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reverieblondie · 15 hours ago

Text

Book Club

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Female Reader

Warnings: 18+ Minors do not interact! explicit smut, Porn with plot! Oral (fem receiving), P in V unprotected sex (please wrap before you tap people), dirty talk, reader is loud and Bucky loves it.

Summary: Working at a library and at times be boring... but what happens when one of your regulars wants to make a book club? Just you and him?

A/N: Self indulgence like always! Please let me know what you think! Never have written for Bucky but he's slowly consumed mt soul and I got this silly idea on a whim so I hope you all enjoy! If you like How I wrote for him send me an ask, request are open always!

Word Count: 5,723

‘The feeling of the cold metal is at first such a shock to her skin; it makes her whole body snap… and her thighs spread wider with need. He’s sliding his armored hand up so slowly… his ardent eyes drinking her in, relishing in all her sounds.

His princess, his lady he swore to always keep safe from anything, the one he promised to keep pure… now gasps and pleads for him to grace her with his touch.

Their game of stares and honeyed teasing finally had a result; they both lost…

She dragged him from the party, desperate for fresh air from the stuffy ballroom, but he knew the truth. She did it for him and his hate of crowds. Nothing ever gets past the princess he’s learned… but now, as she is so sweetly moaning and bucking your hips further, he’s learning more than he ever dreamed he could.

He brings his lips to her ear, kissing lightly before he whispers gruffly, “Shh Princess, we wouldn’t want anyone to catch you out here… with your skirts bundled up on your hips. With your knight’s hand in your cunt… They might get the wrong impression of you, my lady.”

She rolls her eyes as she squeezes his shoulders, her frustrations building. “Stop teasing, and please just touch me!”

He smirks as he brings his metal-covered finger to tease her clit, beaming as a moan rips from her throat as she-’

Ahem…

Entirely lost in the book’s text, you hardly notice the tall figure in front of your desk. It isn’t until a gruff clearing of their throat that it knocks you from your book, meeting your eyes to the piercing blue ones of Bucky Barnes. Who stands so patiently with his book in hand, waiting for you to do your job at the library instead of wasting time.

Fumbling with your bookmark, you hastily place it inside before awkwardly slamming your book down. “I am so sorry, Bucky. I was just…” Your cheeks burn with embarrassment, and you can’t help but feel a bit foolish in front of him.

“Getting lost in the story? I understand a good book can take you away from the present. No need to apologize.” He kindly offers you the right words with a smile that always makes you want to swoon.

“Exactly,” you say with a sigh of relief, taking the book from his hands. Feeling the slight warmth from his fingers as his skin brushes long yours. Such a contrast to the usually frigid library… you bet his whole body is perfectly toasty to curl up with.

You must force yourself to stop your obvious gawking to look at the book he’s checking out. When you see the familiar front, you can’t help but giggle. “Checking out the Hobbit again?”

Bucky shrugs, keeping his smile as he looks at the book in your hands. “It’s my favorite, plus it helps comfort me.”

You bite your tongue, suddenly feeling like a complete idiot. Of course, he checks this book repeatedly; it’s like a memory of his former life… everyone knows what he’s been through, and now you’re teasing him like a jerk…

The start of an apology is on the tip of your tongue, but Bucky cuts you off before you can say anything, “I am starting to remember all the lines, though, and will need to start reading something else. Do you have any recommendations? Like what are you currently reading?”

He looks at the book you placed on the side, eyeing the title Iron Promises. “Sounds like a fantasy, which is right up my alley. What’s it about?” he asks, his curiosity piqued.

Bucky reaches over and opens the book right on the bookmark, but you’re quick to slap it closed and drag it back to your TBR stack, “Wait! Um… I don’t think it’s… your kind of book…”

“Why?” he asks, his brows furrowing, showing you that cute crease on his forehead. You fidget with it momentarily, feeling the awkwardness of the situation, trying your best to avoid his icy blue eyes.

“Well, it is a fantasy but also a romance…”

He tilts his head, “What’s wrong with romance? I can read a little romance.”

Internally, you grimace, More like a lot of heavy smut…

Bucky leans casually on the counter, his vibranium arm taking the weight as he gets closer. “Plus, it will be fun to read something together that we can talk about maybe… kind of like a book club… if you’re interested…”

The last part comes out a bit unsure, timid of possible rejection. You feel your cheeks blooming with a blush. A book club with James Bucky Barnes? This was something you could never even dream of.

You have been working at the library for a while now, and having the former Winter Soldier check out books was certainly a surprise. However, as time passed and he continued to visit, it became less shocking. In fact, you both began to form what felt like the beginning of a friendship as you talked more.

Over time, you discovered some fascinating aspects about him. He’s strict about returning books on time, surprisingly quite friendly once he’s opened up and got to know someone, revealing a sweet playful side to himself. And to your delight, he’s a secret nerd, which explains his desire to start a book club in the first place, though his reading choices differ from yours...

“A book club sounds fun… but please, not this one. I’m already almost done with it anyway. Maybe it should be something we both haven’t read.” You propose with a shaky smile, hoping he agrees.

He tilts his head in compilation until he’s eyeing past your shoulder. You blush despite knowing exactly what he’s doing… It’s the stack of your TBR right next to the computer. He browses through the stack, reading their spines until he finally points his finger, “How about that one?”

Clashing silver, Oh no….

Bucky asks if he can see it, and you bergrugently take it from the stack and place it in his hand. Thankfully, the cover of this book isn’t like some of the others with shirtless men holding women in a sensual embrace… but you know… you know that on the inside of the fantasy is spice that you’re not sure you’re ready for Bucky to know you’re into. Is he making fun of you? Or is this some weird game that will suddenly blow up in your face when he laughs at you?

Bucky looks over the cover and reads through the summary before finally looking up with one of his rare grins, “This is perfect. Do we have any extra copies? We could get started tonight.” -he’s completely earnest in wanting to do this. It’s terrifying and yet so endearing… if he wants to read a dirty fantasy smut book with you… who are you to deny him?

A few types on the computer show that you currently have one copy available, of course…

You see that Bucky is looking up at you expectantly; you will never know how a man you know can be completely deadly and look so adorable with his smirk and clear blue eyes. Sliding the Hobbit over, you sigh, “The last copy is in the fantasy selection; put this one back and go grab it.”

With a grin and a newfound pep in his step, Bucky takes the book, going to put it back and get the one for your book club. This may be the death of you… reading smut with the winter soldier, you couldn’t even fathom this shit.

It's been surprisingly really fun and going shockingly really well.

You two decided to have your first weekly meet-up at the library, somewhere you both knew well and could be comfortable with. To say you were nervous to talk to him about this romantic fantasy, this romantisy was an understatement. You figured if he said he hated it, the book club would dissolve, and you two would return to sharing smiles and small talk as he checked out his next selections. Sure, that thought made your gut twist into a bitter knot, but what was the alternative? You two hit it off … continue your little club with more books and conversions till you finally have two glasses of wine and slip how you think he is the most beautiful man you ever saw?

Okay… maybe not that…

Especially not now when you two are going up to the elevator in your apartment. How did this happen? Ah, yes, you two were getting stares in the library, so he suggested somewhere more private, and you just had to offer up your apartment.

"Meet me at the library, we can walk to my place!" - ugh, great thinking…

You're trying hard not to stare at Bucky's reflection in the silver walls while also trying to avoid the eyes of Mrs. Green… You attempted to warmly greet your elderly neighbor… but she just stared at you two with her usual annoyed grimace. This, of course, started a staring war between her and Bucky… Honestly, you're not sure who's going to fold first. Bucky, of course, had that hardened military edge, but Mrs. Green? That's one stubborn granny… it seems to last forever till the set of cold, wrinkly eyes finally slide over to you.

"Guest of yours?" she drawls dully.

"Um, yes! This is James Barnes. He's my-"

Mrs. Green taps her cane, making you stop talking, "Fine, fine, just make sure you two keep it down… I don't want to hear your sinning."

Your jaw drops, and Bucky seems to crack a smile. "W-what, it's not like that!"

Before you can explain, the elevator stops, sliding open and letting Mrs. Green waddle away to her apartment while you and Bucky follow suit to your place directly next to hers. God, you hope Bucky isn't too embarrassed. You're sure he's probably mortified.

Shyly looking over as you're shutting the door, you think he will be glaring, but suddenly, he's letting out a loud chuckle. Then, you are both bursting into hysterical laughter.

Three loud bangs knock on your door, and you two have taken a minute to silence yourself.

"She's… fun," Bucky finally mutters, making you almost snort.

"You should try living next to her. It's a dream."

"I bet.." he says slowly as he looks around the small living room. Taking the chance while he's looking around, you dart off to your room to grab your book and notes. You're trying to get back to him quickly, but not before sliding over to your mirror and fixing your hair; you're tempted to put on some lip gloss… but maybe that's too much.

A quick flip through your book reminds you of where your book left off. Ah, right, the fight scene that ended with the main two characters kissing… this will be great…

“He feels his blood still rushing through his veins, the sweat drenching his skin in a desperate attempt to cool himself from the carnage. Screams and the crashing of metal continue to ring in his ears till he turns and looks at her. No longer does he hear all those voices. He just hears his heartbeat… it’s not a want; it’s a need as he walks over to her, scooping her in his arms and kissing those full lips that have always been so taunting.”

You feel a shiver once Bucky gets through the last lines of the chapter. Hearing him read it makes it seem less cheesy. Though you still can’t get one question out of your mind…

“I wonder if it’s like that…”

He stops looking from the book’s text to meet your gaze, “what?”

As soon as the words slip from your lips, you regret not being more careful with your words. Bucky is the last person you should be asking about this topic. The public only knows fragments of his past, but even those snippets reveal that deeper issues are haunting him that you can only imagine. Bucky shifts on the couch, adjusting his posture from sitting wide-legged to leaning his elbows on his knees, almost hunching over.

Great, you made him uncomfortable; please, world, swallow you up and save Bucky from your obnoxiousness.

“Everything feels… distorted; it’s a surge of many things all at once. You have to try to bring your focus back… but that blood-pounding rush lingers, making you exhausted but still ready to jump at a moment’s notice.” Bucky shifts his gaze awkwardly, fidgeting with his hands. “At least that’s how I felt…”

You swallow, shocked he’s being so open…

“So the kissing part is unrealistic?”

You’re thankful that gets a laugh from Bucky, “Well, I’ve never kissed anyone right after a fight… but I can imagine if my blood was rushing hot enough, and the right girl was nearby… I would get carried away.”

Dammit… Why is that hot?

“Well, if you ever do it. Let me know?”

“Don’t worry, you will be the first to know…” Bucky replies so simply… but you can’t help how it makes your whole body feel suddenly hot.

It’s quiet for a beat before he’s readjusting to lean back, trying to look comfortable. “Okay, your turn; read your favorite part.”

You’re not sure if you should curse the universe... or be extremely grateful, but either way, it does not change the fact that Bucky is stowing away at your apartment to do some silent reading. A week before you two were supposed to meet at Bucky’s place for book club, loud construction started happening near his building, and he just couldn’t concentrate because of the noise. So, considering you’re his book club buddy, he asked if he could come by to catch up on some reading.

Of course, you said yes, then frantically started cleaning and prepping like you would for

a book club meeting. You’re excited but also extremely nervous!

The apartment is silent, aside from the sounds of soft breathing and the slow turns of the book’s pages. The calmness is comfortable; you were worried that the time would have been filled with awkward rambling ... but it’s not; you two had fallen into a quiet routine. It makes sense that you get more comfortable when two people spend time around each other. However ..... When you peek over to look at him taking up So much space on your sofa .... You feel sparks of electricity pop through your veins. His eyes locked to the text, his brows slightly furrowed in concentration. His scruffed jaw in a lock and his full lips completely perfect.

It’s not until you see his tongue slightly lick his bottom lip that you break from your trace and realize you’re not even reading. You just staring at Bucky. Silently, you curse yourself for your shamelessness, but that only causes Bucky to quickly look up and meet your eyes. Oh, so suddenly you dart your face back to your book and try to hide that you were, in fact, leering. Of course ... it was in no way sublet, but Bucky is too much of a gentleman to say anything about it.

With the crisis averted you try to take in the book, even flipping the pages to reread a bit to familiarize yourself with what’s happening in the story. Blah, Blah, Blah, they are alone in the library together… finally starting to pay attention ... But unfortunately, old habits die hard, and before you can stop, you’re peeking for a glance again.

Creepy? Maybe, but it’s been a while since you spent time with someone silently like this. Plus, Bucky is beautiful, and getting to watch his little tics from how he lightly flicks the colored tabs with his thumb, and when he’s really entranced in the text, he slightly leans into the book, almost like he needs to read closer to really catch everything. Then suddenly… Bucky’s expression changes. You watch his eyes widen in surprise, and he sits back up fully straight. Of course, curious, you quickly scan some pages before finding the source of his surprise.

“And what do you think you’re doing on your knees, princess...” He grits through his teeth, watching as her dress billowed all around her and her hands slowly traced up his linen trousers. Inching towards where his cock is starting to strain the cloth.

“Trying to show my devotion to my knight...” She says innocently while pulling the ties.

Before she is done, he steadies his breath and comes back to reality, “You shouldn’t waste such sweetness on a man like me. I will ruin you.”

Considering his words, she pauses momentarily before looking back into his blue eyes, so dark in the library’s candlelight. It all becomes clear for her once more: her desire, her love for him.

“Then ruin me and forever mark me as yours…” From the look in her eyes, he knows She’s not. wavering

A good man would halt this and deny her... but he’s weak... and his love for her outweighs his rationality. He pulls the ties of his pants before gently he roughly grabs her and pushes…

- Oh my god!

Okay... it’s not like you haven’t read Smut in front of people before... but this is your crush... reading the same thing…

Embarrassed, you look up from the text, shutting the book only to be met with his eyes. You two stay locked for a moment, trying to ignore how both of your faces are starting to flush. Bucky’s eyes roam down to where you’re currently clenching your thighs. His light eyes suddenly get darker, and on the inside, you’re begging for him to spread you apart. But in your sudden nervous panic, you chuckle instead. Bucky matches your nervous chuckle with his own, though his is undoubtedly smoother. “These books love to just get to the point, huh? It and these situations... the p-positions, definitely unbelievable.”

You try to laugh off the whole thing, but to your surprise, Bucky doesn’t laugh. He shrugs while fidgeting with his book.” Not that unbelievable... I could easily lift you to my shoulders and not even waste a breath.”

Suddenly, the whole room feels like it’s shifted to its side. Was that a proposition? Maybe it’s just a statement? He is built, so he could lift you with one arm while the other rips.... - No! No!

Unsure where to take the conversation, you say the only thing that can come to your mind. “I’m going to drink water.”- Smooth...

Mentally slapping yourself, you walk to the kitchen and down some cold water before scrounging for something stronger. Maybe he was starting a discussion? But, of course, you ruin it by going into horny territory.

What if that’s the point, though... You freeze, feeling your heart rushing all over again...

Ahem...

You don’t even need to look up to see that it’s Bucky, standing in the kitchen doorway with a guilty look, “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable... I didn’t realize how it sounded like a... proposition till it was out of my mouth, and I saw the look on your face. I mean... not that I wouldn’t... Want to, to um... show you.” Bucky hesitates again, “Wait, that’s not - well, do think you’re…”

It’s perplexing... a deadly super soldier., stumbling over his words like he’s nervous... You continue to watch him stumble, weighing your options..... Maybe putting everything out there will go well, or it will blow up in your face and ruin everything…

Letting your feet take over, you walk over to Bucky; as soon as you step forward, he’s putting his ice-blue eyes on you. He almost speaks again but gently places your hand on his broad chest before he can. Under your fingertips, you feel his heart racing despite his calm exterior. Bucky places his hand over yours, waiting till you’re ready to speak. He would probably stand her all night if he had to. But no, your mind’s made up, and the feeling of his warm skin on yours only cements it for you.

“I want you to show me... everything.”

It’s all Bucky needed to hear before gently touching your cheek and trailing his fingers down your jaw. His concentration flicked from your eyes to your lips as he slowly leaned in. Finally, his full lips met yours as he brushed a gentle kiss on yours. Then he kissed you repeatedly, letting his hand slide into your hair as the kiss grew more starved.

You wrapped your hands over his neck, standing on your tiptoes to tangle your fingers through his dark hair. Without hesitation, Bucky leaned down, grabbing the back of your thighs to lift you closer. With you wrapped around his waist, he seeks more of your taste as he traces the softness of your lips with his tongue, begging for entry. Parting your mouth, you feel his tongue slide along yours in a perfect slowness that only adds to the heat between your legs.

It was sweet and desperate and only made him even more drunk with want. Bucky blindly walked with his lips locked, wandering to find your bedroom. He bumped and crashed into everything till, finally, you broke the kiss with a desperate panting.

“Hallway, left door...”

“Right, right…” he says through lidded eyes before kissing and licking against your mouth once more.

The super speed must be one of his other abilities because before you knew it, you were in your bedroom, pushed against your wall as his tongue traced down the column of your throat. And his hands slide down from your waist to tease the hem of your shirt up. You run your fingers through his hair as he sucks along your collarbone, leaving his marks, waiting to finally feel his hands on your skin.

