#like right...were 'they' saying that or was anne? or was that what anne believed? was the show perhaps from her (gasp) POV and so

[fideidefenswhore]

the downfall and execution of a tudor queen (2023) / the boleyns: a scandalous family (2021) / the king's pearl: henry viii and his daughter mary (2017), melita thomas / anne boleyn (tv miniseries 2021) / the mirror and the light (2024) / elizabeth (1998)

[vogelmeister]

anyways i saw a video of non dutch people pronouncing dutch names and im proud to announce that two of my characters and one of my coworker's names are there

[hargreeves-duncan]

Can I request five x reader (takes place in s2) where reader (five’s partner) gets sent to Dallas around a year before five comes and after he does and reader sees him, she immediately tackles him on the spot and gives him many kisses. Maybe reader manages to work at a casino too

a/n: hi, thank you so much for your request! i haven’t written in a while so i'd love to hear your thoughts, enjoy!!

summary: it's been far too long since you've seen your boyfriend - he learns that the affectionate way.

warnings: reader works at a casino but there’s no actual gambling so🤷‍♀️

word count: 1.4k

You had to hand it to yourself, for someone who’d known next to nothing about life in the 1960s, you’d adapted pretty well. In no time at all, you’d managed to land yourself a job as a waitress in a casino. A very good one. It seemed in this timeline, Jack Ruby thought a casino would be a better investment than a night club - and for your part, you couldn’t say that he was wrong, nor could you complain.

The hours were long, but the pay was good enough and the other girls had taken you in as one of their own. You quickly began to excel. Strolling between the tables and flashing smiles was easy, second nature even. You developed the wit and charisma to charm the casino’s patrons without second thought, which meant you got more drinks served, more loyal customers and bigger tips to go along with them. 

Most nights the new life you’d built for yourself was more than enough but sometimes, no matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t help but yearn for what had come before - who had come before.

There was always a dull ache in your chest whenever you caught a fleeting glimpse of a lone, brown-haired man at one of the tables. In those moments, you could never stop yourself from believing for a slither of a second that Five had made it and he’d come right back to you.

You’d waited for him in that dingy, old alley for two weeks straight, because you knew that Five would never abandon his family like that. That something must’ve gone wrong, but it was okay because he’d come back and everything would be fine. That was what you told yourself. You were so sure he’d show up and solve everything in an instant, because that was what he always did. And when he hadn’t, it had almost destroyed you.

The first few months were gruelling, taking your first steps in the new world had taken a while. Grieving Five had taken longer. The obvious truth was staring you in the face. A year without contact from him or any of the other Hargreeves siblings? The probability was that you were the only one who had survived.

It was a truth that you were reluctant to admit, even now. One that led you to where you are today, starting yet another night shift, beside the casino’s bar, to serve a particularly rowdy Friday night crowd of patrons.

As you begin to set up, Mary-Anne, one of the other waitresses on shift, sidles up to you. Her honey-blonde curls bouncing around her ears as she leans against the bar. Trying to stifle her laugh, in her southern drawl, she says, “Has he tried talking to you yet?”

You raise an eyebrow at her, tilting your head to the side, “Has who tried talking to me yet?”

Her grin grows wider as she gestures to a table on the far corner of the room, laughing, “That little boy. Haven’t I said a million times that we oughta get tighter on the security in this place?”

She sighs, resting her hands on her hips, “I went over to him - trying to tell him that we don’t allow minors in here - and what’d he do?”

Deciding to humour her, you smile, looking down at her, “I’ve got no idea, tell me.”

She scoffs, shaking her head as she smiles, “He told me that he more than knew his way around place a place like this and that I had nothing to worry about with him. Can you imagine having the nerve like that at his age?”

The thought made you laugh. It reminded you of Five. His haggard temper in the body of his younger self always seemed to shock people in the very same way. You paused. It couldn’t be him, couldn’t it? You must be jumping to conclusions. After all this time, it’d make no sense if he was here now and yet…

“He said that?” You ask, eyebrows furrowing as you glance between the table and Mary-Anne. You squint, trying to see if you could recognise him.

A part of you felt silly and girlish for still holding out hope but this kid’s description was just too similar and besides, you were a teenager again, you were allowed to be lovesick and entirely delusional. It was practically your god-given right.

Mary-Anne nodded, loading her tray up with drinks of all shapes and sizes to cover her half of the room, “He did.”

Your eyes were locked onto the distant table, practically pleading for the kid to just turn around and let your hopes down already. Still, all that greeted you was the back of his head and the green fuzz of the poker table in front of him.

When you didn’t tear your eyes away, Mary-Anne looked you up and down, her baby blue eyes swimming with concern, “You alright there?”

Looking back at her, you sigh, already pent up at the possibility of Five being so close, “Yeah, I just… What did he look like?” You ask tentatively, biting your rouge-tinted, bottom lip between your teeth.

Mary-Anne hums in thought as she loads your tray for you, “Gosh, I don’t know - he had dark hair, was wearing a suit. It had the funniest, little emblem on it.” She says, tapping her chest in place of where it would’ve been.

Your eyes widen in shock and excitement as you process her words, “An umbrella! It was an umbrella, wasn’t it?”

Mary-Anne grins, giggling, “It was… how’d you know that?”

You couldn’t even answer her. You were already starting to tremble and hyperventilate, entirely overcome with nerves and joy and pure, unbridled excitement all at once. A year of being apart and now he was no more than a few strides away. Your smile brightens up like no other.

You slip your tray from over your head and place it down on the bar as you say, “Hey, cover for me, would you? I’ll be two seconds.”

Without waiting for her answer, you dash across the room - a flurry of giddiness bubbling up inside of you the closer you get. You tousle your hair and straighten your uniform, anything to keep your anxious fingers busy and to better yourself for something you’ve waited for for far too long.

Hearing heels coming towards him again, Five sighs in frustration and turns around in his chair, “Lady, I already told you-“

The breath feels like it’s been stolen from your throat as he turns to face you. It’s really, truly him. Your boyfriend is right there in front of you and you’ve never felt more relief than in this moment.

“Y/N.”

You’re not sure if you want to cry or scream or simply just take him in for the first time all over again. As you look over him, his piercing gaze, his dark hair and the freckle on his right cheek that you can’t count the number of times you’ve kissed, your eyes can’t help but be drawn to his lips.

God, how you’ve missed the feeling of them. You barely have time to think about what you’re doing before you’re cupping his face and pressing your lips against his once more, savouring every part of him in a way you’d never thought to before.

Your hands trail over every callous in his skin, memorising him with your fingertips, and as you pull back, Five’s gaze softens like nothing else as he smirks, “Hello, you.”

His hands reach out to cup your face, gazing over you as if he’s not entirely sure that you’re real. After all your time apart, you’re not sure either. You smile, nodding, “It’s me. It’s you. You’re here, you’re really here!”

You cup his face in return and you can’t help but press another kiss to his lips. He smiles fondly as you do. And so you kiss him again… and again on his cheek… and on his freckle… his chin… his forehead. Everywhere your lips can reach, you press them.

After a moment, he laughs weakly and reaches up to pull your hands away from his face and intertwines them with his own fingers instead, “Okay, love.” He says chasteningly, “Let’s calm down there, shall we?”

Your smile grows shyer as you right yourself, “Sorry.” You say, brushing your hair away from your face.

He shakes his head, brushing your hair back for you and then guiding you by the waist to the seat beside him, “No, don’t be sorry. Don’t ever be sorry. Believe me, I’m just as happy to see you. Really.”

It’s him who initiates the kiss this time. He’s soft, delicate almost, in the way that he kisses you, as if each movement of his lips is a new way of giving all of his love to you and promising that he won’t ever let you out of his sights again.

[alltimefail]

Okay gang, I noticed something super intriguing in my recent weekend rewatch of Dead Boy Detectives!

In Episode 4 when the night nurse goes into Charles' mind there's a consistent detail in his memories that I haven't seen anyone point out: not all of Charles' five schoolmates throw stones at him when he's in the lake.

Two boys are positioned slightly off to the left side of the screen, watching and making no move to stop the others, but they do not directly harm Charles at any point.

I know this doesn't seem particularly interesting in and of itself, but it quickly becomes more interesting when the Night Nurse asks Charles "What could possibly have made [his] friends turn on [him] like this," and we flash forward to the next memory, a visual response to her question. In this memory, we see Charles standing up to all of his so-called "friends" who are senselessly beating up on a boy from Pakistan and...

Wait - actually, no - not all of his friends...

Yet again, two boys have been intentionally set apart from the group and yes, it is the same two boys who stood off to the side and watched Charles be harmed (ultimately killed) in the previous scene. The juxtaposition of these scenes begins to feel even more intentional when the perspective flips and we see the scene how Charles was seeing it, with the passive boys on the left and the boys engaging in violence on the right.

This scene is much brighter so we get a really good look at their faces here, but both of them go through a myriad of facial expressions/reactions in quick succession that are challenging to discern with 100% certainty. But with the blocking for the group being the same in both shots and the roles the boys play being the same in both shots, I feel like this had to be an intentional choice made to convey something implicitly to the audience.

That leaves me to wonder - did these boys know, deep down, that what was happening was wrong? Did they want to resist, walk away, or try to stop the violence like Charles did earlier but felt powerless to do so? It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge how one of the two "passive" boys was black: did that otherness, the same otherness that Charles felt and that boy from Pakistan surely felt, keep him from speaking up out of fear for his own safety (a valid fear, considering what we know).

Whatever the purpose, it's a really sad detail to me. Heartbreaking, actually. Edwin is 100% right when he says that the living are messy, and Crystal is right when she says that she and the boys lost their lives to boys who went too far (hers temporarily in the form of her memories, the boys completely in the form of their literal lives) because that's just it, isn't it? This show is full of moral and ethical conversations surrounding the limitations of labels like "good" and "bad" people; about capability and willingness to change; and about how our actions, whether rooted in good or bad intentions, can lead to unintended or undesired outcomes. Perhaps none of Charles' "friends" believed they would kill Charles that night; perhaps they just wanted to "rough him up" or "teach him a lesson." Perhaps none of Edwin's bullies could have anticipated that the ritual sacrifice "prank" would do anything more than scare a boy they perceived as different, effeminate ("Mary Ann"), and they certainly couldn't have known it would lead to years of torture and suffering in hell for not just Edwin, but for themselves as well. But it doesn't matter, and it doesn't excuse what they did. The boys who stood to the side and watched Charles die, and who watched their fellow "mates" beat on another boy prior to that, may not have thrown a single punch, but it didn't matter - the damage was done. They still were complicit in that violence, and therefore played just as much a role in Charles' death as the boys who were throwing stones and punches. To be alive is to deal with mess, complications, baggage...to insinuate otherwise is to diminish the nuance and intention put into every choice not only in this show, but in some ways, the world at large as well. It may be a small moment, but it struck me as something that said so much without having to explicitly say anything at all. Art is a good mirror on society in this way; it makes us face the reflections of messy, complex characters and situations that we could just as likely find ourselves a part of (maybe as the "good" guy, the vicim; maybe as the "bad" guy, the bully; or maybe as the guys who just... did nothing at all. The ones who watched, who were complicit in the suffering of others for what could be a multitude of selfish or self-preserving reasons).

All that being said, the TLDR here is: considering it's the same two boys who behave the same way in both instances it feels like an intentional detail. I wonder if there's potential for one (or both) of these boys to reappear in Charles' (after)life in the future? They are likely both still alive today, in their 50s, just as Charles would be had he not been murdered. Perhaps one of these boys could die and come to the agency with regrets or unfinished business (directly involving Charles or regarding something unrelated). Maybe Charles will run into them, alive, through a different case or just on the streets of London and be overwhelmed with a sense of "That should be me, too. I should have gotten to live." I imagine he would recognize them, even in older bodies, and it would understandably affect him to have to face anyone who played a role in his death, whether they threw stones or just watched.

Orrrrrrer it could be a totally pointless detail! 😂 I'm always open-minded to the fact that after 30+ rewatches I could be overanalyzing at this point. Either way, it confounds me nonetheless and I so desperately hope we will get to explore Charles' trauma more in season 2 (🤞)... so I thought I would share my thoughts! 🖤

(Last note: please excuse the bad photo quality!! I searched meticulously for the exact screencaps I needed but couldn't find anything, so I just took pictures of my tv screen with my phone lol.)

[written-in-flowers]

Let's Misbehave: Hyunjin x Male!Reader

Pairing: Hwang Hyunjin x Male!Reader

Genre: Smut, Fluff | AU: idol!verse, ninth member!au

Word Count: 7k

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!!

Summary: You and Hyunjin get a bit too handsy after champagne during fashion week. Insatiable lust leads to more than either of you expected for the night.

Disclaimer: These works are completely fictitious and for entertainment purposes only. They are not meant to reflect or label the members of Stray Kids in any way. The events within never took place. Thank you.

Tags: polyamory, idol!reader, tipsy sex (kind of), drinking, mentions of social anxiety (vaguely), bath sex, car stuff, mirror sex, cum eating, anal licking/rimming, blowjobs, anal sex, anal fingering, multiple creampies, multiple orgasms, multiple positions/places, hyunjin being a playful tease, bottom!hyunjin, top!reader, exhibitionism (they film some of it), stray kids once again being a bunch of sluts (haha),

Here's What You Missed on Newbie!

Next on Newbie!

taglist: @belladonna-6-6-6 @james-is-here @onementally-unstabel-kid @omg-lexiloveyou @drinkingrumandcocacola @himiko-shoji @ang3lzfelixx (let me know in the comments/replies if you want to be tagged for the next one!)

****

“Are you guys, you know, dating?” 

You heard the question more than you’d anticipated throughout the night. You and Hyunjin showed up to Milan fashion week together since you both represented different clothing lines. It was heavily mentioned that you came from the same Kpop group, and were good friends. However, strangers who’d met you thought you might be more than that. One celebrity claimed she’d keep it between you two if you were, since she said loads of people were “in the closet”. But, you assured her that you and Hyunjin had nothing going on. 

Hyunjin did not help in making it believable.

“Come on, this isn’t like home,” he said to you as you took seats beside the catwalk. “We can be a bit more touchy than normal.” His fingers walked up your thigh, and he grinned, “Unless you don’t like it?”

“You know I don’t mind it, but Hyunjin,” you glanced around at the dozens of cameras and paparazzi snapping photos, “We’re being watched by a lot of people. They might see something and get the wrong idea, then we’d get in trouble with management.”

“Is it wrong to say I don’t care?” he said, linking his arm around yours like friends might do. “I like being close to you, hyung. It makes me feel safe. We’re around so many new people, and it’s kind of…” 

The flirtation melted away as he stared at the crowds and cameras with you. “Scary?” you suggested, knowing exactly how he felt. 

“Yeah. Without the other members around, it’s weird,” he explained. “Channie-hyung and Felix always did the interviews and the talking because they’re fluent in English. I know some but, like, my brain freezes for a second trying to find the right words to make the sentence. I’m so used to having the other guys right there…I’m glad it’s you that came,” he rested his chin on your shoulder, “You’re better at it than me.”

“Am not. One of us has to talk,” you said in a soft laugh, nerves bubbling up inside you as the show began. 

“People really like you,” he said close to your ear. No sultry tone or flirtatious eyes, but genuine admiration. “You have that certain something that draws them to you. People have been talking to you since we got here. Freaking Anne Hathaway told you that you looked gorgeous!”

“She said you looked good too.”

“She said it to you first. You need to start realizing how impactful you are, hyung.”

“Impactful?” you laughed at the thought. “Hardly.”

“You make people feel a particular way, and they like it.” His fingers walked up your knee, and your entire body burned. You stared around nervously, “I can show you how you impact me later, if you want, after the party. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since comeback night. It felt so good-”

“-The show’s starting,” you interrupted him, earning a laugh instead of a scoff. 

It’d been like something out of a dream when the fashion director of Dior contacted you a few weeks ago. Francine, the lead designer, said you’d make the perfect model for their new menswear concept. Your fans went wild over the photos you took for the company, wearing everything from casual wear to fancy suits and jewelry. A few promotional videos later, they sent you an invitation to participate in Milan’s fashion week. You never expected yourself to be decked out in official fashion designer clothes, walking down red carpets and meeting famous celebrities. The glitz and glamor of the elite made your eyes sparkle, and you became nearly blind to everything at first. It was made better when Hyunjin said he’d be going to represent Versace. 

‘We can be each other’s dates!’ he’d beamed, happy to know he wasn’t going alone. 

As expected, Hyunjin looked breathtaking at each event. His long black hair gelled back from his face, the black outfit Donatella Versace put him in made him stand out in a crowd of supermodels. You couldn’t get over his flawless appearance, and how the outfit framed his body. How could you focus on anyone else when the most gorgeous person in the room is right beside you?

The outfits going past you kept you entranced the whole night. You couldn’t help seeing yourself on the catwalk, showing off Dior’s newest outfits and having the entire room’s attention. The idea scared and intrigued you. You had no idea what Hyunjin meant by you being ‘impactful’. You were a kid from Busan who wanted to sing and dance. You never expected to debut, and definitely never expected to be sitting in Milan beside one of the most beautiful people you know. Realizing how many celebrities recognized you, and how many more wanted to know you, amazed you. You were sitting beside Anne Hathaway, star of one of your favorite movie franchises: The Princess Diaries. You talked to A$AP Rocky, a rapper you’d admired for a while, and you met the incomparable Donatella Versace. 

She’d told you if she could have two ambassadors, she would!

The show ended in tremendous applause, and you and Hyunjin walked back outside to the cameras and reporters. The two of you followed the crowds into another room where they served drinks, food and played music. 

“I’ve never been good at parties,” you admitted to Hyunjin as he handed you a glass of champagne. “I didn’t go to many of them as a kid.”

“Well, that’s what this is for,” he said, clinking his glass with yours, “Liquid fun. It’s been helping introverts at parties since the beginning of time.” 

Taking sips of the expensive champagne, the two of you were taken around the room by your separate escorts. You met more famous people, took photos with them and talked. This could not really be happening. You’d bumped into a famous artist whose paintings Hyunjin introduced you to recently, and another actress whose works you’d followed for years. They all appeared down to earth like you, but the fact that you even talked to them made you giddy. The champagne left you feel loose and light, though not sloppy or slurred. You knew your limits. 

