss Bangtan. It’s been a few years since Jen arrived and was introduced as a member of the group. Some were skeptical but over time people have grown to love and support her. AS THEY SHOULD and stop getting so damn pressed when someone black is in K-Pop or associated with someone in K-Music.

Now, over time Jungkook’s demeanor has changed when he’s around her. Let’s start with some major points ARMY has caught. And if there are points I missed, which I know I did, add them to the thread.

Number One- Their Rookie King kiss! This was just the cutest thing. Remember their heads were pushed together thanks to the members when they were playing the pepero game as a punishment? I’m sure we all kind of freaked out when Jennie said “Let’s play” when Jungkook felt bad that she was stuck with him in the game. Our babies looked so adorable that day and Jennie also revealed on After School Club that Jungkook was her first kiss. FIRST KISS GUYS! It wasn’t Bam Bam! It wasn’t Jimin! It wasn’t Taehyung! It wasn’t any of your ships! It was Jeon Jungkook! Look at the video for the receipts!

Number Two- Jenkook during the of course game on Rookie King episode 8. This has to be one of the most underrated JenKook moments. I loved them bickering. They seem so competitive but have soft spots for each other. When Jungkook said, “...but you and I both know you can’t stay mad at me forever.” I nearly died because Jennie couldn’t fight that growing smile on her face. Soooo cute. And then when he said, “...you liked our kiss.” I was like ohhhh where did this confidence come from? He even said on After School Club that he wasn’t sorry for being her first kiss and Jen only wished that she was a better kisser so their kiss would’ve been more enjoyable. GUYS! This man is not sorry for kissing her! And this woman said she wanted to be a better kisser for him! Um hello!

Number Three- American Hustle Life, when Jungkook ignores the guys and notices Jennie first at the restaurant. And following that interview, they both talked about their friendship. Did you see how happy they looked talking about each other? “Do you know those friendships where you don’t even remember how you guys became such great friends? To be around someone who you click with so easily and that can make your day, that’s how I feel about my bond with him.” Same Jennie, same. My heart is full!

Number Four- Who can forget their sexy war of hormone dance? This broke the internet! I swear I thought they were dating, their chemistry is off the damn charts. From the music video to performing live, just how he LOOKS at her makes me freak tf out. I know Jungkook was always on cloud nine when he got to dance so close. Your favs will never have that so stay hating on JenKook! They are here to stay!

Number Five- JenKook on Running Man. Look at how protective they are of each other. Have you ever noticed how they always stick together and find their way back to each other? True love! And Jungkook with his offense and Jen with her defense makes them a dangerous duo. They aren’t called the Golden Duo for nothing. It’s wise to be on the same team as them tbh. And remember their famous “I got you.” and "I got you, first." line during their couple episode together? I died of happiness! Best Marvel couple ever!

Number Six- Their adorable dog! Tony! Whenever they’re away on schedule, Tony stays with Jungkook’s parents. But omg the fact that he gave her the dog because he remembers her mentioning she wanted a Jack Russell Terrier is so adorable. They are wonderful parents to the cutie. One happy family. Their photos with Tony are just the best. I love it when they bicker about who Tony loves more, too. I can just imagine Jungkook walking up to Jennie and Tony sleeping on his bed. Hahaha, I bet that is already happening!

Number Seven- When Jen came back to continue filming BTS NOW 2 after she had that scary pineapple allergic reaction, Jungkook RAN, not walked, RAN to hug her and he was the first one to spot her. Come on! The feels! Soulmate goals! It was like he knew she was coming before he spotted her as he turned in the direction of where she was arriving.

Number Eight- The tension escalator! Their height difference is so cute. Do you see how he LOOKS at her!? You can’t deny that he thinks she’s pretty. I really thought he was going to kiss her when he lifted her chin and pressed his forehead down on hers. And Jennie looked so nervous! I truly believe that she was hoping to kiss him.

Number Nine- During ISAC, when Jungkook was whispering strategy in her ear during women’s wrestling. Like I know it was just innocent talking but having him whisper in her ear like that, omg how can she be so calm!? Unless she wasn’t on the inside. And guess who was there for Jungkook at the end of the finish line during the 400m relay? Jennie! And he ran up to her and they fell down hugging! Ahhhhh!

Number Ten- During Jen’s V-Live when she was showing off the smartie factory and Jungkook joined her. Look at how he stares at her! And look at how she smiles at him! How happy she gets when he’s with her! Look at these receipts! Look at these screenshots! Look at these gifs! My ship is here to stay! Screw these other ships! It is nowhere in comparison! Like, his big smile is so cute. And peep how jealous Kook got when Jen read comments of ARMY shipping her and Shawn Mendes. Come on now, he likes her! Or they’re probably dating right now, and we are just seeing the signs! Something is going on ARMY. Someone likes someone!

Number Eleven- THIS at season’s greetings! He was clearly staring at her in that dress! And he was mesmerized by what her momma gave her! As he should! HE GOT CAUGHT staring at her ass at Season’s Greetings! He even got up to walk away to restrain himself! I just know he was trying hard to calm himself down! My boi wants her bad! Look at the screenshots that ARMY took! It’s there, it’s game over, you cannot win this argument. All you haters get so bent outta shape when idols, especially male idols show interest in Jennie and say that she’s pretty or take photos with her. But no matter what haters think, our girl remains unbothered and continues to rise with Bangtan. Deal with it!

The moral of the story is...something is going on and I don’t think they are just friends. I think that they either like each other or are probably secretly dating. ARMY, what do you think? You think Jungkook might shoot his shot? Let’s hope he does.

P.S- Jennie, if you come across this on Tumblr, OMG, I love you, you are amazing and gurl! Get your man!

-------

Backstage at KBS Gayo Daechukje, Rapmon was absent due to an unfortunate accident during rehearsal. Jen was bummed and worried since he would have to sit out of the performances but he seemed to be doing just fine.

It was also Taehyung’s birthday and the members surprised him with a cake. Jennie had created him a birthday box based on the anime that he has been watching as of late and he giggled uncontrollably, excited about it.

