#instead she just encouraged me and gave me room to grow

[navybrat817]

All Dressed Up

Pairing: Biker!Bucky Barnes x Female Reader

Summary: Bucky visits a gallery to support his best friend and unexpectedly meets the girl of his dreams.

Word Count: Over 2.3k

Warnings: First meeting, mild dirty thoughts, instacrush, swearing, Bucky Barnes (he's a warning, okay?).

A/N: Okay, lovelies. A new AU. I'm sorry. @targaryenvampireslayer @tavners @starlightcrystalline @whisperlullaby @sgt-seabass @vesearlee , I feel like you all either heard me screech, encouraged, or helped me, and I appreciate you. ❤️ Not beta read and written on my phone, so any and all mistakes are my own. Edit by the beautiful @nixakimbo and divider by the incredible @firefly-graphics . Please follow @navybrat817-sideblog for new fics and notifications. Comments, reblogs, feedback are loved and appreciated!

Bucky didn’t dress up for most people since it wasn’t his style. He would do so for any of his brothers though, especially Steve. His best friend since childhood, and his club’s president, he always had a love and talent for drawing and painting. And after working his ass off on his exhibit it would’ve been a crime for the vice president not to show up.

Steve promised if there was ever a day when Bucky’s writing became published he’d be by his side to celebrate too. As much as they liked to give each other shit sometimes about art and how they created it, the support was there through and through. The only catch for tonight was that he had to dress nicely to get into the gallery. So, instead of the usual leather jacket or vest he wore and jeans, he went with a plain black suit and white button up shirt.

He refused to wear a tie since it wasn’t a wedding. He had to draw a line somewhere. No one paid him any mind though as they walked around the gallery, and he was more than fine with that. This wasn’t his night.

“You should be proud, punk,” Bucky said, looking over the art lining the large wall, each piece crafted with care.

“I am proud, jerk,” Steve smiled. He hadn’t worn a tie either, and it made Bucky feel a little better. “And you know you don’t have to stay the whole time.”

Bucky knew that. He also knew members and prospects would be trickling in and out throughout the evening. “Not needed at the bar tonight, so I can stay as long as I want. But I might cut out early since I see your face enough between that and the club.”

Steve chuckled. “Still haven’t sold the place, huh?”

The brunette sighed. It wasn’t the first time Steve asked if he was going to sell the bar to focus more on writing. “Where the hell would you all hang out if I sold the place?” He liked the bar. It wasn’t just a great hangout for the club, but for his other regulars, too.

“There are other bars,” Steve teased. He said that, but he loved the bar, too. “You know I just want you to-”

“Follow my compass. I know. You’ve said that so many…” He stopped talking when he saw an unexpected angel walk into the room.

Well, angel was the word that came to mind since you were wearing a white dress and the light over your head illuminated you like a halo. But as his eyes swept over you, he wondered if there was a bit of a devil in you. He wouldn’t mind bringing that side out of you if you gave him the chance.

And here he used to think love at first sight was bullshit.

“Hey. Do you know her?” Bucky subtly nodded in your direction as you spoke to another woman, jealousy flaring up for a second at the thought of his best friend knowing you and not telling him. And if you knew Steve, that was that before things even started. While the blonde didn’t have much game growing up, he came into his own after his growth spurt, and everyone adored or wanted him.

Steve shook his head. “No, I don’t,” he said, making Bucky’s shoulders slump in relief before his friend scrutinized him. “Jesus, are you eye fucking her? You are, aren’t you?”

Bucky wasn’t the least bit ashamed. “And I’ll keep doing it ‘til she looks at me,” he replied, wishing you’d at least spare him a glance and get a look at him in his nice suit. Maybe you weren’t into guys with tattoos and piercings, but he was certain he could change your mind if that was the case.

“How long has it been since you’ve been on a date?” Steve asked. “Just introduce yourself like a gentleman and see where that goes.”

“A couple of months? Something like that.” Tearing his gaze away to glance at his inked hands, he chuckled. “You think I’m a gentleman?”

He could be dangerous and downright dirty when the occasion called for it, but just because he rode a motorcycle and covered himself in tattoos and piercings didn’t mean he treated others poorly. He was raised better than that. Even with his ex-girlfriends, things never ended because he didn’t treat them well. They just weren’t the one.

“We both know you are. Sometimes,” Steve answered, smirking as a beat passed. “And she’s looking your way.”

Bucky’s head snapped up to find you looking right at him with a curious stare. You had the prettiest eyes he had ever seen. Which was nothing compared to your smile. It was like watching the sun slowly rise to meet the day.

Fuck, he was being sappy. You ruined him with a single stare, and he wanted to ruin you in return. Make it so you wouldn’t want another man.

You whispered something to the woman beside you before she nudged you forward and he realized Steve pushed him to move, too. It only took three more steps before he was right in front of you, the gentle smell of your sweet perfume filling his nostrils. Need slammed into his body as you smiled again, and he actually felt the blue of his eyes shrink as his pupils widened.

If Steve thought he was eye fucking you before…

“Hey,” he said, his voice raspier than usual.

“Hi,” you said. It was a voice he could listen to for hours and he wondered what it would sound like when you said his name.

“I’m Bucky.” He took a smaller step closer, trying his damnedest to block out any other man around him so you’d keep those pretty eyes on him.

You introduced yourself, too, and it was a name he would never forget. “I like your tattoos,” you added almost shyly. Almost.

If he had his way, you’d see the rest of them soon enough. “Thanks,” he smiled, holding one hand up to show you. “Dressed like this, I bet you think I’m part of the mob.” After getting dressed and adding the gold jewelry, even he thought for a split second he looked like a mobster.

“Are you or is that information I can’t be privy to?” you asked, making him chuckle. You didn’t skip a beat, and he liked that.

“Not part of the mob, but I am part of a motorcycle club,” he replied. He wore his patch with pride and that didn’t seem to scare you, which was good. “I also own a bar.” He didn’t know why added that part. You didn’t ask and he didn’t want to brag, but there he was.

“So, you ride a motorcycle, and you own a bar?” You glanced back at your friend to ask her, “Do you mind if I…”

“I’m good. You two talk,” your friend smiled, giving Bucky an encouraging wink. He looked back to find that Steve walked away, too.

You smiled as you faced Bucky again. “Well, I’m happy to hear more about either of those things if you have time.”

“Yeah.” A lopsided smile appeared before he could stop it. “I got time,” he said. All the time in the world.

Over the next hour, the two of you stayed close together and talked in between looking at Steve’s pieces. He told you he was there to support Steve and talked a little bit more about the bar he owned. A hole in the wall kind of place he fixed up. While he wasn’t a big drinker, he loved making them for his regulars, and his profession allowed him to get away with all the tattoos.

“I’ll have to stop by sometime,” you smiled before it faltered. “If that’s okay.”

He didn’t want to get his hopes up, but his heart raced, and he wanted to see you smile again. “I’ll hold you to that,” he teased. “What about you? What do you do for work?”

You told him that you were a blood bank nurse and still fairly new to the area. While you didn’t have too many friends nearby, you liked your neighborhood and the one friend you had made invited you to the gallery since she was an art enthusiast. You also let it slip that you were single upon your move here, which he was happy to hear since he was, too, but he didn’t miss the note of sadness in your voice.

He could help fix it if you were lonely.

“I’m not seeing anyone either,” he stated.

You raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “You don’t have an old lady?” His eyes went right to your lip when he bit it. “That is the correct term of endearment, right?”

“That’s right,” he said, his eyes soft. “Both of those things are right.”

You bit your lip again and he wasn’t sure if you were purposely trying to entice him, but now he wanted to bite your lip. “So, do you do anything for fun outside of riding and work?”

He almost groaned when you said “riding” and he had to shake his head to keep his mind from drifting. He couldn’t think of you being on his bike with your arms wrapped tight around him or you riding him or anything like that. “Well…”

He explained that he wrote a bit in his spare time outside of work and the club. It was a hobby mostly, but it would be a dream come true to get his work out there one day. If not, that was okay, too, because he had a decent life and didn’t need much. His bike, his brothers.

But to have an old lady…

“Maybe I could read…” you frowned when you saw the time. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how late it was. I should get going,” you said, disappointment filling both of you.

“Oh.” He scratched the back of his neck. The two of you were having a nice talk, and he hadn’t had a chance to ask about your hobbies yet. “It’s still kinda early. Do you really have to go?” he asked, realizing just how desperate he sounded. God, if the prospects could hear him right now… He just didn’t want the night to end.

“Yeah, I do. I’m actually working a blood drive tomorrow and could use the rest,” you said, smiling sadly. He felt like an ass for asking you to stay when you had work to do. “I don’t know if you’ve heard anything about it, but you’re welcome to stop by if you want to donate. I always have this fear that people won’t show, which I realize sounds ridiculous.”

Bucky mentally kicked his ass for not knowing about a local blood drive. He was usually more on top of those sorts of things. “Where’s it at?” You gave the location and time, which was all he needed. “I’ll be there,” he promised.

And every single club member would be there, too, if they knew what was good for them.

“Really?” you smiled, your hand bumping his when you turned to face him. “You’ll go?”

He let his fingers brush yours and he smiled to himself when he felt the light shiver. “Of course, doll.”

“Doll?” you giggled. He hoped he didn’t offend you. “I hope you show,” you added in a small voice, your gaze focused on the ground.

Frowning a bit, he wondered if you didn’t believe him. Did someone let you down before? “If I say I’ll be there…” He lifted your chin, so you’d look into his eyes. He needed you to see the truth in them. “I’ll be there.”

You exhaled, staring deeply into his eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow then,” you whispered.

He grudgingly released you, knowing he had to. Besides, if he kept touching you, there was a good chance he’d pin you against the wall and show you what a work of art you were. “Good night,” he whispered, watching you go back to your friend. She linked her arm with yours as you glanced back, keeping your eyes on Bucky until you were out of sight.

He exhaled, mentally kicking his ass again. Why the fuck didn’t he ask for your number? You two hit it off, and you wanted to see him at least in some capacity beyond the blood drive, right?

Steve made a beeline for him as he stayed rooted to the spot. “It looks like you two hit it off. You know you didn’t even say hi to Chris or Sam or-”

“We’re going to a blood drive tomorrow,” he cut in. He hoped people would show, but he gave you his word he’d be there, and the club was all about giving back to the community.

The blonde’s eyebrows pinched. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Blood drive. Tomorrow. Everyone,” he said, giving his friend a hard stare. “You’re the president. Make it happen.”

“You’re the vice president, which means you supervise plans for club events or gatherings. That includes last minute things,” he pointed out, his eyebrows shooting up as Bucky got his phone out and typed quickly. “You’re serious about this?”

“Is it too much to say, ‘You better fucking be there or you’ll pay for it later’?”

The blonde grinned. A shit-eating, knowing grin, and he wanted to smack him. “This is all for her, isn’t it?”

Bucky sighed. He hadn't expected to meet someone so perfect tonight. “She’s a nurse and I wanna help. Besides, it’s good for the community and you’re all about that shit.” And he had to make a better impression after not asking for your number. “Will you at least promise you’ll be there?”

“To watch my whipped best friend fawn over a pretty nurse? Hell yeah.”

“Beautiful,” he corrected him. “She’s beautiful.”

And while Bucky would fawn over you tomorrow, he also hoped he’d get your number.

So, what do we think so far? Part of this writing style was slightly different for me, but I like how it turned out! I still need to give this reader a nickname and the AU a name, but this is a start. I can't wait for the whole club to show up at the blood drive. I also have something silly and cute planned for these two. ❤️ Love and thanks for reading! ❤️

Masterlist ⚓ Bucky Barnes Masterlist ⚓ Ko-Fi

[xxxdreamscapexxx]

Face the consequences

Wanda Maximoff x Fem!Reader

Word count: 9k

Summary: This is the second part of "Consequences" that many of you requested.

On the second day of your stay with your parents, your mother invites you and Wanda to a day out and you decide to use it as an opportunity to tease your girlfriend and push her buttons, resulting in a lesson you won't soon forget.

Warning: NSFW, 18+, lesbian relationship, oral, fingering, magic use, magical restraints, finger sucking, use of butt plug, pearl underwear, edging, ruined orgasms, pussy spanking, Mommy!Kink, top!Wanda, Bottom!Reader

This is a fic for all the people who asked me to be mean. I hope this will give you a glimpse of what that might look like.

Masterlist with all my works.

Waking up this morning, you felt pretty good. Sure, you wanted to sleep in a little, but the memory of your wild night with Wanda and her touch were more than enough to shift your priorities.

Unfortunately for you, instead of getting a mind-blowing orgasm, you had gotten edged, denied and then swiftly plugged and you had to watch Wanda get dressed, her smug smile taunting you, while you recovered. That was certainly not in your plans. But you couldn’t deny that you had asked for it. You should have known that pushing her buttons will get you a punishment. Just like you should have known that she wouldn’t take it easy on you the second time around.

When she had put on a pair of jeans and a clean shirt, Wanda rummaged through the clothes you had packed and handed you a skirt and a comfortable top, coaxing you up and helping you get dressed.

“You look beautiful, baby.” She smiled, kissing your cheek and offering you her hand, guiding you to the mirror, so you could take a look at yourself.

“Thank you.” You returned her smile shyly, nuzzling your face into her in front of the mirror, before making your way to your drawer, so you could pull out a pair of panties to wear.

“Oh, no, baby, I already picked out the perfect pair for you.” Wanda objected, taking the panties from your hands and inspecting them briefly, showing her clear displeasure at your choice, before putting them back with the rest of your clothes dismissively.

She gave you a wicked smirk, while she reached into the back pocket of her jeans, though you saw a brief flash of red in her eyes, that told you that whatever she had in mind, she had just conjured with her magic and you waited with bated breath for her to pull them out.

When she did, you gasped, making the woman’s smile grow even wider as she handed them to you. It was a black, lacy thong, though even a thong was a strong word for what she was handing you. It was ridiculously small and to your shock, the front of it included a string of white pearls which would end up right where your clit is.

“Wanda…” You breathed, your voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it, baby? A pretty thong for my pretty girl. And it will feel so good too.” She promised, taking it from your hands and bending down, so she could help you step into it.

Wanda dragged the soft lacy material up your thighs teasingly slowly and she took great pleasure in settling the pearls against your clit and securing the strings of the tiny thong around your waist. Her hand sneaked back, cupping your ass too, before she put a little pressure on the plug inside you, playing with it, until she made you moan. When she was done, she made you hold up your skirt, so she could step back and take a good look at you.

“Perfect.” She praised, offering you her hand. “Come on, walk around for me and tell me how it feels.” She encouraged, her eyes fixed on your body.

You did as you were told, shaky legs almost wobbling as you made a few steps around the room. The pearls quickly got covered in your wetness, copious amounts of your juices and Wanda’s cum from this morning making it easy for them to start sliding over your clit with every step you took, while the plug gave you a subtle, but undeniable feeling of being full. The combination of the two, working together to stimulate your body was impossible to ignore for a single second and you knew that you’d be a complete mess before you even finished breakfast.

“Well?” Wanda raised a brow at you. “How do you feel, baby?”

“So horny, Mommy.” You admitted, stepping into her arms and looking up at her pleadingly. “Please make it better, please. I promise to be so good.” You begged, leaning in to kiss her gently.

Your girlfriend accepted the kiss gladly, arms wrapping around you and pulling you flush against her, while she deepened it, her tongue playing with yours.

“Later, darling. Your parents are already waiting for us. Your mom has been cooking breakfast for a while. We can’t be rude and let her efforts go to waste.”

Knowing that you were ready to argue her point and insist, Wanda was quick to shush you with a finger to your lips and she gave you one last reassuring smile, before she started leading you towards the door.

“Be good for me today, and Mommy will make you feel better tonight.” She promised, before she opened the door and led you out, holding your hand as you started descending the stairs.

Walking down the stairs proved much harder than you expected, each step making the pearls move against your sensitive clit. The plug only added to that feeling, arousal spreading through your entire body and making you give Wanda yet another pleading look. God, you needed her so badly. But she ignored you, helping you walk down confidently and allowing you to lean on her the entire time.

Internally, she was elated. Her perfect girl, all sweet and cute in her outfit, looking so innocent. Only Wanda knew what was hiding underneath all that, knew how much she had dirtied you up just minutes ago and that knowledge made her feel so proud. No one else was allowed to see you the way she did, touch you the way she did, make you feel as good as she did. Only she could bring out this version of you and only she would ever get to enjoy it. She would make sure of it. She would make sure that you stay hers forever. She’d put a ring on your finger one day, she’ll marry you, make you the mother of her children… She knew all that without a shadow of a doubt. Even if it wasn’t the right time just yet, she was sure that it will all fall into place one day.

With thoughts such as these, she made her way into the dining room, greeting your father, who was already seated at the table. You followed her, steps slow and calculated, but nothing really helped. Each movement, each step, each time you squeezed your legs together, the pearls would put pressure on your clit or slide over it, adding to your arousal and desperation.

You greeted your father too, sitting gingerly at your usual spot at the table, feeling the plug nestle firmly into place, now that you were putting constant pressure on it. God, you needed a distraction. And just as if your mother had heard your internal prayer, she walked in, cheerful and sweet, carrying a tray of food that she left in the middle of the table.

“Good morning girls! How did you sleep?” She asked with a smile.

“Wonderful.” Wanda spoke up, smiling charmingly at your mother. “And the food looks amazing!” She complimented, her eyes scanning the food, as if trying to pick what she should eat first. “Y/N was so eager for breakfast too. I think she misses your cooking.” She added looking at you adoringly.

“Yeah, mom, everything looks so good.” You confirmed, nodding.

“Well, then what are you waiting for? Eat!” She encouraged, urging you to start filling your plates.

You shot Wanda a glare, while your mom was taking a seat. “I sure am eager, just not for breakfast.” You thought, shifting a little in your seat and squeezing your legs together with need. “And what else could you be hungry for?” Wanda’s voice came, seemingly from inside your head, the woman smirking at you knowingly, raising an eyebrow at you, while she took a sip of her orange juice. “Something… Filling.” You smirked back. “Like your cock, maybe?” You suggested. “You haven’t earned my cock, sweetie.” Wanda’s voice filled your head. “If you did, you wouldn’t be in your current predicament.” She said with an air of finality, pulling away from your thoughts, so the two of you could focus on the conversation your parents were trying to start.

Wanda was as charming as ever, your parents completely under her spell as they spoke, her smile growing wider with each passing minute. She wasn’t just happy that they genuinely liked her, though. She was also listening to you, your hazy, lustful thoughts like a whisper in the back of her head. You were driving yourself crazy. She didn’t even have to do any work, when you were doing all the teasing for her.

By the time breakfast was finished and your parents had left the two of you alone at the table, each one attending to their choirs, you were a mess. The small, lacy thong had soaked through, wetness coating your inner things and you were almost humping the chair for relief.

You looked so beautiful to Wanda like this, so precious. She wanted to pull you into her lap and cover you in kisses, to stroke your soft hair and soothe you. Truthfully, she wanted to keep you exactly like this, always. She wanted you desperate and needy, so she could admire you in this state, with your glossy eyes and your parted lips, with your fingers clinging to her and your mind clouded by thoughts of her and her alone. She wanted to come home and find you like this, to wake up to you, in this state, so she could have you whenever she wanted. Not that you would ever refuse her. You always wanted her, could never get enough of her, just as she could never have her fill of you. But this was different. You looked so vulnerable, so exposed… So ready for her taking. It’s really a shame that you had run your smart little mouth this morning. Otherwise, she might have taken you upstairs and fucked you. Then again, if she did, you wouldn’t be looking at her the way you currently did. And she never wanted that look to fade. It was almost like she was split in two. The part of her that loved to please you screamed at her to take you right now and make you cum until you can’t anymore. Then there was the other one… How could Wanda ever choose? Before she could, the kitchen door opened and your mother came in, pulling her from her thoughts.

“Girls, what would you say, if we go out for a bit? Just the three of us. You can help me do some shopping, since I haven’t been out in the shops in ages and then we can have lunch together at that restaurant we always used to go to? What do you say?” She offered with a smile.

“What about dad?” You asked, your eyebrows knitting together.

“He has some things to do this morning. You know him, he has to keep busy. But he’ll be fine.” Your mom assured you.

“Ok, we can go out.” You agreed, thinking that this could be a nice distraction.

“Well, then I’ll go get ready. I shouldn’t take too long.” She told you, already making her way upstairs.

“Let’s go get ready too.” Wanda offered, extending her hand to you and helping you up, her eyes sparkling.

She took you to your room with a smile, closing the door behind you, before her magic left you bare, almost making you squeal in surprise at the sudden action.

“Wanda!” You reprimanded, although you weren’t quite sure what for. That thong that she gave you had disappeared too and with it, the pressure against your clit, which now throbbed for attention.

“Don’t you want to clean up, before we go out, honey?” She asked, mischief clear in her voice.

She undressed hastily and led you to the small bathroom, getting the water just right, before she started to wash you, her hands roaming your body. It was just as teasing, having her naked, as she caressed you, her body pressed against yours under the stream of hot water.

It felt so familiar, having her take care of you like this. Her lips were gentle as she kissed you, her hands soothing and her touch light. Her hands would always roam, her hunger for you insatiable, so you thought nothing of it, when they landed on your ass, kneading. What you were surprised to feel, however, was when they started to play with the jewelled plug there, making you moan in desperation.

“Such a good girl.” She praised. “Are you enjoying your little toy, baby?” Wanda asked, her fingers putting a little more pressure on it. She could feel her own pussy twitch in response to her cruel game, making her even more excited for the night she had planned for you both. “Is it making my sweet girl all horny for Mommy?”

“Yes!” You hissed, your hips canting towards her in search for any pressure where you needed her most. “Need you so badly, Mommy. Please, make it better. Please. I’ve been good.”

“As pretty as you are, begging me like this, you know why Mommy can’t make it better.” She responded softly, as if explaining something very difficult to a child. “I have to teach you a lesson, my darling. You can’t go around, acting like you did last night.” She said in that same tone. “Your little plug should be a nice reminder.” She concluded. “And if you’re good, Mommy will reward you tonight.” She promised.

When you were out of the shower, Wanda used a soft towel to dry you off and picked out a comfortable outfit for you to wear, while shopping. She got dressed quickly, not wanting to make your mother wait. When the two of you were at the door of your room, ready to go out, she took your chin in her hand, turning your face towards her and making you look up at her eyes.

“You’re going to be good for me today, won’t you, love?” She asked with a firm tone.

“Yes, Mommy, I’ll be good.” You nodded, eyes sparkling.

And you meant to keep your word, you really did. For a little while, you even managed it. You had visited a few stores with Wanda and your mother, you even got through lunch without any major incidents. Well… You did, tease Wanda a little bit, licking your fingers clean in a way that could only be described as sinful, but you knew your girlfriend wouldn’t hold it against you. She could always tell when you were being playful and she had expected such behaviour from you.

On your way to the next store, she even leaned in close, whispering to you what a good girl you’re being for her, masking her praise with a soft kiss to your cheek.

It was going well and perhaps you should have left things as they are, but the constant stimulation, the subtle feeling of fullness, the growing need between your legs just wouldn’t give you peace. Being edged this morning and then left denied had only served to heighten your arousal and despite the shower you took before leaving home, your panties were soaked, clinging to your folds and reminding you of how badly you needed Wanda to make it better.

With that in mind, you grabbed the most daring dress you could find in the store and you went to the changing rooms, quickly putting it on and looking at yourself shortly in the mirror to check if it was truly going to have the effect you wanted. Then again, how could it not, since it was a mini black dress with a plunging V-shaped neckline that stopped just above your bra.

“Hey, Wanda!” You called out, peaking from the changing room to make sure she’s near. “Would you come in? Tell me what you think.” You said shortly, before hiding yourself.

You waited with bated breath, as you heard her steps approaching, fixing your hair, to make sure you looked pretty for her, when you heard her voice.

“Let me see, baby.” She said softly, pushing the door open and sneaking inside, only to be left with her mouth hanging open at the sight of you.

“It’s a nice dress, isn’t it?” You said, a wide smile tugging at your lips.

“As gorgeous as you look, my love, that dress is way too short.” She said, eyes still glued to your chest and to your barely covered thighs, though she was starting to recover.

“What do you mean, I think it fits nicely.” You objected, turning around to let her have a view of you from the back as well. The dress was hugging you nicely, the curve of your ass perfectly outlined by the dress.

“And where would you like to wear such a dress?” Wanda’s eyes narrowed, her breathing growing erratic as she watched you.

“Don’t we have that donation dinner soon? I still don’t have an outfit…” You suggested. You knew such a thought would not sit well with your girlfriend, who hated the thought of other people ogling what’s hers.

“You want to dress like that for those rich, old men the government is trying to get money from? I don’t think so… That’s way too short. But if you like it so much, we can get it and you can wear it for me at home.” She tried to reason with you. To her, this was a compromise and the best she was willing to offer, considering that she could see your panties every time you so much as leaned forwards.

“Well, that’s no fun…” You pouted, suddenly pulling the dress off of you and leaving it on the hanger. “I guess I’ll have to find something else.” You said, running your fingers through your hair to get it out of the way. “Perhaps I should start with some new underwear… These panties are practically soaked.” You pouted.

“Oh, are they?” Wanda gave you a sympathetic look that was entirely fake. “Let Mommy see.” She stepped closer, hands circling you and gliding over your body teasingly.

She wasted no time to claim your lips in a kiss, her tongue darting out to meet yours, while her hands travelled lower, nimble fingers sneaking under the waistband of your panties and between your folds, instantly feeling the wetness there.

“Oh, my poor, sweet girl.” She gasped, playing with your wetness and spreading it generously. “That must be so uncomfortable.” She mused, the tip of her finger barely dipping inside you, before she pulled out, refusing to give you any relief.

“Yes, Mommy, it’s so icky. I need you to make it better, please.” You pleaded.

“Oh, I know, baby, I know. Mommy will help you when we get back. For now, I need you to be good for me and get dressed.” She instructed, pulling her hand away entirely.

You pouted, letting out a frustrated groan and giving her one last pleading, hopeful look, before you gathered your clothes and started putting them on, while Wanda leaned against the changing room door with a smirk and she lazily licked her fingers clean. She walked out behind you, giving your ass a teasing pat, that only served to tease you further.

If you were in any other state of mind, you would have known that you should have left things as they are. But after being edged, denied, teased and left needy, you weren’t really thinking straight. And you thought that if you teased Wanda enough, she would finally give in and fuck you. If only you knew how foolish that was…

But you did it anyway. You went ahead to show her 3 more dresses, each more revealing than the last, having the audacity to actually walk out of the changing room wearing the last one, parading it around the store and letting all the other unsuspecting shoppers ogle you. That was strike one. Wanda’s eyes were dark and downright stormy, as she tried to keep her composure. Even your mother, who usually had an open mind, thought that your choice was too much.

Strike two came, when you called her into the changing room of another store, only for her to find you in your underwear, rubbing your pussy over the damp material of your panties.

“What do you think, baby? Is this a good look for me?” You asked boldly.

“It is.” She agreed, after getting over the initial shock. “But you should know better than to touch your pussy without my permission.” She reminded. “And you should be careful with your little displays.” She added as she stepped closer, pushing your hand away from your pussy, so she could replace it with her own, gentle fingers gliding over your clothed clit and making you moan. “Unless you’d like me leave you untouched tonight as well?” Wanda added, the threat clear in her voice and darkened eyes.