“Dance with me,” Hyunjin said, smiling lopsidedly and pulling you to the dance floor. 

“I…I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Jinnie,” you answered, heat rising in your cheeks. Too many people. Too many eyes. Even with the alcohol in your system, you knew better. 

“Come on,” he pleaded, taking you closer to the dance floor, “Let’s be naughty for a bit.” He winked, and you thought you might die. 

“Your definition of ‘naughty’ is way different than mine.”

“I know,” he giggled, finally getting to the crowded dance floor. 

You shouldn’t, but you blame the alcohol and Hyunjin’s beautiful face for making you move with him. You yearned for his touch, his closeness. Brief flashes of skin whenever Hyunjin moved tempted you. Seeing his plump lips, glossy and champagne-flavored looked so inviting and kissable. Why and how did he have this effect on you? 

“You can be closer,” he said, getting within inches of you. “If anyone says anything, we’ll say the floor was crowded and we couldn’t help it.” He put his hand on your chest, sliding it to your belt, “That I couldn’t help it.”

“If you don’t stop right now,” you warned, though your laugh made it less serious. 

“What? You’ll spank me?” he challenged with a smirk. “I like being spanked.” 

In the dimness of the room, surrounded by other couples and dancers, you brought him close by the waist. 

“You want to be naughty? Then let’s be naughty,” you said, moving to the music with him. 

“I like tipsy YN,” he said, moving his hips with yours. “He’s hot.” 

“How can I keep my hands to myself when you’re being such a tease?”

He leaned inches into you, “Don’t keep them to yourself, then. Touch me,” he whispered, lips on your ear as your bodies swayed to the music, “I love having your hands on me. You know exactly where to touch to get me worked up.”

Yes, you did. You’d seen him and Changbin together enough to know by now. They enjoyed sending pictures and videos to the group chat occasionally. The two of you danced together; not too close, but enough that your hands didn't leave his torso for too long. You let your hands glide up and down Hyunjin’s sides, feeling down to his tiny waist. The longer you touched him, the more heated the both of you became. The champagne hit you when you took up a second glass. Hyunjin laughed at you being a lightweight, but you almost told him it wasn’t the drinks making you so bubbly. Everything inside you screamed to take him to a dark corner, yet you stayed on the dance floor. 

“Hyung,” he breathed in your ear after a few songs, “Take me back to the hotel. The tub in my room is made for fucking.”

You groaned, the music drowning it out so nobody else heard you. You took his hand and led him through the room. Finding your manager by the door, you told him you and Hyunjin wanted to go. Clearly, he didn’t see you two on the dance floor, since you received no scolding or knowing looks. You said your goodbyes, then made your way into the car. 

“Come here, pretty.”

The partition between you and the driver up, you didn’t hesitate to kiss Hyunjin. His lips felt as soft as they always did. You cupped his cheek, feeling the warmth on your palm, as you deepened your kiss. His hand sliding across your lap, he lightly grazed your crotch and gave it a gentle squeeze. Your body never yearned for touch so badly before. You needed him against you, touching and kissing you. All the clothes separating you needed to come off, so you could take in every inch of Hwang Hyunjin.

“Hyung,” he laughed as you kissed down his neck, “I love it when you’re needy.”

You planted kisses wherever his jacket allowed, giving soft sucks and bites to the tender parts. His hand stayed on your groin, but he mostly let you take the lead. The intoxicating champagne and Hyunjin’s warmth made you feel dizzy and light headed. All you could focus on was his slim body underneath your hands, the muscles tensing at your touch. He carefully rubbed the outline of your dick pressing to your pants lightly, casually going over the round tip before going back down. Taking advantage of the long drive, you pushed him into a corner of the car and started kissing down his body. The phantom feeling of his hand on your cock stayed with you, as if he was somehow still doing it. Kissing him deeply, you started groping the bulge forming in his tight pants. When the car stopped, Hyunjin grinned as he pulled away from you.

“Your room or mine?”

“Yours. I want to see this tub you mentioned.”

Climbing out of the car, you walked through the lobby together. With only your managers following you, neither of you felt shy enough to keep away from one another. You each put your arm around each other’s waist and walked to the elevator. The staff let you both go up alone, which you never felt more excited about. Instantly, your lips found him again. Pressing him to the wall, you knew you didn’t have much time. Normally, you and the members kept the touching to a minimum in public. Simple back hugs, close proximity and fake flirting were as close to physical affection as you could take it. Some fans still made their interpretations, going far enough to ship you all together, but nothing concrete. Yet right now, in this steel box, you’d risk it all if it meant getting to kiss Hyunjin. Hands going up underneath his jacket, you felt the lace and satin shirt he wore. Another irritating barrier. Hyunjin moaned against your lips, pushing up against you while he did the same. The satin floral shirt you wore became an annoying obstacle you both had to overcome. Eventually, the elevator reached your floor, and Hyunjin led you down the hall. Removing his jacket, he teasingly threw it at you as he untucked the shirt. It looked good on him. Your eyes locked on how the fabric looked against his skin and shaped out his silhouette.

God, he was beautiful.

You reached his door, and you watched him fumble for his room key. Once you stepped inside, you brought him back into your arms. Clumsily kicking off your shoes, you each took turns removing pieces of one another’s outfits. Every removal stoked your eagerness for him. The moment you stood naked in his room, you observed the lines and muscles of his body. You followed them down to his cock hanging between his thighs. Barely hard, you still enjoyed the sight of it. You gently took it in your hand for several long strokes that made him whimper in your ear. 

“It's so nice,” you said to him, looking downwards. “I could play with this for hours.”

“Yours is nicer,” he replied, grabbing your dick next. You groaned at the sudden contact of his cold fingers against your hot skin. “It's so big. I thought it might rip me open when you first put it in me.”

“It’s not that big,” you laughed, “Why does everyone say that?”

“Because it is,” he said in a low voice, giving it a soft squeeze, “You're almost as big as Chan…” he gave you a lingering kiss, “Getting fucked by both of you would be heaven. I don't think my ass would ever be the same.”

Your cheeks actually burned. Hyunjin  kissed down your neck, giving your collarbone a soft peck before going further down. “I love having more than one,” he said, kneeling in front of you and gently rubbing your length. “Don’t you?”

“I do,” you said. 

“Pervert,” he smirked, kissing the tip. “You never say ‘no’. I love it.” 

“I literally can’t say no,” you laughed softly, your brain focused on his hand rather than the words. “You all make me so fucking weak, it’s pathetic.” 

“You make us pretty weak too,” he said, pressing his lips to the underside of the head. “It’s not because you’re new either. We can tell you’re like us.” You shivered when he licked the wrinkles to the thick vein slowly pumping blood into your cock. “We knew it when we started catching you doing all the pervy stuff you were doing around us. It’s nice being around someone who understands you, and enjoys the same things as you.” He gave your shaft a soft squeeze, “You also just fit with us so well. It’s like once we met, we knew we’d found our ninth member. You’re the breath of fresh air, to be honest.”

“It is good being able to be open about who I am for once,” you said, softly gripping his hair, “Even if it’s behind closed doors. I always worried someone might find out for real, and I’d never debut.”

“Chan would’ve made sure that never happened,” he said, stroking you as you got harder. “He likes you a lot. I think he might like you more than the rest of us,” he giggled. 

“I doubt that's true.”

“Then, he’s the horniest for you for sure. I don’t blame him though. I thirst after you pretty hard sometimes. There’s a reason I always end up at the gym at the same time as you.” His mouth fell open and he placed the tip on his tongue. Giving it a few taps, he then said, “Will you fuck me there one day? I’d go to the gym more often if I knew I’d get a few inches of your dick each time.”

“God yes,” you sighed, watching his hand slide up and down your hardon. “That’d be so fucking hot.” 

You stared down, hands resting behind your back as Hyunjin took over. Toes curling into the carpet, every little lick and kiss sent more sparks of pleasure to your groin. You didn’t know how much longer you’d last once he fully stuck you in his mouth. You couldn’t look away from the plump lips tightly sucking you from top to bottom or the dark eyes staring up at you needily. His own dick stuck up to his stomach, and you groaned when you caught him stroking himself in time with you. He didn’t protest when you slid your hand into his hair to force him further down your cock. The back of his throat hugged your tip, fluttering around as it tried swallowing the bits of precum falling through but gagging instead. Hyunjin’s soft moans turned into low vibrations that had you bucking your hips forward. 

“Fuck me,” he coughed, spitting thick globs of precum and spit onto your cock before spreading it over. “Please, hyung. I can’t wait anymore.” 

Never one to waste time, you lifted him from the floor onto the bed nearby. Hyunjin giggled when you nearly tossed him and then crawled over him. Your lips met his again as you laid on top of him, grinding your wet cock against his ass when you lifted his legs up. Everything in you broke loose, so where you’d normally drag things out, you pushed the first inch inside him. Hyunjin’s grip on his knees tightened, arms going around them to keep them to his stomach as you went further. The walls of his throat were nothing compared to his ass. Your eyes rolled back in each push, your body shaking when you finally plunged all the way in. Propped up on your fists, you didn’t hold back this time. You gave this beautiful, tempting siren exactly what he wanted: to be fucked by you. 

All the teasing in the car and the blowjob brought out the feral, primal need for release. You rocked your hips into Hyunjin, his ass rippling every time your balls smacked into the bottom curves, and didn’t stop. Not even when your arms started quaking from holding you up or when your thighs and hips burned. Hyunjin’s desperate whines and whimpers turned into loud moans the closer he came to his orgasm. You felt him almost purposefully clenching around you, drawing you to the brink of pleasure. 

“Cum inside me,” he pleaded, opening his legs so you saw the dick leaking all over his stomach. “I love it when you do it.”

“Oh yeah?” you grabbed his thighs, holding them up to your waist as you changed your angle. “You love having cum in your ass?”

“I do, I do, I do,” he cried, starting to touch himself in front of you. The slick, wet noises of his strokes joined the ones further down. “It feels so good. I cum every time anyone does it. Please, hyung, please-yes, yes, like that!”

You couldn’t stop yourself this time. Your body turned rigid, shivering and shuddering as you released inside Hyunjin’s bottom. You looked down to see your cum, thick and white, gradually leaking out in every thrust. The tight hole worked out each drop right as Hyunjin’s own climax came. Spurting everywhere, you couldn’t look away. His body constricted in every long moan, and his hand erratically pumped until he finished.  

When it finally ended, you stayed buried in him as you both shared deep, long kisses. Hyunjin locked himself around you, and you slid your arms under his shoulders to keep him close. Out of habit, you made a thrust or two that earned you a soft moan. For several minutes, you enjoyed being close to him. You took in the scent of his faint cologne, and the shampoo and hair products lingering in his black hair. Your hands went down his body, giving his hips a squeeze. 

“Can we keep going?” he asked after a while, eyes closed as you kissed his cheek. “I need more.”

“Let’s get you cleaned up first, yeah?” you suggested, kissing from his neck to his collarbone. “I still want to see his tub of yours. 

The suggestion of more made Hyunjin smirk, “It really is nice.”

“Mine was too,” you said, carefully withdrawing. Thin streams of white dripped out of him once you did, and you held him open to watch it for a second. He twitched when you swiped your thumb over it, spreading the substance around. 

“Am I going to get a second load, hyung?” he asked, pushing down to your hand. 

“Of course,” you said. “Hyung will give you as much as he can.” 

The bathroom really was nice. Clearly, whoever designed it had horny newlywed couples in mind: the shower easily fit two or three people and was made entirely of glass. A wide mirror sat atop a marble sink counter, and more of them surrounded the corner tub. Hyunjin prepared for this moment. You spotted the lavender bubble bath sitting at the edge of the tub, which was already full of water and soap bubbles. Purple flower petals floated on the water amongst the rich lather, and someone placed fake candles in the corners. What caught your eye was the ice bucket on the floor: a bottle of wine with two glasses sat chilled inside unopened.

“You planned this,” you said from behind him, wrapping your arms around him. “Naughty boy.”

“I couldn’t resist,” he said, turning around to touch your chest. “I saw this bathtub and knew I had to be fucked in it by the hottest guy I know.”

“But, Changbin’s not here?” You joked.

“One of the hottest guys I know, then,” he said, laughing as he brought you to the tub. “Little did I know you’d fuck me beforehand.” 

“You sucked my dick,” you reasoned, “And told me to fuck you. How could I say ‘no’?”

“I’m glad you didn’t.” 

Fitting both of you comfortably, he stepped in first to rest against the rounded corner. You followed, surprised by the warmth.

“Who did this?” you asked, sliding into the space next to him.

“One of the staff,” he reached down for the wine, and twisted it open. “She went out and got the stuff, and set it up on our way here.”

If you’re thankful for anything, it’s the Stray Kids’ staff members. Hyunjin poured both of you wine, and the mixture of the soothing bath, a post-orgasm glow, and Hyunjin’s naked body became a deadly combination. Taking sips, you relaxed in the water to unwind from the nerve wracking day. You found it hard to not touch him. Even if he said he enjoyed it, you still cleaned up Hyunjin the best you could. The delicate touches soothed your younger member, who curled up close to you as you cleaned his lower half first. 

“I’m glad it’s me and you here,” he said softly, kissing you. 

“Because you get to have me to yourself?” you teased, pulling him across your lap. 

His arm around your neck, the other laid on your chest as he spoke. “Not only that,” he grinned, “But because you make me feel good. I feel okay with you. I don’t feel that way with that many people.”

“Really? You always seem so at ease with people.”

“I sort of have to force myself to be,” he admitted, “Otherwise people might think I’m being rude or not interested in what’s going on.” He leaned his head on your shoulder, tracing patterns between your pecs. “When I first got the invite, I was like ‘oh no, I’m going alone and it’ll be so awkward’, but then you said you got one too and I was so relieved. A holiday alone with you at a big fancy fashion show? It made me feel good about it. You’re better with people.”

“Am not,” you repeated. “I have to force it too. I’ve never been extroverted before I started training in Kpop groups. I knew if I wanted it to work, I needed to actually talk to my members. But…” your insides squirmed, “I also was scared they’d find out about me if I talked too much. I was always afraid of getting too comfortable and revealing it.” The memory of Beomgyu’s fists slamming hard into your face made you shudder, “So, after a while, I stopped getting close.”

“You feel okay with us though,” Hyunjin asked, “Right?”

“I do. I’ve never felt more at ease in a group before now.” 

“Channie-hyung was like that too when we first put the group together,” he said, sipping from his wine glass. “He’d been let down a lot, and didn’t want to get too close to us until the show.” He paused, “You guys have a lot in common. Not just interest wise, but the way you are.”

“No we’re not.” 

“You are,” he insisted. “Chan is this big protective leader and you’re the same way. You both are incredibly kind and passionate. You engage with Stays the same way, talk to the members the same way…It’s like you’re both the same person sometimes.”

This astute comparison to Chan knotted your stomach. You've thought about him a lot lately. More than usual since arriving in Milan. Like Hyunjin with you, Chan made you feel safe. You didn’t worry so much with him around, because you knew he’d have your back and watch out for you. Not many people have done that since you came to Seoul. 

“He really likes you,” Hyunjin said, breaking through your thoughts. “Chan, I mean. He likes you a lot.”

“Yeah, because we’re group members and he’s our le-”

“-Shut up, you know that’s not what I meant,” Hyunjin said, lightly splashing your chest. “He looks out for all of us, and always tries his best to care for us, but I notice he does it for you the most. I swear, if you say it’s because you’re new, I’m getting out of this tub and you can sort your dick out yourself,” he laughed before you could disagree. ��It’s not because you’re new. It’s because you two have a connection, and he knows it. He wishes you knew it too.”

“How do you know? Has he…Has he said that?” 

“In a way,” he shrugged. “We were in bed together not that long ago and I asked him. Not in a jealous way, but I was curious about it. He said you were somebody special to him, and you made him nervous sometimes. He doesn’t really have to say it, though. He always gets all shy and blushes when any of us tease him for having a crush on you.”

Hearing this brought heat to your cheeks. You drank from your wine glass to cool it down, but it hardly worked. “Really?”

“You two are so cute,” he cooed, pinching your cheek. His eyes went from sweet to alluring as he said, “And hot.” 

“Jinnie…”

“What? It’s true,” he said, fingers trailing down your left to one nipple. “You make me horny so easily,” he grazed his fingertips over the hardening peak, knowing what it did to you. “All you have to do is touch me sometimes and I want to pounce on you,” the both of you laughed, kissing softly. “I’d originally wanted to fuck in here at first, but when you took out that big dick of yours-”

“-It’s above average at best-”

“-I had to have it right then.” 

You slid your hand over his lap, going back to touching his soft dick. “Is that so?” 

“Yes,” he nodded, wriggling when you touched him. He continued pinching your nipple as he whispered, “I haven’t stopped thinking about it since comeback night when you rearranged my guts. You fucked me so good,” he pecked your lips, “And so deep. I didn’t want to stop.” 

“Neither did I.” 

“Then don’t this time.” 

Hyunjin did not need to be told to straddle your lap. The water only coming up close to his midsection, your soapy hands had access to the top half. Kissing up his sternum, your hands slid over the curves and slopes of his body. He shifted around when you reached his lips, fingers crossing over his nipples every so often. You spent time studying his body; taking in the shape of him. His cock pressed right against yours in his seat, and he began returning the favor by rubbing your chest, shoulders and arms. You felt his desire growing between his thighs, only encouraging your own each time he grinded into you. Soon, you began feeling further down his body, kneading your fingers into the softer parts. Your cock pressed to Hyunjin’s, the pressure traveled from balls to head every time he moved around. You could feel exactly where his tip brushed against yours, and his balls just sliding right onto the base of your dick. 

“How’s that?” Hyunjin asked, continuing to grind on you with one arm around your neck.

“So good,” you groaned, tweaking one nipple softly. “So, so good.”

