#i'll do another long post like this tomorrow and hopefully be caught up?

[tor1misu]

It's Nothing Personal.

They wanted to just blow off steam, no strings attached, something reliable that isn't tainted with emotions. Unfortunately though, intimacy is too personal.

Pairing: S4!Five Hargreeves x Fem!Reader

Time Frame: A year after S4, except they saved Ben and Jennifer, Lila and Five stopped seeing each other and she returned to Diego.

Warnings: kink talking! and bad writing...

CHAPTER 1: WAFFLE HOUSE ON PARK STREET

SUMMARY: You don't exactly know what pushed you to join justforfucks.com, or accepting a request from a guy with a number for a name, but it happened. Now you're in a Waffle House at 10 PM, waiting for, hopefully, not a serial killer.

9:52.

The tightly packed wad of straw wrapper ached my dry finger tips as I pinched it denser. The stuffy heater placed warmth under my arms, yet I was too shy to remove my thick winter coat. I expected this guy to be punctual from his almost psychopathical formal messaging, but maybe I could've caught him early.

justforfucks.com is one of those off-sites from pop-up ads on porn websites. It's something I've ignored for ages until regrettably, curiosity got the best of me.

One night after yet another painfully mediocre orgasm, the post-clarity had been increasingly depressing, the immediate need for physical affection washed over me yet another night in a row. No matter how many toys I bought, it only got more and more boring. My nightstand drawer filled yet I was emptier and emptier as the days progressed.

The ad popped up on my screen like clockwork, but instead of impatiently closing it, I clicked it. On came a huge screen of a girl's tits. How other women possible got through the opening screen is only a product of desperation, and desperate I was.

My fingers flew about my keyboard inputting the required information for an account. I let the longing and need for warmth lead instead of my brain. Almost immediately I got hits from middle aged married men, most with unfortunate hairlines. I ignore the empty compliments and began almost shopping for a man. I took extra heed to ones who dared show their face. I went to sleep that night with my legs pressed together and dissatisfied.

After the wash of desperation wore off, I humored myself to check it again. It only took a day for a message from a more intriguing character. His name was Five, last name unlisted and profile photo unlisted. Obviously the internet safety videos would disagree to message the stranger, but it was different.

Five: Are you pretty?

Am I pretty? I thought. Instead of the usual generic flattery and AI generated love poems I got from the other men, he asked just a simple question.

You: i like to think so

Five: You don't sound very confident.

You: i guess i'm not

Five: Are you smart?

You: i think i am, but maybe im being modest again

Five: If you're modest why are you on here?

You: im sorry, are you interviewing me for something?

Five: Yes, will you meet me the Waffle House on Park Street tomorrow at 10:00 PM?

This was going cinematically bad, red flags were being waved in my face yet I couldn't log off. This was the stereotypical beginning to a horror movie, but did I really have that much to lose?

You: why?

Five: What website do you think you're on right now?

You: rude

You: i'll be there

Five: Good. See you there.

And here I came, sitting in a hard booth with a cup of water in front of me.

Along with the mind-numbing mediocre orgasms at night, daytime me worked a robotically mind-numbing internship at a law firm. So in the day, the big tall men looked past me instead of at me, and night I curse to myself when I can't focus on the video of two girls fingering each other with their fake banshee moans. 114 days it has been since someone last touched me. His name was Toby, an awful name I had to pretend moan as his average size penetrated me. His grunts reminded me of a pregnant dolphin. I laid awake hours after, my warmth still burning from the lack of satisfaction. He snored loudly too.

Part of me understood pornography after that.

9:57

A sleek black Mercedes sedan with some of the brightest LED headlights man has ever made pulled into the small lot to the resturant. The time told me that it should be him.

I had no general idea of what he looks like, except for his age. My half obscured face that I uploaded on my profile didn't tell him much either, but from the lack of women alone in the room I doubt there'd be question. Repetitively I reminded myself that I can't let my expectations or hope get further than a Toby level one night stand. I kept the vehicle in my peripherals, trying not to stare at the man who would appear from it. The blinding lights switched off, and under the terrible song playing from the speakers the door slammed shut. Who emerged was a young man who seemed to match the 21 year old description of the profile. He was in a full suit, waistcoat included, along with a coat to go over the whole set. He had longer hair in the back and hair in the front that framed his face amazingly. I was staring, taking it about everything that I could just from looking at him through the window. Maybe I was just glad he wasn't ugly.

He began towards the door, and immediately I searched for something to occupy my hands. My chest thrummed in nervousness as he finally walked in. He was squinting, adjusting to the light and moldy feeling heater. Scanning the room, he removed his coat until his sage eyes landed on mine. His stern, gruff expression didn't falter once, reminding me that he was probably indifferent to this whole interaction. He placed his coat on the communal rack before he made his long strides to my table, my eyes following his shamelessly.

10:00

"Y/N?" He asks.

"Yes, and... Five?" There is hesitation in my voice, I wanted him to fill in the blank, revealing his true name to me.

"Five." He simply replied, irritating me that I was left in the dark from his true identity. Five slid into the white booth in front of me, his eyes scanning me up and down in an analytical way. The gaze from his eyes were cold as he studied me. My eyes took in his stubbly shadow of a beard, his parted hair, his arched eyebrows, and multiple birth marks on his cheek. His jawline was sharper than my eyeliner.

"Five... Is that your real name?" I question, an almost playfulness to my voice. His frozen stoic expression didn't even smirk.

"Yes, it is... Is Y/N your real name?"

"Well yeah, it--"

"--'s a stupid question." Five finished.

I wished his rudeness was just a tough act online. A deafening silence ensued between us, between his aloof nonchalant attitude and my anxious one, of course it procured nothing.

"Ready to orda'?" A heavyset waitress with a nametag that read 'Leann' asked, her gum smacking loudly in her mouth. Before I could speak, Five butt in.

"Coffee is fine for the two of us."

"Regula? Or decaf?"

"Regular, just leave the pot." He had this condescending tone for every word he said, his eyes narrowing as if he read everyone like a book. I caught the waitress rolling her eyes as she walked to the other end of the open kitchen.

His gaze returned to me, an almost unamused expression on him.

"Tell me about yourself, you don't have to get too personal." I tried to ignore the flush on my face as I thought about what to say. I had a feeling he caught me counting the marks on his right cheek.

"I'm Y/N, I'm 20... I'm studying to be a lawyer." I thought carefully about my words, they came out slow since for some reason my anxiety didn't make me prepare for this. It felt like a job interview afterall, like he was filtering out all the women in the area for the best lay.

"I'm Five, and to make it less confusing for you, I'm 21. I don't like things getting personal, as you can probably tell."

"I can."

Yet another awkward silence. The waitress returned with a full pot of coffee and two mugs. "Creams?" She questioned as she focused on setting the mugs in front of us. "No," says Five, even though I did. I gave her a friendly nod before she sped away, leaving us silent, again.

Regret began to flood my mind, I shouldn't have came, I should've asked for more information before I had to sit in front of the most awkward man I've met. For once Toby may top someone else.

"Sorry-- was there a point to asking me to come here?" Five leaned back in his booth crossing his arms.

"Yeah... I guess, I've been needing to blow off some steam." He comments. I hum in acknowledgment, the wad of straw wrapper returning to my fidgeting fingers.

"And that's why you wanted to meet? Just a one time, blowing off steam?" A low chuckle escaped his mouth, which only served to ick me more.

"I don't like one night stands, I don't like the awkward fear of seeing them again in a bar or something one day... I'm a reliable man, and I hope you're a reliable woman."

For a moment I avert my eyes from his, looking back down at the little shreds of wrapper I made minutes before he arrived. He made sense, as much as I wanted something quick and easy, the thought of sleeping with someone like him one time didn't make me feel full.

"So... What are you proposing?"

"A partnership, something weekly that is reliable and predictable, no strings attatched, no emotions attatched... Something like a, strangers with benefits." He talked while he poured us both a cup of coffee I 100 percent wasn't going to drink. He sips the black tar with no complaints except one sour face.

"So a weekly meet up? Just for..." I trail off, my immature mind yet again blocking the word sex.

"Just for sex, I want to know nothing about you, I don't want you to know anything about me." I swallow the lump in my throat, the idea of just knowing someone just for their body felt disrespectful.

"Isn't that a bit more awkward? Just knowing each other for this sort of thing?"

Five let out a humorless chuckle, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Would you rather 100 one night stands running around, or one man you slept with 100 times?"

I hated that I was even considering this. I just wanted to lift the lid a little, relieve some pressure for a short time, not commit to something like this. Work had me strapped, I couldn't let a silly man from a porn ad distract me.

"So what... Every week I come over, we have sex, and I just leave?"

"Yep, you don't even need to talk, in and out..." His stupid inuendo made me cringe. The paper shreds were now tiny dense balls.

I cross my arms, puffing my cheek in thought. His gaze intimidated me as he takes anither sip of his coffee. As much as squeezing my legs together at night sucks, being physically and not mentally involved with someone sounds worse. As I pondered I watched his grip on his mug tighten, as if he was holding something back.

"Why are you trying to find someone like this?"

"Personal." Internally I rolled my eyes.

"How do you know I'm good in bed? Or that we're compatiable? I met you five minutes ago." He chuckled dryly again, a smirk returning on his face.

"That's what I was going to ask next, your prefrences, boundaries--"

"In the middle of this Waffle House?" I exclaim lowly, interrupting him.

"No one is listening."

"You don't know that... And what makes you think I'm even willing to agree to this?"

"After less than 15 messages, no photos exchanged on 'justforfucks.com' you met with me, I only assumed that you were just as... Horny as I am." He was quiet at the end, as if someone was indeed listening.

Okay, maybe he had a point, all self respect went out the window at the single click of that heinous ad.

"Fine, I am horny."

He smirked.

"Now... I'll give you a couple of kinks, you tell me yes, no, or maybe." He spoke casually as if he's knows me.

This man could be an actual killer, or he could be horrendous in bed, and for once I prefer the ladder

"Do we have to do this now? Why don't we get to know each other first." My suggestion caused his smirk to fall a bit.

"I'm not looking for a friend, or a girlfriend, or even a shrink, I'm looking for someone attractive to sleep with."

Points for honesty.

"Fine fine, don't tell me anything, just except for your deepest intimate desires..." I say, my tone mocking.

"Sounds great to me." He says, his tone not mocking. He had a wide smirk, and you could see it in his eyes when he did.

At least he wasn't ugly, I thought. I half expected to get catfished, which was somehow more probable than an attractive man in my age range asking me about my boundaries.

"Top or bottom?"

"Bottom, but I'm willing to switch."

"Submissive, I'm guessing?" I only narrowed my eyes at his stupid unmoving smirk.

"What makes you say that? Because I'm a woman?"

"This isn't the 60s, I only made a guess, don't take things so personal." Fine. Not personal.

"Yes, I'm a sub."

"BDSM? Bondage?" I couldn't stop the flush on my cheeks.

"Yes..."

"Degradation?"

I nod sheepishly. A smirk grew on his face, and I saw his thumb fidget in his palm.

"Good, name calling is a big thing for me... Daddy kink?" Jeez was it getting warmer. I cross my legs.

"Yes..." I reply lowly. This felt humiliating, I was like a clown in top of a water tank and he kept hitting bullseyes.

"Perfect... Give me your number." Not even a please.

I recited my phone number for him. This felt weird, I should be yelling, screaming no, why would I want to sleep with someone that I'm not 100 percent sure isn't a psycho.

