#like I know what I want to say but I can't find the words that feel explanatory enough!!!!!!!!

[sukunasweetheart]

hear me out on bully!sukuna okay...

warnings; highschool setting, DUBCON, dry humping, thigh fucking, unprotected sex, sex in a confined space, semi-public sex, breeding, sukuna is kinda mean but is a simp at the same time, groping, cum in panties, just lots and lots of cum, "just the tip" he lied, mentions of pregnancy risk, ?cheating, sukuna the toxic tsundere but is horrendously down bad and perverted, eventual or mildly submissive sukuna?, this isn't gonna be the healthiest relationship - but its to be expected tho bc its a bully fic so..

Word count; 5.5k

bully!sukuna bothers you because he has a weird complex with you - preferring to be outright hated by you rather than deal with indifference or facing possible rejection.

it's often teetering on the edge of actual bullying; his existence is more of a nuisance than a serious distress to you.

he often loves getting on your nerves by tripping you up with his foot, only to catch you himself, or he purposefully bumps into you in the hallways making you almost topple over - like the fucking asshole he is. and you'll never forget the time you happened to get paired up with him on an assignment and the bastard had the audacity to try and take you both down by not doing his part. in exchange for his participation, he had you carry his bag for him around school for a week...

and he only gets more thrilled the more you fight back or retaliate.

sukuna likes to call you names, often using very condescending and colourful insults against you. and he likes to harass and chase off any potential boyfriends that come your way. that last one pisses you off the most. you want a boyfriend so bad, and that bastard is being such a huge cockblock. god forbid a girl wants to get laid. all your friends have had their first times already - why can't you?!

and he's back at it again too, after finding out that another guy confessed to you at school today. you accepted it. obviously when he wasn't watching. for a damn reason.

he finds out your last class was P.E today and you find yourself cornered in the locker room, empty of girls except for you. you ended up lagging behind as you were texting your new boyfriend over your phone after class. you try to walk past him to go home, but he traps you against your own locker.

you end up snapping back at him, having had enough of it.

"what is wrong with you? you know what? i think you're obsessed with me!" you shout back, shoving at his chest.

"who do you think you are, to stop me from getting a boyfriend... what, do you like me or something?" you speak without thinking, in a fit of anger.

"i bet you do! i bet you go home every night and jerk off to daydreams of me. is that right?" you go off, pushing every button you can.

sukuna falls silent. you expect him to argue back, to deny all your claims fiercely, and then go storming off, having heard enough of your nonsense.

but he's glaring at you, tight lipped, ears and cheeks turning bright red.

"...why're you silent all of a sudden? say something..." you continue awkwardly. "don't tell me... you actually...?"

"shut up," he hisses at you. "just shut up, for a second."

he wears an expression you've never seen on him before, and seems to be thinking about what to say next. he looks as though he wants to say something.

you open your mouth to tell him 'nevermind', but the sound of a small group of girls approaching the locker room is audible, which interrupts the both of you, and you panic. just what kind of rumours would spur on if they caught you and sukuna like this in here? you only just got your first boyfriend, there's no way you're gonna let this bastard ruin that for you!

thinking quickly, you open up your locker and roughly push sukuna inside, and then jump in after him. you shut the locker door quietly and peek outside through the little gaps at the top. the girls come in, having come back to get something that they left behind. what terrible timing.

one of the girls walk up a little close to your liking and you end up moving your body back as far as you can, your back pressing up against sukuna without thinking. and then you're startled by the low and quiet groan you hear behind you.

whipping around, you see sukuna with clouded eyes and a tightened jaw, barely able to fit inside this narrow locker. but he doesn't find it in himself to feel uncomfortable or annoyed at the situation.

after all, your ass is pressed up tightly against his growing bulge right then and there.

you were right about what you'd said earlier. he'd always daydreamed of a moment like this, pumping his cock at the thought of doing lewd things with you...

you turn back to the front, panicked. what the fuck? why does he look... like that?

kinda hot...

shaking your head, you try to ignore your beating heart, praying that the girls exit the locker room soon so that you can quickly escape from this situation.

meanwhile, sukuna's hands struggle to keep away from you as his brain begins to short circuit, dick helplessly twitching in his pants, chest heaving but it being of no help - as the locker fills with the scent of you in it, the sweetness of your shampoo and perfume, making his heart pump harder.

you slowly shuffle forward a little, trying not to lean against him so much. when are these girls leaving... you think to yourself. they've started gossiping amongst themselves, sitting on the bench. goddamn it!

large hands fall onto your hips and pull you back toward him. you feel him grinding his crotch against your ass, and you know that whatever is poking you is definitely his fucking boner.

"what the fuck, sukuna? s-stop," you whisper to him as quietly as you can.

sukuna has stopped his thinking in itself entirely. whatever's making him act right now is nothing but his pure and selfish desires. there's no way he can resist you when you're the one who climbed inside your own locker with him. he needs to relieve his ache somehow.

he gets more and more handsy with you as each minute passes. his large hand snakes up to fondle your clothed tits as he continues to discreetly dry hump your ass.

you should be disgusted. you should jump out right now and snitch on him and call him a molester right in front of these girls.

but good god, this feels like... nothing you've felt before. his wandering hands. his immense horniness. this tight enclosed space. the size of his boner. it's all making you excited in a weird way, and you're starting to feel aroused at your core.

sukuna is doing his best to get some pleasure from this minimal friction he's getting inside his tight space, but it's not enough. the desperation and arousal claws at him, his dick hurting from how tightly it's sitting in his pants. he swallows on nothing.

fuck it. he's already started. why hold back now?

you feel a shift behind you and the sound of fabric and a zipper being undone. is he...?

you gasp softly when something hot and hard gets pushed between your thighs. it's... it's pulsing. you can't believe this is happening. with sukuna, out of all people? should you be mortified or intrigued? you fear that the latter might be truer.

there's ringing in his ears. not a single logical thought is occupying his brain as he thinks purely with his dick at the moment, having waited so long for a moment like this. fuck, he's so hard. and it only excites him more that you haven't leapt out of this locker yet, running away from him. even though you could. his heart is on the verge of beating it's way up to his throat.

small, shallow thrusts. you feel his heavy cock rub up against your inner thighs, and both of his large hands are now groping your clothed breasts lewdly. he unbuttons your blouse, and then messily pulls down your bra, as he's desperate to feel the real thing, and you can't muster the strength to swat him away. when his fingertips tease your nipples, you have to stop yourself from making any noise. you've always wanted someone to touch you there...

never did you know that someone would be sukuna. you grab his wrist in a fit of desperation.

"you're a fucking pervert... what the hell are you doing?" you tell him a tad bit loudly, trying to deny the heat in your cunt.

"... did you guys hear something?" one of the girls suddenly ask outside.

your heart drops to your stomach as this sets off a panic inside you again. a big, warm hand clasps over your mouth, shushing you effectively.

"quiet..." he mumbles into the shell of your ear, and it weakens your knees. it never occurred to you that he's always had an attractive voice. a wave of goosebumps wash over your skin.

you look down. you can get a tiny peek of his tip whenever he thrusts in... it's so fucking big. you can't possibly fit that inside you, could you? when you catch that it's glistening with precum, your pussy squeezes around nothing.

one hand still over your mouth and the other teasing your tits, sukuna is busy slowly chasing an orgasm, regardless of the girls that have gotten a little wary outside. they soon forget about it and continue their pointless chatter.

fuck... his cock is so close to your cunt. the thought of it makes him shudder. he's almost there.

your hands are semi-clawing at his hand that's still against your mouth, when you suddenly feel him cease the incessant groping at your breasts. instead, it goes under your skirt - a finger loosening your panties up to fit his fat cock beneath the flimsy fabric.

there it is. your bareback fuckin' pussy. he has to bite his own lip to hold off groaning out loud. he does his best to slide his dick in and out against your slit - being restricted in movement due to the tight space, but make doing somehow.

you're actually thankful for his hand covering your mouth up, as you would've definitely moaned out loud if it weren't for him. it's unreal how turned on you are right now. does he feel it? all the slick pouring out of you? it's so, so strange. you were so sure that you didn't want this with him before, but not anymore...

it grazes over your clit over and over, painfully teasing, and you need to orgasm so badly.

sukuna jolts his hips against you, giving a final short thrust as his tip catches the fabric of your panties - he presses his own face against your neck to effectively silence himself as he reaches his first high.

you shudder as his dick pulsates between your thighs so strongly, making a hot mess in your underwear, cum spilling out in thick ropes - you feel the heat of it on your poor cunt, and you shiver as sukuna inhales deeply against your neck, his breathing wavering, dick aching for more even as it continues to spill heavily, creaming your panties. his tongue licks a stripe up your neck, causing you to shiver.

it's a pleasure that's greater than he could've ever given himself alone. but he wants more. he needs more.

you're in the middle of trying to gather yourself again, but you again, feel him moving his hips. just what is he up to now...?

your eyes widen when you catch onto how he's trying to thrust himself inside you now. there's no way... you struggle against him but he holds you still - mouth still firmly silenced by his palm.

the best he can do is have the tip inside. but for now, it's enough. he doesn't care - as long as he can get whatever pleasure that's available...

"j-just the tip..." he whispers with the smallest voice he can manage, against your ear again. it turns you on so good.

you can't help but enjoy when he gropes at your chest again, his tip bullying it's way in your desperate and wet hole, popping in and out, in and out, in and out.

even with just the tip, you're about to lose your mind. you want more, but at the same time you're scared what'll happen to your mind if he shoves that whole thing inside you.

sukuna's brain is yet again short circuiting as he dips the tip of his cock into your hot and slippery cunt - making him feral and desperate to get deeper. yet, what's stopping him is this confined space that suffocates him. there isn't enough oxygen for both of you here, and he wonders whether it's you or the lack of oxygen that's making him endlessly breathless.

oh, he's close again.

he's going to cum again, but this time inside. you want to protest, but you've always wondered... does it feel good to have it spill inside? regardless, you still try to struggle against him purely because you don't like the thought of sukuna knowing that you're enjoying this. even though it's already too late.

he holds you so tightly against him - before letting himself loose once again - tip poking into your pussy as he pumps inside, balls clenching. your hole is welcoming, and it puckers around him mind numbingly, milking his heavy cock for everything he has. you feel the warmth of his seed reaching inside you but not very deep - most of it trickles back out onto your panties. he twitches against you harder and more intensely, hips shoving into you messily.

you're both out of breath...

...and that's when both of you hear the girls leaving the locker room with muffled laughter, successfully avoided noticing you and him inside.

they turn the lights off before they leave, and the locker room turns dark and silent. you're now sweating against sukuna - and the moment you feel his hands loosen against you, you push the locker door open and step outside, unsure of what exactly you're trying to run from. sukuna himself? or the fact that you might be forming some kind of attraction to him? to the way he treats you?

but alas, no matter how fast you think you are, you could never beat sukuna's reflexes. in that quick momentum, he's pursued you outside and grabbed your arm - before pulling you back and shoving you against the now closed locker door.

"where do you think you're going?" he asks with a deep and low voice, vein popping on his forehead and looking desperate and an intense blush being permeated on his face. why is it that it's always made you feel so squirmy, whenever he cornered you like this? the size difference, the strength difference... the pervert here is not only him, it seems.

your needy gaze flutters from his eyes down to his exposed cock. it's veiny, throbbing, and leaking messily. it looks heavy and most importantly... it's so fucking big.

in the blink of an eye, sukuna has hiked your legs up, holding you up against the lockers, making it so that you cannot run from him again. it's game over.

"having the nerve to try and run after seducing me with your ass..." sukuna mutters angrily, lining his dick above your cunt and tummy, showing off how deep it'll reach if he slid it inside.

"no- i didn't..." you protest weakly, heart hammering with excitement. "idiot... let me down."

you tell him, despite your arms that loop around his neck.

"your voice is lacking it's usual sharpness," sukuna tells you breathlessly, flipping your skirt up and pushing your panties aside. it's still wet with his previous loads. oh- he can't think straight.

"wait-! something that big won't fucking fit!" you tell him, only now the fear beginning to hit you. moreover, you're afraid he'll end up breaking you and stop all rational thinking - this is dangerous.

"it will. i'll mould the shape of your insides to my fuckin' cock," sukuna insists, eyes focused on your wet glistening pussy. so pretty.

he pushes it in. but he doesn't stop there. he pushes it in all the way. balls fucking deep.

your eyes widen and when he thrusts the whole thing in one go, you well and truly break. legs trembling, pleasure washes over you and you cry out a moan.

"fuck-! did you just cum? are you cumming?" sukuna asks, panting, slowly sliding himself in and out as your cunt spasms around him. soon enough, he speeds it up and makes sure his tip is bullying your cervix with each deep thrust, eyes rolling back as your walls welcome him so warmly and clamp down on him.

"haah- haah- mm, fuck! you're so fuckin' tight! ugh, 'm gonna bust again," he slurs messily, hips moving non-stop. the unkempt bush of his pubic hair gives friction against you adding onto your strange sensations of pleasure. drool begins to roll out from the corner of your mouth.

his balls have never felt heavier as they slap against your wet ass each time he slams his cock inside, slick pooling out of you and creating droplets on the floor. he has a lot to give you... and your cunt is being so agreeable, the way it sucks on him, warm and wet. it's turning him animalistic, no thoughts running inside his brain except to fucking breed this hole. breed you.

not inside... not inside... you think, not realising that you're not saying it out loud.

"i'm gonna do it inside. i'm gonna-!" he hisses, hips stuttering at the last second.

"ugh- shit! 'm c-cumming... fuuck... fuck!" sukuna cusses deeply, thighs trembling as he continues giving tiny, but sharp thrusts even as he's spilling into you while buried to the hilt.

it's hot. you can feel that it's thick. there's so much. even more than his two previous loads. sukuna's face being twisted in pleasure puts you in awe - and you unknowingly tighten your pussy around him as he orgasms inside, joined to you hip-to-hip.

he's never felt such a deep seated pleasure in him before. he continues to gasp and shudder with every stringy spurt that he knows is reaching your womb. what if he actually knocks you up? what if his seed takes? it's a scary but thrilling thought. the thought of you swollen with his baby... all rational thinking has been thrown out the window due to this pleasure.

sounds that you never could've imagined coming out of sukuna continue to spill from his lips... he slides his cock in and out and squeezes every last drop out of himself, and he suddenly brings his lips to yours, kissing you feverishly. both of you pant over each other while making out messily as he slowly begins to thrust into you over and over again. he's going to get addicted to this. he's going to crave your pussy everyday from now on.

sukuna sucks on your tongue like he wants to swallow it. your arms hold onto him for dear life.

all too suddenly, he brings you off the locker, arms hooked under your legs and palms supporting you by holding onto your ass cheeks.

the kiss breaks, and catch sight of sukuna's lust-filled eyes as he moves you up and down his cock using his monster-like strength. and you're held up by him like this, you can't do anything to stop him. just cling onto him and take what he gives you.

"f-fuck, sukuna... ooh-! t-too deep," you mumble with tears in your eyes, gasping from the way his tip kisses your womb effortlessly. he's seriously too big for his own good.

"keep saying my name like that- it'll only make my dick harder," he pants, continuing to use your pussy like a fleshlight. his thick load has made it even wetter. he can feel your slick beginning to cream up around the base of his cock now, and it makes his chest well up with something like pride. does he turn you on that good? this hole of yours refuses to run out of lube.

the absurdly obscene plap plap plap sound of flesh against flesh, makes for the lewdest echo in the locker room. that, paired with the mild darkness, and the possibility of being seen by someone coming in during after-school hours, makes for the perfect thrilling atmosphere for such feral sex.

it's driving you mad. the echoing, the subtle anxiety, the smell of his sweat.

it's marvelous...

another orgasm hits you like a bullet train. gasping, you whimper as he continues fucking you through it this time, relentlessly thrusting into you regardless of your pulsing walls.

