#just know this is like how they reunite again

[ugly-bug-starscream]

my friend @edd-drawsyo introduced me to epic the musical and they said the song “would you fall in love with me again” is our tfone au skystar and..,.. I’m screaming and crying I’m so—

[mv1simp]

Agora Hills ♥️

Max Verstappen x Midsize!Reader

heavily requested part 2 to cuffing szn! Can also be read as stand alone/on its own too 😌😌

kissing, i hope they caught us, whether they like it or not (i wanna show you off, i wanna tie the knot)

Your sweet boyfriend, Max Verstappen, is a lot bigger than you are, and a lot stronger too. You know firsthand - when he uses it time and time again to prove how your curves are the perfect size for him, both in the bedroom and out of it. Your insecurities don't stand a chance against his protectiveness. This tough season, though, you want take control and look after him, and take all of his tension away. You might have underestimated just how strong Max is though...

content includes: 18+ MDNI, smut, size kink, dom!max, reader who tries to be a dom but fails lol, overstimulation kink, brief mention of eating disorder, WC 4k

Filing your patient’s notes back in place, you warmly say your goodbyes to the nurses and make your way to the carpark. You loved your work as a doctor in women's health, truly you did - it was even how you’d met your loving boyfriend, Max, when you’d delivered his sister Victoria’s baby. But it had been a very trying week with numerous complex births and anxious new parents. On top of that, your sweet boyfriend, who’d normally take all your stress away in the evenings by breaking you apart with his strong hands and then putting you back together again, had been away for the past month on back to back race weekends.

So you’re very excited because he’s finally flown back into Monaco today, and you can’t wait to get home and see him. Tossing your Hermés bag - a one year anniversary present from Max - into the passenger seat, you slam on the accelerator and speed to his downtown penthouse that you’d recently moved into. Your dainty heels click against the hardwood floor as you walk down the hallway, curiously looking around the living room and pouting when you don’t spot him lounging on the sofa or back on his sim. Frowning, you think he must not have arrived yet - but then you spot the open French doors on the balcony.

Eagerly walking through them, your suspicions are confirmed when you see your boyfriend comfortable dressed in a hoodie and sweats, intently watching something on his phone and oblivious to the outside world. When he hears your excited Maxie! his thick neck snaps up, focused expression morphing into one of pure adoration as he swiftly stands up from the outdoor chaise and steps towards you. Schatje! he beams, broad arms opening to meet your running figure and easily picking you up to bury him face in your neck. You laugh delightedly, finally reunited with your golden retriever of a boyfriend. Missed you so much, pretty girl, Max murmurs, his deep voice muffled as he presses soft kisses all over your neck and chubby cheeks. Did you finish work early? Sorry, I got distracted, I was going to come pick you up.

You sigh contently, feeling some of stress of the past couple weeks leaving your tense figure just from your boyfriend’s warm and secure embrace. Max supports your full weight when you wrap your soft thighs around his toned waist, your YSL heels slipping off and landing on the ground. Not as much as I missed you, you promise, your small palms running across those ridiculously broad shoulders to gently tug at his soft locks. He draws back just enough to let your plush lips meet his, the pair of you smiling into the sweet kiss. You’re well on your way to a steamy make out when the ringtone of Max’s phone interrupts the mood. You pout as Max reluctantly pulls away, scowling when he sees his boss’s name flash on the screen. When he doesn’t bother answering the call, turning back to you instead, you curiously ask if he was going to get that.

Max firmly tells you absolutely not, I have much more important things I’d rather be doing as he carries you inside. He sets you down gently on the soft bed, moving to cover your much smaller frame underneath him as he grins down at your flushed face, his display of strength never failing to get your heart fluttering. Things like taking good care of my pretty girlfriend like she deserves, hmm?

Distantly, you hear his phone ringing again but it’s once again ignored as he leans down, desire clear in his gorgeous blue eyes. As much as you would rather resume your makeout session (and wow, did it take a lot of self control for you to pause this), you place a hand to his broad chest to gently halt him. He pauses, confused, and you tilt your head and ask if everything was okay, he normally would never miss Horner’s calls?

Max rolls his eyes at the mention of his boss’s name, flopping down next to you with his head propped up against a large palm. He grunts out that Horner had been up his ass for no reason lately, waffling and trying to skirt around the issue when Max had been very clear that the goddamn car was the issue this season.

Your boyfriend’s angled jaw clenches as he says this, his expression turning stormy as his mind wandered someplace else. You’re perplexed, as normally your boyfriend was a bit of a yapper - something you adored about him - and could easily complain to you for hours about anything troubling him. You feel a bit guilty as you may have taken a bit of a backseat this month given how rare a bad outcome was for Max’s races. You’d known that this season hadn’t been as stellar but assumed it would all smooth out - but by the looks of it, it clearly hadn’t, and you knew Max took his racing career extremely seriously and wouldn’t repeatedly avoid calls from Horner without good reason.

You sweetly apologise to Max for being so out of it, a worried expression on your face, especially since he had always been so attentive and caring to your needs. Especially last year when you’d been struggling with an eating disorder when fans had made vicious, jealous comments about your curvy figure once your relationship had gone public.

Max’s gaze softens as he looks down at your guilty brown doe eyes, his hand coming up to brush against yours which was resting on his stubbled cheek. His heart swells at seeing how cute you were trying so hard to make sure he was feeling okay. Oh, schatje, he croons, leaning down to lovingly kiss your adorably scrunched brows. Don’t worry, you always take such good care of me whenever I need it. It’s just the same old cycle of racing drama. Besides, things at the hospital were really hectic this month, right?

You try to protest the change in topic, wanting to bring it back to him, but then he’s sliding his tongue in to explore your mouth and you’re rather distracted, especially when his fingers trail up your fitted skirt. Your ass looks amazing in this, Max groans against your ear, his cheeks lightly dusted in pink despite his bold words, telling you he liked you in it so much he almost didn’t want to take it off. You giggle at that, coyly telling him he didn’t have to and guiding his hand to slide the skirt up over your thick hips, making his cheeks flush from your tempting show. Grinning wickedly, Max shamelessly lets his hungry gaze wander all over your curvy figure before he makes good on his earlier promise to take good care of his pretty girlfriend.

Really, there was no better stress relief than your boyfriend bending you in half, you think satisfactorily that evening when you and Max are out with friends for dinner. He catches your eye as you stretch your neck, your muscles pleasantly relaxed after a month of wound up tension. When he smirks at you over his G&T you flush, knowing he was probably thinking about how he’d had you in several different positions just a couple of hours earlier. Quickly joining the conversation on your right, you hope your friends don’t notice the heat rising to your cheeks everytime Max’s blue eyes meet yours. You two had been dating for over a year now, so you had no idea how he could still make you feel shy and flustered after an hour (or two) in bed.

Still, you hadn’t forgotten about your earlier conversation with your boyfriend, where you’d made it clear you wanted to support him more. Over the next couple of weeks, whenever you’d ask him about it, he’d open up a bit but you still noticed a frustrated edge to his behaviour. You tried to talk to him about it, of course, with a soft hand against his swollen bicep to sweetly murmur that you would always support him and ask how the latest debrief had been, was there anything you could do to help? You offered to cook his favourite dinner, or give him space to spend hours on his sim and practise, or personally go to headquarters right now and give Horner a peace of your mind for stressing out your talented boyfriend-

Max laughed, head tilted back and lips pulled into an adorable smile. You paused your rant to enjoy the sound of his genuine laughter, looking at him fondly as it never failed to make your heart race. But he’d still evade your inquiring questions and countless offers to do more, as your need to do more for Max the way he always supported you grew over the next month. For all his yapping, your boyfriend was very much an action man where it truly mattered.

So you made sure to attend his next race, rescheduling a few work commitments and joining him aboard his private jet to fly out to Singapore. He'd protested initially, of course, telling you that you didn't need to add more stress to your busy workload for his sake, but you'd firmly told him there was no where you'd rather be that weekend than by his side. And you remained steadfastly dedicated throughout the free practice and qualifying, diligently observing the team dynamics and Max's mood in response so you could debrief with him in the evenings, letting him yap about it to his heart's content. You made sure to give him space when he needed it or rub a soothing arm over his thick shoulders when he tensed, knowing how physical touch was your boyfriend's love language.

On race day, you arrived stylishly dressed in a House of CB floral corset dress and dainty heeled sandals that perfectly matched the weather. Smiling from behind your sunglasses at the multiple paparazzi and fan cameras clicking at you, you confidently walked alongside your boyfriend with your small hand in his much larger one. The pair of you made for a rather romantic sight with the large height difference, going viral on many a Pinterest board for your couple aesthetic. Of course, you'd learnt the hard way about how quickly public attention could burn someone badly with the hate comments you'd received about your weight or height from jealous fans when you two first went public. Although they had never stopped occurring, only increasing as you and Max stayed together, you had gotten far better at tuning them out. And it seemed your attentive boyfriend hadn't forgotten about it, either, judging by how his grip tightened around your delicate fingers and he protectively pulls you into his side when more paparrazi join the storm.

You're quick to reassure him, telling him how happy you were to be here, wanting him to focus on his race and knowing how guilty he would sometimes feel when reminded of how much his public career negatively affects those he loved. Besides, baby, you wink at him as he's about to buckle his helmet on in the driver's room, You know I hate to miss a chance to see you all worked up and sweaty in those slutty fireproofs!

Successfully diverted, your boyfriend now groans embarrassedly at your words, rolling his eyes but not being able to hide the cute blush that appears on his cheeks or his affectionate smile. He leans down to press a gentle kiss to your forehead, his chest warming at the sound of your happy giggles at his reaction. He can't resist pressing a kiss to your lips then, instead, making you promise you would stay safely in the garage the whole race. Of course, Maxie, you reassured, knowing he didn't need the worry of you encountering the occasional nasty fan adding to his stress. I'll be right here, I promise.

Once the race starts, you're asking yourself why on earth you weren't attending them more regularly, because the sight of Max expertly navigating the track never failed to make you hot and bothered. The high Singaporean temperatures only added to the heat on your face as you heard your boyfriend's normally gentle tone turn into a confident, demanding voice over the team radio. The race was a great one, with the Dutch Lion aggressively fighting his way to P2, making you clap your hands in excitement as he crossed the finish line.

Afterwards, his garage crew guided you to the podium, where Max's blue eyes sparkled warmly at you in the front row, as you laughed with delight, buzzing exctedly. You knew he had been raised to firmly believe only P1 mattered but since you'd begun dating him, you'd made it clear that he was always a strong champion and racer to you regardless of his position. You greeted him as he descended from the podium, beaming up at him as he took you into his strong arms to give you a passionate kiss, your heels lifting off the ground. Cameras clicked around the loving scene, but for once Max didn't mind, content in the feeling of you wrapping your arms around his broad shoulders to whisper how amazing his performance had been!

Setting you down, he took your smaller frame against his with his muscular arm across your shoulder, guiding you away from the crowd. He relaxes a bit closer to the safety of the garage, now answering some reporter's questions as they eagerly question him. He swears he'd taken his eyes off you for only a minute, but suddenly you're not at his side, and he immediately spins around mid interview to look for you. You're only a few meters away, chatting away to one of the news outlets. The reporter holding the microphone balks nervously when a angry looking, 6 foot blonde Dutch appears behind you, looking the very picture of a guard dog with his suspicious glare to the cameraman.

Noticing your boyfriend's intimidating presence, you welcome him into the conversation, saying you'd just been explaining how proud you were seeing him race, the turn into corner eight and when he'd overtaken the Mercedes with DRS were your favourite moments! The reporter hastily nodded, wiping away nervous beads of sweat as he confirmed Yes, yes, we were just discussing the race highlights, and many of our viewers were also eager to know who had styled your lovely girlfriend today, we had many fans hoping to buy the same outfit...?

Oh, Max says, softening his icy glare. Fine. My girlfriend is very beautiful, after all, I can see why those watching would want to have her style. Which she picks out, herself, by the way, no stylist or anything, he adds almost smugly. You giggle cutely at his overprotective antics, leaning in when he presses a kiss to the top of your head and stays by your side. Pinterest goes crazy that evening with the picture of your boyfriend adoringly gazing down at you, his muscled arm curled around your waist, as he listens to you animatedly explain your outfit to the reporter.

On the flight back home, he'd taken your smaller hand in his again, gently stroking it and avoiding your questioning gaze as he softly murmured that It had been hard, with work recently, and he'd loved having you there as a good luck charm. His cheeks are flushed again as he confesses, almost shyly, pressing a kiss to the back of your hand and looking down at your intertwined fingers instead of at your beaming face. He was grateful you'd come, knowing how hard it was to get out of work and also deal with the media circus. His words sounded dangerously close to guilty territory and you sit up immediately, pressing into him so that he finally looks up at you.

Not at all, Maxie you insisted, firmly telling him that the actual hard part had been trying to keep your hands off him, did he have any idea how insanely hot he'd looked when warming up with his trainer this week and boxing shirtless? I had to remind myself that this was technically your place of work and take a cold shower, you continue, enjoying seeing him erupt into laughter at your own confession. He'd slyly suggested that the race weekend was over and, well, maybe it was time to for you to finally join the the mile high club?

Your boyfriend always seemed to know how to make you flustered and you lose any upper hand you had immediately, gasping from his suggestive words and unable to meet his heated stare. Max! Wh-what if someone sees? you whisper nervously, to which Max laughs and tells you he'll just have to have you have you here on his lap then, where no one would notice. The cabin is already empty, giving you two complete privacy and Max doesn't hesitate to make the most of it. He uses the strong arms you'd been admiring to easily bounce you on his cock, the both of you still half dressed. You're completely powerless in his firm grip, eyes rolling in bliss as his large hands leave bruises over your hips from the intensity. You’re desperately trying to keep quiet and Max smirks at this, giving you another wicked thrust at just the right angle so you let out a squeal. You whine from his mean teasing and have to bite down on his shoulder to muffle your satisfied moans as he makes you cum on his cock, leaving a creamy white ring around the base. Afterwards, as he presses a loving kiss to your head as you fall asleep leaning against his shoulder, you can't help but pout over how little control you seem to have over Max in the bedroom as he uses his strength to control the pace. How were you ever going to make him go mindless and relaxed for once?

Of course, the drama continues with work well after Singapore, even though there was a month's break before the next race. Max's schedule is packed with meetings and discussions and debriefs on how to secure the WDC title again this year, and you make sure to keep an attentive eye on him. But to your frustration, you note Max is withdrawing again, turning down your offers to talk his frustrations through or let you take care of him for once. So after you’d already gifted him the latest e-sim racing game, and cooked his favourite foods for dinner, you naturally offered another one of your boyfriend’s favourite things - you.

When he returned from a late strategy meeting he’d had to fly out for, jaw tense and frustration evident on his face, he immediately felt himself start to unwind when he opened the front door of your shared apartment. The delicious smell of roast chicken and potatoes wafted out to the hallway, and he smiled as he walked towards the corner, knowing you must be in the kitchen from the Doja Cat song blasting that you hummed along too. Kissing and I hope they caught us, whether they like it or not...

Jimmy and Sassy, Max's cats, rubbed their tails along your freshly shaved and moisturised legs as you started cutting up the chicken you’d baked. Giggling at their demanding antics, you turn to kneel down and give them a small piece each, whispering that they had to promise they wouldn’t tell Max. An amused chuckle makes you startle and look up to see your boyfriend watching you, leaning against the counter. The tips of his ears go pink as he takes in your angelic white mini dress, its sweetheart neckline and tight waist with flowy skirt showing off your hourglass figure.

Maxie! You greet him excitedly, making his gaze wander when your tits press up against his firm chest when he bends down to let you kiss his cheek. You smelt so addictive, too, like honey and vanilla that he wanted to bury his face in and never leave. You excitedly show him what you’d made for dinner, stepping back and telling him to go take a shower while you finished up. And after he’d eaten your delicious cooking, groaning and telling you how much he missed it when away, you coyly smile and say you’d forgotten to make dessert but if he didn’t mind you had something sweeter you could give him?

The blush returns to Max’s face now as you lean him to give him a deep kiss before settling in between his thick thighs, spread wide apart. Within a few seconds you've pulled his impressive semi out of his sweats and are teasingly jerking him off, letting his leaking tip press against your chubby cheeks. It's a sight that never fails to drive your boyfriend wild and he groans when you swirl your wicked tongue over his sensitive head, one hand still pumping his shaft as you sweetly bat your wide, doe eyes up at him. He can see the curve of your plump ass on the floor peeking out as your white minidress rises up your soft thighs. You take him into your drooling mouth fully, eagerly deepthroating him and placing sloppy kisses along his length when you pull back to take a breath. Fuck, schat, it’s so fucking good, I’m not gonna last- Max swears above you, deep moans rumbling in his chest from your worship of him tonight, his blushing face thrown back into the sofa with pleasure as he threads his hands into your dark curls to softly tug at them. Pleased with yourself, thinking you'd finally gotten him to let go and relax, to let you take care of him for once, you jerk him off, your pink tongue darting out eagerly to catch his hot cum-

But your boyfriend has other plans, apparently, because suddenly he's leaning down and pulling you into his lap. You gasp at the unexpected movement, your hands automatically going around his broad shoulders. He kisses your protests away, leaving you whining that he should let you finish, you wanted to make him feel good, Maxie-

He cuts you off with a low groan against your lips, whispering you that you'd done such a good job, sweet girl, and now he wanted to eat dessert properly. And you hadn't been able to protest any longer because soon enough he had you sprawled across the soft sofa, moaning his name blissfully as he ate you out to completion. Always taste so damn sweet for me, schat he huskily murmurs against your soaked core, strong hand pressing on your soft tummy to hold you down. His blue eyes are trained on your flushed face as his deep, rumbling voice sends sparks shooting in between your legs. He then sends you into another head pounding orgasm when he sinks inside your inviting walls, whispering that it was never going to stop being the most addicting feeling he'd felt.

Face flushed from his generous praise, you desperately hold onto the cushions behind you as Max fucks you into the sofa. You plead with him to let you ride him, Maxie please, let me take care of you too-

Your boyfriend’s blue eyes darken at your request. Schatje, he croons into your ear, I wasn’t clear enough, hmm? The best fucking feeling in the world is having your tight pussy take my whole cock like this, letting me fuck all the stress away. He accentuates each word with a deep thrust, making you squeal and moan endlessly. So you stay right where you belong, sweetheart. Underneath me, taking all of me like a good girl, okay?

