#later that night i’m in bed and it hits me THE PLAYLISTS

[dreamingkitsunewrites]

✰ WOKE UP IN JAPAN ✰

✰ | Inspired playlist here |.

Prologue | Next Chapter here

✰ Pairing neighbor!Choso Kamo x bartender!Reader

✰ Summary (chapter 1/? of Queen of the Night), in which you offer to help your lovely younger neighbour Yuji with his chemistry homework, but end up bumping into his mysterious, ever-elusive older brother, Choso aka ‘the ghost of the block'...

✰ Warnings crack, slow-burn, pining, opposites to lovers, awkwardness, jealousy, underground nightlife, Choso being cold and intimidating at first, reader being messy™️, suggestive language (nsfw and dark themes coming later on-check series materialist for the complete list)

~5k words(First chapter turned out longer than expected..sorry abt that)

Comments and Reblogs are appreciated 💜

ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ♫♬♪: "Woke up in Japan" by 5sos

7:42 AM

“Are you still asleep?!” Shizuru’s hands jolt you awake, practically sending you flying out of your dreams. “Damn, you’re going to be late for class again!” 

You blink groggily, your mind struggling to catch up with reality. Less than twenty minutes to make it to campus, and here you are, still snuggled in the warm embrace of your blankets. Last night, you’d fallen asleep mid-jam session, headphones still on, your beloved guitar resting in your lap like a loyal dog. Papers are strewn about your room like confetti from a failed celebration, and as you tilt your head to one side, you feel Shizuru shaking you again.

“Wake up!” she insists, her voice a mix of exasperation and amusement.

With a jolt, your eyes flutter open, and you’re immediately met with the relentless buzzing of your phone alarm on the nightstand. “Shit, it’s late!” you exclaim, snatching it up. As you read the time, your heart drops. “NO WAY! IT’S THIS LATE… Shit, no, no!” 

In a whirlwind of panic, you leap out of bed, your feet somehow getting tangled in your own guitar. You trip and stumble, barely managing to grab a pair of wide-leg jeans and your favorite cropped sweater from the drawer as you dash toward the bathroom. 

“Whoa, watch out!” you yell, just as you collide with a shirtless guy who seems to have wandered into your apartment, probably one of Shizuru's late-night visitors. 

“Hey, good morning to you, Sleeping Beauty… You must be Shizuru's roomie,” he greets you, completely unfazed by your chaotic entrance. You feel your cheeks flush as you awkwardly try to cover your exposed legs, the oversized t-shirt you're wearing doing little to help. “Yes… it’s me… nice to meet you,” you stammer, trying to muster a smile despite the embarrassment. “Ehm… I’d love to chat, but I really have to go… I’m late again…for uni I mean” you clear your throat, trying not to cringe at your own goofiness.

With that, you escape into the bathroom, your laughter mingled with anxiety echoing through the hallway. Just before you close the door, you notice your roomie still standing in the corridor with her mocking grin, and you turn back to Shizuru, mouthing a whispered rebuke. “Who's him, 'Zuru? Can you at least give me a heads-up next time a guy stays over?” your frustrated words elicit a chuckle from the pink-haired girl "you know…so that I can avoid being caught half naked by a stranger again…"

Shrugging, she just gives you an amused look, clearly entertained by your morning fiasco. Still flustered, you crank up the shower without checking the temperature. The moment the water hits you, you realize too late that it’s scalding hot. “AHHH! That’s not what I signed up for!” you yelp, jumping back, only to drop the bottle of lotion, which thuds loudly against the tiles.

In the kitchen, Shizuru and her date exchange glances, the sound of the lotion bottle crashing resonating through the apartment. 

“Is she okay?” he asks, a teasing smirk on his lips.

“Yeah, she’ll be fine—just a typical morning of hers. This girl’s trouble,” Shizuru replies with a roll of her eyes.

Finally, you emerge from the bathroom, steam billowing out behind you like a dramatic exit from a soap opera. You grab your bag and beloved headphones, rushing toward the door. “I’m leaving! See you later, Zuru!” 

Just as you’re about to vanish, you pop your head back through the door, suddenly reminded of the other person in the apartment  “Oh, and… it was nice to meet you, uh… Kenji?” you attempt a name, hoping it will be the right one this time…it's definitely hard to keep up with Shizuru's adventurous love life…

"Yeah... whatever…" The guy looks at Shizuru, bewildered. “Who the hell is Kenji again?” 

Shizuru mentally curses your terrible memory... you've mistaken him for her previous date “Told you she’s completely bonkers,” she mutters, shaking her head, before smoothly shifting to another topic. 

...

Just then, another door swings open in the hallway, the one of apartment 24, right next to yours. Yuji Itadori, your neighbor, waves goodbye to his older brother, Choso, while chewing on a half-eaten sandwich…

You are too ingrossed in your phone to notice him and you and Yuji end up slamming into each other, a comedic collision of morning chaos. “hey careful here...oh it's you! Good morning!” you both exclaim, chuckling at your synchronized enthusiasm.

Yuji is the sweetest guy ever—an actual angel. He’s a bit younger than you, but since you moved to Japan to study, he’s always been there to lend a hand, whether it’s carrying heavy grocery bags or rescuing you and your roomie when your apartment almost caught fire. “Setting off for uni already?” he asks, flashing that bright smile of his.

“Yes… classes start in ten minutes, but I’ve made my peace with being late…” you shamelessly admit with a smile, glancing at your phone. There was something about Yuji's candor that made you feel at ease, as if you could tell him about the most embarrassing thing you've done without being judged at all.

“By the way… how’s school going, Yuji?” You can’t just run off without exchanging a few words with him; he’s too lovely.

“I've joined two more clubs this year, but…” Yuji sighs dramatically, his shoulders slumping under the weight of his backpack. “Science is driving me mad! I can’t keep up with both biology and chemistry at the same time!” 

“Oh no, Biology and Chemistry together in the same sentence sound scary…” you agree, genuinely feeling for him. Without thinking twice, you suggest, “I still have some remnants of knowledge from high school. I could help you with your homework… if you want, of course!”

His big doe eyes light up with gratefulness. “Would you really do this for me? Thank you!!” he exclaims, nearly bouncing off the walls with excitement. Yuji's spontaneous reactions were always too precious, you simply can't say no to this guy. Not that you mind being around him actually.

“Yeah, no problem! That’s what neighbors are for, right?” You smile back, feeling a warm glow at his enthusiasm. “ok then…When do you want to start?”

“Let me think…" he taps his finger on his temple, feigning a not so credible hesitation "How about this afternoon?" He spits out soon after, a goofy smile on his lips "eheh...The situation is bordering on desperate here, and I have a test next week…” He chuckles nervously, scratching the back of his neck.

“Is it that bad?” You muse, trying to suppress a laugh. “Okay, okay… don’t worry, Yuji, I can help. How about this afternoon, around 5?” 

“5 PM sounds perfect for me!” He looks at you like you’re his personal superhero. “We both should really go now…" he says, glancing down at the ridiculous time displayed on his screen "see you later, then!” 

“Yeah, we definitely should” you agree, putting your headphones on as you begin to walk toward the lift. "See you later!"

“Thank you! You’re the best!” Yuji’s voice rings in your ears once again before you disappear behind the doors, your heart a little lighter and your day a little brighter.

…

“I'm home, Cho!” Yuji bursts through the door like a whirlwind after a long day of classes, his shoes and backpack tumbling onto the doorstep in a chaotic heap. The moment he steps inside, his energy lights up the quietness of the living room.

Choso lounges on the couch, wearing an expression that screams “boredom” as he stares blankly at the TV,  probably rewatching the same episode of some mind-numbing comedy series in the strenuous attempt to kill his time until Yuji would be home from school. 

“Hey, you’re back earlier today!” the guy says, glancing at the clock. “Were Megumi and Nobara too busy to hang out this afternoon?” His curiosity is piqued, especially since Yuji hasn’t plopped down on the couch beside him yet; instead, he busies himself gathering the avalanche of papers scattered across the living room floor and fluffing the couch cushions like a domestic tornado.

Choso sighs and lazily stands up, trailing after Yuji to the kitchen, where he surprises his brother wrestling with a mountain of neglected dishes in the sink.

“What are you doing? Did we suddenly become a popular hangout spot and I missed the memo?” Choso asks, tilting his head to the side like a confused puppy, his pigtails swaying back and forth in rhythm with his thoughts.

“Oh, yes! Totally forgot to text you about this!” Yuji muses, a casual shrug accompanying his words. “ Our neighbor from the 23 is coming over to help me with my science homework.” He says it as if it were the most normal thing in the world, but Choso’s eyebrows shoot up, a mixture of panic and confusion etched on his face. Someone. A girl, to boot, is going to visit them…since when?

“Which one of the girls next door? The new one?” Choso’s memory is a little foggy; he’d caught only a glimpse of you moving in nearly a month ago, awkwardly maneuvering your staff in the hallway like a wizard trying to find their way in a Muggle world. 

He’s always been the king of avoiding small talk and the awkwardness of handshakes, not to mention the sheer horror of forgetting someone's name right after meeting them. What he dreaded most, though, were the judgmental glances he received from strangers, as if his unconventional style was a neon sign saying, “Please stare at me!”. It basically feels like his worst nightmare is coming true in front of his eyes right now. 

He looks at Yuji in horror, hoping he will get the hint, but his eyes soften as he watches his hyperactive little brother. How could he understand? Yuji is the complete opposite of him. He was a social butterfly, flitting from person to person, charming everyone in the neighborhood with that infectious smile of his. 

“Yes, her…” Yuji confirms, trying to gauge Choso’s reaction. But Choso is still sulking, clearly annoyed that his afternoon plans with Yuji have officially been hijacked. “You know… she’s really nice. Always checking in on how school’s going. In fact, she was the one who offered to help me!” Yuji tries to cheer up the conversation.

“You could’ve just asked me for help!” Choso retorts, his tone dripping with faux indignation as he crosses his strong arms, frowning at his brother. 

“And when exactly did you become a master of subscripts in bulk and balancing chemical equations?” Yuji teases, clearly enjoying this little sparring match. 

Choso plops down at the kitchen table, pouting like a child denied dessert. “I could’ve helped you by reading the books first and then explaining it to you! You know I’ve gotten pretty good at explaining stuff by now!” He tries to sound defensive, but the corners of his mouth betray him, earning a chuckle from Yuji.

Just then, the doorbell rings, echoing through the apartment like a dramatic soundtrack. “Cho, please open the door for me, will you? I need a sec to finish here!” Yuji’s request sends Choso into a minor panic. He definitely wasn't prepared for this…greetings have never been his thing. But he stands up from his seat nonetheless "Just because it's you Yuji". He squares his shoulders, taking a deep breath, and dragging his feet toward the door. 

As he approaches it, he can't help wondering what he was getting himself into. Would this new girl find him weird? With a final gulp, he grasps the doorknob, hiding his nerves under his usual expressionless pout, the one Yuji calls his typical 'resting bitch face': He is now officially ready for the most awkward encounter of his life.

…

On the other side of the door, you stand, nervously clutching a couple of library books to your chest. They are your secret weapons for the afternoon, intended to help Yuji with his homework. 

When the door finally swings open, you are completely unprepared for what greets you…or better, who does:  there he stands,a well-built guy you've never seen around before, leaning nonchalantly against the doorframe, arms crossed, with an air of casually intimidating coolness. He is tall and pale, his skin seemingly untouched by sunlight for ages, giving him an otherworldly vibe. His eyes are heavy-lidded, dark circles framing them like a pair of ominous shadows, and he's studying you from head to toe as if you were a particularly perplexing puzzle. 

You soon realize who you were standing in front of: none other than Yuuji's legendary, ever-elusive older brother—the one your roommate dubbed “the ghost of the block” whenever he comes up in conversation. You’d heard the wildest theories about him: some claim he was a sort of anarchist scribbling deep thoughts on walls in the dead of night, while others insist he was part of a notorious gang that roamed the outskirts of Tokyo. Now, as you take in the towering figure before you, you can somewhat understand the origins of these myths. Still, you think most of them are definitely a bit too imaginative—like something out of a late-night anime binge. 

“Um, hi…” you manage to stammer after a while, your voice barely rising above the awkward silence that fills the air like thick fog. “Is Yuji home?” You shift your weight from one foot to the other, trying to look more composed than you feel. “I came to help him with his homework. I know he’s been struggling with advanced chemistry… it’s like a nightmare waiting to happen, right?” You attempt to lighten the mood with a joke, your smile widening in hopes of breaking the tension.

But the guy, who appears more or less your same age, doesn't seem to register your words. He simply stands there, studying you with an intensity that makes your heart race. You avert your gaze for a second, trying to catch some more information about him by his body language, but your gaze lands on his crossed-arms figure: he seems tense too, you can even see the outline of his impressive biceps flexing through the puckered fabric of his oversized shirt. 

Choso seems to notice your wandering stare and sighs deeply. He hides his embarrassment behind a wall of annoyance caused by your wandering eyes, even if he himself has already checked out the way your figure all wrapped up in an old oversized leather jacket appears so much smaller than his one. 

You quickly recompose yourself, finally daring to meet his unwavering stare. You feel a bit like a deer caught in headlights, every detail about you being scrutinized—the way you nervously hug your books, the slight tremor in your hands, the way your shoulders move as you speak. His gaze is shamelessly unyielding, and you can feel the awkwardness stretching like an elastic band, ready to snap.

A heavy silence envelops you two and you mentally kick yourself for being such a chatterbox in these kinds of situations. Why couldn’t you be one of those cool people who could effortlessly glide through awkward moments? Instead, you feel like a blabbering fool and decide it was best to just... stop talking.

Choso, however, is still lost in his own thoughts, his mind swirling with confusion. There is something unsettling in the pit of his stomach that he can't quite place. He doesn't trust you, not at all, and the idea of you being close to his brother doesn't sit well with him. But as you smile again, a genuine warmth behind your nervousness, he finds himself snapping back to reality.

“Sorry, I didn’t even introduce myself… I’m such a fool,” you say, bowing your head slightly in an awkward attempt to ease the tension but helplessly ending up betraying your own vow of silence. You remind him your name,not sure that Yuji has already prevented him of your arrival.  “I moved here a month ago. I don't think we were ever properly introduced before…” You flash another smile, and for a heartbeat, you can swear you've seen a faint blush creeping up his nose, right on the bold tattoo that marks his face.

He quickly presses his lips in an emotionless smile “Mhm… Choso,” he murmurs, finally stepping back to let you inside, the moment stretching out far longer than necessary. 

Choso… you take a moment to roll the name around in your head, savoring its mystery. You've never heard this name before but it seems fitting for someone like him… eye-catching, extravagant. Dressed in oversized, baggy clothes that swallow him whole, with his peculiar bangs carelessly falling over his forehead, just above the furrowed brows that give him a perpetually serious expression. He looks like the kind of guy you would usually meet in the dimly lit club you work in, all adorned in chains and vibing to hardcore EDM beats until dawn. But there's also something undeniably intriguing about him—a peculiar charm that makes him weirdly attractive despite his gruff demeanor.

As you step inside, the awkwardness of the scene stretches on: Choso stands next to you, a silent statue in the cramped corridor, while you internally debate whether to break the ice with a joke about his “ghostly” reputation. Thankfully, just as the tension reaches critical levels, Yuji’s familiar, friendly face pops out of the kitchen, like a ray of sunshine cutting through the clouds of your social anxiety. “Hi! You made it in the end!” He greets you enthusiastically.

“Hey Yuji! Told you I’d swing by to help today! I even hit up the campus library to grab some books… maybe they’ll help…” you say, trying to sound as casual as possible while internally cringing at your own nerdiness.

“Great! Anything could be useful at this point… I can’t thank you enough for your help, really. Advanced chemistry sounds like rocket science to me, eheh…” Yuji gesticulates wildly, taking a step closer and starting to bow comically, as if trying to convey the depths of his gratitude through exaggerated movements. 

“You really don’t need to thank me, Yuji… especially not after you saved our apartment from catching fire just a few weeks ago…” You smile back at him, glancing at Choso, whose eyes widen in shock at the mention of his little brother performing some kind of heroic act. He swallows soundly, making a mental note to return to the topic once you've left the apartment. 

“I even got the chance to meet your brother! We never had the chance to—” you shut yourself, unexpectedly feeling Choso tensing up once again beside you, suddenly aware he was the center of attention, which is clearly not his favorite place to be.

“Yeah… Cho’s a bit of a couch potato,” Yuji teases, throwing his brother under the bus with a playful grin. Choso in return, can't help shooting him a glare that could have melted steel. 

“Hey… it’s not that! I just… don’t have time to hang out a lot. I’m busy here at home,” he replies, his tone firm and proud, though you still can sense the discomfort lurking beneath his casual words. 

“Oh… that’s for sure, Cho…” Yuji laughs, barely dodging the dangerously intimidating glare from his brother. “Come in, please! We can start whenever you want. Let me grab my notes and a pen!” He ushers you into the kitchen, providing you with the opportunity to survey the apartment. You are pleasantly surprised to find it tidier than expected for a pair of guys living alone—definitely a far cry from the chaos that sometimes rages in your and Shizuru's shared apartment.

Yuji gestures for you to sit at the kitchen table, where Choso sat barely minutes before. “Make yourself at home! What can I offer you?” he asks, opening the fridge like a magician revealing his next trick while you remove your earphones and shrug off your beloved vintage oversized leather jacket.

Choso lingers silently by the doorway, watching you like a hawk. He notices how you seemed to curl into yourself, trying to occupy the least amount of space possible, yet your curious eyes dart around their apartment, making him feel oddly exposed—as if you could read into his deepest secrets by the way his favourite mug was decorated.  He surely notices the way you delicately place your earphones on the table like they are precious artifacts while your bag has been unceremoniously tossed aside. 

Just then, you catch him staring and manage to give him another timid smile, but his stoic mask doesn't budge a millimeter. Again. At this point you are sure he doesn't like you. At all…

“Don’t worry about me, Yuji…” you stammer, trying to fill the awkward silence. “A glass of water will be more than fine… Your apartment looks very cozy, guys.” You desperately attempt to keep the conversation flowing (and distract Choso from scrutinizing your every move.)

Yuji hands you a glass of water, and you down it in one gulp, your throat suddenly parched from both the walk and the weight of Choso’s gaze. Does he really intend to stare at you this whole time? 

Yuji plops down next to you, rifling through his notes to kick off the lesson. “What I really can’t wrap my head around in advanced chemistry are all those tiny signs you scribble above reactions, you know?” He fidgets with the pages until he finds what he meant, his notes looking like doodles from an adorable hyperactive child. “Here it is…” he says, handing you the notebook opened to a specific page, momentarily distracting you from your embarrassment.

Choso, however, seems to have eyes only for you. He notices how your hair fell over your face as you leaned in to read and feels a strange urge to understand what made you so captivating to his brother. His gaze lands on the small leather string around your neck, recognising that sort of tight necklace girls around the crowded Tokyo streets usually wear… Nobara says they're called 'chokers' but Choso couldn't really understand the ultimate meaning of those, ending up mentally scolding himself for being distracted by fashion trends when he should have been focusing on the lesson. 

Meanwhile, you have already launched into an enthusiastic explanation about superscripts and subscripts in chemistry,  Yuji completely engrossed, nodding along like a bobblehead. 

Choso tries to keep up at first, but quickly gives up when you start discussing the periodic table and isotopes, realizing he must have looked like a creep this whole time. He decides that you are more than capable of taking care of his little brother… for now. “I’ll be in my room in case you two need me…” his deep, rough voice breaks into your explanation, and you seize the moment to inform Yuji that you have to leave early today.

 “Okay, thank you...By the way, Yuji, I forgot to mention—I really have to head out by six today. Sorry about that. I work tonight. We can also continue another time; I’m available for as many lessons as you need before the test!” You hastily add.

“Yeah? Don’t worry about that… Work? Did you get a job already?” Yuji asks, his eyes lighting up, while Choso stops mid-step in the corridor, curiosity piqued.

“Yeah, I did! I’ve been working as a bartender in this small club for a week now. It’s called The Queen of the Night… you know, that little music pub nearby Shimokita…” you explain, your heart swelling with excitement. “I really enjoy it, actually! I’ve learned how to whip up colorful, scented cocktails, and the best part is that I’m in my natural element all night!” You giggle. 

“That sounds amazing! I know how much of a music lover you are…” Yuji exclaimes, his enthusiasm infectious “ so you usually work during the night, right? How late do you get off?” 

Choso finds himself fighting against the urge to eavesdrop as he makes his way down the hallway toward his room. The lively chatter coming from the kitchen have unexpectedly  ignited a spark of curiosity deep within him—a feeling he can't quite name. It tugs at the corners of his mind, compelling him to pivot on his heels and retrace his steps. So he casually strolls back into the kitchen, feigning nonchalance as he reaches for a Coke from the fridge, all the while straining to catch snippets of the conversation.

“Yeah… my shift usually runs from 8 pm until… well, sometimes sunrise,” you laugh lightly, your voice laced with a blend of humor and weariness as you noticed Choso’s return. “I guess the upside is that I get to watch the sun rising at the end of my shift…”

Yuuji’s smile falters momentarily, his eyes widening in disbelief. “Damn… so you’re telling me you work until 4 or 5 in the morning?” Choso catches the hint of concern in Yuji’s voice, a protective instinct inexplicably flaring up in him. The thought of you, his far too chatty neighbor, serving drinks amidst a sea of inebriated patrons somehow sends a wave of unease coursing through him. He envisions your graceful figure navigating the club, your outgoing personality potentially misinterpreted as an invitation for unwanted attention... The Coke can he had picked up now feels like a vice in his hand, his grip tightening involuntarily as his innate protectiveness surges within him—it simply doesn't sit right.

"Does anyone at least pick you up from there?" The words slip out before he can fully process them, surprising even himself. He turns his back to the counter, his tone harsher than intended, the concern bleeding through the facade of indifference he usually wore.

“Sorry?” You blink, taken aback by his sudden inquiry. 

“I asked if anyone usually picks you up when it’s that late,” Choso repeats, successfully trying to erase any hint of concern from his tone. “It’s not safe for a girl like you to be wandering the streets alone at that hour…” He turns to face you now, focusing on maintaining his usual stoic expression, but the intensity of his gaze betrays him the second your eyes meet. Was the ‘ghost of the block’ really checking on your safety?

“I… don’t worry about me. I’m used to it.” You manage to stammer, a mix of surprise and embarrassment creeping on your cheeks “I used to go to clubs even before I started working in one,” you reply, trying to downplay the gravity of the situation. Yet, the truth is that the thought of returning home all alone in the dead of night is still unsettling to you, regardless of how many times you already did it. You simply shrug, feeling exposed under the weight of Choso's piercing gaze, which narrows as he keeps on scrutinizing your fragile demeanor. Choso struggles to keep his composure, the dark images racing through his mind as he assesses your vulnerability weighing heavily on him. He knew all too well the kind of atrocities male humans are capable of, the kinds of men (not to mention other kinds of entities) who could take advantage of someone like you...or even worse. How could you be so carefree about it? Your nonchalant behaviour ignites a fierce anger within him.

“Tch…” he mutters, his eyes glazing over as he falls into his own thoughts. “All it takes is one creep…” he muses gravely to himself, the gravity of some mysterious memories settling like a storm cloud over him.

He's definitely hiding something-  you notice. Your eyes flicker nervously between Yuji and Choso, trying to make sense of the tension thickening in the room. Yuji, his usual carefree demeanor now clouded with concern, clears his throat before speaking up. “Cho’s right... don’t you have anyone who can walk you home? I can do it for you…” His offer hangs in the air, earnest and almost too sweet, and your chest tightens at the sight of his genuine care.

You shook your head quickly, hoping your refusal won't sting too much. “It’s really not a problem... I can handle it myself. Besides, you’ve got school, Yuji. You shouldn’t be out so late anyways..” The words feel too soft, almost like an apology, as if you are rejecting him in some way, but you can't quite bring yourself to hurt his feelings. And still, you can feel Choso’s eyes on you, sharp and unreadable, like he is secretly waiting for something more from you.

Yuji pauses, his face faltering for just a moment before he turns to his brother. “Okay... well, if not me…” he glances back at you, then to Choso. “Maybe Choso could walk you. Shouldn’t be a problem for him, right Cho?”