When he opened the letter, it read:

Ahhhh my baby Tae Tae! Happy birthday my boy! Those nights when I was lonely when I first came here, you were there and showed me all around Seoul to get used to my surroundings. If it wasn’t for your kindness, I’m not quite sure where I would’ve been when I first arrived at Big Hit.

You have changed my life for the better when I stepped foot here. Your vocals give me LIFE. Your deep voice is a blessing and your lines for our songs have got to be my favorite no matter how short or long they are.

Your silliness is one of the main things I love about you. You always know when to make me laugh and boost up my mood. Your love for Bangtan is unconditional and I thank you for being there whenever we’re down.

Hey, by the way, have you considered trying out for a K-Drama? Your acting skills are really good. Like, have you seen yourself when we filmed I Need U, RUN and the prologue? I hope you do something with acting because I would love to watch you in action. I’ll be your biggest fan always. Your daily dose of weirdness is always appreciated too. You are quite the character, my friend. And your cute boxy smile makes my heart fill with joy. Keep smiling, I love seeing it.

Also, thanks for always dancing with me at these awards shows. I can always count on you to turn up with me. How about we turn up at the Seoul Music Awards, too? You down? Hahah! You better be! Let’s hope that you can finally get into Cypher soon! I love you very much Tae. I’ll always be your Ennie.

Love,

Ennie <3

Taehyung immediately embraced her and gave her multiple kisses on the cheek. “Thank you so much, Ennie. I love it.”

“I’m glad. Happy birthday, Tae Tae.”

As the show went on, Jennie was already dressed for BTS’ performance and hung out with some of her idol friends. Jungkook, dressed in his outfit for his collab with Zion T, went to find her. He was nervous and she was the first person he thought of that could give him that extra strength to go out there and perform.

He soon found her talking with Bam Bam while GOT7 looked on with heart eyes.

‘Let her decide.’ was what he had talked to Bam Bam about. They had a full discussion about their feelings for her and Jungkook’s competitive nature came by as he told him that he wasn’t going to lose to him. The two held no grudges against each other and would remain good friends no matter what.

As much as Jungkook didn’t want to give up on her, if she did choose Bam Bam, then as long as she was happy, he’d be happy. He would never force her to love him. He could never do that. But something in him had faith that things would work out in his favor. He was going to fight for her until the end.

“Kook! Hey, ready for your collab?” she waved as he greeted them.

“Actually, can you be there with me?” he requested.

“Yeah, of course. I got you.” she turned to Bam Bam who smiled and nodded. “I’ll see you later.” she grabbed onto Jungkook’s arm, walking with him near the stage.

“Ah...I think I’m about to lose this battle.” Bam Bam murmured to Jackson as he watched them walk away.

“What?! Why you think that?” Jackson exclaimed

When JenKook stood by the steps, the stylist tended to him as he talked in front of the Bangtan Bomb camera.

“Thanks for being here with me. I really needed you.” he smiled at Jennie.

“Always.”

“Do I look okay? Ah, I’m so nervous.”

“You look great. Don’t be nervous. Everything is going to go smoothly. Just go out there and do what you do best. I’m proud of you, Kook.”

She looked on ahead as Jungkook’s gaze lingered on her. Moments later, she caught him. 

“All right, you look like you really want to tell me something. What is it?” she chuckled. “Like you really want to tell me something important. Like you have something that you really need to say to me, so what is it?”

“Watch me out there, okay?”

“I will.”

“Is my face okay?”

“Jungkook...” she rolled her eyes.

“Ah, why am I ugly?” he checked his face out from the Bangtan Bomb camera.

“Boy, you look fine as hell. Relax.” she blurted out causing him to turn and grin at her.

“Really?”

“Yeah. You’re not ugly, you’re far from that. So, stop saying that, mkay?” she kissed his forehead since his hair was parted. “I’ll be right here watching. Have fun up there.”

As they heard the last performance before him, Jennie was in awe of ALi’s high note and gave Jungkook a quick hug as he walked up on the stage to perform.

She smiled softly as she watched him sing. He looked so handsome in the sweater and his voice was undeniably gifted. She couldn’t get enough of his voice and his duality was insane.

After the performance was over, she quickly wrapped her arms around him, giving him multiple kisses on the cheek.

“That was amazing!” she beamed.

“You really think so?”

“Yeah! You two were great up there! Come on, you gotta get changed.”

As soon as Ailee was on stage to perform Mind Your Business, Jennie ran backstage until she was able to get a glimpse of the performance. A Bangtan Bomb was filmed of her jamming out and singing along, watching her in admiration. But then she had to rush back and get to her position for BTS’ performance. Jimin had a dance solo for Butterfly and then they performed a jazz remix of Dope and then Run.

For the next night, at MBC Gayo Daejejun, BTS performed I Need U and Run. They were also given the honor of covering Shinhwa’s Perfect Man. Jennie remained in the back, dancing powerfully and on beat with the rest of the guys. A smile came across her lips as she watched Jimin from behind. He put so much effort into this cover, she was proud of him.

He was really going hard and it surprised her as even his voice growled while he sang. She knew he was about to go off when he took his jacket off. 

After the performance, she hugged and praised him after the performance which made him feel great about himself as he giggled. When they did their final rehearsal, he kept rambling on how he thought he got wrong but thanks to her words, his doubts went away.

Later, the members were filmed for their Happy New Year greetings.

“ARMY! Let’s hope for another year of happiness and success.” Jen smiled. “Not much longer before 2016 is here and I have great hopes for it. 2015 was a rush. So much has happened but you guys make us who we are. If you can, try some smarties! And I hope to portray a more awesome version of myself this coming year. Listen well and keep watching me, mkay?” she waved.

After filming, Jen tweeted, ‘Er...I’m freaking out about this performance. I hope you enjoy it. I’m really nervous. I hope I don’t disappoint you.’

This got ARMY pondering if she would be doing a collab with someone. Keeping it hidden from the members, Jennie was set to collaborate with her best friend Hayoon, Jimin from JYP who is always hosting After School Club and Jihyo from Twice. They were all 97 Liners and they were given the opportunity to cover Little Mix’s About The Boy and have fun thinking about what they wanted to do for the performance.