“No, Mommy, please. I just need you to make me feel good. Please?” You begged, clinging to her desperately, while she teased your pussy.

“If you want me to make it better, you’ll behave yourself.” Wanda said sternly, her hand patting your pussy softly in a way that reminded you of nights when her touch has been less than gentle.

Before you could say anything else, she walked away, leaving you to dress yourself with the very uncomfortable feeling of your full ass, aching pussy and damp underwear still clinging to you.

Thankfully, this was the last store you had on your list for the day and you all gathered your items and brought them to the check-out counter, happy to finally go home for the day. Wanda gathered all the items the two of you were buying, wanting to treat you and she handed them over to the cashier, who looked up to the two of you.

“Oh my God, Y/N is that you?” He exclaimed, his eyes lighting up.

“Allan, hi!” You greeted, suddenly recognizing him.

“You know, I thought I recognized you, when I saw a gorgeous woman walking around the store in that black dress. You looked amazing.” He complimented openly, bringing a tint of redness to your cheeks.

“Thank you.” You said softly, feeling Wanda step closer to you, pressing into your side protectively.

She gave the man an expectant look, her eyes fixated on his hands that didn’t seem to be scanning any of your items, but was instead flirting with you. A gesture he seemed to notice, but chose to ignore for the time being.

“How long has it been since high-school?” He continued. “You know, you’ve grown even more beautiful than I remember.” He said next, his words causing Wanda’s fists to close in annoyance. “Why don’t we go out some time?” He suggested.

While he was focused on you, he seemed to miss the way Wanda’s eyes flashed red for a brief second before she got a hold of her magic and reigned it in. Even so, she was deeply displeased at his attempts to flirt with you, her arm wrapping around you possessively and pulling you even closer to her body.

“Well…” You tried to think, looking for a polite way to turn him down.

“She has a girlfriend.” Wanda snapped, growing more impatient with each second. Her fingers dug into your side, refusing to let go and just the feeling of it told you that she had reached her limit. Strike three.

“Oh.” Allan suddenly looked between the two of you in shock, before he started to hurriedly scan your items.

“Yeah, Wanda and I are together.” You confirmed, a smile of genuine affection spreading over your features at the thought.

That seemed to make your girlfriend feel more at ease and her hold on you loosened, her eyes growing warmer at the recognition. Unfortunately for you, that wasn’t going to earn you any leniency. Not that you minded. You were really looking forward to seeing Wanda’s rougher side once more. Especially with the day you’ve been having.

Thankfully your shopping trip came to an end soon after and the three of you returned back to your parents’ house and you were allowed some respite. Wanda was even kind enough to allow you to remove the plug, seeing as you practically couldn’t stand still with how needy you’d gotten and she even cleaned you up, joining you in the shower and caressing you softly.

When you joined everyone downstairs you were forced to endure the moment you dreaded most, your mom showing Wanda all of your childhood albums, starting with your cutest baby pictures and moving forward, all the way to your graduation album.

By the time they were done discussing you and fawning over how precious you looked, your mom sharing way too many embarrassing stories, it was almost time for dinner and you thanked all your lucky stars that this day would soon be over and in just a few short hours, you’ll finally get what you’d been craving all day.

This time you had the good sense to refrain from pushing Wanda’s buttons further, and the two of you made it to your room without incident, which is why you thought it would be wise to pull her in for a kiss just as soon as your bedroom door closed.  

“I’ve been waiting for this all day.” You confess against her lips, your hands sneaking under her shirt quickly.

“Oh, I know. You caused quite the scenes today, because of that needy pussy.” Wanda smirked, walking you backwards towards the bed and watching you fall on it, just as soon as the backs of your legs hit the mattress.

“I don’t know what you mean.” You feigned innocence, batting your eyelashes at her.

“No?” Wanda scoffed. “Well, let me remind you, baby. Because you’ve been such a bad girl today.”

Your girlfriend undressed you quickly, your clothes and hers falling on the floor in rapid succession, until you were both bare. She was pleasantly surprised to find your panties already wet and her eyes zeroed in on the way a string of your arousal clung to them, as she was dragging them down your legs.

“So fucking wet for me already.” She gasped in awe, her fingers running through your wetness almost on instinct. She found it fascinating, how badly you wanted her, how wet you got for her, how much you needed her. “And so God damned beautiful.” She complimented with a sigh, eagerly entering you with a finger.

Your walls fluttered around her, welcoming her and you arched your back in pleasure.

“More, please Mommy.” You begged, your hips moving against Wanda’s hand eagerly, in search for relief. You needed her to move faster, to fuck you deeper, to stretch out your walls further, so you could feel full.

She obliged you without protest, calculating eyes following each movement you made, as she added another finger, your needy moans like music to her ears. Soon her tongue joined as well, swirling over your clit once and waiting for the litany of pleas, before she would do it again.

Considering the way she played with you, you should have known that it wouldn’t be so easy, but with her fingers buried deep inside you and her tongue swirling over your clit, it took no time at all, before you were ready to explode, the sensation overshadowing all rational thought. It would have been so sweet too. You could feel yourself getting to that glorious edge, your hands gripping the sheets and your back arching in anticipation of it, when Wanda’s mouth and tongue pulled away, looking up at you with a wide, devilish smirk.

“Are you close, baby?” She asked, her voice husky.

“Yes, I’m so close.” You nodded frantically. Her fingers twisted inside you, curling to hit your sweet spot while she spoke, getting you even closer.

“You know good girls ask for permission, when they want to come, don’t you?” She reminded with that same sweet tone, amusement and excitement glistening in her eyes.

“Oh God…” You moaned, when her fingers curled again. Your clit was throbbing and you knew that the slightest touch against it would set you off. “Please, Mommy, may I come? Please!” You begged, your eyes closing in anticipation of her tongue returning.

What came however, was Wanda’s deep, raspy chuckle. It sounded menacing, all of the amusement drained from it.

“Did you really think it would be that easy, sweetheart?” She asked, as she continued to fuck you with her fingers, her movements slow and calculated to keep you on the edge, without letting you fall over. “After everything you did today? After refusing to listen to Mommy, after parading yourself around the stores… Do you really think you deserve an orgasm, hm?”

“Mommy, please! I just wanted to play a little.” You tried to explain with a pout, your hips starting to cant up to meet Wanda’s teasing fingers. “Please, I need it so much.” You whined, your hands twisting the sheets under you in frustration.

“Is that so…” Wanda raised an eyebrow at you, smirking. “Well, now Mommy’s going to play a little too.” She said calmly, before wrapping her mouth around your clit again.

She made teasingly slow circles with her tongue, gliding it gently over your sensitive clit. She was having so much fun teasing you like this, working you up to the edge again.

“Mommy!” You squirmed under her. “Please, can I come? Please!” You begged once more, but Wanda hurried to remove herself from you entirely.

“No.” She stated bluntly. “I don’t think I’ll let you have an orgasm tonight.” She announced, as if it was the most mundane topic. “Mommy has to teach you how to be a good girl.” She told you, smirking at how pathetically you whined.

With a wave of her hands, she secured your wrists and ancles, red magic swirling over them and holding them in place, making sure that your hands were pinned above your head and your legs were being spread wide open.

“I’ll be good, Mommy, please!” You tried again, your limbs instinctively trying to fight against her magical bonds, even when you knew it was futile.

“Yeah? You’ll be my good girl tonight?” Wanda asked with mocking softness. “Well, let’s see…”

She enters you without much warning, but your walls welcome her happily, your pussy pulsing and squeezing her desperately. She curls them with each thrust, while she looks at your face with a mix of sadistic pleasure and tender admiration. She makes sure to hit your sweet spot every time, watching the pleasure building within you, reaching the sweet edge of release with a strangled moan, before she cruelly pulls away.

She waits for you to open your eyes, waits for them to meet hers in pleading desperation, before her hand rises and it lands with a harsh slap on your pussy. She does it just once, but it’s enough to have your eyes water and for your body to start squirming again.

“Will you forget to ask permission again?” She asks, getting straight to the point, grabbing your face in her hand and forcing you to look at her. You only shake your head, not trusting yourself to speak and she raises an eyebrow at you. “Words, baby.” She reminds, softer this time, her hold loosening and turning into a caress.

“No, Mommy, I won’t forget to ask for permission again.” You shake your head, but you answer her this time.

“Good.” She smiles, her gaze turning towards your needy pussy. “Then let’s try again.” She says with smile.

Her fingers return soon after, probing and teasing your pussy, this time she circles your clit with them, slow and gentle motions that drive you wild with need. Anything she does feels amazing at this point, really. Even that slap on your pussy, despite the pain and the sudden harshness, was almost good enough to trigger your orgasm.

“Mommy, may I please come?” You whine, when you feel yourself reaching the edge. The way she touches you is overwhelmingly good. Too good. And her hand doesn’t pull away.

“No. You may not.” She responds firmly. “Hold it.”

“I can’t. Please! Please, Mommy, you have to stop!” You plead with her, while you try to hold on to anything that might keep you grounded.

Wanda’s hand pulls away, leaving you edged once more and an almost evil smirk appears on her lips when she thinks about what you’d said.

“Such a good girl.” She praises softly, kissing your parted lips and making you open your eyes, so you can look at her. “You want to be a good girl for me, don’t you?” She asks, smirking. You can see the mischief behind her words, but you can’t be sure why yet, your brain too foggy and too overwhelmed to really think it through.

“I want to be good for you, Mommy.” You repeat, almost on autopilot.

“Good. Well, good girls don’t come without permission, do they?” She asks, but at this point, you’re pretty sure it’s rhetorical. “And you already know that you’re not allowed to come tonight, so it’s pointless to ask for permission anyway, isn’t it? If you want to be good, you should be begging me to deny you instead.” She says triumphantly, smirking when your eyes go wide with realization and disappointment.

She doesn’t give you much time to say anything, before she’s making her way down your body, kissing your breasts and licking over your erect nipples, leaving a few marks on your tender flesh, then moving even lower, settling between your legs and caressing your things, before she lowers her head and starts to lick your pussy.

She moans at your taste, trying to delve in deeper, gathering your juices on her tongue and swallowing them greedily, before she swirls her tongue over your clit, making you moan and arch under her.

You try to fight the pleasure, you try to keep yourself from falling too fast, but it’s inevitable. She’s too good, she knows your body too well and you know it’s a losing battle.

“Oh my God, Mommy!” You scream. You want her to make you come. You need her to make you come. You need relief. And you want to beg her to let you. “Mommy, please!” You utter out, desperate, not wanting to say the words that will condemn you to denial. You refuse to utter them.

When she can sense that you’re too close, she pulls away, edging you once again and she gives you a moment of reprieve, for you to catch your breath, before she makes you look down at her.

Her hand rises again, slapping your pussy with a grin that only widens when you try to escape her. She looks at you expectantly, waiting for you to say something and when you don’t, she does it again, her fingers landing on your clit this time and making your eyes fill with tears again.

“I’m sorry, please!” You try to beg, not really sure what to say to get yourself out of this situation. “Please, I’ll be good.” You try again, when her hand raises for the third time.

“You’ll be good, baby?” Wanda smirks, satisfied to see all the defiance leaving you. She enters you gently and curls her fingers inside you, causing a surge of relief to pass through your body at the stimulation. “And what do good girls say to Mommy, when they’re close?” She asks expectantly, using her other hand to draw circles over your clit.

The stimulation hits you full force and you gasp, trying to fight off the pleasure, trying to keep yourself from letting go, but you can’t. You’re already so close, she’s been keeping you on the edge for a while now and she knows it. When she puts some extra pressure on your clit, you moan, instantly surrendering.

“Mommy, please don’t let me come!” You say pleadingly, your body writhing, when she pulls her hands away once more.

The thoughts in your head and the sensations you’re experiencing are so conflicting it almost hurts. You want to come so badly, your whole body is on fire and each small touch makes you crave your release so much more. But you also want to be a good girl for Wanda, you crave her praise and her soft dominance, you crave her approval. You want to make her happy. And you know how much this makes her happy. You can feel the internal elation in her, when you do as you’re told.

“That’s my good girl.” Wanda smiles, her hands running up and down your thighs soothingly, while she waits for the edge to wear off. “You did so well, my darling.” She tells you softly, kissing the insides of your thighs.

“Thank you, Mommy.” You breathe out a sigh of relief. It feels so good, when she says that and means it.

Your words only spur Wanda on, giving her another wicked idea and she starts to tease your pussy with her fingers, entering you gently and building another orgasm within you. She holds eye contact with you as she does it, she wants to see the defeat in your eyes this time, when you beg her and she’s not disappointed.

“Please, Mommy, please don’t let me come.” You say with tearful eyes and even though you expect the edge it still hurts, when she pulls away.

“Very good.” Wanda is practically in heaven, her pussy dripping with excitement at how well you’re behaving, how well you’re taking it, but especially at your obedience. “Now say “Thank you” to Mommy, for being so nice and denying you.” She coaxes out of you.

“Thank you for denying me, Mommy.” You say softly, voice shaking at how hard it is to utter those words. “Thank you for letting me be a good girl and not letting me come.”

“Fuck, you’re so hot, when you say that.” Wanda smirks. “You have no idea how turned on that makes me.” She confesses, not even trying to hide how much it pleases her. “Now, baby, Mommy’s going to lick your pussy, but you’re not allowed to have an orgasm.” She tells you. “You’ll be a good girl and beg me to deny you, won’t you?” She asks you expectantly. “And while you do that, Mommy’s going to have some fun with herself.”

For the next long minutes, that’s exactly what she does. She edges you over and over again, and each time you beg her to deny you and you thank her for her cruelty, she gets a little bit closer to having one of the best orgasms of her life.

“You’re so good for me, baby.” Wanda praises with a sigh, her hand working tirelessly between her own legs, her clit twitching with how close she is. “Do you think you can take one more edge for Mommy? Hm?” She asks sweetly.

She rarely allows herself to indulge in such pleasures, rarely lets this side of her sadistic nature run free, especially because you’re usually such a good girl for her, so this is a rare treat, something she wants to savour, something she wants to remember.

“Yes, Mommy, I can do it.” You nod frantically, wanting her to keep going. You never want her to stop. At this point, even though she’s edging you, any stimulation feels better than being left untouched.

“Good girl.” Wanda praises, before starting to slowly lick over your clit.

“Thank you, Mommy!” You sigh. You’re on a wave of pleasure of your own, a twisted pleasure that never ends, a tormenting kind of pleasure that demands more and more, without it ever being enough. “Thank you for being so good to me.” You moan, pulling against the restraints. It’s gloriously good. “Thank you.” You gasp, the closer you get and you can feel her right there on the edge with you, her hand helping her through those final moments. “Thank you for edging me. Thank you for teaching me how to be good, Mommy!” You moan the words in a trans-like state. You’re so close that you think she’ll actually let you come this time.

In the last possible moment Wanda pulls away from your pussy, leaving you edged and in despair as she starts to climax. The orgasm is just glorious, her moans of pleasure mixing with yours, creating a symphony of bliss and despair. Knowing how badly you need to come right now makes her come even harder, her body trembling and her thighs shaking as she continues to circle her clit, until she’s entirely spent and she pulls her hand away with a happy sigh.

When you see that she’s spent, you finally relax, thinking that your punishment is over, that she’ll take pity on you and finally allow you to come, the way you’ve been craving, but she makes no move to alleviate the uncomfortable feelings between your legs.

Climbing up your body, she doesn’t let you say a thing, opting for pushing her slick covered fingers in your mouth and making you suck them clean. She hopes they’ll keep you busy enough, but she isn’t surprised, when you start to beg her just as soon as you can, promising to be good for her and to never misbehave again.

“Hush, sweetie. Just enjoy the taste of Mommy on your tongue.” She shushes you, leaving tender kisses on your face.

“But Mommy, I need it.” You pout, looking up at her with your big, desperate eyes.

“You should have thought of that, before you decided to misbehave today, baby.” Wanda tries to remind you.

“Please, Mommy, just one. Please?” You try again., straining against the bonds that still hold you.

“Mommy already said no, sweetheart.” She explains calmly, though her eyes give away her frustration. She is close to losing her patience. “You were doing so well for me. Don’t stop now.”

“But, Mommy, please! I was good.” You try to bargain again, but from the way her jaw sets and her head tilts, you can see that you have made a very big mistake.

“Yes, and you don’t want to ruin all that, do you? So stop being a brat and listen to Mommy.” She gives you one last warning.

“I’m not a brat! I just want to come. Please?” You say with a pout, getting on Wanda’s last nerve.

“You really wanna cum that badly, huh?” She asks, while gripping your face and spitting the words through gritted teeth, her voice getting lower, until it becomes a dangerous growl.

She doesn’t wait for a response, doesn’t even spare you a second glance, which tells you that whatever she’ll do next, it’s unlikely you’ll enjoy it. Her mind already made up and she travels down your body again on a mission, ignoring your little pleas for her attention and mercy. She doesn’t pretend that she’s going to be soft, her hands starting to work on building an orgasm within you just as soon as she touches you. Her fingers are rough when she enters you and her thumb on your clit puts more pressure than she needs, but you don’t mind. You just want to come.

The orgasm builds within you in just a few short minutes, in fact, you think it’s less and you wait for the moment it hits you with bated breath. You even think she might edge you again, just to spite you, but she doesn’t. Her fingers work with purpose and they push you over the edge with experienced ease. Wanda watches the way your back arches, the way your walls squeeze her in, the way your mouth falls open, so you can scream with pleasure, she can feel your clit twitching with how good it feels and she doesn’t hesitate for a moment to take it away.

It's worse than an edge. This time she ruins it. And she watches with gleeful satisfaction how you writhe in agony at the displeasure of having your orgasm ruined.

“No, no, no, no, no!” You say in panicked frenzy, but there’s nothing you can do. Tied up and helpless, your hands twist in her bonds, desperate for you to be free so you can do something to make it better.

“What? Didn’t you want to come?” Wanda smirks at you, raising her hand and spanking your pussy. It’s overstimulated and sensitive, making her slap hurt even more and you yelp, uselessly flailing on the bed.

Tears start to stream down your face soon after. Tears of frustration and desperation, tears that came from being denied what you wanted. You hated being denied. You hated it so much when you couldn’t get what you want. In moments like this you could be a real brat, but Wanda was going to deal with that once and for all.

“Did you like your orgasm, baby?” She asks gleefully. “Was it worth making Mommy angry?” You can only shake your head, still feeling the aftershocks of unfulfilled pleasure coursing through you. “Well, baby, you got yourself in this situation and now you’ll get exactly what you asked for.” She tells you with an air of finality.

Before you can ask what she means, she puts her hands on your pussy again, fingers running through your folds and teasing your clit. It feels too much, your body still recovering and the pleasure she brings with her touch isn’t enough to help the overstimulation, but she doesn’t care. What’s worse is that your body craves it and your tears run dry, immediately replaced by yearning. The ruin somehow amplified your need and now, despite the overstimulation, you stayed still, allowing her each touch, chasing another high.

Wanda’s cruelty doesn’t stop, now that you’ve truly pushed her buttons and she’s determined to see this through the end, no matter how many orgasms she has to ruin to do it. It only turns her on, the more you start to realize that there’s no escape and she decides to enjoy herself fully, her hand returning between her legs, so she can coax another orgasm out of her own pussy as well.

She builds you up quickly, but this time you’ve had time to think, so when you reach your edge, you beg.

“Mommy, may I please come? Please?” You ask sweetly, hoping to win her over.

“Of course, baby. Go ahead and come for me.” She encourages with a gentle smile and you feel yourself let go immediately.

Wanda watches with careful eyes as you start to orgasm, your clit throbbing and she doesn’t hesitate to pull away again, her smile turning into a cruel grin as she watches you whine and thrash on the bed.

The second ruin is even more unsatisfying than the first, all the pleasure fading away and only leaving a bitter taste, which is a mixture of craving for release, disappointment and frustration. It makes you let out a long cry, your eyes fixing her and pleading wordlessly for her to take pity on you.

“Oh, did you think I was really going to let you have a full orgasm?” She asks through a laugh devoid of amusement. “No, you’ll only be having ruins.” She announces, answering her own question before you had a chance to speak. “I want to see how many you can have.”

“Please, Mommy, I’ll be good.” You tried to plead.

“You had your chance to be good for me, darling. Now you’ll just have to face the consequences.” She explains, patient and even a little excited. “You know what consequences are, don’t you?” She asks in a mockingly sweet voice. “Perhaps after tonight, my lovely girl will think twice, before acting up.” She muses with a deep sigh.

The way your eyes widened in fear and dejection shouldn’t have turned Wanda on as much as they did. She should have felt terrible for doing all these cruel, sadistic things to you, but instead, she felt excited. Your adorable little pussy was practically dripping on the sheets, wet and aching and ready to be filled to the brim, ready for every touch she was willing to offer… Ready to be ruined.

How poetic, she mused to herself, pondering on the beauty of the double meaning behind her thought. She wondered if perhaps you would find it as amusing as she did? Then again… Perhaps not. But she was enjoying herself immensely and she didn’t hesitate for a moment to slip her slender fingers inside your hungry hole, filling you up, until you took all of her.

She fucked you almost lazily, her adoring eyes devouring the sight of you stretching around her, of the droplets of your arousal smeared across your pussy and her hands, of the way your muscles twitched and spasmed, your body struggling to stay still. All beautiful. All for her.

Wanda could see that you were getting lost in your pleasure, in your own little world, which, at this moment, seemed to revolve entirely around her. You always looked so pretty when your brain got all fuzzy and all you could do was cling to her, just as you did now. She could see you slipping into subspace, defiance giving way to submission, the internal battle within you giving way to acceptance.

Her mouth joins her fingers this time, her tongue gliding over your clit deliciously, making it even more painful, when she takes the next orgasm away from you, ruining it. Your whole pussy spasms uselessly with no stimulation once more, empty and untouched, making you whine. You’ve rarely had ruins before, and always accidental, but this was the first time with Wanda and certainly the first time you’ve had so many in a row. It’s the worst punishment you’ve ever faced.

She almost cums at the sight of you, all desperate and ruined and entirely at her mercy. She certainly hoped for it to be enough, wanting to fall apart while you were writing through another ruined orgasm. It would have been the perfect taunt, but she needs a little more.

“Mommy.” You say, the words spilling out of your mouth without much thought. You don’t even know what you want to say.

“Shhh, it’s ok, love. Mommy’s here.” She reassures you, her free hand running up and down your thighs to soothe you. “I’ll take care of you.” She whispers softly, her chest filling with pride and love at how quickly you nod your head. “Isn’t it much better when Mommy thinks for you, my love? Isn’t it easier, when you let Mommy make all those hard decisions and you just do as you’re told?” She spoke softly, her features reflecting her demeanour.

“Yes, Mommy knows best.” You nod, eyes unfocussed.

“That’s right. Mommy knows best.” Wanda confirms proudly. “You’re not going to forget that next time, are you?” She asks gently.

“No, Mommy, I won’t forget. I promise to be so good.” You look up at her, nodding, eyes so soft it melts Wanda’s heart.

“Good, sweetheart.” Wanda smiles, before she lowers her head again.

She’s careful when she takes your clit into her mouth, careful to get you used to the stimulation in this state, before she speeds up. She knows you’re sensitive and almost at your limit and she doesn’t want to hurt you, so she builds your next orgasm slowly, her hands stroking the skin of your thighs in a gentle manner, helping your body relax further, all the while she’s touching herself.

When you reach the edge, Wanda can hear the internal battle in your head, thoughts clashing together. You want to beg her to let you come fully this time, you want to plead with her, but you know you shouldn’t. You know you don’t deserve it. You know you pushed her to do this to you, your little transgressions flashing behind your closed lids, before you come to the conclusion that you’ve earned your punishment.

But it’s when you call out her name, her chosen title spilling from your lips in warning of your impending orgasm, that she knows she should take mercy on you.

Wanda holds your hips more firmly, her tongue swirling over your clit again and again in perfect circles and she feels the moment your start to orgasm. Your back arches and you fully expect her to pull away, but she doesn’t this time, holding you down while she helps you ride out your pleasure.

The moment you realize that she won’t stop, you let go fully, your first real orgasm crashing over you in full force and you try to hold on to it for as long as you can, relief flooding your senses and making you sigh and moan in pure bliss.

Wanda falls apart right after you, her moans of pleasure revibrating against you and making your orgasm that much sweeter.

When it’s over you feel overstimulated and spent, but thankfully Wanda pulls away, crawling over your body and making your restraints disappear with a single wave of her hand, so she can cuddle you. Her body brings warmth and comfort and you wrap yourself around her with the last of your strength, nuzzling your face in her neck and breathing her in.

“I’m sorry for being such a brat today.” You say after some time has passed and you’ve had time to gather your thoughts.

“I forgive you, sweetheart.” Wanda murmurs, kissing your forehead and pulling you even closer to herself. “You’re a good girl.” She reassures you, wanting you know that you're safe with her.

After a few more minutes pass and she starts to feel you drift off, she tries to rouse you.

“Let me clean you up first, darling.” She offers as she removes some hair from your neck and forehead.

“Tomorrow, please?” You whine, pulling her into an even tighter embrace.

“All right, sweetheart. Tomorrow. Sleep well now.” She concedes, not having the heart to make you get up, especially with how cutely you’d cuddled into her.

“I love you, Wanda.” You say with the last bit of your strength.

“I love you too, my precious girl. More than you know.” Wanda smiles softly, feeling you start to drift off and allowing herself to do the same.

_____________________________________________

I hope you guys enjoyed this fic! I certainly loved writing it.

[adoriels-tears-if]

Adoriel's Tears Q&A (1th meeting)

The soft afternoon light spills into Elianna’s study, lending a calm warmth to the room that contrasts sharply with the tense atmosphere. Ashlyen sits by the window, gazing out as though trying to avoid the others. Tobias leans against the doorframe, his arms crossed tightly, his expression unreadable but far from welcoming. Elianna adjusts her seat, her hands fidgeting in her lap, and her eyes dart to Ashlyen before quickly looking away.

Cecily bursts in, parchment in hand and a determined smile lighting up her face. “Alright, everyone’s here! That’s great!” She stops near the table and sets her notes down with a flourish. “Today, I have the honor of asking all the questions our readers sent in. So, sit back, relax, and get ready for anything!”

Tobias snorts. “Ready for anything. Sure.”

Ashlyen glances at Cecily, one eyebrow raised. “Let’s hope these readers asked questions worth answering.”

“I’m sure Cecily will make it worth our while,” Elianna says, her voice soft but steady as she offers the young woman an encouraging smile.

Cecily beams at her. “Thanks, Elianna! I’ll do my best.” She straightens her parchment and clears her throat. “The first question is for Ashlyen.” Her eyes skim the page, and she hesitates. “Oh… it’s, um, a tough one.”

Ashlyen frowns and tilts his head. “Why? What does it say?”

Instead of answering, Cecily holds out the parchment. Ashlyen hesitates, then takes it from her hands. His expression darkens as he reads silently, though he quickly masks it. “How does it feel to know your child will grow up without their father? Do you think of them every day? Are you afraid they’ll grow up resenting your absence?” His voice remains steady, but there’s a strain in it that betrays his calm.