Your eyes widen at his dominating tone, your cunny clenching excitedly around his length at the thought of your normally sweet boyfriend using your body like a ragdoll to release his stress. you nod frantically, babbling that you’ll be so so good Maxie, you promise! Max grins wickedly at your teary expression, giving you a passionate kiss as he fucks you with full strength, not holding back as he drives you into a third dizzying orgasm. He’s not done, though, and your drooling pussy twitches from the overstimulation, making you moan weakly that it was too much, you couldn’t handle another one. Oh, we’re not stopping till I say so, schatje Max murmurs against your throat, making his way down to your bouncing tits and taking a swollen nipple into his hungry mouth. You promised to be a good girl, remember? This time you’re gonna squirt all over my cock.

—————————————————————————

A/N: thank you all sm for all the love and support for cuffing szn, i am absolutely here for the midsize girlies and glad you all enjoyed it so much!! Nothing like big boyfriend Max to get us going 😏 Hope part 2 is also good thank u for waiting so long for it xx lmk what u think!

[downbad4sylus]

“Come to drug my girlfriend again?”

synopsis: Sylus hates Caleb, Caleb hates Sylus. That’s it, that’s the fic.

content: sylus x afab!reader; use of Y/N; established relationship; caleb cameo; caleb acts like caleb; mentions of being drugged; general angst; mostly proofread

word count: ~3.4k

a/n: i’m a sylus girlie through and through but caleb intrigues the absolute shit out of me. including his perspective in this was very interesting and i hope i did his character justice. also, i feel that based on what sylus said in his main story, he knows that caleb is/has been alive and what he’s been up to, and caleb being involved with ever and knowing MC’s whereabouts in the N109 zone, know who sylus is. this fic operates under that assumption

The only person you’d told about your mission to Skyhaven was Sylus. And now, having returned from the harrowing journey—after being reunited with your childhood best friend Caleb, who you thought was dead—Sylus was the only person you wanted to see.

Your boyfriend had been keeping tabs on you the best he could while you were gone, using his contacts in Skyhaven to relay information. But he had to be careful not to tip off anyone from the Farspace Fleet lest it ruin your cover, or worse, get you hurt. The second you texted him you were coming home, however, he stopped everything he was doing, hopped on his bike, and sped straight for your apartment.

Sylus was there when you walked through the door, hauling you into his arms and hugging you so tightly you could hardly breathe. It didn’t phase you anymore to find him in your apartment, knowing he had no problem coming and going as he pleased.

“Miss me?” you teased, whispering in his ear.

He huffed. “Not in the least,” he said, hugging you tighter.

“Sy, I love you, but I can’t breathe.”

Finally his gripped loosened enough that you could breathe normally again. You pushed back, hands on his shoulders, and just admired his face after not having seen it for quite some time.

“Enjoying the view?” Sylus asked.

You smiled. “I always do.” You placed a chaste kiss on his lips. “I did miss you though.”

He smiled that soft smile reserved only for you, and you melted at the sight. “I missed you too.”

“I have a lot to tell you, but I’d like to change first if you don’t mind,” you said. “Wait for me on the couch?”

“Of course, take your time, I’m not going anywhere.”

Reluctantly, Sylus lowered you to the ground.

You quickly changed into more comfortable clothes and joined Sylus on the couch, where he pulled you into his lap, the need to hold you far too strong for him to ignore.

“So,” he began, fingers brushing along your back, “where do you want to start?”

You sucked in a deep breath, the words weighing heavily on your tongue, as if saying them aloud will finally make the truth sink in. “Um, I don’t know how else to say this so, it turns out Caleb is alive. Has been this whole time.”

Sylus’s expression remained neutral. “You saw him while you were up there?”

You nodded. “He’s the Farspace Fleet’s Colonel, and he’s…not the same as I remember him.”

Sylus brushed a strand of hair out of your face, his fingers grazing your cheek. “Tell me.”

You launched into your story, detailing everything that happened, from investigating the bombing site undercover to the first interview with Caleb, the switch in personality from Colonel to best friend, to staying with him in his home, visiting Mia in the hospital and running into Zayne, finding Kevi and the Aether Core in his possession.

Talking about the night you were supposed to retrieve Kevi and bring him to Zayne, you got a bit choked up. Having to voice what happened, what you had been in denial about but knew you needed to admit, was perhaps the most difficult of all.

“I wasn’t feeling well that day,” you said, “and before I ‘went to bed,’ Caleb gave me some medicine to help.” You averted your gaze. “All of a sudden, I was so exhausted I couldn’t keep my eyes open, and I ended up falling asleep before I even realized it.”

Sylus tensed beneath you, the unspoken pieces slowly clicking into place.

“Sy…I think Caleb… I think he may have drugged me.”

The betrayal was still raw, maybe more painful now that you’d said it aloud for the first time since it happened.

Abruptly, Sylus removed you from his lap, placing you gently onto the couch before rising and heading straight for the door.

Confused, and perhaps a little desperate, you grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks. “Sylus, where are you going?”

Without turning to you he said with such lethal calm a shiver went down your spine, “I’m going to visit Skyhaven and have a chat with the Colonel.”

You snapped to your feet, wrapping both your arms around Sylus’s. “Sy, please, you can’t.”

He looked at you, fury blazing like an inferno in his red eyes. “He drugged you, Y/N,” he snarled. “That cannot go unpunished.”

While you greatly appreciated Sylus’s well-placed protectiveness, your feelings were still a jumbled mess when it came to Caleb. But you knew one thing, you didn’t want him to get hurt, and you certainly didn’t want Sylus to be the one hurting him.

You shook your head, voicing your thoughts aloud. “I don’t want you to hurt him. I know what he did was wrong, and please believe when I say I’m furious about it too, but he’s important to me, Sy. I thought he was dead and I just got him back, we both need to be a little more forgiving than usual, for my sake.”

Sylus was conflicted. The instinct to protect was near overwhelming, but truly the last thing he ever wanted to do was upset you. And killing hurting your beloved childhood best friend would do far more than just upset you.

So he tamped down his instincts and relaxed in your grip. “Fine.”

You breathed a sigh of a relief. “Thank you.”

“But if I have the displeasure of meeting him, I will be saying something,” Sylus said, leaving no room for negotiation.

“Okay, I can live with that,” you agreed. You pulled him back down onto the couch. “I have more to tell you, will you sit and listen this time?”

He shot you a withering look. “Yes, sweetie.”

So you finished your story, telling him about the strange man named Viper, how you found Caleb with the oddly-behaving Kevi and “the Professor,” and your departure that felt like you’d left with more unfinished business than when you’d first arrived.

Sylus kept his word and sat, giving you his full attention despite the fact that his anger still simmered in his veins. He certainly shared your sentiment regarding unfinished business, this was not the first or last time he was going to hear about Caleb. He just hoped he wouldn’t have to kill the Colonel should he cross that line with you, something he was wisely keeping to himself.

—

It’d be two weeks since you’d returned from Skyhaven. You’d spent a fair amount of it with Sylus, trying to make up for the time spent apart.

Caleb was always in the back of your mind, though, and the two of you had shared brief conversations over text during that time. You were still wrapping your head around the fact that Caleb was back in your life, albeit in a much different role than he’d once had.

You were eternally grateful to have Sylus by your side, he was the solid ground you so desperately needed to stand on right now, and he was more than happy to be that for you.

He was with you currently, the two of you settling in for a night-in at your apartment. You’d ordered take-out and were patiently waiting for the food to be delivered so you could start the movie you’d carefully chosen.

Lounging on the couch with your head in Sylus’s lap, you scrolled mindlessly through your phone, flipping it to show him silly posts every now and then. The sense of comfort that overwhelmed you, having such an innocuous night with your boyfriend, was a welcome reprieve to the constant anxiety plaguing you these past two weeks.

The sound of your doorbell cut through the tranquil atmosphere.

You and Sylus locked eyes, the same look of confusion on both of your faces. It wasn’t like the delivery person hadn’t shown up at your door before, but it was certainly unusual considering your instructions said to leave the food in the lobby.

Sylus lightly patted the top of your head. “I’ll get it.”

You lifted your upper body enough for Sylus to slide out from under you and promptly lay back down to resume your scrolling.

You listened as Sylus walked to, and opened your door, then felt rather than heard the pregnant pause before your boyfriend spoke.

“Well, if it isn’t the Colonel of the Farspace Fleet. Come to drug my girlfriend again?”

A myriad of emotions flickered in Caleb’s eyes. Surprise. Recognition. Fury. Regret. Guilt. But Caleb was well versed in handling difficult situations, and had no problem slipping on a mask of charisma, while inside he was positively seething.

You bolted for the door.

“Y/N didn’t mention having a boyfriend when she was in Skyhaven,” Caleb said cheerfully.

You skidded to a halt behind Sylus, panic icing your veins seeing your childhood best friend unexpectedly at your door, holding your bag of take-out in one hand, having a death-glare competition with your boyfriend.

“I didn’t exactly have the time to mention it, Caleb,” you said, trying to cut through the thick tension in the air. “You didn’t tell me you were stopping by, or that you stole our dinner.”

Caleb shrugged. “I was in the area, figured I’d drop in and see what you were up to.” His gaze flicked to Sylus before returning to you. “If you wanted pork ribs you know you could’ve just asked me, right pip-squeak?”

Sylus went rigid at the pet name.

You held back a groan, instead politely asking, “Why don’t you come in so I can properly introduce you?”

Sylus hated that you said that.

Caleb loved that you did.

“Sure, wouldn’t want your dinner to get cold standin’ out in the hall all night,” Caleb said.

You pulled Sylus away from the door to allow Caleb entry. Having the two men, both broad and tall, taking up the entryway made this situation all the more suffocating.

You swiped the take-out from Caleb’s hand, grabbed Sylus’s, and dragged him with you to the kitchen with Caleb following close behind.

Placing the bag on the counter, you whirled to face your childhood best friend, far more nervous than you should’ve been to introduce your boyfriend for the first time. Neither of you had had significant others to introduce before, in fact you pretended to be Caleb’s girlfriend in college so the girls would leave him alone. But since Caleb was gone, you could no longer interfere with each other’s love lives…

You cleared your throat. “Caleb, this is Skye, my boyfriend. Skye, this is Caleb, my best friend from childhood.”

Caleb’s eyes darkened in a way that was still unfamiliar to you but not foreign, and a wolfish grin spread over his lips. “Y/N,” he drawled, his voice dropping, “you know you can’t lie to me.”

You froze, Sylus’s fingers tightening around yours. “What are you talking about?”

Caleb looked languidly at Sylus. “You know as well as I do his name isn’t Skye.” The dark look vanished from his eyes as they settled on you, instead reflecting a deep concern. “Can we go talk, pip?”

“Absolutely not,” Sylus snarled. “She isn’t going anywhere with you.”

You gave Caleb your back to face Sylus who was glaring menacingly at the Colonel. You reached up and cupped his cheek. “Sy.” His gaze snapped to yours, softening slightly. “I’m going to go talk to him.”

He would never deny you anything, nor tell you what you could or couldn’t do. You were your own person, who could make your own choices, even if he emphatically disagreed. He knew you could handle yourself, but this supposed childhood best friend had already drugged you once, and Sylus did not want to find out what else he was willing to do.

Sylus’s brow buckled. “Sweetie, please. I don’t trust him.”

Caleb scoffed.

You shot him a glare over your shoulder.

“I know you don’t,” you said to Sylus, stroking his cheek, “but I need you to trust me.”

He did, wholeheartedly.

With a resigned sigh, Sylus dipped his head, brushing his lips along your temple before whispering in your ear, “I’ll be watching, just call for me if you need help.”

You turned your head and kissed his cheek. “I will, I promise.”

Squeezing his hand and flashing him your most reassuring smile, your attention shifted to Caleb, who stood there looking as murderous as Sylus had when he’d opened your apartment door.

“Caleb,” you snapped, breaking him out of his trance. “Let’s go.”

—

You and Caleb didn’t go far, opting to sit off to the side on the steps leading into your apartment complex. Perched on the branch of a nearby tree was Mephisto, his ruby red eyes trained intently on you as Sylus watched from inside.

“Okay,” you said, “what did you want to talk about?”

Caleb angled his body toward you, grabbing your hands as if they were the most delicate things in the world. “Y/N, what are you thinking?” he asked, that same concern from earlier bleeding into his voice. “You know who he is, don’t you?”

“Of course I do,” you said.

His gaze hardened slightly. “You know and yet you’re still with him? The leader of Onychinus? Do you have any idea the things he’s done, the things he’s capable of?”

You snatched your hands away from him, your temper flaring. What right did he have to question you like this? He didn’t get to come back into your life after almost a year of thinking he was gone forever and just tell you what to do.

“I am well aware of what Sylus has done and what he is capable of,” you nearly growled. “But I know who he is at his core and in his heart. That is what’s important to me, that is the man I fell in love with.”

Love. You were in love with this guy?

Caleb’s face fell and a wave of guilt crashed over you.

You took his right hand in yours, saying much softer, “Just because someone does bad things doesn’t mean they’re a bad person. You of all people should understand that.”

“I was just trying to protect you,” Caleb whispered, the pain in his voice clear as he stared at your hands. “All I want is to make sure you’re safe.”

“I know Caleb,” you murmured, trying to catch his gaze. “I’m safe with Sylus.”

Caleb shook his head, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, because he couldn’t believe it. He was the only one who could protect you and keep you safe. He was the only one you were supposed to love. How could he let another man—the leader of Onychinus, no less—come into your life and take you from him? He knew he was gone for a year but he was back now, who else did you need but him?

But Caleb also knew that eliminating this new threat in the form of your current boyfriend wouldn’t be as easy as he wanted it to. You clearly cared for this guy—loved him even—so he’d have to continue playing the long game lest he ruin any chance he had left to be with you.

You sucked in a deep breath, then blew it out slowly. “Look Caleb, I want you in my life, you’re my best friend, but we need to have some boundaries, okay?”

“Boundaries?” Caleb echoed, his brows pinching. “Since when have we ever had boundaries?”

“Since now,” you responded firmly. “You can’t just show up at my door without saying anything. I’m happy to have you over, but we have to plan it first.”

He nodded, a spark igniting in his eyes. He could do that. If it made you happy, then he would do it for you. “Okay, easy, done. Anythin’ else you got for me?”

You couldn’t help the small smile lifting the corners of your lips. It was so much easier with him when he acted like his old self. You missed this Caleb.

“I need you to get along with Sylus, for my sake,” you said, squeezing his hand. “Put aside whatever pissing contest I know you two already have because I don’t want my best friend and my boyfriend hating each other’s guts.”

Caleb’s expression didn’t falter despite the rage he felt boiling in his blood. “That goes both ways ya know,” he said with a rather disarming grin. “You’ll have to talk to your boyfriend about that too.”

It physically hurt Caleb to call Sylus that cursed word, but he had an award-worthy performance to put on if he ever hoped to replace the Onychinus leader as the only thing he’d ever wanted to be to you.

You rolled your eyes. “Please don’t start.”

He laughed, and though it sounded genuine, it was far more forced than he led on. “Okay, okay,” he conceded. “That it?”

“You sound like you want me to give you more boundaries.”

“You can give me whatever you want, pip-squeak.” Preferably your undying devotion, but he’d work on that.

“Caleb,” you admonished but he merely grinned wider in response. With a sigh, you let go of his hand and pushed yourself to your feet. “I’m glad we had this talk.”

He rose as well, towering over you. “Me too,” he murmured. “I’m happy you want me to be in your life again.”

“I never wanted you to leave it,” you told him earnestly. “And as much as I hate to say this, you better go. My dinner is probably cold by now and I need to go talk to Sylus, alone.”

“Didn’t mean to interrupt dinner,” Caleb quipped. “Seriously though, next time you want pork ribs, just call me, okay?”

You laughed. “All right, all right.” You started pushing him down the steps. “Now go, go. Text me when you’re home so I know you’re safe.”

Caleb’s chest tightened. Despite everything, you still wanted him safe, you still cared about him. He would cling to this like a lifeline.

“Text me when you get upstairs so I know you’re safe,” he shot back, meaning to be playful but coming across more hostile than anything.

You frowned. “I told you already, I’m safe with Sylus.”

He smiled to ease the tension and was relieved when it worked. “Just humor me, ‘kay?”

“Whatever.” You gave him one last shove. “Don’t be a stranger, Caleb.”

“I won’t, pip-squeak, I promise.”

And he had every intention of keeping that promise and then some.

—

Sylus flung open the door before you could even reach for the handle, checking you over with a careful precision, making sure not a hair was out of place.

You patted his shoulders. “I’m okay, Sy, we just talked.”

“I don’t like the way he speaks to you,” Sylus grumbled, not stopping his thorough inspection. “It’s like he thinks you’re his possession or something.”

“You say all the time that I belong to you,” you teased.

He cut you a fierce glare. “That’s different, I don’t treat you as though you’re an object for me to claim. You’re a person, Y/N.”

Maybe you were naive, but you didn’t think Caleb thought of you in such a way. You weren’t going to argue about it though. Your date night had been ruined enough, adding a fight into the mix would only further sour your mood and his.

“No, you don’t treat me like that,” you said, knowing he was looking for your reassurance, and you were more than happy to give it because it was the truth.

Sylus visibly relaxed. “You look exhausted.”

“I am exhausted.” You pouted. “I just wanted to spend a quiet night in with you.”

He smoothed your hair as he tucked you close to his chest. “The night’s still young, we have plenty of time to do just that.”

“Our dinner is cold.”

“We can heat it up.”

You wrapped your arms around his waist and peered up at him. “Nothing’s going to change between us just because Caleb’s back. We can talk more about it tomorrow, but I need you to know that.”

He nodded. “I know, sweetie, I wasn’t worried.”

No, Sylus was not worried about you, he was however, incredibly suspicious of what Caleb had in store.

But that was a tomorrow problem, tonight he would give you the date you wanted with no more mention of your childhood best friend.

You nuzzled your face into his chest. “I love you, Sy.”

Sylus kissed the top of your head. “I love you, Y/N.” He drew back, bracing his hands on your hips. “Shall we go warm our dinner?”

You smiled. “Yes please.”

As you trailed behind your boyfriend to the kitchen, you quickly pulled out your phone, firing off a text to Caleb letting him know you were safe.

Still outside your apartment complex, Caleb stared at the notification on his own phone. He kissed the necklace clutched tightly in his hand as a sense of victory washed over him.