Jimin had picked the song since they were offered a choice of which song they wanted to perform. They thought it was a good idea to not do something as popular as Bang Bang by Jesse J, Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande and whatever other popular English songs are out there.

“So, you wanna sing about boys? Who has you in your feelings?” Jennie had joked around with Jimin

They’ve been practicing at Source Music, where GFriend is, to keep away from everyone else. Jennie suggested that the performance should let them show off who they are as performers and have fun. And she also had to step up her game because each one of these ladies has great vocals and she wanted to make sure that she kept up.

They worked very hard for this moment and Jennie was even given the opportunity to DJ for the song. So, she created her own twist to the song to get the crowd moving. While the rest planned to dance in the front on stage, she would be in the back for a while, mixing the song. When they discussed line distribution, they chose her to do the high note which Jen actually wanted because she wanted to take a risk. After spending weeks practicing the song and their choreography, they felt ready.

There were some struggles when practicing but practicing with the girls made Jen get closer to each of them. There were times when she felt overwhelmed and cried because things weren’t going well, but then after a while, things were falling into place and they finally got the performance down. Each of them had helped create the choreography for the dance. They wanted to do a dance break as well to show off their fierce side, their cute side, and their sexy side. And since BTS and GFriend are great with synchronization in dancing, the four girls worked very hard to make sure that they could accomplish that.

This was actually what Jennie wanted to do with Amity. Be creative and do various performances for fun while each member has time to shine, including dance breaks. But at least she could now do it here when she was able to collab with other female idols.

They were ready to show that the 97 Liners were a force to be reckoned with and they were proud to be able to represent the 97 Liners with this performance. They hoped that everyone would enjoy what they had to offer.

Jimin suggested that they wear similar outfits. Jennie wore knee-high boots with jeans, a black mesh crop top and a green bomber jacket that was zipped. The others wore different colored mesh crop tops and bomber jackets such as pink, blue and yellow.

When it was time, the girls held their hands in a circle and went for a group hug. Walking on the stage with the lights dimmed, Jennie placed her purple headphones around her neck while preparing to DJ. The performance would start on her cue.

After hearing the crowd scream and cheer when the group was announced and the lights went on, Jen exhaled. She gave a nod of approval to Jihyo, Hayoon, and Jimin when they glanced back at her.

Let’s hype the crowd and show them not to sleep on them.

“Hey, ladies, I don’t think they ready for this one,” Jen announced and pulled up her sleeves. 

Jihyo, Jimin, and Hayoon had started off singing in acapella

Something about

Something about the boy

Something about

Something about the boy

Once the funky music came in, Jen went right to work, getting hype with the girls as they clapped their hands to get the crowd moving.

“Whoop! Hey! Come on!” they had all yelled in excited voices.

Listening to Jimin sing, Jennie nodded her head to the beat, occasionally following the choreography from the booth while she focused on the rhythm.

It’s the verse in my head

The words that make me stutter

The swag in my step

The change from gray to color

Jen smiled and glanced up at hearing Hayoon sing, No need to try, He’s just right. 

She loved how her voice would flow so heavenly like that. It was sweet and fit great with the song. All their voices went well, equally balanced.

I won't stop until the boy is mine

He got me good

I’ve got it bad

He got me feeling like a girl gone mad

As the chorus came on, the girls performed the choreography fiercely, exciting the audience.

I know he’s playing my heart and I ain’t got no choice

There’s just something about the boy

When the camera had panned to her, Jen grabbed her mic while moving side to side like the others, singing lowly, “Something about, something about the boy. Something about, something about the boy. Something about, something about the boy.”

“Whew...” Jungkook exhaled and shook his head in disbelief when he watched her from backstage. 

He tried his best to keep his cool but watching her, he began to struggle while his eyes were glued to her whenever she appeared on the screen.

She would always say that she fakes acting sexy on stage but it truly looked like she knew exactly what she was doing based on those alluring stares. And the way she was dancing and moving those hips, she was having the time of her life on that stage while DJing.

“Where did all of this come from? Was that a sexy smile?” Jin called out.

“She learned that from us, hahaha.” Hobi laughed.

“I think we’re becoming bad influences,” Namjoon added with a chuckle while dancing to the song.

“Ah, she’s grown. Let her be sexy.” Yoongi shrugged as they watched her jam around.

He’s got that something

I can’t let nobody tell me no

Also, with the fancams of Jennie, people noticed how she would watch proudly whenever she heard each of the girls sing. And there was also a lucky fan cam that made eye contact with Jennie and shot them a smile and wave.

Something about, something about the boy.

Jihyo and Jimin took over the rest of the verse while Hayoon sang ‘About that boy’ under them, while Jen prepared for her part to come up. Those vocal lessons were about to pay off tonight.

Singing soulfully, Jen sang out, “I know you like to play it slow. But I’m running out of tiiiiime. It’s like I lost my self control, ‘cause you are the one. And you know what you’ve done. My poor heart’s come undone.”

Taking a deep breath, she sang, slowly throwing her head back, “Baby please~!”

The high note sounded like an Ailee high note instead of going with what the note was supposed to be. It was unintentional but Ailee was on her mind as she kept singing and she couldn’t help but belt out the note. She kept it there for ten seconds as loud cheers and applause were heard. 

While a Bangtan Bomb was filming Bangtan’s reaction to Jennie performing, Jimin and Hobi fell dramatically to the floor and then continued to watch in amazement while holding onto each other.

Taehyung stood there startled with his eyes widening when he heard the high vocal range. “Wow~!”

Yoongi raised his eyebrows and did a double take before smiling proudly.

“Waaaaaaaa.” Hobi looked on.

Namjoon nodded impressively as he heard the soulful high note. Ailee was the first person he thought of that made Jen want to sing the song like that. It made him smile.

Jin placed a hand over his heart, shocked at what he had heard. “Ohhh mah God, where did she learn this!?”

Jungshooked, the Golden Maknae pointed his finger up high as he heard her high note and then started clapping with a proud smile. Although they weren’t dating just yet, he already felt like a proud boyfriend. He had only hoped that Ailee was nearby to at least hear her and see how much Jennie admired her.

