#late night asks w mia

[suugarbabe]

getting high w theo😼

mmmm yes yes yes yes lets divulge shall we? 😌

getting high with theo is a special thing because at first he was very resistant.

a lot of "cara mia, amore, you can't, s'very bad for your lungs"

but you'd whine that pretty whine that really get's Theo going

"pretty please teddy, just one hit?"

and reluctantly he lets you, both shocked and turned on at how well you take it

"have you done this before, amore?"

you'd smile a smirking tight lipped grin and a little shrug of your shoulders?

"I never said I haven't, Teddy, just that I haven't with you."

and thus your little smoking get-a-ways began

meeting late at night in the astronomy tower

Theo would roll while you talked the gossip of the day

and then you would sit side by side

feet dangling while leaning against the railing

head rested on his shoulder as you pass the spliff back and forth

and the sex?

merlin, when you're both high it's like everything intensifies tenfold

every nerve ending on fire

like you feel him deeper

"fuck me, cara mia, you sound so fucking pretty"

every orgasm was like you were levatating

so every time you asked Theo if you could join him

he never denied it

[iluvmorales]

12:15am , E-42 Miles

Summary Miles just really needs his lover

a/n none

warnings mentions of threats, near death experience, death, trauma (?) angst w love/fluff

‘come over’

Was all the text read, sent at 12:15. Miles had a tendency of getting home late from his job, but when it was past 11, it usually meant something went wrong.

It didn’t even take a minute for you to grab your coat, throw on the hood and head out the door. You took the elevator down and took a late night cab to the place, seeing as how it was dangerous for a girl to walk the streets at night since they could, and most likely would fall victim to lots of crimes.

You tipped the driver, before stepping out infront of the building only for Mrs. Morales to open the door and let you in with a smile, but worried expression on her face.

“Hola mija..” you smiled at her softly; “Hola, ¿El está bien?” You asked, not speaking too loudly. She just shook her head; “Yo no sé mija, he just- won’t talk to me” she sounded worried as she lead you up the stairs and into their apartment.

“Talk to him, por favor Mija” she held one of your hands between both of hers, with a pleading look in her eyes. “Of course” you placed yours on top of hers squeezing before turning to go into miles’ room.

You didn’t even knock, simply opening the door and closing it behind you. The room was pitch black, the only light coming from the moon as this side of town was always dark. “Miles?” You whispered, trying your best to find his figure.

Then you heard rustling in the bed, and miles peaked his head out. “Vida mia,..¿Que paso?” You cooed, making your way to the bed and sitting next to him.

He only turned to face you, tired eyes boring into yours. “Nada..pero I just really need you right now” he mumbled, arms snaking around you and pulling you closer so that his face was now in your lap.

Your heart pounded, but ached at the sight of how exhausted he looked. You lightly tapped him making motions for him to sit up, to which he did, slowly. He gave you a questioning hm, his eyes still giving you that same look.

“I know you don’t want to talk about it, but you’re worrying us all. At least tell me something, anything” your hands on his neck and cheek, caressing him as if he’d break.

He sighed and closed his eyes; he swallowed the lump in his throat thinking about the situation earlier that night. “They..almost had me today” You could hear the pain in his voice, and the way his face twisted when he thought about it.

You wrapped your arms around him, legs now sprawled out across the bed as you pulled him in. “Oh miles..” was all you could get out, holding him so tightly. He almost died today, and it was a possibility it could happen again. “just the thought of loosing you..fuck” you squeezed him, tears threatening to spill.

His arms were now hooked under yours, holding you. “I’m sorry mamí” was all he could mumble, a tear now falling down his cheek.

“It’s not your fault miles, I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you” you loosened your grip, rubbing circles on his back, and one hand coming up to wipe the tear from his face.

It was rare miles let you treat him like this, ever since his father passed he believed it was his job to provide and protect, take the role of “the man of the house”. He forced himself to grow up faster.

“I’m just so glad you’re okay” you mumbled, placing a kiss at the top of his braids. You both laid there staring at the night sky from his window.

Miles enjoyed the feeling of being held and comforted, being cared for. But he knows sooner or later he’d go back to the role he played, and have to tell you the truth.

the truth being how they held him at gunpoint, retrained, then threatened to kill you if he ever, stepped out of line again.

[taintandviolent]

Baby, it's cold outside ; Oz Cobb x Reader

summary: It's Christmas Eve in Gotham City, and it's bitterly cold, but you're warm up in Oz's penthouse. When he comes home from an event, you're waiting, wrapped up like a little present.

word count & w a r n i n g s: K | older man/younger woman, established relationship, making out, shameless smut, unprotected sex, foreplay in a Santa outfit, santa kink????, christmas themes, very inappropriate use of christmas puns/phrases/themes, fingering (female receiving), festive dirty talk, praise kink, very brief and light bondage, .

a/n: requested by a few anons! I hope it satisfies your festive whore needs for this man!!! not beta read and kinda rushed, but such is life. I wanted to get this out before Christmas Eve. Also speaking of Eve's.... Eve is... MIA I don't know, it's a plot hole, it didn't work out between them, yada yada, but she's not apart of this. all in the name of spice / reader's benefit! banners by @/strangergraphics!

↓ full fic under cut! ↓ / playlist here / ao3 link here! / I don’t have a taglist anymore, but please turn on post notifications if you’d like to be notified of future fics!

Gotham had been hit by a massive blizzard, but you weren’t complaining. It was Christmas Eve, and the snow was welcomed. At least by you, who didn’t have to be out in it. Big, fluffy flakes drifted down from the clouds, and you had a perfect view of the snow-covered city from the large windows. With the music that you’d put on, it felt altogether very Christmas-y.

You were enjoying the snow by yourself for the time being. Oz had left late that afternoon in a Santa suit. Some favor he had to do – couldn’t get out of it. The way he bristled every time you brought it up told you not to ask for too much information.

Christmas was really important to Oz – you assumed it was a favored holiday of his mother’s or something. Which was unsurprising. Everything, in some way, rooted back to his mother. You had come to terms with that, and accepted it. Played into it, even. 

He was insistent on a tree. A big one.

By the first of December, he had a massive one picked out for the living room, and a smaller (but still substantial) one for his mother’s room and had them delivered to the penthouse. You two decorated the big one that night, with cocktails and music. As with everything in his life, Oz was particular about decorating. After a few drinks, you could admit, your tree decorating skills were lacking. You’d lazily hang them in clusters, and Oz would fuss after you, rearranging it until it looked like it had fallen out of a magazine. 

But tonight, the tree was perfect. You crouched down in front of it, flicking a particularly ample bow atop a package. It wobbled and glittered, catching the twinkling lights above it. Most of the presents were yours – you knew this. Every time you turned around, it seemed there were another two tucked under the tree. 

“Doll?” 

Oz’s gruff voice comes from the hallway, echoing against the walls. Your head snaps up, and you straighten, pushing yourself off of your knees – you hadn’t heard him come in. You wrap the fluffy white robe tighter around your body, making sure that it isn’t revealing anything of your surprise. You’d been in the lingerie for a few hours, not knowing when he’d get home.

He rounds the corner, lumbering in with the signature gait that you’ve come to love. Though he’s ditched the hat and beard, he’s still in the classic red and white suit. It suits his stature and you screw your lips up in an amused smile, trying not to laugh at how miserable he looks. Like an excited child, you gallop over, pressing your hands against the plush suit. You trace circles in the fabric and look up at him with your doe eyes and pouting lips. 

“Ohohoh, Santa,” you coo, playfully. “You’re early.” 

Seeming embarrassed, Oz pulls your hand off his chest, holding it for a moment before bringing it to his lips. A small kiss is placed upon your knuckles before he finally speaks. “Ah, cut it out. Lemme’ get outta’ this fuckin’ thing and I’ll –” 

“Ozzy…” You back up, your hands falling to the tie of your robe. “You know, it’s customary to open a present on Christmas Eve.” 

He stops, mid-turn, and squints at you. He knows you well enough to know that mischievous glimmer in your eyes ain’t going away.

“So, open this one.” 

In a fluid motion, you untie the sash and shrug the robe off your shoulders. It falls to the floor, revealing your festive lingerie that you’d picked out weeks ago. You watch Oz’s eyes light up as he takes in the visual in front of him, starting at your feet, which are covered in a pair of red nylons, thigh highs. His gaze travels upwards, pausing to savor the look of the garters stretching over your lush thighs. Your bare stomach tenses at his gaze, before finally, he gets to the bra; a giant red bow that conceals the majority of your ample breasts. He can’t see it, but your nipples harden under the fabric, a reaction to the chill of the room and the heavy weight of his gaze. 

“Fuck…” He shifts, turning back around to face you fully. 

“But I dunno’.... Only good boys get their presents.” 

The words hit him like a ton of bricks. Oz swallows hard and licks his lips. He jerks his head to the side and lets out a breathy laugh, before holding his hands out.  

“Baby, who is dressed like fuckin’ Santa here? I think I’m the one that gets to decide who is naughty or nice, huh?” 

Your fingers toy with the edge of the bra’s bow, teasingly. “Hmm. Well, we all know that I’ve been a good girl this year.” 

“Yeah,” he says, limping over to you. His hands ghost over your nearly bare hips. “Yeah, you fuckin’ have.” 

You look down at his hands, then shoot your gaze back up to his brown eyes. Languidly, you grab his hand, bringing it to your lips to graze your teeth over the pads. Oz shifts his shoulder, trying to fend off the oncoming erection, no doubt. Something about pitching a tent in a Santa suit feels immoral, but you clearly ain’t on his side on this one. 

 “Don’t I get to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what I want? Huh?” 

You drop your hands, pulling his with them and tugging him towards the velvet sofa. It faces the windows and the tree, which is an incredibly picturesque and romantic background to fuck to, you think. You yank a little harder, though he’s standing stiff, watching you with hesitant eyes. 

“C’mon Ozzy….. C’mooooon.”

Finally, he concedes to your pulling and follows you to the couch, allowing you to guide him to the middle cushion. With a sharp shove, you push him backwards. He hits the couch with a grunt and looks up at you with those big cow eyes of his  – the ones that you can’t resist, no matter what you do. 

He licks his lips again. “What is this, huh?” 

You tap his nose and bend at the waist to stroke his plush-covered thighs. He’s being good; his red trousers aren’t straining yet. You frown playfully, making sure he sees your pitiful little pout. “Where’s your Christmas spirit, hmm?” 

Your hands continue their trailing up to his groin, and one hand palms his cock outside of his pants. Oz shifts his hips backwards at the sudden contact, and he hisses through his teeth.

“Movin’ your way down the list, sweetheart.” 

“Me?” You gasp. It’s a gentle, girlish sound and you feign shock. Your hand grips his cock a little tighter. “I’m the best girl in the world. I’d never be on the naughty list.” 

He chuckles low and looks down at himself. He feels the telltale heat rushing down between his legs, and it won’t be long before the fabric fights against his hardening length. “I dunno’...”

Your hand abandons its post and moves up to his wide stomach, where you quickly unbuckle the large black belt, sliding it through the loops. You throw it around his neck and pull him forward until his nose bumps into your cheek, and his lips meet yours. You kiss him long and hard, tasting him and whatever alcohol was leftover from the event. 

All at once, Oz lets out a deep groan, and reaches up to pull you into his lap. “C’mon, sweetheart. Sit on Santa’s lap, then.” 

You titter happily, and replace the belt with your arms. One knee at a time, you straddle him and lower yourself down. He doesn’t bother putting on a Santa-esque accent when he asks you what you want for Christmas this year, but does throw in a teasing ‘little girl’. 

You hum and raise your eyes to the tall ceilings, thinking. “Well let’s see… should I play Santa Baby for you? Been an awful good girl…” 

“Why don’t you tell me what you really want?” 

Your gaze falls heavy to his, and you smirk, leaning forward. You position your lips next to his ear and whisper a string of festively phrased, lewd desires that make his lips quirk up in a pleased smirk. 

“Stuff your stocking, huh?” he repeats. 

You nod and as if to punctuate your sentence, you grind your hips against his lap and take note of the stiffness that’s there now. A pleased smirk contorts your lips as you look below your bodies. Amidst all the red fabric, there’s a distinct outline, the fabric tenting as his cock swells from all of your teasing. 

You push yourself up on your knees. As you grip the sides of your panties, you lean forward to tug them over the curve of your ass. The position puts your bow-clad cleavage in Oz’s face and he snags the opportunity to kiss the tops of your breasts. “Mm-mm…” 

You pull them down your thighs, until they rest in the crook of your knees. Oz wastes no time in bringing one of his hands up to her. His fingers stroke her delicately, admiring every inch of her, watching as your hips buck and jerk when he nears the already slick slit. 

“This all for me?” 

“Baby, it’s always all for you. ‘Cause you’re always so good, aren’t you, Ozzy?”  

Between your legs, you feel his hips rise instinctively. He’s hard now, and the tip of his middle finger glides between your folds. You whimper and grip his broad shoulder tight, digging your perfectly manicured nails into the fabric. 

As an afterthought, you bring both hands down to his chest. Fluidly, you slip both hands underneath the jacket, and push it over his shoulders, revealing the white shirt underneath. He’s got his suspenders on, which you immediately tug on. You find them incredibly sexy, something that while he never understood, he appreciates. 

His finger plunges into your warm, wet cunt and sets there a moment, just feeling her.You clench around him, and he pulls out, replacing it with two. The girth of his two fingers is always so satisfying, filling you as he pumps in and out. 

His tongue juts out, mere centimeters from your center. He’s not close enough to taste her, but god he wants to. You can tell; the way he licks his lips repeatedly, his eyes locked on his fingers as they slip repeatedly from your slick cunt. She clenches around his thick digits while you moan above him, resting your cheek on the side of his head.

Finally, after a few more pumps, he withdraws his fingers and you immediately reel back, disappointed. He brings them to his mouth, sucking them clean. 

“Fuck,” he murmurs around them. 

The visual has you leaking and clenching around nothing. You long for the filled feeling again, and wiggle your hips to remind him. You reach behind your back, and unclip the bra, letting your tits fall free. “Ozzy, don’t stop…” 

Without another word, Oz lifts you up with both hands, and sets you down on the sofa next to him. Using the arm of the chair, he pushes himself up and turns to face you. Slipping your hands over the silky velvet, you flip over and push your ass up into the air. He makes a fist around your panties and tugs them down over your ankles. He flings them towards the tree, and you can’t help but let out a little chuckle when they catch on a branch, hanging there as one of the most lewd decorations you’ve ever seen. 

Oz pulls your attention back, taking a fistful of your exposed ass. “This pussy is the best fuckin’ present, sweetheart. There ain’t nothin’ I want more than this….” 

You let out a humiliating whine as he toys with her from behind, his fingers sweeping over your entrance. His thumb catches the side of her, and he pulls her apart, exposing the slick, glistening flesh. 

“Shit, baby… fuckin’ soakin’ wet.” 

He pulls the suspenders off his shoulders, and kicks the trousers down. It’s a bit of struggle to get his briefs down, but he finally does it, and grunts, shuffling closer to you and hoisting his good leg up onto the sofa behind you. 

Taking himself in one hand while still holding you open with the other, Oz slips his fat tip inside. It’s enough to make you whimper, desperately, but you know the moans will come as soon as he plunges himself inside. Though Oz loves every position, he particularly likes taking you from behind. He loves watching as he disappears into you, your dripping cunt swallowing him whole with every thrust. 

“Fuck me, Ozzy… fuck me, please, baby…” 

“Heh, don’t gotta’ ask me twice.” he replies, before pushing himself a little further in. His thick cock stretches you wide and you arch your back up, unable to contain the moans that tumble from your mouth. 

“That’s it… mhm…. Just like that - fuck!” 

Your hips meet him halfway, and Oz sinks himself all the way in, fucking into you hard with an immediate rhythm. Your stomach tightens with the waves of pleasure, your hands gripping the side of the sofa hard. 

“Oh my god, oh my g— You’re… you’re so fuckin’ good, Oz. You’re so fuckin’ good, oh my god. N-nobody’s better than you, baby…” 

Though Oz usually fucks you speechless, you’ve gotten in the habit of verbally praising him. If you don’t, he’ll ask for it anyway. It’s something that deeply arouses him, and makes him fuck you all the harder. Which he does. He groans and ruts his hips against your ass, filling the room with the slapping of your bodies as they collide. Silently, you’re glad for the music, which disguises some of the erotic sounds. 

“How’s that dick feel, huh? Tell me it’s good.”

You nod, your mouth dry from breathing so hard. “It’s so good. Big, thick cock feels s-so….” Your sentence is shattered by a string of high-pitched moans, but you quickly regain composure and finish it off. “...good!”

He continues humping your ass, driving himself as far in as he can. The head of his cock repeatedly hits the deepest part of your core, and your eyes roll back in your head. You only need a few more moments of his relentless bullying before your cunt flutters around him, glazing him in warm slick. The dizzying high of the orgasm wraps its hands around your head, forcing it to fall heavy onto the sofa.

The sensation sends Oz over the edge – and he’s genuinely surprised he’s lasted this long. He tenses, his hips lose their rhythm as he shudders over you, bucking and stammering words of pleasure. His release coats his cock as he pulls out of you. 

“God damn,” he pants.

You nod, smushing your face against the cushion. “Yeah. You really…” you swallow. “ Decked my halls.” 

Oz wants to tell you to knock it off, but all he can do is laugh. As he pulls himself from you, his gaze falls to an oblong present under the tree. It’s a necklace; diamonds, with a purple garnet and an amethyst dangling in the middle. Once he showers, he decides he’s gonna give it to you. 

“I’ll be back, doll. Don’t get dressed. I wanna see this present on ya’. Stay just like that.”

 So, you do. 

His cock was enough of a present, but you aren’t about to complain to a man like him. 

[sinful-sonnet]

Whiskey & Wildflowers

Chapter 4

Prev | Next

Dbf!Joel miller x f!reader

W/C: 5.4k

Summary: you tell Sarah about Joel and she reacts in a way you didn’t expect. Joel drives you home, and the two of you share a quiet but emotionally charged moment. The comfort of his presence helps ease your worries, and you find yourself leaning on him in ways you didn’t expect. The evening ends on a tender note, offering a sense of peace in the midst of all the tension and uncertainty.

