#i'd love to see other's thoughts on these two

[itzpookiepooh]

I didnt know you did requestss, I love your writing so much! if it's not too much trouble, I'd love to see you write the guys' reaction to an mc who's just comically clueless? doesn't catch hints, and flirting goes over the head. even when they've already stablished a relationship, they still doesn't see it coming when the guys want a kiss or more and it always makes mc freeze for a sec like "ooh" and it's just funny. the lis have to very direct, its like mc is on loading screen 99% of the time lmao sorry if its complicated or too specific

Oh, Me!

Thank you so much! I got you don’t worry!

Caleb loves you he swears he does but you were just so clueless. Any advance he try you would not understand at all. He tried to kiss you you’d coincidentally move out of the way. If he tried to flirt you would laugh it off as if he was cracking a joke. Today he was planning on asking you out and everything had to be perfect…for his sake.

He set out a perfect dinner and wondered how to come about everything. You were ready to eat, you had been hungry all day especially since Caleb insisted that you don’t fill up on anything. You tapped your finger on the table waiting for the food to get here. Caleb was nervous practically sweating bullets.

“Hey pipsqueak…” He trails off placing a hand on the table. You turn to him fluttering your lashes with big clueless eyes.

“What’s up?” You ask, he gulps before answering, “I like you. I mean really like you.” His voice shaky with nerves.

“Well I’d hope so we grew up together.” You laugh and tap his hand playfully. He sighs, there you go again.

“No like I really like you like I want to be with you.” He explains both elbows now on the table as he does so. You blink at him still not getting it. Are you not together right now?

A dramatic sigh leaves Caleb as he leans back dramatically in his seat. He throws himself forward and grabs your hands.

“I want you to be my girlfriend.” He says bluntly. You chuckle before answering, “Oh I get it. You’re practicing!” She taps the said of her head and makes a duh motion with her mouth.

Caleb wanted to pull his hair out. You were so…special. So clueless and yet so smart at the same time. He could only blame himself for this because he asked you last week but the way he asked made it seem like he was practicing on you. He grabbed your cheeks making you look at him.

“I like you, love you. I want you to be my girlfriend. I’m real life right now.” He emphasizes making your eyes go wide as if you just figured out a worldwide mystery.

“Oh! Yes of course.” You answered making him sigh in relief. Finally!

Zayne is use to you being mildly confused. It was what ultimately drew him to you other than your caring nature. Him telling you he wanted to be with you was one thing but now he had to go through the process again. He sighed at the thought but it was worth it in the end.

So on a walk, hand in hand, he took a deep breath. This was it. You were enjoying the scenery around you as the quiet evening sky fell over you. The sunset painting the sky beautifully. He admired you as he holds your hand tighter.

“I want to tell you something.” His usual low tone flows through your ears. You look up at him with hopeful eyes.

“I want to take a step toward our future.” He tells you as you glance at him occasionally.

“Like getting a dog! I’ve always wanted a dog!” You excitedly bounce holding his hand to your chest. He blinks before shaking his head at how you threw him off.

“No I want us to be closer.” He tells you as you continue to walk. You think to yourself before snapping.

“Like getting a smaller bed!” You chuckle as if you were the brightest crayon in the box. He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“I want us to move in together.” He tells you bluntly. You squeal in excitement, “Like roommates!”

“Why would we be roommates?” He pauses to question you. Why wouldn’t you be roommates? That’s literally what two people moving in are like!

“Because we live together….” You both just stare at each other.

“I’m your boyfriend.” He states the obvious. You nod firmly. “Exactly like roommates version.” You agree.

“Oh my gosh.” He pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs.

Rafayel was on the verge of pulling his hair out. He had been flirting with you all day and you were just not catching on. If he could pull his eyeballs out he would. He called you cute and you said thank you and complimented him back. Fine, whatever. He wrapped his arm around you during the movie and you scooted over thinking you were in his way. He kissed the icing off your face and you told him he could’ve just used a napkin so he wouldn’t get dirty. He couldn’t win.

“How clueless are you?” He asks you on the cusp of irritation. You tilt your head confused on why he asked.

“I’m not.” You tell him. He huffs narrowing his eyes at you.

“I’ve been flirting with you all day and you haven’t noticed me ONCE!” He complains slamming his hands on the bed.

“Really? When?” You ask him as he names off every instance today. “That was you flirting?” He felt a pang in his chest.

“Are you playing with me or something?” He deadpans but you were so very serious.

“Nope sorry.” You tell him as he pouts. He gets up and kisses you putting you in a daze.

“I’ve wanted a kiss this whole time.” He pouts holding your cheeks.

You blink slowly at him before nodding, “Noted.”

Sylus is such a sweetheart. A patient, loving, sweetheart. You were so clueless to his advances and it was kind of funny to him he won’t lie. He flirts with you and you take it literally. It made him and the twins laugh so hard to the point of tears.

You walked by him as he was reading and he decided to test you. He knew how you’d react and that was the fun in it. You were going out for the afternoon and were fixing your jeans.

“Do you have any room in your jeans for me, sweetie?” He smirks at you putting down his book. You raise an eyebrow at him. Of course you didn’t these were already tight as is.

“No? Why would you want to wear these with me in them?” You replied genuinely confused what his problem was.

The twins were wheezing from the doorway. You were always like this. They didn’t know if you were joking at first but now they know you’re dead serious. You look at them with your hands on your hips, concerned. What was so funny?

“What?” You didn’t appreciate being laughed at. You wanted to get the joke.

“Sweetie I’m flirting.” Sylus tells you through his laughter. A lightbulb goes off as your mouth makes an ‘O’.

“Oh…sorry.” You sheepishly replied. Sylus didn’t mind he thought you were hilarious.

You and Xavier are the same amount of aloof and everyone knows it. Xavier was subtly trying to flirt and you were not getting it. He thought he was pretty smooth though even if you didn’t get it. You were dressed up nice already for your date. Xavier couldn’t take his eyes off of you, he wanted to ravish you.

“You look beautiful.” He complimented you making you get shy. You wave him off, “Thanks.” His eyes grow dark as he thought of what to say next.

“It would look even better on the bedroom floor.” He smirks at you making you freeze and stare at him.

“What?” You raise your eyebrow. He smiles softly at you as if he didn’t say anything.

“I said it would look even better on the bedroom floor.” He repeated making you stare at him blankly.

“I don’t get it. Why would I do that? That’s making a mess.” You tell him crossing your arms. He chuckles before walking up to you and whispering in your ear.

“Oh! Xavier don’t be nasty!” You smack his arm making him fall out laughing. You were flustered the rest of the night because he kept flirting with you.

This took a minute but aye I hope I got it right 😅

[clairewritesfanfics]

Hi main system 👋. I wanted to ask if you could to invincible variants reaction to reader having a crazy stalker that's just started following her to their home (the stalker just first been writing scary letters to her ) . Stalker ain't even gonna make it an hour but I'd like to see what they're do to the stalker .

Trigger Warnings: violence, gore

It started with notes. Red ink on white sheets, likely torn notebook pages, folded in half and left on the table you considered your spot at the coffee shop. It was just a mild crush. Probably a fellow cafe patron who thought you were cute.

They were relatively harmless, even a tad bit flattering, if you were being honest. 

“You look pretty today.”

“Your blouse brings out your eyes.”

“We ordered the same thing today :)”

Then they got longer. Weirder. Your secret admirer upgraded from scratch paper to scented letters.

“You smell nice. Did you change your perfume? Maybe your shampoo? You seem like a put together girl, I’m sure you use the good, fancy stuff. It would be nice if you told me what products you used. Then it would be like we’re together, always.”

“I noticed you came here with some girl friends. They are lovely, but no one can compare to your beauty. You will always be the most gorgeous thing in my eyes. Your face, your hair, your curves. I love every part of you. I promise never to look at anyone else but you.”

Then they outright terrified you.

“Dear angel of the coffee shop,

Who was that man that came with you last Sunday? 

You two sat so close to each other I felt jealous just watching.

Is that your type of man? 

I didn’t think you would be so shallow. Is it because he’s six feet? Is your gender really that obsessed with height? 

Maybe it’s because he’s built like an athlete? You know he will leave you when someone prettier and younger comes along.

I will never treat you like that. I will love you even if someone better wants me.

I also noticed that you haven’t been coming to the cafe as frequently as before. You used to come here every Monday through Wednesday and sometimes during Saturday. I know it can’t be because you’re avoiding me. That’s impossible, because I already told you how much you mean to me. You would be one giant BITCH if you were avoiding me.

I stayed away because I was too shy, but maybe it’s time for us to officially meet.

If you refuse to come to me then I will have to come to you.”

He would resist the instinct to dispatch the man immediately, because he could see you shaking from the corner of his eyes. So he knocks the stalker unconscious first and has his people imprison him, with strict orders to keep him alive and isolated. His priority is you. He apologizes over and over and holds you in his arms until you fall asleep from crying. Mark is struck by guilt all at once. He should’ve taken those “love letters” seriously. But he was too arrogant, believed that when your admirer saw you with him just once then he would back off. 

After tucking you in and kissing your forehead he finally confronts the one responsible for all your tears. The man is too weak and too pathetic to serve as breeding stock for the Empire, and death would be too merciful. So Mark chooses the only logical option. He gauges the eyes that dare gaze upon you, tears off the hands that tried to touch you, shatters the legs that ran after you. Mark breaks the stalker methodically, until he begs to be killed.

flaxan, target, VILTRUMITE

Mark is furious. Not at you, never at you. But at this insect that threatened your safety. He hated how upset you were about the letters. He saw enough of human society to know that the madness was not going to stop at letters. He told you as such, so he had you go to the police, and that was why he accompanied you every time you left the house. But you were too selfless for your own good; you didn’t want to wake him up from his nap so you decided to go buy ice cream alone. He woke up groggy, but heard your screaming from the front door. He moved instantly and now, he held your stalker by the throat.

Voice taut but not raised, he tells you to get inside. You’re too afraid to protest so you run back into the house. 

When he hears the front door close with a click, he shoots up into the sky, the attacker still in his grasp. This Mark isn’t especially bloodthirsty. He sees torture as a tool for interrogation, but unnecessary otherwise. Face devoid of emotion, he clenches his fist and the man in his hand goes limp instantly. He then throws the corpse in the nearest volcano before flying back to you.

He finds you sobbing in the bed and the ice melts off his body. He joins you under the covers and promises that no one will bother you again.

FULL MASK, maskless, OMNI-MARK, prisoner 

His usual swagger is gone. There is no trace of a smile to be found on his face when he stands between your trembling form and the bastard that broke into your house. Mark glares at him. Then you tug his shirt and he takes a deep breath and forces himself to smile as he talks to you, “Go lock yourself in our room, I’ll handle this.”

But you shake your head against his back. Your muffled voice tells him you don’t want to be alone.

He sighs, but he’s not annoyed. He reaches behind him and gives your thigh a squeeze. “Okay. When I give the signal, cover your ears and don’t look.”

He turns his attention back at your stalker, who is glaring back at him, spouting crap about you belonging to him and that Mark is a fuckboy who doesn’t deserve you. That hits a nerve in your husband and he lifts his knee.

“Now, angel.”

With a single strike, the man’s brain and blood splatter on the walls and the floor.

When Mark realizes what he has done he swears under his breath and gently turns around so he could lift you up and carry you to the living room. “I should’ve done it more cleanly,” he says, wiping your tears away, “I’m sorry, I promise I’ll clean it up.”

You let out a laugh and bury your nose in his chest. Protective arms cover your shoulders as Mark kisses the top of your head. He holds you like he’s afraid that you would disappear. He hates to say it but that asshole was right, you deserve everything. He should’ve been better. Should’ve done more.

head cap, mohawk, SHIESTY

Unlike the aforementioned variants, he didn’t wait for the harassment to escalate. When he identified the man who had been sending you those sickening notes, Mark wasted no time in grabbing him when no one was looking. Brought the sicko to an abandoned cabin deep, deep, deep in the woods somewhere on the other side of the world. Mark doesn’t like being away from you for too long, so he tries to work fast. 

Mark tries to act cool when he plays with his newest victim. But the fucker keeps calling you pet names and slurs, even sharing his deepest fantasies about you. So Mark rips out his tongue, then his arms and legs, and watches him bleed, all while sharing precious memories you two made together. 

sinister, no goggles

image lifted from: https://gamerant.com/invincible-all-alternate-dimension-invincibles-fates/

MASTERLIST | request rules | ask box

[andy-wm]

In the Mood for Love?

<me: always>

Love isn't rare

Humans fall in and out of love as often as the wind changes. We, as a society, love to be in love. And many of us aspire above all, to have love in our own lives. But in a world of 3-second attention spans, and 15 minutes of fame, and influencers vying for our engagement everywhere we turn, it's hard to stay focused, even on love.

So for anything in this modern life to grab and hold our attention, to endure in our minds, it must have a stronger pull than all the ads and the algorithms. It must be more powerful than the best marketing strategies.

It must be a wonderful, amazing thing indeed.

Truthfully, if you had asked me pre-2018 if I could imagine myself mesmerised by the (unconfirmed) relationship between two idols, I would have scoffed at the idea.

This is not something I ever thought I'd be prepared to go to war over.

Yet here we are.

Right now I can't imagine anything more wonderful and amazing than the love between these two beautiful people who we adore.

It didn't come easy.

It's a hard-won love between two men who have sacrificed their youth to achieve their dreams, who live their lives in front of cameras and face the harshest criticism imaginable for the slightest mistake.

Many of us have watched this love story unfolding before our eyes. We saw the looks they shared and the glances that passed in secret.

We knew before they did, how this would go.

We stood on the sidelines, by turns anxious and overjoyed, as they blossomed into adults and learned how to love one another fully.

We watched them laugh and cry together.

We watched them fight and then make up.

We were there when they were so wrapped up in their mutual affection that they didn't see us.

When they didn't see anyone but each other.

We watched them grow into and around and through one another until they became inseperable.

Until they could not be undone.

We have been through it all, if not with them, then alongside them.

Cheering for them, defending them, and holding space for them in a fandom that at best refused to acknowledge them and at worst despised their bond, we havent wavered.

We have been by their side, and we have been on their side.

And what a privilege it has been.

With their military service coming to an end, we will see them together again... finally.

No doubt they will have changed, individually and together.

No doubt the men we knew before will be different in many ways when they come home.

Will they share more with us?

Will they share less?

Will they vanish into their dark fortress, or into Hybe, and be too busy to talk to us?

Will they turn on Weverse live at 2am and throw parties with us?

It's impossible to know, so it's pointless to have expectations.

But what we do know is that they have been together all this time collecting stories and experiences they (probably) would love to tell us but (probably) can't share.

This phase of their lives has been lived without us - it's a whole chapter we know nothing about. Most likely the time they've spent camouflaged amongst the other ROKA soldiers will remain a mystery.

