#like it'll open once and five words come out somehow

[jerswayman]

"what!? you got a warning? for jumping and things?" "for coming in too hot"

[w2soneshots]

Baby daddy -W2S

words: 0.9k+

warnings: angst, unplanned pregnancy.

summary: after a one night stand you find yourself pregnant with Harry’s baby, you go to Faith for advice then tell Harry. But how does he react?

notes: hello my loves😚. Here’s the request! I love this idea and I hope you all enjoy🧸🫶🏼

"No. There's no way. I'm gonna do another one." My brain rambled as I stared at the pregnancy test. I reached for the small box. It's empty. Within thirty minutes I had used the entire box, all positive. "This can't be happening. I can't be pregnant." I thought, in complete denial. I didn't know what to do with myself. It's not just any normal night I can't just eat dinner and go to sleep. I just found out that I'm pregnant with my friend's baby. I barely slept that night.

A week later I was still trying to process the news. I knew exactly when it had happened. One night (around five weeks ago) I went out with everyone for Freya's birthday. We all got really drunk and I had been touch deprived for so long that somehow I ended up waking up in Harry's apartment, next to him in his bed. Thankfully he was still asleep when I woke so I grabbed my things and bolted. We had completely ignored the fact that we had sex and since no one knew it wasn't really a problem. Until now.

I decided that I needed to talk to someone. I couldn't keep this bottled up for another second or I felt as though I might explode. Faith is who I choose to tell. I know I can trust her and she's my only friend who's actually a mum. "Hey. Are you free anytime today? x" I asked via text. She replied quickly. "Ethan's filming so I'm here with Olive all day. Do you wanna come here? xx" I let out a sigh of relief. "That would be great! I'll see you in 30 xx" "Come through the glass door. It'll be unlocked xx"

I quickly got ready into a sweat set, brushed my hair into a ponytail then grabbed my phone and left. I drove to Faith's house and in just twenty minutes was waiting for her to open the gate. Once I'd parked I hoped from the car. I walked round the house to the glass doors. Then slid it open. I heard Rolo barking then Faith came shuffling into the lounge. "Hi! How've you been?" She pulled me into a quick hug. "Uhm, pretty good." I replied. She furrowed her brows. "What's up?" Uncontrollable tears welled in my eyes. "Oh my god. Come sit." She led me over to the couch.

"Ok start from the beginning." She said once I had calmed down. I took a deep breath. "So you know when we went out for Freya's birthday?" "Mhm." She nodded. "Well I- um- I ended up at Harry's apartment." Her brows furrowed. "I barely remember it but I know we- you know-" "you had sex with Harry?!" She exclaimed.

"Wow. Have you talked about it since?" She asked. "No but I didn't come round to tell you about that." Her face contorted into confusion. "Oh, what did you want to talk about?" She softened. My eyes fluttered closed. "I'm pregnant." I whispered. She went silent. "Congratulations?" She wasn't sure what to say. "Thanks. I uh- I don't really know how to feel." "And it's Harry's?" I nodded. "Well you know I'm here if you need absolutely anything." I smiled lightly at her. "I know." She pulled me into a warm hug.

After I talked to Faith I decided it was time to tell Harry. He deserves to know. But I booked a doctor's appointment first, to one hundred percent confirm that I'm pregnant. I hadn't really had any symptoms other than the fact I had missed my period, which is why I took the test. After a quick blood test the nurse confirmed it. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I had been in complete denial the entire time and this made it real, I'm going to be a mother.

It was almost two weeks after I had found out when me and Harry eventually saw each other. I sent him a text and he had agreed to come round to my apartment. I hadn't told him much just that I needed to talk. When he arrived my heartbeat sped up and my palms began to sweat. I opened the door after taking a deep breath. I smiled lightly at him. "Hi. Come in." I stepped aside. He awkwardly walked in. We sat on my couch.

In seconds I blurted out "I'm pregnant." His mouth dropped open and the room fell silent. "You- what?" He stuttered. "I'm pregnant Harry." I repeated. He swallowed. "And it's mine?" I nodded. "Uh- I- wow." I didn't know what to do, he wasn't talking this very well. "Listen, I don't expect anything from you. I just thought you should know." I spoke softly. "I just- I-" suddenly he jumped from the sofa and bolted out of my apartment. I burst into tears. I really thought- well I wasn't sure what I thought.

I told Faith about the incident and she attempted to comfort me. "He just needs to process it. Like you did. He'll come around. Give him time." She had said. That calmed me and almost a week went by with nothing until I got a knock on my door. I pushed myself from the sofa, that I'd been sat on all day since I wasn't feeling the best. I froze when I saw Harry standing outside my door. He didn't give me time to say a word. "y/n please forgive me. I'm so sorry. I don't know why I reacted like that. I want to do this with you. I want to be a dad." He said quickly. A smile spread across my face. Then I stepped forward pulling his nervous frame into a soft hug.

Years later me and Harry sat in our beautiful house watching our two young kids playing together. Reminiscing about what brought us to this moment. Happy, content and in love.

[buckbuckbarnesstuff]

One-Shots

Get yourself a snack, enjoy these wonderful one-shots and leave some love for the creative writers :)

♤ - includes sexual themes

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In the red dark [5.8k] @sergeantxrogers

Tattoo artist!Bucky x Reader

His eyes trapped yours in their vice-like grip as he stared up at you, fingers brushing against the hem of your jeans, and you swallowed heavily. You felt the rush of alcohol in your head fizzle out into smoke and embers as you sobered up quicker than you ever have in your life.

"Are you sure?"

You swallowed again. Nodded.

There was a small twitch in his eyebrows, and he narrowed his gaze. "It'll hurt."

Despite your heartbeat drowning out all sounds around you, despite the cold sweat on the back of your neck, despite the knowledge that you'll probably regret this - whatever this actually was - in the morning, you smiled.

"Then I guess I'll just have to hold your hand."

{personal comment: This does something to me, I can’t even explain it, but I enjoyed it so much and I would love to read more}

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The forever third wheels [6.6] @witchywithwhiskey

Bucky x reader

summary: it's the weekend of your town's annual valentine's day carnival and you go with your group of friends, though you can't help but be sad you don't have someone special in your life. your friend, and fellow third wheel, bucky barnes makes it his mission to give you a valentine's day you won't soon forget—and show you how special you are to him.

{personal comment: I live for a good friends to lovers and this is perfect. Bucky is such a sweetheart and I got all the feels during reading}

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In Five Years [4.9k] @elixirfromthestars

Bucky x Enhanced!Reader

Summary: Bucky was having a hard time expressing his feelings about finally being free from the Winter Soldier program. To help him out, you suggested writing a letter to his future self and burying it in a time capsule to visit this moment again in the future. The plan was to open the time capsule five years from now. That was until Thanos showed up.

[personal comment: I love reading about Bucky in Wakanda and this amazing piece made me feel so many things at once. It mainly made me cry but it’s so beautiful, I love it so much}

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Redamancy [7.3k] @renxzs

Roommate!Bucky x reader

Summary: Maybe it was a bit naive to think moving in with your best friend and long-time crush, Bucky Barnes, was going to be some smooth road that led to an admittance of mutual feelings for one another and a happily-ever-after ending, wrapped up nicely in a bow. Naive indeed; especially when you have to consider the fact that Bucky is the biggest womanizer you know.

{personal comment: My heart broke and healed again during reading this. It’s perfectly written and means so much to me. I come back to this fic from time to time}

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Light, asunder [8.9k] @divine-mistake

Merc!Bucky x Prinzess!Reader

Summary: “Don’t ever do that again.” It would sound like his usual chastising, but Bucky’s voice is soft. If you weren’t crying so hard, struggling to catch your breath, maybe you would hear the note of fear within his words. “Don’t care how mad you get, don’t care how much I piss you off. You don’t go running off into the woods where I can’t find you, Star. Never again.”

You curl your fingers into the fabric of his shirt, right above where his heart lay beating in his chest, and hope he realizes that it’s a promise. A swear.

{personal comment: This is so magical somehow and I love it so much. Bucky growing soft and protective always has me weak}

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Here's Looking At You, Kid [7.2k] @cryonme

Boxer!Bucky x reader

Summary: bucky hated his job just as much, if not more, than you did. but if you wanted to live the remainder of your lives together comfortably, you'd both have to stick it out. which included him having to fight your ex husband.

{personal comment: I've been going through so much while reading this fic, it’s truly beautiful. Bucky's love for the reader and the remorse for hurting her by getting hurt himself was so touching}

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The Key Jangle [9.3k] @delaber

Bucky x reader

Summary: Sick and tired of your many recent bad dates, you’re dreading yet another Valentine’s Day alone. When Bucky offers to show you what a night out is supposed to look like according to him, you get to experience what it’s like to date your best friend.

{personal comment: Bucky is so charming and sweet and that date was amazing. I really enjoyed reading it}

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Stiches [3.6k] @teamatsumu

Doctor!Bucky x reader

Summary: You’re just a clueless new medical student. You’re not equipped to deal with charming, witty, handsome doctors. Especially not ones with pretty blue eyes that make you weak in the knees.

{personal comment: I'm all in for Bucky as a doctor and this was lovely written}

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Warm Comforts [2.1k] @jadedvibes

Beefy roommate!Bucky x reader

Summary: A sudden breakup causes you to feel self-doubt and insecurity about your situation. Fortunately, it’s nothing your sweet roommate and a little Legally Blonde can’t fix.

{personal comment: Bucky is so attentive and sweet, it made me yearn for him so much}

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Before sunset, I fell [4.5k] @atlaese ♤

Modern!Bucky x reader

Summary: Apparently, when you stay in the honeymoon suite, the husband and the ring on your left hand come with the package. *terms and conditions apply. refunds are not issued.

{personal comment: The beginning had me hooked already and charming and flirty Bucky is a blessing. I really enjoyed this}

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Under the Sheets [3.9k] @vanderlustwords

Bucky x reader

Summary: Bucky spends more time out of his dorm than in it with how much his roommate amorously makes love to his girlfriend. Luckily, his cute across-the-hall neighbor is generous about lending her place to him. Bucky’s unsure if he wants to hug or kiss his roommate for putting him in the situation he is in now. 

{personal comment: I enjoyed reading this, and Bucky being so cute}

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Too hot, An Arm Cold [2.9k] @t-lostinworlds

Bucky x reader

Summary: Cuddles from Bucky Barnes was probably one of the greatest things ever. But it was difficult to prove that point true in the middle of a heatwave while the apartment air conditioner was broken. Good thing he has a cold metal arm.

{personal comment: This is so wholesome and sweet, the perfect amount of fluff}

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These cold rooftops [3.6k] @atlaese

Avenger!Bucky x Vigilante!Reader

Summary: You're just doing your job as the local vigilante in new york, why can't bucky barnes leave you alone? Spoiler alert: He is very much in love with you, even though he has never seen your face.

{personal comment: This was nice to read, I enjoyed their interactions}

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Me & the devil [11.2k] @artficlly

Outlaw!Bucky x Saloon girl!Reader

Summary: The Diamondback Saloon and Hotel has always attracted bad men, and Bucky Barnes happens to be one of them

{personal comment: It was so thrilling to read this, the built up to the angst is amazing and I've been on edge the whole time reading this. I'm in love with this and the writing style and it deserves so much more recognition}

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Keeping Score @all1e23

Bucky x reader Fake-Dating AU

Summary: After hearing you begging Steve to pretend to be your fake boyfriend to keep your family off your back, Bucky quickly jumps at the chance to play your boyfriend even though you’re a hundred percent sure he hates you. What could possibly go wrong?

{personal comment: Bucky is such a charmer, but also so perceptive and soft. This gave me the feels, I really liked it}

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Spilled wine [3.3k] @sunmoonandeddie

King!Bucky x reader

Summary: You’re nothing more than a servant who happens to warm the bed of the king.  At least, that’s what you thought you were.

{personal comment: This gave me so many butterflies. Bucky is so perfect, it was truly lovely to read}

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Happy Mistake @sunlightdances

College!Bucky x College!Reader

Summary: Being assigned roommates with Bucky. He's a giant and looks like he's a bully, but he's actually so shy and soft.

{personal comment: Bucky being a cute, but oblivious idiot always is endearing. Felt bad for the reader throughout, but I'm glad it turned out so sweet}

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Deny me [3.2k] @drewbarymore

Biker!Bucky x reader

Summary: In which you feel like Bucky’s ashamed of you.

{personal comment: I felt so many things reading this. Bucky is such a perfect boyfriend and a sweet dork, we gotta love him}

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Heavy bruising [14.2k] @aeaean--bliss

Bucky x reader

Summary: A court-mandated therapy session brings you and Bucky back together after months of not speaking, bringing up memories of the mission that fucked everything up in the first place.

{personal comment: I feel like I just watched a movie. This is truly a masterpiece. The angst, the writing style, the reader's sarcasm and the way Bucky speaks his mind at the end - so beautiful}

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11:59 pm, December 31 [1.7k] @lunarbuck

bestfriend!bucky x Reader College AU

Summary: You've been in love with your best friend Bucky Barnes since fourth grade, but to him, you're just his best friend. It's New Year's Eve, maybe tonight will be different.

{personal comment: This got me so excited at the end, Bucky made me swoon}

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Dust to Dust [7.4k] @autumnsghosts

Bucky x reader

Summary: When you come back from the blip in the graveyard having just been at your grandmother’s funeral, the cemetery seems like the safest place to be. Cleaning old gravestones had certainly never been a dream of yours, but now you find yourself there most days, scraping dirt and moss and algae from stones of people long dead and most likely long forgotten. It also doesn't hurt that a certain blue-eyed super soldier visits the cemetery weekly, placing flowers over two plots.

{personal comment: I didn’t really know what to expect the first time starting this, but it really moved me in a way I can’t explain. Bucky is so genuine and it was lovely to read about the way they bonded}

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You're my home [2.5k] @whitexwolfxx310 ♤

Bucky x reader

Summary: Your wedding night!

{personal comment: I love it soft and sweet and this is perfect}

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Different now [6k] @drabbles-mc ♤

Bucky x Ex!Wife!Reader

Summary: For Week 5 of @buckybarnesevents Hot Bucky Summer 2024: We're Exes

{personal comment: My heart is burning and my stomach is in knots but this is beautifully written and so deeply touching}

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Bribe the super [5.8k] @real-jane

Firefighter!Bucky x Rogers!Reader

Summary: You have a very hot neighbor. He happens to think the same of you.

{personal comment: This was an absolutely endearing read and I enjoyed it so much, had me smiling a lot}

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I won't mind [6.5k] @gxrlcinema

40's!Bucky Barnes x Widow!Reader, Reader x OMC (Past)

Summary: Your old pal Bucky only has a few hours before he goes off to war. Somehow, he winds up spending them with you.

{personal comment: I bawled my eyes out reading this. It’s beautifully written and so touching. I love those conversations}

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Citrus, Miniature Sun [6.4k] @babycap

Bucky x reader

Summary: Steve's getting married, and as much as it thrills you that one-third of your 'to the end of the line' trio is getting hitched, it also fills you with dread at the prospect of your ex-fiance also being on the guest list. Luckily for you, the other third of your trio (who you are most certainly, absolutely not in love with) has a plan. A childhood friends-to-lovers, fake dating AU fic.

{personal comment: It’s perfect and utterly beautiful in so many aspects and I felt so deeply. Bless Bucky for being the best man to only exist in fiction, but I won't ever let go of him, or this fic}

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Jack Pendleton [6.2k] @roger-that-cap

Author!Bucky x reader

Summary: moving into an apartment to get away from your last relationship was fun all fun and games until you met your extremely attractive across-the-hall neighbor, who makes awesome cookies and even better novels.

{personal comment: This was exciting and also really interesting. I was invested, really sweet fic}

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You are in love [3.9k] @viperbarnes

Bucky x reader

Summary: You can hear it in the silence. You can feel it on the way home. You can see it with the lights out, you are in love.

{personal comment: The way this relationship is portrayed just stunns me. It’s beautiful, real and domestic and I found myself lost in it}

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Call it love [10.7k] @sweetascanbee

Bucky x reader

Summary: As much of an expert as you were in pain, Bucky Barnes had introduced you to a novel strain, a kind of pain that encased your entire being down to the last atom, the kind of pain that left you breathless and sated, and yet still, wanting more.

{personal comment: I love to read about Bucky in Wakanda and this really hit me deep. It’s raw and geniune and just so insanely beautiful, I needed to take a break off the internet after that to fix my thoughts and feelings}

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Saints into the sea [7.4k] @babycap

Bucky x reader

Summary: Drunk jealous Bucky cockblocking the reader bc of his big dumb feelings

{personal comment: All the emotions portrayed and felt were so perfectly captured and I felt like watching a movie. The descriptions, the metaphors... It’s just truly amazing}

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[hannieween]

opening night | backstage series | l.sm

“Just play along,” he said softly, his lips curving into a playful smile as he leaned his head to kiss you deeply in front of everyone who, until that night, thought you were heartbroken for someone else.

♡︎ pairing: lee seokmin x afab!reader ♡︎ genre: smut. 18+ mdni you'll get blocked ♡︎ word count: 9.3k ♡︎ aus: theatre performer!seokmin, fake dating with benefits

₊🎧: love me a little – shownu x hyungwon

₊ nsfw tags under the cut

♡︎ a/n: i am only posting this for fun, but do let me know if you like it pls pls pls. thought of this idea while doing the dishes, quite literally.

♡︎ warnings: swearing, alcohol use, minor mentions of drugs, pet names: baby, noodle (hers), smut with plot, soft dom seokmin, big dick seokmin, seokmin is kind of a simp, teasing, making out, sexual tension, unprotected sex, couch sex, creampie, hand kink, fingering (f), oral sex (f), reader is quite dramatic, might contain some minor spelling or grammar mistakes and for that i'm sorry.

part 1

Nothing could compare to opening night jitters. There were some shows in which you didn't feel this nervous, small shows, small audiences or those times you had to act in front of other colleagues. It always made you jittery in some way. Tonight, the feeling of not being able to breathe was worse.

It was as if a bubble of air got trapped in your chest, and no matter how much you breathed in and out, nothing could get rid of it.

And not to mention the inescapable tunnel vision. It was something you suspected that it only happened to you, though. You could not focus on anything at all. Food? Not hungry. Thirsty? Maybe. But those were things that you could tend to once the first show is over.

