#like towards the final two hours i just kept turning to my friend like

[comediakaidanovsky]

man, i’m still kinda in awe of how mid DoN was, and how much the audience sucked

(though still have to give them some cred for coming alive for jade v taya v kris, and the turtleneck chants)

[homeofthelonelywriter]

Simon hated the tapping out ceremony. Ever since he first had to partake in one, he despised it. With no family and very few friends, he was usually the last on the field, waiting until one of his superiors would tap him out. But he couldn’t skip them either.

So there he was. The sun was beating down on the hundreds of soldiers lined up in neat little rows, standing at attention while they waited for their loved ones. And they came quickly. One soldier after the other was tapped out by their parents, siblings, spouse, and sometimes even children. But he stayed still, watching the happy reunions out of the corner of his eyes. Watching the tears and hugs and kisses. He envied the others; he was jealous of what they had, and he didn’t. But Simon had always been good at following orders, so he didn’t move, barely even blinked as he was surrounded by happiness, while he drowned in his own sorrow.

After an hour, there was only one other soldier left. Simon had barely interacted with him, but he knew his face. And just when Simon thought he wouldn’t be the only one without someone to tap him out this time, a crowd of eight people moved toward the soldier. At the front was an older-looking woman, her brown hair streaked with grey and lines on her face, indicating her age. Around her were people of all ages and genders.

“My son!” The woman let out a sob as she finally threw her arms around the soldier’s neck, causing the man to chuckle, as he hugged her back. “I missed you too, mama.”

One by one, he talked to the people surrounding him, hugged them, and kissed them. Simon couldn’t help but watch, bile rising in his throat as jealousy threatened to overtake him. And as he watched, he couldn’t help but imagine himself in the soldier’s stead. Surrounded by a happy, loud, and loving family. People who were happy to see him. Nowadays, the only people he could call family were the guys from the 141, and they were away on a mission. Still, in his mind, the scene played out. His mother, smiling, rushing toward him. Followed by his brother and his wife, carrying his nephew.

The daydream was interrupted by someone walking toward him. He expected it to be his superior, there to finally release him from the nightmare. But it wasn’t.

A young woman took timid steps in his direction. Her eyes, bright but filled with sadness. Not her own sadness, though, it was sadness she felt for him. He didn’t react, didn’t move, didn’t blink. She came to a stop in front of him, gazing up with a frown.

“Is someone coming?” Simon hesitated before giving an almost invisible shake of his head. She gasped, it was quiet and he barely heard it, but he felt it. In every bone, he felt her sadness and the sorrow she carried for him. Slowly, as if not to startle him, she lifted her hand, until it was inches away from his chest. “Is…is this okay?” When he gave a slight nod, she gently pressed her hand against his chest, finally tapping him out.

A breath he didn’t realize he had been holding escaped him as he finally turned to properly look at the woman. She was still gazing up at him, a soft smile now replacing the frown on her face.

“Thank you.” She nodded in response before glancing back at her family. When she looked back at Simon, she looked determined. “We’re going out to eat dinner if you’d like to join us?” Simon was about to decline when someone called out to him.

“Oi! Ghost!” He looked up and saw the soldier, now facing him, an arm wrapped around his mother’s shoulder. “Let’s go; my mom says dinner’s on us!” Without waiting for a response, he turned around and started walking toward the car park, his entire family in tow. Simon kept looking after him until a soft, small hand slipped into his own. He glanced down and found the woman smiling up at him.

“Come, my mom doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.” And with those words, the woman gently led him to follow her family.

Part 2

A/N: This will be a two-parter. I hope you liked it!

[sukunasweetheart]

scummy ex-boyfriend sukuna...

warnings!!! dark content, noncon breeding, dubcon, sukuna ties your hands together, baby trapping, toxic, possessive and jealous sukuna, manipulative tendencies and mentions of violence (not towards reader), oral (f!receiving)

divider by @/saradika-graphics

3.8k words

scummy ex-boyfriend sukuna who'd always coax you into fucking him bareback without a condom because he swears it feels better...

being so sweet, seducing you into letting him hit it raw, doing whatever it takes to put you in a good mood, get you hot and bothered so you can't deny him for long, swearing that he'd pull out, and that you'd have nothing to worry about...

but scummy ex-boyfriend sukuna who never kept his word. he'd fuck you silly and cum deep into your womb, even though he promised he wouldn't. you wanted to stop him, but you were feeling too good in the moment to fight him off. when you confront him about it afterwards, he simply tells you "my bad, sweetheart. i didn't mean to, but you just felt too good..."

he gets high off the feeling of cumming inside you.

scummy ex-boyfriend sukuna who secretly wished he could fuck you pregnant with his seed. but you told him you didn't want a baby, which he disappoints him, though he may not show it. he wants to see your belly swell up with his child, and to suck on your sweet milk when your tits start leaking. fuck, just the thought of it had made him get hard.

scummy ex-boyfriend sukuna who didn't take you seriously when you broke it off with him. you could see it in his eyes sometimes, the way he seemed eerily quiet when your pregnancy tests turned out with only one line. you felt glad you'd taken those birth control pills behind his back. but you decided enough was enough. you loved him, but you just didn't want to have a child with him.

scummy ex-boyfriend sukuna who didn't even seem phased by the break up. he believed he could coax you back to him again, given with some time. you are his, and nothing will change that. when he sees you around, he shamelessly flirts with you and tries to convince you to come back to him, telling you that he misses you dearly. there are times when he almost succeeds, only because you do miss him sometimes too.

a few weeks into the break up, you truthfully, begin to feel a little sexually frustrated. you don't recall having such a high sex drive before getting with sukuna, but he seems to have permanently altered your body, the way he used to pleasure you so good...

you gather some friends and head into a club, and try to forget about him.

at the club, you re-familiarise yourself with the smell of alcohol in the air, the music that hurts your eardrums, and the crowd of people all around you, wherever you went. it's been a while since you've been here, because you had been with sukuna for over two years now.

an hour or two passes, and you've gotten yourself fairly tipsy at the bar now.

you sync yourself up with the music, but a familiar figure catches your attention from the second floor of the club, afar. it's sukuna. but he's not looking at you.

he's standing with his ex-girlfriend - the one that had gotten hysterical with you after she'd found out about your relationship with him. your mood plummets, for some reason.

you're the one that broke up with him. it shouldn't matter what he's up to after that. liar. you told me you missed me. you try to ignore him, and continue drinking yourself drunk, the edges of your vision already swimming.

sukuna's at the club, only because a friend of his snitched on you and told him that you were out here somewhere. he didn't think he'd meet yorozu, out of everyone it could've been.

"hi, ryo. i heard you'd finally broken up with that girl?" she asks sweetly, standing as close to him as possible.

sukuna gives her a deadpan stare.

"broken up? says who?"

"well, everyone. don't tell me you're pathetically clinging onto her now? that's not like you."

"i'm not you. now get lost, i'm busy."

yorozu grabs his hand, stopping him from walking away.

"wait! i just wanna tell you..."

she continues talking, but his attention has already drifted elsewhere, as his eyes pan toward the crowd downstairs. now...where are you? when he does manage to find you in the crowd downstairs, he doesn't like what he sees. that's an understatement. he hates it.

you're swaying your hips with some other bastard, making out with him on the dance floor.

"damn- you're so fuckin' hot," the stranger chuckles against the shell of your ear, your arms around his neck.

"am i really?" you respond giggling, clearly intoxicated.

"yeah, you are... why don't you come home with me?"

"hmmm? sure, why not? 'm single now, anyway," you mumble, your feet now beginning to stumble. you're starting to miss him again.

"broke up with your boyfriend, did you? poor thing."

"i'll help you feel better." the man grins and helps you walk outside of the club.

on his way out however, he bumps into someone of a large frame. he's all tatted up, and his gaze is holding a mean glare as he stares down at him. he holds out his hand to him, like he's asking for something.

"hand her over, and i won't beat you to death."

oh. he must be the ex. that was enough for the man to quietly place your body into sukuna's arms and exit the club.

tch, he's as spineless as he looks.

sukuna handles your limp body with care, your breath pungent with the smell of alcohol. he's irritated to no end right now, and a vein is bulging from his forehead, but he safely carries you to his car.

outside, the man thinks he's clear of danger, and decides he's had enough for the night. but, someone's heavy arm comes down around his shoulders suddenly.

"hey. you're the one that played it too close with sukuna's girl? how unlucky of you," a man with a scar on his lip talks nonchalantly.

he gets dragged into a nearby alleyway.

"don't take it personally. i got paid to do this."

the man shrieks as he gets beaten to a pulp, just enough so it hurts like hell, but not enough to kill him. sukuna likes to keep his word.

meanwhile... you're taken to your own home. he found the keys to your house in your purse. sukuna tucks you into your own bed, and even dresses you into your own pajamas. and then...

he just leaves.

-

the next morning - you don't remember a thing. you're left feeling confused, wondering how you managed to get home and how you were even sober enough to get yourself dressed. the only thing you can recall is seeing sukuna with his ex, and then making out with some random guy on the dance floor. everything else is blacked out.

you ask your friends, but they were also too busy getting wasted to know what happened to you. but you feel fine physically, so you brush the incident off.

now the only thing bothering you... sukuna hasn't contacted you again ever since you witnessed him and yorozu talking. so he must've gone back to her. that makes you feel... irritated. upset. sad, even. even though you wanted to break things off first.

you slowly start getting back to your normal daily life again, although with a heavy heart. only change is, that you can't seem to find your birth control pills, wherever you last put them. you contemplate for a moment, wondering whether you should buy a new pack, but you end up shrugging it off, knowing that you won't really need them in the meantime anyway...

you're trying to get back into what life was like before you met sukuna. falling back into bad diet habits, staring at your phone, going back and forth between unblocking and blocking sukuna's number - wondering if he's texted you again in the meantime - but of course, there is nothing new.

he may have had his toxic traits, but you knew he loved you a lot... he cooked you wonderful meals and spoiled you with gifts and knew how to make you orgasm until you couldn't speak. and he was tender with you, even though he teased you a lot.

and now, you're back to using toys to satisfy yourself... it's always like this! you start thinking about him and your hand begins to wander down - you can only hope that you'll eventually lose these feelings soon.

you decide to head out and go on a shopping spree alone, to distract yourself from your thoughts and maybe lift your spirits up.

spending a lot of money for yourself always feels nice. you're buying a lot of cute clothes, accessories and food, jumping between shop to shop. the sun sets rather quickly, and by now, you're at your final stop, mulling over whether this expensive, but beautiful bracelet and necklace set is worth buying. your impulse gets the better of you and you ask for it to be packaged for you.

you reach for your wallet to pay with your card, but someone's familiar voice rings out beside you as he approaches.

"i'll pay for the set." sukuna already has his credit card out, and is handing it to the store clerk, using a tone that makes him difficult to question.

"...sukuna?" you say quizzically, his name slipping from your lips without thinking.

the clerk scans his card, and your items are already paid for.

"what are you doing here..." you ask him, with mixed feelings running around in the pit of your stomach.

"missed me?" he asks with a smirk, very naturally taking your multiple shopping bags from your hand. "i just happened to be in the area."

you're not sure if you believe him. just when you're about to ask him something again, he guides you out of the store with his hand on your shoulder.

"i thought you got back with your ex," you say, taking your bags back from his hand. "i'm sure she'll be upset if she sees you here with me."

"what? where did you get that nonsense from?" he seems genuinely confused.

"i saw you at the club, by coincidence. you were talking with her."

oh... he didn't realise you'd noticed him back there.

"oh, sweetheart... that was a coincidence. i wasn't planning on meeting her. did you really believe that i'd get back with that woman?"

you shouldn't be feeling relieved to such an extent... but your shoulders loosen up after hearing that.

"well... you stopped contacting me after i last saw you with her. of course i'd start believing it."

"oh? i thought you had my number blocked. were you anticipating my texts? you missed me, after all." sukuna leans in closer to you, smiling cockily.

you should have just kept your mouth shut...

"i'll take you home. you have a lot of luggage, no?" sukuna offers, taking your bags back from your hand.

you bite the inside of your cheek. you know you're supposed to decline here. but you let your feelings get the best of you... and end up letting him lead you to his car.

he was supposed to just quickly drop you off home.

"you have a lot of stuff. i'll help you carry it home," sukuna gave his excuse, with something more sly hiding in his eyes. you know exactly what he wants. but when he insists so strongly, you can't deny him. like the fool you are.

you unlock your door and he comes inside to put your bags down on the floor at the entrance. and as you had expected, he doesn't leave right away. instead, he looks down at you with a coy smile, while you return the gaze with a more standoffish one. the tension feels thick and heavy as neither of you speak for a moment.

"well? i'm sure you didn't let me in without knowing my intentions..." sukuna moves forward and closer to you, hands very naturally finding their way to your waist.

he leans down slowly and offers you a brief kiss, a very light and short one, like he's testing the waters. he scans your face for your response. your lips feel all tingly. and all he sees is that you're not pushing him away.

"we shouldn't..." you whisper, but your resolve is too weak. you can't tell him to go away, much less kick him out of your home.

"i know."

in truth, he doesn't really. why should he be separate from you? you belong to him. he pulls you in for a deeper kiss. and you just let it happen.

and, lord, he smells and tastes divine. there's a reason why you always forgave him despite his scummy behaviour when it came to using protection. though you ended up breaking him off, you wonder if it'll be different if you give him another chance.

he wastes no time in lifting you into his arms like you weigh nothing, and heads off to your bedroom, before you can change your mind. you comply, holding onto his strong embrace weakly, having missed this kind of treatment.

when you're laid onto your own bed, sukuna smirks again as he cages you between his arms.

"you're being so obedient. must've regretted breaking up with me-?"

pulling him in with a hand to the back of his neck, you shut him up with another demanding kiss, not letting him speak for long. sukuna groans as you slip your tongue into him, initiating something messier than what the both of you were doing before.

he's quick to unzip your skirt and side it off, along with your panties. in desperation, he doesn't take the time to fully get you naked and instead, pushes your shirt and bra up to fondle your jutting breasts. sukuna then peels his own jacket and shirt off.

"spread your legs for me, sweetheart. i'll spoil you tonight."

you part your legs slowly - and he sees that you're already glistening with slick. bringing his face down, he aims straight for your sensitive clit, wrapping his lips around it entirely. your back arches as you gasp, the warm and wet feeling being so arousing like nothing else in this world.

you feel the tip of his tongue flicker up and down your clitoris in a mesmerising rhythm - knowing exactly what you want, and need to reach your orgasm. and the way he sucks on you with the correct amount of pressure, while making the lewdest noises, forcing your hips to stutter uncontrollably against his mouth, with the way it feels so mind numbing, is just too much in its own way.

you let your erotic moans ring out, because you know he loves it when you show him how good you're feeling - and your hands can't help but hold onto his hair from the intense pleasure, which he never seem to flinch from.

the first orgasm hits you like a truck, with the way you're left breathless and gasping for air as your legs reflexively try to close up - sukuna has to hold them apart with his strong grip as he continues tonguing you even as you're cumming, your cunt thrumming against his lips.

"o-ooh- fuck-! sukuna!" you plead, your blank gaze meeting the ceiling with half-lidded eyes, hips jolting without restraint.

when he does eventually show mercy and remove his mouth from your poor aching clit, you're already on the brink of sobbing, your legs down to your toes feeling all prickly from the overstimulation. your mind is in a haze.

so much so, that you didn't realise that he had bound your wrists to the bed frame until he was already done with it.

"wha- sukuna...? why're you tying me up-?" you question, still a little out of it from your last orgasm.

"shh, love. it's not like this is the first time...relax," sukuna comforts you, caressing your face. you can't help the small uneasiness from growing in your stomach. he suddenly gives your clit a light slap. it startles you a bit, and you gasp.

"you're so pretty. do you know that?"

you see your own reflection in his ringed eyes. your heart races, and you don't know if it's because you're flustered or terrified.

"i just wanna..."

his cock aches in his pants.

he never finishes his sentence. instead, he just offers you a soft, yet sloppy kiss.

sukuna frees his erection, and sighs in relief. it's all messy and leaky with precum. he lines it up against your wet and puckering cunt. you won't deny that you want it...

"sukuna... condom..." you remind him gently, getting slightly nervous from the way he's rubbing his tip up and down your slit.

"... 'm sorry sweetheart. i don't think i can do that."

he pushes his hips in one go, and you're left gasping from the sudden intrusion. you're immediately pushed into a mating press.

sukuna groans from how he immediately feels your wet walls sucking him in, your slick making his cock glisten as he thrusts in and out. he's missed this so, so much.

"fuck- sukuna! you can't- oh my g-god..." your hands tug at your bindings as you try and resist your moans from coming out of your throat, but the way his dick satisfies your cunt is otherworldly, his tip kissing your cervix, over and over again.

"that's it, baby... just enjoy yourself," he urges you on, getting breathless from his own fast pace, cock pulsating inside of you in excitement. god, you always drive him crazy.

still, in the back of your mind you still have a sliver of trust in this man. foolishly so. surely he'll pull out at the last second. surely he won't cum inside you in this situation. it's been a while since you stopped being on the pill.

your bed creaks from how roughly sukuna pounds your pussy, all while groaning with such shamelessness, only caring about the pleasure that is found from the warmth and wetness of your puckering hole.

"fuuck... fuck! to think you were gonna let some other bastard do this to you..." he growls under his breath, brows furrowing. you don't hear him. he remembers his original motive for all of this. to remind you who you truly belonged to.

"ooh-! sukuna! you're being too rough..." you whine, feeling the pressure of an incoming orgasm already building in your abdomen.

he only grips your hips harder, looking down at you with a toothy smile. his dick aches so badly. he's endured through so much patience just for this moment.

your mind goes blank as you forget about the fact that he's not wearing a condom, drool spilling out the side of your mouth from the pleasure you feel as his girthy dick drills in and out of you, a squelching noise happening everytime he sinks himself in. there's the feeling of his heavy balls slapping against your ass. and also the friction from his pants, that he hasn't bothered to fully take off. the juices from your cunt has dampened them, but sukuna couldn't care less right now.

"sweetheart... my love... take- taking me s-so well..." sukuna groans, panting and words slurred. despite the deeply affectionate words, his hips move like an animal. you can't do anything but moan and cry.

sukuna feels himself getting high again. there's just something about you... god, he's so pussydrunk he can't even think properly. only the thought of breeding you is on his mind. make you his, completely. to see your belly get bigger from his seed... a powerful thrum goes to his cock and he shudders again.

he has to make it take, this time.

"i'm gonna cum," he tells you breathlessly, knowing you won't be able to stop him, this time around.

"sukuna!... wait," you protest, weakly tugging at your binds again, but you can't say anything more than that, as his lips come down onto yours, silencing you effectively. he tongue kisses you roughly, desperate and messy as you can feel his laboured breaths on you.

and the final thrust that he gives, where he pushes his dick in so deeply, tip meeting your cervix, sends you into another trembling orgasm. sukuna groans deeply against your mouth as he cums, hips stuttering against yours, eyes shut tightly as he savours you completely. you take your lips off of his, and try to say, "stop...! no- pull out," but he stops you with another kiss.

you sob, because it's over. but you're also sobbing because it feels so good.

sukuna's deep kiss trails down to the crook of your neck.

"you can't tell me to pull out... when your cunt is... seducing my cock like this..." he shivers between phrases, mumbling against your neck, mind all hazy from the way you pulse around him from your orgasm, milking his dick as spurt after spurt of his seed shoots straight into your womb.

you can't even say anything back to him - you're coming off your high as he empties his balls into you, letting out more than usual. you're done for.

"i hate you," you sob.

"i know you don't really mean that. you can't live without me," sukuna tells you, pressing a gentle kiss against your forehead afterwards.

"and the same applies to me. i'll never let anyone else have you."

he begins to litter kisses down again, until he reaches your chest, while his cock is still inside you. his soft lips caress your tits, and then he begins to lather his tongue around your stiffened nipples, making you feel good again, even through the tears.

the night is far from over.

sukuna becomes much more gentle and soft after the first time, opting for slower but deeper thrusts this time around, adding plenty of little kisses in between as well, "loving" you with everything he has. you have no choice but to accept all of him, as he cums inside of you over and over again.

his cock is in its own haven, being trapped in your gummy walls without rest. and at some point, sukuna's even released your wrists, and now you're willingly making love to him with your arms around his neck, coping with the thought that resisting doesn't even matter anymore - it's already too late, and you're tired of trying to fight back.

you can't count how many times he's dumped his load into you, how many times he's said "i can't get enough of you," how many times you've kissed him back when he kisses you.

and when he finally does eventually pull out, his semen oozes out of you in a disgusting amount. you're spent, and completely exhausted. you can't help your heavy eyelids from closing up, and the last thing you hear is his soft voice.

