#like i get it if i was invited to a party only to see the person i'm interested in interested in someone else i'd probably be pissed

[meiru-sama]

Yandere ex-boyfriend x fem!reader

This story contains: Toxic relationship, drugging, alcohol consumption, murder, sexual themes

You just spent a month trying to forget about your boyfriend who you broke up with. You did everything you could just to get him out of your mind. You ignored him, you didn't speak to him and worst you wouldn't even look at him. It's like to you, he was invinsible.

So when did it start? Last month your boyfriend was assigned by his professor to tutor this one girl, your boyfriend couldn't refused sinced a teacher ordered him to. It wasn't a big deal to you at first but your world started to shatter when you saw her kissing him in one of their sessions at the library.

And after that you quickly shutted him down, you never listened to his excuses. Last time he called you 113 times, you never answered any of those phone calls. He did everything to reach you. He went to your house, went to your work, talked to your friends but you would just continue to avoid him. He was getting desperate.

To help you ease your mind, your friend invited you to a party that one of your classmate threw. You almost refused because they mentioned that there will be drinking, drugs and sex. Only, if it weren't for their dramatic beggings. When you finally said yes, they quickly forced you into a tight dress and did your makeup.

Upon arriving at the party, you were quickly greeted by colorful and blinding lights, loud musics and horny teenagers dancing with eachother.

You stayed in the corner while your friend went to the kitchen to get you drinks. Leaning on the wall, you looked around, trying to find familiar faces. You saw some but there was one you didn't expect and hoped not to see tonight.

When you met his already watching eyes, you quickly averted eye contact. You stared at the ground and prayed that he wouldn't approach you or even try to talk to you.

A hand suddenly touched your chin, lifting your head up. You expected it to be your ex boyfriend but it was just one of your good friend. You stared up at him, your startled expression soon turned into a smile.

"Didn't know you'd be here." You started, he just hummed in response, burrying his face to the crook of your neck. You furrowed your eyebrows. He reeks of alcohol and cigarettes. "Let me be your next boyfriend, i know i can treat you better, better than that---- motherfucker...." he whispered between hiccups. You rolled your eyes playfully, lightly pushing him away from you while he just held you tighter.

He continued to murmur sweet nothings into your ear while you laughed, unaware of those eyes that watched you. They were filled with jealousy and anger.

An hour passed, you spent your night dancing and laughing with your friends, sometimes you would drink and currently you are slumped over the sofa next to in-heat couple.

You were starting to feel light headed but you didn't ignore the fact that your ex boyfriend was still in the crowd, you will do everything just to avoid him. Another minute passed, you started to get sleepy, the loud music and the commotion also began to trouble you.

You stood up from your seat, trying to find a place where you can have a peace of mind. You led yourself to an empty hallway, though quiet moans still can be heard.

You opened one of the doors and the scene before you made you shudder, your friend's body was sprawled all over the carpet, their eyes wide and lifeless, their blood staining the cloth beneath them. An hour ago they were just whispering flirtatious jokes in you ear. Now they are lying, dead.

You were about to turn around and call for help but someone suddenly covered your mouth, locking the door behind them before they pushed you in the bed, while still clinging on top of your back.

"I've missed you.." they whispered, their voice low and menacing. You quickly knew it was your ex boyfriend.

You tried to wriggle out of his hold, kicking him, biting him and attempting to scream for help. But he just stayed motionless. "Stop moving." He whimpered in your ear. Though that didn't stop you from struggling but the moment you heard sniffles from behind, you paused.

"Why won't you answer my calls? I almost killed myself because of you." He started.

"It hurts (Y/N), i didn't want things to end up like this, but you're being very fucking difficult." He growled near your ear, sending shivers down your spine.

"Im hurting while you just dance with another man. What are you? Slut?" He spat, his once soft voice taking a sharp turn. But you couldn't completely process what he was saying, your brain was starting to shut down. You only knew he was mad.

"I wish i could hear what you have to say about this but those drinks sure made you sleepy, baby." He chuckled before planting a kiss on your neck.

"Don't worry, i'll take you somewhere where it's just the two of us. Just me and you--- husband and wife." After his last statement, your consiousness finally slipped away from your being.

You should've known better. You should've known that he was secretly spiking your drink while you talk to your friends, completely unaware of the danger that awaits you.

[twstfanblog]

If I could request one with the Dormleaders: reaction to a Fem!Yuu that worked as a lounge singer and is really good at it.

A/N: Changed it a bit since having every choice be a lounge singer didn't really fit to me.

Singer Reader Reactions

Housewardens x Reader

Riddle

You were singing for the Adeuce Duo when he heard you at first. Was very polite, waited for you to finish before he started clapping and asked about where you learned to sing so well.

Your mom was a lounge singer and you normally went to work with her every weekend. Over time, you picked up tips and tricks; you're basically a mini lounge singer now. You're not sure if it'll ever be a real profession, but the dream is a nice thought.

You now do surprise performances during unbirthday parties, paid fairly, and with as many desserts as Grim can stomach. Riddle really likes how your voice adds a new layer to the garden. Cater teases him about the fact that he only did this to get to hear you sing regularly. He may deny it, but he's also the one who makes sure you have a new tea dress for each performance.

Leona

Heard you singing in the gardens; you woke him up. Finds you belting out a rock ballad. He's not one for singing, but he can see talent and compliments you once you're finished.

Asks where you learned to sing with a growl like that so well. Something like that could rip a person's throat apart over time. You were actually really interested in doing metal covers of songs, inspired by online musicians.

You do mini concerts in Savanaclaw now. They didn't vibe at the start, then you started doing your growls and practiced death screams, and they are HOOKED. Their favorite time is when you're rocking out to a crowd-picked song and they are literally moshing. Leona likes that it tires them out AND he gets to hear you cut loose.

Azul

You saw the piano in the lounge and just started playing a few keys, hummed literally a bar of music and Azul was already there with a contract. Compliments your voice and asks if you'd be interested in singing for the lounge every night for some money. You simply won't find a better deal-

You stop him dead, because you are actually a professional lounge singer. Sure, your parents and agent handled all of the paperwork, but you will NOT just hand over your time and talents at his desire. But once you've negotiated the contract to your favor, you're hired.

The lounge is now more expensive, but no one is truly complaining because you are a professional. The mood was already fairly high class, now with your added crooning, another two stars has been tacked on to their overall rating. On very rare and lucky days, the whole Octotrio will reform their band and play along with you.

Kalim

Scarabia has so many parties it's almost insane. But you go to as many as you can to get free food. Kalim only heard you sing because you requested a song be played, but couldn't remember the name, so you sang out the melody.

The boy is amazed, all in your business, asking if you've always been able to sing like that? That was beautiful, Jamil, wasn't that beautiful? Please sing more! You claim to be at best a novice, only having a love of music and being able to repeat a melody. Kalim insists you're a musical prodigy and he will help you see as such.

Invited to sing at Scarabia a lot, he will sing Scalding Sands traditional songs for you to learn and sing together. At some point, he will talk you into learning dances too. He also starts dragging you to light music club meetings. Overall, just loves to hear you sing.

Vil

Heard you at first practicing with Epel at the well. But you ended up yelling at him before he could say anything. You were furious with Vil for making Epel sing in a range that he was clearly uncomfortable in. The boy is at best an Alto Vil.

You have professional training and a side love of transposing music to various ranges for all to enjoy singing. Though at this point you've started to look into writing your own music.

He gets his hands on sheet music for you. A way of apology but also, sing. Please sing. He will fucking launch your career himself at this point. He can't show how much he adores your voice without seeming desperate. So he simply has to get you a record deal so he can buy your debut album and play it on repeat.

Idia

Heard you singing a cover of an anime he was currently watching and he had to do a double-take. He recognized the melody before the words since you had translated it from the original language with Ortho's help.

It's a hobby. Making 'English Covers' of popular anime openings. You've hit a dead spot since coming to Twist, but Ortho was nice enough to point you in the direction of the anime as a way to get back into the groove of things.

Is FASCINATED. He starts sending you anime openings of all of his top picks to help you find inspiration. He gifts you a rough translation app to help you write lyrics, sets up an iron-clad account for you to upload your new covers. He's stanning and barely realizes it.

Malleus

Heard you singing at night while he was coming to visit. It was an old Celtic song, soft and slow, and he was mesmerized. Asks you so astonished where you heard such a melody, it was deeply fae in nature and he was a little concerned under his amazement.

You tell him your family loved Celtic music and played it often together. You felt homesick and just thought of singing your favorite song to ease yourself. Malleus compliments you, but also warns you to not do this during full moons. He will, but he'd rather not have to destroy a wandering fae that thinks to steal you for your voice.

You now have a permanent audience of one. He will show up every night now to sit beside you and listen to your singing. He even learns a few songs to sing with you. Was there a night where it felt like someone was watching you sing? Yes. Did Malleus send a literal lightning strike into that bush? Also yes.

[tobesolnelyx]

Absolutely adore your daddy Shauna shipman fratboy and wanted to raise you an idea higher? Please don’t feel the need to answer this if you are busy but…what about fratboy daddy Shauna shipman who decideds she’s into hockey one day. We already know that Shauna is faster than anybody on the soccer team (it’s stated in a few episodes) so what if Shauna gets invited to a game one day and reader decideds that’s it’s Shauna only outlet of fun (because Shauna gave up the frat parties and so on) so reader goes with Shauna and the little tyke goes as well. Reader sits in the pews and watches Shauna as she played hockey. I’m thinking it’s ice hockey. Maybe Shauna gets noticed by the team scout and at first she doesn’t care but she also realizes that this paired with her scholarship could get her into the door of making good money one day day for you and the baby.

I am just imagining hockey daddy Shauna shipman who decides it’s good look to get a snuggle from the baby beforehand, and perhaps a little something from you in the locker room. 🤔Again absolutely love your work! And I know how busy you are so if you don’t feel inclined to write I would just love your thoughts on this instead. Not sure if you assign anons, is 🖋️ taken by any chance? Also I love the thought of Shauna being a broody writer and just writing the absolute best poetry about the baby and her new life. Perhaps Shauna even proposes-yes she’s insane-impulsive, it’s heat of thw moment-not thinking clearly because she barley even has a ring, or money for one-she’s a broke college student but she has a rubber band-and a good speech-and you literally have her baby in your arms so-maybe Shauna does propose after a hockey game and reader is like, 🤯

hi anon!! 🖋️ isn’t taken! LOVE THE IDEA cause i used to play hockey so let’s gather thoughts, ideas and i’ll think how to put it all together in a one shot :D also, it reminds me of the alchemy by taylor swift

slight NSFW - MDNI

so, you definitely need some money to play hockey. not so cheap sport. let’s say that lottie invited her for a quick play to finally get out of the house and do something different than just changing diapers.

so she goes, you have to convince her, cause she’s grumbling that she doesn’t need that. she’s already way too busy with playing soccer. she wants to have more time with you and the kid, c’mon :( so yeah, overall, she’s not a big fan of this idea

but she goes when you say you go and take your baby. they would be around 2 years old, let’s say. enough for her to carry the kiddo whole way there. she’s such a good dad cmawnn

she’s resigned from any parties and stuff, soccer is practically routine for her so she doesn’t even remember how to have fun. ofc, she loves you and your baby, but she started neglecting herself. you notice, so obviously you’re trying to encourage her to do something, anything.

ending up with shauna liking hockey way too much. she’ll shake her head and say it’s stupid when you ask her, but you see it. she’s going through the field like it’s second nature, cheeks flushed, laughing like she laughs only with her woman and kid. you sit there, watching her, little one on your lap, babbling and shouting something at shauna, giggling anytime she waves at the two of you :(

“oh god,” you laugh softly when she comes to you after the game. hairs are sticking to her forehead, she’s all red and sweaty. she leans to press messy kiss to your lips, taking baby from you. “you look…”

“like shi…” she starts, but then she catches herself, pressing lips in a thin line.

“happy, i thought happy,” you snort, kissing her cheek. she rolls her eyes, saying it’s just a stupid game, but she practically buzzes with energy. and now she’s just a energetic kid herself.

after another game or two, scout notices her and makes an offer. she’s athletic, fast as hell after years of playing soccer. you can always polish technique, right? she seems great. and of course, she declines. “sorry, im already too busy, got my own family,” she says gathering her bag. some people would kill for that offer, and she walks away. just like that.

so when scout realizes that she goes to you, they immediately decide to approach you next time. so maybe you can talk to her about it.

and you do! late at night, when kid is asleep, baby monitor humming softly in the background. she caress your thigh, reading her book, kissing your neck occasionally. you’re in this pretty night gown she bought you for your birthday, while she’s spread here only in her boxers and sport bra.

“baby?” you decide to give it a try, she hums in response, eyes still glued to the pages so you turn to her. you gently put her book away, leg wrapping around her, while she automatically pulls you closer. her head lands in the crook of her neck, so you scratch her scalp.

“what is it?” she asks finally, her fingers wanders, going down to grip your thigh. it’s all so soft, so warm. like she’s worshipping you. you thought that settling down when it comes to shauna is impossible, but here she is.

you think for a moment, gathering your thoughts and wondering how to even start this topic, you already know what she’ll say. but still shauna is smart and logic arguments should convince her.

“you know,” you start, feeling her lips on your collarbone. she tires to distract you, like she know what you’re going to say. “going into hockey wouldn’t be…that stupid.” you murmur, caressing her messed up hair.

her kisses goes on your shoulder, arm, forearm until she finally reaches your palm. “i don’t have time for this,” she says and you resist the urge to roll your eyes.

“you could go for it instead of soccer,” you continue, arguments forming in your head.

“yeah?” she snorts like it’s a ridiculous idea. she smoothly moves on top of you, settling down between your legs. you wrap arms around her, holding her in place as if there’s need for that. she doesn’t even think about pulling away.

“im being serious,” you say fidgeting with her hair. “you seem to be happy on the field…”

“yeah, and i have duties, too, my love,” she says a little amused, cutting you off and finally looking up at you. “i have a girlfriend and baby at home, i can’t…”

“you could earn money. way more money than in soccer team,” you blur out before she can finish her sentence. your fingers unconsciously tightens in her hair, but she doesn’t seem to notice. she blinks at you. once. twice.

“what?” she furrows her brows, finally getting serious.

“i talked with that scout,” you admit, her jaw slightly tenses so you start rubbing her neck. something that always seems to soothe her down. “he said that scholarship combined with playing hockey could be…beneficial. it could be enough to stop asking parents for money.”

she goes quiet. for a moment she just study your face, processing everything. “just think about it,” you add softly, your hands slides on her jaw. you pull her closer to prep her face with kisses. she hums, but doesn’t pull back. “you don’t have to answer now, but promise me, you’ll think about it.”

she groans, and you know, she’s already defeated. she collapses on you, nuzzling her nose in your neck and inhaling deeply. “whatever,” she mumbles but you know better.

thinking about shauna who finally start playing and gets fixated on the idea of dragging you and the baby to every game. she smiles the whole time, pointing at you two, making stupid gestures, only to scoop the baby at the end of the game.

when the baby is at grandparents house, and it’s a game day, you insist of sucking her off in the locker room. more complex version of good luck kiss.

shauna, who propose to you after few games, buzzing with energy and enthusiasm. she doesn’t really think about it, she just do it. she wants to finally call you her wife and she doesn’t give a fuck about how she’s going to do it. she just drops to both of her knees, almost begging you in front of all those people. crying, even.

she’s a part time writer, scrabbling poetry in her journal. sometimes she leaves it open on the kitchen counter. you don’t know if she does that on purpose so you can see or it’s accidental. but you pretend it’s just allergy when she finds you later, crying in your bedroom.

“i just love you so much,” you whisper when she wraps her arms around you. and it’s enough for her.

[imsogonesposts]

Not Just Another Girl

|| ao3 || steve masterlist || requests are open!! || an: this was supposed to be based on the song back to friends by sombr, but then I lost the plot a bit 😭 also, king Steve fic!! ||

summary: Steve confesses how he feels for you at one of his parties. (wc: 1104)

You and Steve had been friends since you were both kids. Since you were both too young to ever understand why your families would continuously joke that one day, the two of you would end up together. That one day you would see each other as something more than friends.

You had been friends with each other through everything, through thick and thin. Through each other’s awkward middle school phases, and now, through Steve’s “King Steve” phase. 

Now that you were both in high school, Steve had taken more of an interest in girls. You weren’t sure if this was of his own wanting, or if it was due to his new friend Tommy Hagan whispering in Steve’s ear that this is what he’s supposed to want. He’s supposed to want to sleep around with girls, to not ever find a long, meaningful relationship with someone. He’s supposed to want sex.

Despite not enjoying Steve’s sudden change in behavior, you still stuck around. You couldn’t not stick around, it just didn’t make sense to throw away an eight-year-long friendship just because of his newfound attitude. Especially not when, despite everything, you found yourself falling for your best friend. 

You were sure the feelings had always been there; it was in the way your stomach did a funny little flip whenever Steve would take your hand in his, or the way you could feel your heart pounding in your ears when he looked at you like that with those warm brown eyes that you’ve grown to love so much. And, despite his popularity, despite being the “king” of the school, Steve was still the sweet, caring boy you had always known. Always holding doors open for you, carrying your books around for you, being a shoulder for you to lean on. 

Steve was throwing another party at his house, you weren’t even sure if Steve really did like the parties he was always throwing and attending, and you were there, like you always were. Not because you liked the parties or the hoards of people cramped in someone’s living room, but because you knew Steve wanted you there. He always asked if you would go with him, and if you would deny him, saying you were busy with homework or simply didn’t want to go, he would get a small pout on his face until you eventually agreed to go. 

You felt an arm wrap around your waist, tensing slightly at the feeling until you turned to your left to be met with Steve. You instantly relaxed, instead, feeling your stomach do that funny little flip again. 

“Are you having fun, honey?” He softly asked you. 

Your stomach did another flip at the word “honey” leaving his lips as you shrugged your shoulders.

He only pouted, taking your hand in his as he led you upstairs, and to his room. In any other circumstance, you would be weary of the situation, of following a boy upstairs at a party. But it was Steve you were following, Steve who you’ve known practically your whole life, Steve, who you trusted with everything inside you. 

He led you to his bed, letting you sit as your eyes drifted to his nightstand where a framed picture of the two of you in the sixth grade on a cruise his parents had invited you to lied. 

Steve’s eyes followed yours as he let out a small laugh. “All I remember about that trip is you getting seasick and refusing to leave your cabin until we reached land again,” he softly said, his voice would be barely audible against the loud music blasting downstairs if you two weren’t as close as you currently were. 

You grimaced at the memory. “All I remember is you refusing to leave my side,” you quietly recalled before a small smile landed on your face. You remember Steve being excited about the cruise, about getting to go in the water slides they had, and about the possibility of seeing dolphins in the ocean, and yet, the minute you started to feel ill, he never once left your side unless it was to bring you some food from the dining hall. 

Steve let out a small, nervous laugh as the memory hit him too. He scratched the back of his neck before replying, “Yeah, I kinda had a thing for you back then. That was like a two-thirds me being worried about you thing and a third thinking it’d get you to like me back.”

Oh.

“You liked me?” You quietly question. 

Steve nods his head yes, eyes drifting to the ceiling of his childhood bedroom, avoiding yours, before quietly replying, “still do.”

You whisper his name out so softly, so quietly, part of him thinks he imagined it, but when he turns his gaze from the roof to meet your eyes, he sees nothing but surprise and warmth and… longing. 

“Yeah?” He asks, just as quietly, as if he was scared to break the peacefulness that filled the room. 

“I’ve liked you for as long as I can remember,” you truthfully tell him. And the smile that breaks out on his face is so bright, you’re sure it could power the entire town’s electricity should the power go out. 

“Yeah?” He asks again, and when you nod your head yes, he asks, “can I kiss you?” And when you nod your head once again, the two of you are kissing on his bed, in a way neither of you thought you would ever be able to do. It’s not a heated kiss, not one filled with lust, but filled with longing, with being able to kiss the person you thought would never be yours. 

When the kiss finally breaks, you tell him, “I don’t want to be just another girl to you, I want to be more than that, Steve.”

Steve frowned at that. He knew he was known for sleeping around, he knew Tommy would try to convince him to have you be just another notch on his bedpost, but he also knew that none of that mattered to him. All that really mattered to him, was you, always you. 

“I don’t want you to be just another girl either,” he quietly replies, his hand moving to lightly hold the side of your face. “I want the full thing with you, the dates, the getting you flowers, asking you to be my girlfriend, all of it. I mean it.”

And as you looked into his soft, warm brown eyes that you started to fall for all those years ago, you knew he truly meant it.

