#in all seriousness my sarcastic tone is covering the fact that i really did enjoy it all so much. now on to the analysis

[carcarrot]

im just going to go off in the tags for my review but last nights concert was crazy, entertaining, and crazily entertaining. while they did not play the rhythm thief clearly my rhythm, if i ever had any, was stolen and ron and russell were easily able to see my lack of clapping and dancing skills. when will those 70+ year old men stop beating me at everything

[luminari-mc]

(Mammon x MC/Reader)

Prompt: "She doesn't compare to you. No one does.”

Genre: Angst, hurt(emotional)/comfort.

Pairing: GN!MC/Reader x Mammon

Summary: You and Mammon finally get to enjoy a well-deserving shopping trip just between the two of you. Just as you are about to hit the next shop, your attention is caught by an image advertised in the street.

Warnings: N/A

A/N: I wanted to try my hands at a prompt that is tagged as "fluff", but of course I ended up turning it into something angsty instead. But I like sad stuff, so that still works for me.

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

It wasn't often that you got to spend time with Mammon without having any of his brothers around to bother you. But you had made it very clear to them that these few hours after school would be spent with Mammon, and only him. And for today's trip, you two had decided to go shopping in one of the busiest streets in the Devildom.

Clothes and jewelry stores, malls- you had done them all. When most of this time had been spent doing window shopping, Mammon had still insisted on getting at least a few bags of purchased goods for each of you by the end of the day. After all, what was the point of going on a shopping trip, if you didn't end up emptying your bank account only to regret it later?

And so, thanks to the demon's wonderful influence, your arms had now several bags hanging off of them. There was a certain guilt still looming over your head as you realized way overboard you might have gotten with your purchases, but Mammon promised he would take care of any financial problems you could encounter in the near future because of that. You still wondered how he was going to manage it, him being Mammon and all...

"Damn, now THAT'S what I call a good haul! Look at ya!" The white-haired demon grinned as he watch you hop out of the store, the glass doors opening automatically at your presence to let you out. He placed his wrists on his hips as his own bags dangled in his hands. "What'cha got for yourself this time?"

"They actually had that jacket I saw in a magazine the other day!" The doors closed behind you as you showed the white bag which contained the jacket. "You were right, that store was amazing. I can't believe you never showed it to me before."

"Ha! Told ya the Great Mammon knew where the best treasures were! Consider it an exclusive info, because I ain't gonna share more if any of my brothers are around next time." Mammon turned around before flipping a few of his bags over his shoulder, as you instantly began to trot to get to his level.

"What? So all this time you knew about it and you didn't tell me? Just because Asmo comes with us sometimes?" You expressed shock, right before your eyebrows joined together. "Really, as if you couldn't have told me over text or something."

"And have you go without me?! Nah, ain't gonna happen- you'd just get lost and end up in the worst store possible." Mammon glanced your way, and you could only smirk at his poor excuse.

"Sure, you're right. I forgot that humans don't have the same flawless sense of orientation as demons do." Despite your obviously sarcastic tone, Mammon didn't seem to register it as he nodded at your words.

"Exactly! Even if I gave you the full address, who knows where you'd end up? I don't want ya to come and complain to me afterwards, so it's gotta be with me or nothin'."

Even as you rolled your eyes, you noticed Mammon's face slightly turning away from yours, probably to hide the extra shade of color that had appeared on his cheeks ever so discreetly. Even when he was in his usual tsundere mood, it was endearing to see how concerned he was for your safety. And just how badly he wanted to be alone with you.

"So, where to next?" You asked without really thinking, surprising yourself that even after your extensive purchasing, you still wanted to do more. Or maybe it was that you didn't want this date to end right away. The past few weeks had been nothing but the brothers interrupting each other when any of them found themselves alone with you, so getting to spend some alone time with one of them, especially with Mammon, deserved to be extended a bit more.

"Glad ya asked!" As if a battery had been plugged into him, the demon brandished his arm into the air, the bags swinging by his face and missing him by a few inches. "I got this whole place where they're sellin' tons of stuff for pretty cheap, but it's actually authentic branded things. See, they're actually sold to that one guy who then has to sell them to another guy, and..."

As you listened to Mammon explain how he was able to find "authentic stuff" (probably not that authentic, you were pretty sure about that) for less than a quarter of its original price, your eyes found themselves drifting to an impressive ad plastered on a building the two of you were walking by. Recognizing the habit of Majolish to put their models on display for everyone to see was pretty easy, but that wasn't what caught your eye in the moment.

What tuned Mammon down completely in your ears, were the models themselves. The second born, sitting on a stool with a ripped shirt and pants, a few accessories hanging off his neck and barely covering anything of his exposed chest. He looked serious, staring straight at the objective- and at you, while the light shined on him to completely capture his frame for the picture.

And sitting down in the middle of the shot, between his legs, was a female demon wearing a red leather dress, her head resting on top of Mammon's leg. The clawed hand dangling off his knee- covered in golden rings, seemed to taunt you, as well as the piercing yellow eyes she had. Saying she wasn't beautiful would be lying. In fact, she was absolutely stunning. A perfect model for a perfect shot. Just looking at her made you feel small, like a prey that was about to be devoured by a hungry beast, the longer you were looking at her.

But that's what demons were supposed to make you feel like, right?

"Hey!" Mammon called out from the distance he had put between the two of you since you had stopped walking beside him. "Yo, MC!"

Watching as you kept staring into nothing, Mammon rolled his shoulders with a furrowed brow before walking back toward you, his head tilting to the side as he noticed your dead expression.

"Huuh hello, Devildom to MC? In which realm did ya get lost this time?"

"They replaced it." The words that left your mouth were weak, almost too silent for him to hear. It's as if all of the energy you had had evaporated from your body in an instant.

"Huh?" Mammon grew a bit concerned at this sudden change. His eyes perked up at the ad you were looking at, as you continued.

"The shoot we did together." Finally, you spared yourself from the sight, your gaze dropping to the ground. "They already replaced it with another one."

As soon as Mammon understood why *this* ad in particular seemed to be upsetting you so much, his jaw was already clenching. He remembered the stars he had seen in your eyes the previous week when you saw yourself on the Majolish ad, posing beside him- a shoot opportunity you had gotten while accompanying him after RAD a few days prior. In the middle of his shoot, he practically didn't leave any choice to his agent and had insisted that you be included in the shots to promote one of the new pieces of jewelry the brand was planning to release in the upcoming months. Asmo, who was there to witness your reaction on that day the three of you went out, had even taken a hundred pictures or so of you posing in front of the ad.

Except that, the jewelry you had posed with, was now present on the new model posing alongside Mammon.

He had made sure to engrave that smile of yours in his head at the time, even going so far as to snap a picture of your face while you were too focused on Asmo to notice him. But now, there was absolutely no trace of that same happiness anymore.

"The fuck?" The snarl that left him shook the walls of his throat. "That wasn't supposed to be advertised before another month! Why'd they have to take ours so soon?!"

"It's okay, Mammon." The demon stopped growling as his eyes lowered on the hand that was clutching his arm. "I mean... I'm not a model. Figures they wouldn't put it up for long... I-I mean, look at me. Seriously, who would want to see my face being exposed for longer than they can bare? It's hard to imagine. I wouldn't probably have sold their product anyway, so... it's okay."

The look on your face was devastating. Despite trying your best to smile, the tears pricking in your eyes were threatening to roll down your cheeks at any second. Mammon felt his heart being stabbed with a thousand invisible daggers, he couldn't bear to watch you feeling insulted in such a way.

His bags were immediately dropped onto the floor, the demon no longer caring for any of the fragile items he may have bought. His hands swung forward to cup your cheeks, forcing your face up to look at him straight in the eyes.

"Hey hey, MC. C'mon, look at me."

You did your best not to let your vision turn blurry because of the upcoming tears, and stared back at Mammon, your bottom lip trembling weakly.

"I don't care what anyone, model agents or not, can say- you'd sell a thousand more times than any fuckin' models out there, okay? In fact, you're worth even more than their stupid jewelry!"

His thumb quickly brushed away a tear from the corner of your eye as his other hand came to rest on your temple.

"They just put that one up there because that model is famous. They don't care about what's really beautiful, they just want to boast their popularity to the rest of the world." The blue of his eyes seemed to radiate the closer he moved towards you. "But I know what's beautiful. And her? She doesn't compare to you. No one does."

You could only look down in shame as his hands never left you, closing your eyes shut to let a couple tears out before Mammon grabbed a tissue from his pocket to dry your face. He patiently waited a few seconds for you to calm down, soothing you with slow caresses of your hair until your shoulders stopped shaking.

"I'm sorry..." you muttered, sniffling as you passed a wrist over your eyes. "I don't know why that upset me so much..."

"Ya got nothing to be sorry about." Mammon retrieved his hands from your head, only to grab the bags that were hanging off of your arms. He somehow manages to hold them alongside his own behind him, before wrapping the other arm around your shoulder.

"Hey, I'd call this a day. How about I prepare ya a bath when we're home? Courtesy of the Great Mammon."

You nodded, your lips arching into a smile as you grabbed the hand hanging off your shoulder. The day was cut too short for your liking, but you didn't feel up for any additional purchases, or to properly enjoy your outing anymore.

"Will you wash my hair?" You entertwined your fingers with his as he gave them a gentle squeeze.

"Pah, of course! Who else but me could do that?" He huffed through his nose, shaking his head at such an obvious question. Your laugh ringing in his ears gave him a brief moment of respite.

But the demon furrowed his brows as he lead you into your walk back home, keeping you snuggled at his side. Holding the bags in his left hand, his white nails sharply digged into his palm the more steps he took alongside you.

Making them cry? Such a big, big mistake. One thing was sure, Mammon wasn't about to let that one pass.

"But before that..." The hiss that escaped his throat went unnoticed by the two of you as your head rested against his shoulder.

"I'll have a few calls to make."

[strawberrymilkgeorge]

Part Sixteen. Quackity’s Call and Karl’s Hoodie

warnings: swearing word count: 2.7k

behind the screen (irl dream x f!reader) series masterlist ultimate masterlist bts is now on wattpad!

a/n: sorry it's been two weeks since the last update T-T I was just swamped with school but I'm back with regular updates babeyyyy!! hope you enjoy this chap!!

"What the hell did you just tweet?" Dream laughed from the other side of the FaceTime call and Y/n covered her face with her hands.

"Words," she replied vaguely.

She smiled at the unamused face he showed the camera before a smile fought his way to his lips. "You're so annoying."

"Take it back right now. I'll cry."

"I can't see you so I wouldn't know if you did, so doesn't really bother me," he joked. "Go cry to Quackity..."

"Hey, don't make me feel bad about still not showing my face. I told you not to expect anything," Y/n sighed out.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I... sorry. I don't care if you show your face or not. Not like that! I mean, I would like you to because I think you're pretty... but I don't want you to think you have to! I just like spending time with you so whatever makes you feel comfortable is totally okay with me. As long as I get to talk to you and you aren't annoyed when I go on long tangents like this, geesh."

Y/n giggled and cuddled into her blanket. "You're cute when you ramble."

"It's cute that I make a fool out of myself?"

"Mhm."

"Thanks a lot," he said sarcastically before hitting his head on his desk.

"What was that sound?"

"Shame."

Y/n laughed and opened Discord as it made sounds at her. "Hold on a second," she requested before answering a call from Quackity.

"BUGSY!" he yelled with a laugh. "I'm live! I'm live!"

"Hello Quackity and his chat," she greeted.

"Quackity called you? Tell him to go away!" Dream begged from the FaceTime call, his face consuming the screen with a pout.

"Dream says hello too," she lied and Quackity laughed.

"Tell him I said you're hot."

"Shut up!"

Quackity cackled and Dream, who had pulled up Quackity's stream to hear both sides of the conversation, spoke up. "Tell him that I already know! I know! I want him to know that I know."

"Why is it such competition between you two?" Y/n rolled her eyes fondly.

Dream smiled at the camera. "Don't worry, there's no competition."

Y/n's face heated up and she shook her head.

"Just let me relish in the fact that I know something about you that he doesn't," Quackity said, not able to hear what Dream said.

"I'm telling him," Dream warned before pausing. "Are you okay if he knows I've seen you? Because his whole chat will too. I really wanna brag but I won't if it'll make you uncomfortable."

She quickly muted on Discord and nervously said, "I'd rather you didn't for now. You just saw a few days ago. I'm already overwhelmed, I don't want to see everyone freak out about it."

"Okay, I won't. I still wanna yell at him for hitting on you, though."

"What, why—?"

"Why is Dream calling me?" Quackity asked. "Dream, I'm live! I'm live! And talking to your girlfriend. What's up?"

Y/n unmuted on Discord as Dream joined the call. Chat was going to have a field day with what Quackity just called her.

"QUACKITY!!" Dream yelled.

"What?" he laughed.

"DON'T HIT ON BUG!"

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO, MOTHERFU—"

"YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO HIT ON HER. BACK OFF!"

Y/n laughed as the two went back and forth, insulting each other without getting too personal.

"Dream! Dream, you're just jealous— SHUT UP! You're just jealous because you don't know what she looks like! That's it! So admit defeat because I do and you don't and-and I win!"

"First of all, that doesn't matter!" Dream rushed out. Y/n watched him through FaceTime as he talked passionately to his computer screen, his hands flailing in the air. "It doesn't matter what she looks like because she's beautiful anyway but second of all..." he paused and put his face in his hands before pouting at the FaceTime screen. Y/n laughed at him and the corners of his mouth tugged upward.

"Second of all, what? What, Dream?" Quackity challenged.

Y/n could see it on Dream's face: he wanted to tell Quackity but he wasn't going to. Y/n loved seeing him get jealous but she also loved seeing him brag about anything having to do with her, whether it was him telling everyone how they were best friends or about how good she was at GeoGuessr. So she grabbed her phone and showed her face. He sat up a little taller and beamed now that he could see her. "Hi," he said softly to her.

Y/n nodded and he raised his eyebrows for clarification. "Tell him the second thing, Dream," she said. "Go ahead."

"Yeah, tell me!" Quackity taunted. "There's literally no way for you to win this unless you—"

"I'm literally FaceTiming her right now, Quackity," Dream said, not taking his eyes off of her smile.

"Yeah, but you guys said before you FaceTime without showing your faces."

"Nah, we are. I'm looking at her right now," he informed, his voice now laced with a dazed tone.

"W-well I still saw her first!"

He snapped back into his defensive need to prove he was closer to Y/n than Quackity was. "Because you visited KARL!"  

"Oh my gosh, you both have seen me, so calm down!" Y/n laughed. "It's not a competition."

Quackity laughed abruptly and Dream smiled. "I definitely win this one, dude."

"Bugsy, run away with me," Quackity suggested and she shook her head.

"HAH! SHE'S SHAKING HER HEAD! SHE DOESN'T LOVE YOU, QUACKITY!"

"SHE DOESN'T LOVE YOU EITHER, DUMBASS!"

"Chat, this is what I have to deal with," she said to Quackity's chat as she pulled it up. "Multiple times a week. They're so annoying."

user53: pretty girl problems user42: do they want a tape measure to compare dick sizes like damn calm down guys user29: THIS IS SO FUNNY AND CUTE user72: BUGSYYYY user10: ARE WE IGNORING THE FACT THAT DREAM AND BUGSY FT user82: I KNEW he has seen her face user22: I mean they're def dating, ofc he's seen her??? user56: I want to have this type of problem user80: there should be a twitch section called "yelling about bugsy" because "just chatting" ain't cutting it   user46: DREAM DESCRIBE HER PLS user39: "at least i got to hug her when i visited" "let's be clear, you did NOT hug me" she really isn't touchy huh user66: how is dream gonna have a non-touchy s/o that man exudes touchy energy

"Quackity, why did you call me in the first place?" Y/n asked, interrupting the new argument that had come up, which was about their heights of course.  

"Oh!" He laughed. "Do you want to—Actually.... I should ask off stream. Chat, I'm going to mute for a few minutes. So hold on." He paused and laughed. "Okay, so... wait, Dream get out."

"What? No," Dream protested.

"GET OUT!"

"Why can't I listen??"

"It's a secret."

"That's not suspicious..." Dream scoffed sarcastically.

"It's not, just leave. Or deafen. Please."

"Please, Dream. Humor him," Y/n said.

"Fine! I'm deafening." He deafened and Quackity paused.

"Can he hear me on FaceTime?"

"I don't think so," Y/n said as she glanced at Dream's face on her phone.

"I'll test it. Bugsy, I'm in love with you!! Did his face change?"

"No," she laughed.

"Okay good. So," he started and she looked at his stream to see him with his hands pressed together like he was about to propose a business deal. "I wanted to ask if you wanted to read Bugity fanfiction together."

Y/n laughed abruptly and Dream looked up at her through the screen. She kept her words vague so he didn't know what Quackity had said. "Why on Earth?"

"For a stream, I mean! Not just us by ourselv—HAHA! It'll be funny!"

"I don't know..."

"You don't have to but I definitely think it'll be really fun. I've done a stream like that before and chat loves it. Also, it'll make Dream super jealous."

Y/n glanced at Quackity's chat to make sure they didn't hear what he was saying.

user39: CAN ANYONE READ LIPS?? user52: it looked like he said FANFICTION??? user68: DID HE SAY FANFIC?? PLEASE READ FANFIC TOGETHER user32: PLEASE HAHAH user51: as long as dream is there to yell at everyone user4: IN FRONT OF DREAM? QUACKITY IS BOLD AND FEARLESS user10: do you think he kicked dream out first because he looked like he was yelling when he first muted user72: not quackity forcing bugity to be real when we know dreamsy is

"What are you guys talking about, Bug?" Dream asked softly. "I'm bored."

"Hold on, Dream. Quackity, why would I want that?"

"Don't act like you don't want to make him jealous. You cannot fool me."

"Quackity!"

"Seriously, Bugsy! HAHA! Come on, it'll be so funny and he'll be so jealous and then one of you will have to admit to the other you like each other."

"That is not true."

"Bugsy..." Quackity said condescendingly. "I know. I know."

"You don't know anything," she told him.

"Fine. Then we'll do it to make chat entertained."

"As long as it's nothing sexual..."

"What are you talking about, Bug?!?!" Dream asked and she ignored him.

"Yeah, yeah, of course!" Quackity assured. "I'll make sure nothing is sexual or nsfw or bad in any way. Just the regular, like, regular ones."

"Then, yeah, sure. I don't see why not. When do you want to stream?"

"Are you free tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I can do that. It'll be fun."

"YES!"

user41: IF THEY ARE TALKING ABT FANFICS READ FOXTROT PLEASE HAHAHAA user57: most bugity fanfics are CURSED they're just crack fics user44: he's been muted why do you guys just assume that's what they're talking about geesh go touch grass chat user18: WHO SAID FOXTROT, NO DO NOT BRING THAT UP I WILL CRY IM STILL UPSET user99: "Poppies and Cornflowers" supremacy (dreamsy fanfic)

"Okay, I won't announce it until the stream starts so don't tell anyone. Especially Dream. I want him to be surprised too."

"You're obsessed with the idea of Dream and I being together."

"Bugsy, everyone is."

"Whatever..." she mumbled shyly.

"Okay, I'm unmuting stream so don't say anything. Tell Dream he can get back in here."

"Dream," Y/n said and he perked up. "You can undeafen."

"Thanks Bugsy, that's all. I'm going to end my stream now so I'm gonna leave but do you guys wanna do something after?"

"No, Bugsy and I are hanging out without you," Dream said.

"You know what? Just for that, I'm banning you so you can't watch my stream tomorrow."

"Like I want to anyway," Dream scoffed.

"You do. Bugsy will be there." He laughed mischievously.

"Bye, Quackity," Y/n said with a laugh. "Let me know what time tomorrow."

"Okay, okay, I'll make sure. Bye!"

He disconnected and Y/n looked to Dream, who was already looking at her. "Hi," she smiled. She disconnected from the Discord too, turning off her PC and focusing on the FaceTime call.

Dream stuck out his lower lip childishly. "What are you guys streaming tomorrow?"

"He told me not to tell you."

"And you're going to listen to him?"

She shrugged. "Yeah, it makes things interesting."

Dream paused and frowned deeper. "I'm jealous."

Y/n's heart quickened in her chest and she shook her head. "You have no reason to be jealous, bud."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?"

She set her phone up so it was leaning against her monitor and tucked her feet up on her chair. She nodded and rested her chin on her knees.

"Wait, what are you wearing?" Dream asked, squinting slightly and leaning towards his phone. "Is that a Mr. Beast hoodie?"

Y/n looked down. "Oh, yeah, it is! It's Karl's actually," she explained as she kicked away from her desk slightly, dropping her leg and raising her arms to show off the logo on the front.

"Oh."

"Oh? What's wrong with it?" she asked as she looked down at it and back at Dream. "You don't think it looks good on me?"

"No, it does." A mischievous smile pulled at Dream's lips before he said, "I just think you'd look better in one of my hoodies."

Y/n's hands immediately dropped to her collar, pulling it over her face to bury herself in it. Dream chuckled before whining lightly. "No, don't hide."

"You're annoying."

"Give me your address so I can send you one of mine."

"No, I have a perfectly good Karl nearby that I can steal hoodies from. He doesn't even notice," she dropped the soft material from her face. "The other day he asked where this one was while I was literally wearing it in front of him."

"Well, okay, but you'd look better in mine."

"Don't mess with my system."

"Bug," Dream pouted.

"Yours wouldn't even fit me! I bet they'd be too big."

"Only one way to find out..." he trailed off with a cheeky smile. Her silence prompted him to continue. "And if they are too big, it'll just be cuter. I don't see how this is a bad idea. Come on, let me send you some."

She deadpanned into the camera and he sighed.

"Fiiiine. Can I at least send you some of my merch?"

"Using me as free advertisement?"

"Yeah. That, and you apparently need other people's hoodies and I'd rather you have mine. But sure, we'll go with free advertisement."

"Well, I don't use face cam and I don't go outside so it's not really much advertisement."

"Then I'll send you some so I don't have to see you wearing Karl's hoodies?"

"Are you jealous of Karl?" Y/n teased lightly and Dream rolled his eyes.

"I'm not jealous of him."

"You so are! Dream is jealous, Dream is jealous!" she sang and his cheeks turned light red.

"I'm hanging up."

"Baby rage! Piss baby is baby raging."

"Y/n!" he protested with a laugh.

"Clay!" she countered. "It's okay if you're jealous of Karl. You know why?"

"Why?" he humored her with a fake disinterested voice.

"Because I'm jealous of Sapnap."

"What? Why?" he asked genuinely.

"He gets to see you baby rage in person."

He threw his head back. "Stop bullying me—"

"I'm kidding! He gets to cuddle with you anytime he wants," she said before she could think about her words.  

Y/n's eyes locked onto Dream as he tried to contain his smile, but he lightly bit his bottom lip and shook his head as it spilled onto his face despite his best efforts. "You're such an idiot."

"I'm dead serious right now. I bet you give really good hugs."

"Stop it..." he whined as he rubbed his eyes.

"What? You can offer me your hoodies just so you can see me wearing your clothes but I can't say you look cuddly? That's some bullshit, dude."

"No, you just—you can't say things like that."

"Why not? Are you actually not a hugger? I thought you were touchy but maybe not. Guess I'll just have to cuddle with Sapnap when we visit—"

"No," he said suddenly. "No, no, no."

"So you do give good hugs? Looks like it. No one that attractive gives bad hugs."

"Y/n!" His blush only deepened and she laughed.

"What is wrong with you?"

"No, what is wrong with you? Why— when did you get so bold?"

"What do you mean?" She laughed again, marveling at the fact that he was hiding his face now. "Hey show me your pretty face. What did I do wrong?"

"Stop saying things like that," he laughed, his voice shaking lightly. "What do you mean what do I mean? You never flirt like that!" He lifted his head again and looked at her.

"Sure I do!"

"Not to my face!"

"What, so when I go to Florida I'm not allowed to flirt with you? Only on Twitter? That's stupid. I'll get bored so quick!"

He shook his head, a sly smile creeping into his lips. "No, we won't get bored. I'll make sure of it." His smile gave her the feeling that there was a double meaning in his words.

"Oh, now you're being bold," she mumbled to herself.

Dream paused before saying, "I'm actually very excited to see you, Bug."

"Me too."

"I've been tempted to just fly out to you now but Sapnap stops me every time. He says it'll be a waste since there's only, like, two weeks until you guys come here."

"That's rude of him. I don't think any time spent together is a waste."

Dream's smile consumed his entire face. "I agree. That's why you should hang out with me instead of being on Quackity's stream."

"Oh, no, the stream is happening."

"At least tell me what it's about."

"Nope!"

"Then I won't send you my hoodies."

"Your merch hoodies," she clarified. "I'll just buy them then."

"Ugh, fine, you got me. I'm still sending them."

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other a/n: in case you couldn’t tell, the title is things dream is jealous of this time lol

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[miraculouscontent]

so... could you write some more adrien/chat salt? your fics and posts salting on him are always so good 🥺

Thank you! And of course~

—————

Ladybug had considered what to say multiple times over the day she'd had to think about it. She'd thought about all the different ways she could've said it, and what would've been the most effective when who she was talking to was taken into account.

However, sitting there on the rooftops with Chat Noir, there was a point where she just had to say it, no matter how it came out.

"Give me your miraculous."

Chat jerked his head over to her, jarred from the silence and eyes wide as his brain seemed to process the statement. Ladybug, meanwhile, stared ahead at the night sky, as if she hadn't said anything out of the ordinary.

After a few more seconds, she got a reply in the form of laughter, Chat buckling over with a hand on his stomach. "That's quite the Hawk Moth impression, Bugaboo!" he exclaimed, though calming himself enough to give her a half-lidded gaze and add, "But you don't have to do that to impress me, you know."

She didn't reply, only turning to look at him with her expression entirely flat, not showing any reaction to the mixture of teasing and flirting.

He was still grinning for a while, but as the silence dragged on, he began to falter. "...Ah—" He shook his head, leaning towards her and trying to force a smirk. "—if you want a wish that badly, all you need to do is say the word, m'lady! I can grant all your wishes."

She remained stoic, maintaining eye contact with him but not encouraging his banter. She could practically hear the gears turning in his head as it became clear to him that she was very much not joking.

One of Chat's ears twitched in confusion. He leaned back to his normal distance from her, seeming at a loss for what to say now that the atmosphere was finally registering with him.

Ladybug took a breath, noting that she had his attention. She straightened and looked back over Paris, saying, "I can't do this anymore."

He followed her gaze, squinting as if the answer would be written out there in bold letters for him. "Being a hero?"

"No, us. Us being partners." While he gaped at her, she stared down at her lap, her hands clutching her thighs as if that would give her some sense of stability. "...Chat, do you think this is a game?"

Chat shifted and rubbed the back of his neck, clearly not having expected the conversation to go here. It was hard to tell whether he was trying to keep things light or if it was just his genuine reply when he responded, "W-well, I'm definitely in it to win if that's what you mean—"

"I talked to Xavier Ramier today."

She watched his expression carefully, his hand leaving his neck and hovering awkwardly in the air as he looked at her. He seemed puzzled, not knowing what this had to do with the conversation, though his brows rose briefly like he'd remembered something.

She continued, trying not to show too much in her reaction as she explained, "Since I'm not as busy right now, I thought I'd check in on some of the people who got akumatized but I didn't have time for earlier. He was one of them." Idly, she pulled out her yoyo, almost mindlessly tapping away at it as she navigated through the various menus. "He said you came by to check on him a while ago; said that you were sitting there, just enjoying the day with him. He told me that you asked him if he missed being Mister Pigeon, or if he was feeling any negative emotions."

"I—" Chat tried to interject.

