#julie shut the fuck up challenge

[marlsswrites]

Summer camp AU part 2!!

July 2nd <3

Doctor - @jegulus-microfic - words: 924

Previous part

They walked in total silence, and Regulus was fine with that. It was about a five minute walk through the woods, onto the cobblestone path and towards the entry gates, where they would greet the kids and show them their cabins. Easy.

But Potter didn’t seem okay with the silence, he was doing as told because he got told to shut up multiple times by Regulus. His hands were toying with the gold chain around his neck, he kept ruffling his hair every few minutes and chewing on his lip nervously.

Don’t ask Regulus why he payed so much attention to the Potter boys mannerisms, he just did. No further questions.

After another minute, Regulus felt something sharp and rough catch on his ankle, a vine.

“Fuck!” He hissed as he fell to the floor, James stopping in his tracks and rushing over to him. God, his stupid cute savour complex makes Regulus feel sick.

His ankle was throbbing, he winced as he moved his ankle to the side. “Shit, are you okay? Do you need a doctor?” The older boy panicked, offering Regulus a hand to pull him up. “Can you stand?”

Regulus grabbed James’ unusually soft hand, feeling the coldness of his golden rings as he pulled Regulus from the floor.

Letting out a breath, Regulus examined his foot, it looked quite bad, but that was just from the thorns that sliced his ankle. He seemed to be able to walk fine.

“It’s okay-“ He winced. “I think.” He took a few steps forward, showing that he could walk. The concerned look didn’t wipe from James’ face as he did so. “Really, it looks worse than it is.” He walked towards the brunette, twisting his ankle round a few times and offering a slight smile to show it.

God, he’s going soft.

“Are you sure?” He sweetly spoke, tilting his head to the side.

Regulus nodded and hummed. “Yeah, don’t worry.” He reassured, it was slightly sore, but he could deal. The last thing he wanted was to have James Potter babying him all day.

The frown finally left James’ face, replacing it with a satisfied smile that looked much better on his face.

-

Regulus hit his head against the tree behind him, he thought kids started to get quieter when they hit 13… apparently not.

“Where’s Hannah?” One of them spoke loudly.

He huffed out a loud breath, James giving him a helpless look.

“I’m here!” Someone else hollered, presumably Hannah.

“Spider!!” Another one squealed.

“Wimp!” A fourth voice shouted.

Pushing himself away from the tree, he cupped his hands to his mouth and yelled. “Everyone shut up!”

Silence dawned on the group, 20 pairs of eyes landing on him. “I think you’re supposed to be a bit nicer.” James spoke with a wary smile.

“Well it worked didn’t it Potter?” He challenged, the other man shrugged and started to talk.

“Okay! I’m James, this is Regulus,” He pointed towards Regulus, who gave a tired nod. “Today we’ll just be getting you settled into your homes for the next few weeks…”

Regulus zoned out as James explained the rules of the camp, he let himself admire James for a moment. The way the sunlight turned his skin golden, his hair shining on the sun and his smile wide matched with his sunny bright eyes.

He snapped out of it, glaring at his shoes for a while. No, we’re not doing that, he thought to himself. Fuck.

Five minutes later, the groups were splitting off into boys and girls, when a timid looking teen walked up to him, a wary look on their face.

“Uh, Regulus is it?” Regulus nodded. “I’m not a boy, or a girl… I- where do I go?” They sighed. “I’m June.” They gave a smile.

Regulus let himself smile back. “Wherever you want, it’s up to you. I’d say it’s a privilege if you ask me.” He gave a chuckle, June laughing along slightly.

“Really? So I can go with my friends?”

“Yeah, where are they?” Regulus questioned.

They pointed to someone with two blue braids hung over their shoulders in the group of girls, who looking over at them with a worried and caring look. “That’s Hayley, my best friend. I can house with her then?”

“Of course, if anyone gives you any issues come to me or James, we’ll sort it out.” He gave a sweet smile.

“Thank you so much.” June beamed and ran over to their friend, hugging her and jumping up and down excitedly, Regulus couldn’t help but smile as he watched the two.

Within all of that, he didn’t notice the man approaching behind him. “You’re actually quite sweet aren’t you?” He whipped his head around in shock, greeted with the smiling face of James Potter, who looked overjoyed.

“No I’m not.” He snapped. “And stop sneaking up on me!”

James pouted, a smile still lingering on his lips. “Why is it you’re only mean to me?”

“I’m not that mean to you.” Regulus lied though his teeth.

“Sure you aren’t.” He ruffled Regulus’ raven curls, earning a scowl from the younger boy, but there was an obvious tilt to his lips and flush to his freckled pale skin as James’ wide brown eyes locked with his stormy grey ones.

While walking the kids to the cabins, James would lag behind and check on Regulus’ ankle every once in a while. Why was he so caring? Regulus didn’t have an utter clue how to react to that, it was just… weird.

Next part

[sc0tters]

Flights and Fights | Matthew Tkachuk

summary: after a week of radio silence Matthew wants to show you how much he missed you.

request: yes/no

warnings: sexual themes, oral (fem receiving), p in v, swearing.

word count: 1.94k

author note: okay so soft couple sex is officially not my thing. But this was actually sort of cute. Let’s keep Matty requests to a minimum though until he learns how to use his mouthguard 🫶

This week was rough on the both of you.

It was stupid but after the fight you two had just before his week long road trip started. Usually you two would have communicated during his time away but you were both stubborn and swore that the other was wrong. You had a business trip to Kenya coming up in July and wanted your boyfriend to come with you. But Matthew wanted to stay home and spend that week at his families lake house, when neither one of you backed down it caused the biggest fight of your three year relationship to come out with Matthew walking out of the front door and he hasn’t been home since.

You were both far too stubborn to call once during the week so you were stuck in radio silence until he got home.

The apartment was quiet was the soft sounds of Taylor Swift came from the kitchen. Matthew dropped his bags by the door as his feet took him to noise where he was met with the sight of you swaying your hips along to the music.

A total sight for sore eyes as your back continued to face him as you wore his old shirt that looked like it should have been a dress.

He leaned against the doorframe taking in the view before he made his way in smiling to himself “hey baby.” Matthew mumbled wrapping his hands around your waist.

You kept quiet as you continued to focus on your lunch that you were cooking “please acknowledge me.” He whined leaning down to kiss your neck but you stopped him as you picked your shoulder up pressing it against your neck.

It began to frustrate the boy as he furrowed his eyebrows “I’m cooking Matty.” You reminded him in an irritated tone.

You were trying to put up a strong suit and that worked until Matthew placed his hand on your chin forcing it up as you stared at him. The hockey player leaned down to kiss your lips quickly forcing you to forget about why you were still irritated with him “Matty.” This time it came out airy like a needy moan.

The hockey player didn’t waste any time bringing you onto the empty space on the kitchen counter as you now faced him “missed you baby.” Matthew mumbled as he kissed your lips again with his hand on the back of your neck.

He smiled seeing your shirt as it was his old USA camp shirt from years ago “you look so fucking pretty.” The boy blurted out as he dropped to his knees lifting the shirt up to see your bare pussy staring back at him “no panties?” Matthew smirked as your face turned red.

You nodded watching with anticipation as the boy blew his warm breath against your core “you know I don’t like sleeping with them.” Your voice was shaky as he nodded wrapping his lips around your clit “shit Matty!” You groaned locking your fingers in his hair.

If there was one thing Matthew was good at it was using his tongue to get you off “please M,” you began bringing your hips up to meet his tongue “you liking this baby?” He asked smiling as your eyes locked with his “s-so much.” You nodded trying to force your thighs shut but the boy took it as a challenge wrapping his arms around your legs as he forced you closer to him.

His tongue trailed down to your core sliding in as you cried out in pleasure “don’t stop.” The smell of your burning food didn’t seem to phase either of you as you two sat there with his main objective being to get you off.

Matthew’s noise hit your clit making you jump “is my pretty baby gonna come?” The hockey player smirked replacing his tongue with his fingers as you nodded “please Matty,” you forced his head back down.

The boy focused his attempt on your clit as his fingers formed a come here motion thrusting into you “I’m going come fuck.” You announced legs shaking as they wrapped around his head almost squeezing the life out of his head.

His free hand tapped your thigh motioning to you that he wanted you to let go. Your orgasm came thick and fast as your eyes screwed shut painting your eyelids with white stars as your body shook when Matthew didn’t let his tongue slow down on your clit “Matty no,” you shook your head trying to force his face up to meet yours.

Deciding to go easy on you Matthew listener bringing himself onto his feet “so sweet.” He groaned shoving his fingers into your mouth so that you could taste what he was talking about “see?” Matthew asked as you wrapped your lips around his fingers sucking them like it could have been his cock in your mouth instead.

The hockey player felt his pants grow tight as his cock hardened “think we should move this to the bedroom?” Matthew proposed as he slipped his fingers out of your mouth.

Before you could nod the smell of burning food invaded your nostrils “the food!” You gasped pushed the boy away as you got off of the counter quickly pushing your attention to your pan of food that was now fully burnt.

It made Matthew groan “you can’t save it now baby.” He pointed out moving the pot away from the live hob before he turned the stove off.

For some reason your lips formed a frown as you looked up to your boyfriend “but I made it for you.” You mumbled breaking his heart in the process “we can make something new?” He proposed before he realised that you had made his favourite dish for lunch “c’mere.” Matthews voice was soft as he wrapped his arms around you pulling you into a hug.

You looked up to see his face full of concern as you smiled “I love you,” you blurted out leaning up to peck his lips.

The action was repeated two more times before he gave you a deeper kiss “I love you too,” as your feet went flat on the ground you realised that his bulge was against your stomach “let’s move this to the bedroom.” You nodded watching him cock his head “you sure?” He asked thinking that your sadden state sort of ruined the vibe.

You leaned up again as you placed your hands on either side of his bed “take me to bed and fuck me like you missed me Matty.” You ordered kissing his lips.

Matthew took less than a second as he picked you up hooking his hands under your legs “fuck baby.” He groaned as you moved your lips to his neck as you began nipping at the area of skin.

The boy smiled as you looked back up at him as you formed your lips into a kissy motion as he walked you two back into your room “miss me baby?” Matthew smirked as you nodded making him listen to your request before he placed you onto the bed “I think you missed me more.” You motioned to his bulge that was now eye level with you.

He took his jacket off throwing it somewhere in the room as the boy began undoing the buttons of his white shirt “can’t blame me for that.” Matthew smiled as he hooked his fingers under your jaw “looking so pretty like that,” he added as your eyes took in the sight of his abs “you like what you see?” The boy asked as you nodded.

Your fingers ran over his belt undoing it in the process “I’m not gonna last long baby and I wanna come inside of you.” Matthew confessed as your fingers hooked into his boxers pulling both down as he kicked his shoes off with both pieces of clothing “now it’s not fair that you are still in clothes is it?” The hockey player asked leaning down in between your legs as his nose hovered over yours.

A smile formed on your lips “what are you going to do about it then?” Shivers were sent up your body as his cold fingers drove up your stomach bringing your shirt off of your head in one movement.

It didn’t take long for Matthew to bring your body further up your bed so that he could properly have his way with you “can I put it on?” You asked motioning to the condom wrapper that was in his hand.

Matthew always loved watching you do that “sure thing baby,” he nodded ripping the wrapped open as he held out the condom for you to grab.

Watching you innocently smile as you rolled the latex material over his cock was something Matthew didn’t think he would ever get tired of “fuck y/n.” The boy groaned as you brought his cock over your clit “want you Matty.” You mumbled onto his lips letting him kiss you as he let your cunt swallow his cock.

It was hot watching your mouth form an o as you adjusted to his sheer size “move please.” You ordered as he nodded pulling his hips away before he brought them back to meet yours “missed this god.” Matthew reached out to lock his fingers into yours “just me in this room baby.” Your giggle was quickly cut off as his hands brought your legs up around his waist allowing his cock to slide deeper into you.

Matthew couldn’t help but smirk “not so strong now are we?” He cooed as you picked your hips up to meet his “let make you feel so good.” It almost sounded like he was asking you as he slipped his hand between your bodies so that he could rub your clit.

The room was hot as your breaths were panting “want to be good for you.” You cried at the new level of pleasure that shot through your body.

His lips were down on your neck as you dug your head into the mattress “you always are.” Matthew mumbled making sure to suck on the skin to the point where he knew that you would be having large hickies on display within the next few days.

Sounds of skin slapping and moans bounced off of the walls of the room as you both edged closer to your highs “I’m gonna-” you cried clenching around his cock.

The boy nodded “let the whole floor know about it.” Matthew ordered as he moved his head to kiss your jaw.

Your second orgasm of the afternoon hit you harder as your whole body shuddered under Matthew’s “shit shit right there oh!” You moaned face scrunching up over the sheer pleasure that you felt as your cunt sucked the life out of his cock bringing his orgasm out “so good baby.” The hockey players words were short as he kissed you.

As you both recovered from your orgasms he smiled letting his cock slide out of your cunt “I’m gonna go get a wash cloth.” Matthew got out of bed drawing your attention to the white piece of paper that was sticking out of his suit jacket.

You let your curiosity get the best of you as you leaned down and grabbed it reading the information over as you quickly realised that it was a flight ticket “you’re coming with me?” You asked with a smile forming on your face as you looked up to see your boyfriend nod.

Matthew sat next to you as his grin matched yours “can’t let you see those elephants without me now can I?”

[lulublack90]

Prompt 24 - Dealer

@jegulus-microfic July 24, Word count 886

Previous part First part

James walked up to the main door of the fancy-looking flats. It was an old town house that had been converted into separate contained units. Regulus had invited him over last night after they'd said goodnight. They'd met up every day since they'd met, and James was loving every second of it. He rang the bell labelled Rosier. The intercom crackled to life. 

“Yeah?” A voice grunted on the other end. 

“Er, hi, my name is James and —”

“We’re not interested,” The voice cut him off. James pressed the button again. 

“Hi, sorry, I’m—” James tried again. 

“Look mate, we’re not interested, so fuck off!” The man shouted down the line. 

“Barty, what are you doing?” A softer voice spoke. “Hello?” The voice said to James. 

“Hi, is Regulus there?” He asked quickly before he was interrupted. 

“Oh, are you the new beau? Come on up, I’ll buzz you in,” The line clicked off and an unpleasant buzzing sounded until James opened the door. He walked up to the top floor and knocked gently on the door. 

The door flew open to reveal two twenty-something young men, shoving each other to get a better look at him. 

“Oooooo, he wasn’t lying. He’s fit as fuck,” Barty leered, his eyes running up and down James. 

“So handsome and those muscles. Nom,” The other man bit his lip as he looked James over. “Come on in,” The man waved him in. 

“Thanks,” He walked into the flat. It was spacious and stylishly decorated. “James,” He said to the pair and offered his hand. 

“I’m Evan and this miscreant is Barty. Welcome to our flat. Regulus is on his way and Pandora is right through here. Evan led James into the living room where a waif of a girl was sitting on the sofa with her feet curled underneath her. She turned her head when they entered the room and her long, almost white blond hair swirled around her. 

“Is this him?” She asked, jumping lightly to her feet. 

“Yep, this is him,” Evan replied. Pandora approached James and grasped his face with her tiny hands before closing her eyes. James was shocked, but as the other two didn’t react, he decided to go with it. 

