#it's very domesticated before the feels trip kicks in

[reidsaurora]

Your event is so cute!!! Could I get a sun kissed Malibu dream house with Aaron?? 🥹 in need of some fluff with him hehe

i am so so sorry this took me so long to write! writer's block these past few months has been kicking my butt. but, thanks to my awesome betas, i think i wrote something you'll like! hope you enjoy!

"Summer Lovin" ~ A. Hotchner

Summary: As the start of summer arrives, you and your friends at the BAU find yourselves feeling a bit reminiscent of the summers before. Along with that reminiscence, you start to miss the days when you and Aaron had little babies instead of big kids…

Pairing: Dad!Aaron Hotchner x Mom!Reader

Word Count: 2,019

Content Warning: lots of talk of babies/pregnancy, sexual humor, kind of fade to black smut if you read between the lines lol, small mention of food, lmk if i missed anything!

Extra Notes: i'm so sorry this took so long, i had a very hard time writing this and def meant to post it sooner. however, in the spirit of my city being under a heat advisory today, this feels appropriate to post 😂

Originally Written: 06/04/2024 through 06/25/2024

Beta Read By: @dungeons-are-too-cold and @virtual-vivi 🫶🏻🩷

Criminal Minds masterlist can be found here!

Summer Celebration info can be found here!

Sun Kissed - fluff requests

Malibu Dream House - domestic!au

Aaron tossed off the blanket, letting out a small sigh of relief. “When did it get so hot?” he grumbled, his morning voice prominent. As he rolled over to his back, you spotted a big wet spot on the front of his tee shirt from just how much he was sweating.

Still, you scooted closer to him anyway and tossed an arm over his abdomen, his familiar scent filling your senses. “News said there’d be an excessive heat wave today.”

“It's probably ninety degrees already,” he complained, “and it's not even 9:00 yet.”

Rolling onto your side to face him, you left a trail of kisses along his jawline. “Hey, Mr. Grumpy Gills,” you giggled, referencing one of your kids’ favorite movies. “When life gets you down, you know what you gotta do?”

“It's sweltering! How in the world could you possibly want to cuddle right now?” Aaron ignored your attempt to brighten the mood, instead opting to toss a pillow over his head and groan into it.

You just pulled the pillow away and left another peck on his jaw. “Because I love you. And because our children are gonna come in here any minute to take you away from me.”

He noticed the small pout that followed your statement, the expression enough to soften even Aaron Hotchner, king of stoicism, up. “Alright, fine. I'll allow it. But only because you drive a hard bargain.”

Your pout was replaced with a smirk as you snuggled closer into his side. “Mmm, that means a lot, coming from an ex-prosecutor. Maybe I should've gone to law school with you.”

“You're too sensitive for the big house, or whatever they say,” Aaron snickered. After noticing your look of offense, he quickly covered with, “I didn't mean it in a bad way. You have feelings. It's a very nice thing to come home to after dealing with emotionless psychopaths all day.”

“I think you're trying to compliment me. I'll take it.”

His lips met yours for a quick peck before saying, “I have nothing but compliments for you, my love,” Then, he met you with a second, much longer kiss, and while he tasted like morning breath, moments like this were so rare that you were willing to look past it.

One of his large hands met your leg, his calloused fingertips trailing along your bare skin. It felt like a lifetime since you'd been like this, with two children always needing your attention and the FBI always needing Aaron's. Just a simple touch of his fingers had you forgetting about the outside world, if even for just a moment.

Your lips met his neck, his stubble scratchy against your skin. He'd been away on a case in Seattle for about a week, and you were certain he hadn't shaved the whole trip. You liked it that way anyway.

His hand traveled further up under your nightgown, settling on your thigh. He squeezed the supple skin, a gesture of both affection and want.

“Are you trying to go for number three?” you joked before kissing his neck once more.

“Believe me,” Aaron chuckled, “if I knew I had enough time, I'd certainly try.”

As if on cue, four scurrying feet came stamping across the hardwood floor into your bedroom. “Good morning, Daddy!” both of your children yelled in sync, climbing onto the edge of the bed.

“That's why you're not allowed a third,” you mumbled into his ear. “The ones you have don't even appreciate me.”

“They love you, I promise,” he whispered, kissing your cheek. To the kids, he said, “Good morning. Don't you have anything else you want to say?”

They both turned to you, sheepish looks coming across their tiny, adorable faces. “Good morning, Mommy.”

“That's better,” Aaron said, gaining him a snicker from you. “Now, may I ask why the two of you are up so early and you're already in your swimsuits?”

It was then that you realized he was right. Jack, the older of your children, was sporting his favorite Spiderman swim trunks, while his little sister, Libby, had managed to dress herself in a cherry-print swimsuit she hadn't quite grown into yet. They made your heart melt.

“Daddy,” Libby sighed, clearly exasperated with her father, “don't you know what day it is?”

It happened to be the day your kids hadn't stopped talking about for weeks: the beginning-of-summer pool party you and Aaron threw every year for your friends and his coworkers at the BAU.

Aaron tapped a finger against his chin, his brows furrowing as he thought. “Let's see… it's not Libby’s birthday, and it's not Jack’s birthday, it's not my birthday, and I don't think it's your mom’s birthday,” his last comment earned him a sarcastic look from you. “Hmm, what day could it be?”

You joined in on his little game, tapping against your chin as you pretended to think. “Perhaps it's Christmas?”

Jack narrowed his eyes at you. “It's too early in the year for Christmas,” he said matter-of-factly.

“You're right.” As you continued tapping your finger, you shot Aaron a knowing look, which he gladly returned. He could tell by the gleam in your eye exactly what you meant with that look. “Is it…”

Each of you grabbed a kid, tickling and eliciting little squeals and giggles. “Pool party day?!” the two of you shouted in sync.

Libby thrashed around in your arms, laughing and squirming, while Jack attempted to escape his father's arms. Moments like these were almost as rare as the ones with just you and Aaron, so you had to take advantage of them while you could.

“It's pool party day!” Libby squeaked, while Jack was laughing so hard, he could barely breathe.

Their smiles and laughs pulled at your heartstrings. You wondered when the universe decided to make your babies grow up, since it seemed like only yesterday when you had a newborn and a two-year-old.

Bringing yourself out of your nostalgic trance, you pulled yourself out of the bed, grabbing each kid by the hand. “Who wants to make pancakes while Daddy’s in the shower?”

—

Soon enough, all your friends had arrived and it felt like summer had too. Penelope and Spencer were currently entertaining all the kids, while the other men were crowded around the grill and the rest of the ladies were sitting poolside and working on their tans.

“You ever wonder if either of them will have kids?” JJ asked, nodding toward Penelope and Spencer.

“Spencer, a hundred percent,” Emily answered, like her statement was a fact. “Penelope, I'm not so sure.”

You were next to jump into the conversation, not even bothering to look up from your magazine. “Why do you ask, Jen?”

JJ let out a longing sigh. “It's been so long since we've had a baby around here.”

Putting the magazine down, you looked over to her, eyebrows creased. “Henry's only three. It hasn't been that long.”

“You don't miss having a baby at our get-togethers? Emily, where do you stand?”

“Don’t look at me,” Emily said with wide eyes. “If I didn't have to change another diaper for a lifetime, it still wouldn't be long enough.” She was the one person in the group that was rather indifferent to children, but babies, she'd rather not talk about or be around.

“Yeah, babies are nice,” you said, “but the pregnancy part? That's what I'd rather go a lifetime without.”

“Well, I'm sure there's one thing we can all agree on,” JJ snickered. “At least making the baby is fun.”

Emily tossed the pillow behind her back in the direction of her coworker, giggling all the while. “Jennifer!”

“What?” she laughed as she swatted the pillow away. “Am I wrong?”

You let out a small snicker yourself, shooting a glance in the direction of your husband, who was currently taking his turn in manning the grill.

Neither of your friends missed that look, both their mouths falling agape at the expression. “Spill!” they squealed in sync.

Penelope made her way over from the edge of the pool, her face overtaken by the brightest smile known to mankind. “I heard the ‘Someone has beans to spill’ variety of squeals and giggles. What am I missing?”

“Nothing,” you insisted with an eye roll.

Emily patted the edge of her chaise, welcoming Penelope over. “Come sit, we're gonna get it out of her. After all, two out of three of us are profilers.”

Your eyes narrowed at the brunette. “Do you forget that I also used to be a profiler before my kids came along?”

“Stop changing the subject,” Penelope said with a swat of her hand. “Spill your guts. What did I miss?”

“Well, we were talking about how it's been so long since anyone on the team, past or present, has had a kid,” Jennifer explained.

“And someone looked at her husband with that look,” Emily further explained.

You scoffed. “It was not that look.”

“It totally was,” your friends spoke in sync.

Penelope's face lit up like a child in a candy store, her mind clearly running rampant with ideas of what the look meant. “Oh my God, are you-”

“No!” you quickly interrupted, knowing exactly where that question was headed. “Not yet anyway,” you mumbled under your breath.

The three of them practically jumped out of their seats and gathered around you, all screams and smiles.

“We haven't even had the conversation yet!”

“But you're going to!” Penelope insisted.

You rolled your eyes, but internally, you couldn't be happier for the gift of friendship from these three women. Jennifer, the mom friend in more ways than one. Emily, the voice of reason who not-so-secretly had a funny side and always knew how to make you laugh. And Penelope, the perfect shoulder to cry on and perfect soul to confide in. Lucky didn't even begin to describe how you felt about knowing these women.

Suddenly, you found yourself— as Penelope had said— spilling your guts. “I don't know. This morning just felt… different. Like, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have another baby around.”

The three of them flooded you with comments of love and support, hugs wrapping around you from each direction. Having another baby would be different, of course, but your friends were making sure that you knew it would be a good kind of different.

“I still have to get Aaron on board, so no one get too excited,” you reminded them.

JJ was already way ahead of you. “We've got the kids, Rossi and Derek have the grill. Don't worry about anything out here. You and your man deserve a moment of free time.”

“Just so we're clear,” you said, pointing a finger as if to further prove your point, “we are just going to talk. No funny business.”

Emily snickered. “Yeah, the same way you guys used to ‘talk’ on the jet?” Your cheeks heated to a bright red shade at her comment.

“Ew, Hotch is in the mile high club?!” Penelope practically screamed. Luckily, everyone else seemed too engrossed in conversation to hear her, but you were still mortified nonetheless.

“Okay, scratch what I said. I'm actually going inside to give myself a lobotomy.”

And with that, your friends were shouting in sync different variations of “Have fun!”

Then, with a smile on your face from both the joy of friendship and the love you had for your husband, you found yourself heading over to the grill and pulling Aaron away. His reaction was nothing short of laughter as you practically dragged him toward the house, his shirt nearly coming off with how hard you were tugging it.

Lips met skin as you closed the back door behind you. Aaron let out another chuckle, though he surely wasn't protesting your affection. “Woah, that look in your eyes tells me you're the one thinking about number three,” he commented, referencing your words from that morning.

“Well,” you said as your fingers started to trail under the hem of his dark gray tee shirt. With another kiss to his neck, you continued, “About that…”

taglist: @1234-angelika @lowsodiumfreaks67 @drayshadow @alexxavicry @cordyandbilliehavemyheart @the-lucky-ones311 @mercuryvapours @darkloverfox @sammyrenae68 @cherrycandle @asgardprincess97 @gh0stgurl @esposadomd @randomwriter1021 @eddieharrington @paintlavillered @lavhoes @rhyanishere @danielle143 @handsupforamiracle @ah-blossom @reidselle @dungeons-are-too-cold @louderfortheback @reidsbookclub @cwritesforfun @lover-of-books-and-tea

[jinkiezzsstuff]

AAA I really love your alastor movie night story! Any chance you can make a part 3 ? 🥺

Absolutely! so sorry i got to you late but i wasn’t ignoring just preparing! i hope you enjoy this one too, although it’s not movie centred this time, rather a continuation of the last!

Part [1] [2] (although technically it could be read as a stand alone)

Summary: Alastor wasn’t proud of his admission during the movie night, instead he decided to treat you to a surprise date, one where he can get a better feeling on what his emotions are.

Warnings: Swearing, alcohol drinking, Alastor who’s not pleased with romantic emotions, possibly ooc?, alastor mentions knowing french, homie manipulates the surroundings with his magic, no bodytype/hairtype/skin colour mentions, i think that’s it! lmk!

word count: 2.4k

Alastor wasn’t too familiar with the current feeling he was experiencing, but he knew it was related to romance. The way his heart thumped, and his mind always seemed to fall back to thought of you that night. You seemed to be highly interested in him, not only as a powerful overlord, but as his less interesting mortal self, and that made not only his ego kick start but his heart. After the stunt he pulled, telling you he loved you, and kissing you softly, he knew he was in trouble.

He thanked all the unholy that the next day you didn’t seem to spread the news like wildfire around the hotel, however he did speak to Rosie about such affairs, as she would be the one to know best. The trip was like any others he took to Rosie’s but this time he got plentiful advice concerning love, romance, dates and the other unsavoury aspects he mentioned he’d rather hear little of.

That brought him to tonight, in his room was a make up of land that was much like the foliage he had back in his home in New Orleans. Since you seemed very interested in his home life, he decided to set up a date around it, show you a little of what his home was like. It made him feel sickeningly domestic, preparing to show you something near and dear to his heart, like opening up his memories and displaying them just for you. He set up nice wood table for the two of you to eat at, with some of his favourite dishes set out, even the deserts he wasn’t a fan of he laid out just in case you wanted to try some.

Around his room sprung up some weeping willow trees, the wooden floor turned to dirt as well as grass, and the forest that was once there became a bayou, what you were so curious about during the movie. He decided to share some of his other past, voodoo artifacts he replicated from his past life, some old songs he was a big fan of, as well as one of his old dictionaries that had both French and English. Alastor made some other arrangements, his shadows were forced to play jazz, he magicked some fireflies to light up the false sky above, he essentially created an illusion of the woods near his home, aside from the bayou.

Closing the door to his bedroom he materialised his microphone tossing it up once before taking a confident stride. It was time to put on the southern charm he knew he could effortlessly woo you with. As he sauntered down the hall he began to get more nervous, after all that night was all about the movie, what if it wasn’t true what you had said?

He didn’t have time to dwell, lifting his hand he knocked rhythmically on your door, waiting patiently as you shuffled around. Opening the door, you were shocked to trail your eyes across the radio demon, you half expected to see Angel, as he’s been pestering you ever since he picked up on you eyeing Alastor more often. Fixing your posture you smiled at him, feeling a little self conscious that he caught you at a time you looked, well, not great. You were in leisure clothes, relaxed and had been laying in bed all day.

“How’re you Alastor, can I help ya?” You ask, quirking your head to the side. Alastor barged into your room pushing past you, perhaps when you first met him you’d be unsettled but you’ve come to love Alastor’s presence and the way he carried himself; even the tad bit annoying aspects like barging in uninvited. “Oh my dear I am just fantastical! And I was oh so hoping you’d join me for dinner tonight?” Your eyebrows raised as you shut the bedroom door, Alastor had been in your room before but he noted little upgrades like a record player, some photos of you and the group plastered against a mirror.

You looked down at your attire, and looked to the clock. “Uhm, like how soon is dinner? I look a mess Al.” You sighed softly not wanting to reject him but also immediately feeling pressure to be and look your best. Alastor flicked his wrist, tossing his head back in disbelief. “Please my dear don’t think of me so lowly.” Before you can respond to his random comment he snapped his fingers and suddenly you body felt hugged by new fabrics. Gazing down at yourself you were greeted by formal garments that were clearly from the late nineteen twenties.

Smiling softly at the gesture you looked up at Al who was already looking at you through lidded eyes, his hands clasped in front of him. “You look wonderful darling, truly.” Although still boisterous sounding, it was a lot more tame and meaningful than his prior theatrics. Alastor couldn’t deny the way he felt looking at you doused in clothes from his time, it made him feel something firey within him. Slowly he offered his hand to you, a charming smile upon his face. “Shall we dear?”

Now you both stood at Alastor’s bedroom door, he was tense and nervous about how you’d react. Regardless of how he presented himself with his suit and his pious demeanour, he was still that louisiana man who had a big heart for his home and the culture surrounding it and didn’t want judgement surrounding some of his favourite aspects about home like the cricket noises, swamp, and of course the food. It was a new and interesting worry since being in hell as he didn’t really worry about his past life since, but the night you two shared opened his eyes.

Finally pulling himself together Alastor pushed opened the bedroom door, stepping aside with a ‘ladies first’. It was gorgeous, the moment you walked it you were hypnotized. Obviously, Alastor grew up in the more outback of New Orleans since his entire aesthetic was mossy forests and obviously the deer hunting, however this was a beauty beyond compare. There was a mock up night sky above, firefly’s lit the way to a small table displayed with foods. There was tall and short grass all around, as well as willow trees that sagged low dusting the ground with their leaves. On the furthest side of the room, on the other side of the table, there was a bayou you could see as you walked in. On the mossy murky water there were lilipads with frogs croaking out, that paired with the crickets gave a soothing camp like ambiance.

Grinning widely, Alastor smiled, pulling your chair out for you to sit. Once seated he sat across from you, you were glad it wasn’t one of those long tables but something closer and personal, where you could still reach over and touch him. “I thought since you seemed to enjoy that movie so much, y’know, I can’t show you my home but i can show you parts of it.”

Your cheeks hurt from smiling so widely, you had no idea how he did it, and you took another sweep around the room soaking up all that you could see. “Alastor, this is amazing! I can’t express my gratitude and also excitement that you were willing to do all this.” You admit getting shyer as the sentence went on; the weight of the act dawning on you. Alastor hummed, eyes closed as well as his smile, and to you it seemed like his typical indifference he was keen on displaying, however the truth was Alastor had no clue how to properly respond to it. You had inadvertently pointed out the fact he went out of his way for you, with his magic on top of that, and that wasn’t something he was proud of.

Snapping his fingers, the shadows he’d forced into musicians began their strumming, and singing. You jumped a bit at the sound, although you did recognize the song being played, which surprised you. “So Al, can I ask what possessed you to pull this together?” Alastor, who was in the middle of serving the two of you some red wine, paused briefly, if you looked close enough at his smile and his eyes you’d be able to see the hesitancy behind them.

Closing the bottle he placed it back on the table, and took a sip, stalling his response. “My dear, we had quite the night together didn’t we? That movie opened up some interesting doors.” The non answer-answer Alastor gave you made you a tad bit nervous. Saying nothing you sipped your wine, and took in his appearance. Despite the date being a formal situation, he was dressed more relaxed, not by much this was Alastor. However he did have his suit jacket set aside, he wore a washed out looking red button up, with his red vest and he still had his tie on. It was quite the rare sight, you’ve barely seen him look normal, he’s always playing that character that’s immune to everything others aren’t; no matter if it were demons or humans.

Deciding that it was better to enjoy your time with him then pester about his intentions; you knew who Alastor was and the horrific things he could do, and you still chose to ignore it. It’s more fun that way. Digging into your food the two of you made small talk, mainly Alastor as he explained certain dishes and tid bits on his mothers version of the cooking, as well as certain voodoo topics and misconceptions. The longer the wine set in, the more you flirted, and although Alastor wasn’t as affected by the wine as you were, he still returned the gestures with a soft smile.

“I didn’t know you spoke french, what?” You leaned on the table resting the side of your head on your palm, the food that was once on the table gone. “Yes my dear! New Orleans is bilingual.” The deer laughed cheerily at the awe and wonder in your eyes, as if it was such a spectacular thing. “That’s pretty hot, y'know laddies n lads love the french language.” Taking another sip of your wine, Alastor followed in suit, sipping his wine smile relaxed. “I really only care for what you think.” With the deep hushed tone he said the sentence in, made heat crawl from your neck to the pit of your stomach. “Well I think it’s pretty hot.”

You bit your nail watching Alastor’s ears twitch at your words. “Such gamy words dear, couldn’t you express yourself through more appropriate terms?” Alastor chided playfully, wiggling his figure at you. You grinned, biting your lip with mischief in mind. Tapping your lip, you looked up, giving an exaggerated impression that you were in a contemplative state. Then, perking up, finger in the air with a ‘light bulb’ expression you sarcastically spoke. “My dearest Alastor, your ability to converse in French, seduces me. Better?”

Alastor hummed gently, shaking his head side to side. “I’m afraid that’s still rather forward of you dear.” After speaking Alastor tipped his glass finishing his wine. “I hope that wasn’t making you uncomfortable.” You say cautiously worried that he may be serious, embarrassed you leaned back in your seat distancing yourself just slightly. Alastor felt a ping of distaste hit him when you retracted your body, and he had to refrain himself from pulling or beckoning you back in. “Not at all, if i was you’d surely know.” The ominous grit he got when threatening people made an appearance, but didn’t last long before he relaxed. Deciding to push forward, he stood, ushering his shadows away from playing songs, he walked over to you offering his arm. “Would you like to see the bayou you were so enthralled with? The real deal?”

Alastor looked down at you through lidded eyes, his tone silken. As you looked up at him you could get a peek of his tail flicking back and forth methodically. Taking him by the arm you stood, and so he guided you away from the table as the room morphed with hazy black shadows into a different scene. The two of you now stood on a dock, looking out on the bayou, fireflies flickered by, crickets and cicadas made their ambient noises, the water would occasionally splash with a fish, it was beautiful. “So Al,” You start nervously, looking at the demon who still held you close via your interlocked arms.

Alastor hummed a static sounding hum looking down at you. “Uh, I, well remember what you said the night we split from the movie?” Alastor’s brow quirked, smirked down at you he strung out a yes that sounded teasing, of course he knew where this conversation was going, but at this point in the night he’d gotten more comfortable with the idea of it. “I was wondering, if you still meant it?” Alastor nodded slowly looking into the murky waters of the bayou, looking a little zoned out. “Yes, I do think so. I’m certain if you’d ask me to kill for you I would, if you needed my help I’d help, if you’d ask for my advice I’d give it. I'm not familiar with many aspects of love but I'm definitely fond enough of you to do a laundry list of things I wouldn't do for others.”

