#joiners arms

[liverpoollomo]

Joiners Arms, Bakewell. Nikon F65. Ilford XP5 (shot at 1600.)

On my second night in Bakewell I went out for a walk at night with the intention of going to one or two pubs. I happened across a fantastic "taproom" style bar that served some rather nice craft and local beers.

Had I been a local I would have patronised it as much as possible. The staff and regulars where welcoming and dogs where allowed! Dog friendly coffee shops and pubs are heavenly.

[fullfriendnerdclutch]

After Wes did his part, it's Adrien's turn now

*knock knock*

"Come in! I don't usually have a visitor at 8.30 PM at summertime, to whom do I owe such pleasure? Oh....Adrien, son, why are you still in the office? Everyone usually left around 6 or 7 PM, except Cathy obviously, she's such a reliable assistant for me. Oh crap, enough with the rambling, what's up, son?" the DILF said cheerfully, unaware of Adrien's malicious intention

"Oh, the pleasure's mine, sir *close the door*. Especially when I will explore that tight hunky body of yours using that beautiful rugged hands and feeling all the raw authoritative strength coursing all over my system," Adrien said grinning as he takes a swig of his vial that he dropped to the floor with almost half of its content still left inside it. He found himself delighted with the mint-like yet more intense sensation from the potion as he tried to make his move

Taken aback with his own employee seemingly in lust with him so openly, he tried to speak a few words to get some sense back to Adrien. After all, this is the star recruit from a local Catholic college, why is he openly admitting to his homosexual desire knowing full well that his own boss is very much a devoted followers of Christ? But, the moment Adrien sprinted like his sole life goal literally placed right in front of his lanky 28 years old self, Mr. Wilson knows that shit will go south quickly, so he readied himself for an impact as he closed his eyes and raised his arm before realizing that 80% of Adrien's body already absorbed into him. Now faced with Adrien's face literally super close with his face, Mr. Wilson realized how fucked his situation at this very moment as Adrien's form seemingly turned slimy and his eyes clearly a little bit wrong

"We're going to be so close, I'm practically going to puppet your body to do whatever I desired," Adrien said with a maniacal grin that Mr. Wilson wouldn't expect coming from the usually-reserved new joiner

Adrien then lunged for a deadly kiss that will seal their fate and despite Mr. Wilson effort to move his arm to stop Adrien and turn his head away, rest of Adrien solid-slimy form still not absorbed by Mr. Wilson's body simply splashed on the surface of the DILF's face and upper part of the suit. The "slime" then moved to enter all possible orifices, be it Mr. Wilson's mouth, nostrils or ears, all entries are utilized and stuffed to the brim by the leftover slime. Mr. Wilson's body then convulsed like a fish taken out of the ocean in his seat, battling for its life as the invader inched closer than ever to take full control. His erratic movement and the spreading sensation of the invasion drawn him to unbutton his shirt and tried to do anything to stop the sensation from taking hold over his entire body. Yet, when the cold, slimy feeling managed to gain access to the veins in his cock and simultaneously reached the back of his head, he knows that he's fucked beyond repair. Eventually, Adrien's invasion overwhelmed the 51 years old muscle tank, which then roared in delight as he finally take a deep, crisp breath of the air-conditioned, sandalwood-scented executive suite from the lung of the one and only Robert Wilson. He chuckled in delight as his control become stronger with every second passed with him inside his DILF of a boss body. The body actually started to feel less and less foreign and it's like as if he's always in control of this 5'7" fit ball of muscle within minutes, so in an abuse of his boss muscle memory, Adrien slid the calloused hand Robert Wilson used to shake hands with high-powered executives and bureaucrats into the exposed muscular chest now under his control.

It instantly electrifies him as Robert's memory revealed a very sensitive nipple that always sent the law firm partner to his knees during all his sexual escapades. Adrien experienced the same knee-buckling sensation as he can sense the growing erection confined by the denim. Add to the fact that Adrien just practically aroused the 51 years old by slipping inside of him, creamy white spunk painting his underwear and the rest of his clothing is simply inevitable. Not even a minute after teasing the perky pink nipples of his own boss, Adrien shot the biggest load out of Mr. Wilson's dick as if he's been blue-balling himself for weeks! Adrien simply chuckled to the mess he created,

"Sloppy guy, don't you? Fuck I don't expect you to be this easy, sir," he said as he savored the taste of now-his cum from his finger, the taste and the deep chuckling just sent his flaccid cock into yet another semi

"Hahahahahah, I can do this shit all night long," he said as he grinned mischievously while ensuring that he cleaned all his fingers

Looking at his disheveled reflection, Adrien decided to at least clean himself up before meeting his boyfriend. Besides, he's been dying to see the inside of the executive bathroom inside Mr. Wilson's office, so he strut himself to the secluded bathroom in his soiled clothing, the shit-eating grin plastered on his face as his eyes caught the plaque of the law firm, Wilson, Thorpe, van Beecker, the idea of walking around the law firm he now basically own and demanding attention from everyone as they all practically worked for him now really drive him close to the edge. But, he calmed himself down and managed to get into the bathroom without another spunk spoiling his pants.

Inside the shower, more memories of Mr. Wilson unlocked for him. A dinner plan with his son tonight, yeah, just gonna call that sport after this whole shower to cancel it, and mostly memories about works from the past few months. The sensation feels calming and right, that all of this feels deeply personal yet very much rightfully his. It's like climbing a mountain, there's more sight and area that his eyes can see from a much higher vantage point the longer he climbed, or in this case, the longer he stayed inside this body. He can direct his focus to a certain memories even from the distant past now, like his wedding day, the day his only son was born, the moment he tearfully admitted to his wife that he fell out of love with her and reconnected with his old homosexual desire, everything becomes more and more accessible which certainly can help him to play the part of Robert Wilson through and through. He did all that with his eyes closed, head backed to the wall without realizing that his hand wandered all over his body, feeling all the muscle and the ridges of his weathered, strong physique and letting out momentary delighted moan and groan with each touches and more memories revealed. When the memories showcased the first memory of Mr. Wilson, the merging eventually completed as he no longer viewed Mr. Wilson as a separate entity and seeing his memories from third-person point of view, he's seeing and experiencing it from Mr. Wilson's perspective. As that moment happened, the climax hit Adrien very hard as 53 years of Mr. Wilson's life finally fused very beautifully with his own set of memories, making all the pain, sorrow, joy, lust, euphoria and all sort of sensation that Mr. Wilson went through crashed into his system and knocked himself off as volleys of cum wildly unloaded from the hard 9 incher monster that's been on the edge for the past couple of minutes

Adrien found himself splayed on the bathroom floor, losing track of times and his body sticky from all the mess he sprayed. But he just simply chuckled as he found himself finally fully at home inside this studly DILF body he can comfortably called his now. He just quickly wiped off the excess, drying cum from his body with the shower still running and finished his shower in no time as he cannot let his boyfriend waited any longer

As he walked back to his office, he found it weird that the door is opened and he can clearly listen someone humming from inside. And that's the voice of his son, Carl! Shit, he thought frantically, thinking of any excuse to explain why he's showering in the office and skipping dinner with his son without informing him. As he tried to keep his cool and walked into the office suite, his son suddenly greeted him first with no shirts on whatsoever

"Hello, dad. Or should I say, Adrien,"

That's when Mr. Wilson's eyes darted to the now-empty vial sitting in his desk. Who is this person and how the fuck he's in control of Carl's body????

[wongyuseokie]

Sharing Is Caring | l.s.m, k.m.g, x.m.h

☆ 18+ minors dni | ♕ smut | ♥︎ completed

Summary: You and Mingyu have always fooled around, and no one really caught on, but today, Mingyu was feeling rather bold, and so not only do you now have an audience, but you also have two new joiners.  Word Count:  4213 words 

Pairing: Female Reader x Kim Mingyu | Fe. You’dader x Lee Seokmin | Female Reader x Xu Minghao 

Genre/Trope(s)/AU(s): Smut, PWP. Content Warnings: None. It’s a PWP, and honestly, I just wanted to rewrite this for Seventeen’s 97 line. 

Smut Warnings: Dom! Mingyu, Dom! Minghao, Dom! Seokmin. Overstimulation, breast & nipple play. Oral (m & f receiving), face riding, squirting. Mentions of public sex. Pet names (good boy, baby boy, pretty girl), praise kink. Mingyu has a daddy kink. Pussy slapping. Spanking. Cum play. Biting, it’s mild. Hao uses cuffs. OC is a ragdoll. Pray for her. She isn’t walking for a while. They’re kind of competing? I don't know it’s just smutty. Name-calling (slut, cum slut). I don't know y’all. Choking. Kitten. 

Authors Note 1: Also, if you’ve seen this fic before, it’s because it was something I’d published once for a different group, but I wanted to revisit and rework it. Authors Note 2: Thank you so much to @wooahaeproductions and @gyupremacy for beta'ing this very long horny mess. Tagging: @aaniag 💕

Cross Posted to AO3

© wongyuseokie 2023. All rights reserved.

“Mingyu, don’t. He’ll kill you,” you whispered, watching your best friend being an absolute idiot. You watched him lean over the couch where Minghao was sleeping peacefully. You knew Minghao had insomnia issues, so when he did manage to sleep, you didn’t want anyone to disturb him. 

“Make me Y/N,” Mingyu sassed back at you. You know the saying desperate times call for desperate measures? This was one. You walked over to Mingyu and wrapped your arms around his waist, halting his movements. Mingyu melted into your embrace but chuckled.

“Aww, cute Y/N, but that’s not going to do shit,” Mingyu said with a grin as he resumed his position to pounce on Minghao and wake him up. You put your hands under Mingyu’s shirt, sighing at his toned physique. 

“Baby, please,” you whispered.

You’d known him since you were kids and saw him through the rough trainee days to the present, where he and his other members were now selling out stadiums worldwide. To anyone else, it might have seemed like you and Mingyu were dating, but you weren’t. You just fucked.  

This whole arrangement happened one night because you were rooming with Mingyu while visiting him on tour, and you walked in on him pleasuring himself in the shower. He didn’t even look shocked or anything. 

“I have needs; if you are uncomfortable, I apologise. Please close the door, but if not,  feel free to join me.” From the adorable young boy that you knew, Mingyu had grown into one of the most handsome men you had known and a man whose duality sometimes got you wet, if you must admit. You pondered over his proposal for a second and joined him. From that night, you both became fuck buddies, and it was probably the best decision ever.

“Fuck, Y/N,” Mingyu’s resolve at waking up his member dissolved when he felt your arms wrap around his waist. “You’re not playing fair,” he mumbled, and you could feel him pout. 

“Mingyu, look at me,” you pleaded. He turned around so you were pressed into his firm chest, his arms around your waist now.

“What?” he pouted; he could be an absolute baby when required. You didn’t answer him. You stood on your tiptoes and pulled his head down to reach your lips, capturing them with yours.

“What if I kept you busy instead? Let Minghao sleep,” you suggested. Mingyu sighed, never being able to refuse you for anything, and sex was his weak spot. 

“Fine,” he bent down and hoisted you up, legs wrapping around his tiny waist. He walked over to the same sofa where Minghao was sleeping, sat you down with you straddling his lap, and continued kissing you. 

“Mingyu!” you hissed.

“Let’s go to the bedroom, he’ll wake up!” you pleaded, but it seemed like Mingyu couldn’t be bothered. After four years of being your fuck buddy, he knew your body like the back of his hand. He moved his lips to your neck and started sucking, making you suppress a moan. 

“So let him. I can assure you Minghao will enjoy what he wakes up to,” Mingyu said as he smirked against your neck. The thought of someone else watching made you grow wetter, especially if that someone was Minghao.

You’d grown considerably closer to all Seventeen, especially the 97’s. Minghao was kind, funny and sweet, and Seokmin was an absolute angel, always there no matter what. Mingyu, well, he was your best friend, but these three together were trouble with a capital “T.”

You were interrupted from your thoughts of your extremely attractive friends by Mingyu’s hands reaching the bottom of your hoodie and tugging at it. You couldn’t deny how unfairly handsome they were; it sometimes got annoying. You lifted your arms, and Mingyu removed your hoodie. His eyes widened with lust, seeing that you had chosen to forego a bra. 

“Fuck, pretty baby, no bra? Were you hoping to get fucked?” He smirked, his voice low, and you could feel his breath on your nipples. 

“Did it work?” you asked, feigning innocence. Mingyu groaned and rubbed his now hard length against your clothed pussy. 

“Can you feel that, Y/N? Of course, it did.” 

You moved your hands to reach Mingyu’s flannel shirt and unbuttoned it,  helping him out of it. His bare torso, toned body, and arms were enough to make you drool, and there was nothing to soothe the pain in your now aching cunt. 

“Y/N, stop. I want to taste you, baby; I can tell you're probably a dripping mess,” Mingyu said. You blushed, which only confirmed his assumption.

Mingyu moved you and placed you on the sofa. His hands went straight to your trousers, and he wasted no time ridding them of you before taking your underwear along with it. He was greeted with a sight he could never get tired of; your wet pussy, clit swollen, begging for attention. Just as Mingyu was about to place his tongue on your clit, you heard a gruff voice interrupt your state of bliss.

“Seriously, guys? If you’ll have sex, can you at least ask if I want to join?” Minghao smirked as he boldly asked to join you and Mingyu. You tried to cover yourself with a pillow in embarrassment, but Minghao still crawled over to your side of the sofa.

“Don’t be shy, Y/N. I’ve heard you and Mingyu so many times, and Y/N, you have no idea how many times I imagined your pretty lips on my cock. Fuck, do you both know how many bedsheets I’ve ruined because both of you won’t keep it down?” His voice was low and teasing. You shifted your gaze to Mingyu, who looked fucked out at Minghao’s words, but he recovered quicker than you.

“You want her lips, Hao?” Mingyu asked, not a hint of humour in his voice, and Minghao nodded. 

“Oh, interesting. A possible proposition, and I wasn’t invited?” A voice interrupted, and you turned around to be greeted by a shirtless Seokmin, and he was smirking at you. You were practically drooling because of the exchange between Minghao and Mingyu, and now seeing Seokmin shirtless just made you whine. Seokmin laughed at your misery, but not for long; he walked around to the sofa and bent down so his mouth was in line with your pussy.

“Shall I eat you out, princess? Your cunt looks like it’s begging for some love,” he commented. You felt his hot breath fan against your pussy; you squirmed.

“Please, Seokmin, please,” you begged, desperate to feel Seokmin’s lips and tongue on your pussy.

“Okay, princess, don’t hold back. I want to taste you on my tongue.” With that, Seokmin dove straight into your cunt. He didn’t tease; he pushed his thick tongue inside your cunt. He started moving his mouth so that his tongue was thrusting in and out of your pussy. He moved his arm and placed it over your waist, rendering you immobile. You were squirming too much, and Seokmin wanted you at his mercy.

He moved his tongue to your clit, which was now red and swollen, and begging for attention. He wrapped his plump lips around your clit and sucked while his tongue flicked your nub; his flicks were harsh and unrelenting. You felt him insert two fingers into your cunt, his mouth never-ceasing their actions while his fingers thrust in and out of your cunt at a brutal pace. You thought you would come apart right then and there; his mouth felt so good. 

You were so close, and Seokmin knew. He stopped flicking at your clit and gently nibbled it, pushing his fingers deeper into your cunt. Thrusting them upwards, he hit your g-spot. You fell apart on his tongue and let out a slight scream.

Seokmin didn’t stop; he kept lapping at your release and fingering you. The oversensitivity of his actions caused something to snap in you, making you shake violently. You grabbed Seokmin’s hair for support, and your vision faded; you were in utter euphoria.

“Hey, Y/N You okay, pretty girl?” Seokmin asked you, his voice breaking you from your lust-bound spell. You nodded.  He smiled and leaned in,  pecking your lips. You tasted yourself on him. 

“Wait, Seokmin, why are you all we—,” you stopped mid-speech because you realised why he was dripping wet. 

“I didn’t know I could do that,” you whispered. Seokmin smiled and leaned over to where Mingyu and Minghao were. 

“Hear that, Mingyu? I made her squirt. You still can’t do much to your baby girl,” Seokmin teased and shot a wink at you. You heard a growl from Mingyu. as he moved over to you, pushing Seokmin away.

While Mingyu grabbed you by the waist and repositioned you so you were now lying with your back down on the sofa, Seokmin moved over to Minghao and curled up by his side. 

Mingyu glared at you. “Do you see what you’ve done, princess? Now I’m going to fuck you, and I won’t stop until you squirt again. You are in for a long night,” Mingyu teased as he leaned above and kissed you.

“Safeword Y/N?” Mingyu asked. 

“Peaches.”

Seokmin had bruised Mingyu’s ego, and he was unhappy. 

Millions of questions ran through his mind. Were you not satisfied? Did you fake your orgasms? 

How did Seokmin, for the first time, make you squirt? He was pissed, and he was going to take it out on you. He would make you cum, squirt and beg. 

“Y/n, on your hands and knees right now,” Mingyu demanded, and you knew not to disobey, but you were a brat, and you loved to get him worked up so he’d punish you. 

“Baby boy, I’m tired. Seokmin just did a number on me,” you cooed and winked at Seokmin, who smiled and winked back at you. 

“Y/N, don’t fucking test my patience,” Mingyu warned. His voice was now louder and caught the attention of the two other boys, who were sat on the sofa to make their way to your side. Seokmin and Minghao were now sitting on either side. 

You froze in place, not that it took much. Your legs were jelly, thanks to Seokmin. Minghao started peppering kisses to your neck and started sucking, earning a moan from you. 

“Y/N,” Minghao spoke, his deep voice making you dizzy. 

“Yes?” you answered. 

“Listen to the big baby; get on your hands and knees, pretty girl. I’ll make it worthwhile,” he spoke and kissed your lips softly enough, leaving you wanting more. 

