#it should be illegal to flirt so effortlessly

[mischievous-thunder]

Yes. Yes, you are, you absolute wh❤️re!

[vodika-vibes]

PA: *complains about a creepy senator aid*

Fox: There shall be no drunk flirting with Yuu under my watch

Fox: Of course people want to flirt with Yuu, they're adorable. Also Fox: No one is allowed to flirt with them by order of me.

About an hour before the Gala is supposed to end, Thorn storms over to Fox and all but shoves Yuu into his arms, "Hold this." Thorn orders, "Someone replaced their non-alcoholic drink with alcohol, and now they're completely drunk." "...isn't that illegal?" Fox asks as he hooks his arms around Yuu, holding them steady. Thorn looks annoyed, "Yes. It is." He glances at Yuu, who's snuggling against Fox's chest plate, "You should probably get them home." "Yeah, probably." Fox tightens his hold around Yuu, "Good luck." Thorn releases a quiet laugh, "Yeah, thanks." And then he's gone, leaving Fox with Yuu. "Alright, sweetling." Fox murmurs as he lightly pushes them back, "Let's get you home." "Mm...Foxy," You mumble, "Sleepy." "I bet you are." He smooths his hand over your head, "Honestly, I can't believe you don't have a higher alcohol tolerance. Come on." He guides you over to his speeder and effortlessly sets you in the passenger seat, "You still good?" "Uh-huh." "Excellent." He reaches around you to buckle you into the speeder and then he circles the speeder to slide into the driver's seat. By the time he starts the speeder, you're already asleep. "Well, at least you're just a sleepy drunk, rather than anything else." he whispers, as he reaches over and brushes some hair out of your face, a small smile crossing his face as he does so. His brothers are right. He's completely smitten.

[bokubear]

𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐊𝐘𝐔𝐔 𝐁𝐎𝐘𝐒 𝐀𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒

featuring ; suna rintarou, kurō tetsuro, daichi sawamura, atsumu miya, osamu miya

warnings ; alcohol mentions

notes ; somehow .. this is what it’s become

☇SUNA fits this role perfectly, he never thought himself to be working in this club part time—spinning the various bottles of toxins so easily while entertaining the many seated on the worn leather stools. neither did he think to find you, sauntering towards him so aimlessly to order a martini, the olive sitting untouched as you poked at it. “haven’t seen a face like yours here, although i’m not disappointed.” he flipped the bottles in his wrists, pouring the liquid into your glass with a sly smirk. “i could say the same for you.” breathtaking eyes glittering towards him, now ushered to another customer hurriedly. you caught the note he slipped your way. written with ‘a martini at this hour is bold, but you’ve caught my attention, keep it for later.’ finished with his number.

☇KURŌ was well known at this bar, known for just how amazing he was at flirting. the women came flocking towards him like moths to a flame. you on the other hand proved his inflated ego wrong in such a grueling manner it almost sent him stumbling back. “if i really was trying to poison your drink i wouldn’t be trying so hard.” he groaned, carding a hand through his frazzled locks in frustration. “if you’re trying so hard in the first place, that leaves me with even more suspicion to use against you.” you clicked your tongue, glaring at the glass defiantly. “here !” he took a swig of the liquor, gawking as you lifted the glass to your lips effortlessly—winking in his direction. “just this once, don’t get any ideas.” he grinned victoriously. “have two, on me this time, don’t worry kitty, it’s not rigged.” arrogant.

☇DAICHI is and has been resilient. of course, he continues to do so, as stoic and polite as ever to each and everyone of his customers. because it seems the enormous amounts of people straining for his attention were only met with that innocence shining as bright as the sun. despite the facade, his appearance sent the innocence flying out the window. muscular, built arms wiping the glasses, brows knit. not to mention his veiny hands. god he was such eye-candy. “and for you ?” he glanced to your direction, stopping in his tracks. “wine please, make it strawberry.” your lips parting ever so slightly, you were drop dead gorgeous. “ah-aHUM. y-yes ma’-am, coming up. might i add you look absolutely stunning in that dress, be sure to come by whenever you’d like.” your laughter sent him dizzy, so adorable.

☇ATSUMU could not be any more forward. making sure to tip your drink just nearly full, offering to take you out or even quit this job to be your own personal bartender for the evening. funny enough, he falls completely prey to you, willing to get on his knees from your mere presence. taking a seat at the counter, all fixed up and pretty. he thinks it should be illegal to look like that. it’s dangerous. to him mainly. immediately, all his attention spans to you, ignoring everything else but you. your voice, your eyes, your face, everything. dragging him in with each breath. he finds himself carrying on with conversation far too often, but he doesn’t mind. it’s honestly unfair how good you are at this, especially when you smile, how he gets lost in that expression. there’s so much.

☇OSAMU treats everyone as family, offering some extra drinks when his boss isn’t staring over his shoulders, referring to the pretty ladies as “miss” or “dear.” however you were the first to be called “darlin.” it surprised you, who’d lingered all around this bar for a bit, catching into tid bits of discussion but never getting too in-depth. “your drink darlin.” he didn’t miss your eyes growing round with shock, his transforming into crescents with laughter, deep, sexy laughter that rumbled though his chest. “you heard me sweetheart, now enjoy it, we don’t get a lot of shipments so i’m bein’ generous.” you flushed, sipping gradually while viewing him from afar. “lemon.” he magically appeared, plopping the slice on the side of your drink. “adds to the flavor.”

-maak

plagiarism, repost, and editing is prohibited

[lopezpierce]

Gorgeous

I decided to post it here too. 

I have had this kind of version of Brittana in my head to this song for AGES. Since I finally found my muse again since Naya passed. I hope you enjoy it.

 Gorgeous

You should take it as a compliment That I got drunk and made fun of the way you talk

“Have you heard Brittany talk about her cat? I really think she has conversations with him,” You choked out as you watched her on the dance floor. Quinn ignores you as she watches her boyfriend flirt with the short loud girl that makes you want to scratch your own eyes out.

You should think about the consequence Of your magnetic field being a little too strong

You don’t know why but you are drawn to her. Maybe it was the way she moved so effortlessly. The beat of the music seemed to be the same beat as how she breathed. Maybe it was really her heart beat.

And I got a boyfriend, he's older than us He's in the club doing, I don't know what

Your phone started to buzz in your pocket. You look at it and roll your eyes. This guy you hooked up with over the summer was still texting you. He got into OSU on a football scholarship. That was really the only thing you found interesting about him. He was decently nice to you but he was also mediocre in many areas.

You're so cool, it makes me hate you so much (I hate you so much)

Whisky on ice, Sunset and Vine You've ruined my life, by not being mine

The way she makes her way through the crowd everyone talking to her and being friendly. She had gotten to your school late last year, but for some reason was almost as popular as you and Quinn. She joined Cheerios by the skin of her teeth. You were pretty sure coach Sue made her sign in blood she wouldn’t go out of the dance team.

You're so gorgeous I can't say anything to your face

She walked right by you and smiled saying a soft hello as you drink too strong of a drink.  You talk to her everyday at cheerios practice. But only to tell her what she’s doing right and wrong. You are co-captain after all.

'Cause look at your face And I'm so furious

At you for making me feel this way But, what can I say? You're gorgeous

You had looked at plenty of other girls before. It was no secret you got a little too drunk sometimes and made out with pretty much everyone. You had even made out with a shrub at a particularly out of hand Puckerman party. You finish slamming down the rest of your drink.

 You should take it as a compliment That I'm talking to everyone here but you (but you, but you) And you should think about the consequence Of you touching my hand in the darkened room (dark room, dark room)

You just let out an annoyed sigh as your way through the sea of people trying to get to the bathroom. Knocking on the bathroom door, you let out a loud command for whoever is in there to hurry up. Just your luck it’s, Puckerman. He yells something back about finding somewhere else to piss off. He was busy. You turn yourself around to try and find another place to freshen up.

You walk into an ill lite hall way. You nearly jump out of your skin when  you feel someone grab your hand.

“I heard Puck. I was waiting for the bathroom too,” Brittany speaks to you softly right before she points down the hallway too. “Last room on the left. I was here a couple weeks ago for a party. Learned my way around the house a little. Gotta get tons of water when you dance like I do.”

You just nodded and mutter out a thank you as she walked away. You don’t know if she’s doing it on purpose or if it was the sound of the music driving her, but the sway in her hips was NOT fair.

 If you've got a girlfriend (or boyfriend), I'm jealous of her But if you're single that's honestly worse 'Cause you're so gorgeous it actually hurts (Honey, it hurts)

 “It should be illegal to be so hot,” You say to yourself as you wash up a little. You take in a deep breath just before you smack the cold water on your face.

The door opens suddenly. No knock no warning. You’re about to yell when you look at Brittany who looks just as surprised as you.

Ocean blue eyes looking in mine I feel like I might sink and drown and die

“I’m so sorry,” She apologizes quickly putting her hand softly on your elbow. “I really thought saw you got into the living room. I knocked twice but I guess you didn’t hear my over the water.”

You just nod at her. Feeling your skin seemingly catch on fire from her touch.  Her body gets incredibly close to yours as she leans over to grab her phone. It had been sitting beside the soap dish. You had noticed it, but didn’t think much of it.

“I’m sorry, Santana,” She shoves her phone into her back pocket and offers you a small smile, “I’ve seen the way you move during practice. You should come dance with me later.”

You're so gorgeous I can't say anything to your face (to your face)

You don’t say anything. Half in fear of being meaner than you intend to be and half in fear of not remembering how to speak. At school, you have no problem speaking to her as if she is any other person, but this one on one with no audience, you have no idea. So you don’t say yes and you don’t say no. You just nod as she leaves.

'Cause look at your face (look at your face) And I'm so furious

You don’t know what possess you to take her up on her offer. It may have been the several drinks you had finally setting in giving you some liquid courage. It could have easily been your need to prove a point; a point that she wasn’t the only hot one who could dance. It was probably the numbing rage that so many unworthy people that just kept trying to grind up on her.  

You make me so happy, it turns back to sad, yeah There's nothing I hate more than what I can't have

You walk up behind her and put your hands on her hips to catch her attention. Somewhere between the bathroom and your leering break, she had lost her flannel shirt and shoes.

You were caught off guard when she abruptly turned around in your arms and leaned close to your face, “I’m glad you joined me.” Her words were almost like velvet. You nod AGAIN, for some reason you can spit venom faster than all the gays on Rupaul’s drag race. But as soon as she gets too close, you shut down. “I knew you could move!”

You are so gorgeous it makes me so mad You make me so happy, it turns back to sad, yeah

You dance through a couple more songs with her. Feeling looser you pull her closer to you by her belt loops, “I never said I couldn’t.” You offer her a smirk.

She smirks back at you a little and throws her arms around your shoulders and pulls you closer, “I guess you are the HBIC for some reason. Other than,” she leans close to you almost touch your ear with her lips, “Being incredibly hot. You’re probably the hottest person I’ve ever seen. I know for a fact you are the hottest girl in school.”

You feel your whole body feel like it’s been ignited with lighter fluid. You really don’t know a reaction for what she said besides silence. Which seemed to be the running theme for you whenever she was in solo close proximity to you.

“Thank you,” You softly mutter out without thinking. You can’t even remember the last time you spoke so softly, if ever. It was almost dismantling for you.

Brittany pulls away and grabs your hand, “We’ve been dancing a ton, let’s go get a drink.” You don’t protest you just follow her through the throngs of people. You smile a little when she tightens her grip as to not lose you through the crowd.

The party started to wind down and everyone who was cool and semi cool were starting to leave. You had no idea where Quinn was. You knew she had too much to drink to drive you home. Her meat head of a boyfriend never drank at the parties; he also was kind enough to bring you home as well. He was a pain in the ass and little dumb, but at least he was a safe ride.

There's nothing I hate more than what I can't have Guess I'll just stumble on home to my cats Alone, unless you wanna come along, oh.

You decided to give it a few more minutes before you would try and hunt down someone tolerable. Just as you pulled your phone out to text Quinn, you felt a tap on the shoulder.

“Hey,” The tall blonde says to you softly catching your attention immediately, “I thought you left with Quinn. She dipped like ten minutes ago.”

“God damn it,” You huff out and run your hands through your hair before you start to pull it up. “We have a rule, we always tell the other when we are leaving so we have a safe ride. I’m going to kick her ass tomorrow.”

Brittany grins at you a little bit, “I don’t think I have ever heard you say anything mean about Quinn.”

“It’s just fucking annoying,” You start to tap your fingers on your now crossed arms, “Did you hear her say she was leaving or did you watch?”

“She got into the beat up truck with the goofy tall football guy,” Brittany threw her hands up in defense. She obviously could feel the annoyance radiating off you. “She was yelling at him and basically dragged him out of the party. Something about trying he wasn’t in the business of doing make a wish foundation work. I think she was mad he was talking to Rachel.”

“Great,” You throw your hands up feeling the rage start to boil through. You didn’t have enough to drink to be weepy Santana, but rage Santana was just as good right now. “Now I have to find a ride home.”

“I haven’t had anything to drink,” She looks at you and throws her jacket over her shoulder, “Well, besides water. I don’t mind taking you home so you have a safe ride.”

You feel your whole body floating away. This had to be an out of body experience. You know she is just being nice, but the flirting earlier makes you wonder if it’s the best idea. You know you already turn into a complete idiot when you are alone with her. As if against your will you speak, “Thanks, Brittany. I appreciate it.”

The ride to your house is short maybe only ten minutes, but in a town as small as Lima everything was about ten minutes away. It wasn’t completely silent but Brittany did most of the talking. You answer politely and even laugh a few times. She does say some out there stuff, but you can kind of see how she gets some of these conclusions. Brittany turns parks and turns the car off which surprises you a little bit.

You're so gorgeous I can't say anything to your face (to your face) 'Cause look at your face (look at your face)

She gets out of the car and rounds the side of it to open the door for you, “What kind of knight in shining armor would I be if I let you walk to the door alone?” She offers you a hand to help you out of the car.

“You are an interesting one Brittany Pierce,” You mutter out softly as you take her hand.

“Interesting enough for you to hang out with me without having to be at a party?” She looks at you with those big blue eyes and your knees almost buckle when catch her gaze. “I was serious about you being the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. “

You have no idea what to say. You’ve for sure made out with a few girls and watched some lesbian films for research. But a date with another girl was not something that had really crossed your mind. That Football player started dating the feminine glee boy last year and after Karofsky beat the crap out a few people for throwing around the F slur, everyone seemed to get over it.

“Can I think about it?” You can’t believe you are even going to consider it. Your uncle was gay and your parents never cared. At least, not that you knew of. IF you did go out with her you could always keep it low key maybe a movie at her house or a couple towns over. In case it wasn’t your thing.

Brittany smiled at you and nodded softly, “Sure thing. Just let me know, you know, whenever. You have my number from the group Cheerios chat.”

She was about to walk away when your hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. “Britt, what you said about me being the most beautiful girl you’ve ever seen,” You pull her close to you quickly. You can tell you caught her by surprise because she nearly stumbles over her feet. “I think you’re so gorgeous.”

She has a bright smile on her face and a slight blush. “At least, I can say you have good taste,” Brittany takes you by surprise and kisses you softly on the lips, “So let me know about that date, Lopez.”  

Just as quickly as she kissed you she pulled away. She backs up and shoves her hands on her back pockets and winks at you before she walks down the drive way to her car.

As soon as she kissed you, even as brief as it was, you knew you needed to go on that date. But, you would let her sweat it a little bit. You weren’t about to let her have the upper hand before the first date.

But what can I say? (I say) You're gorgeous

[amanda-teaches]

Our Christmas Mission ~ 2/9

Jack Frost nipping at your nose

Summary: With Sam stationed overseas, he asks his brother, Dean, to help plan a surprise Christmas proposal for his girlfriend, and your best friend, Eileen. With very limited Christmas experience, Dean enlists your help to create some holiday magic for the lovebirds. Will the two of you find a little love of your own along the way?