"shit... your cunt's clinging to me," sukuna groans, feeling blessed to see you get undone by him, by his cock. the fingertips of his large hands against your ass sink deeper, the pleasurable knot in his stomach getting tighter once again.

"you and your uselessly big dick... fuck you," you chide breathlessly, doing your best to keep your sentences clear even as he plunges into you with an unforgiving pace.

"clearly not useless when it's made you cum twice now, right?"

"shut up-"

you get cut off when he begins to thrust faster, as you witness the very moment sukuna's eyes become blank with pleasure, getting ready to empty his balls again.

"slutty fuckin' cunt. latching onto me so greedily... can't stop- thrusting-" he mumbles, gripping onto your ass tighter.

you can't help but sigh with pleasure when he begins to fill you up again, twitching and pulsing like crazy inside you as he spills so much seed like he's peeing.

"ohh, shit... cumming s-so hard..." he breathes out shakily.

you're starting to feel full. but you get the feeling that this still isn't the last one. desperate kisses are pressed against the side of your neck as he takes some time to relax a little again, thoroughly finishing deep into you, hips jolting every now and then.

he carries you over to the bench in the middle of the room, where he lies you down and brings your knees closer to your chest, fully exposing your cunt to him, whole. his dick still squeezed into you.

with a hoarse shaky groan, he slowly drags his thick cock in and out of you in this position, with only the heavens knowing how he is still hard after so many orgasms.

you give a small yelp as he speeds up - your plush walls embracing him warmly and filling up his balls once more. god, he doesn't think he'll ever have enough of this pussy. of you.

"idiot! e-enough.. take it out... i'll get- pregnant-" you warn him not-so-convincingly, with gasping moans between each word.

"c-can't... you're... sucking me in so good... can't stop-" sukuna replies with no thoughts in his brain other than to relieve the throb in his erection again. it's driving him up a wall, too. the flesh of your ass that softens the impact everytime he drives his hips into you. your squeals and whines of euphoria. your exposed breasts and glistening clit. he burns every detail into his brain, to make sure he remembers forever...

he doesn't even know what number round this is, but it amazes even him how he feels like he's already edging close to another climax. it's pathetic and ridiculous of him. but he can't help the fact that you push him over so easily.

the number of tissues he'd run through just from jerking off every time he thought about you all night... you have no clue.

recalling those moments makes him feel even more determined to chase this final orgasm even more rigorously. it won't be difficult, not with how your cunt swallows him up so nice.

"fuck.... i- i like you. i've always liked you..." sukuna mumbles out the sudden confession slowly.

"stupid... bastard... you say this now...?" you say as you sigh in pleasure, almost being close to your own climax as well, this position setting off yet another deep arousal in you. after all that bickering and tormenting - he has the audacity to confess to you? only after cumming inside multiple times?

"can't give any excuses can i?" he voices with a curt laugh - finding himself to be pitiful in this moment as well.

"but it's true... i- fuck- i like you so much..." he groans, hips getting faster.

your eyes begin to blur with tears again... sukuna thumbs your clit gently... and then you arch your back with a gasping squeal. sukuna too, hisses as he pumps you full for a final time, letting his dick drain itself in your fluttering hole, hips and thighs jerking uncontrollably while his tip leaks spurt after spurt through your cervix, overflowing you to the maximum.

after dumping his final load, he slowly drags his large, twitching cock out of you with a pop and lets it rest against your gaping cunt, pulsing weakly against your clit. his thumb pushes your panty lining aside to keep your pussy exposed for him to see. your hole is still gaping and thrumming, as if missing him already and he's watching with awe as big globs of his spend trickle out of you thickly. if he wasn't so exhausted, the sight of this would've made him hard again.

sukuna lets go of you and lets your legs rest on the bench, as you're still panting from the exertion, mind numb from that last orgasm. he seems to loom over you for a second, before leaning down, arms caging you against the bench, knee between your legs, to kiss you on your glossy lips. it feels good, but you wouldn't want to admit that out loud to him.

"i like you." he repeats again, after breaking away from you. he wonders why it had taken him so long to admit this fact. once he got it out, it became an easy thing to say. you look at his face and he looks so pathetic in your eyes, the usual look of cockiness and mischief being wiped away. he says it as if he's pleading you, and you know what he's asking for, what he's unable to say out loud. he probably wants to be your boyfriend.

it's strange to see the puppy eyes of your literal arch nemesis, and it's also strange to hear his voice give you a love confession. it makes you mad. it makes you angry. not because you hate it, but because you don't hate it.

he sees it. he sees the instant your eyes glint with anger, and he very swiftly dodges the head butt you try to give him at the very last second.

"move, idiot," you say sharply, glaring at him.

alright, he probably deserved that one.

you stand up and fix your bra and blouse before gathering your things from the locker before leaving without another word - sukuna follows you outside in a fit of mild anxiousness.

"hey-"

"you. take responsibility and buy me some plan b pills. and a pregnancy test kit," you interrupt, looking back at him.

"...alright," he responds rather obediently, after a nervous swallow.

after you turn back around to continue walking, the tiniest smile grows on your face... sukuna looking nervous is something you never thought you'd see. maybe you can use this to your advantage.

your phone vibrates in your hand. it's from your new 'boyfriend'. a sweet message saying he's excited to see you again tomorrow. you delete the notification with a little bit of guilt on your mind. you'll leave tomorrow's issues for tomorrow.

in front of the chemist, you languidly stand around outside waiting as sukuna does as you'd asked him. truth be told, it was because you didn't want to buy them yourself, out of embarrassment. you know he doesn't care about how people sees him, so no harm done there.

when he comes back out with the bag, he holds it out to hand it over to you. but when you try to grab it, he lifts it away.

"you're gonna break up with him, right?" he suddenly asks, with a rather serious expression on his face.

you ignore the question and try to grab the bag, but he avoids you again.

"...right?" he emphasises. he doesn't intimidate you at all anymore, not after knowing about his feelings for you.

"it's none of your business?" you tell him, finally snatching the bag. he doesn't look too pleased about that answer. you take the pills quietly and shove the rest into your bag.

"okay. now go home," you shoo at him. "i'm tired."

"you haven't answered me yet," he says firmly, holding onto your wrist.

"you'll have your answer tomorrow," you reply in an exasperated tone, shaking off his grip.

"and just letting you know. if it turns out positive, i'm never speaking to you again," you warn him with a deadpan face. in the back of your mind, you're pretty anxious about it, but you know according to your cycle, today wasn't a fertile day. that, and with the pill... it should be alright.

sukuna stiffens up and opens his mouth to say something, but shuts it again.

"and don't follow me. if you do, i'll also never speak to you again."

you're not that serious about not talking to him ever again, but you believe he deserves to feel as anxious as you do.

"... i wasn't planning on stalking you anyway. jesus," sukuna mutters, kicking at the dirt on the ground.

you narrow your eyes at him, and then continue your way home.

he scratches the back of his head in frustration. it's like he's skipped a lot of steps towards you and it's coming back to bite him in the ass. ah, well. nothing he can do about it now.

sukuna starts praying that the test comes out as negative.

-

in the end, you decided to become the asshole and just break up with the guy over text. what was there to even really 'break up' anyway? it was for less than a day...

regardless, the news seems to run across the entire school and your friends begin to pester you about why. you can't tell them the truth. what could you even say? 'oh, i got railed good by the one guy i despised in school and it made me end up changing my mind'? fuck that.

he walks towards you after school with seemingly high spirits.

"so... i heard you broke it off after all," he approaches you after hearing the good news. you'd been ignoring him all day, but he's hoping you'll stop once the day was over and there was no one else around to watch them.

you continue to give him the silent treatment, walking along without sparing him a glance.

"hey," he grabs your forearm to stop you from walking.

"stop ignoring me. please."

you only spare him a glance because he added 'please'.

"...i don't see how that changes anything between us," you finally respond.

"right. surely not," he responds, voice thick with sarcasm.

"is that the correct attitude you should be taking? i broke up with him because i felt bad i fucked someone else while we were together. not because i like you back," you shoot at him, crossing your arms.

"oh, give me a break. you were barely with him for one day-"

"sukuna. do you want me to like you back?"

sukuna falls silent, looking at you with annoyance yet also simultaneous desire.

"if you want me to like you... then you need to work for it. make up for all the mean things you've said and done to me."

"...how? what should i do?" he asks, daringly, stepping forward towards you.

you wordlessly take your bag and shove it against his chest with an aloof expression on your features. it startles him for a moment, but looking at your face, he understands what you're asking of him. he slowly smirks and slings your bag over his shoulder, on top of his own.

"easy. anything else?"

"...i'm kinda hungry. take me somewhere good to eat. you pay."

"so... a date?" sukuna hums teasingly, trying to hold your hand.

"nope. you're gonna act as my lackey for a few weeks. it's payback. after that... well, we'll see," you say as you dodge his hand.

he can't wipe the smile off his face. you're clearly playing around with him, but he doesn't hate it. it's another form of attention, is it not? he'll have plenty of chances to make you his from now.

little does he know... he's the one that will become yours in the end.

you know the drill! dot points bc im lazy as fuck!!

okay well, first off the test does turn out negative, lucky for him... from then on you make him wear condoms whenever you have sex

but before that, he spends a few weeks running around to try and appease you

everybody shocked to see the big bad bully is being so obedient, and little do they know...

mmmaybe you give him little rewards every now and then, some sneaky kisses or so, just to keep him afloat... and then you withhold your body from him again

still carries your bag for you everywhere

has to deal with the frustration of not having boyfriend privileges yet... always itching to touch you but you wont allow it until you think he deserves it

sitting between his legs but not letting him be handsy with you is torture. maybe he'll break the rules a bit and hug your waist anyway

love the thought of him borderline begging for your touch because he's so hard from spending so much time being so close with you and it's been well over three weeks since he's done anything remotely sexual with you

maybe you'll feel a little turned on by his pleading that you cave in a bit, and take him to the public restrooms for a few handjobs

he will take anything he can, the opportunist...

and you'll have plenty of fun edging and toying with sukuna until he's shaped nicely into being a good obedient boyfriend for you

bully sukuna trope was inspired and set alight by @gojos-thot-patrol btw, link to his fic here... mine took a completely different path but it was a similar concept in the end ✨️👌

Masterlist

[navybrat817]

Okay, lovelies. Power went out and I can't do my work. 😭 So indulge with me if you will and Happy Moanday.

Good Vibrations

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Female Reader

Word Count: Over 650

Warnings: Established relationship, fingering, dirty talk, inappropriate use of Bucky's arm (or is it?), Bucky Barnes (he's a warning, okay?)

Banner by the talented @cafekitsune

Just imagine that you're in the mood, but Bucky still has some work he has to finish up. The man wants nothing more than to spread your thighs apart and indulge. And he will. He’s hard just thinking about wrecking pretty hole, but he really does need to get one more thing done before he can.

So he gives you his arm to warm yourself up.

“You want me to use your arm?” you ask.

He doesn't always use his prosthetic, but offering it to you to get yourself off?

“Think of it like a personalized vibrator,” is all he says before he gets back to work.

“Then give me a mold of your cock,” you tease, hearing him laugh before you leave him be.

Propping yourself up on the bed once you’re naked it feels strange to put the metal hand between your thighs. The rest of the arm rests on your torso, the weight pleasant and not heavy. It’s easy to imagine Bucky is right there beside you, encouraging you.

“Play with your clit and open your pretty pussy up for me. Get it nice and wet.”

And you do. You rub the thumb along your bundle of nerves the same way he would. You're careful when you slip a finger through your wet folds before you push it into your soaked channel. It feels good because it's his finger. And…

It starts vibrating.

You jolt with a surprised moan when a second finger joins the first, the vibrations making your walls clench. The thumb on your clit increases in pressure, making you moan again. It dawns on you through your rising pleasure that you aren't controlling the fingers.

Bucky is.

“Neat trick, isn't it, baby?” you hear from the other room, your body quivering. “All I have to do is think about what I want my hand to do to you and it does it. You’re so wet, aren't you? Fucking yourself on my fingers.”

You cry out when the fingers thrust and curl, searching for that spongy sweet spot that only he can find. “Bucky, please,” you beg.

Your heart pounds in your chest and you can't grip his hair since he isn't between your legs, so you play with your tits instead. Pinching your nipples, groping the soft flesh. His hands and mouth always feel incredible and you can't help but push your hips down as the fingers move faster.

“Take a picture and send it to me,” he calls out with a groan and you know the not-so-subtle beautiful bastard is likely done working and jerking off. “Wanna see my fingers in that sweet pussy.”

It isn't easy to grab your phone with your ragged breathing and trembling form, but you somehow manage. Spreading your legs wider, you do your best to capture the best image. You almost drop your phone when he adds a third finger, the vibrations increasing more. Fuck, you were going to spiral in the best way.

“I… I got it…” you whine, biting your lip when you see the picture and press send. The sight of his metal fingers opening you up is so dirty, so filthy, so hot. Now you want to take more photos for him to jerk off to layer. “Please. I’m close.”

“Come all over them, baby,” he grunts. He sounds as close as you feel. “Make me proud.”

You snap, coming apart at the seams and calling out Bucky’s name as the fingers fuck you through it. You soak them and the sheets beneath you and the vibrations don't stop. The fog is still in your mind when you turn your head and see Bucky naked in the doorway, his cock thick and heavy in his hand and a smirk on his handsome face.

“Ready for round two?”

Clenching around the metal inside you and letting out a sultry moan is the only answer he needs.

Nothing to see here, lovelies. Go about your business. ❤️ And I hope my power comes back on soon. Love and thanks! ❤️

[allfearstofallto]

Breaking up with Mafia! Childe is a nightmare. You've never met a man so insistent, so stubborn, so damn near depraved in the way he refuses to acknowledge that you no longer want to date him. It's almost psychotic, his actions and how he still treats you as if your his, even though you've long since cut things off with him. Or at least tried to.

He always shows up at your place, at your new job, or calls with a number that you don't know. Always finds a way to sneak his way back into your life, even when you so desperately try to push him out. That blue sports car will be parked out front and you'll feel all the blood drain from your body, a chill running up your spine.

Knuckles usually split and bleeding, bruises on his face, he wore a charming smile that spoke of an inherent sadism, parading his wounds like a trophy. He always smelled of the particular brand cigarettes he smoked, the ones that would hang from his lips while he waited for you. He'd put it out whenever he met your gaze though, against the wall or on the concrete pavement of the ground, claiming that you were much too pretty to smell like tobacco.

He always paid in cash and never told you what his job was, just danced around the topic with a dark chuckle that spoke a thousand words.

"I can afford you, can't I?" He'd ask, his tone playful, but there was a dark look in those hollow blue eyes that told you to pry no further.

When he opened his wallet, you'd see nothing but large, crisp bills. No cards or identification. Maybe a picture of you tucked into one of the pockets, one that you don't remember taking though.

He wasn't typically the type of guy you'd date. Physically he was. All playboy smiles and fluffy orange hair. Lean build and sultry voice. You felt pressured to give in to him, mostly because of his persistence. And even more pressured to stay.

"I'd never hurt you," he'd say as you tended to his bleeding lip, watching the way he barely winced as you dabbed the alcohol wipe to his wound. He just fell, he assured you.

A fall?

Right.

That's why he was holding your wrist with his hand. Clenching his long fingers so tightly around you, like you'd run away the second you let go. Insisting that you were safe with him and that nothing would ever harm you. When asked what he was keeping you safe from, he'd just give you a cheeky grin.

"My clumsiness," he hummed. His words had a scary amount of whimsical joy behind them as he placed his elbows on his knees, holding his head up with his hands, blue eyes looking at you in pure adoration as you continue to clean his wounds in a deafening silence. The only other sound being your rapidly beating heart.

AN: Had to get the idea out of my head!!!!