She didn't hear him, too focused on telling the story. "Then I asked him when you showed up, and he didn't know exactly when, but..." She showed him her yoyo, the messages Chat had sent clearly being timestamped for reference. "I figured out from what his rough guess and asking around that it was when you were supposed to be on patrol."

"I was on patrol!" Chat protested. "I was just checking up on him."

"You were relaxing on a bench," Ladybug reminded him., her tone remaining consistently flat. Snapping her yoyo shut and returning it to her hip, she added, "I even asked around and people told me they saw you go into the Grand Paris Hotel. I heard from one of the butlers there that you were sulking, and got excited when you saw Chloe and Sabrina fighting."

He opened his mouth to explain himself, but she could tell that he was struggling to come up with an excuse; he honestly believed that she'd never find out about any of this.

"I trusted you, Chat. I trusted you to cover for me when I'm not there, no matter what." She needed to swallow back her emotions for that one. "Why would you do that? Why would you hope for akuma to happen? Why would you lie to me?"

"I didn't!" Chat insisted, waving his arms frantically. "I—see... it was an off day! I was just—you know I can always do my best around you, and I did patrol! I just... made a few stops along the way! I wouldn't lie to you!"

"So you don't lie to me," she stated cautiously, "and you've never lied against me."

"Of course not!" he assured.

She paused for effect, just long enough for him to grow uneasy, then said, "Theo Barbot waved me down a while back."

Chat visibly cringed, and she could hear a hissing sound as he sucked in a breath.

"He wanted to congratulate me. He saw the picture of us kissing on the Ladyblog and said that he was glad we could finally go public about our relationship." Her gaze sharpened even as she stared at nothing in particular. "I asked what he meant, and he told me that you said that we were a thing. He said that that's what got him akumatized."

"It wasn't..." He averted his gaze. "...a lie exactly."

In response, Ladybug stood, throwing her arms outwards as emotion began to seep into her voice. "This is about more than lies, Chat; it's about everything! If you can only do your best around me, then what happens if an akuma gets me?" She didn't need him to answer. "You'll lose it. I need someone who I know will take care of things even if I'm captured."

"I would!" Chat retorted he stood up, the nervousness now showing on his face. "I would do everything to get you back, I—"

"Party Crasher," she cut in without missing a beat.

He recoiled like she'd physically struck him.

"And it's not just that I can't rely on you if I'm taken out; I can't rely on you not to take yourself out," she said pointedly, turning away from him and taking a few steps away to distance herself. "You're always throwing yourself in front of me and sacrificing yourself, sometimes when you don't even have to and always without just talking to me about it! Do you have any idea how that feels? You tell me all the time that you'll listen to me and how I'm the planner here, and then you go and make plans without me."

She heard Chat's hurried footsteps from behind her as he tried to match her pace and argue, "It's not like that! It's just—it's because..."

She turned just as he reached her, her stern gaze making him stop. "Because my anger is so irresistible?" she asked. "I'm just so adorable when I'm mad that you won't listen to me?" She advanced on him, forcing him back. "Thanks, Chat, that makes me feel so much better that you can't take me seriously because you just love me that much," she said sarcastically.

"That's not what I meant!" he argued, though at that point it seemed like all he could do was weakly protest that he didn't mean anything that way. "I'm only teasing, Bugaboo!"

"Then what do you really mean?" She clenched her fists at her side. "I've told you to stop calling me Bugaboo and you never do! You're too busy bantering and talking about our relationship to focus on the fight, and when that kiss happened - the one that happened because you got shot by Oblivio and I had to save you - you laughed at me for being upset and you didn't care. I'm tired of having to deal with all of that; I'm dealing with enough as guardian!" Reminded of her own status, she steeled herself up and held a hand out to him, managing to calm down enough to say, "Now, revoke your miraculous. I'll give it to someone else."

Chat retreated, his hand moving to cover his ring protectively. The nervousness had partially faded away into him being generally upset, though he also didn't try to defend his actions anymore. "You... if you give the ring to someone else, you'll know their identity!"

"I've already got a plan for that," Ladybug stated, holding her hand out more insistently.

Because of course she did. She wouldn't have been doing any of this if she hadn't given it a lot of thought first. There were pros and cons to bringing in a new cat, and when she really weighed it all together, this was the only way forward. Chat wouldn't learn, and she'd been stuck in a limbo of shouting at him, being ignored, and having to push down her feelings in the future or risk damaging their teamwork. She'd devalued herself - devalued her emotions - in order to believe that she could make it work because she needed him.

Except, she didn't. She needed a cat; someone to use the more active miraculous to balance out the lack of firepower that the ladybug miraculous had. It wasn't that it could be just anyone, but it certainly didn't have to be Chat. While she deeply regretted going back on one of Master Fu's decisions when he couldn't even have a say in it anymore, the fact of the matter was that she was the guardian and she made the rules.

Chat backed away a few more steps, his eyes darting around as he sought a way out of the situation. Then, facing Ladybug, a mixture of upset and offended, he argued, "We're a team! We still come out fine no matter what happened! You don't even know my identity, I've kept it a secret just like you wanted!"

He was reaching, and they both knew it. That had always been the reason for revoking someone's miraculous: someone else knowing their identity. However, there were reasons beyond that, and them "coming out fine" from a battle was hardly a high bar for someone getting to keep theirs. Ladybug knew that well enough after having dealt with Miracle Queen; even if Chloe's identity hadn't been revealed, she was still a bad person who felt entitled to a miraculous.

But Ladybug also understood the game Chat was playing at: that it wouldn't be right to take his miraculous when he's protected his identity. The logic was flawed, but she nonetheless crossed her arms and gave him a blank look, staring into his green cat eyes and starting to fit pieces of a metaphorical puzzle together.

Kung Food, Horrificator, and Startrain: those at minimum were times where Chat's civilian form had to have been inside at the time the akuma happened. Chat had also mistaken Francoise Dupont for an elementary school after they'd defeated Kwamibuster, but she mentally acknowledged that he could've been lying. He had to have been, if they were trapped in that building together with Horrificator. It narrowed things down significantly, and she knew that he had to have been a teenager like her due to the timer on his miraculous.

And while she was aware that Chat's green eyes meant nothing considering that she got green eyes as Lady Noire, there were little coincidences sprinkled throughout their history together that didn't add up unless she came to one final conclusion.

Chat showing up at the museum even though he'd have no way of knowing that an akuma could've been there. Chat knowing that Volpina's illusion was fake. Chat's mysterious loss of his miraculous when Style Queen was attacking.

The feather allergy.

Then, Ladybug glanced at the hand he was covering; the one she knew had the cat miraculous on his right ring finger. She almost felt like congratulating herself for constantly resisting the temptation, because when she actually thought about it, it was so obvious.

She knew that hand, as she'd seen it so many times. She had pictures of it plastered all over her wall and the realization made her feel sick, her heart dropping as opposed to skipping a beat.

"...Adrien Agreste," she said finally. "You're Adrien Agreste."

He blinked, his expression blank at first before dread started to take its place. His mouth slowly fell open, words trying to escape but there weren't any to be found.

She let the moment drag, stepping forward to close the distance between them. Adrien's face flashed over Chat Noir's for a moment and she swallowed, summoning all of her confidence to address him properly.

"Tell me, Adrien. Tell me that this hasn't been a game for you. Tell me that you wanted to protect Paris all this time. Tell me that this hasn't all been about you."

She waited, not expecting or hoping for any answer in particular, because it no longer mattered; the conclusion would the same regardless.

Ultimately, she got no reply, and within the next ten minutes, the cat miraculous was in her hands and Adrien was promptly taken home.

—————

Marinette took a breath of the cool night air, having chosen to walk home rather than get there as Ladybug. She needed time to think, and walking helped her clear her head from the rush of everything that'd happened.

Her purse rustled, Tikki popping out and leaning off the side to look up at her. "Is everything okay, Marinette?"

"Yeah." She nodded her head, just to reassure Tikki further. "It was for the best. It's a lot, but... I wanted to do it; for me, and for Paris."

Regardless of how many emotions she had to deal with, she was glad she knew. She supposed that she could've taken Chat's miraculous without seeing his identity - though it would've been complicated - but it helped her sort through so many thoughts in her mind.

She let out half of a chuckle, idly thinking that she dodged a bullet. If dating Adrien would've turned him into any level of Chat Noir - or, honestly, just knowing that he was Chat Noir - then it was definitely for the best that she figured out his identity. She wasn't sure how she'd behave around him the following days, but just the idea of things being any semblance of "normal" in the face of "the famous model Adrien Agreste," with no stutters or freak-outs...

It was nice, making everything feel a little brighter. Maybe Alya would even stop claiming that she's just "jealous" of Lila, the girls would stop teasing her so much, and she could put all that time she used to spend thinking about Adrien into something more productive. There hadn't seemed to be a downside in sight, actually.

As Marinette kept thinking on the subject, her gaze wandered off to the side, taking in the sights around her, and she paused when she noticed that she was right next to the Seine. The revelation didn't surprise her - she knew she'd have to pass by it to get home - but it did inevitably remind her of Luka, especially since they'd broken up only a day ago.

The metaphorical wound was still fresh, not helped by the fact that Lies had come right afterward as if to remind her of why she had to break up with him; she couldn't have a normal life, and she certainly couldn't have a boyfriend. It didn't matter if she loved Luka and he loved her back, because she would always have to leave their dates at the first sign of an akuma.

Yet, nevertheless, there was some form of comfort in staring out at the river, and she found herself traveling down the nearest set of stairs to walk right next to the Seine instead of so far above it, her eyes trailing along the surface of the water to search for the Liberty.

It took a few minutes of walking, almost making her wonder if she'd passed it without realizing, but then she saw the ship resting in the water, right where it always was. She approached, taking in the various colors and the silly rainbow weathervane, her body automatically relaxing at the memories of those two weeks of crafting kittycorn-themed costumes from paper mache.

Curiously, she noticed that the gangplank was up, as someone presumably had forgotten to pull it back before going to bed that night. Marinette walked over, crouching down and wondering idly if it was possible that it had been put up but had just fallen over at some point, yet it was clearly set perfectly in place.

Mentally trashing the thought, she placed her hands on her knees and started getting up. As she straightened her back, her eyes involuntarily scanned over the deck of the ship, a familiar color palette of blues, blacks, and whites registering in her mind before she fully recognized what—who it was. Her eyes locked onto the figure, and she had to slap a hand over her mouth to prevent herself from letting out a yelp.

It was Luka, sitting down on an instrument case with his guitar in his lap, though Marinette noted after a moment that he was actually asleep. Concern furrowed her brows as she took in his posture, one of his arms resting on the case while the other was perched on the guitar's base. His back was arched against the taffrail of the ship and his head was tilted back to the point where his hair was falling into his face.

There was no way that was comfortable.

Marinette hesitated, feeling almost like she was trespassing, then gave Tikki a look to hide inside the purse while she walked across the gangplank Any footsteps against the deck of the ship seemed unusually loud due to the otherwise quiet night, but Marinette tried to ignore it, approaching Luka cautiously so as not to startle him.

He was frowning, and she involuntarily copied the expression onto her own face. Outside of the bumps in their dates and the break-up itself, it was rare to see him as anything but calm or happy, and she got the distinct feeling that it wasn't just because he was asleep that he was making that face.

She reached up, lightly fixing his hair in case to try and keep it out of his eyes when he woke up, then lowered her hand to his shoulder. She gave him a light shake, then another with a little more effort when the first failed to stir him. When that failed as well, she leaned close, looking side to side like she was afraid someone would see her and think she was doing something strange. However, no one else was around, allowing her to safely whisper his name to him.

"Luka."

She stiffened when she got an immediate response to that, Luka letting out a low humming noise as he shifted. She jolted back, trying to give him space and blushing at the thought that shaking hadn't woken him in the slightest but her voice had immediately.

Luka's eyes opened halfway, staring blankly up at the sky. Brows lowering in confusion, he tried to move, though a whine escaped him when his body protested at the uncomfortable position he'd gotten himself into. He winced, but eased forward and leaned on his guitar for support, only then looking forward and meeting her gaze.

She shifted in place, feeling awkward but knowing that it was too late to back out now.

"...Mmmarinette?" he asked, squinting like he wasn't really sure she was there. He blinked a few times, his eyes widening a fraction when he confirmed that she was real. "Marinette?"

"Ah—hi," she replied, waving awkwardly. "Um, sorry, it was just—I was walking, and I saw you, and you were sleeping weird—not that you sleeping is weird or you look weird when you sleep!—but you seemed really uncomfortable so I just..." She gestured vaguely at his current state of awareness.

He let out a tired sound that may've been an "oh," then ran his fingers into his hair and rustled it, like he was attempting to shake the tiredness out of himself. That done, he managed a small smile at her that didn't stretch anywhere near the amount it usually would. "Thank you. I'm glad you care about me that much."

"Of course I do!" she blurted out, a little offended at the idea that she wouldn't. She realized belatedly how loud she'd been and rubbed an arm in embarrassment, but didn't take anything back either.

Deep down, she knew where he was coming from. It must've been hard for him to watch her ditch him and then deal with her ending their relationship with next to no explanation. Even with the confidence he constantly radiated, not having any information on the 'how's or 'why's must've been difficult, and she hated keeping secrets from him.

Even Chat got better than that...

Luka tilted his head at her, the anxiety probably written all across her face. Concerned, he began to ask, "...Is everything—"

"Luka," she called suddenly, straightening to face him fully. "I—" She swallowed, needing a few seconds to compose herself. "I know this is a bad time, because I'm not really supposed to be here, and you can say 'no,' but... can we talk? About what happened?"

She bit her lip nervously as he sat up, his body noticeably more awake than before. She felt like he deserved to know more about the whole situation, but he also had every right to refuse her for waiting - even if it wasn't that long ago - so the possibilities were nerve-wracking.

Thankfully though, Luka relaxed after a moment, lifting his guitar out of his lap to set it aside, the bottom of the body resting on the deck of the Liberty while the neck was supported by the taffrail. Settling his hands in his lap, he then gave her his full attention, even offering a soft look of reassurance.

Her shoulders eased; he was going to hear her out. Part of her almost felt bad, wondering if maybe he was forcing himself, but she also knew it was important for him to get closure on the matter.

"Okay..." She breathed, acknowledging to herself that she hadn't planned this is the slightest. After some internal debate, she sat down on the deck of the Liberty in lieu of a proper seat, earning a look from Luka but no further comment otherwise. Running her hands along her capris, she stared up at him and finally began, "It—it wasn't you."

He raised a brow, silently encouraging her to go on.

"I mean, maybe you weren't worried about that, but I just... I needed you to know that." She shrugged half-heartedly. "You didn't do anything wrong, Luka - you're amazing - and if it wasn't for me always having to leave and rush off and make you feel bad, I would've stayed with you."

"...Really?"

She blinked at his tone, the corners of her lips quirking up as he covered his mouth, clearly not having intended to blurt that out. She simply nodded at him, falling back into her serious state as she continued, "You deserve someone who can be dedicated to you, and I just—I can't, and I can't tell you why either." She slumped, ashamed at the secret she was forced to keep. "I wish I could. I do trust you, but it's not about that. It's—" She pursed her lips, struggling to find the right words. "—it's not really something I can say?"

She dropped her gaze to her lap, but didn't miss the flicker of understanding in his eyes. It was important to her, for him to know that she believed in him and that he'd done everything right in their relationship.

"...Are—" Luka paused, voice laced with worry. "Marinette, are you being blackmailed or something?"

She almost laughed at that. His deduction wasn't entirely wrong, as "go defend Paris from a supervillain and tell no one about it, and if you do then they might be in danger," certainly did sound like blackmail. Still, she shook her head, reassuring, "It's nothing like that. I'm sorry. I really want to tell you, a-and even be with you, but I can't do either." She clutched at her knees in an attempt to ground herself, glancing back up at him with a mixture of sorrow and guilt. "I don't know what you see in me, Luka, but I feel so lucky that you like me so much, and then unlucky because—" She choked briefly, her cheeks heating up as she realized that she'd never said the exact words to him before. "—because I like you too and I want it to be that simple but it's not. You want the truth and the truth is that I can't tell you no matter how much I want to. I know I forget things and had to skip out on dates because I was so stressed out, but you made everything fun and not stressful and I loved every date we went on until... you know." She gestured wildly to imply 'unsaid things happening.'

He was quiet, not showing any particular reaction, though she'd spent enough time with him to know that he was glad that she was talking more openly about it and clearing some things up that he might've been wondering about. His expression seemed blank on the surface but he was relieved to know something even if her words were pulling his emotions in every direction.

Mentally preparing herself for the next step, Marinette pushed herself up and walked over to him, finding it hard to meet Luka's gaze even as she hunched over and boldly placed her hands on top of his. Out of the corner of her vision, she could see his eyes searching her face, not knowing what to expect next.

"...I'm sorry," she murmured. "I know I apologized already but I'm sorry. I should've known things would end up like this but I wanted to date you anyway. I can't even tell you when this is all going to end so I can't ask you to wait for me either because it's not fair. You deserve a relationship that isn't so complicated... that doesn't involve me."

She flinched at the emotional punch to the gut she'd just given herself. She'd already known that dating would be near-impossible so long as she was Ladybug, but it was a completely different feeling to face Luka and say it to his face. She wasn't sure if she'd been his first crush, but the thought left a bitter taste in her mouth that it'd all gone so wrong and there was no hope of getting it back.

She took another breath to calm herself, slowly raising her hands away from his. "Anyway, that's all I wanted to say," she murmured, still not making eye contact with him. "Thanks for trying to show me a good time, Luka, but... maybe you should fall in love with someone else."

She turned away before her emotions could get the better of her, about to walk off when a hand suddenly grabbed her wrist and jerked her back. She squeaked in surprise, glancing behind her to see that Luka was on the edge of the instrument case, arm stretched out like he'd impulsively hurried to stop her. She opened her mouth to ask what he was doing, but he spoke first.

"Why?"

"W...why?" she echoed.

"Why should I fall for someone else?" he asked, his tone somewhere between hurt and serious.

"Ah." She tilted her head, confused and with no idea of what he was getting at. "Because of everything I said?"

"That you enjoyed our dates? That it wasn't us who cut the song short?" His other hand reached up, holding her hand as well while he looked at her tenderly. His voice grew quiet, like he couldn't believe what he was saying. "That you like me?"

Marinette blushed, but found it hard to look away from him this time. "I...I do like you. Um—only you, but—Luka, the dates..."

Luka slowly stood up, gently squeezing her hand in a show of support. "I didn't even think that I'd be taking up too much of your time, Marinette. I wanted to be together with you, but I didn't want it to be hard either." He offered her a lopsided smile, adding, "And I'm glad you told me, because I don't think you being busy means we can't be together."

"...What?" Marinette gaped at him in disbelief. "I thought you said that you wanted the truth, and—"

"You gave it to me," he reminded her. "You said you can't tell me and I believe you."

She waved her free hand wildly. "Y-yeah, and I'll have to run off and we'll never know when!"

"Then we don't have to date, or we don't have to date as much." He'd said it like it was the simplest thing in the world, and maybe it was. "Why should we be playing sad solos when we can play a happy duet instead?"

She went to retort, but he'd so swiftly shot down her arguments that she was left speechless. She hadn't even considered that - trying to compromise with him on their dates - because she thought she wouldn't be worth it for him, yet here he was, offering himself to her again now that everything had been laid out for him. It seemed too good to be true, but...

He was her Second Chance, and every moment she spent with him just reaffirmed why she'd adored being given that chance in the first place.

She made a small noise as she tried to hold back emotion, her hand shaking in his. "You want me that much?"

His smile grew wider and more genuine, clearly recognizing that she was about to accept him. "Yeah. Do you want me too?"

Afraid her voice might crack and ruin the moment, she nodded and turned fully towards him. She held out her other hand for him and he took it happily, both of them able to enjoy each other's company once more.

Once things had properly settled down, she held back a shy giggle and asked, "S-so, do we just... pick up where we left off? Or just—before everything started going wrong?"

He hummed, seeming to honestly think about it. "I guess so. What verse do you want to start from?"

She retraced all of the bad dates in her mind, like she were rewinding a movie. One moment in particular stuck out to her, and she tried not to grin too much as she suggested, "The cinema? After I gave you the necklace?"

She didn't have to clarify any further, his eyes lighting up in remembrance. He grinned and leaned down to be closer to her level, her getting up on her tiptoes to meet him halfway in a kiss, thus finishing what they'd started from what felt like forever ago. She could feel Luka's hands caressing hers, as if to reassure that everything was alright and he was happy.

She waited until the kiss broke apart, then looked at him to ask teasingly, "Better than setting up a whole date to do that?"

He pressed his forehead to hers, sighing happily. "Definitely."

She beamed at him, almost tempted to kiss him again before she remembered what time it was. She gasped, inadvertently surprising him with the sound, then recoiled and placed her hands firmly on his shoulders, sitting him back down on the instrument case.

"You need to sleep!" she told him, then corrected a second later, "But—not here! Not right here anyway! It needs to be in a bed! Your bed!"

He laughed at the abrupt shift in tone, but nodded obediently at her, resting his fingers along her wrists. "I will. You'll sleep too, right?"

She nodded back, her heart skipping a beat at his care for her. "Yeah, I promise."

Her hands lingered on him, as did his with her as she pulled away from him. As much as she would've liked to stay with him, it was late and she still had a lot to take care of.

Rushing across the gangplank, she waited until she was safely on the other side so she wouldn't risk tripping as she turned to face him, walking backward and waving excitedly. "Bye, Luka!"

He suppressed a chuckle at the happiness-induced loudness of her voice, then waved back at her. It was only when he got up to take his guitar inside that she finally turned around and started officially heading home.

—————

When the last of the Adrien photos had been shoved into her trash bin - even the ones on her corkboard - Marinette allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief and collapse into her chair. It'd taken a little longer than she'd thought, but she was still satisfied with the change. The walk home and conversation with Luka had brought all of her thoughts together and made her feel optimistic about how the day had gone.

"Marinette?" Tikki looked up from the chocolate chip she'd been nibbling on, her being the only kwami awake at that hour. Voicing the inevitable, she asked, "What are you going to do about the cat miraculous?"

Marinette turned, acknowledging her, then reached into her purse to pull out the ring in question, turning it a few times in her hands. It was weird having it in her possession while she still had the ladybug earrings on, but it wouldn't stick around for long anyway, so she wasn't concerned.

Tikki continued, an urgency in her voice, "You're Ladybug, and you're not supposed to know anyone's identities, but you're also the guardian now, so you're supposed to give out miraculouses and know everyone's identities!"

Marinette, much to Tikki's apparent surprise, flashed her a smile and held the ring up confidently. "That's exactly why you're going to pick the next cat, Tikki."

Tikki blanked, dropping the chocolate chip in shock. "Wh—me?" Her voice squeaked. "Why me?"

Marinette would be lying if she said that she didn't find some amusement in Tikki's befuddlement. With a bit of effort, she pushed herself up from her seat, setting the ring down on the table and walking towards the sink at the other side of the room. "Because you've been with every ladybug who's ever existed, which means that you've known every ladybug and cat duo that's ever existed." Giving Tikki an expectant look, she added, "If anyone knows what kind of cat I'd need as a partner, it's you."

"But—" Tikki floundered, the thought clearly having never occurred to her. "It's the guardian who has to hand out miraculouses!"

"I won't know the new cat's identity this way," Marinette reminded her, idly tracing her fingertips along the sink's edge. "Sure, it'll be someone we both know, but if I didn't figure out that Adrien is Chat Noir until I tried, then I won't figure out this one either."

Her eyes scanned over the various drawers in her reach and she pulled open one in particular, a small box jerking forward from the momentum. It was the same box that held her ladybug earrings all those months ago, and now it would be the box for the new cat as well.

Holding the box to her chest and silently wishing luck upon it, Marinette returned to her table to see Tikki staring quietly at the ring in thought, apparently still processing what she'd been told. Marinette paid her no mind for the moment, setting the box down and searching various other drawers for a white cloth big enough for the box to be wrapped in. Then, once she'd successfully found one, she laid it out neatly on the table and opened the box to place the ring inside.

The moving of the ring snapped Tikki out of whatever trance she'd been in. She flew up, clinging to Marinette's hand and begging, "Wait! At least tell me what you'd want in a cat!"

Marinette supposed that was a win, since Tikki wasn't outright rejecting the idea and had little argument against it. She dropped the ring inside the box and smiled at the gentle 'click' it made when she closed it, then turned to address Tikki. The nervousness on display made a modicum of sense when considering that kwami were supposed to obey the guardian, so being told to do what they wanted was probably a little strange.

Marinette just took it in stride. She leaned against her chair as she considered her ideal cat, having been so used to Chat Noir that she needed a minute to imagine someone who really matched her.

"Thoughtful," she answered, nearly blurting the word out when it finally came to her. "Someone who thinks the way I do so I'm not doing everything myself. They can be selfless, but they have to have limits, and with good instincts so they won't throw themselves in front of me." Her expression growing fond at the idea of such a partner, she took the cloth and wrapped the box in it, sealing it with a strong knot as she added, "And... they have to be understanding, where I can cover for them and they can cover for me and we'll just—click."

She snapped her fingers for effect, watching as Tikki flew over to the wrapped-up box and tested it to ensure it was safe to carry. While she was tugging at the knot to confirm it was tight enough, Marinette stood and headed up the stairs to her bed, opening the way to her balcony so Tikki had a way out.

By the time Marinette peeked over the bed to check on Tikki, Tikki had already taken hold of the cloth and flew up to be eye level with her, the box being a noticeable yet manageable weight. Marinette moved to the side, allowing the straight-faced Tikki to go past her and go up to the balcony.

Thinking that Tikki had already gone, Marinette was about to close the trapdoor when she heard a soft, "Marinette?"

Her head turned to see Tikki, hovering above the little table with the box still held in her paws. She seemed conflicted, like she was struggling to find words, but eventually settled on, "You're a great guardian."

And with that, she left, Marinette blinking in surprise for a moment before a smile formed on her face. She closed the way to her balcony, then slipped back down the stairs to start getting ready for bed.

At the same time she'd be settling in to sleep that night, her tiny Miracle Box would be set down delicately in the Liberty, specifically on Luka Couffaine’s amp.

[inadaydream99]

When They See You With Another Guy ~ with The Boyz

Requested by anon

A/N- Hi, thanks for requesting! This has taken ages for me to write but I hope you enjoy! ☺️

Sangyeon

Sangyeon had been minding his own business, walking along the street, when his eyes landed on you stood talking with a guy he’d never seen before

It wasn’t that he was jealous, but he doesn’t like the fact that the wide smile on your face is because of someone other than him

He’s confused… should he go over to you or just keep walking and talk to you about it later???

But he decides it’s best to wait until he has a chance to talk to you properly. Though that doesn’t mean he’s not replaying the scene over in his head all day

You burst into laughter upon hearing Sangyeon’s question. It really does make you feel amused that he’d been so obviously concerned about it all day

“That was my friends boyfriend. We’d just so happened to bump into each other in the street and had a little catch up, that’s all.” You clear things up instantly

Sangyeon’s instantly chuckles, his hand awkwardly scratching his neck until you reach out and hold it, intwining your fingers together

Jacob

Being an incredibly rational person, it’s probably expected that seeing you with another guy wouldn’t bother Jacob much

Except, it really really does…

There’s this underlying protectiveness within him that he only has for his members and his s/o

So when he sees that you are close to another guy, its almost shocking how mad it makes him

Of course, Jacob is mature enough to manage his emotions when in public situations. But the instant you’re alone, it’s a completely different story

“Who was that guy you were talking to earlier?” Jacob controls the conversation, staring you directly in the eyes as a seriousness encompasses you both

“He’s just a friend from work, more of an acquaintance really.” You reassure, placing a gentle hand onto his arm in an attempt to calm his tense posture

“How come you didn’t introduce me then. You always introduce me…” Jacob remains firm, a jealous tinge emerging through his tone

You can tell it’s taking a lot for him to hold his emotions in this moment. Although, his anger isn’t aimed towards you, but your handsome colleague

“Truthfully.” You emit a deep breath. “He’s a huge fan of yours and when I offered to introduce you he said he was too nervous.”