"goodnight, sweetheart. i'll take care of everything, from now on. i promise."

he holds you so closely and lovingly that you believe him.

Masterlist

[quickestgold]

Dr. Abbot / The Pitt

Resident!reader has a crush on Dr. Abbot, but never acts on it because they work so well together and he's never given her any firm indication that he likes more than as his favourite resident. But every so often the praise he'll give is just on the edge of being unprofessional without crossing that line...so she decides to go for it and he rejects her. Before they can speak again she's in a car accident and is brought into the pitt and he goes *feral*. Bonus points if he breaks down and admits his feelings when he thinks she can't hear him because she's so out of it, but she remembers everything. Extra bonus points if he thinks she's going to die at any point. ALL the bonus points if there's a spicy ending....or spicy anything.

Say It First: Dr. Jack Abbot x Reader

Synopsis: Jack has grown used to the emptiness in his heart, a quiet companion that has kept him safe for too long. But when you finally speak your truth, he realizes the hardest battles aren’t fought on the field or in the chaos of the ER, but in the silence between two hearts longing for each other.

Warnings: Canon-typical depictions of trauma, angst, hurt/comfort, rejection, mentions of drunk driving, death, car accidents, reader is injured

Word count: 3.6k

A/n: Thanks for sending this in!! I got so many requests and I’ll try to work through them, but a) this was the first and b) this may or may not be inspired by real events (minus the accident) lmfaooo yikes good times…. Also, no spicy ending, because of, well, where I've ended it, but a bit of flavor sprinkled in... this is soo long / slow burn sorry, pls lmk what you think <3

Thirty-six years old. A mother of two. Only trying to get home. Gone. In the blink of an eye. All because one man chose to get behind the wheel after a night out.

You spent the last hour coding the woman, the air thick and heavy with grief. After taking a minute to honor her life, your feet carry you instinctively towards the roof.

The first rays of the morning sun gently kiss your face and the weight on your chest begins to lift, if only slightly. Your shoulders drop slowly with each cleansing breath, as you release the night’s tragedy into the vastness of the world below.

Your eyes meet a familiar silhouette standing behind the railing. As always, a little too close to the edge.

"What are you doing here?" Jack turns around, his features softening at the sight of you.

"Can a girl not enjoy a beautiful sunrise in peace?" you counter playfully.

That's a lie. You were looking for him. You always find him here.

"Heard you had a rough one", his tone full of sympathy, or just understanding.

A flicker of pain flashes across your face and without missing a beat, Jack steps back, moving to stand beside you, just behind the railing. His hand rests on your shoulder, warm and reassuring, the lightest of squeezes grounding you.

Your jaw tightens. "She had groceries and toys in the back of her car." With a deep sigh, "Her kids... are still waiting for her to come home."

He lets your words hang there, giving you time to process the loss. "You want me to talk to them with you?"

You wonder when Jack started being so soft with you. You think back to your early days in residency. Your first impression of him was that of a broken, stone-cold man. A soldier, hardened by years of seeing too much, too many lives lost. He used to move through the halls like a ghost, never letting anyone get too close.

But somehow, at some point, he let you in. At least you think so.

You shake your head, desperate to change the subject. "What are you doing up here?

A hint of a smile creeps in. It's faint, but it's there. "Just thinking..."

"...About?"

"Nosy as ever..." Jack's smile grows a little. "Life. Death. Everything in between..."

You press on, "Well, if you're ready to rejoin the living, a few of us are heading to the new pub down the road. The owner was a patient of mine. So, free drinks for me and my friends!"

"I don't have friends here."

You roll your eyes. Hard.

"What am I then?"

"One of my best residents?"

You lean in, whispering, “I'm your favorite though, right?”

Jack huffs a quiet laugh, a small shake of his head. He’s aware of the irony, of course.

He hasn't really been playing favorites, not consciously anyway. But lately, you've been getting extra attention from Dr. Abbot. More lessons. More opportunities. More praise.

But between the nepo babies and the kid geniuses in this hospital, you figure you deserve a little favoritism.

And you are grateful. Jack is a great teacher. He knows when to step back and he takes the time to teach when you're out of your depth. Believes in you, even when you don't.

The bar is buzzing with noise. You stand there, waiting for the free drinks, watching the crowd. Jack is sat on a stool in the corner, like he's part of the furniture, his eyes scanning the exits. Always on guard, even here.

Most of the team is clustered together, laughter and chatter in the air like a cocktail of relief and friendship. Glasses clink with a sound of shared thanks.

Robby and Heather slip to the other side of the room, their conversation low and intense, the tension between them palpable.

You wonder if people notice a similar air between you and Jack. Your shifts have somehow magically aligned lately.

Princess and Perlah, no doubt, have been talking. The boys, likely betting on who’s going to admit it first.

Dana steps closer, voice barely above a whisper, "Can't believe you've managed to get our sad boy to come."

Your eyes widen, but she doesn't let you object "He never does. Believe me, we've all tried. Nothing. Not even for Robby. And they're... friends."

You can’t help but laugh, "He doesn't have friends."

Dana shoots you a look. "So I've heard."

The bartender hands you two beers, a welcome interruption. You flash Dana a warm smile, before slipping away towards your table, feeling the weight of her gaze still on you.

You hand Jack one of the bottles, without looking, it's almost automatic. Natural. If people saw you on the street, they'd probably assume you were more than just colleagues.

You slide onto your stool, leaning in closer to Jack. "Dana's a little hurt that you've never gone out with them before. Not even for Robby!" You laugh, taking a big gulp of your beer.

Jack smirks, "I told you, I don't do favorites." He's satisfied by the loud laugh he gets from you.

The hours pass by, the noise of the bar blending into the background as you and Jack stay in your own quiet bubble.

Your stools have shifted closer, your knees just barely brushing. You glance down, surprised to find Jack’s hand resting on your thigh, his thumb rubbing slow, deliberate circles over the fabric of your jeans. It’s almost too gentle, too careful, like he’s testing a line neither of you wants to cross but can’t help but feel drawn to.

Your cheeks are flushed, your eyes glazed, laughter still filling the air. You don’t know if it’s the alcohol or the way Jack’s presence calms you, but it’s been a long time since you’ve felt this alive.

Have the rest of the team even noticed? Are they still here?

You’ve had a bit to drink, maybe more than a bit and as you push yourself up from the stool to head towards the restroom, a dizzy spell hits you.

For a split second, you’re sure you’re about to face-plant into the cold wall next to you, but then Jack’s there. His hand steadies you, pulling you against him with a surprising gentleness.

You remain in his grip, your body melting at the contact. His breath is uneven, but it’s probably from the shock of almost seeing you fall. Unless...?

You look up into his eyes and for a fleeting second, there’s something there.

A spark.

Something electric that makes your heart skip. And before you can stop yourself, you want to close the distance between you, feel his lips against yours.

But Jack pulls away, his movements soft and almost apologetic as he helps you stand with a shy smile.

You return the smile, but it doesn’t quite reach your eyes as you step away, heading towards the restroom.

Once you're out of sight, he turns to see Dana glancing at him across the room. Before he can protest, you’re back, gathering both your jackets, moving with the same confidence you always have. "Wanna walk me home?"

Jack's eyes widen at the bluntness. He freezes for just a moment, hesitation flickering in his eyes before he nods.

"Yeah. I’ll walk you home."

You both head for the door, only to find that the team are, in fact, all still there. And now they're staring.

Watching you leave with Dr. Jack Abbot.

The ER buzzes with its usual chaos, patients rolling in, monitors beeping and the staff moving in sync. But today, there's something else in the air that you can't quite put your finger on.

You’ve just finished treating a patient, now sitting at a computer at the nurses' station, neatly typing up your notes.

You feel everyone's eyes on you.

Today, they are definitely talking.

You glance up and spot Jack across the room. He’s looking at you already, his expression unreadable. Something about his gaze feels different. A little too focused. A little too intense.

He walks over, reaching across you to grab a chart. His hand briefly brushes against yours as he leans in slightly, too close for a colleague, but not quite crossing the line.

You blink, trying to focus on the patient notes in front of you, but the words suddenly feel distant.

It’s impossible not to notice the way the team is starting to gather in their little huddles, whispering, eyes darting in your direction.

He stands close enough now that you feel his warmth. The line between professional and personal blurs and for a brief, dangerous moment, you’re not sure where the boundaries lie.

"You’re a natural," he says, his eyes meet yours and the intensity is enough to make your heart stutter. "Well done."

Jack continues, his voice lower now, just loud enough for you to hear, but not to be overheard by anyone else "You should be proud."

Before you can reply, a sudden voice cuts through the moment. It’s Robby, walking past with a glance over his shoulder, a knowing look in his eyes. “Hey, Jack,” he calls out casually. “Save some of the praise for the rest of us, yeah?”

Jack’s gaze flicks toward Robby, "You know, I don’t do favorites."

But something has changed and it’s too late to pretend otherwise.

You suddenly stand, confidently grabbing Jack's arm and pulling him to one side. He is surprised, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes, but he follows you without a word.

You look up at him, “Listen, I know we’re not exactly friends.” You pause, your eyes meeting his, willing him to understand what you’re trying to say. “But you’ve been working a hell of a lot of shifts lately. And… I thought maybe we could grab dinner sometime?”

You watch Jack's lips twitch ever so slightly, but he composes himself quickly.

He doesn't say anything for a long beat.

Did you cross a line?

“I mean”, you add, “You know, to talk about cases or whatever. You don’t always have to eat in the break room. And I’m sure you’re tired of hospital food.” You give him a smile, warm and genuine.

For a second, you think he might decline. You feel your pulse race just a little faster.

But then he returns your smile, "Sure. Dinner sounds good."

You sit across from Jack in a dimly lit restaurant, the glow of the candlelight casting soft shadows on his face. The flicker of the flame reflects warmth onto his dimples.

It feels intimate, like you’re seeing a side of him that’s been hidden for too long, even from himself.

"Fuck me", you mutter, sinking into your chair, hiding from someone across the room.

"Excuse me?" Jack's voice is surprised, with a hint of something else.

If you weren't so uncomfortable, the shocked look on Jack's face would have made you laugh.

“Don’t look,” you whisper, the words slipping out before you can stop them. “But the guy over there… he broke my heart in med school.”

Jack’s gaze flicks to the man in question, but it's so obvious that it makes you flush.

He turns back to you, leaning in, "Want me to rough him up? Just a bit?"

You giggle, "Please don't, we weren't that serious anyway. But he did cheat on me. And at the time, it hurt."

Something dark flickers in his eyes.

"He's a prick", he spews, voice low and sharp.

"Why do I always get the assholes? I think I'll just give up", you laugh.

He hesitates for a moment, but the words leave his lips before he can stop himself.

"Why are you single?" His voice holds genuine surprise.

"Since when are you interested in my love life, Dr. Abbot?"

Or lack thereof.

He doesn't respond. You contemplate for a moment. Is he really this clueless?

"Why do you think?" You question, like a challenge.

"I don't know", his brows furrow. "I think - you like being independent. You're not looking for a man to complete you." He ponders, "And I also think you find dating distracting."

The way he reads you, so honestly, so accurately, hits you in ways you weren’t prepared for. You drop your mouth slightly.

How can he be so spot on and so wrong at the same time?

"What do I know. Maybe you just haven't met the right guy", he adds, trying to ease the awkward tension that’s settled between you.

Or maybe the right guy just doesn't know how to connect the dots!

"What about you then?" You try to shift the conversation.

"What about me?" He laughs.

You shoot him a look.

"Why am I single?", he asks most innocently. "What if I'm not?" You roll your eyes.

"We'll then what are you doing here with me and not making love to your gorgeous girlfriend... or boyfriend?" You add the last part with a smirk that feels more daring than you expected. He can't place it, but this new energy awakens something inside him.

His eyes flicker to your lips, but there’s a hesitation. The air is electric, you can almost feel the wall between you crumbling.

But his face grows serious. "It's just easier like this."

"Since when are you one to take the easy road?" You counter, your voice sharp.

It's now or never.

You search his eyes, willing him to say it first.

Anything.

But he doesn't. You break eye contact and he feels like he just lost something he didn't know he could have. Didn't know he deserved.

You exhale deeply, the words finally escaping you, "You know I have feelings for you, right?".

The confession slips out, barely louder than a whisper, as if you’re terrified of hearing it yourself.

For a moment, there’s only silence.

A flicker of vulnerability crosses his face, but it disappears just as quickly. His stoic exterior is intact, but something has cracked. His gaze remains unreadable, like his brain can't comprehend what you just said.

You wonder if you should take it back, pretend it never happened. Maybe you're lucky and he really didn't hear you.

You're not.

Before you can retreat, Jack beats you to it. "Y/N..."

Oh no.

"I'm so flattered...I- Thank you." His words are slow, measured, as if he's trying to find the right ones. "I- I didn't know you felt this way."

What, the excessive flirting and the obsessive need to be near him didn't give it away?

"Ouch. I suppose you don't feel the same", you laugh nervously.

There's that look again. Like he sees right through you. Like he's already seen every part of you. Touched every inch of your body, without ever having seen you naked.

"What do you want with an old man like me anyway?" His voice thick with uncertainty.

Hello? Is that a no?

It stings, but you fight to keep your composure. “You’re not that old", you tease, but the effort feels hollow in the face of his hesitance.

"It wouldn't end well...", his voice quieter now. "I don't want to hurt you."

"God, if you don't have feelings for me just say so. We're adults. This will they/won't they game is really messing with my head!"

"I'm sorry" he says, the words soft but final. "I can't."

You have your answer.

You've been through too much uncertainty. Always hoping for more. Always confused. It's too much hurt. Too much heartbreak. So you accept his decision.

And know you'll move on.

Your evening has come to an unexpected end. He slips your jacket over your shoulders with that same careful attention, the way he’s always done, because, of course, he’s the perfect gentleman, even after this brutal rejection.

You know it'll take some time to heal, which feels silly, because nothing really happened!

But in your mind, you're already preparing to switch shifts, changing your routine, so your schedules will no longer align.

Jack insists on walking you to your bus stop, his steps matching yours in a slow, rhythmic silence. And in that moment, a wave of sadness overcomes you. You feel like you're not just losing a friend, but also your mentor. Your eyes well up, praying he doesn't see. But he does, of course.

He always does.

You're ready to say goodbye, to the night, but also to what could have been.

When you reach the stop, he unexpectedly pulls you into his chest, his arms wrapping around you with a tenderness that makes your breath catch. One of his hands presses gently against your back, while the other holds your head against his heart, each beat a reminder of what it feels like to be alive, to be loved.

For a brief moment, as you breathe in his familiar scent, you only exist in the present.

In his arms.

The weight of your future and present not threatening to pull you under.

But then reality hits you.

You step back, slowly, as if leaving a piece of yourself behind in the safety of his embrace.

You turn around and walk away. You know he's watching, but you don't look back.

Jack has barely seen you this week, your shifts conveniently ending when his start and vice versa.

He can't help but feel like he's lost something good, not even giving it a chance to become something great.

He's on his way to the hospital for yet another shift without you, his mind wandering back to the moment he watched you walk away.

When he let you go.

When all he really wanted was to let you in. To have his lips touch yours. To interlock your fingers with his. To take you on a real date. To take you bake to his place...

To watch the bus drive off without you.

But you said it first. And he said nothing at all.

The air is different today, charged, the nurses a little quieter, the doctors a little more tense.

Jack looks around, he realises something isn’t right. The staff are huddled in groups, whispering.

Is the hospital finally closing down?

He has a bad feeling about this.

He notices Dana first. She's standing by the nurses' station. When she catches his gaze, her eyes flicker with something Jack can’t quite place. Concern? Worry? He’s about to walk over to her when Robby appears out of nowhere, stepping right into his path.

“Jack”, Robby says, his voice low. There’s a weight in his tone, a hesitation that only deepens Jack’s unease.

“What's going on?” Jack asks, his brow furrowing, but Robby doesn’t answer right away.

Instead, Robby pulls him aside, out of earshot of the others.

The words “drunk driver” and “Y/N” are enough to send a cold shiver down Jack's spine.

Jack's hands tremble as he heads straight for your room, but everything feels distant, muffled.

He’s flooded with guilt for not being there, for not having checked on you, for all the unsaid words between you.

Christ, he's a doctor and he wasn't there to help you.

More importantly, he was your friend and he let you believe that he wasn't.

Maybe, deep down, he knew he wanted to be more than that.

Now, there you are, lying still, tubes and wires everywhere.

He takes a shaky step forward, his hand hovering near yours. The thought of touching you, of being this close and you not being aware, makes his chest tighten. But he can’t help it. His fingers brush against your skin, a fragile connection.

“I didn’t- God, I was an idiot. I should’ve… said it. Should’ve been… with you. But I didn’t. I’m sorry. I-” His voice breaks and he curses under his breath.

He doesn’t know if you can hear him.

If you’ll ever hear him again.

Jack takes a seat next to your bed, drowning in fear for you. Broken. Guilty. Devastated. Alone.

“I’m so sorry", a quiet sob escapes his lips. "I've grown so used to the emptiness in my heart, I didn't know how to let you in..." It's in this moment, he realizes he’s terrified of losing you without ever having truly had you.

For the next couple of days Jack watches your chest rise and fall in a steady, artificial rhythm, but you don't move.

He loses a fraction of hope with every day that passes, waiting for you to wake up, for you to roll your eyes and tell him to stop being an idiot.

Your friends and colleagues check in on you as much as they do on him.

But the silence stretches on.

Robby often lingers in the doorway, exchanging quiet, knowing glances with Jack before he leaves, like there’s nothing else to say or do.

On the seventh day, Jack finds himself sitting beside your bed long after his shift has ended. His hand rests on the edge of your mattress, close enough to feel the warmth of your skin, but still too far away.

"I’m sorry”, he mutters, knowing you can’t hear him. His eyes flicker to the machines keeping you tethered to this world, his heart feeling too heavy to bear.

His body stiffens when he suddenly sees your fingers twitching ever so slightly. Then, a shallow inhale, before your eyes flutter open.

Jack watches you look up at the ceiling, disoriented. Then, slowly, your gaze moves to him.

"Jack?" Your voice is hoarse.

He leans forward, the weight of the last few days catching up with him. “Yeah,” he says quietly. “I’m here Y/N."

You blink a few times, before the corners of your mouth turn into a smile. Though it’s small and fragile. “I thought you didn’t have favorites?”

For a second, he isn’t sure he heard you right.

His heart aches, raw and exposed and he knows he can't hide his feelings anymore.

You know. And he knows you know.

You lift a hand, weak but determined and place it over his.

Omg, this turned out way longer than expected!! Hope you liked it anyway. Pls comment/share your thoughts below. ♡

[mcrdvcks]

— sex concept

summary: You and Matt have wanted to take things to the next level, but every time you try to get intimate, something, or someone, interrupts.

word count: 4.1k+

pairing: Matt Murdock x fem!reader

notes: at this point, i think i need to make a series masterlist for these two, lol. here's the third installment - and here are the first two: goodnight n go and love language

also, sex concept is one of my favorite songs, and it's by sofia isella. i recommend you go check her out!

warnings/tags: after endgame but date is not specified, best friends to lovers, reader works at stark industries, making out, peter parker, mention of other marvel characters, matt's a little shit, smut, oral (f!receiving), brief handjob, unprotected piv, creampie

matt murdock masterlist

It wasn’t like you and Matt hadn’t been alone since you started dating. But somehow, every single attempt at finally taking things further kept getting inconveniently interrupted.

Like now, for instance.

Matt’s lips skimmed along your neck, his fingers tracing patterns along your waist. You sighed softly, tangling your fingers in his hair.

"Matty," you whispered.

He hummed against your skin, nudging your jaw with his nose. "Yeah?"

"Can we—"

Your sentence was abruptly cut short by the shrill ringing of your phone.