"I'll text, don't call it." Somehow his words distracted every cell in my brain.

"Okay..." I reply, sheepishly. He smirks, standing up from the booth, and suddenly I'm painfully aware how lean he is. He stood with a slight crook, almost like he was an old man. As I stand up I'm then aware of our height difference. It was small, looks a bit shy 2 inches, but he felt bigger than me, stronger.

My eyes followed his hand to his slack pocket, which sat on a perfectly iron crease of fabric. He tosses a uncreased ten dollar bill on the table, landing flatly by my dense wads of straw wrapper.

"Thanks." I gave him a soft friendly smile, not expecting one back. He simply cocked his eyebrows in acknowledgment.

"No, thank you." He says, his voice oddly genuine. I watch him return his hands to his pockets and turn around, walking back to the communal coat rack to pluck his coat from. The bell rang against the door loudly as he exited, and for some reason I was still frozen in place in front of our table.

I imagine myself sweeping my dignity off the Waffle House tile and leaving with the crumbles in the dust pan. His blinding headlights switched on after the engine roared to a start. It wasn't until the black sedan disappeared around the corner that I finally felt my legs. The fluttering feeling in my chest served nothing but to make me feel worse.

Finally with one more look at the empty cup left along with a half empty pot of coffee, I reboot my legs and walk to my car.

[indigowallbreaker]

caspar/ashe with 66 from the kiss prompts?

Took this opportunity to inflict my "giving an ungrateful cat his medicine" woes on someone else lol. Reading this back, you can interpret it as pre or post time skip, so I'll leave that up to you dear reader!

[prompt rules]

[more Beagles stories]

66: Staring At The Other’s Lips, Trying Not To Kiss Them, Before Giving In

--

It was only by a miracle of the Goddess, Ashe assumed, that Caspar was finally able to hold the cat long enough for Ashe to give it the medicine. It hissed and spit at them before eventually curling into a ball in Ashe's lap to rest from the evasion tactics it had been pulling off all afternoon.

"You're lucky you're cute," Caspar grumbled. He was sitting shoulder to shoulder with Ashe, glaring at the cat and holding a cloth over his bleeding forearm.

Ashe chuckled. "It's only for a week. Maybe it'll get used to it before we're done."

Caspar shifted his glare to Ashe. "Easy for you to say. You didn't have it throwing all 20 claws at your torso." To underline his point, he removed the cloth from his arm to show off a long line of oozing marks interspersed with tiny bites.

"Do you want me to hold it tomorrow?" Ashe offered.

"No way, I'm not making you go through this."

Ashe laughed. Always the hero. Careful to not disturb the cat, Ashe capped the medicine Marianne had given him. Hopefully it would kick in soon-- the poor cat had been suffering from an infected wound on its paw. One week didn't sound like long enough to cure it but Ashe trusted Marianne. And anyway, everything seemed possible with Caspar by his side.

"You'll be just fine soon, little buddy," Ashe said, petting the big orange cat. It purred, content, and Ashe happily lost himself to the sensation of running his finger through that long fur.

Shifting beside him caused Ashe to look up. Caspar was staring intently at him, specifically his lips. Ashe felt his smile fall. They had known each other long enough at this point that Ashe could tell Caspar was thinking hard about something. Trying to come to a decision. Scared to act one way or the other...

When Caspar didn't move, Ashe took the chance and moved first.

He caught Caspar's lips with his own, pressing into him, one hand still resting on the unbothered cat. Caspar jerked his head back. Ashe had to snort at his bewildered expression. "A-Am I wrong?" Ashe manage through a knot of nerves. "You really-- You looked ready to kiss me so--"

"I'm always ready to kiss you!" Caspar blurted out, causing the cat to dig its claws into Ashe's leg. "I've wanted to kiss you for a long time! I just, I don't know, seeing you looking so happy just now... I thought I could actually do it this time."

Ashe gently tugged Caspar to him again. A belly rub soothed the cat, and another kiss seemed to soothe Caspar. "You can do it whenever you want," Ashe assured him.

Grinning, cheeks as red as Ashe's own, Caspar did just that.

[softsky-daily]

1/8/2024

The sky was straight up monochrome today.

Positive thing: I got caught up with an old friend, and my partner got me Jollibee.

Tomorrow I have my first class of the semester and I'm not super looking forward to it, but hopefully the professor will be nice and let us leave early. Once this week is over I'll be able to delegate what days I can work on homework and quizzes and stuff too, so I'm just going to enjoy the more relaxed pace as much as I can.

The real struggle will be getting to sleep on time. I'm a big night owl and like doing things late at night (plus the insomnia kicks in to make things harder) so adjusting back to waking up early will suck. But luckily I only have to get up early 3 days of the week. 1 day down, 2 more to go.

I reblogged this one post earlier about feeling weird when someone is insane about something and you thought it was okay. I think I'm in that situation a lot, which is a bit unfortunate because I do genuinely like hearing about my friend's interests and stuff. It's also mixed with a tinge of jealousy for me sometimes. It must be nice to be so passionate about something, or even multiple somethings. On the surface I think I can come off as pretty deep into the things I post about but besides 逃げ恥 I think compared to other Tumblr-goers my passion for things is very light like a candle flame.

I don't really think it's a bad thing. It's actually very cool to know that one person's "this was okay" is another person's "this altered my brain chemistry forever." It just goes to show you how far the gamut of human reactions to the same thing can go. And even on the other side of things, I know most people I've gushed about 逃げ恥 to don't have the brainworms it gave me but honestly that's alright. I don't need the validation to know it makes me happy and that's what matters.

I do wonder what it must be like to be so invested in things like that, to fall into interests so completely and be consumed by them. I guess that's why talking to friends who do have that kind of space in their heart is really nice. The other day my friend explained why they really like the lore of the Fate series, which I never had a strong opinion of before, but their clear love and vision of what made Fate interesting to them was so charming I can see Fate in a different light now - not by its actual characteristics really, but because it reminds me of my friend and how they talked about it.

Tomorrow's a long day. I get a break in the middle so maybe I'll take a nap then.

[persuasion-check]

Okay so I got way behind on the 30 day Countdown to Andromeda thing. (This month has been crazy, lol) So here’s me catching up....

30 Days: Will you play SisRyder or BroRyder first? Why? How does your Ryder define their gender?

Sis!Ryder, I always play a girl first if I have the option. I haven’t really thought a whole lot about gender with her tbh? She definitely identifies as female. She doesn’t hate super ‘girly’ stuff but she’s not super into it either. When it comes to looks/style, she *hopefully* is going to have kind of a punk-ish vibe going on. She really idolizes Shephard, so I think it would make sense that she built a lot of her mental image of femininity from watching her on vids and such.

29 Days: What is your Ryder’s name? Why did you pick this name - is there a meaning or origin story behind it? Do they go by any nicknames? What would you name their sibling, father and mother if you were able to choose?

Her name is Bonnie Mae Ryder. Bonnie is for Anne Bonny, the infamous female pirate. Mae is for Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space. Bonnie is all about exploration and discovery and adventure. So I thought, well, that fits the romanticized idea of pirates pretty well. Also, I definitely wanted to use a real female astronaut’s name. So I pulled up a list and decided that Mae fit really well with Bonnie.

She doesn’t really have any nicknames? She and Scott call each other sis and bro. (& a whole list of playful/sarcastic insults, you know typical sibling stuff).

I like the names of the rest of the family alright. I probably wouldn’t change them if I could. 

28 Days: Are you going to use the default appearance or create a custom Ryder? If custom, describe your Ryder’s physical appearance (hair color, eye color, skin color, height, weight, facial features, any scars or tattoos, racial origin, etc). If you have art and/or a face-claim, feel free to add them here.

Oh there will definitely be customization. I have been known to spend more time in character creation than playing the actual game, lol. I’d really like her to have sort of a punk-ish aesthetic, so I’ll have to figure out how close I can actually get to that in the cc.

I’d really like her to have short hair that’s either bright blue or bright red. (Eit: it’s actually light purple!) Yes, I know it’s weird that she’d be in cryo with dyed hair, but just work with me here, lol. Her natural hair color is the same brown as Scott’s. She’s going to have hazel eyes. She has pale skin and freckles. (Edit: Actually after reading to codex on their Mom & finding out she’s brazilian/latina I decided to make her skin a bit darker to reflect that.)

I think the canon height for Sis is 5’7” & I’m going to stick to that. Her weight will depend on the cc. If I can make her curvier I’d LOVE that! But I really doubt that we’re getting that option. =( 

She has two scars - one on her left arm from a chemical burn, a small one on the right side of her lower back from the time that Scott shoved her and she fell backwards and landed on top of the glass coffee table. (They were teenagers.)

She has a lot of tattoos & I will eventually draw them all for you, but not tonight lol. I’d also like her to have a lot of piercings, but again - character creator. I’d love for her to look sort of like Hayley Williams?

27 Days: Are you going to use the default appearance for Ryder’s sibling or customize them? Describe your ideas for their sibling’s and father’s physical appearance.

Scott is staying the same. I might make his eyes the same color as Bonnie’s if they aren’t and/or darken his hair, but that’s it.

 26 Days: Do you have a specific class profile or mix of class profiles in mind for Ryder?

Right now, I’m all about the Explorer profile. The one that’s just a little bit of everything? I love when games let you build your own class like that.

 25 Days: Describe Ryder’s favorite combat style. Bioware calls Peebee a “gunslinger” and describe Liam as a “close-range fighter” - how would you describe Ryder’s combat role/strengths? What are some of their favorite biotic/tech/other abilities?

I would call her a wildcard. She uses a mixture of everything. Whatever fits the situation. She is a biotic, but she also has a head for tech. I’ve been avoiding spoilers so I don’t know about any specific abilities yet, but yeah. She’s absolutely unpredictable on the battlefield.

 24 Days: Which squadmates do you think will best compliment Ryder’s combat style? Alternatively, who do you plan to take out most in the field?

From what I’ve seen I think Liam will compliment her pretty well. Idk who I’ll take out most. It will depend as much on personality as abilities tbh. I think Peebee will get along with her really well personality wise. They seem to have a similar outlook on life.

 23 Days: Which weapons or category of weapons will Ryder prefer? Describe their favorite loadout.

As a player I like shotguns a lot. So that’s probably gonna bleed into Bonnie’s preferences too, lol. As of right now I’m thinking a mix of biotics, tech, and a shotgun.

 22 Days: Will Ryder craft? What are you most excited about crafting? Do you have any names in mind already for weapons?

I always end up crafting in games so I’ll probably do it in this too. I am definitely 100% naming her sniper rifle “Archangel”.  Other than that I have no idea.

[gildedmuse]

Hey, everyone.

So recently I've (predictably) very not well. Actually, whenever I don't post for long periods, just assume my body is trying to kill me. But I've gotten messages from three people asking if I. Okay, which is super sweet. I am actually trying to work on the next All Hearts, a really long ZoLaw post and two request fics, but mixing chronic kidney pain and capitalist society's mandate to work 40+ hours is not recommended.

But to prove I'm okay and still me, here is some Shanks antics with him being a total slut while Mihawk and Beckman just roll their eyes and go along with it. [Shout out to @jhaernyl who not only listens to me ramble about this stuff, but actively encourages it]. I also have many thoughts on the latest episodes and so many screenshots it's embarrassing. Hopefully, when I'm in less pain, I'll get around to actually posting those. Otherwise I just look like an insane person who literally takes by the second frame shots every time Zoro is on screen.