Your stomach drops. There it it again—the unspoken weight in Choso’s presence. The thought of being alone with him, of walking the streets at night with Yuji’s intimidating older brother, stirs a sudden anxiety in you. It's not that you don't trust Choso, but something about the silent intensity in his gaze makes you uneasy.

“No…” You interrupt a little too sharply, the words spilling out in haste. “There’s really no need, honestly.” You try to soften your tone, but it still feels rude, especially with the way Yuji’s hopeful eyes are now fixed on you. “It’s not dangerous at all. I even walk part of the way with a colleague. She lives just down the block,” you lie, the guilt curling in your chest.

Yuji and Choso exchange a quiet look—something unreadable passing between them. Yuji’s smile is a little strained as he speaks again, “Alright, then... but can you at least let us know when you’re home? We’ll still be worried…and don’t worry about waking us up: we’re kinda used to late nights, aren’t we Cho?” His attempt to lighten the mood falls flat, and Choso’s subtle shift in expression doesn't escape your notice. A faint widening of his eyes, barely perceptible, speaks volumes—of things only Yuji and him could fully understand. Choso tries to keep his composure once again, even if Yuji's blunt hint at the nightly missions Jujutsu High usually assign them has certainly caught him by surprise.

Choso doesn't speak, just gives a small nod in agreement, and you finally relent, your lips curling into a tentative smile in gratitude. You can feel the weight of his silence pressing in as he turns away. His broad frame leans against the kitchen counter, arms crossed tightly over his chest. For a moment, you think he might say something more—but instead, he simply leaves the room, his heavy footsteps fading into the distance, leaving behind a silence that felt far too loud in the aftermath.

You tried your best to refocus on your study session with Yuji afterwards, but your mind kept drifting back to Choso: there was something about the way he had looked at you before—a look that stirs a strange, unsettling feeling. It isn't fear, not exactly, but there is a tension there that you can't ignore. Is he really the cold, dangerous figure everyone said he is? Or is he just... awkward, a big guy in a world too small for him? You can't really understand it. And as your study session wears on, you are remembered about the  agreement you came to before, resigned to feel that unsettling pull in your chest again later tonight…

[mangoisms]

chapter 8 is up and we’re also debuting frmb’s playlists!

this one is for miyuki and reader

and this one is for eijun and reader ^_^

i’m updating the masterpost with them as well in the links section!

[kkcauseway]

Forever and Always

Joel Miller x F!reader.

Summary I Your work life is awful and there's nothing you want more after an exhausting day both mentally and physically than to come home to Joel, but on calling him and finding out that's not possible you're dreading the thought of going home to be alone. However, it doesn't seem that that's the case once you actually make it back, and it turns into once of the best and happiest nights of your life. Content/warnings I So much cute fluff, Joel Miller being the most doting and caring boyfriend. 'babygirl', Joel has a cute little saying to let reader know just how much he loves her. Asking to move in together. No use of y/n, no outbreak. A/N I Once again another random idea that popped into my head that I decided to run with. I really hope you enjoy soppy, cute Joel taking care of his woman!

Main masterlist

It always puts a smile on his face when you call. Your name working wonders for the grumpy moods he finds himself in on jobs. Even with the jokes he cracks with Tommy. Nothing compares to when he’s with you, talking to you. Just doing anything that involves you. “Hey baby you, okay?” His husky voice grumbles down the receiver once he’s removed himself away from the bustle of the house, he’s currently working in.

“Joel?” You sniff.

His smile falters. Something is obviously wrong, and whatever’s happened he’ll kill them. No one upsets you. “Babe? Hey, hey what’s wrong?”

“I- sniff- I’m just having such a horrible day. I can’t stand this job anyone, I wana quit so bad. Please can you come over when I finish?” The sobs grow in volume as you force a hand to your mouth to try to quiet them. The impact of hearing those words leave your own mouth proving to you just how much you rely on him.

“Oh baby m’so sorry you’re having a shitty day. Listen we’re on a bad job today m’not gonna finish till super late so I most likely can’t come round. But I’ll call you later okay y’can tell me all about it okay baby. Promise.”

“Okay” you sniff upset he can’t come but you knew he was busy and that it was a long shot. You pine after him when you feel vulnerable like this.

“You know I love you, don’t you?” He grumbles evidently worried he’s in the doghouse.

“I know. I love you too so much.”

“Forever and always baby girl.”

The words making your heart flutter as they always do.

When the call cuts you hold your phone against your chest and sob a little more before psyching yourself up for your afternoon. Your colleagues don’t deserve to know just how bad they make you feel, they’d probably thrive on it if they knew.

So, instead you sort yourself out wash your face, wait till your eyes are less puffy, paint on your smile and go about the remainder of your shift thank fuck it’s Friday.

Of course no one notices, why would they when they make it clear how much they can’t stand you being around.

-

Finally five o’clock arrives and you rush out to your car as quick as you can. Putting on the cheesy cd playlist Joel made you. You love that he’s like that, so unbelievably cheesy, so old fashioned it’s why you adore him the way you do. When yours and Joel’s song comes on tears escape you again. God you’ve never loved someone the way you love him, but these tears you’re spilling are tears of happiness not pain.

When you make it home your shitty mood overcomes you again, the thought of your empty apartment and cold bed. So you settle on the idea of a large glass of red wine, a crappy comfort series and a good cry before you go to sleep. You’re have a day trip with Joel planned tomorrow and that’s enough to keep you going.

However, it’s like you can tell something’s off from the second your key is in the door. After momentarily hesitating you uneasily open your door and those thoughts are made true. Your apartment isn’t dark, cold, nor is it empty. The smell of food hits you so mouth-wateringly beautiful, and the radio is playing softly.

You kick off your shoes and move to the kitchen and there he is, Joel in all his glory slaving away over the stove. Dancing along to the music with an apron round his neck.

He turns to look at you with a smile on his face and it breaks you.

You stand on the spot throw your bag to the floor from your shoulder and cry. But he quickly rushes over “hey shhh it’s okay.” He cradles you close a hand on the back of your head pushing you closer to his chest. Allowing you to inhale his comforting scent.

“S’okay m’here baby.” He mumbles against your hair as he rests his lips against you. Holding you as close as possible.

After a few minutes you pull away red faced and puffy eyes to look up at him. “How did you get here I thought you were busy?”

“M’sorry baby, I know I didn’t think I’d be able to. And I’m so sorry that that made you upset, I really am, but as much as I am super busy at work the second, I heard you cryin’ I knew I needed to make sure I was finishin’ early so I could come over and see you, you mean more to me than any job, any amount of money. So I took a sick day for the remainder.”

“Thankyou” you whisper before moving to grasp at his stubbly cheeks. You smile sadly at him as your thumbs stroke him and then you move your lips to his, kissing him softly.

“I’ve made your favourite baby” he begins once you pull back away. Arms resting round his neck as you stand on your tip toes to be exactly in his eye-line. “And then I want you t’tell me all about this shitty day o’yours so we can get it outa your pretty head. You’re too beautiful to be burdened by that shit.”

You chuckle “I’d really like that, thank you so much for being here.”

“Always baby. Always.”

-

After a long moan fest over Joel’s signature spaghetti and meatballs, you’re cuddling on the couch with your long-awaited red wine.

Your difficult day long forgotten about which is why you love being around him so much, he really does make everything better. Just by being himself- so unapologetically himself.

You’re cuddled into him your feet kicked up behind you as he strokes your side. His calloused fingertips gliding lightly from your hip all the way up to the side of your breast, over and over causing constant goosebumps.

“You know v’been thinkin’” he mumbles softly into the silence.

“Shit did it hurt?” You chuckle as you jest with him, you love when you get the perfect opportunity to use that joke.

He pokes at your side in retaliation, and you giggle into it, loving every second of being with him.

“Seriously now though babygirl, sit up n’look at me.” 

Which you do without a moment’s hesitation. You pull away from him so you can face him sat on your knees.

God he’s gorgeous. His beautiful salt and pepper hair slightly longer than he would like but with you adoring him just like that he refuses to cut it.

He takes your hands in his and god it makes you nervous. Butterflies swim around in your stomach as you stare into each other’s eyes.

“I realised somethin’ today.”

Your breathing increases as you reply “what?”

He takes a nervous breath closing his eyes on the inhale and opening them back up to stare right back at you on the exhale. His perfectly pert lips opening just slightly to let the air out. He clears his throat as he shifts slightly in the seat. “Y’belong with me, all the time, all day every day, and it breaks my heart t’think that you could need me and we ain’t together.”

You smile softly at him, you know your rightful place is with him 24/7, there’s nowhere you’d rather be.

But the next words to leave him are so far from what you expected it’s as though time stands still. “Move in w’me.”

“What?” You’re excited from the moment the words leave his lips, but you’re certain you misheard.

“I want you t’move in with me, get out of this lil apartment. Come make my house ours, let’s always be together. No more late nights alone let’s always be there together even if my stupid fuckin’ job means I get in at 2am.”

You squeal throwing your arms around his neck as you practically pounce on him. “Oh my god yes, yes, yes when?”

He chuckles pushing you back slightly so he’s able to look at you once more. “Well I mean we could start moving ya stuff in tomorrow, I know we said we’d go out for the day but-”

“No!” You say it all too quickly and he laughs “I wana move in let’s do that fuck the plans! We can do that any day!” You forcefully hug him again. Pulling away he’s beaming at you “do you promise you mean it?”

“With all my heart baby.” The hand he has resting on your back moves up and down slowly. So soothing, so full of love.

You scream in excitement before kissing him.

When you eventually pull away you look directly into his hooded eyes. “Forever and always?”

“Forever and always babygirl” and he rubs his nose against yours.

[xoxxbilliexoxx]

Friends? Just Friends?

After years of being friends with Billie, the sexual tension comes to an all time high and can’t be ignored any longer. You finally let her teach you exactly what it feels like to be with a woman

This is super long but I promise it’s worth it ;)

Y/N Pov

I walk over to the speaker, turn it on, and ask Billie what playlist she wants to hear. It’s a chill Sunday afternoon, and after Billie and I woke up around noon, we’ve been lying in bed watching TikTok and yapping. Billie slept over last night after a late night at a friend's party. It seems like these days I don’t spend many nights without Billie in my bed, or me in hers. We’ve been friends for years but a while ago we both expressed how bored and lonely we each had been, and started hanging out almost all the time. Now a few months later, she's definitely my best friend, always attached to each other's hips. I finally pulled myself out of bed a little while ago, and now it is unfortunately time for my Sunday routine. Billie knows it well by now since she’s been forced to be a part of it week after week.

“Let's do some bossa nova this week, I’m in the mood to move my hips” Billie laughs back at my question. We’ve bonded over our love for international music and it has been slowly added into the Sunday routine, choosing a different type each week once I finally force myself out of bed, cleaning up my room while Billie's lazy ass stays under the comfy sheets goofing off on her phone and telling me all her crazy thoughts. She starts seductively moving her hips beneath the blankets as she laughs and hums to the Brazilian guitar purring through the speaker. I look over at her as I lean down to pick up the dirty clothes that have accumulated in the corner of my room, laughing back at her.

As I stand up and try to turn around, I feel my foot slide out from under me, seemingly having been planted on a dirty pair of underwear I missed. I hit the floor with a loud thunk and Billie darts to the corner of the bed, not even trying to hide her laughter as she tries to calm down long enough to ask if I’m okay. I turn my head to follow her voice, and all I can see is her head extending off the bed, hovering over me, leaving me laughing just as loud as she is. “Oh my god, I will never not make fun of your clutsy ass ending up on the floor” she yells out between her giggles, trying hard to catch her breath as she points down at me laughing more as she mocks my fake hurt face.

I grab the first thing I can find next to me and throw it at her face before pretending I’m mad, yelling for her to quit being a bitch and help me get up. She dramatically dodges whatever it is coming for her face then leans her hand up catching it. As she opens her hand and realizes it's my black thong I wore last night, she acts as if shes absolutely disgusted before she laughs and throws it back at me. “Bitch don’t you ever throw ur crusty ass panties at my face again,” she says with a tight smile, letting me know she doesn’t actually care. I open my mouth gasping at her words, “crusty? Whose panties you calling crusty cuz they sure as hell aren’t mine” I say, before standing up from the floor and grabbing them to add them to the laundry bin. “My kitty is nice and clean, and so are my underwear,” I add, as I turn to her, knowing she hates when I call it my kitty.

“Yea yea,” she laughs, before jumping off the bed, “I bet it is,” she whispers, leaning her head close to mine before winking and walking to the bathroom. I take a second to look for something next to say, not coming up with anything. Billie and I have always walked a fine line of flirting and just joking around as friends. It's clear we both do it, but we’ve never acknowledged it. Instead, it just stays in our presence, like a thick tension we pretend we don’t feel. I feel it all too well though, always holding an intense attraction to her, since the day I met her. Quite honestly it was even before that, when I was still just a fan of hers and never thought I’d end up her best friend. That is another whole story though.

Ever since I told Billie I thought I might be gay, the tension has only grown, yet we continue not to recognize it, like we are both terrified of what might happen if we do. I decide in a split second to be bold, regretting the words as soon as they come out of my mouth, “Nice and clean and with no one to show it to,” Billie whips her head back at me with a smile, toothpaste spilling out the sides as she laughs and wipes it away, rubbing it shamelessly on the big t-shirt she slept in. I giggle a bit before finding my confidence again. Maybe this damn bossa nova is getting to my head but I feel the tension as thick as its ever been. I catch a look in her eyes that I haven’t seen before, like shes thinking about what I look like under these boxers. “No *girl* to show it to”, adding emphasis to my words as I correct my previous statement.

I turn around and walk towards my desk as silence falls between us. I begin picking up all the makeup on my vanity, continuing on with my cleaning, letting the bossa nova fill my head again. I can hear Billie finishing in the bathroom, clinking her toothbrush on the side of the sink before setting it back in the cup and walking into my room again. She settles on the edge of the bed in criss-cross, watching me clean and hum along with the guitar.

“So you’ve thought more about it then, huh?” she asks me delicately, knowing we haven’t talked about it in a while. I look into the mirror and find her eyes on the bed behind me, eyes that have already found me. I turn around to face her before I shrug my shoulder. “I mean I think about it constantly, I just feel so nervous about it all. I really think I’m into women but I don't know where to go from here” I answer her, but continue on after a brief pause. “Actually, I know I’m into women, regardless it's scary as fuck…. Women are scary as fuck” I laugh out. “You’re cute,” Billie says with a little giggle. It comes out in a friendly way, but the way she continues to stare at me after she says it doesn’t match the solely friendly tone of voice. I pick up a shirt lying on the bench of my vanity and throw it at her head, harder than the panties this morning. It hits her right on the forehead and she sprawls out on the bed dramatically, acting far more hurt than she was. “Oh stop being dramatic and get ur lazy ass up, it's time to go downstairs and clean the kitchen,” I say as I walk over and pull her up by her arms. As I let go and walk out of the room with Billie following behind me, I turn to look at her, “at least it wasn’t another pair of my nasty crusty disgusting thongs” I saw with a big mocking smile, puckering my lips sending her fake kisses like we always do when we are making fun of each other. Yet again we have managed to completely ignore the tension we are both choking on.

TIME JUMP TO THAT NIGHT

Billie and I are sitting on the couch waiting for our postmates to arrive and watching some shitty rom com on that we both picked from the image alone. We already had cold vegan pizza for dinner and are on our second bottle of wine. This is just another classic sunday evening, junk food, wine, and a postmated dessert to finish off the normal routine. When I first met Billie I watched as she drank her sodas and water while everyone else around her drank mixed drinks and beer. She made it clear publicly that she didnt drink, and when I finally asked her why she told me she had no problem with alcohol or the idea of drinking she just hated every drink she ever tried.

One night when we very first started these constant sleepovers she tried a taste of my favorite wine and loved it. A few weeks later she and I shared a bottle and I had the privilege of watching her experience the drunk world for the first time. Nowadays, we usually each have a glass every Sunday night, and occasionally we will have a girl's night and drink more than a few glasses while we watch shitty movies. Tonight was turning into one of those nights, having just stocked up on our favorite when I went to Target earlier. I walk into the kitchen to pop open the second bottle and ask if Billie wants more. She excitedly grabs her glass and runs into the kitchen after me, purposely sliding with her socks on the kitchen tile as she laughs.

The couple of times Billie has ever been drunk have all been with me, and it’s very clear she is a goofy drunk. This girl is already the funniest person I know when she is sober, but being around her while she's drunk has my abs hurting from laughing. She is quite a lightweight, with her infrequent drinking and her tiny body, so usually we just finish a bottle and a half, before we get messy drunk. We both enjoy being just past tipsy, still in control, still with a filter to our thoughts, but just a little more light-hearted and silly.

When we finish the movie and go in for a refill before starting a new one, we look at each other shocked when we pour out the last drops of the second bottle. “Did we drink all of that?” Billie laughs, her cheeks rosy and her eyes big. “Ruh roh” she yells out before laughing and lifting her glass to take the last sip. “I think we just broke our pathetic previous record,” I giggle back at her. “Should we open another??” she asks me, her words making it clear she is leaving it up for me to decide. I can tell she’s never been this drunk, yet I know she’s nowhere near dangerous drunk, or even messy drunk. “Fuck it let's do it” I shout a little too loudly before I grab another bottle out of the fridge.

TIME JUMP (Smutty time)

Our empty wine glasses are sitting on the coffee table in front of us as we lay under the blankets and watch the movie the TV put on automatically after our first movie finished. We are about 20 minutes in and it's becoming incredibly clear this is not at all similar to the cheesy straight rom-com that came before it. I feel my breath catch in my throat and all the wine-filled blood run to my center when the TV fills with the images of two women making out, one being thrown on the bed while the other climbs on top of her. As the sex scene keeps going, I remember that this is Netflix, and they are putting straight-up soft porn in their movies now.

I feel the pool forming in my underwear as I watch this graphic, incredibly hot lesbian sex scene play out in front of me. My drunk face must not be hiding what I'm feeling well because as Billie turns to look at me, she lets out a loud laugh. “Baby you look like a deer in headlights,” she says, still quietly giggling, her drunkenness showing through in the sound of her laughter. I swallow loudly before looking at her and then back at the TV. The moans get louder as we watch one of the girls reach her peak, the other continuing to go down on her. I shift awkwardly on the couch, trying not to make it too obvious how much that affected me, how turned on it got me. The combination of the wine, the hot lesbian sex in front of us, and the sexually charged tension Billie and I shared earlier is making it impossible for me to look Billie in the eyes, too scared of what I might say or do. Billie is still staring at me as my eyes stay glued on the screen, the scene still playing out. I feel her torso lifting up from the couch and getting closer to me before smiling and whispering, “You wish that was you, huh? Sitting here wondering what it must be like to get fucked by a girl… or fuck a girl yourself” she stays close to me, swallowing and giggling before continuing. “It's fucking incredible, better than you could even imagine,” she says matter of factly. The tension is as thick as it could possibly get, almost like I could see it taking over my entire body, and just by looking at Billie it's clear she feels it too.

Before I can stop myself, I spring towards Billie. My momentum picking up as I get closer. Realizing what I’m doing, I pause, scared to move at all. Billie grabs my face, pulling me the rest of the way to her and our lips crash together. Months of building tension all explode at once as our tongues slide against each other, eagerly slipping between one another's lips, no longer hiding how badly we want each other. “Show me, Billie,” I say, pulling back enough to get my words out and swallow. “Show me what it feels like to be with a girl,” I finish. “you have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say those words” she confesses as she stands up, pulling my hand to follow her to my room. We both lightly stumble down the hallway, giggling from the wine and the anticipation of what is to come.

As we make our way into my room I turn on my favorite lamp- it has a dark pink light bulb that glows so nicely in my room at night. I throw myself onto the bed and land right next to Billie, both of us taking a second to laugh at my ridiculous jump before getting quiet again. She turns on her side to face me and I do the same. My hair falls in front of my face as I turn. Billie’s hand comes up, brushing it out of the way before kissing me again, pulling me in tight against her as our legs dance together. Her leg finds its way between mine and as our kiss gets heated again she pushes up against my core. I let out a slight whine as Billie’s hands hit my waist, pushing me harder against her thigh and pushing her tongue into my mouth.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so horny, been so wet, or wanted someone more in my life. Billie’s head finds its way to my neck as she begins placing light kisses against my skin. When she bites down and pushes her thigh against my clit harder, I let out a deep moan that I swear has been growing in me for months. “Mmmmhhhmm, Billie…” I huff as I begin grinding my hips shamelessly against her thigh, begging for any pleasure at this point. Billie's shorts have slid all the way up her leg, leaving her thigh bare and able to feel my soaked shorts gliding against her as I move my hips faster.

I feel her wet lips hit my ear, biting it gently as she breathes out. It is as if my body is on fire, every single nerve ending I have lighting up at once, every touch suddenly feeling sexual. I am melting at her every move and she hasn’t even touched me yet. If this is what it feels like to be with a girl, I want it forever. “Billie please” I whine out, desperation filling my voice as I grind my core harder against her. My wet shorts rub tightly against my clit with every move I make and I feel like I could cum from this alone. A slight embarrassment creeps up, slowing my hips as I realize how close I am to cumming, just from her thigh against my pussy. I grab the back of her head as she continues sucking and biting on my neck. Quiet moans continue spilling from my lips as my head begins to race. Is this a thing in lesbian sex? Am I crazy for doing this? Should I stop?

As my mind continues to take control and ruin my pleasure Billie interrupted the thoughts, almost as if she could hear them out loud. “Don’t stop grinding on my thigh until I feel your cum drench my skin, keep going for me Y/N I know it feels good” Her words are exactly what I needed, making my pussy clench tightly. I grab her chin and pull her into a deep kiss as her hands snake under my shirt and reach my bare chest. She squeezes my big boobs hard before pinching my nipple, giggling as I yelp into her mouth. She continues toying with my hard nipples as I pull away from her lips, too caught up in the pleasure to keep kissing. Each time she pinches and pulls at my bud I groan louder and move my hips faster. Billie catches on quickly, continuing her fun on my boobs, dragging me closer and closer to the edge, flooding every part of my body with overwhelming pleasure. I find my way to her neck, needing to feel closer to her, placing open-mouth kisses all over. I earn a quiet gasp from her when I hit a sweet spot, and latch on tighter.

As I kiss her harder, biting on her skin, continuing to pull moans from her, she suddenly pushes her thigh in a new angle right as I speed up my movements, throwing me over the edge. I grab her tight, pulling her as close to me as she can possibly be. My head is still nuzzled into her neck, my mouth hanging open as loud moans pour from my lips, lips that continuing lightly connect with her skin. My legs shake as she grabs both my hips and continues to move them for me, allowing me to ride out my orgasm for as long as possible. I hold my breath, shocked at the pleasure I am experiencing just from her thigh on my body. A light hum sings from her lips as I finally come down from such a powerful orgasm. I hold her tight as I catch my breath, needing to feel her close to me, trying to process the feelings I am beginning to understand, feelings I felt for her for a long time. Billie giggles as she rubs my back, helping ground me and letting me take my time with my descent back to earth. I finally pull my head from out of her neck and grab her face, needing to kiss her hard before anything is said, trying to gather my thoughts. I let my back fall onto the mattress as I laugh and breath out, still shocked at what was happening, shocked that Billie, my best friend, the girl I’ve secretly been attracted to for years, just pushed me to the most intense orgasm I’ve ever had.

“there ya go baby,” Billie says as she climbs on top of me, grabbing my chin, pulling me in for an intensely hot kiss before placing her lips on my forehead. “now let me clean you up” she whispers in between kisses, kisses that started as pecks and are now becoming more and more sloppy. She lifts my shirt up and I grab it, pulling it over my head needing to be free. “Can I see you too Billie?” I ask, a slight innocence and vulnerability peaking out of my words as I hold my fingers at the base of her shirt, slightly sliding it up. She smiles and sits up, tugging the shirt over her head and reaching behind her, immediately taking off her sexy black lace bra. My heart skips a beat when I watch her perfect big boobs drop to their natural, beautiful position. I lay myself up on my elbows pulling her closer, needing them in my mouth. I kiss lightly before wrapping my lips all the way around her nipple, circling my tongue around her bud as one of my hands plays with her free boob. “Ooo baby fuck… y/n mmmm” she sings, her hands pushing my head towards her as I continue on exploring her breasts.

