#if you understand this and have the spoons to explain it. i would appreciate. i feel really fucking stupid rn and a genuine understanding of

[transsexula]

I really wish people would be straight up about what they mean sometimes. When you ask me why I did something and I explain why I did it don't come back at me with "excuses"!!! What the fuck are you talking about, excuses? You ASKED I am now TELLING YOU WHY IT HAPPENED why are you mad at ME for telling you??? When you asked?????

[vrystalius]

What does Sanemi like in a woman in terms of appearance and personality?

💕 The hashira’s preferences and likes in a partner

What do they like and prefer? Keep in mind that those are what I imagined for them and maybe won’t align with your imagination! Forgive me. <3

Note: I know you asked for Sanemi, but I decided to add the other hashira. I don’t want to neglect the others, but I made sure to make Sanemi’s part extra long! I hope you don’t mind <3 Anyways, thank you for requesting and enjoy!

Pairing: Sanemi, Kyojuro, Gyomei, Tengen x female!reader

(Mentioning of being motherly in Gyomei’s part)

💚 Sanemi Shinazugawa 💚

Sanemi doesn’t care about appearances, at all. The only thing he would prefer someone with a little more weight.

If you let him, Sanemi adores to just lay his head on, or preferably, between your thighs. They are so warm and feel so perfect resting on his shoulders. He’ll wrap his muscular forearms around them and gently give them a squeeze, smirking up at you.

Sanemi is a cuddle-bug and loves to be the big spoon and hold you. His calloused palms would travel over your whole body, lingering a little longer on your stomach. He likes holding and squeezing it a little, just to feel you squirm a little. It makes him chuckle.

Another thing I can think of appearance wise is that Sanemi would like someone shorter than him. He loves picking you up and just toss you around for giggles. Also, head-pats!

You’d be doing whatever when Sanemi would walk up behind you and give you a small head-pat, and then move on with his schedule. He’s also loves it when he needs to lean down slightly to kiss you. It makes him grin every single time.

Personality wise, Sanemi needs someone patient. He has a lot of issues, some he isn’t even aware of himself, so he needs a lot of time to work through them all, step by step. He craves reassurance and safety because that’s something he never truly had.

Sanemi needs someone that listens and understands what he’s trying to express, even if that’s through yelling or desperate attempts at trying to explain himself. He needs a partner that can calm him down, that listens and that shows him reassurance.

Also, Sanemi is incredibly afraid that he can loose you any moment. Perhaps by you being fed up with his personality or through a tragedy like a demon or crime, so he’s going to be very overprotective and clingy. He needs to make sure that you are safe and are going to stay with him. Again, this poor man needs a lot of reassurance and love, so be patient and loving with him.

Something that he needs in a partner as well is someone who is openly affectionate. He wants you to show him off, that you are glad and proud that he is your partner. It may make him flustered and he will complain about it, but please continue doing it.

In conclusion:

Appearance: Big thighs and stomach

Personality: Patience, reassurance, lots of affection

❤️‍🔥 Kyojuro Rengoku ❤️‍🔥

Kyojuro doesn’t care about appearance either, but he’d had to choose something, it would probably that he prefers someone with a bigger chest. He enjoys putting his face right between them, enjoying the warmth and intimacy.

They’re also like pillows for him.

Kyojuro can rest his head on top of them, listening to your breathing and heartbeat, while at the same time getting cuddles from you and being affectionate. It’s perfect!

Kyojuro perhaps also appreciates bigger thighs, just like Sanemi. He likes watching them “melt” when you sit down. Looks like a perfect place to rest his head if you ask him.

His favourite thing is when Kyojuro lays his head down onto your thighs while you run your fingers through his hair. He’s going to have the biggest smile ever while his chest rumbles slightly, almost as he’s purring. Maybe he’s a cat in disguise?

Personality wise, I think Kyojuro would prefer someone either that matches his loud and booming personality, matching his energy and loudness, or someone very calm.

If were to match his energised and cheerful personality, you two would be unstoppable. Your conversations will be heard by everyone, if they like it or not. You both support each other in the fullest in whatever you’re doing, and you will be each other’s biggest cheerleaders and supporters. Also, you two would play wrestle around, tickle each other and have affectionate play-fights.

If you are a calmer person, Kyojuro likes how much of a calming effect you have on him. Not that he looses any energy around you, he just has more moments where you two can relax and lay low for a while. Kyojuro will still be your biggest cheerleader and motivator out loud, while you are quietly support him with lots of kisses and praises. Also, being around your calm aura gives him reassurance and safety, wich he appreciates greatly.

In conclusion:

Appearance: Bigger chest, thick thighs

Personality: Either matching his or a calming one

🧡 Gyomei Himejima 🧡

Appearance wise, again, Gyomei doesn’t care what you look like. The only thing Gyomei would perhaps prefer in a partner is someone short. Not that that’s hard. Gyomei knows that he is a giant, and he absolutely adores holding you close and feeling the size difference. It just makes him cry and melt at the same time.

Also, perhaps Gyomei likes it when his parter is physically weaker person. Again, not that it’s hard to be weaker than him given that he is the strongest hashira, but Gyomei gets warm on the inside when you need his help to lift something. It makes him smile when he hears you gasp when lifts something you could never imagine lifting or carrying yourself, while Gyomei does it with ease. It’s adorable to him.

Regarding personality, I think Gyomei would appreciate someone who is very caring and attentive, even to strangers and especially to children. We all know that Gyomei has a soft spot for children, and he would cry a river if he’d hear you interacting with children and being motherly with them. It makes him think things.

Also, Gyomei would like someone that is affectionate. Doesn’t necessarily need to be pda, he just loves it when you randomly kiss, hug and call him pet-names throughout the day. It makes him cry and feel loved for.

You once made multiple bento boxes for Gyomei, being worried about how intensely and long he has been praying and training. You thought that he would pass out at this rate, so you insisted on him taking a break and eating every single dish you made for him. He appreciated it greatly how much you were caring for him.

In conclusion:

Appearance: shorter, weaker than him (I really hope this doesn’t sound weird)

Personality: Caring, motherly, affectionate

🩷 Tengen Uzui 🩷

Now, Tengen would care a little more about appearance. He probably likes it when you have a bigger chest. Looking at Hinatsuru, Suma and Makio, it’s not a big surprise he’d like that. When group cuddles come around, Tengen will whine if you don’t let him rest his head on your chest and he will not stop until you let him cuddle your chest.

Also, Tengen would probably like someone that knows how to take care of oneself. For example, skin-care, elaborate shower routines, maybe even make up. Out of all the other hashira, he probably values appearances the most, although it’s not the most important to him.

Tengen would maybe value someone who is shorter than him. He himself is a giant, and he loves comparing sizes to you. Your hand in his? So adorable! You’re a head shorter than him? Head-pats, all day every day.

Tengen would maybe like someone who more calm and collected. You just radiates a safe aura to him.

If you are on the calmer side, you’d be like the voice of reason along side Hinatsuru. Tengen appreciates it how you can calm Suma, Makio and himself with just a couple of words or touches.

He loves it when you cup his face and just hold him quietly, permitting him to rest his head on your chest as well. Your calming aura makes him feel safe and comfortable.

💠

Thank you for reading! I’m sorry if it fell a little short or doesn’t fit your own headcanons, I tried my best.

Anyways, make sure to EAT, SLEEP and DRINK enough!

Take care of yourselves <3

Here’s my masterlist for the hashira.

Here’s my masterlist for the demons.

[dalishious]

Dragon Age: Origins is still great today, and you should give it a try

I want to preface this post with an important disclaimer: I am not about gatekeeping, and I think that ultimately, you should play or skip whatever Dragon Age games you want. If even after this post you feel like Dragon Age: Origins just isn’t for you, that’s fine! That doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the Dragon Age media you do want to consume, and it certainly doesn’t mean you’re any less valid a fan. But I personally adore Dragon Age: Origins to this day, and I would love to see more modern gamers give it a chance, despite it being from 2009.

It’s a great introduction to the world of Thedas

Dragon Age: Origins had the tall order of being the first in a potential franchise, yet it climbed those heights and beyond. It perfectly balances the need to explain the world setting and tell a story within that world at the same time, by organizing the plot into puzzle pieces. You, the protagonist, have to recruit different factions into your cause to save the kingdom of Ferelden, so each piece of the game has a different focus on those factions. It spoon-feeds the player information at an easy to understand and absorb pace.

Dragon Age: Origins also makes good use of codex entries for those of you who are big lore buffs and want even more information. Yet at the same time, it does not overly rely on the codex; all the most crucial parts of the lore that you need to know are included in your interactions with characters and plot.

The player gets to shape the story

The nature of those puzzle pieces also means that you have huge control over the story from start to finish, because the puzzle itself is shaped by you! The outcomes of each piece form the blueprint of the climax. The end of the game is reactive to the choices you make in the story throughout. (Mind you, a lot of those choices have been retconned in later games, but still, within the confines of Dragon Age: Origins itself, it’s still fun to see the outcomes of your decisions.)

The story itself is great

I would consider Dragon Age: Origins to have the most straightforward premise of all the Dragon Age games released thus far, with a strong identity linking the different main quests all together. You are a newly recruited Grey Warden, left to unite Ferelden against the big bad Blight after 99% of the Order within the nation is wiped out in a catastrophic battle. You may get caught up in dwarven politics, ancient curses, demonic possession, and plenty more along the way, but no matter where you find yourself, your motivation always falls back to that ultimate responsibility.

The characters are also great

Almost all the companions you’re able to collect along the way are very easy to love, or at least appreciate them for what they are.

Alistair is also a new grey warden. He is struggling with grief over the loss of his mentor, and the weight of having no control over his identity his whole life.

Morrigan is a witch who grew up isolated in the woods with no one but her abusive mother for company. Now she must learn to interact with others, and dependant on the player, perhaps even make a friend, lover… or enemy.

Leliana is a bard from Orlais, whose faith told her to assist the grey warden plight. But beneath the demure outward appearance, she has a much darker past she’s running away from.

Sten is a Qunari warrior who was taught that outside his culture, everything is backwards and nonsense, but he cannot return home until he has restored his soul by recovering his lost sword. Along the way, he may learn to appreciate or despise Ferelden.

Zevran was enslaved by the Antivan Crows as a child and made into an assassin. If the player can chip away at his nonchalant mask, they will find his past has left a lot more scars on him than he thought it safe to admit.

Wynne is a mage from the Circle who is struggling to deal with the nature of age, death, and life purpose.

Shale is a golem who was once under complete and total control by her former master, now learning what it’s like to be free, and wanting to uncover her forgotten past before losing that freedom.

Oghren is there too, unfortunately.

And the player character really feels like they are of your own creation. The choices you make, little and small, offer a lot to shape whatever kind of protagonist you want. Additionally, the benefit of starting the game with a different origin, and playing out that origin before getting recruited into the grey wardens, offers a lot of prompting to get into the roleplay!

The datedness can be easily upgraded with modding anyway

Do you find the combat clunky? There’s mods for that. Do you find the graphics too bland? There’s mods for that. Do you wish you could kiss Alistair as a man or Morrigan as a woman? There’s mods for that, too. Dragon Age: Origins is very easy to mod; most of them you just drop the files into your override folder and start playing. Otherwise, you use the DA Modder app for DAZIP files, which is also not that complicated.

A lot of people consider Skyrim to be dated without mods, too. I personally don’t think there’s anything wrong with appreciating the ability to mod a game, as a positive point.

If you want to play, make sure you use LAA though!

Large Address Aware is a must-have on PC for Dragon Age: Origins.

For GoG or EA App/Origin users: You can just run LAA like normal!

For Steam users: You need THIS first

[melancholiaincarnate]

everything he knows about love (is wrong)

「 in which ᵎᵎ 」 sukuna tries to understand the way you love him .

「 words ᵎᵎ 」 510

「 author's note ᵎᵎ 」 hello ... sukuna is my lover and i love him and he is my girlfriend ok enjoy thanks i love him (requests open check master list etc etc)

「 warnings ᵎᵎ 」 innuendos to nsfw

ryomen sukuna who doesn't really understand what affection is. he doesn't quite get why you feel like kissing him every morning - but he doesn't complain when your sweet lips press against his and your eyes aren't quite open yet.

sukuna who, at first, doesn't get why you insist on 'spooning'. "i'm not a spoon, woman." he huffed the first time, "this sounds pointless." you explain, well, show, to him, and having you wrapped in his arms, he gets it. with his chin on your head, your shampoo invades his senses, filling his body with you. he gets why people do this - he likes having you pressed against him. he loves the feeling of your chest rising and falling - if only to remind him that you are alive and you are here with him.

sukuna who, when you first meet, doesn't understand why he wakes up with heavy breathing after dreaming of you. he dreams that you are with another man and he doesn't get why he feels nothing but boiling hot anger. he doesn't get why his chest clenches and his fists curl angrily against the sheets as his dream replays in his mind. he doesn't understand why he gets upset when you're laughing at your phone and you say it's just a friend. who else would be making you laugh like that?

sukuna who doesn't get your kisses. kisses on the lips are fine - he knows about those. he loves when they get hot and heavy and he pulls on your bottom lip with his teeth - and he especially loves the resulting sound. he also loves your smaller domestic kisses, when you're seeing him for the first time that day and you're pressing a lighter kiss to his lips. what he doesn't get though, is when you kiss elsewhere. and no, not his dick. of course sukuna understands that, and of course he enjoys it. he'd keep your mouth there forever if he could. he means when you take your time at night, kissing his face along his tattoos. feather light kisses across his biceps, his chest, his neck. you have no naughty intentions with them - you just want to let him know you appreciate him. and he doesn't understand why.

sukuna who doesn't understand why you get upset when he pulls his hand away from yours in public.. when you explain that you like to hold his hand because you like to feel protected by him - he lets you hold his hand as much as you want. he craves it now. it's his turn to get upset if you walk a little fast in front of him while you're shopping, or if you go into a different aisle without him. why would you do that? he's here to protect you. he craves to protect you.

sukuna does not quite understand exactly what love is but he understands that he feels it for you. and he understands that he's willing to do anything to keep you in his life, even if it means being the little spoon.

[tonyspank]

SHE 2

Jenna Ortega x G!P Reader

In a brand-new city, you're experiencing a new lifestyle. Jenna Ortega, your soon-to-be wife, must navigate your mixed emotions towards each other while raising your daughter. What happens when you start imagining a new life with someone else's wife?

This one shot includes mature themes such as foul language, sexual activity, acts of violence and etc.

Jenna and any other celebrities in this book are not famous unless said otherwise.

I hate this ending and possibly the entire thing but I hope you guys enjoy. Based off You S3!

You believed in love at first sight, and when you saw Jenna for the first time, everything clicked into place. The way she smiled, the way she carried herself—it was as if she were made for you.

Yes, you might've met others on the way, but no one made your heart race like Jenna. Bonding over cheesecake, strawberry jam, and most importantly, your mother. Jenna seemed to understand you on a deeper level than no one else had before.

But you wished things were different. None of that felt real anymore. You were wrong about Jenna, she wasn't the person you thought she was. The truth had shattered the image you had of her—that one beautiful woman you met on a late grocery-night run had turned out to be a stalking and murdering psychopath.

And when you realized who she truly was, it was too late. This murdering psychopath was the mother of your child.

You couldn't allow your daughter to be raised alone by such an evil person. You'd pretend to love Jenna, pretend to enjoy the suburbs, and move yourself away from the city you were beginning to love.

The young adult you once were, attempting to grasp the handles of adult life, has now become a master of disguise, faking happiness in your relationship. Every day, you put on a mask and play the role of a loving partner, protecting your child from the dark truth that lies within her mother.

Regardless...there's still a part of you that believes in love at first sight.

Marde Linda is the type of neighborhood you'd see in a television show, with picket white fences, beautifully manicured lawns, and slightly friendly neighbors who wave as they pass by. You don't have to get started on the schools, which are top-rated in the state, by the way.

Being a mother? Hard. Extremely hard. You don't know how your own did it, but you're happy she was there. Which is exactly why you're happy to be with your own daughter, despite the crying at 3 AM, the endless diaper changes...or the fact that she hates her vegetables.

"You are going to love this, trust me." You smile at your daughter, who dazly stares back at you in her highchair. "I mean, even I would eat this...I think?" You chuckle as you spoon-feed her the mashed carrots, hoping she'll give it a chance.

For a second, you start to believe she enjoys the taste, her little mouth opening wide for each spoonful. But then she scrunches up her face and spits out the carrots, turning her head every time you try to feed her again.

Just in time, Jenna walks into the kitchen with messy hair and a tired expression on her face. "What's going on here?" she asks, glancing at the mashed carrots smeared all over the highchair. You sigh and explain, "I was trying to get her to eat some carrots, but it seems like she's not a fan."

Jenna hums, slightly nodding her head. "Well, uh...do you want me to try feeding her?" You hesitate for a moment, unsure if Jenna will have any better luck. But you appreciate her offer and hand her the spoon. "Sure, why not?" you say with a hopeful smile.

Jenna smiles at you before taking a seat next to the highchair and starting to coax your daughter into taking another bite of the mashed carrots.

This sight reminds you of the old Jenna, the Jenna you fell for. The way she interacts with your daughter brings back memories of when you first started seeing each other, when everything was easy and carefree.

You're knocked out of your nostalgic reverie when the bell rings. Hm, you weren't expecting anyone.

You look at Jenna in confusion before heading to the front door, only to be met with a beautiful brunette, with a smile on her face, and a pie in her hand. "Hi, I'm Love. I live next door, and I wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood. I thought I'd bring over a homemade pie...it's gluten-free."

You raise your eyebrows, surprised by the unexpected gesture. "Wow, that's really kind of you," you say, genuinely touched. "Thank you so much, Love. I'm Y/N, and my fiance, Jenna, is a bit busy trying to feed our daughter. We just moved in a few days ago."

Love's smile widens as she listens to your introduction. "Of course, I know it's always nice to have a warm welcome when you move into a new place. And I know how that is. My husband, Joe, and I have a son, Henry, so I understand how hectic things can get. If you ever need any help with anything, just let us know."

"Likewise, Love." The woman gives you one last smile before returning her attention to her own home, she was really pretty.

"Who was it?" Jenna calls out from the kitchen. "It was our neighbor, Love. She came by to welcome us and offered her help if we ever needed anything. She seems like a friendly person." You answer back, closing the door and making your way back to the kitchen.

Jenna looks up from Luna and says, "That's nice." You hum in response, placing down the pie. "Did she eat the carrots?"

Your fiance thins out her lips, "Nope." You chuckle and shake your head.

It's wrong, but your neighbor is already stuck in your head, leaving you curious about her.

-

"How's mothering going?" Ross asks you over the phone, his face apparent on your phone screen. You sigh out, laying your head against the armrest of the couch. "As best as it can go." You pause for a moment, contemplating whether or not to mention your neighbor. Deciding against it, you simply add, "Luna is a handful, but we're managing."