“You have a beautiful aura, James.” She told him, releasing his face. 

“Erm, thanks,” He didn’t know what to make of that. Just then, the front door opened and Regulus entered the flat. 

“Is James here yet?” Regulus called through as the sound of carrier bags rustled past. 

“Yes, he's here. Your lover boy is getting the Pandora treatment,” Evan shouted back. 

“Merde. Sorry James, I’ll be right there.” Regulus hurried into the living room and went straight to James’s side, giving him a slightly awkward one-armed hug. 

“Oh, come on, you can do better than that,” Evan teased. Not one to back down from a challenge, James wrapped his arm around Regulus’s back and dipped him as he stole a kiss. Regulus was flushing violently when James set him back upright. They'd shared a goodnight kiss the night before so James hadn't felt bad for the surprise swoop. 

“Wooooooooo!” Evan and Barty chorused. 

“Shut up,” Regulus grumbled at them. “Let’s go make dinner,”

Everyone pitched in and dinner took no time at all to put together. They sat down at the tiny table with pasta in homemade tomato sauce and garlic bread. James’s mouth was watering. 

Barty pulled a lemon drizzle cake out of the fridge for pudding, that he’d baked that morning. By the time they’d finished, James was full to bursting and all he wanted to do was lie down and sleep. 

“Shall we play a game?” Barty asked innocently as they tidied away the dinner things.

“Ooooo, yes let’s,” Pandora danced across the kitchen and opened one of the drawers and took out a deck of cards, then she opened a cupboard and took out a bottle of Vodka. 

James followed the others into the living room and joined them on the floor, sitting in a circle. Pandora threw the deck of cards to Barty and helped Evan pour out shots and place them in front of everyone. 

“I’m banned from dealing, they say I cheat, but they're just sore losers,” Regulus confessed to James to a round of boos from the circle as Barty began to deal out the cards. “And Pandora gets a feel for the cards if she’s the dealer, so she is also banned.” 

"Too, right, Panda wins every time if she gets anywhere near the deck." Evan huffed as he neatened the pile of cards before him. 

“So, what are we playing?” James asked when he was given a small stack of cards. 

“Drunk Snap,” Regulus said and began to explain the rules of the game. “You play snap normally, whoever hits the deck first when the cards match and shouts snap wins the round, but that's where the drunk comes in. All the losers have to do a shot. It’s pretty simple.”

“Wait, how do you cheat at Snap?” James asked. The rules of Snap were pretty simple, and it was so fast-paced there usually wasn’t time to create strategies.

“Exactly,” Regulus said, looking at Evan and Barty in particular.

“Are we ready?” Pandora asked, flipping over the starter card, and they began.

Next part

[boobabietch]

Chapter II: "A Rookie’s Obsession, A Legend’s Indifference: Is Diana Taurasi ready for Victoria O’Hara?” | Diana Taurasi x OC

Warnings: fight fight fight!! And a tad bit narcissistic Diana

A/N: I’m having a shitload of fun writing this lmao, so here’s another chapter I hope you like. As always English is not my first language so if you find something wrong tell me so I can change it asap, I can’t wait for y’all to read this and the next chapters I’m so excited. Likes, comments (!!!) and reblogs are highly appreciated and my ask box is always open. Love Sof :))

Making headlines masterlist

There’s a funny thing about being the best in women’s sports. People either love you or wait for you to fall. But when you’ve been around long enough, it doesn’t matter what they think. You know your place. And you protect it.

That’s what I’ve been doing since my debut in the WNBA. Owning the court. Owning the pressure. Every game, every season, everyone expects the same thing from me: perfection. Winning is never enough because when your name is Diana Taurasi, nothing is ever enough.

Then, she showed up.

Victoria O’Hara. The rookie everyone wouldn’t shut up about. Reminded me of me, hungry, talented, a little too much attitude for her own good. The first time I saw her was just before our game against San Antonio. I’d heard her name, knew she had something. But there’s a difference between hype and reality.

May 19, 2017

Game day. I could feel her eyes on me during warm-ups, it was cute honestly, I could see the gears working hard on her mind, probably wondering what it’s like to be me, to dominate the way I have. They all wonder. But what she didn’t know yet is that being good in college doesn’t mean shit here. Welcome to the W, kid.

I didn’t give her a second glance. What was there to say? Another rookie trying to prove something. I’ve seen it all. I’ve been that girl. But this one, this woman, had something extra in her. I could see it the minute the game started. Every time she took a shot, it was like she was aiming at me, if I didn’t know she wanted to rip my throat out I’d say she was in love. Every drive, every step, was a challenge.

I could hear the yelling in the crowd, I’d hear her teammates tell her to relax, feel the energy shift. People loved watching us, golden veteran vs. golden rookie. A fucking classic. O’Hara wanted to make a statement. I could tell she was on the edge, burning herself out just to prove she belonged. And every time, I’d remind her, I’ve been there. I’ve fought harder battles. If she wanted to be the next big thing, she was going to have to earn it. She was good, but I wasn’t worried. I’ve dealt with players like her before. They rise fast, burn out faster. But this one... she kept pushing.

Every game we played after that, it was like she had a personal vendetta. I couldn’t walk on the court without feeling her eyes drilling into me. She was obsessed. It was funny, really. This kid was trying so hard to beat me, to make me see her.

I saw her. I always see them coming.

July 7, 2017

We were in San Antonio. Close game. O’Hara played her heart out, I’ll give her that. But we still won. After the game, I found her slumped on the bench, wiped out. I should’ve just left her there. But something in me couldn’t resist. The kid had fire. I respected that.

“Not bad, O’Hara. Keep it up, and you might actually be a challenge someday.”

Her face said it all. She was rattled, but she had that spark. I liked seeing it. She looked at me like she was trying to figure out if I was serious. I was. Kinda. Then, she shot back:

“Someday? I’m already a problem for you.”

I almost laughed. Her confidence was impressive, misplaced, but impressive. I glanced down, smirked. Let her have that moment.

“Of course you are,” I said, walking off.

Sometimes I wonder what things would be like if I never said that, lucky for everyone I did.

July 30, 2017

Maybe I overestimated how in control I am of everything; the game, the rookie, and my body.

We were playing again, tensions running high. It was bound to happen. O’Hara wanted her moment, wanted to prove herself. And me? I wasn’t giving her an inch. Then, somewhere in the third quarter, it happened.

I saw her coming, her eyes locked on me with a mix of defiance and determination. She made a quick drive, cutting to the basket with an intensity that almost made me respect her. But I wasn’t about to let a rookie get one over on me. I slammed into her, blocking her path with enough force to knock her off balance. She hit the floor hard, her elbows scraping against the court. The whistle blew, and for a moment, I watched her lay there, her frustration almost palpable.

“Get up,” I muttered, standing over her. “You’re gonna need more than that to take me down, rook”

I saw the anger in her eyes as she pushed herself up, pressing her chest on mine. Damn, was she this tall the whole time? The way she glared at me, it was almost as if she was daring me to push her further. “You think you’re untouchable? Just fucking wait.”

My smirk didn’t waver. I’d seen that fire in rookies before, puffed up, ready to prove themselves. “I don’t think, O’Hara. I know.” I said with the most arrogant tone I owned.

“Oh you’re just a fucking bitch, aren’t you?” Before I could react further, she shoved me hard. Everyone erupted into chaos. I felt the rush of adrenaline as I moved to shove her back, but the moment I lunged, my teammates were already there, hands gripping my arms and holding me back.

O’Hara wasn’t any better off. Many of her teammates were swarming around her, trying to pull her away from me. I could see the frustration in her eyes as she struggled against their hold, her fists clenched and ready to throw.

Fun fact about fights: when you need the strength of 4 pro basketball players to hold you back, it makes you look really fucking dangerous.

We both tried to break through the human barriers restraining us. I could almost feel the impact of our fists connecting, the unfinished fight burning in my veins. But with every struggle, every strained push against the hands holding us back, the reality set in: we were not going to get to finish this here.

I didn’t care. I didn’t care about the cameras, the refs, or the impending technical. All I cared about was feeling that fire she was throwing at me. I wanted her to know what it felt like to face me, to try and break through the wall I’d built around myself.

Eventually, the refs managed to get us both under control, leading us to opposite sides of the court. As I was pulled away, I couldn’t help but glance back at O’Hara, her eyes still blazing with that same fire. Despite the chaos, a small part of me felt a twisted respect for her, a rookie who was not just willing to challenge me, but was ready to throw down if necessary.

The arena buzzed with excitement and disbelief as we were separated, but the fight between us was far from over.

That was the moment I knew this kid wasn’t going anywhere. And maybe, just maybe, I’d finally met someone who could keep up.

Little did I know.

Fucking Victoria.

"Rivalry Ignites: O’Hara and Taurasi Get into Fiery Altercation During Friday Game"

"San Antonio Stars Victoria O’Hara Adidas Grey and Black Edition Player Jersey | SOLD OUT"

Requests are Open!

Masterlist

[bastardfae]

despite every fibre of his being screaming at him to back down and duck out this exchange at the earliest possible opportunity, arnon smirked at the question as it hung in the air between them and allowed the prolonged silence to serve as an adequate enough response for the time being. his father had told him numerous times that it was best to avoid any member of the council at all costs. not engaging was the first rule. if such a step was unavoidable, at all costs, do not antagonise; do not act in any fashion that could be considered untoward for the sake of safety first and foremost.

he could still hear the stern edge to his father’s tone as the advice was given — abbàn knew better than he did when it came to dealing with these jumped-up bastards; he’d gone up against them firsthand during the second war as the general of the fae military. he’d issued numerous commands to his men on how to cut the fuckers down. he'd done a damn good job of doing so even if the war had ended with an unfortunate vampiric victory following his father's desertion from his role. he'd also shown how to utilise the element of surprise to rip the enemy's hearts clean from the caverns of their chests and, most importantly, how to decapitate the targets in question to pike their heads on spikes to display before the base as a vibrant display of the faerie military’s unwavering dedication to show the leeches that they weren’t as indestructible as they believed themselves to be. unfortunately for the halfling, arnon wasn’t his father and the fates weren’t on his side right now. with his collar suppressing the best of his abilities, all he had to rely on was his wits and what little luck remained. at the very least, fae arrogance was a hell of a drug.

as raiden spoke again, arnon cocked his head to the side and gave a noncommittal hum in response. “you said it, not me.” bearing his teeth in what should’ve been a grin if his anger hadn’t influenced the gesture as much as it did, the halfling took a few steps back to ready himself to sprint in a second’s notice — even if he enjoyed playing the fool from time to time, it was impossible to ignore that this was a situation that was exceedingly unlikely to end well no matter how he chose to answer. raiden had the upper hand here no matter how arnon analysed the situation. even if he tried to make a break for it, it was already painfully obvious that raiden would thwart any attempt to get back to safety. “for the record, i don’t think you’re stupid. and i can’t lie, so, y’know— i’m not lying when i say that. what do you want me to say? ‘ooh, you caught me’? ‘please don’t hurt me, mr councilman’? little cliché, don’t you think? that’d jus’ be boring for both of us. if you want some yellow-bellied bitch to quiver before you, best try your luck in the undercroft. that's not my gig.”

"You must be fucking stupid. Either that or you think I am. So which one is it? Is it you or me, halfling?" Raiden asked glowering down at the slave before him. He had to be stupid if he was going to say something like that to him and not know who the fuck he was. Raiden having sympathy was laughable as him having any kind of emotion that wasn't tied to his self-serving greed.

And if he thought he was going to get a change of scenery with Raiden from Tiernan that wasn't 10 shades worse he was definitely in the wrong section of the castle. He went from PG-13 to NC-17. Something the halfling was soon to find out with the tribrid that had very little in the way of tolerance and sensibility. Rape and cannibalism his two biggest kinks.

"Certainly sounds like you think I'm fucking stupid."

[olivianott]

BIKINI STRINGS

Hello friends, I’m joining the @thatdammchickennugget and @finalgirllx ‘s Jinxed July challenge, because the prompts are so fun and I want to do so much more with it 😌.

And thank you to my bestie that told me about this 💋🖤😌🎀

✿ fluffy, suggestive, not for minors

✿ Panville, because it’s my comfort, I hope it’s alright

✿ The prompts: sunglasses, poolparty, “Can you handle the heat?”

„I can’t believe you actually made me come here.“ Pansy huffs while she takes her bags out of the taxi's trunk.

“Oh, shut it Pandora. As if I could ever make you do something you didn’t want to. And let’s not pretend I am the reason for you being here.” Draco says in his pompous tone, with a stupid knowing smirk on his face.

She just rolls her eyes but stays quiet. No. She is over that delusional obsession.  

Since Draco and Hermione started working together in the ministry, and subsequently started dating each other, the two very different friend groups were not very willing to interact.

This “summer holiday trip” was supposed to change that apparently. We’ll see how that works.”

Draco invited everyone to one of his family's homes in the south of France. Prick. He knew how much she loved the region. Especially during the summer.

However, Pansy, being Pansy, complained a lot. She acted like she didn’t want to go, but her best friend obviously knew better. Draco was the only one in school who knew about her teenage obsession. Neville.

She was young, surrounded by darkness and cruelty, and he was the complete opposite. At least it looked like that to her. At first, she hated him for it, along with every other stupidly brave Gryffindor. But observing him every day, in class, the Great Hall, the corridors, it became an obsession. Unhealthy. Especially since he never even spared her a glance.

After the war, everything changed. She built even bigger and stronger walls around herself, and stayed at home, away from the judging, prying eyes, wanting to see her at her lowest. Just because of the world and society she was born into and was forced to grow up in and learn from, people viewed her as a villain, the bad guy, the selfish snake ready to betray anyone. If it wasn’t for Draco, maybe she would be exactly like that. He was the first and only one to realize how close to the edge she was and helped her. Made her go to the mind healer, forced her to go outside, reconnect with people again. She will be forever grateful to him for that.

Socializing with the “great brave lions” though? She could whack him on the head for that one.

She is a tiny bit curious about the Herbology professor. Yes, she researched a little bit about Neville, of course she wouldn’t come completely unprepared.

After putting their things away in their rooms, they are supposed to meet in the living room for the welcome drinks and introductions.

Pansy, absolutely not nervous at all, changed her outfit five times, before settling on a deep green, figure-hugging dress with a snake design traveling from her hip, up across her stomach and back, all the way to her shoulder. She is not gonna be hiding her Slytherin roots this week. Let them side eye her all they want.

As she exits her room, the door at the end of the hallway opens and Neville emerges from his room. FUCK.

He looks at her, eyes soft and expectant, until his eyes travel along her length, from head to toe. When his eyes meet hers again, they are hardened already.

“Hello.” She greets him with her head held high. She is not gonna get intimidated by his stare now. She is stronger than that. However, deep inside she felt giddy and vulnerable since she felt like this was the first time he even looked at her at all. She has to squash all those unwanted emotions down, to not make a fool out of herself.

With hard brown eyes staring at her, he only nods his head in greeting and walks around her to the stairs, leaving her rooted to the spot in front of her door.

With a few deep breaths, she convinces herself she doesn’t care about his opinion of her and goes to meet her friends downstairs.

When she enters the living room, everybody except Neville turns to look at her.