He’s so close. He wants to lift your shirt but hesitates. “Bucky, please, take it off... touch me…

Bucky feels weak from your desperate pleading. Wants to touch you, feel you, head into the crock of your neck, further getting fuck you. He rests his drunk on you. As you’re about to plead again, suddenly you’re lifted forward, and your shirt is ripped from your skin; your bra, bottoms, and panties couldn’t be saved, however, as he tears them off you.

With your clothes discarded, Bucky paints, staring down at your naked body reverently before hosting you up to kiss your soft breast and run his hot tongue over your nipples. Both his hands help pin you to the wall of the bedroom. The contrast of their touch is intoxicating. His warm flesh hand cupping and pinching your breast for his mouth to lick. While the cold of his metal arm keeps your legs spread, inching further to your aching core, making you moan in the excitement of that erotic pleasure of filling you with his cold fingers.

Your moaning is debauched and needy; you’re quick to cover your mouth to silence yourself, but Bucky needs to hear you. Bucky moves your hand from your lips, “No, I need to hear you screaming for me. Come on, Don’t hold back...

For added measure, his metal fingers finally brush through your pussy, dragging your slick all over your sex. It’s so cold it makes your nipples harden, and a shivering moan rip from your throat. He looks into your lidded eyes, memorizing every noise you make as he teases your quivering slit with his two fingers, Then harshly pinches your clit, making you jerk your hips.

“Never Imagined you would be so sensitive like this...” He rubs rough circles over your cunt, making you slam your head back against the wall as your grinding hips beg for more. “You like it there?” He says roughly into your ear before pinching your swollen pearl once more.

“Yes! Fuck yes! please, Bucky…”

He pulls his hand away from your sticky cunt, you whine from the loss of being so close, but your complaint dies in your throat as he licks his metal fingers shining from your arousal. “Ready, princess?”

You nod completely at his mercy. Bucky quickly lifts you further up the wall, putting your legs over his shoulders as his face noses into your puffy cunt. He really can do any position with you. Bucky’s nose rubs your clit, making your legs clamp, then his tongue licks a slow strip over your wet folds, making you say his name...

The sound of his name leaving your lips has him losing himself to taste more. Moving his tongue into your drooling cunt, trying to drink in every drop in and out, making your whole body ignite with a fever as your breaths come out in long surrendering moans. Lost in the passion, you grind your hips against his sinful tongue, losing your mind as he groans in approval.

You’re close to your peak, ready to let it snap and crash over you till loud slamming starts knocking against your wall... You feel Bucky growl, and you’re scared he’s going to stop... but instead, he moves his mouth to suck and nip at your clit, making you keen louder as he slams his fist against the wall back in what you’re considering a warning...

Sorry, Mrs. and Mr. Green... you will send over cookies… or not… You can’t care right now as the coil in your stomach tightens till a snap is felt in your veins, and an electric rush is aching through your whole body. Legs shaking, your body loses control as you cum all over Bucky’s eager tongue. Bucky lets you ride out your high over his tongue till it’s approaching overstimulation. He pulls away from you, his chin soaked, and as he lowers you down gently to your unsteady feet, you still see that hunger in his eyes, which still remains.

He whips his mouth before licking the remnants away from his hand, “Which position next?”

He asks with a smirk, and you feel another surge of heat burst through you to your “M-might be boring... but the bed?”

Bucky looks from you to your metal framed bed and chuckles, “Just don’t be mad if I break it...” - Wait. What?

You can’t ask for clarification on that last statement because Bucky is already turning you to the queen-sized bed with a quick tap to your ass. “Lay down and touch yourself for me...”

His honeyed voice instantly makes you feel needy as you fumble into the mattress, spreading your legs wide and slowly rubbing your clit as you watch Bucky strip. His skin is beautiful, scars and all... Immaculate is the best way you can describe him from his bulging muscles, chiseled abdomen... and his cock straining, already glistening at the tip. The noise that leaves your lips is involuntary and makes Bucky smile shyly as he removes his underwear. Bucky strides closer, keeping his eyes on your dripping cunt, “Oh, I love the sounds. Please keep them coming.”

He crawls over your body, completely overwhelming you with the heat, sight, and smell of him. Everything was now James Bucky Barnes, and it made you spread your legs wider for more. Bucky leans down, brushing your lips with his in a filthy kiss, “Tell me you want it, come on, Sweetheart... Please, I need to hear that sweet voice beg for me, for my cock…”

You feel yourself grinding on nothing just from the sound of his sweet desperation, “Bucky, please ... I need you... need you to fill me up…”

Bucky catches your hips in a bruising grip lifting them, forcing your back to arch as he lines up his thick length, “So good to me...” he says, almost in a daze, before his rubbing the tip of his cock up and down your slick before pushing into your tight cunt.

As Bucky's cock finally stretches you open, you wrap your arms tightly around his neck as the intense stretch makes you gasp in sweet agony. It's music to Bucky's ears as he takes his time pushing down each inch to the base, filling you completely. Your cunt clenches on his length, allowing you to feel every burning curve and vein as they rub your raw insides down to your cervix. The drooling tip of his cock licking against that tender spot inside you, forcing your toes to curl.

His thrust starts out as slow and soft before his breathing starts to pick up, and he slams his hips into you faster and faster. Your bed begins to squeak with a whine, but he keeps his pace steady and desperate for the sounds of your high-pitched moans as he moves in and out of your snug cunt.

Every thrust is hot and tingling as he alternates from fast and rough with his hand on your throat to soft, slow rolls of his hips hitting deep as he kisses you gently. It's all building to that familiar tensing you felt when he had you against the wall. Bucky starts to pick up his pace, holding your hip with one hand as the other grabs the metal frame, banging against the wall.

Your eyes roll from him being so deep, managing to open your eyes for a moment. You see Bucky flushed, with his eyes locked on yours, while he holds in his primal groans with each clench of your wet cunt. The sight makes you gasp, holding him tighter and bringing your legs to wrap around his waist. You move your hips in time with his thrust till your core starts to burn, and his groans form into delish moans that only strengthen your resolve to fuck against him faster.

Bucky's cock throbs as he kisses along your skin, his breath hot and frantic as it blows over your sweating skin. With a final thrust, you feel the white-hot wave of pleasure flood over you in an instant, It not only burns through your body but your mind as well till it is clouded in an orgasmic haze. Bucky shudders at the feeling of you cumming against his cock, with a moan that sounds almost like a whimper, his hips still, the throbbing more frantic like a heartbeat as you feel your cunt filled with thick squirts of cum. Looking up at him, so lost in his pleasure, he looks so soft, his eyes doe-like and lidded as his full lips are parted to allow him to gasp for short, stabilizing breaths. It's beautiful to see him this way.

You two stay still as you come down from your highs; Bucky slowly pulls out and lays his fevered body beside yours. He may not be in a full sweat... but there's definitely a sheen of it glazing his skin, and you feel pretty accomplished for wearing him down... even if it's only a little.

Bucky takes his time clearing the two of you up and getting you water. As he walks in with water for you, you notice he's brought in the book and the colorful tabs you lent him. He settles beside you, getting underneath the sheets and pulling you closer before opening the book where he left off; Bucky starts to read like you two didn't just have mind-blowing sex.

You keep watching him till he drifts his eyes from the pages to your face, "Yes?"

"You're really going to read right now? That's fine, but I'm surprised you're not exhausted."

Bucky laughs, "Well, I don't want to be late for our next meeting. Plus, this way, I can tab some more positions for us to try."

246 notes · View notes

bapeach · 3 days ago

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Valentine's Day

Anyone else suck at writing summaries for their stories? Anyways, happy belated Valentine's! I hadn't planned on writing a Valentine's related story, but here we are. Hope you all enjoy! Constructive criticism is always welcome :D Find my masterlist here :)

Pairing(s): Paige Bueckers x female!reader Word count: 4.8k+ Warnings: a bit clinché, swearing, long-distance Summary: Valentine's Day isn't so bad when you get to call with your long-distance best friend, except things don't really go the way you planned. You're not mad about it, though. ------------

Valentine's Day. A day loved by many and hated by even more.

You belonged in the latter category. Why did couples need an extra day to celebrate their relationship? Why would you require an extra day to be nice to your partner when you should do that any other day as well? The only thing this holiday does is make single people feel bad. You’re not bitter about it or anything, it’s just a fact, okay fine, you’re a little salty.

Today is another Valentine that you’re spending single, but this time at least you have plans! While most of your friends were going to be off on dates, you were going to be calling your long-distance best friend and making fun of the whole holiday. To say you were excited to talk to the girl was an understatement.

Being a student-athlete wasn’t easy, Paige had complained about her busy schedule enough for you to know. Not that she had to, you could tell how exhausted she was whenever she found a bit of time to call you between school, homework, and basketball. It saddened you to know the blonde was wearing herself out completely to be the perfect student while also making sure she’s the best basketball player she can be. She barely ever has time to relax, and you’re scared she’s going to give herself a burn-out.

You were glad Paige found time today to hang out with you. You’ve missed her more than you thought you could ever miss anyone, not having heard her voice in weeks and only having gotten short messages to let you know she’s still alive.

“Everyone is gonna be out and about on friday after practice so I’ll have the dorm to myself, FaceTime at 10:30?” Her message had read last Sunday, and you’d immediately agreed. While you knew the Valentine’s Day hangout was just a friendly hangout between best friends, you liked pretending it would be a date.

When you met Paige, you never thought you’d ever fall for her so deeply, let alone be such good friends with her. But here you were, 6 years later, with the biggest crush on her.

When your mom sent you to a random month-long summer camp when you were 16, you’d protested with your whole being. You’d much rather stay home, bundled up on the couch all summer, re-reading your favorite book series, not going to a random camp out in the wild. “You’ll learn so much stuff! And you’ll make friends for life!” She’d said, making you roll your eyes. You didn’t believe a word she’d said, knowing that even if you managed to make friends, you’d only talk to them for that summer and maybe a month after.

You didn’t meet Paige until a week into camp. Her cabin was nowhere near yours, and so you weren’t in the same activity groups as her. One of your roommates had met her one night when she couldn’t sleep and went on a walk. She said you two would get along well, but the more she talked about the blonde, the less likely it seemed to you.

While you were shy, loved staying in, let people walk all over you, and were a bit of a teacher’s pet, 16-year-old Paige was the complete opposite. She was outgoing and friendly, and she loved teasing people even when she didn’t know them. She preferred the outdoors, getting restless when she had to stay in and couldn’t play her sports. She loved breaking the rules and always seemed to get away with it too, her charisma being able to charm all the camp leaders.

When your cabinmate had called her over during dinner, you were incredibly intimidated by the taller girl. She towered over you with a big grin, her blue eyes wide and full of mischief. She was loud and immediately set her eyes on you when she noticed your quietness. When your friends had joked about how shy you were, she’d only grinned wider, saying she was going to get you to come out of your shell.

She managed to win you over a lot faster than you dared to admit. After that dinner, she was always able to spot you in the crowd, coming over to tease you or introduce you to more people. Within a week, you two were glued at the hip. She managed to do what she said she would, making you a little less afraid to speak your mind, while you were able to bring a calm to her that no one knew existed.

You swore saying goodbye to her at the end of camp was one of the hardest things you’d ever had to do. You were quite dramatic at times. Sadly, you’d been right about the not staying friends thing. You two sent each other two letters once camp was over and called five times before life got too busy with school, extracurriculars, and new friends. After that, you didn’t talk for two years.

The next time you saw her again, you thought you were dreaming. You were touring different universities and had just finished the UConn one. Paige had managed to get even taller, her muscles were more defined, and she’d finally found her style. You thought you were mistaken at first, but then her bright eyes found yours, and a wide smile made its way onto her face. She excused herself from the conversation she was in and jogged over to you, not letting you say more than a hi before pulling you into a hug. You let yourself fall into the comfortable, familiar feeling, sinking into her as you hug her back.

This time, when you two parted and said you’d stay in touch, you actually did. Sadly, you didn’t end up going to UConn, instead choosing a university over two hours away from the blonde. Keeping in contact was easier now that you were older and more mature. You called each other multiple times a month, texting almost daily, and even met up IRL whenever you could. You’d attended quite a few of her games, and she even surprised you on your birthday last year.

That birthday is your favorite one so far. Paige had surprised you with flowers and a book you’d been wanting for ages. She spoiled you like crazy that day, even staying the night at your dorm before having to go back to UConn. The day after was the day you realized you were head over heels for her. You became aware of the fact that the butterflies you felt in your stomach weren’t just from being excited at seeing your best friend, they were actually because you had a crush on her.

You never told her about your feelings, however. You figured she only saw you as a friend and knew that there were hundreds of girls throwing themselves at her feet, so why would she choose someone who didn’t even live in the same state as her?

You shake yourself out of your thoughts as you readjust yourself on your bed. Seeing it’s already 10:28, you open your camera to make sure you look okay. Patting down the flyaway hairs, you smile at your reflection. Closing the app, you grab your water bottle to take a sip and calm your growing nerves.

Knowing you’ll be even more nervous if you keep staring at the seconds tick by, you open TikTok and scroll on your FYP to pass the time. You quickly realize that wasn’t the best idea, seeing as there are only edits of Paige on your screen. Your face becomes a bright red as you watch the videos and save them all. You close the app after seeing an edit that makes you feel certain things, fanning your face as you try to get rid of your blush.

When you look at the time again, you shake your head in amusement. 10:35. In the years that you’ve known the blonde, there haven’t been many instances in which the girl has been on time. Usually, it bothers you to no end when someone is late. It makes you feel as though they don’t respect you enough to be on time. With the blonde, it’s different, however.

It’s cute to see her all flustered, apologizing again and again for her tardiness. It makes you laugh when she pouts at you, complaining about how her laptop had to do another update, how her alarm didn’t go off, or how Geno always has it out for her during the practices before a call. You grin when she leaves out the part where she was once again being a menace at practice, teasing her about it after Nika texts you to let you know Paige will be late and why.

You send her a quick text, asking if she managed to piss off Geno again, before checking to see if the Croatian had texted you anything. After another 5 minutes pass, you frown a little, slightly worried about the blonde. When your phone buzzes, you sit up straighter, fluffing up your hair a bit as you prepare to start the call. Grabbing your phone, you expect a “Sorry I’m late! You ready?” message, but you deflate instead.

“Hey, sorry I can’t call 2day, feeling exhausted, rain check?” It reads.

Of course, this isn’t the first time Paige has had to cancel on you. You understood that her busy schedule left her incredibly exhausted, and you knew she hated herself every time she had to cancel. Usually she pushed through, calling you anyway and falling asleep within 10 minutes of the call. She’d apologize profusely, a big frown on her face as her eyes turn a murky blue in sadness. You always told her you didn’t mind, you actually found it cute how her tired eyes would slowly blink at you before finally closing.

The fact that she actually canceled this time meant she didn’t feel good at all, so you let her know it was okay and that you’d talk soon. Once you wish her sweet dreams as she goes to take a nap, you close your laptop with more force than necessary.

While you typically wouldn’t mind all that much, you did this time. You missed her like crazy, you hadn’t had the easiest week, all your friends were out having fun, and to top it all off, you were about to have your period, making you even crankier than usual. You sit in silence for a moment as you try to blink away your tears. You press your palms to your eyes as you shake your head. Slapping your cheeks softly, you try to snap out of it. “Don’t be such a little baby,” you think to yourself.

You get up and stretch before pausing in the middle of the room. You look around a little lost, unsure of what to do now that your plans fell through. You bite your lip as you think about the tub of ice cream you left in your freezer for when you had a bad day. You pout as you realize you’ll spend yet another Valentine’s Day watching a cheesy movie that’ll make you cry into your ice cream.

Right as you’re about to open the freezer, you hear a knock at the door. You throw your head back, holding in a groan as you debate pretending no one is home. You knew it was most likely your roommate, who knew you were going to be home, having forgotten her keys again, so you make your way over to the door.

You take a quick peek into the mirror to check if your eyes look red from your mini breakdown, silently cursing when they do. Rolling your eyes at yourself, you open the door, ready to tell your roommate to not mention it.

You freeze as your jaw drops open. Paige is standing in the hallway, holding a bouquet of red roses and a big teddy bear, a wide smile carved on her face. “Surprise,” she says, her voice soft as she takes you in. You cover your mouth with your hand as tears well up in your eyes again. “Damn these hormones,” you think, blinking to make them go away.

Seeing your watery eyes, the blonde’s smile softens as she mutters a “C’mere.” You fall into her open arms, squeezing her tightly as you nuzzle your face into the crook of her neck. Paige leans her head against yours, pressing a gentle kiss against your temple. She slowly shuffles you backward into your dorm, using her foot to close the door behind her.

Once you realize the way you’re gripping onto her, you let her go, heat creeping up your face. You feel a bit embarrassed, but the feeling gets taken over by the happiness of finally being near the blonde again. “What’re you doing here?” You breathe out as you look at her in childlike wonder. “Wanted to spend Valentine’s with my favorite girl,” she replies, shoving the flowers and bear towards you. The butterflies in your stomach flutter around as you take the gifts with a wide smile, your cheeks bright red at the nickname.