"Shit. I think I forgot my lines," you blurt out with a shaky sigh.

The script was lying on the single chair propped in front of the vanity mirror. But the dressing room was so crowded with people getting ready that you just didn't see the chance of reading out some of it again.

"You know," someone started behind you, "for someone who has been doing this for years, you certainly can't control your pre-show emotions."

You didn't have to turn to know whose voice it was. "Sorry," you reply shortly. "I haven't done this in a short while."

"Well, put yourself together. We begin in five." Minghao told you. He was just finishing dressing the supporting cast, so he gave you a look.

"What?" you say, and look down at what you were wearing, thinking that somehow you had managed to ruin your dress that he carefully confected for your role.

Minghao grabbed you by the shoulders, a soft smile began to show on his lips and he said. "You're going to do alright. Just breathe, and show them what you're worth. It'll be over in two hours."

And with that, you released a long sigh. "Thank you."

"Anytime," he nodded, patting you on the head. "Is that Soonyoung's vest?" He said suddenly, snatching the vest from a chair and exiting your dressing room. "Soonyoung, come here you little rascal!"

It has been about five months since you stepped on a stage. So, there were a few things you need to get a hold on before the show begun. You used to have a pre-show ritual, which consisted in getting into character as much as possible.

However, things changed when you had to take a break after you and your ex called it quits. Now, you don't feel as connected to that ritual anymore. Besides, you haven't had a lead role in a play since your final year at uni.

It usually got really quiet backstage when the show was about to start. Everyone was aware that voices carry all the way to the audience, so movements were quiet, and noises kept at minimal. You closed your eyes for a moment before going to the stage and play your part.

Opening nights were always a challenge. Despite rigorous rehearsals, you were faced with doubt, often believing you could spot the smallest flaws and exaggerating them to fix them.

But this opening night was sort of different. You felt at ease. Exhilarated, even. Once the play was over and you finished bowing to the audience, you went back to the dressing rooms to get rid of your dress and make up.

You changed into something more comfortable. And as you were cleaning your face, you listened to the other girls in the dressing room gush about the people they saw at the seats. Apparently some more renowned actors had come to see the play, as well as some journalists.

That made you think that you didn't invite someone to come see you. You did your part to promote the play in social media, but nothing more.

However, you did see some familiar faces as you made your way out of the dressing room. Seokmin and Seungkwan were bantering loudly about something unbeknownst to you, their voices and laughter were so sounding that you were quick to locate them.

Seungkwan had Seokmin on a playful chokehold when they both saw you. Before you could ask, Seungkwan snapped his head at you. "We're settling a matter like men. Be there with you in a sec," at the same time that Seokmin blurted through his teeth: "Help."

"Ah, they're at it again," you turned to see Soonyoung who was throwing a backpack over his shoulder. "Seokmin has been teasing Kwannie a lot these days."

"What else is new?" you hummed.

You two watched for a brief moment, only to Soonyoung turn to you and chirp. "Anyway, want to leave these two behind and go buy some booze? 'S on me."

You watched his cheeks grow fuller as he pursed his lips. He had one thumb raised, pointing towards the exit.

"That sounds great," you say, grabbing him by the arm.

You turned to the exit, leaving your two other friends fight over yet another stupid thing.

The cold air of autumn hit your face as soon as Soonyoung pushed the door open.

"So," Soonyoung begun and suddenly you knew what was coming, "how you've been?"

The question was simple. But you knew what he meant.

"I've been doing okay, Hoshi," you replied shortly. "You don't need to worry about me."

He hummed. "You can talk to me anytime. You know that, right?"

You two arrived at the liquor store. It was friday night, so there was a couple of people buying alcohol for the night.

"You have done enough for me," you gave him a reassuring smile. "Letting me crash in your apartment for months until I found something for my own is something I will always be grateful for."

He sighed. "You don't have to do that. And you don't owe me anything, you dumbass."

"Do what?" you objected.

"You're avoiding it," he shrugged. "But hey, you don't wanna talk about it, fine. I'll wait."

You smiled and slapped the front of his cap down. "Come on, Soonyoung. Don't get all sappy on me. This is supposed to be a fun night."

He finally smirked, fixing his cap. "Right. Soju."

When Seungkwan and Seokmin finally got to the liquor store, they were sweaty and panting, they probably had to run to catch up with you and Soonyoung. But they were laughing about something as you reunited with them on the sidewalk outside the store.

"Hi there, noodle," Seokmin raised his hand and patted your head at the same time that his other hand reached for the six pack of beer you were holding to carry it himself.

You cringed at the name he used to call you. Which was born after a professor called you only by noodle arms in a dance class you four had to take at uni.

"Dk, it's been ages since you called me that," you whined, but as soon as he propped his arm around your shoulders you couldn't help but smile in his familiar warmth.

"Well, I've suddenly forgotten your name. You're Noodle now," he spoke in an old man's tone. But broke in a laugh as you poked his rib with your finger. "Sorry."

You walked in pairs towards the fancy apartment building down the street.

"Were you in the audience?" you asked.

"Yeah, obviously. Soonyoung wouldn't shut up about the play for weeks," he pressed his lips into a smile. "Besides, it's your first lead role in a while, I wouldn't have missed it."

"Did you like it?"

Seungkwan turned, and you understood he could listen on everything you and Seokmin were saying. "He fell asleep. Obviously," he sassed.

"I dozed off for two minutes!" Seokmin bellowed, but a wide smile formed on his face. "I did get to see your parts, though. And Soonyoung's."

"Thanks for coming, guys."

"No problem," Seokmin smiled briefly. "Hey, I heard that you moved out of Soonyoung's. Why didn't you tell me? I could've helped."

Just five months ago, your world turned upside down when you found out your ex had been cheating on you for weeks. To make matters worse, it was with that one girl he told you not to worry about.

You had to move out of the apartment you shared with your ex, leaving behind many things you couldn't take with you. That is when Soonyoung came to your rescue and offered his place for you to crash for a while.

"Well, I didn't need much help anyways. It was just a few boxes, really."

"I was still sad you didn't call though. You haven't even shared your new address," he pouted as he spoke, and you could tell he was joking. "It made me contemplate the whole meaning of our friendship, you know."

You snorted. "Not you too," you exclaimed. "First, Hoshi gets all corny with me and now you."

He showed a downturned smile. "You know I'm only playing with you. Soonyoung, however, thinks you're still a ticking time bomb."

You glanced at your friends, who were walking some steps ahead of you. Soonyoung was showing Seungkwan some TikToks he recorded for the company's official account, so you were out of their earshot.

"And you don't?" you asked.

He shrugged, looking at the floor as you made your way towards the tall building's lobby. "I think you're doing alright. Better than any of us would in your position. Honestly."

You let out a long sigh. "I just wish that people would stop asking me about it. I'm tired of it, the pity treatment, the tiptoeing around the subject."

"Well, you can't just expect us to not worry," he said softly.

"I know," you coincided.

You were still walking together, since Seokmin had his arm in your shoulders. Lately he did it often, and you didn't mind. You liked the the warmth with which he always treated you.

"I sometimes think that I was emotionally checked out from the relationship some time before I found out," you say, and felt that you could've dropped a bomb with that confession.

"So that's why you don't want to talk about it," he reasoned, his brow furrowed, deep in thought.

"I think so," you shrugged. "But I'm being honest when I say that I'm okay."

"And I believe you," he assented, pulling you closer for a brief moment and then dropped his arm from your shoulders. "I won't bring it up again."

The four of you entered the elevator that took you to the large apartment of the show's director, who was a young man you knew from your early days at uni. He had suddenly found his way through and had started to direct full plays in local theatres. His name was Yoon Jeonghan. And he hosted a party for every opening night.

It was your first time in that apartment. You knew the director in person, however, the three guys riding with you in the elevator knew him better, as they have had more roles than you these past few months.

You feel a slight tug to your side. "You know he's most likely going to be there, right?" Seungkwan said quietly, eyeing you with caution.

"I know," you mumbled. "'M going to be alright."

Now, why would you go to a place where you probably would encounter you cheating ex? Some part within you was deeply uninterested to see him again. And the other part was just enraged that he somehow mattered in your life still.

The opening night after party was almost like a tradition now, at least for most of the people who were close to Jeonghan.

The apartment was crowded, and you could tell it was set up to avoid bothering the neighbours. It had cushioned, soundproof walls, shaded windows, speakers kept at a reasonable volume, and many guests were congregating on the spacious terrace.

Jeonghan was a great host. He was kind of shy, but eager to meet everyone personally. He welcomed you with a warm smile, however he did hug the boys as they stepped into his large apartment.

You were quickly left to your own devices as your three friends were absorbed into the group of partygoers. Then you remembered how popular they have been since you met them.

The trio kind of took you in from that point forward because you were the one who organized university projects and stayed on top of schoolwork. But short after that, you found a close group of friends who were always there for you.

You decided that the only way you were going to get through the night was with some alcohol in your system. You weren't either an introvert or extrovert, you always thought you were in some middle point.

But your ex was there, sitting outside in the terrace with a girl beside him. You never knew the girl he cheated on you personally, but you knew it was her.

You snorted.

Suddenly, you felt a hand at your back. Seokmin looked at you, wariness in his eyes that dissipated quickly. "Want something to drink?"

"Yeah," you nodded.

"I feel like a bad influence," he simulated a shudder. "It's exciting."

You two downed your first glass of soju.

A few moments, the one glass of soju turned into the whole bottle. You drank while singing karaoke with strangers or with your friends. You drank while meeting new people and getting to know those who were part of your cast.

As you said, you were alright.

You just finished singing a song in the karaoke with Seokmin, who could hold his liquor a lot better than you. Both of you laughed at the way you couldn't keep up with the lyrics anymore and became a slurry mess.

"Never again," you say as the karaoke score marked a 10% on the screen.

"Remind me to never let you do this again," he agreed, teary eyed and red on the face from laughing with you.

The microphones were passed to other people, and soon after that, the party settled for just music.

Your chest still hurt from laughing.

"I'll go get some air," you announced a bit breathlessly as you made your way to the terrace.

Suddenly, Seokmin's hand made its way to your waist again and you glanced at him, his face had hardened.

And then you understood why.

As you were heading outside, your ex was leaving the terrace with his new girlfriend causing an awkward encounter. Your ex gave you a casual nod as if you were friends still, and his new girlfriend shot you a sly smirk as your arms brushed past each other.

"Hey, y/n," your ex goaded as they made their way inside the apartment.

You didn't reply.

Within this awkward exchange, you don't know how Seokmin's hand ended up intertwined with yours.

The air on the terrace smelled like a mixture of weed, vape and cigarettes. But it was cruelly cold enough to cool your body.

Seokmin mumbled something under his breath. And you noticed he was glancing at the back of your ex's neck with a scowl on his face.

You squeezed his hand, still not knowing how he grabbed you.

"How drunk are you?" he asked, his face was still serious.

"A bit. I think I'm beginning to sober up."

"Good," he breathed, pushing his bangs from his forehead and with them his furrowed brow. "Can you do something for me, noodle?"

You hit him in the shoulder. "Don't call me that," you smiled. "What do you want?"

"How about," he begun, not letting go of your hand, "I pretend to be your date for the night? Make the bastard realize he has no room in your life anymore."

"What," you blurt out and blinked feeling a bit perplexed at his offer. "You've finally lost it, Seokmin."

"I'm sorry. I know I said I wouldn't bring it up again. But I hate the way he thinks you still give a shit about him."

"I don't," you blinked.

"Then why would he go out of his way to even speak to you?" he countered.

"Seokmin, are you angry?" you gasped.

You could count on the fingers of your hand the number of times you'd seen Seokmin angry. And the other times it didn't matter because he was more the sulky type when something was bothering him. But at that moment, he was pissed off.

"A bit, yeah," he admitted with a sigh, but immediately flashed a sincere smile, almost as if his anger was a little embarrassing to him. He raised his brow. "But my offer still stands, though."

"D'you think it will work?" you mused.

"It might tell your ex a thing or two about leaving you alone. And as a plus, everyone else will also stop asking you about what happened between you and him." Seokmin added, almost casually.

You glanced towards the other end of the terrace briefly, and realized that Seungkwan was eyeing you too, a worried look on his eye as you caught him.

Licking his lips, he grabbed you by the shoulders. "What do you say?" He seemed relaxed, even focused; he tilted his head slightly as he looked into your eyes.

You held his gaze, listening to his words. Realizing that they were very much real and that Seokmin was dead serious about it.

Then, you realize how close you were to his body. His hands slid from your shoulders to your arms, where he traced soft lines with his fingers.

"Just for tonight," you murmured, but it came out sounding like a question.

"As long as you want," he offered. One hand found your chin, his fingers pressing softly on your hot skin.

You looked at his dark brown eyes. The relaxed look on his face was almost unsettling. As if he knew your answer already.

"Deal," you breathed.

His fingers angled your face towards him. "Just play along." He said softly, his lips curving into a playful smile as he leaned his head to kiss you deeply in front of everyone who, until that night, thought you were heartbroken for someone else.

Your hands found the back of his head, burying your fingers in his soft copper hair. You couldn't ignore that it had been a long while since your body felt so ablaze. Maybe it was the remaining alcohol on your system doing its part.

But even before you and your ex split, you felt kind of longing for the touch of someone. Something real. And although Seokmin was playing a role as he did on stage, kissing him felt different. It felt good.

As the kiss deepened, his tongue brushed your lower lip almost hungrily and you thought your knees might buckle under the shudder. A moan was quickly supressed in his mouth when his hand moved from your face to the back of your hair, his fingers tangling in a soft fist.

"I never imagined you'd be this good of a kisser," you confess.

Your chests were now pressed together, so you felt him chuckle. "Well, you know now," his demeanour had changed completely.

You wanted to look if anyone had seen you. But Seokmin was quick to read your intentions. He grabbed your chin again softly, forcing you to keep looking at him.

"Act normal," he ordered quietly with a look of endearment on his face, as if he were saying something sweet to you.

"I've never done this before," you sighed.

"I can tell," he smiled sweetly.

"Don't tell me you've done this before!"

He removed his hands from you, and made a gesture with his head, pointing towards the couch on the terrace. "Come with me."

You sat next to him, and as you did so, you saw Seungkwan's face, he was looking over at you both with an expression on his face that clearly read, 'what the fuck?' to you.

Seokmin scooted close to you on the couch, and placed one hand on you thigh and his other hand rested on his own thigh.

"I haven't done this before either," he confessed. "But you're an actress, and I'm an actor. We can act this out."

You snorted. "Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Lee Seokmin," you said drily.

Seokmin was smiling sweetly at you. Your shoulders were pressed together and your thighs were also so close that you might as well just sit on his lap. You fought against the thought.

"Then, act like you're my girl," he said idly, leaning down to place a kiss on your cheek.

An exhilarating feeling roused deep within you. You fixated on how comfortable his hand on your thigh looked, and the ease to which Seokmin took your face with his other hand and captured your lips with his.

Your hand met the one that was holding the side of your face.

"Afraid to put on a little show?" he coaxed.

A smirk crept on your lips, almost involuntarily you find yourself saying. "What do you want me to do?"

He blinked slowly, almost as if he was a little startled by your new demeanour. "Just relax." he put in softly. "And if you don't like something, tell me. Okay?"

You nod. "Okay."

His thumb caressed your jawline softly, before pressing his lips with yours. What started as a sweet kiss, slowly evolved to a enticing one. His mouth explored yours, biting softly at your lower lip, and his tongue lapping yours, testing what made you whimper or what made your hand clasp his.

You rested your forehead against his for a bit, catching your breath. "I hate that you are so good at this."

He laughed, taking one strand of hair and tucking it behind your ear. "Why is that?" he asked quietly.

"Dunno. I never thought of you as anything other than my friend."

His eyebrows shot up. "You never thought of me doing this?" he asked almost amazed.

"You did?" you quipped with half a smile.

Then you thought of doing something with your hands, since they were laying flat on your thighs. You pushed some strands of hair from Seokmin's forehead, and brushed the hair that you had messed up when you kissed.

His eyelids fluttered briefly. "I mean, I did wondered."

You pointed a finger to his face. "Don't lie, Seokmin."

He smiled sheepishly. "I just wondered what you'd be like. Honest."

"And?" you ask.

Seokmin shrugged. "You're not terrible."

The tingling sensation in the lower pit your stomach only intensified. Almost as if Seokmin had just challenged you. You laughed at his words, seeing his chapped lips smile at your reaction.

You locked your lips with his again, but this time more confidently, and your slipped your tongue to meet his. Your hands grabbed his face, and travelled to the sides of his neck, earning a small moan from him.

Feeling embarrassed, you broke away to breathe. If Seokmin noticed that you were getting all worked up, he said nothing about it. Yeah, you were both actors and have known each other for years, but you were human. And somehow Seokmin knew where to put his hands and how to kiss you perfectly.

You pulled out your phone from your pocket and opened your camera. Seokmin understood immediately and took your phone from your hands and angled it to capture you both for a few photos.

He took photos of you leaning your head on his shoulder, one in which you kiss him on his cheek and he smiles, and another one of him kissing the top of your head.

The photos would be kept in your album, as you didn't intend on actually posting them. Not yet anyway.

You tried not to think too hard about how crazy this all was. A part of you didn't feel awkward, as if the familiarity of his body near yours was meant to be this way anyway.

Testing your own boundaries, you turned to him, grabbing his chin to kiss him again, and you realized just how much you liked his lips on yours. But you didn't think it was anything else.

You nuzzled to his side softly. "D'you think that was enough of a show?" you mumbled to his ear, feeling embarrassed that you were so breathless from kissing.

You felt Seokmin smile again as if you had just spoken sweet nothings to his ear. "I think. Wanna get out of here?"

"Sounds good to me."

You stood up from the couch at the same time as Seokmin. He promptly grabbed your hand and interlocked your fingers in his. As you made your way out of there, you and Seokmin waved at your friends goodbye. Making a show that you were leaving hand in hand with Seokmin.

As soon as you stepped on the elevator, your phone buzzed in your pocket. Before you saw the screen, you knew what you were about to read.

[10:39 PM] boo: hello ??? [10:39 PM] boo: wtf are you doing? [10:40 PM] you: wdym? [10:40 PM] boo: with dk ?? [10:40 PM] boo: since when ?

"We have to come up with a story," you tell Seokmin, who was leaning his back against the wall of the elevator.