"When are you gonna let me see my goddaughter?" You laugh softly at Ross's question, "Uhhh, I don't know. I guess come by whenever you're free." You can hear the excitement in Ross's voice as he responds, "Great! I'll make sure to schedule a visit soon."

You smile, a small silence falling over. Ross narrows out his eyebrows, trying to read you. "You look like you want to say something. What is it?" He mumbles.

"My neighbor Love... she seems really nice. And she's really pretty, she even has the most beautiful smile," you say, moving your face out of the screen so your best friend doesn't see your wide smile.

Ross raises an eyebrow and chuckles. "Sounds like you've got a crush on her already. Make sure Jenna doesn't find out, you'd be in the doghouse forever."

Ross knows about your problems with Jenna. He doesn't know why they formed, but he knows you're not exactly your happiest when it comes to your relationship with Jenna.

"I know, I know...but am I wrong for wanting to get to know her? I just...I don't know, I wanna see her again." You ponder, unsure of how to navigate your feelings for this new person while still being in a "relationship" with Jenna.

Ross leans back, contemplating your words before responding, "I think it's natural to be curious about others, especially when things are rocky with Jenna. Just be careful not to rush into anything without figuring out what or who you truly want."

You nod, and Ross continues, "Is this Love girl a single mother or something? What's got you so hooked?" You pause for a moment, considering Ross's question. "No, she's not a single mother," you reply. "She's married, but she's gorgeous, and she just has that aura, you know? She gave me a pie, Ross! What more could I ask for?"

Ross raises an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "I get that she's attractive and all, but you're both married and you both have children, so getting involved with her could definitely complicate things for both of you. Have you thought about the consequences like....at all?"

"No, I didn't. I haven't gotten that far, we just met two weeks ago. But there's just something about her that draws me in. I can't explain it, but I feel it."

Ross sighs and leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Look, I understand that you're drawn to her—" You hear the front door opening, interrupting your conversation.

You quickly sit up, realizing that Jenna has arrived home. Ross gives you a knowing look before hanging up.

Jenna smiles at you, unaware of the conversation you were having. "Hey. Where were you?" You ask, putting on a smile. Jenna crawls on the couch, snuggling up next to you.

"I ran into Love and her group of friends. You know she owns a bakery, she told me to stop by sometime and try her pastries. I think it would be fun if we went together," Jenna suggests, her eyes beaming up with excitement.

You feel a pang of guilt as you remember the conversation you were just having with Ross about Love. But you push it aside, not wanting to ruin the moment with Jenna. "That sounds like a great idea," you reply, attempting to sound enthusiastic.

You didn't hate your fiancé; you couldn't bring yourself to. She was the mother of your child, and for a while, she was the love of your life, she was captivating, caring, and always there for you. But every time you try to remember the goods, the bads come out—memories of her locking you inside a cage, revealing that she killed your ex-flings, and that look she gave when you asked about Zoe.

"Is Luna asleep?" Jenna asks, breaking the silence. You nod, a tiny smile peeking its way onto your lips. "Out like a light. Might even start snoring," you reply in a joking tone.

Jenna smiles, leaning in closer to you. "I'm glad you're here with me," she says softly. "I love you."

You can't. You can't say those words, not after everything you've discovered about her. The memories and fears weigh heavily on your heart, making it nearly impossible to reciprocate Jenna's love. You give her a reassuring smile, hoping she doesn't notice the hesitation in your eyes.

Thankfully, she doesn't, placing her lips on yours for a short and sweet kiss. Her hand snakes its way to lay against your cheek, bringing you into a more heated kiss, leaving you momentarily breathless.

You're trying. For Luna, for yourself, and for Jenna. You want to be a happy and perfect partner and mother, but you've been through a lot.

Jenna notices the subtle changes in your demeanor and gently asks if everything is alright. You take a deep breath, quickly nodding.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." Jenna stares into your eyes, searching for any signs of deception. She knows you too well to believe your quick reassurance. Pulling away from you as if you're a burning hot stove, she insists, "No, you're not. Why don't you talk to me anymore?"

Her voice trembles with concern, and you can sense the ache behind her words. You run a hand through your hair. "We do talk."

"But it's not the same," Jenna interrupts, annoyance in her tone. "It feels like you're holding back, like there's something you're not telling me."

"You're always distracted. Something's going on," Jenna adds, her eyes searching yours for answers.

Saved by the cry, Luna's whines are heard from the baby monitor that rests on your coffee table. You quickly excuse yourself to tend to Luna, grateful for the interruption.

-

A bell jingles as you make your way through the door, alerting the owner of the shop to your presence. "You're not closed, are you?" you ask, hoping to still be able to browse the selection of treats.

Love smiles, waving you off. "For you? We're open 24/7," she chuckles. "Feel free to take your time and explore." You thank Love and begin glancing over the array of delectable pastries and desserts on display.

"Which one catches your eye?" Love asks, her eyes twinkling with anticipation. Other than you? I don't know, you think. You take a moment to survey the mouthwatering options, each one more tempting than the last. Finally, your gaze settles on a beautifully decorated muffin that seems to be calling your name.

You point at the muffin and say, "I think I'll go with that one. It looks absolutely divine." Love nods approvingly and retrieves the muffin for you, placing it in a small box with a smile. "Excellent choice," she says. "I'm sure you'll enjoy every bite."

Your upper lip curves upward into a satisfied smile as you eagerly anticipate the first bite of the delectable muffin. "Mmm," you groan out, missing the way Love bites her lip in response to your reaction. She watches you with a twinkle in her eye, clearly pleased with your enjoyment of the muffin.

The muffin is soft and moist, with just the right amount of sweetness. It melts in your mouth, leaving behind a burst of flavors that dance on your taste buds.

"This is fantastic." You exclaim, savoring every bite as the flavors continue to unfold. Love's smile widens, and she leans in closer, whispering, "I'm glad you like it."

Placing down the half-eaten muffin, you smile at the brunette. "You know, I actually cook and bake myself, but never have I made something as delicious as this. Your muffin is truly a masterpiece."

Love blushes, clearly flattered by your compliment. "Well, I'd love to try your cooking sometime," she says, smiling even wider at you.

"I'd be honored to cook for you. It'll be our own little culinary adventure, you know what I'm talking about?" Love chuckles, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, we can be the dynamic duo in the kitchen."

You and your next-door neighbor continue to talk, sharing recipes and exchanging cooking tips—and maybe even glances. You begin to open up about your feelings about parenting, even sharing some stories about your own mother, whom you love and miss dearly.

"I don't know; I just...my mom was the best in my eyes. I just want my daughter to look at me the same." Love listens attentively, nodding her head. "Don't we all?"

She pauses for a moment, reflecting on her own new experiences as a mother. "It's a universal desire—wanting to be the best parent we can be for our children. My mother isn't really the best, so I'm trying to learn from her mistakes and do things differently with Henry."

You smile at the mention of Henry. "He's lucky to have a mom like you who is willing to learn and grow. I'm sure you and Joe will do an amazing job."

You see Love's smile flicker at the sound of her husband's name, but she quickly regains her composure. "Thank you... I'm also glad I got to you before Sherry and her mean girls squad did." Love quickly changes the topic, smiling widely again.

"Yeah, I saw her blog...don't know how to feel about it yet." You say, tilting your head and raising your eyebrows. Love chuckles, shaking her head. "I know what you mean. I remember our second time meeting each other. She asked me about Joe and I's sex lives, saying, "Oh, having orgasms helps you produce better breast milk for your baby!"

Your mouth opens in disbelief. "Wow, that's quite a personal question to ask someone you barely know," you comment, slightly taken aback. Love nods in agreement, her smile fading slightly. "Yeah, it was definitely uncomfortable."

"So, how did you respond to that?" you ask, curious about Love's reaction. Love lets out a small sigh before answering, "I lied. The best thing you can do to Sherry."

You let out a small laugh. "I'll take note of that." You open your mouth to speak, but hesitate, unsure if you should even ask the question on your mind.

But curiosity gets the better of you, and you finally ask, "Have things ever felt weird with you and Joe during the first few months of bringing in Henry? It's just... I don't feel like I'm engaged with Jenna, it's almost as if we're just two strangers taking care of a baby together."

It's like a black cloud has appeared above Love's head, casting a shadow over her face. And for the first time, she's not putting on the usual happy facade to fool her neighbors into thinking she fits into Marde Linda; instead, she looks vulnerable and honest.

Love pauses for a moment, collecting her thoughts, before responding, "I totally get where you're coming from. It actually feels like that a bit now, you know? It's good to know I'm not the only one who feels this way."

"Joe and I have been together for so long, and it's been great for the most part. But lately, I've been feeling like something is missing. We used to have such a strong connection, but now it feels like we're drifting apart. I've tried talking to him about it, but he just brushes it off and says everything is fine. It's frustrating because I want us to be happy together, but I can't get through with him."

Love lets out a fake chuckle, trying her best to keep the tears from building in her eyes.

She takes a deep breath and continues, "I know relationships have their ups and downs, but this seems different. It's like we're living in two separate worlds, with little overlap or understanding of each other's lives. I miss feeling connected to someone... I miss smiling so much that my cheeks hurt. I miss...the feeling of feeling wanted and cherished."

You feel the same way, completed. You long for the days when you both were inseparable, when every moment spent together felt like a precious gift. The distance between you and Jenna now feels unbearable, and you yearn for that deep connection and intimacy that seems to have faded away.

"Yeah... I know what you mean. I remember the first night I met Jenna, my heart was racing, like badly, almost as if it was going to burst out of my chest. I wanted to impress her so damn badly that I started showing her photos of me with the president. I just couldn't take my eyes off her, and the way she laughed at how I had continued to completely make a fool out of myself. We had this instant chemistry that I'd never felt with anyone else before. It's like we were made to be for each other, but after a while, it seemed...fake, I guess. The more I got to know her, the more I realized that our connection wasn't as genuine as I initially thought."

You run a hand down your face, your face flushing with embarrassment. "Shit, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to just pour my heart out like that." Love waves you off, "No, no! It's only fair; I kind of did the same thing earlier. It feels good to be able to open up and share my feelings with someone who won't go gossip about it."

You take a deep breath, feeling relieved that Love understands and appreciates your honesty. "Thank you for being so understanding. It's just been weighing on me, and it feels good to finally talk about it."

When the silence falls, you feel it. You both want the same thing—to start fresh—but neither of you has the guts to say so. You'd both look like bad spouses, wanting a new life while your old one was just getting started.

Your mind begins to wonder: What if Love was your new start? The shared laughter, looks, feelings, and smiles were a creation of a bond that goes beyond being neighbors.

You were so in your mind that you didn't even realize that Love had moved right beside you, placing a soft hand on your arm. Startled, you turn to see Love sitting there with a gentle smile on her face.

Her intentions were to comfort you, but her heart betrayed her. You looked even better up close.

You and Love meet in a slow kiss, both of you unsure what you're exactly doing in the moment, but sure, it's what you want in that moment. You were drawn to her, her gentle nature, and the way she effortlessly made you feel at ease.

Wait. No, wait.

You're engaged, you can't. You're not supposed to be doing this, but you want—no. You can't.

You quickly pull away, "I'm...so sorry, fuck." You rush out, your mouth slightly agape. Love stares at you, she understands the conflict raging within you and the responsibilities that bind you. So she doesn't fight against your decision, allowing you to walk away, leaving her in an empty bakery with a half-eaten muffin.

You make it home, but your mind is still consumed by Love's presence. You don't know how long you've been standing in silence, lost in thought. Jenna could never find out you shared a kiss with your neighbor, not only would you be in trouble, but Love would find herself like your old flings.

But Jenna's home, meaning Luna successfully made it to Ross's apartment.

You snap out of your reverie and greet Jenna. You have to try harder. Jenna's trying her hardest to make things work between you two, and it's important for you to reciprocate that effort. You smile as she rants about the traffic on the way back home from Ross's place, taking her hair out of her messy bun.

You walk up to your fiance, wrapping your arms around her and kissing her intensely but softly. Jenna gasps in surprise but immediately melts into the kiss, her hands finding their way to your back. This was probably the first time you've insinuated such a passionate display of affection, and it fills Jenna with a sense of reassurance and love.

As you pull away from the kiss, Jenna looks into your eyes, her own filled with a mixture of adoration and curiosity. She whispers, "What brought this on?" You smile and reply, "I was just thinking about when you approached me in the grocery store...and you asked if I was going to stay in the same aisle until you left."

Jenna's eyes widen with surprise as she recalls that moment. She blushes and playfully nudges you, saying, "I can't believe you remembered that!"

"Of course I do," you mumble against her lips, feeling a surge of affection. "I missed you, Jenna." She smiles, her cheeks turning even redder, and pulls you in for another kiss, which grows wilder by the second.

"Bedroom, please...Y/N." Jenna whimpers out, jumping into your arms as you walk toward your bedroom. Jenna's heart is pounding in her chest, but at the same time, her mind is racing. She can't help but wonder what has gotten you this way?

Was it really your first time meeting, or is there something else on your mind? Someone else—maybe she doesn't know.

You undress yourself completely, revealing your naked body to Jenna's eager eyes. Jenna's thoughts continue to swirl. She tries to push aside her doubts and insecurities and focus on you. But deep down, a nagging feeling lingers, leaving her curious about your hidden secrets or unspoken desires.

You stand at the edge of the bed while Jenna removes her own clothes in bed, her lip trapped between her teeth as she meets your gaze. You smile, pulling your fiance by her legs to the edge of the bed and lowering yourself to your knees.

As you trail kisses along Jenna's inner thighs, her hunger grows, her breath hitching with each gentle touch. She arches her back, yearning for more, as you tease her with your lips and tongue.

"I missed this...I missed you." You mutter against her core, going back to your effective but gentle techniques. Jenna loses herself in your words and the intoxicating sensations coursing through her body. Her fingers slip into your hair, and her hips move wildly against your mouth.

You place your hands on her hips, holding her down against the bed. Your fiance whines in response, throwing her head back in frustration.

With a smirk, you continue to maintain your firm grip, knowing that it drives her wild. "I'm so close, baby...please." Jenna pleads, her voice barely audible as she gasps for breath.

You keep up the relentless stimulation, teasing her just enough to push her further to the edge. Her body tenses, and with a loud cry, she finally reaches her climax, her hips bucking against your touch.

Whilst her body slowly relaxes, you release your grip, allowing her to catch her breath. Jenna looks up at you with a small smile, her eyes sparkling with post-orgasmic bliss.

You crawl onto the bed, hovering over your fiance with a mischievous smile.

"You're so beautiful, Jen." You whisper, aligning yourself with her core, watching her gasp and arch her back as you enter her. Jenna pulls you down into a kiss, her mind clearing as you reassure her in the best way possible.

"Y/N..." Jenna breathes out, clinging onto your back as you begin to move with gentle, rhythmic thrusts. Her nails dig into your skin, leaving behind small red trails as she desperately holds onto you, almost as if she's scared you'll slip away.

You drop your head on Jenna's shoulder, inhaling her sweet scent as you continue to move inside her. Gosh, she was something else. Her smell—the vanilla smell mingled with a hint of lavender—filled your senses, intoxicating you further. And the way she softly bit your ear before attacking your neck, sent shivers down your spine, making it impossible to resist her.

"Yes...yes! Fuck, right there, Y/N." Jenna mutters in your ear, wrapping her legs around your waist, and pulling you in deeper.

-

"I thought Ross was supposed to have Luna for longer?" You ask Jenna, referring to the doorbell. Jenna shrugs, placing a kiss on your lips before sitting up from the couch and reaching for her robe.

"It's probably my package, baby. Just go answer it for me, will you?" Jenna says, giving you one last peck.

With a sigh, you walk toward the front door. Jenna stops you. "Don't you think you should put some clothes on first?" she teases, her eyes lingering on your attire—just your boxers and sports bra.

You open up the coat closet nearby, putting on a zip-up hoodie to cover yourself up. Jenna chuckles and playfully swats your arm, reminding you to grab a pair of pants as well. "By the time I do that, they'll be gone!" you mutter. Jenna gives you a look, which you ignore, hurrying up to answer the door.

"Love—hey!" You rush out. You weren't expecting to see love so soon, especially after your kiss. You quickly compose yourself, trying to hide any lingering awkwardness from the kiss.

Love smiles, "Hi, I'm sorry for just...showing up, I just wanted to see if we were okay." You open your mouth before you even know what you're going to say, "Uhh...yeah! I uh, I'm sorry, it's just..." you motion your hands around, feeling flustered and searching for the right words.

"I..." You glance behind you to make sure Jenna isn't eavesdropping on the conversation. "I really enjoyed our....talk. It got a lot of stuff off of my chest and about our k—"

Love's eyes leave yours, moving to something behind you. Love's eyes leave yours, moving to something behind you. Their expression changes, and you turn around to see Jenna standing there, an unreadable expression on her face.

Jenna's unexpected presence interrupts your train of thought, leaving you momentarily speechless. Your fiance glances between the two of you, clearly caught off guard by Love's sudden appearance.

Love quickly recovers, breaking the silence with a forced smile. "Hi! I was just inviting you both to dinner tonight. I thought it would be a great opportunity for us to all get to know each other better." Love says, attempting to regain composure.

Jenna's eyes briefly meet yours before turning back to Love. That sounds like a lovely idea," she says, her voice calm but with a hint of curiosity.

You can't help but wonder what Jenna's true feelings are about Love's unexpected invitation. Fuck. Could she tell something happened between the two of you?

You try to shake off the thought, reminding yourself that it's just your own paranoia. Love gives you a smile before walking off. Perhaps she is genuinely interested in Love's invitation, and there is nothing to worry about.

"We could've just said no," you mutter, closing the door. Jenna hears you, raising an eyebrow. "Why would we do that?" You pause for a moment, walking to Jenna and wrapping your arms around her. "I mean, it's just...unexpected. And we don't really know Love that well. It might be better to play it safe, you know?"

Jenna stares into your eyes, her expression softening. "You're so cute," she says, planting a gentle kiss on your nose. You furrow your eyebrows, confused by the compliment and how she completely dodged your concern.

-

"It's so great to finally meet you." Joe smiles, extending his hand for a handshake. You shake his hand, "Likewise, Joe. It's nice to have some...normal neighbors." You chuckle nervously, hoping that your comment about normalcy didn't come off as rude.

Joe chuckles. "Well, thank you. I'm glad I didn't get grouped in with Sherry and Cary." You let out a small laugh, relieved that Joe understood your attempt at humor. "Oh, I've heard some interesting stories about them. They definitely bring some excitement to the neighborhood."

Love pulls away from her hug with Jenna, leading you both to the dining room, a bright and inviting space with a large wooden table. As you take a seat, Love gestures towards the beautifully set table and says, "I hope you're hungry! I've prepared a special homemade meal just for the occasion."