You quickly put the flowers in a vase with some water before setting the teddy bear down on the couch. When you turn back towards Paige, you see her already staring at you with a soft look in her eyes. You skip back over to her, flinging yourself back into her arms, making her chuckle. “Thank you,” you mutter against her shirt, fondness seeping through in your voice.

You pull back slightly with a loving smile, looking up at her but not leaving her arms. She moves one hand away from your back, bringing it towards your face as she rubs your cheek. “Anything for you,” she mumbles as she takes in your face like she’s trying to memorize every bit of it. You can feel your face heat up, but you can’t look away. Your heart beats faster as you admire her, waiting to see what’s on her mind as you see different emotions swim around in her eyes.

Softly clearing her throat, she steps back nervously as she takes an envelope out of her pocket. She shifts her weight from foot to foot as she looks down at the envelope, her throat bobbing as she swallows harshly. “I, uh,” she starts, biting her lip before looking up at you with an anxious yet hopeful look. “This is for you,” she says, handing you the envelope. You raise an eyebrow at her as you ask, “What’s this?”

“Jus open it,” she says, fidgeting with her sleeve. You open the envelope tentatively, a little nervous at how anxious the usually confident girl is. Folding open the pink letter, you scan the page, smelling her perfume as if she sprayed it on the paper. You smile in adoration as you see the usual scribbly handwriting, this time a little less messy. Taking a quick glance at the girl, you see her rub her neck, nodding at you to read it. Your heart skips a beat as you read the words.

It’s… It’s a love confession.

You grip the paper a little tighter as you read about how Paige has had a crush on you for the past two years and how much you mean to her. Your eyes stay glued to the page until you reach the end. “Will you be my valentine?” The last sentence reads.

You look up at her in shock, excitement bubbling in your chest. The athlete is still looking at you, her eyes wide and hopeful. “Really?” You whisper, not wanting to break the intimate atmosphere. She nods her head as she bites her lip shyly. A broad smile spreads across your face as you nod enthusiastically. “Yes!” You say, your voice a bit higher as you’re unable to contain your joy.

“Yeah?” Paige grins, her confident, cheerful self showing again. She grabs you again, lifting you up as she twirls you around. You can’t help the laugh that escapes your lips at the giddiness you’re feeling. “Okay, uhh, I’ve made dinner plans for tonight, but I was thinking we could just chill here for a bit and then go get lunch in that cute little café we went to last time I was here!” The blue-eyed girl beams.

You’re already nodding your head before she finishes her sentence, knowing you’d do anything with the girl. Seeing as you still have some time before you need to start getting ready, you drag the basketball player to your couch. You let her sit down first before settling down next to her and swinging your legs over her lap. You’d been in this position plenty of times before, but those times never felt as intimate as this time.

Your heart thrums in your chest as Paige immediately rests her hands on your legs, rubbing them softly as she relaxes into her seat. You hold your new teddy bear against your chest as you watch the blonde fondly. Catching you staring, she sends you a smirk, making you look down with a chuckle.

“So, how’d you manage to get coach to let you skip practice?” You ask, your head tilted in question. “Oh, that was easy, he loves me, so he said he’d let me skip for once,” she replies smoothly. You huff out a laugh as she says that, mischief clear in her eyes. “You’re such a liar,” you grin back. “Okay, okay, maybe that’s not exactly how it went,” she rolls her eyes playfully. You look at her triumphantly as she gives your leg a little squeeze, more amused than annoyed that you caught her. “He said I could skip, but that my next practice is gonna be extra hard.”

You look at her in amusement but also slight worry. “You didn’t have to do this, you know? I would’ve been happy with just a phone call. I don’t want you to work yourself to the point of passing out,” you reply, your brows furrowed slightly in concern. She shakes her head, bringing one hand to your face to smooth out your frown. “I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. Besides, I think I would’ve gone insane if I didn’t see you soon,” she says, her voice more vulnerable than you’re used to.

Your lips curve back into a smile as she continues. “And stop worrying about me so much, I’m okay. If things get too much, I’ll let you know, I promise.” She sticks out her pinky finger, grinning at you as you interlace yours with hers.

You two keep talking until it’s time to get ready for lunch. Seeing as Paige is already dressed, you leave her on your couch as you walk up to your closet to pick a nice outfit before running to the bathroom to put yourself together. Once you’re satisfied, you return to the couch, blushing as you see the blonde check you out. You raise your eyebrow and send her a teasing grin, letting her know you caught her. She simply sends you a smirk back as she gets up.

There’s not a moment of silence on the way to the café as you two talk about the latest things in your lives. You talk about classes, basketball, family, friends, and the weird dreams you’ve had. The conversation continues to flow during lunch and into the afternoon as you walk around the city with Paige. A smile is permanently etched into your face as you stroll around with your hand in the blonde’s. While her hand is a bit rough from playing so much basketball, it’s still very soft. She rubs her thumb across your knuckles as she animatedly talks about the shenanigans she’s been up to with the team.

When you stop for ice cream, you order your favorite flavor before noticing Paige taking another flavor you love. It confuses you a little, knowing she doesn’t really like it, but you don’t really pay any mind to it as you continue rambling about what your professor did last class. When you sit down, you enjoy your ice cream as you listen to the girl in front of you. She takes small bites in between sentences, making her still have half of it left when you’re done with yours. As she talks, she starts feeding you some of her cup, making you smile at how cheesy you two are being. You don’t mind, though, this is exactly what you’d dreamed of.

When you notice the blonde isn’t eating her ice cream anymore, only feeding you, you go to protest. You don’t get the chance to, however, as the girl knew what you were up to. She quickly shoves another spoonful into your mouth when you open it to speak, rolling your eyes playfully. She grins as she shrugs a little.

Once you two are done, you walk back towards your dorm, silently thanking your roommate for having her own plans and not being home. Once inside, you guide the blonde to your bed, plopping down as you put on a random show for background sounds. You spend hours talking about everything and nothing, laughing harder than you have in months.

“So, this dinner, where are we going?” You ask Paige as you crane your neck up from where you’re lying against her. She pretends to lock her mouth and throw away the key, making you roll your eyes. “You’re so unhelpful, y’know that?” She laughs, knowing it’s true. “Can you at least tell me what the vibe is? Do I need to dress fancy?” You question as you get up and walk over to your closet. You rifle through your options as the athlete speaks. “Semi-formal, I guess,” she shrugs, getting up herself. “Where are you going?” You ask as she starts walking towards the door.

“Gonna grab my bag from my car, I’m not going to dinner in this outfit,” she replies, making you nod in understanding. Once she’s gone, you pause for a moment, pinching yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming. When you know for sure you’re not, you let out an excited squeal before calming yourself down and getting ready. Once you’re dressed, you sit down in front of your mirror to apply some light make-up.

You hear Paige walk back in, having borrowed your keys, as you’re applying mascara. Once you’re done, you look at her through the mirror and send her a bashful smile. She doesn’t smile back, too enthralled by your beauty. You shake your head as you giggle, grabbing your lip gloss. You lean in a bit closer to the mirror, applying a thin layer of gloss to make your lips shine. You glance over at Paige, seeing her eye the applicator as you glide it across your lips. She swallows harshly when you make eye contact, looking away sheepishly as she walks over to get ready in the bathroom.

You scroll through Instagram as you wait for the blonde, liking the Valentine’s Day posts from your friends. When you hear the bathroom door open, you glance up, your throat going dry. Paige always looked gorgeous, but right now, you think she’s never looked better. She smiles softly at you as you take her in. She doesn’t tease you about the way you’re basically drooling over her, knowing she��s just as enamored.

“You look beautiful,” she says, grabbing your hand and giving it a soft squeeze. “Says you,” you grin with rosy cheeks. Her eyes twinkle with happiness as she leads you to the door. “Oh, one sec!” You mutter, running back towards your dresser to grab something. You quickly put the tiny box in your bag before walking back over to Paige. “Alright, I’m ready,” you say, rocking back and forth in excitement.

You walk towards the taller girl’s car in comfortable silence, your hand in hers, fingers interlinked. You let her open the passenger door for you, chuckling at her as she gives you a bow. “M’lady,” she tries to say seriously, but she can’t stop the smile growing on her face. “You’re such a dork,” you reply as you get in, hoping she doesn’t notice the bright color of your cheeks.

Once you two are on the road, Paige takes one hand off of the steering wheel, putting her arm on the center console. You look at it for a moment before grabbing her hand and interlacing your fingers once more. You take a peek at the blonde to see her reaction and feel your stomach flutter when you see her sporting a tiny, content smile.

Once you get to the restaurant, you look around in awe. It was beautiful. You still can’t believe that all of this is real. That Paige Bueckers, your best friend, is taking you out on a date and treating you like a queen. Your cheeks hurt from how much you’ve been smiling all day.

You two share a bottle of wine as you enjoy your food, letting one another taste each other’s dishes, grinning when you find the other’s food better. You giggle as you switch your plates around, not paying any mind to the looks you’re receiving. After finishing your meal, you order dessert, sharing the sweet treat, feeling pretty full from dinner.

Once you’re done, Paige pulls out a wrapped box with a tiny ribbon bow. For a moment you’re confused where it came from, but you quickly dismiss your confusion. “Paige, you didn’t have to get me anything! You’ve already paid for everything today,” you whine, feeling bad about how much the girl is spending on you. “Oh hush,” she says, “I love spoiling my girl.” “Your girl, huh?” You tease with a grin. She rolls her eyes lightheartedly. “Open itttt,” she says impatiently.

You giggle as you open it, letting out a gasp as you see the bracelet inside. “Paige…” you breathe out, “this is beautiful.” “Yeah? You like it?” She asks, hoping you’re speaking the truth. You nod eagerly, flashing her a toothy smile as you brush your thumb over the P charm. “I was scared it would be too possessive, giving you something with my initial on it for our first date,” she admits, scratching her temple. “I love it, P,” you say, letting her help you put it on.

You grab your bag, pulling out your own gift box. “You didn’t,” Paige grins as you hand it to her. “I did,” you grin back. “How? You didn’t even know I was coming today,” she asks, giving you a curious look. “I got this a while back and was just waiting for the perfect moment to give it to you,” you say, your heart drumming in your ears as you nervously wait for her reaction. Her face lights up at the sight of the new chain you’d gotten her. She lifts it out of the box, letting it shine in the dim restaurant lights.

She taps the tiny basketball pendant as it swings on the chain. The blonde sends you a radiant smile, her eyes shining with love. “Thank you,” she says, adoration clear in her voice. You raise one finger, making her pause. You rummage in your bag, grabbing a tiny plastic bag, before handing it to her with a smirk. She holds it close, laughing as she realizes what it is. Opening the bag, she grabs the tiny charm, twirling it between her fingers. “I see we had the same idea,” she smiles, her cheeks becoming a soft pink at the thought of wearing your initial on her neck.

You help her put it on before waving over the waiter for the bill. You begrudgingly let Paige pay, knowing you’d never win that fight against her. You hold her hand as you walk towards her car, squeezing it softly. Your heart feels like it’s going to burst with joy and adoration. Once you reach the car, you look at the taller girl as she pauses.

Her eyes flit over your face as she softly grabs your hips. She steps closer, gently pushing you against the car. She leans in closer, her eyes looking into yours with a questioning look. Your heart skips a beat as you nod lightly. The blue-eyed girl leans even closer, her lips hovering over yours for a moment to give you an extra second to change your mind. When you don’t, she presses her lips against yours in a slow but deep kiss. You grab her face, trying to pull her even closer as you close your eyes. After a minute, you pull away slightly to catch your breath. You move your hands towards her neck as you play with her baby hairs. The smile she sends you makes you weak in the knees, making you silently thank God that you’re leaning against the car.

“Be mine?” Paige breathes, her question sounding almost like a statement. You don’t need to think twice as you nod, pulling her into another kiss.

You know it won’t be easy, being in a relationship while you’re miles apart, but you know that it’s all worth it when you get to call this amazing girl yours.

#paige bueckers x reader #paige x reader #paige bueckers oneshot #paige bueckers #paige bueckers x you #oneshot #imagine #uconn huskies #uconn wbb #wlw fanfic #bapeach writes

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neuronary · 2 days ago

Note

#The Chase is them chasing him all over the Earth Kingdom#Azula meanwhile keeps getting thoughts about being the best and Earth Rumbles. only one of these is abnormal.#I'm sure that'll be fine#atla#avatar the last airbender#platonic brain polycule let's goooo#Zuko#Sokka#Aang#the gaang

I haven't touched a:tla in years but if there's one thing MuffinLance can do it's inspire me.

---

Azula keeps dreaming that she is blind.

It's strange, not least because when she dreams it it does not seem strange in the slightest, but it has alerted her to a weakness, and she cannot abide weaknesses.

The servants never question her (they are too afraid of her, which is meant to feel good but mostly feels twisty in the very depths of her stomach like if she thinks of Mai and Ty Lee for too long) so she is almost always left to her own devices. She knows they watch her, think her strange, as she wanders the palace halls, a blindfold over her face, tracing the walls until she has mapped every corner.

She'll know it better than the face in the mirror when she's finished. Better than her hands, which are her father's, and her hair, which is her mother's. This will be her's.

---

"Okay, what the fuck," Toph says, upon sitting up.

"Language," The Boulder says tiredly. "C'mon, I told you guys to watch it around her."

"Are you, alright, Bandit?" Headhunter asks. "This is the third time this week."

"I'm fine," Toph grumbles, because she is fine, she just keeps randomly falling asleep when she usually stays up way later and it's annoying more than anything.

"Maybe you should--" the Gecko begins. He is cut off by Toph hurling rocks at him.

---

It's good. Mai and Ty Lee are with her again and it's good. They're hers and she's finally got them back and that's good.

Azula ignores the little voice in her head that thinks that's sort of fucked up. That is decidedly not hers and therefore none of her concern.

---

Toph is pretty sure you can't own people. Or at least, if you do, it's very bad. That's not how having friends works. Except she finally has friends, for the first time in her whole life, and she's not totally sure it counts.

There's something... off. It's like she's always standing on the outside of their little circle. Like there's always something they're not telling her. Like the feeling of someone else shifting the earth beneath her feet before she wrenches it back from them.

She doesn't like it.

Maybe they're not her friends, because they're clearly not hers.

She throws more rocks at the Avatar and doesn't think about it.

---

When Azula dreams of her brother's faceless voice, it is not unusual; she doesn't know what he looks like anymore, although she can guess. When she dreams of him laughing, easily, surrounded by friends, it is unusual.

Mai and Ty Lee are there when she sleeps, sometimes uncontrollably. They both seem to understand that the world has changed for her, with the shifting of the ground and the sounds of the air singing far more than the visual cues she used to rely upon.

She can't trust anyone, she knows that. But if she could, she would trust them. Them, and the little voice in the back of her head that is definitely not hers.

---

Toph cannot see when she is awake and she cannot see when she dreams. That is what it means to be blind.

"What troubles you, young earthbender?" Uncle asks. Everyone just calls him 'Uncle' even though he's only Zuko's and nobody bothered telling her his name. Well. She's not going to ask.

Toph cannot see when she dreams her own dreams but sometimes. Sometimes she dreams of calligraphy brushes and play scrolls and classrooms and somehow she recognises them.

(Sometimes, she dreams of a long platform and two figures and flames and sometimes she is frozen and sometimes she screams and screams until everything is blue.) (She shouldn't even know what blue is.)

"Nothing," Toph says, flicking her foot and sending a rock the size of Uncle's stomach flying.

"What the hell, Toph?" the others all demand in perfect unison.

"Nothing," she repeats, soundless underneath their shared laughter.

Uncle's heartbeat thumps worried.

Toph ignores him.

---

"You can go home," Azula says after waking, feeling sick at herself and shaky. She cannot abide weakness. "You can go home, if you want. I'm not keeping you here."

"Why would I want to do that?" Mai drawls, picking underneath her nails with one of her knives.

Ty Lee smiles sympathetically. "Are you having nightmares?" The 'again' is silent.

"No," Azula lies, because one truth is one too many and she cannot abide weakness.

"We're not going home," Ty Lee agrees after a moment. "Where would be the fun in that?"

Azula should simply nod, accepting their loyalty, act as though it was a test. She feels sand in her throat at the thought. "Good," she says, half her voice, half another.

"Go back to sleep, you two," Mai grumbles, "or do you want to take my watch?"

When Azula dreams, she dreams of their days at the Royal Academy, before things were complicated and the worst part of her life was her mother's complaints. She dreams of Mai and Ty Lee and a girl in green who smiles as wide as Ty Lee and laughs twice as loud.

---

These people are nothing to you, it occurs to Toph as Aang shouts at her, like it's her fault they all left her to guard everything, like they didn't all leave her outside the library just like they leave her on the outside of everything else. Her hands are almost shaking with the rage that builds up in her, half hers, half another's, but all there, tight in her chest.

"How could you abandon him?" Aang cries.

The snap is more mental than audible.