[starxs-s]

NFI me and you

Michael Gavey x Felix's sister!reader ♡ chapter 1

warnings: semi-public sex, sloppy pussy eating (Michael don't know shit about how to do that, don't fight me on that), unprotected p in v (wrap it b4 you tap it), virgin!Michael, hair pulling, almost getting caught (in the end), virginity loss, premature orgasm, small praise kink, Michael being a little shit.

word count: 5k

minors please don’t interact.

summary: At college Christmas party Michael goes to library just to find someone he least expect to see there. Basically two nerds getting at it.

from Author: This is my first long work in English so please be kind since it’s not my first language. Michael Gavey save me. Wrote it cuz I recently rewatched Saltburn with my mum and her reactions were absolutely hilarious. Also i don't know shit about math so if I'll make any mistake in that kind of stuff please just ignore.

divider credit: @uzmacchiato

It wasn't like Michael actually expected the invite to lay beautifully in his letterbox. He wasn't popular. He in fact was everything but that. With awkward personality, nerdy attitude and his well known dislike towards other students.

But he couldn't help to be petty about it. He was a student of Oxford after all. A good one if not the best. Michael liked to put himself on top, liked to look down at people. He felt like the worst and the best of all of them at the same time.

Oliver didn't seem to care about the invite, he just blankly looked around the library when Gavey told him neither of them received anything. But it was still Oliver who 'went' to the party. He was sitting there, locked in the spare room, alone with only pool table. He was desperately trying to make himself seen, popular and liked. Like a leach he wanted to have more than he was destined to have.

And if not for the lack of invite to the Christmas Party of his own college Michael would think he has everything he needs. A good marks, a 'friend' if he could even label Oliver like that, a peace and quiet. He was doing math at one of the oldest, best and most popular colleges in United Kingdoms.

The only thing that could piss him off was you. Felix Catton's younger sister. With the hair as fluffy and as dark as your brother's but eyes brighter than his. In your mother's or father's color, Michael was often thinking about them while sitting in the class.

Class he unfortunately had to share with you. What were you even doing there? In math class. In his class.

Course wasn't filled with many girls. Just you, one red head freak and a girl that Michael believed couldn't do times table, what was utterly pathetic for him.

And it wasn't like you needed a degree. You had the status, the prestige, ‘Catton’ that followed after your name and a fucking castle. The amount of money you had could keep you, your future children and many generations after them safe from even moving a finger.

You were always sitting in library with wired earphones in your ears, too far and music too quiet for Michael to hear what you were listening to. Always with your head down, gaze focused yet tired like doing all those math examples drained you from all your energy. And Michael couldn't stop watching you from behind his glasses. His pale blue eyes scanning over every mole on your cheeks and the way the dark circles made your eyes stand out even move. The loose strands that fell from your bun when you were leaning over your notebook before quiet tapping on the calculator could be heard if Gavey listened close enough.

You were so different from Felix and Farleigh. And if not the name or the fact that despise spending most of your days in library and classes everyone knew who you are, he would maybe consider you something more than a spoiled brat.

He didn't really liked your family. Rich, entitled pricks. Your brother? horrible. Farleigh? Even fucking worse.

Good that he didn't have to deal with them. It was just Oliver who had to go through your cousin's biting remarks and snarky comments. And Michael would be free from Catton family if not for you. The bane of his existence.

You.

Even now. Your were sitting on the other side of the table, with a lamp lighted up and casting a golden glow on your cheeks that were - as he observed - way paler than right after summer. That's natural after all. Yet he couldn't help but wonder how it would feel like to smooth over the skin of them with his knuckles... or see how they would look when your lips would be wrapped around him. With your eyes up on him, hands propped on his thighs and how hard he would grip your locks.

The shame ate him alive every time he caught himself thinking about you like that. Imagining you, in his dorm, in your dorm or even in a fucking library. Here. Now.

God he couldn't believe how pathetic he was.

He looked from his notebook to you. A soft glow cast on your face, the unchanging, focused gaze and this weird stillness as you sat on one of the chairs near him. What you were doing here? Your brother was enjoying the party, drinking, smoking, flirting. The music was probably blasting and there were bodies rubbing against each other. And you were... here. In the library. In a disgustingly quiet library with him, alone. And if not the earphones connected to your phone with the thin wire you could hear every sharp and uncomfortable inhale from Michael, when he tried to not make all the fantasies and images that made him turn in his bed at night, flow back into his mind.

Not when you were sitting right there instead of acting like he think every Catton did.

His grip of the pen tightened when your phone rung filling the silence in the library. His jaw clenched and gaze raised at you when hurriedly picked up.

“I’m in the library what do you want?” You asked quietly as if ashamed of ruining the quietness of the moment.

He didn’t mean to listen… but how could he not when you were sitting there alone and the only sounds were annoying grumbling of your brother through the phone.

“I’m not coming to the party I’m studying” you mumbled before rolling your eyes at the faint words of Felix.

“Don’t tell Farleigh or he’ll come here and force me to go and drink with him.” His irritation only spiked when you mentioned his cousin. “Felix, stop I’m not—“

“Could you not?” Michael’s words came out unexpectedly and even he wasn’t sure if they left his lips or if it was just his mind playing jokes at him.

Your mouth was agape as the gaze of your eyes raised to him. You looked as surprised as he was.

“I’ll see you.” You only said before hanging up and putting your phone down. “Sorry…”

His heart rate fastened and Michael wouldn’t be himself if he didn’t add some rude comment.

“I know you’re an entitled brat but rules apply even to you” he replied and his eyes narrowed l.

“I already said I’m sorry” you said feeling your irritation spiking. “If you can’t focus on math with sounds that quiet maybe you’re not as good as you think you are” you scoffed and cringed immediately at the words that sounded all too familiar to Farleigh.

"I'm a genius" he said and take a sharp inhale.

"Bet you are Gavey."

This surprised him. How did you knew his name? You were on the same course, yes. You spoke few times, yes. A short meaningless questions for a task results or to borrow a pen. He didn't think you would know his name. Something strange blossomed in his chest. A warm feeling mixed with unease. People never knew his name.

"Ask me a sum then"

"I'm not asking you a sum Gavey." you said and your hand moved to put the earphones back in your ears.

"You're scared I'm right?" he asked scoffing. He really was acting like a brat. Maybe that's why people didn't bother to remember his name. Maybe that's why you did.

"I'm not sc-"

"Then ask me a sum."

You two shared a glance. No, it was way too long for just a glance. You looked into his blue eyes hid behind those nerdy looking glasses. Jesus Christ. Why did he had to sit here, looking like that, bothering you to ask him a stupid sum. You should really ask Felix to start inviting him into those parties so you wouldn't have to sit here with him alone like that. A sharp inhale from you and not even a bother to pull out a calculator.

"Nine times nine." you said seriously; it wasn't serious. Just to make him a bit more mad.

"Oh that's a child's play." he scoffed crossing his arms over his chest, leaning back in the chair. Your face was serious, waiting for an answer. Damn you. "Eighty one" he rolled his eyes.

"Times eighty one?"

"Six thousand and five hundred sixty one."

"Times nine?"

"Fifty nine thousands and forty nine"

"Times six thousand and five hundred sixty one?"

"Three hundred eight seven milion, four thousands twenty and four hundred eighty nine"

Michael Gavey - you have to be studied.

You scoffed shaking your head slightly.

"Told you." he said calmly. Oh god what a wonderful feeling it was. His arrogance was spiking and you feed his ego like crazy.

"You could just make those numbers up." you said leaning back in your own seat.

"Why would I?"

"Because you're a liar."

"I'm a genius."

You gave him a look before stubbornly pulling out the calculator and then shortly after the fast taps on the buttons. Then a scoff. Michael smirked and his gaze from the papers in front of him to you. Your face was serious and irritated and you bit your inner cheek. Another habit of yours for him to learn about. Then another scoff from you.

"You have to get diagnosed by some fucking doctor, Gavey." you said and moved the calculator away.

"I don't know if being a genius is a sickness" he said and fixed his glasses.

"But you're not" you said irritated. You wanted to win this argument. That didn't worked. So you can at least make him mad.

"We just proved I am, didn't we darling?"

What just came over him? His mouth closed and he wasn't even sure his brain registered the words. And you stared. Not like others. Not like he was some creep or a loser. Your gaze was surprised - not shocked. - just surprised.

And Michael was just as surprised as you were apparently.

"A genius huh?" you said but he could clearly tell that your tone was different. He wasn't stupid after all. He heard the previous softness in it - the one he snapped at when you apologized to him. "help me with that then."

Oh. God.

No. Yes.

Oh.

God.

Micheal swallowed looking as you gather your things quickly to come and sit at the seat on his left. He was sitting by the top of the table. Like always. Not like it wasn't the main part of library. Rather a calm one - where people didn't come to. Or only to make out - what Micheal was unfortunate to see.

Oh. God.

"Y-yeah sure." he said and swallowed again. You raised an eyebrow at his slight stutter. Fuck. "Yeah sure." he collected himself stopping himself from undoing the top button of his shirt.

He suddenly became super aware that he looked like someone's grandpa. Shirt buttoned to the top, sweater on that and that stupid ass haircut he gave himself after he got irritated the brown strands of hair started getting under his glasses. And here were you - dressed into a sweater too, but in the cool way. How in the hell did you managed to look cool and nerdy at the same time? Felix looked only cool, Farleigh looked like some twink and here were you. Looking beautiful in random clothes you threw on to library and in this half up-half down hairstyle you did when hair started getting into your eyes. Because it wasn't like you could just cut it like he did.

"You get it?" you asked laying the pencil down on the wooden desk.

Oh fuck, you were telling him something. He glanced over the task. It couldn't be easier.

"Yes, I'll do it for you." he said mindlessly grabbing your pencil.

"No!... no, can you just explain it?" you asked and he frowned.

"I'm not some tutor." he muttered not sparring you a glance.

"I can pay you 50 pounds." you said like it was nothing, of course it was nothing for you. The Catton in your name could buy anything.

"I don't want your money."

"What is so hard in explain what you're doing?"

He could do it. It wouldn't be a problem for him. He explained things to people before; for example when his little cousins needed help with something.

"Fine" he said and sighed

Your chair moved and your arms pressed again as you leaned on your hand listening to what he will say and he could feel his cock throbbing slightly.

Woman in the name of all that's holy, what are you doing? Move the fuck away.

He inhaled. Get it together.

"It's very easy" he said and wet his lips with the tip of his tongue before fixing his glasses.

Oh god someone save you.

How could he just sit here all sweet and nervous and cute? Looking like he is waiting for someone to just devour him.

And he smelled good too. Like a nerd to be honest. A bit like the library, but you could smell a bit of the after shave. Yeah it have to be that. Your gaze wandered from the paper to give him a side glance, His face looked smooth, he always looked clean, neat. With his hair cut in a silly way and nice looking clothes. If not the top button it would even look really good.

You crossed your legs nodding slightly to pretend you're listening. Jesus Christ his jaw. And his nose.

Jesus Christ his nose.

"Now. Understand?" he asked turning his head to you.

Shit now he'll know you're staring.

"Y-yeah." you nodded. "It's really easy." you added as it would convince both him and you.

You could feel his breath on your face from how close you were.

"Y-you... you want something in exchange for tutoring?" you asked swallowing. "I can get you into one of Felix's parties if you want."

"No." he said seriously and leaned back in his seat looking at the papers seriously. "I don't want to be anywhere close to your stupid brother and idiot cousin." he scoffed.

"Is there something I can do? I don't like to be anyone's debt."

God those big Babmi eyes of you. Michael swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

'Is there something I can do?'

YES. Go down on me or I'll die.

"No we're good... as long as you won't take calls in the library or at least next to me." he said and crossed his legs too hiding his hardening cock. Thank god the light was dim and table let him mask easily.

"I can do that."

God your obedience. How sweet you looked. Like some goddamn bunny or another stupid doe.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

God save you. What have Michael Gavey done to you? The smart Catton, with a brain turned into mush because of a dork, you're trying to get your guts rearranged by. And he probably didn't even know where clit is. Let's be fucking honest, Michael having sex it's not something this world has experienced.

"Can I still give you something?" you asked and your cheeks grew pink.

"If you must." he scoffed rolling his eyes.

Your lips pressed to his fast and hard. His eyes widened as he froze for a moment. His heart thumped as his brain was still proceeding what the fuck was happening. Do. Something. Dumbass.

His hand went up just to stop right above the skin of your cheek and his lips tried to move in sync with yours affecting in pretty sloppy and clumsy kiss. His first kiss.

Michael pulled away to inhale looking at you in shock, before quickly fixing his glasses.

Oh. Fuck.

You looked at him and inhaled too, your mouth slightly agape before his hand pulled you to crash his lips against yours, this time way more desperately.

A clumsy kiss with the nerd Michael Gavey turned into messy making out in the corner of library. Like all those people he despised for interfering with library's peace.

"You should really start being invited to those parties." you breathed pulling slightly away to look at those blue eyes.

"Fuck the parties." he shook his head frowning at you, before his nose bumped slightly into yours and his eyes went to your mouth.

Oh how desperate he looked. Like a needy brat finding the most tasty candy of his life. Michael Gavey the pathetic man you are.

"What do you want to do?" you swallowed feeling his breath on you cheek.

"We can go back..." to his dorm. "... to doing the task?"

You raised your eyebrow looking at him. What the fuck? Did the past seven minutes of making out and having his tongue in your mouth happened or not?

"Or... you can... kiss me some more?" he added, his gaze pleading. "...please?"

A man who yearns is the man that earns. Or... something like that.

"Sounds... like a good plan" you nodded smiling slightly.

His lips pressed against you again. And you were never more happy about skipping a party to go study at the library. His lips were soft and his cupid bow prominent, easily felt under your own mouth. The kiss was greedy, more wanting, more needing than those from before. Not quite desperate as you would think Michael could get but not lazy either.

You pulled away slightly to tilt your head down and rub your lips together inhaling before hesitating for a moment. Deep breaths of Michael reached your ears, the way his body trembled slightly and his glasses were a little bit crocked. He almost followed as you stopped the kiss, pleading for more.

When your lips reconnected a second later, you slipped onto his lap and got surprised by a shocked gasp. His eyes widened and hands squeezed on the armrests as if he were too scared to touch you.

And his hard length was pressed into your inner thigh.

Good Lord.

You tried not to move too much, not to cause him any discomfort or made an effort to somehow let him know you felt it. It was as if your senses decided to focus not on the bulge straining against his pants but his lips on yours.

But God. With every soft twitch your knickers were getting wetter and wetter by your arousal and the desperate need to move even so slightly, to release some tension and simply slide over his thigh was almost unbearable.

His nose bumped against yours and you pulled away again to rest your forehead on his and inhale trying to calm down and somehow downplay the coiling feeling in your stomach.

"You're-"

"I'm so sorry." he said gasping.

Sorry? Sorry for what? For making you want to be fucked on the library's table? Or to suck on what's hiding under those pants?

"Don't apologize dumbass." you frowned looking at his red yet slightly startled face. "Just let me-"

"No."

Your hand stopped midair to his zipper and your eyes went to his as you straightened on his lap.

"Let me... I want to..." he inhaled

Oh god he was adorable. His expression boyish and cheeks pink just like the tips of his ears and maybe another tip too.

Not as adorable when he pushed you up on the table earning a surprised gasp from those lips he was savouring seconds ago. Not as adorable when his; shy at first, hands went to the hem of your pants. To pull on the button, undo the zipper and finally tug onto jeans making them slide off to ankles leaving you sprawled on the table, shocked and wet.

"Pink?" he scoffed quietly, his attitude returning as he glanced at your panties; pink with small bow at the front and very noticeable darker spot where your legs met.

"Shut up." you said only letting your head rest on the table.

"Only if you let me make my mouth busy." how did Michael Gavey, the awkward nerd from Oxford know how talk like that.

Your breath hitched and his fingers worked pushing the soaked fabric to the side. Your cunt was glistening with arousal, lips pink and slightly swollen. He definitely wasn't adorable when he lowered himself between your legs, to lap at your sweet little cunt with uncertainness visible in his moves.

His tongue licked over your opening, inhaling surprised at the taste. It was like nothing he ever had in his life. Because he clearly never done that to a girl.

It could be felt with how unsure his tongue is, how careful, yet you didn't miss how his hands squeezed on your thighs, making them look small in his grip. As if he tried to suppress the need to lap like he was starving; maybe he was.

Your eyes closed at the oh how ironic so shy yet so dirty sensation, before you moved your hips slightly; just enough to guide him higher. A high pitched moan let him know he found what he needed. Your hand covered your mouth quickly as if to try and cover the sound you just let slip involuntarily and those you made when his lips sucked and tongue rolled over your clit. Your cheeks burned as he focused at the bud and his chin grazed over your slit making it glistening with your juices.

Gods how sweet you tasted. Michael could die and go to heaven at this moment. Your little moans, muffled so badly by your hand echoed between the bookshelves made his already hard cock leak some pre-cum on the fabric of his boxers. He was going crazy, imagining how angrily pink his tip must be, how he was twitching every time you rolled your hips over his mouth thinking he doesn't feel it. If he touched himself now he would probably; to his embarrassment, nut at the spot. He lapped on your cunt, his hands squeezed on your thighs, only leaving the flesh to fix his glasses.

Oh God he's gonna die.

He watched with big eyes as your thighs trembled slightly, chest rose rapidly and... oh lord, your hand quickly making it's way to his hair to gently tug and pull at the fair strands, directing him to closer to you as his tongue worked rapidly, still unsure of it's actions.

Now you were desperate and needy. He made you act like that.

His glasses fogged up from the heat between your bodies and his own deep, warm breath blew on your glistening cunt. His tongue was parting your folds from time to time and his mouth sucked at the swollen bud hungrily.

You pulled yourself up to look down on him. Your eyes fell upon his flushed cheeks, nose bumping against your flesh, his puppy eyes looking up at you desperately and hands holding onto your thighs as if his life depended on it. His nails dug into your flesh as you tugged harder at his hair when you felt the tension in your stomach ready to snap.

“Fuck—“ you mumbled squeezing your eyes shut. “Michael.”

His eyes widen as he looked up at you. At your blush, at your trembling thighs, at your hand squeezed on his hair. He felt your orgasm on his tongue, the sweet, sweet release. He made you cum. He. Michael Gavey ate out Felix’s younger sister.

He moved away as your grip relaxed, pulling himself up. His eyes wandered up at the blush on your cheeks, trembling of your thighs, rise of your chest. His gaze was hazed. Pleading. Mouth open, gasping for air and chin dripping with your release.

Oh god he looked so pretty.

When your hand fell from his head on his cheek he melted. His grip on your thigh let go leaving behind red marks that will sure turn into bruises tomorrow. His hands wandered to pull back your panties on before your hand stopped him and frown bloomed on your face. It’s not like you haven’t seen his dick straining against the fabric of his pants, it’s wasn’t hard to miss when you were standing between your parted legs.

“What are you doing?” Your tone almost accusatory made him pause with your panties half in way to cover you again.

“I’m—“

“I thought we’re having sex” you said when your thumb moved to wipe his off your release.

His lips parted slightly as he looked at you. Shocked and flushed embarrassed at the realization that dawned over him.

“I’m… not gonna last” he swallowed leaning closer making your noses almost bump together.

He was reluctant yet needy. So needy and desperate, to feel you around him, the warmth, the wetness he always imagined while jerking off in his dorm.

“It’s okay I already came.” his gaze snapped up to your eyes shocked at your words.

“Are you sure?”

A small nod that you gave him was all it took for him to start tugging at his belt quickly as his lips crashed against yours impatiently. A quiet whine fell right into his mouth as you tasted your own release on his tongue. It was weird this connection you shared, the quiet, desperate need to just continue kissing him as if his dick wasn't throbbing in his pants and your own pants weren't hanging from your ankles.

Michael was shy now as he moved away to reposition between your legs. Vulnerable at freshly given consent or more. Assurance. You with your sweet eyes made him safe and comfortable, despise the fact that he surely won't make you cum like that. Few pumps and he'll be done. Embarrassing really. But not now, not to him. Not when you let him so close to you already, only to agree to let him even closer.

The movements of his hands were careful; one squeezed on your waist carefully, the other pulled your panties to the side before getting his length out of his boxers.

He was long but not thick. With a vein running underside and this pretty cherry pink tip.

"Pink?" you asked innocently as to taunt him for his earlier teasing.

He inhaled shakily looking at you. "You fucking tease" he grumbled shaking his head.

"Just asking"

"Please, do shut up"

Your mouth opened yet again, but this time instead of words a surprised moan left them. As he pressed between your folds. Michael's eyes squeezed shut at the warmth and wetness caused by your previous orgasm. It was better than he imagined, soft and slightly tight from the muscles still being strained. It was way better than when he was fucking his hand. Better than anything he imagined. He watched as your hands fell from his face to grip at the edge of the table as he moved slowly trying to prolong the whole experience. Your whiny breaths echoed in his ears as he dropped his head on your shoulder, nose nudging the side of your neck.