.... What is that? I look like that anyway? Fair.

Shanks Is A Bad Influence

It feels like Buggy and Shanks split up after Roger's death (the crew was told to, and they are the only ones who went to his execution) and I find it impossible to think Shanks didn't immediately set out and find a crew; like, pirating is the only thing this kid knows in life. This means two things:

He set out from East Blue. Also, he seemed at ease and familiar with the East so it's possible he spent like a year there getting everything together. Maybe he even played around in the other blues for a while before heading back to the Grand Line. I say this because his crew is from all over so either he found and recruited them in the Grand Line or visited various blues. Either way, I'm gonna say it took him about two years before getting a 'proper' start. In that case, he would have started out properly at the age of 17 and we know One Piece likes it's parallels.

That still puts Shanks at 17 to Benn Beckmen's 28. How the fuck did Shanks manage that? I'd call it grave robbing, but let's face it, the little tyke probably got up to some actual robbing of graves as well.

My point being everytime Shanks teases Mihawk about keeping this 19 year old kid on his personal island, mostly shirtless, Benn Beckmen just lifts an eyebrow.

Excuse me, captain, who had prefected the 'opps still don't have my sea legs' trip-and-fall into their first mates lap by the age of 17?

Shanks: Beckmen, you caught me! *Shamelessly nuzzles up* Thank goodness! I could be a devil's fruit user after all and - Ahh!

Benn: *Drops Shanks straight over the side of the ship into the water*

Shanks: *Sputtering* What what that!?

Benn: Checking to see if you had eaten a devil's fruit on us, Capatin.

Benn: You didn't.

Smart ass. But he can't resist Shanks forever. Shanks will wear him down eventually.

Next time Mihawk tracks him down for another match - because you know he gets bored way quicker than he'll ever admit and Shanks is at least amusing a challenge - Shanks makes a big deal out of how Mihawk follows him around, "accidentally" revealing they slept together, sighing about how it's so hard to resist him.

Benn Beckmen is just leaning against the side of the ship, sipping his booze.

Shanks: -and I can't stay for hours like last time!!

Mihawk: Are you quite done?

Shanks: *whispering* Does Benn look jealous?

Mihawk: He looks bored. Much like I am. Is this some strange attempt to get out of my challenge, Akagami?

Shanks: What? No, come on I told you I was game. But, hey, could you do me a favor? Maybe like try and kiss me or something? Like take a swing like your going to hit me but then stop shot and grab me by the waist instead.

Mihawk: .... Trickery is beneath you. Besides, you're absolute rubbish at it.

Shanks: Oh, come on, I would totally help you get laid if you asked!

Mihawk: .... *Sigh* I want a proper match afterwards.

Mihawk: *In a forced, monotone voice* After this I will take you to my lair and have my way with you, Akagami.

Mihawk: ... My lair? Really?

Shanks: *Holding up cue card with quickly scribbled line* What? That is how you talk.

Mihawk: I can't believe I wasted precious hours of light tracking you to this atrociously rural port.

Shanks: See? Now, read the next one.

Benn: Captain? If this is going to take all night, I am going to go join the rest of the men in the tavern.

Shanks: Huh? Wait! Benn! What if Miha really stabs me this time!?

Benn: *Salutes Shanks with his bottle* Sounds like that is his plan captain. Have a good 'challenge'.

Shanks: What? No... *Reaching out hand, like he might die if Benn leaves, looking completely devastated* Not even a little jealous...

Mihawk: You couldn't have thought that pantomime would actually work.

Shanks: Benny, don't leave me.... *Turns to Mihawk, immediately brightening* Oh, well, there's always tomorrow. Hey, Miha, guess whose free all night and horny as a pirate in the calm belt?

Mihawk: .... *Sigh* Very well.

Mihawk might as well get something for the trip he made. Although, he's reconsidering if the sex was actually worth the trouble after he ends up listening to Shanks worry half the night that Benn is shacking up with someone else (after a couple hours of rough and raw fucking, admittedly).

Is it the hat? He likes his captain's hat. Miha, you think his captain's hat is sexy, don't you?

Mihawk: It's utterly ridiculous.

Shanks: ....

Shanks: ....

Shanks: *Smile* Ahh, Miha, I knew you liked the hat!

Shanks: What do you old Northerns find sexy?

Mihawk: I am only four years older than you.

Mihawk: And silence.

Trying to convince Mihawk to go spy on Beckman for him. Shanks doesn't actually care if he does sleep with someone else, it's more that Beckman didn't immediately turn angry and jealous like Buggy would have that has him paranoid.

Mihawk is going to fuck this annoying red head again just to shut him up.

Mihawk: Maybe he doesn't like red haired boys who don't know when to be quiet?

The next morning Shanks is pacing among his poor crew that's gotten stuck listening to Shanks obsess about Beckman again. IS IT REALLY THE HAIR!?

It's not even a matter of Shanks's age (or obvious immaturity). I mean, Beckman got on board and stayed, didn't he? Beckman just enjoys watching Shanks try so hard to get his attention. Like Benn's attention isn't constantly on Shanks. He had to when his captain is always one step away from disaster.

He only left him with Mihawk because it was clear Dracule is not a real danger to Beckman's captain.

Except maybe insulting him to death. But Beckman is pretty sure Shanks can handle it. He's met Buggy. He's suspects Shanks LIKES it if anything.

It gets to the point where when they dock somewhere and see Mihawk waiting, or come back to the ship and spot his familiar silhouette, most of the crew goes off somewhere for another drink (sometimes the newer kids will stay to watch such an awesome fight, everyone else is like... Look, you'll have plenty of opportunities later. This is not a one off.)

Benn just takes a look around, nods to Mihawk (a silent signal for, "he's all yours, do with him as you please, if anything happens to him I will track you down and make sure your last few hours on this blue world are as painful as humanly possible") and heads off.

Oh, it's just the Hawk boy.

That's fine then.

Benn use to be a sailor on a trade ship between the North, East, West and Grand Line. He's seen it all.

They called him The Gun Slinger BEFORE he joined Shanks's crew and became a pirate.

So this young, broke ass kid from the streets of some near artic northern island trying to pass himself off as a Lower North rich type has a thing for his captain? Not really enough to keep Beckman up at night, no matter how good at swords he's supposed to be

Besides, he's pretty sure for the kid to keep tracking down Shanks, he must be bored out of his skull. He's not going to do anything to endanger their captain.

Not if Shanks is the only thing he can find to keep him entertained.

One day, Mihawk is going to be waiting on the dock when a bunch of Red Haired pirates are stumbling home, laughing and chattering amongst themselves (Shanks's crew always seems to be in a good mood). One of them will catch sight if Mihawk and walk by with a smile, patting him on the shoulder.

The captain's occupied. Seems likely he'll be 'occupied' for a good while, too.

Mihawk won't smile, but he will think "So you finally warmed him up to you, Akagami?" and snort lightly.

Poor Benn, though. Mihawk could never imagine being with someone so much younger than him. Shanks is only four years his junior and already it strains Mihawk to put up with his occasional moments of "youthful whimsy" (aka being an annoying, immature child)

"A young, cocky pirate with strangely colored bright hair"

Mihawk just putting that on his Not To Do List.

That lasted until Roronoa.

(Mihawk just looking at Zoro knowing this is bad news.)

Mihawk: *Takes list from Benn*

*Cross out, scribbles*

*Hands back to Benn*

Do Not Do:

- A young, cocky pirate with strangely colored bright hair a silly hat, who is overly dramatic and in any way, shape or form related to Gol D Rogers.

Ace: Hey what's up?

Mihawk: *Takes list from Benn*

Go ahead, Benn, laugh it up. Mihawk is aware he has a type. Young, pretty, and utterly insane.

After that night where Shanks was otherwise 'occupied', it's over six months before Mihawk sees his friend his rival again. He is, as expected, far too smug and proud looking.

Shanks: Oh, Miha, so sorry you came all this way, I'm-

Benn: Well, I'm off, captain.

Shanks: What!? But we, you, I... Benn, hessoeexyarentyouworriedforyourcaptain?

Benn: *patting Mihawk on the shoulder* Have fun with him. Don't forget to return him by noon tomorrow, we have a schedule. Oh, but if you can babysit him for at least four hours? That would be great.

Shanks: BABYSIT!?

Mihawk: I suppose I can be troubled to do so.

Shanks: TROUBLED!?

Benn: Thanks, Hawkeyes. I owe you.

Shanks: *Fake tears clinging to his lashes* You two are so mean!

No, don't feel bad for him. Shanks is just trying to guilt the two of them into bed at the same time, and they both know it.

Thanks no thanks, they're not into that. But Shanks can be pretty cute when he's trying so hard (Benn) and at least he's not as boring as everything else in this world (Mihawk) so they allow him to keep up the act

Shanks: *looking at Zoro's wanted poster over Mihawk's shoulder* But I feel like you'd gladly go to bed with him and his captain if he asked. That doesn't seem fair to me. You'd never go that far with me and Benn.

Mihawk: *Eyes Benn*

Mihawk: *DEAD. ONLY.*

Mihawk: I have my reasons.

They can and do agree on plenty of things, including reciprocally not being that attracted to each other.

Shanks: Sounds fake to me

Shanks: But guys!

Shanks: This isn't about you

He's gonna need you guys to drop the egos and focus on what HE wants. I.E., being in the middle of two sexy Northern men.

Honestly, so mean to poor Shanks!

[mypunkpansexualtwin]

Here we come with day two of pegoryu week, and it's gonna be the last one I post on time. I'll still be trying, don't get me wrong, I'm just not the kind of person who can write a fic I'm happy with in one day.

Yet.

As always, bulk of the fic is under a cut, link is in the reblogs, and I will daydream of baking you cookies if you share it.

“I did warn you.”

“Not even an arcade, dude?”

“Not unless you wanna get on a train for forty minutes.”

“Ugh. Laaaaame.”

After nearly a month of planning, Ryuji was visiting his boyfriend for Golden Week. One whole month of bargaining with all of their parents, putting aside every last yen they could spare, studying their asses off to earn the trip, and, of course, long phone conversations that were probably about eighty percent “I miss you”s and “I love you”s and “I can’t wait to see you”s. With Akira’s help via video call study sessions, Ryuji even managed to get into the top thirty percent of the class in their latest exams; a new record for him that effectively guaranteed the visit. But they’d been so busy celebrating and planning getting him out to the country that they may have completely forgotten to figure out what they were actually going to do when he got there. So now they were on the Kurusus’ living room couch, Akira cross-legged on one end and Ryuji stretched out across the rest with his head on his boyfriend’s lap, trying to scrape together a date idea.

“I’ll say it again. I warned you. Several times,” Akira repeated while he ran a hand through Ryuji’s hair. “There’s nothing to see here.” Ryuji caught Akira’s free hand, tangled their fingers together, and kissed the back of his hand.

“Yeah there is. You’re here, so I say it’s worth it.” Ryuji grinned as his boyfriend turned pink at the tips of his ears and wrinkled his nose.

“Sap,” Akira grumbled like there wasn’t a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Like they both didn’t know full well how much he liked hearing how happy Ryuji was that they were together, in every sense of the word.

“You love me,” Ryuji said, his grin widening just a little further. Akira’s expression melted into something almost embarrassingly soft as he went back to playing with his boyfriend’s hair. He curled and combed his fingers gently through the short strands, and huffed out a quiet laugh as Ryuji went boneless when he grazed his nails over his scalp.