"Thank you so much, Love. Everything looks and smells amazing," you say sincerely, feeling grateful for her hospitality.

Love smiles warmly at you, and Jenna takes notice of this, her eyes boring into Love's skull. Jenna's gaze lingers on Love for a moment before she blinks, putting on a fake smile as she starts a conversation with Joe.

"Shit, I forgot the drinks, I'll be right back." You get up from your seat and say, "I can help." Love quickly interjects, "No need to worry, I'll take care of it." You wave her off, "It's okay! I don't mind helping out."

You follow Love to the kitchen, fixing your dress shirt and straightening your tie as you go. Love glances at you with a grateful smile, appreciating your willingness to assist.

"I'm sorry, Love." You apologize sincerely, referring to your shared kiss that shouldn't have happened between two married individuals. Love's smile fades slightly as she looks down at the ground, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. "No need to apologize," she says softly, avoiding eye contact.

"No, really. I shouldn't have done that." You continue, walking closer to the blue-eyed woman. Love's gaze remains fixed on the ground, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was a moment of weakness for both of us," she admits, her words tinged with regret.

"At least...I know that it was for you." Love adds, her voice trailing off as she finally meets your gaze. "Because...one second you're complaining about not being happy, but you seemed pretty happy this morning after."

"What?"

"The fucking hickeys, Y/N. You opening the door in your boxers? Could you be any more fucking obvious?" You look away, your cheeks turning a shade of pink.

"Love..." you stammer, struggling to find the right words. "You're married...I'm married...we couldn't...I couldn't..." Love shakes her head, a sad smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"I guess I'm blind for thinking that kiss meant anything. It's just finally talking about it that I started imagining what if...you know? Like, with him... the first time I saw him, I wanted to get to know everything about him. And I felt that again, but with you. I wanted to explore a connection that I hadn't felt in a long time. It's stupid..."

Love's eyes glisten with unshed tears as she takes a step back, creating a distance between you two. "I don't even know why I'm acting like this. We should get back." She quickly wipes her eyes, handing you two glasses and picking up the rest before walking back toward the dining room.

"Hey, you're back! I missed you," Jenna exclaims as she sees Love and you return to the dining room. She gives you both a warm smile, unaware of the emotional moment that just took place.

You send Jenna a smile, sitting back down beside her. Love joins the table, her eyes still slightly red but her smile genuine. "Jenna was just telling me about how she cooks too," Joe tells his wife, his eyes glancing between her and Jenna.

But Jenna doesn't pay any mind to the man; her eyes are staring into yours. She leans in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "What took you so long?" Anyone else would've missed her accusatory tone.

"We were just talking about our favorite recipes," you reply, trying to deflect the question. Jenna's eyes narrow slightly, but she doesn't press further. Instead, she smiles at Joe, nodding. "Yes! I love trying out new recipes. I'm more of a cook than a baker, though; I'm really good at using knives and stuff."

That surely meant something else, you think.

Love chuckles nervously, clearly uncomfortable with the mention of knives. "Oh, uh, I'm more of a baker...as you know already." Jenna's smile widens. "Well, I also bake too! Don't mind getting my hands dirty." Joe's eyes widen slightly, sensing a hidden meaning behind Jenna's words.

Joe clears his throat. "Let's get eating, shall we?"

-

You're now home in your bedroom; the rest of dinner went well for the most part. You begin taking off your button shirt while Jenna removes her makeup in your shared bathroom.

"I think you should stop talking to Love." Jenna blurts out, catching you off guard. You pause, unsure of how to respond. "What do you mean?" you ask, continuing to unbutton your shirt.

Jenna turns around to face you, her expression serious. "Is there a problem with that?" Jenna's words hang in the air, causing a knot of unease to form in your stomach.

"I don't see why there would be a problem," you say cautiously, "but can you explain why you feel that way?"

Jenna takes a deep breath before speaking. "Why can't you just do this one thing for me without asking so many questions?" Her tone is tinged with frustration, and you take this as a sign to drop it. With a hum and nod, you agree, throwing your shirt somewhere in the room and sitting down on your bed.

Jenna leaves the bathroom, walking towards you with a small smile. "Thank you, baby." You smile back at Jenna, and she begins undoing her robe.

She lets the silky fabric slip off her shoulders; you can't help but admire the way it accentuates her curves. Jenna parts your legs, standing in between them, and without a second thought, your hands move to explore, caressing her soft skin.

Jenna leans in, her lips brushing against your earlobe as she whispers, "You know, sometimes I just need a little space to breathe." You close your eyes, feeling the warmth of her breath against your skin. Taking a deep breath and gently pulling her closer, you respond, "I think you just wanna show off."

She smiles, leaning back to look into your eyes. Her gaze is filled with a mix of playfulness and affection as she replies, "Maybe I do enjoy being the center of attention sometimes."

You open your eyes again, only to look out of your window and see your neighbor looking in your direction. You quickly let go of Jenna and rush toward your window, shutting the curtains.

"I can't believe he was spying on us," you mutter. Jenna chuckles softly and pulls you into a reassuring embrace, reminding you that it's just a harmless moment and not worth worrying about.

"Yeah, but that's weird. He's married with a son, and we literally just met him for dinner." Jenna places a kiss on your lips, "I'm all yours; no need to get worked up, my love."

You take a deep breath, trying to calm your racing thoughts. Despite Jenna's reassurance, you can't help but feel a twinge of unease about your neighbor's behavior. Maybe it's best to keep a closer eye on him in the future, just to be safe.

-

It's late, really late. Luna is back home, but thankfully she's asleep. You've been up waiting for Jenna since she left in the afternoon, but it's already well past midnight.

You open up your phone to try to ring Jenna's phone again, but these past few hours have been filled with unanswered calls and messages. Your mind starts to wander, imagining all sorts of worst-case scenarios. Maybe she got into an accident or lost her phone. You don't fucking know, but you're scared.

On cue, your fiance makes it through the door with messy hair and a tired expression on her face. She apologizes for being late, explaining that she lost track of time while catching up with Joe, your creepy, stalky neighbor.

You get up from the couch with an angry expression on your face. "Why's your hair all messy?" You demand, frustration evident in your voice. She begins to explain, "I put my head out the window after I finished my burger—a very good vegan burger, by the way. Why are burgers so tasty?" she asks, trying to lighten the mood.

You can't help but feel a pang of jealousy towards Joe, wondering why she would spend so much time with him, especially after she knows how you feel about him. Going on late-night burger runs and sharing inside jokes with him. It's hard not to feel like you're being replaced, and her nonchalant attitude only adds to your frustration.

"I have to stop hanging out with my friends, but you get to go on all-day dates with Joe?" You sarcastically question, furrowing your eyebrows.

Jenna shakes her head, "Please. Not tonight." You feel yourself getting angrier by the second, your voice rising as you continue, "Do you see the way he looks at you? We literally caught him staring at you through his window?"

Jenna clenches her jaw, her eyes narrowing with annoyance and anger. "Why do you even care? It's not like you love me anymore." You pause, taken aback by Jenna's words. "What? Jenna, that's not true. I do love you."

Jenna lets out a fake laugh, rolling her eyes. "You know...you might think you're protecting my feelings, but it hurts ten times harder when you lie."

"I'm not an idiot, Y/N. I know you fucking kissed her that night." You feel a lump form in your throat as Jenna's accusation hangs in the air. Your mind races, searching for the right words to defend yourself. "Jenna..."

Jenna laughs, a bitter sound that cuts through the tension. "So sorry if I like spending time with someone who actually might be interested in me!" Her voice cracks, betraying herself.

"You're not being fair, Jenna! You can't blame me for being confused! You don't get to be conflicted! I'm...fucking lost! I don't know if I love you, there! I said it! I don't know if what we have is genuine because my soon-to-be wife fucking stalked me for years and killed anyone I tried to get close to. I've been living in fear, constantly looking over my shoulder." You yell, the veins in your neck coming out as you release your pent-up anger.

"I'm so fucking scared of you, Jenna. I don't know if you're going to hurt me...for not being 100% into you all the time, hurt someone for attempting to get close to me, or...hurt our daughter. So excuse me for even trying to find a safe haven."

Your words hang heavy in the air as you struggle to catch your breath. Jenna is at a loss for words, unsure what to say or how to respond to your raw and honest outburst. You watch her lips tremble slightly as she tries to form a response, but no words escape.

"...Fuck you, Y/N." She finally replies, pushing past you to leave the room.

-

"Y/N, hey!" You turn around to see Joe. You put on a fake smile; you're pissed off at this guy, and not only that, but he's interrupting your walk to clear your mind.

"Hey Joe, what's up?" you respond, trying to maintain your composure despite your frustration.

"I just wanted to see if you were doing okay." Joe's concern catches you off guard, and you can't help but soften your expression slightly. "Thanks; I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" Joe hesitates for a moment before answering, "Well, Jenna told me earlier that you two were planning on calling off the engagement."

Your heart skips a beat at Joe's words. Why the hell would she want to call off the engagement and not you? "Jenna must have misunderstood," you say, trying to hide your unease.

"We're not calling off the engagement. Everything is fine between us." Joe looks relieved but still seems skeptical. "Are you sure? Jenna seemed pretty convinced. Maybe you should talk to her and clear things up."

Yes, of course. You'll talk to your fiancé. You nod, turning back around to continue walking. "Oh, and Y/N," Joe calls out as you start to walk away, causing you to turn back around.

You feel something heavy hit your head, and your world turns black as you collapse to the ground.

When you regain consciousness, you find yourself in the same situation you were in years ago. Except this time, Jenna isn't present, but Joe, your neighbor, is.

"Fuck...not this shit again." You mutter, using the class cage to help lift yourself from the ground.

Joe tilts his head, confused. "Again. You're telling me you've been put in this situation before?" You touch your head, looking for any signs of injury. "Yeah," you reply, wincing at the pain. "I already know not to freak out and bang against the glass this time."

"Jenna must really like you," Joe says, raising an eyebrow. "She's the one who put you in something like this, right?" You nod, frustration evident on your face.

"I guess she learned from my old tricks." You chuckle bitterly, asking. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

Joe smirks, standing up from his chair. "Well, let's just say Jenna isn't the first person to trap someone inside of a glass box; neither was I, but I think...I might've been the one to inspire her."

You raise an eyebrow, intrigued by Joe's cryptic statement. "What do you mean?" you inquire, wanting to know more about the origins of this bizarre, fucked-up situation.

Joe's smirk widens as he walks towards the glass box. "I guess you can say I was Jenna's first love, her muse, the one who possibly ignited her twisted creativity."

"I knew Jenna before everything." Joe continues, "I'd become a bit obsessed with her; she was the first person I loved after my ex-girlfriend broke my heart. Jenna had this magnetic energy that drew me in, and I couldn't help but be captivated by her. One day, she told me she was leaving New York to move to California, and I...snapped. I became possessive, desperate to keep her close to me. I put her inside the glass box my...mentor built so she wouldn't leave before I got the chance to talk to her about it."

You chuckle bitterly, not even surprised by the situation. After Jenna, you've become used to the fucked-up shit people can do. But Joe, he just seemed 10x worse. He practically made Jenna look like an angel."You guys are some truly fucked up people, man, I swear."

"Can you not? I'm pouring my heart out here." Joe sarcastically jokes, rolling his eyes. "But yeah, I guess you could say I went a little crazy. I just couldn't bear the thought of her leaving without giving me a chance to explain how much she meant to me. And seeing her again after all those years only intensified those feelings. I knew I had to do something, even if it meant risking everything."

You fake yawn, "So...you did all of this because, supposedly, my fiance is "the one who got away" for you?" Joe smiles, "Ding, ding, ding!"

"And what about Love? Your wife?" Joe's smile fades slightly as he looks down at his hands. "Love... Love and I—we've been drifting apart for a while now. We've tried to make it work, but sometimes people just grow in different directions. And I'm sure Jenna's dealing with her right now...for you."

Your ears perk up. "Dealing with her? What do you mean dealing with her for me?"

Joe looks up. "Killing her."

Your eyes widen in shock as you process Joe's words. "Wait, you can't be serious. Killing her? What about Henry?!"

Joe's expression turns grave as he responds, "I know it sounds extreme, but Love and I have exhausted all other options. We've tried therapy, communication, everything. Henry will be fine; I've already planned that out."

Joe's words send a chill down your spine. "Are you serious, this is fucking insane? You have to stop, Jenna! Joe, Love was your wife, and I know at one point you loved her. You can't let Jenna go through with this. There has to be another way to go about whatever the fuck you're doing, for Henry's sake and for your own sanity."

Joe walks away, not even bothering to acknowledge your plea. "Joe!" You shout, banging on the glass, desperate to get through to him. But he continues to walk away, his footsteps fading into the distance.

-

The door opens again, and you rise from the ground, rushing to the glass. But it's not Joe who appears; it's Jenna. "Jenna? Jenna, what happened?"

Jenna looks at you with tears in her eyes, her palm resting against the glass. "I love you, Y/N. I love our daughter, and I love our life together. But I just want to know if you love it too, and please, just be honest with me."

You feel a knot forming in your stomach as Jenna's words sink in. Her vulnerability and plea for honesty leave you speechless for a moment.

You realize that your answer will shape the future of your relationship and maybe even your life.

"I love you too, Jen. I swear. I—I won't let anything come between us again. Our life together means everything to me, and I can't imagine a future without you and our daughter. I promise to always be honest with you, no matter what."

Jenna's tears begin to subside as a sense of relief washes over her face. She takes a deep breath and reaches into her pocket, pulling out a silver key. With trembling hands, she opens the glass cage, and you fall into her arm, your own eyes filling with tears.

Jenna holds you tightly, whispering words of love and forgiveness. In that moment, you realize that your relationship has been given a second chance, and you vow to never take it for granted again.

"I couldn't do it. I thought about it. Fuck, Y/N. I was about to hurt Love and take Henry's mother away from him forever. But I thought about how I could never forgive myself, not even a little." Jenna's voice trembles with emotion as she continues, "I want to break free from that fucked-up pattern and create a better future for all of us."

You nod, pressing a kiss to Jenna's forehead. "I believe in us, Jenna," you say softly.

"Let's go, Y/N." You nod again, rushing out of the room together, determined to leave the past behind and start fresh. You make it to your car, Luna in her carseat carrier, ready for the journey ahead. Jenna starts the engine, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

Your fiance speeds out of Marde Linda, and you turn to see smoke billowing from the town behind you, along with the sounds of sirens blaring in the distance.

"Where are we going?" You mutter to Jenna. She glances at you, placing a hand on your lap.

"We're going anywhere but here," she replies, her voice steady. "...I was thinking London. I've always wanted to live in England." The thought of starting a new life in London fills you with excitement and hope, causing you to smile regardless of the circumstance you had just escaped from.

Together, you embark on a new chapter, ready to rewrite your story and create a better life for yourselves and Luna in England.

[auspicioustidings]

Ae Fond Kiss - Part 7

My Heart's in the Highlands

Summary: You speak with your kid and establish a new normal. A conversation is had with Johnny. Words: 2.6k TWs: mention of miscarriage

Parts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

The drive home was silent. Your mind was a mess but you tried to slow down your racing thoughts and put your parent head on. It was so hard right now to be a parent when you felt like an out of control child. You tried to run through a script in your mind, a way to explain what was going on to Joey without bringing your own bitterness into it. 

The kid in question seemed no more willing to have the conversation than you were. He was staring out the window. He seemed exhausted. You could understand that, the emotional gauntlet he had been going through with his parents not even there to help… God you felt awful. 

“...let’s get the mega-ultra sundae” you decided, indicating to turn off towards the ice-cream parlour.

“That’s for like 20 people. Luna from school said her brothers tried to eat it all and they threw up.”

“How many brothers does she have again?”

“Four. One of them does football at uni, two are on the high school team and the last one just won a boxing competition.”

“Well I guess we’re about to embarrass Luna’s brothers.”

You glanced over to him and he looked to you, both with tentative smiles. This was still your kid, you were still his mother, and you were going to eat enough ice-cream that you’d both spend the evening curled up on the sofa feeling sick and watching bad movies. You didn’t know how you ever got so lucky. You could strangle both of his dads, but you could never not appreciate the hand they had in this brilliant boy. 

While you immediately knew the mega-ultra sundae was a mistake when the server struggled to put it on the table due to the weight, you both grinned anyway. The first few spoonfuls you just took the time to think about what to say. 

“Did you really think he was dead?” Joe asked, carefully digging for marshmallows.

“We both did, me and your dad. I think… I think uncle John might have known he wasn’t and I’m very angry with him over it” you answered, aiming for complete honesty. 

“Was the stuff you said about him true?”

You thought on that while you took a mouthful of what you had thought was mostly ice cream but was almost 100% whipped cream. You had told Joe all about Johnny even if you lied about just what he was to him. You had told him how brave he was, how loving. How when he got really excited you and Simon could barely understand half the words that came out of his mouth. You’d told him about his temper, how he would explode and then after need to nap it off before profusely apologising. And God was he clever even if he seemed like a big dumb idiot sometimes. He could make an explosive out of anything and on New Years he usually did. 

“Yeah. We never lied about the kind of man he was, just… it felt scary to tell you he was your father. We should have told you. We shouldn’t have hidden it because we were scared about what you might think.”

“What would I think?”

You could still hear Johnny yelling in your head. You were afraid Joe would think what he did, that you loving Simon even when you thought he was dead was a betrayal. Although now you knew that you had been betrayed it felt like such a stupid fear.

“I didn’t want you to think of your dad differently because he wasn’t your birth father. And I… for some people me falling in love with Johnny’s best friend after he died was wrong. I just didn’t want you to think that.”

Joey thought on that for a while as he kept working on the sundae which didn’t seem like it had decreased in volume at all. You hated putting all of this on a 9 year old. He should be telling you all about the football game and explaining again how he could build a computer in Minecraft, not considering how he felt about finding out a war hero whose death was faked by the military was his father. God you hoped Kyle hadn’t known.

“I think it’s ok” he said eventually as he chewed through a chunk of meringue. 

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. It’s pretty cool that I have another dad. Does he always sound like that? Did he really take on a whole town of bad guys and win with dad?”

You shoved another spoonful in your mouth even though you were feeling a little nauseous because if you didn’t try and distract yourself with something you’d cry. He was supposed to yell at you, he was supposed to be mad and turn off his hearing aids so he couldn’t listen to your apologies. But that wasn’t the kid you and Simon had raised. Yeah he could get angry, but he was so good at cooling off and moving on and fixing the issue. 

So you told him all about Johnny but this time in present tense, you both gave the mega-ultra sundae your best shot and then you ran to the bathroom as soon as you got home to throw up which your kid did not let you live down as you watched a bunch of superhero movies. 