“So dramatic Pansy.” Draco says when he sees what she is wearing. Hermione is smiling over the drink in her hand while looking at Neville and then at her. The little prat told her.

Whatever.

After the first round of drinks instead of introductions, (they knew each other from school anyway, why make it even more awkward than it is?) Pansy went to the beach, her favorite part of this amazing mansion. The way the sun beaming down makes the water sparkle has always been her favorite view. She didn’t even mind going alone, no one else wanted to leave the air-conditioned safety of the house.

After a while of her lying on the beach, under the shade of a cliff and her favorite tree, she hears someone approaching.

Her eyes widen when she catches Neville walking to her. He is already wiping sweat off of his forehead as he stands over her. Merlin, he is tall. And big.

She lays on her lounger, content in her light blue daisy covered bikini, not acknowledging him at all.  

“Hey… Um, I didn’t know if you brought water with you. It’s dangerous not to drink in this heat.” He hands her a big glass filled with ice, water and lemon slices.

Pansy froze. Unbelieving. He was concerned about her?

“Oh. That’s … thank you.” She takes the cup from his hands. His hands. Her eyes catch on his veiny hands with thick fingers that she knows are more often then not working with soil in the Hogwarts greenhouses.

“Are you gonna drink, or…?” Neville raises an eyebrow at her and she finally tears her gaze away from his perfect hands.

She actually brought her own water bottle, so she doesn’t really need to drink, but.. well, he brought it for her and she is grateful and giddy again. She drinks while holding his gaze with her eyes over the top of the glass.

She sees how he looks at her lips and follows the drop of water that escaped from between her lips down her chin and in between her bikini-covered breasts. His cheeks start to look a little red.

He looks parched. Could he be…? Interesting. It gives her a bit of a boost in confidence. Not that she is shy normally anyway.

She offers him the cup with the remaining water. “You look like you could do with a cold drink also. You look parched and… very hot.” She says with a little smirk on her face.

He takes the drink from her and goes even more red in the face. But surprisingly, it doesn’t seem to faze him that much. Interesting. He drinks from the same cup while looking into her eyes intently.

“How can you handle this heat? I’m dying over here.” Neville asks and the staring contest ends.

“I love it when it’s hot. I’m a snake after all, haven’t you heard?” She smirks at him and watches for his reaction similar to the one in the hallway earlier that day.

But this time he just smiles. “Yeah, I’ve heard.” With that he grabs the bottom of his brown T-shirt and in one mesmerizing motion he takes it off over his head.

Pansy just sits there with her mouth open and thankful for the sunglasses she has on her wandering eyes. They travel along his chest, decorated with the perfect amount of hair, down over his stomach, no washboard abs in sight, but he looks manly, strong and bulky. Following the trail of hair on his lower stomach that disappears in his green swim trunks, she is interrupted by Neville clearing his throat. FUCK. Maybe the sunglasses were not enough to cover her reaction to his naked upper half.

He tosses his t-shirt onto the sand and takes off to the water, the sight of his broad back making her mouth dry.  

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

In her same favorite bikini, and beach cover up tied at her hip, she is sitting in a pool chair drinking her sweet pink concoction and looking at all the people having fun at their little pool party that night. Draco is the one coming to her as always.

“Why are you sulking, now?” He asks in his usual tone, but Pansy knows he means well.

“I’m not sulking.” Pansy retorts but looks into her drink again.

“Ok, you’re coming to dance with me. Right now.” With that he takes the drink from her to put it on the nearby table, drags her over to the pool deck, and starts dancing, twirling her around like she is five years old. Tall bastard.

She hates to admit it, but in a few minutes, she is having fun. And everyone around her is having fun also.

Suddenly Draco senses Hermione near him and turns over to grab her waist and pull her against him. Completely forgetting about Pansy. Asshole.

She takes one second to think about what to do next, go sulk into my drink or try to have fun by myself as a big girl that I am?

But she doesn’t have to decide. Strong arms circle her waist from behind and she stumbles into a hard chest.

Neville leans over and whispers into her ear. “I hope you are not going back to your chair. We are supposed to have fun on this trip and get to know each other.”

Her body shivers and of course he notices. “Are you cold?” He asks seriously. She can’t believe he doesn’t know what his whispering and his hands on her body are doing to her. Maybe it’s time to show him.

“No. But now I have to ask you. Can you handle the heat?” with that she starts swaying her hips against him. The music is very sensual and she uses it. She reaches up behind his neck and leans her head back against his shoulder, still pushing her ass into him. Before she closes her eyes she can see him watching her body move intently.

He speaks then, quiet but determined: “I can handle everything you give me, don’t worry Little flower.”

At the nickname she gets very emotional. That’s what she desperately needs in her life. Someone to care for her like he cares for his plants. Give her all the right care and nutrition for her to grow more and live her life finally. Not just survive on the minimum.

Her emotional meltdown is interrupted when she feels his hands on her hips. And it awakens different emotions in her.

His voice rumbles as he talks into her neck. “This little bikini almost killed me. I felt like I couldn’t breathe when I saw you in that skin tight snake dress in the hallway, but this? Daisies just became my favorite flower. Also, “ he traces his finger from her shoulder all the way down to her wrist, “did you know, daisies usually symbolize innocence?”

Pansy’s breath catches in her throat when he turns her around and snakes his hands behind her back.

Pansy smiles devilishly “Well I made a mistake choosing the flower then.” With that, she fists her hand in his soft short curls and crashes her lips on his. She doesn’t mind their friends seeing them kiss, she doesn’t care at all to be honest.

After the initial shock of her lips on his, he kisses her back. And he is not gentle. While he explores her mouth with his tongue, his hand goes to the back of her neck, the other one sliding down to her hip, his fingers playing dangerously with the exposed strings of her bikini. That, with his deep growl against her mouth when she tugged on his hair instantly made her pussy wet.

He was the first to break the kiss after almost passing out without the oxygen.

Looking down at her perked nipples visible in between the innocent daisies: “I guess doing this while still in our swimming suits was not a smart move.” He says breathlessly while holding her close to his body and letting her feel what the encounter did to him.

Pansy smiles up at him and without a word takes his hand and makes him follow her inside.

They don’t look at anyone, so they don’t see Hermione with a knowing and satisfied smirk on her face. 

“Congratulations darling, looks like your scheme worked perfectly.” Draco whispers into Hermione’s ear.

Hermione just smiles at him and says “Oh, but the trip wasn’t my idea. Certain professor basically bullied me into making it happen.”

Hope you liked it guys 🖤

[billys-pretty-babe]

Swap Our Places

Pairing : Billy Hargrove x Fem!Reader

Summary : July 4, 1985 was the day everyone's world changed, the mall burned down, Jim Hopper was dead and so was someone's soulmate.

Warnings : Swearing, suicidal ideation, death

Word count : 907

A/N : Grab the tissues, this one hurts.

Your boyfriend didn't look scared as he looked the monster in the eye, challenging it. The monster screeched and El put her arms up to defend her face and fight or flight kicked in for you as you pushed your boyfriend out of the way, you back receiving the blow from the slimy tentacle from the monster's mouth. Two more blows came, one to each side of your body.

Billy shook his head, having tripped and knocked it on the tile floor of the mall after you pushed him. He heard your pain-filled scream and as his vision cleared up, there you were, on your knees, facing him as your blood dripped from your body. Max screamed loudly as you went limp at the last blow, straight to the middle of your back, near your heart.

You fell over as the Mindflayer crashed to the ground and Billy rushed over to you, pulling you into his lap, his hands on your back as he held you tightly, crying in your shoulder. "Why would you do that? It was supposed to be me." You couldn't grasp him tight like you wanted to, all you could do was put your fingers in the knots of his hair, needing to be with him and as close as you could.

You felt the way his pulse raced as he held you tighter, holding the back of your head, rocking the two of you. You shut your eyes, taking everything in as you felt your heart begin to slow. "Come on, baby, let's go to the hospital." You shook your head as best as you could, feeling drowsy. "Not gonna make it," you slurred, coughing on his shoulder.

Any other time, Billy would have winced but not this time, not his last time with you. Your blood stained his skin and the silver ring that he wore. He pressed his lips to your forehead, shutting his eyes tightly as a few tears fell. "I love you," he said, voice trembling. "I love you too," you said, your voice strained and blocked by your own blood as you coughed it up on him.

He couldn't do anything but hold you tightly, continuously kissing your skin where he could reach it until your fingers fell from his hair, your body going completely limp in his arms. He shook your lifeless body, letting out a pain-filled cry. He didn't know what to do but he never let you go as he rocked, holding the back of your head tightly as he heard your last breath.

Fire and rescue came and had to pry your body from him and even then, he was putting up a fight. He stumbled out of the mall, his leg was fucked but that didn't matter, it didn't hurt as bad as his heart did, that was completely broken, the pieces were with you now. He looked down, his hands stained with your blood, his shirt and pants were the same. He didn't have a car anymore, that was still in flames.

Joyce Byers walked to Max as she cried, her body shaking harshly and Joyce engulfed her in a hug, rubbing her back. Billy fell to his knees as he sobbed, his body shaking as he gripped the roots of his hair, he needed to feel anything but the pain you had left him with.

December 8, 1985

Billy stood in front of your headstone, a hoodie covering him as he looked at the cement. He noted the wilted flowers and picked them up as they crumbled in his hand. It was supposed to be him, he wanted it to be him. Billy had nothing to live for, he was getting beaten, he hated his life, he only had you, you were the reason why he was still alive but now you're gone and he feels like he can't breathe, he has no purpose here anymore.

Now, as he sat on the cold, wet grass in front of your headstone, he finally understood why you did it. He needed to leave Hawkins, get away from his family but he couldn't leave you here. He was thankful you weren't actually in your grave, thankful your parents had you cremated. He wasn't sure why there was a headstone but he never asked because truthfully, he felt a lot better talking to a headstone than to a sack of ashes but he wanted to hear you talk back to him, wanted to hear your laugh one more time.

He traced the indents of your name with his finger, seeing the dust that came off with it. He got back into his car as the wind howled and he began adjusting his radio, putting his visor down as a clipped Polaroid of you stared at him, your smile bright, you had been laughing at something he said when he had taken the picture of you.

"I'd make a deal with God and I'd get him to swap our places."

Max was a fan of the song. she played it anytime she could from her Walkman and in this moment, he realized why she was a fan because Billy would swap places with you in a heartbeat if he could because he'd do anything for the one he loved.

[daincrediblegg]

tagged by @desvoeux , thank you <3

last song: enemy- Imagine Dragons (arcane intro ver. it's good what do you want)

last book: got a start reading icebound in the arctic a couple of days ago because I wanted to look into crozier family history a little more. it's a great read so far I fucking love learning about my man.

last movie: sorry I'm going to use this category as a platform to talk a lot. Re-watched The Lion in Winter last night with my mom (it's one of her favorite movies of all time) and once again was blown away by it all and it makes Succession look like a fucking kiddie pool for family issues. also it has only just now connected with me that it's about fucking richard the lionheart which like. holy fucking shit this thing has so much historical precedent and weight and it's all just so fucking nuts. HE'S GAY!!!! I love it. also really funny that they made peter o'toole play henry ii TWICE (I adore Beckett btw.) but also I really wanna talk about this julie andrews christmas movie I watched the other night called "One Special Night" that she made in 1999 with James Garner (her co-star in victor victoria, btw) and it's basically a hallmark christmas movie but way fucking better because it's about old people problems and they're really fucking so sweet in it and it's so good on so many levels it's ridiculous I don't want to shut up about it. (this watch was brought to you by having re-watched the Eloise movies and then watching The Sound of Music and feeling extremely nostalgic about salzburg and missing it and wanting to go back. but also not being able to get the lonely goatheard out of my fucking head for 3 days straight. you're welcome)

last television show: started squid game 2. unfortunately I like it even though its cultural impact has a lot of problems. and I know that the people a the studio are going to suck about it and miss the point again but even worse this time bc it's parsing through new layers of subservience to capitalism this time. (also. Gong Yoo my beloved <3). but also I finished dune prophecy last night and I hate how much I want to be in a gay relationship with valya harkonen it makes me look so so stupid (look I've had a thing about emily watson since chernobyl ok? nobody @ me)

sweet/savoury/spicy: savory for sure

relationship status: blissfully unengaged thank you for asking (... 👀 unless?)

last thing I looked up on the internet: one special night because I fucking forgor James Garner's name for a second ngl.

current obsession: other than... um... the obvious. a few things: The Leftist Cooks video essays on youtube which are genuinely. the most comprehensive and academically sound video essays on the entire platform and I'm serious about this. just wrapped up their representation matters/spiderverse video a few days ago and sarah and neil did a really good job of constructing a comprehensive argument that both reaffirmed and even in some places challenged some stuff that I already knew??? those guys just do a great job at it all. I've also been saving extant examples of ballgowns from the 1850's/1860's because I got my hands on some fancy material on discount for christmas and I'm going to make one so help me god. it's going to be snow queen themed. (stay tuned). also I await new adam savage raptor build updates with rapt and rabid glee.

looking forward to: getting my fuckass new glasses fixed because I am dying of the eyestrain that they are causing. but also. new magic wand got delivered today yaaaaaay 🥰

no pressure tags: @prismatica-the-strange @roaming-thru-roses @your-mighty-words-astound-me @ashton-slashton @theboarsbride @brotherdusk @marshmallow--galaxies @spockvarietyhour @hamishlinklaters @sunlaire

[itsaash]

unsatisfyingly satisfying part 2: shivers

Set sometime in the future when our beloved Coops are married and on vacation in Banff :))) prompt and cover art credit to @noots-fic-fests, character credit of Coops to @lumosinlove And shout out to @girlwithcurls96 for helping me and reassuring me about this whole story, and who is the type of friend when you say, "what kind of tattoos should this character have?" comes through with the perfect pinterest board of style inspo to create the OCs of my dreams

“You got the camera baby?” Remus called as he shut the trunk of the white rental car.

“Ouais, et j'ai les collations là.” 

Remus smiled as he translated in his head. Being in Banff National Park, or Parc national Banff as Sirius exclusively called it, with signs and boards and everything in French as well as English, had set Sirius into a firmly French state of mind. Remus was absolutely not complaining, the melodic sounds scratched his brain just right, even if he couldn’t replicate them. He just beeped the car, pocketed the keys, patted his pocket to feel his phone, and caught up to Sirius and took his hand as they walked across the parking lot. 

It was early in the morning, the gondola would be just starting up. They planned their visits to touristy places for the least busy time of day. A good half hour had been spent signing autographs at the Calgary airport when they arrived a few days ago. Canadians knew their hockey players, especially ones who would certainly be on the next Canadian Olympic hockey team. Neither of them minded , per se, but also if they could blend in, well they’d rather prefer that option. 