Once you were on all fours, you realised that you were facing Minghao, and you felt a dip in the sofa, noticing Seokmin once again move back to sit next to Minghao. You felt Seokmin’s hands on your ass; he was turning you around onto your hands and knees. Simply staring at them, you felt yourself getting wetter. A sharp slap to your ass broke you free of your daydream. 

“Fuck, Mingyu!” Another slap. 

“Fuck Mingyu, baby, I—” One more slap. Mingyu leaned over your body, and you felt his thick, hard length on your back. His large hand went around your neck. 

He bit your earlobe gently and said, “You call me anything but Daddy, Y/N, and you won’t fucking walk for a week. Now I will have my way with you. You squirted for Seokmin. You are a filthy little slut. Only whores squirt like you did,” Mingyu whispered in your ear, and his words shot straight to your pussy. If you thought you could, you would cum at that moment. 

“Mingyu, please fuck me,” You heard him telling you to call him Daddy, but you wanted to be a brat; you wanted him to fuck you hard. There was another slap to your ass. 

“You want to play it like that, Y/N? Okay, princess, you do that. Just know I’m going to use your pussy to store my cum, and you better keep it in there. When I’m done, Minghao can lick it out of your cunt.” 

“Gladly, Mingyu. I want that sweet little pussy on my mouth,” Minghao said in agreement.

Mingyu pushed his cock into your cunt without warning, resulting in a loud moan from you. You’d been sleeping with him for four years, yet his length would always stretch you out, and you welcomed that burn. He started pounding into your cunt, showing no mercy. He wrapped his arm around your waist and snaked his fingers to your clit. starting to rub. 

“Fuck Daddy,” you moaned. 

“So fucking good,” you praised. You were on the precipice of your second orgasm of the night. Mingyu knew and just fucked you harder as he worked his fingers quickly against your clit. You felt something snap another word.., and you came. Mingyu let out a loud groan at your cunt clenching around his cock. He didn’t stop; he just kept pounding into your wet and now sensitive cunt. 

“Daddy, please, too much,” you whined, but you didn’t actually mind.  

“What did I tell you, Y/N?” Mingyu asked.

“That I’m your little cum slut, Daddy,” you replied, moaning. Your words did something to Mingyu because he let out a growl and started rutting his hips into your cunt even harder, at a pace you didn’t think was possible. He wrapped his hands around your neck, choking you. 

“Daddy is pretty close, baby,” Mingyu told you in a low voice; you could tell he was. His breathing was getting more uneven. He suddenly pulled out of your cunt, making you whine at the loss of the contact, only to push back in and continue fucking you. You felt your legs shake, your limbs gave way, and your vision faded for the second time tonight. You were panting and crying tears of pleasure. 

Mingyu was satisfied, he had made you cum twice, and now you had just squirted all over him. He thrust into you a few more times until he reached release and filled your pussy with his cum. 

“Princess, you okay?” Mingyu asked as he softly turned you over and kissed your forehead. 

“Yes, I am.” You were exhausted, and yet you wanted more.

 “Good, pretty baby. Now walk over to Minghao and sit on his face.” You did as you were told, and the minute you placed your cum filled cunt on Minghao’s lips, you felt his arms wrap around your waist. “Don’t you dare let my cum drip out of your pussy. Let him lick you clean.” 

“Ready for me, baby?” 

You did not understand how one man’s tongue could bring you so much pleasure. You fisted your hands into Minghao’s hair, and he licked and sucked Mingyu’s cum out of your pussy. Long strokes of his tongue collected the cum that threatened to spill out of your pussy as he sucked at your cunt, cleaning it of Mingyu’s cum. 

Minghao mumbled something. The vibration shot straight to your now extremely sensitive pussy, and caused you to barrel into your fourth orgasm of the night. Your grip on his hair tightened, and you screamed because Minghao would not stop. 

His arm around your waist meant that he had you at his mercy. He kept flicking your clit, and sucking at it. Alternating between sucking and licking, you were so close. You felt two pairs of lips, one on your neck and one on your breasts.

You opened your eyes—previously screwed shut in pleasure—to find Seokmin’s plump lips on your nipple, sucking and gently using his teeth to tug at your swollen nipples. 

While Mingyu was the one at your neck, he was not kind about it. He was sucking and biting your neck, leaving no part of it untouched. You’d be purple and hiding your neck in a turtleneck for a while, but you didn’t care right now. 

The combined pleasure of all three men on your body had you seeing stars, and you came again, even harder and shook. Minghao licked a couple more times, making you shiver with overstimulation, and he loosened his grip around your waist. 

Seokmin and Mingyu helped to lay you down on the sofa. You sighed in relief as you finally let your body relax on the couch.

You noticed Minghao getting up off the sofa and walking away. 

“Hao,” you whined. You didn’t get to fuck him, and you were so desperate to feel his cock inside you. Mingyu chuckled as they slid two fingers into your wet pussy. 

“Sssh, Y/N. If I know Minghao, he’s just coming back with something to keep you in place,” he smirked as he fingered your pussy. While Mingyu fingered you, Seokmin leaned down to bring his mouth down to your cunt, and licked your now extremely oversensitive clit. 

He sucked and grazed his teeth on your cunt, pushing you straight into your sixth fifth? orgasm of the night. You noticed Mingyu lifting his fingers soaked in your cum to Seokmin’s mouth, who sucked his fingers clean. 

“Fuck, Y/N; you taste so good.” You thought you would not live through what these boys were doing to you. “God, I could honestly eat you out forever.”

Minghao came back with two scarves and a pair of handcuffs. You scoffed. 

“Hao? Seriously, Gucci scarves and Chanel-encrusted handcuffs?” He smirked at your comment.

“You deserve the best, and might as well use something designer when I fuck you so hard that you can’t walk straight when I’m done.” That shut you up quickly.

“Boys, hold the pretty slut down.” You shivered at his words; besides Mingyu, all the boys were shocking you tonight. They were grown men, but the filth coming out of their mouths was new—not that you minded in the slightest bit.

Mingyu and Seokmin grabbed your legs and spread them as wide as possible. You’re now dripping, with your aching cunt on full display. Both men let out a groan at the sight. 

“Hands Y/N”, Minghao spoke as he walked around to the sofa, and he was now standing in front of you as well. You held out both hands to him, and he tied them together with a scarf. Kissing your wrists gently, he then snapped the handcuffs over the scarf. 

“Hao, isn’t that a bit much?” 

Minghao smirked, his eyes dark with lust. “Baby, when I’m done with you, you’ll be glad these scarves provided relief.” With that, he grabbed you by your waist and flipped you over and onto your knees. You were struggling to balance on your knees now that your hands were bound.

You felt your ankles being tied together, too. “Minghao, how the fuck will I move?” You protested. 

“Exactly, baby girl. You won’t. I will fuck you and use your little cunt until I cum understood?” You were stunned into silence. Minghao took your silence as disobedience, and you were punished immediately with a sharp slap to your ass. 

“Yes, I understand, sir.” Minghao moaned at the mention of sir.

He positioned himself behind you and grabbed your bound wrists so your back was pressed into his chest. You were on your knees, ankles bound. Minghao slid his hard, thick and long length into your cunt.

“Ah, Ha—Sir, too much,” you choked out. 

Minghao kept pushing into your cunt, until he fully bottomed you out. 

“Sssh baby, deep breaths, relax. I’ll make you feel good. Okay?” 

You nodded, letting out a hum of acceptance. “Please move,” you begged. Minghao placed a kiss on your back in between your shoulder blades.

Minghao started pushing into your cunt; he began his thrusts slowly and growled at how tight you were. The pain from the stretch subsided and was now pleasurable; the position he had you in had his cock filling you up and hitting your g-spot each time. 

Minghao, on the other hand, was in absolute bliss. His eyes were screwed shut in pleasure. You were so fucking tight, and you were like a vice grip around his cock. 

Minghao bit down on your exposed shoulder and started sucking it. He kept going while he thrust his hard cock inside your pussy. You were in absolute pleasure until you felt something soft at your pussy. You looked down to see Mingyu snaking his tongue along your clit.

“Mingyu, fuck, so fucking good,” you moaned, had it not been for Minghao’s vice grip across your waist, you would have fallen over. You were drowning in pleasure as Mingyu kept licking your pussy. 

“Fuck,” A loud groan came from Minghao as he thrust into you harder and faster.

You felt a hand caress your cheek softly, and you looked to your right to find Seokmin staring at you sweetly. His cock was red, hard and swollen and begging for attention. 

“Seokmin, please fuck my mouth,” you begged. You wanted them all at once and in one go. 

Seokmin walked closer to you and put his hands into your hair, making a makeshift ponytail, as he guided his thick length into your mouth. He let out a loud moan as he felt your warm mouth enclose his cock.

You tapped Seokmin’s thigh to let him know you were ready for him, and he slowly started thrusting into your mouth. Fucking your throat, you so badly wanted to cup his balls and make him beg and cum for you, but your hands were bound. That being said, the rate at which Seokmin was fucking your throat, you know he wasn’t far off. Mingyu’s tongue was still playing with your clit. 

Minghao kept pounding into you and biting your exposed back and shoulder. You were close to cumming, and so was Minghao. You needed to cum. Mingyu knew your body, and he could see it; he replaced his tongue with his fingers and rubbed at your clit. You shook and froze for a moment as you came, making Minghao moan and bite down harder on your shoulder as you tightened even further around his dick.

You knew Seokmin was close, his thrusts were getting sloppy, and he stilled his hips with one final thrust into your mouth. He gently pulled out of your mouth and kissed your lips. His hot cum spilling down your throat. 

“Good girl, Y/N,” Mingyu sat before you and kissed you, his tongue snaking into your mouth, tasting Minghao’s cum and yours. 

“Seriously, yY/N. You’ve been a very good girl.” Mingyu snaked his fingers down to your clit again and fingered your clit harder, and you shook and came again. You had lost count of how many times you came tonight. Minghao pushed into you one last time and stilled his moving hips, his cum painting your walls. He kissed all the spots he bit and undid the ties around your ankle.

Just when you thought you’d get relief of some sort—as you felt Minghao undoing the scarves around your ankles lightly, massaging the area. You were immediately carried and placed on to Mingyu, sitting, his dick hard and waiting for you. 

Minghao carried you onto Mingyu and put you down onto Mingyu’s cock. You let out a strangled cry, you were so sensitive and yet you wanted so much more. Mingyu wasted no time and started thrusting his hips upwards. He set a brutal pace, and you were so fucking close to cumming again. 

“Mingyu, please. Daddy, I need to cum,” you begged, and Mingyu’s eyes softened.

“You will, with me,” and with that, he pounded into your cunt hard as he could. You still needed to finish, and Mingyu immediately put his fingers on your clit and rubbed the swollen nub, making you squirt all over him. You felt him getting close just from how shallow his breaths were. He still his hips and held you close, and came inside you.

You were a sobbing and moaning mess. You felt so good, so worn out, yet you wanted more. You felt Mingyu lift you off his lap and place you on the sofa. He undid your bound wrists, kissing them. He pulled you into his side and started kissing you; his kisses were soft and gentle. Before you could melt into his tenderness, you felt two tongues on your pussy. You tried to squirm away, but Mingyu gripped you harder. He knew he wrecked you.

You looked down to see Minghao and Seokmin at your cunt, lapping up your release and Mingyu’s release. You noticed how both tongues would meet, and the sight had you so close to cumming. 

It didn’t take long for Mingyu to kiss you, all while Seokmin’s lips were sucking on your clit, and Minghaos’s long tongue collected the release in your pussy as you fell apart on their tongues.

The two boys lapped up your release, kissed your forehead, and sat next to you on the couch when they cleaned you up. You were practically curled up in Mingyu’s lap.

“You’re right, Gyu; maybe a fuck buddy isn’t such a bad idea,” Seokmin said with a chuckle. 

“This doesn’t just have to be a one-time thing, right?” You mumbled, loud enough for the others to hear you. 

“No, kitten, it doesn’t,” Mingyu agreed, kissing your forehead. 

[elisysd]

18. You know I dream in color and do the things I want

Masterlist - Previously - Next

Chapter soundtrack: Stronger (What doesn’t kill you) - Kelly Clarkson

Charles was so excited to have you back in the paddock with him. His performances and the car were starting to get better and he knew that your presence would only bring extra motivation to him. You had explained to him in thorough detail your plan and showed him notes and a list of guests you would love to have. If it had stung to not see his name on top of it at first, he quickly understood where your goal was lying. 

“Luc would be so proud of you, you know,” he whispered in your ear as you were drifting on and off of sleep in his private jet as you were on your way to Austin.

He was almost sure to find you smiling sadly hearing the name of your brother or to see the spark in your eyes dim. But it wasn’t the case. Instead, your smile got broader and your eyes shone brighter. 

“I’m going to try to have Newey on the podcast. He was Luc’s idol.”

“I thought I was!”

“And you are,” you laughed. “but Newey isn’t far behind you. And truthfully, I’m so curious to chat with him. I want to know what is written inside that red notebook.”

“Me too. Please, if you manage to have access to it, can you take pictures of what is inside so Ferrari knows how to build a fast car for next year?”

You laughed as you cuddled to his side, trying to make yourself comfortable. There was nothing you hated more on earth than taking the plane. Being thousand miles away from the ground without any options to rely on if things started to go wrong was not a pleasant feeling. You couldn’t wait for the flight to be over and to step out of the private jet, breathing clear air. 

It was the late evening when you finally made it to Austin. You were not that tired and wanted to take the opportunity to meet your old colleagues downtown. Some would say, you had hidden motivations and the get together was not coming from pure intentions. You preferred to see it as mixing business with pleasure for once. Seeing Jean and Marion made your heart miss a beat. You had braced yourself with the feeling that meeting them again would inevitably bring back old memories. Their friendly faces reminded you of the first time you stepped foot in the office, as a freshly new joiner, all lost, confused but still eager to learn. The first GP and interviews under Marion’s wing, the first pre-race meeting and first debrief. It seemed like a lifetime ago when in fact it had only been a few months. So much had changed. You had changed. 

“Y/N! I’m so happy to see you,” Marion greeted you, a smile on her face before engulfing you in a hug. 

“It’s good to be here with you guys.”

“So… your little project? Care to tell us more about it. I have to say, I’m very excited,” Jean threw an arm around your shoulder, before guiding you to their table.

You spent the next hours explaining in every detail your plan and how you would put it into action. When you finally were over, Marion smirked and rummaged through her handbag before handing you something you knew very well. 

“If you really are going to create your own media, you need a pass,” she winked. 

“I suppose. But I don’t think this one works anymore,” you said, bittersweet, caressing your old pass suddenly feeling nostalgic.  

“Well, you are arriving with Charles so you don’t have to scan his one at the entry. But no one will verify thoroughly if you wear it inside the paddock. They only need to see media on it to let you have access to the areas,” Jean assured you. 

“I don’t know if I’m okay with lying.”

“You don’t lie. You’re still a journalist, right?”

Coming back to the hotel, later than expected, you found Charles mindlessly scrolling on his phone, his cap backwards and in his loungewear. You kissed him before sitting in front of him to expose him the situation and your plan. 

“So it is like a James Bond roleplay? You’re infiltrating the paddock. Can I be your James Bond girl?”

“You’re an idiot,” you chuckled. 

“But seriously, isn’t it risky?”

“It is, I guess. But if I give up because it is a bit risky, what does it say of me? I really want to make this media happen. And I know you could help and you also know that I appreciate it, but it is something I need to do by myself. I’ve been so used to living my life for others that I don’t know who I really am. What I like and what I want.  This is the first time I’m doing something that feels right on every level. Please, allow me to get to the bottom of my idea. If it’s not working, then I’ll ask for your help. Until then, please step aside. I know you believe in me and I know you support me. It’s enough.”

You could see on Charles’ face that you were asking a lot from him but after a few seconds, he nodded. 

The next day, you arrived a little later than him at the paddock and made your way to the Ferrari’s hospitality where Rebeca, Carlos’ new girlfriend, was typing on her computer, probably working. You hadn’t had the occasion to talk to her that much besides a few ‘hello’ here and there. You didn’t have anything against her, you just knew you didn’t have anything in common to talk about. She was the typical wag, you were not and you had no desire to become. Most people were busy, as always when it was media day. Everyone had their own thing to do and babysitting wags were not on their list, which was exactly what you needed. 

You were searching for one person in particular. You wanted to launch the first episode of your podcast during the break between Interlagos and Las Vegas, so you could have time to meet with graphists to launch the promotional operation of your baby, for which you still didn’t have a name. But it was almost at lunchtime that your best opportunity appeared. Silvia Hoffer, Ferrari’s media team lead, entered the room and you almost jumped out of your seat to reach her. 

She seemed surprised to see you and you could feel her judgmental eyes scanning you from top to bottom. You never had the occasion to talk to her much, Charles advising you to avoid her, but you had always been curious of her position. She was a key element in the well oiled machine that was Ferrari’s PR and you were sure she was a very interesting person. That’s why she was in pole position on your people to interview list. 

“Silvia. Nice to see you here,” you started the conversation. 

“Well, I’m working here,” she replied, almost ignoring you.

“Yeah, that’s why I’m talking to you,” you blurted out with confidence, catching her off guard. 

“And could you tell me what you need, Y/N?”

“Two hours of your time.”

She laughed in disbelief but you didn’t budge. If you wanted to make this work, you needed all the self-confidence you could find in you. 

“And for what? What mistakes have Charles made that I need to fix? Are you pregnant?”

“Actually, he didn’t do anything and he also doesn’t know that I’m talking to you. I’m here for a more… personal matter.”

She glanced suspiciously at you and you gulped before continuing. 