You felt him moving within, the trembling inexperienced movements getting faster with each second bringing him to the edge and making you curl your toes as the sensitivity from earlier release haven't worn off yet. You pressed your cheek to his head as he once again squeezed the flesh on your hips probably adding bruises to those soon blooming on your thighs.

"Fuck-." he mumbled, his panting against your skin causing a shiver to run down your spine. "You feel so absolutely fucking amazing."

"Michael-." A quiet moan left your mouth when you felt him pressing against the spongy spot inside and your thighs squeezed on his hips. "Just-... fuck... right there."

"It's good?"

"It's amazing." you mumbled and your hand sneaked up into his hair again. "You're so good, so good for me."

A quiet praise, small and innocent, mumbled into his hair caused him to held onto you tightly as his cock twitched, releasing the warm robes of cum. He pulled out quickly cursing under his breath, his release coated your insides, then folds and clit with white spend. His fingers curled on your hip as he watched his softening cock resting between your thighs.

"I'm- so sorry." he mumbled straightening up slightly.

"It's fine." your assurance made his heart melt again as he stand there, feeling guilty and looking like the scolded puppy. "I'll buy a pill tomorrow morning."

You heard the sharp inhale and saw the guilty nod before he released your hips. Your own hand fell from his hair to pull him into kiss by the collar of his shirt. It was delicate, calming after all that just happened, comforting. You let him run his hand up and down your waist, bump his nose against your with each kiss.

You pulled your panties back from the side still following the rhythm of his mouth until quiet and a little wobbly steps interrupted the peaceful moment. Your eyes snapped open and you pulled away from the kiss listening as Michael readjusted his boxers quickly.

"Wrap it up, you fucking nerd." Farleigh's voice came from afar and your cursed under your breath. "Came to pick you up, we have to find Felix-."

Fucking Farleigh, fucking Felix.

Michael clenched his jaw, the quiet and comforting atmosphere was brutally ended by your cousin and he never, never wanted to strangle Start more than now. Even more when you moved quickly pulling on your pants. He stood there with lips parted as you just let his cum dry on you skin and inside.

"Fuck, I'm so sorry." you said looking at him with embarrassment and regret. "I didn't think he'll come here."

Michael nodded silently buttoning his pants again as if nothing has happened. "It's fine" he mumbled and your heart shattered, it wasn't fine. It was very much not fine.

"Just... find me on Facebook alright?" you said and you eyes went to cup his cheek before inhaling.

God how embarrassing it was.

"Y-yeah... I... I'll find you." he mumbled quietly fixing his glasses.

"I'm so sorry." You hands quickly gathered the things laying on the table, like you haven't been just fucked on it few minutes ago.

You'll fucking kill Farleigh.

"Promise you'll text me." you added before hurriedly pressing your lips to his.

He moaned quietly into your lips, closing his eyes momentary. Your hand involuntarily went back to his cheek and you gasped as his hand desperately clenched on your sweater, tugging you slightly towards him, not wanting to let go, not yet. Just a bit longer, just to bask in the afterglow just a moment more.

"Promise." he nodded as your breath mixed together.

You nodded back smiling again. "Good." you inhaled before pecking his lips again and grabbing the rest of your stuff, as Farleigh's steps were getting closer and closer.

You shared the last glance before you disappeared behind the bookcases and then he could calmly exhale starting to slowly process what just happened. The messy kisses, the lingering taste of you still on his tongue and the best fucking feeling of your cunt being wrapped around his cock.

Michael he could die a happy man now.

Could. If he hadn't promised you something.

His trembling hands went to his phone and opened the app at the same moment scrolling through the Cattons.

Felix Catton. No.

Venetia Catton. No?

There you were.

Quickly he tapped add and with blush on his cheeks and ragged breath.

Just to see a notification from you mere seconds later.

He could die a happy man now.

autor note: this chapter is short and kind of shit (especially end, i got lazy). When i started writing this I didn't even think about turning it in the series and the idea popped in my head when i had like half of it written. So... next chapters will hopefully be longer and better lmaoo.

[lovemadethemdoit]

Jake and Nat are very good friends and they decide to get married for benefits over a burger and beer at some dingy bar because 'it just makes sense, Trace. You don’t want to be slowed down by a guy. And I… nevermind about me. We can both save up and divorce when we both get out.'

Nat agrees but only because she always wanted to see what she looked like in a wedding dress without having to deal with a man afterwards.

Bradley is a big dumb dumb who thinks he missed a whole Jake/Nat romance and his heart breaks once he gets the wedding invitation because he is an idiot who is glued to his perch and now it‘s too late and he missed his chance.

He RSVPs no and has Nat standing on his porch the next morning like 'what do you mean, no. Idiot. You‘re gonna miss out on the Dagger reunion? For what?'

Bradley is still hungover because he threw a pity party for himself once he sent off the decline of the invitation and he looks properly beaten down. Nat takes a real look at him and is like 'oh my god. You finally realized you‘re in love with Bagman, didn’t you.'

Bradley feels so bad because that‘s his best friend and he‘s in love with her fiancé and it‘s all bad.

Nat rolls her eyes and shoves him inside the door, telling him to go get a shower because he fucking stinks. Bradley goes to the bathroom to do just that (and to cry a little where no one can see him being a pathetic idiot).

Nat plops down on his couch and pulls out her phone to facetime Hangman. He picks up, bedhead, sleep lines and all, glaring at the screen.

'This better be important, Trace.'

'Wedding‘s off, pretty boy.'

'Huh?' Jake sits up. The bed covers slide off and Nat‘s only human. She‘s only ogling him a little bit. Sue her. He‘s got a nice chest, is all. 'What? Why?' he asks.

'You‘ll see. Get dressed and meet me at Bradshaw‘s place.'

Jake stops in his tracks before his face goes white.

He clears his throat.

'Please don‘t tell me you guys hooked up,' he jokes, forcing a grin onto his face that‘s so far from casual and Hangman-cocky that Nat actually pities him for a moment.

She groans.

'Oh my god. You‘re just as stupid. Do what your not future wife told you and get your ass in gear!'

She hangs up and heads to Bradley‘s kitchen. If she‘s going to play cupid for these two idiots she needs another coffee to deal.

[chrisesslut]

the first impression

two weeks ago today you had met nick at one of tara yummy's parties. you weren't famous per say— just about 20k followers on instagram, but you still were definitely in the whole 'influencer' circle? i guess you could call it that.

and now you were ubering over to nick's house for the very first time. sure you were nervous but you've gotten like— hella close hella fast with nick. it's just one of those kind of friendships that you click with eachother; so going to his house shouldn't be that bad.

the uber comes to a stop. you thank the driver and get out and let out a sigh. "okay c'mon malibu you can do this." you try to convince yourself as you knock on nick’s front door.

a familiar face answers, nick. "hey mal! you made it!" he says excitedly as he pulls you in for a welcoming hug. "hey, yeah i'm glad you invited me over." you muffle into his shoulder.

"c'mon in, by the way my brothers are home so don't mind them." nick warns you as you follow him up the stairs. "you have brothers? and you live with them? i though you—" your mouth shuts in confusion as you stare at the almost carbon copies of nick just sitting on their gray couch.

one of them nods at you and goes back to scrolling on his phone, while the other doesn't take his eyes off you. "hey hon." he says nonchalantly as if he's known you for years. "uhhh hey..?" you say trying to not sound confused. "oh uh yeah i'm a triplet— that's matt and that's chris right there. and chris for the love of GOD stop perving on all my friends!" nick exclaims at chris. chris is still wearing that boyish grin on his face though. the type you only could dream about seeing. like literally some model type shit.

a pair of black baggy jeans, a simple white tee and a black backwards hat. oh yeaaahhhh your friends brother was hot. nick could already read your thoughts as he seen the flushed look on your face. "mal trust me you do not want chris— like at all. he'll literally break your little innocent heart." "hey! i'm not innoce—" you tried to argue against him but once again you got interrupted. "mal is it?" chris asked curiously. you gulped and looked at him, "uhhh no it's malibu." you say anxiously as if he would eat you alive.

"pretty name for a pretty girl." chris says with a wink but nick quickly cuts him off— god this cutting off thing need to stop. "christopher owen sturniolo i swear to god! leave my friends alone— they're off limits!" he groans annoyed again as he drags you up the stairs to his room.

you stumbled as nick dragged you away but all you could think about was how goddamn fine his brothers were— like you knew that nick was hot but he was gay so it was in a more friendly way that you seen him. but now that you've seen his straight brothers. hollyyyy they are FINE.

and like even the other one who didn't say a single word to you was fine as fuck too, those genes really hit hard huh? not that you were complaining anyways cus having that sight everytime you go to your friends house would be an absolute blessing.

and goddamn that grin too— you would be lying if you said your panties weren't a little soaked. was that dramatic? yes. but were you also a virgin who got absolutely no guys attention, like ever? yes! so seeing such a hot guy grin at you like that got you a little excited, you can't help it!

nick opened the door to his room and you stepped in, it was pretty clean honestly— not what you would expect for a twenty one year old mans room to look like at all. you couldn't help but wonder how nicks brothers’ rooms looked like too— and how you would look on their bed underneath them— okay okay enough! no more thinking!

“uhh so this is my room— it’s a little messy but i’m sure you don’t mind.” nick plopped down onto his bed as he looked at you expectantly waiting for you to get on too. “nah i don’t mind— my room’s a complete dump too,” you replied and got onto his bed too.

“so uh— what’s the deal with your brother?” you asked trying to sound like you didn’t care at all. “what? matt? ugh don’t mind him he’s just shy around new peopl—,” you cut him off quickly. “no—no— not that one, the other one— chris or whatever.” “oh chris? uhh he’s just flirty i guess, always has been. just ignore him honestly, he’s only lookin to get into ya pants.” nick warns you with a laugh but it only made you more flustered.

a fine ass guy like that wanted to get into your pants?! like yes please!

[deadpanjisung]

✧ the collective muse ✧

⟢ pairing: graphic designer!lee know x journalist!afab!reader x graphic designer!han

⟢ MDNI!!!!! (please make sure you have your age in your bio)

⟢ wc: 11.5k

⟢ genre: smut, angst, a lil fluff, colleagues to friends to strangers to lovers (you'll see when you read it)

⟢ warnings: unconventional relationship dynamics, talks of depression/ antidepressants, jealousy, kind of cheating-ish, mentions of pubic hair, threesome, boys kissing <3, breast play, fingering, oral, unpr0tected sex, creampies (lmk if i missed any).

⟢ upcoming epilogue soon, if you'd like

♡ likes, comments and reblogs are so appreciated

Co-founding a digital magazine was not in your plans when you started studying a B.A. in Journalism. During your last semester, you were assigned to create a digital magazine for one of your core courses. The magazine was your only assignment for that particular course. The difficult part was that it would be a group project. For that, you were thankful to have met Jisung earlier. 

Despite being younger than you, Jisung was also coursing his last semester at university, majoring in Graphic Design with a minor in Journalism, hence the common courses. You had met him on your second year of studying when he started taking some of your core courses with you. It wasn’t until you were forced to work with him on another group project that you got to know him.

To know Jisung was to love Jisung. You quickly became good friends. Knowing Jisung also meant inevitably meeting Minho, another Graphic Design major getting a minor in Journalism. When assigned this particular project, Jisung recruited both you and Minho to be a part of his group. You didn’t know Minho as well as you did Jisung since Minho usually went to class and left to his apartment almost immediately while Jisung walked you to your car and occasionally invited you to eat dinner or watch a movie.

“So…” Jisung started, as you and Minho walked with him towards your car. “Any ideas for the magazine?” You nodded, Minho just stared at whoever talked.

“I think we should focus on art.”

“Like paintings art?” Minho asked. 

“Yeah, like, we can visit a few galleries and write about them. We could write a column about classic artists too.”

“I like it.” Jisung commented, grinning widely. “But, I think we should write about music too. Maybe a multi-media art magazine would be cool.”

“That could work. Do you have any ideas, Minho?”

“Ah, I kind of wanted to write about the cuisine.”

“Food is art too.” Jisung said. “So, a magazine about food, art and music? Think anyone would want to read that?” He chuckled. You mindlessly continued walking, in an attempt to spot your white Hyundai SUV.

“I’d probably read it.”

“Yeah, me too.” You added, finally identifying your car amongst the sea of similar vehicles. “So, meet up at my place tomorrow at noon to strategize?” Minho and Jisung both nodded. 

What had started as a uni assignment, became acclaimed by professors and classmates alike. You, Minho and Jisung put in the extra mile for this magazine. Your bond strengthened amongst the frequent reunions, visits to museums, galleries, restaurants, concerts, and album listening parties. Your magazine, The Collective Muse, became a popular topic around the university. Your mentor was the first person to recommend the pursuit of making the magazine a job. Writing and designing felt like second nature to all of you. You were required to present three issues but you submitted eight of them. 

“I can see that you’re passionate about it. It’s very current, very relevant. The students love it, too. You could publish a few of them, as a test run.” Your professor motivated you. 

The test run went as well as had been expected by your classmates.  Soon enough Minho and Jisung went from being your friends to being your colleagues. 

Once you graduated, you rented an office space. Initially, The Collective Muse was a side-job. You wrote the occasional article for a newspaper and worked at a call-center so you could pay the bills. Minho and Jisung worked as independent graphic designers, making more use of your office space than you did. Nonetheless, every afternoon you met at your office to brainstorm and design the new issues for The Collective Muse. 

The magazine became your sole work-flow within six months of graduating. You and Jisung had the initiative to translate the issues to other languages, and The Collective Muse became an international success in record time. 

✎ᝰ ‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅ ♬⋆.˚ Two years later ⋆.˚♬ ‧₊˚ 𓎩⋅‧₊˚ ⋅✎ᝰ

The magazine was still going strong. The diversity of the topics mixed with your individual sets of skills were the essence that kept the magazine relevant amongst pop culture; especially for teenagers and young adults. 

“Hey.” Minho came into your office. 

“Hi. I thought you’d be home by now. What’s up?” You asked, concerned at his worried expression. 

“I need to talk to you… and Jisung…” He started, “Can you come to my office when you’re done?”

“I’ll go now.” You said. “Are you okay, Minho?” He looked away from you. You met Jisung as he entered Minho’s office just before you. 

“So… I don’t know where to start.” Minho sighed. You and Jisung looked at each other and you could feel your hearts simultaneously sink. “I was offered a job… a full-time position… with another magazine a few months ago…They called me again today….” Minho gulped as he looked from you to Jisung for the first time since he started talking. “I’m taking the job. I’m sorry.”

“Hold on. Are they offering you more money or something?” You asked coldly. 

“I don’t care about the money, Y/N. I think I outgrew this company. That’s all. I want to write for a magazine that focuses on food and dining.” He answered. “Don’t worry. I have all you need until summer. You can find someone to replace me by then.”

“But, Min. It’s not the same without you.”

“I know. I’m sorry. You’ll do well. I know you will. Excuse me.”

Minho left you and Jisung confused that night and he never returned to the office. Maybe if you and Jisung hadn’t been so disoriented with the news, you would’ve noticed that something else was going on with Minho. After he left, he stopped answering your calls, and your texts, and your letters. You went to his apartment a few times, only to be told that he moved an hour away, back to his parent’s house.

Losing an essential part of your team was the only the first incident that led to The Collective Muse’s downfall. When summer was over, and Seo Changbin took over the cuisine section of the magazine, your readers weren’t too keen on it. Changbin was a great storyteller but they, understandably, missed the prose that Minho provided them. The Collective Muse’s subscribers reduced significantly after Minho left. You and Jisung, as the heads of the company, had to make the difficult choice to close the office and continue publishing virtually. 

Thus, Jisung became your housemate in order to save money on rent. Changbin worked from his house. And you inevitably regressed to having a second job in order to fund your lives. You considered putting an end to The Collective Muse once and for all. Yet, it felt like the only thing in your life that was worth fighting for. Your nine to five job only brought money to the table but no real sense of motivation to create, to express and to be yourself. Jisung, on the other hand, joined a graphic design company that only allowed him to make plain menus and banners for local coffee shops. Changbin worked as a car salesman during the day. Needless to say, you all needed The Collective Muse in order to keep a part of yourselves alive. So you, and Jisung and Changbin worked long nights in order to fund the magazine and its ever declining ratings.

✎ᝰ ‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅ ♬⋆.˚ A year later ⋆.˚♬ ‧₊˚ 𓎩⋅‧₊˚ ⋅✎ᝰ

“Okay. We’ll just go over to him and make him take back his boxes and his desk.” You reassured Jisung.

“We’ll just go over to him and make him take back his boxes and his desk.”Jisung repeated. You had been hoarding Minho’s belongings since he left and you closed the office. With both of you living together, the space that Minho’s things occupied was desperately needed. 

“If he doesn’t want them, we’ll give the desk to your brother and, I don’t know, burn his other things or something.” You affirmed. Minho and Jisung’s families lived relatively close to each other. When Jisung’s nephew was born, you decided that the road trip was necessary both to see the baby and to let go of the things Minho left to haunt you for a year.

“This is it.” Jisung pointed to a house and you parked in front of it. You sighed. It had been a whole year since you had seen Minho. The only indicator that he was alive, were the articles that he wrote for his new job and the occasional social media post promoting them. Jisung looked even more nervous than you did. He was sweating profusely.

“Hey, Ji.” You put your hand on his cheek. “We’ve got this. It’s just Minho. We can handle Minho.” He grabbed your hand and squeezed it. 

Your relationship with Jisung was… complicated. You weren’t just colleagues or friends but you weren’t quite anything else either. You were aware that Minho had feelings for Jisung; he didn’t have to tell you. You also knew that Jisung had feelings for you. You and Jisung hadn’t crossed the ambiguous and imaginary friendship line because you respected Minho too much. You wanted Minho to feel comfortable with you despite the feelings that were involved. You thought it would work out. You and Jisung grieved together; you and Jisung found comfort in each other, too. Living together facilitated the process, and it made being just friends quite more complicated. 

You found yourself next to Jisung, in front of Minho’s door. Jisung rang the doorbell, you didn’t fail to notice how his hands had a slight tremble as he did. The door opened to reveal a sleepy-looking Minho. His hair was disheveled, he had dark circles under his eyes, he was wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. And, despite that, he still looked as mesmerizing as ever. His eyes widened upon seeing you, shifting from you to Jisung.

“Hey.” You greeted as casually as possible. Seeing Minho again, to you, felt like seeing an ex-boyfriend. You were so angry at him, yet you wanted nothing more than to wrap your arms around him and ask him to get back together. 

“Hey, Min. We’re sorry to pop up randomly. You weren’t answering our calls. So we couldn’t really let you know that we were coming by.” Jisung chuckled nervously.

“Uh. Okay. Come in.” Minho replied as he made his way inside. “Close the door or the babies will run away, okay?” You nodded as you stepped inside, closing the door after yourself. 

“So, um, it’s good to see you. We’ll be quick. Your desk and some boxes are in the van and we were just wondering if you still wanted them?” You asked, trying to concentrate on Minho rather than on searching for one of the cats. 

“Oh, you could’ve just kept it in the office or something. I have a desk here already…” Minho answered. “Want some water?” You shook your head. Jisung nodded. 

“That’s the thing though. When you left, we kinda… closed down the office. So your desk’s just been living in the workspace at our apartment…” Jisung added.

“Oh… I’m sorry to hear that. Are you still publishing or…?” Minho asked, his expression was genuine, still you couldn’t help but felt pissed off at him. He didn’t even check if you were still running. What a friend…

“Yeah. It’s been hard to, though. People really miss your columns…” You replied. 

“I bet that’s not it…”

“It’s part of it…” Jisung countered. 

“You two are finally living together?” Minho was quick to change the subject. 

“We couldn’t really afford rent ourselves either. We compromised by me moving to her apartment.” Jisung cleared up. 

“Yeah, it’s only until we have some financial stability.” You said.

“Oh. That must be nice.”

“It is!” Jisung confirmed. “It’s been pretty healing, to live with your best friend, collaborating with other people too. It hasn’t been all bad….”

“Ji…” You interrupted. “We kind of have to get going.” You directed your attention to Minho, who was playing with the strings of his sweats. “Are you sure you don’t need your desk?” Minho shook his head. 

“No. If you know anyone that needs it, feel free to gift it forward.” Minho answered, you and Jisung nodded as you stood up. “Jisung-ah, Y/N-ah… Seeing you has been nice… I really meant to call you back. I’ll give you the home phone number, okay?” Jisung nodded, with no intentions of actually using it for anything. Minho handed him a piece of paper with the number written on it.

“Nice to see you too, Min. Good luck.” Jisung said whilst putting on his shoes. 

“I’m sorry about what happened…” Minho apologized with a sigh. 

“That’s water under the bridge.” 

“See you. Take care. Get some rest, okay?” You said.

“Thanks… Good luck. Stay healthy.” Minho bowed as you and Jisung exited his house. He stood in the doorway for a few seconds, staring at you and Jisung. His heart dropped when you kept walking without even glancing back at him. 