Hyunjin brought you in for a deep kiss as he held both your dicks in one hand. He moved suds from between you for you to see it clearly. You loved how his dick looked like squeezed in his hand with yours. Not as big, it still made you drool. Each stroke sent waves of pleasure through your body, tightening in your groin and slowly taking over. You watched him work both of you together, groaning as he tapped his tip against yours to pinch the sensitive nerves there. His nipples so close to your mouth, you reached down to lick one of them which made the pretty boy moan your name. He moved his hand faster when you reached around to grope his ass. The supple mounds filled your hands, and molded to your tender squeezes. Hyunjin lifted your head by the chin to make you look at him. 

“Finger me,” he panted, kissing your lips. “Finger me while you suck my dick, please. I want your pretty lips around me, Hyung.” 

“Sit up here for me then,” you told him, patting the small corner where he could sit, “Hyung will take good care of you tonight.” 

You both maneuvered around until he sat in front of you. Feet propped up on either side, Hyunjin became completely exposed and vulnerable to you. The picture of him spread out, breathless and aching made you harder, and you desperately wanted to pound him into the mirror behind him. The lingering droplets of water streamed down his length, sliding onto his balls. You started from bottom to top, keeping it light and playful with teasing flicks and quick kisses. You’d add your palm strokes into the mix, seeing the black-haired beauty squirm each time your hand passed over the most sensitive part. You coated your fingers in your spit and started rolling them around his entrance below. Having him resting in your mouth sparked a new arousal you couldn’t control. The heaviness on your tongue, the smooth skin sliding over it made your dick throb in the water. The hole below clenched and unclenched at your fingers, almost like inviting you to sink them 

His cock throbbed in your hand, feeling heavier and thicker as you worked him. You knew it’d be a while before he came again, considering his previous orgasm, but you didn’t mind. You could go all night, if he wished. Hyunjin’s mouth hung open in low moans; he gripped the corners of the tub, hands even sliding on the mirrors for something to grab onto. You looked up to see his head fall back as you stuck one finger halfway inside him. The image of his hole stretching to your movements was a drool worthy sight. His walls squeezed tight around the digit, fluttering and pulling it further each time you withdrew and pushed back in. Once it was to the last knuckle, you kept it there for several seconds as you sucked his hard tip. 

“YN,” he whined, “Put another finger…Please? Please, finger me harder…faster…please. Please. I can take it, I swear.” 

“I know you can,” you smirked up at him, “But I like teasing pretty boys like you. You always look so cute when you squirm around,” you flick your tongue over the twitching muscle in front of you, “And get harder and harder for me.”

“Hyung,” he cried out, moving his hips around but getting nowhere. “Please. I promise I’ll be a good boy. I’ll be your….your good boy….”

“Good to know,” you said, sucking on the head as you pumped your fingers through his hole. “Because only good boys get to cum with me. You be patient and enjoy my fingers, baby, and you’ll get fucked soon, okay?”

“O-Okay.” 

He cried out and gripped your hair when you slipped the tip in your mouth. One arm around your thigh for support, you spat on your fingers again and shoved a second finger. This made Hyunjin more desperate, but he stayed put as you’d ordered. You took in another inch every other stroke, causing the raven-haired beauty to moan out your name in between curses. The sensitivity kicked in once he reached your throat. The thickness of him blocked your airway, penetrating as deep as you could take it while still humming, and you loved it. His legs twitched when you finally fingered him faster. Not fast enough to satisfy him, but enough to make him moan louder. 

“Such a good boy,” you groaned against his dick, not taking it out completely. “That’s it. Stay right there. Don’t move.” 

You took him to the base and fingered him how he’d wanted for a few seconds. The choking caused drool to drip from the hilt, which you slurped up obscenely. He gave a frustrated cry when you stopped suddenly, bucking his hips around. By the time you pulled off him, your throat burned and your jaw ached, but you still kissed and licked up his dripping cock. You simply couldn’t get enough of it. You realized how tender your cock was when you pressed him against the mirrored wall and put his legs and arms around you. You were thankful for all those weight training sessions with Changbin. 

As he’d requested, you did not take it easy on him. Keeping him pinned to the wall, you did your best to bottom up into him. Your balls smacking the lower curves of his ass, hips slapping the backs of his thighs, you pounded him. Your cock throbbed against the hole pulling you; the faint tickle of your balls hitting him added to the pleasure. 

“Fuck, you’re so hot, hyung,” he breathed, head turned to the mirror at the edge of the tub. “You’re fucking me so well and so deep. I can see your dick going in and out. It’s so fucking hot.”

You grabbed his chin and forced him to watch you fuck him instead. The both of you stayed in that position, taking in the sight of your bodies pressed together. “You like watching yourself get fucked, huh?” you teased, leaning back to grab his leaking cock. “Do you?”

“Yes, yes,” he whined through his teeth, unable to move into you in his folded position. “I love wat-wa-watching you fu-u-fuck me.” 

He cried when you pulled out, but you didn’t stay out for long. You helped him turn around, arching his back before shoving your dick back inside. Grabbing his hair, you kept it in the same direction as you continued the same pace. 

“Stroke yourself,” you grunted, smacking his ass with your free hand, “Make the picture prettier by touching yourself for me.” 

He didn’t hesitate. Hyunjin rapidly jerked his dick in time with your thrusts. You nearly came from seeing the vision in the mirror. Your dick really did stretch Hyunjin out, and the both of you couldn’t get enough of it. Things stayed this way until your lover and you exited the tub for the floor. His phone nearby on the counter, Hyunjin turned on his camera and handed it to you. You did not need to be told what to do. Pressing the record button, Hyunjin started riding you facing forward so the camera had a perfect view of him. You both knew how much the members would enjoy it. 

“That’s it, just like that,” you groaned, grabbing and pinching his nipple. “Just like that, good boy.” 

“Hyung, hyung, hyung,” he whined on every bounce. “Hyung, your dick feels fucking amazing. I can-can’t ge-get enough of it! Don’t stop fucking me! Even when we cum, please, don’t stop.” 

“Trust me, I’m not going to. You’ve been after my dick all night, and you're getting every inch.” 

The words quickened Hyunjin’s pace. Face flushed, lips swollen and open, and his erection flopping with him  might’ve sent you over the edge. He lost all control when you started pushing your hips to meet him, hard and fast as he’d wanted. Soon, he was quivering and shaking in place, drool falling from his lips as his eyes rolled back and closed. You knew you were hitting the right spot; you could feel it every time you hit a different angle. Hyunjin did not stop as he started cumming. His cum sprayed everywhere in his ride, falling on you and him in thick streams. You managed to withhold your own orgasm despite his tightening body. You propped the phone against the bottom of the tub, and carefully rolled him onto his stomach. Hyunjin knew what position you wanted, and immediately lifted his ass into the air. Hands curling into the fluffy bath rug under him, he stayed firmly in place as you pushed back into him. 

You made sure the camera caught a good angle of your dick filling his ass in every thrust. You didn’t slow down or soften on him. The feeling of him taking you so well became addicting. You loved watching your dick ruin everyone else for him. Soon, you were shaking and gripping his hips hard. Hyunjin, jerking himself off, whimpered as you came inside him again. Your dick twitching and pulsating had him moaning with you, even if he wasn’t climaxing. You made sure to push your cum back in as deep as possible, wanting to coat his walls with your seed. 

Hyunjin laughed breathily when you didn’t stop. Withdrawing, you started lapping up the cum dripping from him. He wriggled around when your tongue snaked through and started probing his tight hole. The bumpy walls hugged the muscle like they’d done to your cock, not wanting it to exit but somehow go further. Your face buried in his ass, your arms locked around his thighs, Hyunjin could do nothing but writhe around on the floor and grasp at the rug and tiled floors. His pathetic whimpering aroused you once again, and you couldn’t explain how. Knowing the camera still filmed you encouraged you to do more. 

“Use my hole, YN. Use my hole to cum again.”

Four orgasms. You have no idea how either of you managed four, but you did. Having left the bathroom, you both ended up back on the bed with Hyunjin holding the phone as he filmed you in the closet mirror. Straddling one of his thighs, you laid him on his back with one lifted so you could enter him. Exhaustion began weighing you down, but the need for one more had you going. You laid on top of him in a similar position, kissing the nape of his neck and shoulders as you humped him. The sensitivity made you quiver each time, and it wasn’t soon after that the two of you came together. 

“That was…so good,” Hyunjin said, taking deep breaths and burying his face into the pillow for a moment. “Amazing.”

“Exactly how you wanted?” you asked, melting on top of him as you finally gave into your tiredness. 

“Yes,” he laughed weakly, unable to move from how worn out he felt. 

He turned off the video, and you watched him send it through hazy eyes. “You all really like sending nudes, huh?” you joked, kissing his shoulder. 

“It’s only fair to-to share good experiences,” he giggled, putting his phone aside. 

You pulled from him, twitching at the last slide against your sensitive cock. Laying on your back, every thought of tomorrow remained in the back of your mind. You knew in a few hours a manager would knock on the door and find you both in your marked-up, worn out, naked state. Usually, you’d have some kind of shame when you were found by one of them, but right then you couldn’t care less. The two of you made vain attempts to clean yourself up with wet wipes Hyunjin kept nearby, then rolled under the covers together. 

Like last time, the members were shocked and aroused by the video. They marveled at your endurance and stamina; Changbin claimed credit for getting you into working out, which greatly helps. You didn’t know how to explain what happened, but only that Hyunjin worked you up too much to not go a few more times. 

“We should go on vacations together more often,” Hyunjin said the next morning as you both carefully dressed yourselves. Last night’s vigorous romp left your muscles sore and stiff. “If that’s the kind of fucking you do away from home,” he sneered. 

“I don’t know what came over me,” you laughed as he walked into your arms. You kissed him gently, nuzzling his nose, “I’d blame the champagne and wine, but that wouldn’t make sense.”

“Just say it’s because we’re both super horny sluts and forget about it,” he said, kissing you one more time before pulling away. Zipping up the suitcase on the bed, he took your hand and pecked your lips again, “Let’s get going. We’ll miss our flight.”

“Right. Yeah, of course.”

In the van, you checked your phone for messages and saw a message from Felix. Your body flushed with heat when you saw it was a photo of him wearing nothing but boxers and an anal plug in his ass. 

“Please fuck me like that when we hang out again. I've never gone that long before.”

As you expected, Han also messaged you. In his, he sat on a dildo which he rode in a loop.

“See? I can fuck like that too. Can I be next?? I promise I'll be good 🥺”

You had no idea who you wanted next. 

****

A/N: These boys are totally horny for this boy, haha. Another totally self-indulgent newbie fic. lmao I hope you guys enjoyed this one too! remember to reblog/like too <3

[kittenintheden]

music to my ears

just a little rainy day eargasm, as one does.

Rating: E Word Count: >1k Content: 18+, elf ears are erogenous zones, touchless orgasm, ear kissing, ASMR, cream dem jeans

---

Rain patters gently on the roof of the tent, the sound a soothing end to an arduous day. Astarion and Tav lounge together purely for the physical affection of it, her arms encircling his shoulders from behind as he sits between her legs, his back pressed up against her.

He still can't quite believe she's agreed to this. No sex? He's never lived in a world like that. But she not only seems willing, she seems eager to discover a dozen new kinds of intimacy.

As if she senses his train of thought, she puts her lips right up to his ear and says, “This okay?”

He hums and arches, feeling a pleasant tingle spread across his scalp and down the back of his neck.

“Is what okay?”

“Are ears okay?” she whispers.

Another wave of tingles passes over him and he grins lazily. “They’re above the waist, aren’t they?” he responds, leaning to the side to give her better access because hells, it really does feel good.

He can feel her mouth move as she hugs him tighter. “Remember you can always ask me to stop if it gets to be too much.”

He chuckles. “What could you possibly do that could be too-”

But then he’s arching again with a gasp as she runs the tip of her tongue up his antihelix all the way to the tip. The wet warmth sends a wash of pleasure straight through him, filling his chest like bath steam and continuing southward to pool behind his navel. His eyes go half-lidded and he swallows.

“Still okay?” she whispers.

Immediately he nods and says, “Yes. I like that. I like that very much.”

“Good.”

He feels her tongue draw over him again, this time behind his ear from base to tip. Then she uses the blunt edges of her teeth to softly scrape back down the outer ridge and he only barely holds back his whine. It’s soothing and erotic in the same moment, contentment and arousal rising in him like the tide.

Inside his trousers, he feels himself growing hard, and it’s not unwelcome. His feet dig into the ground beneath them as he pushes himself back into her, seeking more contact, pressing his back firmly into her chest, and he feels her grin as she places an open kiss to his ear lobe. Brings it into her mouth, gives it a gentle suck.

“Ah,” he breathes, squirming against her as his cock goes fully hard under her attention.

From her position, her own eyes go lustful and glazed as she looks down the length of his body and sees the ridge of him swell and strain against his clothes. Gently, she brings up one hand to play with his hair as she continues to tease his ear with tooth and tongue.

“Pretty,” she whispers in between. “How pretty you are, going weak under me. Who knew your ears were so sensitive.”

He grips her legs tight to either side of him and bites his lip, trying to clear his head enough to respond. “You’re half-elven,” he gasps. “You know exactly… hah… what you’re doing.”

“I do,” she laughs softly. “And you know I know.”

The stimulation continues to coax the flame in his gut, the tension coiling deliciously, making him shudder to the core. She flicks her tongue over his tragus and swirls it into the triangular dip near the pointed tip and he’s panting, panting, nearly writhing against her, using his heels for leverage to push back. His cock twitches, sensitive and untouched, but he feels a crest building nonetheless.

“Would you like to come, dearest?” she whispers right into the center of his mind and he squeezes his eyes shut and whimpers.

He nods, the movement jerky.

“Then come,” she breathes, giving him a hard nip and then a final soothing, firm lick.

His mouth falls open and he all but collapses against her as his hips arch up off the ground and he creams himself, his spend spilling from him in staccato bursts that feel like a brush on the underside of heaven with every pulse. When he’s done, his muscles go slack and he blinks, bleary-eyed, only mildly annoyed somewhere deep in the back of his brain that he needs to get down to the river in short order to wash the trousers he just soiled.

She squeezes him tightly from behind. “Still okay?” she says softly.

“Hnnnnngggggyeah,” he responds.

[remarcely]

Something was itching me about Kipperlilly as a character for a while that I couldn't place down but I just got it.

There is so much of a connection between her storyline and the radicalization a white suburban kid can have to something like white supremacy that it's not even that deep, it's surface level.

Think about it:

She has a strong hatred for a minority kid in her school because he's got great grades and is viewed as a hero

She's envious of the hardships he's gone through and starts hating her family for being so 'normal' (a lot of white people can feel angry about their identity and what they think is a lack of a culture because they 'don't feel oppressed enough' to justify their own feelings of unfairness)

She takes all that anger and infects the people around her, hurting them and 'radicalizing' a few others

Is so insistent that this random kid had an unfair start because of his family situation that she wants to permanently change the bylaws in her school so he's put at a crazy disadvantage, just so she feels like she has an upper hand (think of racist people being mad that there's more POC going to college and crying that they're only getting in because they're a minority, ignoring the real work those students put it despite the disadvantages they might have faced)

She doesn't do any self introspection, doesn't decide to put more effort into her grades or personal relations, she takes that hatred and lets it poison her from the inside out. She rants about fairness when she doesn't put the work in and chooses to despise the people that do, just because they're not as miserable as her.

Her guidance counselor doesn't know how to combat that anger because he doesn't agree with her politics, a creepy adult in her life recognizes her hate and takes advantage of it to stir up the flames, we don't even see her parents but it's safe to say they're not exactly involved or watching her.

I don't know, I'm just annoyed because I keep seeing people say 'if you hate Kipperlilly that's just misogyny' as if she is not a genuinely hate-able character.

You can hate a woman for being evil, you're allowed.

And on the whole 'redemption' thing, sure that's entirely possible but let's face it. You cannot force someone to change, that's not how redeeming yourself works, you have to want it. Kipperlilly has no desire to change because she believes she is right. What use is it to her to abandon a worldview that suits desires her so well?

There was no way that could have been covered in an epilogue well enough to justify it and do you really think all the people that had their lives ruined and were literally murdered (Lucy, Oisin, Ivy, Ruben, Mary Ann, Buddy, etc.) would be bending over backwards to check on their killer?

[raguonmynieceandnephew]

"It's so unfair to the Rat Grinders that they are killed instantly and the Bad Kids get to roll death saves." SHUT UUUUUUUUUUUUP

THIS IS LONG, AND HONESTLY FOR MYSELF, SO YEAH READ IF YOU WANT

I swear to god, this discourse is going to fucking be the end of me. Idk what kind of mind boggling spell Brennan Lee Mulligan wove into the fabric of the universe that spread through the data center of Dropout in order to absolutely hijack y'all's brains when it comes to Cocklord Assgape and her ragtag of character foils but whatever it was has made you Rat Grinder stans INSUFFERABLE in this site.

The levels of treating fictional characters as if they were real people have reached a level I honestly have never anticipated, to the point of y'all actually being mad AT THE CAST for "mistreating" them and ACTUALLY QUESTION BRENNAN'S CAPACITY TO DM. Do you not get how fucking insane that is?

We can't make fun of Copperkettle, one of the most pathetic, petty and incompetent villains in D20 history anymore (even though she is masterfully written and developed to generate this reaction from us) anymore because it's bullying apparently. I saw an account flip the fuck out because someone compared her rivalry with Kristen to Drake and Kendrick's beef. KIPPERLILY IS NOT A REAL GIRL. SHE IS A MAKE BELIEVE CHARACTER IN AN IMPROV SHOW SPAWNED FROM THE BRAIN OF A 36 YEAR OLD MAN

And then what truly pissed me off the MOST about this whole hell is the fact that, being chronically online avid consumers of this goddamn show, I would think you would have but a grasp of the main cast of characters' characterization.

Why the uproar about Riz saying they should chop Oisin's head off? The same Riz who tortured that pixie from Freshman year by shooting off their finger one by one? The same Riz who murked a disarmed and unconscious Coach Daybreak without battin an eye? The same Riz who ATE THE CORPSE OF KALVAXUS?

And the whole Fabian vs Ivy debacle MY GOD, THE GIRL WAS RACIST TO HIS GIRLFRIEND AND USED HER LAST BREATH TO CALL MAZEY "OBJECTIVELY UGLY". And the funniest thing is that is not even the most unhinged shit he has ever said.