“I’m launching my own media, a podcast, where I want to interview people from the paddock who work behind the scenes and you are on my list. You have such an important role inside of Ferrari. You are a direct link between us, the media people, and the drivers. It’s essential and I would love for more people to get to know your role, get to know you. I’m sure you could inspire so many people out there. It would be an hour-long interview where you could talk about your journey to F1, all the hardships and amazing moments. I know you worked with Fernando Alonso and McLaren, surely there are things that you could share.”

“I see you did your research.”

“I came prepared.”

You saw her hesitating and contemplating the idea. It was already a win for you. She sighed and sat on a chair, her coffee between her hands as she motioned you to join her. 

“I’m not used to people wanting to talk to me for who I am and what I do. Usually they depict me as a witch and that’s it, it doesn’t go deeper than that.”

“Maybe it could be the occasion to prove them wrong, then,” you smiled as you left her alone to think your offer through. But as you were making your way to your side of the hospitality, you smirked, convinced that you had managed to book your very first guest. 

She came to find you at the end of the afternoon as you were working on the interview’s conduct.

“When would you like the recording to take place?” she asked. 

“Does it mean that you are okay with the interview?”

“I wouldn’t ask this question if I wasn’t.”

“Well, as soon as possible, I guess. I have all my equipment with me and I can set them up easily.”

“I should be out of there around 8pm, we could do that in my hotel room, if that suits you.”

“It’s perfect,” you smiled and nodded as she came back to where she was coming from. 

When she was out of eyesight and no one was around to witness it, you bumped your fist in the air and jumped around. You were ninety percent convinced she was going to accept but you didn’t want to consider it like a done deal before you had her fully agreeing.  

You finished preparing everything right when Charles appeared in the hospitality, cowboy hat on his head and a big buckle around his waist, making you laugh. 

“Howdy lady? Where is the bull that I have to take down today?”

“You look amazing. Let me take a picture, I’m sure your fans would appreciate the view.”

“Please don’t! They are making fun of my clothes enough,” he shook his head as he bent down to kiss the top of your head. “What is that?” he asked, nodding in the direction of your screen opened on your notes and making you close it precipitaly. 

“Work. I have my first guest lined-up and ready to be interviewed tonight,” you announced, excited. 

“Already? Damn, you are fast! I’m so proud of you, baby. I knew you could do it. And who is it?” 

“Silvia.”

“Silvia? As in red witch Silvia? The one who wanted me to find a girlfriend to make me look good? We are talking about the same Silvia?” 

“We do, indeed.”

“And you are interviewing her? Why?” he asked in disbelief. 

“Because I believe she is not what you make her look like. You are judging her based on how she behaves and does her job. Which is also what you did with me and what I did with you and look how we turned out. She deserved to have a chance to tell her story and to let people judge her based on who she really is and not what we made her out to be. Don’t you think?”

“You’re too nice.”

“No, Charles, I’m not nice. I’m nosy as fuck.” 

You met Silvia at eight, like it was planned and she was already waiting for you. She had changed out of her Ferrari’s gear for a more casual look. You setted up the microphones, the recorder and the two cameras, one behind your ear and one between both of you so you could get filmed too and once it was all ready, you started the interview. You quickly understood that Silvia, if she was appearing like a witch for most people, was doing it out of protectiveness. She cared a lot about the drivers and their reputation and well being. Like a she-wolf with her wolf cubs. She was passionate about her job and you could see her eyes sparkling when she was talking about it. And soon enough, it was over. You noticed that you had talked more than what you had agreed on and as you were packing everything with her help, she suddenly stopped you. 

“I think I should thank you. It’s the first time I get to talk about my job and reflect on my career with someone so willing to listen and to know more. It was a nice moment, way nicer than what I expected it to be.”

“I had a nice time too. It was very enlightening and I can’t wait to release it.” 

“When will it be?”

“I still have to announce it and promote it, so I guess it will be at the end of the season. After Abu Dhabi. It gives me enough time to record and edit enough episodes to last a while.”

“Well… if you need help to find other guests or if they need someone to testify how good you are at making the interviews… just reach out.”

You opened and closed your mouth, not sure of what to say. It was unexpected but it meant a lot to you. 

“Thanks Silvia. For having been such an amazing first guest and for having been willing to trust me.”

When you arrived in your shared room with Charles, he was already fast asleep. You smiled to yourself, changed into your pajamas after a quick run to the bathroom to wash your face and slipped under the blanket. You looked at your boyfriend’s face, frowning in his sleep, and you lightly touched his face making him relax under your fingers. For the first time in a long time, you were feeling at peace with every area of your life. You were feeling fulfilled in your personal life and your professional one was starting to get exciting. 

But you knew that all good things had to come to an end at some point and a part of you was bracing itself for the blow that would make your world crumble. You knew it would happen eventually. You could only hope it would arrive in a very long time. 

Author's note: When I was saying in the previous chapter that updates should be more frequent, I wasn't expecting to be able to write a whole new chapter this soon lmao. But here we are. I hope you liked it.

Don't hesitate to leave a comment or an ask, as well as reblogging and leaving a like. Besides the fact that I absolutely love to read you, it helps a lot for the story to find its audience. I also have a taglist for this story, so if you want to be added so you never miss a chapter, let me know.

If you wanna be part of the taglist, let me know.

Taglist: @itsjustkhaos @thirstylion @cmleitora @charizznorizz @sltwins @boherahpsody @herondalism @roseamongthorns13 @aundercover @snowflakesfluff @fictional-l0v3r @queensassybitchsworld @jehun @reengard @valntynebaby

If you are tagged and do not receive the notifications, please take a look at your settings!

[twentydaysofmay]

So at first, this was a reblog of a different post, but I am now making it an original one for greater reach. Be warned that it's going to be quite long.

So, we all know and love the promotional comics of our Wii boxers, like this one about Glass Joe:

You might have never questioned its origin, and neither did I when I first encountered it a year ago. I just assumed that Nintendo officially published it in a guide, because that's what every source about them that I've read was implying.

But then I learnt that these translations aren't official at all. They were apparently done by the Tumblr user @boink-the-joiner in 2013, whose blog seems to be unfortunately deleted.

And then I was informed of the existence of this image by my friend @fan-mans (Charlie):

He said he originally found it on Tumblr, though he didn't give me the link to where he got it from. (It happens to be included at the very start of this post.)

But this supposed "original version" seemed fishy to me for several reasons:

If this is the "original" Japanese version, and no "official" English one exists that was published alongside it, why are the sound effects written in the Latin alphabet?

Why is the authorship at the bottom in English? And isn't that the exact same font as in the well-known English version?

Why is it read left-to-right? Shouldn't it be flipped from the English version? Wouldn't it make more sense for Mac to punch him with his right arm and for Joe's hair to be more often on his right side than the left, and to first put on the left boxing glove, and hold the coffee cup in his right hand?

Why is there a red rectangle in the middle right?

Charlie said that all of this was because Nintendo was catering to an American audience, but never actually published the guide outside of Japan. (Apart from the red rectangle, which was apparently a part of the website that image originally came from, but he didn't have a link to that either.) I didn't believe it at first, because it just seemed like an incredibly stupid pair of decisions to me.

But today, I found this webpage. It's a blog post talking about strategy books for Nintendo games, and includes this image:

This is it! This is proof that Nintendo printed the comic to be read left to right in the original Japanese version!

There was that little bit of doubt in my mind though. What if the copy that shows the actual pages of the comic is in English? The quality is so low...

...but the kana here are clear enough.

That isn't the end of the story. Shortly afterwards, I came across this webpage:

THIS IS THE ORIGIN OF THAT JAPANESE VERSION OF THE JOE COMIC ABOVE! The red rectangle was, indeed, holding up a textbox.

Anyway, the full website can be found here, and includes a few other materials, such as this part of a guide on Title Defense Von Kaiser:

Sadly, the website only includes Joe's comic, and I haven't found the original Japanese versions of anyone else online, so currently, you'd have to own the guide to know what they look like.

Also, out of curiosity, I decided to use the Wayback Machine to see if the site has ever been modified, but it just wasn't archived there at all. Not even a single snapshot. So I went ahead and preserved what it currently looks like.

The website itself seems to belong to the company that published the guide, Enterbrain, a division of Kadokawa Future Publishing, which is a part of the Kadokawa Corporation. The names "Ebten" and "Famitsu" seem to be related to it as well, but I have yet to figure out exactly how. The full Japanese title of the book is パンチアウト！！完全クリアーガイドブック, and its ISBN is 978-4-7577-5067-8. At least according to these listings.

Not all questions about the comics have been answered. For instance, we still aren't quite sure why Nintendo (or Enterbrain, anyway) decided to flip them. And our translator Boink had to have the copies of all of the Japanese comics, otherwise they wouldn't have been able to translate them! What if they are reachable somewhere else, and we can ask them if they still have the original scans?

More information might come as I (and hopefully others) research more.

[thelightsandtheroses]

Three: I found it hard to find someone like you

Your Hand In Mine | Joel Miller x female reader

Chapter Summary: You have an unexpected encounter with Ellie before meeting Joel off bench at the Tipsy Bison. Word Count – 4.4k Chapter Warnings - 18+ blog minors DNI, no specific warnings for this chapter, please see the series list for the full list of warnings though. Reader has a backstory and while her age is not truly specified (in my opinion) an age range is somewhat implied (likely late 30s) and she’s a parent of a teenager.. Notes: Thank you so much for the kind feedback and comments so far - they have meant a huge amount to me. The chapter title is from Streets by Doja Cat.

Previous | Series | Next

“I think I’ve made a mistake,” you say as you dramatically careen towards the kitchen gardens. At this time of day, there’s usually no one else there yet but Sean, so this is your best opportunity to speak to him.

Sean looks up immediately, the alarm clear on his face.

“A mistake?” he asks nervously and you can almost see him mentally running through a list of what could have happened.

“A small one,” you clarify, “I hope.” His face relaxes immediately and he turns his attention back to the seedlings he is tending for a second.

Sean found his place in Jackson easily. It turns out he has a green thumb and even since he started helping in the gardens and greenhouses, the yield on crops has significantly increased, as has the variety of food grown. He barely goes on patrol these days unless he has to. He spends his time instead tending to each crop. He’s always asking if you have more books in the library on agriculture, gardening or cultivating food.

He’s found real purpose in his life here, as has Beau on the patrol team.

It must be peaceful for them both.

“So, what have you done then?” he teases.

“Why do I have to have done something?” You fold your arms in annoyance.

“You’re the one who said that you made a mistake.”

“I said that I think I’ve made a mistake. Think!”

“Sorry, sweetie, you said you thought you made a mistake.”

You smirk at his correction. “I may have - so you know that I go for a wander sometimes when I can’t sleep?” It’s a polite acknowledgement of your chronic insomnia; your attempt to make it palatable.

“Yes?”

“And -”

“I knew you had a hook-up!” he cries triumphantly. “I fucking knew it. Go you!”

“I do not have a hook-up … exactly.”

“What are you talking about then?” Sean asks.

“I’m not the only insomniac in Jackson.”

He raises an eyebrow at you.

“And recently, I’ve been talking to someone else around that time. You see, they also can’t sleep and then-“

“I’m sorry, are you telling me you’ve basically running an underground insomniac anonymous in Jackson?”

“It’s not like that.” It’s really not that formal, you think, it’s also technically above ground.

“And they said you weren’t a joiner, I’m so proud of you,” Sean teases.

 “Whatever. So, I think we’re friends now. Well, as much as you can be in those circumstances. He asked me for a drink today.”

“He asked for you a drink?”

“And I said yes?”

“And now you’re panicking,” he observes gently.

“This thing works at night. It works in limited circumstances and what if I ruin it by going along with this?” You sink down to sit on the edge of a planter and place your hands on your lap nervously.

“Do you like him?” Sean asks softly, curiosity in his voice.

“I think so,” you admit. It’s the first time you’ve vocalised your feelings for Joel. The first time you’ve conceded that perhaps you feel something more for him than you originally anticipated.

You think of Joel. You think of the way his eyes crinkle when he smiles, the dry humour that occasionally surfaces, and the genuine kindness that permeates so much of what he says. It’s the way that despite everyone’s assumptions about Joel Miller, when you are with him you cannot help but feel a little safe.

As for whether you like him the way Sean’s implying … images flash of Joel over the past few weeks and you can’t deny that you find him attractive, that you think about him more than you should.

It’s never that easy though. What were you thinking saying yes?

Sean pulls himself up and sits next to you on the planter. “You haven’t really dated anyone since we got here. There was that one date and you -”

You nod, stopping Sean in his tracks. You remember that too well; how it had all started so well and then it had changed. The wrong words, innocently said, of course, and you’d ran out the Tipsy Bison and that had been the end of that.

“I know - I’ve just had other things on my mind,” you say, “I mean, the library is really coming together now.”

Sean cocks an eyebrow at that and you choose to ignore it.

“So, who’s the lucky guy then?”

“Well, that’s the other thing.”

Sean says your name, looks over at you with both encouragement and confusion as you watch him try and mentally work out who it is, trying to work out who else could be an insomniac.

“It’s um, Joel Miller. Tommy’s brother,” you add.

“Shut the fuck up.”

You shrug and for a moment Sean is silent.

“Well, he’s definitely kinda hot. He’s got presence.”

“Mmhhmm.”

“Is he nice to you?”

“Nice? Are we five? Yeah, absolutely, he’s been an unexpected surprise, I guess. That’s the thing, Sean. We’ve literally only ever talked though in the middle of night. I … what if it’s different if I go?”

“It’s a drink, babe, not a marriage proposal. Do you want me and Beau to be around? We can be back-up for you.”

“You’re asking me if I want you both watching me like a hawk and putting even more pressure on the situation? I love you both, but no.”

“So, Joel Miller, huh?”

“Sean!”

“I can see it. He’s definitely your type.”

“What - a fellow insomniac?”

“Tall, dark hair, kinda broody. Hints of grumpiness and mystery. I mean, that’s definitely you. He’s got that whole single parent vibe as well.  Anyway, Beau seems to think he’s okay. He had patrol with him a couple of weeks ago.”

“And? Did he say anything about Joel to you?”

Beau is a fair judge of character; ever since you and Sean ran into him so many years ago, he’s been a guiding force through this changed world. He’s made a lot of mistakes, you know that, but him and Sean -  well, they reminded you of the way love can endure.

You trust Beau though; you trust his judgment and character assessments. They’ve saved you all time and time again.

“Uh, just that he was good on patrol.” Beau had already said that to you before, you’re hoping he expanded on that with Sean though. “He said he was quiet but seemed a good guy. He wanted to contribute, you know, help Jackson and be part of things. That’s a good thing.” Sean pauses and you know he’s holding something back.

“Sean?”

“It’s nothing. It’ s just that Beau said he could - he could recognise some similarities between him and Joel, that’s all.”

Beau has a past. Before he joined your group, you know he survived the only way he knew how. His survival was marked with blood and anger, mistakes and choices that you know he is less certain of now.

“Oh,” you say flatly.

“Beau likes him though,” Sean says brightly.

“That’s good.”

You’ve all done things to survive, things you would rather not talk about. Even you.

Flashes of flames rising through the building, the sound of everything catching alight. An unnecessary distraction it turned out.

The smell of burning, of gasoline invading your senses.

Thick smoke in your throat. Your heart was thumping so loud you were sure he could hear it.

A weapon in your shaking hand.

Choices.

You remember the way your ears were ringing, louder and louder each second to an unholy crescendo.

Sean says your name loudly and you look at him.

“Are you going to meet him then?”

You think of Joel again, bring every detail of him to the forefront of your mind. What do you want to do?

“Yeah, I am,” you say resolutely.

You like it when the library is full. It reminds you of different times; a childhood spent curling up with books and browsing everything at the library. You remember how exciting it was when the library moved to a digital database, when you could search on the chunky PC for any book or author you might like.

You’d spent many happy hours in your local library over the years, which was why when you joined Jackson and Maria asked you what you’d like to be involved with, this was the answer.

Two years ago, there were few books, no DVDs or CDs and a very disorganised system. You’ve built this place up; you might not know the Dewey Decimal System like a real librarian from before, but what you’ve made works. It’s a community space, it’s inviting. There are books. So many books. Tommy even found an old stamp while on patrol and you have fashioned a library card system of sorts.

This is one of the things that keeps you in this town.

A class of teenagers from the school are browsing the shelves . The school doesn’t have a separate library so you pool resources wherever you can, work together as the town tries to  give as rounded an education as it can under the circumstances.

You take a sip of tea and occupy yourself with sorting through a pile of returned books.

“So, what’s your deal with Joel?” Ellie asks bluntly, idly scanning through a pile of comic books.

“My deal with Joel?” You ask, confusion growing. Has Ellie followed Joel to the bench? How else would Ellie know you even speak to Joel?

No. No. Surely you would have heard her.

“He looks at you sometimes,” she says, eyes still narrow with suspicion.

“He looks at me?” you ask nervously and her face changes completely.

“Not - fuck - not like a creepy way. Just like he knows who you are and I’ve noticed him staring a couple of times. It’s clear he’s - he knows you more than just as a stranger. It’s not like - otherwise I wouldn’t be here. I’m not that fucking stupid.”

“I never said you were and I wouldn’t say that, for the record.”

Ellie shrugs appreciatively.

“So, a few days ago, I might have heard Joel leave the house in the night -” she starts, avoiding your eyes and looking at the battered wood counter.

“You followed him?”

“Would you believe me if I said I was worried?”

You put your hands on your hip and pull a face.

“Fine, then I was curious.”

“And you know that killed the cat.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, it’s an old saying from before.” You shudder, feeling every bit like the transformation into your mother is underway.

“Right.” Ellie sounds sceptical.

“ Regardless, you followed Joel and?”

“I didn’t listen to anything, I just -”

“You saw us talking?”

Ellie nods, shuffling awkwardly on the spot. “So, what’s your fucking deal then?”

