#in other news water is wet the sky is blue and I’m insane

[anew-flame]

Heads up, y’all, I might do some serious reorganizing which could involve me changing both my pfp and username.

I originally created this blog with the intention of it being for 1 OC in 1 fandom, but I’ve outgrown it by 3 or 4 OCs that I also like to use for more than one fandom. Concurrently. As well as use this as a general fandom/other stuff I like kinda-blog. Which is a tagging nightmare.

Because there is something inherently wrong with me, and as a slut for organization and categorizing, my solution is potentially using side-blogs to simplify everything for me.

The plan would be to switch this blog url from Rhaella-Rhavelli to anew-flame.

I’ve decided to make a side-blog for each of my OCs, which will maybe encourage me to post their stuff more but who knows but I’m undecided about using the Rhaella-Rhavelli url for OC-of-the-same-name designated side-blog.

This blog, to become anew-flame if I continue, would be my general fandom stuff and other things. Still reblogging all the same stuff, to include DA and Arcana fandom, but I’m opening it up for lots of other stuff now too 😌

My other side blog, @bob-loblaws-reblogs-blog’s fate is undecided right now.

Anyway, just FYI in case y’all don’t recognize me on your dashes in the next few days!

[luimagines]

Hi! I have a request, but first i wanna say your writing is absolutely amazing! The length + amount of time you put into these prompts is insanely good. Now! Onto the request, how would the boys react to a reader from a more modern era? Maybe a more modernized hyrule or our current point in time?

Masterlist

Thank you so much for the compliment! I'm happy to see the response even if this blog is still relatively new.

I hope I do your prompt justice.

I probably could have done a headcanon list but I was hit with inspiration.

I also might have given Reader some backstory.

Scenario below the cut! It’s long, take caution.

It was a cool night, but you didn't mind. Your bed was warm, the WiFi was fast and even if it was three AM on a school night, you managed to keep yourself giggling with cat videos and blursed memes until the words and colors merged.

A night well spent.

But it led to questionable decisions.

Even if the shredded cheese in the fridge was beginning to seem a more and more enticing snack, your body was tempted to succumb to slumber.

Until a large purple light encompassed the entirety of your window.

Something was in your backyard.

Aliens. Your tired brain supplies and you sprint to the glass and push away the curtains. Is this it? Is this where I'm kidnapped and never seen or heard from again?

You pull out your phone and open up the camera.

"Pics or it didn't happen." You remind yourself and snap a few before showing your face.

What you see isn't what you're expecting. Instead of a flying saucer in the sky beaming down a laser or a weird pear shaped space craft on top of the grass, there's a single panel of glowing light, swirling with black accents that creeps in a circular motion.

"Cheese and crackers...." You gasp and begin to blatantly stare at it with no regard to whether something may be coming out of it.

You wait and nothing happens.

You wait some more and nothing happens.

You spend an hour watching this portal that has appeared out of nowhere, waiting for something to happen, willing for something to happen. But you get nothing.

The unknown stares right back at you, unblinking and unchanged.

Go through it. A voice tells you. What if there's something on the other side?

"I'm going to die." You gulp and take a deep breath.

Who else gets a chance like this? The voice talks again. This could be a grand step towards a more modern society. A whole new world could be on the other side, waiting, reaching out, calling to humanity!

You think you a see a shadow move behind the portal and out of sight but it’s gone before you can even process it.

"Should I call the police?" You step away from the window, ignoring the thoughts, the voice- you're too tired to know if it's your own any more. What's the plan? How does one go about something like this?

Where’s your sense of adventure? Pack a bag and go! What if it goes away?

That last thought seems to get through to your tired brain and for a reason beyond your understanding, it latches onto it.

Now you’re excited.

You run to the closet and take out your old backpack. It used to be for school but it was fancier since it was the only one you could get. The bag had a replaceable water bag with a plastic straw connected through the back of it and the straps have just worn down enough to where they’re actually comfortable. It doubled as a hiking backpack and came with its own insulated lunch box that clasped on the back of it.

It’ll finally serve its purpose.

You quickly roll up your favorite blanket and strap it in tightly beneath the lunch box. You’re quick to take out two extra outfits and pack them as well as change out of your pajamas.

Ok. What would you need? You don’t know where you’d be going so this has to a catch all kind of deal.

You pack away your swiss army knife first for good measure. A solar powered charger for your phone and an extra pair of socks follow suit even after you’ve picked out the extra clothes.

You take out the water bag and run to fill it all the way to max capacity as you think of any other necessities.

You’d need food. You have a small jar of peanut butter and granola bars that can fit in the lunch box. You can bring your extra water bottle and put in the side pockets of the backpack, and maybe bring some of those powered flavor packets your brother loves so much. You think he has lemonade and some green tea ones.

Those would be great. He won’t mind, hopefully.

You let the bag overfill momentarily before running back to shove it in your bag. with the lid screwed tight.

Next you run to the kitchen, grabbing the first things that you thought of already and begin to look around for more.

You grab an unopened pack of beef jerky, a bag of veggie sticks and a half eaten bag of dried mangos.

During your search you grab the water bottle and fill that too.

You return to your room with your bounty and begin to carefully put everything in the box. With some more deliberation, you run back to the kitchen and make yourself a quick sandwich, eat it, make another one and pack that as well.

You look out side the window and the portal is still there.

The sun is beginning to rise now so you’re trying to go as fast as you can, unless you want to neighbors to think something is going on.

Even if it is.

You’re about to leave but in a stroke of brilliance, you run to pack sunscreen and bug spray as well. You see a small first aid pack that was bought recently for when you would take your family vacation but you reason that it might one of the most important things you’d have if you got hurt.

Into the bag it goes.

You grab your hoodie before you leave the door, wrap it around your waist and pocket your phone, your headphones and your wallet.

You feel immediately under packed when you step outside and see the portal up close.

It’s weirdly triangle shaped, you think and step closer.

You reach your hand out and try to touch it. It feels as if you put your hand through a humidifier but it’s not wet. It’s misty and cold but not necessarily unpleasant.

An idea hits you right before you take your first step through.

You pull up one of the earlier photo’s you took and send it to your friend’s group chat. It showed up in my backyard. I decided to make a bad late night decision and I’m going through. If you never hear from me again, I want you all to fight over my electronics. Winner takes all. Godspeed.

And you step through.

You had first assumed that it would merely take you tot he other side but very quickly realize that you have to walk through it.

The first part still had a little light but with time, it got darker. So dark that you couldn’t even see your hand in front of your face.

You kept walking.

As fast as the light disappeared, it came back and you stepped into the light of an open field, right in front of one, two, three, four, nine males that had appeared to be traveling towards you or rather, towards the portal.

The portal disappears in the process.

“Oh so we didn’t have to go through it! We had to gain another member!” One of them yells. “Would have been nice to know before we packed everything up!”

“Ho boy, where am I?” You ask and tighten your grip on your backpack. Why didn’t I bring a weapon?

They all had long tunics and swords on their backs. Old fashioned leather boots and hand bracers were the norm in this group and you realized very quickly that your jeans and t-shirt had wildly missed the memo.

“Dang, I didn’t think I’d walk into a LARP group. Sorry about that.” You sheepishly smile. “I had no idea where the portal was going to take me. But if you would be so kind-”

“Wait, what’s LARP?” One of them speaks up. He was a dirty blond and somewhere in the middle of the group height wise. He wore a white cape like thing with blue designs on the back but you didn’t recognize the symbol.

“Live Action Role Play?” You tilt your head. “It’s why you’re all dressed like that? Right?”

“This is just our clothes.” What appears to be the youngest bounces up to you. “What are you wearing?”

“First I could grab in my closet.” You admit and look down on it. It’s one of your comfiest shirts and best looking pants. You’re a little proud of yourself for finding those in the dark.

“Weird.”

“We’re heroes. We’re all named Link.” Cape guy speaks up again. “Is it safe to assume that you’re in the same boat?”

“Heroes?” Your eyebrows furrow together. “I’m not a hero and my name’s not Link.”

You’re quick to tell them your name and you watch as the confusion covers their faces. “My brother’s name is Link though if that helps anything.”

“Oh we needed him!” The youngest groans and it instantly irks you.

“What would you need with a five year old?” You deadpan and cross your arms. 

The information stuns the group.

“The portal showed up in the middle of the night and I’m the one that went through it. I’m pretty sure I was the only awake to even see it. Are you telling me that it was for my little brother?” You’d be lying if you said that you weren’t a little pissed. “My baby brother was supposed to go through it? He was asleep! He’s five. What kind of logic is that?!”

“Well...” The biggest and oldest of them runs a hand over his face. You think he has some cool tattoos and sick scar going across his eye but he looks about as angry as you feel, so you don’t say anything. “It appears the gods truly do not care for the hero’s maturity, only his existence.”

“Ok...What’s with all this hero talk?” You bite back. “What did... Where am I?”

“Hyrule.” The second with cool face tattoos speaks up. He’s got a large fur pelt around his shoulders and you have to tighten your grip against your backpack again to keep from reaching out to touch it.

Even so you feel yourself deadpan even more. “Hyrule? Like the ancient empire? The one that collapsed more than two thousand years ago? That Hyrule?”

You’re inclined to not believe them and write all of them off as crazy... but you also walked through a portal. And your grandma did say that magic existed in the strangest forms.

They all share looks of concern and some begin to murmur quietly amongst themselves but you’re too far gone to even notice.

“Did I time travel?” The idea hits you like a bus and you feel your eyes widen as you stare beyond the group. You quickly take our your phone and unlock it.

No signal.

“Is that a type of Sheikah slate?” Someone asks you.

“I don’t know what that is.” You reply automatically. “Wait, hold on, what year is it?”

“Why don’t you tell us what year you’re from and we can start from there?” The darkest brunette of the group speaks up.

“202x PC” You say robotically, not really processing the world around you anymore.

“That’s...” The blond with a long blue scarf speaks up with a slight hiss. “...Beyond any of our timelines. You see, we all come from different worlds and eras of Hyrule’s history.”

“I don’t think you’re the farthest down anymore, Wild.”

“This would then make them my successor, right?”

“It would make their brother your successor.” Someone amends. “I think they just jumped in his place.”

“Leave my brother alone.” You snap back into the present, pocketing your [hone again. “Ok, you know what, screw it. I don’t know what you’d want my brother for but I’m here now. I’d gladly take his place if it means he gets to stay home!”

“Hey.” A boy with pink hair stalks up to you looking a little more serious than you’d like.

“Nice hair dude, way to defy the gender norms.” You smirk a little before genuinely grinning, hoping to quell the tension. “What product do you use? It looks like Artic Fox but not every place sells their brand.”

“...I have no idea what you’re talking about but what happened to Ganon in your world? How have you been handling it?” He snaps and places his hands on his hips.

“Ganon? Like my old principle? That’s a name I haven’t heard in forever.” You’re confused again. “Last I heard he joined the police force only to be reassigned out of state. I don’t know what’s happening with him. Kinda hope he gets fired though. He’s not a bad guy but he’s not someone you’d want in that kind of position of power, you know.”

“Police force?”

You blinked and look them all over. They look very medieval. “Oh... You don’t have that...”

You begin to think about your history lessons and what they might be familiar with if they’re telling the truth about being from Hyrule.

“Ya’ll got knights?”

Many, almost all of them nod, a few with face of despair already on them before you finish speaking.

“It’s kind of like that. Mixed with a towns guard position... kinda. They enforce laws... at least they’re supposed to but the whole system is flawed and racist and really needs to be dismantled for the abuse of power that they have-”

“Abuse? Of power?” You have their attention again.

“It’s stupid and it won’t really make any sense if I try to explain because I doubt you have anything similar but it’s basically a group of people given the right to treat the public in anyway they like for their own benefit because they have no one telling them that they can’t.” You groan and slowly begin to feel your lack of sleep catch up to you. 

You slowly reach to behind you and sit down on the dirt, looking at all of them. “Mr. Dragmire wasn’t like...Demise or anything but he was a huge jerk. No one liked him. He liked me though. I remember that. I was the envy of the whole school because I somehow got on his good side while everyone else wants to strangle him. I think he was transferred for some misdemeanor or something like that... like he might have been throwing hands with someone he wasn’t supposed to. I never heard all the details. I didn’t really care for it when it happened either. I’m pretty sure he lost that fight though. The dude looked like a blast of wind could have knocked him over let alone someone’s knuckle sandwich.”

“I would love to hear more about this.” The youngest sits next to you with a large grin on his face. His eyes are bright and his body language reminds you of your cousin Zelda. You instantly think they’d get along like a house on fire. “What are your monsters like?”

“Monsters?” You tilt your head. “Be a little more specific bud, it depends on where you’re from.”

“You have that many?!”

“It depends on if you believe they’re real or not.”

“Speaking of monsters, can you fight?” The shortest walks up to you. You like that his tunic is stitched up with multiple colors and designs. It gives it personality, you think. “Do you have a weapon you’re more comfortable with?”

The question throws you off your rhythm and you don’t fight your wince. “What would happen if I say that I do not, in fact, have any sort of weapon on me?”

“I wouldn’t believe you.” Pink guy speaks up again. “That pack is huge, there has to be something in there.”

“It’s food, water and extra clothes my guy.” You lean back against said backpack since it won’t let you lay down with it still on. “Not a lot of space for anything else. I’m pretty good at hand to hand combat though. Karate’s a good way to fight out stress.” 

“Your bag’s not magic?”

“Why the hell would it be magic? ...Are you trying to tell me magic actually exists?” You raise an eyebrow as your eyes begin to close against your will. “I know my grandma said it does but I thought she meant like fairies and shadow demons.. and bigfoot. Can’t forget him, he’s the real MVP... You know...Children’s bedtime stories and stuff like that, it’s not real. But like magic magic? Magic items and the like? Find me Tinkerbell and I’ll show you Neverland, that’s what I say.”

“Are you serious?”

“Second star to the right, straight on till morning.” You respond.

There’s a moment of silence as the group in front of you processes your words. It’s hard to tell their reaction since you’re not looking at them but you no longer have the energy to do anything else.

“Are you falling asleep right now?” It’s the one they called Wild.

“I...” You try to open your eyes. They don’t budge. “I haven’t slept in nearly 20 hours... I think. I might have past 24 hours a while ago actually. Portal showed up at like four in the morning... I had to get up at six and I didn’t sleep at all before then.”

More silence.

“Great another one.” Someone scoffs.

You snort.

“Why did we pack up camp again?”

“No one kill me.” You say right before you lose consciousness. “Please and thank you.”

“They’re doomed.”

“Have some faith Vet. They stepped in for their little brother. That has to mean something?”

“They’re in for a rude awakening, and that’s all I have to say about it.”

[teacupfulofstarshine]

you're the pink in my cheeks (i'm a little bit soft)

summary: "and i know we'll never grow old together / cause you'll never grow old to me / you're the pink in my cheeks / and i love that it means i'm a little bit soft / you're the pink in my cheeks / and i love that it means i'm a little bit soft"

- "monster," marceline (adventure time)

(OR: 5.4k of soft domestic lesbian!analogical, featuring lesbian!moceit, trans male!remus, trans female!roman, and Gay Shenanigans)

a/n: huge thank you to dandie for beta'ing this fic!

i just wanted to write wlw is that so wrong of me? no. no it is not.

CW: alcohol mentions, a few sex jokes, swearing, one implied instance of potential sexual activity (although it doesn't go any farther than making out; if you want to skip that part, skip the section that starts with "Did you get the right kind of popcorn?")

word count: ~5.4k

read it on ao3!!

“I think I may be going insane,” Logan says, squinting at her laptop screen. Virginia, hanging upside-down in the armchair, looks up from her phone and blinks.

“And why is that?”

“Because I am starting to agree with Rosie’s anti-Florida agenda.”

“I didn’t realize that there was an anti-Florida agenda.”

“Rosie has one, and I have always thought it facetious. However, if this laboratory does not start sending me my requested samples and information in a timely manner, I will be forced to concede that Rosie may have . . . a point.”

“You, agreeing with a lit major? I never thought I’d see the day,” Virginia teases. Logan initially resists the urge to stick her tongue out or flip Virginia off, because that would be childish, but then she remembers that Virginia does not care about her childishness, so she sticks her tongue out. Virginia snorts with laughter, and Logan feels warm, fizzy pop-rocks bursting in her chest.

Her phone buzzes next to her, and she picks it up. There’s a new message blinking for her attention on the screen.

[from: snesbian (snake lesbian)]

a, b, or c

[to: snesbian (snake lesbian)]

. . . What?

[from: snesbian (snake lesbian)]

*rolls eyes*

[from: snesbian (snake lesbian)]

i need you to make a selection, logan. a, b, or c.

[to: snesbian (snake lesbian)]

I am confused. What am I selecting between?

[from: snesbian (snake lesbian)]

wouldn’t you like to know, weather boy

[to: snesbian (snake lesbian)]

Yes. I would like to know. That is why I asked you.

[to: snesbian (snake lesbian)]

Also, I am not a meteorologist. Or a boy.

[from: snesbian (snake lesbian)]

it’s a meme, i’m sure v will be happy to show you the og. but first: make a choice

[to: snesbian (snake lesbian)]

Option B, I suppose?

[from: snesbian (snake lesbian)]

vodka it is!

[to: snesbian (snake lesbian)]

Wait, what?

Her phone buzzes again, another text thread lighting up, and Logan abandons the now-fruitless conversation with Jan to see that her wife has texted.

[from: soda poppy]

y is jan fillin a thermos with vodka and sayin u gave her the go ahead? >:(

[to: soda poppy]

I am unsure. She texted me asking me to make a choice between “a, b, and c” with no context given. When I eventually selected “b,” she excitedly mentioned vodka and logged off.

[from: soda poppy]

her an remy r going 2 a pta meeting tonight an i guess they’re goin drunk

[to: soda poppy]

Is that a . . . normal occurrence?

[from: soda poppy]

sadly yeah

[to: soda poppy]

Wait, is she even allowed to attend PTA meetings? You two don’t have any children?

[from: soda poppy]

she’s on the school board so she has the right 2 attend. idk if she’s supposed to or not but its never stopped her b4

“Everythin’ good over there?” Virginia asks.

“I believe I may have just enabled Jan to attend a PTA meeting drunk.” Virginia snorts, swiping at her phone.

“Good for her, honestly. The only reason she and Poppy live in that neighborhood is so that Jan can flaunt her wife in front of all the capital-s Straight people, because she’s a petty fuckin’ bitch.”

“That is a strange word choice for your best friend.”

“I hate Jan, she’s a bitch,” Virginia says, smirking fondly at her phone. Logan knows her girlfriend well enough to know that this statement is disingenuous, so she stands up, stretching her arms above her head, and leans down to drop a kiss onto Virginia’s forehead.

*~*~*~*~*

Logan blinks awake slowly, feeling for the position of her limbs. She’s on her left side, left arm tucked up under her pillow to cradle her head, wrapped in the thick comforter of their bed. Her right arm is slung across Virginia’s body, and her girlfriend is pressed up against her, head tucked right under Logan’s chin and face nestled into her neck and chest. Virginia breathes, slow and deep and even, and Logan hums, huffing out a soft exhale.

She carefully wiggles out of bed, tucking the comforter around Virginia’s curled-up form. Virginia grumbles when the cool morning air slips against her skin, because she is a foolish woman who insists upon sleeping in short shorts and a spaghetti-strap tank top no matter the current weather patterns. Logan wraps her up, making sure that she’s shifted into the middle of the warm divot of body heat, and Virginia settles in, asleep again in a heartbeat.

Logan turns to the corner chair, where her early-morning outfit is already laid out: athletic leggings, a sports bra, a moisture-wicking quarter zip jacket. She changes quietly, lights off, and tugs on a pair of ankle socks before slinking into the bathroom. Once the door is shut, she flicks on the soft lights over the vanity and carefully undoes her sleep braid. Normally, Virginia does Logan’s hair, because Logan is not good at dealing with her wavy, tangled, curly mess, but she won’t wake up her girlfriend for that. She can, at bare minimum, pull her hair up into a high ponytail for running purposes.

They live in a small town only a short walk (and even shorter bike ride) from the beach, full of little two-story brightly-colored beach cottages. Logan steps off her front porch, pulls out her phone, and quickly shoots a text.

[to: ginny <3]

I am headed to the beach for my weekly run. I will likely return before you wake up, but in case I do not: I will be back before 9 AM.

[to: ginny <3]

I love you <3

Logan kicks up the kickstand on her bike, runs her fingers over the glossy dark-blue paint flecked with white and silver and gold to mimic stars, and swings one leg over the bike seat. She carefully pedals out into the narrow road and heads for the beach. The cool early-morning air whips past her face, and she chances a glance up at the dark-blue-turning-light-blue-grey sky and smiles.

She’s always been an early-morning morning person, anyway.

*~*~*~*~*

Logan’s sneakers dig into the hard-packed wet sand along the water’s edge as she runs. Seagulls scatter in front of her, and the podcast Virginia recommended hums in her ear. The sun creeps up, up, up onto the horizon, coloring the blue-grey into streaks of brilliant pink and orange and gold, light reflecting off the water in resplendent diamond sparkles.

Logan runs half a mile down the beach, turns around, runs back to where she started and then runs half a mile in the other direction before turning around and running back to her starting point. By the time she’s bent over, hands on her knees, huffing out breath while her legs burn pleasantly, the sun has emerged fully from the ocean, and Logan is beginning to wish she had worn a visor.

She takes a moment to appreciate the sensory experiences of being on a nearly-abandoned beach: the scent of salt water, the sound of waves crashing against sand, the errant cries of gulls squabbling over fish. Their little beach is not nearly pristine enough for a tourist attraction, and too far north along the Atlantic coast to be warm year-round. Still, Logan loves it, and cannot imagine living anywhere else.

She hunts along the water’s edge as she walks, briefly, a cool-down before the bike ride home. She finds a few things worth photographing, a few crabs to shoo back into the ocean, and a few things worth gathering: an intact clam shell whose smooth curve runs unbroken from the heel of her palm to the tip of her index finger when she lays it flat in her hand, a light gray rock worn smooth by the waves that turns dark-gray-almost-black when wet, a small spiral shell that she thinks may have broken off of the top of a snail shell. Logan wraps all three things carefully in a small handkerchief from the little bag she keeps in her bike basket, pulling out her phone to note the time (8:37 AM) and the message notification flashing at her.

[from: ginny<3]

dunno why you insist on being a morning person. stop by the dunkin on your way back and get us breakfast?

[to: ginny<3]

You had Dunkin for breakfast three times this week. You should consume something healthy.

[from: ginny <3]

>:( >:( >:( >:(

[from: ginny <3]

counterpoint: you bringing me dunkin is better than me not eating breakfast at all. which is the alternative because i do not want to get up and prepare anything

[to: ginny <3]

Your womanly wiles will not work on me in regards to Dunkin breakfast.

[from: ginny <3]

bitch (affectionate)

[to: ginny <3]

Would you like me to make you breakfast on my return, beloved?

[from: ginny <3]

. . .

[from: ginny <3]

will you make me an omelette? with all the cheesy goo an shit?

[to: ginny <3]

I will make you an omelette with some degree of “cheese goo.”

Logan slides her phone into her pocket, huffing out a laugh at her girlfriend’s behavior, and hops onto her bike again.

*~*~*~*~*

“Your omelettes are always so much better than mine,” Virginia says, moaning as she sinks her teeth into an enormous bite of egg and cheese. Logan, calmly dicing bell peppers to mix into her own omelette, smiles.

“All food tastes better when it is prepared by someone who is not you.”

“You’ve clearly never had anything the twins have cooked.” Virginia takes another bite, pops a multivitamin into her mouth, and chases it down with a gulp of milk. “Besides, it tastes better because you made it.”

“I am not the most accomplished chef in the world, certainly, but I am glad you enjoy my cooking.”

Virginia laughs softly. “Lo, I like your food because it’s prepared by someone who loves me. I can taste the love in everything you make for me.”

Logan turns back to her peppers to hide her blush. “Love is not a measurable ingredient when cooking.” Virginia laughs again, louder this time; when Logan sets the knife down, she hears Virginia’s chair scrape out behind her as she stands, feels her arms wrap around her waist, feels the cool skin of her face press into her neck.

“Love you.”

*~*~*~*~*

“Stressful day at work?” Logan asks, hearing the door slam.

Virginia kicks off her flats, sending them flying into the wall with a clatter. Logan sets down her crochet project and moves toward the entrance of their house, where Virginia is shrugging off her rainjacket to reveal a mint-green Peter Pan-collared blouse and dark gray dress pants. “The stressiest.”

Logan takes the jacket and shakes it out on the tiled entranceway before hanging it on the hook. “I am sorry, beloved.”

“Lots of assessments, lots of parents who don’t understand why I’m assessing their kid, lots of parents insisting that there’s nothing wrong with their kid, or that there’s no way their kid could possibly have the deficits that I’m seeing. Like, I wouldn’t make this shit up, you know? Literally, let me help your child. You came to me, remember? I’m not in the habit of imposing myself onto people.”

“That sounds very stressful,” Logan says. She tries to picture a life where she spends all her time interacting with people she doesn’t know on a regular basis instead of her little corner of the university biochemistry lab where she only has to interact with three or four known people and her immediate supervisor, mostly by email. It sends icy fingers skittering down her spine.

“It is, I hate it. I mean, Kitty’s my supervisor until I get my C’s, so if I have problems I can consult with her, but like . . . why are people the way that they are.”

Logan stretches up and presses a gentle kiss to Virginia’s cheek. “I love you, Ginny.”

Virginia exhales and folds herself around Logan, draping her body over her girlfriend and going limp and boneless. “I don’t wanna be a real person for the rest of the night.”

“That can be arranged.”

“But it’s my night to make dinner.”

“I do not mind switching and having you make dinner tomorrow,” Logan says. “This is an acceptable deviation from the routine.” Virginia pushes her face into Logan’s neck, and Logan nuzzles the side of her head, and she sighs like the entire world has lifted off her chest.

*~*~*~*~*

(This is how it starts:

Logan, taking a class on British literature in her sophomore year because she needs to meet her core requirements. Logan, meeting Rosie, disagreeing with her on almost every single point she raises in class, hating when they’re paired up for their midterm project but earning the best grade in the class overall. Logan, seeing a text from Rosie about how her housemate needs people to participate in a research study for extra credit. Logan, making the long trek down to the health sciences building and seeing Virginia for the first time, thinking that she’s pretty and not knowing that she’ll be thinking that for the rest of her life.)

*~*~*~*~*

“Hello, gorgeous,” Virginia hums.

“Are you talking to me or to the mint plant?” Logan says, aggressively stabbing her pointer finger against the Delete key. It clacks loudly, and she mutters an insult under her breath. “I am going to set myself on fire. I swear to god, I am.”

“Obviously the mint plant,” Virginia says, turning and dropping a kiss on Logan’s head. “You okay, honey?” Logan grumbles more and shoves the laptop away from her with a disgruntled noise. Virginia moves the laptop away and leans over to kiss her forehead.

“I am trying to politely word an email whose essence boils down to, ‘If you do not send me my fucking samples in a timely manner, I am going to be forced to commit an Atrocity the likes of which this earth has never seen’,” Logan says.

Virginia laughs so hard that she sits down on the tiled kitchen floor, wiping tears from her eyes. “You are so funny,” she wheezes. Logan feels her irritation fade a little under the brightness of her girlfriend’s joy. “Let me see the email, I’m good at professional bullshitting.”

*~*~*~*~*

“Braid my hair!” Rosie says, throwing herself down onto the couch. Logan lifts her laptop up just in time to keep Rosie’s head from slamming into the keyboard.

“Ginny is your best bet for braids, Rosie. I have limited experience.”

“It doesn’t have to be fancy, It just has to be off my neck.”

Logan saves her document and sets her laptop on the coffee table, poking at Rosie’s ribs until she slides onto the floor and settles cross-legged between Logan’s thighs. “A comb and some hair-ties would be appreciated.”

“REMUS!” Rosie shouts.

“WHAT?”

“BRING ME A BRUSH AND SOME HAIR BANDS!”

“GET YOUR OWN!”

“I’m going to kill that man,” Rosie mutters, rolling to her feet. There are suspicious muffled thumping noises from the other room for a few minutes before Rosie emerges, victorious, hair somehow even messier than it was in the first place.

“You are the single loudest person I have ever met,” Logan sighs, taking the comb and the hair ties and beginning to drag it through Rosie’s curls. Rosie winces, just a little, at the pull of the comb, and Logan tries to be more gentle.

“Thank you!”

“I did not say that was a compliment.

“Hey!”

*~*~*~*~*

Logan tugs her sweatshirt sleeves down from where she’d rolled them up previously, shivering a little. Part of her wishes that she had worn leggings instead of capris as she drags the folding chair a little closer to the bonfire, toes dragging through the still-sun-warmed sand. The speaker set up on the food table blasts some sort of current pop music, and Rosie and Poppy dance around each other, chanting the lyrics at each other. They are both very loud and very off-key and, Logan suspects, fairly drunk as well. Remus is in the ocean (definitely buzzed, potentially naked) and Jan is standing at the edge of the ocean, watching to make sure he stays alive.

“Hey,” someone says, low and rumbling in her ear. Logan does not flinch (just barely) and turns to see Virginia, holding a plastic cup with a poorly-drawn sketch of the state of Virginia on it. Her hair is starting to come loose from its messy bun, and her sweater sleeves keep sliding down over her wrists and nearly dunking into her drink, and her breath smells sweet and alcoholic. When she lifts her hand to Logan’s cheek, her fingers are cool, and Logan shivers.

“How’s my girl?” Virginia asks.

“Cold,” Logan answers honestly. Virginia laughs, tipping her head back and exposing the long strip of her neck. Logan wants to lick it.

“You’re adorable,” Virginia says, leaning in and pressing her mouth against Logan’s ear. Her breath is warm and slightly damp. “So pretty, my Logan, and so smart. I bet you know exactly what chemical compounds are making the flames turn that color, hmmm?”

Logan can feel her face burning hotter than the bonfire, but Virginia just sits languidly in her lap, feet propped up on the armrest. Her toes are painted pale purple, and the glitter sparkles in the firelight.

“How many drinks have you had?” Logan asks.

“Enough to feel all tingly,” Virginia says, swirling whatever’s in her cup. “How many have you had?”

“None,” Logan answers honestly. Virginia leans her head against Logan’s shoulder, and her wispy frizz tickled Logan’s nose. She sneezes, and Virginia giggles in the high-pitched, superficial way she only giggles when she gets really, really drunk.

“You sound so cute when you sneeze.”

“I do not.”

“Of course you do,” and now Virginia is looking at her, eyes glowing warm in the firelight. “You sound cute when you do anything. You’re cute when you exist. You’re cute no matter what. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone.”

Logan hates the taste of alcohol, but she leans in and kisses Virginia anyway.

*~*~*~*~*

“Lo.”

“Hmmm?”

“Pick a color.”

“What?”

“I’m painting my toes again. Pick a color for me.”

Logan flops over onto her stomach, staring at the neat row of creme polishes sitting on their ottoman. Virginia’s bare feet are propped up in front of them, spread apart awkwardly with neon lemon gel toe spreaders, and she studies the nail polish like she’s trying to determine which vial isn’t poisoned.