–

You didn’t think anyone but you three could pull it off, but somehow life went on. Simon and Johnny arranged a meeting with you and it was decided who would do what. School runs were completely off your plate, they’d share that between them and it seemed like a good way to have J be able to get to know his biological father in small, casual chunks. 

You did offer to let them stay in the guest room, but Simon could read you well enough to know that right now you really did not want to be around them and you were offering for the sake of keeping the peace, so he said no. He was staying in an airbnb nearby and Johnny to your surprise outright bought himself a flat the second week. Not really your business, but part of you felt your heart break that he had just accepted so quickly that you’d be separate for the rest of your lives. 

You never asked about what was going on with the two of them. Maybe it was cowardly, but you didn’t want to know. If they were together, then it would feel like you were always just the second choice and now they would be happy without you. If they weren’t, then it would feel like they were only holding back out of their love and respect for you which was no doubt making them miserable. Did you want them to be miserable? You didn’t know, the answer changed depending on the time of day.

You’d had a dream this morning of the two of them together, had woken up wet and needy and had let your hand wander between your legs to finish yourself off to the fantasy of it. Afterwards you promptly threw up and spent the rest of the day in bed feeling awful until J got back from football practice. Johnny had taken him and they were laughing together. He had taken one look at you and invited himself in, saying he’d order take away and get Joe to bed after dinner so you should just relax. You felt too ill and exhausted to really argue.

Joe was in bed and you were tidying away the leftovers when Johnny came back downstairs into the kitchen. It was the first time the two of you had been alone together. 

“Sorry, you used tae love cashews” he said.

“I still do. The place is usually really good as well, just really couldn’t stomach them today” you replied, frowning at the container as you put it away because it really had been sort of gross but Joey had tried some and said he’d eat the leftovers. 

“I can go grab something from the shops if ye want? Ye didnae eat an awful lot.”

You closed the fridge and raised an eyebrow at him. 

“..I’m naw Senga’ing!” he protested, knowing that raised eyebrow well.

“You’re Senga’ing a little.”

“Naw I’m not!”

“I dunno Johnny, if it worries like a Senga and fusses like a Senga…”

He threw a tea towel at you and you laughed. Senga was your old neighbour's very moody hen who treated the two of you like unruly chicks whenever you were out the back garden. It was sort of comforting to know the old Johnny from nearly a decade ago was still here, but bittersweet that he wasn’t yours anymore. 

“I…” you started, but trailed off because you didn’t know what you wanted to say.

You had spent weeks with the anger at finding out what had happened being difficult to predict. Sometimes you felt it so intensely, sometimes it faded away. It was all so long ago now. You were a different person. You all were. 

“I shouldnae have… well let’s be honest there’s a hunner things I shouldnae have done, but just going for recently I shouldnae ever have tried tae say it was wrong of ye to marry Simon. Especially naw when I knew myself that he…” he trailed off.

“That he’s easy to fall in love with” you finished for him, hearing almost a tone of commiseration in your voice. 

“Is easy the word?”

“Fair enough. I hated him at the start. Considered breaking things off with you more than once just so I didn’t have to be around him anymore.”

“I broke two of my fingers trying tae break his nose the first month on the task force.”

You gave a dramatic gasp and pointed accusingly at him. 

“And you never told me?! How did I not know this?”

“Cause it’s a pure riddy. Tried tae punch him with his mask on and he didnae feel a fucking thing. Didnae even try get me intae trouble for it either, just ordered me tae go to medical like a pure dick.”

You could imagine how mad that would have made Johnny and you could absolutely imagine how smug Simon would have been about the whole thing. One regret you had was the times you avoided going out with Johnny’s friends because you sort of wished now you had seen them together more. At the time you were young and so sure that Simon Riley was just a misogynistic tosser that you avoided him and you knew now you had probably missed out on so much. Maybe you’d have noticed how they felt about one another had you given him a chance. 

“I wanted to strangle him so much at the start. No clue how it turned into what it did. He didn’t even propose with a ring, just asked if I wanted to get married in the kitchen on a whim.”

Johnny looked horrified on your behalf.

“Absolute roaster! How in the fuck did both of us fall for such a wanker?”

The two of you took a beat to decide how you felt about this all being out in the open and then laughed together until you cried. God it was nice to just laugh about it. You’d never get over what the two of them did a decade ago, not really, but you didn’t want it to turn you bitter. You didn’t want to forget all the good things. And you wanted them both in Joseph’s life, you wanted him to get all of the love and support you knew these men were capable of. 

You wiped away a tear and sighed, leaning on the counter and looking at Johnny with a sort of sad smile. 

“I wish you had just told me how you felt about him. It’s not that you fell in love with him that hurt, it was that you didn’t trust me enough to tell me.”

Fuck, you guessed you knew how Joe felt now. Too scared to tell him the truth because you had imagined the worst of his reaction. 

“I was a shite husband. Naw even just what happened with Si, but all of it. Should never have taken that job without talking tae ye first. All well and good saying it was for your protection, but I should have trusted that ye wouldnae have told anyone, that ye’d have done your part if ye’d agreed tae it. Should never have taken that choice off of you.”

“Why the change of heart now?”

“Guess I’ve done some growing up. Over the last 9 years it’s naw been the soldiers that have been saving the world most of the time, it’s been the civilians. I used tae think I was some big hero just because I wore the uniform, but I was just being an arrogant prick. I hate that I treated ye like ye were less capable of making decisions because ye didnae have a set of fucking epaulettes. Never really deserved ye.”

“I’m sorry that you took it all on yourself. It must have been awful being alone all this time in enemy territory. Look, I’m pissed that you took the job, Price has been laying low because he knows I’m going to boot him in the balls next time I see him, but I know you did it to help people. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry I never told you about… about that night with Simon.”

“I’m so so fucking sorry ye went through that bonnie, I cannae imagine” he said, and you knew he was sincere with the moisture gathering in his eyes. 

It was an old wound for you now, but this was new for him you realised. He hadn’t know until a few weeks ago that Joey may have had an older sibling. Remembering how painful it had been back then before time had healed you, you felt the sudden urge to hug him knowing there was a good chance this was still so raw for him. So you did.

He held you tight and buried his face in your hair like he used to. He smelled almost the same, although there was something a little less wild about him now. How long had it been since he had just been held? 9 years on mission, 9 years of the world on his shoulders. Fuck you almost wished Simon had known, then at least he would have had him to come back to without the complication of the lie between them. 

You stayed like that for a while, just clinging to one another in the kitchen. God you had missed him so damn much. You were just so angry that he had been alive all this time. So much time wasted. So many choices that could have changed things. If he had told you back then how he felt about Simon, what would you have done? If you had told him about the miscarriage, would it have changed things? But it was too late for any of that now. 

So when you broke apart and you took a breath to ask if he’d like to stay over, he beat you to it and said he’d best get going. Probably for the best.

“Why did you buy the place anyway? I thought you hated it down here, heart in the highlands and all that.”

“My heart’s in the highlands, but the highlands was never really about the place, it was about the person there in it with me. But the flat’s also close tae the uni Joe said he wants tae go to. I ken that he’s only little now so he might change his mind, but I wanted it tae be there for him just incase and it’s naw like I cannae buy another place for him if he goes somewhere else.”

You shoved him out of the door before you could go against your own best interests and kiss him.

[the-hinky-panda]

Out of the Woods Series: Part I

Title: Out of the Woods Series

Pairing: Mitch Keller x OFC Reader (Sadie Maxwell)

Rating: Explicit

Summary: An old friend of Mitch's is in need of some help and Dwight seems to be the guy to do it.

Dwight has passed by Trudy’s Diner multiple times but never stopped into the place. It sits on Route 66, about ten minutes east of the Mayo hotel. It looks like a tourist trap; the stereotypical fifties diner with neon signs, red vinyl booths, and black and white tiled floor. The waitresses’ uniforms are shirtwaist dresses and colored flats, like what his mother used to wear when he was a little kid in Brooklyn. It’s loud, bustling, and old-fashioned in a shiny way. Even though the waitresses are sporting bobs and high ponytails, they’re carrying tablets in the pockets of their full skirts. 

He follows Mitch to a corner booth where he and Tyson settle into place while Mitch asks for you. The perky blonde waitress says that you’ll be right out and breakfast is on the house for everyone. Now that he’s in the actual place, he has to admit the blending of old and new is quite seamless. There’s free wifi, which Tyson is happy about and the coffee smells strong and fresh, which he is happy about. Every surface is spit polished and all the uniforms are pristine. It’s the sign of a detailed business owner. 

When you arrive at the table, he’s not surprised at how young you look, or that your outfit is also classic fifties but with high waisted pants and tucked-in blouse. You’re pretty, professional but that’s not surprising. He is surprised at how Mitch looks at you, like you’ve hung the moon and stars. Now he knows why Mitch wants his help with your situation, whatever that may be. But you return the look as well. There’s a warmth in the way you greet Mitch, lingering touches and choosing to sit next to him in the booth. Old friends, sure. 

“I really appreciate you coming to meet me, Mr. Manfredi.” 

“Dwight, please.” He shakes your hand and it’s a firm, solid grip. Another good sign. “Mitch tells me you have an issue that you need some help with.” 

You fold your hands on top of the table. “It’s a multistep solution to a large problem but I’m not exactly sure which step you would be able to help with.” 

“Well, let’s go through those steps and find out where I may be able to help.” 

Plates of food arrive before you’re able to get into the nature of the problem. Eggs, hashbrowns, sausages, bacon, and something he’s never seen before. It looks like finely ground oatmeal but there’s a large pad of butter melting into it. 

“What is that?” he asks. 

“Those are grits,” you answer. 

Tyson is shaking his head. “My mama would be so disappointed in you right now.” 

“I think we’re all a little disappointed right now,” Mitch adds. 

“Well excuse me for being out of circulation when it comes to fine dining.” 

You put a healthy spoonful of them on his plate and hand him the salt. “It’s ground up corn, so very good with salt and butter.” 

“What are you trying to do,” Mitch nudges you, “give him a heart attack?” 

“Oh what,” you counter, “like you’re running a health spa over at the Buck?” 

“You keep this up, he’s not going to help you.” Mitch gives you a crooked smile. “Your ornery is showing.” 

You give Dwight an apologetic look but he raises his hand. “I actually quite enjoy this kind of ornery. Makes me feel like I’m back home, sitting around the kitchen table with my family.” He’s quiet for a moment, remembering those times with his mother and father speaking rapid fire Italian, thinking he and his siblings couldn’t understand what was being said. His brother poking his sister under the table with a fork and Dwight doing the same thing to him but with a knife. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a good time at a dining table.” 

Your problem is precisely as you explained it: it’s large but with a multi-step process. The problem is your husband of almost ten years won’t sign the divorce papers. You’ve been living in your own one-bedroom apartment, running the diner, earning your own money. You are, for all intents and purposes, independent from him. The catch happens to be who he is, or rather who his father is. Your father-in-law is filthy rich, first in oil and then in the medical marajana business. Your husband has been put in charge of two dispensaries but because of his own drug, gambling, and frequent need for out call massages, the business isn’t doing well. Your diner, a business that doesn’t remotely interest Cal Thresher Senior or Junior, is making twice what both pot stores are making. 

Dwight leans back against the booth. “So you want a divorce from this jack-off and he’s not giving it to you because you’re worth more than him.” 

“And daddy is pulling the strings,” you add. “And by strings, I mean he has the best lawyers in the midwest working for him. So even if I do get Junior to sign the divorce settlement, I’m going to be left with nothing.” 

“Not to be unkind but it sounds like nothing would be something if it gets you out of the marriage.” 

Mitch picks up his coffee cup. “That brings us to why you’re gonna want to help her.” 

You sigh and glance around to make sure no one is listening in on the conversation. “My father has a business and he’s struggling to keep the doors open. I’ve been helping when I can but my finances get monitored too closely for me to do much. He was diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago and the medical bills are killing him just as fast as the cancer. I want the divorce, but I want to leave with enough money to save his business.” 

“And I’m supposed to care about his business, why?” Dwight asks. 

You give him a slight smile. “It’s a gun shop.” 

[acesdiary]

OP cuddling headcannons

——————————————— pt. 2!

notes: POOKIE IS BACK 🗣️‼️🔥🔥🔥

warnings: none

paring: Strawhat Pirates x gn!reader

wc: 241 (all 2gether)

pt.1 pt.2

———————————————

Sanji (wc: 79)

I feel like this would happen in bed 😃

not a bad thing r anything just saying-

ANYWAY

I think he would start off pretty slow to see if you are alright and comfortable with cuddling

just lil hugs

but if it’s you that starts cuddling him, he will happily be a little spoon ☺️

this guy is just a huge simp

smells like cologne

SMALL SMOKE SMELL IN BED 😭😭

(personally I hate the smell of smoke but yall do you 😓)

———————————————

Usopp (wc: 59)

mf will always be the big spoon no matter what

he’ll probably brag about it the next morning 😭

Prolly have a loose hold around your shoulders

some snoring 😔

SMELLS LIKE SEAWATER LOLOLO

I also feel like he would be the one to initiate cuddling first

I can already feel his long ahh nose hitting the back of my head 😓😓

———————————————

Robin (wc: 103)

I don’t think she understands exactly what a cuddle is 😓

BUT.

im sure after you explain she’ll accept it

She’ll use her Devil fruit to hug you around your waist and shoulders

smells like seawater as well

TIGHT AHH HOLD ��😃

but I think if she fell asleep she would release a lil

you will definitely ask to cuddle first

she doesn’t see the purpose of cuddling 😔

but she’ll do it for you :)

I feel like she would want to keep this more secret or private between the two of you

This might be sensitive information for her 🥲

I STILL LOVE POOKIE SM :DD

———————————————

Please don’t repost this on any other platform without asking for permission on either dms or my discord!

reblogs would be appreciated!

m.list

[etfrin]

inspired from the ask: "Coryo feeding desi!reader with his hands while her mehendi dries"

—desi! brat(-ish)! reader x soft(-ish)! friends! Coryo Snow 💌—

“Coryo,” you whine, your lips forming a small pout as you look at the blonde man. Coryo rolled his eyes at you when you didn't notice it. He didn't understand the point of festivals he was asked to join though he did appreciate the cultural aspect of it all.

Your house was getting decorated with flowers and whatnot, each servant and family member busy perfecting everything for the holud ceremony being held in your house.

Coryo sighed when you whine his name again in the same bratty tone (the one he wished to fuck out of you). “I will do no such thing,” Coryo said, “It's improper, you're not a child.”

The pout doesn't leave your lips and it takes every ounce of his self-control not to lean forward and kiss you. “Please!” You requested, “Come on, yaar! I haven't eaten anything since morning!” “And that's not on me,” Coriolanus replied simply.

You huff like the spoiled brat you are. “Fine!” You said, standing up from your seat, “I'll ask Sejanus!” “He will understand the struggle, the henna will take time to dry.” You add, now close to walking past him and outside the bedroom to find Sej.

“Sit down,” Snow said, his eyes flashing in anger but his eyes cold. Despite a hint of alarm flashes in your mind, you knew he gave in to you. Coriolanus didn't like being challenged, the fact you were going to Sejanus. You knew he wouldn't like that, even if you aren't his girlfriend but just a friend (for now) he would be jealous nonetheless.

You grin in triumph and get back to your seat. In front of you was a small table and a tray filled with various plates of food. Specifically, a dessert that you want to try right now but are unable to due to the wet henna tattoos on your hands. His eyes flicker to the patterns you had drawn on your skin, various patterns seemingly meaningless yet so damn pretty. He knows that the result will turn out great and will only make you much prettier, too pretty for his sanity to survive.

He sits down beside you, picking up a bowl with what looks like carrots but he never saw anything like it before. Seeing his confusion, you explained, leaning towards sarcasm near the end, “It's Gajoer Halua, a carrot-based sweet dessert. Now please bless me and feed me, Coryo.”

He chuckles, feeling amused by your behavior, unable to help himself as he replies “Why should I? You're not deserving of blessings. You're a brat.” A brat he will take soon enough, no doubt on that. You rolled your eyes, “Pretty please, or else I'll smear all of this,” you flicked your eyes at your mehndi-covered palms (henna), “all over your damn face.”

If it was someone else, he would have thought it was teasing or bluffing but you? Yeah, you definitely would do it if he continued to drag this out any longer. He takes a spoonful of the vibrant orange dessert, he has the urge to coo you to open your mouth like one would to a child. But he was above that silliness so he said nothing, his eyes cool despite the fact his heart seemed to be going haywire when you leaned in to eat. You wink at him as you taste the halwa on your tongue, the sweetness dancing in your mouth.

“That's a good boy,” you grin, “Thank you, Coryo.”

‘Fuck. Fuck. Fuck,’ Coryo thinks, as a blush emerges on his cheeks from the praise. He shouldn't like the way you said it, a tad bit degrading but a compliment nonetheless. He shouldn't like that he wants to hear more thank yous (and 'good boys' but he will never admit that).

Coriolanus Snow thought of you as a friend and dreamed of you as a girlfriend but in reality, you'll be the end of him.

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[the-milk-monarch]

[𝚂𝙷𝙰𝚁𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙰 𝙱𝙴𝙳 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝚃𝙸𝙼𝙴]

Summary: Reader asks to sleep in the same bed for the first time.

☢︎ | Total Drama | ~1,3k words | gender-neutral reader ♡ | Mike | Mal | Vito ⚠ | none

[𝙼𝚒𝚔𝚎]

You were already past the phase of confessing your feelings to each other.

Of course you and Mike were pining for each other hard, but you weren't really that affectionate as a couple.

It's not because you didn't want to, but you were both awkward messes when it comes to that stuff. The most you did was hold hands or lean against each other while sitting close, which was still nice.

So Mike was very surprised when you out of the blue (and very low-key) suggested to sleep in the same bed one day.

"Uh, like, in the cabin? Together?" He asked a bit taken aback by the sudden offer, his face becoming slightly warmer.

You quickly explained that if he's not comfortable he can just brush it off and ignore you asked, trying to save face and potential rejection from your boyfriend.

"Oh, no- No, I mean-" He started to ramble a bit, trying to not look like he's about to burst with happiness and keep cool so you wouldn't think he's weird when someone finally took the initiative to get closer to him. "I- I would love to. If- If you're okay with it, I mean."

"Of course I am. I suggested it, didn't I?" You said with a comforting and apologetic smile to him.

After your mutual agreement you were looking forward to sharing a bed, which was exciting and a bit "scary", as often new experiences are.

Of course, sleeping in one bed was somewhat of a "taboo", given that other contestants were there to judge you both, but ultimately you decided that their stares won't stop you from enjoying yourselves.

Unsurprisingly, Mike is a small-spoon. He was rarely (if ever) held or liked by anyone in that way, so he appreciates the contact with the person he treasures the most. It makes him feel protected, although inside he probably thinks he's a bother for even wanting affection, but you make sure to be understanding and reassure him if it ever comes up in the conversation.