[poseidonsworst]

Twine is AWESOME you don't need to know any coding to make a game! There are macros you can learn to do more things, and if you know html or css you can make it pretty.

But I wanted to throw in a few Interactive Fiction recommendations!!

With Those We Love Alive by porpentine (also the author of the amazing article Hot Allostatic Load and you should read it if you haven't already!) Her entire body of work is awesome, they're a master of IF as a medium and a genre. WTWLA changed my whole writing style when I was young, and is still a huge influence of mine to this day. I come back to it every four to five years to meditate on how I've changed. Bonus game: Howling Dogs

You play as an artificer unable to dream, charged with creating treasures for the Empress. Explore, breathe, and add to Porpentine's vast collection of arms.

Midnight. Swordfight. is my second recommendation. It's fun, trippy, humorous, and NSFW at certain Unexpected points (mind the polarbear). The Countess has thrown down her glove, and you have until midnight to prepare for the duel!

Galatea by is a parser unlike any other in my opinion. From the site: A conversation with a work of art. "47. Galatea. White Thasos marble. Non-commissioned work by the late Pygmalion of Cyprus. (The artist has since committed suicide.) Originally not an animate. The waking of this piece from its natural state remains unexplained."

Colossal Cave Adventure: This you should play for the history of it! Will Crowther made it based on his experinces in Mammoth Cave, the longest known cave system in the world! He made it for his daughters, and it's maybe one of the first text based games ever made and certainly the first popular one.

Violet: (I'm getting tired and starting to remember less and less about the games I've played) from the site: "Calm down. All you have to do is write a thousand words and everything will be fine. And you have all day, except it's already noon."

Photopia: "Will you read me a story?"

"Read you a story? What fun would that be? I've got a better idea: let's tell a story together."

Queers In Love At The End of The World: exactly what it says on the tin, how will you spend your final ten seconds on earth?

Depression Quest: If you've only heard of this in the context of its creator being harassed by gamergate you're missing out on an incredible portrayal of what it's like to live with depression.

The Uncle Who Works For Nintendo: "You are 11 years old. You are sleeping over at your best friend's house. You and your friend like videogames. Your friend has a lot of cool games. And, believe it or not, an uncle who works for Nintendo. And he's coming to visit at midnight. A narrative horror game. Five endings."

My Father's Long Long Legs: "An interactive horror story about family, unease, and loss."

I really wanna recommend this incredible twine game that told its story from two different perspectives, told side by side with black text on white on one side and white text on black on the other, but I can't for the life of me remember what it's called!! If anyone knows of what game I'm talking about and can find it I'll be eternally grateful.

My last recommendation is one I've already sent you to! I highly suggest you click around and explore the Interactive Fiction Database for lots more!

i think the near-extinction of people making fun, deep and/or unique interactive text-based browser games, projects and stories is catastrophic to the internet. i'm talking pre-itch.io era, nothing against it.

there are a lot of fun ones listed here and here but for the most part, they were made years ago and are now a dying breed. i get why. there's no money in it. factoring in the cost of web hosting and servers, it probably costs money. it's just sad that it's a dying art form.

anyway, here's some of my favorite browser-based interactive projects and games, if you're into that kind of thing. 90% of them are on the lists that i linked above.

A Better World - create an alternate history timeline

Alter Ego - abandonware birth-to-death life simulator game

Seedship - text-based game about colonizing a new planet

Sandboxels or ThisIsSand - free-falling sand physics games

Little Alchemy 2 - combine various elements to make new ones

Infinite Craft - kind of the same as Little Alchemy

ZenGM - simulate sports

Tamajoji - browser-based tamagotchi

IFDB - interactive fiction database (text adventure games)

Written Realms - more text adventure games with a user interface

The Cafe & Diner - mystery game

The New Campaign Trail - US presidential campaign game

Money Simulator - simulate financial decisions

Genesis - text-based adventure/fantasy game

Level 13 - text-based science fiction adventure game

Miniconomy - player driven economy game

Checkbox Olympics - games involving clicking checkboxes

BrantSteele.net - game show and Hunger Games simulators

Murder Games - fight to the death simulator by Orteil

Cookie Clicker - different but felt weird not including it. by Orteil.

if you're ever thinking about making a niche project that only a select number of individuals will be nerdy enough to enjoy, keep in mind i've been playing some of these games off and on for 20~ years (Alter Ego, for example). quite literally a lifetime of replayability.

[blubunz]

OBSESSION, INFATUATION, CONFESSION

— leon s. kennedy x gn! reader

Tags: the title says it all actually.

A/N: I'll work on other fics and stuff later I promise! Been busy lately and my period does not help lmao grah omg,, so I only have a short little thing for you guys :(

Leon who views himself as tainted, a hollow shell of a man, a weapon only to serve the government and protecting other tainted people.

He's got no right view of the typical romance he'd read or seen. Those typical rom-coms and books are just fictional to him. Well, in his line of work, he doesn't have the mind to view the world as a silly rom-com.

But, he knows what he wants when he sees you. Just a quick meeting, no deep conversation whatsoever yet somehow you have managed to make Leon think he was in highschool again by how his heart is thumping loud and palms sweaty from nervousness.

He doesn't let it show, obviously. But the moment you were gone, his knees crumbled and he has to lean on a wall nearby to steady himself.

God, he's already past his 20s. He's not that young, certainly doesn't look the part. But you make him feel like a teenager, a boy who only worries about impressing his crush rather than bioterrorism.

Day after day, Leon sees you even more radiant, like an angel. He might as well worship you and kiss the ground you walk on. He has to resist that urge, to fall on his knees, begging you to be with him, to hug you and feel your bright aura as he take the wings off to keep you forever with him.

To him, you are everything. Even if his everything should be his job, typically his life depends on it. But not to how Leon sees it. To him, you're providing him air to breathe when you're near. You're giving him a purpose to live his days even more productive, not just throwing himself carelessly here and there just to get things over with.

To you, however, you're not...that special. And you aren't. You're just like anyone else. You're not some hero in a movie, or some angel sent from heaven. You're you. A human with feelings and thoughts about simple things like what to eat, or just getting annoyed at something during your work.

You're aware you're not that crazy, big, admirable figure that everyone knows. Just a nice person doing their best throughout the days.

Yet, Leon's absolutely infatuated with you.

You never noticed it during your usual meetings, but you grow to realise how big of an impact you have on Leon when he's ticked off by the knowledge that you had troubled at work, caused by someone he doesn't even know. It's normal to you, annoying, but normal, everyone has to have a few bad experiences at work. But Leon's fuming, like it was him experiencing it and not you.

And on some random days, you would receive gifts. It's not consistent, but not entirely rare. Seeing a box by your desk every now and then with his initials written on the box. Each time, it was something different, but what they all have in common is that they're all expensive. You already have enough perfume and jewelries by now, with more than enough clothes that you don't need to go shopping anymore. You're slightly scared of how Leon knows your size and what your preferences are.

Nonetheless, you embrace it, and Leon can't be happier. He's an absolute gentleman, doing everything for you as much as he could and treating you to fancy dinners.

He does all of them so easily, but when he finds the perfect time to properly confess to you, he's shaking like a leaf. Leon wants to slap himself at how similar he is to a schoolboy, with you standing before him with a curious expression, and him sweating bullets with a whole paragraph well-constructed in his mind.

His first few words are heavy and shaky. You're almost concerned he'd just cry and run off, but Leon holds himself still, trying to speak his heart out to you.

He freezes when you smile. Honestly, you've predicted it. No one's just nice enough to give you expensive gifts and treating you out like a royal.

“So, is...is it a yes...?”

“Yes, Leon, it is.”

[svtiddiess]

hi! can i req a drabble for seungcheol + no. 127 & 134 from the second prompt list (fluff+smut | prompts pt. 2)? thank you!

"I Think I Might Be Dying...These May Be My Last Words." + "Someone Might See Us!" + "Isn't That The Fun Of It, Love?"

Pairing: Seungcheol x afab!reader

Genre: fluff, suggestive, non-idol! au, established relationship, drabble

Rating: suggestive/mature

Word count: 0.6k

Note: I changed it up just a tiny bit, I hope you don't mind!

Request a drabble from me using these prompts!

You're at a business event with your husband, Seungcheol. The evening is meant for networking, building connections, and sealing deals, but here he is, clinging to you like an overly dramatic puppy instead of playing the part of the composed CEO he's supposed to be.

"I think I might be dying…these may be my last words," he groans dramatically, his arms wrapped around you as he buries his face into your shoulder. He looks up at you with those puppy eyes, his lips forming an exaggerated pout.

You sigh, shaking your head in disbelief. The CEO of a multinational corporation, reduced to whining over a minor cough. Honestly, it’s embarrassing.

"Cheol, it’s just a cough. If you don't quit whining, the only thing killing you today will be my bare hands around your neck," you huff, trying to sound stern but failing to hide your amusement.

He lets out a soft whine, nuzzling further into the crook of your neck. It's painfully obvious he doesn't want to be here and is doing everything in his power to convince you to leave.

"Please~?" he mumbles against your skin, his voice dripping with faux desperation.

"Cheol, you know this is important. We're here to network and make deals, not to sulk," you remind him.

"But it's so boring," he whines, pulling back just enough to look at you. "I'd much rather be at home…doing you."

"Cheol!" you hiss, glancing around to make sure no one overheard. Thankfully, the nearest guests are far enough away to be out of earshot.

He smirks, his hands shifting from a casual hold to something more deliberate, his touch sending a shiver down your spine.

"Don't act like you’d rather be here than under me, love," he murmurs, his voice low and teasing.

Your face heats up at his words, and as much as you hate to admit it, his little act is working. The way his hands slide down to rest on your hips, his fingers brushing against the curve of your ass, is making it hard to focus on anything else.

"Cheol," you whisper, your voice trembling slightly.

"You know how good I'd treat you," he continues, his lips brushing against your ear. "I’d make you come with just my tongue at least twice before stretching you out with my fingers."

You bite your lip to stifle a whimper, your body betraying you as it responds to his words. His hands tighten on your hips, pulling you closer as his lips trail along your jaw.

"And then," he whispers, his voice rough, "I’d give you my cock. You'd like that, wouldn't you? Being fucked so good you can't think straight."

Your breath hitches, and you’re suddenly very aware of how much you'd rather be anywhere but here. Maybe leaving early wouldn't be the worst idea.

Seungcheol leans back slightly, his hand cupping your chin as he tilts your face toward his. His smirk is downright sinful.

"I think I just figured out the perfect cure for my cough," he says, his voice dripping with mischief.

"What is it?" you ask, already knowing the answer.

"You," he purrs before grabbing your hand and leading you away from the crowd.

You let out a small yelp as he pulls you into an empty room, his lips immediately finding your neck as his hands roam over your body.

"Ch-Cheol! Someone might see us!" you protest, though your voice lacks any real conviction.

He chuckles, his breath warm against your skin as he pushes a strand of hair behind your ear. "Isn't that the fun of it, love?" he whispers before capturing your lips in a searing kiss.

Taglist: @tinyelfperson @gyuguys @stay-tiny-things @unlikelysublimekryptonite @miyx-amour @iamawkwardandshy @codeinebelle @brownbunnyb @do-you-remember-summer-127 @sclovreina @theidontknowmehn @toplinehyunjin @gyuhao365 @mysticfairies @cherrylovescheol @cookiearmy @4shypotato @lxnnrobin @sashaaahh @xueisaaa17 @aeriyell @eshia16 @dreamingofpcy @archivistworld @kyeomiis @iwannakisspoutycheol @foxiesgf24 @livelaughloveseventeen @aliiikareed @jennwonwoo @brownsugarbaybee

[revelboo]

Perhaps any Cliffjumper leftovers? He's so aggressive I love him

He really just wants to find reader's ex. And talk.

TKO Pt 6

Cliffjumper x Reader

• Head turning at the feel of something against his arm, he watches you climbing up on him trailing your blanket and just laying down on his arm against his chassis where he's sprawled on his back trying to recharge. Willingly coming to him. Touching him. Afraid to move in case he spooks you away, he almost can't believe you're right there. "Bad dream?" He asks feeling you curl on your side, cocooning yourself in your blanket. Can feel your chilled skin against him when you lay your cheek on him. Making yourself comfortable. Finally trusting him?

• "Cold." And nightmares, but you keep that to yourself. Trying to force yourself to relax, because he's warm and you are cold. Even if it's not about being cold at all and you know it. Trying to show him you're not scared of him. That you appreciate him taking care of you. Being patient, because you know you've been awful. Feel guilty about treating him like a monster because you were hurting and trying to not come to terms with what had happened. Still don't want to believe it, but unable to keep lying to yourself, either. "Do you dream?"

• "Of course." Voice gruff, he turns his head to look at where you're curled against him. Wondering what made you ask that. Do you think he's just a machine? A thing, not a living being? "Do you know what I dream about?" He asks trying to coax you into lifting your head from where you've hidden your face against him. When you're silent, he turns his optics to the ceiling of his habsuite. "Going home." Even if he's afraid of what they'll find when they eventually do. Cybertron was a ruined husk when they'd left, devastated by their war. A dead world, but that was millennia ago.

• "Why did you leave?" There's a longing in his voice that you understand. It's the same hurtful ache you feel thinking about him. About what he'd tried to do to you. Part of you just wanting to go home and it's like a raw, ragged wound that jolts through you every time you touch it. Remembering there is no home anymore. That maybe there never had been. That maybe he'd never actually loved you, only lied to you even though you can't figure out why.

• Running the tip of his glossa over his denta, he vents. "War," he says. Though that's not the whole answer. That one word far too simple to sum up everything that had gone wrong. Because both sides had made mistakes. Awful mistakes. And that's the worst part. Knowing that the corruption in the Senate, the casual disregard for the lives of the working class, was what had fueled the Decepticon movement. Both sides wanting to fix things, but Megatron's way forward was to burn it all to the ground and rebuild from the ashes.

• Head lifting you study him since he's not staring at you. Optics distant with some old memory. "Are you the good guys?" Regret the question as soon as you say it when his head turns and he just looks at you. Why had you asked that? Of course, he'd think he was on the side of right. No one ever truly thinks they're the villain. Slowly, his head turns away, optics on the ceiling again. 'Primus, I hope so,' he mutters so softly you almost miss it.

Previous

[rinasspookystories]

They had no idea who they were dealing with. While I had made a point to keep to myself, I was not going to stand by and allow harm to come to someone pleading for help. Especially not a child.

Bringing a finger to my lips, I signal to her to be quiet.

"Stay here," I say in a firm but gentle tone. "Whatever you hear, do not come out until I come back in for you."

Once the girl nods, I offer her a soft smile and close the door to the shed. It takes little time for me to cross the yard and reach my cabin as the soldiers arrive.

"What do you want?" I demand, making it clear I am not happy at their presence.

"A witch came through this forest and may be hiding here," A soldier explained. "We need to search the area."

"No." I reply with eyes narrowed.

"It wasn't a request." The soldier gestures to his men to start searching my home. "Stand aside."

"I said, no." I repeat, not moving an inch while glaring at the group. I see a few of the younger soldiers step back and cringe. "Leave my home. You will receive no further warning."

The captain took a step towards me, hand moving to the hilt of his sword. Before he can so much as utter a sound, I let out a sharp whistle. It startles him, making him pause in his tracks. The series of howls that sound from the surrounding trees causes the lot of them to jump, several of the bolder ones drawing the blades they brought.

I can't help but smirk a little. Their weapons have no power in this forest. Their swords and shields will provide no protection against the pack of beasts that emerge from the trees, eyes glowing like red hot coals and with whisps of smoke curling up and away from their inky black forms.

Without a word, I raise my hand. It's all the signal needed for the beasts to lunge and attack the trespassers.