Matt paused, a quiet groan muffled against your collarbone. "Ignore it."

You hesitated. "But what if—"

"It’s probably nothing," he murmured, lips brushing your pulse. "Leave it."

It kept ringing. You sighed, gently pushing at his shoulders. "It’ll only take a second. Just let me silence it."

Matt exhaled sharply, moving back slightly as you reached over and grabbed your phone off the bedside table. Glancing at the screen, you rolled your eyes.

"Work," you muttered, annoyed. You answered quickly. "This better be an emergency."

"Y/N," Levi’s voice crackled through the line, anxious. "I’m so sorry—"

"What happened?"

"Uh... you know how we were testing the new phase-array sensors tonight?"

"Levi."

"Well, it shorted. Everything’s offline. And the readings are… weird."

You groaned softly, pressing your fingers to your forehead. "I’ll be there in half an hour." You hung up, sighing again as you tossed your phone onto the bed.

Matt shifted beside you. "You’re leaving?"

"I’m sorry," you muttered. "It’s—"

"Work," Matt finished gently. He tilted his head, clearly amused. "You know, I think Stark Industries has a personal vendetta against us."

You huffed, tugging your shirt back into place. "I’ll make it up to you. I promise."

Matt leaned forward, brushing his lips against yours quickly. "You better."

You rolled your eyes, reluctantly climbing off the bed. "Don't move. I'll be back as soon as possible."

Matt fell back onto the pillows with a sigh, his smirk unmistakable. "I'll hold you to that, angel."

---

A few days later, Matt had just managed to maneuver you against the kitchen counter, lips claiming yours fiercely. Your arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer.

Then, abruptly, a loud knock at his apartment door broke the silence. Matt froze, his forehead dropping onto your shoulder with a frustrated exhale.

"You've got to be kidding me," you muttered.

"Ignore it," he whispered, kissing your neck gently.

The knocking grew louder.

"Murdock!" Foggy's muffled voice echoed through the wood. "Come on, man, open up! I know you're home!"

Matt sighed heavily, pulling away. "He'll keep going until I answer."

You slumped against the counter dramatically. "I swear he has a sixth sense."

Matt smiled apologetically. "This'll be quick."

You folded your arms, watching as Matt made his way to the door, cracking it open just enough to speak. "Foggy. Bad timing."

"Yeah, sorry, I lost the deposition file," Foggy admitted sheepishly. "I need your copy."

Matt sighed, turning his head toward you slightly. "Give me a minute."

You threw your hands up, shooting him a pointed glare. Matt smiled, mouthing sorry before slipping out the door.

---

It had almost become a joke at this point. Every single time the two of you finally got a moment alone, something managed to interrupt.

You and Karen were at Josie’s, waiting for Matt and Foggy to arrive.

“Wanna tell me why you seem so pent up?” Karen asked, taking a drink of her beer.

You sighed, swirling your drink in the glass. "Because apparently, the universe hates me."

Karen raised a brow, amused. "That's dramatic, even for you."

"No, I'm serious," you insisted, leaning closer. "Every single time Matt and I are about to—" You paused, realizing you'd almost said too much. "Spend any sort of actual alone time together, something always interrupts."

Karen smirked knowingly, taking another sip. "Oh. That kind of pent up."

You glared at her. "Shut up."

She laughed lightly, shaking her head. "Sorry, it's just funny. You two spend practically all your time together. I'm surprised you even have that problem."

"Yeah, well, apparently work, Foggy, and fate itself have formed an alliance against us," you muttered bitterly.

"Have you tried just… telling people not to bother you?" Karen teased.

You scoffed. "We tried that. Believe me, it doesn't work."

Karen hummed sympathetically. "Well, if it's any consolation, I promise to never intentionally interrupt your... alone time."

"Thanks," you replied dryly, "that’s very generous."

She grinned. "Hey, I do what I can."

Just then, the bar door swung open, and Foggy walked in, Matt close behind him. You caught Matt’s slight smile as he tilted his head toward you, making his way through the crowd.

Karen nudged you playfully. "Better luck tonight?"

You rolled your eyes but couldn't stop a small smile. "I doubt it, but thanks for the optimism."

Matt stepped up beside you, his hand automatically finding your waist. "Hey, sweetheart," he murmured, leaning down and pressing a quick kiss to your temple. "Sorry we're late."

You sighed dramatically. "Don't worry about it. At this point, I'm used to it."

Matt chuckled softly, squeezing your side. "Tonight'll be different. Promise."

Karen snorted into her drink. "Good luck with that."

You glared at her again, and she raised her hands innocently.

Matt's brow furrowed, sensing the tension. "Did I miss something?"

"Nothing at all," Karen said, grinning widely. "Y/N was just filling me in on your streak of bad luck."

Matt’s lips quirked upward. "Oh. That."

Foggy looked between the three of you, utterly lost. "Am I missing something here?"

You shook your head, patting Foggy on the shoulder. "Trust me, Fog. You're better off not knowing."

---

Matt’s apartment was quiet when you stepped inside, locking the door behind you. The blinds were drawn shut, the place cloaked in comfortable darkness. You dropped your keys onto the entry table, taking off your jacket and hanging it beside Matt’s familiar black coat.

"Matty?" you called softly, stepping further into the apartment.

"Bedroom," came his muffled reply.

You kicked off your shoes, padding down the hall until you reached his room. Matt was sitting on the edge of the bed, pulling on a clean shirt. He looked relaxed, freshly showered, hair still damp and slightly messy. He tilted his head in your direction, lips curving into a gentle smile.

"Hey," he said softly.

You smiled, stepping toward him. "Hi."

Matt reached for you, fingers easily catching your wrist and tugging you closer, his hands settling comfortably at your hips. "How was work?"

You sighed, brushing your fingers through his damp hair. "The usual Stark chaos. Nothing new."

His lips twitched. "So no interruptions planned tonight?"

You laughed quietly, your fingers trailing down the side of his face. "Not that I know of. Unless Foggy’s about to burst through the door."

Matt smiled, tilting his head slightly into your palm. "Not tonight. He and Karen have dinner plans."

"Thank God," you muttered.

Matt chuckled softly, pulling you gently closer so you were standing between his legs. His thumbs brushed lightly against your sides. "You hungry?"

You shook your head slightly, leaning down until your forehead rested against his. "Not really."

"Good," Matt whispered, voice low and warm. "Me either."

You smiled softly, tracing your fingertips over the curve of his jaw. His hands slid beneath your shirt, settling warmly against your lower back. You inhaled slowly, eyes fluttering shut as he guided your lips down to his own.

The kiss was gentle at first, soft and unhurried. Matt’s lips brushed yours slowly, carefully, as if savoring every moment. Your fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, pressing closer.

Matt sighed against your lips, deepening the kiss. His hands tightened slightly on your waist, guiding you down until you settled comfortably across his lap. Your arms looped around his shoulders, your bodies pressed close enough that you could feel the steady beat of his heart.

"Matt," you whispered breathlessly against his lips, smiling faintly. "If my phone rings, I swear—"

Matt’s quiet laughter cut you off, his mouth skimming along your jaw. "I’ll throw it out the window myself."

You huffed softly, tilting your head back to give him better access. "Promises, promises, Murdock."

Matt smirked against your skin, his voice low and teasing. "Careful, sweetheart. I might hold you to that."

You laughed quietly, tangling your fingers in his hair again and pulling him back to your lips. For the first time in weeks, there were no interruptions—just you, Matt, and the steady, comforting quiet of his apartment.

But, of course, it could never be that easy.

A knock rattled on a window in the living room.

Matt froze, forehead dropping heavily against your shoulder. "You've got to be kidding me."

You groaned, your fingers tangling into his hair. "I swear, this is a cosmic joke at this point."

The knocking grew louder, quicker, more urgent. Matt sighed, lifting his head reluctantly. "Who even—"

A muffled voice called from outside, high-pitched and apologetic. "Uh... Mister Murdock? It’s—it's me, Peter. Spider-Man? Sorry, I just—I kinda need help."

You raised a brow. "Spider-Man knocks now?"

Matt sighed deeply. "Apparently."

You stood up from Matt’s lap, fixing your shirt as Matt slowly stood beside you, annoyance radiating off him.

Peter tapped again, more sheepishly this time. "Hello? Uh—Matt?"

"Coming," Matt called, moving toward the window with a heavy sigh.

You followed behind, crossing your arms as Matt slid the window open. Peter awkwardly crawled inside, tugging off his mask with a nervous grimace.

"Hey, Mr. Murdock," he mumbled, turning to you. "Hey, Y/N. Sorry if this is a bad time, but—"

"Is the city actively on fire?" Matt cut in, voice flat.

Peter hesitated. "Well, no, but—"

"Is anyone dying?" Matt continued.

Peter shifted nervously. "No, but I—"

Matt folded his arms, visibly unimpressed. "Is Stark Tower currently collapsing into a giant sinkhole?"

Peter blinked. "What? No."

Matt nodded slowly. "Then this probably could’ve waited."

Peter flushed, rubbing his neck sheepishly. "Oh. Yeah, I guess it could’ve. But I, uh... I kinda panicked.”

You sighed, stepping toward Peter. "What happened, Pete?"

Peter winced, holding up his web-shooter. "It, um... jammed. And I can’t get it off."

Matt tilted his head, incredulous. "You came to me—at my apartment—at night—because your web-shooter jammed?"

Peter swallowed nervously. "I tried everyone else, Mr. Murdock. Literally everyone else."

You raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Everyone?"

"Doctor Strange yelled at me for disturbing his 'cosmic meditation,' Happy sent me straight to voicemail, Mr. Wilson laughed for a full two minutes before hanging up, and Pepper’s voicemail said she’s out of town." Peter said quickly. "You two were my last option."

You glanced at Matt, suppressing a smile at his annoyed expression. "Alright, fine," you sighed. "Let me see it."

Peter held his arm out gratefully, relaxing as you started examining the device. Matt leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "You realize I’m blind, right?"

Peter flushed deeper. "Well, yeah, but you're like... you're Daredevil."

Matt’s jaw ticked slightly. "And?"

"And," Peter swallowed, voice small, "and I’m really, really sorry for interrupting your night. Again."

Matt sighed heavily, shaking his head as you fiddled with the shooter.

"Got it," you finally announced, popping the jammed cartridge free and handing it back to him. "All fixed."

Peter sighed dramatically. "Thank you so much. Really, I—"

"Pete," Matt interrupted gently. "Go home."

Peter nodded quickly, already halfway back out the window. "Yeah. Right. Okay. Goodnight Mr. Murdock, Y/N."

He vanished just as fast as he’d appeared, leaving silence behind him.

Matt tilted his head back toward you, annoyance fading into amusement. "How much do you think it'd cost to soundproof these windows?"

You smirked, stepping closer to him again. "Worth every penny, honestly."

Matt smiled, tugging you back toward him, fingertips brushing your waist. "Where were we?"

You grimaced. “Actually… Peter’s webshooter’s reminded me of—”

“—Ramen.” Matt cut in.

Your eyebrows raised, “how’d you know?”

Matt chuckled softly, his fingertips brushing your hip gently. "Because anytime Peter shows up, it means your brain starts spinning with work and you always end up craving ramen afterward."

You huffed, poking his chest lightly. "You make me sound predictable."

He tilted his head, amused. "Am I wrong?"

"No," you muttered begrudgingly. "But you don't have to sound so smug about it."

Matt's lips twitched into a smirk. "Can't help it."

You sighed, stepping back slightly. "Come on, let's go get ramen before they close."

"Alright," Matt conceded, grabbing his coat. "But you're buying, since it's your fault."

"My fault?" you repeated incredulously as you slipped on your shoes.

"Your spider-friend, your problem," Matt teased lightly, holding the door open for you.

You rolled your eyes fondly. "He's everyone's spider-friend, Matty."

"Well, everyone doesn't get their evening interrupted like we do."

You linked your arm through his as you stepped outside. "Sounds like someone's still bitter."

Matt hummed softly. "Just hungry."

"Whatever you say, devil boy," you said with a smirk.

He laughed quietly, squeezing your arm lightly. "Lead the way, sweetheart."

---

It had taken another two weeks, three false alarms, and one very apologetic Spider-Man before you and Matt finally managed to find yourselves completely alone, no distractions in sight.

"Door?" Matt asked, murmuring against your lips, his voice husky and quiet.

"Locked," you whispered back.

"Phone?"

"On silent."

Matt smiled against your mouth. "Windows?"

You sighed, pulling back slightly. "Closed. Matt, relax. Everything’s handled."

He chuckled softly, his hands finding your waist as he pulled you back in. "Just making sure."

You smiled, sliding your arms around his neck and playing with the soft hair at his nape. "At this point, I think we've earned tonight."

Matt hummed quietly, brushing his lips gently along your jaw. "I’m not letting anyone interrupt us tonight, sweetheart."

Your breath hitched slightly, your fingers tightening gently in his hair. "Good. Because I might actually murder whoever tries."

He laughed softly, nudging your nose lightly with his own. "Noted."

You tugged gently at his shirt, pulling him backwards until the backs of your knees hit the bed. You sat down slowly, smiling as Matt followed you without hesitation, settling himself carefully above you.

"You’re sure no spider-kid’s gonna come tapping at the window tonight?" you teased softly, brushing your fingers along his jaw.

He tilted his head slightly, smiling down at you. "I might actually lose my patience with him if he does."

You laughed quietly, hooking your legs around his hips and tugging him closer. "So fierce, devil boy."

Matt leaned down, lips brushing your ear. "Only for you."

Warmth pooled in your stomach at the softness in his voice, your heart thudding in your chest as you pulled him into a slow, deep kiss.

His lips moved carefully, tenderly, hands slipping beneath your shirt to rest against your bare skin, tracing gentle circles along your waist. You sighed softly against his lips, your fingertips trailing down his chest to find the hem of his shirt.

Matt pulled back slightly, just enough to let you pull his shirt off over his head, tossing it aside. His lips found yours again immediately, kissing you with renewed urgency, his skin warm under your hands.

"Still good?" he murmured against your mouth.

You nodded, breath catching. "Better than."

His hands slid slowly up your sides, under your shirt, fingertips grazing bare skin until he reached the hem and pulled it up and off you. The second it hit the floor, he was kissing you again, deeper this time. Tongue slow and sure, like he had all the time in the world.

Your fingers threaded into his hair, tugging gently. He groaned into your mouth, then pulled back just enough to speak.

"Lie back for me, angel."

You obeyed without hesitation, stretching across the bed, propped up slightly on your elbows as Matt’s hands found your thighs. He knelt between them, head tilted, his expression unreadable but focused. You could feel the weight of his attention even without his eyes.

"You're beautiful," he murmured. "I can feel every little shift in your breathing, hear your heartbeat changing every time I touch you. You're driving me insane."

Your breath caught as his palms slid up your thighs, thumbs pressing gently into the muscle. He leaned in slowly, trailing soft kisses along the inside of your knee, up the sensitive skin of your inner thigh.

You gasped quietly when he nuzzled higher, the stubble on his jaw catching against your skin. One of his hands gripped your thigh, the other pressing a warm palm flat against your stomach, grounding.

"You want this?" he asked softly, mouth brushing right against the waistband of your underwear.

"Yes," you breathed, eyes fluttering. "Matty, please."

That was all it took. He hooked his fingers in the waistband, dragging the fabric down your legs with excruciating slowness, kissing each new inch of skin he exposed. Once they were gone, he settled between your legs like he belonged there.

You squirmed, breathless already. Matt’s hands eased your thighs wider, lips brushing the softest kisses down the crease of your hip. Then lower.

His tongue flicked out, teasing, and you gasped, head dropping back against the pillow.

"Fuck," you whispered.

Matt exhaled a soft laugh, the sound warm against your skin. "That good already, sweetheart?"

Then he buried his mouth between your thighs. No warning, no hesitation. Just heat and tongue and pressure that had your back arching off the bed.

"Ah—Matty," you choked out, hands scrambling for his hair, needing something to hold onto as his tongue licked a slow, devastating stripe up your center.

He groaned like he tasted the sound you made, hands anchoring you, thumbs rubbing slow circles into your thighs as he worked.

You were already dripping for him, and he didn’t let up, tongue pressing and curling in ways that made your entire body tremble. He knew exactly how to read you—the way your hips twitched, the way your moans caught, the way your breath stuttered when he sucked just right.

Your thighs started to shake.

"Matty—oh god—please don’t stop," you gasped, one hand flying to muffle your mouth, the other tangled in his messy hair.

He didn't stop.

He doubled down.

His mouth moved faster, tongue fucking into you before flattening and dragging slow, greedy circles over your clit, sucking just hard enough to make you cry out.

"F-fuck, I'm gonna—" Your whole body tensed, thighs clamping, and Matt growled against you, holding you open, not letting you go anywhere.

"Let go," he murmured against your soaked skin. "Come on, angel. Come for me."

You shattered.

It hit hard, sharp and overwhelming, your hips jerking as the orgasm ripped through you. You cried out, hands fisting in the sheets, breath breaking as your body shook.

Matt held you through every second of it, mouth softening but never leaving you, licking you through the aftershocks with slow, lazy strokes until you finally whimpered, pushing weakly at his head.

He kissed your inner thigh one last time before crawling back up, settling his weight gently over you, mouth slick and smile smug.

"Hi," he murmured.

You huffed a laugh, dazed and breathless. "You’re such a menace."

"You love it," he said, kissing your cheek, your jaw, the tip of your nose.

"Maybe," you whispered, reaching up to cup his face. "Come here."

He kissed you slowly, deeply, letting you taste yourself on his lips. His body pressed heavy and warm against yours, one hand slipping down to cradle your thigh, the other bracing next to your head.

You wrapped your legs around him, tugging him closer.

"Your turn, devil boy."

Matt's breath caught. His body stilled above yours, tension rolling through his shoulders like a current. He tilted his head slightly, and you could feel him—feel the way he honed in on every shift of your breath, the thump of your pulse, the way your thighs clenched around his hips.

"Say it again," he murmured.

You smirked, dragging your nails lightly down his spine. "Your turn."

Matt groaned softly, low and wrecked, like the words hit somewhere primal. One of his hands cupped your cheek, thumb brushing your lower lip as he leaned in, voice rough. "Tell me if anything's too much."

"Matty," you whispered, hips rolling up against the bulge still trapped in his pants, "I want all of it."

His mouth crashed back onto yours—hot, open, desperate. You tasted yourself on his lips, still slick and wet from where he’d had his mouth on you, and it made something in your gut twist up tight.

His hands were everywhere—your ribs, your thighs, your throat. Always so fucking careful, even when he was losing control. Even now, his fingers trembled where they gripped your hip.

"Take 'em off," you whispered against his mouth, tugging at the waistband of his pants.

He didn’t need to be told twice. He sat back on his knees, hands fumbling at his belt. You watched him—bare chest rising with each shaky breath, flushed, lips red from kissing you senseless, hair sticking up like you’d dragged your fingers through it one too many times. The second he shoved his pants low, you saw the outline of him, thick and hard, the head already leaking.

You bit your lip. "God, Matty."

He huffed a breathless laugh, cocky but a little shaky. "You looking at me like that isn’t helping."

"I like what I see."

Matt didn’t answer—just leaned in again, reaching down to wrap a hand around himself. He stroked slow, base to tip, teasing himself while he hovered over you, breath hot against your cheek.

You reached down, fingertips grazing his wrist. "Let me."

He let you take over, groaning softly when your hand wrapped around him. You stroked him slowly, dragging your thumb over the head, spreading the precum, watching the way his jaw flexed.

"You feel so fucking good," you whispered.

Matt's voice was strangled. "You keep doing that and this is gonna be over before it starts."

You laughed softly, but let go, guiding him instead—his hips nudging between your legs, cock heavy and hot, head sliding wet over your slit. He sucked in a sharp breath.

"You sure?"

"Yes," you whispered, fingers curling in his hair. "Matty, please."

He pushed in slow. The stretch was deep, thick, dragging your walls open inch by inch until he bottomed out with a shaky groan.

"F-fuck," he whispered against your throat. "You feel... Jesus."

You were gasping, clinging to his shoulders, your body trying to adjust around him. It wasn’t your first time. Wasn’t his either. But it was your first time together. And it was already better than anything you'd felt before.