"How could I do anything else?" Toph screams back. "How am I supposed to know what to do when none of you tell me anything?! Would you rather I let all of the rest of you get buried in that stupid library? Would that have just been a convenient way to get rid of me? Don't think I can't tell that you all hide things from me! What, is it some kind of signal the stupid little blind girl can't see? Well, this little blind girl saved all of your lives, so maybe you should be a little grateful! Maybe I shouldn't even bother with any of you!"

She hates them, all of them, with their stupid inside jokes, and their stupid expectations, and their stupid secret language she can't see.

They're all idiots, clearly. They hang around with Zuzu.

They apologise, after a while, because she's right, and they promise they didn't mean to exclude her.

"It's just that we've all got this spooky spirit psychic link," Sokka explains, a few days later. "We can kind of hear each others' thoughts and see each others' dreams. It's weird."

They can see each others' dreams. Huh.

"Huh," Toph says.

---

Azula dreams of the Fire Lord condemning her failure. She dreams of flames. She dreams of watching Zuko burn and being Zuko burning and of screaming. It's a familiar scene, up until it isn't.

Suddenly, as she dreams of being Zuko, burning because she failed, she dreams instead of the earth bursting forth to crush the Fire Lord. She dreams of him vanishing down, deep underground. She dreams of walls of earth and mud and stone rising between them, of flames bouncing helplessly off rocks.

She dreams of great beasts that make the earth rumble and feel more like home than the palace ever did.

When she wakes up, Mai and Ty Lee are watching her with a frown.

No matter how strange her dreams become, Azula knows reality. She has no choice.

"We're going to get into Ba Sing Se," she says, "and we're going to kill the Avatar."

---

Ba Sing Se is awful, just like Toph thought it would be. Everybody is still keeping things from her, and it hurts regardless of whether or not they mean it.

She's been having nightmares, too. Or, rather, the girl whos dreams she's seeing is having nightmares, and Toph can't seem to help all that much. She wishes she could do more, could save the girl's brother, but the fear paralyses her almost as badly as it paralyses her dreammate. It's all she can do to protect this girl, this firebender who is deathly afraid of the Fire Lord.

"Toph?" says Sokka. "We're going out to put up the Appa posters. Don't forget to bring a snack."

Toph grabs at the fruit bowl and comes away with an orange. She scowls and shoves it in her pocket; she's never been able to peel oranges properly. It's still in her pocket when she is captured.

---

They won't bother to rescue me, comes the thought, bitter and resigned and very much not her's.

They'll take too long to even notice that I'm gone.

Azula pauses her planning. It's taken some time to understand, but she's fairly certain that the voice in her head, the girl in green from her dreams, and the earthbender guarding her nightmares are one and the same. This is just the last piece of the puzzle.

"Mai," she says quietly, considering. "Ty Lee. Would you leave me for a moment? I need to meditate."

They share a look, concerned, that makes her fond in a way she wouldn't have been before this, but they leave.

---

These people are nothing, the other girl in Toph's head reassures her through her panic. What people say is impossible is nothing for people like us.

She breathes. In, and out, like the badgermoles taught her (like her father taught her).

Toph stands up and feels for the earth, for the parts of it that remain, no matter what is done to it.

Toph breathes, and stands up, and bends metal.

Anything is possible.

---

Azula watches the earthbender listen to the Avatar's sky bison leave, the beating of its limbs through the air above them roaring like a great flame.

Uncle Iroh twists to look at her, already trapped by the Dai Li. "Toph," he says, warningly, and the tone reminds Azula of every time he scolded her for retaliating against Zuko, every time he sided with her mother, every time he told her that's not a lady's way. In any case, the earthbender ignores him and turns to trudge towards them, shoving a hand into her pocket as she goes.

When she stops in front of Azula, she's holding out an orange.

"I think this is for you," the earthbender says.

You're mine, she thinks. You're mine to protect, like I'm yours, aren't I?

Azula takes the orange. "Yes," she says. "Yes, I think you're right."

Some spirit manages to get the gaang and zuko a link that connects their minds. They can share thoughts and their past with each other.

Tweaking this to “and they share dreams” because that’s how I started writing it.

---

“Okay,” Sokka says, wrapping his sleeping bag around himself, and grabbing a comfort Momo, too. “Who’s dream was that?”

No one ‘fesses up. But it was kind of a rude question, and also a little rhetorical, anyway.

They all have nightmares with fire.

Having the Fire Lord himself looming over them, while they were on their knees? Not exactly a stretch.

---

“Okay,” Sokka says, “how does Prince Jerkface keep finding us?”

---

“Okay,” Sokka says, “how did he know that seal jerky seasoned just right with honey—not too much, just enough to add a sparkle of sweetness to the depths of savoriness, a perfect balance for the distinguished tongue to relish—was the perfect bait for his Sokka and Sokka-affliated-parties trap?”

“Maybe if you stop dreaming about it, Sokka,” Katara snaps.

...And they all stop.

---

“I’m going to think really really hard about being friends,” Aang says.

“I’m going to think really really hard about that time my boomerang hit him,” says Sokka.

---

Snatching the boomerang out of midair? Impressive.

Ignoring the Avatar to go hit Sokka with it? Repeatedly? Uncalled for.

---

“Sokka. The city is under attack. Right now.”

“Okay,” Sokka says. “But this is a strategic nap, Katara. We need to know what evil things our Evil Other is up to.”

It’s not like the evil fleet part was a surprise, at least. They’ve been dreaming of it for weeks.

---

“Okay,” Sokka says, looking down. “So the ship-blowing-up-thing. Not a nightmare?”

“No,” says Zuko, glaring up with his glare-face all glare-ful but his thoughts mostly full of bruises so deep they’re making Sokka’s ribs ache, and also his legs are going numb.

“Going to get out of the turtle-seal tunnel now?” Sokka asks, still standing over the opening. With his boomerang.

“...No,” the Prince of the Fire Nation says, as he clings onto the edge of the hole, his legs still very much in freezing water.

---

“Okay,” Sokka says, when they have a Fire Prince all tied up in Blankets of Imprisonment. “So. What actually was your plan here? Do not,” he interrupts, before the teenage-shaped bloodhound-leech can do more than open his mouth, “say ‘capture the Avatar.’”

The prince closes his mouth. Glares. And kind of fuzzes at the edges, in the way all of them do when they’re about to fall asleep.

BOOMERANG, Sokka thinks, and Prince Largely Ineffective As An Enemy jerks back upright. His Momo hat chitters a complaint.

“Since we both know your answer is ‘I had no plan, Sokka, ‘plan’ starts with ‘p’ and there’s no ‘p’ in ‘Avatar’’, we’re going to play a game instead. It’s called ‘sleepy prince free association interrogation time.’”

“...What?”

“Battle plans,” Sokka says. “Attack. Fire Navy fleet. Ship numbers.”

Alas, “Fire Nation intelligence” is not something with which the prince’s brain is overly burdened.

“...Are you insulting me?”

“Are you proving my point?”

Elsewhere, Yue laughs in all their heads. Zuko flinches. The prince has a very marked reaction to the laughter of princesses.

---

“Okay,” says Sokka. “So that just happened.”

Commander Mutton Chops is groaning. Kind of flopping. Much like the bag he tried to fireball. Yue picks it up, and gently wrangles a fish back into water. Sokka is still not clear on what the fish-napping was about.

“It’s the Moon,” Aang says. “Or maybe the Ocean?”

Aang’s thoughts are full of a FACE STEALING EVIL CENTIPEDE MONSTER THAT IS JUST ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE THIN VEIL OF REALITY and that is NOT helping Sokka think.

“Okay,” he says again. “So. At least we can all agree on one thing.”

This is a very diplomatic way of saying they all wanted to dropkick Zhao. But some of them wanted to do it more than others.

The prince of the Fire Nation is even paler than normal, and staring across the clearing at his uncle.

“I can explain,” the prince says, while he’s thinking, oh shit treason oh crap uncle wouldn’t hurt me thought that about father too

Sokka wordlessly plucks Momo from the edge of the pond, where he’s been swiping at the spirit-fish, and drops him on the prince’s head.

Everyone needs a comfort Momo, now and again.

---

“A raft, Zuko?” Sokka says. Outloud. Because it makes things louder when you say it and think it. “A raft?”

Aang is bouncing on his toes. “We should go get him.”

The Avatar is grinning. And thinking, really hard and deliberately, as behind them the Water Tribe ship finishes packing, We should capture the Fire Prince,

“Okay,” Sokka says, with a grin.

#and then toph gets a life changing field trip to the fire nation with her new brain buddy #and this ends about as well as you'd expect #the fire lord is no match for the melon lord

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demonic0angel · 3 days ago

Note

For whatever reasons, Jazz becomes Damian's foster parent for about a year.

(May I introduce you to the ‘Damian grows up as a Fenton’ AU? XD However, this ask won’t be related to that AU)

Damian felt cold.

“… I’m going back?”

Bruce frowned. “Yes. Of course, you’re going back to Gotham.”

Damian could not help the glance that he took by his side, where the presence of Jazz was absent. Bruce had caught him while he was out with friends, and he had been forced into a conversation with his father for the first time in a year.

Yes, a year. A year since he had been tossed out of the manor for “protection” and put into foster care. It had been hell at first, but Jazz was the most patient, rewarding, and kindest person he had ever met, possibly even above Alfred or Richard.

And now he would be separated from her again.

Damian was silent before he then said slowly, “I see.” Shadow brushed against his legs, ever watching with its wide eyes and Damian could see Bruce recoil at the sight of the strange dog. He resisted a smile and then reached downwards to pick them up. “When am I expected to be leaving?”

“In a week,” Bruce said, grimacing. “We’ll talk to your… guardian and thank her for her assistance.”

Yes. Because taking care of him and showing him proper familial love was merely assistance.

Damian’s eyes were half lidded. “I see.”

Bruce stared at him and opened his mouth. But after a moment, he didn’t say anything and then just turned around to leave. Damian watched him go and when he was assured that no one was looking, looked down at Shadow and said, “Take me back to Jazz.”

Shadow did so with a whoosh of its powers and Damian dropped into the kitchen, where Jazz stood in front of the stove, blinking at the sight of him.

“Damian!” She said, beaming at him, cheerful as ever. “Welcome home! Are you hungry? Go wash your hands, I tried making potato soup today.”

Damian gently lowered Shadow to the ground and then strode over to throw himself into Jazz’s embrace, wrapping his arms around her and burying his face into her stomach. She startled but then quickly dropped to the ground in a squat, holding him carefully.

“What’s wrong, Damian? Did something happen? Do you want to talk about it?” She continued holding him in a hug and her vanilla-ocean fragrance was a comfort as always.

“…. My father approached me. He wants me to go back and he said that he’ll talk to you.”

Jazz froze. Then carefully, she asked, “Do you want to go back?”

Did he?

He loved being Robin and in a way, he had loved his siblings. They had pushed for him to stay but Bruce’s orders had been absolute and whatever he had said to them seemed to have reluctantly convinced them to let Damian go. They still secretly visited and sent him photos on the occasion, but Damian did not miss Gotham City.

He liked being here. He liked the schools here. He liked the curricular courses and the many ghosts. He liked his new friends and being a civilian and walking around town to find blob ghosts and get ice cream on the weekend with his foster uncles and aunts. He liked Shadow and Danny and Dante and Ellie and Samantha and Tucker and everyone else.

And most of all, he liked being with Jazz.

“……… no,” he said reluctantly and then the flood broke through the dam. Jazz never judged him for his acts of weaknesses, and even now, all she did was wrap her arms around him and pull him into a cradled hug, stroking his hair and back as he sobbed into her shoulder.

He couldn’t help but admit quietly, “I want to be here with you.”

The admission burned but it was true. He had never been happier than when he was with Jazz.

Jazz didn’t pull back, only squeezing him tighter. “Then I’ll fight for you. Whatever it takes, alright? You can stay here with me, as long as you want, Dami.”

Damian nodded, tears still flowing from his eyes as he felt the comforting press of Shadow against his side and Jazz’s hold completely encompassing him. He ducked his head into her neck and went slack. She took all of his weight and just held him like he was a babe, tightly, securely, protectively.

The words, ‘I’ll fight for you,’ were a comfort and a promise that he had never gotten before.

But oddly enough, he completely believed in it.

#dpxdc #dcxdp #dp x dc #dc x dp #danny phantom x dc #dp x dc crossover #ask #anon ask #jazz fenton #damian wayne #jazz + damian duo #jazz has a shadow friend #ty for the ask <3

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v4mpire45 · 1 day ago

Text

The Things He Doesn't Know — K. Bakugo

This is a series, so other parts will be here!

☞ Link: Part 1, Part 2, Part 4.

Bakugo x Jealous female reader

Synopsis: When you realize you're in love with your childhood best friend, but force you're feeling's down for the sake of your friendship.

Author's note: Reader is on the verge of crashing out. I low-key felt like she was doing too much while writing this, so if anyone agrees, I'll tone it down. But I live for drama so 🤷🏾‍♀️.

P.S: I'm sorry if you didn't get added to the taglist. I went through my comments, and anyone who asked got added!

The sun beats down on your skin as you lounge in a chair, barely paying attention to the pool party happening around you. Class 2-A is celebrating the start of summer and the end of exams, and everyone seems to be having a great time.

Everyone except you.

You swear, if you have to watch Kimiko flirt with Bakugo one more time, you might actually start pulling your hair out.

Could she be any more desperate?

And now she’s roped Kirishima into her little plan, which is just great. Even worse? He seems excited to help.

Does he actually ship them together? Why does it feel like everyone wants them to be a couple? What’s so special about Kimiko and Bakugo being together?

Yeah, sure, they’re both fearless, confident, competitive, but hasn’t anyone heard of opposites attract? If anything, Bakugo should be with someone like—

"Y/N!"

You jolt out of your thoughts.

"What?!" you snap, snapping your head toward the voice.

"Chill, girl!" Sero raises his hands in surrender. "Iida wanted us to grab some pool equipment from the equipment shed."

You sigh, trying to calm down. Lately, you’ve been so on edge, and at this rate, you’re going to drive yourself insane.

"Couldn’t he have asked anyone else?"

"Well, you know Iida," Sero shrugs. "Now c’mon, I’m not doing it alone."

You throw one last glance toward Kimiko and Bakugo, where, of course, Kimiko is practically draped over him, laughing at something he said, before pushing yourself up and following Sero to the equipment shed.

As soon as you step inside, Sero glances at you. "You’ve been real moody lately. What’s up?"

"Nothing," you say grabbing a ball a little too aggressively.

"See what I mean?" He gestures toward you.

You let out another sigh, picking up a pool float. "I just… I—"

You hesitate. A part of you wants to spill everything, the frustration, the jealousy, the fact that you’ve been so in love with Bakugo for what feels like forever. That watching Kimiko throw herself at him is driving you insane. But instead, you force the words back down.

"Nothing. I’m just tired, y’know?"

Sero doesn’t look convinced, but he doesn’t push.

Then, you hear it, Kimiko’s laugh.

Your body stiffens. Instinctively, you peek around the shed.

And there it is.

Kimiko is laughing, holding onto Bakugo’s shoulder like she belongs there. But that’s not what makes your stomach twist.

It’s Bakugo himself.

He’s smiling.

Not a smirk, not his usual cocky grin, an actual smile. Small, almost unnoticeable, but it’s there.

And it hurts.

You don’t even know why it hurts. It’s stupid. He’s allowed to smile. He’s allowed to like people. It’s just…

Smiling isn’t his thing.

It’s something he only does around certain people. And now Kimiko is one of them?

Is she really getting through to him?

Before you realize it, your vision blurs. A lump rises in your throat, and suddenly, tears are spilling down your cheeks.

No. No, no, no. You have no reason to be crying. This is ridiculous. You should not be reacting like this. You're acting like a child who lost their favorite toy.

But you can’t stop.

Your hands tremble, and before you can think, you drop the equipment and turn to the nearest person. You grab onto them like a lifeline, burying your face in their chest as the tears keep falling.

Sero freezes. "Whoa—Y/N?!"

He hesitates, clearly confused, but after a second, his arms wrap around you, one hand rubbing soothing circles on your back.

The emotions you’ve been bottling up burst out of you. At first, it’s just incoherent rambling, but then Sero catches the words between your choked sobs...

"I’m so in love with him it hurts."

You grip his shirt tighter.

"In love with who?" Sero asks gently.

You squeeze your eyes shut. The words on the tip of your tongue, but you can’t stop them now.

"K-Katsuki… I’m so in love with him, and it hurts so much. I want to tell him, but I can’t, not with Kimiko everywhere!"

You pull away, horrified at yourself. God, what did you just do?

"I—I’m so sorry, Sero. I don’t know why I just laid that on you. This is so embarrassing—"

"Hey, hey, it’s alright," he reassures, motioning for you to sit down against the shed. You do, pressing your palms against your eyes, trying to suppress your tears.

Sero sits next to you with a sigh. "So… you like Bakubro, huh?"

You groan, burying your face in your hands. "Yeah… don’t tell anyone?"

"I wouldn’t dare." He leans his head back against the shed. "Mind if I admit something too?"