Upon hearing this confession, a huge grin explodes onto Jacob’s face

He’s relieved, the soft laugh you love so much making an appearance as he pulls you into his arms and presses a loving kiss atop your head

Younghoon

Younghoon had been acting off all night, everyone had noticed it, but no one was really sure why he looked so pissed

It wasn’t until you’d managed to get him alone that you were able to fully understand, and honestly, you weren’t too impressed by his reason

“So I’m not allowed to talk to any guys.” You defensively sass, arms folded across your chest to close yourself off from your childish boyfriend

“No, I’m not saying that. I just don’t like it when guys get to friendly with you.” Younghoon grumbles moodily

“So you don’t trust me, that’s what you’re saying?” You sarcastically laugh, it’s really hard to believe he’s acting this way over such an insignificant thing

The ‘thing’ in question isn’t insignificant to Younghoon, however. Especially when you seemed so much happier hanging out with your guy friend than him

“Of course I trust you, it’s just him I don’t trust!” Younghoon completely looses his cool, throwing his arms up in frustration

Hearing his blatant jealousy leaves you at a loss for words, so you simply shake your head in disappointment, walking away from Younghoon before one of you says something you’ll regret

Hyunjae

He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw you laughing at the guys words… was he really that funny?

Jaehyun isn’t sure, after all, he’s not a part of the conversation

His bottom lip instantly juts out into a pout as he continues to watch your interaction. I mean, what did he do for you to treat him like this?

“What’s the sulky face for?” You chuckle as soon as you approach him, unaware of how upset you’ve made him

“Your friend seems like a funny guy.” He avoids your question, taking a sip of his drink to take away the sour taste left in his mouth

You raise your brows at your boyfriends words. It’s not your fault he’s jealous, but either way, you aren’t about to stir up an argument

“I mean, I’ve met funnier…” you trail off, failing to hide the teasing smirk that twinges at the corner of your lips

“Like who?” Hyunjae’s eyes go wide at your statement, he’d clearly missed what you were insinuating

“You’re so cute.” Is all you respond with, chuckling in amusement at how he’s being so endearingly obvious with his emotions

And it seems as though it does the trick, Hyunjae finally smiling once again as you enjoy each others company

Juyeon

Juyeon doesn’t want to make something out of nothing, but when you spend the morning rushing around getting ready instead of paying attention to him, it hurts him a little

Instead of verbalising his emotions, he decides to catch your attention in another way

Purposefully strolling out of your room and into the living space of your apartment in only his pants, Juyeon stretches his arms out and rolls his head back, sighing loudly to catch your attention

“Ju, have you seen my phone?” You whiz past him without a second glance

“It’s right here, on the table.” He calls out, lounging back onto the sofa as casually as he can (except it’s in no way casual)

“Thank y-” your words cut off as soon as you take him in, mouth agape as your mind goes empty of all thoughts, well except one…

“Have a nice time today and I’ll see you for dinner.” Juyeon beams at you.

However desperately he wants to make you decide to stay with him instead of meeting your guy friend, he would never admit it out loud

“Can I have a kiss goodbye?” You timidly ask, almost as if you haven’t asked him that before

Juyeon snickers as he stands up and pulls you into him, one hand falling delicately onto your waist and the other caressing your cheek

You complain when he only leaves a simple peck on your lips, eager for more

Juyeon’s just happy to know you are no longer in a rush to leave, and that’s enough to make him feel content for the rest of the day until you come back home to him

Kevin

Kevin wouldn’t really mind seeing you hanging out with guy friends, just as long as you are open with him about it

He’s not the type to get jealous often, and even then it’s only to tease you

“You know, we haven’t spend much time together lately.” He pouts after hearing that you’re heading out to see a male friend of yours

It’s the first day in a long time that Kevin has some time off and he was really hoping you would be around to share it with him

“Don’t make me feel worse about it, I’ve had this arranged for ages…” you sigh, accepting his hand as you take a moment to come up with a compromise

“You know you could just make it clear that you’re gonna hang out with your boyfriend.” Kevin softly suggests, his tone insinuating the slight bitterness he’s been trying to cover up

“Kevin…” you whine.

His laughter only makes you roll your eyes as you realise he’s been messing with you. So you playfully shove him away when he attempts to pull you into a hug

Chanhee

Is Chanhee bothered to see you spending so much time with another guy at the company party? On the outside it’s a firm no, but inside he’s not pleased

It’s not your fault that you’d made friends with the staff, and that the closest friend was a male staff

Honestly, every part of Chanhee wants to sassily stroll over to you and your friend and make it very clear that you have a boyfriend

But he’s hesitant, it’s really taken a blow to his confidence…

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” You perch on the chair beside your solemn looking boyfriend. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m… just feeling a little under the weather.” Chanhee fibs. He doesn’t like lying to you, but deep down he knows he’d feel much worst making you feel bad for spending time with friends

“Do you want to go home?” You offer, a soft smile on your face to reciprocate your boyfriends when he nods, accepting your hand and intertwining your fingers together as you make your way out of the party

Changmin

You feel an arm wrap around your waist, tugging you closer into the person beside you, a light gasp escaping your lips from the unexpected presence of your boyfriend

Changmin’s eyes are fiercely trained on the guy stood opposite you, baring his gritted teeth as he boldly interrupts your conversation

“…this is my boyfriend Changmin…” you hesitate, introducing him in a feeble attempt to break the tense silence

“And who are you?” Changmin spits, impatience radiating off of him as the stranger takes a second to comprehend the simple question

“Minnie-” Changmin’s head snaps to you, your sentence falling short just from his enraged stare

“I asked him. Who. Are. You.” His tone is sharp, making it evermore clear that he needs an answer instantly.

“I’m (Y/N)’s cousin.”

“Oh.” Changmin’s shoulders slump… he feels stupid

And that’s when you take the opportunity to apologise to your cousin on Changmin’s behalf, before excusing you both

“I’m so sorry-” Changmin’s doe eyes plead at you. “I just get too ahead of myself sometimes.”

“It’s ok, you didn’t mean any harm.” You comfort, accepting the fact that Changmin is just very territorial over you

And later on, Changmin makes the effort to make amends with your cousin himself

Haknyeon

One thing that Haknyeon absolutely adores is the way you look at him as though he’s the only person you see, your eyes glimmering with complete admiration at anything and everything he does

So when he thinks that you are giving another guy a very similar look, it makes him feel a way he’s never felt before

“Yeah, I know what I saw. Don’t be stupid.” Haknyeon continues to walk away from you, his tone cold as he refuses to even spare you a glance

“But I really don’t know what I’ve done?” You chase after him, finally catching up when he has to stop to unlock the front door

“Oh come on! You were practically undressing him with your eyes!” He finally turns to you, waiting for you to come back at him with a defensive comment

Except you don’t, you just gawk at him in disbelief

“If you really believe that I’d even flirt with the idea of having eyes for anyone other than you, then why are we together?” You break the silence, your voice barely audible but leaving an echo in Haknyeon’s mind as he speechlessly watches you walk away

Sunwoo

He acts on his emotions first, rationality coming in second

So when he sees you with a guy he’d never encountered before, he feels hurt and betrayed

“I don’t get it Sunwoo, why are you so mad at me?” You frustratedly brush your hand through your hair, repeating the question for the thousandth time that evening

Sunwoo simply continues to ignore you, choosing to focus all his attention onto the tv as he grabs the remote and it flicks onto some random channel

His frown deepens when you move to block his view of the tv, pleading at him as best as you can

“Instead of annoying me why don’t you go back to that guy you were falling all over earlier.” Sunwoo finally speaks, his harsh tone and bitter words making your mouth go dry, chest tight as you feel your heart sink to your stomach. Is this really what he thinks?

“Sorry what?” You question back, finding it hard to believe you’ve heard him correctly

Seeing the pure horror on your face from his accusation makes Sunwoo feel instant regret

“That was my best friends brother, you know the one I’ve known since I was a baby?” You defensively explain

You watch as Sunwoo’s eyes widen in realisation, his face morphing through multiple emotions before it finally fixes into one of shame

“I’m so sorry (Y/N). How could I have been so stupid.” He stands from the sofa, closing the distance that had been created between you during your disagreement

He watches cautiously as his hand reaches out to take yours, letting out a breath of relief when you don’t resist as he intertwines your fingers together

“It’s ok, it’s and easy misunderstanding.” You meekly smile at him. “Just ask me next time, instead of getting all jealous about it.”

“I promise.” You chuckle as Sunwoo rolls his eyes, before pulling you into his embrace

Eric

“(Y/N), there you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Eric playfully scolds you through a wide smile, his heart filling with pride when you giggle at him

He’d wanted to seem casual in his approach to you, fully intending on making it known to your colleague that you are happily taken

“Nice to see you again Eric.” Your colleague nods, holding his hand out for Eric to shake, which Eric begrudgingly accepts

You don’t notice the forced smiles between the two, staying civil for the sake of appearances even though they both share the same distaste for one another

“You too.” Eric mumbles, turning his attention onto you, the sole reason for his endurance of being accommodating towards such an unpleasant guy (in his opinion anyway)

“We really should get going now, it’s already past when we agreed we should leave.” Eric affectionately reminds you, leaning down to press a light kiss to your forehead in the process

“You could stay with me if you don’t want to leave yet. I’ll take care of you.” Your colleague speaks up the second you let out a light “oh” in realisation of the time

This proposition, however, makes Eric tense instantly, which doesn’t go unnoticed by you.

“Actually I’m ready to go, just need to say goodbye to my boss.” You delicately place your hand on Eric’s arm as a way of comfort, before slipping away to say your goodbyes

Eric simply sends a taunting smirk towards your colleague, his look speaking a thousand words, before sauntering away

[hello-everyfandom]

"Whatever happens, I’ll be there, right beside you.”

Warnings: ***Severe Trigger Warnings*** Disordered Eating Habits. Restricting Food Intake. Depression and Anxiety

Pairing: Fred Weasley x Reader

Words: 2.6k

Summary: The world is going to shit around you.

Fred Weasley may be many things. He may be too loud. He may be too big headed and cocky. He may not understand emotions as well as his twin. He may be internally anxious about the fastly approaching war which he knew would be nothing but deadly. But, if Fred is anything, he is utterly mad for you. He could not find any answer that could solve how you could possibly be with a boy like himself, the boy whose laughter bounces off the cobble walls, the boy who grins toothily. 

The war, nearly at your fingertips, had taken an emotional and even physical toll on the students at Hogwarts.  Fred was worried. He wouldn’t fully say it outloud as he believed in such tumultuous times as such humor was the best coping method. However, he was worried. Worried about you. As confident as you may have seemed, Fred knew full well of the internal demons you’ve suffered the wrath from. If he could, he’d whip out his wand and defeat them all, but it wasn’t like that. He could not even wish them away, even if he shut his eyes as tightly as he could. 

Those who believed Harry Potter began preparing for battle, learning defensive spells and attacking hexes to protect themselves and protect their home. You were the first to sign up for Dumbledor’s Army alongside the twins who promised all the younger students to prank the ever loving hell out of any Death Eaters who dared roam Hogwarts. 

Fred began to notice a change in your demeanor when training had hit a month or so. You were working yourself to the bone, studying as many protection spells as you could and studying the herbs and potions needed for quick healing. You assured Fred with a kiss on his cheek that you were merely getting as prepared as you could. Fred couldn’t really do anything or think of anything to argue back with, but he watched with wary eyes. 

“Freddie,” you laughed, “You can wipe that worried look off your face. I’m fine!��

“But-”

“Seriously.” You patted his cheek kindly, “Go on and join the boys for dinner, I’ll be there in a moment.” 

Fred nodded, slowly walking away from where you sat. He waited for you at supper, even made you a plate and made sure no one took the last chocolate pudding as he knew that was your study snack. But, you never came. 

Okay, Fred thought. You must have been too buried in a book as you sometimes were. When night began to grow and he hadn’t seen you for a few hours, he began his search and bid his whining twin behind. He found you where he had last left you, still studying the words of numerous textbooks.

“Missed dinner,” Fred said softly.

“Did I?” you asked, surprised, quickly looking to the clock that hung on the wall you saw that it was nearly ten past eleven. “Oh, bollocks.” You laughed at yourself.

“Yeah, bollocks.” Fred mocked, pulling you to your feet. “Come on then, let’s sneak you something from the kitchens, yeah?”

You bit your cheek, thinking in your head, “I’m really not that hungry.”

“Really?” Fred’s eyebrows raised, “But you’re always hungry after reading, especially big, boring smelly textbooks like these.” He waved his hand accusingly at the books on the table.

With a grin, you shook your head, “Really. I had a large lunch and I’m actually rather tired.”

Fred hummed, interlocking your fingers, “Shall we head to bed then? Have a good little cuddle?”

You nodded in response and began to collect the books to take back to your dormitory.

“No, no!” Fred protested, “Don’t bring the bloody books.”

“Don’t insult the books, Freddie, lest you want a big, boring, smelly textbook in your crotch.”

Fred grumbled and complied, even taking a few of the heavier ones in his arms. Fred slept soundly that night, with his arms wrapped around you. It was only until you were tossing and turning and eventually getting up to light a candle and begin reading again. Fred looked at your hunched figure with bleary eyes.

“What in heaven’s name are you doing love?” he whispered.

“I couldn’t sleep, thought I’d read a bit instead. Go back to sleep,” you whispered back. Fred didn’t think much of this, even though he should’ve, but instead he watched you read until he unwillingly fell asleep again.

Weeks passed, more training sessions and lessons and homework upon homework. Fred kept a smile on his face, giving encouragement to the young D.A members and laughing when George would get blasted back by their little sister. You laughed as well, making Fred grin even larger. He saw you improve beyond belief, able to detect spells thrown at you. He believed wholeheartedly that you could duel with a blindfold on and shamelessly win. But to you? Your form was wonky and your wordless spells needed extreme practice. You brought it upon yourself to take extra practice times in the Room of Requirement, in the space between doing homework and studying. Those times, to Fred’s utter dismay, were usually meal times. 

“But-”

“Swear on my life, Fred, I eat when I get back to the dorm, you’re usually asleep by then!”

“But-”

“Freddie, you’re going to wear yourself thin if you continue to worry about me.”

“It’s my job to worry about you.” Fred argued, “Is something wrong? Anything I can help with?” 

Shaking your head, “No no, just want some time to practice, that’s all.”

“Can’t you take a little break? George and Lee haven’t seen you in ages.”

“Well,” you chuckled, “that’s not true. George and I sat next to each other during Divination and I helped Lee with his girl troubles last night.”

“Oh, but... you can still take a break! At least come to dinner?”

“Maybe,” you reached on your toes to press a kiss to Fred’s lips, “We’ll see.”

As you walked away, Fred yelled, “So see you at dinner?”

“Goodbye, Freddie!” you answered back.

Now is the time to be truthful. Standing in the Room of Requirement, alone to your own thoughts. Something was wrong. You weren’t exactly sure what and couldn’t pin where you felt anxious, but you knew something was off and was beginning to fear your love would notice as well. To be honest, you had gotten frightfully used to skipping meals. At first, it bothered your stomach as it growled and rang, but the more you ignored the ache the more you could withstand. Hunger only seemed to be a nuisance to you, distracting you from focusing. The only thing you wanted was to become stronger. Practicing and moving toned you down, but it didn’t seem enough. The girls in your year and below you were smaller, able to move quicker and think faster. Time seemed to serve you well as you put all your focus and will into exercise. When Fred and even George would approach you with plates of food, you’d fawn and smile, thanking them profusely for thinking of you. When they left, or turned an eye, you’d enchant the food away, not wanting to smell the scent of mashed potatoes and roast. The lack of food in your body displayed a false sense of security as you began to feel better and better everyday. 

Fred, oh Fred, such an innocent, oblivious boy could only notice your change in routine. Had he noticed the baggy sweaters you stole from him and the sudden change in your cheeks, perhaps he would’ve cursed himself. But, he basked in the fact that he thought you were happy. It wasn’t his fault either. You did a terrific job at hiding behind large sweaters and cups of hot caffeinated tea that filled your belly. 

“I’m exhausted.” you moaned, falling backwards onto your bed. Fred joined you, lying sideways so he could look at his beautiful girlfriend. To him, you were effortlessly pretty. Enchanting he may even say. Fred leaned closer, wrapping an arm around your waist and kissing the skin of your exposed neck.

“Shall we have a nap then?”

“Maybe,” you yawned, “but you better be careful, I’m quite sore from lessons today.” 

Fred joked playfully, “I know, saw you take quite a spill after Hermione spit that spell at you.”

“You would think she would’ve gone easy!” you laughed back.

“Come on, up then.”

“No, why!” you cried, refusing to take his hands.

“You buffoon, I’m going to give you a massage. You know, since I’m such a loving, perfect boyfriend to his seemingly ungrateful girlfriend.”

“You may call me ungrateful but buffoon? That’s going too far.” you bit back but nevertheless agreed and sat up so you were seated between Fred’s open legs. Fred’s thumbs quickly found your shoulders, rubbing your muscles. You moaned with the pressure of the pads of his thumbs. 

“You’re more tense than a horse’s arse.” Fred commented, sticking his tongue out in concentration.

“Will you just let me enjoy this?” 

“I think,” Fred touched the hem of your sweater, which was actually his from third year, “I may be able to help more if this were off.”

“Is that a pick up line?” you asked sarcastically, “Not quite bright with the ladies, are we?”

“If I was not in love with you, I’m pretty sure I would have dumped you by now,” Fred joked. Of course, that wasn’t true at all, but his comment would be something you’d think about for days on. 

“Alright, but I’m only wearing a bra under this, cover your virgin eyes if you must.” 

Fred scoffed and began to take off your sweater, “Virgin eyes, my cock and balls.”

The cold hit your bare skin making you shudder. Fred couldn’t see much as the low light only seemed to cast shadows. But, as he began to massage your tired muscles, he could not ignore the feeling of your shoulders in his hands. He could feel the curve of your bones and your collar which was prominent against his touch. The straps of your bra were loose. You were silent, unknowing and enjoying what you thought was a nice massage.

“Y/N,” Fred said slowly, making you open your eyes. 

“Hm?” you hummed back. Fred stood from the bed making you turn to look at him with questioning eyes. Fred quickly lit a candle next to your bed, illuminating the space between you two.

“Oh my god.” He whispered under his breath.

“Well, that’s not very nice to hear, is it?” you responded, feeling a little hurt.

“No, no,” Fred said quickly, trying to assure you. But he had seen you already. Upon the skin of your back, you were littered with bruises from practice. Spots of black and blue touched you and curved with your spine. He could nearly count every joint and sucked in a breath of harsh air.

“Darling,” his voice slower and slower, trying to grasp and piece together what is happening.

“What’s wrong? What is it?” you asked frantically, trying to look at your back. You breathed a breath of relief, “Oh, the bruises? Those are just from practicing from dueling.”

“No...” he swallowed, “Will you... turn around for me?” Fred asked. You turned and sat to face him, completely unsure of what was happening with your usual bubbly boyfriend. As you shifted, Fred nearly fainted to his feet. You had grown thinner, he could see the tops of your ribs and the thinness of your arms. 

“What is it? Freddie, honey, you’re worrying me.”

He thought. A million thoughts fastly flying through his head, his tongue going dry and swelling. “When was the last time you ate?”

Immediately, you covered your body with your arms, attempting to hide and searched for your sweater that Fred had thrown somewhere. “What are you talking about? Fred, that’s a little rude.”

“Be honest with me.” Fred said sternly, sitting down in front of you. You tossed your sweater over your head, shying into the safety of the fabric.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Fred, what the hell?” you asked, angrily and frankly, a little embarrassed. To you, it didn’t seem like a worried boyfriend but a judgemental boyfriend, scanning your body for imperfections and flaws. But Fred was nothing but worried, fearful and terrified.

“You need to tell me, right now. No bullshit. Have you been eating?” Fred’s voice was never serious, never as serious as now where his tone made you shake and cower. Fred noticed your face drop and the scared emotion in your eyes and mentally kicked himself. He was quiet, thinking again.

“This isn’t healthy, Y/N.” he whispered. His words made your stomach drop and your hands become cold with sweat.

“Fred-”

“You haven’t been eating, have you?” Fred asked, already knowing the answer. He began to desperately file through his memories. Like a shade drawn up, he nearly threw up. These few days, you were exhausted, couldn’t stand as well, shaking when standing. He thought of himself as foolish.

“Answer, please.” Fred begged. He grasped your hands in his, only now noticing your skinny fingers. “Please, my love, please. Have you been eating?”

Fred’s begging made you whimper. The sadness in his tone made your eyes well and your throat close until you could only spit out the words, “I can’t.”

“Tell me,” Fred cried out.

“I can’t eat. I feel sickly when I eat.”

Fred choked out a sob. He rarely cried but seeing how oblivious he was to your pain made him stricken with grief.

“But, it’s okay.” you said quickly after, nodding your head, “I’m fine.”

“No,” Fred gripped your tighter, “You’re not fine, darling.”

“I can eat anytime I want,” you tried to persuade him, or you, you weren’t sure which one.

“But, you won’t.” Your boyfriend said. The truth, the truth you had been cowardly hiding from was there, in front of your face, and this time you could not hide. Your silence was all the answers he needed. You couldn’t control yourself. You began to cry alongside him, sorrowful for everything that lived.

“What happened? Love? Tell me,”

“I-” you stuttered and struggled to breath, Fred moved so he could rub your back, still looking at you, “I don’t know. I. It started one day and then I guess, well I. I don’t know. I guess, I guess the stress and...” you cried harder, “I don’t know.”

“That’s okay,” Fred hushed you, pulling you in for a hug, wrapping his long arms around your wracking figure. “I’m here now, I won’t leave you. I’m here. I’ll help,”

“You can’t help!” your lips quivered, pulling back harshly in a state of disarray. “You can’t! I- I don’t. You can't. I don’t know.” you couldn’t say anything. Fred placed his hands, gently, on your cheeks, staring into the eyes of the woman he adored.

“We’ll try. I’ll try, and so will you.” Fred assured you, rubbing your cheeks.

“I don’t know if I can.” you said, hiccuping through cries.

“You can. You’re so unbelievably strong, I’ve seen you whoop several old sods in our year’s ass. And I know,” Fred moved your head softly so he could look at you better, “I know my words may not help, but I think you are so beautiful. Whatever happens, I’ll be there, right beside you.”

It wasn’t an exact solution and it didn’t automatically nor immediately solve anything, but it was something. It was what you needed to hear at the moment. To know you weren’t alone facing not only the physical battle of the external world but the internal one. It would take time, time needed, to be yourself again. Even still, on the days you felt worse, Fred would squeeze your hand in his and press a kiss on your lips. 

[latte-fairytaekwoon]

𝑀𝑎𝑓𝑖𝑎! 𝐴𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑧: 𝑆/𝑂 𝐵𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑦 𝐴𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐴𝑛 𝐴𝑟𝑔𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 (𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑)

Disclaimer: In no way am I condoning, supporting, justifying or encouraging mafia activities or lifestyle. This is all fictional and not meant to represent real life scenarios.

Warning: Certain NSFW scenarios are contained within this reaction. Read at your own discretion.

༻𝓚𝓲𝓶 𝓗𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓳𝓸𝓸𝓷𝓰༺

Hongjoong thought you two were over your argument from the morning. Obviously he was wrong since he came back to find you ignoring him, giving him the silent treatment and pretending like he wasn't there. He simply chuckled at your pettiness. Of course he expected this from you, you were always pretty stubborn and had a feisty attitude at times. He did not mind it actually, in fact he loved it. He loved you defying him and testing him because it meant he could put you in your place and remind you who was in charge.

"Y/N baby, if you don't stop this childish behavior right now, I will take you to my room." He warned you, a hidden smirk plastered on his face as he really wanted you to continue acting up.

You simply looked back at him and rolled your eyes at him, something that definitely annoyed him. You only realized he was behind you when you felt his hands grip your arms, his voice whispering in your ear:

"But you'd probably enjoy that? Wouldn't you?"

You weren't about to give into his teasing so you said nothing. Hongjoong chuckled darkly as his hands started rubbing at your sides.

"Still not talking? It's ok baby. There's more than one way to make you talk and by the time I'm done with you, you really won't be able to talk tomorrow from how much you'll be screaming my name."

༻𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓴 𝓢𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓱𝔀𝓪༺

Seonghwa was seriously getting tired of your pettiness. He already felt bad that you two argued, he had a hard day at work so his patience was on thin ice and you were seconds away from breaking it.

"Y/N seriously....stop." He glared at you from his spot in the couch.

"Fuck off." You replied, rolling your eyes at him.

That was the last straw. Seonghwa immediately stood up and marched over to you. He harshly grabbed your hand and dragged you to the kitchen, where he proceeded to bend you over the table. You tried getting up, but Seonghwa was stronger than you and he single-handedly kept you pinned down.

"Don't fucking move." He ordered with the tone of voice that sent chills down your spine and made your core get heated.

You gasped when Seonghwa pulled your leggings down, dragging your panties along with them. You clenched your thighs together, trying to get some friction. You then heard Seonghwa pull his belt from his jeans and that's when you realized you really did push him. His hands gently stroked your exposed ass.

"You wanted to act like a brat? I'll punish you like one. You're gonna count every spank I give you. If you miss any or don't count, I'll triple the amount. Got it?"

You nodded and told him yes, not wanting to piss him off anymore. Seonghwa raised the belt in his hand high in the air before swinging it down, striking you right in your right ass cheek.

༻𝓙𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓨𝓾𝓷𝓱𝓸༺

Yunho kept clenching and unclenching his hand. It was irritating at first to see you flirting with his friends, but now he was actually getting hurt by it. He knew why you were doing this. You were still upset over your argument from hours before. You were angry that he had to make out with a girl for a mission he had.

"It was only a job. You knew this from the beginning." He calmly reminded you, but you were still mad.

"Yeah, I bet you really enjoy your job, don't you?" He remembers how your voice was laced with venom.

That's why you were currently sitting on San's lap, your hand occasionally stroking the exposed skin of his chest. It was too much for Yunho now. Not wanting to see anymore or find out how far you were willing to go, he quickly got up and just walked out of the club, ignoring your calling for him. You got up and started going after him, trying to catch up but his long legs carried him faster.

"Yunho, Yunho please. Stop!" You tried to grab his arm, but he quickly snatched it away before turning to face you.

"No Y/N you stop! I get you're upset, ok? I get it. You were right, someone else could have handled that part of the job. But did you seriously have to throw yourself at one of my friends like that just to get back at me?"

His words made you feel guilty. Yunho sighed and kept his gaze on the ground.

"Please just stop.....I'm telling you right now it hurts....so please stop." He was begging you at this point, making you feel horrible about your behavior.

༻𝓚𝓪𝓷𝓰 𝓨𝓮𝓸𝓼𝓪𝓷𝓰༺

If there was one thing Yeosang couldn't tolerate, it was childish behavior, so right now, he could not and would not tolerate the way you were acting towards him or the sarcastic voice you'd use when you actually did talk to him. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying hard not to lose his temper.

He inhaled deeply before calling his driver, asking him to get the car ready.

"Are you just going to walk away from our argument?" You scoffed at him.

"No. The car is for you. You need a time out and fresh air." He simply said.

You immediately said no and were about to walk away when he grabbed your wrist.

"This isn't optional."