Had the soldiers listened to the folks in the town at the edge of the forest, they'd have heard about the forest witch. The one they'd long since agreed to let live in peace in exchange for protection from outside threats. It was a pact I had made with the village leaders over a century ago. And when the larger towns began to hunt and persecute the newer generation of witches, that little village I guarded agreed to become a safe haven and provide those seeking refuge the knowledge of how to find me.

This child, who found me by sheer accident, was now under my protection. And while the soldiers saw a young, frail looking woman, I had already seen multiple generations of their predecessors come and go. By now, I was more than a mere witch. I had learned to harness the elements of nature. And these beast of smoke and shadow were creatures I have formed a bond with. They would protect and serve me in exchange for giving them food and shelter during months of scarcity.

A blood covered hand reaches up from the ground as the captain crawls towards me. His eyes beg for mercy.

"Pl....ease....spare.....me...."

I hold a hand up, effectively stopping the largest of the beasts from continuing it's attack, and kneel down to be closer to the soldier's level. I take the man's chin in my hand and make him look up at me so we make eye contact. I can feel him shake in fear and pain, his life blood ebbing and soaking into the earth beneath him. I almost pity him. Almost.

Without a word, I release him and rise back to my full height, turning my back to the carnage.

"There's a little one here. Please make sure that she doesn't see any of this."

The beast behind me growls softly in response and then howls to the pack. I can hear the final cries of the men as they're dragged deep into the forest while I return to the shed to let the child know that she is safe now.

"P-please. Don't let them take me…" A witch, a young girl pleaded as she hides in your shed. You see the fear in her eyes as you hear the armored footsteps of the inquisition approached your home. Your heart thumps. They don't take heretics lightly nor one that shields them from their hold.

[brotherwtf]

cooking up a teacher au with @hogans-heroes lmao

John who's the baseball coach/gym/health teacher, he loves working with the kids and helping them integrate into high school/becoming their own person, but also knows that gym is always such a weird fucking class to do that so he does his best to make sure everyone is doing smth they enjoy

it isn't easy those first few weeks, but things start to change when the kids who didn't speak a word the first week start forming friendships, walking in with friends and just so so happy to tell John about the new librarian they were just talking with, and John thinks he may need to pay this librarian a visit so he can thank them for helping make the kids more comfortable

they meet officially at back to school night, John's sauntering around and being annoying when his eyes lock on a table with a big stack of books and the most beautiful man John has ever laid eyes on sitting behind the table, looking uninterested and almost a little shy with all of the parents milling around and John makes a fucking beeline for him so a parent doesn't swoop in and talk to this angel

all big and confident with his hand thrust forward "I'm coach Egan but everyone calls me Bucky" and the man looks at him with an unamused expression, shakes his hand and raises his eyebrows like John's failing a test that he didn't know he was taking

"I'm Gale, I'm the new librarian" he says, voice deep with a slight southern drawl and fuck, John is really really starting to see the appeal of this new librarian

insert lovely banter where John's like "you don't look like a Gale" and christens him Buck and Gale can't help but smile, hiding it behind his delicate hand as John just straight up makes a fool out of himself

"listen, Buck, I have no idea what's so special about you but the kids are eating it up. I gotta say, I really do appreciate you making them feel so comfortable at school during their day" John says and goddamn the flush that spreads across Gale's cheeks is as beautiful as a sunset

"it's my job, I love helping the kids and providing a space for them to be excited about learning. that's why I wanted to do this in the first place" Gale says and John's heart swells, both with utmost respect and because Gale just rolled his sleeves up his forearms and John can't help but ogle

anyway John finds himself spending his lunch breaks with Gale in the library, bothering him and being annoying as per usual but Gale finds it so endearing, tidying the papers that John messes up on purpose and stifling his laugh at John's dumb jokes, man these bitches are in love fr

and John sees how much of an impact Gale has on the kids, he nurtures each and every one of them into wanting to learn, wanting to explore, giving them space to become their own people, and John thinks he falls in love with Gale a little bit more every day

Gale who thinks he's unlovable, which is why he throws himself into the work of providing a space for the kids to learn, always giving and giving and giving and never taking, but John teaches Gale that he does deserve love, that the kids are happy bcs of Gale and John is so so so in love with Gale, so much so that he proposes to Gale at prom, in front of all of the kids who have been impacted for the better by the both of them... and Gale has never felt more loved in his entire life

[3hks]

Various Ways to End Your Story (But SPECIFIC)

How you end a story can make or break it, so it's REALLY important to end it in a way you find fitting! If you're looking for some ideas on this topic, you've come to the right place! Not only will I list the different types, but I'll detail them, break them down, and hopefully, include some that you've never thought/heard of before!

CIRCLE ENDING

Yes, I know, this is a pretty basic one; most people have heard of this ending before. However, that doesn't mean it's not a good way to end your novel!

As its name suggests, this is when the story circles back to the beginning, or at least references it, for an ending. It sounds basic, but there are a few different types of this!

I. Repeating the First Sentence

This is where your last sentence is a repeat (with none or few changes) of your very first sentence, which makes it super effective if you have a powerful first sentence!

II. Repeating the First Sentence (But Different)

As you can tell, this is nearly the same as the idea I mentioned above. The first and last sentence are the same, but the meanings of them differ because the readers have read through the whole story. When they re-read what was written, they'll see it through a different perspective.

For example: "He thinks it'd be amazing if he could fly like a bird."

At first, you might think that the character just finds it cool how birds can fly, and he wants that. But after reading, the readers might realize that there's a metaphorical meaning to "bird" or "fly", and they may realize that the character actually longs for freedom, peace, etc.

The point is, that ONE sentence takes on a different meaning despite remaining the same.

III. Returning to the Same Timeline

Unlike the first two, this one does not repeat the first sentence of your story. Instead, it references the beginning as a whole, often returning to the same timeline the narrator began at.

You can see this in works where the narrator is actually reciting the past (so they're speaking from the present), and around the end, they return to the present for final words.

ABRUPT ENDING

This is literally in the name--these next few conclusions are ones that are more abrupt. You'll see what I mean!

I. Cliffhanger

We've ALL heard of this, I'm sure. This is where the story ends at a point with high tension and suspense. While cliffhangers don't always have to be a quick ending, they technically leave the story unfinished, which I why I included this here.

All in all, this is good for maintaining interest and encouraging your readers to continue reading any sequels you might have!

II. Quick Ending

You might be thinking, 'what's the difference between the "quick ending" and the "abrupt ending"? The answer to that question is that the quick ending is the more general subcategory of the latter.

Basically, this is the ending where all--or at least most--loose ends are tied and there is a concrete resolution that satisfies your readers. However, there often is little insight to what your characters' futures may hold, since everything is ended often in a sentence or two.

Still, this is one of my all-time favorite ways to end a story because it can be very empowering if done right!

ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE ENDINGS

I definitely feel like these are less common because they can get kind of off-track and they're hard to really fit in, but that just makes it more interesting!

I. Different Character's Perspective

I've honestly seen one author do this, and while I can't say it was my favorite conclusion, it was certainly fascinating to me.

This is where the story ends through the eyes of a side character, not the protagonist. Your stories actual resolution could have happened earlier, but the ending is from a different character's POV of a past, present, or future presented in a meaningful way.

II. Time Skip (Epilogue)

Out of these two subcategories, the 'time skip' ending is more popular for sure! If you have a more complex story (by that I mean one with a bigger cast, a lot of plot events, etc.), a time skip ending could be a good choice for you!

Usually, these time skips aren't just a couple of days or weeks, but often years or even decades. This is great if your protagonist has a super ambitious goal, and you want your readers to see what happens years after they reach it!

III. Reflection

This ending typically happens after a long time skip, where the narrator reflects upon their last actions/events that happened. Truthfully, I see this a lot more in stories that have sad or bittersweet endings, which we'll get into next!

IV. Flashback

If you're looking for a different one that ties back to the main character's past, this might be it! Instead of your story ending during the present or the future, in this case, your story ends in a meaningful flashback of a character. This is great if you want to emphasize how much the character changed and grew from their beginning!

EMOTIONAL ENDINGS

Let's talk about emotional endings, real quick!

I. Happy Endings

We all know about happy endings. Typically, the protagonist (and often their close friends/family) achieve their goal(s) and is satisfied with the results of their journey.

This is the most common story ending, emotion-wise, because it provides the readers with a good sense of closure and appeals to them!

II. Bittersweet Endings

This is where the resolution feels both happy and sad. Perhaps the protagonist achieved their goal(s) but lost things they valued along the way, or vice versa.

III. Tragic Endings

This ending can be both happy and sad, but there's definitely a lot more sadness than happiness. It can be like the one above (where they reach their goal but lose stuff/people they care about), or it can be a situation where the main character lost essentially everything.

"NON-CONCRETE" ENDING

I. Open-ended Ending

This is where the ending is up to interpretation! There might be suggestions of what happened, but it's ultimately unconfirmed, allowing the readers to draw their own conclusions.

Personally, I've never attempted this type of resolution (because I have a bad feeling it won't end well if I did), but it's pretty common!

II. New Beginning

This is where the story ends when the main character is starting a new life. Maybe they've moved to a new city, underwent changes as a person, and is escaping from their old life to start fresh.

This is one conclusion I see sometimes in dystopian novels!

III. False Victory

If you've ever watched a movie or read a book about a person whose goal is to make a HUGE impact on the world, you might've experienced this ending.

A "false victory" ending is where it seems like the protagonist has won, but the readers know that the victory itself is empty and/or temporary, with no permanent change.

Although, yes, this is technically a pretty concrete ending, it can leave readers--for lack of a better word--rather unsatisfied. However, that doesn't mean it's a bad choice!

EVOCATIVE ENDINGS

For this next section, I'll be talking about a few endings that I think heavily resonate with the readers--final words that your readers will remember.

I. Wordless Ending

Throughout the last few paragraphs of a resolution, there often is dialogue involved somewhere, and that's not a bad thing! I will never deny that dialogue is powerful, but so is the opposite.

This ending revolves around having no dialogue (and thoughts!). Instead, it focuses on imagery, the characters' actions, the setting, and literary devices to create a more immersive, beautiful ending!

II. Anonymous Hero

This one, in all honesty, this ending type applies to a more specific type of stories.

So basically, this is the situation in which your protagonist achieves their goal, normally a pretty impactful and important one at that, but no one actually knows it's them who accomplished this, resulting in their life returning to--more or less-normal than--their old one.

III. Proverbs, Quotes, Questions

We all know that we can begin a story with any of these options mentioned above (and more), but that doesn't mean we can't end them the same way! Granted, I do prefer the former, but there's undeniable charm in ending your work this way!

By making your last sentence(s) a quote, proverb, question, or even a poem (I like the idea of ending it in a couplet), it reemphasizes the theme of the story while providing resonant, beautiful final words.

CONCLUSION

If you made it all the way here (or skipped here), thank you for reaching the end! Remember that you can shape endings however you want! You don't have to pick only one of these and stick with it--combine them! Actually, I think several of these resolutions overlap each other.

If you have sent me a question/request, I PROMSE I haven't forgot! I'm getting to it (albeit very slowly), so I thank you for your patience; your support means everything to me!

Comment any other endings you can think of! I'd love to see what you guys come up with!

Happy writing~

3hks <3

[sssammich]

fic: if only today had been any other day

hello hello

this is inspired by @ekingston's flash fiction challenge! she was so right tho like i ended up making my wip list worse by adding this on there. but whatever it's off the wip list and now on the complete list, so!

ANYWAY here's what i spun:

genre: tragedy premise: in a fender bender trope: idiots to lovers subject: bandaids

word count: 1000

(LINK TO AO3)

pls enjoy thx love u bye

--

"Kara, there's something I want to tell you."

"Everything okay?"

"Yes. I think so."

"You think so?"

"It's a good thing. I hope."

"Lena, you're—ah, sorry, hang on a sec, I'm getting a call."

"Answer it."

"But—"

"It could be important."

"Lena…"

"It's okay. We have time."

She pushed the dilapidated convenience store door open. Relieved the shelves somehow hadn't been completely ransacked, she only took what she needed, the rest for anyone else who showed up after. She stopped by the makeshift pharmacy shelf, eyeing a first-aid kit that dangled on its broken handle. It couldn't hurt to retrieve it, benefiting from a few extra bandaids. The kit was soon buried under all the provisions she could stomach for the rest of her travels.

Finally she headed to the register, hoisted the basket onto the counter until she remembered.

Tears pricked at her eyes, but she knew it wouldn't do to dwell. She retrieved the basket and left.

—

"Come with me."

"Lena."

"Please. Please, Kara. Please."

"I'm sorry, Lena. But I can't leave, not until I know they can't get to you."

—

The accident would have been ruled as a simple fender bender. Unfortunate, yet unsurprising: trudging through slick rain, the car hydroplaning just to slide and crash against whatever was ahead. Incurred damage wouldn't have cost more than a small pittance in her coffers before the fender was fixed anew.

It would have been an ordinary thing.

Except nothing was the same and hadn't been for a long time.

—

"Breaking news: National City has been invaded by an aggressive alien race known as the Daxamites. Supergirl and Superman stand at the helm of the fight, backed by various military forces while officials evacuate as many of the citizens to safety."

—

Her hands shook from the adrenaline more than the impact, glancing at the stationary car in front of her.

She gripped the wheel as she focused on evening her breathing and calming her pulse.

Had anything else happened, the back of that car could have been the last thing she ever saw. Slamming the brakes and bracing for impact could have been the last thing she ever did. Regret wrapped so viciously around her mind, her heart, when she thought instead of what she wished she'd done, what she wished she'd said.

Before it had been too late.

Fat drops of tears fell in succession down her cheeks unable to stop the outpour of her emotions, of her grief, at the world that once was.

—

"You have to go, Lena. There's no time."

"Tell me she's okay."

"She's okay."

"Alex—"

"They have her, but she's alive. They have her and they'll use her to get to you. Please, just—go for now and once we figure out what's really going on, I'll find you."

"How?"

"Because you'll find me first and let me know where you are. Isn't that how this works?"

"…"

"…"

"I never got to tell her."

"Ten bucks says she already knows."

—

She arrived at the sanctuary early the next morning, just after dawn, her body exhausted from more than just the drive. She stood by the side of her car, glad to stretch out the ache in her limbs, her joints. Before her was an old church, stained glass windows bright against the rising sun.

She'd lost her faith somewhere along the way, somewhere around the time a flash of blonde, red, and blue dropped from the sky and failed to get back up again. Somewhere along the thousands of miles she'd traveled all over the country, making herself useful, making herself forget.

She hoisted the small basket of supplies and water from the backseat and took a forward step towards the large wooden doors. She paused when said doors creaked open and out came an empathetic face and a welcoming smile.

"Kelly, hi."

"You made it."

—

"Name?"

"Kieran Walsh."

"Where you coming from?"

"Metropolis."

"A long ways away."

"There's nothing left there."

"Where you headed?"

"North."

"…"

"…"

"Let her through. Safe driving out there, Kieran Walsh."

"Thanks."

—

Kelly gathered up her meager basket of offerings and placed them in the pantry before seating her at the large table with a cup of tea.

"Can I get you anything else?"

She shook her head, satisfied with simply taking a deep breath of the soothing tea and the warmth of a familiar face. Kelly placed a hand atop hers.

"Alex is coming back in a week. Last I heard."

Lena clasped Kelly's hand between hers, anchoring herself in case she dared to hope too much. Too soon. Too fast. "You think she…" afraid to finish.

"I hope so."

—

"I miss you."

—

The rumble of a vehicle startled her awake, having pulled up in front of the church. She rushed from her cot, but lingered by the door when Kelly greeted Alex with a tight hug. Alex pulled away and caught Lena's eye, tilting her head towards the backseat of the black tinted van.

She didn't move, not right away, not until Alex nudged her with a tap on her hand arm and, "You owe me ten bucks, Luthor."