“I like that one,” she says finally, pointing to a pale pink polish the color of the flowers Virginia brought her on their first date. Virginia hums, picking the bottle up and tilting it critically in the light.

“Not the one I would have picked, but I said you could pick, so I guess we’re doing it.”

Virginia tosses some bottles of toppers (or “tacos” as she calls them, slang from one of the YouTubers she likes) onto the bed while she paints her toes, and Logan sifts through them to settle on a blue-yellow iridescent one.

“I do not know how you can get behind wearing something called a Unicorn Skin,” Logan says. Virginia just shrugs and plucks the bottle from her hand. Their fingers overlap - Logan’s warm from where they’ve been tucked under her body, Virginia’s cool from where they’ve been gripping the glass bottle. Impulsively, Logan lifts Virginia’s fingers and kisses the tips.

“You’re going to smear the polish,” Virginia mutters, even though she painted her fingers earlier today and they’ve been dry for a while. She doesn’t bother to yank her fingers away, either, so Logan kisses them again.

*~*~*~*~*

“Logan!”

Logan is fully aware that the only thing keeping Poppy from crashing into her like a floral-sundress-covered cannonball is the casserole dish in her hands. She counts her blessings and steps aside to let Poppy in.

“Where’s Jan?”

“Getting something from the car! It’s my turn to drive us home, so she brought something to drink.”

Jan primly kicks the passenger side door shut with her heeled ankle boots, a bottle of wine grasped by the neck in each hand.

“I hope you do not intend to drink both of those in their entirety tonight,” Logan says. Jan rolls her eyes and offers one of the bottles to her.

“This one is a gift for you and Ginia. The other one is for me.”

“None for Poppy?”

“Poppy is the designated driver, so she will not be drinking. And I know she already told you that.” Logan rolls her eyes, and Jan flips her off. “Are you going to invite me in or not?”

“What are you, a vampire?” Virginia shouts from the kitchen.

“Only one of us dresses like the undead, darling, and it isn’t me,” Jan calls back, stepping into the house. “Are the twins here yet?”

“They cannot attend. Remus has orchestra practice and Rosie is teaching a dance class. You already knew both of these facts, because you are in the group text.”

“I am not.”

“You responded to a message in the group thread fifteen minutes ago.”

“That was the NSA agent assigned to monitor me.”

“You are a liar.”

“What else is new?”

*~*~*~*~*

groupchat name: be gay do crime

soda poppy: hey every1! DONUT 4get to make ur bakesale goodies and drop them off at r house by 7 am on fri!

lo tide: Please use normal words. I am begging you.

snesbian (snake lesbian): then beg.

lo tide: I do not recall asking for your opinion.

snesbian (snake lesbian): and yet i give it to you anyway. am i not generous

virgin: if you don’t stop making fun of my gf i swear to god

virgin: also remus if you don’t stop changing my name i’m gonna end you

virgin has changed their name to gin(ny) and tonic!

gin(ny) and tonic: much better anyway

violets are blue rosie is me: i believe you meant anygay

gin(ny) and tonic: i said what i fucking said

ace attorney irl: you changed your name :(

gin(ny) and tonic: every day the Lord regrets giving all of us mod powers in this chat

snesbian (snake lesbian): i have no such regrets

lo tide: Can we circle back to the bake sale, please?

soda poppy: Whatchu wanna kno???

lo tide: I assume it is school related?

soda poppy: yep!

soda poppy: fundraising 4 this year’s art club field trip! since im the faculty advisor im in charge of approving and setting up 4 the fundraisers

lo tide: I see. And why, exactly, is it our responsibility to make things for this fundraiser? Should it not be the students’ responsibility?

soda poppy: they r makin stuff 4 it but also i gotta make sure some of the stuff will b edible yknow

lo tide: I see.

gin(ny) and tonic: listen i know that jan is like. a professional pastry chef an shit. but i’m not making anything fancy like a cheesecake or smthn

gin(ny) and tonic: i’m making like. fuckin brownies

snesbian (snake lesbian): smh don’t you care about the Children at all?

gin(ny) and tonic: no. they’re not my kids

ace attorney irl: i will make cookies

soda poppy: u cannot make them inappropriate shapes

ace attorney irl: :(

violets are blue rosie is me: do not worry, i will make sure they are an appropriate shape

violets are blue rosie is me: i’ll make cupcakes!

lo tide: I believe I have a recipe for lemon squares that I can make. Will lemon squares be sufficient?

soda poppy: yeah! just keep ur stuff free of common allergens like tree nuts

gin(ny) and tonic: so my plan to just yeet you a bag of reese’s peanut butter cups and call it a contribution is out then

*~*~*~*~*

Virginia throws a box of brownie mix into the cart and dusts her hands off. “There. Done.”

Logan raises an eyebrow.

“Don’t give me that look, we have the rest of the ingredients at home. We have tap water, we have oil, we have eggs, we don’t need anything else. What do we need for your lemon thingies?”

“Lemons, presumably.”

“You’re a comedian,” Logan deadpans. Virginia flips her off, and then leans in to kiss her cheek. “I do need lemons, though. Lemons, more eggs . . . I have a list in my phone.”

“What phone?” Virginia says, dangling Logan’s galaxy-patterned case above her head. “I think you’re too short for this, Lo.”

“Give me my phone,” Logan says, rolling her eyes. Virginia wiggles it above her head, laughing.

“Maybe you should give me something in return.”

“Like what?”

Virginia grins. “Like a kiss, perhaps?”

Logan rolls her eyes again, but she leans in and kisses Virginia gently, swiping her phone back when Virginia lowers her hand to cup her face. “Thank you for paying the toll, sweetheart.”

“You are ridiculous,” Logan says. It doesn’t stop her from gently kissing Virginia’s cheek before pushing the cart down the aisle again.

*~*~*~*~*

groupchat name: be gay do crime

lo tide: What time did you want us to drop off the baked goods, Poppy?

soda poppy: if ur gonna b in the area, u can just drop them off at my house!

ace attorney irl: i made some of the shapes inappropriate but those ones r 4 u and jan

soda poppy: what did u make 4 the bake sale?

ace attorney irl: . . .

soda poppy: what did u make 4 the children, remus.

ace attorney irl: nothin’ too crazy! jan had some normal summer shapes - suns, flip flops, etc. etc. used those

soda poppy: :D thx remus!

ace attorney irl: made some fishies too! but the octopi are just for u an jan.

ace attorney irl: i . . . may have painted dicks on them

soda poppy: well at least u warned me right

*~*~*~*~*

“Did you get the right kind of popcorn?” Logan asks.

“If by ‘the right kind’ you mean ‘your favorite kind,’ then yes, I did,” Virginia says, coming into the living room with a large yellow bowl full of fluffy popcorn. “What are we watching tonight? It’s your turn to pick, isn’t it?”

“Gay fish,” Logan says.

Virginia sets the popcorn on the coffee table and blinks at her. “That is . . . quite the description of Finding Nemo, sweetheart.”

“Not Finding Nemo, Ginny. Luca. It’s new, and it’s not explicitly gay, but there is a very obvious queer reading. I thought we could watch it together.”

“Anything with you sounds wonderful.”

“Sap,” Logan mutters. She leans in to kiss Virginia’s cheek, but Virginia turns at the last moment and presses their lips together.

“Are you sure you want to watch a movie?” she says. “We could just make out instead, if you want.” She pushes gently on Logan’s stomach, guiding her to lay on her back on the couch. Virginia lays on top of her, gently sliding a hand to rest warm and heavy on her stomach. She leans forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Logan’s neck, and then her jaw, and then rubbing their noses together.

“Tonight is movie night,” Logan says. Virginia presses their mouths together, and Logan hums, gently pressing up into the kiss. “We should be watching a movie.”

“Are you sure?” Virginia says. “I think we should pursue this avenue a little further.”

Logan squirms a little. “I - I would not - um - no, thank you.”

Virginia’s eyes, which were hazing over with something, clear as she blinks. “Okay, sweetheart.” She leans back, sits up, pulls Logan into a sitting position. “Are you alright?”

“I’m okay,” she says. “I just - I am not in the mood for that tonight. If that is okay.”

“Of course it’s okay,” Virginia says. She holds out a hand, and Logan takes it. Virginia kisses the back of it before settling herself on the couch. “I am so proud of you for expressing a boundary and telling me you were uncomfortable. I know that expressing boundaries is something that we’re both working on, and you did a wonderful job. Tell me what you want, Lo. Please?”

“I would like a kiss,” Logan says. “Just one. And then I would like to cuddle, and - and I would like us to watch Luca together. Is that acceptable?”

Virgil nods. “Of course, love. Come here, hmmm?” Logan settles next to her, and Virginia gently cups her cheek and presses their mouths together. “I love you, Logan. So much. Of course we can watch Luca now.”

Virginia lays an arm along the top of the couch, allowing Logan to cuddle up against her and rest her head on her chest. “I love you,” Logan says softly.

“I love you too, sweetpea.”

*~*~*~*~*

Logan rolls over, yawning, and feels a small weight displace itself from her thighs. She blinks awake slowly, lifting her head and pushing her curtain of curls aside to reveal a black cat mewing at her grumpily before settling into a sushi roll beside her.

“Did I wake you? I am sorry, Galileo . . .”

Galileo settles against her, purring softly, while the ash-grey cat at the foot of the bed pads slowly up to curl on Virginia’s back. “That’s your favorite spot, isn’t it, Andromeda?” The cat emits a soft “mrrrp” before settling back down to sleep. Logan yawns, smiles, and gently strokes her hears. “What should we do, girls? Shall we stay awake and be productive members of society?”

Neither cat responds, and Logan looks at Virginia. She’s haloed in the morning light, eyes tightly shut, mouth hanging open, drool leaking into a puddle on the pillow. She snores a little - one, two, three snorts before settling back into a deep sleep.

“No,” Logan decides, “we shall not.” She lays back down, gently nudging Galileo a few inches over so that she can snuggle up to Virginia. Galileo stretches out, pressing a paw directly into Logan’s cheek. Logan shoves her, and she resettles onto Logan’s feet with an indignant noise.

“You can sleep by my face when you do not kick my face,” Logan mutters, curling into her love.

*~*~*~*~*

groupchat name: be gay do crime

soda poppy: r u all comin 2 the bake sale 2morrow?!

lo tide: I was under the impression that we were only providing the baked goods. Is it not for the students at the school?

soda poppy: we got waaaayyyy more stuff than we thought so we r havin a 2nd bakesale 2morrow 4 parents an stuff!

soda poppy: we r gonna need sum help with setup though . . .

lo tide: Poppy, please do not even -

soda poppy: 🥺🥺🥺 p l e a s e

lo tide: Poppy.

snesbian (snake lesbian): logan

lo tide: If I agree to stop and pick up coffee for everyone, will that motivate you all to turn out?

violets are blue rosie is me: i’m always a slut for free coffee

lo tide: I’m sorry, where did I say that this would be free?

violets are blue rosie is me: D:<

ace attorney irl: eh i’m down for it. where you swingin’ by?

soda poppy: there’s a panera p close 2 where the bake sale is!!! it’s gonna b at the morning girl’s basketball game

lo tide: Does anyone have any issues with Panera coffee?

violets are blue rosie is me: nah. large iced coffee, add three ounces of half and half, two pumps of sugar syrup, two pumps of vanilla, and caramel drizzle.

ace attorney irl: complicated bitch much?

violets are blue rosie is me: why must the cain instinct betray me like this

ace attorney irl: the cain instinct started when we stole each other’s genders in the womb

violets are blue rosie is me: this is true this is true but you’re still a bitch

ace attorney irl: large hazelnut coffee, two sugars, please

snesbian (snake lesbian): large dark roast, black

soda poppy: medium decaf coffee, two ounces of almond milk, and two pumps of sugar syrup!

gin(ny) and tonic: large caramel latte

lo tide: You . . . are going to ride in the car with me to pick up the coffee, we can order our own coffees. I do not need your order, love.

lo tide: But I appreciate the information <3 <3

*~*~*~*~*

“We come bearing gifts,” Virginia announces loudly. “And by gifts, I mean we bought a baker’s dozen of cinnamon crunch bagels for everybody.”

“Well, there are twelve cinnamon crunch bagels and one plain bagel, bagged separately, for me,” Logan corrects, expertly balancing two coffee trays with a bagel container. “Also, we made more brownies.”

Poppy looks up from where she’s instructing two high-schoolers on how to hang a sign properly and grins, waving brightly. Jan is leaning on the table, hand on her head, sipping at a water bottle.

“Vodka or whiskey?” Logan asks dryly, handing over Jan’s black coffee. Jan blinks at her, flips her off, and drains a long swig from her cup.

“Water. Partied a little too hard with Remy last night, and now I’m hungover as shit.”

“We suspected as much, which is why we brought you an extra coffee.”

“Lifesaver,” Jan says, knocking back another long drag of coffee before taking a sip of her water bottle. (Logan suspects the bottle is actually Poppy’s, due to the sun-shiney stickers plastered all over it.) “You and Poppy both. But if you tell anyone that, I’ll gut you like a fish."

“No, you won’t,” Logan says, turning to hand Rosie and Remus their respective drinks. “You never do.”

Jan flips her off, but Virginia comes up behind her and leans her forehead against her shoulder. Logan turns, kissing her forehead, and smiles.

Life is good today, she thinks. Life is good.

(screen names!

virgin -> gin(ny) and tonic; ginny <3 = virginia (virgil)

lo tide = logan

snesbian (snake lesbian) = jan (janus)

soda poppy = poppy (patton)

ace attorney irl = remus

violets are blue rosie is me = rosie (roman) (thanks to @rosesisupposes for letting me borrow your screen name for this!)

[colossal-fallout]

Historia and male bodied reader. Breeding kink. I'm making you go further down this hoe you dug

The Farmhand Father 🌾

Male bodied reader X Historia

Momma Sarah is feeding you male bodied readers well with this one...

Warnings: 18+ NSFW smut. Breeding kink. Size kink. innocence tainting. Seducing. Orgasm denial. Slight pillow Princess Historia.

Seriously... This is filth. You've been warned.

You remember mere hours ago that cute face of Historia blushing deeply, squirming in such a shy way, you thought it was absolutely adorable. Her huge, sky blues' glancing away nervously, her hands behind her back a sure sign of her feeling uncomfortable as she confessed her desires for you.

This powerful, high queen dressed now in normal clothes as she came to your farm escorted by her two most trusted guards.

You blink, her words melting into a blur as if you were receiving some awful news.

Yet, it couldn't be further from the truth.

Queen Historia. In all her royal glory. Someone who had visited your farm a fair few occasions. Nothing special. Royal duties and all that. You had been in awe at her beauty - as were most. She was straight from a fairy tale. Innocent, pure and sweet.

No.

She wasn't like she were from a fairy tale. Historia was the physical manefestation of inspiration to write the most gorgeous queen in the land. The most dangerous calling siren; her luring beauty so hazardously tempting.

You had to admit it, you were more than surprised to see her at your door, still looking devine even in nicely pressed civilian clothes.

"And so, due to royal duties I must produce an heir, to keep the Riess bloodline and - "

You were sure you'd heard her but your mind just wasn't accepting it. This had to be a dream. There was no way this was actually happening.

Perhaps you'd fallen and hit you head on the horse plough again and this was some weird coma dream. You were sure to wake up to those two Colten boys from the next farm over annoying you by trespassing. The usual, fantasy free life.

"Of course, I understand if you don't want to. Please don't feel forced because I am your queen. It's just... You are my first choice. I've wanted you for some time." Her crimson face glances away.

You already felt your cock twitch at the mere words of her suggesting what she was.

It was torture every single time she's visited to boost morale of the farmworkers. Her graceful form would float in, her delicate frame surprisingly strong as she even helped out with certain tasks, her kindness overflowing, pouring into the hearts of her citizens.

God what you wouldn't give just to smell her...

The amount of times you'd tugged yourself stupid, panting her name and imagineing her little pussy stretching around your colossal cock.

Boy was she in for a shock.

You hold yourself steady, your mouth watering with excitement. You did well to hide it. Surely if she knew how desperate you were for her, the extent of the yearning for her would surely make her rethink her decision.

You sit tense - still not really allowing yourself to believe this was real.

"What about your guards?" You ask, trying your hardest to keep your words steady.

She glanced back out of your living room window, the guards waiting by her carriage at the bottom of your large yard.

"They've been told to stay put. But, I don't mean we do this right now. I want you, I do. But shouldn't we get to know each other a bit more?"

Shit.

Now she was within your grasp, you couldn't risk her changing her mind. This was an opportunity of a life time. And you'd be damned if she gave up her innocence to some soldier.

But what could you do?

You most certainly were not going to force yourself upon her. You weren't a monster. Also, even if you were, you would probably be executed for such a thing.

And rightly so.

Your mind races as she stands up to excuse herself.

"It'll allow you some time to think. I'll be back here in one month from now."

A whole month?!

30 whole days of knowing she wanted you, was wet for you and might change her mind at any given time?! No way were you about to let that happen.

You spring to your feet, throat now suddenly dry.

"Historia. If I may...?" You hold out your hand feigning patience.

You're thrilled when her satin soft palm lands within yours, a touch you'd craved for the longest time. A gasp escapes her as you sit back down and pull her comfortably onto your lap. Her heart hammering with excitement as this strapping farmer she had been wanting for a while now pulls her down with such bold strength.

Her lips stay parted and that cute magenta tone etches her cheeks.

"Of course. Let's get to know one another better." You sneer. "There's something I must warn you about."

"Oh?" She sings in surprise as you allow yourself to finally inhale her scent. Her warm form on your lap was enough - your monster cock growing, yawing and stretching itself awake.

You swivel her around so she's now straddling you as you lean back further into the chair, your hands firmly caressing her thighs as her crotch sits on your solid errection.

Her eyes widen, nails slightly dig into your skin reflexively when she feels the sheer size and girth of you. Her thighs subconsciously squeeze together as that Magenta colour deepens into more of a crimson hue.

"Oh... I..." She stammers, squirming uncomfortably.

She didn't think it would be possible to want you more. You'd certainly caught her eye and she'd thought about you often, wondering how you were doing and wether or not you saw her the way she did you. And now, feeling your huge beast beneath her ceased all of her cognitive functions.

"Would that be okay, my sweetheart?" You coo, brushing her hair from her face and holding back a sneer.

You needed this to work.

You. A mere farmer about to fuck the queen. The innocent, pure queen who no one else had fucked (male anyway). You didn't mind the rumours that she had dated a fellow female soldier in her cadet days. She's still untainted by sinful cock.

Beneath your cool exterior was a panicked inferno of hazed lust. There was no possible way she was walking out of that door without being fucked by you, now you felt the warmth of her pussy rolling through the cloth of her panties under that skirt as her legs splayed across you.

Historia's blood ran hot and she was close to crumbling.

"I need to go." She muttered yet didn't make a move. Her eyes were still wide - her mind telling her to leave but her body refusing to let her.

Your fingers snake up to her waist before you begin you push her back and forth, her slit rubbing against your large buldge.

"I just wanted to make sure." You mutter, your soft facade quickly falling away as you have her warmth massaging you, moving her small form with such ease. "Before you go. I need you to be sure. I need you to really feel me. To know what you're going to be having."

Her face deepens in colour as warm, beautiful sensations caress her clit and folds as you rock her up and down against your length what was now throbbing; aching to be released and inside of her.

Wit great restraint, you prevent yourself from running your hands all over her. If you come on any stronger it would surely break the spell. You had to wait for the right moment.

"y-yes. Of course." She swallows hard, her chest rising and falling as you push her down a little harder, your groan being held back.

"You're so beautiful." You marvel, as if it was your first time noticing it.

Her hands suddenly and quickly run up your chest as she leans forward with a moan and crashes her lips against yours, her hips now grinding against you on their own accord, your hands now free to roam up her back as her hands run through your hair with desperation.

You sneer into her mouth, her lust too far gone for her to notice as this beautiful woman rubs against you frantically like a cat in heat, moaning into your mouth.

"I need you." She breathes, rubbing her head anywhere she could against you. "Please don't let me go. I need you now. Please have me... Oh please..."

With a grunt you get to your feet, her body wrapped around you as you carry her towards your bedroom. Your tongue swirled around her sweet little mouth, devouring her as you lock your door behind you and lower her down onto your bed.

"Jesus, Historia..." You gasp when you see a wet patch on your trousers where she'd been sitting.

"I'm sorry!" She squeaks, mortified. You didn't think there were a deeper shade of red on the colour spectrum as she slithers in embaressment.

"Don't be." You breathe, removing your damp pants and springing your cock free.

She gasps at the sight of your huge dick, it's fat head gleaming with malice as it almost angrily pulses and throbs, demanding entrence inside of her.

Pushing her legs up harshly, you put your face close to her soaked crotch, finally inhaling her scent before you encase your mouth around her, sucking the moisture from the material - your hot breath feeling heavenly as her head throws back.

She'd never wanted a man so much in her life. Nor had she been so turned on in all of her twenty one years.

You continue to suck and hum, your wish finally coming true. You couldn't wait to ruin her tiny frame, your fingers hooking at the cloth and pulling them down her legs.

"Please, don't stop." She pleads.

You glance down at her bloom that sat neatly between her legs.

Thick ropes of slick covered her small pink lips, her hunger making it twitch and clench, her insides spasming and trying to grab onto anything it could to ingest.

"fuck..." You sigh before leaning down and running your tongue up, moaning at her taste.

"Ah~!" She cries out in Hysteria, her back bending and hands gripping your sheets as you run your tongue painfully slow over her clit.

You had to give her the best orgasm of her life. You would go insane having her then not being able to again.

You take a fingertips and push it against her warm hole. You weren't sure how your were going to fit inside of her.

You'd make it fit.

Your name leaves her lips over and over as you insert your index, her insides instantly pulling you inside with glee.

Suddenly you pull away, leaving her starving as you make her way up her stomach, removing her shirt.

"You can't cum yet..." You explain as your trembling fingers removes her coverings. "It needs to be huge and at the same time as me. Best chance of becoming pregnant."

She nods, pained but understanding.

"Gonna fill your pretty pussy with my hot cum..." You groan into her as her now freed breasts are caressed by your mouth. "Get you nice and full with me. Gonna breed you like a pedigree bitch."

She whines at your words, your name repeating over and over as you kiss her breasts as if they were her mouth; tongue lapping and swirling around her pink nubs, lips smacking loudly against her soft, clean skin.

You lean back, wiping your mouth with the back of your hand. Queen Historia, a flustered quivering and pleading mess - naked and splayed on your bed.

"Let's get you a little used to my size, huh?" You grunt, pupils dilated with a predatory hunger, pushing her arms up by her head and hovering above her chest removing your shirt with one hand.

You push your leaking head to her mouth.

"Kiss it." You command.

She does so immediately, her mouth pouting as she presses it against you, smearing your messy liquids around her lips. Rocking your hips you grab her hair with one hand pushing her mouth down. Her jaw is wide and you can only get her lips just past your huge head.

Hissing loudly you push her as far as she'll go, her eyes tragically beautiful as they water at your size her warm mouth sealed tightly around you; her tongue flat as you rock her head by her hair, her stifled moans loud and hysteric.

"Shi~~~t..." You sigh, as she gags and chokes, the back of her throat spasming around you, pulling her faster as you thrust into her, now with two hands as you push yourself up higher onto your knees.

"You've never had your mouth around a dick before, huh?" You ask.

She shakes her head, wet lashes fluttering with blinks before they roll with another loud choke.

You pull out, allowing her some air, ropes of her saliva sticking to you, keeping you connected to her mouth.

She whines your name after her gasp of oxygen before you push yourself back in, thrusting harder than before, your grip on her hair nice and tight as you skull fuck your queen.

"By the time I'm done with you, you'll only ever want my cock." You hum, sneering as her eyes roll furher, the squelching noises like music to your ears. One final deep thrust and you pull out, your orgasm brewing at a dangerously high speed.

"Take me, please!" She begs. "I need you inside of me! I'll do anything... Please!"

Panting you spread her legs, the arousal of you fucking her mouth now a wet patch on your bedsheets. Taking the bottom of your shaft you line up to her heat. You can already feel her walls trying to pull you in from within her. You sluggishly rub your thumb againt her external g spot, pushing yourself forward.

She cries out loudly, her spine folding backwards and head tilting as your head squishes into her tiny hole.

"It's s'so big... Ah~! I'm so full!"

"Oh baby..." You frown. "My head isnt even fully in you yet."

She whines in response as you slowly rock yourself, your angry errection tainting her with its poison, her purity ebbing away with each push, each millimetre that slides inside.

"So fuckin' tight." Your moan is desperate, hungry and predatory.

Glancing down you see her lips splitting apart at your girth, the pink colour washing out into a faded white as they attempt to swallow you.

"y/n!" She warns. "I can't. It's too good!"

You were inside of her now. You were too far gone to care as her entrance begins to spasm at the delicious full feeling of you, her orgasm hitting her hard as she silent screams, her eyes rolling.

"Fuck..." Your mouth waters as she gets even wetter, her ridged tunnel attempting to pull you in deeper. You take this opportunity, harshly thrusting into her while her mind was swirling in the void. You jut forward as your head finally passed her entrance, just as she comes back around.

You can't believe your eyes as you see the bump of your head pushing up against the flesh of her lower stomach - the sight alone almost making blow your thick load.

Historia is now extremely needy, her hands pulling you down and her lips taking yours faithfully as she sobs.

"S'so... Good. Ah~! Don't ever s'stop. Baby..."

"Never." You grunt pushing further into her.

"I can't... I'm going... Again...!"

Your eyebrows fly up in surprise as her nails sink into your back as she clings to you for dear life, holding you as close to her as possible as she cums once more around you.

Your eyes furrow closed. It was getting harder and harder not to cum and you hadn't even thrusted yet. You still weren't fully sheathed. Maybe you shouldn't have gotten cocky and fucked her sweet mouth.

You finally push yourself fully into her as her tongue lolls from her mouth.

"s'so full ah~! Y/n."

You begin to slowly dip into her, her snug insides so warm and tight, embracing your length lovingly, clamping and dancing around you in joy.

"I can't... Go back " she suddenly groans. "Not without you. Without this. Come back with me. Fuck me whenever I please. Your queen commands it."

Had you died and gone to heaven?

You nod. "Sure."

"Fuck me like this every night. I'll just lie here and your size alone can just... Ah~! Again~!"

Your dick is squeezed again, as she cums for a third time without much effort on your part.

"Fuck me over and over. Keep impregnating me. Only your cock is good enough, y/n. Yes! YES!"

Those words pushed you over the edge as well as her greedy tiny cunt sucking out your essence.

"Historia. I'm gonna cum."

"Give me it all." She sobs. "I want every last drop!"

Your pace quickens your hand grabbing and tugging her hair once more.

"Your dick is the only one I've had. And only one I ever will. It's too good not to own. It's mine now. Fuck me, please!" She cries out as she cums yet again.

You roar as your thick, hot cream splurges out of you, colliding with her cervix as she milks you dry. It sure as hell felt like she was taking every last drop - your orgasm going on and on. Your cum is leaking out of her stretched lips by the time you've filled her to the brim - her eyes in the back of her head and mouth open.

She'd ment it too. You didn't even have time to pack your stuff after you'd recovered as she whisked you away to her carriage. Admittedly, she was walking a little weird for a few days after.

Part 2 coming soon....?

[uncaaj]

Fanfic: The Soggy Summer Skirmish! (DuckTales 17)

Check out the DuckTales Summer Zine HERE! READ NOW ON AO3!

I looked to my left. My best friend was attacking with wild abandon, casting a desperate glance at me after flinging one deep. “Dewey! I can’t hold ‘em back forever!” she called out, barely dodging a shot that was surely her undoing.

I looked to my right. My other best friend lay prone on the ground, out cold, his best friend pressing on his chest in an equally desperate rhythm. “Launchpad, noooooooooo!” he wailed, throwing his hands to the sky and cursing whatever god happened to be passing by us at that point in time.

Wait, freezeframe.

Hi, Dewey here. You may have heard of me, the adventurous one? The wonder in blue? Those are just a few names I’m known by. Anyway, you’re probably thinking: Dewey, how does a handsome and impressionable kid like you find yourself in such an insane conundrum??

Well, I promise I’ll answer that. But first, I have to take you back to how this all got started.

Oooh, transitional sentence…

“I’m booooorrreed,” I said, falling slowly off the couch not unlike a Slinky slinking down stairs.

You may ask yourself again, Dewey, you cool cat, how can you and your siblings, the grandnephews of the great Scrooge McDuck, ever be bored in the mansion on a hot summer’s day?

And to that, I say…Huey asked too. “How can you, the grandnephew of the great Scrooge McDuck ever be bored on a beautiful day like today?”

“It happens, okay? It feels like we’ve been watching the same show for hours,” I groaned.

“Hey, Ottoman Empire is a classic,” said Louie. “It’s the kind of show you can watch for hours and always find something new.”

Webby narrowed her eyes at the screen. “Really? ‘Cause I must’ve seen the same exact murder subplot about 60 times. And every time, it’s the jealous carpenter.”

“I knew it was the jealous carpenter by episode 4 even when the show was new!” said Huey, “Oldest trope in the book.” He then actually opened his Junior Woodchuck Guidebook and showed us that it in fact was the oldest trope in his book.

Louie rolled his eyes. “Everyone’s a critic.”

“Alright, that’s it,” I said, jumping to my feet. “Huey’s right.”

“I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you say that.”

“I can admit it.” I marched to the window and opened the curtain, letting the summer sun stream in. “It’s a beautiful day and we’re just sitting around wasting it. Let’s do something fun!”

“Ooh, how about a water balloon fight?” said Webby.

I gasped. “Omigosh, I was thinking the exact same thing! Two teams head-to-head?”

“Heart-pounding action!”

“Master the field…”

“Or meet your maker in the form of breakable rubber wet peril!” 

Webby bounced up and down and we locked eyes. “We’re so in sync!” we said in unison.

“You’re so dorky,” we heard Louie say.

Suddenly Launchpad appeared in the archway, holding a bucket of popcorn. “Hey, kid best friend!”

“Hey, grown-up best friend!” I said. “Change of plans.”

“Oh, are we marathoning Side Table Kingdom instead? Ooh, or maybe Darkwing Duck??”

“Nope, we’re doing something better. A battle of wills, skills, and water balloons.” Having a thought, I ran over to L.P. and climbed up on his shoulders. “And Launchpad’s on my team!”

“What?!” Louie screeched. “That’s not fair! You’ll cream us!”

“You’ll have Webby though,” I pointed out, “She beat all three of us in Dart Wars.”

“That’s not enough, Dewey,” said Huey. “If you’re going to involve a grown-up, then we need to make it fair. We each get one, or we take them altogether.”

My eyes lit up. “Hubert, you’re a genius! Kids vs. grown-ups! It’ll be the match of the century! And I can livestream it!”

I jumped down, did an awesome three-point landing, and dashed off. “I gotta make some calls!” I shouted back as I left. This day had just gone from slow as a turtle to the best day ever.