Content warnings: emotional vulnerability, intimacy, grief, dependency,

“Quiet Confessions”

Joel stepped into his house early that morning, the door closing softly behind him. The faint sound of Sarah rustling in the kitchen greeted him. She glanced up when she saw him, her brow furrowing in confusion.

“Where were you?” she asked, sipping her coffee. “I got home late, and you weren’t here.”

Joel hesitated, running a hand through his hair as he avoided her gaze for a moment. He cleared his throat before answering. “I was over at her place,” he said simply, his voice low.

Sarah tilted her head, curiosity and mild concern flashing across her face. “You spent the night?”

“Yeah,” he admitted, setting his keys down on the counter. “She’s not doin’ great, Sarah. Someone needed to be there.”

Sarah nodded slowly, her expression softening. “That’s good of you, Dad. She needs someone right now.”

Joel didn’t reply immediately, instead looking down as if weighing something heavier than the conversation at hand. “She does,” he murmured finally, almost to himself.

Sarah watched him for a moment longer, but didn’t press further. “Well, I’m glad she’s got you,” she said simply, before turning back to her coffee. Joel’s shoulders relaxed a fraction, though his thoughts were anything but settled.

———•

The morning light streamed through your window as you stirred, your body aching slightly from the intensity of yesterday. Every movement reminded you of Joel—the way his hands had gripped you, the weight of his body against yours, the way he had looked at you as though you were the only person in the world.

You stretched, feeling the soreness in your muscles, a dull reminder of the connection you shared. It was bittersweet—an ache that made you smile faintly despite yourself. The events played in your mind like a vivid dream, making your cheeks flush.

Pulling yourself out of bed, you wrapped a robe around your frame and headed to the kitchen, your body tired but your mind restless. The house was silent, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions that had unfolded the day before. And though you were alone, you couldn’t help but feel his lingering presence, as if a part of him had stayed behind.

You wondered if he felt the same, if he was thinking about you right now, replaying everything the way you were. A pang of longing hit you—along with the question that wouldn’t leave your mind: What happens now?

You thought about stopping by maybe to see Sarah as an excuse but really to see what Joel was up to. Thought about apologizing to Sarah for being so distant. You had shower and dressed up nice and headed over to Joel’s place. Knocked on the door and Sarah was there opening it shortly after

Sarah pulled you inside, her excitement bubbling over as she held onto you. “You’ve been MIA for too long,” she said, pulling back to get a better look at you. “We need to fatten you up! Come on, let’s eat.”

You smiled sheepishly, feeling a pang of guilt for having avoided her. “I’m sorry, Sarah. I’ve just… had a lot going on.”

“It’s okay, but don’t disappear on me again, alright?” she said firmly, her hand squeezing yours before pulling you toward the kitchen.

The smell of butter and cheese hit you before you even saw him, but the sight of Joel at the stove stopped you in your tracks. He was focused on the pan, flipping sandwiches with practiced ease. When his gaze lifted and met yours, his expression softened.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice low and warm.

Your heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, it felt like the rest of the room faded away. His presence was grounding, yet electric, and you couldn’t help the way your cheeks flushed under his gaze.

“Hi,” you replied softly, stepping closer but staying near Sarah, unsure how to navigate the tension building in the air.

Joel’s lips twitched into a faint smile before he turned back to the stove, but you noticed the way his shoulders tensed slightly.

Sarah, oblivious to the silent exchange, pulled out a chair for you at the table. “Sit! Let’s eat together. Dad’s grilled cheese is the best.”

You glanced at Joel as you sat down, your stomach fluttering as he plated the sandwiches and brought them over. As he set a plate in front of you, his fingers brushed against yours, sending a shiver down your spine.

“You need to eat, darlin’,” he said quietly, his tone firm but caring.

You nodded, feeling his concern and Sarah’s enthusiasm pulling you back into the moment. For the first time in weeks, you felt a sense of normalcy—though the undercurrent of unspoken feelings between you and Joel made everything feel far from ordinary.

As Joel set the last plate down, his hand lingered on your shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver through you, but before you could say anything, he straightened up and stepped away.

“Gonna give you two some time to catch up,” he muttered, grabbing a half-full glass of whiskey from the counter on his way to the living room.

You watched him go, his broad frame disappearing around the corner. The sound of ice clinking in his glass followed, a subtle reminder of the tension still lingering in the air.

Sarah didn’t seem to notice, already digging into her grilled cheese with enthusiasm. “Dad’s got this down to a science,” she said between bites, gesturing toward your plate. “Eat up, girl. You need this.”

You smiled faintly, picking up your sandwich and taking a small bite. The buttery, cheesy goodness melted in your mouth, and for a moment, it felt comforting. But your thoughts kept drifting back to Joel—his distant yet heavy presence in the next room, the way his touch had lingered just a little too long.

“Seriously,” Sarah said, breaking you out of your thoughts. “You’ve got to stop being a stranger. Dad and I’ve been worried about you.”

You nodded, swallowing your bite and offering her a small smile. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m trying.”

Sarah reached across the table to squeeze your hand. “That’s all that matters.”

From the living room, you could hear the faint sound of Joel shifting in his seat, the ice in his glass clinking again. You tried to focus on Sarah, but your mind kept wandering to the man just out of sight and the unspoken pull between you.

You hesitated, the words slipping out before you could stop yourself. “Something happened with Joel yesterday, Sarah.”

Sarah froze mid-bite, her eyes widening slightly as she slowly set her sandwich down. “What do you mean ‘something happened’?” she asked, her tone cautious but curious.

Your stomach twisted as you avoided her gaze, suddenly unsure how to continue. “It’s… complicated,” you murmured, fidgeting with your hands.

Sarah leaned forward, her brows knitting together in concern. “Is everything okay? Did he say or do something to upset you?”

“No,” you said quickly, shaking your head. “Nothing like that. He’s been—he’s been really supportive, but…”

“But what?” she pressed, her voice soft but insistent.

You swallowed hard, glancing toward the living room where Joel sat, the faint clink of his glass echoing in the quiet. “I don’t know how to explain it. There’s just… tension. And yesterday, it got… intense.”

Sarah’s eyes narrowed slightly, her concern deepening. “Intense how?”

You opened your mouth to respond, but the weight of it all felt too heavy. Instead, you just shook your head again. “It’s nothing. Forget I said anything.”

Sarah stared at you for a moment, clearly unconvinced. “You’re my best friend. You can tell me anything, you know that, right?”

“I know,” you whispered, forcing a small smile. “I just need time to figure it out, that’s all.”

She nodded slowly, though the worry didn’t leave her face. “Alright. But if you need to talk, I’m here. And if my dad’s being… weird, let me know.”

You nodded back, grateful for her support but knowing this was something you couldn’t fully share—not yet. The tension between you and Joel was a secret that felt too fragile to expose, even to someone as close as Sarah.

Sarah’s fork clattered against her plate as she stared at you, her eyes wide with shock. “Don’t tell me you like… slept with him?”

Her words echoed in your head, and your heart sank into your stomach. You hesitated, your cheeks burning as the weight of her question settled between you.

“What if I did?” you whispered, barely audible, your voice trembling as you avoided her gaze.

Sarah’s jaw dropped slightly, and she leaned back in her chair, struggling to process what you’d just said. “Are you serious?” she finally asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and something you couldn’t quite place—hurt, maybe?

You bit your lip, nodding faintly as your hands fidgeted in your lap. “It just… happened,” you admitted, your voice still quiet.

She stared at you for what felt like an eternity, her expression shifting from shock to something softer, though still conflicted. “I mean, I knew he cared about you, but… this? How long has this been going on?”

“It’s not… it’s not like that,” you stammered. “It only happened once, and I—”

Sarah held up a hand, cutting you off. “Stop. I don’t need details.” She exhaled sharply, leaning forward to rub her temples. “This is so… weird.”

“I know,” you said quickly, your voice desperate. “I didn’t mean for it to happen, and I know it’s wrong, but…”

“But what?” she pressed, looking at you intently.

You swallowed hard, your eyes welling up with tears. “I think I might have feelings for him, Sarah.”

Her expression softened slightly at your confession, but she still looked conflicted. “This is so much to take in,” she admitted, shaking her head. “I don’t even know how to feel about this right now.”

“I’m sorry,” you said, your voice breaking. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I just… I don’t know what to do.”

Sarah sighed, leaning back in her chair again. “Look, I’m not mad at you,” she said finally. “But this is my dad we’re talking about. You need to figure out what you’re doing before this gets even more complicated.”

You nodded, wiping at your cheeks. “I will. I promise.”

Sarah took a deep breath, her fingers drumming on the table as she stared down at her plate. “I mean, I get that you’ve been through a lot lately. And I get that my dad’s been… there for you,” she said slowly, her voice steady but guarded. “But this? I don’t even know what to say.”

You nodded, your hands trembling slightly as you gripped the edge of the table. “I don’t expect you to understand,” you said softly. “I’m still trying to figure it out myself.”

“I’m not judging you,” Sarah said quickly, her gaze softening as she leaned forward. “I just… I didn’t see this coming. At all.”

“Neither did I,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.

Sarah sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Does he… feel the same way?” she asked cautiously, her expression unreadable.

You hesitated, your mind flashing back to the moments you’d shared with Joel—the stolen glances, the way his touch lingered, the quiet vulnerability in his eyes. “I think he does,” you said finally, your voice uncertain. “But he’s been holding back. Probably because he knows how wrong this is.”

Sarah was silent for a long moment, her gaze fixed on the table as she processed everything. Finally, she looked up at you, her expression a mix of concern and resignation. “Look, I love you,” she said firmly. “You’re my best friend, and I want you to be happy. But this… this is complicated. And messy. And if you’re not careful, it could hurt a lot of people.”

“I know,” you said quickly, your heart sinking at the weight of her words. “I don’t want to ruin anything, especially not with you.”

Sarah nodded, her expression softening further. “Just… be careful, okay? My dad’s a good guy, but he’s also my dad. And you’re… you’re you. I don’t want to see either of you get hurt.”

“I’ll be careful,” you promised, your voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside you. “Thank you, Sarah. For understanding.”

She gave you a small, tentative smile, reaching across the table to squeeze your hand. “Always,” she said softly. “Just… don’t make me regret it.”

The room fell silent for a moment, the tension thick between you. Sarah glanced toward the living room, where Joel was still sitting, completely unaware of the conversation unfolding just a few feet away.

“I could be your new step-mom” you teased nudging her foot under the table

Sarah’s eyes widened at your comment, and she nearly choked on her drink. “Oh my god, don’t even joke about that!” she exclaimed, her face twisting between disbelief and reluctant amusement.

You grinned, nudging her foot under the table again. “What? I’d make a great step-mom. Imagine me bossing you around.”

She groaned, covering her face with her hands. “Stop. I’m already traumatized enough by this whole situation, and now you’re adding that image to my brain.”

“Come on, Sarah,” you teased, leaning forward with a playful smirk. “Think about it. Sunday family dinners, me and Joel holding hands at the table…”

She glared at you through her fingers, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. “You’re ridiculous,” she muttered.

“Ridiculously charming,” you shot back, leaning back in your chair with a laugh.

Sarah finally let out a chuckle, shaking her head. “I can’t believe I’m even laughing at this. You’re the worst.”

“Hey, someone’s gotta lighten the mood,” you said, shrugging. “But seriously, I’m sorry for dropping all this on you.”

She sighed, her smile fading slightly but her tone still gentle. “I get it. It’s just… weird. But I guess if anyone could survive this level of awkwardness, it’s us.”

“True,” you said with a grin, grateful for her ability to keep things light despite the situation.

—

From the other room, you heard the faint sound of Joel clearing his throat, and you felt your cheeks heat up again. Sarah gave you a knowing look but said nothing, letting the moment hang in the air.

Joel walked into the kitchen, his broad shoulders filling the doorway. He paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the scene in front of him. Sarah immediately stiffened, her back straightening as if she’d been caught doing something wrong.

“Everything okay in here?” Joel asked, his deep voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

“Yeah,” Sarah said quickly, her tone a little too bright. “Just catching up with her.” She gestured toward you, avoiding his gaze.

Joel’s eyes lingered on Sarah for a moment before shifting to you. His expression softened slightly, though there was still a guardedness in his demeanor. “Glad to see you out and about,” he muttered, his voice quieter now.

“Thanks,” you said, trying to sound casual even as your heart raced.

Joel walked over to the counter, refilling his glass of whiskey before turning back toward the two of you. Sarah’s discomfort was palpable, and you could feel the weight of her unspoken thoughts pressing down on the room.

“Well,” Joel said after a moment, breaking the silence, “don’t let me interrupt. Just wanted to grab this.” He raised his glass slightly, giving Sarah a quick nod before his gaze flicked to you again. “Good to see you, sweetheart.”

You nodded, swallowing hard as he turned and walked back toward the living room.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Sarah let out a breath she’d been holding. “Oh my god,” she whispered, leaning closer to you. “I can’t do this. That was so awkward.”

You bit your lip, trying not to laugh at her reaction. “It wasn’t that bad.”

Sarah gave you a pointed look. “It was so bad. He doesn’t know I know, does he?”

“No,” you admitted, glancing toward the living room. “And let’s keep it that way for now.”

“Agreed,” Sarah said, shaking her head. “This is officially the weirdest day of my life.”

•————

You hesitated before asking, trying to sound as casual as possible. “Hey, maybe I could crash here tonight? You know, like old times?”

Sarah froze, her fork mid-air, before setting it down and staring at you, her expression skeptical. “Uh… I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said slowly.

You blinked, taken aback by her sudden shift in tone. “Why not? It’s been forever since we hung out like that.”

She sighed, her face tinged with discomfort. “Look, it’s not that I don’t love you or anything. I just—” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “After what you told me… I don’t think I’d be able to sleep knowing… I mean, what if something happens?”

You felt your cheeks flush with embarrassment, but you tried to laugh it off. “Sarah, come on. Nothing’s going to happen.”

She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “Are you sure about that? Because the way you two have been acting lately… I don’t want to wake up and hear—or see—something I can’t unhear or unsee.”

“Sarah!” you exclaimed, mortified.

“Sorry, but I’m just being honest,” she said, her tone blunt but not unkind. “I need some time to process all this. You and my dad under the same roof right now? It’s… too much.”

You nodded slowly, feeling a knot form in your stomach. “I get it. I’ll head home.”

Sarah softened, reaching out to touch your hand. “It’s not that I don’t care about you. I just… I need to set some boundaries. For my sanity.”

“Yeah, I understand,” you murmured, forcing a small smile.

Sarah gave your hand a squeeze, her expression apologetic. “Thanks. And hey, let’s plan something soon. Just us, okay?”

“Okay,” you said, standing up to grab your things. But as you left, the uneasiness between you and Sarah lingered, leaving you to wonder if things would ever go back to how they used to be.

You were reaching for the doorknob when you felt a familiar warmth behind you, the faint scent of whiskey and aftershave letting you know exactly who it was.

“Heading out already?” Joel’s deep voice rumbled softly, making you pause.

You turned to find him standing close, his expression unreadable as his dark eyes searched yours. “Yeah,” you said quietly. “Sarah doesn’t think it’s a good idea for me to stay over.”

Joel’s jaw tightened slightly, and he glanced toward the living room, where Sarah was still sitting. He nodded, his gaze falling back to you. “I get it. She’s just lookin’ out for herself… and for you.”

You managed a small smile, though your chest felt heavy. “I know. It’s fine.”

Joel tilted his head, studying you for a moment before he stepped closer, his voice dropping lower. “You gonna be okay tonight?”

The sincerity in his question nearly broke you. You nodded, even though you weren’t entirely sure of the answer. “Yeah, I’ll be fine,” you lied.

His hand reached out, brushing lightly against your arm before he quickly pulled it back, his restraint evident. “If you need anything… you call me, alright? No matter the time.”

“Thanks, Joel,” you whispered, your voice trembling just enough for him to notice.

He stepped back, giving you space, but his presence still loomed as you opened the door and stepped outside. As the cool evening air hit your face, you glanced back one last time to see Joel watching you, his expression unreadable but his eyes filled with something that looked an awful lot like regret.

And then the door closed behind you, leaving you alone with your thoughts and the weight of everything unsaid.

-

Joel stood frozen by the door after it closed, staring at the spot where you had been just moments ago. His hand hovered near the doorknob, torn between his better judgment and the overwhelming urge to go after you.

He paced back and forth in the hallway, his fists clenching and unclenching as he wrestled with himself. What are you doing, Joel? he thought.

But the memory of the look on your face, that mix of vulnerability and longing, wouldn’t leave him. He hated the thought of you walking home alone, of you sitting in an empty house feeling the way you did.

He stopped pacing and stood still for a moment, running a hand over his face. This is wrong, he told himself, but his feet were already moving toward the door.

Joel’s hand gripped the knob, and he hesitated. He glanced back toward the living room, where Sarah was still distracted on her phone.

He sighed heavily, resting his forehead against the door. Dammit.

Finally, he turned the knob and stepped outside, scanning the street. You hadn’t gotten far—your figure was illuminated by the streetlight, walking slowly as if the weight of the world was on your shoulders.

“Wait,” Joel called, his voice low but urgent.

You stopped in your tracks, turning to see him striding toward you, his expression firm but his eyes soft.

“Joel?” you asked, confusion and a hint of hope lacing your voice.

He stopped just a few feet away from you, his hands resting on his hips as he exhaled sharply. “I couldn’t let you walk away like that,” he admitted, his voice gravelly. “Not after everything.”

You stared at him, unsure of what to say. The intensity of his gaze made your heart race, and for a moment, the world around you seemed to disappear.

Joel stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You shouldn’t be alone right now,” he said simply. “Let me drive you home.”

You hesitated, searching his face for answers. “Joel, you don’t have to—”

“I want to,” he interrupted firmly. “Let me do this.”