—

"There's a sanctuary ten hours north of National City. Head there as soon as you can."

—

A trembling hand pulled the van door open and revealed a face she'd missed for nine grueling months. After the world had been turned upside down and she'd lost everything she'd ever known and loved while on the lam just to survive.

In the middle of it all was Kara who now sat with her arm in a sling and whose visage bore a long scar that sliced through the right side of her face, shutting her eye permanently. Still, the smile was there, directed at her.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"You wanted to tell me something?"

Lena laughed, despite the anguish and grief that had carved a cathedral inside of her, and simply wrapped her arms around her heart's greatest wish before she kissed Kara soundly on the mouth. A taste of homecoming.

[elryuse]

Leaving Hell Pt. 2

Winter & Karina X Male Reader

Tags : Angst, Romance, Toxic Relationships, Complex Feelings, Trauma. Depression, Suicidal Words : 6,4+ Wprds

A Continuation of Leaving Hell. Requested by My Friend @Pizza_anon From Ko-fi. I Hoped you Guys Liked it.

The warmth of Winter’s embrace lingers even as your mind drifts elsewhere, sinking into the darkness that never fully left you. It doesn’t matter how much time has passed, how much love Winter pours into you—Karina’s voice, her twisted smile, her venomous words still echo in your mind like a ghost refusing to be exorcised.

"You're nothing, Y/n. Stop pretending that you actually matter."

Your breath hitches.

The memory grips you like cold hands wrapping around your throat, pulling you back into the suffocating abyss you thought you had escaped. The library, Winter’s playful giggle, the softness of the morning—all of it fades as those cursed memories take hold.

"No one wants you. You're lucky I even chose you."

You flinch.

"Y/n?"

Winter’s voice. Soft. Concerned.

She reaches for you, her fingers barely brushing against your skin before you instinctively pull away.

Regret sinks in immediately.

Winter’s expression falls, her lips parting as if she wants to say something but hesitates.

“Y/n…”

You swallow hard, forcing yourself to look at her. Her eyes shimmer with something fragile—something you don’t want to break.

"I…" you struggle to find the words. "I was just—"

"Thinking about her again," Winter finishes for you, her voice barely above a whisper.

The air between you stills.

You don’t have to answer.

She already knows.

A small, pained sigh escapes her lips as she shifts closer, wrapping her arms around your shoulders and pulling you into her embrace. You hesitate, the instinct to recoil still lingering from years of being pushed away, belittled, punished for moments of weakness.

But Winter isn’t Karina.

Winter isn’t cruel.

Winter wants you.

So you let yourself collapse into her.

She strokes your hair gently, her fingers weaving through the strands with a tenderness you still struggle to accept.

"You’re safe now," she whispers. "She can't hurt you anymore."

But can she?

Because no matter how far you run, no matter how many times you try to convince yourself that Karina is gone—she’s still there.

Lingering.

Lurking.

Waiting.

Winter pulls back slightly, cupping your face in her hands. Her thumbs brush against the stray tears escaping down your cheeks.

“Baby…” she whispers, eyes searching yours. "You have to stop letting her live in your head like this."

You clench your jaw. "I know, I just—"

"I hate seeing you like this," she says, her voice breaking slightly. "I hate that she still has this hold on you. That she made you believe you’re not worth loving."

You close your eyes, inhaling sharply as her words cut deep—not in the way Karina’s did, but in the way truth always does when it’s hard to accept.

"You do know that, right?" Winter presses. "That you’re worth loving?"

You don’t answer.

And that silence alone is enough to make Winter’s breath hitch.

"…Y/n?"

She sounds so heartbroken, so desperate for you to believe what she’s saying, that it makes guilt coil tightly in your chest.

“I…”

You trail off, unsure how to say it.

That you still struggle to look in the mirror without hearing Karina’s voice.

That you still flinch when Winter reaches for you too quickly.

That you still have nightmares where you wake up expecting to see Karina’s cold, lifeless eyes staring back at you, disappointment etched across her perfect face.

Winter sees the hesitation, the pain, the fear—and she won’t let it consume you.

Not again.

So she does the one thing she knows will silence your doubts.

She kisses you.

It’s slow, deep, reassuring.

Her lips move against yours with certainty, with warmth, with love—something Karina never gave you. Something you never thought you deserved.

Your hands find their way to Winter’s waist, gripping her like she’s the only thing anchoring you to the present. She tilts her head, deepening the kiss, as if she can pull all of your pain into her and replace it with something lighter.

She tastes like warmth. Like safety. Like home.

When she finally pulls away, she rests her forehead against yours, her breathing slightly uneven.

"You don’t belong to her anymore," Winter murmurs. "You belong here. With me."

Your chest tightens.

Because for the first time in a long time…

You believe it.

Even if it’s just a little.

Even if there are still scars.

Even if healing will take time.

You nod slowly, pressing a soft kiss to her lips in return.

"I know," you whisper against her skin. "Thank you."

Winter smiles, brushing her fingers through your hair once more.

"Always."

And for the first time since leaving hell—

You feel like you’re finally stepping into the light.

The cold night air wrapped around you like a soft whisper, crisp and sharp against your skin, but the warmth of Winter beside you made it bearable. The two of you sat by the river, watching the city lights flicker and dance upon the water’s surface like tiny, trembling stars. Seoul had always been breathtaking at night—towering skyscrapers piercing the darkness, neon signs painting the streets in soft hues of blue and pink, headlights and taillights weaving through the roads like rivers of fire.

But tonight, you barely paid attention to any of it.

Your focus was on her.

Winter sat close, close enough that your arms brushed, close enough that the scent of her vanilla shampoo lingered in the cool air. She had insisted on taking you out today, determined to keep you away from the weight of your thoughts. And, despite the lingering shadows in your mind, you found yourself… enjoying it.

For the first time in a long time, you felt something other than dread sitting heavy in your chest.

She had taken you to a bookstore earlier, where she spent an hour convincing you to buy a poetry book she swore would "mend your soul." Afterward, she dragged you into a tiny, cozy café tucked away in an alley, where she ordered a hot chocolate for herself and an americano for you, only to steal sips from your cup and grimace every time at the bitterness. You laughed every time she did it, and she only pouted, telling you, "I just need to make sure it’s still disgusting."

Now, you were here, sitting side by side by the Han River, the distant sounds of the city blending into a peaceful hum around you.

Then—

Flash!

A sudden burst of light momentarily blinded you, making you flinch.

“What the—?”

Laughter.

You blinked a few times before turning to Winter, who was grinning at you, her fingers holding a polaroid camera up like a trophy.

"Winter," you groaned, rubbing your eyes. "Warn me next time."

She giggled. "But then I wouldn’t get this perfect reaction!"

She pulled the freshly printed photo from the slot and shook it slightly before holding it up to examine it.

A satisfied smirk curled at her lips. "You look so cute when you're startled."

You rolled your eyes, but there was no real annoyance in your expression. "Yeah, yeah. Let me see it."

Winter hesitated for a second before handing you the photo. It was still developing, but your slightly surprised face was already visible against the dark background of the city. You frowned at yourself.

“I look ridiculous.”

“You look adorable.”

“I look—”

“—perfect,” Winter interrupted, voice softer this time. “To me, at least.”

The words made something tighten in your chest.

It was so easy for her to say things like that. So easy for her to look at you like you were something to be treasured—like you were deserving of love.

You weren’t used to it.

You didn’t know if you’d ever be.

Still, you pocketed the polaroid, pretending not to notice the pleased smile that crossed her face when you did.

For a while, neither of you spoke. You simply sat there, side by side, watching the slow ripples in the water, listening to the way the wind carried the distant sounds of the city. The silence was nice. Comfortable.

Then, softly—

“You’re healing, you know.”

Your fingers twitched slightly.

You didn’t respond, but Winter didn’t seem to expect you to.

She scooted closer, resting her head against your shoulder. Her arms wrapped around yours as she nestled into your side, as if trying to shield you from the cold—or maybe from your own thoughts.

“I can see it,” she continued, her voice gentle but firm. “You laugh more. You look at me differently. You touch me differently. Less like you’re bracing for something to go wrong. More like you want to hold me.”

You swallowed.

She wasn’t wrong.

But—

"I still think about her," you admitted, barely above a whisper.

Winter didn’t stiffen. She didn’t pull away. She just listened.

"I still hear her voice sometimes," you continued. "When I’m alone. When I least expect it. It’s like… she’s still there, waiting to pull me back."

Winter exhaled softly, her grip on you tightening. "I know."

You turned to her, surprised.

She gave you a small, sad smile. "Healing doesn’t mean forgetting, Y/n. It doesn’t mean the pain just disappears. It just means… it doesn’t control you anymore."

You stared at her, the weight of her words pressing deep into you.

"I just don’t want you to think you’re broken," she added, fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns against the back of your hand. "You’re not. You never were. You just… needed someone to remind you that you’re worthy of something better."

Something better.

Something like her.

Your chest ached.

Not in the way it used to.

Not in the way Karina had made it ache.

This was different.

It was soft. Warm. Like an ember glowing in the dark, chasing away the cold bit by bit.

You shifted slightly, turning so that you could properly face her. Her eyes reflected the city lights, shimmering in the darkness like tiny galaxies.

You lifted a hand, hesitating only for a moment before tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Winter blinked.

Then, she smiled.

That smile.

The one that always made your heart stutter, made the world feel a little less heavy.

You didn’t think.

You just leaned in.

Winter’s breath hitched as your lips met hers, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she melted into you, her hands moving up to cup your face, fingers grazing your jaw in that tender way that made your heart ache.

The kiss was slow, lingering—like the two of you were trying to savor the moment, trying to make up for all the times you had been too afraid to reach for this kind of love.

When you finally pulled away, Winter’s forehead rested against yours, her breath warm against your lips.

"You’re getting better," she whispered.

You closed your eyes, exhaling softly.

"Yeah," you murmured. "I think I am."

And for the first time in a long time—

You believed it.

It hurts.

More than I thought it would.

More than I wanted to admit.

I stare at the old photos on my phone—photo after photo of us, of him. My fingers tremble as I scroll, my chest tightening with every image that flickers past the screen.

There we are at the campus café, me playfully stealing his drink while he pouts at me. There’s another of me in his hoodie, drowning in the oversized fabric as he called me cute and took a picture.

And then—

I feel my breath hitch as I come across that photo.

The photobooth picture.

The one where we were laughing, our faces pressed close, my arms wrapped around his neck like I never wanted to let go. The one where I kissed his cheek, leaving behind a tiny lipstick stain that he pretended to be annoyed about.

I trace the edges of the photo on my screen, my vision blurring.

I used to be happy.

I used to love him.

And I threw it all away.

It all started on that rainy day.

I remember it so vividly, as if my mind refuses to let me forget.

I didn’t bring an umbrella that day. Stupid. I should’ve checked the weather, should’ve prepared for the storm, should’ve done something.

The thunder cracked loudly, shaking me to my core. I hated storms—I always did. The way the sky roared, the way the rain poured like endless tears, the way it made me feel so alone.

I stood under the campus awning, hugging myself as the cold bit through my thin cardigan. I was waiting. Hoping.

For someone.

For anyone to help me.

And then—

"Do you need some help?"

His voice was soft, warm—like the first glimpse of sunlight after a storm.

I turned and saw him.

Y/n.

He held his umbrella above me, shielding me from the rain without hesitation. His eyes, kind and unwavering, looked at me like I was something worth saving.

I smiled.

I don’t know why, but I smiled.

"Thank you," I had whispered.

And we walked home together that night.

Just the two of us.

I squeeze my eyes shut, letting out a sharp, shuddering breath.

Why did I have to remember that now?

Why did it feel like a knife twisting deep into my chest?

I keep scrolling.

More pictures. More memories. More pieces of him that I took for granted.

I see a photo he took of me—one where I wasn’t even posing, just laughing about something stupid. He used to do that a lot.

He used to look at me like I was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

And I—

I ruined it.

I let myself get bored.

Somewhere along the way, I stopped cherishing him. I stopped appreciating the way he cared, the way he listened, the way he loved me so deeply and endlessly.

I remember the things I said.

"What, you think I like these types of gifts? Are you dumb? This shit doesn’t fit my style."

"Can you shut up already? I’m so tired of hearing your voice."

"Why are you jealous? You think I’d actually cheat on you? Stop pretending like you matter that much."

I swallow the lump in my throat, my heart hammering violently against my ribs.

I wasn’t just cruel.

I was monstrous.

And then—

Then came the worst memories.

The ones I tried so hard to bury.

The way I slapped him.

The way I hit him when I was angry.

The way I laughed when he looked hurt.

The way I belittled him, made him feel small, made him question if he was even worthy of love.

The way I cheated on him.

My breath catches.

I can’t breathe.

I can’t—

My grip tightens on the photobooth picture as my entire body shakes.

I see it all. Every horrible thing I did, every hateful word I spat, every tear I caused him.

And now—

Now he’s gone.

Gone from my life.

Gone from my arms.

Gone, in love with someone else.

Winter.

That bitch.

No—no, not a bitch. She’s better than me.

She’s everything I failed to be.

She loves him. She treats him right. She makes him smile in a way I never could.

And I—

I lost him.

Forever.

I let out a broken sob, my entire body curling into itself. I clutch the photo tightly against my chest, as if that alone will bring him back.

It won’t.

I know it won’t.

But I wail anyway.

Loud. Desperate.

I hit myself, my fists slamming against my thighs, my arms, my sides—anything to punish myself.

"Stupid." Hit.

"Idiot." Hit.

"You lost him." Hit.

"You lost the only person who ever truly loved you."

My cries echo through the empty room, the weight of my own self-hatred crushing me from the inside.

I don’t know how long I sit there, sobbing and gasping, drowning in my own agony.

I just know that it’s too late.

Too late to fix this.

Too late to get him back.

Too late to make things right.

I had everything.

And I let it slip through my fingers.

Now—

Now, I have nothing.

Nothing but regret.

And regret is a hell I will never escape.

I sat there for hours.

The tears had stopped, but the pain lingered, carving itself deep into my soul.

I had lost him.

I had really lost him.

I pressed my forehead against my knees, trying to steady my breath. The weight of regret was unbearable, suffocating me in its grasp.

I should move on.

That’s what normal people do, right?

They accept their mistakes. They learn. They let go.

I should let go of Y/n.

I should wish him happiness, even if it’s not with me.

I should—

No.

No, I can’t.

The thought of him being with someone else… being in love with Winter of all people… it made my stomach twist into knots.

She didn’t deserve him.

Not like I did.

I was his first. I was the one who loved him first.

He belonged to me.

Not her.

Never her.

The idea struck me like lightning.

I don’t have to let go.

I can still watch over him. I can still be there, even if he doesn’t know it.

Slowly, my breathing steadied.

My fingers curled around my phone as my lips parted, my heart racing with a newfound purpose.

If I can’t have him now…

I’ll just wait.

Wait for the moment they crumble.

Wait for the moment he realizes that no one will love him the way I do.

Wait for the moment he comes running back to me.

I felt my lips curl into a slow, satisfied grin.

Yes.

That’s it.

If Winter thinks she can replace me, she’s dead wrong.

A Week Later The streets of Seoul were crowded, but it didn’t matter.

Not when my eyes were glued to him.

I kept a safe distance, my hood pulled over my head, a pair of sunglasses shielding my eyes, and a face mask concealing the lower half of my face. No one would recognize me like this.

Not even him.

Not even Y/n.

He was walking beside Winter, laughing at something she said.

Laughing.

It made my blood boil.

That laugh used to belong to me.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I followed them from a distance. Every little thing she did made me sick. The way she held his hand. The way she leaned into him. The way he looked at her with those same soft, affectionate eyes he used to reserve for me.

It’s not fair.

It’s not fair.

It’s not fair.

I exhaled slowly, keeping my steps light and cautious.

I just needed to know more.

How serious were they?