And finally, Death Save Gate: THE RAT GRINDERS ARE NOT PLAYER CHARACTERS. THEY ARE NPCS! THE RULES FOR EACH WORK DIFFERENTLY, ESPECIALLY THEM BEING BOSS ENCOUNTERS. Imagine having to still hit Ivy or Oisin 2 more times to kill them when there is 14 foot tall Porter throwing legendary actions left and right, with Jace, and other 3 spell casters + Mary Ann and KLCK up and running. It's called balancing the fucking game. Also, game masters are entitled to break, mold and make up any rules they want if they find necessary in order to service themselves and their players. IF YOU PLAY WITH ALL THESE RULES AS THEY COME, GOOD FOR YOU AND YOUR TABLE. THIS IS NOT YOUR TABLE.

Not only is Brennan DMing for his CLOSEST FRIENDS EVER, he is also shooting and producing an ENTIRE TV SHOW. So yeah, i think he knows wtf he is doing.

"But the Ratgrinders had no real development": True. But it wasn't for lack of trying from the players. Everytime they tried to know more, the dice didn't let them, so they decided to focus on the mystery. It simply do be like that sometimes.

"But they are just kids!": And so were Penelope, Dayne, Ragh, Zayn, the Bloodrush Players, Aelwyn and Biz. Why wasn't it a problem then? Because most of them were evil to some extent and were about to bring the fucking apocalypse to the world? Yeah, sounds familiar right? And the ones who were manipulated or had any sort of redemption worked their way into earning it, right? Yeah.

In conclusion, I fucking love the Rat Grinders, I truly do, and not unlike 90% of this website, i'm still holding on to hope that they have any sort of development and redemption in the last episode, because I agree, they ARE children and they WERE manipulated by Porter and Jace, but like, can we also agree that they are fucking assholes and had it fucking coming? Also, the BKs are children too y'know. SO STOP BEING FUCKING ANNOYING.

[mandy-asimp]

Redecorating Your Heart

Melissa Schemmenti x reader

Fluff mostly

Summary: you begin to make changes to Melissa's home, but one year you have a different change in mind

The first time it wasn't as obvious. It was a slight change. You and Melissa had been dating two years prior before she really asked you to just move in. After all, you were never at your apartment.

The first thing you had to change was her couch situation. You understood it and told her multiple times if you moved in, it would be coming off within your first week. She would laugh it off like you were joking, she really believed you were.

But when you moved in, you had a plan. You slowly unfolded parts, knowing that by Friday she'd be so swamped she wouldn't even notice it. And you were right. By Friday she didn't. It took Barbra coming over Monday to realize it.

"Melissa Ann, have you finally come to your senses about your couch?" The older woman beamed as she sat down, her hands running over the soft fabric. "I must say I'm impressed!"

And that's when Melissa looked at you. You were in the kitchen pouring the two wine glasses and grabbing yourself a drink with whiskey.

You had this smile on your face. One she couldn't be mad at, so she sighed in defeat against you. "It was y/n's idea. She has been trying to get it off for awhile now.

That's when you came over glasses in hand and a big, wide smile on. "I won't try and alter anything else...." you trailed off. Both woman gave you a disbelieving look and you could only shrug and hand over their drinks.

You made yourself comfortable next to Melissa as the two talked about anything they needed to. And you would listen, you would give your opinion if asked, or you would sit there and just really listen. Letting your girlfriend's voice carry you off into sleep.

That night though, you stayed up and traced patterns on her thighs as they talked. Following your own finger, you didn't pay much attention to the world around you.

So lost in thought about what she might say to you once Barb leaves. Would she be really mad, or would she let this one go? What if she makes you put it back on yourself? What if she enjoys it off?

There were too many questions that you thought of, and both woman could see it.

"Is she listening?" Barb asked Melissa. Trying not to change her tone to bring you back. Melissa glance to you, and easily shook her head. "You really gonna let her keep the wrapping off?"

Melissa sighed, "honestly? Yeah...if it makes her happy I'm willing to make such a small altering to the house. It is nice fabric, so I'm not really mad. The smile she had when you pointed it out was worth it." She explained simply. It was the truth. If this made you happy, then she saw no harm.

"Melissa Schemmenti, if I didn't know any better I would say you're in love." Barb teased before finishing her glass.

The red head shook her head and finished hers as well. Your drink had been nothing but ice for awhile now. Melissa assumed that's why you were so quiet, you made your drink just a bit to strong.

But once you got up to clean up their glasses, you seemed so fine. Like there wasn't a drop of alcohol in your system. Meanwhile she walked Barbra out.

"She's a sweet one, Melissa. She's good for you and you know it." The friend gave a reassuring hug before walking out to her car.

Once Barb pulled off, Melissa found her way back to you. Wrapping her arms around your waist as you poured her another glass and made yourself another drink.

"Didn't drink too much in that first one?" She teased you quietly, squeezing you before pulling away.

You turned slowly and handed over the glass, "you out of everyone should know I know how to hold my liquor." You bite back with a playful smile. "Mm plus, you and Barb were talking about your field trip that's at the end of the year. What am I to do in a house all alone for a night?" You feigned you boredom.

~

You did know what you were doing that night. You had six months to plan it. After the couch, you had to make her believe you truly weren't going to change anything else....but her bathrooms....

They weren't horrible, but you saw a vision. From the strange orange to a modern grey and marble. And originally it was just going to be the downstairs, but then she had mentioned it just once.

"One day, when I finally have time, I'm going to fix that upstairs bathroom. It's just not in anymore." Her words that you took and ran a mile with it. That's how you got to here.

With the help of your neighbors, who you had met moving in, you had a place to store all the new cabinets.

"And you're sure you'll be ok tonight?" Melissa had her bags by the door as you handed her her purse. "I seriously can have Barb watch my class."

You shook your head and laughed. "Mel, you have been talking about this since school basically started. I will be ok. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon, ok?"

"You can call me if you need anything, I know a guy for almost everything." She reminded you. Staring at you with adoration before reaching out to cup you cheek. "I...." she began and your heart skipped a beat instantly.

You knew she struggled with saying the big word. After her last, she explained how she is still healing but is ready to get out there again.

A understanding smile crept onto your lips. "I know," you whispered nodding slightly. "Go! Have fun sleeping over in a museum." You pushed her hand a way carefully. Leaning in to kiss her once on the lips, and a bunch all over.

She laughed at your antics. "Alrighty, I'll get out of your house. But seriously hun, if you need anything don't be afraid to call."

You bowed and helped her load the car. Giving her one last kiss before she pulled out. You watched her till she turned the corner, and your sweet smile turned devilish in seconds flat.

You bolted back in and wasted no time setting up your music and getting started.

To start, you wanted to get out all the old furniture and get it to the garage. Opening it so you had a nice breeze flowing through the entire house (obviously turning off the air to not rack up the bill).

By eleven, you had most of the street helping you out. The guys building outside as everyone else worked inside. Painting or moving heavier pieces.

It was very neighbor like, and you couldn't help but feel more welcomed than ever within their community.

Then by two, you had several pizza's delivered and sent someone to get drinks. Everyone sitting around in the backyard, enjoying the moment.

"So, what made you decide to do both bathrooms?" Ned, he lived three houses to the right, asked.

His wife, Stephany coming out and sitting next to you. "And why haven't we ever been in your house? It's beautiful."

You shrugged a bit. "Well technically, it's Melissa's house. I moved in with her six months ago. But she complained about the bathrooms just once and I had already planned to redo them. I hated the orange. And she probably had a guy to do this, but I had a vision that I think she'll like. And it looks so much cleaner."

They all agreed with it, especially after they saw your sketches from several angles for each bathroom.

"And you didn't ask her to do this, did you? Just like with the plastic in the couch?" Beth smirked as she put her slice. She was the first one you really met and talked to about your future plans for the house.

You shook your head and everyone laughed. "In my world, it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. She was never going to take that plastic off and I couldn't stand it either. And I know she can't stay mad at me forever," you stated. A part of you knew that was mostly true, she's never gone over a week not talking to you.

"Well, your plans are very nice and with the speed we're all moving at, once the paint dries we'll be down before nine. And when does she get home?" Hunter questioned, his leg fidgeting under the warm sun. "Seeing as it's a surprise?"

"She's home tomorrow afternoon. The school is doing an overnight field trip so it was perfectly planned out. It's also why I could give everyone a set date to take off. Which I thank you all for helping me with this project. I truly couldn't have gotten even an eight of this all done on my own." Everyone raised their glass and talked a little more.

Eventually, by nine, everything was finished. The light fixtures were switched out, water was running smoothly through all faucets, and you were pleased.

Now it was just you laying on the floor after a long day of work. You had just sent out another thank you to everyone who helped. That's when your phone began to ring. Melissa's contact popping up.

"Well look who isn't dead," she spoke so quietly. You assumed all the kids were asleep and it was just her awake in another room. Somewhere where she could keep her eyes on her little eagles. "I haven't heard from you all day..."

"I've been a very busy bee today. But you have my full, undivided attention. How was your field trip?" You hummed your interest.

And you listened to every word she said to you. Never moving from your spot or focusing on anything else. It was just time to talk to your girlfriend.

Although, it was two different girlfriends once she got home. You were upstairs in the shower, enjoying the feeling of the new shower head. It was you in your thoughts until you felt hands sneak around your waist.

You jumped, and screamed, but laughed it off once you spun to see your beauty. "Mel!" You beamed so wide. "You have got to feel this new shower head!" You made quick work to put her back under the water. Watching her face contort, then relaxing.

"And I see you've redone the bathrooms?" She moved her head to the side, letting the water massage her neck.

You couldn't help yourself when you placed kisses over her exposed skin. "Do you like it?" You asked in between. Your touch being featherlight as you ran your hands over her body.

She hummed with a knowing smile, "you keep redoing my house without asking...." she tried to sound mad.

"But aren't I good at it?" You had a lewd undertone. "Admit it Mel..."

You could almost hear her mental fight to keep her ground, but that undertone had her ready to cave. She had to say though...you knew how to remodel a room. "Fine..." she felt your smile grow on her and she swore to never forget that feeling.

~

You lived with her for a year now, been dating for three. Today you had shown up to Abbott and it was almost summer again. And the rumors were that this was supposed to be the hottest summer on record.

It already was, and you had spent it very wisely. You had done a little summer shopping and tanning before the real summer.

"Hello sunshine!" You skipped into the teachers lounge. Catching everyone by surprise, but Melissa and Barb smiled at you and the lunch you brought them. "Here is your lunch! The weather is beautiful outside!" You took the seat next to Melissa, placing a kiss to her cheek.

"Now what did you do? What new alter did you make to our house?" Melissa laughed, really joking but you didn't laugh or fake being hurt. "Oh my, seriously now what? What am I going to come home and find?"

You looked to Barb for a second, hoping she would give any sign on Melissa's mood, then back to her. "Your backyard....was very bland. Empty. There was so much space and it's the hottest summer. You've been busy all week finishing up school and I figured come summer you would love to relax. And we don't have any trips planned, and it'd be a great way to know your neighbors-,"

"The same neighbors you let in to redo the bathrooms?" She quirked an eye brow at you.

"Yes those ones! They've been dying to meet you ever since the bathrooms." You strayed from the main point. "But! Back to my new thing that I have to tell you before you see since it was a bit more major."

"Did you redo the kitchen?!" She gasped, worried for her cookings future. Feeling relieved when your head shook.

"Although that wouldn't be bad! It could use a new coloring...the whole downstairs could use a makeover..." once again you side tracked, going quiet as your vision started planning itself.

Melissa knew that look now, she'd be a fool to miss it three times now. "You leave the downstairs alone, ya' hear? Now what is this new addition?"

You beamed at the mention and leaned in close to her ear. The room assumed it was something so bad as Melissa put her head in her hands but you had a wide, toothy grin still.

"It'll be fun! We can sit by the side and get some sun. Itll give us a reason to have people over more as well, you'll have more mouths to feed. Which means you'll get to cook more." You began to list out the pros.

Melissa rolled her head to look at Barb, who just laughed at her friends reaction. "And what was the alter that has been made?" Barb looked to you, curious to know herself.

"She got a pool," Melissa huffed. "How did you even get it approved? Let alone the money?" She didn't know how to feel about this anymore.

"Well, I talked to the Stephany about who I should talk to and she said to find someone in the committee hall who would know about all that. Once that was sorted it out it was a matter of numbers. And while you were busy being an amazing teacher, I published another book. The first week of selling I managed to afford it." The smile that never left your face as you talked about your accomplishment made her feel warm.

She couldn't be mad. She knew she couldn't be. Just looking at you and she couldn't. She knew it was dangerous, but you also never did anything to make her have to be.

"Do you have any pictures? How'd you even hide that much construction?" She sighed, sitting up and folding her arms.

Barb looked taken aback by how calm the woman was. She knew how much Melissa hated people changing her space, but here you are. Making home renovations without a care in the world. And how the red head watched you with such intent as you showed it off. It was beautiful to say the least. You were what her friend needed more than anything.

"It'll be an amazing summer!" You got giddy at the thought of the next three months. "And, so you really can't be mad, I also added a little kitchen area. So you can cook outside and I can watch you while enjoying the sun. We'll be the talk of the neighbor hood."

Melissa laughed and shook her head. "I guess you weighed your pros over your cons heavily, haven't you?" You nodded proudly. "Well then I guess we have to put it to use soon. We'll have a book premier party for you. Since you live in secret from me." She teased.

"Oh Melli, you know I could never live in secret from you. I only work in secret, it's when I do my best work." She kissed her cheek before standing up. "I have to go though, I have shopping to do."

Barb and Melissa bid you goodbyes, watching you skip out into the soon-to-be summer day. "You're in love," Barb laughed with so much joy.

"I'm in love," Melissa confessed. "A pool?"

"Melissa let someone get a pool?" Ava came in, a knowing look on her face. "Gonna be a hot summer. She's gonna be in a bikini most of the time." Ave painted the picture, getting a look from Melissa. "I'm just saying. You're gonna definetly have a fun summer." She pointed with a head bob. "Does that mean you'll be havin' pool parties with your famous cooking?"

That caught everyone's attention a bit more. "If she plans one and lets me invite anyone, then I'll consider." She put out, "but that doesn't mean a yes."

Ava stood with a shinning smile, "that's all I need to hear!" She left the lounge satisfied.

Meanwhile everyone else took the chance to make small jabs at Melissa for actually being a softy. But it was worth it once she came home.

You laid in the back on a big heart floaty in a casual white two piece. You were spread out and enjoying the sun that was shining brightly.

Melissa thought you looked so peaceful. And she hated to admit it again, the backyard looked nice with the addition.

She figured, it's been a long day, joining you couldn't hurt. So she, without alarming you she was home, went to change into a swimsuit as well. Realizing this would be the first time you see her in one. It made her nerves shake a bit, but you've seen her naked...a swimsuit isn't any different, right?

She carefully got in, but before she could scare you, you spoke. "Took you long enough to change." You rolled onto your stomach and opened your eyes. Your lips softly curling up. "The next alter I make I'll let you in on it, promise." You hummed.

Melissa shook her head as she rested on the side of your floaty. "Don't. I like when you talk about them. You always have a different happiness radiating off of you. You take pride in your work. It's one of the things I love about you." She spoke so smoothly.

The words didn't click at first for you, truly you didn't think them twice till she said 'love'. "Really? You don't hate that I'm slowly taking over your house and altering it?"

Melissa chuckled, "of course not, hun. If I did I would've expressed my anger for it. But because I love you I'm willing to accept these changes. Plus you make them look nice, so I can't complain." She shrugged, but laughed when you started kissing all over her face.

"Oh! I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you!" You repeated with pure joy as you couldn't stop laughing and kissing her face. "You don't know how pleased I am to hear those words!"

Melissa laughed at your antics again, "if I knew you would react like this I would've realized sooner."

"Oh God, Melissa! I've been in love with you since the first date, you were just so wonderful the first night that I knew I wanted to do right. I want to be with you forever, and I will die on that hill." You confided. Knowing you could go on explaining how much you loved her.

This time, she leaned to you. Kissing you passionately as she could. "It's a good hill to die on," she cockily mumbled. To which you pushed her off your floaty. "But are there any more surprises you have for me?"

You pretended to think, "we're going to Italy the day you get off for a week and a half. As our first vacation together." You played it down, getting pushed off your floaty now. "I thought it would've been good!"

~

It had been another year. You and Melissa had just celebrated four years, and she joked you would find something in the home to change now that it's been awhile.

She was right, which she wasn't surprised about, but was shocked with how big it was. She had come home from work to cars all down the street and the front door opened.

When she walked in, she was shocked to see her cousin that lived close by in the living room. It was an unexpected sight but she came back to reality when he hugged her.

"Is it really that much of a shock I'm here?" He joked, especially with how hesitant Melissa was to hug back.

"Where's...what?" She looked all around. Vinny finding her reaction hilarious.

That's when you came and hugged her from behind, the force you had pushing you both forward. "You're home!" You cheered. "You can't leave me for a week ever again!"

"You were allowed to come with!" She laughed. "But what is all this? Why is my cousin here?"

You looked behind her at Vinny, acting confused. "Your cousin is here?! I finally get to meet another of the Schemmenti's!" You went and hugged him like you w never met. Turning back to Melissa with a smile after, "I have a surprise for you."

"Of course you do," she shook her head with a sigh. "What is it this time?"

"The upstairs and basement." You came right out with it. Her mouth opened to say something, "before you say anything. Look first. Start with upstairs and then go down."

And you stood still as she did go upstairs. When she came down she had an unreadable look but was out of her work clothes. She walked down, this time you followed.

The basement you designed specifically for her. It was dim lit with a fancy poker table with chairs surrounding it. Over was a mini bar with a wine storage all across the wall. It was a nice wood flooring. A small lounge section on the other side.

Melissa, flicked the lights on and nearly had a heart attack. Her family was all in the basement with smiles. She turned to you, tears brimming her eyes as she saw relatives she hadn't seen in ages.

"What is all this?" She whispered, so stunned that you could pull this off. You weren't even introduced to her family yet.