You glance at him. "Go ahead, I guess."

There’s a pause. Then, he mutters, "I actually like Kimiko."

Your head snaps toward him. "You like WHO?!"

Sero huffs a laugh. "Damn, girl, you were just crying, and now you’re shocked?"

You nudge him, still staring in disbelief. "You actually like Kimiko? Like, for real?"

"Don’t act so surprised. She’s funny as hell, smart, ambitious. And absolutely gorgeous, but that’s just a bonus," he says with a lopsided grin, that same lovestruck look crossing his face that Kimiko gets when she talks about Bakugo.

You shake your head. "Wow." You scoff. "Does anyone else know?"

"Nah. You’re the first I told. Does anyone know you like Bakugo?"

You shake your head, leaning back against the shed. "Nah. You're the first I told."

A moment of silence passes between you two. Then, Sero chuckles.

"Guess we’re both just a couple of lovestruck losers, huh?"

You huff out a weak laugh, staring up at the bright blue sky.

"For sure."

Tags: @pet1t3 @anon-mouse223 @tsukikoxo @nepenthes-things @hakkoyo @ita606 @raeroowrites

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callsign-rogueone · 2 days ago

Text

vigil

Sawyer Henrick x reader (Peach!) words: 2.0k 🏷️: end of iron flame spoilers — our poor boy 🥺 time skip, so they’re back at the school now. descriptions of his injury, mentions of intrusive thoughts / ocd, Ridoc being the sweetest and looking out for his bestie’s girl <3 here marks the end of iron flame for them!! future chapters will have spoilers for onyx storm, whenever I get around to finishing it.

“Come back to me,” you whisper into the collar of his flight jacket. “Please.”

His lips brush against your temple as he speaks. “Always. I will always come back to you.”

You linger there a moment, knowing that this may be the last time you’ll ever hold each other. You aren’t ready to let go. You probably won’t ever be. How many times will you relive this moment? Will it ever hurt any less, or get any easier?

It shouldn’t, really.

“Hey,” he says softly, pulling back and tilting your chin up to look at him, brushing a stray tear from your cheek. “I’ll be okay. We all will.”

You nod, trying to convince yourself that he’s right. He and his friends will stick together -- and they’re all powerful. They can fight whatever’s out there, and win. That’s what they’ve been preparing for this whole time.

“I love you,” you manage, swallowing the rest of your tears.

He drops a kiss to your forehead. “I love you too. I’ll find you when it’s over, okay?”

Another nod.

You don’t know what else to say. There are no words for this situation, nothing that will make this situation any better for either of you.

You stand there another moment, trying to commit the sight of the other person to memory: how the first light of day brings out the red in his hair, the hilt of the sword he wears across his back, and the grooves he made there that fit his hands perfectly, the flight goggles perched on the top of his head… the pale blue of your healer’s robes and how they contrast against your skin, the flower necklace that peeks out from the collar, and the tidy hairstyle you default to every day…

He’s the first to turn away.

It’s agonizing to watch him leave, but it may very well be the last time you see him — so you stand there, until he crosses the bridge back into his quadrant and slips into a crowd of identically dressed riders, out of reach and out of sight.

All you can do for him now is pray. You close your eyes, beginning a silent plea to Amari and her husband — that’s interrupted by a familiar, but irritating voice.

“Look what the cat dragged in.”

You freeze, turning to see Helen, one of the senior healers, who for some reason absolutely despises you. “Ma’am,” you begin, unsure how to continue.

“Is this profession a joke to you?”

“No, of course not,” you answer. “I…”

“Disappearing for a month without as much as a note, leaving all your responsibilities and schoolwork behind to go chase after a boy? If it was up to me, and we didn’t need all hands on deck today, you’d be leaving this infirmary in shackles.”

How the fuck are you supposed to respond to that? Does she want you to beg her to forgive you, or is she content to watch you blink at her like this, too stunned to form words?

“Lowen! I need you.”

You look at her another moment before you come back to your senses, looking in the direction of the voice. “Coming!”

You round the corner, squeaking in surprise when you’re tugged into a supply closet.

Sarah.

You wrap her in a tight hug, taking a moment to breathe. You hadn’t been too worried about anyone at Basgiath, who were still under the wards, but it’s a relief to see her again after not hearing from her for a month.

“I’m so glad you’re alive,” she whispers.

“Helen isn’t.”

She laughs. “I swear, she got even worse after you left. I still think you’re absolutely insane for that, by the way.”

“I know,” you answer. “You’ve told me that a few times.”

“Alright. Help me carry these boxes?”

Over the next hour, the already-somber infirmary grows even quieter, as everyone realizes that everything is ready — the beds made up, bandages prepared, surgical tools cleaned… You’ve done all you can do.

Now you just have to wait.

————————

“I need all hands!” someone calls, and you drop the towels you’ve been folding to turn to the door.

It doesn’t take you more than a second to realize that the person they’re wheeling in is Sawyer. As soon as you catch a glimpse of his rain-soaked hair, you know.

His eyes are closed, his head lolled onto his shoulder — he’s unconscious, completely limp. You finally tear your eyes away from his face, your heart nearly stopping when you realize why he’s here: half of his left leg is just gone.

Someone had tied a tourniquet around his thigh, but it’s not enough to stop the seemingly endless flow of blood. The life is pouring out of him, spilling onto the floor and staining it red, and all you can do is stand there and watch. Your boots are stuck to the stone beneath you, your eyes fixed on the shredded muscle and exposed bone, the things you aren’t supposed to see outside of your textbooks.

You’ve never flinched at any cuts or broken bones, never hesitated to fall into place beside your mother when the neighbors came knocking after farming accidents — none of it ever fazed you.

But it’s never been him.

“Lo,” someone says softly, a hand settling on your arm, “if you can’t…”

“I can,” you interrupt, “and I will.”

——————

“You should get some sleep, P.”

It takes you a second to place the voice as Ridoc’s. You shake your head, not looking up. “I can’t take my eyes off of him.”

“He’s gonna be okay,” he says softly. “That tourniquet you gave him saved his life, y’know. Violet tied it for him, as soon as she could.”

You’re quiet for a moment, unsure how to explain yourself. “I know he should pull through, I just… I have this thing, that I’ve had since I was a child. I’ll have a terrible thought, and I try brushing it off or forgetting about it like a normal person would, but I can’t. It sticks to me, and I have to prevent it from happening by holding my breath or washing my hands or saying a prayer or something. And right now, my mind is telling me if I look away, even for a moment… I know deep down that’s not how it works, but I can’t risk it this time. I won’t. Not when it’s him.”

“I understand,” he says softly. “If I brought you food, would you eat?”

Another shake no. You haven’t had any appetite since this morning, knowing what could happen — what did happen.

“Water, at least?”

“Okay,” you whisper.

“Attagirl. I’ll be back.”

A minute later, Ridoc steps into your peripheral vision, careful not to obscure your view of Sawyer as he extends a cup of water toward you.

Slowly, hesitantly, you let go of Sawyer’s hand, setting it down on the bed and waiting for the worst, but he doesn’t stir, doesn’t show any reaction to the movement. You don’t know if that’s good or bad. It’s both, really; a sign that the sedation is working, but also that he isn’t going to wake up any time soon.

He might not ever.

You reach up to take it, inhaling sharply at the sight of your sleeve. The pale blue fabric is spotted with rusty brown patches — Sawyer’s blood. You’d scrubbed it off your hands, but it’s still stuck to you, staining your clothes and lining your fingernails. No amount of cold, soapy water would get it out.

Water. Right.

You take a slow sip, realizing how parched you are. The rest of the cup goes down easily, and your voice doesn’t sound as raspy as you speak again. “Thank you,” you whisper.

Ridoc takes it back from you, settling into a chair in your line of sight — on the opposite side of the bed. “How are you holding up? I know it must have been hard, seeing… that.”

“It usually isn’t,” you answer. “But it usually isn’t him.”

He nods, silent for a moment. “Everyone else is safe. Nothing serious.”

“S’ good,” you say quietly.

Another short silence — just the distant sounds of the infirmary, which has slowed significantly since this morning. Most of the beds are full, if not all of them, but everyone’s been attended to, wounds bandaged and bones set.

“I’ll be fine,” you say again, trying to convince the both of you that you mean it. “Go be with your girl.”

Ridoc looks at you a moment, thinking about it, before he rises from his chair, leaning down to brush his lips against Sawyer’s temple. “See you tomorrow, dude. Love you.”

You smile for the first time in twelve hours.

Sawyer stirs, his hand moving against yours, and your heart jumps. You and Ridoc both hold your breath, waiting.

“Peach?” he murmurs.

“Right here,” you answer, squeezing his hand gently.

“S’good,” he mumbles in reply, his eyes still closed — still working off the double dose of sedatives you’d had to give him to keep the pain at bay. “Was worried about you.”

You manage a laugh. Of course he worried about you, even when you’d been safe indoors for the whole battle. You bring your other hand up to brush the hair from his eyes, stroking the backs of your fingers over his cheek. “I’m okay, sweet boy. Get some sleep. I’ll be here when you wake.”

He hums a soft acknowledgment, settling deeper into the blankets.

Ridoc gives you a gentle half-hug before he slips away, headed back to the rider’s quadrant.

You take a fresh look at Sawyer, with a healer’s eyes, comforted by what you see: some of the color has returned to his face, and his skin is warm against yours, both good signs that he’s coping with the blood loss. You move your hand down to check his pulse — it’s steady against your fingers, if a little slow. His breaths are even, the bleeding has stopped… he’s out of the woods, sleeping soundly with the help of the heavy dose of pain-reliever.

You turn your gaze toward the window, out into the night sky. “Thank you,” you whisper to the stars. “Thank you.”

You could swear you feel the fleeting touch of a warm hand on your shoulder, but Ridoc has already left. You must be more sleep deprived than you’d thought. Surely it wouldn’t hurt to rest your eyes for a little while, now that Sawyer is conscious again.

You toe off your boots, tucking your legs underneath you and getting as comfortable as you can in the hard wooden chair, resting your head on the edge of the mattress.

You wake to the warm orange light of sunrise, and a gentle hand stroking your hair.

“You should have woken me up earlier,” you chide gently, fighting a yawn, but the sleepiness fades quickly as you realize he’s awake — and he likely has been for a while, judging by the way he’s managed to prop himself upright.

“You needed the sleep,” he says softly, his voice dry and scratchy. “And you looked too peaceful to wake.”

You sit up, ignoring the stiffness in your neck from sleeping in that terrible position, and turn to look at him. “How much do you remember?” you ask in a whisper, taking his hand gently. You look scared, those pretty eyes wet with tears and softened with concern.

“All of it, I think. Are you okay?” he asks softly, squeezing your hand.

You clear your throat, embarrassed that you’re the one crying right now. “Of course I am, why…”

“Is my squad okay?”

You nod — Ridoc had assured you last night that the others were all present and accounted for.

“Then I’m okay.”

You exhale, more tears slipping down your cheeks.

“I had to keep my promise,” he says, managing a smile. “I couldn't leave you behind again.”

You rest your forehead against his, closing your eyes. “I love you, Sy,” you whisper. “To the ends of the earth.”

“And I love you, sweet girl. To the South star and back.”

“To the South star and back,” you agree, your voice cracking with emotion.

He brings a hand up to cradle your cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. “We’ll be okay,” he promises. “As long as we have each other, we’ll be okay.”

#sawyer and peach #fourth wing x reader #fourth wing #mine #sawyer henrick x reader

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intern-ko · 3 days ago

Text

If she does not belong here, then there should be no reason to keep me from talking to her. I’ll talk to her, and see if I can convince her to move elsewhere. Then you’ll have both of us gone.

I understand both sides of this, Daniel. I understand the feeling of wanting to be loved… but I also understand that others must be comfortable as well. That sacrifices need to be made sometimes, to make others happy. Even if it costs you your entire being.

There’s a reason I don’t take care of myself nearly as much as I should — as much as everyone else tells me to. Because in the end, I have a job to do. Deliveries to make, spills to clean, restocking to do. To make everyone else happy.

So, Daniel. I do understand where you’re coming from. However, even if Miss Vale is as you say; does she not deserve at least some level of comfort as well? The way that she was created… it’s not her fault. Although, I am willing to help you get her out of here, if that’s what you wish.

What do you say? Will you let me help you? To give everyone here just a bit more comfort?

*Ko continues to look at Daniel. Genuine, and yet still calculated. A mix of feelings and what he likely wants to hear. And yet, she didn’t lie. Not once.*

<MISSION/SESSION> 0

(S-0, S-1, E-1)

PART 2

@intern-ko @ghost-esc-tacy @chaosagentinblue @flightless-pigeon33

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digitaldaydreamm · 2 days ago

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OHHHH- for the unspoken claim series: what if rafe constantly touched reader in innocent ways bc that’s his love language and he always gotta touch her smh and everybody around them are like awwwee but reader is just like what??? Cuz that’s normal for her her bsf been doing that for as long as she remembers (thx so much queen and take care <3)

this is sooo them!!

rafe x childhood friend!reader

headcannons

masterlist

⋆｡𖦹 °.��⋆❀˖°

★ He doesn’t even realize he’s doing it half the time. His hand automatically finds the hem of your sleeve to fidget with, his fingers trace light circles on the inside of your wrist when you're standing next to each other, and if you're wearing a hoodie, he tugs on the drawstrings just to keep his hands busy.

★ Anytime someone points out how much he keeps track of you, he just shrugs and goes, “She’s small. She might get lost.” Like you're a damn toddler in a grocery store. You roll your eyes but don't argue because, honestly? You've heard that excuse your whole life.

★ Whenever you're sitting next to each other—at a party, in his truck, on the couch—his hand just naturally lands on your thigh. Not even in a flirty way, just a solid, reassuring presence. You never question it, but if another guy so much as looks at where his hand is, Rafe’s grip subtly tightens.

★ If you're holding a drink, he’ll take it from you just to give it a small sip before giving it back. If you have a blanket wrapped around you, he’ll tug at it so you have to share. If you have snacks, he’s eating them too. It’s less about the sharing and more about having something of yours in his hands.

★ If you wear a necklace, he’s constantly reaching over to toy with the chain, flipping the pendant between his fingers while you talk like it helps him focus. If you wears rings, he absentmindedly spins them around your finger. You just let him.

★ If you're walking somewhere together, he automatically loops his pinky with yours, grabs your wrist, or hooks a finger into the belt loop of your jeans to keep you near. If you ever stray too far, he just sighs dramatically and pulls you right back without a word.

★ If you fall asleep in his truck, he wordlessly adjusts the seat to recline more. If you're curled up on the couch, he grabs an extra blanket and drapes it over you. If you're at his house late, he just hands you a hoodie and socks like it’s a given that you're staying. And you do, because duh.

★ He’ll tug playfully at the ends of your hair, smooth down stray strands, and if you're sitting between his legs, he’ll lazily twist a piece around his finger while talking to someone else. And if you're tired, he just starts rubbing your scalp lightly, and boom—you're out like a light.

★ If you're talking to someone else for too long, he’ll come up behind you and hook his chin over your shoulder, like he’s just there—not interrupting, not saying anything, just making sure you don't forget about him.

★ He never actually says it, but it’s in the way he casually fixes your clothes, taps your chin to get your attention, tugs you closer when some guy looks at you too long. It’s the way his touch is so normal to you that you don't even blink, while everyone else around you is like, ????

★ At some point, someone finally calls you out, “You do realize normal best friends don’t act like that, right?” and you just blink at them, completely clueless. Rafe hears and just smirks, pulling you closer.

You're just so used to it, meanwhile Rafe knows exactly what he’s doing.