How long would they last?

Would she get tired of him? Would she break his heart?

Would he come crawling back to me when she did?

I needed to know everything.

So I watched.

And I waited.

They walked along the Han River, the cold wind biting at my skin through my coat. I saw them sit down on a bench, talking about something I couldn’t hear. Winter rested her head on his shoulder, and he smiled.

I nearly saw red.

That was my place.

It should have been me.

My hands clenched around my coat as I inhaled deeply, trying to suppress the wave of emotions that threatened to consume me.

Not yet.

I’ll wait.

And when the time is right—

I’ll take back what’s mine.

One way or another.

The library wasn’t far.

You just wanted some peace. Some quiet.

Winter had recommended a few books about healing—about letting go of past traumas, meditating, and finding inner peace.

You thought it was a good idea.

After all, Winter had been the one pulling you out of the darkness Karina left you in.

But just as you crossed the street, your gut twisted into a sickening knot.

Something felt wrong.

And then you saw her.

Karina.

She was standing there, just a few feet away, dressed in all black, her long coat wrapped tightly around her body. Her eyes widened the moment she saw you, her lips parting as if she had been waiting for this moment.

Before you could turn around, before you could run—

She ran to you.

And before you could react—

She hugged you.

Tightly.

So tightly that you felt the air leave your lungs for a moment.

She buried her face into your chest, her body trembling against yours as choked sobs escaped her lips.

“I—I messed up…” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I messed up so bad, Y/n…”

You froze, every muscle in your body locking up as memories—bad memories—flooded your mind.

Her words. Her slaps. Her laughter as she belittled you.

“I still love you,” she continued, gripping your coat. “I was stupid. I was horrible. I—God, I don’t even know why I was like that.”

You didn’t move.

You didn’t hold her back.

She lifted her head, her teary eyes locking onto yours with desperation. “I just— I realized how much I ruined everything. I hurt you, and I hate myself for it. I hate that I was so cruel. I hate that I let you go.”

Your chest felt tight.

“I’m ready to start over,” Karina continued, her voice almost hopeful. “I promise, I can be better. We can be better. So please…”

And then she said it.

“Break up with her.”

Your breath hitched.

You stared at her.

The world around you felt like it had stopped moving.

“…What?”

Karina’s fingers curled into your coat, pulling you closer. “I know you still love me.”

You didn’t.

You don’t.

You opened your mouth, your voice firm.

“No.”

Her expression dropped.

“No?” she repeated, her voice cracking.

“I’ve moved on, Karina.”

Her grip on you tightened.

Her hands trembled.

She shook her head, laughing bitterly through her tears. “No, no, no—you’re lying. You still love me. I know you do.”

You took a step back, but she wouldn’t let go.

Her grip turned iron-clad, her nails digging into your arms as her breathing grew erratic.

“You love me,” she repeated, almost like she was trying to convince herself. “You need me. That girl—Winter—she’s just a replacement.”

“Karina, stop.”

“I won’t let you go,” she whispered.

And then—

She kissed you.

Your body froze.

Your mind screamed at you to push her away, to shove her off, but Karina pressed harder, forcing herself onto you.

Your stomach churned in disgust.

You turned your head, trying to escape her lips, but she didn’t stop.

She kissed your jaw, then your neck, her breath hot and frantic.

“Stop.”

She ignored you.

“Karina, stop!” you repeated, trying to shove her away, but she clung onto you like a parasite, her grip unrelenting.

“You hurt me!” she suddenly yelled, her voice breaking as she pressed her body against yours.

Your entire body stiffened.

People were watching now.

She knew people were watching.

And she knew exactly what she was doing.

If you pushed her away, she would scream.

She would cry.

She would make it look like you were the villain.

Panic clawed at your chest.

She wouldn’t stop.

You felt her lips against your skin again, and you were about to yell—

But then—

“Get your hands off him.”

A cold voice sliced through the air.

Karina froze.

And so did you.

Your heart nearly stopped when you saw her.

Winter.

She was standing a few feet away, holding a small gift bag, the kind you’d get from a bookstore.

She was supposed to surprise you.

But now, her hands were shaking, her eyes dark with rage.

Karina’s grip on you loosened slightly, but she didn’t let go completely.

Winter took a slow, dangerous step forward.

“I said,” she repeated, her voice razor-sharp, “get your hands off my boyfriend.”

For the first time, Karina looked… scared.

“Winter—”

SMACK.

Winter’s palm collided with Karina’s face so fast that the sound echoed.

Gasps erupted from the people watching.

Karina stumbled back, holding her cheek in shock.

Winter didn’t hesitate.

She grabbed your wrist, yanking you behind her as she glared at Karina with pure, unfiltered rage.

“You really have some nerve,” Winter hissed. “After everything you put him through, you still think you have a right to touch him?”

Karina’s breath was uneven, her body shaking, but Winter didn’t care.

“You hurt him,” Winter continued, her voice filled with venom. “You broke him. And now, you think you can just walk back in and take him away from me?”

Karina swallowed hard, her lip trembling. “I—I just wanted to fix—”

“You don’t fix someone by hurting them even more,” Winter snapped.

Silence.

Tears welled in Karina’s eyes. “I still love him.”

Winter let out a cold, humorless laugh.

“Love?” she scoffed. “You don’t know the first thing about love.”

And then, she turned to you, her expression softening instantly.

“Come on, babe,” Winter murmured, cupping your face gently. “Let’s go home.”

You hesitated for a moment, looking at Karina one last time.

She looked so… small.

So broken.

But it wasn’t your job to fix her.

Not anymore.

You turned away, letting Winter take your hand, and together, you walked away.

And Karina?

She stood there.

Alone.

As she watched you leave her behind.

Forever.

Winter didn’t stop walking until she found an empty space near the library—an isolated bench tucked beneath a canopy of trees, hidden away from the curious eyes of strangers.

She didn’t say anything at first.

She simply turned to you, her fingers still clutching your wrist, her brows furrowed in concern.

“Babe,” she whispered softly. “Are you okay?”

You couldn’t answer.

Your throat felt tight.

Your mind was spinning, still replaying everything that had just happened.

Karina’s voice.

Her grip on you.

Her lips against your skin.

The way she used her own pain to manipulate you, to trap you in a moment where you felt utterly powerless.

And that was the worst part.

You were powerless.

You weren’t strong enough.

Strong enough to push her off.

Strong enough to stop her.

Strong enough to be brave.

Your breath hitched, and before you even realized it—

Tears were streaming down your face.

You sucked in a shaky breath, gripping your coat as your body trembled.

“Shit,” you whispered, voice cracking. “I—”

Your words caught in your throat.

You felt disgusting.

You felt weak.

You felt like you had let it happen.

You hated this.

You hated this.

Winter’s face softened instantly.

And then—

Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around you.

Tightly.

As if she was holding you together.

“It’s okay,” she whispered, her voice warm, her hands rubbing your back in slow, soothing motions. “I’m here. I’m right here.”

You buried your face into her shoulder, gripping the fabric of her coat as your body shook uncontrollably.

She didn’t let go.

She held you close, her fingers threading through your hair, pressing gentle kisses to your temple as you broke down in her arms.

“You’re safe,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “She can’t hurt you anymore.”

But the pain was still there.

The fear.

The memories.

They clung to you like scars, refusing to fade.

“I should’ve—” your voice cracked. “I should’ve been stronger.”

Winter shook her head.

“No,” she said firmly. “You are strong.”

You let out a bitter, shaky laugh. “Then why did I freeze? Why couldn’t I push her away? Why did I let her—”

Winter pulled back just enough to cup your face in her hands, her eyes filled with so much love and warmth that it nearly shattered you.

“Because you’re human,” she whispered. “Because she’s spent years making you feel powerless. Because she knew exactly how to manipulate you, how to make you afraid. But listen to me, Y/n.”

Her thumbs brushed away your tears as she leaned in, pressing her forehead against yours.

“You’re not weak,” she murmured. “You survived her.”

You swallowed the lump in your throat.

“You survived her,” Winter repeated. “And you don’t ever have to go through that alone again.”

More tears spilled down your cheeks.

You didn’t know what you had done to deserve someone like her.

But right now—

You didn’t want to question it.

You just wanted to stay in her warmth, in her safety, for as long as she’d let you.

So you did.

You let yourself breathe.

You let yourself feel.

And for the first time in years—

You didn’t feel alone.

My face stung from the slap.

I froze.

The warmth tingled across my skin, spreading like fire. But the pain didn’t make me angry.

No.

It made me realize something.

This was no longer a simple mistake. No longer something I could just apologize for and expect to be forgiven.

This was a game.

A war.

And Winter… that snake bitch… was the reason why everything fell apart.

She stole you from me.

She made you hate me.

She ruined everything.

My nails dug into my palms as I stood up. My entire body trembled—not from pain, but from rage.

I needed to find you.

I needed to see you.

And I needed to make her pay.

I walked, and walked, my breath coming out in short, ragged gasps. My heart was pounding. My mind was racing. The city lights blurred around me as I scanned the streets, desperate to find you.

Then—

I saw you.

You were still with her.

Standing there, looking so pathetic in her arms, like you actually thought she could save you.

My blood boiled.

I won’t let this happen.

I won’t lose you.

I stormed forward. My footsteps were quick, sharp, cutting through the cold night air like a blade.

And then—

I grabbed Winter by the hair and yanked her back.

“You snake bitch!” I screamed, my voice cracking. “You stole my boyfriend!”

Winter let out a sharp gasp as she stumbled, caught off guard.

And then—

I slapped her.

Hard.

The sound echoed in the empty street.

Your eyes widened in horror, but you froze. Just like I knew you would.

Because that’s who you are.

Weak.

Pathetic.

Mine.

Winter held her cheek, stunned for a moment, before she turned to you with wide, desperate eyes.

“Y/n,” she gasped, reaching for you. “Help—”

But I wasn’t done.

I grabbed her by the collar and shoved her against the wall, my hands shaking with adrenaline.

“You think you’re better than me?” I spat, my voice venomous. “You think you deserve him? After everything we’ve been through? After everything I did for him?”

Winter struggled, but I gripped her tighter.

I wanted her to break.

I wanted her to understand that she could never have what I had with you.

“You’re just a replacement,” I sneered. “A fucking rebound. He’ll get bored of you just like he got bored of me. And when that happens—” I leaned in, my lips curling into a cruel smile. “—I’ll be right there, waiting for him.”

Winter let out a strangled gasp, struggling against my grip.

I could hear you breathing heavily.

Panicked.

Trapped.

Just the way I liked you.

You weren’t strong enough to stop me.

You never were.

But then—

Something changed.

You moved.

Your fists clenched.

Your body trembled—but not from fear.

It was different this time.

And when I turned to look at you—

I saw it.

The rage.

The realization.

The strength that I had spent years crushing out of you—coming back.

You took a step forward.

Then another.

Your hands shoved me back, forceful, unwavering.

I stumbled, my eyes wide in shock.

“Get away from her.”

Your voice was sharp. Unyielding.

I froze.

You… You weren’t supposed to fight back.

You weren’t supposed to resist.

But then I saw it.

The way you stood in front of her, shielding her from me.

The way your body no longer shook with fear.

The way your eyes burned with something I hadn’t seen in years—

Defiance.

Hatred.

Not fear.

Not weakness.

But strength.

“Y/n—” I whispered, my voice trembling.

But you didn’t hesitate.

You turned fully to Winter, your hands gently cupping her face, your thumbs wiping away the tears on her cheek.

“Are you okay?” you asked, voice softer now, filled with concern.

She nodded weakly, and you pulled her into your arms.

In front of me.

Like I was nothing.

Like I didn’t even exist.

Like I wasn’t yours anymore.

Something inside me shattered.

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “No, no, no, no—”

I stepped forward, reaching for you.

“Y/n, please—”

But you didn’t look at me.

You didn’t even acknowledge me.

You just held Winter tighter.

And in that moment—

I knew.

I had lost.

Completely.

And I would never get you back.

It was over.

I lost you.

Completely.

I watched as you held her in your arms, whispering soft words of comfort. Words that you used to whisper to me.

My fingers twitched.

I felt cold.

I took a step forward—only for my knees to give out beneath me.

I crashed onto the pavement.

I couldn’t breathe.

My chest ached in a way I had never felt before.

This wasn’t just heartbreak.

This was death.

The death of everything we had built.

The death of us.

A strangled sob ripped from my throat, but I wasn’t even sure if it was crying or laughing anymore.

My mind felt like it was splitting in two.

I could still see it—us.

The memories played in my head like a broken tape.

The rainy day when you first offered me your umbrella.

The first time you held my hand.

The first time you told me you loved me.

The nights you stayed up listening to my fears.

The mornings you kissed my forehead, telling me I looked beautiful even when I had just woken up.

And then—

The way I had ruined you.

The way I had broken you.

The way I had destroyed everything we had.

I clutched my head, letting out a choked scream.

No.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

You were supposed to come back.

You were supposed to forgive me.

You were supposed to be mine.

I pounded my fists against the cold pavement, over and over and over—

Until my knuckles split open.

Until the blood painted the ground beneath me.

Until my hands were trembling and useless.

But I didn’t stop.

I couldn’t stop.

I let out a hollow laugh—broken, empty.

Then I sobbed again, my body curling in on itself.

I was pathetic.

I was disgusting.

And yet—

Even now—

Even after everything—

I still wanted you.

I still needed you.

I rocked back and forth, my laughter mixing with my sobs. My entire body trembled, but I couldn’t tell if it was from the cold or the madness creeping in.

I couldn’t live without you.

I wouldn’t.

If I couldn’t have you—

No one could.

I grinned through my tears, the blood on my hands smearing across my face as I wiped my cheeks.

Winter thought she had won.

But this game wasn’t over.

Not yet.

I would make sure of it.

Winter was shaking in your arms.

Her breaths were uneven, her body still trembling from Karina’s attack. Her fingers clutched onto your shirt like you were the only thing keeping her from falling apart.

Your heart ached.

Guilt.

Regret.

Anger—at yourself, at Karina, at everything.

But more than anything, you just wanted Winter to feel safe.

You gently cupped her face, brushing away the tears that stained her soft cheeks. She sniffled, her eyes red, her lips quivering.

Without thinking, you leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

Winter blinked, startled.

You kissed the other cheek.

Then her forehead.

Then her nose.

Each touch was tender, reassuring. A silent way of saying, I’m here.

She let out a small, shaky laugh. “You’re being sappy…”

You smiled softly. “You love it.”

Winter sniffled again, then nodded, burying her face into your chest.

You ran your fingers through her silky hair, caressing her scalp in slow, soothing strokes. Her breathing started to steady, the tension in her body melting under your touch.

Karina was gone.

For now.

You had no idea if she would come back, if she would try again.

But right now, none of that mattered.

Right now, all that mattered was Winter.

“I’m here for you,” you whispered against her hair. “It’s okay.”

She let out a quiet sob, gripping you tighter.

You held her just as tightly, your warmth wrapping around her like a shield.

Neither of you said anything else.

You didn’t need to.

Because in this moment, nothing else existed.

Just you.

Just her.

And the warmth between you.

The night was quiet.

The cold air of Seoul seeped through the apartment window, but none of it mattered.

Not when Winter was wrapped around you like this.

As soon as you stepped inside, she pulled you onto the bed, her arms locking around your waist as if she never wanted to let go. You didn’t complain—you held her just as tightly, feeling the way her heartbeat slowly returned to normal against your chest.

She was still shaken. You could feel it in the way her fingers twitched against your skin.

But she was here. She was safe.

You pressed a kiss to the top of her head, inhaling the soft scent of her shampoo. “Are you okay?”

Winter didn’t answer right away. Instead, she shifted, lifting her head just enough to meet your eyes. Her gaze was softer now, full of something warm, something that made your heart ache in the best way possible.

Then she smiled.