Alastor turned his body to you, gently willing your own to do the same with both his hands on your shoulders. With his head lifted high he looked down at you through his lashes, a coy smile appearing on his lips at the sight of your sudden bashfulness. With a soft hand, he lifted your chin to gaze at him. As much as he hated to admit it, there was something addictive in the way you made him feel and the way you were so responsive to him, be it his touch or his words. Oh he knew he liked you now, unfortunate state of events for him.

Watching your eyes blink up at him patiently made him solidify what he was going to do. Bending to your level, he looked into your eyes making sure you fully understood what he was planning on doing, briefly your eyes bounced around his face making sure you were reading him correctly and when you were certain your eyes fluttered he closed the window of space between you. Compared to the chaste kiss he gave you the night of the movie, this one could’ve been considered ravenous, he pulled you close almost immediately, wrapping his arms around your torso and neck. Your hands cautiously came up around his waist and up to his back pulling him nearer.

Alastor’s movements were slow and thought through, and when he pulled away from the passionate kiss, he immediately pulled you into a hug to hide the emotion he knew would be in his eyes. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to be that vulnerable yet, but in due time, perhaps he’d try.

[the-moon-files]

Linked Universe / GN!Reader - Random Headcanons abt the Chain! :)

Part 1 / Part 2 (ur here!) / Part 3

Sun: Reader (you/they/them)

Orbit: Headcanons-ish

Stars: Hyrule, Time, Fierce Deity, Twilight, Warriors

Comets & Meteors: Content Warnings: light cussing, & Trigger Warnings: none known.

☆

Hyrule (The Legend of Zelda - OG game, Zelda II: Adventures of Link):

Lost easily, obviously, you know this

What you didnt know was that its very easy to get lost with him

Bc he's so excited/curious for new sights he doesnt give any fucks abt where he is, so it devolves into that "wait, I thought YOU were leading us there?? Then where tf are we??!!" very quickly

Does feel bad he stressed u out smtimes but he somehow manages to get into such wild shit that Hyrule's kinda preoccupied being confused/amazed/finding his way out, or any combo of these situations (once again, usually with you unfortunately)

Is the luckiest when it comes to getting lost or anything to do with "natural" things

Like he heard u rlly like this one fruit? Accidentally gets lost all day and panics all the Links + You until he shows up at midnight with a shirtful of them

("I found a few fruit trees/plants in the woods while wandering! I tried to grab a few for you and before I knew it, it was dark, sorry...")

Likes learning little skills from other people, like learning how to do makeup from Legend, or how to spot collections of rupees the Minish have left somewhere from Four, or how walk on any terrain from Wind (good at walking on a ship, on land, climbing etc)

More of a "sunset" hiker than a "sunrise" one

Likes to do your hair! Whether that be braiding, putting accessories (he handmade shhh) thruout it, or helping with hair maintenance, likes how strangely intimate but domestic it feels together with you (u return the favor ofc)

(All the other heroes are looking at you both like kicked puppies jfcccc🙄)

Time (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask):

Gets anxious if he's late to things, likes being fashionably early (or ungodly, when u let him get away with it)

Has absolutely been that meme from Parks and Recreation where he's like "Alright. I'm not mad, I just wanna know. Who broke it?"

(Abt the coffee pot for the camp)

Knowing full and well-

"I broke it. It burnt my coffee for the 3rd morning in a row, so I punched it. I predict 10 minutes from now they'll be at each other's throats with war paint on their faces and a moblin head on a stick. ...good. It was getting a little chummy around here."

MF LOVES GOSSIP (wouldn't admit this even at swordpoint)

Wars has absolutely been the person in the meme of:

Wars: "...why would you tell me this??"

Time: "Bc no one will ever believe you."

Wars: ...😦

Has a resting bitch face and knows it, actively cultivates it, scary dog privileges for you,

Type to take ur side in whatever situation ur in, even when Time has no idea whats going on, always, without question <3

The same height as First, (Twi's a close 2nd), and feels most secure when the 3 of you are at the front of the group, but First/Time are slightly in front of you

Like ur literally the person walking their 2 huge scary doobermans/mastiffs one leash in each hand basically 💀

(Once again, Link is deeply comforted by ur voice just over his shoulder/just hearing u even without seeing you)

Very subtly sarcastic, u dont even know he made a dig at you until 3-5 business days later

Likes ur sarcasm more than anyone else's in the group, or even his own lol

Fierce Deity (Majora's Mask):

Likes music, any music (amused at drunk karaoke)

Casually cradles ur arms or back whenever ur falling asleep/tripping/being clumsy near him

Very warm and smoothed calloused hands

Thinks abt what he's about to say so hard/long, that the conversation's moved on by like, 3 rounds/subject changes by the time he's actually ready to talk

Scolds ppl (in like a sentence) who neglect their needs, like sleeping/eating/hygiene

Finds peace in nature, if hes ever upset, u can bet he's already taking a walk by a stream

Likes teaching u/other Links little skills he has, its nice to feel appreciated/needed for something other than fighting or big moments

He falls in love with small moments, like the first time u made them all a dessert recipe from ur world, or repaired First's scarf (for the millioneth time) and bc everyone had gotten their clothes scratched up, everyone needed repairs so most Links were sewing smth lol

Enjoys watching ppl experience smth for the first time, or even himself exp smth for first time

Fierce smiled fully for the first time when you got into the mountain hot springs in Wild's Hyrule for the first time and were super excited

Also the type to hold ur hand while stepping in to make sure u dont fall, or just subtly boost a Link that was abt to fall from climbing smth

Like for being the tallest, he's surprisingly sneaky, the energy of the biggest cat in the house yet somehow also the quietest

Does that thing where someone takes ur hand and like massages ur fingers, palm, wrist and shakes them out kinda for you <3

Twilight (Twilight Princess):

Trips UP the stairs.

Cold start LMAO

ok ill be nice to him,, sike

Easy to bully?? U mean that kindly, he's just such a golden retriever sometimes u cant help urself (tho u make sure to reign it in and not take advantage of it so as not to genuninely hurt him)

Lol likes to "herd" his favorite people, like those dogs livestock farmers have u kno that they say end up herding their owners/their family lol

Like making subtle circles around the Chain, wrapping an arm around Hyrule and teasing him to quietly bring him back into the group before he gets lost,

Tugs on Time's armor to slow him down, mf may be in armor head to toe but he'll outpace all of u 💀

Likes to put his hand on ur lower back to guide u back into the group from whatever scenic thing u got distracted by

(so sue you, ur literally in The Legend of Zelda's Hyrule, surrounded by pretty blondes, why tf wouldnt you be distracted all the time??)

The only time he doesnt herd actively is in Ordon, just subconciously lol <3

Terrible sleep schedule, but sleeps like the dead when he does, has collapsed with a limb on top of you and u couldnt escape

Hard time waking up in the morning despite being country boy, who usually have to do chores first thing in morning on a farm

hates/envious of Wild (up at 5am even on days off?? Foul.)

Runs warm, but complains abt a slight breeze?

Would sleep with no covers if it werent for morning dew

Wishes cats liked him more (its the wolf smell)

Twi has the constant energy of a tall person carefully maneuvering around cluttered/low doorways while someone a head shorter runs by him and bounces off of him

U get onto/scold the Links and he's immediately the first to just sit on the ground, or put down whatever he's holding no matter what he's doing LMAO 😭😭

Keeps his eyes on u too the whole time lol

Warriors (Hyrule Warriors):

Cries over romance novels/dramas

A virgo in all stereotypes of the word tbh

Invented the red-string conspiracy theory board before the red-string conspiracy board existed in Hyrule

Also likes to take care of your hair! (What?? He and 'Rulie don't fight over ur hair, that'd be childish, he's not a foolish boy- Hyrule, hand over the brush.👹)

Remembers the little things abt u type of person, like ur favorite drink, ur favorite stories like tv shows/books even if theyre from ur world, ur favorite clothing pieces like shorts vs. pants, etc.

The only Link who can single handedly claim he could take your closet and dress you in something you'd actually wear.

Honestly once he got the hang of it, would get better at dressing you, than you

(Another domestic thing he adores, picking outfits for u/finding that perfect piece of clothing you've been needing lately)

Born to night-owl, forced to morning-bird 😔

Wars wakes up stiff sometimes bc soldier training is sleeping on ur back, hands to ur sides, laying straight in ur bed, so as to fit into bunks/bedrolls close together

It got better as he was promoted to Captain, so he could have his own quarters but its still a hard habit to shake

One of the few Links who works up the courage to genuinely pitfully ask if you'd mind massaging his shoulders again? He slept badly last night, please?? 🥺👉👈

(Ur so weak for pathetic hurting pretty blonde twinks lol)

The most lowkey abt taking care of Chain, but u make sure to take care of him as a gift back, and you've definitely caught him tearing up abt it 💖

☆

Debated writing smth else first but figured this was easy and short and i started it first so youll have to wait like one more post before more Masc Reader stuff guys 😔

Dw its coming, i havent abandoned u my homies out there 🫂

Let me know what u think in the comments of my slight characterizations here!

Im struggling to conceptualize their personalities so thats acc part of why i started to write smaller stuff like this first! :)

Peace out,

🌙

[bluegalaxygirl]

Amnesia (KidKiller X Reader) P19

Plot: After an explosion reader wakes up in a hospital with no memory of the past few years, her parents want to take her home so she can recover and get back to a normal life while the Kid pirates want her back on the ship where she belongs.

Warning: Bad language, Family issues, domestic abuse, Medical stuff, Medication, Violence and Blood.

Reader is Female, Poly Relationship, established relationship, Kid X Reader X Killer, Reader is a member of the Kid pirates and is in charge of the money, Budgeting and negotiating the best price.

< Previous part …. Next Part >

The walk to the hospital felt longer than normal mainly because Killer's mind is racing with all the things you might say after you lashed out at Kid, he hopes he can at least smooth things over with you so you won't kick them out, he would hate to have to take you by force but as time goes on he feels more and more drawn to it. If you end up wanting to go with your parents he will happily join his captain in sinking this island and taking you by force, you may hate them for it but in his mind, he would rather you hate him than let you go back with those people. The masked man is snapped out of his thoughts by House who speaks up while trying to keep pace with the taller man "So, N/N really remembers me?" The crazy haired girl asks holding her notebook to her chest, a large hopeful smile on her face and big eyes which look bigger due to her strange glasses, it brings a small smile to his face seeing how happy their doctor is at just the thought you might remember her. "Yes, she remembers training with you but thats it" Despite your memory of her being very limited it causes House to jump a little in excitement starting to speed walk until they get to the elevator, once inside and the doors are closed Killer places his hand on Houses shoulder getting the girl to look up at him with a raised eyebrow "I want you to wait outside the room when we get there, i need to have a word with Y/n before we do anything else" The masked man states getting the girl to nod, her excitement starting to get under control, like the rest of the crew House doesn't know what happened for Kid and Killer to stay on the ship for a whole day and for their captain to flip out, only the commanders know, but she wasn't about to ask or ease drop if she can help it.

Killer lets out a breath trying to calm himself as the elevator opens showing him the same view he always gets, a clean white building with hardly any noise but the blowing wind, stepping out House is quick to follow mainly looking down hoping to not trip on a branch or go through a loose piece of wood. It isn't long until the two make it to your room, the door's closed, but he can't hear any talking, he hopes that your parents haven't shown up yet and with the nurse not at her desk he can't ask her if they've shown up. A knock on your door makes you flinch a gasp leaving your lips as you quickly take your glasses off in fear of it being your mother, your too tired and sore to deal with her yelling at you over something so small which is why you asked for the door to be closed. "Y-Yes" You call out placing the book you were reading and glasses on the side table, to your relief it's not your mother that walks in, but Killer making your body relax against the headboard, the masked man walks in closing the door behind him before clearing his throat "I'm sorry about Kid and… I know you don't trust us bu-" The smile that was once on your face drops at his words, you should be the one thats sorry not him and the thought that you don't trust him hurts, so before you can even think about it you call out to him "Killer, It's not Kid's fault, i shouldn't have said those things, i was mad but now thinking back on it… I'm sorry, i made a big mistake, is Kid mad at me?" You ask feeling tears well up in your eyes, it didn't click with you before but now it has, Kid isn't here, his coat isn't around you and those amber eyes aren't looking you over with a cocky smile on his red lips and you know he's not patient enough to wait outside so that means he isn't here.

The blonde sighs making his way over to you, placing his hand on your cheek he lifts your face up to look at him, his teeth clench in anger at seeing the new bruise on the corner of your cheek bone, it wasn't there the last time he saw you, he wonders if someone hurt you or if you fell, but he shoves that aside for now and instead focuses on reassuring you "He's not mad at you, he's mad at himself." Killers thumb lightly runs over the bruise on your cheek as you raise an eyebrow, Kid should be angry at you not himself, your the one that yelled and ran off while he tried not to yell back. "He shouldn't be, He's been trying so hard for my sake, and i insult him? I've seen the way you both hold back, you could just grab me and burn this place to the ground but you've given me a chose and you've stuck by that even when i'm being a bitch" You can't help but laugh a little at the end, calling yourself a bitch somehow didn't sound so insulting even though it should be, reaching up you take Killers hand off your cheek and hold it in yours, a small huff of a laugh leaves the masked man's lips as he squeezes your hand "I'm not going to lie, we've both thought about it a lot, just taking you but trust and loyalty is everything to us, we won't do anything to break your trust, and we will always be loyal to you" The blonde brings your hand up to his mask pressing your knuckles against the part where his lips would be, your heart swells at the gesture and yet all you can think about is his lips, does he wear lipstick like Kid? are they soft or chapped? Plump or thin? "Killer… Can i-" Your question is interrupted by the door opening causing the two of you to look over at the door and freeze in place.

Melody's raised eyebrows and confused eyes land on the two of you, although she doesn't seem confused about what's going on in the room but with a crazy haired girl wearing large strange glasses waving at you form next to her, you recognized her as the girl from your memories, but she looks a little different, her hair is more puffy and a lot longer and the glasses she's wearing seem bigger than you remember. "This is your doctor?" Melody asks pointing to House next to her, the girl slightly bouncing on her feet as a large smile forms on her face "House, right?" You ask before Killer can answer the question, the smile on House's face somehow gets wider as she sprints to you, dropping her notebook the girl wraps her arms around you as a giggle leaves her lips "Your remember me" Despite how it looks House is surprisingly gentle with her hug but it still made you gasp and jump slightly at fist, wrapping your arms around the girl you lightly pat her back. "Be careful" The nurse yells while walking into the room giving a hard glare at the pirate doctor, Killer lets out a sigh clearly unimpressed by the display of affection from your best friend "House, off" The masked man demands making House quickly let you go and stand back up scrambling to grab her notebook and a few loose pages that have fallen out. "Sorry about her, This is House our doctor and a good one at that" Killer states crossing his arms over his chest in almost a protective manner not wanting anyone to insult a member of his crew, Melody caught on quick to it and puts her hands up letting out a nervous laugh "I was just making sure since you and your captain weren't around to clarify, i didn't want to let a compete stranger in"

Killer gives a short nod letting his shoulders relax, "I'm glad you came House, there's a few things i was hoping to ask" You turn to the crazy haired girl who has picked up her notebook and finished putting the pieces of loose paper pack in their places, she turns to you with a nod but Melody quickly speaks up before you can ask anything "First we need to talk about last night, Y/n had another seizure the night nurse told me that she re-injured her legs but luckily her shoulder is ok" A sick feeling runs through your body at the thought of it alone, you really don't trust your doctor to be telling the truth, plus you've never met the night nurse so you have no idea if you should trust her or not. Killer tenses up again as he turns his attention to you mainly focusing on your covered legs, he hasn't seen how bad it is under the bandages, but he knows that reopening a healing wound will make the healing process a lot longer and sometimes more painful "Is that how you got this?" The masked man moves his hand to run his fingers over the bruise on your cheek, gulping you know better than to lie to the blonde, he seems to know when something is wrong so its only safe to say he knows when your lying too but Kid did say that if your parents hurt you he would kill them, Killer might think the same and as much as you hate your farther for what he did you don't want him to die over a slap "I don't remember how i got it, but at least my cheek bone is healed and my skull" You smile up at him hoping he will focus on the good stuff.

House pushes up her glasses before stepping closer already feeling the tension coming from the first mate and wanting to break it before something like yesterday happened "That's great news, your stitches are out and your not wearing a sling anymore so hopefully you'll be out of here soon. Can i look you over just to make sure?" Melody places a hand on House's shoulder getting the girl to take a step back thinking she's in the way which earning a sweet smile of the nurse "You can observe as i clean her wounds and re-bandages them" The nurse states pulling the covers off you, the once white bandages are slightly stained with red and brown blood spot in different places, you now see why your legs sting so much. "Their dirty" Killer's almost growls as his focus shifts from you, to your legs and then to the nurse who tenses up a little at his tone, the masked man's anger grows until you grab his hand pulling the blonde closer to you with as much strength as you can muster, you don't know why but something told you that he was going to chock her. "It's ok, i asked her to wait since you were bringing House this morning, so… I'd rather not be poked and prodded twice today" Killer quickly turns to you hating that you left it for so long, his anger subsides at hearing the reason why, it makes sense now and the thought of causing you more pain makes his chest tighten, squeezing your hand the blonde gives you a silent nod before pulling a nearby chair over to the bed, so he can sit down next to you and hold your hand which you have refused to let go of. His comfort helps a lot as the Nurse talks to House while pulling the bandages off your legs, it stings, itches and feels tight all at the same time but Melody is careful especially around the recently opened area's.

The process hurt more than you thought it would making you grit your teeth and take deep breaths through your nose, Killer's eyes shift from your legs to your face, he hates seeing you in pain, and he's now extremely glad that he made Kid stay back, not even he could stop the captain from shoving the nurse off you and berating her even though the woman is only doing her job. "Ok, thats your legs done" Melody sighs taking off her gloves and showing them in a small yellow bin along with some of the equipment she used, House nods having stayed over the nurses shoulder the whole time, asking questions and taking notes in her book "Other than the reopened area's the skin's healing nicely, you'll differently have darker spots of skin in some places and the ink on some of your tattoo's have come off but i don't see many issues once its fully healed" House smiles at you happy to see the hospital is doing something right, with a tired smile you give her a thumbs up unable to speak due to the throbbing in your legs and the tiredness overcoming your brain "You ok, babe?" Killer quickly leans forward placing his hand on your cheek to make you look at him, his eyes search yours for that glazed over look you get before those headaches's come on but to his relief it isn't there, just tired slightly teary eyes from trying to hold back groans of pain over the past half hour. A fluttering feeling appears in your stomach at the nickname making you feel more lightheaded although unlike the tiredness it's a almost heavenly feel, leaning into his touch you give the blonde a small smile and a nod.

Melody finishes cleaning up before making her way over to the end of your bed and grabbing your chart, flipping to the back she writes something down before flipping it back "Oh can i see that?" House asks suddenly at the nurses side making the woman jump and gasp in surprise, she didn't hear or see the girl move at all, staring at the crazy haired girl for a moment Melody slowly hands the chart over trying to figure out how the loud and seemingly clumsy girl from before snuck up on her. House gives the nurse a smile before grabbing the chart out of her hands and reading it over, her face turns to confusion and slight concern at seeing some of the stuff written down feeling like something is wrong. Your tired eyes pull away from Killer feeling the energy in the room change, when your eyes land on the pirate doctor your heart drops knowing your assumptions are true. "House what's wrong?" You ask but the girl doesn't move her eyes fixed on the page in front of her "Y/n takes all these in a day?" House asks finally looking up from the chart to look at the nurse while pointing to something on the paper, Melody leans in looking it over before nodding "Twice a day, one dose in the morning and one at night" your hand uncontinuously tightens its hold on Killer's hand starting to let your nerves show, the masked man squeezes your hand lightly trying to offer you reassurance despite his own growing anxiety. House shakes her head looking back to the chart one last time before hanging it back on the end of your bad "That seems excessive for seizure meds, do you mind if i have a look at the pill's?" Melody raises an eyebrow unsure of weather she should do it or not, she doesn't think the doctors here would do anything bad and since House is more of a field medic she might not know a lot about medication.

Her eyes glance to you seeing your tense and almost panicked state so nods offering you a small smile before heading out the door "I'll be right back" House smiles back waving at her before quickly grabbing her notebook and pen starting to write down stuff with amazing speed "You wanted to ask me about the pills right?" the crazy girl asks somehow reading your mind and making you relax your grip on Killer's hand, letting out a breath you nod finally feeling like your not crazy for thinking something is wrong. "Yes, they keep increasing my seizure meds and… I'm just a little anxious about it, i don't know why" Killer runs his thumb over your hand in slightly reassurance, he wished you would have said something sooner about this but then again a lot has been going on and too many people are involved "Trust your gut, if something feels wrong then it wrong " A smile forms on his face at seeing your eyes meet his through the mask a look of relief washing over your face and that slight sparkle of joy he loves to see light up your eyes. "It's excessive the amount their giving you but once i have a look at the tablets and its bottle then I'll know more" The crazy haired girl slams her book closed and paces her pen behind her ear, it disappearing in the mess of hair just as the nurse walks back in with a try full of medication, some in yellow bottles with labels and other in boxes "I thought you might want to have a look at all her meds" The gesture earns a big smile from House bouncing on her tip toes slightly in joy "Thank you so much" Lifting up the bottles the girl inspects the pulls inside and reads the labels all while the nurse watches her every move still not to sure about a pirate handling medication.

