#it's always directly in the path of the door so you can't open it or by the hinge so you have to go all the way around the door to get it

[sheyshen]

i wanna know what goes through delivery driver's heads when they put a package on the hinge side of a door. like my guy, that is the worst place to put it why would you do that?

[rottiens]

WHISPERS OF RECONCILIATION ┊S. GOJŌ

✮ word count: 1.8k

✮ summary. your husband is less and less at home due to missions he can't turn down, so every time he comes back, you feel him more distant.

✮ tags. . husband gojō x afab reader, they have a daughter, marital problems, angst to fluff, canon au, the struggle of being a first time mom. divider creds: cafekitsune.

You turn on the faucet, releasing the stream of water as you hear the front door open.

The noise doesn't scare you or stop you from your task since you know it's him. As you cover the sponge with the fun bubbles from the dishwashing gel, you hear his footsteps like a muffled distant noise, in the passage from the main entrance to where you are, his presence looms like lightning warning of a storm. All the lights are off except for the one in the kitchen which makes gojo trace his path directly towards you.

It doesn't take long for his arms to wrap around your waist from behind. You don't flinch, unlike when you did at the beginning of the relationship.

"What?" Gojo laughs at the line of your neck, it's a snort that denotes weariness. He smells of beer, far beneath that are traces of the perfume he had soaked himself in this morning when he left the house. "No reaction now?" Gojo breathes your skin, you smell of sweat and dirty clothes and the kisses he leaves on your neck make your stomach clench.

You do your best to pretend that his touch doesn't set your skin on fire, that his long fingers slipping under your nightgown have no effect on you.

The grip on the innocent plate tightens, a little, then tighter. Gojo keeps breathing into the shell of your ear, just behind the cartilage where he manages to bristle your skin until you can pretend no more and set the plate aside causing a clatter in the puddle of water, your fingers form fists under the warm spray of the faucet.

"Stop." It's not a command but a gentle request, you press your lips together and gojo stops right away.

"Are we still fighting?" Gojo sounds like a puppy you just kicked to the curb and yet he doesn't insist, pulls his hands off your body and takes a step back, you almost instantly regret it.

"Yes," you reply after a while, to a question he forgot he asked.

You hear him sigh heavily, then you feel him grab you by the waist and with your help you allow him to turn around until you are facing him. You refuse to look at him however after a while you give in, his tousled hair falls like snowflakes across his forehead, his eyes are naked, blue and alert staring at you. On top of his uniform he had a denim jacket on, you're sure it didn't cover him much from the winter cold and that probably geto lent it to him when they went out drinking because your gojo always forgot his coats.

You imagine him going reluctantly, just not to say no to his best friend, because your gojo hates the taste of alcohol as much as you do.

Gojo doesn't move, he lets his hand seek yours without detaching from your eyes. His fingers are icy cold and you shiver at the sudden touch, suddenly Gojo is taking your hand into his mouth. His lips rest on the back of your wet hand, droplets of water manage to reach the floor and his shoes and you let him do it because the scene is too commniveddorative to damage the moment.

His mouth murmurs a sorry for each kiss he deposits. Immediately your damp skin releases him from the cold of the street and when he kisses you a fourth time, you can feel them grow warmer. Gojo suddenly stops from the task and looks up at you from his position raising his eyebrows, your hand still close to your mouth, so close that his next words brush your skin. "I don't like it when we fight."

You don't like it either. But you had no choice but to stop talking and frown as you gave him a killing look when he told you he couldn't say no to a mission. What did he mean by that? you wondered. His daughter was three months old and all he did was miss her first babbles, not being home when you needed him, barely changing her diapers and barely feeding her.

Your feet are killing you, your muscles looked like they had been bitten by a giant monster and the circles under your eyes were getting darker with each passing day.

"You're frowning." When gojo speaks again, you notice that his back is straight now.

Slowly you move away from his touch and your arm returns to you, dangling beside your body.

"I don't want to talk about it."

You get ready to turn around to focus on washing the dishes, including his because his dinner got cold in the dining room, next to yours, while you were feeding your little girl, however gojo interrupts you by returning to make prey to your hips with his hands and thus sticking you a second time to his body. 

"Leave it. I'll do it." 

Your lungs fill and soon empty with another exhalation. And before gojo can respond to anything else you were already leaving the room.

You were tired, you could feel it in the way your bare feet dragged the floor beneath them, swollen and full of calluses. Gojo watches you as you turn the corner and lose yourself in the hallway with a dark aura surrounding your whole figure and your shoulders being pulled by the force of the floor.

Gojo returns to the dishes in front of him. Only his, a glass and a pair of forks remained, which he washed without haste.

The silence of the kitchen serves as an executioner that punishes him along with his thoughts for his actions. Gojo thinks about the day, thinks about his girl and thinks about you and how unfair it must be for you to have given up these months of being a sorceress who risked her life every day to be a full-time mother while the drab and boring walls loom over you.

His footsteps are long and silent, Gojo crosses the hallway where he can hear water spurting from part of the guest bathroom. He thinks about stopping at the door and asking you if you need anything else, however he leaves you this moment alone and heads towards the baby's room. Gojo pushes the door causing a rustic scream from the wood, in the background there is an acoustic melody playing and a bluish night light carrying in them figures of stars and moons swaying on the walls of the room. Gojo had bought it especially for her, it was the first gift he bought when you told him you were pregnant. The memory makes him smile, nostalgic.

Gojo restrains himself from stretching his arms and pulling her to his chest. So he just bends his back until his spine complains and deposits a soft kiss on her forehead that his girl never feels, since he activates his technique in time to not touch her and prevent her from waking up.

Just as he came in, he left. He no longer hears you in the hallway, there is no more water dripping from the shower, yet there are wet footsteps going towards the shared room that give away that you were done.

Gojo slips into the bathroom. He closes the door behind him and contemplates himself in the mirror for a moment, still the same as always, with a couple of black spots under his eyes and the occasional irritated red vein in the infinite sea of his blue eyes. He fills his lungs with your scent, the liquid gel of vanilla flowers bounces inside the four walls of the bathroom, he drops his eyelids and buries his fingers in the ceramic of the sink.

Gojo takes off his jacket and lays it on the floor, then discards the rest of his clothes. His fingers curl around the faucet and he lets the hot water wash away the traces of the day from him as he relives over and over again the arguments you’ve had these past months. 

The soap scrubs away the weariness of the day along with his dreary thoughts, these run down the drain along with the dirty suds that the water bathes off his body.

Once he is done, he wraps a towel around his hips. He turns off the rest of the lights and goes to bed.

You are on your side of the mattress with your back to the door, everything is dark except for the moonbeams that manage to enter through the crack that the curtains cannot protect. He closes the door with a soft sound and turns to you, leaving the towel hanging behind the door, gojo climbs into bed with his body and soul naked.

He knows you're not sleeping. It takes him a moment to find his voice, lost in the spots on the ceiling, he searches for the right word he should use instead of "I'm sorry."

"I," he clears his throat, one finger tapping his own rib. "I'm not going to school tomorrow."

At first gojo thinks you are sleeping, you say nothing and your breathing is slow and steady.

"And?" That's all you say, encouraging him to keep talking.

"I will tell Yaga that I need a couple of weeks off, I want to have these days together with my wife and daughter."

You don't answer again, you let your body do the talking. You push further into him, your ass collides with his side and he laughs softly, improving his posture to better embrace you from behind. His arms immediately cling to your waist in a possessive manner, drawing you to his chest where you feel his ragged breathing.

"I'm still upset," you finally say, feeling him smile against your ear as he squeezes your body tighter. "But I guess that's a start."

"You have worked so hard these days and I am sorry to leave you alone, I promise I will make it up to you, there is no justification in having left you alone these weeks." You force your lip between your teeth to keep from giving him the pleasure of making you smile. "I'm going to start with cooking tomorrow."

You laugh instantly, gojo pulls you further into his body, threatening to tickle you and you raise your hands in submission.

"You cooking sounds very tasty, satoru. It's just..."

"Hm?" 

"It's just that you haven't done it in a while." Then you add, "It's been a while since you've been home."

Gojo merely kisses your bare shoulder and plays with the skin on your abdomen.

"I'm sorry," he says, after a while. You nod looking at his hands, looking at how pretty the engagement ring looks on them. "I love you so much, I love our daughter, I love what we have. I don't want to ruin that."

You bring his hands to your mouth, your stomach swelling with tension, your gut roiling as you bring them close enough to kiss his knuckles and then assure a barely audible, "I love you too. Let's talk about it tomorrow, shall we?”

[cherryredstars]

Hi Cherry!

Could you do a part 2 to fear (f)or lust? There something about mean dom miguel that makes me ✨️tingle✨️

Maybe sprinkle some fluff at the end?

You are an amazing writer ❤️ Love everything you do!

Pairing: Miguel O'Hara x fem!reader

Warnings: 18+, NSFW, Mean!Miguel, Penetrative Sex, Bruising, Face Slapping, Creampie, Cum-Stained Panties (LMAO)

Summary: He still has one last thing to prove.

A/N: Hihi, love!! Thank you!!

Not Edited

Part 1

It's been a week.

Far too long for Miguel's taste, if it wasn't evident from how much harsher he's been on the field lately. His mood is effectively soured from your disappearance lately. It's partly to do with you avoiding him and the fact you're at some nerdy competition for the school. You had told him in text the day before you left, and his mood has been getting worse ever since. His life has become surprisingly dull without you around to scare and stuff his fingers into. He hates to say it, but he missed his little Bambi.

But his suffering finally comes to an end when he's walking the halls and the familiar tweeting of your voice passes him. He looks up from his phone, turning his head the same time you turn yours, his threatening eyes meeting your shiny ones. He gives you a smirk before you're pushed away by the crowd of students, continuing his path forward as he presses a few buttons on his phone. He wished you were in front of him so you can squeak at the dark look on his face when you pick up the phone.

"Can't hide from me forever, Bambi."

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

The scene looks familiar as you stand outside his door, the only difference this time is he's not wearing a shirt or sweats. He leans comfortably against the frame of his door, acting as if he isn't just in a pair of black boxer briefs. His hair is a bit limp over his forehead, beads of water still clinging to his tanned skin. He must have just gotten out of the shower, remembering vaguely that he had practice today so you knew to avoid taking any outside paths that pass by the field. You try your best to not stare at his muscular chest, but you find it hard to meet his eyes too. They always have that dark, hungry look in them. You opt to stare at his ear, your cheeks flaming.

Miguel on the other hand, doesn't care if you watch him take you in. His brow is quirked up, looking at the slight changes you think he wouldn't have noticed. You're wearing a bit more makeup than you usually do, your lips glossier and more colored than they usually are. The top you're wearing is tighter than what you're more comfortable wearing, different from the slightly baggy shirts you like to wear for tutoring sessions. He hopes for your sake you wore it specifically for him and you didn't come from something as silly as a date.

He moves slightly out of the doorway, leaving just enough room for you to squeeze through. You eye the empty space, something bubbling in your stomach as you slowly walk forward and squeeze yourself through. Your entire side brushes against Miguel's front, and his skin is burning hot against yours. You avoid looking at him at all costs, praying in your head to keep yourself together. You're so lost in throught that you yelp when Miguel suddenly grabs your arm, pulling you back into him.

You finally look him directly in the face, your eyes wide as he smirks down at you. Your eyes squeeze shut when he leans down, warning bells sounding at top volume in your head. You really regret closing your eyes because you're unprepared when you're suddenly lifted off the ground, a large and startled gasp leaving your lips as your eyes are snapped open. Your stare meets the ground, and Miguel's muscular shoulder digs into your stomach. His arm is wrapped around the back of your knees, and it's the only precaution he's taking to make sure you don't fall. You almost feel like crying when he purposely jolts you on his shoulder, loosening his grip slightly so you slide forward a bit. He laughs darkly as you claw at his back, having nothing to hold onto.

You can feel every step he takes as he takes you away from the front door, walking down a hall until you both enter a room. It smells so heavily of Miguel, and the air is slightly thick from the shower's steam that flows into the room. It makes your head dizzy, and it doesn't help when Miguel throws you off his shoulder and onto his bed. You bounce from the force as you land on the bed, landing partially on the towel he used to dry his hair before answering the door.

He looks so menacing standing over you, his body blocking the light from the hallway from entering his dark room. It makes him glow, like some dark angel that is determined to take you with him. His movements are slow and predatory as he walks to you, the faint light doing just enough to show how his muscles shift. He forces his large frame between your legs, his rough hands grabbing your calves and spreading them wider to accommodate him. The stretch slightly hurts, and you wince slightly when he forces his body forward so he can be face to face with you. Your legs rest on either side of his waist as he rests his hands on either side of your head, one of his hands rubbing at your cheek.

"You're so silly," He chuckles, he red eyes appearing to be glowing down at you. "Want to hide f'me, but then y'come here all dolled up."

You open your mouth to protest, but Miguel sticks his thumb through your parted lips, pressing down on your tongue. You gag around the finger in surprise, eyes widening as a distressed sound leaves your mouth. Miguel's thumb presses harder on your tongue, and he quirks his head to the side.

"No need to lie. I know it was all for me." He smiles. His other hand snakes down your body, stopping until the heel of his palm presses against your cunt through your pants.

You squirm in his hold, trying to pull away from him. It only makes dull pleasure shoot up your body, and you buck your hips harder with a whine. Miguel shakes his head at your foolishness, pulling his soaked thumb out of your mouth and wiping the saliva across your trembling bottom lip. He gives your face two soft pats, causing your pulse to jump as you remember the last time he slapped your face. He seems to know what you're thinking about as he coos down at you, reassuring you that he isn't going to slap you. Not unless you give him a reason too.

The promise- or is it a threat?- causes your body to flame, and you try to look away from his face. He scowls, his hand squeezing your cheeks together, puckering your lips as he forces you to face him. His brows are furrowed in distaste, and his other hand begins to undo your pants. He leans down, your noses almost bumping as he glares down at you.

"Who told you to look away? It sure as hell wasn't me."

You try to mumble an apology through your puckered lips, but barely any sound comes out besides incoherent hums. Miguel roughly throws your head to the side as he lets go, moving his hand down to get rid of your pants. He does it without your assistance, pressing your hips up himself to slide them off your legs and throwing them to the side. He hums as he spots the dark patch in your underwear, his fingers pressing on it and letting it sink into your hole. Your hips jolt, the uncomfortable wetness making you squirm. Miguel chuckles, moving the panties to the side, to see the way your entrance pulsates in a need to be filled.

He hums darkly at the pleasant sight, his fingers circling your hole. The stimulation distracts you for only a moment before Miguel harshly yanks your panties to the side, gasping in pain as you feel the fabric rub and snap around the crease of your thigh. The useless fabric is tossed to the side, and Miguel starts fishing his leaking cock out of his boxers. Your eyes widen at how large he is, and you try to push yourself away from him. Miguel tuts in annoyance, grabbing your thigh and roughly pulling you back into place. You gasp when his heavy dick slaps against your cunt, his angry tip pushing against your puffy clit. You freeze under him, finally learning that squirming gets you nowhere.

Miguel finally seems pleased for once, liking the way you've wordlessly submitted to him as you try to relax your body. He slowly moves his hips back and forth, sliding his cock through your glossy folds. You whimper slightly at the feeling, your body caving in on itself as your cheeks flame. Miguel pays you no mind, his eyes trained on where he slides through you as he lets out a low groan in approval. The underside of his cock is getting sticky from your arousal, and his tip catches against your entrance every now and then.

The teasing makes you ache for more. You open your mouth, only for a loud scream to escape as you're suddenly full. The stretch is quick and painful as Miguel unexpectedly thrusts inside of you, filling you to the brim in one move. You can feel him pressed against your cervix, and you let out choked breaths as your cunt squeezes around him. Miguel moans lowly at the feeling, gritting his teeth as he tries to pull out. Your cunt makes it almost impossible with how desperately your walls cling to him, but with some effort he begins to thrust into you.

You make pathetic little noises every time he bottoms out inside of you, his thrusts rough and fast as the sound of skin hitting skin echoes in his room. You already know the back of your thighs will be red and aching by the time he's done. You squirm on his dick, your shaky hands pressing on his shoulders in a weak attempt to push him off of you. He finds it to be a stupid move on your part as he gathers your wrists in his hand, pinning them above your head as he ruts into you. Your hands clench in his hold, your mouth dropping open in a silent moan.

"Y'know, I was thinking about how easy it would be to fold you. Wanna test it out?"

Miguel's eyes are concentrated as he stares at where his cock penetrates you, watching the slight shine that coats his length and tuning his ears in on the squelching of your pussy. He groans as you clench around him, his hands coming to your thighs as he moves your legs to rest over his shoulders. You whine at the movement, his cock seeming to hit deeper inside of you. If you thought your thighs ached before, they burn now as the tops of your thighs press against your chest. Miguel ruts rougher into you, his teeth gritted as your cunt pulsates around him. You can feel that tight ball in your stomach, and you squeal when Miguel starts toying with your clit.

Your body trembles under him, the heels of your feet beating down on his muscular back as the onslaught of pleasure makes you're mind dumb. He's sure he'll get bruises from how hard your heels are hitting his back, but it doesn't deter him from fucking into you. Your nails dig crescents into your palms as you explode, your body twisting in an attempt to escape Miguel's consistent thrusts as you gush around his cock. Miguel groans as your cunt milks him, sweat beading on his forehead as he tries to find his release as you convulse.

He gives your cunt a few more brutal thrusts before his hips slow, slowly fucking his cum into your abused pussy. You mewl up at him as his hand releases your wrists, his hips finally stopping. Your chest rises and falls with quick breaths as you calm down, your body already feeling sore as Miguel moves your legs off his shoulders. His chest isn't moving as rapidly as yours is from his years spent on the field, his heart used to the hard physical demands Miguel puts his body through. But he does let out a slightly shaky sigh as his large hands softly knead your thighs. It makes the ache fade slightly, and he reaches besides you to grab the towel he used before. You jolt slightly when he wipes down your sticky cunt, hesitating a bit as he watches the glob of cum leak from your hole.

When your breaths start to regulate, you lift yourself slightly up. Your eyes catch the outline of your ruined panties on the floor, and your brows furrow as you wonder how you'll get home without any underwear. Miguel follows your line of sight, eyebrow raised as he takes in the tattered fabric. He crawls off you, walking to one of his dressers and rummaging through it. You expect him to pull out a pair of boxers, but what he pulls out is much too small for him to fit. Miguel throws them at you, and you pick them up hesitantly. Miguel can't help but chuckle as you gasp, staring wide-eyed at the stiffened pair of panties at the end of your fingers.