He was looking at his own phone. And you couldn't help but eye at his lithe fingers. You sighed, pushing your thoughts away.

"I agree," he said and showed you his screen. Messages from Seungkwan and Soonyoung were popping on the screen so urgently that you couldn't read any.

You buried your hands in your pockets along with your phone. "I think we did stir up some waters," you muttered.

Seokmin pressed his lips into a content smile. "Hopefully they stop nagging you with questions of your ex."

"They're going to ask questions about you now," you countered with a smile. "Though I rather talk about you than that jerk."

"That is the plan," Seokmin smirked.

"Why, though?" you find yourself asking.

Seokmin eyed you for a second. "At first it was because I really despise your ex," he confessed. "But I think I'm obligated to tell you that I really liked it. The attention."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"Promise?" you insist.

He came to a full stop on the sidewalk and you were force to stop too. Seokmin held out one pinky finger towards you wordlessly.

You breathed out with a smile. "This is not necessary." You say, linking your finger with his.

It wasn't just a pinky promise. It was something your group of friends took too seriously. You didn't lie to each other, and promising it with your pinkies could very well serve as an oath.

It was childish. But your friend group liked it that way.

Seokmin walked you to your apartment building, which also served as a way to show him where you lived now.

"Talk to you tomorrow," Seokmin said as he pull you into a bear hug and patted your head affectionately.

"Sure," you said.

He watched as you entered the building, and waved at you goodbye before disappearing behind the elevator doors.

Someone peeked over your shoulder to look at your phone screen to the point where you can feel their breath on your neck.

That someone was Boo Seungkwan.

You've been typing nonstop for five minutes, your fingernails snapping at the screen in a frenzy.

"Stop snooping," you tried to tell him while typing.

The coffee shop where you both work part-time has been quiet, as it's almost 9 p.m. and you're both about to clock out. There have only been a couple of passing customers during the last hour of your shift, so your attention has been diverted elsewhere.

You hear a sigh and then, "So you're not going to tell me what happened yesterday?"

"'Bout what?" you said absentmindedly.

"About what happened with Seokmin," he answered pointedly.

"What about it? We just kissed."

You heard him scoff. "You two did not just kissed, you made out on a dirty couch. And then you both disappeared for the rest of the night. Yeah, you're not fucking fooling me."

You didn't find it strange to hear him curse. He's been your friend for years, ever since you met at university. But he's lately been expressing his annoyance with you for your decisions, so you hear him cursing a lot more lately.

That is what pulled your gaze from the phone screen. "Don't put it like that. The couch was decent."

He rolled his eyes, and cursed some more. "Now, you're trying to be coy. The couch doesn't matter. What matters is that you kissed with your friend, our friend!"

"And? We're two consenting adults," you shrugged while trying to keep a straight face. But you couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed.

"Are you guys a thing then?"

You stared at him, racking your brain to come up with an answer.

A customer entered the shop at the same time you opened your mouth to tell Seungkwan everything that happened last night. Somehow, you didn't see far up ahead your actions and didn't think Seungkwan would react like this. So you feel secretly grateful that the customer drove you away from that conversation.

"Listen," Seungkwan said as soon as you two finished closing up. "I really don't care what you two are, I just hate it when you keep me in the dark on important stuff like this. Before last night, I though you were still broken over Youngho."

You two usually walked home together whenever you had to close the shop. Seungkwan lived a couple of blocks away from you so you kept each other company.

You contemplated sharing with him that what happened with Seokmin was improvised on the spot. That you were just as surprised with the turn of events as he was. But, telling him would just trump the deal you had struck with Seokmin.

And you were a bit too greedy to let that happen.

"I'm sorry, Seungkwan. I know it was shitty of me to not mention anything," you found yourself saying with a small shrug.

"That and playing dumb," he said, shooting a resentful glance at you.

"Yeah, and playing dumb or whatever," you said, rolling your eyes but couldn't help but smile. "How can I make it up to you?"

"Can you cover me on monday morning?" he answered a bit too quickly.

You snorted. "Sure. But only if you promise to stop berating me."

"I am not berating you."

You continued walking to the apartment complex in silence. For a short bit, though. You knew what was coming.

"So you two are a thing or not?"

"Sorta," you shrugged again.

"Sorta," he parroted.

You stopped at the door of the building where you live.

The weather was cold, to the point that Seungkwan's breath could be seen as he sighed with a weak smile.

"Well, just don't fuck this up, okay?" he said, raising his eyebrows. "I know that you are a big girl and can take care of yourself but, just don't do something stupid just because you can't move on."

"I got it, Kwannie," you tried to brush off with a hand gesture. "I promise not to fuck it up, okay?"

"See you tomorrow." He turned around and walked towards two buildings down the street, where he lived with his roommate Vernon.

"See ya!"

In the elevator, you scrambled for your keys, which were in the pocket of your jacket. You tried to play it cool with Seungkwan, however couldn't help but feel anxiety pulsating on your stomach as the elevator doors opened with a ding noise.

Seokmin lifted his head to the sound, he was leaning back next to your apartment door, phone in his hand. "Hi there," he said with a soft smile that reached his eyes.

"Hi. Have you been waiting long?"

He stood up straight and pocketed his phone as you walked to the door and opened it. You glanced sideways at him, he was wearing the oversized hoodie from last night, but instead of jeans he was now wearing grey sweat shorts.

"Nope. Just ten minutes."

"I couldn't shake off Seungkwan's prying," you informed, as you both entered your apartment.

You closed the door behind you two, removing your boots at the entrance. Seokmin followed suit and removed his Nike's, carefully placing them next to your boots.

"I imagined as much," he hummed. He still had a content smile on his face.

You two held each others gaze for a moment. Only to realize that you hadn't even turned on the lights, or fully invited him to your apartment.

"Make yourself at home," you chimed, turning on the lights of the living space. It was empty except for the lone large sofa, a TV screen perilously propped up on a plastic table, and a pile of boxes from when you moved out of your ex's apartment.

Seokmin smirked.

"I haven't had the chance to unpack yet... or buy more furniture," you murmured briefly.

He noticed the pillow and the pile of blankets that were tossed in the couch. "I assume that you don't have a bed yet, either."

"I just have the bed frame," you reply as you remove the pillow out of the way and fold the blankets in half. "It's still packaged, though."

"Hey, don't think I'm judging you," he raised the palms of his hands innocently. "I use to sleep on the floor at a friend's place when I got to this city, remember?"

Seokmin was a great friend. If you could describe him succinctly, it would be that. A great friend. You knew he wasn't judging you, since the curiosity in his smiling eyes didn't fade as he sat on the couch and eyed the piles of boxes that were labelled with your name in your ex's handwriting.

You also knew that Seokmin sleeping on the floor when he moved to the city to study was not the same as being kicked out of you and your ex's apartment after he cheated on you. But you were glad that his mind didn't go there, evidently.

"Can I offer you anything?" you sighed heavily. "I may not have furniture yet, but my fridge is full and the rent is paid."

"Well, that is what matters as far as I'm aware. I'm fine, thank you," he pressed his lips. He then scooped to the side and patted next to him on the couch.

Right.

"So..." you breathed, sitting down next to him. "You wanted to talk."

You were now sitting next to each other. Being so close to him sparked something deep within you, something that last night made you feel alive.

Then, you knew that you were in trouble. It was alarming the fact that you couldn't take your eyes off of him. You were aware of every gesture, every movement Seokmin made. You gulped.

Seokmin sat with his knees spread slightly apart, his hands resting comfortably between his thighs. "About last night," he begun.

"I, uh-"

"If we're going to do this, we need some ground rules," he declared.

"Wait. Seriously?" you blurted out.

"Wha- what did you think I was going to say?" He looked up to catch your gaze.

"I thought you were going to back out."

"Oh, you want to call it off?" Seokmin retorted, his eyes searching your face.

"No. Not really. Last night was..."

His eyes lit up along with a playful smile. "Fun?"

"Yeah, exactly," you matched his smile. "Well, I don't enjoy lying to Seungkwan, but at least I didn't get the pity treatment, for once."

"Wait. What did you say to him?"

"That we are sort of a thing," you mumbled.

His eyebrows pushed up. "And he believed that?" Seokmin laughed, brushing his hair hastily with his lithe fingers.

"He seemed to," you shrugged. "He stopped questioning me after that."

"Well, that is what you wanted, isn't it?" he shifted beside you, so that he was facing your body. Then he took that same hand to fix his watch on his other wrist.

You mirrored his movements, and now the two of you sat facing each other on the couch. You leaned your head on your hand, with your elbow resting on the couch's headrest.

"So what happens next?" you asked.

Seokmin shrugged slightly, a relaxed look on his face. "Whatever you want, I told you."

You bit your lip for a second, aware of the fact that Seokmin was gazing at your mouth and your eyes, silently waiting for your response.

"I'm still thinking of last night," you confessed, the act of being that blunt made your cheeks heat up.

"Me too. I couldn't think of anything else," he smirked. Your eyes lingered a bit on his lips too.

He toyed a bit with the sleeves of his black hoodie, and pulled them up to his elbows, then crossed his arms across his chest. You swallowed at the sight of how veiny his forearms looked.

"D'you think that we could talk about the ground rules later?" you asked sheepishly.

Seokmin couldn't help but notice the way you inclined towards him slightly. And you couldn't help but notice him swallow hard. "What do you want to do?"

"I really want you to kiss me again," you mumbled, feeling something rouse within you.

His eyes twinkled with excitement. "Oh, yeah?" he hummed.

He seemed as if he were waiting for you to say something inviting, you noticed the moment he smiled when you nodded a bit too eagerly with your head.

He lifted his hands to grab you by the sides of your head. "C'mere," he whispered, his lips quickly finding yours in a soft kiss.

You felt his breath on your neck as he pulled away slightly. "Again?" you sighed.

His mouth was smiling as his lips found yours again, and as the soft kisses turned more demanding, you couldn't ignore how your body responded.

This felt different from the make out session of the night prior. It was entirely carnal, at least, Seokmin kissed you with more eagerness, unafraid of being seen and judged. You heard his breath catch in a gasp and his lips smack. You both were not acting.

You broke away from him, all thoughts in your head quieted down when in a sudden movement, you moved in the couch to sit on his lap, straddling him. Seokmin said nothing either, and you silently thanked him, as his hands returned to the sides of your face to kiss you deeply.

The sizzling feeling at the lower pit of your stomach, the warmth all over your skin when one of his hands slipped from your face to the back of your head and fisted your hair softly, sending chills down your spine and making you moan in response.

"Yeah, I thought you liked that last night," Seokmin mumbled gruffly.

"Shut up," you smiled.

"Make me," he whispered back.

You leaned in to kiss him again, a rush of adrenaline filled you as his hands that were on the sides of your head moved to your back to press your body against his. Fingertips trailed softly on the sides of his neck, you felt him shudder as you made your way to his collarbones where you shyly touched his skin like never before.

Seokmin left a trail of kisses from your lips, to your jaw and ended on your neck. You gasped when he found a sweet spot effortlessly, and made something flutter in your stomach. Hearing your reaction, Seokmin sucked on the spot gently, eliciting a moan from you.

It had been a while since you felt like this. Even with your ex, you felt that the last few times you were together like this were more of a obligatory act from both of you.

So, being close to Seokmin like this was like unearthing feelings that your body had long forgotten. And it was really hard to control.

You let your hips sit fully on his lap and started grinding on him suggestively. Seokmin groaned in your mouth and broke away.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice sounded raspy.

"Oh, fuck—sorry. You don't like that?" you whimpered and made a gesture to move out of his lap.

But Seokmin grabbed you tightly to his body effortlessly, since his hands were still on your back. "No, it's not that," he put in briefly.

You stared at him, puzzled. "What is it then?"

"What do you want?" he countered.

He watched you swallow hard. "I want you," you muttered, hoping that the emphasis you put in the word was enough for him.

A few strands of hair had stuck to your wet lips, and Seokmin pulled them away with gentle fingers as he asked: "How do you want me?"

You couldn't help but smile. "Don't tease me like that."

Seokmin just shrugged calmly, but his eyes were burning with lust. "I won't do anything unless you tell me."

You planted a soft kiss on his jaw, then one on his lower lip. "I want you to fuck me, Seokmin," you whispered into his lips.

He reciprocated the slow, wet kiss. And groaned again when you grinded your hips one more time. "I didn't bring any condoms," he mumbled.

"Really?" your voice sounded obnoxiously high.

"I just came here to talk," Seokmin laughed. "It never crossed my mind that we'd fuck."

"Really?"

"Really. I didn't think you'd be this needy," he started laughing when you landed a playful smack to one of his shoulders.

You rolled your eyes at him. "I'm on the pill."

His hand grabbed your chin and he pulled away to look at you in the eyes. "Are you sure you wanna do this?"

You both understood what this meant for your friendship. Seokmin didn't seem concerned at all about you being on his lap, or that you were practically begging him to fuck you right there and then. He seemed willing, but like the good gentleman he was, he needed you to say what you wanted.

You nodded. "Yeah. I'm sure."

Seokmin's lips parted briefly as he scanned your face with his eyes one last time. "Fuck," he groaned, and pulled you to his mouth again.

Your lips latched onto his, hungrily, teeth grazing, tongues clashing. You could feel the wetness from his saliva beneath your mouth as the kiss turned sloppy and more fervent.

His hands casually made their way from your back to your hips, where they rested comfortably before giving you a gentle squeeze.

"Take these off," he murmured in your lips, his fingers pinched at the fabric of your jeans.

You stood from his lap to take your jeans off, aware that Seokmin had his eyes on you. He rest his head on the back of the sofa, his hungry eyes watched your body up and down. His hand grabbed yours and tugged you his way to gesture you to straddle him again.

Your lips explore his neck, licking the spot below his ear, and he breathed out a moan. His fingertips dug slightly on your hips, and then he cupped your ass when you left wet kisses and sucked in the spot again.

Seokmin pressed your body back and forth, rubbing your clothed pussy against his hard cock. You moaned and hid your face in the crook of his neck and grinded some more on him.

"Let me see you," he muttered in your ear.

Your lips searched his tentatively, kissing him with haste as his hands moved from your backside to underneath your top. You broke the kiss again, and let him remove your shirt entirely.

Seokmin revelled at the sight of your half naked body, his fingers trailing softly from your collarbone, to your sternum, all the way to your bellybutton.

"Pretty," he mumbled when his fingers tugged at the band of your pink panties.

He looked at you, as if asking for permission. But he quietly trailed his fingers to your clothed core, and there he found that your panties were already soaked. You could feel yourself grow more aroused at the mere act of him feeling you without breaking eye contact.

You shuddered a sigh when he pushed the soaked fabric aside and had to bite your lip from moaning loudly when his fingers found your wet core.

Seokmin sighed. "You're so fucking wet," he smiled softly.

"God, Seokmin–," you breathed and your eyes fluttered close when he slowly moved one of his fingers inside you. And then, he pushed another finger in.

He bent his head and planted a kiss on your shoulder. "Ride my hand, baby," he said hoarsely.

A shiver went down your spine at hearing what Seokmin called you. You started moving on his hand almost immediately grinding on his fingers the same way you had done on his lap.

Your forehead found his, a tingling sensation travelled your body when you his breath caressed your face. "Seokmin."

His lips were formed into a smile when he pressed his lips on yours in a chaste kiss. "Mmyeah, that's my name, baby."

His other hand unclasped your bra expertly, and you helped him with the straps and threw it somewhere on the floor. You felt his breath on your skin and your nipples grow hard.

It was almost embarrassing to you to hear the squelching sounds you were making against the hand between your legs. But you could barely pay some thoughts to it, all you could think of was the way he moved his hands on your body. And that you wanted more.

He rubbed his thumb around your nipples, and you watch him do it, watched the hand buried in your pussy as you grinded on him, close to your release. Then, his hand rested on your neck for a bit and you shuddered when his thumb caressed your skin and curved around your throat.

"You like them?" he asked peering at your face. "My hands? I've seen the way you look at them."

"Yeah," you breathed. "I wondered what they would look like on me."

"Oh, yeah?" he smiled. Then pulled out his fingers from your core, just about when you were about to cum. You blinked at him, confused.

"Lie down," he muttered, pointing to the sofa. You did as he said, and moved your back to the sofa, your knees pulled up.

"I knew you'd be bossy," you confessed, feeling hot on your face.

Seokmin's eyebrows raised a bit. "Been thinking about me a lot, huh?" he asked, cocking his head to the side. And then his hands reached up to the collar of his hoodie, he threw it over his body in one swift motion and tossed it aside.

His bare chest was the first thing you saw, it was wide and lean. You also got a good look at his strong thighs when he undid his shorts, and step out of them.

A shiver shot up inside you when you saw the outline of his hard cock pressing against the tight fabric of his black underwear.

His toned arms as they came to the sides of your head to lean and kiss you fervently. "Stop looking at me like that," he groaned softly in your mouth.

He placed his knees on the sofa and patted you on one of your knees gently. "Spread your legs for me," he placed himself in between your legs as soon as you did what he ordered.

Seokmin left a trail of open mouthed kisses from your neck, to your collarbones as he palmed and squeezed your breasts with his hands. Your fingers tangled in his soft hair and moaned his name again when he sucked one of your nipples gently as his fingers pinched the other one.

He stood on his knees, hooking his fingers on your panties and dragged them along your legs, and dropped them to the side of the sofa.

Seokmin held your legs with his hands, as he placed kisses on the inner side of your thighs, sucking and licking softly on your skin. He gave you a glance one time before lowering his mouth to your core.

A whine reverberated on your chest quite loudly as your back arched almost involuntarily. Feeling his tongue lapping on your core, licking almost hungrily but patiently too, as if he wanted to take his time pleasuring you.

Seokmin revelled in your taste, in the sounds you made. He groaned when your fingers tugged at his soft hair again, he groaned when you whimpered his name as you neared your orgasm.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," you muttered with eyes shut. Just as when you thought you couldn't feel any closer, Seokmin slid his two fingers inside you, pumping in and out. Your hips rutted desperately against his face and he was quick to hold them down with his free hand.

"Be still," he said softly, before dipping his head down on you again.

"Sorry," you replied breathlessly.

He hummed in response, and you could tell that he was amused at the desperate mess he made of you. But all you could think of was his mouth on your clit, as he had quickly found out how you liked to be stimulated, eliciting moans and half pleas.