Jisung sighed as he entered the van. His eyes met yours and he leaned into you and pressed his lips on yours. The kiss took you by surprise. It, of course, wasn’t the first time that he kissed you. But, kisses with Jisung were intimate; you never kissed in public. His lips were familiar, they were chapped despite him doing his best efforts to moisturize them.

“Sorry.” He chuckled nervously as he pulled away from you. “Seeing Minho was too much like seeing an ex. I kinda needed the reassurance that I still have you.” You chuckled at him.

“Loser.” You grinned. “I get it, though. The vibe was so… weird. It really felt like seeing an ex after a hard breakup.” Jisung grabbed a hold of your hand. You started the van again and drove past Minho’s house, failing to notice that Minho was still standing outside, looking over at you. 

“It was nerve-wrecking for me.” Jisung added. “Minho looks tired. More tired than he looked when he was writing for The Muse. I hope he’s not working himself to the bone.”  You nodded.

“Then again, I bet we look just as exhausted to him as he does to us now.” You noted. 

You looked at Jisung next to you. He was beautiful, of course he was, big round eyes to match his round cheeks, his gummy smile, you never missed the way he cocked his eyebrows or the way they furrowed when he was anxious or frustrated. You had his face memorized, etched in your soul. It was so easy to fall in love with him. He had dark circles under his eyes too, his bright blue hair was a faded baby blue now and he had a stubble from not shaving. Jisung examined you too; you had dark circles under your eyes, your natural hair color had begun to show in your roots, you didn’t wear too much makeup anymore (he loved your bare face just as much), you had removed your piercings… you were everything to him, but you did look tired.

“We’ve been overworking ourselves, huh?” He pointed out. “It’s easy to recognize on another person, not so much on yourself.” You nodded, keeping your eyes on the road; the sun had already set. 

Mrs. Han welcomed you with open arms every time you went to visit them. She invited you inside but you denied, guilt-ridden. You didn’t want his family to get the impression that you were a couple, you didn’t want to get their hopes up.

“Oh, don’t drive home this late, Y/N. Please stay here.” Mrs. Han said as she packed you a bowl of rice.

“Don’t worry. If I leave now, I’ll be home soon. Thank you so much for the offer, though.” You replied, taking the bento she served you. Jisung accompanied you outside. 

“Are you sure that you don’t want to stay?” He asked. You shook your head. 

“I’m good. I was sick last week, remember? I need to have work done by tomorrow afternoon.” You answered, it was an excuse and he knew it, yet he didn’t fight you on it. 

“Give me a call when you get home, okay?” Jisung added, giving you a peck on your lips. “I love you. Drive safely.”

“I love you too, Ji. Have fun tomorrow.” You blushed and gave him another kiss. 

“Thanks. Bye, Y/N!” He waved you off. 

The drive was only about an hour and a half long. You had left Minho’s desk at Jisung’s parents’ house and took the forgotten boxes with you back. About ten minutes into the drive, your phone rang. Minho. A name you hadn’t seen in your phone in a long while. You debated answering him, but you did.

“Minho? What’s up?”

“Hey, Y/N. Sorry to bother you. I called Jisung but he didn’t answer… I wanted to ask about the boxes you said I left…”

“Oh, sorry about that. I forgot to give them to you. I’m on my way home. Can I drop them off at yours?” You asked.

“Yeah. That’ll be perfect, actually.”

“I’ll be there in, like, five minutes.”

“Okay. Bye.” 

You hung up.

You cursed at your forgetfulness. Seeing Minho once was tough, seeing him twice and being alone would be harder. You tried not to bad mouth him in front of Jisung, but you couldn’t help to resent him. Minho took a part of your dream when he left. A part that you would never get back. You felt angry and betrayed and disappointed. When everything spiraled, you cried and cursed at Minho when you were alone. You knew it wasn’t fair to blame him. Still, it’s difficult to go from relative success to barely eating to be able to sustain yourself and your passion. 

When you pulled up at Minho’s, he was already outside. He smoked a cigarette and put it out as soon as he saw your car. You saw his figure walking up to you; a familiar sight, just like when you used to pick him and Jisung up to work on your magazine a few summers ago. His hair was cut shorter now, he put on a bit of weight too, which didn’t surprise you. But, when did he start smoking?

“Hey. Sorry again.” Minho apologized. “It’s really humid outside tonight. You’re alone?” You nodded. “Do you want to come in?”

“Ah, I shouldn’t stay long. It’s late already.” You answered. 

“That’s the thing. I kind of ordered a lot of food and my parents are traveling so…” Minho said and looked at you expectantly, “I was wondering if you wanted some.” You stared at him blankly, this wasn’t like Minho. Minho was direct and blunt, he didn’t make mistakes. He was always so detail-oriented. “Please.” A year had passed and you still couldn’t resist his charm.

“Fine.” You answered as you turned the car off. You walked alongside Minho, the faint smell of cigarettes plaguing your nostrils. “Since when do you smoke? Weren’t you all about health?”

“Ah, you caught that? I don’t do it often, only when I’m really anxious.” He replied, looking at you. “I know the smell makes you nauseous, I shouldn’t have done it.” 

“It’s okay.” 

“You still like bibimbap, right?” He asked you whilst taking off his shoes. 

“Yeah, it’s still my favorite.” You answered as you took off yours. “Are the babies here?” He nodded. 

“It’s been a while since you haven’t seen them. Dori has put on a lot of weight. He’s healthy though.”

“Ah! You know I love when kitties have a big primordial pouch!”  You noted when you saw Dori at the top of the stairs. “He looks so adorable.” Minho chuckled at your reaction. You walked up the stairs and sat next to Dori. He took his time sniffing you but still cuddled into you. Unbeknownst to you, Minho was fondly staring at the interaction from behind the kitchen threshold. 

“Sorry to break this up but bibimbap isn’t quite as good when it’s cold.” Minho said, and walked back to the kitchen. You gave Dori a last pet and walked to the kitchen. 

The colorful bibimbap that was served illuminated the original dullness of the kitchen. Minho’s kitchen was beige but still Minho-esque, adorned with cat towels and little kitten salt and pepper shakers. You sat down next to Minho and started eating. It felt weird to be back at Minho’s house after your college days. It felt even stranger to eat bibimbap with your ex-colleague, who had been ghosting you for a year, at 9pm in his childhood home. Soonie stepped into the room, followed by Doongie and jumped up on the table. Minho stood up and took out a cat food can from the fridge and served their plates next to the table. 

“Sorry about that. They get feisty when they’re hungry. Eomma has them on a tight feeding schedule but I’m a bit more lenient.” He commented. “Do you want a beer?” You shook your head.

“As tempting as it sound, I’m driving so water is fine, thanks.” You replied. Minho placed the glass of water next to you.

“I guess we’ll have to see each other again over some beers, then.” 

“Ah, I’m not much of a drinker these days.” You clarified. “I’m on mood stabilizers and alcohol kind of reverses their effects.”

“Oh, I didn’t know.”

“It’s okay. You couldn’t have known. A lot of things have changed since you left.”

“I’m sorry, Y/N. I’ve been beating myself up for that all this time. I didn’t answer you because I was embarrassed…”

“Min. It’s fine. What’s done is done. We’re working with what we have and that’s enough for now.” You cut him off. His eyes were glossy. You had never seen Minho cry before. “It’s okay, Min, really. I understand your decision. At first, I was frustrated but I understand why you did it and that it doesn’t mean that you hate us or that we did anything to make you feel weird or out of place….right?”

Minho looked at you and bit the inside of his cheek. Something Minho tended to do when he was embarrassed or about to lie. 

“Oh, shit. What did we do?” You asked.

“Well, um…It wasn’t necessarily something that you did… but, my feelings getting in the way… a-and you and Jisung…” He replied, staring at the carpet under the table, avoiding your eyes at all cost.

“Min… I’m sorry…”

“No. It’s not your fault.” He affirmed. “I couldn’t separate my personal feelings for Jisung from my professional life. And then I saw… forget it…”

“You saw what?” You questioned and he looked up at you and sighed.

“At our New Year’s Eve Party last year… Jisung walked you out, and then I decided that I wanted to see you out too… and I saw you… kissing…”

“Fuck. Min, I’m so so so sorry about that.” You pleaded. “I didn’t mean to get in the middle of you two. I held back, that was the first time and last time that we kissed until we moved in together….”

“Y/N, it’s not your fault. Jisung obviously has feelings for you and I can see that you like him too. You two are my best friends. A part of me thinks it’s wonderful that you love each other in that way. But, it wasn’t so easy to see it.”

“It’s complicated.” You said. “I didn’t want anything to happen with Jisung because I didn’t want to hurt you, but also because it makes working together harder. I wanted to avoid a situation where someone left The Muse…”

“Y/N, I-I’m so sorry about that. Could you please not tell Jisung?” You nodded.

“We both have things to be sorry for, I guess. I know that Jisung’s sorry too.” You added. “For what it's worth, we’re not together together.” He took a sip of his beer and you finished the rest of your meal in silence. A little awkwardly at first, but it became a comfortable silence. 

“Thanks for the meal.” You broke the silence. “I should really get going. I hate driving when it’s super dark out.”

“You can stay here, if you want.” Minho offered as he took your plate. He walked over to the sink and washed the dishes.

“I have some things to do at home tonight.” You replied after you answered a text from Jisung. “Thanks for offering, though.” You grabbed your purse and stood behind Minho as he dried his hands.

“Are you sure?” He asked, scanning your face for any indicator. You nodded. Minho walked with you to his front door. You laced up your shoes while Minho curiously stared at you. “I missed you.” That took you by surprise, making you halt your movements.

“Me too.” You smiled at him. 

He stepped closer to you and wrapped his arms around you. Minho’s embrace was unusual, he hadn’t hugged you much in the past. He nuzzled his head into your shoulder and sniffled, you then understood what the hug really meant. You wrapped your arms around him. You stayed silent, your eyes betraying you as they watered against Minho’s shoulder. In that moment, you forgot all of the anger and frustration you had felt towards him. Once he pulled away, you cupped his cheek. His eyes were teary, his lashes were wet, his nose was a pink color from his sniffling. 

“I love you, Min. I hope you know that what happened during the last year doesn’t change that…” You said. He smiled at you. 

“Thank you, Y/N.” 

You pondered about what had just happened during the rest of your drive. Seeing Minho almost a year after he left was gut-wrenching and knowing that you had a part on him leaving was even worse. You couldn’t help but wonder what would’ve happened if you and Jisung hadn’t kissed or if Minho hadn’t seen you two. Would you still be working together? Or were you always meant to part ways? 

You texted Jisung to let him know that you arrived to your apartment. The night was silent where you lived. When Jisung was there with you, the apartment felt small yet when you’re alone it appeared so empty. You cried yourself to sleep that night and you dreamt of a world where you hadn’t made stupid mistakes.

You didn’t regret kissing Jisung per say, but you did regret hurting Minho, especially when you had been so careful to not act upon your lingering feelings for Jisung or for Minho. Before you knew that Minho had feelings for Jisung or that Jisung had feelings for you, you were drawn to Minho. Deep down you knew that that was probably the main reason why you resented him for leaving. Though, you were also aware that Minho was the reason that you couldn’t make your relationship with Jisung official. A part of you felt that you were betraying him for being with Jisung already. 

A call from Jisung woke you up the next day.

“Good morning.” His voice rang.

“Hi, Ji. What’s up?” You asked, followed by a yawn.

“Nothing, I think I’m heading home soon. You got there late, are you okay?”

“Weren’t you staying for a while?” You asked. “I’m fine, I just dropped Minho’s things off at his.”

“I have a lot of stuff to do for work. I saw my nephew earlier anyways. I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“See you. Bye.”

After hanging up, you were surprised to see a text message notification from Minho that read: ‘Thank you for last night again. I’m going to be in the city this week. Do you want to have dinner with me?’  . You stared at the message, pondering what to respond. Did he ask Jisung the same thing? Would it be just us two? You replied: ‘sure, just let me know when’.

You ate greek yogurt with honey and strawberries, a minimal effort breakfast that kept you full enough until you finished writing the column that you were writing for the magazine. You had visited a charming intimate art exhibit in Seoul from a local artist last weekend. You offered to write a piece on it and the artist was very receptive, asking for your number and for you to promise to text him when the new issue was available. It took you a while to get into your writing zone, scanning the pictures of the exhibit once again for some inspiration. You barely even noticed when Jisung arrived, only his bad habit of slamming the door shut giving it away. 

“Hey.” He popped his head in from your room’s doorway. “My mom made us lunch before I left. Take a break.” You nodded in defeat as you had been stuck on the closing paragraph for a while. You followed Jisung to the kitchen, sitting on your somewhat designated seat as Jisung served the food.

“You look peppy, sleep well?” You asked. He handed you your plate. 

“Kind of. It’s a bit refreshing being home but I kinda missed being here.” He chuckled. “So, you went back to Minho’s?” You nodded.

“Yeah. He asked if I could bring his boxes back.” You answered. “He fed me bibimbap too.” Jisung’s eyes widened at that. 

“For real?” He asked with a mouthful of rice.

“Yeah. Weird, right?” You answered. “It was nice, though. I felt his humanity again.”

“Did he tell you why he left?”

“Kind of…” You replied, avoiding eye contact with him.

“Aish. I know that look. What did we do?”

“Nothing. I just think it’s a conversation that you and Minho should have alone. I don’t want to be Hermes for you two.” You replied and kept eating.

“Are you really doing this to me?” He pleaded.

“I am, sorry.” He rolled his eyes and resumed eating. “Are you pissed at me?”

“No. You’re right. It is a conversation that should happen between me and Minho.” He answered calmly. He stood up and placed his place and glass cup in the sink. “I have to do a few things for tomorrow and I might as well start now. We can go out for dinner.” You looked at him. “Or we could stay in and order food, watch a movie or something?”

“I’d like that a lot.” You replied. He smiled widely. 

After you finished eating, you resumed attempting to redact the conclusion to your article. You checked your phone, Minho had answered and you had a new text message from the artist of the exhibit. ‘Hi, Y/N. I’m looking forward to reading your article. Would you like to talk it over dinner this week?’  You contemplated not answering him either for no fault of his own. Ultimately, you did reply that you’d love to have dinner with him. A half-lie. He was a sweet and interesting guy so in any other life you would love to have dinner with him; but, in this life, you had become a kind of hermit. You worked from home and rarely left the apartment if you didn’t absolutely have to. Jisung worked from home on occasions too so you weren’t exactly always alone. You grew to love the quiet coziness of your home. For a while, it was the only non-turbulent aspect of your life. 

Truth be told, you had your own desk and workspace but you still preferred to work on your bed. After an hour, Jisung entered your room and sat next to you with his computer on his lap. This was the other reason why you didn’t usually work in your office. Jisung was clingy and distracting and so were you. You realized you couldn’t work next to each other. Occasionally Jisung would sit on the bed next to you, but only if he was nearly done with his project. 

“Soooo, Whatcha writing?” He asked, leaning on your shoulder to take a peek at your computer. 

“My piece for the art exhibit I attended last week, remember?” You said, he still leaned into you. “I just finished writing it. Do you want to read it over?” Jisung nodded and took your computer from your hands, pushing his own to the side of the bed. You got up and walked away, it still made you uncomfortable when people read your work. You washed the dishes while Jisung read your article, then you swept the floor.

“Y/N!” Jisung exclaimed from the other room. “You’re here? Weird. There were a few grammatical errors but I edited them. It was great, as always. I wish I could’ve gone with you now…” You chuckled.

“The artist asked to read my article before the magazine came out. Do you think it’s ready to send?” You asked. 

“Send away.” He replied as he grabbed a snack from the refrigerator. “So, can we watch One Piece now that you’re done?” 

“Sure. Can we order pizza or something unhealthy?” 

“Of course!”

Artist: Hwang Hyunjin Exhibit: Timeless “His pieces spoke to me in a tantalizing melody. Piece by piece and then, all at once. An exhibit worth a lifetime. A captivating tune of brushstrokes and oils. Mr. Hwang expresses himself like music, like a dance, he conveys emotion like a pirouette. The movement in his paintings is compelling. It calls to you, and you listen. A visual definition of timelessness.”

“Minho? What are you doing here?” You asked as you opened the door, expecting to see Hyunjin instead. 

“Oh. I told you that I was coming around this week.” He replied. “You look nice, are you ready for dinner?”

“Ah, Min. I told you to let me know. I have plans today.” You said, gesturing for Minho to come in. He slipped off his shoes and entered your apartment.

“You have plans? My bad. Is Jisung here, then?” He asked. You rolled your eyes but nodded. You knew that during the last few days Minho and Jisung had been communicating but the casualness of Minho arriving at your door made you feel weird. Nostalgic even.

“Ji!” You called out to him and he immediately entered the living room with a scowl on his face. 

“Do you have to go to dinner with him?” Jisung asked, ignoring Minho’s presence. “Oh, hey.”

“Is it a date?” Minho inquired looking from you to Jisung. 

“It’s not a date. I’m going to dinner with an artist whose exhibit I reviewed.” You answered.

“You don’t go to dinner with other artists, though.” Jisung pointed out. You crossed your arms and rolled your eyes. You heard someone clearing his throat behind you and looked back to see the familiar blonde buzzcut sported by Hyunjin. He was handsome, there was no denying it. He stood so elegantly, even if he wasn’t dressed in his finest clothes.

“Oh! Hi, Hyunjin!” You greeted as you walked over to him. He smiled at you. “This is my roommate, Jisung and our co-, uh, friend, Minho.” You signaled to each of them as you introduced them.

“Nice to meet you.” Minho said and shook Hyunjin’s hand. Jisung hesitantly followed. 

“You too.” Hyunjin added. “Shall we go? The reservation’s in 20.”  You nodded.

“Have fun, boys!” You said whilst grabbing your coat and purse. “I’ll see you two later.” You stepped out of the apartment, followed by Hyunjin as he closed the door after himself. 

Jisung and Minho stepped closer to the door and faintly heard Hyunjin say something along the lines of “Y/N, you look great, by the way”. Jisung scoffed when he heard that. He plopped down on the couch, Minho sat down beside him. Jisung turned on his PS5 and continued his latest loaded game of Spider-Man: Miles Morales. 

“You want to have a go?” He asked in realization of his rude welcoming. Minho nodded and Jisung handed him his controller. Jisung sighed. “I just don’t get why she’s going to dinner with him. Like, is he really that interesting? You know, handsome people are usually very superficial, right? Excluding you, of course.” Minho blushed at his comment, but Jisung didn’t take notice, being too focused on watching Minho play. 

“Do you think he’s interested in her?”

“Um…” Minho looked at Jisung, who was looking at Minho expectantly. It was a bit strange to him that you were having dinner with one of the artists too. “She’s Y/N, so probably. But, that doesn’t mean that she’s interested in him, right?”

“Yeah. He’s not really her type, I think. But…” Jisung whined. “What if he is? I read the way she talked about him in her article.”

“Dude, calm down.” 

“I can’t!” Jisung complained. “What if it is a date?”

“I don’t think she would’ve agreed to a date with him when she knows that you’re here. Trust her a little.”

“I trust Y/N with my heart.” Jisung asserted. “It’s the artist that I don’t trust, Hyunjin or whatever his stupid name is…” They stared at the gameplay whilst Jisung gave Minho some tips. 

“Can I read the article?” Minho suddenly asked.

“Duh. Let me pull it up.” Jisung searched for the article on his phone and handed it to Minho.

Jisung scanned Minho’s expression as he read the article. Minho furrowed his brows, he didn’t understand  if you were being biased throughout the article because you really liked the pieces or because Jisung was right and you and Hyunjin were flirting. He felt strange while reading your praises towards Hyunjin and his art, he missed when you complimented him. Those feelings confused him even more, why did he feel this particular way? It’s just you. His friend. His everlasting crush’s situationship, right? 

“So, what did you think? Absurd, right? Not the writing itself, but the way she expressed her admiration for him isn’t normal.” Jisung complained, Minho gave him his phone back.

“She usually doesn’t give out this flattery to just anyone.” Minho pointed out. “So, in that sense, it is strange. But, I don’t think she’d write such a piece if she were, uh, romantically interested in him.” Jisung rolled his eyes. 

“Hyung!” He whined. “She said I was her roommate. Just her roommate.”

“And what are you to her, then…?”

“Uh… Well… we have been, you know, intimate… a few times.” He answered while looking down.

“I know, I saw you kissing.” Minho snickered. “But you aren’t her partner, right?”

“Shit, I’m not… She’s totally going to fall in love him, Minho. I’m going to die.”

“Jisung, chill, please. She won’t. She respects you enough to, at least, talk to you first. I know that.” Minho remarked, his heart sinking as he said that, confused at his own feelings. “Plus, you are not going to die if Y/N gets a boyfriend that’s not you.”