[luvfae]

CLEAN, PT 2

summary: after rehab, you reunite with thanos, sharing love, passion, and a fresh start together.

parings: thanos/choi su-bong x f!reader

warnings: mention of addiction, swearing, smut, oral (both receiving), fingering, handjob, unprotected sex (don’t be an idiot), p in v.

part 1

Three months ago, Thanos had dragged you—kicking, screaming, and cursing his name—into the same rehab facility where he had gotten clean.

Today, you were walking out.

With no family to pick you up (Thanos didn’t even know if you had any who cared), he was the one waiting.

Three excruciating months apart. He spent every day wondering if you hated him, if you were okay. But no calls from the facility meant you weren’t doing too bad. Meanwhile, you had spent those months drowning in withdrawal, fighting everyone who tried to help, refusing therapy—until eventually, you gave in. And for the first time in years, you felt normal. You started to remember the girl you used to be before the drugs took her away.

Then came the shame. The time lost. You should’ve graduated from art school by now, but instead, addiction had dictated your life. You regretted cutting off your family, pushing away friends until you had none left. You regretted how you had treated Thanos when all he ever did was try to save you.

And now, standing at the door, your hands trembled. Would anyone even be waiting for you?

Then—

“Y/N.”

You blinked.

Thanos.

You didn’t think. You just ran.

Throwing yourself at him, you hugged him so tightly it knocked the wind out of him. He didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around you.

“Thank you,” you whispered, voice shaking. You pulled back slightly to look at him. “Thank you so much.”

“Don’t thank me,” he murmured, brushing away your tears.

“I didn’t deserve your help,” you admitted, pulling away completely. He caught your hands, grounding you. “I was so awful to you. I’m so, so sorry.”

“I know what it’s like to be an addict,” he replied. “Everyone deserves help.”

Sniffing, you wiped your eyes as he led you to his car.

It was strange. You had known Thanos for nine months, lived with him, had sex with him, and yet… you didn’t really know him. Your brain had been so fried on drugs you barely retained any information.

And Thanos was the same. He had taken care of you, paid for your rehab, seen you at your lowest, and yet he didn’t know who you were.

Maybe it was time to change that.

The car ride was quiet at first. You were still getting used to the feeling of sobriety, of being aware. But as the city passed by through the windows, you glanced at Thanos.

“I used to paint,” you blurted out.

He looked at you. “Yeah?”

You nodded. “Before everything… I loved painting. I was good at it, too. I was supposed to graduate art school a few years ago. Art was my dream.”

Silence settled for a moment before you continued. “I had a good life. A good family. My parents weren’t perfect, but they cared. I had a future. And then I got caught up with the wrong people.” You swallowed. “I let it ruin me.”

Thanos tightened his grip on the wheel. “It’s not too late.”

You let out a small, breathy laugh. “You sound like my therapist.”

“Well, your therapist is right,” he said, glancing at you. “You’re clean now. You can start again.”

You didn’t reply, just watched the city blur past.

“What about you?” you asked. “How did you get into rapping?”

Thanos smirked slightly. “It was either rap or go to jail.”

Your brows furrowed, but you stayed quiet, waiting for him to explain.

“I was a street kid,” he said. “Grew up bouncing between different family members. No real home. I got into some bad shit—gangs, drugs, fights. Ended up locked up a few times as a teenager. But music…” He sighed, tapping his fingers against the wheel. “Music was my way out. I started writing lyrics in juvie. Got out, kept at it, got lucky. Somehow, I made it big.”

You stared at him, realizing this was the first real conversation you’d ever had. “Do you love it?”

Thanos was quiet for a beat. “Yeah. I do.”

You smiled softly. “I’d like to hear your songs sometime. Really hear them. Not just in the background while I’m high out of my mind.”

His lips quirked up. “I’d like that too.”

And for the first time in a long time, you both felt like you were finally getting to know each other.

Thanos had loved you before—loved you in your worst moments, through the chaos, the anger, the addiction. But this version of you? The version that was bright-eyed, passionate, full of life again? He loved this version even more.

As he stole glances at you in the passenger seat, he really saw you for the first time. Your cheeks had filled out, your skin looked healthier, your eyes were wide and alert instead of hazy and half-lidded. And that smile—soft, genuine, real.

You were beautiful.

He pulled into the driveway, and you blinked, tilting your head.

“This isn’t the place I remember,” you said, glancing up at the massive mansion in front of you.

Thanos shrugged. “Bought a new house while you were gone.” He put the car in park and looked over at you. “Wanted to leave the bad memories behind and make good ones here instead.”

You let out a small laugh. “House? More like a mansion.”

Thanos smirked, pushing open his door. “Being rich and famous has its perks.”

You stepped out after him, following him inside. The space was opulent—high ceilings, sleek furniture, stunning artwork lining the walls. You turned in slow circles, taking it all in.

“I’ll donate them to charity,” Thanos said.

You glanced at him, confused. “What?”

“The paintings,” he clarified. “I’d rather have your art on my walls.”

Your cheeks burned, and you ducked your head, kicking at the floor. “I haven’t picked up a paintbrush in years,” you admitted. “Not sure I even can anymore.”

Thanos smiled. “I bet you can.”

Before you could argue, he took your hand and led you up the grand staircase, past a few closed doors, before stopping in front of one. He pushed it open, revealing a bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire city.

“This is your room,” he said simply.

You stepped inside, breath catching. It was beautiful. Warm-toned, cozy, welcoming. He walked over to the closet and pulled open the doors, revealing racks of neatly hung designer clothes, tags still on them.

“I even got you a new wardrobe,” he added.

You stared at the clothes, shaking your head. “Thanos, this is too much,” you whispered. “After everything I put you through… You shouldn’t have to take care of me anymore.”

He turned to you, gaze steady. “I want to.”

His words sat heavy between you. No hesitation, no doubt.

For the first time in a long time, you felt happy.

Real, genuine happiness. The kind that made your stomach flip and your heart race.

Or maybe it wasn’t just happiness. Maybe it was something deeper, something terrifying in its intensity.

You stared at him, eyes brimming with tears. “Thank you.” Your voice was barely a whisper, afraid that if you spoke any louder, the moment would shatter.

Thanos met your gaze, unwavering. “You’re welcome.”

You stepped forward hesitantly. “I don’t remember a lot from when I was using,” you admitted. “But I remember you.”

His brows lifted slightly. “What do you remember?”

You swallowed hard. “I remember you force-feeding me when I refused to eat. Flushing my stash down the toilet. I remember screaming in your face, kicking holes in your walls.” A tear slipped down your cheek, but you kept going. “I remember sleeping with strangers, with your friends—right after you told me you loved me.” Your voice cracked. “I was horrible to you. But that wasn’t the real me. I swear.”

Thanos nodded, watching you carefully. “I know,” he said simply. “But there were good times too, right? You remember those?”

You did.

You remembered the way he’d tuck you in at night, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. The way he’d run a bath for you after you got sick all over yourself, holding you steady as he cleaned you up. The way he kissed you like he was willing to set the world on fire for you. The way he touched you, loved you, even when you were too far gone to truly feel it.

“I remember how you made me feel,” you whispered, stepping closer.

His lips parted, his breath hitching as your fingers traced up his chest.

“I remember your hands,” you murmured, voice turning sultry. “Your mouth. Your tongue. Your fingers.” Your hand slid lower, brushing over the hardening bulge in his jeans. “Your cock inside me.”

Thanos inhaled sharply as you pushed your palms against his chest.

You had spent weeks thinking about this—about fucking him sober. About feeling everything for the first time.

“You made me feel so good,” you purred. “So fucking good, Thanos.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched. “My real name is Su-bong,” he muttered, his voice hoarse.

You smirked. “Well—Su-bong…” Your eyes darkened with intent. “Let me make it up to you. Let me show you how good I can be.”

That was all it took.

His lips crashed against yours, hungry and demanding, his hands gripping your waist as he backed you toward the bed. You gasped as the backs of your knees hit the mattress, and he wasted no time pushing you onto your back, peeling his shirt off in one swift motion and tossing it to the floor.

You sat up slightly, dragging your fingertips down his toned abdomen, your mouth practically watering at the sight of him.

He was already hard for you.

And this time, you were completely, devastatingly sober.

You dragged your nails down his chest, feeling the way his muscles tensed beneath your touch. His skin was warm, firm—real. For the first time, you were feeling him, not just through a hazy drug-fueled blur, but with a clarity that sent a shiver down your spine.

Thanos—Su-bong—looked down at you with dark, hooded eyes, his lips parted slightly as he took you in. “You’re teasing me,” he murmured, voice thick with desire.

You smirked, trailing your fingers lower, letting them ghost over the waistband of his jeans. “Maybe,” you mused. “I owe you, don’t I?”

His hands slid up your sides, rough palms skimming the soft fabric of the shirt he had given you months ago—the same one you had walked out of rehab in. Slowly, he peeled it up and over your head, letting it drop to the floor.

His gaze roamed over you, drinking in every inch of exposed skin, every little mark and scar. You weren’t the frail, hollow version of yourself anymore. You were whole.

“You’re beautiful,” he muttered, his fingers trailing over your ribs, then up to cup your breasts, thumbs brushing over your nipples. You let out a soft gasp, arching into his touch.

His mouth found your throat, lips pressing firm, open-mouthed kisses along the column of your neck. He sucked lightly at your pulse, dragging his teeth over the sensitive skin, making you shudder.

“Su-bong,” you breathed, threading your fingers through his hair.

He groaned at the way you said his name, his hands sliding down your body, squeezing at your waist, your hips, like he was memorizing the shape of you.

You tugged at the waistband of his jeans, undoing the button and pulling the zipper down, your fingers slipping inside to brush against the hard length beneath his boxers. He let out a sharp exhale, hips jerking forward slightly at your touch.

“Fuck,” he hissed, his forehead dropping against yours. “You really want this?”

You wrapped your fingers around him, squeezing just enough to make him curse under his breath. “More than anything,” you whispered.

His lips crashed against yours again, hungrier this time, his hands gripping your thighs as he pushed you back onto the bed, positioning himself between your legs. You gasped as he kissed his way down your body, his mouth hot and insistent against your skin.

When he reached the waistband of your jeans, he hooked his fingers into them, glancing up at you for permission.

You lifted your hips in response, breath hitching as he dragged them down, taking your panties with them, exposing you completely to him.

His eyes darkened, his tongue swiping over his bottom lip. “Fuck, baby,” he muttered, his voice thick with lust.

Then, without hesitation, he leaned down and devoured you.

His tongue flicked against your clit, slow and teasing, sending a jolt of pleasure through your core. Your fingers twisted into his hair, hips jerking instinctively, but he pinned you down with a firm grip on your thighs.

“You’re so fucking wet,” he groaned against you, his breath hot, his voice thick with hunger. “Missed this pussy so much.”

A whimper slipped from your lips as he flattened his tongue and licked a long, slow stripe up your slit before sucking your clit into his mouth. Your back arched, thighs trembling, but just as the pleasure built, just as you felt yourself spiraling, you pushed at his shoulders.

Thanos pulled back, his mouth glistening, brows furrowing in confusion. “What?”

You took a shaky breath, trying to clear the haze of pleasure from your mind. “This is about you, not me,” you murmured, pushing yourself up on your elbows. “I’m paying you back.”

A slow, wicked grin spread across his face. “If it’s about me, then I should get to do what I want,” he countered, voice low, dangerous. “And what I want to do is fucking taste you.”

“Jesus Christ,” you breathed, heat surging through your body.

Before you could protest further, he dove back in, his tongue circling your clit while two fingers slid inside you, curling just right. A strangled moan tore from your throat, your hips bucking as he worked you open, relentless and precise.

It didn’t take long—he knew exactly how to unravel you, exactly how to have you gripping his hair and gasping his name. Your orgasm hit fast and hard, your body shaking as he held you down, licking you through every wave until you were panting, overstimulated.

Only then did he pull away, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, looking so fucking smug.

“Fuck,” you muttered, still catching your breath. “I forgot how good you were at that. Feels even better sober.”

His smirk widened. “Unforgettable, baby.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t fight the smile tugging at your lips. Pushing him onto his back, you straddled his hips, hands sliding up his chest, fingers teasing over his nipples before raking down his abs.

“My turn,” you whispered.

You kissed down his body, taking your time, nipping at his collarbones, sucking marks into his skin just to watch him tense beneath you. When you reached the waistband of his jeans, you tugged them down, freeing his cock, your mouth practically watering at the sight of him—thick, hard, already leaking.

You wrapped your fingers around him, stroking slow, teasing. His breath hitched, his head tipping back against the pillows.

“Fuck,” he groaned, his fingers curling into the sheets. “You gonna take care of me, baby?”

You leaned down, pressing a kiss to his tip, then dragged your tongue along his length, watching the way his stomach tensed beneath you.

“Of course,” you murmured, voice dripping with promise.

And then you took him into your mouth, hollowing your cheeks as he let out a deep, guttural moan, his hands flying to your hair.

Your tongue worked him slowly, dragging along every inch of his length, teasing just to hear him groan. You hollowed your cheeks, taking him deeper, letting him hit the back of your throat, moaning around him just to feel the way he twitched in your mouth.

“Shit, baby,” Thanos growled, his fingers tightening in your hair. “Missed your mouth—so perfect, so fucking good for me.”

The praise only made you more eager. You bobbed your head, stroking the rest of him with your hand, slick and messy, making sure to keep your eyes on him. His chest rose and fell rapidly, his jaw clenched, his muscles tense as he fought to keep control.

But you didn’t want him to be in control.

You pulled off him with a lewd pop, kissing up his abs as you moved to straddle his waist. His cock was hard, flushed, throbbing against your soaked folds as you rubbed against him, teasing both of you.

“Hey,” he hissed, gripping your hips. “Quit teasing.”

You smirked, leaning down to kiss him, slow and deep, your fingers threading into his hair. “You always take care of me,” you whispered against his lips. “Let me take care of you now.”

Without breaking eye contact, you reached down, guiding him to your entrance before sinking down onto him in one slow, delicious slide. Both of you gasped at the sensation, your walls stretching around him, molding to him perfectly like you were made for this.

“Jesus,” Thanos groaned, his head tipping back, fingers digging into your hips as he tried not to lose himself completely.

“You feel so good,” you breathed, placing your hands on his chest, rolling your hips slowly, savoring the way he filled you so perfectly. “So fucking good, Su-bong.”

His eyes snapped open at the sound of his real name on your lips, dark and wild with lust. He sat up suddenly, wrapping an arm around your waist, his mouth latching onto your neck, sucking bruises into your skin as you continued moving, grinding against him, taking him deeper.

You moaned, clinging to his shoulders, kissing him desperately, your tongues tangling, the pleasure building between you like a fire. “Thank you,” you whispered against his lips, rocking faster, harder. “Thank you for saving me. For never giving up on me.”

A low growl rumbled in his chest as he flipped you onto your back, keeping you pinned beneath him, his hips snapping against yours, hitting deeper, harder.

“You’re mine,” he muttered between kisses, his voice rough, possessive. “Always fucking mine.”

“Yours,” you gasped, nails raking down his back, legs wrapping around him to pull him even closer. “Only yours.”

His pace turned desperate, his thrusts brutal yet somehow still so full of love, his forehead pressing against yours, his hand slipping between you to rub your clit, determined to drag you over the edge with him.

And when you came—hard, clenching around him, gasping his name like a prayer—he followed right after, burying himself deep, groaning into your mouth as he filled you, his entire body shuddering against yours.

For a long moment, neither of you moved, tangled together in the aftermath, your breathing heavy, your hearts racing in sync.

Then Thanos kissed you again, softer this time, lingering. “I still love you,” he murmured against your lips. “I always have.”

You smiled, brushing your fingers through his damp hair. “I think I love you too.”

And when he pulled you into his arms, holding you close like he never wanted to let go, you knew—you meant it.

You lay there for a while, tangled up in each other, your skin slick with sweat, his breath warm against your neck. The weight of him felt comforting, grounding, like you never wanted him to move.

But eventually, you stirred, pressing a soft kiss to his temple before slipping out of his arms.

“Where are you going?” Thanos mumbled, his voice thick with exhaustion.

You giggled, running a hand through his messy hair. “Relax, I’m just grabbing a towel.”

You padded to the bathroom, your legs still wobbly, but you didn’t care. You cleaned yourself up before wetting a towel, you returned to the bed, settling beside him as you began to clean him up, running the cloth over his stomach, down between his legs, gentle and careful.

Thanos watched you, his expression soft, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on your thigh. “You don’t have to do that,” he murmured.

“I want to,” you replied, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. “Let me take care of you for once.”

He huffed out a small laugh, letting you do as you pleased, though his hands never stopped touching you—gliding over your arm, your waist, like he needed the reassurance that you were still here.

When you were done, you tossed the towel aside, crawling back into his embrace, peppering kisses along his jaw, his cheek, the corner of his mouth.

Thanos smirked. “You’re in a good mood.”

“I think you fucked the happiness into me,” you teased, making him chuckle before he suddenly rolled you onto your back, hovering over you, nuzzling into your neck.

You giggled, your hands slipping into his hair, tugging him up so you could kiss him properly. Slow, lazy, sweet.

After a while, you pulled back just enough to look at him, brushing his damp hair from his face. “Thank you for the room,” you said softly. “But… I think I’d rather share a bed with you, if that’s okay?”

He pressed a lingering kiss to your lips, his thumb stroking your cheek. “That’s more than okay,” he murmured. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

You smiled, burying your face in his chest, and for the first time in years, you felt home.

You still had a long road ahead—staying clean, rebuilding bridges with your family, reenrolling in art school. But those were worries for another day.

For now, you stayed wrapped in Thanos’ arms, making up for lost time, showering him with the love you should have given him all along.

[insanityclause]

“Pressure,” Tom Hiddleston says, “is a privilege.” He apologises for appropriating the title of Billie-Jean King’s memoir, but it’s a sentiment that feels pertinent to him and his co-star Hayley Atwell. They have known each other for 20 years, have both starred in the Marvel universe (Hiddleston as the charmingly villainous Loki; Atwell as the wartime spy Peggy Carter), but this is the first time they have worked together — if you don’t count their group audition to get into drama school.

In a baggy sweatshirt (Atwell) and natty pale-blue jacket with clasps (Hiddleston), they are in a south London studio to rehearse Shakespeare’s bantering would-be lovers Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing. It will be only the second Shakespeare play performed at the 2,000-seat Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London since 1957. And the pressure Hiddleston refers to comes from the fact that the previous one — The Tempest, starring Sigourney Weaver, also directed by Jamie Lloyd — failed to go down a storm.