With the two women distracted Killer takes this chance to grab your attention, leaning back on his chair the masked man squeezes your hand in three short bursts earning a confused look from you, it takes him a second to realize you have no idea what the gesture means "It means we want privet time or a privet talk" Killer whispers already answering your question before you can ask it, with a small nod you lean back relaxing into the headboard and leaning into the blonde slightly "What's up?" You whisper still keeping your eyes on House and the nurse decreasing some medical stuff you can't understand "Where'd you get the bruise?" His question is so simple yet it sends a sense of dread down into your stomach, even though lying to him would be futile you can't help but do it anyway, you can't tell him the truth "I don't remember, it probably happened during my seizure" The small piece of hope you had that he would just give up and leave it alone is crushed when a growl leaves his lips, not loud enough for the two girls to hear but deep enough to send panic through you "I know your lying.. Farther or mother?" Killer asks turning his head slightly to gauge your reaction hoping to find the answer, he watches your eyes widen slightly at being caught in a lie before going back to normal trying to act like everything is ok, it makes his blood boil knowing he's right, one of your parents hit you, it must have happened yesterday. Did it happen before or after they attached your parents? Was it his fault that they took their anger out on you? are you hurt anywhere else?

The masked man is snapped out of his thoughts by your hand squeezing his in three short bursts "Please leave it alone, i'm not hurt anywhere else, i promise" You whisper turning to look at him, the blonde slowly turns to look you over his other hand moving up to run his fingers lightly over the bruise, he doesn't want to let this go, they should pay for even looking at you but he nods deciding at least for now to drop it. "We.. We need to talk later, we.. Me, Kid, Wire and Heat found out some stuff about your past and.." Killer sighs hating that he's having a hard time getting what he needed out, he knows he needs to tell you as soon as possible about what they did in hopes it will lessen your hate for them but at the same time he doesn't want you to know. "Are they dead? My parents" You knew it would happen eventually, one or both of them would lash out and hurt someone yet you strangely don't feel anything towards it, shouldn't you be upset or mad at the thought of their death? The masked man sucks in a breath of shock surprised that you caught on so quickly "No, their alive just… a broken nose and bruising" With a nod you squeeze his hand again knowing you need to talk later about all this and what they found out, at lot happened over the years and looking back on it makes you mad enough to want to lash out but you've never had the courage to do so, yesterday was proof that you still don't. The two of you state at each other for a moment, despite what you've both just learned it feels like a weight has been lifted leaving the two of you to just bask in each other prescience, enjoy the for once calm moment, uncontinuously the two of you move in closer only stopping when his mask meets your forehead allowing you to see those beautiful blue eyes that shine in the darkness.

House picks up a small yellow bottle with a few pills in them, their small round and thin but doe to the yellow tint of the bottle he can't see the color, so she uncaps the lid and shakes out all the pulls, the blue color makes her pause and look again at the label then back to the pill again her eyebrows raising even more. "Seizure meds shouldn't look like this, their supposed to be pink or white due to the chemical makeup" Her voice snaps You and Killer out of your trance both quickly looking over to the crazy haired girl worry starting to set in, Melody sighs turning around from where she was putting bottles back on the tray only to gasp and leap forward grabbing the bottle of lid "Don't touch the meds, i'm more than happy to show you the bottle but its health and safety that no one touches medication without gloves" Taken back by the nurse's sudden strictness and anger you tense up while Killer to growl slightly hating anyone going after a member of his crew, normally the masked man would step in but one look at house's posture makes him realize not only that she has it under control but that this was planned from the start. "Oh shoot, your right i'm so sorry. Now that I've touched it what do i do?" House gasps holding her hand out and away from herself and the nurse as if it's going to explode.

With a sigh Melody pinched her nose and shakes her head seeming to calm down. "I'll have to bin them all now.. Listen i'm sorry for snapping but next time if you want to see the pills up close just ask me" The nurse screws the cap back on and turns back to the try placing the bottle down before lifting the try up into on hand "I'll throw them away, I've got to get back to work, stay as long as you like but please don't mess with anything… at least without asking me first" Melody giggles holding out her hand for the pills. House lets a big smile show as she places the blue pills into the nurses hand giving her an enthusiastic nod, "I'll see you later" The nurse smiles your way while making her way out the door, for once the room is in complete silence both Killer and House seem to be waiting for something so you stay quiet too. After a minute House lets out a giggles running over to the door and quickly closing it "How many?" Killer asks there's a clear smirk on his face by the sound of his voice "Four i think" House giggles holding out her hand to show four small blue pills she managed to take, reaching into her white lab coat she takes out a small glass bottle and opens it placing the pill inside "S-so i was right? There is something wrong?" Its strange, you feel relief and validated in your worry but at the same time it just makes you more nervous maybe even paranoid, does this also mean that your dream last night was real? If so then when did that happen? Did it happen last night or a few days go?

Sensing your worry House quickly slips the bottle back into her coat while making her way over to you, sitting on the bed she takes your other hand in both of hers "I don't know what they are but I'll find out, for now lets just keep it a secret and try your best to take less of those pills, i still think you should take at least two just in case i'm wrong, either hide the rest of me or flush them" House explains helping your mind calm down a bit, Killer squeezes your hand feeling himself become angry that this place could be making you sicker, he knows this is your family's doing, he knows House will get to the bottom of this and with you willing to help hopefully it will be over quickly. "Thank you" without warning you reach out and pull House into a hug which she happily returns shoving her face into your neck "Thank you so much" You whisper into her thankful that someone has listened to her, she knows Kid and Killer believe her but having someone in the medical field validate what your feeling and saying means so much more, you no longer feel crazy and that your just dreaming things up. "I've always got your back" House whispers back before pulls away giving you a massive smile which is strange since you didn't think it could get any bigger. "Alight, I'll leave you to rest and catch up, get some sleep ok" The crazy haired girl stands then turns to Killer "I'll start working on this, you want me to tell the captain anything?" She asks lightly bouncing on her feet indicating she's raring to get moving, Killer turns to you asking a silent questions which you quickly nod too wanting more than anything to talk with Kid and apologise, giving you a nod back he turns to House "Tell the captain it's ok to come"

[graymanshoots]

Tender Love & Care

Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley x POC fem reader

Intimate fluff

A/n: Updates will be slow because I am still grieving but I hope

Prompt: Simon and you wind down after a long mission and he takes care of you

(Cute & Boring Domestic Life :D )

The car ride back home from base was comfortably silent. Simon's hand on your thigh as he drove down the long stretch of road. Your eyes were focused on your phone propped on the dashboard playing a movie as you took your cornrows out.

It had been a long couple of months on the job being moved from place to place to do whatever assignment you were given. You dreamed of the shower back home, the lukewarm temperatures and poor water pressure on base not enough to break the tension in your back. The biggest thing you missed was your shampoo and conditioner, your hair in need of some serious TLC after being stuck under a helmet or balaclava for the majority of your mission.

Finishing with your take down, you sighed in relief, and your head of messy and stretched-out hair hit the headrest. Simon's hand moved from your thigh up to your head and massaged your scalp for a little bit. “Don't touch my hair; it probably stinks,” you sighed, not taking any action to stop Simon's actions. “Don't seem to mind too much, love,” he responded before bringing his hand back down to your thigh, earning a displeased whine. He smirked and glanced at you. “Hey, don't get too upset, we're almost home,” he said, feeling relieved to actually be pulling into the familiar neighborhood.

After parking, the short trip inside of the apartment you shared with Simon was quick. The flat was cold and dark, but it was still a welcomed feeling now being able to fully relax. “Shower or bed?” Simon asked, resetting the security alarm now that the door was locked tight and his hands were empty. “Can't sleep with my hair like this,” you sighed, making your way down the hallway in the direction of your shared bedroom. Simon followed after you, leaving the bags in the living room, his arms coming around your waist just as you got to the door of your room. “I can help you with your hair, love. You're too tired,” Simon said, walking forward into the room with you still wrapped in his arms. It was an awkward waddle into the room that made you laugh before relaxing back into Simon. “You just want an excuse to touch my hair,” you accused, leaning your head back to look at him. A smirk played at his lips as he met your playful glare. “Guilty as charged.”

You scoffed and playfully pushed Simon away from you, his hold giving easily as he stepped back a few to take off his hoodie. You pulled your shirt off and kicked off your jeans, tossing both into the empty laundry basket sitting slumped in the corner of your room, your underwear soon following.

Simon let out a low whistle, and you flipped him the bird as you walked into the connected master bathroom. “Just admiring!” he called after you while removing his own clothes, his scarred pale chest contrasting with the tan of his arms from the hours of being out in the desert. “Any tanner and you'll be using my foundation, Simon,” you commented with a snort, seeing the very visible tan lines. “Shut it and get your ass in the shower,” Simon grumbled, rolling his eyes at your jokes, an unexpected smack hitting your ass as soon as you turned back to the shower, your neck turned so you could stick your tongue out at your boyfriend. “Fuck off!” you yelped, now keeping your cheeks covered from any further attack. A stifled chuckle had you turning to Simon with a glare as he shrugged like he didn't do a thing.

You shook your head and turned the water on, letting the temperature warm to perfection before getting in, a pleased sigh leaving your lips at the comfortingly warm water and good water pressure. “There ya go…” Simon hummed, stepping in after you; the shower had been altered to accommodate his size. Simon allowed you to lean against him with your back against his chest and his hands at your waist. The two of you just stood in comfortable silence, letting the water beat against your worn skin, tension breaking away from your muscles. Simon leaned forward and grabbed your washcloth before lathering it in the sweet aloe & coconut body wash that was sitting in the rack. He gently ran the soapy cloth over your shoulders and down your arms, pressing you to his chest when he smoothed over your hands. Simon pressed light kisses to the back of your neck as he moved over your chest and abdomen.

You soaped up and rinsed off together, but the sweet shower was far from over as your hand reached for the Mielle shampoo. “My favorite part,” Simon grinned, taking the bottle from you and squeezing a good amount into his large palm. “Your hair has grown since we’ve been gone,” he commented, massaging the shampoo into your scalp, a pleased moan coming from your lips. “At least there was minimum breakage,” you sighed, closing your eyes as Simon's fingers scratched at your scalp. He was so firm and gentle you could almost fall asleep, the sound of the shower reminding you of rain in a forest and the sweet smells of your body wash and shampoo bringing a smile to your face. “Are you sleepy, pretty girl?” Simon questioned, noticing you swaying on your feet a bit. You hummed in acknowledgment before bringing your head under the water to rinse out the pomegranate & honey shampoo. Once the water ran somewhat clear, you brought your head out and let Simon massage the conditioner into your hair. With the conditioner in your hair, Simon grabbed your detangling brush and gently ran it through your hair, trying to cause minimal discomfort. “Oh lord, what did I do to deserve you?” You whined, earning a chuckle from Simon. “I should be asking that same question, love,” he said, brushing through another section of hair. “I love your hair; it's so soft,” Simon commented, twirling a piece around his finger. “Like a dream…” he trailed off.

After rinsing the rest of the product from your hair, you soon found yourself wrapped in a warm towel and sitting cross-legged between Simon's legs on your bed as he two-strand twists your hair, something he learned to make your nights easier.

“Do we have any plans for tomorrow ‘cause I've got to get groceries or we’ll be eating take out for the week?” You asked, rubbing your body butter over your drying skin.

“I wouldn't mind ordering food tomorrow; let's handle the groceries on Tuesday,” Simon offered while applying leave-in to the small section of hair he was twisting up.

You hummed, rubbing some butter onto Simon's hairy legs. “You should let me wax your legs,” you started randomly, patting Simon's bare legs like bongos.

“Sure, why not!” he replied enthusiastically, causing you to straighten up with surprise.

“Really?”

“No.”

You immediately deflated when Simon's deadpanned rejection hit your ears, putting a hand to your heart as if you’d been shot. “You’ll live,” Simon scoffed, finishing up on the last twist. He patted your leg, signaling that you were done before running his hands through his hair with the excess product.

You let out a noise that could only be described as relief once Simon finished, throwing the towel to the side and moving on top of him. He circled his arms around your waist and leaned back into the mattress, pressing soft kisses to your lips.

[itsgrimeytime]

Maneater (Epilogue) || Rick Grimes (TWD)

Part One, Two, Three, and epilogue

Taglist: @fuseburner @beltzboys2015-blog @gabrielleisalanastan @starkstiless @strnqer

Summary: You and Rick Grimes had a backstory, one no one knew except you and him. It's one you refused to share, you never really wanted to get into it. All anyone needed to know was you hated the man. When you're in a rough spot, and you could use the shelter the question is... does he hate you?

TWS: swearing, and all things typical of TWD.

[[A/N: This gif is so cute, actually sobbing over little Judith. Domestic vibes only girlies. Alexandria is a paradise, etc, etc. Just listened to Billie Eilish's new song for the Barbie movie, and I can't stop crying. So take some comfort. Thanks for reading!!! ]]

You woke up that morning to something odd, sunlight seeping from your window -a warm feeling fully enveloping you whole, happy, content. It was weird for a moment, as you lay under your duvet -head still in that distant morning fuzz.

Just until your brain kicked into gear.

"Shit," you cursed, trying to see just where the sun was in the sky -you were so late.

Scrambling for a second, you pulled on a sweater for the chill of the morning and only took mere seconds to smooth your hair into something more manageable. Trying so desperately to go quick and not trip over yourself, you made your way out of your house.

It hadn't been very long since this started, the thing between you and Rick. Could you call it dating? If you counted supply runs as dates, sure, you mindlessly remarked.

You'd only made one thing clear, all hesitant and carefully worded like he hadn't known exactly why you felt so unsure of connections. The last time you'd felt happy enough to have something, it hadn't ended well -it never did. Rick didn't even flinch.

'Slow,' he'd said, that sort of grin that always seemed like listening to you was all he'd ever want to do, '-I can do slow.'

Sighing, you tumbled out your door -still a little clumsy from waking up, and distantly you heard Maggie's laughter. You spun around, matching eyes with her and Glenn -they seemed to be hanging up some of their laundry. Smiling way too bright for this early in the morning-

"You going somewhere?" Glenn teased, his grin just as bright as Maggie's.

Rolling your eyes, you flipped them off -earning only more laughter, and turned back to the street. Instinctively following your own feet, you made your way up the porch and didn't even hesitate to walk right in. Rick would've given you a key if he could, knocking was unnecessary.

You opened your mouth, ready to call out to him -the rather empty entryway was dead silent. Briefly made you wonder if you were late before you heard it.

The tiniest little giggle, loud and bright, and something in your heart stalled. Even just for an extra second, maybe you could stand here -catch your breath. You were nervous, unbelievably so and it didn't help that she was... that she was theirs.

That's not her fault, you reasoned with yourself -brushing your fingers along the wall, she's not them.

"Hello?" his voice echoed out -more grumbly in the morning, you'd too often just got lost in it this early, "-Anyone there?"

You tried to respond, you really did. But it was like your brain had built a wall there, your head a little off tempo -you briefly wondered if you should sink to the floor, ground yourself. It was only a thought that flew across your mind, stilled against the wall.

There was some shuffling, a tone you recognized as Carl quiet enough that you couldn't hear. An agreement, maybe. And then with a mere few footsteps echoing against your skull, Rick peeked around the door frame.

All harsh lines, and hand hovering over his gun, he softened upon matching your face -a smile slipping onto his lips like you were all he wanted to see. Before he darted down to your hands, fingers tellingly rubbing against the wall -consistent and eyes anywhere but his.

"Hey," he whispered, approaching you with slow steps -only reaching out to touch you when you leaned toward him, "-hey, everythin' okay?"

You inhaled a big breath, "Just... nervous."

"Sweetheart," he hummed, moving his hands up from your arms to cup your cheek -guiding your eyes to meet his, "-we don't 'ave to do this today. Not if you don't think you're ready."

"I know, I know-" you started, biting back some shakiness in your tone, "-I want to, today. I can. I just, I need a minute."

"'Kay," he mumbled, eyes flitting across your face and thumb skimming across your cheekbone, "-need anythin' from me?"

"Just..." you exhaled, blinking away some of your clouded gazes, "-just stay."

Rick frowned slightly, only for a moment -before his fingertips danced back down your arms, pulling you to his chest with the gentlest of touches, "'Course."

Nosing into your hair, he pressed a languid kiss to your forehead -the buzzing warmth pleasant to your brain running so fast. Slow, you repeated in your head, leaning into the touch and wrapping your own arms around his middle, slow. Pressing further into him, like the comfort he gave you could completely surround you -envelope you in safety.

"You're doin' so good," Rick muttered against your hair, voice calm and soft, "-even if ya don't see Judith today. I'm proud of you."

It was almost too much for you then, surrounded by everything so Rick and to hear those words. When you were working so hard, he saw it, he acknowledged it. The words were out before you could even think about it -muffled by his shirt and stuffy from the cloud of tears.

"I love you."

And before you could even feel a shred of worry or doubt, you felt him grin against your skin. With a bright smile, he spoke -as if on instinct, almost giddy, "I love you too, 'course I do."

Your heart fluttered in your chest, as you let out a watery laugh and moved your hands to begin wiping at your face-

"Let me," he hummed, pulling back slightly to pull his hands up to your face -cupping your cheek and rubbing at the tears. Gentle and whispers of comfort in every swipe, he didn't tell you to stop -only wished to soothe you for as long as you would let him.

And once he saw the smile slip across your face, he leaned forward -pressing his lips to the tear trails. Then across your cheeks, and down your nose, along your eyebrows, at the corner of your lips -he kissed every inch of skin he could.

"Rick," you laughed -making no moves to be anywhere else.

He only grinned in response, muttering in disbelief -like he couldn't believe it, "I love you."

You laughed - a bright twinkling sort of sound, "Rick-"

"What?" he spoke, eyes shining in the kinda way that you hadn't gotten used to yet but you recognized -pulled back from your face.

"We can't do this all day-"

He raised his eyebrows, testing you, "I could-"

"Rick," you smiled, only a sniffle from your nose left from the moments before, "-I've got someone to meet, remember?"

"Yeah?" he spoke, looking over you carefully -taking at your word but always sure to know when to step in.

"Yeah," you echoed, something settling in the air then, -clearing your throat, "-but if she hates me, I told you so."

He rolled his eyes, playfully, and took your hand -sliding up to your side and pulling you into the living room. It was a familiar sight, if not just a little more messy. Toys were strewn across the rug, Carl off on the couch -eagerly making some sort of stuffed animal bounce around.

And in the center of it, all was Judith. Her smile was painted so beautifully across her chubby little face, nose scrunching, and brown eyes intent on the stuffed animal. Your heart squeezed somewhere deep in your chest, she looked just like Lori.

She'd hardly been bothered by the presence of you and Rick entering the room until he'd spoken up -gingerly pulling you to the rug, "Hey, Jude, Daddy's got someone for ya to meet."

Her big brown eyes darted to his face, before fluttering over to you -curious and bright. Something in you shifted, as you let go of Rick's hand and crouched forward -eyes intent on the little girl.

"Hi, Judith," you smiled, something catching in your throat for an entirely different reason, and you waved -small but exaggerated for her to see, "-I'm Y/N. It's nice to finally meet you."

Her little eyes darted across your face, seeming to take you in for a moment -you'd give her all the time in the world if she wanted. Until she reached out her hand -tiny fingers out to yours and grabbed you. Pulling down, trying to tell you to stay-

There were tears in your eyes then, but a different kind.

And as you scooted close to her, babbling and showing you each of her toys one by one... you thought it might just all be okay.

[thateldribitch]

To Be Tender

Yandere Floyd/Reader; Yandere Jade/Reader. Briefly mentioned Yandere Azul/Reader.

Word Count: 2114

Kind of part of a series, could be read as standalone though. Here's part one!

CW: Possessive behavior, kidnapping, yandere behavior, the tweels being grabby and creepy (but not sexual.) The ocean. Conditioning and manipulation. We're getting psychological this time bitches.

“Darling….” A warm breath makes your eyes flutter in the false dawn. The magical lights begin to tick past the faint blue of the night cycle to an early morning gray. The faux stars dim. The projected moon clicks off. A groan trickles past your lips… petering off into a whine as his limbs untwine from yours. Cold. You curl into a ball, soaking up the warmth draining from the bed. A hand strokes through your hair, tenderly. Warm lips press to your forehead. “...business trip… evening…. Back before you know it….”

Words drift in and out of your barely thawed consciousness. Too cold to go to sleep; too sleepy to fully wake. A quiet chuckle escapes Azul’s lips, as he swaddles you in a sinfully soft blanket. It’s weighted…. And that too-light feeling fades with a sigh of comfort. Sinking… back into sleep…. Hours later… the bulbs in the walls begin to burnish to a sunshine-gold… your eyes flutter open. 

You scream into your goddamn pillow.

Even the fabric smells like him. The blanket is worse, though. Gods, whenever he leaves like this he swaddles you in soft blankets, weighted and covered in his cologne. The texture feels all too similar to his skin, the plush softness of his caecilian body…. It should disquiet you. It used to. And yet you’ve been Pavlov’d into relaxing beneath the false warmth and weight and scent….. Spitefully, you kick the blanket off of you and curl into a ball.

It’s worse when you remember he only gives you the blankets when he’s not in bed with you. Because why would you need anything but his body to keep you comfortable? You’re just glad he stopped using his body as the bedding. You have something akin to a mattress now. It’s. An upgrade. Sort of…. More nest-like than anything you’re used to, but it’s… comfortable, at least. But it’s still too cold without a blanket. Or Azul. Pinching your lips, you squeeze your eyes shut and try to eke out a few more minutes of very uncomfortable sleep. It’s more irritable half-awareness, though; meditative, almost.

The lights eventually warm to something akin to mid-morning light. It stirs you like clockwork. Gritting your teeth, you sigh and stumble up and out of bed. You clumsily swim into the kitchen with groggy little kicks. There’s a lovingly prepared plate waiting for you. A thick slab of meat perfumes the water with a mouth-watering marinade. It takes you a moment to realize it’s an orca’s flank. With its contrasting skin delicately flayed and its teeth artfully scattered around the plate’s edge, the cut glistens on a bed of sea-greens. 