You heard him moan with you when you reached your climax, as if he enjoyed the noises that you made, along with his name. Seokmin pulled his fingers out and placed sweet kisses on your clit.

You watched him lick his lips and fingers clean, and you could see that the tip of his nose was slightly wet with your arousal, making you grin at the sight of it. You cleaned it with your fingers as you brought his mouth to yours to kiss him fiercely.

"You taste so good," he muttered lazily on your lips and you could taste yourself in them.

You started tugging at the band of his underwear, pulling it down as best as the position of your bodies let you. Seokmin sighed, and you noticed that he was smiling.

"Be patient," he groaned, his demeanour seemed elated still. But he stood up from the sofa, and quickly got rid of his underwear, revealing his large cock.

You gulped almost involuntarily. "You have a pretty cock," you mumbled once he was between your legs again.

That took him off guard. He gave you a breathy chuckle. "Well, that's a first," he confessed.

Yeah, you were quite sure he didn't get the word 'pretty' as often as 'big'.

He gave you a small peck on your lips, pulling you out of your trance. "You're ready?" he asked.

You winced in anticipation the moment you felt his cockhead align with your entrance. Your fingers cradled his face as he watched you nod.

"I need to hear you, baby," he crooned, placing another sweet kiss on your lip.

"I'm ready."

He held one of your legs angled for him as he eased himself inside you painfully slow. You grabbed at his shoulders, letting your fingertips dig at his skin.

"F-fuck," you whispered, releasing the air that caught between your teeth and Seokmin sighed deeply too as he stretched your pussy slowly.

It had been a while since you last had sex, so the feeling of having someone, let alone someone as big as Seokmin took a bit more from you than expected.

"Good girl," he muttered through gritted teeth when your hips met fully. You felt your walls flutter a bit around his cock, easing from the sting at having him stretch you open.

His eyes searched your face briefly, but wasted no time and started moving slowly and with shallow thrusts until you both adjusted to each other's bodies. Then he effortlessly picked up his pace and his thrusts started coming and going deeply inside you.

He kissed your moans with wet lips and released your leg from his grip. "Wrap your legs around me," you did as he said, also wrapping your arms around his neck as he kissed your lips again.

His hands buried in your hair, closing in a tight first and his forehead leaned on yours. "You feel so fucking good, baby," he gritted his teeth. His hips buckled once before taking a faster and harder pace on you.

"Fuck! Right there," you moaned on his mouth. And gripped him tighter with you hands.

The grip on your hair tightened and he turned your head to the side slightly to make way for his lips on your neck where he had found a sweet spot.

When you opened your eyes, you found yourself on the reflection of the tv screen. You hadn't noticed it before when you were so busy staring at Seokmin, but now, you could see your face wild with lust, and your body entangled with Seokmin's; as his hips rammed against yours.

You almost fell in love at the image of him fucking you, passionately, hard and fast. Just seeing your bodies melted like this made your body quiver almost sending you to the edge.

He lifted his head and found you staring at both your reflections, he smiled at you and cooed. "Look at you, so flustered and pretty."

His thrusts quickened, but they didn't relent on their depth. And it was exactly what you needed. Your hands travelled down his back and dug your nails in his ass, earning a throaty moan from the man above you.

You were panting, feeling all sanity lip out your mind and you could hear yourself call his name in whispers, but couldn't make out another word.

Soft, wet kisses trailed down your neck to your mouth as the lewd noises you made filled the room.

"Are you going to cum again, baby?"

"'m so close," you whimpered. You closed your eyes, savouring the feeling as you reached your second orgasm.

"Look at me, baby," you heard him whisper and opened your eyes to find his.

"God. Seokmin. Don't stop, please," you cried as your body trembled with hot waves of pleasure.

A long moan escaped your mouth but was quickly supressed by a wet kiss. "I know baby," he whispered as you came on his cock, whimpering and twitching uncontrollably under his body.

Then he sat back down on his knees, grabbing you by your hips with a tight grip, and the change in position made you moan lazily. You didn't think you could keep going, but the sight of Seokmin's face riddled with pleasure made want to chase after a third orgasm.

Seokmin threw his head back before letting out a deep moan with his eyelids shut, his lips parted and twitching slightly once. You could feel your body tremble again at the thought of his cum inside you, and moaned at the same time he did, his thrusts on you not relenting until your cream started dripping at the base of his cock, mixing with his cum.

As his hips came to a stop on top of you, he glanced down to where your bodies remained connected and sighed in pleasure at the sight.

You also could feel yourself get lost at the sight of him for a bit. His heavy breathing made his chest and shoulders move up and down in a languid manner, a light layer of sweat covered his neck and collarbones.

He moved to rest his head on your chest for a moment, without saying a word. You knew he could hear your heartbeat, as you could feel his own heart stuttering against your body.

His forehead also glistened with seat, his hot breath caressed your breasts and even though you could see his relaxed features, you noticed that he was lost in thought.

You pushed his wet bangs from his face, drawing his attention to you. "We're still friends, right?" you asked jokingly.

His lips rose in a lazy smile and nodded. "Still friends."

♡︎ Final notes: I haven't posted fanfic for years sooo... well, if you liked it please show it some love, a reblog or leave a comment, i'm all eyes. click here for part 2 ( · ❛ ֊ ❛)

[nick-writes-stuff]

Coming Home (Lucifer x gn!Reader)

a/n: it's finally here!! hope you guys like it, i'm really happy with this one. the ending still cracks me up a bit lmao

warnings: honestly there really isn't any. this one is definitely a bit lighter than the others i've written. it is implied that Lucifer was angry, and there is a second where reader is assumed to be dead, but there isn't anything actually happening (it'll make sense when you read it lol)

When you arrived back in your time period, you and Solomon had left the portal into the palace. You looked around, eyes widening as you recognized that this was your time.

For the first time ever, you saw a look of shock on Barbatos' face as he entered the room. It seems like your arrival was not apparent to him. He led you both up to Diavolo's office at once.

They asked you some questions, wanting to get as much information from you about your predicament. The entire time you were antsy, bouncing your leg and fidgeting with your hands. You wanted to go to the House of Lamentation so badly. You needed them to know you were okay.

When the questions stopped coming, you asked if you could go to the HoL, but Diavolo's reaction puzzled you. "I don't think that would be the best idea." He said, tactfully choosing his words.

Your face fell. "Did something happen?" You asked, leaning forward with urgency.

"No, no nothing like that. It's just..." the Prince trailed off.

"Mammon decided it would be a good idea to try to pawn one of Lucifer's cursed records to pay off his credit card bills." Barbatos said flatly.

Your eyes widened as you processed the information, but your resolve didn't waver. "I still have to go over there. I can still see the others while the two of them settle things."

You knew that you had experienced worse moments of Lucifer's behavior in the past, you could surely deal with this.

Diavolo nodded and Barbatos opened a portal to the house. You gave a soft word of thanks before tepping through it.

You entered into the living room where the twins were. They immediately perked up at the sight of you. Satan and Asmo heard the portal and wandered down to see what had happened. As you all talked and explained the situation of your return, Levi even came down for a snack run completely unaware of your arrival, being shocked at your return. After a few moments you asked, "Where's Mammom and Lucifer?"

The room went quiet, the five giving each other awkward glances before Satan spoke up. "Mammon is in Lucifer's office getting the lecture of the century."

You winced slightly. "How long has it been?"

"Um, it was before I had my snack before dinner, so maybe 4 hours?" Beel said.

You moved to go up the stairs, to which the others reacted negatively to. "MC do you have a death wish?" Amso asked.

Satan agreed. "Lucifer is more angrier at Mammon than I think he's ever been. It probably wouldn't be safe for you to go up there."

"Relax. I'm not gonna interrupt. I'm just gonna wait for them." You said, rolling your eyes and heading upstairs.

---

It was another 2 hours before Lucifer had decided that Mammon had learned his lesson and could be free from the lecture. Mammon rushed out of the room and down the hall, trying to leave before Lucifer changed his mind. In his haste he didn't even notice you.

It was a few minutes later until Lucifer left his office. He needed to meet Diavolo to discuss student council business. The door creaked open and the eldest was quick to notice your presence.

You were sitting on the floor with your back to the wall. Your head leaned against the side of a cabinet. Your eyes were shut as you had dozed off.

For a second, Lucifer assumed he was seeing things. Maybe he had gone too long without sleeping? Admittedly, he has definitely gone too long without sleeping. Maybe Satan and Belphie had decided to play a cruel prank?

His hesitation only lasted a moment until the avatar of pride was kneeling in front of you. He assumed you were injured somehow, because why else would you be unconscious on the floor. His breath was quickening, fearing the worst. He didn't even know how you were here, but here you were unconscious in front of his door and he hadn't even known.

Lucifer grabbed your shoulder shook you gently, trying not to hurt you. "MC? MC wake up, please-" He started, sounding desperate, but he stopped as your eyes flickered open and you yawned softly.

"You really know how to keep someone waiting." You said, giving him a slight smirk even despite your half-asleep state.

You joking was the only thing he needed to hear. He pulled you into his arms in an instant. You felt him take a deep, shuddering breath as if the weight of the world was no longer on his shoulders (because his world was in his arms)

You wrapped your arms around him, lazily tracing soft circles on his back in an attempt to soothe him.

Once he held you for long enough that he could no longer assume it was a dream or a hallucination, he pulled away and began looking you over. "You aren't hurt are you?" He asked.

You shook your head.

He seemed somewhat puzzled at your response. "Then why are you on the floor?"

"Because I had been waiting out here for a while and I was tired."

"You should have just came in, it would have been-" He began, almost having a light scolding tone to his voice.

"After hearing some of the day's events from Satan and Asmo, sorry, but there was no way I was opening that door." You said with a chuckle. Lucifer knew you were right, but he was still a bit frustrated that you hadn't come sooner.

Lucifer seemed to look you over once again before placing a kiss on your forehead. Your face changed to a lovesick grin, looking up at him. He gave you a slightly confused look, silently questioning your expression.

"I missed you." You said.

Lucifer would never admit to the flurry of butterflies in his stomach, but you could tell from his gaze and the light dusting on pink across his cheeks.

He stood up, offering you his hand. You took it and pulled yourself up to stand with him.

"You know, I just got a wonderful tea blend from Akuzon. Would you like a cup?" He asked as he walked to his room.

You smiled. "Of course." You said matter-of-factly. As if you would ever decline.

He made his way to the electric kettle. Whenever he knew he would have a late night, he tended to keep the kettle on so he could have water ready on demand.

You shut the door and moved over to the couch near the window. You took a deep breath, finally feeling like you were able to relax. You look over to watch Lucifer.

"This is an old favorite of mine. It's been out of stock for a while and when I found it I couldn't resist it." He said with a chuckle. He showed you the box, taking a breath to continue speaking but you cut him off.

"No please! I'm so sick of that one!" You said, voice louder than you meant it to be.

He furrowed his eyebrows and looked at you. His gaze was a mixture of confusion and disbelief. the audacity

You were confused too, almost like you expected him to remember the situation you were referring to. "Ohh okay I forgot that wasn't a recent experience for you." You said in realization.

"MC, what in Diavolo's name are you talking about?"

"That flavor of tea was your old favorite for years back in the past. That's the only flavor of tea I've had in weeks. Please, for the love of everything unholy, make me literally any other blend." You said.

Only you could speak to him that way without consequences. He chuckled softly, shaking his head as he pulled a separate box from the cabinet. One of your favorites. He put the other back, as he realized he hadn't had your favorite since you had disappeared, and he wanted to fully indulge himself in the reality that you had returned.

After drinking the tea, you yawned. He looked over to you. "You should go to sleep." he suggested softly.

You were tempted to just go to his bed without question, but your logic overrides your sleepiness. "You should too."

He chuckled, standing up and walking toward his desk. "Nonsense, MC. I need to go inform Diavolo of your return. I fear I've waited long enough-"

"Solomon and I arrived in the castle. I spoke to Diavolo already." You countered. He paused for a moment.

"When is the last time you had quality sleep?"

He went to answer but hesitated as he realized he didn't know the answer.

You grabbed his hand and pulled him closer to the bed. He relented, getting into the bed beside you. You laid your head on his chest, murmuring a soft "good night" as your eyelids fluttered.

He kissed the top of your head. "Good night, my love." He responded, quickly dozing off due to the company of his beloved.

---

The next morning, you walk down to the kitchen to see Mammon making breakfast. While facing the stove he asked "Whoever you are, can you grab the milk for me?"

You oblige his request, grabbing the bottle and turning towards him as he turns around. He dropped the spatula and audibly gasped.

"You're back?!?! GUYS MC IS BACK!" He yelled.

Belphie was half asleep as he entered the kitchen to get a drink. "Yeah, and? They've been here since last night." He snapped as he looked through the cabinet.

Mammon scoffed. "Ya finally get back to us and you forgot to tell the Great Mammon?? What happened to me being your first man." He said, taking great offense to this.

You were never gonna hear the end of this.

[606xx]

Second one, with the theme "Burn"

After rebuilding Casita, Isabela wants to do something to thank Inés, her new friend, for all the help she has received. She thought that cooking for her would be an easy way to give her a gift, but what she didn't foresee is that cooking is harder than it seems.

Hope you like it!!

Are you sure you don't want me to stay? - Mom asked nervously, I didn't see her very confident of what I was going to do.  

No, mom, you've already helped me a lot by giving me that recipe, I'll be able to manage on my own- I answered confidently. A month had passed since we returned Casita after staying with the families who took us in during the reconstruction, during that time I made my first friend, Inés, who helped me a lot and gave me another way of seeing things. I was very grateful to her, so I decided I would prepare something to thank her, as she was, behind my cousin, the second person with the biggest appetite I had ever seen  

Just remember to keep an eye on the burners and be careful not to lean on them - she advised me, I saw her worried about leaving me alone in the kitchen.  

Mom! Nothing is going to happen to me- I tried to reassure her somehow, I know I've never cooked, but it seemed like she didn't trust me at all  

I'm just worried about you, honey - she said, coming closer as I saw her eyes scanning all the utensils I had laid out. I planned to use all of them.  

I know, but don't worry. You started doing it when you were five, so it can't be that hard - After all, if a five-year-old girl could cook for an entire village, that meant it couldn't be too difficult, right?  

But once again mom came closer to me- Tie your apron tightly- and before I could check if it was tight enough, she was already fastening it for me - And remember to be careful when cutting, don't get your arms too close to the fire, don't set the heat too high or it'll splatter, and the first aid kit is in the second drawer under the sink - She reminded me opening said drawer for me to see it.  

Yes, yes, go on, don’t worry, I’ll be fine - I said accompanying her to the kitchen door- Come on, Dad must be waiting for you - and as soon as I mention him, he appeared  

After several long minutes in which I spent convincing mom once again to leave, I was finally alone in the kitchen. I approached the counter and saw the recipe that I had asked my mother about, chicken with rice. I remembered that Inés had once told me that she liked it, and without distracting myself much more, I began to prepare it.  

We peel the garlic cloves and chop them... - I read the recipe and carefully took the garlic cloves - only two? They´re so small... I´ll add two more - I said, grabbing a couple more cloves and starting to do what the recipe instructed. But as I was chopping them - Ouch! - I cut myself off - Why are they so small?  

I rushed to wash my hands with a huff and pulled out the first aid kit, I didn't think I would actually need to use it, but after a few minutes and with a band-aid on my hand, I continued with the recipe.  

Pour a generous splash of oil and sauté the pieces of chicken in the paella pan... - This seemed easy, I took the bottle of oil and poured enough oil to cover the bottom of the paella pan and then I put the chicken pieces all this on the fire. - After seasoning with salt and pepper... oops! I had to do that before putting them in - I hurriedly grabbed the salt and pepper and sprinkled them over the chicken already in the pan.  

Suddenly, the oil started to splatter - What is happening?! - I said while covering myself with the cutting board and then I remembered my mother's words: "Don’t set the heat too high or it'll splatter."  

Quickly, and still using the cutting board as a shield, I managed to lower the heat, but the chicken had already turned a blackish color. - It probably still tastes fine - I told myself, but when I saw the kitchen full of oil, I sighed.  

After cleaning the kitchen, I continued with the recipe. I was already tired and I was only getting started. "We set the chicken aside, and sautéed the garlic over a low heat, then added the two types of peppers cut into squares and sautéed..." I did exactly as the recipe said, and left everything on a low heat.  

I continued following the rest of the recipe for a few more minutes and when I was about to add the white wine- Oh, Isabela? - I heard a voice behind me. it was Inés's- I didn't know you cooked...  

Inés?!- I quickly turned around, and without realizing it, I leaned against the burners. Immediately, I let out a scream and pulled away. - AAH! - Instinctively, the kitchen filled with cacti, and one of them appeared near the burner where I had just burned myself. Just like me, it started to catch fire.  

Inés quickly grabbed a cloth, wet it, and managed to put out the fire on the cactus. Then she moved the pan away from the heat and turned off the burner where I was cooking.  

Isabela, where’s your first aid kit? - she asked. By this point, I was embarrassed, hiding my burned hand behind my back  

Second drawer under the sink - I said with my head down listening to the drawer open and Inés' footsteps came back towards me.  

Without saying aa word, Inés gently pulled my hand from behind my back. It hurt. Her touch was careful and gentle, but my skin was so sensitive that I couldn’t help but let out a small groan between my teeth.  

Let’s get some water on this, - she said, guiding me to the sink and turning on the faucet. After about 20 minutes, she dried my hand and wrapped it in a bandage. "What were you trying to make?"  

Chicken with rice - I reply avoiding her gaze. too embarrassed to look at her, at least directly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Inés silently taking in the whole kitchen, the paella pan, the cutting board...  

Do you want me to help? - she asked, trying to get me to look at her. I shook my head, still too embarrassed. It was supposed to be a gift for her; I couldn’t let her help. - Isabela, I don't mind, really. Besides it's not like I'm very busy. - She smiled at me, patiently waiting for a response  

You can't... it's a gift - replied, feeling my cheeks flush as I saw her look at me, confused by my answer - You're not supposed to help with your own gift  

Is it for me? - she asked, but instead of backing off, she looked even happier and insisted again - Let me help you- as if she hadn't heard what I said before.  