Mike doesn't move much while he's still in the process of falling asleep, keeping in mind your comfort before his own. Of course he becomes more chilled out about it the more you both sleep together.

Although he's mindful of you while awake, he can't stop himself from muttering few things while he's asleep.

He's also very clingy once he's perfectly assured he's not a bother.

Hopefully you're a heavy-sleeper.

[𝙼𝚊𝚕]

Similar to Mike, Mal wasn't hugged much as a kid and in general. He's not exactly big on PDA, so you both didn't have a lot of romantic moments.

Your relationship was more like two friends who are very comfortable with each other. Well, as comfortable as you can be when it comes to a first relationship.

He's not against it, but he usually doesn't think of it as necessary and doesn't initiate anything. Unless he's acting slightly possessive and jealous when he feels threatened by the other contestants, which usually shows by him bringing you closer by your waist to him in a nonchalant manner that also shows others what 'belongs to him'.

You also didn't show a lot of affection towards him, because of your shy behavior about the topic.

He almost started to doubt your interest in him (which was already a surprise on it's own when your mutual attraction towards each other became clear, given how other people are usually not very fond of him), until you mustered the courage to ask.

He was- amused. His face had a smug smile that almost made you reconsider your request, in fear of being judged for asking something "silly".

"Oh, you wanna sleep together?" He asked, looking you up and down in a slightly dominant and proud of himself manner that made you feel a bit bashful about your words.

Before you opened your mouth to add something else, he cut you off. "Fine, fine… I guess I might consider your request." He smugly teased in a bit mocking way, as if you were so desperate to cuddle with him in bed that he was mercifully letting you touch him.

Of course while Mal's words might have sounded a bit narcissistic and degrading towards you, it was merely a front for his anxiousness about the act that he tried to hide so well.

I'm sure it's obvious he won't let you know about it whatsoever though. Years of acting emotionless and void of any weakness has made him still wary of showing vulnerability, even towards you.

Although he could 'sweep anyone off their feet if he wanted to', he's not really as smooth with more tender acts, such as cozily sleeping together, which he fiercely masks with his confidence.

While you felt a bit put down by his constant tough demeanor, you were (at least somewhat) aware of the reason why he was this way, that's why you patiently endured his behavior. You wouldn't be dating him if you weren't.

As for the others, he didn't even worry about the opinion of other contestants while you both were supposed to share a bed, as the whole camp knew he's not the one to make fun of.

Of course he insisted on being the big spoon, feeling more comfortable with him just embracing you, as if he's in the control of the situation.

While you were finally laying on bed together he got more relaxed as time went by, and you both adjusted to the feeling of your warm bodies against each other.

Your first few times were slightly tense, but with each next night spent together it became more casual and normal for you both.

Mal even warmed up to being the small spoon from time to time (if you prefer to be the big one) and it didn't put such strain on his pride while got used to being so close to you.

It doesn't mean he will be the small spoon every time though.

He loves the feeling of holding you close to him and knowing you're not gonna leave him. This, and the fact that he still has to keep up an appearance, after all.

[𝚅𝚒𝚝𝚘]

Unlike Mike and Mal, Vito's love language was always being touchy-feely or using pet-names, so being brave in the cuddle department wasn't a big deal.

Of course he didn't push you if you weren't comfortable with that, but he wasn't scared of showing his affection towards you.

Whether you both were already more confident with each other or not, he was still a bit surprised when you voiced your idea of sleeping together in bed. Of course you specified it was only sleeping, so he wouldn't get the wrong idea.

"Damn babe, finally!" He said a bit loudly, because of his excitement at the thought. Was he finally getting some affection from you? Did you finally decide to show Vito some love without being so hesitant?

You chuckled slightly, embarrassed from his reaction. You knew Vito would probably not reject you, but to hear such enthusiasm from him was reassuring.

Vito couldn't care less what other contestants would think if they saw you both cuddling on one bed, why would he? Only you and him mattered to him, and if anyone had anything to say, that just meant they're jealous.

He quickly jumped on the bed when the time arrived, expecting you to follow. He made sure to give you some space on his bed, laying on his back.

You slowly crawled near him, laying near his side and gently placing your hand on his chest as he exhaled contently.

"You should suggest stuff like that more often. I won't leave ya hangin', you know~" He teased slightly, a bit of his regular flirtatiousness seeping thru his words. He loved being open about his love and affection for you.

Be prepared for lots of tossing and turning while he sleeps though. He's a great hugger, but once he falls asleep it's tough to keep a position that works for you both. You usually have to "keep him steady" by hugging his waist while he's laying on his back or hugging him from behind, which he has no problem with.

[dc418writes]

✨Pairing✨: mob!Ari Levinsonxblack!reader

Summary🪄: Things seem to be looking up again for you and Ari

🚨: 18+ NO MINORS!, Ari (as we all know), Ari admittedly being a bit of a creep (but reader is fine with it) mention of nudity, happy adult fun times (everyone please be safe!), violence (man to man), fluff mixed in throughout, language

A/N🎤: So uh..this was a long time in the making🫣 lol. Hopefully you guys like this newest addition!

*DISCLAIMER!: although visual made by me via Canva, I DO NOT CLAIM OWNERSHIP of pictures used as they were all found via Pinterest*

Part V

"Thanks. Have a good night," Ari politely tells the delivery guy after exchanging his tip for the Chinese already beginning to spread its savory scent throughout your apartment. Ever the protective caregiver, he insisted you eat even though you didn't have an appetite; especially at this time of night.

"I'll be fine. I usually get cereal or just make a big breakfast the next morning," you explained. It fell on deaf ears though as the suave businessman tapped on his phone ordering something for the both of you.

"You need something Y/N, even you said yourself you haven't had anything since lunch. I know you're hungry."

So as you showered trying to rid your skin of the day's work and the touch of the desperate intruder, he patiently waited on your couch. Listening to the running water pattering on the tub floor and for that eventual knock of your arrived food.

You shouldn't feel shy having given this man every part of you, but that doesn't stop your timid steps entering your small kitchen to see the muscles of his broad back and shoulders flex and move under his button up as he carefully takes out the two containers. One for your soup; the other his box of Lo Mein.

"Hey, just in time," he smiles over his shoulder feeling your presence.

"Thanks," you softly smile taking the plastic bowl from his hand. "Y-You really didn't have to."

"When are you gonna realize that everything I do for you is because I want to?," he smirks handing you a plastic spoon.

You wish he wasn't so nice to you. He shouldn't want anything to do with you right now let alone feed you. That's how any other man would be. Sat on your couch, knee occasionally brushing against his, you were slowly beginning to realize Ari wasn't like other men though. He was trying to show you that from the way he cared for you; wanting to give you everything you wanted, deserved, and more.

And finally, you were ready to surrender and let him.

"It's okay?," he asks wiping the corners of his mouth.

"Mhm," you nod gently smiling. "Yours?"

"Good. Wanna try?"

Leaning down slightly, you let him lift his chopsticks to your mouth placing a few noodles on your tongue. The sweet and spicy chili comfortably tingling your mouth and making you want more. "Mm, that is good!"

"I've never gotten it from this place, but it's just as good as the other one I get it from. Maybe better," he lightly chuckles before silence overtakes the both of you again.

Why was this so difficult? It was just two small words, it shouldn't feel this awkward.

"A-Ari?"

"Hm?"

"I'm...I'm sorry...about everything."

"It's in the past-"

"No, don't. I should've come to you earlier or-or said something that same day.."

"Y/N listen to me," he begins placing both of your respective containers on the table in front of you before turning to hold your hands in his larger ones. His deep blue eyes seemingly boring into your soul but in the most comforting way. "I appreciate your apology. Do I wish you would've come to me first? Yes, but I understand that things didn't look right, and you were just looking after yourself. Truthfully, all of this could've been avoided if I told you I was a father from day one."

He did have a point.

"I just didn't want to scare you off."

Scooting closer, you free your hand to caress his cheek. Inwardly smiling at the prickles of his soft beard against your skin again. Your fingers even drift to the strands flowing just at the base of his neck; equally as soft as you brush them behind his pierced ear. "You having a kid isn't gonna scare me away."

"I'm glad," he softly smiles kissing the inside of your sweet smelling wrist.

"Mind telling me about her?"

"Of course not." Settling into the cushions behind you both, your legs naturally find their way to his lap while his arm on your shoulders brings you closer into his side. "For starters, she's four with the attitude of a 40-year-old."

For hours you sat there happily listening to Ari tell you stories about his daughter and her already budding personality that would surely make his hair fall out by the time she was 20. It was cute really. Watching his soft smile as he scrolled through the images that went with said stories and those she simply insisted her grandma send on her behalf.

"Clearly she got everything from her mom," he stated with a light chuckle.

"I'm not disagreeing, but she seems like the type to not take no for an answer and go for what she wants no matter what. Reminds me of a certain someone in particular," you smirk gently scratching his chin and making him smile harder.

As he searched for one picture in particular, you couldn't help but smile, dreamily gazing at the side of his face. His features illuminated by the blue light of his screen.

There's a hint of pink rising to his cheeks to your kind eyes after feeling them on the side of his head. For the first time tonight he's noticed the time at the top of his phone which now reads 1:23 am.

"You're probably sick of my voice by now." He could be reading the phone book and you'd hang on to every word that passed by his lips. His soothing voice paired with his overall calming aura made him even more addicting to you.

"Never," you smile before a small yawn has you covering your mouth a little embarrassed.

"It's late. I should let you sleep." Carefully moving your legs, he stands throwing away your empty containers before collecting his jacket and keys. "You're not working tomorrow are you?"

"Well, I'm still on schedule," you respond slowly following him to your door. "I guess I should try to."

Sighing, his arms cross in front of his chest clearly not pleased by that answer. "It's your choice, but after tonight I think you should consider taking some time for yourself. Make sure you're really okay."

You knew he was right, and there was even a part of you that felt anxious about being in that building again. Walking down that sidewalk or any other one for that matter.

Twirling the hem of your oversized shirt in your fingers behind your back, you could feel your nerves getting the best of you the longer you stood there under Ari's gaze. You really didn't want him to leave, but he already stayed for so long.

Plus you were sure he had important meetings and other business to tend to tomorrow that you'd hate to jeopardize or come in the way of somehow.

"I-I'll think about it."

He gently nods. "Get some rest. I'll check on you tomorrow."

"Or..." you finally speak up making him halt opening your door any wider. "You could stay?...I-If you want that is."

"Is that what you want?," he asks closing the door behind him. If only you could see how your words lit up every cell in his body. How they set off a batch of butterflies he hadn't felt since Ariane's mother.

"Yea, but-"

"No, no buts. If you want me to stay, then I'll stay. Like I said, I'll give you any and everything you want but you have to use your words."

"I want you to stay with me. Please," you whisper.

Closing the space between you, his hand softly finds the side of your neck with thumb gliding back and forth along your cool jaw. You swear you feel your heart stop then restart faster than it was before as soon as he met your skin. His cologne making its way around you, wrapping your body in the most sensual hug.

"Alright."

"T-This doesn't mean we're having sex though." Your outburst paints him amused chuckling as you try not to cower to your room from further embarrassing yourself in front of this man.

You really needed to stop being so awkward.

"Not that I'm saying it's the only reason you're staying I mean!...A-At least I hope it's not?"

"It is not."

"I-I just read that being so focused on the sex part of making up, you don't truly get to the root of problems you know? Which makes sense-"

"Y/N whatever you want," he smiles trying to calm your rambling. "I'm your guest, I follow your rules ang-"

He stops himself before the rest of the word can leave, clearing his throat as if to collect himself.

You hate you told him to stop calling you that. You missed the way it sounded rolling off his tongue. To you, it was the strongest aphrodisiac around.

"Um if you need to shower you can use my soap, and there's an extra towel and washcloth. I should have another toothbrush somewhere too."

"Lead the way."

-

For the second time tonight, you find yourself nervous. You try to focus on the tv screen perfectly set on top of your dresser showing some nighttime talk show, but it's a difficult task with the man in your bathroom being the biggest distraction you've encountered. Having the bathroom door cracked, the backside of his bare body briefly comes into view as he dries his chest making your eyes immediately dart away and cheeks warm - your thighs clenching a bit as well.

You don't even know why you're nervous, it's not like you haven't spent the night together before.

There was something about the way he carried himself and his confidence though that always made you flustered when around him. Always feeling as if you were in the presence of one of the popular kids you were desperately trying to impress when you didn't need to.

A bit of leftover steam follows behind when he opens the door with his grey sweats hanging low (endless thanks to past Ari for leaving that pair in his trunk). The smell of soap drifting from his skin as he slides in bed beside you.

"You sure this is okay?," he asks. "I don't mind the couch."

"It's fine! U-Unless you'd rather..."

"If you're fine, then so am I," he smiles with hands slightly raised. "Just wanted to make sure."

"Okay," you nod. "Um you can turn the channel if you're not tired yet. O-Or you can turn it off, whichever you want."

"I might sit up for a bit. You go ahead and get some sleep, you had a long day." It's like a reaction how you hear the word 'sleep' and your body feels just how drained it actually is. A yawn even slipping past your lips again as you get comfortable making Ari smile to himself.

"Okay, goodnight," you whisper with eyes closed and glad to be in your bed.

"Goodnight Y/N."

There's something still eating at your brain though, making that deep sleep you need just out of reach. Opening your eyes, you watch Ari's chest slowly rise and fall as his eyes stay trained on the talk show host playing some game with his guest. Quietly chuckling along with the crowd as his hand brushes his hair out of his face.

"Ari?," you barely whisper nervously biting the corner of your lip. His eyes immediately find yours giving you all of his attention.

"...for some reason, I get the feeling that it wasn't a coincidence you were there. I mean, you haven't come to the restaurant in weeks but then show up tonight..."

Scratching the back of his neck he sighs, a bit apprehensive about how you'd react to his explanation.

"It wasn't...because I've uh, I've been checking in on you the past few days."

"You have?," you ask sitting up against the headboard.

"I saw you were working nights now when walking by to meet with a client one night. You were sweeping then to trying to close up. From that day, I walked by just on the other side of the street to make sure you got out okay. I-I would've said something, but I didn't want to freak you out or anything since we weren't really talking at the time."

Your silence is unsettling as your eyes never leave his, only making him even more worried he'd lost you once again. Possibly for good this time.

"I promise I wasn't stalking you or anything. I was just worried with it bein' so late and you by yourself-,"

He's unable to finish his sentence with your soft lips on his. Soon your body is following too, straddling his hips while his hands gently find the sides of your face keeping you attached as if he was afraid you'd disappear or let go. It wasn't until this moment he realizes just how much he missed your lips. How your skin felt under his touch.

A pinch to your hip has you gasping and leaving enough of an opening his minty tongue can explore yours making you softly moan, and feel as if you'd melt into a puddle at any moment. Hands on his chest, you're reluctant to pull away but your need for air is beginning to outweigh your need for Ari right now.

Neither of you completely separate though, as you catch your breaths. Short giggles and chuckles occasionally filling the air around you while your noses tap against each other and Ari sneaks light pecks against your skin. "Thank you...for looking out for me that is," you shyly smile.

"That's something you never have to thank me for." The deeper timbre of his voice against your lips has a shiver running over your body and a pulse coming from your core undoubtedly felt by him as well. Tracing one of the many tattoos forming the half sleeve that carried from his right bicep to his chest, his face nuzzles against your neck - with beard tickling against your berry scented skin - and mouth soon finds the spot he knows easily makes you purr.

And the fact that he remembered only has your body heating up even more.

"A-Ari?...One last thing?," you ask stopping his work along your jaw.

"Hm?"

"Can...can I be your angel again?" Oh, you'd be the death of him for sure.

The way your soft, midnight eyes met his filled with this nervousness like you were admitting you'd done something wrong, was a direct hit to his heart. Your curled lashes daintily hitting your cheeks with every blink making him internally groan.

He was really trying to be good and follow your rule, but the part of him filling with lust just wanted to ruin you right then and there.

"Who said you ever stopped?," he smirks shifting his hand on your cheek so his thumb could glide back and forth over your bottom lip. And when you daringly - yet slowly - part your lips giving careful kitten licks to the tip all the while maintaining eye contact, he feels himself swell and throb harder than it ever has before.

Leaning forward, this kiss is a bit rougher and needier than the one before. Feeling a twitch below you, your hips seem to develop a mind of their own starting to grind and buck in small movements. Ari's deep groan vibrates your fingers on his chest as he holds you impossibly closer messaging the little space between your thigh and lower abdomen with his thumb only making your want grow until you couldn't take it anymore.

Slightly parting again, you try to lift your shirt over your head only to be stopped by strong hands over your wrists.

"Wait," he sighs, trying to gain his breath as well. "I don't want you to breaking your rule.”

A small smile graces your partially swollen lips at how sweet he was respecting your boundaries, but it was only making that pulse worse as you felt more slick follow. "I appreciate that..but since I made the rule I'm also allowed to choose exceptions right?"

"True," he answers with a gentle nod letting go of your wrists to place his hands on your heated thighs. "If it's what you truly want angel."

Your shirt discarded to the floor, his eyes take in your body on display before him - so intimately and full of desire - as his lips curl into his signature, swooning smile making your cheeks heat along with the rest of your body. "W-What?", you nervously giggle.

He simply shakes his head gliding his hands along your thighs. "Do you realize how perfect you are?"

You can't help but shyly duck your head momentarily stunned hearing those words. You've never heard them from any man before, nor believed it for yourself no matter how long you tried those self-help books to increase your confidence. There were so many things you'd immediately change right now if you could.

As if knowing you were about to politely disagree, his lips are on yours. One of his hands smoothing up your back and pulling you closer to his chest, while the other shifts to your front groping and pinching until tiny moans are vibrating your throat. His mouth hungrily makes its way from your jaw to your bare chest causing you to slightly arch your back attempting to give him all the access he wanted. You can't help but place your hand over his - slightly begging for more and encouraging him - eagerly groping and plucking at whatever side wasn't occupied by his mouth. Louder mewls and moans crawl from your throat as your hips move faster needing something more to satisfy you.

"Ari..p-please," you whisper on the tail end of a moan, but he already knows easily rolling you both over with one hand pressing your hip to the bed while the other is just by your head.

"I know sweetheart, I know," he whispers - slightly panting himself trying to control his urge to immediately push his way into your dripping core and feel you tightly wrapped around him again - before kissing your pout away. "Be patient for me though okay?"

Nodding your head gets you another dizzying kiss as his free hand pulls his sweats down until he can kick them off. His member at full attention and red making you squirm and more slick flow needing him to fill you again.

You would usually have a problem with him pilfering through your nightstand as if it was his own, but your already hazy and lustful brain is only focused on the small, square foil between his lips. How he easily rips it open and rolls it up, giving himself a couple strokes after; making him grunt and his hips lightly rut forward.