Atwell and Hiddleston in rehearsal for Much Ado About Nothing

MARC BRENNER

Withering reviews such as The Times’s (“Sigourney Weaver’s blank Prospero makes zero impression”) poured cold water on a desert island story that had been relocated by the director Jamie Lloyd to a charcoal-black netherworld. Prices were cut, and an onstage protest by Just Stop Oil looked like light relief.

“We can exclusively reveal that [Much Ado] is not set in a charcoal netherworld,” Hiddleston deadpans. The pair start each day of rehearsals with an hour of dancing. How much dancing will make it into the show? The pair, who are friendly but guarded, can’t or won’t reveal.

What they will say is that you don’t do a show like this by halves. It turns out that Shakespeare is more like a Marvel film than you’d think. “You’ve got to commit with heart and soul and body, like you do for action sequences,” Hiddleston explains. “All acting can be boiled down to how much you commit.”

“I like pressure,” Atwell says. “There is a part of it that is very healthy and useful. But any sort of pressure attached to an idea of my name as a brand or a public persona is so arbitrary and abstract. I turn off the noise that is inconsequential. I find the bit of it I can use.”

Tom Hiddleston as Loki, a mischievous Marvel villain

ALAMY

In 2022 Atwell had to do this while filming Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One amid bogus reports of a relationship with the film’s star Tom Cruise; the pair are teaming up again for Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, released this summer.

Hiddleston tells a story about his first big London Shakespeare opening, in 2007. He was playing Cassio in Othello, alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor as Othello and Ewan McGregor as Iago. At five o’clock the three popped out to a Covent Garden Pret a Manger to get a pre-show sandwich. (It is hard, the Much Ado two agree, knowing exactly when to eat before a show.) There was a first-night tension you could cut with a knife. Or there was until Ejiofor just said bluntly: “‘Well, this is a big night. No question.’ And it made us all laugh. Cos, yeah, it’s kind of a big deal — but what can you say?”

“’This is not your average Thursday,’” Atwell says.

“It’s not!” Hiddleston agrees.

Now 44, he already had an agent when he auditioned at Rada, having got one while studying Classics at Cambridge. Atwell, now 42, who grew up with her mother in west London, had delayed higher education to travel around with her American father and work for a casting director. When they met, in the final stage of auditions, it was on a day of working in a group.

Atwell and Hiddleston at the premiere of Jamie Lloyd’s The Tempest last year

ALAN CHAPMAN/DAVE BENETT/GETTY IMAGES

Atwell feels she handled the pressure less well than Hiddleston. “The woman from Rada said to us, ‘We are now looking for the next generation of actors who will be making a profound contribution to the arts.’ And I was, like, ‘I don’t know about that, mate, I’m just trying to get out of being in a housing association — if I can make a living I will be very happy.’ I was very intimidated.”

“It was very intense,” Hiddleston says.

“I was too shy,” Atwell says. “I didn’t commit.”

“I thought you committed,” Hiddleston says. “I thought you committed hard.”

He got in, she didn’t, and went to Guildhall School of Drama instead. But after leaving in 2005 she got a big role in the TV adaptation of Alan Hollinghurst’s novel The Line of Beauty almost immediately. A few posh roles followed, including in the film Brideshead Revisited.

“There was probably a bit more classism around then, and I suppose my own prejudice about ‘I’ve got to sound a certain way to even be considered for the kind of parts that might lead eventually to a film career’. So I thought if I could go down a period drama route, as opposed to the soap route or more working-class plays, I might give myself more of a chance. I had no back-up plan. I didn’t have any kind of privilege, didn’t come from money.”

The Eton-educated Hiddleston may come from a more prosperous upbringing but insists that, as an actor, “you never feel you are on solid ground. I have had to remind myself to smell the roses, because they don’t bloom all that often.”

His next theatre role was Lloyd’s revival of Pinter’s Betrayal in London and New York in 2019, which is how he met his fiancée, Zawe Ashton, who was a castmate. Atwell, meanwhile, last appeared in the West End in Ibsen’s Rosmerholm in 2019. Before that her work included another Donmar Shakespeare (Measure for Measure) and an Olivier-nominated performance in Lloyd’s production of Alexi Kaye Campbell’s The Pride. She didn’t know it at the time, but theMission: Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie saw her in it — something that led, seven years later, to him casting her as the con artist turned secret agent Grace.

He had a moment like that in 2013 — when the second Thor film came out at the same time as he was earning rave reviews for Coriolanus at the Donmar theatre in London. Hiddleston was the man of the hour. “And then you’ve got to do another 75 nights on stage, and make sure you are careful in the fight scene not to slip on the blood. The work anchors you.”

“You can’t predict,” she says. “There’s so much luck involved. I’ve worked for a number of years … and failure is allowed. I didn’t used to find it easy to fail and get a second chance. Particularly as a woman there was this sense of ‘you have to be perfect’. But while you want to deliver, after a while it’s not yours any more. It’s for the audience, and if they don’t like it, or if it doesn’t work, they’re allowed, that’s allowed.”

Atwell as the wartime spy Peggy Carter in Captain America: The First Avenger

JAY MAIDMENT/MARVEL STUDIOS/THA/SHUTTERSTOCK

Hiddleston, meanwhile, who has been filming the second series of John le Carré’s The Night Manager after a nine-year gap since the first, is still Loki to much of the world. The pair have never been in a Marvel scene together, though they did appear at the same event: Comic Con in San Diego in 2013, to which Hiddleston turned up in costume. “Nobody knew it was happening , it was insane and foolish and really fun.”

“I was backstage,” Atwell says cheerfully. “I will never forget the vision of Loki brushing his teeth in full costume.”

She says she is glad she was 15 years into her career before her five-year tour of duty on Mission began with filming in 2020. “I’m so grateful for that, because the level of global exposure on it, purely from being alongside Tom Cruise, can uproot and upend your life. But actually I’m too old to go, ‘What’s next?’ A real sense of security only comes from the commitment to work for work’s sake.” Offstage, both are engaged to their partners: Hiddleston to Ashton (the couple have a two-year-old), Atwell to the music producer Ned Wolfgang Kelly.

What led to today’s professional pairing? Hiddleston and Lloyd wanted to do another play together after Betrayal, and the actor suggested Much Ado. “It seems so light and warm,” he explains, a nice contrast to the heartbreaks of Betrayal. When Lloyd suggested Atwell, Hiddleston said yes immediately. “We’ve known each other for so long, and Beatrice and Benedick have known each other for so long.”

“I had only one question,” Atwell says, “which was, ‘Jamie, how ‘hey-nonny-nonny’ is it going to be?’” Lloyd assured her the hey-nonny-nonny levels would be minimal. “So I thought, this sounds really exciting.”

And if this pulls in a crowd more inclined to Marvel than Much Ado, well, marvellous. Hiddleston, who likes to spin a yarn, gives an impassioned speech about the magic of storytelling in all its forms, about “something being transmitted, from the stage or from the screen, that leaves you feeling more connected, more human, more alive, less alone in the world”.

And that applies to Marvel — famous dislikers of the franchise such as Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola notwithstanding — too?

“One hundred per cent,” they say in unison.

Atwell sees superhero stories as modern-day mythology. “I don’t believe in highbrow or lowbrow — I think it’s just art and film and theatre. You wouldn’t necessarily connect Marvel with Shakespeare. But both can be for everyone.”

Hiddleston remembers going to a screening at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York of the first Avengers film. A group of first responders who had been at 9/11 a decade earlier were there too. “They were all wearing their uniform in the cinema. And the film is about how the Avengers have basically saved New York from Loki. And when Loki gets smashed by the Hulk like a fish at the end, they literally threw their hats in the air and cheered. That was so moving.”

Much Ado About Nothing is at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, Feb 10-Apr 5, thejamielloydcompany.com

[inchandescence]

How Minho is hinted to be endgame since XO Kitty S1?

(And they didn't randomly change the direction of S2 or suddenly made Minho important in S2)

Because since the very beginning, it is emphasized that Kitty has 3 main love interests, Dae, Yuri, and Minho, she will end up with one of them. XO Kitty is not very very obvious from the start like TATBILB and not back to back between brothers like TSITP.

Disclaimer: I have a job, I'm writing this on the weekend, please

1. S1 episode 1 Kitty-Minho-Yuri-Dae Relay

Series, or at least kdramas, always introduce the characters that will be the focus of the season in the beginning of the 1st ep of S1.

In 1x01 first 15 minutes (half the ep duration)

-Kitty is re-introduced: her current situation, her background aka family, her next goal, how to get to her goal, her first step to reach the goal which is arriving in Korea and then KISS

-Yuri is introduced: her current situation, daughter of a rich family, influencer, famous, potential to be a close person to Kitty cus she drove Kitty to KISS

-Dae is introduced (properly for the first time): his current situation, smart student, scholarship, not from a rich family, still in love with Kitty

Then the 2nd half of the first episodes, minute 15 until 28, Kitty and Minho and Q introduce themselves to each other, then Kitty meet Dae and Yuri again.

But the ODD ONE out of this formula, the first character Kitty met in South Korea was not Dae nor Yuri, but Minho. He bumped into her at the airport and then she bumped into Minho again at the party. The full introductions that we got were Kitty, then Yuri, then Dae, no Minho and yet Minho is the first person Kitty met in South Korea and they bumped to eo TWICE, at the airport and then at the party. So in this case, Minho's presence is also very important to the story, foreshadowing that with the focus being these 3 characters: Kitty, Yuri, Dae first, Minho will eventually "bump" his way in to the story, he is not just Dae's friend or side character bcs he had the FIRST INTERACTION WITH KITTY.

and this whole relay in S1E1 parallels the airport relay in S1E10.

2. S1 episode 10 Kitty-Dae-Yuri-Minho Relay

In the last episode of season, we know:

1. Kitty is over Dae, but Dae still has feelings for her

2. Kitty likes Yuri who is in a relationship with Juliana

3. Minho likes Kitty

So this brings us to the obvious airport relay, first Dae runs to the airport to confess to Kitty that he still has feelings for her but when Kitty meets him, she turned him down without him confessing and they officially break up. But they both said they are eo's first love, so they still care for eo.

Then Kitty turns back and meets Yuri, she wants to confess to Yuri but they get interrupted bcs Yuri is waiting for Juliana. Yuri and Juliana reunite and Kitty walk in to the boarding gate. Yuri called her mom to convince her not to expel Kitty, showing that Yuri cares a lot about Kitty (but she ofc loves Juliana very much yes).

Then Kitty arrives at her seat, sitting down while reading her mom letters and seeing the name "Simon" but then suddenly someone beside her nudged and it's Minho. Unexpected for both Kitty and the audience. They both talk and laugh showing their good relationship, a development from their 1st meeting at the airport. This scene is pretty long and has the longest duration compared to Kitty-Dae and Kitty-Yuri at the airport earlier. Then Minho confessed his love to Kitty. Kitty was shocked and the season ends.

This last ep relay scene is actually enough as proof that Minho will be endgame and how XO Kitty will do their love triangle/hexagon/rhombus or whatever.

XO Kitty is not the usual balanced love triangle but instead, the main character (Kitty) will experience a "relay" in her love life with the 3 main love interests, to simplify it they basically gonna take turns. First love is Dae, second love is Yuri, third love is Minho.

And this concept was actually mentioned in one of the episodes in season 1 by well.. Minho himself.

3. S1 Ep 9 a reason, a season, or a lifetime

Second to last episode. Before we have that episode 10 airport relay. Opening scene.

Minho:

"A reason, a season, or a lifetime. Every relationship fits into one of those categories. I read this in a magazine. The point is, Madison and I are over. And looking back, I believe I was with her for a reason. No, she showed me I was ready for something real."

This is one of the biggest foreshadowing ever in new TV era like... ok when people watched this scene the first time they prob didn't think too deep about it, including me, because the convo is random and not that necessary? Minho can just talk about him and Madison being over without throwing a relationship quote. BUT THAT IS THE POINT. The point is that quote is random yet it was the opening scene for Ep 9. If we compare it to other opening scenes in the 1st season, the opening scenes always indicate something important for the characters' story. And most opening scenes in Season 1 are about Kitty, Yuri, and Dae then in 2nd half Minho start to show up in opening scenes.

Ep 5 opening: Kitty Dae start officially become friends and roommates

Ep 6 opening: Minho Kitty (Minho's dream)

Ep 7 opening: Kitty Yuri (Kitty's dream)

Ep 8 opening: Kitty Dae start dating

Ep 9 opening: Minho's quote

Ep 10 opening: Dae cornering Minho about Kitty

Minho said being with Madison made him realize he was ready to commit into a relationship not just hook ups or one night stand, he was serious with Stella despite her being a rebound, but sadly his first committed relationship was "fake".

While with Dae and Yuri, Kitty fell in love with Dae first and dated for more than 4 years, a season, then she liked Yuri and discovered more about her being bi, a reason.

Minho's a reason is Madison, season is Stella, lifetime is Kitty

While Kitty's season is Dae, Yuri is reason, lifetime is Minho

All left is a lifetime for both Minho and Kitty.

So Minho's quote is definitely an important foreshadowing. And Ep 9 really shows how Minho is over with Madison, but actually he went through a failed rebound, and still cares so much for Kitty.

4. The whole episode 9 of Season 1: Kitty Dae, Kitty Yuri, Kitty Minho altogether

-This ep is meant to emphasized how these 3 are Kitty's main love interests like Kitty keep having moments with them in this ep but there is this specific scene:

Foreshadowing can be through many things, characters' lines or actions are two of them, but then it's better if cinematography supports it like in this scene where Minho is standing up alone facing Kitty sitting with Yuri and Dae while calling out Yuri and Dae & defending Kitty.

It's in 1x09 where Kitty already likes Yuri while still forcing herself to date Dae and Dae still loves Kitty, means these 3 are in a love triangle rn and Yuri sitting on the floor in between Kitty and Dae, makes their sitting formation like a triangle. In 1x09 Minho alr broke up with Madison and still very much in love with Kitty, meaning we now know he IS one of Kitty's 3 main love interests.

And he is standing up while Kitty is sitting down with Yuri and Dae as a foreshadowing that Minho will have the "upper hand" after S1. And ofc he will get the "upper hand" by treating Kitty better (he defended her in this scene which is right).

"I wouldn't do that to a friend or someone I care about."

And in S2 Minho still cares so much for Kitty and also 2 of them become closer as friends.

5. More about Dae Yuri Minho as the 3 main love interests and their "relay" with Kitty or "switch up"

First half of season 1 Ep 1-5: Kitty loves Dae but Dae is fake dating Yuri and

Second half of season 1:

Ep 6 (the middle ep of S1, the first switch up)

1. Minho dreams about Kitty

2. Minho realized he fell in love with Kitty at the party (Minho switch up from not liking Kitty to loving her)

3. Kitty fell in love with Yuri at the party (Kitty switch up from Dae)

And that's why in S2 Ep 5 (the middle ep of the season) there's another switch up from Yuri-Minho to just Minho

Part 1 (Dae):

S1 Ep 1-5: Kitty liking Dae

S1 Ep 6-9: She still dated Dae while being denial about Yuri

S1 Ep 10: Kitty tells Dae the truth about her feelings for Yuri

Part 2 (Yuri):

S1 Ep 6-10: (switch up) Kitty start liking Yuri

S2 Ep 1-4: Kitty still likes Yuri

S2 Ep 5-6: Kitty and Yuri trying to fix their friendship

Part 3 (Minho):

S2 Ep 5-6: (switch up) Everyone ignoring Kitty and she spends time with Minho only, rain scene

S2 Ep 7-8: Kitty realized her feelings for Minho

6. The Families of the 3 Main Love Interests

Many people complained 💀 "why S2 is about minho's family and everyone else's families suddenly don't have problems"

Let me break it down for you sweetheart... the keyword is "family home"

Season 1:

Focus: Kitty, Yuri, Dae families + Minho's mom cameo

-Kitty: We saw her parents, Dan and Trina, opening scene of Ep 1 is at TATBILB house

-Yuri: We saw Yuri's mom right away on Ep 1 (Jina), then her dad (Sungjin Han) in Ep 2 and then her house, and throughout season 1 there are scenes at her house

-Dae: We saw Dae's father (Mr. Kim) on Ep 1 bcs well he is Yuri's driver and he works for Yuri's father, later on we saw Dae's little sister (Bora) and just like Yuri, there are scenes at his house too

-Minho: There are 2 scenes of him face timing his mother (Dami) and we saw Minho's mom face, and there is a scene where Minho telling specifically about her mother being an actress, there are scenes of Minho telling details about his family not just "my parents are divorced"

Juliana: mention of her parents, no faces

Q: told about his conservative family background, no faces of his fam, no names

Florian: told about his family problem which is the divorce of his parents, no faces of his fam, no names

Season 2:

Focus: Kitty, Minho families + a few scenes of Dae's father, mentions of Jina

Kitty: Jiwon, her great aunt Soonja, Margot, and Peter appearances throughout the season

Minho: Minho's dad (Young Moon) appearance from S2 Ep 1, one episode of the characters at Minho's dad ski cabin, one episode of the characters at Minho's dad house, Minho's step brother (Joonho), mention of his step sisters (Bianca, Soojin)

Dae: a few scenes with Mr. Kim as Yuri's driver then the accident/hospital scene, Bora cameo

Yuri: mention of Jina (i feel like Jina actress was planned to make a cameo but maybe scheduling problem)

Juliana: mention of her parents

Q: mention of his family being doctors who are strict, no names, no face

Jin: mention of his dad being athlete too, he got pressured from his dad in being athlete, no face, no names

Stella: mention of her parents wanting her to come back to Ohio, no face, no names

Praveena: mention of her parents and their job

Then in S2 last ep we know that Han family is going through lawsuit and Mr. Kim is affected positively by the lawsuit. Then Kitty is joining Minho's family summer tour.

So... Kitty, Yuri, Dae families are the focus of Season 1 and Kitty and Minho's families are the focus of Season 2. With Kitty's 3 main love interests: Dae, Yuri, Minho families are being introduced in details with their names and faces and background and specific jobs since SEASON 1. And of course in S1 we got Kitty, Yuri, and Dae houses and S2 Minho house and Kitty's family's house in Korea :)

7. The Family Plot

Season 1:

Fake dating between Yuri and Dae are related to their families, Yuri's Dad saving his face by using Dae and Dae is trying to help his family by paying tuition on his own (and his job is fake dating Yuri) and also so he wants to be a good son and brother.