After a long pause, you nodded, the tension in your chest easing just slightly. Joel gestured toward his truck, and together, you walked in silence toward it, the quiet night holding unspoken words between you.

X

Joel started the engine, the quiet hum of the truck filling the air. He glanced at you, his lips curving into a shy smile when he caught you staring at him. “What?” he asked softly, his tone teasing.

You shook your head, a small smile tugging at your lips. “Nothing,” you murmured, settling back into your seat, though you couldn’t stop admiring him.

Joel chuckled, shifting the truck into gear and pulling away from the curb. “You always this quiet?” he asked, glancing at you again, his eyes warm.

“Maybe,” you replied playfully, letting the soft rhythm of the ride relax you.

Joel hummed in response, a faint smile still lingering on his face as he focused on the road. There was something comforting about the silence between you two—unspoken, but understood.

You rested your head against the window, stealing occasional glances at him as the streetlights cast fleeting shadows across his face. He looked so effortlessly handsome, so steady, and it warmed something deep inside you.

As the truck rolled through the quiet streets, Joel’s hand found its way to the console between you. Without thinking, you reached out, your fingers brushing against his. His hand shifted slightly, letting your touch linger, his warmth grounding you in the moment.

Neither of you said anything. There was no need. Whatever this was between you, it felt right. For now, that was enough.

•——

Joel drives you home in a comfortable silence, the sound of the radio filling the car. He glances over at you occasionally, his eyes lingering on your face for a moment before returning to the road.

As the drive continues, he can sense a change in the atmosphere. He notices the way you're looking at him, the hunger in your eyes that you're trying to hide.

He raises an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "You're looking at me like you want to devour me," he teases.

You feel your cheeks flush at his words, but you don’t look away. Instead, a small smile plays on your lips as you respond softly, “Maybe I do.”

Joel chuckles, his grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel. “Careful, darlin’. Don’t start somethin’ you’re not ready to finish,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough.

The tension between you grows, thick and almost tangible in the confined space of the truck. You glance away, trying to focus on the passing scenery, but your thoughts are consumed by him—his voice, his presence, the way he fills every corner of your mind.

When he pulls up in front of your house, the engine quiets, leaving the two of you in a charged silence. Joel turns to you, his eyes dark and searching. “You alright?”

You nod, but your hesitation betrays you. “I’m fine,” you whisper, though your voice is shaky.

Joel leans back, studying you for a moment longer before reaching over to gently brush a strand of hair from your face. “You’re a terrible liar,” he says softly, his fingers lingering for just a moment too long.

Your heart races, and you struggle to find the right words. Instead, you lean into his touch, your eyes meeting his. The pull between you feels magnetic, undeniable.

But Joel clears his throat, pulling his hand back and glancing toward the house. “You should go on inside,” he says, though his voice carries a note of reluctance.

“I don’t want to be alone” you mumble

Joel’s eyes soften at your words, his jaw tightening as if he’s battling some internal struggle. He looks at you for a long moment, the weight of your vulnerability hanging between you.

“You don’t have to be,” he says finally, his voice low but steady.

You watch as he shuts off the engine, a silent decision made. He steps out of the truck and walks around to your side, opening your door for you. His hand extends, waiting for yours, and when you take it, his grip is firm but warm, grounding you.

He walks you to your front door, his presence solid and reassuring beside you. Once inside, the quiet of the house feels almost too loud, the emptiness pressing down on you. Joel seems to sense it, his hand brushing against the small of your back as if to remind you that he’s there.

You turn to him, your eyes searching his. “Stay. Just for a little while,” you say softly, your voice barely above a whisper.

Joel hesitates, his gaze flickering over your face. “This ain’t a good idea,” he mutters, but there’s no conviction in his words.

“Please,” you say, stepping closer. “Just… stay.”

His shoulders drop in defeat, and he sighs. “Alright, darlin’. Just for a little while,” he says, his voice gentle but firm.

You lead him to the couch, and he sits down beside you, the warmth of his body a comforting presence. For a while, neither of you speaks, the silence filled with the unspoken tension and the quiet hum of the night.

When you finally lean your head against his shoulder, he doesn’t pull away. Instead, his arm comes around you, holding you close as if to shield you from the weight of the world.

“Do you think my dad will ever come back?”

Joel’s arm tightens around you slightly, a heavy sigh escaping him. He’s quiet for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. “I don’t know, sweetheart,” he finally says, his voice soft but honest. “He’s got a lot he’s dealin’ with right now.”

You nod against his shoulder, your throat tightening as the weight of his words sinks in. “I keep telling myself he won’t. That it’s easier to just… accept it,” you admit, your voice trembling.

Joel’s hand moves to your arm, his touch gentle as he rubs slow circles. “It ain’t easy, darlin’. Losing someone, even if they’re still out there, it hurts just as much.”

A lump forms in your throat, and you blink back the sting of tears. “I don’t know if I can handle losing him, Joel,” you whisper. “Not after losing my mom.”

Joel turns slightly, his other hand lifting to tilt your chin up so you’re looking at him. His eyes are full of understanding, of a pain that mirrors your own. “You’re stronger than you think,” he says, his voice firm but kind. “And you ain’t alone. You’ve got me. You’ve got Sarah. We’re not goin’ anywhere.”

His words hit something deep inside you, and for a moment, the dam holding back your emotions threatens to break. “Thank you,” you manage to whisper, your voice cracking.

Joel leans his forehead against yours, his presence grounding you. “Anytime, darlin’. Always.”

Joel leans in slowly, his face inches from yours, giving you a moment to pull away if you wanted. But you don’t. Instead, you close the distance, your lips meeting his in a soft, gentle kiss. The world seems to fade around you, the only thing that matters is the warmth of his touch and the comfort in his embrace.

He pulls back just slightly, his eyes searching yours, as if asking if it’s okay to go further. You don’t say anything, but the way you look at him answers the question.

Joel’s hand cups your cheek, his thumb brushing across your skin as he leans in again, this time deeper, with more intention. The kiss is tender, but there’s an undeniable spark between you two, a connection that’s impossible to ignore.

The tension between you two is palpable, the unspoken words heavy in the air. Joel's hand moves to your waist, pulling you closer, his touch both comforting and electrifying.

You don't pull away, leaning into him instead, craving the closeness and connection.

His lips trail down to your neck, sending a shiver through your body, and you gasp softly, your hands reaching up to tangle in his hair. It's clear that neither of you are willing to let go of this moment.

But even with the heat building between you, Joel pulls back just slightly, his gaze searching yours once more, as if making sure you're still certain. His voice is a low murmur, filled with a mix of desire and concern. "Are you sure about this?".

You meet his eyes, your own filled with a mixture of vulnerability and yearning. You don't need to say anything-your eyes speak the truth of what you want.

Joel studies your expression for a moment longer, his breath coming a little heavier as he takes in the silent affirmation in your eyes. Then, with a deep breath, he leans in again, his lips capturing yours with a softness that belies the intensity of the emotions simmering beneath the surface. His hands move to your back, pulling you closer as his kiss deepens, slow and careful.

He's gentle, making sure you're comfortable, but you can feel the heat building between you two as the moments stretch on. Every touch, every brush of his lips, every movement feels like it's pushing you both toward something inevitable, yet neither of you is rushing.

His fingers trace along your jawline, and you respond in kind, letting your hands roam to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath your fingertips. The world outside the moment fades away, and for a while, it's just the two of you, lost in the feeling of connection.

You pull away from the kiss, your chest rising and falling as you take in a shaky breath. For a moment, you just stare at Joel, the weight of everything hanging between you, but then something shifts in your mind. You don’t need anything else right now. Not answers, not promises—just this closeness, this comfort.

You shift in his arms, settling against his chest, and let out a soft sigh as you rest your head there. His arms come around you, pulling you into a secure, warm embrace. You can feel his heartbeat beneath you, steady and calming, and it lulls you into a sense of peace you haven’t felt in a long time.

You don’t say anything else. Words feel unnecessary now. Instead, you let the silence settle between you, the quiet hum of the world outside only serving to make the moment feel more intimate.

As you drift off to sleep, Joel’s steady breathing is the last thing you hear, and for the first time in what feels like forever, you feel safe.

[bobbin-buckley]

Vada Cavell Headcanons

Vada Cavell x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Mentions of school shooting, mentions of smoking & getting drunk, smut, fluff, mentions of anxiety and depression, some angst,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SFW (Some Angst)

-You & Vada we’re dating for about 3 months before the shooting happened. Then slowly drifted away after it.

-I wouldn’t perhaps say you broke up, Vada just was keeping herself away from you and everyone else, well, almost everyone else

-Nick told you Vada was hanging out with Mia Reed, this made you feel a lot of different things; confusion, anger, sadness and jealousy you wanted, no you NEEDED to ask her why she was all of a sudden hanging out with this Mia girl

-You felt as if she was cheating on you, maybe? You stormed into her room one day and started rambling about how she just started ghosting you and smoking with the blonde girl

-Vada did feel bad, infact she did regret everything after realizing how upset you were. That’s when you found Vada in your arms again

-She did start to invite you over at Mia’s house, you didn’t like the idea but accepted when Vada have you those puppy eyes

-Helping each other through all this depression and pain, venting

-Vada is a pretty affectionate person if you are really close

-She definitely has acts of service as her love language, she’ll buy you stuff (if she isn’t broke), take care of you, take you out somewhere etc

-Movie nights with make-out sessions throughout the film

-Shed love your pet(s) if you have any, (she totally seems like a dog person)

-Being besties with her little sister Amelia, she loves you sm, you both love to tease Vada, prank her and hangout together w/ Vada

-Finds it weird her family adores you

-When your alone together there can be three different moods; fluffy, sweet, soft, silly cuddly or hot, horny, lust & flirty, or sad, fluff, upset, depressed but you cope together by cuddling and talking

-Always being side by side, Vada craves your touch or needs to touch you. Wanting to cuddle but if she can’t she’ll hold your hand, pinkies intertwined under a table or knee to knee and head in shoulder

-You find it hilarious when Vada gets cranky and throws a fit. She smacks you when you laugh

“I’m dating a literal four year old”

“Then that would be fucked up also, nuh-uh!”

-Loves to make dirty jokes just to see you hot & bothered

-Can be a pretty flirty person

-Going off to college together

-Doing pretty much everything together

NSFW

-There is never a time you and Vada will have serious sex

-This girl is full of humor, she’ll make all kinds of jokes when intimate

“Dude! You have huge tits.”

“Vada-”

“There like literal melons”

-Preferring Vanilla sex most of the time

-making love to each other makes you both feel alive again

-I could see her as a switch

-Skin to skin the entire time

-Secretly loves your boobs

-Probably doesn’t shave much down there cause she’s scared she’ll hurt herself, you don’t mind though and you offer to help her

-Making sure her family isn’t home and won’t be home till late when having sex at her house

-She looooves shower sex

-One time Vada had gotten you something as a gift….it was a strap-on

“Vada where the hell did you get that? You’re broke.”

“Nick bought it for me.”

“😦”

-Loves to use the strap-on on you, claims she wants to “breed” you even though she can’t (you think it’s hot though-)

-Took her a while to understand how to please someone but it’s okay

-Makes you suck on her strap

-Always wanting to take off your clothes for you

-I’d say for her first time (in this she doesn’t fuck Mia) she was pretty good

-You guys could go in for hours if her parents weren’t home so often

-Almost getting caught

-Attempting to have sex in the school bathrooms to make her less scared

-High sex

-Quite the begger

-Anytime you have sex it’s always soft and at a good pace (unless you have 10 minutes before her mom gets home)

You’ve got Vada wrapped around your finger that’s for sure

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heyyy

This seemed quick to write I hope it’s alright

Cairo will be next since you guys tied Vada & Cairo (You sillies)

[fallinforerling]

LOVE ISN’T ETERNAL. chapter 2 - jb

ೃ⁀➷ jude’s masterlist

ೃ⁀➷ masterlist

ೃ⁀➷ jude’s taglist  

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

It’s been a week since you were back in London. A week full of monotony where you worked, ate, and showered, feeling dull and out of place the entire time. You hated the feeling of missing your ex-boyfriend; you hated that you were constantly holding tears at random times of the day while he was probably over the situation from day one. But the one thing you hated the most about all of this was that you couldn’t hate him.

You still loved him, no matter how fucked up he was for breaking up with you at such bad timing. It was hard to pretend everything was okay when you chatted with friends, all of them asking you how the mini holiday was and why you were back so soon. It was a bit stupid, but you wouldn't admit that he left you; that would have meant them consoling you and finding flaws in your past relationship just to make you feel better about the breakup.

The worst part of all was the fact that you were still chatting with Jobe; it seemed like he was still in the dark about the whole thing, which was a bit suspicious. The two were very close and talked about everything. Why will Jude keep it from his brother (and you assumed) his parents? 

Jobe was still talking about the two of you attending his match at Birmingham. What were you supposed to do? You wanted to go and support one of your friends, regardless of him being your ex’s brother, but on the other hand, Jude was 100% attending as well. Even if the match is a month away, it gives you anxiety just to imagine yourself facing him as nothing happened.

But today you didn’t want to stress yourself thinking about the “what ifs…” of that particular situation. You were tired and sad, the day was long enough for you to bear it and your best friend was insisting on spending the night over; the fact that she was sensing something off about you was sweet and you knew that she just wanted to keep you company, so you didn’t turn her down. Maybe the quality time will keep your mind away from Jude.

Just as you managed to drop the handful of bags full of groceries and other supplies, your phone started to go off. You lifted one eyebrow, finding it odd that someone other than Mia was calling you at 11 p.m. You wanted to ignore it, but something inside you told you had to pick up.

You saw Nikki's name pop up on the screen and wondered what was your friend doing that gave her the idea of calling at such late hours. It was the weekend, making you fear an invitation to some pub downtown. 

“Hey?” For a few seconds, all you could hear was loud music and several voices speaking at the same time. Your suspicions were correct on the pub part; let's pray she doesn't invite me. "Nikki? Are you there?"

"Girl! What the actual fuck!" That was the first thing you could actually understand. The music was slowly fading away in the background and her scream alarmed you. "Tell me why your man is here making out with some girl!"

Your heart stopped for a second, suddenly forgetting how to breath properly. My man? 

"Is Jude there?” 

So he came back from Dortmund after all, just like he told you a week prior. And he is partying...

"Oh, yes he is! Making out and grabbing ass like he's fucking single." A short pause came after that. "You need to come here; we can't let him get away from this... Hold on, I'll snap some pictures so he can't make up some lame excuse."

The last sentence shook you awake from the pain, regretting the childish decision of keeping the breakup from your friends.

“Nikki! Nikki, no!” You shouted quickly, praying that your friend could just forget what she just saw. “Leave it alone and don’t you dare to take pictures of them.” 

“What? Why?! He’s cheating on you!”

“No he isn’t! He... He broke up with me last week, Nikk... I- I was waiting to tell you and Mia what happened. So please, just leave him alone. I don’t want anything to do with him.” Your voice started to sound weak by the second. God, this is so horrible. 

“Oh, darling...” The sound of her voice was so soft and gentle, making it a lot harder to hold back the tears and sobs you wanted to let out. This is what you were avoiding the most, the pity. 

“It’s okay...” You whispered, more to yourself than her. 

“I’ll be there in 20.” And that was it, the call finished as suddenly as it started. 

“Well, I guess I have a sleepover to host...” But not even your lame joke distracted you from the fact that the dull pain you were feeling for the past week was replaced by such an extreme one that it was hard to breathe. “Fuck you, Jude Bellingham. Fucking asshole...”

Maybe you were capable of hating him after all.

[japanifornication]

oh man oh man. im always fond of phoenix w a praise kink and just. overwhelmed by love. miles fucking into him while whispering sweet nothings until he’s shaking from his orgasm after orgasm. make this slut cry from being loved and fucked! that one fic you wrote, “late night” was RIGHT up my alley and i swear i go back to it often

rubbing at the bags he can feel setting in beneath his eyes, phoenix has never been more tired in his life. not when he stayed up all night studying to get through law school. not the time he didn't sleep for three days a week before the bar and had to be forced to rest by mia. not when she was murdered, not even when he spent a night in city jail accused of that very murder.

the clop of two pairs of sandals patter into the distance as he watches maya, holding onto pearl's hand like a lifeline, head for their train under the flickering lights of the station. as they board, any remaining energy phoenix had escapes him and he sags back against the wall he's been leaning against, arms crossing over his chest as a sigh slips out of him.

it's hard to watch them go when they've only just got maya back, but with morgan headed to prison, they have a lot of things to sort out back in kurain, like packing up belongings and figuring out where they'll stay when they're there for training.

"it's getting quite late, wright."

he'd almost been falling asleep where he stood and the voice startles him, making him stand up straight and snap to attention. for a few minutes, he'd almost forgotten edgeworth was there. it's easy to forget, when it's quiet—he was dead for an entire year, after all.

"yeah. sorry to keep you waiting. you didn't have to do this, you know." phoenix says it automatically, like it's an obligation, even though he's not quite sure he is sorry after what the prosecutor did.

"i'm aware," is all edgeworth says, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear and then just briefly gripping at his elbow.

it's almost funny. when phoenix first met the man again on the other side of the courtroom last year, he looked like hell barely warmed over. edgeworth was the one with dark circles around the eyes, a permanent scowl affixed to his face. now, he looks oddly tranquil, if just a bit fatigued, and phoenix is the one who feels like garbage. things can change a lot in a year.

he clears his throat. "well. i won't keep you here any longer. let's get back to the car." he lets edgeworth lead the way back to his car—new since phoenix last saw it during state v. skye—and climbs back into the passenger seat, rattling off his address. it's a wonder he can even remember it in his current state.

it only gets darker as they head back through the city and by the time they make it to phoenix's apartment it's well into the night, not a hint of sun left in the sky. the car idles in the parking lot. neither make a move to leave or encourage the other to do so.