Pairing: AU Dean x Reader

Square filled: Snowball Fight for @spnchristmasbingo​

Word Count: 1104

Warnings: A bit of flirting and fun, tiny bit of tension

A/N: We really get into the Christmas spirit in this one with a snowball fight! The flirting itself should be illegal.

Our Christmas Mission Masterlist

Your mission started in the park the next day, the freshly fallen snow still glistening on the ground when you arrived. You’d arranged to meet Dean there before he left the bakery the day before, thinking it would be a good idea to start with some basic inspiration for the proposal at the most holiday-ey place you could think of, the annual Christmas Light Festival in town.

You’d told him to meet you there at 10, but, true to form, you’d gotten there at 9:37, always way too early because you were worried about being late. By the time Dean showed up at 9:55, the cold had more than seeped its way into your bones, leaving you chilled and desperately rubbing your hands together for warmth. Luckily for you, when Dean got there, he did so carrying two giant cups of coffee, one of which, even if he hadn’t intended it for you, definitely had your name written all over it.

“Oh my God, you’re my hero,” you called out dramatically, grabbing the offered cup from him and taking a long, happy sip, a sigh falling from your lips as it hit. “Oh, wow…I needed that. Thank you, you’re amazing.”

He coughed slightly, looking away to avoid your gaze with a soft, sheepish smile on his face. You realized with surprise that he was embarrassed, which you found entirely adorable, especially coming from a man as effortlessly handsome as Dean. Taking pity on him, you removed the spotlight by changing the topic. “So, I talked with Eileen last night. I don’t think she has any idea that Sam’s coming home early. We have a good shot at surprising her.”

Dean grinned brightly, signaling his relief at either the news, the topic change, or both. “That’s the plan. You got any ideas yet?”

Shaking your head, you pointed your coffee towards the outskirts of the Christmas Light Festival on the other side of the park. “Nothing concrete, but I’m thinking we’ll find some ideas in there.”

Dean raised an eyebrow, his grin shifting into a skeptical smirk. “Christmas lights?”

“Hey, it’s a classic! I’m sure it’ll inspire some Hallmark level romance.” Dean’s eyebrows lifted, and your cheeks flushed red as you rushed to clarify. “I mean for Sam and Eileen, of course. Romance for them.”

Dean scoffed playfully, giving you a reassuring smile and thankfully moving on as he followed you across the blanket of snow towards the festival. You’d only made it about halfway when the sudden slam of something ice cold hit you on your shoulder, quickly followed by one on your face before you even had the chance to react. “What the-”

Out of instinct, you turned to the side to find the source, but Dean quickly grabbed your hand, pulling you out of the way as another hail of snowballs came raining down on you. “Behind that tree, hurry!”

Dean wasn’t even phased, already laughing as he drove you behind the tree, his arms and back shielding you from the onslaught of icy, cold projectiles as much as he could. You peeked around the other side while he was taking cover, spotting four teenagers across the clearing, half hidden behind a snowbank, their arms filled with snowballs.

“There!” you yelled, pointing in their direction. Dean pulled you back behind the tree just as another snowball flew your way, narrowly missing your head. “What are we going to do?”

His breathing was heavy, shoulder to shoulder with you, but even with his back against the tree and snowballs flying all around you, he was still smiling. “The only thing we can do.” He looked over at you, his eyes sparkling devilishly. “Fight back. Cover me.”

“Wait, what-”

But Dean was already moving, snowball in hand, a playful war cry sounding out as he left the safety of the tree and crossed out into the open. You froze for a second before you did the absolute last option that came to your mind- you followed him out.

It was a blast. Under the advancement of you and Dean, the teenagers were quickly overpowered, but they put up a good fight, playfully sending snowballs back and forth until you were flat on your back in a fit of laughter, with Dean taking charge and scaring off the last of the teenagers. 

“Yeah, that’s right!” he yelled after them, holding up his arms in triumph as you tried and failed to rein in your laughter. “Take that, you hooligans.”

“Hooligans?!” you giggled, holding your hand out to him. “Hey, Champ, a little help over here?”

He turned around and took your hand to pull you up, but you surprised him by yanking him down instead, redissolving into a fit of giggles when he landed hard next to you with a shocked cry. “Sorry,” you laughed out loud. “I couldn’t resist.”

He joined in your amusement, grabbing a wad of snow with a wide grin on his face. “Oh, you’re in for it now.”

“No, no!” you shrieked, squirming away while Dean showered you with snow, but he blocked your escape with his arm, his body stretched over yours, trapping you in place. “I yield, I yield!”

He stilled immediately, dropping the snow on the ground by your head, his face sobering real quick. Staying completely silent, he stared down at you for a few seconds, his smile fading as his eyes roamed your face, seemingly in search of something you couldn’t quite identify. Whatever it was though, it passed as quickly as it came, and he moved away from you, sitting back on his heels. “Oh, uh, good job out there. You know, with the snowballs.”

You sat up, leaning back on your hands and smiling softly. “Yeah, you too. You really turned that around on those kids.”

“Not my first snowball fight,” he chuckled, pausing again for a moment to stare at you before standing up and brushing the snow off of his pants. “So, we should probably go…you know, to the festival?”

“Yeah,” you agreed hastily, standing up opposite him and dusting your own snow off your clothes. “You’re right. Let’s get going.”

He walked ahead of you this time, leaving you to follow, but now you were the one hesitating, your brain fixating on the way he hovered over you and the look in his eyes before he pulled away. 

You had no idea what had just happened, but whatever it was, something had definitely shifted. No matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t shake it, couldn’t shake Dean. 

Well damn. What the hell were you supposed to do now?

[haveanotherkpopblog]

Vive la Revolution

Prologue

Genre: Cyberpunk!AU, Dystopian!AU, Gang!AU, Rivals-to-Lovers!AU

Pairing: TBA

Word Count: 2.5k

Warnings: Sexual Situations

Masterlist || Next Part >>

Society fell when the game came out. It was supposed to be a game for children, where they could let their imaginations run rampant. The game was meant for them to have an escape from everyday life. But then they didn’t stop playing. They spent all day in the game. Nothing else mattered except the game.

The game--the game wasn’t like other games. It was the future of virtual reality. It was a game where you didn’t need to stop to sleep or even use the bathroom. Your consciousness was transferred into the game, putting you in a deep slumber, a coma almost. The only downfall was you had to leave, until you didn’t have to.

The kids turned to the black market for medical IV’s so they could keep playing. Crime began to rise significantly over the mere months since the game’s initial release. The police did their best, but with limited resources and limited money, there was only so much they could do.

Then the adults started playing. In an attempt to save their children, adults entered the game. The only problem was, they never left. The curiosity of what had captured their children’s minds so effortlessly and quietly. Slowly, the adults stopped leaving the game. They followed in their kids’ footsteps, buying IV’s and locking themselves away in the game.

Businesses began shutting down from the lack of customers and the employees seeming to vanish into thin air. Life began slowing down, the only thing thriving in the dying country was crime. The police slowly began to stop doing their jobs, letting the country run rampant with illegal activities.

The worst of it was in the capital. The most powerful people, the socialites, lived there, including the manufacturer of Virtual Paradise-- the game responsible for capturing half the nation’s mind. The game went world-wide, and soon everyone who was anyone had purchased the game. People, desperate to escape their lives, stole the game from anywhere they could get it. The company, Tempestechnologies, had become the company.

However, that was the capital and all major cities of the world. What was really scary was the rest of the country that couldn’t afford the game. Or if they could, they were smart enough not to buy it. With the world and the nation in chaos, the country had been divided into three districts.

The first was the JYP District. It covered most of the coastline and was the mediator between the other two districts. The leader of the District referred to herself as Queenie. As the only female leader, she gave herself a fitting title. While rather small in size, she was a force to be reckoned with. She and her husband had made a quiet, but successful, living working mainly with oversea gangs. She kept the other two districts as close allies.

The second was the SM District. This District covered the northern side of the country. It just also happened to be the richest amongst the three Districts since the Capital fell within their territory. The leader was Leeteuk, a successful businessman turned into an even more successful gang leader. He knew where the game would lead the country from a young age, and he’d been preparing ever since for the inevitable.

The last District was the scariest. YG District was made up of the southern side of the country and what little bit of the coastal region JYP didn’t control. The crime rates were so high, the police had completely given up and worked for the District’s leading gang and the leader. The leader--the leader was so many things, finding one word to describe him was impossible. G-Dragon had done so many unthinkable things, had seen the unimaginable, and he had laughed at it all.

Now while Queenie had aligned herself and JYP with SM and YG, the two didn’t like each other. In fact, if it hadn’t been for her, there certainly would have been a civil war unlike any before. That’s where the story started, at the end of a feud that started before either of them reached double digits.

Queenie sat in one of the clubs in her District. For the best outcome, everyone needed to meet on neutral territory. That meant her territory, which she didn’t mind at all. Her turf, her rules. She smirked, eyes scanning the club, skimming every face she recognized and every face she didn’t. She watched as A, one of her informants, flirted with some random guy at the bar. He wasn’t bad looking, but Queenie knew A was simply biding her time.

“Are you sure they’re going to show?” JB, Queenie’s second in command, sat perched at the edge of his seat. He was staring directly at her, his eyebrows halfway up his forehead. His drink sat on the table in front of him, barely touched as the ice slowly watered it down. She smirked, reaching to grab her own glass off the table.

“Have patience. They’ll show up.”

As if on cue, Mandu, JB’s personal bodyguard, escorted four men in. Mandu had dark brown hair parted away from his face. His muscles bulged against his tight shirt, giving everyone a clear image of his strong physique that detoured most people, as long as he kept his mouth closed. Once he opened his mouth, any intimidation the other party felt disappeared. Even with his deep, intimidating voice, Mandu was simply too sweet and kind for his own good.

Leeteuk sat in the chair opposite of Queenie. His pink hair fell into his eyes, making him squint and occasionally toss his head. His suit jacket was undone, revealing the tight, black dress shirt that hugged his toned chest. It was a well known fact that he had quite the fascination with her. Whether it be because of her stunning beauty or the power she held was of little consequence.

Next to him was Suho, his second in command. Suho was to keep himself more put together than Leeteuk did when she was around. His black hair was combed away from his face, and his suit was well-put together, albeit more casual than what he usually wore. They were supposed to be more casual, relaxed, with each other. Hence them meeting in some bourgeois club. And that was strictly on Queenie’s request.

Behind them were their bodyguard, arms crossed over their chests as they eyed Queenie and her subordinates half-heartedly. They never saw her as a real threat. Whether it was because of their alliance or because they truly believed she wasn’t a threat to anyone was unknown to her. But she knew she could handle herself, and should the time ever come, she would show them just how well.

“Gentlemen. Welcome. I hope the journey wasn’t too hard,” she greeted.

“Seeing you again is worth every second,” Leeteuk said, shooting her a wink. Queenie peered over her glass, sparing a glance to Suho who was staring at Leeteuk with a slight scrunched face. He rolled his eyes, taking a prolonged sip from his cup. “I only wish it was under better circumstances.” She carefully set down her cup.

“I think these are the best circumstances. You’re finally putting that silly little feud behind you,” she said. She leant forward, placing a delicate hand just above his knee, giving it a light squeeze. “You know how much I dislike conflict.” He watched her hand with a dark gaze, his leg tensing under her touch. Suho and JB shared an unimpressed look before they both took a sip of their drinks. Queenie pulled back, crossing her legs as she observed Leeteuk.

Leeteuk observed her too, taking in her now short hair, the subtle makeup around her smoldering eyes and luscious lips. His eyes trailed down her body, admiring how the dress hugged her curves and even gave him a glimpse of what the thin fabric was covering. She was temptation. He knew that, she knew that, he knew she knew that, and he was more than aware she used that knowledge to her advantage, yet he let her pull him in. What they knew was of little consequence to them.

“I see they’re just letting anybody in here now.” Queenie and Leeteuk looked away from each other to the three people that had entered the room. DaH, Queenie’s personal bodyguard, had brought in two more people for their little celebratory party. Her long blonde hair fell down her back as she shot a harsh glare to the pair she’d brought in. DaH wasn’t built like Mandu, she was small and petite, but she made up for her lack of bulging muscles with speed and agility. And unlike Mandu, when she spoke, her words were laced with venom.

G-Dragon gave DaH a cheeky wink, to which she replied by narrowing her gaze more. She shot Queenie an unimpressed look before moving to stand behind her. G-Dragon oozed confidence. His hair was a disheveled mess, dark marks covered his neck and most of his chest from what could be seen of his unbuttoned shirt. She gave Queenie a sly smirk as she stood to greet him, a smirk of her own on her face.

“Well we let you in here don’t we?” she teased. G-Dragon chuckled, leaning forward to place a kiss on her cheek. He shot Leeteuk a wink as he did so, enjoying seeing him get worked up from a small action. Suho leaned over to whisper to Leeteuk, calming him down somewhat.

CL, G-Dragon’s second in command, sat next to Suho. She had at least followed Queenie’s request. Her curled, blonde hair fell over one shoulder, exposing her back and drawing attention to cleavage.  She kept her eyes focused between Queenie, Leeteuk, and G-Dragon. She flicked her wrist, glancing down at her watch.

Suho, despite his best efforts to keep a bored air around him, watched CL carefully. He took in her poised posture and the unreadable mask that hid her emotions too well. He took in how her dress exposed her back, letting his eyes trail down the length of her spine. He felt his blood heat up the longer he stared at her back.

“I’m so glad we could have this little sit down,” Queenie said. She watched both men carefully, observing their subtle glances at one another. “I think it’s about time you two put this silly feud to rest.” Both men tensed at the statement, avoiding each other’s eyes. “JB, if you will.” JB cleared his throat, regarding each man and their associates.

“Queenie and I agree that the best way to show peace is to build trust. We’ve talked with each of you separately and from that we’ve come up with a plan. G-Dragon is being gracious enough to send someone to stay in the SM District for one year with absolutely no contact.”

“How exactly does that establish trust?” Suho inquired, leaning forward so his arms rested on his knees. “If anything, that causes more trust issues. One year to gather information to be used against us? I’m failing to see how that works in our favor.”

“Well firstly, the agreement is that our person lives with you for a year without any harm,” CL said, turning to look at Suho. “Meaning if you want to keep them locked in a dungeon, as long as they’re fed and clean, you can do so. Second, we’re not sending just anyone. He’s sending in his only living relative to live with someone he hasn’t gotten along with in years. If anything, that’s the most trust I’ve seen him give anyone.” Suho and Leeteuk both stared at her in shock.

“I wasn’t aware you had any family,” Leeteuk said.

“It’s not something I like to advertise. People like to use them against you. I’m sure you more than anyone can understand that,” he replied. “Now I’m sending them to show my complete trust. If and when they return, as long as they’re in good health and have been treated with respect and dignity they deserve, then I will let bygones be bygones.”

Leeteuk regarded G-Dragon carefully. Something wasn’t sitting right in the pit of his stomach. This seemed too easy. After years of them being at each other’s throats, G-Dragon was going to gift wrap his own blood to him? Leeteuk narrowed his eyes slightly, his fist tightening around his glass.

“I wouldn’t read too much into such a generous offer,” Queenie said. She leant forward, facing Leeteuk directly. “He’s giving you unsupervised access to the closest person to him, and all you have to do is keep them healthy and safe. If anything, I think you’re getting the better side of this deal.” She placed her hand on his knee again, tilting her head slightly and staring up at him with her big, round eyes.

“Unsupervised?” Suho said.

“Yes. One whole year of unsupervised access to them. YG will have absolutely no access to them while they stay with you,” JB said, shooting Queenie a pointed look.