Typical outdoorsy MEC outfits like every other tourist were their outfits, with a pretty generic blue ball cap for Sirius, and Remus had chosen a fashionable flat brim hat after Sirius had gone silent and staring when Remus had tried it on in the store.  While any claim they had to disguise was low, their main hope was that most of the people who rode a gondola on a Thursday morning wouldn’t also be hockey fans. Banff had been great so far, busy streets of tourists to blend into while eating elephant ears, a hike yesterday to lakes the most fucking amazing color of turquoise where everyone nodded their head and said hello as they passed on the trail, and today they were heading up the gondola. It was a warm July day and Remus knew heat would start to gather soon, but it felt so fresh here in the mountains, always a breeze, really it was nearly idyllic. Even here, in a busy parking lot, dozens of cars already and pavement for hundreds of meters, it still somehow felt rustic. That was the influence of the towering rough mountains he supposed. They were everywhere here, he had never been in the mountains like this. He squeezed Sirius’ hand as they walked, his head turning to take it all in. 

“The view doesn’t get old, eh,” Sirius laughed as he took in Remus’ wide eyes. 

“Literally never. There’s just mountains everywhere .”

“And here we go, up another one,” Sirius said. 

“Can’t wait,” Remus said, squeezing Sirius’ hand with excitement again, taking in the grey of Sirius’ eyes and comparing it to the grey of the mountains. The mountains were undeniably majestic, but that blue grey gaze was still his overall first place favourite.

Remus scanned the tickets on his phone for the agent with the usual “bonjour, hello” passed between them and joined the small line of people waiting to board the gondolas. They wound through the roped off area, back and forth across the loading area as the line moved, reading the information placards as they went. Remus challenged himself to read the French versions and asked Sirius for help with some words, just to hear him say them, to see Sirius’ eyes smile when he heard Remus say the words back as best he could. They passed the time in the line quickly like this, passing words in French back and forth to each other quietly, almost like bubbles of love being traded between them, like emotional kisses, like whatever the sounds are that are in my mouth, they always mean I love you. 

Remus vaguely knew from the corners of his attention that the people who worked for the Park were working with the line, fitting groups together into gondolas in the most space efficient way, calling for single riders to come join groups of 3, putting two couples together, keeping kids with their parents. There was a large family ahead of them and Sirius and Remus had been half-hearing conversations about snacks and who would sit by who and where’s my water bottle and dad, what if we see a bear ?? So when the attendant called, ‘next group of two? Un groupe de deux?’ looks travelled down the family and passed like dominos to Sirius and Remus. 

“On est deux,” Sirius said, knowing everyone who worked for the Park spoke at least some French, and he was loving using it at every opportunity.

“Allez, on y va,” the attendant said, waving them over. Sirius and Remus kept their hands clasped as they snuck past the big family, Remus murmured an, “ope, sorry,” as they made their way to the front of the line. They boarded the open gondola, sitting down on one side together as the doors slid closed and the gondola started moving.

Remus was just starting to look out the floor to ceiling window, seeing the expanse of nature below them, all around them once they were past the loading area of the building, when he heard,

“Sirius Black?? ”

Oh shit. They were on a gondola with a fan. Well, hopefully a fan, god, imagine if it was someone who wanted to lecture them for the whole 8 minute ride. Sirius would give them his stony cold game face, and inevitably the person would back down, but it would be so awkward.

But Sirius hadn’t said anything. He was just staring, mouth slightly open. Time passed in frozen silence, enough time that Remus darted his eyes back and forth, from Sirius’ frozen form, to the two girls sitting across from them. One had a ball cap on with a dark ponytail floating out the back of it and her tank top showed clearly well developed biceps and deltoids, hiking shorts and shoes. She  was nearly as slack jawed as Sirius. The other girl was much more fashionable, in pants that were somehow loose but still fitted, and a cropped shirt (sports bra? what did Remus know about women’s fashion), clean white runners, long curly blond hair pulled into a messy half bun. It was still Banff and hiking appropriate except everything about her outfit and hair seemed to be on purpose in a way that none of the rest of them could claim. She seemed to be trying to read the situation as much as Remus was, and after long seconds she was the one to break the silence. 

“Rebecca? You know him?” 

The other girl, Rebecca? Almost literally shook herself out of her surprise and laughed, a smile coming over her face. 

“Oh my god, what are the fucking chances? Yeah, well, I mean, Sirius and I, well, yeah, we’ve met.”

Remus felt his eyebrows raise at her faltering tone and he looked to Sirius who didn’t seem ready to say words of any language yet. So Remus spoke first. 

“Oh, well hello. I’m Remus. It’s nice to meet you,” and he put his hand out to Rebecca to shake. She smiled more, her eyes taking him in and she took his hand. 

“Hi Remus, I’m Rebecca. Nice to meet you. This is my girlfriend Claire,” she said, gesturing at the well dressed girl. “We’re just touring the area, on vacation, I guess you must be too. It is the offseason I guess? I can’t believe we’re on the same gondola as you, what even is this.”

Remus felt himself relax, girlfriend, ok so they weren’t in for an 8 minute lecture. That was something at least. He turned to Claire and shook her hand too. His eyes travelled up and down her tattooed arms, all thin lines and curling shapes. He especially noticed a beautiful one of a star surrounded by a circle on the inside of her elbow, but the whole thing was made of flowers and vines in light colours.

“Nice to meet you too Claire. Are y’all hockey fans then?” he asked, glancing repeatedly at Sirius, who was still seemingly frozen. He pressed his palm against Sirius’ thigh, hoping to ground him with touch. Feeling more than a little bit like he needed that too.

Claire laughed, a high, bright sound. 

“No, I can’t say I am. Is that how you know him, sweetheart?” Claire asked her girlfriend. 

“I, um, well yeah, kind of. We met at a media weekend where they were doing stories on a bunch of athletes for a magazine,” Rebecca explained, her gaze bounced between Sirius, Remus, her girlfriend, back to Sirius.

Remus nodded. Well that made sense. What didn’t make sense was that Sirius hadn’t said a single fucking word. He turned toward him, angling his body towards his husband so he could mouth as much as say, ‘ça va, baby?’ 

Sirius started bobbing his head. Remus saw him take two purposeful breaths, close his eyes for a long moment, and then open them again with his media smile on.

“Désolé, sorry, sorry Rebeccca. You just surprised me,” he took off his hat, ran his hands through his hair and replaced the hat. “Wow, yeah, it’s good to see you. Like you said, what are the chances?” 

“What media thing was it that you did?” Remus asked lightly, hoping to soften whatever the fuck this atmosphere was. 

“That one in New York that Pots and I went to? During your third season with the team, I think?” Sirius said. He looked deep into Remus’ eyes and took and squeezed his hand. Remus didn’t know why Sirius needed comfort, but he clearly did. So he scooted as close to Sirius as he could on the bench, held his hand, and tried to send comfort like osmosis. It seemed Sirius may have received the offering because he seemed to relax a degree or two. 

“Rebecca was on the olympic rugby team that got a medal at that olympics a few years ago,” Sirius supplied, gesturing to her. “Or maybe you still play?”

“Yeah, I do actually!” she replied. “I’m not a starter anymore, but I still have one more Olympics in me. The team has been doing so awesome, it’s been such an sweet ride.”

“Oh wow, that's amazing!” Remus said, meaning it, and hoping to take the conversation in safer territory. “Are you on a break from training right now? Being a tourist for a bit?”

“Yeah! It’s so beautiful out here. And it’s nice to have time to take in the sights. We travel for matches all the time, but it’s never very long in one place. We played a match near here last season, and it was so beautiful I knew I needed to bring Claire back here.” She smiled at her girlfriend and took her hand. 

“So you’re a hockey player?” Claire asked Sirius. He smiled a small smile and nodded, maybe started to say more while gripping Remus’ hand, but Claire continued, “that’s nice, but you two obviously slept together, right?” she said, gesturing between Rebecca and Sirius.

Rebecca just laughed, Sirius’ mouth dropped open, and Remus startled like he’d been shocked.

“That’s what this weird vibe is?!” he asked Sirius, half laughing, half horrified. “Oh my god, well, I get it now.”

Sirius dropped his head into both his hands, shaking his head, and then his shoulders were shaking, until his whole body was quivering with laughter. 

“Mon dieu, sorry, Rebecca… Re, I’m sorry.” Laughter bubbled out of him.  “I don’t know why I locked up, I got thrown back in time there for a minute, in my head. I’m ok now, sorry. Rebecca, it really is good to see you, I just was so surprised.”

Remus just shook his head. He’d be pretty shocked in the same situation too. The air already felt clearer, Sirius’ laughter had dissipated most of the awkwardness. 

“So you’re bi too then?” Rebecca asked. “Or pan maybe? I saw you two in the news of course, oh god I didn’t mean to bring that up, I just mean, obviously you’re married now! Congratulations,” she seemed to force herself to stop talking and Remus laughed. 

“Yeah, we got married last summer, it was amazing.”

Sirius smiled at him, the smile they always had when they thought about the lake house and their friends and family and the perfect haze of happy memories that surrounded that day. Sirius took a deep breath and turned to Rebecca.

“Yeah! But, um, no. Uh, I’m actually gay. That’s probably why I froze up there for a minute. But if you’re queer too that makes me feel a lot better, I think I panicked for a second that there would be flirting? Sorry, sorry.” he said, looking back and forth between both Rebecca and Claire.

Claire laughed, “Oh there could still be flirting, I’m afraid. You’re just her type in guys. I’m gay too, but my sweetheart here had a later in life bi awakening, much to my benefit.” She got closer and closer to Rebecca’s neck as she said this, and ended with a soft kiss to her jaw. Rebecca smiled a soft smile at her girlfriend, but then turned to Sirius, more serious. 

“Wow, so, um, that night must have been hard for you then? I feel like I should apologise. I think I kissed you first that night.”

Sirius shrugged his shoulders like his shirt was too tight, and Remus studied his reaction, taking his hand in both of his now, and drew circles in Sirius’ palm with his thumb. Sirius rubbed the back of his head with his other hand before answering. 

“No, please don’t apologise. You couldn’t know, I didn’t know. Well I knew, but I didn’t know . It’s not like you were the only girl I was with. I thought I just had to meet the right girl. And actually you helped with that, because you were so amazing. Beautiful, and fun to be around, and athletic and funny. And it was still… fine.” Rebecca laughed and faked hitting her heart with her fist like a stab. “No, I don’t mean it was bad! It was fine! Shit I keep saying fine… it was…” Sirius trailed off, looking to Remus, clearly now developing an aversion to the word fine. 

“Sirius, Sirius, it’s ok. I get it. The comphet comes for us all, doesn’t it?” Rebecca said. She started off half laughing, but her voice was full of authenticity by the end of her sentence. 

Remus kept running his thumb over Sirius’ palm in soothing circles, and Claire lifted her arm up to trace the edge of the window, and then put it around Rebecca’s shoulders, hugging her close. 

In the moment of silence that followed, the gondola slowly swung to stop. They all looked around, looking down at the magnificent view really for the first time since they got on the thing. 

“Huh, they must be stopping it to help someone on or off, I guess,” Remus said. A shiver had come over him as they swung to a stop, but it passed. The others nodded in acknowledgment as they swayed gently. 

“You were my last,” Sirius said into the silence. “My last time with … with a woman.” Remus raised his eyebrows at Sirius. “Well, I kissed other girls after that, only in public, but I knew after that night with you that I wanted to be with guys. Even if I didn’t let myself actually do that for a long time yet, at least I knew.” He paused. “Sorry,” he said again.

Rebecca laughed. “Honestly Black, it really is ok, stop apologising. I’m a little surprised, for sure, because for me it was really good. Like, really good. Like I-never-found-a-guy-as-good-again good, despite giving it an honest try. Had to fully just move onto women, good. So I might be questioning my perception of reality a little bit over here, but you don’t have anything to apologise for.” 

Remus was processing, hardly believing the turn this gondola ride had taken, but had to smile at that.

“He is pretty good, isn’t he?” Remus said, gazing up at Sirius with mischief in his eyes. “From our very first time, he knew what he was doing. Fuckin knocked my socks off,” Remus laughed. Rebecca joined him and Sirius buried his head in his hands again.

“Right?! His hands –”

“God, tell me about it. And his back?”

“Divine,” Rebecca sighed, tone half teasing and half serious. “And just his size, you know, when he’s on top, fully covering you?”

Remus faked a swoon, back of his hand to his forehead. “It’s amazing. Might be my favourite place in the world to be.” Sirius sat up and smacked Remus’ shoulder. “Re! Stop it,” he laughed.

“Did you get to experience his mouth?” Remus asked, leaning forwards to Rebecca. “Or how his eyes get so intense it’s like they glow?”

“Remus!”

Rebecca sighed dramatically. “I didn’t experience his mouth unfortunately. And I think he must be the only man in history to have turned down a blow job! It was mostly hands and some lovely dirty talk and … well, you know.”

“Oh the French dirty talk,'' Remus fawned, fanning himself with his hand, smiling evilly at Sirius. “It’s so hot.”

Rebecca faked a dramatic gasp. ���Is this why you wanted me on my hands and knees??” she asked, gesturing dramatically to Remus. “So you could pretend I was him!?” The words might be accusatory, but the tone was pure glee. “Did you know him then?” she asked Remus. 

Sirius moaned into his hands and ground out what might have sounded like kill me now. 

“I just knew him as the hockey obsessed, tough as nails, never an emotion to be seen hockey captain back then. And I saw him make out with multiple girls at bars after that, so he clearly wasn’t ready for me yet back then,” Remus teased. 

Claire and Rebecca both nodded. “We all have to make our journeys of self discovery in our own time, don’t we,” Claire said. 

“That we do,” Remus said, letting the last of his laughter bubble out of him. They all took in a minute of happy silence, admiring the view. Even Sirius cautiously poked an eye out of the safety of his hands and looked past Remus to see towering snow capped mountains which they were almost eye level with up this high, this ground was really quite far away. Deep green trees transitioned into bright green grass in places, the buildings of the town looked like dots from here, and the fluffy white clouds seemed much closer than he had ever experienced before. 

The peace of the mountains seemed to sweep into the softly swinging gondola and Rebecca turned back to Sirius, still snuggled into Claire’s side. 

“I am sorry though, that society or whatever made you think you had to sleep with me. I’m sorry if I played a part in that,” she said. 

Sirius wasn’t frozen like the snow tipped mountains now, he tried to let his words flow like the breeze instead.

“I appreciate that, Rebecca, I do. But I could’ve said no, and I knew that. I went upstairs with you because I thought I should want to, but I was so deep in the shoulds, that in a roundabout way I did want to. And I’m honestly so glad you thought it was good, that’s like all I cared about.” “I never would’ve known you weren’t into it Sirius, really, it was good.” Sirius rolled his head on his neck, looking sheepish but happy. 

“It’s not that I didn’t think it was good. It did feel good, you’re amazing. I just was also really busy, in my mind. My thoughts were just going in bad circles with pressure and doing the right thing and what you might tell your friends and what I’d tell my teammates … so of course it was harder for me to just enjoy it. But like I said, you were the last time I did that, so I’m also really thankful for that, and for you. If you couldn’t be the right one, I knew there was no point in trying anymore.” He switched his gaze to Remus and his grin turned dopey, “until this one told me he was gay, and that I’d be worth it.”

Remus squeezed his hand. “You are worth it. Every day.” 

“If I may,” Claire said, “it sounds to me like you’re both right. You’re right, my love, to feel a bit weird about learning the guy you slept with doesn’t actually like sleeping with women. But it’s also ok that you still enjoyed it, because you’re always allowed to have your own version of a situation, based solely on your own experience of it. And he was actively trying to have you enjoy it, for different reasons than you thought. There’s no way you could have known his every inner thought.” Rebecca smiled and rested her head on her girlfriend’s shoulder. 