And isn't that marvellous!?1

I find it delicious, knowing they've been getting up to who knows what without cameras or critics to squash their joy or catch them out.

Singing in the shower is just the tip of the iceberg when we know they're always side-by-side.

But with or without us, I truly believe that this is one of the greatest love stories of our time.

No, love itself is not rare, but this one is.

This resiliant, joyful, full-hearted love is special

It is worth acknowledging.

Worth celebrating.

And worth defending.

💜❤️‍🔥💛

As always, these opinions are my own.

[fizzyapplecandy]

Ateez as Romance Tropes

The one where you fall in love for real

Other members

Genres and warnings: fluff, best friends to lovers, fake relationship, wedding guests, mature language, some angst, suggestive content, happy ending

Word count: 4.9k

When you tell a lie to save yourself from the judgement of your family, you need Yunho to play the part of the perfect boyfriend. For some reason, he does it so effortlessly you wonder if there is something more underneath.

"I did a thing."

"I'll go find a shovel, but tell me who it is? It's your ex, right?"

Your mouth dropped, going over to punch your best friend in the guts.

"You idiot! Why would that be your first thought?"

Yunho laughed, rubbing at his stomach.

"Because you really hate the dude? Come on, lighten up."

"I can't, I really can't."

You sighed, throwing yourself on the couch and pushing your head into a pillow. Yunho ran over to you, kneeling down and placing his hand on top of your head.

"Hey, honey, what's going on? You only get this depressed when they don't have your favourite cookies in the store. And... What did you do?"

There was no easy way to explain your poor decision making to him, but you knew he'd understand. He may not like it much, but he'd follow along. Or at least you hoped he would. Sighing again, you turned your head to look at him.

"You know how my cousin is getting married in two weeks?"

He nodded. "Yeah, the one you don't like, but your parents do. Why?"

"Well... She made fun of me when I went to dinner with her and our families. She said how I'm going to be single forever, and I don't have a date for the wedding."

You paused, not able to look Yunho in the eyes. He urged you to continue.

"So? Come on, Y/N, spill it."

"I told them you were my boyfriend and I'm bringing you as a plus one."

After rushing the sentence out, you smashed your face into the cushion again, not wanting to see his face. His chuckle made you lift your head again.

"Is that it? Oh, honey, that's cute. We're going to a wedding!"

You shot up, scaring him slightly.

"Cute? Do you know what I've done? My mother won't leave us alone, my cousin as well, because they don't believe me! I had to convince them for half an hour before they stopped laughing straight at my face. They'll make us... I don't know, do couple shit."

"Okay, breathe! Slow down, chill out and just breathe."

You rubbed your eyes, trying to keep the tears at bay. Yunho took this all way too lightly that he was supposed to, but that was his nature. He was always the casual one in your friendship.

The friendship that you two built over the years, going strong after so many ups and downs in college to adulthood. At twenty six, you were sharing an apartment and trying to tackle everyday obstacles. You wouldn't do this with just anyone.

"Why are you not mad? You know how my family is, and you know they'll be annoying us the whole time. We'll have to be all lovey dovey."

He smiled, plopping down on the couch and throwing an arm around you. You naturally gravitated into his embrace, letting him run his fingers through your hair.

"Why would I be mad? I love you, and I'd do anything for you. Nothing will change after one or two days pretending to be your boyfriend. You're still my Y/N, my best friend, right?"

You turned your head to look into his eyes, a bit confused by his expression. Yunho was always the fun one, the free spirited one, but why did he look so serious now? It almost felt like he was hiding something, but you didn't want to make this situation even more complicated.

"I love you too, Yun. Thank you, you're a lifesaver."

Ah, there it was, the face of your goofy friend. His grin was wider than ever, and before you knew it, his arms were strongly wrapped around you in a soul crushing hug.

"You love me? My, my honey, I haven't heard you say that since I got you two boxes of those cookies you like and couldn't find for a whole week!"

"Oh, shut up."

.

.

"You cannot wear that, absolutely not."

"But Y/N it's-"

"Bright green and ugly! Stop messing around, we have a family to impress - my family."

Yunho pouted, taking off the vomit coloured blazer and reaching into his closet for something else.

"I don't know why you're so obsessed with what I'm wearing to that shit show."

You sighed, feeling guilty about antagonizing your best friend when he was blindsided with your poor attempt at salvaging yourself.

"Look, all I'm trying to do is save us from any heavy judgement, you know how my mother gets. Lisa is even worse."

At the mention of your cousin's name, he shivered, making a sour face.

"Okay, okay. I'll look for something normal."

Yunho rummaged through his closet some more, before gasping excitedly.

"This is it! My 'boyfriend' armour! Yeah!"

"Whatever do you mean?" You questioned, already afraid it might be something ridiculous. But you were stopped in your tracks when he pulled out a sleek black suit. The one he wore on your graduation day.

Or as you remember it - The day you officially fell in love with Jeong Yunho.

"It's perfect, isn't it? You can't say no because you already complimented me when I wore it, if you weren't lying."

Even if you hated it, you couldn't say no to that happy expression of his. You just nodded, a lump forming in your throat.

"Y-Yeah, I think that will do."

"Oh, by the way, what are you wearing?"

You were quickly snapped back to reality with his question.

"Don't. Just don't ask me that. I'm a bridesmaid, per my cousin's request. The dress she chose... I'd rather not look at it until I really have to."

He winced.

"That bad, huh?"

"Worse."

"Okay, but knowing you, you'll manage to pull it off. You're just..." He stopped, suddenly averting his eyes from you.

"What? I'm just, what?" You urged him to continue, but he turned away to place the suit back into his wardrobe.

"You're just that beautiful."

For a moment, the world stopped. Yunho has always been the more affectionate one in your friendship, but you've never heard him sound so sincere. Without a word, you stood up from his bed and went over to where he was standing. He still hasn't turned around, rummaging mindlessly through the closet. You put your hand on his shoulder, standing on your tip toes to place a gentle kiss on his cheek. Instantly, his ears turned bright red, and he looked at you with wide eyes. You only smiled in return.

"Thank you, Yunho."

He shrugged, trying to brush you off like it wasn't a big deal.

"Yeah, yeah... So, what's for dinner tonight?"

.

.

"Y/N, dear! What on earth are you wearing?"

"We've been travelling for three hours mom, I just wanted to be comfortable."

Your mother made a disappointed face, and you could feel the judgement oozing out of her. Suddenly, her whole face lit up.

"Oh! Yunho! What a surprise!"

Yunho, ever the polite gentleman, offered your mother a handshake before placing his arm so casually over your shoulders.

"Hello. Sorry we're a bit late, traffic was terrible."

She waved him off. "Don't be silly, you're right on time! The rehearsal dinner doesn't start for another two hours, Y/N will have enough time to be presentable. I'm quite surprised by the sudden turn of events, I must say."

You sighed. "What do you mean?"

She gestured between the two of you.

"Well, this. The relationship. I thought you were just friends? You've known each other, what, over five years?"

Oh. Maybe you hadn't really thought everything through, like explaining how you got into this supposed relationship. Luckily, Yunho's brain always worked overtime, and he was quick to answer.

"Well, it took a lot of courage for me to confess my true feelings to Y/N. But I did it. This girl here... I'm a lucky guy. I still can't believe she's finally mine."

Your head snapped towards him, surprised by how casually he came up with an explanation. One you almost believed as well. It seemed like your mother bought it without trouble.

"Isn't that wonderful! Maybe you'll finally be able to tame that little firecracker. Please, go unpack your bags in the guestroom, and try to be ready on time Y/N."

"Yes, mother."

Anxious to run away from your judgmental family, you took Yunho by the hand and led him towards the guest bedroom on the third floor of your house. The only good thing about the situation was the fact that you had the whole floor to yourselves. You don't want to hear your mother's shrill voice first thing in the morning.

"Your mom's as fun as I remember her."

"Shut up. She couldn't wait to criticize me. I'm so glad I'm not alone in this."

Yunho closed the door behind you, throwing himself on the queen sized bed. The only bed in the room.

"Oh God, how are we going to sleep? We can be in two rooms, they'll immediately figure us out."

"Don't be dramatic, the bed is big enough for both of us. You won't even feel me beside you."

You watched as he rolled around the mattress, almost purring like a cat.

"How are you this calm about... All of this? And what was that before with the speech? You really gave your everything."

He froze, leaning up on his elbows, but you could tell he was a bit more apprehensive now.

"I had to be convincing, don't read too much into it."

"Right..."

Silence overcame you, so you decided to unpack your things to keep yourself busy.

"Do we really need to go to that dinner?"

You sighed, feeling sorry about putting him through the whole ordeal.

"We do. It's the big rehearsal before the wedding, and I'm a bridesmaid. Although, I don't know why Lisa chose me in the first place. We've never been particularly close."

"Maybe she had a change of heart?"

You chuckled, glancing at him, seeing he was now in his stomach staring at you.

"Yeah, no. That evil spawn has had it put for me since we were kids. Do you know she chopped off my hair when we were seven? I had to get a bob. A bob! I looked like a sauce pan. Don't laugh!"

You threw a shirt at his head, but his laughing only got louder.

"Cut it out!"

Before you knew it, you were headed towards him, trying to silence him. Yunho grabbed your hands, and you toppled over him. In a mess of limbs, you somehow landed on top of him.

His laughing was cut off sharply, the grip he had on you tightening slightly. Your eyes met, and you were confused by the way he was gazing up at you.

Almost as if... No, no way. Yunho was your friend, and this was an awkward situation.

"Yunho?"

"Yeah?"

"I have to get up now."

"Oh!"

He let go of you, trying to sit up himself. You were now next to him, staring off in front of you. No words were said by either, so you slowly got up and continued rummaging through your things.

"I'm.. I'm gonna go take a shower and get ready. You... I don't know, do something. We need to be there in less than two hours, so don't fall asleep."

He nodded, avoiding your gaze.

"Got it. No sleeping. Off you go."

Leaving him be, you rushed out of the room and into the bathroom, all of your clothes in hand. You'd rather eat mud than have to walk into the room in just a towel. No way.

It took you an hour to get ready completely, and by the time you re-entered, Yunho was fast asleep.

"Silly boy."

You reached over to pat him on the back since he was sleeping on his stomach.

"Yunho? What did I tell you about falling asleep?"

The tall man jolted up, eyes still closed.

"I'm awake! I was just resting my eyelids. Yes, just resting."

"Well you have under an hour to get ready so I'd suggest you hurry it up."

He saluted you, eyes shut, and saluted you.

It took him a minute, but once he finally came to, he let out a gasp. His eyes were wide as you turned to look at him, mouth open.

"You... Wow."

This was the second time you found yourself questioning Yunho's expressions aimed at you. His eyes, usually full of joy, had a different glint in them.

"Oh? This? It's just an old dress I've never bothered to wear before."

"I can see why. You can kill a man with your looks honey. It's dangerous."

The blush on your cheeks was instantaneous.

"Stop that. What's going on with you?"

He laughed, grabbing his things to head out and get ready.

"I'm only speaking the truth. I think your cousin won't be happy when you outshine her tonight."

Yunho didn't give you a chance to reply because he was out the door in a second. You chuckled, going over to the floor length mirror in the corner of the room.

Your reflection was never something you appreciated enough, but Yunho always managed to make you feel special. Right now, you were gazing at yourself with another set of eyes, a set you were so familiar with. His words made you fall in love with the way you looked tonight. He just had that kind of charm.

You lounged around and waited for Yunho to get ready, your nerves starting to get the best of you, again. The door opened, and in came your best friend, dressed to the nines. Yunho somehow pulled off the checkered blazer and causal jeans combo like he got straight off the runway.

"What do you think? Too plain, or too weird? I really can't be bothered to wear slacks tonight."

Your heels made you a couple inches taller, but he still towered over you as you stood in front of him. No words were said from your end, and you grabbed the lapels of his jacket to straighten them out.

"It's crazy, you know?" You whisper.

"What?" Yunho looked confused, trying to decipher what you meant.

"How handsome you are, but you don't even realize it. You just make it all look so... Easy. So casual."

His eyes softened, placing his large palms over your shaking hands. The touch grounded you, making you aware of how close you were. If you just stood on your tip toes, if he just bent down a bit more...

"Y/N! I told you to get ready on time, we're going to be late!"

Your mother's shrill voice pulled both of you out of the trance you were in, separating like you were caught doing something naughty.

"Let's go. I can't stand her nagging me the whole night about not being on time."

He only nodded, following after you like a lost puppy.

"Oh just look at you two! Yunho, I'm impressed! You could pass as a model. How did my daughter get herself such a handsome man?"

Of course she would try to put you down in any way she could. You were about to burst, but Yunho beat you to it.

"I'd have to disagree with you. I think I'm the lucky man who got to have this beauty by his side. I'm still wondering how I managed to do that."

Your mother looked taken aback, not used to people taking your side. She quickly pulled herself together, and a smile appeared on her face.

"Well then... Both of you can consider yourselves lucky. Come on now, let's get going."

You just mouthed a silent thank you in his direction, and he winked before taking your hand in his and walking out of the house.

It wasn't a weird gesture, you two always held hands, but your brain was too jumbled to notice the tingly feeling you got in the moment.

"I think you should take up acting, you know?"

Yunho chuckled, buckling up and starting the car.

"And why is that?"

"Come on, my mother is smitten by you. I'm sure the rest of my family will be, too. You just saved my sorry ass from explaining why I've been single for so long."

He was silent for a while, and you thought you might have said something wrong, but then he reached over to take your hand again.

"You know, it's not all acting."

"What do you mean?"

"The things I say about you... I really mean them. You're special, Y/N, and I'm angry when I hear other people brushing you off."

"Yunho..."

You squeezed his palm tighter, not believing how you managed to get yourself a man like him. The little crush you had only grew bigger every time he opened his mouth in the past week. Something was up, but you didn't want to get your hopes up too much. This was still your best friend, doing you a major favour.

"I'm just being honest. This isn't as difficult as you made it out to be. I'm just being myself, and everything I say is completely honest."

He glanced at you briefly, giving you one of his smiles that made your knees weak.

"You're going to make a girl so lucky one day, I'm actually jealous."

You said it fleetingly, trying to sound casual.

"Oh..."

"But not like that! No, hey. You're my man. I mean, not mine, but you know? My best man! My friend! Yeah..."

Taking a deep breath, you close your eyes to stop rambling. Yunho chuckled, raising your intertwined hands and placing a light kiss on yours. You froze, looking over at him. His eyes were on the road, but his ears were now bright red.

"You're my woman, too. Best one."

The rest of the ride was mainly silent, both of you blushing like crazy after the confessions. The restaurant your cousin chose for the rehearsal soon came into view, and you took a deep breath to prepare yourself.

Yunho parked the car before getting out and walking over to open your door. You just smiled, used to it by now. Ever since you became friends, you haven't opened a single door by yourself.