“Don’t mistake me for a blissfully blind fool, Leeteuk,” G-Dragon said, pulling Leeteuk’s attention away from Queenie. “I don’t expect you to trust me or my family. So as a sign of good faith, they’re going in unaccompanied. Even their own personal bodyguard won’t be with them. That’s how you’re going to show me your trust. Return them to me unharmed and in good health, treat them like family, or at least better than the men you’ve so graciously returned to me before, and I won’t murder everyone in your district.” Leeteuk clenched his jaw. Suho leant over, lowering his voice.

“Wait. We can use this to our advantage. How much information do you think our people could get out of him? Who would know his deep secrets better than his own blood?” Leeteuk weighed Suho’s words carefully, slowly relaxing into his seat.

“So you want me to keep them for one year, three-hundred and sixty-five days, and then return them safely?” Leeteuk clarified. G-Dragon nodded, moving to lean back into his seat. Leeteuk drummed his fingers on the armrest, staring at G-Dragon thoughtfully. Something still didn’t feel right, but Suho had a point. His second in command gave him a subtle nod. Leeteuk smiled smugly, tossing his hands up slightly. “I have to agree with you Queenie, I’m definitely getting the better deal.”

G-Dragon smirked, outstretching his hand. Leeteuk grabbed it, giving him a firm handshake. Queenie clapped her hands together, a genuine smile on her face. JB let out a shaky breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Suho and CL shared a knowing look before turning back to the two leaders.

“I’m so happy everything’s worked out,” Queenie said, moving to stand up. “Now, I believe you gentlemen and lady have earned a night of relaxation. My club is all yours to enjoy.” She turned to G-Dragon, a smirk on her face. “I believe A is waiting for you downstairs.” G-Dragon returned her smirk, running a hand through his hair. Leeteuk held his hand up to the two District leaders.

“As much as I would love to, I should get back.” He and Suho, along with their bodyguards, headed towards the door. He paused briefly, turning to look back. “Just one quick question,” he said. “Who exactly is this relative of yours?” G-Dragon smiled, a genuine, scarily normal smile.

“My baby sister.”

[elizabeth-mitchells]

the only touchstone of truth - I Care A Lot (2021) - Fran/Marla

Chapters: 4/? Fandom: I Care A Lot (2020) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Fran/Marla Grayson Characters: Marla Grayson, Fran (I Care A Lot) Additional Tags: Canon Compliant, Canon Lesbian Relationship, Origin Story, Canon Backstory, First Meetings, First Kiss, First Dates, Getting Together, Morally Ambiguous Character, Illegal Activities, Eventual Smut, Flirting, Partners in Crime, crime wives

Chapter 4:

Ever since that first day, when Fran caught her destroying her own shop in order to incriminate the enemy, she always found Marla to be a completely breathtaking woman. But this was a whole different level. When the big day finally arrived, Marla showed up to court ready to kill. She was wearing what Fran would’ve bet was a brand new suit that, much like the restaurant she visited, Marla probably could only afford out of sheer confidence in the fact that she knew she deserved luxury. Her striking blue eyes looked as brilliant as ever, mischievous when she met the other woman’s gaze, but ready to turn innocent and falsely vulnerable in front of the judge. However, this time Fran couldn’t tear her attention away from one very specific thing about Marla: her new haircut. Gone were the soft waves that fell lovingly over her shoulders. The short bob haircut was all about sharp edges, not a single blonde hair out of place, and it perfectly complemented Marla. Fran thought the new style was so on point that soon enough it would be difficult to even remember the way Marla looked before. And, like maybe things about Marla, Fran thought it was like an extremely sophisticated and gorgeous piece of armor that no anybody could completely decipher.

“Marla,” she greeted her outside of court with a grin on her lips to disguise the way her mouth suddenly felt dry at the sight of the blonde woman, “you look good.”

Not one for fake humility, Marla returned the smile, “Right?” she shook her blonde hair off her face, “Dress for winning, it’s a thing.”

“I already feel like a winner,” Fran couldn’t hold back her smile as she followed Marla inside the building.

“Will you behave ,” Marla retorted, looking at her over her shoulder with a teasing look, “at least until the trial is over?”

“I can’t make such promises,” the brunette laughed, walking just a little too close to Marla, just for the pleasure of hearing Marla’s chuckle in response and, yes, maybe also for the pleasure of standing so close to her. If Fran was being honest, she was more than a little excited to witness the trial. It was Marla’s first time in court but she could already tell it would be, not only a great success, but incredibly entertaining, exciting, even fascinating, considering Fran would be aware of Marla’s lies, tricks, manipulation of the facts, and frighteningly good acting.

They were ready for the show.

---

The thing is, judging by the way Marla walked away from the court that day, hardly anybody would have guessed that she just lost her case. Marla lost. She lost the case against the massive company that put her lawful little shop out of business in the blink of an eye. It wasn’t even for honest reasons, like discovering that she incriminated them, no. She lost because there was money in between, hanging from a thread in front of the judge’s head like a carrot taunting him to go for the best bidder. She lost, not because she played dirty, but because the game was already rigged, and there were better, or worse depending on where you stand, players ahead of her. Not for long , she bitterly told herself, walking the long hallways with her head held high, jaw clenched, demeanor perfectly controlled, blond hair swaying only slightly.

“Marla.”

And then there was the voice that made her feel perfectly uncontrolled by simply calling out her name.

“Not now, Fran,” she whispered, aware that she could only keep her strong and unaffected facade for so long.

“ Marla ,” Fran repeated her name, somehow managing to sound firm and gentle at the same time. This time she caught up with her, and added a tentative touch to the other woman’s elbow.

Marla gritted her teeth. She couldn’t afford to lose her cool in public. She highly doubted she’d cry for this misstep. She didn’t think she’d lose her temper either, not exactly. But a breakdown was just waiting to happen. All she needed was an escape and, luckily, she knew the right spot for it. She couldn’t believe that there, out of all places, she could think of a safe place to land. Though, then again, maybe it wasn’t about the secluded hallway where she’d first kissed Fran. Maybe it was all about Fran’s company. Either way, silently, the two women made their way to that secret spot once more, even if this time their spirits were the entire opposite to those of the previous occasion.

This time Marla was the one to lean her back against the wall. She didn’t look completely defeated, not even when there was Fran in front of her, with worried eyes staring at her. But she did look exhausted. It was a look that didn’t exactly fit with the image Fran had of Marla Grayson in her mind.

“Are you okay?” Fran asked first. As an answer, she received a particular look from the blonde that she wasn’t all capable of deciphering just yet, but at least she understood two things. One, she wouldn’t get much more of an answer. Two, she desperately wanted to get to that place where she would be beyond capable of reading Marla’s silents looks effortlessly. “I’m sorry,” she blurted out next, “I should have… I should have warned you, I guess. This happens all the time, it’s never fair, really. Justice is bullshit, Marla, really. I just thought, I really thought-”

“I’m sorry about your money, Fran,” Marla stopped the younger woman in her tracks with her words and the movement of her hand toward Fran’s cheek. It was obvious that neither of them would get any money out of this failed plan.

“Don’t worry about that,” Fran’s frown deepened and she shook her head just lightly but still Marla dropped her hand and she instantly missed the contact. There was a heavy silence between them. No money. No celebration. No case to prepare for. This couldn’t be an ending for them, could it? “What are you going to do now?” Fran asked carefully. Marla had been clear on the fact that she’d have to close her shop either way.

“Now?” Marla took a deep breath and straightened in place. Wearing her high heels she was just slightly taller than Fran, so she could lean down and leave a heart-stoppingly intimate kiss on the corner of the other woman’s lips. “I need to leave,” she whispered, finally a hint of pain cracked its way to the tone of her voice, and she immediately started taking the steps that would take her away from there, alone.

“Wait,” Fran said, turning around quickly and reaching out to hold Marla’s hand. She had to think, and quickly.

The two of them were almost complete opposites in some ways, but they also shared a great deal of things in common. Neither of them was sure if this was a blessing or a curse, if it made their interaction perfect or impossible. Fran knew that for nobody else she would have offered her hand this way, so soon, so easily. But in this situation, one of them had to.

“I still care about you, okay?” Fran confessed, squeezed Marla’s hand once, then let her go.

---

There was a lot of driving. That’s how Fran would describe the couple of days immediately after the failure at the court. She had quite a few errands to run and things to take care of, but she also simply enjoyed the driving around. When she drove her bike it was easier to quiet down her racing thoughts. Half of her mind on the road, and half of it on one issue at a time. There were plenty of issues though. Most of them had the indelible mark of one Marla Grayson. That might have been the reason that on so many of those long bike rides to clear her thoughts, the only thing Fran really achieved was failing to fool herself into thinking it was an accident how often she drove past Marla’s shop.

Three days later, she finally had a reason to stop by.

They were clearly emptying the store. It was mostly just Marla and Curtis with a truck waiting outside. By the time Fran parked, Marla noticed, and stood still outside the shop, observing the process, the death of her American dream. At first sight, Fran thought Marla still was the most beautiful woman she’d ever met. She was wearing comfortable clothes, her short hair held back in a little ponytail, and she’d clearly been working for a while. Fran wouldn’t say Marla looked like she was back to herself, back to the person she was before the fiasco at the court. That wouldn’t have been truthful. There was a significant change in Marla Grayson, Fran just had to figure it out. However, she did look strong and brilliant as ever, so she took that as a good sign as she approached her.

“Moving out?” Fran blurted out. She slowly walked closer, tilted her head, and squinted her eyes, the sun was unforgiving that day.

“I couldn’t have run a vape shop my whole life I guess,” Marla gave a half-hearted shrug in response. This wasn’t their best way to greet each other, they weren’t at their best, and the uneasiness around them was suffocating.

“Some you win, some you lose,” the brunette mumbled. It was nothing, a mindless repetitive phrase, but she should have seen the answer coming. Either way, she was glad to hear it.

“I don’t lose, Fran,” the other woman turned to look at her. “I won’t lose,” Marla added, looking back at the front of her dead store.

Fran nodded, holding back a smile, “Alright.”

This moment wasn’t entirely different from that first day. Attraction, chemistry, magnetism, something had pulled them to each other. Something had told them that if they could have easily gone to bed together that first night, maybe all could have ended the next morning. Something had clicked in their minds on that first conversation that convinced them that the other one was worth more than that. So they held back, and held on to each other, but how much longer could they wait before either giving up or crossing a line. Because their desire was obvious, but at this point, the risks were just as unavoidable. There was too much on the line, they were each getting too close to hearts that had chosen not to let anyone else in. One peek past the curtains they each held over the parts of themselves that weren’t carefully crafted weapons to face the world on that personal battle they each had picked, and it could all come crumbling down. How could they dare to try vulnerability? What if they liked it? How could they let each other in? How could they trust, and care? What if it worked? Going after something that could be perfect was too much of a risk. It would be easier to let go.

The problem, or rather salvation, was the fact that every time the idea of giving up popped in her mind, Marla was fiercely reminded of the fact that she simply doesn’t give up. She doesn’t lose. She’s determined to be successful. She’s confident in her ability to go for what she wants, but this one situation is way beyond that, isn’t it? Can she keep something, someone , and care for her as fiercely as she knows she could if only she wanted to? Could Fran be the one success she wants and needs more than she even realizes? Would Fran even want that?

This time it was Marla who reached out and caught Fran’s hand in hers and turned to look at her with unusual sincerity lighting up her blue eyes. “Thank you for everything, Fran,” she said.

The smile that Fran sent her way then was enough to make every risk worth it. “Don’t need to thank me,” Fran squeezed her hand once and started to pull away, seemingly satisfied with this interaction. It looked like both of them had reached a new understanding of what they wanted. “I’ll let you get back to work,” Fran added, not overjoyed to let go of the other woman’s hand.

“Oh, you’re not staying to help?” Marla called after her, a smile appearing on her lips.

Fran sent a playful grimace in the way of the shop. “Maybe next time,” she replied. They both laughed. Assuming Marla would have another business go bankrupt or not, either way, Fran would consider herself lucky to return and help her. “Call me,” she added, just a little more seriously, even if they were both still wearing matching smiles, “ when you’ll get in trouble again.” No need to pretend this was an “if”  kind of situation.

---

The clothes were convenient. Marla just happened to have black pants and a black sweatshirt. The plan though, the plan was perfect, she knew that from the start. Of course, she hadn’t played fair from the beginning, but no one could know just how far she would go to come out as a winner. However, the fire behind her might be a good sign.

Marla simply couldn’t hold back her grin as she sneaked away from the big building. It had been surprisingly easy to set fire to the company that had ruined her business, now it was just a matter of finding out just how flammable vaping products were. She’d crafted a perfect plan, so she could pull it off only with Curtis’ help. The only trick was walking away separately, in opposite directions.

The fire, smoke, and the alarms behind her were a perfect backdrop and Marla had almost made it out and away from the crime scene when on the last alleyway she was thrown down to the ground.

“Fuck,” Marla cursed, ignoring the questions that the man, likely a security guard that was way too late to do his job, was trying to ask her. The fall wasn’t too bad, but he was raising his fist, and if he started to punch or kick her there on the ground, it couldn’t end well.

That’s when they were both blinded by sudden bright lights. There was an instant of panic in Marla’s heart, fearing she’d been too slow, she’d failed, the police had arrived first. Did they catch Curtis too? Was this her end?

“Hey, step away from her!” Fran yelled as she pushed the man away from Marla.

The man stumbled, but now that he was provoked he decided it was an excuse enough to hit two women. But he had no idea of the darkest tricks that Fran carried on her sleeve though. She was agile, clever, stronger than she looked like, and knowledgeable in exactly the right ways to leave a man unconscious in a matter of seconds without causing much damage.

There was a bit of silence after the stranger’s body hit the ground. Then Marla exclaimed, “Fran!” She sounded delighted, a little out of breath, completely marveled.

Marla was still on the ground, she’d observed the struggle with wide eyes, a glowing smile and, at first, a pang of fear for the other woman’s safety that later she would realize was a sign of how deep in trouble she truly was.

“Did you call for a ride?” Fran said to her, offering a hand to help her get up, “Couldn’t get you a getaway car, I hope my bike will be enough.”

She barely had time to finish her sentence. As soon as Marla was on her feet and eye to eye with the brunette she pulled her in into a long-overdue kiss. Her lips latched onto Fran’s eagerly, mindless of trying to mask how badly she wanted this. It was incredible the way relief and excitement sparked up like fireworks when their lips touched, again and again.

“Thank you,” Marla sighed, pulling back for a moment to stare in awe at the woman in her arms, gently brushing Fran’s wild hair off her face.

Fran tilted her head, held Marla closer, and said, “Arson, huh? Didn’t think that was your style.”

“I’m full of surprises.”

“I see,” Fran mumbled, their lips already meeting again. She couldn’t get enough of Marla, her lips moved instinctively, without holding back at all. Almost at the same time, they started to hear police sirens in the distance. “ Someone ,” Fran stole another kiss and pulled away, “should arrest you right now.”

Marla demanded another kiss, and when she slowly pulled away, her teeth teasingly pulled on Fran’s bottom lip. “You,” Marla whispered. She got somewhat distracted by moving to kiss down Fran’s jaw, then focusing on her neck, losing her mind over the sigh that escaped the woman’s lips, which in Marla’s mind sounded perfect coupled with the police sirens in the background. “Did you forget your handcuffs, officer?” Marla added in a playful tone, her hands desperately pulling Fran closer to her.

“I quit the police, Marla,” Fran announced with a breathy laugh prompted by a particular bite on her neck.

The news forced Marla to pull away, and this time she looked at Fran without even the slightest effort at disguising her desire. “Take me home right now,” Marla said very slowly, the sirens were getting closer.