It’s fresh. And warm. Domestic, with the intimidating hint of showing off—look what I can kill for you. Look at how strong I am, how capable. But not only that, but it’s purposefully seasoned to your tastes. For a moment… you just stare at it. It’s conditioning. You know it’s conditioning. Bile rises into your throat. Hunger falls to a distant memory. Instead, desperation rises. A need. A need to get out, you need to get out before his calculated attempts at Stockholm syndrome really start to work. 

You smack the plate off the counter, breathing heavily. The meat sinks. The greens float and scatter. It’s not enough. It’s not enough. The exit is clear. An open cave, a crack in the trench wall. This is your prison. But why would he need a locked door or bars to keep you where he wants you. The intimidation of the exit is so effective in the first place. The abyss stretches out before you—a yawning, frigid maw beyond the temptingly enchanted light and heat of Azul’s cavern. But your heart beats restlessly. It’s a constant tempo of your need for freedom.

It takes many start-stops; many failed attempts of trying to gain the courage to brave the darkness again. Even more so to move through it. Because the trench just consumes. Life, light, everything. Even though you must not be more than a few feet out—is it only a few feet? It feels like miles. Like a current dragged you down further and you just couldn’t feel it because it’s so damn cold. You’re numb. Okay. Okay, no, calm down. Calm down. There’s not a living thing in these icy depths, nothing beyond what Azul lets into the trench. It’s as if even the most fearsome predators quake at the idea of entering such dangerous, dark waters. It’s. Fine.

Move.

You’ll never get used to swimming through pure ink. It���s directionless. No up, no down—just black. The only sound is the bubble of your breath and the pound of your heart. But the darkness swallows that too. It’s not alive. But it feels like it. A weight, a presence, a monster. Where’s the cavern? Fuck. Fuck, you went out too far, where’s the ledge, you usually use the cavern’s edge to guide yourself up. Fuck…. It’s so cold. Dark, so dark, so cold. Up. Down? Fuck, fuck, fuckfuckfuck—

“My oh my,” a voice sings out in the dark, “Another escape attempt so soon?”

You turn towards it. From the opposite direction, a body crashes into you, sharp teeth sinking pointedly into the back of your neck. It doesn’t hurt. More like. Scruffing a kitten, really. Just with sharper teeth. Instinctively, you fall limp, gasping for breath. Floyd coos as he releases his toothy grip. He rubs his cheek against the back of your neck. He’s warm. Unfortunately warm. Wrapping around you like a living blanket, all velvet skin and soft hair. Floyd can be unfortunately gentle when he wants to be. A content few clicks escape him as he feels you curl into his warmth, nosing closer to him as the chill is burned from your skin. Another shiver—this time, in self-disgust. You hate that this is comforting. You hate that you can breathe easier at the sight of Jade’s golden eye bobbing in the dark. 

“And oh so injured. Dear, you mustn’t push yourself like this…. Not when you’re hurt,” Jade lets out a put-upon sigh. Something’s running over your bandages. Pain blooms. Panic bursts like a firework, brief and bright, until your mind registers that it’s Jade’s fingers skimming over your injured ankle. 

“Fuck you, Jade,” you hiss.

“If you’d like,” he responds with a small smile that barely shows the points of his teeth. They glitter in the glow of his brother’s gaze, like some monstrously illuminated, razor-sharp smirk. You glance away, glaring off into the darkness. He chuckles softly. “Come along. Let’s get you warm.”

He says that like you have a damn choice…. There’s no such thing as personal space with these two. Floyd’s iron grip constricts you to the point that you wheeze out a breath. Jade’s so damn close that you can feel him twining like a protective ribbon around you and his brother. The one benefit you’ll give to this is that it’s warming you up pretty quickly. Though, you do try and flinch away as Jade rubs at your icy fingers. Sure, it gets feeling back into them, but…. 

“Hey. Close your eyes, Toadfishie,” Floyd rubs his cheek against your head, mussing up your hair. You didn’t even realize your eyes were open…. “You’ve been in the dark for a minute. Don’t wanna hurt’cha.”

Begrudgingly, you squeeze them shut… even if it goes against your every instinct. Why would a prey animal want to close their eyes around a predator, after all? A shiver claws its way up your spine as the familiar heat of the cavern spills over you. A relieved breath puffs out of your lips, as you melt against the twins. You can’t… help it. The gentle fussing feels so tender. Fingers skim over your ankles. 

Maybe you’re a little delirious. Maybe you just… need the comfort, need that tense feeling squeezing your heart to just ease. Just a little. But then Floyd licks at the bite mark he left on your neck—and your whole body goes stiff as a board. Struggling, you squirm out of his arms and right into Jade’s. He clucks his tongue, tucking you tightly against him as he cleans the faintly bleeding tooth marks. 

“...Easy now, Pearl,” he murmurs, voice far softer than usual. “...I just don’t want this to get infected.”

“You don’t have to lick me to do that,” you point out, almost bonking your head against his chin. One of his arms cages you against his chest; the other holds your head, gentle but firm. Completely immobilized, all you can do is spit curses and kick your feet a bit. You feel his smirk against your neck. 

“It’s faster,” he chuckles. His thumb swipes gently over your cheek, just barely skimming the corner of your lips. You learned a long while ago not to bite them…. But it is tempting. Not that your useless teeth could have punctured their skin anyway. 

They like pointing things like that out…. Because their ‘courtship’ has a lot less to do with bribery and conditioning, and more with showing off. Look how strong they are, how capable. They like… proving themselves? They catch increasingly deadly meals. Orcas, giant squids, sharks—proving they can provide for their mate and young, they told you once. That they can protect you. It makes you shiver. At least Azul doesn’t admit things like that with a big, toothy grin. The honesty is… almost refreshing. It’s not a song and dance of subtle manipulations and calculated softness. But it’s still—

“Jaaaaaaaaade, Toadfishie spilled their food,” Floyd pouts, poking at the floating pieces of your meal. 

“Have you eaten at all this morning?” Jade murmurs, eyes narrowing. In concern? Frustration? It’s so hard to tell sometimes. Their features are so alien. What you do know is that they all hate it when you don’t eat. Sharply, you inhale as you feel him trying to get you to subtly look him in the eye. You glance at him, glance away. Anywhere but that damn golden eye. “Pearl—” 

“No, I didn’t, okay?” You writhe in his grip, uncomfortably screwing your eyes to the wall. “I-I—” You start, then abort the sentence. They don’t deserve an explanation. Trusting them with your fears, even if they can guess at them, makes your skin crawl. You’re not going to tell them anything more than what they demand to know.

“...What would you like to eat?” Jade murmurs, after a moment. You open your mouth, shut it. They won’t get you surface food. You’ve asked before. They don’t let you have anything that reminds you of the surface…. Except for clothes, but even those are more in the style of merfolk nobles. All clinging clothes that can’t get caught in the current; fancy embellishments over scales or skin. 

“Mmmm,” Floyd’s displeased hum, bordering on a growl, is your only warning before he snatches you out of Jade’s arms. It knocks the wind out of you. Even more so as he starts swimming back to the entrance of the cavern. “Let’s go to the surface.”

His offer startles you, as you jerk your head to him in shock. It must surprise Jade too, because he immediately swims in front of his impulsive twin. “Floyd—”

“Jade, c’mon, they’re not eating. And they had a back-to-back escape attempt! Toadfishie needs to stretch a bit, they’re too cooped up. Bored!” He flails one arm out, the motion moving the water in a slight stream of bubbles. “Lookit their Toadfishie pout!” He squeezes your cheeks, then pushes his face against yours to ‘pout’ with you. 

“...We can’t just take them to the surface without telling Azul.”

“Then let’s get them surface food and bring it back—”

“I really do not think—” 

“He’s gonna be more mad if we can’t get ‘em to eat!”

“Mad is a strong word.”

“It’s fuckin’ accurate though!”

“He would be disappointed.”

“Disappointedly mad.”

“At us, perhaps.”

“...Yeahhhh, I can’t see him gettin’ mad at Toadfishie.”

“I still don’t think—”

“...Please?” Timidly, you glance up at them, then down. The two fall silent. Their golden eyes fall like heavy weights upon your quivering lips. Your tears are nigh invisible in the water, but one of them thumbs at your cheek regardless. The tiniest sniff escapes you, but it falls to small sobs. “I won’t try to run, I-I just— please.”

“...Alright, Pearl,” Jade softens. His forehead bumps against yours, hairlines brushing tenderly. A small hum rises in his chest, vibrates through your body. Almost soothes you. 

“Just please don’t cry, ’fishie,” Floyd murmurs, almost frantically nuzzling at your neck. 

…

…

…

It’s nothing but a hollow comfort.

Okay because I know some of y'all might question the nickname, Floyd calls you Toadfishie because: Reader is “slow” (compared to them anyway); likes to bite; and the sour look they give him reminds him of toadfish. Sounds unflattering but he thinks it’s cute lol.

Thanks for the kind tags and comments guys :D It really encouraged me to write this next piece!

[justmeinadaze]

The King, The Bat, and The Runaway Part 3 (Steddie X You)

A/N: Not sure why this took me a billion years to complete but alas lol what's odd is I like writing for this three this way...maybe all the angst lol but it kills me to! I've said it before I hate (love) reading stories where couples have spent time apart for one reason another but pinning...ugh. Maybe it's cause I've experienced it with an ex and that hurt sucks lol

I do want to write like an alternate time line where she does go looking for them after like 5 years or something. Or even one where they do get on a plane and follow her to Europe to find her. Or both. Hey... I'm flexible lol

Warnings: Steddie relationship and all that implies (I regret nothing!), Smut for sure with angst and feels, they do have a conversation where they show off their scars to each other and talk about what happened within those 10 years, mentions of domestic abuse and shitty relationships (its brief), flashbacks involving Eddie first being in Hawkins so there are mentions of the bruises from his dad :(, um...I think that's it.

Word Count: 4559

You stare into the void of your closet, tuning out your boyfriend as he shouts at you from the bedroom. 

“I don’t understand why you insist on avoiding this question every damn time! I get they are based on people you knew in high school but the way you write them… it feels like you were in love with them!”

Sighing you hang up your dress from that evening and come out in your pajamas. 

“Let it go, Noah. It doesn’t matter. They are kids I used to know. End of story.”

“See, Y/N, it’s not ‘end of story’ because you’re still writing said story!”, he points at the manuscript on your desk. “Why won’t you tell me more?”

“Ugh. I’m done having this argument. I’m going to bed. You can either join me or go home.”

Noah exhales as he places his hands on his hips before sitting on the edge of you bed. “Y/N, baby. I love you so much. I just… You keep this locked up so tight. Should I be worried?”

You softly smile as you sit beside him and kiss his cheek. “Honey, you are the only man in the world for me.”

He smiles as he places a peck on your lips. “I better be. Okay, let me take a shower and then I’ll go to bed with you. Hey, you probably already know this but your favorite band released a new single today. You should listen to it. Tell me if it’s amazing.”

After he shuts the bathroom door, you immediately grab your headphones and search for Corroded Coffins new song. You leaned against your pillow, closing your eyes as Eddie’s voice filled your ears.

#################

You smiled tenderly in their direction, neither one of them making any real move towards you. After making a decision, you take one of Steve’s hands, bringing him to the bed and placing him next to Eddie. Your skirt falls to the floor as you kick it to the side before slowly unbuttoning your blouse and tossing it away as well. 

“I’m, uh, I know I don’t exactly look the same but—”

“Don’t.”, Eddie cuts you off. “Don’t even finish that sentence. You’re still fucking gorgeous.”

“What happened here?” Steve’s fingers gently traced along a scar on your outer thigh. 

“I’m an idiot.”, you laugh. “I went hiking on this remote island off the coast and tripped. They warned us about slick slopes but I’m me so… cut a big gash that bled everywhere.”

“What about this one?” Eddie points to a small but noticeable scratch on your arm. 

“My literary agent and I were coming back from an event and someone hit our car. We were fine but some glass from the window cut me. Here to.” You lift his fingers to graze the much tinier scar on your shoulder. Steve’s eyes linger on a circular scar near your ribs. “Oh, you don’t want to hear about that one.”

“Hey. Yeah, I do.”, he gently tugs on you so your more in front of him. “It looks deep.”

“When I got home from traveling, I met this guy…We weren’t together very long but—”

“He hurt you.” Steve’s voice filled with anger.

You hung your head. “He didn’t mean to. We got into a fight and he meant to throw something behind me but hit me instead. After that, I uh, did what I do best….I ran.” When you finally found the courage to look at them again, they both seemed extremely upset. “See, I told you didn’t want to hear about this.”

“No, hey, no.” Eddie pulled you so you were back in front of him. “We do. We just… hate that you experienced that…especially alone.”

“Because we would have beat his ass.”

“That’s for damn sure.” You grin as they both laugh.

The metalhead brushes your hair away from your face before leaning back to lift off his shirt. Your grin stretches further along your face as the pads of your fingers trace all the new tattoos, hovering over the heart you noticed when you saw him play. 

“I got that one after we signed with our first label. If I had known you were going to refer to me as a vampire, I would have gotten some like Dracula teeth or something.”, he chuckled. 

“What did you say when he got it?”, you asked Steve.

“Pfft. I didn’t even know he got it until over a year later. Mr. Sex Appeal here took off his shirt at the first concert I was finally able to make and I won’t lie, it surprised me. I don’t hate it though. Better than this other bullshit.”

“Wow. Rude.”, Eddie teases. He turns his attention back to you and twists his body so you can see the scar on his back. “We were playing at one of those festivals and I was fucking wasted. I jumped into the crowd and those kids fucking dropped me; landed on some glass on the floor. I kept playing though.”

He lifts his hips as he pushed his pants and boxers to the floor. Steve grabs your hand, tugging you out of Eddie’s way and onto his lap. You leaned your head against his as you wrapped your arms around his neck. 

You absorbed all the never-before-seen tattoos on his thighs and calves as he points to a scar on his right leg. “About 5 years ago I was dating this girl who was just off the walls. We got into a bad argument in our hotel and she went full Sid and Nancy literally throwing a fucking knife at me! Jeff drove me to the hospital and I needed like ten stitches.”

“How come I didn’t hear about this?”, Steve asked.

“Probably because our manager kept it out of the papers AND paid her off as long as she agreed to stay away from me.”

“And you didn’t tell me because…?”

“Sir, you’re a lawyer. I aint tellin’ you shit.” You giggled as Eddie laughed. “No, man. I was just a little embarrassed. Everyone warned me about her but… Plus you were doing so well with what’s her name at the time.”

“Ah, yes. What’s her name.” Steve grins sarcastically as he unbuttons his shirt and points to the long scar leading from the top of his belly button to just below his chest. “Yeah, things were going so well, I needed surgery to remove the ulcers she gave me.”

“Steve, oh my god.” You pushed him back as he balanced on his arms so you could get a better look. 

“You told me you were getting your appendix removed, you asshole!”

“I told you that because you were on tour and I didn’t want you to cut that short to come stay with me in the hospital because I know you would have. It’s fine. The doctor said it was a routine type thing.”

“Did your mom or dad come?” You feel yourself start to panic slightly. 

“Of course not. You know my family.” He chuckles but stops when he sees that look in your eyes. “Hey seriously. It wasn’t a big thing.”

“You were all alone in a hospital having surgery. I…I would have been there. I didn’t know. I…”

“Y/N, honey, it’s okay. I know you would have.”, he kisses your cheek. “That’s why I didn’t tell your parents either.” Steve sighs as he turns to Eddie. “I told Michelle—”

“I’m still calling her what’s her name.”

“AND she said I was being overdramatic. When I came back home, she was gone, thank God. That relationship was the worst. She was basically a 5’4 version of my father. I didn’t realize it till after I got sick.”

He taps your back with his fingers and you take the hint, sliding over to sit on Eddie’s lap as he slides off his slacks and underwear. “Do I have any on my legs?”, he mumbles as he looks. “Oh! That case you guys mentioned last night? I didn’t just add money to the settlement but a couple of weekends I went over there to help them with some other things if they needed it. One family had a roof that was leaking and damaging their ceiling. Me and some of the other people were able to help fix it for a cheap price but my dumbass slipped off the ladder. Thankfully, I just cut my knee.” Steve gestures towards the line along his knee. 

“So, nothing has changed in ten years. We’re all still clumsy and we all pick terrible fucking partners.” You and Steve laugh but Eddie just sits there smiling up at you. 

“I think I made a good choice in choosing you that night.” His arms wrap tighter around your waist as he leans his head onto your chest. “Shit, every time I chose you, good things always followed.” Your fingers tangled in his hair as his lips travelled up your skin to your neck. “I missed you so fucking much, Y/N.” His palm gently rested against your cheek as he guided your lips to his. 

###################

“Class! Settle!”, the teacher claps her hands, trying to be heard. “Now I want you all to welcome our new student here. This is Edward Munson.”

“Freak.” Jason Carver pretends to hide his remark behind a cough as you roll your eyes. The teacher scowls at him as she lightly pushes the new boy towards an empty seat. 

He definitely was different than a lot of the people around here; at least visually. The only contact he made with anyone was glaring at Carver as he passed him to his desk. His hair was buzzed to the point that he was almost bald. The black shirt he wore hung off his frame, seemingly two sizes too big but when he leaned over to put his backpack on the floor his sleeve rose and you noticed the bruises on his arm that looked like fingerprints. 

Your heart broke from him as you connected those bruises to the black eye that was prominent on his face. This boy had been through something awful. 

When lunch came around, you found him sitting alone at a table near the window, his arms folded across his chest defensively. 

“Hi. I’m, uh, Y/N. Is it ok if I join you?” Eddie sighed through his nose as his jaw tightened. You slowly descended into the chair in front of him. “I see you didn’t get any food. You can share some of mine if you want. I never finish it anyway.”

You found yourself getting self-conscious as he continued to glare out the window. “So…how do you like it here—”

“Can’t you people just leave me alone?!” His sharp tone made you jump. 

“Well, excuse the fuck out of me.” You get up and move a couple chairs down, away from him. Out of the corner of his eye, he watches you pull a book out of your bag as you pick at your tray. 

The table shuffles as he stands up and you keep your eyes on the pages in front of you as you hear the screeching of the chair being pulled back across from you. 

“Have…have you read that book before?”, he asks. You glance over at him before placing your novel down on the table. 

“Invasion of the Body Snatchers? No but in class they showed us the black and white movie. It was so cool so I begged my mom to buy me the book.” Eddie’s eyes meet yours for a brief moment before he glares down at the floor. “Have you read it?”

Eddie slowly nods his head. “Have you seen the 70s movie they made? It’s actually pretty scary.”

“There’s another movie!? I didn’t know that. You should come over to my house sometime and we can watch it.” His eyes widen in amusement at your excitement making you panic slightly. “I mean you don’t have to, of course. I just…I think you seem cool and I think it would be fun to hang out with you.”

“You think I seem cool?”

“Yeah, and don’t let people like Jason “douchebag” Carver get you down. Don’t let him make you think otherwise, okay?” For the first time since you saw him, a smile gradually paints his lips and you return it with one of your own. “Do you want some of my pretzels, Edward?”

He leans forward taking the snack that you offer him. “Eddie. I prefer Eddie.”

###############

You revel in the taste of him as his tongue invades your mouth and you gently guide him back against the mattress. His hands abruptly grip your hips when he feels you begin to grind against him. 

“Wait. Wait, wait. Shit. I just… I’ve been wanting to taste you again so fucking bad.”

You smirk as you playful squint at him. “Are you not devouring me right now?”

“Not yet.” Eddie winks before lifting you, spinning you around so your hands and knees were on the bed, your ass displayed before him.

As you searched for the other man, Eddie’s tongue licked a long stripe through your sex causing you to close your eyes as you moaned. A strong hand reached for your face, pulling you to a set of lips that tasted like a mixture of mint and whiskey from the previous night. 

Steve.

You reached for his neck pulling him closer to you as Eddie’s tongue moved in and out of your entrance, whining when you feel him abruptly move away. 

“Shit, Harrington. I’m being selfish. You didn’t get to taste her pussy last time, did you?”

“Not directly. You coated my fingers so I literally only got a taste.”, he chuckles. 

The bed jostles as they switch places and you cry out when you feel a tongue enter your body again. Steve’s technique was much different than Eddie’s. While the metalhead seemed to play with his food, the other man knew exactly what he wanted, hitting every sensitive spot with an aggressive passion that had you seeing stars. 

“F-fuck, Steve. Just like…don’t stop. Ed-Eddie?”

“I’m right here, sweetheart.” He came around towards your end of the bed, stumbling forward as you reached for his cock and wrapped your lips around him. “Jesus! Whoa. Slow down, baby. Mmm-- it’s ok.” Eddie’s hands lifted your hair into a ponytail so he could watch you take him. 

You pulled back, pumping him as your eyes looked up into his. “Don’t—mmm—Don’t want slow. 10 years was—fuck—slow enough.”

He smirked at you. “Did you hear that, Stevie?” The boy didn’t verbally responded but you felt his head shake against you as his lips wrapped around your clit. 

“Show me…show me the men you are now…please. Please, please. Fuck!”

Your body trembled as the coil snapped and you came, your upper half falling flat against the mattress. 

##################

“Y/N Y/L/N.”

“Steven Harrington.”

You didn’t even glance his way as you continued putting books in your locker. You were supposed to meet Eddie near the front of the school so you two could bike over to the movie theater to see District 9 and you didn’t want to keep your best friend waiting especially for King Steve. 

“I was thinking you and I could go out sometime. Maybe go see a movie or something.”

“Wow. I’m not sure why you would think that. Now fuck off and leave me alone.”

As you shut your locker and start to leave, he loops around you, blocking your path.

“Shit. Look I’m sorry. Believe it or not I’m not very good at this. I just…always see you at lunch with the other kid that makes you laugh and hearing it… I think you’re really beautiful and sweet so I thought I’d shoot my shot, you know?”

As you listened to him speak, you took note of his demeanor and words. What stood out to you most was that he didn’t refer to Eddie as a freak like the other kids did. He seemed so jittery as he bounced on the balls of his feet and as he said that last sentence his eyes shifted nervously to the floor. 