Matt didn’t move right away. He just held there, forehead pressed to your shoulder, one hand braced by your head and the other gripping your thigh like it grounded him.

"Matty," you whispered. "Move. Please."

He did.

A slow pull, then a push, dragging back in with a rhythm that felt like it was made just for you. He moaned into your neck, his voice thick with want. "So fucking tight—"

Your nails bit into his skin as he picked up pace, shallow thrusts turning deeper, faster. The sound of skin on skin filled the room, slick and wet and obscene. You couldn't stop the noises leaving your mouth, couldn't quiet the little cries every time he hit that spot inside you that made your legs tremble.

"You’re perfect," he panted. "Every sound you make—fuck, I can feel them. Hear 'em in your throat, in your chest—"

"Matt—"

"I’ve wanted this," he groaned, fucking into you harder now, the bed creaking beneath both of you. "You. For years. Always thought about you. Touching you. Making you come on my cock."

Your breath stuttered. "Holy fuck, Matty—"

"Come for me," he growled, his thumb finding your clit and circling, firm and fast. "Right now. Wanna feel you squeeze me. Wanna hear how you sound when you fall apart."

You didn’t stand a chance. Your orgasm hit hard, sudden, crashing through you with a strangled cry, your legs tightening around his waist.

Matt cursed, fucking you through it, hips stuttering as he groaned, low and wrecked. "Shit—gonna come—fuck—"

He slammed in deep and came with a gasp, cock pulsing inside you, heat spilling as his whole body trembled above you. He collapsed onto his forearms, forehead resting against yours, both of you breathing like you’d run a marathon.

"Jesus," you whispered, still shaking.

Matt laughed, soft and breathless. "Yeah. That about covers it."

You grinned, brushing sweaty hair from his forehead. "Worth the wait."

His lips found yours again, soft now, lingering.

"Every second."

And for once, nothing interrupted.

if you have any requests with these two, don't be afraid to send in an ask!!

[jayparked]

miscommunication - heeseung's version

PAIRING: best friend heeseung x female reader WORD COUNT: 2.1k GENRE: crack, smut ; mdni AU: best friends to lovers(finally) WARNINGS: unprotected sex, dirty talk, strong language, nipple play, creampie SNAIL TRAIL: i decided to go about this different than how i originally planned so here is all of heeseung's texts AND his written part! thank you to @sungbeams and @dazzlingjaeyun for looking over this and thank you to all my tickets in the jayparked's garage discord server💛 to get updates and previews on my work before they get posted, join here(18+)

♡ ot7 texts part one ; part two ; part three ; part four ; part five ; part six ; part seven; part eight ♡ ♡ heeseung ; jay ; jake ; sunghoon ; sunoo ; jungwon ; riki ♡

You hear a rapid thundering of feet coming up the stairs towards your bedroom, but the sound stops right at the top. It’s hard not to laugh to yourself when you hear a soft knock on your door, picturing Heeseung collecting himself to not appear as eager as he probably is.

You sit up on your bed, still completely naked, and walk towards the door. It’s hard not to feel nervous, self doubt running rampant throughout your mind. You and Heeseung have been friends for such a long time, but you’ve been denying your feelings for him for just as long. It was hard to deny your crush for so long, but what kept you strong was the thought that someone like Lee Heeseung could never like someone average like you. So you were comfortable with just being his friend, doing everything you could to shove those feelings deep down. Years went by and the two of you became closer than ever. So close, in fact, that he was your emergency contact at work. And then you sent that stupid text that changed everything.

You thought he was just joking around at first, making fun of you even. But as more typos arose (some mistakes and some intentional), it was hard to convince yourself that he was merely messing around.

The doorknob is cold against your palm when you turn it.

You brace yourself to greet your friend, but before you can fully open your mouth, Heeseung’s large hands are cupping your face, his quivering lips inches from yours.

“Please tell me you meant it,” he whispers, thumbs brushing against your cheeks lightly, “please tell me you’re sure.”

Mouth dropping open slightly, the words don’t seem to want to come out. Seeing Heeseung’s hooded gaze and feeling the warmth of his hands against your skin is overwhelming. You used to dream of this, used to spend countless hours during the days and nights wondering what it would be like to be in a moment with him such as this.

Even though you’re naked in front of him, Heeseung’s eyes never leave yours and that small detail has your entire body feeling warm, a sense of comfort blooming in your chest. It’s enough for your voice to finally come back to you.

“Yes-” You don’t even get a chance to say ‘please’ like you were planning. Heeseung’s lips are against yours in a deep, passionate kiss. It’s slow and deliberate at first, the two of you finally exploring one another. Heeseung is savoring the feeling, getting lost in the way you sigh against his mouth. One of his hands pushes back into your hair, tugging slightly while the other moves down to your waist, pulling you closer. 

Despite the urgency between you two, Heeseung’s touch remains gentle, cherishing how it feels to have your bare skin in his grasp. With a groan, Heeseung pulls away from you and finally allows his eyes to wander over your body. 

“Wow,” he exhales, taking one of your hands and holding it above your head and spinning you around. Your eyes widen, suddenly feeling very aware of how clothed he is versus yourself. Plus, you’ve never had someone spin you around to gawk at you like this before. You feel the heat rise to your face so you quickly fold into yourself, covering your embarrassment with your hands. 

“Hey,” Heeseung places his hand under your chin to lift your gaze back on him, “there’s no need to be shy. You look amazing — even better than I ever imagined. You’re so beautiful.” He leans forward and leaves a soft trail of kisses from your jawline to your nose, pulling you closer to him again. The scent of his citrusy cologne makes you sigh, gripping his shirt sleeves as you bury your face into the crook of his neck. Heeseung continues to kiss your skin, now on your shoulders and it feels so good. Your mind can’t process anything else other than how hot his lips feel against your body and how every cell within you seems to be dancing. This must be what TV static feels like and oh, is it addicting. Yet, at the same time, it feels like you’re starting to drown.

“Heeseung,” you moan, pushing him away gently to catch your breath. His eyes are hooded and dark with lust, his fingers still gripping your waist desperately. He nods his head at you, urging you to continue your sentence. But his eye contact is so intense you lose your thoughts completely. So, instead of attempting to fumble over some improved words, you grab the front of his shirt and pull him with you back towards your bed.

Heeseung chuckles lowly under his breath, letting you lead him as you please. He bites his bottom lip and just when the back of your legs are about to hit your bed, Heeseung hoists you up and throws you onto the bed, a soft gasp leaving your lips. Before your body can even settle into your comforter, Heeseung is leaning over you with one knee in between your legs.

“Did you ever say if you prepped yourself or not?” Heeseung licks his lips again, his gaze roaming over your body. You shake your head no, making Heeseung tsk. “And I was so ready to just eat you up. I guess I’ll play with you for a bit.”

You hiss as you feel Heeseung’s fingers slip between your folds, gathering your slick in a circular motion before inserting a digit into your hole. His mouth falls open in pleasurable surprise as you open your own to moan, arching your back as he pistons his finger in and out of you. “Oh, look at you, wow.” Heeseung takes his free hand and places it onto one of your knees to spread your legs further apart, cooing at you in awe at the sounds your body is making in response to his touch. 

You’re grasping onto Heeseung’s biceps for dear life, not yet completely taken over by bliss. Because at this moment you’re really irritated that he’s still fully clothed. 

Seeing your furrowed brows and pout, Heeseung frowns and slows his movement. “Am I not doing this right?”

Panicking, you reach up and cusp his face, “No, no! I just-”

“You just what?”

“You’re not naked.”

A devilish smirk blooms on Heeseung’s face as he stops his movements completely, sitting upright. He massages his hands against your knees and although he appears confident and in control, you don’t miss the blush freckling his cheeks. 

“You want me naked?” He moves his hands to grasp the end of his shirt, looking like he’s about to take it off but holds his stance instead. One eyebrow raises up at you, waiting for your response before moving forward.

“Yes,” you huff, “please.”

“Saying please,” Heeseung continues his smirk, shaking his head to get his hair out of his eyes, “you’re already so good to me.” In one fluid motion Heeseung removes his shirt and tosses it to the side, moving quickly to unbutton his pants. If it were any other moment, Heeseung would have probably teased you more, taking his time to remove his pants and maybe just leave his pants on and unbuttoned while he plays with your pussy some more. But he can’t deny it, his patience is thin and he’s been waiting for this moment for far too long to put it off any longer.

A slight gasp leaves your lips as Heeseung pushes his pants and boxers down his legs, his cock springing out. He’s already painfully hard, a bead of precum visible on his tip. Kicking his pants to the side, Heeseung palms at himself, moving back to his spot between your legs. “This what you want?” Heeseung grunts with satisfaction at your nodding head, mouth open and eyes wide as you shamelessly stare at his body.

Your heart is racing unbelievably fast and you can’t help but feel like this might be some twistedly realistic dream your brain has concocted. But when you feel the tip of Heeseung cock slide up and down your folds, bumping against your clit before he pushes his length inside you, you know that there’s no way your brain could come up with a feeling quite like this on its own. 

You sigh when Heeseung bottoms out, his own breathing haggard. Taking a moment, Heeseung adjusts your legs so that they’re hooked around his waist, kissing one of your knees briefly as he sets it in place.

“God,” he hisses, “you’re so tight. You needed this? Needed to be fucked by me?” He starts to move his hips, slightly pulling himself out before slamming back in. All you can muster is a weak whimper, but Heeseung isn’t happy with that.

“Use your words, let me hear your pretty voice.” Heeseung flicks a thumb over your nipple before grasping your tits in his hands, squeezing as he pounds into you. The dual stimulation has your eyes rolling back; how can he expect you to make complete sentences when it feels like your body is levitating in pleasure?

Still, you try.

“Y-ye-yes! Ne-eeded you so baaaad.” You moan loudly when he adjusts his hips slightly, rolling your nipple between two fingers as he quickens his pace. He moans with you, eyes focused on the way your mouth falls open with his name spilling past your lips in a fervent cry.

“You must have thought it was so funny to mess with me for so long, huh? Thought it was funny to get me all riled up? You like messing with my head? Fuck, keep clenching me like that it feels so good when you do that.” Heeseung is rambling, speaking unbelievably fast the more he thrusts into you. The knot in your stomach tightens and you can feel the brink of your orgasm about to snap. 

Heeseung is still muttering about all the typos you’ve sent him and what it did to him, but all you can focus on is the way his hips start to stutter, his pace faltering, so you interrupt him with one last request.

“Come inside me,” you gasp out quickly.

“W-what?” Heeseung’s thrusts stutter, his brain dizzy with your words. 

“I’m about to come, please come inside me.” Your head falls back, it’s getting more difficult to hang onto your sanity when your body desperately wants to release.

“Fuck. You can’t say shit like that, Y/n.” Heeseung flicks at your nipples again, his thrusts gaining new momentum as he chases his high. 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!” Heeseung moans out with one final hard thrust, spilling into you just as your orgasm hits.

A few more languid pumps is all Heeseung can muster before pulling out of you, moving his body down so he can watch his seed spill from your hole. You can feel his heavy breath against your skin, making your shudders feel more violent as you come down from your high. 

Chuckling, Heeseung spreads your legs wider, watching his cum spill down onto the bedding. “Wow. That was a lot.” He looks up at you finally and sees the way your chest is still heaving as you try to catch your breath. Quickly moving back up the bed, Heeseung turns your body so your back is flushed against his chest, pulling you closer to him in a tight embrace. Gentle kisses flutter across your skin as Heeseung murmurs soft praises to you, holding you close enough that you can feel his heartbeat against your back. 

“You’re mine now,” Heeseung grumbles into your neck, nuzzling against your hair and letting out a soft sigh of relief. 

Smacking his arm lightly without turning to look at him, you giggle at him, “You can’t say stuff like that!”

“But you are,” Heeseung pouts, his grip on you tightening, “‘m not letting you go now.”

Turning to face him, you can’t help but smile at his sleepy face, nudging your nose against his. “I guess I can be okay with that.”

With his eyes closed, Heeseung kisses your forehead, rubbing his hand lazily up and down your back. “Good. Cause I’ve wanted this for a while now.”

You smile to yourself, placing a hand against Heeseung’s warm cheek. You watch as he drifts to sleep, his eyelashes fluttering slightly with each exhale. A part of you wants to wake him up and finally tell him just how much you’ve been wanting this too. But, for now, you’ll savor this moment being in his arms, thankful for every stupid text you accidentally sent him.

♡ pls like, comment, and reblog if you enjoyed! ♡ masterlist ♡ all rights reserved jayparked 03/23/25 do not copy, repost, or translate. if you're inspired to create something similar to my work, please credit me

[classyrbf]

WE'RE JUST FRIENDS! — SHOKO IEIRI

SYNOPSIS...since high school you and shoko have been known to be two peas in a pod, the bestest of friends but only you two know what happens behind closed doors

INFO...shoko x fem!reader, top!shoko, phone sex(?), vibrators, fingering, oral (reader!receiving), hidden relationship, praise, sweet ending, not proofread

OTHER...likes and reblogs are appreciated

Since high school you and Shoko were always known as the two girls around jujutsu high. Dare I say, you were the female version of Gojo and Geto. You and Shoko instantly clicked, always joking and laughing, messing around with Geto and Gojo just for the fun of it. Sometimes, you two would sneak around behind the school to share a cigarette. It wasn’t until both of you graduated that you ended up finding her attractive. She grew her hair out longer, started embracing her role in the jujutsu society and you’d always steal glances from her.

The accidental hand touching as she breezed past you, the little smirks she’d give you across the room when a higher up was yapping her ear off. It was until about 4 years of yearning that both of you finally caught the hint. Well, you caught the hint. Shoko always had a thing for you, at least that’s what you found out when she was knuckles deep in your pussy.

“I’ve always liked you, y/n.” She smiled against your skin, pressing a kiss to your cheek. Her fingers massaged your g-spot as she whispered in your ear. “I was starting to think that maybe you didn’t like me back, you know? But now look at you,” she chuckled, turning her gaze toward your sopping pussy.

One hookup led to two and then another and then another. You and Shoko became absolutely addicted to each other. It got to the point where you couldn’t even make yourself cum if you weren’t thinking about her. Sometimes you’d even call her late hours in the night just to hear her voice, asking her to help you cum.

“You’re so close aren’t you, baby?” She cooed. “You need my help, huh? Yeah?” She smiled to herself as she heard you whimper out her name. “Facetime me, I wanna watch.” In just mere second you were facetiming her while she sat at her desk going over some stupid paper work that she couldn’t care less about right now. “Look at how fucking wet you are because of me. Go ahead and keep rubbing your clit. Get right on the fucking edge.”

Each time, you came so hard just because of her. You wanted more and more each time, wanted to show her how much you needed her right there with you.

Each time you, her, Geto, and Gojo hung out, it was almost like nothing ever happened. The boys never became suspicious of anything because you and Shoko kept treating each other like you have all those past years. Like friends. Talking about the latest fashion, that new movie with the controversial actor, complaining about your job, things that friends would normally talk about.

But later on, you’d drive to the middle of an empty field, too eager to make it back to the house, her mouth around your nipples, licking, sucking and biting while you moaned and whimpered like a bitch in heat. “You looked so pretty in this skirt today.” She smile up at you, pecking your lips.

“I wore it for you,” you muttered between moans.

“Yeah? How thoughtful of you to give me easy access to this pretty pussy.” She sloppily kissed between your breasts and down your stomach while her fingertips pulled at the hem of your panties.

“Sho, what if someone catches us out—mmmph—here!” You sit up on your elbows, breathing heavily as she tosses your panties on the car floor and pushes your skirt up. She completely ignores your question, laying her tongue flat on your clit. “Oh fuckkk.” And suddenly all your worries went away.

Recently, all the jujustu sorcerers and anyone involved in the jujustu society were invited to a party. Of course you had to go and everyone else as well despite you lacking the energy to stand around and talk to people you didn’t know all day.

When you arrived, you hung out with your usual group. People you went to high school with. Geto, Gojo, Nanami, Haibara, Utahime, and of course Shoko. You damn near choked on your drink when she walked through the doors. Her makeup looked like it prepared by the gods and her dress hugged her figure so good it felt like your eyes were about to pop out of your head if your stared too long.

Shoko could say the same about you, the color you were wearing complimented your skin tone perfectly and gloss that made your lips shine under the light had her wanting to kiss and bite them right then and there. “Hey guys!” She simply greeted.

Hours went by already, boredom plaguing your mind as you watched Geto and Gojo act a fool on the dance floor, drunk out of there minds. Nanami had snuck out early, which you can’t blame him for. Haibara was chatting it up with Utahime in a corner for seemed like an hour now and that only left you and Shoko.

“Having fun?” She leaned towards you, sipping from her glass.

“No. My feet are killing me and this dress is too damn tight.” You shifted in the fabric, gripping your champagne glass tighter. You could feel her eyes rake over your entire body, but dare didn’t turn in her direction.

“Your ass looks great by the way. Maybe I’ll help you get out that dress later tonight?” She raised a brow, waiting for a response.

“Shoko, hush!” You looked around the room to see if anyone had heard which made her laugh.

“Who gives a fuck if anyone hears. Two girls fucking, so what? People need to get with the times.” She shook her head. “They’re missing out.” A sigh left her lips.

“What are you saying?” A smirked tugged at the corner of your lips as you leaned against the bar.

“I’m saying, you’re great in bed, hot stuff. We’ve been having sex for what…? 2 years now?” She reached into her clutch, pulling out a cigarette and a lighter. “Wanna smoke?” She nodded her head in the direction of the balcony.

“Fuck it.” You two both walked outside, the music playing over the speakers began fading, replaced with the annoying sounds of crickets and the occasional owl hooting somewhere in the trees. She lit the cigarette, taking the first drag before handing it over to you.

“So how long are we gonna keep up this ‘just friends’ act, huh?” She asked, watching you blow out the excess smoke. “We’re nearly together every day, fucking every week, if not every day.” She grabs the cigarette from between your fingers.

“Are you saying you wanna date me, Ieri Shoko?” You tease, smiling at her. “The Ieiri Shoko wants to date someone? I thought you didn’t like labels?”

“Oh fuck off,” she laughed, waving her hand at you. “Yeah, yeah, I said what I said, but can a girl not change her mind?” She turned to look at you, her eyes boring into yours as she put out the cigarette, tossing it. You looked away nervously, smiling down at the floor. “How about we say fuck this party and go back to mine, huh? Maybe it’ll help you think of an answer.”

As soon as you and Shoko made it to her apartment, you couldn’t keep your hands off each other. She messily kissed you, hastily pulling down the straps of your dress while kicking her heels off and tossing her clutch to the floor. “I want you so fucking bad, all of the time,” she said between kisses.

Within minutes you were on her bed, sitting between her legs as she had a vibrator pressed to your pussy, her other hand twisting and pulling at your hard nipples. “Fuckkk, Shoko!” You gasped, legs twitching as the waves of pleasure shooting through your body. “I’m gonna fucking cum!” You moan.

She rubbed the vibrator up and down your clit, massaging it into your poor, sensitive pussy. “Getting desperate, baby?” She craned her neck down, her lips connecting with yours, kissing you with such fervor. You grinded your hips into the vibrator, moaning into her mouth as you felt your orgasm approaching quickly. She pulled away from the kiss, spit connecting to both of your lips as she stared into your eyes with such lust and desire. “You cumming? Yeah? Yeah, there you go let it out. Yes!” She smiled, lifting her head to watch how your body writhed above her and your heavenly moans bounced off the walls of her bedroom.

She turned off the vibrator, tossing it to the side. Her fingers grazed over your pussy, tapping it lightly, hearing your wetness as you begged to be fucked. “God, you’re so fucking beautiful.” She kissed down your neck, teasing your entrance with her fingers, pushing them in and out slowly.

“You’re such a fucking tease,” you breathy chuckle.

“Oh, yeah? I can show you a tease.” She began reaching into her beside drawer.

“No, no! I was kidding!” You laugh, pulling her arm back. “Come here.” You gather strength to sit upright, facing towards her. Her cheeks are tinted pink and her skin was glowing under the light. “I think you’re beautiful too.” You cup her face in your hands.

“Getting all sappy on me now?” She pulled you onto her lap so you were straddling her.