The members noticed how the vein on her neck was visible and that she was really using her lungs. Somebody must’ve done something to make her go off because although it wasn’t the high note the original song was supposed to be, everyone loved it and it suited her more.

Fans were freaking out on social media:

'SING JENNIE! YES BISH'

'WHY ARE YOU HIDING THESE LUNGS!?'

'I didn’t know she can hit it that high'

'SING! SING! Ailee are you watching!?'

'GOD-DAMN'

'I see why she was so quiet during the Perfect Man cover. She wanted to shine with the girls, ahahah.'

'Are you serious? Is she serious right now?'

'Yo...'

'I cried.'

'DAMN, I didn’t expect that'

YASSSSS! HIT THAT NOTE! Show them!'

'I prefer her singing that Ailee type of high note instead of the original note anyway! I loved this!'

'I wouldn’t call it an Ailee high note, this is a JW high note as she made the verse her own.'

'I hope Ailee watched this'

'What the fuck!? I didn’t know your voice got that high!'

'My wife!'

'AILEE I really hope you notice her soon!'

Ending the note, Jennie breathed in and exhaled softly. “Woo!” she responded and shared a soft laugh with the girls. 

Removing her headphones and getting out of the booth, she took out her bun and unzipped her jacket, strutting with her head up high to meet with the rest of them. Ruffling her hair, she stood next to Jimin and turned to the girls as they all smiled.

“Ladies, let’s show them,” Jihyo announced.

The lights dimmed and the music came back on with a beat change. The girls started off with a fierce dance break as the crowd screamed and cheered loudly, fan chanting their names. The lights came back on and they broke into two groups. Jihyo with Jimin while Jen paired herself with Hayoon. Jihyo and Jimin started dancing first. The duet dances were supposed to be fun, so they were dancing cutely and laughing with one another.

Jen and Hayoon began an adorable game of pattycake and then a fast-paced hand game of Numbers while Jihyo and Jimin cheered on in the background. Jennie and Hayoon were struggling not to laugh as they tried to concentrate. Hayoon ended up winning the game when Jen messed up and they all cheered and high fived.

Hayoon turned to the front to perform a silly dance and then pointed to Jennie. Looking around, Jen shrugged and began to perform Jungkook’s silly meme dance, shaking her hands, and swaying side to side. The dance certainly got ARMY screaming because it had to do with BTS.

Bangtan backstage began freaking out and started shaking Jungkook.

“She’s so extra.” Namjoon laughed, throwing his head back.

The Golden Maknae let out a boyish laugh. “I love you...” he murmured, shaking his head as he watched the screen. “You are just...incredible...”

After their cute dancing, the girls transitioned into dancing sexily as the crowd continued to get hyped. One by one, each girl had a solo dance by standing in front of the rest to perform while the rest followed her movements from behind.

After the dance break, Jennie ceased the sexy persona and broke out into a cute smile before the four of them finished the song, blowing the audience away. They were greeted with a loud round of applause and cheers as the girls embraced and headed backstage, celebrating their successful performance.

Other fan comments included:

'JenKook shippers get fed once again! She really did Jungkook’s meme dance, I am so happy!'

'SLAY! MY! LIFE!'

'WIG IS GONE! I’M BALD! SHE IS EXTRA AF AND I LOVE IT! GO TF OFF BITCH!'

'BITCH! BITCH! GIRL! How dare you!? Don’t play with me!'

'You’re just gonna do this to us!?'

'WOO!'

'Stop sleeping on my bias!'

'WHAT AND WHO caused her to go tf off because they need to do that again!'

'JenKook shippers, somebody check on Jungkook and see if he’s alive XD'

'I am so done with you, you were nervous for what Jennie?! That note!'

'That was not Jennie. That was JW right there. JW did not come to play!'

A gif reaction post was also posted, “Me when Jennie sang that high note!”

“Me when Jennie gave me life with her booty shakes!”

Walking backstage to where BTS was, Jen was immediately bombarded with various questions and comments.

“What was that!?”

“And so you decided to hide this from us because!?”

“Who taught you how to look sexy in front of the camera!?”

“I wanted it to be a surprise.” She laughed as they continued to praise her efforts. “How did I do?”

“Amazing! That was awesome!” she happily heard them yell.

“So, nice meme dance you performed out there. Who taught you that?” Jungkook teased and nudged her.

“I observed from the best.” she smiled and popped a smartie in her mouth.

----------

As soon as 2016 came around, Jennie was almost done packing to leave to go home for a few scheduled events. Bangtan was in a hotel around this time and she had gone to V’s room to ask if she could use his shower. Disappointed but not surprised, Namjoon used all the hot water and she refused to take a cold shower.

Once she was done showering, she went back to her room to continue packing and made sure she had everything. 

Meanwhile, Jimin and Jungkook were filming a Bangtan Bomb in V’s room. The two stood in front of the mirror with Jimin holding the camera while Jungkook ruffled his hair.

“Hello everyone, the Maknae line has gathered and we plan to film something really fun today,” Jimin announced.

“Hair.” Jungkook grinned and started to mess up his hair

“There was someone who suggested their opinion of how we could play together and have fun. He’s a very important person in this plan.” he shifted the camera over to the two beds. 

“But he’s sleeping.” he set the camera down on the bed that was next to the one that Tae was sleeping on. “What do I have to do if he sleeps, everyone?”

All of a sudden Jimin jumped on top of Tae, to try to wake him. 

“Are you sleeping?! Are you sleeping?” he started thrashing around to try to wake him up. “Is it okay or is it not okay to sleep?”

He started hitting him with a pillow and burying it on top of his head, smacking the pillow. “Oh hello~” he laughed and got off of him once he felt him awaken.

Moments later, Jungkook and Jimin sat on the bed with Tae who had on a white hoodie as they faced the camera. 

“Sitting here like this-what are we doing?” Jimin laughed.

“Hello. It’s been a while since you last saw my bare face, right?” Taehyung asked, looking at the camera, and putting up two peace signs.

Jimin followed suit. “Aye yo, what up?” he spoke in English before going back to Korean. “This is my bare face.”

“It’s ugly right?” Jungkook grinned

“I have a pimple right now.”