You feel like crying thinking about the perverted things he must have done to your poor panties.

Part 3

[vervainandspritz]

—I'D GO BACK TO YOU

Tommy Shelby x Reader

Summary: Tommy and Y/N can't seem to be able to let the other go despite the growing hurt and conflicted feelings ruining their friendship.

Warnings: hurt/comfort, smut, fluff, jealousy, abusive childhood

A/N: SEND ME REQUESTS BITCHES

~~

Have you ever had someone by your side long enough to not remember the time before they came around? Almost like they were always here, through the good and bad. Relationship with no beginning nor ending, a permanent part of reality so dear, you barely ever stop to think about the direction.

The earliest memories Y/N had of Tommy were back in childhood. His small, thin hands covering her ears with eyes wide open as he listened through the old wooden door to her parents break the glass in the kitchen. Their words sharper than the pieces shattered on the floor as he braced himself against the door, silently praying for Y/N's father to not come looking for them. The early years of childhood they spent travelling through the imaginary lands where love was gentle and voices never rose in anger, where the outstretched hand did not mean upcoming pain of impact. Two kids so lonely, as they clung desperately to the presence of each other, holding hands so tightly, trembling from helplessness whenever the world would decide to remind them of cruelty from which they couldn't hide, not even in the four walls they grew up to call home.

As they grew older the definition of friendship became rougher around the edges, proving that no matter how hard you run, you won't outrun the blood in your veins. The uncontrollable rage Thomas inherited from the man he swore to hate, causing wounds that ran deeper than the broken skin on his knuckles after countless fights in Y/N's name, not letting anyone hurt her. Despite the differences they remained by each other, as he held her hand even tighter than when they were kids, not letting her drown in the ways of protecting herself by staying small and loving from a distance, until she couldn't stand it as the definition changed once more.

With a small distance that inevitably grew, Y/N watched him try to scratch the itch which seemed to never go away until he became an open wound, too raw for comfort.

Spiraling into the uncontrollable rage that ran between his veins, hating the reflection of his father staring at him in the mirror. Despising the flesh and blood he was made of, passed down like a legacy he never asked for like the scars on his face. She stood nearby, watching from the other side of his small room, not knowing what to say but offering her presence, too deep in her chase for the love she so desperately needed and never had.

Love from the hands gentle enough to not leave scratches, desperately seeking the fulfilment her childhood never offered.

Like two opposites, they stuck together through the worst years, separated by war just to be reconciled again in the worst versions of themselves.

He came back almost dead inside, and she felt too much. Y/N soon enough noticed the rough skin on Tommy's hands, the wilderness in his eyes dressed in expensive suits. Money coming from pain and blood mixed with gun powder, which he used to sharpen the blade hidden in his cap, one she feared so badly.

It took months for the colour to come back into his eyes, making them look lively, impossible to avoid the glances he'd send her across the table. Eyes watching so intently, she could never miss the gaze that weighed more than any other. Emotions swirling in them, creating a storm she was fearing, seeing clearly that she was the one directly on it's path.

For months they danced around the topic, not daring to address his longing. The lack of interest in other women and attention he couldn't bring himself to give to others.

Oh, how scared she was, knowing the destruction that Thomas Shelby held in his heart. One she didn't dare to reach for, shying almost as if she got burnt.

...and years passed without a word that would matter, just sticking through it.

How on earth was she still here?, Y/N wondered walking through the too familiar street. Passing by the old buildings which held more secrets than anyone could count, yet remaining silent, maybe too used to the violence of Birmingham.

Her long coat kept her warm, and emphasized the legs, causing men to glare.

Coming to a stop by the pub, her lips stretched into a smile, seeing him there, waiting. The little routine which formed by itself between them, as Thomas reached for the pack of cigarettes, offering her one before lighting it.

”Morning” He spoke up in a husky voice, the lack of sleep visible in his eyes, causing them to be paler than usual, as he stole a glance of her long legs.

Legs that he saw completely bare too many times to be able to restrain himself, brimming on the edge of hurt he was so used to.

”Are they inside yet?” She asked, glancing towards the entrance to which he shook his head, inhaling the smoke. Y/N nodded, looking at him with a small smile.

”What?” He eventually asked, seeing the light dancing in her eyes, to which she shrugged, remaining silent for a moment before letting out a sigh.

”He asked me out on another date. Brought me flowers” She confessed quietly, clearly happy. Cocking an eyebrow, Thomas just nodded, taking another puff of his cigarette. The numbing pain in his heart was nothing new, the uncertainty of his decisions making the wound remain open, never healing. He looked to the side, letting out a ragged breath.

”I'm happy for you, Y/N” He responded, causing her to shift awkwardly on her feet as she recognized the feeling in his voice. Stubbing out his cigarette, Tommy nodded towards the door. ”Let's wait inside, eh?” He suggested, his silhouette tense, to which she agreed.

***

A couple weeks later, Y/N realized the shift in his behaviour. Tommy's eyes grew distance, avoiding. The usual.. weight of his gaze shifted, not busying himself anymore to catch her eyes.

He seemed more closed up, focused on business and races which were very important. Looking more eager than usual to celebrate taking over major districts in London, he informed all Blinders to come to the Garrison tonight.

Arthur was more than happy, cheering about it since early morning but only when she arrived, hand to hand with William she understood why.

Amongst the chaos Thomas stood, leaning forward with a smaller hand in his grasp. Playful smirk dancing on his lips as he whispered sweet nothings to a dark haired woman. Y/N had to admit that she was pretty, lips smeared with red lipstick and short curls dancing close to her face with each move. Ripping her gaze away, she led William to Blinders table.

”I'll introduce you,” she offered, feeling the tiny bit of resistance in his uncertain walk, lacking the stride she was used to. Ignoring the nagging feeling on the back of her head she pulled him closer as they stood by the big, wooden table.

”Boys,” She spoke up, getting their attention, ”That's William, my good friend,” Y/N generously offered, as Arthur looked at him closely, quickly subconsciously placing him in one of the categories he had for men in this city.

”Arthur” He eventually offered with a slightly mocking grin as the younger man shook his hand weakly. Y/N pulled some chatter further, interrupted by her companion.

”I'll go... Get some drinks.” He quietly said, eyes dancing around the room in search of familiar faces, finding none, to which she nodded.

His tall, thin frame quickly disappeared in the crowd making her sigh as her eyes landed on the couple sitting by the other side of the pub.

His hand was draped over her shoulders as he knocked back the rest of his whiskey. Fingers slightly tracing patterns as he intently looked in her eyes, listening to her words.

Y/N's pulse quickened while her face remained completely stone cold, looking away as she felt the weird thumping in her ears as annoyance grew rapidly.

”Here” William suddenly appeared by her side, handing her a colourful drink. She looked at it funny, before cocking an eyebrow at him. ”What? It tastes good. Trust me” He offered with a smile, suddenly being way more annoying than before.

Letting out a huff, she placed it on a table.

”Let's dance,” Y/N suggested, trying to keep her gaze on him and not on the table several feet away.

”Oh, no, no, no” He shook his head, taking a step back. ”I don't dance. My back hurts” He lied, glancing nervously towards the big table.

Y/N breathed deeply, trying to calm her sudden frustration with the way he... Just was.

”You know, what? You're right. I don't have much time today, anyway.” She faked a smile, leading him outside and trying as fast as possible to get rid of him before making her way home.

***

Hours later once the party finished, Y/N was unable to contain her frustration any longer. Quickly walking across the city she knocked on the door of the house she knew too well.

Not waiting longer than a couple minutes before the door swung open, revealing Tommy in his undershirt.

”Y/N” He spoke up, before she took a step forward, her lips pressing tightly against his. Her hands clutched onto his shoulders as Tommy reacted immediately, pulling her inside.

The temperature immediately rocketed, when he leaned her against the wall. One of his arms grasped the back of her head while the other pulled on her hip, pawing on her dress. The familiar touch of his rough hands against her skin made her moan audibly, feeling his lips move onto her neck. Sucking and biting marks that she'd try to hide away later, as they fall into the same habit, unable to let go.

”Tommy” She whined, pulling on his belt and ripping it open with need. ”I need you” Her voice came out the same way as always.

Full of emotion. Passion and raw craving for the intimacy they could have only together, in no other setting. He shuddered under her touch, as she pulled him out of his underwear, stroking and pulling on his already fully hard cock.

”Why” He breathed out, as she pulled him onto the armchair, straddling his lap with her underwear already discarded to the floor. She took his breath away with another kiss, hands greedily pulling on his hair as he lined up his tip with her leaking entrance.

”I need you” She repeated, slowly sinking down as she threw her head back, exposing her neck. ”I need you to tell me, Tommy.” She pleaded, craving the roughness, the safety she felt in his strong hands. ”Please!”

Thomas knew what she asked for. She always did whenever they would be close. The first couple times he'd give in without a second thought, hope blossoming in his heart as he made love to her, but... It was never enough. She would never be there when he woke up.

He pulled her closer by the neck, hiding his face against her skin as he shook his head.

”No” He mumbled, thrusting up into her heart, fingers digging into the skin of her thighs, greedily pulling her closer. Needing her more than physically possible.

Her fingers pulled in his hair, tearing him away to look into his eyes. Her own were half lidded, drunk on the intimacy they shared.

”Please, Tommy” She whimpered in a voice so delicate and beautiful, he felt his heart tightening, bracing for the impact he'd feel in the morning.

Letting out a deep sigh, he shut his eyes.

”Please” She repeated into his ear, riding him skillfully just the way he liked. Her hands pawing on his skin less than patiently.

”I love you” He confessed in a choked moan, giving into her pleadings, hurting himself again.

”Again” She begged, feeling her heat squeezing around him, as her words made her feel what she needed. Making her feel like it was just them in the whole world again.

”I love you. I love you so much” He groaned, grabbing her hips as his released came sooner than expected, giving her deep thrusts that pushed her over the edge, as she pulled him closer. Embracing him as she screamed his name, before slowly trying to catch her breath.

Tommy leaned back, breathing deeply as his eyes searched for emotions on her own. Reaching up to her face, still sheathed deep inside her, Thomas grabbed her chin, making her look at him and the pain in his eyes.

”You're hurting me” He said, seeing the storm mirroring his own, as his heart slowed down to the normal tempo.

Y/N felt something shift, as the realisation dawned at her.

***

This time, Y/N fell asleep with him in the armchair, not waking up till the very morning. Sitting up she looked around, realising that she was in his bed, but... He wasn't around. The bedding on the other side was cold, already made and the only thing she found was... A piece of paper. Neatly folded in half, revealing his italic handwriting that brought fear into her heart.

I can't keep doing it anymore, it's too much to be with you but never have you. You have to let me go.

T.S

Reading the small letters, breath caught in her throat as she quickly threw on her clothes, rushing towards the phone and calling around. Asking everyone where Tommy could be, creating some serious chaos as she rushed to one of his cars. Jumping behind the wheel she drove to his office, praying to any deity watching over that he was there.

She could barely think, remembering the way his hands danced across her skin, bringing the feeling of safety she clung onto for so long. Associating the roughness, scent and weight of his gaze on her skin.

How foolish she was, all these years. Settling for having him in the moment and then letting go.

Jumping out of the car she rushed through the door, not bothering to knock before almost flying into the room.

For a longer moment the only audible sound was her panting as she tried to catch her breath. Slowly looking up, her eyes locked with his. Thomas' brows furrowed with surprise, seeing her in such a disheveled state.

”Oh my god, you're here!” She breathed out, straightening her back and sighing with relief. Reaching for a pack of cigarettes, Tommy lit one of them, taking his time to inhale and then slowly exhale smoke in the air.

”Where else could I be, eh?” He asked, his voice distant and rougher. His eyes so unavailable.

But she knew. She understood his stance, and the realisation swirled around her mind as she took a step forward.

”I'm... I thought you'd be gone. I don't know what I was thinking.” She stuttered out, biting her lip. ”I'm.. I'm so sorry, Tommy.” Y/N said, this time quieter as her eyes caught his once again.

”Nothing to be sorry for. Forgotten, as always.” He said dismissively, grabbing one of the papers sitting on his desk, trying to get away from the uncomfortable topic. Y/N wasn't surprised by his reaction, after the humiliation she put him through.

Letting out a sigh, she came up, pulling the document out of his hands, pulling him back and standing between him and his desk.

”Tommy, look at me.” She pleaded and it took a moment before he did. The hesitation made her heart hurt. ”I was... An idiotic dunce.” She eventually said, making him furrow his eyebrows again in surprise, yet the corner of his lips slightly raised. Y/N sniffed, before sitting in his lap and grabbing his face.

”I still am, since it took me so long to realise... And figure it out. I just.. I was scared, Tommy. I felt good around you. Nice and tingly, whenever you'd be around or look at me but it felt so... Different. New and scary, and i—i didn't want to be scared anymore so...” She relaxed slowly into the way he held her gaze. ”So I was running away from you. From us. But I never felt fear so strong like this morning. Like when I thought that you'd be... Gone, and unavailable for me.” Her voice grew shaky as she held his face.

Tommy just listened, his gaze softening as he watched her struggle with words.

”...and I'm sorry for yesterday. I don't have the right to be jealous, because you're not even mine... But I... I'd like you to be.” She added, her thumbs caressing the skin on his cheeks as her own turned pink.

Y/N waited for a reaction but he didn't say anything, so she leaned closer.

”Say you want me too” She whispered nervously, but Thomas just shook his head with a delicate grin, raising his eyebrows. ”Oh, come on, don't leave me hanging after i—” She began ranting, suddenly being silenced by his strong hand gripping the back of her throat, pulling her into a deep, very emotional kiss. She put her hand on his chest, feeling how quickly his heart was beating. Closing her eyes she savoured every second, the seemingly unending kiss making her dizzy.

As he pulled away, his eyes were bright and shiny, lips grinning at her mischievously. Expecting him to say something, Y/N smiled back.

”Idiotic dunce?” He repeated before a husky laugh pushed past his lips making her shove his face away slightly.

”Shut up, Shelby”

Taggin my people: @iilovedonnatartt @gentlebeari @narlytude @honeymoon8 @chaimaarouaine11 @hatethis29 @bruhidkjustwannaread @reiwanwan @immyowndefender @jbrownta

@preparedfruit

[sakumz]

____________________________________________

a/n : I LOVE YOU KIMICJ the man you are 😣 school au, ooc, kms joke once or twice kunikuzushi is scaramouche or wanderer...

[ m. kinich x fem reader ]

____________________________________________

" that's the exchange student? " you hear whispers and whatnots around you as you walk towards your classroom. books in your arms since the teacher asked you to pick it up, first thing in the morning before heading to class.

" morning y/n, " xiao greets you as he shoves the students blocking the path inside the classroom, holding the door for you to go in, as you smiled and thank him. placing the books on your teacher's desk as you made your way over to your seat, kinich takes the empty seat next to yours.

it's a wonder, your class is so lucky to be hosting the exchange student. thank you aether for being the student exchanged in your class. you silently thank the archons and of course your dearest classmate for such exchange, heck if he's staying over forever in kinich's school and kinich stays here forever, even better! you get to admire the pretty man by your side and the one behind you is xiao. he sighs as he stares out the window.

when lunch starts, you can't help but want to ask the exchange student to eat with you. well he is new and everyone will probably go to their own friend group and chat lunch away. what you should obviously expect was the people crowding around him, asking to go with them.

xiao taps you from behind as you silently nod, determine to take kinich with you than the randos.

" hey malipo- " you whisper shout from your seat as he quickly turns his attention to you.

" kinich is fine, " he cuts you as you flush red.

" um yeah k-kinich, wanna come with me and xiao? we'll eat on the roof and well... it's quieter there. " you lean over and whisper. he gets up and apologised to the people around, telling them he wants peace and quiet and well, to say the least they obliged and left him. he follows you and xiao quietly up to the roof.

you were right, it was a lot quieter. only you guys being there, being on the roof definitely has it perks. he could see the outside of the school, there's a basketball court and he spots a red and white hair guy, definitely shorter playing the game with an indigo bowl cut hair who even had a different uniform. he's not an exchange student like him, is he? he was certain only five from his school was here and was not told any other school would be here too.

" oh! kazuha is playing with the kid from the school directly opposite us! " you gush as xiao turns to look out.

" yeah that's kunikuzushi, " kinich sits next to you, opposite xiao. you peered over when he opens his lunch box.

" what a cute bento, " you mumbled out loud, flushing once more when both males stared at you.

" my classmate made it, we're staying in the same host family, " he says as you can't help but get interested.

" that's really cute, you guys must be pretty close huh? xiao over here is my childhood friend, kazuha was in the same class as us back in first year. also I bought cookies so you both better eat up! " you shove the bag in the center.

" tasty as ever, " xiao compliments as you flash him a smile, the smile that sends his heart beating a mile a minute.

" it's good, " kinich compliments after. your pride eating at you.

" there's a little something on you, " you point at the corner of your lips as xiao looks confused at you.

" here let me just- " you swipe your hand over xiaos cheek, dusting the cookie crump off.

the bell rings after leaving you to internally scream. back to hell. class went by pretty quickly, you tried to pass paper messages to xiao and you barely got any replies back.

" hey are you doing anything after school? " you ask kinich, walking him to the shoe locker with xiao behind you.

" I don't have anything, " he responded. you look over xiao, he gives you a nod as you internally cheered.

" let's go to this cafe! me and xiao always go there whenever we're free and well it's my work place too so feel free to come whenever you want, heck please bring that classmates of yours too! I'd definitely love to meet them and- " yapping till you were out of the school gates you weren't expecting someone to whistle at you.

you stopped and stared at the source of the sound, it was coming from the road directly across you. you sigh when you see who it is.

" heyyy y/n! " sethos called you over as kunikuzushi glared at the man.

you waved as xiao quickly grabs your hand and push it back down. you look at him as he shakes his head no.

" hey I know they're from our quote on quote rival school but it's rude to not greet back, you know. " you whisper scolded, jabbing him with a finger playfully.

from kunikuzushi point of view, you looked so adorable with a hand to your waist as you scolded your little childhood friend. wait WHAT!?! he aggressively shook his head as sethos stared at him cheekily.

" listen up pipsqueak! " kunikuzushi starts only to earn a slap from behind, he scowl and turn quickly to look at the perpetrator. it was lumine, she glared daggers at him as she scolded him for calling whoever he was calling a "pipsqueak". you waved sethos a goodbye before walking away with kinich and xiao.

--

" what's his problem? " xiao mumbles as he takes a seat opposite you in the booth. you can't help but giggle, kinich by xiaos side feeling confused. there's definitely more to this rival school going on.