Season 2:

Minho's father Young Moon is helping the school by being the new donor and opening art classes for the students, hold a kpop competition at the end of the season.

Kitty helping Dae, Yuri, and Minho with their families:

Dae, Minho, and Yuri all 3 have their family stuffs they can relate with Kitty's....

-Dae lost her mother like Kitty, Kitty gave him her mom's necklace permanently

-Yuri knew nothing about her mother like Kitty, together they found out about their mothers' friendship and Kitty helped Yuri reconcile with her mother and find her step brother

-Minho felt rejected by his family like Kitty feels rejected by her great aunt and Jiwon at first but then Minho helps Kitty and Kitty also helps Minho reconnect with his family

All 4 characters' (Kitty, Minho, Yuri, Dae) families are important to the story

8. Fate vs Minho-Kitty natural development

Kitty always talk about love as this big grand thing, sparks, MEANT TO BE, FATE.

With Dae and Yuri "fate" keep being mentioned, how she met Dae during her first Seoul trip and turns out he goes to her mom's school, how Yuri's mom is Kitty's mom best friends.

They made Minho and his family don't have any direct connection to Kitty's family. Minho and Kitty can relate to each other without having direct past connection. In Season 2, Minho understands Kitty's feeling of being rejected by her family because he felt that throughout his life. That's also one of the reasons why he keeps helping Kitty especially in the market scene. And at the end Kitty also help Minho reconcile with his dad and brother.

When Kitty met Minho, no fate no sparks. No direct family relation. They don’t have a crazy connection that forces them together because it happened naturally just based on their time together and their own values. And they both can relate to each other's family issues which bring them closer.

Minho and Kitty happen naturally and that is the whole point. He's the only one who doesn't have a specific perception of her. They met, they misjudged each other, they disliked each other, they got closer and knew more about each other through daily lives, they became friends, they finally understand each other, they fell in love.

No strings of fate, just their choices leading them to where they are now.

Minho and Kitty are breaking the kdrama's past connection trope 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

9. Minho for Kitty Moments

Minho is already written as a character who helps, saves, and do sacrifices for Kitty since season 1.

See this list I made:

-He also once again kept defending Kitty when he found out how Dae and Yuri fake dated and lied the whole time in S1.

-Minho will always be in love with Kitty. He had two rebounds (Madison and Stella) and at the end, he realized he will never be over Kitty.

-Minho's long plane confession scene with the iconic line "a little bit or a lot" which Kitty used as her line when she realized her feelings for Minho.

-Minho always hosting events in both seasons, 1st season is his party and 2nd season is the ski trip so he has always been an impactful character since S1. And both times Kitty kinda "ruined" his events and yet he still cares so much about her.

10. Mooncovey Direct Parallels with TATBILB in SEASON 1

-With Covinsky

Minho calling Kitty "Covey" like Peter calling LJ "Covey"

The Kitchen Scene

The Preference

-With Eve & Dan

The first ever parallel was in fact in S1, Kitty-Minho Chuseok and Eve Song-Daniel Covey March Thanksgiving.

Minho fell in love on Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving, emphasized by Kitty too on 1x05) just like Dr. Covey fell in love with Kitty's Mom on Thanksgiving.

1x05 XO Kitty is lit the episode that changed everything about mooncovey and it's a whole parallel to Kitty's parents love story, Minho made the homemade food and Kitty brought the odd one, mashed potato, her canned green beans.

Then the parallels continue until S2

11. CHUSEOK EPISODE

Other than the crazy parallels in 1x05 chuseok episode. Audience who often watch kdrama must have known how impactful is Chuseok as a Korean holiday. And they gave this whole important event episode, 85% of it to mooncovey. Like..... I don't even have to explain. They literally gave the whole Chuseok to mooncovey??? And people watched this ep thinking oh they prob just gonna be closer as friends at the end??? Mind you there is no episode special whether in S1 or S2 where 85% is Kitty-Yuri or 85% Kitty-Dae like they will always be mixes with other Kitty pairings. But this Chuseok ep is lit here you go Minho with Kitty and Yuri with Dae, done. And even in this ep Dae said Kitty hasn't contacted him at all during Chuseok, like damn girl enjoying time with Minho much??

12. Lastly, Kitty-Minho having their own theme, or The Mooncovey Leitmotif

All these songs have the same leitmotif in it and they have been played for mooncovey scenes since S1 until S2

(Kitty-Dae's leitmotif only in S1 is sad/bittersweet, Kitty-Yuri don't have any)

[sakuraodango]

a prisoner of love - chapter 1

pairing: reader (heroine) x caleb tags: smut, noncon/dubnon, manipulation, gaslighting, toxicity, imprisonment, drug use, underaged sex (which is consensual), dom/sub elements, and many more. warnings will be noted at the top of every chapter if featured. please read with caution. mdni. summary: a what if story in "Homecoming Wings" where you reunite with Caleb, but with smut and darker themes

warnings for this chapter!: noncon/dubnon, dom/sub elements, forced drug use, recorded sex(?), manipulation, yandere caleb

also available at A03!

"Ugh…uhm.." You felt groggy. Your brain felt like it was going to split open and your eye sight was blurry.

Where were you? What happened---

Caleb.

That's right. Before, you were investigating a bomb that just blew up and that's where you saw him. He was still alive, well and breathing. You cried, tearing falling from your face from your memory of seeing him. But it was only a moment of happiness, when you realized Caleb is also the reason why you were in this situation, a sort of interrogation room you guessed.

The room was dark, there was only a dim light. Your arms and legs was chained to the chair you were sitting. You looked to the table, seeing a used syringe and small bottles besides it. Did they drug you up? That explains why you felt like shit…

You groaned in pain, unable to hold it in. What was this feeling? Your body was heating up and it was almost unbearable to breathe.

"Are you awake?"

Your breath hitched, as you looked across the room.

There, Caleb was sitting, watching and observing you. He was dressed in a long, black suit, his colonel uniform. It has only been a few months since you've last seen Caleb, but he looked so different. The light in his eyes was gone and he was looking at you, with such hatred. No… It wasn't hatred, it was emptiness.

"Caleb-" You opened your mouth to speak, but for some reason, it came out more like, a moan. You were embarrassed, but coughed to clear your throat to speak again. "Ca-Caleb, I-"

"You deceived the entire Fleet with a fake identity. Can you really be a small fish?"

Caleb stood up from his seat, walking towards you.

"What..? I-"

"Do you know what happens to people who pretend to be a fleet officer? It seems the drug is working fine."

"D-drug..?" So they did put something in you. "Caleb, h-how are you alive?"

It was a split second, but you saw Caleb's eyes shift to the loving Caleb you knew before. It was only a second, when Caleb returned to a person you didn't recognize.

He reached over you, grabbing your hunter's gun from your waist band and setting it on the table. His hands moved all over your body, searching for what else you were carrying. You felt Caleb's hands feel your curves, he slightly squeezing your breasts when he passes over, pinching your waist and hips, and moving your head to the side when he was searching around your neck. He paused, when he saw a slight hickey that was fading.

Caleb sighed in disappointment, before releasing you. You let out an unconscious moan from his touch. Caleb was wearing gloves, but his touch was cold. His eyes and actions were cold and distant as well, but he was careful with your body. Every touch left a tingle down your body, how you yearned for his touch ever since he 'died'.

You still couldn't believe it was Caleb infront of you.

"You're Caleb, aren't you? You have to be him.. You look exactly like my Caleb.."

"…your Caleb?"

!!

Caleb grabbed your chin, forcing you to look up to him.

"Just where did you get his hickey from?" Caleb ripped the top of your blouse, your buttons breaking from the force, showing your tank top and skin underneath. You gasped at his actions, embarrassed.

"N-no, stop-!"

"I was only gone for a little while…who did this to you?" Caleb traced the hickey on your collarbone.

So it was him… Tears formed at your eyes, happy to see Caleb.

"..don't look at me with those eyes." Caleb stepped away from you, taking a moment to breath. "Now answer me, who?"

You kept silent, not knowing how to respond to him. You were so mixed with emotions right now. You wanted to hug him, hold him in your arms tightly. You missed him so so much. But now you were angry. That day, when your house blew up, you lost everything. You lost grandma, Caleb and your home. You wanted answers.

"How are you still alive Caleb? Is grandma here as well? I-"

"I'm the one interrogating. Don't ask questions, only answer."

Caleb placed a black collar on you. "Ugh! What is this?"

"I said no questions."

You felt a small shock and saw Caleb with a small remote. A shock collar? It didn't hurt as much, but it wasn't ideal to wear.

"Answer." Another shock.

"..i-it was Zayne.." You confessed.

"Zayne?"

After Caleb had 'died', you were alone. You fell into the embrace of another man who was there for you, Zayne. Zayne had supported you when Caleb was gone and that support became more than friendly as you spent more time with Zayne. You didn't expect your relationship with Zayne to develop so fast, but it just…happened.

"Why? How could you.." Caleb gave you another shock and you timidly looked up to him.

"I-I missed you Ca-Caleb… Zayne was there for me when you were gone, so I-"

"So you give yourself to any man who gives you a little comfort?"

"No-!" Caleb cut you off by grabbing your face. He covered your mouth with his hand, moving you face to the side, exposing your neck to him.

He came closer to you, you felt his warm breath against your ear and whimpered. Memories of past intimacy moments between you and Caleb ran through your head as Caleb kissed your neck. You missed his touch. Caleb sucked your sweet spot, kissed your ear and then bit you.

"Ah!" You moaned against Caleb's hand, Caleb licking his marks and took a step back. "W-what are you doing..?"

"Punishment." Caleb's answer was simple.

You took a deep breath, struggling to breath a little. The heat was getting to you and you wanted Caleb's cold hands on you again. Wait.. Why were you so sexually frustrated right now? Why did you want Caleb to continue to touch you?

"..it's aphrodisiac."

Huh..? You blinked as you slowly raised your head in shock.

"It's what we give to bad girls who don't listen." Caleb placed a box on the table, reaching in and taking out a small pink vibrator. "Now tell me,"

"Ah!"

Caleb turned on the vibrator, pressing it against your clothed breast. He twirled the vibrator around your right breast. When he pressed it against your nipple, you let out a moan. He rubbed the vibrator against your precious tit and moving to show your other one the same affect. Your blouse slid down your body more, allowing Caleb more access to your body.

You tried to hold back your moans. You didn't want to let Caleb know you were secretly enjoying this.

"You can't hide anything from me, pipsqueak. I know everything about you. I can tell what you're feeling just by one look. I especially know what makes you crazy."

You have to stop this, (f/n)..

Caleb let the vibrator sit on your left nipple and moved your tank top and bra down. Your right breast was exposed to the cold air, but it felt good. The aphrodisiac was driving you crazy and you were breaking down easier than you wanted.

"You love it when your breasts are being played with." Caleb grabbed your right breast in his hand. He played with both your nipples and it felt so good. Oh… He knew how to tease you, how to play you around his fingers. You couldn't hold back your moans anymore. You were letting Caleb know how much control he had over you and how easily you were giving it to him.

It wasn't just the aphrodisiac. You knew it was also how much you wanted Caleb in the moment.

Suddenly, Caleb's hands fell back. You looked up to Caleb with hazed eyes, trying to catch your breath.

"W-why..?" Oh, how you missed his touch.

"It's not a punishment anymore if you are enjoying it." You blushed.

"I-I wasn't!"

"Liar." Caleb clicked some buttons and you felt the chair move.

The chair lifted you up a little, your waist up, spreading your legs for Caleb. You struggled against your restrains, but it was futile. You couldn't wiggle your arms or legs out and this drug was making you submissive.

Caleb took in the sight of you, how he missed your feel. He also missed you so much. He always wanted to go to you, but he couldn't. It wasn't entirely his fault to why you were alone. But..

For you to give yourself to Zayne?

Caleb took a knife, you watched him admire the sharp knife.

"W-what are you going to do?" You wanted to run away and hide, but you sat still facing Caleb because of your bindings.

"..I already told you,"

Your eyes widened when Caleb used the knife to cut your pants.

"Caleb, no-!"

He then ripped the rest of your clothes, leaving you naked infront of him. You desperately wanted to cover your body, so you were trying to move. Caleb chuckled at your useless attempts.

"Oh my dear pipsqueak.." Caleb pressed himself against you. His crotch pressed against your bare pussy. His cock was very, very hard. You could feel him through his layers of clothes. Your juices were leaked onto him, making his uniform wet. "Are you sure Zayne could satisfy you a perverted apple like you?"

Caleb's hands returned to touch you. His gloves were a harsh texture that poked at your skin. It hurt, but it also felt so good. You thrashed against Caleb.

"Ca-Caleb, I-I'm sorry, s-so please stop.." You cried.

Caleb stopped, seeing your tears fall from your eyes. He came down to your face, speaking in a low voice.

"I can't. I can't stop anymore.. Do you not understand how much you drive me crazy? I know what I'm going to do next will hurt you, but I want you to know, that I did what I did, because I love you."

Caleb..loves you?

You were shocked at Caleb's sudden confession.

He unzipped his pants, revealing his cock. Precum leaked from his tip and he was ready. Caleb groaned, grabbing his cock and pumped it infront of you. You watched Caleb rub his cock infront of your pussy. You wanted him to shove it into you.. You wanted Caleb to fill your insides so badly.

Like he used to before.

Caleb moaned, before cumming. Strings of his cum coated your body. He came, but his cock was still stiff. Your mouth watered at the sight of his cock leaking of cum. Caleb wiped the sweat from his hair and let out an airy and deep breath. He didn't expect to cum so easily, he now realized how the distance made him so deprived. He wanted you so badly… But he remembered his position.

He looked down on you, seeing your eyes were focused on his cock. You were breathing through your mouth, your hips moving side to side, and your nipples were fully perked. If it were anywhere else, Caleb would've taken you, giving you both a pleasurable and loving moment, but he couldn't. At least, not yet. He had to make a show of you to your audience.

Caleb reached for a condom on the table. He put the condom over his cock, before positioning himself at your entrance.

Your head turned up, meeting his eyes. There were no words, but he stopped his movements, to silently ask you for consent. You couldn't understand why Caleb was doing this. You didn't know what was happening or where you were. But.. But if there was one thing you knew, is that you wanted this.

You looked away, a silent gesture of giving yourself to Caleb.

"..good girl. That's my girl." Caleb slowly moved his cock into you. Your walls stretched around his cock. You shouted, feeling Caleb inside of you. When was the last time you had him inside of you? 7 months ago? Caleb continued to pushed himself, until both your lower waists touched. It was only 7 months and your pussy welcomed Caleb again.

His cock perfectly molded inside of you.

"It seems you haven't forgotten me.." Caleb moaned at the feeling of you around him.

He pulled out and thrusted into you.

You mewed at the sensation.

It was deep thrusts. Caleb would pull out of you, for you to feel only his tip inside of you and then thrust into you harshly, deeply. His thrusts left you out of breath each time. He was purposely not hitting your g-spot to tease you. Caleb knew your body inside and out, yet..

"Has Zayne ever gone this deep into you yet?" Caleb touched your stomach, feeling the his cock sliding in and out of you. "I bet he doesn't know how to properly pleasure you."

You wanted to reply, but Caleb pinched your tits.

"Does he know that you love it when both your nipples are being played with at the same time? Or does he only play with this one down here?"

His left hand trailed down to your clit.

"Ah!" You shouted.

"Oh, that's a new sound, let it out."

Caleb saw you bite your lips. He cupped your face, puffing your cheeks to separate your lips. Your moans escaped your lips, much to your dismay. Facing up to Caleb, you loved watching Caleb's loving expressions as he worked for the pleasure for you both. The look of love Caleb had in his eyes when he stared down on you, was something you always watched at while you both were having sex. It's just… There was something blinking away on the ceiling.. W-what was it-

A-a camera?!

You looked up to the ceiling, pass by Caleb's head. There, a camera was positioned towards you and Caleb. It was beeping with a red light and you now realized, you were being watched.

"Caleb, camera-" You tried to verbally stop Caleb, but that seemed to only quicken his pace. "S-stop, t-there's a camera!"

You didn't want anyone else to see you in such a pathetic moment.

"You just realized it now? You were always being watched, ever since the moment you entered this place… Oh, you seem to like it.." Caleb moaned feeling you tighten around him. "Don't you remember at the house? It would be at midnight when we would do this, you under me as I thrust my cock into you.."

You shook your head, not wanting to agree with Caleb, knowing your body was betraying you.

"You can feel it too, how much your pussy is squeezing around me… It's the same whenever we heard grandma get up from her room to go to the bathroom. We would stop moving. But when she returned to her room, we could continue. You always said you hated it, but down here, your pussy is more honest… You actually like it when someone's about to catch us, right? O-oh, i-it feels so good…"

You shook your head, wanting to deny the filthy things Caleb was accusing you of.

"The truth is.." Thrust.

Your head fell backwards with how rough Caleb was treating you.

"You like it when other people watch us." Caleb moaned. "Are you going to cum? I-I can feel you so tight… You can cum pipsqueak. No one's going to judge you… I want you to cum.."

You didn't want to.

Caleb put you into a mating press, his cock now hitting your g-spot.

"Cum, come'on, won't you cum for me? I-I'm so clo-close… So closeee~"

Caleb…

You closed your eyes, allowing your pussy to control your mind and heart. You didn't want to, but with Caleb's cock inside of you… It was hard to stay sane. He was also driving you crazy. The familiar manly apple scent lingered from Caleb's body. The sight of Caleb. And his voice..

"Pipsqueak..!" Caleb moaned your name. He was also reaching for his orgasm.

And with a hard thrust, you and Caleb came at the same time. Caleb thrusted into you a few more times, riding out his orgasm high and keeping his cock deep into you. He grunted at the feeling of your pussy tightening around him, before relaxing. He pulled his cock out, admiring your slick that connected you and him.

"You did so well pipsqueak…" Caleb praised you.

You loved it when he did.

You fell back to the chair, catching your breath. Caleb threw a blanket over you and spoke to his communicator on his wrist.

"She's not a threat anymore. The interrogation is over."

“If you say so colonel.” A man’s voice from the other side.

“…” Caleb turned to you, seeing you already passed out on the chair.

Maybe he did go too far.

But..

Caleb moved your hair from your face, admiring how beautiful you were. He didn’t mean to make you so sad… He always wanted to go to you and stay in your embrace. His place was always next to you.