He places the parchment back on the table, folding his hands together. “It’s not an easy question to answer,” he says, after a moment of silence. “Every day, I think about them. Their face, their voice, their laugh—things I’ve missed and things I’ll never get to see, to remember. It’s not just a fleeting thought! It stays with me, no matter where I go!” His gaze shifts to the window, his jaw tightening. “I chose to leave because I knew it was the only way to protect them. I still believe that. But…” He exhales slowly eyes closed. “Yes. I’m afraid. I’m afraid that when they grow up, all they’ll see is the absence and none of the reasons behind it. If they resent me for it, I’ll bear that, as long as it means they’re safe.”

The room falls silent. Cecily fidgets with the corner of her parchment, unsure how to fill the heavy pause. Tobias pushes off the doorframe, his voice cutting through the quiet.

“Safe? That’s a convenient excuse.”

Ashlyen’s gaze snaps to him. “You think I wanted this?”

“Maybe not,” Tobias says, shrugging, “but it doesn’t change what it is.”

Elianna raises her hand, her tone sharp. “That’s enough. Both of you.” Her words slice through the tension like a blade. “This is an interview, not a battlefield.”

She looks at Cecily. “Next question, please.”

Cecily clears her throat and flips to the next page. “Right! Let’s keep things moving!”

She flips through her parchment and looks up, eyes sparkling with mischief. “All right, here's an interesting one,” she says, a teasing smile on her face. “So, who started calling MC 'Little Star' first?”

Elianna smiled softly, glancing at Ashlyen. “I think you did, didn't you?”

Ashlyen shifts in his seat, a slight blush rising to his cheeks. “Maybe,” he admits, avoiding the young woman's gaze.

Elianna leans forward slightly, her voice teasing but warm. “Oh, come on, you can say it. You gave them that nickname, didn't you? ”

Ashlyen exhales, his gaze drifting to the window as if searching for the right words. “It wasn't just a nickname,” he finally says, in a calmer voice, ”It was a way of honoring their Elven heritage. In our language, stars carry meaning: they guide us, give us hope, and remind us of where we come from. I wanted them to have a connection to that, even if they would never understand it... completely.”

Elianna's expression softens, and for a moment she looks at Ashlyen with infinite tenderness. “It's beautiful,” she says softly. “And it suits them perfectly.

Tobias rolls his eyes, clearly enjoying the moment. “Honestly, I’m more curious about whether MC will find out that Ash keeps forgetting everything about them,” he says with a sharp edge to his voice.

Elianna turns toward Tobias, then back to Ashlyen. “Do you think they’ll ever find out?” she asks.

Ashlyen swallows, his expression briefly showing signs of discomfort. “I hope they never find out,” he says, voice low. “The fact that I forget them every half hour... it’s not something I want them to ever know. It’s less a choice, and more a necessity, but... I’d rather they stay in the dark. It’s safer for them, for everyone.”

Elianna shares a long, silent look with Ashlyen, but doesn’t speak. Tobias shrugs and glances toward the door.

“It might be better this way. Anyway, MC stayed the night at Telio and Mickhail’s to avoid seeing you. It’s... less painful this way.”

The room goes quiet, the words hanging in the air. Ashlyen stares down at the table, avoiding the others’ gazes. “It was… necessary,” he murmurs, almost to himself.

“I think we can move on to the next question,” grumbles Tobias.

Cecily glances at her list, her eyebrows shooting up as she reads the next question. “Ooh, this one’s about you, Uncle Tobias!” she says with a smirk. "How would you react if you found out Arthur had a crush on MC?"

Tobias blinks, before cracking into an awkward laugh. “Arthur? A crush? On MC?” He rubs the back of his neck, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “I mean, it’s… surprising, but not the worst thing in the world, I guess. I mean ! He’s ten. A bit young for that, don’t you think?"

Elianna chuckles softly, leaning her chin on her hand. “Come on, Tobias. Kids his age have crushes all the time. You can’t deny it’s possible. Plus Mc is really easy to like."

Tobias shrugs. "Of course they are! I was so excited for Arthur to meet them! He’s been asking a lot of questions about MC ever since I mentioned them. If he does have a crush, it just means he sees how great they are too.” His tone softens slightly, the affection for both Arthur and MC clear.

Cecily beams. “Aw, that’s sweet! But what if Arthur didn’t like MC? Maybe because… of...you know.”

Tobias’s expression hardens slightly, though not out of anger. “Arthur’s not like that,” he says firmly. “He’s a good kid, and I trust him. If something like that came up, I’d talk to him. Make him understand how wrong it is to judge someone by the blood running through their veins. But honestly…” He pauses, his voice softening again. “I can’t see him disliking MC. He’s been curious about them ever since I told him about Northview. I think he’s more excited to spend time with them than anything else.”

Ashlyen, who had been quietly observing, tilts his head. “Interesting. You’re remarkably sure of this boy’s character. A bold thing, considering his age, that you pointed out earlier.”

Tobias gives him a sharp look but doesn’t rise to the bait. “Arthur’s got a good heart. I wouldn’t have brought him to Northview otherwise.”

Elianna smiles gently, her gaze flickering between Tobias and Ashlyen. “It’s good that Arthur has you looking out for him. And that MC has someone like you too.”

Tobias grumbles something under his breath, though the warmth in his expression lingers as he shifts his focus back to Cecily. “Next question?”

Cecily lets out a chuckle. She adjusts her seat, her quill lightly tapping the parchment as she pushes a lock of hair back behind her ear. “Okay, this one's a bit of a time-dive. The reader wants to know: How long was Ash in the picture with ‘preggo’ Elianna? Did he watch the birth of his child? If not, did he want to? And lastly, what were Elianna’s cravings, and how did everyone handle her mood swings?”

Tobias snorts at the word “preggo,” earning a quick glare from Cecily.

Ashlyen sits up straighter, his expression unreadable. “I wasn’t there,” he says curtly.

Elianna hesitates, her hands tightening around the fabric of her red dress. “Ash… wasn’t part of my pregnancy,” she says, her voice measured. “He couldn’t be. Not with...the risks.”

Ashlyen’s jaw tightens, but he nods. “It wasn’t a choice I made lightly. But staying would have put you—and them—in danger. You know that."

Elianna looks at him, pain and sorrow in her face, then nods. “I do. And I don’t blame you for it. But…” Her voice softens. “It was hard.”

Cecily nods and gives her a supportive smile before turning to Ashlyen. “Did you want to be there for the birth?”

“Of course I did!” Ashlyen says, his voice low but firm. “Every day I wasn’t there, I wanted to be. It's a feeling that persists to this day. . And when I heard it was difficult…” His voice trails off, and he looks down, visibly struggling with the memory.

Tobias clears his throat. "It was difficult," he says bluntly. "Cecily and I handled it." He adds, smug. "She’s the one who brought MC into the world, not without a lot of effort. And Elia..." He stops, glancing at her with raw softness. "You were stronger than anyone had a right to be."

Elianna smiles faintly "Thanks, Toby."

Cecily jumps in, eager to lighten the mood. “Well, as for cravings, Elianna had a thing for sweet things. Honeyed bread, candied nuts, even raw sugar sometimes. We had to ration it so she wouldn’t run us out of supplies!”

Elianna laughs softly, some of the tension easing from her frame. “I blame the baby. They had quite the sweet tooth even then. Elianna chuckles softly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “Oh, Tobias once came back with an entire jar of honey because I couldn’t stop talking about it.”

Tobias groans, shaking his head. “You mean the three jars. And you finished them in a week!”

Cecily laughs. “And what about the mood swings? How did everyone deal with those?”

Tobias raises an eyebrow. “Carefully.”

Elianna narrows her eyes at both of them. “I wasn’t that bad!”

"You were!"

“Elianna was an angel 90% of the time. But that other 10%? You did not want to be the one to give her bad news.”

Elianna raises an eyebrow at him. “You survived, didn’t you?”

“Barely,” Tobias teases, and the room erupts in soft laughter.

Cecily claps her hands. “Alright, that was a great answer from everyone! Next question!” She leans forward, clearly intrigued by the next question. “Alright, Tobias, this one’s for you. Have you ever indulged in the fantasy of MC being your pupil? Of them being a Tear, and the both of you traveling the world together—even if that could never happen?”

Tobias tilts his head back against the doorframe, letting out a low chuckle. “Fantasy, huh? That’s putting it lightly.”

Cecily’s pen pauses. “So… you have?”

He shrugs, crossing his arms. “Of course I have. It’s hard not to, sometimes. MC has… potential. A spark, They have something! And I’ve wondered what it would’ve been like to guide that spark, to show them the world beyond Northview.” His voice softens slightly. “To see them grow, to face challenges together as a team.”

Elianna shifts in her seat, her expression unreadable. “You’ve never mentioned this before.”

Tobias glances at her, a faint sad smirk tugging at his lips. “Because it’s just that—a fantasy. I know their path isn’t mine to guide. They have their own journey to follow, and I’d never try to take that away from them.”

Ashlyen, who has been quietly listening, finally speaks. “You wouldn’t want to be their teacher. Not really.”

Tobias raises an eyebrow. “And why’s that?”

Ashlyen meets his gaze evenly. “Because deep down, you know they already look up to you—not as a teacher, but as family, as...as a father. And that’s a far greater bond.” he swallows.

For a moment, Tobias doesn’t reply, his usual sharp demeanor toward Ashlyen softening.

“Maybe you’re right,” he admits quietly.

The exchange makes Elianna's head drop. Cecily hastens to seize her hand as she sees the young woman's eyes begin to glisten.

“Let's move on to the next question,” says Ashlyen, clearing his throat.

Cecily glances at the next question and hesitates, her gaze flickering toward Ashlyen. “This one’s… sensitive. But I think it’s worth asking.” She takes a steadying breath. “Ashlyen, out of all the biggest milestones that come with raising a child, which do you wish you had been there for the most?”

Ashlyen’s usual stoicism falters, and he leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His gaze drifts to the floor, his voice quieter than usual. “All of them. Every single one.”

Elianna’s expression softens, and she looks away, her hands clasping tightly in her lap.

Ashlyen continues, his tone heavy. “If I had to choose…” He pauses, searching for the right words. “Their first steps, definitely. Seeing them walk for the first time—watching them move forward, maybe run even just a little, and knowing it’s the beginning of so much more. I’ve imagined it a thousand times, but it’s never the same as being there.”

Tobias, leaning against the doorframe, shifts uncomfortably but doesn’t interrupt.

Cecily’s pen stills for a moment as she studies Ashlyen. “Do you think you’ll ever get to be there for other milestones?”

Ashlyen meets her gaze, his eyes shadowed but resolute. “I hope so. More than anything. But hope doesn’t change the past.”

Elianna finally speaks, her voice soft. “It doesn’t. But it can shape the future, Ash.”

The elf glances at her, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them.

Cecily clears her throat, sensing the tension. “Well… thank you for answering so honestly.” She offers him a small, encouraging smile. “I think the readers will appreciate that.”

Ashlyen nods slightly, retreating into silence once more.

Cecily watches the silence settle over the room like a thick fog. Ashlyen's gaze is fixed on the table, his hand resting on the edge, tense and motionless. Even Tobias, who is usually eager to have the last word, remains silent, leaning back against the doorframe, looking somber.

Elianna studies Ashlyen intently, her features softening as she perceives the slight tremor in his hand. She sighs, a mixture of sadness and determination crossing her face.

“I think we all need a moment,” she says softly, breaking the silence.

Tobias raises an eyebrow but doesn't argue. He exhales sharply, mumbles something under his breath, and shifts position. Elianna rises slowly, her chair gently scraping the floor. Cecily's pen pauses mid-word as she watches the young woman circle the table.

Ashlyen doesn't look up, his shoulders rigid, his head down. Elianna stops beside him, close enough for her scent to reach him.

“Ash,” she whispers, in a tender yet firm voice.

He looks up, hesitant to meet her gaze. The reserved expression he wears so well fades and, for a moment, Cecily thinks he looks completely lost. It's a difficult vision, one that presses on her heart.

Elianna kneels beside him and grabs his hand from the table. She interlaces her fingers in his, the contact both grounding and comforting. “I know how much this weighs on you,” she says, her thumb grazing his knuckles in a soothing rhythm.

His jaw tightens, but his fingers wrap around hers instinctively. “It's not enough,” he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper. “I should have been there, for you, for them.”

Elianna leans closer to him, her other hand rising to touch his cheek. He flinches slightly at first, but she holds on, her palm warm against his skin. His breath catches and he closes his eyes and leans deeper against her. “I wanted to be there,” he admits, his words heavy with unspoken pain.

“I know,” she replies, her voice poised but charged with emotion. “And so will they, one day. They'll understand, Ash. Because I'll make sure they know the truth - that their father loved them enough to protect them, even from afar.”

Ashlyen's hand tightens around his, his head dipping forward until their foreheads almost touch. “Elianna,” he breathes, his name a mixture of reverence and regret.

“You always did what you thought was best,” she continued, her fingers threading through his dark hair. “And I don't blame you for that. I've never blamed you. Not then, not now. We agreed.”

Ashlyen's shoulders shake slightly, and for the first time, Cecily sees tears shining in his eyes. The elf who had always seemed untouchable, inflexible, seems fragile and human in Elianna's hands.

Near the door, Tobias shifts uncomfortably, the tenderness of the moment seeming too intimate for him to witness. “If we take a break, I'll come out,” he murmurs, rising quickly to his feet.

Elianna glances at him but says nothing, her attention returning to Ashlyen.

Cecily clears her throat gently and offers a small smile. “I'll give you some privacy. Let me know when you're ready to continue.” She gathers her notes and follows Tobias, leaving the room to the two of them.

As the door closes, Elianna runs her thumb over Ashlyen's cheek, catching a tear. “You don't have to be strong all the time,” she murmurs. “Especially not when you're with me.”

Ashlyen lets out a shaky breath, his hand holding her like a lifeline. “I'm sorry,” he murmurs.

“For what?” she asks softly.

“For everything,” he replies.

Elianna leans forward and places a tender kiss on his lips. “I'm not Ash. Just let me be there for you."

[romancherry]

Wheels & Whiskey

Chapter 2: A Bold Move

biker!joel x doctor!reader

warnings: a little bit of SMUT, innapropriate touching in public, descriptions of sexual desires, explicit language, 18+, MINORS: DO NOT INTERACT

As you settled into the familiar hum of the bar, Maria's curiosity seemed to only grow with every passing moment. "So, come on," she pressed, her eyes shifting to Joel. "What's the deal with you two?"

"He's just... polite." You gave a small shrug.

Maria wasn't buying it. She raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Polite? Really? Sweetheart, that man doesn't do polite. He wants you. And you're acting like you don't notice."

"I've noticed. Doesn't mean I'm interested."

"Look, I get it," she said, her voice quieter now. "But don't tell me you've never thought about just... letting go. Just once. Take him to bed, see what happens. It's just one night, right? No strings. Let loose for once."

"Maria, I—"

"No, really," she insisted, her voice smooth and convincing. "You've seen the way he looks at you. You know he's not gonna give up anytime soon."

You felt a tight knot form in your chest. Joel never made his intentions a secret. You couldn't deny the chemistry — something electric that buzzed inside you every time he stepped into your line of sight.

Letting out a breath, you shrugged. "Fine, I'll give him a chance. Let's just enjoy the night, alright?" You gestured toward the dance floor where the crowd was getting more lively.

Maria shot you a wink and grabbed your hand, pulling you towards the center of the room. You danced, laughed, and let yourself get lost in the moment, trying to forget the quiet pull Joel Miller had on you.

The night wore on, and the room became a blur of music, laughter and flashing lights. Maria, emboldened by the drinks she'd knocked back, wasn't one to shy away from new adventures. She spotted a handsome man across the room, his curly dark hair falling just so. His easy confidence made him impossible to ignore. Maria didn't need any further encouragement; with a wink at you, she made her way over to him, dragging him to the dance floor with a flirtatious laugh.

You couldn't help but roll your eyes. You needed a moment to breathe, to drink some water and gather yourself after the whirlwind of dancing and loud music. You slipped away to the bar, hoping the quiet space would help clear your head.

But as you leaned against the counter, the stool beside you creaked. You didn't need to look up to know who had joined you. Joel's presence was unmistakable.

"Everythin' all right, sweetheart?" Joel's voice rumbled beside you. He settled onto the stool next to you, the familiar scent of leather wafting around him.

You glanced over at him, but didn't say anything at first. He had that look in his eyes — the same one that made your pulse quicken and your thoughts scatter. You should've been annoyed at how persistent he was, but instead, you found yourself leaning in slightly as if his presence commanded you to.

Joel's eyes softened, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "You know, you really should be enjoying the night more." His voice dropped lower, leaning in close enough that you could feel his breath near your ear. "Your friend out there is livin' her life, while you're too busy tryin' to play it safe."

You didn't respond immediately. His words were a challenge, one he knew you will try to sidestep.

"Good for her." You simply said.

You felt his hand graze against the small of your back. It moved slowly, posessively, and the warmth of his palm sent a shiver down your spine. He leaned in even closer, his mouth near your ear now, voice smooth and teasing.

"You ain't foolin' me, sweetheart. You got that look in your eyes — the one that says you wanna see how far I can take you. And I'm damn sure you're curious."

The air between you thickened, and the proximity of his body made it hard to think clearly. Just as you were about to turn your head, to push back, his other hand slid lower, barely grazing the inside of your thigh.

It was slow, deliberate, and it sent a rush of head straight down your core. His fingers traced along the bare, soft skin, ocasionally lifting the edge of your dress higher, as if testing the boundaries of your composure.

"Joel..."

"Tell me, Doc." Joel interrupted. "What's it gonna take to make you stop pretendin' you ain't interested?"

You felt his fingers linger on your thigh, pressing just a little more firmly as his hand slowly slid upwards. His touch was a claim, an unspoken challenge, and it sent your pulse racing.

You thought about pushing him away, about asserting control, but in the back of your mind, you knew you wanted this — you wanted him to take whatever he wants from you. What he's been yearning and buzzing you for ever since you moved into town.

But you didn't say anything. Your heart hammered in your chest, a mix of excitement and uncertainty swirling within you.

Joel's lips brushed against your ear once more. "I can't be the only one who feels this, can I?" he whispered, his hand moving just slightly higher, lifting your dress up with him. He couldn't give a goddamn about the lack of privacy.

Joel's fingers remained still for a moment, as if giving you the time to pull away if you chose to. The pressure from his touch lingered, warm and deliberate, leaving you caught in the tension of the moment. The music around you seemed to fade, leaving only the heat between you two, and for a second, it was as if the rest of the bar didn't exist.

You turned your head slightly, enough to meet his eyes. "We should stop."

The confident words which came out of your mouth get betrayed by the treacherous gloss in your eyes; blow out pupils, begging him for more. And he sees right through the mirrors of your soul.

You saw the smirk curling on his lips — confident, patient, like he knew exactly what he was doing. There was no rush in his movements.

"Still pretendin', huh?"

As his hand finally moved again, his fingers gently traced the outline of your clothed pussy. One, sweet stroke from the top of your clit to the bottom of your aching hole.

"I don't bite, y'know," he teased, his lips brushing against your earlobe now. "Unless you want me to."

He didn't give you any chance to speak as he pressed a single finger right on the center of your clit, tightening the little bundle of nerves under his pressure. He slowly started drawing small circles around it, and suddenly, it was too difficult to breathe.

"Joel, this... This is unprofessional." You felt your breath catch in your throat, unsure if you were going to break or keep holding yourself together. His touch was steady, sure of itself, and there was something about the way he was looking at you — his eyes dark and focused — that made it hard to deny how badly you wanted him to keep going.

"Mmm, I promise not to tell anyone, sweetheart. Cross my heart."

You slowly placed a hand on top of his wrist, not knowing whether you should stop him or guide his movements lower.

Now Joel was starting to grow irritated a bit. He loved the game of cat and mouse you were playing, but now that he won, he desperately needed the prize, or he'd go insane.

It was getting impossible to breathe — the warmth was making his hair stick to his dampened forehead, his cock straining against his jeans, his balls tightening so fucking bad that if he didn't witness you bent over in the next five minutes he was going to punch someone.

He was really affected by the situation, even more than you. He needed to be really careful with this one, because he couldn't afford to lose another chance with you again. He's been begging, praying. He can't scare you away.

He pulls his fingers away from your panties, the abrupt shift almost making you reach back for his hand and force it down between your legs again.

"Y'know, Doc. How 'bout we go somewhere else quiet, hm? No distractions. No interruptions. Just us. Let's talk."

His words hung in the air, laced with the weight of what he was offering. The choice was simple: give in and take the risk — refuse and forever regret.

You looked back at Maria, checking to see how she was doing. Anything, to distract you. You needed more time to think.

Joel put pressure on your lower back, guiding your attention back to him. "She's fine, don't you worry. My brother's takin' real good care of her."

"If we leave, are we really gonna... talk?" You ask genuinely, and the way you looked up at him, so innocent, anxious and sweet, made Joel's cock twitch in his pants.

Fuck, he'll talk. While pumping you full of his cum with one hand tugging on your hair and the other holding you tight by the waist, but he'll talk. Give you all the answers you want.

"Yes, sweetheart. Promise. Jus' wanna get things straight between us."

For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of your heartbeat in your ears. In the back of your mind, you know you shouldn't trust him. You know this is part of his plan to lure you in and seduce you until you finally break; fall apart.

But the question is, will he be there to catch you?

Your mind figures out the answer to that question on its own. No matter the amount of times he flirted with you openly, he never made you feel awkward or humiliated. Always respected, even when he practically spoke filth in your ear.

Poor silly doctor, if only you knew just how mad he is for you. Then you wouldn't be second guessing yourself about trusting him.

"Just for a little bit," you whispered, as if testing the waters, as if giving yourself permission to go along with it.

Joel's lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. "That's all I need."

[drugs-and-daddyissues]

𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐄

𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐎 After an attack on the Black Pearl leaves you seeking refuge on another ship, you become distraught at the lack of knowledge on the whereabouts of your husband, Jack, and the fear for the safety of your baby

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 mentions of attacks, angst, stillbirth. This may be triggering to some audiences, read at your own discretion.

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 Jack Sparrow x f! reader

You went overboard when the canons hit, you struggled against the waves, but you tried to break through the surface of the water. You wanted to go back, find Jack, but you knew you couldn't keep swimming forever, you needed to get to safety, whether that was land or another ship. If you and your baby were going to survive.

You swam for what felt like hours, until another ship found you. "Captain, I think we found another one!" One of the crew members called, while a few others pulled you to safety. "She's with child!"

You were cold, tired, sore, worried for your baby and not knowing if Jack was even alive. You just began to weep. The crew members of the ship led you below deck, and you were relieved to see some of the crew from the Black Pearl, but no signs of Jack. You were given a small, more private room - given the fact you were a woman and pregnant. And hysterical but that was besides the point.

You kept crying out for your husband, for Jack. One of the crew members from the rescue ship, a young man, promised that, if they found Jack, they'd bring him straight to you.

Your worry only grows, and your sobs don't stop, when maybe 15 minutes later, still nobody knows where Jack is. By this point, you've been given fresh, dry clothes to change into, and some water. You change into the simple white shirt and trousers, drinking the water before trying to dry your tears. You go on deck again, despite the protests from both crews.

"Please, I need to find my husband." You begged, and who were they to say no? A pregnant, potential widow looking for her lost husband.

It takes an effort but 25 minutes later, Jack is spotted floating along the waves on a plank of wood. "Jack? Jack!!" You call out, rushing towards his direction on the ship. That same crew member from earlier keeps you from jumping in the water to rescue Jack. But much like you before, Jack is recovered onto the ship, and you're immediately jumping into his arms. He's laying down but he pulls you close, letting your legs hang over his body (imagine that scene in tangled where Flynn is holding Rapunzel).

"Oh love.. Are you okay? Is the wee one okay?" He immediately asks. He's uncharacteristically soft with you, only you. You're his wife, how could he not be?

You nod, everything's okay now that you have him again.

He gets the same treatment, clothes, water, and he gets to rest in the room with you.

You have hope again, and although you're confused about what was going to happen now, you had your husband and you had your baby.

But that night, you started having pains, as if you were going into labor. But that wasn't right, you were only 5 months pregnant. That couldn't be right.

They brought you back above deck (Well, Jack did, as he knew you'd want to be under the stars in the circumstance of your birth.) The crew of the ship let you two be, knowing not to interrupt such a moment.

You were terrified, but Jack just held your hand and kept giving you reassurances as he slipped your trousers off. You pushed and pushed, squeezing his hand, until eventually he could see the head. "Come on, you're doing great, love. Keep pushin' for me." He encouraged, seeing the tears slip down your cheeks. You gave one final big push before he could pull the baby out.

But instead of hearing the cries of your infant, there was silence, deafening silence. "My baby... Why aren't they crying?? Jack..? You began to get distraught again, weary.

He looked distant, speechless for once in his life. For once, he did not have a witty remark to make, the heavy, dark truth of the situation weighing over him.

Your baby was gone. You knew it in that moment when you saw the guilty expression on his face. "Oh my god.." You painfully choked out, your hand coming to cover your mouth as fresh tears slipped down your face, now from sadness and grief rather than physical pain.

He immediately cut the cord, then called for Gibbs, whispering something that you didn't hear to him, handing him your dead child. "No.. No!" You cried, but Jack quickly shushed you.

"I know, I know, I know. It's okay. I'm right here, we'll be okay. You still have me." He whispered, his own eyes getting teary. Jack never cried, but how could he not cry at this situation? At the loss of your child? Gibbs quickly walked away, and you didn't even want to think about what would happen to the body of what was supposed to be your child.

"Jack.. Hold me. Please Jackie." You cried.

And he did. He held you, cried with you. He cleaned you up, helped you birth the placenta. Gibbs helped here and there, more with getting rid of the placenta, the cloth Jack used to clean you up. He couldn't leave your side for one second as he put your trousers back on, carrying you back to the bed.

It didn't take long for everyone to understand what happened, giving the fact there was a lack of a baby bump on you, but no chubby baby in your arms.