I was about to argue with her for not listening when she smiled back at me - The chicken and garlic are a bit burnt... but I think we can still fix it. What's the next step? - she asked, gently taking my uninjured hand and guiding me away from the table, bringing me back to the counter.  

I was pouring the wine, so after that, we need to stir and add the chicken with the cups of broth and... wait, no! - for a second, I got carried away, it always happened with her. I could never stay in a bad mood for long before she somehow made me forget why I was upset. But this time, I couldn’t let that happen. - Didn't you hear me Inés? This is a gift for you, I can't let you help me.  

I know, you said it earlier- she replied with a smile that almost drove me crazy - But I don't want you to hurt yourself- Suddenly, I wasn’t angry anymore, just embarrassed- let me help - she insisted again, and I swear she looked at me with her eyes shining, she must have done it on purpose, because I was weak and I ended up reluctantly muttering my acceptance.  

With a huff, I continued with the recipe, and just as I was about to pour the cups of broth, Inés stopped me again. - What?  

If you pour it from there, it’ll splatter - she said, gently lowering my arm so it was closer to the pan, letting me pour the broth - see? Much better from here  

I didn't know you could cook- I said, realizing her advice had actually been helpful  

Not usually. My dad is the one who cooks, but I help him from time to time - she answered while looking for the recipe to see what to do next  

Though I didn’t want to admit it, the dish turned out much better than it would have if I had made it on my own. Once we set it on the table to eat it, Inés spoke again.  

Hey, can I ask you something? - she said serving herself a bit onto her plate. I nodded- why did you want to give me a gift?  

I blushed and looked away-...to thank you...- I whispered  

What did you say? - Inés leaning in closer  

To thank you! - I shouted red as a tomato  

Inés was perplexed for a few seconds and then started laughing, making me turn even redder if that was possible. - Don't laugh! You helped me a lot with my grandmother and while Casita was being rebuilt, I wanted to do something to thank you. -  I felt my cheeks puff up and my lips pout; Inés made me feel more childlike, and sometimes I even surprised myself.  

I watched as she wiped away a treacherous tear that was slipping down the scar across her eye. - I didn't do any of that so you'd thank me, - she said, smiling at me. - I did it because I'm your friend and I care about you, and that's what friends do.- She continued speaking as she served me a plate as well.  

We both stayed silent for a few seconds and to avoid her gaze, I decided to start eating. But as soon as I put a bit of food in my mouth, I wrinkled my nose at the taste.  

Are you okay? - I heard her ask, but I had already gotten up from the table to spit the food out and drink some water under the faucet to wash away the taste.  

D-don't e-eat- I responded, but it was too late; Inés, curious about my reaction, had already put some food in her mouth as well. Her reaction was similar to mine, and soon we both found ourselves at the sink, spitting it out and drinking water to get rid of the taste.  

Sorry, I can’t even make you a decent gift - I said once I had calmed down, leaning against the counter with my hands covering my face.  

Hey, it's okay, everyone makes mistakes - she said, rubbing my back to comfort me - I think it was the garlic that gave it that burnt taste  

She stayed there, comforting me in silence for a few minutes, then added - besides, I liked my gift - I peeked out from between my hands and looked at her, perplexed.  

Did you like that? - I asked her, who could possibly enjoy that bitter food?  

Well, not the taste- she said, laughing a bit, which made me roll my eyes - but it was fun the time we spent making it, so how about I take that as my gift?  

I finally pulled my head out from between my hands and rested them on the counter. Honestly, there was no understanding her, but that silly comment made me smile - Maybe another day we could try to make a dessert- I suggested, leaning a bit closer to her, and as she hugged me, she accepted the proposal.  

By the end of the day, I couldn’t help but think that no matter what happened or what I did, everything would be fine as long as I was with her.  

Even if it leaves us with a burnt taste in the end

[cboffshore]

What a shame the poor groom's bride is a... plot device. This is "All I Wanted To Hear."

For his third wish, the only one that ever actually mattered: something to love, I think. Something that isn't himself.

As I've discussed previously (not in this series, just in general), a common critique I see about Nadakhan is that he's a little too erratic. And, yeah, that comes out on any casual Skybound rewatch: his master plan is kept under wraps until past the halfway point, his respect for his crew wavers from being touched at their support to screaming at them every five minutes, and we're never quite sure if he actually loves his home realm or if he just wanted to become some kind of urban legend by going home. This, naturally, leads to complications: in order to maintain a facade of respectability, he covers all of his idiosyncrasies up with an utterly batshit terraforming plan that only has minor relevancy to his ultimate goal. In other words, he exercises those first two wishes I analyzed - notoriety and control - in excess to cover up the third, softest one: love. An actual, loving relationship that he's not ashamed of somehow.

Because, let's be real: does his crew actually love him?

Jury's out on this one, and unless we ever get more of The Splinter in the Blind Man's Eye or some kind of Nadakhan revival season, it'll likely stay that way. The Tall Tales shorts, if accepted as canon (a massive if!), don't even answer the question. Most of the crew's recruitment shorts read as begrudging submission at best (Flintlocke and Dogshank) and near-indentured servitude at worst (Doubloon and Monkey Wretch). Clancee joins through sheer luck, and only because he's attracted to the pirate lifestyle itself, not to Nadakhan's leadership. I refuse to acknowledge the Sqiffy/Bucko short's existence, but their canon induction is much the same as Clancee's: they show up, fuck around, and find out. The shorts, fortunately, aren't canon (two words: electric drill); the only reason I'm considering them here is that they're just close enough to the canon blurbs to fill in the cracks in the meantime. Their loyalty is held on with bubblegum and a wish no matter how you look at it.

Canon or not, the shorts don't address Delara. The season doesn't, either - at least, not in a way we can see clearly.

It's well-established that Nadakhan is very secretive about what he actually wants, and for the first nine episodes or so, Delara falls into that category: he deflects any mentions of her by others on his crew, almost so quickly as to imply it's a weakness of his. Still, he can't avoid it entirely - stolen moments with his pocketwatch (snapped shut the moment anyone else arrives) and his obsession with Nya based solely on her resemblance to Delara prove this. As hard as he fights to hide that, others notice - Flintlocke's criticism comes to mind, but even Jay comments that the way Nadakhan looks at Nya is peculiar. Look what happens in both instances: Nadakhan, although not present for the actual conversation, sweeps in immediately to shelve that discussion and inflict pain on whoever brings it up. And once there's nobody left to remind Nadakhan of his grief - once the wedding party's been banished or driven out of the temple - his first personal wish is to bring her back.

Strangely, this... doesn't help. Their reunion scene is almost awkward, honestly. We open with Nadakhan in disbelief that it actually worked, which is weird considering how unshakable he was about the plan before, but that's not the concerning part. The most damning evidence of Nadakhan's desperate need to be loved comes in the second part of the reunion scene in this incredible exchange:

Nadakhan: Do you forgive me, Delara?

Delara: You did what you had to do, so that we could become all-powerful.

Nadakhan: But do you still love me?

Delara: Of course. How many times must you ask?

This was scream-into-a-pillow frustrating for me the first time I thought it through, and it remains so to this day. Now? After all the stalking, manipulation, kidnapping, and psychological stress he put Nya through to get to this point - now he's doubting it? The moment he succeeds and pulls his beloved back from beyond the veil, he starts questioning his own morality? And he does so to the point that Delara - who might, if her casual tone is any indication, be worse than Nadakhan - has to reassure him that he doesn't need to keep asking? Imagine the irony of wanting to be loved so badly that the things you do for that make you wonder if you're worthy - but only after the fact.

And then the Keep crashes into the temple and the bravado goes right back up. When Delara's spirit is torn from Nya's body, Nadakhan says her name one last time... but that's it.

That's all.

----------

It's no secret that both Nya and Delara's characters get the short end of the stick here. With Delara, it almost makes sense: she's included as a plot device. She's Nadakhan's lost Lenore, his green light across the bay; losing her is the inevitable low point of Nadakhan's fall from grace.

All the official information we get on her is that she's important only because she so strongly resembles someone we know a little better: Nya.

Either here or elsewhere - I'm no longer sure - I've spoken of the accidental perfection of Nya's place in Nadakhan's schemes. Her seasonal arc centers on her striking out and trying to find herself; Nadakhan wants to tear that away from her, but without even caring if that means anything to her in the first place. Unlike how other villains treat the ninja, there's no desire to strip her water power here, or taunt Nya for some personal grudge. (I mean, the grudge does exist, but Nadakhan never acknowledges it.) Here, it's all about appearances: Nya conveniently looks like Delara. Whatever traits Nadakhan tries to sweet-talk Nya with don't actually matter. She's a warm body for the taking. The fact that she's associated with his realm's death is a bonus, and probably the only reason Nadakhan went for her and not for, say, Cyren. That Nadakhan would go to such lengths just to use Nya is simply another sign of his desperation.

Nya's treatment at the end of this season is awful, even seven years later. Plot-appropriate? Sure. Honestly, I think it works, but it doesn't change the fact that I feel that Nya was shortchanged. In that spirit, there was really no other way to evaluate her role but via a heavy remix of the canon wedding dress (which Nya's right about: that thing is hideous.) There are touches of Nadakhan analysis in here, too, but given that Nya was the catalyst, most of this rides on what the season should have highlighted about her importance beyond her haircut.

If we're going to lean so heavily on visual significance, let's at least get it right this time:

As a way to honor Nya's vehement dislike for dresses, I built this outfit around an ivory jumpsuit. Although the rest of the outfit looks like it was attacked by a coffee frother, this sleek layer calls to mind the athletic lines of Nya's seasonal gi and her efficient, determined personality. It also references her final fate with vein-like, venom green spiderweb embroidery blossoming out from the chest.

An ivory jacket serves to anchor the entire outfit, both physically (to stabilize all of the other elements) and metaphorically. Sharp shoulders, layered hip accents, and solid gold lapels call to mind the royal armor worn by both Nadakhan and his father - a nod at the canon dress' origin. The hems, sleeves, and lapel borders feature intricate sky-blue embroidery as an alternative to the massive blue flowers on the canon gown.

A fragile yet suffocatingly heavy floral lace train and layered bell sleeves dominate this ensemble and cover whatever the jumpsuit and jacket don't, representing how Nya's body and identity are slowly taken over by desires that aren't her own. However, that grip is as fragile as Nadakhan's security in Delara's love - look close and you'll find the whole thing held together by little more than delicate golden piping, liable to rip apart the moment anything shifts. (I should mention that I did not hand-draw the lace - I'm nowhere near skilled enough for that. Instead, I did a little digging on Google and found this excellent file with built-in transparency, which I colored over and cut to size: blueJAY2's "Lace" on DeviantArt .)

Blue lace gloves, almost lost in the riot of finery around them, are a reference to the hand imagery that Nya's torn apart by throughout the season. There's an interesting phenomenon throughout Skybound that serves as an excellent divider between Jay and Nadakhan: both are insistent on having her, but the subtle differences in their methods are best demonstrated by their dialogue concerning her hands. Jay's line, "Take my hand," is repeated only twice; urgency aside, it offers Nya the ultimate choice in what happens. Those outcomes appear in the premiere and the finale. Nadakhan, however, twists that line and her metaphorical wrist in episode 61 with "Give me your hand and they live," which is phrased as an order that Nya has less of a say in. I chose to use the same filigree texture as the jacket embroidery to represent how Nya attempts to play into Nadakhan's plans for an advantage; however, the color choice betrays this. The blue shade foreshadows one of the few choices Nya's able to make in this season: the choice to accept Jay's hand during the rooftop reset. (Like the lace, the base texture for this one was not my own creation; I have unfortunately lost the exact link, but it was on some kind of weird free PNG site and I ended up snagging it from the Google results page instead of the site itself. Again, I recolored and cut it to fit as needed.)

Gold aiguillettes on the shoulders and top layers of the train are a direct parallel to those in "Sure Of It" as a link between Jay and Nya. Throughout this season, Nya wears her independence as a badge of stubborn honor even when in the worst situations. These ropes, tucked under the lapels and frills of the jacket and train, aren't as obvious as Jay's - a sign of how her role is, sadly, pushed off to the side for most of the season. Still, they're an important part of the outfit: they hold the front of the train open in the same way that Nya's mere presence drives much of the season's action.

The jewelry choices in the original outfit were remarkably dated and didn't match the rest of the ensemble well enough for me - I have a hunch the designers threw the necklace on just to match the bracelet - so I redesigned those, too. Nya's distaste for glitter and gold (which is technically not a thing until Sons of Garmadon, but I like to think it started in Skybound) lends itself nicely to all of these next elements:

The closest element here to the canon jewelry, the gold choker is a heavy reference to the cutthroat pearl necklace that went semi-viral a little while back. Instead of blood and pearls, though, this version soaks the golden spheres of the canon necklace in neon venom droplets and serves as the only asymmetrical part of the outfit.

A pair of drop earrings, fashioned after venom droplets, complement the necklace.

Tucked behind the lapels, a high web collar with blue crystal accents is a blend of the weaknesses of the men trying to overtake her life: the venom that weakens Nadakhan and Jay's vision in the ice. The blue crystal is also a symbol of Nya's new powers and role on the team, although their small size represents how that's not her true motivation.

Given that all of the other jewelry is venom-centric, I don't think I need to explain the spider brooch creeping along the web embroidery.

Nya's brief stint as queen is never mentioned, but it's a thing that does happen; that's represented by a delicate tiara. Of course, she's possessed pretty much immediately after; Delara's acid-green eyes lent me the color scheme for the attached spiderweb veil, a symbol of Nya's thorough, tragic loss of self at the end of the season. For technical reasons, I've chosen to let the tiara and veil dangle from the mannequin's hand instead of placing it on the head. I think this works well, though - the other entries in this analysis series are holding a symbolic item, too, and the placement of this crown represents all the identities Nya holds but isn't able to utilize throughout her arc.

Even though this was my longest entry analysis yet, I don't think I'm quite done. This may be the last entry, but I've got more to say - in the coming weeks, you'll eventually get a wrap-up post summarizing this series and closing things up as neatly as I'm able.

Special thanks to @abunnsburrow, whose Delara Rant reminded me that I needed to post this - and might have influenced this particular analysis.

[jolalibrary]

not again

matt murdock x fem! reader w: smut, ex's to lovers. angst but happy ending if you squint. wc: 3k an: two posts in one day to make it up to you all.

"We're not doing that again."

Matt smirks, listening to you slide your skirt back up your legs. Feet trying to step around the array of clothes, looking for something you haven't yet found.

And he almost asks himself, once again, how he had you in his arms minutes ago. Wondering how long it'll be this time before his sheets don't smell like you.

He's surprised you keep telling him those save five words. You've been saying them for months.

Ever since the first time when he slid his hand up your dress, snapping the obnoxiously thin fabric between your thighs before he fucked you against the inside of your front door.

Because even if the two of you mutually broke up. Even if the fight that caused it has never been apologised for. Even if he left your apartment in anger, slamming the door behind him—you always open your window to him.

Letting him slide over the windowsill, pulling his mouth to yours, leather hands against the thin fabric you call nightwear before he has you down on your chest, back or side in your sheets.

"You listening to me?"

Smiling, he drops his hand, licking his lips. "You should come back to bed."

Tonight, you'd come to discuss something, but the words were never said. One look at him, him looking at you, and your fingers found his belt. His tongue sweeps over your lower lip as his hands slide up the back of your thighs.

Now though, you're dressing. All annoyed snorts and exhales, searching for either your underwear or a shoe. And he can't help but find you as addictive as he did the first time he met you. How even if he can't see, he sees you—he always has. You're too bright, too vivid not too. A metaphorical light in the dark, even if you're too sarcastic—even if you need more of him than he can give.

"I'll take that as a no," you snort, still hunting. But he imagines if he stood up, crossing the room to you, he'd find your hands on your hips, your bottom lip protruding more than your top. "We aren't doing this again."

Laughing, he stretches his legs out, enjoying the notable skip of your heart as you spot him.

"I think we will."

"Stop listening to my body."

Grinning, he throws his legs over the side of the bed, standing, hearing you take a step back. "I think you find the reason you keep coming back is because I'm such a good listener."

And he is.

He knows the spot, the ones you need before you can find the words to vocalise them. He knows the way your body moves, the way it needs to be held; Matt knows when you're wanting him to be a bit rougher or softer. He can tell when you're desperate for him, practically dripping; he can also tell when you need a little more to get you there.

"We can't... We aren't doing this anymore," you say, as defiantly as you normally do. "Nothing has changed. You can't stick around for a full night, and I have no hours in the day. Nothing..."

He moves closer, hearing you swallow. He can practically feel your pulse racing in the air, can smell his sweat and yours on your skin as your face and neck warm.

And part of him wants to believe you, even if you've proven time and time again he shouldn't. Even if he tries to let you move on, even if he steps back, checking on you from afar.

"I deserve nice."

He nods. "You do."

"And someone who wants to be around."

He shrugs. "I can't disagree."

And he knows it's coming before he hears it. You're little plea of letting you go, of not showing up anymore. Of giving you up.

He wants to.

He wants to because you asked him to. But he can't. Somehow always pulled to you. Foggy calls it love, he'd rather call it something else.

Because love hurts.

Love doesn't end good.

He's learnt that in all the hard ways life can throw at him. So he'd prefer to not think of you like that, preferring anything else if he's honest. Because he never deserves you, it, this. And yet, he can't live without any of it.

Can't even make it an hour without thinking about you.

Not even able to get through a night without wanting to be close to your building. Just to be sure you're safe.

He won't admit it. Won't tell you that walking away from you was added to the short list of hard things he's ever had to do. The first

"I'll find a nice man who will give me roses—"

"—you hate roses, actually you hate flowers—"

"—and he'll take me for dinner—"

"—you hate dinner. You hate anywhere that doesn't list their prices on the menu—"

"—and he'll be good, and kind."

Matt smirks, running his knuckles over your cheek. Loving the little inhale, the way your words die on your tongue when he touches you.

It's the little things.

Moving closer, he grasps your hip. "You don't want good. Kind, maybe. But not good."

"Well. I don't want you."

"Not what you said thirty minutes ago, sweetheart."

He hears you smirk, practically feels it in the air. "I can say a lot when I need to cum, Murdock."

He knows he does love you.

Because he likes that your mind is sharp and your mouth takes him so well. He knows he likes how warm you are, how you sleep so softly beside him. He can admit he likes coming back home to you, finding you how he left you—sometimes naked, sometimes in his shirt sprayed across his sheets like a photograph.