Oooh, another transitional sentence…

A while later and we were outside in the mansion’s backyard, standing in two separate single file lines. On our team, me, Louie, Huey, and Webby. On the grown-ups team, Launchpad, uncle Donald (who we had to wake from a nap), Drake Mallard (who was in town to help a friend buy a motorbike), and Fenton Crackshell-Cabrera (the friend in question).

Huey paced in between us, clipboard in hand. “The rules are simple: we’ve got an objective point in the front yard. One team has a water bomb carefully designed by Gyro-“ He turned to Fenton. “Thanks by the way, Fenton.”

“No problem,” he said, “Dr. Gearloose had it in the ‘might turn evil, dismantle’ pile anyway.”

“Wait, what?” said Louie.

“ Anyway, your objective is to make it to the point and set off the water bomb. The other team must keep you from doing so before time runs out or must defuse the bomb successfully before it goes off. If you get hit, you’re ‘dead.’ Not really, but pretend you are. Dewey’s words. Any questions?”

Drake raised his hand. “Yes, Drake?” said Huey, pointing his pencil at him.

“Er, not that I’m not happy to be here, I’m just not entirely sure why you asked for us specifically.”

“ Because,” I said, “this is a great chance to really test our adventuring skills! We’ve got two superheroes here, a sidekick of a superhero, and uncle Donald, who I’m pretty sure was a superhero at one point and never told us.”

Huey gave me a look. “I told you, those were unsubstantiated rumors.”

“ I’m telling you, uncle Donald did fight an alien invasion and I will prove it!”

I saw uncle Donald look away and start whistling. Fenton raised his eyebrow for a moment then suddenly his beak dropped open in shock. Aha! He saw through that suspicious act too!

“Alright, troops!” said Webby, bringing us all back. “May the best team win and may you never know the feeling of a dry shirt ever again.”

Uncle Donald cracked his knuckles. “You kids are goin’ down.”

Huey made a face that said, “I fear for my life.” If only I knew what we were in for, I might’ve felt sympathy. But alas, I’m just a naive, good-looking child, how could I have known?

Ooooh, transition again- okay, I’m gonna stop that now. 

READY…

Kids against grown-ups, and the bomb was in our court.

SET…

I clicked on my headset. “Men? And Webby? Let’s kick some tail.”

GO! It was on!

Me and Webby planned it out. We’d be our attackers. I had the bomb on my back, Webby had my six. Huey was our scout, and sneaky Louie? The spy. What else?

For now, we took the silent dash from home base to the capture point, right by uncle Donald’s houseboat. I took position by a wall we set up and peeked out. Nada. “Huey?” I said into my earpiece. “Whatcha got?”

“ An empty yard, just like you. I’d still proceed with caution. I’d wager Drake’s their forward.”

“Copy. Louie?”

“I’m in enemy territory. I’ve got an eye on Launchpad. He’s heading up on the right side.”

“I see him,” said Huey, “Guys? Cross-over to the wall on your left and wait for my signal.”

So we did, all low-to-the-ground-like, the scent of freshly mown grass filling my nostrils. All the time, I wondered who was gonna fire first. I soon got my answer.

“Louie here, I lost Launchpad. I was getting a balloon ready and-“

“Hey, Louie,” we heard Launchpad say through Louie’s transmission. “I guess I have to throw this at you now. Better run before I do.”

“Launchpad!” yelled Drake, “Don’t warn him! Just throw it!”

I heard a splash and feared the worst. “Okay, Webs, let’s book it.”

“No!” Huey exclaimed, “that’s exactly what I said not to do!”

But I was already heading for the point. “Plans change! Keep up, Hubert!”

“Hoo-ra!” Webby cheered.

Bank left, bank right, dodge roll, dodge roll. I was swift as a coursing river. Taking another post, Huey spoke up again. “Ah! I’ve been made!”

“Sorry, Huey!” said Fenton. I peeked out and saw them by a tree. Huey dodged desperately like I taught him. I nodded to Webby and she took off and hurled a balloon with the force of a great typhoon. Fenton turned toward it and went white. It exploded on his face with the strength of a raging fire.

🎶Mysterious as the dark side of the MOOOOOOOOOOON!🎶

…er, sorry. Got distracted. Point is, we drew first splash!

“Sigh…thanks, Webby,” said Huey, clutching his heart.

“No problem,” she smiled.

At that moment, there came a hiss, and purple smoke slithered in around our feet. “Whuh-oh,” I said.

“I am the terror that flaps in the night,” came a deep, menacing voice.

“Scatter! I got him.” Huey and Webby took my order and squeezed a water balloon in my hand.

“I am the candy wrapper in the public pool of crime.”

“…Ew.” I looked around the cloud of smoke for the duck I knew was inside…somewhere.

“I am…DARKWING DUCK!” Drake swooped down from a tree and I dove to the side. A balloon burst a foot away from me and I hurled mine back at him. He ducked (ha!) and it burst all over the tree trunk. “Good shot, kid,” he said.

I smirked. “It’d look better all over your pretty face.”

Drake grabbed another balloon and took a wide, heroic stance. “I’ll be the judge of that.”

It was our standoff moment, just like in the Western movies. We stared each other down, mano a mano. No sound but the passing breeze and our breath.

Then Drake said, “Draw!”

We both dove to the side and hurled our balloons. I hit the dirt and scrambled up. Not even looking to see if I hit him, I hauled tail to the capture point. Skidding to a halt, I slung the bomb off my back and pressed the “Arm” button. The timer flashed “1:00.” I pumped my fist. “Kids rule!”

I let the moment hang for a moment before asking myself, “Wonder where uncle Donald is?”

Peeking out from my shield again, I saw Launchpad running for his life, two or three water balloons hot on his tail. He spotted me and waved. “Hi again, kid best friend!”

Blammo. Louie came up behind him and nailed him in the center of his back, then dipped out of sight again. Perfect.

Launchpad grasped at his throat. “Oh no! I have been splatted! So cold…” He spun around and flopped on the ground.

“LAUNCHPAD!” Drake screamed, eyes wide and standing in the middle of the yard, totally exposed. As he ran to the pilot, he shouted, “D.A., now!”

Webby and Huey popped out from a bush. “Who’s D.A.?” she said.

“BANZAI!” There was uncle Donald, hurtling down from on top of the roof, covered from head to flipper in water balloons. “I knew it!” I said, “The rumors were true!”

And he just started hurlin’. Water balloons flew every which way. I didn’t even see his arms. It was a blurry windmill of fury and power. Uncle Donald really was serious.

And that brings us to where we were in the beginning. Fancy, huh?

Webby was fighting back, while poor Huey took one right to the head, falling out of the bush. “Ah! My Junior Woodchuck Guidebook! Er, I mean, blegh!”

There he went, collapsing onto the lawn. Poor Launchpad was really acting dead and theatre kid Drake was hamming it up.

And uncle Donald? Well, he was being uncle Donald.

I lost my focus for a split second and saw a balloon coming straight toward me. Time slowed down. This was it, my ultimate sacrifice. I set the bomb and did my team proud. I could die honorably now. I put my hand to my heart and felt myself get absolutely drenched.

“Dewey!” Webby called out.

“Gotcha!” cheered uncle Donald. Giving Webby the look of death, he grabbed one last balloon and put it right on target. Webby yelled as she was the last one of us to go down.

Uncle Donald high-fived Drake. “Yeah! Team K.O.!”

“You were…crazy,” said Drake.

Uncle Donald cleared his throat. “Still gotta defuse the bomb.”

“Oh yeah!” They both dashed over to the capture point. I didn’t know how much time was left but it couldn’t have been more than-

“10 seconds?!” shouted Drake.

“Quick! Cut the wires!” uncle Donald squawked.

“What wires?”

“They always have wires, movie-boy!”

“This isn’t a movie, Donald!”

BOOM!

That…sounded like actual explosion, not water explosion.

We all got up and screamed. There was a small fire in the middle of the yard and Drake and uncle Donald lay 5 feet away, covered in soot. We all used the rest of our balloons to put out the fire and then went to help them up.

“Drake, are you okay?” asked Launchpad.

Drake coughed a puff of smoke. “Singed but triumphant.”

“It was an ACTUAL BOMB?!” Fenton screeched. “He told me it wouldn’t do that!”

We all looked at him like this was his fault. He looked back at us, petrified. “Uh…I-I need to make a call.” He headed back to the house.

“Wait up!” said a red-faced uncle Donald, following after. “I’ll kill that mad doctor!”

For a good long moment, we didn’t really know what to do. We looked at Drake and L.P. and they stared back. Then we turned our gaze to the splintered wall on the ground and the big black char not too far from it.

“We took this way too seriously,” said Huey.

“Ditto,” said Drake.

“It was fun, though,” I said.

“Sure was!” said Webby.

After that black spot was resodded, and Gyro was scolded by Scrooge and Fenton and screamed at by uncle Donald, we all agreed to do it again sometime. It didn’t turn out like we thought, but hey, it was sure better than watching TV.

[x-reader-theater]

Hello! Can you do Spencer x gn! reader based on the song Birds by thomas sanders where the reader would be watching birds everyday alone and spencer would notice the reader every time he walked to work. one day the reader would still sit on the park bench in pouring rain and thunder and spencer decide to see whats up and finds the reader crying, beaten and bruised by their own family, so spencer decides to sit next to them and talk about birds. (if you want to write it further it would be a lovely strangers to lovers)

thank you for advance❣

God I love this song so much. I hope you like this! Also, sorry for not posting yesterday. That was my bad. I haven't been writing as much because I'm leaving to go to college in eight days so I'm kinda busy packing all my stuff again, so if I take a break for no reason, that's why loll. Edited by @mystic-writes

Gif by @reidgifs (Happy birthday 🎉)

I don't wanna drive a fancy car today

I don't wanna ride in a red corvette

I don't wanna jog my Saturday away

But I don't wanna go home yet

You're sitting on your favourite bench again when the tall man walks by. He does this every morning and every night, and since you noticed, you've been trying to come out here more and more. You like watching the birds, cataloguing which ones you see, if they're new or returning. A lot of the returning ones come over and you feed them some healthy seeds and bird snacks, sometimes even fruit if you have it. A lot of the birds come over and bring the new or shy ones to get extra treats.

But, you always look for the curious man who watches you watch the birds. You don't feel scared when he watches. In fact, you feel extra safe, like no one can hurt you.

And you need that, because you really don't want to go home.

Today is not the day to jump out of a plane

I don't wanna parasail or play roulette

I don't wanna risk it all or go insane

But I don't wanna go home yet

I just want to watch the birds go by

From my handy fold-able blue canvas throne

I wanna watch them fly and fly

And see them soar up into the unknown

But I'd feel just like a nerd

Watching birds

Watching me here all alone

I don't wanna break dance or learn tae-kwon-do

I don't wanna fish 'til all the fish are gone

I don't wanna roller skate, even if it's slow

I don't wanna pass out in a marathon

You like this park because of how quiet it normally is. But today, there's a triathlon coming through, and your normal bench is constantly disturbed by the runners passing by. You have seen so few of your birds today, and by noon you've decided to give up and go to the little cafe across from the park. You don't like going there because you don't have much money to spend, and you like to save as much as you can, but you can't concentrate on anything.

As you're exiting the park, you see that same tall, skinny man standing at the finish line of the race, and the two of you lock eyes before you leave.

I don't like soccer, baseball track or field

I'm not up for a match of polo

I don't wanna seek or try to stay concealed

I'm also not up for... water polo?

I just wanna watch the birds up there

Track the migratory patterns that they flow

I wanna watch them from my chair

With my binoculars, my latte and my phone

Trying to spot a lark

In the park

Parked in nature all alone

You smile as Grape, a round little sparrow that you see almost every day, flies down towards you. He lands on the other side of your bench and you hold out some seeds for him to eat. He goes to eat them, but startles and flies away. You look behind you and see the man from all those times before standing next to your bench. You scatter the seeds on the ground and smile.

"Can-can I sit down?" he stutters and you smile and nod.

"Of course. Be my guest," you say, moving over a little more so he can sit down without touching you. "What's your name?"

"Uh, Spencer. What's yours?" he asks.

You smile. "[Y/N]."

"So…" he trails off, as if he doesn't know where to start. "You like birds, huh?"

You nod. "I do. I find they're easier than people."

"Really?"

"Yep. I just know what they want. Sometimes they like attention, sometimes it's food, and sometimes they just want to sit next to me and sing," you say as a Blue Jay lands on the ground and starts pecking at the seeds you scattered there.

"Do you want to- uh- know something about the Blue Jay?" Spencer asks, looking sheepish.

You grin at him and nod. "Sure!"

Alone here with the doves

The sparrows, the ospreys

The owlets, the eaglets, and my list

It's just me and Mr. Finch

The robins, the kingfishers, the snipes

Though I heard they don't exist!

Each little species

And it's little way can teach me

What awaits you

If you can get away

I wanna watch the birds do what they will

Sorry if I'm ornithologically prone

I wanna watch from somewhere undisturbing

Quiet, calm, still

Sit right here and gaze at the unknown

I don't wanna fly in the sky, I just wanna be alone

It's not a big deal, or anything

You don't know where your tears end and the rain begins. You've been outside on your bench for so long in the rain that you are completely soaked through, shivering, wailing. No one's come up to you. No one's even walked by.

That is, until someone familiar does.

"[Y/N]?"

You look up and see Spencer standing over you. He has an umbrella out, and he's holding it above himself and you. You feel more tears or rain roll down your cheeks, and you hide your face in your hands, trying to hide the bruises from him.

"[Y/N]? What happened?" he asks, sitting down next to you. You try and tell him not to, that it's really wet, but he sits anyway.

You sigh, your head still in your hands, as you manage to get out, "My-my fath-father."

Spencer doesn't say anything. He just pulls you close and holds you as you sob into his shoulder.

"And-and my mother sh-she didn't- wouldn't- do any-anything!" you wail. Spencer drops the umbrella and hugs you tight around your shoulders.

You're alone with Spencer, and you've never felt more safe.

I just wanna be alone

[gucciwins]

Always Be Your Friend

Word count: 8990

 It’s easy to love your best friend but it’s not easy being in love with them.  Harry and Y/N became friends from the moment they first met. Will they take a chance and confess their feelings or will they watch each other fall in love with someone else.  *warning a mention of sexual harassment in the story*

Jeff had invited her to a small gathering at his house so that she could meet a few of his friends being new to the area and all, but when she arrived, she wasn't expecting a backyard full of people mingling and drinking beers. She's counted over twenty people, and she's yet to find Jeff. 

Y/N was about to get herself water from a red cooler when he finally spotted her. Jeff's quick to apologize but promises that everyone is kind, and his girlfriend went a little overboard with inviting her friends. She brushes him off and lets him know she'll be fine. 

If only she believed that lie.

She decides to leave but stays when she finds a small path that leads her to an opening, and she's met with a beautiful view of the sunset. She sits on white clean bench and enjoys the colors the sky is painting. She's lost in thought that she fails to hear the footsteps approaching her, but she doesn't startle when she hears a crunch of leaves breaking her of her trance.  

Her gaze is locked on Gucci loafers, which she assumes are paired with Gucci socks. She slowly starts to move her gaze up to his body, a small smile on her face as she sees the purple flared pants (later on would learn he calls them trousers and soon she would as well). As her gaze reaches his face, she can't help thinking how nice the white shirt he wears shows off his tanned skin nicely. She doesn't let her eyes linger too long on his tattoos, but she thinks they are beautiful. Her favorite part of his outfit might be the blue bandana wrapped around his neck. She finally meets his eyes and decides right then and there that green is her new favorite color. The sunset makes them appear lighter. He's staring at her with a smile on his face, dimples on full display. 

Y/N looks down at herself; she's wearing a wide-leg jumpsuit, a rust color, and if she's being honest, she looks really good. Thankfully, no one wants to make a first impression under-dressed; at least that was what her mother taught her. 

She doesn't turn to look at him anymore and keeps her eyes in front of her. 

"Never seen you before, around from here?" His voice was slow and soothing. His accent is sweet as honey. 

He really surprised her with the accent, that might just have convinced her he must be the most perfect human from his tall, lean stature to the brown curls to the captivating green eyes. 

"I'm new. Jeff is my friend." She pauses. "Acquaintance met him a week ago at work, and we hit it off. I've been here two weeks officially." 

"Jeff's great, although his girl is quite popular."

She laughs and agrees with him. 

"Sorry, I'm Harry." He approaches her with his hand stretched out.

She smiles when Harry repeats her name back as they let go of each other's hands. He then takes a seat, and they fall into easy conversation. 

"I really love your tattoos, do you get them done around here?" She asks, genuinely curious eyes locked on the beautiful mermaid on his arm. 

"Most, done at this shop, a buddy of mine works at. He's really talented, and I trust him. A few, I've gotten when I was traveling."

She hums to let him know she's listening. 

"Got lots more than just these, but might be inappropriate to undress in front of a stranger." He says honestly, not wanting her to be uncomfortable. 

"Here I thought we were becoming friends," she teases.

He laughs, shocked at her response. She smiles, glad they share the same type of humor.

"Got any of your own?" 

"I've got two, but one no one knows about." She answers him honestly.

"I've got three stars behind my right ear." She pauses and looks at him before crossing her left foot across her thigh. She moves her jumpsuit higher and there on her ankle is a peach. "I got a peach when I was eighteen because I wanted a tattoo, and the reason I got a peach is still unknown to me to this day." 

"Peaches are sweet. So are you."

She blushes but stills looks at him. "That's your first impression of me."

He nods. "You could have ignored me and left or not even answered me or worse answered like a jerk for not knowing your name already but instead let a strange walk into your bubble." 

"I like you, Harry. Think the accent won me over."

"Oh, really," He smirks. "Wasn't the dimples or piercing green eyes."

"Eh.." She shrugs

She laughs, and Harry can't help but join her.

On a bench watching a sunset, Harry and Y/N become friends.

~

"Harry!" She screams as she walks through the backdoor. "I've run out of almond butter."

"Broke into my house, why?" Harry replies as he walks into the kitchen, hair wet. He's dressed in grey sweats and a black hoodie. He's got scruff growing, and as much as she loves to tease him about it, Harry knows how much she loves it. 

"I didn't break in." She's spreading Harry's almond butter onto her slice of toasted bread. "The back door was open which means come right in." 

Harry's standing there watching her take a bite of her toast. "Peach, how are you already eating when you've been here less than five minutes?" He narrows his eyes and looks at his unplugged toaster that sits next to his coffee machine that is surprisingly already brewing. "Did you run here with it in your hand?"

She scratches her neck lightly, index finger dragging slowly. "Umm...of course not."

"Right, you wouldn't because you live a thirty minute walk away. Running only means you'd get more germs on it."

She rolls her eyes at Harry's concern. "Are you hungry, I'll make you something. I have time on my hands before I have to run back home." 

Harry grins, allowing her to drop the topic and quickly agrees because he adores her cooking. "I'll have your egg whites special, please."

She nods, kissing his forehead before moving to the fridge to get the things out she'll need. Harry stares at her and thinks back to when he first met her. He thinks it's insane he went so long without her in his life. Harry owes it all to Jeff that he kept bringing her to their outings when she first moved here. Harry will never admit that to him, he doesn't want to have to name his first child after him. 

Harry furrows his brow in confusion. It's Saturday, and she always stays the weekend with him.

"You usually stay over?" He questions as she hands him his plate. "Why do you have to leave?"

"Cassie set me up on a date." She looks down at her nails and frowns seeing a few chipped and she knows it is from all the cleaning she has been doing at home because work has been slow and she needed to keep busy. "I'm going to cancel it." She decides instantly. 

She takes off her sweater and settles herself on the chair next to Harry taking a drink of his coffee. She hums at the sharp taste, one she learned to appreciate after being his friend for years. 

"Just like that," Harry is trying his best to hide his excitement but knows he's failing miserably.

"My nails look atrocious. It's like I'd be showing up naked" She physically shivers at the thought. 

"We can do face masks and each other's nails." Harry says after taking back his coffee, knowing she'd drink it all without meaning to.

She lights up at Harry's suggestion. 

"Yes, oh, can I use the candy apple one?" she asks her eyes locking with his and Harry melts in his seat at the innocent look she's giving him. He doesn't remember a time he's told her no.

As soon as she hears the word yes come out of his mouth, she's racing up the stairs to gather up the things they'll need. 

He hears a thump upstairs and is about to make his way up when he hears an "I'm good." He laughs and washes his plate before heading to the living room. Harry turns the tv on and decides on parks and rec because it's their favorite to watch together.  

"I got you black with glitter. Starry starry night is a beautiful color." She's admiring it as she walks down the steps with her arm full of things they might need, like the nail polish remover they'll need to take off her chipped color. "I know you were hiding this from me, which is why I will be using it on you." 

Harry takes some things from her and sets it on his old coffee table. "I got it a few days ago. Honestly, bought it with you in mind." He confesses. What he doesn't admit is that when he saw it, it reminded him of the first time they laid in his backyard and although that night wasn't clear enough she told him about her favorite constellations and that if she was an artist she'd draw the moons and stars every night. Looking back, Harry can say that is the moment he fell in love with her. Not that he knew that then, no, he realized much later.  

The smile on her face has his heart beating out of his chest. Harry swears she's going to kiss him. She leans in plants a big kiss on his cheek, which still makes his cheeks go pink, but his heart drops because he really wanted her lips on his. 

She pouts when she catches Harry staring at her. "You're staring because I smell right." She narrows her eyes at him as if judging him for making her self-conscious. "If I go shower, will you let me borrow some clothes?" 

Harry knows she has more than a change of clothes in her own drawer in his bedroom, but he agrees, and she's off once more up the stairs.

~

"Are you ready?" She screams walking in through the front door.

Harry had invited her out for Tuesday brunch seeing as she had the morning off, and he thinks he has the right to not be ready. He promised he'd be waiting for her on his sofa so that as soon as she walked in, they'd be off. She walks into the living room as if it's her first time there and smiles at the pictures he has scattered around. She finds a book on the couch and frowns because, of course, it's another Bukowski book. She walks up the stairs to his bedroom and walks in expecting him to be in bed, but instead, she finds him in a 'Women are smarter' t-shirt and a blanket on his lap, and she knows he's got nothing underneath. Harry's got the right earphone in, he's sitting at a makeshift table he made in his walk-in closet talking to his laptop. She assumes he's meeting with a client and is about to walk out when something catches her eye. It's a photo of her on his nightstand. Harry looks at her from the corner of his eye. He starts to fidget with a ring on his middle finger. He focuses back on his client, but he's not really listening, too busy admiring her. She doesn't feel Harry's wandering eyes on her back, but Harry knows he's been staring too long when his client repeats himself.

She approaches slowly as if the item would jump at her any second. She picked up a photo of herself from Los Angeles when they were there together in Autumn. She's smiling brightly at the cinnamon buns they made together when they were helping Jeff move into his house, and she told him she had to test out his oven. She didn't even know he took a picture of her. She's about to turn it over, but it's snatched out of her hand. 

"Hey," she pouts. 

"It's mine. Stop being so snoopy."

"I wouldn't be snoopy if you didn't leave your things out. I look really pretty there. I can see why you want me there to look at every morning."

Harry turns around to hide his blush. "You're there because I sent it to a friend of mine because I think you would be a good match." Harry wants to punch himself because out of all the lies, he had to pick that one. 

She stares at him with wide eyes. She doesn't want a date with a stranger. 

The person she wants to date is standing in front of her. Now, she definitely knows he doesn't like her because he's setting her up with someone else.

 "Is he tall?" Is her first question stopping herself from asking a second. 

"An inch or two shorter than me." 

She crosses her arms over her chest. "Well, that just won't do," she says dramatically. "My Flynn Rider is hmm..your height, or he could be taller. I don't mind." 

Harry chuckles. "He's a fan of ice cream and loves Sudoku." he states two of her favorite things. 

She narrows her eyes at him. 

"Is he a big handsome boss like you?" She jokes.

"He works in marketing in a company that works with us." 

"Marketing, I'm already bored to death." Harry gives her a pleading look. "I'll go, but only if you promise to get Anne to send me her recipe for her mince pie because I want to impress her this Christmas."

"Christmas is months away."

"I know, but I- I tried making some to practice and get better, and it was a disaster. Maybe because I'm not British, it's bad. I want Anne to like me." she says as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Peach, my mum loves you. I can assure you. Those sticky buns you made on boxing day were all mum talked about for weeks after you left to spend new years with your brother's."

"Those were good. I haven't been able to make sticky buns that good. It must be the ingredients, we might just have to move to Europe, H."  

"I'll book the flight Peach, just let me know when." 

She walks out, so Harry doesn't see the blush on her face. She really loves this man and might die if she doesn't tell someone soon. 

~

"I brought ice cream!" She yells, walking in. 

She stops in the kitchen but doesn't see him or hear him. She checks his office, and it's empty, the same as his bedroom. She thinks he might be late getting out and starts The Great British Bake Off  because their conversation from days ago is still in her head. Also, it's her comfort show after a shitty date

She hears the door unlocking and is grateful because two hours she had been waiting for him. She stands up eager to greet Harry, but as she turns around, she's met with a pretty blonde she's never met. She's dressed in a black dress that reaches mid-thigh hugging her curves in all the right places with red heels, and the only thing missing is the matching red lipstick. 

Harry walks in with his hand on her back, and that's where she finds the blonde's missing lipstick. It's smudged all over Harry's lips. It’s obvious they had done a lot of kissing. She does her best to hide her shock.

The room is quiet, she thinks she can hear her heartbreaking. She reacts in a matter of seconds. Eyes wide and in panic, but she makes sure to move quickly. She shoots the girl a quick smile. She turns the tv that was on mute off, thankful to have already thrown her trash away.

"What are you doing here?" Harry practically screams at her. "Did you ditch the date?"

She's panicking, and if she doesn't stay calm, she might just pass out or better yet scream at Harry for sending her on the worst date of her life. She already let Sydney know what happened on the date but assured Syd she'd be fine at Harry's. 

Oh, how wrong she was. 

"I'm sorry it didn't go as planned. I'm leaving now." She picks her shoes up at the door and walks out with them in hand. 

Harry follows her out and is hot on her heels. 

"Did you ditch him for ice cream and movies at my house?" Harry's voice getting louder.

Harry's upset. She hasn't seen him this upset since the time she called Harry and told him she was stuck in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire and how she didn't have a spare because she kept forgetting going to the shop and buying a new one. He had let a tow truck take her home and proceeded to yell at her when she went to his house two days later. 

"Yes, I'm sorry. I'll send him a fruit basket." 

She's in her car and in the next second driving down the street. 

She wants love but not like this, it isn't supposed to hurt like this.

~

Harry wakes up at seven to get ready for his daily run with his Peach when he sees a few texts on his phone. 

Sydney: I know you had good intentions but no more dates for her.

Sydney: Please, just do anything she wants. Give her all the ice cream she wants. 

Sydney: I'm assuming it all went well, and she's still sleeping because she hasn't answered my messages.

Harry's confused and does the only logical things and calls her. 

"Syd, what are your texts about?"

"The date you sent her on. She was supposed to tell you about it once she got to your house."

"I wasn't home. Peach said she ditched him for ice cream and movies at my house." He says, not mentioning the part where he screams at her. 

Syd sighs clearly hearing the strain in his voice, "I know there's some information missing there, but I won't push because she's my friend first. The dude basically met her and said her outfit wasn't revealing enough, but she could make up for it the next time. Then during dessert, he moved to sit next to her instead of across. He tried to put his hand up her dress. She told him to stop." Syd paused. "Then he tried it again, and she jumped up from her seat. She almost bumped into the waitress but he grabbed her waist too tight to let that happen. The waitress saw how upset she was and had the hostess and security walk her to her car.  She walked out crying because she just wanted to punch him but didn't want to cause a bigger mess." 

Harry doesn't know if he wants to scream or cry. He does feel anger pouring through his veins and knows next time he sees this guy he's going to do more than yell. 

"She left last night saying she ditched and that she was sorry. I'm such an idiot." Harry knows Syd will yell at him for what he did next. "I yelled at her because I brought a girl home and she was there. I practically told her the date happened, so she'd give me space."

"You suck. I thought you were better than that. That girl is the kindest person on this planet. She loves you and she always puts your happiness in front of hers."

Harry knows she isn't coming, but a small part of him holds hope she will still show up for their run together.

He sits on his back steps, waiting for her. Texts her multiple times, leaves voicemails. Yet nothing in return. 

Peach: I'm busy.

Harry: Come over, please.

Peach: I can't. My boss asked me to come in. A presentation is due Monday.

Harry: We need to talk, call me or come over whenever. I'm always free for you.

It's almost been two weeks since she talked to Harry, but she's honestly embarrassed about how things happened. Harry implied he set her up on a date because she spent too much time with him. She's giving him what he clearly wanted. She also had to process what happened to her alone. Therapy was good, Dr. Stein was very kind. Dr. Stein didn’t make her problems feel small and it felt nice to let things out instead of letting it all bottle up. 

It felt horrible to be away from Harry so long. Since they became friends they’d never gone longer than a day without communication. She felt empty but the image of lipstick stains on his face kept her away longer than she liked to admit. She’s going to push the feelings aside because that won’t be the reason she loses her best friend. 

She's walking up Harry's steps but stops before she reaches the last one. What if he has the girl over? What if he ends the friendship? All these thoughts are running through her head and she hates having not knowing where Harry and her stand. She always hated confrontation.

As soon as she approaches the door, she sighs but squares her shoulder because she's strong. No one, not even Harry will make her feel weak. She's there to apologize for being in his home and overstepping a boundary. Then hopefully, they’ll talk it out. 

She knocks for the first time in years on his door, and it feels strange, but she sucks it up because this is the correct thing to do. 

She hears his light footsteps and takes two steps back.

He's surprised to see her when the door opens, but the smile he wears is bright before he frowns just as quickly.

"You don't need to knock Peach come in."

She steps in slowly toeing off her shoes carefully.

Harry approaches her and brings her in for a big hug. She stands there with her hands at her side. Harry lets her go when he feels her tense.

"What's wrong, Peach?" He frowns looking her up and down. "I've got lots of apologizing to do, but first, why'd you knock."

She looks up at Harry and pouts when she sees the eye bags he has. "You haven't been sleeping."

"It happens when your best friend is short with you for thirteen days, but it's okay because I deserve it." 

"I didn't mean for that to happen, but I was giving you space because I hadn't realized how much I actually bother you."

"Hey, stop that." Harry looks at her sadly. "That's not what I meant that night." 

"I can read between the lines. You don't have to hide anything. I can handle the truth." 

"Listen to me," Harry guides her head to look up at him. "I was a jerk. I let my dick do the talking. You are the most important person in my life. I love you, and I don't know what I'd do without you in my life. I was going crazy this week. It felt like an entire year went by without you."

That makes her laugh. "Stop lying."

Harry shakes his head with a smile. "I mean it. My days without you are long and boring pretty Peach."

"Well, I'm here now, and I smell something good."

Harry hesitates before opening his mouth to address the reason she was at his house that Friday night.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't be the person you go to when you're upset." She tenses up just as she was about to reach for a chocolate muffin. "I'm sorry I was such a jerk the one night you needed me most. I'm your best friend, and yet I couldn't tell that you had been crying because of an idiot I set you up with." 