┆𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐈 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐈┆

𝐀/𝐍 This was originally supposed to be a drabble but I got a little too into it. Oops. I cannot pay for anyone's therapy, so good luck with that

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[eddiestightywhities]

okay the birthday scene utterly destroyed me because WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK WAS THAT HORRENDOUSNESS??

this is gonna be long and heated so i'm sticking it under a cut…

i've only watched the ep once, so could be forgetting things, and therefore might be back to say more once i've watched it again!

helena (and ramón by proxy) perpetuating the emotional child abuse by flipping the parentification of eddie sideways and morphing it into ‘you're not here for me (helena) anymore so i'm punishing you in the same (perceived) way you punished me by literally and now also emotionally taking your child away from you’ is so fucked up and vile that i can't even think straight.

chris is angry with his dad, which—fair. BUT! would he really still be in the exact same emotionally fragile place AFTER THREE FUCKING MONTHS if his abuelos were doing what they should be doing by speaking to him about it and trying their damnedest to help out eddie—THEIR FUCKING SON—on his path to reconciling with his son? I THINK FUCKING NOT. instead of being a magnanimous go-between, as they should be, they (she) are clearly actively encouraging a young teen to shun his doting father (who, granted, fucked-up royally, but in his defence was kind of losing his mind at the time and did nothing to directly nor intentionally hurt his child), shun his best friend (and let's be real: other parent), shun his whole life in LA (his other abuela and his tia/his peers/school life/carla etc), shun the loving home EDDIE has made for him, while selfishly manipulating him by giving him ‘everything’ a kid could want to entice him to stay there (omg the fucking “he loves the water!”—do they even understand what it took for eddie and buck to help chris get over his fear of water after the tsunami? do they even know?!), in texas, the very place eddie wanted to remove his son from, thus enabling him to live it up as only a spoilt rotten grandchild can, with them (her), so that they (she) can get a second chance at feeling like Good Parents, because they know they got it wrong with (at least) eddie. helena, in her very messed-up head, has never forgiven her son for leaving her for shannon, and has spent years punishing eddie for that, yet hasn't really ever felt the satisfaction she craves—until now.

because now, finally, helena has what she has wanted for so long, and so the emotional abuse continues, just in a different form.

and poor, poor, loving eddie, knowing that he badly screwed up, tried to show his kid that he understood he made a mistake, and that he sees his pain, and decided to give chris the space he needed—and by doing so gave his mother the one thing he never wanted to allow to happen, the thing she has always wanted ever since he ‘left’ her: helena's revenge.

eddie decorating his living room with a banner with christopher's name and buying party hats and balloons etc (which, sure, is now too childish a thing for chris to enjoy, but goddammit eddie is trying), having chris's buck there for him, and inviting tommy over (and who knows how he actually felt about that) because he knows chris thinks he's a cool guy, was eddie trying so, so hard to let his boy know just how much he is wanted and loved and missed.

chris is (just!) fourteen, though, and unless all of this effort is pointed out to him, of course he wouldn't care and would be sullen and unappreciative—that's teenagers for you! and of course his grandparents (helena) absolutely did not prime him for the zoom chat with his dad (ON HIS FUCKING BIRTHDAY), as they should've; of course they (she) let him take the reins with this and be dismissive of his father's attempts at healing his relationship with his boy; of course, of course, of course. ramón obviously goes along with whatever the fuck helena wants because of the guilt he has over not being there for her or his kids when they were growing up, giving helena permission to revel in her ‘justified’ reprisal.

i think that if eddie didn't understand that he needs to hold it together, now more than ever—he has to be okay, to be in a place where he can get his son back—he'd be smashing up the entire state of california, never mind just his bedroom. thankfully—LIKE, THANK FUCKING FUCK—he has has his real family, the 118, and his partner in life, buck, and his new moustache lol, to keep him going. honestly though, the guy deserves more than a silver star for his herculean efforts with this shit-show.

christopher will forgive eddie, because shannon and eddie raised a bright and empathetic human being who will eventually see that his dad never in a million years meant to hurt him. and eddie will forgive his parents, whether they deserve it or not, because he is historically a selfless and kind human being who absolutely would not want to teach his son resentment.

but istfg there better be some sort of resolution (if only one sided, although i'd love helena and ramón—more helena, as we've already had a scene of ramón expressing his regrets and being almost tender with his son—show a little humility and see them make room for recognising and taking responsibility for their mistakes) for eddie diaz and the continuous psychological torment inflicted on him by his parents (helena). OR ELSE!

jfc, this silly show does not have the right to get me this riled up lol.

[bibbityboppitybillyharvgrove]

Always There - Chapter Eighteen - S.Snape

Summary: Y/N Potter was left with a baby to care for after her brother and sister-in-law were murdered by Voldemort. One person was there for her, a person she didn’t expect but soon became her comfort person, Severus Snape. During Harry’s third year at Hogwarts and her third year as Herbology professor, a few old friends come around again. Y/N has to handle the feelings of these old friends being around again as well as handle her feelings for a certain potions master all while she tries to hide these things from her godson.

Series Masterlist

My full Masterlist

Pairings: Severus Snape x Female Professor Reader, Potter!Reader x friend!Remus, Sister!Reader x James Potter, Potter!Reader x Friend!Sirius

Chapter Warnings: Female Reader, Potter Reader(No physical description of reader) probably shitty writing, Harry growing up in a loving home, mentions of Voldemort, Bellatrix Lestrange, Sirius' Death, Umbridge, Death, not proofread,

Series Warnings: Female Reader, Potter Reader (No physical description of reader) probably shitty writing, OOC Snape, Harry grows up in a loving environment, mentions of death and murder, poorly written angst, Remus is a shitty friend, poorly written pining,

Please let me know how I can improve my writing and being more inclusive to POC as I am whiter than white. Please also let me know if I have to add more to the warnings! My messages are open as well as my asks!

I am starting a taglist so leave either a comment or something in my asks if you would like to be tagged in any of my works or just this series!

Author's Note: It's been awhile but I'm back! I'm finally getting out of my writing slump! I was half asleep writing this but enjoy! Let me know if there are ANY errors!

Please let me know how I can improve or if you find any errors! Correct me, don't be afraid to! I want to improve my writing and become a better writer so any feedback or advise is welcomed!

Word Count: 1183

dividers are @firefly-graphics

My asks are open for questions, suggestions and feedback!

Feedback is welcomed and encouraged!

Enjoy!

It was a few days later meaning that it was Christmas. Arthur had been released from Saint Mungo’s and everyone was packing in at the Black house. There was almost no space around the house for everyone, the kids hiding out in Harry’s room, the twins spending most of their time in the kitchen with Severus talking about new recipes, Y/N spending her time in the living room with Remus and Sirius and the rest of the Weasley clan was doting on Arthur since his return.

Christmas came and went, as did the New Year, time felt like it was flying. Everyone was back at Hogwarts, getting ready for the start of the new term. Y/N getting her lectures and plants ready for her upcoming lessons and Severus getting his lectures and ingredients ready for his upcoming lessons. On top of his lessons he was also doing private occlumency lessons with Harry, trying to get him to close his mind to Voldemort. However, instead, Harry got a look inside of Severus’ memories. Memories that he tended to hide from himself and future wife, memories of his tormentors from Hogwarts.

“Get out,” Severus said lowly after Harry had entered his mind.

“I never knew my dad was that horrible to you Uncle Sev,” Harry admitted.

“Just please get out,” The man practically begged, “I just need a minute, okay?”

“I’m sorry.”

So Harry did as his uncle requested, he left the room and gave him the space he needed. The boy waited outside the door until Severus opened it and motioned the boy to come back in. They tried again and again but every time Severus was able to get into Harry’s mind. His memories still filled with his aunt and his friends. Happy memories had overtaken the not so happy ones. Harry had managed to get into Severus’s head once more, this time it was a flash of his Aunt’s smiling face, him as a baby in his aunt’s arms, his aunt hysterically sobbing with a crying Harry in her arms, his aunt as a teenager with a bright smile on her face. 

He wasn’t surprised to see his aunt in Severus’ memory, she was about to get married to the man but he wasn’t expecting to see the memory of his aunt sobbing with him as a baby on his uncle’s doorstep. “Uncle Sev, that memory of Aunt Y/N crying with me as a baby, how old was I?” He asked innocently.

“You were 1, she had a rough day, it was your father’s birthday, the first birthday after his death,” Severus told him, “She came to my house because you wouldn’t stop crying and she couldn’t stop crying. She needed a break for a little while just to breathe so I took you for a bit to give her room.”

“Thank you for taking care of us.”

“Of course, my boy. Off to bed, we’ll continue tomorrow.”

The term passed with little to no issue other than decree after decree, that was until Umbridge caught wind of the DA in the room of requirement. Her and her little gang of snitches found their way to the room, blowing their way through with magic. Every single student in the DA had received an Umbridge special detention. The professors first heard about Albus escaping with Fawkes and then about the mass detention given to the students. 

Her heart raced as she tried to find her nephew after the detention let out, but she couldn’t find him. “Shit!” She cursed aloud before remembering the map. She ran to her office where she kept the map stored after Harry used it to spy on her and Severus. “I solemnly swear that I’m up to no good!” She rushed out to the map. She had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. That feeling was correct because of her nephew’s name with Hermione, Ron, Umbridge and her inquisitorial squad in the dreaded toad’s office. “Mischief managed.” She shoved the map back into the desk drawer before running to Umbridge’s office. 

She arrived right after Severus did, huffing and puffing as she saw Harry being held still by one of the other students, her mind racing and not registering who it was. “He’s got Padfoot at the place where it's hidden!” Harry yelled out.

Her heart dropped once more, keeping her emotions in tact but keeping a sharp eye on her nephew. “Harry, you know you are not supposed to come in here! How dare you break into a professor’s office,” She lightly scolded the boy, he knew just by her tone that she was not upset. “Professor, go easy on them please. Harry just had a bad dream is all, they were just trying to make him feel better, right?”

“Yes ma’am,” Ron and Hermione said in unison.

“If you say so, professor. I will take care of these three.”

Y/N grabbed Severus’ hand, the couple walked out calmly before breaking out into a sprint to get to a piece of parchment, a quill and an owl. “I will head over there, send a message to the order! Be safe, I love you!” She rushed out, planting a firm but sloppy kiss to his lips before running off. Severus quickly wrote off a letter, notifying the order and the ministry of what was happening at the ministry. 

Y/N had found a working floo network, flooing into 12 Grimmauld place. To her surprise, she found Sirius and Remus making out on the couch. She awkwardly cleared her throat alerting the couple to her presence.

“Holy shit!” Sirius shouted in surprise as he threw Remus off of him and onto the floor.

“That hurt! Merlin Sirius! It’s just Y/-Wait what are you doing here? Why do you have that look on your face like something’s wrong?” Remus noticed the expression she was wearing.

“Because I think Voldemort realized the connection and used it against Harry. We need to get to the ministry before the kids get hurt! Sev already sent a letter to the rest of the order, let’s just go please!” She rushed out. The two men scrambled to get up, following her out of the house so they can apparate together. By the time they got there, Harry was surrounded by death eaters, his friends being held by even more death eaters.

“Get away from my nephew you greasy haired fuck!” She shouted at Lucius, blasting a basic cast at him.

She was then targeted by Bellatrix Lestrange, spells getting thrown at her left and right. “Expelliarmus!” She shouted, pointing her wand at the frizzy haired woman. Bellatrix protected herself from the spell before throwing one of her own.

“Crucio!” A green burst of light flew at her, getting reflected by the protego spell. The woman death eater disappeared before apparating onto a rock, throwing the killing curse at Sirius, hitting the man straight in the heart. 

“No!” She screamed, watching as her best friend fell backwards into Veil. She had watched another brother die all over again.

taglist

@acupnoodle @chxelsxaa @fluffyrat365 @fanficwriter5 @atanukileaf @jspidey5 @mija-novella @leo4242564 @crazyunsexycool @livillain00 @bigsimperika @nopedefe

[smurphyse]

Coffee Break | Spencer Reid

Series Masterlist | Smurph's Masterlist

Part 21 of Room 405

Warnings: angst, tension, awkwardness, morning sickness, blood, tears, hard conversations

Summary: You and Spencer go to the hospital with Charlie

Spencer stood by the nurses station with Hotch and JJ in the ER. The doctors had taken Charlie through the double doors and made you stay outside, and of course you'd yelled at them. A small brunette doctor had emerged from seemingly nowhere and put her hand on your shoulder, and you seemed to recognize her and relaxed. 

Miss Fierce and another dancer Spencer didn't recognize stood with you in the center of the waiting room. Even in those damned six inch heels you'd refused to sit down, instead dutifully standing guard of the doors as you waited for someone to come through. 

Your gaze never wavered, instead staring dead eyed at the entrance. You still hadn't taken off the collar, and instead nervously ran your fingers over it. Your ferocity was admirable, and Spencer knew it to be true to who you were as a person. You were focused solely on Charlie, and it hurt him in a deep place even though he respected you for it. 

His mind struggled to wrap around it. He tried to remember all the things you said about your relationship, how you were married in name only and people had a hard time understanding it. Spencer knew logically that Charlie was your life partner, not your romantic one, but seeing you so angry and terrified for another man broke his heart. 

And made him feel like a jackass. 

"Reid," Hotch's voice broke through his thoughts. A heavy hand landed on his shoulder, and when he managed to tear his eyes away from you for the first time in hours he found Hotch watching him with worry. "I need you to tell me more about your relationship with her."

Spencer ran a hand over the back of his neck and glanced at JJ. She shot an apologetic frown his way. He decided to shove his fists in his pockets and nodded. 

"We met about a year and a half ago through a mutual friend… we had an arrangement," he began. Hotch quirked a brow and JJ's eyes went wide. "It was just sex for about a year. We'd meet at a hotel and didn't know anything about each other except that."

"Were you paying her?"

"No," Spencer bristled, but Hotch gave him a look that told him to calm down. "She's not a prostitute. We both…"

Spencer groaned in embarrassment. Not because of what you did together, but because he never thought he'd have to explain this to his boss or his best friend. 

"We both used to go to this club downtown… It was a BDSM no strings attached sort of place. A former partner of mine knew she was looking for a private arrangement and so was I. She introduced us. 

"I didn't want a relationship. I just wanted some stress relief," he murmured, looking down at his shoes. He never thought this would be so hard to say out loud. "The deal was we never asked about anything outside of the room, just about sexual needs and growing that trust."

"Okay," Hotch encouraged. "There's nothing wrong with that. You're both consenting adults and you didn't break any laws."

"I knew she was married from the moment I met her but I couldn't have cared less," Spencer whispered, clamping his eyes shut. "But over time… I wanted more from her, and the night we found the body at the Nocturne, I confronted her about it. She was with me when it happened, but she left because she had an emergency."

"She's not a suspect, Spence," JJ told him seriously. "That night, I was out interviewing witnesses but she came to the station to pick up her daughter."

He nodded, "The last two months or so we've been slowly working toward a relationship. I never told her what I did for work because I thought she might question why… why we had such rough sex after what I saw every day at work. And now I know why she didn't want to tell me what she did either. I probably wouldn't have been that understanding either after seeing her on stage with… him."

"Not a lot of people would have," Hotch agreed, and JJ nodded with him. 

The clicking of heels got his attention, and Spencer looked up hopefully but instead noticed Miss Fierce making her way towards them. Her eyes were watery and red rimmed, and she gave them a weak wave as she approached. 

"Have you heard anything about Charlie?" she asked softly. 

"Not yet," Hotch answered. He pointed over at you, "How's she doing?"

"Not great, but she's staying strong," Miss Fierce answered honestly, with a bit of pride. "She's like that. She has to be everyone's rock."

She sighed and rubbed an anxious hand over one of her arms. "You have to understand, her and Charlie… They take care of us. I know what we look like to outsiders bu-."

"Even if you were the worst people in the world, we'd still be here trying to figure out what happened," Hotch interjected gently. "That's our job."

Miss Fierce nodded, "Most of us came from bad places, and she and Charlie took us all in. They own the apartments behind the club and all the performers who want to stay there live there for free. 

"A lot of us came from the streets. Drug addicts, homelessness… sex workers," she chuckled bitterly and glanced down at her clothes. "We all have the option to go back to school, and they help us get scholarships and housing. They don't want us to work at the club forever. They want us to be healthy and have the chance to live real lives."

"It's true," a voice came from behind, and they all looked over to see the petite brunette doctor from earlier. She held a clipboard in her hands and smiled at them. "I was one of the first dancers at the Nocturne. I got kicked out when I came out at sixteen and Momma found me on the streets a few years later. 

"She got me into college and medical school. She even paid for my first year of residency," she smiled even brighter. "My wife and I are expecting a little girl in October, and we're naming her after her."

She stuck out a hand for Hotch, then shook JJ's and Spencer's. "I'm Dr. Milton. Charlie's gonna be okay. He has a concussion and it looks like he took a pipe to the face. I found some paint fragments and I saved them for you."

"Thank you," Hotch told her with a smile. 

"She can go back and see him now. I'll let you take her down," Dr. Milton said softly, eyeing Spencer. She gave Miss Fierce a kiss on the cheek before turning to walk away, "See you, Donnie!"

Miss Fierce flushed and gave them a soft smile, "I'm not a queen all the time."

She gave them a wink and walked back to you and the other dancer, whispering something in her ear. They said something to you and went off toward the elevator, leaving Spencer, Hotch, and JJ watching you from a distance. 

JJ elbowed him, "Go talk to her."

He shook his head incredulously, "She doesn't want to talk to me."

Hotch shoved him squarely between the shoulder blades, making him stumble. It got your attention, and Spencer's skin broke out in goose flesh as you locked eyes. You still had blood on your hands and cardigan, looking more tired than he'd ever seen you. JJ seemed to read his mind and pressed a package of wet wipes into his palm before pushing him again your way. 

You stiffened as he came toward you, but you didn't walk away. He took that as a good sign and waved toward the chairs lining the walls. 

"C'mon, sit down," he beckoned, but you squinted at him. "Please, sweetheart."

You nodded and followed him over, sitting slowly onto the cushion. You sighed and closed your eyes, rolling your ankles and your neck in relief. Spencer held out his hand, and without a word you gave him one of yours. He held you gently by the wrist and took out a wet wipe, taking his time cleaning you off.

It felt so natural, yet so odd. Time and time again, he’d taken you into a hot bath and gently cleansed your skin, bringing you back to earth after a session. You’d relaxed into him and sighed with happiness each time, but now you sat silently as all the fight had been taken out of you.

“Charlie’s gonna be fine,” he murmured, switching to your other hand. “He has a concussion, but he’s okay.”

You let out an audible sigh of relief, closing your eyes for a moment. Your chin began to wobble and you nodded as you opened them once more. “Thank god…”

He watched as you rubbed an anxious hand over your forehead with your newly cleaned hand. He couldn’t help himself as he leaned in a bit and whispered, “Are you okay?”

A tear trickled its way down your cheek as you shook your head, “No. I’m not okay.”

He nodded, “I wouldn’t expect you to be.”

“Can I see him?” you asked quietly, your voice shaking. The way you watched him broke his heart, like you expected him to say no. As if he would ever take that away from you. 

“Of course,” he soothed softly. Spencer stood and held out a hand for you to take, “Let’s go.”

In a move that seemed to heal a broken part of him, you clasped his hand in yours and stood with him. Spencer put an arm around your shoulder and guided you through to the ICU. You leaned heavily on him, your steps faltering the more you walked. He knew you well enough to know that you were exhausted, and all he wanted to do was pick you up and cradle you close and tell you everything would be okay.

He slowed as you approached Charlie's room, giving you a quick squeeze. Spencer swallowed thickly, not wanting to piss you off but he felt like he needed to say something. 

"I'm…I'm sorry," he whispered. He wasn't completely sure what for. For his reaction? His lack of? Anything and everything that would just make you fall into his arms again? "I'm so sorry, Y/N."

You nodded, "Yeah…"

Your eyes brightened as you spotted Charlie through a window. He was sitting up in a hospital bed, his nose bandaged and his eyes bruised. He grinned wolfishly as he saw you, and in a flash you were out of Spencer's arms and on your way to his. 

"Are you okay?" you demanded as you ran in. Immediately you were poking around, checking him for further injury and cradling his face in your hands. "Do you know where you are?"

Charlie pretended to look stumped, "Mars, the year 3039."

"You're a dick," you laughed, but then you quickly burst into tears. Spencer watched through the window as Charlie wrapped his arms around you and pulled you onto the bed. 

He was the outsider looking into your life. Without you, Spencer had nothing. No kids, no house, no wife. Without him, you had all of those things in Charlie. 

"I'm okay, baby," he murmured against your hair, clutching you tightly. "It's gonna be okay."

Hotch and JJ stepped up next to him, and JJ elbowed him again. "We still have to question him."

He nodded and followed them into the room, feeling like he didn't belong and should probably wait outside. Charlie locked eyes with him as he held you, rubbing a hand over your back to soothe you. He brushed back your hair to get your attention, and pulled up to watch him with teary eyes. 

Charlie smiled at you, "Are the kids okay?"

You nodded, "They're with Corinne. Miss Fierce told her not to tell them anything until I called."

He jutted his chin toward the door, "Why don't you go do that while I talk to the cops?"

You turned to see them standing there, looking so dreadfully lost and scared. It took everything Spencer had not to join and hold you too. You nodded at Charlie and got up from the bed with shaking legs, then made your way out of the room without another look back. 

"Is it okay if Dr. Reid stays?" Hotch asked lightly, but he stood just in front of Spencer as if to protect him. 

Charlie locked eyes with Spencer, "Are you comfortable staying?"

Spencer swallowed thickly and glanced out the window at you. You held your cell to your ear as you rubbed your forehead nervously, tapping your foot. He wanted nothing more than to hold your hand while you did so, but he knew he shouldn't. You needed space. 

"No. But I will if that's alright with you."

Charlie turned to look at you for a moment, his brows furrowing in concern. You were pacing a bit as you spoke on the phone, but when you caught him looking at you you gave him a smile and a wave. He waved back and nodded at Spencer. 

"Can you tell me what happened?" Hotch asked, pulling out a notepad. 

"Uh, I remember talking to you guys in the office. Then Miss Fierce said somebody was bothering Tessa by the bathrooms," Charlie began slowly. "She wasn't out there when I got downstairs, so I went into the bathroom to check."

Charlie winced and absentmindedly touched his swollen nose. "I saw a guy on the floor and he was bleeding. I thought Tessa might be hurt, and she was who I was more worried about, so I was going to check the stalls but then something came at me. I remember the pain, but then I blacked out."

"You didn't see who hit you?" JJ asked. 

Charlie shook his head, "I just saw something dark swinging at me."

He cocked his head, "Is Tessa okay?"

"We have people at the scene. I didn't see anyone else in the bathroom, but I'll have them check on her."

Charlie nodded, then checked once more to make sure you were still on the phone outside. You were back to pacing and talking quietly. He took a deep breath and looked straight at Spencer. 

"We're not together, y’know?" he said pointedly, ignoring Hotch and JJ. "Not like that."

"She told me," Spencer replied, but his voice wavered and Charlie picked right up on it. 

"But I'm never going to be gone from her life. Even if this thing with me and Corrinne goes well and we take it to the next step, Y/N and I will always be partners."

Spencer hadn't known about Charlie and this Corrinne woman, but he was glad to know. His eyes blazed, but not in a bad way. Spencer could see nothing but love and devotion from Charlie for you. It wasn't possessive, or jealous. It just was, and it made his heart feel fifteen pounds lighter. 

Spencer nodded sagely, grateful to your husband in a way he never really thought possible. "I understand."

You stepped into the room then, still typing away on your phone, not noticing Spencer and Charlie watching one another. You looked up just as they both finally glanced away, flashing a nervous smile, "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," Charlie replied, "is Corrinne bringing the girls?"

You nodded happily, "And Kinzie. They'll be here soon."

"Hey, you think you can get me a coffee?" Charlie asked nonchalantly. "Maybe some for the agents too since they'll be here for a while?"

Hotch and Spencer shared a look, as neither had said anything about staying. Charlie seemed to have made that decision for them. 

"Oh, sure," you said softly, a bit unsure. Charlie gave Spencer a pointed look, his eyes flicking back and forth between you and him. 

Spencer nodded as he understood, turning to you, "Do you want some help?"

"Sure."

You walked slowly with Spencer down to the cafeteria. He made sure to keep a space in between you, just out of reach. The closest he'd been was when he cleaned your hands and brought you to Charlie's room, and you wanted him to touch you. The distance was killing you, and he was too far away but too close as he had been all night. 

He didn't say anything, just kept his hands shoved in his pockets. He glanced over, so you did too but he looked away and took in a sharp breath. You couldn't take it anymore, so as you passed a maintenance closet you reached out and grabbed him by the lapels of his shirt. 

Dragging him inside, Spencer let out a surprised yelp. You pushed him against a shelf in the small room and shut the door behind you. There wasn't much room to move around, and you found yourself chest to chest with him. 

He stared down at you with a furrowed brow, "Y/N, what the hell-?"

Your body reacted on instinct, and you flung your arms over his shoulders in an instant, pulling him into a tight hug. After overcoming his shock, Spencer slowly wrapped his arms around you. He held you so tight you thought for a moment you might suffocate in his chest, but then you decided that would be a wonderful way to go. 

Before you knew it, you were sobbing against his shirt. Spencer petted your hair with one hand, the other running soothing lines up and down your back. 

"I'm here, sweetheart," he whispered tearfully. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

All the tension and fight left your body at his words, and you collapsed in a fit of tears and relief. Spencer held you together as he began to cry too, clinging to you like you were the only thing left in the world. 

"I should have told you," you blubbered like a child, fat tears dripping down your cheeks. "I should have just told you!"

"No, no," Spencer said firmly. He pulled away enough to cup your face in his hands. His eyes burned into yours. "We said we were going to take our time with all of this… I meant that. I'm so sorry it happened this way."

You shook your head, "Spencer, my past… I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to leave. I thought when you found out about my job now, you'd find out about before. And then you said to act natural like you didn't want anyone to know-."

"I don't care," he stopped you. His thumbs rubbed along your cheekbones, and he leaned his forehead against yours. "You'll tell me when you're ready. I'm sorry about that. I was just trying to not mess up your act. I could tell you were enjoying yourself before you saw me."

You watched him pleadingly. He couldn't possibly mean that. "Spencer, but you don't know."

"Because of my job, I didn't want to tell you. I didn't want you to question my intentions in our safe place. Sweetheart, you don't think I have my own shit to hide? " Spencer asked incredulously. "Where would I even start?"

He pulled back to count on his hand, "Dead girlfriend. I've been shot multiple times, and tortured. I used drugs for over a year. I was falsely accused of murder and sent to prison for three months, and-."

"What?" you asked wildly. Spencer swiped a stressed hand over his face and nodded. 

"My point is, we've both lived lives apart from the other." Spencer panted as he watched you, almost begging with his eyes. "I fucking love you, okay? I want your life to be my life, and vice versa. We can move on from our pasts together."

Every bit of pain you'd felt that night seemed to dissipate with his words, his touch, his very being. You were sure just a few hours ago that your Spencer was gone, replaced by someone who would want nothing to do with you. But here he was. Here he stayed. 

"I love you too," you replied tearfully. 

Stepping up on your tiptoes, you pressed your lips to his. Spencer let out a sigh of relief as he kissed you back, his hands coming up to cup your face once more. Your lips were meant for his, slotting together perfectly. 

As always, Spencer got himself riled up quickly, his hands trying to wander under your shirt. It was a bodysuit, though, and he growled in irritation when he couldn't touch your skin. 

"What the fuck is this?" he asked lowly, and you couldn't help but chuckle. He pulled back a bit and laughed with you. "Sorry. I know it's not the time or the place for this."

His fingers looped under your collar. Even as angry as you'd been earlier you couldn't bring yourself to take it off. His nails scratched lightly at the sensitive skin of your throat, "I thought for a few hours I'd never get to kiss you again…and seeing you with this collar…"

You couldn't help but bite your lip, struggling not to smile devilishly. "It's okay… but we really shouldn't. I have to get back to Charlie."

The drop of his face was instantaneous and painful. He pulled back and a hot jolt went straight through your heart. You reached out and grabbed his hand, sliding it over your throat. His palm was hot as he rested it lightly over the collar, careful not to squeeze. 

His eyes were so wide and hopeful, so beautiful. He truly was a stunning human being. Your brain struggled to push aside his confessions of prison and drug use, of being hurt because of his job. What would it mean for your child that all of those things had happened to him? All of those horrible things happened to you, though, so you had to convince yourself at that moment that it would not affect his ability to be a good father. Not him. Not your Spencer.