"so are you back living here?" phoenix finally gathers the strength to say. he means is he back residing within l.a. but the way it comes out almost sounds like he's asking if edgeworth is really, truly back from the dead and not just a spirit. "in l.a. i mean, not here obviously," he clarifies, as though there were any confusion whether or not edgeworth lived with phoenix. haha, very funny.

there's a slight squeak of leather as the man's hand shifts on the steering wheel, uncomfortable but not angry. "ah, i've only been back for a few days. i'm in a hotel, currently, but yes, i intend to find a new apartment."

"gotcha," phoenix says with an absent nod, chewing the inside of his mouth. "hey, um. i'm sorry about what i said, about… about you staying dead."

"wright, don't," edgeworth scoffs. "it's too late to take back words we've regretted, if anyone knows that it's me. don't waste your breath."

an exasperated laugh bursts out of the defense attorney. "okay great, because i'm not actually sorry."

edgeworth huffs at that with a slight shake of his head.

"but… do you want to come in for a beer or something? because this has been the longest day of my life and i'm sure even underneath that perfectly logical, stoic exterior, you can agree it's been exhausting." phoenix raises an eyebrow.

"a beer? tch." edgeworth's lip curls in distaste at the idea.

"what, not a beer drinker? i don't keep much in the way of wine or anything but i might have some whiskey," he offers instead.

edgeworth tilts his head, considering the offer with a slow blink. "i'm not sure you can afford my tastes, wright, but i'm intrigued." he unbuckles his seatbelt, indicating he's taken phoenix up on it.

"great." phoenix climbs out of the car and leads the way into his apartment building. he lives on the second floor, and they take the stairs up. it's faster, and he's not going to ask the man to take an elevator. it might have been a year, but he hasn't forgotten everything.

"sorry about the mess," he apologizes as he unlocks his front door. the last few days have been so long—he's been sleeping in his office and almost forgot about how much of a disaster his apartment is. he haphazardly tries to clean up before edgeworth can take in too much of the surroundings, scooping up dishes to bring to the kitchen and stuffing trash in the bin and kicking dirty laundry out of the way.

edgeworth is busy removing his shoes at the door and he manages to get the place looking a little less gross by the time he's done, then stops to take off his own shoes and jacket. he heads into the kitchen to see what he's got as far as alcohol, searching through his cabinets until he finds the bottle of whiskey he promised.

"how do you take it?" he asks.

"neat," comes the reply, edgeworth having followed him into the kitchen. he waits as phoenix pours them each a glass, then takes the bottle himself to inspect it. his eyebrows go up. "perhaps you've come into some fortune in my absence."

staring down into his rocks glass, phoenix tries to give a smile. it comes off weak. "if only. i inherited mia's liquor collection. went through most of it between you choosing death and now, if i'm honest."

adjusting his glass on the counter, edgeworth frowns down into his own drink. "ah. i see. ms. fey had good tastes, then?"

"i think she was gifted a lot of it, i'm honestly not sure." he lifts his glass to his lips, taking a deep swig. it burns on the way down. "sometimes i wonder… if i even knew her that well. if i'm doing any of this right. if she'd be proud of me. after a case like today, i'm not so sure."

"you saved her sister," edgeworth points out, palming his own glass and drinking from it absently. "i imagine that would mean a fair amount to her."

"yeah, i guess so. but i almost pinned a murder on an innocent woman. just feel like i should have figured out it was engarde a lot sooner, you know?" phoenix stands up straight, the tension awkward, and downs the rest of his glass in one go so he can pour himself another.

"i can see your point, though i believe you’re being a bit harsh on yourself. anyone under those circumstances would have struggled. i certainly fared no better, and i wasn’t the one whose loved ones were being held hostage for the majority of that case.” the words are mumbled thoughtfully over the rim of his glass before he takes another drink.

“why are you being so nice to me?”

his question obviously catches edgeworth by surprise, and the man finishes his whiskey before answering. “after hearing you be so honest about what you thought of my absence… i suppose it feels like obligation.”

the thought of any more drinks is immediately abandoned, because in the next moment, phoenix is grabbing edgeworth by that stupid cravat and pulling him close and smashing his mouth against his.

there’s a noise of protest, an initial objection, from edgeworth that seems to be more out of shock than anything, and then edgeworth’s arms are around his waist, crushing him close; he’s kissing phoenix back and he tastes like the whiskey they’ve been drinking and mint—toothpaste? breathmints? something else?—and phoenix sighs almost angrily against his mouth, furious he could have had this so much sooner if not for everything that had happened.

except that then edgeworth stops kissing him, to ask “wright, should i be doing this? surely you’re not drunk after a drink and a half.”

“i’m sober. kiss me, you son of a bitch.”

“it’s a bit rude to speak so poorly of the dead, you know,” he huffs in jest.

“good thing you’re not really dead.” phoenix’s hands fist in his hair as he tugs him back in for another kiss, and it’s all tongue and teeth and desperation, wanton for more.

before either of them knows what has happened, they’re standing in phoenix’s bedroom next to his bed. neither of them is particularly good at kissing and it doesn’t matter, because they’re kissing like it’s the last thing they’ll ever do and it’s driving phoenix insane.

unfortunately, edgeworth seems reluctant to do anything more than that. phoenix keeps trying to move things along—attempting to kiss down his throat, to bite him, to grab at his ass or unbutton his waistcoat—and edgeworth keeps grabbing at his wrists, moving them back to more appropriate places, kissing him like he wants to savor it rather than do anything else.

“just fuck me already,” phoenix finally groans, drinking in the way edgeworth laughs in response. when was the last time he even heard him laugh? not just a condescending chuckle from the other side of the courtroom, but actually laugh like he does now? when they were nine?

his back hits the bed as edgeworth shoves him away roughly. “fine. i’ll give you what it is you’re so desperate for.” he watches as the prosecutor tugs open his nightstand to survey the contents, and apparently finds what he expected to, retrieving the box of condoms from within and setting it atop the surface. “but i’m not doing this without some sort of safe word in place. it’s clear you’re not in a state to be taken at your word.”

“stoplight system,” phoenix replies, without hesitation.

that earns him a raised eyebrow, and for a moment it seems like he might be rejected, but eventually, edgeworth shrugs a shoulder and nods. “i’m familiar. that’s acceptable, can i trust you to actually use it?”

“funny of you to be asking me about trust right now.”

“wright.” there’s an obvious warning tone in his voice. “yeah. yes, i will use it correctly. green means go, red means stop, don’t stop unless i actually say that.”

there’s a hunger underlining edgeworth’s voice when he next speaks that makes all of phoenix’s skin prickle with desire. “alright. get on with it, then. tell me what you want.”

“god, thank you,” phoenix breathes. he sits up and grabs edgeworth by his belt, yanking him forward so he can undo it. “just want you to hold me down, make me take it.”

edgeworth blows out a long breath, but phoenix doesn’t look up, single-minded in his task now as he moves to unbutton the man’s slacks. the zip comes undone with relative ease, but the prosecutor’s shirt is long and held down by stays, partially blocking access to what he wants. it’s dark, and he’s a little drunk, and undoing the smaller buttons here is a bit harder, so he fumbles around with them as he talks. “you know. give it to me hard, don’t hold back, no matter what i say.”

edgeworth sheds his jacket and waistcoat and works his cravat free, discarding them on the side of phoenix’s bed before loosening the buttons of his shirt sleeves to roll them up. like this, phoenix can see the light hair that peppers his arms, usually hidden by clothes or distance across the courtroom or the fact that he thought the man was dead for a year. “is that how you normally prefer it?”

opting not to answer that, phoenix finishes unbuttoning the bottom of edgeworth’s shirt, giving him access to his boxer-briefs beneath. his fingers hook into the waistband and stretch it away from his skin, freeing the arousal steadily growing within and shoving them down as far as he can with the stays still hooked around his thighs.

he leans forward, gently cupping edgeworth's cock in one hand as he trails his lips down the side of it. the skin is so soft under his touch, but he doesn't get even a second to enjoy it; immediately, there's a hand in his hair, forcing his head back and away. he grimaces, baring his incisors but flooding with heat at the simple movement.

"someone's a bit overeager," edgeworth admonishes.

"yeah, well, when you've spent a year fantasizing about something you're positive you'll never get…" he steals a glance up at edgeworth's face, his chest starting to heave even though they haven't even started yet.

the man clenches his jaw, like the reminder hurts, but he feigns it away with a roll of his eyes. it doesn't fool phoenix, but he doesn't call it out. again, phoenix is pushed back to the bed like it's effortless, and edgeworth moves back to the nightstand to retrieve a condom from the box.

phoenix takes the opportunity to undo his own belt and slacks, shimmying them down along with his boxers around his hips. his thighs and hair are already slick with moisture, his dick swollen and begging to be touched.

he doesn't want to bother with the effort of fully undressing, so instead he rolls over while edgeworth applies the condom, ending up bent over the edge of his bed, ready and waiting.

he hears edgeworth spit into his hand, stroke it along his length then feels that hand on him for a brief, thrilling second, but he's already sopping wet, so it's unnecessary.

phoenix scrambles up the bed a little further but before he can really get anywhere, there’s a strong hand on his hip as the body behind him thrusts forward against him. with that one, swift movement, edgeworth is inside him, and he cries out, writhing against the sheets and trying not to just melt into uselessness.

a hand comes down against his shoulder, holding him down just like he'd asked for, but edgeworth leans in close and the other snakes over his mouth, preventing him from further cries as each snap of his hips makes phoenix want to scream. "is this what you wanted?" the man breathes hot and low in his ear.

he can only nod desperately, tears catching in his lashes as that cock rams into his g-spot and makes him quiver.

edgeworth doesn't stop. each thrust comes unbelievably hard, a loud slap of skin echoing through the room, but there's a pause between each one, and phoenix is grateful for that because otherwise he doesn't know how he would breathe. beads of sweat are already forming on the back of his neck, rolling down under the collar of his shirt. he quiets down, just panting against edgeworth’s palm, tasting the salt of his flesh, pushing back into each stroke and closing his eyes to bask in the feeling of him, to know it’s edgeworth pinning him down and spearing him open.

he's slick and needy and hasn't been so close to satisfied in what feels like forever.

he rocks his hips forward instinctively, trying to get friction on his own dick against the bed, but failing. edgeworth huffs out a condescending laugh in his ear. "not enough still? what are you, wright, a dog? must you hump something just to get off?"

phoenix whines at the suggestion but nods again against edgeworth's hand.

"yes?" he sounds mildly surprised, but not put-off. "alright." he straightens for a minute, pulling phoenix up so he can slide a folded pillow between the man's legs—phoenix's head is spinning and he lets himself be maneuvered bonelessly—before pushing him back down into the position they'd been in.

"are you sure this is how you want it, though, wright?" he asks in his ear again as they return to that pace of steady slams. "I'm happy to fuck you as hard as you'd like, but i had something a little different in mind." he slows down further, the thrusts turning into a sensual grind, no longer ramming into him with each one.

a sob leaks out of phoenix and he ruts against the pillow, mumbling against edgeworth's hand. his mouth is freed so he can speak. "please," he gasps. "tell me you're here to stay. that you won't leave again."

an anguished sound chokes out of the prosecutor. "i am not going anywhere, phoenix," he says after a moment of hesitation. there’s an edge to his voice, hurt but on the verge of something almost tender, and phoenix easily needs more.

"just need to feel it. need you to show me you're not going anywhere," phoenix begs. “just prove it to me, fuck me like you mean it.”

"oh, darling, i'm not leaving you." the term of endearment seems to slip out of edgeworth like it’s an accident, but he doesn’t take it back, and it feels like it stabs right through phoenix’s back and pins him to the mattress as much as the man himself is doing physically. edgeworth's hands reposition themselves to the bed on each side of his shoulders for more leverage and his cock grinds deeper into phoenix, forcing a strangled moan out of him. "i'm here to stay, and i'll prove it to you just like this whenever you'd like. that's it, open up for me, i want to hear you."

phoenix doesn't try to hold back his sounds anymore, more moans and whimpers and sobs escaping him in escalating volume as edgeworth fucks him and as he humps against the pillow. edgeworth has picked up the pace again, strokes coming faster, and phoenix's brain is dissolving into a puddle.

"harder, please," he whines.

"i'll give you harder, darling, but i want you to come first. you're doing so well," edgeworth murmurs, leaning down to kiss the top of his ear. "i know you can do it. it feels good, doesn't it? to grind on your pillow? be a good boy and come for me, phoenix."

a harsher sob is ripped from his chest. his hips roll against it more desperately even as edgeworth doesn't stop pounding into him. "i'm so close," he whispers shakily.

"i know," edgeworth reassures, lowering himself to further press into phoenix, more grinding into him again which just forces him more into the pillow. "does this help? if i drive you into it?"

"yes, yes, oh, miles…"

"come for me, phoenix, then i'll give you that hard, unrelenting fuck you want, to prove i'm not going anywhere. come on. come for me."

and phoenix does, rocking forward against the pillow one last time and causing his orgasm to explode through him. he clenches around miles and his cock twitches with each pulse and miles is still rolling his hips, forcing him into the pillow, and he can't come down, and he's fully crying.

"good boy," he hears from edgeworth, and the praise is music he never imagined he'd hear. "are you ready for more?"

he hasn't even stopped coming yet, he's not ready for more, but god does he want it anyway. "no," he offers unhelpfully.

"no? color, wright."

"green," phoenix spits, a string of saliva connecting his mouth to the bed where he was accidentally drooling against his comforter.

"good, so let me ask again. are you ready for more?"

having no intention of changing his answer, phoenix repeats himself. "no. it's too much."

he can almost hear the smirk in edgeworth's voice, and is glad they're both on the same page. "and you think i have any intention of stopping simply because it’s too much? how quaint. you can handle more."

another hard slam of his hips has phoenix shaking, pressing his face back into the softness of his comforter to muffle a yelp, but as quickly as it was given, it’s taken away as edgeworth pulls out.

“roll over, wright. i want to see the moment you break,” he’s commanded, and phoenix doesn’t make any rush of moving to do so. edgeworth grabs his shoulder and pulls, rolling him over anyway. hands grab his slacks and yank, and phoenix kicks to at least help get them off, along with his boxers.

arms hook under his knees and in an instant edgeworth is back inside him, making phoenix’s back arch against the mattress. the pillow is still under him, but now it's providing support, and edgeworth is still hitting all the right spots, and he blearily opens his eyes to find the man looking down at him.

the way edgeworth looks at him is almost reverent, quicksilver eyes soft but dilated with pleasure, hair disheveled and hanging in his face, sweat beading on his forehead. it's different from how phoenix imagined it might be, when he thought he was dead. then, he hadn't known this edgeworth so desperately trying to redeem himself. he'd only known the angry, spiteful one, full of loathing for everyone and everything, especially himself and especially phoenix. he'd thought his eyes would be hardened, creased between the eyebrows, a permanent scowl fixed upon his face. he can see a slight divot between his eyebrows, but it looks more in concentration, and there's no scowl.

"miles," he breathes, just a whisper on his breath. he's struggling to even catch it with the force he's being fucked with, knocking the air out of his lungs, but he gulps down another breath and tries again. "m-miles. take off the condom."

a dry laugh huffs out of edgeworth and he hesitates. "are you delusional?"

"i promise it's safe. please…" he's crying again and he hates that he's crying again but he can't stop the tears from leaking down his cheeks. "please. i need you to prove you're not going anywhere. need you to fill me up and make me yours."

again, edgeworth blows out an affected breath, this time much more obviously struggling with the decision. "you're sure?"

"yes, i'm giving you the green light, please, god," he pleads.

"fuck, phoenix." in an instant, he pulls out again, looking down as he uses one hand to attempt to take off the condom. it takes a minute to get it off, but eventually he does, and it gets tossed in the trash beneath the nightstand before the man drives back into phoenix's hot cunt, filling him now with no barrier between them.

there's no way to prevent the flood of tears now, no longer just a trickle but practically a waterfall. he pushes edgeworth's arms away from under his knees to adjust, instead hooking his legs around the man's waist like he can draw him in deeper if he tries hard enough, like he can just pull edgeworth into his body and keep him there forever.

for edgeworth's part, at least, he grips a hand under phoenix's thigh and with a slight grunt helps shift them up onto the bed properly, and then they're chest-to-chest and the prosecutor is kissing down his jawline, tongue delving out to lick up the salt of his tears and god, phoenix is so overwhelmed.

"how long have you been dreaming about this, wright?" that deep, sultry voice mumbles right against his ear.

phoenix answers honestly, and he's not just crying from the overwhelming amount of pleasure anymore. now he's ugly crying, and it's embarrassing, and his hands find the front of edgeworth's shirt and twist in it, holding on to it like a lifeline. "a long time but—but i thought you were dead," he chokes out. he can feel alarm crackle through edgeworth like ice underfoot, but it's too late, they've already plunged through. "i th-thought you were fucking dead, that i'd missed my chance—"

his words are muffled by a kiss, one that's just as desperate and hungry as phoenix feels. he half-sobs, half-moans into it, clumsily attempting to reciprocate as best he can.

"i know. i'm so sorry, phoenix," edgeworth hisses against his mouth when they part for air. his movements have slowed, this thrusts languid but striking deep, and phoenix just encourages him, heels pressing against his ass with each inward stroke. "shh, you're alright. i'm not going anywhere." the words sound like a promise.

another pathetic mewl bleeds out of phoenix, energy sapped from him at the apology. his legs fall from around edgeworth's hips, coming to rest on the bed, because he can't hold them up anymore, and it just spreads him wider, lets the man fuck him deeper. he sniffles and presses his face into edgeworth's shoulder to hide his tear-strewn face.

"there you go, darling. relax. i'll give you what you need. you're being so good for me." edgeworth's breathing is labored and phoenix can feel sweat through the man's shirt.

his hands let go of the front to wrap around his back, crush him closer. it's too slow, too intimate, it's not what he asked for or wanted, but somehow it is what he needed.

the rhythm of edgeworth's thrusts start to falter and suddenly there's a hand on phoenix's jaw, turning his face towards his. "look at me."

phoenix does. the expression on edgeworth's face is so hard to read, but it seems almost close to adoration, or maybe obsession, and a shiver runs down phoenix's spine.