You shrugged, "you worked extremely hard this year with two grades. I figured that after a long year of late nights and early mornings, you could use something good. Soo, I did a little sleuthing and found Vinny, who lived in the city. He helped me, after having to really prove that I was your girlfriend, get the rest of your family in. That's why I hadn't made any alters to the house. I wanted to go big and give you a surprise."

She hugged you tightly, "you're beyond amazing hun." She cried before going to greet everyone.

You watched from afar, not wanting to intervene into her moment. You were about to slip away, until Vinny appeared behind you. "Nah, you're all apart of this family. No matter what happens, nobody's ever gone this far for her. You must really love her." He pushed you towards the group.

Your cheeks became warm, "you have no idea." Was all you got out before Melissa grabbed your hand.

She stood next to you while holding your arm, "everyone, I wish I got to do the introduction, but this is Y/n, my girlfriend of four years." She beamed proudly and shoved you into the group. Laughing as you got bombarded with hugs and kisses to your cheek.

Later, everyone was in the kitchen cooking while laughter filled the air. Meanwhile you sat back and let Nana tell her all the stories of Melissa she could think of.

"So, four years is a long time to keep someone like her a secret." Rocco mentioned, glancing up to his cousin. "I mean I get a text from Vinny saying she's redoing the upstairs and downstairs while you're gone, then poof! She's on the couch making Nana laugh. Just saying if I was you, I would've been showing her off easily."

Melissa shook her head at the comment, "youse just mad I have a keeper that you can't get to again." She poked back. A smirk on her lips as she switch to look at you and Nana. "It's been awhile since Nana has ever welcomed anyone like this..."

Vinny came over with the bowl of uncooked noodles. "It's cause she cares for your happiness. Y/n. I wouldn't know anyone who would fly everyone in."

"She paid for everyone?" Melissa furrowed her brows, now focusing on you and Nana.

"Told you she cared." Vinny's voice faded back as Melissa thought deeply. She had no clue what you were talking about, but you looked overjoy at whatever answer you were given.

She whipped her hands off and pulled off her apron. Walking over carefully to not alarm you both but to still hear.

"...I promise." You swore, turning to look at your girlfriend. You wore a goofy smile that couldn't be shaken. "Melli!" You cheered.

"Can I talk to you for a sec hun?" She offered her hand. Pleased when you took it and followed her out back, away from all ears. "You flew everyone out?"

"I needed help." You said as if there wasn't people closer to call. "I don't see what the big deal is."

Melissa squinted her eyes at you. "What are you up to?" She raised the question, which only got her a toothy grin in answer. "Whatever it is, it better not be the kitchen."

"When we're married and you can't escape me I'll do the kitchen." You playfully mentioned. Laughing at how her eyes widened a bit at the mention. You walked inside after placing a caring kiss to her cheek, rejoining her family and helping out.

Melissa stood and watched, her cheeks flushed, and her heart pounding. You wanted to marry her?

~

You had this smile you couldn't wipe as you waltzed into Abbott. You almost glowed with how excited you were to see your girlfriend of five years. And five was your luckiest of numbers, so it had to be this summer.

"Nope. Another year without an alter to the house. So this year has to be bigger than last year and I'm thinking it's the kitchen she's after next." Melissa's voice rang in the room, clearly you were already a topic.

Once you turned the corner, Melissa sighed. "Oh you know you're excited to see me!" You joked as you plopped into her lap, arms naturally around her neck. "I have wonderful news for you!"

She looked to Barb, and she just smiled and sipped her coffee. It was a reaction that was all to familiar. She knew something Melissa didn't.

"Is that your reason for showing up?" Melissa pinched your thigh playfully. Watching your smile drop into a fake frown.

You let out a little sigh, "I'd come here to see your beautiful face any day. With or without amazing news. But you'll like it. When was the last time you went to Italy anyways?" You causally let out, hoping she wouldn't notice it at first.

But Melissa hung on to every word you've said for the past five years. "Italy?" She whispered with furrowed brows. "You're taking me to Italy? Why? How? When?"

"Well! I'm glad you're already along for the ride! Since your last day happens to be today, our plane leaves at nine tonight. I figured you would want to start your summer off right." You explained. An award winning smile for best girlfriend plastered on your face.

Melissa would've argued with you, saying that you can't plan a trip so short notice and give her no time for any proper packing.

"I can see it on your face, most of your basics are already together, I've packed your makeup the way you like, the only thing is clothes. Now if we had it my way...." you smirked down at her. Watching a subtle blush wash her cheeks. "But unfortunately we can't, so we're going shopping once you're done."

She knew there was no out. You already had it all planned and she knew it. "I'm done in an hour..." she whispered.

Melissa stared at you in wonder. Not knowing what she did to deserve you and your gifts. She adored you and it wasn't said enough. But you, you knew how to express it in every way. You would hold her if she had a bad day, cook if she couldn't, kept the house clean, made sure she never had to worry once she came home. You were her everything.

You kissed her softly, but with so much passion. "I'll go grab us food now then," you got up. Lingering around her just a second longer than usual. "I'll see you later, Melli."

"Bye, hun..." she watched you leave until she couldn't. She leaned back and just thought of the trip. She was going to Italy.

Meanwhile you were making the trip to her favorite food joint. Smiling when they had the order down before you even got to the counter.

"So...it's been what five years?" Pete checked you out. He seen you enough times with the red head to remember who you were. "Either of you making an official move?"

You smiled at the thought. "Who knows. If it's in our cards, I'm sure it'll happen. I can dream big though."

But you knew the miracle that would work. You knew Melissa better than anyone (except for Barb). Spoiling her while shopping was only the start.

~

"How long are we even staying? Where are we staying? Oh! I can show you all my families favorite places!" She got excited as you led through the mall.

She didn't expect you to stop outside of designer stores though. Her eyes falling to you with large dose of curiosity.

"No..." she caught your smile. Watching in slow motion as your hand opened the door and let her in. "Hun this is too much, we can go to somewhere simpler."

You sighed and walked in past her. "It's my treat. For all that you've done, this is how I can express my love for you. Spoiling you is only a minor expression. So! Melissa Schemmenti, let loose."

And she did. That woman knew how to shop for a new wardrobe. You were simply there for paying and carrying. Giving her the ultimate freedom to look everywhere. Her smile as every time she hit the checkout, it grew a little wider. This was the life she was destined to live and here you were providing it.

After a few hours of running in and out, you came up to the last store. Her favorite shoe store that she can only dream to buy from. "No. This is where I have to stop you. Those shoes are like a thousand dollars. A pair."

"Well it's a good thing you don't really get much of a choice. I'm picking up an order anyways. Take advantage of this moment Melli." You opened the door for her. Sighing when she didn't move. "Melissa. Come on."

"No. I can't let you spend that much on me on shoes." She stood her ground. In her mind you would've sighed and given up trying and you'd leave.

But you shrugged and went in anyways. Letting her watch the entire transaction as they handed you another bag. She was shocked that you actually had a pick up. Becoming even more shocked as they handed you two more. They weren't small bags either, each maybe having three pairs.

When you came out, you shook your hair back and started walking towards the car. "I seriously don't see why you didn't come in. I already got you the shoes but you could've gotten more." Melissa mumbled something as they walked. You didn't think twice when you spun around, standing just ever so slightly taller than her. "What?" You had a certain glint.

"I said, you're up to something." She stood her ground. Arms folding and pushing up her boobs a bit.

You stared at her with an undecipherable look now. Then you just resumed walking. Leading the way back to the car.

The silence killed Melissa. It left her with too much time to think of what you could be up to. Even when packing everything up, you stayed silent.

You could hear her wondering thoughts. How she would watch you for a few seconds before continuing.

"You really that suspicious of me, Melli?" You came up to her. "You think there something more to this don't you?"

She huffed and rubbed her face, "it's just...you spent a lot of money and planned an entire trip to Italy without once mentioning it. You usually slip up or hint once at everything you do. And I haven't heard a hint for Italy ever. So what? What is the catch?"

You grabbed her hands, "we have been dating for five years. We haven't gotten away to somewhere ever. And I like the number five so I figured our fifth anniversary should be special for that matter. Italy will be a trip you remember."

Her eyes squinted at you, searching for any dishonesty. "There's more."

You only smiled wider. "Fine! We're meeting your family there. I was gonna have them pick us up as a surprise but it's been secret for so long and now it's here." She spoke quickly.

Her green eyes widen with shock. "Seriously?" There was a nod. Followed quickly by a hug. "I don't know what to say..."

"Just enjoy your time there, that's all I can ask of you." You kissed her sweetly. "Now we finish packing and then we're off!"

~

School had begun again. It was a few weeks in when you made your first appearance. "No, she didn't ever make that alter to the house. I truly think she's looking for another house to decorate." Melissa was talking to Barbra.

You scoffed as you walked in. "Melissa Schemmenti, are you dissing my name in here?" You came in, few envelopes in hand. You took the seat next to the red head and kissed her cheek.

"It's nice to see you, Y/n. How's the house? It's been a year since the last change?" Barb joked, using the conversation from a few seconds prior.

You beamed and shook your head. "I actually have a different alter in mind recently!" And that's when you slid the white envelope over. The sage green wax seal dawning one side, as the other had The Howard's written in cursive.

Both you and Melissa watched as she carefully opened it. Her gasp catching everyone's attention now. She glanced up, eyes wide as she finally noticed the ring.

"But you said..." she was speechless.

Melissa bobbed her head, "that it would only take a miracle for me to get married again. Yes, I did. But if you saw what this one did, you would've been a fool to say no."

"How? What?" The friend was still confused at this news.

You perked up as Melissa sat back, knowing her fiancé was going to tell it better. And for the entire lunch period, everyone listened as you explained the night in such detail.

"And that's how I got the Melissa Schemmenti to say yes to marrying me." You concluded. You found Melissa's eyes. "And there is not a single thing I won't do for her."

You shared a soft kiss with her. Both parting with subtle smiles that meant more than they let on. "But, save the date. March 7th. It's a Saturday. I have to go meet with the planner though, I'll see you at home."

A quick kiss and then you were gone. Melissa left with her confused coworkers.

"So..." Janine began. Looking at the other envelopes in front of Melissa.

She sighed but couldn't lie, she knew who's invites they were and she wouldn't want anyone else. "You are all invited, don't worry." She stood up to hand them all out.

"Melissa Schemmenti, you feel deeply in love." Barbra was rereading the invite. A pleased look that her friend was finally getting someone who loved her the way she loved them.

And you were that person from the very start.

[bethanydelleman]

Reminder that at the end of Persuasion, Anne says she was right to break her engagement to Wentworth and he agrees:

with regard to myself; and I must believe that I was right, [to break the engagement] much as I suffered from it, that I was perfectly right in being guided by the friend whom you will love better than you do now. To me, she was in the place of a parent [we know there is a strong respect/deference for parents in Austen's era]. Do not mistake me, however. I am not saying that she did not err in her advice. It was, perhaps, one of those cases in which advice is good or bad only as the event decides [ie: if you died like Fanny Harville or got wounded like Captain Harville, we might all think differently, hindsight is 20/20]; and for myself, I certainly never should, in any circumstance of tolerable similarity, give such advice [because I've become ROMANTIC!]. But I mean, that I was right in submitting to her, and that if I had done otherwise, I should have suffered more in continuing the engagement than I did even in giving it up, because I should have suffered in my conscience. I have now, as far as such a sentiment is allowable in human nature, nothing to reproach myself with; and if I mistake not, a strong sense of duty is no bad part of a woman's portion. [her duty to her family must be balanced against her duty to her husband]"

And then Wentworth shifts the blame to himself:

"Good God!" he cried, "you would! It is not that I did not think of it, or desire it, as what could alone crown all my other success; but I was proud, too proud to ask again. I did not understand you. I shut my eyes, and would not understand you, or do you justice. This is a recollection which ought to make me forgive every one sooner than myself. Six years of separation and suffering might have been spared. It is a sort of pain, too, which is new to me. I have been used to the gratification of believing myself to earn every blessing that I enjoyed. I have valued myself on honourable toils and just rewards. Like other great men under reverses," he added, with a smile. "I must endeavour to subdue my mind to my fortune. I must learn to brook being happier than I deserve."

They both perhaps were at fault (I wish we knew exactly what Anne said when they broke up), but it was the right decision.

[photmath]

Wrong Impressions | Trent Alexander-Arnold (Part Two)

Pairing: Trent Alexander-Arnold x Reader

PART ONE written by the lovely @karotland, would strongly recommend reading that first.

Summary: Stoic, serious Trent walks around campus with murder on his face and is quite the no-nonsense class partner, frustrating you with his anti-social antics. Flustered and feeling guilty after he finds out about how you insulted him, you seek him out at a house party to apologize only to find a whole new Trent, leaving you with a lot of questions.

Word Count: 6.3k

Warnings: SMUT (18+), suggestive and implied, drinking, cursing

Note: Huge thank you to my girl Karo for letting me write a second part, ilysm and I hope I didn't disappoint (plz lie) <33. This was quite fun, can't believe I agreed to it but I'm so glad I did in the end! Kk love you bunches bye.

After finding Maddie back up on the balcony, you plopped down hard onto the seat next to her. She gave you an all-knowing look, lips tugging into a smirk.

“What?” you furrowed your eyebrows.

“You have a look,” her eyes narrowed as she tried to piece together the pieces. “Did you talk to Trent?”

“Yes,” you reply matter of factly, straightening up your posture. “And you were wrong, turns out we won’t be the 0.1% exception because he’s going to talk to me starting Monday.” You wiggled your hips in the chair as you gave her a satisfied smile. However, instead of congratulating you for not being a part of this ‘mathematical wonder,’ she gave you a displeased look.

“You do realize what today is?”

“Friday?”

“You won’t talk to Trent until Monday?” she raises her brows, “even though you’re in his house now? And he’s—” she peers over the balcony, “—right down there? Actually, they’re making their way over here.”

You rose to the balls of your feet immediately, looking down at the raucous boys and Angela from over the balcony. There you saw Trent once again laughing at something Jude said with his arm slung over him as if he’d escape from underneath him.

“How am I supposed to make out with Jude if you’re going to be clinging onto me all night?”

You roll your eyes, sitting back down in the chair with a huff, “It’s not like I’ll be alone. I can chat with the others.” You knew Maddie was only joking, having been split up from her numerous times at other parties.

“And Trent?”

“And Trent.”

“Good,” Maddie smiles, finally satisfied with your answer. But she isn’t done yet, her lips curling up into another grin, “I saw that earlier.”

“Saw what?”

“The look you gave him.”

You didn’t like how vague she was because you looked at Trent now a couple of times throughout the night, but you didn’t think your facial expressions were very obvious.

Her gum smacked loudly as she blew out a bubble, “Were you jealous?”

“No,” you crossed your arms.

“Oh come on, you see him talking to Angela and you go all quiet and suddenly say, ‘I’ll be back.’ And then off you go, stomping until you get to him.”

“I wasn’t stomping,” you laughed, rubbing the nervousness out of your arms. Why did Maddie’s words have this effect on you? Sure you were jealous, but you were jealous because Trent never once gave you that ounce of socialization.

Maddie shook her head once before dismissing the conversation, “Do you want to go inside? I’m getting a bit cold.”

You nod hastily, glad the attention is drawn away from you because god how loud was Maddie talking? Anne seemed to still be preoccupied with the others talking about another ex from her past, but noise traveled between floors it seems and you learned just how easily Trent could overhear conversations.

Sliding back inside, the purple lights and booming music greet you once again. Instinctively, you scan the kitchen and living room for a place for you to stand and chat with friends but your eyes connect with Trent’s as the front door opens. His smile is faint but quickly interrupted once Jude tumbles in from behind him and beelines towards the kitchen where a teammate of his is pouring shots.

Trent, on the other hand, takes his time. He holds the door open for the rest of them to come inside and once Angela comes in last, she perks her head up at him. Trent looks down at her quizzically and whispers something into her ear, making her laugh while he just wears a smirk. You feel the little green monster again, like a gear wanting to turn but a rock was wedged in the middle of it so now it’s grinding loudly in your ears.

You shake off the feeling, turning completely around and facing the direction of the kitchen. Jude downs the shot and then immediately hands one to Maddie—who somehow slipped out of your grip and found her way towards him. She throws her head back once she grabs it from him. You stay mingling around the kitchen, chatting with friends and meeting the ones you don’t recognize.

Feeling a hand brush up on your arm, you turn around to see Trent giving you a soft smile as he moves behind you. You return the friendly smile back, but you aren’t familiar with the feeling that washes over you once he continues to walk past you. Disappointment perhaps? It would be a lie to say that you hadn’t thought he was coming up to you to chat. So watching him now practically steal Jude away from Maddie, you’re left a tad bit annoyed.

Just as you’re about to make your way out of the kitchen and into the living room where a few others are dancing, a calloused but warm hand wraps around your wrist and stops you. He carries a bottle while staring at you, gesturing to Jude and Maddie, “Do you want to take a shot?”

You briefly glance back at the two, their heads nodding eagerly as they await your answer. Well, why not. You concede, “Just one.”

Trent smirks, lining up four glasses and then pouring what you assume is vodka although you can’t make out the title on the bottle. The four of you down the shot at the same time, you cringing at the burn that goes zipping down your throat. But then you and Maddie holler the moment you two recognize the song that starts playing through the speakers. She reaches out for your hand to dance with her in the small space between the counters and island of the kitchen.

You don’t notice Trent’s lingering gaze on you, or the smile that can’t leave his face as he watches you throw your hands up in the air as if you didn’t care who watched.

An hour into more chatting and dancing, you found yourself desperately searching for an open restroom because seriously who was taking so long in the guest restroom? Trent nurses a red cup to his lips as you find him, standing on your tippy toes to ask, “Is there another restroom that I can use?”

Trent glances at the restroom across the hall and then motions his head upstairs. He speaks but his words are inaudible from the speaker being right next to the both of you. You scrunch up your face and tilt your head and for a brief second, he seems amused. He leans down to yell into your ear, “Follow me!”