" y/n! you're here, " your fellow colleague greets whipping out her small notebook to take your order.

" helloo, " you greet with your signature smile.

" anything catches your eyes? " you ask kinich who was flipping through the menu, xiao points at one as his eyes follow his finger.

" um, I'll get the kitty parfait. " he says shyly.

" haha three kitty parfait then, " your colleague obliges and within minutes the parfaits came. your colleagues even added a matcha tea, lemon tea and coca cola. guessing everyone's preferred drink right.

" mind if I take a picture? " kinich asks as he pulls out his phone, you quickly said yes.

" hey get a picture of us too~ here give me your phone, " you show him your palm as he placed his phone on.

you turn the phone camera to selfie mode, aiming it so that the food can be seen and both xiao and kinich faces were in. throwing on a peace sign as xiao and kinich followed along.

you three ate your treats, talking about everything and anything. kinich has a pet named ajaw, he can get pretty aggressive but he's a sweet thing. pulling up videos and pictures of said pet. xiao also shares embarrassing stories of you in between. kinich couldn't help but laugh at certain parts of the story. leaving you fuming at your friend. kinich finds it adorable when you pout.

" well we should get going. I'll walk you home y/n, " xiao starts as you stared back at him, sighing when he tilts his head to the side.

" did something happened at home? " kinich question as you laugh at the bitter thought.

" it's fine really, " you force a smile as you stand up. bidding your colleagues and the boys follow behind. whispering to each other. you can't be bothered to know what they're talking about, having an internal battle on what might possibly happen at home. you had a fight with your brother after he told you his partner of five years was a homewrecker and he didn't do anything or defend himself when his partner started talking shii about his family.

" this is it, bye bye " you sounded so sad when you wave them goodbye, closing the door behind before they could say anything else.

kinich and xiao looks at each other before making their way over the nearby bench around the area.

" yeah something is definitely up, " kinich mumbles as xiao looks at him, slouched over the bench.

" you like them don't you? " he smirks.

" wha-what are you talking about? " kinich sweatdrops.

" aaah, we'll just leave it till tomorrow then. you know your way around the area or do you need me to walk you back too? " xiao teased leaving the dark hair male to laugh.

" I know how to get home, thanks. " he bids xiao goodbye as they both made their way home.

--

" fancy seeing you here, " kunikuzushi starts as you look over your shoulder and place the glass you were wiping down. it's a Saturday, no school. your work decided to come up with a little small event to promote the best selling kitty parfait. you blush and immediately hide yourself behind the counter, you're wearing a maid dress and kitty ears!

" hey now, aren't you going to serve me? " he teased as you stand up, you're the only worker right now. the next one will come in an hour.

" how'd you know I'm working here?! " you scold as he smiles.

" hey hey, I've got a little recommendation from the principal of the school but that doesn't matter, " he mumbles the last part turning back to stare at your eyes.

" I've been wanting to come here! so many people in school has been talking about it. even that smart ass alhaitham has been here not once but twice, " he raised two fingers as you grab his fingers, squeezing it hard as he lets out a playful scream.

" is this the person you've been talking about? kinich, " you quickly looked over kunikuzushi as he followed your line of view. you blush when you saw kinich in his casual wear. he is so handsome, charming and so much beautiful words you can't think of right now but he's just so drop dead gorgeous. he had his headband on his forehead, black t-shirt on and you can't admit it but his arms.

" please kill me kunikuzushi, hat guy, wanderer " you whisper as you shake him by his shoulder.

" hey must you bring up that stupid nickname and even the game name I used. " he sighs at your dramatic antics. he doesn't fail to notice your growing blush. you looked adorable if only it was for him.

" wha-what would you like to have today? kinich and beautiful girl, " you cry internally is that his girlfriend, you shove kunikuzushi aside as she points at the chocolate cake. just then your phone rings, you excused yourself as you quickly picked up the call. trying not to kill yourself when your boss tells you, you'll be working the full shift alone since your work partner had something going on. well its not so bad doing a full shift alone especially when the sun's setting down and well the customers just adore you the most.

you place your phone down, biding your boss an okay and goodbye as you look over kunikuzushi who was just playing with the jewelleries around his fingers and neck.

you cleared your throat as you beam back at them, right you're so good at faking smiles even kunikuzushi and xiao have a hard time figuring out which is fake and which isn't.

" so one chocolate cake? is there anything else? " you tap the order in the cash register screen as kinich finishes the order with " the same kitty parfait we ordered and two colas would be nice. "

you thanked them for ordering and tell them to take a seat, even rejecting his money because he's an honoured guest along with the girl he was with. assuring him it's on the house, kunikuzushi looked over the cash register area, picking up some of the memo notes you were writing down. one definitely caught his interests as you worked on their orders. quickly finished the final touches, making it as pretty and perfect. you walk over to their table. smiling at them when you approach, telling them to enjoy before you could return back to the register you hear kunikuzushi shout, " hey aren't you missing something? "

you glared at the man before turning back to the "couple" .

" I'll give you some blessings okay? make it delicious, " you form a heart with your fingers, moving it around your fingers as you shut your eyes tight.

" moe moe kyun~ "

to say the least, all you hear was kunikuzushi loud laughter as you rush back over to him.

" tell me your order now. " you demand as he sniffles back a laugh.

" o-one kitty parfait, the strawberry one. " your heart drops. keying in the order and bringing it to the man. why did he pick the seat opposite kinich, one where they can make eye contact.

" hey don't forget your magical blessing, " he flashed you a smile as you glared at him.

" make it delicious, " you say between gritted teeth, " moe moe kyun~ " just as you're about to walk away he grabs your hand. you turn to look at him stunned.

" there's no customers right now, so you can definitely fulfill my customer request right? as stated in the memo, " he grinned as you stared, flushing when you remember the event lines.

' obliged to the customer wishes, eg feeding them as long as its nothing super dangerous, do it '

" feed me. " you quickly take a seat opposite him, your kitty ears pressing against your head. the kitty ears, you scream. you looked so adorable you didn't notice the quick flash from his phone. your kitty ears pressed on your head as you flushed red, eyes squeeze tight as you grab his spoon.

" open up, " you place the spoon full of whipped cream and strawberry jam infront of his face, your other hand hovering under his chin to catch whatever mess he could possibly make.

" so how's school, " he tries to make small talk as you continue to feed him. just as you're about to give a response, you accidentally push the spoon filled parfait into his mouth, the whipped cream hitting the corner of his lips. you can't help but wipe the corner of his lips with your finger, forced habit from xiao, and the opportunity to tease the lingering eyes on him, he grab your finger. bringing it to his mouth to lick the whip cream.

you blush at his action as the kitty ears pressed against your head again, your tail swishing from side to side. yeah you're definitely not wearing this set of cat stuff again! thank goodness there was a normal version somewhere. you didn't expect people you know to come and you could've gotten out of work the following hour when kunikuzushi came. ugh the co-worker!!!

" hey y/n, " kinich calls over to you as you look back, your face flush red as kinich can't help but blush at your appearance. your cat ears and your flushing face.

you hand kunikuzushi back the spoon as you ruffled his hair for revenge, as he quickly brings a hand to your cheek, giving it a squeeze before you walk over to kinich's booth.

" yes? " you exhale slowly, trying to calm your racing heart.

" I hope we're not bothering you, this is mualani. she's- " kinich was interrupted as she grab your hands.

" we're classmates back in our old school and we're living in the same host house, I can't get a second away from him huh. hahaha! though each class in your school, holds one exchange student. he's pretty lucky to get a cute girl like you in the class. heck you're even prettier than the picture he showed! " she gushed as you flushed harder, he talks about you to this girl!?

" are you both datin-"

" what! no! I would never date this emo! " she scolds as you can't help but laugh, kinich cleared his throat earning a playful glare from mualani.

" thanks for the treat and like always, good things comes to an end. I'll see you in school, y/n. " kinich gets up as mualani follows bidding you a goodbye as she walks first, kinich feels his legs glued to the floor. his ears didn't fail him and kunikuzushi was purposefully being loud when he mentioned the event lines.

he did order the item that'll strike the event lines to work, you stared at him as he looks down, gulping down as he says what you weren't expecting to hear.

" there's an event thing right? I'm allowed to make a request? " your kitty ears perks up, you try to control your beating heart.

" yeah you can make a request as long as its nothing too stupid and crazy, " you looked to the floor, avoiding his gaze as you try to calm down.

" can I get your number then? " to say the least you thought you died and met the archons. with shaking hands you accept and key in your number.

he bids you goodbye as he walks over to mualani as she smiles, giddy as she can't wait to hear more of what kinich has to say. he's been pretty chatty since meeting you and she's definitely in for it all.

kunikuzushi did stay to help you clean the store, he said you'll pay him with one of the events request to which you agreed.

--

" xiaooo~ " you playfully poke his cheek from behind his seated self. you sigh as you gave him a hug resting your head on his head.

" I'm gonna kill myself. " you stood straight as you take your seat, and kinich enters.

" did you hear, in gym class. one of the rival class from the school will join us. " someone says as you felt a shiver down your spine, this class better not be kunikuzushi.

luck was not on your side when you catch his gaze on you. him sitting on the bleachers as xiao and kinich just so happen to sit a few seats infront of him. you were playing basketball first. you as the appointed captain and lumine was your rival captain.

" beat her ass, y/n! " you hear kunikuzushi shout as everyone turn to look at the man. his shame out the window, thank the archons sethos isn't here.

" you're supposed to cheer for us! " the girls in his class shout as he stuck out his tongue.

the game did end with your team winning, kunikuzushi calls for you to come over as you obliged. he hands you a bottle of water as the referee calls for the boys to come and get ready for the game. he smiles as he catches your gaze. waving as you nearly choke on the water. nilou takes a seat next to you as lumine on her other side and keqing went to your right side.

" heyy! cheer for me okay!? " he shouts as you flushed the girls looking over you as you scream a do your best, you guys! that's definitely not targeted to kinich, xiao and that kuni boy.

the girls tried to get intel on the boy as you tried your hardest to focus on the game. twenty minutes in the game and kunikuzushi team was one point down. he grabs hold of the ball and just as he's about to score he shouts your name.

" this one's for you, y/n! " he shouts as he shoots a three pointer earning two points, the girls cooing at the smoothness. the game then ends and the teacher congratulated the team for winning before ending his class.

" he definitely likes you, " nilou says as she stands up. lumine following her as she tells you he's too far gone.

" he's a stupid one for sure, " keqing pats your head in pity for your love life.

you look over the boys as they gathered close, you walked over as kunikuzushi was massaging his hand.

" what's wrong? " you question as he smiles weakly.

" just jammed my fingers. " you grab his non-injured hand. bringing him to the first aid kit, placed on the first row of the bleaches he takes a seat as you wrapped an elastic compression bandage over his finders.

" hey why don't you kiss my boo boos away? it'll heal faster just like your magical blessing to my parfait. it was really delicious, " he teased as you brought his hand over to your lips pressing a quick kiss over it. kinich and xiao decided to take the seats next to you and kunikuzushi, drinking water and calming down from the game.

" we have an hour free and then lunch break, you should join us. " you say, standing up and changing as the boys meet you at the roof.

xiao sits next to you as kinich and kunikuzushi was opposite. silenced filled the first part.

" open up, " kunikuzushi brings the egg roll from his bento to you mouth, as you ate it. xiao calling you to open up too as you ate the broccoli from him. kinich opens his bottle of cola as he brings it to your face as you chug a good amount.

kunikuzushi smirking as you glared daggers at the growing tug on his lips. realisation hits you as you start coughing, xiao pats your back as you stand up. packing your things as you bid a quick goodbye.

" see you guys later, and bye kunikuzushit. " you mindlessly walk away, it's still too early to go back to class.

" now what is her problem, " kunikuzushi mellowly says as the two looks over the male.

" you tease her too much, " xiao points his chopsticks at the male as he laughs pushing his chopsticks away with his own pair.

" admit it, we all know who she likes. " xiao flushed. it's not him and he's well aware.

" why do you like her, kunikuzushi? you even got her to feed you, your parfait... " kinich trailed off as xiao stared wide eyed at the indigo man, he laughs.

" she's fun to tease, plus quite the beauty. she's too nice for her own good, " kunikuzushi admits, reminiscencing the first time he met you when you threw a punch at him for talking shit about your school. that's when you met sethos and lumine for the first time too. they quickly took a liking to you.

" what about you, xiao? " xiao can't help but stare and look away at the pair of eyes on him.

" she's pretty, yes. I grew up with her so I guess you can say my love for her just keeps growing with her... " there's more to love you for and he's too shy to tell it to them.

kunikuzushi is well aware with the choices you won't pick him nor would it be xiao, he pats xiao on the back. trying to lighten the mood, so he tells embarrassing tales about you as xiao returns the same.

--

mualani caught you walking down the halls, she drags you to the vending machine around the garden as you sat on the bench, sipping on your carton of milk.

" why do you like kinich? " she cheekily asked as she plops next to you.

" he's handsome, quite the sweet talker and um.. im not sure? my heart just longs for him... " you confess, feeling the same burning on your cheeks as she laughs.

well you have her support in this, she cheers you up and attempts to tell you embarrassing stories about kinich but they ended up being more about her. kinich catching her doing embarrassing stuff.

as class was ending, kinich tells you and xiao, he'll be waiting for mualani so xiao and you left together first.

you invite xiao over to your house as he obeys. placing the plate of almond tofu and a cup of ice lemon tea. you enjoyed the peaceful silence. before admiting something xiao was painfully aware of.

" I like kinich. " he swallows hard.

" I like you, " he confessed as you flushed. turning to look at him and he he maintained eye contact back.

" I'm sorry, " you looked away as he was quick to hold you hand. rubbing smooth circles.

" it's really okay, dating someone you grew up with would be a bore huh? besides you probably see me more like a brother than some romantic partner... " you can't help but sigh, if you hadn't met kinich and xiao confessed. you'll definitely accept, he was nothing but kind and sweet to you.

" you're never boring to be with. my heart just longs for the guy, " you sigh as you grab the hand, touching your hand. you bring it to your forehead as he place the spoon down, patting your head.

" if he ever breaks your heart, my arms are open for you. if you're thirty and he hasn't married you, I'll marry you in a heartbeat. " you can't help but laugh.

" I'll allow that, I'll break up if he doesn't propose hahaha, please don't wait for me if you did fall for someone. " he nods as the conversation continues. you introduced a new character in your life as xiao filled you in on what happened during lunch when you left. your soul leaving your body when he says kunikuzushi was sharing embarrassing stories about you. hell the new character in your life couldn't say any embarrassing stories about kinich because it was mainly him catching her on the act.

you walk xiao to the door when it was time to leave, he pulls you in for a hug and you let him hug you for as long as he felt like it.

--

the next day in school, school felt pretty fast this time. probably because you fell asleep in class thanks to someone keeping you up all night.

" y/n come with me. " kinich offers a hand as you blindly take it, rubbing your eyes with your other hand. you don't know where this guy is taking you.

he brings you to the garden, the gazebo in sight as you take a seat and he stands. hands hiding something behind. a yawn escapes your lips as he shows you the flowers.

" I like- love you. " he confess, your eyes shot open. this can't be a dream? you pinch your cheek as he laughs, pulling your hand away to plant a kiss on it.

" it's not a dream. I love you a lot, your kindness. you really helped me feel at ease in the school, I met a few cool people thanks to you. even if we're far apart, I'll do anything for you. we're still living in the same country just different region. it will take awhile to get to you but for you, I'll do anything. " you can't help but kiss the corner of his lips as he cups your face, giving you a proper kiss.

to say the least even being so far away, you never felt lonely. kinich texts you 24/7 even video calling whenever you want. when you graduated, you eventually moved to a place nearer to him to attend college. xiao and kunikuzushi unexpectedly following. all four attending the same college, you weren't expecting to be in the same business course as kunikuzushi as xiao and kinich happen to share the same course. well kinich never fails to slap a smile on your face everyday.

[papasbaseball]

The Wizard x Reader (Wonderful Wonderful Girl) | Chapter 4

Pairing: Wizard x F!Reader

Rating: Teen (Rating to Increase)

Warnings: Power Imbalance, Boss/Employee Relationship

Summary: Being a maid in the Royal Palace of Oz is not half so bad. Despite the meager wages, everything else is provided for you for an honest day's work. It can be unnerving working for the most powerful man in Oz, but you are able to avoid him most of the time. This changes during Lurlinemas, your paths soon becoming inextricably intertwined.

Word Count: 2,559 of 9,949

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AO3 Link

Making myself useful after Emily locks me into the Wizard's apartment proves to be useless. Everything has already been done for the day, all the sheets changed, the floors mopped, and even the baseboards dusted. I look to see if I can possibly organize anything else. All of his drawers and closets are meticulously kept, shirts stiffly starched and socks folded into soft green squares. The comb and brush set are still on the dresser, so I straighten them to be perpendicular to the edge of it. I sigh as I look around the room, finding nothing else to even be fussed over.

I have only ever been in a select few rooms of the apartments – mostly his bedroom and the dining room – and always to complete the same chores every day. There were other people above me in rank who had more access to the full apartment, but I was always so busy every day and so eager to get all of my scrubbing and folding done that I never bothered to seek out what had been off-limits to me. It already unnerved me touching the sheets he slept on, so why would I want to go snooping around? He doesn’t quite frighten me as much as he used to, I think.

The wizard's bedroom has other doors besides the one that Emily had brought me through. To the north, there is the hallway that leads to the servants' stairs and the dining room. Directly attached to the bedroom is a bathroom and another door that I have never opened. I always assumed that it was extra storage space for out-of-season clothes.

When I test the handle for this strange door, I can't help but let out a quiet gasp. It’s a study that is about as big as the bedroom I had originally been locked in, but with a ceiling that is pulled so far up into a spire that I cannot see where the chain starts for the sharp gold geometric chandelier. What the chandelier does illuminate are high walls lined with books. A mahogany desk stands to my right, piled high with papers and more books. I shut the door behind me to get a good look at this new and wonderous place, not wanting the Wizard to sneak up on me.

I roll my eyes thinking about how slinking about like a snake and scaring maids on his staff seemed to be his preferred method of arrival. “Maid”. There is a sadness that I feel as if a chip is carved out of me, the splinter of wood that could be labeled as "maid". I hadn't done anything today to help earn my keep here, and the memory of Emily dirty and sore from a day's work had only deepened this feeling of being lost. The best I could offer up in equal was that my legs and everywhere else still stung slightly from the wax strips that they had ripped off of me. I go to the disorganized papers and books on the desk, glad to have found at least some distraction.