Fran leaned in again and kissed her, much slower, not any less passionately. Her hand rested on Marla’s cheek, her nails grazed her gently. When she pulled back she was wearing that perfect smirk that drove the blonde crazy. She held Marla’s hand and pulled her toward the bike waiting behind them.

“It’s a better alibi for you if we go to my house instead,” Fran winked.

They drove away just as the police pulled over on the other street, completely oblivious to the couple of women that would get away that night with one of many little crimes they would commit together in their lifetime.

[happy-beeeps]

So Kriffing Smooth

Pairing: mechanic!reader x Poe

Part 1!

WC: 1.5k

Warnings: None I think? Maybe language? It’s v v v fluffy!!!

A/N: this wasn’t gonna be a part fic, I was just gonna do drabbles, but I thought it was unfair to leave you guys hanging on how their first date went!!! Let me know if you want this to exist in parts or in drabbles that vaguely float on a timeline.

* * *

“Rey, why is it that I own literally three changes of clothes and one of them is a flight suit?”

“Well, if it makes you feel better, so does Poe!”

“You’re lying and you know it, that man has the biggest wardrobe aside from General Organa in the entire Resistance.” Rey smiled and shook her head laughing as you adjusted one of the few outfits you had that wasn't for repairing ships. “You’re gonna be fine. He hasn’t stopped talking about this date since yesterday.”

“Stop saying this is a date or I’m going to break out into hives.” Who were you kidding, you’d already been antsy all morning. You had caught Poe’s eye earlier that day, and he had sent you a small wink and a wave and you almost choked on the meal bar you were eating. This couldn’t be real. You couldn’t believe this was happening to you, Poe Dameron, the best pilot in the resistance actually liked you. Never in your wildest dreams could you have imagined this. You checked the time and cautiously looked over at Rey. “I guess we should go…” she pressed the button to open your door and gestured in front of you “after you.”

* * *

You had found Poe leaning against the column outside of the mess, looking both effortlessly cool and utterly terrified. BB-8 was chirping away at his feet, rolling back and forth in anticipation. At the sight of you and Rey, it beeped with delight and rolled over to the two of you. “Hey buddy!” You called, crouching down to give him a gentle pat when Poe ran over. “Hey! You look, you look great!” He said, smiling over at you. “You clean house pretty nice yourself, flyboy.” You responded, sending him a playful nudge. Rey cleared her throat and gestured down to BB-8, “right well, the two of us are gonna go somewhere else that isn't here. You two have fun.” BB-8 sent a loud beep as a response, before the two headed another direction. Gesturing into the mess, Poe looked at you “shall we?”

You grabbed whatever food you could, and took your meal packs outside of the base to the lush forests of Ajan Kloss. You loved it out here, so different from the grey mechanical cityscape of Corellia, the greenery that surrounded you made being out here even better. You had to admit, Poe had timed it rather well, the suns were low in the sky, casting a purple glow on everything. It was light enough to see without assistance but dark enough that everything had a hazy warmth to it. He was smooth, really smooth. “Was Yavin-4 like this?” You asked as he leaned back on his palms to recline rather lazily next to you. You were seated criss cross beside him and rested your chin in your hand while you waited for his response. “Sort of, Yavin had more jungles, the thick and heavy kind that you get stuck in. I remember, one time I was flying with my mom, and I nearly wrecked her ship when I flew too low into some vines,” he laughed in spite of himself, and you blushed as you watched the way his eyes crinkled and his smile grew, “I’m shocked she ever let me fly again.” 

“I’m glad she did. I don’t know where we’d be without your fancy flying.” He gave you a small smirk before replying, “Gee, now you’re trying to make me blush. I thought I was the one trying to finally woo you.” You stared at him for a moment, eyes squinting in confusion. Surely you hadn’t been that shy around him. If anything, you thought your painfully awkward interactions made it abundantly clear that you were interested in him. “Poe… did you think I didn’t like you?”

“Well I mean, when you say it like that I get the idea that the answer is supposed to be no.” 

“You’re joking, oh my god I’m so embarrassed.” You said, laughing as you shook your head in your hands. “Hey hey hey, what do you have to be embarrassed about? I mean, if you didn’t like me, I mean, that’s probably a me thing. I’m pretty great but Finn says sometimes I can be a lot and-“

“No no, Poe, I just… I could never talk to you because I was way too awkward, I mean, kriff Poe have you seen yourself?”

“There you go again! How am I supposed to flirt with you when you’re doing all the heavy lifting!”

“I’m gonna be honest, you’ve got maybe another 30 seconds of this random confidence boost before I realize everything I’ve said and shut down again so, take advantage of it.” By now you too were sitting close to one another, mimicking his body language by extending your legs long in front of you. Poe reached out and softly grabbed your hand, before looking up at you before saying, “would it make you feel better if I said the reason I didn’t talk to you as much is because I thought you were way too smart and too beautiful to hangout with a guy like me?” Your cheeks burned a deep crimson before you looked down and back up at his eyes. You had to bite your lip to keep yourself from smiling too much when you replayed, “I mean, it definitely helps.”

* * *

Poe Dameron was smooth, you already knew this much, but as he led you away from your impromptu picnic towards the hanger, you didn’t realize how smooth. His arm snaked around your hips in an instant, and you hadn’t realized how much you had leaned into his side until he made a turn towards his ship and you almost tripped over him. You headed towards his X-Wing, complete with modifications you knew were definitely illegal, and watched as he opened the hatch and climbed in, he scooted all the way to the back of the seat, and gestured for you to follow him. “I promise it’s not as tight of a squeeze as it looks.” 

“No you’re fine,” you said, as you climbed into the space between his legs on the seat, “I've just never been in an X-Wing before.” As Poe reached around you to start working on the controls, you were starting to realize why. He was probably the only pilot with the capability, or straight guts, to do this. You couldn’t imagine it was an easy time. Still, with his arms wrapped around you and your head on his chest, you couldn’t help but admit, this was really a nice time. He took off over the tall green trees forests and into the oceans of the planet. You felt like you hadn’t seen them in years, you rarely had the opportunity to fly around as a mechanic. “Poe, this is beautiful!” You exclaimed as you watched the moonlight start to shimmer over the water, like the fabric of one of the ornate gowns General Organa wore on only the best of holidays. “You think that’s pretty, wait’ll you see this!” He steered the ship upwards, through the air of the planet until you were floating just outside of the atmosphere. Stars glimmered all around you like tiny crystals, and you could practically feel his smile against your head. “It’s… even more beautiful than I remember it being.”

“When was the last time you got to go off world?”

“Oh gods, it’s been ages. I’m a mech, ya know? We don’t really have a reason to leave very much.”

“I guess so, but that’s a shame,” he said, before reaching around you to point to a bright cluster of baby blue stars, “those right there are some of my favorites out here, there’s something about them I just really like.” 

“It’s almost like an ocean in the sky.” You said, before shaking your head vigorously, “I’m sorry that was probably the most cliche thing you’ve ever heard.” He crosses both his arms around your shoulders and chest and pulled you in closer to him, “nah, sometimes the most cliche words just make sense when you're surrounded by stuff like this.” He leaned closer and whispered in your ear, “like me saying that this is nothing compared to how pretty you are.” You beamed over at him before taking the ounce of courage you had saved and placing a soft kiss on his cheek. “You’re smooth Dameron, I’ll give you that.”

“Maybe, but it seems to be working for me so far. I can show you some more next time we go out?”

You leaned back into his chest and nuzzled in before smiling, “yeah, let’s keep this up.”

[hyukiee]

chapter 3: fate

warnings: drugs, drinking, gun mention, smut but not really lol

i’m always open to feedback again, this is my first story. i really wanted to put in smut but i feel like i’m terrible at it and just wasn’t happy with what i wrote so i left it out. i hope you still enjoy <3

“Hotel party tonight?” Julian smirked at you entering the elevator of the nearest hotel. “I thought you were wanting this to be a sober weekend?” “You’ve been teasing me all day, fuck sobriety.” He pretended to be angry by harshly pressing the button for level 5, using you as a excuse but you knew well that it took all his self control to stay sober this long. Your always down for a party but you couldn’t forget about Taehyung right beside you. This could successfully scare him away like you wanted but your starting to enjoy his silent company, just a little. “You should invite your members,” it was almost embarrassing how much you had to break your neck to look at his face. “I don’t think they would want to join but I can see.” You hate how easily you melt under men. Stupid daddy issues. All he did was smile down at you sweetly. You cleared your throat and looked ahead of you, ignoring how he made your heart skip a beat. You definitely need a drink, or two, or ten.

“Taehyung-ah, where did you go? You worried us but Namjoon said he saw you talking to a pretty girl so we’ve just been waiting to hear from you,” Jimin pouted through the phone making Taehyung laugh. “I’m with the pretty girl, she wanted me to invite you guys to this hotel party. I thought you and Jungkook would be the only ones interested.” “Ahh, you thought very correctly hyung, send the address and meet us.” Jimin hung up the call quickly. Jesus, excited much? Taehyung didn’t really want to invite them, he knows he’ll get yelled at by the end of the night. There’s bound to be a lot of illegal things going on but he liked the idea of them meeting you. He couldn’t deny all the feelings you made him feel touching him or even just looking up at him. “Are they coming?” You spoke quietly coming out of the room into the hallway. “Just two of them, their our youngest members, they should be here soon.” “Ok, come in and help us set everything up.” Just looking at you, no one would ever assume you did the things that you do. Maybe that’s why he’s crazy enough to look past it. Everything about you was pure and innocent looking. Any man would be stupid to not want to give you the world. This isn’t going to end well for him, not with these thoughts. But god, he couldn’t care less.

“Just a fair warning, there’s going to be people with drugs and probably guns. Just stick around me or Julian and you’ll be fine, no one is trying to hurt you. Actually, take a drink,” You tried to prepare Taehyung the best you could. It would be impossible for him to not make him stick out but maybe some alcohol will help. “You almost seem more nervous than me,” he chuckled taking the beer you offered, slightly touching your hand. “Yeah, I need drugs, let’s go get your friends first,” you continued to ignore Taehyung’s gaze, you couldn’t handle how he stared at you. “No drugs around the members, please,” he grabbed your wrist once again, stopping you from walking ahead of him. You don’t do favors but you know his group is far from the type to be okay with this situation. One favor wouldn’t hurt you. You nodded, accidentally getting lost in his eyes before he suddenly put his arm around you and started walking. “Jimin and Jungkook are major flirts, let them see us like this, it will save you a night of cringe pick up lines.” God, he could probably feel your racing heart from your shoulders. You’ve lacked this type of skin touch for so long. You prayed he wouldn’t look down and see your beat red cheeks the whole way down to the main lobby.

You didn’t understand how a group of men could be so attractive. Jimin had pink hair and the most beautiful plump lips. He was pretty short though, you can’t complain being as short as you are but you prefer taller men, like Taehyung. Jungkook looked like the definition of a tease. He had a dark-ish style that you could get on your knees for but no matter how attractive they were, they couldn’t top how Taehyung made you feel with his arm around you. “It’s really nice to meet you two, i’m sorry for stealing Taehyung from you. We’re on level 5 and we also have a lot of drinks by the pool.” “Wahh, your korean is very good! Where did you find her hyung?” You couldn’t take a compliment for the life of you. You could feel yourself curling up against Taehyung, it made him smile as he gave you a quick glance. “It might be fate, I haven’t decided yet.”

The more your with Taehyung and the more you drink, the more you just want to get alone with him. You haven’t even thought about running off to go do drugs with the dealers you know are here. That hasn’t happened in a long time, it’s dangerous. This isn’t going to end well for either of you but the alcohol in your system makes not give a damn in the slightest. “So, are you having fun?” You can’t deny you get very talkative when you drink, it makes you self conscious when your around people you give a fuck about but the heat in between your legs was enough to hide your concern of over talking. “I am actually,” Taehyung said with a smile, looking down at you, grabbing your hand. “Thank you for bringing me along,” you couldn’t help but let out a nervous laugh, “Are you drunk?” “Just a little,” His words slurred a little and your now noticing his pink tinted cheeks and permanent smile. He’s holding your hand, it’s such a innocent gesture that has your knees weak. “Should we get our own room?” You our on your innocent smile that is known to make everyone do what you want. You know you give off that innocent vibe and you use it to your advantage a lot. “Are you seducing me right now?” “I’d actually prefer it if you seduced me,” you both help eye contact with each other as Taehyung let go of your hand to put his arms around your waist, pulling you to his chest. “Oh really? Let me get us a room then. Maybe I can finally show you i’m not as innocent as you picture me.” Taehyung whispered in your ear, that smile still stuck on his face.

You wobbled yourself inside the room, almost regretting taking those extra shots while Taehyung was in the main lobby. “Y/n,” Taehyung spoke calmly as he placed his hand around your waist turning you to him. “You’re pretty drunk, we don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” you almost forgot he was a good guy. Your face almost dropped tears hearing him show some self control. Although, Taehyung is perfect in every way... that’s not your type. You lean towards guys that use you for drugs, sex, whatever it is but not Taehyung. “No, fuck me, please,” he let out a laugh after you desperately placed your hands on his cheeks. Taehyung suddenly grabbed your thighs and picked you up almost effortlessly, allowing you to wrap your legs around his waist before he layed you on the bed. He stared into your eyes for a moment before gently placing his lips on yours. Time became non-existent as you focused on his lips. Everything was happening slowly and calm, nothing you wouldn’t expect from the literal angel from heaven. You don’t prefer the vanilla scene but you already mentioned the daddy issues right? Taehyung makes you forget all about it though, with those lips that create the cutest smile. Your sweet thoughts came to an immediate stop when Taehyung harshly slapped his hand on your ass, lightly gripping it. “Don’t start thinking i’m soft in bed, your thoughts are predictable but I don’t play that way,” he smirked at you gripping your ass again, leaving you in complete shock. “This is gonna be a long night,” you whispered with a smile. You smiled. Not one you faked to make everyone comfortable, it was genuine. “Good thinking,” Taehyung smiled back before burrying his face in your neck.

You haven’t looked yet but you know you have hickeys everywhere with a mix of some hand marks and just the thought puts a permanent smile on your face. “I didn’t realize how much I needed that,” Taehyung whispered wrapping his arm around your waist making you the little spoon. “Me neither,” you laughed. His body fit perfectly against yours. He might of been right when he said meeting you might be fate. Fate. You believe everything happens for a reason, it helped you decide you were destined to just fail. If this is fate your either going to ruin Taehyung or he will ruin you. Happy ending don’t happen for you, cliche but deadly true. Even though your very aware of this, you want to just live in the moment. Enjoy having him wrapped around you even though the bed will be empty eventually. The only sound in the room was both of yours breathing, calmly until a phone started ringing. Taehyung sat up and looked at his phone to see Jimin’s name on his screen. “Ah, I should go make sure their alright,” he looked at you, obviously guilty for leaving you already. “I’ll be back,” he whispered while gently caressing your thigh. “Okay.”

Taehyung now officially regrets bringing Jimin and Jungkook. They were insanely drunk, they didn’t even realize the type of people they were hanging around with. That’s good for him because he won’t get yelled at but it doesn’t change the fact that he had to practically drag two grown men up to a room right across from yours. “Hyungggg, y/n is so pretty. She looks a little familiar though.. have we seen her before?” “No kookie, just go to sleep, don’t get up until your sober, i’ll be in the room across from you. There’s water on the counter and some medicine-“ He stopped talking when he heard their heavy breathing. Their asleep. Taehyung sighed rubbing his forehead before quietly sneaking back into your room. You’re asleep too. He sighed again before carefully going back into the spot he was happily in before. “I think i’m going to fall in love with you but if it’s fate that’s okay right? I hope so.”