“I’m okay because of you.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried a weight that made your chest tighten.

Winter leaned in, her lips pressing against yours in a soft, lingering kiss. It wasn’t rushed, wasn’t desperate—it was slow, filled with something deeper. Gratitude. Affection. Love.

When she pulled away, she rested her forehead against yours.

“I’m proud of you,” she murmured.

Your breath hitched.

Winter’s hands cupped your face, her thumbs brushing over your cheeks. “You were strong today. You stood your ground. You didn’t let her take control of you again.”

She kissed you again, her lips warm and tender. “I’m happy you protected me.”

You exhaled, a breath you hadn’t realized you were holding.

“I just… I couldn’t let her hurt you,” you admitted.

Winter’s arms tightened around you, her body pressing even closer.

“I know.”

The two of you lay there, tangled in each other’s warmth.

The city lights outside cast a soft glow over the room, but the only thing you focused on was Winter—the way her fingers traced lazy patterns on your back, the steady rise and fall of her breathing, the way she fit perfectly against you.

You were safe.

She was safe.

And for the first time in a long time…

You felt like everything might actually be okay.

[boyfhee]

𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗬 𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗦 ㅤ⠀━━━━━━ ㅤ 엔하이픈

PREC𝒾S . . when you gotta go but they need you closer, right in their arms.

✶ 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍ㅤ｡⠀bf ! enha, fluffy fluff >//< ㅤ2O68 ..ㅤㅤ kissing, petnamesㅤㅤㅤread more :3

╰⁠(⁠＾⁠3⁠＾⁠)⁠╯ㅤ..ㅤ wrote this because i couldn't sleep :D happy reading !!

HEESEUNG

“one last kiss!”

“heeseung, go—” you groan in frustration, although your words are laced with half affection as you try to close the door on him, only for him to stop it by his hands, stepping inside.

you sigh at his smirk, arms crossed while he's putting on his best act, hand over his chest and all, words dripping with mock despair. “you're breaking my heart, angel,”

“and you're overreacting,” you huff, but honestly, you don't mind this one bit.

“one last kiss,” his hands find your waist, backing you up against the nearest wall. he feels your breath hitch, his own heart racing as he leans his forehead against yours and whispers softly. “just one, and i'll leave. i promise,”

it's like you're talking in gazes— yours fixating on him while his travels down to your lips. it only takes a brief second before you find yourself gravitating towards him, your lips moulding with his in a deep, slow kiss.

you gasp when he pulls you closer by your waist, tilting his head for a better angle, arms wrapping themselves around you like a lifeline. it's something between a longing hug and a needy kiss, and you're not sure if he's going home tonight.

JONGSEONG

it happens when he extends his arm to reach out for you.

cold. and he groans softly.

jongseong is a heavy sleeper and the only thing that can wake him up in an instant is you, or rather— your absence.

he opens his eyes, squinting them at your sleeping figure which is all warm & snug under the beige duvet. the sound of bedsheet shuffling fills his ears as he extends his arms and wraps them around you, pulling you flush against him.

“seong?” you mumble, voice dazed by the sweet slumber that was now interrupted by his sudden hug.

“nothing baby, go to sleep,” he whispers softly, pressing a soft kiss over your cheeks. you're not convinced but honestly, you're too sleepy to implore further.

so instead, you shift even close to him, arms wrapped around his waist, legs tangled, your warm breath fanning against his bare chest— a drowsy smile finds its way to his lips.

he could get used to this.

JAEYUN

“can't you stay longer?” you should've seen it coming, honestly. his constant need to hold your hand, soft caresses on your knuckles like feather on water while he was driving, the grip on your hand that keeps getting firmer as the car approaches your house— he's not ready to let you go yet.

“baby, i promise we'll meet again tomorrow,” you attempt reassuring him as he pulls over at your place, gently taking your hands out of his and cupping his face.

“yes but tomorrow,” he melts in your touch, lips jutted forward in a pout. “way too long”

it's hard to say no when he's being so desperate, giving you his best puppy eyes that are sparkling with pure love and yearning, the pout being cherry on top.

you can't help but laugh at his insistence, pressing your lips against the tip of his nose. “you're insatiable,”

“can't blame me, i have a beautiful girlfriend,” he knows he's got you right where he wants. it's in the way you let him press fluttering kisses on your cheeks, allowing his hands to pull you into a warm hug by your waist. “how am i supposed to live without her?”

and you know your next words are going to be a lie but you end up speaking anyway, sighing mockingly. “just five minutes more,”

SUNGHOON

sunghoon would never admit to being a clingy boyfriend even though his actions say otherwise every time you two are together.

“get up now,” you tell him for the fifth time now, hands ghosting up his hair and moving to his shoulders.

“mhm,” he hums in response, or perhaps it's discontentment with the way he holds you a little tighter, nuzzling his face in your stomach. “keep doing that,”

“doing what?”

“the thing you were doing with my hair,” you can feel his words brush against your skin, your top slightly lifted up as he draws random patterns on the bare skin of your waist. “it feels nice,”

and you can't help but comply, your fingers getting lost in his soft brown locks. the scent of his shampoo draws you in and your lips curl into a smile when you feel him relax further under your touch.

“don't stop, please,” his voice is quiet, laced with a silver of desperation, his need for you to be close. he only hugs you tighter, a breathy chuckle erupting from your mouth when he buries his face in your belly.

and sunghoon is definitely not a clingy boyfriend, but you don't mind if your mornings start a bit late just because he wants you to hug him and play with his hair a few minutes more. “i won't,”

SUNOO

your boyfriend has been following you around wordlessly for a while now,

he finally musters up the courage to reach out to you, hugging you instantly, afraid of looking at you in the eyes. “you're mad at me,”

“i am not, sunoo. let go,” you try to reassure him, hands on his arms as you gently push him away with a snicker, only for him to hug you tighter.

“you aren't even looking at me,” he's pouting now, once starry eyes now drowning in guilt as they refuse to let go of the sight of you. “ it completely slipped my mind. i swear it wasn't intentional.”

and sunoo isn't the one to forget plans. he makes them, he's the first one to get ready. it's unusual, rare, when he misses a date— your first time in two years and perhaps that's why it stings a little more than you had expected, but you do understand his urgency towards work.

you nod, caressing his cheeks, lips pressed in a thin line. “i know and it's okay,”

“really?” he wants to believe you, he hopes you mean it, and if you don't, he's ready to try a million times to make it up to you. “i love you,”

you don't get a chance to respond, words left unsaid on the tip of your tongue when he starts pressing butterfly kisses all over your face.

“never—” he whispers, pressing a kiss on your forehead. “—ever—” and then on both your cheeks, followed by the tip of your nose. “—forget that,” and lastly, on your lips.

JUNGWON

“do we have to go?” he asks with almost pleading eyes, the whiney voice only lurching your heart further when you look at him.

“yes,” you respond with a gentle kiss on his forehead before pulling back, your hands still cupping his face. “before our friends notice our absence,”

“i hate keeping this a secret,” he doesn't break eye contact when he says this, kissing both your palms simultaneously before his hands go back to your hips, wanting to have you in his lap just a little longer. “just wanna show you off, darling,”

it leaves you breathless when he tugs you closer to him, the lack of space in the storage not helping you with keeping your sanity together.

it's dark, you feel his warm breath fanning against your face. you almost lose all your reasoning before composing yourself. “we'll tell them soon,”

“promise?”

and you nod, caressing his cheeks gently under your fingertips. “promise,”

“okay, now let me kiss you more,” he doesn't let you respond, immediately brings his lips back to yours, and when you hear a knock on the door, your lips kiss-swollen, lipstick smudged on his— you realise you can't keep it a secret anymore.

NI-KI

“riki let go—” you try getting away for the hundredth time, hands on his chest— your best attempt at stepping away and once again, he manages to pull you in against him.

“shut up,” he mutters against your hair, pressing butterfly kisses before bringing his head down to your ear, whispering. “you talk too much,”

the hint of irritation in his voice is betrayed by the softness of his touch, in the way he gently takes your arms and wraps them around his waist, as if they belong there.

your head is tilted all the way up, chin resting on his chest and he looks even more handsome under the streetlight. “if my parents find out, they're killing both of us,”

“then i'll make sure to find you in my next life too,” and you don't know what has gotten into him— even he is surprised, but none of you say anything, letting the silence speak for your hearts.

“cheesy,” you whisper against his hoodie, melting in the warmth of his embrace in the cold night, biting back a smile when you hear him whisper a quiet 'i love you' in the crook of your neck.

[hug-me-hard-so-i-dont-forget-you]

As soon as Buddie becomes canon I want to see ALL the domestic moments between them:

Eddie jolts awake from a nightmare (about Shannon or his time in combat) and Buck just rolls over and holds him tight, foreheads pressed together, whispering calming words until he falls asleep.

I don't think they'd have pet names. Other than when they're teasing each other. But I do think someone (probably Buck) would try one out.

"Thanks babe." "Ew— what? No. Stop that." And that was the end of that. Yet (and Eddie would never admit this) he doesn't seem to mind certain terms of endearment during sexy times.

They still have their ✨kitchen moments✨, they're just cuter now. They talk about their problems while doing the dishes together, if one of them is doing something like chopping vegetables or stirring a pot the other most likely has their arms wrapped around them from behind with their chin on their shoulder, one of the cabinet doors is now broken due to being shoved into it while making out one too many times.

Buck LOVES when Eddie speaks Spanish. Whether it's first thing in the morning in a groggy voice or shouted at him during a fight. And Eddie has learned to use it to his advantage, getting Buck to do things by buttering him up in Spanish. Though he could literally just be reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and Buck would never know.

So they start to do little daily Spanish lessons. Starting with words or phrases of the day on the way to work (think similar to when May and Eddie would discuss the word of the day). But Buck has a hard time rolling his R's and it just makes Eddie laugh and stare at him fondly. One time he was so amused that he pulled a Fez from That 70s show: ("You know how Fez sometimes rolls his R's? Well that's what he did in my mouth!") and smirks, saying "Do it more like that." and Buck is stunned silent for a full minute. Eddie gets out of the car, opens Buck's door and had to unbuckle his seatbelt before Buck realizes where he is.

Whenever one of them is fuming from a fight with their parents the other pushes them down into a chair or the couch and stands behind them to rub their shoulders

One day Buck accidentally grabs the wrong 118 shirt and ends up wearing 'DIAZ' on his back all day and once he realizes he starts to strut around with a proud grin. Since then, he starts to purposely wear Eddie's clothes to tease him, knowing full well that it gets Eddie all hot and bothered.

Buck also gets more handsy at home since they're not allowed to show PDA at work. Sometimes he literally waits until the second they've stepped foot off the 118 property to grab Eddie's ass.

When Buck starts spiraling, going on and on about how he's not good enough and that's why everyone leaves him, Eddie will just subtly place a hand on his thigh or lower back. And it usually immediately calms him down.

If Buck can't sleep Eddie will wake up in the middle of the night and find him baking in the kitchen. He just sits at the table watching him, asking quietly, "Do you wanna talk about it?" Sometimes he does and other times Buck just shakes his head. So, while in comfortable silence, Eddie measures out the ingredients and hands them over when needed.

Eddie is embarrassed about just how many times he's tried to reach for something on a high shelf, tippy-toes and all, only to have Buck either lift him up so he can get it OR grab the item and hold it captive until Eddie gives him a kiss.

Very dramatic declarations of love or betrayal:

"I can't believe this." "Buck..." "I thought you loved me." "I do." "I once saw a long life together in the future. Now I'm not so sure..." "Okay, I'm sorry I watched the new episode without you!" "...I'm gonna need a minute."

"Buck, have I ever told you how goddamn perfect you are?" "Maybe. Might as well say it again. ☺️" "I'm serious. You can do nothing wrong and anyone who says otherwise can fight me." "Okay calm down. Do you fall in love with everyone who gives you an orgasm and then cooks for you afterward?" "...yes."

[marshmallowgoop]

My @heishinvalentineexchange2025 gift for the immensely kind and patient @caliowl333, who graciously allowed me to participate with a video instead of fic or art! (And wrote me a 20,000+-word piece in exchange?! Oh my goodness!)

Song is the SadBois & NIO Remix of "Other Side" by ILLENIUM, featuring Vera Blue, which you can listen to in full here. Ramblings under the cut!

When I first began seriously video editing, I didn't think much about composition or how well clips flowed together—lyric sync was arguably my main goal, and anime pieces were thrown onto the timeline pretty much purely based on that.

Now, I put much more care into the very visual elements—the effects, the match cuts, the dazzle. But in the process, I fear that I'm losing what audiences found engaging about my early videos: the actual ideas.

So, for this AMV, I aimed to put the most effort into a strong concept. The titular "other side" is a world without the Black Organization, where Shinichi can freely be himself. Heiji is waiting for that world, where he no longer has to lie and pat Conan's head and pretend that they're not peers, and Shinichi is dreaming of that world because he's always dreamed of working with somebody just like him. The thought of meeting Heiji someday, when he first learns of his existence (Episode 490), fills Shinichi with excitement. He does a lot on his own, but he also loves working on a team—and doing so, being with people, sharing his enthusiasm with others—is what he wants more than anything.

(Heck, there's even a piece of official art called "Conan's Dream Vacation" where he dreams of playing beach volleyball with Heiji and Ran and Kazuha—as himself.)

Sure, you could argue that Shinichi simply enjoys working with Heiji as Conan because Heiji treats him as he truly is. But the times he spends as Shinichi with Heiji point to the fact that no, he just really likes deducting with Heiji. Eagerness, big smiles—in "The Scarlet School Trip" (Episodes 927-928), involving Heiji in the case of the day takes precedence over solving it himself, as he immediately shares what he knows and even jostles Heiji awake when he learns more, before doing anything else, because there's no way he's going to solve it alone. He doesn't want to.

But as things are, being Shinichi is pain. He takes an antidote, but it's poison. Being Conan is what's become "normal" and "comfortable," but Conan can't be what Shinichi is to Heiji. Conan isn't strong enough to catch Heiji when he's falling. Conan can't save him from bullets. Conan can't even talk to him naturally without hiding and secrets. His dreams have become nightmares.

And it can't be easy for Heiji, either. To see someone you care about suffering. To know that Shinichi is in a dangerous situation—and involving himself in it applies that same danger to himself. It'd make sense for Heiji to walk away and wash his hands of it... but Shinichi really wants him to stay. Despite everything, he wants Heiji to stay. For that someday when they can be true partners "on the other side."

I tried to say other things in here, too. Shinichi cementing himself as a precious person to Heiji by countering his insecurities with a one truth prevails and this isn't a competition and you don't have to prove yourself to me. Heiji finding Shinichi even after becoming Conan because he'll always find Shinichi, no matter what, because he's dreaming of being "on the other side," too (even if he didn't know it initially). Shinichi pushing Heiji away with coldness because maybe it's selfish to want him to stay, maybe it's cruelty to involve him, but he can't deny that he cares, that he wants Heiji with him, that he doesn't want to do this on his own.

And while I maybe still went a little ham on the effects, I do hope my ideas are the strongest of all! "No effects" versus effects comparison can be found here!

Thank you again for all your hard work organizing this event, Cali!!

[distasteful-8-esquire]

Lone Star | Chapter 1

dbf!Joel x female reader

Summary: It's your first summer after college and you're forced to be back in a hometown where nothing ever changes- except for the new neighbor down the street.

Warnings: age-gap, Joel is mid 40's reader is mid 20's, MDNI.

Word Count: 3.5k

Note: hey people! giving a shot at a my favorite joel miller- you guessed it dbf!joel.! Both reader and Joel are moving back to a neighborhood they have avoided for separate reasons-yet when they're together they can't seem to remember them. (maybe one day we'll all find our own personal joel)

You’re laying on the old rusty sunbeds next to the pool when you wake up. You’d had a few too many beers in the evening and fell asleep in your yard, now being awakened by the night’s summer breeze. Disheveled you prop yourself up on your elbows and look over to the house. The lights are off, you remember your parents won’t be home for a few weeks- or is it days now?. You fall back onto the old sunbed, your back hitting the hard surface, drinking all afternoon has played some tricks on your memory apparently. 