You said hi to a few people out front before entering the restaurant. From your left, someone shrieked.

"There you are! You're late! We have to start, come on, move it!"

"Hi Lisa, good to see you too."

Your cousin Lisa was in a short white dress, heels higher than you ever dared to wear, but she looked like she was about to have a break down.

"No time for that! Is this your boyfriend? He seems strong, he can help the others to rearrange the tables. Let's go."

You glanced at Yunho, ready to apologise, but he only shook his head and went over to the group of men in the corner.

"You got yourself a hotte Y/N. Who would have thought? Honestly, is it the sex? You must be good at it if he's still around."

"You're as classy as ever."

Lisa scoffed, grabbing you by the arm and dragging you over to the buffet.

"I'm just curious. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure you have your qualities, but him? How did you manage to snag that?"

Honestly, sometimes you wondered how you did that as well. Yunho was charismatic, friendly, and not to mention drop dead gorgeous. You were... You. That's why you made peace with the fact that he would always be your friend, nothing more.

"I'd rather not talk about my relationship right now. It's your day, isn't it?"

Your cousin smiled, nodding immediately.

"You're right! We'll talk about it some other time. Now, I don't like how they placed the flowers, so do something about it."

"You know this is just a rehearsal, right?"

Lisa gave you a look, making you cower slightly.

"It has to be perfect. Now, do as I say."

She turned around and stalked off to yell at someone else, and you sighed in relief. Glancing over, you saw the men in your family talking to Yunho. They seemed to be having a good time, regardless of the fact that they had to move ten tables around. He just had that kind of charm, you thought.

As if sensing your gaze, he turned around and winked. You smiled, knowing this whole event would be slightly more bearable with him by your side. With another sigh, you made your hands busy with the roses and carnations in front of you.

.

.

"And she had the audacity to mention my failed science project! I know I may have ruined our kitchen table, but I was proud of that volcano, you know?"

"What a jerk!"

"And then, she said how she couldn't believe I had a boyfriend because I was "too plain". Plain? Is she serious?"

"Y/N, I was there, I heard her."

You huffed, crossing your arms and leaning into the passenger's seat. The rehearsal was over, and you couldn't wait to get home. Yunho was the main attraction, and everybody loved him. You knew it would be like that, but you hoped your cousins would leave you alone for once.

Instead, she threw jabbs at you throughout the whole dinner, but you ignored her for the sake of your peace and sanity.

"Honey, whatever she said, and she talked a lot, wasn't true. Sure, you may be clumsy and sometimes awkward, but that's you. I love the way you are, and I'd never change your personality."

You glanced at Yunho, surprised by his sudden confession.

"You really mean that?"

"I really do."

You reached your home, noticing your parents' car wasn't there. Your mother mentioned going over to Lisa's house to sleep there before the big day so that she could be available for her at any second.

For some reason, you felt a bit sad. Yunho noticed how your mood changed, but he didn't want to make it worse by questioning you, so he just followed you to the shared room.

You took off your heels, sitting on the bed and holding back your tears.

"Hey, are you okay? I know tonight was crazy, but you seem so... Devastated."

He knelt on the floor in front of you, grabbing both of your hands. With him looking at you with those big eyes, full of concern, you broke down.

"I just can't take it anymore."

The first tear fell, but the second couldn't follow because Yunho instantly reached for your cheeks to wipe them away.

"Oh honey... Don't waste your tears on them. I know you love your family, you're just that kind of person, but I can't stand the way they treat you."

"It didn't bother me before, you know? But my mom never talked about how she couldn't wait to see me get married, it was always about Lisa. Am I that bad? Is it so impossible to imagine me in a wedding dress?"

Yunho stood up, crowding you in his embrace. He gently lifted your legs to place you into his lap, squeezing you to his chest.

"You want to know something?" He whispered.

"What?"

"I always think about how you would look in a wedding dress."

Your head snapped up to look at him, and his eyes were already on yours.

"You?"

He nodded, placing his forehead on yours. His gaze was now darker, and you noticed how his hands trembled while holding you.

"Me. You know what else? The person you are walking towards is always me. Standing there at the end of the altar, waiting patiently for you to come."

"Yunho... What are you..."

His hands cupped your cheeks again, face so close you could count his eyelashes.

"Those people... They don't know how much you are worth. You're the most beautiful person I have ever laid eyes on. You're funny, so smart and witty it's not even real. You..."

His lips, the ones you've been dreaming about for a while now, were a breath away from yours. He hesitated, trying to decipher your emotions. You didn't want to let him get too into his head, so you grabbed the lapels of his jacket and pulled him in.

Your lips smashed together, and Yunho finally let go.

The kiss was different from any other you've ever had. After all, it was Yunho kissing you instead of someone random. Yunho, the man who stood by you through thick and thin.

Yunho, the person you turned to when your bad thoughts took over.

Yunho, messy, lovable Yunho, who talked about you like you were his lifeline.

Your lips danced together, his hands squeezing your cheeks as if you would disappear at any moment. Yours were placed on his sturdy chest. The chest you loved cuddling to when you watched sappy movies.

The air grew hotter in seconds, and you had to stop for a second to take a breath. As you detached yourself from him, you were surprised how natural everything felt.

There was no awkwardness, no doubt.

You just kissed Yunho, your best friend, and it felt as natural as breathing.

"Now that... That was super hot."

It took you a second before you burst out into laughter. Leave it to Yunho to say something a frat boy would in a moment like this.

"Yeah, it was. You're such a dork, oh my God."

"But I'm your dork, right?"

You looked into his eyes, seeing how serious he actually was.

"Do you... Want to be?"

"I thought I already was, but let's make it official."

Before you could respond, Yunho got down on one knee in front of you. Your eyes widened, and you panicked slightly when he reached into his pocket.

You soon realised there was no need, because he only took out his wallet. Strange, but okay.

"I know this is so sudden, but I always knew we'd end up together. I was just too shy to do anything because I'm me, and you are incredible. And so sexy it's not even real."

You gasped, knowing there was no chance Yunho could do a standard, normal, romantic confession.

For some reason, you loved him even more for that.

"Look at this."

He took out a piece of paper from his wallet, giving it to you.

There, on a random sticky note, was your writing. It only said "gone out, eat breakfast you idiot!!! love you"

"It's funny, but when I looked at the note you wrote about six months ago, I couldn't help but wonder. Do you love me in the same way I love you, or was it just something you said because we've known each other for so long. I realised I had to step up my game, so I tried to be obvious. But you... You are as dense as honey sometimes."

Your eyes widened.

"Is that why you..."

"Call you honey? Part of the reason. You're just the sweetest person I've ever met, so it fits. Do you get it now?"

You nodded, realising he was still down on one knee. You pointed at his position, raising your brow.

"If you propose to me on my cousin's wedding day we might as well be exiled from planet earth afterwards."

Yunho gasped, seemingly realising himself how this might look to you.

"No, no! Don't worry, I plan on proposing, but not today. I need to figure out where I can rent a unicorn."

"You do know those aren't real? And why the hell would you need a unicorn?"

"Doesn't matter. Let me get back to my point. I love you, and I want you. Do you want me?"

The two of you looked into each other's eyes, not knowing whose smile was bigger.

"I love you, and I want you. Come and kiss me again."

"Yes ma'am!"

.

.

"We totally broke your bed."

"Let's hope we did not, because my mother would freak out."

Your back was pressed against Yunho's front, his arms wrapped securely around you. The position wasn't foreign to you, but the state of undress you were in was.

After his grand confession, Yunho couldn't keep his hands off of you. Soon enough, you were tangled in the sheets of your old bed, your moans making the sweetest melodies.

"You know, we can skip the wedding if you want to."

You turned to glance at him, totally unprepared for the suggestion.

"We can't do that. My family would... You know, I don't think my family would mind much."

"Do you want to go?"

"No! No, I don't! You're a genius."

He laughed, placing a kiss on your hair.

"I pride myself in having a big brain. I don't think that's the only thing that is big abo-"

"Okay! We get it."

You turned around in his arms, placing your hands on his cheeks.

"I love you. Thank you for going through this hell with me. And thank you for pushing me to do something I want, but don't have the courage to."

He leaned down to place a gentle kiss on your lips, his arms strengthening their hold on you.

"You can always count on me. You deserve to be surrounded by people who worship the ground you walk on."

"There aren't that many."

Yunho smiled, chuckling afterwards.

"There's me. I will be there, for as long as you want me."

"Somehow, I think that will be more than enough."

The two of you enjoyed the feeling of finally being together for some more, before you silently packed up your things and headed out to the car.

Finally, you were able to escape the horrible behaviour you'd been exposed to since you were little.

Your heart didn't feel so heavy anymore, and with Yunho's hand covering yours, you knew it never will.

.

.

.

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

Hello hello! It's your friendly neighborhood character torturer again! 😂

Wayne, your comments on this and the other timestamp have me questioning if I just straight up ditch my writing schedule and work on a timestamp for this next! And okay, it's not happening in this verse but a threesome fic with both those fellas? Thank you for putting that thought in my gutter mind cause it's now on the to-do list 😅😉

Aka Russell is okay with her tracking things not people lol. But they make such a good team! I loved how they played off of one another. If they did this all the time, they'd run Colter out of business 😂

Not me crying 😭😭 This is so sweet of him and genuinely a love letter to her in the most Russell way 🥹

These two are SUCH a solid team now. Their relationship started at full throttle and had all that intensity but now with some time? They're so locked in. I love that little scene of them before they go in to clear the building because we still get the Russell's always going to be a protective boyfriend but he actually listened to his woman and is there to support her. Gah, I love how he learned from his past mistakes there.

Right!! I completely forgot she's a doctor for a minute because of all her badass tracker skills at this point, but that's so neat! Colter should take her fucking everywhere. I'm still not over when he got shot with an arrow lmao

I love tossing in that little reminder of her medical background, for a freaking mob so she's seen a lot of shit too. Maybe she ain't a super soldier like the boys but a medical emergency? She's gonna take charge and bark orders like she's in the trenches. Honestly, I'd love to get to explore her and Colter doing a case together for real.

Omg that fucking arrow 😂 There's suspension of disbelief and then there's sending it to the fucking moon. Good on him for just walking that one off.

My poor baby 🥲 Man, Michelle, you roughed that boy up good. Now I'm even more curious what you'll do to him in that serial killer series you've got planned 😆

On the one hand, it hurts to hurt my favs. On the other, I love my whump. There's a scene in his little dark romance that makes me so giddy to think about. Although I am quiet happy to see them leaning into those darker shades of Colter in the show more!

But I love the gentle way Russell always uses with her in these situations. She's been basically been brainwashed her entire life, and Russell is slowly peeling those layers back and clearing her vision. It's so beautiful and sweet and patient and kind of him 🥺

Russell had such a weird childhood but he didn't question that he was loved, at least until after their father's death, and he was never alone unlike the reader. She's been beaten down and isolated for so long Russell is like this warm protective blanket around her and that's part of his joy is watching her come into herself.

Aww, is Colter gonna be her maid of honor? I could honestly see that with these two besties lol 💕

...Okay maybe now I have to write the wedding because the image of Colter helping the reader in the bathroom before the ceremony with her dress muttering how they'll never speak of this is now seared in my brain. 😂

Thank you so much for the comments Wayne! 🥹

M.I.A.

Summary: When Colter Shaw calls the reader for help on a job, she thinks nothing of helping out. Only he never shows up and Colter may have just become the latest disappearance in this small town. It’s up to her and Russell to work together to find him before his case goes cold like all the others before…

He's My Man Masterlist

Pairing: Russell Shaw x reader

Word Count: 6,500ish

Warnings: language, kidnapping, violence, torture, mentions of death

A/N: Welcome back to more Russell Shaw! This story is considered a timestamp to He's My Man and it's highly recommended that story be read prior to this one. With Tracker coming up again soon I wanted to dive back into this world with these characters and thought this would be a fun way to check in with the gang. Please enjoy!...

________

“Thanks,” you said to the waitress who refilled your coffee. The diner was quiet, the mid-afternoon lull between the lunch and dinner crowd. You poked at the slice of chocolate pie in front of you and scrolled through your phone, an anxious feeling growing in your gut.

Colter had called last night, asking if you’d be willing to come out and act as his date at a gala event where he was investigating a young woman’s disappearance. Admittedly, you were a bit nervous to accept. You’d only been doing reward work for six months and you’d had success so far with tracking down a few show dogs, a horse, a signed Mickey Mantle baseball card and a stolen car. But you hadn’t dipped your toe into the truly hard stuff yet. People.

After Colter got you to put the phone on speaker, he and Russell had wore you down and convinced you this would be a good first run. It was Colter’s case, you were simply there to help and offer input.

Flirting with a rich playboy Colter suspected of kidnapping the missing woman while he searched the house was also up there on his request list.

It was only a three hour drive to the small town from home and Russell had an important meeting with a brewery investor at lunch so you decided to help him do some last minute prep in the morning before agreeing to catch up with Colter for lunch at a diner. Yet, it was a few minutes past three and you’d heard nothing from him since around midnight the night before.

“Fuck it,” you said, slapping down a ten dollar bill and dialing.

“Hello, hello, qark,” answered Russell, his voice cheery and bright.

“Your lunch went well I’m assuming?” He hummed. “Don’t leave me hanging. What’d you settle on?”

“He gets 5% profit sharing after the first year for five years. By then he said we’d be well established and probably wouldn’t need him anymore. He was a good guy, invited us to get dinner with him and his wife sometime.”

“That’s great, honey,” you said, turning when the bell over the door rang, pouting to find it was a pair of older men that took a seat at a booth. “You haven’t heard from Colter at all, have you?”

“No…he never showed for lunch?” You sighed. “He could have been arrested.”

“Russell,” you chided.

“He gets arrested and Reenie bails him out all the time,” he said. “I just texted her. I bet he’s sitting in the station right now because he pissed off some local power hungry…shit.”

“Shit what?” you asked, taking a big, stress induced bite of pie. 

“Reenie said she hasn’t heard from him.” Russell groaned in the background. You closed your eyes. Today was supposed to be a good day for him. The last thing you wanted was him worrying about his little brother.

“I bet he ate some bad food, puked his guts up in the airstreamer and is sleeping it off. He said he was staying at the Sunny Days Park. I’ll go meet up with him there-”

“I’m coming out there,” said Russell. You rolled your eyes. “If he’s so sick he can’t pick up a phone then he needs help and that girl he’s looking for needs help too.”

“Fine,” you said, your heart rate spiking when you stood. “He’s probably just being his usual anti-social self, right?”

“Yeah. He’s totally known for being flaky on jobs,” deadpanned Russell. “Just…I’m not going to ask you to wait at the diner for me but be careful. Keep your gun on you and you call me when you get to his trailer. I have a bad feeling.”

“Me too,” you whispered. “I’ll call you in ten, Russ.”