“Shut up.” You roll your eyes, smiling as you leaned into the kiss. This time it wasn’t rushed or sloppy. You felt every moment, every movement, and every thought. Shoko deepened the kiss, pulling you closer against her chest, hugging you tighter. Your tongues moved against each other slowly, biting and sucking on her bottom lip before pulling away. “I like doing this with you.”

“Yeah?” She asked, you nod in return. “Does that mean what I think it means?” She dragged her index finger along your jaw.

“If we’re talking about the same thing, then yes—mmph!” She kissed you again with so much force, your back hit the plush comforter beneath you.

“I’m even more turned on knowing you’re mine now. Fuck me,” she said in disbelief.

“Well who said we had to stop?” You bite your lip, sitting up on your elbows. Shoko stared at you for few seconds and without saying a word, her hands gravitated to your thighs, spreading them apart, wasting zero time in putting her face in your pussy. A small gasp escapes your throat when she gently kisses your clit, the tip of her tongue rolling it in circles. “God, Sho!” You fall back on the bed, stuck in the blissful headspace.

The flat of her tongue works its way through your soppy folds, licking up your juices and tasting them on her tongue. She watches the way your face contorts in pleasure, your hands reaching up to play with your tits, pulling at your taut nipples. She sucks on your clit for little, earning a high pitched moan from you, smirking at your reaction. She knows how sensitive it still must be.

“Pussy tastes so good, baby. Mmm,” she moans, slurping on your clit and your folds, spitting directly onto your cunt before licking it back up again.

“Yes, yes, just like that!” You nod, biting down on your lip as you watch the way she eats your pussy like a pro. “Feels so fucking good.” Your toes curl as you hook your hands under your legs, pulling them back farther. “Yes, fuck!” Your eyes roll back when she pulls back the hood your clit, exposing it which made all the more difference.

“Play with those pretty tits for me, baby.” She lifts her head to catch her breath, her lips and chin coated in your slick. She looks so fucking good it makes you even more wet. You reach your hand up once more, cupping your breast and pulling at your nipple while she watches with a smile. “Good girl.” He her hot tongue swirls around your swollen clit once more, messily eating your pussy cause that’s how she knows you like it.

“I’m so close, baby, right fucking there, Sho.” Your jaw drops open, your hand finding home in her hair, pushing her face in deeper. “Shit, shit! Yes, I’m so fucking close!” You gasp, rutting your hips against her face like a bitch in heat. Shoko hums in amusement, looking up at you, making direct eye contact, wanting to watch you cum on her tongue. “I’m cumming! I’m cumming!” Your legs shake uncontrollably, grabbing a fistful of her hair tighter as you come undone. Your back into the mattress, still coming down from your orgasm. “Oh fuck,” you breathe.

Shoko finally lifts her head, pleased with herself, the biggest smile on her face. “You still alive, hot stuff?” She hovers over you.

“Barely.” You murmur, looking at her through your hazy state. “How do you always make me cum that hard?” You groaned, chest heaving up and down.

“Um, I have my ways.” She jokes, falling beside you. She softly kisses your shoulder. “Need some water or something?” She asks softly.

“Not right now. I can’t even think straight.” You flip over, facing her.

“I made you cum so hard I rewired your brain? That’s new.” She said with a hint of sarcasm. You playfully shoved her shoulder. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding!” She pulled you in close to her. “So does this mean—”

“That we get to tell Geto and Gojo. Yes. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were also dating each other.” You furrowed your brows at the thought of it.

“You’re oddly right. Gojo was damn near twerking on Geto earlier.” Shoko stared up at the ceiling, running her fingers over your skin.

“Wait, really?!” You asked with sudden surprise.

“You didn’t see? Geto got real close behind Gojo. One inch more and boom! Contact.” Shoko nodded, trying to hold in her laugh.

You couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the thought of Gojo twerking especially on Geto. “Oh my gosh! Just imagine Gojo throwing it back for Geto!” You cackled, Shoko laughing in return.

“Oh no! Do not put that image in my mind!” She cringed, clenching her eyes shut.

“Maybe Geto slips him a twenty for a lap dance. You never know,” you roll over laughing, barely able to breathe.

“Oh my goodness! Shut up!” Shoko covers her mouth, pushing you away from her. “Stop! I can’t!”

“Okay, okay,” you breathe heavily, scooting closer to her again. “I’ll stop.” You rest your head on her shoulder again.

She kisses the top of your head. “I love this. I’ll never get tired of it. The laughs, the sex, your warmth, your smile. You.”You sit up to look at her with a complex expression. “What?”

“Since when did you get all poetic with your words? I guess the sex must’ve rewired your brain too—” Shoko rolls her eyes at your words, covering your mouth with her hand.

“I try to be all lovey dovey and this is what I get? Sickening.”

[seungfl0wer]

*𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙒𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨*

Pairing: Bangchan, Felix, Hyunjin x Reader (Fem)

Genre: Smut

Warnings: Chubby!Reader, Foursome, Oral(Both), Multiple:Orgams,Cream-Pies, Rounds, Slight Choking, Praise, Breeding, Slight degrading, Double P, Unprotected sex, Tit play. Sorry for any mistakes or Missing tags

A/N: This is a special fic for my bestie whose birthday is today! I hope I did your scenario justice! I also hope you have a great birthday🖤 @gnabnahcsworld

-🖤

Collage wasn’t so bad, especially when you had 3 fun roommates. They were always doing some dumb stuff that always had you laughing. It was never a dull moment at your place. You’ve all lived together for a bit over a year now so you’ve all become very comfortable with one another.

You were heading to a friend birthday party today. You normally never go to parties, just like being a home body who can walk around in sweats. Today though you ditched your baggy clothes for a skin tight dress. It showed off all your beautiful curves. It really flattered your curvy figure. You got your make up done with about an hour to space. You sighed with relief realizing you still had some time left to relax before being put in a room full of people.

When you made your way out of your room the boys were all sitting on the couch playing some game. You walked over to where you kept your shoes searching for a pair to match your dress. Felix turned his head to say something however his words got stuck in his throat. He slapped the other two pointing towards you. The other men almost doing a double take jaws dropping.

“Where you going?” Chan asked.

“Friend’s birthday party” you said still rummaging through the closet.

When you stood up turning to them you finally noticed their gaze. Mouth still gaping at the sight of you. “What? Does it look that bad?” You asked.

They quickly shook their heads “no- you look” Felix started to say before hyunjin piped in “really hot” Hyunjin said.

You felt a blush creep up on your face “thanks” you said. You made your way back to your room to do some final touches. The boys looked at one another before jumping off the couch. Chan pulled the others back racing to get to your room first. They bursted through your door scaring the shit out of you. “What the fuck guys?” You said laughing a bit.

“Don’t go to the party” Hyunjin said.

“Yeah stay home with us” Felix said.

“What?” You confused.

Chan made his way to you with no warning or hesitation he cupped your face before kissing you. His plump lips moving against yours. You didn’t pull away but you were so confused. “Chan that’s not fair!” Felix said.

Chan pulled away with a soft chuckle you looked up at him still super confused. “Y/n you look way too beautiful to going anywhere” he said with a smile. He kissed you once more his strong arms wrapping around you pulling you up to lay your body down on the bed. He kissed you deeply his tongue swiping at your lips asking for permission. You excepted your tongues tangling in one another’s.

You felt the bed dip on both sides the other two men now on the bed with you. “You ok with this angel?” Felix asked. When you nodded it was like everything that was holding them back went away. Chan moved so he wasn’t on top of you anymore only for Hyunjin to make his way between your legs. “I bet I can make her cum faster than any of you guys” he said with a smirk. He lifted up your dress pulling down your panties.

They all groaned seeing your pretty fat cunt already soaking wet. Hyunjin licked his lips gripping your thick thighs, squeezing the plush skin. He spread your legs wide before kissing up your thighs. He bit at the skin making his way to your core. He gave one small kitten lick up your folds before diving head first into you. His tongue darted against your clit making you moan into Chans kiss.

Felix pulled down the front of your dress letting your breast flood out. He quickly gripped them licking over the sensitive nubs. Chan pulled away with a smirk he moved your hair away from your face “such a pretty girl hmm?” He praised. He moved off the bed freeing himself off his clothes before coming back to you. He stroked his cock before tapping it to your lips “wanna be a good girl for me? Open your mouth” he said.

Now you’d be lying if you didn’t find them all super attractive. However you never thought you’d be in this situation but you weren’t complaining. You happily opened your mouth letting him push his head into your mouth. He let out a low groan feeling the warmth of your mouth around him. Hyunjin pushed his fingers into your dripping cunt making you moan around Chans length.

Felix on your side was now fully naked as well. He stayed playing with your delicious breasts pumping his cock to the sweet sounds you were making. “Y/n how do you feel so soft” Felix said running his hands over your squishy tummy.

“Right her thighs are like little pillows” Hyunjin said.

Felix let his hand wonder down your belly down lower to find your clit. He played with it as hyunjin fucked you with his fingers, his tongue lapping at your folds. Chan couldn’t help himself as he fucked back your throat ever so softly. Hand coming down to run through your hair.

“I can’t take it anymore I need to be inside you” Hyunjin groaned before standing up. The loss of his fingers made you whine only to be replaced by Felix’s. Hyunjin quickly took his clothes off pushing Felix’s hand away before pushing into you slowly. Felix went back to rubbing your clit as Hyunjin thrusted into you. Chan groaned feeling himself getting close to his orgasm. He quickly pulled out of your mouth with a pop.

“Want” you groaned out.

“What do you want beautiful?” Felix said.

“Both” you said almost shyly.

“You want two of us to fuck you?” Felix said with a chuckle.

When you nodded a grin formed across his face he maneuvered himself to be under you. His cock rubbing against your ass now. “You sure about this?” He asked.

“V-very” you said.

Felix pushed himself into you, his and Hyunjin’s cock hitting far back into your cervix. “Can’t believe such a sweet girl wants to be fucked so dirty” Chan said.

“Yeah, y/n you’re a little freak. It’s really hot” Hyunjin said.

They moved their hips in sync Hyunjin’s hand coming down to play with your clit. Felix’s hands coming around to play with your tits that were now covered in purple marks. You were moaning so loudly surely the neighbors would hear. Hell the whole town could probably hear. The others weren’t being any quieter.

Hyunjin’s hips pulled away before snapping back into you with a loud moan from him “shit shit I’m close” he said his head falling back.

“You cum first you lose” Chan said with a laugh.

“Fuck- can’t help it. To good fuck she’s too good” hyunjin moaned out. “Where do you want me to-“ he started to say before you cut him off.

“Inside” you said softly.

His eyes went wide staring down at you “want me to fill you full? God y/n you into breeding too? What a little slut” Hyunjin groaned out. His pace was becoming slopping his cock hitting your cervix hard. Felix’s cock was right behind him hitting all your sensitive spots. Your legs started to tremble cunt tightening around them both. “Cu-cuming!” Hyunjin almost screamed before painting your walls white. The warmth from his cum, their movements and hyunjin’s fingers against your clit had you seeing stars. You came and you came hard.

Your cunt was sucking them in milking him for all he had. The sensation had Felix almost in tears “no no I’m so close” he whined. When hyunjin pulled out Felix cock slipped even deeper into you. He wrapped his arms around you sinking his little fangs into your shoulder. “I’m- I’m gonna cum!” He screamed his body trembling under you before he was cumming.

Your cunt was already so full, two large loads spilling from you. When Chan finally made his way to you he pushed his dick up and down you “don’t wanna lose all this do we” he said with a grin. He pushed both loads back into you. Felix cried out his cock so sensitive at this point. “Chan you ass let me move” he cried.

Chan only chuckled as he kept moving his hands slinked their way up to your throat gripping around it. “Such a dirty little girl hmm? But you’ve been so good for us I can’t be mad.” He said. His grip around your neck tightened a bit at the feeling of your walls clenching around him. “Gonna cum again pretty? Cum for me, be a good girl and cum all over my cock.” He said his hips moving faster.

Your body shook at the feeling of another intense orgasm. Feeling tears pricking at your eyes a staggered moan left your lips as you came once more. Your walls tightened even more around them Felix’s hands digging into you. “Shit fuck fuck I’m cumming again fuck!” Felix rambled out cumming once more.

“Damn lix how-“ hyunjin asked with a soft chuckle.

Felix’s body went almost limp trying to move himself from under you. It was only Chan left inside you now. He let go of your throat leaning his body against you. “You got all 3 of us pumping loads into you. You’re bound to get pregnant” he said with a chuckle. “I can only imagine you with an even cuter belly- fuck” he groaned.

“Chans definitely got a breeding kink” Hyunjin said.

Felix nodded “definitely” he said his voice almost a whisper.

“Only one I wanna breed is this beautiful girl” he said with a smile. He cupped your face once more kissing you sloppily.

His cock was ruthless his balls slapped against you as he fucked into you. “Gonna cum again pretty? You can give me another one yeah? My good girl can do that right?” He said his words like honey. Hyunjin made his way to your side playing with your clit as Chan fucked deep into you.

“Ah- ah- to much-“ you whined out.

“One more pretty and then we can take a break.” Chan said softly.

Your legs wrapped around him pulling him even deeper. His cock hitting your cervix ever so perfectly. He moved his body back grabbing your thick thighs spreading them even more. “Cum for my y/n cum on my cock” he growled.

Your body once more started to tremble. You felt like you were going to explode with pleasure. “Cumming!” You mumbled out.

That’s all Chan needed he was holding back so you could cum together. With a few more thrusts he was cumming deep inside you. “Yeah- fuck- gonna breed you so fucking well” he moaned out. When he pulled out he watched as all the cum dripped from you. There was so much of it too.

True to his word after you took a break Felix had already grabbed a towel to clean you up with. Hyunjin ran and got some drinks before you all made a cuddle pile on your bed. Hyunjin and Chan on both your sides with Felix laying between your legs head on your stomach.

“So y/n if you’d have to say who was the best who would it be?” Chan said.

“Me, it was me” Hyunjin said.

“I don’t know, I think I need some more examples” you said with a laugh.

“Right- we’ll get ready soon for that” Chan said with a smirk.

“Just for the record, I bet I can eat you out way better than Hyunjin did” Felix said.

You never made it to your friend’s party. The night was filled with fucking, cuddle pile and to end the night off Chan ordered food for everyone. It was great having 3 attractive roommates, it was even greater the way the fucked you.

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

💙 If you’d like to read more of my stuff you can find it Here: Master List . Thank you for reading and if requests are open or you just wanna talk feel free to send me something🩵

Taglist: @satosugu4l @do-you-remember-summer-127 @xines16 @minh0scat @troublemaker02 @tr-mha-fan @lunearta @velvetmoonlght @minghaosimp @ldysmfrst @felixleftchickennugget

[revolutionsingingintherainnn]

Hi! Can I request 4. Using each other’s phones without supervision with Lando? I think it would be really funny and cute 🧡

Crazy Ex ☾⋆｡𖦹 °✩

4. using each other's phones without supervision

↺ ln x reader ・❥・

↺ fluff + humour ・❥・

masterlist ☾☼

lando was on stream with max f and ginge. like he usually was. y/n had learned early on in their relationship that if lando was "busy", it either meant that he was on stream, or he was sleeping, or he was quite literally in his race car, ready to go out onto the track.

y/n's finals had just gotten over (thank fuck for that) and now she was catching up on all her unread books with a gin and tonic in her hand. she was dressed comfortably in lando's tshirt and a pair of shorts. he had cuddled her up in a fluffy blanket to make sure that she was comfortable, but she knew he didn't want to be disturbed, and the best way to keep her occupied was to drown her in blankets with a book (or books).

y/n had lost track of time as she read through the gripping, swoon-worthy romance. only when her stomach grumbled did she realise that it was well after eight. digging her phone out from the mess of blankets, y/n looked for their usual order. frowning when she couldn't see the past orders on the app, y/n sighed, leaving her cocoon as she stood up and entered lando's gaming room.

"why do i keep dying?" lando screamed at the screen. y/n held back a laugh, as she was sure his friends were as well.

she looked around the room for his phone. there weren't a lot of places where he could have kept it in the room, so she gently tapped lando on his shoulder and he abruptly stopped screaming as he turned to look at her.

"oh, hey, babe! whatcha doin' here?" lando asked with a huge smile on his face.

y/n smiled at his sudden mood shift and softly said, "i need your phone."

"oh sure, baby, one sec," he said, as he looked around his table and found his table from under the pile of food packets and energy drinks cans.

"there you go, love," he said, as he handed her the phone and then turned back to the game.

y/n pressed a kiss on lando's head before exiting the room. she was already unlocking his phone and opening the delivery app. scrolling through, she found their past orders and quickly ordered food for the two of them.

settling back into her pile of blankets, she had lost the motivation to read further. the only thing going on in her head was food, so instead, she opted to scroll on tiktok. unlocking lando's phone again, she quickly found the app and began scrolling. her food was going to take thirty minutes, and she knew doom scrolling was the best way to pass the time.

max f's texts were ruining her doom scrolling, though. he texted every few seconds, and after she read the first message that only said "muppet", she knew it was going to be about something stupid. she was not bothered enough to move or let lando know. he was on stream anyways.

an hour later, y/n had eaten her dinner, watching a show on lando's phone, and was just beginning to settle into her book again when lando's voice rang through the apartment.

"babe? can you come here please?"

sighing, y/n picked up her tiramisu and walked towards his gaming room. lando smiled and extended his hand towards her, which she gratefully took. pulling her towards him, she settled on his lap, sitting sideways.

lando's hands were gripping her thighs and her waist, making sure that she wouldn't fall.

"what's up?" she asked.

"has max been calling me?" lando asked. he looked amused.

y/n took a bite of her tiramisu. "i think so? he started texting you like a crazy ex partner, and then i started watching a show so your phone switched to dnd,"

"yeah, but my calls would have gone through if his phone was on dnd, y/n!" max's said from the stream.

y/n clicked her tongue, feeding lando a bite of her tiramisu, "no, it didn't. if it had, i would've picked up, max,"

"so, you're telling me that i'm not in lando's list of callers when he's on dnd?" max asked, shocked.

ginge was laughing in the background.

"wait, you can do that?" lando asked.

"lan, you set it up yourself. your parents, your siblings, carlos, oscar, daniel, max verstappen, andrea, will, zak, and i are in that list. you added it yourself." you said, still too focused on your almost finished tiramisu.

max was screaming, and lando was laughing. you hadn't said anything wrong. it was the truth. you were there when lando had set it up.

lando was giving excuses to max, and max was refusing to acknowledge any of them.

"hold on, hold on, guys," ginge said, shutting the two up.

"what?" max was still mad.

"y/n, you had his phone with you for an hour and you didn't do anything?" ginge asked.

"i doom scrolled on tiktok and then watched a show on netflix." you said.

"you know, most girlfriends, when they have their boyfriend's phone unsupervised, they would read through their chats to see if there's a crazy ex or something," max said.

y/n nodded, "he does have a crazy ex. you, max. you blew up his phone more than i ever have. you were already in the stream, why blow up his phone?"

lando laughed, his shrieking laugh that you loved so much. "oh, i love you,"

"i know,"

"i got locked out of the house and i needed lando to get me the spare set of keys!" max exclaimed, laughing.

"keep a rock outside your door with the key. that'll help." she said, deadpanned.

the three boys erupted in laughter again. the chat was going crazy. but, all y/n could think was that her tiramisu was over and she still wanted more.

✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩

hey! im so sorry it took me so much time to write this! my mid semester exams are going on! i hope you like this! i am also drinking a gin and tonic right now, and i also miss my tiramisu. i've also got a link for my taglist and requests that you can find here!

[acphengene]

String of fate

₊ ⁺ pairing: Niki x reader

₊ ⁺ word count: 3.2k

₊ ⁺ genre: soulmate au, fluff, angst, brotherly love

₊ ⁺ note: it’s fucking finally here. i like them, they’re cute. also can you tell i’m Jayki biased?

₊ ⁺ Jake ₊ ⁺ Jungwon ₊ ⁺ Jay ₊ ⁺ Sunoo ₊ ⁺ Heeseung ₊ ⁺ Niki ₊ ⁺ Sunghoon ₊ ⁺ Masterlist

Niki was a dancer first, and a person second. Anyone who knew him, knew that. He moved like water and learned choreo faster than any other dancer under Hybe.