“We’re friends,” you say calmly, idly sorting through a pile of books. You notice one on space and hand it to Ellie. “You’ll like this one.”

“Friends?” Ellie takes the book. “Thanks.”

You nod. “If we’re both up at the same time, then sometimes we just hang out and talk. It’s not - there’s nothing you need to worry about, okay. Does Joel know that you know about this?”

“No. You can’t tell him either. He wouldn’t want to know that I know about the whole not sleeping thing.”

“Right.”

Ellie looks so young for a moment. There’s a vulnerability in everything she says, in every detail of how she’s standing. Her fists are dug deep into her hoodie pockets, she’s avoiding your eye contact and biting her lip awkwardly.

You want to reassure Ellie. You can tell she’s worried about Joel.

It makes you wonder what Gabriel knows. Has he ever noticed you leaving in the middle of the night? Do your family worry about you on your insomniac wanders?

“He’s okay though, right?”

“Yeah, Ellie, from how he is with me … he seems fine.”

“Okay, that’s good. So,” Ellie picks up an old Blockbuster DVD and turns into over in her hands. “This is different from the FEDRA library.”

“I hope so.”

“Is it like what libraries were like before?”

“Not completely, but that’s the hope. We get what we can and it was always a hub in communities - more than just books or videos and music, it was a gateway for people.”

“The old library in the QZ never had movies or music.”

“Huh.”

“I  like it though.” Ellie smiles broadly. “Thanks for the book.”

“Any time.”

“I - uh, I guess it’s cool that you and Joel are friends. You seem ... okay.”

“Thanks, Ellie.”

 The Tipsy Bison is already getting busy. There’s a hum of conversation and noise around you as you walk into the bar. The clink of glasses on tables, hearty laughter and a hub of activity.

You feel nervous walking in, imagining people’s eyes on you, wondering if you’ll be first to arrive. You immediately scan the room and realise that Joel is already there, nursing a glass of alcohol.

When he looks over and sees you, you can’t help smiling and notice the way a smile briefly flashes across his face too. It fills you with relief.

 Joel’s picked a table on the edge of the bar, a slightly quieter space, that you immediately make your way towards.

With each step, the anxiety starts to abate and your butterflies settle.

This is Joel.

He’s wearing a clean green plaid flannel shirt, dark jeans and a brown jacket. His hair is neater, not the unruly mess of curls you usually see on the bench. There’s something about the fact he’s made an effort that makes your body heat up slightly, that sends tingles up your spine.

You wonder how long he’s been here; whether he wondered if you would even show up. Whether that mattered to him.

“Hi,” you say as you sit on the chair next to him.

“Hi.”

Part of you wants to acknowledge it’s strange meeting somewhere that isn’t your bench, but you don’t want to make things awkward. Any more awkward.

“What can I get you to drink?” Joel asks.

“Oh, I can -”

”I invited you,” he says firmly, but with a kind smile. “Please.”

You look over at the amber liquid he’s drinking. “Okay, well the same as whatever you’ve got would be great. Thank you.”

“I’ll uh, be right back.”

You take the few minutes of solitude to gather your thoughts. You sweep imaginary dirt off your jeans, wonder what you should talk about, how you should behave. It feels like you’re in high school again. That nervous question of whether you’re even on a date, while being hyper aware of representing yourself as well as possible while still being you.

It’s funny; the world ended twenty years, but still these anxieties permeate your mind, invade your conscious.

Joel returns, placing the glass in front of you. You wonder if anyone else has noticed the two of you together, but then you meet his eyes.

Suddenly you don’t care.

You take a sip of your drink. This is perhaps one of the real selling qualities of Jackson, the quality of alcohol and food. Sure, it’s as safe as a settlement like this can be, but it’s true value lies beyond that. After years of FEDRA approved rations and bathtub brewed booze, Jackson is a breath of fresh air. It’s been two years and you still can’t get used to it.    

“Still not got old, huh?” Joel asks.

“Nope.”

“Can’t quite get over it either. Tommy keeps threatening that bacon’s on the horizon too.”

“I’ve heard rumours. It’s like - I never realised how much I missed some of those things.” It’s not just food, it’s the idea that a settlement can be like this. It’s the idea of democracy.

You hadn’t found anywhere like this since before. Every other settlement you’d been involved in …

You don’t want to go there right now.

“I don’t think Ellie’s ever had food like here,” Joel says. “Boston QZ was … a culinary experience.”

“That’s one way to describe FEDRA food. I get it, Gabe was the same when we arrived.”

“How old was he then?”

“Ooof, he would have been about Ellie’s age, maybe? She’s fourteen, right?”

Joel nods. You haven’t broached Gabriel much. He knows you have a son; you’ve never hid this from him. You’ve been pleasantly surprised that he hasn’t made any of the faces or comments you’ve grown accustomed to over the years. In fact, if anything he looks like it’s reminded him of something else, like he’s been transported back in time into his own memories.

“His birthday was partway through our journey here actually.” You remember the meagre celebrations you’d been able to muster, celebrations that still felt joyous in being away from the QZ, even if nothing else was certain. You’d wanted to give him a better birthday next time. In Jackson, it’s been different … more like birthdays before.

“Did you know about here already then?” Joel asks.

“Nope, we were just looking for anywhere better than Kansas.” For a month you’d holed up in a cabin near Cody. It was through a chance encounter with Tommy that you’d ended up in Jackson. “Did you?”

Joel’s face slips momentarily and then he fashions a neutral expression. “No, I didn’t.” His words feel stiffer though, there’s a story he’s not ready to share there.

“You came here from Boston though? Well, you’re not originally from there with that accent, but Ellie said she grew up in the QZ?”

Joel nods. “I’m from Texas. I’d been in Boston for years though.”

”That’s a long journey to here.” You’d thought the journeys you had made over the years were long but Joel’s route here - there was so much open country.

Joel nods. “Yeah, I guess it was worth it though.”

“I guess so.”

“Sounds like you had a tough journey too, right? Travelling with a kid … hell, having a kid in this world after everything. It was hard enough before.”

“It’s been - I’m really lucky to have Sean and Beau. They’re the best Uncles to him, they’ve always been there for him.” You smile lightly. “And we’re here now, in a place I didn’t think could exist again.”

“I’ll drink to that.”

You raise your glass and smile, looking around at the crowded bar. It’s a hub in the evenings and you can see the natural cliques and groups that have formed in this community. It’s calm though, even with the noise and the chaos.

It’s rare.

“He had his first mini patrol a couple of days ago,” you say softly.

“That must have been hard.”

“Yes and no. Beau was with him and I guess this is the world now. I need him to survive in it.”

”You sound like you’re close.”

“We are. Well, he’s a teenager so it’s not exactly like it was. He’s a great kid though.”

Joel smiles.

“What uh- actually, don’t worry about it.”

“You wanted to ask about his dad?”

“You’ll tell me what you want to and when you want to. I won’t pry.” You may have never liked Joel Miller as much as you do in this moment. It’s such a small thing, that he won’t chase your stories or ask about your past. It means so much though.

You look over at him. “You’re something else, you know, Joel Miller.”

He shrugs.

“There’s so no big story,” you say, “it was … it was what it was and he got bit.”

Orange illuminating the sky as a building burns. 

The gate so close, yet so far.

What have you done? What have you done? What have you done?

“I’m sorry.”

“No-one’s fault.” You’ve told the story so many times it feels easy now, rehearsed the lines, fashioned the right expressions.

“We’re here now though, right?” you say, allowing as much optimism as you can muster through. 

“Yeah.”

“Though unfortunately it’s not karaoke night tonight,” you say with a smirk, eyeing the machine in the corner of the bar and taking it as a welcome distraction.

“I’m devastated.”

“I expect so. What would be your song?”

“I don’t do karaoke.”

“Oh, come on. It can be fun, if you’re with the right people. Are you more of an open mic guy then? I could see that.”

For a moment you picture another world, another night. Joel sitting on a stool with a guitar, playing guitar. You imagine yourself with one of those sugary cocktails you always fantasised about, in a world where the most controversial thing you thought about fungi or mushrooms was whether they belonged on a pizza.

“What about you? What’s your song then?”

“Well, maybe if you come here for karaoke night then you’ll find out.”

“Oof, you’re asking a lot, sweetheart.”

“Then you’ll never know.”

The mood feels lighter, easier. You run your fingers over with the edge of your glass. You can’t remember the last time a friendship, let alone a date, felt this easy.

“I’m guessing you’re a Fleetwood Mac girl,” he says after a moment.

You don’t reply and just raise an eyebrow instead.

“What makes you say that?”

“Intuition. Am I right?”

“Actually, you are. If Sean pours me enough alcohol, I have been known to blast out some Backstreet Boys.”

“I’m going home right now.”

You tilt your head back in a genuine burst of laughter, one hand over your mouth.

You meet Joel’s gaze as you settle yourself “I’m thinking maybe … Pearl Jam, definite grunge vibes and maybe Johnny Cash for you? And Springsteen, I’m feeling some karaoke Springsteen for you.”

“Maybe.”

“I thought - I thought this might only work on the bench,” you admit.

“Nah, I knew we’d be fine anywhere,” Joel says confidently, looking straight into your eyes. He looks at you as though he’s drinking in every detail of your face in this scenario, in this bar away from the torchlight you have previously gotten to know each other over.

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. The bench is just a bench.”

”So, it’s actually about the company, you’re saying?”

“Maybe.” His mouth twitches with a smile. 

“Joel Miller, you better be careful saying things like that. If anyone else overhears it, you may lose that tough reputation you’re cultivating.”

He shakes his head at you. “Really?”

“Uh huh.”

The conversation continues to flow, you notice that you’ve got closer over the evening, close enough your knees are touching.

“Can I walk you back?” Joel asks, ever the gentleman as the two of you start to go through the emotions of getting ready to leave.

You’re not far from the Tipsy Bison but you’re not ready for this to end.

“Sure.”

The two of you walk step in step and there’s something about being outside, the crisp air and the sound of both of your pairs of boots hitting the ground that instantly grounds you.

“So, you think we set off some conversations in there?”

“Most definitely,” you say with a smile. “I think Seth looked ready to run and tell everyone in the town.”

“God, I hate small towns.”

“Says the man from Texas. That’s like, the embodiment of small-town culture. I bet the suburbs there were just like a small town, I bet you had nosy neighbours and -”

“Okay, okay, you’re right. How was where you grew up any better?”

“It just was,”  you say, folding your arms which makes Joel chuckle.

“Okay then, I believe you.”

“This is me,” you say, pointing at home in the near distance. The kitchen light is illuminated but you can’t see if Gabriel’s still up as his room faces the back.

“Thank you,” you say, awkwardly walking up to your porch. “For the drink, and the company.”

“Same to you. I uh - I had a nice time.”

“Just nice?” You like seeing this playful look in his eyes.

“I had a good time then.”

“Me too.“

Somehow you are now leaning against the wall next to your front door and Joel’s right by now. He doesn’t feel threatening though, there’s a careful distance as though he’s still gauging whether this is an option.

You nod in subtle encouragement, placing a hand on his arm, wetting your lips in anticipation.

He places a hand against the wall, framing your body and gently moving you slightly to one side, further from the door.

You’re never sure what to expect in a first kiss. Some people move straight to desperation and want and fire, some start slow and build up, set a fire inside you until you’re burning. You try and assess Joel, analyse which type he might be.

This is happening.

His lips meet yours. He starts off tentative, as though he’s confirming you’re on the same page still and then as your hands move up his arms to wrap around his neck, he deepens the kiss, presses his body closer to yours as you back up against the wall.

He’s illuminated in your porch light, a warm yellow glow shining on him.

For a moment it’s just the two of you. It doesn’t matter that you live in the world you do, or that it’s cold and damp outside - none of it matters.

You can feel the warmth of his body, familiar heat starting to pool in your stomach as he runs your hands down your shoulders, skimming the side of your waist down to the edge of your jeans.

“I should go,” he says, voice honeyed and low.

You don’t want him to. Even if it’s sensible.

There’s a slight silence, the nerves rising between you both as you try and figure out what to do next. You point at the blue painted front door next to you.

“I should go in.”

“Yeah. Good night.” He kisses you briefly on your lips and murmurs your name like it’s precious before turning away.

You notice Sean and Beau sitting at the kitchen table as you walk into the hallway. Sean has a Cheshire Cat grin on his face that makes you want to throw the nearest thing you can find at him.

“Evening,” Beau says with a mock drawl. “How was the Tipsy Bison?”

“I hate you both.”

“No, no you don’t.”

“Where’s Gabriel?”

“He went up to bed about half an hour ago but I think he’s actually playing on his console.” Electricity, consoles, another reason to stay in Jackson.

You can still feel the ghost of Joel’s lips on yours.

Maybe there are a few more reasons to stay here.

Tag List

YHIM: @orcasoul @pedropascalsbbg @yoursoulsunbreakable @iamskyereads @genetics4life @everyth1ngfan @frickatives @perennialdoll247 @darkroastjoel @noisynightmarepoetry @pedrobaby @noisynightmarepoetry

Everything Pedro tag-list: @harriedandharassed @pedrostories @hiroikegawa @pedrosaidsheispunk @pastelnap

If you want to be added to (or removed from) one of the tag lists, let me know or you can get notifications for @thelightsandtheroses-fics if you prefer. If you do not have an age or age range showing you are over 18, I will not add you to this list. I block ageless and blank blogs

[emsgwenstan]

Personal or professional?

Chap 4| chap 5| chap 6.

Larissa Weems x fem(carpenter/joiner) named reader

Words: 3k

Warnings: smut, insecurity’s, aftermath of drunkenness, signs of anxiety- no self worth.

Note: mmmkay, so shit happens! Anyway feelings aren’t exactly admitted but Violet tells Larissa something important. No wonder I guess.

The early morning air seeped in through the stone walls and coated me in a thick layer of cold, waking up at sometime around 6am, I sat up slowly trying not to disturb Larissa. I was surprised at how solidly id seem to have slept even though it wasn’t for very long, i didn’t have nightmares and didn’t wake to any random pain my body decided It thought i should have either, the most surprising of all though was that i didn’t feel hung over. shuffling back i rested against the headboard and yawned so hard i might have dislocated my jaw and my eyes watered from how tired i am.

Just sitting staring out to space for a while trying to wake up, Larissa started tossing and turning frequently and it ripped me out of my trans like state, tilting my head to the side I watched as her breath would intake and exhale, pushing and pulling the hair that had fallen over her eyes, she lay facing me and I can’t help but shift down a little to prop my head in my hand and rest on my elbow. With a nimble yet ruined hand I tucked her hair away from her face and stared at her lovingly and for a while I stayed like that, all I want is for her to be comfortable and have a longer peaceful sleep.

After contemplating, I rose from the bed and retrieved my clothes from the arm chair while also finally taking in her decor, it was beautiful all the thick materials and trinkets, the large paintings and photographs that lined the walls, her aesthetic was a mix of deep rich colours with a lighter twist in some of the furnishing, all of it was utterly her, completely Larissa. Pacing quietly to the ensuite bathroom I looked at myself in the huge mirror and wiped the smudged mascara from under my eyes, in the reflection I saw she had a large claw foot bath and a walk in shower that was lined with different soaps, body washes and most of all hair products like, treatments with her toning shampoo and conditioner to keep her silver spun hair to perfection, it was so cute.

I was conflicted weather or not I should just keep on the pyjamas she lent me and wear them until I die or actually get changed, ultimately the latter was the chosen option. Exiting the bathroom I left the lended clothes in the designated Laundry hamper and made my way to the door leading back out into her office to retrieve my jumper and stoke the almost dead fire. My nerves were skyrocketing at the thought of the impending conversation that’s going to happen when she wakes up, I’m not going to cower and tip toe out of her home like a one night stand, not that we actually even went as far to have sex, but that’s besides the point. Suck it up Violet, deal with your own actions.

An hour and a half later Larissa woke alone in her crimson sheets, the sun fully risen and her dark curtains flowing the slightest bit from wintery breeze. Completely dazed at the sight she sat up and slid her feet into the flats she had beside her bed and stood grasping the satin tan coloured robe off the same arm chair as my clothes had rested on. Before making her way to the curtains, out the corner of her eye Larissa’s reflection from the wall mirror was what caught her attention, she internally berated herself with almost walking out looking the way she did, her little bedside clock read 7:46am and again she scolded herself for sleeping in. Quickly she shifted to something more presentable only her face and hair changed, her lips painted a blood red and eyes meticulously covered in natural looking eye shadow and mascara, her hair pulled into a neat low bun.

Drawing back the curtain, there sat on the balcony was me watching over the rail with my feet tucked under myself and a monotone expression washed over my face, Larissa didn’t hesitate to open the door and step outside. I knew she was there, of course, I could hear her, I sat in silence not really knowing what to say. It was a good minute of silence once she sat down opposite the small metal table. “How did you sleep?” Is what I came up with to break the quietness, even though I tried rehearsing what to say for the past hour and a half. “Well, and you?” She said almost if she had barbed wire wrapped around her neck preventing her from sounding sure. Ok so it’s like that. “Fine…” I began. “do you… uh- remember-.” I continued. “Yes.” She said hardly letting me finish. “Right…” I trailed. Another beat of silence. “Do you regret it?” She asked quietly. I paused really thinking about how to answer, I’m sure she did, regret it I mean- I don’t know… I’m kinda lost. “If you do then I suppose, but if not…” I started. “If not?” She asked actually looking at me, we had both avoided eye contact until this moment. “If not then I guess no, I wouldn’t regret it.”