“And you Sirius,” she continued, “it could be interpreted as misleading to have gone upstairs with her, but Rebecca and I, as women who love women, know the strength and seeping nature of comphet, as I’m sure you do too, as a man in a traditional masculine field. It gets into your bones and bosses you around and ties your thoughts up in knots. I’m really glad you freed yourself from expectations to let yourself live. I can tell the two of you are really good together,” she smiled. 

Remus nodded his head along with her and kept drawing calming circles with his thumb around Sirius’ palm. 

“Merci, Claire,” Sirius smiled, “and for what it’s worth, Rebecca, I’m sorry for putting you in that situation.”

“Forgiven, Sirius Black. And thank you for ruining me for other men, so that I could find this goddess,” she leaned up to kiss Claire on the lips, deep and sensual. Sirius thought that looked like a really great idea, and leaned in to Remus. 

“Ça va bien, baby?” Remus repeated, their lips close, breathing each other in and out. He had been pressed up against Sirius’ side this whole conversation, clutching his hand. And now they blocked out the mountains, the uncomfortable seat, the shining sun, and only focused in on each other. 

“Oui. Je vais bien. Etonné. But … also good. Glad to have you, like always.”

“I’ll never be anywhere else, mon mari,” Remus murmured as he leaned in to kiss Sirius. Lost in their kiss, they didn’t notice that Rebecca and Claire were watching them with soft smiles on their faces, Rebecca’s head still against Claire’s shoulder. Claire twirled her hand around and then threaded her fingers through Rebecca’s ponytail, smiling. 

The gondola started moving again, startling Sirius and Remus apart with a smile. They squeezed each other’s hands with a shiver, they both had goosebumps from a brief chill. They all rode the last few minutes how they all had thought their whole ride would go. They pointed out the tallest trees, saw shapes in the clouds, basked in the chance to be so high up and see the world from such a different perspective. Funny how that makes a difference for so many things. 

They all saw the loading area approach, and stayed quiet while they slowed to a stop and the doors opened. They filed out into the visitors center. When they rounded the corner and were away from most other people, Rebecca folded herself into Sirius for a hug, squeezing him, her cheek pressed into his chest. He rested the side of his head against her and held her for a long moment. 

“Despite the shock, it really was good to see you, Sirius. And super good to get to clear the air with you about our night together. I, selfishly, hope you don’t regret it, but it’s ok if you do. I’m still happy to know you. Maybe you can actually text me back now that there’s no big secret swirling over you, eh?” she swatted him in the stomach at the last, and he dodged with an oof and a laugh. 

“Rebecca, honestly, I’m really glad to have run into you like this. Sorry if I was weird. I don’t regret it, how can I, when it was a stop on the path to me finding my husband?”

Rebecca turned and gave Remus a hug too. “Sorry for having your husband before you,” she teased. Remus huffed a laugh, and hugged her back. 

“Good to meet you Rebecca. I’ll forgive you, I suppose .” he joked. “Since I’m the one he’s going home with, I can’t complain.”

“Nope, you have absolutely nothing to complain about, I would know,” Rebecca teased as she took Claire’s hand again. “And I have this goddess now anyways. Bye, guys, take care!” she said as they started to turn away down the boardwalk.

“Enjoy your vacation!” Claire said with a wave, and Remus and Sirius waved as well, standing with their arms around each other’s backs. When they were a good way down the boardwalk Sirius turned and collapsed into Remus’ arms. They stood there amidst the beauty of the mountains. Tourists walked past and around them, taking pictures. They stood long enough for clouds to form and reform shapes, until Sirius could huff out a laugh. “What the actual fuck are the chances.”

“Of you stepping into a 6 foot square enclosed space with the last woman you had sex with? Really, really, really low I’d imagine. Even if we changed the odds to include all the women in general who have seen you naked, the number still has to be…” Remus trailed off as Sirius stood up and pushed him away, grumbling and laughing. 

“Stop teasing me, mon loup, this was traumatising ,” Sirius pouted. 

“Oh baby, I know, I know, come here,” Remus laughed, and gathered Sirius in tight for one more hug. “Let’s look around? And then we can walk down? So we don’t accidentally get trapped with the next least likely person in the fucking world? I can’t quite imagine who that could be at this point, but we’re probably safer on a hiking trail.”

“Let’s get trapped with your college boyfriend, and I’ll make comments about your mouth, tabarnak , that was embarrassing,” Sirius laughed under his breath as he turned to take in the view. 

“I was trying to cut the tension!”

“I’ll cut your tension,” Sirius muttered back.

“Can’t wait, baby,” Remus said with a suggestive eyebrow waggle. Sirius rolled his eyes, and then they did enjoy the view, thoroughly. And they took the hiking trail back down the mountain. 

[dykepvppy]

TAMING THE BEAST - Julie Crawford

(smut, fingering,dirty talk,mommy kink,bottom reader.....maybe rough sex if you squint)

being apart of the family was challenging, when you aren't a cannibal...

"Come out come out wherever you are" Speaking in a harsh tone you had your knife out, the Texas heat was already bad but even with your jeans and black shirt on it was worse..the heat was making you mad but the victims you and johnny caught was making you really mad.  holding your knife tightly while you check upstairs of the house.. the rooms were empty.. breathing heavily.. ''come out'' you yelled.  it was silent for a moment only you heard your own heavy breathing of your own. eyes scanning the room, you felt a sharp pain in your back, julie one of the victims stabbed you with a bone shard. hissing from the pain the girl pulled back her face smudged with makeup from crying. soon as you finally stopped the pain the Californian girl looked at you, backing up.. ''now you done it..'' scoffing as you held the knife and began to chase her swinging your bloodied knife.. ''YOU CANT RUN ILL GET YOU" speaking to julie.. searching the other rooms carefully, walking to one of the rooms it was dimmed.. you surely it was one of your family or maybe it was a lamp

the airiness of the house creaked the only sounds of the house was just the flickering of the lights.. how could they possibly survive this house .. looking for the victim.. eyes scanning the room once more. you felt hands push you she was fast really fast. this caused you to stumble back hitting the desk.. ''fuckkkk'' surely if you made a noise johnny or nubbins would be here to help you but they weren't.   trying to get up from the desk the pair of hands touched yours not letting go.. it was hard for you to get up since the person gripped your hand while she was at it too.   the lamp flickered again showing the Californian girl, her eyes hungry while she looked at you. struggling to get out of her grasp but she held you down harder

. ''Dont you dare move'' something about the way she had control over you you wanted her now.. someone to satisfied your needs.. and she was perfect for you the way she held you down, her hair falling to the side... and how she was in control.. you tried to move again but this time she held you tighter, ''you wanna play that game'' julie growled. she soon she pulled your pants down..the wentness of your underwear was displayed for her ONLY FOR HER.   ''oh you liked it don't you'' she teased.. the way you couldn't deny it any longer.. you wanted her to fuck you senseless...  ''f-fuck you'' whimpering and whining at her,   the girl had scoffed ''well I'm gonna fuck you..''       she then pulled your shirt up with your bra exposing your breast... ''oh you liked this don't you''.her fingers slowly moved down to your throbbing pussy... ''so wet...so tight'' she slowly put two of her fingers inside you pumping in and out.. you whined her fingers was so long.. ''aww you like it don't you does it feel good you didn't want to kill me you WANTED me to fuck you'' her voice became husk, toes curling from her talking and fingering you..she pulled out and saw how dripping you are... ''mm don't move'', she held you up on the desk and bend down her tongue licking your puffy clit softly., shutting your eyes tightly.    whimpering and whining from how she was making your pussy feel. 

 her fingers began to go inside your swollen clit while she ate your pussy enjoying herself. savoring you.. ''m-mommy'' you whine grinding on her face the desk began to creek a little you didn't care if someone saw you two.. you were so drunk on lust that you her to use you.. ''mm' she pulled away as she kept fingering you.  ''mommy likes the way you taste, you taste so good is this pussy mine..'' her fingers trusted deep inside you her fingers going fast..  ''yweysh''slurring your words, her fingers was so good...  her fingers hitting your g-spot.. the desk began to go fast.. legs began to shake.. she could tell you were about to come. there was a big knot in your stomach you held the desk as you whines ''im gonna cum mommy'' julie pulled your hair.. ''let go baby''.. you did cum but squirted too all over the desk.

breathing heavily as the dark haired female smirked ''maybe if you help me escape maybe ill can bring you along''  you nodded weakly.. julie had tamed the beast which was you.

[bi-bard]

Only Time Will Tell On Which Pedestal We Were Meant to Stand - Arthur Shelby Imagine [Peaky Blinders]

Title: Only Time Will Tell On Which Pedestal We Were Meant to Stand

Characters: Arthur Shelby, Child!Reader [about 16]

Based On: Hit or Miss

Word Count: 1,195 words

Warning(s): yelling, mention of drug use/unhealthy behavior (all within canon), mention of poor mental health (again, within canon)

Summary: [Season 1; 1919] Polly talks some sense into Arthur after his behavior becomes out of control and he ends up pushing away the one person that seemed to care for him no matter what.

Author's Note: I had to go check my math for the hundredth time. Why did I think that this was a good idea?

Part One of "July" [Release Date: 7/26/2023]

Part Three of "July" [Release Date: 7/28/2023]

YEARBOOK - SLEEPING AT LAST WRITING CHALLENGE MASTERLIST

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Polly had warned (Y/n) about what Arthur could be like after returning to Birmingham.

There was a long discussion about the issues that (Y/n) may have missed during that first year before he had been sent away. An even longer discussion about what Polly had seen from other men returning from the war.

(Y/n) was scared. Terrified, even.

It had been about five years since (Y/n) had seen Arthur. They hadn't truly thought about how much they had changed until their talk with Polly. They suddenly felt like an entirely new person. Would Arthur care about them? Would he push them out? Deem them capable of taking care of themself and send them away?

The long list of possibilities had led to countless nights spent pacing around the small room that (Y/n) had been staying in.

(Y/n) wouldn't be fortunate enough to experience true comfort until Arthur had made it home.

The initial reunion was nice.

(Y/n) was waiting in the main sitting room, pacing like they had for countless nights. Polly had sent Arthur in ahead of everyone else.

The pair of them stood silently for a moment, staring at each other. Both of them taking in how much the other had grown up without them. (Y/n) looking on with disbelief and fear; Arthur looking on with that same fear but mixed with guilt instead.

"Hello," (Y/n) murmured.

Arthur didn't respond, instead moving forward to bring (Y/n) into a tight hug. A shaky breath left him. (Y/n) closed their eyes and tucked their face in his shoulder.

"I missed you, kid," Arthur finally mumbled.

(Y/n) felt comfort roll over them. It was as if any worries had immediately settled. Finally, they had the idea that it was all going to be alright.

At first, anyway.

It didn't take much time for Arthur's problems to begin emerging.

It was slow at first. Later nights, louder shouting.

It was similar to water boiling in a pot.

Slowly forming bubbles that would rise to the surface. At first, it was a few of them. Isolated events that could be looked past and moved on from. But as the heat continued to rise, more bubbles formed. More rampant disruptions to the water's surface. Continuing to grow more and more and more until... the water spilled out and the boiling could no longer be ignored.

With Arthur, that moment happened during an act of kindness from (Y/n).

They had been begging him to stay in for the night. To calm down for just a moment. Take a night without the business or the drugs or the drinking or whatever other self-destructive behavior that he seemed compelled to take part in.

Arthur couldn't seem to take being worried about so much. "Oh, just shut up!"

(Y/n) did as he said. Not because they wanted to. Merely because they were stunned. Polly, who had been in the doorway due to a desire to stop the shouting, was just as shocked.

"I don't need your fucking help! Stop acting like you're my kid! Just fucking go!"

There was a long moment of silence.

After the words finally set in, (Y/n) turned around and walked out of the room. Polly moved aside with no question, not wanting to put the kid through any more pain and difficulty.

Polly waited for the distinct sound of a slamming door before speaking up, "I hope you're proud of yourself, Arthur."

"Shut up-"

"Don't try to tell me what to do,' she cut him off. "That child waited for you every night. They were terrified of this exact reaction."

"Not my kid, not my problem-"

"That is bullshit, Arthur, and you know it."

Arthur clenched his jaw.

"That child grew attached to you for a year before going through years of not knowing if you were ever coming back or not. You are going to look me in the eye and tell me that you don't care for (Y/n) as you would for your own child?"

Still no response.

"Go and fix your mess, Arthur. Too much has gone wrong for you to ruin this too."

Arthur almost refused. He stood there, stubborn but silent. Polly didn't pay his refusal much mind, instead turning around and walking away from him.

There were a few more minutes of Arthur's hesitation before he let out a sigh and started walking.

He didn't truly know where to start looking for (Y/n). After those years away, he didn't know them as well as he would have wanted to. Habits and passions and hiding spots all felt largely unknown to him.

His time searching was also a time for him to think about what he had done and how to fix it. It left him with even more guilt than before.

When he finally found (Y/n), they were sitting in the private room at the Garrison. They were sitting with their legs on the bench and their head resting against the wall. They saw him as soon as he walked in and moved to sit properly.

"Hey, kid," Arthur said, awkwardly standing next to the closed door.

"Hi," (Y/n) muttered.

A sigh escaped Arthur before he stepped forward and sat down on the seat separate from (Y/n). The two of them stayed silent for a little while longer.

(Y/n) wanted to say something. Anything. They just couldn't. They knew that when Arthur initially took them in, it was meant to be more of an apprentice and a mentor than anything else. But after a year and after waiting, they thought that they were more important than that. After what Arthur had said, they were being forced to rethink everything that they had known.

"I'm sorry," Arthur murmured. "For everything. What I said and the shit I've been doing... I'm sorry."

"It's alright," (Y/n) shook their head. "You were right-"

"No," he stopped them. "No, no. I was a fucking asshole. And I was wrong."

(Y/n) looked down for a moment.

"I'll make it better. I'll fix this. I swear. Tell me what to do. I'll do it."

Arthur continued rambling about how badly he had messed up and asking (Y/n) to tell him how to fix it. For the second time in the same day, (Y/n) was rethinking everything. And the rambling was only making it worse.

"Stop," (Y/n) finally said. "Stop, please."

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows.

"I just... I don't want to think about this right now. Please."

"I'm sorry," he moved from his seat to the booth next to (Y/n).

"I know, I know," they ran their hands over their face. "Can we just talk about this tomorrow? Please."

He nodded to them. "And until then? Want me to leave you alone?"

"No, no, don't," (Y/n) grabbed Arthur's arm as if he had made any attempt to leave. He hadn't. "Can we just stay here for a bit? Just sit here?"

Another nod. "Of course, we can."

He relaxed into the booth a bit, letting the conversation drift into silence.

The first non-tense silence they had shared in ages.

And for the very first time, there was just a little bit of hope.

And that was the most important thing.

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Author's Note: I'm not cussing enough in this.