“Yeah. I really do,” Akira sighed happily and got another kiss pressed to his knuckles. “You’re kind of my hero, you know.” It was something he’d tried to make a habit of telling his boyfriend, even before they were dating. Ryuji still sputtered and objected like it was his first time hearing it.

“You-- I-- that ain’t…” He sat up and shoved a pillow into Akira’s face with a groan. “Now who’s the sap?”

Akira draped himself across Ryuji’s shoulders and planted a kiss on the side of his neck, then smiled against his skin at the shiver that got. “You just have that effect on me, sunshine.” Ryuji grunted in response. “You like it.” Another grunt. Akira blew a puff of air at the back of Ryuji’s ear and laughed when he got swatted away. “Don’t pout. You were right, a date sounds nice. But you gotta help me figure it out.”

His boyfriend sprawled back out on the couch after pouting for a few more seconds, then looked up at him with those big brown eyes he’d been a sucker for since day one.

“Aight, what kind of food you got around here?” Akira could have been exasperated at his boyfriend’s predictability, but a dinner date was more feasible than a movie date, and a lot more pleasant than a gym date. He may have loved Ryuji Sakamoto with all his heart, but he didn’t plan on running again on the regular unless it was for his damn life.

“There’s only like ten places total around here. We’ve already visited three, two of them won’t serve me because the owners don’t like me anymore--”

Ryuji’s head jerked up at that, knocking Akira’s hand free. It was ridiculous how cute the guy was when he was offended. “What?! Why the hell not?”

Akira shrugged and went back to petting Ryuji’s hair in an attempt to soothe him. “Didn’t exactly bother to ask, but probably my record. Cleared of charges or not, my reputation mutated while I was gone and I haven’t really been able to fix it.” Not that he’d tried very hard when he didn’t plan on staying for even a second longer than necessary.

The frown that wrinkled Ryuji’s features was almost comical, but he probably wouldn’t appreciate being laughed at while he was already agitated. Especially when it was on Akira’s behalf. “Ugh, this town sucks, can’t wait to get you out of here. Wait, only probably your record? Why else would they dislike you?”

Akira huffed out another laugh, wry and joyless this time. “My uncle’s a pretty conservative guy, I heard he didn’t react well when he found out I was dating some guy from the city.” Quite literally heard it; he’d been getting ready to visit his cousin and could hear the old man shouting inside the house from the sidewalk. He’d opted to text Yuuta to meet up somewhere well away from their house instead when that happened. And, naturally, the news had mysteriously spread to the rest of town by the end of that week.

Ryuji sat bolt upright and twisted back around to face Akira with a scowl. “Your own effin’ family won’t serve you? What the hell?!” His expression was thunderous, made worse by the doomcloud over his head when he asked. Ryuji almost never got pulled into fights these days and was very proud of that fact--they both were--but Akira was certain that he was ready to deck the old man on sight on his behalf. He’d never encourage it, but the thought still made something in his chest swell a little.

“Just my uncle when I try to sit in. If it’s my aunt or my cousin taking delivery calls, they’ll still take the order. Plus a discount and extra desserts, if Yuuta’s the one who answers.” Akira shrugged, then tugged at Ryuji’s shirt to coax him into laying back down in his lap. He did, albeit begrudgingly, and Akira went back to running his hands soothingly through that remarkably soft shock of bright blond hair. “Anyways, the other five restaurants in town are fast food that you could get back home. So…” He trailed off and watched Ryuji’s scowl soften into an annoyed frown.

“Yeah, pass.” Ryuji closed his eyes, either to think or soak up Akira’s touch as he played with his hair, then cracked one eye open after a moment. “How ‘bout a picnic? You’re a pretty good cook and I bet we could find us a nice spot to just chill.”

That... was a pretty solid idea. Actually, that sounded perfect, and Akira knew exactly the spot for them to set up. He opened his mouth to agree, but was cut off by a low rumble of thunder outside. “...Maybe later this week? The weather should clear up before you have to go,” he said instead. Ryuji pouted up at the ceiling, or more likely up at the sky beyond it for ruining his brilliant plan. Then it was Akira’s turn to pout when Ryuji abruptly sat back up out of reach, but not for long.

The next thing he knew, he was being crowded up against the arm of the couch by one blond bombshell of an ex-track star. Ryuji was suddenly determined to pour himself into his boyfriend’s lap, all mischief and heat as he crawled across the couch towards Akira. He couldn’t think clearly while facing down that wicked grin curving across Ryuji’s face like Haru’s favorite battleaxe cleaving through the air. It wouldn’t be the first time they’d made out. It wouldn’t even be the first time Ryuji had taken the initiative and left Akira a flustered wreck when they did. But since it had been over a month since the last time he’d seen that look face to face, it was having more of an effect than usual, and Akira was left frantically trying to cling to his cool.

“I have an idea, babe.” Ryuji said lowly and Akira’s mouth went dry. Hands bracketed Akira’s hips on the couch as his boyfriend crept closer. “Y’wanna hear it?” Akira nodded and felt heat flare across his skin when he realized Ryuji was keeping that hooded, heated gaze fixed firmly on his lips. “Since your folks ain’t supposed to be back before tomorrow afternoon,” Ryuji’s tone was as light as his body was heavy as he straddled Akira and looped strong arms around his neck, “I was thinkin’ maybe… we could…” Akira was desperately trying to focus on the words being whispered into his ear over his boyfriend kissing his way up his neck and leaving his skin prickling in the wake of every touch.

“Y-yeah?” He couldn’t help the nervous flutter in his stomach. If Ryuji was implying what he thought he was implying... They hadn’t done… that... yet. Even with the house to themselves all day, they hadn’t actually talked about it, in part because Akira hadn’t even thought about it seriously yet. That nervous flutter hadn’t subsided and was starting to feel a little more like an anxious lurch.

Ryuji continued, oblivious to his boyfriend’s nerves with his face tucked against his neck. “We could maybe…” Akira’s hands flexed involuntarily around Ryuji’s hips. He didn’t dislike the idea, just-- His unsteady train of thought was thrown off again when soft lips brushed over his ear. “...watch One Piece together?” After a beat where Akira was left blinking stupidly for several seconds, Ryuji sat back on his legs with a grin that had gone from sultry to shit-eating on a dime. Oh. Okay, he could handle that. “I gotta get you caught up to me, plus I wanna see how much we can get through in one sitting.”

“...you’re truly a romantic for the ages, sunshine,” Akira responded flatly as his heart rate slowly returned to normal. He was teasing back now, because honestly that idea sounded just as good as the picnic, with a lot less effort to set up.

“I know,” he answered confidently, but his smile slipped a little. “Is that a no? I just thought maybe I could buy us dinner from your shitty uncle, and we can cuddle while we take advantage of that big TV with the fancy sound system.” Ryuji gestured hopefully to the flatscreen behind them that was nearly as big as Akira’s bed back at Leblanc.

“Sounds good. Netflix and chill, it is,” Akira declared. When he caught the way Ryuji’s smile and shoulders tightened slightly, he added, “y’know, in the most literal sense.” It wasn’t as though he was happy to see Ryuji nervous, but when his boyfriend relaxed at the reassurance, he couldn’t help but feel relieved that the two of them were on the same page as far as that was concerned.

---

Aki hadn’t been kidding when he said his cousin would hook them up. There was probably double what they’d ordered plus desserts in the bags the guy handed off.

“So, you must be the boyfriend, huh? He talks about you a lot. Y’know, for him.” Yuuta asked as he leaned on the doorway. Ryuji just grinned, because yes, that was him, he was The Boyfriend. Akira’s boyfriend. Akira’s boyfriend. It’d been months and Ryuji still got all giddy about it like it was brand new. Yuuta interrupted his thoughts when he called out past Ryuji to where Akira was sitting and watching TV, “Man, talk about punching above your weight!” Ryuji blushed and opened his mouth to object before Akira could start bragging on how amazing Ryuji was.

Apparently Akira had other plans, because before he could, two sharp whistles rang out behind Ryuji and he reacted basically on instinct. It was the signal Akira had always used to mean duck or you’ll get hit in the Metaverse, and Ryuji’s knees buckled with almost no input from his brain. He had just enough time to worry if he’d spilled the food--thankfully he hadn’t--when one of the couch throw pillows whiffed past his head and nailed Yuuta in the face.

“ACK! The fuck, dude?! See if I give you free dessert again, jackass,” the guy yelled and hucked the pillow back--and missed, from the sound of Akira’s laughter. Ryuji straightened up with a grin as Yuuta turned to him. “How the hell did you two even do that?”

“We’re just cool like that, I guess.” Ryuji shrugged. No need to explain how many times he’d accidentally taken a Lucky Punch or whatever in the back of the head because he got signals mixed up. “Seriously though, thanks for hookin’ us up, dude.” He held up the food and then added a little more quietly, “and, uh, thanks for havin’ Aki’s back while he’s here. It’s easier to not worry if I know there’s at least someone here talkin’ to him besides that damn cat.” That got a snort of laughter out of the delivery guy.

“No problem? I’d say obviously, ‘cause he’s family, but… Well, I’m sure he told you. Our family kinda sucks sometimes.” He frowned, shook his head, then brightened back up. “Anyways, sweet of you to worry. He really did luck out when he found you, huh?” Yuuta said as he stepped back from the door.

Ryuji shook his head. “You got it backwards, man. I’m the lucky one.” He turned back to where his boyfriend was watching TV, now fully absorbed in the show even if he didn’t really look like it. Ryuji couldn’t help the contented sigh that escaped him; he had his boyfriend again and he was going all in on one of Ryuji’s favorite things just because it was one of Ryuji’s favorite things, and it looked like he was actually enjoying it, too. When he turned back, Yuuta was halfway to his scooter, still loaded down with bags of food.

“You really believe that, huh?” He called back. “You keep that attitude, Sakamoto. Even when he’s bein’ a menace, alright? ‘Cause he’s a menace, but he’s my menace, and I’ll serve you up as dumplings if you hurt him!” The scooter rumbled to life and Yuuta added over the noise of the motor, “And you tell him the same thing. I like ya, so he’s gonna be the next lunch special if he’s an asshole to you!”

Ryuji waved in acknowledgment as he sped off, then closed the door and dropped the bag of takeout next to Akira. They paused the episode long enough to sort through the food; a double order of dumplings, pork miso for Akira, spicy vegetable ramen for Ryuji, ginger pork with rice that he was pretty sure they didn’t order at all, and half a goddamn cheesecake for them to split. It was an impressive spread that Akira was already calculating how much was going to be crammed into the fridge at the end of the night.

“Well. Anything we don’t finish tonight can go with us on the picnic?” He suggested as he started on his soup and turned the show back on. They hadn’t made it very far in just yet, and definitely had an uphill battle ahead of them.

Ryuji nodded, mouth already full of noodles. “Shoundsh good to me, dude.” Akira made a face at him like he always did when he talked around a mouth full of food, and Ryuji washed it down with some of the broth. “Family recipe?”

Akira hummed a confirmation around his own food, but paused to actually finish his bite. “Yup. Not as good as the place you took me, but I could just be biased.” Ryuji could hear the smirk in his voice that always cropped up when he was thinking about saying something sappy. Ryuji cut him off before he could, though. Butterflies wouldn’t leave much room in his stomach for ramen.

“I was thinkin’ the same thing. The Ogikubo thing, not the bias thing. Didn’t wanna offend, though.” Ryuji said and took another sizable bite. Even mediocre ramen was still pretty good in his opinion.