She turns around to look at him, and there's no tears or anger in his eyes, only sadness. "One in three women get sexually assaulted. That's what Matt, Sydney's fiance, told me. He's a social worker.  Women have to fear men yet are never believed or seen as a victim. I told them he didn't hurt me, but Matt told me that it was harassment. I tried to belittle it but they told me it was okay to feel unsafe because it went against what I wanted.  Guess I needed someone unbiased to tell me that it's okay to be affected." She smiles. "I went to see my therapist. It felt umm…good to discuss everything that happened." 

Harry has tears running down his face, and he knows they won’t stop. Seeing her in person has made his guilt really come to surface. "I'm sorry sweet Peach. I'm sorry I sent you on a date that led to this. It's all my fault."

"H, don't cry. It's not your fault he doesn't know how to treat a woman. I'm okay. I will be okay." 

She's holding his face gently in her hands, and Harry falls more in love with her at this moment because she's never looked stronger. Although she was hurt, she won't let it break her but guide her. 

He pulls her in and hugs her tight. Harry kisses her head, whispering I love you, and I'm here for you. 

Harry knows this doesn't clear everything, but they will cross this bridge together and come out stronger. 

She squirms out of his hold. "The muffins are getting cold. I want the chocolate chips melting in my mouth."

~

Harry is sitting in the car on another business call. He's wearing a yellow shirt he woke up in and threw his black hoodie on. His sunglasses resting on his head keeping his curls from falling forward. He was in shorts and running shoes because he was supposed to run with Peach on this new trail, except this call prevented him from doing so, and she didn't want to wait around for him. He knows she doesn't like running when the sun is high, so early mornings are their go-to. Except Harry's job calls him too often on Saturday's because they know he's awake.

He's not sure how long he's been talking, but he's upset because he missed taking pictures of her for whenever they reached the top of whatever they were running to. His passenger door is pulled open, and it's Peach plopping herself down. Shoes taken off and on her feet are her Nike sliders. Harry snaps his head back into the call. 

"Look, H, I fell." She comments, not caring that he was still on his call.

Harry turns to look at her quickly and sees her knee pulled to her chest. She's rolled up her grey leggings, and there on her knee is blood rolling down. She's unfazed, and Harry knows she's clumsy but hates he wasn't there to help her up. 

"This girl helped me up and offered to walk back with me, but she could have been a serial killer for all I know and told her I was fine and ran off. Good thing I was on my way down already." 

Harry stares at this girl in disbelief because, of course, she doesn't trust anyone. "I know girls are less likely, but she was looking at my boobs, and I didn't like that." 

"Styles, you with us." His colleague asks. 

Harry looks away from her and stares back at his phone, resting on the steering wheel. 

"Sorry, my girl had an accident, and I got to take care of it." They end after that and Harry takes out the first aid kit she gifted him to have in his car for emergencies. He knew she did it for herself more and who was he to object. Harry missed the blush on her cheeks when he said, "my girl," and she's thankful for that. He cleans her cut gently but quickly with all the practice he's had on her. He puts a bandage on and smiles when he's done. 

"H, it's got daisies" She's smiling wide. She caressed it softly to not bother her injury. 

Harry did get her different types of band-aids because a new design each time makes her smile. 

“Kiss it better then I’ll be healed.” 

The smile on her face has Harry leaning in close. His lips are soft as they touch her skin. She wants to run her fingers through his hair and bring him up to kiss her lips but she settles for just her knee. 

~

"It's baking time, bitch!" She screams as she walks in with her Rapunzel grocery tote. 

Harry knows they are going to bake two or three things from the size of the bag. She huffs a little, placing it on the counter. She begins to take out her items and sections them out. 

"Today, young one-"

"I'm older than you."

She glares at him for interrupting. "Today, smart-ass. We are making banana bread and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies." 

"Can you do it on your own, I'm busy." Harry jokes, expecting a sarcastic reply in return. 

He looks at her, and she's looking sadly at a bag of chocolate chips. He frowned if she did not get the joke. 

"Am I annoying you?" She questions. Harry hates how often she asks him that, but wounds take time to heal. 

"Nope, I'm just a jerk."

She looks at his eyes and stares. "You're not lying to make me feel better." 

"My sweet Peach, it would be an honor to bake with you and will allow you to pick all the movies we watch tonight because I am an idiot who takes a joke too far." 

"Okay, sorry. I'm on overdrive in my head and came here to relax, but got too into my head." 

Harry pulls her into a warm hug, and they stay like that for minutes. He pulls away and pushes her to the sink because they had work to do.

"Your peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are my drug. I watched you make them, but I feel you do something extra when I turn around." Harry says on the couch chewing on his fifth cookie. She's laying with her head in his lap, she's sure she got crumbs in her hair but is too tired to care. 

"I put all my love for you in those cookies." she murmurs close to dozing off.

Harry stares at with a soft look in his eyes. If she had looked up, she would have seen it was love in those green eyes of his. 

"I wish the love you put in the cookies is the love you'd give to me."

She's asleep in his lap. He knows she missed his declaration if he could even call it that. She lets out a small smile. She grabs his hand playing with her hair and pulls it to her chest. "I love you."

Harry freezes, unsure if she means it or what because it didn’t feel like the typical ‘I love you’ that she tells all her friends. Y/N's never talked in her dream before. 

"Peach," he whispers, "you awake." A minute goes by, and he gets no response 

This might be his chance, but it could also ruin everything if she didn't mean it. 

Oh boy.

~

It's been a week since that night on the couch, and Harry is dying inside. He never has the balls to ask.

 It's the first Friday of the month, which means dinner and wine or in her case tea. 

Peach came over and had already cooked dinner claiming she had lots of time on her hand today. It usually means she didn't want to deal with Harry in the kitchen. Then proceeded to order Harry to set the table because he was no help.

The meal as always was delicious. She made spicy lemon pasta with chicken although she told him it was supposed to be shrimp, she didn't think she'd like it. Harry showed her in praise as he does after every meal. Jokes, she needs to open her own restaurant, then she melts Harry's heart by saying, "I only cook for you, darling." 

Harry decided to have some wine, and she settled on tea because she didn't like to drink. Harry was giggly meaning he was a bit tipsy because he hadn't drunk in forever and was half a bottle down. She knew it wasn't fair but decided now would be a good time for some answers. 

"Do you think I'd be a good girlfriend?

"The best," he replies, instantly letting her know he's not lying. 

She blushes and gestures for him to go on. 

"You're kind. A good cook, understanding, incredibly smart, and you've got a cute nose." Harry wants to go on and on but thinks he'd blurt out his feelings if he did. 

"Would you ask me out? If you didn't know me."

"In a heartbeat," his answer shocks her.

Does Harry like her like she liked him? 

She decides to get bold. 

"Why haven't you taken me on a date?" She looks down at herself dressed in black sweats and a blue vintage Mickey Mouse shirt she stole from Harry. "Am I that bad looking?"

"Stop that," Harry murmurs, always hating when she comments on her looks. "I did ask you out, and I got friend-zoned. I didn't pursue more." 

She shakes her head. "Stop shitting me, H." She doesn't believe him. "The first time we went out together, we split the bill." 

"Think back, Peach. We always hung out in groups then I asked you to go out alone, I picked you up, opened your door and then we split the bill because you said friends met in the middle." 

She sits back, her lips mouthing a silent 'oh.'

"I friend-zoned you." She starts laughing. "That's gold." 

She catches her breath and stops to stare at Harry. He's wearing an old white t-shirt and can't help but look at his curls framing his face. It's slowly growing out, and she knows he's growing it out for her. She loves playing with his curls and tying it in a small ponytail that sticks up. "H, if you had told me that during lunch, I would have agreed, but you decided to keep those pretty lips shut." 

Harry smirks, "You think my lips are pretty." 

She sighs, giving up. She stands up. "I'll pick you up at six on Friday. I'm taking you on a date." 

Harry sits there shocked but not surprised at her boldness. 

"How do you even know I like you?" 

Her smirk falters, and her eyes dull. Harry feels like he was just punched in the gut. He put this look on her face. 

"You're right, that was insensitive of me." She's scanning the room, trying not to meet Harry's eyes. "I'm going to go." She rushes out the door in the next second. Harry is sitting there stunned before he jumps up after her. 

"Wait," he screams, hoping she'll stop. She's in a hurry to leave, throwing her bag in the passenger seat. She shuts the door, but to his benefit, the window is down. 

"I'm sorry." he's panting. "I'm an idiot, I know. I didn't mean that. I just like to tease you." He's looking at her, but she's looking straight ahead. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

She takes a deep breath. "That wasn't nice."

He sighs in relief. "I know, hun. I messed up. We were both being honest and vulnerable, and you surprised me by saying you were taking me out." 

"I'm reconsidering taking you out." 

She finally looks over at him, her eyes not shining as bright looking at him. "I’m still going to go." 

"I'll let you go if you say you'll still take me out." 

She looks like she wants to say no. "I'll hang here if I have to as you drive away." 

"Do you.." she pauses, not being able to meet his eyes. Her hand reaches out to play with his pretty witch ring on his middle finger. "like me." she mutters. 

"Hey, look at me." Harry guides her face to look at him, and he's never seen her so vulnerable. So open. What he feels like her heart is on display. "I'm crazy about you." 

She can't help the blush that colors her cheeks. 

"For so long, I've had these feelings, and I've gone on dates, but it's never worked out, and I've always known it was because they weren't you." 

She smiles timidly. "Okay, H. I'll still take you on a date."

He leans his forehead on hers. "I can't wait."

"I really want to kiss you, but I'm a gentleman. and I want to do this right by you." Harry runs his thumb gently over her bottom lip. She releases a small sigh, her breath warming his thumb. 

"Can't tonight count as a date?" She's looking from his eyes to his lips. 

Harry laughs loving the extra attention. 

"I like to be wined and dined, too, Peach." 

She sighs. "I sure know to pick them." 

A kiss to her forehead and he backs away. "Drive safe, Peach."

She drives off a smile on both their faces.

~

"Okay, I know I was the one who was supposed to pick you up, but I really need you to come for me." 

She's sitting next to the steps that lead to her door cradling her wrist to her chest, cursing the last wobbly step she has yet to fix. 

Maybe Harry will help her fix it sometime soon. 

"I'm not going to ask why I'll be there in five," Harry replies.

"I live 15 minutes away!" she screams, "You better be driving safely, or I'll punch you." 

"Sorry Peach, I meant to say see you in ten." 

She hangs up and shoves her phone in her bag and ponders if she should get up or not. 

She pulls her hand away from her chest a little and sees that it looks okay, thankfully she didn't put rings on today; otherwise, they might have been stuck on her fingers. She looks at her nails and smiles because her lilac nails didn't chip. She did them last night because Harry loves this color. 

Harry arrives and gets out in a hurry that he almost trips over her. 

"Watch it, H." She mumbles, playing with a rolly polly that she found next to her bag. "You almost killed Eric."

Harry stares down at her, not sure what's going on, but gives her time. 

"Our date is for you to drive me to urgent care because I've had an accident." She smiles up at him like it's the most normal thing in the world. 

"Can't say I've ever had someone take me there," he answers, his gaze locked on her swollen wrist.

"I know you will remember me forever and ever for this. Now help me up, my butt is officially numb."

He walks her to his car and goes as far as putting her seatbelt on for her. 

"Want to tell me how it happened?" 

"I was walking down the steps, and my shoe got stuck in the bottom step I have yet to fix. Instead of landing on my face, I put my hands out, and now my left wrist is hurting," she pouts, looking at harry. "I was supposed to fix it this Sunday. I got the supplies in the doorway, ready to go.

"Does it hurt?" he asks, concerned because it is swelling up and the bruising only makes it look worse.

"Nope, I got a high pain tolerance," she winks.

"I'll keep that in mind." He jokes, but gosh, that sure got him tight in his pants.

"I know it's not broken because it doesn't look weird but also not a fracture because it would hurt if I touched my fingers, but they move fine. I just want to know what kind of sprain it is. How long I need to keep it rested and all that fun stuff."

Harry looks at her, not at all surprised she knows so much about the injury. 

"I wasn't always accident-prone. I did sports, and high school division one was tough. I went through lots of icing and taping. The trainer and I were on first name bases. I ended up helping her a lot. She made me take this short course where I learned the basics." 

Harry smiles because although this date is unconventional, he sure is learning more about his Peach. 

They are surprised to see the urgent care waiting room pretty empty. She gives her name, and she's handed a clipboard. Harry is quick to take it out of her hand and begins to fill it out. 

"I should be scared that you know my social security but I'm not." 

"Remember, two summers ago, you wanted to go to Lake Tahoe for a week, and we rented that cabin, and we decided to get drunk together because you didn't drink and only wanted to know how it felt. You only felt safe enough to do it with only me. Well, I decided not to get drunk that night so that I take care of you. You swore you were going to die and proceeded to sing your social security to me in a song until I could recite it back to you." 

She nods as if trying to think back to that day. 

"That day is nonexistent to me." she laughs. "Alcohol sucks. Don't need that in me ever."

"I drink it for the both of us to remember." 

"Yeah, cause your tolerance is high; it must be the British in you," she says, bumping his shoulder softly.

She peeks over to look at the question he's on, and it's asking when her last period was. She's about to answer when she sees he wrote in the correct days. She doesn't comment on it. 

"Do you believe in soulmates?." 

Harry turns to look at her with his bright green eyes. “Yeah, it’s a nice thought. Have someone who completes you and understands you like no one else.”

“I know it’s our first date, but we’ve been friends for over three years and since the moment we met I was hit with this ease and safety when I’m around you. I think you might be my soulmate.” 

"Oh yeah, what does being your soulmate entail?" He’s grinning because he knows she’s right.

"Lots of cookies and cinnamon rolls. Hmmm...cuddles laughs and lots of kisses. Like lots of them." 

Harry’s smile goes into full bloom because they haven't even shared the first kiss, and she knows she wants this with him. 

"I can live with that." 

"That’s cool, I wasn't asking." 

Two hours later, they walk out with a small bag from the pharmacy and her wrist wrapped in a bandage.

"Next part of our date is," she pauses and gestures to Harry to do the drum roll "Ice cream!" she shouts, and Harry cheers with her. 

"But there's a twist." she turns in her seat to look at him. "You have to guess the ice cream flavor I'm thinking of, or this date ends now." 

"We're going to Scoops," He sees her nod and continues on, "That is where you like to get a new flavor each time, but I know after an injury, you crave caramel."

"Final answer then, H."

"Gold Medal Ribbon"

She leans back in her seat. "That is correct," she says proudly. "Let's get some pizza too because I need food to take these pills."

"Pizza, ice cream. Then my place or yours." 

She thinks about it real hard. As much as she loves Harry's bed, she needs her favorite blanket tonight. "Let's go back to mine." 

Harry takes off in the direction of their favorite ice cream shop, Scoops, that is conveniently next to the place where they order their pizza. 

They are lying in her bed together, moving there after watching US per Harry's choice. Harry helped her with her night routine and even tried to brush her teeth, but she reminded him she was ambidextrous. A fancy way of telling Harry she was talented with both hands. That caused Harry to go red and leave her standing in her bathroom alone.

 She's getting sleepy, and she blames it on the painkillers. She doesn't want to sleep because then it would mark the end of their date. Although it was not a traditional dinner, she had a great time because it was Harry. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't wine and dine you properly." She's close to tears because no guy wants to go on a date to a hospital then go home to eat pizza. "It's probably been the worst date you've ever been on, and worst I didn't get to walk you to the door and kiss you." 

"Peach," he starts, and she looks at him with glossed eyes. "This was the best first date. It will always be the most memorable because it was with you."

She smiles slightly.

"Want to know a secret" he grins at her nodding her head shyly. "You're my last first date."

She blushes at his words because she knows the meaning behind it. He means she's the one he's going to be with forever.

"Then will you seal the deal, Mr. Romantic, and kiss me."

He pets her hair gently. "I want it to be perfect."

"Every moment with you is perfect."

Harry's heart skips a beat at her words. He's never said no to her before, and he isn't going to start now.

All their first date kisses have led them to this moment, the final one. All the heartbreak they went through was done so that when the right person came around, they would know how to cherish and protect that love. 

She feels her heart beating so fast she wasn't able to catch a proper breath. His head that just seconds ago was declaring his emotions to her was no buzzing with anticipation. She felt his breaths on her cheeks. He watched her eyelids flutter, then close. Then their lips met. 

Romance novels do no justice to how it feels to kiss the person you were waiting on forever to kiss. It's not fireworks and sparks.

It's better, it's much better. 

It feels as if your soul is at peace. A gentleness flows through them at the love that is being exchanged. It's the feeling of coming home, a sense of wanting, and acceptance. It was something explainable, and they can't wait to experience more of that. 

Harry pulls away far enough to look at her shut eyes and smile that's gracing her face. She opens them, and he's met with them shining as bright as the stars outside. 

"Perfect," she whispers, her right hand coming up to gently stroke the dimples on his face. 

Harry turns his head gently and places a kiss on her palm. She sighs in contentment. He settles on his side and brings her hand down to rest on her stomach as he intertwines their hands together. Her left arm elevated on a stack of blankets and pillows as to allow it to heal; her back pressed to his. They fit perfectly. 

There under the light of the moon, they fell asleep with their hearts full. 

It’s the start of a relationship, one with struggles, laughs, and many firsts together but most importantly filled with an ever growing love for one another. 

~

December 2020

"Do you think she'll hug you first or me?"

"I'm her son, Peach," he states as if her question was absurd.

"I bet you 50," she says. 

"Dollars, quid, kisses, or what" he replies with a smirk on his face.

"Spanks," she replies earnestly.

"Kinky" 

 "Start walking, I see your luggage that has all the presents." 

Harry arrives and parks the car, and she all dives out of the car. She rushes to the front door and puts Harry's key in to unlock the door. She knows it's as much her home as it is his. 

"Anne," she shouts, not seeing anyone in the living room. She takes her shoes off but leaves her coat on. 

Anne walks out of the kitchen, she rushes to give her a hug brushing off Harry standing right next to her. She smirks at Harry, and he just rolls his eyes, but honestly, he might just burst from happiness at how much his mom loves his Peach.

"Can you believe our dear Harold brought his girlfriend here to meet you, and he didn't even let you know." She begins her tale trying her best to hold in her smile 

Harry closes the door and is not at all surprised to see his mom pull her closer in a hug, thinking she was serious. 

Well, she was. 

"Hi mum, I would love a hug. Your youngest and only son is home." 

"Is she serious? Where is the girlfriend?" she questions him right away. "Do you have her waiting outside?"

 "You're holding her." He replies honestly to his mum.

Anne pulls back to look at the girl in her arms, and Harry can't help but laugh at his mother's face. She has a million-dollar smile on her face and nods to reassure Anne that it's true. Anne lets out a little scream before bringing her in for a tighter hug. Harry approaches, and Anne pulls him in to join the group hug. It's a lovely welcome home. 

"It's not even Christmas, and this is the best gift I could have received." 

Anne smiles and comes close to crying when seeing them reach for each other, like two magnets being pulled together. Hands intertwined and smiles wide. She sees their love loud and clear. 

"Oh, does your sister know." Anne suddenly worried if she was the last to know.

"Nope, Harry wanted to let you know together." 

"Well, she shouldn't belong. How long have you been together?" 

Harry grins, "Is it crazy to say it feels like forever." Y/N grins up at him and gives him a quick peck on his cheek. "Got together in March. When the klutz got her wrist sprained." Y/N elbowed him fast and hard enough to leave him gasping for air.

There's a knock on the door, and they know it's Gemma's boyfriend because she would have walked right in. 

"Darlin', go into the kitchen. We'll tell Gemma Harry wants to introduce her to his girlfriend, and that'll be your cue." 

Anne's so excited that they do as they say. 

It's safe to say that day was full of hugs, smiles, and laughs. 

It's cold out, but Y/N doesn't seem to mind. She's got a blanket around her as she sits on the back steps of the house. She looks out and knows she'd be happy here forever. 

"Peach, you're going to freeze out here."

"Not if you come sit by me" She smiles knowing he's not going to say no to her. Harry shuffles over to her quickly unwrapping the blanket to wrap them both in the warmth it’s providing.

"I meant it when I said I'd move across the pond with you."

Harry pulls her close and practically has her sitting in his lap. He rests his head on top of hers.

"I know you did." He stops to press a gentle kiss to her hair. "You've got family there and your job. I got mine too." He sighs as if he's trying to convince himself why they shouldn't

"Not to brag or whatever, but I work at one of the best companies. Top two in the nation, I'm sure they'd allow me a transfer or give me an excellent reference because not to brag again, but I'm amazing at my job. 

Harry acts like he's going to drop her causing her to scream, and she wraps her arms around his neck tightly. 

"You also want to expand your company. Who better to run the branch in London than the man himself." 

Harry groans. "You make it sound so easy."

"That's because it is, with you, it always has been." 

She nuzzles her nose into his neck, causing him to smile because it's cold, but he doesn't let her know because he likes having her this close. 

"You'd move across the ocean with me," he repeats as if still not believing it. "What's the catch?" 

"A promise of forever with you," she whispers, kissing his neck softly.

"With you forever seems too short." 

Harry lets her lean in to peck his lips. 

"I'll support you no matter what, I'm all in with you, and I'll always support all your dreams."

She lifts her arm to rest on his cheek, and she strokes him gently. He hums in content, knowing there is no better place in this world than in her arms. 

"I may be your lover now, but I will always be your friend." 

It’s true Harry thinks as much as their relationship has changed she always has his best interest in mind and vice versa. 

Best friends and lovers.

She leans in and brushes her lips to his. She laughs a little because hers have gone a little dry with the cold, but Harry's stay soft and welcoming. He closes the gap wanting to feel the heat her kisses bring him. Their lips move in sync, a dance only they know. It's soft, and slow just like this moment. Harry pours all his love into this kiss and feels her do the same. They pull apart close enough to still feel each other's breath. Small kisses, always being shared. 

There, in Harry's mother's backyard on a cold December night, Harry and Y/N promise forever and more to each other.

Thank you for reading Always Be Your Friend! I love this story that shows a story of two friends who loved each other but were never brave enough to say it until they finally did. A pinch of angst and a load of fluff later I’m still in love with loud  Y/N and workaholic Harry. Thank you to @oh-honey-styles @for-fucks-sake-h @andwhenshesays​ for creating Pick Your Poison Fic Challenge because it was a true joy to take time and write this story (even if there where times I did not like parts of my story.) 

Here’s the pypfc masterlist to check out everyone else’s stories!

please please please let me know what you though of it here.  I love hearing your thoughts it means so much to me. Love you all - Angie

[missinghan]

what if we ⤖ lee minho

❖ genre : college au; roommates au

❖ word count : 4,1k.

❖ warning : explicit language

❖ summary : Minho is more than fed up with your nonsense of not having a roommate until you graduate because he’s desperately in need of a new place after getting kicked out.

❖ a/n : the continuation of roommate lino is out now!

one.

Minho takes dreadful strides into M.I.A Cafe, completely waterlogged from head to toe like a wet rat, drained from trying to walk back home without an umbrella—even if he had one, the wind would have taken him along with it on an exhilarating ride while Poseidon is throwing a rampage at Zeus or whatever gods up there.

He slumps into the nearest seat possible, sinking deeply into the cushioned surface only to stain the blue velvet with his sodden leather jacket. Anyone else happening upon the scene might notice a more than average looking college kid; Minho’s mesmerizing, he really is. But not just because of his catlike smile or stupidly good hair without even trying, it’s also because he’s the president of the dance club despite being a business major. It’s not hard for him to gain even more attention since he works at the cafe on campus anyway. 

However, all Woojin sees from overlooking his workplace is his idiotic coworker who left ten minutes ago has officially given up on going against the bloody family feud above and come back to make his life miserable. Kang is going to give him shit for the wet cushions because Minho’s shift has fortunately ended. And it only gets worse from there. The younger boy pushes himself off the chair and flings his dripping bangs away from his face before taking off his jacket, deciding it’s a good idea to sway it back and forth, splashing water all over the clean floor.

“Lee Minho,” Woojin raises his voice slightly but Minho simply ignores his threatening tone and stuffs his leather jacket into his backpack. 

The brunet makes his way over to the countertop, hopping effortlessly onto one of the bar stools. “I would like a Vietnamese coffee, please,” Minho shows his friend those ridiculous looking sparkly eyes like he just stepped out from an anime, and Woojin forces a smile through gritted teeth. “Come on, I’m tired, don’t look at me as if I’m in charge of the weather or something.”

Woojin remains silent, and so does his death glare. Hence, Minho gives in and props his head onto his hand lazily. “Fine, just give me a hot chocolate, I’m freezing over here,” he shivers stoically as his brain is multitasking (yelling at him and considering his options at the same time). With the sky roaring as if it’s raging on with other supernatural forces, Minho isn’t overly fond of heading outside by himself again. Meaning, plan A: get a ride or plan B: stay with Woojin until his graveyard shift is over. Minho’s having an eight AM tomorrow and he’s not about to walk up to the nurse’s office with a broken ankle for skipping three steps at a time. But in what world would a guardian angel appear out of nowhere to drive him home?

A random Twitter notification pops up and he swipes it away dejectedly, wholly uninterested. When Woojin slides the paper cup across the countertop, he catches a glimpse of Minho’s lock screen and gasps as if he just saw something out of the ordinary. It’s not. “You replaced your cats’ photo with Y/N’s instead? Okay, I see you, you sly little bitch,” he chuckles creepily while wiping his hand onto the white apron. 

“It’s temporary,” Minho sneers like a cat having someone step on its tail. “Besides, she hates it, that’s why I put it there.” 

“Yeah yeah, keep telling yourself that.”

Woojin is making a big deal out of this as if it’s a picture of you cuddling Minho or something. But in reality, it’s just a really ugly photo of you taking too big of a bite when he decided to flex his paycheck and took you out to a pizzeria. You forgave him because 1) you had the opportunity to eat real pizza after months of stocking up frozen ones from the supermarket, and 2) it’s only a matter of time until he’s over it and returns to his typical photos of his cats at home. 

“Yo,” Minho says after a sip of the hot beverage. “You’re moving out of Seungmin’s next week?”

Woojin replies, silently appreciating one of the rare civil conversations with his friend. “Yep, you? Don’t tell me that you haven’t found a place yet,” he stops himself right there, only to be met with complete dead silence. “Wait, you’re kidding, right? Aren’t you getting kicked out on Monday? How are you gonna find a place within three days?”

“Tough luck?” Minho shrugs nonchalantly, staring rather deeply at his lock screen, and an idea pops up inside his head. He feels the need to kick himself because he should have thought of this sooner. Biting his lower lip, he’s slightly nervous when his thumb taps onto your name in his contact. It’s not like you’re gonna rip his head off, why is he so jumpy about this anyway?

His train of thoughts get cut off when your raspy voice rings through his eardrums, “What do you want?”

two.

Your white Rover pulls up in front of the cafe after five minutes of cursing at him through the phone while dragging yourself out of bed and another ten to drive to your unwanted destination. 

“Get in before I rip your head off,” you deadpan, pushing your bangs away from your face. 

“I love you, did you know that?” Your heart totally didn’t skip a beat at that. He didn’t mean it, he couldn’t have meant it. It was lighthearted, it sounded lighthearted but was it supposed to be lighthearted? Great, now your heart just gives up on you while your brain is harassing you with some stupid assumptions without valid shreds of evidence. 

Minho smiles sheepishly at you after waving to Woojin—who isn’t very interested in his departure and enters your car in relief. Although you were doing nothing but spitting strings after strings of curse words at him, it genuinely made him feel at ease when he heard your voice through the phone, hanging by three percent of battery left. 

“Also, spill the hot chocolate, and I’m gonna throw you on the highway,” you warn him before starting the engine. The only problem with your morbid remarks is that Lee Minho is exclusively immune to them because he too, shares the same amount of insanity with you like how you both shared a sad tuna sandwich last Tuesday when the school canteen tried to recreate a Chipotle bowl. You both tasted it. And you were offended. 

Minho tosses his backpack to the backseats and replies in monotone, “I won’t, just don’t kill us. That’s all I’m asking from you.” He looks awfully good for someone who’s completely rain-soaked. How fucking unfair.

“That’s all?” you question without looking at him in the eye. He only hums a random melody from a song that you can’t quite remember before plugging his phone in with your speakers. Your face morphs into a frown at his vague reaction, “Usually one thing leads to another, you never ask me for a single favor and just leave me alone, are you sure that you didn’t forget your wallet and now you wanted a new tattoo?” 

He breaks into a fit of giggles at that, three are already enough for his ancestors to haunt him in his sleep. And your heart magically comes back more alive than ever at the sound; it really needs to stop doing that before you’re found dead on the street just by talking to him on the phone or something. “It’s not that,” Minho scratches the nape of his neck. “I’m basically gonna be homeless next week if I don’t manage to find a new place in like...three days.” 

The car grows silent for a second there before Didn’t know me by Heize starts blasting through the speakers when he puts one of his playlists on random. You look over at him deep in the eye, thinking rather thoroughly about this. And Minho starts feeling knots in his stomach when you avert your gaze back onto the road. Are you perhaps...mad at him?

“Don’t-even-think-about-it,” you deadpan. “You know how Yeji pleaded to move in with me after freshman year, and..failed miserably.”

“Come on! You can’t be this heartless, are you really gonna let me sleep on the sidewalk for a good three weeks?”

You click your tongue in annoyance while making a turn to the left. “I never said that you moron,” An eye roll soon follows your statement, and before Minho can even say anything, his mouth snaps shut, eyes wide. “You know that Chan lives alone right?”

He protests, “Chan always let Changbin and Jisung crash to make music. Besides, it’s a studio apartment, like hello? I’m not planning on losing my beauty sleep here. ”

“Woojin?”

“After the mess I made back there? He will murder me, Y/N,” Minho says without a single shred of fear in his voice, yet he’s giving you those Puss in Boots eyes as if he’s gonna let Woojin snap his head off that easily. Jeongin is still living on campus, and Minho would rather be sleeping with dead rats than sharing a room with Jisung because Seungmin would never let him step a foot onto his white carpet. 

You scrunch your nose and ignore the golden specks in his eyes, “You didn’t even try asking him, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind housing you for a few weeks. He’s a good guy and definitely doesn’t hate your ass enough to not let you sleep in the living room.”

“But,” he pouts sadly, in which you’re completely unaffected by. But here’s what makes your chest swell. “I like spending time with you,” he mumbles under his breath. Huh? Your heart rate falls flat before coming back to thunder inside your chest cavity twice as fast. Did he really just-

Minho sighs, and suddenly his shoulders start getting heavy. He feels rejected, but he shouldn’t since it’s not mandatory for you to let him stay with you. Perhaps, he’s nothing but a complete nuisance in your eyes after all. “But if you say so,” he murmurs, eyes turning stormy and you can feel a pit at your stomach. “I guess I’m gonna call Woojin then..”

And he ends the conversation there, abruptly. 

Raindrops knocking at your car’s windows. The sounds of his fingers tapping against the keyboard. Even your own rhythm of breathing. Everything’s piling onto your back as if you’ve just committed a terrible sin. 