“I’ll, um, leave you alone now. I’m sorry if I bothered you.”

“Steve?”, you called as he started heading down the hall. “Eddie and I were going to go see a movie tonight. Would you want to tag along?”

“Oh. Um…is it ok with him? I don’t want to impose.”

“Naw, he’ll be fine. He may seem scary on the outside but he’s a sweet person. Plus, for some reason, he trusts my judgement. If I trust you than he will to.”

Steve flashes you a big toothy grin. “Ok. Sounds like fun.”

“And just so we are clear, Harrington! This is not a date. I don’t like you like that, okay?”

################

Steve’s hands roughly grabbed your hips, lifting your ass higher in the air as he guided his cock into your entrance. You both moaned at the feeling before he gradually pulled back until it was just his tip, watching between your bodies as he pushed himself back in. As your eyes rolled back, you clawed at the sheets underneath you, relishing in the feeling of him again. 

He bent over you, placing his chest against your back as his hand came around to grip your jaw. 

Opening your eyes, you were met with Eddie’s face as he kneeled in front of you. 

“Does he feel good?” You nod your head as he moves some hair away from your face. “Tell him, Y/N. I think he’s earned it.”

Steve’s lips kissed your shoulder before he aggressively delivered slow, hard thrusts that pushed him so deep he punched the air from your lungs. 

“Steve! Fuck… feels… amazing.”

He pushed up on to his knees pounding into you as you whimpered, your upper half collapsing flat on the bed, allowing him to take what was his. What was always his and Eddie’s. No matter how many men you had dated or been with, hell even before graduation night, your heart belonged to them.

“Steve, I…fuck… I love you. I love you both.”

His movements stalled as he and the metalhead exchanged a look. The man leaned over you again, his breath warming your ear.

“Do you mean that?”

“Yes. I love you so much. I missed you.”

He slowly began pumping into you once more, his hand sliding under your body and reaching to circle your clit. 

“I love you to, honey. Cum for me, Y/N, please. I’ve waited so long to feel you again.”

With your body pushing back against his, the coil snapped and you mewled into the mattress below you. 

“That’s it, baby. Fuck. Can…can we cum inside you?”

Your arm reached behind you to bring your lips to his. “Please, Steve. I need you to.”

His strong hand held the back of your neck, pressing you into the bed as he chased his high. The sounds of his grunts echoes through the room before his hips sputtered and you felt his spend warm your insides.

#################

“Yes! We are finally free! Ha ha!”, Eddie tosses his graduation cap in the air and away from you three.

“Really, Ed?” Wayne shakes his head as he smiles.

“Oh, I’m so proud of you guys!” Your mom excitedly hugs the three of you. “Steve, sweetie, where’re your parents?”

“Uh, Sweden, I think.”

You wrap your arms around him as he does the same. 

“So…what’s the plan for the night?” Your dad quickly tries to change the subject which the boy appreciates. 

“Well, Mr. Y/L/N, we are going back to my trailer—”

“MY trailer.”, Eddie’s uncle interrupts. 

“And we’re going to sit on the floor, reading the bible and going over college applications.”

You and Steve laugh at the metalhead as your mom rolls her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Just stay safe and don’t do anything stupid. Now get together I want to take a picture.”

Wayne obnoxiously forces his nephew’s graduation cap back on his head before stepping out of frame as Eddie wraps one arm around your back as you do the same. As he holds up the rock and roll symbol with his fingers, you and Steve can’t help but laugh as the camera flashes.

###########

Steve collapses on top of you as you both try to catch your breath. Your hand reaches behind you, your fingers running through his sweaty hair as you gently place your lips on his. He rolls off you and as you turn on to your back, you are met with Eddie’s soft but passion filled kisses. 

“You ok, sweetheart? Do you need anything?”, he whispers.

Grinning, you climb onto your knees and wrap your arms around his neck. “I need you.”

He smiles as he kisses you again, his own fingers running through your messy hair.

“Do you want me to show you how rockstars do it?” Eddie playfully sticks out his tongue when you giggle and nod. “Keep your arms around me, ok?”

“Always.”

His smile grew as he hooked his own tattooed arms under both your knees and lifted you into the air. After adjusting you slightly, he moved his hips, thrusting his cock inside of you. Your jaw went slack as your eyes squeezed shut in pleasure, never feeling anyone this deep inside of you or at this angle. The muscles in his shoulders and chest tensed as he pumped into you.

“Oh…oh my god, Eddie. Please.”

His eyes scanned your face before your forehead fell against his. “Fuck, Y/N. I missed you so much. Mmm-I love you to, baby. I…I never stopped.”

You gripped your arms around him tighter as you lifted your hips to meet his, your pussy fluttering around him as you watch his eyes roll back and close.

Eddie swivels his body around falling flat with you onto the bed, unhooking your limbs from his neck and lifting your leg over his shoulder, holding it for leverage as he pounded into you. 

You whimpered as his thumb abruptly came down to play with your clit.

“Please…please, please, please, Eddie!”, you begged; your body trembling as you came. 

The metalhead hovered over you, his hair lightly brushing against the sides of your face as his beautiful eyes penetrated yours. Your palms reached up to cup his face as his pace quickened nearing his own release.

“Cum for me, baby. Please. I need you to cum inside of me just like Steve did.”

Just as he had on graduation night, his head fell into the nook between your neck and shoulder, his hips faltering before you felt him thrusting his seed deep into your pussy.

You try and cover the hiss that leaves your lips as Eddie pulls out knowing how he’ll react. 

“Fuck, princess. I’m sorry. I didn’t hurt you did I.” He smiles as he watches you laugh. “What?”

“Steve’s right. You’re a big rockstar yet you’re still exactly the same. No, Ed, I’m fine. I’m just sore.”

Steve comes around to the side with a rag in his hand and gently cleans between your legs. “Do you need anything? I’m sure Hugh Heffner here has a pretty awesome shower.”

Eddie narrows his eyes at his friend. “I do actually but I also imagine Elle Woods over there also has an expensive shower so he needs to calm down.”

#################

“Steve. Steve. Jesus fucking Christ, STEVEN!”

Steve rolled over onto his back slowly, trying carefully not to move you too much. “What, Munson? Lower you voice.”

“Y/N’s not here.”

“What? What the fuck are you talking about?” He fully opens his eyes as he reaches for you but to his dismay his friend was right. “Where is she?”

“I don’t know. She’s not in the trailer or outside anywhere but all her stuff is gone.”

The man immediately bounced up from the bed and started reaching for his clothes. “Maybe…maybe she went to go food or something.”

“Without telling us? Or hell even inviting us. That’s not like her.”

“Yeah but neither was last night…”

Eddie grabbed one of his shirts from the floor as he waited for Steve to get dressed. “Did we fuck up?” The other man was silent as he tied his shoes. “Do you regret it?”

He rose to his feet and collected his keys. “No. I mean… she’s our girl, right? I’ve never…cared about anyone the way I do her. She makes me feel—”

“Wanted.”, Eddie finished. “Yeah… I know how you feel. I don’t regret it either.”

Steve pats his back comfortingly. “Come on, dude. Let’s go find her.”

#############

Steve woke up to the sound of thunder crashing against the house.  His head leaned back against the pillow as he listened to the sound of Eddie snoring next to him. A familiar sense of panic washed through him when he reached over and realized you weren’t in the bed with them. 

He hastily tossed back his covers, grabbing his boxers as he flew down the hallway. His hand gripped his chest when he found you in one of Eddie’s band t-shirts, leaning against the backdoor as you watched the rain. 

You smiled when you saw him standing there offering him the cup of coffee in your hand. 

“You phone buzzed a few times. It may be your law firm but they can’t seem to get along without you.”, you giggle until you notice that panicked look in his eyes. “Steve? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m, uh, I just woke up and—”

“And I wasn’t there. Fuck, baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t think. It started to rain and rockstar has a nice view.”

“You know, you two keep making fun of me and my house but I didn’t hear any complaints.” Eddie saunters into the room, coming up behind you as he wraps his arm around you and rests his chin on your head. 

“Your phone kept going off too, Eds. To be fair, we did sleep all day but damn.”

“No one’s bugging you?”

“No one I care about more than you two right now.” You grin as Steve leans down to kiss your lips before Eddie gently pulls your hair to do the same. “I, um, I don’t actually have a permanent address I’m attached to. Before a book launch, they have me on the road. I was thinking, maybe, I could get an apartment or something near your firm.”

“Why don’t you move in with me? You and Eddie…if you guys want to. I mean I’m sure Munson has like 50 mansions but—”

“I’m not Mick fucking Jagger.”, he laughs. “I have this house and a relatively large house near the beach in California with the guys. All I have to do is pack a bag and my guitar.”

They both look at you with earnest, waiting for your answer.

“Let’s do it.”, you smile. “Geez, when word gets out, I guess people are going to finally figure out who The King and The Vampire are based on. Maybe now they’ll stop asking me who The Runaway is in love with.”

“Who IS she in love with?”, Steve grins snarkily in your direction.

You meet his sarcastic smile with one of your own.

“Both.”

[readychilledwine]

Azriel Appreciation Week Day 4 - Domestic Life - Daycation

Summary - Having a day off together was rare, and Azriel knew he had to make the most of it by taking Lyria to his favorite place. His mother's.

Warnings - none

A/n- happy day four of @azrielappreciationweek Noone can convince me Azriel isn't the biggest mommy's boy, and having her approval of his mate would mean the world to him.

Ps if you haven't met Lyria yet and want to read some smut, you can find her in the following fics, both have 2 parts 💙

Slow Hands - Fours Company

Lyria arched her back, stretching her arms and legs as the soft morning sun painted her room a golden hue.

Then, she rolled over, pulling the blanket back over her red curls and snuggled deeper into her pillow.

She had scheduled herself a weekend off. A full 48 hours to rest her hands, her mind, her Magic. 48 hours to lay in the plush oversized bed she had purchased since her relationship with Azriel began all by herself. She released enough Magic to kiss her sheets and blanket in warmth, cocooning her in this unmatched feeling of comfort and sighed in happiness.

But that all went to shit quickly as she heard her door open and a body threw itself on her.

"Good morning, mate." Azriel pulled her blanket down, forcing her to look at him and smiled at her soft glare. "Rhys gave me today off."

Lyria popped up, her whole mood having shifted with that simple sentence. "Really?" Her wide eyes were silver lined with joy. "A whole day we can spend together?"

He nodded, stroking her messy hair. "There's somewhere I want to take you. It's important to me. But I figured we'd start with breakfast."

Azriel held her hand as they walked up to a small home on the edge of Velaris and the Sindra. The chimney was slowly billowing out smoke and the soft scent hearth welcoming them. They had stopped at the market, grabbing a bouquet of flowers, some baked goods, and a few other random things.

Azriel didn't knock when they got there, quickly dropping her hand with a boyish grin and kicking his boots off as fast as he could. "Ah, you're finally here!" A soft feminine voice made Lyria pause as she was removing her own flats. "And you brought her!"

She caved looking over her shoulder and instantly stood straight. Azriel was approaching a beautiful illyrian female, her soft hazel eyes adorned with laughter lines, her long dark hair had begun to grey slightly. Lyria easily placed the age based off her own father's looks and knew immediately.

Her mate had brought her to his mother's house.

Azriel held her for a little while before handing her the flowers Lyria had picked. A mix bouquet of wild and beautiful things. "Hi momma."

"Hi baby," she touched Azriel's face gently. "Introduce me to your mate. You're being very rude, Azriel."

Lyria and Florence sat on the couch together, snuggled under a blanket while Azriel finished cooking dinner. She had spent the day gossiping with his mother over snacks and drinks while she put her son to work around the house causing him to throw playful glares their way every so often.

They were currently discussing Lyria's job, something the female had been very interested in when Azriel finally spoke. "She might be willing to work you into her schedule mom. I'll pay."

Lyria looked at him, a single brow raised. "Why would I require payment?"

"For your time," Azriel answered slowly.

"She's your mother?" Lyria turned back to Florence. "I have tomorrow off! We should go shopping and then I can give you a massage! You will love it." Adoration flooded the bond from Azriel, tickling her heart and making her cheeks flush slightly.

Florence looked to Az, "Someone does owe me a shopping trip. And you two are staying the night."

Azriel had looked up, pausing mid stir. "My checkbook hurts already. Foods done. I made your favorite, momma."

Azriel pulled Lyria closer to him in the bed, kissing her nose and forehead before forcing it into his shoulder and neck. She had fallen asleep hours ago, her cheeks flushed from the wine her and his mother had been drinking while the 3 of them played games.

He had to carry both her and his mother to bed, the two females both giggling at their turn and telling him how much they loved each other, and in turn him. Azriel smiled into his mate's wild hair, already a mess of flames and curls, and shut his eyes with a soft sigh, enjoying the way Lyria unknowingly heated their bed to the perfect temperature.

He had finally brought a female his momma approved of home to her, now all he had to do was survive a day shopping with both of them.

[reigningqueenofwords]

Move In?

Pairing: Bruce x Reader Word count: 2,045

Read on AO3

Part 3 of Without Me

Pulling your hair up, you made your way back towards where Bruce still slept in his bed. It had been two months since the night at Hole in the Wall already. Your life had changed dramatically since you began seeing Bruce, and you couldn’t be happier. Crawling up the bed, you smiled at how peaceful he looked. Carefully, you barely touched his cheek, silently giggling when he scrunched his nose. You got back under the covers and started trailing your fingers up and down his back.

He let out a soft noise instantly, but took a few minutes to wake up. “Mm.” He nuzzled into you. “So comfy.” He mumbled.

“Calling me squishy?” You gently scratched his back with a grin.

“Nope.” He let out a small yawn. “What time is it?” He hugged you to him as he rolled on his back.

“Almost nine.” You kissed his nose. “Got the coffee started…” You smiled. “I was thinking I’d make us breakfast, too.”

“Hmm. You’re amazing.” He kissed your jaw, fully awake now. “I gotta say, that’s the best I’ve slept in ages.” He admitted.

“I wonder why.” You grinned. Reaching up, you ran your fingers through his hair.

He chuckled. “Might have something to do with this hot chick that spent the night.” He flirted with you.

You blushed. “Sweet talker.” You grinned. Your head was on his chest, and you enjoyed listening to his heart beat. “It’s almost the end of the school year.” You said softly.

“Which is a fucking relief.” He chuckled. “Though finals are going to kill me. Literally.” He shook his head.

“You do realize I usually head home for part of the summer, right?” You said softly.

He blinked and looked at you. “You do, don’t you?” He frowned. “This year, too?”

You shrugged a shoulder. “I’d like to see my family, but I might shorten my trip. Or...you could come, too?”

He tilted his head into the pillow. “You’d let me meet your family?” He asked, surprised.

You nodded. “Only if you wanted to…” You traces a pattern on his jaw. “I won’t force you.” Did he ever meet the parents of his girlfriends?

He thought about it for a moment. “I usually just kick it here. So I’d love to spend more time with you.” He felt you smile against your chest. “Your dad won’t try to kill me, right?” He asked playfully.

You hummed. “He might. Then ask you about the latest type of car you have. It’ll keep him entertained for days.” You giggled. “My younger brother will be your shadow.”

He grinned, tracing patterns on your back. “Whatever makes my woman happy.” You blushed like crazy and buried your face in his chest. He kissed your head with a chuckle. “Do we need to fly there?”

“You’d love that. Some private jet.” You teased. “I usually drive, it’s about 8 hours.”

“I love to show off.” He admitted with ease. “But 8 hours alone sound great.” He squeezed your waist. “Maybe make it longer by making stops along the way?” He suggested.

“Road trip?” You brightened.

“Road trip.” He agreed happily, surprising even himself.

You grinned and kissed him happily. You were very excited for him to meet your family. It meant a ton to you, but you had a good feeling about Bruce. Even Kyle seemed to be rooting for the pair of you.

Bruce squeezed you. “How about I help with that breakfast?” He offered, feeling very domestic with you.

“You can look pretty and watch.” You giggled. “Mr. I-burn-toast.” You teased. “I'd hate to see what you do to pancakes.”

“It was once.” He nipped your shoulder with a chuckle. Hearing you laugh, he moved to tickle you.

You gasped before letting out a series of laughs, slapping his hands. “Bruce!!” You wiggled. “I’ll kick you!” You warmed through your squeals.

“Worth it!” He grinned above you, dodging your arms. He pinned your arms and attacked you with kisses. “You’re so fucking cute.” He said between kisses. “And I can't believe you're mine sometimes.”

You smiled lazily and looked at him. “I can’t believe you’re mine either. My sweet, boyfriend.”

Bruce kissed you softly. His mind swam with emotions as he poured what he felt for you, something that never had come so easy. You easily returned them.

The ending of the semester came quickly, but for a couple weeks you and Bruce had barely seen each other since you were swamped with last minute projects. It was starting to get to you. You weren’t clingy, but you missed crashing at his place. You texted all the time, or as much as you both could anyway, but it wasn’t the same as hugging or seeing him.

Finally, you were getting home from your last final to see his car parked in your driveway. You silently cheered and rushed to get inside. “Bruce!” You nearly tackled him.

He lifted you with ease into a hug. “Hey, baby.” He grinned, kissing your cheek. “I’ve missed you!”

“I’ve missed you more.” You hugged him tight. “Are you all finished?!” You asked excitedly. “I am!”

He pecked your lips. “All done. I wanted to come celebrate with you.” He grinned. “Pack a bag, I’m taking you away for a weekend.” He said excitedly.

“I have work.” You pouted.

“Ditch. Call in. Quit.” He shrugged as if it was nothing.

You blinked. “And I’d be unable to pay my bills.” You reminded him. “My phone would get cut off, I’d lose my room here, car insurance would go bye-bye…”

He whined. “But I could provide all that for you.”

That took you by surprise. “Is the Bruce Wayne wanting to get serious by moving in together?”

He blushed, a rarity for him. “I’m crazy about you…” He nodded. “So, move in with me? Quit your job and let me take care of you?”

You stared at him. “That’s a huge step.” You ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not saying no, either. Just wanna make sure this is really what you want.” You’d never heard of him living with a girlfriend before.

He smiled. “I’ve never been more sure. These past couple weeks have only assured my decision.” He told you honestly. “Hell, we can go apartment hunting, too.”

You couldn’t help but smile. “I’m so into you. I can’t believe I’m about to agree to this.” You teased. “Let’s do it.”

He fist pumped the air and twirled you. “So weekend away it is?” He looked like a kid at Christmas.

“I’m officially all yours.” You grinned. “How's that sound?”

“The best thing I’ve ever heard.” He let you go. “Go pack.” He grinned. “I'll make reservations.”

You made a happy noise and rushed off happily. Life was really looking up. You weren’t one to move in so quickly with a boyfriend, but you didn’t bother talking yourself out of it. It just felt right.

Bruce leaned against your counter, making some calls and emails to set up the perfect weekend. He couldn't wait to have you to himself for a few days. The past couple of weeks dragged without you. It felt like part of him was missing. He smiled now that he could have you uninterrupted from school work. Even just lounging around would be welcome.

When you came out with a couple of bags, he beamed. “Ready?” He asked, moving to take them.

“More than. I don’t even know what I packed.” You giggled. “I just was excited to spend time with you.”

“You’re perfect.” He kissed your shoulder and followed you out. “How would you feel about meeting my parents?”

You looked up at him. “Your parents? You’d want me to?” You asked shyly, your cheeks tinted pink.

“I’d be so proud to show you off to them.” He said earnestly. “Dinner this weekend?”

“But...I’m not rich.” You weren’t like anything like the girls in his past. You were terrified they wouldn't like you.

“And?” He put your bags in the trunk. “Why does that matter?”

“Well, I mean...I don’t know. Won’t they not approve of my...class?” You didn’t know how to put it. You were a poor college student like many of your classmates. “I'm just scared they won't like me.”

“They’ll love you.” He told you. “They know you’ve been keeping me on my toes.” He smiled. “My mom loves that you call me a brat!” He laughed.

“You are! My brat now though.” You brightened a little. “No fancy dinners, though?”

“Hmm. That’ll be hard. Unlike me, they have zero knowledge of Hole in the Wall like places.” He rolled his eyes but chuckled.

You giggled. “Should we introduce them to something like bowling?” You asked playfully.

He snorted and laughed. “I’d pay to see that.” He told you as you both got into the car. “I can’t see my parents bowling .” He shook his head. “They’d buy new bowling balls and shoes and probably make their own bowling place.” He cracked up at the idea.

You smirked slightly. “It’s a suggestion!” You giggled. “There’s also roller skating.” You laughed.

He lost it, laughing so hard he went silent as he rested his forehead on the steering wheel. You grinned at the sight. “That’s great.” He squeaked. “So great.”

“You’re freaking adorable right now.” You shook your head. You’d never seen him like this.

“You’re adorable with your suggestions.” He wiped his eyes before leaning over to kiss your cheek. “I love them. And you.”

You blushed and grinned widely. “I love you, too, Bruce.” You tapped his nose. It had been the first time the pair of you had said it. It had warmed up your entire chest and stomach and you giggled as he nuzzled in your neck. His arms wrapped around you tightly.

He let out a breath. “I was going to tell you this weekend, but I couldn’t help myself.” He kissed your neck gently. “You’re just so amazing.” He smiled against your skin.

“So are you!” You squeezed him. “My life has changed with you in it.” You said happily.

“Same here. You’ve made me a better man.” He said easily. “I’m not looking forward to cheap thrills and shit.”

“Glad to hear it.” You ran a hand through his hair. “Now, let’s get away for the weekend, my love.”

“With hopefully a lot of pleasure.” He winked and sat up. Seeing you blush never got old.

“Holding you to that.” You mumbled shyly.

When the pair of you pulled up to a hotel, you blinked. “I'll never get used to this.”