She pushes me away and lays her own lips on my chest, eagerly moving down my body. “I need to taste you, mama, take these slutty little shorts off for me” She pulls at the waistband as I lift my hips up, helping her slide them off of me before laying back down. Her words make my pussy clench, pushing out more of my juices. She grabs both my thighs gripping them hard as she spreads them, groaning loudly as she sees my wet core for the first time ever. I swallow hard, the vulnerability of my exposed pussy hitting me all at once, wanting to hide from her, covering my face with my arm. Billie clearly senses my emotions, knowing me all too well. She places a light kiss on my upper thigh, then another on the other side. “Oh y/n you’re so perfect… sexier than I could have ever imagined,” she kisses my upper thigh again before continuing, “and I’ve thought about it a lot” I whine at her words, the hunger pushing away the vulnerability, and right as I’m about to beg for her tongue, she latches on. Still so sensitive from my last orgasm, I’m unable to hold in any of my moans, immediately drunk from the pleasure yet again. I grab her hair hard and push her against me as my hips buck. “Fuck Billie your tongue feels so good” my moans interrupt my own words, throwing my head back as her tongue circles my swollen clit. “oh baby, fuck Billie please don’t stop, fuck” my words fuel her on as she gets even more intense. It feels like she’s devouring me, eating me alive like she's been starved forever. She comes up for air and we make eye contact. I swallow back my drool as I stare at her, unable to process just how sexy she looks. Her eyes look black from her massive lust-filled pupils and her chin is covered in my cum, dripping down as she licks her lips. “Your pussy tastes so fucking good, mmm I can’t get enough of you” and with that her tongue is back on me, flicking and slurping, swallowing and circling, tasting every inch of my core.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get better, two fingers pump into me, filling me perfectly. I gasp and shake underneath her, beginning to feel overstimulated by the pleasure she gives me. I feel as if im floating, like this is all just a fever dream, it cant be possible for sex to feel this good. “God, fuck, baby. Fuck Billie yesssss” I struggle to get my words out as my hands dart around the bed, trying to find anything to grab hold of, something to anchor me to this bed as I feel my stomach contracting. “I feel you pulsing on my fingers mama, let go for me, cum on my fingers like the good girl I know you are” Her voice is raspy and low, sexier than I’ve ever heard it before. Her nasty words flood my mind and I scream as I feel her lips wrapped around my clit again, sucking and licking as she curves her fingers upward and hits my g-spot. She keeps devouring me and moaning into my pussy as she speeds her fingers up and I feel like I’m about to black out. Thank god I live alone because I don’t think I’ve ever been louder in my life. “Billie Im about to cum, fuck it feels so good please don’t stop” She smiles into my cunt as she flicks her fingers inside of me, doing a come here motion as she pumps them in and out, stimulating me in a way I have never been stimulated before. It feels like she knows my body better than I even do, like shes been fucking me like this for years. She keeps up the motions of her fingers as she flattens out her tongue and pushes it hard against my clit, moving her head side to side. “Oh my goddddd” I scream out as I begin shaking underneath her, being hit with my second orgasm, one that is somehow twice as strong as the first. “Fuck Billie yes fuck” I can’t get all my words out before needing to scream and moan again. “Im cumming baby fuck, f-fuckkkkkkk”

the last of my sentence turns into a deep moan as she keeps going. Keeps plowing her fingers into me, keeps moving her tongue side to side on my clit, keeps lighting me up with intense pleasure. I feel a new sensation as she continues to overstimulate me. It’s something I’ve never felt before and it's stronger than any orgasm I’ve ever had. “Wait billie, fuck, please oh god” She lifts her head up from my clit but speeds up her fingers. My eyes are squeezed shut and my lungs are frozen, unable to breath. I feel like my body is full of stars, like im no longer all the way here. My knuckles ache from how tightly im grabbing the sheets but somehow the pain fuels my orgasm more as it continues to take control of my body. “Billie stop I think i’m about to—” I can’t get my words out fast enough before the gates open and I pour out all over her chest and fingers, squirting hard. I try to move my hips but she grabs me, holding me where I am as I continue spilling out onto her. Screams meet with the wet sounds of my pleasure and I can’t take it any longer. “Okay okay billie fuck im done, im done” I say as my back returns down on the bed and I feel air fill my lungs again. My legs continue to shake and my pussy clenches around her fingers in a rhythm, like it has a heartbeat of its own.

She lays her head down on my thigh as she slowly pulls her fingers out of me. The movement causes me to groan and shake again, a clear indication of just how overstimulated I am. She looks at me, making sure I’m watching as she licks her fingers clean, moaning at the taste of them. As I sit up on my elbows and watch her lick her lips I look down to see her boobs covered in all my juices, wet and dripping, as sexy as they could possibly be. She catches me looking and smirks. “If I wasn’t so fucked out I would be licking my juices off those sexy boobs” I say with a new found confidence. She crawls up me and kisses me softly, letting my tongue slip between her lips and around hers. “You taste good don’t you baby” she moans, before pulling me tight against her naked wet chest. Our boobs rub together and our connection feels electric. “You know I’ve never squirted before, you’re the first” I say, glowing from all the pleasure I just experienced. “I didn’t even know sex

could feel that good” i laugh admitting it then feeling embarrassed. “Welcome to sex with women” she giggles as the words come out, “I feel lucky to be the first of many for you baby, I’ve been wanting you for so damn long, I gotta admit it” she kisses me on my cheek and grabs my nipple playfully making me yelp. “I been dreaming about this for a long time too, Billie” I confess with a smile, looking back at her. “Good things there’s a whole lot more firsts for me to have” I say playfully as I grab her boob again.

I pull her closer to me, both of us back on our sides facing eachother. I crave a type of intimacy with her that I have avoided with every one of my partners for years. Maybe I really am gay and it’s just because shes a woman. Or, maybe, if I let myself really think about it, its because its Billie. My hand falls over her body onto her bare back and my fingers begin lightly dancing over her skin. She snuggles into me tighter and humms. Being in Billie’s arms feels like home. My cheeks flush as I realize that the love I feel for her is not the love you feel for a friend, it is so so much more than that. Its the type of love that terrifies me, or at least it has in the past. For some reason I don't feel scared at all right now, I feel quite the opposite actually.

I continue rubbing her back as our breathing slows, both melting into one another. She breaks the silence with a silky voice, “I think I could stay like this forever” my heart skips a beat at her confession, bringing a calm warmth throughout my body. “I’d like that a lot Billie” she lifts her head from the crook of my neck just long enough to place a kiss on my forehead, before snuggling back into me tighter. We lay like this for a minute before I interrupt. I giggle quietly to myself and she looks up with a curious expression, her eyebrows knit together but a smirk on her lips, “what the hell are you so giggly about?” she says, laughing with me now. “Does this mean,” I giggle again slightly more bashfully this time, before I continue. “Does this mean I get to learn all about lessssbbiiann sexxxxx with you?” I can’t help but say it in a goofy, slightly mocking tone, emphasising my purposefully ridiculous word choice. “Sure does baby girl, sure doesssssssss” She laughs out, matching the playful energy. “Ooo la la” I sing, pulling a laugh from both of us as we lay back down. I can’t help but feel overwhelming excitement for whats to come.

Should I continue on with the story??

update: part 2 here

[purplephantomwolf]

Savoring the Finish Line

Chapter One

Synopsis: You are a bakery owner. One day Max Verstappen comes into your bakery.

Note: This is not an accurate portrayal of how the real people in this act. I do not know them personally, so I will not be portraying them accurately.

Warnings: Panic attack mention

Masterlist

December 18, 2021

     You are pulled out of your deep slumber by a whining noise and something wet on your face. You groan, wiping your face. “Yuck,” you mumble, feeling wetness on your fingers. You hear a whine again and wake up more. You look to the left and are met by the cold, wet nose of your pit bull puppy, Lacey. You glance at the clock, letting out a sigh when you see that it’s 4 am, 30 minutes before your alarm goes off. Lacey whines again, jumping off your bed and running to the door. You spot Lacey’s sister Elise, a golden retriever puppy, already standing by the door. “Alright, I’m coming,” you mumble, dragging yourself out of bed. You slide on some shoes before trapping Lacey and Elise’s leashes. You clip the leashes onto their collars and wal down the stairs of your apartment into your bakery. You flip on all the lights, blinding yourself and waking up more. Elise whines, reminding you of why you’re up. You flip the lock of the back door, walking outside with your girls.  You start your morning walk, stopping every five seconds so Lacey or Elise can sniff the ground. 

     Eventually, you make a loop around the block. You open the back door and the girls go barrelling through the door and up the stairs. You laugh and glance at the time. It’s not 5 am, so you need to start preparing the bakery for opening. You rush upstairs to change into your uniform. Lacey and Elise are patiently waiting by their food bowls. You quickly change before feeding the puppies. You head downstairs while they eat. 

     You start up all the ovens in the kitchen, starting the fans to keep the place cool next. You then take the dough you made last night for the croissants out of the fridge. You walk over to the computer in the office, booting up the computer. You hit play on the bakery playlist you have created. You grab your apron, sliding it over your head. You unlock the front door so your two employees can enter. Walking back to the kitchen, you start making the croissants. You hear the bell on the bakery front door ring, as Louis enters. Louis is an older gentleman working at your bakery part time in his retirement. His wife, Estelle, also works part time here. She usually comes in later than he does. “Bonjour, Y/n!” You hear him call.

    “Bonjour, Louis,” you call back, sliding the croissants into the oven. “I just put the croissants in the oven. Can you get started on wiping down the surfaces here please?” You ask him, wiping your hands on your apron as you walk out of the kitchen. Louis nods, flashing me a quick smile. He walks off to the office to put up his coat and things. He then quickly gets to work, wiping down every surface. You walk back into the kitchen, getting out some of the pastries and breads you baked yesterday. You put them in a second oven, heating them up. You hum along to the music as you work, hearing Louis singing along in the front.

     You pull the pastries and breads from the oven and start putting them in the glass displays at the front of the bakery. As you’re putting the last pastry of the first batch in the display, the bell for the door goes off. You glance up, smiling as Estelle enters. “Morning, Estelle,” you wave. 

     “Morning, mon amour,” she smiles. She heads into the office to put her things up, but not before giving Louis a kiss. You let out a small smile at how cute they are. 50 years later, and they’re still in love with each other as they were on day one. You head to the front door, flipping the sign saying closed to open. Estelle comes out of the office, taking up her station at the register, Louis takes up position at the coffee station, and you head back to your position in the kitchen. 

******************************************************************************

     “Have a good night, guys,” you say, giving Louis and Estell kisses goodbye on their cheeks. 

     “You too, sweetie. Don’t work too hard. I know it’s cleaning night,” Estelle gives you a playful glare. 

     “I promise I won’t overwork myself, no need to worry about me,” you grin. Louis and Estelle give you hugs and a kiss on the forehead before heading out the door. Once they’re out of sight, you race upstairs to change into some comfy pants and your stained Lewis Hamilton shirt. Your father gave it to you back when Lewis was absolutely dominating as a joke. You’ve been a Red Bull fan since they entered Formula 1, which did not make your dad, a die hard Mercedes fan, happy.  You tend to only wear the Lewis shirt when cleaning, which explains all the stains on it. You walk downstairs, bringing Lacey and Elise with you. You check on them throughout the day, but you do not allow them to be in the bakery when there are customers here. When no one is here, you allow them to stay in the kitchen with you. 

     You set to work cleaning, stopping to play with the puppies every so often. After an hour of cleaning, you hear the bell for the door ring. Your eyebrows knit in confusion. “I thought I’d locked the door, oops,” you mumble. You turn to your dogs, telling them to sit and stay. THey obediently listen to you. “I’m sorry, we’re closed,” you say, walking out the kitchen doors. You freeze when you look around. Two thoughts immediately enter your head. 

One: Max Verstappen is in your bakery. 

Two: Max Verstappen is currently having a panic attack. 

Next Chapter: Chapter Two

[doki-doki-imagines]

hiii, could you please do mk1 earthrealmers reaction to them trying to put music during spicy time but their s/o keeps getting distracted the whole time by singing/dancing along to every song that they choose, i just thought it could be a funny situation 😅😅

author note: I had to change the prompt a bit because it would have been a bit repetitive. If it's a problem feel free to request again. If you like what I write consider tipping on my new ko-fi!

Johnny Cage: -He prepared a romantic night to the best of his capabilities. Red petals on your bed, dim candlelights to illuminate the room, and a soft and sexy song playing in the background. -But something went wrong when all of sudden, between groans and heavy breaths "Poker face" started to play. -It doesn't stop Johnny from kissing down your neck, lips never leaving your skin. Your head isn't on the same wavelength tho. -You start to hum the song, but Johnny notices just when his lips caress your chest, feeling the vibrations underneath. -"Are you…singing along?" "Maybe? C'mon Johnny, it's impossible not to!" -He smiles, the kind that reaches his eyes and shakes his head before pulling you into his covered lap. Deft fingers working to free himself. -"Are you still in?" "Mh? Yes." You nod, your soft hands on his cheeks. "Perfect sweetheart. Keep singing to your heart's content, let's see how long it will take me to make you reach the highest notes."

Kenshi Takahashi:

-It was your idea to put music on, to try something new.

-Soon you forget about it, Kenshi reducing you to a puddle under his expert hands.

-You are so out of your mind that you don’t notice the songs going from slow and sexy to rhythmic and perfect for dancing.

-But then you notice something is off. His fingers, now in you move…strangely? Kenshi has always been a tease, but trying to avoid your sweet spot for so long it’s becoming tears-inducing, and not the pleasure kind.

-So you start to focus your attention on the movements of his fingers when finally realization hits you.

”Are you trying to keep the rhythm of the song, Kenshi?”

He looks at you, black eyes now full of shame, lips sucked in before nodding.

-He stops moving and a chuckle leaves your lips. You take the back of his head to bring him closer and kiss him.

“Nice sense of the rhythm. Next time I’ll make sure to choose the right songs.”

“I’ll help you with that.”

Kung Lao:

-It’s not the first time you put music on; the walls of his house are pretty thin.

-But usually, you use Lao’s playlist since he can be pretty picky with music.

-But this time he asked to listen to one of yours, curious to discover new songs.

-It’s all going like usual, ‘till you hear Lao humming. Your favorite song is also playing.

“So…you like this song too?”

“Damn, it’s so catchy!”

-You end up karaoke just in your undergarments with Lao.

-Don’t worry, you’ll get back to lovemaking later. After all, everything is more enjoyable if done with a smile.

Raiden:

-You were the one that asked him if you could try to listen to music while doing “it” and Raiden accepted with no problem.

-You made a new playlist trying to add songs Raiden could enjoy.

-Everything goes smoothly, you sit on his lap your tongue dancing with his, while Raiden’s hands travel down your body, caressing and groping.

-Until a song starts, and his movements stop. He is still kissing you, so you don’t notice something is wrong.

-“I’m sorry, I can’t do this.” Raiden pulls you off, annoyance dripping from his face.

“Mh? What is wrong, Rai?”

-“The song that is playing now…we used to sing it with Lao and Fujin when we were kids. It really broke my mood remembering their faces.” He groans out. The face of his best friend the last thing he'd like to remember in these kind of moments.

“You sang such a sexual song when you were kids?”

“You also sang sexual stuff without knowing the real meaning behind the words, right?”

You tilt your head before answering “Well, you have a point.”

-You don’t do any stuff that day, but you decided that it will be Raiden to make the playlist next time.

Liu Kang:

-You know he likes listening to music in his free time, so you think he may enjoy your proposal.

-And he does! Nodding at you with a big smile, a joy that reaches his eyes.

-Mostly because he thinks too that it could be really hot.

-Everything is going as planned, his hot mouth biting your throat while his hands travel from your hips to your back. Until a song starts to play and a sigh, not one born from pleasure, leaves his lips.

-Liu Kang has to sit on the bed. Now sobbing uncontrollably. That song is the one he used to sing with his Kung Lao when they were just kids. When Lao and Raiden became his family.

-You have never seen Liu crying so you worry immediately, asking him what happened, your soft arms hugging his back, trying to calm him down.

-There will be a lot to unpack…

Geras:

-He doesn’t know mortal traditions so he doesn’t mind if you put music.

-And he also doesn’t mind when you start to sing and dance around! But you’ll have to explain to him it’s not some kind of dance to attract the potential partner.

-“Unless…”

“What?”

“Do you find me hot while dancing? Even when I sing so terribly?” You whisper out, your arms around his neck, heads a few inches apart.

“I always find you hot.”

-There is a moment of silence where you’ll look straight into his eyes.

“Come here.”

-Music is soon forgotten in the background.

Bi-Han:

-He is playing his transverse flute when you approach him.

-You reached the level of comfort where Bi-Han feels at ease playing in front of you, and you love it; he really has talent.

-But you decide to spice things up this time.

-You approach him, sliding kisses down his neck while he is still playing the flute, deft fingers opening his uniform, now dropping to the ground.

-“What do you think you’re doing?” He stops, voice rough, but with no bite.

“Just having fun. Keep playing, Grandmaster.” You wink at him, not moving until he starts playing the instrument again.

-And he does, never missing a note even with your warm mouth reaching more arousing parts of his physique. It’s when you drop to your knees that he stops again, his hand now in your hair, pushing you away from his crotch.

-“Now listen to me-“

You tsk, brushing his hand away, confidence dripping from your eyes.

“A snake obeys his charmer only when he plays his flute. Keep doing that Bi-Han.”

-He gulps down loudly. You know that a harsh comeback just died in his throat. He nods at you, his lips back on the instrument.

-Maybe you were the real charmer this time.

Kuai Liang:

-He has to admit that he gets annoyed by your change of mood.

-Liang loves to hear your sounds, so putting music in the background isn’t really his thing but he also thought “Why not try?” It’s not like it was a big no-no for him.

-But now it is. For Liang intimacy is a serious moment and even if he may sneak some jokes once in a while he prefers to keep a more serious atmosphere.

-He gets grumpy so it will take a lot of effort to put a smile on his face. For sure lovemaking is delayed.

-With enough convincing Liang may dance along with you, but don’t force him to sing or he will go back to grumpy.

Tomas Vrbada:

-He smiles when he notices you humming the song, but soon follows you.

-Tomas won’t dance with you, preferring to look at you from his comfortable position on the bed.

-But he will sing! His singing voice is terrible but it’s the feeling that matters.

-At some point, Tomas will get closer to sneak kisses here and there.

-After all, you are dancing just in undergarments; it’s a wonderful sight that makes his blood run awfully quick away from his brain.

-Lovemaking is not delayed, he will pull you toward the bed with him. Just the mood changed, a lot of smiles and playful kisses shared.

[cj-schlatt]

PLEEEEEASE DO “is someone sleepy?” with schlatt 😭😭😭

- 🩷 nat teddynivvy

Eeeee my first request! Thank you so much, Nat!! This was fun to write, hope you like it! <3

(Prompt list here)

It’s Saturday night, your favorite night of the week. Saturdays mean rest, sure, but, more importantly, Saturdays mean movie night with Schlatt. It’s something to look forward to, something that never fails to put you in a good mood, no matter how rough the week has been.

You take turns choosing what to watch, and this week, it’s your pick. You’ve been on a bit of a musical kick lately, and it continues with this evening’s selection: Little Shop of Horrors. You even have the original (superior) ending queued up to watch afterwards.

“Another musical?” Schlatt had groaned when you told him your choice.

“It’s a classic!” you’d insisted.

“You say that about all of them!” he’d argued, and, well, he wasn’t wrong.

You smile at the memory. You knew that, as much as he complained, Schlatt actually liked the musicals you showed him, even creating a Spotify playlist with his favorite songs from each one.

“How was your day?” you ask once you’ve both joined the call.

“Long,” Schlatt groans. “Glad it’s over.”

You can hear the tiredness in his voice. “We can watch this another time, if you want.”

“No, no, I’m fine,” he insists, voice softening. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

“Me, too.” You smile. “Okay, ready?”

“Ready,” he confirms.

“Three…two…one!” At the end of the countdown, you and Schlatt both hit “play,” and the movie begins.

It’s going well, you think. You’ve gotten Schlatt to admit that “Skid Row (Downtown)” is a banger (he didn’t really need any convincing). He seems to be enjoying it overall, though you notice that he’s a bit quieter than normal.

It’s during Steve Martin’s “Dentist” number that you hear a yawn.

“Aw, is someone sleepy?” you ask, your voice taking on the same sweet, high-pitched tone you use to talk to the cats.

“‘M not,” Schlatt grumbles.

“Sure,” you say, not at all convinced.

At Schlatt’s insistence, you keep watching.

A few minutes later, you make some stupid comment about what’s happening on screen, but you’re met with silence.

“Schlatt?” you call out.

No response.

You pause the movie, and it’s then that you can hear Schlatt’s soft snores coming through your headphones.

You can almost picture him, still sitting up in bed, his head lolled to the side (he's definitely going to bitch about his neck being sore tomorrow). You can’t help but smile fondly at your computer.

“Good night, my love,” you say softly before ending the call.

A/N: Sorry, had to make reader a Little Shop fan because I’ve been relistening to the original Off-Broadway cast recording from 1982 (my favorite version) recently hehehe

[lewmagoo]

we own the sky | rhett abbott

part two: under pressure

read part one here

series info: read the synopsis here. find the series masterlist here. listen to the playlist here. see the posting schedule here.

description: in which you decide to face your fears

warnings: 18+ only, heavy themes, mentions of character death, grief, blood and injury, angst with a positive ending, panic attack, allusions to sex, eventual smut, inaccurate weather terms, please do not check my science lol this story requires some suspension of disbelief. i usually try not to say anything about reader's family in fics but i do mention them having an unnamed great-aunt, as it was necessary to the plot

pairing: rhett abbott x f!reader

word count: 11,838

notes: this story is inspired by twisters. you do not have to watch the movie in order to understand this story, because aside from the storm chasing aspect, it has nothing to do with the twister universe. i've been working on this story for 2 months straight, and it is my pride and joy. i am so excited for everyone to read it! without further adieu, here is we own the sky!

You curled up beneath the covers that night, eager to get some much-needed rest after a day spent cleaning and socializing. Your body was so weary, and as you snuggled into the softness of Rhett’s bed, your eyes grew heavy as soon as your head hit the pillow, and you drifted off into dreamland. 

But a few hours later, you woke to the sound of your name being sharply whispered into the gray morning light. It took a moment for you to draw yourself to consciousness, climbing your way out of layers of dreams, before your eyes flew open and you found yourself staring into Rhett’s face. 

“Hey, sorry t’ wake ya so early, but there’s storm activity over by Sapulpa. Wanna come with us?” He asked, voice low. 

You squinted, glancing over at the small digital clock on the nightstand. It was barely five in the morning. It had only been a few hours since you’d pledged to go on a chase with Rhett. You had certainly not been prepared for it to be this soon. 

“Fuck it,” you grumbled, tossing the covers off. “I’ll come.”

“You don’t have to if—”

“I’m comin’,” came your sharp reply. You hurried to your suitcase, where you dug out some clothes to change into. 

“Alright, I’ll be in the truck.” He kept his voice at a whisper, but there was an excitement in his tone, electricity in the air. 

When he left the room, you let out a breath, a shudder running through your body. The beginnings of adrenaline had begun to course through you, and your heart rate picked up as you realized what was happening. This was it. You’d made a bet and now you had to follow through with it. 

So, running off of four hours of sleep, with a body that ached from exhaustion, you got dressed, shoved your feet into your shoes, grabbed your phone, and quietly scurried out into the hall and down the steps. 

You were surprised to see Cecilia in the kitchen doorway, waiting for you. “Take this,” she said, placing a paper bag full of breakfast goods such as granola bars and homemade muffins in your hands. Then she patted your hand. “And be careful, you hear me? Both of you.”

“We will be,” you assured her. 

She didn’t seem at all surprised that you were going. Either Rhett had already told her, or she’d simply assumed you would end up going at some point. 

After you bid her goodbye, you burst through the front door and onto the porch, shoes scraping against wood as you bounded down the steps. You jogged to the truck, and in the distance, you could see an F150 and an RV coming down the road. 

The team was coming together. It was time to chase down some twisters. 