Akira chuckled. “Nah. Actually, the ramen there’s always been a little lackluster. I could’ve offered some advice to improve it once I got back, but now? Fuck that guy.”

Ryuji tried not to choke on his food with the laugh that threatened to escape. Scalding, spicy broth shooting out of your nose kinda sucked, especially if you got a noodle along with it. That was an experience he wasn’t keen on repeating. He swallowed down his bite and rasped, “could always pass it on to your cousin. He seems pretty cool when he ain’t threatenin’ to cook us.”

“Ah, you got the shovel talk, then--wait, us?” Akira nodded, but then froze partway and whipped his head around to Ryuji, who nodded in return after clearing his throat.

“Mhm. Said he likes me, ‘n if you break my heart you’re gonna be a lunch special,” Ryuji grinned.

“Asshole. He knows I can’t stand most of what’s in the rotation.” Akira grumbled and pouted into his soup. “What’d he threaten you with?”

“Dumplings.”

Akira’s eyebrows disappeared up into his bangs at that. “Damn, I think he likes you better than me. Uncle’s place is famous for its dumplings,” he explained as he picked the last bit of pork out of his bowl.

“I’m… honored? So is all your family this weird, or is it just you two?” Ryuji asked around another mouthful of noodles. The broth was definitely missing something, but the vegetables were pretty damn good; still pretty crisp but not undercooked. Good flavor on their own, prolly locally grown, too. “Also, how is a place in the middle of nowhere famous for anything?”

“Hey, we still have several other towns nearby, and folks will come here specifically for those dumplings. So you should be honored.” Akira huffed as he popped one of said dumplings in Ryuji’s mouth. Shit, it was pretty killer. Leagues better than his ramen. And of course his boyfriend looked as smug as Morgana when he caught the look on Ryuji’s face. “As for the weirdness? No idea. Around here it’s just me and Yuuta, but I don’t really know much about the ones that don’t live here. Might be because we’re in the middle of nowhere, might be because the ones who live here make a habit of cutting off any undesirables.” Aki shrugged and leaned up against Ryuji. “Maybe I’ll see if I can find any of them when I leave. I dunno.”

Ryuji leaned right back into him and planted a kiss against Aki’s temple, earning himself a pleased little hum from his boyfriend that he felt more than heard. “I’ll be right there with you if you do. I always got your back, babe.” Akira finished his soup and curled up against his side, tucked under one arm. It was nice, even if it meant now Ryuji had to figure out how to eat his ramen one-handed. Eh, he’d figure it out, it’s not like there was much left in the bowl anyway. “So, uh, earlier. You seemed a little tense when I was teasin’ you? And not like usual. I didn’t, like, push too much, did I?”

Akira had suddenly gone very still under his arm. Not the best sign.

“No. But, uh don’t take this the wrong way or anything, I was definitely glad you just wanted to watch One Piece with me. For a second there, I thought you wanted to…” He buried his face against Ryuji’s shoulder. God, his boyfriend was stupidly cute when he got all shy. “...y-y’know. Anyways, I was relieved when you seemed just as nervous about it? Not to be an asshole, but I’m kinda glad it isn’t just me who isn’t ready.”

“Right.” Well, that was that question out of the way, but now he’d paved the way for a new one that’d been rattling around in his head for a while now. God, best case scenario, Akira was probably gonna laugh in his face. Him? Ryuji Sakamoto, of all people, not interested in that? “What if…” He hesitated and tried again. “Well, how long would you be okay with that?”

“What do you mean?” Akira tipped his head up to look Ryuji in the eye. That really didn’t help things, ‘cause even on a good day Ryuji tended to feel small when Akira looked at him like that.

“Like…” Ryuji took a deep breath and steeled himself. “WhatifI’mneverready?” His stomach clenched. There it was, he’d finally said it. Years of wondering if his friends were just exaggerating what they wanted to do with the girls in their class; months of internet research and arguing with himself even when it was the only answer that made sense and trying to backtrack or minimize it with ‘well maybe I’m only kinda like that, maybe I’m that demi thing, maybe I’ll find someone’ to try and soften the blow; a whole year of slowly coming to the realization that that just wasn’t something on the table for him, no matter how attractive Ann was or how close him and Akira got, he just wasn’t wired for wanting that kind of thing, even if he wanted the rest of the sappy, romantic couple shit for as long as he could get it, ideally the rest of his life. All of that had built up to one rushed confession that could make this trip out to the country really effin’ miserable when he still had four more days of crashing at his boyfriend’s place.

“Didn’t... quite catch that?” Akira said after a moment of trying to process what Ryuji had just blurted out. Goddammit. Of course he didn’t.

Ryuji took a deep breath and tried again. “What if… I’m never ready for that? Would that be a dealbreaker?” His heart was hammering as he forced the words out a little more slowly this time. And Akira already looked annoyed. Shit. Shit. He couldn’t look him in the eye and instead stared down at his feet, trying desperately to swallow the queasy feeling in his stomach that threatened to bounce his lunch back up onto the floor in front of him. Ryuji opened his mouth to backpedal, to assure him that if he really wanted to then Ryuji would try for him even if the idea was kind of completely terrifying--

“Of course not!” The sharpness of his tone was what registered first and Ryuji was already braced for a breakup when the words actually hit him. It wasn’t a dealbreaker. It was okay. They were okay. They were... actually okay?

“Wh-- forreal?” Ryuji’s voice cracked embarrassingly and Akira shifted against him, one hand coming up to his chin to make him look at him.

“I already told you, you’re my hero. You…” Akira opened and closed his mouth a few times, like he was looking for the right words and couldn’t find them. One hand cupped Ryuji’s jaw and ran a calloused thumb across his cheek, and Ryuji couldn’t help but press into the touch. “You’re everything to me. I could write books on all the things that make you amazing; your compassion, your kindness, your loyalty, your smile, all of it. So what if we never…” Akira blushed a little, but he seemed determined to power through the embarrassment. “So what if we never have sex? What do I care? I love you, Ryuji Sakamoto, I’m not giving up my sunshine, the best thing that ever happened to me, for anything.”

Ryuji swallowed hard around the lump forming in his throat and buried his face against Akira’s neck. Even away from Leblanc, he still smelled like coffee and curry, still smelled like home. Akira had called it home too, and had told him once that he made Boss’ recipes whenever he was homesick for the cafe, or his team, or… Or for Ryuji. Ryuji wanted to believe him so badly. “It’s easy to say that when you still ain’t ready for it, but--”

“I won’t change my mind,” he insisted so vehemently that no part of Ryuji could even think of an argument. Even the part of him that had been certain for months that even admitting he was asexual to himself would ruin everything. “It’s not like I can’t take care of things myself. And that just means more time for everything else.” Akira paused and pressed a kiss to Ryuji’s forehead. “More time to cook your favorite foods,” kiss, “more time to cuddle,” kiss, “more time to watch our favorite shows, all of it.” Akira dropped one last kiss on his temple and went back to running his fingers through Ryuji’s hair. Then he added, almost too quietly to hear, “for the rest of our lives if you’ll let me.” Let him? He’d fuckin’ beg him if he had to.

“Babe, you’re gonna make me cry,” Ryuji said thickly, as if they couldn’t both feel the wet spots forming on Akira’s shirt from where tears were already streaming down his face. Part of him was still scared he wasn’t going to be enough, and it probably always would be for one reason or another. But for now it was easy to relax into his boyfriend’s embrace and trust that he planned on sticking around a little longer.

Akira kept playing with Ryuji's hair the way he knew he loved and wrapped his other arm tightly around him. He pressed a few more kisses to the top of Ryuji’s head and then asked, “do you need me to stop?” Ryuji shook his head and got another kiss. “Alright. Take all the time you need, sunshine.���

“Thanks, babe.”

“We’re gonna need to restart the episode after, though.”

[stoopsbookstore]

When You Understand (Chp. 2)

"Jay? You good?"

Johnny and Jaehyun walked into the elevator, the doors closing as the younger boy hit his head against the wall, his phone showing a photo of a blonde guy in a cafe.

Stealing the phone from Jaehyun, Johnny whacked him on the head.

"Dude, it's just a date, it's not like they're engaged."

"I know," Jaehyun watched the elevator numbers go down one by one, "but why would she let him post a photo? She's never let me do that."

"If you look at the caption, I don't think she knows. You guys are just friends, right?" Johnny teasingly asked before clearing his throat as he noticed Jaehyun's expression.

The doors to the elevator opened, the parking deck vacant as it always is this time of night. Clicking his unlock button, Johnny threw his bag in the trunk, Jaehyun copying him.

"I mean of course we are! We've been friends since the first grade. I'm just wary about this dude."

"But, friends don't get that mad about a date."

Johnny pointed to the papers Jaehyun still held. They were crumbled, a mashed bundle of his classwork.

"Just," Jaehyun paused, "let's go home."

"You good?"

"No."

》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《

About 5 minutes into the drive, Johnny reached for the radio, a song he knew well as one of their dormmate, Seulgi, listened to it constantly.

"You should probably listen to this song. You're about to be haunted by country songs for the next few weeks."

Jaehyun was about to speak, only for Johnny to turn up the volume.

"Once you really listen, once you know," Johnny turned to his friend, his head in his hand and his lips pouty, "you'll start to connect memories together with songs."

Jaehyun sighed, watching the street lights, counting the ones that flickered, a game he and Y/N used to play as children.

Friends don't call you in the middle of the night. Couldn't even tell you why, They just felt like saying "hi"

"Hyunhyun!"

"It's fucking 11:45pm, what are you doing up?"

"I couldn't sleep," A pause. "Were you sleeping?"

Jaehyun cleared his throat, pretending to yawn, "maybe I was."

"You're such an ass," Y/N softly laughed, Jaehyun's heart skipping a beat, "I guess I'll let you go then."

Silence engulfed the pair, neither one of them wanting to hang up. They waited on the phone for 15 minutes until Jaehyun finally spoke up.

"Do you want me to come get you and we can walk around?"

"Yes, please."

They don't talk about the future and put each other in it and get chills with every accidental touch

"Can you believe we're already Juniors? Like we have prom this time next year!"

Y/N jumped up and down the sidewalk, the moon bright enough to illuminate the road as Jaehyun jokingly shushed her a little.

"You're going to get us caught!" Jaehyun sat on a nearby bench, Y/N taking a seat in front of him on the cement, "come up here."

"I'm comfortable right here," Y/N leaned back, staring up at the stars, "dude, we're seniors next year. How the hell did 3 years go by so fucking fast?"

"Because we were too invested in drama, parties, gradea and figuring out what our futures are going to be."

"We'll be in each others' futures, right?"

"Of course, you remember our deal," Jaehyun pointed fingers guns at Y/N, "you're my best woman, I'm your maid of honor, and if we're not married or in committed relationship by the time we get our bachelor's degree, we'll marry each other."

"Exactly!"

Still watching Y/N watch the stars, Jaehyun let out a lovely sigh. The smile on his face that appeared was unbeknownst to his best friend.

"Of course we will," Jaehyun picked up a rock from the ground, throwing it at Y/N. "It's almost 1am, we should get going."

On the walk home, Y/N's hand tapped Jaehyun's. The blush on Jaehyun's face was covered by the night, but he felt a little hurt at Y/N's dramatic reaction.

"Oh my God, Hyunhyun, give me space!" Y/N lightly shoved her friend, waving her hand in the air, "Cooties! Eww, gross!"