The first time, you credited his probable years of experience to how he was able to know just where to go and the right amount of pressure or speed to apply to have you a moaning, babbling mess. But now, as you both moved scarily perfect together you thought otherwise.

The way your legs fit along the contours of his sides wrapping along his hips reminded you of an intricate puzzle piece as your bodies slapped and slid together adding to the already present vocals in the room. There was no fumbling or awkwardness as you easily met or punctuated each of his movements, and vice versa, as if you were finishing each other's sentence.

"A-Ari," you pant. Your nails raking down his back only spurring the rapid movement of his hips more as he moans against your neck. "I'm-"

"I know. Go ahead angel I'm here. I got you," he states against your ear knowing how the sound of his voice could push you to that shattering release only he'd been able to get you to.

This wasn't just experience at work. This...thing between you and Ari was something rare that took people years and countless tries to achieve that seemed to come naturally as if you were truly meant for each other.

And as he gave his final, deep rut - careful not to crush you with his entire weight when exhaustion finally took over - Ari certainly felt it too.

-

The tip of his index finger softly draws circles along the smooth skin of your thigh lying across his leg as he watches the sun rise outside your window. Shallow breaths from your nostrils fanning against the hairs of his chest making him smile down at your still sleeping form partially covered by your thin, pale green sheet. After four rounds, he should still be asleep too, but his internal clock just wouldn't let him rest for long.

That plus his excitement about having you in his arms again.

"You're so beautiful," he quietly speaks leaning down to kiss the top of your head. Meanwhile you lie unfazed as you continue sleeping. The comfortable silence is soon interrupted though with the dull thud of a bass vibrating the walls. Then he hears the loud laugh of someone in the hall clearly on the phone from not hearing another voice as he continued talking.

"Must be that neighbor you talked about," he thinks carefully getting out of bed trying not to wake you. You only groan as you roll deeper onto his side of the bed sinking your face further into his pillow.

Once his sweats are back on and he's quickly brushed his teeth, he's walking towards the front door and opening it to find Tate (or was it Nate?) with his door wide open as he drops a large trash bag outside the door. Clearly there was mostly bottles inside from the clinking as he walked with it.

The heavy metal coming from the speaker a step below blaring as Ari cracked your door behind him stepping further into the outdated hall with chipped paint and creaky floors. "Hey! 'Scuse me," Ari calls getting the man's attention just as he comes out with another bag.

He appeared to be in his 20s and like most of the spoiled frat boys that tried to huff and puff their way into Shiloh's club. Or anywhere really.

Short blonde hair, Ari could tell he mostly trained his upper body from the disproportion in his upper and lower half, while the tattoos that littered his arms looked as if a child did them.

"Yea?"

"Could you turn that down a bit? S'kinda loud and some of us are tryin to sleep."

"Oh, well in that case..no," he sarcastically smiles placing his bags of trash in the shoot right next to his door.

"Look, you don't have to cut it off alright? Just dial back the bass."

"And as I said earlier, no."

Ari was losing his patience with this kid.

"You see, I pay rent and live here just like everyone else, which means I have the right to do whatever and play my music however loud I want," he retorts taking a step closer and closer until he meets Ari in the hall trying to be the intimidating one even though the top of his head just barely reached Ari's chin. It nearly made Ari laugh in his face. "If you, that shy, sweet little snack of a girlfriend of yours, or anyone else has a problem then tough."

At the mention of you, Ari's hand was clutching his neck pinning him to the wall so he could really be at his eye level. Sputtering, the younger boy's hands try to grip and slap at Ari's to let him go as his legs flail about, but nothing seems to work.

"L-Let me go you psycho!"

"Mention my girl ever again, and your dismembered body goes down this fucking shoot like the trash you are." He can only gasp for breath still trying to loosen Ari's grip as he nods.

"Now be a good boy and turn down the music before I shove that speaker so far up your ass, the only language you'll be able to speak is static." Finally letting him go, he immediately falls to the floor coughing and trying to hurriedly wipe away the tears running down his face.

A simple smile quickly appears on Ari's face gazing down at your neighbor as if nothing happened. "Who the hell is this guy?," he thought holding onto his sore neck as he scurried back to his door.

"Thanks for understanding man, really means a lot," Ari winks returning to your door. "Oh! And let's not have this talk again, yea? The moment I hear you're bothering my girl, I don't think you'd like to see what's gonna happen."

Hurrying into his apartment and quickly locking the door, the music immediately stops and a chuckle not belonging to Ari breaks through the momentary silence. He was so focused on his target, he didn't notice the elderly lady step out her door wondering what was happening hearing arguing outside.

Shit.

Clearing his throat, a nervous hand passes through his hair as he offers her a small smile. "I-I'm sorry if I-"

"Why are you apologizing? 'Bout time that little shit got what he deserved," she states making Ari chuckle to himself.

"Well uh you have a good day," he politely waves walking back to your apartment unknowingly being checked out by the older woman.

"Mhm you too dear," she smiles tilting her thin, silver frames down on her nose as her eyes followed the muscles in his back and butt until they were no longer in sight.

"Ari?," you call from your bed. You quickly reach over to grab your shirt from the floor throwing it over your head just in case.

"I'm right here," he answers appearing in the doorway with that tilted smile you adored so much.

He knew it was impolite to stare, but how could he not with you sitting there radiant as the morning sun gently beaming on the waiting petals of wildflowers wanting to be warmed. Your curls beautifully disheveled atop your head just barely affected by your vigorous late night activities. He never let them know, but he could tell when the few women of his past would sneak out of bed to primp themselves. Lightly dusting foundation, blush, or whatever else they thought would help on their face before slipping back into his arms pretending as if they'd just woken up themselves.

You didn't need it though.

Not to say he didn't appreciate when you did have your face done up and lips painted that glossy brown or deep pinkish red he loved so much. It took every ounce of willpower not to take you in the nearest room and mess it up the night of his uncle's party. But that natural glow also had a hold on him he'd never be rid of.

Then again, that was probably just your doing all on your own.

"Hi."

"H-Hi," you shyly smile tucking a loose curl behind your ear trying to clear the hoarseness from your throat. "Quite a sight, huh?"

"Angel you have no idea." He smoothly strides over to you and your unmade bed holding himself up by his fists on the mattress as he leans forward to meet your lips. Your hand instinctively cupping the side of his neck while a cloud of haze joins - though still present in your mind from last night - as your lips move together similar to the intimate dance of your bodies just a few hours ago.

"Sei bella al mattino," he whispers against your lips leaving a minty tingle.

"Wha-? I don't know what that means.."

"I said you're beautiful in the morning," he softly smiles pecking your lips once more. He's like a prince from a fairytale, and you can't help but feel giddy letting him woo you speaking the sweetest words.

"Oh..um thank you. You're not bad yourself." Especially when he's in front of you as if sculpted by Michelangelo himself. His bare chest perfectly dusted with hair and sweats just low enough you could see that hair eventually disappear beneath the band teasing you.

"Thank you angel," he grins before noticing your furrowed brows as you gaze towards the wall. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing it's just quiet for once," you smile slightly tilting your head in the direction of your usually noisy neighbor just to make sure your ears weren't lying to you. Sure enough, all you could hear was the cars as they passed with the occasional blow of their horn. Even the birds calling as they flew by. "Must be gone."

"Or maybe he finally had a change of heart?," Ari turns to sit on the edge of the bed.

If the idiot knew what's good for him, he'd already be looking up apartments across the country and halfway moved out.

"We can only dream," you sigh removing the sheets from across you to try to stand on somehow still tingly legs. It makes him bite his lip trying to keep his proud grin hidden watching you quickly try to recover from your slight stumble as if nothing happened.

"So, what's the plan for today?"

"Well I got a text from my boss earlier saying how I could take off for a while with everything that happened. Recommended it really until I'm okay."

"Good."

"And I usually volunteer at this kids center on weekends.”

A soft smile forms on his lips remembering one of your early morning talks at the restaurant. How your eyes brightened more than he'd ever seen when you spoke about your time at the center and the many interactions with various kids.

He's fairly sure that was the same day he fell for you.

"But with my car still being fixed-,"

"If you wanna go, I can always take you."

"No it's fine," you reply waving him off as you begin to open drawers and move about the room trying to find something to wear for the day. "Plus you have work, and I don't want to take your time."

His hand quickly reaches out grabbing yours to stop you from walking by. Slowly bringing you closer to stand between his legs, his warm palms find the back of your thighs as he peers up at you with cyan eyes and hair still perfectly framing his beautiful face.

"You wouldn't be taking it if I'm offering," he smirks running his thumbs along the soft skin just below your bare cheeks. "And I thought we settled this last night? Or was I not convincing enough?"

The deepened timbre of his voice paired with that soft yet intensely ardent gaze has your breath stuck in your throat. You desperately want to clinch your legs together in fear of your growing slick dripping on his fingers and down to the carpet but his grip has you stuck in place. As if that's what he wants to happen.

Surely he was able to see your heart's increased pace against your chest as you stood strongly considering pouncing on the man in front of you and staying in. "N-No, you were."

"Then you know what I'm gonna say next."

"Ask a-and whatever I want is mine," you timidly answer lightly biting the corner of your lip - and unbeknownst to you, making a slight tent form in his pants as a silent groan of want sits unreleased in his head.

"Good girl."

You'd never expect those two words to cause such a reaction out of you, but leave it to Ari and his sinfully smooth voice to leave you nearly feral.

Your entire body heats and a moan almost slips feeling too flustered for your own good. "I-I'm gonna go and um shower then," you nervously smile, begrudgingly leaving his grasp as he stands.

Just like last night, watching him nearly walk away has a surge of confidence - or maybe it was your now throbbing core - overtaking you, reaching to curl your finger in the pocket of his sweats and gently pulling him towards you. His brow slightly raises, but he easily follows waiting for whatever comes next.

"Come with me. Please?"

Without words, he grasps the back of your thighs easily lifting you so your legs wrap around his middle and your arms around his neck making you giggle as his lips desperately find yours.

“See? Not so hard now was it?,” he whispers against your lips before walking both of you into the bathroom.

-

Parking in front of the center, the eyes of those passing by are on the luxury car not usually seen in this area. And you can’t help but feel your cheeks heat at how those eyes would be on you once you leave said car.

“What time’s pickup?,” he asks. His hand gently squeezing your thigh bringing you out of your brief anxiousness.

“Oh um it’s okay. I can ride with Tyla o-or someone else. I don’t want you riding all around town-,”

“I’d drive across the country if you needed me to angel. Hell, if you just wanted to.” The look in his eyes tells you he’d do it with no hesitation. “Now, when you get ready let me know. Okay?”

You nod as his hand moves from your thigh to the back of your neck bringing your mouths together in one of those numbing kisses you were becoming addicted to. Already were if you were honest.

“I’ll see you later then,” you softly smile securing your backpack on your shoulders.

“Think about what you want for dinner,” Ari winks as you take that final step on the sidewalk. Your chest - and everywhere else - tingling and filled with a type of joy only those in romantic movies seemed to convey.

-

“This the building?”

“Yea.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes! I’ve been hanging around here long enough; that’s where he lives. Top floor penthouse.”

“Not surprised. Pretty boy’s always been used to the finer side of life.”

“So, when do we get him?”

“Soon, but we wait until timing’s right. Make sure Levinson doesn’t see it coming.”

[misscherrys-world]

Welcome back to:

Random things I think about.

Starring: from the k-movie “Exhuma”,

Bong-Gil

Warnings: Spoilers obvs, nsfw, me simping over his tattoos?

First let’s appreciate Lee Do Hyun’s acting skills, he amazed me by his performance switching between the character and the spirit.

So let’s start:

So tbh we thought Bong-gil and Lee Hwa-rim would be a couple and got a little disappointed.

But the chemistry guyssss it’s something about the chemistry.

When you watch the movie it’s not a chemistry between couples but more of a siblings relationship thing.

The way he protected Hwa-rim from the Japanese evil spirit and she didn’t runaway although anyone would’ve done it.

You can’t tell me it’s not a sibling kind of a relationship because if you have siblings you’ll understand my point.

I think no one told him what happened exactly when he was unconscious in the hospital and the evil spirit possessed him. Or maybe they told him he was just possessed, nothing more, no details.

He is either an only child no other siblings or he’s the youngest.

In my opinion the youngest is more open to the spirit world. Not in all cases though.

If he’s an only child it explains his behavior towards the others, very kind and caring because he sees them as his family.

He’s a foodie, you’ll always find him with something to munch on. If it’s not a snack it will be a piece of gum.

It came from his anxiety, his interactions with spirits are sometimes overwhelming and by time he became anxious.

He used to wear earings. You can’t tell me otherwise he will look so cute with earrings.

That man has no idea the girls in his gym are drooling over him every time he walks in, the tattoos and the man bun are so damn good.

Although most of these girls have no idea what does his tattoos mean but they think it’s hot anyways.

When he’s in a relationship he’s a puppy, loyal and would follow his s/o anywhere she goes.

His love language is food, he likes someone? would know their favorite drink and brings it to them out of the blue.

He’s into vanilla sex more than anything else.

His favorite positions are missionary and spooning.

He wants to see his partner’s face in this intimate moment, he loves to kiss and hug them.

He’s talkative too, loves to whisper sweet words.

He’s goofy and laughs a lot when he’s doing the thing yk.

His kisses are sweet and soft. He takes his time in his kisses, and don’t you dare break that kiss he’ll just think you’re mad at him and would overthink everything.

Although he loves his partner so much, he doesn’t talk about them a lot, maybe he mentioned them to Hwa-rim few times.

He’s the kind to blush when someone mentions his s/o.

Overall I think Bong-gil is a sweet, caring and a reliable person. And I’m glad he lived.

So tell me what do you think? Send me your headcanons too, I’ll gladly share them. Have a nice day!

🤍🎀

[ohtobeleah]

I can’t read it until all 3 parts are out. For my own mental stability. I’m waiting patiently.

Well. This is it folks. The final instalment. It’s been a ride. Please know this isn’t truly the end. But it’s the end of our main storyline. There will be more to come. Your feedback, reactions and support are so deeply appreciated.

-> Warnings: Mentions of Domestic Violence/Abuse. Bradley Bradshaw x F!reader. Jake Seresin x Platonic!F!reader.

-> Word Count: 5.2k

As always, for the final time—read from the beginning here. Finale Part One | Finale Part Two | Finale Part Three | Jake & Fe’s karaoke Song <- Please Listen To

***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~**

In the darkness of the night you slowly made your descent down the flight of stairs. Everything was still, not a sound could be heard amongst the silence that was three in the morning. You’d woken with a hankering for a few scoops of that delicious fudge brownie ice cream you had in the freezer. 

When you reached the bottom of the stairs, a familiar shadow caught your attention as he sat on the lounge. You knew who it was. 

“You can’t stay here forever Bob—“ You sighed as you padded on into the kitchen. Bob followed you silently as he watched you reach for two spoons. “I thought once Rooster ripped up that carpet you would have got the memo.” You turned on your heels to reach up and into the freezer for your pint of ice cream. 

“Got nowhere else to go.” Bob shrugged as you handed him the spoon. “You got me killed, remember?” In the blink of an eye, Bob didn’t look like Bob anymore, he looked like something straight out of a horror film when you looked back up to meet his gaze. “You didn't do enough when you should’ve known what he was capable of.” There was no excuse you could have given the version of Bob that stood before you that would have made things right. But you settled for the truth, the fact of the matter as the bloodied, beaten and shot version of Robert Floyd took a spoonful of your pint of ice cream. 

“I was scared—“ You whispered in the darkness of the night. “I was scared of him.” Bob just nodded. It always ended the same. 

“So was I.” 

With a gasp you woke up in a mess of cold sweats. This had happened before and it would surely happen again. It had only been a few weeks since Bob's untimely death and two weeks since his funeral. There was not a dry eye in sight as Rhett stamped those wings into his brother's coffin. 

“I wish I could change what happened, Rhett.” It was during a recess break in Jaidyn's initial custody hearing that you found Rhett outside the courthouse. He could tell by the way your voice sounded meeker than normal that you were afraid of what he thought of you. That he blamed you for this, for everything. The way he had come barrelling into the hospital once he’d heard what had happened was a sight you’d never forget. “I wish I could go back and change how I did things. Had I maybe done something sooner—been a little more brave, Bob might still be here.” 

“What’s happened, happened.” Rhett finally turned to where you sat next to him on the bench under the trees that were kissed with fall tones, amber, orange and brown. “That's an expression of faith in the mechanics of the world.” Rhett explained softly as he wrapped an arm around you, pulling you closer till your head found comfort against his shoulder. “People use it as an excuse to do nothing—but you—Y/n, have done all that you can.” 

“I don’t believe in fate—“ You replied through a soft whimper. “I don’t believe that fate would have taken him away from us.” You sobbed in Rhett’s warm embrace as Bradley stood close by watching over you. He was always watching. He was just there in case you needed him—and thank goodness he was because you needed him the most. “I don’t believe fate would have put me through that, put you through this.” Rhett could understand where you were coming from, to fight off falling into a bottomless pit of despair and depression Rhett had to see all this from another perspective—the perspective of his brother. The brother that gave the ultimate sacrifice. His brother Bob. 

“Call it what you want, but it happened and all we can do now is try to clean up the mess we’re left with.” 

“What do you call it?” You asked as you sat up to give Rhett your full attention, you knew after the short recess that it would be all about Bob's untimely demise. The first half of the session had been all about the abuse you’d endured. “This, all this chaos?” Rhett knew what Bob would have said. He was a numbers guy, a grounded in reality kind of guy. “What do you call it?” So with one word Rhett explained to you that he wasn’t mad nor spiteful. He wasn’t angry or out for revenge—against you that was. If given the chance Rhett would kill that son of a bitch in the blink of an eye. But he was simply glad he’d been there for you and done all that he could to protect you from possibly being the one who you’d just laid to rest three days prior. Just like Bob had asked him to do. 

“Reality—“ 

As you sat up in bed you turned on your little bedside lamp that illuminated the bedroom you shared with Bradley in an orange hume. He was sleeping soundly on his chest, snoring slightly because the deviated septum he now had made it harder for him to breathe. He was getting used to it though, pulling G forces however—that hurt like a mother fucker. 

“You okay there mama?” You and Bradley had decided to stay in the home that had been a house or horrors for that one fateful day. You didn’t want to run anymore, didn’t want to hide. Bradley had replaced the bloodied carpet and rearranged the living room. He thought changing things up might help. It wasn’t in the logistics to move, he still had a lease. 

The new carpet didn’t make the nightmares any less paralyzing or less prevalent though. You were both working through the PTSD that that day left behind. So was Jake. So was little Odette. You couldn’t get her in the upstairs bathroom to save yourself. For good reason. 

“I’m fine, just had abit of a nightmare.” You’d been having pretty consistent nightmares since that day. Your therapist assured you that it was completely natural. That it was all a part of the grieving process. The healing journey.