Larissa relaxed into the chair and I was as stiff as a board, did she just basically say she wanted it to happen or am I reading into it too much? I looked back down the railing wondering why there were no students, it’s a Saturday, surely kids would be out and about. “I’m afraid I slept in to late to bid them all farewell, they all went home for the Christmas holidays.” She said as if she could read my mind. “And the staff?” I wondered. “Yes, them to, it’s just me.” Does she not have a family to go home to? Why would she still be here? I nodded at her statement as the cold wind started to pick up causing me to shiver, how she’s not dying of hypothermia because of her lack of layers I don’t know.

“I have to go soon, I need to go to one of the houses I’m renovating and polish a bench top.” I said tucking my hands into the pocket of my jumper. “Oh.” She said. Why does she look disappointed? I sat staring at her releasing that she is now in fact alone and will be for a while. It was always hard for Larissa at this time of year, no matter how much work she’d get done she still had to prepare and consolidate with others for the next year. I feel like saying could you possibly imagin spending all this time alone especially around Christmas, but I won’t because then I’d be a hypocrite.

“Would you like to come with me?” I asked not even registering what I asked until it was too late. “Oh I would want to be a bother.” She said. “You wouldn’t, no one’s going to be there, if your not to busy.” I said as if I was completely confident. “Sure, I suppose I can miss working for a day.” She said. Recounting back to the previous micro conversation I spoke again. “What time did they all leave? Surely we would have heard them.” Larissa quirked a brow. “I thought for someone who knows all about a house and buildings infer structure that you would know it’s not easy to hear through two and a half feet of stone.” She spoke with a hint of sass and a whole lot of tease.

I was taken a back at her new found tone. “Well then headmistress, do tell me what else you know about my job you seem oh so knowledgeable about it.” I quipped, sharing her mirthful voice. “Oh no I mustn’t continue, I might put you out of a job.” She smiled with her eye’s playfully glaring. “Oh shut up, don’t start something you can’t finish.” I said laughing, finally letting myself gradually come down from the nervous high. “You never know, I might know more than you think…” she said with a chesty giggle. “Fine, Larissa can you tell me what a Kimberly large is?” I spoke coming to a stand and towering over her sitting position. Nothing, I could see that all she could come up with was blank, nada, not a clue. “What in gods earth is that?” She asked after accepting defeat. I stepped away and walked back to the door, turning looking at her over my shoulder I said. “It’s a cutlery tray.” With the most innocent expression known to man. Well woman.

Larissa stood from the table with a smile plastered to her lips and headed back into the room as well. “Sorry for leaving the door open by the way, I overthought it because if I close it you wouldn’t know I was out there and if I open the curtains then you would wake up, but then I really didn’t think about how cold it is and I needed some air- so… sorry.” I said in a rushed voice. “Don’t worry about it vi.” She said in a sweet tone. “Ok well if I’m to come with you I’ll need to get changed.” She explained knowingly. “Right.” I turned on my heels and left the room to put on my boots and wait for her.

Stepping out into the room Larissa was in the most beautiful dress I’ve seen on her yet, even prettier than the one she wore to my house that time for dinner, it was just past the knee and was an adorable shade of pink that complimented her complexion, she had a matching coat that had fake white fur around the perimeter of the sleeve cuffs. I don’t even think of a snide remark about the fact we’re only going to someone’s house for me to work, I’m more worried about her getting it dirty and ruining the expensive fabric, but who cares I will always encourage her to look incredible, suitable for the conditions or not, if she’s happy I’m happy, I don’t think it’s physically possible for Larissa to not look good anyway.

“What? To much?” She asked wearily. “Absolutely not it’s stunning, just don’t get dirty now will you headmistress.” I said cheekily. Larissa rolled her eyes and adorned her gloves. Opening the door she looks back at her new desk again and smiles, we set off down stairs and made our way to the truck and drove down the nevermore driveway. “Are you hungry?” She asked. “Not really I don’t usually eat until lunchtime, but we can get you something.” I said. “No I’m ok, I just thought maybe you wanted something.” She said looking out of the passenger window. We sat in comfortable silence until we reached town, although I felt like I was slowly suffocating from my thoughts, terrible thoughts, horrible thoughts. I had to keep averting my side eyed gaze at her porcelain thighs, Larissa’s dress rode up and her coat fell to the sides of her gorgeous legs and my god. Keep it together.

Driving down a few back roads we arrived at the house, getting out I paced straight to the mailbox to get the spare key. Larissa followed behind and waited patiently for me to open the door, the house its self wasn’t overly wowing but it was quaint and homey, perfect for a younger family or older couple. “Ok wait here and I’ll go get my stuff.” I said exiting the house. Larissa took in the interior and thought it was sweet, charming in fact, she wandered through the empty halls watching her step on the drop sheets that lay on the floor, the walls were freshly painted with a light grey and the ceilings weren’t finished yet due to electrical issues with the lights, she walked into the first room she could find to take a moment to slow her rapidly beating heart, it turns out Larissa was quite flustered from the car ride too, and the morning in general.

“Larissa?” I yelled. I could hear her heals coming down the hall. “Hey, I got you these just be careful with your earrings.” I said holding out my pink pair of earmuffs. “Oh thank you, that’s thoughtful.” She said quietly as she slipped them on, her earrings did get caught and I tried to help her. “Here, let me help.” I practically launched myself towards her, I grasped one of the sides and tucked her ear in place trying my best not to hurt her. We were standing so close and my eyes wandered from the side of her head to her cheek and around to her lips, I slowly put down my hands and place them on her hips, I could feel her breath on my cheek. Kiss her, but remember Violet. Slowly I started to lean in, but as my eyes flicked up to see hers, they were already trained on me, in an instant I tense up and take a step back clearing my throat, now looking as red as a tomato.

I gave a shy smile and took in her appearance again. “You look cute.” I mimed, knowing how hard it is to hear with them on. Larissa also displayed a little smile with a light blush, she could hear her pulse in her ears clearly now and the butterflies in her stomach were going wild. I put on my spare pair of earmuffs and started the process of polishing the bench. Larissa watched in awe as it began to shine, but she wasn’t just looking at the material itself she also watch how my hands flexed around the machine and my shoulders moved in tandem with the actions. I could feel her eyes on me and I tried my best to not turn around.

Cutting the polisher off I spun on the spot and waved her over, I grabbed her forearm and pulled her to stand in front on me and place her hands on the machine so she could have a turn. What a stupid idea. My hands were on hers and I turned it on again continuing my ministrations, however the only thing I could think of was how her ass was pressing into my stomach and thighs, for a while everything was fine but when she turned and gave me her award winning smile and nose scrunch I just melted. Before either of us got hurt I turned the polisher of and took off my earmuffs placing them on the bench, Larissa did the same carefully talking them off her head, as I turned to face her again, Larissa looked at me for a moment then grabbed my face with both hands and kissed me, like really kissed me.

I was in shock but didn’t pull away- why would I? it was rough and urgent but fuck it was delicious, she was delicious. Larissa manoeuvred me to sit on top of the counter without breaking the kiss, I hopped up and fisted the sides of her dress and the plush skin that’s hidden beneath it, I felt her tongue lick at the the seem of my lips and with out hesitation I let her enter and explore my mouth. Her hands gently scratched at my scalp before she trailed them down the front of my jumper, her delicate fingers moving tantalisingly slow over my breasts as I grope her ass. Just as she went lower towards my stomach, I pulled back breathless with my eyes closed I, couldn’t see the look on her face as I did so.

Larissa stoped her movements and placed her palms on my thighs, she too was breathing quite heavily, the whole situation was so intense more so now that I pulled back, I didn’t want to but I can’t let her feel the parts of myself that I’m so ashamed of. Her thumbs stroke at my legs in a reassuring manner and her head ducked ever so slightly to catch my attention since I peeled my eyes open. “Sorry… um, we should get going now.” I said quietly it almost echoed through the empty house- it certainly echoed through Larissa’s mind, she was taken aback and so confused, but if I needed to stop, she wouldn’t begrudge me of that.

I quickly pack up my stuff and walked back to the truck in silence, safe to say I felt like shit, I don’t want to offend her in anyway because she’s perfect, beautiful, incredible in every sense of the word and I’m just… well, me. Turning the keys in the ignition and setting off again, I glanced at her fidgeting hands in her lap, hesitantly I placed my own on top of one of hers, Larissa looked at me directly as my eyes were trained on the road, my expression displayed a huge amount of guilt. She was watching me so intensely try to wrap her head around what’s going on in mine, I turned to her and really looked into her eyes as an apology, as a ‘it’s not you it’s me’ kind of look, she engaged the silent conversation with ‘it’s ok’ while also cracking a little smile. I returned my eyes to the road and never let go of her hand.

“Oh, see that house over there? It’s my dream home!” I said excitedly, my eyes lit up and my demeanour changed drastically. “That horrid, run down, abandoned looking one? I don’t even want to ask why.” She chuckled. “Look at it though, it has sooo much potential, imagine all of the work I could do to fix it up, it could be beautiful, and its would be massive on the inside.” I said, Larissa looked at me as if I were insane, to be fair if someone said they wanted to live in a shit hole like that I’d be pretty perplexed to. “Mm I can see that now…I suppose.” She hummed watching it fade from view, after a short couple of minutes we made it back to the work shop where I put away the truck and ushered Larissa to my personal car that stayed there overnight.

Without asking I went strait home in dying need of a shower and led Larissa to take purchase in the lounge room to wait, politely I offered her a drink in which she asked for a tea, I made it and placed it on the coffee table beside her. “Thank you darling.” She whispered smiling up at me once I straightened up. “I’ll be out in a minute.” I said leaving her to go to my room. Larissa sat in comfortable silence casually sipping on the drink, before she set it back down she took ahold of the poetry book that still remained in its previous place, as she opened it there were lots of little sheer sticky notes on the pages, only scanning through the highlighted ones there was one in particular she read over and over.

‘She was beautiful, but not like those girls in magazines. She was beautiful, for the way she thought. She was beautiful, for the sparkle in her eyes when she talked about something she loved. She was beautiful, for her ability to make other people smile, even if she was sad. No, she wasn't beautiful for something as temporary as her looks. She was beautiful, deep down to her soul.

She is beautiful.’

Larissa kept going throughout the book to relise they were all pertaining to women, it gave her enough satisfaction to know that I did take an interest to woman and that she wasn’t the only one.

Out of the shower, I reapplied light make up and dressed in baggy casual clothes -because I don’t have anything else- and stepped back out into her presence, Larissa set the book back in place before I could see and stood up walking towards me. “Do you want me to take you back now? Or do you want to go somewhere or watch a movie?” I asked. “A film sounds lovely.” She said. “Would you rather out here or in my room?” I questioned. “Where ever you’d like.” She answered. I turned and motioned for her to enter my room, she took off her heels, shed herself from her coat and left it on the floor beside her shoes and sat on the edge of the bed.

I let Larissa flick through Netflix, she’d look at one, contemplate it, watch the trailer, then move to the next one, It wasn’t a bother, it gave me more time to unabashedly watch her. While her eyes were glued to the screen I inched my hand closer to hers and lightly fiddled with her fingers, observing red painted nails against slightly chipped pink ones, our hand were close in size but her fingers were skinnier than mine, ultimately shes skinnier then me in every way. So lost in deep thought my hand traveled up her arm and to her shoulder, then neck, then face. Larissa was doing everything within her to not move, she didn’t want it to end, she was so afraid that if she breathed to hard I would stop.

Snapping back to reality I didn’t pull away, I tried to embrace it, that I did. I grasped the remote in her hand and crawled slowly to straddle her lap, though I didn’t sit on her I mearly hovered, I’m far too heavy for her. Larissa kept her body still and only moved her eyes. “I dont know what I’m doing.” I said quietly, I had her face in my hands and peered deeply into her cobalt eyes. “That’s ok sweetheart, you don’t need to… but, what do you want?” She asked at the same level of voice. For a moment I thought of how to say what I want. “I… I’d like to-uh… I want to touch you.” I said sounding like an inexperienced teenager with a burning blush. “Then touch me.” She said, her pupils dilated and her voice dripping with seduction.

But of course Violet does something stupid and starts to have a minor panic attack. Larissa’s expression turned concerned, she slung her arms around my neck, pulled me flush against her and stroked at my damp hair. “It’s ok, your alright.” She cooed in my ear, my hands and thighs were trembling and burning from clenching the muscles in my legs to stop me from putting my weight on her. Slowly I pulled back. “I need to tell you something.” I said shakily, I know I have to, she needs to understand what the fuck is wrong with me. Larissa nodded and waited patiently for my breathing to slow and to take a pause to muster up the courage of what I’m about to say. You haven’t spoke about this for 15 years Violet, what makes you think she’ll care?

“I’m not sure how you’re going to feel about this but…” I took in another deep breath. “When I was 20, I met a man and we fell in love…” Larissa nodded for me to continue. “We were together for 3 years and by the time I was 23, we were engaged. We wanted to start a family before we got married…” I said, Larissa’s brows knitted together wondering where I was going with this. “So… we tried to have a baby, but after a while, it wasn’t working. I went to the doctor and I was told that-.” I cut myself off to restrain any and all tears. “I was told I couldn’t have children, that I’m infertile.” I said. Larissa thinking I was finished told me that’s ok and that she’s very sorry for how unfortunate that is. “It doesn’t change my view on you though Violet.” She said brushing the hair out of my face.

“But… he thought he wasn’t trying hard enough.” I continued, Larissa’s face and stomach dropped at the statement. “So, he tried harder, more frequently, longer.” I said flinching at my own words. “And when he got tired of it… he threw me away. He told me I was useless and selfish for not being able to give him kids, and then two weeks later he told me that he got another woman pregnant.” I said filling with a little bit of relief as I finally let it out. Larissa was utterly dumbfounded, she sat in shock hardly knowing how to comprehend what I just said. “That’s why I moved to Jericho 15 years ago.” I added. “And… since then, I haven’t- been with anyone else.”

Oh. She thought, this makes so much sense now, Larissa understands how this is an issue for me and considers how I must be feeling. “I’m so unbelievably sorry that happened to you darling. I’m so proud that you told me. But I still remain unfazed, I will not hold you to a different light because of your past, I do not begrudge you of something that has been done to you and happened to you… I promise, it actually makes me more akin to you sweetheart.” She said softly.

I took the opportunity to smash my lips against hers, so full of passion, so full of love, on my behalf anyway. Our teeth and tongues clashing together being completely in sync, the both of us let out breathy moans from the pleasure, Larissa grasped the sides of my thighs and pushed me down to completely sit on her, uncomfortably I did so and without her disrupting asking me to get off I stayed there. In a bound of confidence I pulled her flush against me to access the zip of her dress, she let me drag it down the expanse of her back and pull it down her shoulders, pulling away from the kiss I observed her bra clad breasts and my mouth practically watered from the sight alone.

She reached behind her to unclasp her white lace bra watching me the whole time, the slid the straps down her shoulders and removed it completely and tossed it to the other side of the bed. My eyes flicked down and her breasts were on full view, I brought my hand up to her chest and palmed them slowly, Larissa’s head lulled to the side and let her eyes flutter close. Her skin was so soft and so smooth compared to the skin of my hands, but she didn’t seem to care. I leaned in closer to kiss her shoulder then eventually up her neck and jaw. Larissa tugged at the hem of my shirt wanting me to take it off. I pulled back yet again and lifted it half way before I paused to meet her gaze. She nodded and I continued to strip it off.

My own red bra was displayed in front of her, Larissa’s breath hitched as she took in the sight, my blush returned and all I could do was cover my stomach. I wasn’t too phased at my own breasts and the stretch marks on them at this moment, from the way she was staring I couldn’t tell if she was repulsed or just looking, she removed my arms from in front of me and her sight lowered to my stomach, obviously if we are to continue she’d have to see but all I wanna do is put my shirt back on.

Larissa traced her fingertips along my sides and hummed in what seemed to be delight. “So pretty.” She muttered. “I’m sorry.” I said at the same time, she looked at me through heavy lidded eyes. “What for?” She asked. “Well I’m not as beautiful as you, I’m sorry that if you want to stop because of it.” I said. “Fuck no Violet. Look at you, you’re curvy and delicious, you’re so sexy my darling... Do you want your know my favourite part?” She whispered leaning into my ear. “Yes.” I answered. “These, and this.” Larissa’s fingers danced over the stretch marks of my breasts and stomach. Internally my insides were fluttering and heat pulled at the apex of my core.

“Can I take this off?” She asked referring to my bra. I let her remove it, as a little gasp left her lips I once again took the opportunity to kiss her again. I couldn’t stop myself from bucking my hips into hers looking for friction to grind down on. Larissa clamped her hand on my hips and roughly guided me back and forth across her thighs whilst simultaneously diving into my chest with her mouth, she latched her lips around my left bud and sucked hard causing me to arch into her more and throw my head back in pleasure. She didn’t forget to give the other attention either.

I got off her lap and asked her to lay down, as she did so I ripped off her dress that was still wrapped around her waist and unceremoniously tossed it aside. Larissa’s stomach was pale and soft much like her breasts all I want to do is mark and bite it, I sat between her parted legs and hooked my fingers in the waistband of her panties and rushed to get them off her long legs, I couldn’t slow down even if I wanted to, she’s like a drug or aphrodisiac that runs freely within my veins. Her pussy now on full display and her body at my mercy, I looked down at her, my own lust exuding and at that moment we both knew this wasn’t going to be sweet or timid, it wasn’t going to be gentle. It was going to be rough and urgent. It was going to be sinful and nether of us could stop it. I’ve depraved myself for far too long long and I can’t push her away.

Making myself comfortable on my knees and bending to level with her heat, I gave her one last look before latching onto her clit. The moan she let out was almost pornographic and only made my own pussy contract around nothing and leave me with ruined underwear. Larissa fisted the sheets beside her with one hand and with the other she gripped my hair pushing my face into her impossibly harder, she ground down on my face searching for more. I gazed through my lashes to view her blissed out face and kiss swollen lips, like I said, it’s not possible for her to ever be unattractive.