"That was rude!" Jaehyun mimiced Y/N, acting hurt, falling onto the grass, "I can't go on! She killed me with her poisonous touch!"

Y/N ran over to Jaehyun, laying her hands in his chest, his heartbeat speeding up, "Doctor Apple to the rescue!"

"You're a horrible doctor, I died," Jaehyun chopped at her wrists, Y/N falling onto his chest.

"Can we stay here?"

Finding reasons not to leave. Trying to hide the chemistry. Drive a little too slow, take the long way home, Get a little too close

Jaehyun and Y/N laid on the grass, her head on his stomach as they counted stars.

"4,587,312, 4,587,313, 4,58731-"

"Are you just procrastinating because we really should get home before Johnny sees I'm not in my bed."

"He'll know you're with me," Y/N moved her head, turning to Jaehyun, "he's not going to be jealous, he knows you're my best friend and he trusts you not to do anything with me."

"You've neve seen Johnny mad before."

"I have," Y/N stood up, brushing the grass and sand off, pulling Jaehyun up to his feet before darting off, "and we should get going! I have a test tomorrow!"

I keep telling myself this might be nothing. But one look in your eyes and, God, there's something. You can lie to me and say you don't. But I know you do, and I love you too.

"So, you and Johnny are finally official?" Jaehyun sat on the bench outside the dorms, Y/N and him waiting for one of her dormmates to let her in.

"We've talked about it, we both like each other, so we're going on a date this weekend," the smile on Y/N's smile kicked Jaehyun in the chest, a smile that he should cause.

"If he's not nice to you, I'll kick him out of the dorm," a joke to cover his feelings, Jaehyun punched the air, ending with accidentally kicking a rock.

"Thank, Hyun," going in for a hug, Y/N wrapped her arms around his waist, her head resting on Jaehyun's shoulders, "Oh, I love you."

"Me too," pulling away, Jaehyun and Y/N were close, if she could only hear how hard his heart was pounding, "not romantically, of course."

"Of course not," was that a tinge of sadness in her voice?

Before either could lean in any closer, Minkyung opened the door, the hall light spilling out to the small porch.

"You're grounded, missy. Jaehyun, I'll be telling Taeil," Minkyung joked as Jaehyun waved at Y/N's other close friend.

"I'll see you later," Y/N left a kiss on Jaehyun's cheek, another tradition they've had for years, "don't get your ass kicked when you get home."

Jaehyun nodded, the door shutting on him and leaving him alone under the stars, walking to his dorm a few houses down and thinking about the almost moment.

》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《》《

Getting up to their dorm, Jaehyun saw Y/N just arriving, Seonghwa taking back his jacket, the close proximity of their dorms allowing for a perfect view of the aftermath of Y/N's date.

"Don't torture yourself, dude," Johnny patted Jaehyun's back, his house key falling onto the ground, "you just need to talk to her. You two still have that bet going, right?"

"I don't think so. She seems pretty into Seonghwa," shrugging, Jaehyun helped Johnny, unlocking the door with his key. "Even if we did, it wouldn't be true love."

"I don't like that defeatist attitude."

Jaehyun scoffed, turning back to Y/N and her date only to witness a sight he wasn't excepting to see, dropping his book on Seulgi's garden next to the steps.

"Fuck."

Y/N had her arms wrapped around Seonghwa's neck, a deep kiss the only thing the three can focus on. Jaehyun bit his lip and clenched his fist to keep his unwarranted feelings under control. As the pair pulls away, Seonghwa seemed to ask Y/N a question to which she shook her head no.

Seeing Y/N open her door and letting Seonghwa in, Jaehyun pushed past Johnny, a hard whack on a wall causing Seulgi and Taeil to poke their heads out.

"What happened?" Seulgi asked as Taeil made sure there wasn't a hole in the wall.

"Jaehyun is just realizing some things."

Johnny held a crash coming from upstairs, dropping his bag at the doorstep.

"Hopefully not too late."

[failing-to-write-again]

Germany x Ireland!Reader: Snow Storms and Confessions

Ok so the plan was to post another scenario and write two more yesterday. But Tumblr did an oopsie and deleted everything.

Every cloud has a silver lining however, my friend sent me this gem of a find and all I could think about afterwards was this story. I was going to write them as scenarios but I found it difficult to imagine situations for the other characters.

So here's a different story. A one shot...goody.

---------------------------------------------------

*Ireland's POV*

I sat there cold and alone in the Russian airport terminal. My flight cancelled due to the violent snow storm outside and no hotel room to go to. All the other countries had already left, the usual flights to Ireland weren't available. Just one at 10pm when a blizzard was due. Russia didn't exactly give a direct response when I brought it up...

*flash back*

"Little Ireland! You are feisty small one, you're lack of fear is amusing."

"I'm not being feisty I just want to know why there's none of the usual planes to my country. I don't want to end up caught in the blizzard"

"Она умнее, чем выглядит...I don't involve myself petty plane issues. Perhaps this is fate, you believe in a lot of those magical fairy tales no?"

she's smarter then she looks

"Она также говорит по-русски. Что ты прячешь?"

she also speaks Russian. What are you hiding?

*flash forward to present*

Just before I could pry, Germany got the meeting started and I was left to get to my seat and ponder over Russia's behaviour. He's a strange study for sure.

Germany was as well. We became properly acquainted in the early 1900s only labelling ourselves as friends around the 70s when I joined the early version of the EU (then EEC). He definitely is a layered character, and even though he is sweet once I became closer with him, he seems to still be hiding aspects of his personality. But enough about that I'm cold and have to figure out where I'll sleep tonight.

"Ireland? Vhat are jou doing here?"

Speak of the devil and he shall arrive...

"Hey Germy, my flight got cancelled and it was the only one available, my hotel booking also ran out so I'm just sorta stuck here haha."

A rather enjoyable shade of red spread across his face at the mention of the nickname. I'd do anything to see those little cracks in his tightly woven character. Anything to see the little smiles or chuckles, the crush I'd developed over years of friendship pushing me to.

"V...Vell mein flight vas cancelled as vell...vould you like to share a hotel room vith me? I still have an extra day."

Panic.

"I wouldn't be against it, but you probably would like to not share a room so I understand if you don't want to and everything. Thanks for the offer though"

"Nein it's fine I don't mind ve're friends ja? It's ok!"

The air is so fucking uncomfortable. Big brother France is looking on in disappointed from Paris. I just know it. After a few more rounds of pitiful back and forth we agreed we both were ok with sharing a room and set off, chittering throughout the walk.

*[insert timeskip joke] Germany's POV*

Ireland was in the bathroom getting ready for bed as I sat mentally preparing to sleep beside her.

At some point my feelings of friendship began to be replaced with... love as Italy put it. I thought I was ill whenever my heart would flutter like a manly butterfly near her. After voicing my concerns to my brother and Italy, bruder proceeded to have a laughing fit. Italy took the time to gush about love long enough for me to come to the conclusion I was in it.

Ireland. She's not perfect by any means and we've had our fair share of arguments and disagreements. Though we always manage to work then out. Would it be the same if we were dating? I would be living in a dream if that was true...

The door opened and in she came. In the shorts she wore for sleep her false leg was on full display. I remember helping her make it, replacing the standard wooden one for a metal one with upgrades bring added whenever we visited eachother or were together in our free time from longer summits. The leg, essentially fully functional due to her use of spells and my use of metal. Light blue swirls, famous for their use in her history giving off a slight hum in the dark room, dancing up and down the metal limb. Gott she was an angel.

"That meeting left me a wreck." She stifled a yawn, lowering herself slowly to the bed beside me. The blue began to fade slowly as she stopped using magic, bleeding up her leg until disappearing once it reached the end of the metal at her upper thigh. "How does it vork?" I lowly hummed.

"The magic I use to move the leg? It's a weird mix of electricity and telekinesis. I use the electricity to stimulate the metal wires and pistons you put into it and use the telekinesis to make it move in a more natural way. I just wish it didn't glow, it makes it impossible to hide"

Hide? Why hide it? It's beautiful...is it inappropriate to say that out loud? I settle on a less invasive response.

"Why hide it? The blue looks like the tattoo you always joke about getting?"

She went quiet did I go to far? No she always said when I went too far same as I always did if our discussions on my...past got too vivid...She continued.

"When I lost my leg, I lost a part of myself. The image of the country who would fight anyone to be free, that had the confidence of countries ten times her size, it was gone. I kept up the act in letters and statements acting like the leg didn't phase me...Then I got to finally see my siblings again. None of them were allowed near me after one of my attempts for freeedom out of fear I'd help them escape or convince England to go rogue against his boss. They watched me struggle to do anything, they watched me have to ask for help to move, they watched me weak. It's been hard adjusting...then..."

She took a deep breath and looked up. Something she often did when trying not to cry. I gently lay a hand on her back and put on the calmest voice I could.

"Then vhat? Take jour time, I know it's difficult, but please tell me vhat happened?"

"I met someone. They helped me without even realising it. They slowly built up my confidence in myself, taught me how to laugh and smile like I used to. Obviously my family helped but the help from this person stuck with me more I suppose. He built me up, tried to help when he didn't have to."

He. My world slowly shattered and fell around me. So she has somebody else. Someone better. Someone who can show her all the love they probably expect being raised by someone like France and England.

"Oh...vill jou tell me more about him?"

She let a slow smile spread across her face.

"He's kind and sweet but covers it over with a stiff outer shell. He has many talents...so many talents. He's amazing really, but one thing in particular is what I think made me fall for him."

"Vhat vas it? That he did"

I was probing. I was pushing too far into her private life. If she never spoke about him in all our years of friendship, she had a reason not to. She's a damn ex-spy and rebel leader she knows how much to trust people. But...I didn't care. I wanted to know. Needed to. I had loved her for years only for her to slip away the moment I had started working to con-

"He built me a new leg. Then he called it pretty and sleek and said he liked the blue the magic made on it."

Oh...this was...not what I expected. I was the one who built the leg...she knows that...she...she...

"Ireland I..."

I slowly pulled her gently, she was straddling me so I could look into her eyes.

"Do jou really. But vhat I've done. How could jou?"

"Fall for a lovable human being? It's rather simple. I'm just hoping you'll give this amputee a chance."

She looked at me hopefully through her eye lashes. At that moment I realised why us Germans aren't seen as great romantics. We're better at doing, not speaking. So do I did.

I kissed her. Pouring every piece of emotion I felt for her, because of her into it. Desperately trying to show her how much I cared regardless of how bad I'd be at saying it. And it was bliss. My pulse was racing faster then any of my, no Germany's, F1 cars.

She was with me, not my country, not my people, ME. And I'm going to be selfish.

Her soft warm lips, pushing against my colder ones. Tasting like that brand of chocolate she loves mixed with the minty taste of toothpaste. Her arms, laying around me neck, playing with the hairs on the back of my head. My arms, pulling her closer filling every gap between us I could find. I was in heaven, kissing an angel, and I wasn't going to give it up for anything. The entire world could be damned so long as she was in my arms. Everything Italy, France, Spain, Bruder, and all the other countries preached about love suddenly clicked. I loved her. I never wanted to leave her side. I wanted to be her hero, her Ritter (knight), her lover.

And by the way she was kissing back she wanted to be mine.

*POV switch*

HOLY FUCKING SHIT HE'S KISSING ME!

HOLY FUCKING SHIT I'M KISSING HIM!

AAAHHHHHHHH!!!

I barely thought of anything else, all I could focus on was getting drunk off his kisses. He was kissing me like the world was ending and I loved it.