He grinned. “I love seeing your surprise.” He said as the valet came out. He took your hand as you both got out while people gathered your bags. You were so bashful about being treated like this. It was something he really enjoyed. You weren’t in it for the glam. You were with him because you enjoyed his company- no matter what the pair of you were doing. “I wanted to really treat you this weekend.” He added. “Show you how much you mean to me.”

“You already do that.” You said lovingly. “But I won’t complain to a bubble bath. I’m sure they have huge ones.” You told him, winking.

He licked his lips. “You just like to tease.” He ruffled your hair. “I’ll get you back.”

“You do it without meaning to so I’m sure.” You grinned, sticking by his side as he checked in. Your hand was on his back, your head on his shoulder as he did all the talking.

The receptionist smiled at you every so often before finally handing the keys over. “Best suite we have, Mr. Wayne.” He assured him. “Complementary basket, as well.”

“Perfect.” Bruce winked at him before wrapping his arm around your shoulders. “Shall we?” He motioned to the elevators.

“Yes please.” You stayed close to him. “Burgers from room service for dinner?” You asked.

He laughed. “I love how we can have the best steaks, and you want burgers.”

You grinned. “I love burgers. And fries. They’re from different places.” You shrugged.

“Cows and potatoes?” He teased.

You shoved him lightly. “Fancy and not fancy!” You laughed. “Smartass.”

“Your smartass.” He nudged you back.

[buckyarchives]

The Domestic Life of Living with a Runaway Assassin. [chapter two.]

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x soulmate!reader

Summary: you hate many things in life. you hate soulmates. you hate the avengers. you hate guns. you hate loud snorers and complicated relationships.

Bucky Barnes is associated with all of those things, yet you can't find yourself hating him

w.c: 4.6k

Author note: not proud of this chapter, lightly edited and i’m simply to lazy to go over again and again

Masterlist | playlist

“Dude, I understand you’re going through a lot right now but can we tone down the grimacing a little?” 

It's been one month since the field trip to the Smithsonian, it was hard to say exactly when it clicked in Bucky’s head he had a pseudo-permanent place here. Especially with the recent development of the free bedroom since your roommate moved out. His appearances before were minimal, only ever breaking into your apartment late at night when the weather was too shitty and he decided he wanted a warm meal or cereal. Bucky would usually leave before you left for work and left almost no trace of him even being there.

For the most part, you stayed at arm's length. Made it very clear that just because you two were destined to be by the universe, didn’t mean you had to act like it. Bucky looked like a kicked puppy when you explained that to him, but he kept his feelings under wraps. If he even had any. 

You weren’t sure if he trusted you yet, considering his past. But you can assume ever since he finally slept on your couch rather than the hardwood floor next to it – he's started to trust you. And by trust, you mean beginning to stay at your house for more things than just 3 hours of sleep or cornflakes. If bucky wasn’t wanted by both Nazis and Captain America you'd be asking him to pay rent by now.

Bucky also had a horrible staring problem.

“I’m not grimacing,” he mumbled.

“You literally look like the grinch right now.”

His eyebrows furrowed, “who?”

“Oh my god.” you dragged out, rising from your seat and heading towards the kitchen. 6:31 pm glowed green on your stove. “Are you hungry?”

Bucky hums to himself, his metal hand grazing above the soft fur of your cat's head. “I’m always hungry.”

“Why do I even ask? Penne or rigatoni?” you shuffled through your unhealthy amount of pasta stored away. 

“I don’t care.” you heard Bucky’s footsteps trail into the kitchen, you noticed pretty early on that he chose when he wanted his presence to be known. Bucky called you perceptive for figuring that out. you thought it was pretty obvious. 

You already had pasta sauce leftovers from a few nights ago, good enough.

Something else you had noticed over the few weeks, being in Bucky's presence made you feel weirdly at ease. A part of you hope that it wasn’t something destined to be pulled towards each other that the universe made up, you weren’t mentally prepared to admit the universe was right. For all you know, Bucky is a pity case and you're just trying to keep him alive. 

It also didn’t help the fact you had to keep reminding yourself of this all the time.

But silence followed Bucky like it was made for him, he communicated with short (and usually quite rude) sentences or just his various facial expressions. Which were mostly confused and scared. Every once in and while he’d smile, but it was barely there and half the time Bucky would have already bit it back or turned the other way so you wouldn’t notice.

Sometimes you forgot you were harboring a runaway assassin, your wanted soulmate. Like this, faint sounds of pots clinking and the smell of simple Marianna cooking. Bucky sitting a few feet behind you, bouncing his leg and petting Alpine. Speaking of…

“Hey! Alpines not allowed on the table!” You grabbed the scruff of the Snow White cat's fur and tossed him on the floor, he hissed at you the entire way. Bucky watched with judging eyes.

“You're just jealous.” Bucky mumbled under his breath, monotone as ever.

“Pardon?” You were sure if you tried it, the spoon in your hand would break upon hitting his forearm, but it was still held heavy and ready to strike. “What did you say?”

“He likes me more.” 

You blinked once, twice at him. Giving him a moment to take back his words. “Watch your next words.” You grumbled and turned back to your sauce, stirring so it wouldn’t burn.

From behind you, Bucky grabbed the cat by the scruff again and set him in his lap. A smile danced on his face when the cat nuzzled into the metal palm. Until you noticed him out of the corner of your eye, mid-straining the pasta.

“Okay, maybe he does like you more.” You painfully admitted through gritted teeth, “stray to stray, I guess.”

Bucky looks up, confused. 

You sighed, “he used to linger outside the apartment complex, but anytime anyone tried to pet him he’d hiss and attack. I finally womaned up because his fur was getting horribly matted and it was getting cold out. He's domesticated a little, but still pretty angry.”

Bucky listened to you intently, still gently brushing the cat's back. He only purred and leaned in closer to the super soldier. If you were going to be honest — the sight pulled at your heartstrings

After making a plate, Bucky finally put down Alpine and set him gently on the floor, more gentle than your way of doing it. You checked your email as you ate, silence enveloped the room beside the sound of silverware clinking. Your cat still lingered around the table, brushing his tail around your ankle. For a moment you let yourself wonder if Bucky would actually —

“More.” 

Your head shot up. The image before you was utterly laughable. Small amounts of red sauce at the corner of his cheek, ruffled hair from his shower earlier, and both hands grasping around his silverware. And a wiped-clean plate.

“What—“ your eyes furrowed. “You, what the fuck.”

Bucky just bored his stupidly gorgeous blue eyes back at you.

“It’s only been five minutes! I gave you enough to feed two of me?” You shouted. “Are you a fucking vacuum?”

“Please.” Bucky wiped the Mariana from his lip.

You stopped, and an overdramatic smile grew on your face. “That’s the first polite thing you have said to me like. Ever.”

Bucky just rolled his eyes and nudged his plate toward you. 

“Go make your own plate. I obviously have no grasp of how much you can inhale.” You snarled, Bucky grabbed the plate and got up. He towered over you, Bucky made himself look as small as he could most of the time that you’d forget how big he actually is. Your eyes shamefully followed his body as he walked towards the stove. 

“Oh, and actually chew this time, sergeant.”

You began eating again, making a mental note to up the amount you buy at the store next time

-

Bucky’s heavy boots trudged through the house. He had learned soon enough you were a heavy sleeper and no matter how much he tried to avoid the creaky wooden panels, it just wasn't worth it. The familiar bright light on the living room television flashed, the light creeping its way into the hallway. You were sat in the corner of the couch, curled up so tight, like you were trying to make yourself disappear. Bucky made himself known but your head didn’t snap in his direction like usual. 

He coughed, “why are you still up?”

No response, your eyes stayed trained on the television. Bucky craned his next to see another one of your reality shows. If Bucky remembered correctly, this was the one where a group of people try to survive on an island.

A sigh escaped Bucky's lips as he sat down his duffle bag with a thud, “are you okay?” he asks, sitting down on the couch, keeping a good foot and a half distance from you.

“No.” is all you mutter out.

“Do you wanna talk?”

You don't respond again. 

“Well, I’m heading out. Thanks for the bed and food.” Bucky says. Awkwardness poured out between you two, bucky felt out of place right now.

You let out an exhausted sigh, “it's snowing.”

Bucky hummed in response, his eyes glancing toward the window. Pitch black dark beside the New York street lamps giving the world a yellow-orangish glow. Bucky noticed the snowflakes falling gently onto the fire escape railing. “Yeah, I know.”

“Gosh,” you groaned. “I feel guilty knowing you’re out there freezing your ass off and scavenging for food, just out there hiding in general.”

“It's not that big of a d-”

You interject, and your voice sounds exhausted. “Stay. please, Bucky. Just stay.” your gaze leaves the television and meets his, and suddenly Bucky’s stomach feels funny. 

“If I stay too long, I’m scared someone will connect us and I don't want you to be dragged into my mess.” Bucky sighs.

Bucky had already stayed here for a few too many nights, you had offered him the empty room across from your own. It took some convincing from you, but he stayed. Bucky didn’t sleep, didn’t even touch the bed, he had rustled it up to make it look like he slept.

Maybe he was just scared of getting too attached. 

You hum. “I’m sure I’m a lot safer with the world's most feared assassin in my house, rather than out prancing around the city.”

“I don't prance.” Bucky scoffs, and he notices the way your lip quirks up slightly as you turn back toward your show.

A silence falls upon the two of you, Bucky's shoulders feel lighter at this moment, like your presence just takes the burden of the world off him. Bucky’s also scared that might mean you're taking some of it on your shoulders too. 

His eye flicker back to the large television, fully illuminating the living room and casting a shadow over your feature. Mabe Bucky needed to stop his habit of staring at you, when will you notice that he does it because it feels impossible to tear his eyes away from you? That it’s not just some lasting effect from the 70 years of torture. Snap out of it, Barnes. Bucky hears the small voice in his head yell, he looked back at the tv. Survivor is playing again, you only watch this when you’re upset.

“Why do you even watch this show?” Bucky asked.

You snicker silently, Bucky can’t hold back the amused smile on his face. “It's horrible, really.” god, he can hear the smile on your face.

“Tell me.” Bucky breathes out.

“Besides, it is just entertaining–” you say, laughing. “watching these people suffer through all this makes me feel better about myself, like what I’m going through isn't that bad– wow, I’m horrible.”

Honestly, the response took Bucky off guard. He finds it hard to grasp a response. 

“You are an interesting person.” Bucky laughs. Settling on that.

“Good, or bad?”

“Good.” Bucky says firmly. You nod your head. “I mean you are housing a criminal of the state.”

You laugh, a genuine laugh. “As long as you keep me safe. Mi casa es su casa.”

Bucky might have scooted his way closer to your side of the couch, closer to you. “Yeah, I’ll keep you safe.” he smiles to himself, because at least he can do that. His arm falls to the back of the couch and above your head, you'd be disappointed to know Bucky wasn't really paying attention to the show. 

Your eyes began to droop, leaning into Bucky's touch. He was warm. Bucky tensed when your head fell onto his chest, but after it was the easiest thing to melt into you. Like it was second nature, puzzle pieces finding each other. Bucky doesn't remember the last time he was touched like this, a time when being touched wasn't bad and painful. Even if he remembers a time before that, with girls or Steve, Bucky sure doesn't remember it feeling this good. 

Bucky wonders if you could hear his heartbeat too. Feel how fast it beats for you, would you get scared and push him away? Bucky decided he would rather stay quiet than find out. 

“I bet you could survive this show so easily.” you sound delirious, barely awake as you fall heavier into his chest. Bucky hums and you feel it, it's quite nice. 

“Probably, how much is this prize money?” he asks, knowing too well you are too tired to answer that. 

You snort, “thinking about joining? That'll blow your cover, sergeant.”

It was so weird when you called him that. It felt so right and it made Bucky feel normal. He wished you'd call him that more, Bucky always feels a nostalgic and warm feeling swell in his chest that makes him feel normal. Like everything he's faced all those years simply disappeared and he's been in this house with you all alone. Maybe that's how it was meant to be.

“It would be one hell of a reveal though.” he mutters, but you don't respond. 

Bucky’s eyes fall down to your face, your limp against his chest and eyes closed, mouth parted slightly, and breathing softly. It would be impossible to bite back the smile that grew on his face, you look so peaceful. Bucky knows you deserve it. And he knows he’ll stay awake all night to make sure you can keep it.

And he… almost did that. Bucky made it a few more hours of keeping watch on your sleeping form, you moved your way fulling into his lap and Bucky wrapped a heavy blanket over you to shield you from the cold New York weather. Bucky got himself used to the tv remote, very high tech – too high tech.

 Confusing remote yet still no flying cars, what a disappointment the future was. Bucky watched a show called Modern Family for a while, it didn't take long for his eyes to get heavy as well.

And then it was morning, and the sun was showing through your curtains and it warmed his exposed skin. You were gone and a fleeting feeling of panic shot through him. But then the sound of banging and many familiar curse words that belonged to his one and only. 

Bucky blinked the tiredness out of him, running his hand through his outgrown hair, and craning his neck to see into the kitchen. The large blue blanket he had draped over you last night hung from your shoulder, you were hitting and glaring at your coffee pot like it had personally offended you. Which it literally has.

“You stupid fucking machine, I paid 130$ for you, motherfucker. Work, I swear to god I will–”

“Stop yelling at the machine.”

You turned to him with the devil in your eyes. “Says the one who was whisper-yelling at the remote to ‘go back’ last night.”

“You heard that?” Bucky asks shyly. You just hummed and nodded, giving up on banging on the Keurig and plopping down next to him. “No coffee? Are you going to turn into a monster if you don't get caffeine in the next hour?”

With a deadpan face and droopy eyes, “yes.”

Then, like a fucking lightning bolt withdrawing from caffeine. You shot up abruptly and rushed into your room with heavy footsteps, followed by the loud sound of your hangers clicking together. “Grab your cap and glove that you’re so convinced makes you look invisible. We’re going to get coffee.”

Bucky didn’t really feel like arguing with a monster right now, so he lazily stretched his limbs and shook out the lingering sleepiness from his body. Going to his designated corner and grabbing his many layers and hat. 

Bucky still kept his head down like usual, you weren't very good at doing that. Even after Bucky’s constant worrying. He assumed you took his word the night before a little too seriously. Yet, you guided him to the farthest corner of the shop, “what do you want?”

“Coffee.” Bucky stated plainly.

“What kind of coffee?”

Bucky’s eyebrows furrowed, “there are different types of coffee?”

You inhaled an annoyed breath, nodding to yourself. “Nevermind, I got it.” you sighed, trudging off to the counter and greeting the woman with a bright smile. Ordering your usual and getting Bucky a tall, plain black. Decaf because you weren't dealing with a jittery supersoldier. the barista asked for a name, and your and Bucky’s almost left your lips as before you realized who he was. Glancing back over to Bucky, his hair had grown out long and so had his beard. 

You were beyond amused with yourself when you gave him a new name and walked back to your seat.

Bucky had the same aura as a small child. Except with broad shoulders, a permanent grimace and a few knives shoved up his pants. His gloved fingers tapped on the table, eyes hitting every inch of the building. Tap, tap, tap. What made it worse was the excessive bouncing of his knee that vibrated the already old, wobbly wooden table. You glared holes in his head, frowning but he gave you no mind. 

Grasping around a peoples magazine, and simply throwing it at him. “Read that, the tapping and bouncing are getting annoying.” Bucky looked down at it, a little disappointed at first. But soon started flipping through it, the tapping stopped. Thank god.

For a moment, you leaned your head back, closing your eyes and just letting a heavy breath out. That you were somewhere else, anywhere doing anything. Just for a moment. But the sound of people speaking, the loud and arguably annoying city life of cars and horns, the sounds of espresso machines and mugs clinking. No escaping this. Your eyelids flutter open, back to reality, and Bucky is looking at the magazine as if it called his mother a bitch. Eyebrows furrowed and dark, narrowed eyes. 

“What is it?” you scoot over to his side of the booth, lining your thighs with his. Bucky tenses at the touch, you don't notice. In the magazine is a picture of Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, and Clint Barton at a charity event. Next to the pictures were long articles of their bullshit excuses for whatever damage they caused to some city miles away, or even home.

“I don’t recognize him.” Bucky mutters under his breath, he sounds so sad. 

“It's probably all the photoshop.” you say, in an attempt to make him laugh. But as the words left your lips you realize Bucky probably has zero idea what photoshop is, and seals that thought after he shot a confused look up at you. “Doesn’t matter, I promise it will come back to you.”

Bucky looks up at you, an unrecognizable emotion playing out on his face, lips parted slightly as if he was about to speak. Too scared to let anything out he doesn't fully recognize, you're confusing and warm and gentle with him and it makes his brain short circuit. Just your thighs and shoulder touching him makes his body burn, and the feeling of you so close taunts him, is Bucky that touched starved? All he knows his violence at the end of anothers hand, is it so bad to want more –

“L’Oreal! Y/N!” The loud and shrill voice of the barista echoed through the cafe, and a wild amused smile grew on your face as you shot up to get the coffee.

Your warmth left Bucky’s body, cold now.

-

Chop, chop, chop…

Bucky stood hunched over your counter, a small fruit knife with little lemons painted on the blade. Bucky thought it was beyond weird but it worked. Chopping away at strawberries, for you, because he doesn't really understand how to show gratitude towards you any other way. The super soldier wasn't very good with words, and he has no money to pay you for the warm food and roof over his head. Strawberries will due.

Chop, chop, chop

Alpine sat on the counter next to the cutting board, he definitely wasn’t supposed to. But you were in the shower and well, you didn't have to know. Bucky scratched the place between his ears, the metal again the soft, snow-white fur was weird. 

Chop, chop, chop

Then, Bucky's worst fear came true (other than living in New Jersey). A loud, shrill, and blood-curdling scream from you. Bucky almost sliced his own hand when he flinched, shooting up to go to you. HYDRA? SHIELD? CIA? Fuck, fuck, fuck. He was careful, no one should know. Bucky rounded a corner, almost taking the trim out with his shoulder. His metal hand grasped around the handle of your door, not taking any time to knock before throwing it open and off the hinges. Expecting to see blood, men in tac suits, guns… not you wrapped in a towel, dripping water as you stood on the toilet seat.

“Bucky…” you whispered, eyes wide with fear, gaze not leaving the shower. Until they set on him, when you jumped down (bucky finches– scared you'd slip) and scurried behind his back. Balling his shirt in your fist as you hid behind him, dampening the white fabric. “It's still in there.”

Bucky sighed, just glad to see you weren't dead. “What? What is?”

You just let out a high-pitched and arguably pathetic whine, pointing at the tub, eyebrows knitted together tight. Bucky tried to pay no mind to the fact you were pretty much naked, hair stuck to your neck and face. Slowly, craning his neck to see a small, stink bug crawling at the bottom. 

“Really? A stink bug?” Bucky asked.

“Get it!”

Bucky leaned down and grabbed the bug between his metal thumb and index, crushing it. Flipping up the toilet seat and flushing away the stinky bug, taking a piece of paper and wiping the excess dead bug off his finger. A righteous death, as much as it can be.

Turning around, Bucky fought back a blush. The curve of your neck, and collarbone. Your exposed thighs taunt him. He needs to snap the fuck out of it, if anything you two are just roommates. No amount of universe bullshit would change your mind. But oh, oh god. You turned slightly and he caught a glimpse of the words written on your body, his words. Bucky almost fainted.

“Thank you. You have been crowned official bug killer.” you teased, still just standing there.

His ears tinted pink and probably stuttered, “uh-huh, go- go get dressed.”

“Sir, yes sir.” You made a stupid military salute, turning back to the door. “Also, you’re fixing that.”

Bucky fidgeted with his hand, trying to avoid his eye from your chest. “Yeah, yeah, I will. Don’t worry.”

You smiled big, took a few steps towards Bucky, and pecked his cheek. It happened so fast, Bucky didn't process it until you had scurried away and into your room, the door shutting behind you. Bucky's hand ghosted the spot where your lips lay, utterly stunned.

Bucky needed to sit down.

-

Your steps echoed through the apartment hallway, with the feeling of hundreds of pounds on your shoulders. Your legs were wobbly and weak after a long 10-hour shift. You'd been nursing a headache for the past few hours and despite working in a hospital, you hadn't had time to get some ibuprofen. The key to your apartment jangle in the lock and you let out a sigh as the door opens. Alpine takes no time to greet you at the door, the apartment is dark and quiet and if it wasn't for the boots by the door and empty mugs or coffee on the kitchen table, you'd say it was empty. 

Alpine jumps onto the table in front of you, you swat him away quickly and scratch at her head. “Is Bucky home? Hm, where is he?” you coo at the cat. Your eyebrows knot as he jumps off the counter and trots away from the kitchen and towards your bedroom. 

The door to your bedroom that's usually closed is now cracked open and Alpine nudges his way into the room, cracking the door open more. On the opposite side of the bed, in the far corner is a pile of blankets and a pillow. The comforter raised up and down quickly, faintly you could hear the sound of Bucky's grunts and gasps.

Slowly, not to startle the seemingly always ready-to-fight assassin, you walk towards him and pull at the comforter. “Bucky?”

Bucky’s chest heaved up and down, sweat dripped down his face and made his hair stick to his face and neck. His eyes slowly look up at you and all you could see was panic and terror in his eyes, his lips stained red with blood and bruises. 

Crouching down to him and reaching out, hoping he’ll let you. 

“Hey,” you whisper quietly, gently so as not to startle him. Bucky’s eyes avoid yours and he's still gasping for breath like he's being choked and suffocated.

You crane your neck to meet his eyes, tears brim but they don’t fall and you bring your hand up to his face slowly. Giving time for him to swat your hand away before you caress his cheek with your thumb. “Breathe, buck. Please.”

He opens his mouth to speak, a whined croak comes out. “I can’t, — breathe. I’m so-” he chokes out a mess of words.

“Hey, hey, no. it's okay.” you shush him and he brings his palm up to your shoulder and forearm. “What do you need? Show me?”