#rafe obx #rafe cameron #rafe cameron x reader #rafe x childhood friend!reader #outerbanks rafe #rafe outer banks #rafe x reader #obx kooks #obx pogues #outer banks #obx #unspoken claim

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booksooks · 3 days ago

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i havent even met sylus in game but some of yall seem to have him confused for your own oc because he would Not act Like That

typing using voice to text so I'm sorry if the formatting is weird, but from what my friend who has met sylus has told me: this man would not act the way some of you guys are insisting. like he would not be jealous to the point of being entirely unable to communicate. he would not try to kiss you as a way of making up, or as a way to stop you from being angry with him. that's just not something i see as feasibly anywhere near sylus as a character.

if you want to write a big daddy dom character who completely bulldozes over your feelings in lieu of 'fucking the jealousy out of you', then by all means go for it. but at that point, you are writing for an original character because that is wildly mischaracterizing someone who (again, according to my friend because i havent even come close to meeting sylus in the storyline) specifically makes room for you to be angry, to feel big emotions in a safe space and to be there for you.

the amount of fanfics i've seen that have sylus act in a way that is completely off base is insane. i'm aware that this is fanfiction, that people can write whatever they want and it's not harmful because at the end of the day: it's FAN FICTION and if you can't separate reality from fiction or whatever, you're not mature enough to be reading mature works or you simply don't have the media literacy skills to do so. but i've had a very long and emotionally draining week, and my temper is hanging on by a thread, and i'm allowed to be angry about a completely bullshit take on one of my favorite characters lmfao.

let me be clear, i'm not saying sylus cannot, will not, and has never been domineering, or protective, or that he doesn't have a fucking daddy kink or whatever. what i AM saying, is that the amount of fanfictions of sylus blowing the reader off or ghosting them or just simply not communicating and then expecting the reader to fall back into his arms after a kiss and a few well placed 'kitten's is astounding. even if he made the bad choice of being distant without explanation, he wouldn't expect the reader to instantly forgive him without an ELABORATE apology and an explanation. and honestly, i'm willing to put that bullshit of 'she forgives him because he's hot and he pulled her in close with his strong arms and hes so big daddy alpha dom' into the category of misogyny. because in what world does someone go from angry and hurt to forgiving and pliant just because he's a man and he kissed you. it is blatantly misogynistic to expect that.

i'm aware there is a lot of nuance within relationships, and that not everyone can be expected to be perfect at all times, HOWEVER this is fanfiction, and the authors i'm talking about have either explicitly stated that the reader and sylus have an established romantic relationship, or that they at the very least get along well and enjoy each other's company. so for sylus to then go ghost on the reader and expect them to instantly fall back into his arms at the end of the day then puts me in the position of 'simpering woman with no spine'. again, misogynistic.

at the end of the day, i'm aware this isn't an important issue and i'm aware that the misogyny in fanfiction doesn't necessarily have to transfer over to real life, especially because i do have critical thinking. but i have been ghosted before by an at-the-time boyfriend, and it sucked, so it's more of a personal issue from me.

i'm aware people can write whatever they want, and i have no obligation to read something i don't like. but that then eliminates what seems to be 50% of the fanfiction of sylus. i'm just saying please... consider writing literally anything else for sylus. for a man who has been made to love you specifically... y'all sure don't make him act like it.

if anyone wants me to elaborate or clarify some things, please send me an ask because the comments are not easy to navigate especially with multiple replies.

last but not least: i'm aware these are my personal feelings, and that i can write to make up for it should i so choose. but i hate having to scroll past 5 fics in a row with quite frankly stupid miscommunication issues from a man who is 28 and should damn well know better. thank you.

#booka shut up #sylus #lnds #love and deepspace sylus #lnds sylus #sylus x mc #lads sylus #sylus x reader #l&ds sylus #sylus x you #sylus qin #putting my heart out on this one oh well #dont bite my head off lnds guys gals and pals

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semisgroupie · 22 hours ago

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undercover freak — mila + kento nanami (@lovegasmic)

warnings: exhibitionism, public use of a sex toy, vibrator usage, teasing, cum eating, establish relationship (kento and reader are married!), public orgasm, hint at multiple orgasms

this is part of my TOYS, TOYS, AND MORE TOYS event! come send in a request to celebrate you and your special lover! also this is the specific vibrator i’m referring to in this drabble (and i need this man :))

It’s all under a good guise. Everything seems and looks normal. You two look like a couple, that’s in love, that’s having a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. You two look at each other with hearts in your eyes, whispering little compliments and his hand holds yours, his thumb stroking over your fingers while your engagement ring and wedding band catches every light in the room.

Unbeknownst to everyone but you and Kento, is that you have a special present that’s pressed against your cunt.

He leans in with a slight smirk that’s unreadable by anyone else in the dimly lit room. “Are you alright, darling? You seem like there’s something bothering you.” He chuckles when you narrow your eyes at him but your expression quickly changes when he moves his other hand closer to his pocket.

“I-I’m fine! Just hungry, the waiter is supposed to come by for our order soon.” He moves his hand away from his pocket for now and nods at your words and you can barely see the mischievous glint in his brown eyes. “Hm, okay. Did I tell you how ravishing you look tonight? Honestly, I don’t know if I’ll be able to drive you back home. I can’t wait that long to be alone with you, I’ll just have to bring you to that hotel that’s a few streets down or maybe I’ll just find an empty parking lot and quell my desires there.”

Heat rises to your cheeks and you reach over to grab a glass of water to try to calm yourself down. “Kento, you can’t say things like that so openly. What if someone could hear?” He laughs and gently squeezes your hand, “so what? They’ll just know how much I desire my beautiful wife.” He lifts your hand to his lips and he presses a lingering kiss to your knuckles then only pulls away when the waiter returns.

You look at the menu to confirm what you want then look up at the waiter, Kento places his order then slips his hand in his pocket when you start saying what you want. His hand goes to the little remote and he presses the button to start the vibrations just as the first word leaves your mouth. Instead of your order, a gasp leaves you and Kento lifts his hand to cover his mouth to hide the growing smile. You stumble and stammer over your words as he raises the vibrations higher.

The scene in front of him has to be one of his favorites, he lets out a little chuckle each time you glance at him, the look in your eyes is something mixed with annoyance and a plea for him to stop. But he doesn’t stop, he watches you squirm and watches how the waiter becomes more and more concerned. When you finally say your order Kento shuts off the vibrator and smiles apologetically at the waiter, “sorry about that, she just gets really anxious with public speaking so I’m helping her get over it.”

You narrow your eyes at your husband and wait for the waiter to leave before you speak. “You’re such an ass.” You mutter and grab the glass of water to take another sip, your hand trembles slightly as you drink from it then set it down. Kento smiles and nods, “you agreed to this, that’s what happens when you don’t think things out thoroughly. You let that pretty little cunt think for you instead of using your pretty little head. But more importantly, did you just cum in front of the waiter?” More heat rises to your cheeks as you nod slowly, you couldn’t help it. The vibrator is pressed right against your clit and the vibrations went so high, it just happened. “Naughty girl.” He laughs and looks around before nudging his fork off of the table. He watches as it bounces under the tablecloth and smirks, “oops, let me grab that.”

You roll your eyes as he goes under but they immediately widen when you feel his hands on your thighs the same time the waiter comes back with your drinks. Heat rises to your cheeks and you try to shut your legs but he keeps them open. You bite down on your bottom lip to hold back a gasp when Kento pulls your panties to the side and you feel his fingers glide up your slit.

“Where did your husband go?” The waiter looks around as he sets down the complimentary bread and you bite down on your bottom lip harder, “b-bathroom.” The waiter nods and smiles at you as you stammer for a moment then walks away. Just when he walks away Kento climbs from under the table and slips two fingers in his mouth, groaning at the taste of your essence on them.

“Delicious. How many more orgasms do you think I can get out of you before the night ends?”

#venus’ toys ⛓️‍💥#nanami smut #jjk nanami smut #jjk smut #jujutsu kaisen smut #tw:exhibitionism #tw:public play

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butts-bouncing-on-the-beltway · 19 hours ago

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Truthfully, one of the BIGGEST pieces of community organizing I do is just. Conversation.

Not even political conversation. Just normal social bonding activities and topics!

I bring spare herbs and eggs to the neighbors and ask after their kids and grandkids. I show up at the market and shittalk the weather with the folks staffing the stalls. I tell cashiers I like their style and ask if they remember where they got any of the pieces. I wave to the neighborhood children when I'm out with them and teach them how to cue my dogs with treats so they can safely pet the furballs. Whenever I swing by the 24hr diner in town, I chat up the waittress who always seems to be the only person working the floor, and I ask after her health and if she's getting enough time off her feet because I can tell no one else does.

I have no idea at the time if any of these conversations will bear fruit. But it is absolutely fucking critical that I inform you I am a visibly trans dyke with a buzzcut whose built like a brick shithouse even before I put on my four inch heels. I walk around town like this every single day of my life. I have shown up in everything from my most schlubby fuckboi sweatsuits, to my strut "of shame" outfits the night after a hook up, to full on "leather dyke about to go fuck something up", to "farm hand of questionable gender and even more questionable ethics about fucking the rancher's wife and daughters.

It does not matter how I look, people in town light up when they see me. They get excited to talk to me, to hear what I've been up to, and to tell me what's going on with them. Sometimes they even broach topics that they clearly understand we disagree on. I always let them reach across and open that door themselves. I don't affirm or agree with anything they might say before this point that I find inappropriate, but I don't argue either. I use what I learned as a "soft conversation closer" that essentially communicates to others "we can continue to talk, but it won't be about this. If you continue anyway, the conversation ends until we can talk about something else.

But like I said, eventually these people always manage to muster their courage. "[Redacted]," they ask, hesitantly, "have you heard about [insert fascist talking point]? It feels really big and present on the mind lately." And I say "why yes I have, and I agree, it HAS been big and on the mind lately. After all [insert appropriate de-radicalization/innoculation talking point]." And they look confused and repeat a phrase full of buzzeords they assume is a counter argument. At this point, *I* look confused and say "I don't think I understand what you mean. I'm a bit tired today so I might be misunderstanding you, but it sounds like you're saying [rephrased version of their talking point minus the buzzwords and plus some acknowledgement of the latent dogwhistles and indoctrination they relied on]. Could I ask you to try again and see if I have an easier time following your perspective?"

There is usually a pause as they wrestle with how to respond to this. Three outcomes split off from here

1) they really do rephrase their genuine concerns sans buzzwords and dogwhistles and we get to have a real and substantive conversation about our needs and shared humanity

2) they get angry that I will not simply change my mind in response to hearing their retort. This is a person to whom I say "it sounds like you feel really strongly about this and aren't comfortable with the idea that we disagree. Why don't we set this down for now, after all if anything changes we can always come back to it." And then I refuse to talk about it with them again until they can have the conversation with me without getting excessively angry.

3) they simply decide not to continue the conversation themselves because they either don't know how to or recognize that it would be unproductive in the moment to try.

Now I'm definitely not suggesting that everyone can or should do this. But there are so many ways every day we have to offer a glimpse of our humanity to people who need to know that it exists. If we are comfortably capable of doing this, it can be literally life saving, not just of the person you're talking to, but of dehumanized people in their future who may depend on that person being able to make a different choice than they would make now.

You do not need to be able to debate politics to do this. You can simply be human in other people's presence.

It will not shock me to learn that the isolationism of the world since the early pandemic has likely played a huge role in how vulnerable many people are right now to different kinds of radicalization and authoritarianism, and while I have incredible empathy for how burnt out and exhausted we all are, I cannot help but recognize that this is not a reality that can ever change unless some of us (also deeply exhausted and burnt out) continue to choose to invest in community and connection building regardless of what we may need or have space for. The fewer of us are carefully balancing how we can ensure we are able to continue doing that, regardless of how much or little support we ourselves may have, the more frequently those of us making that call will have to keep doing it. The less rest we will have. The more exhausted we will become. The fewer of us there will be. The more vulnerable our communities will be to the societal forces seeking to harm and destabilize us.

I understand people do not like this post. I've had a fair few comments already about how the opener was "barely salvaged" by other later comments.

But I cannot emphasize enough how much this is coming from love, solidarity, experience, and deeply painful and material understanding of what it has cost me my whole life to be someone who will never get to stop making this choice.

There will never be a day where I can afford to prioritize my own exhaustion over the lives and well-being of the people I have committed to caring for. This is not a role I will ever set down. And if that means I will do that increasingly alone until it kills me, I fucking will. I don't need any single specific person to walk with me on that journey. But it is so unfathomably devastating to see just how many potential walking comrades have decided for themselves that this must be **someone else's** weight to carry, and they will not contribute to it in any way that is hard on them. Do I want people to live like I do? God no!! That's part of why I do what I do.

But you have to understand. If I don't want anyone to do what I do I need to make sure the world is as kind as I can possibly encourage it to be every single fucking day between now and the inevitable heat death of the universe. And if people calling themselves my comrades are actively fighting me on that, making the world crueller and less safe to do my work in, then I can no longer afford to consider them my comrades at all.

Watching the politics tag fill up with exhausted liberals talking about how they're too drained to keep resisting and no one should blame them for that and like. Yeah, you're right this sucks and you shouldn't be forced to do it to be treated as human and you shouldn't need to be able to be on and in activist mode all the time either and ALSO

I've been doing this since 2002. My mother did this from 1981-2015. My auntie marched in Alabama during civil rights and my childhood minister has been in resistence since the Vietnam war and has shown no signs of stopping as she collects civil disobedience arrests across all 50 states like badges of honor.

And you all are burnt out after 8 yrs of some of the biggest (and therefore LEAST DEMANDING ON YALL PERSONALLY) movements we've ssen in decades because you feel too poor and tired???????

My mama would go around to every grocery store she had friends working at in the valley and collect all the food they were gonna toss, then host educational salons where she fed everyone in the neighborhood and performed innoculation work. She was a single mom raising a deeply disabled child ALONE on a salary half that of her male coworkers you think she had money? You think she had TIME????? NO!

If you are tired now, I'm sorry to be harsh, but it is BECAUSE YOU DID NOT LISTEN when you were told you needed to settle in for the long haul. You DID NOT LISTEN when organizers shared with everyone their practices around self-care, specialization, community care, and communication, and you spent the last 8 years burning the candle at both ends in person and online with no regard for the actual WORK only for your own fear and feelings of reassurance.

This will never sustain change. I'm sorry. I truly am. I never wanted this for anyone who came after me and I have so much grief that it's here. But I also do not have time to force yall to fucking listen to us when we talk.

Stop trying to assert that only the wealthy and energetic resist. Anyone I see doing so will be bitten repeatedly until fucking dead.

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femininefables · 17 hours ago

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Left astray

Sevika x fem!reader

cw: homelessness, implied off page parental abuse, alcohol, sort of suicidal thoughts? Reader is underweight and trying to gain more, so if weight is a sensitive subject steer clear!

PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND AVOID IF ANYTHING IS TRIGGERING❤️

This was it. You were dying. You probably should feel sad, vengeful, or desperate to cling to life, but you just didn’t. At least dying would remove you from the miserable existence that is life.

Homeless, starving, and dirty, you’ve just been rotting away on the streets of Zaun. Even in your final moments, you can’t even look up at the sky for some comfort. You only see smog, neon, and more desolate buildings.

You can’t help but grin. This is pathetic. You’re pathetic. As you finally close your eyes, something or someone interrupts your pitiful death. “Hey. You alright?” You open your eyes. Someone is looming over your cadaverous form, and they squat down next to you.

“I have water if you want.” It’s a woman. She looks stern, but there’s a hint of concern in her face. “I want to die.” Is all you mutter out. She sighs, digs in her pocket, and takes out a cigarette. After lighting it, she sits down next to you. “I get it. I used to think I did too. Watching my home, and the people who live here get trapped in situations like yours..”

“I’m not looking for sympathy.” You say dryly. “That’s fine… But It’s not..I can’t just walk away knowing you’ll be dead by tomorrow.” You cautiously peek at her. “Why? I don’t know you. And I’m sure you don’t go around saving every homeless nobody.” She takes a drag. “You’re right. I don’t… but maybe I should. Its them I’m fighting for anyways..”

Fighting for? What is this lady talking about?…You brush it off and speak again. “what are you gonna do with me?” “Hold still…” Before you can even comprehend it, She lifts you up and starts walking. You’re too weak to even protest, and let the rhythm of her footsteps lull you to sleep.

🎀🐇╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗🐇🎀

You wake up on a tattered looking couch covered by a soft blanket. Something’s strange. You’re wearing a large t-shirt, your skin is clean, and your hair is damp. Have you been bathed? You’re still nearly skin and bones, but you feel a lot better. The apartment you’re in smells of smoke and stale air. Like whoever lives in it doesn’t live in it too often.

There’s a small paper on a coffee table in front of you. It has writing on it, and looks like it was left for you to read. Bold of the author to assume you had enough of an education to read. You did, but only because of your mother. She hated you now. Being reminded of her only caused more pain, so you avoided anything related to her. That included reading.

Nevertheless, you pick up the note and read

Hey, whatever your name is. I don’t mind you crashing at my place since you seem pretty harmless. I’m Sevika, and yes I did give you a bath, no, I didn’t do anything to you. I couldn’t have you smelling like shit and laying all over my stuff. Eat whatever you want, stay out of my closet, and I’ll be back by evening. I’ll know if you fucked around with anything.

Sevika’s handwriting is surprisingly pretty for her reputation around here. In your delirious state, you hadn’t realized that it was her you were talking to. Silco’s guard dog, the Scary Lady, or Murder Machine. You heard all of those less than favorable names referring to her.

But here you were, in her shirt, sleeping on her couch, and being invited to stay till you picked yourself up. What had caused such a random change in her character? Unless she’s just a nice woman and everyone else has her all wrong, this is pretty uncharacteristic. Maybe you looked so pathetic she pitied you.

That evening came fast. The door opening and slamming shut made you freeze mid fridge-raid. “You’re up…” Is all Sevika says as she strides over to you. With a half eaten apple in your hand, you can’t find any words for her. “Not talking anymore? That’s fine. Can I at least know your name?” Your name feels strange and unfamiliar coming from your lips. You haven’t said it in ages. When your priority is just to survive, names aren’t really important.

“Alright. If you want, I can order you something when I pick up my takeout.” She’s giving you dinner now too? You nod eagerly before you even notice. Your stomach growls obnoxiously. “Sorry…” you mutter. She doesn’t reply, and just goes to sit on the couch.