“Agh! I hate this.” Jisung protested. “Do you want to play It Takes Two?” Minho nodded. Jisung handed him a purple controller that Minho knew was yours. 

✎ᝰ ‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅ ♬⋆.˚✎ᝰ ‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅ ♬⋆.˚✎ᝰ ‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅ ♬⋆.˚

Meanwhile, you were having a great dinner at a nice, Italian restaurant with Hyunjin. Hyunjin was a perfect mix of intriguing, funny and charming. He listened to your stories intently and always had a thoughtful response. 

“I felt really honored when I read the article, by the way.” Hyunjin remarked. “You can ask my assistant, I blushed non-stop for, like, an hour.”

“Ah, it was nothing that you didn’t deserve. Your exhibit meant a lot to me.” You replied, feeling the heat rise in your cheeks. 

“Thank you, Y/N. I don’t usually go out… I’m really busy with work. But, I felt that we had a connection when we met. I think you understand me.” 

“I really enjoyed our conversation that day too.” You agreed. “I’d love to review other collections of yours if you have other exhibits.” Hyunjin blushed at that and smiled in a way that his eyes crinkled.

“I wanted to talk to you about that, actually.” He started, “It’s still relatively early but I’m planning on opening a gallery soon… and I’d love to start a magazine like yours but just about art. I don’t have a huge budget yet but I’d love to have you on my team…” You stayed silent, taking in what he had just expressed to you.

“Sorry if it was too much… I just… ah, I feel like a creep… I kind of stalked your other articles and I really liked your style.” He added. “I know you’re really busy right now. But, I also know that you’d bring so much knowledge to the team. I just had to take a chance..” You chuckled.

“Hyunjin, you’re flattering me too much.” You said. “I’d love to write some pieces for your magazine when the time comes. You don’t have to be so anxious.” He gave a sigh of relief. 

“Ah, Y/N. I practiced telling you like a million times.” He recounted. “My heart is beating so fast and my palms are crazy sweaty.”

“Please, I think you’d be helping me more than I’d be helping you.” You remarked. 

“Are you kidding? You’re amazing. I’m enamored by your columns. I wish I could write like you do.”

“I mean, I have a whole degree on journalism so it’s not really talent, just something that I developed through the years…” You joked, he giggled.

“I’m so happy you said yes. Once I have everything confirmed, I’ll send you a contract. I hope to have a bit more budget by then.”

“It’s okay, Hyunjin. I’m always happy to help out a friend.” You reassured. “It’s my pleasure, always.”

He smiled at you, genuinely. You enjoyed Hyunjin’s company, he had made a hell of an impression inside and outside of a professional environment. Your ultimate goal was to revive The Collective Muse, but it didn’t hurt to get extra income and work on something that you truly love and, consequently, enjoy. Plus, you had a mind full of ideas that would work best in an art-centered magazine instead of a multi-media one. 

Hyunjin insisted on paying for dinner and wine, which you drank a lot of after the work-related conversation. He walked you to your front door with promises of another dinner soon to talk about the gallery and the magazine. Hyunjin hugged you goodbye, his warmth felt nice against your tipsiness. You waved goodbye as you entered the apartment, locking the front door behind you. 

You encountered Minho and Jisung pausing their game to stare blankly at you. Their expressions were judgy, like they were examining you. You noticed that there were several empty glasses of beer and soju bottles on the table in front of the sofa. Minho and Jisung giggled when they saw you, you rolled your eyes but smiled at the two drunk dorks in front of you.

“It seems like you had a lot of fun, huh?” You asked, while leaning down to unbuckle the straps of your heels. 

“Yeah! You could’ve been here.” Jisung said in between laughs. Minho leaned into him and laughed some more.

“I have to go.” Minho said, almost seriously if it weren’t for his sheepish smile.

“There’s no way that you’re leaving in this state…” You said, “you’re staying here tonight..”

“My mom’s waiting up.” Minho said, giggling. You sat in-between them on the spacious sofa.

“Text her that you’re staying here, then.”

“Yeah, Minho. Do it.” Jisung agreed. “It’s been ages since you’ve slept over.” Your own tipsiness made you giggle at that. “You can borrow my clothes too.”

“Okay!” Minho said without hesitation. After that, you knew for a fact that Minho was drunk. You weren’t strangers to sleeping in the same place, having to do it on multiple occasions for business trips, but otherwise, Minho would always deny to stay at anyone’s house. 

“Sooooo, how was your date with Yonjun?” Jisung asked with a scoff. 

“It's Hyunjin; and, for the last time, it wasn’t a date. We’re just getting to know each other in a professional manner…”

“What? Like you and Jisung?” Minho snarked. Jisung laughed and high-fived Minho.

“No! He wants me to write for a magazine that he’s planning to debut soon.” You replied. Jisung’s expression changed.

“What? Are you going to leave me alone like Minho hyung did?” He slurred his words.

“Hey! I left you alone because you kissed Y/N!” Minho argued. “Wait, that sounds wrong. You and Y/N kissed. I saw you…” He made a silly face when he said the last part so you knew he wasn’t actually angry at that moment. Minho and Jisung, in their drunk state, were wondering why Minho phrased it like that.

“Okay, I’m cutting you guys off before you actually start fighting.” You said. You reached to Minho and grabbed the beer from his hands. 

“Hey, hyung. What if we go for a drive now? Can we go get food?” Jisung giggled, Minho nodded enthusiastically.

“God, please, don’t.” You said. “Take a shower. You both reek of alcohol.” You looked over at Minho.

“Fine.”  They said in unison.

You sat on the sofa and texted Hyunjin your gratitude for the dinner. You waited for them to finish showering because you were concerned that they could really go for a drive in this state. Minho was the first to join you, he was wearing Jisung’s clothes, which were a little too tight on him. His muscles bulged through the shirt and sweats that he was wearing. You almost blushed when he sat next to you, putting an arm around you and cuddling close to you. Jisung joined you not long after, you were used to seeing Jisung like this; he wore a matching plaid pajama set, he switched his contacts for glasses.

You made sure take all of the car keys to the bathroom when you showered. The hot water almost made you sober up. You exited the bathroom, wearing a light purple sleeping shirt and silk matching shorts. You became conscious of the fact that you no longer owned more conservative pajamas. 

“Okay, guys. You can go to Jisung’s room.” You said. They stared back at you, and you placed your hands on your hips. “What now?” 

“Can we sleep in your room?” Jisung asked. You sighed and rolled your eyes. You had a huge bed and you took pride in it; Jisung, on the other hand, had a single twin-sized bed. To his defense, Jisung slept on your bed during most nights.

“Do you absolutely have to?” You asked, they nodded in unison. “Fine, but no snoring or you’re out.” You turned your heel and walked towards your room.

The room was messy, but you couldn’t bother to clean it up before they invaded your space. Still, it made you more comfortable knowing that they couldn’t get up and do anything their drunk hearts desired without waking you up. You ultimately agreed for the latter reason. 

Minho entered the room first, he had never been inside your room before. It looked like you: messy, artistic but cozy. The walls were painted a dark magenta color, that was almost nauseating to Minho’s minimalistic preferences. Your walls were covered in framed k-pop posters and other framed art pieces and prints that you had collected throughout the years.

You had plushies all over your room: on your vanity, on your night stand, on the bed, even on the floor. Next to the door, he noticed a half-full bookshelf, he briefly stared at it to see both art and literature books (as well as some of your old university textbooks). The room had a very characteristic scent, it smelled of lavender and the musty scent of your old books. He smiled at upon analyzing the room, it was so you. 

You stared at Minho, who had spent a few minutes just scanning your room. Weird behavior, but not entirely unexpected from a drunk person. Jisung walked in a few minutes later like he owned the place, contrasting Minho’s own reaction upon entering the room. Jisung felt more at home in your room than he did in his, while Minho felt like he was invading your temple. Jisung basked in the familiar smell, he greeted your favorite plushie and helped you remove the rest of them from the bed.

He turned on your TV without asking and put on your (collective) favorite show that you had rewatched together for the nth time. None of you actually intended to watch the show, but Jisung knew that you couldn’t fall asleep in complete silence; not even the sounds of the nightlife outside would get you to slumber. He turned off the lights, only leaving a small Pochacco nightlight on in the corner of the room, aside from the television.

“Okay, what about the sleeping arrangements?” You asked. Jisung was already laying down on the left side of the bed.

“You sleep in the middle!” Jisung replied and he patted the spot next to him.

“Are you okay with that?” You asked Minho, he nodded and yawned in response. 

You laid down next to Jisung, his familiar warmth and scent engulfing your senses. Minho took a while but eventually laid down next to you, the dip he made on the bed was foreign to you, his warmth was unknown. You laid on your side facing Jisung instead of Minho, Jisung was facing you too.

On the other hand, Minho faced the wall, his deep breaths suggested that he had already fallen asleep. Jisung took that as an opportunity to press his lips on your. You, who had your eyes closed, were taken aback from that because Jisung was always discrete when he kissed you, never doing it directly in front of anyone. He pressed his lips against yours a bit harder. You parted your lips and he slipped his tongue in your mouth. You kissed him back, wrapping your arms around his neck, pulling him closer to you. His kisses were always messy, his lips chapped, his tongue tasted minty against yours. Jisung pulled away from the kiss and smiled sheepishly. 

“Y/N… Please.” He groaned as he pressed his hips to your stomach, making you feel his growing bulge. You looked back at Minho, it seemed that he was unsuspectingly asleep and you felt guilty to have even considered being intimate with Jisung next to him.

“Minho’s asleep, Ji.” You whispered. “We can do it in the morning when he leaves…”

“I need you, Y/N. I don’t care if Minho’s here… Hell, he can join in if he wants to.” Jisung raised his voice a little, only to be shushed by you. He answered you by kissing your neck. “Seeing you with Hyunjin made me, ugh, so frustrated. You looked so good tonight. It almost makes me mad that he didn’t even try to make a move on you.” Jisung talked in between sucking hickeys into your neck. “But, you’re ours, ri- You’re mine, right?” You nodded, letting the feeling of Jisung’s lips against your sweet spots take over you. 

“Ji, we have to stop, okay?” You moaned into his ear, “it’s not fair to Minho. I’m yours, I’ll be here in the morning. I’ll call in sick, we can have sex all day, okay?” Jisung scoffed but eventually nodded, separating from your neck with a pop. He placed a kiss upon your lips.

“Deal.” He said and smiled dreamily, his eyes were heavy with lust and sleep. “I love you. I love you so much, you know that, right? I’d do anything for you.”

“I know, baby. I love you too. I love you.” You replied and pressed a kiss on his lips. “Goodnight.” He already had his eyes closed, you smiled at him. Jisung always looked so angelic when he slept, his lips were slightly parted, his long lashes fell upon his cheeks. He was always so sleepy when he drank, it made your heart warm. 

Unbeknownst to you and Jisung, Minho was wide awake; his heart was beating at a mile a minute. He felt his sweats tighten the second he heard the sound of you and Jisung making out. He felt his cock leaking pre cum as soon as he heard your moans, begging Jisung to stop before it escalated.

His heart nearly leaped out of his chest when Jisung said that he could join if he wanted. He so desperately wanted to. Minho swore that he could’ve cum untouched if you kept going at it with how much his cock was throbbing. He wanted to call out to you both, he wanted to join but he couldn’t get himself to make a sound. He tried his best to fall asleep, but how could he? Was this even real life? His mind was hazy with the remaining alcohol in his system, he could’ve swore that he was dreaming. Eventually he did drift off to sleep. 

Your eyes shot open in the middle of the night. You had a bad habit of sleeping with your phone and were able to check the time: 3:28 am. You were still facing Jisung who had turned to face away from you but you could faintly hear his light snores. In your sleepy haze, you didn’t even notice that there was an arm draped against your stomach. Even worse, once you noticed that, you also noticed something poking your backside and Minho’s breath against the back of your neck. Goosebumps appeared all over your body and you quickly tried to escape Minho’s iron grip on you. Since you couldn’t, you shifted to face Minho. And, what a mistake that was. 

Minho’s beauty was just ethereal and everlasting. His lips were parted, revealing a bit of his two front teeth, his lashes were long and curled against his prominent cheekbones, his hair was disheveled, covering part of his eyes. You couldn’t believe that Minho was a real, natural human being and not a creation of artificial intelligence. You stared at his lips, rosy pink with a prominent cupid’s bow, tempted to taste them. A feeling that you had hidden deep down inside of you when your godforsaken or god-given love triangle started to unravel. 

You quickly remembered Jisung’s earlier words: Hell, he can join in if he wants. You closed your eyes at an ill attempt to fall asleep. Did Jisung want Minho too? You knew that Minho had a crush on Jisung, but did he even find you attractive? Did Jisung know something you didn’t? Was he aware that once upon a time you had feelings for Minho? Was Minho even sexually attracted to women? All of these questions raced through your mind, stopping as you felt a warm hand on your cheek. Your eyes shot open once again and looked directly at Minho. Your heart was beating rapidly, your skin again adorned with goosebumps. Minho caressed your cheek. He leaned closer to you, looking at your lips and into your eyes for approval. 

“Min…” You whispered, none of you closed the distance.

“Am I wrong for wanting to kiss you?” He asked in a hushed voice, you felt his breath against your mouth.

“You like Jisung… not me. It’s him that you want to kiss…”

“I want to you too. I've wanted you since we met..." He paused, “let me taste him off you.” He said and that was all it took for you to press your lips against him. The feeling of his lips on yours was very… new. He felt different, like when you buy a new perfume after having used the same one for many years. His lips weren’t all that chapped, he tasted like as if he applied lip balm recently. He was smooth against you- so uncannily smooth. From the moment that you kissed him, you knew that this would be a vice too difficult to overcome. And, of course, you didn’t really want to overcome it either. You had thought about kissing Minho many times since you met him. When you learned that he had feelings for Jisung, you tried to repress your attraction for Minho. 

Minho licked your bottom lip, making you part them in response. You slipped your tongue inside his mouth, something he didn’t expect. You, kissing him with such fervor, the way he knew that you kissed Jisung earlier. Minho couldn’t taste Jisung, not when he was too busy tasting you. Deep inside, he prayed that Jisung would kiss him when he woke up, he prayed that your relationship didn’t get damaged because of this. Especially after Jisung’s jealousy with Hyunjin. Why was he any different? Minho pulled away to look at you. 

You looked divine to him, like one of the work of arts you were so obsessed with. Beautiful and raw and real. He moved so he could lay on top of you, you parted your legs to grant him some space. He pressed his lips onto yours once again but soon started peppering your neck with kisses as well, tracing over the darkened bruises Jisung left earlier. He stopped when he reached your sleep shirt and looked at you for permission. You raised your arms, Minho pulled your shirt up. 

Once the shirt was off, you felt the cool breeze of the room on your skin; your nipples pebbled at the new feeling. Minho stared at you in awe. He continued kissing down your chest until he reached your breasts; he, then, took one of your nipples into his mouth, making you squirm in the process. Minho moaned when he heard you, he ground his hips into your thighs, too close but too far from where you needed him the most.

He continued to suck and pull at your nipple, occasionally looking towards Jisung to make sure that he was still asleep. You wouldn’t tell Minho, but you knew that Jisung had woken up because he stopped snoring. If Jisung didn’t complain, then it was okay to keep going. Minho’s hands roamed from your breasts to your waist to your hips and back. His small, dainty hands had such a strong hold on you. Minho suddenly stopped and sat up to look at Jisung for a moment.

“Min…” You moaned.

“Don’t stop on my account.” Jisung interrupted while turning to face you with a shit-eating grin. “It’s seriously hot as fuck.”

“Ji…” You moaned as Minho pressed his knee onto your core. 

“You’re enjoying yourself, baby?” Jisung asked, you desperately nodded. Minho smirked and kissed down your stomach. “Yeah, hyung. You better please my girl or you won’t get her again.” Minho moaned against your stomach at that. You reached to grab Jisung’s arm but he pulled away from you. Minho stopped to see his next move. “I think I’d prefer watching for now.” 

He continued kissing down your tummy until he reached the waistline of your sleeping shorts. He looked at you for approval and then at Jisung. You both nodded. Minho lowered your shorts and underwear alongside, revealing your wet pussy to both him and Jisung. Minho stared once again in awe, your folds were soaked, matting the hair on your pussy. 

“A bush? How cute.” Minho remarked as he gathered some of your slick on his fingers. You moaned at the foreign feeling of his fingers on your pussy. He slipped one finger in and started to drag it inside and out of you. 

“Add one more. And curl it. She likes that.” Jisung commented. You snapped your head towards him to see him sitting at the end of the bed with his long, pretty cock in his hand, in all his glory. Minho followed Jisung’s suggestion, you moaned at the feeling of another finger inside of you. Minho took that opportunity to rub your clit, making you see stars. His hands were soft —softer than Jisung’s calloused ones from playing guitar and working out— they were smaller too, almost gentle inside of you. Your vision shifted from Minho to Jisung and you could barely register your nearing orgasm until Minho removed his fingers. 

“I would’ve added another finger but I don’t think your tight little pussy could fit it.” He said as he brought a finger into his mouth, moaning at the taste of your fluids. “I’d rather have you cum on my tongue, if I’m being honest.”

“Oh yeah, she tastes so good, hyung. You’re going to love her.” Jisung said and he sped up his strokes. Minho lowered his head down to meet your core. He gave your clit a few experimental licks, making your squirm beneath him. You suppressed your moans but a whimper came out of you instead. Jisung moved from the end of the bed to your side. He cradled your face with his free hand. 

“Ji… can I?” You asked, he shook his head.

“Focus on hyung now.” He answered. “You can have me later, baby.” He held your hand, lowering his face to kiss it. Minho sucked your clit and then, swirled his tongue around it. You knew Minho liked to eat and if he tasted his meals like he tasted you, you prayed to be his meal everyday. He ate you out as if he were starving. He occasionally groaned against your cunt, making your whole body jerk. Your orgasm creeped up to you. You almost saw heaven when it washed over you. Your body convulsed against Minho and Jisung held you down as Minho ate you out through your orgasm. Jisung stopped jerking off, or he would cum from that glorious sight.

When Minho sat up, Jisung slid over to him, pressing his lips upon Minho’s. Jisung moaned at the unfamiliar familiarity of your taste against Minho’s unknown mouth. Minho opened his mouth so Jisung could slip his tongue inside of his. Minho’s longest awaited kiss was everything he dreamed of. He still tasted you, your sweetness mixed with Jisung’s was worth a starved man’s last meal. 

Minho knew that there was no going back from this. That he was equally in love with with you and Jisung and he begged the Universe to let you both be in love with him too. To get you to forgive him for being a coward instead of staying with you both. Minho’s eyes watered. No other feeling in this world would compare to what he was feeling now. 

He was sobered up on alcohol but oh, so drunk in love, lust and, hopefully, not limerence. Jisung was the one who pulled away from Minho. Both of their faces were flushed and messy with saliva. They looked over at you; you were staring at them, hazy with lust, rubbing your clit. They looked at each other, in silent agreement, Minho lowered his pants to reveal his member. His size was impressive by all means, more in girth than in length; whereas Jisung’s was longer rather than thicker. Both of their cocks were adorned with unruly pubic hair. You almost let out a moan when Minho pumped his cock. 

Minho looked at you and at Jisung, once again asking for permission; Jisung nodded, and you did too. He shifted himself to his knees and places his tip against your entrance. A tight fit. He rubbed his tip through your folds and coated it with the remains of your release. He experimentally pressed his cock against your entrance. You moaned at the size of his tip entering you. He lightly thrusted his tip in and out of you. Fitting him was a stretch but pleasure is best when it’s mixed with pain, in your honest opinion. 

“Min… you can keep going. I can take it.” You pleaded. Jisung took his place, once again, next to you. Minho nodded and sunk his cock inside of you, inch by inch. Your body felt ablaze, you had to hold on to Jisung as Minho bottomed inside of you. 

“Fuck! This feeling… I’ve never felt something like this.” He whimpered, leaning down to kiss you, but keeping his hips still. You felt Jisung’s free hand caress your hair. You clenched at the feeling of both Minho and Jisung in such close proximity to you. Minho had his eyes shut, furrowed brows making him look more unbelievably beautiful. You looked up to see Jisung smiling at you ever so dearly. You lifted yourself up, pressing your chest against Minho’s; Jisung slipped behind you. Your head fell upon his chest and you felt this naked member against your back, slick and wet. Jisung ground his hips against your back as Minho started thrusting inside of you. 

“You feel so good inside me, Min.” Your voice was breathy, his lips ghosted against yours. What a beautiful place to be, in between the two people you love the most in this lifetime. He smiled against your lips when he heard you. He kept thrusting at a slow pace, he wanted to take his time with you; because he wasn’t sure if things would play out in his favor tomorrow, when all is said and done. He thrusted a bit harder, reaching the deepest crevices of your sex. You involuntarily clenched against him, cursing.