She made eye contact with me and slightly controlled her face more to clearly see through her hazy eyes. I brought my hand up to her entrance and carried on with my assault on her clit, sitting up a little I made sure she could see what I’m doing, I held up a finger, then another, then another, clearly signalling three. With those three fingers I wiped up her folds before entering every single one at the same time, she hissed and her eyes rolled towards the back of her head, the sight of her was just as pleasurable as what I’m giving her. “Fuck… oh fuck yes.” She moaned.

After her third orgasm she pushed me away from her overstretched and over simulated core, crawling back up her body I left red and purple marks on her otherwise untouched stomach and sternum. Larissa yanked me up to her face and kissed me again using her tongue to taste herself. “Your turn.” She growled flipping me over onto my back, Larissa undid the drawstring of my pants and shimmied them of my legs along with my underwear, I hadn’t even realised I used my hands to cover my stomach again, not until she lifted them of and kissed my palms and placed them on her shoulders. Larissa sat on my lap and used her nails to graze over my arms and sides, this was only the beginning, she tormented and teased for a long time before she couldn’t refuse the inevitable.

Panting out of control and sweating to high heaven, we lay side by side completely naked and exhausted. Larissa stood from the bed and walked into my ensuite with her hips swaying, I sat up wondering why she left. She’s probably touching up her make up and getting ready to leave. I thought, a melancholy feeling filled me and I reached for my t-shirt and slipped it back over my head. Hopping off the bed as well I pick up the strewn clothes and place them nicely on the end of the bed. I smiled at the thought of what just happened, Larissa was so beautiful with her smudged lipstick and mascara, the tremble in her limbs when she came, the way she looked at me when I came undone, even the little bits of hair that came loose to frame her face. Larissa was more than this though, she deserved more, something more domestic, more beautiful than a passionate fuck I suppose. Larissa deserves home cooked meals and hand holding in the street, she’s worth the efforts that a romantic relationship includes, like bathing together and eating together or having someone she loves’ chest to lay on. I think the worst part is that I know I’m not that person.

Larissa walked out of the bathroom with a wet cloth and looked at me quizzically. “What are you doing?” She asked. I stood back from the bed and cracked my knuckles nervously, avoiding the art work I stained her body with. “I thought you wanted to leave… I was just picking up your clothes so they didn’t get to creased.” I said looking to the ground. Larissa paced towards me grasping my arm and pushing me to lay back down. I followed her silent instruction but was confused as to why she started to lift my shirt again. “What are you doing?” I whispered. “Cleaning you up.” She answered. It felt like the air was knocked out of my lungs at her statement. Tears threatened to spill from the corners of my eyes, Larissa spread my knees and started to gently wipe away the accumulated arousal.

She sat folding the material continuously and cleaned me until she was satisfied. Her eyes moved to looked at mine and her self satisfactory smile faded once she saw my burning cheeks and wet eyes. “Oh what’s the matter?” She asked tossing the rag to the door way of the ensuite and cupping my face. “No-.” I stuttered. “No one’s…” Larissa’s brows raised trying to understand. “Nobody’s ever done that for me before.” I said chocking on my uneven breath. “Oh darling.” She said dragging my body up to hers embracing me tightly.

Larissa looked at me like I was the most fragile thing in the universe, I hated it, I wish I wasn’t like this. A while later we decided on a movie and snuggled under the covers, she stroked at my hair and giggled at the screen from time to time, I didn’t give a fuck about the tv, to be in this moment with her was so for filling and wholesome. I pondered for a second before letting myself ask the question. “Larissa?” I started. “Mmm?” She hummed looking down at me. “I was wondering if you would like to come away with me after Christmas?” I said hoping she would but trying to come to terms with the possibility she’d say no. “Yes.” She said with a grin. Oh. “I have to go to my parents houses, dads for the first week then mums for a week… if you’re not comfortable with that-.” She nodded enthusiastically and said. “Yes I will, what day do we leave?” I looked at her wondering why she seems so excited but continued anyway. “The 27th, my sister’s are gonna be there and my nieces, which is nice I haven’t seen them for a long time.” I said. Larissa agreed and was looking forward to it, and of course she started to make a mental list of what to pack.

For the rest of the afternoon we stayed in bed and went through countless amounts of movies and whatever snacks I had in my pantry. She sat in my clothes, in my bed, in my room, in my home, Larissa to me felt like she belonged there, like this is exactly where she’s supposed to be, because to be honest I’m really being to think she is my home, Larissa weems owns it all though, all the materialistic things I own from the things in my house to the clothes I wear on my back as well as my heart and soul and if she wanted me to I’d kill myself if she asked. I love her more than anything. perhaps it is more personal than it is professional, but that’s the tragic part isn’t it?

@lex13cm @im-a-carnivorous-plant @barbarasstar

@giogwensversion @sabraaabra

@readingtheentrails @readingtheentrails

[yoursjustasitwas]

it’s a gentle, perfect thing he never dared dream he’d get again. Ellie’s heavy against his chest, her eyes closed and mouth lightly parted. she’s breathing sleep slow, he feels her exhales against his neck.

he adjusts his arms around her, holds her more securely. because it’s habit now, because he gets to, he presses a kiss to her hair. it’s dark and shiny now, a beautiful, glossy brown. she’s not yet put it up because it’s only just dried, and Joel smoothes his hand down her head, smiles when he lets go and her waves spring back up. it smells good, fresh and clean and sweet in a way that’s uniquely Ellie. he loves it because getting to wash her hair means she’s safe.

Joel kisses her head again, and she makes a content sort of noise in her sleep. “Love you, kiddo,” he murmurs, and she won’t have heard except she does adjust so shes got the collar of Joel’s shirt in her fist. Joel loves her.

Sometimes, like this, when Joel’s awake and Ellie asleep against him, Joel will, ever so gently, pass his thumb across Ellie’s skull, where they were going to cut. he does it to assure himself it’s still whole, she’s still here, he’s got her. it used to hurt, a little, in his chest, when she was angry with him. even then, she crawled, shaking, into his bed after nightmares, or sobbed in relief when he got to her room first. it was grounding, to let her be angry and hurt and mistrustful as long as her skull was in one piece. he told himself that she could hate him for the rest of his life and it would be worth it, knowing she’s safe.

of course, there’s no pain now that she’s starting to forgive him.

he reflects on the conversation they had one night, when ellie had refused to sleep even after climbing into his bed.

“you don’t gotta know the truth,” he had said when she confronted him. it had felt like letting out a breath, admitting that he lied. “you can let me carry this for you. you can let it be true for you.”

“i cant do that.” Ellie said, because she was nothing if not a stubborn little firecracker.

he told her what happened in the hospital, emphasizing the part where he found her and could’ve keeled over he was so relieved she was alive, and sort of glossing over the gruesome parts. “i got you. didn’t matter what it took.” he said, instead of “i killed every last threat in that hospital for you.”

she had been silent for some time after, but had eventually turned into him, much the same way she is now, burrowing into his shoulder and holding the collar of his shirt in her fist.

“okay.” she had said, into his shoulder. “i’m still mad at you, but i think…i don’t want to be. i think i can try to start forgiving you.”

“okay, kid.” Joel had said, because he’s never been good with his words and couldn’t find anything that’s big enough to mean thank you and i don’t regret it, not for one second, and keeping you safe is my only priority.

He had managed to say “I love you, kid” the first time that night, when he had thought she was mostly asleep. she had tightened her fist around his shirt and snuggled closer.

the following evening, before going to bed, she had emerged in his doorway and said “goodnight, i love you.” and Joel smiled and hugged her and said it back into her hair.

she is safe, here. he gets to give her that. Joel’s never really been one for religion, he’s not a joiner, but he feels a sort of humble gratitude directed outward, at whatever must’ve taken pity on an old man to let him have this, let him watch Ellie grow up safe and happy and beautiful.

she’s downright flying in jackson. she’s got her nightmares and her suspicions and her hard days, which she comes to Joel to help her through, but he’s fiercely proud of the way shes settling. she’s damn good with the horses, has started making friends who love her so much they hang around Joels porch, waiting for Ellie before starting their games. they call him her dad—adults around jackson call her his daughter. they’ve not talked about it, he doubts they will, but it makes something warm settle in him.

“Joel?” Ellie murmurs. Joel snaps back to the present, where Ellies adjusting in a way that means either she’s about to fall back into deep sleep or she’s about to wake up. Joel brings a hand back up to her hair.

“i’m right here.”

Ellie hums and slips asleep again.

once more, Joel feels a gratitude larger than himself, something bright and warm that lives where Ellie lives in his heart.

that girl—she’s easy on him. he presses another kiss to her hair and hopes she knows how much he loves her.

[chiriwritesstuff]

Meet Me at the Farmers Market - an interlude - Brother

Series Masterlist

Rating: T

Word Count: 909

Warnings & Tags: Jealous Joel Miller, Tommy is a flirt, Buckle up for a Tommy POV!

Chapter Summary: Tommy would do anything for his brother, no matter what.

A/N: Please, please don't hate me.

I know Tommy’s shameful flirting is somewhat of a running joke in this series, but what if it was much more than that? What if there was an instance - that as much as you want someone, you can’t deny the connection that they have with someone else, especially when it’s with your own brother?

I’m somewhat protective of my iteration of Tommy and even though it might not seem like it now, this interlude is the first of many.

Don’t worry, it won’t be so bad for him in the end, you’ll see.

This story happens during the events of pt 1 ‘Jealousy, Jealousy’ to pt. 3 - ‘Sunflower’

If there is anything that is certain, it would be this: Tommy Miller would do anything for his family. 

Especially for his brother.

To most people, he was a lot of things - a wiseass, a silly flirt, a hot head with no semblance of a filter. A joiner, much to Joel's ire - shipping himself off to war the moment he snatched the flimsy, sorry excuse of his high school diploma - flipping the bird to the crowd as he kisses his English teacher square on the lips - I've always wanted to do that, he beams, leaving her gasping for air - as he runs off the stage, his mother mortified and Joel shaking his head, as he mutters fucking moron.

If there was anyone he loved the most, it would be Joel—the older brother he always wanted, the one he looked up to, who protected him no matter the situation. Whether it was spotting him when he happened to be behind on rent (it was only ONE time), giving him a job after his short stint in the military, or bailing him out of jail when he let himself loose just a little too much—Joel was there, every time. He took his stern looks and grunts of displeasure in stride, knowing that even if his brother was pissed at him for his poor choices, he still loved him, that he would always be there for him, no matter what, poor choices and constant meddling be dammed.  

As much as Tommy took, Joel was always willing to give. Even if it seemed like Tommy wasn't grateful or thankful at times, especially considering Joel hadn't had the best luck in life himself- being a single father and owning his own business that he fought tooth and nail to keep afloat and all, Tommy made a promise to himself that he would do everything in his power to pay his brother back, to show him just how much he loved him and respected him, no matter what it took. 

It's the least that he could do, right?

Even if that meant losing the girl.

The truth is, he didn't mean to fall for you. With your bright smiles, killer body, and penchant for driving him absolutely up the wall as you teased him at the market, being in your orbit felt like he was a different man—a better man - One who made responsible choices and had a steady job, with the white picket fence and the minivan to boot. He thought about you constantly, from when he woke in the morning to when he lay alone in bed at night, imagining the weight of your body next to his, his arm delicately stroking the curve of your hip as you smiled back at him in the dark of night. Tommy always believed he wasn't built for that kind of life, but with you, it was easier to see, it was easier to believe.

Tommy did what he did best—he flirted, and he flirted hard. He wouldn't let his brother's raised eyebrow stop him; he was relentless in his pursuit, putting out all the stops until he finally managed to badger you enough to agree to go out on a date with him. You seemed receptive enough—never turning down his offer to help set up, always smiling sweetly as he passed you your regular matcha latte he bought for you every Saturday, your hands patting his shoulder in thanks. It seemed friendly enough, not overtly flirty, the gesture—but he wouldn't let that bother him, even if he caught your gaze looking in his brother's direction as he desperately tried to hold your attention from time to time.

It didn't bother him. 

No, not at all.  

So when he sees Joel blushing as you greet him in the morning, his voice getting caught in his throat as he tries his best to utter a reply, or when you would bring up his brother in conversation as much as you possibly could, he took it in stride, not letting his resolve waver. Your sweet smile was worth the challenge, he thought. I'm the younger, childless, more able-bodied version of the Miller men, surely I would be the better option, right? he assures himself as he watches you walk over to joel anxiously, the bashful smile on your face as Joel motions to one of his fucking woodland critters - No. I still have a chance, I still have a-

"Hey, Tommy?" your voice cuts through, suddenly in front of him.  God, she's so gorgeous today, maybe today i'll finally do it, I'm gonna ask her if-

"Sunflower! What's up?" 

"Is... is Joel single?" you look up at him, eyes hopeful.

"...Oh." Tommy feels a heaviness in his chest, and suddenly the heat of the Texas sun seems unbearable. He attempts to conceal the hurt with a forced smile, hoping it doesn't betray his true feelings. He doesn't allow the look of glee that spreads on your face in satisfaction to bother him, no, he should of fucking known. He looks out towards his brother in the distance, catching his eyes as he looks at the both of you, the hint of jealousy flickering in his eyes. He shakes his head at him.  You have nothing to worry about, brother - she was never mine, and was always yours.  

He would do anything for his brother, even if it meant losing you.

[dragonkid11]

Sirens Song, A Mountain's Remorse, by Trey Joiner, or NHP Shaka, is a Lancer first-party supplement set on the world of Kibo, one of the numerous worlds identified by SSC to be selectively inhospitable to humanity, and nurture gene lines that can survive on these world for future colonization efforts.

Responsible for managing these programs are NHP, children of RA and backbone of Union, serving humanity as it expands across the great expanses of Orion Arms, yet while Union recognizes their personhood, a question remains, does it truly put that belief into practise?

CHAGA, the NHP managing the project in Kibo has gone missing, a MSMC team sent to retrieve CHAGA has gone missing too.

Find out what happens, and show the world why you are called Lancer.

[four-white-trees]

Sunday Six - Fresh and new!

I've been working diligently away on the star wars project and this week I'm happy to share something entirely brand new for the fic :3 I'm hoping to have the first part finished very soon. which means the most difficult part is upon me: titling this thing

tagging: @jichanxo @mike----wazowski @skysquid22 @overdevelopedglasses @passthroughtime

Hobbs stepped up his pace as he headed toward the mess hall doors, but Joiner caught up anyway, placing a hand on Hobb’s shoulder while saying, “I need to ask ya somethin’, lad.”

Hobbs spun around, breaking Joiner’s hold on him, which wasn’t all that hard. “Don’t touch me.”

Joiner dropped his hand and gazed up into Hobbs’ glare, his eyes bright and vivid green under the fluorescent light of the mess hall. “Oi, what’s eatin’ yer shorts?”

Hobbs blew out a breath, resisting the urge to yell at him. “You should know.”

“I can do a lotta things, lad,” Joiner said, folding his thick arms over his broad chest, “but I can’t read minds. Never learned that one.”

Hobbs wanted to swear at him, wanted to hit him, wanted to do neither and just walk away. But none of those were mature adult actions. Well, they weren’t according to how Hobbs was raised, although all three actions were common on the Incitatus. Hobbs had stood up to Joiner before, and in a mature fashion. He could do it again.

“I don’t appreciate that you got me reassigned to the repairs on the captain’s X-wing,” he said, mustering all his strength to sound calm. His hands were shaking, so he’d stuck them in his pockets.

Joiner’s brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed. Not quite a glare, but certainly not a friendly look. “Ye think I did that?”

Hobbs’ stomach flipped as a wash of anxiety came over him. “You–who else would it have been?”

Joiner shrugged. “Gaius just does shit. I don’t fuckin’ question him.” Now he glared. “And I don’t go cryin’ to him when I get into a little spat with someone.”

Hobbs ground his teeth, trying not to give into the desire to stare at the floor. Well, didn’t he feel like an asshole? “My apologies,” he muttered.

[thekingofgear]

Updates to Thom's Teles

Left: a rare photo of Thom playing a cream Fender Telecaster Standard at a gig in December 1992 — presumably a touring backup for his black Tele Standard (Q #179). Right: Thom holding his Fenix-brand Tele Thinline copy during a gig in early-1995 (Rock&Folk).

This week, we updated Thom's page with more info on his Pablo Honey and The Bends era Telecasters. There's now better documentation of the mods done to his original black Tele Standard, his black Tele Thinline, and his Fenix Thinline copy. There's also info on Thom borrowing three different Teles from Jonny — see if you can guess which ones.

None of these guitars were used after touring for The Bends finished, either because of disinterest or because they were stolen. The theft of the latter two in October 1995 caused Thom to buy some vintage 70s Telecasters. He used those vintage instruments heavily from OK Computer through Hail To The Thief. Like the past two, his new "no1" Telecaster was also black, but this time it was a Deluxe with Wide Range humbuckers.

It was already mentioned on Thom's page, but I'd like to highlight a blog post from Deviation Street Magazine. They shared some awesome photos from Radiohead's gig at The Joiners Arms on February 18, 1993 — four days before the release of Pablo Honey! The writing offers a nice step back in time to an era when Radiohead was basically unknown.

And as on Jonny's page, we've started adding links to the table of contents to ease navigation.

[asillylilwolfcreature]

My pack wouldn’t be just wolves, id accept everyone who feels they have been wronged and need somewhere to stay. I am here with open arms to let you know, you matter in this world. My pack is always open for new joiners, if you’d like to join feel free to message me, I’m all open ears.

[pure-garbage]

Aftermath Of Victory... Soup And Solipsism

"I hate your knife, Lana!"

Of all the people Lana expected to be scolded by, Chopper had been at the very bottom of the list.

"Hey, don't hate, Anyorith is a good knife!" Lana said defensively, one hand creeping to the dagger at her hip. "You'll hurt his feelings!"