[somethinglacking]

Bet We Don’t Get Caught: KiroXMC

Rating: Smut, Semi-Public Word count: 2862 Summary: A last-minute cancellation had you in a panic to find a replacement. Calling Kiro, your secret boyfriend he agrees to come and help you out. In a playful mood, Kiro suggests a bet. Mr. Love Queen’s Choice Fanfiction The lights were bright, and the camera crew was all getting in position. You looked over to the blond starlit as he entered the studio and got ready to take his place. You’d be forever grateful for Kiro and how he dropped everything to come in today. When the other star that was supposed to be filming the ad for your next show called merely an hour before the shoot and cancelled your heart had dropped. In a frenzy to find someone famous enough to fill in you had called Kiro, who in turn had assured you he’d help out. Now, looking at him you felt guilty- Almost like you were taking advantage of him and the relationship you shared.

Not that many people knew of the romantic side of your relationship with the idol. For publicity sake and… his manager… You both had been keeping it on the down low. It worked fine, but it was hard to find time to yourselves with two busy schedules and Kiro’s travelling for shoots, and whatnot. You smiled back at him when his cerulean eyes meet yours. Kiro waved and shot you a thumbs up and the make-up girls fretted about him making sure he was camera ready. ‘Good Luck!’ You mouthed and he winked sticking out his tongue. ‘You too!’ he mouthed before turning his attention to the girls in front of him.

You turned and moved towards Kiki and Anna who both shot you a look. The look. You sighed rolling your eyes, they know something up. Of course, they do, but you weren’t about to out yourself or Kiro to them.

“Look at mister Prince Charming who oh-so happened to be free today to save you.” Kiki and snickered and you smiled at her.

“What were the chances right!” You played ignorant, knowing full well what Kiro’s actual schedule looked like and how busy he really was.

“Hmm. Well, at least we’ll get the ad out on time.” Anna smiled looking over to where they were taking photographs of the celebrity for the posters. “Have you asked Kiro if he can do the actual show?”

“Mmmn.” You hummed looking over to Kiro dazzling the studio with his charms. “We need to delay actual shooting a week, but Kiro marked us in for a week.” You stated and both women looked at you nearly gaping.

“Y-you managed to book him for a week!” Kiki gasped then looked over to Kiro who was busy winking at the camera and flirting with it too for the photos.

“Yup! This project will be great! The publicity our studio is going to get will really help secure the funding situation with LFG.” You smiled brightly looking towards Anna who was eyeing you. You suddenly felt like a five-year-old with her hand caught in the cookie jar.

“It is great.” Anan agreed still giving you a once over, and you flushed under her stare. She knows for sure now. You looked off and the director flagged you over.

“I’ll be back.” You hurried over to the crew and answered the director's questions gladly. After some time Kiro walked over and joined the both of you, his script that you wrote in his hand.

“Miss. Chips~” He sang out your nickname and his hand brushed yours in a taunting manner, as the director excused himself to speak with the camera crew.

“Mister. Chips~” You mimicked taking a step away from him.

The warmth of his body radiated off of him and you felt a chill run up your spine. That was a dangerous sensation and you need distance before you lost yourself in your charming secret boyfriend. It was really hard not being close to him when you haven't had a moment to see each other in the past two weeks. Kiro, however, was having none of it. A coy smirk played on his lips as he got closer to you and lifted the script up.

“You know-” He whispered, his breath tickled your earlobe as he leaned closer to you. The hairs on the back of your neck stood up and goosebumps bloomed all over your skin. “I bet we won’t get caught.” Kiro finished in a voice so deep, and lustful it should be illegal. Gasping you jump back looking at him wide-eyed before taking in the surrounding area. Everyone was busy finishing setting up and no one was even glancing in your direction.

“Kiro.” You hissed a warning and he laughed lightly beaming a smile before petting you with the script.

“No one is paying attention.” His voice was light and full of mischief as he once again stepped into your personal space again.

“Someone eventually will be paying attention!” You whispered as heat bloomed across your features, but Kiro just smiled at you.

“Want to make a bet?” He whispered leaning in close, you could taste his breath as it fanned your lips.

“What's the wager?” You whispered back curious, and under the charming evolvers spells now.

“Oh, now we’re talking!” Kiro chuckled softly eyes you with amusement. “What do you want?”  his tongue teased as it peaked out to lick your lips, and your knees threatened to buckle.

“You.” You breathed not even thinking. Blushed prickled your cheeks as you caught yourself and you bite your lip. “You’re not playing very fair.” Kiro chuckled at that taking your hand in his.

“As mi’lady wishes.” He winked and guided you back towards the storeroom.

“Kiro!” You whispered looking around wide-eyed. Everyone was still busy working at setting up for the days filming. “We can’t!” you whispered desperately at this point as you reached the storeroom.

“Oh?” Kiro chuckled opening the door, using his hold on your hand you usher you into the room. “But we soooo can.” Kiro was careful with shutting the door so it didn’t make a sound before turning towards you. All the boyish charm his face usually held melted away. Before you right now was a man on a mission. You looked at him and backed a step and was stopped by a prop and then a wall.

“You have to be quite~” He whispered corning you, pressing you further back against the hard surface behind you. “It’s cheating if we get caught because you made too much noise.” Kiro winked placing his hands on either side of your face trapping you completely.  Making a point Kiro pressed his chest against yours and you’re breathing got heavy. “Deal?”

All rational thought was leaving as Kiro leaned his face close to yours. Your lips still tasted of him from the tantalizing lick he gave your moments ago. You licked your lips and looked up into dark blue eyes as they studied you. You knew he'd stop here if you truly protested, but… You found yourself wanting to.

“If we get caught-” Kiro stopped you with a kiss.

It wasn’t gentle like his usual kisses where. No, it was demanding, and his tongue forced itself past your lips opening your mouth. You shuddered while bringing your hand up to steady yourself against his chest. Kiro dropped one of the hands holding you against the solid surface behind you and allowed to roam over your body. Feeling the swell of your chest and gripping the tender supple flesh roughly. Squeezing he got a moan of approval from you. “Shhhh.” He hushed you before going about ravishing your mouth with his.

You were already starting to get dizzy as you kissed him back eagerly, your own hand touching him greedily snaking their way under his shirt. You sighed feeling his hard toned body under your hands. Kiro was a masterpiece. Kiro followed suit snaking his hand up under your skirt, you thighs trembled as he gripped and caressed the smooth skin there. Higher and higher until his fingertips ran the line of your cotton panties and up your slit. You gasped and made a soft noise. Your nails now scraping down his flesh begging him for more.

Kiro broke the kiss staring you in the eye bringing the fingers that just rubbed into up to his mouth. Kiro made a show of licking his long digits and whirling his tongue around them. You watched in awe as he sucked them for a moment before they disappear swiftly back up your skirt. You mewled lulling your head as they pushed your panties aside and smeared his spit all over your swelling cunt. Kiro went back to kissing you roughly, his other hand tangling itself into your hair holding you still and angled just how he wanted you.

His fingers explored the lips of your pussy,  spreading his spit and your own juices until his fingers glided along your lips effortlessly. You shuttered mewling into his mouth as his fingers rubbed your clit making your eyes roll with pleasure. You were at Kiro’s mercy and he knew it. Kiro’s tongue was unrelenting as it rolled with yours and his fingers pushed their way into your quivering entrance. You gasped and Kiro hummed drinking in your sound of pleasure. Your hands explored his perfect torso, nails lightly clawing his flesh. An expert with his fingers he scissored them in and out, stretching your walls, and you broke the kiss panting looking up at your lover. Kiro winked at you as he hooked his fingers and pressed harshly into your g-spot. You leaned forward muffling your noise in his collarbone.

“You like that, baby?” He cooed in the most sultry of tons. You moaned again as he rubbed that spot within you. “You’re so wet, clenching my fingers with your pussy.” Your legs gave out and Kiro used his frame to keep you standing. A coil of pleasure sprung tighter as he moved his fingers a ruthless rate. “Quiet!” Kiro warned as your pussy fluttered, greedily pulled his fingers dropped within it’s trembling walls. “Good girl. Don’t come yet.” Kiro nibble your earlobe and you bit his shirt to keep quiet. “I love how wet your pussy is.” Your whole body was trembling from pleasure, Kiro’s dirty talk went straight to your groin. Eyes screwing themselves shut as you tried to keep your building orgasm from spilling over. The ripples of the pleasure doubled tenfold as his thumb rubbed harshly into your clit and messed with the hypersensitive bundle of nerves. “I said not yet, baby,” Kiro spoke in a soothing tone

“Kiiiirooo.” You whined gasping, your shirt now sticking to your body with sweat. It was all too much.   “You’re so close,” Kiro remarked feeling your beckoning orgasm on his finger. “But I want you to come on my cock.” His breath was hot on your ear and you moaned. “Quiet.” He reminded you and your fingers gripped the flesh of his biceps as your body rippled in pleasure repeatedly. You where right there tittering on the edge when Kiro removed his hand from your sex completely. Your sex throbbed in a protest being denied release and you collapsed against Kiro.”Kiro.” You whine again panting looking up at him. Kiro gave you a devilish smirk in return before sampling the juices he had gathered on his finger. “You’re going to be the end of me.”

A throaty chuckle came from him and you smiled. “Hold on a sec,” Kiro whispered. It wasn’t until you felt him shuffled around you and the clasp of his belt being undone did you release why he stopped. “Hurry.” You moaned softly kissing up and down the column of his throat.

“Okay arms around my neck, I’m going to lift you, leg secure around my waist,” Kiro ordered and you compiled eagerly. “Hold on,” Kiro whispered into your ear kissing your temple and then lined his cock up with your entrance tugging your panties far to the side.

You lean your back against the surface behind you and looked at Kiro as he thrust fully into in one go. You buried your face in your elbow to muffle the noise he pulled form you. “Fuck.” Kiro groaned as he moved you to gain being leverage of you. His sweaty forehead touched yours and his eyes bore into yours. “You’re so fucking tight.” He whispered, sweet breath fanning your face.  

“Kiro, please.” You whimpered already feeling close to your release still.

“Hold on tight, and remember-” Kiro kissed yours passionately for a moment. “Quiet.”

You buried your face in the crook of his neck. Kiro held onto your hips, and the other arm braced him on the wall. You moaned softly as he gave you two short shallow pumps, rocking his hips into you testing the position. Once he decided that you’d both be safe, he thrust into you mercilessly, and you wanted to scream. You could taste blood in your mouth from biting your tongue so hard to keep quiet. Kiro fucked into your repeatedly. Again, and again. Muttered and cursing under his breath as your skin started to make a lewd slapping sound between you. Not loud enough for anyone walking by to hear, but enough to add to both your senses.

Suddenly, almost without warning stars danced behind your eyelids and your body tensed up. Kiro didn’t relent at all, only now he used his hold on you to slam your own body down to meet his cock with every move. There was a wet obscene noise your bodies made as you released around his cock. You where left soundlessly sobbing into his shoulder in intense pleasure as it echoed throughout your entire being. The air was knocked out of your lungs as your juices ran down his length and your inner thighs. Kiro’s own breathing got more erratic as kept up is tiring punishing pace. Soon the ripples of your orgasm started to fade and you came back to your senses long enough to hear a blissful low nearly inaudible groan leave Kiro. The sound alone had your pussy tightening up against his cock as he drilled into you in an almost animalistic manner before finding his own high.

“Shit.” Kiro breathed as he rocked his hips against yours letting the last of your orgasms run their course. You could feel the rapid beating of his pulse, it matched your own. “You’re so hot.” Kiro purred in your ears and you smiled kissing under his ear.

“So are you.” You murmured feeling fuzzy and satisfied. Kiro smiled at that and urged you to look up at him. You did so gladly, taking in his unkempt appearance. “All that hair and make-up prep is gone.” You muttered and he chuckled.

“They can fix it.” He kissed you, removing himself from you before setting you back down on your feet.

“They’ll know we just had a rump in the storage closet if you go out looking like that.” You scolded and he smiled scratching the back of his head.

“You thoroughly fucked yourself.” Kiro blushed reverting back into the shy boy idol you fell in love with. You flushed at that and looked at him in a near insulted manner. “You look sexy like this.” Kiro smiled walking towards you, his fingers flirted along with your hip bones. “I love that I completely ruined your appearance in our passion.” He whispered pulling your hips toward him as he smiled looking you dead in the eyes. “You look beautiful-” He kissed you. “Relaxed-” He spoke on your lips before kissing you again. “And I love you.”

Your heart pounded in your chest as a shapeless emotion took form there. You smiled wrapping your arms around his neck deepening the kiss.”I love you too, Kiro.” You whispered and he smiled brightly at that.

“Whew, that's a relief.” He moved to straighten your blouse. “It would have made what we just did really awkward.” Kiro joked combing your hair with his finger.

Despite yourself, you giggled and started helping him straighten himself out. A few kisses and murmurs later you both left the storage room and rejoined the rest of the crew.

No one said anything.

No one seemed to notice anything.

Anna and Kiki didn’t even offer you any questioning looks that they were famous for. You chatted with them as you all scurried about the studio trying to make sure everything was perfect. Kiki was complaining about how busy it was and how unfair it was she hadn’t even had a moment to talk to Kiro. Anna would scold her for her whining and made sure everything moved swiftly and smoothly.

The rest of the day went off without a single delay and the ad was shot. Kiro charmed literally everyone on set and soon enough the sun had set. Kiro had left with his manager promising to plan a date for the two of you soon. You smiled at him slyly and he winked.

“See you later, Miss chips!” He called across the studio and you giggled waving him off.

It wasn’t until you got home and clasped onto your bed did you check your phone.

Kiro: I told you we wouldn’t get caught. I’ll collect my winnings at a later date. Have the sweetest dreams Miss. Chips. Muah~

[skeletorific]

I Like My Coffee Like I Like My Skeleton

The name changes. To some its known as Reaper’s Grind. To others, Bones and Brew. To still others, MarshMarrow. It depends who’s in charge that month. Regardless of the name, it is always painted in black script on a driftwood sign, carved so that it appears to be cradled by giant skeleton hands.

Most see this sign and assume its some kind of Halloween or Goth themed establishment. However, the caffeine addicted of the city know there’s no better place to get your fix. As long as your willing to put up with the quirks of the owners.

The cafe is a cozy space, varying levels of clean depending on who’s on staff. The walls are beige, with abstract murals of black paint covering the walls. Frequent patrons will notice that the murals seem to expand as time goes on. Every now and then they’ll come in to the walls completely blank, having apparently been painted over, only to start again. Rumor has it that if you squint you can make out swear words, or even bad jokes in the design. Squinting is not encouraged. There is also a shelf of books for customers to peruse or even purchase. Mostly trashy romance novels for reasons no one has ever been able to figure out, as well as joke books, science textbooks, car magazines, and, most bewilderingly, puzzle theory. 

The cafe has 8 owners, usually with only two or three on staff at a time. They all look so similar that most believe they’re related. Some will even call each other “brother” or “bro”, which seems to confirm it, but everyone worries it’d be racist to ask.

Papyrus is usually on staff in the mornings, which is a good thing. He’s a bright and perky presence to start your day with, and he does his best to create a welcoming environment for those on their way to an early morning commute. He specializes in perk ups, something to get help you shake off those last remnants of sleep while preventing those midmorning crashes. He’ll usually try to coax customers into the healthier versions. “REALLY, ALMOND MILK IS MUCH BETTER FOR YOU!” He also is very good at remembering small details about his regulars. Some of them come to depend on him as a daily reminder to take their meds. Now if only he was better at remembering names...he tends to come up with nicknames for people he sees a lot and they stick with him more than their actual names. An absolute sweetheart who keeps the store spotless, but if he tries to get you to sample his latest pastry invention, politely decline.