Dinner is awkward. You’re sitting across from her, while trying not to wolf down the greasy, delicious, fat filled burger in front of you. Sevika is wearing reading glasses while combing through an array of documents. Every so often, her eyes look over you just to see what you’re doing.

Once you’ve fed yourself enough to slow down, you try and break the silence. “So uhm…why are you doing this? You’re not exactly known around for being charitable…” Sevika lifts her gaze and takes off her reading glasses. She’s not looking in your direction when she responds. “I guess I just…you…reminded me of someone. Someone from a long time ago.”

What kind of response is that? “And the whole reason I do what I do is to help people like you.” She has a voice that grounds you. There’s no feeling uncertain around such a confident woman. “But don’t go getting any ideas. This doesn’t mean you can just do whatever you want.” You’re still confused. Why you? Why today?

That night, you’re sleeping on the couch. Sevika is confidently sleeping in her bed, snoring like a freight train. She knows you wouldn’t dare try anything, given her reputation for breaking limbs. When sleep finally comes, your dreams turn to nightmares. Violent nightmares calling you back to your past. Normally, shivering in a cardboard box would keep them at bay.

You see your mother on that day. screaming at you with enraged purple eyes, trembling, with purple scars crawling all over her body. It took everything from you. Your life, your mother, your home…You wake up in a cold sweat, crying out and wiping tears from your face. Everything’s spinning and you let out a weak whimper. Suddenly, there’s a hand on your back, rubbing in firm circles.

“You’re alright…not out there in the rain anyways..” It’s Sevika. she’s trying her best to comfort you, but you can tell it’s not something she’s used to doing. You don’t even care. You bury your face in her chest and hug her close, crying and gasping from the awful memory.

Sevika is frozen. she seems unsure of what to do with you. One hand rests on your head, and her bionic arm finds your back. “Not so blunt now…Sorry. Too soon.” She remarks. You center yourself, and pull back from her feeling a little embarrassed. “Sorry I woke you…” “ S’alright.”

She sits there with you on the couch until you fall back asleep…

🎀🐇 ╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗🐇🎀

It’s been one week since you first arrived at Sevika’s apartment. You’ve gained a little weight back, but the nightmares still terrorize you. Sevika’s picked up on the way you flinch when startled, or how uncomfortable you get when she smokes weed or drinks heavily.

It’s clear to her that you have a negative history with substances, so she starts to limit her alcohol when you’re around, and she’ll only smoke on the balcony. You’re worried that you’re being a burden to her. One night, you see her smoking on the balcony, and step outside with her.

She doesn’t say anything, but raises an eyebrow as her way of asking: “What’s up?” You lean your elbows on the railing. “You know… you don’t have to change your lifestyle for me. Letting me just be here even though I’m a stranger is enough.” Sevika takes a drag. “Here in the undercity, it’s important that we stick together. You needed help, so I decided to help you. I’m not going to pry into your damage, but if cutting back on my bad habits makes you more comfortable, I’m fine with that.” She smiles, and faces you. “Besides, having a pretty girl for a roommate ain’t so bad, bunny rabbit.”

You can’t even focus on the fact that she just called you pretty. “Bunny rabbit?” She chuckles. “You’re skittish as hell. M’scared you’ll just faint from shock one of these days.” She’s not wrong about that. You’re used to always needing to be on high alert. Every sound could mean danger.

You only feel more guilty. “Sorry…” your voice cracks embarrassingly. Sevika’s smile drops and she looks over at you. “Oh- I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to hurt your feelings... No use feeling bad about it. Let’s just work on getting better, m’kay?” She presses her cigarette to the railing to out it, and puts one hand on your shoulder, leading you back inside. “Let’s go to bed, it’s late.”

As time goes by, you start to bond with Sevika. She’ll come home, tell you all about her day, eat dinner with you, and talk until you fall asleep. The nightmares ease too. If you do have one, she’s right there to tell you that everything’s okay.

One afternoon, Sevika gets back early with a shopping bag. You get up off of the couch to greet her. “Sevika? What’s that?” She smirks, and pulls out a pretty dress with spaghetti straps. “Since you came along, I haven’t been to the Last Drop in a while. So, I thought you might wanna come with.” You take the dress from her and admire it. “Sevika… it’s so pretty! But I don’t know… I haven’t been to a bar.” She puts a reassuring hand on your shoulder. “You’ll be fine with me. Trust me. As long as everybody knows you’re with me, you’re safe.”

So, you decide to go with her. When you were getting dressed, Sevika spotted you looking at yourself nervously in the mirror. “Hey… is it too much? I didn’t really know what you’d like…” you turn to her. “No it’s pretty! I’m just… not used to this.” Sevika goes into her closet and comes back, draping a leather jacket over your shoulders. “You can have this for tonight if it makes you more comfortable.”

You feel your face heat up. “…thank you.” She smiles, and pats your shoulder. “No problem bunny rabbit.” The whole walk to the Last Drop, Sevika keeps you close. She glares at anyone who even looks in your direction, and yells threats back at cat-callers. When you finally reach the place, she opens the door for you. “Ladies first.” You smile. “You’re a lady too y’know.” She rolls her eyes playfully.

You weren’t sure what to expect at the bar. Sitting next to Sevika while she throws snide comments at the other card players definitely wasn’t it. She’s winning big time though. Laughing and squeezing your shoulder every time she sweeps another pile of chips her way.

Around an hour later, Sevika is definitely tipsy, but her instincts are sharp as ever. For some reason, more people keep coming to play against her even though she can’t stop winning. This next game looks especially tough. For a moment, you think it’s finally over before she reveals her winning deck. Her opponents jaw drops. Sevika lets out a booming laugh and just pulls you onto her lap like you’re the prize.

“Thought I was in trouble there, didn’t chya, cutie?” She laughs again while you register being seated on her muscular thigh. The other players mutter curses and storm off. “Wasn’t that fun? You didn’t drink any though.” Her large hand caresses your waist.

“I don’t like alcohol.” You respond curtly. Sevika lets you get off of her before she grabs the large sack of her winnings. “Let’s head home. Yeah? sweet thing?” You’re surprised at how casual she’s being with you. Maybe it’s the alcohol, but the Sevika you’ve heard about isn’t nice and flirty in the slightest.

When you finally arrive at the apartment, Sevika crashes on the couch instantly. She seems like the type to be able to hold her alcohol, but she was being a little excessive today. After all that, you’re tired too. You take off the dress she gave you and slip on one of her shirts. Climbing back onto the couch, you snuggle against her human arm, and let sleep take you.

You wake up slowly. the sunshine is filtering in the room through the window. Sevika’s arm is draped over you like a blanket. It’s heavy. Given your current state, you’re not strong enough to move it. Not that you’d want to anyways. Sevika is usually up earlier than you. Perhaps she’s got a hangover.

With a big yawn, Sevika finally wakes up. She doesn’t say anything to you, despite the rather intimate sleeping arrangement. She stands up, ruffles your hair, and goes to turn on her coffee machine. “You could’ve taken the bed.” She finally says from across the apartment.

“I…didn’t want to.” Is all you can think to say. Sevika walks towards the couch again and plops down next to you. “Why not?” Her gray eyes stare unyielding into your own. “…just didn’t wanna.” You dont want to admit that you wanted to be on the couch with her. You haven’t known each other for very long. Not long enough to cuddling like you’d known her for years. “Okay, bunny rabbit..”

🎀🐇 ╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗🐇🎀

Sevika was already kind to you before, but now she’s treating you like a pet. When she goes to the store, you know she’s coming back with something for you. Whether it’s a candy, new clothes, or just something she thinks you’d like.

She starts to touch you more too. She says it’s to “help you get used to it.” But every time she brushes her hand against your cheek or holds you by your waist, your heart flutters.

You’ve been living with Sevika for over a month now. Standing on her scale, you wait nervously to see your weight. Healthy. Still some way to go, but you’re not skin and bone anymore. Your cheeks look a little fuller, your skin a little more smooth, and there’s a glimmer again in your eyes.

The door slams shut, making you nearly jump out of your skin. It’s Sevika, but she doesn’t call for you like normal. Curiously, you exit the bathroom to see what’s happened. She’s standing with her hands pressed against he counter, hackles raised, and her muscles are tensed. “Sev?” You approach her and place a hand on her shoulder blade.

“Hey bunny…” She finally acknowledges you. She speaks to you in a soft, low voice that makes your breath catch in your throat. “Sorry if I scared ya…Know how you are. Today was just…Fuck, bunny. I don’t feel like chatting about it.” She pulls you in a hug. It’s sudden, but not unwelcome.

“You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to…” you say to her. She sighs, goes over to the couch, and takes off her arm. “Come’ere.” You join her on the couch and she pulls you closer with her right arm. “You know…things have been better round’ere since you showed up.” “Really?” She smiles at you, running her human hand through your hair. “Yeah… if I didn’t have you, I’d probably be de-stressing in some other awful way.” You raise an eyebrow at the vague response. “Like what?”

A teasing grin forms on her face. “I dunno.. maybe by beating up some thugs or even a couple sessions at Babette’s.” Your face contorts into one of shocked surprise. Sevika notices and chuckles. “Yeah I get around, bunny.”

There was no doubt in your mind that it wasn’t true. After all, she’s an incredibly handsome woman. Broad muscular shoulders, and a face that could make your heart melt and your blood run cold depending on its expression. You sometimes fantasized that there could be something more with her, but demeaning thoughts told you that you were only a charity case for her.

She couldn’t truly care about you, because nobody ever did. Sevika notices the sudden shift in your expression. “Hey bunny… you alright?” “Yeah…I’m fine.” She senses you don’t want to be questioned further, and leaves back into her seat. “If you need something, I’m here. Kay?”

You nod, pushing away the thoughts of your yearning, and self hatred, opting to enjoy some peace for the first time in a while.

#arcane sevika #sevika #lgbtq #sevika fluff #sevika my love #sevika x female reader #sevika x reader #sevika x you #arcane x reader #lesbian #sevika headcanon #sevika angst

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ivoyzzz · 2 days ago

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Could you do a Saebyeok x reader where the reader thinks that Saebyeok actually doesn't like them at first, but once they see how she is around other ppl, they realize she's actually really sweet with them?

synopsis: you felt silly for having a crush on a girl who only tolerated you, because you had a mutual friend. you didn’t notice the way saebyeok was different with you. not until, you see how she is with everyone but you.

warnings: none just fluff !

a/n: this is so cutie, it took me a while but i hope you like it ! xoxo ivy

you didn’t notice it as first, the way the hardened girl softened just slightly with you. every-time you went to see ji-yeong and saebyeok was there-she didn’t give you the feeling that she liked you. if anything, you assumed it was the opposite. when you greeted her and all she did was hum or nod, it was frustrating. but never, ever could you have expected her to more then tolerate you. it wasn’t enough to know. she’d never given you more, or so you thought.

not to mention, the fact that even with the little saebyeok gave you, it couldn’t help the bubbling feelings towards the stoic girl. the way her hair was always effortlessly messy and perfect, the way she listened-not just halfway paying attention, she listened. she was irritating that way. making you have feelings for her, just to disregard your presence, all the time.

when you called ji-yeong to see if she was free and she was-you agreed to meet at a cafe. when ji-yeong walked in, what you weren’t expecting was for saebyeok to be following right behind her. saebyeok loomed behind ji-yeong like she was reminding me of her, taunting you.

as the two of them sat down, you smiled at both of them-acting like you weren’t in love with the girl who barley acknowledges you. it’s pathetic really.

ji-yeong easily falls into conversation with you and you try to pay attention-you really do. it’s hard though when saebyeok sits there, looking so indifferent, so casual-but still stupidly attractive.

when the food gets called to the counter, saebyeok stands up to get it, letting ji-yeong finish whatever wild story she was telling. you nod and casually respond to ji-yeong, but thats not what your focused on. there is a girl, standing oddly close to saebyeok, too close. “excuse me?” the girl chirps out, looking at saebyeok, to which saebyeok glares at the girl and steps slightly farther. “could i get your number?” you overhear the girl ask saebyeok.

you can’t even pretend to be focused on ji-yeong anymore. “hold on a sec ji.” you mumble, trying to hear what saebyeok will say back.

“you don’t even know me. i don’t give my number to strangers, no. ” saebyeok glares, her tone remaining composed. saebyeok grabs the drinks, walking back over. saebyeok’s eyes meet yours, she knows you’ve been watching the whole time, and she’s enjoying it. her lips upturn in the slightest bit, she definitely was taunting you.

you have to physically pull your eyes away from the girl, sitting in dismay. saebyeok takes the cherry out of her drink, setting it down on the napkin next to you. her eyes are oddly soft-almost vulnerable.

“hey, everytime i ask for your cherry, you tell me no and eat it! that’s so not fair.” ji-yeong groans at saebyeok, but then ji-yeong gives her a knowing glance and smirk. oh my gosh, ji-yeong was never going to let this go. right as ji-yeong is about to say something else, saebyeok interrupts her staring down at her drink. “drink your drink.” which causes ji-yeong to let out a small laugh.

did saebyeok really never give ji-yeong her cherries? did saebyeok like them? why would she give them to you? i mean, she knows you like cherries but saebyoek barely tolerates you. unless, she more then tolerates you.

saebyeok watches you, as you begin to put the pieces together. the way she treated you differently. it was true, yes saebyeok wasn’t the best at expressing her emotions. especially speaking them, but what she could do was show them. she thought she had been pretty obvious, she let you borrow her favorite jacket one time. one time, ji-yeong touched it and she didn’t talk to her for 2 weeks. in saebyeok’s eyes, she couldn’t have been any clearer. but you, had thought she despised you. now, thinking about the little things she did it all started to make sense. maybe the cold girl melted just the tiniest for you, and even if it wasn’t much, it was a start.

#kang sae byeok x reader #sae byeok x reader #kang sae byeok x fem!reader #squid game x reader #wuh luh wuh #kang saebyeok #fanfic #squid game #kang sae byeok #wlw

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benz12313 · 20 hours ago

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🥺👉👈 ridoc who falls head over heels in love with violets twin who is autistic and he's an absolute sweetheart to her, and helps her when she needs something and protects her.

Also their dragons are mated and aotrom is very over protective of her.

I had so much fun writing this. I hope this was written well. As a parent of an autistic child (diagnosed) and as someone who suspects herself and her other child are AuDHD but in the process of getting diagnosed, I really tried to represent this well. I also think in the Fourth Wing universe, at least in Basgaith, many mental differences are shunned or looked down upon, so I went that angle with this fic. Please give me feedback on how I did with this request. I also have some ideas for a part two so let me know if you'd like that! Thank you for your request though! I had a lot of fun working on it. :)

Own Worst Enemy - Ridoc x Sorrengail!Reader

Warnings: violence, death, dragon mate possessive behaviour

Word Count: 4,274

I sat quietly next to Violet, as she interacted with her- our friends. As much as they assured me that I was just as included as her, I’d never really felt that way. I wasn’t like her. I didn’t know what to say, what to do? Always feeling a little bit lost when the group was together, like I was one step behind, too busy analyzing everyone to add my own input into conversations. Sometimes it felt like they only put up with me because I was Violet’s twin, and not nearly as breakable as her.

I was good with schoolwork and okay with challenges, at least good enough to hold my own and take minimal injuries; and my joints are stronger than hers, not popping and breaking under pressure. Perks of being a fraternal twin I guess. Our DNA isn’t identical. No, something else in me feels broken. Something deeper. More substantial. Something I never talked about with anyone, ever.

Violet has asked before, in my moments of weakness, when everything is too much and I can’t hide. But I always am able to reign it back in then, hide it all behind a smile and recite lines I know will appease her worry. After all, the mask I wear protects me, especially growing up in a family where weakness isn’t tolerated. Even Dad, who saw straight through me. He expected me to reign it in too. Taught me in his own ways how to know what to say, how to make people look away, how to breathe when it was too much. Yet he still expected me to conform, to act like everything was okay. Like I wasn’t broken and weak minded.

I was a good actress at least. Everyone just thought I was quiet and reserved. And they never looked too hard at me, letting me fall into the background. I preferred it that way, it was much easier.

Everyone, except Ridoc Gamlyn, of course. He was always right there. In my space, but somehow, I never minded it. Maybe because with Ridoc, it didn’t matter what I said, he just accepted it. When I missed an unwritten social rule, he just smiled and responded, somehow getting what I was trying to say instead of harping on how I said it. He was annoying at times, always a bit loud, but he could say or do whatever he felt like with no reservations, easily breaking through my walls like no other could. Not even my own sister. I was honestly a bit jealous.

Ridoc wouldn’t let me fade either, prodding me to talk with him while the others were occupied in their own conversations. His voice usually quieter in those moments when he was trying to get me to reconnect, asking the oddest questions about whatever I was working on. It worked though, making my mind settle as I answered whatever he’d asked me, the casual back and forth grounding me, easing my anxiety over messing up.