"That weapon is cruel and unnecessarily brutal and someone needs to throw it into the ocean!" Chopper scowled insistently.

"Look, can you get my tip out of Caesar Clown, or what?!" Lana demanded with an ever deepening frown.

"I can, but it's going to be a whole operation! What that knife did to his organs was inhumane!" Chopper went on furiously.

"Inhumane?! He's inhumane, he had it coming!" Lana snarled back. "Not an hour ago you were up in arms over his experiments, shouldn't you just be happy he's not at large anymore?!"

"No one has something like this coming!" Chopper protested stubbornly. "And it's true what he did was reprehensible, but don't you think resorting to this kind of over-the-top violence is the same thing as stooping to his level?!"

"Luffy was the one who stabbed him! Are you trying to say Luffy's on the same level with that scumbag?!" Lana challenged heatedly.

"Hey, hey, what's the problem here, kids?" Zoro broke in, strolling closer with two bowls of soup. He kept one for himself and offered the other to Lana, who accepted gratefully.

"Oh, Chopper's mad because Luffy stabbed Caesar Clown in the kidney or something," Lana said dismissively, digging in to the soup with gusto. "Mm! Sanji's?"

"You know it."

"Damn that man can cook!"

"You're taking what happened way too lightly!" Chopper insisted. "The way those tips are barbed makes them really hard to remove if they're lodged more than an inch or two deep!"

"Mm, yeah, pretty sure that's the point," Lana said absently. "Chopper, did you get some soup yet? This is really good! You're probably just hungry. I'm sure you'll calm down after you get something to eat."

"I'M ANGRY BECAUSE YOUR WEAPON IS A MENACE, NOT BECAUSE I'M HUNGRY!" Chopper shouted, shifting into heavy point unintentionally.

"Okay, but are you also hungry?" Lana pressed, unfazed by her friend's suddenly towering stature.

"YES!"

"Good, go get some soup."

"I WILL! BUT I STILL HATE YOUR KNIFE!"

"Good for you, buddy you're very ethical," Lana congratulated him sincerely as he stomped off furiously.

"Were you this catty two years ago?" Zoro asked suspiciously.

"I don't know. Was I?" Lana shrugged.

"I don't think so."

"Sucks to be the rest of you, I guess."

"Mrrrow."

"Sounds to me like you're not mad about it," Lana noted with some amusement.

"Hmph, not yet. I'm sure you'll start getting under my skin soon enough," Zoro smirked.

"So... I'm still pretty confused about what's going on," Lana admitted, gaze full of consternation as she fixed it to Sanji's samurai and the pink dragon he claimed was his son. "Did Luffy invite those two to join the crew, or...?"

"I'm sure he did, but as of now, they're just passengers," Zoro informed her. The pair settled against the rail of the ship as they finished their food. Lana shrugged out of one arm of the stolen coat Zoro had lent her, wrapping it around him and snuggling close to his side. He wound one arm over her shoulders inside the fur, sighing contentedly as they both relaxed for the first time since arriving on Punk Hazard.

"Passengers... and where are we going next?" Lana asked.

"No idea yet. That's always up to Luffy... I get the feeling that Traffy has more work for us and I don't see Luffy breaking off this alliance of theirs anytime soon either."

"Great. So now we work for a warlord?" Lana grumbled.

"Not at all. I don't know about you, but I'm still just following Luffy's orders. He's not a joiner... I'm sure he'll split from Traffy's plan when it suits him," Zoro grinned.

"Luffy sure seems fond of Law. He mentioned he saved Luffy's life once. Think he was telling the truth?"

"Must have been, because Luffy told me just about the same thing," Zoro confirmed.

"What a mess."

"No more of a mess than usual from where I'm sitting. At least I've finally got you back in my line of sight," Zoro pointed out. "You really had me worried when you went missing, you know."

"Went missing? I think you mean when Law abducted me."

"Yeah. When Law abducted you. That reminds me... he mentioned that the gas they used on the rest of the crew didn't affect you," Zoro remembered. "And Luffy said something to the same effect happened when you tried and failed to rescue him."

"Hey! He ended up rescued just fine," Lana griped.

"Sure. Anyway, I meant to ask... why doesn't the gas work on you?" Zoro puzzled. "Luffy developed insane poison resistances while we were all separated. Did the same thing happen to you?"

"Uh... well, no, not exactly."

"What then?"

"It's kind of private," Lana sighed, biting her lip.

The wary response only served to further inflame Zoro's curiosity.

"Too private to tell me about?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I... uh..."

'I guess it does sort of affect him too,' Lana realized for the first time. 'Maybe I owe it to him to tell him... he probably won't even care. But what if he does? What if he has a problem with it? I have a hard time imagining that he would... so why do I feel so nervous about telling him?'

Lana powered through her anxiety and forced herself to just spit it out.

"Well, the poison in the gas is... this is kind of a funny coincidence, actually," Lana chuckled, struggling to keep her nerves in check to go on. "... and a really lucky one at that, at least for me. But it's made from a plant I make tea from a lot."

"Hm, you do love tea," Zoro mused. "Why would you make tea out of a poison plant though? That doesn't make a lot of sense."

'He thinks I love tea? I guess I'm always drinking the stuff... but only because I have to. I actually don't even like tea. Especially not that nasty swill,' Lana thought, amused by his interpretation of her rituals.

"It's medicinal," Lana sighed. "In a certain sense."

"I don't get it. It's good for your immune system or something? If that's the case, why are you the only one drinking it?" Zoro puzzled. "I don't like getting sick either, you know."

"No, it doesn't ward off colds, Zoro. It prevents... pregnancy."

Lana watched the gears turn over in Zoro's head as he processed the new information. She held her breath waiting for his response. He didn't keep her waiting long.

"Oh. That makes sense."

He settled back against the rail, seemingly with nothing else to say. Lana breathed a sigh of relief, tension melting out of her as she chastised herself internally for worrying about his reaction.

'Of course he's fine with me regulating my own body. Why wouldn't he be fine with that? That was a dumb thing to be anxious about.'

"You know something, Lana?"

"Hm?"

She settled even deeper into his embrace, exhaustion creeping over her as the action-packed day finally drew to a peaceful close.

"I was never lonely before I met you," Zoro grumbled unhappily.

"Aw. Don't feel lonely. I'm not going anywhere," Lana mumbled sleepily.

"You're always gone off somewhere."

"We do get separated a lot, huh? We could try harder to stick together," she suggested.

"I'd like that."

"Me too. It's a promise then?"

"Promise."

He hooked his little finger around hers, responding to her drowsy smile with a small one of his own. She sighed heavily and let her eyes slide shut while he laced their fingers together loosely. He thought she'd gone to sleep until she spoke again.

"Zoro?"

"Yeah?"

"I was always lonely before I met you," she sighed.

"Guess it's a good thing I'm here now," he concluded with some amusement. Lana could only nod against his chest as she surrendered to the comforting abyss of sleep.

________________________________________

<== Previous Chapter

Next Chapter ==>

== First Chapter ==

[emsgwenstan]

personal or professional?

Larissa Weems x fem(carpenter/joiner) named reader

Chap 6 | chap 7 | chap 8

Words: 2k?

Warnings: the warning is for next chapter… just unhealthy parental dynamic.

Note: sorry about the skipping, I needed this to be the prompt for what’s to come! Lmk if you think you know what that might be 😂

Over the next week I finished up for the year at work and sorted through all of the the engagements for the beginning of next year, a kitchen in January, laundry in the beginning of February and other odd jobs over the next couple of months, not to drastic. Today though, I'm so exited because Larissa and i are going to Burlington to shop for clothes for me and hopefully I can be rid of the shitty ones I have at home.

The car ride was only 45 minutes and it flew by quickly, firstly we entered an ordinary looking clothes store and immediately we knew this was just not it, we opted to stroll the streets for a while to find something more appropriate and finally we found what were both silently looking for. Luxury brands. Channel, Armani, Valentino, all of the above, consequently Larissa and I decided to split up and go to other stores separate from each other leaving us to our own devices.

I kept heading down the street until I reached Burberry, the grin on my face spread wider at the sight, finally knowing that I can actually fit into these sorts of clothes now, I mean I still have a fear that ill try something on and it will be to small, but I guess I should have faith. Money, is not an issue, that's the only reason I don't mind being here, I suppose I don't have kids to fund nor shared accounts with a significant other I have to worry about, what else am I supposed to do with my money, god knows I've saved enough to be set for life, a few thousand dollars spent on luxury wear is only knocking off less then half a percent…not to brag or anything.

Time seemed slipped away from me as Larissa called wondering where I was, I told her I was just exiting a cafe a block away from her. With two take away cups and 16 bags around my arms I made my way back, the look on her face and the laugh that bubbled from her chest was delightful when we finally met up again. "Did you get enough?" she asked giggling. "Yep, I got 7 pairs of pants, 11 shirts including blouses and turtle necks, I got 3 pairs of shoes, 2 or 3 dresses, shit loads of underwear and 2 beautiful coats." I said proudly, passing her a hot chocolate.

"You will have to show me all of them." She said suggestively taking a sip. "I will." I said walking in tandem with her strides. A while later we were exhausted and decided to go home, the bustling streets were chaotic, people were crawling everywhere in hopes of a last minute Christmas present, I was lucky enough to get a few things for Larissa.

Now back at nevermore, I helped her take up the astounding one bag and graciously laid on her bed as she began to pack a suit case for our trip. It was entertaining to watch her flit about her room and gently yet meticulously place each article of clothing into the case. We were chatting about a few teachers when I abruptly cut her off to at snatch the material she held in her hands.

"Oh...my...god!" I dragged holding up the item. "Violet give it here." she said blankly. "My my my Larissa, this isn't very appropriate for a headmistress now is it." I teased. "Give it to me." she said with a wild blush and an extended hand. "Nope." I said hopping off the bed holding the silk and black lace sleep garment to my front. "Violet." she said as a warning before chasing me around the bed. "What would my father say if he saw you wearing this!" I laughed jumping back over the bed to get away from her.

Larissa changed tactics by stopping and calming herself. "Violet, darling, sweet angel, please give it back." she said bent at the hips with her hands braced to the mattresses surface peering into my eyes batting her own eyelashes. I stood in front of her open suit case to find the matching bottoms, to which I discarded the top, picked those up then picked up a pair of red lacy panties and held them between both my index fingers. Larissa crawled over the bed and snatched them away tossing them back into the case.

But she wasn't going to let me get away, Larissa grasped my shoulders pulling me to fall on the bed, then in one fell swoop straddled my thighs. "Are you going to behave my sweet?" she purred in question. My hesitation made her eyebrows raise. "mhmm." I hummed cheekily. She leaned down and kissed me silly, filling me from head to toe in joy, what absolute fucking bliss.

———

Christmas day rolled around feeling like just any ordinary day to me, however I wasn't alone for the first time in years and just looking at Larissa I could tell she loved charismas. That woman had an 11 foot tree installed in her office and baked for hours last night before I arrived to spend Christmas eve, I'm sure we watched 5 movies and could have died from the amount of sugar we inhaled, but in the end it was all worth it, I forgot how exiting in can be when your with the right people.

We opened presents and Larissa adored the things I brought her, cream leather gloves with a matching wide belt that had a gold emblem situated in the middle, a Versace headscarf, a 3 pack of red lipsticks in her shade and a chunky gold bracelet that I saw her eyeing before we left Burlington. She passed me a few to unwrap with untamed glee, the first was a gold signet ring with the letters 'VAH' cursively inscribed. "A?... how did you know my middle initial?" I asked her, she shrugged with a grin. "i think Adeline is a beautiful middle name by the way." I was so confused but didn't question it further. The next was a few more poetry books and a Louis Vuitton bag that was black and grey, it was stunning, there were a few more little things, but my greatest gift was being able to share the day with her.

We ended the day wrapped in warm sheets together and possibly, maybe, there could have been another Christmas present that carried on until the early hours of Boxing Day...

———

The day has come for Larissa and I to travel the 5 hours to stay with dad, something I didn't think id say. I can feel dread set in the pit of my stomach knowing that's this its going to be far from enjoyable, I didn't want to drag her into something that she'd want to retreat from yet I still did it anyway, I guess we're lucky Louise, jade and the little girls are gonna be there.

We packed my car and sorted out the arrangements for leaving, like making sure the doors were locked, the gates were secured at the school and hazards are resolved before leave, it'll be 2 weeks until we return and it would be great if nothing was broken into or burned down.

Larissa took charge of the music choosing Madonna and lady gaga to be the main voices for the drive and began asking 500 questions about each individuall she will be meeting, of course I warned her about my father and ignorant step mother, I told her their hardly home always gallivanting around town- separately might I add, doing god knows what, his latest thing is golf, before that was going to the shooting range and before that was hunting.

With only an hour left, Larissa had fallen asleep in a rather uncomfortable looking position, I shimmied off my jumper and tucked it behind her neck all while staying on the road. My body almost feels magnetised as I drive closer, if I could, I’d turn around and go back.

“How much longer now?” Larissa asked with her head resting against the seats headrest whilst simultaneously grasping my thigh. “22 minutes.” I said removing my hand from the gear stick to wrap around hers. “That’s very specific.” She said. “It is isn’t it.” I ended. She seemed to notice my deep, heavy breathing and flickering eyes. “Everything is going to be ok sweetheart.” She cooed bringing up my hand to place a kiss to the back off it. “I know… I just haven’t been back for a while.” This is the place I should be calling home because I grew up here and I’m returning to it, but it never was- I know Jericho is my home.

Larissa just came to the realisation that this town is probably the same place where my ex-fiancé lives and understands the situation a bit more now, she gives me a sympathetic smile and placed our intertwined hands in her lap stroking over the skin.

Instead of going through town I opted to take the back roads, soon enough we were turning down the driveway that’s since been tarred over and passed by the concrete pillars with horribly carved out gargoyles, I could only think one thing. Fucking asshole, what poor taste. The house came in to view and my blood started to simmer, new roofing, new window shutters and a wraparound porch, I must remember to ask where the white picket fence is.

Putting the car in neutral I killed the engine and huffed not wanting to get out. “Come on let’s go.” She said unbuckling her seat belt and mine while she was at it. “Fine…we’ll just leave this crap in the car and come back and get it later.” I groaned pertaining to our luggage. We stepped out of the car into the cold wind and I put my jumper back on, because Larissa made me… we walked towards the front door, but I stopped to give Larissa a loving kiss, one she hummed and smiled into before entering the threshold of hell.

After knocking, the door opened a moment later only the person who opened it was rather small, I had to look down in confusion until it melted away, the best little person ever grinned up at me with huge green eyes. “Auntie violet!” She squealed. “Lilly!” I yelled laughing scooping her up and twirling around pulling giggles from her, I kissed all around her face until she was begging me to stop.

“Lil, what did I say about opening the door to stra- oh vi!” Louise said. “Hey Lou.” I spoke letting Lilly down from my hold to give her a hug. “Missed ya baby sis.” I whispered in her ear. “Missed you too.” She replied. Then came walking over was the other baby sister. “Jaddie.” I said wrapping my arms around her. “Oh god you haven’t called me that in years.” She said patting me on the back. I laughed and took a step back realizing Larissa was still in the door way. “Who’s that?” Lilly asked in a loud whisper. I waved in Larissa and introduced her to the girls. “This is my friend Larissa, she’s gonna be staying with us too.” I said. “Larissa this is Louise, jade and Lilly my two sisters and niece, charlottes here too yeah?” I said. “Yeah she’s down for a nap, it’s lovely to meet you Larissa.” Louise spoke giving her a light hug that was surprisingly not awkward. “Likewise.” Larissa said.

“She’s really pretty.” Lilly said tugging on my trousers. “She is isn’t she.” I said looking to Larissa. All of us were looking between Lilly, Larissa and I. “Do you think she wants to play with me?” She asked. I looked to Larissa for an answer. She walked over and squatted down in front of Lilly. “I… would love to play with you angel.” She said jutting out her chin and scrunching up her nose at the small girl. Larissa extended to her full height again and stood beside me, rissa fits well with the rest of us, hair all some shade of blond and all fairly tall.

“Right I’m off.” That voice ugh. “See ya later.” He said brushing past us all. “Um dad?…” jade questioned. “What?” He looked up putting on his coat. “Oh Violet. You’re here, good, there’s a load of washing to be hung out, I’m going to the golf course so have dinner done when I get back.” He said looking me up and down. “huh, you lost weight.” I sarcastically chuckled as he walked out, honestly I could have ripped his head from his shoulders if he didn’t leave. Larissa was gob smacked at what just happened. “So rissa, that’s my dad, Robert Hastings is what he would have introduced himself as if he wasn’t a prick.” I stated, she looked at all of us who were used to his behavior. “Please forgive me but that was utterly rude.” She said slowly. “We know.” The three of us said in unison.

We moved the reunion into the lounge room and on the way Larissa noticed the photos on the walls, only one had me in it from when I was 14, the most hideous picture if you ask me. She saw the plaques and certificates blown up to be the center of attention. “Wait… your father is Robert Hastings, like the criminal lawyer?” She turned to face you all. “Mhmm.” Jade hummed as we rolled our eyes. “Oh.” She said coming to Sit down awkwardly.

———

Over the next couple of days the strain between dad and myself only ten folded, he had come back that night, actually introduced himself to Larissa and continued to only talk about how 'great' he is, I feel myself cringe every time he ran a hand over his salt and pepper hair giving the impression of how cocky he is and dare I say the way he looked at her, she side eyed me the whole conversation. Larissa and I are staying in my old room that's now full of golf clubs, hunting gear and guns lining the walls, how quaint, he removed my old queen size bed and replaced it with a double leaving Larissa and I to practically lay on top of each other all night, not that we complain. We have kept our relationship under wraps the whole time not getting to close while others were around, only the most inconspicuous touches were used, although, my sisters know me well enough to eventually pick up on the fact that there's more than friendship between us, I'm just waiting to be pulled aside by them.