"i'm here, phoenix. because of you."

those six words are phoenix's undoing. his hands claw for purchase against edgeworth's back, fingertips catching in the folds of his shirt as his whole body tenses, pleasure slamming into him like a fucking freight train and forcing an orgasm out of him unlike any other. he feels edgeworth jolt against him and knows the man is coming too, leaving that tangible evidence that he's here, he's alive, he's alive he's alive he's alive, i'm alive.

for the first time since prosecutor miles edgeworth chose death, phoenix wright feels alive.

spent and exhausted, phoenix can't even complain when edgeworth collapses atop him. instead, he hugs him close, albeit weakly, eyes falling shut and just cradling the man against him, reluctant to let him pull out or leave just yet.

when they finally do part god knows how long later, no words are exchanged. edgeworth painstakingly withdraws from inside phoenix with a grimace, then helps him clean up in silence. he doesn't say anything as he removes the rest of his clothing, leaving phoenix to extract the implications from that action himself and disrobe as well, tossing the rest of his clothes to the floor.

they climb back into bed and phoenix finds himself hesitating to get closer until edgeworth draws him in himself, an arm sliding around him possessively.

before phoenix can drift off, he clears his throat and asks hoarsely, "should we… talk about what just happened?"

edgeworth dismisses it with a half-hearted shrug. "if you'd like. in the morning, perhaps?"

fear grips phoenix immediately and he swallows, looking up at the man. "will you still be here? in the morning?"

a long, tired sigh hisses out of edgeworth's chest. "i may have nightmares still, and may not be in bed when you awake. but yes. i will be here, in the morning."

"you promise?"

edgeworth searches his face for understanding. he doesn't seem the type to promise things, and perhaps that's why the response is delayed, but after a long moment, he nods slowly. "i promise."

phoenix buries his face against his chest, and in a few minutes, he's asleep.

[redfoxwritesstuff]

Sunflower, Book 1, chapter 27

Tom Hiddleston x OFC Series rated: M Chapter warnings: Flashback smut afterglow, speaking of a condom AN: Sorry for being so late Dearhearts- we had to set up for my daughter's birthday party <3

Masterlist AO3 KoFi

~~~~~<3

Tom had so much he wanted to say the night before but instead, he had suggested Mia go ahead to bed without him. She hadn’t argued as he threw out needing to make some calls as a excuse. He stayed up lost in his own thoughts while taking care of the last bit of tidying, enjoying the silence of the apartment. 

He was a coward, he knew that. It wasn’t necessary for someone to be around to tell him that. The silence around him did the job just fine. 

He needed to tell her how he felt but it was so easy to just push it off for another day. What was the point anyway, she would just push him away.

He made his way to bed once he was sure Mia was asleep, like a coward. 

~~~~~<3

The morning came with the harsh sunlight of the desert. He was becoming accustomed to it. It also brought with it the weight of Tom’s last day with them for a few weeks. 

Mia seemed to tip toe around him until she left for work, feeling the same awkward tension in the air that he did. 

“Did you and mom get into a fight?” Sally had asked as the door latched shut behind Mia.

“Why do you say that?” Tom asked, leaning against the counter and finally relaxing. 

Sally shrugged. “It’s different.” 

“Sometimes adults just act different.” Tom offered, “It doesn’t mean we got in a fight.”

“Is it because of me?” Sally’s little lip quivered as questions came fast. “You’re not going to stay gone, right?”

“I promise you,” Tom came around the counter to kneel in front of Sally, “I will come back. You didn’t do anything. Your mom didn’t do anything. It’s just grown up stuff that makes me worry sometimes about all sorts of things that have nothing at all to do with you.” He felt like a fish out of water having this conversation without Mia there to guide him. 

“Okay,” Sally said and just like that, the topic was closed letting Tom return to his tasks in the kitchen. 

“You should go on a date.” 

“Why do you think that?” Tom asked, cutting up a bowl of fruit for his tiny companion. 

“Because that’s what boyfriends do,” Tom couldn’t deny such a statement. “And I don’t want you to go away and not come back.”

“Sally, I am going to go but I will come back here.” 

“But what if you don’t?” Sally pushed a slice of apple around her plate. “What if you go away and decide you don’t like Mommy and me anymore?”

“I won’t.” Tom took her little hand in his. It was sticky thanks to the fruit.

“Dad said he wouldn’t leave either.” Sally softly said.

Tom knew then that this was a continuation of last night. He made his way around the counter and took a seat on the barstool right next to Sally. He wanted every bit of her attention on him. 

“I am going to come back,” Tom said seriously, “I promise. I am not going to get tired of you and leave. I’m not going to get upset with you and leave. I’m not going to get into a fight so big with your mom that I leave. When I have to travel for work or to see my family, I am going to come back. I am always going to come back.”

~~~~~<3

Mia was sitting at the food court table with an oversized T-shirt and leggings over the skimpy mini dress and stockings. It was usually how she took her breaks. If you looked like part of the Vegas attraction, you were approached even if you were obviously on your lunch break.

On the table next to her food, her phone buzzed to life. Tom was always good about providing her updates about his day with Sally. It didn’t surprise her that Sally had been worried about Tom leaving them. She expected the text to be another update about Sally’s insecurity. 

Tom: How do you feel about going out tonight?

Mia frowned at her phone. She wasn’t usually one for going out after work but this was Tom’s last night.

Mia: Sally probably won’t want to be with a sitter.

Tom responded nearly instantly: It was her idea

Tom: You wanted to see my work, right?

He sent the information for a listing for Thor at the theater near the apartment. The movie poster was small but clicking on it, she could see a superhero man with a hammer on a dark backdrop. Above him floated four faces, including one that looked so similar to the man she knew and yet so very different. 

Tom: Sally wants us to go out on a date. Said it would make her feel better

Mia: Are you using Sally to manipulate me?

Tom: Is it working?

Tom: And she started it, using her little puppy eyes to manipulate me

~~~~~<3

Sally was very excited to hear that her mother agreed to go out on a date with Tom. Tom had to direct and guide the little girl in her picking out his outfit for the night. Without his assistance, the child would run wild and while he was eager to indulge her, he has to keep some standards. 

Tom knew there was little chance he could get away with going to see his own movie and not get recognized. While he would have loved to wear whatever Sally picked on her own but the idea of sky blue slacks with a black suit jacket and a red shit really didn’t work. Luke would skin him alive. The shit he gets for his running leggings under his shorts was bad enough. 

Together they refined his wardrobe choice to a dark wash pair of jeans and a simple white cotton v neck shirt. It was light and airy. Casual. They added his black leather jacket, old and worn to a comfortable softness. 

Okay, maybe Sally just thought she got to pick out the outfit. 

Next he helped direct her through picking out Mia’s outfit for the night. Tom hoped she wouldn’t mind being dressed up like a doll. 

Sally went from dress to dress, looking and dismissing each one in turn. Tom waited and watched while he texted Mia the time. He was excited to take her out for the night, even if it meant seeing his own movie. They hadn’t gotten much time together one on one outside the domestic bliss of the apartment. 

Leaving weighed heavy on his mind after the night they had the night before. It was too soon to leave, emotions between the three raw and festering. That was as close to a fight as they had so far. 

There was a weird tension in the air since. He hoped that spending the evening together would clear it and he could leave the next day with them at a good place. 

He wanted them to be back in a place where he could call and it feel casual, comfortable. A place where it would feel like he was calling home. 

It was more than that though. Tom’s feelings had grown over the few weeks they had been married. He cared deeply for them. For Mia. There was a deep longing in his heart to be trusted. 

To be needed. 

To be wanted. 

It made him question how relationships were defined and the true meaning of emotions. If they had not been married, would she call him her boyfriend? He would call her his, that much he knew. But would he have stayed for all the pushing away she had done?

Probably not. 

He knew that too. That was the power of marriage. That was the power of their marriage and he was thankful for it. 

~~~~~<3

Mia knew time was short as she slammed the door to the car behind her. Traffic was a nightmare. Tom had probably gotten reservations somewhere nice and she had to find the right dress to shove herself in and hope she looked half decent. 

There was no way Tom could fly under the radar at his own movie. This would be it, her first interaction with her husband’s fans. The second official outing as the actor’s wife. 

She jogged up the stairs, thankful for the tennis shoes she had changed into. She hadn’t been great about remembering to leave early enough to change at work rather than wearing the skimpy dress to and from in the last few weeks. Routine changes really were hard for her and she was still very much struggling to remember to leave in time.

This time she had and while she hadn’t time to change out of the dress, she did have time to switch out the neck breaking heels for sneakers. She needed every ounce of speed she could get. 

“I’m sorry,” She said, busting through the door and startling Tom. “Traffic was a nightmare, there was an accident-”

“Sally picked out a dress for you. I’ll figure out dinner. Don’t worry, just go change.” Tom swept her up for a fleeting moment of greeting, arms wrapping around her in a hug. 

Mia wrapped an arm around Tom and leaned into him as she made her way past. It was more instinctual than intentional, fleeting hug in the motion of moving around each other that resulted in feet slowing for a fleeting moment as she looked into his deep eyes. She caught herself as she had gone too far though. 

Tom could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Was she going to kiss him? Why did the thought send his heart into fits? They had kissed before. They had kissed the night before even. 

She had wanted to kiss him but instead ran to her bedroom. Their bedroom, she corrected herself. Navigating a not marriage marriage was by far the most confusing thing she had every done. 

There wasn’t time to critique the dress Sally had picked out. It was one she had purchased on a whim but never had any reason to wear. It felt too fancy to wear to a movie but she had no idea what Tom had planned for dinner. 

This was a date. People dressed up for dates, right? Tom had looked wonderfully casual in the living room however. 

Fuck it, she thought, she didn’t have time to overthink it. 

Reaching behind, she unzipped the dress and let the slinky fabric free from her, trusting Tom not to walk in rather than taking the time to hide in the closet. Wiggling out of it, she let if fall to the ground and kicked it to the corner to be delt with later. Her current bra and panties joined the pile as she walked. 

There wasn’t time to worry about being modest. Now was the time for speed and efficiency. Grabbing a thong from the laundry basket of clean clothes waiting to be put away, she stumbled while trying to put it on as she walked. 

Turning on the shower, she grabbed the shower head and leaned forward. The water hadn’t had a chance to warm up and it felt like glacier water was running over her hair. She made quick work of washing it. It wasn’t the most through job but it would get most of the smell of cigarettes out of her hair.

She towel dried her hair while making her way back to the bed. Sighing, she glared down at the dress she was sure would make her look too… something. Or not enough something. Again, she wished she could search for something else.  

Scrunching and rubbing her hair, she grabbed a bra from her dresser and put it on. Mia wasn’t even sure if she could fit into this dress anymore or if it would look decent on her. Maybe it wouldn’t even fit. 

Putting it on wasn’t the easiest thing. The dress was made up of a black sheath strapless dress that only reached to her mid thighs and was extremely elastic. On top of this was a long sleeve, high neck lace dress with golden embroidered details.

The black inner dress was short and skin tight the whole way down. There was enough stretch in both layers of fabric to allowed her to wiggle into it but it looked a lot like a snake trying to shed it’s skin played in reverse. The outer lace layer was secured to the bodice of the inner dress. A scalloped hem ran a circle around her throat and the sleeves rested low, caressing the back of her hands. 

Where the skirt of the black dress clung to her thighs, the sheer skirt gathered and swept out in waves of lace that cascaded from just above her knee at the highest point and down, caressing her ankles in the back in a elegant dip hem. 

~~~~~<3~~~~~<3~~~~~<3~~~~~<3

He clung to her, panting as aftershocks rocked through him. Her lips found his neck as she caressed his back without a care for the sheen of sweat on his skin. With limbs that felt weighted down by lead, he rolled off of her. 

She curled into his side. That had to be a good sign, he told himself. God, he hoped it had been as good for her as it had been for him. 

“That’s just the first time.” He said, catching his breath. 

“Do you believe in love at first sight?” She asked, voice slurred as she nuzzled into his arm. It was clear she was very relaxed, perhaps even beginning to doze off. He hoped that was a sign of her post orgasmic bliss, a sign that he had delivered for her more than just his own release. 

“I do,” Tom mused, “That’s how I knew I wanted to marry you. Do you?”

“Yeah,” The words were mumbled.

Tom looked down at her, his wife. Her eyes were hardly more than slits and sleep was quickly claiming her. She was beautiful, he thought. There was a softness to every curve of her. Her hair was wild from their lovemaking and his hands. 

The imperfections on her body made her more real under his finger tips as he caressed her naked skin. 

“Do you want some water, Dear?” Tom asked, only getting a mumbled response that may have been a word.

The world shifted and spun under his feet as he stood up. Bracing himself against the furniture, he made his way to the trashcan to discard the condom. From the sink he downed three glasses of tap water, cringing slightly at the taste of the hotel’s tap water. 

Navigating back to the bed with what had started as a full glass, he left a trail of splashes behind him. His hand and leg was wet with spilled water as he brought the remainder to her. 