“Let’s choose the game we will play after gathering together like this,” Jimin suggested.

“We’ve already chosen, though.” Taehyung pointed out

“I remember it,” Jungkook added

“Originally, you’re supposed to do it like this. You’re supposed to explain it first.” Jimin giggled.

“Oh, then let me think about it a little.”

“Let’s do it again. Ready, cue.” he snapped his fingers with Tae. “Hey guys, guys.”

“What should we do today?” Tae asked.

“I say we should decide on what game to do today. The game we’ll do today...what do you think, Tae?”

“I kind of think that someone should be “It” the person who became it would cover their eyes with a ribbon and catch the other people, like a game of zombie, I think.”

“So you’re saying we should play a game of tag with someone’s eyes covered?”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah, you’re quite smart.” he high fived him.

“Because all the hyungs are sleeping, right now. So the Maknaes-“

“Should play quietly,” Jimin remarked. “What do you think?” He turned to Jungkook

“That’s good,” he replied.

“Hm...we’re missing a Maknae!” Jimin exclaimed. “Where oh where is our Jennie? Have you seen her? We need our Bangtan girl! How we miss her so!”

“She’s about to leave, remember?” Taehyung brought up. “She was just here to use the shower because Hyung used all the hot water.”

“Wait I thought she was leaving tomorrow night. She's leaving tonight?!” Jungkook exclaimed, freaking out.

“Yeah.”

Jungkook groaned and fell back on the bed while Jimin stopped filming and turned off the camera. He needed to see her before she left.

While Jungkook was contemplating, Jimin and Taehyung glanced at each other knowingly.

“She’s about to leave, Jungkookie,” Jimin spoke.

“I know...” he murmured.

Jimin let out a soft laugh, “You know, at first, we were all hyped and trying everything to get you two together. We thought of various ways for you to confess to her. But confessions aren’t perfect and like the movies. You should just go to her, right now. Before she leaves,"

Jungkook glanced at him and exhaled as his heart rate quickened.

“We know that there are many reasons why it’s hard to confess our feelings for someone. Especially if you’ve been friends for so long. We fear getting rejected.” Taehyung added. “Like we found the person who we really like but we have that fear of the possibility of them not returning our feelings. We get that. And then we fear that we could lose the friendship and things get awkward and you end up not talking like you used to. But at the end of the day, you never know unless you take that risk.”

“She may need some time to think and process after you tell her your feelings but don’t lose hope. Just tell her how you feel. Tell her everything. You have so much inside of you that you need to let out.” Jimin cheered on.

“You are Jeon Jungkook! The Golden Maknae! Do you realize how amazing you two will be together? How adorable you two will be? Think about how you guys were in Running Man!”

“You told Bam Bam to let her decide but I honestly think that no matter what, she’ll choose you because we see something that we hope that you two will see when you tell her your feelings. Now get out of here, no more stalling.” Jimin kicked him off the bed while Taehyung laughed.

“We’ll play hide and seek and film it after you come back.”

Jungkook got up and nodded. “Okay.” 

He went to change into a pair of jeans, and a white shirt and placed a beanie on his head.

“She left her lotion in the bathroom. Bring this to her.” Taehyung handed him the bottle.

“Oh, and expect to get carried away in there.” Jimin began giggling, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Ah, I don't think that will happen," Jungkook replied.

“I dunno...you say that now but emotions will run high and sometimes you get so passionate that you get carried away.”

“I’m sure things will be fine. I just...hope she takes my words well.”

“Just be honest with her. She should know how you feel,”

Once the Golden Maknae left the room, the 95 Liners began jumping around in excitement before hugging.

“He’s finally going to do it!” Jimin cheered.

“So, how carried away do you think those two will be?”

“They’re teenagers, it’ll probably be intense. Jungkook is always full of surprises. I just hope he tells us everything when he returns,"

"Yeah. For now, let's just hope for the best,"

------

Jungkook’s heart raced as he inched closer to her room down the hall. He felt like this was about to be the most selfish thing he was ever going to do. And she was nearly minutes from leaving to go back to America for a short while.

‘Please...just let me not mess this up. Let this go well.’ he thought to himself.

With each step Jungkook took, the more his heart raced. He was really going to do it this time. Tell his best friend his feelings that he had been holding in for a long time. But how will it go when he tells her his feelings and she leaves for her flight right after?

Part of him wanted to chicken out and go back to his room, but he needed to say this, now. This was long overdue and he needed to let it out this time. 

Deep in his thoughts, Jungkook soon realized that he was in front of her door. He knew she was alone so he wouldn’t have to worry about anyone interrupting them.

Swallowing hard, he aimed to knock but hesitated. The nerves were getting to him already. 

But he had to push through. 

He can do this.

[nuzifanficwriter]