With your heart pounding in your chest and your hands trembling, you climbed into the passenger seat of Rhett’s truck, shoving the bag of food down onto the floorboards. Rhett was already in the driver’s seat, fiddling with the radio dial, trying to find a weather broadcast. 

“Y’ready for this?” He asked you.

A shuddering breath escaped your lungs. “As I’ll ever be.” A lie. You were nowhere near ready for this. But you’d already made a promise, so you had to stick it out. 

“Hey,” Rhett continued, bumping your arm gentle with his own. “If you need to stop at any point, just let me know, alright?”

You mustered a smile. “I will,” you promised. You folded your hands in your lap so they’d stop shaking. 

Moments later, after the team pulled in, you glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Zara jump out of the Ford, headed for you and Rhett. With her thick curls piled into a bun atop her head, a pair of smart denim shorts and a tucked in button-down with the sleeves rolled up, she looked ready to get down to business. 

When she saw you, her face broke into a grin. “You’re coming!” She exclaimed, speaking through the truck window Rhett had just opened. 

“Yeah! Had to carry out my end of the bargain,” you told her, trying to sound humorous, but you were certain that your trepidation overshadowed any attempt at being funny.

She held up an iPad. “Here, I’ll let you monitor the radar, if you’re comfortable with that?” 

You looked at weather radar screens for a living. You were more than capable of monitoring the storm path, but you still felt your chest tighten with uncertainty. Even so, you reached out and took the device from her. “Sure, I can do that.”

“Great! All of us communicate through walkies, so if you have any questions, just radio me.”

“I will. Thanks,” you replied with a nod. And then, “Oh! Here, have some breakfast for the road.” You reached into the bag from Cecilia and pulled out some muffins and breakfast bars, thrusting them into her hands. “Give some to Finn and Danny too!”

“Thank you! See ya on the road!” Then she was off, jogging back to the truck.

You settled back against the seat, breathing out a sigh. Beside you, Rhett leaned closer. “Hey,” he hummed, “you’re gon’ be just fine.”

You tried your best to believe him.

As he pulled onto the main road, headed toward Sapulpa, you unlocked the iPad, familiarizing yourself with its layout before you located the radar app. With trembling fingers, you put the location into the search bar and waited for it to pull the correct screen up.

Seconds later, there it was. A large, red colored cloud moving over the map, indicating severe weather activity. Sapulpa wasn’t too far away. A fifteen-minute drive and you’d be there. 

As Rhett drove, accelerating ten miles over the speed limit, you found yourself secretly hoping that you would not encounter a twister on this run. Maybe it would only be a storm. But you knew this area. You were more than familiar with the weather patterns here. 

You looked up at the sky, noticing the angry gray clouds in the distance, roiling with thunder and lightning, full of raindrops, just waiting to unleash their fury upon the earth below. 

It felt as if you were driving straight into the belly of the beast, and essentially, you were. 

Forcing your eyes back down to the screen in your lap, you studied the radar, taking notice of the severe weather banner that had just popped up across the screen. In your pocket, your phone buzzed, and you didn’t have to look at it to know that a tornado warning had been issued for the area. 

Oh, god. 

“Y’ still with me?” Rhett’s voice pulled your attention to him. 

“Yeah, I…I’m fine,” you lied right through your teeth. You glanced out the back window of the truck, and eyed the trailer full of nitrogen tanks, metal rattling loudly. 

It was up to you and Rhett to get these tanks into position. You had to face the danger head-on, get ahead of the potential twister, and make the drop, all while trying to avoid being blown off course by the wind. 

This was a suicide mission. 

But you refused to back out, swallowing your terror and keeping a close eye on the radar. You were getting closer to the brewing storm. Although it was early morning and the sun had just begun to rise, it was eerily dark, clouds casting a shadow over the rolling plains. 

As your gaze flickered to the fields that framed the stretch of highway, you watched the grass ripple in the wind. Without thinking, you moved to open the window, and a blast of humid air hit you in the face. 

A flash of lightning tore through the sky, and seconds later, a deafening clap of thunder made you jump. 

Beside you, Rhett eyed you briefly, unbeknownst to you. He was watching your body language, looking for any signs of distress. Just a few days ago, you’d sworn to him you couldn’t stomach the thought of chasing again. And now here you were, sitting beside him. 

He questioned if you were ready for this. But you seemed fine, so he left it alone. 

“How’s the radar lookin’?” He asked you.

You tore your gaze away from the sky, quickly pressing the button to shut the window before you looked at the screen. “It’s moving fast. Rain will probably hit soon.”

Before you even finished your sentence, the first few drops began pelting against the truck. Thunder rumbled. Your heart skipped a beat. 

You could hear Zara speaking over the radio, but you were too busy focusing on the sky, searching for any sign of funnel activity. Your limbs buzzed with adrenaline. Your chest felt tight. Your breathing was rushed. 

The rain gave way to hailstones, clattering against the truck, and the sky above took on a sickening green hue. 

Sirens began to wail, a haunting sound that made you want to cover your ears. You hadn’t heard those sirens in so long. Hearing them now transported you back to the day you’d lost your dearest friends. 

You could hear Rhett speaking your name, but he sounded so distant. You were too busy staring at the sky. And then the hail stopped, and aside from the sirens, the outside world was deafeningly quiet. 

You thought your terror was going to swallow you whole. 

“Talk to me!” Rhett finally exclaimed, grabbing your arm, pulling your attention to him. His eyes were wide, searching your face. 

But before you could speak, a loud roar drowned out any possible conversation. You turned back to the window, and you saw it. A funnel protruding from the sky. 

A twister had touched down. 

Rhett stomped on the gas, headed east, trying to get ahead of the twister so the trailer could be put in place. You were frozen, staring up at the phenomenon, body cold with fright. 

“I need you t’ stay with me, you hear?! You gotta keep an eye on it, I need to know where to drop the trailer!” He called out to you. 

“O-okay!” You managed to shout back. 

The truck moved faster and faster as Rhett fought to stay on track. You wanted to guide him. To communicate with him and tell him exactly what to do, where to go. But you couldn’t. The words wouldn’t come. All you could see was that tornado, coming right at you. This was how your friends had died. Staring into the face of this vicious funnel. 

Was this how you were going to die?

“Rhett.”

“Am I at a good distance?!” 

Had he even heard you? “Stop.”

“Talk to me! Can I drop the trailer now?!”

“STOP!” 

Rhett glanced at you and he saw the distress on your face. He knew what he had to do. “Shit,” he swore. He gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning white as he made a split second decision and violently yanked the wheel to the left, veering off the road and into the cornfield on the other side. 

He nearly lost control as the truck careened forward several miles, jostled against the uneven earth. You thrust your hands against the dashboard, fighting to hold yourself steady. The iPad in your lap went tumbling to the floor. 

“Rhett! What’s going on?!” Jeslyn shouted over the radio. 

He was too busy trying not to overturn the entire truck. When he slammed on the brakes, the force sent the entire trailer of nitrogen tanks on its side, snapping the hitch right off. 

Your fight or flight response kicked in, and in a desperate attempt to escape the situation, you threw your door open, unable to spend another minute in the claustrophobic truck cab. Rhett yelled your name, but you didn’t hear him over the roar of the wind. 

As soon as your feet hit the ground, you were running, eyes searching for a ditch or any sort of shelter. The wind whipped around you, its force pushing you along. You couldn’t see the twister over the high stalks of corn, but you didn’t need to see it to feel it.

Raw power, so overwhelming it took your breath away.

And then, all of a sudden, something solid collided with your back, and a pair of arms cinched around your waist. “Are you insane, girl?! Gon’ get yourself killed!” Rhett yelled over the storm.

You let out a shriek of surprise as he wrangled you to the ground, his body on top of yours, shielding you from the danger. 

And then, all at once, everything went silent. You heard the sound of crying. It took you a moment to realize the sound was coming from you.

“Hey, hey, I’m here, I’ve got ya,” Rhett’s voice was in your ear, breathless and gruff. He moved to sit on the ground, pulling you up with him, tugging your body against his chest. You buried your face against the side of his neck and sobbed.

He held you tight, listening to you cry. The residual breeze from the storm blew through his hair. He’d lost his hat when he jumped out of the truck and ran after you, he realized. But that didn’t matter now. The danger was gone, but you were falling apart. 

He should have known this was a bad idea. But you’d insisted you could handle it. And now he was cradling you in his arms as your tears soaked into the collar of his shirt. He remembered so vividly holding you this way when Perry, Rebecca, and Lydia had been killed. He was hit with a deeply rooted pain, blossoming through his chest as he relived the memory.

It still hurt just as badly as the day it happened. And here he thought he’d buried that grief long ago. It had been there all along, just waiting to rear its ugly head.

“It’s gon’ be okay,” he whispered against the top of your head. “I’m right here, you’re safe, nothin’ is gonna hurt you. Not while I’m here.” 

You lifted your head to wail out, “I-I ruined it! I should have ne– never come!”

“No, darlin’. Y’ didn’t ruin anythin’,” he tried to reason.

“A-all of Zara’s hard work! It’s messed up because of me!” You were spiraling, filled with regret. This had been such a colossal mistake. 

At that moment, voices could be heard in the distance. Rhett lifted his head, listening. He could hear his name and yours being called. Thank god the rest of the team was alright.

“Found ‘em!” It was Danny’s voice, full of panic as he burst through the wall of cornstalks, eyes wide. “Holy shit, are you guys alright?!” He slid to a halt, lowering to his knees beside you both.

Behind him, Finn, Zara, and Jeslyn all appeared, looking just as disheveled and frightened. 

“Oh my god, what happened?!” Zara exclaimed. She eyed your trembling form, crying into Rhett’s shoulder, and her face softened.

Rhett caught her gaze. The two shared unspoken communication. She knew what he was trying to convey with just his face. You hadn’t been ready for this.

You managed to bring yourself to look into Zara’s face, tears streaking down your cheeks. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have come with you guys.”

“Hey, no, don’t apologize,” she said, reaching out to touch your shoulder. “You’re safe, that’s what matters.”

You shook your head, wiping your cheeks with the back of your hand. “No, I…I ruined everything, I’m so sorry.”

Finn and Danny stepped away to check on the equipment, while Zara and Jeslyn remained with you and Rhett. 

“No, honey. You didn’t ruin everything. Trust me, those tanks are fine,” Jeslyn assured you. Her eyes were kind, and her voice was gentle. 

Thunder boomed overhead again, and you jumped, pressing yourself even closer to Rhett. He held you just a little tighter. You were safe with him. He would make sure of that.

“Everything looks alright!” The sound of Finn’s voice carried over the field as he and Danny jogged back over. “The hitch snapped, but we can fix it. I figure Rhett can weld it back on since it’s his truck and all.”

“Yeah, it ain’t a big deal to fix,” Rhett replied. 

“Tanks are okay too, they even stayed in the trailer, nothing fell out.” Finn looked at you, making sure to catch your eye. “No harm, no foul.”

“It was a quick twister anyway, not even that big. We probably wouldn’t have been able to get the tanks open fast enough as it was, so it really isn’t a big deal that we didn’t get ‘em into position. Don’t beat yourself up,” came Zara’s words. 

Sniffling, you managed a nod. You were deeply grateful for everyone’s kindness and understanding. You still felt terrible, however. Part of you felt like a scared little child, and you hated it. You were angry at yourself for being unable to handle it. 

“So what’s the plan now? We gotta get those tanks back to Rhett’s place, plus it’s gonna downpour any minute, so we should probably work fast,” you heard Danny say. “There could end up being another twister in the area if the storm keeps at it.”

As the girls and guys put together a plan, you tried to calm yourself down. Rhett hadn’t let you go yet, choosing to remain on the ground with you curled safely against him.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered, for what felt like the hundredth time.

“Hey, look at me.”

You brought your eyes to his. The blue was so intense, it nearly took your breath away. 

“Don’t go sayin’ you’re sorry. You got nothin’ to be sorry for.”

“I just kept thinking about that day, and I…I froze,” you whispered, throat tight with a knot of emotion. “I was so stupid to think I could do it.”

“At least you tried, alright? That’s what matters. Nobody expects you t’ just jump right back into it after all these years.”

“I know, I just–”

“No, don’t you start spiralin’ on me, y’hear? Stop beatin’ yourself up about it. Nobody got hurt, and that’s what we all care about at the end of the day. When it comes down to it, if I’ve gotta choose between makin’ sure you’re safe, or stoppin’ a twister, I’m gonna choose you every damn time.”

His words made your chest grow warm, and your bottom lip quivered. He hadn’t changed in all this time. He was just as caring as ever. 

When you threw your arms around his neck to hug him, he hugged you right back, rocking you from side to side before he finally released you. Cool drops of rain began to fall from the sky, interrupting your moment.

Quickly, Rhett stood, reaching for your hand to pull you to your feet. “C’mon, let’s get to the truck.” With his hand still wrapped around yours, he pulled you along, and you ran back through the field to the place where he’d stopped the truck.

When you reached the old Sierra, the team was just finishing putting all the nitrogen tanks in the back of the truck. It appeared that Danny and Finn had managed to jury-rig the trailer so that Rhett could get it back home.

Hurriedly, Rhett guided you into the truck in an effort to shield you from the rain, slamming the door shut and stopping only for a moment to talk to the guys before they parted ways. He jumped into the driver’s seat and started the engine, maneuvering through the field and back out onto the main road. 

The drive back home was silent, save for the sound of rain pounding against the roof of the truck. You stared out the window, still upset at the way you had reacted. 

“You don’t have to hold up your end of the deal now, since I couldn’t hold up mine,” you finally told Rhett, referring to the promise he’d made to ride in the rodeo that weekend.

But he shook his head. “Nah, you still did, even if ya didn’t hold out for the whole thing. If you had to face somethin’ that scares you, it’s only fair that I do it too. I’m gonna get on a bull this weekend, because that’s what I said I’d do.”

You let out a breath. “Well, I’ll be in the stands cheering you on then.”

“Jus’ like old times, huh?”

“Yeah…like old times.”

You were choosing not to dwell on the fact that during ‘old times’1, you’d felt his blood seep through your fingers as you fought to keep him alive after that bull had driven a horn into his stomach. That was a freak occurrence. It wouldn’t happen this time around.

At least, that’s what you hoped.

Later that morning, you arrived back on the Abbott farm, feeling weary from the adrenaline crash, as well as the lack of sleep from the night before. Once Rhett stopped in the driveway, you stumbled out of the truck and onto the red dirt. 

The sky was gray, indicating that the storm was following you, and would surely dump buckets of rain on the property. It seemed to have calmed down, so it didn’t appear as if it would turn into anything serious. You knew your poor nerves could not handle another twister that day.

The team converged as you headed toward the porch, but you paused when you heard Danny speaking to Rhett. He was trying to keep his voice low so you wouldn’t hear, but you caught it anyway. “There’s more damage than we thought. Specifically to the wiring on the trailer. It’s gonna take longer to fix,” he explained.

You felt an aching pang in your chest. This was all your fault.

You didn’t stick around to hear what Rhett had to say. You simply trudged up the porch steps and into the house. You just wanted to be alone, but to your dismay, Cecilia was in the home office, which had a full view of the entryway you were currently in.

She saw the bleak look on your face, and she immediately rose from her seat at the desk. “Honey, what happened?”

Her concern was what broke you. Instantly, more tears welled up in your eyes, and your shoulders shook as a sob left your throat. Without hesitation, she came to your aid, wrapping her arms around you. “Hey now, you’re gonna be just fine.”

You didn’t believe that.

When Rhett stepped into the house, he took in the sight of his mother comforting you, and he spared her a saddened glance. She nodded in understanding, though no words were shared between the two of them. He headed into the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee, deciding it best to give you space.

A few minutes later, after you finally excused yourself to head upstairs and get some rest, Cecilia joined her son in the kitchen.

Rhett stood at the sink, idly stirring his coffee as he stared out into the water-washed scene unfolding outside the kitchen window. “She wasn’t ready, Mom,” he murmured.

“I can see that,” she replied. “What happened out there? Radio said a twister touched down.”

“It did. We were tryin’ to get in range so we could drop the tanks. But as soon as it touched down she started panicking. Like full-on hyperventilatin’. I had to swerve off the road and as soon as I stopped, she jumped out. Scared me to death. Thought the twister was gonna take her from me.”

Saying those words sent his heart quickening in his chest. He had to face the fact that he still cared so deeply for you, and couldn’t stomach the thought of losing you.

“Glad you both made it outta there safely,” Cecilia murmured, moving to pour herself her second cup of coffee for the day. “Just give her time, Rhett.”

“I will,” he agreed. He downed the rest of the bitter liquid in his mug before he set the ceramic in the sink. “Gon’ go out and fix some of the stuff that got damaged in the twister. We won’t be goin’ out again for a bit, not ‘til we get everythin’ up and runnin’ again.”

He said this to give his mother peace of mind. He knew how much she worried whenever he went out on a chase. The fear of losing her boy was a very real one. 

Meanwhile, you were curled up in bed, curtains drawn, swathing the room in darkness. You hoped you would be able to get some sleep, but you were wide awake, mind racing a mile a minute. So, instead of wallowing in self-pity, you forced yourself to get up. Might as well busy yourself to get your mind off of things.

You decided to head to your great-aunt’s house to continue your cleaning project. As you ambled outside, you caught sight of Rhett, Danny, and Finn in the barn, working on getting the trailer repaired. Grimacing, you averted your eyes and instead climbed into your car.

For the next few days, you avoided Rhett, because you felt so terrible about the entire debacle. But there was never any judgment in his eyes when he looked upon you. He truly did not blame you for what had happened.

In the end, he was the one who came to you, unable to deal with your withdrawn demeanor. He approached you one morning as you were getting ready to leave.

“Hey, I, uh, was wonderin’...I know you’ve got a lot of stuff to haul outta your aunt’s house. Want some help? I can bring my truck.”

You began to protest. “Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

“I want to,” he insisted. “Y’ shouldn’t have to do it all by yourself.”

He looked so earnest, his eyes pleading, his mouth curved into a hopeful smile. How could you say no to him? “Okay, sure. Why not?”

He tried not to appear too eager, but it was written all over his face. “Alrighty, I’ll bring the truck ‘round!”

That was how you found yourself in the passenger seat of the Sierra again, happy that you were headed somewhere that didn’t involve a raging storm that could potentially kill you both. 

When you arrived at the house, you led Rhett up to the porch, where you stopped to retrieve the spare key from beneath the welcome mat. 

“Some things never change,” he murmured upon seeing you locate the key. “She always kept that key there, didn’t she?”

You smiled as you unlocked the door. “She did.”

As you stepped into the house, Rhett paused in the entryway to glance around. A lot had changed since you’d arrived. Many things were packed away in boxes. But it still held a nostalgic feel. 

“Remember when she’d let us crash here in between chases?” He asked.

How could you forget? “Do I ever. Those were the days.”

You remembered so vividly, curling up in sleeping bags around the living room floor, too excited to sleep, knowing a storm cell could be developing at any moment. Oh, to be young and naive again, endowed with a feeling of invincibility. 

“So…weather analyzin’. How’s that treatin’ ya?” Rhett continued in an effort to kill any awkward silence.

You shrugged as you set about organizing the kitchen, motioning for him to get involved. “Pretty well. I actually really like it.”

“Yeah? Must be a lot cushier than facin’ the storms head-on. At least you got a screen separatin’ you from all the destruction.”

“Yep. It’s a lot safer, that’s for sure.”

“How’s livin’ in Silver Spring?”

“I can say we don’t get many twisters. Which I’m happy about.”

“Guess that’s a plus,” came his response.

You opened up the pantry, preparing to sort through all the food that remained there. “Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot,” Rhett said as he grabbed the box of garbage bags you silently pointed to. 

You continued speaking as he placed the box in your hand.  “How’d you meet Zara and all them? They all went to OU together. You’re the odd man out.”

He smirked. “What, think a dumb hick like me can’t hang around educated folk?”

You rolled your eyes as you opened one of the garbage bags. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

“I know, I know,” he assured you. “Actually, Zara heard about us. She read the news stories about what happened. She got a hold of me a couple years ago and started askin’ questions. Wanted to see if I’d like to get involved with her project. So I said, why the hell not? She introduced me to her team and had me come to OU to see how their setup worked.”

“You got to see it in action?” You were intrigued.

“Yeah. Jeslyn’s pretty fuckin’ brilliant when it comes to building things. She and Danny and Finn are the ones that put together a machine that can simulate a twister. Zara used a tank of nitrogen to stop the twister. Obviously it ain’t the same as the real thing, but I thought it was pretty damn cool. Figured I didn’t have much to lose, so I teamed up with ‘em, and we’ve been workin’ together ever since.”

“Have you guys been testing out the nitrogen stuff for very long?”

“It ain’t been field tested, if that’s what you mean. We’re tryin’ to see if it works on an actual twister first. After that, Zara wants to get a grant so she can start testin’ on a larger scale. Plus, Danny and Finn are workin’ on this new radar equipment, once it’s ready we’re gonna take it out on a chase with us. The idea is that it’ll help us track storm cells better, and hopefully let us know what we’re up against faster.”

“Huh, I didn’t know they were working on that,” you mused, intrigued. 

“Yeah, they’ve been puttin’ it together for months now. I think they don’t wanna jinx it, so they haven’t said anything. But Finn just told me the other day that it’ll probably be ready for the next chase we go on.”

“Wow. They’re all weather geniuses.” Knowing they were doing so much sent a pang of deep longing through your chest. 

Part of you wished you were doing more than sitting behind a screen at work, watching the weather ravage the country, unable to do anything more but issue warnings and hope for the best. If only you had the guts to actually get out there and take action against the phenomenon that had taken your friends from you.

“They sure are,” Rhett agreed. “Sometimes I feel pretty damn inadequate because I’m just a farm boy from Oklahoma. But they still wanna hang with the likes of me, for whatever reason.”

“Because you’re pretty great,” you heard yourself say. You hadn’t meant to speak it aloud.

His gaze lingered on you for a moment before he smiled a crooked smile, the apples of his cheeks rounding. 

In an effort to change the subject, you cleared your throat and asked, “Did anyone talk to Beau about you riding this weekend? After what happened on Monday I, uh, was so frazzled that I forgot to track him down.”

“Zara talked to him. Said she wasn’t gonna let me get out of it so easy. So, I’m on track to ride after the rest of the contestants. Beau said it was gon’ be an honorary thing, ‘cause apparently it’s been ten years on the dot since I rode last.”

Ten years. Had it really been that long? So much had happened since then, it felt like both a lifetime and no time at all had passed. 

“Are you nervous?” You questioned.

He shrugged, suddenly finding an old box of crackers very interesting, avoiding your gaze. “Kinda.”

He was scared to death, you realized. You could see it in his eyes. But he was pushing himself to do this. At this point, it wasn’t just because he’d made a deal with you. It was because he wanted to prove to himself that he could do it. That he could face his fears and come out on the other side. Perhaps not unscathed, but a better person because of it.

“You’re gonna do great,” you assured him, offering a vote of confidence.

“Sure hope so.”

The rest of the morning carried on with quiet conversation as you worked to clear out the kitchen. A few hours later, you were feeling accomplished, and hungry. So Rhett offered to take you to the diner in town for lunch.

That was how you found yourself sitting in a booth across from him, a spread of food between you both. You reminisced about the past, talking about times before everything had fallen apart. Good memories that you could both share laughter over. 

You found yourself gazing at Rhett, at his easy smile and his sparkling eyes, illuminated by the early afternoon light shining through the windows, and you were transported back to a time when you were so in love with him. A time when you promised him you would be his forever. 

“You listenin’?” His voice, low and velvety, pulled you back to reality.

“I…I’m sorry, I was distracted,” you sheepishly replied.

He looked at you, brow pulling together, as if he knew you’d been admiring him. But he didn’t acknowledge it. “I was askin’ if you wanted to get outta here and head back to the farm.”

“Oh, um, sure. Yeah, let’s get back.”

With that, he opened his wallet and pulled out some cash for a tip before he stood to his feet. You followed suit, and once he’d paid for the meal, you made your way back out to the truck. Things were comfortable between the two of you again. The events that had happened earlier that week during the chase faded into the background, nothing more than a memory. 

You were glad you had agreed to let him come and help you. It had cleared the air and made way for your friendship to continue blossoming, slowly repairing after so much time apart. 