There are red leather-bound account books and papers that have been folded in thirds. Looking around the room, I find no home for them, no filing system readily apparent. I open the drawers and find nowhere to put them in the desk either, just cold and sharp green pens, an inkpot, sealing wax, and paper. What I don't expect to find is a golden locket. I hold the small trinket in the palm of my hand, letting my skin warm the cold metal. Inside, there are incredibly realistic paintings of a woman and a man, washed of any colors. I stare at it trying to place why they look familiar when I hear a door opening.

"They are not due for payment for another 50 days," the Wizard says.

I quickly shut the locket, dropping it back in the drawer and shutting it closed, just in time for him to come through the door. Esmet and a man in a sharp suit that was too short in the waistcoat with his satin top hat in hand are close behind. I flatten myself against the wall of books behind the desk but realize I stick out like a sore thumb with my overexposed skin in the provocative dress. Despite this, none of them seem to pay me any attention, the Wizard sitting down at the desk, shuffling through papers, the two other men taking seats in emerald leather chairs that are dimpled with golden buttons.

"Sir," the man in the suit says, "you have to understand, the Emerald City has been late on their payments for lumber for the past three quarters."

"This… this is not part of the agreement," he says. There is a tone of irritation in his voice that makes me want to run for the door and back into the safety of the boring and already kempt rooms. "Matter of fact, there was no agreement. What more do they need besides money? It gets there when it gets there. I can't help it if the damned country is covered in mountains."

"Undoubtedly, the city would pay them, sir," the strange man says, tugging down his waistcoat, "but as ambassador, I am telling you that the chieftain has ordered no shipments to enter the Emerald City unless payment is made upon arrival."

"This shouldn't be a problem," Esmet says, shifting in his chair. "The Emerald City has more than enough money. We could pay for the shipment fifty times over if they wanted it."

"Oh, we have more than enough money," the Wizard says, waving off the notion. "It just seems to me that I am being strong-armed at my own front door. I don't like being strong-armed at my own front door, do you Mr. Ambassador?"

The man's words tumble out as if they had tied themselves into knots in his mouth. His hands are busy mangling the brim of his hat: flattening it, curling it back up, outright folding it in toward the lining.

The Wizard rises, hands gripping the edge of his desk as he stares the ambassador in the eye. He laughs, and it’s the unnerving one that is a warning before the pounce from the grass. "If I didn't know any better, this distrust... it's like... like the warning sign of a rebellion. It would be an overture to war."

"The chieftain has no want for war, sir," the man laughs nervously. Perhaps he was always sweating, but the chandelier hanging directly over him has illuminated the top of his head that only offers a barren combover in protection. He bears a striking resemblance to an ice sculpture in the market square under the hot sun.

"Oh... Oh no, of course not," the Wizard says. "No, that would be foolish, wouldn't it?" There is that smile on his face, the same one from last night that he had aimed at me. I feel suddenly naked again and look down to see my hands gripping fistfuls of my tulle skirt so tight that I could see the bones of my knuckles. Quickly, I drop the fabric, worrying about damaging it, only to find that my hands have been using it to steady a shake that coursed through them.

"Maybe it would be best if I could go back to the chieftain and explain how things look?" the man said. "We have no want for war."

The Wizard let go of the desk, stalking over to where I stood against the wall. I know the others must hear how my heart pounds against my bare breast out of the fear that somehow he will involve me in this awful conflict. My brain concocts a horrible image of me bound and gagged in exchange for the lumber for the city, shipped off on the back of some dirty horse, never to see my sister again. Instead of seizing me, he winds a finger through a tendril of hair that had come loose from my braids. I force myself to look up at him, hoping that if he can see my eyes he might remember that I am human and spare me.

"I think that would be best," he says, not taking his eyes off of me. Here in the intimacy of our own shadows, his eyes have become so dark and deep that they are almost black. Any fear that had existed moments ago has now vanished as I let myself surrender whatever truths he might supernaturally find in my soul through my own eyes. "But we don't need to do that when we can send a letter by flight." He slowly unwinds his finger from the strand until it kisses the skin of my temple. When he turns from me to address the two men, I feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. There is such a storm of emotions within me that I couldn't merely pick one, no more than one could stand outside and pick a singular raindrop in a hurricane. All I know is that I want his eyes back on me.

"You'll be our special guest, Mr. Ambassador," he says. "Please, please, take advantage of our wonderful city. There's so much to do that you could never see all of it." He pulls a golden cord that I hadn't noticed in the corner of the room. The door the Wizard had come through opens and the man I had met last night, the head officer, walks in. "Glafly, would you please take care of our dear ambassador here? He'll be needing a room and help getting around the city. It's been so long since he's visited us and we wouldn't want him getting lost." The way he says "lost" is aimed with precision at Glafly.

Glafly nods, stepping closer to the ambassador's chair. The ambassador rises, the brim of his top hat now fully mangled out of shape. He never takes his nervous eyes off the Wizard but follows after Glafly. The Wizard repays him in kind, watching them leave until the door closes. When it does, he opens the top drawer of his desk and withdraws a gilded green pen, inkpot, and piece of paper. He scrawls something quickly on it and doesn't wait for the ink to dry before creasing it in half. Holding the paper between his middle and index fingers, he says "Esmet, get this to the secretaries, quickly. I want this delivered as soon as possible."

Esmet takes the paper with a quick bow. "Yes, Your Wonderfulness." He leaves through the door that they came in.

Standing alone in the room with him, the silence is unbearable. I ask him, "Is he a prisoner?"

He turns to look at me. "Do you think he is?" he asks.

I pull myself off of the bookshelf, approaching the desk. "He can't leave the city, can he?"

The Wizard offers me the crook of his elbow, and I take it. My heart is leaping trying not to think too much about the similarities between the ambassador's situation and mine. He walks with me to the door that leads back to his bedroom. "I want you to attend dinner tonight with the ambassador. I really think you could… liven up his depressed presence."

"I," I stutter, "I have chores to do." It's a poor excuse given the spotless state of the apartment.

He doesn't say anything, rather humming some strange tune. I think that maybe it sounds like some Lurlinemas carol that I may have sung a long time ago, off-key in the voice of a child, but the lyrics never click. I look up at him – sweet Oz is he tall, I barely come up to his shoulders, my eyes level with his golden eye tie tack – and he seems lost in some pleasant thought as he guides me into the bedroom.

"Your Wonderfulness?" I ask.

He opens the jeweled box on the dresser, the one with the beetles on it, and produces a golden hair comb decorated with pointed emeralds fashioned into delicate flowers. "There is more to be done than just scrubbing floors and washing windows," he says leaning against the dresser. With how tall he is, it's more like sitting. He holds the comb in his lap, a gentle smirk on his face. "Do you know your place?"

My place could be anywhere, but I wish it was next to my sister. It's been more than a week since I last saw her, and I worry that she thinks that I have forgotten her. My place had been sharing a bed with Emily only yesterday. And yet today, in the study... When he stood over me, looking me fully in the eyes... Didn't I want that to be my place too? I pick at the fine tulle of my skirt because the safest thing that I can think to say is what I answer. "No."

He pushes off the dresser, watching me with those dark eyes as he approaches. I watch as the shadows on his face flicker in the light of the fireplace. Holding the golden comb, he removes the pins from my braids and I can hear them carelessly dropping to the floor with soft pings. He unwinds the locks of hair from the ribbon and drops the piece of satin as well, too focused on smoothing out the now loose strands. The comb is cold as he drags the fine metal tines against the side of my scalp, gathering up just enough hair before turning the comb back over, and fastening the hair away from my face.

"Do you know my place?" he asks lowly, admiring his handiwork. He grabs the mirror off the dresser, holding it up to me.

"Why was the ambassador allowed to see you?" I ask, casting my eyes to the floor. I can’t tell if it’s my own promiscuous image or his eyes that I’m avoiding.

He lowers the mirror, tracing the raised golden design on the back of it. "I don't tell everyone who I am. He thinks I'm just some statesman deputized for the Great and Mighty Oz."

"Most people don't know who you are," I say. He stops his tracing of the design, raising his eyes to me.

"The most well-known man in Oz, unknown? You really think so?" he asks.

I take the mirror from his hands, trying to get a good look at myself in the dying sunlight. Dinner would probably be served soon, and one shouldn't refuse an invitation from the master of the house. My reflection is dim, but I can see how my brows have been reshaped at the hands of the stylists, the way my skin seems to glow as if they had dusted off the top layer like an old bookshelf. All thanks to him. "Is this dress suitable for dinner?" I ask.

"Do you want to change?" he asks, cocking his head to the side.

"Not unless you want me to," I say.

He takes the mirror from me, sets it back down, and offers me his arm again. "Maybe later," he says. I hook my arm in his and his deep hum picks up the familiar tune from earlier as we walk down to the dining hall.

[ellieluvr420]

We meet again, Darling pt.7 (detective Abby Anderson x criminal reader)

Synopsis: Abby Anderson is a skilled detective that's never let a criminal escape her grasp, until you. You've infiltrated every part of her life and she still can't get you. As she grows more and more intrigued by you she finds herself descending further into darkness until there's no way back. She takes your hand and follows you as if your presence is the only thing giving her life knowing that you are the most dangerous thing for her. Her life will never be hers again and she will stop at nothing to keep following you down your path of corruption.

SMUT... like fr this time. MDNI!!!! pls and thanks x

The energy in the car between you and Abby is so hot you expect the windows to start steaming up. As you pull up to your apartment building you slip Jeremy 200 and squeeze his shoulder. He's always been discreet and you're grateful to him for that. You hadn't noticed that Abby had already climbed out the car until she was opening the door for you and holding her hand out. You take it and waste no time dragging her inside the building. You nod at the security guy and he punches in his code that allows you to use the elevator. You swipe your key card on the fob and it opens for you. As you walk inside the elevator you turn to Abby.

"See, this is good security."

"Shut up." She grabs your face and walks you backwards until your back hits the wall of the elevator and she presses herself impossibly closer to you. You both waste no time in pressing your lips together in a messy, hungry kiss as she grabs one of your thighs and wraps it around her waist. She runs her hand up it until she reaches the holster where your gun sits.

"Do you ever go anywhere without a weapon?" She whispers into your ear. You shiver as her breath tickles and her raspy voice sends a thumping heartbeat straight to your core. You reach round her waist and put a hand firmly on her holster that sits at the back of her belt and pull on it once.

"Do you?" You pull her further into you and start kissing her neck, leaving faint bruises in your trail. She groans as the elevator reaches your floor and the doors open directly into your penthouse. Abby turns around and walks out completely in awe.

"You call this an apartment?" She scoffs and looks back at you with a face of disbelief.

"I suppose I was being modest." You giggle as you press your key card to the scanner by the elevator to lock the doors and send the elevator back to the ground floor. As you turn back to face Abby she's already crowding into your space and attacking your neck and jawline with kisses, giving you bruises to match her own. You pinch her side and she pulls away confused with dark eyes like a predator hunting its prey. "Business first, play later."

"You are such a tease."

"I know, follow me this won't take long." You walk Abby to your office and unlock the door by waving your wrist over the fob on the door. Abby wants to question what just happened but she doesn't want to waste any time. She needs you now. She'll question you on that later. "So, there are a series of packages within this one parcel, they're all numbered. All I need you to do is feed this information to your men when I tell you to. It's all phased and made to look like each catch leads you to the next. I know this gang and they'll turn on each other the second you threaten them with a harsh sentence which will help you out a lot. You got it?"

Abby has been standing behind looking over your shoulder as you explain pressing light kisses to your shoulder blades. "Mhmmm." She purrs.

You turn to face her and push her back by her chest. "Abby, this is serious, you got it?"

"Yes I got it. No one will ever found out what we did."

This makes you smile as you know she's talking about your plan but you can't help relating it to what you're both about to do too.

"Good girl. Come on let's go." You don't even stop to look back, you just grab her collar dragging her out of the office "Shut the door behind you."

"Yes boss." You know she's joking but you feel a twinge of excitement at the name. You drag her up the stairs and into your bedroom where you stop still facing away from her and slowly unzip your dress and let it fall to the group so your left in only your underwear and heels. Abby rushes up behind you and attacks your neck with kisses while one hand lightly chokes you as the other unstraps the holster of your gun. She places it on the arm chair next to her and squeezes your thigh hard. You crane your neck to face her and kiss her with a fervour. Her hand dances over your legs and palms your pussy as her middle finger rubs up and down your slit through your underwear.

"Aw you're so wet. Did I leave you feeling needy this morning?" At her comment you scoff and spin to face her. You rip her blazer down her arms and make quick work of removing her shirt too. You wrap your arms around her waist and kiss all over chest as you unclip her bra. As you pull away you drag the bra straps down her arms and throw it behind her. You start walking backwards as you grab onto her belt, pulling her with you. You push her down onto the bed and immediately climb on top of her. You feel her arms wrap around your waist and before she can flip you both over, you grab her arms and pin her wrists above her head. She could easily overpower you and you both know that but she stays where she is.

"Uh uh. It's my turn now." You keep her wrists pinned above her head as you kiss down her chest until you reach her right nipple. You look up at her through your eyelashes and suck it into your mouth as you play with the other. As you see her moan and her head fall back you bit down harshly and she yelps. You smile as a response to her scowl and pull on the pink bud just a little with your teeth. You start kissing the left nipple and then sucking it into your mouth as you flick the right. You pull away and blow on both of them and sit back pleased with yourself as you see her shiver. You press a chaste kiss to her lips, forehead, nose, both cheeks and her lips again. You pull away and smile. "Don't move a muscle."

You shuffle down her body, kissing every inch of her as you go. You settle yourself between her legs arching your back to give her a show. She groans at the sight of you and gasps when she feels you press a kiss to her heat through her pants.

"God these are getting in the way." You undo her belt, placing her holstered gun on the bedside table, and an idea flashes across your mind. You smirk at her and lean up, wrapping the belt around her wrists and securing it tightly.

"Wha- what are you doing?"

"Just making sure you stay right where I want you. Don't worry, I'll be nice." You grin at her as you start yanking down her trousers and briefs all in one go. You push her thighs apart and lick your lips when you see how wet she is. "You're dripping darling."

"Like you're not. I bet you're aching down there right now." At her back talk you scowl and stand up off the bed. You inch your panties down your thighs slowly and turn away from her as you bend over to pick them up. You straddle her once again and shove your balled up underwear into her mouth. She groans at the taste of you and you smile with satisfaction. "There! much better." You go back down to her pussy and wrap your arms around her strong thighs. You kiss and bite both thighs and kiss her clit sweetly. Without warning you suck it into your mouth while humming against her. You hear her muffled groans and feel her legs shake at the continued, overpowering stimulation. As you swirl your tongue around her clit you prod a middle finger at her entrance. You moan at how wet she is and slip your middle and ring finger inside. She gasps and then moans at the stretch. You search for the g-spot and smile when you find it and she rewards you with a muffled cry of pleasure. You massage that spot and keep sucking her bud until her legs are shaking and clamping around your head. She finishes with a guttural groan and as you feel her body go limp you gently pull you fingers out. You climb up her body once again and remove your panties from her mouth.

"Holy fuck."

"I know, you could be a porn star you know, you are hot." She looks unimpressed and you giggle. Then you take your ring finger into your mouth and moan at the taste of her. "One for me and... one for you" You press your middle finger at her lips and she takes it into her mouth while keeping intense eye contact. Your pussy throbs and you groan quietly.

"Take. This. Off." She points at the belt around her wrists with her eyes and you oblige. The second her wrists are free she grabs you by the waist and throws you down on the bed next to her, immediately climbing on top of you and pinning you down by your neck, firm but gently. "Hope you had your fun. It's my turn now."

You gulp at her sudden change in demeanour as her hand that's not pinning you down touches, squeezes, scratches any part of your body it can reach. She reaches her hand down and runs a finger up your slit before sucking the finger into her mouth. You groan. "God, please Abby, I need you."

"You want me that bad?" You nod your head vigorously and bite your lip.

"Awww, so desperate... Beg."

"Wha-"

"You heard me. Beg."

"Fuck's sake Please Abby, I'm begging you to touch me, please I need you so bad." You pull her down by the back of her neck until her lips are ghosting over yours. "Please fuck me." It seems that was good enough for her because she immediately straddles one of your thighs while pinning the other over her shoulder, kissing and biting your calf. She lifts your hips to slot the two of you together and starts rolling her hips into you.

"Oh fuck" Your eyes roll to the back of your head and you grab onto the covers below you. You feel like if you don't you'll float away and all you can think about is staying right where you are forever. She speeds up and grinds into you faster and it brings you back to reality. "Oh my god Abby- fuck- I'm so close please don't stop!"

As you feel yourself speeding towards your orgasm you notice Abby's legs shaking and her moans getting louder and more frequent. "Oh fuck... please cum with me." As the words leave your mouth you gasp and groan as she mirrors your actions. She slows and collapses on top of you, both of you completely spent. You scratch your nails up the expanse of her back, hard enough to leave a mark but not to bleed. She hisses and reaches behind her to pin your arms above your head. She leans down and you share a sweet but passionate kiss.

"You are gonna get me in so much trouble."

"We'll have fun doing it though." You smile wickedly at her and lay your head back. Abby keeps her eyes trained on you even when you are no longer looking at her. Her eyebrows knitted together as she contemplated what she had become, for a second she felt guilty but her thoughts were clouded by you, and the money and the power and she felt herself smile. She kissed your chest and laid her head down.

"Yeah, you're right."

psa: heyyy guysss, how we doing? I hope this makes up for the wordy chapters and theres gonna be a lot more drama in the acc plot coming up, but i hope whoever reads this enjoyeddd and i am loving writing these little notes ngl.

[daydreamgoddess14]

The Escape Artist - Chapter 3

Thank you for all of the support so far, this one is an emotive one to write and I know some of the themes are hard to navigate and can be triggering, so I appreciate your thoughts and feedback 🥰

This chapter really gets into some of the lows of Ella's relationship with her ex so the usual warnings apply - we've got allusions to, and mentions of DV, sexual coercion and assault.

See the end of the chapter for some further notes on some lyrics in particular which inspired this chapter.