“I trust you,” you whispered, pressing your fingers to the back of his hand. Spencer’s fingers curled lightly around your throat, and he nodded slowly. His thumb rubbed lightly over your jugular as your voice broke. “We have a lot to talk about, but not now. I have to take care of my family, and then we can talk.”

Stepping up on your tiptoes, you kissed him. As always, your lips slotted perfectly against his, because they were made to. His warmth encompassed you, surrounded you with safety as he held you close by your neck, the other arm wrapping around your waist. It wasn’t sexual, but not in the way it was with Charlie. It was a pure, loving embrace, soaking you with attention and devotion in a time of need.

When he pulled away, you could tell he was choking back tears. There were so many things you wanted to tell him, but not the pregnancy. Not yet. You had to make sure the baby was safe before doing so, that Charlie was squared away and Tulip too.That there were no other surprises.

Spencer walked you down to the cafeteria to get the coffees, and carried them upstairs for you. You insisted on holding your own, but he refused, instead holding a carrier of four cups in one hand and yours in the other. 

As you approached Charlie's room, you spotted a gaggle of little girls and an exhausted looking Corrinne coming down the opposite side of the hall. She lugged Poppy on one hip as she held Kinzie's hand, the twins holding hers in a makeshift child chain link. 

"Are you okay?" she blurted worriedly as she saw you, and you couldn't help but start running down the hall to your friend and your kids. Your heels clicked down the tile floor as you tore away from Spencer, and he was completely out of your mind once you saw your children. It was your motherly instinct. Nobody mattered but them, not even Charlie, not even with all this fear.

For once, Daisy wasn’t buried in a book, and she bolted straight for you before anyone else noticed. Your sweet second child who became too cool for you this year and more focused on her studies became your little girl again as she held out her arms for you. She hit your chest like a bullet, terrified tears bursting from her as she hugged you for dear life.

“It’s okay, baby,” you told her tearfully, but you clung to her like a lifeline. “Daddy’s okay.”

Your other girls seemed to notice, and all of a sudden you were being grabbed and hugged on all sides by your babies. They all started crying and babbling, asking about Charlie, quickly overwhelming you with their cries. The events of the night were already so much, and with them crying and clinging to you all you wanted to do was fall to your knees and sob with them.

“Charlie’s in that room,” you heard Spencer pipe up, but when you looked he was pointedly speaking with Corrinne. Your girls quieted and looked to where he was pointing, and in an instant they all left you to run to their father. All but Tulip.

“Go take care of him,” you reassured Corrinne, who was watching Spencer warily. Spencer stepped forward with the coffees, handing them to her. “These are for Charlie and the agents.” 

He took his out of the holder and held yours as Corrinne went to Charlie. You could hear him telling them to be careful with his sweet dad voice, and Corrinne reiterating it gently. Tulip held onto your waist, pressing her face in your chest even though she was nearly taller than you now. You held her so tight, as though you were sure she would float away if you let go, and surprisingly your teenager didn’t pull away with you hugging her in public.

“He’s okay, honey,” you whispered. You brushed your fingers through her hair, the one child that looked exactly like you. The others of course shared your features, but it brought you a strange pride that your oldest and the one who went through so much with you had the best parts of you in her. 

She had your strength, of course more than you’d ever had. She had your eyes, your hair, your skin tone even, but she was far more beautiful than you could ever be. She even had your laugh, but again, it was more precious and sweeter to hear.

“Is everything okay?” Aaron’s voice came as you held your crying daughter.  He stepped out of the room with JJ to give Charlie and Corrinne some space with the girls. Even Kinzie joined in hugging Charlie, and it warmed your heart to see. 

You were even happy JJ was there. Though she'd pissed you off the day you met her, Spencer had told you a bit about her in the cafeteria and over the phone. You knew how much she meant to him and how protective she was, and he deserved to have that in his life. 

"We're okay. Right?" you asked Tulip, trying to get her to look at you. She pulled away, sniffling hard, and nodded. It broke your heart when she turned to Aaron and spoke. 

"Is this my fault?" 

Your motherly instinct rocketed through you once more, and you turned her back to you sharply, holding her face in your hands. Your eyes blazed, boring into hers, "This is not your fault. Why would you think that?"

Tulip shrugged pitifully, "Did the woman who hurt that man hurt daddy? Did she do it because I'm his daughter?"

Your jaw dropped, mostly because you hadn't thought about that. You just assumed someone tried to hurt Tessa and when Charlie came to help they needed to get him out of the way to run. It never occurred to you that this could be a part of the case they were working on. 

You turned to Spencer, who sucked in an awkward breath. Hotch stepped around you and got down on one knee, holding out a hand for Tulip to take. She did, and you knew it was because she had more faith in the police than you did. She didn't know what her father did to you. 

"This has nothing to do with you, okay?" he told her softly, his warm eyes gentle just for her. "You did nothing wrong."

"Then why are you here?" Tulip asked. It was always hard to remember that she wasn't a little girl anymore, and it hit you like a freight train each time you realized she was becoming a woman. And now it hit you again, because she saw right through you.

Aaron nodded and chuckled a bit at her sharp wit. "We don't know if it was the same person, but we're going to do our best to figure it out."

"I'm not a little kid," she replied bitterly, and you couldn't help but rub your forehead with the stress of this. "You can tell me the truth."

"You are a kid-," you began, but Aaron spoke over you. 

"I know I can, so I am. We talked to your dad, but we just don't know right now."

"Are we safe?" 

The question again stunned you all, and your breathing picked up as panic began to course through you. If this wasn't an isolated incident, that meant that the killer had been at your club, that they could have been there any night since the murder. They could have talked to your kids…your husband…you.

Spencer's hand landed gently on your shoulder, and he pushed the coffee cups into your palms to give you something else to focus on. They were hot in your palms, but they grounded you, kept you from going into a full panic attack in front of your children. 

"Tulip, my name's Spencer. I've heard a lot about you," he said with a small smile. He held out his hand for Tulip to shake, and she did. You knew she appreciated being treated like an adult, but she was your baby. 

Spencer looked to you for approval, and you found yourself slowly nodding, but it was stiff. He turned back to Tulip, "Nothing is going to happen to you or your family. I promise we're going to do everything we can to find this woman, and whoever hurt your dad."

"Are you in the FBI too?" she asked slowly, a bit unsure of him. She hadn't met him before, and like you she was always wary of strangers. "Like Aaron?"

Spencer nodded, "I am."

"Why?" she asked, sharper this time. "Why would you want to see all that awful stuff all the time?"

Spencer thought about that for a moment, chancing a glance at you. You were curious, too, not even sure you wanted to hear the answer. 

"Because I don't want to see it all the time," he decided, giving her an open and honest look. "I hate it. I want to stop it, so my job is to find these people and put them away forever."

Tulip seemed satisfied with his answer, and so were you. It fit him, you found, this fiercely protective man you'd fallen in love with. He was a good person, and you knew that deep down, but hearing such a candid confession made you a bit brave. 

"Aaron and Spencer are going to come by and talk to you tomorrow," you told her smoothly, but both Spencer and Aaron were clearly shocked. "They'll come by for breakfast, if that's okay with you."

She nodded, so you waved one of your hands towards Charlie’s hospital room, “Go see your dad.”

Tulip did as she was told, running into Charlie’s open arms even though he had all the other girls crawling all over him. He held her tightly, kissing the top of her head and breathing in her scent. His eyes focused on you for a moment, giving you a tilt of his head in question. You nodded to let him know you were okay, so he focused back on the children.

“Are you sure you want this?” JJ asked, finally speaking up. She seemed uncomfortable, frightened of saying the wrong thing to you after your first encounter. “Someone else can come talk to her. We have another agent, Emily, who is just as qualified.” “I met her,” you told her, handing Spencer his coffee cup. “She was there when I told Agent Hotchner what I was going to do with his tie.”

Aaron touched his tie self consciously at the memory, which gave you some satisfaction. You met Spencer’s gaze with fire in your eyes, hoping he knew just how serious you were.

“I’m trusting you with this,” you spoked measuredly. You wanted him to know if anything went wrong you wouldn’t hesitate to kill him and everyone in his unit. Whether you’d really do that or not, even you couldn’t be sure. “That’s my little girl, and I swear to god if this doesn’t help her I am going to burn down the FBI building.” “Are you threatening a federal institution?” Aaron asked, a bit hesitant, but still his stern self. 

“Absolutely,” you replied coolly.

“Okay,” he nodded, turning to Spencer. He set a heavy hand on his shoulder, “I believe her, and I approve.” He and JJ moved off to talk to some of the doctors, leaving you with just Spencer. He jerked his head for you to follow him away from the sight of the window, your husband and your children. You followed, and he took your coffee and set it on a table to the side. 

Spencer brushed back a stray strand of hair, stepping close. He seemed hesitant, licking his lips before speaking. 

"Are you sure about this?"

You nodded, "I am. I want this to be over."

Spencer swallowed thickly, "and us?"

You took a step toward him, pressing your palms flat against his chest. His hand cupped your jaw as he watched you with obvious worry, clenching his teeth tightly. 

"We have a lot to talk about," you murmured, thinking of the baby in your belly. You weren't even sure how far along you were, but you weren't ready to tell him. This needed to be done first. You both needed a clear head. 

You sighed, "I want my kids safe. I want Charlie and Corrinne and Kinzie safe… I want you safe. This has to be finished before we can really move forward, Spencer."

He nodded slowly, "I know. I agree, even though all I want right now is to take you home and hold you all night. When this is done, I'll be here."

"I hope you understand," you told him quietly, tears welling in your eyes. You leaned into his warmth and sniffled. "I have to take care of my family. I can't think of anything else right now."

"Sweetheart, I understand," he insisted softly. Spencer leaned in and pressed his forehead to yours like he had so many times before. "I told you that I love you. I mean it. I told you that I love your family, that I want to be a part of it. I mean it. I will be here when this is done. I'm not going anywhere."

You sniffled again, your chin wobbling with tears you didn't want to shed. You were so scared, terrified beyond belief. It wasn't just your heart in danger, it could be all of your family. Spencer wasn't just your bed partner anymore. Now he was your protector, too. Between him and Charlie, you knew you were safe, and so were your kids and the people at the club. But you needed proof. You needed to be sure before you let yourself fall back into the fantasy of your potential future. 

"You promise?" you asked shakily. He held you up when all you wanted was to fall to your knees and break into a million pieces. 

Spencer pressed a kiss to the tip of your nose, again like he'd done so many times before. It held the same emotion, the same devotion, as it always had.

"You're trusting me with this," he whispered, but it held strength and confidence you hadn't seen all night. Now that he knew he had you, that you weren't leaving either, your Spencer was back. 

"I promise."

Notes: I'd really like to know how you're feeling about the story/what you're liking about it. I know it's been a long time since it started, but I could use the encouragement <3

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[yanderederee]

AntagonizeThyCaptain,

May18th, 2004

a/n: Baji might be a liiiittle ooc, but I like the idea of exploring that he is a 14y/o boy with emotions and he is allowed to feel them:(

Before! › here! › after!

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯✦

The door slammed open with an aggressive thud, announcing the pair of delinquents had made it home safely.

“Finally! You’re too slow!” The mother of the house, Ryoko, yelled in greeting.

“Whatever.”

Everyone had froze at the unexpected reply, spoken with such depth and looked away, aiming straight for the kitchen to bring in his half of the groceries.

Ryoko almost blew her lid, but before she could scold Keisuke for the unnecessary attitude he gave her, Chifuyu signaled exaggeratedly for her to let it go.

Finding this unusual, Ryoko rose a brow, and grumbled about him being a brat under her breath. You, friend and tutor to Keisuke, seated on a floor pillow that you’d taken a particular fondness towards, also grew an expression of concern when the mood became awkward.

Chifuyu had accidentally set off a landmine before they entered the apartment, that of which being the reason for their tardy.

He gave a sympathetic smile, before following Keisuke into the kitchen to drop off the groceries.

“Keii~ bring me a cold beer when you get in here!” Mama Baji hollered across the room to reach him. “Fine,” he grunted in reply, but seemed to have cooled off from whatever was bothering him.

Definitely hearing the first syllable of your name being called, and suddenly shut down, you perked up suspiciously.

Keisuke always asked if you wanted sometime from the kitchen before making his way to the tv.

He’d ask like it was natural to get you both something.

Why had Keisuke stopped himself from asking?

Was it because Chifuyu was also home?

It hadn’t deterred him from asking the past few weeks, since your first meeting of the blond delinquent.

Sure, if you’d really wanted something, it wouldn’t have been out of the ordinary for you to shout for him either, but it was the principle. He specifically didn’t ask you.

He’s in a prickly mood, you reasoned, looking down trying to hide your disappointment. But it did have something to do with you, right? The reason he was being harsh?

There was only person he was actively ignoring in the room, though.

Keisuke, true to his word, he’s thumped harshly into the living room, handing a visibly cold beer to the only adult in the house. Fiddling with your fingers, you tried to hide your overthinking with being focused on cleaning your cuticles. You couldn’t notice how he was also purposefully avoiding looking in your direction.

But Chifuyu did.

Reminiscing in memories made only half an hour ago, Chifuyu glared at the black haired boy.

﴾❀﴿

Conversation on the way home from grocery shopping made its way to Chifuyu asking,

“Is there a reason why you’re keeping a secret about your relationship with y/n?”

“She isn’t my girlfriend, moron. Wasn’t hiding nothin,” he’d replied with his usual vigor. “Had I known you’d be so annoying about it I probably would have.”

“Wait, you and Y/n aren’t dating?”

“Y/n ain’t that kinda girl, dumbass.” Baji glared down at him, but Chifuyu knew him by now—-he could see how he was trying to hide the smidge of hurt the question brought.

“She’s too good to get wrapped up in Toman.” Baji soon evened out his voice, pained thoughts seeming to have been recalled.

“She’s already been through enough. The closer she is to me, the more danger she’s in. I can’t stomach the thought.”

“But you like her, right?” Chifuyu asked longer.

“Doesn’t matter if I do or not,” Baji sighed, irritation growing. “It’s for her own damn good.”

Both went a little quiet on the walk home.

“But seriously, she’s, like, too good to let pass by, yaknow?”

Chifuyu meant it as more encouragement, that he should just go for it. However, Baji obviously took it much, much differently. That was apparent on his facial expression of mild shock. As though instead, Baji had heard Chifuyu say, “so, she’s perfect girlfriend material and available, who’d pass that up?”

Keisuke didn’t typically overthink things, hell, he didn’t think a good part of his life. But at that moment, overwhelmed with the stress of the situation, he’d imagined Chifuyu, courting you easily with his good looks and shojo manga knowledge.

Chifuyu was a good guy, about the best Baji could hope for someone like you.

Baji was an idiot, who hurt those around him. Shinichiro and Kazutora were enough.

If he hurt you too…

Well… at least you can cling to Chifuyu.

Baji’s expression vague and void. He knew it would be better to support you instead. Yet, why did the thought make his blood boil? Why does it feel like he just got a cold bucket or water poured over him?

Unfamiliar to it all, all Baji could reply with was,

“… Go for it.

You’d probably be better for her anyway.”

﴾❀﴿

Chifuyu groaned at his friend’s stupidity. Fine, he reasoned. If Baji’s going to be a brat about his feelings, he’s going to have to force it out of him.

He thought to start small… “Y/nnchann~ I brought you some juice, and I got these new chips, wanna try some?” Chifuyu gleamed, two glasses of juice and a bag of chips under his arm.

Keisuke glared at his beaming friend.

Did he seriously not have the decency to wait a day before he started flirting with you ?

You blinked wide eyes, a little taken aback at the thoughtful gesture. “O-oh!! Thank you!” You’d accepted the juice with a genuinely kind smile.

Thats right. You were kind. You were gentle, and caring. Keisuke knew all of these things the same exact day he met you, and solidified the day you cried when saving the injured kitten you were cuddling up next to now. Chifuyu was thoughtful, outwardly enthusiastic, and loyal. Chifuyu knew how to make you smile. Keisuke attempted to keep his cool, thinking these thoughts on repeat.

Chifuyu sat next to you, though the space was purposely left open, Keisuke reminded himself. “Wasn’t sure if I should get chicken and waffles, or pickle flavor, but Baji hit me and said I shouldn’t have got either!” Chifuyu complained, opening the bag of something unfamiliar. “He said these were good though, so I got them!”

“Really?~ I’ve never seen these before.” You grinned, instinctively looking to give a teasing glance to your friend, only to feel your heart squeeze when he continued to actively ignore you.

He really is being a brat! Everyone in the room thought.

Chifuyu huffed. Fine. Be a brat.

“Neither had I. Here, try one.” Chifuyu offered, holding a chip out to you. You went to grab it, but he pulled back with a teasing grin, “ahh,” he sounded, mouth wipe. You laughed, and followed his motion to try the new chip.

It was best to try and pretend everything was normal, so as to not upset the balance of the room even more, after all. “Mm!! It’s like a yakisoba kind of flavor!” You mused all starry eyed at Chifuyu.

Baji’s side glance betrayed him, as he angrily realized how cute you were, again.

“Right? Makes me want the real thing though.” He smiled and looked over at Baji’s mother. “Can I make one?” Ryoko shrugged. “Go for it, there’s two left.”

In reply, Chifuyu stood up and went to make the dried noodles. Baji perked up, he’d be damned if he didn’t admit he too was craving his favorite food. “Let’s split it, ‘kay, Y/nnchin?”

Baji almost gasped at how outright betrayed he was. Meaning to yell out against Chifuyu, instead, he gave a empty glare, distracting himself with the TV again. Ryoko quietly rose her eyebrows and took a sip of her beer, ‘ohhh boy~’

Your stomach betrayed you before you could deny the offer, lunch was forever ago and with the taste of Yakisoba literally on your tongue, you couldn’t lie. “Sure!”

Watching the two of you sharing noodles was actually almost his breaking point. Sharing noodles was Chifuyu and his thing, and cause you never noticed things like ‘indirect kissing’, Chifuyu excitedly fed you with his own chopsticks every other bite, instead of the half and half he usually would.

·:*¨༺✮༻¨*:·

Baji’s sour attitude kept itself up the rest of the night, but never outwardly made comments about it. Chifuyu was entertaining you and Ryoko just fine on his own, flirting a little here, playing innocent there.

If it came down to genuine flirting for his own game, Chifuyu would be a mess of nerves, but pretending to flirt was so much easier, simply going through the motions.

Though it did help that his actual crush on you made the task a little easier. Your smile only made him the more excited, and the way you quipped back like how you would with Baji made him feel all the more special.

You made him feel special, by treating him the same as you would Baji, and not like his subordinate.

…

“Well, it is pretty late, yaknow? Probably best if I started on my way home!” You faked a yawn, at the measly hour of 9pm. “Whaaaaa, but I like when you stay late on weekends~” Ryoko hiccuped in protest, earning an affectionate hug from the you. “Sorry Ryoko, but I have more work than usual I need to get to.” You politely excused yourself, quickly gathering what little you’d brought with you back from school.

“Pooo~ well, Kei, get your shoes on.” Ryoko yawned,

“I’m too tired, Chifuyu, mind taking her?” Baji interrupted his mother with what looked to be an attempt of a casual excuse.

Ryoko nearly knocked him up side the head for talking back, but too quick to the punch, Chifuyu gave a solid, “Sure.”

It wasn’t like him to say no, but that quickly, and while looking Baji in the eye like that? Like he’d got him to admit defeat. Oh, he did Not like that look. He wanted to raise his voice. What’s up your ass, trying to pick a fight? He’d glared, very clearly.

But again, like he had all night, he shrugged. “Thaaaanks.” And with that he closed the door to his bedroom. The silence was loud as the three of them stood in shock.

Had no one known Baji, it would have seemed like an innocent encounter. But this was not, like Baji.

You swallowed thickly, certain now that you was the thorn in his side. “Ah, don’t worry bout it Chi! It’s not a far walk, so I’ll make it just fine!” You forced out a laugh, pacing toward the door within seconds. Before he could object and follow you out, the door was already gently shut.

Chifuyu and Ryoko remained dumbfounded. What the hell happened?

“W-wait! Damnit.. “ sending a quick glance over his shoulder to the only closed door in the apartment, he was tempted to yell out ‘The hell’s your problem?’ , but Chifuyu already knew that it was himself that was the problem.

Without another word, Chifuyu clumsily thew on his shoes, and ran out the door, slamming in reply.

Ryoko let out a heavy, audible sigh, one that Keisuke knew all too well. He could hear her loud and clear, he was still stuck to the back of his door after all.

Keisuke groaned, sliding down the door. Slowly the footsteps he’s heard his whole life began getting louder, until a thump landed outside his door, and an equal force was against the door. She’d say with Kei like this many, many times before now.

“What happened?”

She asked, no anger.

Shifting his gaze from the window to his hands, he’d almost rubbed them raw fidgeting with them.

“… it’s none of your business.” He whispered, unable to fake any malice against his own mother. Not when he was too exhausted and confused.

“It’s only a matter of time before someone came along, yaknow.” Ryoko signaled. Kei scowled, looking another direction yet again. “Whats that mean?”

“It means,” Ryoko reiterated back to him. “If you’re serious about staying by that girl’s side, you’re going to have to be honest eventually.”

“Honest?… How am I supposed to do that? She’d be a target! It’s not like I can always protect her, if something happened—!” Keisuke didn’t realize how loud he’d been until his room started echoing back at him. Why was he getting so emotional? How come his eyes were burning, crying? Jesus, how pathetic. He couldn’t handle it anymore.

Giving into the feeling he felt himself finally let the tears run on their own. “She…. She deserves better than a punk without a future...” He squeaked out, his clutched hands squeezing harder, his head falling onto them. His sniffles could be heard by the older women.

She’d known that something like this was bound to happen. He may have been sincere, but he was still a fool after all.

“Don’t be stupid Kei,” Ryoko sighed, opening the door unexpectedly. Keisuke tensed up immediately, frozen in place. “You are good.” She smiled, crouching to hold her son.

“I should know, I raised you after all.” She laughed. “I don’t know what happened exactly, but this isn’t how Baji’s handle things, is it?”

Keisuke scoffed quietly, rolling his eyes, yet, he felt a little better. “This is different.” He grumbled.

“Is it? Hmmm…” she’d hummed, trying to think of the genius idea she always had in these moments. “Well, what kind of team in Toman? One to be embarrassed of? Feared? Why are you feared? Because you’re strong. The difference is that when one of Your guys gets hurt…”

She left her sentence to draw, knowing exactly how he was thinking, now.

Keisuke left it in the air for seconds before he sighed. “We come after you with everything we’ve got.”

The apartment grew quiet, til Ryoko broke it again. “Y/n has a good heart. She’ll understand how you boys get along. Don’t underestimate her too quickly.”

“But what if…” he whispered, the thoughts of your cold husk—

“Kei.” Ryoko metaphorically slapped him out of his head. “If you break that poor girl’s heart cause you’re scared, fine. At least apologize to her.”

“But really, Kei, be honest with her. I know you’re strong enough to protect her. If not you, than who?”

After a few seconds of consideration, Keisuke seemed to make up his mind. “Geez, lecturing me like I’m a damn kid,” he’s sighed, giving a weak smile, tears gone.

“Hey, it’s my job.” His mother shrugged, standing to her full height, and yawned. “Now, make sure she gets home safe. If you catch her in time, apologize, understood?” She’d ordered, a knowing nod following her reply. Gifting a rare quick hug to his mother, he made it to the front door in only a few quick paces.

[imaginedanvrs]

my demon gave me everything

part 9 l masterlist

summary: dark!natasha romanoff x reader. Natasha Romanoff saves the world. Morals, lifestyle and past aside, the fact is that she puts her life on the line for everyone else. And for this, she believes she’s owed something. She saves billions of lives on the regular, so why not take the occasional one for herself?

word count: 2.2k

warnings: established kidnapping, physical and psychological abuse, power dynamics, manipulation, amputation, developing stockholm syndrone

Things turn into a blur after Natasha came back. She continued to routinely feed you light meals she prepared and plenty of fluids. Everytime she did it ended with her having to be insistent that you finish what she gave you as your appetite remained stubbornly poor. Between that and cleaning your ankle, Natasha put on different shows for you to watch on the TV she had brought into the room. The redhead always asked what you wanted but you rarely answered, unable to focus long enough to decide on something. Luckily for you, Natasha had looked back at your Netflix history and knew about the shows you pirated too so she was always able to pick something you liked for you. On the days you were particularly unresponsive, Natasha would put a documentary on instead as to have something in the background. She enjoyed those too and your comfort shows were starting to grow on her. 

  The record player was back too and one time Natasha put a disk on an album you used to listen to until you asked her to put her own music back on. You thought about the music you used to enjoy and found yourself uninterested in any of it, even the songs you listened to on loop before Natasha took you. For the time being, you wanted her music instead. The redhead liked that a lot. She had been tempted to put on some of her favourite movies but knew you were in no state to appreciate new visual media so she left it for a later time. All the more reason to get you better, she had thought to herself numerous times. 

  Mostly though, Natasha held you. She had you tucked up into her chest below her chin closer than she had before, as though she actually wanted the contact as much as you did. You tried not to entertain the idea, but it proved hard when you realised you could hear her heartbeat going a little faster than it used to. Perhaps you were just imagining things. You barely spoke a word to one another. There was so much yet so little to say that you both decided to settle with the comfortable silence that often filled the space.

  Your fever was eventually under control and your hallucinations ended, but Natasha couldn’t deny that there was no improvement in your ankle. She had been giving you the maximum dosage of the medication, all the right meals and drinks and ensured the area was always clean. She had encouraged all the undisturbed rest she could yet nothing changed. 

  Unfortunately, it was too little too late. One inspection from Strange told Natasha that your foot, and in fact the entire left leg beneath your knee, was unsalvageable. “Our choices are to amputate or let her die,” Strange said simply, never seeing the point in sugar coating news of that nature. 

  You were muttering something inaudible in your sleep as Natasha and Strange watched from the other side of the room. Your infection had spread and your bones were too damaged to respond to antibiotics if they were given again. Your cells had been eroded beyond what could be repaired and only left the redhead with two options. 

  “Are Banner and Stark at the tower?” Natasha asked after watching you fall unconscious again. 

  “They’re not surgeons, Romanoff,” Strange said firmly, knowing what the widow was applying. 

  “Is that a yes?” The Russian continued.

  “Yes,” he said after a beat.

  “Okay then,” she started as she came over to you and gently picked you up bridal style. Your eyes shot open at the motion and you gave the weakest cry Natasha had ever heard. Fortunately, the intense burning in your leg was enough to drag you back away from consciousness again. “Take us there,” the redhead instructed, leaving no room for arguing.

  Strange begrudgingly opened a portal right into the middle of Tony’s lab where the scientist stood with his arms raised in protest at the intrusion. He frowned once he caught sight of you and dropped his latest ironman helmet to inspect the scene before him. Natasha placed you down on the cleanest looking table as Strange began to explain to Tony what needed doing. The redhead didn’t hear them entirely because you were waking up and Natasha was more focused on ensuring you stayed asleep. She applied two fingers to the underside of your skull and pressed inwards enough for your body to become limp once more. 

  “Nice to finally meet one of them,” Stark quipped as he came over to inspect your leg out of curiosity. Natasha contained herself to a glare the scientist’s way. 

  “You have something to replace that leg with?” Natasha asked. 