Larissa is fitting in quite well with my sisters and she seems to love Lilly just as much as i do, she's more cautious around Lottie- charlotte, Louise's baby, she thinks she'll do something wrong since she hasn't to much experience with babies. We were sitting in the dinning room with craft scattered about the table when Lilly gave me a crown made of fake red flowers. “Auntie vi, should I make Larissa one?” She asked cupping her hand to the side of her cheek and beside my ear to whisper. “Sure.” I replied. “What colours?” She wondered. “Mmm…” I hummed looking at Larissa squinting my eyes, I turned back to the small girl and said. “how about purple and blue, it will match her hair.” She retracted and gave me a toothy grin before getting to work on Larissa’s new accessory.

Once finished, she rounded the table and offered up the head piece. “I made this for you.” She said holding it out for Larissa to take. “Oh thank you sweet angel!” She gleefully spoke, placing it upon her head, it fit just right, her hair was in a low ponytail letting her wavey curls have a break from the usual confinement. She turned to me smiling only just realizing that I had one too, she was to invested in sorting out the glitters and coloured paper to notice.

"I think you should kiss auntie Violet." the cheeky girl blurted out, my face dropped and went scarlet at her statement. Larissa chuckled and looked surprised towards Lilly. "Should I now?" she asked. "yep, she keeps staring at you." she said confidently then stood between us gripping both of our arms with tiny hands and pulled us closer together. "i think we should give her what she wants don't you?" Larissa asked, I gave her a disapproving look at the fact of giving into a 4 year old, but thinking the words ‘fuck it’ I leaned in and kissed chastely on her lips. Pulling away I blushed again and glowered at Lilly and her smug look.

———

*Larissa’s pov*

The next morning I woke to find that Violet wasn't in bed, I rose, wrapped a blanket around my shoulders and padded down the hallway and the sight I found warmed my heart completely, vi was standing in the kitchen preparing a bottle for charlotte, holding her to her chest and lightly swaying and humming to keep the child calm. While she was waiting for the milk to cool a bit she gazed out of the window above the sink at the pink and blue sky as it was still before sunrise.

I peered over to the light coming from the television and saw that Lilly was laying on the lounge quietly watching cartoons. I could feel the love radiating from me just being able to view this beautiful moment, but when I know violet has had the luxury of this life ripped away from her I cant help but feel a horrible sense of sadness, this beautiful woman was meant to be a mother, have a loving family and be a strong devoted wife.

Violet must have sensed my presents because she turned around to gaze at me and summon me over with a gentle jerk of her head. "Morning darling." she said tilting her head for a kiss, I could taste the tea on her lips and placed another to her temple drawing back to see the child in her arms, the whole time she had a smile graced upon her lips and glimmer in her eye that was small but there nevertheless.

"I could hear them stirring and thought to watch over them so Lou could sleep." She said moving to occupie the lounge Lilly rested on taking the bottle with her. "I was wondering where you were." I said taking a seat beside her.

———

over the next couple of hours violet and I lazed about the property going for a walk in the shallow snow and soaking in the time we have together, idle talks about mundane things ensued, her god awful father finding place in topic and the fact that her step mother has been absent over the 4 days we've been here. I also decide to bring up the conversation I initially avoided when first asked, first loves. I don't like to think about Mortica, but I think its only fair that she knows, if she can entrust me with things about her past what stops me from doing the same?

She took it very well not that it was that bad anyway, a teenager in love with her roommate and the inevitable angst and heartbreak along with it, its quite embarrassing I haven't been able or willing to obtain a relationship since then, but that doesn't mean I hadn't had other partners in between.

———

*violets pov*

Sitting down in the living room doing puzzles on the coffee table with all the girls, the ticking of the clock on the wall and the background noise of the tv become irritating, the lights feel to bright and dads presents while sitting in his chair feels suffocating. Larissa and jade are having a conversation about something, Lou is sat across from me with Lottie in her lap and Lilly's half draped over my left half, I feel uneasy but shake the feeling. Its nearing 4:30pm and soon enough ill be able to sleep off what ever this is and be one with Larissa in the ridiculously small bed.

A knock on the door interrupted the small noise of the room and dad shot up so fast just to answer it. "ill get it." he said snapping down the recliner pacing to the door. They all looked at each other and me with furrowed brows, I continued to place a piece of the puzzle into its slot and silently ask Larissa to be closer to me.

"We have a guest." dad said, with my back turned I looked to jade and Louise, their faces displaying shock and utter fright, as they both looked at me I could tell that who ever it was it wasn't good, I could see in their eyes they were begging me not to turn around, I peered to Larissa who looked confused as her gaze cut to me, to behind, then back to me.

my eyes moved in the direction before my head started to swivel, when my eyes came in contact with what was behind me my blood ran cold, skin turned white, my vison blurred and my breathing almost completely stopped. I. Feel. Sick.

I just wanna say thank you for everyone who has kept up this far I appreciate it sooo much especially the reblogs and comments.

My anon friend- @lex13cm @im-a-carnivorous-plant @barbarasstar@giogwensversion @sabraaabra@readingtheentrails @readingtheentrails @hungry2bhelpful

[enola6]

An Interesting Mind

(Vector Hyllus/Reader)

Alderaan was not full of blitheness, nor was it serene.

It was elegant.

It was lush.

At the same time, however, it seemed hollow and lifeless to her. Under the guise of riches and luxury, Lady Thul was miserable. And though she was miserable and bored, she became entertained by an offworlder. Having captivated the attention of a Coruscanti journalist assigned to the task of covering politics off-world. And though she had once believed Coruscant to be the epitome of corruption and grief, she was certainly proven wrong by the Alderaanians—at least by the Thuls.

They were a people paranoid of their enemies. Even Urtel Moren, Lady Thul’s usually stoic bodyguard, illuminated an aura of fear when Jedi and politics were mentioned. The journalist followed him outside, notepad in hand.

"Miss (y/n)," he turned around while being followed in the palace gardens. "May I assist you in anything?"

The Coruscanti took note of the naturalness of Alderaan. Hills that never seemed to stop growing, rills that held water that would never stop flowing. A sky so clear you could see the stars at night and the shapes of clouds during the day...

It was everything Coruscant was not, and yet she yearned for her home.

"I have finished my report on House Thul." She stated, standing straight as if the Sith intimidated her. He waited for her to continue, confused as to why she was speaking to him. Being from offworld, she was only permitted to speak to her host family, not to anyone else, in fear of slander regarding the imperials on Alderaan.

"So you will be leaving us soon?" He inquired.

"No," Her answer startled him, yet he was not surprised. "I wish to explore this planet’s wildlife. Remember that man who visited the house when I first arrived? His eyes the colour of cinders, and he spoke using the word ‘WE’ instead of ‘I’".

"Yes, I remember the Joiner."

She found his tone welcoming and stepped closer to him, showing him the notes she had taken in her notebook. Scribbles as well as random words observed by the journalist graced her singular page dedicated to the man. She was quite embarrassed, to say the least, but the man and his talk of killiks intrigued her.

"I wish to research his condition... I want to venture onto Killik grounds."

“Lady Thul will not permit such an endeavor from someone she is hosting. Your safety will be at risk, Miss (y/n).”

“I know, my Lord. That is the beauty of it.” Thrantas flew above them, creating a gust of wind to close the pages of her book. She placed her book on the latch of her belt where it had always hung, sometimes hitting her legs. “On Coruscant I was given menial work, nothing of importance and seldomly allowed to investigate topics off-world. Now that I have the chance to investigate this… anomaly…”

He sensed her curiosity and recognized it as something dangerous. Journalists have the power to spread news of the war, they also hold the power to change it.

“If you do not offer me directions to their hives, then I will tell the lady of the house about your reports.”

She knew it was wrong, and her heart sank while she spoke to the sith. The enormous derelict camps on Taris reminded her of the jedi. She remembered a child, cradled in his mother’s arms, slowly transform into a rakghoul. She remembered returning to the camp, and her droid detected no human. There was the Barsen'thor, in the capital and when she begged she did not investigate.

Taris was no longer the planet of great civilization , and she blamed the jedi and sith and their stupid war.She however, also knew about his mission. That child was born with knowledge of sith legends , something the bodyguard was ordered to retrieve by the emperor .

“Do not fool me.”

His body softened and the clench he held in his fists was loosened. The redness of his robes created a soft breeze upon her skin as he turned around and began walking down the concrete , white path. From his steps, she thought she saw his footsteps illuminate red, but then again she shook her head and it was gone.

“Tomorrow morning before the sun rises , you will meet me here.” He turned his head around and spoke to her through telepathy, a skill she hated from the sith. “You will bring the coordinates but if you are lying then I will find you and strike you down. Don’t think Republic-ridden Coruscant will save you.”

Bright stars in the sky kept the curious journalist awake as she leaned on the pillows on her temporary bed. A bed she would know no longer.

It was bright and early, too early for (y/n) to comprehend her thoughts in the cold breeze of the mountains. Stupidly , She had not dressed for the cold, believing the weather to be warm and soothing, the perfect temperature for an adventure . A cold nip bit her cheeks , making her cheeks rosy and puffy. Ice stuck to her boots and she almost sprained her ankle on a rock which stood in her way. Urtel Moren took large strides , it was hard for (y/n) to keep up.

“My Lord” She called out while trying to keep his pace “my Lord!”

“Slow down, my Lord!”

He stopped in his tracks and didn’t bother turning , for he sensed her struggle behind him and let her fall on her face.

“There is no need.” He spoke calmly .

“This is … “

“Yes, miss (y/n), this is Killik territory . Feared by many , except the simple.”

She noticed his eyes darken.

Darken as they would around jedi.

Darken as they would around enemies of House Thul.

It was all too soon, he reached for his lightsaber and all she saw was the gleam of red haunt her vision with its overpowering force. Thoughtlessly, she instinctively stepped back, retreating from the looming danger of the sith. In her haste, she stumbled and fell into a hole, a refuge of desperation. Her heart raced as she landed, and her back collided with a jagged rock. Pain surged through her body, and the impact was enough to force her into unconsciousness. Once again , she hit a rock , forcing her to become unconscious as she heard the eerie sound of the kiliks. The world around her grew distant as darkness enveloped her, leaving her fate uncertain in the face of the menacing threat.

Her senses slowly abandoned her,as she was no longer aware of the looming threat of the red lightsaber or the haunting figure who wielded it. Instead, her unconscious form lay still in the darkness of the hole…

The killiks' delicate antennae brushed against her motionless body, as they communicated silently with one another in their distinct language . In their intricate and collective way, they assessed the intruder, unaware of her purpose . The unconscious woman remained at the mercy of these enigmatic creatures, her fate uncertain as they probed and examined her in the cold, unforgiving darkness.

They gently lifted her from the cold, rocky ground, their coordinated efforts carrying her with surprising care and precision. In their collective intelligence, they recognized her as something of interest, a puzzle they wished to solve.

Their joiner would know more about the strange woman.

Slowly and silently, they made their way through the intricate tunnels, guided by an unseen force—their hive mind working together to transport their newfound discovery. As they navigated the labyrinthine passages, (y/n) ‘s unconscious form was brought closer to their destination.

Finally, they arrived at the nest where Vector Hyllus, the joiner, awaited. He was standing, surrounded by a soft, bioluminescent glow emanating from the Kilik nests. The Kiliks approached, their intricate chittering signaling their discovery to the human. He understood them and studied the unknown woman with interest.

A Killik stepped forward and handed Vector her belt. The belt seemed small in the insectoid creature's grasp, but the creature recognized it as useful and important.

With a mixture of curiosity and gratitude, he unzipped the pouch attached to the belt carefully and found the journal inside. The journal was filled with meticulous research notes and observations about Joiners and the enigmatic Kilik species. Vector's own history as a Joiner, someone bonded with the Kiliks, made this discovery even more intriguing.

“(y/n) (l/n)...” he whispered as he traced his finger over the title page of the journal.

He looked upon her once more and came to the realization that she was a woman he recognized from house Thul. He remembered her pheromones of curiosity and the way her eyes never left him.

As he flipped through the pages, his eyes widened with understanding and interest. (y/n) had dedicated significant time and effort to studying the connection between Joiners and Kiliks. Her research could hold valuable insights into the intricate relationship between the two and potentially reveal new aspects of their unique bond.

“Take her to a private area. She means no harm, just curiosity.”

In the darkness of his own private room, Vector’s black eyes examined the journal with such delicate ease, afraid to damage any pages from the thoughtfully crafted journal. As he examined the woman's journal and the intricate research she had compiled, his senses picked up on an unusual scent, a subtle and intoxicating fragrance that was carried in the air.

These were not ordinary scents, but rather pheromones, biological signals that held a profound and instinctual significance to the Kilik species. Pheromones were a powerful form of communication and connection for the insectoid creatures, and they conveyed a range of emotions and intentions.

Vector's unique bond with the Kiliks heightened his awareness of these chemical signals. As he inhaled the subtle, alluring scent emanating from the unconscious woman, a surge of instinctual emotions and thoughts flowed through him. He was aware that this was not just an ordinary human response, but a deep and primal connection to the Kilik hive mind, intensified by the woman's presence.

In that moment, a complex and unconventional bond began to form in Vector's mind, a connection that went beyond mere curiosity. He recognized the woman's pheromones as an invitation, an offer of unity with the Kiliks in a way that was both intriguing and unsettling. However, Vector was still a diplomatic and open-minded individual. A part of him was still human.

With these thoughts in mind, Vector Hyllus closed the journal, his mind filled with a mixture of fascination and uncertainty. The discovery of the woman's research and the presence of her pheromones had opened a new and uncharted chapter in the complex relationship between Joiners, Kiliks, and (y/n).

When she awoke some time later, her hair amess and out of the many braids she had twisted them in. She reached for her belt, she had packed a silver blade before she had ventured , not trusting the sith in his full capacity. However, when she reached down she felt nothing but empty belt loops that held no leather, and no notebook.

(y/n’s) senses slowly returned, and she found herself in the presence of Vector Hyllus and the Killiks. Confusion clouded her thoughts as she attempted to make sense of the situation. It was what she wanted , and for the first time she wished to be back at her office on Coruscant.

That was when the Joiner entered the room, causing (y/n) to turn around.

She said nothing as she made eye contact with the joiner. Her gaze shifted, and she suddenly noticed something unusual. His striking, pitch-black eyes met hers, and the sight sent a shock of surprise through her.

“You’re…” she began to stutter.

“We are Vector Hyllus ,” the joiner began to speak “Dawn Herald of the Oroboro nest. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss (y/n).”

“How do you know my name?” (y/n) moved hair from her eyes, looking fully at the man before her.

“We examined your journal. Just a precaution to see if you could be trusted.” His voice was deep and soothing , but one could hear the eusocialness radiate from his voice. (Y/N) didn’t have time to think of accents or tone. Instead, she jolted back when killiks entered the room with their menacing height and fangs.

“What frightens you?” he integrated.

“I cannot speak,” the woman began to compose, “For I am fearful of the creatures that stand in the shadows behind you.”

And though she was tired , (y/n) managed to stand and point at what was behind Vector with her ring catching his eye. It shined in the minimal light that was present in the cave. The only light seemed to be the gleaming light that radiated from the unfriendly aura of the killiks.

“These are the killiks, but you seem to be already knowledgeable about their unique anatomy and character. We have lived with them, worked with them and became them. So , Miss (y/n), what do you wish from us?”

Knowledge , research , the permission to record the hive. She would have answered that only hours ago .

“ forgive me, sir,” she began to speak “But I admit I am frightened by the eyes of black that you proudly bear. You have read my journal and know what I know…” she took a recorder from her jacket and pressed the bright red button on the top of the lip , “so tell me what the world does not for your kind is so interesting that I yearn to enlighten the world about your condition.”

They sat down and he began to speak.

For days she slept on the bed kindly offered by Mister Vector Hyllus and wrote her report, refusing to return to Coruscant without it.

But another thing made her stay. Sometimes, she would peek behind the tall walls of the cave and stare at him with complete fascination.

He would look back.

And she would blush.

Vector observed the blushing, skittish woman with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue. Her dedication to understanding the Kiliks and her unyielding determination to learn more about their bond fascinates him. He admired her. Her courage , her intellect and her beauty.

He one day caught her packing her bag. She had discussed with him the night before on her departure , how she would leave him and never see him again. That is what he feared.

“(y/n)” He called to her.

“Vector!” She loosened her shoulders and moved some hair from her face. “I haven't seen you all day. Where have you been?” she stepped closer to him, her pheromones becoming more and more present , almost intoxicating him with her unknowing spell. In the midst of the cave, a flower had bloomed from its hidden petals and became the only jewel in the room.

“(y/n) there is something we must discuss with you. We do not want you to leave.”

“Vector … I do not understand”.

“We have felt something since you’ve arrived . A sweet sensation that does not leave. It is strange we have never felt such…”

“Mister Hyllus,” She noticed his red cheeks in the darkness of the cave. “I believe you are trying to say that you like me… romantically .” she then thought of ways to convey her message to his hive mind , “in the way mates do.”

He looked down almost shamefully . No, that was the wrong word, for the feeling he felt held no shame.

“We believe so , (y/n)”

“Well , Vector,” she let her bag drop and walked closer to him. She twiddled her fingers and tried looking anywhere but him. The flustered state that they both shared seemed to be oh so contagious. “I don’t want to leave either.”

And that was her way of letting him know that she had also grown feelings for him.

“Leave the hive, just for a moment.” She whispered into his ear. The black of his eyes disappeared and a human was in front of her. A man.

“Let us enjoy ourselves…”

(y/n) did not leave for Coruscant that night.