But he was also a brother, a good friend, and most importantly a hopeless romantic.

You wouldn’t know it by looking at him, but he was. The little red string that was wrapped on his left pinky, was the one thing that would one day give him his fairytale ending.

He had been so excited about it since he woke up with it on his thirteenth birthday. He just never really talked that much about it.

The thread was tight and always stretched towards the horizon, a clear indication that you were nowhere near him. But he had always wondered just how he would find you.

Everything became a little easier when he debuted. Being in Enhypen meant a lot of travels and tours, and different ways for him to figure out just where you were.

Niki made sure that the string was nearly tucked away in his pocket whenever it started to get loose, a little scared that it might end up being flossed or even break if it came into contact with the floor too much.

Logically he knew that wasn't possible, but still he liked to know he kept it safe, just in case. Taking care of that bond that connected the two of you, couldn’t be the worst thing.

To his older brothers Niki had a very casual outlook on the soulmate bonds, an attitude that said: “it happens when it happens”. But when he was the last one standing without a soulmate by his side, he became a little more desperate than he had previously been.

“Can’t we just take a trip, you know to somewhere we haven’t been before?” He asked Jay that we’re currently testing out a new guitar.

His hyung smiled at him. “What happens to my cool and collected baby bro?”

Niki sighed. “He died” and sent the older one a teasing smile.

“You’re the one who has always said that it happens when it happens. And look at all of us, you weren’t wrong. It’s your turn to be patient now.”

He avoided Jay’s eye contact, as he kept playing the same note on a keyboard that stood in the room before him.

“Easy for you to say with G on your arm every day” Niki answered as he rolled his eyes.

Jay just chucked. “Come, let’s go make some curry and distract that mind of yours”

He followed along, but not before giving the thread a pull, a little reminder that he was thinking of you.

You loved the little red string, and red had quickly become your favorite color. What you didn’t understand was your soulmate's inability to stand still.

Almost every hour of every day, he was jumping around like a flea. The string was constantly bouncing or moving from side to side, often in the same movements over and over again.

It had left you wondering just what he was up to each and every day. You knew your own moved around a lot too, dancing would do that. But did he even notice how much he moved himself?

Of course ballet was much slower movements and much more elegant than whatever he was doing.

But you guessed whatever he was up to made him happy, he had after all been doing it since the very first day, and happiness was important.

Every now and then you would feel a tug on the string, and you knew he was thinking of you. It always warms your heart.

Another day, another tour stop. Niki was excited, the string had never been as loose as when he excited the airplane.

If it hadn't been for Sunghoons birthday gift last year he would have his arms filled with the red string at that moment. Hell he might even end up tripping over it.

His soulmate-less brother had always been the best at giving both advice and gifts that were soulmate related, and that year Niki had gotten a little compas looking thing that when attached to the string, railed it into it's compartment and kept it safe. It was one of the most precious gifts he had ever gotten.

“You think she’s here?” He asked his older brothers with hope in his eyes. Some shrugged, others nodded, but Heeseung just pulled him down to him and wrapped his arm around his shoulder. “Let’s find out shall we?”

It was still early in the morning, and he was just lounging around until it made sense for them to do their first sound check and overall runthrough of the choreo.

And as the clock struck ten, the string started to move. A tiny bit to the left, then to the right. You were so close now that he for the first time could see how you were moving through the city. Unlike the very subtle movements of your hand movements he had gotten used to, this looked different, it even felt different.

It distracted him. He forgot everything from lyrics to moves as the hours progressed, earning him a lot of teasing comments from his members.

At some point he buried his head in his hands and groaned. “I don’t know if I can do this guys” he said with an apologetic look.

Sunoo laughed. “You obviously can’t, but I’m surprised you have lasted this long”

Niki smiled. “Yeah, me too”

“Just go,” Jungwon said with a smile. “Find her and bring her to the hotel for dinner”

The youngest nodded enthusiastically, before he all but ran off stage. He didn’t make it far before he heard someone call after him.

“I’m not letting you roam a new city all by yourself” Jay said with a smile before grabbing Nikis shoulders and giving them a loving rub.

The two of them got one of their managers to drive them until the string led them through small passages in the city. Then they took the rest of the journey on foot.

The city in and of itself was beautiful, with old cathedrals, brick sidewalks and cozy cafes on almost every corner, and a quick coffee run later the two had returned to their adventure.

Niki was quiet, more than he usually was, but who could blame him? His palms were sweaty and his eyes never left that red string that twisted around corners. He wondered if you had walked the same streets at some point.

Jay looked at his youngest brother with admiration, as he tried to let him just be, to live this moment.

The string took them to an open plaza in the middle of the city, and before them laid one of the few buildings in the world that were still home to a royal ballet. And the string went straight through its doors.

“Shit…” Jay said under his breath.

“Fuck” Niki ecchoed.

Getting to the building was one thing, the easiest step on their path it seemed. But getting in there, behind the scenes? That would be as close to impossible.

On any given day you would’ve paid more attention to your end of the string. But today wasn’t any normal day, no you were on the night of your career. Prima ballerina for this years ‘Swan Lake’ was your new title.

Everything had led up to this, this was what you had worked for your entire life, what you had ruined your muscles and feet for, and nothing, not even the new movements of your string, could take your eyes off that price.

The day was a constant stress of rehearsals, fittings, ice baths and fittings. Your heart was beating so hard that you could feel the pulse in your entire body.

When you finally sat down in the hair and make up you gave the string a little pull. It was as tight as it had always been, and you couldn’t help that little ping of hurt that he, whoever he was, wasn’t there to see this moment and to be your loudest cheerleader in the crowd.

Niki felt defeated, normally the little tug would make it all better, but how could he get into a show that had been sold out for months?

Jay had managed to score tickets to every performance that night except one, and as absolutely amazing as the two performances had been that night, you hadn’t been there.

“I’m so sorry” Jay said with an apologetic smile as he watched Niki once again moved his last piece of ravioli around on his plate as he was lost in thought.

He only shrugged. “It is what it is” he gave him a halfhearted smile. “At least these performances have given me a few ideas for some new choreography?” It sounded more like a question than anything else.

“Yeah, that is kind of a silver lining”

He lowered his head and kept it down, and all Jay could do was sit idly by as he watched his youngest break down in front of him.

It was a rare sight to see Niki cry, he put on a hard facade, something he had done these last few years, a trauma response they had all figured.

He moved to the booth and pulled him into a tight hug. “I know,” he whispered. And that little reassurance opened the floodgates.

Niki was grateful they were hidden away from all eyes in the back of the restaurant. That no one was near to witness this, the fact that Jay saw him like this was embarrassing enough.

He pulled away with an apology as he dried his eyes.

“Don’t ever apologize to me for having feelings that are so big you need to express them. I will forever be a safe place for you to do that”

Niki saw how sincere he was and he only nodded as yet another tear escaped his left eye.

A commotion in the restaurant was the next thing the pair heard, and suddenly their manager came rushing towards them.

“I got them!” He screamed. “I got them but we need to go now! It starts in 5 minutes!”

Fuck. This was it. And he had never in his entire life, moved faster than he did just then.

He moved up the stairs with a fast pace, rushing towards the top floor where his seat was located. He didn’t wait to figure out if the others could keep up, that didn’t matter. You were the only thing on his mind.

This had to be it, you had to be a part of this production, there was no other way. He had prepared himself to stand outside in the snow all night if that was what it took. But this did seem like a better alternative.

He wondered what your role was, were you someone behind the scenes, or were you like him, a performer?

The balcony had a perfect view of the entire stage, and when the string led straight behind the curtain, he knew this was it.

His legs were bouncing, he was fidgeting with every ring on his fingers. He didn’t care that his baggy jeans or his hoodie made him stand out like a sore thumb between the fancy gowns and suits.

Jay laid a hand on his thigh. “Breathe” and he tried, but it was as if all of the oxygen had left the room.

“She’s here hyung, she’s right here. I just know she is”

“And so are we”

Their eyes met. “Is this really happening?” He asked.

Jay smiled. “Yeah, it really is”

“You’re sure this isn’t a dream?” He asked as he once again looked to the red curtains.

Jay laughed. “Dreams are my mark, not yours. So yeah I’m pretty sure”

The smile that painted his lips were from pure happiness, and he looked like a tiny sun, radiating in this somewhat dark room.

And just then the lights flickered three times, an indication that the show was about to begin.

All Niki could do now was hope that he wouldn’t pass out.

As the curtains rose a calmness came over you, the world around you disappeared, and your feet started to move on their own accord as they always had.

You were home now, and you wondered if you would ever be more happy than you were in that exact moment.

He saw you, and you were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. There was no one in this world that could tear his eyes from you.

He knew in his heart he looked like a star struck idiot, but he couldn’t care less.

Your elegance was unmatched and the way you moved proved to him that the universe had done him a favor. You were the other half of his soul, one he had lost before he even came into this world, the one thing he had searched for his entire life, the one person he would search for in every life after this one.

A dancer, of course you were, he thought. Who else would be able to understand his love for being on stage, other than one who shared that passion?

He knew it was opening night for this year's season which meant that he experienced this moment with you in real time. He was so proud despite not even knowing your name yet.

Before he knew it the curtains once again closed and the show was officially over. The cast stepped out when they opened once again and your smile was so big as you looked at your partner it literally took his breath away, it was as if he froze in time.

As you bowed he once again gained consciousness and he clapped and cheered louder than anyone there. He reached out and pulled on that string as hard as he could.

He watched as you took a small stumble, he watched as you reached out to grab it, and as you followed it, it let your eyes straight to him.

God he was beautiful, dressed in black and grey, messy hair and tear stained cheeks, but he didn’t seem to mind. The two of you watched each other for a second, and then you both watched as the string that connected you, transformed from crimson red to the most dazzeling gold.

He was still clapping when your tears started rolling down your cheeks and you once again took a bow, deeper this time, more grateful.

Niki had sent Jay back to the hotel after he had been approached by one of the security guard of the theater. Telling him that you would be out as soon as possible.

He had decided to go outside to hopefully calm his blazing hot cheek.

It was hard for him to wrap his head around the fact that he had actually found you. That he had listened to himself and it had been worth it.

The snow had started again and the darkness that surrounded it was only lit up by the old streetlights. He stood there, looking over the plaza as he wondered just what he wanted to say to you.

He didn’t have Jake’s mark, but he wanted it to be something meaningful, something you could be proud of.

Behind him he heard a door close and he turned in one smooth movement, as if quick turns on his heels were second nature to him. Who was he? You couldn’t help but wonder.

You stood on the top of the stairs looking down on him. Looking at that gold string, so you hadn’t imagined it.

Niki took a step forward and almost instinctively reached out for you.

He was calm, and you most definitely weren’t. You made a small jump and let out a small scream before you rushed down the steps to him.

He laughed, loudly, and the sound bounced around on the buildings, echoing it back to the two of you as if it was your own little song.

As you were almost by the foot of the stairs he opened his arms to you, and you leaped the last few steps. Throwing yourself into his arms.

He caught you, as he always would, and held you tight. Spinning you around as you both laughed.

He smelled amazing, felt amazing. He was tall, messy haired and you could feel his heart beating beneath that big puffer coat.

“I found you” he said as he finally pulled his face from the crook of your neck.

The two of you looked at each others with smiles so big that they hurt your cheeks more than the cold.

“You certainly did, and perfect timing I might say” You answered as he returned you to the ground. He kept his arms around your waist though. You didn’t mind.

“I barely made it, who would’ve thought I’d end up having such a talented soulmate that sell out her first show months in advance?”

You felt the blush paint your cheek as you looked away from him. “Don’t be embarrassed, you should be proud. It’s such an amazing achievement”

He couldn’t help himself as he brought his hand to your cheek and forced your eyes back to his.

“What about you, what is it that you do since you’re suddenly here?” You slithered out of his grip and instead interlinked your pinky with his.

He smiled at the gesture, and he quickly knew this would be how he held your hand for as long as you allowed it. Together you walked down the street enjoying the cold and finally each other.

Niki chuckled. “Eh… I’m in a similar industry” he said as he ran a hand through his hair.

He didn’t expect that he would be this nervous actually talking to you, opening up. But he was scared all of the sudden, scared that anything he could say would want you to leave him behind.

You raised a brow at him, but didn’t push the subject, you were observing, letting him take his time.

“Do you know kpop?” he asked as he kicked some of the snow that lay on the road.

“I do”

“Well, I’m an idol… And are kind of here for a tour” he stopped in his tracks and watched you smile up at him.

“So a singer and a dancer then? You’re making me look bad”

He chuckled, as he felt the weight fall from his shoulders. "I don't think that is possible"

"What kind of dance?" You asked, and he couldn't help himself so he spun you around.

Niki watched as your body reacted by pure instinct, how you stepped up on your toes, even in your sneakers, how your leg lifted off the ground.

"Well definitely not ballet"

The two of you laughed together.

"Want to dance with me?" He asked as you stopped beneath one of the lights.

"I will dance with you for as long as you'll have me" You said as he pulled you closer with a smirk.

"I promise you one thing red, I am never letting you go. You have a dance partner for life with me"

So you danced there in the somewhat silence of the city as the snow fell around you. Two dancers, one soul, brought together by nothing more than a red string of fate

₊ ⁺ taglist: @why4anne @juicygirl4life @azzy02 @bluxjun @why-did-i-just-do-this @elairah @ramyeonzwithspam @floating-moon-dust @skyearby @acourtofmoonlightandstars @garrdenwonie @whateveridontcaresheesh @stormy1408 @tunafishyfishylike @sol3chu @spicxbnny @blvengene @fics-lovebot @fangirl125reader @acopenhagenarmy @tunafishyfishylike

[blackcoldcrackedheart]

Coffee date

He was doing a lot to the point where it felt like he was running on fumes.

He kept himself busy, even making new friends and going out with Maddie, Josh, and Ravi.

Maddie told him she was proud of him, that he was finally getting used to be single and adjusting to break-up being done for good.

Buck nodded in agreement, smiled and said thanks. Trying his best to sound assured and confident. As though he was proud of himself.

Hell, even Hen and Chimney noted how focused he was at work and how on top of his game he was being during calls.

"Look at that, Buck all grown up." Chimney smiled teasingly at him, thumping him on his back. "What version of Buck is this now? 4.0 or 5.0?"

Hen shook her head, chuckling as she replied."Hmm, I think this might be version 6. Right Buck?"

Buck went along with the teasing.

-

"Melatonin is crap." Buck mumbled to himself tiredly. He thought by now he would be able to fall asleep. He was keeping himself physically and mentally busy to the point where he felt tired but couldn't sleep. At least not for longer than two hours.

He had done everything from working out before bed to tire him out, drinking warm milk, hot chamomile tea, drinking pomegranate juice, taking scalding hot shower and baths, rubbing lavender all over his body, to now finally taking melatonin.

He looked at his phone.

2:38 am.

"Great."

He got up and pulled on some joggers and a hoodie and a beanie.

He needed to get the hell out of his house.

He wasn't sure where he could go but found himself driving around for a while before deciding to head to Norms.

Honestly it was better than nothing.

And definitely better than going to Dennys.

The diner was busy for this time of night (morning really). Buck was graful for it though, he needed the distraction.

The waitress ended up giving him a small table by the windows. Buck gave her a tight smile as he started to look over the menu. He wasn't hungry. Just tired.

But not tired enough to where he could sleep.

He rubbed his eyes and then face. He just needed to sleep.

He hadn't told anyone yet on the team or Maddie or Eddie about this insomnia problem he was having.

Honestly, he expected to not be taken too seriously or just be told to deal with it before it affected his job.

"You look like how I feel." Said a gruff voice next to him.

Right as Buck looked to see who said that the waitress came back. Buck fumbled with the menu and his words as he stuttered out his order for a minute. Coffee and some strawberry pancakes with all the fixings because what was the point now.

He heard the guy laugh.

"What?" Buck asked.

The guy, a rough looking guy who was probably in his 40s or 50s with cropped hair and clean face, snickered at him. "You must be going through the crapper if you're ordering that at 3 am."

Buck shrugged, "Couldn't sleep."

"Well, you're definitely not gonna sleep now. All that sugar and caffeine is gonna be super helpful when you're at work."

It was Buck's turn to snicker this time. "Might be helpful then. I'm a firefighter so probably will need the sugar and caffeine."

The guy raised a brow at him. "No kidding? I'm a firefighter too." He stuck out his hand for Buck to shake, "Captain Sal DeLuca. Down at the Long Beach station 12."

Buck shook the man's hand. "NIce to meet you."

"Likewise." Sal nodded his head towards Buck. "What got you so wired?"

"Could ask you the same." Long beach wasn't far, but Buck was sure that there were plenty of diners opened closer to Long Beach. Unless Sal liked driving nearly an hour to work and back by living in Torrance.

Sal shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee. "Had a bad call, my wife and girls were asleep so I figured, let me clear my head. I got therapy in like five hours so I figured I could kill some time here before making the drive back." He set down the mug of coffee. "You?"

Buck took a deep breath out, weighing out his options here. Sal seemed nice to talk to.

Could still be a prick though.

But it's not like Buck would ever see him again after this.

"Honestly?" Buck asked.

Sal quirked a brow, "I asked, didn't i?"

Buck bit the inside of his cheek, still unsure about saying this out loud. But it felt easier to say it to a stranger. "I haven't been able to sleep at my new place since I broke up with my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?"

Buck felt his hackles rise, his jaw ticked as he asked, "What? You never met a queer firefighter before?"

Sal let out a surprise laugh, "Nah, definitely met plenty. Worked with this lesbian firefighter almost a decade ago." He let out a low whistle. "She could kick my ass and yours and still could take out a fire on her own without breaking a sweat. I'll tell you, anytime my girls said they can't do something I remind them of her, their mother, and my mother." Sal explained. "But what happened with you and your ex boyfriend there? Can't sleep unless he cuddles you to sleep or something?"

Buck felt his eyes sting a bit. "Yeah." He muttered miserably. It caught him and Sal off guard.

"Oh jeez." Sal muttered, wiping his mouth with a napkin and moving to sit across from Buck.

Buck felt tired finally. It was the first time he had admitted it out loud, to even himself.

He missed Tommy.

"Hey, listen. Im sorry. I wasnt trying to be an ass there, I just unfortunately come off that way....a lot." Sal explained. "How long ago was this breakup? Yall were living together or something?"

Buck snorted at that. He explained what happened, from him discovering that he and Tommy had dated the same woman, to Buck's impromptu move in with question, to the break up, to baking, to the hook up, the argument they had, and all about Maddie's advice about being alone.

"Sounds like you both need to talk." Sal told him.

"I tried!"

Sal rolled his eyes, scoffing as he moved his mug of coffee away so he could lean on is elbows. "You didn't try crap. You snapped because you got defensive and your ex boy there got guarded."

Buck slowly chewed his food as he processed that, Sal wasn't completely wrong there.

"You could have told your ex what happened- about you missing him and the baking, but you didn't. You let him leave thinking it was just a hookup."

"He thought I had feeling for my best friend!"

"Do you?"

"No!"

"Well then tell him that!" Sal argued back, both men paused as they realized they were loud and gaining the other patrons attentions. "What? Yall never seen two people argue in a diner before? It's LA, deal with it." Sal shook his head in disdain, he grabbed a strawberry from Buck's plate. "You love this guy?" He didn't let Buck answer, "What am I saying. Of course you do, you're at the "I need him to fall asleep" stage."

Buck felt his face heat up at that.

He missed Tommy.

But love?

Josh had asked him that too. But he couldn't answer. But this time...

"I think I love him." Buck said in depressed awe. The truth hurting and cutting deep in him. He had meaningful relationships before. He had never said I love you though. With Taylor it felt...not like this.

"Of course you do." Sal rolled his eyes. "What are you gonna do about it is the question."

Buck slumped back in his chair, he rubbed his chest as the fear of losing Tommy permanently felt like a possibility. "I-I don't think he would say it back. Not after that."

"Might if you told him the damn truth." Sal grabbed another strawberry. "I get your sister's advice and your friends wanting you not to call the ex. But here's the thing; they got lives. I'm sure they got their own spouses or something at home. You're like what 35? 36?"

"33."