With help from the driver, he strapped you in the back of the car and gave specific orders that you weren't to come back until you cooled down and were ready to talk like a civilized adult.

"I hate you." You said to Yeosang.

"You'll thank me later." With that, he slammed the door closed.

Hours passed, it was night now and Yeosang simply sat on the bed, reading as he usually did before going to bed. He heard the front of open and knew it was you. He looked up and saw you by the door.

"Are you finally calm?" He raised his eyebrow.

You sighed and nodded, a tiny pout forming on your lips.

"Good." Yeosang smiled at you and put his book down. He patted the spot next to him on the bed, which you happily layed down on.

Yeosang held you close and kissed your forehead, grateful it was all over.

༻𝓒𝓱𝓸𝓲 𝓢𝓪𝓷༺

It was very amusing and entertaining for San to see your behavior. He expected you to pull out some petty shit after your argument, but this really exceeded his expectations. There you were, dressed in a very tight and revealing dress, in front of all his friends. You were all currently having dinner with Seonghwa at his house. It made it even more fun for San to see the act like this in his Hyung's house.

You were purposefully flirting with the other guys and bending down enough for them to stare at your ass or breasts. Some of them didn't even bother hiding it. An idea popped into San's head. Getting up, he gripped your hips and held you in place.

"Wanna act like a total slut? All right then."

With no warning, he grabbed the front part of your dress, tearing it apart with his bare hands and ripping it off your body. The other guys just stared at you both in shock and some in arousal. You tried to cover yourself up but San was having none of that.

"Oh no baby. You wanted to give my friends a show? I'll make sure you give them one."

Your bra and panties were the next items to be discarded and then San picked you to before laying you out on the table, your body exposed to everyone. San looked at the other guys, smirking when he saw some of them were already palming their growing erections.

"So who wants to go first?"

༻𝓢𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓲༺

Mingi just stood still as you continued to yell at him. He just looked at you as if you weren't even there and that pissed you off even more.

"See? You're not even listening to me! Exactly what I was saying earlier!" You shouted.

Mingi was listening to you, he knew you better than you knew yourself. That's why he knew you didn't mean any of the words you said to him. You had been going through a rough time and because of one little thing he did to tick you off, you let out your frustration on him. He didn't take it personal. He just let you release your anger.

"Seriously, why aren't you saying anything?! Yell at me or something!" You groaned in frustration and hit his chest with your palms, but since you had no strength Mingi was barely affected.

You were so frustrated and upset at yourself that you started crying.

"Are you done with your little tantrum?" Mingi asked you, and you only turned away from him in shame.

Mingi sighed as he turned you around again and pulled you close.

"Listen, it's been a long day and we both need a break. So let's just go to bed and deal with this when we're ready. Deal?"

You nodded. Mingi kissed the top of your head before ruffling your hair.

"Now come on. We haven't finished our Netflix series. "

༻𝓙𝓾𝓷𝓰 𝓦𝓸𝓸𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓰༺

Wooyoung was enjoying the way you were writhing and squirming as he continued to finger you mercilessly, your moans like music to his ears.

"Fuck....you're close aren't you baby? I can feel you clench around my fingers." He groaned at the sight.

"Wooyoung....please.." You breathed out.

"Hmmm? Please what princess?" He knew what you were about to ask, he was waiting for this moment.

"Need more. Want your cock." You begged him.

"Really? You want Daddy's cock princess?" He moved his other hand to his jeans, unzipping them. You stared at him as he did, already wanting him to fuck you into tomorrow.

But then Wooyoung leaned down and smirked.

"But I thought you said I had a small dick just yesterday after you were being a brat?"

You whined when you felt him pull his fingers away from you, your arms and legs wanting to move but you couldn't cause they were tied up to the bed. Wooyoung zipped his pants back up.

"I'll leave you here to think about your behavior." He winked at you before walking out of the room, leaving you hot and frustrated.

༻𝓒𝓱𝓸𝓲 𝓙𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓱𝓸༺

You weren't going to get a reaction out of Jongho, you just weren't. That's what he kept repeating to himself, refusing to play your little game of pettiness. He prided himself in being level headed and mature and he was not going to let you to sink to your level. Even if you were pushing his buttons.

"And of course you just stay silent, avoiding your problems and pretending everything is fine."

One. Jongho began counting down in his mind.

"Why must you be so stoic? No wonder people can't stand you."

Two. By now he got up and stood in front of you, his arms crossed. You simply laughed at him.

"Don't think you can scare me Choi Jongho. You're not gonna do any shit cause you're-"

Three. Without warning, his hand grasped your neck, choking you enough to make you shut up but not enough to actually hurt you.

"I'm getting really tired of this bratty behavior Y/N. I think it's about time I fix it."

He let go of your neck, giving you only enough time to gasp for air before he threw you over his shoulder and slapped your ass harshly, making you cry out in pain and in arousal. He began walking over to his room, a smirk on his face as he thought about all the ways he could break you.

Gifs not mine, credit goes to their respective owners.

[nicka-nell]

Just Office Kuroo blackmail his little secretary// nsfw // 61, 63 and/or sub!Akaashi/Bokuto // fluffy nsfw //44 + 70 👀

NSFW - Blackmail (Kuroo x reader) NSFW - Spicy dessert (sub!Akaashi x reader)

Hi sorry for the late answer. So here we go! ♥

Valentine’s Day - Prompt Event | Masterlist (coming soon)

Pairing: Office Kuroo x  secretary reader (Blackmail) Warning: NSFW, blackmail, noncon/dubcon, hair pulling, oral, mention of alcohol, breeding Prompts: 61. I’ll fill you up to the brim. 63. On your knees

You should have listened to the words of the woman who ran mad with smeared mascara from Kuroo’s office. You should have listened that he just used you and made you his little slut. But you were naïve.

In good faith, he smiled at you with a broad grin, opened the door to his office and asked you to come in. Out of sheer excitement, you stumbled over his carpet, Kuroo grabbed you so your tender hands wouldn’t burst open on the rough stuff.

He was nice, asked you to have a drink, told you about the tasks you should do as his personal secretary, and all the trips you would do with him if you did well. He told you how highly regarded you would be if you worked for him, Kuroo Tetsurou, as a secretary.

The professional world would be open to you later. You were naïve to think that his words weren’t there to trap you. His words were like cheese for a mouse. Tempting and irresistible.

It did not take long for you to make your first journey. The second came quickly. And on the third, the first incident came that should have startled you. The one where your alarm bells should go on.

Because the hotel rooms were suddenly full. Your order never came in. There was only one room left. A double room.

Although you were certain that you placed the order for two rooms, you blame yourself. Maybe you made a mistake, have instead of two rooms, only marked one? You wanted to leave the room to Kuroo, find something else for yourself, but he insisted that you share the room.

The second time, your warning signals should have sounded was when he showed you the full whiskey bottle and wanted to drink with you for a successful week here in a foreign country.

Not only were you wide-eyed, but you were stupid when your body became warmer and warmer. You let his words lull you in and didn’t stop him from walking up your leg, stroking your thigh and pulling your skirt up. You were stupid not to listen to the woman who told you to watch out for him.

Because when you were back at the office, Kuroo wanted to touch you just like in that one tipsy night, when you moved away from him. He looks at you seriously, his tone dark. “Do you really think you’re capable of acting like this against your boss, kitten?” He says mockingly, while his muscular arms are around your waist as he looks in the mirror next to his front door, enjoying your delicious panicked look.

You want to break away from him, tell him that everything that happened at the hotel was only one night. Kuroo laughs sarcastically, rummaging around with one hand in his suit pants, still holding you against his chest with the other.

You still feel his warmth on your body, which makes your heart beat faster unpleasantly when he holds his phone in front of you and makes your body freeze. Photos of you, both of you.

How you lie naked on the floor, spreading your legs wide. Kuroo’s cum drips from your swollen entrance, is spread across your belly and open mouth. He even shows you a video, a video of him fucking you while you moan out loud that you want to be an excellent secretary for him.

You couldn’t remember all that. Tears flow into the corners of your eye, your lower lip is shaking. “It would be a shame if the public saw all this, wouldn’t it? But if you want to go, then please, go through the door and the video will ruin your entire career. Stay and I’ll erase it after you give me what I want.”

With his words, you can feel his grip loosen. As his warmth disappears and he settles on his office chair wide-legged, looking at you through the mirror with a mischievous grin. So when you go into his disgusting game, he deletes the images. If you refuse…

Vociferously you swallow the big lump stuck in your throat, wipe away the tears that seek their way down before turning around. You really are gross… That’s what you’re trying to say, but there’s a different question coming off your lips.

“If I go along with your perverted wishes, will you promise me… to delete the pictures and videos on your phone? Not to send them?”

Deep he looks into your eyes, trying to avoid laughing before he nods at you. “Promised... and now come here, pretty girl.” Ashamed, you put your hand on your other arm, look to the side as you walk towards him and now stand in front of him.

“On your knees!” He commands and supports his arms to the left and right at the back of the chair. You hesitate for a moment, but when he unlocks his phone, you frighten and get down on your knees.

“Do you understand what you have to do? Or do I have to tell you, that you’re not on your knees to tie my shoes?” Without giving him an answer, your shaky hands move toward his fly. You open it quietly, touching the already big bulge in his pants.

Your fingertips touch the waistband of his shorts as you pull them down to take his dick into your grip. Big and fat it is in your hands, just lets you hope you don’t have to use your mouth.

“How about you use your pretty secretary’s mouth to wrap your lips around my dick?” He smirks, bring his hand to the back of your head before he pulls you down by your hair.

“Ah!” You’re startled for a moment before his tip silences you. “You better be quiet, there’s still staff in the office.” You can’t hold back your tears any more, they quickly flow down your cheek, wet Kuroo’s suit trousers, each time his tip penetrates the back of your throat.

You want him to stop holding on to your head. You want him to stop looking at you like that. And you want him to stop using you like you’re just a toy. But he doesn’t stop.

He now grabs the back of your head with the second hand to move your head up and down faster against your will. Pushes you deeper into his pelvis every time and makes you choke. Your saliva drips along his length on his shorts, which you only sloppily pull down when his cock twitches.

If you bring him to a climax now, it will take a while for him to get back on track. Maybe that’s enough to delete the photos. Again, you were naïve to think that. Then just before he’s about to come, he pulls your head away, looks at your face, at your open mouth where your tongue hangs out.

Your breath is flat, as you quickly try to catch the air he took from you earlier. A sight that reminds Kuroo of your night at the hotel. He didn’t hire you because you were good.

Of course, your resume was good, your grades outstanding and your idea of yourself okay, but Kuroo had been throwing his eyes on something else all along. On your eyes that had sparkled so brightly, on your hair, your mouth as it had moved while talking, on your shapely breasts that looked perfect in the tight-fitting blouse. On your womanly hips that looked perfect in this pencil skirt. On your soft legs and those high heels. You were his type from the beginning.

With a suspicious smirk, he gets up, lifts you by your hair as he pushes you forward against his office table and shoves your skirt up. So that he can slip his saliva-soaked dick between your thighs, opening your blouse as he laughs into your ear shell.

“Are you looking forward to what’s coming, pretty girl?” Not only do you feel his cock on the inside of your thighs as it slowly moves back and forth, but you also feel it on your fabric-wrapped entrance.

You can feel it on the texture that’s getting wet. First you think it’s because Kuroo’s cock was still covered with your saliva, but then your own body betrays you when you make a slight moan.

Wordlessly you squeeze your legs, push your pelvis backwards and tilt your head against his chest as Kuroo pushes his long fingers under your bra to play with your nipples. “Oh, look how needy you are, kitten.”

He laughs when he sees your glowing face, perceiving the movements of your body. You have to think about that night again, about how much you enjoyed having sex with him.

But that was different. Back then you were both drunk, you were both kind of curious and wanted the other’s warmth. But now it’s different, he’s blackmailing you. He’s using you.

Everything he does is not right, can’t be right. But why does it still feel so good? Why don’t you want him to stop? Laughing, his hands find their way to your skirt, pull it up before pressing you down on the table at your back.

Rudely you land on his documents, papers, pens and everything else that lies on his table, giving a quiet groan of you as you feel his other hand on your panties. How two of his fingers wander along your folds and enjoy your wet panties.

He still doesn’t stop laughing when he pulls them aside with his thumb and looks at your bare skin. “Do you want me to eat you out like that one night, or do you want my dick right in there?” He breathes, his hair now on your lower back, when his tongue costs your tender skin.

But you don’t answer him. Annoyed, he clicks with his tongue, grasps firmly at the back of your head, before stretching it backwards. “Your boss asked you a question, so answer!” His voice is no longer teasing. No, it’s angry, annoyed, irritable.

New tears clump your vision as your shaky words leave your lips. “Just put it in… Hurry… I want this all over as soon as possible.” You sniff what Kuroo likes even more.

He would have liked to taste your juice again, but he still has plenty of opportunities. “I have such an excellent secretary, right?” He laughs before he loosens the grip on your hair and your head falls forward.

The throbbing pain subsides, but is quickly replaced by another. Yet Kuroo pushes his massive dick into your entrance, takes no account of the fact that your pain-filled cry becomes louder and louder. No, your loud scream, your hands trying to push him away from you, just turn him on even more.

Faster he hammers into you. Your entire abdomen pierces. You feel he’s tearing everything in you, that he’s going to break you, that you can’t walk after this. The pain twists your stomach, your vision gets blurry and your crying gets louder.

“Stop it, please! Please stop, you’re hurting me! Kuroo please!” You sniff, but your words only push his ego even more. Because your sounds are like a symphony in his ears. Wonderful and he could listen to you for hours, but your voice is interrupted by his loud ringtone.

A call from a partner. One he can’t just swipe away or ignore. For a moment he bends forward. You can feel his eyelashes on your temple, his breath on your ear. “You better be quiet now, the call’s from an important person, and you don’t want him to recognize your voice, do you?”

Your eyes widen, shocked, you try to look in his direction, can’t believe he really wants to answer the phone, but doesn’t want to stop his torture. “Kuroo no!”

“Shut your mouth!” He hisses before he picks up the phone and starts the phone call. “Yes? Sure… I have time… No, no, you’re not interrupting.” He laughs calmly, as if he is sitting in his office chair and doesn’t have his cock in you right now.

Full of force, he rams his tip up to your cervix, is much more aggressive than before, almost as if he wants to make you moan. But you quickly hold your hands in front of your mouth, suppressing your moaning as your eyes roll backwards.

Although you are disgusted, his length feels good as it fills you completely, stuffing you perfectly as if it is made for you. Unconsciously, you squeeze your legs, press together his cock to feel each vein, biting your lower lip tightly to stay still.

You can feel Kuroo’s grip on the fat of your ass getting tighter, his movements getting sloppier, and his voice changing since you squeezed your legs. You know he’s about to come.

“Yeah, yeah. Oh damn, I got a meeting. I’ll call you back. Goodbye!” He doesn’t know if his partner on the other line had even heard the goodbye. Since he had tried to press the red button so quickly, before he throws the phone out of his hand and clasps your waist tightly with both hands, puts his warm chest on your back.

“Ah fuck, you naughty little secretary. Does it make you so horny to get caught that someone else is hearing you? Ah fuck, kitten! I’ll fill you up to the brim.” He grumbles, sucks at your tender neck, before his thrusts become faster and faster, making the whole table shake.

“Be a good girl and come for your boss. Come with your boss!” He breathes excitedly, as your hands slide from your mouth and a loud moan slips out of it. “Haah boss, I’m coming!” You whine, before your eyes roll to the back of your head.

Your throbbing walls bind his length tightly while your entire body lies numb on the table. It glows with excitement and doesn’t make you think clearly as Kuroo’s thrust pushes you forward a little further along with the table.

He thrusts deeply into you, hitting your cervix, which makes you sigh again before you feel his cock twitching and filling your inner with something warm. But you are still on your own high to worry about all this.

“I’m filling you so much, you’re getting pregnant with my bastard. As a reward for being so good.” He whispers in your ear, still balls-deep inside you. Only now, his words bring you back to reality. Lures a frightened “No, please don’t!” which makes Kuroo chuckle before his warmth disappears from your body and he slumps behind you in the office chair, straightening your panties.

He studies you with pleasure, waits until you turn around and look into his proud face. He just came inside of you. But... you can still go to the doctor, get the pill that prevents pregnancy. Somehow, you’ll be alright. Somehow you’re going to prevent this. But more importantly, it’s all over now.

Still a little shaky on your feet, you straighten your skirt, the blouse before you look disgusted at Kuroo. “Now please delete the photos, Kuroo. You promised...” With your arms crossed in front of your body, you look at him, watch him pull his phone out of his pocket and move it back and forth in his hand.

But instead of deleting the photos, he puts his phone away again, laughs arrogantly. “You really are a naïve little girl. I promised you I would delete the photos, but I didn’t say a word that I would delete them now.” His words freeze your complete body. You want to cry again, but all your tears are gone.

Broken, you just stand in front of him, realizing that your nightmare is far from over. “I have a meeting now. I’ll see you tomorrow, my lovely secretary.” He grins as he pulls his pants back up and ties his belt before he passes you, leaving you broke and left alone in his office.

Pairing: sub!Akaashi x reader Warning: NSFW, sub!Akaashi, fluff Prompts: 70. I’m not wearing any panties 44. Why’d you stop?

It’s been a long time since you’ve had time to enjoy the togetherness with Akaashi. Then he is too absorbed in his work, had a big order several weeks ago, and is so busy with it he sometimes even sleeps in his manga studio.

You always want to support him as much as possible. Therefore, every time he spends more time in his studio, you bring him something warm to eat, fresh clothes to change and remind him that he should also take breaks and not neglect his sleep.

Today you get another message from him: he will stay in the studio and will not come home today. A little sad, you look on your calendar on the date, which is decorated with a heart painted in red and announces your anniversary.

Loneliness envelops you. Even if you know that Akaashi’s work is very important to him, you would like to enjoy the time together again. Cuddle with him, lie in his arms, feel his breath and hear his quiet voice, as he tells you about his day before going to bed.

But instead, here you are, alone. Tightly, you clench your hands. No, You’re sure you won’t be alone on your anniversary.

Lovingly as always, you prepare his food, pack him fresh clothes before you go to your side of the wardrobe to pick out the coat that Akaashi likes most. A coat in a deep blue with silver buttons that have a magnificent tulip engraved on each button. You dress yourself, look in the mirror before you go out. Today, you will not leave his studio right after bringing him his stuff.

Tired, Akaashi sighs as he puts his hands on his face, massaging his eyebrows with his fingers. His eyes are already burning, but the drawings before him are not finished yet. Most of his employees have already gone home, only two are sitting in the group room next to his office.

“I should get another black tea.” He murmurs as he looks at the clock, which already tells him the time for the evening. Worried, he looks at his phone. Because you’re still not here with the food.

Normally you’d be here a long time ago. You’d tell him black tea isn’t good for him at this hour and he should go to bed. At the thought of your instructive words, he must smile. You are his everything.

Although you dislike his extensive work until night, you still try to support him. Still in his mind, he types in your mobile number, to press the green button as the loud knocking on his door makes him look up.

“Come inside!” he calls out irritated and blinks a few times to get a better view. With his mouth open, he puts his mobile phone out of his hand, looks forward in amazement while his entire body suddenly gets warm, his face gets more color.

“Y/n… my love… you look beauti- stunning.” He stutters quietly while his body lifts him from his chair, but his legs remain as if rooted.

Your shoes are clapping loudly on the floor as you stand in front of him. Carefully you put the two bags with food and clothes on the table. “I brought you something to eat, pretty boy. And a dessert too.”

You playfully blow your last words to him while you look him in the eye and walk down his chest to his waistband with your index finger. Teasingly you pull his waistband a little closer to you, before you give him a fleeting kiss and sit on a vacant place on his desk, set your legs seductively over each other.

Your legs are naked, no stockings are on your soft skin. You have to wear a skirt… No, all your skirts are longer than that beautiful coat that flatters you. And all your dresses are longer as well.

Even your shoes are ones you wouldn’t wear in everyday life, because according to your words, they would be too sexy to wear just like that. Also, your hair is wildly styled, yet elegant, just like the makeup you had applied. For a moment, he thinks about whether you’re wearing lingerie under your coat, but just the thought turns his cheeks red.

“What’s the matter, pretty boy?” you ask him with a smile as you notice how he looks shyly to the side. “Did you… Did you wear something under… I mean, do you just wear lingerie?” He asks as his eyes search for yours again. At the same moment that he asked, he regrets it. If that’s not the case, you probably think he’s a pervert. But instead you just giggle.

“Oh Keiji… I’m not wearing any panties.” Now his eyes widen even more, completely silent he looks at you, but just when you want to say something, he is the one who speaks.

“You walked here wearing nothing under your coat? My love, what if something had happened to you? It’s dangerous! Someone could have-”, “Keiji stay calm... look, here in the bag are my clothes and my street shoes inside. I undressed in the guest bathroom earlier…” With a warm smile, you try to calm him down.

Even though he knows you’re naked under that coat, he’s worried about your safety first. This is the Akaashi you know and love.

You see the relief in his face, and when his shoulders slowly relax, he makes a quiet sigh. “I think maybe we should start with the dessert right away, don’t you think, pretty boy?” You try to heat the mood again while you play with the band of your coat and slowly open the first button.

Wordless, almost as if Akaashi is holding his breath, his eyes haunt your fingers. They don’t move down to the second button, yet look for their way to Akaashi’s chest, dropping him back in his chair.

But before he can respond, you seal his words with an intimate kiss, loosen his tie before taking it off and straightening up. “Y/n what if someone-”

“I don’t care if someone can see us,” you answer him as you move behind Akaashi with a seductive hip swing, caress his arms before you bring them behind the chair and knot his hands with his tie.

“Y/n… what are you doing?” He asks unsettled as he tries to untie himself, but you tightly bound the knot around his ankles and the chair. Again you pop up in his field of vision, sit on his lap as you open the buttons of his shirt, give him a kiss with each button you open. On his mouth, his cheek, his earlobe, his neck.

“Hah Y/n…” He groans quietly as you kiss his neck and open the last button of his shirt, now circling his hard nipples with your fingertips. “Time for dessert.” You breathe as you get off his lap and look at his red face.

Full of desire, he looks at you, his hands cuffed, the shirt wide open, so that you can see his chest while a bulge has formed in his pants. Akaashi sits wide-legged in front of you and his eyes beg you to continue.

Calmly, you open the second button that slightly exposes your collarbone as you play with the third button and look Akaashi in the eye. “Today is our anniversary, my pretty boy. You didn’t really want to leave me alone on our anniversary, did you?”

His eyes grow large again. Did he forget the most important day for both of you? Was he really such a bad husband? “I am so sorry…” His sad voice resounds in your ears, but you have to smile.

Akaashi looks at you so clumsily, full of love. You know he didn’t do this on purpose. With a smile, you open the other buttons before you play with the collar of the coat and drop it elegantly from your shoulders to the floor.

Akaashi keeps the air away, at the sight he has before him. Your beautiful bare skin sparkles splendidly in the evening sun. With his eyes he explores your curves, would love to touch them. Stroll along them with his hands and tell you how beautiful you are with every movement, but his hands are tied.

Seductively you swing your hips towards him, sit on his lap while you pat his neck and chest, slowly open his pants with your hands to free his stiff member.

“Ahh my love… please, I need you,” grunts Akaashi, who tilts his head to the back, looks at the ceiling with red cheeks and enjoys your kisses. But you only answer him with a tender smile, a light sip on his chest, as your hands lie around his length and play with his tip.

“Show me how much you need me,” bounce your damp words against his chest, while you watch him through the corner of your eye, how he tries to free his hands.

“Nggh… Please my love… don’t tease me like that,” his throaty voice echoes through the room as your grip becomes tighter on his dick and your movements quicker. “Ah, my love… haaah…” He groans further with flat breath, slightly tightens his muscles, and pinches his teeth.

His cheekbones now come out even more and beautify his already perfect face when he tries to delay his climax a bit. But you sense he’s about to come. Abruptly you stop, your warmth leaves him and a short time later also your body, which no longer sits on him.

Instead, you stand in front of him again, raising his chin with your index finger. He looks at you with his excited eyes, not understanding why you stopped. “Why’d you stop?”

Lovingly you smile before you let go of his face and turn to one of the two bags to get out a small bottle of lube. “I don’t want you to come now.”

Quietly, Akaashi watches you as you spread the lube on your hand and then smear the now warm gel around his length, distributing it before squatting down on the office chair with your knees next to Akaashi’s legs.

Slowly you shove his cock into you, as you both moan in unison. His entire length is exploring your inside and is greeted by your warm walls as you begin to ride him.  

“Tie me off my love. Let me touch you.” Akaashi breathes whiney, his eyes closed as he tilts his head back. But you only deny his request. Take his face in your hands and bend it back forward. “Look me in the eye, pretty boy.”

Although your voice is soft, he carries out your command, looks into the eyes of the woman he adores most. Your hands slowly wrap around his neck, clawing into his shoulder blades as you move up and down faster and faster in circular movements, jumping on his cock full of desire.

You know exactly that Akaashi is still very sensitive, that he might come any moment. And that’s okay with you. Because you’re not here to pursue your lust. You want Akaashi to be fine; you want him to let go of the stress of work and relax.

“Nghh my love… I’m coming…” He groans as he buries his hands in the tie's fabric, his ankles almost turning white. “Then come for me, my pretty boy,” you whisper to him, as you move your body so that Akaashi growls while continuing to look deep into your eyes.

Just a few seconds later you feel the white liquid filling your inside, slowly running down his twitching length and making a mess of his pants, which you had just opened sloppily to reach his dick.

Without moving, you remain in this position, gently placing your hands around his fast moving upper body before pressing your forehead against his. “Please don’t forget to take your breaks, angel. You’re working too hard again.” You tell him warmly before you give him a fleeting kiss on the nose and grab behind the chair to free him from the tie.

As soon as his hands are free, he places them around your waist, holds you tightly in his arms, and puts his head on your shoulder. “I’m really sorry… that I forgot our anniversary Y/n.” His words are honest, full of remorse as you feel them moist on your skin.

You’re about to tell him it’s okay, but he interrupts you before you can even say anything.

“But… the day is not over yet and we have already exceeded the time for lunch, anyway,” husky, his voice kisses your ears while his eyes look at you with blazing fire.

“What do you mean? Ah! Keiji!” You scream when your body is suddenly lifted into the air, as you quickly wrap your legs and arms around his body.

“Let me make it up to you,” he says seriously and kisses your collarbone.

With a sweaty grin, you look at the door before you turn your gaze back to your husband. “And what about your co-worker?”, “I don’t care,” he whispers as he approaches the white curtain that separates his office from the small sleeping place he always uses when he doesn’t come home, to throw you on the mattress.

“Let’s finish the dessert.”

[i-lionheart]

Here for You | Loki x Reader fluff

"There are moments that the words don't reach. There's a grace too powerful to name. We push away what we can never understand; we push away the unimaginable." -Hamilton, "It's Quiet Uptown"

After an emotional night, Loki's partner leaves her Avengers Tower apartment, showing up in need of comfort at Loki's door.

before you read: loki x reader, 1.5k words, reader is afab nonbinary, angst, emotional hurt/comfort, partial nudity (non-sexual), cuddling/spooning, discussion of gender dysphoria, period mention, body dysphoria, discussion of depression, suicidal thoughts, and self harm.

tw: gender dysphoria, period mention, partial nudity (non-sexual), depression mention, suicidal thoughts, self harm mention. @ me if there's anything I forgot.

You padded down the hallway, clutching the stuffed animal and baby blanket that had protected you from your demons since you were a child. Since your apartments were right next to each other, it was only a short distance to Loki's door; when you reached it, you knocked quickly and stood there, anxiously chewing your the inside of your cheek as you waited.