Taglist: @theskytraveler

@moonmaiden1996

@acrackintheteacup

@succulentthief

Masterlist

CH 1 | CH 2

Chapter 3

Ella wasn't sure what she expected, but what she got felt almost an anticlimax. She certainly hadn't expected the call from the prison as she stood outside Thames House. Hearing the voice of her ex for the first time in nearly a year had made her blood run cold and the non negotiable request to meet with his green capped minion nearly had her throwing up for the second time that day. The relief she'd felt on the way to Waterloo had been washed away. It was easy enough to feign bravery in front of River when green cap stopped them outside Slough House, her ex had sent some snotty, barely old enough to smoke kid to scare her into compliance. The gist of the conversation was no surprise, a warning that her insolence and attempts to flee were not going to be tolerated any longer, and that of course she'd see sense soon enough. He'd reverted to the same old tactics he always used when he wanted her back on side. The other women would disappear, she would want for nothing and most importantly, he'd make sure she was safe. The flowers started straight away, beautiful, handcrafted bouquets from her favourite florist. Roddy had the third bunch in less than a week on his desk waiting for her. 

“Alright, Cole? These are you for. From me, obviously.”

“Ho, I'm pretty sure these cost more than your rent.” She teased. She glanced at the card enclosed and took the heavy box back to the front door as River reached the top of the fire escape. 

“Morning, nice flowers.”

“Morning. Hey, Coe?” She shouted down to the hooded man smoking by the bins. “Open the bin please?” He lifted the lid, she hoisted the box over the railings and let it drop the two storeys directly into the bin where it landed with a loud bang. “I can't believe that went in!” She beamed, turning to River. “Did you see that?”

“Nice shot.”

“More. Fucking. Flowers,” she muttered, following him through the door. They settled into their relevant desks, Ella studiously ignoring her phone which pinged every few minutes. 

“Why don't you turn it off?”

“Because I need it on in case the school calls me.”

“Put it on silent?” He suggested, watching her out of the corner of his eye as it pinged again. 

“I'll put you on silent.” 

“No need to get pissy with me.”

“I know, I know.”

“Has he turned up yet?”

“Not yet,” she glared at the phone. “But he will. He's probably off seeing one of his girlfriends first, putting them on hold while he plays the devoted husband and father.”

“S'different this time though? You're not together.”

“I moved out while he was in prison. That's the difference this time.” River didn't respond and Ella didn't push it. He offered her a lift to the school - again - which she declined, and watched with envy as he and Louisa went to the pub for their biweekly team building exercise. She and Clo crossed paths in the building entry with a shaky looking Dozzer.

“You ok, mate?” Ella asked, her brows pinched together. He shivered, his eyes glassy and wide. 

“Yeah, never better, El.” He swayed on his feet, she half wondered where he'd got the money for a fix but didn't dare ask. 

“Be careful, eh? We'll see you later?” 

“Later, yeah. I'm gonna go down the bridge and see some mates.” 

“No more today though? Don't want to overdo it?” He ignored her and walked away muttering to himself. Further down the hall, Lulu opened the door.

“You won't get anything out of him. He's had a generous benefactor today.” She warned. 

“I take it he's still around?”

“Upstairs. Be careful, we’re here if you need anything.”

“Thanks Lu.” Ella took a breath and made her way up. Her front door was half open. 

“Alright darls? Need to sort that lock out, it's a bit tricky.”

“Hello Eddie,” she greeted her ex husband. 

“Daddy!” Clo squealed, racing into his open arms. 

“My little angel,” he wrapped around her, lifting her off the ground. Ella gave them a moment alone which in turn gave her time to brace herself for their long awaited reunion. Her hands shook as she unpacked Clover's school bag. After so long and with so much history between them, she had no idea what to say. He placed a hard hand on her hip, brushing a kiss to the top of her head. “You look lovely. Got a bit skinny though. Mind you, you were a bit chunky. Never really lost that baby weight, did ya?” He squeezed hard. She moved away from his grip. “When you coming home then?”

“We're not. I told you I was leaving and I left.”

“C'mon, Ella. Don't be stupid now, we're good together.”

“It's been a long time since we were good, Ed. You should go.” She said firmly.

“I should, should I?” The question sounded innocent but she heard the underlying anger. “Clo, you want to come home, angel?” He called to the girl combing her Barbie’s hair. 

“Yeah! Can we mum?”

“No lovey, we're not going back to the house. Don't do that, Eddie - you know that's not fair.”

“You can't keep her from me, Ella. You know that, and you know I don't fight fair. Just a couple of nights and she'll be back. Fancy your own bed, Clover? In your own room? Your dolls have all missed you, and the puppies have missed you.” Clover turned to Ella with huge eyes. 

“Please mum? Please let me go and see the dogs and my toys?” They both looked at Ella, Clover with pleading eyes and Eddie with a smug grin. Ella knew she was powerless to refuse.

“Tell you what darls, I'll bring her back the day after tomorrow. Give you time to think, make sure you're really doing the right thing.” He said darkly. Ella shook her head frantically. 

“Don't, please don't. She's got school.”

“I'll take her to school. Clo, get your stuff angel.” Clover raced off to get her things together, leaving them alone. Eddie stepped forward and gripped Ella's chin in his hand. “I think you should take a couple of days darls, make sure you know what you're giving up. Do you really want her growing up in a skanky flat with the druggies and tarts on her doorstep? Don't be fucking stupid, Ella, I could take her away right now and you’d never find her, never see her again. I could snap your neck and walk out with her.” His grip tightened until he heard Clover rush back into the room. 

“OK my love, you have a great couple of days. Be good for daddy, have a wonderful time at school.” Ella tried to keep her voice from shaking as she plastered on a fake smile for Clover's benefit. She enveloped the girl into a huge hug, breathing her in. “I love you. I love you so much.” She whispered fiercely. “You need me, you tell Ms Maxwell at school to call me.” She whispered again hurriedly while Eddie busied himself with Clover's bags. She let go reluctantly and Eddie led Clover out of the door. 

“We'll be back for you in a couple of days.” He told her, the warning was clear. Ella held her breath until the door had closed. As it clicked shut, she put her head in her hands and sobbed. The grand idea she'd had of freedom was slipping away, she'd never be free of him, the cost of that freedom was much too high. As she cried, the front door opened and Sofia swept her into a hug. 

“Darling, I saw him leave with Clo,” the older woman rubbed her back and let her cry. 

“He knows I won't leave her, he knows he can use her against me,” Ella mumbled through her tears. 

“I'll tell Pav I can't work tonight, we'll get a bottle or three of wine.” Ella didn't want to be stuck in the flat, or even in the block, she wanted to get out. She remembered Louisa and River at the pub. 

“I need to get out of here.” She wiped her eyes brusquely with her hands and looked to Sofia. “Am I vaguely presentable?” She asked. Sofia smiled softly.

“You're a tough cookie, Ella Cole.” 

“I don't feel like it. I've let her down, I was stupid to think I could give her a better life. I can't compete with the things I've taken her away from and he’ll kill me if I don’t give her back.”

“You don't have to go back, El. We can find another way.” Ella shook her head.

“I don’t think I can. I’m not strong enough for this, Sof.” Sofia watched her sadly. 

“You are, Ella, I promise you are.”

“I'm going for a walk. I'll see you later.” Ella held the door for Sofia and locked it behind them. 

“Where will you go?” Sofia asked as Lulu met her in their doorway.

“I’m not sure, I just need to not be here. I’ll be fine, he’s got what he wants for now so he won’t bother with me. I’m replaceable. He could just kill me and give Clover a new mum.” Ella voiced her biggest fears aloud. She walked in the direction of Slough House and then beyond to the pub she knew Louisa preferred. Louisa noticed her straight away, looking lost at the bar, and waved her over. 

“Didn’t expect to see you. Changed your mind?”

“Yeah, yeah, I thought a drink was a good idea.” Ella raised her double gin and tonic and downed half the glass. River watched with concern.

“Everything ok?” He asked. She held the glass tightly.

“I’ll get some more drinks,” Louisa offered. River placed a careful hand on Ella’s arm.

“Ella?”

“He took her,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Said it’s for a couple of nights while I think things over.”

“Do you believe him?”

“He wants me where he can control me and he knows he can get to me through Clo. He’ll be back, like he said.” She finished off her drink and had taken the fresh glass from Louisa before the other woman had even had the chance to sit down. Louisa raised an eyebrow at River, she’d heard the last bit of the conversation.

“Let us help?” She asked. Ella shook her head.

“No. It’s not safe.”

“How long has it been like this?” Louisa tactfully asked the questions that had been on River’s mind for weeks. Ella knew what the real question was.

“For as long as I can remember. It got worse after I had Clover, he didn’t have my full attention anymore and he knew I didn’t love him so he tried to,” her eyes fell to the table, stained with watermarks from the condensation on her glass. The shame seemed to weigh her head down. “He tried to make me.” Ella took a shaky breath. “Aren’t you going to ask why I stayed?”

“Of course I’m not.” Louisa reached out and took her hand. “Everyone has their reasons.”

“I have to be there to protect her.” Ella’s eyes filled with tears, “I can’t leave her.”

“She’s lucky to have you.” Louisa assured her. “Let’s get you another drink.” She looked pointedly at River.

“Yep, that’s my cue.”

“He must think I’m mental,” Ella lamented as she watched River waiting patiently at the bar. “Who’s stupid enough to stay with a man who beats her?”

“Someone who’s not thinking about themselves. You’re not stupid, Ella. But you also don’t have to stay and when you’re ready, we’re here to help you.” Louisa watched Ella watching River. “His mum left him, you know? Just ditched him with his grandparents and didn’t come back. He absolutely doesn’t think you’re mental. He knows you’re putting up with this because of your little girl.” On his return to the table, River pulled the conversation into more neutral territory by informing Ella and Louisa of Shirley’s new girlfriend.

“Oh my god, I would pay good money to see loved up Shirley.” Louisa laughed.

“Do you think she gets all lovestruck? So cute,” Ella agreed. “And also, good for her. Poor kid.” Ella was unused to drinking heavily, by the time Louisa declared it was time to go home, she was decidedly wobbly on her feet.

“Follow River,” Louisa instructed with a little push. “River, not so fast.” The bar had gotten much busier so River reached behind and took Ella’s hand in his, leading her through the crowd. 

“I need an Uber,” Ella dropped River’s hand and squinted at her phone once they were outside.

“He’s driving.” Louisa told her, taking her arm and swaying to the car where River was already holding the door open. He dropped Louisa off first, from the backseat she ruffled his hair and squeezed Ella’s arm. “See you in the morning guys. Someone bring lots of coffee.” She shut the door with such force it shook the car.

“God, I’m so drunk,” Ella groaned. “I can’t remember the last time I was drunk. It’s been years.”

“Where’s your flat?” River asked with a smile.

“Ugh, it’s gross. That way, round the corner from the school.” They drove in silence for a few minutes.

“Did you ever love him?” Ella sighed at the question.

“A long time ago. A long, long time ago. I thought he was wonderful, but I was just a kid. I didn’t think there was anything wrong with him being so much older than me, I couldn’t see at the time how controlling he was. I wanted him to think I was grown up, ready for sex, ready to run away with him.” She stared straight ahead. “Didn’t think I’d spend the rest of my life being controlled.”

“Not the rest of your life.” He told her as she pointed out the block of flats. He stopped the car and turned to watch her absorbing his words.

“Maybe not.” She mused, “thank you for the lift.”

“Want me to walk you to the door?”

“Nah, trust me, you don’t want to go in there,” she grimaced. 

“Come on,” he ignored her, jumping out of the car and around to the passenger door. Ella hadn’t realised how unsteady she still was on her feet. He let her attempt to unlock the door but quickly took the key gently from her hand and slotted it into the lock. 

“You have to lean in and wiggle,” she told him with a little demonstration, the door swung open as soon as he’d followed her instruction. With no warning, she reached onto her tiptoes and let her lips brush softly against his, her eyes fluttering shut as she did so. His hand moved around her waist to steady her and she couldn’t help the little sigh as she was pulled closer to him. The gentle slide of his tongue against hers sent lightning bolts through her body, she felt as though she were being set alight. So used to being left feeling cold and unwanted, Ella basked in the tenderness of River’s touch. She felt the air cool as he pulled back from the kiss, putting space between them. His hand moved to her elbow, Ella opened her eyes again and was sure all she could see was pity. Horror rose inside her and she moved out of his grip, ashamed and embarrassed. “Oh god, fuck. I’m sorry, shit, I’m so fucking sorry, I shouldn’t have-, fucking fuck. I’m so fucking stupid, why on earth would I think-” She reached for the door handle and backed into the flat, away from him.

“No wait, it’s not -”

“Please, please forget that ever happened. God, I’m so fucking stupid. I’m sorry, River, I’m really sorry.” She pleaded, desperately trying not to cry in front of him. She slammed the door shut and flicked the lock, pressing her forehead against the cool wood, the hangover already building behind her eyes. With the door safely shut, her tears fell and she choked back a sob. On the other side of the door, River hesitated. He considered knocking but the sound faded as Ella moved further into the flat.

“Is she ok?” A woman asked from her front door as he passed.

“She’s just had a little too much to drink,” he explained. 

“I’ll take her some breakfast in the morning.”

“I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.”

“Did you upset her?” 

“I didn’t mean to,” he said hesitantly, looking over at Ella’s closed door. “Nice to meet you -”

“Sofia,” the woman filled in. He nodded.

“Nice to meet you, Sofia.”

*

Ella called in sick the following day. Telling Catherine that she had some personal matters to attend to and that Lamb was aware of the circumstances. She huddled under the thick blankets on her and Clover’s bed watching mind-numbing daytime television and wallowing in shame and self-pity. The ultimate sods law that the only man she’d ever been with had always strong armed and coerced her into sex, and the one time she actually found herself truly wanting someone, she was rejected. She ignored the persistent knocking that had started early in the morning until her phone pinged with a message from Sofia; open the fucking door. She dragged herself from the mountain of blankets and flung open the door. Sofia and Lulu both stood on outside with takeout coffee and breakfast from McDonalds.

“Did someone call for a hangover cure?”

“How’d you know I was hungover? How’d you know I didn’t go to work?” She asked, confused, “why aren’t you two working?” They both pushed past her and into the flat, wasting no time in getting under the blankets to join her. “Why are you in my bed?”

“You ask too many questions. Got any ketchup?” Ella retrieved a bottle from the kitchen and got back into bed between Sofia and Lulu who smoothed out the blankets and set out their picnic.

“Sof met a very pretty man outside your flat last night,” Lulu started, squeezing red sauce directly onto her hash brown.

“Oh god,” Ella felt the blush creeping on her face again.

“Very pretty indeed. Corr, I nearly asked him if he fancied a tumble, my regular had to cancel - that’s why I was being nosey.”

“Oh goddd,” Ella whined again, “I really hope you didn’t proposition him?”

“Who was he?” Sofia asked.

“I work with him. Though I am considering quitting after last night.” They ate quietly for a few minutes.

“I’ve seen this one before,” Lulu pointed at the TV. “They take out all of the original features. Can you imagine? Who gets rid of a genuine parquet floor? Fucking heathens.”

“I kissed him.” Ella mumbled into her McMuffin.

“Fuck off,” Sofia exclaimed, “you’ve never kissed anyone else other than Eddie.”

“Until last night.” 

“And?”

“And now I might as well crawl into a hole and die. He already thinks I’m some traumatised, beaten woman -”

“Ahem.”

“Alright, Lu. Thanks for that. I’m just saying, he looked at me with such pity,” she shrugged. “God, I’m pathetic.”

“Well when I saw him, he looked concerned. Not at all like he pitied you, silly.” Sofia confirmed.

“It’s irrelevant anyway,” Ella told them. Lulu cast a glance across at Sofia, expecting the worst.

“You’re going back to Eddie,” she stated. Sofia’s face fell as Ella nodded.

“Yeah. One more Homes Under the Hammer and then I’m going to pack,” she said sadly.

“We’ll help you.” Sofia said, kissing Ella’s forehead.

“I don’t like it.” Lulu pouted.

“It’s not our life, Lu,” Sofia warned, Lulu huffed.

“I know you both disagree. It’s not for me, I need to do it for Clover.”

“We know, love. We’ve just seen too many friends go back, that’s all.” Sofia spoke to Ella but kept her eyes on Lulu who’s eyes swam with tears. The unspoken ending to the conversation, there is no happy ending. It didn’t take long to pack Ella and Clover’s meagre belongings, she sent Sofia and Lulu back to their flat to work and got on with cleaning the flat ready to hand the keys back. She ignored her phone, messages from Louisa and River asking if she was ok. She went to bed early, her last night alone, and cried herself to sleep. She’d handed the keys over to the letting agent and was waiting outside the block when Eddie pulled up in his Range Rover. 

“I see you came to your senses,” he grinned, stepping out of the car. Ella smiled back at him.

“I just needed a couple of days, like you said.”

“I always have known you best, darls. Better than you know yourself.” He leaned in to kiss her and Ella forced herself not to flinch.

“How’s Clo?”

“She’s perfect, went into school beautifully. She’ll be looking forward to seeing you, though.”

“We can collect her together, I need to pop into the school office anyway. And then I’m back at work on Monday.” He nodded along with her.

“Hmm. We’ll see, maybe not for long. I’m thinking you should take some time off? Help me with the business.” 

“Yeah, maybe,” Ella said without commitment.

“Not much good having a wife in the secret service if you work for the shittest department, is it?” He put a hand on her thigh as he drove, making his point with a pat on her leg. “You should relax, enjoy being a housewife.”

“Whatever you think, Ed.” She forced herself to smile serenely as they drove towards clean, tree-lined streets.

*

She’d put the jaffa cakes on Lamb’s desk and was back at her desk before anyone else had arrived on Monday morning. With her headphones on, she didn’t look up as people called out greetings or when Shirley and Ho bickered over him doing an internet deep-dive on her new girlfriend. River had said good morning, but seeing her head down with a highlighter in hand, he didn’t disturb her. 

“Ahh, Ella, feeling better?” Catherine asked as she passed through the office.

“She can’t hear you,” River explained. Catherine frowned and waved in front of Ella’s face.

“Morning, Catherine,” she said at last, hanging the headphone around her neck.

“Feeling better?” 

“Yes, thank you. Just had some things to organise at home.”

“And I see you’ve changed your address on your personal file?” River looked up sharply, Ella avoided his stare.

“Umm,” she cleared her suddenly dry throat, “yes, that’s right. Is it all ok?”

“Everything seems to be in order.” Catherine confirmed with a smile and left them alone. Ella tried to pull on the headphones before River could speak but she was a fraction too slow. 

“You’ve gone back?” He asked, not masking the anger in his voice.

“I have, yes,” she said simply. “I have work to do,” she told him, putting the headphones on. She could see him still talking and moved them again.

“- total bollocks, why would you think that’s a good idea?” She didn’t answer immediately, she stared down at her desk, bracing herself before meeting his intense gaze. 