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Navigation Guide

What I Write For

Some Original Characters

[1mnobodywhoareyou]

"your scream is kind of cute im sorry."

prompt list used for inspo here

They’re not entirely sure whose great idea horror night was, but here they all were, huddled up and watching the scariest movie any of them had seen. None of them actually like horror but that didn’t seem to matter. Alex and Willie were hiding their faces in each other’s shoulders, Julie had her face in a pillow. Luke was trying very unsuccessfully to keep his eyes on the screen. Reggie isn’t even bothering trying any more. He’s completely clocked out, lying on the couch and simply staring at the ceiling and bouncing his feet in the air. Bobby is… trying to watch the movie from his spot on the floor leaned up against the couch. But he keeps covering his eyes with his hand and peeking through his fingers. 

Reggie can hear the next jump scare building and refuses to look at the television but he takes stock of how his friends are handling it, smiling to himself in private amusement. Bobby screams when everybody jumps and Reggie can’t help the giggle that escapes. His friends all send him betrayed looks and he laughs again.

“Your scream is kind of cute, I’m sorry,” he directs at Bobby.

The statement seems to prevent Bobby from forming a coherent thought and he stumbles over his words while their friends laugh.

“It’s not CUTE!” Bobby exclaims once he’s regained his composure.

“Kinda is,” Reggie repeats with a grin.

“Shut up,” Bobby mutters, turning back to the TV.

“Make me!” Reggie surprises everybody by saying, issuing a very clear challenge Bobby’s way.

Nobody’s watching the movie any more and they’ve all directed their attention to the pair in the middle of the room. 

“Is this really happening?” Willie whispers to Alex.

“Fucking finally,” Alex replies.

“All of you shut up,” Bobby exclaims before directing his attention back to Reggie. “What did you say?” 

“I said… make me,” Reggie replies, the challenging tone still in his voice.

“Any preference on how I might do that?” a flirtatious undertone laces through Bobby’s words.

“You can choose,” Reggie sits up and sends a smug look Bobby’s way.

“This is weird,” Luke says as he stands up to leave the room, waving at the others to follow him.

Alex groans but follows Luke’s lead and drags Willie and Julie out with them.

Neither Bobby nor Reggie acknowledge their departure.

Somebody on the TV screams and Reggie giggles again. 

He clicks his tongue, “see, just not as cute.”

“I’m not fucking cute,” Bobby mutters under his breath and Reggie raises an eyebrow as he leans forward.

“Yeah. You fucking are,” Reggie is defiant in his response.

“I thought I told you to shut up?” Bobby growls as he grabs Reggie and pulls him down to crash their lips together. Reggie recovers quickly, considering he knew what he was starting. He wraps his arms around Bobby’s neck and lowers himself down to the floor, kissing Bobby back.

They’re interrupted by obnoxious applause when their friends return and pull apart to turn glares on the intruders.

“Must you?” Bobby asks, unimpressed.

“We must,” Luke beams at him. “Congrats! Took you two long enough.”

“Whatever,” Bobby mutters and Reggie lets out another set of giggles, leaning into Bobby’s side. Bobby wraps his arm around Reggie and directs a fond smile his way before schooling his face back into a scowl as his friends return to their spots.

“We still committed to finishing this?” Alex confirms and the others nod. He sighs and they all settle in as before. The only difference is that Bobby no longer has any real interest in paying attention to what’s on screen, stealing kisses with Reggie as the movie plays.

[streamafterlaughter]

Fundamental Differing

Chapter XII: I’ll Call You Beautiful, If I Call At All

nav | masterlist | playlist | pinboard | chapter xi

summary: seattle always brings out the sentimentality in you, and eddie’s feeling it too.

tags: slow burn, rockstar!eddie x rockstar!gn!reader, mutual pining, forced proximity, fake dating, confessions of feelings (finally), some fluff, lots of angst, consumption of alcohol

a/n: this is one of my favorite chapters i’ve ever written. thank you to my lovely partner and beta reader @children-of-the-grave for helping me come up with an album title and doing the grunt work of proofreading. love you forever.

-

July 1990

Eddie takes another gulp of his beer before slamming it into the recycling bin. “Y’know what, we’re done. I’m not doing this anymore.” He slurs his words as you watch, eyes glazed over with tears.

“What do you mean? We can’t be done if we weren’t anything to begin with.” You’ve had a couple drinks yourself, and the effects are taking a strong hold.

“Perfect! I don’t ever wanna see your face again, got me?” He doesn’t mean that, not even close. But he can’t do this casual hook up thing, not with you. “We don’t know each other.”

“You’re right. I’m not sure we ever did.”

-

Present Day

Your POV

You wake up to an empty bed, the space Eddie once occupied now cold as your eyes open, reorienting yourself. Outside the tiny window, the sun is rising over the Washington horizon, and you feel a wave of peace wash over you. After tonight, you have a whole week off to do whatever you want, in a city that’s become a kind of home to you since leaving Eddie.

Seattle is special, a place you never mind being in, even with its constant rain and uptight citizens. It’s the place grunge was born, and a place you’ve always thrived. Playing here is a dream come true, and you can only beg the universe for it to go well.

The tour buses pull into a rest stop off the highway, and you shove the comforter off your sweaty body. You’d slept fully clothed, something you hadn’t done in a number of years. With the added layers, plus Eddie’s extra body heat, your hair sticks to the sides of your face.

Sliding open the door, Steve greets you with a sleepy smile. “Morning! Sleep alright?”

“As well as I could, all things considered.” You try to hide your embarrassment. You’d slept better next to Eddie than you’ve slept in your own bed, but that’s not something Steve needs to know.

“Well, you’re free now. Go grab some food, we’re almost at the hotel.”

You nod and shuffle through the bus, weaving through the guys of Corroded Coffin, who stand in the hall chatting and chewing on what look to be soggy French fries. You notice Eddie’s voice lower as you approach him and Gareth in the breakfast booth.

“Aw, leaving already?” Gareth teases as Eddie avoids your eyes next to him.

“Haha, yeah. I can tell when I’ve overstayed my welcome.” Eddie’s eyes flick to your face, and you challenge him with yours. You want him to tell you you’re still welcome, you’re always welcome, but he doesn’t say a word, so you turn and exit the bus.

-

Eddie’s POV

The door clicks shut behind you, and Eddie turns back to his bandmate. “Anyway, as I was saying, I have never jumped out of bed so quickly in my life. I woke up and they were like, pressed into me.”

“Were you hard?” Gareth chokes out a laugh at Eddie’s flustering.

“I’m only a man. Of course I was! I debated rolling onto the floor and just never getting back up.” Eddie grins as he speaks, remembering the panic as he bolted upright in bed, dick stiff against his sweatpants as you snored soundly next to him.

“You think they know?”

Eddie shrugs. “God, I fucking hope not.”

Gareth cackles and Eddie shoved him playfully. Truthfully, it was the best sleep he’s gotten in awhile, and he’s forced to admit it’s because of you. Everything about your presence stresses him out, but sleeping next to you has been something he’s mourned for the last two years.

“You guys all set to get moving soon? Ed, go get some food, I haven’t seen you eat in days.” Steve’s standing over the little table, hands on his hips like he’s a soccer mom disappointed in her poorly performing child.

“Yes sir,” Eddie mockingly salutes his friend, who responds with a dramatic roll of his eyes. Eddie slides out of the booth and off the bus, the humid air hitting him in the face as he walks into the rest stop.

You stand with Robin and your other bandmates, in line for greasy burgers as you wipe the sleep from your eyes. You’re still in your sweats and a shredded t-shirt. You lean your head on Robin’s shoulder, seemingly fighting sleep from taking over again. Eddie gets in line behind you, careful to keep his distance.

“Hey, sleepyhead!” Robin turns to greet him, her eyes wide and sparkly.

“Mornin’, Bob.” Eddie grumbles, voice raspy from lack of much use yet today.

“Sleep okay?” He hears the teasing in her tone, but chooses to ignore it.

“Well enough,” He looks at you, and you’re studying the tiles on the floor like a museum exhibit. “I’m ready for a week off, though. Might fly out to Indiana early, go see everyone.” Eddie hasn’t been back since he moved out, shortly after graduation. “You guys got any plans?”

Robin shrugs. “I’ll probably go back home in a few days.”

You nod. “I dunno, I live out here now but it would be cool to see everyone. I’d need to get a hotel, or maybe,” you look at Robin, “my ever so lovely best friend can house me?”

“You know you’re always welcome, my mom adores you.” You beam at her, and Eddie fights the urge to stare, your bright smile now a rarity he likes to cherish when you’re not paying attention.

You and Robin order your food, bidding Eddie adieu for now. He gives you a small smile, but you don’t return it.

-

The buses pull into the hotel parking lot, the rain coming down hard now. He grabs his duffel from under the bus, using it to shield his hair from the weather. Steve is talking to the concierge, looking far more stressed than usual.

“What’s up?” Eddie leans an arm on the hotel desk, and tries to ignore the way the young girl at the desk ogles him.

“They don’t have enough rooms.” Steve rubs his face in frustration.

“Okay, no problem, we can all share.” Eddie’s trying to be optimistic, much to the confusion of his best friend.

“Well, I mean, we definitely could. I’m not sure how that would work, honestly. They have enough doubles for most of us, but-“

The hotel clerk interrupts. “I mean, if you and Y/n take the single, you’d all be set!” She’s practically squealing.

“Ah, so you know who we are, then?” Eddie jokes, causing the girl to blush.

“Of course I know who you are! And Y/n, and both of your bands. I’m a huge fan!” She rambles on, and Eddie feels a pang in his chest. There’s no way you’re gonna let this fly.

Steve sends Eddie a questioning glance, and he shrugs in response. “You’ll have to talk to them. I’m adaptable, I’ll manage.”

As if on cue, you’ve appeared on Steve’s other side. “Why’re you all stressed, Mama bear?” you tease, poking at Steve’s bicep playfully. “Did this lovely lady reject your advances?”

Steve groans. “No! I’m not being creepy, we’re trying to sort out the room situation. They have five. Four doubles, one queen.” He doesn’t continue, awaiting a reaction.

You blink at him. “Okay, that’s enough for everyone, no?”

“It is, if-“

“If Eddie and I take the queen? Because everyone else here is completely platonic with a capital P?” There’s not a hint of irritation in your voice, much to Eddie’s surprise. It’s then that your eyes land on him. “Is that okay with you?”

“Uh, yeah,” Eddie says dumbly, barely hearing you over the banging in his chest. “That’s fine. What’s another night?” He winces as it comes out, realizing how it sounds.

You nod curtly, tight lipped before you look back to Steve. “Book ‘em, big boy. No need to be dramatic.” You give him a pat on the shoulder. As an afterthought, and meeting eyes with the enthusiastic concierge, you approach Eddie again. “I’ll see you tonight, then? If you decide to come back in the first place.” Before he realizes what happens, you’re on your tiptoes. In his ear, you whisper, “I’m gonna kiss you on the cheek now. Because it’s gonna make this girl lose her mind. Okay?”

Blood is pounding in Eddie’s head as he nods. Your lips barely graze his cheek, warm and soft against his scratchy stubble. He closes his eyes, but before he can focus, it’s over, and his cheek is cold again.

“Bye guys! Bye,” You squint at the clerk’s name tag, “Hannah. Nice to meet you, thanks for your help.” You turn, and shuffle back to the elevators, probably to relay the news to your friends. Eddie can feel Hannah’s eyes burning into his skull, but he refuses to acknowledge her again, worrying his eyes will betray him. He’s never been a great liar.

Steve looks at his stunned friend, the smallest of smirks on his face. “You alright over there?” Eddie doesn’t answer, so Steve grabs him by the wrist, waving goodbye to Hannah, who’s still hypnotized by the whole interaction. Once out of earshot, he tries again. “Yoo-hoo, earth to Eddie?” He waves a hand in front of Eddie’s blank stare, snapping him out of his trance.

“What? Yeah, yeah I’m good. I’m great! I’m totally, one hundred percent fine.” He clamps his mouth shut, stifling the panic that will probably return to him later.

“They haven’t done that yet, huh?” Steve teases, no longer hiding his smirk. “You gonna be able to handle this whole fake dating thing?”

“I’m handling it fine, thank you.” Eddie snaps, and Steve raises his hands in defense. He’s not handling it well in the slightest, really.

“Okay, okay, whatever you say. I’ll drop it. But you gotta work on your poker face if you wanna be believable. Even if I had no idea, I’d be pretty skeptical right now.”

“Whatever, dude.” Eddie brushes him off as the elevator dings, and they both step inside without another word.

-

Your POV

“I need a fucking drink!” You flop, face first into Robin’s bed as you groan. Buried in the mattress, you feel safe enough to let it out. Because you can’t do this anymore, and you’re starting to push your luck. “I’mstillinlovewithhim.” Your confession is muffled by the fabric, and the only clue that Robin understands you is her reaction.

“Yeah, no shit!” Don’t think I didn’t see what you pulled down there!”

“What I pulled?” You push yourself back to your feet, jolted by the irritation in her voice.

“Kissing him like that, whispering sweet nothings into his ear.” Robin bats her eyelashes, singing a recap of the events in the lobby.

“I’m supposed to do that, Robin. I’m being paid to, actually! I was told to.” You inject as much venom into your words as possible, and Robin bites her tongue to stop from spitting back.

“Okay. You’re right, you’re right! Just,”

“Just. What.” It’s a challenge. You’ve absolutely had it with the peanut gallery. Between her and Steve, you’ve gotten a verbal retelling of every single time you and Eddie are together.

Robin has never been the type to back down from a challenge, though. “There were no cameras, Y/n. Just a starstruck fan you probably caused the heart failure of. You didn’t have to,” She flails, gesturing to your body, your face, you, “be so all over him.”

You stop short, breath caught in your throat. “Are you defending him?” Of course not. No, she wouldn’t.

“He was my friend too, Y/n. And I cut him off for you.”

Her words sting. “I didn’t ask you to do that.”

“Not in so many words! But I saw how you treated Steve when you caught him and Eddie having a drink. You didn’t talk to him for a month.”

You don’t have a response. She looks at you, eyes wide with what you can finally recognize is anger. “You left Eddie because you thought he changed, right? Have you realized yet that maybe you changed?”

You gnaw your bottom lip until you draw blood, heart quickening as you feel a sob blooming in your chest. Before you can stop them, you feel the tears running down your cheeks.

Robin is quick to notice, and flops onto the mattress. She pats the bed next to her, and you take your seat. “What would be so bad about trying again?” There is no more accusation in her voice, she’s past fighting with you.

You sigh, resting your head in your hands. “I don’t want to admit I was wrong.” Robin is silent, so you look back up to her. She’s stifling a laugh. “What?!”

“Sorry, just hearing you say that threw me off. I know how much you value your pride, but if there’s anyone to let your guard down for, it’s gotta be Eddie. It’s always been him.”

“He just got so different when he started getting famous. I don’t know what happened in the last two years to make him revert like this, but-“

“Seeing you again probably had something to do with it.”

You keep your eyes glued on hers, searching for the punchline. “Please. If it was because of me, he wouldn’t have changed like that in the first place.”

“Okay, maybe not just because of you, but think about it! He got signed, what, only months after graduating? Moreover,” you giggle at her suddenly expansive vocabulary, “He was probably still reeling from, I dunno, almost dying? We all were. He just never got the chance to grieve, let alone get a good night’s sleep! Seeing you after all of that, when he’s been without steady ground to stand on for two years, has to be a slap in the face.”