The rest of the week went by in a breeze. You kept busy with working in your aunt’s house, allowing Rhett to tag along when he had the chance to. When he wasn’t with you, he was working alongside his father on the farm, or he was repairing the trailer so it could be reattached to the hitch on his truck.

Strangely enough, the weather had calmed down, despite it being storm season. There had been some rain showers here and there, but no storms, and no twisters, either. You were glad, because you weren’t sure if your poor nerves could handle another storm that week.

You were glad for the lighthearted distraction of going to the rodeo. You hadn’t been to one in such a long time. You were looking forward to all the sights and sounds. Aside from Rhett’s near fatal injury, you had nothing but good memories of attending rodeos. 

You couldn’t help but catch on to the joy emanating from Amy at the prospect of watching her uncle ride a bull. She was over the moon about it. She had never seen him ride before, as she hadn’t even been born yet when he was still competing. All she knew about that time of his life was through the stories that he and her grandparents had told her.

“Hey! You wanna help me make a sign for uncle Rhett?” The girl asked you as you came downstairs that Saturday morning. 

You could see that she had all of her supplies ready, spread out across her grandmother’s office floor. An assortment of colored markers, glitter glue, paint, and poster board. You couldn’t help but smile at her eagerness. 

“Sure! Let me get a cup of coffee and I’ll come help,” you told her.

Her eyes went wide with excitement and she bounced on the balls of her feet. “Yay! Okay, I’ll be in here waiting for you!” She said, scurrying into the office.

Her childlike wonder warmed your heart. You were happy you’d agreed to stay at the Abbotts, if only for the whimsy Amy brought to the experience. Her personality was almost too big for her small body. It was clear that she was the greatest joy in both her grandparent's and Rhett’s lives. 

You were more than happy to help her make a sign for the rodeo. After you poured yourself a cup of coffee, you settled on the hardwood floor of the office, right beside Amy. She handed you different supplies and even allowed you to write the words she wanted to say on the poster board. 

“You write better than me, so I want you to do it. I want the words to be really big, so Uncle Rhett can see ‘em!” She explained. 

“Okay, what do you want me to write?”

“I was thinking ‘you got this Uncle Rhett!’”

“I like it!”

You settled into the carefree fun of making a glittery rodeo sign, enjoying Amy’s creative little touches here and there as she added stickers and designs. 

Halfway through, the screen door squealed open, and Amy jumped up in a panic when she realized it was Rhett. 

“What’re you gals up to?” He asked as he strolled into the house. 

“Don’t come in here!” Amy cried, rushing to push him away. “We’re workin’ on a top secret surprise!”

His brows shot up, and he stole a glance at you, currently holding the poster board at an angle so he couldn’t see what it said. “Oh yeah? You in cahoots with my niece now?” He asked you, smile playing on his lips. 

“Maybe,” came your playful response. “Don’t go spoiling your surprise now. We’ll let you see it later.”

His eyes twinkled with mischief. “Alright, alright. I’m goin’,” he said as he held his hands up in surrender. 

You kept the sign hidden until you knew for certain he’d gone upstairs. Amy bounded back over to you, pretending to wipe sweat from her brow as she exclaimed, “Whew! That was close.”

“Let’s hurry and finish it so we can hide it until later,” you suggested, voice hushed and playfully urgent. 

The girl agreed, and you both set to work, hurriedly finishing up the sign. Once you were done, you put it in an inconspicuous place, hidden away from Rhett’s prying eyes. As you helped Amy put all her art supplies away, you were struck with a warm feeling, blossoming through your chest. Here you were, making signs to cheer Rhett on, anticipating his ride later that night, just like you used to not too long ago.

You were always his biggest fan at the rodeo, that was for certain. You’d made many a sign in your day, with his name scrawled across the poster board, decorated with curlicues and glitter. You never thought it was something you’d be doing again. Oh, how things had changed. In the short time that you’d been here, your fondness for Rhett had returned. You supposed it had never left, to begin with. It had just been lying dormant for six years.

You should have known the blue-eyed cowboy would win you over again. You never could resist him.

Later on that day, as evening time approached, the excitement was palpable. Amy was bubbling with it, and it was rubbing off on everyone else. Zara, Jeslyn, Finn, and Danny arrived at the house to wish Rhett good luck before his ride. 

Cecilia was fretting, making sure Royal and Amy were ready, never one to be late to anything. Royal was amused at her behavior, and you caught him smiling fondly at her, a glimmer in his eyes. He, too, was eager to see his son ride, he just had a much different way of showing it.

He never could fully accept that Rhett had walked away from riding. In fact, there had been a time when he was even disappointed in the boy for doing so.

Royal himself had once been on top of his game as a bull rider, when he was but a young man. He had suffered many injuries during his time in the riding circuit, but he’d always gotten back on the bull. He had chastised Rhett for quitting, and although he never said it, part of him felt that his son was too soft. He needed to toughen up and get back in the ring.

It had been a point of contention between father and son, but they had since moved past it. However, now that Rhett was getting on the back of a bull again, Royal was very pleased. He might even go as far as to admit that he was proud. 

Rhett, on the other hand, was riddled with anxiety. He remembered so clearly the way he used to feel before a ride. It was as if electricity was thrumming through his veins, driving his every movement. It was deliciously exhilarating. But now, all he felt was fear. 

He kept replaying the night of his injury. It was just a freak incident. It wouldn’t happen again. But there was still the question of “what if?” in the back of his mind. He didn’t remember the pain he felt when it happened. He’d been too hyped up on adrenaline. It was almost an out-of-body experience. As if he wasn’t the one being gored by a bull. That was someone else. Another unlucky rider.

Even as he stumbled backward, his body colliding with the sand beneath him, it wasn’t real. It was a dream. A figment of his imagination. Until he was being dragged to safety and you were above him, voice filled with terror as you begged him to stay with you. That was when reality hit him like a ton of bricks, and the pain began to radiate throughout his entire body.

But that was then. This was now. Things were different. He’d long since healed from his injury, though its scar remained, a constant reminder of what he had endured. But after losing his brother and sister-in-law, along with one of his dearest friends, he had learned that oftentimes, the pain of grief was far worse than any sort of physical pain. 

If he had been able to survive the agony of loss, then he could survive a brief ride on an angry bull.

Having the people he loved most there to cheer him on made it a little easier to stomach the thought of riding. But most of all, having you there was the most wonderful part.

“You’re gonna do great. We’ll all be cheering you on the whole time,” you assured him, voice soft, as you shared a moment alone. 

He mustered a smile, humming lowly. “Y’really think I can do it?”

“I know you can.”

Your vote of confidence meant the world to him. It was his driving force as he climbed into his truck and headed to the rodeo grounds. He was going to be just fine.

Later that night, you were all arriving at the rodeo, spirits high as you all climbed out of your respective vehicles. You’d ridden with Royal, Cecilia, and Amy in the beat up old Ranger that had been in the family for years.

As soon as you climbed out of the truck, Amy was pulling you along, talking a mile a minute. “C’mon! We have to get some kettle corn before it starts!” She urged. She waved the rest of the group along.

You all found yourselves in line for the aforementioned kettle corn. The different food smells transported you to rodeos past, and the pressing weight of nostalgia took your breath away. 

“How you doing?” Came the voice of Zara, who stood behind you in line.

You turned, offering her a smile. “I’m okay! Kinda nervous for Rhett, but I know he’ll do great.”

She nodded in agreement. “Oh yeah, he’ll be just fine. I’ve never seen him ride before, so I can’t wait! He tells us all stories sometimes about his riding days. It’ll be cool to finally see him in action.”

“He was awesome,” you told her, “really, he had such a knack for it. I’m glad he’s getting back out there, even if it’s only for one night.”

“Yeah. It’s brave of him, I think. Facing his fears and all that.”

“It is.” Or maybe it was foolish. Either way, it was happening, and you were going to support him if it was the last thing you did.

Once everyone had their own respective snacks, you all followed Royal and Cecilia up to the stands. The voices of those around you overlapped. Fragments of conversations. Old friends catching up. Church ladies gossiping. Young girls giggling over the cute cowboys who would be riding that night. 

You took your seat, eyes flickering across the ring, searching for any sign of Rhett behind the gates. Your belly was fluttering with butterflies. Your heart was racing. Your palms were sweaty. When it came time to stand for the National Anthem, you could hardly sing along, voice coming out shaky and breathless. 

The late spring air was cool against your heated skin, but you hardly noticed it, hand swiping at your forehead where perspiration had begun to form. As you sat back down after the anthem, you felt Cecilia’s hand on your arm.

She shot you a reassuring smile, but you could see the wariness in her eyes. She was worried, too. “He’ll be fine,” she said, more so to convince herself.

You nodded. “Yeah, he will be.”

Then the announcer’s voice came over the loudspeaker. “Good evenin’, Amelia County! We’ve got a fantastic lineup for y’all tonight!” He began listing the names of the boys who would be riding in the circuit. “We’re changin’ things up a little with an honorary ride. Want you to give a warm welcome to Rhett Abbott, Wabang native, who used to ride regularly in our rodeos! He’ll be closin’ out the circuit for us tonight with a final ride. So sit back, relax, and get ready to cheer on our riders! Let the fun begin!”

His choice of words was amusing. Watching bull riding was the least relaxing thing out there.

“We have to wait for everyone to go before we can even see him ride?” Amy complained.

You were inclined to agree with her dismay. Your anxiety was only going to increase as time passed. You knew you wouldn’t be able to focus on any other riders because you would be too busy thinking about him.

With each contestant that was called up, your anticipation mounted. You tuned out the rest of the crowd. All the voices, all the sounds, the reverberation of the loudspeakers. None of it mattered. 

You used to be behind those gates, when you were working in the first aid tent. You’d witnessed Rhett’s pre-ride jitters more times than you could count. He would often seek you out for comfort. He loved when you’d come up to him and wrap your arms around his middle, resting your head against his back. It would always ground him. 

He didn’t have that now. He was behind those gates by himself. Part of you wished you were back there with him, but you quickly pushed that thought aside. He was a grown man, he could handle it alone. 

You instead tried your best to focus on each rider, attempting to enjoy the rodeo. 

Subconsciously, you were counting down the minutes until Rhett’s ride. 

Much to your relief, it all went by quickly, and before you even realized it, it was time for him to come out. Beside you, Amy jumped to her feet and held up her sign, hoping to get his attention as he climbed into the chute. You leaned forward in your seat, and at that very moment, he lifted his head, and locked eyes with you.

You gave him a reassuring smile, placing your hand over your heart. He nodded, and then bowed his head. Sitting atop a creature teeming with virile energy sent his pulse pounding in his ears.

He was surrounded by handlers, all making sure he was securely in place. Some of these guys he’d known his entire life. A few had even worked alongside him when he was still riding regularly. 

“Y’ready, son?” One of them asked. Jason McGowan.

Rhett let out a breath, shifting his gaze straight ahead. His gloved hand was wrapped securely in the rope beneath him, keeping him in place. The animal he was seated upon shifted, snorting loudly, growing antsy and impatient.

“As I’ll ever be,” Rhett murmured. His chest felt tight. His thighs were trembling. Was he even strong enough to hold on for this? Could he really do it?

He counted down in his head. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Then he nodded, and in a split second, the chute burst open, and he was lurching forward as the bull jumped out into the ring. The beast writhed and roared beneath him, bucking furiously, tossing him about like a rag doll.

In the stands, you shot to your feet, holding your breath as you stared at Rhett. Come on, come on, come on. He held on for dear life, free arm in the air. The clock was ticking, but you never dared to glance at it. You would not take your eyes off of him. 

Cecilia grabbed your arm again. You held tightly to her, both of you watching your boy, silently praying for him to succeed.

Just a little longer. You can do it. 

And then he let go. His body sailed through the air, and he hit the dirt, but he kept running, stumbling away from the raging animal as a pair of rodeo clowns directed the bull’s attention elsewhere. 

Rhett straightened, shoulders squared as his eyes flickered up to the large screen to see his time. His name soared to the top of the scoreboard. 

He had the best time of the night.

Around him, the crowd went wild. But he didn’t care about any of them. Frantically, he searched for you, electric blue filled with pride and shock all at once. He finally saw you, cheering for him at the top of your lungs, screaming his name from the stands. He swore he could hear you. Over everyone, there was your voice, praising him, calling for him.

His cheeks were wet, and he realized there were tears pouring down his face.

But he was grinning, teeth flashing white, beaming in the golden light cast upon him. 

I did it. I fuckin’ did it.

He wasn’t sure when his legs started moving, but before he knew it, he was running, boots kicking up sand as he threw himself over the barricade separating the stands from the ring. He took the steps two at a time, making a beeline for you.

Your beautiful face was full of adoration, and the moment you saw him coming at you, you pushed your way through the crowd, nearly tripping over your own feet as you rushed to meet him. You heard whistles and cheers around you, friends and strangers alike urging you both on.

As soon as you reached each other, he was throwing his arms around your waist, crushing you to him. You laughed musically, despite the tears that were running from your eyes. You held him tightly, one hand coming up to cradle the back of his head.

“I did it,” he whispered in your ear. Then he laughed. “I did it, honeybee!”

You pulled back to gaze into his beautiful face. Honeybee. Oh, how you’d missed that nickname. “You did, Rhett,” you echoed. “I’m so proud of you.”

He lingered, shining eyes locked with your own. The surrounding activity faded into the background, and it felt as if you were the only two people in the entire world. You were suddenly very aware of the warmth of his body against yours. The feeling of his chest heaving in time with his breaths. The beating of his heart. If only for a moment, you were transported back to a time when you were so in love. 

It hit you like a punch to the gut, stealing all the oxygen from your lungs in one fell swoop.

Oh my god, I’m still in love with him. 

You let go of him as if you’d been stung, and before he could react, he was flooded with congratulatory hugs and pats on the back. You faded into the background and watched him receive showers of attention. But you were reeling, trying to process the emotions swirling through you, much like the tornadoes you used to chase. 

What were you going to do with this knowledge? You supposed it had always been there. From the moment you saw him when you returned to Wabang, the feelings that had been dormant for six years were brought back to the surface. 

You were supposed to have moved on. But the truth was, you never had. 

You couldn’t do anything about it. It felt like the worst possible time to realize you loved him. You had a job and a life back in Maryland. You couldn’t make a relationship work with him, even if you wanted to. 

It was no surprise that you found yourself in the parking lot, wanting to be away from the crowd. Wanting space. If you’d driven yourself to the rodeo, you would already be leaving. But you were dependent on other people to get you back to the Abbott's. And you certainly weren’t about to walk back by yourself. 

Instead, you found yourself leaning against Royal’s truck, your mind moving a million miles a minute. Why couldn’t you just move on? You’d had plenty of time to do so. What was it about Rhett that rendered you unable to let him go? 

He was your first love. Your only love. You had tried dating other people, but nothing had worked out. You always chalked it up to you having high standards, but you realized that perhaps all this time, it had never worked with other people because you were still in love with Rhett. 

What a predicament to be in. 

You were still reeling slightly by the time the rodeo was over. It wasn’t long until you heard the sound of familiar voices. Amy’s voice rang out over the parking lot as she praised her uncle. 

“You were so awesome! I knew you would be! You looked so cool on top of that bull!” She rambled on. 

Rhett was grinning, face flushed, as he tugged Amy into his side for a hug. “Thank y’, Ames,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss the top of her head.

“The kid’s right, you knocked it outta the park, man,” you heard Danny say as he clapped Rhett on the back. Everyone else chimed in with their own two cents. 

You pushed yourself off of the truck and came into the light, integrating yourself back into the group. You wondered if any of them had noticed your absence.

“I think we should go out for ice cream to celebrate,” Finn suggested, at which Amy turned to her grandmother with wide, pleading eyes.

“Please, Gramma, can we?!” She begged, folding her hands beneath her chin.

Cecilia relented, a smile on her face as she leaned over and patted Rhett’s back. “Since it’s not a school night, why not?”

As Amy clapped in excitement, Rhett lifted his head, and he caught you looking at him. You held his gaze. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he opened his mouth, as if to say something, but his attention was pulled away again by the sudden weight of Royal’s hand on his back.

A wordless “I’m proud of you, son.”

Rhett didn’t get to speak to you until after you’d all settled in at Marigold’s Ice Cream Parlor. After everyone had ordered their respective ice creams and milkshakes, and you stood nearby with two scoops of chocolate in a small cup, he approached you.

He had a cone of rocky road, his all-time favorite ice cream flavor. “Hey there,” he murmured, speaking lowly. He’d taken his hat off and left it in the truck, and he now sported a head of hat hair. 

“Hi,” you answered. You suddenly felt like a pair of shy teenagers.

“Are y’alright?”

“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” You didn’t mean to sound defensive, but that was how it came out.

Rhett shrugged, licking at his ice cream. “I dunno, you ran off after my ride. You looked kinda panicked. Just thought I’d check on ya and make sure you were alright.”

Should you tell him? Would it be foolish to do so? “Well, I…”

“Hey Rhett, c’mere!” Jeslyn’s voice suddenly sounded across the parlor, cutting you off, and he glanced over. She was waving at him, encouraging him to hurry.

“One sec!” He responded before he turned back to you, expectant.

“Sorry…sorry, yeah, I’m totally fine. The crowd was just a lot.”

You could tell he didn’t quite believe you. “Okay. Just, uh, just wanted to make sure.” He offered an endearing smile, and your heart clenched in your chest. “Anyway, you wan’ come join us?”

You nodded and followed him to the table where everyone was seated. You found yourself sitting between him and Danny, and if only for a little while, you pushed aside all the stressors and uncertainties and allowed yourself to melt into the lighthearted atmosphere created around that table in the little family-owned ice cream parlor.

You found yourself laughing along with Rhett’s family and friends, listening to stories and anecdotes, sitting through Amy’s dramatic retelling of an anime she’d watched. You realized that you felt like you belonged here. As if this was where you were always meant to be. Your story was supposed to intersect with the stories of those around you.

Your life was always supposed to intersect with Rhett’s.

No matter where you went, or how far you ran, he would always be part of you. He was ingrained in your bones. In the very cell makeup of your being. The red string of fate tied you together for all eternity. 

It was time you accepted that, and stopped trying to escape it.

So you chose not to fight it anymore. You let yourself care about him. Let yourself love him. And perhaps somewhere along the way, you would find it in yourself to tell him how you felt.

For now, you relished in the peace you felt with these people. And as you followed Royal, Cecilia, and Amy back out to the truck after your ice cream was long finished, you felt at ease for the first time in…well, as long as you could remember. 

Maybe everything was going to be okay after all.

That night, you found yourself in the kitchen, making yourself a cup of herbal tea to help relax your body, which was tense and sore from the events of the last several days. As you idly dipped the chamomile sachet in the mug full of hot water, you were alerted to the sound of the front door opening.

You turned to find Rhett stepping into the house. He’d come home around the same time you had, but he’d remained outside for a while, tinkering in the barn with the nitrogen trailer. It was completely repaired, and he was eager to get it back on the road for another chase soon.

As he toed his boots off quietly, he was made aware of your presence, and he offered you a sleepy smile. “Hey. Didn’t know anyone was still awake,” he murmured, socked feet padding against the floor as he walked into the kitchen.

“I couldn’t really sleep,” you replied, “figured I’d make some tea. Want some?”

He shook his head as he opened the fridge, leaning down to glance at its contents. “Naw. Ain’t a tea guy, remember?”

You couldn’t help but smile. Of course you remembered. The only tea he liked was sweet iced tea. Instead, he pulled a jug of milk from the fridge and poured himself a glass. You longed to occupy the silence, so you spoke.

“You were great tonight.”

He took a swig of milk and then gazed into his glass, swirling it in his hand. Then he looked at you, bashful smile on his face. “Thanks.”

“Think you’ll do it again?”

At that, he scoffed. “Hell no. I loved it, I gotta admit. But my arms and legs are so fuckin’ sore right now. I’m too old for it. My days of bull wranglin’ are over, that’s for damn sure.” He downed the rest of his milk before he set the glass in the sink. While he gazed out the window into the night, he continued. “Storm chasin’ is my calling now.”

You hummed softly, eyes falling to a random spot on the floor. You toed it with your slipper-clad foot. “For what it’s worth, I’m proud of you. I know it couldn’t have been easy.”

He turned to face you. “It wasn’t. But I’m glad I did it. Showed me I can face m’ fears and still come out stronger on the other side.”

“Yeah,” you quietly agreed. His words struck something in you. A strange ache in your chest. A yearning for something. 

He pushed away from the sink, how forehead crinkling as he raised his brows. “Welp, I’m gon’ jump in the shower and head to bed. See ya in the mornin’, girl.”

Before he could leave, you called out to him. “Rhett?”

He paused in the doorway of the kitchen, the orange glow of the counter lamp casting shadows over his handsome face. “Yeah?”

Your heart fluttered in your chest as you considered what you were about to say. “At the rodeo, after your ride, you, um, you called me honeybee.”

He hesitated, his body language stiffening slightly. “Oh, I did?” He brought a hand up to scratch the back of his neck. “Didn’t realize it.”

If the light had been brighter, you might’ve seen the tips of his ears turn pink. 

“What I’m trying to say is, I…I liked it.”

His sheepishness gave way into a small, crooked smile. “In that case, I meant t’say it then.” 

You couldn’t hide your own smile. “Reminds me of…” You trailed off. 

“Before. I know,” he agreed. 

You took a step forward. The words were on the tip of your tongue. The realization you’d come to when he held you in his arms after his ride. You could confess it to him. Tell him everything. 

“Uncle Rhett?” Suddenly, the small, tired voice of Amy cut through the tension in the air. 

The spell was broken. Rhett turned, seeking out the source of the voice. “What’s wrong, Ames?” He asked, moving to her aid. 

“I just need a glass of water.”

He stepped toward the staircase and held his hand out to her. “C’mon. Let’s get ya some water.”

He guided the girl into the kitchen, and you took that as your opportunity to sneak out while he tended to her. When he turned to look for you, you were gone. 

With your tea in hand, you crept up the stairs, careful not to spill any of the hot liquid as you went. When you made it to Rhett’s room, you set the cup down on the dresser and hurried to shut the door behind you. 

Letting out a breath, you closed your eyes. You had almost admitted everything to him right there in the middle of his kitchen. Part of you was glad for Amy’s interruption, while the other part was upset.

You knew your feelings would come out into the open sooner or later. 

But you also had some other things to consider now. More than just rekindling feelings for your first love. 

What Rhett said had struck you. Face your fears and come out stronger on the other side. 

You still had a deal to carry out, after all. If he could face years of trauma and fear and live to tell the tale, so could you.

You made your decision. You knew exactly what you needed to do. It was time to stop running from the danger, and instead, run toward it.

The next morning, you woke to the sun streaming in through the window. It was Sunday morning, which meant Cecilia would be rushing about, getting ready for church. You allowed yourself a few moments in bed, staring up at the ceiling, before you finally swung your legs over the edge and stretched.

You quickly readied yourself for the day, throwing on some clean clothes before you padded across the hall to brush your teeth. You could hear activity happening downstairs, and the smell of breakfast cooking reached your nose. 

Eager to join everyone, you finished your routine and then scurried down the squeaky old steps. In the kitchen, you found Rhett, Royal, and Amy all around the table as Cecilia flitted about the kitchen, finishing breakfast preparations.

Rhett saw you first, and his face broke into a smile, eyes glimmering in the golden sunlight that streamed in through the window over the sink. “G’mornin’,” he greeted.

Amy’s head popped up, and she grinned at the sight of you. “Oh, good! You’re up!” She exclaimed, rushing over to take your hand and usher you to the table. You giggled at her eagerness, and you didn’t miss the fact that she guided you to sit in the open chair next to Rhett.

“Mornin’, hon,” Cecilia called out as she stepped over to the table with a skillet full of bacon. “Get yourself a plate and have some breakfast! Was rushin’ this mornin’ so I forgot to set one out for you, I’m sorry.”

“I got it,” Rhett volunteered before you could even stand. He rose from his seat and retrieved a plate from the dishware cabinet.

“Thank you,” you told him, taking the plate from his outstretched hand and nodding to show your gratitude. His eyes lingered on your own before he took his seat beside you again.

“Are you guys in love?” Amy blurted from across the table. 