And that has to be love. Because it fills him entirely. Almost makes him feel whole, makes him feel a little less like a mess and less broken all at once.

But while he could be poetic and tell you all of this.

He instead just thinks about ripping your skirt back down your legs again. How he wants to press your chest to the end of his bed, and remind you how much you don't like good or kind, roses or dinner.

Matt opts to pull you closer. His underwear does nothing to hide how hard you have him; how much he needs you. His fingers feel bare skin above your hip, raising them until they brush the lace covering your chest. The little bumps he leaves in his wake as you shudder under his touch.

"I don't think you were just saying it," he says in a low voice.

Your eyes burn into him.

They rake over him, cutting into him worse than blades or bullets.

You make his skin feel like it's on fire, his brain works in overdrive trying to understand you. A puzzle he wants to crack, but never complete—because if he does, he's sure it'll be over. For real. If he figures you out, if he stops fighting, stops pushing and then retreating, you'll learn each other's quirks.

"But, I do deserve better."

"You do." You really do.

You smile, shaking your head. Your perfume wafting from your neck to his nose, all honey and flowers. "We're not doing this again."

"Okay, sweetheart."

Each time you say it, you wish you meant it.

But he's like a bad habit. One you constantly try to break, but never do. You make it a day, then two and then it's a week. You almost celebrate, and then you walk into him. Sometimes literally, sometimes you're sure you think of him and then he appears.

It's happened for weeks. Months.

You know there's little point in the two of you having broken up, almost seeing him the same amount as you did when you were together. Just now, you don't have to share him with the night.

It's a choice to continue being a doormat.

To keep being in love with someone who is unavailable.

Even if his cock is glorious. Even if his fingers make you wish you could get them into a mould so you can be without him.

And his mouth.

Matt is good at talking the talk, at demanding a court room to listen to him, and fuck can he get you to be silent, still and compliant when he places his tongue flat against you.

You see his name flash up on your phone, a deep groan running through you as you decline it. A twinge, a short one spreading through you, replacing the groan. Because it hurts to ignore him; pains you to imagine him actually needing you.

And then his knuckles are on your window.

The only person in the entire world who uses a window instead of a door, and you roll your eyes. Hating yourself for even going close to it, instead of twisting the blind—locking him out, even if he can't see you do it.

The breeze brushes over you, letting the ghost of memories dance over your skin. Your mind imagining his teeth over your shoulder, the way he grips your thigh; the way he rolls his tongue over your nipple.

"What?"

"It's been six days."

You attempt to fold your arms, but he pulls them flush to your side as he slides through the window. The city traffic the background to you glaring at him. Hating how he's maskless so you can see his face.

And then he whispers one minute, closing your window behind him before facing you. His hands reaching out, the leather of his gloves running down your arms.

"You're cold."

"I wonder why."

He smirks, rolling his lips as you let out a sharp exhale. "I..."

Missed you.

That's what you want him to say. Even if you don't.

Even if it'll undo all of the hard work all over again. To have made it six days before seeing him. So close to beating the record of a week.

Because you missed him too.

So much so.

"Matt..."

He whispers your name back as he closes the gap.

And then you're putty all over again. Bending and stripping him just like he wants you to—just like you want to. The back of your thighs meet the mattress as the two of you fight for who goes on top.

But it's him.

You like him there. You like watching him, studying his expressions.

His hand on your hip, holding it up as he slides into you, stretching you, making your brain empty as your nails dig into him. You hate how good he fucks you. You hate that he makes your toes curl whether you're standing, kneeling or lying down.

"You do deserve better," he whispers close to your earlobe, slowly thrusting into you, "Let me show you better."

He's lying. That's what you try to tell yourself as your body betrays you. It whimpers, it trembles, and you're close—so close.

And he knows it.

"You—fuck—like that, sweetheart?" he moans against your skin. "Wanna make you believe me. Wanna show you..."

His smirk against your neck, his other hand cupping the back of your head as he drives into you, his words drowning out as he moans your name. Making it sound sinful, sound so beautiful.

Matt has a habit of making everything make sense, as he makes you feel complete until he fills you, and he slides out of you.

You wait for him to move. For the mattress to dip as you look anywhere but at him. You wait... but it's futile.

Because he's looking at you. Face turned to you, and in moments like this, where his face is soft, his eyes shimmering, you swear he can see—really see. Not the world of fire and outlines he tries to describe, but colours, things and you.

"You're so beautiful."

Rolling your lips, you let your eyes fall, because without being conceited, you know you are. You're a freaking diamond, but he makes you feel like a star. He makes you feel invincible, like nothing and no one can ever come close.

But he hurts.

He's trouble. He has enemies, ones who'll cover him in bruises. Who'll do all they can to tear him apart.

You thought you were okay with it. Thought you could handle it. And then you'd seen him in a state close to death. Your hands shaking as you're unsure where to begin until a woman showed up. Someone he'd called, and you'd stood, watching her work like she'd been a magician.

A part of you died, you were sure of it. Suddenly able to swallow back the tears and do what needed to be done for a while after that. Able to put the Devilish-Hero back together. You thought you were okay with stolen moments between the sun setting and the moon rising.

And then you had a birthday.

Age never bothering you. Just a number. Until you saw it on balloons, cards and banners. And it daunted on you, knotting inside of you until it exploded in harsh and bitter words he could deflect back at you, until you were both standing with chunks ripped out the other.

Needing, desperately, to cling to the other but finding the gap between you both it felt too hard.

His fingers take your chin, lifting your face to meet his. And you want to pull away, rolling your lips as he wears a half-smile. The scar on his chest, just beneath his collarbone, shimmering in the low-light.

"You want more..."

Shaking your head, you fill with momentary hatred. Unsure how he does it, how he reads you. How he knows you like you're a book he's translating with far too much ease.

"I do."

Half-smiling, he nods, drawing a shape on the underside of your jaw. "I can try. I can try to give you more."

"You shouldn't need to try," you reply, all soft with splintered edges. "It should be easy. It shouldn't be hard."

He snorts. "But they are. Not just for us. For everyone. Relationships are more complex, more complicated—"

"—I know that."

You do.

You really do.

You knew things were hard for others, just not climbing on rooftops and being close to needing the ER hard. You'd seen your parents' marriage dissolve, you saw friends break up with childhood sweethearts and friends call off engagements.

Things could be hard, but they weren't missed dinners and worrying if their partner is coming home with a knife, bullet or other shaped wound.

"We can't—"

"—we can't do this again?" He finishes.

And you nod.

Trying to blink tears away, hating how they sting, how they burn as he gives you what you want. Because he's going to let you go, you can tell—because you can read him too.

"So... what if we try something else, instead?"

You frown.

Heart fluttering in your chest, throat going dry. Not even able to croak out to ask him what he means, when his lips find yours again. Not smothering, but gentle, caring. Pushing you backwards, sliding himself between your thighs again.

But not letting you fall flat to the mattress. Instead propping you up on pillows, as his hand cups your cheek.

"How about we try being in love..."

Your heart hammers. Knocks, firmly on your chest as if wanting to burst out and ask him to clarify what he means right then, right now. Because...

Matt smirks, because of course he fucking does.

Of course the ridiculously handsome bastard smirks.

You lick your lips. "You want to try being in love? Even if you're pretty piss poor at just being in the liking stage."

He nods. Slow. Purposeful.

Smirking, you slide your jaw from side to side. "What if I already am? In love, I mean."

He captures your mouth again, teeth nipping at your lower lip as he pulls back. "Then you're not alone."

"I feel alone though."

It comes out too quickly. Not able to stop it.

And he nods again. "And I am sorry for that."

Your teeth bite at the skin on your lip. Knowing he can sense you're about to crumble. Because you've tried to live without him too. You've tried to put your foot down, but then you've found yourself outside his door.

Needing him after an awful day. Needing him even if the city needs him. Hating how your brain doesn't force him to choose even for one night, walking away to keep it intact.

Because Matt knows you can't deny him anything. Would never make him choose, even if many others would. How you'd swallowed bile rising in your throat when he didn't come home, how you'd hug your knees to your chest as you'd aimlessly pray to someone you weren't sure you believed in.

"Are you?"

Matt swallows, "I am. I really am."

And then you kiss him.

Tasting his truth and the words as you do as you're sure he whispers he loves you. Three words you've never heard from him.

Ones which make you smile, hoping he can prove it.

Hoping he can prove it all.

[trulylino]

=> Translation, Please - KNJ

Pairing: Kim Namjoon x gn!reader

Genre: Fluff, idol!reader, nonenglishspeaking!reader

Summary: Namjoon helps you understand another groups speech and in turn teaches you some English. Writing in italic is in English for context!

Warnings: None!

Word count: 1k

Series: Jin, Yoongi, Hoseok, Jimin, Taehyung, Jungkook

Masterlist

The show was nearing its end now. Stray Kids was thanking their audience and you were looking around in bewilderment, much like the rest of your fellow idols and group.

The words currently coming out of Chan's mouth seemed like absolute gibberish, given that you only knew about four words of English. 'Hello, goodbye, I love you.' Five. You have a quick nudge to Namjoon who was sitting near you, hoping he would help you out.

"What the hell is he saying?" You whispered, tucking your hair behind your ear, ensuring you would hear his inevitable whisper back.

"I forgot you don't speak English y/n," he teased, before leaning towards you to translate.

"Just tell me! He's nearly done... I think." You whisper shouted back at him, getting frustrated.

"Ok, its pretty much just a normal acceptance speech. He's thinking Stays, that's their fanbase I think, and saying how much it means to them and how hard they all worked for this. That's pretty much it, to be honest."

"Thanks, Joon," you smiled at him, relieved he had actually told you so you weren't as lost as everyone else around you, who, similarly had no idea what Chan was on about. A few English speaking idols were scattered amongst the crowd, and like Namjoon himself, were also translating for their group members. You could see Haechan explaining to someone (you couldn't see who as his head was blocking it) and in the distance saw Wendy telling Seulgi what was going on. It made you feel better to know that you weren't the only one asking for help.

"Anytime y/n." He grinned at you before turning round.

You tapped his shoulder just a few seconds later, drawing his attention to you once more. You were scared for a moment that he would be angry at you for disturbing him too much, but then you remembered exactly who you were talking to. This was Namjoon who had held back your hair when you were sick, Namjoon who had sulked when you easily beat him at Mario KART. God he was terrible at video games. You chuckled at the memory of him trying to play but somehow ending up going backwards.

"What is it n/n?" He questioned, his hair falling over his eyes when he turned round. You brushed it out of the way, hoping his stylist wouldn't get annoyed at you. It was better that him blowing it off, at least.

"How do you say thank you in English Joonie?" You looked into his now non hair covered eyes expectantly.

"Do you not have Google y/n?"

"You know we can't have phones out here! Just say!"

"Agh, fine, it's thank you."

"*Thank you.." You repeated, cautiously. Your voice wobbled slightly at the end, making the sound come out a bit wrong.

"Try keeping your mouth more open at the end and it'll sound better. Try again, thank you."

"Thank you." You tried again, following his instruction.

"That's better! You did good! Practically fluent already." He joked, before turning back around as to not to be rude to the people on the platform speaking.

Stray kids were all off the stage now, Daesang in their clutches. It was impressive, they were a relatively new group and they had such a large fanbase already. You were almost jealous.

・・・・・・

It came time for your own group to go on stage, and being their leader, you were going to give the first speech. You bowed to the audience and the cameras, trying to contain both your tears and your grin so it didn't feel like your grin was splitting your face in two. You took the mic in your hand and began addressing everyone.

"I want to thank everyone who made it possible for us to get here. We appreciate and love you all so much. You are all so special to us and we could not have done this without all the constant support from you. We love you, THANK YOU!"

You looked to Namjoon as you finished in English and he smiling proudly at you. You tried not to get your eyes lost in the crowd and you were startled slightly when one of your other group members stepped forward to give their own speech. Duh. This is what you had practised. You quickly moved out the way, only to find Namjoon still watching you, giving you a thumbs up from his seat and grinning ear to ear.

・・・・・・

You rushed down to see him as soon as your award was in your hands and you were leaving the stage, awaiting the final goodbyes from the hosts. You didn't even listen to them as you spoke to Namjoon.

"You did so well! Your international fans will love it! I thought you were brilliant." You blushed at his words, glad that he of all people thought you had done a good job.

"I wish I could speak English like you Joon, its not fair, its going to take me so long to learn. I tried to get a tutor but I just don't have time with training and our comeback."

"I could teach you?" He offered, making you do a double take. Namjoon teaching you? The idea made you nervous.

"You would do that for me?"

"Of course y/n, you mean a lot to me, and I want to help you out."

"Then, yes! I'll text you, no, I'll call." You rushed out, the words spilling out your mouth. Namjoon laughed at you, making you stop speaking. Why was he laughing at you?

"I'll see you later y/n." He waved at you before walking away leaving you happy and excited at the side of the seating area by yourself. Instantly, your bandmates rushed over to you.

"What was he saying? You're bright red." One member asked.

"He's going to be tutoring me in English. Alone."

Your phone pinged from your bag and you hurriedly got it out.

Namjoon: "So, about those lessons."

Taglist: @dreamescapeswriting @sparkyprotectionsquad @bang-me-chan

Credit: Header by @vdimpl

[dootdootwriting]

hihi can i request male reader x itto where reader is overwhelmed with all the work he has to do and ends up staying all night finishing and itto like tries to get him to take breaks but ends up forcing reader to take one bc reader won't stop working and is literally not taking care of himself :,)

(sorry college is beating my ass rn aah)

featuring: itto tw: stress, "babe" used as a pet name type: angst (?) to fluff, modern au pronouns used: he/him a/n: back to our regularly scheduled content i'm literally so sorry about whatever the hell that was. anyway this is REALLY CUTE anon ty hehe

content under the cut for length! (^人^)

ITTO made a point of not worrying about studying. In his own words, it defeated the purpose because "if i was going to remember what they taught me in class, i would have put it in my memory when they first told me!" This had gotten him into trouble with many an exam.

His philosophy when it comes to bigger projects, however, was surprisingly reasonable. Every time your boyfriend was assigned a project, he tore through it as fast as possible, so somehow, he never got buried with work.

Tonight, you were buried with work. You'd been trying to pace yourself for nearly the entire day, but with class on top of assignment on top of class on top of cup of coffee, you'd quickly become completely exhausted, lying face up on the floor. You stared at the fluorescent lights in the room you shared with Itto, which didn't deign to do anything other than flicker briefly at you in response. You covered your eyes with your arm, letting out a long sigh, when you heard the door to your dorm room open loudly.

"HEEEEEEY!! Guess who's here to help the best boyfriend in the whole wide world with his stupid boring college homework!!"

Itto barged in, grin evident on his face. Despite the colder weather, he was still only wearing his typical tank and cargo shorts. He sniffed, lifting up three plastic bags no doubt filled with goodies.

You reluctantly rolled over onto your stomach and pushed yourself off the floor, gazing at him tiredly. "What'd you get? Instant ramen again?"

"Obviously! And, also," Itto added, closing the door and taking things out of the bags, "i got hawaiian bread rolls, which should be interesting, three different flavors of ice cream, a bunch of crackers, energy drinks, instant coffee, and tylenol. For your headache."

"What?" you concentrated for a second. "Wait, you're right. How did you know I have a headache?"

"Come on, babe, look how scrunched up your eyebrows are. Give yourself a break, okay?" Itto frowned at you and ruffled your head, earning him a huff from you. "You're not gonna get anything done if you're this tired."

"I can't take a break though," you answered stubbornly, "I have about five things due tomorrow and it's already ten pm. If I don't finish this, it's game over for me."

"No, it's not. Listen, if you don't finish everything, it'll be okay. Just look how much stuff you have assigned to you! Nobody should have to do this much work, it's torture! If I had to do all that I just wouldn't."

"Right, which is why I can't take advice from you."

Itto stuck his tongue out at you and flicked your forehead. "Well, if you're not gonna see reason, I guess I'll just have to show you!"

"Huh?" you asked, but you didn't have a chance to add anything else, as Itto has already scooped you up in his arms and plopped you down on the couch in front of the TV. He grabbed a blanket from nearby and draped it around your shoulders. Once you were comfortably situated, he took your laptop and books and put them in the microwave.

"HEY! What the hell are you doing to my stuff!"

"You're going to sit here with me and take a break. If you say even one thing about wanting to work, I'm turning on the microwave."

"Itto! You'll break my computer!"

Itto thought about this for a moment, then reluctantly took your things out of the microwave. "Okay, right. Got it. Just don't try anything, okay? You're relaxing now. It's relaxing time."

You sighed, giving up. It's true that your professors had uploaded an unreasonable amount of work for you to finish. Maybe if you showed the proof to those whose work you hadn't finished yet, they'd understand... in any case, Itto was right. You were overworking yourself, and you needed a break.

You slumped over into the couch, allowing yourself to sink into the cushions. Itto returned from where he'd been putting the food in the fridge earlier, two bowls of ice cream in hand and a pringles tube stuffed into his giant pockets.

"Here," he offered, handing you one of the bowls. "I know I'm not super regular-smart, but I am super you-smart, and I know that right now this is the best thing for you." You took the bowl, nodding, and sunk back into the couch. Itto sat down heavily next to you, splaying out his limbs and putting one arm around you. It was a miracle he didn't spill his ice cream all over his lap.

"Feeling better yet?" he asked, placing a surprisingly gentle kiss on your forehead and slowly squishing you closer to him. It was impossible not to feel better with how close to you he was and how far he'd gone to cheer you up.

"Yeah, I am," you said, giving him a soft, tired smile.

"Good," Itto said, grabbing the TV remote, "now, what do you want to watch? Anything's fine by me, as long as you're here."

[chemicalpink]

Outlaw: Intro ♡ Jung Hoseok

Pairing: Hoseok x Female reader

Words: 1.2k

Genre: smut, sci-fi (?, enemies to lovers, spy AU

Warnings: unprotected sex, kinda public sex but not really, brat!reader, kinda brat tamer!Hoseok, creampie, Y/N is imprisoned.

A/N: short one BUT it'll be my first attempt at a chaptered fic. Won't be too long but please do tell me what you think of the idea! Part of the BCC Summer Games. I was inspired to do a spy au ever since the LV x BTS came out.