You’d frowned when you found Colter’s truck parked in front of the airstream fifteen minutes later. Your pout remained when you cleared the the area and the inside of the trailer, carefully tucking your gun away into the holster on the back of your jeans. “He’s not here, Russell.”

“Anything look off?” he asked through the headphones in your ears. The space at first glance didn’t look out of the ordinary. Computer and maps on the kitchenette table. Coffee mug upside down on the drying rack next to the sink. You stopped short and squatted down, cocking your head.

“There are two pairs of shoes tucked under the table. Boots and trail running shoes.”

“Okay…” You stood up and sighed. 

“Russell, I lived in this trailer for a few days and Colter is a minimalist. There are two pairs of shoes here and he only owns two pairs of shoes. So he’s walking around barefoot? That’s-”

“Not good,” sighed Russell. “Do you see any sign of struggle? Blood? Anything weird? Or missing?”

“Not that I can tell. I didn’t exactly do an inventory of his closet when…” Your eyes zeroed in on a tiny black speck in the corner. “He has a security camera.”

“Call Bobby, see if he can get the footage from a cloud server or something. I’ll call back in a few once I’m on the road.”

“Drive safe, hun.” 

“You be safe. Anything feels fishy, get to a public place and stay there until I get in.”

“I know. Love you.”

“Love you too.” Two minutes later you were on Colter’s computer, Bobby sending you a link to the 24 hour cloud account where Colter’s subscription was saved to once a day.

There were two feeds, one right over the door to the air streamer and the other a wide angled shot staring down the entire length of the trailer. You backed it up to midnight, watching Colter sitting right where you currently were, texting and finishing off his beer. He stretched and stood, putting the empty under the sink.

He hit off a light and you sped it up, Colter padding out once to get a glass of water during the night. You smiled when he got up around six, an unusually cuddly version of Colter appearing on screen. He had a blanket wrapped around his bare shoulders as he shuffled over to his coffee machine, getting a cup brewing.

It reminded you of Russell in the morning. He too had a habit of walking around with a blanket first thing. You wondered if that was a Shaw thing or a habit Colter picked up from his big brother when they were kids.

You watched Colter disappear into the bedroom, exiting in a black tight pullover along with fitted pants for running. He sat at the booth and tugged on his sneakers before knocking back his coffee. He glanced at his phone quickly and tucked it into his pocket before he was gone, the interior still. The video was motionless for another hour when Colter came back inside, a thin layer of sweat on his face. Sneakers were removed and socks tossed into the bedroom, Colter taking deep gulps from a bottle of water. He tucked it back in the fridge and headed for the bedroom when suddenly the airstream door opened. 

Three men in black masks bounded inside, one holding a bulky looking gun. Colter didn’t get more than a step in before cords shot out and you realized he’d been tased. Your heart caught in your throat as he fell to the floor hard, body rigid. His face was etched in pain as he slowly moved his arm but the men were on him fast. Punch to the face, hands zip tied behind his back, tape over his mouth. Colter was out cold when they threw a hood over his head and he was lifted off the ground by a man on either side of him. They quickly left, no one appearing until you found yourself on tape hours later.

“Colter,” you breathed out, looking out the windows, as if he’d suddenly appear safe and sound there. Shakily you dialed Russell, your head in your hands. 

“Hey. You hear from Bobby at all?” You tried to keep your breathing calm, remember the stress management techniques you’d learned in med school. 

You winced, Russell’s voice loud on the other end. “Y/N, answer me.”

“I watched the tape. Russ, s-someone took him. They took Colter right out of the airstream this morning and-”

“Where are you?” You lifted your head, Russell growling. “Where?”

“In the air-”

“Leave right now, right fucking now,” he said. You grabbed the phone, Colter’s computer and a stack of papers nearby before rushing out of there. “Are you out?”

“Yes, I’m in my car,” you said with a pant, tossing everything in your passenger seat and taking off out of the campground.

“Go back to that diner and I’ll meet you there in two hours. If anyone tries anything-”

“I know,” you sighed. “Don’t speed to get here. The last thing we need is you in an accident.”

“Diner. Two hours. Be there.”

Two Hours Later

You munched on a basket of once warm fries as you heard the bell over the door jingle. You eased slightly when Russell headed your direction, wrapping you up in a big hug. “You okay?”

“I’m fine, Russ, I swear.” You sat back in your corner booth, Russell sliding in the opposite side, getting a cup of coffee and burger for himself before you ordered dinner. “How are you holding up?”

Russell didn’t say anything, just had that look on his face he did right before he killed Owen. Honestly, you shared that sentiment. Colter had your back when you were strangers and now when you were family? Yeah, someone was going to pay and dearly.

“Bobby’s been running the video through his programs but couldn’t ID any of the guys. They ditched Colter’s phone outside the airstreamer so no leads there,” you said, passing the computer over to Russell. He watched the video, his eyes twitching momentarily before he took a long, deep breath.

“Can we trace these guys phones?” You shook your head. 

“Bobby tried. No cell activity in the nearby area before or after they…” You swallowed the lump in your throat, Russell reaching across the table and taking your hand in his. “The team’s been trying to find who took Colter while I’ve been looking into his research on the case. I figure he found out who took the woman or got real close without realizing it and that person took him.”

“Smart girl.” Russell cracked a smile, a heavy weight quickly settling back over the table. “But I have a problem with it.”

You nodded, keeping your lips sealed as his food was delivered and you got a plate of eggs and hashbrowns set down before you. “Me too. It doesn’t make sense to take him unless they wanted to know something he knows and they figured he wouldn’t crack immediately.”

“Yup. Aren’t you supposed to go to a party with him tonight?” You stopped with a forkful halfway to your mouth. Russell cocked his head. “He got an invite to that party. For two people. They must think he has a partner and that the partner knows everything Colter does.”

You set your fork down, Russell forcing a smile. “They’re looking for me. Those people are probably hurting him-”

“Hey,” said Russell, voice quiet. Gentle. “They took him because he found out something these people don’t want him to know and he didn’t realize it, not because of you. Let’s figure out what that is and then we’ll come up with a game plan.”

“Okay. Let’s figure this out.”

Forty minutes later, two clean plates and Russell making more than one odd face at the computer screen did it hit you. You slid Colter’s notebook with the name of the party over, Russell’s eyebrow quirking. “What?”

“These people don’t know who I am, otherwise I’d be gone. Colter wanted me to go to this party with him, right? Well, let’s go to the party.” Russell leaned back, closing his eyes. “Isn’t the most likely scenario that the person that took this girl also took Colter? And they clearly are powerful enough to have a few guys working for them. Let’s go to the party full of rich people and see what we can sus out.”

“Y/N.” Russell sighed, rubbing his temple with his palm. “It’s way too dangerous. Just because someone hasn’t come after you doesn’t mean they won’t. We need to figure out what Colter stumbled on-”

“This party,” you said, holding up the notebook, slapping it down. Russell clenched his jaw, relaxing after a beat. “The only research Colter did was on this girl and then there’s the party invite. He wanted to go there for a reason.”

“Alright, alright,” he said, picking it up, flipping through the pages. “How’d he get the invitation in the first place?”

“It’s a charity fundraiser. Anyone in town can go as far as I can tell,” you said. “All I know is he wanted me to be a distraction.”

“Distraction…” Russell typed on Colter’s computer, biting his bottom lip. “Party’s at some older rich dude’s house. Francis Duvel. Sounds like a real upstanding community member.”

“That’s not surprising the wealthy guy is hosting a charity event.” Russell’s eye twitched before he spun around the screen. Your eyes flickered down, reading a headline.

Duvel Industries Once Again Cleared of Safety Allegations; Whistleblower Drops Suit as CEO Vows Quality & Integrity Valued Over Profits

“I couldn’t figure it out earlier but there’s been a pattern of people going missing every so often in this town. Men. Women. Old. Young. Never kids or teens. Always adults. Your missing girl, Alexis Pearson works at-”

“Duvel Industries,” you said, flipping through a paper. “Executive assistant. You think-”

“Poor girl probably found out they were cutting corners somewhere and she said something to the wrong person.” He handed you back the computer and sure enough, all of the people that had “left” town or simply gone missing had at one point or another worked for Duvel Industries.

“How did no one figure this out before? It’s obvious what’s going on,” you said, Russell looking around. “Wait. You think…”

“Article said the local cops found no issues and never have. This charity auction is for the community including-”

“Fuck,” you muttered. “He’s got the sheriff in his pocket, likely a few more cops. No wonder Colter couldn’t just turn over what he found. He couldn’t trust them.”

“He should have called me,” said Russell, closing the computer. He shook his head, staring out at the cloudy evening sky. “I have a friend in the bureau. I could have…”

“So let’s call your friend, get the FBI up here to take a look at Duvel and in the meantime, try to find Colter and Alexis.” For the first time he looked worried and it made your heart clench. “What is it?”

“Alexis is probably already dead and when FBI agents show up at Duvel’s front door, he’s going to kill Colt and the girl if they aren’t already. Y/N, we have to find him tonight.” 

“Okay,” you said, getting up and pulling him into your side of the booth, wrapping an arm around his waist. “Screw the party. That was Colter’s plan. Ours needs to be more direct.”

“What’d you have in mind?”

“Duvel isn’t stupid enough to keep him or Alexis at a place where he’s having the whole town come to, right? So where would you hide them as a CEO?” He smiled, kissing your cheek before pulling out his phone. 

“Bobby, it’s Russell. I need the address of every property owned by Duvel Industries asap.”

One Hour Later

“How do you know it’s this one?” you asked Russell as you got out of his car. He went to the trunk, resting his head against the open thing. “What’s wrong?”

“I know because this place is isolated, it’s been under construction for years with no progress but the tire tracks we saw were fresh. It’s Duvel’s dumping ground.” He straightened up, hands on his hips. “Qark.”

He didn’t have to say it. He wanted you to stay here, out of danger. He’d wanted you away from this kind of life and said it more than once.

Russell reached inside the trunk and opened a black duffel, holding out a black vest to you. It was much smaller than the one he and Colter fit in though. You took the vest, followed by Russell handing you a thigh holster. “I thought you were going to tell me to stay in the car.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I want you to stay here,” he said, bending down to buckle the straps against your thigh, pulling it taut. He looked up with a half-smile before taking your gun from the back holster and putting it inside, tossing the other one in the trunk. 

“What are…” He zipped up your jacket all the way and pulled the vest on over your shoulders, fixing your hood before tightening the sides so the vest hung tight to your body. “Russell.”

He shrugged, green eyes nervous but gentle. “You have let me teach you self-defense, how to reload and shoot, tactics and stealth so you’d be safe doing reward work. You’ve done it all without complaint. I want you to stay at the car but I know my queen of darkness. You can do this. You told me once before you wanted me to show you how to do things, not do them for you. So let’s go do this together.”

You smiled, running your hand over the vest. “How long have you had this?”

“I bought it the first reward job you took. I figured someday you’d need it.” He put on his own gear and locked the car, inhaling deeply. “If you want to change your mind-”

“That building is massive. You can’t go in alone.” He nodded, closing his eyes. “Am I liability to you? Serious question. If I go in there with you, does it make things harder if Colter is in there?”

Russell peeled open his eyes, smirking as he planted both hands on your face and kissed you hard. 

“I always worry, qark. Whether you’re in there or out there.” He touched his forehead to yours, hot breath fanning over you. “You do not have to go in. Absolutely you do not have to. But if my girl wants to do this with me, then I’m glad I’ve got her for a partner.”

“Thank you,” you whispered, Russell lifting you up into a hug. 

“But if shit goes down, you run.” You shrugged, Russell groaning. “Alright, alright, Rambo. Follow my lead and stick close. Bobby’s going to contact my friend in two hours if he doesn't hear from us so let’s get a move on.”

“Age before beauty,” you said. He narrowed his eyes. 

“Yeah, keep it up youngin’ and next time you’re in that outfit I’ll teach you a lesson.” You glanced down to his groin, Russell growling. “Y/N.”

“Sorry.” He nodded, checking his gun before letting in hang by his side.

“Stay low and quiet. Clear your corners and don’t hesitate to use your weapon. You sure you want to go in?”

“Let’s do this.” Russell checked your gear one more time before you headed into the forest, jogging through it for a moment. You stopped at the edge when Russell held up a hand. He reached into his back pocket, revealing a small scope. You knelt by his side, looking around as he mumbled to himself.

“Good news and bad news. Good news is there’s only one vehicle and it’s a car which means most likely there’s four guys or less. Could be more but odds aren’t in favor. No cameras from what I can tell. Bad news is two outside guards. It’s going to be hard to get in.” You pursed your lips. “What are you thinking?”

“If we each get one-” 

“Y/N,” Russell scolded. You frowned, his face softening. “Those guys are huge. Odds are they grab you before you get the guy out cold.”

“Russell. I fought off Owen when I was roofied when I was younger. You have taught me so many moves. I wouldn’t risk Colter if I didn’t know that I can take out a guy that size. Trust me. Please.” He lowered his head, shoulders sagging.

“If he’s not going down, shoot him.” You agreed and then the two of you were jogging across the dark grass, coming to a stop against the concrete wall of the building. Russell pointed you forward and you went ahead of him, gun in front of you, squeezing the cold metal tight.

The guard rounded the corner quickly though, startled by the sight of you. You ducked fast, Russell’s fist flying out where your head had been. It connected hard with the guard’s jaw and he slumped against the wall, crumpling down in a heap. You stood up, Russell tapping your shoulder before stepping in front of you. After a moment the guard was restrained, tape over his mouth. Russell peaked around the corner before holding up a hand for you to stay back before he disappeared. 

Ten seconds later he returned, body slightly less tense. He nodded and you jogged over to him, keeping behind him as you went through the door and past the other out cold guard with hands and feet secured.

The building was large, some warehouse space, offices on either side. Russell sighed silently before going left. You walked backwards behind him for a few minutes as he cleared room after room after room with nothing to show.

“It’s taking too long,” he whispered. “I can’t check every room fast enough if the guards check in on a schedule.”

“I can finish the hall. Do the other side. You’re faster without me,” you murmured. Russell stared at you for five seconds then planted a kiss on your forehead.

“Be safe. I’ll be right back.” Silently, he went the way you’d came from and disappeared around the corner. You turned your attention back on the six or so offices to go with a thick swallow. Without Russell by your side, your nerves came front and center. But you couldn’t stand there forever. There was probably someone else inside and Colter wouldn’t hesitate if you were in his shoes.

You steadied yourself and cleared a dark, empty office, then another. The second to last door pushed open easily, bright light hitting you in the face. 

There was barely enough time to register Colter in a chair, someone behind him with a knife and then the man’s hand was moving fast towards his throat.

The trigger pulled hard as you squeezed it once, twice, three times. You couldn’t hear over the ringing in your ears as you did wide sweeps of the room. No one else was in there and after finding the man slumped on the ground was dead, you rushed to Colter who’s head hung low.