His wife. 

~~~~~<3

Tag List: @winterisakiller, @alexakeyloveloki, @jennyggggrrr, @dangertoozmanykids101, @tilltheendwilliwrite, @tinchentitri, @wizardcherryblossom, @buttercupcookies-blog, @violethaze, @kats72, @soulpiercing, @evedia, @princess-ofthe-pages

[the-s1lly-corner]

Itward...

*gasp from the audience*

With reader...

*another dramatic gasp*

Who is scared of Itward leaving them because they're "too old"!

*even more dramatic gasp*

Not in a grandma/grandpa way. In the way "hey you're every childs imaginary friend right? Riiight. Uh. So what happens.. once the child isn't a child anymore?......"

They turned 14 or 16, maybe the latter would be better, and realize that. Holy shit. From a legal standpoint they're half an adult now. Will he leave them? Will they forget about him, given the "every childs imaginary friend" status you can assume grown ups maay have forgotten about him(no you cant. Reader is just too paranoid to think normally)? I think it would also be fun if it escalated from jealousy and worry - Itward started coming to hang out less and less, where os he? Oh, he probably was with another kid.. sure... while dear itward just has important buisness to do because something on his ship broke and to fix it/change out the broken parts after trial and error of finding them is gonna take some time. They're more clingy, more desparate - even if they don't show it, and just appear more emotional.. it worries him, has something happened? Had he missed anything?

OBV PLATONIC DAD ITWARD DHKHKDHKD

Itward w/ a reader who's growing up! (Platonic)!

SPEED RUNNING THIS CUZ I GOTTA START MAKIMF CHICKEN ALREDO SOON BJT I LOVE THIS IDEA SO SO MUCH

I feel like even before you start to few up, itward isnt always there with you every might since he has to juggle around so many kids as well as take care of other things

But with that being said, you notice that hes stopping by less and less; although he does sincerely apologize for any lateness and such

For whatever reason itward came into your life; be it you needing a friend or other reasons, you and itward develop a father/child relationship

He was there when you needed someone to hold you and tell you it was going to be okay. He was there to share your accomplishments and milestones. And he has plans to keep it that way

Personally I think at some point itward fazes himself out of a childs life when they dont need him anymore, like when their situation gets better of theyre safe from outside forces. Typically he does it when they're still young, out of fear that someone talking about their "imaginary friend" will lead to complications

But I'm getting a little side tracked from the requests idea, right now...

You're different, for really any reason, and he decided to stick around. I mean it's not unheard of that hes shown up for older kids (Clara and mia are the main example)

Notices you're a little off, as if you have something on your mind

Gently presses for information, but I don't think he would corner you for a confession

He let's you know that you can talk to him about anything and he wont ever be upset at you if you've done something

Itward has a habit of talking about stuff hes done; be it with his own hobbies or about his other kids

He notices your face kind of fall when he talks about this new kid hes recently started reading bedtime stories too

Asks once again if you're okay but wont push for an answer

Imagine the truth spills when hes late one night to visit you, on a night where he promised to see you.. but let's say, he needed to get some fuel for his ship.. thus the delay and he finds you getting all up in your head :(

Maybe even crying

Oh his poor heart, he gently settles himself down on the bed next to you and rubs your back; he doesnt wanna hug you out of nowhere and risk making you uncomfortable

You just spill out all your thoughts and oh his poor heart (again!)

Of course you wont forget about him, infact I don't think he has the ability to erase peoples memories.. even if he did I dont think he would do it unless the situation is dire

Hes so so apologetic about neglecting you these past few weeks/months, he assures you that hes not going to go anywhere

In fact if you want him gone youre gonna have to tell him yourself; and he might even hover to the side to make sure you're doing fine

Tries to clear room in his schedule to hang out with you more, even offers to take you on overnight adventures with him if it's not too dangerous (assuming you still live in the third reality and with your family)

Hugs, lots of hugs! Itward gives the best hugs, I think... as long as you ignore hes cold and hes a skeleton..! Its the feeling he puts into it that matters!

Very hard to fix given he has to take his other kids into consideration

Obviously we dont know how many kids hes helping at once, but given he said hes "the one many children talk about" and the fact hes canonically labeled as a wanderer (safe to assume hes always. You know. Wandering and exploring), I would assume it would at least be a few but not a lot at any given time; afterall theres only one of him

[woah-were-halfway-there]

Yes please Mia birthday blurb! (If you can) Happy Birthday Princess Mia 😍

This is a week late I’m so sorry but I made this a VERY long blurb (if it can even be called that) to make up for it. Happy birthday Mia 🥹

Mia Turns One

Word Count: 5.3k

Carson’s eyes blinked open as she slowly woke up. The bedroom was still dark, apart from the faint rays of sunshine peaking through the closed window curtains that would gradually become brighter as the sun rose outside. It was early, and given the quiet house, she was sure she was the first to wake up. 

Auston remained still beside her, apart from the rise and fall of his upper body with each breath he took. No sound came through the monitor from Mia’s room, indicating she was still asleep too. Frank wasn’t curled up at the foot of the bed like he once used to do all the time. Instead, he opted to sleep on the fluffy rug next to Mia’s crib and had been more than content sticking to that routine for the past year. The thought made Carson smile. 

Thinking she had a bit more time to rest, Carson snuggled more so under the duvet cover. The bedroom was chilly, and she was cursing herself for putting on just Auston’s t-shirt and nothing else, following what the two had gotten up to the night before after putting Mia to bed. The warm flannel pajama pants she was initially wearing were lying in a lump on the floor next to her side of the bed, with her faded ASU t-shirt, underwear, and Auston’s track pants skewed somewhere else around the room. 

A chill ran over her skin, causing Carson to burrow further into the blankets and snuggle closer to Auston, who was basically her personal heater. However, as she shifted closer to her husband, Carson noticed she wasn’t the only one awake.

“Oh, morning, babe,” Carson greeted, surprised when she saw Auston staring back at her. 

“Morning,” Auston responded, sounding mopey for some reason. “Are you cold?”

“A little,” Carson said while nodding. 

“Well, come here then.”

Carson smiled as Auston opened his arms and wasted no time scooting closer so she could be wrapped in his embrace as they cuddled together. Once she was settled, resting against Auston’s chest, he started playing with her hair, and they both let out content sighs. 

However, Carson knew something was up. 

“Aus, what’s wrong?”

“What do you mean?” Auston asked while moving away slightly so he could look down at Carson. “Nothing’s wrong.”

“Then why are you sulking?” Carson challenged. 

“I’m not.”

“You are, Auston. I know you.”

“Prove it,” Auston teased, then went back to playing with Carson’s hair as she leaned against him again. 

“Well, I mean, still being with the same man I fell in love with when I was nineteen definitely helps in at least knowing a few things about him,” she teased back. “I can read you like a book, Aus. Like I know you can do the same with me. This is also why I know your moping is about a certain little birthday girl asleep down the hallway.”

Auston scoffed, then sighed dramatically. 

“Ok, maybe a little.”

Carson chuckled, knowing she was right but refrained from telling Auston, ‘I told you so.’ She knew that day wouldn’t be an easy one for him. 

“I can’t believe she’s a year old already, Carse,” Auston spoke softly. “It literally feels like yesterday I was rushing to the hospital to be with you because little miss decided she wanted to come early.”

“Yeah, it does not feel like it’s been a year since I spent my seven-hour labour screaming at you, saying ‘this is your fault’ every time a contraction hit,” Carson reminded, making Auston laugh. 

“Don’t really miss that part,” he chuckled. “I do miss seeing you pregnant, though. Might want to see you pregnant again sometime soon.”

“W-what?” Carson stammered as she moved away and sat up so she could look at him better, prompting Auston to shift so that he was leaning against the headboard. “Really? You want more kids?”

Auston shrugged. 

“I mean, yeah. I like the thought. But it’s not up to me to decide, either. I’m ok with whatever you want. And, of course, this isn’t anything that needs to be decided anytime soon. Just something I’ve been thinking about.”

“I appreciate you telling me,” Carson responded as she reached up to push some hair back away from Auston’s face, then moved down to kiss his shoulder before leaning against it. “I think I’m quite content with our little family of three and Frank. For now, at least. That could change as time passes, but there’s still so much for us to learn being parents.”

“Me too,” Auston responded, smiling, before leaning down to kiss Carson’s head. “I love doing this life with you.”

Another smile tugged at Carson’s mouth, but before she could say anything more, shuffling sounds and a small groan came through the monitor, indicating Mia was waking up.

“I think the birthday girl is awake,” Carson said, and it wasn’t long before Auston was moving away so he could get out of bed.

“I’ll get her,” he said, leaving no room for argument as he put on his pair of slippers and beelined for the door.

“Uh, Aus,” Carson spoke up, covering her mouth with her hand as she tried to stifle the laughter she could feel trying to escape as she watched him. 

“Yeah?”

“You’re not wearing any clothes.”

“Oh,” Auston paused, then glanced at their clothes all over the floor. “Right. I should put these back on.”

He was rather nonchalant about it as he bent down to grab his track pants and quickly put them on. He didn’t bother with a shirt, which didn’t surprise Carson, then winked at her before disappearing out the door. 

A few moments later, Auston’s voice sounded through the monitor as he entered Mia’s room. 

“Good morning, my girl,” Auston greeted, and Carson could basically hear the smile on his face as she reached down to grab the fluffy throw blanket lying in a bunch at the end of the bed and wrap herself in it before leaning back against the headboard and continuing to listen. “Happy birthday! Oh, someone is extra smiley this morning.”

Mia giggled in response, which had Carson melting from where she remained curled up in bed, knowing Auston would bring their daughter into the room shortly.  

“And good morning to you too, Frank,” Auston continued. “Now, mini, should we go see your mama?”

“Mama,” Mia repeated, making Carson’s heart swell. 

“Ok, let’s go.”

Footsteps sounded from down the hallway as they approached the bedroom door, and soon enough, Carson’s two favourite people in the world entered the room. 

Mia was still sleepy, as to be expected, and it showed with how her tiny curls were matted as she leaned against Auston’s chest and how she tiredly rubbed her eyes. However, as soon as she laid eyes on Carson, she started smiling. 

“There she is,” Auston gasped as he moved to the foot of the bed. Once there, Auston set Mia down on the mattress, facing Carson, then stepped back slightly. “Go get her.”

Mia’s face lit right up as she let out a happy squeal, then immediately started crawling towards her mom. Carson was beaming as she held out her hands to scoop Mia up once she was close enough. 

“Hello, my sweet girl,” Carson greeted happily as she brought Mia towards her, and the two instantly started snuggling. Carson kissed Mia’s head, then played with her curls as Mia leaned against her chest. Soon enough, Auston crawled back into bed to join their little cuddle session. 

“Can’t forget this,” Auston said as he held out a stuffed orca, which Mia took from him right away and held close. 

The orca was a birthday gift from Mitch and Steph, which they gave Mia the prior Sunday when Carson and Auston had friends and family over for a small first birthday party. Of the multiple stuffed animals Mia had received over the last year, none seemed to appeal to her as much as the orca, as it soon became a comfort item of hers. In the three whole days she’d had it, Mia hardly went anywhere without it. 

“You love your Whaley very much, don’t you?” Carson asked as she looked down at Mia. 

“I don’t know if love is a strong enough word,” Auston stated. “She’s obsessed with it.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“No, but I know Mitch will never shut up about how he gifted it to her.”

Carson rolled her eyes at the comment but tried not to laugh at how accurate it was as she moved her attention back to Mia. 

“Mia, do you know what today is?” Carson asked while tapping Mia’s arm so she’d look up at her. “I know you don’t, but I will tell you anyway. It’s January 25th, which means it’s your birthday, my little Aquarius. Happy birthday, baby!”

Mia just hummed in response and snuggled closer to her whale. The three of them stayed silent for a moment until Frank jumped up onto the bed and curled up between Carson and Auston, prompting Mia to reach toward him and attempt to say his name. 

“Fr-fr,” she said and reached towards the Goldendoodle. Carson swiftly set her back onto the mattress, watched Mia scoot closer to Frank, then lay her head against him, still clutching onto Whaley. 

“God, she’s so cute,” Auston said as he leaned back against the headboard, looking alarmed. 

“She really is,” Carson agreed. “Not to flex, but we made that.”

“The biggest flex, honestly.”

Carson chuckled, then reached down to push Mia’s curls away from her face. 

“Alright, little miss. Let’s go brush our teeth, and then we’ll get you some breakfast.”

Mia didn’t put up a fight as Auston scooped her up again and took her to the ensuite, not letting go of Whaley as they went, though. 

Carson watched them go, smiling wide but stayed and spent a few moments giving Frank some love before joining the other two, brushing her teeth, and grabbing a clean diaper for Mia to change into. Once they were done, Carson put on a pair of sweatpants, and Auston threw on a hoodie, then they all headed downstairs for breakfast. 

After getting Mia situated in her high chair, Auston went over to where Carson was cutting up some fruit, pulled her in for a proper kiss, then winked at her and lightly smacked her butt before moving away to let Frank into the backyard. 

“It’s a little early for you to be a tease, isn’t it?” Carson asked as she side-eyed her husband while he opened the sliding glass door leading to the deck outside. 

“Never too early,” Auston replied simply, not even making contact as he watched Frank brush past and close the door after him. He was smiling cheekily as he knew Carson was looking at him unimpressed, but Auston still didn’t look her way until a moment later when he faced her again, and she was scowling. “Oh, c’mon, you love it.”

“I hope you love the couch 'cause that’s where you’ll be sleeping tonight,” Carson grumbled, then went back to cutting up strawberries for Mia. 

“Babe,” Auston whined as he crept up behind Carson again, wrapped his arms around her, then leaned onto her shoulder and gently kissed her jaw. Carson chuckled softly, letting him win her over as she turned to face him and peck his lips. “What’re you making?”

“Nothing special. Just cutting up some fruit, then figured I’d make some eggs, toast and sausage for the three of us.”

“Want some help?”

“I’d love some.”

Auston nodded, then kissed Carson once more before moving away. He went over to his phone and briefly scrolled before some music played over the stereo. Unfortunately, it was a Justin Bieber song, which made Carson want to roll her eyes, but she couldn’t because Mia started bopping her head along to the beat. 

“You like this song, mini?” Auston asked, smiling as he stopped in front of Mia’s high chair and mimicked her movements. “It’s a good one.”

“I mean, you play it so much, she doesn’t really have a choice in liking it,” Carson snarked, making Auston scowl when he looked in her direction again. 

“Why are you such a hater?”

“Why are you such a fanboy?”

Auston huffed in response before turning his attention back to Mia and smiled again as he ruffled her curls, earning a smile from the toddler. He then glanced back at Carson, who had resumed cutting fruit, before looking over at the pepper mill that resided on the kitchen island and grabbing it to use as a microphone just as the song's chorus began. 

“That if I can’t be close to you,” Auston started, in the worst possible singing voice, making Carson jump slightly and quickly snap her gaze in his direction, only to see him inching closer. “I’ll settle for the ghost of you.”

“Oh, my god, Auston,” Carson said, shaking her head and unsuccessfully fighting another smile.

“I miss you more than life.”

Mia was giggling, and Carson was smiling so wide as they both watched Auston finish the chorus as if he were auditioning for a singing competition. Once the chorus was done, he set down the pepper mill and danced to the sliding door to let Frank back inside as if nothing had just happened. Carson just shook her head and returned to prepping while Auston went to the fridge and took out the eggs, milk, shredded cheese and sausage. 

Letting him have his little moment, Carson decided not to tease him too much while she saw him still swaying to the music and kept quiet, only softly humming as she put the berries into a little bowl for Mia to snack on while she waited for the rest of her breakfast. 

Auston noticed Carson humming along to the song, just in time for the chorus to start again and considered it his chance to really get her smiling. So, without a second thought, he closed the gap between them again. 

“Woah,” Carson gasped when suddenly Auston grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him. 

“Since the love that you left is all that I get,” Auston sang, trying to keep his composure at Carson’s surprised expression. “I want you to know that-.”

“Aus-.”

“Dance with me.”

Auston then gently pushed Carson away, still holding her hands so he could spin her into a twirl. Carson’s laughs filled the room as Auston turned her around, brought her back to his chest, and spun them around. 

“You’re wild, Matthews,” Carson said between laughs as they continued dancing in a circle. 

“That makes you wild for marrying me,” Auston responded before spinning Carson again and bringing her toward him again as the song slowed down. 

“That’s ok because I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Carson leaned against Auston’s chest and wrapped her arms around him as they swayed  together for the remainder of the song. She started humming again and closed her eyes, wanting to live in a moment like that with him forever. Auston kept one arm around her, then brought his other hand up to the back of her head and gently played with her hair as the song gradually ended. 

“I love you, Aus,” Carson told him softly. 

“And I love you, Carse,” Auston replied, kissing the top of her head. “Forever.”

‘Ghost’ ended, and a new song started playing, but Carson and Auston stayed there until Mia squealed and began clapping. Her parents’ antics entertained her, and it showed. 

“Oh, you thought that was funny, huh?” Carson asked while she gave Auston one more squeeze before moving away and heading over to the counter to grab the bowl of berries. “Here, baby, have some fruit.”

Mia smiled and dug right into her strawberries once Carson set them down in front of her. Auston wasn’t far behind with a sippy cup filled with water and smirked at Carson once they made eye contact again. 

“Those strawberries won’t hold her off for long. We should probably actually make some breakfast now,” Auston said, and Carson nodded in agreement. 

While they cooked breakfast, Carson and Auston each received numerous FaceTime calls from friends and family wanting to wish Mia a happy birthday. Unfortunately, while Carson was plating their food, she missed a call from Mitchy. So naturally, he called right back and gave Carson shit when she finally answered.

“Oh, I’m surprised you're clothed,” Mitch said once the call connected, making Steph’s mouth fall open in surprise as she glared from where she was sitting next to him. 

“I was making breakfast, Mitchell,” Carson snapped at her cousin, making Auston snort with laughter from where he was pouring them each a cup of coffee. 

“Given the track record of things you and Auston have been doing when I’ve tried calling, you can’t blame me for assuming the worst. Anyways, let me see the baby, please.”

Carson rolled her eyes and shook her head but didn’t sass back as she walked over to Mia’s high chair and held her phone so they could see the birthday girl. 

“Happy birthday, Meems!” Mitchy greeted, making Mia smile and clap once she recognized who was on the screen. 

“Happy birthday, sweet girl,” Steph said. “I’ll see you later for the game!”

“I’ll score a goal for you,” Mitchy added, making Auston scoff.

Carson glanced at him, silently telling him not to start, which Auston just mumbled to himself in response while she brought Mia’s breakfast on a bright pink plastic plate. 

“This birthday girl has been patiently waiting for her breakfast, so I think we’re gonna go, guys,” Carson said as she moved away from the highchair with her phone so Mia could enjoy her food in peace. “We’ll see you guys later!”

“Bye!” Mitch and Steph said together before Carson ended the call. Once she set her phone down, she could finally enjoy the rest of the morning with her little family. 

After breakfast, the Matthews family took things pretty easily. Auston had a couple of hours before he needed to go to SBA for practice but was set on soaking up every moment with Mia that he could. Carson offered to take Frank on his morning walk around the neighbourhood alone so that Mia and Auston could have more one-on-one time. Auston was ready to debate it, saying he had no problem taking Frank out, but he knew how much Carson enjoyed taking Frank on walks and deserved some time to herself.

Carson was gone for about half an hour, but when she and Frank returned home, she was met by something she was not expecting. She had just finished taking her coat and boots off when Auston called for her from the living room. 