"Still a grown ass man who can make his own damn mind about what he wants. You want to call the ex, call him. You want to try about being alone, try it out. But you doing this thing were you need permission or some sort of validation? Guidance, whatever the hell you want to call it? It's not gonna work. At the end of day, you gotta make up your own mind otherwise you're gonna be pissed with the end results that you didn't decide for yourself."

It was rough advice, but Buck realized he was right. It sucked to hear, but Sal was right.

Buck sighed, rubbing his head as he realized he could talk to Maddie, Eddie, Bobby, Ravi, and the others till he turned blue in the face. But this was a him (and Tommy) problem.

"I want to talk to him. I need to talk to him and tell him the truth this time."

Sal stole another strawberry. "Gonna tell you the same thing I told a buddy of mine from back in the day- dude was into all that rom-com crap: a real relationship takes work, it's not all roses and soft music. Either you work for it or you don't. And if you." He pointed a red stained finger at Buck, "Seriously love this guy, then both of you need to be honest with each other. Otherwise, what's the point?"

Buck smiled down at his lap, "Seems like therapy is helping you there."

Sal cleaned off his hand with a napkin, giving Buck the side eye. "Shut it." Sal checked his phone, groaning at he stood up and stretched. "I gotta start heading back."

It was Buck who stuck out his hand this time, "Thanks for listening, Sal."

Sal waved him off, " Don't mention it....?"

Buck snickered, realizing he had just told his most recent dating life story before giving out his name. "It's Buck. Evan Buckley, really. But people call me Buck mostly."

"Well, it's been nice talking to yah, Buck. Good luck with the ex boyfriend there." Sal threw a twenty on his table. "It's on me. You could use a break since you still look like crap." Before he walked off, he turned back around to Buck. "Hey, if things don't work with the ex. I got an old friend of mine I've been meaning to catch up with. He's into dudes too, only downside is he's really into rom-coms. But, he's a pretty cool dude for the most part."

Buck let out a genuine laugh, shaking his head as he told Sal. "I'm good, thanks though. I-I think my ex might be it for me."

Sal smiled knowingly at him "Good luck then." He started to walk backwards as he told Buck "I expect a damn wedding invite or a Christmas card at least."

Once Sal was out of the diner, Buck pulled out his phone and opened his contact list to find Tommy's number. It was after 5 now.

"Evan?" Tommy's groggy voice still caused the butterflies in Buck’s stomach to stir. "You okay?"

Buck felt fidgety already, "Yeah, I'm fine I-we should talk. Like really talk." He took a quick glance outside, the streets were still pretty empty. "Can I come by?"

It took exactly 10 seconds for Tommy to reply back "Yeah, of course you can."

Five weeks later…

Buck had to be imagining it.

He squinted his eyes and watched as the man turned his back on him, giving Buck the chance to look at the name on the man's turnout.

It was him.

Buck couldn't help but smile as he rushed over while yelling "Hey! DeLuca!" Sal turned around, his face scrunched in a grumpy frown till he saw that it was Buck who called on him.

"Buck? What the hell are you doing here?"

Here was a major 4 alarm fire at the Harbor UCLA hospital. The 118 and station 12 where called for backup since the fire had spread to communities and shops around the hospital.

"Dealing with this mess." Buck huffed, he was grimy and sweaty, he knew wiping the sweat off his forehead was just smudging the soot around his face more. "Your team okay?"

Sal shrugged, "Yeah, fortunately it was the 231 that had two of their firefighters trapped there for a hot second but luckily they made it out." He gave Buck a once over. "You look better, I mean you still look like crap but I'm betting it has to do with the fact that you and I had to deal with mess for the past five hours."

That got Buck to laugh, he was doing better. He was finally sleeping soundly now.

"Yeah, actually. I got my boyfriend back." Buck couldn't get over the giddiness that came with talking about Tommy being his boyfriend again. "We talked, a lot. And we were both really honest. It definitely wasn't easy but I think we're good." He felt a little bit uncomfortable being so cheery around a rough call, but it was hard to repress the smile over taking his face as he told Sal. "I told him that I love him, and he said he loves me too. So, I think we're gonna be okay."

Sal gave him a rough but playful shove, "Atta boy! Look at that you and your boy freaking talking, glad to hear that you two are freaking acting like two grown ass men."

Buck rolled his eyes, "Anyone ever tell you that you give out the roughest tough love talks ever?"

Sal jutted out his lower lip, shaking his head back and forth as he faked thinking it over. "Yeah actually. Buddy I told you about? The rom com guy usually reminds me I'm an asshole with a heart of gold...usually he adds gold plated but I don't think that's true." He gave Buck a slap on the chest. "Also, come to find out the coglione is already dating a guy and it's pretty serious. So, you might have dodged a bullet there since you turned down my offer to set you up with him."

"The friend you were meaning to get in touch with?" Buck clarified.

"Yeah. I owed the guy a call. He's not like you. You might have killed him. Guy's like a locked box of emotions. I knew you for only like what? Two minutes before I got your dating history? This guy? Known him for over 15 years and he won't even tell me anything about the guy he's seeing now except for the fact that it's serious and he might be the one."

Buck snorted; he could see Sal getting riled up. "Guess it's a good thing you never set us up then?" He thought about Eddie for a minute. He had known Eddie for seven years now, it was hard to imagine keeping a secret from Eddie. He wondered if Sal and the guy were truly friends. "The guy your best friend or something?"

Sal's expression soften, a quick glint of shame passing through his eyes. "Something like that. He and I were best friends, or at least I thought we were. We had a falling out. I thought he didn't have my back when I got transferred from my old station. Told him as much and we basically got into this huge fight and he came out to me. I didn't take it well. I didn't mean what I said to him, I was just angry that he didn't have my back and didn't trust me for all that time." Sal sighed, he looked around the ruined smoldering hospital. "Listen to me going down memory lane like we got time." He chuckled to himself and gave Buck a shake by his shoulder. "Glad that you and your boyfriend got your crap together. I'll see you around Buck."

"Yeah, bye Sal."

It was a little while later when he and the others were getting ready to head back to the station when Buck caught Hen and Chimney staring at Bobby talking to Sal.

Buck didn't think much about it. Figuring it was just a captain of one station chatting with another captain. He was already helping Ravi get their equipment back into the truck and missed Hen and Chimney talking about Sal.

"Never thought I would ever see those two together in the same room again."

"It has been years, just glad to see they both don't have a chip on their shoulders about the past now."

-

Buck had to go home; he had plans to go baby clothes shopping with Maddie.

But making out with Tommy against Tommy's door was just too good to walk away from. He followed Tommy's lips when Tommy pulled away for air.

"Don't you have plans to meet with your sister?" Tommy asked, the words muddled as Buck continued to kiss him- gripping the front of Tommy's shirt so that his boyfriend wouldn't pull back.

"Mmm, yeah. But I can meet her at the store." Buck nuzzled his nose against Tommy's and tried for another kiss but Tommy leaned his head back. "Tommy-"

"You have plans with your sister, and I've got plans for later that I need to get ready for."

Buck pouted at that, of course Tommy was allowed to have his own plans. It just sucked to be separated again. "What sort of plans?" Buck asked, stealing a few kisses in between his question.

"I got invited to a watch party. A buddy of mine always has these watch parties for UCLA and since it’s against USC, he's trying to make it a big thing for all of us."

Buck chuckled, he had been living in LA long enough to know the rivalry between USC and UCLA. He had learned the hard way when he went to a bar wearing a baby blue jersey during a USC game.

"Sounds like fun." Buck realized something then, "I never really got to meet your friends before. You don't really talk about them."

He saw Tommy freeze up. "I mean, we're not close. Sort of hard to maintain friendships in your 30s and 40s. I'm surprised I even got invited."

Buck was ready to argue back, pointing out that he and everyone at the 118 were friends.

But...

"I-I get that. I was always worried about if me or anyone from the team left, would we still be friends." He admitted, he looked at Tommy who looked surprised by Buck's admission. "Yeah I know. We act like a dysfunctional family, but it's always been in the back of my mind. Losing them just because of life, y'know?"

The shimmer in Tommy's eyes had Buck worried. He didn't press but didn't stop Tommy from kissing him again. "I know." Tommy told him once he pulled away from the kiss.

Buck felt relaxed, he touched Tommy's face- his thumb brushing over Tommy's cleft chin. "You should go. You deserve to have fun- cut loose a bit."

"Come with me?"

Buck's brows went up. He opened and closed his mouth; he hadn't expected the invite. He knew there wasn't a "meet the friends" stage with him since Tommy knew his friends before Buck even met them. But meeting Tommy's friends was a different story.

"You sure?"

Tommy nodded his head "yes" and gently cupped Buck's face so that he could kiss Buck's birthmark, his forehead, and then lips. "I'm really sure." Tommy swore. "I think it's time for the people I've known for years meet the man that I see myself being forever with."

Buck was over an hour late meeting with Maddie.

-

Buck didn't know what to expect when he parked his truck a few houses down in the neighborhood that Tommy's friend lived at. The neighborhood was a quaint neighborhood outside of old Pasadena.

He felt a little nervous as he walked up to the house, carrying a bag of two cases of beer and banana loaf. Before he got to ring or knock, the door opened wide to reveal a relieved looking Tommy. "Hey! You made it."

Buck felt his nerves ebb away as Tommy kissed him. "Yeah. Traffic was easy this time, luckily."

Tommy pulled the bag from his hold and led him to the living room. "Hey, got another firefighter for you guys to meet." Tommy was all nerves and smiled as a room full of faces turned to them. Buck vaguely recognized a few firefighters from the 217 (including Lucy who gave him a knowing smile). "This is my boyfriend, Evan Buckley from the 118." Tommy told the crowd.

Buck gave them an excited smile (hearing Tommy call him his boyfriend always caused butterflies) and a brief hand wave. "Nice to meet everyone. You- You guys can call me Buck."

A guy with a UCLA sleeveless jersey and a bunch of tattoos was the first to greet Buck. "Hey, it's nice to meet you man. I'm Manny." Manny hit Tommy in the gut. "About time you showed up with your boyfriend."

Tommy rolled his eyes at that. "Didn't think you would be dying to meet him like this." Tommy looked over at Buck. "They've been super excited to meet you since I told them that you were coming."

"Oh."

Two other people joined them, a woman with long black curly hair and a bunch of gold bangles bracelets on her wrists and another guy who looked like he could be related to the woman. He was taller and sporting an impressive beard streaked with gray.

"Tommy!" The woman cooed excitedly, Tommy on the other hand looked more nervous as the woman and then the man hugged him. The woman looked genuinely sweet as she smiled at Buck. "So, this is the boyfriend you've been so secretive about?" The woman teased. "I can see why you've been hiding him." She winked at Tommy, "You're absolutely gorgeous, glad that my husband didn't follow through with setting this one up on a blind date."

The man next to her chuckled, "That would have been entertaining." He stuck out his hand to Buck. "I'm Arjun."

The woman waved at Buck apologetically before shaking his hand. "Sorry, forgot to introduce myself. I'm Gina." She pointed to Arjun. "His sister."

"Oh, well it's nice to meet you both. How do you guys know each other?" Buck asked, accepting a bottle of beer from Manny who frowned at the question.

Even Gina looked mildly hurt. "Tommy and my husband worked together for years. They were best friends."

Buck looked at Tommy, who just seemed apprehensive now and was clearly clenching his jaw. He knew the signs to look out for when Tommy was getting too into his own head. He took Tommy's hand in his and squeezed tightly. "Well, I can't wait to meet him."

When they had a second alone after making their way through the room and introducing Buck to everyone, Buck pulled Tommy into the kitchen. It was away from the living room where everyone was watching the game and talking loudly .

"You know it's okay if you're not ready to tell your friends about us. I-I mean I'm not gonna take any offense by it." Buck told him as gently as possible. His feelings were hurt but he figured he could talk to Tommy about it later once the watch party was over.

Tommy stepped back, frowning as he asked Buck "What makes you think I want you to leave? Do you want to leave?"

"No. It's just- well, y-you seem to be really uncomfortable around them. I mean they seem to be excited to meet me, but you seem-"

"Tense?"

"Yeah."

Tommy snorted, the irony of their conversation had them both laughing. "I'm not uncomfortable about you being here, I'm glad you're here. It's just-I've been always cautious about anyone from work or the army knowing that I'm gay that it's hard to just remember that they're actually accepting of me."

Buck nodded, understanding that this was a challenge for Tommy considering his past. He grabbed Tommy's waist, pulling him slightly. "You know why they're accepting of you?"

"Why?"

"Because they're your friends." Buck pointed out. "They seem to really like you, Tommy." Tommy scoffed at that, looking away as though the suggestion was ridiculous. "I mean, they don't like you more than I like you. That's impossible." He gently took Tommy's chin between his thumb and index finger. "But I can tell that they really like you, so maybe just let them?"

Tommy was quiet, his mouth pursed and twitching. He let out a sigh that was heavy with emotions that Buck knew Tommy didn't want to explore yet. He let Tommy pull him in for a hug, pressing a kiss onto Tommy's neck as Buck felt Tommy bury his face into Buck's neck.

"I love you." Tommy muttered into Buck's neck.

"I love you too." He gave one last kiss to Tommy's neck and hugged him tighter till Tommy was ready to let go. "You okay to head back in there with your friends?"

Tommy nodded 'yes', "Yeah, I think I am."

The game had yet to get interesting, but the room was full of chatter as Buck and Tommy got comfortable with socializing. Buck was truly enjoying himself, it was nice meeting the people in Tommy's life and watching Tommy let loose with his friends.

The doorbell rang, and Gina was the first to get up. "Oh, finally." she gave Tommy a small smile. "I thought he would take another hour with grabbing the sandwiches."

Buck looked at Tommy, "Her husband?"

Tommy nodded, giving Buck a lop-sided smile as he stood up. "Not exactly ready to face him yet with you. He's not a bad person, just we're still working on being friends again." Tommy gave out his hand for Buck who took it easily. "Ready to meet my Eddie?"

"Do I have to worry about competition now?" Buck asked coyly, earning a strong poke to his side.

"No contest there, Evan. You would win every time."

Buck smiled bashfully at that, leaning closer to kiss Tommy when he heard a familiar voice.

"You gotta be freaking kidding me! Buck?"

Buck couldn't help but laugh, "Sal?" he accepted Sal pulling him into a half hug all while Tommy and Gina watched, each wearing a seemingly confused (mostly Tommy) and entertained (mostly Gina) expressions.

"How do you two know each other?" Tommy asked, pointing at the two of them.

"Remember I told you I got some really rough tough love advice from a firefighter from Norms?"

Tommy's eyes went wide with fear, his arms crossed as he slowly replied "Yeah?"

Sal was grinning like a cat with a canary.

"Meet the firefighter."

Sal waved his arms, still grinning and showboating.

Tommy leaned his head back, "Dear God." he looked at Sal, "You're gonna be more of a smug asshole now, aren’t you?"

Sal let out a loud booming laugh that even had Buck laughing. "You bet your ass I will." he smacked Tommy's stomach. "Look who put on their big boy pants and actually talked about his feelings."

Tommy pinched the bridge of his nose, "How are you an asshole and insightful?"

Sal shrugged, 'I've got layers, you bitch." He looked over at Buck. "Told you this one?" he jutted his thumb at Tommy, "Locked box of emotions. I'm glad you two worked it out." he slapped Tommy upside the head.

"Hey!"

Sal ignored him, "That's for not talking your crap out. I keep telling you people can't read your damn mind, you both were stressing over each other and didn't say a damn word." He pointed at Buck, "I'm not gonna slap your head because you seem more emotionally regulated than this guy. But I will kick your ass if you hurt him."

Buck pressed his lips together momentarily to keep from laughing. He put up his hands placatingly, "Deal."

Sal nodded, pleased that Buck wasn't giving him pushback or making up excuses. "Good." Sal grunted; he gave them a small smirk. "Now I better be invited to your damn wedding, because either way I got you two together."

"Either way?" Tommy echoed back.

"Remember I told you I met a pretty boy who's a firefighter and into dudes?"

Buck and Tommy's eyes widened at the same time, with Tommy groaning into his hands and Buck tilting his head back and laughing.

"This is your buddy who you wanted to set me up with?" Buck asked, Gina looked too entertained, hiding her smile behind her hands as she looked at a forlorn Tommy.

"Yup." Sal bit his lower lip. "Told you I know you well enough to pick your type." he told Tommy. He turned to face Buck again, "Figured he could use a boyfriend like you in his life, someone to remind him that it's okay to let someone in and know him, crappy rom-com flaws and all. You know? Get him to talk and all that crap."

Buck nodded, eyeing Tommy who looked surprised. "Well, happy to report, we're working on it."

"You two better." Sal warned, "Because I can't deal with this one bottling up crap again." he glanced at Tommy again, shaking his head in frustration, "I'm still trying to remind him that I actually like his dumb ass. Figured setting him up with you, the one guy who I thought would be perfect for him and bring some sort of joy into his crappy life would be a good start."

"Really?" Tommy asked, he sounded so earnest that Buck felt himself becoming defensive on his behalf.

Sal looked exhausted; this was clearly a sore topic for them both. "Yeah, you dumb ass." he sighed, rubbing his face, "You gotta stop thinkin' I don't give a crap about you, man. "

Even Buck could pick up the sincerity in Sal's voice. The guy looked like he was really trying hard to prove to Tommy that their friendship meant something.

Tommy nodded, sniffing as he looked mildly uncomfortable. "Yeah, yeah. I know." he mumbled.

"Good." Sal pulled him into a tight hug. "Because I care about you, you dumb asshole."

Tommy let out a wet laugh, "Me too, you jerk."

Gina stood next to Buck, bumping her shoulder into his arm. "This was overdue, wasn't it?" Buck asked, noticing the tears in Gina's eyes. He caught sight of the relieved expression in some of the others faces- including Lucy's.

"Way overdue." Gina wiped away a tear. "I'm glad you and Tommy are back together. I think you're good for him."

Buck smiled down at the ground, he could feel his ears grow warm. "He's good for me too." he admitted.

"Okay, enough with this emotional crap.” Sal declared, throwing his arm over Tommy’s shoulders, “What's USC up by?" Sal asked as he picked up a beer from the table.

"What makes you think USC is winning?" Manny asked, clearly offended. A few others sporting UCLA’s baby blue jersey glared at them.

Tommy scoffed playfully as Buck and him sat back down with the group. "Because it's USC."

Sal, Tommy, and Buck were able to duck right in time as Manny and others threw food at them.

Buck did end up having a lot of fun Tommy's friends.

[nanivinsmoke]

✩ Eat Me, Number One.

✩ allmight x pro!heroFem reader

wanting to get a little taste of the number one hero, during the hero’s banquet.

✩ warnings and tags: public sex, secret sex, ass eating, rough sex, multiple orgasms, nipple play, breeding, size difference, age gap, (late 20s reader), etc.

shout out to my editor, tysm <333!

“fuck, this latex is sticking to my skin. shota, can we go? im not in the mood for this uppity shit, maybe we can get some ramen or something?”

“no, unfortunately the both of us are stuck here. i lost yamada an hour ago, which is really odd since he’s the loudest one out of all of us.” aizawa, your best friend and colleague, replied as he took a bite of the salty chip in his mouth. you sighed and downed the shot in front of you, while tugging on the latex of your hero suit with your free hand.

the three of you were currently attending the annual hero’s banquet, which was made for all heroes to meet and mingle with each other. yamada had spotted the karaoke room and tip-toed away from the group when the three of you arrived, leaving you and aizawa alone. you both hated coming to these things, but yamada forced both of you to come every time.

“gonna find the bathroom and possibly yamada, so we can leave.” your dry-eyed friend gave you a nod before you took your leave; grabbing a shot from a tray a waiter was carrying—downing it like it was nothing. getting hammered was your goal. maybe you could get *him* off of your mind. you maneuvered through the crowd of heros, mind bubbling with thoughts before your eyes landed on the huge figure of the number one hero; allmight.

it might’ve been the liquor finally taking its toll on your body, making your legs feel like jelly or just seeing him period, that had butterflies filling your stomach. you were beyond nervous, it had been months since the last time you’ve seen him. the last time you did wasn’t the best experience. "duty calls" he had said before he ran off. but, you weren’t gonna let that one time stop you from saying ‘hello’ and running off to find the bathroom.

you managed to walk over and tap the bottom of his muscular back, his seven foot frame towering over you as he turned toward you. his usual ‘smiling’ eyes softened when he saw you and he kept that same bright smile like always. “y/n, it’s good to see you.”