Chapter 1 - Namie 3097

I rub my eyes to see my father standing above me holding a party hat and a pack of candles. Oh yeah. 19 years and 9 months ago my parents got drunk and conceived me at a party. At least that’s what my Aunt V says. I mean I believe her because mom never denies it and dad….is really wholesome and never talks about it. It’s surprising he knocked up my mom twice. I guess it’s hard for any kid to imagine their parents making them, but it was hard for everyone to process my father doing that stuff. So despite my mom getting pregnant twice, I’m an only child. A rainbow baby. That’s why my name is Namie. It’s Japanese for miracle or little help. My dad wanted a cheesy name with a meaning and my mom loves anime. Some people think I’m cool, some call me a freak of nature. I’m like a cross breed if that term even works for robots. My mom, Uzi Doorman, is a worker drone. My dad, N Doorman, is a disassembly drone. My dad and his “sisters” don’t have last names, so he took my mom’s. The story on how they met is so long, someone should’ve made an 8 episode show on it. Everyone knows the story. It’s basically a whole lesson in our history classes, which makes it really easy for me to pass, but all eyes are on me. They also know my dad is a stay at home dad while my mom inherited the WDF from my grandfather. Robo-god, just introducing my family would take ages, and I only truly have 4 real relatives. Apparently my dad  must’ve been rambling when I tuned out because he’s still talking when I snap back to it; “-and your Aunt Tessa baked a wonderful cake and your mom helped make a playlist of that scenecore music you like!” “6arelyhuman and Ayesha Erotica?” I ask. “Yeppers!” my dad grins his stupid, child-like grin my mom fell in love with, “and I got the best gift ever! But we have to share it.” Dad winks and I already have the feeling he and mom built a robo-puppy but I keep it to myself. I tell him to leave so I can get dressed and he does. I grab my fishnet undershirt, later over a black tank top and my green and black checkered alien shirt. I pull up my rainbow and black striped skirt, my fishnet leggings, and I lace up my boots. I add my striped leg warmers and gloves. I wrap my choker around my neck and now I’m good to go! I walk out to the kitchen to see an arrangement of my friends and family…..and my parents making out in the corner. I thought parents were supposed to mellow out after having kids? “Ewww! Get a room!” I joke. Aunt V joins in; “I’ve been telling them that for 25 years!” “It’s disgusting,” chimes Aunt J. “I’m surprised mom and dad invited you,” I say. Aunt J flips her now singular ponytail, “They didn’t, I just showed up.” Dad takes mom off the counter and sets her on the floor; “Actually, your Aunt Tessa wanted her to come.” Aunt J rolls her eyes. She’s done nothing but bully my dad since they were kids. “Aunt Cyn couldn’t make it?” I ask. Everyone in the room grows these devious grins. Finally, dad responds, “she will, she’ll just be late.” “Ah, I see,” I say as I slink in my chair in front of the cake. They sing happy birthday and I blow out my candles. It’s time for my presents and Aunt Cyn bursts through the door. She silently apologizes as she sets my present on the stack. Ever since she got taken over by the solver, that became her voice, so when my mom healed everyone with the patch, she became mute. Her voice box was destroyed. I’ve never heard her speak. Now everyone’s deciding which present to open next. Aunt Cyn’s or Dad’s. We settle in Aunt Cyns, and it’s a pretty basic gift, but it’s what comes with it that makes it better than Dad’s. As she hands it to me, I hear, seemingly out of no where, “Here, open mine first!everyone cheers and I give her a big hug. “Aunt Cyn! Your voice!“ She laughs, “That’s why I was late!” After everyone calms down, I open Dad’s obvious gift of a robo-puppy. We’ll name him in a bit. I’m ready to party.

[osamusriceballs]

Eve🤍 this year has been so unbelievably busy but I’m happy to be here and to still be evolving 🤞🏼an update on me: I got promoted to the beauty dept(still in Macy’s, it’s honestly v stressful- I didn’t expect to do all the things I have to do but it’s worth it bc I like working w makeup and helping the customers.) uni’s been decent, I’m finally doing the course work I’d use in the future for my career(which I decided not too long ago will be speech therapy🦻🏼). Now, how abt u!! R u done will classes? How work? Anything exciting?!Hydration check!!

-🧚🏼‍♀️

I feel that, 2023 feels like the busiest year ever 🥹🥹

But CONGRATS to your promotion!! 💖💖✨✨ my sweet little 🧚‍♀️, I’m sure you worked hard for it and that you‘re doing well in your new position!! I’m sure that it comes with more responsibility, but I hope they pay you well for it 🥹 Since Macy‘s basically sells everything, do you have to be familiar with all the products like make up and clothing, or do you stick to make up only now that you‘re in the beauty department? Do you enjoy working with customers? I‘m sure they love to get advice from such a sunshine like you!! 💖💖

Speech therapy sounds really really cool!! And also like a very challenging course, are your classes more focused on theory or do you also have some real life practice in them?

I‘m not sure what your latest update about me was, but I’m still working part-time, and I‘m now in the second semester of my master’s degree (I got my bachelor’s degree at the end of last year finally 😭💕) now I’m just enjoying the last few weeks of my break, I’m thinking about going to an anime convention at the middle of October but I don‘t want to go alone 🥺🥺 still undecided here 🥺🥺 but I’ve been taking good care of myself and I’m also making sure to stay hydrated!! 💕

How about you? Staying healthy and drinking enough water? Taking enough breaks and eating your veggies? I‘ll keep my eyes on you as always! 👀👀

[citrusfield]

with a slight grimace at the state of the current dating pool, she can only shrug. “yeah, the bar is quite literally on the floor, but what can i say? that’s the sad reality of trying to date a lot of men these days. they don’t want you to be smarter than them, to make more money, to have your own needs. i don’t know why they even bother getting into a relationship when they know they’re never going to be satisfied… so yes, i do agree with your sister. you shouldn’t be a rarity, but you are. it’s a relief, honestly. you don’t have to sit there and listen to me whine about my feelings over an ex, yet you do. there are plenty of people out there who work for someone they can’t stand, someone who would roll their eyes at any type of complaint, and knowing that i can trust you is… i don’t know, it’s nice.” they never would’ve thought they’d be having a personal conversation with their boss — assumed that since there are so many staff, they would always be kept at a distance — but it’s already made them feel more relaxed. he may be in charge, but he clearly hasn’t let that power go to his head. “well, it certainly did that at least. i think i know better now.” she’d rather chew glass than find herself in a relationship that’s anything like her last. maybe that’s why she’s been so hesitant to enter another one these last few years; her self-esteem, while still nowhere close to where it should be, is considerably higher than it was back then. she’s no longer foolish enough to be with anybody who views her as inferior and she isn’t going to go begging for somebody to finally treat her well. “wait, you’re offering to help me study for the boards?” there’s a hint of surprise in riley’s voice that can’t be hidden. he’s already shared with her how devastatingly busy he is on a daily basis and adding another task that’s so inconsequential to his life on top of that has no real benefits for him. why on earth would he want to do that to himself?