“Colter. Colter,” you urged. He was shaking as you tilted his chin up, a thin line of red on his throat but not deep. You closed your eyes. Fuck, a second later and Colter would have already bled out by now. 

But something wasn’t right. His clothes were wet, skin ice cold. Your eyes darted upwards when you felt cold air conditioning kick on overhead. It was only then that you noticed the dead man was wearing a winter jacket for some reason.

You checked Colter over after cutting him free, a few bruises on the face, bruised ribs from his labored breathing and you winced when you patted his shin and felt how swollen it was. You cut up his pants leg and saw the deep bruising, very highly a broken bone in there.

Another gun shot rang out nearby and you spun around with your gun, aiming at the door. Russell appeared a few moments later, sighing in relief. But his face fell when he saw Colter violently shaking in the chair, arms wrapped tight around himself.

“What’s-”

“He’s hypothermic,” you said, cutting up his pants, Colter shaking his head. “We need to get him out of these wet clothes and warmed up now.”

“Y/N-”

“Russell, he’s not stable.” You finished cutting off his pants and had his pullover halfway off. “Call your FBI friend and tell him we need a med evac to a level 1 trauma center. In the meantime, go kill the A/C and get my med kit from the car.”

“Got it,” he said, turning to leave. “I found Alexis.”

You looked over your shoulder at him, Russell smiling. “She’s roughed up but she convinced these guys-”

“I’m sorry but does she need medical attention, yes or no?” He shook his head. “Then go do as I ask.”

Russell took off down the hall, Colter’s wet clothes dropping to the ground. You got behind him and put your arms under him and around his chest, hoisting him up.

He screamed at the sudden pain in his side and leg but you could deal with that later. Right now, he was too fucking cold. You walked backwards out of the room, Colter whining the whole time which frankly scared the fuck out of you.

Colter was stoic. Tough as nails like Russell. Calm in moments of terror.

Scared, hurt, out of control Colter made you heart feel like it was being stabbed.

“S’okay, Colt. I got you. You’ll feel better real soon,” you said, dragged him down the hall and into an office you’d found a couch in earlier. You jerked when you noticed a shadow at the doorway.

Alexis was hiding halfway behind the doorframe, wide eyed at you. “I-I can help.”

“You know what a space heater is?” She nodded quickly. “Find them and bring them back here. Quickly. I saw a few in this hallway.”

She ducked away as you lowered Colter to the ground and plugged in the space heater you’d saw in there, turning it to the max. 

You found a wooden chair and kicked at it with your boot until it broke apart. Taking two long pieces, you placed them on either side of Colter’s leg and removed your vest, jacket and shirt. 

“And you said my red jacket was ugly,” you teased, laying it over his shivering form. “Too visible if I recall.”

His fingers squeezed the material so tight it started to tear, your heart breaking for him. You leaned down close, wiping the wetness out of his hair with your shirt. With a sigh you kissed his forehead, Colter mumbling something you couldn’t make out.

“I know you know you’re in shock. Everything is fine. All I want you to think about right now is a story I’m going to tell you. Okay? Just lay back and listen.” You soaked up more water with your shirt and leaned back, removing your tank top, leaving you in just a black bra. “You know Russell bought me this bra back when we went on that trip to Paris last month. I know we told you about it and you did a lot of humming like you couldn’t care less, remember?”

You shredded the tank top with your hands into strips, laying them over and under his broken leg. “I’m going to splint your leg now.”

“So there was I,” you said, pulling tight, Colter nearly doubling over as you did the few other spots quickly. “In Paris with your brother of all people and he’s bought me all these nice pajamas and lounge sets and other things you don’t need to know about when he says, let’s take a few days trip to Africa. Let’s go to the desert. Now, I don’t know about you but if you’ve never been to the desert, it’s hot as fuck.”

You made sure his leg was straight before fixing your coat on him, Colter shivering into your hand. Alexis returned with three space heaters and you quickly go them on and around him.

“When you’re in the desert, you can feel the sun prickle your skin. You know that feeling? The heat from the rays literally warming you, getting inside. It makes you so hot. It reflects off the sand, like hot sand at a beach, right back at you. It’s like you’re on a baking sheet, hot out of the oven, baked on all sides.”

Colter was still shivering but he was starting to relax, less violent shakes coming out now. 

“You ever have a sunburn like that? I bet you did. Your nose and cheeks got all red, your skin so hot. I know you Shaw boys were always outside. Russell gets these freckles when he’s out in the sun. Do you get them too? A nice hot summer day, out on the water with a warm breeze.”

Russell entered the room, kneeling beside you. “Chopper will be here in thirty.”

“Okay,” you said, Colter’s head turning to the side. “Rest up for me big guy.”

You got up and pulled Russell to the back corner, nodding at Alexis sitting on the couch. “What?”

“Russell, you should take her to the nearest hospital.” He frowned, biting his tongue though as you held up your hands. “She’s not as bad as your brother but she’s dehydrated and cold.”

“No, I need to stay here in case Duvel’s guys show up. You take her-”

“I’m sorry, are you a doctor? Do you know what to do if Colter has a heart attack? A seizure? Those are very real possibilities right now, Russell. I need to warm him up and calm him down the right way and I can’t worry about her right now. I need you to take care of her. Please.”

He closed his eyes. “Fine but I’m tossing those two guys in the trunk of their car. And put your vest back on. And keep an eye on the door-“

“Shaw.” He opened his eyes, finding you glaring at him. 

“Please help him the best you can,” he whispered. You hugged him, Russell squeezing you tight before he was moving and out the door with Alexis under his arm. Only the hum of the space heaters and Colter’s incoherent mumblings could be heard as you sat down beside him. 

“Here you go,” you said, resting the vest over his injured leg to try and give him some warmth. You held your gun in your hand as the other rested on his forehead. Fuck, he was still too cold. Slowly, he peeled open his eyes, looking so young for the briefest of moments. “I have one last idea. But it’ll hurt.”

He nodded very slowly before closing his eyes tight. “I’ll be right back.”

You jogged out to the warehouse and hit the switch to open the bay door, quickly breaking into the luxury car out front and pulling it in. You left it on and hit the heated seats to low, rushing back to Colter where he was breathing shallowly. “Come on, bud. This should help.”

He groaned when you pulled him through the halls and out to the warehouse, cursing a long string of profanities at you that felt like the closest Colter Shaw had ever gotten to going absolute ape shit.

The ache in your chest eased when he hissed at the contact with the seats and then, you swore on your life, he cooed like a newborn baby. With the heat blasting in the car and thanks to the seats warming his bare skin, he finally passed out with a smidge more color to his skin.

“Okay,” you sighed, resting your head against the wheel. “You’re going to be okay.”

The Next Evening

“Hey,” said Russell. You didn’t acknowledge him as you watched flames flicker in the outdoor fireplace back at home. He sat down on the couch behind you, pulling you back into his lap. “Can’t sleep?”

“No,” you said, leaning your head back against his shoulder. You tucked yourself into him, Russell wrapping his arms around your body. “How’s Colter? He sleeping yet?”

“Oh, he’s annoying as hell. Little shit thinks he’ll be driving out of here tomorrow morning.”

You groaned, Russell humming. “He broke his damn leg. He isn’t driving for at least a month. He is staying with us at a minimum until that cast is off.”

“I’m not the one you have to argue with.” You sighed, Russell’s long legs shifting around to lay over top of yours. “You want to talk about it?”

Your eyes welled up, Russell sensing your tension. Your eyelids squeezed tight, something heavy boiling up under your skin.

“What’s the hardest thing? Killing someone? Or almost losing Colter?” he asked quietly. You shrugged, turning your head down to your lap. “He hurt-”

“My little brother died of hypothermia.” Russell went rigid behind you, turning you in his lap so you’d face him. Your bottom lip wobbled as he pulled you in close, his hands on your back. “The car accident…it was winter. My mom died on impact but we went down a ravine. My dad went to get help for me and my brother but it was so cold and we had no heat and Charlie was so hurt…the last thing he ever said was how cold he was.”

You looked over Russell’s shoulder at the dark lake, save for a few homes with lights on across the water.

“I don’t care that I killed that son of a bitch after what he did to Colt. But I just…” You inhaled shakily, gripping Russell’s hoodie tighter. He shushed you, rubbing his hand up and down your back. 

“He’s home with us. He’s safe,” said Russell softly. Long fingers stroked through your hair, tucking you into his neck. “I think Charlie would be really proud of you for protecting Colter like you did.”

“I should have protected him too,” you mumbled. Russell sighed, quietly embracing you. “You’re an older sibling. You understand.”

“Bullshit.” You leaned back fast, glaring at his stern green eyes. “Your dad was an amazing doctor and he left two injured kids. He was either a moron which I doubt or your brother had internal bleeding which made him say he was cold. If it was hypothermia you would have died too.”

“No, my dad said-”

“Was this before or after Owen’s fucked up mob family started drugging your dad so he had psychosis?” Your voice caught in your throat. Russell raised his eyebrows. “Sweetie, do you even know why Charlie died?”

“It was hypo…” You unraveled yourself from him, planting your bare feet on the warm deck. You gripped the couch cushions, closing your eyes, medical facts bouncing around your head. “Jesus, Russ. Why did I think…”

“Because your dad said it. He probably never even remembered he did. Deep down, he didn’t blame you so you shouldn’t blame yourself.”

You stood up, stepping in front of the fire with your arms crossed. You titled your head back, inhaling deeply. “He said a lot of mean things when I was a teenager, as I got older. But at the funeral…he was still himself. He didn’t…”

“No, he didn’t.” Russell stood behind you, curling his arms around your chest, trapping you against his strong warm frame. “So back to my original statement. Charlie, hell your parents too, I know they’re proud of you.”

“I killed a guy,” you scoffed.

“You saved a woman, helped catch a murderer, expose corruption throughout a small town, bring closure to a dozen families with missing loved ones-”

“Russell,” you groaned.

“And you saved my little brother’s life all while risking your own. We are damn proud of you, my queen of darkness.” Your head tilted backwards to look at him, Russell grinning back. “No objection?”

“Fine. You wore me down. I did good,” you grumbled. He chuckled against your ear, giving you a tight hug.

“The words every man loves to hear from his girl,” he laughed, giving you space to turn and hug him back. “You want to try sleeping?”

“In a minute. I want to check on him quick.”

“Don’t be long,” he whispered. He pressed his lips to your forehead, letting them linger. You gave him a hum and slipped inside, walking down the hall to the guest room. You cracked open the door slowly, Colter laying in bed with a frown.

“Need some pain killers?” you whispered as you entered, shutting the door behind you. 

“No,” he grumbled, glancing up at you when you took two pills out of the bottle on the nightstand. “I overheard you and Russell.”

You sat on the edge of the bed, Colter grabbing your arm. He tried to sit up, relenting when you pushed on his shoulder. “Rest. I know that’s a foreign word to you but you have to take things slow if you want to recover correctly.”

“And you need to realize this job is dangerous and I am not your responsibility.”

“No, you’re not.” You ruffled his messy hair gently, Colter pouting. “But that’s what family does for each other.”

He wanted to retort but bit his tongue, grumbling as you fixed his blankets and made him take a painkiller. 

“Why didn’t you tell me you and Russell got engaged?” You glanced down at your hand and the shiny silver band on your finger. 

“When did you notice?”

“When you shot that guy. It helped to think of something else for a bit.” You nodded, playing with the ring. “When’d he ask?”

“About a week ago. We wanted to surprise you and Dory.” His hand fell down to yours, giving it a light squeeze. “Colter, I know you have your issues with your brother but we love you. I know you’re going to hate it but you need to stay here for awhile. At the very least you need to stay with Dory if not us. You can’t be alone right now.”

“I will try to not complain too much,” he said. You smiled, leaning down to hug him. “Thank you for finding me.”

“Let’s not make a habit of it is all,” you said, getting up and pushing his glass of water closer. “Need anything else?”

“I’m good.” You went to the door, Colter clearing his throat. “Y/N?”

“Yeah?”

“That red jacket is still fucking obnoxious.” You flipped him off, Colter cracking a smile. 

“Goodnight, asshole.” You turned off his light for him and found Russell curled up in the blankets in bed.

“How’s the patient?” he mumbled, big spooning you as soon as you were tucked under the covers. 

“He’s going to be alright.” 

“Did you ask him about being in the wedding yet?”

“One step at a time, hun.” He chuckled, burying his face against the back of your neck. 

“Try to get some rest too, qark.” You closed your eyes, nodding once. “Love you.”

“Love you too, Russ.”

___________

[cinnamongrl2006]

Omg can you please please do older bf/sugar daddy Bruce I absolutely love ur work

Older bf Bruce Wayne x fem!reader

a/n: Sorry for my absence, life has been beating me up (quite literally), but I am back in full swing. As always, the age gap is legal, I feel the need to mention it. cw: fluff, age gap, insecurities (?), smut in part 2 summary: Bruce takes you out on a date for your birthday, but when people begin to look at you wrong he takes matters into his own hands.

part 1 | part 2

You weren’t completely sure how your arrangement with Bruce had begun, but somewhere between flirty conversations at events and muttered hellos in passing, the two of you had fallen into a steady rhythm. What started as a simple acquaintance had blossomed into a relationship.

So now there you were, standing on the street outside of your apartment, phone in hand, carelessly scrolling as you waited for his car to show up. You heard it first, roaring from down the street, and then you saw it— saw him, as he rolled the window down to greet you— park in front of you.

He got out of the car and jogged towards you, embracing you once he got to you.

"How's the birthday girl doing?" He spoke into your hair, breathing you in.

"Better now that you're here." You mutter, face smushed against his shirt.

He led you back to the car, opened the door and helped you settle against the seat before jogging back to the driver's seat.

You rested your head against the car window, watching the city streets, the night lights, the traffic go by. Bruce's hand laid steadily atop your thigh, his touch warm and grounding. He squeezed your flesh periodically, as if to remind you he was there.

"I got you something, but you'll have to see it later, 'kay?" He mumbled, looking over at you, the red light of the stoplight made his sharp features stand out, his gaze almost aggressive.

"Then why tell me now?"

"Because I don't want my girl thinking I'm not spoiling her. I'd just...rather do it somewhere private." He winked at you before hitting the throttle again once the lights went green.

The first thing you noticed when you walked into the restaurant was the low lights and the soft jazz music playing. Then, you noticed the people—couples having dinner, just like you and Bruce—except they didn't look like you, not really. The women were middle-aged, dressed in classy pearl-colored dresses with tastefully painted nails, their skin pulled taut and diamonds adorning their wrists. Their husbands looked just like your boyfriend.

Bruce had assured you many times you belonged there, but standing there, waiting for the maitre'd to come over, in your high heels, red dress on hugging your waist, you couldn't have felt more out of place.