  “I’ll be able to have U make something up, but we’re gonna need a clean cut.” Tony explained. Strange tusked and began rambling that a surgical amputation was far better than a straight one, but Natasha still didn’t want any hospitals involved and knew they wouldn’t be able to provide the same kind of replacement that Stark could. 

  “Do it, and I want the rest of them kept out of this,” Natasha said as she nodded to the door. Not all the Avengers were on the same wavelength as those in that room and the redhead didn’t feel like enduring the lecture that would come with them finding you. Tony nodded and ordered a lockdown of the lab as he wheeled the table over to a more contained area that he would be able to leave you in with U to reduce contamination and collected a small needle to ensure you stayed asleep for the next few hours.

  “Thanks,” Natasha nodded to Strange without meeting his eye, knowing exactly what he was making of the scene he had been called to. He nodded back without a word, knowing it best to keep his thoughts to himself for the time being and made his swift exit back to the Sanctum just as Tony sealed the doors on the containment room. The redhead watched on as Tony looked away as U produced a rotating saw and steadily brought it down on your infected limb. 

  The machine worked steadily and precisely in building and attaching a new leg to you. Natasha watched on the entire time to see the process and also ensure you were staying in your drug induced sleep. Tony didn’t make any more remarks for the next couple hours, recognising the look on Natasha’s face that told him he’d regret it if he did. He was naturally made curious by the encounter, knowing only the brief outline of what Natasha got up to in her own apartment. He, Strange and Fury were the only ones who knew of it, just as the Russian knew of some of the practices they got up to in their own time. The four had a mutual understanding that was necessary to keep things under wraps in a worst case scenario. 

  After several long hours, U was done. The results were…impressive. Natasha examined the false leg with interest, tracing her fingers over the fleshy material and finding it to hardly differ to the real thing. The ‘muscles’ didn’t relax like they would organically and there were several freckles missing. All in all, it was perfect. The redhead wondered how you would respond to it and whether or not she should even tell you at all. Tony informed her that you would likely know anyway because despite your own doubts, you did know your own body.

*

You woke up in a bathtub filled almost to the brim with water. The surface was mostly covered with a thin layer of bubbles, as though someone had added bubblebath to it at the beginning but not enough to make the heaps last long. It was only when you went to put your head back, suddenly feeling lightheaded, that you were alerted to the presence behind you as your head fell back against something solid. 

  “Hey, lastovichka,” Natasha mumbled against you as she placed a small kiss on your forehead. A tender gesture, one out of character for the redhead you reminded yourself. Such softness didn’t come naturally to the assassin. You didn’t respond. Your throat and mouth felt too dry to even attempt a word and continued to take in your surroundings. The redhead had her legs pressed against the outside of yours and her arms slung casually around your waist. You could feel her breasts against your back as you shifted with uncertainty. You loved it when Natasha held you in her bed but in the bath things felt… different, as though you were more aware of your surroundings including that of the assassin holding you so close and reminded yourself you couldn’t trust such warm acts.

  “Come on, we’ve been in here long enough,” Natasha instructed as she stood up gradually behind you to test how you were able to support yourself. To your surprise, you could hold yourself with ease, something that would have been out of the question just twelve hours prior. Miraculously, you were better. You took your leg out of the water to examine it as Natasha dried herself on, subtly observing you in the mirror. 

  You ran your fingertips down the unmarked skin where the nasty infection had been and frowned. Surely you hadn’t imagined the whole thing? It had felt all too real and yet there wasn’t a single trace of it happening. Your lower leg did have a certain stiffness to it but there was no pain and you could move it freely without any discomfort. 

  “My ankle…” you trailed off, unable to think of how to even phrase your queerie. 

  “It’s fixed,” Natasha stated in return, confirming that it had in fact been damaged. 

  “How long was I out?” You asked, still tracing your fingers over the area. 

  “About ten hours,” the redhead answered honestly. This time you turned to her.

  “You fixed that in ten hours?” You confirmed, never expecting the technology Natasha had access to to be so advanced. The Russian hummed in response and held out her hand for you to take to help get you up. You ignored it and went to get up yourself but unceremoniously slipped back down, spilling some water over the side. You flushed with embarrassment while Natasha simply raised a brow in question. 

  Begrudgingly, you took her hand and carefully eased yourself up and out of the bath without any support of your left leg. Though it looked perfectly fine, it seemed it was unable to hold any of your weight and instead buckled under it. You dried yourself off on the tub, thankfully not needing any help with that, and managed to hop back to the bedroom with Natasha’s arm under yours. It was irritably strenuous to make the small distance given that your muscles had all but disappeared and had become unpractised in transporting you. 

  You didn’t speak to the assassin for the rest of the day, too busy processing everything that had happened in…however long it had been. There was no way of telling how long you had been ill in that bed without asking the redhead and you weren’t sure you would trust her answer if she gave you one. You didn’t trust her at all. Nor did you understand her. You wanted to though. You were exhausted by the constant turmoil of emotions she created that you were incapable of keeping up with. She was cruel, that much you knew and you had learnt that even when she seemed nice, she would turn around and throw it back at you. 

  You had really believed she was going to kill you after she told you about all the other women she had before you. You believed it was the end of the road and that she was ready to start again with someone else, leaving you to die as isolated as she wished. Then suddenly she was nursing you back to health with more ‘care’ than you had ever seen or experienced from her before. You held your breath though, not trusting that it was genuine because you had no reason to. Admittedly, you hoped more than anything that it was sincere, you just had no way of ever knowing for sure. So you decided you would continue to walk on eggshells until you could get your bearings again. 

  Natasha was very much doing the same. You were unpredictable, then more than ever. The redhead had wondered if perhaps she had pushed you too far and you no longer wanted to be loved by her and that the hatred you had felt at the start was going to come back kicking. Every time the redhead watched you, she saw no indicator of any deciding emotion, only that of conflict. Natasha had of course seen it before and it always ended up being what finally broke them. The redhead didn’t want it to happen to you and could only wait to see if what you had told her weeks ago was still true: that you hoped Natasha would complete you.

[navybrat817]

Moving in Slow Motion

Pairing: Mob!Bucky Barnes x Single Mom!Reader

Summary: Everything changes for Bucky when he meets you and your daughter.

Word Count: Over 1.2k

Warnings: Fluff, meet-cute, daughter nicknamed Sweet Pea, Bucky Barnes (he's a warning, okay?)

A/N: How mob!Bucky and our single mom met. Thanks to @whisperlullaby and @targaryenvampireslayer for letting me babble about this AU. ❤️ Not beta read and written on my phone, so any and all mistakes are my own. Please follow @navybrat817-sideblog for new fics and notifications. Comments, reblogs, feedback are loved and appreciated!

Bucky met you and Sweet Pea at a science museum and his life changed for the better.

Growing up, Bucky enjoyed going to the museum. Beyond developing critical and analytical thinking, science encourages curiosity and creativity.

In another life, he liked to imagine he taught science and had a family instead of being a mob boss.

It wasn’t fair to think that since his friends were his family, but something was missing that they couldn’t provide him with.

Whether for nostalgic purposes or to clear his head, he found himself back in the familiar museum. He stood and silently observed various exhibits, his eyes darting back and forth as families bustled around him and enjoyed the interactive experiences.

Something tightened in his chest and he didn’t want to ponder on that for long.

A chorus of chatter and excitement drew his attention and he stepped back to make room when he saw a group of kids in matching shirts walk by. Field trips were always something to look forward to and the wonder in their eyes reminded him of simpler times.

“Mama, Mama, look!” A sweet voice called out before something bumped his leg. He glanced down to see a little girl look up at him with wide eyes. “Sorry, Mister.”

Bucky Barnes struck fear into powerful men all over the world. He could only imagine how he looked to this sweet little girl with his large and imposing stature.

People liked to say he had a cold heart, but one look at her and it melted.

“Nothing to be sorry for, Sweet Pea.” He wasn’t sure where the nickname came from as he crouched down to make sure she was okay. “You’re not hurt, are you?”

She quickly shook her head and appeared to relax a bit when he gave her a small smile. He didn’t want her to be afraid of him. “No, Mister. I’m okay.”

He nodded, glad to hear that. “You just got excited by everything here, didn’t you? I get it.”

“Uh-huh.” She smiled, making his smile widen. He didn’t smile much these days. “Science is my favorite!”

“It’s my favorite, too,” he said, pointing to one of the rooms. “Did you know in that room you can try to build your own roller coaster?”

She gasped, her eyes lighting up. “I can?!”

He chuckled. Her enthusiasm was infectious. “You sure can. I’ll bet you can build a really good one.”

“Sir, did she bump into you?” You rushed over through the crowd as Bucky’s eyes flickered up, his breath caught in his throat. You weren’t in a matching shirt like the kids, but wore a similar color. “I’m so sorry.”

He couldn’t help but stare at you as he stood upright, everything moving in slow motion. The little girl made his heart melt, but you set it on fire.

“I said sorry, Mama,” your daughter said, a slight pout on her face when you put a protective arm around her and gave him a wary look. He appreciated your protective instinct. “Accidents happen.”

Bucky wasn’t ashamed to admit to himself that his eyes went to your left hand and was happy to not see a wedding ring. Questions went through his mind, ranging from why you weren’t married to what was the full backstory of you and your daughter?

“I know how happy you are to be here, but you also need to be careful and stay close to me,” you said in a gentle, but firm tone. Bucky had a feeling you weren’t referring to bumping into people, but to avoid strangers. “Okay?”

“Okay, Mama,” she replied, hugging your legs.

“It’s fine. Really. I’m pretty sure I walked straight into a wall once because one of the exhibits distracted me,” he teased, unsure of why he wanted to talk to you. He just did.

You smiled after a moment, keeping your arm around your daughter. “I appreciate that. This visit was all she talked about for the last week.”

“I don’t blame her. I hope she has the best time,” he said sincerely.

Your daughter tugged on your shirt. “Show him what I colored!”

Your eyes went to Bucky before you dug into your tote bag. “What do we say?” You asked your daughter.

“Please,” she replied.

Bucky smiled to himself when you took out a coloring sheet with various science and space objects. “Wow! Did you color this?” He asked the little girl. “It’s very good.”

She smiled proudly. “Uh-huh!”

“It’s for a contest. The winner gets a free season pass to the museum,” you explained, carefully tucking it back in your bag.

“I hope I win,” she said, hopefulness in her innocent eyes.

Maybe he could make a donation and get that season pass for her. Hell, he had enough money to buy the museum if he wished.

“Well, I’m not a judge, but you’d win if it was up to me,” Bucky said, taking it as a victory when she smiled again.

You gazed at him before you shook your head. “We should get back to the group.”

“Aww,” she pouted, giving Bucky a small wave. “Bye bye, Mister.”

“Bucky. My name is Bucky,” he said, wishing the wholesome interaction didn’t have to end. He was completely enamored with the two of you. “It was nice meeting you, Sweet Pea.”

“Sweet Pea?” You repeated. He worried he made a mistake in saying that before you smiled. “I call her that sometimes.”

“It’s fitting,” he said, tucking a bit of his hair back. “Any chance I might get your name before you go?”

You hesitated before you told him. You even gave him your daughter’s real name. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”

Bucky was probably pushing his luck, but he’d regret it if he didn’t try. “Look, I know this is forward, but can I give you my number?” He asked, giving you what he hoped was a charming yet soft stare.

He didn’t take offense to the skepticism in your eyes. “Um…” You glanced over your shoulder to make sure the group was still close by.

“It’s more than okay if you say no,” he said. He didn’t want you to feel pressured in the slightest and he shouldn’t have assumed you were single because you weren’t wearing a ring.

It was also selfish in a way since you and your daughter seemed so bright and his world was dark, but maybe you two were the real reason he went to the museum today.

After a moment and exchanging a look with your daughter, you shrugged and handed him your phone. “Sure, why not?”

His heart soared when he put his number in, wondering how quickly he’d hear from you. “You won’t regret it,” he promised, making sure to give Sweet Pea one more smile, too. “Have fun making the roller coaster. And good luck with the contest.”

“Thanks, Mister Bucky!”

Bucky’s heart melted all over again as she pulled you away. You even glanced back and gave him a tiny smile, which he returned with one of his own.

He didn’t know you yet, but he sensed deep down that your expectations were set low when it came to men. He was going to enjoy raising the bar.

And he was going to enjoy giving you and Sweet Pea the best life possible, if you gave him a chance.

Wait ‘til the gang hears about this…

I don't have a name yet for the AU and still coming up with a nickname for our reader (Dream Girl and Starlight have been suggested!), but I can't wait to share more. Check out Heart and Home here! Love and thanks for reading! ❤️

Masterlist ⚓ Bucky Barnes Masterlist ⚓ Ko-Fi

[acknowledge-reigns]

Apologies (Roman Reigns x OC)

Angst/Fluff.

Description: Roman wants to apologize to Jey for the way he treated him in the bloodline but struggles with expressing his feelings of remorse.

Kayfabe compliant, this is story about Roman not Joe.

You can find my other stories here.

And you can read more of Roman and Lilith specifically here.

Exhausted. He was emotionally exhausted. Lilith gave Roman an encouraging smile as she offered him the glass of Bourbon she'd just poured up for him. Roman's gaze barely leaves the the notebook in his lap. He could do many things. He could spear men twice his size, he could lock in a guillotine in a manner that's practically inescapable, he could break record after record - But to apologize? No. That's different.

"Let me hear it again." Lilith prompted supportively.

Roman sighs and begins to read from his notes, "Jey, I really could've handled things differently and I see how I treated you was unfair..." Roman trailed off, "I can't say this, Lil. I did everything I did for HIM. To elevate him. For our family. Our bloodline. Life isn't fair." Roman said.

"Ro, do you want to fix your relationship with your little cousin or not?' Lilith questioned.

"Of course I do, but I need him to see my side of things too." Roman said.

"Do you think you're struggling to verbalize your emotions because you're afraid of being perceived as weak?" Lilith asked.

Roman thought for a moment, unsure what to say. "I guess that's possible." he shifted uncomfortably. Putting his pride aside wasn't easy. Admitting he could have been a better Tribal Chief at times wasn't easy.

He went through years and years of harassment, of borderline abuse from the WWE Universe before he finally snapped and took what he and his family deserved. Last time he was this vulnerable, the people who were supposed to cheer him on kicked him while he was down.

Seth betrayed him. Hit him in the back with a chair and busted up the shield. He lost his brother that day. Not his friend. His brother. Dean left not long after. Another brother gone. Years pass, he grows fond of Sami Zayn and what does he do? the same thing Seth did. Not just that but in Roman's mind, he successfully turned his cousins against him.

Everybody leaves. No matter how hard he tries. No matter if he's the good guy or the bad guy. That's why he's chosen to simply be THE guy.

The only person he trusts with his heart is Lilith, and even so he's been known to lose sleep wondering if it's a matter of time before she decides he isn't good enough. If he loses the title will she leave? if he's knocked off of the top of the mountain will she still be there?

That's part of why he's so dedicated to extending an olive branch to Jey, even if he feels he's making an absolute fool of himself. He has to be a better man. For Lilith.

"What if you write him an apology letter instead?" Lilith asked.

With that, Roman spent the afternoon penning a letter to his cousin with Lilith by his side soothingly rubbing his broad shoulders for moral support, He sits down at their dining table, a pen in hand and a blank sheet of paper before him. The room is dimly lit, with the soft glow of a candle casting flickering shadows on the walls. Roman begins to pour his emotions onto the paper. He takes a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the flickering flame of the candle, and begins to write his apology.

"Dear Jey,

I hope this letter finds you well. I've been wrestling with my feelings and regrets, and I find myself needing to express them to you. First and foremost, I want to apologize for my actions and the pain they may have caused you. I may not fully understand your decision to team up with Cody Rhodes, but I realize now why you've decided to leave the bloodline.

I want you to know that my love for our family, our bloodline, has always been at the forefront of my decisions. Every step I took, every move I made, was with the intention of protecting and upholding our legacy. But in doing so, I failed to see the impact it had on you, my cousin, my brother.

I am hurt, Jey. Hurt that you chose to align yourself with Cody Rhodes, someone who I perceive as a threat to our bloodline. It felt like a betrayal. I am hurt that you attempted to take my position as tribal chief. I'm hurt that at every turn whether is be with Sami or with Jimmy or even with Cody you failed to choose my side. But looking back, I realize that family is more important than any rivalry or personal agenda.

I want to mend our relationship, to rebuild the bond we once had. We've faced countless challenges together, and I believe we can overcome this as well. Let's set aside our differences and find a way to heal the wounds that have come between us.

I am committed to making amends, to listening to your side of the story, and to understanding your perspective. I value you, Jey, and I want nothing more than to have you back by my side, fighting alongside me in the ring and in life as my right hand man.

Please know that I am here, ready to talk and listen whenever you are. Let's find a way to move forward together, for the sake of our bloodline.

With love and remorse

- Your Tribal Chief, the head of the table, your cousin.

Roman Reigns"

Roman finishes writing and reads the letter aloud, feeling the weight of his words as he fights back tears. He refused to cry. Lilith reaches out and places a comforting hand on his, offering support and reassurance. She believes that this heartfelt letter will serve as a catalyst for their reconciliation, hoping that Jey will see the sincerity in Roman's words. She knew this was far from easy for him.

Roman takes a deep breath, feeling a mix of vulnerability and determination. He knows that this letter is his best chance to convey his true emotions to Jey, to show him how much he values their bond as family. With Lilith's guidance, he revises a few sentences, ensuring that his apology is genuine and heartfelt.

Once satisfied with the final version of the letter, Roman folds it neatly and tucks it into an envelope. He seals it and places it on the kitchen counter, ready to be delivered to Jey.

"You did good, Ro. You should be proud of yourself." Lilith said.

Roman gives a small, appreciative smile. Her words bring a sense of comfort and validation to his anxious mind. He takes a moment to let her words sink in, feeling a glimmer of pride and gratitude for her unwavering support.

"Thank you, Lil," Roman replies, his voice warm with sincerity. "I couldn't have done it without you by my side."

Lilith reaches over and gently squeezes Roman's hand, her eyes reflecting a mixture of pride and affection. "You've shown true growth, Roman. It takes strength to acknowledge our mistakes and make amends. I believe in you, and I know that your heartfelt gesture will make a difference."

"The bloodline means everything to me, family means everything to me. I want nothing more than to have Jey back by my side, fighting together."

Lilith's gaze softens as she listens to Roman's heartfelt words. She understands the depth of his desire to mend his relationship with Jey, to restore the unity and strength of their family. She reaches out to gently brush her fingers against his cheek, offering him a reassuring smile.

"Your sincerity will shine through, and I believe that Jey will see it too. Trust in the bond you share, and give him the time he needs. Remember, apologies are just the beginning. It's through actions and consistent effort that true healing and forgiveness can be achieved."

Roman takes a deep breath and nods allowing Lilith's words to wash over him. Her presence and guidance have been instrumental in his journey towards growth and reconciliation. With newfound determination, he sets his sights on the future, ready to do whatever it takes to rebuild the bond with his cousin and bring their family back together. Roman gives a small smile and leans in for a kiss.

Lilith kisses him back with love and passion, "You've got this, Ro." She said.

[countrymusiclover]

23 - Fight for our Lives part 1

Part 24

Princess Red Thief

Tag list - just ask to be added @mystrey101 @melvia-ito @kmc1989 @tallrock35 @onentaien-kwara

Storybrooke 

Currently Rumplestilskin was leaning against his cane while sitting on the cot in the back room of his pawnshop feeling somewhat better to be around magic but he wasn’t cured either.  Snow stood before him in the room holding a candle he asked her to get that had one white end and the other end was black there she held in her hands.  “You’re not getting any better, are you?”

“The candle can save me. There’s nothing else.”

Snow reminded the man knowing Cora had given it to her when she pretended to be the Blue Fairy.  “ I wouldn’t use this to save my own mother. What makes you think I would use it for you?” 

“Because you’re all grown up now. And for once, our interests are aligned.” 

She mumbled to herself.  “She dies instead of you.”

“I know you can do this. I know you want to do this.” He looked up at the princess. 

“There’s no coming back from murder.”

Rumple responded sharply back to her.  “And there’s no coming back from death, either. And that’s what will happen to your loved ones.”

Snow slowly stepped up to him holding the candle.  “Even if I were to do this… The candle only works if you whisper the victim’s name over them.”

“The heart will do.” Rumple gripped his cane in his hand. 

“Cora’s heart – it’s not in her body.”

Rumple explained to the princess baring his teeth together once he finished.  “Use the candle, curse the heart. And then… Here comes the tricky part.  You have to put the heart back inside Cora’s body. She will die, and I will live.”

“There’s another way. I get Cora’s heart, I control her and make her do the right thing, and I let you die. Takes care of two evils at once.” Snow suggested eyeing the dark one who looked to be getting worse by the minute. 

“I’m just imagining poor Henry’s face when he finds out that you killed his grandpa.” Rumple bent his head down knowing he would guilt trip the princess before him with her grandmother.  “There’s also something else you don’t know.  If I die, so will Everly.” 

Emma enters the back room seeing the pair in a deep conversation.  “I drew the invisible line. I…think. What now? You cast a protection spell?” 

He shakes his head no, giving Snow White a weak look.  “No, no. You’re going to do that for me. I’m relying on you - I know you wouldn’t let another kid grow up without their parents like Emma did.” Snow parted her lips, nearly breaking down in heavy sobs at his words before she slipped out of the room with the candle hidden inside her coat. 

Emma made a confused expression.  “I can’t cast a spell. I can spell ‘spell’.”

“You can. It’s in you.” He encourages her. 

Emma asked him in a joking manner.  “How? Here? Like, from my brain?”

“Just try.” He whispered weakly. 

Emma closes her eyes and concentrates, but nothing happens which makes him raise his voice in frustration.  “Stop thinking! Conjuring magic is not intellectual endeavor. It’s emotion. You must ask yourself, ‘why am I doing this? Who am I protecting?’ Feel it.” 

Emma closed her eyes a second time before she and the dark one felt a difference in the air surrounding the shop meaning it had worked.  “Good girl. Very good girl.” 

“Rumplestilskin!” Emma and the dark one shifted their gaze to the new voice from a very angry woman that had entered the shop.  The curtain was thrown opened with the blonde woman storming in and carrying a car seat with two sleeping babies inside of it.  “We need to talk right now!” 

Rumple coughed in a weak state.  “Things are rather complicated right now, Abigail.” 

“Complicated how.  Why aren’t you all looking for a way to bring my daughter back to Storybrooke?” 

The dark one blinked through tears running his freehand through his hair.  “Abigail I’m sorry to be blunt about this but if I die so will your daughter.  I gave her part of my immortality so they have to save me before we can bring her home.” 

“My gosh.  What kind of things is my daughter facing right now” The princess set the babies down covering her mouth with her hands crying at the thought.  Rumple laid his head back hating to feel powerless in this moment to bring the woman he loved back home. 

Everly’s pov

Entering a tent that Alice had set up in the area we had met my daughter in.  I had done what I could to cover the wound with cloth and rope so I didn’t bleed out too quickly while we gathered the object we needed to create a portal back to Storybrooke.   Hearing footsteps approaching behind me I glanced over my shoulder seeing it was my daughter.  “I sent Alice out in search of magic to open a portal.  How are you feeling now?” 

“Why didn’t you go with her?  I don’t need you to babysit me.  I’ve been through much worse than this.  And to answer your question I’ll be fine for now.  As long as I can still move around and talk then we’re fine.” 

My daughter shakes her head with a chuckle.  “Now I see where I get my stubbornness from.  I didn’t want to leave you alone. I know you have more questions and we haven't given you too many answers to them.” 

“Why did this Zelena person go after your brother and Alice?” Was the first question that came to mind. 

Valerie went to respond until she could hear someone coming up to the tent where she rushed outside and I followed thinking it was Alice.  We halted in our tracks seeing a guy with curly brown hair coming towards us.  “Valerie!” He called her name and the second he was closer I saw he had deep brown eyes meaning he could only be. 

“Archer! What the devil are you doing here?” 

She ran forward embracing him in a bear hug while he buried his fingers into his sister's hair given the fact that she was shorter than him.  “I come see you everyday.  I know this is when Alice roams the woods.  Why has something changed?” 

“No, she's out looking for something.  There's just someone new here who needs our help.” My daughter pulled away looking over her shoulder in my direction and her brother followed her gaze. 

He asked softly under his breath.  “Val, why does that woman look so familiar?” 

“Because  - because she's our mother from a place called Storybrooke.” She answered him. 

I felt my mouth drop opened the second he began walking over in my direction.  Archer scanned over my body and I imagined that I didn’t fit the dress attire for this realm.  He was dressed in some thick clothing and a brown cloak draped over his shoulders.  “If you’re really my mother answer me this, why did you name me Archer?” 

“Because one of my greatest friends is named Robin Hood.  He’s amazing with a bow and arrow.  That’s why I named you after his skill.” 

Archer nodded with a proud smile embracing me instantly after he had gotten the correct answer.  “Hi mom from Storybrooke.  Can you tell what this realm is like?  Is it similar to the Enchanted Forest or Wonderland?” I clutched my hands into the fabric of his clothes till he asked me some questions. 

“It would take some time to explain.  The simple answer is it’s in a land that doesn’t have magic, unless you are inside the town line.” I broke the embrace with my son noting that he very much resembles his father more than he does me.  “I need to ask you something though.  What do you know about opening a portal to another land from here?” 

Valerie sharply turned drawing out a dagger from her belt attached around her hip.  “Someone’s here.” 

“I think I’ve found a way home for the Storybrooke princess - Archer.  You - you can’t be here.” Alice ran through the small bushes halting in her tracks, throwing her curly blonde hair once she had seen a specific person standing a few feet away from her. 

Archer spun around on his boots. I could see the joy that crossed his face yet it slowly disappeared when Alice went to take a few steps forward in his direction.  “Alice, I’m happy to see you-“ 

“I’ve missed you, Arch.  But we can’t come any closer or you’ll die.” Alice weakly responds with heavy tears in her eyes once seeing he was with us. 

Touching my son’s shoulder I gave the pair a sympathetic look.  “Alice told me about this curse.  I’m truly sorry I don’t know a way to fix this.” 

“It’s okay, mom.  Alice and I know how close we can get before we start hurting the other.  But we need to focus on getting you home.  What did you find, Alice?” 

She sighed heavily reaching inside her bag that she had hanging across her body.  “I don’t know if it will work since it’s cracked.  But this is the original way I came to this realm.” She held up a golden round mirror that had a slight crack on the top of the mirror glass. 

Gently taking it from her hands Valerie and Archer kept their distance behind me while I was standing near the realm jumper girl.  “I’ll take the risk.  I refuse to let anything bad happen to me, my lover or our children.” Looking over my shoulder smiling bravely at my twins. 

[queeniecook]

November 2 to 8 - Part 1

We landed in Sulani early in the morning on November 2nd. Having the Vatore private plane has really come in handy.

I put Este down on the sand after we arrived to give her a taste of the island. She didn't seem to know what to make of the new feeling under and in between her little toes and fingers. Touching sand is way different than carpet, hardwood or even dirt. Caleb took her inside for a nap and to unpack our things in my old room. I went for a swim in the ocean for the first time in months. My body felt complete again, I love our home but being a mermaid makes me long for the ocean when I'm away from it.