The brush of his lips against your ears sends you in a daze. Your feet stay glued on the floor until he passes you, holding out his hand for you to follow him. And his hand. It feels like it’s on fire as he intertwines your fingers tightly with his. He gives your hand a squeeze, maybe to make the grip tighter but you don’t know. He weaves you through the mass of sweating and dancing bodies until he gets to the stairs, you both walking up still hand in hand even though no one was in the way to separate you. The corridor is dark as he stops to open a bedroom door, finally releasing your hand gently as he turns on the light.

You recognize it immediately as his bedroom, the few photos that line his dresser and the same bookbag and football bag that he carried on the floor next to it. His green sheets are neatly tucked into his bed frame, his room overall very clean for a guy.

“You can just use mine,” he points to the door across his bedroom.

“Thank you so much, Trent,” you sigh. You quickly rush into the restroom and almost freeze again at how clean it is. Seriously there was no way his restroom was one wink cleaner than yours.

Once you finish, you expect the room to be empty but Trent is still there standing against the doorframe. A couple beads of sweat line his forehead as he swipes them, then looking up at you, “You okay?”

“Yeah,” you smile. “I’m okay.”

“The weather,” he indulges, “getting cold, hmm?”

You break into a laugh, feeling a little nervous to have all his attention in his bedroom after using his restroom. You stand a couple of steps in front of him, peering up at him, “It is, didn’t expect the temperature to drop so suddenly in the past hour.”

“Bummer,” he mentions. “I wanted to sit on the balcony.”

Gosh, his eyes are really brown.

Trent bursts into an abrupt laugh, his head falling forward and dimples deep into his cheeks as he peers up at you. You feel a little giddy getting this sudden reaction at him, chuckling back at him despite your heart swelling at the way he’s looking at you.

“Thank you, darling, for noticing the color of my eyes.”

You slap your hand over your mouth, eyes wide as your cheeks rush with heat, “I said that out loud?”

“You did.”

“Oh my god—”

“It’s okay,” Trent muses, he picks up his head and leans it against the doorframe. Chewing the gum he suddenly has in his mouth, you’re memorized by the way his jaw clenches over and over again. Embarrassment is now mixing with another feeling as Trent continues to look at you through his hooded eyelids. Your cheeks feel a little flushed, and you knew your mouth was not going to want to stay closed tonight if he were to continue. Because gosh, the urge to impulsively speak never felt so strong until now.

You brush off whatever dust was on your shorts, deciding to be strong, “We should head back.”

He nods, turning off the light and closing the door. You make it downstairs faster than he does in order to lose yourself in the crowd. Not like Trent would miss you, he had his eyes on you the moment he walked back into his house.

You don’t even realize you’re searching for Maddie until your phone pings, Maddie’s message reads that they’re on the balcony getting some air with some friends. As you make your way to the balcony door, you internally groan knowing you’d be a little cold but there was still some alcohol running through you that could keep you somewhat warm.

You seem to be interrupting a conversation as you sit down on one of the couches, Anne screaming at you to agree, “Tell Jude I’m not lying.”

Jude’s arm is slung over Maddie as he laughs loudly, his head falling onto her shoulder. You chuckle, “She isn’t lying.”

You fall into conversation quickly among them, only glancing up once Trent walks out. He shuts the door behind him and sits down in the only empty space next to you, spreading his legs and arms out wide as he settles in.

“Get too hot in there for you?” you question.

He nods, “Music’s buzzin’ the ears.”

You don’t mean to stare at him, but the chain necklace he wears sitting against his already tight white tee leaves little to the imagination and makes you give him a double take. He looked so good underneath this one dim light out on the balcony. Maybe it was the alcohol or maybe it wasn’t, but the desire to be closer to him consumed you. However, you fought it, not wanting to embarrass yourself more.

Not realizing the conversation stirred onto you, you give the others a puzzled look as they turn towards you.

“Yeah, I don’t ever see you with a man,” Anne agrees. Your eyebrows furrow immediately, feeling breathless as you realize where the conversation is going. “We all thought Johnny would be endgame, you know?”

“Aww, do you remember when he planned out that ‘date-but-not-a-date’ for her and then he had to cancel because he got a flat tire?” Maddie asks, snickering. “It was so romantic. A picnic underneath the stars, did you guys ever reschedule?”

You wanted to dig yourself into a hole and never show face again. In front of Trent? This was quite possibly one of the most embarrassing moments of your life and it was astonishing at just how many moments from tonight made that list.

It takes you everything to not look at Trent’s reaction but he stays quiet. You find the courage to say, “We actually did.”

“You two were so cute,” Maddie gushes.

Jude jumps up from his seat, “I fuckin’ love this song!” The speaker from inside the house played a very dulled-out song but it was still a bit distinguishable. And suddenly you were thankful for the existence of Jude Bellingham, especially the loud, always-interrupting person he was when he was drunk. He starts dancing alone, his cup still in his hand as he looks towards you, “Come on, dance with me.”

You get up quickly, wanting the comments about Johnny to stop before they get any deeper. Your hand stays intertwined with one of Jude’s as he dances off-beat. He was too drunk to find it or even care about it, you going along with him. The girls cheer out loud for the both of you, and you don’t even want to look at Trent to figure out what he’s thinking about.

And you definitely don’t want to care about what Trent is thinking about when the door opens and Angela comes stumbling out. She dances with the two of you for a few seconds before plopping down beside Trent, in the very seat you were in just seconds before. You can’t help it, you glance in his direction and his eyes are already on yours, stoic but glimmering.

“He’s gonna kill me,” Jude whispers loudly in your ear. You’re almost sure that Trent heard him, but you can’t even think about it because Jude’s body stumbles forward. You try to grip onto his shoulder to steer him upright but his cup goes flying in between the two of you, spilling dramatically on both of your chests.

Gosh, how full was his cup to drench your entire blouse?

“Jude,” you groan.

“Sorry,” he mumbles sheepishly. He lets go and plops down on the couch, groaning as he holds his head in his hands. Looking down at your blue blouse, you notice just how thin the material of it is and quickly shield your exposed chest with your arm. The girls' eyes widen as they turn looking for something to cover you with. Before you can even think, Trent stands up and brushes your arm and back, motioning you towards the door.

“I—”

“I can give you my jacket.”

You nod, ignoring Angela’s sulking, relieved to get some kind of solution for your problem. Trent intertwines your hands together and leads you to his room—again. His thumb brushing against the back of your hand doesn’t go unnoticed by you, you even look down at where they conjoined. The swooning feeling in your chest comes back.

“This is so embarrassing,” you mutter as you finally reach his bedroom, your arm still splayed across your chest as he closes his door.

He chuckles, “Well Angela does exist so…”

“Trent!” you scold. He digs through his closet and pulls down a dark red hoodie. He slips off the hanger and hands it to you.

“I can um—dry your clothes if you’d like.”

You cringe, “That’s even more mortifying.”

Trent shrugs, “I can be discreet, darling. Plus, why are you suddenly shy after you were practically spitting out everything that was on your mind earlier?”

You snatch the hoodie from his hand, “Earlier my nipples weren’t peeking out of my shirt, Trent.”

He smirks, stifling a chuckle out of his mouth and nodding his head, “I guess that’s true.”

You smack his shoulder with his hoodie and go into his restroom. Only in there did you notice just how ridiculous you looked with the giant stain on your blouse that drenched you. You attempt to squirm out of the shirt but only then do you remember about the stupid few buttons on the back of the shirt. There was no way you were going to be able to twist the shirt without popping a few strands. You grumble, knowing you needed Trent’s help.

“Trent?” you call out softly. There’s some rustling on the other end of the door before he hums out a response. “Do you mind unbuttoning my shirt?”

“Can I come in?”

“Yeah.” There was no other way to hold the shirt up without it being on the verge of completely falling once those buttons unclasped. You held onto it for dear life as Trent opened the door hesitantly.

Trent’s fingers tentatively grab a hold of the first button. His fingers feel too big to maneuver such a tiny button out of its threaded loop. The lack of air in the restroom doesn’t seem to help either. He felt like he was choking, as if he was holding onto his breath as he focused on the task and not your bare back.

“Almost done?” you ask, trying to control your shuddering breath. You hoped your back wasn’t a replica of your arms that were now clad in goosebumps.

“I can’t even get the first button,” he spat. His voice was curt, almost agitated that it made you grow a little impatient because he had been trying for a while now. But his voice also seemed to resonate in your ear drums, reverberating back and forth because of how close he was to you. The warmth of the room felt palpable. “My fingers are too big.”

“Just focus harder,” you grit, getting hot.

“That’s what I’m doing.”

You let out a shaky sigh, it catches Trent’s attention and he tries to shudder it away but it only makes his hands shake even more. He rests his palms against your back and it makes you squirm, not expecting the feeling of his hands on your skin.

“Sorry,” he rasps, finally getting his hands to stop shaking and unclasp the first button. “Thank fuck.”

Your knees buckle at his words, him dropping one of his hands to settle onto your waist and stabilize you. Your hips bump into the front of his and you immediately regain balance. His fingertips burn into your waist as he asks, “Are you okay?”

“Think I’m still a little tipsy.”

Trent snorts, “I don’t think so.”

“How would you know?”

His hands go back to work on the second button, “Think you sobered up quite quickly once they mentioned Johnny. Or,” he stops talking and his fingers still, “once Angela walked out. Don’t think I didn’t see your face.”

“I was dancing with Jude, I didn’t even notice her.”

“Yeah?” he chuckles. He makes sure to snicker right into your ear, “Did you forget you danced with her too?”

The last button unclasps and you immediately feel it loosen against your back. You turn around, still clutching onto your shirt, as he wears a lousy smirk. He had caught you in a lie but you weren’t going to let him win just yet.

“Like I said, I’m still a little tipsy I can’t remember.”

Trent’s one-sided grin only grows and his eyes darken from amusement to something else that you can’t quite read. You weren’t familiar with the different emotions of him, only certified in his one stoic facial expression but this was an entirely different person you were meeting tonight. One that you definitely enjoyed. This was the most you ever heard him talk.

His head falls down, glancing at the mirror and then back at you, “Alright then, darling, whatever you say.”

“You’re such an ass,” you whine, pushing him out the door with one hand.

He laughs, “Sober!”

You roll your eyes, wishing the last bit of alcohol gave you the confidence to withstand his gaze. Usually you could banter with him any way you wanted but for whatever reason you felt like you were going to say the wrong thing by accident tonight. You had already slipped up about his eyes and god you hated how you could feel that you were going to say something more. Something potentially less innocent than the color of his eyes. He had a tendency to make you not want to bite your tongue in general.

His hoodie smells a lot like him as you pull it over him, earthy and piney. You bunch your shirt in your hands, and glance at yourself one more time in the mirror before you open the door. Trent leans against his dresser, slipping his phone back into his pocket once you step out.

“Ready to go back out?”

You bite onto your cheek. You weren’t. You seriously didn’t like the way Angela was riling you up for whatever reason. Trent had already said they weren’t dating, shut that idea down quickly but it…gnawed at you? You weren’t even sure what you were feeling.

“No way,” he whispers.

You look up at him and he has an open-mouthed smile on him, was he shocked? But he also looked like he just figured out how to do a hard math problem. Your eyebrows pinch, “What?”

“I didn’t think it was true, but—I heard you talking to Maddie on the balcony when she asked if you were jealous. You lied to her, didn’t you?” There’s a smile on his face that’s he trying to control, as if he were going to burst into a shit-eating grin so wide but he was holding himself back.

Immediately you shake your head, denying, “What?”

And there it is, the laugh. His head falls back too. “Bah, c’mon, don’t try to lie to me now.”

“I’m not jealous.”

“You shouldn’t be,” he said. His voice drops down an octave, “There’s nothing going on between Angela and I.”

“Why would I be jealous of you and her?”

He shrugs, “I don’t know either.”

Seriously, how could he just hear every damn whisper? There was no way you were going to dig yourself out of this. And quite frankly you were a little fed up, from Jude spilling his drink on you to Trent taking forever in the restroom to undo your shirt. Your patience had run thin.

You groan, rolling your eyes as you cross your arms, “It was the alcohol.”

He chuckles, stepping towards you, “You usually yap, alcohol or none.”

You roll your eyes again, “I was jealous because of how easy it was for you to talk to everyone except me.”

He tilts his head, taking another step towards you until you have to tilt your head to look up at him. His smile is sincere, “We’re talking now. Even if you’re lying just a little, I’ll take it.” He holds up his first two fingers with a small gap between them.

The giggle from your throat can’t help but to escape, despite it being hoarse. His eyebrows barely furrow as he notices it but doesn’t comment on it. Thank goodness.

“Besides,” he continues, “it’s much easier for you to hear me in here than it was out there.” His hands wrap around the hood, pulling it over your head and squeezing the strands together so it tightens around you.

“Trent!” you yell, you only make out the bottom half of his body and it suddenly comes a lot closer. He’s laughing as he nudges you against the wall, but backing off so you don’t feel trapped.

You pull off the hoodie once you find your balance, “What was that for?”

He shrugs so nonchalantly that you push him back. He stumbles onto his bed with the widest smile you had ever seen from him. It looked so unnatural as it was aimed towards you that it made your cheeks feel more incredibly hot.

“Wow,” you breathe out. His eyebrows shoot up, amusing you once again. But those doe eyes catch your attention. They were so expressive without effort and it damn near put you in a trance. A trance that would’ve led you straight into his lap had you two not felt heavy steps coming upstairs.

Trent looked immediately to the door and noticed it wasn’t locked, leaping off his bed and in a few long strides he was locking it. He then turned off the overhead light and used his phone’s screen as a source of light. You hadn’t realized his blinds were open until the moon casts its shadow down into the room.

“What the fuck?” You let out the breath you held after watching him run. There’s a sudden knock on the door and the handle jiggles but it doesn’t bulge.

“Trent, I have to piss man,” Jude pleads. Trent presses his finger to his lips as he glances towards you. You would be lying if this didn’t somehow send adrenaline through you. He was seriously hiding in his bedroom from Jude of all people.

There’s another frantic knock, and then the shoving of the door. Jude’s groan sounds so loud, “You fuckin’ twat.” It’s the last thing he says before he walks down the corridor and Trent chuckles quietly.

“You’re cruel,” you tease, walking towards him. He still hadn’t turned the light back on.

“All the other rooms are open,” he shrugs. “He’ll be fine.” He opts for turning on a lamp, turning it on the lowest setting and it’s so dim that it might as well be off.

As he walks towards his bed, he stops, turning back to you. His eyes narrow slightly as you put your hands on your hips, “What now?”

“You said Johnny and you were just close?” he starts. Of course. “But the picnic?”

“Friends can’t just go on picnics?”

He chuckles, “Did he know that?”

“Well he does now. There’s nothing between us. I didn’t like him like that, the girls just always teased us.”

Trent nods, satisfied with your answer, “Okay, enough about him.”

“Please,” you reply meekly.

“You’re the one who usually talks, maybe you should yap more.”

“Quit saying I yap.”

“Yapping about the weather, about class, about—”

You walk over to his bed and throw a pillow at his head. He goes splatting onto his side, you not realizing just how hard you actually held onto the pillow once you swung. Oops…

But he’s up in an instant, on his feet and pushing you back until you hit your back against the wall. A small ‘oomph’ slips out of your mouth that he lets go of your wrists, looking down at your face with a flash of worry, “Sorry—”

“Asshole.” But god were you so turned on with his chest being merely inches away.

And his face is back, “Oh, you’re okay.”

His watchful gaze looking down at you makes you swallow the slick remark down your throat. Wow. Where were his hands at? And just how far were you from him? It was either his eyes or that stupid useless lamp that made you lose sense of distance.

“Are you…okay?” he rasps. You watch as his throat bobbles as he rakes over your face, making you fight every urge to look away from his hard gaze.

“I’m fine,” you manage. His lip twitches as he glances down, it’s only then did you realize that his hand managed to go around your waist. You didn’t know how you didn’t feel it, especially because it went entirely underneath the hoodie. His bare hand was touching the skin of your back and your throat bubbled as he took his time slipping it out. Do not make a sound. Do not make a sound.

You didn’t have to make a sound to realize his movement awakened every fiber in your body. The hoodie suddenly felt ridiculously hot, like walking outside in the middle of summer with it on. If you weren’t leaning on the wall, you would’ve lost your balance right then and there.

And just as Trent’s fingertips are about to let go of you entirely, he lets them stray. In reality, they only touched such a small space of you but they felt suffocating, as if they were engulfing the entirety of you. Exploring you without hesitancy.

For whatever reason, whatever luck that wasn’t on your side, his lamp began to flicker until it went out completely. And just like that, a sliver of the moon’s light shined on his face.

“Did that—”

“It does that,” he mutters. “It’s old, have to give it a good tap.”

“Oh.”

Words escaped you as you felt him lean a little more into you. The sudden brain that never stopped thinking of a witty response was quiet, only thinking about how close he was. How his eyes seemed so tender. The softest they had ever been before. And gah! Even when there’s so little light his eyes look so brown.

“You had on a nice shirt.”

“Everyone saw my nipples,” you say, wanting to slap your hand over your mouth. Why did you choose to say those words at this very time?

He laughs, it’s gruff and it only goes in one ear, giving you goosebumps on that side. “Well, not everyone.” His head dips closer to your ear. “Only the girls saw them.”

“Then how did you know,” you look up at him as he reels his head back slowly. His fingertips slide to the back of your hip, finally putting his palm down and you stifle what might be a moan. Seriously, you need to get yourself together.

“It wasn’t rocket science to put two and two together, darling.”

And you couldn’t do it anymore. There were so many words and so little touch shared in the time that you’ve been pressed against the wall. You guide his free hand to your waist and settle yours around his neck. There is a brief look of shock in his eyes but it goes away as quickly as it appeared.

His breath hitches as your fingertips scratches the nape of his skin. His eyes flicker down to your lips and if he wasn’t going to make the first move, then hell you might as well go for it. Your hand slips down to his chest, balling up the white fabric and pulling him down. His lips crash onto yours feverishly, his breathing heavy as he pulls you closer to him.

You aren’t expecting to feel him through his jeans when your hips clash, so the gasp that leaves your mouth is unrestrained. God. Your hands are slipping down his chest and finding the hem of his pants but it’s so dark, the moon only shining on his face. His lips graze your neck as he squirms once you press your palm against him. His teeth sink into the skin near your shoulder as you pull on the button of his pants.