He squeezed your hand arrhythmically, brought it up to his lips, kissed your knuckles. When you did nothing in response he looked over at you, one brow raised in concern. You didn't meet his gaze, to engrossed in a staring contest with a woman in some other table. Way to spend your birthday.

Once the maitre'd got back to where you stood he excused his absence and led you to your table, in a secluded booth, away from prying eyes. Bruce had always valued privacy, more so when he started dating you, the backlash came almost instantly after your first public appearance together, and then never really stopped; you'd learned to ignore it, Bruce did the best he could to help you avoid it.

Throughout the dinner you felt their eyes on you, like phantoms poking at your skin, vipers biting at your flesh. You knew the looks you were getting without even having to turn your head.

Bruce held your hand on the table, his fingers, curious, played with your rings, your acrylics, your bracelets. He failed to notice the way your heart sped up and your eyes found solace in your lap, the way your palms began to sweat and your cheeks reddened. At least you weren't fucking crying, you thought, but then the waiter brought a birthday cake, and more eyes were on you, and you swore you were happy but god could people mind their business?

Bruce noticed after taking a photo of you, trying your hardest to smile for him, he was so happy, smiling softly under the low lights of the restaurant, his gaze sticky and thick like caramel— and then he noticed, your smile faltered for a second, your brows knit with discomfort as you tugged on your clothes, your hair, the stupid napkin on your lap that wasn't smooth enough, why wasn't it smooth enough.

"Hey," His deep voice broke you out of your worries, "let's leave. I'll get the check, you wait in the car, how does that sound?"

"Yeah, fine. Sorry, I just—"

"—got overwhelmed, I know. I know you." His voice was authoritative and sweet, in a way that made you feel protected, safe, like you could just let him take the lead and you'd get to where you needed because he always looked out for you.

You got up from your chair, gathered your stuff and exited the restaurant, trying your hardest not to break in there. The tears came as you sat in the car waiting for Bruce. You saw him move around the establishment, talking to servers and the maitre'd, from the stern look on his face it seemed like he was arguing. He always did that, got into passive aggressive arguments to defend you.

And then he walked out, winking at you, smirk on his face.

"Bought the place. We'll do some...staff rearrangements, change some of the rules...ban a few people, maybe next time we'll be able to actually enjoy our dinner in there."

Your tears dried down almost instantly, sobs replaced by giggles. "B, that's so reckless! You can't just buy a restaurant because someone in there looked at me wrong." "Yes, I can," He hummed. "It's your birthday." He argued.

Bruce had never been one for bold displays of affection— you sometimes swore he had the emotional range of a wet wipe— and he found that spending his money was a way for him to demonstrate he loved without having to risk anything. That's why you'd learned moments like this mattered, where he bought a restaurant out of spite for all of the clientele, threatening to ban them if you wanted to dine there again.

But what you liked the most was when he wasn't trying to prove he could love, when he simply did it. When he took pictures of you when you were sleeping or eating, or sitting in the yard drinking coffee in the morning, pictures he took to remember how his heart had done a little flip when he saw you like that.

When he struggled trying to post them on social media, because you looked so beautiful the whole world had to know. His usually deft fingers, so smooth when it came to Batman technology, felt too big, too heavy for instagram.

The car ride back to the manor was quiet, his hand traced small circles on the flesh of your thigh all the way. He was at your side, picking you up into his arms immediately after parking the car and killing the engine, apologetic look on his face.

"I really wanted it to be a good birthday for you, sweet thing, I'm sorry." He pressed a kiss to the side of your neck as he carried you upstairs.

"B, don't say that, it wasn't bad. I was with you."

Once he got to the bedroom he set you down on the bed, beside a pink box with black bows on it— your birthday present, lingerie. How on brand for him— but his gaze was stuck on you.

His hands caressed your ankles before he helped you kick off your shoes, finally looking away from you, offering the pink box to you by setting it on your lap.

"You don't have to wear it tonight, we can just put you to bed and leave it for tomorrow, but I thought you'd look beautiful in that." He whispered on your ear from over your shoulder.

You nodded silently and undid the bows, opening the box to reveal a black lace matching set, pretty soft pink bow at the front of the panties.

"I'll go put it on."

"Okay." He kissed the exposed skin of your back, and tapped you in the ass once you'd gotten up from the bed.

────୨ৎ────

co-written with @cherrycolaheartss tags: @laceyfaeryy, @resting-confused-face

[moth2flamewriting]

Easier

So, I figured I would take my time putting this one out. I don't like feeling like I'm rushing to write and then giving you guys bullshit to read.

I appreciate all the positive feedback, it makes me feel super confident in my writing!

ENJOY.

"You makin' love so easy," the words lazily slipped out of her mouth.

"That's cause we was meant to be Annie," Smoke grinned.

The Beginning of the Day...

She woke up to and immediately thought the worst. It had been almost 2 years since Smoke came back to town. She was prepared for the worst and hoping for the best.

Her furrowed brows loosened as aromas wafted in from the doorway.

He was making her breakfast, well lunch.

She rolled out of bed on a hot July afternoon. In complete bliss from the last 2 years she's had with her husband.

He'd been so consistent, so.. present. The war wasn't holding him hostage. He was clear minded. He was focused, and it was on her.

As she got up, Elijah walked through the door with a big shit eating grin.

"I got sumn' for ya." He was always doing something.

"You gotta close ya eys if you wanna see,' he teased.

Annie was always in the mood for his surprises.

"Lijah, don't let me fall now,' she joked back.

He guided her out through their living room and into the kitchen.

"Baby.. you've really outdone yourself," turning into his chest with happy tears falling down her face.

64 roses arranged on the kitchen table. A note. Not only that, there sat a ring.

They were already married, but this? This was a moment she always dreamed of sharing with him. Specifically, him.

Approaching the table, hands gravitating towards the letter that read:

Annie,

I waited a long time to come back to what we had. I ran. I hurt you. I should've stayed here with you. I can't change the past, only what I do from here on out. And that's show you.

I prayed for you, not even knowing who the prayer is going to. I just pleaded with whoever to get me back to you. Asked the big hole in the sky day in and day out to reunite us. I love you Annie. Everyday that passes by I wake up loving you more than I did yesterday.

You are the light on my darkest days. You are the moon and the stars and everything in between. What better way to prove that to you? I dedicate my life to your happiness, peace, and wellbeing. I'm choosing you in this moment the way I choose you every day.

I know in every lifetime that you & I will be reunited because when it's meant to be, it lasts forever.

Thank you for who you are. For helping me become who I am. Now I just have one more question for you baby..

Yours forever,

Elijah

p.s. Turn around!

She was gasping for breath, chest rising and falling so rapidly.

She turned. And there he was, on bended knee, reaching for the ring.

Tears welded in their eyes. THIS MOMENT, specially made for them.

"Now, I know you probably thinking I done lost my damn mind. But I have to have you for the rest of my life. So I was wonderin' if you would be my wife?," he asked.

"I'd marry you one hundred times over Elijah," she replied.

He placed the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit. They were perfect for each other.

He knew that this was something she longed for even after they got married. He made her dreams a reality.

What started off as a kiss of appreciation, escalated quickly into a heavy session. Tongues dancing, hands gliding up and down eachothers bodies.

He cups her face with two large hands, caressing her cheeks. Plants a sweet kiss on her lips. Her forehead. Her cheek. Traveling down her face licking, biting and sucking on her neck.

Her hands holding the back of his head. If he wasn't holding her up, her knees would've gave out right from under her.

"Smoke you bitin' me so hard, you gon leave a mark," she hissed.

Everybody knew she was his already anyway, it wouldn't be the first time she had to walk around with love marks.

"I can't keep my mouth off of you, you're so sexy," he growled into her chest. "Take your shirt off," he demanded.

She obeyed his request.

Soft, plump titties fell out of her dress. He was mesmerized. Her nipples were so hard, sensitive to the touch. He wanted to suck them. That sent her body into a frenzy.

He pulled her towards the couch where he sat down and pulled her to sit in his lap. Her breast directly in his face, he took the erect nipple in his mouth. Sucking lightly, biting them softly. Moans fell out of her mouth. She dug her nails into his shoulder, leaving marks.

"Elijah, the way you touching me got me going crazy, I can feel my pussy getting wet for you," she moaned.

His dick was hard as fuck. Between the titties, the moans and her rocking back and forth on his dick.

She felt him growing under her. She needed more friction. She rocks harder. The only barrier between then are her panties. She's leaking onto his pants.

"Baby, I'm bout to cum for you."

"Oh no no noooo," he stops her. He grabs her around waste with one hand to lift her up a little, he uses his other hand to rip her panties off and pull his dick out.

Her body hovered in the air as he lined himself up with her slick opening. He guided the tip of his dick into her gushy, warm pussy.

Annie's head fell back, mouth agape, "Ohhh my god Daddy, i feel so full already." He wasn't even in her yet.

"Your dick is so big baby, I don't think I can take that." She said that everytime.

"You can take it baby, I'm gon lower you on this dick nice and slow," he growled.

Her pussy was too wet. Too warm. It was too good.

She sank further onto him. Taking breaks in between.

"Smoke, please just fuck me with this much.. I can't take nomore dick," she begged him.

"Aw baby, you almost there," he wraps his hands around Annie holding her ass open with one cheek and rubbing her asshole slowly, using her pussy juices as lubricant.

She could help but sink down on his dick as he played in her ass. Slightly teasing her hole.

She screamed, "Fuck Daddy! You're so big."

He began to lift her up slowly using her ass cheeks as leverage. Her pussy was so slick on his dick. Dripping all over them. She was riding him so slow, he thought be might cum right then and there.

"Your pussy is so fucking good, I'm gon spend the resr of my life diggin' in you baby," Smoke moaned.

"You like the way I ride that dick daddy? Put your finger back in my ass so I can bust all over you," she was playing a dangerous game.

He teased at her ass making him ride him harder. She's slamming her pussy on to his dick now. He can feel her heartbeat he so deep inside her.

"I love you baby," she whimpers.

"I love you Elijah."

"Your dick is so good."

"You tearing me up Smoke."

"You so deep in me baby, fuck."

She was a wreck. His dick made her dizzy. It was soooo good.

"Annie baby.. I- I'm boutta nut all in your pussy. Your pussy grippin my dick so good," his hips started to buck.

Annied lowered her lips to his ear. "I'm about to squirt all over you daddy. Right there. Don't stop pounding my pussy oh my-," it gushed out of her all over his dick. He fucks her even harder.

"I love fucking this pussy baby, Daddy bout to cum right in you," he grunts.

Annie's slamming her pussy onto him. Over and over. It sounds like a love audience.

"Cum in this pussy daddy. Please nut in me," she begged.

Hammering into her, he releases all cum in her with a string of cuss words to follow.

"Oh fuck Annie, i'm fucking cummin' in this wet ass pussy.. you got the best fuckin pussy baby. You're so beautiful."

They both slow down to look at each other. He's still inside of her. Neither one of them want to part.

Trying to find words, they just stare in admiration.

"I love you, Elijah."

"I love you, Annie."

"You makin' love so easy," the words lazily slipped out of her mouth.

Her head now nestled in his neck.

"That's cause we was meant to be Annie," Smoke grinned.

They spent the rest of the day basking in their "engagement" and making love all over their house.

Exactly the way it would always be.

Just them.

the end.

[dreaming-of-epiphanies]

𝓪𝓬𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓶𝓲𝓬 𝓻𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓵!𝓣𝓸𝓶 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓬𝓪𝓷𝓸𝓷𝓼

Description: A series of headcanons about being Tom Riddle's academic rival because let's be real, that's definitely the trope he'd have.

A/N: While I work on part 2 to Locked Out (and hype myself up to post smut for the first time... on that note, check out the poll at the end of this please!), I thought I'd share this! academic rival!Tom is my favorite.

Warnings: Suggestiveness (like very clear, but not spice... yet).

Additional notes: I'm not sure if this'll make sense, but if you want to hear the vibe I get when I imagine academic rivals Reader x Tom slowly falling in love, listen to Champagne Coast by Blood Orange, specifically the part starting around 1:53. :)

Okay I've been talking too much so here are the headcanons:

--

Your rivalry starts off early, like first or second year early. Tom is used to being the only one to answer questions in class (or at least answer them right), so when you raise your hand and beat him to it for the first time, he’s immediately intrigued (and annoyed) by you. 

The rivalry is a one-sided one for a couple of years, until near the end of fourth year you ask the professor about O.W.L. exams and if you should start preparing for them over the summer. Tom takes this chance to scoff and rather loudly remark how he’s already started studying- over a month ago, in fact. You fix him with a pointed stare and innocent smile, saying you were simply asking for the other people in the room, and that you’d actually begun two months prior. 

When you’re both chosen as prefects for fifth year, the stakes become higher. Tom makes it a point to brag about his marks whenever you’re near. He even goes so far as to boast about them in class when he knows you’ll overhear him. He’s trying to intimidate you and make sure you know he’s the top student. What he doesn’t expect, however, is for you to stalk up to him one day in the library and shove your paper in front of his nose. You scored half a point higher than him on your latest Defence essay. And that right there is when Tom realises he might’ve messed with the wrong person. 

He’s always glaring at you from that point on. He’s always looking at you in class; while you’re studying in the library; during meals in the Great Hall. And you’re glaring back. If he beats you to answering a question right in class, your glare is shooting daggers at the back of his head. When he grabs the book you need to write an essay before you, you watch him until he’s done. The second he is, you snatch it out of his hands and he watches your retreating form.

He memorises when your prefect schedule is so he can study more during those times. Now he’ll have a slight edge on you. What he doesn’t know is you’re doing the same thing when he’s on patrol. 

You start to sit next together in class, just so you can see the annoyance on the other’s face when you answer first. Really, each of your scowls are so satisfying. Has Tom’s smirk always been that cute? 

He doesn’t admit it, but he likes your rivalry. He likes the challenge. He likes being up against you. He tried to challenge someone else in a class you don’t share once, but it wasn’t the same. 

If you get the same mark, you both go to the professor and ask for feedback. Whoever gets the least amount is declared the unofficial winner and you correct your essays together in the library, exchanging glares every so often. Over time, these glares turn into glances.

And you start studying together nearly every night as well. It only makes sense- you’re in the majority of the same classes and you have to make sure you each have all the opportunities to get the best score. Maybe he marked down something you didn’t. Maybe you heard the professor hint as to what would be on the exam while he was preoccupied taking notes.

When you get sick, he gives you an exact copy of his notes. He has to make sure you stay a formidable opponent to him, after all. He wouldn’t want his win to be hollow when he does score higher than you. 

Everything changes when you’re paired together for a project in the winter of sixth year. You have to have productive conversations and not just argue about your marks. You meet in the library more frequently (even though you study there together every day). And when it closes, you both go to his dorm to continue working on it. Seeing Tom in his dorm casts him in a new light. You’ve never seen him outside of the library, class, or the Great Hall before. Is that why you’re suddenly captivated by how he looks?