“Baby, if you keep doing that I’ll cum. I want to pleasure you. I want you to love it. I want you to love me.” He said in between pants, whispering the last part in a way that you couldn’t tell if it actually happened. You clenched around him again, his broken, whiny voice taking the feeling to another level. You could feel Jisung’s pre-cum stain your back as he rutted against it, keeping up with Minho’s pace.

“Min… faster, please. I want you to come so badly, my love, please.” You whimpered. Minho obliged without a second thought. He quickened his pace, thrusting hard and fast, his cock shifting inside and outside of you. The friction of being inside you was almost unbearable to him. His face was gorgeous, even when erratic. You moaned his name. That was his last straw. His orgasm, much like yours, took him by surprise, not being able to pull out of you. He spilled ropes of his cum into you. He gave you everything he had: mind, body and soul. Minho swore that this had been the longest orgasm of his life, taking a few minutes to compose himself.

“I love you.” He confessed followed by a kiss to your lips in such an earnest manner. With that kiss, he wanted you to know that he was yours. Irrevocably so. Jisung placed a kiss on your head, to let you know that everything was okay. You were flushed and panted against Minho’s mouth. You kissed him back. Minho had never said he loved you before, not as a friend or anything else. You knew that he did love you, but hearing it from him meant a lot to you. Minho mustered up the strength to pull out of you, hissing at the feeling. He took a second to gawk at your spent cunt, looking so delicious drenched in white. 

“Nuh-uh. I can see what you’re thinking. It’s my turn now.” Jisung snarked, lightly pushing Minho to the side. “Is this okay, baby?” He rubbed the tip of  his cock on your already soaked folds. You nodded. Then, he pressed into you. Minho’s cum felt hot inside of you and Jisung’s throbbing cock felt familiar, even with the unfamiliar feeling of someone else’s cum inside of you. Having Jisung’s cock inside of you elevated the feeling. Jisung started thrusting in and out of you, with every thrust a bit of Minho’s cum trickled down your ass. Minho sat back and enjoyed the moment, the two loves of his life making love. His now-clothed cock slightly swelling up at the sight. 

“Baby, I’ve been waiting so long to cum… I’m not going to last. I’ll make it up to you.” Jisung moaned against your chest as he sucked hickeys into your breasts. 

“Ji, I want to make you feel good. You’ve made me feel so good…” You moaned as Jisung sped up his thrusts. You were sure that you couldn’t cum again, but that didn’t matter. Jisung’s hips stilled not long after, his own ropes of cum joining Minho’s in the depths of your sex. Jisung panted into you, dropping his head on your shoulder. He kissed it before kissing your lips.

“I love you so much, Y/N.” He said. He looked over at Minho, who had the most enamored expression that you have ever seen. “I love you too, Minho.” He leaned into Minho and pressed a kiss into his lips. 

“I love you both.” You added. “Thank you for this.” Jisung pulled out of you swiftly and you hissed at the feeling. He and Minho stared at your cunt, it was so full.

You felt so full. Full of them, full of experience, full of love. Without the need to contemplate if limerence was in place or not. You now knew, that it was love coating your insides. You felt love when you looked at the two people next to you and you knew they felt it too, when they looked at each other and when they looked at you. 

Jisung disappeared into the hall, coming back with some wipes and water. After they cleaned you up, Minho and Jisung cuddled to each of your sides. Minho’s previous iron grip on you softened and Jisung peppered your shoulder with kisses as he whispered sweet-nothings to you as you drifted off to sleep.

What a beautiful place to be, in between the two people you love most in the world. What a beautiful feeling it is, to be loved by them in return.

To be continued...

☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・

Copyright Ⓒ 2025 by deadpanjisung

All rights reserved.

☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・

[lastchancestardomm]

Now that I can look at the seventh comic and be lucid, I've written a bunch of headcanons about our new older and domestic mercs, and have lovingly pointed out the obvious, as I do~

To get it out of the way, I think the writers took the term 'domestic' a little too literally, they REALLY domesticated Scout and Soldier– which is something I'm not upset about.

Scout with a mullet and four Scoutlings was something I wasn't prepared for, though. Soldier and Zhanna having kids is something I was FULLY prepared for, however, because I already had it in mind way back in a post about my final comic predictions.

WE GOT HEAVYMEDIC CANONIZED TOO, FUCK YEAH!!! And, of course, their child is was the mpreg baby. Their kid, which is the baby baboon from the end of the sixth comic (now all grown up), was born from Classic Heavy. And sorry not sorry, but Archimedes is their kid's godfather.

Sniper and Bronislava are also together (or, more accurately, it was implied). No one talks about this new revelation, though, which makes me a bit sad.

Speaking of Sniper, nice to know that he's still sniping! He clearly took his job very seriously during the Gravel Wars, plus I also don't think he'd give up his passion very easily. I do want to imagine he has a nature photography side gig though, since he's all about being alone and having a steady hand, and after the Gravel Wars he'd need some form of income!

The dalmatian seen throughout the epilogue also belongs to Pyro! It's the puppy he adopted from the second comic, but now, seven years later, it's all grown up! I'd imagine Pyro would name it Flame, or maybe Matchstick. Something simple and fire-related.

Speaking of Pyro, I can't help but remind you all that Pyro and Engineer are canonically roommates. It's nice to know they've reunited.

And, even though it was probably unintentional, the parallel between RED Pyro having a dog and BLU Pyro having a cat (see End of the Line) is godly.

Also, it's nice to think that now that all the craziness of the Gravel Wars has died down, Spy has finally moved in with Scout's mom and settled down. They have been canonically fiancés for ages, y'know! (because you know Spy wouldn't have fully committed like that at the beginning 😒)

Miss Pauling sadly was not in the ending! However, I do think she was canonically the person Scout was talking to at the end, which would be fucking amazing if that was true.

Last tangent because I'm not putting this under a cut and it's getting too long. My explanation for why Tom Jones's ghost is present at the ending (because the ONLY time he's interacted directly with the main cast was Soldier snapping his neck) is because not only is he like obligated to be there (Merasmus x Tom Jones fr fr) is Merasmus, while in prison, oversaw through the magic prison toilet brew or whatever Spy disguised as Tom Jones admitting to being Scout's dad and totally misinterpreted it. Merasmus then held that belief, and after dying and becoming a ghost, he invited Tom Jones to Scout's Smissmas party for that reason.

Anyway that's all :P

[lolasangelz]

chapter 1 - the secret i kept

warnings none! word count 500 notes gosh this took me embarrassingly long to write

(SORRY THIS WAS MEANT TO BE IN QUEUE FOR 4PM 😭)

"oh get a grip rafe"

you were fed up. all you tried to do was go to maths, but somehow, rafe cameron of all people had tried to start an arguement with you before first period. for what reason? you couldn't figure out. it had to do something with you and one of his friends talking at some party, or something like that. i mean, it was a party! was else were you meant to do?

"no! you purposely spilt that drink all over my brand new white ralph lauren polo." rafe barked, very loudly you might add so that a few heads turned. so what if you did? he's sure enough rich enough to buy a bunch more, he just wamts a reason to shout at you. by this point, you had walked off, already feeling the headache coming on.

୨ৎ

you had knew since last week that stacy was planning a party, after all, she was one of your closest friends. you outfit, hair, and how you were going to do your makeup was all planned out already.

but then you found out rafe was going.

and suddenly, nothing about the night sounded fun anymore. you could already see it, rafe with some girl on his lap, a red solo cup in hand, probably high out of his mind and shouting something stupid across the room. or worse, shouting at you.

it made your chest ache - not in that i-still-care way, at least that’s what you told yourself. it was just frustration. exhaustion. from dealing with the same cycle over and over again.

it made you reminisce about your childhood days, days where you would play all day long with him without any arguments, okay…maybe only a bit, but it was fun, and it before everything went downhill.

now? you barely recognized him. and worse, he barely recognized you.

anyways, back on track. yeah, you're not going anymore. nope! can't do it.

୨ৎ

“no! like, you have to come!” stacy groaned through the phone.

“i just don’t want to,” you sighed. “he’s so irritating. and I don’t even know why he’s always invited to everything.”

stacy was quiet for a beat. then, “well… i invited everyone. it’s not like i gave him a personal gold invitation or something.”

“still,” you mumbled. “i’d rather stay in bed and rewatch 10 things i hate about you in my pajamas.”

a pause. then Ssacy's voice perked up. “that cute guy from science is coming.”

you blinked. “alex?”

“mhm,” she said sweetly. “so maybe you could come. just hang out with him. you don’t have to even look at rafe.”

you hesitated.

on one hand, she had a point. on the other, the thought of rafe watching you talk to another guy made your stomach twist - though whether it was dread or satisfaction, you didn’t know.

“fine,” you muttered. “but I swear, if rafe says one word to me…”

“i’ll throw my drink at him for you,” stacy promised.

© 2025 lolasangelz

notes please dont expect frequent updates 😭

[fantasies-fairytales-n-fics]

Code Blue Ch. 72- Let the Good Times Roll

Summary: This chapter goes back and forth between Salem and Boston as Craig and Jo endure the highs and lows of his art class and Lee and Travis get their party started.

*Chapter Warnings* Strong language, angst, drug use, alcohol consumption, sexual content, mentions of date rape

Stories Stories Stories Masterlist

March 25

Salem, Massachusetts

3:30 P.M.

With a fresh application of her cherry chap stick and a fluff of her long blonde locks, Josie raced her way up to Craig's apartment for his college student art lessons that she was thirty minutes late for. Although Craig had told her not to rush, she did so anyways with remorse for being tardy to something that was so important to him and that he deemed her special enough to be invited to, plus there was also the fact that she really wanted to see the sweet and spicy mob man.

Making her way to his door, she could hear the sound of muffled laughter and chatter in the hall and when Craig's voice came through, butterflies swarmed her stomach, stunning her, for it was the first time she had experienced them for another man since Lee.

"Geez," she whispered as she rummaged through her purse for the key Craig had given her, "What the hell? Get a grip Josie."

Quietly, she snuck in unnoticed and stood in the back, watching at least a dozen young students, all painting as they sat in a spread out circle upon the floor and at front and center was Craig, squatting down in his all black attire that consisted of a V-neck tee, painter's pants and combat boots while comically answering a question from one of the students.

"So what made you want to become an artist?"

"Ohhh, I don't know. I always liked to paint and create things. It's therapeutic for the mind and soul and honestly, it was the only thing I was good at really AND I didn't feel I had a lot of other options because I totally sucked at school."

There were smiles and laughs in response to his answer, including Josie as she covered her mouth to contain her uncontrollable giggle. He was so beautiful to her in that moment. She didn't see a man of organized crime. She just saw Craig.

Another student quickly asked a question, "Like, what inspires your work?"

"Well, for me, it's not a what. It's a who. A few who's actually whom I hold great love for. One being a very sweet little girl I call my daughter and another who helped me to regain my vision at a time when I struggled to find it and...."

He paused, brows furrowed, nose lifting as he smelled Josie's Jasmine perfume, then his blues darted up to meet the emotionally moved expression upon her face that his complimentary words had induced.

Standing up and plopping down on a stool, Craig smiled at her and while wiping the paint from his hands, Gael turned in the direction of Craig's beaming gaze.

"AND there's the strikingly gorgeous creature right now," Craig raved and proudly gave introduction, "Everyone, this is Jo, my beautiful friend and neighbor from across the hall who has thankfully chosen to grace us with her angelic presence."

Feeling shy, Josie gave a little wave, a smile and a soft greeting, "Hello," then as her eyes met Gael's, her smile fell flat.

That morning, when Craig had almost hit the guy on his bicycle, Josie had remained in the car when Craig went to check on him, so she had not seen Gael up close to realize he had an uncanny resemblance to Ethan and it made her skin crawl.

Noticing her reaction, Craig hopped up. "Excuse me everyone. Go ahead and keep painting. I'll be right back. Gael, will you take over for a minute please?"

Gael noticed her reaction too, but shrugged it off and happily obliged with a smile, "Yeah sure. No problem. So is that your girl?"

Craig couldn't control the smile that grew. He patted Gael's arm and winked, "I'm workin on it man."

Walking over to Josie, he gently placed his hand on her arm and led Josie to a corner where he gave her cheek a single, soft stroke with his fingertips, "Hey sweetheart, what's wrong?"

"You...you don't see it?" she whispered, peeking around his shoulder at Gael.

Brows furrowed, he turned, following her stare that led to straight to his new assistant, "Umm see what love?"

"Ethan!," she loudly whispered, jerking him back to her.

"What????"

"That guy, Gael, he looks just like Ethan, Craig."

Brow raised, he turned again, "Well, ok, he does have brown hair but it's curly and too short and," he turned back, "no Jo, I don't see it."

"Yeah well, I guess I've just had too many close encounters with the asshole to see that this guy looks a lot like him!"

Chuckling, "He's not Ethan Jo."

She firmly but softly smacked his bicep, "I know that! It's just...so uncanny and...creepy."

Hands on her upper arms, he smiled as he reassured her and pleaded his case, "Look love, I'll admit I see a teeny weeny little smidgeon of a resemblance but one thing I CAN assure you of is that Gael is nothing like that sewer rat. He's kind, caring, smart and even funny so could you please give him a chance and stop burning him at the stake with your eyes because I think he's feeling the heat. He's just too polite to say anything and I'd reeeeeally like him to stick around. Maybe just give him a chance?"

Shame, guilt and remorse found her, "Oh god Craig, I am so sorry. I'm being so selfish and overreacting and totally ruining this important day for you and embarrassing you as well and..."

"And you're rambling Jo. Sweetheart, don't apologize and feel bad. You're not embarrassing me or ruining anything, nor are you being selfish or overreacting. You're just having a trauma response after all Ethan has put you through. If anything, maybe I'm being insensitive to your feelings and making light of something that's really heavy for you."

"Ok, no, please don't do that. You did nothing wrong so just let me take responsibility for my utterly ridiculous actions."

Heavily, he sighed and smiled, then took her face in his hands, "Fine BUT, you sweet lady are in no way ridiculous. The only thing that's utterly ridiculous is how fucking crazy I am about you...." He paused, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment, "Annnnnnnd, I've totally done it again. Blurted out my boyish feelings without taking into consideration that it makes you uncomfortable because you don't feel the same way."

She gazed at him with a soft smile, "There's nothing boyish about it. I see a man who wears his heart on his sleeve and it's super sweet."

He gazed back, his thumb caressing her cheekbone until the tender moment was interrupted by the student's teacher calling out, "Craig, could you help us for a minute?"

Annoyed, Josie peeked around Craig again to see a quite pretty, plus sized woman with wavy blonde hair, burning a hole right through him with her intense stare.

Craig whispered to Josie with a frown, "That's Emma, their professor. She's quite pushy. Ok love, I gotta go finish up this class."

Craig squatted back down and assessed the situation, "Yep here's the problem. You just need a different brush."

As he got up and went to go get one, Emma very indiscreetly turned and ogled his backside.

"And clearly horny," Josie muttered, leering at the woman who then trapped him into an on the spot conversation upon his return. She already disliked the woman solely based on her name's closeness to her deceitful ex-friend Emily.

"So Craig, after the Boston art gala tonight, there's going to be a small after party of sorts at one of the campus houses. Drinks, snacks, music, games and just all around fun and shenanigans for the adults and older students. I'd really love it if you and Gael came. Maybe we could get to know each other better over some drinks?"

Craig's body language was an obvious sign that he was clearly uncomfortable and astonished even, for the woman was basically hitting on him right there in front of her students and Josie too, who was also shocked, but even more so over the fact that she was feeling an unexpected bout of jealousy.

The clever mob man handled Emma perfectly with his response, which in turn floored Josie, "Sure, why not. You won't mind if I bring my girlfriend? You can get to know her too."

She took the hit by simply downplaying the situation in order to not appear affected, "Oh no of course not. Sure. The more the merrier." She then glanced over at Gael, "So, would you happen to know if Gael is seeing anyone?"

Josie almost choked on the wine she was sipping as Craig's inner voice was rolling in laughter, "You'd have to take that up with him. I actually just met the guy this morning and haven't a clue on his personal life."

To add to her wound, Craig sat down and rubbed more salt in it, "Jo my love, we've been cordially invited by Emma here to an after party tonight following the art show. Does that sound like something you are up for?"

Josie sat down on the arm of the couch, head hung low, trying not to laugh as she played along while Emma, standing with her arms crossed, watched, "Why yes....babe, I would love to go."

Craig too, was trying to contain his laughter as he gazed at her, nodding and smiling. He even contemplated on going over to Josie and giving her a big, fat kiss but he didn't want to risk the he, in turn, could earn a big, fat lip.

"Alright!" Craig cheered, slapping his palms down on his knees, "It's settled then. Now, if you'll excuse me ladies, I must get back to class."

Boston

"This is far better than any hotel," Lee complimented as he carried his suitcases into Travis' living room, "but you should have told me we were coming here instead."

"Would you have wanted to come?"

"Considering you just split with some guy who lived here with you, probably not."

"Exactly. But I assure you, it's over with him. All he did was cheat. So um, why did you and your girl break up?"

Deflecting, Lee went to the fridge, "You got any beer?"

"Plenty, and there's booze in the cabinet beside it, now stop avoiding the question. Tell me man, what happened?"

Lee chose the Fireball whiskey instead and poured a double over ice, "First of all, she's not my girl anymore so don't call her that and second..." he paused, swirled the ice around in the glass, then knocked the fiery liquid back, "Wooooo that was good! Anyways, it was many reasons, one being another dude. She claims she never fucked him but yeah, I don't buy it. Now, can we talk about something else?? It's my birthday. Another year around the sun and time to start anew. Let's not do it by living in the past. Onwards and upwards from here is my motto on life now."

"Alright, deal. No ex talk tonight or any other night...well, I mean if we're still hanging out in the future."

Lee's thick brows furrowed as he poured another double, "Uh why wouldn't we? We're friends man. Have been for years."

"Well, because maybe I might want mo...."

Travis' phone rang which Lee was grateful for because he knew where the conversation was headed and he wasn't ready for another relationship. He simply wanted to have fun like he did in his med school days and the menu did in fact have casual sex as a main course. Whether it be with Travis or not, he didn't know and would just take things as they came, then decide.

Travis smiled and put his phone on speaker, "Hey girl!! My friend and I just got to my house. Are you in Boston yet?"

"I am yes!! Johnny's at the club doing boring boss man business shit."

"Well get your cute booty over here and play with us while he's working. Why sit alone in a hotel? Now that's boring."

"It's a penthouse suite so it's not that boring silly but I'll have his driver bring me over shortly! AND I will come bearing gifts."

"Oh you def know the way to a man's heart. Bring plenty for my friend too. I got plenty of cash to cover it."

"Yeah cool, I will. Does this friend have a name?"

"It's Lee, Go on and say hello Emmy, you're on speaker."

"Hi Leeeeeeee!!!!"

Lee chuckled, still not putting two and two together from the clues as to who she was, "Uhh, hi there."

Travis laughed too, "Ok. We'll see you soon babe! Bye."

"Bye Trav! Bye Lee!"

Lee was impressed, "Wow, look at you. Seems like you got some big wig friends."

He grinned, "It pays to be a bartender, especially in the big cities."

"Apparently. I'm certainly not complaining. What's this club called again?"

"Pandemonium. The title says it all. Trust me, this night will be unforgettable, although while you're there, you'll forget everything."

Lee chuckled, "I suppose so when the club's name has the word demon in it."

Travis laughed and went to the stereo, "What ya say we crank some tunes and play some drinking games until she gets here?"

"Sounds like a plan! Just no sappy shit."

Back to Salem

The art class was wrapping up with Craig talking about his work he had on display behind him and wanting to know the students' opinions on it.

"So, what do you all think about this piece?"

The group was silent as their confused faces peered up at the swirls of all blue on the canvas.

"Anyone? Don't be afraid. Your thoughts all matter."

Three of them finally spoke in turn, each agreeing that they didn't know what it even meant.

"Well, let me say this. Art is kind of like music. Not everyone understands it and it's interpreted differently from one person to the next. It's really more about the emotions you feel when you hear it and it's the same when you look at a piece of art. So what do you guys feel when you look at this?"

For Josie, she both felt and saw something in it, starting with his choice of color. He seemed to use blue a lot as she glanced around the room at his other work. It was even the color of the paint he once chucked at the wall in a moment of rage over Elizabeth keeping Blaise from him. The piece he was sharing had a sense of nostalgia to it. She saw a family in it that he once had and lost. A family that was happy unlike his childhood. A mother holding a child and a father embracing them both. She saw a dream to be loved and to love.

There was more silence and confused expressions. One finally found the courage to speak, "I don't feel anything really."

With the ice broken, another chimed in, "Same. Sorry. Like, I feel nothing."

"Alright, well....anyone else?"

There were no more responses.