Woojin is really busy this year, preparing for grad school and everything. And your current courses are pretty easy to handle, it’d be mean of you to let him contain Lee Minho while working two jobs. Especially when he’s constantly turning in assignments at a single minute right before the deadline. So with the little amount of morality left, you tell yourself to stop being a little bitch and start considering the possibilities of having a roommate for the very first time. 

“Fine,” you grumble after a good twenty seconds of thinking. “You can use my old air mattress, a month should be good before you’re able to find a new place. So we’re taking turns washing the dishes and splitting the bills in half, cool?”

Minho’s brain suddenly demands every part of his body to stop, his finger hovering over the ‘send’ button. “Gee okay, I get it, you don’t like having roommates. But you don’t have to be so pressed about it,” he concludes almost too fast for your brain cells to comprehend what’s going on in his mind. Was he even listening to you? “I knew you weren’t gonna let me stay with—“ His words instantly come to a halt, eyeballs ready to pop out of their respective sockets any second. 

“What?” he blurts, round eyes staring right at you expectantly. 

You scratch your nose with your ring finger when a coral tint rises on your cheekbones, something that you do a lot whenever you’re nervous. “I said you can come and stay with me for the time being,” you say lamely, having a spontaneous interest in the row of Sumikko Gurashi figures that Minho gave you on your birthday last year. “I don’t want you to poison Woojin with your cooking, roomie.”

“You’d better feed me then, Ramsay,” he beams with a bright smile—far brighter than the Sun itself and any of the stars above. And who were you kidding? It’s not his cooking that you’re worrying about. It’s not even Woojin that you’re worrying about. It’s him, you’re worried about him.

Besides, maybe you like spending time with him too. 

three.

After a whole night of hauling three gigantic cardboard boxes along with two suitcases into your apartment, you drag Minho’s ass out of bed at nine in the morning, push him into your car and slowly reverse out of your apartment’s parking lot. 

He’s not very attentive to his surroundings when he’s tired so he didn’t mind the monotonous voice of the news reporter coming out of the speakers. Whereas, he would have yelled at you by now to shut it off so he can blast his Spotify playlist at maximum volume to annoy people who apparently don’t know how to park their cars properly. Still, he only finished unpacking half of his luggage at four so it didn’t occur to him how little time he spent half-sleeping against your car’s window. 

It didn’t occur to him how you managed to maneuver him out of the vehicle either. But when his eyes start hurting from rubbing them too much, Minho realizes that you’re piloting him through an old couple shopping hand in hand, a sweaty man in his mid-forties wearing a tracksuit and a child tugging at his mom’s skirt, begging for a lollipop. He gazes downward, eyes stop dead in their tracks seeing your hand intertwined with his while your free one is scrolling through the list of groceries on your phone. 

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty, glad that you’re finally awake,” the amount of sarcasm laced in your tone just makes the blush on his cheeks disappear in the span of half a second. 

Minho makes a face and pulls his hand back to grab a cart, trailing after your footsteps grimly like an obedient puppy. “Waking up early was not in the contract,” he lets out the loudest yawn possible without covering his mouth, no manners whatsoever. “That lawsuit for child labor? Pending.”

You chuckle dryly and toss a box of oatmeal cookies into the cart, not really caring that he’s sleepy and tired. You’re the one who’s driving after all. “It technically is,” you say with a meek smile and turn around, watching him throw in a bag of popcorn, barbecue flavored chips, and other junks that scream college staple food. He told you that he’s making use of the school’s gym five times a week but seeing the amount of trash that’s piling up, you doubt that his efforts are gonna matter at this point. 

“I told you that we’re grocery shopping every Monday morning because we both don’t have classes on Monday mornings.”

Minho only groans loudly like a damsel in distress until you both reach the vegetable aisle. He immediately goes for the asparagus and broccoli, probably to water down the amount of sodium from the chips. 

You’re not sure if it’s just because he’s sleepy but the rest of your banter while raiding the supermarket is fairly civil. In short, it’s the most normal conversation you’ve ever had with him. Not that you’re complaining, it's actually really nice to see how he also has a soft side to him. Not only did Minho grab the chicken breasts for Chan because that guy cannot live without them, but he also called Changbin to check which flavor of the protein bar that he prefers. It seems like he’s gonna crash at Chan’s place for an upcoming secret project. 

When you both queue up at the self-checkout line, he observes the light blue packaging of your shampoo curiously. He notices how you stopped getting the twelve ounces bottle and went for the twenty-four ounces one instead. 

“You’re still using this one? I thought you said you wanted to change it up every time?” He asks, propping his head onto your shoulder lazily. Minho remembers how you started to try out this brand three months ago and he laughed his ass off at you for being so determined to go through all of their scents. It’s dumb, yes, but he commented on every single one of them anyway. 

“Hello? Earth to Y/N?” 

Your body tenses up when he sniffs at your hair, nose brushing against the back of your ear, and it’s not helping either when his forearms are resting against the lines of your waist so he can hold onto the cart while you’re too busy bombarding Yeji with questions about the frat party she attended last night. You’re basically trapped between him and the cart; you can’t believe you’re only realizing that just now. 

“Hold up, I thought you usually go grocery shopping alone?” Yeji flips the table and inquires slyly on the other line, then she lets out an audible gasp. It’s so loud that Minho staggers backward from surprise, almost hitting the cart behind. “Is that Lee Minho?! Y/N, what are you two doing at the Asian market at ten AM? Together?!”

Words spill out of your mouth before you can even process them properly. “We saw each other coincidentally and ended up using the same cart.” And now you want to put your head through a wall because what kind of an answer was that? Your brain had to malfunction at that very moment, in the middle of that very call, it just had to. “Okay, whatever, I’ll tell you about it tomorrow during Park’s lecture, see you,” you hang up just like that, not knowing how to act because now you have to tell Yeji about how you—a complete loner—is finally having a roommate. But that roommate isn’t her specifically. 

“You good? You look a bit..feverish,” Minho rests a hand on your forehead while his free one pushes the cart forward. Still in a daze, your heart shudders, and your back accidentally comes in contact with his chest, making you drop your phone onto the carton of eggs in a panic. “Careful there, that’s two months worth of eggs,” he reminds you, clearly not having a single clue of how giddy you are right now. 

Also, saying that you’re giddy is an understatement. 

You shake your head and mutter, “Right, sorry, you were saying?”

“I just asked why you stopped trying the rest of the scents and committed to April Cotton so easily.”

“It’s because you said it’s the best one so far,” you answer honestly, almost too honestly because right now, Minho feels like someone’s using his heart to juggle right inside his chest cavity. 

four.

That night, after Minho’s monstrous shift at the cafe and three hours of you FaceTiming Yeji to procrastinate about a writing assignment, you both are sprawled across your white fuzzy carpet that sheds more than three of his cats combined. 

In between is an empty cup of McFluffy, a sad piece of pepperoni pizza and leftover fries, all being placed on a piece of newspaper because Minho’s promised you that if he ever dirtied your carpet, he’d take you to a concert. His bank account isn’t ready for that yet. A Dog’s Way Home just ended two minutes ago and as the ending credits roll, you’re all curled up inside your over-sized hoodie, sniffling into a piece of tissue. 

“Day one with your new roommate here and you’re already shedding tears Jesus Christ,” Minho tells you after stretching his limbs out tiredly, eyes becoming droopy.  

“Shut up,” you punch his arm and laugh, wiping the remaining of your tears with your sleeves. “I swear I saw your eyes watering when Bella reunited with Big Kitten.”

“They did not?” He shoots you a shit-eating grin when he settles back down onto the floor, supporting his head with his hands. To be fair, the CGI was kinda shitty, a little bit noticeable but the reunion was too emotional for him to care about something as meaningless as that. 

Minho ignores how you’re mumbling something and instead, turns onto his side and grabs a piece of fries, chewing obnoxiously. “So, Y/N,” he inquires rather cautiously. “How does it feel like to finally have good company along with good food?” 

You hum for a while but answer with little consideration, eye closed, “I could use someone with a smaller mouth, and a smaller ego too but yeah, it’s kinda dope.” And you open one side of your eyes to see him being the literal CTRL+V of the surprised Pikachu meme. He looks betrayed, as if someone just sneaked into your apartment and snatched all of his packets of instant ramen in one go, just like whoosh, out the door they go with his daily breakfast. 

“It feels kinda nice too,” you proceed to continue, staring at the ceiling to avoid eye contact with him. “Because I know although this person acts like an asshole most of the time, he’s just a really big softie on the inside. I like how he called his friends in the middle of his shopping trip to see if he’s getting them the right flavor of protein bars, how he paid for the groceries even though we’re equally broke, and how he skipped dance practice to volunteer at a nursing home every weekend.” 

You’re not looking, but you’re pretty sure that Minho’s smile is growing so big, his cheeks are about to crack in half. “I didn’t tell anyone about that,” he stifles a laugh. “It’s either you’re somewhat a creep or you’re just really cautious about what kind of people you let into your life.”

“I’m a loner, what can I say?” You chuckle lightheartedly, feeling slightly fuzzy inside for no particular reason. “I am really cautious when it comes to stuff like that because the more you let people into your life, the more it hurts when they decide they’re gonna leave you.”

“Hah! So that’s why you’re so stubborn about the whole not having a roommate thing?” You nod sheepishly at that, feeling kinda embarrassed because it feels like he’s unraveling your secrets right under your nose. 

The signature catlike smile lingers on his lips when you turn on your right to face him, and your useless heart thinks it’s a good time to skip a beat when your eyes meet his round ones with ridiculously beautiful lashes. You’ve never felt like this towards anyone before, it’s risky, you know it but you think you can trust him. You can trust Lee Minho. 

Although he wasn’t this big, sassy persona that has a questionable obsession with cats and dancing when you first met him. You encountered Minho for the very first time backstage at the school’s music festival to support 3RACHA’s performance. Initially, he made absolutely no effort to even greet you like how a civil human being would, but he was intrigued when he saw the SpiderMan plush keychain on your backpack. And it seemed like fate was only trying to push both of you closer together because you kept bumping into him on campus. So it’s only a matter of time before he decided that he hated eating lunch alone and asked for the empty seat next to you, offering you his watered-down cup of coffee. 

“What made you change your mind then? Why not just reject me?” Minho scoots closer to you, eyes sparkling with anticipation. 

“Because I feel like..you won’t be leaving me anytime soon..”

“Damn right, I can never stop bothering you.”

You don’t know where, how, or why you can muster every fiber of courage left inside of you to tell him that. But that doesn’t matter now, does it? Maybe this is a sign, the universe wants you to stop being so closed up all the time and open up to new people (regardless of how shitty you think they are) because life’s way too short to play the role of the lone traveler on this planet. And it’s madness to think that all it took this boy was half a cup of Vietnamese coffee and a call at such an ungodly hour for your heart to be completely his. Nothing’s gonna change much, you think. You’re gonna still free-fall into this hellhole called ‘college’ with your first world problems like everyone else but the only difference is that you don’t have to be alone anymore. There’s a hand for you to hold, a shoulder for you to lean on and your heart has found its new home. You don’t think you’ve ever felt it being so alive before. However, you’re not against it even when you’re still dubious. 

Because that’s how you’re supposed to feel your entire life. 

❖ p/s : I hope you enjoyed this little monster that I managed to whip up in the past few days, I thought it’d be nice if I could give you guys smth as a “parting gift” for my [rest]. I was very, very sleep-deprived as I proofread this so please don’t come for me & I’ll see you in the next fic!

[xiaoderys]

❝ Saturated Sunrise ❞ (l.dh, n.jm) I

DISCONTINUED

pairing: haechan x reader, jaemin x reader

genre: crack, fluff, angst, possible smut soulmate!au, college!au, social media!au mixed WITH narrative

warnings: swearing, slightly suggestive with possible smut in future chapters

word count: 2.5K

parts: prologue , character-profile, I

synopsis: you gradually lose your ability to see colors as you fall out of love with donghyuck

you were red and you liked me because I was blue. but you touched me and suddenly was a lilac sky. then you decided purple just wasn't for you.

You’ve always loved the rain, unlike your boyfriend who would squirm whenever a single drop touches his golden skin, but then again, who could blame him? he was like the sun; a ball of roaring fire that could never learn to love its polar opposite. But you on the other hand, could never hate it even if you tried, there was just something about it, maybe it’s the tranquility of it, the smell, the aesthetic or the fact that it brings you back to the very night you met Hyuck.

It’s quite funny really, you’d think these only happened in movies and tv shows yet there you were, soaking wet and walking side by side with a boy you barely knew under an umbrella that barely covered you both.

You sighed deeply while looking through the glass windows of the convenience store and up at the dark sky, the rain was pouring and you figured it won’t be stopping any time soon.

You didn’t have your umbrella with you but it was already past 10pm so after a few minutes of internally arguing with yourself, you got out of your seat, walked out and pulled your bag above your head to somehow shield yourself from the rain.

new instagram post from Donghyuck, 1 new text from mom, 6 new notifications from bible study

open? Yes / No

As you took your first few steps outside, you heard the bell ring from behind you, signaling that there was someone going in/out of the store.

You didn’t mind it at first but you heard someone yell “Hey, wait up!” no one else was around so you assumed the person was calling out for you and stopped in your tracks.

You turned around to look and just as you do, a car sped right in front of you which caused the rain water from the ground to be splashed all over you.

“Well, fuck” you exhale.

You lowered the bag covering your head as you were already soaking wet from head to toe and wiped your dripping face swearing to yourself that the universe hated you.

As soon as the car passed, the person on the other side of the road, jogged towards you and adjusted his umbrella over your head “What the hell were you thinking?”

You were quite confused as to why this person was suddenly scolding you so you just furrowed your brows at him.

“Walking home without an umbrella in this weather? Are you stupid?”

“Well what do you want me to do? spend the night at 7-eleven?” you didn’t mean to respond with sarcasm but you just got soaked with rain water and this guy who was nagging you while talking just called you stupid which did not help you and your anger issues.

“Better than ending up looking like a wet dog that just played in the mud but I think it’s a little too late for that” he said as he looked you up and down.

“Hey, it’s not my fault! that guy was driving like he’s in grand theft auto!”

“Well if you just stayed back in the store and waited for the storm to at least calm down a little bit then you wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place and I wouldn’t have had to leave my delicious cup of ramen in there all alone” he raised his brow acting as if he made a point.

“No one asked you to do that”

“No one asked me to be so unbelievably hot either but here I am”, you scoffed at his sudden cockiness but you’d rather eat your own arm than feed a man’s ego so you looked at him with a distasteful expression “Just go back to your ramen, I can handle myself”

“Lies. You’ll freeze to death before you could even get half-way home. Here, take this” he took off his jacket and handed it to you.

The cold wind mixed with rain and your wet clothes hit you like a truck bigger than your ego but your stubbornness still got the better of you “I-I don’t need it”

“you’re literally shivering like a little puppy”, he was right but are you going to admit to that? No.

“I bite into my ice cream without feeling a thing and sleep right in front of the air conditioner, I think I’ll be fine”

He poked his tongue in his cheek, showing his annoyance “Why do you have to be so difficult? you’d rather walk home freezing than put your pride aside for a second?” the angrier he got while scolding you, the more he talked in a pout so instead of scaring you into listening, you actually found it a little cute—

“Hey, are you listening?!” thunder struck all of a sudden which made you flinch and Donghyuck swore right then and there that you were the most adorable thing in existence.

After seeing you jump from the thunder, his expression softened and suddenly the rain was pouring heavier than before and you were shivering like crazy. He sighed, and put his jacket over your shoulders himself.

You were gonna take it off and give it back to him but he stopped you “if you take that off, I’ll kiss you” normally, you would love to challenge a bluff but you couldn’t take it anymore, it was so cold and you had no other choice, so you mumbled a quick “fine” and although it didn’t help much, you did feel a lot warmer.

He smiled at you, satisfied with your decision “Great, so where are we headed?”

“We?” you looked up at him confused

“mhmm, were you just expecting me to give you my umbrella and let you go home with my adidas track top?” he said with a ridiculing expression

“pretty much, yeah”

“This is my only umbrella and that jacket costs over a $60, I’m not letting you walk away with it just like that and besides, there are loads of creeps out here”

“$60 for a jacket this thin?” you held up the sides of the jacket wondering how a jacket so thin could cost more than your weeks worth of allowance.

“Yeah, it’s a bit off a rip-off, but that’s not the point, dummy. I’m your only option of getting home safe wether you like it or not”

“You don’t even know me, why do you care so much if something happens?“

“My gentleman nature is truly my biggest flaw-“ you rolled your eyes and turned around, ready to walk away but he held your shoulders back “ah ah, hold on! My mom would never forgive me if she found out I left a girl all alone to walk home in the rain”

You sighed “Fine but no talking, I’ve already used up all my social juice for the day” he nodded cutely and snuggled beside you.

You didn’t get the chance to think about it but he looked around your age and appeared to be a student as well, considering the fact that he wore a tracksuit and was carrying a backpack.

You tried to catch a glimpse of his face every now and then and you weren’t gonna lie, he definitely wasn’t bad looking.

Being a little shorter than him, it gave you the opportunity to study his side-profile; his jaw was quite defined and his features were really soft and he had these insanely fluffy cheeks oh- and you also noticed his plump lips that made it look like he was always pouting.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer” he said with a straight face, not even bothering to look in your direction.

“What?” you widened your eyes, blood rushing to your cheeks due to embarrassment.

“What? you think I haven’t noticed you staring at me for the past five minutes? you’re practically undressing me with your eyes” he playfully rolled his eyes.

You slapped his arm “No, I wasn’t! what’s wrong with you!”

He let out a chuckle, finding your annoyance and the way you turn red when embarrassed very amusing but you on the other hand just stayed with a pout and furrowed brows.

Donghyuck soon realized that you haven’t caught each other’s name yet “so what’s your name?”

“I thought I said no talking”

“Come on, small talk won’t hurt you”

I guess it’s better than walking in awkward silence “I’m y/n”

“Cute. I’m Donghyuck“ he smiled.

Since you were making small talk, you decided to ask about him more “if you don’t mind me asking, are you still a student?”

“A high school junior, yes, you?”

“Oh my god! same!” Donghyuck noticed how you got a little too excited over something so little but little did he know, that your childlike nature was just a sample of your many unforgettable qualities.

“Really? your height is making me think otherwise”

“Hey! My height is average!” you stopped and started to get defensive.

“And it’s not like you could talk, you’re not even that much taller!” that was a lie, he stood a good 7 inches taller than you making him the perfect height to give you forehead kisses.

“Okay mike wazowski, let’s keep it moving”

“Are you really trying to get me mad?!”

You looked so cute with your brows knit together and mouth forming a thin line that Donghyuck just couldn’t help but laugh “No offense but I literally feel like I’m being threatened by a cupcake”

“Do you want to fight?!” and just like that, Donghyuck found his new favorite hobby: annoying the living hell out of you.

“Pftt, what are you gonna do? eat my kneecaps?” he rolled his eyes.

“You know what, take your umbrella, I’m going home on my own!” You were ready to leave and he chuckled “Come onnnnn, I’m just kidding, it’s already-“ he checked his phone for the time “10:57 and I have to be home by midnight”

“Who are you? Cinderella?”

“Yeah but I’m much prettier and charming plus I have a mom who will eat me alive if I stay out too late so let’s get going”

“okay but you have to promise to stop teasing me”

“Alright. I’ll try” and with that you huffed continued with your walk home

You didn’t want to admit it but you really enjoyed Donghyuck’s company, there was just a natural sense of familiarity with him which made you feel at ease.

He would talk about the most random things but no matter what they were, he always found a way to put a smile on your face.

He even talked about his little puppy at home who probably misses him which made you feel bad because the puppy must be so sad right now and here you are, taking up too much of Donghyuck’s time.

You were both so into these conspiracy theories that you didn’t even notice that thirty minutes have passed and you were right in front of you house.

“Well, uhm, this is me” you smiled softly.

“Oh then I guess I’ll get going now” he responded, getting ready to go home.

“Wait uh- thanks for you know, walking me home and stuff.. I’m really sorry for being rude earlier” you looked at the ground, feeling ashamed of how you acted earlier when he was only trying to help.

He chuckled, ruffling your hair “It’s fine, I won’t exactly be very happy either if I got ground water splashed all over me while it’s 10 degrees outside, but you do owe me a cup of ramen”

“Oh come on, that probably only costed like a dollar or something” you whined

“3$ actually and it was a really delicious cup of ramen so I’m gonna have to get your number because I’m not letting this one slide” if Donghyuck was being honest, he couldn’t give two fucks about the ramen; normally, he’d be really mad about it but the fact that he can use it as an excuse to get your number, made up for it.

“fine” and that was how it all started.

Now, you could’ve called a cab that night or asked someone to come pick you up but you didn’t. Call it fate or your brain just wasn’t working at the time but you sure as hell know it happened for a reason because that’s what brought Hyuck to you.

There are forces in the universe that we don’t understand, measurable forces that can’t be explained but also can’t be denied and nobody gets it but maybe that’s what it was because right here, right now you’re with a distressed Donghyuck because you both forgot your umbrellas and have to take shade under an oak tree.

He hated the rain, he would squirm every time it hit his skin yet he still gave up his jacket to cover you. He continued to scold you because quite frankly, you stopping to pet every single stray animal you saw was the reason why you got caught in the middle of the rain anyway.

“You know, one of these days, one of those strays will bite or scratch you and you’re gonna get rabies” there he was again with his lips in a pout, annoyed by the continuous droplets of rain meeting his golden skin.

“Hmm maybe, but until then, I’m gonna stop to pet every single one I see because all of them deserve love and attention. You know, if it were up to me-“ he cut you off “You’re gonna adopt all the stray animals in the world and take care of them, I know. You literally never fail to mention that” you smiled at how he always seems to never listen to you yet he remembers the little things. But then you noticed that he was shivering “are you cold? do you want your jacket back?”

“no, I’m fine” he exhales.

You furrowed your brows and looked at him with worry and of course he noticed.

“Baby, I’m fine, I swear, all this sexual tension between us from being so close together is enough to keep me warm”

You playfully hit his arm and he chuckled “No, seriously, keep it, you need it more than me” oh, he hated it, he hated it so so much. He wanted to be anywhere with you but there but he wasn’t gonna admit to that and he didn’t want you to worry.

Youu started to talk in a pout, a habit you unconsciously picked up from your boyfriend whenever you were worried “but you’re shivering, can we at least share it?”

Donghyuck knows the jacket would never fit the both of you but he also knows that you’re not one to give up easily, it’s one of his most favorite things about you, except when you’re arguing or playing games because you’re both egotistical assholes yet you’re the only one who can put him in his place and the only one he sets his pride aside for.

You looked at him snuggled right beside you, trying his best to not let the rain touch you and despite the situation being unfavorable, right at this exact moment, everything just felt right and you know you were supposed to be here.

[mxblurps]

in public

genre: boyfriend!wonho x fem!reader, fluff, a lot of smut

word count: 4.0k

summary: you and your boyfriend, wonho, always had a thing for public scenes. you were never shy and always tested to see how insane it would get. this place, was familiar yet new.

“baby, come on!” you shouted.

you and wonho had scheduled tonight as date night. it has been a while since you two have had the chance to go out and spend some time alone. the two of you were way too busy with work to have fun nights like these. so when you got the chance, you snatched it.

tonight you you chose to go out to your favorite restaurant. you had made a reservation for 7:30 pm, and it was about the time you would be heading out. if it wasn’t for your boyfriend staring at himself in the mirror, you would’ve been in the car leaving right now.

with the special occasion, you decided to wear a nice white dress that fit the curves of your body. you wore nude heels and a clear gloss on your lips. you hair was down with curls bouncing at the ends of them. as you were glancing at yourself in the mirror making sure everything was fine, wonho finally stepped out of your shared bathroom.

wonho was wearing nice khaki pants with a navy blue button down. he gelled his hair back, making sure his forehead was showing. he wore nice dress shoes and wore a few rings around his fingers. he had his sleeves rolled up just enough so you could see the tattoos on his arms. you were practically drooling at the sight in front of you.

“earth to y/n,” he chuckled.

“let’s go knucklehead, we have a reservation!” with that, you locked hands and headed towards the car.

the drive to the restaurant wasn’t that long, it was just around the corner. wonho finally found a parking spot in the busy lot and put the car in park. he rushed to get out of the car to head to your side and open the door for you. what a gentleman, you thought.

the two of you linked hands and found your way inside of the restaurant. the waitress grabbed menus, and escorted you to your table. the table was round and sat right by the window. the sun was setting and the two of you sat and enjoyed the view together as you waited.

“do we know what we want to drink?” the waitress asked.

“just water for now, please and thank you,” you answered.

as the waitress went to grab your waters, you two glanced at the menus to see what you would be getting for dinner.

“what are you thinking of getting, my beautiful angel?” he questioned.

you answered through a blush, “i think i’ll get spaghetti. what about you?”

“i was thinking of the same thing,” he smiled.

the waitress walked her way back to you and set the drinks on the table. “are you ready to order?”

“yes, please,” you said. “i think we’re both going to order the plate of spaghetti-i,” you stopped abruptly.

before getting dressed for dinner, wonho had suggested that you wore the underwear that hid a vibrator inside of it. you tried your best to fake a complaint, but deep down you were excited to wear it. the two of you always had a thing for doing things in public. as you got dressed you slipped it on, and that was the last you thought of it. the scenery of the restaurant and your handsome boyfriend in front of you had you in a trance. it wasn’t until he pressed the button on the remote in his pocket while you were ordering when you remembered.

you cleared your throat and continued. “i’m sorry about that. we each would like a plate of spaghetti, p-please.”

“would you like a basket of garlic bread as an appetizer before your meal?” she offered.

“that would be lovely,” you smiled and she walked away to place your order.

you took a minute to stare at your boyfriend who was sitting innocently across the table.

“was that necessary, i was talking.” you hissed.

“which is exactly why i did it, baby.”

you couldn’t help but forgive him. this type of thing was normal for you. you would always fake being angry with him, although he always knew you loved every moment he toyed with you. he owned you.

for the rest of the night, the two of you were sharing your enjoyment of the food with each other, having conversation, and fooling around with each other. wonho loved using the remote every time you were talking to the waitress. his motive was to see when and if you would break.

on your ride home he finally gave you a break. you drove around the city for a while, enjoying the views the sky gave you. from the pink and purple colors from the sunset, to the bright stars in the night sky. that’s one of many things the two of you shared a love for.

while driving, the two of you stopped to get ice cream and ate it in the car. while enjoying the ice cream, the radio was on and the two of you sang the songs that you knew together. you loved listening to wonho sing. he had such a beautiful voice. it is truly one of your favorite things about him.

the ice cream was gone, and you found yourself back in the parking lot of your apartment. wonho, once again, opened the door for you. he grabbed your hand and led the way to the front doors. you took your usual trip up the elevator and down the hall to your apartment.

as you entered through the front door you immediately walked straight to your bedroom. you flopped on the bed due to exhaustion from your long day. wonho could sense your exhaustion and helped you undress and helped you get ready for bed.

he first slid off your heels and placed them nicely with your other shoes. he then unzipped your dress and helped you shimmy it off of your body. he took off your undergarments and threw all of your clothes in the laundry basket.

wonho walked to the closet and got you one of his shirts to sleep in. he knew you slept best when you wore his clothes. he didn’t know why it was such a drastic change for you, but he accepted it because he loved seeing you wear his clothes. you were much smaller than he was so his shirt looked like a dress on you.

he then got ready for bed himself and slid into bed beside you. he laid beside you and leaned his head on his hand admiring your face. you two were facing each other while his other hand played with your hair to help put you to sleep for the night.

the next day when you woke up, you could smell and hear the fresh bacon sizzling in the kitchen. you smiled to yourself knowing it would be a good morning. you laid in bed contemplating when you wanted to get out of bed. you ended up forcing yourself to roll out of bed and head into the kitchen. you didn’t bother changing out of his shirt and only threw on some panties before you made your way out of the bedroom. finally opening the door, your smile grew bigger the closer you got to the kitchen.

“well good morning, my sunshine,” he spoke to you.

“good morning, my love. what are you cooking for breakfast?” you smiled while you rubbed your eyes adjusting to the light.

“just some bacon, hash browns, and eggs. you hungry?”

“not for what’s on the stove, but i’ll take some,” you winked.

wonho put the plate he made for you on the counter and slid it towards you. “just stuff your mouth with this for now,” he joked.

the two of you sat on the couch enjoying the food he had cooked and talked about whatever was going through your heads. you couldn’t help but stare at him here and there. he was wearing a white shirt that fit his muscles nicely. on his bottom half he wore grey sweatpants. you took in every detail of him.

looking up from his plate, wonho caught you staring and smirked to himself. he could see you were in your own world and he loved every second of it. he knew you were weak for him and he abused his power with you.

he suddenly moved off of the couch and took both of your plates too the kitchen.

“hey! i wasn’t done with that,” you hollered.

“for now you are,” he stated. you could feel the butterflies in your stomach and your face blush with a shade of pink.

wonho walked back over to the couch once he was done and picked you up. he carried you wedding style to the bedroom. you giggled as he picked you up, knowing what was to be expected.

as he walked into you into the room, he dropped you on the bed. you moved to where you had your head resting on the pillow and he moved to hover above you.

“so what was all of that staring for, babygirl?” he whispered next to your ear which sent chills down your spine.

he started kissing your jaw and down to your neck as he waited for your response. you couldn’t find it in you to speak, and you were only able to let out small moans.

“words,” he demanded.

“mm, you just look s-so good,” you whined.

once again, wonho smirked due to your actions. he loved knowing how your body worked and how easily you came undone for him.

“that’s it, baby,” he cooed.

he had his hands pinned next to your head as he maneuvered around you. he then moved one of them to your side to rub along your skin. he had moved your shirt up a bit to make it easier for him.

“please, please, please!” you begged.

“what is it, princess?” he asked. he knew exactly what you wanted, but played as if he knew nothing. his motive was to get every last word out of you.

“i need you inside of me, now.”

as you finished your pleading, wonho started to take his time to peel your clothes off. he was one for teasing, making sure you were begging for him before he even touched you.

“mm, baby, please!” you begged once again.

“only because you asked.”

wonho moved to unclasp your bra and threw it on the floor. for now, he decided to keep your panties on you. only scooting them to the side, wonho slid his finger up your slit.

“holy, shit,” you choked.

“my baby, so wet for me already and i barely touched you.”

all you were capable of doing was nodding your head, agreeing to his statement. he didn’t expect to get any other words out of you so he settled.

he then dipped his head down to get a taste. his favorite taste. your legs started to shake from the feeling. he was just starting with you, but you could feel the knot in your stomach forming. your hips were involuntarily grinding against his tongue, and he grounded his hands on them to halt the action. you didn’t care to complain since his tongue did wonderful things to you on its own.

“i-i,” wonho shushed you.

“i know you’re ready, baby. cum on my face.”

as he spoke, you were spreading your release all over his lips. he made sure he devoured every last drop of you. your legs twitched with every lick from over sensitivity, but you enjoyed every ounce of it.

wonho gathered your clothes off of the floor and attempted to help you put them back on. you tried to decline his help, but he insisted.