Bucky looks at you for a faltering moment and the sheer emotions on his face stun you, he looks so broken and vulnerable in front of you. He hesitates for a moment, but you notice the way he's looking at you and the subtle tug on your arm. 

You fall into his arms, pushing the pillow barricade he's made around himself. A sigh escapes his lips at your warmth and you've realized your headache has seemed to fade and a sense of comfort is found in Bucky's arms.

A few minutes pass of your head laid comfortably on Bucky's shoulder, both your arms tangled around his. Bucky's chest slowed to a normal, slow pace and he was breathing normally. Bucky groans as you pull away from his chest. His grasp is still tight around you but you're just far enough away to see his face. 

You notice the dried blood and splits on his lips, you scoff and bring a thumb up to wipe away the blood. “And you always lecture me about biting my lip,” you said, almost teasing.

“M’ sorry.” he blinks. “I didn't realize I was even doing that, I just got so overwhelmed and everything just happened.”

You hum, as you brush his hair back and behind his ears, his skin is still damp and sticky. “It's okay,” you speak, rubbing at his arm. You look down and take notice of the blankets around you once again. “Is this what you do?”

Bucky's head perks up towards you, “what?”

“Make pillow forts when you get overwhelmed.”

Bucky looks down, but you notice his smile lines grow slightly and see the way his lip quirks up. “It's so childish, I know.”

You shake your head, a similar smile creeping up on you as well. Bucky continues, “As a kid, Steve and I, we used to build forts out of anything we could find when Steve used to sleep over. It's a comforting feeling, helps me calm down.”

You nod and bring your hand to meet his, feeling the rough skin under yours as your hand moves against his. You tug slightly as you slowly bring yourself to your feet, Bucky wishes to pull you back into him and never let go. 

“Come on, now,” you say. “You’re all gross and sweaty, I gotta wash my blankets now and you have to take a shower.”

Bucky’s face softened and he realizes, despite the current circumstances, he’d be okay with feeling like this forever. As long as you were there.

tag list; @i-l-y-3000 @ivywasmaroon @waywardcrow @alana4610 @ozwriterchick @slytherinambitious @wintermischief @tarotwitchy-main @silelda @zizzlekwum @iv3t

[animasola86]

(MODERN AU) In Your Care - 3

Pairing: Sebastian Sallow x f!mc x m!oc Genre: Angst/Smut/Drama // Words: 3.9k // [READ ON AO3]

Synopsis: After months of enduring the most vile things her new foster family put her through, Nebbia finds herself at the end of the road, and there is only one way out - a decision that connects her even more to Sebastian.

WARNINGS: NSFW! MDNI! Explicit sexual content! Psychological trauma! Panic attacks! Sexual abuse/domestic violence! Forbidden foster siblings relations! Horny and damaged teenagers! Murder/Death! (Original characters!)

NOTES: This is chapter 3 of my AU series IN YOUR CARE (see Ch1 and Ch2). It's set in modern times, there's no magic, just life in its most cruel form. In this chapter we go even deeper down the drain, so to speak, so please look very closely at the warning tags! Proceed at your own risk!

← CHAPTER 2 - // - CHAPTER 4 →

3

“Nebbia!”

The voice carried through the haze clouding her panicked mind as she kept running, her legs trembling from exertion and hysteria while hot tears streamed down her numb cheeks. Her lips were tingling painfully with every rapid breath she took.

“Wait! Please!”

She didn't stop, stumbling forwards, onto the open road, over it, almost tripping over a fallen branch before she reached the woods beyond and hastily rushed through the underbrush, not caring about twigs and thorns scratching up her skin, clinging to her clothes. She just wanted to get away. Far, far away.

But suddenly there was a hand brushing against her arm, and she yelped and ran faster, but the unexpected touch made her tumble, and with a helpless cry she fell forwards, ready to meet the ground, until two arms wrapped around her and pulled her back against a warm chest.

She kicked and whimpered as the momentum of her flight and the other body pushing against her made her legs give way, and she slipped to her knees, crying mercilessly as her mind gave up. The body behind her held her tighter, shushing her soothingly, and she only finally relaxed when she heard his voice right in her ear, his warm breath ghosting her skin.

“It's alright, love, I'm here. It's just me. It's okay...”

She let out a noise that was something between a hysterical sob and a relieved gurgle, and in the next moment she turned slightly and threw her arms around Sebastian's neck. He immediately grabbed her firmer, his strong arms squeezing her panic right out of her, or so she hoped.

He shifted to sit on his knees and pulled her onto his lap, burying his face in her hair as she pressed her head against his neck, her tears flowing freely as she squeezed her eyes shut and lay still in his arms. His deep breaths calmed her, slowly, and after a long moment of her quietly sobbing and the noises of the woods surrounding them, she felt her heart beating slower again.

“What happened?” he asked quietly, moving his hand over her back in relaxing circles.

She inhaled sharply, still not able to speak, let alone voice the thing that had made her spiral right out of control in the first place. She had feared this might happen, for two years she had been dreading the day, and even though she had been distracted by her new life, it had always been in the back of her mind. Taking another shuddering breath, she pressed her lips to his warm neck, his scent and feel filling her senses.

“I... I can't...” she stammered, sniffling helplessly, unable to say it out loud.

He exhaled loudly and pressed her closer to his chest. “Okay,” he whispered. “Take your time, it's alright...”

She kissed his neck again in response and forced herself to focus on him, feeling his warm body wrapped around hers, his soft breath making her hair fly and her skin tingle, his low voice vibrating soothingly through her head, as she grabbed the back of his shirt tightly and inhaled deeply. But before she could finally find the words to describe why she had panicked, she heard him whisper:

“It's him, isn't it? The new kid they brought here today?”

A gasp slipped from her lips and he squeezed her even tighter upon hearing it. “Yes,” she muttered into his neck, her wet cheek leaning on his shoulder.

“He's the one who –”

She twitched in his embrace, a sudden jerk rushing through her body like an electric shock. Her hands dug into his shirt, almost ripping it. Her mind was flooded with images then, and she was unable to suppress them anymore. Her heart tightened as she felt a new wave of hysteria crashing over her, along with all those memories of nightly visits, painful encounters, spiteful words and actions, of being used and abused and treated as if she was nothing but a toy.

Voices crept into her head, crude and vulgar, deceivingly praising and covertly degrading. Her skin was crawling, her lips tingling badly, her face felt numb as she sobbed and whimpered, her breaths short and ragged. And while she was caught in her worst nightmare that had once been real, she felt two hands on her cold face.

“Nebbia! Look at me!” Her eyes fluttered open, more tears spilling from her lashes as she met the warm gaze of two brown eyes, eyebrows furrowed in concern, jaw clenched empathically, and she felt her lips trembling even more and hiccoughs shaking her small form. “Shh, it's alright,” Sebastian continued, looking at her intently, holding her face until the tingling sensation subsided slowly. “I'm here, okay? I won't let anything happen to you!”

She blinked quickly, her vision blurry, but gradually, she could focus on his freckled face again, her eyes moving over his handsome features, and as she started counting the tiny dots on his cheeks, she felt herself relaxing again, her lungs and stomach aching. She pressed her lips together and took deep breaths through her nose, and he nodded at her encouragingly.

“Deep breaths, yes, you're good, you'll be fine,” he whispered, watching her closely, his fingertips slipping into her hair as his thumbs caressed her wet cheeks. It wasn't the first time he had seen her like this, and even though she felt embarrassed for reacting so strongly, for being unable to control herself, she felt safe with him, calming down more and more, knowing that he wouldn't judge her. “Breathe in,” he instructed quietly, his dark eyes on her the entire time. “And breathe out...”

She followed the rhythm he provided, and while getting lost in his gaze, the tremors of her body stopped eventually, and she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. He let go of her face and pulled her against him, both arms wrapped tightly around her as she relaxed in his grip, feeling boneless and spent, but in a totally different way than she normally would have felt when using those adjectives.

“What... is he doing here?” she whispered after a long moment of silence, with only the birds singing around them and the wind making the treetops sway and rustle.

“I don't know,” he replied hoarsely, exhaling loudly. “But he won't be staying here, I won't let him. We have to tell them...”

She winced. “No... we can't... please...”

“Why not?” he said with a defiance that made her gasp against him. “Please, Nebbia, if they knew what that arsehole did to you, they wouldn't bring him here in the first place, orphan or not! They can't take in everyone!”

“They took us in,” she whispered barely audible. “And we might even be worse...”

“No, we're not,” he said resolutely. “We're fighters, we escaped on our own, we chose life instead of hell! You did the right thing, Nebbia! There was no other way you could have escaped that awful place!”

“I doubt he'll see it the same way...” she croaked, taking a shuddering breath. “When it was me... who made him an orphan...”

“He should be lucky you spared him,” he said through gritted teeth. “I know I wouldn't have...”

She leaned against him, her fingers digging into his shirt as another wave of memories flooded her senses. Yet she was too exhausted to fall into a new panic attack as she remembered the fatal day where everything had been too much.

Two years earlier

She was aching, her entire body sore and itching. The night had been another one of James' experiments, and she could still feel the vibrations of the various toys he had tested on her. Her knees were shaking as she stumbled through the kitchen in the dim light of the moon pouring through the dirty windows. She was so thirsty, her head was near exploding and her lips chapped so badly she tasted blood.

Luckily he had fallen asleep right after using her, and she had slipped from her room with his cum still leaking from her hurting ass. She hadn't bothered putting on panties, she didn't even care that she dripped all over the floor. Almost mindlessly, barely able to think straight, she tumbled through the dark house, passing closed doors and rumbling snores, until she leaned heavily against the kitchen sink, opened the faucet and poured cold water over her hot face and into her dry mouth.

Completely lost in the soothing sensation as she felt it running down her hurting throat, she didn't notice the footsteps until it was too late. Suddenly two big hands grabbed her bare ass and squeezed tightly, she yelped in surprise but was pushed back over the sink, her stomach pressed hard into the edge of the counter.

“What a nice surprise,” a low, raspy voice, slow but menacing, grunted behind her, and she whimpered helplessly. “I see he's prepared you already, huh, sweetheart?”

She struggled but couldn't fight it when she felt a thick finger pressing past the tight ring of muscles, the wet squelching sound almost as nauseating as the stench of alcohol drifting towards her as she was pulled up by another hand grabbing her throat. She gasped and whined as she saw the burly body of her foster father pressed against hers. His finger was still lodged inside her ass, moving lazily in and out, pushing his son's cum deeper. A wail escaped her, and she grabbed at his hairy arm, fingernails scratching over his skin.

“Please...” she whimpered, knowing it wouldn't help, but despite it all, she couldn't just give in, there was still that tiny voice that told her to endure, the day would come, sooner than she thought. Where it all ended.

He grunted and pulled his finger out, wiping it clean on her thigh. “Shut up,” he growled, and the hand holding her throat squeezed it tightly. “My turn now...” He slurred his words, and his stance wasn't as steady, but when he pushed her forwards forcefully, over the sink again, she cried out in pain while his sweaty hands roamed her body until they grabbed her hips with an iron grip. He forced her legs apart with one knee, and while she squirmed, he stepped closer, and she could feel his erection pressing against her inner thigh.

Her hands closed around the edge of the sink as she gritted her teeth, silent tears streaming down her face. Closing her eyes, she tried to disassociate, forcing her mind away to better places, but there was only darkness, and when he pressed his dick into her tight hole, the darkness turned bright red as she wailed loudly.

He didn't even care to silence her this time, he just rutted into her like a feral dog, grunting and growling, stretching her muscles painfully, and luckily for her he was done quickly, without his son's youth and stamina, and when he came inside her, he groaned deeply, then stumbled back, slipped out and wiped his leaking cock between her ass cheeks before slapping them violently.

She cried out, her body trembling, her insides convulsing. He grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her up before he brought his face to her ear, his hot breath reeking of alcohol while the stench of sweat assaulted her nostrils.

“Thanks, honey,” he rasped and slapped her ass once more before he let her go and walked away, leaving her to slip down to the ground, where she remained, curling up helplessly, sobs and tremors shaking her tiny form.

She had no idea how long she stayed in the fetal position, barely able to breathe through her tears, while the house around her remained threateningly silent. The moonlight moved over the dirty floor, and she watched it out of burning eyes, feeling dirty and empty and yet...

Her mind was racing, that voice keeping her company, corrupting her with images of past events and future happenings. “They will never stop,” it whispered to her. “Unless you make them stop...”

“Make them stop,” she repeated quietly, barely audible, her eyelids heavy and the movements of her limbs sluggish as she finally uncurled and crawled forwards, reaching for the cupboard under the sink. Her shaking hands knocked over various bottles until her fingers closed around one with a large skull and bones symbol on it. “Make them... stop...” she whispered as she picked up the rat poison.

It had been too easy, really. Too easy and yet not good enough.

With the encouraging voice inside her head and a determination to finally be free, she had started preparing dinner, cutting old vegetables that seemed ironically fitting for what she had planned, still basked in moonlight, covered in sweat and other juices, her muscles aching and her lungs hurting, but her heart had beaten fast and strong as the plan had made her come back alive slowly.

Once the stew was done, she had emptied the entire bottle into the broth, shaking with anticipation as she imagined them eating it, choking on it, dying from it. The image helped her forwards as she returned to her room, finding James still sprawled on her bed, sleeping deeply, and she had stared at him for a moment, wondering if she should end it right here, right now.

But she knew he was a light sleeper, and smothering him with a pillow was not a good idea in her exhausted state, no matter how much she wanted it, he was still stronger than her. He had proven that time and time again. So she exhaled loudly and lay down on the floor, cuddled into the pile of laundry until she fell asleep somehow.

The next hours were a blur.

Through the fog in her head she woke up to a foot nudging her thigh. She stirred, groaning under the aching of her body as she rolled around, looking up out of hooded eyes. James stood over her, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Get up, princess,” he said with a growl, tilting his head. “Let's get some food, Ma made stew.”

His words immediately caused her insides to ignite. She sat up quickly, rubbing her eyes, and when he grabbed her elbow to pull her up she let out a pained grunt. He gave her another nudge.

“Put on my favorite dress,” he told her, pointing to the yellow sundress he had bought her a few weeks ago. It was crinkly and probably still covered in dried cum because he made her wear it so often, loving to take her in it, no matter where they were.

He watched her get dressed, a hungry glint in his cold gray eyes. But she didn't care about his lustful gazes or vulgar thoughts, she was solely focused on the fact that her plan was unfolding. And suddenly she was afraid. She wanted to be free of these people, but was she really able to let this happen?

Was she able to kill them?

James ushered her into the kitchen and made her sit at the round table where she met the drowsy gaze of her foster father, while his wife stood by the stove and stirred the stew Nebbia had made that night. She looked confused, probably wondering why she couldn't remember making it but seeing her dilated pupils, the flustered girl knew that woman was high on drugs still or already again, so it didn't really matter.

Sitting awkwardly at the table, a rather rare occurrence in this household but nobody seemed to mind it much, she shifted in her seat uncomfortably, both from the aching in her lower body and the panic eating away at her already frayed nerves. She didn't flinch when she felt not one, but two hands on her thighs as father and son stared at her, thinking back to the things they did to her last night and all the nights and days before. And seeing their leering faces, she grew determined that this was the only way out.

Pressing her lips together, she endured, waiting, waiting, almost going insane waiting, until the large pot was put down in the middle of the table, steam and strange odors coming from it. “Dig in,” her foster mother slurred and put a large ladle into the broth, and she watched in absolute tension how they all filled their plates while she sat there and wondered where she had put the empty rat poison bottle.

Cold sweat made it to her forehead, and her breaths grew quicker as her foster parents started eating with no care in the world, while James raised his spoon before suddenly stopping, looking at her.

“Come on, eat,” he told her, nudging her elbow. She stared at the steaming liquid on her own plate, when another voice croaked in the back of her mind.

“Let's just end it,” it whispered encouragingly, like a promise, a hand stretched out to grab and be pulled into eternal darkness. It was so tempting, and frankly, if the boy next to her would urge her to eat, she would probably have done it, but a sudden gurgle made her gasp and look up.

On the other side of the table sat her foster mother, holding her throat, gagging badly. “Ma!” James exclaimed and stood up quickly, and Nebbia was thrown out of her stupor and into action herself.

She jumped up and ran, not turning back, not looking back, as more gurgles and groans and grunts filled the kitchen, then heavy bodies thudding to the floor and desperate cries of a son seeing his parents suffer and die right in front of him.

Nebbia felt tears in her eyes, but she kept moving, through the house, out of the door, pushed forwards by guilt and the growing urge to be free, to get away, to finally leave the hell that had almost destroyed her. The more steps she took, the better she could breathe, yet her vision was blurry as she stumbled along the empty road, dragging her bare feet over the asphalt.

Suddenly the sound of sirens cut through the air, and an ambulance rushed past her, back towards the house at the edge of town.

She kept going, her legs aching, her body tense, her face wet, with no idea where she should even go. Exhaustion washed over her and she tripped, falling to her knees and scraping them, but the pain barely registered in her clouded mind. She was about to get back up, when a car horn made her jump and yelp in shock. Bleary eyes moved up, and she saw a man and a woman looking at her through the open window of a truck that had stopped beside her, blocking her from oncoming traffic.

“Nebbia?” the woman asked, her voice kind and soft, and she frowned deeply. She didn't know why she felt the need to trust her, but she somehow did, and when she nodded, the woman smiled at her.

She didn't even ask why she knew her name, she felt too numb to think anything at this point. A car door was opened, and she saw another person sitting on the backseat, beckoning her closer. A boy, older than her, with the blackest eyes she had ever seen. He gave her a smirk, and she felt herself blushing. Yet she didn't move immediately, only when the woman was suddenly next to her, looking at her almost motherly (not that she knew how that would look like, but it felt right, soothing), she stirred in her stupor.

“We have to go, Nebbia,” she told her. “It's not safe here...”

She stared up at the strange woman, barely taking in her features as she was already gently shoved onto the backseat. The voices inside her head grew louder, some protesting, some warning, some giving in. Some wanting to tell that lady that it hadn't been safe here for months. But she didn't say anything out loud, just complied and sat down next to the boy on the backseat.

He looked almost as disheveled and dirty as she did, as if he had been living on the streets or also in a negligent household, and somehow seeing someone else like her made her feel better. He smiled at her, and she felt her swollen lips twitching.

“I'm Ryan, by the way,” he said as the woman got back in the car, and the man started driving away. Nebbia nodded at him, shy and disturbed, but drawn to his dark eyes. “You're lucky we found you.”

“Ryan, shh!” the woman said from the front and put a finger to her lips.

The boy shrugged, but kept his eyes on Nebbia who felt even smaller in the big seat of the truck. Her confused gaze wandered past the leathery interior, and she realized they were driving right by the house she had just left, and she pressed her lips together to not make a sound as she noticed the flashing lights of the ambulance and a cop car in the driveway.

Breathing quicker through her nose, she looked away and stared at her trembling hands in her lap. “It's okay, it's over,” the boy next to her whispered, and she looked up in surprise. “You're safe now.”

She frowned at him, but he only smiled, and to this day she had no idea how they had even found her, why at that particular moment, if it was coincidence or planned a long time ago, and she wondered why they didn't come sooner, before she had to go through all of this. Yet her anger soon faded, and she felt more and more at ease, even though she had no idea who these people were, but the more distance they put between her and that awful house, the freer she felt, the better she could breathe.

Whatever lay ahead, it couldn't get any worse.

And luckily for her, she finally, after so many years of hardships and months of abuse, finally found a home that welcomed her with open arms, with smiles and kind words, and for two long years she felt safe, was able to grow and prosper, live a normal life with new friends, she even found love and successfully worked through her trauma, or so she thought.

Because she might have been able to rid the world of two abusive and negligent people who would no longer take in innocent kids to leech off the money the government would give them, but she hadn't managed to destroy the last danger that threatened to pull her down into the abyss all over again.

And fate was apparently a very cruel mistress to bring the same danger right into the safe haven she had called home. But luckily for her, there were still other forces in her favor because this time she wasn't alone anymore. She wouldn't be facing the threat on her own, she was no longer the silently enduring kid, she had grown, not necessarily in height, but in strength and willpower, in the desire to live and keep living, and nothing would be standing in her way.

Or so Nebbia hoped as she lay trembling in Sebastian's arms, still recovering from the wave of panic attacks a single look from those cold gray eyes had caused in her. And she couldn't even imagine what actually meeting James again would be like.

← CHAPTER 2 - // - CHAPTER 4 →

End notes: What do I even say to this? All I can say is: I am sorry and I hope you know this is fiction, in its darkest form, but still not real, no matter how realistic it may seem. I am sorry if I caused you any discomfort, believe me, it was hard to write as well.

Nebbia's trauma is now told and it can only go up from here. Right? Yes! (Maybe... probably.) It will, there will be a happy ending, sort of. We need to have darkness to enjoy the light!

Thank you for reading this, despite its twisted nature!

[ MASTERLIST ] [ AO3 ]

[sillyromance]

I read your knockout headcanons thing and uh, you wouldn’t happen to have any for flamewar would you??

Hello, dear cybersoldier82!

Thank you very much for your ask! I'm sorry that I haven't answered you straight away. Actually, I'm not familiar with the character since I have never read any comics where Flamewar appears, however, I've done some research and figured out her personality (more or less). I really hope that you'll like my writing. Have a nice day!

Flamewar🗡️

Flamewar is a fem who is difficult to be around. She can be cold, sarcastic, even cruel to her partners, especially, if they don’t share her beliefs and ideals – then, considering her hot and wayward temper, she will make sure their lives turn into pure hell. So, the only possibility to co-exist with this ruthless fire lies in being the most loyal friend and supporter for this transformer. Of course, it won’t save you from her bold commentaries and rudeness, but, surely, she will think twice before sacrificing your life for whatever goal she has.

As a pred, Flamewar can appear in two different positions – terrifying monster and distant, but gentle protector. Obviously, if a human sympathizes Autobots, the fem will bring them the most painful, horrifying death she can; cries and pleas of her unlucky victims give her indescribable pleasure – if you get in her claws, there is no way out...