“The ice cream one or the couch one?” Bradley sighed as he rolled over, flicking on his own lamp as he rubbed his eyes. You were still in an immobilization sling for another few weeks. Doctor Taylor wasn’t happy to see your name back on his chart less than twelve hours post your first discharge. But he couldn’t say he wasn’t surprised. If he had been a beating man he swore his life savings would have been on your odds. 

“The ice cream one—“ You yawned as you looked at the time on your phone. Three am. Bob's most prevalent witching hour. “He only told me I killed him like once this time so I think we’re making some progress.” Bradley chuckled softly as he pulled you down and into his chest. He knew how much you were struggling to overcome the adversity you’d faced, he was too. You all were. No one had seen Phoenix of Rhett in days. Fanboy was doing his best to keep tabs but he was only one guy. 

“I think he’d get a real kick knowing Hangmans got a pair of glasses tattooed on his ass.” The entire group had gone and gotten a tattoo in memoriam. You, Bradley, Jake, Phoenix, Fanboy, Payback, Coyote and of course Rhett all had a pair of Bobs signature glasses tattooed. Yours had been placed on your finger. Bradley got his on his wrist. You couldn’t help but to smile against Bradley’s exposed chest as he wrapped his arm around you. He’d lost a fair few people in his life. Bob was just the latest on the list of good people taken too soon. “But I also think he’d be so proud of you.” 

“No you killed him.” Jaidyn played his final attempt to manipulate you. He wanted you to kill him. That was his end game. That was his plan. To ruin your entire life. “You killed him Y/n and darlin, you don’t have the fucking balls to kill me you poisonous bitch—“ Jaidyn snarled as you pressed your foot further into his chest. “Go on, pull the fucking trigger! DO IT!” 

*Bang* 

You hadn’t killed him, Jaidyn that was. But you did shoot him through his shoulder before you dropped to your knees in shock at the fact you’d thought about it and came seconds away from doing so. He was arrested and taken to hospital under police custody. He’d still yet to be officially sentenced, but for now he was in custody, without possibility of making any kind of bail. He’d spend the entirety of the time waiting on his trial behind bars. 

“I’m gonna go sleep in Odette's room for a little while.” You mumbled before you turned to kiss Bradley’s chest. He understood why. You’d been like this for weeks.

“I love you.” Was all he mermed in response before you were sitting up, swinging your legs over the side of the bed and pushing off out of the warmth of the bed you shared with the love of your life. Rooster saw no reason to spot you, he was only going to follow you in about five minutes or so. 

“I love you too.” You took your time as you padded down the hall to the room where your daughter slept soundly. She’d taken a little while to get used to having a room all to herself. Most nights she was racing down the hall in her pajamas screamed and crying just looking for you. On the nights she was able to sleep soundly through the night you’d be the one who woke up in cold sweats from your own nightmares. Both one in the same—the pair of you couldn’t go a night apart. 

As you opened her bedroom door the sight you saw melted your heart. Bradley had hooked up one of those roaming lamps that projected stars onto the roof of Dots room. He’d told her one night during one of her moments where she felt like she was drowning, that her grandparents would keep her safe from all the monsters in her closet while he was sleeping and that he’d keep her safe from the monsters of the world. That was his promise, that he’d always protect her. 

The stars lit up her room just enough so that she wasn’t shrouded in darkness. The teddy bear in her arms wore a flight suit with a tiny ‘Bob’ stitched into the fabric. He wore a set of glasses that matched your tattoo. Bobby bear had quickly become Dot's favourite toy. Rhett had gotten it for her, he’d never tell anyone but he had one too. It sat on his suitcase just staring at him just wondering when he was going to go back home. 

“My sweet girl.” You whispered as you crawled into bed with your daughter. Bradley swore blue that he and Jake were going to find the time to make her the princess bed she deserved. For right now though it was just a simple frame with a lip big enough to stop her from falling. “Mamas here.” You cooed as you pulled her close. Even in her sleeping state Dot reached up to touch your cheek. “I love you so much.” 

Mav had been staying in the spare room since the incident. He’d felt so guilty for not being around. He’d been so focused on the internal investigation into Beau Simpson's competence that he truly did believe there were enough people around you to stop a tragedy from occurring again. 

He’d been wrong. So in the spare room he stayed until Bradley had convinced him that his little family was safe. 

“Room for one more?” Bradley’s voice sounded ever so soft as he crept into Odette's room. You looked at him as he padded in. Sweats hanging low off his hips to expose those deep vee lines with the elastic of his boxer briefs poking out the top. 

“Unfortunately Bradshaw, I think this beds full.” The way you smiled, the way you spoke, the way you loved so deeply and so passionately made Bradley Bradshaw's heart skip a beat. He’d sat with you and your lawyer every time you had a meeting, he listened to all the abuse you endured and put up with for years. As did Jake. The pair sat and listened to the pain in your voice and watched the tears stream down your cheeks. They couldn’t understand how you didn’t harbor that hatred. But Bradley finally understood why you’d been so hesitant to give him a chance. 

He was so thankful you did. 

“Floor it is then.” He groaned softly as he dropped down to his knees and snaked one of Odette stuffed toys for a pillow. Bobby Bear looked him dead in the eye as if to say pick another. He did just that and settled for the stuffed ladybug. You chuckled softly to yourself at the way Bradley trailed behind you only minutes later. He’d been plagued with nightmares of his own. Only his were of you on your knees telling him you loved him with that gun pressed to your head. In his nightmares Jaidyn always pulled the trigger. In his nightmares Dot was drowned. In Bradley Bradshaw's nightmares he lost both his girls, and that’s what made him settle for the floor of his daughters room most nights, looking up at the stars that roamed the roof of her bedroom—

Slowly but surely drifting off to sleep. Knowing that you’d be there when he woke up. Forever and always. 

***~***~***~***~***~***~

Four Months Later 

“Amilia! It’s tradition! Now, give me the microphone!” Jake whined as he trailed behind Amilia like a lost puppy. She was busy doing her rounds, collecting empty beer bottles and glasses from the table tops of the Hard Deck. 

“Just because it’s tradition doesn’t mean I should be subjected to your awful pitch, Seresin.” The two had been inseparable since their date at Preston’s. Jake had failed to actually show up for their planned date. With all his emergency contacts already being in the hospital and with the rest of the Daggers in complete and utter shambles over Bob's death, Jake had asked the nurses that were looking after him to call Amilia for him, as his emergency contact. 

She’d stayed his emergency contact since. There was no point having you anymore, because whenever you were in trouble you could count that Jake was gonna be there right beside you and vice versa. 

The second Jake was discharged though, with cuts and bruises alike, he took Amilia to Preston’s like he’d promised he would. They went straight there and hadn’t looked back since. Like two peas in a pod. 

“I’m gonna combust woman! I need to!” Jake pleaded as he held Amilia still by her hips from behind so she couldn’t step another step away. “Give, me, the, microphone.” 

“Don’t do it Oz!” Fanboy egged on the drama unfolding before him as he sat at the bar waiting on Penny to finish gathering his latest order. “Don’t make us suffer—“ 

“Coyote is on top of the leaderboard!” Jake wanted to pull his own hair out. He was the karaoke king, you were the karaoke queen—there was no ifs or buts about the situation. “Do you understand how pressing this matter is!?” As Amilia rounded the corner back behind the bar where Penny was busy pouring copious amounts of liquor for her alcoholic patrons, she shook her head and rolled her eyes. 

“If you sing home among the gumtrees again I swear I’ll have Penny ring that bloody bell Jake.” Amilia conceded. “Five buck entry fee—cough it up.” She stuck her hand out as Jake grinned ear to ear, he was quick to fish the crumbled up bill from his wallet before he slapped it into his girlfriend’s awaiting hand. 

“You won’t regret it.” Jake beamed as he watched Amilia pocket the five dollar bill. It was her gig, karaoke with half price wings & tings night had really become a hit. Penny let Amilia make a little extra cash with the five dollar entry fee. She’d essentially been robbing Jake in broad daylight ever since. 

“Somehow I think I will.” Amilia leaned over the bar to kiss Jake on the cheek before she handed him two microphones from under the bar. “Go reclaim your crown.” 

“I'll be back to revel in my glory soon.” The smile couldn’t have been more genuine if Jake wanted it to be. He was in love, if he wasn’t he couldn’t begin to imagine what true love actually felt like if this wasn’t it. “Stay gorgeous, make sure these guys are tipping you well!” He shouted as he walked away and all Amilia did was shoo him off. Immediately turning her attention back to the crowd surrounding the bar. 

“Fe!” Jake's voice rattled around in your brain as he approached the table you’d been sitting at with Rooster and Pete. little Odette was on your lap colouring in one of the many colouring in pages you’d grabbed from Amilia on the way in. “Show time!” He wiggled his hips as he showed you the microphones. “Just like old times?” 

“Oh no—“ You tried to turn the offer down. “Jake, it's packed in here!” But it was to no avail. Jake was reaching out for Dot like there was nothing stopping him from reclaiming what was rightfully his. All Bradley did was chuckle to himself as Jake played the little girl down in his lap. Deciding he was now on Dot duty while he whisked you away to be his partner in crime. 

“Uh, yeah! Which makes it the perfect time to whoop Coyotes arse!” Jake hadn’t been this content in a while. He felt like things were all coming together again after his entire world had been tipped on its axis point. He missed Bob, so fucking much. He took it personally to the point that his nightmares were almost a nightly occurrence. The choice he made he’d never forget. The tattoo on his ass served as a permanent reminder of the guy who was every bit the man Jake wished he could trade places with. “So come on! Let’s get our karaoke on!” You looked to Rooster across the booth for support, he gave you some as he shrugged his shoulders and tilted his head. 

“Better get up there.” 

“You’re meant to have my back.” You groaned as you squinted your eyes and sighed in disbelief. 

“I do, that’s why I want you to go and have some fun.” Bradley had in his back pocket his mother’s engagement ring that she’d given him before she passed. He’d kept it in his dads red velvet wedding ring box since he’d had it. As Bradley watched Jake haul you away to belt out a beat, he knew he’d made the right choice. 

“Everythings set outside when you're ready, Rooster.” Mav bumped the son he’d claimed as his own on the shoulder. “She’s just perfect for you.” 

“Yeah—“ Bradley still hadn’t taken his eyes off you as he watched you and Jake set up and select your song. “Yeah she really is isn’t she.” There wasn’t a time Bradley didn’t believe you weren’t the one for him, but after everything you’d gone through, after everything he’d seen, after the losses you’d learnt to accept and the fear you’d overcome—Bradley had never been so sure. 

“Your mum and dad would be so proud of you kid.” Mav had watched the man sitting beside him grow up into such a fine young man. He was every bit the man his father was. “They really would be.” The music filled the Hard Deck and captured everyone’s attention—whenever you and Jake were paired for karaoke they all knew it would be a good time. 

“Our children will always hear romantic tales of distant years, our gilded age may come and go. Our crooked dreams will always glow.” You sang a little off tune but with a whole lot of heart as the entire Hard Deck watched you and Jake dance and act like teenagers who’d snuck into an underground nightclub. 

“Stick with me, oh you're my best friend! All of my life, you've always been, Remember remember, All we fight for!” Jake shouted at the top of his lungs. Rooster saw from the corner of his eyes the way Amilia blushed from second hand embarrassment from behind the bar. That was her dork now. All Bradley had to say was good luck to her. 

Across the way sat Rhett and Phoenix. It was the first time Bradley saw a genuine smile creep across Natasha’s face since Bob’s death. Out of everyone it hit her the hardest. They’d flown together for years and without Bob? Phoenix didn’t know what she was doing in the sky. What way was up or what way was down. But she knew he was here, watching over them. Her tattoo was placed across her heart. Gone but never forgotten was Robert Floyd. She didn’t blame you either. Not a single bit. 

“Don't leave me, oh you're my best friend

All of my life, you've always been. Don't leave me now, you're my best friend, All of my life, you've always been!” As your voice melted with Jakes, Bradley also took notice of the genuine hold Rhett Abbott had on Natasha's thigh, just above her knee. Not too high that it would be deemed inappropriate for a public setting. It was just genuine and real. The pair had been spending more and more time together, Bradley assumed it was from the grief, but now? When he saw the way Phoenix looked at Rhett the same way Jake looked at Amilia the same way he looked at you? He wasn’t so sure it was grief, but love born from a tragedy. How that would turn out he wouldn’t hold his breath over, but he was happy for them. 

“Remember remember—, All we fight for!” It was your turn to sing as Jake jumped around. 

“Remember remember— All we fight for!” It was Jake's turn to scratch out as you twirled and laughed at the cheers that echoed out around you. 

“Oh oh oh oh oh—“ The both of you sing in unison into the same microphone. It was like a slow motion fade out as the music died down and the applause erupted. Bradley held Odett high in the air so she could clap and wave your way. Only placing her down when you’d made your way back to him. 

“I love you so much.” Bradley pulled you close as he kissed your temple, having watched you and Jake sing your hearts out to keep your covenant top stop on the karaoke board. “I’ve got something to show you if you’ll step outside with me for a minute?” He whispered in your ear as he looked at him with questions and confusion written all over your face. 

“Sure—“ 

“Tooster has a supwise for you mamma.” Dot added as you walked hand in hand with your little girl out towards the back patio of the Hard Deck where it backed onto the Beach reserve. You could see all the festoon lights outside but never thought in a million years there'd be a little picnic set up under those lights. 

“I can see that little miss.” You looked down at Dot as she held your hand and walked by your side, Bradley was just ahead of you, looking up at the stars above in the night sky hoping his parents were out there somewhere looking down on him. “Did you know about this?” 

“Tooster told me before bed wast night.” 

Rooster thought that it would be good to keep Odette looped in, his palms were super sweaty as he tucked her in and turned on her little star lamp. He kneeled beside her bed—kissed her forehead softly and told her that he loved her. 

“Can you keep a secret?” Dot nodded. Bradley wasn’t so sure, she’d developed a bad habit of throwing people under the fucking his lately. Her latest victim had been Chase—who was sneaking lollies from the lolly jar. But he wanted her to know. “You know I love you and your mama very much right?” 

“So much?” Dot had had a big day, she’d spent the afternoon with her uncle Jake, what those two had been up to Rooster had no idea, but whatever it had been had tuckered the little tack. 

“Oh the most baby girl.” Bradley smiled so bright at your daughter. “So much that I’m gonna ask your mum to marry me tomorrow night, because that’s just how much.” What Bradley didn’t tell little Odette was that he was gonna ask her too. 

“Bradley, what is all this?” You asked cautiously as Dot ran off to catch up to Rooster. He picked her up and spun her around as you reached the small blanket laid on the sand under festoon lights. “Rooster—?” 

“I’ve uh—“ Bradley just had to get it all off his chest. “Honestly this is something I should have done months ago if I’m being honest.” He let out a soft chuckle as he rubbed the back of his neck and looked around. He could see Jake standing on the back patio, proud as ever that his best friend was finally getting her happily ever after. “Y/n—“ 

“No stop, you're not Rooster.” You wanted to cry as you cupped your hands over your face. “This isn’t happening—“ 

“I told you when we were in the hospital that I was gonna ask you to marry me.” Bradley reminded you as he reached in for the ring box in his back pocket. He was on one knee before you in seconds with Odette in his arms. “Y/n, you deserve so much more than you’ve ever been given.” Bradley started as you began to cry tears full of happiness. “There are so many things about you that make me want you forever, your smile, your character, the way you love so fiercely.” He held your daughter close as he kissed her cheek and looked up at you over her shoulder. “If you had asked me when I first met you if I knew I’d ask you to marry me I would have said yes.” With shaking hands you reached out to cup Bradley’s cheeks as you stood above him, looking down. He had his own tears threatening to spill as he smiled up at you with golden irises full of love and admiration. 

“You’re the love of my life and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, for Odette.” Bradley wanted to include your daughter in all this as much as he possibly could. It was important to him. “You came into my life like a whirlwind dream and not once have I ever had any doubts about you, about wanting to marry you.” 

To Bradley, you were a force to be reckoned with. You’d seen your fair share of trails and heartache that would’ve brought most people to their knees. But not you. You maintained a peace about you that Bradley thought was otherworldly. You carried yourself with such grace but yet held such fire behind your eyes. He knew, for sure, that you were the one he wanted in his corner forever. 

“Rooster—“ 

“Marry me Y/n.” Bradley finally said it. He said the three words that took the breath straight from your lungs. “My god please marry me, I just wanna spend the rest of my life reminding you how much love you deserve, how so loved you are.” 

“Rooster—“ You were trying to say yes, trying to tell the man kneeling before you that you wanted him forever and then some more. But he wouldn’t let you interrupt. 

“I'll never not remember the fear I felt when I almost lost you.” It was a harsh reminder of the things you fought so hard to protect. “I can’t ever lose you—you're my best friend, the love of my life, the best mother to the best little girl I know.” Yep. That was it, that was the moment you dropped to your knees and took Bradley’s lips hostage with yours. He let out a small oof when he fell back against the blankets with Dot. 

“Of course I’ll marry you, how could I ever not.” 

“Really?” Rooster’s eyes were as wide as they could get with joy and excitement. 

“I’m in love with you Roo, have been ever since I first met you.” The thing about Bradley that scared you the most was you’d do anything he ever asked of you. If he asked you to jump you’d ask how high and without hesitation he’d be jumping right next to you. “I always will be.” The two of you could not have been more perfect for one another if you tried. With all your imperfect flaws and weaknesses you made each other whole. “So yes, a thousand times yes I’ll marry you.” 

As if to say he couldn’t believe what he was hearing Bradley embraced you and your daughter like it was the first time he was experiencing touch filled with love and compassion. This was it for him—you were his everything. A few months ago he thought he’d lost it all. But now, laying here with you under the stars in North Island, everything was going to be okay. 

“And for you miss Odette.” Bradley sniffled as he reached into his pocket for a golden signet ring he’d had made for the little girl who’d stolen his heart. It had her birthstone and all, a little red garnet encased in a heart. Bradley’s heart. “I wanted to ask you something too.” He turned all his attention to Odette who wore the brightest smile on her little face. “Will you let me be your friend forever?” 

It melted your heart. Odette nodded as her bottom lip quivered, she didn’t really know what any of this meant but one day she would. 

“I wuv you, Tooster.” Odette cuddled into Bradley with all her might as he sat beside you on the blankets under the festoon lights. So much love was left to share between the three of you. So much heartbreak was still left to overcome. But the most important thing of all was that Bradley had his family, the love of his life was about to be his wife. The three year old in his arms would grow up safe and oh so loved. 

Bradley was your rock, your world. And as you caught the sight of Jake standing out on the back porch with Amilia wrapped up under his arm you wished he’d get the chance to feel this love too. He’d been the best damn best friend anyone could ask for. He gave you a loving family, the only thing you ever asked for in your entire life. 