At some point it went from me in his lap to beneath him on the bed, staring into icy blue eyes.

"vell..." He drawled "ve have a hotel room, a snow storm. no ozher countries on zhis floor, or anyvone for that matter until tomorrow. and a very horny country. vhat do jou suppose ve do Ms.Ireland?"

I spoke before my mind could think. "Well Mr.Germany. A second, equally as horny country is beneath you so the real question is...Was wirst du dagegen tun?

What are you going to do about it?

Snap.

"Ich heiße nicht deutschland Ich heiße ludvig" he growls out. Responds very well to German if the kisses are any proof.

My name isn't Germany. My name is Ludwig

I leant up to whisper in his ear..."Es ist gut zu wissen, was ich später schreien werde. Ich bin (Y/N)."

It's good to know what I'll be screaming later. I'm (Y/N).

I hear a growl before my hands are held above my head with kisses attacking my neck...If this was Russia's plan for only having only one flight home then he's getting cookies next meeting.

*both POV*

Thank God/Gott for snow storms.

[fashionandreading]

Hotel Neighbors

Tom Holland x Reader

Summary: So, New York is colder than you expected. Maybe a hoodie from your hotel neighbor will warm you up or maybe there are other ways....

A/N: Ok guys my first fic ever, kinda scared but here we go. FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED. Requests open (only for Tom Holland or Peter Parker until I get comfortable with posting) but I'm kind of slow. I accept most requests, but detailed requests will get done faster.

Warnings: language, fluff everywhere, oh and one tiny makeout session (idk if that counts)

You had just gotten a promotion at your job! And your birthday was coming up! Life for once actually wasn't shit. So, before it ends you decided a girls trip with your two best friends to New York would be best.

"Do you have to go all out, I mean can't we just hang here so I don't have to be the mom and drive you guys back to the 5-Star Hotel after you do something stupid?" Y/BSF/N says

"Yes, yes we do. Now let's go before you magically convince me to stay," you replied

"Or you can get laid," your other bestfriend says

You roll your eyes and head out.

**Time Skip**

You got off the plane full of excitement, it had been a long time since you've gone on a girls trip. You step out and....

"Fuck it's cold" Y/BSF/N says

"No shit Sherlock" Y/BSF2/N. They walk back inside. You roll your eyes at them.

"Come on guys, I'm getting a taxi and leaving you guys, if you don't come" you smirked knowing that they knew it was true. They begrudgingly walked out towards the taxi you had just got. The taxi ride was full of bickering, until you got to the hotel. Sure, you've seen photos when you reserved it but it was nothing compared to the real thing. All of your jaws dropped. They kept staring as you made your way to the concierge. As you walked there something, no someone caught your eye. He had beautiful chocolate eyes and luscious brown curls. You couldn't help the blush that crept up your cheeks and nervous fidgeting once you made eye contact. He smiled a genuine smile and walked out before you could smile back. Leaving you looking like a tomato. You checked in and walked to your room with your thoughts clouded thinking about the brown haired boy. You entered the room and once again your bestfriends' jaw dropped. You chuckled as you set your luggage down. You were still thinking about the boy until..

"Hey Y/N, what's up, you've been in a daze since we got in the hotel?" Y/BSF/N asks with concern

"Nothing it was just that hot guy she saw earlier in the lobby, she's probably been daydreaming about him" Y/BSF2/N responds for you.

"What hot guy?" you ask hoping they wouldn't notice thay you were lying, "It's just the fact that we're in NYC in a beautiful hotel with my two bestfriends, I'm happy that's all"

"Sure, we'll go with that" Y/BSF2/N says with a look that she knows you're lying.

"Either way we have to get ready for tonight!" Y/BSF/N exclaims

"Y/BSF/N we don't have to get ready now the club doesn't open until 8, it's only 5 plus we need to get warm clothes if you plan to last the night" you say

"WE ONLY HAVE 3 HOURS!" she practically yells.

"Uh yeah, I can get ready in 1 hour and Y/N is right we need warm clothes" Y/BSF2/N says

"Yeah, not going to happen I need at least 2 hourd to get ready and the other hour I'm making sure you two actually put in effort for tonight" Y/BSF/N retorts, but before they start bickering you butt in

"Look how about this, we have two bathrooms you can both get ready and help each other for tonight, and I'll get warm clothes for everyone, and you both should at least be almost ready by the time I get back, that sound good" you say

"What about you?" Y/BSF/N asks

"Yeah, you need to look good for that hot guy in the hotel" Y/BSF2/N says

"Oh umm, ye-yeah I'll be ok," you respond slightly nervous. They chuckle at you. "so what are we getting?" Hoping that they move on. They do, tell what they need and hand you the money to pay refusing to let you pay, they know how hard you worked and can only guess the cost of the hotel. You walk out towards the elevator and your heart stopped and blood ran through your cheeks as you made eye contact once again with the brown-eyed beauty. He smiled at you softly before...

"Excuse me, love" his rich gorgeous British accent said. It took a few seconds before you actually interpreted his words and moved to side. You muttered a small sorry. Hoping you didn't embarrass yourself.

"It's quite alright love you're not embarrassing yourself," he said, your eyes widened as realized you said that out loud and you couldn't help the embarrassing fidgeting that started to occur as you tried to look at anything but his face. He chuckled.

"I'm Tom by the way" he had his palm out causing you to jump slightly at his words, he waited patiently for you to respond.

"Y/N", you awkwardly shook his hand. He smiled.

"Well, Y/N," you loved the way he said your name, "I must get going, but I hope to see around" ge smiled and walked off.

"How will 'see' me around in such a big city?" You asked quickly before you would overthink about it. He turned around,

"Well, it seems to me that we're on the same floor, so I hope to see you around this floor at least" he said before turning around once again but before he turned "Goodbye love"

"Bye" you said quietly knowing he probably couldn't here you. You walked to the elevator, once again thinking about Tom. All throughout shopping all you thought about was Tom. When you returned you were glad to find your friends laughing and doing makeup, instead of dead bodies. You gave them their stuff and.... you didn't get anything for yourself to help you from the cold. You didn't want to go out again because the sun was almost gone which would increase the cold. You didn't know what to do and you can't fit into your bestfriends' clothes because you were skinnier/curvier and taller/shorter than them.

"What if you guys just go without me" you say, although you had an idea on what they would say.

"No, you worked so hard to get here, we're not leaving without you" Y/BSF2/N says

"Wait I have an idea, we just got in today, why don't we get our own booze from dowstairs, dress you up and have a girls' night, we'll blame it on the jetlag" Y/BSF/N suggests.

"That's a good idea, we can go clubbing tomorrow" Y/BSF2/N agrees. You debate for another minute before agreeing with them. You guys dress up and you feel nostalgic from your high school days but end up laughing your asses off because of all the shit you guys did in high school. You decide to put on a movie.... and your friends fell asleep halfway through. You turn off the tv and check the time, it was only 11. You decide to go to the balcony to get fresh air. You walk out, only to realize it is colder than the last time you went out and your short black dress wasn't helping. You stood there for another few minutes, freezing, thinking about everything. Just when you were about to go inside, the balcony next to you opens. You turn around and lock eyes with the one and only Tom.

"Leaving so soon love" he says as he tries to maintain eye contact but ends up failing looking you up and down, causing you to shiver.

"It's cold" you respond, he smiles "If I lend you my hoodie will you stay?" He asks, already taking it off to give it to you. You bite your lip, pretending to be deciding.

"Sure, but won't you get cold?" You say, "Love, I come from the cold," he says as he go towards the edge to give you the hoodie. You put it on, it was comfy and smelled slightly of cologne. He grinned at you when you had it on, you blushed thankful that it was too dark and cold to notice.

"I don't think you're getting this back anytime soon" you say smiling, he chuckles softly and responds "That's alright love, you look better in it than I do" the moment those words left his lips your heart almost melted. You two ended up talking, for what seemed like a while. You felt like you knew each other forever. Eventually you asked for the time.

"It's 2 in the morning, tired love?" He asked. "Actually no" you spoke honestly. "Well, why don't we do something?" He asks looking at you hopefully. "What?" You ask curiously. "Why don't you come over the balcony and we watch a movie?" He asks, hoping you'd say yes. You did want to watch a movie but you were scared to jump over the balcony.

"Don't worry love I'll catch you if you fall" he said as if he read you thoughts. You looked at him incredulously, he laughs "Sorry darling you just seemed scared, but I will catch you always" he says, causing butterflies to erupt in your stomach.

"Ok" you say, getting ready to hop over. It wasn't a big jump but you've never done it before. Tom was on the other side waiting patiently, eventually you stopped overthinking. You went on top of the balcony and crossed over to his. You crossed over safely but when you were getting off the balcony you ended up tripping, and Tom caught you... bridal style. His strong arms held you close as you looked up at him. Soon, you found yourselves leaning in. His thin lips somehow molded into yours perfectly. You felt fireworks, butterflies, your heart was racing a million miles an hour as the kiss was deepened and you felt him bite your lip. You moaned allowing his tongue slip in. Eventually you both needed air, so you pulled away breathless. Tom them peppers kisses down your jaw, going down your neck till he found your sweet spot. You moaned as he sucked on your neck surely leaving a spot. Once he finished he put you down to admire his handiwork. You stood there unsure of what he would say as he continued to look at you.

"Well Darling I think that you're going to have a mark in the morning," he says cockily, smirking as you continue to look at him speechless, "well let's go inside," he holds out his hand, "shall we?"

"We shall" you interlock your hands and walk into his hotel room. It looks similar to yours but there's a slight scent of cologne in the air. It wasn't overwhelming and you see clothes on the chair. Tom leads you to the room, still holding your hand. In the room he let's go of your hand, to see what movie you were going to watch as you awkwardly stand by the bed.

"We should watch The Impossible" he suggests, you knew he was in the movie and was trying to impress you.

"No, Iron Man is where it's at" you say, superheroes movies were a personal favorite. The only one you haven't watched was Spiderman: Homecoming because you heard that it sucked and decided to wait until it came on redbox. It so you wouldn't have to spend money on a possibly bad movie and you didn't have to watch it to understand Infinity War. You soon realized however that Tom played Spiderman and now really wanted to watch it.

"How about Spiderman: Homecoming" Tom says, "it seems like a good middle ground".

"Yes" you say, way too quickly, he chuckles and puts the disc in. He walks back to you, as your still standing, motions you to lay on the bed but you continue to stand there awkwardly. He soon pulled you down next to him, wrapping his arms around you. You soon got comfortable and cuddled with Tom as the movie began. You cuddled through most of it, but as the movie continued your eyes started to get droopy. You had trouble keeping your eyes open and finally you gave in to sleep, drowning out the sound of the movie and listening to the sound of the heart beating next to you.

Part Two???

@just-trying-to-survive-marvel

[apotatomashedbybts]

I'll Be Your Knight

[GENRE: fluff, slight angst

Pairing: Jimin×reader, Taegi

Soulmate!Taehyung, BestFriend!Yoongi

Word Count: 2.6k+]

[Summary: When Y/n met Jimin she knew that it was a love at first sight. But she didn't expect the consequences that came with loving him. After their unwilling separation will Y/n be able to do what it takes to get him back?

A story of love, loss, fight, dreams, and friendship...]

Chapter VI: A Supposedly Normal Day

"But you could have moved away from there if you saw her already! Why didn't you? And even if you noticed her earlier how did you pull off those moves?" Jimin's questions were coming at me like rapid fire. "Was he thinking about all these on the return journey? Is that why he was so silent?" I wondered!