Summary: How many surprises can life hold for you? The obvious tension you had with rival spy Jung Hoseok was evident ever since the two of you were training, and getting captured was definitely not in your plans, but who could really say a thing about it when he fucks you so good. Ohhh my sweetest @knjsnoona asked to be tagged ilysm.

The lights were kept off for the most part, giving you a barely there sense of what time of the day you were living in, you must have been captured somewhere along the first week of July… four? five? weeks of the lingering and stuttering red light outside the imprisonment capsule living a long life, somehow thankful for it being the only sense of continuity in your life, able to illuminate the otherwise empty room even for a few seconds at a time.

The door slides open with not so much as a beep, confident steps resonating inside the area until a shadow stands against the glass that keeps you from escaping, you don’t even get to bring your eyes up before he speaks “Ready to talk yet?”

You save the need to sneer for yourself, only a smirk painting itself on your face “Fuck you, Jung”

“Oh Y/N we’ve been down that road already” he crouches to your eye level, feeble body barely able to keep yourself awake after an extensive round of interrogation. Your left side hurting from the dry laugh you let out at the memories of just a few weeks back. A silent agreement between the two of you to give in to the accumulated tension of being each other’s mission, a merely physical truce for the day.

The way that you felt your head hit the wooden surface of his desk after feeling the strain on your neck and deciding to place it back for a bit, the table’s legs screeching underneath you each time Hoseok thrusts into you and the sounds taking over the room seem too loud for your liking.

The way that his left hand hadn’t left your hip as he partly supported you, partly just pushing you against the wooden furniture that was inside a workroom, a few steps down the hall where the rest of his team were. Your right leg had long been resting on his shoulder to give him better access to fuck into you, a loud moan escaping from the back of your throat as he turned his head towards it and bit the skin at one particularly hard thrust that had your eyes rolling back into your skull.

“Who would have though you’d make a better fuck toy than a spy, Y/N” his tone can’t really count as teasing with the venom in it as he leaned down to you, kissing your lips in the sloppiest way possible and he makes sure to swallow a moan from you; you could feel him losing his rhythm for a few seconds and that was enough confirmation that he was close, the room’s noises so loud and lewd around you as he sped up his pace while your cunt clenched around him; there was undoubtedly no way anyone outside the room hadn’t heard you two inside.

“U-ugh Hoseok p-please, speak for yourself” you didn’t even had to try to steal a look at the man to know that he was smirking down at you before you heard him groaning as you got a glimpse at his head thrown back in pleasure once you felt him spill inside you, your own climax taking over, spasming around him as he moaned through gritted teeth

“That’s it, Y/N, milk me fucking dry” you’re not even done coming down from your high as he decided to smear his spilling cum all over your folds, rubbing at your clit with the head of his cock, a moan drowning on the back of your throat when there was a knock at the door.

It had all gone downhill from there, Hoseok’s team coming in as you were barely dressed back up in your underwear, truce gone out the window when it clicked. This was his plan all along. So perhaps it had been really stupid to trust Jung Hoseok on that one, but the man was hot enough to abid to the consequences of it. Making up a plan to escape should have been easy enough if it weren’t for the fact that you were kept from your usual three meals a day. Confined to the regular visits Hoseok made throughout the day, just to question you further, always coming up empty. Some of the times are filled with so much sexual tension that if anyone were to walk in, they would be able to cut into the air. Lewd words, Hoseok losing his temper and grabbing your face to maintain eye contact for as long as it took you to lean into him before he tosses you aside, smiling and retrieving with a promise to come back later.

“I’m just saying, after he gets through her skin we should get rid of him” the words are barely audible as people pass by your cell, faces indistinct as they pass by where Hoseok had just left.

“That’s the plan”

As much as yours and Hoseok’s relationship (if you could even call it that) was certainly not ideal, you were good enough of a specialist in your field to acknowledge that he was a remarkable man in what he did, and knowing that his team, the people that were meant to protect him from people like you, were willing to get rid of him made your blood boil. Jung Hoseok was the only one person, besides yourself, that you knew from the training times to escalate as quickly as possible towards captain in the rouge ranks, it was really a pity watching him turn righteous and join your opposing branch, but the man knew what he was doing, that much was true.

Just as the thoughts kept spiraling inside your head, whether given your position and history with Hoseok, he was worthy of the intel you had, he walked inside the room for the second time in the day, just in time for the undersized meal serving you were allowed to have.

“Brought you lunch” he placed the container on the tray that allowed the food to go inside your cell before he closed the lid back up, a short silence following his arrival “What? No snarky remark now?”

You turned to him, fixing your eyes on him as if urging him to listen to you. When he doesn’t walk away, you take it as an invitation to open your mouth while trying to be casual about it, nipping at the odd-looking plate “Your team is planning on getting rid of you”

Much to your surprise, Hoseok dissolves into a fit of laughter, almost doubling over, eyes squinted delightfully “Oh Y/N, you’ve always been a slow one darling” he presses his body closer to the glass separating the two of you and lowers his voice, so as not to get caught by any of the cameras surrounding the room “Of course I knew that already”

“So take me with you”

He steps back slightly and smirks at your words “So that you try and kill me again?”

Your eyes look pleading as you see a flash of teasing in his gaze, letting you know that perhaps there was some type of hope for you to get out of that place “We’ll both go rouge if you take me with you”

He acts as if he’s pondering your words for a few seconds “Wouldn’t dream of leaving behind the best double spy this sorry-ass place has ever seen”

[mysterystarz]

haikyuu boys as roommates (part 2) <3

ft. kageyama, suna, and tsukishima (and how they wound up as your roommate) :)

note: omg I cannot even put in words how happy I am for all the support I'm receiving (thank you endlessly!!!) notes and reblogs are always appreciated, but never an obligation! thank you again and here's your roommate :)

kageyama ended up as your roommate when the other person he was supposed to room changed their dorm assignment

you just happened to be the one who was reassigned there

needless to say, it was a wild ride of adjustment

When you first moved in, he was too antisocial to interact with you

bc you're too cute (even if it's platonically)

like he used to see you and run in the other direction (umm rude!)

so one day you got sick of it, and decided to intercept him because godammit, this is not how roommates work!

you cornered him when he entered the door and asked him why he was so avoidant

he admitted he was lowkey nervous and didn't know what to say

and there began the lovely roommate-ship you were looking for

kageyama began spending time in the morning before classes to help you out with any practical things (like arranging high shelves, or any chores)

awww sweet blueberry

he actually warmed up to you pretty quick, and he used to offer to teach you volleyball at the park in your free time

in return, you helped him with his academics while he balanced his practice, and dealt with the cooking

boy only drinks milk istg

you liked to show him any of your hobbies and he always used to look so fascinated by them

like he honestly thought you were the best at them

every friday, the two of you always sat down on the couch and picked a movie out of a hat to watch

one time you pulled out a romance movie (watch it be titanic)

at the end of that, kags was a mess (awwwwwww)

manz was trying so hard to be composed but he was internally dying

that's when you both decided to avoid angsty films

one time, kags took you along to meet hinata and yamaguchi since they were in the area and the two of you needed to go get groceries

and that's when you met the kageyama that goes "boke!" like every 3 seconds

and you were amused by this because he's so intense only to have this small of an insult arsenal

all in all the two of you grew on each other, and are the best roommates the other could have ever asked for :)

suna ended up as your roommate through some interesting circumstances to put it lightly

you see, he got sick of the twins fighting and he just left since it was repetitive

and then somehow, ended up seeing your ad you had posted for a roomie

and voila, suna rintarou is now your roommate!

needless to say, you were pretty creeped out at first

like this man shows up at the most random times

but eventually, you started to come around to him

he was surprisingly sweet when you got to know him

well as sweet as a suna can be lol

no matter what, he always makes breakfast and dinner for both of you

like rain or shine, he is always doing this

and he's actually pretty organized and has a system that works for him (not conventional but functional)

you like to make lunch, and the two of you don't really have the need to clean because things tend to be clean anyways

he usually comes off as nonchalant and uncaring, but once he opens up to you, things start rolling

he starts to show you some of his volleyball skills and shows you how to skate

he'll laugh if you fall or trip but will patch you up quick

usually your movie nights are whenever the two of you are bored

it'll just be the two of you lounging on the couch and he'd probably pick a horror or thriller movie

honestly the two of you probably watched inception a few times

if you don't get the plotline he'd explain it to you and you built a love for it off of that

sometimes you drag him around tokyo and you go and go shopping in random konbinis and get kicked out for laughing too loud

in the end, suna ended up being an amazing roommate and friend who you could gladly spend your time with :)

ohoho now tsukishima is the only roommate who was supposed to be your roommate the whole time

the two of you were assigned to a dorm room together, and there were no complications

that's a first heh

when you walk into the dorm, it's a little more spacious than you expected

tsukishima comes in five minutes later and immediately gets to work setting up

he doesn't even acknowledge you oops

the two of you most likely spent the first week just getting accustomed to the living arrangements before having any real conversation

you still haven't spoken a month later

when you come home really late one night, you find out he had been staying up wondering where you were

that's when the two of you began conversing on a daily basis

tsukishima was always organized, so his responsibility was keeping your dorm as a livable space

everything was labeled and color-coded and everything had a place

oh and if you messed up putting something back, you'd be subjected to dinosaur facts until you couldn't take it mwahaha

both of you probably swapped on cooking duties, and if neither of you felt like cooking, you just ate packeted ramen from a konbini

the two of you most likely go out of your way to spend time with each other, but once tsukki warmed up to you, you did go to try some things

one time in tokyo, he dragged you to get strawberry shortcake because he felt like it

damn, tsukki is showing emotions :)

movies were always a mix between whatever you were interested in and sci-fi movies

tsukishima would always try to pick apart the logic of the movie

and slander the actors but shade is always nice :)

so in short, tsukki was the roommate you never realized you needed and a damn great one :)

© mysterystarz, all rights reserved

[charlotte-lavender]

Spring Blossoms, as does Love (pt. 5)

📷

Summary: Y/N and Kuroo share their first night together in what is now both of their home. In the morning, Y/N faces some anxiety about meeting Kuroo's volleyball team, whom he considers his friends.

A/N: Hey y'all! I hope you missed me, but I'm back!!! I was going to publish chapters five and six tonight, but decided against that, because it's almost three a.m. as I am writing this. (Sleep? We don't know her.) Also, let me know who you would like included on the team! I will write anyone in as a supporting character, just make sure that they have enough screentime to base some characterisation off of. Should I do MSBY? or Karasuno? Aoba Johsai? Let me know! Also, I know that this author's note is already long, but I just wanted to mention again briefly that I am writing for new fandoms! I will be adding a list to my pinned post, so go check it out, and if you have a request, please submit! Finally, remember I use British English, start in Y/N's POV, and stay safe! Love y'all!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

pro·ver·bi·al /prəˈvərbēəl/ 📷Learn to pronounce

adjective (of a word or phrase) referred to in idiom or expression. "I'm going to stick out like the proverbial sore thumb"

Coming home to Kuroo was a new experience. When I get home, I'm covered in dirt and sweat, and I usually jump right into the shower before putting on sweatpants and making dinner. Today, however, was different for obvious reasons. "I'm home!" I announce to the house as I enter. Dropping all of my stuff on the floor, I turn and see Kuroo looking at me from the counter, his laptop open and papers strewn about beside him. "Hi, Kuroo. How was your day?"

"Just fine. I got all of my stuff in, the important things at least. How about you?"

"That client of mine is really nice, but they have lots of property. It always takes me forever to get to everything."

"Aww, I'm sorry. I got takeout if you would like it. It's in the fridge."

"Thanks babe, I appreciate it."

Kuroo gives me a quick hug before releasing me to go eat.

**POV SWITCH**

After Y/N was done eating, he moved to the couch, and I went and curled him up next to me. "Tell me about your day." I ask him before realising that he was moving to get up.

"Sorry, babe, I really need to shower. It's almost seven, and you have work tomorrow, right?" He says, getting up and stretching his arms over his head, exposing his lower stomach for a quick second.

"Yeah, I do. But I want to make sure you're comfortable. It'll be a long day with the team tomorrow."

"Well, how about you take a shower with me? No funny business, though. I'm too tired."

"Okay, I'll be up in five. Just gonna save my document and get my paperwork put away."

He walks away up the stairs, and I hear the tap turn on. I feel my face begin to flush scarlet. He wants to shower with me? Since when is he that suave? Usually, he's a dork, but...

Realising that I've taken too long, I close my laptop and head upstairs. Opening the door to the bathroom, I see his clothes on the floor and his silhouette behind the shower curtain. I slowly strip and pull away the curtain, and he turns to look at me. Stepping into the shower, he wordlessly motions for me to turn around and get my head wet. He then reaches for the bottle of shampoo, squirts some on his hands, and begins to massage it into my hair.

**POV SWITCH**

After the shower, curled up on our bed, I finally feel calm. Wow. Our bed. That feels really weird to say. "Kuroo, babe," I whisper out to the dim room.

"Yeah?"

"I-," I take a deep breath. "I love you..." Realising the gravity of what I had just said, I snap my hands up to cover my mouth. Kuroo, having seen the whole scene, wordlessly reaches down and takes ahold of my wrist. Tugging on it gently, he eventually forces it to part company with my lips, instantly replacing it with his. Grabbing my waist and pulling me closer to his side, I melt deeper into his kiss. After what felt like a blissful eternity, Kuroo pulls away and whispers, "I love you too, cutie. Now get some rest. I want you to come meet some people tomorrow."

The following day comes a lot sooner than expected. My eyes flutter open to Kuroo's shining smile. "What time is it?" I ask him.

"Six o'clock. Now, get up, I have coffee."

"Yay!" I mumble, somehow managing to sound both annoyed and excited.

"So, Y/N, today I thought that I'd introduce you to the team." I sputter into my coffee, but Kuroo keeps talking. "Me and the guys that I coach, we aren't that different in age, so we get along quite well. It'll be more like meeting a bunch of my friends than some random group of college kids."

Hearing that, I sigh in relief but then begin to hyper-focus on something. Friends. They're Kuroo's friends. Oh no. Insecurities and past experiences begin to overwhelm me as Kuroo pulls me up and nudges me in the direction of the bathroom, promises of breakfast vaguely heard over the roar of thoughts in my head. I can't help but feel as though I'm stuck in a current and just along for the ride.

**POV SWITCH**

Packing lunch into small containers for our busy day is what I'm doing when Y/N stumbles into the kitchen. His hair, while dried, is a rat's nest, and he only has on one sock. Knowing where this is going, I pause and walk over to him. He freezes but lets me hug him. As I bury my head in his hair and smell his shampoo, I ask, "What's all this about?"

"Wh-what are you talking about, babe? I'm excellent." Y/N says unconvincingly.

"Come on, Y/N. You only ever get this frantic when you're anxious about something. You know you can talk to me, right? Is it about meeting the team?" I see him freeze, and I know that I've hit the proverbial* nail right on the head. "What about today is making you anxious?"

"I'm worried that if I don't make a good impression, they'll all convince you to dump me because they don't think I'm worthy of you, or something like that."

"Y/N, babe, I've told you once, and I'll say to you as many times as you need to hear it, I don't care what anyone says about our relationship. I will never, ever leave you. Besides, knowing them, they'll worship you like a god and wonder how you ended up with a guy like me."

"Thank you, Kuroo. I love you so, so much, okay? I can't wait to get a better view of your life."

Hearing that, I gave Y/N a quick peck on the cheek and ducked back behind the counter, placing our lunch in a bag while he finished getting ready.

**POV SWITCH**

Kuroo is a surprisingly good cook. That's what I'm thinking about, the remnants of breakfast churning happily in my stomach while he rolls down the road towards the city. I don't like the city. I don't go to the city. Somehow, though, this all feels okay.

[simons-calling-the-127-squad]

Missing Piece - Hendery

Credit to the original owners of the images.

GN Film Studies Major Reader X Film Studies Major/YouTuber Hendery

Half of a jewelry piece at birth

Warnings: cursing

Y/D/N = your dog's name

"We've literally been studying for ten minutes", you deadpanned.

"And?" He questioned, his eyebrows furrowing.

"You haven't even studied anything yet. You've just played with the cat."

"I need food to think. And I'll pay for us both."

"Deal", you said. Pushing the book to the side of the bed. Hendery did a little dance as you moved to put your shoes and jacket on. You couldn't help but laugh at him and walked towards him.

"Let's go!" He said as he pulled you out of the door and locked his dorm door. His arm went over your shoulder as you walked, it was a normal thing for him to do with all of his friends.

"So have started writing your script yet?" You asked, assuming that he hadn't even come close to starting.

"Contrary to popular belief, yes", he answered, a bit of pride could be heard in his voice.

"What's it about?"

"It's a comedy about three friends who don't wanna find their soulmates."

"Sounds interesting. Anything else?"

"Nah, just the basics for the characters. What about you?"

"Two friends who somehow don't notice they're mates."

"That sounds ridiculous. How can they not notice the matching jewelry?"

"Some people are blind to little details!"

"Hmm sure", he said, obviously not convinced. The two of you let the silence take over as you walked to the pizza place of Hendery's choice. Upon arrival, he opened the door for you and waved to the workers as the two of you sat down.

"So this is the place you talk about all of the time?" You asked, slipping the jacket off of your shoulders and onto the seat next to you.

He began to rapidly nod and talk about how amazing the entire menu was.

"Hey Hendery, I was wondering when you'd be in this week", a male said as he walked over to the two of you.

"Blame them," he pointed to you. "They keep making me study when I could be eating."

"You're the one who asked me to help you study!"

"I didn't think you would be so strict with me!"

The waiter laughed at the banter between the two of you and said, "I can't believe it's taken you so long to bring your soulmate here." The two of you instantly paused and looked at him. Confusion written on your faces. The waiter looked just as confused when he saw your reactions.

"Wait did you guys not know? How did you guys not see the matching rings?" Your eyes moved to Hendery's hand where a ring that was quite similar to your own sat. His was a sun, yours a moon, but the two were obviously a pair.

"How did we not notice?" You asked, mainly to yourself.

"That explains why everyone always thought we were dating…" Hendery mumbled, causing the waiter to die of laughter.

"This is comedy gold", he mumbled as he walked towards the kitchen to give the two of you time to talk together.

"Dang it. This means you're right."

"That's what you're thinking about right now?"

"That and this is an interesting first date."