You blink at her, debating on arguing further. You settle on a question. “Have you been talking to him?”

Robin rolls her eyes. “Lately, yeah. In passing. But it’s always been for your benefit. Before that, I’d only heard snippets from Steve, and I kept most of them to myself.”

You flop down onto the pillow, letting Robin’s words continue to wash over you. You’ve admitted to yourself that you miss him, that you want Eddie back, but the hard part still awaits you. How the fuck are you supposed to tell him?

-

Eddie’s POV

“I don’t know how much longer I can handle this, man.” Eddie sits on the end of Gareth’s bed, grabbing the stray drumstick from the bedside table and twirling it anxiously through his fingers. Gareth lay against the headboard, visibly fighting to keep his eyes open.

“What, you finally gonna tell ‘em how you feel?”

Eddie shakes his already throbbing head. “I gotta break it off.”

Gareth’s eyes are wide, suddenly alert. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I know they don’t wanna do this. I don’t either. It’s a fucking sham anyway, I thought we were against that shit.” Eddie pushes himself back to his feet, pacing the length of the hotel room.

“Dude, I know you just came here to vent or whatever, but can I give you some advice?” Eddie looks to Gareth finally, and his expression is pleading.

Eddie could use the help, too. “Please.”

“Throw it out there. Worst case scenario, they don’t want ya back, you grieve a little, get laid a little, and move on. But you can’t keep doing this tiptoe bullshit. It’s exhausting to watch.”

Despite himself, Eddie chuckles. “You make a good argument.”

“What stopped you, this time? You used to have no shame.” Gareth crosses his arms over his chest.

It’s an easy answer. Eddie has thrown fits over this question, wondering what changed about his internal wiring to cause such a glitch in his ability to use his words with you. “Because now, I know what it’s like without them. And if I fuck up, if I say something I can’t take back, then I’m living in that reality. The one with no them. No Y/n.” His face is getting warmer with embarrassment as he blubbers, but Gareth doesn’t even crack a smile.

Instead, he rises from his spot on the bed, opening his arms to Eddie. Eddie takes the offer, quickly wrapping his arms around his friend. “Thanks, man.” His words are muffled by Gareth’s vest.

He pats Eddie on the back warmly. “Anytime, bro.”

The two release each other, awkwardly laughing at their circumstances. “So, what’re you gonna do?” Gareth’s question is barely audible.

“Whatever I have to.”

“Okay, man. But maybe take a nap before we have to leave for the gig. you look wiped.”

-

Your POV

You’re in search of your third, fourth, and fifth drinks of the night. You’d only asked for two on your rider, one for before your set and one after, but you’d downed them both within minutes of arriving at the venue.

The house is slowly filling with people as you make your way to the bar, speakers wailing along to Seattle’s finest. Currently, Call Me a Dog floats through the room, and you let Chris Cornell sing your feelings for you, not caring that you probably look insane, swaying dreamily along to the music by yourself, hair half done, empty bottle in your white knuckle grip.

The bartender approaches you, and you order another drink as you feel a presence looking over your shoulder. You have a 50/50 shot of guessing who it is in this low lighting, but you don’t wanna risk being wrong, so you shift to look behind you.

“Hi, Steve.” You can feel his disappointed glare as the bar man returns with your cocktail. You make a scene of hiding the glass with your body as you pull it closer to you.

“You still have an hour before you go on, and you’re already wasted.” He doesn’t phrase it like a question, but you nod anyway. “What’s goin’ on?”

It’s tiring, repeating yourself. You almost wish you hadn’t told Robin to keep it quiet. “I’m gonna tell Eddie I still have feelings for him.” It’s a confession, finally saying the words out loud. Steve’s eyes widen, but he doesn’t object. He sits beside you at the bar, hunching forward to hear you better. “I’m so sick of pretending I don’t feel anything for him. I don’t know how he feels about me, and I think this is the only way to find out.”

“Or, I mean, you could just take my word for it. Or Robin’s, or anyone else’s.” He snickers as you shove him. “I’m kidding! I think it’s a good idea, finally put these dramatics to rest.”

“I just don’t know how to do it, it’s like I forget every word in the English language when I’m around him.”

“Trust me when I tell you it won’t matter. Whatever you say, he’s gonna fall apart. He’s already in the palm of your hand, dude.” Steve wraps his arm around you, squeezing you tightly. You rest your head on your shoulder, sipping your vodka cran and letting the alcohol give you courage.

-

Eddie’s POV

He watches as you rest your head on Steve’s shoulder, his arm wrapped protectively around you. It stops him in his tracks, seeing you huddled like that with one of his best friends. It’s like he’s hit in the chest, knocking the wind out of him. He knows he has to end it, for real, for good. You don’t feel the same way about him, it’s clearer to Eddie now more than ever.

He’s about to walk over to you, but he’s caught by a figure in his peripheral vision. He meets the eyes of a small girl with spiked hair and clanging metal on her jeans. He waves to her shyly, unsure if she’ll have the courage to approach him.

She gains it from the acknowledgment, though, and shuffles up to him timidly. “Hi, oh my god. I’m so sorry for being weird, I wasn’t sure you wanted to talk to anyone. It’s so nice to meet you!” She extends a manicured hand and Eddie shakes it. “I’m Izzy. Would you mind signing this?” She holds out a record, Corroded Coffin’s first album, Depravity of Doomed Souls. The cover depicts a man facing away from the camera, looking out into a horizon of burning red sky, clouds thick and dark hanging over him. Below him are the skeletal hands of a crowd, clawing at where the man stands on the top of a platform. Eddie holds it for a second, chuckling to himself.

“Man, this thing is ancient. We wrote this four years ago.” He scribbles in the top right corner, To Izzy, stay metal! -EM similarly to how he’d once signed his friends’ yearbooks.

“It got me through my senior year. Especially Martyrdom and Other Mistakes. It made me feel seen!” The sentiment makes Eddie smile. He never gets sick of hearing how his music has impacted his fans. It does suck, though, to relate the that particular track.

“Man, of all songs, huh?”

Izzy shrugs. “Satanic Panic was huge at the time, and I was, well,” she gestures to her outfit, a collaboration of leather, studs, chains, and spikes.

Eddie nods. “But look at us now, huh! Rockin’ out, just like we were in high school.”

He hands the record back to her, and she smiles at the autograph. “Hey,” she adds, as Eddie searches the bar for you, but you’re gone, probably setting up for your set. “Can I buy you a drink?”

Ah, fuck it. He’ll see you later, anyway. “Sure.”

-

He’s three beers deep when your set ends. Izzy’s been talking his ear off. “And Y/n is so fuckin’ cool, man. You got one of the sickest songwriters and group of performers on your tour. Do you know if they’re single?”

The question snaps his attention back to her. “What?”

“Y/n. Are they single?” Does she not know? Has she never picked up a magazine?

“Uh,” What is he supposed to say? Technically, you are. And he doesn’t want to get in the way of a possible romantic interest. However, to the public, you’re not. You’re dating him. Izzy’s cool, sure, but she’s still the public. He can’t tell her it’s a sham, that’s above his pay grade.

Izzy speaks again. “Oh, god, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude on anything.”

“No! No, it’s okay,” Eddie rushes out, stumbling for an answer.

But Izzy studies him, and sees something on his face that makes her say, “Oh, I get it.”

He doesn’t. “Get what?”

“You like Y/n, you must! How could you not?!” How the fuck is he so easily read that a stranger can do it?!

He scoffs out a nervous laugh. “Is it that obvious?”

Izzy smirks like she’s discovered a secret. “Well, you guys would make a terribly attractive couple. Consider me rooting for you.”

“You got any advice?”

Izzy laughs. “Not for you specifically, considering your, uh, status. But, in general, I’ve found it better not to lie. Don’t spare your feelings, or theirs. Tell ‘em everything. Because one day, you might be dead.”

Eddie sits with her words, and knows deep down that she’s right. Lying to you isn’t going to make anything easier. He has to know, for sure, that you don’t feel the same way about him. Eddie’s about to respond when he feels a tap on his shoulder. He turns to make eye contact with Steve’s arms, crossed over his chest. “You're needed on stage.”

“Yessir,” Eddie bows to Steve, who rolls his eyes before walking back towards the stage. He turns to Izzy. “Thank you for the drinks, Izzy. And for the enlightening conversation.”

She snickers. “Knock ‘em dead, Eddie!” She claps her hands together, cheering him on.

-

Your POV

“Well?” You’ve been pacing the hall backstage while Steve went to find Eddie. “Who is she?”

Steve shrugs. “Didn’t bother to even introduce me. But she had a Corroded Coffin record, must be a fan.”

“Or a groupie.” You mumble. You’re about to keep arguing when Eddie rushes past you, gulping the final sip of his beer.

“Hey, Y/n,” Eddie stops short when he sees you, his face red and hair disheveled. “Can we talk later?”

You’re already thinking of the worst case scenario. He’s gonna tell you he wants nothing to do with you, even for the press. He and Izzy hit it off and you’re getting left in the dust. You fight the thought, though. Regardless of what it is, you’re gonna tell him what you have to. “Sure, yeah.”

He tucks a strand of hair behind his ear “Great, cool. Uh, meet me outside, like an hour after the set.” You nod, lips pressed together.

The house music fades, the final lines of I Want The Moon fading as the lights dim, and the crowd goes wild. You watch as Eddie walks onstage, holding himself well despite the amount of alcohol he’s likely consumed. His smile is bright as the spotlight hits him, and Gareth clicks his sticks together.

“WHAT THE FUCK IS UP, SEATTLE?!” Eddie shrieks into the mic, and Corroded Coffin takes off into their set, deafening you with the first chord.

-

You’re by the stage door when the final notes of Corroded Coffin’s set play, muffled by the brick of the building. You stub out your second cigarette, still anxious for what awaits you. You don’t have the first clue as to what Eddie wants to say to you. He could be ready to break this whole thing off, and then what? What will telling him do then? Should you tell him first? But then, will his feelings be influenced? The last thing you wanna do is try to convince him.

Your thoughts are interrupted when the stage door swings open. Eddie peeks out quickly, making sure there are no stray fans or paparazzi hiding in the bushes. “Hey, you.” He greets, stepping into the floodlights. He pulls out a cigarette and pats his pockets. When he comes up empty, he groans. “You gotta light?” You nod, flicking your lighter up to his cigarette. He inhales with his eyes still glued to yours, but you watch the flame intently. “Thanks.”

You reach for another stick for yourself, and light it quickly. “What did you, uh, wanna talk about?”

“Right to it, huh? No ‘Great show, Ed!’ Well, love, your set was fantastic too.” He’s being playful, clearly still buzzed.

“My apologies, your highness. You’ve set the record of most panties dropped in one place.” It’s a low joke, but you’re desperate to keep talking around the reason you’re both really out here.

“Oh yeah? Were yours included?” Oh, fuck off.

You shrug. “That’s for me to know.” Eddie laughs heartily, and you almost melt on the spot. You used to be so good at making him laugh, and it’s so hard to remember the last time you managed to. “Anyway,” you interrupt his cackling, “please, the anticipation is killing me.” You gesture for him to speak.

Eddie’s smile falters slightly, clearly affected by your palpable anxiety. “Right, yeah. Izzy’s a fan, by the way.”

“Ooh, Izzy. She was awfully snuggled up to you tonight.”

Eddie pinches the bridge of his nose. “I could say the same thing about you and Steve.”

“How many times do I have to assure you our relationship is Platonic with a Capital P?!”

“Things change, Y/n! For all I know you two could be bumpin’ uglies once a week.”

Your jaw snaps shut before you can hurl an insult at him. Instead, you quiet your voice. “Can you just tell me what you needed to tell me? I didn’t come out here to fight about who’s fucking whom.”

Eddie sighs. “Fine. But for the record, Izzy asked me to sign her album. Then, she bought me a drink and told me how pretty you were. That’s it..” You can’t help the snort that escapes you. Eddie frowns. “I’m serious, she asked me if you were single!”

“Has she not read the articles? I’m supposedly dating you.” It hurts not to mean it, but joking around with Eddie feels vaguely comforting.

Eddie shrugs. “She never mentioned seeing that. But she did call me out in a way.” He’s quiet, so you nod for him to go on. “She clocked me looking at you. Guess I’m pretty transparent when I’m drunk.” His smile is shy suddenly, and before you can answer him, he speaks again. “Listen, I uh, I don’t want to do this fake dating thing. I thought about it, and I think it’s stupid.” You bite your lip to keep from arguing, or interrupting despite the insatiable urge to shriek. Eddie continues, not noticing your struggle, his brow furrowed in determination. “Cash grab or not, it’s fucking with my head. It’s already too much to see you every day. and doing all of this,” he gestures between you and himself, ��on top of that, is exhausting.”

You wait for more, but nothing comes. You search his expression for a hint, a cause for why he doesn’t want to be around you anymore. You can’t find anything. “Oh. Okay. I’m really sorry if I did something that-“

Eddie shakes his head, cutting you off. “No, not at all. It’s nothing like that. I just,” he stops, chewing his bottom lip in thought. “I don’t want just some of it.”

That wakes you up. “What?”

“Y’know, the flashy stuff and nothing else? Holding your hand, a kiss or two for the fans, but then we run away from each other when we’re alone. It’s not…” He searches for the right word, “enough for me.” Enough? As in, he wants more from you? You don’t answer, struggling to understand where he’s going with this.

“I mean, I can talk to Steve. Maybe he can talk to the execs, get the word out that we ‘broke up’ or whatever.” You’re trying so hard not to cry as you speak. You got your answer, he doesn’t want it anymore.

“Or,” Eddie takes a step closer to you, and you lose your nerve. You feel a single hot tear slide down your cheek as Eddie searches your face for your answer. Seemingly without thinking, Eddie reaches up and wipes it away with his thumb. “You could tell me how you feel.”

It’s now or never. “I’m thinking,” you start, voice shaky. “I think you’re right. It’s not enough. We need to get married.”

Eddie startles. “Sorry?”

You laugh despite yourself. “No, I’m sorry. I don’t have a ring.”

He rolls his eyes at your weak attempt at humor. “Can you not joke about this for like five seconds, please?” Eddie pleads, and you soften as you look at him. His eyes are wide, still locked on yours. “I need to know I’m not crazy.”

You scrunch your nose at him. “You and I both know you are, in fact, crazy. But fine, I’ll try to appease you.” It’s your turn to step closer, and now you’re only two inches apart. “In all seriousness, I can’t do it either. I don’t want to hold your hand because people are watching. I wanna hold your hand because I can, because I want to. I wanna kiss your stupid face in front of everyone and no one, I wanna sleep next to you by choice and not for convenience. I’m so tired, Eddie. I’ve been so tired trying not to feel this way, but I can’t make it stop.” You talk to his chest, too afraid to look at him. “I didn’t realize how much I missed you, the real you, until this tour. I hadn’t seen that version of you, that smiles and laughs and fucks around with his friends, in so many years. It’s like you came back to life.”

“You know why, right?” Eddie keeps his voice low, as if trying not to break the moment. His hand reaches for yours, and he plays with your fingers as he speaks. “You know what finally brought me back to life?”