Sans is a less energetic presence to be sure (he can usually be found asleep and propped up in some corner if no one on shift bothers to wake him up), but he’s also a well-liked staple of the cafe. He has an easy, laid-back small talk that can set even the most agoraphobic introvert at ease, and writes bad jokes on coffee cups. His coffee is mostly pretty basic stuff, but if you know him well and ask him for the secret stuff....well, you’d be be prepared to deal with the fallout. That particular menu option is the last resort of grad students trying to get through their thesis. The effects are somewhere between Red Eye and Speed. One girl reported a full week of being unable to close her eyes, by the end of which she could taste color and was carrying on active conversations in a language that she did not know. It is varying levels of legal depending on who you ask. Just dont narc. And don’t ask in front of his brother. 

Its easy to tell when Red is on the clock, his motorcycle is easily the most ostentatious thing in the parking lot. So much so that he insists on a two parking spot bubble around it to avoid scratches. He also refuses to take off his leather jacket, wearing it over his uniform. No apron. Not a fuckin chance. His customer service is at best ehhh (unless he considers you attractive, in which case, prepare your flirtatious barista fantasies), but the boy makes a pumpkin spice latte so good it should be illegal. Spiced drinks as a whole are his specialty. When fall and winter roll around he brings customers in like flies to honey to get a taste of it, and it make the cafe smell amazing. Don’t tell anyone but he has a habit of “forgetting” to make people pay for their coffee when they look like they’re having a rough time. Not that he’d ever admit it, but he’s kind of a softie. Abysmal cleaning, and he’s usually making drinks for himself on the clock, but once you get to know the guy, he’s a pretty good dude. Also his music taste is fire and the cafe playlist gets infinitely better whenever he’s on staff.

Edge is a different story. While all of them technically own the store in equal parts and no one is legally in charge, it was pretty quickly discovered that mixing Edge with customer service was a recipe for disaster. So he takes on a more managerial role, dealing with finance, shipment, rent, and advertising deals. Everything needed to keep the place afloat. When he’s on shift (and he usually is), he can generally be found in the office unless the place is absolutely slammed. Though he’s not much for dealing with customers, he’s excellent at making gourmet drinks. His skills were made for Instagram. He also has just a biiiit of a soft spot for the kids that sometimes come in,  and may have quietly slipped in some more child friendly options to the bookshelf, as well as a couple action figures that Red swears look familiar. 

If you want a high octane burst without risking your life, Blue is your guy. I mean, the dude’s practically a walking five hour energy. He is more than generous with his definition of what a shot is, and blends in truly irresponsible amounts of sugar and sweetner for an extra kick. Kids naturally love the insanely sweet taste but it is not recommended that parents let them finish a full sized one. If Edge is on the clock he will straight up slap it out of his hands before people start bouncing off the walls. Blue is also incredibly sweet and friendly with the customers, and has amassed a decent sized collection of regulars who only became regulars due to a crush on him. He flirts shamelessly but never lets it go too far.

Stretch likes doing novelty drinks. Did someone say Unicorn Frappucinnos? The weirder and more poorly conceived the better. He also does most of the baking for the cafe. Muffet taught him a lot about pastries back underground, although it took a while to make the transition from spider carcasses to just...you know, normal flour. He switches the menu up a lot when he gets bored of making the same thing, although for some reason corndogs are always an option. The kitchen really is the best place for him. Leaving him unattended on the front tends to lead to miscief, especially if his brother is there to egg him on. He’ll loosely detach his hand only to enjoy the horrified looks when it pops off as he hands a drink to the customer. They get more negative Yelp reviews that way, but a lot of customers enjoy his sense of humor. He has absolutely tried to pull the Salt and Pepper diner bit by editing the playlist for the cafe 

Black is a bit of an odd duck in the cafe. He doesn’t have the patience to sit still long enough for managerial responsibilities. He’s terrible with customer service. His drinks arent bad, but the coffee is as black as his soul regardless of what they actually ordered. Even when forced to make something a little less straightforward he makes it incredibly bitter, because to him, coffee should never be sweet! If you don’t want bitter, don’t get coffee!! some wonder why the others even bother to let him on staff. But Black’s role is vital. Its inevitable that asshole customers pop up in a coffee shop. Entitled, being a dick to either the other baristas or even other customers. And this is where Black shines. Come hell or highwater he can get any customer out in less than a minute with little to no scene, both reducing the time they’re  in the store and the risk that watching the altercation might cause an anxiety spike in one of their customers. He just up and carts them out of the store, then returns a few moments later, quietly checking in on everyone involved to make sure no one was hurt or too shaken up. When asked what happens to these guys the only thing Black will ever say is “NOTHING YOU CAN PROVE”. He also keeps the place spotless. May or may not help Blue and Stretch with the pranks, though he’ll deny it to the bitter end.

While Blue may lowkey flirt with a few and Red may highkey flirt with a lot, Rus is flirting with everyone. No, seriously. Everyone. Not being creepy, but chances are you’re leaving with red cheeks that have nothing to with the hot drink in your hand. He’s fairly popular for precisely this reason, though very few have ever gotten a serious date out of it. The man makes a mean cappucinno, great herbal  teas and has those smoky bedroom eyes. There’s buzz that he’s also the one responsible for the ever evolving mural, though he never confirms it. Rus takes far too many smoke breaks and doesn’t clean worth a damn but is responsible for nearly half of their consistent customer base. He has a sixth sense for creeps. If he sees a date going on where one of them is looking exceedingly uncomfortable, he can effortlessly swoop in and charm the pants off them until the other asshole leaves in frustration. If he sees someone looking nervous he has ways of subtly getting out of them what the problem is. And if he ever gets the vibe that someone is being harassed he may or may not sic Black onto them without batting an eye. Much as he seems not to give a damn about anything regarding work, Rus takes it as a minor point of pride that their cafe is a safe space for people to get away from it all, if only for a couple minutes.

Bonus:

Axe is their maintenance man who comes in whenever equipment breaks, while Crooks is the night janitor who will often come in with his brother on daytime calls. Both of them are a bit too...unstable for regualar shift jobs. Maintenance positions allows them to be on their own if they need to be and generally avoid stressful triggers. Still, Crooks loves the cafe. On his good days he helps Stretch with the baking, and when the day is really slow Blue and Papyrus will teach him how to mix drinks. Axe is a little more grumbly about it but even he admits its kind of a calm space to be in. The man drinks exculsively black coffee though so he kind of misses out on most of the menu. When he’s in a good mood he competes with Red over flirting with customers. 

Special thanks to @jezziconvair who gave me the idea for a lot of the drink specialities and who Tumblr isn’t letting me tag for some reason!

[sad-goomy]

Lonashipping Week 2018 - Day 1

Forbidden Romance

Moon isn't sure if this is how she wants to be spending her Friday night.

She's stuck at a networking event for grad students in the research program to subtly ask for more money, and she just happened to miss the memo that while research assistants were invited and encouraged to come and talk about their work, no other undergrad would actually show up. What she thought might be a good opportunity to rub elbows with important alumni and administration has quickly turned into her hiding out in the corner, subtly downing glasses of free and only mildly awful red wine; it's not her fault that the focus of tonight is on the PhD candidates, and there's not much she can offer to the conversation beyond the work she's doing with Gladion.

Otherwise known as her sort-of boss who she sort-of made out with in his office late at night last week, only for the two of them to come to their senses and agree that whatever unresolved sexual tension that's been building between them for months must remain unresolved to avoid going directly against university policy and jeopardizing their work and reputations.

So tonight has been awkward to say the least.

To be fair, Moon didn't think it'd be uncomfortable when she first arrived – she didn't realize she'd need to be glued to his hip if she wanted to be relevant to anyone here, and it's not like this is the first time they're seeing each other after that night. When she showed up to his office the next day, they were both quiet and avoiding each other's gaze, but by the third day they'd managed to fall back into their routine of quips and (only vaguely flirtatious) banter.

When she showed up to the cocktail hour, though, there was something in the way he looked at her that sent a shiver down her spine and made the air in the room thick and heavy with electricity, like the beginning of a thunderstorm. He said he wasn't used to seeing her dressed up – which counts as a compliment coming from him – and she had teased that she wasn't used to seeing him interact with other people and smiling. She didn't think it would actually affect her until an hour in, when she could no longer focus on conversations due to the fact that she was genuinely awed by him, just as charmed as those he was speaking to and wondering why she never noticed before how he carried himself with such confidence, or the cut of his jaw, or just how broad his shoulders are.

When he nearly caught her staring for the third time, she snapped to her senses and excused herself with a damning blush on her cheeks, chiding herself for acting like a schoolgirl with a crush at a professional event.

So now she's sitting at a corner table, giving the waiter a half-hearted smile as she takes her fourth glass of red wine from his tray, settling back into her chair and watching the clusters of scientists and donors making small talk. Her eyes naturally find a head of blond hair, watching with a frown as he effortlessly glides through conversation, laughing at something an alumnus says. Moon takes a long sip of wine, trying to swallow the bitter realization that while she's spent the better part of tonight grappling with the flutter of her heart, he seems entirely unaffected by her. She wouldn't be surprised if he's already forgotten that she's here.

She wonders if she just imagined that kiss, just created this false flirtation in her head. Maybe the past few months have truly amounted to nothing, and she's just fabricated this budding romance to cope with the monotony of data entry.

"You seem like you're having fun."

Moon glances up at the voice, eyes sliding over the slightly familiar form; Ilima smiles back at her, lopsided and charismatic. Though she's never worked with him directly, she's had a few passing conversations with him while waiting for her coffee to brew in the graduate offices, and of course she's heard the whispers of his admirers in the physics department. It's not hard to see why he has such a following amongst giggling students, especially when he's dressed so sharply in a blazer.

Realizing she's been staring a hair too long, Moon clears her throat and mirrors his smirk. "I'm drowning in fun. Care to join?"

He chuckles and foregoes the seat across from her, instead sliding into the chair right next to her at the table; Moon sits up a little straighter, raising a brow. "Are you sure I'm not interrupting?" Ilima leans slightly towards her, as if she might not be able to hear him over the low music and murmur of conversation in the background. His smile drops a little, curiosity lighting up his eyes as he says, "You seemed deep in thought."

Her laugh falls flat and she keeps her eyes on the glass of wine in her hands as she shrugs. "Just realizing that I might have gaslighted myself."

"Sounds pretty serious."

"It's nothing," she mumbles, taking another long drink.

He watches, and she returns his gaze with a small smile, not sure what his intentions are. Really, he should be up and talking to everyone who isn't her if he's trying to get more funding or resources for his research, and they aren't even in the same department. The more Moon thinks about it, the less it makes sense, until he leans forward just an inch closer and the smile he gives her is dripping in charm. "I could help keep your mind off it."

A light-bulb – nay, a brilliant neon sign – lights up above Moon's head as she fights a surprised chuckle; Ilima, the dreamboat of the physics department, is flirting with her. She's not entirely sure what to do with this information. Sure, he's objectively attractive, but he's not quite Moon's type.

Then again, her type seems to be uptight and emotionally unavailable, so what's the harm in taking the bait and having a little fun?

Moon leans a hair closer to him, their arms brushing. She bites her lip, delighting in the fact that it works just as planned and his eyes flicker to her lips. "How so? One of your infamous lectures on physics?"

He raises a brow, running a hand through his hair. "'Infamous,' huh? You've been gossiping about me."

She laughs, exaggerating it just a touch. "The research assistants gossip about everyone," she tells him, taking a sip of wine before setting her glass down with a smirk. She nearly leaves it at that, but then she feels a pair of eyes on her, and when she glances back towards the crowd, she just catches Gladion's stare. He turns away, back to the conversation he's having with a group of professors, and she swears her mind is playing tricks on her before she notices the unnaturally tight grip he has on his glass and that his other hand is clenched into a fist.

Her smirk grows and she turns back to Ilima. "Although you're a particularly popular subject amongst us."

It should be illegal to be as effortlessly handsome as he is when he smiles, raising a brow. "And why would that be?"

Moon's voice drops to something low and sultry that she hasn't used in months, and she finally lets herself fully settle into their game with an impish smirk. "You tell me, Ilima."

She doesn't often take advantage of being a natural flirt, but it's nice to exercise it for an hour. Ilima is every bit as smooth as she expected, and though she still isn't sure if she has any intention to try and get an actual date out of this, at the very least it's been a nicer way to spend the evening than pouting in the corner drinking wine.

Since she first caught him staring, Moon's kept the corner of her eyes peeled for signs of a particular PhD candidate, but he since disappeared into the crowd, and she's since found herself genuinely enjoying talking to Ilima. By the time she's finished her wine, she's nearly forgotten why she ended up in this corner in the first place.

Ilima finishes up another story, smiling as she giggles at his ending one-liner. He glances down at the watch on his arm (the arm that isn't draped on the back of her chair), and his eyes widen for a split second before he looks back up at her with a sheepish smile. "Time flies, huh?"

"Not according to all the physics you've been trying to teach me." She smirks, victorious that she's gotten him to chuckle again. "But I should probably let you get back to schmoozing."

"Believe me, I'd much rather continue our conversation." His chair scrapes against the floor as he stands, giving her a quick wink as he suggests, "But we can pick this up again over drinks sometime, right?"

Moon hums, resting her chin in her palm. "Depends, are you going to call me, or are you one of those cute guys who collects phone numbers but never uses them?"

"So you do think I'm cute."

She rolls her eyes good-naturedly. "No, I only give my phone number to the ugly grad students."

He gives her one last laugh before raising a hand to wave and making his way back to the crowd. "I'll see you, Moon."

Her lips turn up into a smile of their own accord, and she mirrors his wave with her hand, watching as he turns around and effortlessly inserts himself into a group conversation. She watches him a second longer before her eyes scan the room, and she realizes too late what she's subconsciously doing. With a small scowl, she chides herself – she was just flirting with someone, is she seriously still going to try and find Gladion?

Deciding it'd be best to clear her head, she stands and sticks to the side of the room, walking past the conversing clumps of people and to the door leading out to the building's balcony. When she steps out, an ocean breeze and a view of the beach greets her. She steps up to the railing, leaning her elbows against the cool stone and closing her eyes to let the sound of waves meeting the shore soothe her. She's thankful that no one else is out here, the networking event inside keeping everyone else too occupied to enjoy the fresh air. After making sure that no one inside can see her from the corner of the balcony, Moon lets her shoulders sag as she stares at the ocean with a frown, feeling the beginnings of tears forming as the exhaustion of the night and four glasses of wine hit her.

She reminds herself that it'll take time to get over him, only to remember that she doesn't want to get over him. It feels like the oddest break-up she's ever had; they weren't even in a relationship to begin with. Moon would laugh if she didn't feel so utterly frustrated with herself. Who knew that she'd be out here, trying not to cry over the very grad student she swore she couldn't stand just a few months ago?

The door creaks open and she straightens, quickly wiping a hand over her eyes. Plastering a smile on her face, she turns to see who's joining her, only for her smile to instantly drop.

Gladion pulls at his tie, seemingly desperate to loosen it as he walks towards her. She can't take her eyes off him, doing her best not to gape as he pretends to find the floor interesting.

The door clicks shut behind him, drowning out the sounds of clinking glasses and laughter once more, and Moon is suddenly very aware of how alone she is with him right now. Sure, it's always just the two of them in his office, but this is entirely unfamiliar territory and try as she might, tonight has proven that Moon can no longer deny that she's falling for him.

He clears his throat, finally looking at her, and she realizes that as awkward and nervous as she may feel, there's something almost like fear in his face, too. She tries to decipher his expression further, and swears she can see a hint of longing, but pushes the hope down when he looks away with a frown.

"I thought you might be out here."

She gives him a lopsided smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "Here I am." Her brows furrow for a moment before she asks, "Did you need something from me?"