He unlocked your restraints and picked you up in a princess carry. Your clothes were ripped, so he used the blanket to wrap around you. Caleb didn't like the idea of you both being watched from the cameras, but he had to prove his loyalty somehow.

With you in his arms, Caleb left the room. He was quickly met with two other guards. Caleb could see the wet dent in their pants. They were clearly masturbating to what had happened between you and Caleb in the interrogation room.

"We can take her from you, colonel." They offered, their eyes only focused on you.

"No. I will be taking care of her personally." Caleb glared at the two men. He used his evol to remind the guards of who was in charge. The two guards shivered and held their head down, as Caleb continued on. As if he would let trash touch you.

Caleb brought you to his home, a cozy apartment he knew you'd love. He dressed you in clothes he had already prepared and laid you in bed. You were sleeping soundly and Caleb kissed the top of your head.

He sighed, regretting what happened earlier. It was the first time you two meet after a long while. Caleb wanted a more heartwarming and lovingly memory, but he was afraid you'd.. Hate him after. But what has happened, already happened. Caleb can only hope you can forgive him then and what was going to happen next.

masterlist | lads masterlist

[sylus-doll]

Synopsis: Sylus has always lived a lonely life, unfamiliar with pleasant company. Being with you again is something he must get used to. He's learning how to, and so are you.

Warnings: Lowkey doesn't make sense because the author is exhausted but wanted to churn something out for you guys. Also mentions of blood. Might be a little angsty.

Author's note: I've gotten busy recently, so I won't be able to write as often. Sorry! I come bearing lowkey dependant Sylus. Comments and reblogs are appreciated! <3

Throughout his life, Sylus has spent all his time alone. No one would count enemies as company, even if they do trail him and keep an eye on his every move. They were the ones who wanted to see him fall off his throne; cause and spectate his suffering. A walking target. Sure, he had Mephisto and the twins he took under his wing... But could a mechanical bird count as a friend? Or a pair of twins who work directly under him, following his commands? No, that is obedience.

Sylus did not have anyone to call his own. No one to trade secrets with or share his warmth. And in turn it has made him cold, self-reliant, for he cannot trust in another person. He had never learned how. But he takes comfort in the teachings he does know— the ones of his only love. Melodies dance in the air, a comforting tune. He attempts to hum along, taking pride in the fact that he is able to unlike the past. A respite he is allowed to have in this harsh world.

When the both of you are reunited— albeit, unknowingly on your part— Sylus is at a loss. He had thought that you, too, would remember the past just as he did. Yet you stare into his eyes with the guarded malice of a stranger. It is a gaze he should be used to by now. And he is... Just not from you. Where has his beloved's familiar softness gone? Only your fierce claws and teeth remain. Sylus does not know how to fix this. He was never taught to build relationships or tenderly lower defenses with the patience of a saint.

Your relationship is rocky at first; like oil and water. Both of your lives are completely different from the other. With the Hunter Association actively hunting down Sylus, whatever you have with him is illegal. Forbidden. Although... Surely they would not mind if you stuck around? Gathering intel for them could be useful in the future. This is fine, you are simply using him, you are not delusional. Humans have always desired for what they cannot have.

“You're sticking around for intel on Onychinus? Well then, be my guest. Don't be shy when using me.” Sylus's sardonic smile is etched into your mind.

He tells no one that being of use to you is the only way he knows how to keep you close to him.

Be disgusted, you will yourself. Be repulsed, resent him for all he has done and will do. You will only come to regret being so entangled with his life. This is insane and you are supposed to be a good, law-abiding citizen of Linkon. A hunter. Yet you cannot help feeling like prey— engulfed by a predator who kills and comes back to you with blood soaked hands. Most times, even his own. How will you ever learn to hate someone who learned to be vulnerable with you?

Over time, you start to notice that Sylus is quite... lonely. You are the only one who checks up on him, through text or call. The only one who visits, who teases and jokes, who surprises. You, you, you. Comfortable and happy with someone so dangerous. So of course he eventually craves your presence in your absence. Sylus will make up whatever excuse, put himself in any situation, just to be able to spend some time with you. When it ends, he is distraught.

“You're abandoning me when I'm no longer useful to you? Your skill in being heartless is assuring.” His tone is teasing, as always. But his eyes hold a far-off melancholy.

It feels as though your heart has been punctured with shattered pieces of a fragile thing.

“Abandon? You're sorely mistaken. Useful or not, you're stuck with me, you have no other choice.” You reach out, grabbing his hand.

Something new for Sylus to learn; that you will not throw him away when he does not serve any purpose to you. You are his companion— his beloved who cares for and loves him. Not because you owe him or as an obligation. Simply because you do. And you are both still learning. It will be okay. Having each other means neither of you will ever have to face the cruelties of this world alone.

[cute-firelight]

I liked Caitvi in Season 2.

That said, that doesn’t mean I think their development is perfect.

For me what failed and felt kinda underwhelming was how the reuniting was done. It felt like as nothing had happened and they were like: oh! Well, You are here. And also Cait hiting Vi there again was not ok after what had happened. Like, that reuniting would have worked if the separation between them was less dramatic.

But for me, the rest of the development was handled very well and compensated that (the wording here is critical: FOR ME, if for other people is not enough is fine).

I liked the rawness of the impulsivity of what Caitlyn did, because honestly Cait was sooo bad but in general all their interactions after the bombing were really one sided from Caitlyn’s part, things were wrong since the start. The hit was just the culmination of all of it.

She convinced Vi to join the enforcers even with how hard was for her, then Vi begs her not to change, clinging to how Cait used to be when they met; but she now was in a complete another headspace.

You know, in the past I had a pretty bad moment psychologically, where my personality changed a lot. I felt like a genuine monster, I am not kidding. I never hit anyone but my behaviour still was totally not ok with my bf. I went to therapy, my boyfriend supported me and understood me, for my surprise, and now we have a very healthy relationship where I am a very supportive partner and we are both very happy with each other. It was all originated form insecurities and trauma, and because of that experience I can understand that ironically Cait felt powerless at that moment.

My interpretation of it is: she felt that the suit was big for her, but she had to wear it anyway to solve her mistake. In this mindstate she forces Vi to be an enforcer because she thinks is the same she is doing: wearing a suit she doesn’t want, and even if she doesn’t feel like it, because the situation requires to. Her dad did a hideous job at making her feel more guilty and more obligated to answer to it. Ofc I know you will say: but Vi’s trauma with enforcers is different than Cait’s with her mother and yes that is true. But is part of Cait blindness to the situation because of her mental state.

Then, Vi becomes an enforcer because she feels pressured to (this also probably needed a little bit of more showing and justification but I don’t see it unlikely).

They are hunting people with gas and all what it takes to solve everything is Cait to capture Jynx, this is a lot of pressure, she is dealing with the duel and everything at the same time. That moment of weakness and aggression from Cait was framed in a very specific situation when all the things that were pressuring her collapsed in one instant. Yes, her hitting embodied that privilege, and brutality but wasn’t that what they were already doing? I feel that is kinda the point? Cait there was perpetuating the system in where she was in by trying to hunt Jynx and by making all this gassing and stuff, and she felt forced to do it because of duty and guilt, and also that made her feel powered against her pain. Idk I liked that they dared to be so raw and harsh. (Basically, what I want to say here is that what you said about not being just a normal betrayal but a symbolism of their privilege difference and oppression I think that this was intentionally intended, I don’t understand the American lens comment bc I am not from the US)

What I would change of that scene maybe is the way the hit was done, because honestly the first time I watched I thought that she had broken a rib and let Vi injured. Sooo, maybe, not having Cait hit Vi at all and just to push her away and run. Then Vi would try to run after Cait again and in that moment Cait would threaten to hit Vi with the gun, then Vi would froze because that would remind her of her trauma and Cait would tell her about not wanting to see her again or hate her or something and to take the chance and run away (this scene could work both if the hit happens or not).

I wouldn’t rate her dark ark/redemption as perfect. Those are very very difficult to do but is not the worse I have seen. Again, if for you was enough or not is something more personal in my opinion.

Lastly, the ending of their arc makes a lot of sense. Cait said: fuck it. If she releases Jynx I don’t care, is not only Jynx’s fault but also my fault because I also couldn’t handle the situation between us properly. If there are more consequences I will face them.

Ambessa was a bigger threat than Jynx and I made her grow and she made the conflict worse. So basically: we both are the same. Cait trusted Vi’s judgement, something she didn’t do at the beginning by being super patronizing and saying how wrong she was, what was right to choose for her to do etc.. here she acknowledges Vi’s agency and lets her choose, with that Vi sees that the Caitlyn she fell for was still there. Caitlyn in general was very humbled down by the entire situation and she got to really grasp the power behind her privilege and how she affected things for the worse being even worse than Jynx in terms of consequences.

I want to say here, that I think that a lot of people wouldn’t have forgiven Cait, and that is valid. But Vi’s personality is like that. I think she is a person that is forgiving by nature, and she also has done terribly bad mistakes and this is why she forgives her. I know this would be less polemic if they were equals and that the show’s handling of inequality could have been way better. But I still liked it. I think their relationship will always have this inequality element ingrained with it; but the value of it is that they are able to see who each of them are beyond that. Also, I don’t see their relationship perfect after everything ended. I think that they still are going to need a lot of work to build a relationship.

Is sad that they didn’t let the writers of S1 be here as well, because I think that it would have helped to have more opinions of ways that some of the scenes could have been interpreted and dissected, besides the way they intended and I think that very small modifications to all of it would have improved it a lot. Because honestly the base of all of it is pretty solid and I feel that most people grudges about it are for details that feel too much or are out of place.

I feel that fans that defend Cait’s actions are also not ok, because the point of Cait’s arc is that is a dark arc. Characters that make mistakes are the ones that make a good dramatic story about how everyone’s context determine the way they act and how no matter how they try they can’t undo it. This traces back to Season 1 themes as well and is clear it was intended since the start. The execution and delivery are the reasons why it doesn’t work for everyone in my opinion.

for my own sanity, i try to stay away from caitvi discourse, but it’s truly baffling that some people still actively defend caitlyn hitting vi and are "dumbfounded" that it is enough for people to stop shipping them and voice their discontent about their relationship in s2.

one of the most common and dumb defenses i’ve seen is that caitlyn only hit vi once, as if the frequency of the act changes its nature. even a single instance of violence is still violence. highlighting that it happened only once does not negate its significance. it still happened, and it still matters. really, it's simple ...

but the dumbest attempt to defend this moment is comparing caitvi to other ships in arcane, when no other relationship in the series has a similar dynamic. in other pairings that involve physical conflict, both characters fight back or retaliate in some way, whether it’s jinx and ekko, viktor and jayce, or even vander and silco. but caitlyn hitting vi is entirely one-sided. vi does not hit back, and it is not framed as a fight. this moment is not a confrontation between equals but an instance of caitlyn exerting power over vi, someone who has already been through a lot of trauma (years of imprisonment and being beaten by enforcers), which caitlyn is very aware of.

but that’s if you watch arcane as a whole and not just for the relationship, because caitlyn hitting vi is a moment charged with systemic inequality. caitlyn represents the very institution that destroyed vi’s life. when she strikes her, it's not just an individual betrayal, it echoes the violence of an entire system that has oppressed zaunites for generations. it’s impossible to disregard that the historical and social power imbalance makes the scene feel so disturbing if you actually watch the show with your eyes open.

and it’s a major red flag. for caitlyn to hit vi, knowing what she has been through, is not just an act of violence but one that disregards the weight of vi’s suffering. she fails to see vi fully, not just as somebody willing to help her, a potential partner, or a fighter, but as someone wounded by her past.

also, i take back what i said about the dumbest attempt to defend this scene being comparing caitvi to other ships. the dumbest one is when people minimize caitlyn's action by defending the enforcers in general ... because no, the idea that the backlash against caitlyn hitting vi in arcane is simply a matter of an “american lens” is dumb asf. a lot of what's in the show mirrors the kind of systemic violence seen in many parts of the world, not just in the usa. y'all are not exceptional. class struggles, institutionalized oppression, and the abuse of power by those who hold privilege aren't exclusive to america. please wake up. these are themes that transcend national and cultural boundaries. vi’s trauma from imprisonment is not an american experience alone. the psychological and physical toll of being incarcerated is universal. how dumb do you have to be to actually think otherwise?

anyway, even if i don’t like that arcane didn’t frame caitlyn’s action as a serious issue and that it is treated as just another moment in their relationship, the willingness to ignore or rationalize it says more about the fandom’s biases than the actual content of the show imo ...

[aq2003]

okkkk some jumbled thoughts from my 3rd macbethening, this is a combination of things related to the film version plus just the production in general because i love it so much

i don't think i'll ever stop being floored by the opening scene. the music, macbeth's expressions (the exhausted, haggard way that he moves as the praises for his viciousness on the battlefield ring out behind him)... i'm deranged forever. bonus points this time for the close-ups on his face

the macbeth's embrace when they first reunite is so tender :( the way they hold onto each other :(

thanks to me having the soundtrack on loop i noticed a few interesting things re: the soundtrack. for instance the motif of the psalm first plays when duncan is naming malcolm heir (although much less dark and creepy i think). then it comes in at full force when macbeth is crowned king

it was stated in the traveling folk interview that iomar ò illean mhara was the song played at the irl funeral of duncan, and quite fittingly the first time it plays in the production is when lady macbeth welcomes duncan to inverness. though over the course of the play it definitely becomes lady macbeth's theme and plays over/in between her most pivotal scenes (including before and after the sleepwalking scene and right before her final exit). this makes me think about the parallels between them and how duncan's ghost haunts her (this production keeps the line about him reminding her of her father...!) def need more time to marinate in this

the little cascade is definitely banquo's motif (or the motif representing banquo's lineage). it plays during the first scene with him and fleance and then when the apparitions show macbeth banquo's legacy becoming kings !!

love the bird's eye view of macbeth bowing to duncan (and how it establishes a visual parallel w/ him on the ground before getting crowned, and him being lifted up by the witches)

LOVE how the ceilidh was filmed, it was even more stunning (!) than when i saw it live although that may have been where i was sitting lol

the only parts of the film version i don't think live up to when i watched it live were the "stars hide your fires" scene (i would like to see more of the slo mo clapping!) and the final fight (i think the choreography prob improved when staging it at the harold pinter, it was cleaner and less chaotic having everybody come at macbeth from only two directions)

of course it is stated in the credits that the "child" role is fleance, the macduffs' son, and young siward, but there are a few moments i think are solidly the ghost of the macbeths' child (he's behind the glass the whole time). when he appears over lady macbeth welcoming duncan to inverness, when he's walking along to the ceilidh (and you see him between the macbeths during the time-slow bit), and when he's frantically knocking as the macbeths dance together (after they resolve themselves to murder duncan). in this way i think he serves both as the embodiment of their reason to kill duncan and the embodiment of their guilt

the big, single knock of the ensemble behind the glass before macbeth has his monologue abt how "every noise appalls him".... the hands pressing against the glass when macbeth talks abt how he'll never sleep again..... so delightfully creepy. i love it so much.

i didn't have a good enough angle to see it either time i watched it live but the Look between the macbeths after lady macbeth pretends to "faint" was so good... i think dt's macbeth makes me actually believe that him killing duncan's servants was like this fucked up manifestation of his guilt and "violent love" and he was dissociating badly + didn't know what he was doing. anyway now in this scene he's making himself look insanely guilty so lady macbeth has to take everyone's eyes off of him for a hot second. love how the murder power couple are kind of cringe fail in their own funny way

the very uncomfortable look that the murderers share with each other when macbeth brings up killing fleance. suuuuuch a good touch to that scene

you all know i am a huge fan of the dagger soliloquy cuz it was macbeth grabbing at his own shadow, macbeth as the "dagger", resolving himself to be more a weapon than a man, etc, but also this theme is repeated in his last monologue in 3.2! he talks to his shadow again when he's justifying arranging the murders of banquo and fleance to himself. OOF

in my notebook for one of my points i just wrote "3.4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" cuz, obviously, david's acting in this scene is just fucking riveting and still gives me full body chills. also, staging note, i love that when he hallucinates the ghost for the second time everyone at the "table" moves away and it's like we're not watching him lose it in the eyes of everyone else we're being fully dunked into his head as he completely unravels

i think i like both the donmar and harold pinter versions of the 2nd witches scene equally! the choreography for the donmar version is a lot cooler and makes the witches feel more otherworldly but the harold pinter version connects it back to the theme of macbeth's trauma and grief and how the witches take root in that

i think it's just the fact i could see her expressions better but i teared up during the sleepwalking scene.. like aughhhhhh cush jumbo you came for my knees!!!!!!!!

the deranged grin on macbeth's face when he disarms macduff and he says "thou losest labor" i am soooo. i am SOOOOOOO. [chews on my arm]

BIG POOL OF BLOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RAHHHHHHHH

[simscici]

Meet My Couple Valentine's Challenge! ❤️

Omg this was so much fun to do, and it made me realize how well I know my Sims (crazy, right? lol). I hope I managed to capture each of their personalities as faithfully as possible!

Their most memorable photo is from the moment I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. After years of back and forth, they finally reunited and promised each other never to be apart again. And honestly, it didn’t take long after that for the proposal and the wedding to happen.

Ash and Penelope had a relationship full of ups and downs; just when we thought they would end up together, something would always come between them. Penelope’s Unflirty nature was also a huge obstacle, but Ash never gave up on her (thankfully!!). Over time, Pene learned to express her feelings more, even though she’s still pretty awkward about it to this day. I love them so much 🩷

Thank you so much for tagging me @wolkentage 🩷

I’ll tag: @perolesims @matchalovertrait @bakersimmer @mdshh @changingplumbob @purplesimmer455 @abbysimsfun @mariapaulaaah @shmoodlet @suntrait @nova-kim @living-undead @sharona-sims @bloomingkyras @rosienthe @aleksa-sims @finchfin @chocbee @myopiccc @peachbumms @kissalopa @hellgirl-ix I probably forgot some mutuals that I would’ve liked to tag, so I’m sorry 😭 But if you're seeing this post, consider yourself tagged 🩷

[yellowcry]

You know what time is it? It's time to yap about the new solarballs episode because I loved it

Uranus, please, calm down and think for a moment. I feel so bad for him tbh. For the first time he had a chance to become something other than a joke and unfinished parody of Saturn with weird tilt. Just for reality to smash it into pieces. And the last scene, where he threatens to leave... like you can see he just begs for attention. But, just as always, the ice giants are forgotten...