“It’s not about whether it’s a good idea,” she began, she wanted to look away but couldn’t. “Look, I can’t talk about this now.”

“Later, then.”

“He’s picking me up from work.”

“Fucks sake, Ella.” He threw down his pen and got up from his desk, the chair swinging wildly. She thought he was leaving, instead he closed the door to their office and turned back to her. “Does he love you?” He demanded, she was caught off guard by the question.

“I… I don’t know,” she admitted, shamefully looking down again.

“Does he want you?” She met his eye again at the tone of the question, at the double meaning which he quickly covered up by asking another in quick succession. “Does he want to make you happy?” She shrugged. “Do you want him?” She couldn’t miss the petulance in his voice.

“What does it matter to you?” She asked, the anger building. Anger she didn't dare express anywhere else. 

“It matters.”

“It really doesn’t. It doesn’t matter to me either, I don’t care if he doesn’t love me, River,” she hissed. “I don’t care if he doesn’t want me - he could fuck every woman in London, god knows he’s probably tried. I keep my head down, I do as I’m told and it’s safer that way.” He shook his head.

“That’s no life -”

“You’re wrong, it is a life, it’s my life and it’s the only one I have. It’s the only way I can keep Clover safe.” She stood her ground. 

“It’s bullshit.”

“Believe it or not, I’m safer with him than I am without. I can play the good wife, turn a blind eye to everything he gets up to and I get to live a life with Clover, and she’ll want for nothing.”

“Except when he beats the shit out of you?” Ella glared at him.

“If I leave, he will kill me. He will kill me, River,” she cried, “and then Clover will be alone with him and god only fucking knows what kind of life she’ll have. Which of his sleazy mates are going to be hanging around school waiting for her? I have to do this to protect her. If he’s beating the shit out of me, as you so beautifully put it, then he’s not doing it to her.” She put her head in her hands, elbows on the desk. “I know you don’t get it. I know you think I must be a stupid fucking doormat -” He leaned on the windowsill watching her. 

“You’re not stupid.” He said at last. Ella looked up with a frown. “You repeatedly called yourself stupid, like the other night,” she blushed. “But fuck me, Ella, this has got to be the stupidest fucking idea anyone has ever had?” She laughed bitterly. “I’m serious. What if they carry you out of that house in a fucking bag? What if he kills you anyway?” She stood and joined him at the windowsill.

“River,” she pleaded, “he’s going to take my little girl away from me. I’m not leaving her.” The disappointment radiated from him. 

“I’m going out.” He pushed himself away from the window and brushed past her without stopping, leaving the door wide open as he left. Ella stared after him until Louisa filled the doorway with a sympathetic smile.

“Don't mind him, he's a knob.”

 

He refused to speak to her. For weeks, they coexisted as they had when Ella first started, but it was under a veil of anger that consumed both of them. She noticeably withdrew again, barely speaking to anyone. 

“I don't know why you don't just quit,” Eddie suggested once Clover had gone to bed. Ella replied with a non-committal hmm. Eddie went on but she half blocked him out, distracted by the contents of Clover's school bag and various scraps of paper requiring a signature. She was torn from her thoughts by the growing volume of Eddie's voice. “Hello, are you fucking listening to me?”

“Yeah, yes, sorry babe.”

“Don't ‘sorry babe’ me. Why weren't you listening?”

“I was just reading some school stuff.”

“When she's in bed, I get your full attention, got it?” He snarled. She bit her tongue, she wanted to taunt him for being jealous of a child, but knew it wasn't worth the punishment that would surely follow. 

“Of course, I'm sorry.” 

“The fuck are you wearing anyway?”

“Just pyjamas,” she looked down at her shorts and thin oversized top. 

“You look like an idiot,” he muttered. Her mind went into overdrive trying to think of a way to back them out of the route they were taking. He'd been on his so-called best behaviour for weeks, which for Eddie meant he'd only raised his hand to her a few times and each time only left her with a few easy to hide bruises. She knew he was itching for a real release, a real show of his brute force. The eggshells she walked on so carefully were getting sharper and more brittle. The red mist descended and she squeaked as he abruptly left his seat and crossed the room to her, grabbing her hair and snapping her head back to look up at him. “I said, you look like a fucking idiot.” He said darkly. She whimpered at the burning of her scalp, the feeling of tiny hairs being pulled from their roots. 

“Ed, I'm sorry, I'll get changed. Let's not do this -” She begged. The first blow landed without warning to her stomach, a powerful jab with his left hand. He dropped her hair as she folded in half, clutching her abdomen. He aimed a swift kick which took her breath away and made her abandon her usual sole aim of keeping still and quiet in case Clover overheard. She screeched as blow after blow rained down until finally he was pulled from his violent stupor by Clover crying. Ella struggled to her feet and looked around, blood from a cut on her forehead dripped into her eye, blurring her vision but she managed to lay her hand on a half empty bottle of wine. She swung it like a bat to the back of his head and he crumpled to the ground. 

“Clo, shoes.” She said calmly. She took a handful of cash from his wallet and shoved her arms into her long coat, she grabbed Clover's from the hook and slipped into her trainers before dragging Clover out into the night with nothing but her phone, the keys in her pocket, and a handful of twenties. They ran for a mile and a half before Ella found a minicab office, the older woman at the desk barked into the radio for a car.

“Police?” She asked. Ella shook her head. 

“Rather not say.” The woman nodded. After what felt like an eternity, a car pulled up outside with a short beep. Ella hustled Clover into the backseat and slid in beside her, she gave the address and clung to her little girl's clammy hand as they drove. She got him to stop half a mile away and they ran the final bit. She used the torch on her phone to guide Clover up the stairs, and the girl held it steady as Ella fiddled with the lock. She locked up behind them and when they were finally safe, she held Clover tightly in her arms. “My brave girl. Let's make you a bed.” Clover trailed after her as Ella gathered up supplies from around the building. Eventually, she settled under Ella's desk on a blanket from Catherine's office with River's coat over the top of her own to form a blanket. Ella slumped into River's desk chair and pulled out her phone, she scrolled through her contacts and dialled. 

“It's me,” she whispered, tears making her voice woolly. “I didn't know where else to go,” she admitted and her voice finally cracked. 

*

So this chapter, in particular the River/Ella scenes were inspired by Exile by Taylor Swift. I see this small section especially:

I can see you starin', honey

Like he's just your understudy

Like you'd get your knuckles bloody for me

Second, third, and hundredth chances

Balancin' on breaking branches

Those eyes add insult to injury

💜

As usual, would love to know your thoughts!

Chapter 4

[starsfic]

Did you ever see that comic released by the gamemakers of Poppy Playtime, one about the sad fate of a Bunzo Bunny?

What if the player managed to find and save them down the hole they got trapped inside?

Sorry, I just really want to happy alternative for the poor bunny toy.

Bunzo had been left to die.

It was a fact that he accepted on the third day. At least, what he thought was the third day. His headache from his fall and the pain that ripped through him with every breath kinda muddled the time.

It...well, it wasn't fine. Bunzo very much liked being alive. But he wasn't the only Bunzo to exist. There were other Bunzos, better ones! If he died, nobody would care. They would just care that there was fresh meat.

(He wondered, not for the first time, if that was why Bron sent him on that path.)

He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the pain. If he slept, the pain would go away. Maybe so would he, but that was less important.

Creak.

He ignored the noise. The factory creaked and groaned a lot since it was so old. He had already gotten his hopes up so much. He couldn't bring himself to let them get up again.

"-hang on, DogDay, I thought I heard something-" The door, the door that he was in too much pain to try and crawl to, creaked open.

His eyes flew open at that.

Voices were different.

There was a flashlight, shining directly in his eyes. Beyond that, backlit by the light of the hallway, was familiar orange fur. Bunzo felt himself perk up at the sight. DogDay had always been kind to all of the toys. Next to him was...was...was...

A human, kneeling down to study him. How long had it been since a living, breathing adult came through here?

"Angel, be careful."

"I think he's hurt, DogDay." The human reached out, cupping his face. Bunzo leaned into the touch, unable to help a soft noise. They pulled their hand back to reveal that their palm was streaked with red. "Here, come and pick him up, I can't lift him."

DogDay did, his face scrunching up in sympathy. Bunzo snuggled into the warm hold, feeling his aches reduce for just a few seconds. The ache of loneliness had held back some of the pain.

He welcomed it.

"...thank...you..."

[tomswifty-fr]

The Square Toe Library

Description

The library is the largest building in Square Toe, and quite possibly the oldest. Like much of the old construction, it's made of local stone. Uniquely, it is built into the mountain itself. Only the facade is actually "built"; most of it is carved rooms and tunnels.

The double doors open into a large lobby or atrium which is nearly as tall as the mountain and big enough to accommodate even the largest dragons. At the back of this space, it is divided into multiple floors, which is where the stacks are located. These floors are open to the lobby without even a safety railing - watch your step! - and flying dragons may simply fly directly to whichever floor they need. Nonflying dragons may take the stairs. There is as yet no way to reach the upper levels for dragons who cannot climb or fly. This is under discussion, as well as the fact that most floors of the library are too short for large breeds to navigate comfortably or, especially the higher floors, at all.

The lobby is the only part of the library that receives any natural light. There are large windows along the front of the building. None are glassed, because it does not rain often enough in Square Toe to justify it against the problems of expense and ventilation. There are heavy waxed curtains that can be lowered in the case of a serious downpour, but the main precaution is simply to keep anything vulnerable to water damage away from the windows. This strategy has been moderately effective.

The other major feature of the lobby is Josie's desk, which serves as the circulation desk. It is large even in proportion to Josie (a Guardian). Behind the desk are many shelves and battered filing cabinets which contain circulation records. These records are taken down by hand in enormous ledgers and carefully filed when all the pages have been filled. This will cause a storage problem some day, but for now the shelves and filing cabinets are sufficient.

The stacks, or "back shelves" of the library are lit with sparsely-spaced lightbulbs, which are linked together and controlled by a single switch in the lobby. The lobby lights are on a separate circuit and can be switched on and off independently of the stack lights. This is because the stack lights are all turned on when the library opens and off when it closes, but the lobby lights are switched multiple times a day. The windows are all on the same wall, so even in the daytime they don't always let in enough light. The atmosphere is always a little gloomy.

The back rooms and corridors that house the stacks extend quite a distance back into the mountain. The further back you go, the less regular they become and they get a lot harder to navigate. Some paths loop around into each other, some end in a blank wall, and others taper until they're small enough that only a tiny breed could get through. There is a persistent theory/rumor that the library connects to the Square Toe Cave somewhere, although no one has ever been able to confirm this. The actual "library," as in the furniture and stacks and so on stops long before it becomes easy to get lost, but dragons (especially visitors, especially hatchlings, especially Bud) can't resist wandering back there and getting lost. Finding and rescuing these dragons is Kimball's job. Of everyone in Square Toe, he knows the most about the library's layout and has explored it the most thoroughly.

There is another theory that some of the smaller/odder passageways are actually ventilation ducts. This is generally accepted as true, because it makes sense and no one has actually encountered bad air in the library, even in the very deep passages. It gets musty as hell, of course, but not in a dangerous way. Mike thinks that there's some old enchantment on the place, but he hasn't been able to find it yet.

The library has a persistent mimic infestation. They leave the books alone, for the most part, and aren't aggressive, but it's still unsanitary and unsafe and one of Josie's biggest headaches. Eradicating them is impossible, however, so she settles for destroying nests when she finds them and setting traps in the less-used areas. Kimball likes mimics a lot, and will sometimes feed them, which does not help the situation. Josie does not know that he does this and he does not want her to find out.

History

The library is an old building. It was likely carved out from an even older, naturally-occurring cave. Its original purpose is unknown, but it was certainly not intended to be a library. It was likely originally abandoned at the beginning of the first water crisis, and for whatever reason was never reclaimed until Josie took it over.

When Josie arrived in Square Toe, it had been abandoned for a long, long time. The facade was cracked and weathering, the inside was strewn with debris and trash, but she felt herself drawn to it and instinctually knew the building was her charge. Eventually, she came to understand that it was not the building itself - but the library that she made the building into. It was a long process. The place had to be mapped, cleaned, cleared, and aired out. Shelves and furniture had to be obtained. She got Parfait to repair walls and install lights and stairs; she traveled from city to city buying whatever books she could afford to fill the shelves after soliciting donation from clan residents. Josie was not a librarian and so the original operation was very... nontraditional. When Mike (who is a librarian) was hired, he attempted to "fix" the operations, with only partial success. Some things were unusual but not detrimental, while Josie had gotten too attached to others to willingly change.

In the present day, the library is the pride of Square Toe and the nerve center of the community. It is one of the few buildings fully wired for electricity and houses most of the town's government. It is a popular hangout spot even for dragons who don't read. In the event of disaster, it serves as a shelter. There are sealed rooms in the back stacks used to store emergency food, water, and medical supplies.

Operations

The library is a library, and thus its main function is to circulate books. Over time, the collection has grown large and eclectic. Because of Josie's unfamiliarity with library operations, the library does not use a formal classification system. Instead, it uses a very loose homebrew thing that Josie came up with and Mike has modified and grown to tolerate.

In it, items are not given unique identifiers (barcodes, accession numbers, etc) other than the title. Multiple copies of the same work are considered interchangeable. Items are physically arranged loosely according to subject or genre, but not according to author, title, or year. Different areas of the stacks are numbered - usually a number applies to a room or specific length of corridor, although that can vary - and assigned to a division based on subject, genre, or format. Books are labelled with their area and division. If a book does not have the title on the spine, the label will include the title as well. There is no shelf order; Mike will try and shelve things by author's last name, out of habit, but Josie does not and most patrons would not notice the effort. When a division begins to outgrow its space, it will be split into two or more new divisions. If possible, they will be physically continuous, but most of the time this isn't the case. "Normal Poetry" and "Love Poetry" are on separate floors.

This system is supplemented by abundant signage. Even so, it's built for browsing and not locating specific items, and the collection is already starting to be too large for it to be at all workable. However, everyone is used to it and Josie does not want to change her system even if it is kind of a nightmare.

The top floor of the library is mostly offices. It is not meaningfully different in layout or construction other than the fact that most of the rooms have had doors installed. Roslin (the mayor), Ken (an astronomer), and Spike (utilities) work here. Vince does not officially have office space but often uses a spare room, and it's not uncommon for dragons to come up there for private meetings or to work quietly.

The library has a basement, which is essentially more of the same but lower than the lobby. It does have a tendency to get damp, so the only one who regularly uses it is Sherman. He tends the clan's computer, which is a room-sized ENIAC-looking thing made of scavenged parts and sheet metal. It is mostly used for digitizing clan records (but not library records - Josie does not like it and secretly suspects it of being a shredder in disguise) and weather math. It is also used for tinkering and discreet email with Lightshade. At the time it was built, the library was the only building in Square Toe wired for electricity, which is why it was installed there. Josie raised hell about it, which is why it's in the basement. And it's too big to move, which is why it's still there.

The top of the mountain (which is technically a butte - it's flat) is not considered part of the library, but for the sake of thoroughness houses a small observatory, which the unkind refer to as a telescope and a shed. The top of the mountain/butte is also home to an SSMC radio transmitter. There is no way to reach the top of the mountain from inside the library, and dragons either need to fly to the top or traverse the narrow, staircase carved into the mountain's side.

The library has a very small staff. Josie is the head librarian, and spends most of her time at the circulation desk. This is partially practical - she is too large to enter all the stacks areas, particularly a lot of the newer ones and the ones deeper into the mountain. The other reason is because is fairly possessive over library operations and particularly her ledgers. She trusts Mike, of course, but would prefer to be the one writing things down. She also does not think his handwriting is very good.

Mike is the other librarian, and the only one with actual librarian training. This used to bother him more, but as he settled into the job and the community he mellowed. He spends a lot of time shelving, cleaning, replacing lightbulbs, answering questions, retrieving materials for patrons unable to enter parts of the building, updating/hanging signage, book repair, and inventory. Before he was hired, the library did not have an actual catalog and Josie did not actually know how many books the library owned. He is currently arguing for replacing the lightbulbs with magic lights. They may be more expensive upfront, but they take longer to burn out than the electrical ones, are less likely to cause a fire, can be easily adjusted for brightness, and so on and so on. Unfortunately, Josie trusts magic about as much as she trusts the computer.

Kimball is not a librarian, and he does not technically work for the library. He works for Spike. He and his partner Sterling are Caveguards. Sterling guards the outside entrance to Square Toe Cave, and Kimball guards the theoretical library entrance. His job is supposed to consist of patrolling the back tunnels, but over the years it's evolved to now include finding lost patrons, general maintenance and gofering, shelving when Mike is too busy, and keeping the damn mimic population under control. He isn't very good at the last one, but he's learned some tricks for keeping them out of the more populated areas.

Spike is also not a librarian, but she is one of the few people Josie trusts with her ledgers and so sometimes gets shanghaied to cover the front desk.

Cleo and Sarge are absolutely not librarians, but are sometimes hired by Josie for odd jobs. Most often this is mimic extermination, but sometimes she has them clear/clean out new areas when the library expands, or sends them to other towns to pick up orders of new materials. Depending on where the items come from, it can be cheaper and more reliable than having them shipped all the way.

Parfait is a stonemason and did a lot of the initial renovation and repair of the building. He and Josie are close friends and he is the one she calls for maintenance and repair of the stonework.

[thought--bubble]

Kitty -Cat Part 4 (Revised)

Ettore X (Neuro-Divergent Reader)

Warnings Below

Word Count: 1,683

Kitty Cat Master List

Ettore Master List

Full Master List

Banners by @arcielee

Warnings:: Ettore, swearing, male masturbation, heavy petting, violence (imagined)

"You bastard! Let her go!" A shrill voice breaks through his reverie, but he doesn't move. Not until he feels cold hands literally peeling him off.

Ettore wore a face of indifference. On the outside, he looked aloof, uncaring as he simply stated, "she rubbed up against me," making his way out of the laundry room.

On the inside, though, was the monster he was forced to hide. His rage made him feel almost light-headed as he made his way back to his room.

"You bastard!" Ringing through his head on an endless loop. He can still smell the soap from your hair feel your hair slipping through his fingers.

So. fucking. close.

He lays down in his bunk. Arms lay beside him fingers, tapping on the mattress. His entire body pumped with adrenaline. His plan had gone perfectly. Better than perfectly. Until Boyse, if she didn't already irritate him to no end now, now he feels the want to crush her. Stomp her. Anything. To keep her out of his way. He felt like a lion after a hyena stole his meal following a successful hunt.