He gave a soft chuckle, "You know what? It's fine. Art, writing, fashion, music, it's all subjective. Not everyone will understand it and not everyone enjoys it. It can be an acquired taste for some. With that said, I think that's a wrap for today. I thank you all so much for coming and being bored out of your minds and I hope to see all of you again tonight in Boston."

In that moment, Josie really wanted to tell him how she saw it, for she could see it in his eyes that he was hurt. Even Gael looked sad for him. She loved that Craig had a sensitivity about him but she didn't enjoy his spirit being crushed. That was the entire reason he had lost his inspiration in the first place. She felt that she could help them all understand the piece but she too chose silence. It was his class and she didn't feel it was her place to speak out due to her opinion appearing biased. Craig wanted the thoughts and opinions of those who didn't know him or his work. It was all about objectivity.

Craig watched as they all packed up, then they said their thank you's and goodbyes and were gone which is when Gael tried to make him feel better.

"Hey man, don't sweat it. They're what? In their early twenties? Their still kids basically and don't have the appreciation for art like we do. Honestly, I think your work is brilliant and..."

"Gael, I appreciate what you're trying to do but as I said to them, not everyone is going to get it, no matter their age and to be quite honest myself...I don't get my work either."

He stood up, walked over to the painting and looked it up and down for a brief moment, then picked up a cutting tool and shockingly shredded it down the center with two aggressive swipes.

Hands over her mouth, gaping eyes, Josie watched alongside a frozen Gael as Craig quietly exited into his adjoined apartment. The silence was so deafening that the soft click of his door closing was heard at maximum volume, sounding and speaking louder than a slamming door which she had expected.

Finally, Gael found his words, "Uh....what just happened? Is he ok?"

After monitoring and studying the Ethan look-alike throughout the class, Josie had come to see that Craig was right. He was simply an overall good guy and the features of a monster had significantly diminished in her eyes.

"He will be. Let's just give him some space. I don't know what all you and he spoke about before the class but he's going through a lot right now."

"He was brief on his personal life but he did mention that his daughter was missing and even though he did his best to hide his pain, he failed miserably. I could see how broken up he was about it in the way he spoke about her. It's similar to how he speaks about you."

The guilt-ridden anxiety choked her once again about knowing what she knew about Blaise and she feared that once she told him, which would not be anytime soon for his own hot-headed good, that Craig's feelings for her would change altogether. He wouldn't understand that she was doing it to save him from himself. For the time being, she would have to trust Jeffrey and Jason's plan, although she really wanted to be in on it and help bring Blaise back to him since she felt she was responsible for her kidnapping in the first place. The problem was, how could she when she knew Jeffrey and her brother would never allow it? Not only that, but she had no way of knowing when the two Morgans were going to embark on Operation Wyndemere.

As far as telling him about Elizabeth's sister and her plan to gain custody of Blaise, that had to stay on the downlow as well. Craig would snap and Josie had a terrible feeling that Rebecca would go missing too because once he got his daughter back, there was no way in hell he was ever going to let someone take her from him again, especially one of his ex-wife's relations and from Josie's interaction with the counterfeit Christian, Rebecca was just as black hearted as her sister.

"Actually Gael, I think I am going to go check on him."

"Cool, no problem. I'll just clean up the place since we all need to get ready for tonight's outing. It was nice to meet you and I'm really glad I got to meet Craig. He's a great guy for helping me out."

Josie smiled and chuckled, "He really is. I'm just sorry you almost became road kill first."

His hazel eyes widened as he laughed, "I know right???"

After a few soft taps on the door, there was a muttered approval for entry, "Come in."

Once inside, Josie found him hastily rummaging through his closet, "What to wear, what to wear," he mumbled and pulled out two garments of the same color, black as usual, and held them up to Josie with a grin.

To humor him, she pointed to a black leather blazer and offered an idea for an accenting piece of clothing, "Umm, that one with one of your crisp, white dress shirts underneath, slightly unbuttoned over your chest."

He turned the leather towards him and gazed at it, then smiled, "Ahhh yes. Alright then. That will pair lovely together. I like your taste Jo March."

He continued on in silence, fumbling through a dresser drawer to locate a shirt, clearly trying to avoid conversation about his previous display of rage.

"Craig....are you alright?"

His quick movements halted and he turned to her with a smile full of teeth, "Never better," he piped, then he resumed his search.

She went to him, moved his hands from the drawer and closed it, then stood between him and the dresser, "Hey, take a breath and relax for a minute please."

With an annoyed sigh, he gripped her small waist, then hoisted her up and placed her down beside him, "No," he snapped and carried on, digging through another drawer.

Mouth gaping, her hands went to her hips, "Really???"

He sighed heavier and turned, his hands also on his hips, "Yes. Really. I need to get ready and so do you. The class went on ridiculously longer and pointlessly than expected. So how about you run along and do whatever it is that you need to do and I'll text you when it's time to go."

Her eyes narrowed, "Then why did you invite me in if you're just going to be a fucking dick??"

His mouth then gaped, "What did you just call me?"

"You heard me and don't you ever manhandle me again or I'll make an art display out of those big ass balls you have," she threatened and stormed out.

"Oh yeah!!??," he jeered as his door slammed, "I'd like to see you try, you...you....you....."

Hands back on hips, he paused in frustration over his loss for words. With a nose-flaring sigh, he slammed the dresser drawer shut with a swift kick of his foot as he bellowed, "FUCKKKKK!!!!!"

In slow motion, Gael's head turned, his wide eyes following Josie as she marched through the studio and stopped at the door to shout back before her dramatic departure, "YOUUUUUU!!!!"

As she stomped down the hall to her apartment and opened the door, his muffled retort sounded through the walls, "IN YOUR DREAMS BABE!!!"

"AAAARRRRGH!!!" she shrieked and hurled the door shut so hard that a picture frame in the hall crashed to the floor.

"I'm adding that to your rent!"

With a strong middle finger to the air, Josie began a frantic search for her missing journal to release her emotions or she feared she would run back to him and either try to strangle him like she did to Angel or tear his clothes off and fuck him stupid, for she was insanely aroused and highly deprived of physical intimacy.

She wasn't the only one aroused and lacking in the sex department. Craig scowled at the solidifying mass between his legs as he cupped and shifted it to ease the discomfort but the simple touch and movement only brought him to full attention.

"Nope," he snarled, refusing to pleasure his aching cock when he considered it to be a form of sexual manipulation that Josie had unintentionally done to him and it wasn't the first time. Once before, he had brought himself to fruition with impure thoughts of her and all it had done was make him yearn to be with her even more.

Feeling defeated by her wicked control over him and by life as well, Craig turned the shower on to cold only and with his clothes still on, he sat beneath the arctic waterfall, having an emotional breakdown.

While Craig was numbing himself, Josie's scavenger hunt for the diary had been unsuccessful. As a last ditch effort, she went to an unpacked suitcase and rummaged through it, but still, there was no sign of her most private, personal thoughts.

Coming to the conclusion that she must have left it at her mom's house since that's the last place she remembered seeing it, she gave up and settled for a spiral notebook to scribble her muddled thoughts onto and it began with Craig.

March 25- Why? Why does that man make me feel this way? Both angry and aroused, although I'm not really even angry at all. Not at him anyways. I'm angry that I can't help him. I'm angry that I can't bring his daughter back. I'm angry that I can't tell him what I know. I'm angry that he's hurting and won't let me in. I'm angry that it's all my fault and I'm angry because I have these fucking feelings for him when I am still very much in love with Lee and I'm angry about that too because he certainly does not love me. His actions AND words proved that. It was all a big fat lie. I'm also angry at myself because maybe he wasn't so wrong to be worried about my closeness with Craig but...if ONLY Lee hadn't pushed me away, these feelings, whatever they are, most likely would not have...no...they wouldn't have developed. It's Lee's fault, not mine. All his secrets and how he is just fucking ghosting me now. I tried so hard to fix it. Did I not try hard enough? Should I keep trying when he won't even talk to me? Or should I let him go when he's certainly not trying to fix things. I know I can be happy with Craig. He loves me too and always shows it. He doesn't lie to me. He doesn't hurt me, not intentionally anyways like today. He didn't mean to explode. I triggered him. I pushed too hard when I should have just left him alone. He protects me. He's done things for me that I cannot write on paper. He's so sweet and kind. That's who he really is under that tough exterior. I want to protect him too, from his father and from himself. I've said it before, that maybe I was meant to be with him all along. There's even been signs. I've always believed that God will keep allowing a person to hurt you if they're not your person and that's all Lee does is hurt me. The things he told Orlando about me, I can't get it out of my head. HOW IS THAT LOVE???? And fuck Dr. Bloom. Might as well vent about that too. How could he go and screw Emily after I had told him what she did to me and my family???? She slept with my father!!! IN OUR HOUSE while my mom was upstairs sleeping!! Orlando knew who she was and still put his dick in her. It's unforgiveable. I guess that is all for now. I have to get ready for a night out with Craig. Ugh, I just got butterflies again thinking about him. There's something here and it's growing. I know I could love him too. Really, truly love him. I just wish I knew how to let go of Lee. I mean, hasn't God shown me enough??? Happy fucking birthday Lee.

Back to Boston

"HA HAAAA!!! I win again! Drink up!," Lee gloated and grinned as he gathered up all the playing cards from the floor where he and Travis sat Indian style and began to shuffle.

"You cheat bro," Travis claimed with an eye roll and knocked back his sixth shot of Tequila, "Let me shuffle this time."

Lee's lips curled up on one side, then he bent the deck between his thumb and other four fingers, "Ok sure. 52 pickup is all yours!"

As the cards showered over Travis, Lee stumbled to his feet and ran off to the bathroom laughing, "Muahahahahaaaa!!!"

After taking a long, pent up leak, Lee washed his hands and gazed into his glassy eyed reflection. The booze was priming him well but it still wasn't shaking off the habitual thoughts of Jo. He was going to need a hell of a lot more than whiskey to clear his head of her, for as the Nate Smith song went, her memory must be bulletproof..

Lee ran his hands through his dark hair and sighed, then opened the door and entered the hall where he was stealthily ambushed by Travis from behind and pushed and pinned against the wall, face first, by the buff bartender's pressing weight.

"Muahahahaaaa! Back at ya babe," he teasingly mocked and inhaled the scent of Lee's neck, "God damn you smell delicious. What cologne is that? I could literally drink you."

Lee's chuckle was sardonic, finding no humor in the forceful play and forward remarks, "Yeah ok, you got me back, now get off me."

Travis' lips grazed Lee's ear lobe, "But I don't want to. This feels nice. You feel nice."

Lee sighed, shaking his head, "You better slow down on the booze. It's making you thick."

He chuckled, tickling Lee's neck with the tip of his nose and grinded his groin into his backside, "No, you're making me thick. Feel that?"

Travis didn't even know what happened, for in a split second, he found himself in a firm choke hold by one of Lee's ridiculously strong arms with his arm was bent up behind his back, gripped at the wrist by Lee's squeezing hand.

"Fuck man," Travis squeaked, his face turning a mulberry hue, "I...I can har...hardly breathe."

Lee's teeth clenched together as he snarled into Travis' burning ear, "You're lucky I'm allowing you to breathe at all. Don't you ever touch me or hold me down in that way again without my consent or I'll snap that chubby of yours right in two, leaving you with a permanently crippled cock. Understood?"

Travis' head vigorously nodded.

"Good boy," Lee quipped as he heard a car door from outside, then pushed Travis into a stumbling tumble to his ass.

Coughing and rubbing his neck, Travis' eyes watered as his gaping eyes peered up at Lee's towering stance, "Who the fuck are you man?"

The doorbell rang.

Lee's intimidating eyes glared down his long nose, "Fuck around and find out. I'm going out back for a smoke."

After Lee disappeared and the back door slammed shut, Travis collected himself and let Emily in.

"Heyyyy Tra...oh my god. Why is your face so red??"

"Oh, that..." he coughed again and cleared his throat, gave a little lie of omission, "I was just doing a bunch of Fireball shots. Shit burns."

The petite brunette giggled, knowing he was fibbing, "Trav, sometimes I think you forget how long I've known you. I'm sure you and your buddy were doing a bunch of," she made quotation marks with her fingers and winked, "something." Did I interrupt some boy toy time?"

"Hardly. We're just friends."

Laughing, she headed to the living room, "Whatever. So where is he?"

"Having a smoke. So what did you bring me?"

From her handbag, she revealed a clear baggie with a handful of large and round white pills, then took one out and handed it to him, "I like to call these," she did the finger quote again, "Crazy Train." It will take you on one wild ride around the world in one night. The more you take, the better the thrill. All aboard!! Last stop, nobody knows! Choo choo!!"

"Hell yeah!" he cheered and instantly popped one, "just what I need."

He then handed her five one hundred dollar bills, one for each pill, "Will this cover it?"

"Sure will and there's plenty more where that came from."

"Sweet! I'm sure we'll make use of them. You want a drink to wash one down?"

"Yes please Mr. Bartender sir. Vodka rocks, double."

With a trembling hand, Lee puffed away in the chilly, evening breeze as triggered thoughts of his traumatic wedding night with Ethan plagued his mind, all thanks to Travis' bold pass. The anger all resurfaced, not only because of being roofied and raped by his ex-husband but also because of everything Ethan had done since his return to Salem. He had Lee fooled then, thinking he had changed and Travis was beginning to remind him of his abuser. He was willing though, to let this incident slide and give Travis another chance because like Lee, he was going through a bad break up too and was just looking for comfort and of course, Lee was pretty sure he put the fear of God into Travis so he didn't feel he would be stupid enough to try it again.

Taking the last drag, Lee placed the butt between his thumb and middle finger and gave it a skillful flick across the yard, then went back inside where he headed straight for the whiskey without a glance at the girl Travis was handing a drink to.

"Here you go love. I made a triple."

Emily saw him though and she gasped as her ebony eyes widened, "Oh my god."

Her emphasized words drew Lee's sapphires to her and they widened too, then, their response was simultaneous, consisting of one identical word.

"You."

Travis' head moved between the two, brows furrowed, "You...know each other??"

Emily stood with a smile as she looked him up and down, "Yeah. We met briefly at the ice skating rink not too long ago."

Brows even more furrowed, Travis took his eyes to Lee, "You skate??"

Befuddled at the situation, Lee briefly answered, keeping his eyes locked on the much prettier version of the girl he once met, "No, I was there for a party. Wow, small world." His eyes also traveled up and down her small curved form, liking what he saw, "Nice to see you again Emily."

Travis didn't like what he saw though. He quickly picked up on the instant attraction and chemistry happening right before him and he made sure to innocently mention her boyfriend, "Yeah so Emmy, what time is Johnny opening up tonight? I'm so ready to dance my ass off and it's really awesome that Johnny will actually be there since he rarely ever is."

That's when it clicked for Lee, "Holy shit. That's right. Johnny came in to the rink that day to see you and you and Jo argued about it because of who he is. Zacharra's your fucking boyfriend??"

Now Travis was really baffled, "Wait, you know Johnny too??? Can someone explain what's going on here? and who's Jo??"

Eyes closed, palms out, Emily took over, "Everybody chill. I got this. So...I'll start with Josie, or Jo because that's what Lee calls her. She's my....or was my friend and she's Lee's girlfriend and...."

"Nope," he happily corrected, "Not anymore."

Her brow arched as she pulled her smiling, bottom lip in by her teeth, "Alright. EX....girlfriend then. Anyways, yeah, Johnny came there to see me but Josie was adamant he came there to see her and taunt her because he they had some fling years ago and she said he was still hooked on her blah blah blah and we argued because she didn't want me seeing him, telling me what a bad guy he was and all that and then he and Lee clashed and Lee got in his face and that was all she wrote."

Lee chuckled, "Well, I can see this is going to be one hell of a night when he sees me there." He then frowned at Travis, "So you're friends with a mob dude?? You could have fucking mentioned that."

He frowned back, "Well Emmy's dating him so what's the fucking difference?? He's always been good to me so I don't solely see him as that and going around announcing it either. I'd like to remain on his good side, not to mention he pays me very generously."

Lee tossed his hands up, "Alright, alright, whatever. Fuck it. It is what it is and I just want to have a fucking good time and forget a lot of shit for just one fucking night. It's my birthday damn it!"

Emily picked up the baggie and held it up, "Well I can make that happen. Happppppy Birrrrthdaaaaaay Leeeeeee."

"What is that?" he asked, then folded his arms and deviously smiled as she gave him the same description she had given Travis.

"Long story but it seems I'm destined in my life to ride a fucking train so why not?

Travis raised his hand, "Wait, so hold up. Are we going to have a problem tonight since you and Johnny aren't on good terms? I'd like to keep my job and all my body parts as well."

"If he don't have one with me, then I don't have one with him."

Emily quickly fixed the situation, "Look guys. I will call Johnny in a little bit and talk to him. I'll handle it. It's all good. Now, do you want one of these? Travis already paid for them so you might as well take advantage."

Lee's eyes moved to his friend for approval, considering what had just transpired between them.

"Yeah sure man. Go ahead. That's what I got them for."

Lee smiled, softening with him, "Hey...sorry about earlier."

Travis smiled back, "Me too."

Emily opened the baggie and took out one pill, and held it up to Lee, "Alright then, Now that that's settled, Iet's fucking get this party started. We have a few hours yet before it's time to head out."

With a pearly white smile, Lee moved to her, "Alright."

Standing before her, he opened his mouth, inviting her to serve it to him. She accepted and quickly placed the pill upon his tongue, then he swallowed it, along with a taste of her sweet perfume.

Salem

Feeling better after her emotional release onto paper, Josie stood at the body length mirror, looking over her primped and preened self for the impending party life. She felt like she was staring at a stranger. She was always so casual in appearance and there, looking back at her was a woman with a head full of hairspray and makeup that took almost an hour to do and would probably take even longer to remove. Then there was the bold, heavy and cheap accessory around her neck that to her, looked more like a dog choker and to complete the makeover, she was wearing a strapless dress, green in color, that barely covered her. She NEVER wore dresses. The particular child sized gown that she was currently freezing in was actually purchased for a night out with Lee that never happened and it was also chosen because green was his favorite color but there she stood wearing it along with a pair of black heels she had to practice walking in so she didn't end up in a cast like her sister and she had done it all to impress Craig.

Craig was in the same predicament as he jazzed himself up. The fancier attire and image wasn't the problem. He was used to being stylish from time to time. The issue was that he was doing it for Josie and wanted to look perfect, otherwise, he never would have put so much effort into it.

All lathered up in his Hugo Boss cologne, there he stood, also checking himself over in the mirror. Hair, brows, mustache and beard all finely groomed and wearing the white shirt with it unbuttoned to show his chest as Josie had suggested. Over the shirt was a black blazer and below the waist, black trousers and the infamous shiny black shoes. Last but not least, on his fingers were his usual sterling silver rings, three on each hand. It was all Craig approved but to him, it wasn't fully approved until he received one more opinion, which was going to be his way of apologizing.

Still before the mirror, Craig snapped a photo of himself. It was much easier to him to get a full body shot than the backwards camera since he was never really good at taking pictures of himself, nor did he ever desire to unless it was with Blaise.

Before sending Josie the photo, he first chugged down a large glass of sweet red wine and then typed out a short, apologetic text, "Hi. Do you still think I'm a dick? 😢I'm really really sorry."

As she went to her phone, it was the first time she didn't rush to it with hopes of it being Lee. After being ghosted by him all day regarding her long, heartfelt voicemail earlier that morning, she had come to accept that she was not going to receive a reply and that he just didn't care. This time, she actually hoped it was Craig.

Upon opening the text, her eyes lit up and she burst into laughter but at the same time, she felt bad, "No 😢I never did. I'm really sorry too."

"Music to my ears. Can I come over so we can talk?"

"Please do."

"Ok, but first....what do you think?"

Covering her huge smile in shock, she stared at him longer than she should have. He was just so truly beautiful to her.

"That bad huh?"

"No, stop it lol. Far from it. It would have been better though if those baby blues of yours were looking at me. Oh and, where's the leather?? Otherwise, you Mr. Parker are a strikingly gorgeous creature. 😉😎"

His laugh was hearty over the use of his descriptive introduction to her at the art class upon him, "You're amazing and much too sweet for me. I'll change jackets and be right over."

As she placed her phone in her purse, staring back at her was the two playing cards she had forgotten about that Britt had given to her. The Queen of hearts and two of hearts.

She tucked them away inside her new makeshift journal and stuffed it under her mattress for safe keeping, then last minute, she decided to wear a different pair of heels that weren't so spiky and as she was slipping them on, Craig was knocking on the door.

"Coming!!" she shouted and successfully ran to the door without falling.

Swinging it open, her heart dropped at the sight and smell of him, for the photo did not do him justice whatsoever and instead of complimenting him up front, her anxiety chose her reaction, "Ummm, where's the leather?"