“Carse, come here quick,” he said, which had Carson having a moment of panic. She didn’t know if something was wrong but knew she didn’t have time to ask questions in case there was. So, she threw her coat onto a hook and rushed to the living room.

“What’s going on-,” she started but stopped when she saw what was happening. Mia stood next to the coffee table, indicating that she used it to pull herself up into a standing position like she had many times before. She was in that in-between stage of being able to stand independently but hadn’t taken her first steps yet.

“I think she might do it,” Auston spoke up from where he was sitting on the ground, a few steps between him and Mia with his arms out. “C’mon, mini, come to daddy. I won’t let you fall.”

“You can do it, baby,” Carson assured softly as she walked up behind Auston, then crouched to be closer to Mia’s eye level. “We got you.”

Mia smiled upon seeing her mom again and reached toward her but soon realized Carson wasn’t coming over to pick her up like she usually did. So instead, she stopped, and Mia was left just looking at both of her parents and becoming more aware of the distance between her and them. 

She was still holding onto the coffee table, and it looked like she might just sit down and crawl over to them. However, instead, she took her hand off the table and took a small step. 

“Oh, my god,” Carson gasped, tears prickling her eyes as Mia continued taking more steps towards them until she reached Auston’s hands; then he picked her up and brought her to his chest.

“You did it, Mia!” Auston exclaimed. “Look at you go!”

“Your mom and sisters are going to be sad that I didn’t get that on camera,” Carson said, then noticed Mia reaching toward her. Auston didn’t put up a fight in handing their daughter over to Carson once she joined him in sitting on the ground too. “Oh, my, we’ve got a walking one-year-old. Whatever will we do?”

Carson started peppering Mia with kisses, which made Mia giggle, and Auston smiled so wide as he watched his two girls. Carson then looked at Auston and smirked.

“Next thing we know, she’ll be driving and bringing boys over.”

“No, don’t say that,” Auston replied while holding a hand to his heart and dramatically leaning back against the couch. “It hurts. She’s gonna be small forever and never want anything to do with boys.”

“I think your daddy will be in for a rude awakening, right, Mia?” Carson said and kissed Mia’s cheek once more. “You’re going to keep him on his toes.”

“Just like her mother does.”

Carson gave Auston an unimpressed look for that comment, to which Auston just winked at her in response. She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at her lips as she stood up with Mia.

“Alright, little miss. Let’s find something fun for you to do until nap time.”

When Mia was around six months old, Carson and Auston made a sensory bin for her. Inside it were different items and activities she could use that stimulated her senses, but she also found entertaining to play with. It was enough to keep her occupied while Auston slipped out when he had to leave for practice at SBA. He still said goodbye but was very quick and cheerful about it, and her being distracted by her toys helped. 

Lately, Mia had been struggling with seeing Auston leave because she knew he wouldn’t be back for a while sometimes. As a result, she was developing separation anxiety from him, which, naturally, was extremely difficult for him and Carson to witness. They’d been trying their best to navigate this, and the general anxiousness Mia sometimes showed, which Carson blamed herself deeply for, the best they could. Mia’s anxiety was something they’d received praise for in how they handled it because they were always so patient and supportive they always were for their daughter. Despite it being a challenge, Carson and Auston embraced it and didn’t treat it as a burden, showing they were the best people to guide Mia. 

Since the beginning of their relationship, Carson has always been very transparent with Auston about her mental health struggles, and he has been excellent about it all. So when she was experiencing postpartum depression after Mia was born, she realized how vital that transparency was with Auston. He was her partner, so there was no reason for her not to talk to him about it. But also, if Carson had an off day where she closed herself off from those she cared about, something she tended to do if she was in a really bad low and Auston wasn’t home, it was harder for him to know about Carson and Mia’s wellbeing. 

There was one incident while he was away, less than a month after Mia was born, where Carson’s depression was so bad that she ignored her phone and was just kind of in auto-pilot mode taking care of Mia. No one could get ahold of her, and that had Auston stressed beyond belief. Once he finally got in touch with Carson, she realized what she’d unintentionally done and broke down on the phone with Auston, apologizing for making him worry as she genuinely didn’t mean to. Once she calmed down more, Auston reminded her that if she’s struggling, he’s there to help and how that goes for her and Mia. Mia couldn’t communicate her struggles like Carson could, given she was so young, so it was up to Carson to advocate for both of them.

Since that away trip, Carson has shared everything with Auston. Again, it wasn’t that she meant to keep how she was feeling from him, but more so didn’t want to feel like a burden. But sharing those things with Auston also included being honest when things were tough with Mia.  

Mia’s birthday was one of those days. 

When Auston got home from practice, he found his girls together in his and Carson’s bed upstairs, with Frank resting on the floor. Once he was off the ice, Auston saw messages from Carson telling him that Mia got fussy after he left and wouldn’t settle. She obviously wanted her dad, which Carson explained in the texts, but there wasn’t much she could do to help the situation. When Mia really experienced separation anxiety from Auston, she never took it out on Carson. She found so much comfort in her mom, and Carson knew that, but it was still hard to watch, and this day was no exception.

“Hey,” Carson greeted softly and sniffled once Auston entered the room. 

“Hey, babe,” Auston said as he climbed onto the bed next to his wife, then nodded toward their toddler, asleep in her mom’s arms. “How is she?”

“She cried herself to sleep about 15 minutes ago,” Carson explained, letting out a sob as she reached up to wipe away a tear before gently running her fingers through Mia’s curls. “She was really anxious, Aus. I couldn’t set her down, she was just clutching onto me, and no matter what I did, she wouldn’t stop crying.”

“I see,” Auston nodded in understanding. “And how are you?”

“Better now that you’re here.”

Auston appreciated her response but knew more needed to be said. 

“Carse,” he sighed. “I know you’re mentally beating yourself up so much right now, but please don’t. You’re enough. You’re exactly what Mia needed in a moment like this, and just looking at how she’s still holding onto you in her sleep shows me how much she relies on you. I know you’re not feeling very strong right now, but Mia will always need her mom, and you’re her rock, babe.”

“I just hate seeing her like that, Auston. I hate having anxiety. I hate how it makes me feel, and I hate that I’ve now passed it on to our daughter.”

“Carson, don’t say that this isn’t your fault. This isn’t a burden and never will be. I know Mia will be ok because she has you helping her with her anxiety. She will grow up knowing it’s ok not to be ok, and if she needs professional help, that’s ok too. Mia has the most unbiased mother when it comes to mental health stuff. She’s only a year old. We’ve got time to help her navigate this stuff, babe.”

“I just don’t want her ever to feel how I sometimes do,” Carson whispered, still crying but nodding in agreement. 

“I know, bub. I know,” Auston assured as he scooted closer to her and got under the blankets. Carson quickly moved closer to Auston so she could lean against him, still being mindful of Mia as she continued to sleep. Once they were settled, Auston started playing with Carson’s hair soothingly, then spoke up again. “Have you talked to your therapist lately?”

Carson sighed. 

“The last time I saw her was just before Christmas. I-I think I’m going to see if I can get in get in within the next week, so I talk to her before you’re off for All-Star and bye week. I don’t want to feel like this. I want to properly enjoy the time me, you and Mia get together.”

“If that’s what you think you should do, you know you’ve got my support,” Auston said, then kissed her head. “Just let me know because I’ll be more than happy to spend time with our little girl. I’ll even bring her to practice with me if I have to.”

“I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” Carson chuckled. “We’ll figure something out, though.”

“We always do. And Carse, you know I’m always here to listen too, right? About anything at any time.”

Auston then linked his hand with Carson’s and brought hers up to his mouth, kissed it, then rubbed his thumb over her engagement ring and wedding band as he rested their hands on his lap.

“For better or for worse.”

“For better or worse,” Auston repeated, smiling at Carson. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah,” she told him honestly. “I meant it when I said I felt better with you being home. I always feel at ease with you.”

“Good. Because I think there’d be issues if you didn’t.”

“Yeah, I may have ended up back with my ex if that were the case,” Carson said, not in a bad way by any means, but the comment still made Auston stiffen. “Aus, you know I don’t actually mean that.”

“I know,” Auston agreed. “Just the mention of him makes me mad, is all. I’ll never not hate him for all he’s put you through.”

“It at least, in a way, led me to you. You healed a heart that you didn’t break and showed me what true love is.”

“I’d do it all again. We’ve come so far from the little nineteen-year-olds we were when we first met.”

“And I like to think we’ve done pretty good,” Carson stated and squeezed Auston’s hand, then glanced down at Mia, who was still sleeping soundly between them. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a nap too. We still have a lot ahead of us for this little girl's birthday today.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Auston said, then gently used his hand that wasn’t holding Carson’s to gently place under her chin and guide her gaze to his, delicately pecking her lips once they made eye contact. “I love you.”

“I know you do,” Carson responded, smiling before she leaned in to kiss him again. “And I love you. So. Freaking. Much, Auston Matthews.”

After that, the two of them laid down properly, not bothering to move Mia to her crib and opting for a family nap session. Their nap lasted a little over an hour before Mia stirred awake. She was a little groggy from crying herself to sleep, but she was in much better spirits waking up to see both of her parents there and wasted no time indicating she wanted snuggles from them. 

When Auston had to leave and head to the arena for the game, Mia wasn’t as anxious as she’d been earlier. He gave both her and Carson a hug and kiss goodbye but was hesitant to leave because he didn’t want a repeat of what had happened earlier. However, Mia was content being snuggled on the couch with Carson, her whale and Frank, all watching a show together and even waved goodbye to Auston as he left. 

Carson, Mia and Steph had a good time at the game, too. By the end of the third period, Mia was fading fast, fighting to stay awake from where she sat on her mom’s lap, but the Leafs went into OT against the Rangers. 

During parts of the game, Carson was watching Auston and noticed he seemed to be in some discomfort but couldn’t think of why. So, she made a mental note to ask him after the game and kept an eye on him because she naturally wanted to know he was okay.

Auston stayed in the game and was on the ice when Mitchy scored the overtime winner. After the initial celly, Mitch pointed in the direction he knew the girls were sitting, indicating that the goal was for Mia, just like he’d promised earlier that day.

[terminalisms]

caved so quick to the 2nd muse impulse o mein gott......throwing sejoon into the mix with another minimal stats page + round two of rambly character intros 😵‍💫 if u are interested in plotting just like this post or add me on discord!! (tip.toph) 🥰

tw! mentions of terminal illness, death of a parent

only son to 2 anomalies. plain jane working class background

in a past life, dad is still a top tier hardboiled detective who doesn't gotta think about the fact he has a wife and kid at home

in this one, mom is inconveniently out of the picture for......... [vague gestures] reasons and he has to hunker down into single father life fast. ends up opening a restaurant in order to be able to provide

but in spite of all of this his childhood isn't so bad! he and his dad are close despite obvious stark differences in personality, which can be summed up as naive softie vs cynical hardass. even if sejoon's too trusting ways has dad up at night wondering how the hell is this kid gonna survive on his own

also dad: [does the absolute most to keep him shielded and sheltered cause he's Seen Things and as a parent's bare minimum that means letting a kid being a kid. which means shoving things deep under a rug and the default response to any inkling of curiosity being "Don't worry about it"]

until sejoon's anomaly kicks in at 12-13 by making a patron's chair float on accident and his dad's like k. better late than never......

its a little (ok a lot) hard to coach sejoon through controlling his abilities considering dad's own anomaly is not anything remotely close to moving things w his mind (its memory manipulation btw for some hwang fam #trivia) and sejoon is like ): but this is so cool why shouldnt i wanna show it off......

their deeply anti-anomaly district with equally staunchly anti-anomaly neighbors, friends, politicians being a VERY good reason not to: (:

dad: wear this patch thingie. dont ask why just do what i say

(thank god for nullivi huh like seriously)

doesnt stop the bubble bursting with when people realize ur not "human" they treat u different but ykw.........the sun is still shining and the world is much much bigger than their humble slice of daegu for EVERYONE to be that way

sua's open for admissions just around the time sejoon's thinking about higher ed AND broadening his horizons. gets in on arts scholarship and off he goes

baby bird leaving the nest turns fish out of the water. college and seoul are a bit of an adjustment but exciting all the same. and he does thrive! gets involved in the sporting rallies, really developing his artistic vision, has a social life, and gets to be his #true self among fellow anomalies the whole enchilada

things only really go downhill in the last 6 months of his undergrad with 2 wrecking balls: a devastating breakup and (TW: ILLNESS, DEATH) his dad being diagnosed by stage iv lung cancer

its right after graduation that sejoon immediately falls off the face of the earth for 3 years to be his father's sole caretaker until his death (END OF TW) no one i mean no one knows what he was doing or where he is

but hes back now to do his mfa!! let the bella loca where the hell have u been-isms begin

vibe wise hes bright, social, easy to talk to but can also be kind of spacey eccentric and the ultimate pacifist. the type that makes u feel like u guys are sooo close but then when u reflect ur like actually idk if i really know much about him at all (which!! is not totally intentional he just makes for a better listener and is great at making conversation about what YOU have to say). these days that same can do energy is there but it doesnt feel the same if u look too close but its fine!!! everything is fine

plots that are marginally better than the first time around but not by much:

friends who were blindsided by him going mia without warning

friends who are gracious enough (or equally ??????? avoidant? weird even) to pick up where they left off like nothing happened in the first place

people who dont even know who he is so like none of the above for his sob story doesnt even really matter

this is really really limited to one (1) person but somebody who managed to run into him in the three years that he was laying low

will require extensive plotting but the ex......not necessarily endgame but i am in the mood for some bittersweet woulda shoulda coulda's, angst and answering the penultimate question of: why did we break up?

former teammates? i imagine he was part of house samjoko during undergrad

ur a stranger feeling nosy and ur ultimate mission is figuring out where hes been. he lets u speculate

u need someone to do ur graphics. can be contractual pro bono whatevah.......

im running out of steam here but i am open to it all please hmu

[twstinginthewind]

I'm so late for that, but hello,

Can I ask 💌 for between any of our OCs please ? Thank you in advance !

As if I could refuse the author of these cute OC interaction prompts? That would be unthinkable!

(Hi!! Darned nice to have ya here! Apologies for using another character w no profile yet but hopefully you'll get a good idea of what she's like from her letter.)

--

(In an envelope covered with sparkly cat stickers....)

Dear Ptolemy~~

It was really fantastic to get to meet you at the NRC/RSA social dance last week! I wasn't really sure what to expect, to be honest. One of my dorm mates was mentally preparing for it like it was going to be some sort of gang fight, but then Vil - he's our housewarden, you know? He wasn't exactly thrilled about going because of the big rivalry between our schools (but also because of a personal rivalry apparently? Which to me is silly because doesn't he have a friend that attends there?) Anyway! Vil told him not to be so uncivilized and then made sure that he and I and the other freshmen in the dorm all brushed up on our basic ballroom dances, because he "wouldn't be outdone" or whatever, and oh!

Sorry~! I kind of went off on a bit of a tangent there. But the point! The point is that I was REALLY glad that we went to the trouble to learn all of that stuff, because I got a chance to dance with you, twice! And it was so very nice and almost like a happy dream. I wanted to let you know how much fun it was getting a chance to really get up close and personal with you and the others from your school, and that I think that the boys in my dorm were being SO silly about it all! I mean, you were a real gentleman, and you didn't mind that I kept on giggling, and even said my tail was cute! It was a fantastic time.

I hope that you remember me as well as I remember you! I was the cat beastman girl with the cute glasses and the bright red shoes and my big sister said I spent way too much time at the snack table but what does she know, she didn't even dance so much, and anyway I hope this letter gets to you! I didn't manage to get your last name after all, so I hope your mail distributor is able to find you and get this into your hands! Do you think we might get to dance together again sometime? I'd really really like that.

Sincerely,

Ms. Mia Sealponte, age 16

Pomefiore Dormitory, Night Raven College

PS - I'm sorry I stepped on your toes!!!

[tickletastic]

Faerie Dust

Fandom: The Folk of the Air

Ship: Cardan/Jude, Heather/Vivi

Summary: Cardan learns about the mortal customs of Halloween, and what humans think the fey look like. Day three of Miya and Mia's Tickletober: villain!

Halloween feels silly when you grew up in Elfhame, different species of mythical creatures around every corner. Particularly silly when you have a tail that you have to hide each day, yet now, for a day, it is socially acceptable.

Cardan thinks Halloween is silly, he does, but his addiction to mortal candies and the image of Jude wearing a ‘fairy’ costume could make it tolerable. Cardan had scoffed, saying the costume bordered on offensive, but Jude had said it’s for the best that humans don’t know what the fey actually look like, and green is her colour.

Jude had shown Cardan Peter Pan, a movie she remembered distantly having watched with her parents, though she hadn’t seen it since leaving the mortal world. She suggests Peter and Tink as a cute couple’s costume, after, of course, explaining to Cardan what a couple’s costume is. Cardan, however, was not at all interested in dressing as Peter Pan, but interested in the caricature humans had created of pirates. He insisted for weeks for Jude to allow him to dress up as Captain Hook, and when Cardan convinced Oak to be Smee, Jude finally broke. Heather and Vivi would go as Peter and Wendy, Jude and Oak would be Captain Hook and Smee, and Jude would be stuck parading around as what the humans think a fairy looks like.

When they were getting into their costumes, Cardan had discovered, much to his dismay, that his costume hook was made out of foam. 

“It’s a costume, Cardan, humans don’t usually put their best tools towards temporary wares,” Jude explained, poking the end of the hook with her finger. 

“For what reason?” Cardan asked, furrowing his eyebrows, “in Elfhame even that which is meant for a single night is made out of the finest of fabrics.” 

“It’s fine, Cardan,” Jude smiles, walking towards him, “it’s just for a single night. If it matters that much we’ll get Taryn to have next year’s costume made in Elfhame.”

“I will hold you to that,” He grins, pulling her in.

“I would expect nothing less,” Jude responds, leaning in for a kiss. She closes her eyes, tilting her head to the right as she continues to lean in before she is moving away with a jolt, hands batting at Cardan’s. “Cahahardan nohoho!”

Cardan laughs, following Jude until she’s collapsed on their bed, giggling while Cardan’s fingers explore her sides. “My dear queen, if only your kingdom knew about your weakness.”

“Shuhut up!” Jude laughs, cheeks going bright red at her boyfriend’s teases. She reaches out blindly, hoping to hit anything, and she is satisfied when Cardan pulls away with a yelp. 

She quickly bounces back, giggles still freely flowing, following Cardan to the ground as his knees buckle from the rib tickling. 

“JUHUDE!” Cardan screeches, shaking his head back and forth, “STAHAHAP!”

“Hmm, I don’t think so,” Jude grins, her fingers spidering up his ribs and under his arms, “I’ve hear the kingdom call you cruel, boyish, crude, and irritable, but never have I heard them call you ticklish. Their sources must be mixed up.”

Cardan’s eyes shoot open, and his hands reach up to tickle Jude’s tummy. She laughs shrilly, snorts peppered throughout, but her hands remain on Cardan’s torso. The two of them quickly end up in a messy, uncoordinated ball of laughter, each of them trying to get the upper hand. 

Finally, Jude’s hands run down to Cardan’s hipbones, and he throws his head back, screaming, his hands becoming entirely useless. “OKAHAY! YOHOHOU WIHIHIN!”