Before you could unbutton them, he pries your hands off of them and raises them over your head, pinning them down with just one hand. Did he have to look so hot doing that? You couldn’t help the whimper that left your mouth, him smirking as he pressed his hips further into you. He was so hard that you wondered if he was in pain, and how quickly you could slither out of his grasp and relieve him.

But he pulls back, and the frown you make is by instinct. He brings down your hands slowly to your side and you frown even harder, “Why did you stop?”

“Are you sure?” he asks.

“Yeah, I’m not drunk.”

“Walk in a straight line then,” he jokes, tugging the hem of the hoodie towards him.

You roll your eyes, a grin overtaking your scowl as you let him pull you towards the bed. You were so turned on it was ridiculous. He sits down on the bed and you can make out his head turning in your direction, waiting for you to join him.

“No more teasing,” you warn, unbuttoning your pants and shrugging them off. “Just sex.” You don’t even wait for him to pull you down, you settle in his lap as if you had been in this position many times before with him.

His eyebrows rise at your bright pink underwear, but he’s more amused with your words, “What’s the magic word?”

“Trent,” you grip onto his shoulders tightly as he laughs. His hands settle on your hips, teasing the area of where your panties met the hoodie. “Please.”

“Okay.”

The smile that raises his cheeks is so charming that you can’t help but to gently pinch them. But you kiss him as if he’s withholding coffee from you. So rabidly that he had to fall back onto stretched elbows to keep himself up. He dragged himself up to the center of the bed and pulled you with him.

The two of you groaned at the friction of your hips once you sat back down on him. His hands slipped underneath your—his—hoodie and immediately settled on your hard nipples. They had been bruising against the fabric of the hoodie, so the moan you let out was pure relief as he squeezed them. Your hand already wrapped around the length of him through his boxers.

“Fuck,” he grunts, hiking up his hips and shimming out of his pants. His grip is tight as he then peels off the hoodie, leaving you exposed but it doesn’t take long for him to find your breasts with his mouth and hand. And of course his other hand wandered and teased the hem of your underwear. His knuckles brushed against your clit through the fabric that you didn’t have any shame sinking further onto them and rocking your hips.

Once he flipped the two of you over, his touch was careful but firm. Very attentive to the sweet sounds of your arousal and the whimpers of every touch. He wasn’t shy about being vocal either. Especially when it came to his ragged breathing, the feeling of his breath creating goosebumps on your skin in its wake.

The feeling of his cold chain sliding down your body put you into a frenzy that you almost felt bad for how hard your thighs clamped around his head but he didn’t seem to mind.

And that chain continued to bounce against you with each thrust and that alone had you wrapping your legs around him and pulling him down to kiss you. You could feel his lips turning into a sloppy smile that it made you laugh as you pecked his cheek afterward.

Even if his face radiated with innocence, his hands sliding down to give you one more tease sure didn’t. You squirmed once his thumb landed on your clit and sure as hell wasn’t ready for the sudden pinch of your nipple with his other.

“Oh my god—” his lips slid down your jaw and neck, sucking on the supple skin. You didn’t even care if he marked you, your attention so far gone because between the feeling of him so deep inside you, his thumb circling your clit, fingers alternating between a pinch and a ghost of a touch around your nipple, and his warm mouth and breath on your neck, you weren’t even sure what to focus on. It all felt so unreal.

And yet somehow he held you as you rode out the numbing feeling taking over you. Vision clouding as you felt him slip out of you as he tenderly massaged your breasts and then let out a small gasp as he came as well. He nuzzled his lips onto your cheek and neck, breath heavy as he collapsed beside you. He pulled you closer to him and then ran his hands over your thighs in a soothing manner.

God. You almost wanted to cry at how euphoric you felt but there was no way you were going to let go of that much pride in one night.

His eyes flutter open as you already look back at him. He lets out a shy laugh, “Didn’t expect you to be so quiet.”

“I was shocked the entire time.”

“In a good or bad way?”

“In the best way.”

He beams, pulling you closer to him and kissing your forehead, “Seeing you in my fucking hoodie. I couldn’t control myself anymore.”

“I was waiting for you to rip it off of me,” you sassed.

“I knew I should’ve bent you over in the restroom and fucked the brat out of you.”

“I’d love to see you try,” you encouraged and he picked his head up, surely offended, but you were on the tallest cloud that you didn’t care. “Plus, your hands were shaking so much that I don’t think—”

Trent shut you up with his lips. His hands taut around your neck as he shushes you in the way he should’ve done hours ago.

--

Come Monday morning, you were starting to grow restless staring at the empty seat next to you. Trent had a minute to spare before class started and he should’ve been here a minute ago. The two of you texted over the weekend, nothing spectacular but nothing too boring. You hoped you hadn’t bothered him with too many words and scared him away. Maybe your watch was a minute behind—

A white cup suddenly lands harshly in front of you, a strong hand wrapped around it until they let go. The smell of coffee seeps out of it so strongly that it itches your brain. You look over to see Trent, a frantic but bashful smile on his face as he sits down, never taking his eyes off of you. He has his own cup as well.

“That rain, such a sudden downpour,” he chimes. “So heavy that I almost ran late.”

You can’t help that gleeful smile that stretches all the muscles of your cheeks that you don’t know existed; you must’ve look crazy, you are sure. Every facial muscle hurt in that second but you don’t care as you wrap your arms around him. He laughs as he pecks your cheek and then gives your waist a squeeze.

It was sunny outside. No chance of rain or even a cloud.

---

taglist: @lunamelona @akg2000 @0rangesuga @ell-alexanderarnold @emunds

[fideidefenswhore]

What are your thoughts on Jane Boleyn, and the role she supposedly played in the fall of 3 Queens (Anne Boleyn, Anna of Cleves, Katheryn Howard)? Do you think she has been too maligned by historians for centuries, especially when it comes to the relationship with the Boleyns (it seems she got along with Anne)?

Now that I've read both works and compared them side by side, I suppose I would say my stance on Jane Boleyn falls somewhere in between that of Julia Fox and James Taffe ('Somewhere in between' is not, btw, Alison Weir); although closer to the former than the latter. Offering critique of both biographies, I would say that of JF is too apologetic (smoothing out wrinkles that exist in her arguments rather than acknowledging them) and JT is too severe.

Especially when it comes to the relationship with the Boleyns? Yes and no. Obviously she was married to George, she sent him a message of comfort while he was in the Tower, and wore only black the rest of her life, which was quite the potent statement. However, I would allow for the possibility that she potentially, inadvertently implicated him or AB (ie, testimony of hers was twisted to suit the crown's case). This is where I think there are flaws in the arguments of some of her defenders-- they cannot allow for even that possibility and so make claims that disallow it; some of which are untrue. 'Jane was only blamed as a means of absolving Henry in the whitewash of Elizabethan propagandists' is not true. Johannes Sleidan in 1545 claimed that Anne and George died by her 'false accusation'. Sleidan was a Reformer, so he would have been more sympathetic towards the plights of these two than the average person, and would have spoken to others that were as well, but the motivation to vindicate Elizabeth did not yet exist; she was at this point the very unlikely third in line to the throne.

I do appreciate that you said 'got along' with Anne, not 'besties', because...it's possible they were very close, certainly, but we must also allow for the possibility of animosity. The linchpin for the argument of closeness is the report from Chapuys that they 'conspired together' to banish Henry's mistress from court. Was this the precise truth? Considering the source I'm doubtful. Probably there was a lady Henry was serving at this time (although that we never have a name makes the story somewhat suppositious), but did they need to have 'conspired together' against her for Jane to be banished from court (which is what happened instead)? Jane might have merely made Anne aware of her, and Henry finding out that she'd been the source would have been enough for banishment. Or, as was presented plausibly in Adrienne Dillard's fictional rendition, Jane might have dropped hints to Cromwell that this mistress was a supporter of the two exiled and contumacious royal women that were Anne's adversaries, Cromwell might have passed this along to Henry, and Henry might have banished Jane for shattering the illusion that this woman had no independent ambitions or ulterior motives and merely let him hit for the sheer pleasure of his company.

If this was evidence of closeness, and it might be, then we also have to remember that the end result was Jane's banishment from court, and that there is, as JT fairly pointed out, no evidence that any of the Boleyns spoke in her defense, favor, or for her return. It would take an extremely magnanimous person to accept all that with equanimity and not feel any resentment whatsoever. So, if there was intimacy, there might have also been rift.

That leaves the question: enough 'rift' for her to seek vengeance? I doubt that much for all the reasons Fox outlines in her biography, but at the same time I wish there was not this relentless push to only defend women that we assert 'deserve' defense, on the premise they were entirely selfless, accepted every insult with grace, never kept any grudges, never had personal ambitions (the actions she took during the queenships of those you mentioned would suggest otherwise), mixed emotions, or conflicting loyalties; that we could acknowledge that acknowledging the agency of historic women also means acknowledging they were capable of making mistakes.

[the-promise-has-been-made]

Like with all Mike Flanagan shows, I have to sit and stew on The Fall of the House of Usher for a bit to let it fully settle, and then I'll probably have to rewatch it to get the full picture.

But what I can say now after the first watch has sat with me for 2 days is that compared to Hill House which dealt with grief, Bly Manor which dealt with love, and Midnight Mass which dealt with faith, House of Usher for me dealt with consequences. Madeline and Roderick were offered the deal that they could basically do whatever the heck they wanted, and all the consequences of their horrible actions would not be suffered by them. Which is essentially what capitalist super-rich experience all the time - and we, the ordinary people, suffer the consequences. It's funny that they thought it worked like that, but I guess they saw their father who suffered no consequences for abuse and for mistreating their mother whom he had ann affair with (if it even was that, and not rape) - but he did suffer consequences, he was strangeled to death by a dead woman. And Griswold, who seemingly suffered no consequences for his fraud and the many crimes of his company, except he did - he was literally cask of Amontillado'ed which is honestly the funniest thing! But for the Ushers, the consequences were suffered not just by the anonymous masses, not just by the thousands upon thousands that suffered and died because of their actions (powerfully depicted by the rain of bodies Verna showed Roderick in their meeting in his tower) and not by Madeline nd Roderick themselves, but very directly, very brutally, by their own children - who all in the span of a few days were driven insane and horrifically killed. They were offered this deal, and while Madeline had no children and made sure afterwards that she never would, Roderick already had two children by that point. He signed that deal not for some hypothetical children he might have, but for Frederick and Tammerlane who were already alive then, and for his 4 as of yet unborn children! They barely hesitated. The Ushers TOOK that choice away from their children, they doomed these children before they were even born. And they doomed even their grandchild before she was born. If that doesn't show the crippling consequences of actions we take today, I don't know what does. Every decision the rich and powerful make today has devastatign consequences for generations to come - not hypothetical, but very real and very dire consequences. But these people don't care about that, because it's not consequences they suffer NOW, so it's not their problem. The Ushers are charicaturized representations of that mindset, their children representations of the generations of people fucked over by their decisions. That's why I am torn between feeling glee at the bizarre demise each of the Usher children met (cause let's face it, they were all assholes and messed up) and at the same time feel immense pity for them (because the fact that they were assholes and messed up was almost not their fault but a product of growing up under the trauma Roderick and Madeleine suffered when they were children, and in a mindset where they genuinely believed being richer than God made them immune to cosequence, and because their fate had been decided for them without their knowledge).

But also, Verna gave EACH of these kids an option. They were all going to die, sure, but they were given the choice to do the right thing. Prospero was offered the chance to end his orgy and his filming of incriminating material but he chose to continue. Camille was offered the chance to turn around and go home and instead die peacefully in her sleep. Napoleon was offered the chance not to lie to his boyfriend and bring a fake 'cat' home, and instead go home, sober up, get his shit together, be honest about his fuck-ups. But he didn't. Victorine was offered the chance to say 'no, this treatment is not ready for human testing' but instead she deceived what she believed to be an innocent, desperate woman into essentially signing away her life. Tammerlane could have stopped her jealousy, her envy, and instead reach out to her husband, actually communicate, actually appreciate him, but she didn't. And Frederick, well, Verna spelled it out for him, didn't she? He had to bring her home, he had to bring out the pliers. He CHOSE to abuse and brutalize and mutilate his wife when she was completely defenseless, helpless, and innocent - yes she had gone to the orgy because she felt unappreciated, unseen, and nothing actually happened, she didn't cheat, her only 'crime' was chosing to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He chose to be a monster to her and to their child. All of them could have stopped, could have chosen to reflect on their actions and be better, do BETTER. Instead, they doubled down on their horrific behaviour, and sealed their own fate. All except Lenore, who until the very end chose to be good, chose to be kind, chose to see the best in people. That's why she was the only one to whom Verna appeared with kindness, giving her the certainty that her life mattered, that her sacrifice would save thousands, that her mother would do incredibly good in her name in the future, and she did not die with horror and suffering, she died peaceful, quick, quiet, like Verna had offered all the others. Verna was not so much a demon as she was the personification of "actions, meet consequences".

TLDR: The Fall of the House of Usher is the hardcore version of 'play stupid games, win stupid prizes' and will for me be part of the 'rich people actually suffer consequences for their shitty actions' cinematic universe.

[storiesfromafan]

Benny x Reader

A/N: first off, want to say this is my first time not only writing a Benny fic, but also writing something different to my usual stuff. So please be kind, as I am terrified to post this haha.

I have been thinking about this idea, and possible series, for over a week. So I finally bit the bullet and wrote out the first part. It's more of a set up for the reader, as I want to make this a series. As well, I left out places and such, but tried to do it in away that its not bad. Only because I'm from Australia and don't really know much with America, only what I've seen in movies and TV shows.

If it is not really liked, I will take it down. But if anyone is interested, I am happy to keep going. I have two more parts kind of planned out. But there is a few idea's I'm not 100% sure of. So if anyone want to talk Benny and these ideas, please message me.

Alright, I guess on to the story then...

“Tell me about the first time you met Benny?” Danny asked moving his microphone towards you.

You were sitting on your couch, lit smoke in hand. “Honestly, the first time I saw Benny, that was something. He saw me more then I really saw him”.

“What did he say to you? Or what did you say to him?” Danny asked adjusting the recorder.

You chuckled. “We never said anything to each other, well I said something but it wasn’t to him. You see I’d just gotten back from living with my Aunt for over three years. I’d gone to live with her when I was nineteen, prior to that for the last ten years the woman had been on my dads case. She believed a man couldn’t raise a girl. My old man wouldn’t listen to her. So I grew up a tomboy, eventually he entertained her request”.