Rhett nearly choked on the sip of coffee he’d just taken. You hesitated, unsure of how to answer. Cecilia made a chastising sound, tapping her granddaughter’s shoulder in disapproval at the question. But you could see that even she was barely hiding a smile. Luckily for Royal, who was beside you, he could hide his own smile behind his coffee mug.

“What makes you ask that?” Was what you finally settled on as your reply, trying to sound nonchalant. You grabbed a biscuit from the bowl in the middle of the table, busying yourself with pulling the bread apart to be buttered.

“Gramma says you are.”

“Amy.”

“What?! You did say that.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean you should repeat it,” Cecilia scolded.

The girl huffed, shaking her head as she poked her fork at her scrambled eggs. “I just wanted to know.”

“Leave ‘em be, Amy,” Royal said, despite the amusement still on his features. He glanced at you. Even he knew the answer to the question Amy had asked. Thankfully, he’d saved you or Rhett the embarrassment of answering. You knew what you would have said, but were you ready to admit it out loud? Was Rhett?

Aside from the slightly awkward question from Amy, breakfast carried on without a hitch, but you were distracted, so many things heavy on your mind. Everything was about to change, you could feel it. Building in the distance, like an impending storm.

You volunteered to do the dishes to allow the rest of the family, sans Rhett, to get to church on time. Cecilia expressed her gratitude as she rushed Amy out the door, and soon, you were all alone in the house with Rhett.

“Y’alright? Got kinda quiet at breakfast,” he murmured as he helped you clear the table. 

Your heart skipped a beat. You turned, your eyes meeting his. “Yeah, I’m fine,” you assured him.

You stood there together at the kitchen sink, staring into each other’s faces.

“You sure?”

“Uh-huh.”

He leaned in closer. “Because if Amy’s question bothered you…”

He was so close you could smell his cologne. The proximity took your breath away. “Oh, um, it…it didn’t.”

“Good.” Did his gaze just flicker to your lips?

“Yeah. Good.”

He’d definitely looked at your lips. You caught him that time. A look of longing swirled in the deep blue, and you suddenly felt as if you were drowning, swallowed up in an ocean. Your chest went tight. You could barely breathe, and yet, you’d never felt more alive. 

“What would you ‘ve told her, if you answered her question?” He inquired.

I would tell her that I love you. I never stopped loving you. And I never will. 

“I…” 

You lost your train of thought, dizzy at his proximity, at his smell, at the sound of his hitched breaths. It was as if an invisible force was between you, pulling you toward each other. Your mouth parted, but no words came out. 

He was going to kiss you, and you were going to let him.

And then, as if the universe was playing a terribly cruel joke on you both, the sound of pounding on the door made you both jump apart as if you’d been struck by lightning. Your hand flew to your chest, pressed over your racing heart as a shock of fright sizzled through you.

“Jesus,” Rhett grumbled under his breath as he whirled around, crossing the floor in a few big strides before he threw open the front door, only to reveal Danny on the other side of the door.

“Didn’t you get my text?!” Danny asked, chest heaving. 

“What? No! I ain’t even looked at my phone since this mornin’!” Rhett answered, breathless.

“Nasty storm’s rolling in! Up in Coal County!”

“Shit, gimme one sec, I’ll meet you guys outside!” He turned on his heel and rushed to grab his phone from the living room, where it was charging. Then he retrieved his hat from the peg near the door.

You watched him scramble, preparing to meet another storm head-on, and you knew, it was now or never. Before you even registered what you were doing, your feet were carrying you forward, out of the kitchen, right to the door.

“Rhett,” you heard yourself call out his name.

He stopped in the doorway, turning to look at you, one foot on the floor, the other on the porch. “Yeah?”

You squared your shoulders and spoke more confidently than you ever had in your life. “I’m coming with you.”

A silent understanding passed between you both. He nodded his head, and simply replied, “Let’s go.”

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[alittlegiraffe]

Title: The Space Between Us

The fight played over and over in your mind. It wasn’t just the shouting or the hurtful words that stung—it was the look in his eyes before he left. The fire that usually burned there had been replaced by something colder, something you didn’t recognize.

After the door slammed, you stared at it for what felt like hours. A part of you wanted to chase after him, to yell at him to come back, but your pride kept you rooted in place.

Days passed, and then a week, and then another. At first, you told yourself that the space was good. Maybe you both needed time to cool off, to think. But when his calls and texts didn’t come, a hollow feeling settled in your chest.

You tried to go about your days like normal, but everything reminded you of him. The hoodie he left on the back of the chair still smelled like him. The playlist he made for you—filled with songs he swore were "your vibe"—played on repeat in your car, no matter how many times you tried to skip past it.

And the nights? They were the worst. The bed felt too big, too cold without him next to you. You’d reach out in your sleep, only to wake up to the cruel reminder that he wasn’t there.

Marshall’s Side

Marshall paced the small studio apartment he’d rented for a while, running his hands through his hair in frustration. The fight haunted him. He hated the way he’d walked out, the way he’d let his temper get the best of him.

But he also hated how raw he felt. You had a way of cutting through all his walls, hitting nerves he didn’t even know existed. And as much as he tried to convince himself he needed the space, every second away from you felt like torture.

His friends told him to give it time, to wait until things cooled down. But deep down, he knew he’d already waited too long.

Three Weeks Later

It was raining when the knock came. You’d been curled up on the couch in an old sweatshirt, flipping through channels you weren’t really watching. At first, you thought it was just the wind, but then it came again—louder this time.

Your stomach flipped as you made your way to the door. A part of you hoped it was him, but after all this time, you weren’t sure.

When you opened the door, the sight of him stole the air from your lungs.

Marshall stood there, drenched from the rain, his hoodie clinging to him and his hands buried in his pockets. His eyes locked onto yours, searching, pleading, and for the first time in weeks, you saw him—the real him. Not the angry man who left, but the man you loved.

“Hey,” he said, his voice quiet, almost unsure.

“Hey,” you replied, gripping the doorframe for support.

For a moment, neither of you moved. The rain poured around him, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“I don’t even know where to start,” he admitted, his voice breaking. “I was an idiot. I shouldn’t have left like that. I was angry, and I let it get the best of me. But not a day has gone by that I haven’t regretted it. I miss you. I miss *us.*”

Your heart twisted painfully. Tears welled up, blurring your vision. “I missed you too,” you said, your voice trembling. “I shouldn’t have pushed you like that. I was just… scared.”

He stepped closer, his expression softening. “Scared of what?”

“Of losing you,” you whispered. “And then I did.”

Marshall let out a shaky breath and reached out, his hand brushing yours. “You didn’t lose me. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

You hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and wrapping your arms around him. He held you tightly, his face buried in your hair.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “For everything. For shutting you out, for walking away. I don’t want to be that guy.”

You pulled back just enough to look at him, your hand cupping his cheek. “And I don’t want to be the one who makes you feel like you have to. We’re a mess, Marshall, but I love you. I just… I love you.”

His lips curved into the faintest smile, and he leaned down to press his forehead against yours. “I love you too. More than you know.”

The kiss that followed was slow and tender, filled with all the words you hadn’t said and all the promises you silently made.

That night, you stayed up talking. About the fight, about what you both needed to do better, about everything and nothing. And when you finally fell asleep, tangled in each other’s arms, the weight that had been sitting on your chest for weeks was gone.

Because Marshall was home. And this time, you knew he wasn’t going anywhere.

[milla-frenchy]

Firestarter

4k7 | Joel Miller x fem reader x Tommy Miller x Veracruz Chapt summary: a guard you don't know comes to visit you Warnings: 18+ mdni. dark. dubcon (captivity, threats), dirty talk, dvp, gangbang, degradation, knife play, praise kink, oral (f/f, m receiving), violence, a little blood, ass play, light rimming, slapping, spanking, unprotected piv, creampies Writer chose not to use all warnings. If you need to know before you read, DM me a/n: Thank you Kate @not-a-unique-snowflake-blog for the ideas, and for beta-ing me as always 💕🫶🫶 The Prodigy - Firestarter | playlist | ao3 | series masterlist

Main masterlist | Part 2

“That’s it baby. Fuck her with your tongue” Joel said, as he was thrusting into you from behind.

He had been fucking both of you since the beginning of the evening, and you had already cum several times. Sometimes he would pause to watch you two kiss, touch, lick each other, while he was lazily jerking off, before starting to fuck one of you again.

She was lying in front of you, her thighs open and her pussy dripping, and you were never tired of pleasuring her, whether with your fingers or your tongue.

She was holding her breasts and moaning. Sometimes her fingers would squeeze your hair, before going back to caress her breasts. You knew she was playing with her body and mind, making her orgasm approach and then slow it down, and you couldn't help but smile as your tongue delved into her as deep as possible. You lapped at her hole, from which little wetness flowed, you were so greedy to lick everything from her. 

Sometimes you lingered on her clit with the tip of your tongue. And sometimes you lapped all the way to her ass, lingering on her tight ring. Very quickly, you had wanted to lick and caress every inch of her body, and you couldn't get enough of it.

You often slept together, and regularly Joel, Tommy or one of the guards would wake you up at night. Her presence reassured you, and made things easier. Although overall, everything was going “well”. According to Joel's rules.

Joel’s hands were clinging to your hips and you heard him moan louder and louder. He slid his hand up to your clit and stroked you.

“I want you to come. Both of you.”

You slipped two fingers into her pussy, fingering her the way she liked it. Night after night, you got to know her body, her sensitive places, the ones she didn't react to. You learnt how to do it, wanting to please her when both of you had sex.

Your lips hovered over her clit before you sucked it gently. Then your tongue played with it, swirling it under your tip. Without realizing it, you were applying the same rhythm with your tongue that Joel was applying with his fingers, on your clit.

You did your best to still concentrate and make her cum. She was moaning, and said “Fuck me with your tongue, honey.”

You stuck your tongue in her pussy and she started to caress her clit with her fingers. You looked at them, the way they moved, and you were captivated by her gestures.

You felt her pussy tighten around your fingers.

“I’m gonna come baby… I… Fuck… fuck yeah.”

You came to lap at her clit, mixing your tongue with her fingers, then, one last time, you pushed your tongue into her pussy to drink it all, taking everything from her. Her spasms became less frequent and you let your pleasure rise. Two minutes later you were cuming under Joel's fingers, your eyes still fixed on her pussy and on her stomach which rose and fell to the rhythm of her breathing.

“Lie down,” Joel said, pulling out of you.

You lay down and couldn't help but turn towards her and kiss her before rolling back onto your back. Joel looked at both of you, standing against the bed and jerking off quickly, hand clenching his shaft tightly. He looked from one to the other, and came, his jaw clenched, the ropes of cum hitting your two bodies.

Before leaving, he told her that the next evening she was going to the usual house, and that she would meet Tommy, two other guards, and him there.

The next evening, after she left, you heard the door open and then footsteps on the stairs. A guard you didn't know came into your room. Thirties, brown hair, very light beard. Piercing gaze. He was wearing tactical clothes.

“I’m Veracruz. Ever heard of me?”

“No I haven’t. Should I have?”

He didn’t answer.

You stared at each other without saying another word for a few moments before he asked, “What are you waiting for? Get on your knees.”

Ok, you weren't in a 5 stars brothel, but his attitude was different from what you had dealt with so far.

“Um…Joel isn’t with you?”

He pointed his arm at the bedroom door, turning to face it, as if your stupid question required no other answer.

You got down on your knees. He moved closer until his crotch was a few inches from your face and with a nod he motioned you to unbutton it. You did as he wanted and pulled his cock out of his pants. It was thick, long. Two big veins on the same side.

“Why are you staring? Suck it.”

Given his attitude, there was no point in taking your time, you dropped your saliva on his cock and started to suck him, while jerking him off with one hand.

Quickly, he placed his hands on either side of your head and fucked your mouth. Not so much that you would choke on his cock, but quite roughly. You looked up at him, trying to catch his eyes, but his head was tilted back and his eyes were closed. Suddenly he stopped his movement, holding you against him and pushing his cock further into your throat.

“Keep it in”, he said, his eyes on you this time.

He released you and you coughed, trying to catch your breath while holding your throat. When you glanced up, he was smiling, looking at you.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” you asked him.

“You’re just a slut who’s here to get fucked, did you forget or something?”

“Not… not like that. There are rules.”

“Mmmm sure. And deep throats aren’t allowed?”

“Yes… yes they are. Of course but…”

“Okay so stop whining, and take it once again. Stick out your tongue.”

You obeyed, and he placed the tip of his cock on your tongue, enjoying its movements towards your mouth, then pulling it back. He leaned down and spat on his cock, stopping to watch his saliva drip into your mouth.

Despite his unpleasant demeanour, you found him hot.

“Get on all fours, now.”

You got yourself on your hands and knees. Veracruz did pulled your panties aside and spread the folds of your pussy.

“Are you acting prude while you're wet como una puta?”

Before you had time to respond, you heard metal brush against fabric. By the time you were wondering if he was holding a knife, he grabbed your panties with one hand and cut the fabric with the blade.

You tried to get up but he grabbed your hip. “It’s just a knife, baby. I like things a little… spicy.” He threw the knife on the bed.

​He grabbed his cock in his hand, rubbing the tip against your folds, soaking it with your wetness. He stroked his cock several times and you felt that you were getting even wetter, with his head rubbing your clit. Finally, he rested his cock against your entrance and pushed. He grunted as he thrusted into you. He placed both his hands on your hips and began to fuck you.

“That’s good. So good. Your pussy’s good.”

He was fucking you thoroughly, and you forgot about the knife.

He was giving it to you so well, actually, that you accompanied his movements and began to fuck yourself on his cock, stretching your ass back to hit against his hips.

“What a slut… you like it, huh?”

You moaned without responding, and he pulled your hair.

“Fucking answer me when I ask you a question.”

“Yes! Yes I like it.”

He released you and started fucking you harder.

“Fuck! Such a whore. You take it good, damn.”

His attitude and the way he fucked you made you melt. You couldn't help but moan, louder and louder. You liked his roughness, the way he spoke to you.

Each stroke threw you forward, and with each stroke he squeezed your hips again so that you impaled yourself on his cock, and you followed his movements with pleasure.

He pulled out of you, and commanded, “Turn around now. On your back."

You did as he said, and he jerked off, looking at you, kneeling on the bed, before grabbing the knife again.

“Let’s play a little bit, okay?”

"What do you mean?" You tried to keep your voice steady.

“Just to test your sensitivity.”

He lay on top of you and placed the blade against your throat. You tensed up and he said “Stop fidgeting. I know the rules. Do you think I'd do something to piss Joel off?”

You relaxed. He was right. He was probably just a little more “playful” than the other guards.

He ran the blade from one side of your throat to the other, before moving up to one of your ears, without taking his eyes off you. He smiled when your hairs stood up.

He then slid the blade down to one of your breasts and then your nipple. You looked at him, transfixed, when he put his mouth on your nipple and sucked it. He was doing it well and you moaned. He stood up and picked up his knife again, placed it at your sternum, and slid the blade down. He placed the tip of the blade on your navel, cutting you slightly. A bead of blood appeared and he leaned down to lick it off.

“Sorry, baby,” he said.

His behavior excited you and the adrenaline drove you crazy. You squirmed on the bed, waiting for what was going to happen next.

“You want my cock?”

You nodded.

“Ask for it then, slut.”

“Give me your cock. Fuck me.”

He smiled and said “Joel found a damn bitch….”

He placed the knife on the nightstand, took off his shirt, keeping his pants on, and lay on top of you, pushing his cock into your pussy in one stroke.

“Fuck!”, you said.

He licked your skin from your collarbone and your ear, before coming to bite on your earlobe.

He whispered in your ear, “Fuck… it feels good to fuck a pussy that doesn’t smell like piss.”

You froze, and he grabbed his gun from the back of his pants. He pointed it at your temple.

“Who… who are you?”

“I’m one of the guards of the shithouse. And I'm tired of always fucking the same two bitches. So from time to time, I'm gonna come here and fuck you. And you’re not gonna say anything to Joel, or anyone, because I guarantee if you do I’ll open your smile from one ear to the other.”

You watched him telling you this, as he thrusted in you again. He put the gun down and gripped your throat with his hand, stopping his hips movement.

“Do you understand what I’m saying?”

You nodded and he grabbed your chin.

“Fuckin answer me.”

“Yes! Yes I understand.”

“That’s better. Now I’m gonna fuck you, like I wanna fuck you. I'm afraid I'm not gonna be very gentle. And you're gonna shut up, okay? I like when bitches scream, but unfortunately I can't attract too much attention with you. You understand?"

“Yes,” you replied.

"Good."

He thrusted into you suddenly and you screamed.

“You’re cute,” he said, chuckling.

His cock was sinking into you and despite the situation you couldn't help but feel pleasure. He knew exactly how to fuck you. He asked you to get on all fours again, plunged into you, and spat on your ass, dragging saliva with his thumb.

“No! No please…”

“Mmmm…  It’s sad, but I can't fuck your ass today. I don't have time for that and I can’t hurt you. Now come on, you remember what Joel wants, don't you? He wants you to cum. I don’t really care, but we have to respect the rules, right?”

He pressed a little more on your ass with his thumb, and you had a hard time relaxing.

“I won't stop until you cum. So if you want it to end, you know what to do.”

You bent your elbows to rest on your forearms, and you began rubbing yourself. He slowed his movements and went less deeply. You focused on your body, and he felt your pussy starting to contract and said “what a slut. You’re gonna cum on my cock after I threatened you with my gun 5 minutes ago.”

Your pussy clenched, and you came hearing his words.

“Yeah… just like that. What a fucking whore. It’d be cool if you joined the shithouse. You know that's what's gonna happen if Joel finds out you let me fuck you, right?”

You froze when you heard him.

He kept pounding you, his cock going deep with each stroke.

“Maybe he'll beat the shit out of me as an example, but you'll end up covered in piss and cum from morning to night.”

“No please… don’t tell him…”

He grabbed one of your breasts and pulled you up against him, continuing to fuck you as harder as ever.

“Then I guess you’ll have to let me fuck you, each time I want to, and how I want to.” He released your breast and pushed you forward again, forcing you to support yourself on your hands. He slammed into you with one hard thrust, bottoming out, and staying buried inside you for a few moments.

He grabbed the gun and slid its barrel down your spine, up to your ass. He pressed the muzzle against your ring, his left hand still clinging to your hip.

“I’m gonna cum… fuck…”

He pulled out and spread your ass cheeks, placing his tip against your ass. He jerked off and came against your ring, and said “mmmmm…next time.”

He stood up and you collapsed against the mattress.

Before leaving, he told you “Remember, if you don’t want to end up in the shithouse, you keep your mouth shut.”

That night, you slept with the sheets tight against you, hoping no one would come. Nobody came. You didn't know what to do after what he told you. The next day at breakfast, she tried to talk to you but you had difficulty maintaining the conversation. A few days passed without anyone coming. You and her slept together a few times, but you didn’t fuck. Several times she looked at you thoughtfully, but you said nothing to her.

A guard came to pick you up a week later, to take you to the house. Joel and Tommy were there when you arrived.

“It’s been a while baby, I missed you”, Tommy said, holding you close against him, his hands gripping your ass. You felt better, his body against yours. You were used to him, to Joel, and their familiar presence reassured you.

“We’ll wait for him before we start, Tommy,” Joel said.

“Yeah I know, I know. But I wanna fuck that pretty pussy, man”, he said smiling and spanking you lightly before releasing you.

The door opened, and Veracruz entered. You turned to Joel, trying to keep your surprise to yourself.

“Who… who is it?”

“A shithouse guard. He's getting a little impatient there. He’s a good guard, so I figure he deserves a little reward.”

“Are you and Tommy gonna stay?”

"Yeah. Veracruz is the nervous type. I don’t want him to damage you”, he laughed.

Veracruz smiled as he looked at you and you felt panic overcome you. You were afraid that Joel would find out what happened and send you to the shithouse.

“Are you ok? You look a little pale”, Veracruz smirked.

Joel looked at you and asked if you were okay.

"Yes, yes. Sorry. I didn’t know the shithouse guards could… fuck us.”

“You have to give rewards from time to time, baby. Now go get undressed and lie down.”

You began to undress, trying to stop the anxiety that kept building. You felt your heart beating quickly. Way too fast. You were afraid that Joel and Tommy would realize something was wrong, that you already knew Veracruz.

You felt the tears welling up and you narrowed your eyes to stop them, as you unbuttoned your blouse then took off your pants. You grabbed the hem of your panties but Veracruz said “no, keep them. Go lie down.”

You realized that your eyes were glued to the floor as he spoke, and you forced yourself to look at him before going to lay down on the bed. Veracruz followed you and took out his knife. The same he had already used on you. You looked at Joel, scared. He just nodded, looking at you.

“Spread your thighs”, Veracruz ordered.

He dragged the blade against the hem of your panties, just below your belly button, and yanked upwards, tearing the fabric in one swipe. Your thighs clenched, as your stomach shook with fear. Not scared that he would hurt you per se. Scared that you could no longer contain yourself, no longer pretend that it was the first time you met him. And then what Joel would do with you.

He slid the blade under the fabric again, and tore it a second time, almost all the way to your clit.

“Ok that’s enough. Put the knife aside now”, Joel said.

“Sure boss”, he replied. 

He grabbed your panties and tore them in half with his hands, then he unbuttoned his pants and spat into his hand. He jerked off quickly and laid on top of you, thrusting in without waiting for you to get used to his girth. You held back a cry as you bit your lip, your fingers clenching on his biceps, trying in vain to stop him from sinking too far into you.

“Ah, fuck, that’s good.” 

He started to thrust into you, his cock hitting your cervix painfully. 

“This pussy’s not too stretched. Not like the ones I usually fuck. We really damaged those”, he laughed.

“This pussy’s perfect, man. And she’s such a slut, always ready to take it, right baby?” said Tommy, who had come closer. He didn't wait for you to respond, and slipped his cock straight into your mouth.

“Yeah, just like that. You’re a natural born sucker baby.”

Veracruz was leaning on his forearms, thrusting into you and watching Tommy’s cock slip in and out of your mouth.

“Yeah, such a whore, ready to take any cock, in any hole. Aren’t ya?”

You didn’t answer, trying to concentrate on Tommy’s member. Trying to think about something else rather than Veracruz’s length deep in your core. Tommy placed his hand on your cheek and said: “that’s it baby, keep going. You’re so good for my cock. Love your mouth. You know I do, right?”

You nodded and let Tommy impose his rhythm, he was using your mouth the way you liked it, and his praise was turning you on, as always. You were getting wetter and wetter, and the sounds of Veracruz's cock in your pussy couldn’t hide it.

“I wanna assfuck her, Joel”, said Veracruz, and you came back to reality, suddenly pulling your mouth away from Tommy. Your legs tightened beneath Veracruz without you being able to help it, and you looked at Joel, then at Tommy. You couldn’t make out what Joel was thinking, but Tommy was clearly surprised by your reaction. He turned to his brother, while Veracruz continued to pound you.

“Nah. Wanna try something new with her”, said Joel. “Get on all fours, and ride Tommy.”

Veracruz pulled out and stood up from the bed, visibly annoyed, as Tommy slid under you. Joel unzipped his pants, and you started to relax again. You have been used to both of them for several weeks now, and even though they were rough, your brain and body have accepted it.

Tommy grabbed his cock with one hand and rubbed it against your folds. He pressed his dick against your entrance, put his hands on your hips and thrusted into you. Veracruz started jerking off while looking at you. You threw your head back at the sensations of Tommy’s cock spreading your pussy, as you impaled yourself on it. You loved feeling it inside you, feeling that cock you knew well by now. Joel moved closer to the bed and Tommy grabbed your neck. “Suck my brother’s cock,” he said, as he turned your face towards Joel’s dick. You took it into your mouth, letting him sink in. He growled and pinched one of your nipples. You looked up at Joel as he fucked your mouth, one hand resting on the back of your neck. Tommy lay almost motionless, and you rolled your hips on his cock.

“That’s it baby. Fuck yourself on my dick. You’re so pretty, your mouth full of my brother’s cock.” Once again, Tommy’s praise was turning you on, and you tilted your pelvis slightly to rub your clit against his lower abdomen while continuing to suck Joel.

“You’re gonna make yourself come baby? Look at that, Tommy, she’s using your cock like a perfect whore.”