“i didn’t get to help you out!” you groaned, obviously annoyed.

“don’t worry about it, sweetheart, we have plenty of time.”

for the rest of your day the two of you just lounged around enjoying the last day of this weekend before having to go back to work.

at 6 am this morning you woke up annoyed. your alarm was blaring and you didn’t have any motivation to get up. you had a feeling that today would not be a good day.

when you finally rolled out of bed you decided it was time to start getting ready for work. once you were fully dressed and ready you walked your way into the kitchen to make some breakfast. you had checked the time and saw that you didn’t have that much time left until you had to leave so you settled with a bowl of cereal. when you finished eating you quickly put coffee into a to-go cup and left for work.

today was a slow day for work. you had nobody coming in and none of your favorite coworkers were here. it was morning time so the time seemed to go slower than normal. you couldn’t help but keep checking the clock to see if time had changed at all. all you wanted was to go home.

“hey, y/n?” your boss spoke.

“yes, sir?”

“do you have any work to do today?” he questioned.

“not that i know of, do you need anything?”

“i do not, thank you. i just came by to let you know you were allowed to go home early if you would like,” he stated.

you internally cheered to yourself. it was like your wishes had been heard. 

your boss turned and walked away, and you quickly packed up your stuff to leave. you looked at the time and realized it was only 11:34 am. wonho was at work right now. 

wonho works at the local gym in town. he is super big on staying fit and helping others. either he is running the place or being someone’s personal trainer. to others it would seem like a downgrading job, but it was his passion. and you loved that he was doing what he loves. 

since you were done work early, you decided you would go see wonho and workout and workout while you were at it. you quickly drove home and got dressed for the gym. you threw on a pair of black biker shorts and a matching sports bra. you put on the shoes you worked out in on, grabbed your phone and keys, and left the house. 

the drive to the gym wasn’t too far away so you were there in just a short amount of time. the closer you got the more butterflies you could feel in your stomach. yes, you have been dating wonho since high school, but those butterflies are always there as if you just met.

you arrived at the gym and parked your car in the first spot you could find. you grabbed your keys and phone and got out of the car. walking up to the front doors of the gym, you couldn’t help but have the biggest grin on your face. you were so excited to surprise him at work.

as you walked in the girl at check in smiled and waved, already knowing who you were.

“do you know where he is?” you asked.

“i believe he’s in his office right now,” she answered.

“thank you!” you waved bye.

you walked up to his door and knocked. you patiently waited for him to come and open the door. excitement sat in your stomach as you waited.

the door finally opened and you jumped, “hello!” wonho quickly pulled you in his arms and laughed at your cute expression.

“what are you doing here?” confusion written all over his face, but he was absolutely happy no matter the reason.

“my boss let me out early, we’re having a slow day,” you explained. “i figured i could stop by and say hi, as well as get a little bit of a workout in.”

a smile plastered on his face. “well you have fun, baby. i have an appointment,” he looked down at his watch, “right about now actually. i’ll let you workout and i’ll come find you when i’m done?”

you nodded at his suggestion. he pulled you in and kissed you on your forehead. he walked towards the front desk to wait as you walked towards the equipment. 

the first place you went to were the stairs, you wanted to workout and look good for wonho at the same time. it has been a couple minutes in, and although you were focused on your workout, you could feel his eyes burning into your skin.

wonho knew his appointment would be walking through the door at any second, but he couldn’t help but keep his eyes on you. you were highly attractive to him, always, but in this setting he felt weak in the knees. you were investing in his passion as if it was your own. he could see the concentration on your face along with the sweat tracing your hairline. your skin was shimmering under the lights as sweat glistened over it. he adored the sight in front of him. he wished he could see this at work every day.

“wonho?” your appointment spoke.

“oh, yes, hello,” he greeted and smiled.

he led the way for his appointment to a certain place in the gym. he was helping the person work on certain parts of his body that he wanted to work more on. wonho helped him to the best of his ability while also making sure to tell him which workouts would benefit him best. 

wonho continued to help the gentleman out, but whenever he could steal a chance to look at you, he did. he didn’t know what it was, but something was different. he ate up every bit of you. he loved seeing you so focused and so worked out.

sooner than later, his appointment had finished up and he was free of appointments for the rest of the day. he quickly found where you were, like he said, and stormed over to you. you had headphones in so he tapped your shoulder so that way he didn’t frighten you.

you took one bud out and gave him a questioning look. he pulled on your wrists hinting at you to follow his lead. his pace was quick as he walked towards his office but you were able to keep up. 

in one swift move he opened his door and pulled you in front of him for you to go in before him. as soon as he was inside of the room, he shut the door and pinned your body up against it. he had his hands on your waist and you could feel his breath fan over your lips due to the close proximity.

“look at what you did to me,” he glanced down for you to follow. you could see a solid outline of his cock through his shorts. 

“you walk around here in these tight shorts and bra and expect me to keep calm?” he rhetorically asked.

as he was done talking his lips were quick to latch onto your neck. as soon as he made contact, his first move was to mark you up. he was going to make sure that as soon as you walked out of here everyone would know what happened behind this door. 

you had no words for what was happening and your only reaction were the moans escaping through your lips.

he suddenly moved his mouth away and moved his hands to his waistband. you knew exactly what he was getting at so you moved yourself to the floor. the carpet was itchy on your knees but you didn’t care at the moment. all you were worried about was pleasing him.

as he pulled down his shorts he also pulled his boxers with. once they were both down far enough, his cock sprung free. your mouth was open and you could feel the drool pooling at the corners of your mouth. he was fully hard and you could see the vein that ran underneath. the tip was an angry shade of red and he was pulsating.

“suck,” he demanded.

you knew that you two didn’t have that much time until someone came knocking so you swiftly wrapped your lips around him. you started with a slow pace to adjust to his size but you were quick to pick it up. you bopped your head up and down making sure to go as deep as possible. reaching all the way down to his base was a challenge but you always managed to relax yourself and reach it. as soon as wonho felt you relax, he gripped a fist full of hair and starting forcing himself down your throat. you stopped all movements and let him have full control. 

wonhos thrusts were starting to falter and you knew he was close. as soon as his thrusts starting to tremble he was quick to pull out of your mouth.

“the desk, now,” he demanded yet again, pointing a finger to said desk.

you made your way over to his desk as fast as you could making sure to pull down your shorts and panties as you got there. after doing so, you bent yourself over the side of his desk already knowing he would’ve told you to do so.

“mm, my baby is so wet, hm?” he mewled while swiping a finger up your slit. the movement caused your entire body to shiver under him. 

neither of you cared to prepare yourself for him. he instantly slid himself inside of you. he paused for a second for you to adjust to him as well as taking a moment to feel you. once he knew you were ready he started pumping himself in and out of you. in the moment you couldn’t care less if someone could hear you. all you could think about was the feeling of wonho stretching you out.

the idea of being caught by someone excited you even more. at that thought, you were quick to clench around him, the action causing wonho to groan.

wonho quickened his pace, his intentions to make you cum as soon as possible. he lifted you slightly and wrapped his arm around your front to circle his fingers around your clit.

with the feeling of him inside of you and the pressure on your clit, you were sure you would fall apart at any moment now. the knot in your stomach tightened with each thrust he took.

“cum,” he blurted his final command. and with that, your legs were shaking as your wetness drenched his cock. you could feel your juices drip down your leg, and wonho could feel the same. you could feel goosebumps jump all over your body.

soon after, you could feel wonhos thrusts start to shake. he was getting sloppy with just wanting to reach his own finish. you could feel the over sensitivity hit as you started to push back against him to help him, but you were more concerned with assisting him. he started cursing out moans as his high hit him.

“oh-h fuck, baby,” he moaned.

wonho pushed as deep inside of you as he could and came. you could feel the hot strings of cum hitting your walls nicely. your bodies relaxed together, finally calming down from the activity.

“thank you, my love,” he cooed into your ear.

he eventually slowly pulled out of you, and you winced at the sudden emptiness. the two of you pulled your clothes back on and pulled yourself together before walking out of the door. you helped fix his hair and he wiped away the sweaty strands sticking to your face.

“i hope you have a good rest of your day, baby,” you teased.

“oh, it’s a great day already,” he winked.

you made sure you had everything before kissing him goodbye. you opened up the door to his office and walked towards the front doors to leave.

“did you two have fun,” the girl at the front desk said teasingly.

“what do you think?” you laughed.

you went home and showered due to everything that had happened today. you settled down on the couch once you were done cleaning yourself. you waited for wonho to be done work and come home as you watched tv.

you were in for a fun night.

i’m posting this at half past midnight, so i’m sorry if this is late for you! i hope you enjoy!!💗✨

[razorblade180]

Revving up

It was a stormy day in Patch, typical for this time of year. Storm clouds rolling over heads and thick mud under their feet. Normal people would stay inside to avoid such messy weather. Jaune Arc unfortunately wasn’t in the category known as normal people, or at least his family wasn’t. The man walked down a dirt road in a drenched rain coat with a tightly sealed boxed lunch. Each muddy foot step brought him closer to bright white-ish flames that blazed a little ways away. Being a supportive father wasn’t that hard of a job, but he really wished his darling daughter Yujin wouldn’t get such insane ideas on how to train. Preparing for Beacon entrance exams was important, but using a downpour as an excuse to push her limits with fire moves was ridiculous! Jaune was thankful though. At least he was walking to a warm place. A lucky game of Rock Paper Scissors sent Tai in the opposite direction towards endless lightning strikes. Dealing with Tenzen while wearing armor was not a thing Jaune wanted to go through, again.

Finally, Jaune reached the area where cracklings flames and the heat was the most intense. “Yujin has to be somewhere over here. With this much fire she has to be having a ball fighting something.”

“Woooohooo! Come and get some!!!” Yujin shouted from several feet away, the loud noise of roaring coming from behind some shrubbery.

“Called it.” Jaune poked his head through to find a forest clearing transformed into what looked like a gladiator arena set on fire from a fierce battle. In the middle was the girl of the hour herself, and she wasn’t alone. Five huge Ursas circled her among countless disappearing smaller grimm of various types. Immense steam radiated off of her glowing hair and sword that was set ablaze. Even her trench coat sizzled the water off of her body except for the drops that made contact with her face. Yujin didn’t look worried about her odds. In fact, she was smiling the same way Yang did in a fight like this. Right now, Yujin was in her element.

“None of you want to pounce? Fine, guess I will!” Yujin unleashes a circle of flames with a spin attack to ignite the beasts’ fur. She then ran directly to the one in front of her. “I’ll start with you!” The Ursa rose up on its hind legs to slash her but Yujin stabbed Tempered Steel right into the paw. She then slid it through its arm as the sword remained ablazed, going all the way up the body then finally out through the shoulder; a short lived moment of freedom for the Ursa before Yujin’s blade took its head off. The entire body seemed to burn away by the pale flames. The ground began to shake as the second Ursa charge at incredible speed. Yujin turned around to see it was already lunging at her, it’s mouth wide open to crunch down on her entire body. Long, sharp teeth tried to force their way through tender flesh, but didn’t. It couldn’t. Instead, the predator's teeth cracked and crumbled, causing the Ursa to reel back in pain.

Jaune nearly had a heart attack for a second watching it happen. For years, Jaune tried to get Yujin to learn to use a shield but it never took. Who would’ve thought her semblance would’ve fixed that by numbing and fortifying Yujin’s body? Now she was the shield herself! To top it all off, the transition from blue eye to lilac was beyond heartwarming to him.

Yujin put the Ursa straight out of its misery taking her blade and stabbing straight down into the skull. The added weight in this form was still a little off putting to her but man did it do a great job to adding more umph to her attacks. The remaining three took a different approach from their fallen brethren by attacking all at once, charging from three different sides. “Teamwork? That’s new” Tempered Steel’s blade retracted into its hilt then split in half. Each band of metal wrapped around her wrist that she flexed to engage them. Gauntlet time. Yujin took her right fist and punched straight down into the ground. An infusion of her aura and fire dust erupt up like geysers of flames. One Ursa was unfortunate enough to be right on top of them, getting a whole burned right through its body. The second one was trapped by the ground caving in by the impact and the grimm’s weight. The third was unaffected and kept barreling toward Yujin. The girl quickly acted to dispose of the trapped one before its backup came. She ran it with her semblance off to get as much speed as possible before leaping into the air over it. Yujin did one midair front flip to position herself directly with her right leg raised to the sky for an axe kick. The reactivation of her semblance sent her falling like a brick, plunging her heel right into the Ursas face.

The impact kicked up debris and the loud snap Jaune heard made it clear that Ursa’s bone armor stood no chance. He watched Yujin roll out of her attack towards the final grimm and spring upwards into an uppercut that launched her opponent sky high with her. Yujin then set off a flurry of blows to the exposed underside to keep it juggled in the air higher, then grabbed it. Yujin rotated it to be on its back as it fell. She used it as a platform to jump higher while sending it crashing to the ground like a meteor.

From above, Yujin clicked her wrist together, reconnecting the metal bands back into a hilt. The blade reappeared in all it’s glory. The metal reignited as Yujin spun downward in a pinwheel of flames that was aiming right at the Ursa. A combo attack that perfectly drew from the skills and fighting styles of both her parents. If it wasn’t for the roaring of the grimm and flames, Jaune might’ve been bales to hear the words his daughter uttered as she went in for the kill.

“Dragonslayer…”

The attack landed right on the mark and the biggest pillar of flames yet was created, shooting upwards past the trees. The spin on the move didn’t just add force. It was to get out of the blast zone. The attack ricocheted off the ground and a rapidly spinning Yujin was hurled to safety. Another midair flip set her upright and sliding backwards on her feet and one hand. Just like that, no more grimm. Yujin stood up and let out a sigh while her hair and sword finally flickered out. That was rough! She was tired and her ribs hurt from the bite she was now completely feeling. “Phew! Talk about a workout!” She boasted.

“I’ll say!” Jaune chimed in, revealing his position to her. “You were literally on fire. If that isn’t entrance exam worthy then I don’t know what is.”

A red blush of embarrassment came over the young girl. If she knew she didn’t realize her dad was watching at all! She started scratching her head. “Oh, you saw all that? Like...all of it.” Her father happily nodded. Yujin started to laugh nervously. “Wow, really glad it wasn’t the attempt where I spun out like a race car.”

“Is that why there’s all this extra fire?”

“That’s why there’s still flames burning in general! I was trying a few things out and missed a lot, like, a lot. Really glad it’s the rainy season and all the way out here.” For once, being a country girl with plenty of unclaimed land was rewarding. Yujin noticed the box in her dad’s hands and extended her own. “Food?”

“Yes fatty, food. But how about we call it for now and you eat at home? Food tastes better dry.”

“Hmmm, fair point. Not really comfortable with leaving this fire though. The flames contain them but a few I actually have to put-” Jaune handed Yujin her lunch and pulled out Crocea Mor. Yujin watched him point the sword to the sky as his aura ran through it to make it glow white. Jaune jumped back and slashed the air horizontally. A strong pressure came of the attack that swept the area and snuffed out the flames. Yujin was more than a little shocked as she finished her sentence. “Out…”

Jaune put his sword away and took back the lunch to keep it as dry as possible. “Okay, let’s go! I’m sure your grandpa is trying to get Tenzen to come back too. We’ll all eat together.”

Yujin slowly started moving, still amazed by her dad. Now she had a goal beyond exam training. Next time, she’ll make her flames harder to snuff.

xxxx

On the other side of the forest was an equally impressive light show. A full pack of beowulves howled to the shattered moon in constant agony as electricity ran through their veins; their body wrapped in orange and pink aura. Tai followed the wispy flow of it all the way back to its source, Tenzen. The boy stood on a tree limb, his eyes a semblance activated orange with pink hair dripping wet. His body was crackling with lightning of the same color. Tenzen’s right hand clenched tight and he raised in the air. The sound of thunder started growing louder and the energy in the air started to build. Tai wasn’t sure why, but he felt like he should say something before Tenzen continued.

“Uuuuummmmm, Tenzen?”

The boy looked down to see Tai on the ground. Tenzen’s eyes got really big with concern that didn’t make Tai feel safe. Good, because he definitely wasn’t. Being on the ground was the last place Tai needed to be. “Mr. Xiao Long!? Uhh, why are you here!?”

“Is that really the thing we should be talking about right now!?” He shouted. The sight of Tenzen’s hand sparking wasn’t a calming sight. “Do I need to move-”

A flash of lightning came crashing down on Tenzen. The massive strike traveled around him, changing to the color of his aura as it raised down the tree. Each trapped grimm was immediately fried as the volts went through his aura. Tai barely saw the attack coming at him. He jumped up as high as he could in an attempt to avoid it.

“Hey, Catch!” Tenzen said, pulling out his father’s dagger and throwing it at the tree near Tai.

It was fortunately in range for Tai to grab and he stabbed the tree in order to hang safely out of reach from the light show happening on the floor. “Phew! Thanks kid.”

“I’m sorry!” Tenzen frantically said as he bowed. “I should've told you what kind of training I was doing!”

Tai laughed and waved off the apology. “It’s fine.” He couldn’t help but notice the slight burns on Tenzen’s hand. His eyes and hair turned back to their normal color and he hunched over. The lightning finally stopped and Tai dropped to the ground. “You okay?”

Tenzen hopped down and stumbled forward. “Just a little crispy.” He noticed the boxed lunch. “I hope whatever is in that is also crispy?”

“Hehe, why don’t we go back to the house and find out? I bet Jaune and Yujin will be there.”

Tenzen smiled and nodded. “Then What are we waiting for? Let’s mosey on over!” He said, marching with renewed energy.

Tai didn’t bother to mention how beaten up Tenzen actually looked. Oh well, Yujin will definitely get on him about it. Yes indeed, just another rainy day in Patch. However, not once did the budding heroes and guardians think it possible of a storm outside of their own. Far far away, another storm downpoured with its own hero taking their steps to greatness.

xxxx

No matter how harsh the weather, Menagerie would always have it harshest. The raindrops were heavy and unrelenting on the desert plains. Wind howled and blew fast enough to cut skin. Sand was turned to mud. Paradise turned into a natural disaster, and yet despite all that, Jael remained untouched. The Oasis itself was untouched. A pocket of relief shot through the storm towards the dazzling star scattered sky, shining down on the peaceful blade. The moon light radiated Jael’s poised blade and glistening body as three tiered warriors stood before her. A less than energetic Sun Wukong breathed heavily with gun-chucks tightly in hand on Jael’s left. The warrior on the right was none other than her own sister, Sienna, who let fatigue finally overcome her knees, dropping to the ground. Blake Belladonna stood in the middle proudly. Even she was catching her breath as her gun was trained on Jael and the many drops of water that orbited around her.

Jacquelyn watched from the roof, analyzing everything. The way Jael's hand shook, the struggling rise and fall of her chest as her weak heart tried its best to beat normally. Most importantly, the absolute cold stare in her eyes that fixated itself on Gamble Shroud. It had to be at least four hours since training started. Any longer and Jael was liable to drop dead. But she trained anyway. One more go around. One more try. Extreme conditioning for a person with an extreme condition. Jael loved it, craved it. She was going to be the best no matter what.

“Close it…” she uttered to her mother. Jacquelyn reaches at the hole in the sky and closes her fit in tandem with the clouds that made the eye of the storm. Light once again dwindled slowly into nothing, Illuminating faunus eyes in a world where the only sense that mattered was instinct. Darkness came once again with the promise of a rageful storm to dull all senses. And the sound of raining bullets. Yes, another day of training.

[duhliriouss]

Joker One - Shot

Grind on Me

Based on @jokerflecker’s anon ask rollplay that got a little too REAL , I’m sorry if this is a flop. I tried writing it as fast a possible for all you horny clowns and kinda went over board 🥺

A/N: plug in those headphones! I like to add music to fics a lot and find that listening with headphones on while reading really brings in the mood ❣️ well at least for me it does (I don’t do anything without music blaring in my ears) I’m sorry if I made it too musical :/

Summary: Joker has made you sexually frustrated so you end up grinding yourself on his thigh. That’s it really except for the insanely added random stuff😅🖤

Word Count: 3,625

Warnings: Swearing, SMUT

You’ve never committed a crime in your life. You can even say that now; as you waited in Joker and yours’ shared apartment for him to come home from his daily tasks of being his clown prince self.

You always had followed him blindly after his transformation. You’ve been together for so long now. And you were okay with his new-found confidence. You were okay with him switching the gears in your relationship; he was in charge now, and thank god for that...you were never good at taking the lead anyway. Now don’t get yourself all wrong, you loved Arthur dearly before he changed. It had always made sense when you soothed his laughing attacks before bed, when you gave him a warm soothing bath and kissed his bruises tenderly to make them feel better. You would do it all over again if you had to, even if it meant to go through mountains and valleys, hell and back just to protect him from the cruel world that had ambushed him vigorously day in and day out.

But you didn’t have to anymore. Instead, the tables had turned. It was Joker now that went though hell and back to protect you. Although this time it was to save you from the consequences of his own actions, the actions that you justified each time he added a number to his kill count. He never killed for the fun of it. It was for solid reasons; They deserved it, and he shows you just how much he appreciates you every day for staying by his side. He was only blossoming, and you will blossom with him in your very own way. You’ve become more loose, not caring what others think; Dancing in the rain with your beloved after he had just blown up the bank, splashing your feet in the wet remains and ash that sprinkled down with the cold water droplets that sent chills up your spine, mingling with the adrenaline you were both high on. And you have never felt more alive.

And that’s exactly what you did in this very moment..

( Listen To: Just the Two of Us - Grover Washington )

The radio trumpeted throughout the flat. Joker would be home soon and what better way to celebrate than lighting a cigarette and letting your head boom so loud you couldn’t even think straight? It sounded great to you, as it did everyday since it had become routine. You’ve grown bored most days since you liked to stay home all curled up in just your clown shaped slippers, one of Joker’s sweatshirts and your messy (y/h/c) hair, watching the news in anticipation to possibly see what your Joker has done now.

You smiled mischievously as you lit your cigarette, bobbing your head slightly to the vibrational thumps of melody that traveled from the floorboards up to your legs.

Just the two of us

Building castles in the sky

Just the two of us

The song certainly didn’t match the gracefulness of your sun dress you decided to wear today, but you danced anyway.

You lifted up your arms above your head with the cigarette in one hand, swaying your body back and forth and singing along, with your head held up high. The twilight sky seeped though the opened window, turning your living room into a lush blue hue, illuminating your already light blue floral adornment while darkening the rest of the flat into darker shades of purple contours.

You boogied and let yourself free, your body finding its way to each corner of the flat. You kept your eyes closed for the most part, letting yourself feel the strains and chords of the day, melting into a simple bliss of song. You moved your fragile, elegant body in ways that would be hard for anyone to keep their eyes off of; especially Joker, since he was already silently watching you from the doorway that led straight to the living area. You kept going, completely oblivious to his presence that had been muffled to the unnecessary loud music that seemed like it could shake the whole damn building.

He moved his forearm against the opened door frame, getting himself more comfortable as he watched you in complete amusement. This was clearly a routine for him too. He enjoyed nothing more than coming home and catching you in the act at your most tasteful state. He was infatuated by the way you’ve changed, with your afresh freedom that he created for you. For the both of you.

He started to tap his foot, his green oceans flicking back and forth as to follow your every move. His red painted lips turned upwards into a wicked smirk, nodding his head with chuckles escaping his throat.

“And darling when the morning comes

And I see the morning sun

I wanna be the one with you”

Joker sang out loud to you. You wiped your body around to find him leaned lazily against the door frame. Pure excitement boiled up your spine to the site of his return as you smiled broadly. Joker’s eyes twinkled to your contagious, beaming grin, causing his smile to grow even wider. You lifted your arms outward with your cigarettes still in your hand as you sung back:

“We can make it just the two of us!”

The saxophone that played in the song had begun as Joker swayed his way over to you, graceful in his bouncing steps, pulling his hands in front of his face in a silly attempt to fake-play the instrument. He kept going in a desperate plead to make you laugh until he was up close to you. And oh did it work. You couldn’t get enough of his absurdity. You laughed audibly over the fading out music, flicking your cigarette to the ash tray by the table that laid next to you so you could stretch out your open arms for a well needed embrace.

“There’s that laugh” Joker cracked out lovingly.

He reached in for your welcoming embrace and held you for what felt like forever. The only sounds now just being the radio talk show host:

“And there you have it folks. Our next song here will get that fog out of your brains. We are all disheartened from all the terrible riots that have been happening all over here in Gotham. So wind down, grab a glass of wine, and kick back to this one..”

(Listen To: Come and Get Your Love - Redbone)

“I’ve missed you” you breathed as you clung to his red suit.

“Shhh, I fucking love this song”

“Wha—“

“Shh” he hissed again “dance with me love”

You complied with a over dramatic eye roll along with a smirk as Joker grabbed your hips and gently started to move your body along with his own. He didn’t even give you any time to take in more of his scent or even be greeted with his usual array of kisses that he leaves all over your face and chest. Once there was music involved, no matter where or what time of day, Joker was clearly unable to contain himself from boogieing down and giving his full attention to anything else. You didn’t care however...actually, you fucking loved it. Nothing was hotter to you than watching him dance. Music or no music. It didn’t matter. His moves would never look as good on anyone else but himself. It sent you in a trance and always sent sparks of butterflies up your core. Actually, it was even more hot when he dances up against you; especially to music like this that forced the both of you to rub up against each other, other than the usual slow dancing and floor dips. Dancing to songs like this made you desire more of him. His confidence dripping off like pure honey, drizzling off the spoon.

Joker spun you around so your back was flush against his chest. He crossed your arms in front of your own chest and kept hold of your forearms as he moved his own hips back and forth, grinding against you. His unruly green locks bounced against the back of his shoulders enticingly. You followed along matching his rhythm, leaning your head back slightly so you can look up at his authentic, painted features. A smile plastered on your face as Joker leaned down and kissed the front of your exposed neck. You both continued to dance back and forth.

The bass that reverberated the entire building enveloped the moans that cracked out of your throat when he forced his tongue out to lap at the sensitive skin. Joker didn’t have to hear it to know what he was doing to you. He actually smirked against the pulsing point of your throat as it quickened. He could also feel the vibrations from your throat too as you whimpered.

“Heeyy“ He sung against your neck, you could feel his hot breath as his face nuzzled against you.

“Heeyy” you replied for the next verse. You both kept your eyes closed, both very aware of each other’s giddy, foolish smiles.

You gasped internally as Joker brought his mouth up to your ear, tucking a strand behind it as he spoke:

“I know what this does to you. I can feel your legs trembling”

“Then do something about it.” you teased back, making sure to keep the innocence in your voice as you spoke softly, though you couldn’t hide the shudder that ran through your body to his words.

Joker hummed in response. Your bodies just kept moving in a silent game of who can make the other give in first. It was Joker’s turn as he let go of your crossed arms and slid his rough hands down the seem of your dress, stopping at the front of your hips and grabbing down. Your breath hinged, cursing internally to yourself for telling him long ago that this was your sensitive spot.

Your heat was starting to drip to the inside of your thighs, you swallowed hard in anticipation of realizing it was now your turn. But before you could even think of what to do to get him going, the music ended.

“That’s alright” you thought to yourself. “I don’t need music to win”.

Apparently you did as you realized Joker had let go of you now. You stayed facing away from him for a few seconds as the talk show host invaded the silence that resided the room. You turned around to meet his gaze which you thought was right behind you, but instead watched as he was actually over in the kitchen area, pouring 2 glasses a wine for the both of you.

“Hey! That’s not fair! It was my turn!”

He seemed to ignore your clamor but held a small, smug grin which didn’t seem so small with that exaggerating, red stained smile. He made his way over with the 2 wine glasses, passing one over to you. You snatched it out of his hands, waiting for an explanation on leaving you this flustered.

“Your turn for what darling? I can’t dance all night. And besides..” he paused to reach down to the coffee table, grabbing his cigarette and lighting it. “That radio guy was really making me crave some wine”

Your lips parted slightly in bewilderment. Joker on the other hand took a long drag off his cigarette, looking deep into your dilated pupils. He was eating up all of your sweet reactions, it was such a drug to him, watching you be a writhing, flustered mess. You were completely unaware of the fact that this was still Joker’s turn. And he was winning. You never stood a chance and deep down you knew better.

You didn’t move and kept your eyes locked on him as he gave you a half chuckle. He held his cigarette with his mouth while he walked passed you to get to the tv, switching it on before making his way back to the couch. You turned to get out of his way but stayed standing still with the wine glass in your hand. You were feeling rather speechless on what to do or say next. Joker sat down gently on the couch as to not spill his brim-filled beverage. He kept his legs spread out and reached out his arms to the back of the couch lazily. He stared at you for a moment again, so you crossed your arms childishly and formed your lips into a pout.

“Yes?” You asked.

“I can’t see the T.V doll, could you move for me?”

His words stung straight to your chest. You were still completely unaware of his little game, prudishly under his control and he knew it. This was only making him radiate even more confidence. You stepped out of his way and stood to the side. You held your glass of wine with both hands, as if suddenly forgetting how to properly hold it due to how unnerved you were still feeling. You were extremely frustrated with the arousal you were still experiencing. It had all stopped so abruptly and all you craved in this moment was his hands on your soft skin again. Your skin tingled from being especially touch starved in this moment.

Your frustrations got the best of you as you failed to notice Joker’s enlarged pupils boaring into your innocent form. He was clearly satisfied with himself for thoroughly throwing you off. He was in control now. Your thoughts were finally interrupted as Joker cleared his throat. You snapped your head up to look him in the face, causing him to grin widely at seeing your flushed cheeks. You waited for him to speak but instead watched as he placed his already half drunken wine glass gently down on the side table, then using that now free hand to pat on his lap.

“Come”

He didn’t even need to say anything for you to know he wanted you to straddle him while he watched T.V. It had also become a routine for you and Joker’s down time. You sighed, ultimately giving up and walking over to him with a sheepish, tired smile painted on your lips. You sucked down most of your wine before taking your place on his lap. He didn’t move a muscle as you tried to get yourself comfortable, though it was hard seeing how, for some reason, he wasn’t closing his legs enough for you to be able to saddle him with one leg on each side of him. You didn’t think much of it though, you got comfy anyways by placing one leg on each side of just one of his legs, then lying down your head against his red suited chest to close your eyes and let the wine lull you into a dizzy nap.

You were struggling however, you couldn’t stop thinking about Joker’s hands on you just minutes ago. You felt slightly ashamed by how wet you were still getting underneath your sundress. You needed some friction more than ever right now. So you slowly started to move your hips against his thigh, oh so carefully as to not get him to notice. You acted it out as if you were just repositioning yourself.

Joker smirked wickedly as he kept his eyes to the T.V. , he had the news on which played a segment about himself. Though it wasn’t the purpose for his smug smirk - he knew exactly what you were doing. You had fell right into his trap, just how he wanted it..

“It’s okay darling, go ahead, rub yourself on me” his voice cracked a little

Blood rushed to your ears from his words. Your head snapped up drastically as you looked into his eyes, which flicked casually from the T.V to meet yours. You could see his dilated pupils now.