You took a drag from the cigarette between your fingers, before releasing the smoke. “I can tell you living with that woman was torture. Along with her daughter, who had just gotten engaged when I arrived. They both took to teaching what is expected of a lady, how to dress, walk and talk. The only way I survived it was when I made friends with some locals there that raced motorcycles. When my Aunt found out, she flipped out, sent me back after I wouldn’t change my ways...”

~~~

How you managed to pack up three years in two large suitcases surprised you. But here they were, back in your old room on your families farm. The room looked just as you had left it, only a tad dusty from half assed cleaning courtesy of your dad and brother. Looking around brought back memories. Your best friend pushed past you and took a seat on your bed.

“Can see the males of the house don’t know how to clean properly” she commented running her hand over your bedding.

“Unfortunately not. If they did, along with being able to cook, then women would not be required” you laughed lifting and bringing a suitcase over, before dropping it on the bed.

“Agreed" she laughed with you.

You began to unpack the suitcase, which had mostly shoes, tops, bottoms, personal items. Once that one was done you removed it from its place before replacing it with the second suitcase. This one had a few more tops and bottoms, but mostly your dresses.

“Lilly, do you mind getting the dresses out and I will hang them up?” You asked her as you put away the last of your tops and bottoms.

“Sure” was her response before taking out the first dress and handing it out to you.

You thanked her while taking the garment from her hands, putting it on a hanger and then placing it in your closet. While doing this together Lilly filled you in on the town gossip, along with that of people you had gone to school with.

“You remember Anne, right?” – You nodded your head – “she has turned into a real Miss Prim and Proper! No doubt it’s her mummy’s doing, dolling up her daughter in hopes for her to catch a big fish!”

You laughed. “Really? You believe her mum would do that?”

Lilly gave you a pointed look. “Just about every girls mum wants her daughter to land the perfect catch. They practically raise girls to be perfect house wives. My mum done it with me, it’s only half stuck” she laughed pulling out another dress.

You felt a pain in your heart at your friends words, for you didn’t have the luxury of growing up with a mum. You only knew your mum till you were eight, before she died. You love your dad but you missed your mum, and all the stuff you missed out on learning from her. Thankfully Lilly’s mum was a great second mum, not to mention your Aunt when she would come and visit would also give you a little of what you missed out on.

Lilly sighed holding your dress to her body, “I’m so jealous of all the lovely dresses you have”.

You smiled softly. “They are nice, but not ideal for a farm”.

“Well of course not! But when we go to town or parties, they will be perfect! Maybe I could borrow one or two sometime, specially when I have a hot date” Lilly asked leaning toward you batting her eyelashes.

You laughed taking the dress. “Sure, but make sure they are cleaned before returning them. Don’t want any suspicious stains on them”.

She gave you a disgusted look retrieving another dress. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, I’m a lady” Lilly proclaimed sweetly.

You laughed taking the dress from her hands, while she gave you an offender look before she in turn laughed, not hurt by anything you said or done. That was your friendship, completely open and honest. Since you were both children you got on like a house on fire. You told each other everything and not once judged each other. Lilly was the sister you never had.

Once you had finished unpacking that was when you heard the revs of a motorcycle. You looked to Lilly, just as she looked to you. Without saying anything the both of you left your room and headed outside, hearing the revs again you figured it was coming from the old barn away from the house. Both giggling at the intrigue, you both headed for the barn. You were the one to put your weight into opening one of the barn doors, wiping your hands on your jeans walking into the space, Lilly right behind you.

Before you was your older brother, Andy with a racing bike. He looked up when realizing he wasn’t alone, wiping his hand on an old rag. Once his eyes landed on you did he smile brightly before pocketing the rag and coming over to engulf you in a big hug, which lifted you off the ground.

You laughed. “What a great welcome home”.

Andy laughed swinging you around. “Welcome home kid. I’ve missed you!”

You hit his shoulder telling him to put you down, which he did reluctantly. “You saw me a few months ago”.

“Still missed you!” He laughed.

You shook your head at your older brother, before eyes going back to the racer. “Project of yours?” You asked as you walked toward the bike.

Both Andy and Lilly followed you. Andy took the place he had originally been when you entered the barn, while you moved to the other side of the bike, Lilly chose to stand back. You looked over the bike, admiring it’s beauty. Motorcycles was the one thing you and your brother had in common. It was a great way to bond together when you were a teenager.

“When did you start racing?” You asked running a hand over the bikes seat. “Does dad know?”

Andy rolled his eyes. “Yeah he knows. I’ve been racing on and off for seven or so months”.

“He has ever since joining the Vandals” added Lilly.

You looked to your friend before back to your brother with a raised eyebrow. “Really? The Vandals huh? When were you going to tell me, hmm?”

Picking up a tool, Andy went back to adjusting something on the bike that you couldn’t see while shrugging his shoulders. “Does it matter?”

“You usually tell me these things Andy, I feel hurt you didn’t mention it” you said with a touch of sadness. “And dads fine with it?”

He laughed. “Of course, he’s fine with it. Since he knows most of the guys in the club”.

You nodded. “Alright.”.

“Don’t worry (Y/N), Uncle Johnny keeps an eye out for his boys” Lilly spoke up, knowing you worried about your brother.

Yes, you recall Lilly mentioning her Uncle Johnny, and that you had met him a few times when he had stopped off at Lilly’s house, was the leader of The Vandals. He seemed like a nice man, always looking out for his family. You also recalled her mentioning the club, but you hadn’t been around when it turned into a riding club, just when it was in the early stages of a racing club.

After that you and Lilly chatted with Andy while he worked on the bike. The atmosphere had returned to a happy and fun one. You learnt about what had been going on with Andy and the farm, along with your dad, who you still hadn’t seen yet. You couldn’t wait to see your old man, you had seen him a few months back when you saw Andy, but you missed the time with him. You had missed both men in your life. But now you were back where you belonged.

“There” sighed Andy dropping the tool in his hand and turning the bike off, “I think that will do for now. Just have to test her”.

“Her?” Both you and Lilly questioned looking at Andy.

“Yeah, her” he replied moving to kick up the bikes kickstand and holding the bike up. “It’s been nothing but temperamental and trouble, just like a female”. His tone was teasing, telling you he was joking around.

“Sounds more like a male” retorted Lilly with a laugh.

Andy shot her a dark look before laughing himself. You shook your head laughing at the two of them. Eventually he admitted defeat when he and Lilly went back and forth a bit more.

Andy began to move the bike around and then out the barn door, both you and Lilly following behind him. Out in the sunlight you can see the bike better, watching as Andy gave it another look over. You stepped up to him and watch him. Once he was happy with the bike, Andy was about to get on when you stopped him.

“Could I give it ago?” You asked softly. You’d ridden bikes before when you were a teen. Plus when you were living with your Aunt, which may or may not have upset her.

He looked at you unsure. “I don’t know kid. She hasn’t gotten all the kinks worked out of her. I still have this issue with her taking off when you go up in gears, she just accelerates and can be hard to handle”.

You nodded but smiled. “I promise to be careful and not go too fast. Please, can I?” You gave him the biggest puppy dog eyes you could.

Andy wasn’t sure if he should let you, but Lilly came to your defense. “Come on Andy, you know she will be careful. It’s just a few laps, it won’t hurt”.

Reluctantly he agreed and you shot Lilly a big smile, which she returned. So with his consent, you grasped the handle before moving to swing your leg over the bike, and sat down taking hold of the other handle. Andy stepped up and walked you through starting her up, you knew what to do but let him instruct you. He went over everything; front brake lever, throttle, clutch lever, gearshift lever and rear brake pedal. With his instructions he stepped back from you and let you go.

You started out slow, going around in circles before both your brother and friend. Lilly was cheering you on, which made you laugh. Gradually you picked up the speed and at Andy’s words, you did wider laps.

“You look so cool!” Called Lilly. Which you rolled your eyes at.

“Alright kid” Andy called. “Why don’t you take her back up behind the barn, then down toward the house and then turn right to take the long way back to the barn, get her speed up a bit more”.

You nodded giving him a solute, which made Lilly laugh and your brother call out for you to keep your hands on the handlebars. You did as he instructed before turning around and riding up behind the barn. As you looped back around you revved up the bike, and as you straightened up and headed for the house, you shifted the gears. Unfortunately the little issue your brother warned you about decided to come forth as you gained speed. The bike jerked with the acceleration, you held onto the handlebars tightly doing everything to keep the bike in check.

Andy noticed the change in your body and figured out what had happened, panic setting in he began calling out to you. He couldn’t do much more than that. He prayed you could handle the bike, and didn’t want to think of what could happen to you.

All the while before you had gotten on the bike, none of you were aware that your dad had returned home. Along with him were two men from The Vandals, the older male had dark hair while the younger dirty blonde hair, with stubble to match. They were discussing some business before heading around to the back of the house, when they all caught the sounds of a bike.

“Take it Andy’s working on his racer” the older male commented to your dad.

He laughed. “Yeah, the boys determined to smoke the competition Johnny”.

Johnny laughed. “He’s a good kid and rider, no doubt he will beat them”.

The Three started to make their way around to behind the house. They all looked up to the barn to see the bike take off up behind the old building. Your dad noticed two figures standing by the barn, one looked to be Andy, which confused the man. He wondered who was on the bike then. That was when the bike came back into view, heading towards the house. The shouting from the barn caught everyone’s attention, worry setting into your dad.

You had been so focused on staying in control of the bike you hadn’t noticed the three figures walking into your path until last minute. Upon seeing them you quickly dropped the gears on the bike before hitting the back brakes. With the light weight of the bike you managed to turn it right, planting your right foot to the ground and pulling off a slide stop. Dirt kicked up at your manoeuvre, you sat there a little stunned as the bike idled away.

You blinked a few times before turning to look at the males before you. But mostly to your dad, who looked just as stunned as you.

“Ah, hi dad” you said slowly. “Didn’t know you were home”.

He looked at you, to the bike you sat on and then back to you. “What are you doing?! You shouldn’t be riding that!”

You flinched at his slightly raised voice. “I was testing the bike for Andy...”

He shook his head. “Did he tell you about the issue it has with acceleration?” – You nodded – “and he still let you ride it!?”

“Well I promised to be careful” you replied.

Your old man shook his head. “You shouldn’t haven’t gotten on it (Y/N), what if you had crashed! Turn it off and get off it, now!”

“But I didn’t crash, I think I handled her pretty well” you defended as you turned off the bike before getting off it.

By this time both Andy and Lilly had jogged down to the scene. Your dad turned and began to have words with your brother, while he took the bike from you.

“Seriously Andy, I thought you’d know better than to let anyone on that bike before getting it sorted out” he said with a deep sigh.

Andy looked down while apologizing.

“It’s not all his fault, I wanted to ride it” you came to your brothers defense.

“Yes, well I’m disappointed in both of you. What if something had happened to you? Your brother would have to live with that” he guilt tripped you.

“I am sorry dad. But I kinda knew what I was doing...” you said softly not looking at the man before you.

That was when you noticed the other two on lookers. Suddenly you felt embarrassed that both of them were witnessing you and your brother getting a scolding.

While from the time you had stopped and until you finally noticed them, the younger of the two males had been looking at you. He was surprised when you had slid stopped the bike you were on. It had been like an Angel had slid before him. He was impressed by how you had not only handled the bike, but also your dad. But found you cute when you got embarrassed by him and Johnny. He could tell there was more to you, and it was fascinating.

Before you could really take in the two Vandals, your dad sighed once more. “Andy, take the bike back to the barn. (Y/N), go back into the house with Lilly”.

Lilly walked up to you and linked arms with you and began to pull you to the house, reluctantly you let her do so. All the while Lilly softly comment on the events. But before disappearing into the house, you watched your brother push his bike back up to the barn, then you looked to your dad and the older male watching your brother. Looking to the younger Vandal you saw him looking at you, and not to were the other two beside him was looking. But then Lilly pulled you into the house, severing eye contact to the young Vandal.

“What was that Fred?” Johnny finally questioned.

Your dad sighed. “That was my daughter. She got back today from her Aunts”.

Johnny whistled. “Might have your hands full with that one. But I will admit, that stop was impressive”.

Fred shook his head. “Don’t let her hear that. Don’t want to encourage her” he laughed darkly. “Come on, the sheds this way”.

Your dad started to walk again, while the other males followed. Johnny continued to ask about you, which your dad filled in. He said how he’d lost your mum when you were eight. How he did his best to raise you, all the while his sister-in-law kept hassling him about letting her take you in and raise you.

“The old battle-axe didn’t think I could raise a girl” Fred said with a sigh. “She was kinda right. I raised a tomboy”.

Johnny laughed while the other male smiled. “Nothin’ wrong with that” comment Johnny.

“I agree” said Fred, “but (Y/N) missed out on a lot not having a mum around. Thankfully Lilly's mum was there when it came to female things”.

Johnny nodded before following Fred into the shed. The younger male decided to wait outside, which was fine with the pair. Walking over to a fence before the shed, the young male lent back on the post, retrieving a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket. Taking out a cigarette, he pocketed the packet and pulled out his lighter. With the cigarette between his lips he sparked the lighter and lit it. Taking the first drag he put away the lighter, eyes looking back at your house as he released the smoke into the air.

Honestly, he can say he had never seen a female ride a bike before. Usually the females that were around The Vandals were always on the back of one. So seeing you handle that bike like you had was not only impressive but also a turn on. He hoped to cross paths with you again sometime soon.

Johnny came out of the shed with Fred. “Come on Benny, were done here”.

Moving from the fence post, Benny followed both men back to the front of the house and where their bikes were. Once on their bikes, they both started them up. They sat there for a few minutes, which allowed Benny a few more drags from his smoke before tossing it off to the side. He and Johnny began to move their bikes back to turn around, when Benny got a glance of both you and Lilly by the window. With a small smile, they both took off, heading back into town and to the bar.

~~~

“As I said, it was something. Me embarrassed by my old man having words with me. I didn’t really take Benny in at the time” you stated putting out your cigarette.

���You said Benny noticed you more?” Danny asked checking his recorder.

“Yeah, he told me so later on. He’d call me his Angel on wheels” you laughed.

“So the next time you saw Benny, you finally spoke to each other?”

You laughed more at his words. “Unfortunately, no. We might have if the time was right. But that second time I saw Benny, I really saw him...”

A/N: please don't hate me for this lol. I am also sorry for the use of (Y/N).

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Just a Number

Part 1

Warnings: this drabble includes groping, age gap, dub/noncon. Please mind these warnings and take care.

Explicit, 18+. Please reblog and leave some feedback.

Mary Ann returns but you can't settle. The sun is dulcet and warm but you're chilled to the bone. The sting in your flesh and slight ache in your tailbone battle your denial. 

"Did you try the lemonade?" She asks.  

You cough, "no, waiting for you."  

"Wonderful," she smiles. You see where Cole gets his shinez though you wonder about that other side of him. 

It's just too absurd to believe. You're twenty years his senior. Likely more. 

You pour two tall glasses. The tartness pinches your cheeks as you sip out of obligation alone. You can't enjoy the beverage, the sunshine, or the thrumming silence of this place. 

"Right, I was going to show you the garden," she declares as he plunks her glass down.  

"Sure," you put your drink with hers and round the counter. 

You follow her into the hall, wary of what lurks. Rather, who. 

She takes you outside and your sole clap on the pine steps. You come down to even ground and trail her towards the lush patch of petals and green. As you get closer, there's a sigh and Cole pops up from behind the thicket. 

"Hey," he grins as lifts the glass of lemonade and swigs back the last mouthful, "it's so good. Refreshing." 

"Oh, there you are," Mary Ann beams. "He's always playing in the dirt. Since he was a kid." 

"There were some weeds," he puts the empty glass on a wooden stool.  

He stands to face her as you shy away behind her. He's stripped down to only his white tank, stained with sweat along his hard stomach, his chest hair glistening above the wide neckline. You look away, a coild around your throat.  

"You should take some of the tulips, they'd be a nice bouquet," Mary Ann suggests as she pounts at the vibrant cups. "Oh, or the daffodils." 

"I can cut some for you. They're the perfect length," Cole says. 

"I don't know if they'd make the drive home," you cross and arm over your stomach as you sense him watching you. 

"I can wrap 'em, no problem," Cole insists, "ugh, sure is hot." 

He wipes his speckled forehead and drops his muscled arm. He pulls at his tank top and peels it up his torso. Mary Ann is fondly admiring the blossoms, unfazed by her son. 

"Oh, and the marigolds," she points them out. 

You turn your attention to her. That's safe. 

"Let me get my clippers," Cole insists. 

He strides behind his mother and past you. The mingle of his sweat and whatever scent he wears wafts with him. You twitch as his hand brushes the back of your khakis. You step closer to Mary Ann and clear your throat. 

"Which are these ones?" You point carelessly, "I always forget." 

She answers but you're not listening. You're overly aware of Cole stalking away. You don't care about the flowers, you're searching for a reason to leave. 

"Oh, this sun," Mary Ann fans herself as she stands, bracing her hip with her other hand, "come, let's sit down." 

She leads you to the hexagonal table beneath a floral umbrella. She sits in one of the thick-armed wooden chairs, cushions on the seats that match the canopy above. You lower yourself into one and twist your hand around your finger. 

You haven't felt like this in years. The years went by and so did attention from men. You could never expect this from any, but especially not Cole. The more you think about it, the more you doubt yourself. 

You look past Mary Ann as a shadow emerges once more. Cole has a roll of brown paper and a toolbox. Before you can look away, he winks. You shake your head and look at his mother. What the hell is going on? 

[mildy-vibing]

Woe, pirates be upon ye

Alright kiddos, time for my yapping on a kids show, starting with our pirates.

Calico Jack

Loosely based upon the real John "Calico Jack" Rackham interwoven with my personal thoughts and canon. Calico was "partners" with one Anne Bonny (partners is an extremely loose term between them as it was an open secret that Bonny was really in it for her crew mate, Mary Read). Besides that, Calico and Bonny had two kits who later grew up and stayed with the crew. They were known as Elizabeth "Fangs" and William "Terrible Tabby". William so happened to pick up a wife, Louise "Whispers" Reeves. This pairing created our favorite weirdo, Kwazii.

[From left to right] Anne Bonny, Calico Jack, Elizabeth "Fangs", William "Terrible Tabby", Mary Read, Kwazii and Louise "Whispers" Reeves

Getting the family tree over with, they were a particularly infamous and treacherous crew that plundered and captured anything that set sail in the sea. When Calico was 45 and Kwazii 6, operations hit the fan. In a changing ocean, it came to a halt when the Ranger was boarded following a scuffed raid. All except Kwazii were taken prisoner (Kwazii hid and avoided capture).

At this time, the punishment for piracy was, of course, d e a t h. However, to ensure that in the slim chance one did escape the rope, declawing would be performed. The authorities were right to do so, as Calico was able to slip away just before it was his time. He had attempted to break out his crew, only to find Bonny and Read missing and Fangs, Terrible and Whispers long gone. He escaped, finding Kwazii hidden at Port and commandeered another, smaller, ship to sail off with.

It was just the pair of them until Kwazii turned 13. They were on the run and have been unable to rest as long as The Calico Jack was still alive. So, Calico decided to spare Kwazii that fate. He left Kwazii in a fishing village with the story of "I'm going after some of the most dangerous treasure in the Amazon, I need you to stay here and watch yourself while I go."" Sailed out into the sea, taunted some royal ships, made a show of 'dying in a storm' and fell off the face of the earth, allowing "Calico Jack" to die.

He lived in isolation in the Amazon with his parrot and had time to think over everything he'd done. He regretted leaving Kwazii alone but knew it was for the best after what happened to the crew.

Kwazii

We know the story of the goober, but all I can say for MY story is that he came into contact with the Octonauts after trying to steal one of the gups. At the time, there were only three crew members: Inkling, Tweak, and Barnacles. So happened Barnacles was on that gup. What happened is anyone's guess, but the two left the gup, Barnacles covered in scratches and Kwazii soaking wet in sea water, as friends. Kwazii was kept on probation for trying to steal a gup but was allowed to stay on the (then very new and very in development) Octopod. He quickly proved himself to be a very good crew mate and eventually became Lieutenant. Up until finding Calico, everyone believed Kwazii was just a big fan of pirates (except Barnacles who knew of the incident and its details).

Little Bits

- Calico Jack is declawed, meaning he's missing the bone from the final knuckle (fingertips for us). He has golden prosthetics that help him, though they aren't very effective. They're mostly just for show and secondary weaponry.

- Calico is uneasy around Barnacles. Most likely, due to Barnacle's sounding like a British Royal Navy Official. Also, because he's a huge Polar Bear.

- Calico will not allow any doctor of any shape or form examine him (especially Peso). He hides away whenever he is hurt, insisting upon fixing it himself. He still remembers the last time a doctor got near him.

- Checks in with Kwazii frequently now that he has an octowatch. Though this means often getting face timed at 3 a.m., Kwazzi doesn't mind it.

- Has chronic pain in his hands due to the declawing.

- Lost most of his jewelry the first time he was captured, literally broke. He prefers living off the land but will gladly accept any fish biscuits or food Kwazii brings.

- He only wants the best for Kwazii, so when Paani came along, he gladly accepted him into the family. Calico often takes Paani exploring in more remote regions to show him any and all lakes, ponds, and rivers since "you like water, right? I like water too! Here, look at this puddle in the middle of nowhere."

- Calico doesn't smell as bad as one would expect. He smells like citrus and sea breeze. Unlike Kwazii, who smells like he just crawled out of a dentists office.

- Calico has a fear of places with less than 2 exits. He rarely enters the octopod or gups due to this. He always needs an exit in eyesight to feel safe.

Thanks for coming to the yapping session! Have some sketches too