“She always does, huh? Such a good slut for these cocks. And this time, she has three real cocks for her, capable of fucking her for more than 2 minutes.” You moaned, hearing them talking about you as if you weren’t even there. Both brothers laughed thinking about the guard who always had fucked you badly, while Veracruz continued to jerk off. You felt your arousal rising even higher and you kept grinding yourself against Tommy. Your moans were increasing, and Joel withdrew from your mouth.

“That’s it, baby. Come on my brother’s cock. You’re doing great. Soak his dick with your juice.”

As you were cuming, you let yourself go forward on Tommy's torso, and Joel knelt behind you, positioning himself at your entrance, against Tommy's cock already buried inside your cunt. You felt him push and you said “Joel no, that’s too much!” Tommy held you against him, preventing you from turning around.

“Shut up, you’re drippin’. You’re gonna take us both, relax”, said Joel.

He placed his hand on your back to press you completely against Tommy’s torso and he thrusted in slowly, gripping his cock firmly with his hand. You felt your pussy spreading apart around this second cock sinking inside you, tears in the corners of your eyes.

“You’re gonna do it, baby. You’re the best slut we’ve ever fucked,” Tommy said in your ear. You didn't know if he said that because he thought so, or because he knew it would make it less painful. Joel had his eyes fixed on his cock, as he thrusted into you, inch by inch.

​“Breath baby… It’s ok. Oh fuck that’s good”, added Tommy.

Joel reached all the way down and grabbed your hips, holding you completely down on those two cocks deep inside you. The feeling was so strong that you wondered if you were going to pass out. You felt your eyes roll and Tommy slapped you lightly so you could come to your senses.

“Hey, baby, what’s goin’ on? These two fat cocks are too much for you?” He and Joel laughed and Veracruz added “damn…you’re tearing that bitch apart.”

Joel started to pull back and you groaned. Tommy grabbed your chin to force you to look at him.

“The best pussy I’ve ever fucked. And we fucked a lot of them.”

Joel thrusted in again, faster. He said “Veracruz, come get your dick sucked.” Veracruz immediately moved closer, pushing his cock into your mouth.

Both brothers were thrusting into you, Tommy moving slowly, while Joel held back less and less. You were trying to suck Veracruz off as best you could, considering your pussy being spread wide by the two members.

“Ready to take my place Veracruz?" asked Joel. "Ain’t gonna last, that pussy’s squeezin’ me so fuckin’ hard. I’m gonna fill her up.”

“Who are you askin’, man”, the guard replied.

Joel grunted, thrusting in 3, 4 more times, and he came deep inside your pussy, his fingers digging into your hips. He finally pulled out and you moaned. You felt the mattress rise, with Joel's weight off, then lowering again as Veracruz settled in behind you. He grabbed your neck with one hand, and guided his cock into your pussy with his other hand in one go, helped by Joel's cum leaking out.

“Can’t believe you can fuck that bitch day and night”, said Veracruz, pounding in you.

“I’m gonna come baby. I’m gonna shoot my cum in your fuckin’ pussy,” said Tommy.

He turned your head to the side, to make you look at Joel, and said “every time I fuck you, it makes me even harder when I think about the cocks your holes can take.” He gave you a hard hip thrust, and came deep in your pussy, mixing his cum with Joel's.

Veracruz pulled back slightly to let Tommy get up off the bed, before thrusting in again, roughly this time.

Joel said “Tommy, let’s go.”

You shouted “NO!”, afraid that Veracruz might hurt you, without Joel and Tommy.

He grabbed your hips, as all three stopped when they heard you.

“Why don’t you want to stay with him?”

“I…I don’t know. I’m not comfortable with the idea of being alone with him… He doesn’t have the same rules.”

"Sure he does know the rules well. Right, Veracruz?”

“Of course, Joel.”

“See? No problem.”

“Please, Joel…” you pleaded. Veracruz started fucking you again, oblivious to your worry, and Joel and Tommy left, leaving the door open.

“My turn, bitch.”

He spanked you, and sank in, his hand fixed on your neck, forcing you to keep your ass up. Grunting at each thrust.

“You’re so full of cum, fuck, it turns me on.”

He grabbed his knife and pressed the blade to your throat, still pounding you hard.

“What are you gonna do, now that you’re alone with me?”

“You can’t hurt me. They’d know.”

“Yeah, but I can still have a little fun with you.”

He thrusted in you slower, and moved the knife lightly from under your chin to your ear.

“I can’t wait to come fuck you in your bed.”

You were paralyzed, already afraid of the moment he would come into your bedroom. Afraid that Joel would  know.

He dropped his knife, pulled your hair, and added, “I really can’t wait to fuck your ass, baby.”

You heard his breathing speed up, until he came deep inside your pussy as well. He spanked you one last time, pulled out and buttoned his pants. Before leaving, he whispered in your ear, “See you next time, baby. I can’t wait.”

You got dressed, trying not to cry. 

When you came out of the house a few minutes later, all the guards were in the yard. Veracruz had blood running down his chin, and Joel was standing in front of him.

He shouted “shithouse guards, fuck shithouse girls. Unless I allow them to fuck one of the other girls.”

He pulled a revolver from the back of his pants, pressed the muzzle to the guard’s forehead and shot Veracruz with no warning. You covered your mouth with your hand, horrified, scared of what would happen to you.

“At least, he got laid before he took that bullet”, he laughed, looking at Tommy.

“My women, my rules!”

The guards left, and Tommy told you to go back to your bedroom.

A few minutes later, Joel joined you and leant against the door.

You murmured, “How did you know?”

“Your girlfriend said you didn’t wanna fuck her. That you seemed sad and tense, she was worried. I talked to some guys. Someone said Veracruz was smug, a few days ago. Your attitude earlier confirmed what happened.”

“Why did you let him fuck me today?”

“To teach you a lesson. You should’ve told me.”

“When I understood he was one of those guys, he said…” you stopped talking.

“What did he say?”

“He said if you knew I had let him fuck me, you’d put me in the shithouse as a punishment.”

“Well obviously that was bullshit. Don’t ever hide something from me anymore. Got it?”

You nodded.

“This pussy’s mine. I allow some guys to fuck it, but it’s mine. All the pussies are mine, here. If a guy doesn’t respect that, he’s dead.”

He left.

Part 4

**********************

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[bloatedandalone04]

Santa, Baby

➪the one where you and hayden celebrate christmas.

Warnings: fluff, fluff, rushed writing

Word Count: 1.5k

Do not repost this anywhere, reblogs are fine ♡ | Merry Christmas!

The sun was barely up as Hayden slowly opened his eyes and stared at the closed curtains for a few seconds. He adjusted to the dim light that filled the room before turning over and pulling your body closer to his chest. 

It was as if his body knew what day it is as when he closed his eyes, sleep never came to him. And, after nearly six years together, Hayden is more than aware of the fact that Christmas is your favorite holiday. 

Sure, you decorated the house for Halloween and even for Easter, but he had never seen so many red and green things in his entire life before he met you. You went all out every December and kept the decorations up well into the new year as well, claiming to not be ready to take them down every single time he asked if he could start putting them away. 

While he was wide awake now, you were still sleeping peacefully in his arms, your head not resting on your pillow but instead on his bicep. You were only wearing one of his old tees and bright red underwear that had HO HO HO written in cursive on the back, and Hayden would’ve found that hot if he didn’t already find it undeniably cute and so you. 

He was wearing nothing on top and black briefs he had slipped on the prior night after spending most of Christmas Eve wrapped around you in the sheets once the guests had cleared out. You had thrown your third Christmas party since being with him last night and you were both a bit tipsy when you took his hand in yours and pulled him with you in the direction of your shared room. 

Hayden was a bit scared to leave this room and see how much of a mess yours and his friends left for the two of you to clean up. He was even  more scared to listen to the Christmas playlist you had been playing on repeat for the past four weeks while you and he cleaned up the mess.  

You sleep for a little while longer, with Hayden staying with you the whole time until your eyes slowly open. Then you were jumping up and standing above him, your feet placed on either side of his waist as you grinned down at him. “Baby!” You excitedly say. “It’s Christmas! Hayden, it’s Christmas!”

Hayden is powerless to stop the smile from forming on his lips as he grips the backs of your knees and pulls you down so you are straddling his waist. “I know, baby,” he murmurs, sitting up and placing his hands on your hips. “I’m surprised I was awake before you were.”

You playfully roll your eyes and grab onto his shoulders. “How long have you been up?”

He shrugs, “Half an hour or so,”

“Hayden!” You gasp and lightly smack his shoulder before massaging that same place. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“Because we had a late night last night and you were pretty tired by the time I was done with you,” he answered and you blush almost immediately. “And you looked so cute. Quiet, but cute.”

You roll your eyes again. “Haha, you’re funny. Come on, we need to clean up before I give you your Christmas present,”

When you go to get off him, Hayden tightens his hold on your waist. “Before all of that, can you give me a kiss first? I’ve been holding off on kissing you since I woke up,”

You blush a bit more as you lean down and kiss him deeply, your hands sliding up and tangling in his hair. His grip on you tightens and guides your body forward, but before he could grind up against you and keep you in bed for the rest of the morning, you pull away with a teasing smirk. “There will be more of that later, if you can keep your hands to yourself long enough to help me clean up the house,”

Hayden laughs and lets you go, staying in bed and watching as you bend over to grab the matching plaid pajama pants you bought earlier this month. “What, that wasn’t my gift?” 

You stand up straight and toss the bigger size at him. “Nope,” you answer as the pants hit his face then fall onto his lap. 

He picks them up as you put yours on, “Can I get a hint?” 

You walk back over to him and press a quick kiss to his lips. “Nope,” 

Then you were pretty much sprinting out of the room and he was left to tug on the loose-fitting pants and follow after you. 

It was nearing eleven in the morning when you and Hayden finally finished cleaning up all the dishes and making the rest of your house look presentable, even though it was just you and him today. 

Hayden falls onto the couch and extends his arms out to you, gesturing for you to lay down with him. When you just shake your head with a small grin, he sits up a bit, “What? That was a lot of work, baby, come lay with me,” 

You shake your head again and walk backwards towards the guest room door. “I can’t,” 

He sits up completely at that as he watches you turn and place your hand on the doorknob. “Why not?”

“Because,” you trail off. “It’s time for your present.”

Before Hayden could further question your strange behavior, you open the door and a small Golden Retriever with a red bow wrapped loosely around its neck comes wandering out. “You didn’t,” he said and his voice must have caught the attention of the puppy as it began making its way over to him. “Baby, you didn’t.”

“I did,” you say as you follow after the puppy and sit next to your boyfriend while it sits at his feet. “You kept talking about how much you wanted a dog, and I grew up with Goldens so I know how sweet they are. I hope you love him.”

“Him? He’s a boy?” Hayden asked as he picked up the puppy. When you nodded he leaned over and pressed kiss after kiss to your cheek. “I love him, baby, he’s the best gift ever.”

You grin and reach over, scratching under the puppy’s chin. “I already picked out a name, I hope you don’t mind,”

Hayden shook his head, “What is his name?”

“Obi,” you answer and Hayden laughs loudly, petting Obi’s head after startling him with the sound. “I thought, since Ewan did me a favor and kept him at his house for a few days so I could surprise you, I’d name him after his character.”

Hayden keeps one hand on Obi and uses his other one to guide you into a kiss by gently gripping the back of your neck. “I love you,” he mumbles before kissing you again.

He pulls away and looks back at Obi, adjusting his  bow. “Merry Christmas, Hayden. Are you surprised?”

“Very,” he replied, his heart nearly melting when Obi settled on his lap. “How did you even get him in the guestroom? When?”

You shrug with a smile, “Ewan came with him last night. He put him in there while you were still getting ready. I hid your shirt so he could come in quickly while you were looking for it,”

Hayden looks over at you with a surprised laugh. “You’re sneaky,” he ruffles the top of Obi’s head again. “This makes my gift look bad.”

Nuzzling against his side, you smile at the two of them. “Nothing you give me will ever be bad,” you assure him. 

“Better get it out of the way,” he said, setting Obi onto your lap before getting up. He disappears into your room for a few seconds and you distract yourself by petting the new addition to the family. “Okay, here it is.” 

Hayden enters the living room again, and you are far too distracted to realize that he is now kneeling in front of you. 

“Baby,” he calls out to you and you hum, looking up at him. Your smile faded a bit when you took in his position, and your fingers tangled in Obi’s hair as your gaze narrowed on the small open box he held in his hand. Inside it was the prettiest ring you had ever seen.  “I love you. I have for six years now, and I will for the rest of my life. You mean more to me than anyone else in the world, and I promise that I will continue to make you happy for the rest of our lives. Will you-”

“Yes,” you cut him off, gently pushing Obi onto the cushion in order to throw yourself at Hayden. 

He caught you, moving to sit on the ground as you climbed onto his lap. “I didn’t even get to ask you-” “Yes,” you say again, kissing him multiple times, reiterating in between each one, “Yes, yes, yes. This is the best Christmas gift ever, baby, yes.”

[mermaidchansons]

Divine Indeed: Part Three

Neighbor!Terry Richmond x Divine Wells (black OC)

Story Summary: Divine Wells, a 31-year-old seamstress, deals with waves of change after she picks up her life and moves to San Diego for a new job. She thought she’d finally found peace in her new normal; until Oshun decided to push her path to collide with her fine ass neighbor, Terry Richmond.

Words: 2100+

Warnings: SMUT, 18+ minors do NOT engage (you’ll be blocked), mommy issues, tism is tisming real bad, cannabis usage

Series Playlist

Author’s Note: Woah, can’t believe we’re already on part three! I hope y’all catch my ‘roll credits!’ moment lmao. I wanna know, does anyone relate to Divine? Also, would you be able to resist Terry’s charm? Lemmie know <3 - Ashanti

Pt. 1 Pt. 2 Pt. 3 Pt. 4

Part Three

If Divine had to hand stitch another bead on a corseted gown, she was going to scream. She never thought an article of clothing would make her wish Olorun had created her. This one was a rush job, custom ordered by some famous artist’s team. Every day for the past two weeks, her workspace was a mess; seas of blue, silver, and green beads bestrewed it and found their way into her apartment. Divine would undress for bed every night and the clang of beads would hit her floor, rolling to god knows where. Sometimes sending a sharp pain through her foot when she happened to stumble upon them. I love my job, I love my job, I love my job. And she did love her job. Her backbreaking, finger-numbing job that she had manifested and waited for. She remembered laying on her parent’s living room floor, spinning tales of her dream job to her twin Seraphim. She just needed a small break from it. Thank goddess for a holiday weekend, maybe she’d get some feeling back in her hands.

S: So I guess no Breath of The Wild tonight?

Divine let out an exaggerated sigh and pulled her sleep shirt over her head. Friday nights were Switch nights for the Wells siblings. Pajamas, the $5.99 mix-and-match deal from the local pizzeria, and pre-rolls. Now, a new job and 652 miles later, they partied virtually. But it wasn’t the same for Divine. She didn’t miss her town, but she missed her sibling. Her twin never failed to make her smile. 

D: I’m sorry, Ser. They’ve been riding me to finish that project and I need sleep before I DIY death

S: You’re so valid, sib. Oh, heads up, mom says to call her

D: Ugh, don’t even start, I’m bout to knock out

S: Here’s a meme for your consolation *sends meme*

[a photo of an aurora borealis sky with a dragon leaning into frame and text that says ‘your man wouldn’t even fill a lesser soul gem’]

Divine chuckled tiredly, and rolled over into position: one leg up with her knee uncovered to offset the heat. Her eyes started to flutter closed when her phone buzzed. 

S: On some real shit though, you need to call her. I can’t keep playing the middleman

It had been three weeks, two days, and 5 hours since she last spoke to her mom. Her subconscious kept counting ever since she raised her voice at her mother for the first time in twenty-nine years. It was a day where a particular form of sadness clung to Divine and refused to leave; an unwanted host, sucking the serotonin out of her with a crazy straw. Baby Divine had always been regarded as moody or possessing an attitude by the adults around. But when the ‘big sad’ hit, there was nothing she could do to fix it. So she dared to feel her feelings and was honest when her mom asked how she was doing. 

She didn’t know if she wanted to vent or scream or cry. She just wanted to be comforted, to be told that everything was going to be okay. Looking back on it, Divine squirmed in bed, the slimy feeling of regret coating her mouth. She knew her mother was solution based. She knew her mother could not offer what she needed. She knew. And yet, she still tried to penetrate the wall that shrouded her mother’s understanding. A small part of her hoped that maybe this would be the time when she would be surprised by the response. Divine felt the small light of hope in her chest go out as soon as the words left her mother’s mouth. 

‘Did you use your tools?’ 

‘Have you asked the Orisha’s for guidance?’ 

‘You can’t keep letting these things devastate you’

‘You can’t let one thing dictate your entire day’

‘Stop being so dramatic’

Divine left the call breathless and broken, cutting her fingers on the pieces as she tried to pull herself back together. She was angry. Partly at her mother but mostly at herself. How could she be so childish to think that her mother would offer her the comfort that she searched for? As if her mother was capable of change; as if she hadn’t had similar conversations with her mother every time the unsolicited host reared its ugly head. She didn’t even remember what she screamed before hanging up suddenly. 

Sera was right and she knew it. She’d have to speak to her eventually. She hated it when her twin was right. Squeezing her eyes shut, Divine turned away from the phone to smoosh her face against her brightly patterned pillow. That was a problem for future Divine. She laid her hand against her protruding tummy and focused on her breathing. A trick a counselor had taught her in middle school that carried her for the last 16 years. Sucking in a deep breath, holding for four seconds, and breathing out for another four; her mind and all its worries drifted away. 

In the swirl of darkness, Divine felt scans of heat travel up her legs. Wet sounds of her arousal sounded in her ears, tightening her stomach as thick lips wrapped around her hardened bead. She stifled a moan while reaching out desperately. The sensation was building steadily, determined to tear her apart. A large calloused hand wrapped around hers and placed it atop waves of hair. Finally finding the strength to open her eyes, she leaned up to see the man who was so intent on pleasuring her. He was massive against her 5’2 frame. His shoulder blades rolled under his caramel tinted skin as he pushed her right thigh as far back as it would go. The new angle revealed more of his face. Divine caught sight of a dark, neat eyebrow before the man pushed two fingers into her dewy entrance. 

The steady pace of his fingers moving in and out of her tightened the coil in her abdomen, a guttural moan escaping her throat and betraying her. She’d never heard these noises come out of her mouth before. What was he doing to her? The man moaned against her sex in approval, speeding up his pace. Divine threw her head back in ecstasy, shutting her eyes once more to chase the orgasm she knew she needed. Her heart pounded as the tips of her ears set ablaze and the coil snapped. Her body seized up as she came, her hardened bead twitching discordantly against his tongue. He pulled his fingers out of her slowly, eliciting a deep hum from his lips. When Divine blinked away her tears, she was shocked to see a naked Terry of Level 5. Those same stormy ocean eyes staring directly into her soul, making her want to come all over again. Her mouth dropped as she watched him suck the evidence of her arousal off of his fingers. 

“Just like I thought you would taste. Divine, indeed.”

For a moment everything went black and Divine shot out of bed, thunder booming in her ears. She looked around the dark room before patting wildly and picking up her phone. 

6:00 AM

Missed Call from The Momster Mash 38 min. ago

Groaning, Divine covered her face with her Gajeel body pillow. She’d never felt so embarrassed. Terry was so kind the last time they saw each other and she couldn’t help but wonder what his lips tasted like while he talked. One conversation and he had invaded her mind. After giving herself a good talking to, she had nipped that kind of thinking in the bud; even going so far as to avoid him completely. She’d felt the chill of possibility creep up her spine when his thick lips parted into a smile. The weakness in her knees was a warning she knew to heed. So she swore off thinking about his piercing eyes and his wide biceps for good. Or, she at least thought she had. Her eyes darted to her ancestor table, then to her nightstand where Terry’s business card had been lying untouched for the past four weeks. The cold wet spot beneath her gave her pause and she looked out at the rain hitting her window with pleading eyes. 

“Oshun, please. Please leave me be. Please stop.” 

She definitely couldn’t text him now.

7:00 PM

Quack! Quack! Quack! 

Divine jumped at the sound of her alarm, scuttering to turn it off while never taking her eyes off the computer. Too many hours had passed since she started crocheting a cardigan after breakfast, or what Divine would consider to be breakfast: a piece of toast and a sweet potato latte from her new favorite coffee shop. The two items may have satisfied her mind, but her stomach thought otherwise. It wasn’t that Divine didn’t like food, it was just eating. The process of it. Having to sit down and dedicate the time to chew and drink and chew; it was an exercise in patience that she didn’t have. Food regret was also too much of a risk, so comfort food items were often exhausted. To the point where food began to taste bland and feel like a waste of time.

A loud and low grumble erupted from her tummy beneath her blankets. Pausing the gaming marathon, she scrunched up her face at the sound. She only had one sleeve left. Certainly, her stomach could wait for another hour or two- Grumbleeee. Groaning loudly, she threw her head back in defeat before rolling her chair back. She stretched her arms and legs as far as they could go, eliciting a symphony of pops and cracks from different body parts. Beelining into the bedroom closet, she hastily changed into something comfy and cute. She may not always like the task of eating, but she desperately needed an enchilada before her stomach made it known to the entire apartment complex that she was starving herself for a crochet project. 

Ordering a car in record time, Divine stood before her small altar with her hand on her chest. She closed her eyes tight and prayed to the ancestors and Orishas for peace of mind, a safe drive over, and to be treated with compassion. Going to a restaurant alone wasn’t a new thing for her, but having to go outside and deal with people was its own beast. Her phone alerted her that her driver was only two minutes away. Should she take her yarn with her? No, she’s already taking her switch and a journal. How many side quests did one person need for a dinner? Divine hesitated with her hand on the doorknob, before turning on her heels to go back to her messy craft table. She grabbed the half-unraveled ball of yarn and shoved it into her tote before walking out without another thought. 

Friday nights were a risky time to go out for dinner. Traffic downtown was already bad, but walking traffic was even worse. Couples and 21-year-olds filled the walkways, chatting so loud you could hear their conversation from around the corner. Divine had never been more happy to be a solo diner. No 45-minute wait or being seated in the middle of a bustling restaurant. She could grab a seat at the bar, order food from the bartender, and watch Black Lightening in peace. Simple as that; as long as this security line continues to move. 

The line was zooming past. But time seemed to slow the closer the stranger behind her got. She could practically feel his breath against her neck as the gap between them disappeared. Looking out of the corner of her eye, she watched the snooty-looking man teeter to the side impatiently; sneering at her before yelling at the person ahead to ‘speed up, bro’. He was bouncing up and down while clutching his girlfriend’s hand like a child. Her patience was thinning but there was only one person left in front of her. Divine turned the music up in her headphones to drown out his nasal voice. Inching up, she tried her best to keep a respectable gap between them while she fished out her ID. If he got any closer, she was going to give up on the entire crusade and go home hungry. 

A sprinkle of rain tapped against her face, making her look down and watch the feet in front of her enter the restaurant. Relief washed over her as she approached the door and handed over her info.

“Look who it is.”

Thanks For Reading!

@babybluepeaches @muse-of-mbaku @melaninmarvel @naturallyqueenie @howtoshuckatlife @goldieccentric @archivistofwakanda @alexundefined @minyara-kun @destinio1 @raysunshine78 @madamslayyy @notdsg @ghostfacekill-monger @soufcakmistress @greennightspider @bitchacho25 @jordanhelah @puremolasses @ajspencer1892 @monochrome-pineapple @psuedo4 @bubblyqueen @chaneajoyyy @blowmymbackout @tchallasbabymama @megamindsecretlair @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @jvzmine19 @ashanti-notthesinger

[k-n0-x]

༺ ♱✮♱ ¨:·Something Stupid-Chapter 3·:¨ ♱✮♱ ༻

A/N: Hii everyone! Sorry this chapter is a little later than usual, burnout happened, school happened, the whole shebang! This chapter is a doozy though, hope you all will love it <3

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Enjoy<3

꧁🥀☽💫✶♛🦢♕✶💫☾🥀꧂

The sun rays peek through your window and the birds’ chirps awake you from your slumber.