“Shit” you mutter to yourself, slowly regaining the memories of coming out to tan by your pool and to try out your new red bikini before you wore it to the annual ‘all day bonfire’ your neighbours hosted every summer.

 You reach out to the ground to find a half empty beer can, lifting it up to take a sip hoping nothings crawled into it during your nap. Flat but not as warm you thought, you set it onto your stomach still holding in with one hand on its bottom side. 

There’s more stars in the sky than usual, you notice, shifting your eyes from one to another as its become your nightly ritual. You lift up your hand and ‘trace’ over some of them. Others you section between your thumb and your pointer. It’s the one thing that’s never changed since you were a kid. You always admired the stars, the sky, like you could almost see the wisdom they were holding in them, you envied the power they had of always being around, always seeing everything happening in the quiet hours. You remember when you were younger your grandma would sit with you until past your bedtime in her yard and point out the ones she knew, 

“You know honey, the stars have always been around, so if you’re ever not sure about something you turn to them you hear? They’ll know. They’ve seen it” 

Your grandma was never spiritual or religious, never believed anything she couldn’t see, but she was adamant about the stars, so you trusted her.

“Yeah well, the stars don’t hold up as witnesses in court so don’t go puttin all your faith in ‘em” your grandpa would chime in. When you were younger he always seemed distant, never tried to bond with you, didn’t talk much at all, and would always have a way of disproving stories others told you. But as you grew older, you couldn’t help but notice he was always there. The second your parents dropped you off and your grandma took you out in the street to play, he’d follow, never missing a beat when you wanted to go somewhere. 

“It’s girls day Henry, we just have to go to the mall” your grandma would say, batting her eyelashes while you snicker behind her yelling “yeah, we have to grandpa!”.

“I ain’t a girl” he would complain but he would already be halfway out the door with his boots on and keys in hand ready to take ya anywhere. It’s when you learned you could feel loved just as much even tho you’d never hear those exact words.

So at night, when you would finally wind down, your grandma would sit you out in the yard, lemonade in hand and tell you all kinds of stories. Sure enough, your grandpa would always pull up a chair near you with a beer in hand and listen to the both of you talk throughout, what you thought was, all night. And the beer he would always happen to be drinking was a Bud, just like the luke-warm one that was leaving a circular imprint on your belly right now.

 Finally, feeling awake enough you reach down next to the empty beer cans to find your watch you carefully took off before tanning. 8pm. Damn. You promised your best friend you’d be at her place in half an hour. Peeling yourself off the chair you find steady ground and start picking up the beer cans you left out before heading back to your house. It was your first summer back from college and you didn’t want your neighbors to think that you’d already taken up a status of full blown unemployed alcoholic. 

After locking the porch door, you run up to your room and jump in the shower, trading the scent of beer and sweat for vanilla and coconut soap, trying to hurry up and make it to your friends on time. The cool water felt like magic against your warm and dry skin, making you spend an extra ten minutes in there, blaming the delay on the new conditioner ‘you just couldn’t get out of your hair’. 

Good enough if she asks why you’re late. 

Getting out the shower you towel dry yourself as fast as you can before putting on a pair of dark denim shorts that hang low on your hips. The red halter tank top you’ve worn since high school happened to be the closest to reach which made it an easy decision. Basically stumbling over your shiny cowboy boots you take your makeup stuffed backpack and run out the door, checking twice to make sure it’s locked. It’s a quick walk albeit, not even five minutes down the road to their house. 

You had the tradition of gettin ready for a night out together over the summer and with both your parents gone on vacation, you basically ping-ponged between your houses every day. 

You couldn’t help but notice the moving truck on the way down to her house. You lived at the end of one of the countless look-alike culs-de-sac in a small town in Texas, so not much happened without hearing about it first. Certainly not someone moving two houses down from you. 

Guess one of the downsides of your parents being out of town is being out of loop on the neighbourhood agenda. 

As you walk past the house all you see is a light in the kitchen of a house you once knew well. Bella, your childhood best friend lived there with her mom until one day they moved and you never heard from them again. Ever since then you’ve just seen it as a shell of a house. It was hard to miss it though, the only empty house in the neighbourhood, the only green one, many-a-story were told about it amongst the neighbourhood kids. Then you grew up and it went back to being just an empty house. 

Well, not so empty anymore. 

A noise from the side of the house startled you back into reality and when you saw what appeared to be a large man in its shadows, naturally you all but ran to your friend's house. 

“Honeey, I’m home!” you yell slamming the door behind you as you walk  up to her room where she’s sat with her legs over the side of an armchair, and a magazine in her hand.

“Fell asleep again by the pool did we?” she says without even looking up from the paper.

You mimic a shocked look dropping your bag and throwing yourself onto her bed.

“You know some people call drinking and abruptly falling asleep every day alcoholism” she adds on before dropping the magazine to the ground

“Well those people have never had two weeks alone without their nagging parents now have they”

“Can’t really argue with that now can I?” she sighs mimicking you

“Not at all Ames.” you sit up facing your friend with a smug smile on your face

“Oh, hey, what’s with the moving truck at Bella’s house?”

“That stopped being Bella’s house like 15 years ago Lexie”

“I know I know..just don’t really know what else to call it ”

“Well you can call it by the name of whoever moved in there now. My mom mentioned something before she left about a guy moving in there. Mid 40s, contractor, single, coming from San Antonio I think but born in Dallas” 

That explains the creepy man you think to yourself.

“Wow your mom can really work for the FBI you know that”

“Tell me about it. Now come on, there’s a pitcher of pre-game margaritas waiting to be made downstairs and we still need to do hair and make up”

“Yes ma’am” you jump out the bed and follow your friend to the kitchen. 

The rest of the night is spent getting ready to go to a local bar you’ve been frequenting since you were old enough to get a quality fake ID.

 Celebrating your 21st birthday there two years ago was awkward to say the least. But alas it had the most decent pool tables and the beer was fifty cents cheaper so it prevailed as the main hang out space.

“Okay hand me my bag and we can he-” just before you’re about to finish your sentence you get interrupted by your ringtone. You quickly move to answer the phone.

“Hey dad, is everything okay? You don't usually call this late”

“Everything’s fine honey” he answers, calming your anxieties. You place the phone on the table and put it on speaker as you finish packing your purse.

“I just have a favor to ask you. The new neighbour moving into the empty house down from us- your old friend's house uh -what was her name, Stella?”

“Bella” you correct him 

“Right right. Well the new neighbour is Joel- you remember him right honey? I was in the army when his brother Tommy enrolled, nice kids, they used to visit when you were little”

You look up at your friend with a confused look, not recalling a man you probably haven’t seen in more than 10 years.  

“Sure dad, I’m sure if i see him I’ll know”

Amanda laughs off your patronizing attempt

“Well anyway, he’s got one final haul tonight but I promised him some tools he’ll need for the furniture including his bed for the night and I figured you’d be out with Amanda tonight anyhow, you mind if he picks you up from the bar on his way home and you can just let im into the garage, he’ll know where everything is”

“A free ride home? Hell yeah we’ll take it”

“Great sweetie, I’ll text him your number, let him know where you’ll be, he says he should be comin through around 2 am”

“Okay dad, will do, love you bye!”

“Love you too kiddo, have a good night”

“Nicee we can go all out on booze now, well with a bodyguard coming round and all” 

“Yeah Ames the first encounter I wanna have with an old friend of my dads is being wasted”

“Won’t be the first time” she says with a coy smile

“Oh shush. Come on let’s head out before our booth is taken”

“Alright alright, you text Joel, I’ll call an uber”

You quickly save the number your dad sent you and write a quick message.

Hey! My dad sent me this number, I’ll be at Frank’s with a friend, shoot me a text when you’re out front! 

You sign off the text with your name and pile up in the uber with Amanda for the 20 minute drive to the bar.

“Sam, two buds!!” you yell as soon as you enter the bar

“Damn it our booth is taken. Guess we’ll sit at the bar.” Amanda concludes

“It’s cool, I wanted to talk to Sam anyway, heard he’s dating someone new”

“No way!”

Amanda all but runs up and jumps up a stool on the bar, excitedly greeting your friend. You slowly follow behind checking out the people that are seating in your usual booth. You can tell they’re from out of town, a group of men wearing black and cargo, being loud as hell and drinking - Miller Lites- of course. You scoff and one of them seems to shoot a look your way. You’re not interested enough nor stupid enough to cause a scene with a group of men looking like that, so you just move along and take your place next to Amanda.

“Here you go ladies” Sam sets down two beers and two shots in front of you

“Sooo? Who is it?” Ames asks

“Who’s what?” Sam asks nonchalantly while drying some glasses. At this point he’s a little too used to Amanda’s dramatic antics of a conversation.

“Who’s the guy Sam, the grapevine says you're seeing someone” she looks at him with a smile.

Sam lifts up his head and looks over to you right as you take a shot.

“And is the grapevine the nosy Texan girl in front of me that can’t phantom keeping a secret”

You look between the two of them with an awkward smile.

“Hey I can keep a secret! I just have to tell Ames, rules of marriage and all that”

“Rules of marriage?”

“Yeah totally, when you’ve been friends for over 20 twenty years, you’re basically married so she has to tell me” Amanda says looking doe eyed over to Sam

“Why do I even bother” he sighs

“You remember Frank’s nephew? You met him over Christmas”

“Oh yeah yeah I do”

“Well the real reason he came was because he was checking out the place to move here. He came back during spring, truck filled to the brim with his shit and moved in with Frank until he could find a place of his own. I was showing him around town and one night he- well we realized maybe we wanna be more than friends”

“Oh my god! I could totally see it! You two seem like a good match”

“Yeah, I’d like to think so” Sam snickers

“Anyway ladies, enjoy your night, I gotta help with some keg deliveries. Find me before you leave!”

“You got it Sam” 

Both you and Amanda lift a beer up to cheer on Sam as he leaves. 

Amanda quickly turns to you.

“Alright, what’s the objective tonight?”

“The objective?”

“Yes. I have taken it upon myself to find your soulmate. Well at least one for the summer”

“Oh Ames I already told you I’m not looking to meet anyone”

“Yeah and it’s the same story I've heard all throughout college. Look it's not about meeting anyone, just have some fun, you have a house to yourself and a pool and it’s just wrong that we’re the only ones using it”

You roll your eyes at her comment and yet unfortunately she’s right. You don’t know if it’s the countless rom-coms you watched but you weren’t interested in putting yourself out there as much. You didn’t want to go through situationships or talking phases, you wanted a meet-cute and a love story. Maybe it was time to face the reality of having to actually go on first dates and go through awkward encounters if you didn’t want to spend your life alone. Maybe you would try it out just for one night. How bad could it go?

“Okay fine”

“What?”

“Fine, find me my summer soulmate”

“Ahhh! Oh my god! Okay!”

“Okay Ames maybe calm down a bit first”

“Oh you are not taking this away from me. That group of guys at the booth? They’ve been eyeing you since you walked in. Maybe not soulmate material but definitely good for a fun night”

“Alright let’s go”

You and Amanda go over to the group of guys and introduce yourself. You spend some time talking and they buy you drinks. Soon it’s really clear which two guys are interested in you and Amy as the rest have gone to play pool. It’s just the four of you in the booth now.

“Soo what brings you guys to town” Amanda asks

“Oh just passin through, headin to a bike meet in a couple days near here” the guy next to her, Alex or Axel or something similar answers. 

“Oh cool, what do you ride?” you ask 

“I got a Harley myself, a Roadster a little over 1000CCs” Mark, the guy next to you answers

“Oh nice, I’m trying to fix up an old Triumph” you answer

“You ride?”

“Not much. Back when my uncle was around I had some fun taking his Royal out for a spin but ever since then I’ve just been fixing up the Triumph”

Mark snarks, and you can’t help but notice the condescending eye-roll that comes with it. 

“Bet you’d have more fun riding me” he whispers to you. 

You look over to Amanda but she’s clearly deep in conversation with Axel and she seems to be having a good time. Not wanting to ruin her night, you decide to excuse yourself to the bathroom.

Mark makes another inappropriate comment and you don’t take a second longer to head to the ladies room. 

As you leave the bathroom you make the decision to head to the bar instead, hoping Mark will get bored or at least get the hint, and go play pool with his friends.

“Scotch on the rocks” you tell the bartender as you sit down on a stool furthest away from the booth but still within sight to keep an eye on Amanda.

“Thanks” you smile at the bartender as he gives you a drink

A couple of minutes pass and you zone out looking at the beautiful illumitaing golden-brown color of your drink which for some reason you can’t quite pin-point sparks a nostalgic feeling within you. To you’re demise, you don’t get to enjoy the feeling for long.

 “Where’d you go off to” Mark puts a hand on your back and you all but jump out of your seat

”Oh hey. Sorry I just saw this wasn’t really working out so I thought I’d skip the awkwardness”

“Yeah? Why’s that?” he starts sliding the hand lower on you back and now you really do jump out the stool.

“Listen, I’m not interested,  just leave me alone please” 

He gets closer to you, making you hit the bar with your back.

“And I thought we were havin’ a grand ol- time, how bout you come up to my motel and see how fun i can really be”

You try to deter him by putting a stool between the two of you but his quick to push it away.

“Just- stop- I don’t wanna do this Mark please leave me alone”

As he leans in closer you move your face away flinching and closing your eyes, hoping he just leaves.

“And I don’t wanna deal with some bitch that’s-” 

You hear a thud and as you open your eyes Mark is gone. It takes you a few seconds to locate him down on the floor covering his face. In a moment of confusion, someone gently grabs your shoulder and you flinch away and have to steady yourself on the barstool. Until you hear your name said in the most soothing Texan twang’

“Hey darlin’- sorry about that didn’t mean to scare ya’, you okay?”

You’re still in a bit of shock but you manage to sound out a timid yes.

“Alright, here gimme your hand, step around ‘im” 

It seems natural, and safe to follow his directions, like you’ve trusted him your whole life. So you step over Mark, who seems to be bleeding and cursing while swaying back and forth on the ground. After you get behind him, he calls over to someone, a muscular guy- security probably, they exchange a few seconds of conversation and the guy lifts Mark off the floor and carries him out the bar.

“Here darlin’ sit down for a second. A water please” he takes out a stool for you to sit on and gives you the glass filled with clear liquid.

“You okay?” he asks, sitting beside you after you’ve had a sip of the water.

“Yeah yeah just a pent-up creep, thank you tho- I mean you didn’t have to I’m sure that…- just thanks ” you give an awkward smile, feeling your words leave your mouth at the same pace your heart is beating and not being able to stop either. 

“No need to thank me I’m- ” 

The adrenaline wears off before he gets to finish the sentence and you slam down the glass on the bar once again getting a frightened look on your face as you interrupt him.

“Wait- How- how’d you know my name?”

He looks at you and smirks before saying your name again, more so in a questioning tone.

“I’m Joel darlin’- shit sorry your dad said you’d recognize me. He sent me a picture of you, said you never keep your phone charged so I should just head in here to find you if you don’t answer my call”

The tension leaves your body again and you sink into the cushion of the bar stool.

“Oh fuck- sorry i didn’t know, did i miss your text? I swear I checked my phone just now I-”

“No no don’t worry sweetheart, i just came in to town a lot earlier than expected, figured i’d sit down for a drink didn’t wanna disturb your night too much kid”

“Disturb my night? Joel you’re givin’ us a free ride back at 2am, i think it’s the other way around”

“Us?”

“Oh shit- Amanda, my friend, she was with a friend of that guy, I gotta go find her”

“Come on let’s go ”

...