You heard his heavy footsteps crossing the apartment. Though his voice was muffled by the door separating the two of you, the annoyance was unmistakable. "Thor, I told you, I'm-"

He opened the door. His words cut off abruptly as he realized that it wasn't, in fact, his older brother bothering him in the middle of the night. His heart and facial expression melted as he looked you up and down, taking in your disheveled appearance. You stared back at him nervously, unable to verbally express what you needed from him now that he was actually standing in front of you.

Luckily, you didn't have to.

In a heartbeat, Loki had crossed the threshold of his apartment, pulling you into a tight embrace. He pressed your head to his chest and you melted into him, the tears that had escaped you all night finally beginning to flow. "It's all right, darling," he murmured. "It's all right. I'm here now. It's all right."

The two of you stood there for a moment that felt like an eternity, your entire world reduced to the feeling of being in each others' arms, Loki caressing you and whispering soft reassurances. Once the waterfall of your tears had slowed to a mere trickle, Loki said, "All right. You're coming inside." He bent down and hooked one arm under your knees, lifting you into his arms as easily as if you were a child. You squeaked in surprise and buried your head in his chest, eliciting a small chuckle from the trickster god as he carried you into his apartment and eased the door shut behind you. He didn't put you down until the two of you were in his bedroom, when he pulled back the soft covers of his king-size bed and set you gently on the gold satin sheets. He climbed in beside you and pulled the covers up around you both, once again pulling you to his chest.

"You don't have to tell me what's going on," he said, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. "But if you want to talk about it, I'm here to listen."

"It's my stupid period," you grumbled into his chest.

"What?" he said. "I thought you haven't had one for months now - didn't Strange get that sorted?"

"Yeah, but the hormones are still a fucking roller coaster."

"You mortals and your pesky bodies," he muttered into your hair. You couldn't help but giggle, despite your sadness. "What is it doing to you this time, darling?'

"Gender," you grumbled. "I'm fine with my body. I like my body. Or at least, most of the time I do, and then my hormones go insane and I hate it."

"Wishing you were a shapeshifter again, hmm?" Loki said. You nodded. "If I could give up my powers to you I'd do it in a heartbeat, dearest." You chuckled, in spite of yourself. "Thanks, babe."

"No problem," he replied. The two of you lay in comfortable silence for a moment, glad to just be in each other's presence. He caressed you gently - your hair, your arms, your back - then paused in confusion when he felt a seam under your shirt. He had never known you to wear a bra under your pajamas, especially given how much you hated to wear them during the day.

"Darling?" he asked, cautiously.

"Hmm?"

"Are you binding right now?"

"Yeah, but it's fine, I-"

"No, it's not," he cut you off sternly. "You know you're not supposed to. It's unsafe."

"Since when do you care about safety?"

"Since you tried to sleep in a binder. Sit up. It's coming off."

"Loki, really-"

"Now. You could do with some skin to skin anyways." His tone left no room for argument. Grudgingly, you pushed yourself into a sitting position, as did he.

"Arms up," he commanded. You rolled your eyes and did as he said, feeling like a toddler who needed their parents' help to get dressed. He lifted your shirt and gently pulled it over your head, then gathered it into a ball and tossed it on his floor. He removed your binder equally gently, careful not let the elastic snap or pinch, and tossed it on the floor on top of your shirt.

"Satisfied?" you said sarcastically.

"Not quite yet." He grasped the collar of the black t-shirt he was wearing and pulled it over his head in one fluid motion, adding it to the pile of clothing on his floor.

Though you had seen it a thousand times, you took in the sight of his chest, drinking in every inch of his skin. He caught your eye as you stared at him, and grinned. You blushed. "See something you like, pet?" he teased.

"Oh, shut up," you retorted as the two of you laid back down, snuggling into him again. He was right - the feeling of his skin, his strong arms wrapped around you, was incredibly soothing.

"I needed this," you murmured.

"I know."

A pause.

"I hate this body so much, sometimes. Like, I'm mostly okay with it, even proud of it, and then..."

You trailed off. He stroked your hair, whispering into it. "Take your time, love, it's all right."

You took a deep breath, gathering your thoughts, and continued shakily. "It's just... sometimes, I look in the mirror, and I look at my face, and I feel so happy - my reflection matches who I am, I look like myself - and then I see my body and I remember and I just..." You swallowed thickly, fighting back tears. "I just want to die, sometimes. I wish I didn't have to exist and face every day in a body that's not mine, I want to hurt it, scar it, make it bleed. Anything to show that it doesn't belong to me, to make it pay. I hate it. And I know I shouldn't hurt myself, I know I gave that up a long time ago, but that urge never leaves. I hate it, I hate it so much. I know it's not right, but that voice never goes away, it just gets quiet enough to ignore until the next time something triggers it and I have to fight it again. It never stops, Loki. Never." Your tears were flowing freely now. You took a shuddering breath. "I'm just so, so tired of always fighting. I want peace. But I don't think I'll ever have it."

"Oh, pet." he said softly. "How long were you feeling like this before you came to get me?"

"Hours," you admitted, feeling small.

"Oh, darling," he said. You heard the pain in his voice, and knew that what he really meant was I'm sorry.

"It's going to be okay," he said, voice ever so tender, tracing wandering patterns on your skin. "I know it's hard, but you are strong. You are a fighter, and you will make it through this. I promise you. And I will do everything I can to help."

"Really?"

"Really, dearest. You never have to face this alone again. I'm right by your side. In fact, this settles it. You're moving in with me. Tomorrow."

"What?" You pulled away from him, startled, and looked up to see dead seriousness on his face.

"What about it, pet? You practically live here already."

"Loki, the others can barely accept the fact that we're together. We can't move in together. Tony will have a heart attack."

Loki grinned wickedly. "Good."

You slapped his arm playfully, scolding him. "No, it's not good. If Tony had a heart attack, the arc reactor would probably flatten half of Manhattan." He chuckled appreciatively. "Why's it so pressing for me to move in, anyway? Most days you hardly spend a second without me."

He paused, giving you a long, searching look. "Isn't it obvious?

"No." You looked away, avoiding the discomfort of his scrutiny.

"Look at me." You didn't move. He reached out and cupped your face in his large hand, lifting your chin. "Look at me, dearest," he repeated, softer this time. You tore your eyes away from the empty space you had fixed them on and looked at him, afraid of what you'd see. He looked back at you tenderly, eyes full of compassion and the thing you had been most afraid of seeing.

Love. His eyes were full of love.

"You spent an unnecessarily long time tonight fighting this alone, because I wasn't with you. I wasn't there to help you when you needed me." He stroked your cheek with his thumb, voice tight with emotion. "I cannot let that happen again."

"Loki," you breathed. "You care that much?"

"Oh, darling, of course I do," he said. "Of course I do. And I promise that you will never have to face these thoughts alone again."

if you enjoyed this fic, please consider reblogging so this work can find other people who might enjoy it!

[tchallasbabymama]

M’Baku’s Love- Chapter 6

Here’s the next chapter of M’Baku’s Love. Check out my masterlist HERE to catch up and read my other stories. Let me know what you think or if you want to be tagged. Hope y’all enjoy!

Word count: ~6100

When M’Baku picked Niecey up for their date, the first thing they both noticed was that his dark brown tuxedo with gorilla fur sash clashed with Neicey’s low-cut black sequin dress. The two of them obviously hadn’t discussed what they were wearing and it showed, which irritated Niecey to no end. M’Baku really couldn’t care less, but she was seriously upset about how they’d look together in pictures.

“You couldn’t find a black tux?” she asked him just before they walked in after seething in the car the whole twenty minute ride over. 

“I had plenty of options, but I wore this because it reminded me of formal Jabari attire.” he fought to keep his eyes from rolling. 

“Ugh fine, hopefully we won’t look too bad. Come on.” she walked ahead of him as he handed the valet his keys and they entered the gala. People mingled about, eating and drinking and no doubt opening their pocketbooks. Even the dance floor had a decent amount of people swaying to the jazz music coming from the live band.

However, nothing could have prepared M’Baku for how beautiful Monae looked that night. She happened to be looking towards the door at the moment he walked in and their eyes met from across the room. She had paired a spaghetti strap bronze silk gown with a split up her left thigh with strappy nude heels that made it look like she was walking on her tiptoes all night and her favorite delicate gold drop earrings that dusted her collarbone. They held each other’s gaze for a little too long, and both of their dates noticed but chose not to say anything.

M’Baku and Neicey made their way through the crowd, stopping periodically to speak to their colleagues. She tried to avoid Monae by ignoring that side of the room entirely, but M’Baku eventually steered them right in her direction.

“Monae, Darrin. How are you two this evening?” he asked as they approached the couple.

“It’s actually Derrick-”

“Oh, my apologies.”

Monae fought to keep a laugh in.

“I’m Neicey,” she inserted herself in the conversation with an attitude that rubbed both Monae and M’Baku the wrong way. 

“Nice to meet you Neicey,” Derrick responded before taking a sip of his champagne.

“Thank you... Derrick, was it?”

“That’s me. So do you work here with these two?”

“I do, but we’re in different departments. Although I guess M’Baku doesn't really have a department,” she laughed and Derrick was the only one that joined her. The two of them continued to get acquainted while M’Baku and Monae tried to avoid each other's gaze. However They were unsuccessful and ended up locking eyes across Derrick and Neicey’s conversation, but when Derrick looked up to bring in M’Baku he saw the look of adoration on the man’s face as he stared longingly at Monae. Derrick couldn’t believe this man was so bold as to stare at his fiancee like that right in front of him.. 

“Hey man, so I hear you’re only in town  for a short while. When are you leaving?” Derrick asked with a certain gruffness in his voice. 

“Derrick, don’t be rude,” Monae whispered to him, shooting an apologetic smile M’Baku’s way. Derrick brushed her off and continued his line of questioning.

“I’m just curious. When are you going back to Wakanda?” 

“I will be here two more months,” M’Baku stood tall. “And you?” He threw back.

“We’ll be moving in a couple weeks actually,” he looked down at Monae as her jaw clenched. “Monae’s still not happy about it though, are you Momo?”

She gave him a forced smile, “We don’t need to talk about that right now, let’s just have a good time.”

“There you are! Damn, y’all clean up nice.” N’Jadaka said as he and T’Challa made their way over to greet M’Baku and company. Both Udakus had on black tuxes with silk scarves draped over their left shoulders, the prince’s a shiny gold and the king’s a bold purple. 

“Thanks, so do you two,” Neicey responded. 

“I wouldn’t be brave enough to rock a scarf like that.” Derrick added.

“Yes, well you-“

“Look nice in your tux,” T’Challa cut off M’Baku, shooting him a look.  “Actually Derrick we were wondering if you would give us some, uh, legal advice. We have a few questions about opening a pro-Bono legal clinic.”

“That’s not my specialty, but sure.”

“Fantastic!. We need you to meet some people. Monae do you mind if we steal him away from you?”

“By all means…”

The three men walked away as M’Baku caught Shuri’s eye across the room. She and Nakia were slowly making their way over to them, but kept being stopped and roped into conversations with various prospective donors.

“So, Monae. Where are you moving to?” Neicey asked, hoping it was somewhere far, far away.

“That’s a complicated answer right now-“

“So you’re staying?”

“Like I said, it's complicated,” she deadpanned and grabbed another flute of champagne from a passing waiter, placing her empty one back on the tray.

“I guess.” she shrugged before turning back to her date. “M’Baku let’s get a real drink from the bar, not this bubbly mess.” She tried to pull him towards the bar, but he didn’t budge.

“Monae, would you like to join us? I do not want to just leave you here all alone,” he offered as Shuri and Nakia came up behind him.

“Thank you, but I’ll let the two of you spend some time together,” she said with a sarcastic tone that only M’Baku picked up on. “Besides, these gorgeous ladies just showed up to keep me company.” She gestured to the royalty in their presence and M’Baku turned around to greet them.

“My Queen, Princess, you both look lovely this evening.” 

Nakia wore a floor-length eggplant gown with a sweetheart neckline with matching opera gloves and emerald jewelry. Shuri surprisingly had on heels with her black jumpsuit that was covered in gold embroidery. They both looked regal, even more so than usual.

“Thanks, you don’t look too bad yourself. And Monae, this bronze is stunning! Did you two come together?” Shuri asked, accidentally stirring the pot. M’Baku could feel Neicey seething on the other side of him.

“No, we did,” she said as she grabbed onto his arm.

“Oh I’m sorry, I just thought with the outfits- nevermind. I love the sequins.”

“Thank you.”

An awkward silence followed, but Nakia broke it before it could go on too long.

“How has your class been going? I hear great things from the kids,” Nakia asked, declining a flute of champagne from a passing waiter. 

“Oh they’re a dream to work with. Have you seen their latest project? Last week I taught them about revisionist history and they’ve been researching real historical facts and performing skits based around their subject. You have to come by and see it. They’re so good!”

“I’ll stop by on Monday for sure,” Nakia responded. “Since your class is so popular I’d love it if you could come with me to talk to some of our donors.”

“Sure but M’Ba-“

“He’ll be fine. Plus I think the Princess needs him for something anyway.” Nakia led her away from her date and over to the only group of rich Black folks in the room.

Shuri turned to wink at M’Baku and tried to slip away before Monae could notice her escape since she had turned to talk to one of her art teachers and his wife, but Monae caught her at the last second..

“So, princess, quick question-“

“Princess? You know I’m just Shuri to you, Monae.”

“Not when you look like that you’re not. Did she say yes?”

“Yes! She’s right over there mingling with some of the other tech nerds,” she pointed to a short, shapely, bald girl in a jumpsuit just like Shuri’s. “Her name is Tae. Isn’t she just the cutest?”

“Absolutely adorable,” M’Baku smiled at his friend, happy she had finally been able to make a move. 

“Well, I should go mingle some more. I’ll catch you two later! Again, love the matching outfits,” Shuri said as she skirted away. She picked up a champagne flute, but before she could even bring it to her lips, her brother came out of nowhere and snatched it from her grasp.

“You’re too young.”

“Oh come on, I can drink at home!”

“This isn’t Wakanda, and you’re not 21. We have to present a good image for the donors-“

“We don’t even need donors, we have more than enough money to fund the center.”

“Yes, but people want to have a say in what goes on in their communities and rich people like to throw money around. Who am I to deny them that right?”

“You just like taking colonizer’s money,” she whispered to him and he responded with a wink before sipping from the confiscated champagne flute. 

“You’re starting to get it.” He walked away with a smug look on his face to find his wife in the crowd. Shuri rolled her eyes and went to go keep Tae company.

Meanwhile, Monae and M’Baku finally got a moment alone. 

“You look absolutely beautiful tonight. This dress is very distracting.”

“Thank you. You know, sometimes I forget you’re a chief but right now you really do look like royalty. Hell, all you Wakandans do.”

“You say that as though you do not look like a queen yourself.”

Monae blushed and he held out his arm towards her.

“Want a real drink?”

“God, yes.” 

He laughed and led her to the open bar, ordering them both whiskey, his neat and hers on ice.

“How did you know I was a whiskey girl?”

“I did my research on your home, too. I figured Jack Daniels was a safe bet.”

“And the ice?”

“You ask for extra ice on everything, so I just assumed-“

“Correctly.”

They smiled at each other and continued flirting back and forth by the bar until they caught the eye of a jealous lover. Derrick stormed over to the bar and stood between them.

“Are you having fun?” he asked Monae, back turned to M’Baku.

“Derrick stop being rude, we were in the middle of a conversation-“

“Yeah I saw. I’m ready to get out of here, let’s go.”

“We haven’t been here that long-“

“I said let’s go.”

M’Baku didn’t like the tone of voice he used when speaking to her, so he stepped in, squaring up with Derrick

“I think the lady-“

“Did I ask you?” he raised his voice as he turned to face the chief. “No, I didn’t. Monae, let’s- fuck, where’d she go?” When turned back around she was gone.

“I will go find her.”

“Nah big man, you’ve done enough. I’ll go find my girl.” And with that, he was off, leaving M’Baku at the bar alone. He threw back his drink right as N’Jadaka approached.

“Yo what’s up with you?”

“I am going to kill him.”

“Who, Demarcus?”

“Yes. He is too controlling of her.”

“Well it’s not like you’ll have to deal with him much longer.” The prince said, clapping him on the shoulder. “Hey where’d your date disappear to?”

M’Baku shrugged and N’Jadaka chuckled before something caught his eye.

“There’s your girl.” He nodded towards the entryway, and M’Baku turned around to see Monae and Derrick having what looked to be a very quiet heated argument. As luck would have it, Neicey reappeared at that moment.

“Hey cutie, miss me?” She clung to his arm and he felt his blood pressure rise. She noticed the tension in his shoulders. “What’s up with you?”

“Monae’s fiance is being a dick,” N’Jadaka answered for him, prompting Neicey to roll her eyes.

“Again with all the Monae talk? I’m so tired of hearing about that bitch-”

M’Baku’s head had never turned so fast, and N’Jadaka was seriously concerned for Neicey’s safety for a moment.

“What did you just call her?” M’Baku asked for clarification, making sure he heard her right.

“How about we all chill out. Neicey, wanna dance?”

“Sure, why not. It’s not like he was gonna ask me anyway.”

N’Jadaka gave M’Baku a look that told him to relax before escorting Neicey to the dance floor. 

M’Baku looked back up to find Monae and she was nowhere in sight, so he made his way towards the doors to see if she had maybe gone outside for some air. She hadn’t, they had just gone around the corner to argue in peace. Yet again, he caught the tail end of their disagreement.

“You never want to support anything I do, Derrick. I’m tired of it.”

“Well I’m tired of you flirting with that chief guy.”

“That ‘chief guy’ has a name-”

“Do I look like I care? Look, we’re leaving for LA in two weeks. Do you think you can keep your legs closed until then?”

Monae was stunned, mostly because she had no comeback. She had already opened her legs for M’Baku, but Derrick didn’t know that. Thankfully he took her shock for offense and tried to backtrack.

“I didn’t mean it to sound that way-”

“Yes you did.”

“Monae, I-”

“No. Derrick I’m tired of doing this back and forth. You don’t respect me and you never have. I can’t keep doing this-”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying we’re done, Derrick. You can go to LA and be this big, successful entertainment lawyer all you want now. I’m done.” She took the ring off her finger and handed it back to him.

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him, waiting for a response.

“You think you can live the  life I could provide for you on your teacher’s salary?” his voice was low and full of rage.

“Oh honey, I make way more than the average teacher. They actually pay us here, so I’ll be fine. You’re not needed.”

He was fuming.

“Fine! Don’t come crawling back to me when he leaves you behind.”

And with that, Derrick turned and left the gala.

M’Baku wasn’t sure of what to do, should he go to her or give her space? He heard her sniffles and quickly made up his mind.

“Monae-”

“What?!” she yelled before she could register the voice that was speaking to her since she kept her back towards the door so nobody would see her tears.

“Monae, I am sorry.”

She broke down upon really hearing his voice.

“It’s not your fault, it was bound to happen anyway. It’s just hard to let go of so many years, you know?”

“I understand, I have been there. I am still sorry for my part in this and how it led to hurting you.”

“You’ve been here before?”

“Yes, she broke my heart so I had to let her go, but the situation was very different. Can I get you anything?”

She smiled through her tears at his attempt to be helpful.

“No I just need to clean up, and get back out there.” she pointed to the restrooms. He waited for her while she went in to dry her tears and fix her makeup. As he did, he caught sight of N’Jadaka and Neicey sneaking out together and let out a chuckle. At least that situation was taken care of, now he could focus all his energy on Monae.

When she emerged her makeup was once again flawless and M’Baku couldn’t help but stare at her beauty.

“What? Did I miss a spot?” she panicked

“No, just taking it all in,” he said with a whimsical smile on his face.

She blushed and reached to grab his arm before stopping herself.

“Where’s Neicey? I don’t want her chomping my damn head off for being within a 5 foot radius of you.”

M’Baku laughed. “Oh, she will not be a problem anymore, I just saw N’Jadaka take her home for the night.”

“Of course he did,” Monae wrapped her arm around M’Baku’s large bicep. He led her back into the gala just as T’Challa was finishing up his speech.

“-and to the donors, we raise our glasses to you for your continued support and interest in bettering the community. We couldn’t do this without you.”

Shuri scoffed and Nakia fought to hide a smile, nudging her sister-in-law to keep her quiet.

“Please, continue to utilize our open bar and try some of the hors d'oeuvres our wonderful wait staff are carrying around the room. Enjoy your night, and we appreciate your generosity.” Nakia added.

Everyone clapped as the three royals exited the stage.

“Where the hell is N’Jadaka?” T’Challa asked M’Baku when he made his way over.

“Oh he’s busy with Neicey.”

“N- ohhh. That’s great!” he noticed Monae's confused face and dialed it back a little. “I mean, good for him.”

Monae could tell something was up, but she’d get it out of M’Baku later. 

“Nice speech, T. I can already see the money rolling in. You know, rich white folks love easing their guilty consciences.” 

“Thank you, Monae. The more they give us, the less we have to put up, and the more centers we can open and do the same thing all over again.” T’Challa said softly through a fake smile as some of those rich white people walked within earshot of the conversation.

“Have you looked at other locations?”

“We have, it is difficult to narrow down cities. We want to stay in the US for now, but eventually we could become global.”

“You should look into Nashville. It’s crawling with gentrifiers, and North Nashville has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country. For Black folks, of course.”

“Really? I was unaware of that. North Nashville, you say... I am assuming that is a Black neighborhood?”

“Not for much longer,” she said with a deep sadness in her face that the king took note of. “But an Outreach Center could really help the community.”

“I will keep that in mind, thank you. So….” The king looked on expectantly.

“Sooo…?” Monae asked back before he gestured to the two of them. She playfully rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what you mean.”

M’Baku chuckled at both of their antics.

“I’m sure you don’t…” T’Challa said as he walked away to go mingle with the crowd some more.

“How long do these things usually last?” M’Baku leaned down and said with his lips grazing her ear. 

“I don't know, this is my first gala. Why, tired of it already?”

“Honestly, yes. I would much rather be on my couch right about now, the collars on these button up shirts are extremely uncomfortable.”

“Let’s go then. I’m not in the mood to deal with people, and that couch sounds real good right about now.”

-------

Had she been thinking, Monae would’ve run home real quick to change, but there she was barefoot in an evening  gown  in M’Baku’s kitchen going through his fridge to find something to eat.

“We should order in, those hors d'oeuvres weren’t enough.”

“What do you have a taste for?” M’Baku rounded the corner in grey sweatpants and a black tank and it took everything in Monae to not jump him right then and there.

“Honestly? You, but I’m also not in the mood. You can’t just walk around looking like that, it’s not fair.”

He cornered her against the counter, arms on either side of her.

“And you walking around here in this gown is unfair to me, yet here you are.” he looked down at her erect nipples, stiff from the chill of his loft. He had turned the thermostat up to 70 for her, but that was as high as he was willing to go.

He kissed her forehead and backed up, trying not to stare too hard at her heaving chest.

“M’Baku, I might need some time. I’m still kind of in a weird headspace right now and-”

“I understand, which is why I have a surprise for you.”

Her face lit up like a kid at Christmas. “What is it?”

“You will have to come over here to find out.” He said with a chuckle, walking towards the living area and plopping on the couch. She joined him shortly after and he picked up the remote. When he pressed play tears came to her eyes as she heard the twinkling sounds of the opening to her favorite movie.

“You remembered?” she asked through the couple tears that had escaped her eyes. One day during their many lunches, she had mentioned that her favorite feel-good movie was The Wiz and since he had never seen it, she vowed to change that. Now here he was, pulling out all the stops.

“Of course I did, I have been making my own ‘Captain America’ list.”

“So have I! It’s on my phone, I’ll grab it after the movie.”

They decided to order pizza and she settled into the couch, but couldn’t get comfortable in her dress.

“Let me get you a change of clothes. It might be a little big-”

“A little? I’m like a foot shorter than you, I’ll be swimming in whatever you give me.”

He chuckled and motioned for her to follow him. She paused the movie right as Toto ran into the snowstorm and got up, trying not to trip over her dress since she no longer had on her heels. 

M’Baku found a t-shirt for her to wear and got to looking for pants when she stopped him.

“This should be fine, you’ve already seen everything and this’ll be like a dress on me anyway.” she said, undoing her side zipper and letting the gown fall to the ground before reaching for the shirt. He snatched it away from her and held it up high, forcing her to either climb him or jump for it. She chose the latter and he was too distracted by her bouncing breasts to keep the shirt out of reach. She snatched it from his hand and threw it on, sticking her tongue out at him in the process.

“Do that again, and I will find a much better use for your tongue.” he warned her as they made their way back to the couch.

Monae blushed and plopped down next to him, tucking her legs under her and leaning into M’Baku. He put his arm around her so she could lean in closer and his hand rested on her waist while his fingers mindlessly traced patterns into her side. They stayed like that until the pizza arrived and got right back into position after they ate.

She knew every line and lyric, and M’Baku found himself watching her more than the movie. She was beaming the whole time except when sang along to “Home” through her usual tears.

“Why are you sad?” he asked, wiping them away. She smiled at his concern.

“I’m not sad, it’s just an emotional song. It always gets me” she spoke while dabbing her eyes with a clean napkin. “Ready to see my list?”

“I was born ready.”

She grabbed her phone from the charger while he grabbed a notebook off the coffee table. When she returned, she got right back into the same position tucked into his side and turned her phone on to see several voicemails from Derrick. She rolled her eyes and unlocked her phone, going to her notes app and pulling up her very own “Captain America List”.

“Ok, you go first!”

M’Baku opened his notebook and flipped through the pages for a moment before he found what he was looking for.

“Well I can cross off The Wiz. It is an excellent movie by the way, but I already knew you had good taste,” he said cockily. She nudged him in his side. “This is what I have so far: The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Lemonade (but not the drink), spades, Roots, The Color Purple, and Friday.”

“Ok, ok, good start. Here’s some more, and this is not an exhaustive list. I will be adding more.” She cleared her throat, “So far I have: The New Jim Crow, Homecoming, “the cookout”, the Harlem Renaissance, Kindred, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pose, and T’Challa’s Black Jeopardy sketch.“

M’Baku scribbled it all down as she spoke, and she was tickled by his intense concentration. 

“Anything else?”

“That’s it for now. Where did you get yours from?”

“N’Jadaka and Deontae. Tell me about what’s on your list.”

“Well first we have The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. It’s a really depressing book, but if you want to understand white supremacy in this country and how it still operates today, this is a must. Homecoming because not only is it a flawless performance by Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter-”

“I believe I have heard some of her music, she is very talented.”

“Oh-ho-ho, just you wait. It’s not just about her though, you’ll get a feel for the HBCU experience and that’s important. You have to go to a cookout at least once. I’m gonna try to convince N’Jadaka to throw one at his place, I can’t describe in any other words than Black as fuck. The only thing that beats it is a family reunion. Next we have the Harlem Renaissance which is a whole time period of Black creativity. Authors, artists, musicians, you name it. Kindred is one of my favorite books, it’s sci-fi and has time travel but as I’m sure you can guess, that doesn’t work well for Black people in this country.”

M’Baku could listen to her talk for days and almost got lost in her lips until she caught him and shocked him from his daze.

“Are you listening?”

“I-I am sorry, you are just so beautiful. Please, keep going, I want to hear more.”

“Where was I?” she asked as a heat crept up her cheeks. “Oh, um, right. So, Alvin Ailey because I’m a dancer so obviously I would pick that, and Pose because it’s a really good show and you’ll learn some about the AIDS crisis and how Black and Brown queer and trans people are treated here. Newsflash: not that good. Last, we have T’Challa’s SNL sketch. Oh my god, you have to watch it, he’s actually really funny. That’s all I have for now, but I’ll add more as it comes to me.”