"Let me feed your curiosity!" Tae said while we were walking into our neighborhood. 

He faced us and started walking backwards, "During middle school we used to get bullied a lot at first! Then Yoongi hyung appeared in our lives and saved us from those bullies! But the most important thing that he did was to influence y/n/n. He used to learn martial arts. After knowing that y/n/n became interested and started to learn too. And now you can say that both of them are pro! So you don't have to worry about her. I would've been pretty disappointed if she just walked away from there. And you know what that is the reason why I stopped you. Hi hi! But it does have some disadvantages! She and Yoongi hyung wake up at dawn everyday and practice. They make me wake up too!" saying this Tae made a crying face and continued, "and make me go on a morning walk! I love my sleep so much but they are just too cruel! I got lucky the past few days after she arrived! But it started again from today! Another disadvantage is that she is too strong and that's why I am always afraid of her beatings! She only looks tiny, but you would never wish to be on her bad side! "

While talking we reached in front of Tae's house.

"I have an Overwatch match in half an hour! So I would get going! Byee!" Saying this Tae went into his house bidding goodbye and in no time we reached my house.

"You sure, you won't feel lonely? I can walk you home!" I said not wanting to let him go.

"Ha ha! You can do that but then I'll feel bad for letting you go.... alone!" He replied.

"What was that pause for in the middle? Why did his voice shake at the end? Ah! I must be thinking useless things, it was nothing!" I shook my head and replied smiling, "Then it would be a never ending cycle!"

Then an idea hit me.

"We can do one thing! Let's walk together until the turning at the end of this road! Then we can part our ways! You can go to your way home and I will return from there!" I offered.

"Sounds quite good! Let's do that!" He smiled broadly.

"Ok then" I smiled and we continued to walk talking about random things mostly about our childhood.

When I told him about my university in UK, he told me that he had moved to so many countries but never got to go to UK. I wondered what kind of job did his dad do. I couldn't hold my curiosity, so I asked him about it and he said that his dad used to be a biochemist for a certain company named Veneno. I didn't know that biochemists had to move so frequently and that quite shocked me.

After reaching the turning Jimin sighed, "So, we are at our decided border! We should.... get going now." and he again sighed heavily.

"Why does his voice sound like this? Is he feeling bad that we have to part our ways?" I thought looking at him.

"Yeah we should!" I pretended as if I noticed nothing. "But you have to go first and please don't say 'no'! I insist!"

"Though I don't want to but I guess I have no other choice! Bye!" And he turned to go.

I told him to go but I couldn't bring myself to do the same. I just stared at his walking figure and deep down somewhere I wanted him to look back at me and at the same time I didn't.

Suddenly he stopped on his way and looked back. I waved at him. He waved back at me smiling and signalled me to go too but I nodded a 'no' and signalled him to keep walking. After a few steps he looked back and waved again. I wanted him to walk quickly, otherwise I wouldn't had been able to hold this strong urge to run and hug him for long. After he entered the path that took him to the castle I turned back to return to my house and brushed off the small drop of tear that trickled down my cheek earlier.

.

I saw a car parked in front of our gate. "Was someone supposed visit us today?" I tried to remember.

"I am home." I said wearily after opening the door of my house.

"Honey! Look who is here!" Mom exclaimed happily.

Entering the living room I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Yuri unniiiiiiiiii!!!!" I screamed and jumped on her. I was just so so happy seeing her. I hugged her tightly with no intention of letting her go.

Yuri unni was my cousin, the eldest daughter of my father's oldest brother. Though she was my cousin, she had always been like my own sister. She was quite older than me but one could never say that. For her age had always just been a number. She was literally the sweetest person one could come across. Besides my mom and dad she was my favourite family member. She had always loved me the most, one of the reasons being me the youngest among all the cousins and I had always enjoyed and loved the priority. But sweetness was not the only thing that I loved about her. I admired her a lot too. She was the head engineer of a renowned light plane company. She could fly light planes and helicopters too like a master. I looked up to her so much. She always used to visit us frequently. But after her marriage she got transferred to Busan and that's why her visits had become less. That was the reason why I was really really happy about her visit.

"How are you y/n/n?" she smiled at me warmly.

"How are YOU? Let's go to my room! I have so much to tell you!" I hold her hand and dragged her to my room upstairs.

After settling down I complained, "Are we that negligible that you have to visit us after six months? You don't love me anymore!"

"Don't be like that! You know how it is." She made a pouty sad face.

I laughed at her cuteness and said, "I know unni! I was just messing with you! But what makes you visit us today? Is there anything special?"

"Not that special but I have a good news! I got promoted to the post of Chief Engineer and they transferred me to Seoul! Today I came to see the apartment and preorder the furnitures." She said calmly.

"WHAAATT!" I screamed throwing my pillow at my roof and hugged her, "That's a real big news unni!! You won't believe how happy I am! Omg when are you moving?"

She smiled as if she knew that it would be my reaction and said, "This weekend! And you have to come and visit us! I won't have 'no' for an answer!"

"Of course I would go! I miss Rara! And I'll also scold hyeongbu for not visiting us. I am so excited!" I laughed, "that means you are going to stay here tonight! Right?" I looked at her hopefully.

"I am so sorry but I can't y/n/n. I have to report tomorrow at my office and have some important things to do. I have a really tight schedule this week. Don't be sad! It's only a few days!" She tried to convince me.

"You are a meanie! I won't talk with you!" saying this I turned my face away from her!

"Come on don't be a child. Ok! I'll take you and Tae to barbecue restaurant once I transfer here!" She said making me face her.

"Ok.. but only for barbecue's sake I am letting you go!"

"Yay! But y/n/n I smell that something really spicy is going on in your life. Hmm. Who is that boy you were walking with towards the turning?" She narrowed her eyes at me teasingly.

"Unnii!" I whined and covered my face with a pillow, "we are just friends!"

"But you love him. Don't you?" She said with a knowing smile.

"H-how do you know?" I stuttered.

"And more importantly how did you see us?"

"I drove past you two! You were so engrossed in him that you didn't even notice me waving at you! But I am seriously really happy for you. I was dying for the day when you'll fall in love, real love!" She sighed.

"Unni I don't know! I really do love him. But will he ever love me like I do?" I asked her with a sad smile.

"Of course he will. Remember everything needs time. The right thing will happen at the right time. So no need to hurry!" She smiled reassuringly.

Unni's flight was at 12 am. Tae and I dropped her off at the airport. The car she took for coming here was a rental one so she called the company and told them to take away the car.

.

Wednesday morning, an uneventful morning except the fact that Tae's car had returned from his imaginary garage.

At my literature lecture I noticed that I had to sit next to the ringing voiced girl.

She had caught a terrible cold. I felt bad for her. I asked, "Hey are you ok..?"

"Su-yeon! My name is Su-yeon and you should remember that!" She replied hoarsely.

"Look, I was genuinely worried about you. And also see it was not my fault at all. It was your friend who did that to you! You can't blame me!" I replied and before I took my seat I heard her murmuring something but I couldn't make it out clearly. I decided not to put much thought into it and concentrated in the lecture.

"Wow! Today's classes ended early! What should we do now? It's only 3:30 pm!" Tae asked after we met at the cafeteria. "What about karaoke? Yessssssssss! Let's do that! You'll be blessed by my god-like vocals."

"Yeah let's do that!" I agreed to Tae and nodded.

"What's the matter? You agreed with me so quickly? You seldom want to go to karaoke. Do you really want to hear Jimin sing that much?" Tae asked me with one of his eyebrows up.

"Shut up, you idiot! He'll hear you! And of course I want to. What's the big deal?" I whispered back shushing him.

.

After coming out of the main gate of SNU a boy of about 7-8 years came to us crying. He hold my hand and said, "Noona please come with me. Some big boys took our toys and took my friends with them. They told me to take you to the playground behind this big building!"

I knelt down and wiped off the tears and said, "Don't cry sweetheart! You are a brave boy, aren't you? Let's go and get your friends and toys back! Will you take us there?"

The boy nodded as I held his hand. He took us to the big playground near our university.

When we reached there we saw a group of boys who looked like those from mafia gangs had rounded up a bunch of crying kids. I was clearly confused as to why they were doing this but I decided to keep my calm.

"If you are looking for me then you should have just came up to me. Why use innocent kids? Thugs these don't have any better ideas? What's the use of such big bodies if your mind's size is that of a peanut? You make me laugh rather than intimidate! Now that I'm here please leave those kids!" I walked up to them and said trying to keep a calm tone in my voice.

"Ha ha ha! All these big words will be of no use once we treat you right! And don't think that we are going to spare you because you are a girl! Isn't gender equality a trend these days?" said a boy who looked like their leader and they all rounded around me.

"Hey leave all the kids! Make those two boys sit on those benches and keep an eye on them!" their leader ordered two of his gang members.

"Wait! Tae take my bag!" I shouted at Tae. He came and took my bag. While returning he walked up to the leader "Good luck! You are gonna need it!" he said nodding with a pressed smile and walked away.

After they were released, all the kids ran away from there and I was relieved. I didn't need to hold back anymore. I counted and there were 7 guys in total excluding the two guys near Tae and Jimin.

"So shall we begin? Who wants to come first?" I announced calmly.

As soon as I completed my sentence a guy from behind came running at me while making a loud sound "yaaaaaaaaaa" like this.

"Tch tch! Never shout like that while fighting! It'll always alert your opponent." I remembered what I was taught and shook my head closing my eyes. I moved a little bit to my left and stuck out my right leg. He tripped on my leg and fell with a loud thud. Seeing this two guys came up at me at once from the front with a punching stance. I stooped myself and punched their stomachs hard. When they crooked in pain I stood straight, ran a little past them and hit their backs with my elbows.

Seeing this the other guys along with their leader were hesitating. "Let me make your work easier. Come at me together all of you. That would increase your strength, ain't it?" I said brushing my hands.

My idea got their attention. They all came at me together. This was my opportunity. I slipped through one's side, took his punching hand and made him punch the guy opposite to him. The force made the other guy's nose break. "Oops sorry!" I cooed.

I made that man my cover and moved swiftly to another boy and kicked behind his knees. He fell down. Two down, two left. I kicked the man who I was holding in the waist with my knee and as he was about to bend down in pain, I somersaulted on his back kicked the leader on the neck.

"Kyaaaaaaaa! A fatal blow! Yessssssssss! That's my y/n/n!" Tae shouted out and jumped. The other guys made him sit down and made a call. Suddenly the guy who tripped over my leg earlier grabbed my foot hard. I didn't know why but I didn't kick back. "Are they calling more guys? Are they not gonna give up? Let them come! They need to understand that it's useless." I thought.

After about ten minutes in two cars almost fifteen guys of their gang arrived. I sighed loudly and glanced over at Tae and Jimin. Tae seemed somewhat worried but Jimin's expression made my heart break. He looked like a small child who was seeing something really bad and was about to cry. I told him using gestures to not worry and that I would be fine. After a minute or so Tae received a call and his face lit up. He signalled me that everything was going to be alright. "Is Yoongs here? Is that why Tae is so happy?" While thinking all these I saw Yoongs' car enter the parking area near the ground.

Those men were already in front of me ready to fight.

"You are so going to regret taking this decision!" I told them and cracked my knuckles.

Other chapters

A/n: Sixth chapter with a sappy try to portray a fight scene! I hope you like this too. Thank you for reading! Love you all 💜💜💜