Gladion hesitates, opens his mouth to say something, and then decides against it. He simply shakes his head, sliding his hands into the pockets of his trousers to hide his fidgeting fingers. "Just noticed you were gone and wanted to make sure you didn't end up in a ditch somewhere."

"Not yet." She smirks, running a hand through her hair to try and hide her nerves, hide the fact that she's making this up as she goes along and has no idea how to treat him anymore. "Just wanted some fresh air."

He nods with a hum. For a moment, their eyes meet, and the air once again feels like the beginning of a thunderstorm. All too quickly he looks away, past her and to the ocean that continues its pace of gentle, rolling waves. He walks forward, almost in a trance, and doesn't dare to look at her as he leans against the railing next to where she stands. She watches him intently, trying to decipher his face but ultimately giving up, instead settling uneasily beside him, her eyes tracing constellations in the sky.

"I didn't think you would come."

She chuckles. "I'm starting to think I shouldn't have."

"Why? You seemed to be having fun earlier."

The edge in his voice is lost on her as Moon rolls her eyes. She shakes her head, her eyes still on the stars as she mutters, "Oh, tons of fun being talked over and ignored."  

Especially when you’re the one ignoring me.

But some things are better left unspoken and she bites her tongue, hoping her poker face manages to keep up. She can't see Gladion's frown, but she can feel his body go stiff and stand-offish. "I meant with – nothing."

It sounds far from "nothing" in her ears, and it's suspicious enough that she glances at him from the corner of her eye. He scowls at the ocean, but his cheeks are flushed. The realization smacks her in the face, and suddenly all the little signs of jealousy seem so obvious to her that she can't help but smirk. “You can say it," she purrs, knowing she shouldn't be so petty but wanting at least one moment of triumph after a night of mediocre wine and self-deprecation.

"I wasn't going to say anything." Gladion clenches his jaw, knowing he's been found out but not ready to dig himself further into this grave.

Moon lets out the longest, deepest sigh of her life. He finally looks at her, eyes wide at the sheer exhaustion emanating from her as she rests her chin in the palm of her hand, looking up at him out of the corner of her eye. "Considering everything that's happened between us," she mutters, "The least you can do is be honest with me."

He opens his mouth to scoff something, but stops short, the words catching in his throat. He swallows them and frowns at the bitter after-taste. She watches, gives him a long moment to come forward, but he never takes the chance.  

She wonders if this is what disappointment sounds like – like heavy silence filled by the far-off sounds of the ocean in the night.

And then he whispers, “I wish I could be honest with you, starting with how scared I am.”

Moon feels her heart stop. She looks at him, and this time her eyes find his, emerald and burning even in the moonlight. He holds her stare, but his hand on the railing is shaking ever so slightly as he swallows the last of his hesitation. She chews her bottom lip, watching him and realizing they’re both waiting for something to snap. “What are you afraid of?” she asks, so quietly that she’s sure her hammering heartbeat is louder.

“You, mostly.” He chuckles, and looks down at his hands, unable to look at her as he explains, “I figured what I felt was passing, that after…well, that kiss, the feelings would start to fade.” A seagull caws in the distance, drawing Moon’s attention and allowing Gladion to take a deep breath. With a half-hearted chuckle he continues, “But they didn’t fade. It’s almost terrifying how strongly I feel every time I see you. No one has made me feel quite like you do, and seeing you with – with someone else when I just wanted to be near you tonight was a harsh reminder of that.” Forcing himself to remain steady, he turns to face her completely, feeling like an open target ready to be struck. “And it’s unfair of me to suggest you do anything else when I’m the one who called this all off.”

"To be fair, I agreed." She braces herself as she faces him square on, seeing how the angles of his face catch the starlight. “But what would you suggest instead?”

“That would depend on how you feel.” He’s a fraction of an inch closer and she reminds herself how to breathe.

"About what?"

She swears he's going to ask that one final question that will ruin them, will sink this ship with the truth. Instead, he takes a deep breath. "About breaking school policy."

She bites her bottom lip and his eyes flicker down before he catches himself and meets her gaze once more. “You know I have an issue with authority.”

“Believe me, I’m well aware.” They laugh, and there’s something softer between them, and Moon realizes it’s dangerously close to that night in his office.

And she moves just a hair closer and decides that if they've come this far, she's more than willing to push them over the edge. “And what about how I feel about you?”

"What about it?"

"Seems like a key factor." The trepidation in her eyes is replaced with a mischievous sparkle as she teases, "What if I'm just a flirt, looking to collect some names in my little black book?"

He leans in impossibly closer, until she can feel his breath on her ear and her heart stops.

"Then I'll put the notch in your bedpost myself."

Moon decides that there are very few things she enjoys as much as kissing Gladion.

Kissing him on a balcony where they might get caught at any moment isn't exactly ideal, but she'll take what she can get.

And she feels the bad habit and poor decisions beginning to mount against her, but another brush of his lips and the tug of his hand on the small of her back drowns them, at least for tonight.

This is late but the good news is it’s also super rough so what a way to kick off the week, amirite ladies??

[n00dl3gal]

Someone To Skate For (Voltron Secret Santa)

Hi @lceithkogane! This is my gift for you from the @voltron-ss!! You asked for a hockey au with shance/klance/shallura, so I hope you enjoy. Happy holidays!

Read on AO3 here

If you had asked Lance seven months, two weeks, and three days ago if he’d ever play ice hockey, he’d probably laugh in your face. Lance Fuentes, playing hockey? It wasn’t that he was unfamiliar with the sport- he’d seen it on TV a couple of times- but actually standing out on the ice, batting around a disk like it offended your mother… yeah, that wasn’t for him.

Of course, seven months, two weeks, and two days ago, Lance saw Takashi Shirogane.

And that’s how it began.

…

He was probably the hottest person Lance had ever seen in his life, regardless of gender. Chiseled chin, sculpted muscles, delicately wind-swept hair, and a scar running across his nose that didn’t detract from the appearance in the slightest. Rather, it added to it.

“W-welcome to the Quiznak Snack Shack, what can I g-get for you today?”

The man smiled, scratching his cheek in thought. “How about a medium lemonade and a fruit cup, please?”

Lance nodded, busying himself with pouring the drink and slicing the fruit. Pidge and Coran were likely in the back, and this guy was their only customer- a little flirting couldn’t hurt, right? “I-I’ve never seen you here before. You new?” he asked in his most casual voice, chopping a strawberry.

He laughed, eyes crinkling. “Ah, no. I just haven’t been able to stop by before. I’ve been meaning to, though.” He fished in his back pocket for his wallet. “My name’s Takashi Shirogane.”

“Lance,” he replied, ringing up the food. “That’ll be $5.86.” Takashi paid and dropped the change in the tip jar, prompting another smile from Lance. “Enjoy your food!”

“I plan to,” Takashi said, heading towards the door. He paused just before opening it. “Hey, do you mind if I put up a flier for work on the community board?”

Lance’s gaze flicked over to the corkboard of pamphlets and posters for events around the city. He shrugged. “As long as it’s not for anything illegal, go ahead.” Takashi lifted his lemonade in thanks before tacking a sheet of paper on top of an ad for a tanning salon. Then he left, vanishing into the crowd on the street, leaving the tinkling door chime and a wistful sigh in his wake.

Once his shift ended, Lance took a moment to memorize the address on the flier he had left. The Voltron Ice Arena, huh?

Works for him.

…

“You mean to tell me-” Keith said, pushing the puck away from the goal effortlessly, “that you decided to play hockey to impress a guy you hadn’t even spoken to.”

Lance panted and dribbled the puck back to the neutral zone. “I mean, when you say it like that, it sounds creepy.”

“It is creepy.”

“Alright, alright, so I wasn’t really thinking and I ended up signing up for tryouts. And you remember how that turned out.”

…

It wasn’t that Lance was unfamiliar with ice skating. He’d done it a few times with his family and friends. Wasn’t too shabby at it, either. He knew hockey well enough, too, or at least had seen enough on TV to get the gist of it.

So while he wasn’t expecting much when he tried out. Probably to be rejected outright. But… somehow, he wasn’t. Not that he was pulling off last-minute nosedive saves or cross-rink goals, but he still managed to control the puck well and keep himself upright, which was more than most of the other tryouts were doing.

The woman in charge, a tall, pretty thing named Allura, smiled and patted him on the back once he finished. “You did well, Lance. Have you played before?”

He shook his head. “Never in my life. Don’t know how I did all this.”

“Well, whatever the case, with a bit more training, you could be a valuable member of the Paladins. Tryouts continue for the rest of the weekend, but don’t be surprised to hear from us come Monday,” she said cheerfully. “Once you return your skates, you’re free to go.”

Lance skated over to the penalty box, where a young man about his age sat. For some god-forsaken reason, he had a mullet. “Name’s Lance,” he said, sticking out his hand.

The boy grunted and shook it once before dropping it like it bit him. “Keith. Goalie.”

Well, this guy was easy to talk to. Not. “So, you already tried out, then? I thought results weren’t up until Monday.”

“I’m still on the team from last year. Only replacing a few people.”

Lance pulled off his left skate, shaking his foot loose. “Well, I may be one of those lucky few, which would make us teammates. Should probably get to know each other then, right?”

Keith rolled his eyes. “You’re not on the team, yet, so what’s the point?”

OK, now he was just being purposefully difficult. But Lance wasn’t one to back down from a challenge, be it trying out for a sport he’s never played or befriending a jerk. “Just cuz I’m not on the team doesn’t mean we can’t talk. How long have you been playing?” he asked, smile somewhat forced.

“Since I was in middle school. Look, why don’t you just return your rentals and leave? Tryouts are over for the day anyway, I’m just sticking around for my ride,” Keith said, crossing his arms.

“Well if you’re gonna be like that, fine. Maybe I will leave,” Lance countered, picking up the skates. “Don’t even know why I bothered talking to y-” Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted something. Something that made Lance shiver.

Takashi Shirogane, dressed in sweats, twirling across the ice. “Oh, holy crow,” he breathed, moving closer to the rink to watch.

Keith stood and glared at Lance all the harder. “Wait, do you know him?”

Lance blinked and turned back to the other boy. “Um, maybe? So what if I do? Can’t I watch him practice his hockey?”

There was a second of silence, and then a snort as Keith doubled over, laughing. “What the hell, man? What’s so funny?”

“Shiro playing hockey, now that’s something I would like to see!”

…

“You seriously thought he played hockey?”

Lance batted the puck out of Keith’s reach and launched it across the ice. Keith blocked it with ease, but Lance chalked it as a victory to even get it away from him. “Well, given his physique and what little information I had to go on, it was a reasonable assumption,” he argued.

Keith huffed and rolled his eyes, smiling. “But still an assumption, and you know the old saying.”

“Yeah, yeah. And then I found out he was taken…”

…

His eyes tracked Shiro as the latter drifted across the ice. Keith sat a few rows behind him, no doubt pouting. In the two weeks since Lance had joined the Paladins, he hadn’t seen Keith smile once. If it wasn’t for them laughing when they met, Lance might’ve thought it was impossible.

Nevertheless, he focused on Shiro and his routine. Once he had seen Lance and they both laughed awkwardly about the misconception, he was happy to let Lance watch him practice. “New source of feedback,” he said, patting Lance’s shoulder.

Lance blushed and mentally made that his favorite shoulder.

Shiro transitioned from a triple lutz to hydroblading, zooming past were Lance stood. Despite the glass, Lance could feel the passion and friction Shiro’s skates were creating. After a quick mohawk turn, Shiro pulled into a lunge before striking his final pose. Lance clapped wildly, slightly muffled by his mittens.

Shiro stood and smiled, waving at Lance. He waved back eagerly. There was a snort from somewhere up in the bleachers- oh yeah, he had forgotten about Keith. Lance spun on his heel and glared at him. “He did fantastic- much better than what you could do!” he snapped.

Keith stretched and walked down to rink level. “Oh, you’re not wrong about that. It’s just how obvious you’re being with that silly crush of yours,” he said.

“S-so? Why would that be a problem?“ Keith pulled a hand out of his pocket and pointed across the ice. There stood Allura, who Shiro was skating towards. “And?” Lance asked. “They’re co-workers, it makes sense for them to-”

And then, in a decidedly NOT co-worker-like fashion, Allura leaned up and kissed Shiro on the lips. Shiro responded by equally unprofessionally wrapping his arms around her waist.

If Keith said anything else, Lance didn’t hear it. He just curled his fists and shook.

…

“You’re not… still mad about that, are you?” Keith asked suddenly, skidding to a stop. Powdered ice shot up in his wake, splattering Lance’s knees. “About him and Allura being engaged.”

Lance sighed but shook his head. “I mean, I was at the time, but I don’t really know why. I barely knew the guy and I was already infatuated with him… it was stupid. I’m glad I found out pretty early, though.”

Keith nodded, skating back to the net. “I guess I’m just surprised you stuck around.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lance accused, pointing a gloved finger.

“I mean that you only tried out to get close to Shiro. It wasn’t for a love of the sport or for exercise or anything, it was cuz you were being a stalker,” Keith explained.

“I was not being a stalker!”

Keith shot the puck back towards Lance and rolled his eyes. He lowered his faceguard, saying “we’ve been over this, you were being creepy-”

“Yeah, yeah, just get ready for this shot, Samurai.”

As they practiced, Keith had to admit it- Lance had improved quite a bit since he tried out, and even then he was no slouch. He would never say it out loud, but he was glad Lance had stuck around, even after finding out about Shiro. They still bickered- a lot- but in the past seven months, they formed a strange sort of friendship that Keith wouldn’t trade for anything.

Suddenly, Lance stopped and beckoned Keith closer. Keith wondered for a second if Lance was injured and skated over, dribbling the puck idly. “You alright?”

“You asked me why I stuck around- there’s a couple of reasons. First of all, you’d all be dead without me on the team and you know it,” Lance boasted, grinning.

Keith exhaled. “Whatever lets you sleep at night,” he muttered.

Lance dismissed him with a wave of his hand. “It’s also good exercise and it’s fun and it’s something to do when I don’t have work. But… in regards to Shiro, well…” His voice fell a few decibels as he leaned into Keith’s ear. “I may have found someone else to skate for.”  

He couldn’t help the shiver that ran down his back when Lance said that. Who was it? Hunk? Pidge? Maybe- it couldn’t be him-

Lance took the shot and scored. “HA! I knew that would throw you off!” he laughed. He kicked off and made his way towards the door to the stands.

“B- La- you- I was nowhere near the goal, it doesn’t count!” Keith sputtered, chasing him. “Get back here!”

“Nah man, I wanna get out of this smelly jersey-”

“They are called sweaters and you know it, Lance!”

Lance just chuckled some more. Maybe one day he’d score a real goal against Keith. Maybe he’d score something else with him, too.

[superksharma01]

Powerful Vashikaran mantra to control Husband – Pandit K.K. Sharma

  As you all know, men are physically stronger as compared to women on average. Sometimes, this strength has turned into the reason for the breakup. As a woman, you have to do more efforts to control men. In short, it becomes troublesome to control all the activities of your husband. Moreover, if you want to keep an eye on your boyfriend that he flirts with other girls in the office, college or other places, you have to watch him. Several doubtful ladies started keeping an eye on their husband, boyfriend, or fiancé.

If you are one of those who want to find the smartest way to control the husband or boyfriend, you can get the Vashikaran mantra. Now you can take powerful Vashikaran mantra to control husband with Pandit K.K. Sharma. The mantra will work conveniently when you follow all the precautions that are mentioned by a professional astrologer. When your husband gets shot temper very soon, it is very unsafe for your relationship. Now you will not have to risk the relationship when you have the opportunity to use powerful Vashikaran mantra to control husband. Furthermore, you will not be beaten by their husband or he does not physically trouble you when you once get the husband control Mantra. You will find that husband started to listen to all the issues carefully or politely.