“oh, i don’t think she would ever hate you. you’ve taken something monumental that you didn’t ask for, something that was thrust upon you, and you’re still doing all you can to turn it into something special. you’re making sure she’s not forgotten and that everything you do is done with her in your heart. how could she not be proud of you for that?” if she were in his shoes, she’s not sure she would’ve been able to handle the same type of pressure. discovering you have siblings is one thing — they aren’t their father and his actions should not reflect badly on them — but an absent parent suddenly showing up in your life to guilt you into continuing his legacy? she’s never been one for meanness or cruelty, but the urge to tell the man to go fuck himself would’ve been strong. “not exactly. in fairness, i didn’t know him, so maybe i shouldn’t be allowed to judge him so harshly, but from everything i’ve heard, both from you and a few others… let’s just say that he doesn’t seem like someone i would’ve gotten along with. i don’t know if i could’ve worked for a man like him. i probably would’ve left a long time ago.” there are a number of other hospitals out there that would be happy to take on a prospect such as riley and she would’ve taken full advantage of that fact. “i know. don’t worry, i’m not going to start dumping all of my problems onto your shoulders just because you were nice to me once — and i definitely don’t expect any more dinners, for the record.” they hadn’t even expected this one and they aren’t entirely over the shock of the invitation just yet. their day has been full of surprises around every corner, not all of them good, and they haven’t had more than a second to try and process it all.

“yeah, they’ve had it for years now. the place was refurbished just after i finished med school, so it's gotten a little fancier too.” she has many childhood memories of sitting at the counter with a milkshake for sustenance as she finished her homework for the evening. it’s a shame she doesn’t get to visit as often these days, but she does her best to drop by every now and then when she isn’t quite as busy. “oh, ouch,” they say as theatrically as possible. the teasing is deserved, but that doesn’t mean they’ll let him get away with it so easily. “i see how it is… you are so lucky there’s nothing i can throw at you right now.” although the napkins sitting atop the table are suddenly looking real tempting. “i’ve been doing it since i was small, i suppose. i’d see my mum baking all the time and like every curious child, i’d insist on trying to help so she’d let me do the easy bits at first until i was old enough to properly learn how everything worked. i wouldn’t say that makes me a professional or anything, but… i think i’m pretty good. i mostly just do it now when i’m stressed out or need a distraction.” there’s also the odd occasion where they’ll bake something for a loved one and if tonight goes well, hayes might be on the receiving end of a thank you batch of cookies soon enough. “oh, i can definitely believe that. i try my best to be a good influence on her, i swear, but she can be very convincing when she wants to be. i’m almost jealous of her liveliness.” if riley could get through the day without feeling drained right down to the bone and still have enough energy left to go out for a drink, they absolutely would, but it’s never been a part of their nature. maybe that’s why she and jenny are such good friends; they help balance each other out. 

“uh… technically, i was very vague in what i was trying to say so it was entirely open to interpretation, but… whatever you’re thinking is probably right. i’m not calling you out or anything, i’d be a bit of a hypocrite if i tried to do that. i just think that there are some pretty huge differences between having family around and having a partner that can provide you with other things.” not that he would have any trouble with finding physical affection somewhere if that’s what he chose to do, but she’s beginning to realise that maybe this isn’t the smoothest topic of conversation to be having with the man who owns her place of employment. he did say they were friends and this is something that would fit with that dynamic, but the last thing she wants is to make him feel judged in any way, so it might be time to rein it in. “i’m sorry, did you say that i’m cool?” a bemused laugh slips out next and their head shakes in disbelief. “because if so, we’ve definitely gotten our wires crossed here. that is not a word that should be used to describe me at all.” intelligent would be one thing, compassionate another, but cool? never in a million years would she think that would be an apt choice. 

for someone who always appears to be so composed and in control of the situation, watching as hayes begins to fumble is such a shock that they can only stare for a moment, brain freezing into a brief panic and replaying everything they’d just said back on a loop. they can’t immediately identify which specific part it was that made him flush and the uncertainty has her shifting in her seat, restlessness re-entering her body as if trying not to curl in on herself in embarrassment. this is exactly why she’d asked him not to hold her words against her. “i’m… i’m sorry, i shouldn't have said any of that. i didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. we’ve already established that i talk too much, so you really don't have to listen to me... like ever.” at least whatever nonsense she spouted gave him enough confidence to actually consider asking out his crush for real. if one good thing had to come from this, she’s glad it was that. “i was just kidding about my mouth, by the way. i’m not delusional, i don’t actually think that you want to…” their voice trails off and they gesture vaguely towards their mouth before cringing at their own actions and quickly dropping their hands into their lap instead. yeah, definitely not cool. “good… good, i’m glad. i think you deserve it, that’s all. you shouldn’t be worried about whether or not they’ll be into you or how it might be received by them. you’ll be fine, trust me.” they try to smile, but there’s an underlying sense of nervousness to it and for a split second, she wonders if she’s just royally messed up this newfound friendship before it’s had a real chance to begin. that would be a typical riley move.

“you really need to stop flattering me, sir. i don’t want to blush again.” why he believes in them so fiercely, they’re not sure they’ll ever understand, but they aren’t going to turn it away. they know that they’re smart, but he seems to see more of them than just their intelligence, which is a lot more than they can say for most. she’d grown used to being known merely as ‘the one with the good memory’ a long time ago. it's strange to finally be experiencing something different for once. “i probably wouldn’t be able to succeed in my career at all if the hospital i worked in wasn’t run by someone who cared so much, so… thanks for that.” now their smile is more genuine and they wonder how they could’ve gone from being at one of their lowest points to joking over dinner. “i’ll admit, it makes the idea of potentially running a whole clinic a little less daunting.”

"Well, then let's hope you don't have to run into him ever again." Hayes let out a soft chuckle, hoping to move on from the subject of their ex, considering that this prick did not deserve either one of their time of day to begin with. Upon hearing Riley's words, he could not hide the fact that he had become rather flushed. He felt his cheeks grow warm, the smile on his lips growing wider as he glanced down at his lap, and shook his head. He had never been the best at taking compliments to begin this, but this might had been a step too far. "You're really going to agree with her on this? I was so certain that she was just taking the piss." He remarked, another laugh leaving his lips before he shook his head. "I can never get myself to understand how being a supportive man has become this... extraordinary thing. It's literally the bare minimum, being a decent human being. But the fact that it's so rare... I have never been more appalled by anything else in my life." Truth be told, Hayes would never consider himself to be rare, or special, just because he had treated women with respect. The fact that it seemed that way was quite infuriating, as it had shown him just how low the expectations are for men to be considered as decent in this society. "I like to believe that attracting the wrong ones, as you say, is something that is necessary... it's a learning experience on what not to do, or what not to put up with. It teaches us to have better standards." He shrugged, his genuine smile remaining plastered across his lips. "I mean, you did pretty well on your own, if I do say so myself. I don't think you needed anyone to help you get through medical school, though I won't deny that it's always nice to have some support. I mean it, Riley. If you ever need any help, whether it's studying for the boards, or questions about patient care, anything... my office is always open." As a matter of fact, it was open for everyone, but certainly for her.