Odette had her person, her protector, a friend she could count on for the rest of her life. She had her Tooster. And oh boy was that Roosters favourite thing of all. Being Odette's Tooster.

It was his favourite thing of all, it was his favourite job, his favourite roll. 

It was his favourite……Term Of Endearment. 

Fin.

***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~**

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[my-autism-adhd-blog]

I’m in a gaming community for the sims 4 and I make mods and content for it and when I get stuck there’s a discord server where I go to to get help. I’m autistic and have adhd and a bunch of other mental health issues including depression and I’m a super nice person almost to a fault.

I swear whenever I go to get help from the folks in there they are incredibly condescending and mean to me. I’m probably twice these ppls age too and they talk down to me like I’m a child and tbh they shouldn’t even talk to children the way they talk to me. I bet they don’t even talk to folks like this irl either just ppl online or maybe just me. Whenever I see them help others they are helpful, nice, and polite but with me either they ignore me or they come at me with mean remarks or talk down to me.

These are folks that are considered popular in the community too and they make lots of money off their fans so I couldn’t even go after them if I wanted to or report them for harassment or anything tbh.

I’ve never once done anything to them nor am I “stupid” so to speak. I don’t understand why they’re like this to me so when I called one of them out for it the other person said it was “uncalled for” and then the person I called out eventually apologized to me when they got more info of my situation but regardless of my situation they shouldn’t have reacted how they did.

The one that said it was uncalled for later acted exasperated towards me with an “oh my god” towards me when I was trying to explain my issue in terms they would understand bc they weren’t getting what I had already said. And I’m the slow one? What the hell.

I’m just so fed up with being treated like shit but it’s the only place I can go to get help?!

What should I do? Just endure the abuse? Abandon my game? Stop modding? It takes a huge toll on my mental health and after that “oh my god” I was crying on the phone to my husband after he called me to check in. But the game is my escape from real life and I enjoy it as is modding. Ahhh. 😯

Idk I’m at a loss as to why people can be so mean to others especially online. 🙄😭 sorry for the long rant I have no one else to talk to for advice that is autistic. Ty if you have the spoons to read this, I appreciate you and your blog.

Hi there,

I think it’s cool they you can mod games. I’m not familiar with Discord, but I know people can be mean everywhere.

Is there any other servers that you can join? Or surely you’re able to block people on there if you have to.

Honestly I’m at a loss too. I’m hoping my followers can help. Surely there are some that have or are in similar situations like yours.

I’m so sorry that I couldn’t help answer your question. But I appreciate the inbox. I hope you have a wonderful day/night. ♥️

[layla4567]

Adam Warlock Headcanons

Warnings: angst, smut, mentions of sex and body parts, nudity, mention of masturbation, mention of bondage, maybe gotg v3 spoilers, and i think that's all

SFW

Adam cares more about your feelings than his own. Do you have a small scratch on your face? Adam will put his hands on your cheeks and carefully examine you as if he were a doctor. Are you sad about something? He will not leave your side and will hug you if necessary, he will also listen to you for as long as you need without interrupting you.

He is an enthusiast for learning new things, he will want to learn all the information he can to enrich his experiences. He loves that you teach him things he doesn't know. He likes to listen to your warm voice while you explain to him what the earth is like or how plants grow or even your favorite book, the simple fact of seeing your face light up comforts him

If you know how to sing or dance, prepare for Adam to enjoy watching or listening to you all day. Your melodious and honeyed voice sweetening his ears like the nectar of flowers is for him the best sensation in the world. Sometimes he watches you with a tender look while you sing distractedly. And every time you dance, your joyous and contagious energy envelops Adam like a warm blanket. Your dizzying turns and the way you move your arms harmoniously make Adam want to dance with you and he wishes you would teach him.

He is definitely a jealous guy. He understands that you can have friends and be with several people but sometimes he feels sick to your stomach every time you're with a guy, it makes him feel insecure as if he's not good or handsome enough for you. Adam feels like you belong to him, and not in a toxic or misogynistic way, but it's just that to him you're the best thing that's ever happened to him and every time you don't spend time with him his heart sinks a little.

Adam hates bullies. When he sees that someone is being rude to anyone in Knowhere, his eyes harden and his fists clench firmly and he will walk with a sure step towards that person to teach him a lesson. However, Adam is quite a pacifist so he won't fix things by fighting, he will simply talk and maybe, why not, if the bully is too pedantic Adam will threaten him

This golden boy has a hard time expressing his feelings because he simply doesn't understand them, when he saw you for the first time he felt something in his belly, a strange tingling that filled him with adrenaline. He looked everywhere for help, at first he thought he was sick but the sensation was not uncomfortable, on the contrary, every time he was near you he felt comfortable and safe. He asked all the guardians what it was that he felt, they all said the same thing. Love. Oh boy, he got a little scared, he didn't know how to confess his feelings towards you.

When he finally made up his mind to tell you how much he loves you, he blurted out the words as if he were getting rid of a heavy load. Adam was afraid you'd reject him but apparently the feeling was mutual. You will always remember how his face relaxed and a big smile lit up his lips.

He loves hugs! He is like a child seeking maternal warmth. He will hug you whenever he can and sometimes when you are off guard. Being taller, he likes to hug you from behind and rest his chin on top of your head. Other times, you will be the one who needs a hug so he will wrap you in his strong arms wrapping you and caressing your back. He just loves physical contact as a love language.

And speaking of hugs, Adam also really enjoys cuddles. He likes to snuggle next to you when you're lying in bed. He will place his head on your chest and wrap his arms around your waist. He also loves it when you stroke his hair until he falls sound asleep. He prefers to be the little spoon but if you want he will be the big spoon and he will cover you and put his arms on your stomach like a big bear (since he is taller).

Adam really appreciates that you listen to him and pay attention without judging him especially when it comes to talking about his mother. He still feels somewhat guilty and responsible for what he happened to his mom so he seeks to vent to you and for you to comfort him. That's why Adam is also very overprotective, he doesn't want anyone to suffer or have the same fate as his mother. He couldn't bear the thought that someone was hurt because of him.

NSFW

Adam doesn't understand much about sex. He knows what he is but has never experienced it. In fact, for him it is a simple act done to conceive children. He didn't know he could have sex for pleasure until it was explained to him. Yet it's hard for Adam to understand why something like this would be satisfying.

As I mentioned before Adam had never felt a need to experience sex but the more time he spent with you a burning and primal sensation took over him. A sensation that made him clench his legs and clench his jaw. At first he felt embarrassed by this, he told himself that he should control himself while you are around so as not to scare you. He didn't want to force you to do something you didn't want.

One day Adam couldn't take it anymore and he rushed into your room, opening the door violently and getting on his knees hugging your waist and burying his face in your stomach. He told you that he was worried because he didn't know what was happening to him or how to stop it. "(Y/N) there is something wrong with me, you have to help me." He explained to you that every time he was with you he felt a wild need to touch you and feel your warm skin. You blushed because you knew exactly what was wrong with him. How could you tell him that he was basically horny and probably his raging hormones required him to fornicate with someone?. He looked into your eyes with visible confusion. For him to understand you caressed his cheek, that little touch was enough for Adam to close his eyes with a sigh and melt in your hand like butter in the sun.

You offered to try that experience with Adam but he refused. "No (Y/N) in any way, I will not force you to do something you do not want." Oh but if he knew that you wanted that since you first saw him. His statuesque physique captivated you but his cute and lovable personality was what won your heart. You wanted to teach Adam because everyone said having sex gave you serotonin. You gave him a passionate kiss, the first of many. It was the first time that Adam tasted your lips, they were even softer than he could have imagined. You led him to your bed and sat on his lap. His hands shyly gripped your hips. Each kiss you planted on his jaw and neck made him gasp. Every time you rubbed your ass against his crotch he felt something grow under there but he had no idea what it was. Your hands on his abdomen and shoulders are enough to turn him on. When they were both ready they began to undress.

When he took off his pants, he was surprised to see that his penis was erect. Was it because of that tingling he felt in his pants? "It's normal" you said smiling. You led Adam into your entrance. He was afraid of hurting you but you told him it was okay for him to hold his grip on your thighs and squeeze them if he wanted. Adam nailed his fingers into your fleshy skin, yet it was soft and delicate. You leaned Adam's body towards yours and now with your mouth in his ear and his head on your neck your hot breath made him feel feverish, your moans filled his head and his grunts matched yours.

Your nails scratching on his back made him feel an electric shock throughout his body. They were about to reach the climax but he didn't know what to do, he just felt that his penis hardened and your walls tightened more around him. "(Y/N)?" You look at him panting. "I think-.." he couldn't finish the sentence because fluid shot out and filled you. He got scared thinking that he had done something wrong but when he saw that you weren't upset and that you had also released that fluid, he calmed down. Catching your breath, you explained that they had reached orgasm. Adam felt better, he had never experienced anything like this and now understand why everyone said he made you feel good. That burning sensation had disappeared to give rise to the relief. They stayed talking and I explained to him that sometimes the people did a second round. He was enthusiastic and proposed to try it, in his innocent mind he believed that something so pleasant should be done more often. Laughing, you told him that people didn't have as much resistance as he did and they ended up exhausted. Then they practiced aftercare, both of you holding each other Adam behind you nuzzling your back with his nose and you holding your hands in front of your chest massaging them. It could be said that Adam was now more expert

But when they were apart whether on missions or whatever, Adam had a hard time containing his primal urges. He missed your touch on his abdomen or the way he called out his name. So you also showed him that he could give himself pleasure whenever he wants. At first you showed him how, wrapping his hand around his member and rubbing it up and down. Adam had never had that explained to him and he wondered why, it was almost as good as having sex with another person. Now every time he's away from you by himself, practice what you taught him with your face in his thoughts.

I see Adam as a sub but he could also be a soft dom. He prefers that you be on top of him riding him and teaching him everything you know how to do. On the other hand, if he is the dom he will be as soft as he can be and will constantly ask you if you feel good, if you want to continue or if he is hurting you.

What does Adam like most about you? Your kisses. Your mouth running over his sculpted body is enough to have him on his knees begging to touch your body. Your warm lips or your small bites will drive him crazy wanting for more. And what is Adam's favorite part of your body? It is a tricky question because Adam loves your whole body but I think it would be your abdomen and a little below it without reaching your privacy. He has learned what your weak points are to make you squirm as you desperately pull at his scalp.

Finally, it was clear that Adam loves to learn and try new things, but as long as it is something that does not involve harming yourself. So he doesn't really like the idea of ​​bondage, handcuffs, hot wax, etc. But he could try it for you if you insist. Also, you would tell him that if it is practiced properly, it is not risky or dangerous. Even so, at the slightest sign that you don't feel comfortable, he will stop.

[lam-ila]

Big Spoon || Cole Caufield

Summary: Four times Cole was the big spoon and one time he was the small spoon.

Word Count: 1,840

Warnings: none

please let me know if you find any that i should add

NHL Masterlist

a/n: this is gender neutral. hope you enjoy this! feedback is appreciated

LIKES ARE GREAT, REBLOGS ARE BETTER ♡

You and Cole had been friends for a few years and had been pining over each other. You met through some mutual friends and had formed a friend group with them and Cole. About once a month, your friend group would plan movie nights at someone’s place and this month, that someone was you.

You had planned everything thinking you were accommodating for everyone’s schedules, but the only person who could make it to the movie night was Cole. You didn’t mind that and neither did Cole, you two were extremely close and hung out with each other whenever you could.

You enjoyed the movie night, maybe a little too much as it was well past midnight and too late for Cole to go back to his place, so you offered to let him stay the night. You gave him a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt to wear, which he graciously accepted. After he changed, you watched him rearrange some throw pillows on one of your couches, creating a make-shift bed.

“What are you doing?” you asked, a confused expression on your face.

“Going to sleep,” Cole answered in a matter of fact way.

“Oh no, if you’re gonna sleep on one of my couches, then so am I.” You gathered two of your throw pillows and started to do the same thing as Cole did, but on the neighbouring couch.

“This is your place. Sleep in your bed,” Cole argued.

“I don’t want you sleeping on the couch by yourself,” you argued back. You knew neither one of you would get anywhere bickering like this, so you came up with a solution that hopefully Cole would agree to. “We’re grown adults, let’s both sleep in my bed, alright?”

“Okay,” he quietly said. “As long as it doesn’t bother you.”

“Cole, I wouldn’t have offered it if I wasn’t okay with it.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” he laughed softly. “I’ll, uh, let you get changed.”

Once you got changed into your pyjamas, you brought Cole into your room and you both awkwardly made your way into your bed. You both laid down, Cole facing you and you facing away from him, lost in thought. Taking a deep breath, you prepared for yourself to talk to Cole about what was on your mind.

“Hey Cole?” He hummed in response. “Can I talk to you about something?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“So,” you paused, not completely sure how to continue. “I have this friend who, uh, well, they like their friend who they’ve known for a few years and, well,” you did your best to try and hide the fact that you were talking about yourself. “they don’t exactly know how to tell their friend that.”

“Okay, um, I think they just need to sit their friend down all tell straight up them how they feel.”

“The thing is, they don’t want to just tell their friend what they feel because they’re afraid their friend doesn’t like them back.” He chuckled, catching on to what you were trying to say.

“I think their friend likes them back.” You turned to face him, confused at what he was admitting.

“Wait, what do you mean?”

“I understand what you’re doing,” Cole explained. “and I like you too.”

After some confessions and forehead kisses, you laid down facing away from Cole again, but this time with a slight smile on your face, your back pressed up against his front, and his arms around you. Unbeknownst to you and Cole, this was all due to your friends purposely being busy so that you two could possibly confess your shared feeling towards each other.

—————

On your one year anniversary, Cole asked if you wanted to move in with him and you happily accepted the offer. The first few months were amazing, but one day in your third month of living with Cole, you both were having a terrible day, Cole upset with how his practice went and you upset with the amount of work you were given, and you were both snapping at each other.

By the end of the day, you and Cole couldn’t stand to face each other, but neither one of you wanted to sleep on the couch, so you built a wall out of pillows in the middle of the bed. You faced away from Cole, eyes wide open, reminiscent of the first night you shared a bed with Cole. You hated being separated from him, even if you were mad at each other for snapping at one another. Right as you were about to turn around to destroy the pillow wall, you felt the pressure of the pillows be replaced by Cole’s body pressed up against your back and his arms wrapped around your waist.

“I thought-” you started.

“Shhhh…” Cole cut you off. “I love you too much to not hug you.”

—————

The day after yours and Cole’s not so great day, you had to actually do the crazy amount of work that you were being given. You had been doing your work throughout the entire day, only taking breaks to eat food, make coffee, and go to the washroom. Cole had a home game that night, which you desperately wanted to go to, but you had to do more work, so you decided to put on his game and sit on one of your couches while doing your work.

Throughout the first period, you continued to get no work done. Instead, your eyes were glued to the tv screen. You had gotten a bit of work done during the first intermission, but once the second period came back on, your attention had gone back to the game. Deciding to focus on your work, you lowered the tv’s volume took a large sip of your coffee you were drinking.

Despite the amount of caffeine you had consumed, you found your eyelids getting heavy and you were finding it harder to do your work. You set your laptop aside on the couch you were sitting on, placed a pillow behind your head, and wrapped yourself in a blanket. Okay, maybe you had overworked yourself, a five minute break couldn’t do you any harm.

After the game, Cole entered your home, expecting you to be sitting on the couch and waiting for him like you normally do when you don’t go to home games. Instead, he found you fast asleep in your make-shift bed. Your exhaustion caught up to you and you had missed the rest of the second period and the entire third period. Cole chuckled lightly as he made his way over to you. He closed your laptop and placed it on the coffee table.

Kissing you softly on the forehead in attempt to wake you up, he mumbled against your skin “Hi, I’m home.” Your stirred against his touch, not completely wanting to wake up. Upon noticing that Cole was the one waking you up, your eyes widened, remembering that you missed most of the game.

“I’m sorry,” you admitted. “I didn’t go to your game and then I missed most of it because I fell asleep and I didn’t even get all my work done and-”

“Don’t worry about it. You’re exhausted.” Cole helped you to your feet and brought you to your shared bed. He fished out your pyjamas and gave them to you, motioning for you to change. Once changed, you got into bed, Cole following you. After laying down, Cole pressed his front against your back and placed his arms around your body.

“Cole, I really am sorry about-”

“Don’t,” Cole cut you off a second time. “there’s plenty of other games you can go to.” He kissed the back of your head. “Goodnight, I love you.”

“I love you too Cole.”

—————

The night before Cole leaves for away games were always difficult. The day before the most recent away game stretch wasn’t as difficult as usual; you and Cole spent the entire day, minus his practice, together at your shared place. Normally, it was you who had a difficult time towards the end of the day about him leaving, but this time, it was Cole.

You usually made sure that Cole got to bed early, so he wasn’t tired the morning he had to travel, but you found yourself laying awake and facing the wall at one in the morning with a wide-awake Cole behind you, facing your backside, blabbering on about anything that his mind could think of.

“Cole, honey,” you started. “I love listening to you talk, but please stop talking.”

“Okay, I’ll stop talking.” He agreed to part of what you said, however, instead of talking, he wrapped his arms around you and began kissing your cheek that was facing the ceiling.

“That’s not what I meant! You need to sleep!”

—————

The next home game you went to ended not so greatly. The Habs lost terribly and Cole didn’t score or assist a single goal. The commute back to your shared place was silent. You could tell Cole was having an argument with himself in his head and you needed to assure him that the loss wasn’t his fault, but you also wanted to give him space to feel the emotions he was feeling.

Once you got to your place, you and Cole did your typical routine after coming home from a game, but this time, there was barely any conversation. The two of you got into bed, you facing Cole and Cole facing away from you. This wasn’t usual and you knew you had to say something.

“Cole, I-” you started before being cut off by Cole.

“I played so badly today,” he stated. “If I didn’t play so terribly, we would’ve-”

“Cole,” It was your turn to cut him off, “That’s not true.”

“But-”

“Just listen to me, alright?” Cole said nothing in response, prompting you to continue. “You weren’t the only player on the ice. How could it be entirely your fault if there was an entire team who played tonight?” You scooted forward so that you could press up against Cole’s back. Wrapping your arms around Cole, you softly pressed your lips against his head. “It was one bad game. You guys will figure out what went wrong and play better in the next game.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” You could tell Cole didn’t entirely believe you, but he understood what you said, so that was a start. After a comfortable silence, Cole spoke up again. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For making me feel better. I normally would’ve just moped around and felt bad about myself.”

“Of course Cole.” You kissed him on the back of his head again. “And no need to thank me. I’m your partner, that’s my job.”

“I know, but I still want to thank you.” You smiled at his words, knowing that he truly appreciated you. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” You closed your eyes and fell asleep, feeling Cole’s abdomen rising and falling against your arms as he gently breathed.

——————————

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