He could see me. Really see me, like nobody ever had. It didn’t take me long to understand though, as I quickly became interested in trying to figure him out. Nobody really saw him either. Seeing what he wanted them to see. The loud, boisterous, sexually overconfident man he let everyone see wasn’t all of him. He didn’t let them see his worry over schoolwork, or over whatever current obstacle we were being thrown as new riders (currently the gauntlet) or his disappointment when a night of fun never became anything more, even if his conquest came back, it was never more than for another round. It was such a carefully crafted act that nobody thought to ask questions, nobody seeing that there was even an act to catch.

Nobody could see. But I could. And he knew I could, giving me a knowing smile in his moments of weakness, but I never knew what to say to make it better. I don’t really think he wanted any sympathy, hence the mask that mirrored my own. He interested me though, so completely different than the others. Even though that’s what he wanted, I could never truly look away. Not when he’d become my biggest source of safety in this death college.

Always pushing me on the mat, giving me pointers on how to improve. Walking with me when I needed a moment, my body feeling restless. Talk about my books, even the smutty ones, maybe especially the smutty ones. He’d grin and let me talk for hours, sitting on his bed in the men’s dormitory as we talked quietly. He’d glare at any of the other men who looked at us too long, daring them to say something. To make one move towards me. None ever did. And he always listened, asking questions that actually made me think, or that would lead me to another tangent.

Ridoc Gamlyn was an enigma I could barely understand, so I too hung around. Maybe it was the same for him. Maybe we were both just trying to figure the other out, never quite getting there. Never quite understanding. But accepting. Always accepting.

“I think, maybe you could bounce back and forth up the chimney. Your joints aren’t as weak as Violet’s so if you get enough speed and momentum…” He trailed off, as he watched me nudge my sausage across my plate. “Y/N?”

I met his warm brown eyes for a moment before my eyes quickly returned to my plate, torturing my sausage again. “I get what you’re saying. It’s worth a try.” It was presentation day, and this was my last try after all. Violet had told me her plan, but it wouldn’t work for me. If both of us pushed the rules like that, then one of us would definitely be disqualified. It was her plan, so I told her I’d already found another way. Lied through my teeth, but she’d let it go so it must’ve been convincing enough.

“C’mon, you’ll make it.” He assured, like there was no possibility I wouldn’t. “After all, my best friend isn’t a weakling.”

The twisting in my gut wasn’t unfamiliar, it happened every time he mentioned us as being friends. Why? I wasn’t quite sure, and it was one of the few things I refused to ruminate on. I refused any negative emotion when it came to Ridoc, too afraid to let anything take hold and then let the emotions push away my only solace in this place.

“Yeah.” I sighed. Then forced a smile as I met his gaze again, holding it this time. “Just want it to be over with.”

He smiled, moving some hair out of my face, the annoying strand of hair that always refused to stay in my crown of braids. “I know you do. And you’re gonna kick ass, and then in two days, we’re gonna get dragons and be certified badasses.” He sent me a big grin and I sighed, looking away to hide the smile blooming on my lips. I speared the sausage on my fork and plopped it in my mouth, finishing my breakfast.

“Yeah, yeah. Can’t get rid of me that easy.” I joked and with a quick glance from the corner of my gaze I saw his smile widen.

“Exactly Sorrengail. You’re stuck with me. Forever.” I laughed, before standing, Ridoc quickly following me. “Besides, I haven’t heard about the end of that dark romance you’ve been reading. It’s just started getting good. And I won’t have the patience to read it myself if you go and die on me.”

“Glad to see I have some use.” I snorted at him, my body relaxing the moment we’d gotten to the hall. The noise of the cafeteria fading the further we got from it. Finally, I could actually hear myself think now.

“Oh don’t be like that! You’re smarter than Violet, and that’s saying something.” He said and I rolled my eyes.

“No, I just watch more than she does. It’s easier to put things together when I don’t have to worry about holding a conversation at the same time.” I countered and he chuckled, pinching my side and making me squirm away. I still giggled against my will though. “Plus the photographic memory helps.” I snorted out another laugh when he poked me again. “Stop that!”

“Okay. Okay.” He relented, giving me a goofy grin and shoving his hands in his pockets. I knew that was the only way he’d be able to not touch me as he tried to honor my wishes. Ridoc never really could seem to keep his hands to himself when he was near me. Especially when he was nervous. “Don’t discount yourself though. You’re brilliant. Own it.”

“Shut it Gamlyn. I’ve got enough to worry about.” I sighed, taking in his expression before bumping his shoulder with my own. “Don’t need to worry about me okay? I won’t die today.”

The anxiety in his eyes faded, replaced with all consuming warmth as I was stuck in his gaze. He opened the door ahead of us, not saying a thing.

Ridoc’s POV

I held the door for her, warmth pulling at me as her gaze never faltered. I believed her, after all, it wasn’t often that she lied to me. In fact, she was usually unabashedly honest with me. A fact I was grateful for. She hid herself from the rest of our friends, her sister, but couldn’t hide from me.

Her brilliant mind fascinated me, she was amazing in her own unique ways. How the others couldn’t see it was beyond me. She was definitely the strongest, and smartest of us. I just wish they could see that, that she could see that, just once. She finally rolled her eyes, moving through the door as her cheeks went pink and my chest swelled with pride.

She was beautiful, in every way, and I'd been hopelessly pining after her since that first night when we’d been assigned to the same squad. When she’d finally met my gaze with those pretty y/e/c eyes of hers, catching me in a trance as she looked through me. Past my confident facade, straight to my core, past all the bullshit I wore like armor. But then she didn’t call me out like most would have, just cocked an eyebrow at me, and looked away. Like it was some secret that she was electing to keep for me.

I’d been practically begging for her attention since, especially after I’d figured out that she was pretending too. That she hid herself, afraid of the inevitable rejection too. But she didn’t play pranks, pretend to be stupid and refuse any feelings too painful to address. No she refused everyone, never letting anybody too close to be able to hurt her. Only letting the rest of our friends close enough to see what she deemed the useful parts of herself, but never close enough for them to really see her. But she let me. And I knew it was because she saw our similarities.

I was broken from my thoughts when we made it to the gauntlet, and fear seized my heart. As quickly as it’d taken over, it was gone because Y/N shoved my shoulder with hers again, sending me a bright smile.

“We’ve got this Ridoc.” It was simple, yet wholly convincing.

“We’ve got this.” I repeated, squeezing my hands into fists in my pockets to keep them still. To keep them from pulling her into my arms, and never letting go.

Y/N’s POV

I made it. I fucking made it! Shock seized me as Ridoc’s bellows rang in my ears, not quite hearing it even though his words echoed through me. His arms were wrapped tightly around me, spinning me around as he held me in a bone crushing grip. He set me back on the ground but didn’t let go, burying his head in my shoulder.

“You made it.” He whispered, and I nodded, tears pricking in the corner of my eyes as emotion flooded through me. Everything was suddenly too much as I hid my face in his chest. Breathe in. Out. In. Out. In. Out.

“I made it.” I whispered back, squeezing him from where my arms were wrapped around his neck.

We made it through presentation as well. Though several of the less savory of our squad couldn’t say the same for themselves. None of the dragons really stood out to me, a hollow feeling in my chest as I walked off the flight field. I won’t be chosen. I knew none of those dragons would choose me, deep in my soul. I didn’t say anything though, not until I was sitting criss-cross with my back leaning on his pillows and headboard as I watched him sharpening his sword, talking about needing to be ready for threshing.

“Did you-“ I paused when he quieted and glanced up at me, “Did you feel any of their approval?” I asked, voice barely above a whisper.

“The dragons?” He asked, putting down the stone in his hand and setting the sword to the side. Damn him, he must’ve noticed my shift in mood, deciding to focus on me completely now. I nodded. He thought a moment, his face shifting into contemplation, a look I couldn’t help but find so handsome. “Not really. There was those greens that crowded your sister. But I was terrified of them. Maybe that brown one, towards the end, that was annoying the others? Rolling all around them. He was funny. But I don’t know, none of them really jumped out at me.”

He hadn’t been able to take his eyes off that brown. I remember following behind him, watching him as he had softly chuckled at the dragons antics. For him to have brought it up again…maybe he was just lying to me, or himself, but he’d definitely had a connection to that dragon. My heart dropped.

He must’ve seen it too because he sighed, before crawling over and wrapping his arms around me as he pulled me into his side, and I leaned my head on his chest. “You are gonna get a dragon tomorrow. I just know it. Maybe your dragon just isn’t sure about you yet.”

“Comforting.” I snorted, voice devoid of emotion.

“Look, I know I haven’t convinced you, and you’ll be thinking some awful things about yourself now.” He paused, sighing and looking unsure of himself as he tried to find the right words to soothe me. Failing, but he’s cute, trying like that. “Just trust that I know, more than I’ve known anything that you will get a dragon tomorrow. If any of us deserves one, it’s you.”

The raw honesty in his voice made my heart race, and despite myself, his words gave me an inkling of hope. Hope that he was right. That there really was a dragon out there who could accept me, despite my shortcomings. Hope that a dragon would find me worthy.

“Thanks Ridoc.” I mumbled, and hoped that he’d hold me just a little longer as I worked to pull myself back together.

He did.

Ridoc’s POV

I wandered the woods, my mind occupied with Y/N and her show of weakness last night. She never let the facade fall that completely before, she was scared. More scared than she’d been for the gauntlet. Afraid a dragon wouldn’t want her. I frowned as I hid behind a tree as a red passed by. I knew that one wasn’t mine, but luckily it either hadn’t noticed me or decided to spare me instead.

I’d felt a tug all afternoon as I wandered the forest, coaxing me further and further inwards, where I knew that brown was waiting. I’d meant what I said last night, it’d only been once I’d left my friends that I felt the tug. But Y/N had caught what I hadn’t last night, in that way that only she does, already knowing the brown had intended on choosing me.

I finally started moving again, lost thinking about Y/N. Too lost to notice the forest shifting in front of me, until a deep male voice rang through my head, ‘Oh come on! You didn’t even notice me!”

I jumped back two feet, suddenly seeing two large golden eyes staring at me from a large brown swordtail that was hanging from a particularly large tree. A tree that still looked like it was about to buckle under the weight of him.

“S-sorry.” I stuttered out.

The brown jumped from the tree, landing on the ground and sending me staggering from the shockwaves. ‘I suppose I’ll forgive you. Only cause you’re so worried about her. Call me Aotrom, I’ll give you my full name later. You’re mine now.’ He sniffed at me as he circled me, before settling in front of me again, looking proud of himself.

“You mean Sorrengail? Y/N?” I specified, remembering Violet was out here too.

The dragon made a sound, that sounded suspiciously like a snort. ‘Who else? Your mate of course.’

My body froze as my mouth fell open in shock. “She’s not! We’re not-“ I shook my head. “She’s my friend.”

He tilted his head, looking confused. ‘Oh? I thought…’ He sounded confused too, thinking, before his face lit up again, tail wagging back and forth. ‘I see! Eve did say she thought you two hadn’t acted on it yet when I shared my memories with her. I guess she’s right!’

My mind was swimming. This-my dragon, Aotrom, was unlike any other dragon we’d learned about. That was for sure. And he thought me and Y/N were mates??? “Who’s Eve?” I finally let the words out and the dragon puffed his chest out as he straightened with obvious pride.

‘My mate of course.’

Y/N POV

I kept a hand over my mouth as an orange slinked by, sniffing the air. I willed my traitorous heart to slow, afraid that the nasty looking dragon would hear my heartbeats and try to eat me. Eventually he slinked out of view, and I let out a small breath as I continued on my way.

I still felt that hollowness. No pull anywhere as I wandered around aimlessly. I’d run into a dozen different dragons now, and felt nothing from any of them.

I silently wondered if Ridoc had found that brown swordtail. I wondered if Rhi and Violet had found theirs too. If Sawyer would finally get his own. If I would be forced to repeat the year as well, and start over next year.

I paused when I heard a rustling in the bushes, but before I could hide, one of the other cadets strode out. It was one that hung by Barlow, not in his inner circle but itching to move his way in and appease the cruel man. He was tall and fit, definitely a foot taller than me. I palmed my daggers as he stared at me, cruel grin forming as he looked me up and down.

“The quiet Sorrengail twin.” He hissed and I glared.

“Won’t earn you any points with Barlow killing me.” By sheer will my voice was strong.

“Oh, but it will weaken her, and Barlow will approve of that if he hasn’t killed her by the end of the day.” My heart raced at his words as I steeled myself for the fight ahead of me. He wasn’t backing down now.

He ran four steps raising his sword and was about to swing when air rushed around me, and then suddenly he was lifted off the ground, a giant scorpion tail sticking out his back and through his chest. With a flick of the tail his body flew behind me.

But I was frozen in fear. Standing in front of me was a dragon, with navy blue scales and bright green eyes narrowed on me, assessing. Waiting for what my response would be. It’s tail moved slowly now, curling around its body, which gave me some hope that this dragon didn’t plan on killing me. Yet at least.

“Thank you.” I whispered, lowering my gaze as my thoughts went wild. There weren’t supposed to be any blues out here today.

‘I came because my mate wished to take a rider, that’s all.’ Her voice was majestic, beautiful and commanding, filling my head and making my eyes snap back to hers. She was talking to me…but that meant… ‘Yes, Strategist, I agree with my mate’s assessment. You are worthy of being mine, despite your worries. He may have been selfish, having chosen his own already, but he had assured me that you would do me proud young warrior. Now, climb on, before I change my mind.’

She chuffed out a puff of air in my face and I chose not to argue and climb atop the small blue dragon. She wasn’t the smallest of the ones we’d seen during presentation, but she definitely wasn’t the largest, I noted as I climbed on top of her.

She grumbled. ‘I am only 21!’ She hissed out the words irritated with my…thoughts. Great she can read my mind. ‘I will grow with time! I’ll be bigger than Aunt Sgaeyl even! Just you watch!’

So don’t mention her size. Noted. Wait, Sgaeyl? Riorson’s dragon???

‘My name is Eventhasil, but you may refer to me as Eve.” Then she was launching into the air not a second after I had thoroughly settled into the seat, ignoring my mental question of her lineage. I gripped her tightly with my thighs, hanging on for dear life. Once she leveled out, not jostling me at all anymore, I was able to actually enjoy the wind flowing through my hair. Joy flooded me and tears welled up again. I was actually chosen.

‘That is a habit we will have to kill with prejudice. Your doubt in yourself is sickening.’ Though her words were harsh, I think that was supposed to be encouraging.

‘What about your mate?’ I asked, changing the subject. ‘What’s he like? Who has he chosen?’ It would be nice to know exactly which cadet I’m now tied to for the rest of my life.

‘He approaches.’ She says simply, her voice going quiet as she speeds up, forcing me to hold tighter as a brown tried to catch up. Were they…racing? ‘Yes, and if Aotrom wins he’ll be insufferable. Hold tight.’ Determination laced her tone as she tightened her movements racing towards the flight field at top speed, easily outflying the brown as she flung her wings out at the last minute, landing quickly. I was nearly flung from my seat with the maneuver, but with luck and my muscles locking, I was able to hold on. The brown landed thirty seconds later, towering over Eve as he snapped at her face playfully. She snapped back at him, narrowly missing his neck as her tail swung behind us.

But then another dragon landed on her other side and the brown lurched forward, growling low in his throat as he eyed the other male, his swordtail curling around Eve protectively.

She, however, sat calmly amidst his display of possessiveness. Almost…bored?

‘Overpossessive male.’ She explained, irritation lacing her tone. ‘Male dragons are known to be volatile towards any potential threats in the first few years of establishing a mate bond. And Aotrom is very…determined to keep me as his.’ An obvious affection was laced in her last words. The other male backed away, submitting to Aotrom’s dominance and claim, eyes and head down as he moved out of range. Only when the male had moved a sufficient distance away and Aotrom relaxed, turning to his mate again did I see his rider. Ridoc. Holy shit! Ridoc!

Happiness bubbled within me. There was no one better to be tied to! Holy shit. And he looked unharmed, thank the gods.

‘Go speak with him.’ Eve somehow sounded…teasing? ‘He’s relieved that Aotrom had told the truth when he told him that you were safe. As if I’d ever let harm come to what’s mine.’ She snorted at the last sentence and I laughed.

‘I’m glad he’s okay too.’ I sent her way as I climbed down.

The moment my feet hit the ground they lifted again, as Ridoc’s arms wrapped around me and swung me around. “We both got dragons! We’re both riders!” His voice was full of joy as he put me on my feet again. “We made it Y/N! We made it!” His hands moved to my cheeks, and I was frozen as euphoria took over his gaze, and then in a split second, his mouth was on mine.

Moving, kissing, me. I slowly moved back holding onto the moment as my heart burst. My crush was kissing me. Tongue slipping into my mouth as he pulled me to him, pine and male and Ridoc taking over my senses completely as I lost myself in him.

This moment was perfection.

And then it was ruined, by Sawyer calling our names, obviously not able to really see us yet. Ridoc jumped back, looking panicked and my heart lurched. Did he not mean to do that? His eyes scanned mine as he backed up.

“Talk later?” He asked, and I froze. He froze too, hands hovering over my waist. “Y/N? Talk later yeah?”

I nodded, words catching in my throat as Eve growled in my mind. But she said nothing.

“Yeah.” I whispered, putting on a smile as our friend greeted us.

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