Our first night in Sulani, I talked Naya and Apollo into having a Kava party with me. Caleb opted out, instead keeping an eye on the kids. I haven't had Kava in years. Sadly it couldn't be spiked since I'm nursing Este. Naya went to bed early but Apollo and I stayed up late, watching horror movies together.

Este spent the next morning getting to know Mew Mew and hanging out with the pets. Watching Lucky play with Mew Mew confirmed for me that we need to find her a buddy for companionship.

Caleb gave Este a bath, while myself and Lucky watched. It was a family affair.

Apollo and I fit in time to relax together - it's a family tradition.  I've been working on getting some of the weight I put on during pregnancy off.

Este is getting to bond with her Uncle Apollo. I want her to know her family. Apollo and I thankfully had two loving parents growing up but we didn't have any cousins or uncle or aunts. I don't want her to miss out on that.

Which brings me to AJ, I tried my best to spend time with him during our vacation. I even got to help him with homework a few times, though Apollo is better at it. AJ is growing like a weed. We made plans for him to visit us in Hendford-on-Bagley for his Spring break. It will give AJ sometime with Caleb and I, along with Este and hopefully gives his parents some alone time together.

Caleb was meant to be a Dad. Vampire or not, it's just something he's meant to be. He's a natural at it.

"I love you." I said, pulling him close after he put Este down for a nap. I was thinking of when he proposed to me on the island. 

Caleb smiled at me and began swaying us like we were dancing. No music was playing but we didn't need it. We had our first dance in this house - at Apollo and Naya's wedding. That was the night Caleb caught me off guard and the idea of us began to grow in my heart. It was then that it hit me that I needed to try to help my brother keep the love he has.

The next night as we were watching the pit outside cook our dinner, I asked my brother how things are going.

"Things are civil. I know she isn't focusing on her career to be distant on purpose. She loves AJ and I know she loves me...it's just hard to remember that sometimes when we barely see her." Apollo confided in me. 

I had noticed that even during our stay at the house, she had been putting in overtime. The night we all drank Kava was the one exception.

"She says I don't understand but she won't let me try to understand. It's really frustrating."

I gave my baby brother a small smile, trying to be encouraging. "I think you two need to finally sit down and really talk about this. Not talking about it isn't going to make things better, for either of you or AJ. Caleb and I will take him and Este to go do something so you two can have the house to yourselves tomorrow."

I just hope I gave Apollo the right advice.

next ->

[grammarrrrrr]

What I think about certain characters:

Snape;

People have many different opinions on Snape- some think he's a stalker, a creep and that he's terrible- and some think that he's the bravest man ever, and that Lily should have married him instead.

Both are right. Because it all depends on how you see it- I mean, Snape did seem pretty obsessed with Lily. He was in love with her. And Snape-haters can deny it all they want- but he was brave. Brave because he was a second agent, he managed to stay loyal to Dumbledore, while still staying on Voldemort's good side. But he was a terrible teacher.

Yep, I've admitted it, finally- Snape was a terrible teacher. Snape-haters say he was, and they're right, because he was. And don't even try to deny it, because he was completely unfair. He was nice to the Slytherins, but terrible to every other house, and especially the Gryffindors.

Snape looked coldly at Hermione, then said, ‘I see no difference.’ (When Hermione's teeth were hit with the Densaugeo hex, Goblet Of Fire.)

‘I don’t remember asking you to show off, Miss Granger,’ said Snape coldly, and Hermione went as pink as Neville. ‘Longbottom, at the end of this lesson we will feed a few drops of this potion to your toad and see what happens. Perhaps that will encourage you to do it properly.’ (When Snape was threatening to poison Trevor, Neville's toad, Prisoner of Azkaban)

And I could show more examples, but I'm lazy.

Snape was a terrible teacher, he was unfair and played favorites, and he was often just cruel. Tell me, would you want a teacher like Snape teaching your child?

Being brave doesn't excuse what he did towards his students. He definitely traumatized some of them, because who would forget such a teacher? I wouldn't. And do you remember how Neville's boggart was Snape-? Let that sink in.

A boggart represents (turns into) one's greatest fear. Like how Ron's was an acromantula, and how Harry's was a dementor. But Neville's was Snape- that's his teacher, no they don't have to have a student/mentor relationship people love, but if you're a teacher and one of your student's worst fear is you, then you need to revaluate your teaching abilities.

So in short; I don't really know how I feel about this character.

Petunia;

Now, are we going to deny that Petunia is a good mother? Because she is, not to Harry of course, but she is to Dudley. She's kind of a good example of gentle parenting, the no-discipline kind of parenting. I mean, Dudley has probably never been grounded before. With her hugs and kisses, and cringy but affectionate pet-names in every sentence, it's made clear that she loves Dudley. Even though Dudley is pretty hard to love.

But is she a good aunt? Oh absolutely not. She has never been a good aunt, clearly doesn't know how to do it. She was terrible to Harry, downright terrible. In fact, all the Dursleys were. They were abusive, and I don't want to hear any comments saying the opposite, though I doubt I'll get any.

Let's just get this clear- in the Philosophers' Stone, Harry wasn't just small, he was malnourished. Because growing up, he barely got any food. The Dursleys starved him. That includes Petunia, she overfed Dudley, but barely gave Harry any food. And what's the difference between Dudley and Harry? One is her son, one isn't.

Sure, she loved Lily, but what does that excuse? Does that excuse her abusing Lily's kid? I mean sure, she likely saw that it just came out of nowhere- like ’Oh, your sister's dead, here's her baby.’- but that doesn't excuse anything. She didn't have to treat Harry like that, just because she missed Lily so much.

And what was her whole thing with hating wizards? I mean, it was understandable in the Goblet of Fire, when the Weasleys tried to floo to their house. I'd be pretty mad too, if someone practically blew up my living room. Yeah, after and before that it was just unreasonable. But in the Goblet of Fire, I've got to admit, it's reasonable to react like that.

It was understandable when she was kid, but it stopped being understandable the second she became an adult. When she was a kid, she was jealous and therefore pushed everything that reminded her of it away, and that's understandable because kids do stuff like that. But when you're an adult? It's just childish. And that doesn't mean she should abuse her nephew.

And is it just me, or do Mrs and Mr Evans kind of seem like bad parents? Oh my god, is this anti Mr and Mrs Evans? Well, that's a tag I doubt exists. But seriously, they never noticed the feud between Petunia and Lily? Because they were so proud of having a witch in the family? They could have noticed, I doubt either Petunia and Lily made their feud secret. And clearly them being so proud of Lily, made Petunia feel inferior because she was just a muggle.

And what is it with the theory that the Dursleys were so mean because they were around Harry, who was a Horcrux? That's dumb, if you think about it. Firstly, it excuses the Dursleys terrible treatment of Harry, so just victim-blaming, basically. ’Oh, it's Harry's fault he was abused, because he was a Horcrux and that affected the Dursleys.’ And secondly, Ron and Hermione were around Harry even more than the Dursleys one could argue, and they never got in a bad mood from that, did they? No. So many other people were around Harry more than the Dursleys were, and they were never in a bad mood.

So in short; I hate her character.

Dumbledore;

So I know I might possibly get cancelled for this, but I actually like Dumbledore.

Yes, yes- I know- terrible as most people nowadays are anti Dumbledore, but I'm not. Not really, anyways. Sure, some of his actions were questionable, but he's not a manipulative villain that didn't care about anybody. He genuinely cared about Hagrid, and Grindelwald, and Harry.

Harry and Dumbledore's relationship wasn't really that toxic, as people like to say, it was just kind of cute. Because Harry loved Dumbledore, and Dumbledore loved Harry. People say that in the books Dumbledore ’raised Harry like a pig for slaughter’, but nobody thinks about that Harry was practically made to be a pig for slaughter because of the prophecy.

And Dumbledore didn't want to, he delayed telling Harry about the prophecy because he cared about him. He reckoned 11 was too young, which I'd say it was, and 12 is barely different. Too young. And wouldn't you say it was kind of Dumbledore to keep this from Harry, so it wouldn't weigh on the boy’s mind?

Now the thing I hear Dumbledore being called the most is manipulative. Basically, he knows how to get his way, which is a good thing. And he is a powerful wizard, and important, shouldn't he know how to do that?

’Played everyone like a chess pawn’, well it was war, so who could really blame him? You have to do things you don't want to do sometimes in war. Sometimes you have to do everything to make sure the war ends, which sometimes means people have to be used a little bit. War is not an ideal situation to be in, and it's not a good situation to follow all of your morals.

Something I've always appreciated about Dumbledore is that he's so odd it's funny. He likes candy, so much he decides the passwords to his office after them, and always says such things so calmly. But you can't underestimate him because of that, as he's also very powerful.

He's a great wizard, and Hogwarts was only attacked after Dumbledore died (and conveniently, Dumbledore didn't have his wand on him then.)

Now another thing I hear people both talk bad about AND joke about it; about how much Dumbledore gives points to Gryffindor, how he wants them to win. Which I do disagree with. Because tell me: if your students prevented a powerful terrorist from coming back, would you, or would you not, give them points?

Ron got given points for doing a smart move, and winning a chess match against one of the professors (who I'm pretty sure is canonically really good at chess?) Because chess is a hard game I couldn't understand to save my life, and to be really good at it, you have to be smart. Ron got given points for his intelligence (and excellent chess skills), something they do give points for. ’… for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points.’

Hermione basically got given points because she made a smart move, she was smart. Which do they give points for regularly. ‘Second – to Miss Hermione Granger … for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points.’ She was in a stressful situation, yet used great logic. She did good, basically, and it's understandable for Dumbledore to give points to that.

Harry was the one who actually prevented the return of the most feared wizard/powerful terrorist, Voldemort, in this case. He also stood tall, in front of said terrorist. At 11. And I don't know about you, but I would give points for that. ‘Third – to Mr Harry Potter …’ said Dumbledore. The room went deadly quiet. ‘… for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points.’ For being a true Gryffindor, basically. And that sounds like something the professors would give points for.

‘There are all kinds of courage,’ said Dumbledore, smiling. ‘It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr Neville Longbottom.’ He was brave, that's why he got points. He proved he was a Gryffindor at heart, and probably somewhat earned the respect of Dumbledore.

Recent events do matter, and should be taken into account, as Dumbledore said.

And in the Chamber of Secrets, I'm pretty sure they won the house cup again, and I've got only one thing to say; are you saying you wouldn't give points to students for saving someone's life?

I won't go into it more, because I know I'll probably get something about in the comments- if I get any, of course- and I'll definitely defend my opinion. Because in short; I like Albus Dumbledore's character.

Ron;

So, stating this will not give me hate like my opinion on Dumbledore will, but; I frickin love Ron Weasley.

Now some who have only watched the movie might say stuff like: ’Why? He was a terrible friend to Harry’ or ’All he did was eat though’. Or they might not, and I just need to stop saying ’say stuff like:’

Maybe people have finally stopped hating on Ron, and I'm just stuck in the past of Anti-Ron, but I'm still going to defend him here. Starting by debunking my first example of what someone might say.

’Why? He was a terrible friend to Harry’ Sorry, are you saying Ron stood-in-front-of-a-believed-murder-on-a-broken-leg-for-his-best-friend Weasley is a bad friend? In the movies it may have been Hermione who did that but I call bullshit. Because this is what happened in the book;

’No, Harry!’ Hermione gasped in a petrified whisper; Ron, however, spoke to Black.

‘If you want to kill Harry, you’ll have to kill us, too!’ he said fiercely, though the effort of standing up had drained him of still more colour, and he swayed slightly as he spoke. (When the trio were in the Whomping Willow with Sirius, Prisoner of Azkaban.)

And then debunking my second example; ’All he did was eat though’ which is also kind of people saying Ron loved food. WHICH he did not, or at least I don't recall him loving food that much in the books. Specifically him loving chicken, which people think he loved so much there's a ship called ’Chickron’ (Ron x Chicken.)

I can't mention instances in the book because that's just that: there aren't any. Ron ate at breakfast, lunch and dinner and that's just that. Did he eat a lot then? Maybe?? oMg HoW dArE hE eAt A lOt, NoBoDy ElSe DiD (cough cough Harry cough cough) Yeah, Harry ate a lot too but I don't see anybody calling him a ’foodie’ or ’food-lover’ or whatever they call Ron.

And for people to say he doesn't deserve Hermione: he begged to be tortured in her place, and if that isn't love, then nothing is. Was he a douche sometimes? Yeah. Was he also, conveniently, a teenager then? Yeah. People are douches sometimes, when they're teenagers, and can't always treat someone right. They bickered, they disagreed. Which only really proved that Ron listened to her, and then gave his opinion. Nobody else did that, and especially not Harry. He's what Hermione needs; somebody to kind of put her in her place yet support her and comfort her when she's upset. Ron is right for Hermione, and trust me; she thinks so too.

Something else people often bring up was the situation in PoA, or the Crookshanks/Scabbers situation? I don't know what people call it but time to put my opinion out there; I think Ron was in the right. Tell me, if one of your best friends’ pet ate your pet (or at least, allegedly with very believable proof) and then refused to apologize or even acknowledge it, would you get mad? Just because Scabbers turned out being Peter Pettigrew (which I'll probably talk more about another time) does not mean Hermione was in the right. Did Ron act kind of shitty about it? Yeah, but he was 13. Honestly? I act the same way when I'm mad at someone.

Was he in the right in GoF? No. But do I think that's when he realized his feelings for Hermione, didn't know how to deal with it, so took it out on her? Because he was probably thinking; No I can't have feelings for her, she'd never even like me back. Also, he was 14, were you expecting him to be really mature? And also; it wouldn't have been the best night of her life or something, it was just prom. (But maybe don't listen to me about that, I've always been anti-prom.)

And about the ’Hermione, you're a girl’ comment; I kind of think of it a little bit differently. I think it was more, a start of asking her out, like ’Hermione, you're a girl. And I'm a boy. Wanna go to the Yule Ball with me? J-just as friends!’ I think he had wanted to ask her out for a while- and wondering why he wanted to ask her out- and that he had been building up courage, because asking somebody out takes a lot of courage and he's also really insecure. He just didn't know how to do it, and maybe it came out a little wrong.

And something else he gets a lot of hate for; leaving Harry and Hermione in the Horcrux Hunt. But he was under the control of the Locket (a Horcrux made by Voldemort), which affected him most presumably because of his insecurities. (Seriously he should have gotten help for that) and also, it was more that he was stepping out for a breather but just forgot about the charms, whatever they're called. Was it still a mistake? Yeah, but are you telling m you've never made mistakes (especially in bad times)? ALSO, NO MATTER WHAT, HE DID NOT- I REPEAT: HE DID NOT- SAY HARRY HAD NO FAMILY: ‘Oh, you’re sure, are you? Right then, well, I won’t bother myself about them. It’s all right for you two, isn’t it, with your parents safely out of the way –’ ‘My parents are dead!’ Harry bellowed. ‘And mine could be going the same way!’ yelled Ron. ’ To me, both were in the wrong in that situation.

Now is there anything I should adress about Ron? Well, in that case:

Malfoy;

*deep breath*

I FUCKING HATE THIS RACIST, STUPID, DEATH AND RAPE-WISHING TWAT.

Seriously, how does anyone like this guy?

Oh wait- They don't; they only like Tom Felton, who they think is hot. And if Malfoy was played by someone else, someone ’less attractive’, then nobody would be liking him. Trust me.

And as an ex Draco fan- yes, I admit to the part of my past I'm deeply ashamed of- I know how his fan-part of Tiktok looks like; all edits of Tom Felton (more specifically, him playing Malfoy) and no talks about Malfoy's character, or why they like him other than ’He's so hot’ and ’The boy who had no choice’.

Now to addressing the ’The boy who had no choice’ nickname; it's actually quite ironic, because in most of the series, he did have a choice. Chose to bully Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville and probably countless other people. He chose to be the racist bully who wished death and rape upon people (Hermione, to be more specific.) Now I don't really know about how he wished rape upon Hermione, as I've only seen one person talk about it, about how Malfoy wished she would get her panties revealed in the incident at the Quidditch World Cup.

'Granger, they’re after Muggles,' said Malfoy. 'D’you want to be showing off your knickers in midair? Because if you do, hang around . . . they’re moving this way, and it would give us all a laugh.'

No, that's not him 'warning her', that's him wishing sexual assault on her. Having something as private as your panties revealed against your will is sexual assault; and that's what Malfoy wished would happen to her.

Stop seeing him in this distorted, rose-tinted view and start seeing him for what he is: a racist (him calling Hermione a m**blood, which is basically the wizard version of the n-word), stupid (Lucius, his father, said he was getting bad grades) death-wishing (multiple instances where he wished Hermione would die), rape-wishing (or at least sexual assault-wishing) twat.

So yeah, if you have not yet understood; I hate him.

Molly Weasley;

Watch Mikaila's video on her, called 'In defense of Molly Weasley' as she expresses it much better, in my opinion.

BUT I do not like how she has so many children even if they were poor just because she wanted a girl: Once I saw a Tumblr Post, saying that Molly didn't actually want a girl (or at least that there was no proof of it) and that it was just the locket saying that to Ron BUT if she didn't, why did she stop at Ginny? Did she, after seven kids, think 'Okay that's enough kids' NO, presumably, she was satisfied; she had gotten what she wanted. A girl. Also, what the locket said was based on Ron's feelings and he would definitely know if Molly had wanted a girl all along.

Arthur Weasley;

I've seen a couple of people here on Tumblr talking about how he's selfish for not trying to get a promotion when his family is poor just for his 'muggle fascination.' Now I do have to say this; I don't think he wasn't aiming for a promotion, rather that he just wasn't getting one. He got a promotion in the sixth book, if you remember, and why would he be aiming for one then? Exactly. He wasn't getting a promotion all those years, that's it. He was stuck in his position (that presumably didn't pay as much.)

---------

I might make a Part 2, talking about more characters. Just tell me what more characters you'd like to hear my opinion on, and I'll do it.

I'm sorry if the last part of it is a little bit bad, I was just tired when writing that and honestly just wanted to get this posted to move on to other stuff.

[levi501ackerman]

Steel Heart Chapter 33: Steel Heart

Hange x Reader Chapter Index Masterlist AO3

Megan's Note: After Steel Heart I will not be posting long fics on tumblr. I started my new job earlier this week! and here's some other good news<3 I'm going to study abroad this summer!!! I'm so excited!<3<3 This chapter opens the flood gates for the rest of the story!! I've always had act 4 planned out and so mfing excited to get into later chapters YUM!! Thank you so much for reading <3

Posted: 1/31/25 (on AO3) Posted: 2/4/25

Word Count: 7.7k

It was Levi who suggested to the King that you get help and learn how to cope with the stress and traumatic events you endured. When Nanaba informed The Queen and her King of the incident of you puking all over yourself while meeting Prince Marco Bodt, there was no doubt you would start seeing Doctor Grisha Yeager. 

Upon entering a private room in a higher part of the castle, you instantly recognized him. He was the man with glasses who was in the room when you visited your mother. It wasn’t hard to figure out by his last name and the color of his hair that he was Eren’s father . . . and Zeke’s.

Doctor Yeager’s first question was how you were feeling after the aftermath of meeting Prince Marco and the humiliation instantly returned. It was like you were back in that moment. The moment when your stomach couldn’t throw up anything else besides the traces of yellow bile and the rain had drenched your hair and face. Makeup stained your cheeks and everyone in the room had difficulty breathing with the foul putrid air. Armin took off his chestplate for you to cover up and protect your dignity. Sasha hid your face in her chest as you held on to her while she, Annie, Nanaba, and Armin guided you back to your chambers. You were more annoyed and angry with yourself that your body reacted in that way. There was no grace or humor in the memory, just the lack of control—no autonomy for your body or destiny.  

The room had four large windows on adjacent walls, which allowed the midday sunlight to come in. The room itself had a dark atmosphere. Its walls were a deep shade of maroon, and the furniture, such as Doctor Yeager’s desk and coffee table, was made of dark oak. The couch he wanted you to sit on was cool to the touch, and the dark leather stuck to the sweat on your arms, causing you to cross them. Doctor Yeager commented that, based on your body language, he thought you were guarding yourself. 

You explained about your arms sticking to the leather couch, but he still believed you were guarded. Who shares their entire life story upon meeting someone right away, anyways? Or at least their deepest thoughts. He only knew what Commander Dame Hange Zoe spoke about during the formal debriefing meeting, considering he read the report,

“Growing up in Shiganshina is different from the castle.” Doctor Yeager’s statement sounded more like a question—like he wanted you to share about your childhood, but he continued. “I grew up in Shiganshina along with my son, Eren Yeager, one of the knights that escorted you.” 

“Oh,” his lack of mentioning Zeke was interesting and reminded you that Eren told you they weren’t close. “He was nice.” He stared at you with a pleasant smile and crow's feet on the sides of his eyes. He didn’t encourage the conversation and instead, the silence lingered uncomfortably long. What was even more uncomfortable was the way he didn’t take his eyes off you, waiting for you to share more. “I wasn’t very close with him, but I’m glad he survived.” 

“Who were you close with?”

“Captain Levi,” You didn’t dare to say Hange first. “He helped Sir Zacharius get antibiotics and when we found each other, he gave me food after not having any for weeks.”

“And what about Commander Hange?” With his question, it felt like there was a target on your back like there were people within the stone walls infiltrating the private conversation between you and Doctor Yeager. Armin Arlert should be just outside the door, along with many guards, waiting and watching for strange activity. 

Although Doctor Yeager told you that everything that was spoken between the two of you stayed between the two of you, you would never dare to risk the fate of Hange. Your reply or anything you spoke relating to Hange could be evidence that led to further suspicion. No trail should be left to investigate. 

“I was close with Hange because they were the only other woman. We shared a tent and they were very nice to me. A friend I’ll have forever.” The words flowed out easily.

“Lady Nanaba informed the King you asked for Hange while you were feeling anxious about meeting Prince Marco. Would you tell me why them?” You couldn’t tell if he had a suspicion for a lead on your relationship and knowing you had a secret was suffocating like everything you did and everything you said could lead to exposing Hange’s treason. There was a pinching pressure on your hands and upon the bony landmarks on your knuckles, you realized how tightly you gripped your hands. 

“Hange helped me calm down when I was stressed.”

“In what way did they help?” He raised his eyebrows behind his circular-rimmed glasses. 

“They . . . they reminded me to breathe deeply—you know—in through the nose and out through the mouth . . .” Doctor Yeager itched the skin along his collarbones, tugging on the brown fabric of his vest to reach the spot. 

“Diaphragmatic breathing is a good technique; it helps make you feel in your body more . . . Have you heard of the three three three technique?” He stood from the couch and walked around the dark oak coffee table to offer you a hand. 

“I-I haven’t.” You took his rough hand and he guided you toward the window. 

“It is very simple,” Doctor Yeager guided you toward one of the four large windows. “When you are in your head and feeling anxious, I want you to ground yourself and be aware that you are not experiencing what you are thinking. Look out these windows.” He said and the clear sky made the castle have a bright glowing essence from the sun shining down on the white stone quartz. “Let’s start with three things you see.”

While you gazed out over the City of Mitras and the peaks and roofs of the towers, you weren’t sure if Doctor Yeager was looking for diverse answers. You could have said three different parts of one tower or the different tops of the towers you saw. The cone-shaped roofs, the flat, and the lookouts were all dispersed in the view. Doctor Yeager’s office was so high in the sky that there was an overwhelming vast number of choices below. It was eye-opening to realize how Mitras Castle majestically dominated the landscape. The dark blue roofs of buildings you passed in the city looked like mere pebbles beneath your feet. The tops of the wall surrounding the city were visible and the movement of guards on the lookout was like a tiny army of ants. When you’re above everyone, you can’t help but look down on them. 

What caught your eye again was the awkward, dull tower reaching for the heavens. From a higher view, you could see a large opening near the top, appearing to be like a window. The very peak of the tower was above where you were and you noticed the crenelated dull stones circumferencing the top of the tower. 

“That . . . dull tower over there,” you pressed an index finger against the glass. “ . . . And the flag of my family on that tower over there, and . . . and the person—that knight walking on top of the wall over there.”

“Good. Good.” His voice drew your eyes from the window to his friendly blue eyes. His entire body, from the top of his neatly combed hair down to his brown shoes, faced you. The entire time, he studied you. “I am glad you looked at this view and took a moment to appreciate it. Your Highness, it is a privilege to see this much of the world . . .” You cast your eyes back at the grand landscape. Just past the wall was a dewy meadow with traces of decaying memories with Hange. From where you stood in Doctor Yeager’s office, the river running south and east were glimmering stripes of blue. “When you are in your head and thinking of the horrors you encountered, I want you to look at three things in your surroundings. Then listen for three things you hear and move three parts of your body.” He noticed how you furrowed your eyebrows while peering through the glass. “You can roll your wrists, roll your ankles, stretch your neck, stretch your quads, touch each finger with your thumb, something that makes you physically feel yourself in your body.” 

You nodded, absorbing every word and recognizing the reality of needing to stand on your own two feet. The crown was not on top of your head yet the weight of expectations was planting you in the ground, burying you in the soil. Even as you reach for the air, begging for relief or searching for Hange’s hand, no one helps and no one knows you’re struggling to breathe. 

“Thank you, Doctor, I’ll try this technique.” The dull tower caught your eye as you returned to the indentation on the leather couch, warmed by an hour or so of sitting. 

“I am sorry you were blindsided with this life.” He said, “Being in hiding in Shiganshina and then all of a sudden the Marleyan Cult destroys the district and intends to hunt you . . .” You thought he was going to say more, but he didn’t. It was like he wanted you to finish his thoughts by adding your personal anecdotes or your opinion on the position you were in. The comfort in the silence withered away as Doctor Yeager waited for you to say something. The urge to speak was jabbing you at your side, pestering you, but within the last hour, you grew tired of reliving the horrors. “Before you go,” He spoke with a more uppity tone, “I wanted to pick your brain on the topic of your medical history.”

“Okay . . .”  

“Do you know if you are allergic to shellfish?” He lowered his voice.

“I’m not sure. I never had shellfish . . .”

“No crab, oysters, lobsters, scallops, or prawns?” He leaned forward.

“No, why?” Doctor Yeager stared at you for a moment and you could tell the gears in his head were turning.

“Again, I want you to know that everything we speak about in this room does not leave this room.” A foreboding feeling in the pit of your stomach stirred. “I am going to tell you a secret that must remain between you and me.”

“Okay . . .” 

“Will what I tell you stay between us?”

“Yes, it will.” You said, intrigued by his manner. 

Doctor Yeager sprang from his spot on the couch and hurried to his desk. He pulled out a white folded cloth and gingerly held it between his hands. 

“I have been taking care of your mother since she had fallen ill.” He whispered and glanced at his office door as if someone were to intrude at any moment. “For a while, I thought she had caught a flu or a disease . . . the number one reason she is dying is because she can barely keep the food down and she’s dying a slow death of starvation. I thought she had a stomach illness until this morning . . .” Doctor Grisha unfolded the white napkin until a tiny speck of a dark bent specimen, scarcely thicker than a sliver of a fingernail, was revealed. “His Majesty and I found this while feeding her mashed potatoes.” He looked for your reaction, but you couldn’t quite figure out what it was. It looked like a burnt stem of spinach or a single piece of dark thyme. 

“What is that?”

“A cricket leg,” He whispered. 