The project opened up a new avenue of communication with Riddle now: friendly conversation. He’s surprisingly enjoyable to talk to. You find yourself laughing with him more than you should. Academic rivals aren’t supposed to look forward to seeing each other, are they? 

And yet you do. You always glance at him in the Great Hall or the corridor. He nods when he meets your eyes. Then you start smiling at him when you see him. He smiles back. And then he starts meeting you outside of your classes when you have a period apart, and walking you to your next one or to the library or the Great Hall. 

You start congratulating each other when the other scores higher than you. You start looking forward to the smug smirk you give each other. Why does your stomach flutter at his triumphant smile? Why does he think about the proud look on your face whenever he closes his eyes?

It isn’t until Tom skips one of your studying sessions and you miss him that you realise what’s happening. Merlin’s fucking beard, you’re in love with him you might possibly have a very small crush on him. 

And now that you’ve realised it, you can’t shut it off. The spark of happiness you feel whenever you see him. The heady rush you feel when he steps too close to you. The butterflies in your stomach when he meets your eyes. You’re falling, and you’re falling fast. (You’ve already fallen. So hard.)

Tom realises it one day when the two of you are reading by the Black Lake and you abruptly put your book down, running and leaping into the water. It’s so unexpected and he can’t deny the way he wishes he could freeze time when he sees you get out of the water, your dress soaking and hair dripping as you come and sit back down next to him, purposefully flicking some water onto him. 

Now that he’s realised it, he can’t stop looking at you. He couldn’t stop before either, but now he really can’t resist. The way you laugh. The way you smile at him. How you briefly touch his hand to get his attention when you’re studying in the library one day. It takes everything in him not to reach over the table and haul you into his lap right then and there to kiss you.

Of course you both think about kissing. A lot. Like, more than you know you should. When Tom’s head is bent over his parchment and you’re staring at his lips, the sweep of his hair, the firm grip of his fingers on his quill. What else could he do with those fingers? Tom can’t seem to tear his gaze from your mouth either. When you’re at the Three Broomsticks one day for a Hogsmeade trip and you pop a teacake into your mouth, he literally has to close his eyes to look away. The image is seared into his mind and he keeps picturing the way your fingers hovered at your lips at the most inopportune times.

This all comes crashing down one day when you get a perfect mark on an exam Tom knows you didn’t study as well as he did for. You start arguing and before you know it, it’s turned into a full-blown shouting match. You’re screaming at him for being a prick, he’s shouting at you for being lazy, and then he loses his train of thought because his attention is suddenly diverted to your lips. You stop screaming when you see his odd stare. He looks up in confusion before seeing your eyes are on his lips. And then all of a sudden you’re kissing and he has you pressed up against the wall. 

The kiss escalates fast. Years of pent up tension and feelings let out and as soon as it’s over and you’re lying together on his dorm bed, Tom asks you to be his girlfriend. You accept. 

Your rivalry only increases after that but somehow it makes it more fun. Now you can argue about marks and make out in the Room of Requirement twenty minutes later. And if you score higher than him? Well, be prepared for the ferocity with which he’ll kiss you. 

You each get Head Boy and Head [Girl/Boy] in seventh year. You study together for N.E.W.T.’s. There’s nothing left to compete for, and once you graduate you fear your rivalry will dissipate. But no, it remains just as strong, just with other things now. Who will be the first to make coffee for the other in the morning? Who will suggest the best date night idea? Who will propose first? (Tom wins that one). 

At your wedding, everyone’s speeches in some way mention the rivalry that brought you two together and how glad they are that it's stopped now. You just roll your eyes and smile at each other because you know it never has and never will stop.

And when your first child starts showing signs of competitiveness, the two of you exchange a knowing look and finally decide you can both be the winners. (Each of you secretly thinks they won, though). 

--

A/N (again): So if you read Locked Out (linked at the top of this post!), it's set up pretty well for a spicy part 2. I've never posted spice before, but I want to, so do you guys want that as well? (I'm making part 2 no matter what, already over 4000 words in!)

@viperify thought I'd tag you here since we both love academic rival!Tom 🤭

[returnofeternity]

Love your writing oh my days,

May I please request some more misty x butch reader?

I'd love to see how you'd write really pervy misty,, like s1 realness. Maybe along the lines of reader comes around to Misty's house to help with removing a tree that fell during high winds, out of the goodness of being a friendly/helpful neighbor. Chopping it with an axe on a hot day, only a singlet on while Misty secretly watches through the window,, maybe even taking some photos idk... reader coming in for some water, all sweaty and misty comes downstairs from watching and all flushed in the face,, and reader innocently just brushes it off for it being a hot day

she's been on my mind nonstop <33

-🦇

ty ty! i have another misty x butch reader in the drafts but my brain hasn't been working lately....

· · ⎚-⎚ · ·

misty quigley butch chaser. it's real. you know she has tabs on all her neighbors, and when you moved in, she kept an extra watch on you. even set up cameras in your yard that you still haven't found :)!

you two are kind of friendly with each other?! usual neighbor friendliness yaknow, but if you ever need anything urgently, you always go to her house. and maybe she's the one who stole said item just so you'd come over, but you'll never know. she usually tries to keep you longer, and sometimes her touches and sweet voice work on you and you guys end up enjoying a nice drink together, but you take your thing and leave, telling her that you'll drop it off the second you're finished using it.

i know she was praying and praying that the tree would fall down lmfao. she would see it sway and hear how it'd crack during windy days, and she almost did the work herself because she knew you'd come over and help if she asked, but the wind beat her to it. her first thought after it fell wasn't that it almost crashed into her living room, it was you coming over and her being able to watch you help her out.

once it's safe enough to go outside, you're surprised at how messed up everyone's yard looks. just toys, trash, and branches everywhere. and it's fucking hot as balls now. no wind to cool you down at all. then you see a blur of pink and blue, and look across the street to see your neighbor, misty quigley, waving at you. your heart skips a beat at the fallen tree in her yard, and you immediately rush over to ask if she's alright. she doesn't even look phased, she looks cheerful actually, and she doesn't even mention it when she begins to speak to you, just asking about your day. you kindly offer to chop it down for her, telling her that you just need to go home really quick and change into something more comfortable since it's blazing hot outside, and she's already drooling and rubbing her thighs together at the thought.

she gives you That Look when you knock on her door with your axe, and it's awkward as you wait for her to look you in the eyes. eventually she lets you in, inhaling your sweet scent and subtly touching herself down there before she closes the door and follows you. you place down your hat and axe and ask her if you could use the bathroom real quick before you start working, and she eagerly shows you where it is. what about perv!misty who goes to the bathroom after you exit and start working, rubbing the towel you wiped your hands with on her face..

it's canon that misty records every corner of her house so of course she downloads today's recording so she can rewatch you out there for later. and for masturbation purposes.

she's able to sit on this wooden basket near the frontyard window and stuff her fingers in her pants while watching you!! to you, it just seems like she's protective of her house, maybe even a bit wary of you, but ohhhh if you only knew :)

misty who has audio in the cameras outside and plugs in her earphones to her phone so she can hear your grunts even better. taking screenshots from the surveillance on her phone and also taking perverted pictures of you. zoomed in on your ass. zoomed in on your biceps and stomach when she gets glimpses of it. zoomed in on your pits. she's just trailing after every single sweat drop she can see on your body, subconciously licking her lips while she touches her phone and admires you.

mistys gone when you decide that you need a break otherwise you'll pass out in her yard, and you quickly fix yourself something refreshing to drink. you feel disgusting and sticky as you feel the amount of sweat dripping off your face and back, and grab a paper towel from the rack to wipe it all off. surely misty wouldn't mind, right? where is she anyway, you think. you wander out into the living room, passing by caligula's cage and sticking your finger in his cage as you take another drink of water. he squawks out and playfully nips at your finger, making you pull back quickly. "ow! you little fucker." you moan, wiping your finger on your thigh and glaring at him. before he can squawk out an insult at you, you hear the sound of misty coming down the stairs and turn around to see her gripping onto the rail tightly as she walks down, a bit wobbly too. she huffs out and swipes at her bangs covered in sweat, swyaing to you with a slight frown on her face. "are you finished?" "oh. no. i just needed a break." you tell her, taking a long sip of your drink. "i hope you don't mind that i helped myself to some water." "help yourself to anything!" especially me, misty thinks to herself, smiling sweetly at you. her eyes wander to your sweaty neck, eyes lighting up with desire as she thinks about cleaning you all up with her tongue. you nod and awkwardly stand around, not knowing what to say to her next. it feels a bit unnerving with how hard she's staring at you, and you start to think you have something on your face. "is it hot up there too?" you mumble, pointing up with your finger as you bring the glass to your lips. misty cocks her head. "in your room? you're all... flushed, so i thought it must be hot up there." misty forces a laugh and shakes her head. her thighs still burn from riding her vibrating dildo while watching you on her laptop, the camera she angled perfectly in the front yard giving her the best view of you working. her lips twitch with want when she thinks back to how amazing and full she felt when she stuffed her mouth with another dildo of hers, imagining it being you throatfucking her with your packer.

thinkingg about misty who makes sure to rub up against said packer when you leave, hugging and thanking you for doing such a good job. it makes you feel some type of way, you even get goossebumps as her lips graze your ear.

and of course she steals your hat that you left on her couch! she took it and brought it up to her bedroom the second you went outside to start working, and she humped it. grinded her pussy and clit on the brim while going through the cam again later that day.

[emidescent]

A Terrans Purpose.

A HDG Microfic, Featuring dollification.

It wasn't easy, switching from living under the accord to the compact.

At least beforehand I got to show up to work, get given my list of tasks to complete and complete them well.

If I was lucky my boss would even email me a picture of a pizza slice to let me know i'd done well.

But since the compact took over I no longer had that.

I tried to fill in my days attending the events and classes the Affini were propping up everywhere.

But dragging myself out of bed each day to find new things to do was so tiring.

The events were fun, don't get me wrong. But having to find and choose one is so draining.

I even tried to join a forum to get ideas for things to do.

But all the passive language just failed to compel me.

"For anyone who wants to join, we're learning to draw on Saturdays in Whisperleaf Park"

Well now I just don't want to make the effort to join y'know?

I brought it up to my therapist, she seemed a little concerned, but she had some ideas at least.

The first one was a bust, apparently factories are replaced largely by compilers.

The second was interesting for a while.

They installed a program called helper on my computer.

And when I opened it I received messages from sophonts requesting I assist in doing simple things for them.

Edit a document. Proofread a story. Offer my thoughts on a painting.

Unfortunately I realised they were coming from the same Affini who was tasked with giving me stuff to do.

I kinda lost the drive after that, I needed purpose.

The third idea she came up with...

Well it was certainly interesting.

I was to help Miss Hevershade, 7th bloom and her florets with odd jobs around the ship.

Apparently she lends her florets out to assist with events and to fill vacancies in floret positions in cafes and such.

(I thought they just closed down for the day if the florets were indisposed but apparently some Affini and Florets really need the routine, so they hire backup if they can)

And I won't lie. It was fun.

On my first two days Miss Hevershade picked me up with her florets on the way to staff a few cafes. And it was nice.

I got shown how to make coffee, and I picked it up pretty quickly.

Her florets surprised me, I was used to seeing them stumbling around, high off their asses, giggling at everything.

But these ones were elegant, refined. Perfect to a fault.

It surprised me when one grabbed my hand to guide me more effectively. Her hands were like mahogany wood carved into a purpose. Like mine, but smooth and hard. I don't know how, but her joints were like a dolls. It was....fascinating.

And made me extremely conscious of my own squishy hands in hers.

The other florets were the same, but with skin like ivory, ochre, or patterned like old world porcelain.

I asked Miss Hevershade later that night.

She called them her dolls, her little terrans who needed purpose. Who wanted to help. Who needed to help.

I didn't even last a minute in the silence that followed before asking my next question.

"Can I be a doll too?"

She smiled brightly and warmly.

She asked me lots of questions, pertaining to the transformation.

I wanted skin like the first dolls. Skin like mine.

I wanted the ball joints.

I wanted it all.

And now, with my brothers and sisters.

This one has it.

This one clicks slightly when she moves.

And this one loves it.

This one ticks when she's still.

And this one loves it.

This one gets to help people all day.

And this one loves it.

This one got a Mistress who loves her for who this one is.

And this one loves her.

Today we're assisting in a nightclub that's hosting a dance party.

Let this one pour you a drink?

[lady-lazarus-13]

Ok part two of Fan Fest Star Trek:

After almost dying in a warp core breach, I figured let me go see what other Trek related things are out here. First up, Quark's Cafe.

As @tinyfaust said when I sent him the picture of the menu (and I'm paraphrasing): Garak would be offended by that. What did the riding hounds ever do to Quark?

Also, that Kanar looks suspiciously like root beer. Pretty insidious, I think.

Beside Quark's was a photo op with the Captain's chair. I sent the pic to my partner and he said they should have had pics in the actual recreation cause it looked cooler. I tried! But the Captain said "no loitering on the bridge!" SIGH. (Anyways, I erased the man that was standing there. The shadow of him remains):

Across the way was 10 Forward that was neither on level 10 or forward, but okay. There were some people ordering, but it's not hopping cause Guinan isn't there. Missed opportunity.

Also, check out this menu. I loved the graphics, but...a Romulan ale involving white claw? I died. I couldn't believe it. It's a faaaake! Worse than replicated swill.

(Video muted)

Then I made my way to the shop to see what was what.

Deep inside a Tribble's coin purse was Chekov. A very nasty sounding phrase I never thought I'd write, thanks Universal!

I was tempted to get this clunker of a commbadge, but some tribble juice got on it or something. Nasty.

Then here are two mannequins of Picard's greatest outfits apparently: The Starfleet Uniform and his Borg hell-raiser outfit. Where is his Risa one? Universal isn't ready to face those truths yet.

The uniform did look really nice, so I took a look at what they had in stock. $85 bucks for this polyester monstrosity? I kept my irresponsible credit card in my pocket.

Alright that's it! I hope y'all liked this peek into Star Trek Universal Fan Fest. There was other stuff going on like One Piece, JJK, Dungeons and Dragons etc. but I was only there for the Trek.

[sevenwishesonshootingstars]

Long Awaited Wish: Descent of Our Beloved Star (4)

Part 1, Previous

gonna drop this rq and then go bc I have a lot of work to do which means it might be a little longer until the next one (but not super long don't worry) so I posted this chapter early but at what cost anyway this is the only one that you are not allowed to see as anything but platonic because it has Nahida other than that please enjoy also btw the dance history is bullshit I made up

For all the wisdom the smallest archon had, she didn't know. She was looking forward to your arrival, of course, and happy to celebrate with you. She just didn't know the real reason they were celebrating. She was so very wise, but the naivety that comes with youth had not yet left her.