Was this his plan all along?

Joker watched as your rosy cheeks turned into a deeper red, flushing down all the way to your breasts. His gaze dipped down until stopping at your heaving chest. He swallowed trying to rewet his mouth, then licked the button of his lip before bringing his thigh up just gently enough to reach your heat, causing you to twitch slightly.

“Come on, don’t be shy now”

His words mixed with his relaxed posture was driving you crazy. Juices were soaking your panties at this point as butterflies continued to dance in your veins. You’ve never rubbed yourself against your Joker’s thigh before, so you complied timidly, steadying yourself first by placing your hands gently on his broad shoulders. You positioned and grounded your swollen bud on the right spot, instantly feeling the warmth that took shelter under his pant leg. You were a little too embarrassed to look him in the eyes yet, so you curled your back forwards slightly to give yourself room to rest your head into the crook of his neck. You could feel his pulse point quicken as you began to move yourself back and forth. Once you leaned down under his chin, Joker lifted his head slightly to give himself room to place his cigarette between his lips without interrupting you. His cigarette hung loosely from his mouth while his hands found their way back to the backs of the couch.

His eyes stayed locked to the T.V as you continued to grind on him; He wasn’t watching it however. His eyes stayed locked in on the reflection of the television, observing each and every motion of how you got off on him. How your (y/h/c) hair fell messily around your shoulders, down your back as you moved yourself on him.

Your breathe was getting more and more rigid as you continued. You were already feeling the tightness build up in your abdomen and your breath started to turn into whines that muffled themselves into his suit. You twisted your arm around the back of his neck more to get a better angle, you needed as much friction as possible. You were starting to get really close to your release. And Joker could tell because you finally brought your head up to face him. He his eyes caught yours in a heavy glare. Your flushed face watched him. He still acted almost careless but you could tell it was still his game since his eclipsed, barley visible green rings around the pupil of his eyes gave it away. His stare alone was enough for you to come undone.

Joker’s cigarette still stayed loosely between his thin red lips but his arms finally made their way off the couch and his hand traveled to your hips. Your maneuvers were becoming way out of sync so he gripped down hard with his calloused hands, moving you rapidly and roughly. His eyes flicked back and forth casually, multiple times until eventually resting where your blue floral trim met with your silky skin. The skirt of your dress had risen quite a bit from Joker’s hands. His head tilted just slightly enough to get a better look at how your juices were visible on this part of your thigh, shimmering from the dim light of the living room. You finally heard a low grumble accumulate in his throat. And your left knee could now feel the bulge that started to take over his pants.

This was enough for you now. You couldn’t take anymore as you threw your whole being into Joker’s loose embrace, sending out a loud cry as waves of your orgasm washed over your trembling frame. Joker let go of your hips, now just ghosting his hands over them to let you ride out your climax. You grabbed fistfuls of his red suit in your hands. Your legs shook violently around him until you could catch your breath. You were calming down but you were still a writhing mess. Joker didn’t move yet so you slowly brought your head up. His eyes looked at you for just a second before taking the last drag of the stub of a cigarette that still poked out of his mouth. He took one hand and discarding it in the ashtray next to him on the side table. He leaned his attention back to you, now looking straight down right on his suite to see all the drool you had left on it. His eyes then traveled to the bottom of your skirt again that displayed delicately to cover all your cum faultlessly. Your eyes darted all around him desperately waiting for any kind of reaction from him. Anything

“Lift up that pretty little dress of yours and show me the mess you’ve made” his voice came out hoarse and flat. Almost unamused

You obeyed, but you couldn’t tell what game he was playing now. Was he really unimpressed with you pleasing yourself on him for the first time ever? Did you really do that bad of a job? Was the way you did it unattractive? You internally nodded your head no, since you still could feel his hardened cock against your knee. He was obviously pleased.

With one last hesitating look, you slowly hiked up your skirt; you were wearing white panties but when Joker’s eyes fell on your mess, he saw how you have came so much that your thong was completely soaked, and see through. The white fabric clung to your pussy, defining your glistening folds. Joker swallowed hard and you could almost hear his heart beating faster in his chest. He let a few rigid breaths before letting out a small series of throaty chuckles. He lifted his head back up to you and you were caught off guard by a charming, wide smile:

“I win..”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tagging everyone involved in ask post:. @ithinkimaperson @soulsdontbreaktheybeeend @jokerflecker @the-queen-of-things @arthur-flecks-lovely-smile @ohallthecrushes @lynnesm @into-crazy @obsessedandthirsty @mrsjokerphoenix @jokerownsmysoul @sweet-nothings04 @ajokeformur-ray

let me know if you’d like to be added to my perminate tag list

[frenchfrysplash]

fic: between heaven, the sky, the earth

The Haunting of Bly Manor

Dani/Jamie

Chapter 1/10

Read on AO3 Here! Or you can continue into the Read More.

Summary: Jamie goes between one moment, and the next. Falling around her like rain, like snow.

She's here for a reason. Here to help.

She just needs to remember.

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

They say a dream takes only a second or so, and yet in that second a man can live a lifetime. He can suffer and die, and who's to say which is the greater reality: the one we know or the one in dreams, between heaven, the sky, the earth"- Perchance to Dream," The Twilight Zone, Episode 1x09

April 1984

Jamie's fingers twisted together, so tight it almost hurt.

The kitchen of Bly Manor was silent, save for a clock ticking on the wall, driving Jamie slowly insane. Her heart was thrumming in her chest, the starch of her collared shirt itching at her throat. She should have chosen a blouse, something more feminine, instead of the slacks and grey button up she wore. Who knew what the Wingraves would think of her? They might take one look at her and send her home, not wanting their grounds cared for by a dy-

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Tayler!"

Jamie practically leapt out of her seat, almost knocking the chair over. Charlotte Wingrave swept into the room like a breeze on a warm day, her smile lighting up the kitchen and making the corners of Jamie's lips pull up of their own accord. She reached across the table to shake Jamie's hand, and Jamie found herself resisting the ridiculous urge to pull Charlotte's hand towards her to kiss her knuckles. Charlotte Wingrave, with her dark hair, her kind eyes, and her easy elegance, seemed to inspire the chivalrous side of Jamie's nature. It had been the same the first time they met, when Jamie called on the manor to answer the ad for a new gardener.

"Don't worry about it," Jamie said. And cleared her throat. "I wasn't waiting long. And please, call me Jamie."

"Well, thank you, Jamie" Charlotte settled herself in the seat opposite. "I do try to be on time, but, with two young children, the day does get away from you."

"I can only imagine, ma'am," Jamie replied, sitting back down. "I knew a pair of kids once, right pair of wee gremlins they-"

She stopped, furrowing her brow. She had never known any children, had none of her own, and didn't know anyone with kids. She wasn't sure what had made her say that, but fortunately, Charlotte didn't pursue the tangent.

"Now, you told me you were interested in the gardener position when you dropped by the other day," Charlotte said, hands folding in front of her. "The letter you wrote was excellent, and you seem to have plenty of experience. So tell me, what interests you about the job?"

"Oh, well," Jamie sat up a little straighter, trying to ignore her sweaty palms. "I've been working as a labourer for a landscaping company in London. Worked on a lot of different gardens, all over the city." She paused, trying to work out how to say the next part. "If I'm honest, I wanted to get out to the countryside. London is a bit fast-paced for me, even with growing plants, and I've been wanting to slow down. It's like," Jamie hands came up, like she was trying to pull the words out of the air, "people there don't understand that growth takes time. I thought somewhere like this," she gestured vaguely, "somewhere with so much history, so much growth over time, I thought, somewhere like that, the people might just get it."

She held her breath, hoping she hadn't put Charlotte off with her speech. But Charlotte was smiling, and nodding along. Jamie felt herself smile back.

"Very good," Charlotte said, voice warm and approving. "Now, with this position, you would be responsible for the upkeep of the entire grounds. Does that sound like something you're comfortable with?"

"More than comfortable," Jamie replied. "Sounds wonderful to me. I like the idea of caring for something like that, keeping it happy and healthy."

"Excellent." Charlotte beamed, and Jamie blinked. For an instant, a different face had beamed at her from across the table; a beautiful face, with blue eyes and blonde hair, and a smile that tugged at Jamie's heart. But she must have imagined it, because a moment later, it was just Charlotte again.

She realized Charlotte had said something that she'd missed, and Jamie leaned forward.

"Sorry? I didn't quite catch that."

"Oh, apologies." Charlotte cleared her throat. "I asked, how did you start gardening?"

Oh.

Jamie hesitated, casting her eyes away from Charlotte's face, her own falling. Here it was. She could lie, and hope Charlotte never found out. Or she could tell the truth.

"Well, I got into it because-" Jamie stopped, and sighed, shoulders drooping. For the first time, she avoided Charlotte's gaze. "Honestly, the garden was one of the work rotations I was given in prison."

She risked a glance. Charlotte's smile had faded, replaced with a furrowed brow. She nodded to Jamie to continue.

"I had never so much as picked up a spade before," Jamie admitted. "But when they put me in that garden, it was like something…settled. It was hard work, and it kept my mind quiet. There were other women there I learned from, and when I got out, one of them helped me find my job in London. Haven't looked back since."

She let herself meet Charlotte's eyes, fully expecting to find disapproval and disappointment there. Instead, she found the older woman was looking at her thoughtfully, finger tapping her chin. Jamie shifted uncomfortably, a sliver of hope blooming in her chest.

"You know, Jamie," Charlotte said kindly. "I think of myself as a great judge of character."

Jamie said nothing, just nodded.

"After all," Charlotte sat back in her chair, waving her hand as if to indicate the entire manor. "I hired Hannah Grose. And that woman is a miracle, let me tell you."

Despite herself, a small smile quirked Jamie's lips. She had briefly met Mrs. Grose on her way in, and could tell right away that she would get on well with the housekeeper.

If she got the job, which didn't look likely in that moment.

"So you see," Charlotte continued. "I knew straight away when you walked in that I would hire you, and I'm not one to distrust my gut feelings."

"I understand, Lady Wingrave, I-" Jamie stopped. "Wait, I'm sorry?"

"Jamie," Charlotte said patiently. "Will you be able to care for the garden and grounds of Bly Manor?"

"Yes," Jamie said, hardly daring to breathe.

"Then that's all I need to know," Charlotte smiled at her. "Your reference from your former employer is impeccable, and the experience you outlined in your cover letter lends me the utmost confidence that you are the perfect candidate for the gardener position. When can you start?"

"I-" Jamie's brain stuttered. She swallowed. "When do you need me, ma'am?"

"Right away, if possible," Charlotte said, standing up and smoothing down her skirt. "Of course, you're still living in London, I take it? You can stay in one of the rooms here until you find your own place. Don't worry, I'll help you."

"Thank you," Jamie stood up as well, eyes wide, hardly daring to believe what had just happened. "Ma'am, I -"

"Your past is your past, Jamie," Charlotte said. "Let's live in the present, shall we?"

She held out her hand to shake again, and Jamie took it, beaming from ear to ear. But when she went to drop the hand, Charlotte didn't let go.

"Uh, Lady Win-"

The words died in Jamie's throat, replaced with a strangled gasp. Charlotte Wingrave had disappeared, and instead, a monster stood in front of her. A woman, in a white nightdress, dripping wet from head to toe, her long dark hair hanging like weeds over her shoulders. And her face, her face-

She had no face. No eyes. No nose. Only a wide, gaping mouth.

Jamie tore her hand away, gasping, scrambling back, hitting the wall, as the creature stepped forward, hands reaching, reaching, reaching-

"Let's get out of here," a voice whispered in her ear. Jamie turned, finding herself inches from the blonde woman she thought she'd seen earlier, a grin on her lips, blue eyes twinkling. The woman laced their fingers together, and tugged-

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

September 1987

"How the hell is it so hot?" Jamie whined, letting herself be pulled along the street. "I didn't think America would be this hot."

"You're a baby," Dani said. "A giant baby. I can't believe how much of a baby you're being."

"I miss the rain," Jamie said.

"You hate the rain."

"Do not. Rain is lovely. Waters the plants for me. Gives me a nice break."

Dani laughed, and Jamie grinned. That was the best sound in the world, right there. Dani Clayton's laugh. She could spend the rest of her life making Dani laugh.

With that thought, she tugged on Dani's hand, stopping her in her tracks.

"Jamie," Dani started, voice threatening annoyance. But she was smiling as Jamie pulled her in, kissing her soundly and sliding her fingers through blonde hair. Dani let out a happy sigh, other hand landing on Jamie's hip, pulling her closer-

"Fuckin' Dykes!"

The shout came from a passing car, and Jamie tore herself away from Dani to flip them off and yell some obscenity back. Dani shook her head, scowling.

"It's not worth it, Jamie," she said dully.

"So much for San Francisco being gay friendly," Jamie grumbled, as the two started walking again.

"There's always gonna be assholes," Dani told her. She took Jamie's hand again, slotting her fingers together like they'd been doing it all their lives, not just a couple of months. "But come on, we've faced down ghosts. Homophobes've got nothing."

"I'd still like to punch their lights out," Jamie said, glaring in the direction of the car. But she hadn't missed the quip about Bly Manor. Were they really at a point where they could joke about it?

She didn't get a chance to ask, though, because suddenly Dani was pulling her along again, their leisurely stroll turning into a brisk clip. Jamie let herself be led, content to watch Dani's hair flutter in the breeze, Dani's earrings glint in the sunlight, Dani's ass swaying in her jeans-

"Here we are!"

Without Jamie noticing, lovestruck as she was, they had gone through a parking lot and over sand dunes, and now the deep, white-capped blue of the Pacific Ocean stretched out in front of them, with no end in sight.

"Oh," Jamie breathed. "Oh, wow."

This time it was her leading the way, Dani trailing behind her, their hands still clasped together loosely. Jamie had never seen the Pacific before; had grown up with the Atlantic in driving distance, but hadn't had a real reason to spend much time there. She had always been anchored to the earth, never the sea, but the vast expanse before her took her breath away. It was all part of the natural world that Jamie loved, that she surrounded herself with and took care of. Just a different part.

"Poppins," Jamie said, unable to keep the awe from her voice. "It's beautiful."

"Yeah," Dani said, sounding strangely far away, and Jamie knew if she turned her head, she would see Dani gazing at her adoringly, like a scene out of a bad romance movie. And once upon a time, she had. She had turned her head, had met Dani's gaze, had pulled her forwards and nearly kissed her, but stopped at the last minute, remembering the shout from the street. Had instead turned on her heel and raced down towards the water, dragging a laughing Dani behind her, and plunged in, not caring they were in their clothes, trying to wash away a memory of another plunge into cold water.

She knew she had done all of that, once. She could taste the salt on her tongue, feel the chill of the water on her skin. But here, now, in this moment, her eyes had landed on something in the water, and her entire body had frozen, standing at the edge of the surf. The sun seemed to suddenly hide behind a cloud, and an ill wind whipped Jamie's curls around her head.

"Dani," she said. "Dani, do you see that?"

There was no answer. Jamie turned, only to find Dani gone. In fact, the beach was empty now. Jamie was alone.

Well. Not completely alone.

Slowly, she looked back at the water. The creature stood, waist-deep, eyeless face turned in her direction. It did not seem to notice the waves, or the wind that now gusted, and it did not move. Jamie fought the urge to run, terrified that any movement would cause the thing to come after her. Why was it here? Why was it just standing there? Why wasn't it at the bottom of that lake where it had dragged Dani-

Wait.

Unbidden, Jamie took a step forward. The water soaked her shoes immediately, washing up and over her ankles. Another step, and it was at the cuffs of her jeans now, shoes sinking into the sand. Another, and another, and another, until she was standing up to her knees, entire body trembling, staring at the The Lady in the Lake with wide eyes.

"I'm supposed to be doing something," Jamie said to her. "I'm here for a reason."

The Lady in the Lake said nothing.

"It's there, on the tip of my tongue." Jamie let out a frustrated breath. "At the back of my brain. Just-"

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

October 2000

Her clothes were still wet when she arrived back at the hotel room. She stripped them almost as soon as the door closed, and stumbled into the shower, standing under the spray and staring at the wall. She only turned it off when the water turned cold, and she was pretty sure there were no more tears in her eyes. She towelled herself off, and dug through the little overnight bag she'd thrown together haphazardly as she rushed out the door an eternity earlier.

Rushed out the door after Dani, who had been long gone by then.

She hadn't packed any sleep shorts in her hurry, so she threw on some underwear, and an old shirt. The scent of it hit her immediately, and a fresh wave of tears started to fall. It was an old shirt of Dani's. One she'd worn a million times, even after the armpits were getting a bit threadbare.

Dani, who was lying at the bottom of a lake.

She went through the motions of getting ready for bed. She didn't have a toothbrush, so she just rinsed her mouth out with water, and splashed her face. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror - red-eyed, pale-faced - and paused, staring. Hoping against hope that another face would appear. Like had happened so often back home, in their little apartment, when Dani looked in a mirror, or into water, or into a pane of glass. Maybe Jamie's cry in the lake had worked, and maybe instead of that monster she would see-

Just let me have this, Jamie thought, not taking her eyes off her own reflection. It's you, it's me, it's us. Let me have this, Dani.

But nothing appeared, and Jamie shut the light of the bathroom off, and climbed into bed.

She didn't sleep. To sleep meant two things. First, it meant waking up again, into another day in a world where Dani wasn't. Where Jamie was just expected to keep living her life without her wife by her side. What would she even do? Go home? To their little apartment filled with memories? To the flower shop? Keep living the little life they had built together? Alone?

How could she be expected to do that?

Sleep also meant dreams, and Jamie was possibly more frightened of that than waking up. Dreaming could mean seeing Dani again, whether alive and happy, or dead, staring at her with lifeless eyes at the bottom of a lake. Neither option was appealing in the slightest, so Jamie lay awake, staring at the clock as it ticked towards midnight.

She deemed 5 o'clock in the morning as good a time as any to wake up. Or at least, get out of bed, as waking up implied she had slept at all. She supposed she would go to the airport, and get on a plane back to Vermont, decide what to do from there. Dani would want her to keep going.

It was as she mechanically got ready to leave that she found it. Dani's note, folded up with her passport, thrown in her bag along with anything else she thought she might need. It had fallen out when she changed, and for a moment, Jamie just gazed at it. Then, she knelt down, and opened it with trembling fingers, reading the last words Dani had left her.

Jamie,

The beast has come for me. Viola is calling, and I have to answer, or I don't know what could happen. I can't risk that anything would happen to you, my most important person. I love you. I'm so sorry.

Dani

If only she had woken up. If only she had stopped her. Convinced her that it was ok, that they would figure it out together. If only she had been able to figure out a solution before Viola took her. If only Owen had driven a little faster that night, thirteen years ago. If only she had run a little faster towards the lake. If only she had stayed the night when Dani asked. If only, if only, if -

Viola?

Jamie frowned as she scanned the note, the name standing out to her as strange, unknown. Viola? Who was Viola? Where had that come from?

Water dripped on the carpet in front of her. Jamie found herself looking at mud-covered feet, eyes tracing a soaking wet nightdress up until they reached the face - that terrible, terrible face.

She felt like she should scream. Scream and run from the room. Or better yet, attack the monster and hope she could get a few good licks in before it dragged her down too.

But she didn't.

Jamie stood slowly, hand still clutching the note, staring at the creature in front of her. The creature did nothing. Simply stood, as though waiting for Jamie to make the first move.

And so, Jamie did.

"Viola?"

[dopescotlandwarrior]

Bluegrass-Chapter Eighteen

   Thank you @statell​ for fixing my chapters and cheering me on-I’m so grateful

Previous chapters on AO3

Chapter Eighteen (NSFW)

The party guests were headed to their homes by eight o’clock and it was just Jamie and Claire. She wrapped her arms around him and looked up at her future husband.

“Your eyes are an endless source of fascination to me. They change color with the weather, your mood, your clothes. Sometimes they are like blue diamonds, light and sparkling, other times they are dark like a stormy ocean. Whatever hue, they’re always beautiful.”

Jamie smiled and touched her cheek. Their lives had been taken over by traveling, racing, and foals. They were on the same plane, in the same barn, lived in the same house, but he missed her so badly he didn’t want to let go of her. He knew she was dead on her feet, but he needed to connect with her on an intimate level saved only for him.

Like she was reading his mind she exhaled from open lips and her fingers explored his wide back.

“Do you realize I haven’t showered since my race this afternoon?”

“How much time do ye need Sassenach?”

He panted the words and looked her over like a vampire ready to grab her neck. It was predatory, intense, and Claire felt her body wake up to his intention.

“Twenty minutes and I’ll be waiting for you so don’t dawdle or I will come back and show Runner things he shouldn’t see.”

“Hurry love, get in the truck and drive before I lose my resolve.”

When Claire ran out of the barn Jamie walked like a cripple from his mile-wide erection, or at least it felt that way.

Claire dropped below the bubbles in her huge bathtub and expertly shaved all the smooth surfaces of her body before stepping into the shower to wash her hair. She wrapped thick towels around herself and spread her special body oil into her skin, a luxury she loved and didn’t waste when she was riding. She blew her hair with her head upside down and didn’t hear Jamie come in and slip into the shower.

Claire decided naked was best tonight. It was a fool's errand to dress in anything because she would beg him to rip it off, the minute he touched her. Pulling the quilt and sheet to the end of the bed exposed the large expanse of comfort they would play on until exhausted. She tried to remember the last time they made love slowly, giving and receiving the erotic love they craved.

Jamie stood above her and looked at every inch of her. He would have her in every position she loved before they were through, and she would give him everything he asked her for. He watched Claire’s mouth open slightly as she stared at his erection and then his thighs and magnificent butt. He could see her chest rise and fall with deep breathing to feed her battering heart.

“Come here, love. Let me feel you.”

It was fortunate the party ended while the evening was still young, because they filled every minute with love, from sensuous, to brutal, and back again. Jamie’s body was glistening with sweat when he pulled Claire up and impaled her. He sat up so they were nose to nose and she slowly pulled his arousal up to the point of insanity. Jamie felt an electric current start in his lower spine and work it’s stinging way to his groin and then his balls. The building pressure was exquisitely painful, and he pushed back watching her breasts bounce as she ground down on him. He wrapped his arm around her back and flipped her under him, pulling her knees over his shoulders. He buried himself in her wet body and rammed her over and over until he went rigid with his release. He was so deep in her body she could feel his pulsing cock as she wrapped him in the soft muscles she had learned to control. She could titillate, control, and coax his arousal to heights that made him come with an explosive orgasm that lasted several minutes.

Jamie dropped to the bed and pulled her in. Holding her close he decided it was time to run away from their responsibilities and steal some time to celebrate their youth, their love, and all they had accomplished. He searched his exhausted mind for the perfect getaway and smiled as he let go of consciousness, wrapped around his love.

In the morning, Jamie was quick out the door to feed the horses with Angus and Rupert so he could ask for a favor. They agreed to take a night each staying at the barn to allow their friend some needed time away. Two nights and three days away from this place. He had to plan the most impressive, unforgettable getaway and couldn’t wait to get started. When he found Claire still chasing her dreams he sat down in his office and got to work. An hour later he pushed away from his desk and went to wake Claire.

She was as still as the dead until Jamie cuddled her and told her they needed to leave for the airport.

“Mo chridhe, I am takin ye to a private island in the Florida Keys. Our bungalow is ten feet from the water with a huge hammock for naps, horses to ride through the deer sanctuary, a five star resort with the best chefs, and private beaches to snorkel, sunbathe, and get lost in the day where there are no responsibilities except to ourselves. You won the Kentucky Derby lass, this is your prize.”

When she laid still and said nothing, Jamie’s heart fell and he was gripped with worry that he had over-stepped. He promised her he would not make plans for her life without her input anymore and here he was doing it again. His excitement fell off the cliff and he was filled with remorse.

Claire spun toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist kissing every inch of skin she could find.

“A private island?” Kiss, kiss kiss.

“Ten feet to the water?” Kiss, kiss, kiss.

“Fine dining and horses to ride through a deer sanctuary?” Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss.

“How soon can we leave? Before breakfast I hope, how do we get to a private island anyway? Are there other people there, who cares, can we leave now? I’m getting in the shower, care to join me?”

Jamie took possession of her mouth when she took a breath and blew a bit on the candle of her desire. He would not give in to a romp in Kentucky but hold the arousal suspended until they watched the sunset tonight, on their private beach, with two whole days of fun still to come.

The Sassenach could not stop asking questions until Jamie laughed at her enthusiasm feeling the relief right behind it.

“Rupert and Angus are all set to sleep in the barn, one night each, Michael and Jason won’t be back for three days while Runner gets some rest. Can ye be packed to leave in two hours mo chridhe?”

Claire screamed yes and got on her feet to jump on the bed. She was naked and Jamie became transfixed with watching her beautiful athletic body, soft full breasts bouncing and pulled her down next to him kissing her deeply.

“Hurry Sassenach. I vowed not to touch ye until we were safe on the island and my erection hurts already.”

She jumped off the bed skipping to the shower and Jamie fell back on the pillows, hugely relieved.

Claire had been dedicated to riding and racing for so many months she was woefully short on fabulous clothes to wear for a romantic beach weekend. The ridiculous swimsuit she wore previously was thrown into the nearest trash can and she had not purchased another. Jamie calmed her worry telling her about the boutique clothing stores on the island and in the resort for exactly what she needed.

Not having the time to fret about every little thing made it so much easier to pile into Jamie’s truck, park it at the airport, board their plane to Florida, sip whisky, and nap until they woke from the pressure change in the cabin. The flight was perfect. Jamie haled a cab to take them to the dock to hire a boat, or seaplane, the only two ways to get to the island.

Claire was so excited her cheeks hurt from smiling. It was easy finding a boat to take them twenty-nine miles to the island. The captain was full of personality and loved to talk. He explained how hurricane Irma made a direct hit on the island and destroyed the resort. He looked out at the ocean like he was remembering something terrifying.

“It just reopened in January and its more beautiful than before,” he said brightening. He told them to wade or swim out to the sand bar where they could float and snorkel until hunger dragged them in. He asked Jamie when they were leaving and promised to be at the dock to take them back.

Jamie tipped the captain generously for the information and they waved goodbye to begin their adventure.

Claire found a boutique while Jamie checked them in. She was delighted at the variety of swimsuits and dresses and chose two of each. Just as Jamie walked back to scoop her up, she was walking out of the boutique. They looked out at the clear, turquoise-blue water and could not wait for the fun to start.

“I have a new suit, wanna see it wet?”

“I have never wanted to see anything more Sassenach, but I believe our beach is a bit better, let’s find our piece of paradise, shall we?”

The resort was designed so cleverly that the bungalows truly had a private section of the beach with French doors that opened to the inside just ten feet from the water. Claire ripped off her clothes and jumped into a barely-there swimsuit that had Jamie following six inches behind her. She walked out of the bedroom and right into the water giggling at the close proximity and her lover followed looking at her curves and exposed butt.

“Mo chridhe that suit is dangerous, just lettin ye know, there is a price to be paid for wearin it.”

He caught her, waist-deep in the water, to get a closer look while he pressed his gigantic erection into her belly. Claire laughed at his pained face and dove under the water to have a look around. They stayed in the water until the sun started to set, and held hands as they made the long wade back.

“That sunset cannot be ignored my love, I want to watch it but it’s time for whisky.”

She pouted at Jamie, wanting to stay on the beach and watch the sky and birds. He dashed to call for a bottle, ice, and two glasses.

They wandered back into the water with the whisky and sat in the shallows watching the amazing sunset. Claire felt light as a feather, slightly buzzed and very aroused as she surveyed the body next to her. Chiseled, tan, flat stomach, huge chest, gorgeous face, and all hers for the next two days. She moved into his lap and kissed from his mouth to his ear, down his neck, across his chest and latched onto his nipple making him squirm in erotic pain as he untied the speck of a top she wore.

They teased lazily while the water lapped around them. Jamie decided to up the game and twisted her nipple, kissing her with his growing heat. When he pulled Claire’s back to his chest, he whispered the price for wearing the suit would have to be paid this very minute. With the water now at waist level he bent her forward and spread her legs before filling her completely. Claire gasped with the erotic position and open-air assault and pushed back on him hearing a grunt that translated to “wow that works for me!”

Jamie pulled out of her and led her back to their amazing room where a hot shower awaited them before walking to the restaurant. Claire jumped out first and wrapped up in towels. The French doors were open to the ocean breeze that moved across her nipples. She needed to come. The teasing penetration in the water made her crave release. She laid across the bed and waited for the only one who could relieve her.

Jamie stood in front of the vanity with shaver in hand and looked around the corner for Claire. Her eyes were closed, one hand pinched her nipple, the other was working its way to her pulsing center. When she heard Jamie’s shaver hit the floor she smiled, just before he pulled her hands above her head and held them with one hand, while the other got down to the business of relieving her pent up stress.

Jamie fell next to Claire, heavy with sweat, delightfully satisfied. His Sassenach had an incredible way with her muscle control, and he decided that made him the luckiest man in the world. Another quick shower and they left to feed a ravenous hunger. Later, falling into the comfort of their bed, they were near comatose from sun, sex, and food. It was a glorious finish to the first day.

Being an early riser all his life, Jamie spent the first hour or two alone each day. It was his time to get centered, say his prayers, and start the day calmly and with purpose. He took a deep breath and shot right back to the bed to wake Claire.

“Sassenach, you must wake up, love. I would not wake for just any small thing. Get yer suit on, that’s a good girl, ah, the one that covers the most if ye please. I don’t want to have to fight the waiter when he falls for that body.”

Jamie called for coffee and scones and peeked outside before leading Claire to the outside table. She was enjoying the attention and put her head back to feel the sun on her face. When she felt something lick her elbow she jumped before Jamie calmed her.

“Something licked my elbow, Jamie.”

She looked in that direction and stared into the eyes of an adult deer just a foot from her face. Two little fawns crept out from behind their mother coming right to her knees. She reached out and stroked them feeling like she might burst with excitement. The babies liked licking their kneecaps and went from Jamie to Claire delighting both of them. When their breakfast came the waiter put down a bowl of nutritious cubes made of pressed vegetation that the deer loved.

“It keeps the guests from giving them scones and coffee.” He smiled directly at Claire, Jamie wanted to trip him.

Everywhere Jamie looked he saw deer, three of them were swimming to another shore and he shook his head like it was an illusion. They were everywhere around them, and it occurred to him the resort and the deer sanctuary were one in the same. In exchange for their protective sanctuary, they entertained the guests and were hand-fed nutrition cubes of their favorite grass. Amazing.

Claire stretched out on a padded lounge and was almost asleep when she was lifted to Jamie’s chest and carried into the water for some floating and kissing which came to an abrupt halt when Claire gasped and swam toward the shore.

“Jamie, I haven’t seen my phone since we arrived yesterday. Let me check it for messages, be right back.”

“I will make ye a deal Sassenach. I will trade ye flippers and a snorkel for yer phone. Ye can have it back on Monday. What do ye say?”

She looked out at the ocean stretched in front of her and back at Jamie. It was clear she struggled with the trade.

“Okay, I want to trade, let’s go!”