"I like to think that my mother's proud of me... that she's been watching over me since the day she left me, watching over me from wherever she is. I know she's still here... somewhere. I definitely know that she's not happy with the way my dad managed to weave his way back into my life, or with the fact that he made me take on his legacy, a legacy that I never wanted. My mother hated that man, but I was so worried that she might have hated me too... for taking that on, you know? God knows that I only stayed for my sisters. But now that I've taken over the hospital, I've been trying my best to keep her legacy alive. I still hold onto the values that she instilled in me, and no matter how far up the bureaucracy I may be, I'll never let that change who I am. I may be my father's heir, but I am my mother's son. It's why I practice with her maiden name. I'll never be an Adams." Nor did he ever want to be. For as long as he lived, he would always be Hayes. "You're really not all that fond of my father, are you?" He could not help but tease them upon noticing the way they had rolled their eyes upon mentioning, another soft chuckle escaping his lips. "Don't worry, you're definitely not the only one." Truth be told, almost everyone who ever knew his father had loathed him with a passion, and it was not surprising. The man had cared more about his legacy than his children - all five of them. "Now, I wouldn't mind buying you dinner... but talking to a professional might help you deal with a lot of things that I'm not fully equipped to help you with. But don't do it if you're only doing it because you don't want to bother me. Do it only if you want to." He trusted Riley to make the right choices for herself. But he also understood how important it was for anyone who was dealing with a tough time to know that they had someone in their corner. He was more than willing to be that for them.

"Your parents own a cafe? That's so cool." Hayes perked up at the thought of that, unable hide his surprise. "And you bake? Oh, wow... you do have a life outside of the hospital, huh? Who would have thought?" He could not help but tease them once again. He could not even bother criticizing her need to be a perfectionist when she had just shared something about her that he could not have known from an employee record. "How long have you been baking?" Hayes' voice was laced with curiosity as he grinned at her, shaking his head upon hearing her words about his sister's antics. "Yeah, that sounds about Jenny. Believe it, or not... she has always been so energetic, ever since she was little. She never gets tired, it's actually a little concerning at times. Tequila... is definintely not the most effective form of unwinding for anything, but if I remember correctly, she's under the impression that she can only have all of the fun she could in her twenties, and she's trying to make the most of it. At least, that's what she told me." He admitted, exhaling a sigh before he shook his head. "I worry about her sometimes, but I guess I can trust you to be a good influence on her as well?"

"I'm not entirely against the sentiment. I understand it... but it's all just easier said than done, at least for me." He admitted, offering them another shrug of his shoulders. Truth be told, Hayes had often found it difficult to have any real emotional connection since his mother had passed. His mother had been his entire world from the day he had been born, and then she had gone so suddenly that it had caused him to become quite closed off. Even when his father had reached out, he had initially refused his invite to be a part of his family, albeit being quite angry at the man for only showing up in his life once his mother was gone. But being told that he was dying, and meeting his sisters for the first time, that was all that it had taken for Hayes to accept some form of affection. Even then, he had opened up to them gradually over the years, and not all at once. But he knew that Riley was right. Having a family was not the same as having a partner. "Riley, are you telling me... what I think you're telling me?" He was already getting enough crap from his sisters for what they had been referring to as his 'impending sexless future', and he certainly did not need that from his resident as well. "Yeah, I guess you're right about that. We both need a life outside of the hospital, so we should probably get one." He remarked, letting out another laugh before he shook his head. "There's nothing in this world that brings people closer together like trauma... and we've all got our fair share of it. Besides, I don't think I've ever had a friend who is as cool as you, so I'm not letting go of my chance."

No matter how hard he tried, it did not seem like Riley was willing to drop the subject of getting him to date... well, herself. At this rate, Hayes was certain that he was going to break. But he also found it quite endearing that they really wanted him to be happy. If they only knew. But their words still catches him off guard, and he dropped his jaw, his eyes wide in disbelief. "I..." Did she just confess that she liked him? Had he been wrong to have concealed his crush for this long? Should he not have worried about his privilege, and how that might harm her career? Should he have just been honest with her instead of holding onto his righteousness, and professional ethics? A million thoughts had flooded his brain with every word that came out of their mouth, and Hayes found himself struggling to keep his composure. He was certain that he face was as red as a tomato, and he could feel his heart thumping against his chest. He reached over to pick up his glass of water, and took a rather generous sip while he gathered his thoughts. "Fine... I think you're right. I'll ask them out, but only when the time is right." He gave in. He had been truthful, but he had also hoped that it would be enough to get her to drop this particular subject. "I... your mouth, I... that's not what I..." He could not figure out how to respond to their words. Still, she continued on, and he was certain that he was about to start running a fever, given how warm he felt. "Riley... I promise you, I will ask them out." Now can you please drop this subject before I confess my feelings to you? Leave it to Riley Ellis to break Hayes, and his iron will.

"I only keep an eye on the good ones." He felt the need to clarify, letting out another soft chuckle. "I let the attendings keep an eye on all of you, but I check in with them every now, and then, check in on all of your progress... at first, I only started doing it because I wanted to make some changes to the residency program. But soon enough, I became interested in all of your potential. I wanted to make sure you all had the right tools to succeed in your careers." Needless to say, he had wanted much more for Riley, but that was besides the point. "It's hard for me to find you annoying, Riley. Don't worry about it." Hayes glanced down at the menu once again, deciding on the entree portion of the house salad. Once the waiter approached them, he placed his order, offering Riley a rather genuine smile. "Fine, Riley, as you wish." Truth be told, breakfast did not seem like a bad idea, if she was offering.