Or maybe it’s the snoring of a drowsy Adam, who was lying beside you, though you’ve inured yourself to his unconscious noises for ages.

You get up from your bed, just to almost have your legs give way under you, thanks to the fact that you had to be pounded by your husband, as you promised to him.

Last night felt like a chore. You feel really bad for thinking it, but it really did. 

You’re not an expert, but sex should feel enjoyable, by all sides involved, but with Adam, it feels like an obligatory activity.

You spend the next 25 minutes brushing your teeth, showering and getting ready for the day. Since there’s nothing to do at home (well, there’s nothing to do at home) you decide that this is a good time to be productive.

You head into the kitchen and scrutinise each and every ingredient that graces your pantry.

“Hmm, maybe this would work…”  You grab flour, eggs, milk and a frying pan…

꧁ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ꧂

The smell of buttery pancakes drifts throughout the kitchen. You sit down in your chair and take a bite of your breakfast.

The pancakes themselves were lovely; the consistency was just right and the flavour was something to die again for, courtesy of Heaven’s always perfect ingredients.

Heaven…. 

‘Perfect’ Heaven.

Up until a few weeks ago, you would have believed that sentimental saying that you hear being thrown around on multiple occasions, but now, those words seem like direct opposites of each other, an oxymoron even.

The mere thought of it sets an uneasy feeling in your stomach.

You shakily finish one pancake, and neatly leave the rest in the microwave. 

You have more pressing matters to get on about today, and pancakes aren’t one of them, though you want it to be. 

꧁ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ꧂

“Welcome to Heaven, how can I help?” The Saint looks up from his logbook with a face coloured with surprise when he recognises you.

“Y/N! How’ve ya been?” 

“I’m doing good,” you smile up at the angel behind the pedestal.

“So, what can I do for the wonderful wife of Adam, hm?” St. Peter clicks his tongue and finger guns.

“Well, Peter, is there a chance you could show me the list of Heaven’s recent residents? There’s a certain person I’m looking for…” Realisation hits you like a truck. Would this information be classified? You wouldn’t know until-

“Yeah sure, here!” The Saint passes you a page with written names and dates.

“This is a list of  Heaven’s newest angels from up to a month ago. I hope you find who you’re looking for!” 

“Thanks Pete, you’re a Saint,” 

“Well, I am Saint Peter after all, ah bye-bye!” 

Well that was easier than anticipated. 

Now you need a private place to mull it over…

You walk through the brightly lit heavenly streets and bump into someone, sending you and your papers flying.

“Oh my, misss, I am ssssso ssssorry,” The person bends down to collect the papers.

“No, no it’s fine, sorry-” your voice gets stuck in your throat. You take a close look at the person collecting your papers.

The person, or, you should say snake, was sporting a smart coat, top hat, and eyes in his hair?

He was familiar. Where have you seen him before?

Your eyes dilate in recognition.

He was pixel perfect to the mural that Charlie showed you the other day.

“Excuse me for asking, but are you Sir Pentious?” 

The snake demon, or angel, looks around before leaning in. 

“Depends on who’sssss asssking,”

“Oh uh,” you think for a moment. How do you explain that you know he was a demon, without seeming like a stalker of sorts. 

Clearly, this isn’t the subject to have casually in the street.

“Here, let me explain over tea and cookies, hm? My treat!” You grab the hand of Pentious gently and head to the nearest café.

꧁ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ꧂

“And ssso, thisss Adam guy just sssnapped me out of existence, and now I’m here, but without my egg boisss,” Pentious explains while indulging himself with a Pain un Chocolat, eyes welling while doing so.

“Huh, I see. So Charlie’s plan does work,” you mumble to yourself. “And I apologise for my husband, by the way,”

The snake pales, his skin now ashy.  “He’ssss, your husssband?” he instinctively pushes away from you in his seat.

“Yes, but don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you. I just promised Charlie that I would help her with the hotel and redemption and all that…”

“Oh I sssee. Here’ss my card if you need anything more,” He produces a card and hands it to you, and you accept it graciously, despite it having a slimy residue on it. 

“Great! I have to go now but it was nice meeting you,”  you shake his hand and leave the café.

꧁ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ꧂

“So, what’s it like having sex with the first man? What are your orgasms like?”

“Angel, don’t torment the poor girl,” 

“Whaat? Just askin’” Angel groans and puts his phone on the countertop of the bar.

Apparently, Charlie has gone AWOL, along with Vaggie and Lucifer, the three people that deserve to be the first people aware of the gratifying information you are holding.  

This tension is getting you antsy, but you answer your newfound bestie’s question.

“Overrated to be honest. Not meaningful in the slightest,” Your blunt answer stuns Angel and Husk for a moment.

“What’s this about orgasms?” You turn back to the entrance of the hotel.

Shit. 

The one person whom you didn’t want to hear you say that, was standing in front of you, holding about 10 shopping bags, his daughter and his daughter’s partner  following suit.

God, what must he think? You want to slam your head into the table, but you refrain yourself.

“Uh Dad?” Charlie taps her dad’s shoulder.

“Maybe let’s refrain from talking your way into the sex life of guests? Anyway, how are you, Y/N? I hope everything’s alright?” Charlie inadvertently snapping you out of your apparent embarrassment.

“Oh yes! Not just alright; absolutely amazing actually. I have important information to tell you so forgive me for my impromptu visit, but it clearly cannot wait,” you practically jump out of your chair, bursting with energy. 

My, you haven’t felt this emotion since…

Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

“Well, I did some digging and…” you grab the crusted card from your bag.

“Well, congratulations to you, Miss Charlie Morningstar, Princess of Hell, because your dream is a reality!” You flourish the card to Charlie, and she takes it.

She blinks. 

Everyone else blinks.

“Uh, what is this exactly?”

You groan. Fun police much? 

“Sinners can be redeemed, I found Sir Pentious in Heaven just this morning,” you concede, impatiently tapping the card.

“Wait really? You aren’t just messing with me?” Charlie’s eyes practically shone with stars.

“Angels aren’t known for that darling.” 

As soon as you say that Charlie squeals and jumps up and down, ecstatic.

“Thankyouthankyouthankyooouuuuuu!” She gushes and hugs you extremely tight, constraining your lungs, but you really don’t care.

“This is a pleasant surprise,” You pull away to have Alastor behind you, with that ever-so-familiar-yet-unpleasant grin. 

When did he get here?

“Seems like out little Morningstar is becoming quite the entrepreneur,” Alastor places a hand on Charlie’s shoulder, as though they are father-daughter.

Father-daughter, where the daughter’s biological dad is directly beside them. 

“Hey, hey now, get your slimy claws off of my daughter, would ya?” Lucifer asks the Radio demon, half laughing.

“Oh? The same daughter you’ve abandoned for countless years on end? The same daughter who had to build this establishment by herself, with no support. The same daughter I’ve been faithful to, in comparison to you? I’ve stuck through thick and thin with her. Hell, I probably fit the Dad position by definition,” 

The room is loud with silence; you could probably hear a pin drop.

Alastor’s voice carries those words in a seemingly defensive manner, but you can tell that those words don’t hold any meaning to him.

It seems like you’re the only person to realise that, because with the slam of a door, Lucifer exits the room, leaving an aura of pure anger and jealousy behind.

“Dad!” 

“Charlie, maybe you should give him a breath of fresh air-” Vaggie tries pulling her back.

“No! Vaggie, he needs someone to be there with him. God knows what he will do and what if-” Charlie is in a craze to get to the door. 

“I’ll go,” you say abruptly. Without question, you go through the door.

꧁ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ꧂

“Hey, it’s really hot out here, you know,” you stand at the garden door, as the king gazes out on Hell’s not-so-perfect landscape depressingly.

Silence. 

“Alastor was just pulling your leg back there, he just wanted to piss you off,” you stand beside him, keeping an appropriate distance.

“I know. That’s not the problem. The problem is that-” his voice hitches.

“Go on,”

“The problem is, is the fact he’s not even wrong; I left Charlie with nothing, she had to support herself before help came along, I barely was there for her throughout all of this, until the very last moment, when she didn’t even need me anymore,” The King of Hell rambles, and fidgets with a small yellow thing in his hand. A bird of some sorts.

A duck? 

“I can’t do anything right,” he continues.

Okay, you have to stop getting sidetracked by meagre things. 

“Lucifer, listen. Yes, you may not have been there for her before, but you’re here now, and you are ready to help. Yes, I know it’s scary, yes I know it’s hard, but I have an inkling that Charlie would love to start having a bond with her father again. Also, you know her and how she is; she isn’t the type to shut you out. Just try to put some work into it, okay?” 

That felt like more of a ramble, than advice, but it seems to suffice for the King of Hell. 

“Thank you. I really know why Charlie has taken a liking to you…” he trails off, continuing to fidget with the rubber duck. He squeezes it, and it plays a short, spunky tune. 

“And see? Atleast you’re doing something small for now, you should take it easy. By the way, that’s the most adorable rubber duck!” You gush at the plastic fellow, earning a smirk from Lucifer.

“Oh? Changing the subject are we?” The fallen angel teases.

Well, that was out of nowhere, but you just go with the flow.

“Yeah, and what? That’s a fuckin’ cool duck, so I apologise for acknowledging that fact,”

“Ah well, I have better. By the way, why are you talking about orgasms to that porn star- I mean Angel, back there?” 

Oh yeah. That happened. 

“Gee, why does everyone want to know the juicy details of my life? But really,he was just interested in my sex life, that’s all,” 

“Interesting. You know I slept with 2 of Adam’s previous wives?”

“Don’t even try,” you give him a playful shove.

“Eh, worth a shot,” 

꧁ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ❂♕☻☹☻♕❂ꕥ꧂

You and the blond-haired demon go back inside, giggling about some disastrous function you went to when you were younger, and how you may or may not have been the leading cause.

Thankfully, the only person in the lobby was Charlie, who jumped to hug her father the second she saw the two of you, making them both cry and profusely apologise to one another.

Yeah, maybe it’s a good time to go. Maybe quietly too this time. 

You open the portal, and you are back in Heaven again, in front of the pearly gates of the place you call home. 

As you open the door and turn into the living room, you nearly jump out of your skin.

“Hey,” The sound of your husband’s voice rings through your ears.

“I ate your pancakes from this morning,” 

“Alright. I’ll make dinner soon, but I’m tired right now,” you pave your way to your bedroom, when Adam pulls you back.

“Where were you even?”

“Places,” you try to pull away, but the First Man doesn’t relent.

“Where? You weren’t in Heaven, were you?” 

“Alright fine. I was in Hell, cleaning up the mess you and your little play soldiers made by the way,” 

“Were you not there the other day? Why are you so attached to this-” Cogs turn in Adam’s head.

“You were with him, weren’t you? You fucking slut,” Adam’s hand swiftly slaps you across the face. A small cut of golden blood streaks down your face.

“What the fuck? Of course Lucifer is gonna be there, you dumbass?! Why do you think I’m gonna sleep with-” You dodge a flying porcelain jug that was headed in your general direction.

“That fucking demon, thinking he’s hot shit and- and all, just fucking whoever he wants-” The Angel starts storming around the living room, just throwing random shit about, like a kid having a tantrum, making colourful insults while doing so.

You sigh and go into the kitchen to make dinner; hopefully Adam would have blown off enough steam by then.

“Oh and- You better not go back there again, you got it?” 

“…Fine,” You slam the door behind you.

Clearly, you have to be more furtive about your visits to the underworld.

For now, maybe you should cook some dinner, and a warm bath.

Your back really hurts.

꧁🥀☽💫✶♛🐣♕✶💫☾🥀꧂

Word count- 2264

Taglist:

@dionysusismypatrongod

[prettygirl-gabi]

Round two

Rating: Mature

Warning: oral (f reseving) drunk but not so drunk sex, unprotected sex, creampies, smutty- fluff (at the end), breeding, hair pulling,LET ME KNOW WHAT IVE MISSED!!

Category:F/M

Fandom: ATEEZ (boyband)

Relationships: !Idol-boyfriend Mingi x black intended!f non-idol reader

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

you grab his hand before he can board the plane “ promise me you won’t forget about us” he squeezes your hand “of course i won’t forget, how could you even say something like that” you look up at him “i’ll be 7,000 miles away” he gives you a kiss on the hand “and 7,000 miles doesn’t mean a damn thing when you have love like ours." This was said when the two of tou first met, but now you have a shared home.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

“what are you thinking about” mingi is resting his head on your stomach looking up at you, you smile at him “nothing, just thinking about us”.

he sits up to give you a kiss “i love you so much baby” you give him a kiss back “and i love you t-“ you're interrupted by his phone ringing.

he gives you an apologetic smile “just one minute baby i’ll be right back” you playfully frown “we said no phones this weekend, just because you’re an idol doesn’t me you can break our rules”.

he gives you a tap on the thigh “and just because you’re my baby doesn’t mean you can be bossy, we both know i’m the boss hmm?”

you roll my eyes then mock him “yeah, We BoTh KNow iM tHe BoSS” he gives you a pointed look “i’m just kidding”.

he smirks “yeah and i’m just gonna edge you for the rest of the night” you sit back against the headboard with a frown “that’s not funny” he looks at his phone “i wasn’t joking baby please continue if you wanna find out, i’ll be back”.

before you can get another word out he steps out the room, you pull your phone out and scroll through tiktok.

about 10 minutes later he comes back into the room “oh don’t worry baby it’ll just be one minute, one minute my ass mingi” he sighs “i’m sorry baby, i was speaking with management about the music bank…they’re moving our time up”.

before you can say anything else “don’t look at me like that we’re still gonna have our week together, i promise” he pulls me into a kiss.

you give him a small smile “ok, well since i have you back what do you want to do”.

he plops down on the bed with a sigh “i would LOVE to have my head buried between your thighs but i’ll settle for netflix if i have to”.

“ugh, i don’t wanna watch netflix they barely have any good shows or movies” he snaps his fingers “how about we play twister” you giggle thinking that he’s joking “wait, you’re being serious” he nods his head.

“you get the game set and i’ll get the snacks” you squeal and jump out the bed to get the game set from the linen closet. by the time you get to the living room mingi’s setting out the drinks and food “baaabe” he smiles at me “what?" "Can we make twister romantic too”. "Yeah, sure but looser does what winner wants for two weeks."

You gasp, "but that's not fair you got tour in like a week". Mingi booped your nose "it's all good, just remember I'm the boss." You poke your lip out for a second before getting serious again "Seriously Gi, fine I guess that's fine."

After turning on your shared Spotify Playlist and getting into even more "comfortable" clothes. "Wow, baby can I just eat you up instead" Mingi winked as he pulled you close by your hips. "Hmm, nope you can prepare yourself for this ass whoopin'." You felt a sting to your ass when you walk to your side of the mat. "Yeah nah."

As the evening pass you both decide to turn up the heat by making a few rounds of the game strip twister, by the time the 6th bottle of  soju was a quarter from being empty the room was full of giggles you both only in boxers and a pair of lace panties that some how matched. "Mimi I'm gonna kick your ass." You say just before your bum takes a hit to the floor due to Mingi using his free hand to tickle the back of your thigh with.

"Ha I won, because I'm.. I'm the boss." You fold your arms and pout as you stay on your back "No more like you cheated." Mingi just shook his head and laid his body on yours with his head on your lower abdomen region. "Mmm sure but you still fell off the mat baby, so I win and now I must do as I please with you."

You may have been drunk but you knew, you had known since the third round with you had to slip your bra off and you noticed Mingi's cock getting hard in his pants, but that did do justice to how wet your panties were since you witnessed his take his sweatpants off with one hand to keep his balance.

He turned his head from the side and proped himself on his hands and knees gently locking his fingers with the sides of your panties, only to pull them and let go. "Hey, don't rip these like the last pair." You call out to him as he took the time to lower his head just in front of your clothed pussy and blowing cold air to the wet spot. "Mmm fuck baby so wet just like me." He kissed the spot for taking his tongue and licking you through your panties. You let out a needy moan "i need you Mingi," you mumbled through the moan.

He let out the most cockiest smirk and use his teeth to pull your panties off of course with the help of your raising your hips. He came up with your hands hands on his face as he buried his head in the crook of your neck leaving wet kissed and hickies all over your skin. "Shh, I know baby," he mumbled into your skin.

You let out more moans as your raise you now fully free pussy onto Mingi's fully hard cock. "Mmm baby, please, can't wait." You mumbled one more time."

You let out a loud gasp and Mingi decided to return back to your pussy and eat you like tou were his last meal. His tongue some how always found new places inside of you to explore. You gripped his freshly dyed and cut oreo styled hair as he rubbed his nose deeper into your clit. "Mmm baby..baby m'gonna cum on you tongue." You mewl out in an euphoric moan. Mingi hummed into your pussy as he pushed his tongue deeper deciding lst minute to use his fingers causing you to arch your back as you released in his mouth and leaving him to lap all of your juices hungrily.

Mingi let out a fit of moans and groans as he came up to kiss you letting you take your self from his tongue. He kissed one last time before using one of his hands to steady cock into you with his head resting now in the crook of your neck. Once he was fully buried deep inside of your pussy he came up your face and kissed you messily and yet gently. You let out a few small whines leaves from the back of throat. "Fuck baby, Mingi m'so full. You're making me feel so full." You whine out more as you tangle your fingers inthe nap of his neck where the ends of his oreo hair cut stops.

"Yeah baby and you're taking my cock so well, m'gonna miss this when I go on tour. Gonna miss how good I make you feel around my cock." He said in between grunts as he starts to rock his hips faster into your pussy. "Mmm baby wanna ride you, please...please let me." You asked as you bit your lip whole clenching around Mingi's cock.

With all his strength he flipped the both of you over you now on top and him still buried deep inside you.  With the now torn twister paper under him. You let out a gasp feeling his cock go even deeper than before. "Oh..mmm ride me good baby, c'mon I know you can." Mingi says and he thrusts his hips into yours. You rock your hips and a fast and steady pace feeling your clit hit the hair on his happy trail. "Mmm s'big Ming, s'good.... you makin me feel so good." With this reassurance Mingi wrapped his arms around your waist pulling forward into his chest and taking one of his hands and tangling his fingers into your fresh but not so fresh box braids and gently tugging causing you to let out a long moan.

"Mmm such a good slut taking my cock the way that just drives us both crazy, but I need you to cum for me as hard as you can on my cock baby; then make me cum, yeah." He said as he pistol his hips into you more faster hitting your g-spot every single thrusts. "Oh..oh fuck Mingi..Mingi m'gonna cum for you.. mmm gonna let you fill me with your babies." You say as you clench around his cock each time your hips meet.

He hold you as close as the two of you can get while being so close to your orgasm. "Yeah gonna make you a momma, and keeping fucking you till we can't make anymore, now cum with me baby..cum for me my love. Give me another one yeah" Mingi said as you shook with pleasure as you both rode out your highs with Mingi's cum still shooting into you. "Oh, baby-" "shhh, baby just relax for me" Mingi cut you off as he staying in you. You shiver from pleasure and being slightly cold. "Think you can stand long enough for me to get off the floor so we can take a bath." You nod your head as he helped you stand only for him to pick you up bridal style.

"I'm serious about making you a momma, Y/n, and making you Mrs. Song Y/n. So what I want as my prize is to fuck you til the day I leave for tour, and foe you to take as many test while I'm gone." He whispered in your ear befor kissed the side of you head. All you could do was blush. "Deal, baby I'll take it." You kissed his jaw and leaned to his ear. "Round two right here, right now."

[oddaesthetin]

first snow — han hyeongjun

self-indulgent (as usual) fluff

bcs i can’t focus on my school responsibilities my wisdom tooth is growing and i’m in pain

—

you’re just about to close your laptop, a sigh escaping your lips as you finally wrap up hours of relentless work. the clock on the wall blinks an unforgiving 12:58 AM. you’re ready to crash on your bed, maybe drown yourself in a playlist of soft acoustic songs when— ding dong.

the doorbell rings. at this hour? your heart skips, though not from fear. it’s a familiar skip, like a reflex. there’s only one person who’d do this without hesitation.

pulling the door open, your breath catches in your throat. junhan stands there, snowflakes still clinging to his dark hair, bundled up in a ridiculously oversized parka and a scarf that covers half his face. his cheeks are pink, either from the cold or from his sprint to your apartment. he looks like a walking snowman, and you can’t decide whether to scold him or laugh.

“uh, hi?” you blink at him, your brain still trying to process. “what are you doing here? it’s—” you glance back at the clock, “—one in the morning.”

“it’s snowing.” his voice is muffled behind the scarf, but you catch the boyish excitement in his tone. his eyes crinkle as he holds up a pair of gloves—your gloves. the ones you left at their place weeks ago.

you stare at him, your exhaustion momentarily forgotten. you let him in. “you came all the way here to tell me it’s snowing?”

“no,” he replies, unbothered by your skepticism, “i came all the way here to show you. i knew you’d be too busy to notice.”

the realization hits you like a snowball to the face. your lips part in surprise. “wait, it’s snowing right now?”

“yeah.” your boyfriend pulled the curtains to the side, revealing the quiet magic outside. the streetlights illuminate the falling snow with each flake dancing in the air like tiny miracles. your heart swells, the kid in you waking up.

“you’re insane.” you laugh, but you’re already reaching for your coat. “wait here. let me grab my boots.”

he doesn’t say anything, but you catch the slight smirk peeking above his scarf. he knows you too well. knows you’ll drop everything for this. knows you won’t let this moment pass.

minutes later, you’re both outside, the cold biting your cheeks but your heart impossibly warm. junhan kicks at the snow, starting a half-hearted snowball fight you’re too happy to lose. the two of you walk aimlessly, your laughter echoing in the stillness of the night. it’s not just the snow that feels magical—it’s him, showing up unannounced, reminding you to live, to breathe, to feel.

“thank you,” you say softly, as the snow blankets the world in quiet perfection.

junhan glances at you, his smile visible even with half his face covered. “anytime.”

—

© oddaesthetin 2024

[xuchiya]

"Not literally make love." || choi san || one-shot

|genre: idol! san. idol! reader |mentions: slight suggestive. no smut. fluff currently playing 90's songs like A1, Brian McKnight, Boys II Men and such,it gave me an idea.

It was your first time bringing your boyfriend, Choi San, over to your dorm in the KQ-owned building where idols like yourself stayed. You and San had been dating for nearly two years, but he had only just returned from a Dolce & Gabbana fashion event last night. After spending time with the boys, he suggested staying with you for the evening.

Now, the two of you were comfortably sprawled on your bed, lost in your own little world. Your phone was propped on the nightstand with Spotify open, playing a playlist filled with throwback songs you’d borrowed from your dad’s music collection.

As you scrolled absentmindedly through your phone, the next song began to play. Unlike the previous tracks, this one made San pause. The smooth, slow R&B melody caught his attention, and he turned to look at you, intrigued.

“Hey, love,” he said, leaning closer. “What’s the title of this song?”

You hummed distractedly, not catching his question at first. “Sorry, what was that, honey?”

“The title of this song,” he repeated, a curious smile tugging at his lips.

Your brows furrowed as you focused on the soft, sensual rhythm. Recognition hit you a moment later, and your cheeks immediately flared. You knew this song—it was unmistakably about that.

Your mouth opened, but no words came out as your shyness overtook you. Finally, you stammered, “W-Well… it’s… I’m not telling you the title!”

San chuckled, his warm hand slipping into yours as he gently rubbed the back of your hand. “It’s okay, love. I’ll understand,” he said, his tone soothing.

You exhaled a nervous laugh, glancing at the speaker and then back at his expectant eyes. Finally, with a deep breath, you answered softly, “It’s Boyz II Men… I’ll Make Love to You.”

San nodded, his hand still resting on yours, but a mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes. Suddenly, he laughed, the sound low and teasing as he looked at you. “Sure.”

You blinked, confused at first, until your brain finally processed his response. Before you could react, he shifted, pulling you slightly on top of him in one swift motion. Your torso rested against his chest, though your legs weren’t straddling him.

“San!” you exclaimed, your voice high-pitched with embarrassment as you tried to move.

He reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, his smirk deepening. “Let’s do it,” he murmured, his voice laced with playful intent.

Your eyes widened in sheer panic. “Right now?!”

He nodded, the small smirk on his lips growing more devilish. “I can’t wait.”

“Wait, wait!” you sputtered, your words tumbling out in disbelief. “I just told you the title, not—San!”