“Tell me about my list.” he requested, continuing to stare at her lips as she spoke again.

“Your list?”

“Mhm.” he said, looking at her dreamily. It was late so she couldn't tell if he was simply tired or enamoured by her. Probably both. 

“Ok, well, let me see here…” she looked over his list. “Autobiography of Malcolm X, another must. Do you know who he is?”

“Yes, I learned of him when I was researching your people’s history. He was quite a polarizing character, but I agree with his stance.”

“I actually have all of these books, I’ll bring them to you on Monday. Next up is...Lemonade! This is from Deontae, isn't it?”

“How did you guess?”

“He’s a huge Beyoncé fan and I know damn well this didn’t come from Prince Charming.”

“You think he is charming?” M’Baku asked with a raised eyebrow.

“It’s a character from some old story...and Shrek 2. Anyways, yes, Lemonade the movie not the drink. Spades? Oh, N’Jadaka’s trying to get you killed. Black people do not play when it comes to spades. It’s a card game, I’ll teach you. Roots is a book and a miniseries about a family going through the horrors of slavery. The Color Purple...now reading the book is recommended, but you have to watch the movie. References galore, same with Friday. It’s hilarious, quotable, and about smoking weed. What more could you ask for?”

“Weed?”

A slow grinch-like smile crept up Monae’s face.

“Have you ever smoked before? Eaten an edible?”

“No, it never appealed to me.”

A belly laugh erupted out of Monae and M’Baku stared at her in confusion.

“Oh my god, you got me feeling like Smokey, but my nigga...I’m getting you high. You gotta do it at least once.”

“I will try it for you.”

Monae was giddy and although he couldn't understand where her excitement was coming from, he was looking forward to finding out. 

-------

The next morning M’Baku woke up to the feel of movement on his left side. His eyes slowly blinked open as he watched Monae attempt to sneak away from him.

“Where are you going?” he asked, stretching his body and sitting up from the couch. They had fallen asleep around 4am after talking and drinking wine all night, and although the couch was not the most comfortable to sleep on, M’Baku was. Monae slept like a baby, but M’Baku’s neck would probably be hurting for the next day or so.

“As much as we drank last night, where do you think?”

“Someone is feisty in the morning.”

“No, I’m feisty when I’m trying not to pee on myself.”

M’Baku chuckled as she ran down the hallway towards the bathroom. A couple minutes later she poked her head into the hallway.

“Do you have an extra toothbrush I can use?”

“Bottom drawer.”

“Thanks!”

The chief had just finished his morning stretches when Monae reappeared and he took her place. When he emerged, she had eggs and vegetables sitting on the counter and was rummaging through his cabinets. He saw her standing on her tiptoes trying to grab a frying pan that was just out of her reach and he came up behind her to grab it for her. He handed it to her and bent down to lightly kiss her on the neck and whisper in her ear.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

A chill went down her spine as she fought to focus on the task at hand.

“Good morning, handsome.”

He turned her around to face him.

“So you think I am handsome?” he teased, leaning in closer to her lips as her arms made their way around his neck.

“Of course.” She closed the distance and gave him a soft peck, and he responded by pulling her in for a real kiss, tongue and all. 

“You know…” she started.

“What?”

“I’m single now…”

“Really? I was not aware,” M’Baku said sarcastically. She playfully hit his chest and his deep, rumbling laugh filled the room.

“Ok, ok I will stop,” he grinned at her.

“As I was saying, since I’m single now I can do whatever I want.”

“Whoever, you mean.”

“Exactly, and it’s a very short list,” she gave him a light kiss. “But first, breakfast!” she pulled away, much to his dismay, but he let her turn back around towards the counter. He held her waist and rested his head on top of hers.

“You know, the more you distract me the longer it’ll take to eat.”

“I do not care,” he said, squeezing her tighter. “Unless you want help, in which case I can be an excellent assistant.”

“I’d like that, actually. Grab a knife and start cutting up the onion while I put on some music.”

The two of them danced around the kitchen to Monae’s “Good Morning” Spotify playlist, M’Baku catching everything she threw back at him and surprising her by being light on his feet. After he finished chopping up the onions, mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes, he tried to reach for the pan, but Monae’s hand was quicker and beat him to it.

“Nope! I’m cooking breakfast as a thank you.”

“For what?” his head tilted to the side and he gave her a curious glance. 

“For...well, everything. It’s been a good month and you’ve been a good friend to me, even though we both know you were always more than a friend...the point is, thank you for being there for me and for making me laugh and for letting me stay the night.”

“Of course, that is what friends do.” he kissed her on the neck again as he walked by to grab dishes from the cabinet. Monae took the apple slices she had just cut and covered them in cinnamon and nutmeg before tossing them in the now-hot skillet. The coconut oil popped her a little, but she was used to it since she had been cooking for years. She let the apples cook down and continued to dance on her own while M’Baku recorded her moves on his rarely-used kimoyo beads.

She put on a show for him, rolling her hips and bouncing her ass extra hard, his t-shirt flying up so that he could get a glimpse of her pussy. She dropped it low to Megan Thee Stallion’s “Cry Baby” before bringing it back up slowly and checking on the apples, which were just about done. She started sauteing up the chopped vegetables and cracked a few eggs into a bowl before whipping them up and pouring them into the skillet. She scrambled up the eggs while she cracked open an avocado and placed slices of it on toast on both plates. M’Baku watched her make herself at home in his space and he wondered for a moment what it would be like to wake up every morning to this, and not just for the next two months.

His thoughts were cut short by her calling his name.

“Are you ok?”

“Yes, I am sorry, I just...you really are enchanting.”

Her bottom lip found its place between her teeth as she handed him his plate. He dug into his honey avocado toast, vegetable scramble, and fried apples like he hadn't eaten in days. When he finished he leaned back and rubbed his stomach in slow circles.

“You are the second best cook I have ever met.”

“Second? The first better be your mama-”

He chuckled at how easily she gets riled up.

“In fact, it is. You two would get along great, she is feisty just like you.”

“No wonder you have good taste in women,” she winked at him as she got up to grab their dishes. He reached for them, but she swatted his hand away. “Aht! This is a ‘thank you’, remember? You can wash them next time.”

She put the dishes in the sink before rinsing one off and placing it in the dishwasher when M’Baku came up behind her, holding her hips and grinding into her.

“I cannot wait to thank you,” he said slowly as he kissed from her ear to her collarbone. Monae was frozen on the spot, stuck under his spell, pussy throbbing more with every touch of his lips and every whisper. 

“What are you waiting for?” She pushed her ass into him, feeling his thick, juicy dick sitting on her lower back. Those sweatpants weren’t holding anything down, and she was thankful for the print she saw when she looked behind her, prompting her to turn around and grab it, forcing the chief to let out a rumbling moan.

“N-not now, I want to take you out first on a real date.”

“Ugh, then why are you doing this to me? I’m horny as fuck, M’Baku.”

He chuckled and leaned in to kiss her softly, speaking against her lips, “Because I want your body ready for me.”

She shivered as he backed away from her and left the kitchen, heading towards the dining area to finish clearing off the table.

“So about this date. When are you free?”

“I’m free all weekend,” she said as his gap toothed smile grew bigger across his face.

“Well then how about this: I take you home, then I come back for you later and we go to the festival you mentioned last night.”

She did a little celebratory dance before jumping up to kiss him on the cheek and running to his room to put her dress back on. They both slid on their shoes and were out the door in minutes, Monae extra excited to get their date started.

 On the way to Monae’s apartment, they both ignored the confused looks from the passersby as they took in the sight of a man in sweatpants walking hand in hand down the street with a woman in a shiny evening gown. When they reached her building, M’Baku held the door open for her as they entered. He walked her to her door and gave her another featherlight kiss.

“See you soon.”

“See you soon.”

She unlocked her door and stepped in, closing it behind her and taking a deep breath before leaning her back against it and letting out a dreamy sigh. She couldn’t believe it was finally happening.

Next Chapter

Taglist:

@maddeningmayhem, @theblulife, @devnicolee

[jordanlahey]

Blast From The Past...(3/?)

Pairing: Poly!lost boys x Reader

Summary: The boys feast and chase downs local witch coven and it didn’t work out in their favour. Home was home but at the same time it wasn’t.

Warnings: alcohol, drug mentions, some small fluff

Word count: 1675

"Wait are we seriously walking to the boardwalk?" Marko stopped and crossed his arms, he looked at you with a disappointed face.

"I don't drive and I don't see any faster way to get there." You replied back, you were starting to regret you decision on helping them if they are all gonna act like whiney bitches the whole time. You noticed that all the boys shared looks at each other, each face was full of mischief and it terrified you on what they were thinking. "Wait. What's that face for?" You furrowed your brows in concern and confused, they said nothing and Dwayne walked towards you and picked you up bridal style and the next thing you knew you were all up in the air. YOUR FEET WAS OFF THE GROUD! PANIC TIME!

You covered your eyes as the boys laughed and cheered, you even felt the rumble of laugher from dwayne a few times. It wasn't actually that bad flying but the water below made you nervous, he could let go and drop you into the water and you'd be a goner. They wouldn't do that to you not if you figured out a way to get them back, they needed you.

"Cheer up babe, Dwayne wouldn't drop you." Paul was now flying backwards keeping his eyes on you.

Babe?

"Babe?" You repeated under your breath. 'What is with all the pet names?' It's probably nothing they are from the 80's the best time for flirty comments that don't mean anything. Right? You all were there in no time and had landed somewhere nobody was gonna see and Dwayne steadied you back on your feet. "Right it's dinner time." The boys took the lead, walking and looking around for what you had presumed was their next meal or at least their first meal of being here. You followed behind them keeping your distance, you weren't 100% sure if you were to follow them or just hang around somewhere and they'll come get you but really did you want to watch them eat? Would it terrify you seeing them act animalistic?

"Y/n! Glad to see you." You cringed slightly at the high pitched voice that called your name. The boys all stopped when they heard your name and turned to see who caught your attention. "That was some party the other night although you could have at least pretend you were having a good time." The girl added making you roll your eyes.

"Oh believe me it was so entertaining watching you and a bunch of others exchange saliva and getting high. So. Much. Fun." You sarcastically remarked. The girl glared at you then noticed the boys behind you.

"Hi there I'm Nancy if you'd like, me and some of my friends are gonna head to the beach if you care to join us." Nancy spoke in a sickly seductive tone which cause you to look at her in utter disgust, she'd flick her red hair every so often. Who does she think she is throwing herself at them like that! Ugh! Won't they feed of her and her friends, please. You weren't jealous or anything...you just hated how she does that to them. You were too busy glaring daggers in the back of her head to notice that they boys kept looking at you and reading the thoughts in your head. The boys looked at you then at Nancy they all had come to an internal agreement.

"We'd love you go." Marko pulled a cheeky smile and nudged Paul, when you heard what he said your jaw dropped and your eyes widened. "But we're only going if Y/n, here is invited." Marko sauntered over to you and hung his arm over your shoulder.

"Oh y/n can't, I bet she has better things to do." Oh that's the last nerve, you balled your hand in a fist then took a deep breath.

"Actually, I'd love to tag along. I can predict tonight will be one to remember." You said with a smirk as Nancy glared at you.

The six of you joined Nancy's friends, you never liked them they were all too sleazy and had all sorts of lewd thoughts running through their heads it was too loud to block out and surely the boys can hear it too. You wouldn't have to worry about them after tonight or at least you hope you won't have to.

The night went on and you stayed in the background not getting involved with them, you just sat and watched how Nancy had basically ignored her so called "date" not that you are surprised but instead latched herself onto Dwayne and Paul while her other friends do they same to David and Marko, this was no surprise for you but you sat on one of the logs sulking and glaring daggers at the girls whenever they got too close for comfort. What was worse was that Paul and Marko were eating up all the attention you couldn't expect anything less they are probably use to so much female attention. They could at least have some self control. Nancy's date would occasionally sit next to you and make small talk but you had to shoo him off since you weren't interested. The boys noticed your irritation, they enjoyed seeing you so jealous and they partly wanted to see just how long you'll sit through it.

You were starting to lose interest in this whole party, you much rather go back home and look through your books for something to get them back to their time. Marko then joined you, slinging his arm around your shoulder.

"Enjoying yourself?" He spoke loudly close to your ear so you could hear him over the music, you move your head away from him, his breath stunk of alcohol it made you cringe.

"Hardly I'm bored and your breath stinks of booze." You scooted away from him but he followed. "What." You smiled sarcastically at him. "I'm sure you're being missed by those two over there." By this time the other guys had left, they weren't up for being ditched for other guys which is understandable.

"Someone's moody. Fear not the show is just about to begin." He sadistically grinned and looked at everyone, it was pretty clear that there would be no survivors, it made you wonder just how violent they could get. You watched as Marko got up and walked to one of the girls, shamelessly flirting with her then your eyes went to Paul who was already kissing the neck of a different girl. The screams caused you to snap your head towards David who had already started drinking from her and after that they all started to feed, you kept turning your head at each boy, they screams getting louder than quieting down. Staring wide eyed at them, you couldn't tell if you were afraid or not they were like animals, tearing into the necks of their prey.

It wasn't till they started laughing and whooping that the screaming had stopped and you watched them throw the bodies into the fire clearing the evidence, you now felt bad for wishing death upon Nancy and her friends but that didn't mean you'd never see them again you'll see them tomorrow, they're faces all over the news, phones, and on missing posters.

"Earth to Y/n." David wave a gloved hand in front of you and you blinked back into reality. "Have scared you off have we?" He chuckled darkly, looking back at the others who also laughed.

"You're brutal." Was all you managed to say.

"Hey, you were the one wishing we would just feed on them." Paul added, he had a point and it's true you did. You were jealous it's a dangerous emotion to have. "Come on, we can all have a good time now."

"Can't let alcohol go to waste." Dwayne picked up a bottle and opened it with ease, the rest joined it and all waited for you. It was clear they had no intentions on killing you so you picked up a bottle and held it out for someone to open it. You soon just let yourself go and has a good time for once you weren't the moody one at the party.

David sat back against one of the logs smoking watching you dance with Paul, you were wasted and he was high and David was making sure Paul behaved himself, he had a tendency to be grabby when he was high. You however, were just too drunk to care about anything else, the alcohol coursed through your body making you feel all buzzed as you danced with Paul through the music. The alcohol coursed through your body creating a soft buzz, you were having fun and you had never let yourself get this wasted especially around other people but you lost all ability to care as you danced with Paul. Occasionally you would feel his hands on your waist but not even a minute later Dwayne would slap him up side the head to remind him to keep his hands to yourself but soon everybody realised he would do it on purpose just to hear the laugh bubble from your lips. You slowly felt the buzz leave and you began to feel tired, your feet couldn't even keep you upright and slowly you leaned backwards but David had caught you and held you against his chest.

"Tired?" He asked. You couldn't even speak without your words being slurred so instead you just nodded, David picked you up and all of you fled back to the cave.

It wasn't just the five of you at that spot no no, not to far behind someone else was watching. They weren't too pleased with what they had witnessed, in fact they were disgusted from the sight of the feeding and then whatever they had just saw. The boys and yourself had something bigger to worry about than just finding a spell.

[louiseleblancdiggory]

Congrats on 900 followers! Can I request “we could get arrested for this” for rowaelin?

I love Rowaelin!! They’re my favorite couple ever and both Rowan and Aelin are my comfort characters. Writing this was fun and I am seriously thinking about doing a smaller part two, just to show what happened afterwards. Hope you enjoy!!

Word Count: 1762

We could get arrested

--

Rowan was pissed.

Actually, pissed didn’t cover half of what he was feeling right now. He should currently be at his apartment, sitting with Aedion and Fenrys. Studying.

Rowan was on his last year of college, pre-law was fucking kicking his ass and although he loved his classes and loved law, he had to admit that he was starting to feel the weight of the next three and a half years closing in on him. He and Aedion would need to take the LSAT in a few months, Fenrys taking the MCAT around the same time. They should be locked up in their apartment reading their textbooks until their eyes looked like raisins.

Instead, Fenrys had left to meet with Asterin around 8 PM. Bored out of his mind, Aedion convinced Rowan to take a quick break and go see his girlfriend at a pub by the end of the street. Just a few minutes, he’d said. Then we can go back to our misery.

A few minutes became a few hours and now Rowan was sitting at a booth with the most insufferable being he had ever had the displeasure of meeting. Aedion and Lysandra had ditched him, both going back to her dorm and leaving him with Aedion’s cousin. Aelin was everything that annoyed him. She was loud and talkative, never knowing when to shut the fuck up. The girl was always being sarcastic or teasing anyone around her, and she seemed to think that annoying Rowan was an art form. While Rowan was serious and contained, always the stoic law student, Aelin was an explosion of colors and and cheerfulness. She was in her sophomore year of college double majoring in art and history, and that somehow fit her personality just right.

Like a magnet, his eyes fell on her face again. Creamy golden tan skin, bright blond hair and full lips, Rowan more times than not caught himself staring at her. She was alluring in an infuriating way.

“Can you stop with the pouting? I’m gonna start thinking you don’t like me very much, Ro.” She smiled at him, blood red lips fully parting. As much as it pained him to admit, Aelin was gorgeous. Probably the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. The first time he saw her by Aedion’s side, he contemplated asking her out.

But then she opened her pretty mouth and started talking.

“I don’t.”

Her blue eyes ringed with gold gleamed at his response, almost as if he had asked her to try changing his mind. He groaned, drinking the rest of his beer. He was half tempted to just go back home, but as much as he didn’t like Aelin, he wouldn’t leave her alone in a pub at 2 in the morning. Her dorm wasn’t that close, and she had been drinking. Maybe not enough to be drunk, but slightly tipsy.

As much as Aelin managed to get under his skin with just a few words, he wouldn’t leave her to walk to her dorm alone. Damn, he wouldn’t even leave her at the bar alone. Not because she couldn’t manage herself, because Aelin Galathynius could very well stand her ground, but because he would be preoccupied until the next time he saw her. He kept telling himself he would feel like this regarding any of his girl friends, but Aelin wasn’t his friend. He would then tell himself that it was because she was Aedion’s cousin.

“I am not that bad, you know.” She said, his head whipping at her direction when he heard her hurt tone. The last thing he needed was to get on Aelin’s bad side, which would also lead to Aedion’s bad side. And Fenrys’s. And Lysandra’s. She was, however, smiling at him. She placed a hand above her heart in a mocking gesture. “You break my heart when you act like this, baby.”

“You’re a fucking child.” He got up, grabbing his jacket. It was almost Yulemas week, and Orynth was fucking frigid during this time of the year. It was a miracle that it wasn’t snowing. “Get your pretty ass up, Princess. I’m taking you home.”

“You think I have a pretty ass?” She laughed but got up once he narrowed his eyes at her. “And called me princess… Maybe you don’t hate me as much as you think you do, Whitethorn.”

“I’m just tired of playing your babysitter. I can find more interesting things to do.” He sighed, grabbing her coat and handing it to her, not letting go even when she grabbed it. He was too focused on her eyes that gleamed again but a little differently this time.

“I think I can find more interesting things to do and ways in which you can play with me, too, Ro.”

He was too stunned by her words that when she pulled her coat from his hands, he simply let it go. Aelin had always been flirty with everyone in their friend group, always joking around, but the way she had said it had been different. There was a buzzing inside Rowan’s head, and he swallowed as he watched her put on her coat.

Maybe he was imagining things. He had drank a few beers, and the lightning in the pub was terrible. He was just imagining that she was serious about her words, that he would have been struck dumb by any girl saying that. Any girl with bright golden hair, the most enticing blue eyes he had even seen and full red lips. He was just imagining that her voice had dropped, that her eyes had darkened and that her smile shifted so slightly.

Just imagining.

Right.

“You coming, buzzard?” She called after him and started walking towards the exit. With her normal attitude back, he snapped back to reality. Rowan clenched his jaw and did not stare at Aelin’s back profile. It was unfair how the rest of her was just as beautiful as her face.

“Brat,” he breathed.

“Brute,” she replied.

Because she couldn’t see his face, Rowan smiled a little at that.

Once they stepped outside of the pub, the cold air immediately punched them full force. As Aelin had been born and raised in Orynth, she was already used to it. Rowan, however, still missed the very mild winters from Doranelle.

“Can’t handle a little cold?” Aelin teased.

“If you think that this is ‘little cold’ I really don’t want to imagine how it was during your childhood.” He grunted, shoving his hands inside his pockets. To his dismay, Aelin looped her arm through his and started walking in the general direction of her dorm. “This is torturous for anyone who grew up in a hot place.”

“Doranelle, right?” He merely nodded, his face too stiff to talk. “The accent gives away. And the fact you can’t handle a little cold.”

“Aelin, I am sure I can feel my fingers freezing.”

“And I am the fucking child?” She laughed up at him, the sound of her voice making him relax a little. She pressed into his side, passing an arm through his middle. “There, I’ll make sure you don’t freeze to death. I’m hot enough to do that.”

It was his turn to laugh, but it sounded more like a snort. They walked in silence for a while, and it wasn’t a horrible experience. Walking with Aelin through the streets of Orynth, seeing the Yulemas decorations with her pressed against his side wasn’t that horrible. He wouldn’t mind doing it again.

What?

Before he could stop and think about that thought, Aelin’s voice rang out. “I meant it earlier, you know?” And suddenly his heart was pounding on his chest, the blood roaring on his head and he miraculously wasn’t cold anymore.

“About what?” He tried to keep his voice calm.

“About me not being that bad.” He was filled with relief and disappointment at the same time. He had certainly been thinking about something else she had said. “I know that you are all serious and boring,” her voice was normal, but she was smiling at the words. “But I am actually more than your best friend’s annoying cousin.”

“Oh yeah, I know. You were never Aedion’s annoying cousin in my head, just a random annoying person. All by yourself, so don’t worry.” He said seriously, but the corner of his lips were turning upward. It was hard to keep from smiling especially when Aelin looked up at him with narrowed eyes.

“You are an asshole. Like grade-A asshole.”

“As I have been told.”

“It’s probably a lawyer’s thing.”

“Said the art major. Isn’t being an asshole part of your curriculum?” He said, earning a pinch to his side in response. He laughed, seeing his breath in front of him. He looked around a bit, realizing that they weren’t even going in the direction of Aelin’s dorm anymore. “Galathynius.”

“Yes?” She said sweetly, as if she had already realized that he had realized they weren’t where they were supposed to be.

“Where are we?”

She started walking slower when they reached an old building. Aelin pulled him into an alley, stopping right in front of a back door for the building. She let go of Rowan and crouched, taking a pin from her head and starting to pick the lock.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

“You’re a smart boy, you already know. I’m breaking and entering.” She said matter-of-factly.

“We could get arrested for this, Aelin!” He was trying to keep his voice down, but he really wanted to scream at her right now. “It’s not like I can afford going to jail. Stop this shit and let me take you home.” He was about to say more when he heard footsteps behind him. When he turned, there was no one there. Rowan was about to leave the alley to see if it was someone when Aelin let out a triumphant noise and the door opened. “No. No, no no, no.”

“I’ve been here before alone. The building doesn’t have security cameras, and it is abandoned.” She said, stepping in. “Live a little. You’ll have time to be a holier than thou, perfect law abiding lawyer for the rest of your life. Right now let me show you my special place.”

He was still wary. “Why?”

Aelin understood the question, that he wanted to know why she was showing him her ‘special place’. She smiled broadly at him, fully entering the building. “Because you said I had a pretty ass, Ro.”

[chocojjk]

Hyunjin’s Playlist

summary: college student! hyunjin x college! student reader; strangers to lovers?

words: 5.2k

a/n: Hi, I meant to upload this a lot earlier however I was met with tons of writers block along the way. I wrote this without having an actual plot prepared lmao. But anyways, its done so I hope someone enjoys reading this :)

all songs used are songs that hyunjin has played on vlive but please keep in mind that the way the songs are portrayed are based off of my own interpretations. i am in no way speaking for hyunjin :) 

one.

we are often attracted to instruments that mirror our own identity. we find comfort in knowing that we aren’t alone, that somewhere out there, someone is feeling the same exact way. they say a person can tell a lot about another based on their playlist. songs become a portrayal of one’s feelings and experiences. through someone’s music, you can tell what kind of person they are.

“Let me see your playlist.”

“What?” the boy responded, curious as to why you chose that as your conversation starter. nonetheless, he unlocks his phone and opens his spotify app, showing you the songs that have definitely left a mark on his heart. 

Places We Won’t Walk - Bruno Major 

A blissful song with a hint of sadness. The boy in front of you treasures the small things in life, yet is saddened by the things that he cannot reach. 

When The Party’s Over - Billie Eilish 

He’s put up a wall. He’s not easily understood. He’s aware that he can hurt others so he has made himself believe that he’d rather be alone. That he’s better off alone. 

Instagram - Dean

He’s lonely. He often compares himself to those around him, wondering why he isn’t living the same luxurious life with all the same cheerful smiles that he sees on his feed. 

Please Love Me - Colde

He wants to be loved. “I like you,” you smiled, handing him back his phone, taking the seat next to him. 

-

“The weirdest thing happened to me today.”

Hyunjin started telling his friends about the girl he encountered on his first day of university. It’s been hours since it happened yet he couldn’t shake it out of his head.

“That’s it? She just asked to see your playlist?” Jisung exclaims, one eyebrow going up and a pout making its way on his face as he wore the same confused expression Hyunjin sported earlier that day. Hyunjin nods, answering the question that his friend had laid out for him. 

“Hmm, that is weird,” Felix agreed

“Maybe she’s actually a psychology major and it’s a project?” Seungmin suggested, trying to find the answers to the situation that has left them all clueless. 

“Orrr, maybe...just maybe...she thought you were cute?” Jeongin chuckled sarcastically

“But that’s literally all she said to me, she didn’t look at me after that anymore...when the class was over, she was gone without saying goodbye… s-she didn’t even tell me her name!” Hyunjin whines, sinking into his chair. 

“Why don’t you just ask her when you see her again?” their youngest retorts, tired of how his older friends were always overanalyzing things that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.

You frustrated the boy. The way you didn’t even know his name yet somehow you came to the conclusion that you liked him. The way that you spoke exactly 8 words to him but made it seem like you know every story he has to tell. You made him feel vulnerable and he did not like that. 

Not one bit. 

-

“What's your name?” Hyunjin plops his backpack down as he takes the seat next to yours, the same ones as last week. 

“Why does that matter?” you ask, clearly teasing the boy. 

Hyunjin plasters on the fakest smile he could muster up, not really having the patience for your mind games, “well, if you’re gonna continue to sit next to me then the least you could do is tell me your name.”

You bite back a smile, his music gave too much of him away. He was good at hiding his feelings though which is something you’ll give him credit for later on. Honestly, if you weren’t paying attention, you might have missed the sour expression that was laced within the boy's tone of voice nor would you have noticed how he’s trying to show you that he’s unbothered by your words. 

Unluckily for the boy, your attention was focused solely on him. And so, you push his buttons some more, “technically, you were the one that sat next to me.”

Hyunjin stares at you, trying to read what was going on in your mind but all he could feel was the annoyance that was seeping through his body. 

God, you were annoying. 

“Slowly, hair will turn to gray,” you mumbled, a smirk forming its way on your lips. “What?” Hyunjin replied, a word he seems to be saying a lot ever since he met you. “If you keep thinking so hard, your hair might  turn to gray soon,” you joked yet it was clear to the both of you that it was only funny to you, the boy not catching on to the fact that you were phrasing a lyric from one of his songs.

“...my name is y/n,” you say, finally deciding to give the boy a break. 

“Alright class, I want to talk about your partner project, please find someone in the classroom to work with. This will be done throughout the semester and will be 30% of your overall grade so take it seriously,” the Professor informed, capturing both yours and Hyunjins attention.