However, if you are a person who genuinely cares about her, who proved themselves to be the most reliable and competent in their area, Flamewar may open her spark for you one day. And if you make her genuinely smile or laugh – then you can pridefully say that you domesticated a wild tiger.

I wouldn’t call her a comforting type – she is rough to others as well as to herself, so it should be something TRULY serious to make her show just a bit of pity. On the other hand, she definitely doesn’t like TO BE SHOWN pity! That way, if she’s upset or angry, it’s better to leave her be for some time, just being around in case she changes her mind and asks you for help directly (it’s not an easy task for her, be patient; she will do so only if you worth it in her opinion). At such moments, she likes having a willing living creature inside her; it gives her a sense of control and warmth of companionship which Flamewar lacks since she doesn’t completely trust anyone. She will sit motionlessly in the corner, embracing her knees, optics closed, and simply give in to the nice feeling of her human moving in the fueltank, the only person who is allowed to be so intimate with her...

As I said before, Flamewar has a great potential for being a protective pred. The one who will make fun on you, drive you crazy, kick you in the guts all the time – but also the one who will risk their life to save yours and beat hell out of those who would touch you even with a tip of a finger (or a digit). The fem is strong and literally made of steel – where is a better place to hide her precious tiny than her own body? If you’re in danger, she will swallow you immediately. Sometimes everything can happen very fast, without a warning, but she remembers about humans’ fragility – she isn't just a soldier but a scientist, she knows when it’s required to be careful – consequently, the trip down isn't long, but it isn't uncomfortable either. Although, you shouldn’t hope for convenience while she has a fight to win – she may avoid using some moves which can toss you too much, but her body is made for a combat style which doesn’t allow her to stay still for long - there will be some throwing and squeezing.

I’d like to think that her intensities are not that sensitive; they are covered in scars left by serious battle injuries or her not-so-welcomed guests who are now gone for good in great agony… But she appreciates affection from her little friend. Flamewar loves receiving rubs – caresses make her softer and more talkative, though not for long. Take the opportunity while you can! Her fueltank is spacious and active (the organ shows true emotions of its owner no matter how hard she tries to hide them). It has cobalt color and glows with reddish or dim yellow. The fem doesn’t like tickles that much; still, if it’s right time, she won’t mind. As for tasting, she adores mouthplay and often does it for fun or intimidation. Nevertheless, Flamewar doesn't pay too much attention to flavours (she is not picky, war and its difficulties - especially, lack of fuel - are strict teachers after all), although, if she gets impressed, her preys can receive some commentaries like: "Not bad!" or "That's not what I've expected... Intriguing." In general, Flamewar can seem unsociable and grumpy, but if there is something special about you that draws her attention, you'll instantly feel it.

[toasterdrake]

For the ship questions, 2 in Pre Relationship, 8 in general, 3 in love, and 1 in Domestic Life :D

sorry for taking so long to answer, my cat decided right then was the perfect time to show up w a pheasant chick so i had to deal w that 😭

2. What was their first impression of each other?

robin was blessed with an inborn Cool factor. she first shows up on main street, s2ep1, and fends off rexy (tfw animals behave like animals). sammy found this very impressive, especially as someone who knows how difficult it is to handle large animals, domestic or otherwise. yaz is a little swayed but ultimately thinks it was foolish to put herself in front of a t-rex like that and just hope.

robin, on the other hand, is too flooded with relief that she's not abandoned alone on isla nublar to take much stock of everyone individually, though at first she thinks of sammy as naïve and weak for being impressed with an action she hadn't really processed. this changes quickly. yaz stands out for her athleticism - robin engages with sports in her own way as a motorcyclist, so that's the first stand-out thing she clocks.

8. Who takes the lead in social situations? How are they around each other's friends?

robin will take the lead if she knows the situation she's dealing with, but mostly sammy takes charge of things as the resident extrovert. she's always happy for a chance to talk to someone new and finds some way of befriending them over a commonality. robin has a lot of friends in the motocross world. usually she attends events alone but if yaz/sammy go along:

sammy will get talking to them right away; she's a little overly bosterious because she feels challenged by robin having other support systems, but we all know she's friendly at heart so they get along great.

yaz largely is only open around people she knows well already, so she doesn't talk much around them, but she enjoys seeing how well robin feeds off their energy and will listen to/watch them from the sidelines.

outside of the camp fam both sammy and yaz have friends in their own circles. robin gets along fine with them but she has no interest in getting particularly close unless they share an interest of hers.

3. Who uses the cheesy pick-up lines, or does corny gestures?

robin has a MONOPOLY on pick-up lines. she's a chronic flirter and will drop lines on anyone whether she wants to or not. it just leaves her mouth and she has to face the consequences.

corny gestures are more sammy's forte. she's a hopeless romantic at heart, and is very lucky to have parents who work to keep their romance alive as role models. she spent her childhood watching romance movies and assisting her siblings in wooing romantic prospects, and puts that training to good use on her own partners.

1. When they move in together, who gets the most say in decorations? What do they each have to have in the house?

the only stable place available (chances are yaz would get kicked out of uni accomodation even on the island once graduating and would have to at least change the contract. i hc she lived w sammy before moving to wyoming anyway) is sammy's ranch. robin doesn't have anywhere to call her own - if she's not on the road she might visit her babbo or a friend, camp fam or otherwise, but mostly she just camps wherever. so, as the owner and the person who has spent her entire life there, sammy has the most say on decorating.

because she travels so much, robin only has the essentials and a few trinkets, and she's not in the business of clutter, so her presence in the house isn't massively notable. once she gets custody of a shed that is her bike domain first and foremost, though. she kits it out with everything she could ever dream of needing for them.

yaz leaves her athletic trophies and what-have-you at her mother's house. she likes taking the others on ikea trips and has an interest in restoring antique furniture/decorations. she has a somewhat more obscure, thrift-esque style but it manages not to stick out sorely in an old ranch house.

sammy is all about live, laugh, love and its various branches, as we know ♡ she also loves having memories of beloved animals around - from pictures to bones. she keeps a lot of heirlooms and will go to great lengths to maintain old blankets etc in good condtion.

ship questions redux

[bloodcandied]

Death Addiction 亡瘾 Chapter 3

[Timeskip]

I hated flying on long haul airplanes.

The dryness of the cabin was uncomfortable for the eyes, and after more than five hours, the nose would begin to pick up awful scents.

The last time I went back home was a year ago, to see my mom during Chinese New Year. Usually, I couldn't go back twice a year because I had to study and work part-time. But even once a year, a long-haul flight made me feel like I should never fly again.

I landed at 1am. Because of jet lag, I was drowsy. Even though I had taken a sleep aid on the plane to force the jet lag, I almost stepped off the bridge when I got off.

I waited for my two big suitcases at the baggage carousel. The wait was too long - two connections on a flight from Atlanta - even if I had been told I had dropped a suitcase it wouldn't have been much of a surprise.

I yawned and switched to my domestic cell phone card and sent my mom a message that I had landed. She was already waiting outside the airport, but judging by this, I was afraid it would be a long wait.

Twenty minutes later, I finally picked up my luggage. We agreed on the terminal parking lot, which was about a ten minute walk. I went to the restroom halfway through and washed all the skin I could that was exposed, trying to wash off the weird airplane smell.

It was 2:30 a.m. and there weren't many flights taking off or landing at domestic airports anymore.

I was the only one in the restroom, and as I wiped my hands clean and prepared to leave the place, the door to the cubicle behind me suddenly opened, and a hand yanked me inside, choking me hard-

I could smell the familiar odor of death.

The murder lasted less than ten seconds. I sat down on the toilet lid with my neck covered and coughed for a while. He was about to speak when I kicked him in the middle of the shin of his calf, and he jumped away with a hiss covering his leg.

"Graduated from college, how people have changed?" Xu Tuo jumped over on one foot and ruffled my hair, "hair stay so long, also wear glasses, you myopic?"

I made a move to kick him again, but he opened the door to the cubicle and fled.

--After Dad died, Xu Tuo continued living in my house. He occasionally went out of town for a few days in the name of a business trip, and only I knew what he was there for.

Every year, when I went back home to visit my family, I also stopped by to see him. It was still the same as before, going to a convenience store to buy some junk food, going to an Internet cafe to hack, or exchanging information about the guy he had recently tracked down in my bedroom. I thought he only liked to hunt down murderers who didn't get caught, but then, I learned that his hunt was much wider than that.

The most boring part og all this was hacking games with him. His game playing sucked. "The setting of blood volume is already very unscientific, why is the monster still not dead after being stabbed so many times by the knife ......"

"Because it's a monster."

"Our characters didn't die even after being slashed so many times."

"Because that's just program data."

He probably still thought it was more fun to slash monsters in the third dimension.

My mom had always been an indecisive woman, but after dad's accident, she decisively used her pension to arrange for my study abroad. I hesitated then instead, considering whether to refuse to go abroad and stay here to take care of her.

Xu Tuo however told me to go out and look around, "Anyway, the problem of tuition was solved with the pension ......"

"You have one more chance to speak like human before I call the police." I'd said.

"-Young people should go outside more often."

----

The day I was sent to the U.S., Xu Tuo and my mom drove me to the airport. When I graduated and returned home, it was still my mom and him who came to pick me up.

My mom sent me a message in advance, she drove to the parking lot to wait for me, and Xu Tuo came to the arrival level of the airport to wait for me.

This guy really didn't wait at the exit.

We each pushed a suitcase down the elevator and went to the parking lot to find my family's car. My mom complained that my hair was too long, "You should fix it before the interview. You're not nearsighted, why are you wearing glasses? I'm worried that Xiao Xu won't recognize you."

"I almost didn't recognize him, I was worried that I caught the wrong person." He sat in the back row and laughed lowly.

I glanced at his hand. There was a cut on the back of Xu Tuo's left hand, like a knife wound.

"What happened to your hand?" I asked softly.

"-Work injury." He said, "The client was agitated and tried to cut me when we couldn't fulfill the demand."

"So." I sneered, "Then why don't you just treat the customer like God and fulfill his needs?"

"Business is business but we can't force what cannot be done."

"Tomorrow Uncle Zhou will come to our house after work right?" Too lazy to continue to talk to him, I asked mom about tomorrow, "It seems like it's about helping me with my resume."

Mom was about to drive and didn't look back, "It's okay to tell him not to come. I vote for a technical position, the kind that doesn't go out into the field."

"It's better to go into a regular business like Xiao Xu." She said, "Mom can get an old classmate to help you inwardly push into a joint venture ......"

I pushed the flat lens on my nose, hiding myself behind it to avoid her words. Dad's death had made her as uneasy as a scared bird about my future career choices.

Xue Tuo was also uneasy. He gulped three times when he saw the post graduation wishes on my notebook.

"Is this uncomfortable?" I jerked the notebook back.

"No... but when did you become interested in the study of forensics......"

"When I was in college, ah, purposely changed my major. It just so happened that Uncle Zhou was able to help me send my file to the research institute, what's wrong with a stable job and income."

I didn't know if it was an illusion, but I'd seemed to have grown a bit taller in the past few years, and I was finally about the same height when I walked with him.

The first thing that happened when I got home was the move - my mom decided to bring my grandmother in to take care of her, while I moved directly upstairs with my own stuff to the place that Xu Tuo had rented. This was something I had decided to do before I returned home, and Xu Tuo's rent could be cut in half.

Xu Tuo had rented my place for many years, but I hardly ever came up to his flat. I was worried that if I opened the door, I would see something bloody, but it turned out that the upstairs room was surprisingly clean.

There were no unnecessary decorations or furnishings, everything was neatly arranged, the large suitcase was by the window, and the wallet and ID holder were on top of the suitcase. Even in a blackout environment, one could memorize where each item was placed.

"This is how people who are always ready to run would live." He said, "You should be careful if you see anyone else's house like this in the future."

I pulled two sports posters and a couple of male-oriented magazines out of my own luggage and threw them at him, "You'd better clutter up the house tomorrow when Uncle Zhou comes over to talk to me about joining the force then."

-----

Uncle Zhou was my dad's superior and had been preparing for his retirement for the past two years.

The old cop's intuition was as sharp as a shark's. I was going to make an excuse that I was now living elsewhere and change the place of conversation; but then I thought, a lie is likely to snowball into more trouble because Uncle Zhou was too smart ......Might as well mess up the room a bit and make it look like a regular bachelor pad.

Before the appointed time, Xu Tuo and I purposely messed up the living room by putting a few posters on the wall, a pile of fleshy male magazines in the corner of the coffee table, and a few coats thrown over the backs of the chairs.

After doing all this, I waited for Uncle Zhou with peace of mind. And Xu Tuo brought us ice coke like a warm friend.

"I'd like to arrange for you to go to the third institute in the new district." Uncle Zhou said, "Not counting the old institute, it's a newly established unit in the hall. Engaged in trace science research, your specialty is more appropriate there, and they are in urgent need of new people. The public sector, the average education requirements, and everything else in your resume is beautiful, the people there also want you to go."

"Uncle will arrange it."

"Then next Thursday, you go to Henan Road and New District Road over ......," he recalled the address, his eyes fell on the magazine by the coffee table. I don't know if I was just being paranoid, but Uncle Zhou's eyes changed - was the magazine cover too hot? If I had known, I would have bought a more conservative one ......

Immediately afterward, he turned back to look at the jacket thrown on the backrest of the sofa. In a flash, my heart crashed hard - in the middle of summer, we took a fall cardigan and threw it there.

While cardigans weren't as anticlimactic as down jackets, very few young men still wore long-sleeved cardigans in the summer.

This room was full of incongruity. I purposely aged the magazines and rolled up the edges, but unfortunately, I was not skillful in doing so and could not withstand a closer look. There wasn't a scrap of paper on the coffee table, and the trash can was clean ......

"What are you hiding from uncle?"

When I came back to my senses, Uncle Zhou was sizing me up, as well as Xu Tuo, who was looking at his laptop at the dining table behind him. Xu Tuo's face was blocked by the screen, and I was worried about how he looked right now.

"Don't do anything to bring your father's breath back to life, Xueming." There was a long silence before Uncle Zhou said this.

I heard Xu Tuo choking in the back and he couldn't help but laugh.

I didn't have the guts to stay here. It was a nice night, so I said "Uncle Zhou, let's go out for a walk."

There were quite a few places to walk at night downtown, and there was a green park right next to the house. We passed a bunch of square dancers, chatting hard over the earth-shattering music.

The conversation was still about my dad.

My dad chased down an armed robber back in the day and ended up not coming back from his accident. Uncle Zhou would look blank when he talked about it. He and my dad had been partners for many years, and we had all agreed on where to buy a retirement home after we retired, but suddenly he was gone.

It happened so suddenly that it didn't yet feel real. Grief, like a misloaded bullet, didn't stay long, passing by in the blink of an eye.

"Then we went to get the guy," he said, referring to the robber who had stabbed my dad, "and got word that he was going to take the train and flee out of town."

"I know, and then he committed suicide in fear of his life."

"We only told you he died. After all, you were young and preparing for exams, and didn't dare to tell you many details. The arrest location was set at the train station, he couldn't bring a weapon with him if he wanted to enter the train station, so the difficulty and danger of closing the net wasn't too high, we planned to hold him on the platform, so as not to start a conflict in a crowded place like the waiting hall."

Next, Uncle Zhou told me the hard-core version of the story. The interceptors surrounded the platform from both sides, basically destined to catch a turtle in a jar. The man probably felt something was wrong and wanted to leave the platform and take the overhead walkway above back to the waiting room.

That's when the train was coming. They were going to make their move too. As a result, they unexpectedly saw their target drop down toward the tracks out of the blue and instantly get churned up by the train.

Half of his body was run over by the train, but he didn't die for a while. He was screaming and shouting, "Someone stabbed me in the leg and made me go down!

Whether someone really stabbed his legs and forced him to fall down the platform was impossibleto tell since the lower half of his body had been crushed. There was no way to find out.

By the time the engineer's team came in a hurry to saw off the platform, the man was dead.

"This is only said in private, but everyone thinks it's retribution." Uncle Zhou smiled bitterly, "That death was tragic enough. Later, there was a department that organized psychological counseling to comfort the other passengers who were on the platform that day ...... How could someone stab him down with a knife? That's a train station, you can't bring a knife through the inspection ......"

I twisted my head and threw the contents of my pocket into the trash can. Now I knew, why before I boarded the plane, Xu Tuo gave me a pen that could not write to keep as a souvenir. Its nib was sharpened to a very sharp point, and I'd thought it was a special style of handmade fountain pen.

-----

The job was finalized. When I went back, Xu Tuo had already tidied up the house.

I told him I'd thrown the pen away, but he still felt pity: "Maybe it would have been useful in the future."

"Waiting for whoever finds that pen that can't write ink and realizes that what's congealed inside the nib is blood, then a lab test, exciting."

"You're so bad at enjoying the uncertainty of life."

"I wouldn't have the hobby of dying if I could enjoy that."

I then fished out my newly purchased rope from my bag, a high yardage German-made climbing rope of uniform thickness that wouldn't hurt my skin, which I'd brought back from the States on purpose.

Life after returning to China was calm and stable. I went to and from work every day on time, no overtime, and of course no bonus. When I got home, I cooked on 1, 3, 5, and Tuo cooked on 2, 4, 6, 7. It was a verbal agreement. But the guy often came home late.

"I looked up a soon to be released prisoner." He said, "-Extensive record of brawling, three times causing serious cranial injuries to others, lots of other petty thefts, a regular at the police station since he was fourteen, thirty-one years old this year. Come see my treasure boy."

He held the laptop up in my direction. I was currently hanging myself from the doorknob, staring dead ahead.

"I wish you all the happiness in the world." I choked out.

"Anyway, I may not be back for the next two days. He's got a friend from the next city to pick him up from jail."

"Why don't you go wait for him at the prison gate." I let go of the rope and dropped down, "Maybe he's in jail again for fighting and assault while you're buying a train ticket."

"I'm an activist, Xueming."

-----

The proactive Xu Tuo went to the train station early the next morning to chase his treasured prey. I went to work as usual, and when I passed by my coworker's workstation, he was entering photos of a new case -- the body of a young woman with strangulation marks on her neck.

"Suicide." He noticed I was interested and he handed me the photo, "But the rope marks are special, we'll enter them into the system for a record."

I touched my neck, "Suicide?"

"Well, there are no signs of struggle, there are no abnormal drug indicators ...... In short, it meets the criteria for suicide, and the case was closed in accordance with suicide."

By the time these photos were taken, the body had already begun to show visible body spots. There was a bright, well-proportioned purple mark on her neck, like the blossoming flower.

Perhaps I was the only one who realized that this was not a suicide.

To be continued

[starjxsung]

(🪲)

hi star, it’s been a hot minute since i’ve sent you a message and i hope you’re doing well. i haven’t been active on tumblr much because of school and life but i saw that you’re taking a break from writing and i hope it’s doing you well! take all the time you need, of course! i’m gonna reread the works already posted because i missed you a lot.

anyway, how are you?? are you eating? drinking enough water every day? sleeping well?

oh also, little life update: *tw mentions of abuse and dv* remember that girlfriend i had that i was so madly in love with before i disappeared? yeah we broke up recently because…well…she hit me. i’m still very shocked but i also feel like in hindsight i should’ve seen this coming. we’d been having so many issues for a while before that where she really got a kick out of humiliating me in front of other people and just overall treating me like some kind of emotional punching bag and she just didn’t respect me as a person. i think i stayed because i refused to believe that i was being abused and because i’m not good with change when i’ve literally merged my entire life with hers. but before i knew she’d come visit to me and my family and we’d started the day fighting because we had to pick my brother up from his school and she didn’t want to and then she literally lifts herself off of her seat while driving and boom. even after all that i stayed with her for another month before she’d left and i was finally able to admit that she’s abusive. and it sucks. i’m so so so sad but at the same time i’ve felt this immense relief. anyway i’m switching to online college and staying home with my parents to recover and piece myself back together. sorry if this is heavy, after the breakup i realized she’d literally alienated me from all my friends so i didn’t know who to tell :/ you can ignore this tho.

anyway, ilysm and please take care of yourself!

HI my angel you’ve been so thoroughly missed !!!! I’ve been doing good 🫶 took a little trip from tumblr as a whole and I’m enjoying it so much more again I love chatting with u all and I missed writing so dearly. This is truly hell site sometimes but heavy emphasis on the sometimes bc most of the time it’s fucking phenomenal

Also oh my god?? First off are you OKAY now and are you somewhere safe??? I am so so so beyond sorry to hear this happened :( I was rooting for you guys so often and I’m sick to my stomach hearing things turned out this way. It’s made especially difficult when things begin to change and everything was so different before… but please know that this is in NO way your fault and you did nothing wrong at all. The way you spoke of her was always so beautiful and unfortunately people can just be fucking shitty at the end of the day. That in no way reflects on you or your ability to hold relationships or anything of that nature. I don’t want you to put yourself in any scenario of wishing you did better or differently. You were a remarkable partner and the rest was not in your hands.

TW here also *mentions of death*: I knew somebody who lost their life at the hands of a domestic abuser. It was very jarring and I still think of her every single day of my life. There was nothing she could’ve done to prevent it, but I’m really sensitive to these things and ensuring that ANYONE is able to get somewhere safe when they’re in these scenarios. Please reach out if you need anything at all, know that you’re not alone in this and that I am right there with you on this journey to healing. You can always call my discord if there’s some sort of emergency and you need to talk, or message me on here or whatever works best. But make sure you’re in a safe place and away from anything that puts you in harm’s way.

I love you so very dearly and I have no doubt you’ll find somebody much better down the line. Right now focus on yourself and do the things that you love, be kind to yourself and know that she isn’t worth any of your time, energy OR of receiving your love. I hope she finds it in herself to be better.

I love you sweet friend. Thinking of you always 💓💝🩷💘💖💖🫂