Jude’s fingers pull away, collapsing next to Cardan on the ground. They lay side by side on the floor, panting as they try to catch their breath. Cardan places his right hand over Jude’s left on the carpet, stroking his thumb against it. 

“We’re gonna behe late,” Jude laughs, turning her head to look at Cardan, hair all over and eyes filled with mirth. 

“I believe the humans would say we’ll be fashionably late,” he corrects, grinning as if he’s satisfied with himself.

“Oh, shut up,” Jude says, sitting up, “c’mon King Cardan, we’ve got places to be.”

[laifelow]

I dunno how I'm always late for reviexing eurovision entries (some I check out immidiatly, but others...... God I'm so late)

Thoughts (in no particular order)

Check this post for Ireland, Norway, Belgium, Albania, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine.

Finland : Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha. I'm in tears. It's so good. What a lad. By far one of my fav this year. The charisma. The dancers. The colors. CHACHACHA. It's about getting drunk af. An absolute athem.

Czech Republic : Vesna - My Sister's Crown. Oh yeah, it's good. Did I ever mention how much I love trad sounds? Especially the white voice singing and harmonies? (yes, I did). It's a bit underwhelming at the verses, but the chorus is f i n e.

France : La Zarra - Evidemment. I can't deny that her voice is great, and huh..... she gorgeous. Not a fan of the dance elements, but, well, it's fine. VERY FRENCH THO. I what can I say? I don't like the majority of french pop. But she can sing.

Italy : Marco Mengoni - Due Vite. Why does everybody love it? It's boring? He's a good singer, no questions there, but... it's a ballad. Don't get me wrong, some ballad are great. Just not this one. The weakest italian entries in years if you ask me.

Serbia : Luke Blake - Samo Mi Se Spava. wtf it's great. I'm loving how much of what my friends calls "berliner night club" vibe we're getting this year.

Netherlands : Mia Nikolai & Dion Cooper - Burning Daylight. I'm pretty sure this one will grow on me, esp if they have a good stage presence (sing w/ your guts and you're good). But pretty underwhelming.

Croatia : Let 3 - Mama ŠČ!. Big fan of whaterver is gooing here. Dunno what's they're sniffing , but I want some. Do I love the song? No. But I'm glad it's there. (kinda catchy tho) Hope they go to finals

Moldova : Pasha Parfeni - Soarele si Luna. I'm crying. The esc Gods have listened to me. There is SO MUCH trad techno this year. I'm ascending. Alvan & Ahez would be so proud. I'm sure are. The fluuuuuuuuuuuuuuute T-T

Australia : Voyager - Promise. Yeah, I like it! It's good! I hope they'll hgave a good live performance!

Poland: Blanka - Solo. Oh no. No, this one is not good. She's off key. It's bland af. Pass. Jann was JUST THERE.

Estonia : Alika - Bridges. Well, there's a ballad I can get under. Not really my jam, but it's good.

Germany : Lord of the Lost - Blood and Glitter. Can't believe Germany finally decided to stop being lame. I'm proud of you guys. You're a good neighbour once in a while.

Cyprus : Andrew Lambrou - Break a Broken Heart. Side note : what a title. Also, can Cyprus do anything aside from pop? Like, they're good a it, but still... Nothing special here, move on.

Denmark : Reily - Breaking My Heart. Side note : heh, title. This one kinda pisses me off, bcause I don't like It, but also.... I'm vibbing to it?????

Iceland : Diljà - Power. Heh. I guess it's fine.

Malta : The Busker - Dance (Our Own Party). I'm so weak to sax solos, I'm almost ashamed. So yeah, I like it :) They have this Lake Malawi kind of charm.

Lithuania : Monika Linkyté - Stay. Guys........ I'm really triying to make an effort here, but why your ballads have to be so generic?

San Marino. Piqued Jacks - Like An Animal. Welp, this has potential.

Latvia. Sudden Lights - Aij��. I really want to like this one, but the live version is just underwhelming. The studio version slaps, tho.

Romania : Theodor Andrei - D.G.T (Off and On). I'm not sure. It's good, but also it's meh. It lacks a littke something, but I like it I think.

I'm impressed, we're actually getting a really good year! I can't wait to pressure my friends into watching the final with me!

Also, I'm loving the national langages this year!

[tooearlyforthis]

My Valentine

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Reader

Synopsis: (2.5k wc) With no Valentine's Days plans Y/n questions why her friends are acting so weird.

Warnings: fluff, friends to lovers

masterlist || steve harrington taglist

Hey guys, sorry for going MIA for a second there I was sick all this week. Here is a little valentine's day fic and hopefully I'll have part three of Partners in Crime posted soon!

“I don’t understand, you never want to work.”

Y/n crossed her arms as she leaned back against the front counter. She furrowed her brows at her coworker, Robin Buckley, who was very adamant about taking her Friday shift. 

“I dunno I thought it would be fun,” Robin tried to reason with her. 

“With Keith?” she argued back. Something was up, she just didn’t know what. 

“Yeah… just some….” she crossed her arms, looking toward the floor. “Bonding time?”

Y/n stared at her friend with a blank expression. “I don’t even think you believe that.”

“I just need the money, okay! Just take the day off it’s Valentines day.”

“Rob, out of the two of us, you’re the one with a partner. What does Vickie think about this?”

“Vickie is fine with it. Our plans are that night anyways.” Y/n shook her head, turning around to rewind tapes on the table. She felt Robin walk to her side, pleading. “Please, Y/n just let me take the shift.”

She debated for a moment. She didn’t mind working on Valentine’s Day, especially since she had no one to celebrate it. Then again a Friday off sounded nice… 

“Ugh fine, you can have it,” she gave in. 

Robin celebrated to herself before replying,” Thanks, really.”

“It’s fine… I’m gonna get going my shift just ended.” Grabbing her bag, she made her way around the counter and toward the front door. “Have fun closing!”

“Give Harrington the middle finger for me will ya?”

Y/n laughed as she left the store, shedding herself out of her green work vest. She had plans to hang out with Steve Harrington, one of her closest friends. His house was only a block away so she opted to drive back home, shower quickly, and walk over. 

Every-time she began her trek to his house she felt butterflies raise in her stomach. He was an attractive guy and even though they were friends and nothing more, part of her still wondered what if. They had been friends for a couple years and she would be lying to herself if she said she hadn’t thought about going steady with him.

But they were just friends, nothing more and Y/n found herself perfectly content with that. After a couple of shared beers and slices of pizza, she sat down on Steve’s couch watching as he tried to find a movie for the two of them to watch.

“What are you in the mood for?” he asked her, cycling through the tapes he owned. 

“I’m find with anything,” she replied. “Hey, has Robin been weird around you lately?”

He furrowed his brows, not bothering to look up. “No, why? Is she being weird around you?”

“Kind of… she really wanted to take my Friday shift… I don’t know it just felt off.”

Steve’s head shot up to look at her. “W-weird? Why would it be weird?”

“Well for one the shift is with Keith,” she began, watching as Steve hesitantly nodded in agreement. “But also it’s Valentine’s Day. Like, she should be out having fun with Vickie.”

“They have plans that night,” Steve blurted out before stumbling to act more nonchalant. “I-I mean she told me she had plans for that night so…I don’t think that’s weird.”

Y/n narrowed her eyebrows toward him. What happened to him? It felt like there was more to the conversation that he didn't want to share. “Okay…” she responded, “I just think it’s a holiday Vic cares about and it’s not like I’ll be spending my day off with anyone.”

Steve shrugged. “Maybe she just wants to work?”

“Robin working more than she has to? I don't think we're friends with the same girl.”

“I don’t know, man!” Steve defended, picking up a random movie from the pile he was holding. “This one?”

“Sure.”

Before she could even bring up the subject again, he was popping the tape into his player and leaving the room to get them more beer. Something was off with him and she couldn’t figure out why. For now, maybe it was best to just enjoy the movie…

Friday morning began with a rough start for Y/n. Her alarm blared at 6:00 in the morning, cursing as she shut it off. It was an alarm she set for work but had completely forgot about. Grunting, she got out of bed, unhappy to be awake at such an ungodly hour. 

It was just more time she would be awake on the most romantic holiday with no one to share it with. Maybe a morning run could calm her down. Throwing on her running clothes she slipped out of the house, hoping to not wake her parents. She followed her usual path, running out of the neighborhoods and toward town square. 

That’s when she passed the field. It was plain looking, just a high hill on the side of the road. She had helped Dustin bring his radio tower there a year or two before and ever since then she found herself drawn to the place. It was quiet spot that guaranteed nobody would interrupt her. Well, everyone except a group of monster fighting teens.

On days where she felt overwhelmed and done with the world, she would pack her blanket and a book, opting to spending the day reading and having a picnic all to herself. Sometimes people wold join her, Nancy, Robin - one time she even got Max to join her. But there was something about laying in a field by yourself that remained unmatched to anything else. 

It felt like the perfect day to spend Valentines Day alone.

Finishing her run, Y/n made her way back home, quick to shower, change, and pack her bag. Loading everything into her car, she decided to stop at a coffee shop before hand, thinking a cup of joe with the lunch she packed sounded nice. 

As she was waiting for the barista to make her drink. The front door of the shop boomed open. Everyone turned there heads to see a slightly distressed teen with a Camp Know Where shirt frantically looking around. He sighed in relief when he spotted her. 

“Y/n!” Dustin exclaimed, rushing over to her. “Fancy seeing you here!” He placed his hands on his hips, trying to hide the fact that he was out of breath.

“Are you okay?” she asked him, suspicious as to why he was running for her in the first place.

“Y-yeah, yeah, fine. So… what are you up to today? I figured you’d be home - not that I was looking for you or anything…”

The barista called out her name and she walked over to get her drink. “Just stopping for coffee before I head out,” she told him, walking toward the door.

Dustin followed, like he wanted more information.

“At the field,” she concluded, hoping she could get back in her car and leave in piece. 

She watched his eyes widen as she explained her plans. “Oh, uhhhh can that wait? I actually do need your help with something.”

“And what might that be?” she asked, taking a sip of her drink. She stared at him narrowly as he tried to make up a reason. What was going on with her friends this week?

“I forgot to get Susie a Valentine’s Day present. Can you help me get one?”

Y/n raised an eyebrow. “You forgot to get your girlfriend a present? I think it’s a little too late for that Dustin, it won’t arrive for at least a week.”

“I’ll get express shipping come on!”

Before she could protest, he was loading his bike onto the rack of her car. He then slipped into the passenger seat, fidgeting his fingers. She guessed her plans would have to wait. 

After debating back and forth over what to get her, Y/n recommend a flower business that just opened in town. It was a chain that was bound to have a location near Susie. He could send her flowers that would arrive just on time. Hesitantly, he agreed. 

They spent way longer than she would have liked looking at different flowers. Dustin even went as far as listing off all the different flowers he knew Susie liked. It was getting frustrating, how detailed he was being about a bouquet that would get thrown away in five days time. 

“Just get these okay?” Y/n said annoyed. She picked up the closest bouquet and bringing it to the clerk at the front desk. “We’d like to get these flowers delivered at a different location of yours.”

“Sure thing!” the older man behind the counted said. “Where to?” Y/n turned toward Dustin, waiting to give the address. “Wait a minute, weren’t you in here a few days ago?”

“Huh?” Dustin said, trying to look confused. 

“Yeah, you bought flowers last week for some girl in-“

“You know what, I’m sure she’ll be okay,” Dustin interrupted, taking Y/n's arm and dragging her out of the store. He had already bought flowers for Susie? What were they doing shopping for a present then? “Let’s go back to my house! I’ll grab a book and read with you.”

Y/n didn’t care that she wouldn’t be alone anymore. She would do anything to just go read quietly in the field. “Sure, let’s get going.”

Dustin probably had to be the worst person to choose to read with. One, because she knew the boy liked to commentate while he read. And two, because he can never decided on the right book. 

He had to be upstairs for at least half an hour before Y/n got concerned; wondering why it was taking so long. Creeping toward the stairs, she heard his walkie go off in his room.

How much longer can you stay away?

I don’t know man, I’m really trying! 20 minutes tops!

“Dustin!” she called out for him. “Did you find a book?”

“Uh, yeah! Coming!” Trotting down the stairs, she watched him shove his walkie into his bag. 

“Who was that?”

“What? Uhhh, no one! Wrong channel. Let’s get going!”

As they began their journey back across town, Y/n asked, “So what’s Susie doing today? Are you gonna call her.”

“We talked last night her dad is pretty strict,” he informed her.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t like that his daughters are starting to date so every year he plans family outings on romantic holidays.”

“That sucks.”

“Yeah but I get it. I’ll call her again tonight after her father goes to bed.” The car was only silent for a moment before Dustin asked her a question. “Did you get any Valentines gifts?”

She shook her head. “I’m don’t have any Valentines.”

Dustin nodded, looking off out the window. “Steve doesn’t have any either.”

“Okay….” What was he getting at? “That’s a little surprising since I can’t remember the last time he didn’t have a date planned.”

Turning off the main road, they drove all the way to the fence that poorly guarded the giant hill. Getting out they began their slow trek up. It wasn’t until she could start to see the top of the field that Dustin spoke again.

“I think you deserve a Valentine,” he said, making sure to walk slightly behind her.

She looked behind her as she walked, she frowned. “Sure, Henderson.”

Turning back to the top of the hill, she felt herself stop in her tracks. It wasn’t empty like it usually was, no, there was a person standing at the peak.

Not just any person - Steve.

He was holding a bouquet of flowers, standing in front of a blanket with food splayed out and a book. When she saw him, she could feel her cheeks redden, a smile forming on his face. 

“What is this-“ she began, turning back to as Dustin but he was already halfway down the hill.

“Have fun lovebirds!” he yelled, climbing in to another car that was parked next to hers. 

She watched Jonathan and Nancy in the front seat wave. A whistle from Lucas and Max in the back. Laughing, she watched them drive off, turning her attention back to the boy in front of her.

“Did you put him up to this?” she asked, walking closer to him.

He smirked. “Maybe.”

“And Robin taking my shift?”

Shrugging, he said, “That was a little harder to pull of but, she knew it was for a good cause.”

Stopping in front of him, she looked down at the flowers. “Are those for me?” 

Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she would ever receive flowers from Steve Harrington. He was the type of guy that didn’t second guess himself on the girls he liked. If he wanted her, he’d go after her. So when they became friends and he made no moves on her, she thought that was the end of it. She would always think he was cute, wonder what it was like to date him but knew it would never go that far. 

So seeing him stand in front of her with a handful of roses… it was hard not to blush.

“Maybe,” he replied, handing them to her. 

Taking in a deep breath, she smelled the roses. It felt like a dream, a really good dream that she would wake up from at any moment. 

“Steve Harrington,” she began. “What are you doing up here?”

“What? I can’t find a good spot to read?”

That made them both chuckle. 

“Seriously Y/n, you didn’t know?” She shook her head. “I was so nervous when you started asking questions earlier this week and I thought that little shit Henderson was gonna mess up.”

“Well he didn’t. Consider me utterly surprised.”

“Good.” He smiled, holding out his hand to guide her down on to the blanket. “You have been a constant thought in my mind from the moment we met. I can’t believe it’s even taken me this long to admit it but I really like you.”

Y/n smiled, looking down only for a moment before back up at him. “I really like you too.”

“So,” he asked, moving closer to her. “Will you do me the honor of being my valentine?”

Leaning closer, her lips ghosting over his, she decided to respond with action. She closed the gap between them, pulling him into a long drawn out kiss. She felt his hand wrap around her waist, pulling her closer to him. 

When they pulled away he asked, “So is that a yes?”

Laughing, she rolled her eyes. “Yes, you doofus.”

“Hmm your doofus.”

She pulled him in for another kiss, making sure it was more hearted and passionate for the last. She could tell she took him by surprise, he arm freezing for a moment on her back. Pulling apart, she rested her forehead against his. Even with closed eyes she could tell that he was shocked. 

Only smiling, she replied. “Yes, my doofus.”

[itsivyberry]

Hi! I’d like to request a Draco Malfoy x reader please :D they are brewing amortentia in potions class and when Draco is asked to describe what he smells, y/n is shocked to find that all the scents that he listed is actually the exact smell of her perfumes and that’s how she discovers that Draco Malfoy fancies her Thank you!

ooooo such a fun request!! thank you for sending it in @elia-the-bibliophile <3

*•~.✰

sparkling pink pepper

warnings: some cursing, sarcasm (literally if you don’t understand sarcasm idk if you’ll like this), FLUFF but I shouldn’t leave that as a warning, also this isn’t set like the scene in half-blood prince

word count: 704

taglist: @drawlfoy @fanficflaneuse

*•~.✰

The students sitting in the potions classroom were conversing among themselves when Y/N and Draco walked through the classroom.

The two teenagers were bickering about something quietly, but it was evident they were both angry.

“Oh shut it, Draco. You didn’t need to trip me in the courtyard!” Y/N whisper-yelled to him, stopping in the doorway and waving her hands about.

“I didn’t mean to! You were the one who decided to walk right over to where my foot was sticking out.” Draco whisper-yelled back, smirking to himself.

“I don’t want to deal with you anymore. Find a new partner for today.” Y/N stuck her hand in his face to stop him from saying anything more.

“Hmmm, let me think about it. No, you may not not be my partner.” Draco grabbed her wrist to move her hand, craning his neck forward and bending down to talk to her.

Y/N just scoffed in response, yanking her wrist free and walking away to find a table to sit at. Draco followed closely behind, sitting right next to her.

Just as they both set their bags on the ground, Professor Snape whisked into the room, slamming the door behind him.

“Does anybody know what potion is sitting on this desk right here?” Snape motioned to his desk where a bright pink potion simmered, the same color steam floating just above it. Small hearts rose from the steam and popped in the air.

Hermione Granger, as expected, stuck her hand in the air. “Yes, Miss Granger?” Snape asked, unamused by her enthusiasm.

“It’s Amortentia, the most powerful love potion in the world. It’s rumored to smell differently to each person according to what attracts them.” Her words were cut short through Y/N’s ears as Draco leaned over.

“Can you believe this? He’s making us brew a love potion.” He scoffed a little too loudly for Professor Snape’s liking.

“Mr. Malfoy. Would you like to do the honors and enlighten us on what you smell?” Snape scowled at him. “Yes, sir.” Draco complied, standing from his stool.

He took a whiff, pondering the scent before he stood back to look at the professor. “I smell fresh laundry, pink bubblegum, and sparkling pink pepper perfume.” Draco said.

Students giggled from around him, murmuring to themselves. Y/N, however, sat slack-jawed at her stool, staring directly at her friend.

She’s realized it almost immediately; him teasing, saying she always smelled like fresh laundry, her always chewing the same brand of pink bubblegum from Honeydukes, and one of the main ingredients in her favorite perfume.

“You will begin brewing this potion at the end of the week. As of now, you need to write an essay on every ingredient and why they are crucial. Class dismissed.” Snape walked out of the room, snapping Y/N from her realization.

“That class was short, wasn’t it? Probably could’ve skipped.” Draco walked back to his seat, slinging the strap of his bag over his shoulder.

Y/N just starred at him, almost no emotion showing. “What? Why’re you staring like a creep?” Draco just looked back at her, squinting slightly.

“You do realize what you described when you smelled that stupid potion, right?” Y/N tilted her head just slightly, sneering the word ‘stupid.’

“Oh you’ve got to been shitting me. That isn’t how I wanted to tell you. Just leave me to sulk in my own misery, wont you?” Draco brought his hands to cover his face that had flushed a brilliant shade of crimson.

“Ah, back to making assumptions, are we?” Y/N leaned over to look at him after he turned away from her.

“Don’t you dare say you like me back. Don’t make this sappy, it’s already humiliating.” Draco looked at her, pure sarcasm dripping from his voice.

“Sucks for you buddy, but it looks like we both fell for each other.” Y/N clapped his shoulder, a small smile playing on her lips as she sucked in a bit of air.

“Well, in that case, how would you like to accompany me on a walk to the docks? To talk about these feelings?” Draco held his arm out, a smile playing on his lips as well.

“Gladly.” Y/N finally smiled, looping her arm around his.

a/n: I LOVE THIS WHAT THE FRICK👺 anyways I hope you all enjoyed <3 I usually try not to write stuff where mcs admit feelings like immediately but I couldn’t pass up this request !!!! love u all