“This project will be simple - it’s all about observing. Since this is a PSYCH class, I want you and your partner to pick 3 spots and just simply observe the people around you. For example, if you are at the cafe, what could the person in the corner with her eyebrows furrowed be wondering? Is she studying for an exam? Is she worried about a friend? There are tons of possibilities but I want you and your partner to jot down what you see and explain what you have observed.”

“That’s all for today, I’ll release you guys early so you can all have a head start,” she explained. 

You turn to the boy at your side, “so…you want to be partners?” 

-

Hyunjin doesn’t really know why he said yes, seeming he wasn’t comfortable with your presence at all. He convinces himself that he just didn’t want to go through the extra hassle of finding a partner when you were already available. Besides he could honestly care less, the only reason why he’s taking this class was for the extra units. After all, he was a music major. 

“How about here?” you suggested the grassy area in the middle of the campus. This part of the school was peaceful however it wasn’t quiet. Laughter and chatter from all the different kinds of groups filled up the morning air while the birds chirped along and occasionally, a squirrel or two would cause a bit of a ruckus. 

“We could grab some food and just sit down on the grass,” but the puzzled expression on the boy's face lead you to assume that he didn’t quite like the idea, “just so we would blend in more,” you added, hoping that it would be enough for the boy to say yes. 

“We don’t need to get food. We can just sit here and pretend we're talking, a lot of people around here are doing just that.” He was right. All you could do was nod and let out a sigh as the two of you sat next to each other, observing the scene ahead. You were hoping you could grab a quick bite during this since you still had classes for the rest of the day but that obviously wasn’t the case so you chose to just cover up your rumbling stomach with a cough or two here and there. 

“What do you think about him?” Hyunjin pointed at the boy that was sitting on the bench, flowers in his hand as he types away on his phone. 

“Hmm, I noticed his smile first, he’s practically beaming. He’s probably going to surprise his significant other. His legs bouncing up and down from excitement,” you chuckle, finding the anonymous boys’ action cute, “he’s probably texting them right now so they could meet up,” you concluded. You turn to Hyunjin, noticing his eyes slightly widen at your response. “What do you think?” you ask, slightly nudging him out of his trance.

“well... I think you’re right that he’s waiting for someone. But for me, he’s probably gonna confess to that person...uhmm, his ears are pink so he’s nervous… probably afraid of rejection. Because of this he’s probably texting a friend for advice,” he observed.

His answer didn’t surprise you, after all, you’ve already seen some of the deepest parts of him - even if he was unaware. On the other hand, he was in awe. Your guys’ answers were so different from the other. The way you viewed the scene ahead as something positive while his was more on the negative side. This sparked interest in him. But he breaks out of his thoughts as he hears your failed attempt to hide your growling stomach for the umpteenth time. 

He stands to his feet, grabbing you along with him. “Uhm, where are we going?”

He doesn’t say a word. He just grabs your hand and drags you along until you’ve arrived at the university’s main food court. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed your stomach rumbling for the past twenty minutes,” he teases as you try to hide the blush that was making its way upon your cheeks. Now you were left speechless, nothing in the boy’s music has suggested that he had this sweet side to him. The side that would easily let someone in. 

“I think we got off on the wrong foot,” you admitted as Hyunjin handed you the sandwich he had ordered, one for you and one for him. 

“What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry that I came off strong on the first day,” you apologized, aware of the way that you’ve been pushing his buttons and leaving him uncomfortable. 

“Why did you ask for my playlist?” He was finally going to get an answer to the event that has left him stunned for the past week. 

“It’s just a thing I do,” you confess nonchalantly, “I check to see if  we have similar taste in music and from there, I come to a conclusion on whether or not you’re cool enough for me to talk to,” you lied. You weren’t going to admit to him that the reason you do it was to analyze him. I mean, what kind of person assumes a person’s whole character through their songs, right? 

He wouldn’t understand. 

Honestly, you don’t even really understand yourself why you do it. Maybe because you liked having the upper hand - that way, no one can hurt you. 

Hyunjin lets out a laugh and you feel a little guilty. “So, if my songs were bad, you wouldn’t talk to me?” he chuckles. 

“Yeah, no… not in a million years,” you joked, laughing along with him. 

“So what would be a bad song to you?” he questions, a small smile playing on his lips. 

“I don't know, uhh-despacito?” you snicker

Honestly, there were no such things as bad songs. When it comes to songs, everyone is entitled to their own opinions but you had to play along with the little lie that you’ve already started.

“Hey! I like that song!” Hyunjin retorts, playfully throwing a crumpled up tissue paper along your direction, the two of you sharing a laugh as the small guilt you felt a while ago diminishes. It’s not like it’s going to hurt him anyways. You only see each other once a week and it was for class. Otherwise, you never see the brown haired boy on campus. You didn’t even know of his existence until you startled him with your question. 

The only reason he became your target was because the only empty seat was the one next to him. 

two. 

Second location. A frat party at the famous 3RACHA unit, who you’ve learned were good friends of Hyunjin. It was Hyunjin’s idea, convincing you that you guys will probably get a higher grade if you’ve incorporated various kinds of scenes. Plus, it was his first frat party and he didn’t want to miss it. You on the other hand was dreading this night ever since he brought it up in class last week. Parties weren’t your thing, you would much rather stay at home binging netflix shows, reading fanfictions, or watching compilations of your favorite kpop idols. But here you are now, rummaging the kitchen for something that didn’t contain alcohol as you’ve given up searching for the boy himself.  

“y/n!, heyy,” Hyunjin stumbles in, a red solo cup in his hand. 

“There you are, I’ve been looking everywhere for you! Can we please get this over with so I can leave,” you huffed, annoyed at the boy in front of you and the situation that you’ve found yourself in. 

“No.” He pouts before letting out a laugh, his eyes turning into little moons. 

“No? What do you mean, no?”

“Let’s have some fun first!” he beamed, dragging your hand out of the kitchen and into the party, ignoring your many protests. “Hyunjin, I didn’t come here for fun!” you sigh, arms crossing as you finally put a halt to the boys actions. 

“C’mon y/n, loosen up a little bit… you’re in the first party of the most popular frat in town, enjoy it while you can.” This time he holds his hand out, though his eyes had a tinge of red from the alcohol that was playing in his system, the sincerity in them couldn’t be missed. 

And so you do.

 You take his hand in yours as he shoots you one of his signature smiles. You party the night away with the boy at your side. He introduced you to a handful of new people but you forgot their names as soon as it came out of their mouths. 

-

You had way too much to drink but somehow you find yourself stumbling towards the park nearby, the boy's hand still in yours as he shares the story of how his best friend Jisung got chased by a duck and you couldn’t help but let out a boisterous laugh. Nothing about your laugh was pretty and if you weren’t so drunk, the embarrassment would’ve probably creeped up by now but you didn’t care. You couldn’t care - not when Hyunjins laugh would mix in with yours and you guys would have to literally cling to each other for strength. 

“Tag, you’re it!” he breaks you out of your thoughts as he starts running away, his laughter still ringing in the air as you chase him. After a while, you give up, you were in no way, shape, or form, fast enough to catch the boy - especially with all the liquor bouncing around your stomach. 

You sit down on the grass, catching your breath, your laughter dying down as your back hits the grass, eyes focusing on the twinkling orbs above. A few seconds later, warmth fills up beside you, Hyunjin taking his place next to you, mirroring your actions. 

“We never observed a person,” you say chuckling, breaking the silence that quickly hung over the two of you. 

“Sorry,” he smiles sheepishly, turning to you. Hyunjin takes this time to fully take in your appearance. No doubt in his mind, you are one of the most beautiful girls he’s ever seen. 

“Why don’t we, umm -,” he pauses, wondering to himself if this was going to be a good idea for him. 

“Why don’t we, what?” you reply quickly, curiosity getting the best of you as you turn to your side coming face to face with the boy himself. Your guys’ face were millimeters apart and the sudden feeling of his breathing being so close to you felt intoxicating. You dart your eyes down to his lips, thinking what it was like to feel them upon yours. 

Hyunjin lets out an awkward cough, breaking the tension in the air as he stares back up at the stars. “Why don’t we observe each other?” he suggests after his heartbeat finally calmed down. 

“Oh uhmm, o-okay,” you say, your voice faltering, pushing back your desire to kiss him. “You first,” you whisper, keeping your eyes locked into his features. 

“uhh, I think you’re wondering what the hell you’re doing with a boy you barely know at 3 in the morning. You don’t want me to notice that you’re actually really pissed at me for dragging you into this party and not getting any of our work done,”

The boy takes a pause as soon as he hears you giggle ‘hyunjin, you are so wrong,’ you think to yourself. 

“You’re the type to always get your shit done and you’ve probably already figured out everything you want in your life ever since you learned how to walk. You… you shouldn’t be wasting your time with someone like me,” he muttered, slowly turning to face you, this time a sad smile placed upon his lips. You sympathize with him, feeling sad with the way that he viewed himself. 

“Okay, uhm…you're anxious right now because you don’t know how i’ll react to your confessions. You’re the type of boy who doesn’t want to let anyone in but at the same time wants to know how it feels to be loved,” you sigh, the guilt you were feeling creeping in once again, slowly eating you up. Hyunjin grew tense under your observations. He hated how easily it is for you to read him when he thought that he was doing a decent job at keeping up with his facade. 

“You don’t notice the way others look at you because you’re too busy nitpicking your flaws. You didn’t notice how you were literally the life of the party back there. You didn’t notice the amount of girls practically begging for your attention…” you hesitate saying the last thing in your mind but as soon as you turned to him and saw the way he was looking at you, you couldn’t help but let the words stumble out of your mouth, “you don’t notice how much I want to kiss you right now,” and with those words out in the open, he brings his hands up to your cheek, slowly placing a light kiss upon your rosy lips and you swear you’ve never tasted anything better. It was a quick kiss, leaving as soon as it came, but the mix of his cherry chapstick and the alcohol created a combination that left you wanting more. Leaning up, you kiss him again, his mouth moving perfectly in sync with yours, deepening the kiss that you find yourself getting more and more addicted to with every second that passes. 

Hyunjin pulls away first, his thoughts finally all coming together as the alcohol was starting to slowly leave his system. He looks at you, the fear evident in his eyes. He fucked up and he knows it. He shouldn’t have kissed you. You guys were friends and frankly, he liked your company. He can never be that guy who starts a relationship with someone. He was sure that he was incapable of love and could never give you what you wanted. You knew this, of course. You knew this from day one. 

“I’m no good for you,” he sighed, mumbling several apologies for the actions that he took. And you realize how truly scared he was. That the tough image he’s keeping up isn’t because he had to but because he truly believed that it was the right thing to do. 

“That’s okay Hyunjin, we can blame it on the alcohol,” you wished you didn’t have to but you knew yourself that you couldn’t let this get deeper than what it was now.

Hyunjin walks you back to your dorm room, making sure you were safe inside before he headed back to his own place. 

-quiet when I’m coming home, i’m all alone. 

three. 

Hyunjin saw too many relationships around him fail, starting from his own parents. For him, love was merely an illusion. A desire that people get caught up with not because they are in love but because they lust the idea of love. The idea of having someone there to hold, to laugh with, to share stories with - it was all bullshit to him because at the end of the story, someone always leaves. Someone always says goodbye. It wasn’t worth it. 

Not for him. 

But sometimes he’ll see a picture on instagram and wonder to himself, could those smiles be permanent? 

“Are you just gonna keep stalking her social media or are you gonna actually talk to her?” Jeongin breaks the boy out of his thoughts. 

“I’m not stalking her!” Hyunjin replies defensively, hiding the pink that was creeping upon his cheeks. 

“I’ve literally been here for the past 3 mins just looking at you scroll through her feed and you didn’t even notice,” the younger boy points out, teasing him. Ever since the night at the park, Hyunjin couldn’t bring himself to talk to you. He knew that the both of you agreed to just forget it but could he really forget something like that? You made him feel what he was scared of the most. You made him feel like he wanted to fall in love. The memory of your lips against his keeps him up at night, your laughter ringing in his ear while the warmth from your fingertips makes him feel like he’s completely losing it. 

How can he still feel you when you were nowhere near him? 

How did you get past his wall so quickly? 

And why, fuck, why does he want you in it? 

-

You, on the other hand, haven't made any effort to reach out either. He was right about you. You were a know-it-all. Ever since you were younger you knew that you wanted to help the people around you. You enjoyed listening to others’, letting them know that they are never alone and that they could always turn to you for advice or simply just if they needed someone to listen to them. You liked the idea of being someone’s safe haven - that’s why you want to be a psychologist. 

But this - the way the boy made you feel, the way he cluttered your every waking thought - this was something you didn’t plan. This was something you didn’t have the answers to. Grabbing your phone, you finally gain the courage to send the boy a text 

Hey, we still have one scenario left, any ideas? - y/n

Hyunjin reads the text, his heart suddenly doing somersaults in the air. ‘Hyunjin, stop.’ he warns himself. He knows that he wasn’t ready to see you and so he ignored it. Grabbing his backpack he shouts a quick, “I'm gonna go practice,” before heading out to the dance rooms to try and clear his head. 

-

umm, what do you think about going to the diner across town? - y/n 

You did it. You double texted. After several hours, the boy still hasn’t responded to your text so you decided to take manners in your own hands. But as soon as you pressed send, you felt pathetic. He’s most likely just busy and that’s why he hasn’t replied but you like to make yourself believe that you had more of an effect on him. 

You were about to scream into your pillow, feeling frustrated at the situation until your phone let out a small ding, indicating that you’ve received a new message. 

sure - hyunjin 

how does tomorrow at 6pm sound ? - y/n 

good - hyunjin

These one word answers were killing you. For someone who usually knows and can assume what’s about to happen beforehand, you were left clueless and that annoyed you.  

-

“Hey, am i late?” hyunjin takes the seat across from you. no, he wasn’t late. you just arrived way earlier than the time planned hoping to calm your nerves before having to face the boy who has settled himself into your mind. 

“What do you think of that girl over there?” you point at the girl who was sitting, laughing along with her group of friends.

“geez y/n, can’t we order something to eat first,” hyunjin jokes. He barely got there and you were already on top of it. typical, he thinks to himself. You let out a small smile, happy at the fact that the boy was teasing you. Honestly, you were afraid that his responses were going to be as bland as his text messages and it has been killing your thoughts the whole night. 

“ok ok,, my bad… let’s order first,” when your food arrived, you fell into a comfortable conversation. like the thoughts that the both of you have been struggling with never existed. but in the middle of the conversation, something clicked within you. 

You can‘t read him anymore and that scared you. 

“honestly i think this whole project is stupid,” hyunjin blurts out, capturing your attention. 

“hmm, why do you say that?”

“i just find it absolutely ridiculous to just judge someone based on one scenario, you know? like i bet all our guesses have been wrong so far,” he confesses and once again the guilt rushes to your heart and you were left speechless. 

“Like I really hate it when people judge others without getting to know them like who do you think you are? Do people who do that actually think they’re better or mightier?” Hyunjin continues and suddenly the space around you feels tight, your lungs struggling to find air. You were the type of person that Hyunjin would hate and that leaves an unsettling feeling in your stomach. 

Hyunjin notices this after a while of you not responding to him and just picking at your food. “y/n, you okay?” he says, eyes filled with worry and you can't help but let out a tear, quickly brushing it off as soon as it hit your cheek. You don’t deserve the way he’s looking at you like he would fight anyone that comes to hurt you. 

“Hyunjin...i’m sorry,” you let out quietly as you tried to stop the rest of your tears from water falling. Grabbing your bag, you ran out of the diner, leaving a very confused Hyunjin behind to wonder what you were apologizing for. 

four.

7 missed calls 

you don’t dare try to answer any of it. 

the thought of having to face the boy and explain the reasons for your apology hurts you knowing that he wouldn’t want anything to do with you afterwards. how do you even explain it to him? there is literally no plausible excuse: 

“hey yeah i’m the jerk that you hate because i judged your whole personality based off of five songs,”

“i only did it because i like superiority”

“it also helps me feel better about myself”

yeah. he’ll definitely hate you afterwards. and so you sulk in your room, letting out your frustrated cries, your blanket comforting you as the sound of your phone ringing filled the air. after the 12th call, the ringing finally stops and you feel like you can finally think until a knock on your dorm room brings you back to reality. 

“hey,” he sighs, your eyes immediately widening as you shut the door as quickly as you opened it. 

“y/n, come on!” hyunjin whines

“how did you know this was my room?” you yell through the door. 

“I asked around,” he shouts back “now can you let me in??”

You were frozen in place, hands gripped on your doorknob to make sure that he can’t come in. “Look, we don’t have to talk about what happened okay,” he starts, “but we do have a project due in 2 days and i would like to finish it...so please just ….. just let me in.” He finishes, an exasperated sigh leaving his mouth once he comes face to face with the girl that has always been a puzzle to him. 

Entering your dorm room, you notice that the boy's hair is a bit disheveled and you wonder how many times he has let his hands run through them due to frustration. He’s doing his best to hide his furrowed eyebrows and keep a calm expression but you see through all of it. 

you’re doing it again. you think to yourself.  

“okay let’s just make up a scenario since we didn’t get one at the diner,” you suggest, finally breaking the silence that hung above the two of you. 

“why did you apologize?” hyunjin quietly asks, his gaze fixed strongly on you and you find yourself having to sit down due to the impact of his stare. 

“hyunjin…. you said we didn’t have to talk about it,” you responded, trying to change the subject. 

“I lied. I need to know the answers y/n. I need to know why you seem to see through my walls. I need to know how you dug a hole in my mind and stayed in it because I want you out. I don’t know what I’m feeling when it comes to you and I don’t like it.”

“How??? How can you see right through me?!”He frustratedly confesses, his voice getting louder with every question that leaves his mouth. 

“What?? are you a stalker??? Is that why you know?? have you been following me around ??”

“No!” you responded quickly, shutting down the assumptions that the boy has managed to come up with. 

“It’s your music.” you finally confess, your heart tightening as the words left your mouth, afraid of what’s to come next. 

Hyunjin stares at you, his mind finally connecting all the dots. The reason you asked for his playlist. The reason why you knew his stories and insecurities. All of it was because he gave you access to his music. And suddenly he felt bare. All his hiding, all the walls he put up, it was all useless when it came to you. 

“The last song in that playlist…” he starts but you finish the sentence for him, “please love me by colde,” your glassy eyes staring back up at him. 

“so, will you?” hyunjin asked, worry laced within his voice. 

“y-you’re not mad at me?” you stuttered, the boy's actions leaving your mind in a maze. he shakes his head. oddly enough, he didn’t feel any anger towards you. noticing that you were left in your thoughts to make sense of the situation at hand, he offers you a soft smile, “after knowing how troubled my mind was, you still stayed.”  

“i think i already do…” you confess, eyes fixated on him, “love you, that is,” you say mirroring the small smile that was on the boy’s face. 

At your confession, Hyunjin let’s out a shaky breath. 

“will you let me love you?” you ask him, a gentle tone laced within your voice, afraid of the answer to come. 

your eyes never breaking contact with his, you moved closer to him. hyunjins eyes darts down to your lips and suddenly the answer seemed so clear. 

love. 

the word that terrifies him the most. the thing that the boy has been swearing off ever since he was little. love was something hyunjin never understood but every time he looks at your eyes, every time he feels your warmth next to him, and now as your lips move in perfect sync with his, it all seems to make sense.

(a/n): this ending is so rushed and im not sure if im entirely happy with it but i really did not know what to do for the longest time. i was thinking of just scrapping the whole thing tbh but anyways....

feedback is always welcomed and my ask is always open :) 

thank you for reading! 

[darth-el]

Shout With The Devil

Pairings: Steve x Buckley!Reader Warnings: Smoking, underage drinking, mentions of groupie like behaviour but only if you squint.  A/N: I am back, kind of. Life has been really crazy these past few months and it’s been majorly up and down, but I have found new inspirations (in the guise of 1980′s and dead rock stars...oops) so I figured I could use that my advantage when writing. It’s also worth mentioning here that the reader’s age is 20 so they’re not that much older than Steve. The interview I’m referencing, if anyone is interested, can also be found here.

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You were dancing trying to keep warm on the doorstep of your cousin Robin's house with your suitcases by your side as the blistering cold whipped against your face. It was a rare occurrence for you to even step foot in Hawkins as you left it behind a long time ago but after hearing the news of what happened to the mall and everything else that made its way into the news regarding Hawkins, you finally plucked up to the courage to come back and used Christmas as the excuse to do so. “Come on Robin.” You whined to yourself as you rang the doorbell again before retreating into your coat to keep warm, after what felt like an eternity Robin opened the door with a shocked look on her face due to the fact she wasn't expecting you to be on her doorstep.

“What are you doing here Y/N?!” She screeched excitedly jumping on you to give you a tight hug and pulling you inside sans bags.

“I thought it was time I'd visit my baby cousin.” You shrugged smiling as she started babbling over how long it had been since she last saw you while bombarding you with questions about LA that you couldn't answer because she wouldn't stop talking.  

“Oh suitcases!” She said excitedly pushing you into the living room and running out to grab your bags. The living room was exactly how you remembered it, there were photos of Robin above the fireplace throughout her children as well as doilies and ornaments everywhere, it was a far cry from your roach infested apartment. It took you a minute before you noticed several sets of eyes on you and they all looked like you had crashed through the ceiling in a UFO, you leaned against the door frame unsure what to do with yourself as you became more uncomfortable; the longer the silence lasted the more you were convinced you had grown several heads. Robin came bouncing into the living room and pushed you onto the couch next the oldest guy that you vaguely recognised, possibly from school. “This is my cousin Y/N!” Robin introduced you with a big smile on her face. “This is Steve, Dustin, Lucas and Max.” They all awkwardly smiled and waved as Robin introduced them to you.

“Robin's never mentioned you.” Steve said awkwardly trying to make conversation.

“I don't know why she would,” You said matter of factly and she shot a look at you like she was offended by that statement. “I did essentially run away from Hawkins when I was fifteen Robin, we haven't seen each other in five years.” She looked at you almost like she was pouting before eventually agreeing that you had a point.

“Seriously?” Dustin asked eagerly sitting up with a huge grin on his face as he never met anyone who had run away from home and didn't get grounded for it.

“Where did you run away to?” Steve asked and instantly you could see he was trying to play it cool with you, something Robin also noticed.

“First New York,” You said biting your lip. “Then settled in Los Angeles as I needed warmth.” You laughed looking at the sets of eyes on you.

“How did you afford it?” Lucas said sounding skeptical as he tried to figure out how he could do it if he were to leave that day.

“A lot of hitchhiking.” You smiled at Lucas who was looking at you with furrowed brows not fully believing your story.

“Steve?” Robin said looking at him looking at you as you answered the children's, mainly Dustin's and Lucas', questions.

“Mm?” He hummed pulling his attention away from you to glare at Robin.

“Can you help me with Y/N's suitcases?” She asked slowly and instantly Steve knew she was up to something.

“Can't Dustin?” He asked wanting to avoid whatever she had planned which got a protest from Dustin.

“Well I want you to help.” Robin said in a sharp tone.

“Ha!” Dustin said loudly as Steve groaned pushing himself off the couch to help Robin as you continued to answer the barrage of questions.

Steve and Robin took longer than they should have with the bags and it was made clear why when you heard them coming down the stairs arguing quietly over something; the second Steve sat down next to you Robin had pulled you up off the couch and into the kitchen as she sorted out snacks for everyone. “Steve likes you.” Robin said as she rummaged through the cupboards for food.

“I know.” You said nonchalantly and sitting down at the table while fiddling with your lighter that you pulled out of your pocket.

“You should go for it,” She encouraged you as she dumped a whatever she could grab out of the cupboards onto the table. “If you've got to smoke, do it outside.” She warned like you were a child who was misbehaving.

“Rob,” You looked at her with shock on your face. “He's not my type and he's too young for me.” You sighed pulling a cigarette out of a silver case and placing it between your lips.

“I forgot your type was douchebag rockstars.” She said sarcastically as you got up so you could smoke your cigarette, or what was now going to be cigarettes in peace.

You were half way through smoking your second cigarette when the back door opened and Steve made an appearance, who made it very obvious that he had misjudged the temperature as he started shivering. You pulled out an engraved hip flask from your pocket and handed it to him making him look at you puzzled. “Trust me it'll help.” Your tone was very blasé as he took it from you and swigged the contents, immediately choking as what turned out to be whiskey burned the back of his throat.

“Are you trying to kill me?” He laughed handing the flask back and pulling his own cigarette from his pocket.

“Tell me you're not warm.” You smirked at him while having a swig yourself before shoving it back into your pocket.

“You have a point,” He chuckled lighting up his cigarette and staring out at the Buckley's backyard, the winter sun making it seem more inviting than it actually was. “What made you run off to New York?” Steve asked leaning over the porch, you subconsciously mirroring him.

“I wanted to marry Johnny Thunders.” You laughed admiring his features as he smoked his cigarette.

“Did you?” He asked jokingly raising an eyebrow at you.

“No comment.” You smirked at him, taking a drag on your own cigarette and as you exhaled you created O's with the smoke.

“Okay then,” Steve smiled with a knowing look on his face. “Why LA?” He continued his interrogation.

“I just needed something new and heard about a few bands in LA so I decided to make my way there and check them out,” You sighed picking at the skin around your nails. “It was either there or the UK, so naturally I chose LA.” You laughed looking at Steve who was looking like he was hanging on your every word.

“What bands?” Steve asked trying to figure out if he should feel threatened or not by you.

“Mainly Motley Crue.” With this Steve let out a huge laugh as the stories he heard on MTV were very far removed from anything that Hawkins had experienced.

“I can see you going for the devil worshippers.” He teased looking you up and down in your leather clad outfit.

“What makes you say that?” You nudged him lightly having another drag on your cigarette, realising it was probably going to be your last one.

“You look like you'd like the devil shouting song.” You burst out laughing at Steve's description of the song as you flicked your cigarette away and lit up another one.

“Shout At The Devil.” You tried to stop yourself from laughing but every time you did it just made you laugh even more.

“That's the one.” Steve said proudly clapping his hands together with a big smile on his face.

“They're shouting at the devil,” You teased gasping for air as you were still laughing. “Not with the devil and the cover has a pentagram which is used for protection against him.” You smiled up at him as he flicked his own cigarette away and lit up another without thinking.

“Did you end up marrying any of them?” He winked at you as you shook your head at him rolling your eyes so hard that you were sure you saw your brain. “I'll take that as no comment.” He said leaning into you slightly.

“Why are you so interested in what bands I 'married'?” You asked pulling out your whiskey and taking a swig of it to keep yourself warm before offering some to Steve who declined as he was taken aback by your forwardness.

“Do you want the truth or the lie?” Steve asked raising an eyebrow trying desperately to play it cool again, but you both knew that ship had sailed a long time ago.

“Lie.” You shrugged flicking the ash off your cigarette and watching it float down to the ground.

“It's definitely not because I want to ask you out or anything.” Steve said trying not to fall over his words and embarrass himself as that was becoming the trend with him as of late.

“Do you want the truth or the lie?” You said matching his tone from when he asked you the same question.

“Lie.” He said confidently and suddenly having a panic that this was how you were going to reject him. You could see he was becoming flustered as you left him hanging while you took a drag of your cigarette, making you feel somewhat cruel but at the same time you enjoyed the power you had in that moment.

“If you were to ask me,” You said slowly taking another drag on your cigarette and letting the smoke escape through your nose as you exhaled. “I definitely wouldn't say yes.” You whispered flicking your cigarette away and sauntered over to the backdoor. Steve just looked at you bewildered that he actually somehow managed to get a date and it was with you who seemed so effortlessly cool unlike him.