You shake your head, refusing to meet his eyes. But Eddie, ever the tactile gentleman, cups your chin in his hand, forcing you to look at him. “C’mon. I’ll give you one guess.”

You don’t answer, lost in the big brown eyes you haven’t really looked into since leaving him. Everything you two have gone through since meeting hits you like a ton of bricks. From surviving high school, to the Upside Down, to getting signed, to breaking up. Through it all, he was going through it right next to you. You shake your head, refusing to believe what he’s saying.

“You.” Eddie halts your speeding train of thought with one word. “Watching you perform, listening to your music, reading your interviews. Even just knowing you’re right outside, in the other bus. I meant it when I said I’d give it all up for you, Y/n. But, if I can be so brutally honest, I think I’d love having both, way more.” He’s so close, you can feel his breath on your face. You don’t pull away, despite your brain screaming at you to run away. “Now that I know how to behave.”

After a beat, you speak. “You can, y’know.”

“Can what?” He raises an eyebrow, cheeks red.

“Have both. You know I’d never ask you to choose.”

“Even though you know I’d choose you?”

You shake your head. “Stupid choices, Eddie, you keep making them.”

“I’m about to make another one, I think.”

“Oh? And what choice would that be?”

“To kiss you.”

You swear your heart stops. You can’t breathe, and your hands are sweating. “What if I’m about to make that stupid choice too?”

Eddie smiles widely, and so do you. Before either of you can ruin it with more babbling, Eddie rests a hand on your cheek. You crane your neck to reach him, letting the noise in your brain be silenced as his lips touch yours. You squeeze your eyes shut, as if he’ll disappear the moment you open them. Your hands find their way into his hair, and his free arm wraps around your waist. The kiss is slow, gentle. His lips are slightly chapped, dry from the beer, and he tastes like cigarettes and him. He feels the same, like the past two years didn’t happen, like his lips never left yours. You grow eager, suddenly, pulling his face as close as you can manage, fingers twisting in his hair to keep him on you. You feel the wet warmth of your tears, falling freely from your closed eyes, but still you refuse to let him go.

-

Eddie’s POV

He’s dizzy with your kiss, desperate for it. He’s afraid once it ends, you’ll disappear through his fingers like sand. He must be dreaming, it’s the only way any of this makes sense. Your hands are tangled in his hair like they were made to be, your lips soft against his own chapped ones. He feels a tear spring from his eye, and hopes with everything you can’t tell he’s crying. He shifts himself, wrapping both arms around your waist to bring you even closer. When you deepen the kiss, licking a stripe across his bottom lip, he moans without thinking. You smile against his lips, still interlocked with him as your tongue wrestles with his. His eyes stay screwed shut, even though he wants to look at you more than anything. He wants to know what happens next, where you go from here. You’re both drunk, sure, but this is more than an alcohol induced decision.

You’re the first to pull away. “I don’t know what this means.” There’s no urgency, no panic in your voice. It is simply a statement.

Eddie blinks quickly, vision blurry. “Don’t overthink it. Not right now. We can talk about it later, I just need you to keep kissing me.” He’s past the point of patience, needing to feel your skin on his again.

Luckily, you seem to be on the same page. You lunge forward, connecting your lips to his again. At this point he’s borderline desperate, kneading the flesh of your hips with the pads of his fingers, keeping you in his grasp as if to ground himself to this plane.

-

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[coochiequeens]

A violent man in a dress was recorded insulting and encouraging violence towards women but didn't like it whapen his crap was recorded. Because how can Trans Laydees claim to be the victim when his hatefullness towards women was recorded?

By Genevieve Gluck October 13, 2023

A women’s rights activist was kicked out of a bar in Glasgow last night, reportedly because she “looked like a TERF.” Jenny Watson says she was surrounded by trans activists and forced out of the bar after silently recording a drag queen insulting Harry Potter creator JK Rowling and other women who are critical of gender ideology.

Following the incident, Watson took to her X account to explain that she had been sitting silently and recording a drag performer at the Polo Lounge in Glasgow as he made derogatory remarks about women he classified as “TERFs.” While the acronym means “trans-exclusionary radical feminists,” it has been applied more broadly to any woman critical of gender ideology, and is often used alongside threats of violence.

“For the first time in my life, I have just got chucked out of a gay bar,” Watson said in a series of videos she shared. “There was a drag act… I took a video of him saying that there’s going to be ‘a thousand TERFs’ in Glasgow tomorrow… we hate the TERFs.'”

Watson described how she was swiftly challenged by the crowd when she began filming the drag performer as he made statements against “the TERFs.”

“Everybody surrounded me, and they were [saying], ‘You look like a TERF, you shouldn’t be here. This isn’t the right place for you.’ I was literally just there, sitting with my drink. I was not being rude, doing anything… and they were telling me, ‘You look like a fucking loser.’ Then the bouncers came over.”

In another video clip of the incident Watson shared on X, drag and burlesque performer Tom Harlow can be seen standing on stage naming women’s rights campaigners such as JK Rowling, Julie Bindel, and Member of Parliament Joanna Cherry, all of whom have vocally opposed sex self-identification policies which allow men to be legally designated as “female” without restrictions.

“Joanna Cherry, Julie Bindel, and JK Rowling are all meant to be speaking this weekend,” Harlow says, while audience members react with disgust. Harlow then informs the crowd that Glasgow Trans Rally had organized a counter-protest outside of the venue scheduled for the following day. He adds that he intends to attend the demonstration to “sing show tunes at bigots,” and says, “We fucking hate you, Joanna,” while miming a punch with a clenched fist

Harlow’s statement was a reference to the women’s rights conference known as FiLiA, a two-day event being held over the weekend. FiLiA was launched in 2013 with the purpose of “strengthening the Women’s Liberation Movement” and upholding women’s sex-based rights, including the right to female-only spaces and protection from male violence.

Trans activists had attempted to have the conference shut down in the days leading up to the event. Glasgow Trans Rally encouraged their supporters to target the venue and harass event organizers on social media. Two days before the conference, the venue’s management attempted to cancel FiLiA’s reservation, but backed down after being told they should expect a legal challenge if they followed through.

Watson continued to explain that one of the bouncers who had her removed from Polo Lounge informed her that the staff were taking “extra precautions” due to the FiLiA conference.

“I had no idea who this drag artist was,” she says, incredulous. “Then I got a few messages from people saying, ‘The person you’re recording is unhinged.'”

Watson continued in a statement: “The Polo Glasgow is unsafe for lesbians. If you are a lesbian do not go there, especially alone, you will be put at risk. You will be told that ‘you look like a pathetic loser for going alone.’ You will be surrounded by a mob and then the bouncers will kick you out, simply for having a drink and recording (as one does) part of a drag act.”

Watson explains that she had been approached by groups of people who “recognized” her from social media, and were clearly looking for a hostile exchange.

“I engaged civilly with them, yet still I was the one who was kicked out. I repeat – this establishment is dangerous for lesbians. This is new homophobia and lesbians are at the bottom of the hierarchy.”

Watson has been the target of abuse in the past due to her experience speaking out for the rights of lesbian women to hold single-sex events. Earlier this year, she came under fire after voicing frustration with the trans-identified males claiming to be lesbians who were attending weekly lesbian speed dating evenings she organized in London.

Watson described to journalist Julie Bindel how one trans-identified man pushed himself against a lesbian in the restroom.

Another was seen sporting a visible erection while wearing purple spandex. Several trans activists created a WhatsApp group in order to coordinate their attempts to have her lesbian-only events shut down by urging participants to complain to venue staff. She has also been reported to her London council employers as “transphobic” for insisting that “lesbians don’t have penises.”

As he stated he would, Harlow turned up outside of the FiLiA conference with a small crowd of protesters, where he has been recorded shouting “fuck you” at the women in attendance.

In a brief biography of Harlow provided to Miss Burlesque Scotland, a competition for which he has performed and competed, Harlow is described as “an international and award-winning showboy” known for his “classic stripteases with a male twist, bump & grind as well as his unique vocal blend of showtunes & FILTH!”

Harlow previously drew criticism in July after Glasgow museum The Burrell Collection hosted an all-ages LGBT event where Harlow performed. The museum hit back at critics by stating, “The Burrell Collection is an inclusive, welcoming museum and the Pride event celebrates this. Tom Harlow is performing classic cabaret and giving insight into the art of performance make-up in a set for all ages.”

Harlow’s website features photos and purchasable prints of himself naked. As previously reported by Reduxx, Harlow has performed as a merman in an adult strip show called “The Salty Seaman”. He would later adapt the character to be aimed at children.

Last fall, a cabaret performance by Harlow intended for children under 12 was cancelled following public outcry.

[kumamoto-division]

ARB BIRTHDAY SPECIAL:AOBA YAMAMURA

-july 24th-

"sometimes the things can fall appart so that better things can fall together"

LOGIN LINES:

"good morning... what's happen to you uh?...you look a bit blushed"

"a gift for my birthday? That's something cute,thank you darling *giggles* hahaha it's just a joke thanks you very much... I starts to sound like Eden"

"i'm a bit suprised of actually have 23 years old...with all the shit of those last years I thought I would be jailed in ARCA or completely out of mind at the 23s but...*sighs* things never end like one think...even if it is just for now"

"this birthday besides the habituals in the library the fashion designers for who I model often sent me things like beautiful dresses,jewelry and even cosmetics...fufufu this remember me why I decided work as model. I love my library but also love when me beauty is recognize, especially considering the scars in my face and body...I never will forgive the whore of my egg donner, I seriously feel relief by thr fact Ukina is burning in at least one hell right now"

"can you believe that almost all the media say and believe the terrorist Bluefire is a woman?! I know i'm very beautiful and that the masquerade gown and wig don't help exactly but to be honest I wonder if someone will to recognize me as a man... Well Bluefire always can be Sophia if someone starts to suspect"

"I received gifts and confessions who study at the academy where sometimes I work as librarian but if course I rejected them all. the girls also gave me gifts that I accepted,things like accesories,flowers and candies...*sighs* they seriously think i'm a smart and good person...I don't want even imagine his faces if they would know the true"

"uh? Good evening Kunio,Natsume...what?!....*blush* baka,that was just one time and a mistake, i'm not will to call you like that anymore...just shut up and give me my gifts"

"this is...a game? Wow Kunio this is really beautiful....I love it but i'm sure this would be much....*sighs* of course I must know that but... thank you very much"

"and you Natsume chan? Please tell me your gift is not some magical and possibily cursed objet?...I know you so well as Kunio and yes, you are"

"a potion... Natsume I said,wait what? *Blush* Natsume what's this?! I can I CAN FORGIVE YOU THE POTION BUT NOT THE REASON!

" another gift?! ...what this ring means?...*blush* well... that's a surprise but who i'm to challenge the strings of fate...why the gods of love and sex seems to have fun fucking my life up"

KUNIO'S VOICE LINES

"good day Aoba! *Hugging him* why you didn't call me niichan?! C'mon I actually want to feel like a older brother and you are a perfect younger brother to me!... hahaha alright alright, here"

"Yep,i know you like to play chess. this is a chess game made of precious gemstones....c'mon you should accept this and...you know me well. Yes I collected some souls in the supernatural underground in exchange of this but that demon was greedy...your welcome Aoba, you are my best friend and the queen I sweared loyalty. You deserve this"

Natsume's voice lines

"Aoba sweetie happy birthday!...uh? Hahaha no of course! Do you seriously think i'm so irresponsible to give you a cursed objet?....yeah I guess You have reason...just a bit about that"

"yeah, you said non objets but not potions, this is a fertility potion for the day you finally overcome the little Hiko and want to have your own kid...shit I made him angry...before you burn me to ashes Aoba I have another gift to you!"

"is this...yeah is a ring but it's not exactly for you and about the meaning well...I have some news to you and after have been a few of visions.... i'm not going to tell you nothing but apparently Freya,Eros and Aphrodite will to having fun with you and Aizen myō-ō surely could join to them.... that's better.... hahaha I hearded that and I told you...love amd sex gods seems to be especially intereseted on Yamamura family"

[thewingedwolf]

okay i’ve watched a few seasons now, and i’m about to move into pre-new era seasons so-

that do or die twist is so unserious omg

i know big brother has gaslighting, spying, & manipulating too but these people just straight up going through each other’s bags is so funny, they all talk about lifelong friendships but they also don’t give a FUCK lmao

(none of these are in any order, just top 4)

faves in 41: shan, xander, erika, evvie

faves in 42: maryanne, romeo, lindsay, drea

faves in 43: i did not watch; i’ve seen the discourse around this season and i simply Don’t want to feel pain like this so i put it off for now

faves in 44: i did not watch; like purely because of the nonsense going on with carson aksjdjd i might genuinely go back to this one later

faves in 45: kaleb, kellie, jake. why did i only list 3 people? bc genuinely it’s a four way tie between dee katurah julie and emily, like this was an amazing season for women. also, the hottest season.

i think it says a lot about me that one of my favorites three seasons in a row was a zero vote finalist aksjdjd personally i think this means one of my faves this season is gonna be one too, i’m guessing venus or q

shan making dx hum her betrayal theme song on the challenge usa is so much funnier with context bc she LITERALLY hummed it out loud while thinking about how she’d have to betray one of her besties aksjsj the nerve of that woman is insane i love her

the way i got so excited for deshawn to make a comeback in that lil chicken & veggies alliance only for him to truth kamikaze his way through that tribal is just…..i actually had to walk away from my tv my secondhand embarrassment was so bad

i think it’s a lot different when you know who is going to win because i went in paying attention to erika and really vibing with her but i get the impression no one was expecting her to win the way that a lot of people thought maryanne would win over everyone else in f5.

that said, i think 41 was my favorite bc i love when people are smart but also canNot keep their mouths shut, these people were so gossipy and got soooo heated with each other, but i didn’t hate anyone, i was rooting for everyone, like i was riveted i had fun.

i literally keep replaying that “do i believe that? no i do not,” moment between naseer and heather on loop in my mind it was soooo funny aksjsjs

xander scruffy looking…….i would fold so fast i’m afraid 😔

that said, i had to walk away during some of his answers for the final tribal because he is just so sweet but he is SO unaware i was HURTING even with evvie and ricard clearing trying to lead him to an answer, it took like four false starts for him to name a good social read and everyone to nod and go “oh yeah that one makes sense”

drea’s comedic timing is unparalleled. i have never laughed that loud at a reality tv contestant, her voice is just so expressive. yes i’m talking about the potato line she is funnier than every comedian on netflix to me

that season had me screaming every episode it was really fun to watch and maryanne just like. sparkles. she’s enchanting.

i hope jonathan [redacted for legal reasons]

austin is so sexy to me because he really just laid down and died so his super hot girlfriend could win a million dollars, that’s the perfect man

actually i’d like to say it again. hottest cast. austin & dee was just pretty on pretty. jake is adorable. kellie. katurah. emily. kaleb. hottest cast by far.

i’ve been listening to know it alls & why blank lost just to get a feel for strategy and i’m excited to get through older seasons to see gameplay without so many twists because yeah there’s like a LOT of them esp in 41. it’s funny listening to them all bitch about this constantly tho. also interested in eventually watching a season without fire making - the next group i’m looking at are david v goliath, heroes v healers v hustlers, millennials v gen x, and gamechangers. might flip around a bit before i land on one tho.