 Use of mantra

To solve any kind of human being problem, Vashikaran is the powerful Mantra. By Vashikaran, you can control your husband or instruct them to accomplish all the wishes. Vashikaran is a simple method to attain the desired results without wasting time. Now you can follow the easy Vashikaran tips of Pandit KK Sharma to attract any man, girl, or boy. To complete the whole process, you need the Vashikaran mantra to keep the husband in control. All you need full dedication for concentration to acquire the desired results. Moreover, the Vashikaran results will depend on the purity of thoughts or factors has associated.

 Husband vashikaran mantra

Would you want to control your husband? Whether you want your husband loves more? Do you want to get the love of your husband back again for you want your husband not to be attracted to anyone? Now you can easily do this by getting the Vashikaran to control their husband. It’s mandatory to get the Vashikaran mantra because you are not able to forcefully agree with your husband to never talk to someone. Practically, it’s not feasible who won your husband works in an office or company. For all deals, he has talked with several female staff. In these cases, the mantra to control husband has proved effective to choose.

 Acquire the best mantras according to situation

Usually, there are different kinds of Vashikaran mantra available that you can take from our professional astrologer Pandit K.K. Sharma. All these mantras would be hypnosis Vashikaran, husband Vashikaran, or many more. In every part of life, Vashikaran plays an important role to attract anyone towards you. Furthermore, it’s not illegal when you want the love of your husband back again. To evacuate all these kind of circumstances from life or you want that your husband friend like for you, you can use our simple Vashikaran mantra to control husband.

 To control husband

There are enormous reasons to control the husband. Nowadays, all the ladies by their husbands one day started keeping an eye on them. Furthermore, it affects the trust issues or probably the trust that has not remained in life. Now you can get your lost love back with a mantra to control the husband’s mind. Same as in the relationship disputes, you can use strong Vashikaran mantra to control boyfriend.

 Mantra to avoid husband anger

In order to get some positive changes in the husband’s behavior, the wife should practice several things. Nowadays you can use a powerful mantra to control the husband will bring some positive changes in the behavior of the husband. Under the guidance of Pandit K.K. Sharma, you can use the mantra without any doubts. In a short amount of time, your husband has changed himself or a focus on all the things politely

 Powerful mantras to control the spirit of the husband

Do you want the best mantra to control the spirit of the husband? How it could be possible to control the spirit of the husband? When it comes to catching Spirit or spiritual cases, you can rely on professional astrologer Pandit K.K. Sharma. He has provided the best solutions to make your husband love back again. Here, you can get the Vashikaran mantra for controlling the husband will work in your favor. This is a powerful mantra to get your husband’s attention back again. Now your husband does not pay any attention to any other lady in office or parties. All the problems will be sorted out as often as possible when you get the services of astrologer Pandit K.K. Sharma.

 Does your husband attract anyone?

Many cases come in life when your husband attracts anyone. Maybe she is your friend or she is in office or anywhere in the world so you do not get the risk to lose your husband or married life when he has attracted to someone else. To evacuate these kinds of situations, you can take the Vashikaran mantra for the husband’s love back. Now your husband started loving you again or shares all the problems with you. Therefore, you do not need to face any kind of doubts when once you meet with our professional astrologer Pandit K.K. Sharma.

 Can any secretary try to sleep with your husband?

When you find a secretary to try to flirt on your husband or attract him, it could be troublesome. As a boss, your husband must deal with several female employees. Now it comes to you or it’s your responsibility to protect your husband from the evil energies of all these girls. It could be possible by getting the Vashikaran on husband Mantra. Mantra will work in your favor or no one will be able to attract your husband effortlessly. Once you have used the, you get long life results because our astrologer Pandit K.K. Sharma has a certain amount of knowledge in the astrology field.

 If you need any type of help and Guidance Talk to our specialist guru ji

Call and WhatsApp me without any hesitation

phone number +91 8875270809

Whatsapp now for A free consultation

( निशुल्क परामर्श के लिए अभी #Whatsapp करें )

 Vashikaran Specialist Guru ji

call / Whatsapp +91 8875270809

web:https://www.vashikaranorblackmagicspecialist.com

mail : vashikaranspecialist108@gmail.com

[vashikaranspecialist12me]

Powerful Vashikaran mantra to control Husband - Pandit K.K. Sharma

As you all know, men are physically stronger as compared to women on average. Sometimes, this strength has turned into the reason for the breakup. As a woman, you have to do more efforts to control men. In short, it becomes troublesome to control all the activities of your husband. Moreover, if you want to keep an eye on your boyfriend that he flirts with other girls in the office, college or other places, you have to watch him. Several doubtful ladies started keeping an eye on their husband, boyfriend, or fiancé.

If you are one of those who want to find the smartest way to control the husband or boyfriend, you can get the Vashikaran mantra. Now you can take powerful Vashikaran mantra to control husband with Pandit K.K. Sharma. The mantra will work conveniently when you follow all the precautions that are mentioned by a professional astrologer. When your husband gets shot temper very soon, it is very unsafe for your relationship. Now you will not have to risk the relationship when you have the opportunity to use powerful Vashikaran mantra to control husband. Furthermore, you will not be beaten by their husband or he does not physically trouble you when you once get the husband control Mantra. You will find that husband started to listen to all the issues carefully or politely.

 Use of mantra

To solve any kind of human being problem, Vashikaran is the powerful Mantra. By Vashikaran, you can control your husband or instruct them to accomplish all the wishes. Vashikaran is a simple method to attain the desired results without wasting time. Now you can follow the easy Vashikaran tips of Pandit KK Sharma to attract any man, girl, or boy. To complete the whole process, you need the Vashikaran mantra to keep the husband in control. All you need full dedication for concentration to acquire the desired results. Moreover, the Vashikaran results will depend on the purity of thoughts or factors has associated.

 Husband vashikaran mantra

Would you want to control your husband? Whether you want your husband loves more? Do you want to get the love of your husband back again for you want your husband not to be attracted to anyone? Now you can easily do this by getting the Vashikaran to control their husband. It’s mandatory to get the Vashikaran mantra because you are not able to forcefully agree with your husband to never talk to someone. Practically, it’s not feasible who won your husband works in an office or company. For all deals, he has talked with several female staff. In these cases, the mantra to control husband has proved effective to choose.

 Acquire the best mantras according to situation

Usually, there are different kinds of Vashikaran mantra available that you can take from our professional astrologer Pandit K.K. Sharma. All these mantras would be hypnosis Vashikaran, husband Vashikaran, or many more. In every part of life, Vashikaran plays an important role to attract anyone towards you. Furthermore, it’s not illegal when you want the love of your husband back again. To evacuate all these kind of circumstances from life or you want that your husband friend like for you, you can use our simple Vashikaran mantra to control husband.

 To control husband

There are enormous reasons to control the husband. Nowadays, all the ladies by their husbands one day started keeping an eye on them. Furthermore, it affects the trust issues or probably the trust that has not remained in life. Now you can get your lost love back with a mantra to control the husband’s mind. Same as in the relationship disputes, you can use strong Vashikaran mantra to control boyfriend.

 Mantra to avoid husband anger

In order to get some positive changes in the husband’s behavior, the wife should practice several things. Nowadays you can use a powerful mantra to control the husband will bring some positive changes in the behavior of the husband. Under the guidance of Pandit K.K. Sharma, you can use the mantra without any doubts. In a short amount of time, your husband has changed himself or a focus on all the things politely

 Powerful mantras to control the spirit of the husband

Do you want the best mantra to control the spirit of the husband? How it could be possible to control the spirit of the husband? When it comes to catching Spirit or spiritual cases, you can rely on professional astrologer Pandit K.K. Sharma. He has provided the best solutions to make your husband love back again. Here, you can get the Vashikaran mantra for controlling the husband will work in your favor. This is a powerful mantra to get your husband’s attention back again. Now your husband does not pay any attention to any other lady in office or parties. All the problems will be sorted out as often as possible when you get the services of astrologer Pandit K.K. Sharma.

 Does your husband attract anyone?

Many cases come in life when your husband attracts anyone. Maybe she is your friend or she is in office or anywhere in the world so you do not get the risk to lose your husband or married life when he has attracted to someone else. To evacuate these kinds of situations, you can take the Vashikaran mantra for the husband’s love back. Now your husband started loving you again or shares all the problems with you. Therefore, you do not need to face any kind of doubts when once you meet with our professional astrologer Pandit K.K. Sharma.

 Can any secretary try to sleep with your husband?

When you find a secretary to try to flirt on your husband or attract him, it could be troublesome. As a boss, your husband must deal with several female employees. Now it comes to you or it’s your responsibility to protect your husband from the evil energies of all these girls. It could be possible by getting the Vashikaran on husband Mantra. Mantra will work in your favor or no one will be able to attract your husband effortlessly. Once you have used the, you get long life results because our astrologer Pandit K.K. Sharma has a certain amount of knowledge in the astrology field.

 If you need any type of help and Guidance Talk to our specialist guru ji

Call and WhatsApp me without any hesitation

phone number +91 8875270809

Whatsapp now for A free consultation

( निशुल्क परामर्श के लिए अभी #Whatsapp करें )

[rbtlvr]

on ao3 here!

It’s like this.

Emotions don’t exist in a vacuum. Your emotions are intrinsically linked to those you interact with. You’re happy because of others. You’re sad because of others. You laugh with and because of others. And your emotions flourish when you’re with others who accept them, who are willing to help both you and your emotions grow.

Without others, what’s the point?

It starts with just one. Your sister has always supported you, and you, her. Even with the dangers that come with a life on the road, you feel safe with her. Trust doesn’t come easy to you, but she’s the exception.

The world ends with a whimper one day, and your small family gains five more members. You don’t see them as family at first, just coworkers, but you find that being the last surviving members of your civilization tends to bring people closer. You’d never say it out loud, but you know that you trust them, and that they trust you. And you know that they know, too.

As it gets easier to care about the other six, it gets harder and harder to care about the inhabitants of the worlds you visit. You can’t let yourself care when you know they’ll be dead in a year anyway. When it comes to balancing emotions, those for your family and friends and those for anyone else, ever, it sometimes feels like you’re taking one step forward and two steps back.

But you have the six of them, and - as long as at least one of you escapes - you’ll always have the six of them. It’s one of the few things you know, and you’re secure in that knowledge, that no matter what, you’re not alone.

And then there’s no one.

You don’t remember where all these emotions came from. It doesn’t make sense, and when you question it your head hurts. You’ve been alone your whole life, you never should have learned to feel in the first place. There was never anyone to feel anything about.

But you do feel, so you train yourself out of it, slowly but surely. There’s a little hitch, at one point, that comes in the form of a man who you call your friend. And for a while, you let yourself hope.

You should have expected it would go bad. But you didn’t, and it does, and you’re left alone again, reeling from guilt and a betrayal that, at the time, you think is deserved. That’s enough to convince you once and for all - nothing good can come from trust. Nothing good can come from caring about others. You look out for number one, and fuck anyone else.

Your resolve is tested when you meet the human and the dwarf for the first (second) time. It’s supposed to be just a simple job, but as luck - or fate - would have it, it turns into something so much more. You know it’ll be more when you start hearing static and you realize it’s the same static that plays in your head every time you try to think too hard about certain things. But you’re still not close, and you’re not going to get close. They’re just coworkers.

You start to worry after the train. You can feel the seeds of something there, but you refuse to let it mean anything. You already know where that leads.

You don’t care about the halfling. You don’t.

So why does it hurt when she dies?

You instantly recognize the boy’s voice, and you feel an inexplicable wave of protectiveness followed by fear, because you know what that means. You play it off with jokes and teasing, and promise yourself that you won’t let all your hard work be for nothing.

And yet, the fear remains.

You don’t realize it yet, but you’re fucked. All you know is the man is very attractive, and there’s a voice in your head - common sense, most likely - that tells you hey, maybe don’t flirt with fucking death himself, but you ignore it. It’s not like this is anything serious, anyway.

Uncharacteristically, or so you tell yourself, you make mistake after mistake when training the boy. First and foremost is giving him magic lessons to begin with. You don’t want to get closer to him, but the way he asked, with his eyes all pleading like that… well, you could hardly turn him down, could you? Then, of course, there’s… the cooking. That’s a whole mess on its own. You don’t mean to tell him about the town you killed, but somehow it slips out anyway. You tell yourself it’s because there’s no way he didn’t know already, being such a good detective and all. That has to be the only reason. And agreeing to mix magic and cooking? What were you thinking?

Of course, of course, everything goes wrong, and you’re left alone, staring at the wall with a strange, twisting feeling in your gut. As excited as he was, you could have killed him. You could have killed someone else with your carelessness.

You can’t let that happen again. Because murder is illegal.

Yeah, that’s gotta be it.

You lie awake for weeks thinking about what those three letters could have meant.

You hate the loops. You hate the loops. You fucking hate the loops. You hate dying, and - to a lesser degree, of course, so tiny it barely exists, of course - you hate seeing the others die, too, even though you know you’ll come back.

(It reminds you of something terrifying, but you don’t know what.)

The elf could be good at magic. She already is, really, she just needs practice. And a good teacher.

You’re only helping her out because she liked your show, you tell yourself.

The excuse falls flat even on your own ears.

You definitely don’t spend hours wondering if you made a mistake, if you should have taken the cup after all. Not even once.

As you throw yourself into another plane, determined to save your friend, you wonder how things got to this point. It happened so slowly that you didn’t even realize, and yet, here you are. Caring, even though you swore to yourself you wouldn’t. These two are your family (and the word feels both right and wrong at the same time, like it’s not enough somehow). And while you know it’ll all go to hell sooner or later, as you pull your best friend out of the rift and are pulled back in turn, you think that maybe, this time, it’s worth it.

Shit hits the fan much sooner than you expected. The very next day, in fact. Okay, so you can’t trust your boss, or any of your coworkers. It’s not like you trusted them to begin with. You’re good at not trusting people, so it shouldn’t hurt when things like this happen. Things like this, that you should have expected all along. You can’t trust anyone. You won’t trust anyone. Never again.

The boy… well. You’ll make an exception for him.

You remember.

You remember having so much more, being so much more - and you remember, clear as day, the moment it was all taken away from you. The moment that hardened you and turned you into what you are now.

Your hand shaking, you raise your - her - staff, and you begin counting backwards.

For the first time in over ten years, you don’t try to hide or suppress what you’re feeling: unbridled joy, at seeing the face of your sister once again. She’s spectral, but she’s here, and you can’t hold back a sob of relief as you rush over to hug her as best as you can. She’s back, and you haven’t won yet, but you’re suddenly feeling a lot more optimistic.

You’re suddenly feeling a lot more like yourself.

You’re still bad at being honest, though, so you effortlessly play it off when death tells you he loves you for more than your face.

You feel, more than see, the threads forming around the three of you. They’re white-hot, but they don’t burn. They’re meant to keep you safe, and in each one, you can feel the strength of your bonds with the others, first formed over a century ago, and reforged over the past year. You hadn’t thought they’d gotten quite so strong - you hadn’t meant for them to get so strong - but they are. There’s no denying they are.

You haven’t felt love this strong in a decade and you wonder what, exactly, you were thinking, by pushing it away for so long.

You’ve won.

It’s hard - almost impossible - to believe, but you’ve won.

The world is celebrating, and the seven of you are too, but there’s this feeling in the air, one that you all know the others feel too. Can it really be over? We’ve been running for over a hundred years. It’s too good to be true. But eventually, you let yourself relax. You let yourself live. You let yourself forgive for the time and the people taken from you. You let yourself cook without fear again.

Most importantly, you let yourself care. Trusting still doesn’t come easy, but you’re working on it. You have time for that, now. But caring… you can do that. You have your family back, after all, and it’s bigger than ever.

After over a century, you’ve finally found home.