Jamie was delighted with her decision. She chose him and he loved her for it. They spent almost the whole day snorkeling off the sand bar seeing a myriad of sea life around them. Claire enjoyed floating on her back and feeling the sun warm her skin while Jamie went for deeper dives and discovery. It was an idyllic day and they were ravenous getting back to the beach.

Jamie looked at the large footed bathtub in the middle of the expansive bathroom. Aside from a mass of bubbles, he could not find Claire. When she popped up looking like a snowman, he handed her a whisky and smiled.

“I am going to return the equipment, be back shortly, love.”

Claire straightened her hair and carefully lined her eyes with a brush of mascara and lip gloss. She stepped into her new dress, pulling up the tiniest thong, before slipping into heeled sandals that accentuated her statuesque form. The strapless dress was the same color as her eyes and displayed her bronzed chest with a sprinkling of freckles.

Pink cheeks and seldom seen makeup stopped Jamie in his tracks. He stared at the most beautiful woman in the Florida Keys, he was sure of that. She sat on the bed with a look that said, thank you for this amazing day. Jamie held his hand out for her to stand up and walked around her, admiring every inch, front and back.

“I have never been prouder to escort a lady to dinner than I am right now. You are exquisite Claire.”

He held out his arm and they walked leisurely toward the restaurant where Jamie had reservations. Walking through the crowded restaurant he noticed heads turn to watch her walk by. The waiter asked if the table was perfect to which Jamie told him for the winner of the Kentucky Derby, this was perfect. The waiter seemed to have a mini-meltdown in front of them.

“You are Claire Beauchamp! I didn’t recognize you with a clean face. Sorry, didn’t mean that. I am honored to serve you. I have watched you and Runner through Sports Illustrated for months and I am so damn glad to meet you!”

Claire shook his hand and laughed at his bubbling compliments until he shouted it out.

“Hey! Honored guests of this fine establishment. The winner of the Kentucky Derby is dining with us tonight, Claire Beauchamp!”

Everyone around them was clapping and yelling congratulations to a blushing Sassenach. The waiter suddenly noticed Jamie and started spewing again.

“You are Jamie Fraser, the breeder of Midnight Runner! Oh my God, this is amazing!”

Jamie cleared his throat, “how is it that ye know so much about us lad?” “Runner’s groom is my brother, Jason. Oh my God, wait until I tell him I waited on you! Oh, my name is Tyler, pleased to meet you. Very pleased to meet you.”

When Tyler left with their drink order Jamie looked at Claire and exhaled shaking his head.

“It’s a small world, love.”

“Six degrees of separation would support that statement.” She giggled at the look on his face, enjoying the attention and anticipation of the percolating arousal she felt.

Jamie’s hunger took over the menu as he continued to order appetizers of every variety followed by lobster for both of them. He looked at the empty plate in front of Claire and felt so happy she enjoyed food like he did. She was so unlike the Dunsany sisters who went to uncomfortable lengths to stay slim. He grew so tired of their pouting and sulking during a meal he stopped taking either of them to dinner. He felt a foot pushed into his crotch and jerked his head up at Claire.

“Come back to me Jamie. Wherever you were just now I am banning you from returning. Promise me, you won’t go there again.”

“Aye, Sassenach, I’m sorry.”

“You are the master of your domain Jamie, and that includes me because I am a slave to your pleasure.”

His back straightened and he gazed into her eyes seeing the need for his attention. When the Drambuie came he sipped and looked at her.

“Suppose ye tell me what turns ye on, what's yer fantasy exactly, and details are important lass.”

Claire smiled at a challenge she would surely win and pulled out her gloss to freshen her lips.

“Well, if I was vacationing here with my aging aunt, and we hired your boat to do some fishing, I would wear my skimpiest suit. The one that barely covered my nipples and bared my ass cheeks to the world.”

Jamie cleared his throat and pulled his chair closer to the table. “Ah, and then?”

“I would clearly want you, so bad I couldn’t think straight, so I flirt with you and bend over in front of you to grab a new lure for auntie. You can see clear to my core and your erection crashes into your shorts making it hard to resist touching me, especially when I look at your erection and lick my lips.”

Jamie moved his chair closer and was stuck looking at her lips. “Ah, and then?”

“Well, I do the bend over thing until you’re ready to rape me in front of auntie. So I saunter into the cabin in search of water and you follow me trapping me in the galley, crushing me to you, pulling my suit off like a caveman. Now I’m naked and you drop to your knees and push your tongue into me. The angle is no good, so you pick me up and lay me on the counter, pulling my knees up for the best exposure. And then you lick me, from asshole to clit with a flat tongue and I scream and hold your head against my pussy. I scream at you to put your tongue in me and then scream deeper Jamie!”

Jamie looked like he was about to explode. He was fondling her leg, running his hand up the inside of her thigh, coming dangerously close to her screaming need.

“Ah, does…doesn’t Auntie hear us?”

“Auntie is deaf as a doorknob, so I scream some more when you push fingers into me and order me to spread my legs.”

“What if auntie comes lookin for water?”

“Her legs are broken, pour dear, so she can’t get up, and she caught a fish so she’s totally happy by herself.”

Claire stopped to look at Jamie on the edge of his seat and smiled at his eager participation.

“What happens then, Sassenach?”

“Do you mean before or after you pull me to the floor by my hair and choke me with your erection?”

Jamie’s face was already sunburned, and his cheeks deepened to a lovely shade of purple as his hand went up asking for the check. Tyler was tableside in less than a minute and reported he called Jason who said the horses and barn were quiet all day. Jamie signed the check, added the tip, and stood to help Claire out of her seat. Walking to the exit, many diners touched her hand and said congratulations while Jamie stared at her ass.

Jamie was clearly undone by Claire’s little story and pulled at his tie when they reached their own beach.

“Ye got me twisted Sassenach. I need to swim most of this energy off, so I don’t hurt ye.”

“Stop.”

Claire ran her hand up his inner thigh and teased by tracing around the bulge that begged to be touched.

“I have been clinging to a 1200 pound rocket for several months now, do you really think you can hurt me Jamie?”

When her feet left the sand, Claire knew she was in for something new, something savage, something that would expose a new layer of herself. It was everything she hoped for and everything he had fantasized about. Two very fit people in love and craving each other is not for the meek. An hour of no-holds-barred loving and they crashed to the bed and held each other as they fell asleep.

Another day of deer kisses and treats, hours in the water, and lunch served on their beach table effected them like elephant tranquilizer. Claire’s eyes were closing until she was scooped up and carefully placed into a huge hammock. When her favorite person got in beside her there was no time to smile or cuddle before consciousness left them both.

Waking to Jamie’s hunger for her body, the hammock strings were very helpful to position herself for maximum pleasure, and penetration. She clung to Jamie when he growled in her ear and pushed into her, claiming her, and grinding into her bud. When Jamie dropped beside her, he heard the tell tail breath expelled from open lips and knew his love was very close to orgasm. He pushed her legs open and licked her, pulling her bud into his mouth and teasing her mercilessly until she exploded, back arching and legs pressed open. He held her during her descent to earth and kissed her neck, pulling her to him.

“It’s two o’clock mo chridhe, we have two hours to play. What would ye most like to do?”

Claire pointed to the water and Jamie helped her out of the hammock so they could indulge in the crystal clear water before heading for home.

The lovers both vowed to come back here one day as they reluctantly stepped out of the surf and headed to the shower and packed to go home. With suitcases parked at their feet they waved to the captain of the boat approaching to take them back.

The minute Claire’s feet touched mainland Florida her mind was seized with the Preakness race. Jamie watched the transformation from beach girl to jockey and said a loving farewell to the side of her he had enjoyed for the past two days. She leveled her gaze at him, and he saw the edge was back. That strength in her that conjured the courage to mount Runner the first time and kept her racing in the face of heinous acts against them. He wondered who she would be after the racing was over. When she wrapped her arms around his waist, he realized he didn’t care. He loved every facet of her.

“I have no messages on my phone love, do you?”

“Nah, no phone service on the island.”

“What was the trade about then?”

Jamie was laughing at her questioning face, “just wanted to see which ye would pick.” He pulled her in for a hug, “ye picked me.”

It was a cool night in Kentucky when they returned to their home, the foals, and Runner. He whinnied deep in his chest and was quite agitated in his stall asking Claire where she was. Telling Jamie he was afraid when they didn’t come to see him. Claire put her arms around the colt and told him repeatedly he was missed until he settled down.

Later in the week, Jamie heard Michael yelling at Claire about pacing Runner rather than letting him run his own race. He watched as she turned Runner like a rodeo rider and galloped up to Michael making him take a step back even though the rail was between them.

“Who have you been watching Michael? When has he made a wrong choice in how he runs the race? Never! Don’t get heavy-handed just because the purse is bigger, and the stakes are higher. He’s gonna run his own race goddammit and don’t forget that.”

Claire pulled Runner down to a walk to cool him off. “Don’t do anything different Runner. I know you can run faster than any of them. If Michael yells at you, tell him he’s dumb and forget it.” She ran her hand down his neck before jumping down to hand the reins to Jason, who looked half asleep.

“Were you up all night?”

“Pretty much, it was so fun, we all met up at Molly’s. Me, Molly and Lulu, Dusty and Hope, and two friends of theirs last night. We talked and watched the stars until three in the morning and fell asleep on the living room floor. So fun.”

Claire was surprised she didn’t feel left out by that, she was relieved she wasn’t invited because it would have cut into her sleep time, making her weak today. That wouldn’t do right now, and she promptly forgot about it.

Claire paced the aisle in front of Runner’s stall looking through the pictures of the horses they would be up against in the race. She would show him a picture and tell him how the horse cut to the rail or got boxed in with no will to break out. This went on night after night as the race approached and always ended with Jamie coming to fetch her back to bed.

By race day, Runner was well-schooled in the habits of his competitors and the extra knowledge changed him. He was a different horse going into the Preakness Stakes race. No longer flighty and bragging, he looked at every horse like he owned them. He wouldn’t be wasting energy on acting up at the gate. He loaded calmly and set his head for battle.

Claire realized she went too far with her pacing lectures and was terrified of the horse under her for the first time.

“Runner? Please don’t scare me. Are you in there? Are you okay?”

Runner tossed his head and laughed at Angle Light. “Ha haha ha ha,” before going back to his warrior position. He asked Claire when they could go and she smiled. Still a three-year-old in that big head. A second later the gate slammed open and he was almost on the butts of the other horses when he broke out. Claire shifted her weight forward, right over his neck and felt the increased ease of movement underneath her.

Runner ran in last position for a little longer than Michael was comfortable with. On the backstretch, his speed increased more than usual as he shot forward on the outside getting in front of the pack with three horses in front and screaming fans were losing their minds. Claire worried he would tire by the second turn. She told Runner to win however he wanted then cleared her mind and tucked in, letting him run his own race.

Michael stood next to Jamie criticizing both Claire and Runner for being risky with his speed. Telling Jamie Runner would fade in the home stretch.

“I only know one thing for sure Michael, they both want to win, and neither will do anything to jeopardize that eventuality. Where’s yer faith ye rich idiot?”

Jamie pressed the field glasses into his eyeballs, not wanting to miss a thing. He was getting nervous when they came around the second turn with three horses ahead of them racing for the finish line. He watched Claire’s face and saw her yelling at Runner who took off like a bullet, stretching his body and pounding into the track with every stride. He watched her smile and he relaxed. She knew something and it was about to happen. When runner accelerated, the crowd witnessed the two things that set the Horse of the Year apart from the rest. Speed and ability. He powered forward overtaking Sham and still accelerating. Claire yelled “bye Sham, we win!” and Runner was laughing as his front feet reached for the finish line, two and a half lengths ahead of Sham.

Claire was crying and holding onto Runner’s mane as she came around the turn. She blew a kiss to Jamie which was caught by numerous photographers poised for the money shot.

Jamie kept the field glasses against his eyes and watched Claire sob. She was such an emotional girl he realized, living in a suit of armor at the moment that made him forget how vulnerable and loving she was. He remembered her crying against him the day his horses were poisoned and wondered how much of her life was spent in that armor. The real Claire was on a racehorse, sobbing her eyes out because they won again. Only he and one other man saw her truth, overwhelmed at winning the second race for the crown.

Nosh was high in the stands watching Claire and Runner through a high powered lens. He clearly saw her emotion and dearly wanted to know where it was coming from. The true story was playing out on a young woman’s face atop the greatest horse since Man o’ War. Every tear rolled off her face and hit his heart. Nosh recognized the story of his career and vowed to get every detail before he retired. It would be his legacy.

Claire and Runner were hailed as two crown winners and articles about Claire, Runner, and Jaime were popping up in industry and commercial magazines.

Jamie’s phone did not stop ringing from buyers interested in his foals and yearlings. They would never see the Keeneland auction because they were sold over the phone and would ship out once they were weaned. It was Jamie’s time to expand his breeding program and he outbid everyone to get two new prized mares with a foaling history that shot him into his own stratosphere.

Jamie called Angus and Rupert into his office and closed the door. They looked at each other wondering what could possibly be wrong after the Preakness win.

“I’m just gonna lay it out for ye lads. Ye’ve stuck with me when I had not a pot to piss in and it’s my honor to reward yer loyalty. Ye deserve the best I have to give so with my thanks I’m giving ye a bonus of twenty-thousand dollars. The men embraced their friend with big smiles and many pats on the back until they heard someone pounding on the door.

Claire opened the door and asked the men to follow her which they did, right out the big door where she opened her arms to the side, keys dangling from each hand and dropped them into the open palms of Rupert and Angus. Jamie knew their favorite colors. They were Highlanders, where the world was black and white to real men. Two fully loaded Ford-150 pickup trucks were parked in front, gleaming in the sun. The top-rated truck of the year. Claire wrapped her arms around their necks and pulled them in. Jamie hung back to watch, never so happy in his life to pay it forward.

[thedarklightwithinus]

The Scientist

A/N; Felt like writing some sadness so me being me wrote some sadness. :(

Pairing; Steve Rogers x Reader

Words; 1.4k

Loosely based on; The Scientist - Coldplay

No one ever said it would be this hard. Oh, take me back to the start.

Under blue and sunlit skies, the view was wondrous to behold, for the lake teemed with life. To the chorus of birdsong from the surrounding green bushes, and the sound of carp sucking amongst the flowering lily-pads. Who knew what lived within the lake and called it home. The soft ripple gave away that their was in-fact life within. 

A deep sense of serenity overcame her as she stared in rapture at the expanse of blue that lay before her. Rays of lights danced delicately across the water, birthed from the afternoon sun that both limited her sight and made the view all the more beautiful.

If only she didn’t feel as though her world was crashing down on her. 

Y/N stared vacantly at a fixed spot of the lake before her. She stood completely still and tried swallowing down the oncoming tears but failed. She blinked. A single tear began to form at the corner of her eye. She reached up and wiped it away a little to quickly. 

Movement from the left tore her from her thoughts as she forced a smile at one of the men who walked past her. He held a black bag and a litter picker in his hand as he ignored her in favour of getting his job done. She watched him for a moment, cleaning the grounds of any rubbish that had taken refuge on the floor. He looked around at the ground she was stood on before he walked past her, oblivious to the lonely woman. She didn’t let it bother her. People rarely ever spared her a second glance these days. If anything, she was thankful that they couldn’t see the bags under her lifeless eyes and the stiffness of her body. 

Unfortunately, Y/N had learnt from a young age that she was only needed when she had something to offer. Y/N, though she hated it dearly, was a prized possession that seemed to be sought after. The amount of emails she had on the daily from different companies offering her a job in their labs was insane. Any other scientist would've been ecstatic with the offers. However, she wasn’t stupid. It wasn’t her they wanted, it was her brain. It wasn't her degree they wanted, it was her knowledge. 

It was like she was a shell. A container that contained the extraordinary mind that was so carelessly gifted to her. Though she would have to admit that her knowledge wasn’t given to her like one would gift a teddy. She had been born gifted.

Numbers and equations. That was her forte. From a young age everything just seemed to fit onto the paper as it should. Where other five year olds her age had trouble telling the number one and seven apart, she was already solving theory's taught in college. She was quick to work out that her math skills could be applied to her love for science which was why scientific research was easily solved by her. That was how she had been discovered. Her love for science and her brain was unmatched by anyone. She was one of a kind and she hated it. 

She had learnt from a young age to not think that people wanted her for her. It always came down to the same thing. No one asked how she was. No one asked if she wanted to hang out or if she was free. It was always about science. Could you solve this? Can you give us this? Would you fix this?

It had taken her a long, long time to work out that she had gone as far as she could on her path alone. 

She learnt how to walk alone, how to carry others, how to cope with and solve her problems alone. What's left is a form of loneliness that requires another person to solve. It's the need for physical closeness, for touch, for emotional warmth from a partner in life. For a long time her heart felt like it was bound by barbed wire, causing the wounds to deepen with ever beat. All she could do was hope that someone, one day, would care enough to love her. Otherwise, she was new she would either be suffering or never truly in comfort.

Just as a drop of crystal-clear water appeared on her smooth skin, she smiled to herself. The rain was something that stopped her thoughts from buzzing, calmed her. The waves of the salty liquid washed the grass creating a melancholic song. Waiting for the rain to wash all of the misery away, she stood there, her gaze burning into the sky, staring at the beauty of the upcoming storm and the crying clouds.  

It was as the first roll of thunder clapped overhead that she finally tore her gaze away and looked over her shoulder at the Avengers tower. Her new office sat on the seventeenth floor, a window over looking the grounds. She sighed, wiping the rain from her face and screwing her eyes shut for a moment. She took in a shaking breath before wrenching them back open. Raindrops seemed to cling to her lashes the moment she did so. With a final look at the lake, Y/N spun on her heel and trudged back towards the tower.

Y/N entered through the back entrance, trying not to feel to bad about the mess she was leaving before her as she made her way to the elevators. She pushed the button and waited for the doors to open. Once they had done so, she slid inside and leaned against the wall. Just as the doors were shutting, a hand was held out, stopping them from fully closing. 

She looked down at the ground, ignoring the oversized figure who entered the elevator for a moment before she couldn't help but look up. Y/N politely at Steve Rogers, with whom she had met when she had first started working at the tower two weeks prior. He smiled back for a moment before he frowned, taking in her tired and rumpled appearance. Not to mention that she was soaking wet. 

They stared at each other for a moment, not wanting to disturb the perfect silence. Hesitantly, Steve opened his mouth to ask the question that had been on the tip of his tongue the whole time. "Are you alright?" 

It was as though a dam had broken. Her eyes filled with tears she never had any intention of shedding as she nodded quickly, smiling at him before looking away. He had asked the question every emotional person hated being asked. If you were to ask someone if they were alright when they weren't, it was almost impossible to stop the flood gate. 

"No your not." Steve muttered, clearly not having any idea about the do's and don'ts. "And that's alright." He added after a seconds thought. 

Y/N frowned, not knowing what to say. If anything, she was slightly shocked. She couldn't remember the last time someone had asked if she was alright. The elevator was still steadily climbing the floors. 

Gathering herself, she took a step forward at the same time he did. Those hesitant movements were all it took and then she was wrapping her arms around the man who looked shocked for a second before he let her link her arms around him and rested his own on her back and head. Her head was wet under his hand but he didn't bother worrying about it. He squeezed his arms a little tighter, giving her the small comfort she so desperately needed. 

There was so much he wanted to say in that moment. So much he wanted to ask, but the words seemed to stick in his throat. He remembered the times when he was younger and had been emotional. His mum would wrap him in her arms and talk her way through the sadness he was feeling. He watched the elevator doors open for a moment, not bothering to alert her as he watched them close. With a deep breath, he opened his mouth. 

"Tell me something about you that you've never told anyone, never written down, never said out loud. Tell me something that's... A secret," he said so softly it was practically a whisper. 

He felt her breath out deeply at his words, clearly thinking of a reply. "I like to draw." She admitted, her voice slightly muffled. "Even though I'm not very good at it... I like to draw." 

"That's something." Steve chuckled, frowning for a moment. "I like to draw too. I'll show you mine if you show me yours?" 

Just like that, Y/N felt one of the many, many cracks fill itself within her heart. She nodded against his chest, agreeing to his words. She realised in that moment that the love she needed could've been from anyone. Even a Friend. 

.

[splat-dragon]

don't leave me here alone ~Safe and Sound, Taylor Swift

Whumptober 2020, #5: Where Did Everybody Go?: "Don't Say Goodbye"

“You’re my brother,”

and when had they stopped being brothers?

“I know,” Arthur didn’t even pause, just leaned against the side of the cliff face for the briefest moment to catch his breath, looked back at him and said it with a nod of his head as though it were a given, as though he’d said the sky was blue and water’s wet, then again, “I know.” before continuing on his way.

@whumptober2020

“Come on, Arthur… keep pushin’!”

 Arthur had always been the one to keep him going. When he was younger and everything seemed so hard he’d be there, insisting ‘naw, it ain’t so hard, is it?’ and try his hand at it. Was always right there, supporting him even if he seemed like he was just being a dick at the time.

  “Let’s go, come on!”

 But now… now Arthur was giving up. Crumpling slowly in front of him - he’d thought he was going to lose him back in Beaver Hollow, hearing him gurgling his breaths as he struggled through the cave and up the ladder, seeing him struggle to get to his feet after soothing his horse in its death. A few times after that, when he’d seen Arthur struggling, coughing so loud it seemed to drown out the gunfire, staggering as his shots went wide.

 Arthur… Arthur was dying. Had been dying for quite some time, though he hadn’t realized it. Hadn’t wanted to realize it - it was impossible to miss, his coughing fits kept them up late into the night, and he’d changed so much in the time it took Arthur to save him from Sisika he hadn’t recognized him for a moment, had felt his stomach churn and drop, his face as white as stone and… god, it seemed so obvious now, but then they’d ridden into Beaver Hollow and he’d seen Abigail and Jack and Dutch had been furious and everything was different and Arthur had fallen onto the back-burner and he’d been left to suffer it alone but no, he hadn’t been alone, had he? He’d had Charles, if only for a short time, and thank god for Charles they’d all have been lost without him.

 Arthur cracked a shot off over his shoulder, stopped to let him stumble by and shit his shoulder hurt he couldn’t believe Dutch had left him to die. Had looked him in the goddamn eye and ridden away, had grabbed Old Boy and left him to bleed to death.

 God, Dutch, what had happened?

 He hadn’t known much else in his life except for Hosea and Dutch and Arthur and god Hosea he’d never even gotten to mourn him, had watched him die then been arrested, abandoned by Dutch then, too. They’d taken him in when he was only twelve or so (he didn’t rightly know how old he was but that was Hosea’s best guess and to them it had seemed reasonable enough) and he’d known no other life. Had known orphanages for a few years before them, a dead mother and a sad father that had turned into a drunk-dead father.

 He wanted nothing more than to think that Dutch had always cared for him. That he really had viewed him as his son, as his friend, that it had all been real and that half his life hadn’t been a lie. He could have been a perfectly good little soldier without knowing how to read or write - would have been a better one, perhaps, without such distractions, but it had been Dutch that decided to teach him, Dutch who plopped a book down in front of him one day and refused to walk away even after he’d grown frustrated enough to bite him.

  “Keep pushin’, Arthur!”

 But Hosea would have insisted on it too, he knew. All three of them had known how to read and to write, so how would it be fair if he didn’t? And besides, it wouldn’t have fit Dutch’s little image to have just one of their number at such a disadvantage.

 And all the times he’d been cruel. Maybe not obviously so, but there had been times even when it had been good, when it was just them four and Susan, Bessie and Annabel, when he’d felt as though he had to walk on eggshells for fear of Dutch snapping at him. Remembered all the times he’d been made to feel like utter shit for not picking something up quick enough, was starting to realize far too late just how much he and Arthur had been pitted against each other - remembered how much he’d resented Arthur when he was new, as Dutch had always lamented ‘Oh, Arthur learned this so easily’, remembered Dutch going on for hours around the campfire about how well he was doing which, at the time, had confused him because wasn't he just frustrated with me?' and had a sinking feeling he knew just where the cracks that had formed between he and Arthur had started - somewhere far, far earlier than he’d ever thought, before they’d even gotten close and had a relationship to break.

“Come on, we need to get goin’!”

 God, Arthur sounded like he was suffocating behind him and

 Arthur’s footsteps stopped.

 John half expected to find him collapsing, feared finding him shot through, feared that his lungs had given out because god how could he breathe like that? it hadn’t sounded like breathing at all but he was only catching his breath and John felt like a true monster but they had the rest of their lives to catch their breaths - however long that might be.

 “Alright Arthur come on, let’s go!”

 And Arthur didn’t stand, didn’t try to move, only brought his hand up and waved at him as though he were some pesky gnat, 

 “You go…”

 No, not this shit again.

 He could see the exhaustion that lined his bones, could hear him fighting for each breath. But they’d made it this far already, had escaped so many Pinkertons, they were so close and he had already lost Hosea, had already lost the man he used to call Pa, he refused to lose Arthur too.

 “Keep…” and he hadn’t realized just out of breath he himself was, “pushin’, Arthur.”

 He staggered forward, clutching his shoulder - he’d drag Arthur down the mountain himself if he had to, but

 “No.”

 and Arthur was straightening up, coughing and John’s blood turned to ice when he saw the blood that sprayed through the air, though Arthur didn’t react at all, didn’t flinch, his eyes didn’t widen even in that minuscule way of his, and it spoke volumes - and again, “no…” he wiped the blood from his mouth as though it were some common occurrence and, with a sinking feeling, John thought it might just be, “I think I’ve pushed all I can.”

  ‘No.’

 “Come on.” Arthur had never let him down before. When he’d been on that mountain, freezing and bleeding to death, he’d come for him. He’d disobeyed Dutch to break him out of one of the world's highest security prisons. Arthur never let him down.

 “You go.”

 and he was saying it as though it were some simple thing. As though it would be easy for John to just turn around and walk away, to leave him behind to die.

 “We ain’t got time for this, not now!”

 and then that grin. Damn that grin, that one that said ‘I know what I’m doing, I have a plan. And it’s a good one.’ All bared bloody teeth, open and sad and god, don’t, he was removing his hat, shaking his head.

 “We ain’t both gonna make it.”

 The worst part of it was, John knew he was right. His arm, at least, had clotted up as he dragged himself back to camp and, though it hurt, was an infection risk, it was no great danger. But Arthur… god, Arthur looked half a corpse. His skin already waxy, half-translucent, John could count the veins in his face, the burst blood vessels in his eyes, and already his lips were tinged blue.

 “Go…”

  No.

 “Now.”

 John’s voice stuck in his throat.

 “I’ll hold them off.”

 And then Arthur was placing his hat on his head.

  “Hey Arthur?”

“What.”

“Your hat, why you always wear that hat?”

“Well… it means a lot to me.”

“Why?”

“...”

“Why?”

“Jesus. Belonged to my Daddy. Reminds me not to become him, I suppose.”

 “It would mean a lot to me.”

 His throat shut tight - he could hardly breathe.

  No.

 “Please.”

  Don’t say goodbye.

 “There ain’t no more time for talk.” and god, Arthur sounded like he could hardly get the words out himself as he removed his satchel.

  “John!”

“Hosea!”

“Give the man his hat back, John.”

For years, John’s life mission had been to steal that hat.

 He fumbled, reached for words that, somehow, could convince Arthur to stay. But the leather of his hat, when he reached up to secure it safer on his head - god, he’d never forgive himself if it got so much as scuffed - was all too real beneath his hand.

  “John? Where y’ goin’?”

“...out.”

“Out where?”

“Gonna take Old Girl for a walk, can’t sleep.”

He hadn’t come home for a year.

 Arthur nearly knocked him off his feet with how hard he shoved the satchel into his chest—

  “What’s this?”

“From Hosea, kid. Eat."

 —and seeing him holding only a single revolver and a handful of ammo, nothing against the army of Pinkertons that, even then, they could hear fighting what was left of the Van der Linde gang (insanely, for just a moment, John wondered if they were still alive - though Bill had turned a gun to him he wasn’t well, he could see that now, and he and Javier used to be the best of friends, and Javier hadn’t turned a gun on them, had been taken by surprise though he’d been horrible in the end - they’d all been brothers, once)—it sank in horribly, he was going to rush off to his death, try and do some horrible stand-off, one man against dozens of Pinkertons, maybe he could have done it once but that was when he’d been healthy, when he’d had long-arms and countless sidearms that were, at that moment, rotting with his horse, ammunition sitting on his belt to be quickly grabbed.

 “Go.”

 He shook his head - no, no! - and, as though it would, somehow, help gestured with his gun down the path “Arthur.”

 And he turned to him, “Go to your family,” tried to shoo him away, looking up at the mountain as though he could somehow climb it—

  “Careful kid,”

“Ain’t a kid,”

“Don’t put your hand there,”

“I know what I’m doin’!”

“John-”

“SHIT!”

“-told you so.”

 —“Arthur!” he gestured again, more sharply, ‘come with me!’ and when Arthur turned to him it was with a snarl, snapping to try and chase him away and he knew what he was doing,

 “Get the hell out of here and be a goddamn man.”—

  “Stop treatin’ me like a kid!”

  “Well I sure as hell ain’t gonna treat you like an adult!”

  “When the hell are you gonna get over it, huh? That was three years ago!”

  “A goddamn man doesn’t abandon his family!”

 —He knew when Arthur had made up his mind, truly made it up, even Dutch himself couldn’t get him to change it. And god, but he wanted to make him change his mind—

  “Son if you’d just please-”

“No.”

“Arthur-”

“No.”

“But-”

“The boy said no, Dutch,” (and he was pretty sure Hosea had been biting down a laugh)

 —but they were running out of time and he’d never gotten to apologize, not for all the shit he’d pulled, not for all the low blows and yeah Arthur owed him a hell of a lot of apologies too but

 “You’re my brother,”

 and when had they stopped being brothers?

 “I know,” Arthur didn’t even pause, just leaned against the side of the cliff face for the briefest moment to catch his breath, looked back at him and said it with a nod of his head as though it were a given, as though he’d said the sky was blue and water’s wet, then again, “I know.” before continuing on his way.

He wanted to stop him. Wanted to grab him by the boot and drag him down, haul him kicking and screaming to Copperhead Landing, find him a doctor and make him well again.

 But John was no fool. Thick, yes, but not a fool. Even sick and dying Arthur was stronger than him, and if he tried to haul him down they’d be overtaken by Pinkertons long before they made any true progress.

 God it hurt, but he knew he had no other choice—

  “We’re family, son. Family means never leaving anyone behind.”

 —took a long, final look at Arthur, watched as he slung himself over the ledge, then fled down the mountain, never letting go of his hat even as a sharp whistle pierced the air, a familiar snow white horse bolted passed him.

“You’re leaving.”

“What?”

“I heard you talkin’ to that Mary girl. She wants you to leave.”

“I… You heard that?”

“I did.”

“Well… don’t worry about it.”

“But… but you’re leaving!”

“No I’m not, John. I… I’m gonna talk to Hosea and Dutch about havin’ her come with us.”

“...What?”

“You didn’t really think I’d leave, did you?”

“...everyone leaves.”

“Nah, I don’t leave family behind.

And you, Dutch and Hosea?

You’re my family.”