“Uhh.” He said trying to figure out what to say next as he watched you open the backdoor and you laughed as you could see his brain going into overdrive.

“Pick me up Friday at eight and remind me what this town has to offer.”  You winked at him as you leaned on the open door before going back inside, leaving Steve in the cold who was still trying to figure out what had happened and how he managed to pull that off. Eventually he decided not to question it and thanked the gods as he decided they were obviously being kind to him that day and joined you all in the living room as Robin put on Indiana Jones.

[noramelll]

The Fault (And the Favour)

This is a fan story for @chronicintrovert​  ‘s book called Solitaire! I’ve read it so many times and practically studied this book while writing this. Anyway I thought it would be really interesting if there was a nick and charlie POV for the last few chapters of solitaire because i always LOVED to entertain that thought but after talking it over with a couple other heartstopper fans i just had to put that shit on paper. anyway, this will have MAJOR spoilers for Solitaire, also a trigger warning here for Suicide and eating disorder mentions! Stay safe and i hope you enjoy :)))

NICK 

It’s quarter past six in the morning when I get a phone call. The ringtone is loud, piercing through the peaceful silence of my room, and I’m jolted awake by the sound. 

When I pick up my phone and realise it’s charlie calling me, I get a flush of relief and anxiety in my chest at once. For one, it isn’t Tori who’s calling me. The last time she called me was when Charlie was sent into the mental hospital. Something about Tori’s anxious tone always gave me an unpleasant shiver down my spine. So when it isn’t Tori who’s calling, my shoulders relax and I release a breath of air.

But then again, Charlie’s calling me at 6 am. That either means something’s on his mind and he hasn’t got any sleep, or he woke up ridiculously early for some bizarre reason.

I answer his call. “Charlie? It’s 6:15, what-”

“Nick.”

It’s Charlie. That’s his voice, that’s him. But it’s the ‘him’  I’m way too familiar with. Panicked, distressed, on the verge of tears. I’ve seen this side of him too much for my liking: while he recovered from his eating disorder, while we ate dinner together, while he told me about the things he thinks about.

 I’m here for him. I always will be.

But god does it scare the shit out of me whenever he speaks with a tremor in his voice like that. 

“Char? Char, what’s wrong?”

He doesn’t answer. On the other end, I can already picture what he’s doing- putting a hand up to his face, rubbing his eyes aggressively, biting his fingernails anxiously, his eyebrows crinkled as he tries to figure out what to say.

But this time he knows. I can tell he knows what he wants to say. It’s on the tip of his tongue.

“Charlie, seriously, what’s going on?”

“It’s Tori.”

A chill goes down my spine. Not only do I notice the pure fear in his voice, but I pick up the sound of rustling in the background and doors opening and closing. “It’s Tori, Nick. She- She took off an hour ago, Becky just called me.”

“What?” I sit up in my bed, my feet are dangling over the edge and I’m prepared to pull on my shoes as soon as possible. “Where is she going?”

“To-To school.” His voice is shaking tremendously now. I can almost feel his hands trembling as his footsteps echo through my phone.

“To school… why is she going to school, the bloody sun hasn’t even come up yet-”

Charlie’s voice becomes more frantic, he’s panicking harder and the desperation in his voice makes it hard to listen to him. “Nick, she’s going to school because of Solitaire. Their- Their final operation is today. She’s going to try and stop it.”

It’s like something clicks in my head. Tori, Charlie’s sarcastic, monotone older sister, who once couldn’t care about anything other than her brother, Tumblr and watching movies, was slowly being driven mad by solitaire and their ‘operations’. The solitaire meetup party. The happenings at The Clay music festival that was hacked by solitaire. Then at Dinner on Monday, it was as if she had completely changed. Talking in sentences that made us extremely concerned. “Solitaire is going on, yet no one cares.” “It’s all fake. Everyone is faking. Why does no one care about anything?”

Holy shit. 

“Is she fucking insane? What the hell is she trying to do, get herself killed?”

“I don’t know, Nick, she’s alone and she’s going to do something bad and I can’t sit here and fucking wait until I’ve found out that my sister is dead, I-I have to do something, fuck-”

My shoes are already slipped onto my feet and I’ve grabbed my keys. “I’ll be there in 5 minutes.”

CHARLIE

I’m on the front porch before Nick lets me know that he’s coming soon. I didn’t change out of my Pj’s and it doesn’t matter. My sister ran off to try and stop this insanity of a ‘prank’- if it can even be called that-  and seeing how their last operation left, it’ll be lucky if she makes it out of there in one piece.

It’s my fucking fault. I’m sure of it this time. I do this a lot: pinpoint the blame on me, feel guilty, cry. It’s a routine that I try to get out of, but right now that doesn’t matter either because I’m completely sure that if I hadn't said something or listened to Tori she wouldn’t be off in the dark trying to stop a bunch of lunatics trying to accomplish god knows what.

I remember one night, when Tori was visiting me in hospital, she mentioned to me about how she noticed that I had gotten worse over time and that she didn’t say anything because she thought she was just imagining it. So she stayed out of my way. She admitted that she’ll always regret that.

That’s how I feel now, and it’s horrible and I feel fucking helpless and just as soon as I get that twisting feeling in my stomach I see Nick’s car pull up to the curb and before I realise it I’m already in his car, and my arms are around his shoulders and I’m trying to breathe but it’s so hard and I can’t do anything-

“Char, breathe. Deep breaths. Look at me.”

Nick’s hand is on my cheek but I don’t even feel it because I’m trying to remember why I’m so fucking anxious in the first place, I forget where I am and I forget who I am. I can’t feel my hands.

It’s my fault. It’s my fucking fault.

“Charlie, I’m right here, look at me.” He’s tilting my head up, and nick is looking at me. He’s filled with so much concern, but this calm tone helps me think again. I’m breathing. Nick’s hand is wet. I think I’ve been crying.

“Hey, you’re alright. It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay-”

“But Tori- fucking hell, she’s going after them, and it’s all my fault-”

“Hey, hey, don’t say that. None of this was your fault.” Nick has taken my other hand from his shoulders and into his, squeezing hard. The feeling in my hand returns. “Don’t blame yourself, okay?”

I try to believe him. I’m really trying, and for a while I do, and I buckle into my seat, his hand not leaving mine. He strokes my hand with his thumb while we whirl past the houses covered in the pitch black. It’s so quiet. I wonder what the world would be like if it was always like this

The silence is painful, it’s heavy and tense. I’m still bouncing my leg up and down, so I curl up into the car seat instead.

I can feel nick peering a glace at me every two seconds, without realising it’s making me slightly more anxious so I turn on my phone instead, to see if there are any updates on solitaire’s blog: any clue as to what the hell they’re planning.

And when we’re about a minute away from Higgs School, I see a Facebook post from Lucas Ryan.

‘Solitaire is burning down Higgs’

I’m staring at it. I’ve recoiled my hand away from Nick, touching the screen with shaky fingers. I’m rereading it. I’m trying to make sense of it. Holy shit. There can’t be any way.

“Oh my fucking god.”

My head snaps up to the school across the road from mine, burning down in a fiery blaze of glory, lighting up the whole neighbourhood with an orange glaze.

I’m already out of the car. Nick is out of the car. We’re both running onto the oval, snow crunching under our feet. I didn’t wear any shoes, but that isn’t important, because my sister could be in a fucking burning building. I don’t feel the cold as I’m running across the oval.

Nick isn’t too far behind me, at one point he’s taken my hand again as we rush towards two dark figures on the oval. 

When we get closer I realise it’s Lucas and Becky, and they spot me. they’re rushing over to me and rambling loudly about how they’re sorry and that Tori didn’t come out with them and that they got separated but I stop listening after that because my vision has become kind of hazy, and I’m trying to grapple the fact that Tori is still in there.

Victoria is still in there.

My feet are itching to move. Off of the freezing snow and into the flames. But Nick notices how my eyes keep darting over to the door because his grip on my hand has become intensely tight. 

“Don’t even think about it. We can’t do anything, Charlie.”

So I don’t do anything. I stand there as the flames engulf the burning building, I’m losing feeling in my hands and feet again. I have to move. I have to get in there, I have to save my sister. 

Then Nick gasps and Becky shrieks and I follow their gaze towards the concrete roof of the art conservatory.

Among the blazing orange and yellow fire, a small figure stands on the roof of the building. 

It’s Tori, and her hair is flowing through the cold wind and she’s looking down to the ground below her.

And she’s nearing the edge of the roof.

Without realising I’m dragging nick along with me as I run at full speed toward the roof. My heart starts racing even faster to the speed of fucking lighting when she moves her feet over the edge and by that point I’m already screaming out to her.

“DON’T!”

I’m waving my arms at her frantically. I’m running as fast as I can to the roof. She’s staring down at nick and I. I’m shouting and screaming up to her, to please, don't do it, and I'm so sorry for not listening to you. You felt the same way when I did the same as you and I’m sorry for not being there for you, you were always there for me and I owe so much back to you.

Then there’s another person who appears out of nowhere above her. Tori snaps from her gaze down below to look up, and I can’t make out who she’s talking to. The person is holding a hand down to Tori, and I’m praying to god that she just takes this person’s hand and step away from the ledge before my beating heart bursts out of my chest.

Suddenly Nick is standing in front of me and hoisting me onto his back. He’s clutching my legs as I try and scream louder, harder for Tori to hear me. She shines her torch up at the hand, and I catch a glimpse of Michael Holden. Any bad feelings I once had towards Michael melts away while I silently beg and beg that she just takes his hand anyway. 

Micheal jumps down onto the roof and stands next to her. They’re standing completely still. they must be lost in a desperate conversation, with the sound of crackling wood. People must have gathered around near us, because now there are many yells of joy and despair around me. But I can’t tear my eyes away because I’m watching intently, so closely, watching just to see if Tori’s feet move away from the edge. Please just step away.

And then Michael Holden and Victoria kiss. In the middle of a raging school fire at the brink of dawn. 

But I’m taking that as a win because her feet move away from the edge when Michael pulls her into a hug. 

“Thank fuck.” I hear nick from below me. The crowd around us bursts into a cheer. But I’m not joining them, and neither has Becky (who is now on Lucas’ shoulders) because we’re still waving up at Tori, yelling her name. My arms are so sore and I realise now that I’m not wearing a long-sleeved top but that also doesn’t matter right now, because my sister is up there and shes now looking down at me, and she’s safe, and I’m smiling so hard while sobbing, because she’s safe.

After the fire brigade arrives and rescues Tori and Michael off of the concrete roof, and as soon as she gets down to the oval I climb down off of Nick’s back and rush towards Tori. She’s looking at me in a way I’ve never seen before. I’ve never seen her like this before. But that’s okay, because she’s alive, and she’s here, and I’m now holding her so tight I’m worried that she’ll break.

“Fuck, Tori- never do that again, that was- holy shit-” I’m trying to string together a coherent sentence to tell her I was so scared, I’m so sorry, I can’t lose you, I’m sorry that I didn’t do anything. I’m sobbing extremely hard, to the point of embarrassment, but Tori’s crying too, and there’s this odd feeling of comfort I get while holding my sister who just nearly committed suicide on a burning building. 

She looks up at me, and my heart slowly starts to slow down as she smiles up at me. A genuine smile? I can’t tell. But I smile back anyway, a smile that I hope tells her everything that I can’t put into words, and I pull her into another hug and release a shaky breath.

Tori understands anyway. 

It’ll take a while for me to understand her, but she took that risk for me before.

I’ll return the favour.

[5289belle]

Captain America’s Legacy

Summary: When Katerina Rogers watches as the flags smashers cause further mayhem, she knows she needs to come out of hiding and go help Sam and Bucky take them down, all while dealing with the fact that the United States government replaced her dad with some idiot as Captain America.

Meet Katerina (Katy) Rogers, the daughter of Natasha and Steve. Will take place during the falcon and the winter solider with some flashbacks to black widow and civil war. Also Tony is alive in this timeline, Steve did that snap instead, Natasha still died getting the soul stone.

Chapter One Captain Americas Legacy 

Sitting on the bed in her hotel room in Paris, Katy looked up to the tv and watched as Sam Wilson gave away her dad’s legacy to some museum. How could he when her father had chosen him to replace him while he lay there dying, anger and grief swelled up in her as she angerly switched off the tv.

It had been six months since she lost both of her parents within hours of each other and it hadn’t gotten any easier, she was all alone with her grief. Wanda was off somewhere trying to get through her own trauma and grief, Clint was taking time to be with his family again, thinking of him getting to be with them again made it easier to handle her mama’s sacrifice. It hurt too much to be around her mama’s family, they all reminded her too much of her mama. Tossing and turning in bed she found it difficult to sleep when she knew what awaited once she did manage to go unconscious for a few tortured hours.

Sometime around six and five am she managed to fall into a semiconscious slumber, until her alarm went of at noon. Rolling over to turn it off and turn back into her pillow to get a little bit more rest. Soon she would have to get up and leave. Never stay in one place too long, that was her motto, the constant moving helped to keep her mind distracted.

About two weeks later she was strolling through the streets of London when she spotted the news paper stand. On the front cover it read “Cap is Back” below it described how John Walker was the new Captain America. Unable to read anymore she back away and ran back to her hotel room. Flipping on the tv to try and forget what she had just seen, she looked up to see the man in question having a interview on Good Morning America. She felt sick to her stomach, scoffing she sat down to see just who this Walker guy was.

“It’s the greatest honor of my life um, but I I’m just a little shocked how’d a guy like me end up here?”

Ugg, his obvious self-depreciation was revolting, as if. She could tell he was trying to hard to emulate that humble hero, trying to emulate her dad. After watching a few more minutes to get a better understanding she decided she had enough and flipped the channel. In its stead a news report about the flag smashers was playing.

Apparently they were escalating and even caused a panic and injuries at a robbery. Watching the news footage, she noticed that one of the masked smashers had apparent super strength. That was news to her, to her knowledge the only ones with the super soldier serum that was still alive was, her dedushka(grandpa), all the former black widows had a form of the serum including Yelena and her babushka(grandma), Bucky, and herself. Though her was from her parents passing on their enhanced genetic codes.

Letting out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding in, she looked down to her hands. This whole situation was getting out of hand and obviously the GNC couldn’t handle. She knew she couldn’t hide out anymore, not when people were getting hurt. It was time to go back home and follow in her parents’ footsteps.

Two hours later she was on a plane, heading back to the states.

Hopping out of her uber she thanked the driver and closed the door. Now she only had to find Sam and get to the bottom of the situation. According to his phone he shouldn’t be too far off. Not too far up ahead she spotted him with Bucky, having one of their usual banters no doubt. Though the closer she got to them she noticed Bucky a bit more. He had cut his hair, and hot damn if it did not suit him. “Fuck me” she muttered to herself before noticing and blushing.

You have got to be kidding me when did she find herself thirsting after him. Okay be cool she thought to herself, but damn he really was hot.

“Well I don’t trust redwing” Bucky said to Sam and he followed after him.

“You don’t have to trust redwing, but I’m gonna go see if he’s right. Because I have a feeling they might be part of the big three.” Sam replied back slightly annoyed by the other man.

Hold up, the big three? What the hell is that? Apparently Bucky didn’t know either because he asked Sam “What big three?”

Looking at him incredulously he replied “ the big three, androids, aliens, and wizards”

Shaking his head Bucky said “that’s not a thing’

“Since when has that been a thing?” Katy interrupted with genuine interest.

Both men looked over in shock, they hadn’t expected to see her. Not after she took after and disappeared.

Bucky did a double glance real quick, she seemed different somehow.

“Where have you been all this time? We looked everywhere for you.” Sam said with a worried expression. Giving them a tight-lipped smile, she looked away towards the skyline and then turned back to them. “Oh, you know, touring Europe.” Grimacing she continued “ I just, couldn’t face it. It was easier to disappear, but when I noticed all the trouble the flag smashers were causing and the GNC inability to do anything, I decided it was time to come back.”

“Are you doing any better?” Sam asked. “Of course, others wise I wouldn’t be here. Any way what the hell is the big three? I’ve never heard of that..”

Rolling his eyes Sam, looked to Bucky and then back to Katy. “ You know the big three, anytime we fight anyone it one of those three.”

“So who are you fighting now? Gandalf?” Bucky replied back sarcastically.

Taking a moment to register what he said Sam responded back incredulously “ uhh, how do you know about Gandalf?”

“ I read the hobbit, in 1937 when it first came out”

“So you see my point”

“oh, I love the hobbit. I read it back in fifth grade” Katy said to aloud, glancing at the both of them she was surprised to see they looked shocked at her admission. “What, it’s a good book.”

Looking back to Sam Bucky replied “No I don’t, there are no wizards”

“Doctor Strange” Sam said to which Bucky quickly replied “Is a sorcerer”

“ahh, ha ha. A sorcerer is a wizard without the pointy hat.” Sam said smiling in triumph.

“No, a wizard does magic with a wand or stick, a sorcerer used their hands” Katy interview with her commentary.

“Same difference” Sam looked over to her.

“Any ways’ he went on “they use brute strength, just like you guys and are incredibly annoying like the guy in front of me with a staring problem” With that he walked away to the plane with Katy and Bucky hot on his heels.

“I’m coming with you” Bucky and Katy said in unison to Sam.

“No you’re not”

“Uh, yeah we are. I’m not just going to sit back while I could be doing something to help people. Okay so I am going with you rather you like it or not. She said with a snarky tone, looking for Bucky to back her up. He merely nodded to her and followed Sam into the plane.

“Fine you and Cyborg can come with, just don’t annoy me” Rolling his eyes Sam couldn’t help but think how much she reminded him of Steve, always sure of what they were doing.

A few hours later sitting on the plane Bucky and Sam were having some kind of stare off. Looking between the two of them she couldn’t believe it. Seriously they were to grown ass men behaving like teenagers, her partners on this mission. Joy. Standing Bucky asked, “So what’s our plan?” Sam merely looked over to him and went back to putting in his earpiece and handing one over to her.

“Great, so no plan” Bucky said while sitting back down.

Torres interrupted with “Thirty seconds”

“Enjoy your ride Buck and Kat”

“Nah you can’t call me that”

“Why not, that’s what Steve called you”, shooting back Bucky said “Steve knew me longer, and Steve had a plan”

“Fifteen seconds to drop”

“I have a plan”

“Really? What is it?” he said while spreading his arms out walking toward Sam and Torres. Following after them Katy, stepped closer to Bucky.

Sam just jumped out the window, rather than replying back and dealing with those two.

Looking over to Torres Bucky asked “Great, where is the chute?”

“Were 200 hundred feet. It’s too low for a chute”

Huffing, Katy looked to Torres and asked, “Do you have some rope?”

“I don’t need it anyway” Bucky said while walking over to the open doorway and ripping off his sleeve with the metal arm.

“Yes we have some rope, why exactly” Torres questioned, looking over at Katy.

“Perfect, I can use that to jump out. Thank you”

Looking back to Bucky he replied, “You sure about that?”

“Yeah”, with that he jumped straight out.

Walking back over with the rope he handed it to her and watched as she wrapped it around herself and then to the plane, “have a nice flight” Without she dove right out of the plane and did a flip while holding out to the rope and scaling down to the ground. After fifteen seconds she let go and free fell another fifty feet before lading and doing her iconic superhero pose.

Looking over a few dozen feet, she noticed Bucky laying on the ground trying to catch his breath. Letting out a chuckle and smiling she walked over to him to make sure he was okay.

Standing over him she put her hands on her hips and looked down while asking “Are you okay? That looked like it hurt”

Suddenly Sam interrupted with mirth “I have all of that on camera, you know that right”

Then redwing flew over to them, Bucky merely looked over to her and said “Yeah, im fine. How are you?” and then looking over to redwing hovering above them he grunted “ Get out of my face, Sam or I’ll break it.”

In the comms he just simply said “okay, head north”

Sticking her hand out to him she offered to help him up. Reaching to take her hand with her flesh one she pulled him up, and then quickly took a step back flustered at his proximity, “come on lets go” with that she went north.

Walking into the abandoned building Bucky and Katy looked around, while walking around redwing swooped right by Bucky prompting him to swat at it while she chuckled, and Sam said “don’t hurt him”

While they walked up to Sam he called out “You’re doing that staring thing again”, looking down to his wrist he continued “They’re in there.”’

“Where’s they guy?” Bucky asked, “I don’t know, I think they’re smuggling weapons, though.”

“Well, I think you could be right”

“hmm,” was all Sam said.

“Well, I think we should do something about it rather than just standing here and bantering about it” Katy called out with a smirk and then walked closer to get a better look to see what the two guys were doing.

Looking over to her Bucky had a light smile reach his eyes at her quip, while Sam just laughed. “There’s only one way to find out, I see a clear path. I say we take it.”

“We’re not assassins”

Grimacing as his reply Katy looked over her shoulder and then looked back.

“I’ll see you inside or not.” Bucky replied in his deep baritone voice staring out Sam, then walking over to Katy.

“Hey, come on man. I’m just messing with you. Come back” smiling Sam trailed after them.

With Bucky leading they way she trailed behind him.

“Look at you. All stealthy.” Chuckling Sam continues through the comms “all stealthy. A little time in Wakanda and you come out White Panther”

“It’s actually White Wolf”

“Huh”

“All right, I’m inside therefore, way ahead of you.” Crouching down her looks over to Katy and then back to the scene in front of them. “It’s not great, but very doable with Katy and I”

Feeling a presence creeping up behind her she looks back to see Sam stealthy creeping up behind them.

“huh”, Bucky said in confusion”, then went on in a sarcastic tone “Hello. How are you?”

“Good. What did I miss?”

“Nothing”

Huffing out she replied between them “Boys, can we get back to the mission? Kind of important here..”

“Alright let’s go” Bucky replied

“No wait.” Sam said.

“I got a vibranium arm. I can take them”

Something felt off about this, it looked almost too easy, before she could say anything Sam quickly responded “And I can fly, Katy can take them down with hand-to-hand combat. Who gives a shit? Wait.” “I wanna see where they’re going”

“Now wait a minute, I can do more than that” she said offended.

“There’s two people”

“You only see two?, what about you Kat?”

“That’s what I saw. Bucky responded while looking over to her.

“I only see two, but I..” She stops to take a break and then looks at them unsteadily. “I can sense more, if that makes sense.”

Both men are surprised by this and look at her questioningly.

Sighing she looks to them and the says “About seven years ago I was taken by the red room, and they experimented on me, apparently they saw an opportunity with my already enhanced DNA. From that I’ve been able to sense things, kind of like a sixth sense. I don’t know if that makes any sense, but it’s all I got.” Unable to elaborate anymore she looks away and hopes they will be satisfied with that answer.

Noticing her apprehension, they let it go for now and focus back on the mission. Bucky has a straight face, yet there’s concern there and a bit of understanding.

“Let me see what redwing sees.” Looking down at his wrist Sam points of the multiple body heat signatures redwing is picking up.

Grateful they let it go, she looks over to see that there appears to be five people.

How many people you see now? One, two…. Oh, here it comes again. Four, five. Yeah five.” Sam continues while Bucky just snaps “fine”

“Yeah.”

“So they’re strong whatever. All right lets go.”

“No, no wait. Shit”

Watching as the people look up from the noise, the trio held still trying not to be noticed. Finally, they looked on and continued their tasks.

“Alright, lets move” A woman call out to the other people. Waiting for them to be out of sight the three follows after . Looking at his wrist Sam notices that one of the trucks has an eight person in it. “I think they have a hostage he remarks.”

With that Bucky and Katy run off towards the truck while Sam flies towards it.

Running up the truck Bucky jumps up onto the back and opens the door climbing in, with Katy hot on his wheels. Walking in further he begins to look around, trying to find the hostage. Looking around they notices the crate and the contents, “They’re stealing medicine. Vaccines”

Looking up she notices a young woman poke her head out from one the crates, she looks scared and slightly hopeful. Alarm bells are going off in Katy’s head, but before she can do anything Bucky is saying hi and getting himself jacked out of the truck.

“Oh shit” she remarks before kicking out the woman and then turning to Bucky to see him being pulled up onto the car truck by two guys. Jumping up onto the other truck she goes to help him out with the other woman right on her heels. Turing around she blocks a swing from the red head and take a step back raising her arms and falling into a defense position.

Thrusting her foot forward she kicks out at the woman and hit her gut before she can even react. Thanks to her mom she has the quicker reflexes and quickly continues on her attack, turning to check on Bucky.

In her distraction the other woman get a kicks in and sends her flying back before Bucky’s feet, redwing then comes soaring in taking shots. The woman jumps up and catches it and then uses her knee to break it in half.

While on her back Katy quickly jumps back up landing with her one foot tucked in a kneeling position and the other in front while her hands are touching the floor.

Bucky looks up and happily says “I always wanted to do that.”

Sam’s going to be pissed she thought with a smirk and then turned and lashed out at the guys holding onto Bucky, sending them stumbling away. Ordinary her kicks would have wiped them out, but with the serum the just took a few steps back. Annoyed by this she turned around to see Sam swooping down and kicking the woman.

Ha she thought, I knew it.

While Sam was engaging in combat with the woman Bucky yelled out “Good of you to join the fight Sam” Quickly Bucky and she took on the other two men. In the meantime, the fight was joined by the other truck rolling up and two other men joining.

Sam was kicked onto to other truck leaving Katy to run up to the other guys and quickly jump up towards them, using her body as leverage she wraps her thighs around one of the guys and uses the momentum to throw him down, quickly raising her wrist she shoots out one of her widow’s bites from her gauntlet. It was a gift from her mother for her eighteenth birthday.

To her dismay it didn’t take him down for long, “Damn super soldiers” She muttered to herself.

Suddenly one of the men fighting Sam was hit by her father’s shield, looking up she noticed a helicopter with that Walker idiot jumping out. Rolling her eyes, she went on fighting.

Before she knows it the shield is flying around nocking the flag smashers down, while another mans jumps down on a rope. Great another idiot to contend with, who the hell is he supposed to be?

“Sam. John Walker, Captain America.”

“Lemar Hoskins”

Walker continues “Looks like you guys can use some help”

The two men say, responding to the questioning looks.

Ugg she thinks he looks way to proud to be brandishing that shield around. Dark thoughts quickly take over her mind, the very sight of him enrages her. Using that anger she quickly takes out her opponent.

The woman quickly makes her way up the Walker and Hoskins, Walker goes to hit her with the shield and then throws it out the other guys, while it soars back Bucky catches it with ease, handing it over to Walker reluctantly.

Witnessing the whole thing, the only thing that comes to mind to Katy was “Damn, that was hot” While slightly panting, blushing and hoping no one notices she looks towards the other two.

The fighting continues for a few more minutes before Bucky is pushed off the truck, faltering at the sight she receives a swift hit to the gut, quickly focusing back on the task at hand she continues to fight. Worried over Bucky still she notices Sam swoop in and them him and Bucky tumble away onto the field. With her head turned away her opponent kicks her off the truck sending her over in the direction the other two went.

Tumbling onto the ground below her and then rolling onto the grass, she berates herself for allowing herself to get distracted enough to get her ass handed to her. She was better than this, trained by a former red room assassin and a freaking super soldier since she was her girl.

Standing up she notices Sam and Bucky walking towards her.

“Well, that went horrible. We got a asses handed to us back there. I mean we are professional’s right? Because after that it seems like were amateurs. It’s embarrassing”

“Yeah, we sure did. Although I might add they were all super soldiers” Sam tuned in while him and Bucky walked off onto the road following after her.

“Well, this should be a fun walk back” Bucky said aloud looking straight ahead. Are you okay doll?” He said looking towards her.

Stuttering in her steps at the name, she quickly collected herself and responded with a smile “Never better, always love it when I take a tumble off a moving semi-truck, in the middle of nowhere.”

“Only twenty more miles to go of this” Sam intoned.