His need to stalk his prey is heightened by the unfulfilling conclusion of their first encounter.

I will get what's mine

And hunt he does. He hovers like a vulture just outside your existence flittering around the edges. But he can't get close. Kitty like a nonsuspecting kitten just continuing about while Boyse acts like an overly alert mother cat. Sensing danger and protecting her young. The internal struggle not to lash out, coming close to overwhelming him.

Bide your time. Find an opening.

The following weeks drive him closer to madness, pushing him to the end of his patience. He tries moves he believes will be slight as to not arouse suspicion.

Get behind you at meal times. Nope. Boyse positions herself between you, and he fights the urge to take her and throw her from his path.

He stands behind you during exercises. Nope. Boyse moves you and stands in front of him.

He imagines himself punching her in the back of her head until she stops moving. Crawling over her dead body to you and finally claiming his prize.

It's coming. It can't be stopped now

He lays in his bunk, unable to get sleep. He has been running scenarios in his head, each one ending the same. With Boyse standing and laughing at him as his pretty kitty oblivious behind her purrs about.

No. I will take what is mine. I'll take it now

He slowly pulls himself out of his bunk. His feet lightly touch the ground, hardly making a sound. His eyes flit around the room to make sure his bunkmates are all still asleep. Luckily, they are. He moves quickly and silently out of the room and into the hallway of the ship. The hallway is dark lit by only the blue light they have all become accustomed to.

He moves straight across the hallway, moving stealthily and keeping close to the wall as he makes his way over to the women's quarters. The door is open, and as he moves into the doorway, he stops. He sees you. Head moving just slightly, no doubt rubbing that cute little face into your shoulder. His body starts to tingle, and his breath hastens as he imagines himself crawling atop you and shoving himself into your welcoming warmth.

Do it.

He sees an arm hanging down from the bunk above.

Boyse.

Even in her sleep, she puts herself between you. She isn't strapped down, and she didn't get her pills tonight. She will be easily woken. He starts to feel the anger building back up in his chest.

This bitch is always in the way

But you turn your head ever so slowly and look directly at him he feels his anger start to disappate leaving room only for that deep hunger he longs to satiate. You bring your hand up to your face and start petting your cheek.

He mimics the action, running his hand on his stomach. Up down, up down. Imagining that the skins he feels is not his own, but yours. He then slides his hand into his sleep shorts and grips himself tight. The need for release becomes ever present in his mind.

Eyes on me kitty

He starts to stroke himself languidly. Up down, up down. That familiar sensation and heat start building in his stomach as his speed slowly increases. Up down, up down. You haven't taken your eyes off of him. You simply move that pretty hand on your cheek. Up down, up down.

Ettore increases his speed, a fire blooming in his lower stomach and his breath coming out in pants. Watching that little hand and those sparkling eyes. Up down, up down. He can feel the band in his lower stomach is about to snap as his eyelids lower while he keeps his gaze locked on you. He grips the door frame with his other hand and bites his lower lip in an effort to stifle any sound. Finally, the band snaps, and a wave of euphoria rushes through him as he releases himself into his sleep shorts. He grunts and closes his eyes for a second, riding out the sensation.

He loosens his grip on the doorframe. As he comes down from his high and returns to his senses, he immediately turns and heads back to his room. Skating down the hallway in silence tight to the wall. He slips back into his room back into his bed undetected. Grabbing his second pair of sleep shorts to swap them out. After changing and cleaning himself up, he lays back on the bed, ready to fall asleep.

No more waiting

He awakes the next day determined to make a plan. He is smarter than Boyse. He has no doubts about that. So, how does she keep outsmarting him?

He late night escapade, coupled with the hours he laid awake plotting, made him a late riser today, He is late to morning meal, and the only other person remaining is Monte.

The high and mighty Monte. The pervayer of all that is honorable. Ettore rolls his eyes, grabbing his tray and sitting at one of the empty tables.

Ettore again tries to work out different scenarios in his head. Mapping out the layout of the ship, thinking he could use that to his advantage.

He hears your whine. He loves that whine. Sounds so..... pliable. He looks up to see you, his little kitty rubbing your face into your shoulder, looking between him and Monte.

Ettore's eyes scan the room.

No boyse. Boyse. is. not. fucking. here.

A smile spreads across his face. Here is kitty all vulnerable and alone. Desperately in need of a handler. He gets up, trying to mask the excitement he feels. He discards his tray, making sure to run the front of his body along the backside of yours. The contact caused his mouth to water, and when you let out another whimper, he knows. He knows he's got you. He goes to the doorway and looks out into the hallway, which is empty right now, so he needs to move quickly.

"Come Kitty," he motions you to follow him, and he knows you will. You're a good little pet. Well trained.

There has been a change in ownership

He leads you down the hallway to the metal ladder that leads down to the box. "Go down the ladder." he waves his hand towards the ladder while looking down both sides of the hallway, confirming that no one saw you.

He starts down the ladder. As his feet hit each wrung, he feels his anticipation building. That familiar fire burning in his gut. His feet hit the floor, and he looks at you. In an instant, he lunges for you, pushing you up against the wall. He shoves his hands in your scrub bottoms. You whine and try to move away from him.

He's confused for a second. He expected you would let him do as he pleased. That type of noise will surely draw attention.

"Shhh kitty shhh," he runs his fingers down your face in an attempt to sooth you, and as if all his prayers have been answered It works. Your body relaxes, and you lean into his touch. You put up no more resistance.

Curious

He kicks your feet apart and cups your heat while continuing to rub your face, and you let him. He runs a finger through her folds, and again, you let him. He can't help the noise that escapes his throat, a mix of a sigh and a growl

"This is perfect," he whispers. He knows how you operate. He knows how to make you bend to his will, and it's all too easy.

He yanks down your scrub bottoms, making sure to keep his other hand caressing your face. He gets them down enough goes to grab your hip.

Tap

His shoulders tense and that fire in his lower stomach travels up to his chest

Tap

He yanks your scrub bottoms up and looks towards the ladder

Tap

Tap

You take a step towards him and he glares.

Stay.

Tap

Tchemy jumps off the bottom of the ladder, eyes flicking back and forth between Ettore and you. Ettore is so filled with rage at this point that he is sure Tchemy can either see it on his face or sense it in the air.

Say it. Come on. Say it

Ettore's jaw clenched, and his biceps grew taught. He is trying with all his will to keep himself in check. Luckily for him, Tchemy just slightly lowers his head and bypasses you both, making his way to the box.

Ettore springs toward the ladder, shuffling up quickly. Interrupted again.

Almost had it. Almost had it!

He wants to punch walls. He wants to throw things. He wants to hurt someone. He wants someone to hurt him. He smiles. Yes. He wants someone to hurt him.

This will work.

A/N: I already wrote the next part because I got carried away writing this. Excited to edit and post it cause it's wild. 🤣🤣

Part 5

To be added to taglist click here

[lilpotatjj]

Congratulation... Captain?

AN: Chapter 2 from my long story about Andy and you. No warnings...just a little kiss

Andy x Fem!Reader

Chapter 2

She needs to look up to look into deep brown eyes. "Sullivan… What do you want?"

"Good morning to you too Captain?" his typical questioning look examines her. “Can I come in and talk to you for a moment?”

Andy opens the door so he can come in. “Something important, Lieutenant?” Robert immediately notices her subtly annoyed manner, which is why he folds his arms as he leans against the wall. “You still seem a little confused, is it because of the call 2 Days ago?

"Um…probably? Listen Robert…I still have..-" Andy is scurrying through some protocols but Sullivan suddenly puts his hand on them to stop Andy.

"It's been over a year since the divorce, I hope you're looking forward. I plan on marrying Chief Ross." Andy unconsciously looks up at him in annoyance and surprise.

"Todas las cosas buenas vienen de tres en tres….huh…" (All good things come in threes), Andy speaks clearly unimpressed.

"Hablas en serio, Andy?" (Are you serious?), Sullivan looks at her blankly. "You have to say that…" Sullivan huffs.

Now Andy looks at him pretty pissed. "Qué!? ok enought…go! Out of my office!"

"Andy I..-"..

"you are dismissed, now Lieutenant Sullivan!"

With a disappointed face he leaves the office, slamming the door.

"uuurgh" she growls to herself and puts her face in her hand, the other on her hip. The Team who finished breakfast, including you, heard almost the entire discussion.

“Is there something going on between the two of them?” you look at the Team questioningly.

"It was more like…they were married and have been divorced for over a year," Travis says, shaking his head.

"But…wasn't Captain Herrera still a lieutenant and subordinate to Sullivan, who was captain?"

"I still don't understand why they got married so quickly." Vic shrugs her shoulders.

"They were happy, it just didn't worked anymore." Warren speaks in a calm voice to mediate and change the subject. "come with probie, the hoses need to be cleaned"

Your gaze wanders to Andy in the office, but when she suddenly looks at you and stares directly into your eyes, you jump and quickly follow Warren, while Andy looks after you in confusion.

When you get to the barn, you clean the hoses, completely lost in thought. //well…despite her low rank, the captain now was dating the captain at the past…even married.// The rest of the day was pretty quiet, only a few calls were received and so everyone was able to get some rest.

At least 8 weeks passed and you have slowly but surely settled into the station. Everyone on the team genuinely supports you and Andy is slowly but surely coming to terms with her position as captain. Winter has arrived and things are also rather quiet between Andy and Sullivan. Both are focused on their work.

In the last few weeks it's just been staring. Andy knows the rules. In order not to risk anything, she tries to avoid anything conspicuous towards you and nothing more than a sweet smile happens between you.

-Aid Car19, L19, EMS19-

"Ok guys! Montgomery and Warren Aid Car, Hughes and Bishop L19! Y/N, you're coming with me! According to the interim situation report, there are several hikers who got separated and some drivers who can't get out of the snow. Act quickly and precisely. In this cold weather you all need every single bit of energy you can save!

"Always go in a team of two, never alone! If you get lost here, any rescue might come too late…". Everyone gets into their vehicles, including you and me into the EMS of the 19.

"This is my first time in the snow" you drive along the snow path in the city, it's difficult to see anything.

"Then pay attention and learn today. It will take all of your concentration." Andy looks at you and changes her gaze to the white snowy world outside.

"Captain, we were able to save the first drivers, now we'll keep looking!" Travis said.

"copy", Andy looks out the window more and more worried. "Stop here, we'll continue here on foot. Make sure we stay together and one step at a time!" Andy looks at you seriously

"understood!" You walk together along a narrow path for almost 2 hours.

"They must have passed here. They set up flags to mark them." Andy points to the small flags and the moment she approaches one flag she steps on loose ice that is hidden under the snow which breaks off and Andy literally falls backwards in slow motion before your eyes and slides down a high cliff. "Captain!!" you immediately look carefully and think about what to do. "Help…I have to get help!". You pick up the walkie talkie.

"Y/N at station 19, I need support immediately! The captain has fal-en o-f a c-i-f! I repe-d! Ca-t-in---fa---c--"

You look at your walkie talkie and shake it. "do you copy!?" Without an answer, you slowly look down in despair and see Andy lying quietly in the snow. "Come on…" You collect all the flags at the edge of the abyss to mark the spot. You also look for gasoline in one of the abandoned cars, which luckily one of the vehicles had in the trunk. "Ok…Captain!" However, you call without an answer and try to climb down the slope without any climbing gear.

You slowly come down a few steps, slide down the last few meters and immediately run to Andy.

"Captain! hey do you hear me!? wake up!" When you turn around, you see a small bloody head injury. Covered by a hidden stone under all the snow. With a hand on her neck you feel her pulse, which is there, but Andy is slowly cooling down from the cold. "Captain Herrera…please…wake up!" you pull her closer to you to warm her. "Andy…wake up…please…" She slowly wakes up and looks at you confused. "what…what happened!?" Andy slowly sits up and holds her injured head.

"You fell down a cliff and because that wasn't enough you hurt your head, you have to stay awake otherwise you might not wake up again." Andy looks at your gas and is now shaking more than noticeably.

"We have to build a fire. We need firewood." Andy stands up slowly, but immediately falls over again.

"I'm going to collect something, there's enough lying around here. The petrol will make it burn faster" you get up and collect a good amount of wood as quickly as possible and then put it together to form a fire pit. "Use just a little gas…we have to be economical in case we're stuck here for a long time." The words shock you more than they should and you look at Andy in surprise. "I tried to reach our people via radio…but I don't know if it reached our station.

Andy's whole body is shaking like never before. "w…we will die he..-"- "Nobody dies here today!" Despair spreads through you, but Andy looks at you demandingly. "We'll be saved here…we just have to hold on for a while…" Andy can hardly speak anymore because of the cold. "Come here…we should cuddle as close to each other as possible to warm each other up." Andy looks at you completely cold and you don't hesitate and sit down next to Andy, who puts her arms around you.

It's like you can hear her heartbeat, it only makes your cheeks blush even more, just like Andy's. "Feeling better?" Andy tries to smile. "my first snow call and I almost die…what a day…"

"I told you that no one would die here today…say that again and I'll stop your mouth." Andy looks at you half present. "If you die I-" you can't get any further because of Andy's lips resting on yours. It's a gentle kiss, making the blush shoot completely from your fingers to your face. "A…Andy…you hit your head" You look at her softly, whispering quietly.

"Wait…." you get up and hear a helicopter nearby. "the gasoline!" You grab the gasoline and pour almost all of it onto the wood, causing a large amount of black smoke to rise.

"I told you we wouldn't die here today!" Andy gets up and suddenly vomits. "Captain! Your head…" You can just catch her as she collapses again.The helicopter recognizes the signal and the team from Station 19 finally reaches you. Andy is taken to the hospital as quickly as possible and treated there, just like you.

After 3 days of absence, Andy finally wakes up. "hey…oh god finally! Doctor Shepperd! She's awake!" Amelia comes in immediately and looks at the values, checks her eyes and smiles. "Very good, you're out of the woods for now." Andy looks at you. "What exactly happened?" You exchange worried looks with Amelia.

"Memory loss can occur, but it shouldn't be very serious." Amelia checks some more data and then leaves the room.

"Captain…get well again quickly" You look at her with a gentle smile but Andy ignores your look. “Of course” you go off to work, not noticing Andy watching you go, completely lost in thought and touching her lips.

next chapter will comming <3

[insom-nom-nom-niatic]

2 Of A Kind

CHARACTERS: Troy Otto X Fem Reader

WARNINGS: It's made for FTWD so you should know the basics. +Abuse but not really but you can't know that yet

This is made for THIS anon request!

I don't typically write long fics, but this idea has me needing a whole story so it will be in 2-3 chapters!

It is also un-edited other than by my own tired eyes so things could be wrong... punctuation may be off... who knows but let's just say it was planned chaos and if you find it then good for you and you can get a black star.

Rocks shuffle under the heft of Troy’s boots along the twisting and turning of the back road he somehow stumbled upon. 

It had been just over 2 months since his exodus from the ranch. 

2 months of wondering aimlessly. 

2 months of anger building up, only to fizzle into starvation. Starvation in the physical sense, but Troy had never thought he would ever feel the starvation for being a person again. To have a home, or a need, or someone (anyone) to talk to. He was always a bit of an outcast knowing he hadn’t been anyone’s favorite or even friend once Mike left, if he ever was a friend at all. 

His feet, trembling from the pain he kept pushing through, trembled in his boots. Icy eyes watching the path finally glanced up, squinting in the setting sun as he peered through long eyelashes. A cabin was dead ahead, not even 100 meters away making his heart pound in his chest as he let out a deep, gutteral chuckle. 

Nothing. Nothing is all he had seen for miles upon miles of desert and the occasional tree sparing little to no shade. What a time for his luck to turn around. The cabin seemed free of both the dead and alive as he closed the distance, doing what he could to stealth up to the wooden building. Blood splattered most of the exterior walls, always accompanied by a few bullet holes littering the cabin… but there were no signs of the dead nor the alive. 

With his gun raised, Troy slowly turned to the knob on the back door pushing the wooden plank open with the tip of his boot. He waited a few heartbeats before entering. 

Ther were no sounds. 

No smells.

No signs of life. 

As he entered, Troy sighed. His lips turning into a grin at what he found before him. The place was decrepit but it was clean. He walked over, gun hanging by his side as he looked over the photos still barely hanging on the walls. This place must be from the early 1800’’s at least. 

Checking the cupboards, he came across a few gallons of water hidden in what used to be the pantry. His gun clattered onto the wooden floor at his feet when he rushed to open the jug closest to him. Dying of thirst, Troy savored every drop he swallowed, spilling some in a stream down his chest. Welcoming the cool moisture to his overheating and over exhausted skin. 

The sound of a shotgun pump made his chest fall, freezing in place. Taking the jug from his lips his blue eyes searched beside him before a voice cleared directly behind him. His face was still, unwavering, as he slowly placed the jug back in the cupboard and raised both arms. 

“Kick it to your right,” the voice spoke up. It was a woman’s voice that spoke to him and he could tell by the tone, she wasn’t playing games. So he did as she asked. Troy kicked the gun at his feet to his left, watching as it clamered against the wall. His eyes examined the wall higher where an old copper plate hung. He could clearly see the woman now. 

“I didn’t know anyone was here. I don’t mean to intrude ma’am, I just needed a place to get out of the sun for a little.” Troy kept his head low, peering through his eyelashes when he oh so slowly turned in place. The woman kept her stare but allowed him to do so. 

“I’m not from around here,” Troy thought for a moment before continuing, “I don’t think. I’ve been walking for ever and this is the first place I’ve come across that is still standing.” 

The woman’s grip on the weapon tightens. Her neck stretches to the side before aligning again. Troy notices a long scar, seems to be healed, trailing from one eyebrow down to her jawline where her hair flows in front of. Something about her makes him not feel as uneasy as one should whist being held at gunpoint, so he lowers one hand to test the waters. 

“You can’t stay here.” The woman glares at him as he relaxes a bit. It’s then that Troy notices the scars up one of her arms before his eyes catch the newly formed line of blood across her neck. 

The woman shifts her hands to  move her hair to cover her injury, giving Troy the oportunity to grab the gun in her hands. He had to admit that she pput up a fight, but he was twice her size. She assumed she’d now be the threatened, but Troy simply looked the weapon over, smiling at the way she must have kept it clean and in good working order, before placing it upon the counter behind him. 

Troy turned back to the woman, hands now on her hips as she gives him a questionable glare. 

“I can’t stay here because I’m in danger of you,” Troy straightened his stance eyeing her neck befire meeting her glare once more “or of the person who did that to you?”