In addition to that, too much was riding on this for anyone to inform her and take the risk. So they didn't. If the other nations had their way, you wouldn't step foot into the land of wisdom at all. In fact, they hadn't originally planned to include Sumeru as an option when the time came. Keeping you away meant there was no chance that Kusanali could warn inform you even if she did find out, which she likely would if anyone in her own nation knew. And as long as they watched the mail, she wouldn’t be able to tell you. 

But it was too suspicious to skip an entire nation in what was meant to be a celebration across the entirety of Teyvat. Additionally, Fontaine’s Iudex had, albeit somewhat begrudgingly, insisted they include Sumeru for the sake of the plan and on the principle of a fair opportunity for every nation. This earned him various dirty looks, but everyone gave in eventually.

So the world was waiting with bated breath, waiting for the moment you left Sumeru before you'd even stepped in.

When you arrived in Sumeru City, it was decorated with flowers of every kind, vine-like streamers that of course had more flowers dotted along them, and blossom shaped lanterns. Like the previous nations, there were banners and flags everywhere. You squint at one of the banners, taking note of the design that consisted of a star surrounded by flowers. 

You smiled as you looked around at the place, taking in the decor. It was very reminiscent of the Sabzeruz Festival, and at that thought you eagerly began searching for the nation’s adorable god. 

“Traveler, you're here!” Nahida greeted happily, raising a small arm to wave. “Would you like to go on a walk with me?” You agree, of course, through the Traveler, and she smiles. “Great! I'd love to hear about your time in Natlan and Fontaine. I want to hear all about their celebration customs,” she said eagerly as the two began to take a walk through the city. 

The Traveler and Nahida walked through the city together as the Traveler recounted what happened in both nations. There were a few moments where you were also allowed to comment on how you felt about the various activities and events. She listened intently to both you and the Traveler, nodding along and asking further questions.

The two entered the Grand Bazaar, where you saw much of Sumeru’s cast. On stage, Nilou began to dance. She twirled, moving her hands in various motions with the grace of a spider spinning a web. Her twirls were the clouds to the sky of the stage as her hands rose and fell as the stars. Her clothes were different too, a darker blue than usual and littered in stars among the flowers that adorned her. 

The warm, festive atmosphere was welcoming in a way more genuine than the discreetly (or not so) obsessive efforts of the previous two nations. Everyone was happy to see you, or the Traveler and you through them, had come to be a part of the celebration, but they didn't watch your every move with longing. You were certainly welcome and loved here, but without any desire to keep you in a golden cage. The glitter here wasn't from the waiting bars of a door ready to latch shut.

After the dance ended, Nahida explained to you some of the history behind the inspiration for the dance. “Miss Nilou actually choreographed this dance just for this occasion,” the little archon told you between bites of candied Ajilenakh Nuts. “Even so, the moves she chose have a long history behind them, both as direct sources and as inspiration!”

You get up from your seat, carrying your phone with you so you can keep listening. As you make your way to the kitchen to find something of your own to snack on, Nahida happily continues.

“The beginning of the dance has clear inspiration from a dance going back to the times before me,” she says, swaying slightly in her excitement to discuss its history. “It started as a dance done before winter comes as a wish for good dreams for the people since the nights are longer. Sumeru doesn't get much colder during the winter, but at the time an ambassador from Snezhnaya was visiting.” 

You begin making yourself a sandwich, humming as you listen along. She was so eager to share the history with you, and it warmed your heart.

“Actually, the dance was initially put together as a send off for the Snezhnayan ambassador in order to wish him a good return to his homeland,” Nahida explained, looking up at the Traveler with lively, owlish eyes. “From there the dance was adapted to center good dreams in general and performed at the beginning of every year.”

You ate your sandwich with the same eagerness as she did her candied Ajilenakh Nuts. Maybe it was your mood, but you had forgotten how good a simple sandwich tastes. So the two of you ate together on opposite sides of the screen with a shared fascination for each other. 

“This was nice,” she told you once she had finished. “Thank you for listening to me ramble.” It was nothing, in fact you'd enjoyed it greatly. You told her so, and she beamed, but you brushed it off as scripted. 

“It's almost time for the parade,” the little god announced, hopping up from her seat and grabbing the Traveler's hand. She led the way towards the Sanctuary of Surasthana, where a float was waiting out front. The Traveler helped her onto it, and she turned around to face them.

“Come up here,” she said with a beckoning motion. “This festival is for you and everything you've done for us. You're supposed to be up here too.”

You stare at your screen for a moment. Although you knew this festival was technically for you, you you in some way, this moment was the most celebrated you've felt. Though you enjoyed the previous two nations, the way there was no attempt to over perform, no butting heads, was… Soft was the only way you could describe it. You were welcome entirely. You didn't feel like you were missing something.

“Gah, I wish I could adopt you,” you mutter as you get the Traveler onto the float beside her. Once they're sitting up there with her, Nahida reveals a crown woven from Sumeru Roses. “This is for you,” she tells you as the Traveler leans down for her to place it on their head. Then she produced her own flower crown. “We match.”

You smile softly as a cutscene begins. The Traveler and Nahida sit next to each other in the float as it rolls down the streets of Sumeru City, leading various others in the parade. Their float was decorated to resemble a star, with gold rays and shimmering bursts. The following floats were made to resemble its tail, with streaks of brightness tapering across one float to another as it reached the end of the procession. 

People lined the streets, holding lights shaped like bursts of light and waving flags and banners like the ones you saw when you arrived. The Traveler and Nahida passed out candies shaped like celestial bodies as the people in the crowd showered them back with confetti made from leaves and flower petals. 

This went on until the sun had long been to rest and the sky sparkled with the lights of distant wishes. When the parade ended and the floats had returned to from where they had come, Nahida turned to the Traveler to say her goodnight. 

“Thank you for coming,” Nahida said softly. For a moment she simply stood there, debating with herself. Then she suddenly jumped towards the Traveler and wrapped her little arms around them in a hug. “I know today went by very quickly, but it was one of the best days I've ever had.”

You smile and glance at the clock. Having finished your late night snack and being close to finishing this part of the quest, you knew you'd better go to bed soon. 

“Enjoy the festivities in your next destination,” she said. “And please come visit again soon to tell me all about it! Sweet dreams, Traveler.” 

With that, the Sumeru chapter was complete. You exit the game and put away your phone so you can get ready for bed. When you wake in the morning, you will find your dreams were the sweetest of all that night.

______________________

taglist:

@desirabletravel @kinichportablecharger @kioblegh @hvcrver

[lemotmo]

Good morning! So I sent you an ask last night about your thoughts on Oliver being in New York solo (without Ryan) and about the whole buck moving out possibility.

Of course I wake up this morning and see it’s for the Disney upfront and Ryan will also be there 😂

But still curious on your thoughts of the moving out portion.

Hi!!!

Yep, they're all going to be there: Ryan, Oliver, Aisha and Kenny!

As for the moving boxes?

There are so many possibilities here. It could just be them packing up things to move to the other lot, you know?

It is indeed also possible that Buck will move out because of all the reasons you stated above and I'd ultimately be okay with that, because it wouldn't stop them from eventually ending up together. But it might also just be more sensible to live together for a while longer in order to pay the bills. 🤷‍♀️

Now that I'm thinking about it...

I wonder if it wouldn't be possible that they will decide to move in together in a bigger house, as roommates? As I said above, it would make sense for them to live together, in order to pay the bills. But they would need a bigger house. So maybe they'll rent a new place? One with three bedrooms? 🤔

The show could easily pull it off now. They are moving to a new lot, so all they need to do is build a completely new home for the Buckley-Diaz family. And it would be very cost effective, because they would only need to build one set for both of them, instead of two if they live in seperate houses.

The whole Buddie roommates thing would be so much fun to watch unfold. Especially if they have figured out just how much they love each other, but are afraid to tell the other. It would be Buddie gold.

[elwenyere]

Okay, much more to say later, but amid a final arc where I found a lot to love, it is a real bummerooski to have Andor end on the laziest final shot I could have imagined, as a culmination of what I can now say feels to me like the show's most fumbled character arc. I tried to withhold final judgment on this season's handling of Bix until I'd seen the full narrative, but having reached the end, I can say that very few choices the writers made for her felt either internally coherent or ideologically compelling. The whiplash between arcs two and three was wild, and while I held out hope we would see in arc four that Bix had actually left Yavin to get involved in the fight on a different front/in her own way, the move to return her to Mina-Rau makes her first arc seem even less continuous with the rest than I'd thought. And beyond being a cliché, the final shot of her holding a baby we take to be Cassian's is such a depressing turn to reproductive futurism that it makes other parts of the season retroactively worse for me.

To whit, Cinta's death. I was split on it when it happened, and again, I tried to leave myself open to my feelings shifting as it became contextualized in the whole; but the heteronormativity of ending the whole series on The Child as the final figure for hope makes killing off one of the show's queer lovers feel like a bigger failure of political imagination.

There is a small balm for this, for me, in the final scene between Vel and Kleya, where Vel, a cousin, offers Kleya, an adoptive daughter-of-convenience, the non-lineal solidarity of "having friends everywhere." I would have loved to end on a scene like that, which turns the code phrase of this season into a way of understanding how mutual care and resistance work fuel each other. But in a show that has otherwise been much more daring and thoughtful about the tableux it creates to embody the hope of building a home, the final shot we got seemed to me to set a horribly conventional horizon for what could have been more radical politics.

[countcait]

I've noticed that I disagree with much of the fandom on something...

(All gifs are by arcanegifs)

I don't think that revenge was ever the true motivator for Caitlyn in season 2. I don't doubt that she was experiencing rage and hatred toward Jinx, but I think that the driving force behind every decision she made in acts 1 and 2 was something else: fear.

During that period, the psychotic and wholly unpredictable terrorist that killed Caitlyn's mother was AT LARGE. She was liable to kill any number of other people, and Caitlyn knew that it would be her fault if she was unable to prevent it. Imagine the dread and the guilt and the overwhelming urgency she would have felt.

My own mom passed away from cancer when I was five, something that I was not remotely at fault for, yet I still suffered from crippling irrational guilt for years afterward.

If my mother had been murdered...

If I'd had the chance to prevent her murder, and the murder of several others, but I'd hesitated because someone I trusted begged me not to pull the trigger...

If every second after the fact was a potential second that the murderer could kill again...

If I'd suddenly found myself filling my mother's shoes and leading a city full of shifty oligarchs trying to manipulate me for their own gain...

If I was made into the face of justice for the murder victims... If the whole city was tapping their watches waiting for me to take the killer down...

I think I would liquify. My skeleton would give up and I'd be a jelly pile.

Incredibly, Cait was able to hide her panic behind a veneer of cool authority save for a few intense outbursts.

I think that Cait's emotionally repressed nature is part of why some people in the fandom so badly misinterpret her character. Maybe on a surface level, it's easy to read S2 Cait as a brooding vengeful bounty hunter archetype. A lot of people refer to Caitlyn's persuit of Jinx as being a "personal vendetta" and argue that Caitlyn's military presence in Zaun was done for purely selfish reasons.

But to me it's clear that Caitlyn was always trying to act in the interest of minimizing harm and avoiding casualties, even if some of her choices were misguided. Her strike team wasn't a way to personalize the takedown of the chem barons, it was conceived as an alternative to the deadly ground invasion that the council was planning.

Caitlyn was always scared that more people would die due to her inaction, that includes Piltovans and Zaunites.

If vengance had been Caitlyn's motivator, then she would have killed Jinx the moment that she surrendered at the commune. Instead, she was willing to entertain the idea that Jinx might no longer be a threat.

Caitlyn wasn't interested in killing a non-violent person. If Jinx was no longer dangerous, then her manhunt was done. Revenge was never her goal.

The last two times that Vi begged for Caitlyn to spare Jinx, all hell broke loose. Yet Caitlyn decided to respond to that one-two-punch PTSD trigger with a profound show of love. She was willing to let Vi free her mother's murderer, knowing that she'd likely never see either of them again. She thought it was worth it if it gave Vi the potential for happiness.

This is to say, Caitlyn's emotional intelligence is fucking legendary. She understandably harbored vengeful feelings toward Jinx, but she never let those emotions take control, and she was willing to give up her own chance at closure for the sake of someone else.

The fact that the weight of fear and responsibility deformed her for a period is no surprise. Desperation and urgency will drive a person to do all kinds of things, and Cait had a mountain of guilt and grief on top of that.

P.S. sorry for getting uncomfortably personal on a fandom sideblog, but my mom's on my mind given what day it is. I never would have thought that the league of legends cartoon would have me catching dead mother catharsis, but that's what uncommonly good TV writing does to a mf.

[spacestation-l7]

so sorry to keep FLOODING this inbox with Zootles requests oh mygosh

But how about some Hamburg Zootles?? I'd love to see how you portray their early years :3

The Silver Zootles and Rory Stork in Hamburg! You can tell they get along just fine :)

(Also thank You for flooding my asks with these requests actually!! I've grown attached to this AU and I love expanding it even more so feel free to keep flooding it!! :D)

Only a few years after the height of the Carni-Herbi war, Herbivores and Carnivores weren't allowed to exist in the same space for awhile. Society was slowly shedding away the old ways and even then, there were only a few places that would allow bands of Herbivores and Carnivores to play in the same area. Hamburg was the beacon of Herbivore and Carnivore assimilation, one of the only few places in Europe that would allow a band of Herbivores like The Silver Zootles to play wherever they desired.

Two bands that were stuck in a rivalry of their own making, Zootles and Hurricanes were constantly trying to one up each other in showmanship and musical prowess and everyone around them could just feel it; A band of Herbivores and a band of Carnivores going at each other in a show of talent and love for the arts instead of teeth and physical power. The Silver Zootles became sort of a symbol for the local Herbivores, showing that even these young scrappy Teddy Herbivores are able to match and in some cases outmatch their Carnivore peers.

However, there was One thing both bands would share between them; Ringo. Whenever Pete would fall ill or for any reason unable to show up for a show, Ringo was ready to take stage as a temporary Zootle and Rory and his pack would allow it. Besides, a few shows to help out a fellow band wouldn't hurt. Plus, Ringo seems to have taken a liking to the youngest Zootle in their herd. Ringo went in between two bands as if he belonged to both at the same time and it was a fun dynamic he thought, to belong to two different herds at the same time. It felt like a big family, and lions were notorious for keeping their extended families close in a big pride

It was all fun and games until one day, George had to be deported. The others would string up lies saying he broke some stupid Herbivore law like trespassing a "No Herbivores Allowed" or "Carnivores-only Zone" just to make him look all tough and them all innocent, when really the poor buck was deported cause he was a kid

Additionally; The Cavern Club was the first and, at the time, the only place in the UK to allow Carnivores and Herbivores to spend time together, and even so it was all in secret. The Zootles and The Hurricanes were, of course, frequents, having made a name for themselves in the local scene. Who knew some dingy old club in Liverpool would be the growing ground to the next up and coming Beastars.