"Nothing else? Like being surprised that we're mates?"

"No, in all honesty, it makes a lot of sense. We get along quite well and I've always thought you were cute."

"Okay well if we're just spilling everything, I always used to get disappointed when I would look at you and think of how you weren't my soulmate."

"Well good thing I am then. Anything else?"

"Not that I can think of…"

"Well, I have something on mind. Can I kiss you?"

"Yeah…"

"Fantastic", he said and moved to sit next to you to be closer. One hand moved to your face and the other to your neck as he leaned in. You could feel his lips pull into a smile as they landed on yours. Soon after he pulled away, allowing you to see his smile.

"I'm so freaking glad you're my soulmate", he told you before leaning back in.

---

It was Monday, at 5 pm. You and Hendery had just arrived at class and sat down next to your friends, telling them the news. They each turned to each other and started laughing.

"You guys knew didn't you?" You asked.

"Yeah. We had a bet going to see how long it would take you guys to figure it out", Ten told you as he held his hand out to Y/B/F who rolled their eyes but put a twenty-dollar bill in his hand.

"We're the epitome of stupidity", You said as you looked back at Hendery, who nodded in agreement. The rest of you continued to talk while you waited for class to begin, which mainly revolved around the stupidity of you and your mate.

---

"Hey babe, can you come in here?" Hendery called for you. You already knew why it was to introduce your relationship to his subscribers. You walked into his room and sat down next to him on his bed as Hendery told the viewers you were joining the video today. You had been in numerous videos of Hendery's, to the point where the fans were disappointed when you weren't there.

"So yet again we have Y/N joining today. You guys know them and love them. So as you guys can tell by the title, we have another hilarious story for you. Y/N you wanna start?" He asked as he looked over at you.

"Sure. So Hendery's dumbass asked me to help him study. 10 minutes into it, he wants pizza. So of course Hendery said the most magical words ever, 'I'll pay'. So obviously I join him for pizza, and what happens when we get there?" You asked, allowing Hendery to take over.

"So we sit down, and a few minutes later the waiter comes over and we're talking cause I'm a regular there and I know all of the workers pretty well. The waiter says 'glad to finally meet your soulmate'. And we both just stared at him. Thinking 'what the hell is this dude talking about?'. So he points out our rings and was like 'You guys didn't know?'. And that's how we realized, we're soulmates."

"Yeah, we felt and still feel stupid as hell."

"And the funniest part is, our friends knew. In fact, they had a bet going to see how long it would take us to figure out", Hendery laughed.

"Ten won the bet", you informed the camera.

"Yeah, the bastard got twenty bucks out of it. But you know I got the best prize, I get Y/N as my soulmate sooo…" You could feel the heat rushing to your cheeks and immediately covered them. Hendery attempted to pull them away and once he did he pressed a kiss to each of them.

"I love you", he whispered to you.

"I love you too", you whispered back.

---

"So guys can you guess what today is?" Hendery asked the camera. "If you can't, don't worry, I'll tell you. It's mine and Y/N's anniversary. We have been dating for five years now, we've known each other for, like seven years now. So I've decided it's time I finally propose", He said pulling a box out of his jacket pocket and holding it up to the camera as he opened it. "I'm hoping this goes smoothly and that they are really to take this step with me. So I'm not gonna show you guys the actual proposal, but I am gonna show you their reaction afterward. So I'll be back soon. Well for you guys it'll be soon", he paused the camera and slipped the box back in his pocket before moving into the living room. He was waiting for you to get back from the studio to start making dinner for the two of you. His plans were interrupted by the dog pawing at his leg. He could help but to smile and bend down and scratch his ears, causing the dog's tail to wag aggressively.

"You better not mess this up tonight", he told the dog. Y/D/N just continued to wag his tail before laying down at his feet, only to jump up the moment you open the door.

"Hey Y/D/N", you said as you moved to ruffle his fur. "Hey babe", you greeted Hendery, giving him a kiss before sitting down next to him.

"So I was thinking pizza for dinner", he told you. You nodded in response, it had become a tradition to have pizza on your anniversary.

"As expected."

"And you love it", he told you as he went to the kitchen to start dinner. As the timer was getting close to the end Hendery whistled for Y/D/N.

"Good boy", he told him, kneeling in front of him and reaching into his pocket. He pulled the box out and tied it to the collar. "Now stay in here buddy", he ordered, and thankfully he listened. Just as Hendery stood up, the timer went off. He pulled it out and cut it before putting it on the plates and going back to the living room where you waited.

"It looks great!" You exclaimed. Kissing his cheek before taking your plate. It didn't take long for the two of you to finish and Hendery decided it was time to ask.

"Hey Y/D/N, come here boy", he called out to the dog, who instantly responded. "Hey take a look at what's on his collar", he told you. Your eyes moved from the tv to Y/D/N and they widened. You could hear Hendery chuckle as motioned for you to take the box. You did, your eyes widened even more at the ring itself. It was exactly what you wished for, you looked at Hendery who had already moved to the ground.

"We definitely had an interesting start, how many people can say they didn't even realize their soulmate was right beside them for two years. While it may not have been the smartest thing we've ever done, I'm kinda glad in a way that we didn't know. It made us have a friendship beforehand, and we knew our attraction was genuine, it's not just that we're soulmates. And these years together have been so amazing, and I wanna spend the rest of them together. Will you, Y/N, marry me?"

"Yes!" You whispered as the tears flooded your eyes. He helped you put the ring on and to wipe the tears away.

"Would it be okay to get the camera he asked?" You nodded and he pressed a kiss to your lips before running into the bedroom and grabbing it. He recorded the ring and the two of you talking for a few minutes before shutting it off. This was definitely gonna be one of your favorite videos.

-🃏

[emachinescat]

Way Back Wednesday #1

Welcome to Way Back Wednesday! Every Wednesday, I am delving into my past as a fanfic writer and reflecting on and sharing one of my stories… starting from the very beginning, 16 years ago, when I was a 14-year-old kid discovering her love for fandom. ❤️

Today’s story is…

An Unlikely Team

American Dragon: Jake Long & Kim Possible

Summary: Monkey Fist and Huntsman have teamed up in order to defeat their respective foes. With Monkey Ninjas, goblins, dragons, nacos, spy gear, magic potion, secrets, regrets, and tears, no one is going to escape from this situation without changing somehow.

Rating: G

Chapters: 18 | Words: 12,353

Year Published: 2005 | My age: 14

Relationships: Jake Long/Rose | Huntsgirl | Characters: Jake Long, Ron Stoppable, Kim Possible, Monkey Fist, Huntsman, Rose | Huntsgirl, Lao Shi, Fu Dog

AO3 Tags: Crossover, Suspense, Humor

My reflections on and "review" of the story are after the break! :)

Oh, wow. It was an adventure coming back to this story! It marked a lot of firsts for me - my first crossover, my first story above 10k words, my first chapter fic. I don't remember a whole lot about my writing process back then, or about the circumstances of writing this story. I was 14, and a lot has happened since then. I do remember that I was still coming off the review-high from my first story, and that I had no idea what I was doing, not really. And it kind of shows.

I guess I should go ahead and say that this story, like the last one, isn't bad. I mean, the plot, if a bit simple and contrived, makes sense and moves along fairly well, and the characters (except for Rose, but we'll get to her in a minute) are pretty well portrayed, and grammatically, there were no glaring errors that I could see. It was interesting enough; it has been probably a decade or more since I last opened this story, but it still managed to hold my attention well enough, I suppose. It has some very positive reviews (and some critical ones), so I must have done something right.

But I've got to go over the issues with this story. Most of them I think are just hilarious. I'd been writing since I was five, but I was new to this kind of storytelling and still trying to find my voice as a writer. Once again, it shows.

Okay, so first, there's the plot itself - super simple, very contrived, and kind of weird. Huntsman and Monkey Fist team up so that M can help H capture and unmask the American Dragon, and in return, H will give M a talisman that will "undoubtedly" make him the Ultimate Monkey Master? Sure, seems legit, I guess.

Then there's the fact that I had to end every chapter - or nearly every chapter - with a cliffhanger, even if it didn't warrant one. I was dying laughing because most chapters would end with a character saying something hopeful to another character, but then muttering under their breath something grim and suspenseful. For example: "'Let us go. Jake's life is depending on us. He is alive for now...' and then he added almost inaudibly, 'but not for long...'" It's hilarious, and I wish I could remember if I was trying to be edgy or just ensure readers would come back, or if I thought being ominous was a hallmark of good writing. Also, the chapters were overall very short. I think I just wrote however much I felt like writing and then posted. Of course, I was having to post between school and the Boys & Girls Club where my mom worked (and being grounded, like a lot), so I guess I just wrote what and when I could.

Some of the dialogue's a bit clunky, and I had a weird thing with time limits. They capture Jake, and then they have to send Huntsgirl out to get a potion that will make him human because they forgot (???) this very important part of the plan for some reason. She says something along the lines of, "My Huntstick will transport me to the magical black market almost instantly. I'll be back within an hour." That doesn't add up, unless she's going to spend an hour haggling with the seller. Then she gets back, amps up the whole evil villain plot, and then adds, "Oh, yeah, it'll take 30 minutes for this potion to take effect." So she and the baddies just stand there for half an hour watching Jake slowly turn from dragon to human. Then when he's been poisoned (another weird plot contrivance), Lao Shi says, "If we don't give him the antidote in 30 seconds, he'll die!" I suppose I did set the scene, whether intentionally or not, by having a clock ticking in the background, but the way that all of the characters seem to have such an acute knowledge and understanding of time is just weird to me.

The only aspect of this story to actually bother me is the disservice I did to Rose's character. In the show, she's portrayed as a pretty strong protagonist-by-day/antagonist-by-night, but in my story, she's pitiful. I don't know if I just consumed a lot of media with weak female characters or what, but it's super cringey how emotional and weak she's portrayed as once she finds out the truth about Jake. She cries, which is fine, but then girlfriend just up and faints! She cries some more, begs Jake to forgive her, acting like she'll never be able to live with herself or forgive herself if he doesn't, then gets mad at him when he needs a little time to process that the girl he has a crush on is also the girl who's been trying to kill him. Then as soon as he apologizes for... being traumatized, I guess? she turns around and starts spouting off stuff about never being able to forgive herself if he'd died or something. I apologize most deeply to her character.

Oh, I just realized I haven't really discussed the Kim Possible side of things, mostly because it's pretty cut and dry. Those characters all seemed to be, well, in character. I especially feel I had Ron down to a T. It was also really funny the way I had Huntsman and Monkey Fist constantly arguing even through their alliance. The fight scenes, with Kim and with Jake, are very minimal. They're usually one step above just saying, "They fought." On that note, there's not a whole lot of detail or description, but a lot of dialogue. I definitely could have expanded more on the world to make the crossover feel more complete.

All that (mostly light-hearted) criticism aside, it was fun to get to go back and read this, and if you think you'd be interested, be my guest. It's a cute little read, and important to me because it marked the second step in my fan-fiction journey.

Next week, we'll be taking a look at one of the cringiest things I've ever written - yikes!

[etaerealjin]

regrets || k.nj

genre: angst, smut

pairing: namjoon x reader

background: breakup, failed relationship, ex-boyfriend!namjoon, making out.

word count: 1.7k

You stood there in front of his condo, not knowing what you should do. You had a box on your hands which contained some of the things he left on your once shared apartment. You were about to tear up again but you fought it back since you didn't want him to see you all weak.

You broke up with him first, why would you want him to see you cry over that failed relationship?

Frankly, it wasn't a failed relationship. You just realized that because you were dating a famous person, who was in a famous group and is now rising up the charts nationally and internationally. You thought it was the best for him – so that his attention wouldn't be divided into many parts and yes – it may be the best for him, but for you it wasn't.

It has been over six months and you were obviously regretting breaking up with him, but you can't show it. You can't show him that broken part of you, although you really wanted to. Who knows? He might pity you, then come back to you. You would like it even if it was that way.

You stood there frozen for like five more minutes. You weren't actually obliged to give him those back – maybe it was just your own way of wanting to see him again.

You knocked on his door finally and when he opened it, he stood there looking as godly as ever. You prevented yourself from biting your lip upon seeing him shirtless, maybe he just got home from practice since he was a bit sweaty.

"Hi," You smiled sweetly, trying not to show him a face that says "ok, bitch! i regret breaking up with you!" so you tried to keep your cool. "I just wanted to give these back."

"Oh, hello!" He greeted back, obviously not affected by your presence whatsoever. "Didn't I tell you to like keep those? I actually don't need them anymore so–"

'It's an excuse to see you, dumbass.'

"I just wanted to give it back, take it. Who knows? You might need it for some other time." You lied and smiled once again. He took the box in his hands and thanked you silently.

"Can I stay for a while? The rain outside is pouring hard, I don't want to get wet. You know how I hate rains and shit." You chuckled and bit the side of your bottom lip, hoping he'd let you in. He nodded and opened the door further.

"Of course, um– come in." He smiled back, his dimple showing on his right cheek. You thanked him and entered his condo, which is like so neat and clean. You wondered for a bit if he's living with Seokjin, because he was never neat when it came to your shared apartment.

"Wow, this is neat!" You exclaimed and sat on his couch comfortably. Namjoon felt extremely uncomfortable for a reason he doesn't even know. "Do you live alone?"

"Uh, yeah." He replied and tried not to make eye contact with you. "Did you eat dinner already? Because I still have some leftovers here if you want to eat–"

"Yeah, sure! Let me help you." You replied back almost instantly then stood up to go to his kitchen. Namjoon shut his eyes tightly before following you. He then started bringing out the leftovers he was saying and started heating them up. "You still don't know how to cook."

"Yeah, kinda." He muttered and you went beside him to help the poor guy. You poured the food from the bowl to the pan and lit up the stove.

On the other side of the coin, Namjoon was stealing glances from you. He wondered why you were doing this and why you seemed like you were doing it on purpose. He gasped a bit when you almost dropped the bowl to the ground, which you luckily caught.

"Sorry, shit." You chuckled awkwardly and went back to heating the food up. "Be careful." He said with his eyebrows still furrowed. He stood beside you to prevent further more incidents, little did he know it would only cause another one.

While waiting for the food to heat up completely– you stared at him and upon feeling your gaze, he stared back. You both locked eyes for what felt like years, until you finally earned the courage to do something.

When you stared at his pink and soft lips, it just urged you more to kiss him– and so you did. You leaned over and held the side of his head, crashing your lips to his harshly. You forced yourself into him, trying to get him to kiss you back but he was too surprised to even move a muscle. "Fucking kiss me back, Namjoon." You muttered between the kiss and continued.

The kiss went on and on until you were now pressed against the counter top, his hands on either side of you as he continued kissing you back harshly. You felt him bite your lower lip, asking for permission to let him dominate. You gladly took it and opened your mouth and he pushed his tongue in, both of you trying to fight for dominance. His lips trailed down to your jaw and bit your ear which made the heat in your core double, and you began feeling yourself getting wetter. He started placing pecks to your neck, which turned into wet rough kisses, sending you over the edge. Although when he locked eyes with you, reality hit him back– he was too caught up in the moment to realize what he was fucking doing.

He broke the kiss with his mouth slightly opened, still surprised. "Shit– Y/n." He said and inched away from you, but you got a grip of his forearm and forcefully pulled him back.

"Why did you stop?"

"Because this is fucking wrong! We're not together anymore." He said and walked back to the stove only to see the food already burnt. "Look what you did, Y/n."

"S-Sorry.." You trailed off and wondered what in the world you just did. Your feelings got the best of you and you just wanted to get him back and show him how much breaking up with him hurt you – maybe he'd come back and realize he still has feelings and they never left.

'But that's just impossible, isn't it?'

You looked at Namjoon who now had his hand on his forehead, obviously regretting what just happened. Just like you, he was too caught up with his feelings as well. He wanted you back so much – so fucking much, God if it was only that easy to bring back what you once had.

You gulped and mustered up all the courage and confidence you had in yourself to confront him about it – you needed to, and you were desperate to do it because if you don't, one day you might just burst because of all the emotions riled up inside you.

"Fuck the food, fuck everything. Tell me, Namjoon." You held his shoulder and made him turn around. "Do you still love me?" Your voice broke as you asked that question, holding an intimate eye contact with the startled guy in front of you. When you realized what he was going to say, your eyes trailed off to nowhere and your lips trembled.

You turned around and was about to go back to the living room to get your jacket, leave and never show your face to anyone again but his voice startled you.

"I don't."

You suddenly felt your heart being torn into pieces once again. It was inevitable, but it still struck you like fireworks in the night sky. You knew it was going to explode but it still startled you, to the point that you just felt your eyes being pooled with tears.

On the other hand– Namjoon was lying. He really was, he just tried to make everything seem true to make you believe that you were the only one hurting. Maybe a way of trying to get back at you. It hurt him to see you breaking down, specially knowing that he was the reason behind your tears– but he somehow needed to.

"Y-You didn't have to say that." You said, your voice breaking once again and your back still facing him. "You really didn't have to say that if you know what it'll cause me–"

"Why? Did it hurt you, Y/n?"

"Obviously, because I still fucking love you! I still fucking do!"

"Well, now you know what it felt like! I loved you, Y/n! But you just left without warning and gave me a reason that you did it for me? So my attention won't be divided into two? For fuck's sake, you were the one who pushed me to do this!"

"I did it for you, Namjoon. You think this would work out if you were trying to handle your career and our relationship at the same time? It wouldn't."

"But, now you're regretting what you did?" You almost choked on your own spit when he said that. You were crying in front of him, in front of the person who is the reason behind your tears.

You walked over to him and hugged his waist, missing the way his arms used to wrap around your back.

"Yes, Namjoon. So fucking much." You looked up at him who was only looking down at you with a frustrated and annoyed look. "So please come back, Namjoon. I need you. I miss you so much.. c-can we make this work again?"

"You're being so pathetic."

He sighed and pushed you away, he walked back to the living room and grabbed your jacket and bag only to give it back to you. "Leave, Y/n."

"Namjoon, please–"

"No, just fucking leave. I don't need your presence here." You let your tears flow down and just looked at your feet, already pitying yourself because of how pathetic and desperate this is.

"O-Okay, but Namjoon?"

He looked at you, mixed emotions evident and traced throughout his face.

"I promise I won't ever hurt and leave you again." You forced a fake smile. "Just please, call me if you change your mind."