“What . . . ?”

“This stays between you and I.” He leaned forward, his lips inches from your ear as your eyes remained on the cricket leg. “I do not have any evidence besides this, but I have an inkling that Her Majesty did not fall ill randomly. She has been poisoned by someone mashing crickets into her food.” 

“What?!” Your eyes grew wide at Doctor Yeager’s disgusting speculation. He held a finger to his mouth, shushing you and his words paralyzed you. 

“Your mother is allergic to shellfish . . . when you are allergic to shellfish, you are likely to be allergic to cockroaches, grasshoppers, and crickets.” Your stomach twisted at the implication of his words. The thought of someone insidiously poisoning the Queen—your mother—tugged on your heartstrings. “I did not flag her illness as an allergic reaction until the person slipped up and left a cricket leg in her food. From now on, the King and I will examine her food thoroughly and hopefully, she will stop throwing up and slowly get the nutrients her body needs to heal. I suggest you inspect your food thoroughly.”

“Dr. Yeager, do you think I may have thrown up yesterday because of crickets in my food?”

“Maybe, but based on what Lady Nanaba told the King and what the King told me, I think that was because of your anxiety. We could gather more evidence, but I suspect that because Lady Nanaba said you vomited on your way to the Castle. You also have not mentioned or shown any other symptom of being ill.” His words slightly eased you, but simultaneously, you dreaded your next meal. “That being said, this stays between you and me. We can not have the person sneaking crickets into her food know that we know.”

You nodded, assuring Doctor Yeager had your trust. 

“It has to be someone in the kitchen, right?! You should suspect Niccolo because he’s from the Marleyan Cult!”

“Niccolo? The blonde knight from Karanese District?” You wished you had kept quiet. Your hasty accusation was dumb. 

“I—yeah . . . nevermind, I—I don’t know why I said that . . . He was a member of the Marleyan Cult and one of the moles until he betrayed the cult and helped Commander Hange and Captain Levi.”

“He couldn’t be a suspect because your mother was poisoned before he came to the castle?” He said more like a question and you heard the curiosity in his tone, wondering why you thought Niccolo to be the culprit. 

“Yeah, I—I don’t know why I thought of him. He wanted to work in the kitchen and I just—I just—sorry, I don’t know . . .” You shrugged.

“I understand you may be on the fence about anyone relating to the Marleyan Cult, but not all of them want to harm you. Some were born there. They had no choice in the environment they were born in. The Queen loved Annie like she was her own daughter. How are you getting along with her?” Like an owl, you slowly turned your head, processing what Doctor Yeager asked. Like she was her own daughter. You blinked rapidly as if each flutter of your eyelids would erase his words. Annie barely spoke a word around you, and she did not seem like she was a person who outwardly tried to befriend people. Like she was her own daughter.

“She’s okay . . . why?”

“She is from the Marleyan Cult and she acts like a normal girl because she is a normal girl who happened to be born in the Marleyan Cult.” Doctor Yeager said, too casually to your liking. 

The dim room where your mother rested flashed in your mind and the words echoed, drumming against your bruised ego. I wanted you to grow up with me . . . I wanted to be a good mother. A sharp pinch stabbed the palm of your hand, and you unclenched your fist upon noticing. Though she told you it was never her idea to send you to Shiganshina, why would you be sent to Shiganshina just for another girl to grow close to her? 

Sir Armin Arlert could tell you were uptight about the thoughts coiling in your head because his glance grew more concerned while Lady Nanaba droned on about the schedule for the award ceremony. A flare in your chest burned at the thought of Annie being a member of the Marleyan Cult and being close to your mother. Like she was her own daughter. Your parents sent you away to Shiganshina only for them to bond with a member of a cult that wanted to treat you as a host for their ritual. A cult that killed many knights in gorey painful ways, trying to protect you. A cult that burned down your hometown. A cult that killed so many knights at the temple, leaving only a few survivors. A cult that sent mutts to attack you and many horses. 

When you entered your chambers, Annie was the first girl to come into view. The small blonde girl didn’t appear harmful or like she had any malicious intent, yet there was a thick divide compelling you to keep her at bay. You glanced away from her, diverting your attention to the large rabbit hopping toward Armin. 

As Annie brushed your hair, she held the ends and gently untangled the few knots. Her heavy lids hovered over her uninterested eyes and her impassive face sparked a bitter thought. She probably didn’t look so uninterested in your mother. You clenched your jaw, staying silent, while the thought festered inside. Like she was her own daughter.

You huffed.

She glanced at you in the mirror of your vanity but didn’t react to your blatant annoyance. It irritated you how she didn’t ask if you were alright or if something was weighing on your mind. Annie might have been concerned if your mother was in your current position, but instead, Annie combed your hair. Perhaps the Marleyan Cult taught Annie to be sweet and helpful to those who will grant her more information or access. Maybe Annie didn’t care to extend the courtesies because, in her mind, she was close to the Queen. Like she was her own daughter.

“Lady Nanaba?!” You called for her and her heels clicked on the cream-colored tile.

“Yes, your Highness?” Nanaba elegantly greeted from the door’s threshold.

“My mother will be at this award ceremony, correct?” You said louder than you normally spoke.

“Yes, however, due to her health, she will not be at the rehearsal. The award ceremony will start when Her Majesty arrives.” Nanaba pivoted to exit your dressing room, but you spoke before she could leave your sight. 

“Nanaba, will you please request to my mother that I would like to start having dinners with her—even if that means I eat at her bedside.” Nanaba’s eyes floated to the ceiling, contemplating your request. 

“I will be sure to ask, your Highness,” she said politely and left. 

The comforting thought of growing close to your mother warmed your heart. It settled the jealousy that festered within you as Annie combed your hair. A sliver of guilt twinged in your chest of how your mother ached for your presence and longed for a connection with you. At the time, there was only sympathy for the ghost of the relationship that lingered in the air, haunting your mother. But with the change of heart sparked by jealousy and engulfed into compassion, you realized that you craved to be close to her.  

Annie parted your hair down the center and tied your hair into a neat bun. When she was done, she set the brush on the white wooden vanity and crossed her arms. You turned your head, examining how slick the bun was and not a single strand escaped. 

“Thank you,” you politely said, feeling like you owed Annie. Sasha chose an all-white outfit down to the white boots that were hidden by your white slacks. You wagered with Annie and Sasha, wanting to wear boots to hide your dagger inside. The matching white double-breasted blazer over a white mock neck brought attention to the warmth of your face and the gloss of your hair.  

Sasha and Annie trailed behind you and Armin, who followed Lady Nanaba through the endless corridors lined with guards. A few clouds floated over the extravagant City of Mitras and the bright day lifted your spirit, giving you a seed of hope that sprouted and grew with each step. A moment to speak with Hange—to hear their voice was well earned after being apart from them. There was no doubt you were going to have their full attention. You refused to end the day without basking in their presence. 

Nanaba escorted you to another small waiting room with four imposing guards standing like statues against the light green walls. They kept a keen eye on you, ensuring your safety and well-being. Two small, slender windows with half the height of the wall framed the dull, tall tower in the distance. Nanaba encouraged you to sit while she disappeared behind another set of doors opposite where you entered. You placed yourself on the plush couch, facing to view the mysterious tower. Armin stood beside the sofa while Annie and Sasha stood next to the door you entered from. 

“Hey, Armin?” You spoke barely above a whisper, worried that your voice disturbed the silence that fell. 

“Yes, your Highness?” You pointed out one of the windows.

“What’s that tall tower over there and why is it separate from the main area of the castle?” Armin flickered his blue eyes to the view. 

“That tower? The First Fritz Tower? It is separate from the rest of the towers because when the first Queen Ymir Fritz had the King and the slaves build the castle, they miscalculated the center of the walls and built that tower. It is so tall you could scream as loud as you want and no one below will hear you; maybe the hospital ward could. Many rendezvous occurred there; however, it is looked down upon to enter.”

“Rendezvous?” You had to stifle a smile that grew from the thought of sneaking off to meet Hange during the late hours of the night. With only the stars to keep your secret and the moonlight illuminating your path. “So there were no guards or knights to catch the people sneaking off?”

“Correct. There are guards in that area of the castle now, but no one enters because it is looked down on.” He repeated and your scheme deflated into a mere fantasy.

Lady Nanaba returned with an older man with a pointy chin dressed in a black clerical robe with gold encircling the collar of his robes. His stern eyes sunk into his skull and his high-strung stature was unwelcoming. Nanaba beckoned you with an enthusiastic hand to approach. The older man remained in his unbreakable stance. 

“Your Highness, this is Pastor Nick he will be officiating your marriage with Prince Marco—”

“The walls.” He said and you weren’t sure if you heard right. “The Queen devotes herself to the well-being of the walls hence, you are marrying the walls—Maria, Rose, and Sina and all of the citizens within.” 

His insistence lacked a playful tone and the sheer absurdity of his implications of ‘marrying walls’ conjured an amusing image in your mind of you in a white dress and puckering your lips to kiss the concrete of Wall Sina.  

“Yes, of course. " You looked to Nanaba, hoping she would gracefully contribute to the conversation, but her downturned eyes observed you and Pastor Nick with no intention of joining. “I look forward to my marriage to the citizens and dedicate my loyalty to the well-being of the citizens of Paradis Island.” 

He seemed pleased, and you were pleased with the formality of your declaration as well. A union between you and the citizens within the walls seemed far more fulfilling than marrying a man. 

You, Sasha, Annie, and Armin followed Nanaba and Pastor Nick down a short, windowless corridor. Muffled chatter echoed from behind the doors and your heart brimmed with anticipation. Just behind that door was Hange. 

When Nanaba cracked the door, a sliver of light and a crescendo of conversations spilled into the hall. A vast sea of guards dressed in military robes drowned the clean rectangular hall. As you entered the threshold, voices died down and faces drew their attention to you. Most of them were unrecognizable and their burly figures gave the illusion that most of your vision was filled with grey double-breasted coats with silver epaulets. Your eyes darted around, searching between the columns along the room's perimeter and the grey uniforms for a green coat. Simultaneously, the knights in the room stood tall and stamped their feet together while pressing their right fists over their hearts. Their undying respect settled in the silence, greeting your presence. With the castle guards still like statues, two green uniforms caught your eye to the right. Hange stood behind a podium upon a raised platform and next to them was Levi. Hange had their hair tied back and their warmth contagiously ignited a spark in your chest and a flutter in your stomach. 

An older man stepped toward you. His heavy footsteps on the light blue tile demanded your attention. He had greying facial hair and glasses perched on his big nose. 

“Your Highness,” He said with a deep voice while bowing his head and revealing his receding hairline. “I am Premier Darius Zachary.”

“Your Highness, Premier Zachary is the Head of the Royal King’s Guard and The Scout Regiment.” Lady Nanaba said. 

“Pleased to meet you,” you offered him a polite smile and drifted your eyes to where Hange stood. He offered his thick arm, beckoning you to join him. 

While Premier Zachary informed you on the structure of the award ceremony, he led you toward the platform where Hange stood. His voice withered in the background while the desire for Hange’s voice polluted your thoughts. The room returned to chatting while inconspicuously glancing at you and Premier Zachary. Hange looked down at the podium, scanning their eyes and mouthing words. The three large windows behind them framed the blue sky, making their green coat bold and saturated. Their coat complemented their dark brown hair, drawing your eyes to their face. Hange peeked at you, fueling the burn inside you. 

Hange was like fire, captivating and luring you to stare. A flame so gravitating it burned through your layers and left you with nothing but a primal instinct to surrender your eyes. A flame, bright and mesmerizing, compelling you to follow them in the darkness. 

After an hour of rehearsing the transitions between the segments of the award ceremony, members of the court arrived. They strolled in with vibrant gowns and men in flattering suits. They stood behind the rows of guards, chatted among themselves, and glanced at you from where you sat in one of the three thrones. Red and green flags with insignias of the Royal Family and the Royal King’s Guard hung from the ceiling.

Armin stood next to you while Commander Erwin Smith, Captain Levi, and Commander Dame Hange had their backs toward you as they stood silently at the base of the steps. Connie, Eren, Niccolo, Miche, Daz and Fairy Godmothers Christa and Ymir stood in the front row silently. Your leg bounced up and down, wondering when the Queen and her King would arrive. You were told to sit until you were part of the ceremony, and people-watching was the only thing you could do while waiting. 

Sasha and Annie stood patiently against the wall off to the far left and the wait for your parents started to plant seeds of doubt. More time passed, and annoyance grew with the fact that the Queen and her King had not arrived yet. The court whispered among themselves, speculating why Their Majesties were late. 

Your thoughts drifted off to Hange. Each time you looked toward Hange during the rehearsal, they were already admiring you. Their fond stare simmered in your memory and you couldn’t help but blush. You lowered your head, hiding your face and the heat that grazed your skin. 

Earlier, when Hange kissed the back of your hand upon greeting you, their lips pricked and poisoned you. Their touch embedded a drug that hardwired you to succumb to their will and obey their commands, and you wanted to do nothing else but please them. 

While Premier Zachary instructed you with the medals, you could feel Hange’s eye on you and the magnetic demand that lured your souls to want to be close. They ached and begged to be intertwined. Your mind and soul pestered you to get more attention from Hange. It teased you the way you had Hange’s professional attention and yet were unable to have a private conversation. 

A door on the side opened and the room went silent. The King, followed by a group of knights and one knight with red hair, who you recognized, strolled into the room. Everyone seemed to stand straighter and lend their attention to him. 

You furrowed your eyebrows, wondering if your ill mother would enter through the door, but it was the King and his guards. Your heart pounded in anticipation, wondering if she would arrive, and the image of her dull skin stretched over her bony cheekbones and hollow face flashed in your mind. She must have been too sick to be able to attend. 

The King whispered in Premier Zachary’s ear and then stepped up upon the platform without sparing a look at you. You couldn’t read his face, but he didn’t seem distraught or fazed. He stood behind the podium and took a deep breath. Everyone pridefully brought their fist to their heart.

“Good afternoon,” The King’s voice echoed through the room. “On behalf of Her Royal Majesty, I thank you for witnessing this monumental ceremony honoring the knights who have dedicated their hearts to return the Princess to Mitras Castle.” He took a breath. “I would like to invite Premier Zachary.” He simply said and the room applauded his opening remark. The King caught your eye as he turned to sit on the throne next to you. He had a friendly expression and hope flooded your chest and you gave him a large smile, enjoying his polite attention. 

Premier Zachary heftily stepped up the stairs to the podium and passed the table with the awards laid out. He cleared his throat and you glanced at Erwin, Hange, and Levi. It was amusing how Erwin and Hange towered over Levi. 

“Knights formally pledge an oath upon graduating from the Cadet Corps and being inducted into the Scout Regiment.” Premier Zachary began the speech you heard twice earlier. “In the oath, one of the key vows that the Knights commit is to have ‘relentless courage.’ This was the inaugural vow penned by our First Queen, Ymir Fritz when she established the pledge. When Knights are inducted into The Royal King’s Guard, they recite the traditional oath, augmented by an additional commitment: to lay down their lives and dedicate their hearts to this nation's sovereign. 

“Today, we honor and commemorate the Knights who bravely sacrificed their lives confronting the horrors of our world, as well as those who dedicated their hearts to safely returning Her Highness to Mitras Castle.” 

Premier Zachary continued his speech, talking about how the knights defeated the enemies and you noticed he never forwardly said “Marleyan Cult.” He refrained from addressing the name, preferring not to highlight the significant power they had in claiming the lives of numerous knights. 

You noticed a familiar man with dark hair among the crowd and recognized the man. Prince Marco and his guards were in the front section of the court. You darted your eyes away and your heart thumped in your chest. You wanted to pretend you didn’t see Prince Marco Bodt in the crowd. 

“I now invite the Knights to please kneel before the King, Her Highness, and myself.” Premier Zachary said and it was your cue to stand from the velvet red throne. The knights in the front and Levi and Hange gathered in their designated spots on the steps. Footsteps shuffled and echoed through the room and you could feel all eyes on you as you grabbed the first medal from the wooden table. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are honored to present the first medal today for outstanding contributions to technological advancement. This award recognizes the creator of the sapphire shields, a pioneering technology that has significantly enhanced our protection against fire. With the help of this technology, this individual defeated a powerful enemy. Please join me in applauding the recipient of the Sapphire Heart to Commander Dame Hange Zoe.” The room burst into applause, and you pinned a gold medal with the insignia of the Royal Family, which was held by a vibrant blue ribbon on Hange’s green military coat. Your hands shook being so close to Hange and you couldn’t ignore their stare. Hange kissed the back of your hand and you bit the inside of your cheek, trying to hide the thrill from their touch. 

“The next medal is bestowed upon an individual who exemplified extraordinary valor and courageously positioned themselves in the direct line of danger to shield the heir to the throne. Their heroic deeds not only ensured the safety of our future ruler, but also served as a profound inspiration to their fellow soldiers. Please join me in applauding the recipient of the Gold Shield to Captain Levi Ackerman.” You pinned a gold medal with a white ribbon to Levi’s coat and he kissed your hand like a gentleman. 

“In recognition of their successful completion of a critical mission, we are proud to award the Knights that kneel before the King, Her Highness, and myself an emerald pendant. This esteemed token symbolizes their undying commitment. We honor their bravery and service as we present these awards to Commander Hange Zoe, Captain Levi Ackerman, Commander Miche Zacharius, Eren Yeager, Connie Springer, Daz, and Niccolo. We must also recognize Jean Kirstein, who unfortunately cannot be with us. Currently recovering in the hospital, we wish a healthy recovery for Jean Kirstein and we look forward to celebrating his achievements with him at a later date.” As Hange leaned forward to allow you to place the bolo tie, you noticed the gold chain of the swan locket wrapped along their neck. It sent a satisfying jolt through you to know Hange still wore their necklace. 

You followed the advice Premier Zachary gave during rehearsal while placing the bolo tie with the oval emerald pendant around the knights. He advised you to take your time during this segment, allowing each knight to have a moment to be honored. It felt like you and everyone else were frozen in time as you moved from the table to each of the knights. You avoided glancing at the crowd, not wanting to break the mental barrier that shielded the reality of everyone’s eyes on you. 

There was a heavy lingering feeling as you awarded each knight. An undying gratitude for the well-being of these humans who protected you and rescued you. Your heart swelled at the bonds you formed during the journey and trials you faced together. These knights deserved your trust and loyalty and had a spot in your heart. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, this next medal represents profound respect and demonstrates resilience during the mission. This medal recognizes the individuals who sustained physical injuries sustained in battle but also honors the spirit of sacrifice. Please join me in applauding the recipients of the Purple Heart to Commander Miche Zacharius, who served his rotation in the First Knight position. Another recipient to recognize is Jean Kirstein. As I said before, Jean Kirstein, unfortunately, cannot be with us.” You pinned a gold medal with a purple ribbon upon Miche, who kissed your hand charmingly and held his cane in the other hand. 

“The final medal we present today honors not only the brave knights kneeling before the King, Her Highness, and myself but also those who are no longer with us. Their legacies continue to inspire courage to dedicate their hearts. In addition to today's honors, we will build a memorial to honor the brave knights. A plaque will permanently etch the one hundred and ninety-two names of the fallen. It will be prominently displayed as a reminder of the hearts they dedicated for the future of the Kingdom. Please join me in applauding the recipients of the Steel Heart to the knights whose legacies we honor and to the knights kneeling before the King, Her Highness, and myself.” The applause was the loudest of the entire ceremony. It continued the length of you pinning the silver medal with a white ribbon on the knights’ uniforms. 

After your duties, the knights returned to their positions in the front row and you returned to your throne. While you glanced at the King, you noticed his expression was softer while he looked at you. He gave you a respectful nod and upon his approval, you offered a graceful curtsy. You hoped after the award ceremony, you would be able to speak to your father. 

Hange stepped behind the podium and waited for the applause to simmer down. When the room fell to silence, Hange’s voice projected through the room.

“I, Hange Zoe, Commander of the successful mission, will now read the names of the knights who sacrificed their lives during battle. I ask for your patience as I read one hundred and ninety-two names of the knights. At the end, we will respect the knights whose legacies and memories we will carry with a brief moment of silence.” 

━━ ⊱ ⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆ ♡ ⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺ ⊰ ━━

After the award ceremony concluded with Commander Erwin Smith’s closing speech, your father and his guards walked out the door without acknowledging you. You watched the door close behind his guards and your face fell as the opportunity to grow close to him disappeared before you could try. 

The hall sprung into a commotion as guards and members of the court congratulated the knights. You looked to Armin beside you, wondering what to do. Armin attentively stared at you, watching for you to stroll and socialize around the room. His eyes drifted next to you, looking past you. You turned over your shoulder to see Daz. When he had your attention, he placed a fist over his heart and respectfully bowed his head.

“Your Highness,” He spoke. “We have not gotten a chance to speak.” 

“Daz, may I give you a hug?” He opened his arms. You carefully laid your face against him, avoiding getting the makeup on his uniform. “I’ve been wanting to thank you for bringing Jean to Mitras Castle. It must have been terrifying being on your own, along with having someone unconscious.” 

“It wasn’t too bad.” Daz pulled away. “I did have to do everything on my own, which is extra work, but overall, we managed to get to the castle.”

“You’re so brave . . .” You gently grabbed his hand and held it comfortingly. “Not many people could do that. I couldn’t travel by myself and with an injured person. Thank goodness I had you and the rest of the knights. Seriously, Daz, thank you.”

“It was an honor to escort you . . . most of the way to Mitras Castle.” He laughed at his own joke and you giggled. “It’s not hard to travel, especially since most of my travel was north. I followed the north star to the southern entrance of the castle.”

“I forgot you were into stars and stuff!” You gushed with excitement. It was quite intriguing how the stars in the sky had ways to help. You recalled the night you first saw Willy Tybur in a suit of armor covered in blood. After you woke everyone up and an investigation started, Levi mentioned Daz was going to try to find a clear view of the sky so he could figure out the time by the position of the stars. “It’s fascinating how you could tell the time of night based on the position of the stars!”

“You think that’s ‘fascinating’? I could teach you.”

“Yes, please!” 

“If you think that is cool, do you know what a solar eclipse is?”

“No . . . ?”

“You’re going to like this. In a few new moons, the moon will cross in front of the sun and block the light for the Earth. The thing is during this upcoming solar eclipse, Mitras Castle and the city will be in the path of totality. The world will briefly go dark for us like it’s midnight!” His eyebrows were raised and his eyes were twice their size due to his enthusiasm.

“That is cool!”

“Exactly! This phenomenon is extraordinary and it’s wonderful we get to experience it soon.”

“Please, Daz, I would love to learn more and speak with you about the stars and the solar eclipse! Would you like to have tea in the garden sometime? Or wherever would be good to talk about the stars.” 

“We could meet in the library in the astronomy section sometime?” He smiled at you. You turned to Armin with excitement and then returned your attention to Daz. 

“That sounds great!” You exclaimed excitedly.

Across the ceremonial hall, Hange huddled along with Levi and Miche. They spoke enthusiastically, waving their hands at the rhythm of their words and they had an adorable blaze in their eye—a spark that compelled you closer. Their amusing way of speaking warmed your heart.

Hange’s brown eye landed on you and Armin, making your heart swell as they abruptly stopped their conversation and gave you their full attention. Miche and Levi turned over their shoulder to see you. Hange briskly went toward you. Their brown hair was shinier and a pink tint spread across their cheeks. Your heart pounded as they held their arms open for you. 

Without a care in the world and you sprang on to Hange and they wrapped their arms around you, challenging anyone who dared to take you away from their embrace. The dangers of the past and the responsibilities for the future burned to a crisp with the engulfing flames of Hange’s presence. 

Their warmth contagiously spread to the shivering soul that longed for comfort. You breathed out the stress and the humiliation of the recent days and settled in Hange’s arms. They pulled away and you greedily wanted to be held longer. If Hange’s soul was like fire and you’d happily burn in the heat. 

“Hey . . .” Hange said under their breath, and a moment passed when their gaze entranced you, and then you spoke.

“Hi . . .” 

“You did wonderful in the ceremony, Y/N,” Hange complimented. “And your ladies in waiting dressed you very well.” They didn’t hide their lingering admiration for the elegant white slacks and blazer. Hange’s eye traced each surface of your body all the way back up to your beaming smile and pretty eyes. 

“Thank you, Hange . . .” 

“You did very well during the ceremony, your Highness.”  

“I missed you, Hange.”

“I missed you too, dear,” they whispered, and their reassurance nested a bed for peace to rest in your thoughts. 

“I miss my best friend. I’ve been wanting to see you—”

“Let’s plan to meet, Y/N,” their mutual enthusiasm brought a burst of joy. The daydreams of meeting Hange secretly in the garden at midnight or meeting Hange in the First Fritz Tower were on the verge of reality. A private moment with them was all you wanted.

“We have to! I still have the shirt you lent me.” Hange smirked. 

“Oh yeah? Why haven’t you sent a servant to deliver my clothes? Or are you secretly being a weirdo and smelling my shirt?” You slapped their arm and—

“Your Highness, you shouldn’t hit others.” Armin’s voice ripped you back into reality where you and Hange stood in a crowded room with knights, military representatives, and Prince Marco Bodt—wherever he may be. You glared at Armin. 

“Let’s meet tomorrow. I’ll take the entire day off and I’ll tell you how I sent the blueprint to Stohess and I should receive a prototype soon.”

“Can we have breakfast together?” You were practically hopping, unable to contain the excitement of getting what you’ve been wanting. “I’ve been eating all by myself! The King eats with the Queen in the hospice chambers, so I am all alone.”

“We can have not only breakfast together but lunch and dinner!” Hange nudged you. A set of doors brushed open, with Nanaba entering hastily. 

“Would you like to have tea in the garden? Armin took me to the Rockefeller Garden and he said the Korcula Garden was the best place to have tea.” 

“He’s right. You’d like the Korcula Garden, Y/N. There are plenty and beautiful flowers we can look at when we’re done catching up.” Your heart fluttered at the thought of Hange thinking of all the things you would enjoy. They thought about you as much as you did for them. “How are you treating Armin? Have you been giving him a hard time?” Hange playfully asked and glanced at Armin next to you. 

“Rai doesn’t like him!” You giggled and Armin stared helplessly as the truth set in that an adorable bunny didn’t like him. Hange joined your giggling and their contagious nature made both of you grow into a fit of laughter while Armin stood silently. Hange’s eye glossed over and they wiped the tears that formed while you caught your breath from being unable to breathe. 

“Why not?!” Hange asked and their face was flushed.

“I don’t know! She stands on her hind legs and taps the shins of Armin’s armor, trying to attack him. She’s more adorable than ferocious!” Nanaba cleared her throat next to you. Her eyes were wide and she had droplets of sweat along her hairline. Her mouth agape as if she were going to speak, but the words struggled to leave her lips. 

By her high-strung demeanor, the joy was sucked out of the room and an ache in your chest returned. Lady Nanaba looked between you, Hange, and Armin and the chatter in the ceremony hall faded into the background with her words. 

“You need to come with me.” She urged and annoyance tricked in.

“Do I have to?” You whined and bargained hopelessly, knowing Nanaba would force you to do whatever was next on the schedule.

“Your Majesty . . .” Hange and Armin simultaneously gasped at how Nanaba addressed you. Hange brought a hand over their mouth and their eyebrows shot to their hairline. “You need to come with me.” 

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