Suddenly, the mood shifted. The woman slunk her shoulders back, dipping her chin slightly to grin up at the brunette infront of her. “Both. I can handle myself, mister. And I don’t need any fuck-boy to get in my way when they do come back.” 

Troy was taken aback, quietly chuckling at the spitfire he had unfortunately come across. But he was still who he has always been. Being at the ranch or not didn’t change that. 

As the woman opened the door for him to leave, Troy took a step back. Glancing up at the roof, already half fallen in shambles. And then to the walls, or what there was left of them. He could audibly hear the woman grumble and scoff, the floor boards below her feet creaking with every step she took closer to him until he heard her reach for the shotgun. 

“By the look of that blood dripping down your neck and the scars on your arms, you sure do look like you have everything handled.” Troy’s voice echoed as he stepped into the living area… or what would have been. 

“I’m not saying you can’t handle yourself ma’am,” Troy opens the door to the bedroom, facing a dresser covered will all sorts of knives and daggers cleaned and sharpened. Troy swallowed hard before turning back to the woman standing at the other side of the hall now. “I need help, and you seem to need a little as well. It doesn’t have to be forever, ma’am. Let me get on my feet and keep that man away from you and I’ll be out of your hair.”

His cold blue eyes struck a nerve in the woman. She wanted to shoot him then and there, but then she’d have a bloody mess to clean and she’s already found out how hard it is to get brain matter out of wooden walls. The way he talked, the pain and exhaustion in his eyes though made her release her weapon. 

Her eyes stuck on him as she saw his tension release. 

“It’s not a man… it’s many.” 

Troy’s face contorted at the information, looking at her through a side eyes she closed the gap between them, shutting the bedroom closed with a loud clammer. He was able to see the wound on her neck more clearly however, and the dried blood that stained her knuckles. His heart jumped and cheeks flushed  when she spun against his chest, ushering him back towards the living area.Her hands small but lighting pressing into his back.

She didn’t give anymore information that night, she was quiet but kind. He tried asking questions about the house but to each inquiry all returned was a look of intimidation. 

Troy awoke to the sun shining through the small windowcoverings on the east side of the cabin. Rustling with a groan, he wiped the sleep from his eyes. He had forgotten the comfortorts of a home, even though he had only fallen asleep on the torn up sofa. He didn’t feel that uneasy jostling of having to check your surroundings at every moment, he could sit there and take in the comfort… the safety. He then remembered he wasn’t alone. 

As Troy rose to his feet, he waited to hear any sign of the woman but there was nothing. He searched the bathroom and then bedroom, finding nothing but a heap of sheets and a lizard scurrying down the drain. Troy couldn’t help but run his hand down one of the hunting knives displayed on the dresser. He could hear the sound of the blade skimming his calloused skin with a grin. 

Making his way back to the pantry, his face lit up with the joy of once again having clean, uncontaminated water. As he threw open the pantry door, he was left with a single 1/6th of a jug in front of him. Scoffing into the air, Troy took the jug in his grips and slowly drank the remnants turning towards the window above the sink. Removing the plastic from his cracked lips, Troy narrowed his gaze as he caught movement outside the cabin. 

With a creak, door swung open and the woman came prancing in. Both stood in the kitchen, face to face in silence for what seemed like ever before she finally spoke up. 

“So you found the water, eh?” She passed by him with a smug smirks marked on her lips. Bouncing down on the couch and removing her boots, she looked over her shoulder at Troy, still standing silently. “I couldn’t trust you while I was out, sorry but not sorry.” She threw her military grade boots against the wall near the door. 

Troy couldn’t helpthe miniscule smile that grew to the left corner of his lips. He didn’t like this woman, but he didn’t hate her either. He was weirdly amused and proud of the witt she had. It was becoming more clear how she’s continued to survive this long. 

His boots clanked and creaked on the floors as he went to inspect her own, kicking one to the side to get it out of the emergency exit path. “Where did you go? Hunting?” He said with sarcasm looking at her boots caked with sand, dirt, and drips of what he is now figuring out may be blood. 

“Yeah, actually.”

“Come back with anything to eat? Squirrel maybe? Rabbit?” 

“I don’t think you want to eat what I hunt fuck-boy. Unless that suits your fancy, in which case, there’s a while ass feast about a half mile North.” Troy sighed at her little nick name for him, but soon grew more intrigued by her option of hobby. He could hear the snicker she muffled as she got up and headed towards the bathroom.

 Without a thought… he followed.

[neomujinjja]

Love's around the corner

Pairing: Doyoung x reader

Length: 509 words Genre: fluff, confession, loose song fic

Synopsis: Having told Doyoung about wanting to develop your relationship, you wait for his response. As time creeps by slowly, the suspense grows quickly. It's all a matter of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Warnings: not edited, a diary entry, Doyoung isn't directly mentioned until the second half, the use of the word heaving

── ⋆⋅ಇ ⋅⋆ ─── ⋆⋅ ಇ ⋅⋆ ─── ⋆⋅ ಇ⋅⋆ ──

You sighed as you looked out the window. Tapping your finger on your chin, you watched as the snow covered path in front of your home.

"What's wrong Y/N?" your mom asked, her hand stroking your back with a confused look on her face.

"I'm waiting for something" you explained with your head turning left and right. She chuckled, shaking her head behind your back.

"Well you know what they always say. A watched pot never boils" she said before walking away. You grumbled at her words despite the way you stopped hunching over the window.

"Or~ you could wait outside instead of making everyone anxious" your older sister chimed in. You swiftly turned to look at her, making sure that she caught your eyes rolling.

"It's freezing" you pointed out, emphasizing your statement by showcasing the scenery.

"Go outside or move away from the window. Either way, you can't sit there anymore" she declared before going back to her phone. You huffed before stomping to your bedroom. Your window didn't show the street which was only making you more nervous. Pulling out your diary and pen, you began writing through the various emotions.

12.13. I waited by the window, hoping for Doyoung to show. But nothing (yet) I've been wishing and dreaming that Doyoung would say he adores me as well. Instead I've been left hanging, waiting for his response. What more should I have to do? I've confessed my feelings, my want for a serious relationship; do I have to put a spell onto him for him to realize? Doyoung, if you feel the same then please move your feet and hurry!

As you wrote the last word, a knock on your front door was heard. Rushing to it, you opened the door to Doyoung. The boy was actually, finally, here. You stepped out, closing the door as you did so, and joined him outside. Staying silent, you watched as the young male gained his breath. It seemed as if he had ran to your home; at the very least Doyoung had gotten here in a hurry.

"I-I. I want the same, just like you" he huffed, bent over himself and body still heaving.

"And what's that?" you asked raising your eyebrow. You didn't want cheap words, you wanted to hear him say it in his own words.

"I want to be yours."

Doyoung seemed to have finally caught his breath. Not giving you a moment to rebut, he threw himself at you. Over calculating the distance, his hug turned into a stumbling affair.

"I want an established relationship too" Doyoung continues, and if not for your close embrace you'd miss his next words. A whispered 'I love you'. The first one said between you, not said in embarrassment but as a tender emotion for the both of you. You returned the hug, enclosing him into your own arms. Tucking your head under his chin, you smiled and blushed to yourself at his actions.

"I'm glad" you said before adding a whispered 'I love you too'.

[iri-2]

Hallucination Chapter 2

Chapter 2

A week had passed, and Bela was eager to know if Donna had managed to recruit any villagers. The names of the Four Lords always struck fear into people's hearts, especially with the rumors circulating around. Anyone daring to work for the Lords was either destitute or directly coerced. When Bela arrived at the bulletin board, she found the notice still firmly pinned in place, indicating that no one had dared to work for this Lord.

Bela began to worry about Donna. What urgent matter would compel such a reclusive Lord to seek an employee? What if she can't find anyone? If it comes to that, I could help her myself.

Bela paced in front of the door adorned with moon and sun emblems, debating whether to enter. Her mother had advised against meddling in the affairs of other Lords, but this rule mainly applied to Heisenberg. Donna was different though, Alcina had never expressed disdain for her. On the contrary, she sometimes sympathized with Donna's plight. Mother would surely not object to my entering House Beneviento.

Cautiously, Bela pushed open the Four-Winged door. The creaking sound signaled that it hadn't been used in a long time. Dust and wood chips fell with a soft thud. Dark green weeds grew rampant on the ground, covering nameless tombstones. Dolls lay scattered beside the gravestones, their hollow eyes staring blankly at Bela.

Bela knelt down and righted a toppled doll. Somehow, it seemed to come to life a bit once upright, as if it blinked. When she looked again, the doll seemed unchanged, still staring vacantly ahead. Frowning, she adjusted the other dolls one by one. Touching their tattered clothes, she marveled at their craft. Each doll’s attire, though similar at a glance, revealed intricate and unique patterns upon closer inspection. Even with the paint gradually peeling off, the dolls' detailed craftsmanship was evident.

Bela intended to cross the suspension bridge, but a gust of wind made it sway and creak eerily. She took a deep breath, deciding against the risk of getting startled mid-crossing and transforming into a swarm of flies, and chose to fly directly over the bridge instead.

On the other side, there was a small wooden cabin, seemingly uninhabited for a long time. A locked iron gate stood to the right of the path. Though Bela could pass through it effortlessly, she chose not to.

Fewer weeds grew on this side, indicating careful maintenance. Ivy covered the archway outside the cabin, with spring flowers blooming at its base. Moving forward, Bela found a large flowerbed filled with neatly planted yellow flowers. A large tombstone stood in the center of the flowers.

Bela walked towards the flowerbed and discovered it was a grave belonging to a certain Beneviento, with half the nameplate missing. Dolls leaned against the tombstone, appearing newer than those at the entrance. This suggested someone had recently placed them there.

Her gaze shifted to the nearby yellow flowers. The blossoms formed a cone shape and emitted a faint glow. Bela had never seen such plants in any book and curiously reached out to touch them.

"What are you doing?" A sharp voice suddenly sounded behind her, causing Bela to retract her hand. Turning around, she saw a white porcelain doll standing in front of her.

"Angie?" Bela recognized Donna's inseparable companion.

"Aren't you the eldest daughter of that vampire mommy?" Angie tiptoed, craning her neck to observe Bela, who stood over three feet taller. "What are you doing here?"

"Uh... I saw Lady Beneviento's recruitment notice and wanted to know if she found anyone," Bela replied, feeling a bit awkward.

"Oh, I didn't expect you to care so much about us!" Angie said excitedly. "Wait, what's your name? Ella?"

"Bela." She corrected.

"Alright, Bela. I'm sorry to tell you, no one has come to find me and Donna," Angie sighed, her small face hidden under her veil. "I was really looking forward to it."

"I'm very sorry to hear that. But if Lady Beneviento doesn't mind, maybe I can help," Bela suggested cautiously.

Angie tilted her head, her eyes lighting up. Her porcelain skin glowed in the sunlight. "Maybe you can help us! I'll go tell Donna. Ella, follow me." Angie tugged at Bela's skirt.

Bela followed the sprightly Angie through the red door and into the elevator. The elevator ride was long, suggesting that the altitude of House Beneviento was comparable to the top floor of Castle Dimitrescu.

During the ride, Angie didn't remain quiet. She paced back and forth excitedly. "Donna will be so happy, though she's always so quiet and reserved. She really doesn't enjoy attending those meetings." Angie whispered. "But when she sees you Dimitrescu sisters at the meetings, she seems more at ease. Do you think she might like one of you?"

Oh.

Leaving the elevator, they stepped outside the cave. Bela saw a dark building standing beside a roaring waterfall. The house was surrounded by blooming flowers, and on either side of the path leading to the house were meticulously maintained vegetable gardens.

Angie asked Bela to wait in the foyer while she went to inform Donna. Bela understood their caution, she knew Donna wasn't good at interacting with others. She sat quietly, waiting for Angie's return.

The decor here is simple, with furniture that looks old and windows mostly covered. The room is dimly lit by yellowish lamps. The overall tone is simple and subdued, starkly different from Bela’s home, but Bela immediately took a liking to this place. It gave her a warm and cozy feeling. The air carried a faint scent of bread instead of blood and alcohol. The nearby waterfall roared, but the sound was not loud, the walls and windows muffled it into a calming background noise.

Several simple oil paintings hung on the peeling white walls. One painting on the wall along the staircase leading to the second floor quickly caught Bela's attention. It depicted a young woman holding the porcelain doll. If that’s Angie, then the woman is Donna. Bela studied the woman in the painting, noting her attire. It’s an austere, conservative black mourning dress, just as Bela had seen her wear at those meetings. Donna's unobscured face appeared so serene and beautiful.

What is she hiding?

Bela found herself mesmerized, not noticing Angie's small footsteps returning.

“Ella, no, Bela. Donna isn’t sure about letting you help her. She’s worried your mother wouldn’t want you staying here,” Angie’s sudden voice startled Bela, causing the swarm of her to double in size momentarily.

“If it’s just to help out, I think my mother would approve. She just doesn’t want us facing any danger outside,” Bela quickly regained her human form.

"Actually, we wanted to hire a gardener because for some reason, Donna took on a job recently. The client asked her to make some dolls and clothes for them. I don't know how they convinced her to take it, I don't even know how they contacted her," Angie hopped onto the stool beside Bela, propping her chin on her hands as she spoke. "You see how large her garden is. It's hard for her to manage both her work and her plants now. I don't want her to overwork herself. It took a lot of effort to convince her to ask Karl for help in sending out the notice. Even then, she is still very reluctant. Over the past week, she has been constantly worried about the prospect of strangers coming." Angie looked at Bela. "But if it's you, Donna might be more accepting."

"I'd be happy to help, if Lady Beneviento doesn't mind," Bela said with a smile, looking at Angie. "I know some basic gardening because I've helped my mother with the vineyard at the castle. She doesn't allow the maids to tend to her most prized wine ingredients and prefers to oversee the crops herself, and I can lend a hand. If there's anything I'm not sure about, could I ask Lady Beneviento for guidance?"

Angie paused for a moment, then nodded joyfully. She shook Bela's hand with her slender, nimble fingers. "Of course you can. Thank you, Bela. By the way, you can call her Donna."

[changelingsandothernonsense]

Wip whenever

Tagged by @mareenavee, @gilgamish, @kookaburra1701, @rainpebble3. I'll get to reading all of your posts shortly <3 This week I finished a render which is here. I also started two more renders and started some more writing.

Art.

First we have Dwifi, which I started a while ago and have more progress.

I still love that his hair is up...idk XD Secondly, I wanted to start painting a 4th Era Josh...and this one I quite liked.

I can't wait to get to the scarification, it's an important edition between how he appears in 4E199 vs the above image (and pretty much all his renders since March) which is 3E 427. Writing under the cut-

Writing Oh look it corresponds directly with this snippet... I plan on this being a 4 chapter mini fic that covers Unearthered. Yes, I wish to write a zombie horror fic for spooky season, go me.

Sydari rested her chin in her hand and grinned. She’d only known the merc for a short time and she was starting to get used to his tells. He was nervous about asking her something like this. Teldryn Sero was no expert thief. Though he’d mentioned that he had dabbled in smuggling from time to time back on the mainland. He hadn’t detailed much. Teldryn never did, but she knew he was at least familiar with how this sort of thing worked. Yet he fiddled with the scarf that he wore around his neck as if he’d never so much as considered such a thing. It was sweet in a way. She decided she’d entertain his idea tonight. It might be fun.

“Teldryn Sero, are you suggesting we undercut this guy and smuggle artifacts through my networks?” She crossed her legs and leaned back in her seat. Sydari tilted her head, resting it in her hand again.

Teldryn nodded. His expression turning slightly grim, “Something like that.”

Sydari frowned, sitting up a little straighter in her seat. Something was wrong, “Teldryn what’s this about?”

Teldryn drummed his pigment-stained fingers on the table, “It’s-” He paused, Sydari could see that he was chewing on his lip again, considering his next words carefully, “It’s this place,” Teldryn gestured lightly around the dimly lit room, “We’re operating at such a loss that,” He paused again, sinking even further into his seat. If that was possible.

Teldryn lowered his voice, “I’m worried that if things keep going like this,” He paused again and started fiddling with the ring on his left index finger. Something he always did when he was overthinking something. He winced, having probably upset his barely healed fingers. He’d told her he’d shattered them in a door the day their paths crossed for a second time. Teldryn opened and closed his hand several times before he spoke again.

“I haven’t had to worry about this sort of thing,” he rubbed the back of his neck, pulling some of the hair that trailed down his neck over his shoulder, “It’s been a while since I’ve had to think about this kind of thing. But,” He shook his head, “I’m worried Miluth.”

Sydari reached across the table for his hand and squeezed it slightly. The sharp edges of the ring he always wore dug into the skin of her palm. Teldryn’s expression softened as he looked back at her, exhaling slowly.

“I wish you’d let me help, or at least pay for my room,” Sydari offered.

“I told you already. I can’t ask you to do that,” Teldryn removed his hand from hers, “I can’t ask that of you.”

Sydari sat back in her seat again. Stubborn fool that he was. Deep down she knew this was his way of asking her for help. He was saving face, trying to frame the question in a way that she’d benefit. As if helping him wasn’t something she’d been doing since she first landed on this barren, frozen ash rock. Or maybe it was because of that.

Teldryn was right. Sydari had maintained to her colleagues in Riften that her extended stay in Raven Rock was due to her trying to extend the guild’s reach throughout their former range. Fix Mercer’s mistakes. It wasn’t. Not really.  Things had gotten far more complicated than that. Though she wasn’t ready to acknowledge it herself yet. She couldn’t define what any of this was. Still…regardless of the reasons why she had chosen to stay put, Sydari figured she better start having something to show for her so-called efforts. And besides, Glover had been pestering her to send old Delvin an update so that he’d stop bugging him. She figured she could at least see what this “investment opportunity” was all about.

It would make Teldryn feel better at least.

Sydari sighed, “I guess it couldn’t hurt to go ask this guy about it, see what it’s all about.”

Teldryn looked up at her and grinned, his past distress slipping away as quickly as it had appeared.

“Sorry, I didn’t catch that, what were we doing?” He raised his hand to his left earlobe and pulled on in. Sydari shook her head, she knew where this was going.

“Teldryn!” She giggled, “Teldryn I know you heard what I said.”

He shook his head, “No I missed it, please, I’m all ear,” he laughed at his own joke. It was contagious, setting Sydari into a fit of laughter herself. Though one day she’d have to tell him. His joke wasn’t really that funny.

“We’ll talk to the fetcher in the morning. Yeah?” He sat back in his seat and tilted his head to the side again, awaiting her reply. She copied his motion, the movement unintentional.

“Fine Sero, you win. We’ll see this Dunmer in the morning.”