Mars seems as the most conflicted. Well he did admire Jupiter. Honestly I'm glad the planets aren't all immediately jump to hug one another but seem to have pretty hard feelings in case of the rocky planets. Saturn and Neptune are probably the only ones genuinely happy. (And be real, we all could expect this from Saturn)

"Let's not pull this stunt with heading into the sun again" MERCURY I'M GONNA THROW YOU INTO THE SUN MYSELF RN this is literally the best way to make suicidal person even more suicidal why did you have to say this. 😭😭/hj No but I understand he's probably stressed too. Pretty nice to see Mercury putting his feelings first. This isn't right, but just as Uranus, it all makes a lot of sence. And the way Mercury got unsulted at being called 'a moon' bro weren't you told not to treat them as inferiour? Honestly, this kinda returns to the point where planet, while they DO love their moons, they see them as lesser.

But seriously can anyone put earth to therapy again. And jupiter. And sun. And honestly the entire solar system.

Low-key dissapoined that they called past Earth 'Proto.' Proto is kinda shortened of Prototype. And prototype of what he was? The current Earth? They couldn't even be aware of his existence? (Say I as if the fact their names before humanity make any sense at all). I am a deep Gaia believer. (Or at least Terra)

Jupiter reunited with his moons! Finally! I've been waiting for this for the past ten years lolz. 'Wait that was real?' The best reaction one could have. But omg they are so wholesome. And seing Europa tear up wasn't on my 2025 bingo card. The entire scene was honestly so sweet. Solarballs for real let Ganymede be hurt. (Fair, Jupiter wouldn't have to question his state. Question is only WHY is he healed in the patreon previem like it takes place right after the episode??). But dang it, nice to see that despite everything they love one another.

'Are you really saying hi to me or is it another one of your lies?' Sun, are you okay? Like mentally/j i know he is not. But this is the weirdest reaction one could have.

The fact planet X didn't lose suddenly makes a big mess. I mean, Jupiter won't be ejected again that's for sure. But damn, it would be so easier if moons had actually won. Bro, Ganymede looks so guilty when sun reminds planet X won the challenge. But Sun I am still pissed off at how you made them play an asteroid dodgeball. Kinda hope he would be confronted on this fact in the next episode.

[navillee]

i'm curious, how do you see xavier as a sub? i'm a switch/vers myself (and a xavier main) and even /i/ have trouble seeing him as a sub

Xavier as a sub - an introduction

˚★⋆｡˚. ⋆ ⋆ ★⋆

Don't worry, I can help you

With the wonderfuls of

Sub Xavier.

★⋆ . ˚

˚★

The abandoned crown prince:

I've been playing lads since the release, and my first five star card was Xavier's fluffy trap, and that card engraved the first impressions of him on me. I didn't read his entire lore (now we have 5 guys it got too overwhelming to keep tracking of everyone, so it may not be thaat accurate. But since it's just headcanons and that's a safe space, let's goo);

He gives off the vibe of cat that lives in the neighborhood and probably have an owner that spoiled him rooten with food, toys and everything Xavier could ask for, but still, every opportunity it gets it will running down the stairs and meowing at your door to be your guest for days and have fun with your cardboard boxes;

"Running away" from a dying planet where he was a prince because his star has left him and his home to succumb into deepspace. Until he knocks at your door to be your guest for a unknown period of time. Maybe until he remembers he actually has an apartment himself;

He didn't mind to left his home and his position as the crown prince to go to the ends of deepspace to reunite with you once again. Xavier is so very dedicated that he even ended up being selfless into the process;

That's the trick when we talk about Xavier as a sub: it's a matter of lighting up (ba dum tss*) the shadows hiding under the entire trajectory of him as a crown prince, the role you played of singlehandedly keeping him an all he knew as a home alive atop of him desperately searching for you to the point he almost died several times;

The fact that Philos needed to be powered by the Aether core, that's by itself it's enough to set up some power dynamics where Xavier knows – and approves – he will be under;

That's why he started his searching after all, Xavier isn't a ruler without you. He claims that "my star has left me" as much as the kings from empires long ago vanished by time claimed that their goddesses have abandoned them;

That's why once he finally finds you, he shows that possessive and jealous behaviour, beefing with everyone that approaches you. "How dare them?" You're his star, his dearly adored goddess, showered by every sacrifice royalty privileges could ever offer you, center of his heart, life and soul, so how dare them trying to get you divine attention with bread?!??? "Like, hello? I'm a prince and the ultimate sacrifice from my own people lying down just by your side at any moment you ask. May I have your attention back?" *Makes a scene to get it back* "yeah, much better now."

Back to the present and +18 aspects:

He's a mix of everything he has seen during and being during the decades alone looking for you: from social etiquette he has at events that bring both of you back once again to a ballroom dance at Philos, making everyone around both of you sigh, to the modern sexual freedom that made him let go from the strings of being a nobel to be more bold and show you how much he wants and needs you;

He demands like a spoiled prince sometimes because he can't help but be one. It's just a matter of time until he remembers he can't fight back his god;

Then, like a spoiled loyal knight, he'll act possessive and jealous, but that's until he gets your attention back;

Then, you'll get a spoiled bold sub that will tease just as much as he will adores you. A power dynamics that will be playfully challenged, but ALWAYS respected;

Xavier will challenge you, as the spoiled nobel he is. That's why he seems a dom sometimes at the first glance. But don't let the crown prince of Philos fool you, his ultimate goal is your pleasure, to prove he's the only one dignified enough to occupy that position within the dynamic of power, loyalty and adoration you two have.

Expect to find him wandering at your apartment with his hoodie only. It's so easy for you to have access to him when he's only wearing it. You can run your hands from his lower back up to his nipples via his abs while he fights for his life to keep the dinner from burning (poor boy, always losses and made a mess in the kitchen, not only with the food);

Like a empty vessel waiting to be filled with life once again, he trembles and sighs once he gets your hands on him;

The type of sub that also put verbally action, encouraging and teasing you to go further, to hit harder, to posses him like the ancient gods used to do through dominating the mind and bodies of the rulers using them as a receptacle of their own divine presence on earth;

"hmm~! I know miss enjoy touching there. I wonder why...while miss have all the meat she could ask for at her home, she still giving attention to a peasant offering her moldy brea- nnhg! Yes, there, miss! Again, p-please!"

Huge fan of oral, both giving and receiving, but cums faster when it's eating you out. Xavier can't get enough of your taste to the point you have to pull his hair to get him off of you to properly breath and from overstimulating you;

Obsessed with public play. First opportunity he finds with no wanderers at sight, he's bringing you to an empty alley at Linkon to have your juices mixing with his saliva again;

It doesn't matter if he's hard with pre marking his hunter uniform, all he's focusing on is making you cum on his mouth;

His stamina is something scary. Can fuck you all night and is invested in finding your favorite positions. People at hunter's association will ask themselves why he seems so sleepy while slightly smirks while he watches you pass by;

He lights up when he's about to cum (literally). There's smalls specks of light when he's about to orgasm: around his face to show of the sweaty reddish pretty traces of him, with a open mouth letting slide moans and words of adoration, and around his cock – when you're pumping his cock with your hands – also to show of how much he can cum for you. Again, he's a shown off, for you, his star.

[lady-of-endless]

"Glimpse of us" (Seong Gi-hun x player!reader - season 2)

Summary: There you were, in the middle of the chaos, giving him a glimpse of what you two share.

Author's Note: I know that I promised a part two for the In-ho fic, but Gi-hun has priority. The Mingle game does wonders for fanfic ideas.

(Squid Game masterlist here)

So many people were trapped there willingly or not, so many lives that could be lost and not lived to their fullest. Is money really worth it? He found himself staring each person in the face, wanting nothing more than to shout at them in the moment they all stared in awe at the suspended piggy bank.

You swore that you saw a different man when looking at Gi-hun during the games. There was nothing but pure determination and worry in his eyes when scanning the arena but only you knew him and how broken, tired, but paradoxically insomniac he was in reality. Gi-hun's eyes traveled to you like they always did when everything was too much to bear, and his gaze softened.

He cursed himself countless times for letting you come with him. He wished you'd be helping from the outside, safely, but no matter how far his convincing went you still didn't listen. You faced the horror of the games with him, guilt slowly poisoning Gi-hun day by day, game by game.

How could he let you join? Gi-hun frowned and looked away, fixing his gaze on something else. He knew this would be both complicated and motivating at the same time. Still, for your safety, he kept his distance and told you to do the same. You both decided to keep it all a secret during the games, even from his old friend Jung-Bae. You could vividly remember the last embrace you shared before coming here and it felt like ages ago.

The possible regret of choosing to follow him in these games was unknown to you. Not even now, when you almost felt nauseous just from the mere, slow, spinning of the platform.

They all recognized the game, the Mingle game. The instructions were clear and yet, you could feel your heart slamming against your ribcage bolder than before.

You needed to look at him to keep your ground. Your eyes met again while no one paid attention. Sensing something was wrong, Gi-hun studied your face the way he wanted to and didn't allow himself to. As you touched your chest to feel your heartbeat, his jaw clenched and the tension in his shoulders was immediately visible to you underneath the turquoise tracksuit, all because of his worry. The back of his hand touched your free hand at your side, subtly, hiding it by stepping closer next to you. The fleeting worry of exposure shadowed your anxiety about the game for a moment but he was quick to talk.

"Be careful." He whispered to you while still looking around. "It's the only thing I'm asking for."

You closed your eyes and nodded once. That's what he said to you the last time he held you in his arms before joining this hell. As the song and the platform went on, you let yourself look at Gi-hun and recall the days before. You remembered how he was losing sleep, how desperate he was to hold you, how he tried to convince you to give up coming with him, and how he confessed again and again out of fear of whatever might happen. All of those thoughts paused with the platform's abrupt stop.

Five.

It was the first number announced in the speakers and which unleashed the chaos around you.

You were all six in Gi-hun's team. Gi-hun immediately decided to search for others to pair up with so that the rest of the team could stick together and be safe. He gave a slight nod to everyone, holding your gaze for a moment longer, a subtle signal that he would return safely. With that, he headed off into the crowd, leaving the group temporarily fractured. You shook your head to snap out of it and rushed the team to a room, taking Gi-hun's role in leading them to safety.

You could feel the adrenaline in your blood get out of control with each round completed with or without Gi-hun around. It was too much. The team reunited between rounds in a rush, but the joy of seeing them all alive was always interrupted by the speakers announcing the next number. And the next number was the last one.

Two.

Everyone froze. You looked at Gi-hun but he was already staring back. Without hesitation, he stepped forward.

"I'll go with you," He said firmly, determination etched in every deep line of his face. After making sure that the rest of the team split into pairs too, fast, he grabbed your arm and rushed you to the room before it was too late for both.

He got you in the room first and then him. You immediately leaned against the door, breathing heavily. The adrenaline, your heartbeat, it got worse. Gi-hun's hand reached the door next to your head, to steady himself in front of you, panting too.

"You okay?" Gi-hun asked, his voice quiet yet filled with concern, his eyes studying your face for any reaction. The door locked with a short and distinctive click.

"I'm okay, I'm good." You lied to yourself, nodding, agitated

"Just breathe," he murmured, his voice gentle.

Gi-hun watched as you struggled to regulate your breathing, the rise and fall of your chest rapid, your face flushed. He placed a hand on your chest, feeling the frantic beating of your heart against his palm.

"Slow... Slow, deep breaths," he coached gently, his own voice a little vulnerable because of the proximity between you that was slowly more evident.

As you began to slow your breathing, following his steadying guidance, Gi-hun could feel your heart rate slow, the erratic beats becoming more regular under his touch.

"That's it," he murmured, his hand still resting on your chest, fingers splayed against the fabric of your tracksuit jacket. "Were here together, remember," he said, his voice a hoarse whisper. "We have to keep going." The words were supposed to sound firm and determined, but it all came out hesitantly, weakly.

Gi-hun's mind was a storm of thoughts and feelings. It was too long since you two were close since he touched you since he could feel you. Being so close but so out of reach because of his plan was harder than he expected. He cleared his throat, trying again. "We need to..."

Gi-hun's train of thought was interrupted by the sight of your face. He missed looking at you from this close, feeling your breath on his skin. His eyes were searching for something, anything that could break that tension. All the abstinence, all the longing, and the hiding were making both of you tense and distracted. He could feel it peak now, in the worst moment possible.

"We need to focus," he repeated, but the words felt hollow, the meaning behind them shifting, taking a different turn, a more intimate one. His forehead touched yours.

His eyes suddenly darted to the timer from the wall to the surveillance camera from the corner of the room to the small window from the door that was blocked by your head. There was still time to be spent in that room alone with you. Outside, there was chaos, and he needed a taste of distraction from it all to keep going. The room, the game, the danger, he wanted to forget it all for just a few seconds that were left.

Your face got framed by both of his hands, his fingers lacing through your hair. Before it was too late, his lips found yours in a kiss he missed so much. His touch was gentle yet tense, not knowing what to do first, how much time he had left, wanting to touch you the way he always did before the games. The kiss was a fragile, fleeting thing; the seconds were still ticking, but for him, it all faded in a blur. Gi-hun guided your arms around his neck and sighed into the kiss. Your lips took him back to how much he cares for you and how grateful he is for you. He knew it earlier, from the days spent with you in that motel. You'd always help him with his plans and heart. Gi-hun knew how he was the shell of the simple man he used to be years ago before winning the games, but his heart was still capable of loving with zeal.

His fingers ran down your spine, pushing you against him while his other hand grabbed yours, fingers intertwining. He could lose everything and not care, but not if he were to lose you, the only good thing in his life. The temporary bliss was interrupted by your gasp as the ticking stopped and the door unlocked with a click. You both stepped back hesitantly, both wanting and needing more but the harsh reality of the game and your mission was slipping back into your consciousness. Gi-hun pulled away from you; his breath was uneven, his eyes holding a storm of emotions, and his body felt the absence of your touch.

"The game is over," he murmured, his voice a rough whisper. "We survived another one."

You nodded, catching your breath. His presence calmed you down. You felt a rush of hope when looking into his eyes but you sighed, knowing that it was time to face the other remaining players and hide any form of attachment again. Gi-hun pulled you against him one last time, kissing you again, deeply for a moment before everything. Both of you exchanged one last glance before stepping back in the arena, shielding you.

Searching around for survivors and for his team with a hard expression, Gi-hun's fingertips found his lips in a subtle touch, the heat of your kiss still lingered, giving him another rush of determination to get the whole system of the game down, end it all and leave with you.

[akicine]

Helloo!

Not sure if you have requests open, if not pls lmk.

I was wondering if I could request platonic Blade with a reader who has been with him since their childhood because reader lost their parents early (reader is around teen years) but got separated from him in a disaster and gets reunited with them many years later.

An: 👍 Love the concept! And sorry for it taking too long my motivation has been down the drain for the past month because work is just not working out for me.

THIS IS PLATONIC

Will we ever meet again?(Platonic Blade x Reader)

It’s been so long since he’s since your face , even if it’s been years , even with the Mara clawing at the edges of his sanity and tearing the fragile frames of memories in his head , he could never forget you.

Not when he raised you when nobody else would .

Not when he held your hand when you got lost or uncomfortable, or when he let you squirm underneath the covers of his bed whenever you got nightmares.

When he had to take you to the battle field , he would rip off a piece of his coat and cover it over your eyes , while also seating you somewhere relatively far away from the battle , he wouldn’t bother with others , but at the time , the urge to keep you safe and secure was overwhelming.

When he lost you, he felt lost, just like in the beginning, when he was a mere shell with no soul inside . Taking care of you had brought out something inside of him that made him feel alive.

He sat in his quarters , staring at the wall, the Mara eating away at his mind at a quicker pace, causing Kafka to use her sprit whisper much more often.

He eventually got over you, but he still had that hole in his heart, weeping as he lost part of his soul.

So now , when he finally sees you again, it feels like a miracle, you’ve aged , but he hasn’t. He doesn’t know whether or not you remember him, but even if your appearances changed drastically, he would always recognize you.

He did raise you after all.

He sees the light in your eyes are gone now , and so was the innocence you used to have . It’s now replaced with a more natural and aged look , one that tells a story of sorrow and harshness.

Before he can slowly sink into his memories , your voice brings him out of it .

“ I- … Hello , blade …” Your timid voice and the new title you call him makes him surprised , he expected you to be a little bit for familiar with him , but he supposes it’s because it’s been years.

He stares at you for a little while , before his raspy voice catches your attention.

“Hello….. How… have you been doing?”

Even though his face remained indifferent, there was a tinge of uncertainty in his tone , almost as if he feared making you uncomfortable.

You’ll never forget how you kicked and screamed when he first picked you up.

A laugh was coaxed out of your throat because of that thought, making him raise an eyebrow .

You quickly wave your hands in front of you, thinking that it could disperse the confusion, “I’m not laughing at you! I promise really!”

He sighs , before raising a hand out of instinct and gently patting your head , making you freeze.

Both of you freeze actually.

One of out shock , the other out of fear of hurting you.

You look up at him before holding , gently place your hand over his and smiling at him.

“ Do you think… I can still call you my father?”

A small, rarely seen smile appears on his face, one that is familiar to you . His hand gently resumes running through your hair, the familiar sensation making you feel more comfortable around him.

With a gentle voice you remember, he says

” Yes, of course you can.”

[altarfates]

The implicit trust that exists between them was adamantine, that even as Luo Binghe had been thrust into the purgatory of the endless abyss his heart had yearned insistently to be reunited with his master.

It would have been apposite for it to grow tremulous with ire, the violent quaking of his rage enough to bring the four cultivation sects unceremoniously to their knees. Even he, consumed by the vehemence of it, had imprudently leant upon the notion of it only consisting of resentment. It hadn’t been until his shizun’s elegant spine was pressed flushed to a wall and his hand had clasped firmly over his mouth pouring blood down his desperately constricting throat, that something else had kindled within him, the origins of a fierce inferno. It was a past steeped in treachery, a childhood that had only known torment dissolved before the benevolence of one man insisting on keeping a practised distance between the two of them. That disciple’s urgent, enthusiastic gait had walked just a few strides behind him for much of his youth; afterwards, when he returned from that hellish abyss, he had been certain to hunt him more effectively. 