Unlike her, Craig had no words at all. His mouth dropped open but nothing came out. He literally had to bring his hand to his lips to close them and then he rested his fingertips upon them as his astonished blues slowly traveled from her head to her toes, then back to her worried face.

When he finally found his words, they were tongue-tied, "It's uhhh...it's...I forgot that...I um, left it in....yeah it's in the car."

Her giggle snapped him out of his verbal stupor, "But....wow. Just....fucking wow," he raved in awe of her stunning transformation, "Jo...you...you look insanely splendid. Absolutely and ridiculously glorious."

Another giggle as her smile glowed, "Awwww, right back at ya babe."

"Ahhh, babe huh? Well I'll take that any day over dick. So umm, may I...come in?"

"Oh my gosh, how rude of me! Of course! I'm so sorry." She moved out of his way, balancing herself on the door handle, for her knees had suddenly become weak, "Do you want some wine before we go?"

His grin was wide, "I think you know the answer to that."

"Ok, I'lllll....go get it."

Fearing the walk from the door to the kitchen, Josie took in a breath and let go of her crutch, then with one wobbling foot in front of the other, she slowly crept across the floor, praying Craig wouldn't notice her instability. It amazed her because she had just been able to run to the door. That's when she figured it out. It was because he was watching her and she didn't want to appear like a klutz.

Her prayers failed, "Jo, are you going to be able to walk in those things all night?"

With overconfidence, she loudly assured him with an unsure smile, "YEP! I'm goo......"

The mistake was that she looked at him and then her ankle buckled. With a gasping squeal, gravity pulled her down but her fall was promptly intercepted by Craig's agile arms.

Still in his strong arms, he steadied her. "I've got you love."

Giddiness consumed her as she gripped his brawny biceps. Was it his intoxicating cologne? Was it the brightening of his blue hues as they gazed into hers? Or was it the fact that his lips were in such close proximity to hers that his sweet and warm wine breath tickled her nose, making her thirsty to taste him? She felt she was about to from the way he was looking at her, for he was having similar thoughts about her cherry scented lips but instead, the big bad mob man chickened out, forcing himself to back away.

"Why don't you go sit down love, before you break your pretty little neck and I mean that sincerely, not as some patronizing dick," he assured her with a teasing smirk, "I'll go get us the wine."

He took her hand and helped her to sit on the couch and just as his hand was almost free to get the drinks, she clutched his fingertips, peering up at him with remorse, "Hey. I truly am sorry for calling you that. I swear I didn't mean it or to hurt your feelings."

His smile was kind as he placed his other hand atop hers, "Hold that thought, I'll be right back."

Knowing right where the wine and glasses were, Craig retrieved them and hurried back, sitting beside her and pouring the red vintage and respectfully handing a glass to her first, "Ok...now," he began with his eyes eagerly engaging hers, "I know you came in to console me after the students ever so kindly critiqued my work and I'd like to explain why I shut you down so harshly, or even at all. That particular piece that I went full Freddy Krueger on, I created the day I found out I was going to be a father and....all of it became a lie with Lizzy's infidelity with Ethan and finding out Blaise was most likely his, so when the students said they didn't feel anything or understand the painting, that only reminded of how true that lie really was, if that makes any sense? I guess the reality truly hit me for the first time with someone else validating it for me and I just didn't know how to process it but I never should have treated you as I did when you were just trying to be there for me and for that, I am whole-heartedly sorry. You had every right to threaten to Picasso my manhood." His brows raised, eyes wide, "What a sight that would be huh?"

Josie softly laughed, then took his hand, "Well, to be fair, I should have just given you some space but, apology accepted. Maybe if I had told you during the class that I understood the painting, it would still be alive and none of this would have happened."

"Wait," his brows furrowed, "You...knew?"

"I did. All the swirling strokes, they represented people, a family. I didn't need to know your backstory to see it. Those students are taking art classes for a reason. They're still learning and don't understand all the concepts yet and even as you said, not everyone will get it, so I'm sorry you took their opinions to heart and I also want you to know that the painting was beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you."

The fixed gaze they shared was interrupted by a call to Craig's cell, "Oh, it's Gael. Hello? Everything ok?"

"Yep, just wanted to let you know that the studio is all back in place, brushes cleaned, paint put away, oh and, I'm ready to hit the road when you are. Is....everything good with you and Josie?"

Craig chuckled, then smiled at Jo, "Yeah man, we're both good. Thanks for cleaning up. We'll meet you in the hall in just a few."

"Sounds like a plan. Can't wait for tonight. It's gonna be a night to remember."

Craig ended the call, then swallowed down the rest of his wine, "Well, you ready love? My car's out back in the garage. I'll swing around and get it, then pick you up out front."

She quickly downed her wine too, "Mmmm. Yep, I'm so ready for some normal fun stuff for once." She then chuckled, "So, about Gael. We actually didn't scare him off? I can only imagine what he thinks of me after my petulant tantrum."

He laughed too, "Yeah, he and I talked for a bit after you left and I apologized to him for my actions. I did get the vibe that he's a tiny bit intimidated by you, but rest assured, I set the record straight in your defense and took on all the blame. It's all good. No worries sweetheart."

"Well, I will apologize to him too because it was not ALL your fault Craig."

"Alright. As you wish. How about we put it all behind us and get the fuck out of dodge? You gonna be ok in those shoes love? Especially when drinking?"

Josie stood right up with Craig rising quickly to hold her arm, "Yep. Watch this."

"Should I hold your beer?"

"Ha...Ha...! Funny guy got jokes. No, seriously, let go. I got this."

Slowly but gracefully, Josie made her way across the room and picked up her leopard print coat, then spun around, posing with her arm in the air as if she were a Price Is Right model, "TA DA!!!! There, see? If I can do triple axels on the ice, then I should be able to walk in a simple pair of shoes. I just need to focus. And besides, I have your arm to cling to if I get too tipsy."

Craig went to her and helped her put her coat on, "You know, I sure would love to see you skate someday."

Her train of thought shifted, "That would be great but wait," She turned to him with concern, "if we're taking your car, especially being Boston bound and we're going to be drinking...."

"Gael's the D.D. He don't drink. Stop worrying and let loose. Tonight is going to be a ridiculous good time."

"You're letting him drive your classic, mint condition Chevelle???"

" I sure am. It will be nice to have a chauffeur and although it will be very odd to be sitting in the back seat of my own car, it will be absolutely delightful because it will be with you. Oh!!," he reeled and snapped his fingers, "I almost forgot. I cleared out a spot for you to put your car in my garage where it will be locked up and safe and out of view from those rednecks as well. It's coded entry AND I'm changing this complex to that as well. Anyone that doesn't have it will have to be buzzed in. Installing it next week. No more unwanted people will just be walking in here like my fath...damn it, I mean Cyrus has or Lee has...sorry. Didn't mean to mention him. Anyways, I never used to have any need for all of that security here until Cyrus was released from prison and Ethan came back around so now, I think it will be best. I want you to be and feel safe Jo. That's all I care about."

"I do feel safe with you. Always. Thank you Craig, for everything. You...IT means more to me than you know."

Craig grinned at her slip of the tongue, then he leaned down and tenderly kissed her cheek, "As you do to me Cheri lady."

With Josie blushing on his arm and the bottle of wine in his other hand, Craig escorted her and Gael outside where they waited for him valet style and Josie used the time to apologize for her obnoxious behavior but during her rambling attempt at making amends, her words were cut short by a car driving by at a high rate of speed, basil green in color. Unable to see the driver with the tinted windows, she certainly recognized the make and model of the vehicle, for she had been inside of it once. It was a Dodge Charger.

After the car passed by, going fast enough to give her hair a whirl, she watched it tear around the corner, tires squealing, until it was gone and all was silent.

"Luke??" she whispered as her confused eyes remained locked on the empty corner.

"I'm sorry?" Gael responded, also confused.

"Oh...oh nothing, I...I...," she stammered and paused, still fixated on the street corner, "I...I just thought I saw someone I knew. No biggie."

It was then that Craig came whipping around the corner.

Upon pulling up, Craig hopped right out of his black beauty, leather blazer now on, and sweetly displayed a gentlemanly mannerism of opening the door for her, "Your chariot my lady."

Once everyone was seated in their places and buckled in, Gael turned the key and the engine rumbled and purred which enticed him to pump the pedal a few times just to hear the beastly growl but then he gasped and turned around to look at Craig, "Oh shit, sorry man. I just got a bit carried away. Never been in a monster like this, let alone drove one."

Craig reassured Gael that it was ok as he chuckled, "Go on man, don't be afraid of her. Give this car some love. She was meant to roar. Just whatever you do, don't turn on the fucking radio."

With perplexed brows, Gael just smiled and gave a nod, then revved up the engine and made an announcement before he sped off down the road, "Alright ladies and gentlemen, Boston here we fucking come!"

Boston

Walking on clouds of medication induced euphoria, a glassy eyed Lee readied himself in the bedroom as Emily did the same in the bathroom, feeling rather high as well. She had made the call to Johnny about Lee, explaining the situation and surprisingly, the mobster bully didn't seem to have a problem with Josie's ex partying in his club or hanging around his girl.

Laughing as he stumbled out of the bedroom, Lee returned to the living room, took another shot of tequila and plopped on the couch, arms sprawled out on the back and legs crossed as he grinned from ear to ear, "What do ya think Trav??" he asked, referring to his attire.

Travis, also high and grinning, rolled his eyes up and down Lee's six foot five form that was wearing all white. A white tee, a white blazer, sleeves pushed up to the elbows, white trousers and even his loafers were white.

"You make a better God than Morgan Freeman did in Bruce Almighty."

Lee winked with a wicked smile, "Only I'm the devil in disguise."

"Ooooh, me likey."

Emily then entered, dark hair pinned back and wearing an extremely provocative dress that barely covered her ass and breasts and coincidentally, it was white as well. Lee's lips parted as his enamored eyes ran up her endless, tan legs and over all of her curves, then made a stop at her cat-like eyes that her winged eyeliner and false lashes had converted them to.

"Well now....did it hurt? When you fell from Heaven?"

Travis frowned as if he had smelled an egg fart.

Emily giggled as she eye-fucked him back, "It did and now I think I need a doctor."

Lee patted the couch beside him, "Well you happen to be in luck. Dr. Pace here, at your service."

As Emily sat down beside him, Travis' eyes rolled, "Are we ready to go now?? Or would you rather fuck each other right here on the couch first?"

He got up, shaking his head and went to the kitchen for more booze.

Lee gave Emily a wink, "I'll be right back."

He went to the kitchen and leaned on the counter, folding his arms, "So what was all that?"

Travis gulped down a double whiskey neat, "Gee, I could ask you the same thing. Did you forget that she has a man who also happens to be in the fucking mafia?? Or are you trying to get your knees shot off if he's feeling nice?"

Lee nonchalantly chuckled, "Is that supposed to scare me? If you knew my past, you'd be worried for Johnny, not me."

Travis turned to him, changing the subject and his tone to a kinder and more caring one, "Speaking of your past, did...did someone do something to you that caused you to react to my advances the way you did?"

Lee sighed and poured a drink, then reveled in the burn as it rolled down his throat, "They did and we're not talking about it."

"Alright. I'm sorry though and again, I'm sorry for coming on so strong. I'll back off but just be careful around Emmy ok? I know you can hold your own since I was almost turned into a fucking pretzel by Hulk fucking Hogan but Johnny plays dirty. I mean, if you really know him, then you know that already but, I just don't want to see anything bad happen."

"Yeah well," he tossed another drink back and placed the glass down with a hard clunk, "I play in a league of my own and it's much dirtier. So are we going or what? I'm losing my buzz."

"Emmy!" Travis shouted, "You ready???"

As they all walked out the door, Lee's eyes popped, "A fucking Limo??? I really AM in Heaven!"

They all climbed in and his eyes widened even more. It was like a perfect man cave. Small but spacious. The plentiful, black seating looked like a leather couch that wrapped around the walls and they were heated as well. The floor was covered in a black shag carpet. The ceiling had soft dim lighting in every corner and LCD lights over the doors and there was a TV and a stereo system and to top it all off, there was even a mini bar which Lee delved right in to.

"Champagne anyone????"he cheerfully asked as he popped the cork.

Emily's squeal and all of their boisterous laughter exploded as the bubbly volcano erupted over his hand and onto the floor. With real crystal glasses, not the cheap plastic ones, Lee poured the fizzy gold goodness, one by one, all the way up to the rims and Travis turned on the music, cranking up a classic The Cars song which was a perfect for his birthday celebration.

Sporting a grin of pearly whites, Lee raised his glass with the others following suit, "Cheers my friends! Happy fucking birthday to me. Now drink up and let the good times roll!!"

@redeemer46

[infinitelyweary]

I forgot about Dreamstat.......

It's interesting that he follows the same dynamic with Louis as Realstat, but even more overt. He bites Louis's neck in a context of violence/threats/dominance

Even though Louis looks to be in pain and not enjoying this, he makes no effort to pull away even in this imagined version of being bitten by Lestat, either passively accepting the domination (maybe out of guilt) or feeling powerless to stop Lestat (much as he was powerless to stop Lestat from biting him in 105).

Right after this we have the line about Dreamstat coming by invitation. 🙂‍↕️ Louis is inviting the spectre of Lestat to hurt him, fantasizing about Lestat dominating him. It could be a form of Catholic penance/self-flagellation for his sin of killing Lestat, or it could be Dreamstat embodying one of the things Louis misses about Lestat, the same way he misses seeing Lestat in that suit Louis likes best, or talking about their daughter together, or having Lestat's guidance and advice like Dreamstat gives with the pictures.

Louis biting Dreamstat in 203 is similar to 106 in that it is violent domination by Louis that Lestat is plainly allowing/submitting to, but it's different in that Lestat is literally commanding Louis to do it (while Louis whimpers and cries). It hammers home that power dynamic between them - even if Louis committing the physically dominant act of neck-biting, Lestat is still dominant in the scenario. Lestat ordering Louis to bite him and Louis following through turns Louis's "dominance" into a submissive act.

You could make an argument for this in 106 as well, after all, Lestat literally told Louis to "Come to Me" through his record and Louis obeyed him...AND in 203 Lestat was singing "Come to Me" before Louis seeks out Dreamstat 🫢 Both times Louis was 'dominant' over Lestat/bites his neck it was literally because Lestat told him to do so...Louis only 'dominates' in submission to Lestat jfkldsjakfls;dja

("Come to Me" itself is an interesting phrase with regard to dom/sub power dynamics bc every time we get "Come to Me" it's coming from a stronger person/vamp directed at someone less powerful (Lestat-Louis and Armand-Lestat; and I guess Louis-Francis lmao) but instead of the more powerful party simply 'coming' to the less powerful one, they are beckoning their prey to be active in the dynamic, to pursue/hunt instead of just being hunted, but in demanding them to do so, the act of pursuing/hunting becomes a submissive act rather than a dominant one as they are obeying a stronger creature's will.............)

ALSO just like with 106 we don't see Louis actually biting Lestat. The camera dances around it, committed to not showing Louis doing this 'dominant' act to Lestat on screen.

Since this is Louis's narration, it could be that Louis doesn't see himself as physically capable of being dominant over Lestat (even in the context of submitting to Lestat in doing so) - Louis knows he bit him/bit Dreamstat he skirts over it or doesn't describe the biting in detail so it stays offscreen. The only time we actually witness Louis taking Lestat's blood it's from Lestat's wrist when he's being turned/before Louis has fangs.

Every time Louis is bitten by Lestat (both times in 101, 105, 201) the camera lingers and really makes a meal out of it, with close-ups and all, but when its Louis doing the biting we don't see it take place, it's hinted at or alluded to.

It will be very interesting to see how Lestat's POV frames biting between them, if it challenges or aligns with Louis's conception of their dynamic. Will we actually see Louis bite Lestat onscreen finally??

Idk if I've ever seen anyone talk about the dominance/submission of neck vs. wrist biting

Whenever a vampire is giving a mortal the dark gift, they take blood via the neck and give blood via the wrist, seen with the turning of Louis, Claudia, and Madeleine (we don't see her take Louis's blood but Louis says he opened his wrists "back up" implying she fed from there), and also Claudia's attempts to make vampires (we see bite marks on her wrist) and Daciana's attempts (she pours blood from her wrist). This makes sense because the veins in the neck are larger than those in your wrist so it would be faster to drain someone via the neck and easier to control the amount of blood given via the wrist (also easier to yank your wrist away when someone's had enough vs jerking your neck away).

So, it makes sense that sharing blood via the neck would be more vulnerable, because you stand to lose more blood that way, and have less control over the act. A vampire giving neck access to another vampire is kind of like an animal rolling over to show its stomach, baring its vulnerable part.

It makes perfect sense that Louis would feed from Armand's neck in Dubai as part of their dom/sub thing, especially when Armand is posing as Rashid; it's a blatant display of Armand's submission - but the submission is undercut by Armand voicing his disapproval of the interview during this act. It's emblematic of their whole relationship, Armand playing at submission while asserting himself over Louis, undermining Louis's authority/autonomy even while wearing his servant disguise.

(Also a weird thing Armand does a few times where he talks about Louis in front of Louis but not TO Louis, directed at Daniel as though Daniel is to blame for Louis inviting him here and asking for a second interview)

Even as "Rashid", Armand can't miss an opportunity to insist he knows better than Louis and reinforce the notion that Louis is incapable of keeping himself safe. The submission is a charade.

The 203 flashback has the other most interesting display of this neck/wrist dom/sub dichotomy.

Generally when people talk about Lestat from Armand's POV they describe him as more "dashing" vs Louis's version of him, but I always noted how much less dominant Lestat is with Armand vs with Louis.

Have we ever seen Lestat more demure than he is here...the way he kisses Armand's hand and waits, giving Armand plenty of time to refuse, essentially asking permission before biting his wrist. It's very deferential, and asking for Armand's wrist is submissive in itself, leaving the power in Armand's hands to pull away whenever he wants.

It's a show of respect for the power differential between them. Lestat knows Armand is far more powerful than he is, and doesn't need Lestat to be gentle or whatever - Lestat can't do anything to Armand without Armand allowing it. But after Lestat's staunch refusal of Armand's authority for weeks, Lestat is using a show of submission to appeal to Armand, to make him believe he's done being a little brat and ready to show Armand the respect he demanded.

Then the dominant way Armand grabs Lestat's face and turns it to the side for neck access, not waiting for permission, reinforcing this dynamic. Armand is going to take what he wants from Lestat and, now that Lestat is done 'misbehaving' and fighting back, Lestat is going to let him.

THEN when we fast forward, the power dynamic has flipped, and Lestat is showing a level of physical dominance over Armand. It's a similar trajectory of Louis and Armand's relationship, where Armand goes from dominant coven leader calling the shots to performing submission for someone far less powerful than he is.

Suddenly, Lestat is doing the neck biting (and initiating sex in public to showcase his acceptance of a dominant role with Armand.....just like Louis in 206)

The neck biting between Louis and Lestat is interesting because it is linked to violence in a way it isn't with Armand's relationships. Lestat bites Louis's neck in 105 (the clearest example of vampire-vampire biting as a form of violence as it occurs during a physical altercation/instance of physical abuse, as well as being a display of dominance)

And we don't see Louis bite Lestat in 106 but you can kind of see what I think are bite marks on the side of Lestat's neck when he returns to the household after their violent makeup sex, the most dominant Louis ever is with Lestat (obviously a very different undertone to the 105 biting because Louis was very forcefully overpowered in 105 and Lestat was allowing Louis to overpower him in 106; also a display of submission on Lestat's part)

(Also now that I'm watching the scene again, if you listen carefully after Louis stabs Lestat I THINK it sounds like the noises they use for biting/blood-sucking once Loustat are just offscreen)

I wonder if we will ever see Loustat sharing blood in a less violent, more sensual/recreational way like they both did with Armand? (I don't count the little drink because it was a human-vampire interaction that has a different dynamic from a vampire-vampire interaction) Or maybe Armand has a particular penchant for blood-sharing because of the dominance/submission implicit in the act? Interesting to contemplate...

[baylardian-1]

season 3 janeway hanging out with her kiddies more is a big fave era of the AU for meeeeeeeee <3 she's awkward at it but she's trying :')

Resolutions and Basics happen and it's the beginning of a shift for her in feeling like she actually wants to be a mother. It's a slow burn up through Coda which conveniently shares an anniversary with Threshold = their first birthday, seeing what she's missing (though the alien in Coda would probably try to frame it in her mind as being like "they're going to be fine without you" but she'd see it and be like "im missing these moments with them :(" and afterwords she'd finally make the decision to be more involved in their lives.

[rowenabean]

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[tenwhiteandalusians]

and then no one said anything about the fact that if i watched ONE MORE episode tenax pulls a "i'm not angry i'm just disappointed i'm hurt" about scorpus signing with the white faction.

[whiskeyswifty]

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