He cannot think of anything other than the immaculate jade of Shen Qingqiu’s features now flushed prettily, his mouth parted obediently around his thick shaft, something about that debauched act stokes that unrelenting heat to terrifying heights. Within the sanctuary of his mind, confined for their depravity was too grotesque to allow him to witness, Luo Binghe tames the delirious reverie of splitting apart his skin so he might make room for himself beside the fluttering alacrity of his heart. The ways he wants him are endless, his mind craves it all from the mundanity of folding his washing and cooking his food, to caressing his elegant visage as he moans the demon lord’s name, unrestrained, captive to the intensity of his own desire. Punishment was right, he did covet it. Craving the act of being unmade by the very hands that sought to appease him, longing for both the exquisite act of pleasure verging upon agony to the gentlest caress those hands could bestow. Greedy, Luo Binghe was greedy and he shows no remorse for being seen in that morbid act, revealing the avarice of his heart without the need to obstruct it, a part of him wants, needs, to know that even as his most sullied Shen Qingqiu will still accept him. He knows he will, the reassurance is yet another integral part of that greed.

Know me, he behests, baring the squalor of his blackened soul as Shen Qingqiu lowers down the length of his cock, saliva assisting in accommodating his descent, the back of his throat spasming as the head brushes against something sensitive, the jolt of pleasure from it is enough to have him sinking his teeth into his own fingers, repressing something visceral, mindlessly laving the stain of crimson off of them. The taste alleviates it, there’s something inherently sinful about the way Shen Qingqiu preserves their eye contact, divesting his rebellious disciple of chances to evade that piercing, inquisitive darkness. It’s a wicked thrill that curls within him, sinuous tendrils that encircle the notches of his spine, swathing the molten heat in his gut and compelling his hips to thrust further into the pleasantly constricting heat of his mouth. Luo Binghe doesn’t want to hurt him, doesn’t want to force more of his dick into the other’s mouth than he can take but his mind, effaced of frivolous things like consideration, wants no needs to feel him choking upon the girth of it again. It was unfair how he could remain so alluring as saliva trickled down his chin in a thin rivulet, his lips parted salaciously around him, tongue slipping between them to tease him in tantalizing lines of slick, unforgiving heat. It was almost too much, Luo Binghe watched him through the thick, dark veil of his lashes, his pupils widening to consume the crimson hungrily circling them. He could not look away, did not want to look away, he needed to carve the image of it beneath his eyelids, to immortalize it. If he is to restrain that animalistic urge, the persistent aching in his gums to ruthlessly dethrone him and pin him down, ravaging him until the silken sheets twisted with how he writhed, he deserves at least this as compensation. 

Then his hands, deft and gracile, slip further down, not interrupting the steady way he takes his husband’s cock into his mouth but punctuating that all encompassing heat with a new, unfamiliar lance of pleasure. His dark, expressive brows are drawn together, breath hitching as Shen Qingqiu learns how best to dismantle him. It begins with those dauntless fingertips caressing the smooth skin of his balls and ends as they press, not urgently but firmly against the puckering rim of his ass. It was a besetting onslaught of pleasure, an exquisite contrast between mouth and hand that has Luo Binghe moaning his name wantonly. The way it settles upon his lips is tantalizing, no longer relying on the appellation of shizun to separate the two of them, his name, Shen Qingqiu, pitched from behind his teeth as they sink into the pliant skin of his bottom lip is utterly obscene. His fingers press further in, exploring the places within Luo Binghe that only he will ever witness, coaxing wave after wave of pleasure to carve him anew. Despite how the bestial thing in him hungers for Shen Qingqiu’s ruinious pleasure it is his cock that twitches against his shizun’s tongue, it is him who has to restrain the exigent desire to coat the other’s throat in thick, white ropes of cum. It’s a relief then when he pulls back, heaving gasping mouthfuls of air into his lungs, his eyes hazed and his mouth alluring, wet with spit and precum, ruddy with the filthy ways he sought to pleasure his disciple. As Shen Qingqiu rises, settling once more atop the sharp contours of his abdomen, he is struck by the wetness that dwells between his plush thighs, the profound need that was derived not from his own pleasure but from sucking off Luo Binghe. It goes straight to his head, a writhing sort of static pleasure that effaces any other thought he could have summoned. As he is kissed he groans, vulgarity swallowed by the other’s tempting mouth against his own, Luo Binghe’s tongue caressing their seam and asserting his dominance. He had heard what had been said, was still reeling with the revelation when he pulled back, just enough so that their breath can be one shared in tandem. “ Shizun.” The proud curve of his cock is pressed firmly against the curve of master’s ass, the voracity that Luo Binghe cultivated in his presence evinced in the way it strains against his skin, desperate to be deep inside of him rather than condemned like this. He trembles with it, the raw, unrestrained desire he had possessed for his shizun erupts in a disgorging moment of precipitous motion, fingers finding purchase against his hips and effectively dragging him from his seat atop Luo Binghe’s stomach. It isn’t ruthless, nor violent but the relentless desire betrayed in the way he effortlessly switches their position says more than words could ever. 

Shen Qingqiu is now beneath him, their bodies so close that their shared heat is almost unbearable. Luo Binge’s hand still presses insistently into the places his waist narrows, almost bruising, deliberately possessive. “ …inside.” he repeats the word prolonging the sound with a rumination that belies his inner machinations, the way that demon lord became volatile around others but tempered to something softer with him. He was regarding him cautiously, repressing the hunger that clawed him into a festering wound because his Shizun’s features were open, honest, flustered in a way that made him insatiable. He leans down and buries his face in the crook of his throat, initially it’s just warm breath fanning against sensitive skin but soon it devolves into chaste kisses along the enticing arch of his neck, then, after that, teeth that graze and tentatively bite. “ Shizun won’t regret this, will he.” he murmurs hotly against the warmth of his skin, the need to be inside of him, fucking him open, was rapidly eroding on the tenuous remnants of his restraint. He hasn’t given him time proper to articulate when he draws the other’s thighs close to him, the authority of that single hand pressing into the supple skin of his thigh and dragging him closer was less Luo Binghe disciple of Qing Jing peak and more heavenly lord of the demon realm. His cock rests against the tempting heat of his pussy, teasing as it eased through the mess indicative of Shen Qingqiu’s desire. Not yet, even as his mind riots violently, wanting nothing less than to rut urgently into the heat of him, he manages another soft, breathy warning. “ I need you..” 

maybe  Shen  Qingqiu  should  submit  to  his  disciple's  declarations  and  admonish  punishment  after  all.   again  and  again,  as  if  gleaning  some  kind  of  sick  enjoyment  from  the  concept  of  it,  Luo  Binghe  has  reminded  his  master  that  a  punishment  was  in  order  for  his  salacious  tongue.  that  Shen  Qingqiu  should  assume  the  role  he  was  rightfully  granted  the  moment  they  entered  this  relationship.  though  they  treated  each  other  as  equals,  there  was  still  a  very  clear  power  imbalance  between  the  two  of  them  in  a  very  unique  way.  while  Luo  Binghe  excelled  far  above  Shen  Qingqiu  in  physical  and  spiritual  strength,  Shen  Qingqiu's  status  as  both  his  teacher  and  his  mentor  had  somehow  subdued  this  heavenly  demon  into  acquiescence  for  his  master's  every  decision.  love  was  an  incredulous  thing  deserving  of  a  thorough  dissection.  it  could  transform  even  the  most  violent  creatures  into  the  most  harmless  of  entities.  to  no  one  else  but  Shen  Qingqiu  did  Luo  Binghe  willingly  bend  the  knee,  and  it  was  due,  in  no  small  part,  to  the  voilatile  nature  of  that  thing  called  love.  it  seemed  to  fester  in  his  disciple's  heart  like  an  infection  in  an  open  wound,  spreading  through  his  veins  to  his  bones,  weakening  his  organs  and  consummating  his  decision  to  offer  himself  before  Shen  Qingqiu  like  one  offers  golds  and  riches  to  a  god.  in  Shen  Qingqiu's  mind  though,  Luo  Binghe  was  worth  far  more  than  any  physical  treasure  coveted  by  man  and  beast  alike.  Luo  Binghe  was  special  beyond  words:  his  secret  heaven,  his  respite  away  from  the  chaos  of  the  cultivation  world.  Luo  Binghe  was  the  foundation  to  his  resolve;  the  soil  fertilizing  the  garden  flourishing  unfettered  in  his  heart.  vines  woven  in  between  every  bone  in  his  ribcage,  constricting  his  heart,  leaving  no  room  for  anyone  but  himself.  and  he  knew  well  that  he  was  the  groundwork  that  kept  Luo  Binghe  rooted  in  the  realm  of  reality.

never  again  would  his  mind  stray  down  dark  paths   –   never  again  would  his  feet  deep  into  bottomless  depths  that  swallowed  him  whole,  choked  the  air  from  his  lungs,  filled  his  body  and  his  bones  with  resentment  and  hatred.  because  each  time  he  was  submerged,  it  was  always  Shen  Qingqiu's  hand  that  pulled  him  out  from  beneath  those  murky  waters.  they  were  each  other's  greatest  salvation  and  sinful  downfall.  and  Shen  Qingqiu  was  fine  with  this   –   had  aptly  accepted  it  so  long  ago  the  moment  he  unveiled,  with  certainity,  the  axiom  of  Luo  Binghe's  feelings  for  him.  Luo  Binghe  was  a  great  many  things:  a  liar,  a  beast,  a  demon,  a  disobedient  disciple,  and  incorrigible  youth   –   perceptions  and  false  narratives  sculpted  of  him  rooted  in  surface-level  interactions.  those  who  condemned  him  rarely  had  the  insight  of  the  man  lurking  beneath  the  beast.  no  one  knew  Luo  Binghe  better  than  Shen  Qingqiu,  nor  would  they  ever,  for  the  things  revealed  so  flagrantly  to  Shen  Qingqiu  were  things  meant  only  for  his  eyes  and  no  one  else's.  they  were  a  gift  of  the  highest  honor�� bestowed  upon  him,  and  Shen  Qingqiu  had  every  intention  to  cherish  them.  there  wasn't  an  ounce  of  betrayal  to  be  found  lurking  in  the  corners  of  his  heart   –   never  would  he  offer  his  disciple  as  a  sacrifice  to  the  avarice  and  prejudice  of  those  who  failed  to  really  understand  him.

on  the  subject  of  punishment…  Shen  Qingqiu  does  contemplate  it.  he  has  the  time  do  so  now  that  his  mind  had  made  space,  and  banished  the  former  flurry  of  catastrophic  thoughts  he'd  nearly  crumpled  to.  twice  now  Luo  Binghe's  suggested  his  master  should  take  some  sort  of  action  against  him,  and  the  glimmer  in  his  dark  red  eyes  betray  the  mounting  concupiscence  in  his  heart.  Shen  Qingqiu's  mind  momentarily  leans  on  the  laurels  of  askance:  he  almost  wants  to  verify  the  validity  behind  Luo  Binghe's  protrusive  insistence,  that  there  isn't  some  underlying  catch-22  hidden  in  the  catacombs  of  it.  you  can  never  actually  tell  what  the  heavenly  demon  is  thinking:  numerous  times  he's  been  able  to  deceive  Shen  Qingqiu  into  believing  one  thing,  only  to  reveal  the  opposite  later  on.  it's  generally  earned  him  a  verbal  lashing,  but  Luo  Binghe  is  an  exceptionally  intelligent  individual,  and  isn'tt  one  to  be  underestimated  in  any  capacity.  failure  to  take  this  into  consideration  often  lead  to  unfavourable  outcomes.  the  only  one  who  wasn't  completely  at  risk  of  falling  to  Luo  Binghe's  subterfuge  was  Shen  Qingqiu  himself   –   once  again  lead  by  his  relationship  to  his  master,  pure  and  unbridled.  it's  as  if  Luo  Binghe's  greatest  fear  is  crafting  consternation  between  the  two  of  them,  permanently  sullying  the  undiluted  bond  between  them.  it  proved  to  Shen  Qingqiu  that  his  heart  really  was  fragile  when  it  came  to  him   –   that  the  smallest  imbalance  could  send  it  into  disarray,  and  he  loathed  the  thought  of  shattering  him  like  glass.  Hadn't  the  original  flavour  already  accomplished  this  enough?  and  hadn't  Shen  Yuan-now-transmigrated-into-Shen  Qingqiu  make  it  personal  mission  to  cherish  and  protect  this  pure  and  unsullied  flower?  even  after  Luo  Binghe  was  shoved  into  the  Endless  Abyss  by  none  other  than  Shen  Qingqiu  and  his  heart  blackened,  his  master  was  determined  to  never  repeat  the  same  mistake  again.

so  much  had  been  miscommunicated  between  them  due  to  their  inability  to  use  their  words  correctly,  but  now  Shen  Qingqiu  had  a  chance  to  rectify  that  mistake.  he  once  more  flicked  his  gaze  toward  Luo  Binghe  when  his  disciple  earnestly  divested  his  true  thoughts  about  what's  being  done  to  him.  Shen  Qingqiu  can  count  the  amount  of  times  his  disciple's  lied  to  him  on  one  hand   –   he  trusts,  more  than  anything,  that  he  isn't  holding  back.  that  what  flows  freely  from  his  lips  is  precisely  in  line  what  with  he  feels.  it  makes  Shen  Qingqiu's  heart  swell  with  pride.  he  may  lack  for  experience  in  this  particular  act,  but  as  long  as  he  had  Luo  Binghe's  guidance,  he  could  rest  assured  he  could  navigate  through  this  correctly  and  produce  the  most  satisfaction  for  his  cultivation  partner.  therefore,  it  wouldn't  come  as  any  shock  that  his  efforts  picked  up  in  earnest  directly  after  that,  and  suddenly  he  wasn't  just  testing  the  waters,  but  experimenting  more  fervently.  picking  apart  his  lover's  responses  and  measuring  the  results  he  receives.  it's  with  a  little  difficulty  that  he  finds  success  in  swallowing  his  erection  down  far  enough  that  it's  tapered  head  is  nestled  against  the  back  of  his  throat.  he  experiences  some  mild  discomfort,  and  even  gags  a  little  bit,  but  the  ordeal  isn't  wholly  unpleasant.  if  anything,  once  he's  adjusted  enough,  he  finds  he  enjoys  it.  his  response  to  Luo  Binghe's  confirmation  creates  a  current  of  confidence  in  him  even  though  it's  his  first  time.  soon  enough  the  room  is  filled  with  the  vulgar  sounds  of  his  lips  sweeping  along  the  length  of  his  erection  and  the  suckling  that  came  with  it.  he  starts  slow  at  first,  and  then  gradually  picks  up  the  pace  as  his  confidence  swells  to  new  heights.

then  comes  the  addition  of  his  hand   –   not  on  the  shaft,  but  cupping  his  balls.  it's  another  experiment  he  wants  to  engage  in.  he  finds  the  flesh  especially  soft  like  velvet  here,  delicate  and  smooth  beneath  his  fingertips.  he  gives  himself  only  a  fraction  of  a  second  to  marvel  at  this  revelation  before  manipulating  his  fingers  into  a  gesture  that  resembled  rolling  them.  he  keeps  them  cupped  in  palm  as  lithe  digits  smoothed  over  pliant  edges  and  toyed  with  dual  mounds.  these  movements  are  significantly  slower  than  how  he  drapes  his  mouth  over  his  erection,  but  he  wants  to  take  care  and  give  him  time  to  thoroughly  enjoy  his  treatment.  Shen  Qingqiu  could  delegate  an  adequate  punishment  for  him  later  on:  here  and  now,  in  this  moment,  he  only  wants  to  pleasure  Luo  Binghe.  his  eyes  have  yet  to  severe  from  the  connection  with  Luo  Binghe's,  keen  to  unearth  all  the  things  he's  feeling  right  now.  all  the  thoughts  whipping  around  his  catastrophic  mind.  the  hand  on  his  balls  slips  further  down   –   suddenly  there's  something  small  and  rounded  pressing  at  his  lover's  entrance.  he  waits  the  span  of  precisely  two  seconds  before  pushing  his  way  in  and  being  enveloped  by  heat.  he  thinks  vaguely  to  himself,  of  how  many  times  Luo  Binghe's  done  this  to  him;  touched  him  in  these  intimate  and  animalistic  ways.  the  uncountable  instances  of  him  eating  Shen  Qingqiu  out  while  sticking   a  finger  or  two  into  his  puckered  hole.  a  mere  rememberance  alone  causes  the  wetness  between  his  own  legs  to  surge   –   to  ache  with  wanton  desire.  would  that  he  could  climb  on  top  of  him  right  now  and  beset  that  taunt  pillar  in  the  plush  walls  of  his  arousal.  he  can  already  guess  how  fervently  his  discple  plans  to  rut  into  him  after  Shen  Qingqiu's  relinquished  control  and  passed  the  reigns  to  him  instead.  his  arousal  swells  yet  again;  he  feels  liquid  trickle  down  his  inner  thigh.

but  just  as  all  good  things  begin   –   so  do  they  come  to  an  end.  Shen  Qingqiu's  jaw  eventually  grows  tired,  and  he's  dragged  this  out  long  enough.  he's  no  doubt  in  his  mind  Luo  Binghe  might  complain  in  the  absence  of  his  lips,  but  he'd  be  duly  rewarded  for  his  patience.  so  Shen  Qingqiu  releases  him  from  the  confines  of  his  mouth  with  a  soft  ‘pop’.  he  swallows  a  few  mouthfuls  of  air,  having  almost  completely  denied  himself  until  now,  and  affixes  his  lover  with  an  engrossed  expression.   “   this  master  will  punish  you  later.  ”   he  offers  his  rebuttal  long  after  those  thoughts  have  dissipated  from  the  air.   “  for  now…  ”   his  hand  rises  to  cup  the  swell  of  of  Luo  Binghe's  cheek.   “  …  this  master  has  a  gift  for  you  instead,  since  you've  been  so  good  these  days.  ”   he  might  come  to  regret  this  decision  later  on,  especially  when  taking  into  account  Luo  Binghe's  voraciously  sexual  nature   (  demons  had  too  much  stamina!  too  much!  ),  but  he  didn't  care  to  entertain  those  thoughts  for  now.  his  lips  seek  his  disciple's  as  he  ascends  the  length  of  his  body  and  rests  his  hips  upon  his  stomach,  mere  inches  above  that  weeping  erection.   “  you  may  cum  inside  this  master  tonight.  ”   if  he  had  any  reservations  about  it  before,  there  was  no  going  back  now.   “   raw.  ”   he  added,  almost  as  a  careless  afterthought.  Luo  Binghe  had  been  hounding  him  for  weeks  to  let  him  do  that,  and  thanks  to  his  exemplary  behaviour,  he  had  finally  earned  his  lover's  approval.