“likewise,” you quickly turned on your heels as your memories from that terrible night plagued your mind. “wait—y/n,” he grabbed hold of your wrist and pulled you back towards him, his eyes scanning your face before dropping to your lips, then back up to your eyes. “can we talk?” you gave a quick nod and he pulled you away. you wanted to get answers, closure for the last time you two saw each other, so you could finally stop cringing at the memory.

the older pro hero led you through the crowd and into an empty room, which happened to be the bathroom. the seven foot tall man closed the door behind you both, and locked it—before turning to look at your smaller, yet curvy frame.

“y/n, I just wanted to apologize for last time. it wasn’t your fault that the date ended like that. i never meant to leave you like that. i know duty calls, but I should have never left like that without telling you, i'm sorry.” his voice was soft, sincere, and you could tell by his body language that he truly meant it.

a few months ago, you had went on a date with the number one hero. it was all going good, you had gotten to know each other really well during drinks and when you two had finally made it your table for food, he just disappeared in a blink of an eye. he didn’t call nor try to reach out to you, which made you become very insecure—leading you to believe that he didn’t actually like you.

“you don’t have to apologize—“

“but, i do. you were wonderful and im a little disappointed I couldn’t make this into something more serious; didn’t have the opportunity to kiss you—.”

“you wanted to kiss me?” it was silent for a moment, both of your eyes locked onto each other’s. the more the two of you stared at each other, the more your body temperature rose. everything about him was so captivating. maybe that was a perk of being one of the best hero’s japan has ever seen, but you were definitely falling for him.

it was sudden but his lips were on yours and all you could do was happily accept. your lips melted onto each other’s, dancing a smoother dance than a tango—with your tongue sliding into his mouth, tongues swirling around each other's. you couldn’t fight your growing arousal anymore, the crush that you had on the older man was bigger than ever.

he swiftly picked you up, not breaking the kiss not once. it was like a scene in a movie with the way he handled you. he propped you up against the white bathroom door, while he made love to your mouth. you clutched onto his yellow locks, pulling away from this kiss that had left you breathless. “think you teased me enough, number one. i need more of you.”

he had never been more turned on, until now. with one hand holding you up, he used the other hand to unzip your hero costume—freeing your plump and swollen breasts. allmight quickly wrapped his lips around your tender love buds, began to suck on them like it was the best candy he had ever tasted. you couldn’t suppress your moans; letting them flow freely out of your kiss-bitten lips.

he removed his mouth from your nipples, kissing between your breats and down your stomach. “allmight—please~”

“toshinori,” he corrected with a squeeze to your ass; making you squeal out. you had long forgotten about the party, or the possibility of other people being there.

“toshinori, please. just fuck me already.” he was taken aback by your vulgar words, but it riled him up even more. your hero suit fell down in an instant and he was lifting you off to the other side of the bathroom. using his quirk, he slid the toiletries off the sink’s counter and placed you on your knees—your ass sitting up in the air just for him; allowing him to dive his head right in between.

gasping, you held onto the marble countertop, while he licked your from your ass all the way down to your swollen clit. his fluid mixing with yours created a slippery mess, which caused you to go crazy. no wonder he was considered a pro.

“shit toshi—just like that, fuck…” you bounced your ass back onto his face, his big hands gripped your waist tighter; lips still attached to your wet clit. you could feel your orgasm creeping up on you and you were ready to accept it. however, much to your dismay, he pulled away from your dripping wet backside.

“wait toshi, i was gonna cum.” he ignored you, flipping you over onto your back; looking at you in all your glory before he gripped himself through his suit. “look, im going to warn you. you might not be able to take all of me, and that’s okay—,” you cut off his rambling by replacing his hand with yours on his bulge, fondling it. it left him groaning, eyes shutting from the pleasure.

“i'm a big girl, i can handle it. besides, a hero never backs down from a fight.” he chuckled at your response and gave you one last look, before he let his blue hero suit and briefs fall to the ground; showing all of him.

you could’ve sworn your eyes had fell out of your head due to how widen you opened them. standing about nine inches tall, his cock greeted you; dripping nothing but translucent fluid. it stood against his abs, twitching with need. not only was he lengthy, he was girthy too. you couldn’t help but to gulp as you thought about him entering you.

as much as you were nervous, you swallowed that doubt and angled him towards your aching entrance; after all you were a hero, you couldn’t let this scare you.

pushing him inside of you, you winced at the pressure—you had never been spread open like that. profanities flew out your mouth as he helped push himself inside, your soft walls clenching around his shaft; making him curse lowly.

he was only half way inside, since that’s all that could fit, and he began to move his hips slowly. the more toshinori moved—the wetter you became. soon, the sound of your cunt squelching and your lewd mewls filled the bathroom—driving the older man crazy. he was losing control over himself, each time you made those sexy noises; he wanted to slam himself deeper inside of you. to hear you yelp out and to feel you squeeze around him. to see all the cream build around him. to see how far he could drive you to insanity just by fucking you.

despite being a hero, the way he was thinking about punishing you with his dick; contradicted his heroic beliefs.

you on the other hand felt like you were going to die, in the most pleasurable way possible. each time he plunged inside of you, his thick tip hit your spot everytime—causing your toes to curl so tight; they felt like they were going to fall off. you babbled and moaned as he fucked the living shit out of you, calling his name while an orgasm ripped through you.

this was the most intense orgasm you had ever had. you were disconnected from reality a bit because of it, so you didn’t realize that you were no longer on the sink’s counter and now on the bath’s plush blue rug—until toshinori slammed down into you once again.

“fuck, you just keep getting tighter and wetter!” you had never heard him curse this much before, it was turning you on more and more.

he had you in the mating press position, hitting your most sensitive spot each time, while your hips and his balls met each time. you cunt was beyond wet, your juices dripped out and slid down onto the ground—creating a huge puddle underneath you.

you could feel him twitch inside of you and his strokes became faster and harder. he was cumming, hard.

a knock on the bathroom door startled you, causing you to look at it.

“hey! can you hurry up, i really gotta use it,” a voice could be heard from the other side, following another knock. you looked at allmight, waiting for his next move.

“in a minute….having some—shit—s-s-stomach problems”

“c’mon dude! you’ve been in there for like an hour”

“in a minute!” he yelled back, not stopping his movements. he was going to cum and nothing was going to stop him from finishing. with a few more slams, he released inside of you; while you came once more with him—this time you squirted all over him.

he grabbed your smaller body and rolled over on his back, with you lying on top of his sweaty, naked body.

“we’re going to need a plan to come out of here without them suspecting a thing,” you chuckled, peppering his chiseled face with kisses.

“this is why we have quirks, to get out of situations like this. now let’s get dressed, so i could show you more of why I’m number one~”

[daisyjonesgf]

ivy // finnick odair x f. reader

masterlist

5.3k words

summary: you've loved finnick as long as you can remember, and he's loved you too, but he doesn't want the capitol to know that.

warnings: angst w/ a happy ending, friends to lovers, a slow burn to get together but not to catch feelings, underage drinking, some emotional cheating not on reader or finnick, teenagers being teenagers, finnick kind of being mean to some people, reader runs out of a wedding (her wedding), allusions to the hunger games and trafficking, no use of y/n, unedited

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

The smell of the salty ocean air had always brought you comfort, happiness, anything you could have wished for. It made everything feel so worth it. Long days working, early mornings, a few hours in school, late nights trying to fill in with any freedom you could find, and the few hours of sleep crammed in. All of it was worth it to feel the breeze on your face once again.

“What are you doing out here alone?” A voice interrupted your solace, but it was a voice that you instantly recognized.

“Finnick, you’re back!” You turned to smile at him and his own smile only made you want to smile wider. He’d always had this inherent brightness to him, he was like the sun, always had been. Shining so brightly, providing so much inherent warmth.

“Yeah, you miss me?” Finnick lifted an eyebrow cockily before sitting rather unceremoniously in the sand beside you.

“In your dreams.” You give an all too playful, all too exaggerated eye roll, leaning back on your elbows.

“Oh you know it, honey.” He’s winking and you can’t help but actually roll your eyes this time. It’s been this way between the two of you as long as you can remember, the lighthearted flirting, the playful banter. It just felt so natural whenever you were with him. Finnick kept sitting up and you didn’t prop yourself up until he was putting a bottle in his mouth.

“Oh my god, is that-”

He chuckled, “You know it, snagged some extra bottles off the train when I was getting back a few days ago.” Finnick handed the bottle out and you eagerly took it. He always took a few days to himself when he got back from the Capitol, locked in that big, haunting house of his. Everyone knew better than to ask him about it, you always just counted it as part of his stay at the Capitol. So him “coming back,” was really whenever he reemerged in the streets of District 4.

This alcohol was always so much more pleasant then whatever concoctions people would make at parties, it burned, but not in a way that tasted like pure chemicals. No, this was much more enjoyable, and much more rare. “How rebellious of you, tsk tsk tsk.” You shook your head, tongue clicking as you handed the bottle back to him.

“Anything for you.” He flashed that winning smile that had everyone swooning, a smile you’d forced yourself to be immune to.

“Mmmm, I’m flattered for your crimes to be completely about me, and not you wanting to get shit faced on the beach.”

Finnick put the bottle in the sand between you two, “Of course not, I put wanting to see your shit faced on the beach way above my own needs.

“And what a gentleman you are!” You laughed, picking up the bottle and tilting it towards him before you took another drink of the bubbles.

You weren’t sure long the two of you had spent laughing about every stupid thing you could think of, but the bottle was almost gone, the sun setting. Finnick was picking up handfuls of sand and letting it sift through his fingers, you were letting the last few ways of sunlight warm your face.

“You know who I heard is desperately in love with you?” Your eyes are closed, smiling at the sun as it slowly fades away.

“You? Because I’ve known about that one for years.”

“No, asshole!” You sit up enough to shove him playfully and he’s laughing, which makes you laugh too, he’s so infectious. “Moira!”

Finnick takes what is probably the final sip from the bottle, “Who’s that?”

“You are such a dick, Finnick!” The smile hasn’t left your face though, in fact you’ve been feeling kind of floaty for a while now.

“What? I honestly don’t know, I swear! Should I?”

“Yes! You were flirting with her the other week, her parents run the, god, what do they run?”

“Don’t look at me!”

“Fuck, um, oysters! They do oysters, and you were talking to her at the market, flirting with her.”

“I was not flirting!”

“You were!” You copy his facial expressions, his defensive eyes, trying to suppress every giggle that wants to force its way out.

“That’s how I talk to everyone.”

“Well, I know that, but she doesn’t. Anyways, um…” You’re taking a second to rub your face, trying to regain your train of thought in your fuzzy brain.

“Somebody is shitfaced on the beach!” Finnick is poking at your nose.

“I am not! Oh my god, I’m not. I’m not!”

“Whatever you say, gorgeous. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

“Oh, fuck off! As I was saying, Moira, thinks that the two of you are meant to be or something, that you’re gonna get married someday, I think she’s already planning out the wedding. So, I do need to know what I should be bringing, like what wedding gifts are you-”

“You think you are so funny.” Finnick rolls his eyes.

“You’re the one who’s laughing.”

“No, I am not!” He says, too defensively, and the two of you stare at each other in silence until you’re both cackling. By the time you’ve both stopped the sun is almost all the way down. A comfortable silence has settled between the two of you, “I’m never going to fall in love with anyone.” Finnick breaks the silence, throwing a pebble he found into the water. Your initial instinct is to say something snarky, but with one glance you can tell he’s being serious, the alcohol must have tricked him into being vulnerable. “I’m not going to let them hurt me through that.”

You don’t ask who ‘they’ are, you don’t really need him to say, you’d figured out for yourself what the odd cryptic things he’d mumble really meant. He didn’t need to open up like that if he didn’t want to, you could read him far too easily. “Never?” Your knees move up so you can lay your arms across them and prop up your head.

“Nope, never.” His gaze was trained steadily on the ocean before you both, but yours was on every small expression that could cross his face. You’d memorized every expression he could make.

You didn’t mention that he was only 16, an age that seemed far too young to claim to never love again when he would probably live 70 more years, a sad life to force himself into. He had his reasons though, even if he wouldn’t tell them to you, so you’d respect them. That’s what best friends are for. “Well, you better tell Moira the wedding is off, I feel like she might’ve already bought a dress though, so-”

There it is. He’s smiling again, and you’re successful. You have to make a pact to yourself too though, you can never love him anymore than you do right now, because you already love him far too much.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

“Don’t you dare!” You’re screaming through giggles, running away from the two boys trying to throw you into the ocean. They’re about to catch you when a very recognizable, honey-dripped voice is interrupting them.

“Don’t! It’s her birthday, Caspian just brought in a crate of white liquor.” Finnick says and the boys are off running to drink as much as they can before it runs out. As soon as they’ve moved though, Finnick is sweeping you up in his arms.

“Finnick!” You’re screeching instantly.

“What? You thought I was here to save you? Absolutely not, just wanted to do the honorary birthday girl splash myself!” He throws in some unnecessary spinning on his way to the water and you’re laughing, but not even trying to fight your way out of his arms, before being tossed into the shallow water.

You’re absolutely drenched when you sit up, and he’s trying to stifle his laughter. “You are evil, Finnick Odair! Absolutely evil.” It’s freezing, but in the best of ways, you love nights spent in the water. You brush your hands across your face, getting the water out of your eyes.

“You should’ve known better than to trust me.” His smirk is so unbelievably smug and you hate him for it, hate that you love it.

“Yeah, yeah, you’re right. At least help me up.” You reach out your arm and he sighs, taking it, so you quickly pull him down with you. It was far too easy, and you know he let you do it, but you laugh at him anyways. “What happened to knowing better? Takes to one to know one, I guess.” Before you can get another snarky remark in though he’s digging his fingers into your side, tickling you until you’re gasping for air, sides aching from laughter. “Fin, stop, stop it!” Splashing water at him to try and make him stop, but it does nothing.

He finally halts his actions when a rather annoyed voice is calling out to him, “Finnick!” You both look up to see Moira with her arms crossed, “You said you were only gonna be a minute!”

“Right, sorry.” He runs a hand through his hair, pointing at you with his free hand, “Found her!”

“Yeah, I can see that.” The way she says it is so icy it makes you want to shiver. “Come on, we should get inside, do cake and all that.”

“Yeah.” Finnick stands up, grabbing your hand to pull you up with him, and there’s a second where there’s a pause. Hand still in his as he looks at you, shining so angelic under the moonlight, he has to scold himself for it as he pulls his hand away. You scold yourself as well for even sensing a spark of something, he doesn’t want to fall in love, he won’t. So you need to be okay with that.

The walk back up to his house is quiet besides the sounds of seagulls, or the ocean waves crashing up and down the shore. You hate that you resent Moira, especially when you know she’s going to be let down just as you’ve been. Yet you are, he’s still your best friend, every moment you can have with him is so immensely precious. You don’t need anyone else hogging it up.

You’re shivering by the time you get inside of the house, still completely drenched, and the breeze hadn’t helped a bit. Finnick is quick to get you a towel the moment he looks at you, “Here you go, honey. Can’t have you getting hypothermic on me, especially on your birthday.” His hands rub up and down your arms, over the towel, trying to heat you up faster.

“Well whose fault would that be?” You jab back, but your voice is soft.

“Oh, I’ll make it up to you.” He clicks his tongue, moving a hand to softly move some of the wet hair that’s stuck to your face. His skin is somehow so warm even though he’d gotten just as soaked as you had. His thumb brushing across your face, looking into your eyes as he does it. Part of you hates him for this, he has to know what he’s doing, but you won’t tear yourself away. He’s addicting like that. His hand has just stayed still, holding the side of your face, and it’s as if neither of you can hear the rest of the party going on around you. It’s as if he’s forgotten himself to stare at you.

“Finnick, cake!” God, it’s so hard not to hate Moira nowadays. Her voice pries him away from you, out of the warmth and comfort of his touch.

“I’ve got it.” He still maintains enough eye contact though to show you the eye roll that’s pointed at her. Before he’s disappeared into the kitchen to grab said cake.

You’re sitting on the couch not long after that, fork pushing around your slice, as your eyes try not to bore into Moria’s head. Finnick is surrounded by a small group of people, leaning on the frame of a doorway, being his usual magnetic, sunshine self, and there she is. Draped all over him, laughing just a little too loudly at everything she says. It’s infuriating. You know you shouldn’t be jealous, you have no power over who does or doesn’t let that close to him, and you know he doesn’t love her. It’s still a bubbling anger though, one you try so hard to suppress, that forces itself forward, despite your own wishes. In fact, you beg it not to, but it persists. Why should she get to do that and think she’s so deserving of his love? You love him miles deeper than anybody else even knowing he’ll never love you the same. Someone is trying to talk to you, but you can’t hear a word they’re saying. Eventually you push yourself off the couch, leaving the plate, and are grabbing the last bottle of white liquor to go sit on the porch.

You’ve drunk at least half of the bottle of burning liquor when you hear the door opening behind you, “What’s wrong, honey?” Finnick is sitting right beside you, body heat already exerting off of him.

“Just needed some air.” You lie through your teeth and keep your eyes focused forward as you take another drink.

There’s a pause, he always knows when you’re lying, but he also knows how to read you the same way you’ve learned to read him. He knows better than to bring up why you’d choose to not be honest right now. “They’re looking for you to do gifts.”

You exhale, trying to breath out the negative emotions shrouding you. “I don’t need anything.” You say, finally looking at him.

“Sound the alarms, she’s 17 and too cool for the rest of us now.” He jokes, taking the bottle out of your hand to have a drink himself, shaking his head after gulping it down. “Remind me next time to smuggle more than I usually do, this is disgusting.”

You snort the smallest bit as you look down to the wooden porch, picking at it, when the door is opening again, and it’s that last voice you want to hear. “Finnick, what are you doing?” You are involuntarily grimacing at the sound of her voice, and you really know you shouldn’t, but jealousy isn’t a demon you fight off well.

“Moira?” Finnick isn’t even turning behind him.

“What?” She tries to sound somewhat sweet through the exasperated tone, honestly you’d be annoyed too if you were her, but you’re not.

“Fuck off, bother someone who cares.” He takes another drink from the bottle, and you know how much that probably hurt her, but you’re so glad she’s gone, so glad it was him who said something. Plus, isn’t this what being a teenager is supposed to be like?

“You’re such an asshole.” You say once the door has shut again, but you can’t stop yourself from smiling.

“You were jealous.” Finnick shrugs, taking yet another sip before trying to pass the bottle back to you, but you’re too stunned to speak, let alone grab it back. “What?” He chuckles, giving a cheeky smile.

“I was not!” You argue back when you’ve finally been able to regain some speech, feeling your cheeks burning up. Grabbing the bottle from his hand to chug some of the liquor down.

“I know you were, you don’t have to lie about it, it’s fine. She’s gone now.” He’s drunk, that much is abundantly clear. This is the sort of stuff that’s always remained unsaid between the two of you.

“You don’t need to do that for me.” You finally let yourself react, stop being defensive. There’s no point in hiding from a truth that you both know. It’s so mean of him though, to know you love him yet carry on playing with you as he does. Is it worse for you to let him?

“Not like her and I were going anywhere, anyways.” He cocks his head to the side.

“You knew what she wanted, Finnick, don’t be cruel.” You finish the rest of the bottle and stare into the dark night before you.

“Do you think I’m cruel?” Finnick’s voice feels so vulnerable, letting a small piece of that side of him break through.

You sigh, and you do want to reassure him, but when he’s being like this it feels more harmful to lie to him, so you divert, “Don’t think twice, it’s alright.” He might not be cruel, but that doesn’t mean that’s not how you feel deep down. He looks down at the ground, nodding, frowning a little, “Fin-” You instantly want to take it back, you’re not trying to hurt him.

“I don’t want to hurt you, I’m sorry.” He turns his head to look at you, and you avert your gaze forward again before standing suddenly.

“We should go inside, she’s right, we’re keeping everyone waiting.” You go to turn towards the door.

“Honey.” He’s grabbing your arm and you turn around to look at him, trying to ignore the way his touch tingles up the rest of your arm. You look at him expectantly and suddenly his lips are pressed to yours. He tastes like you’d imagined he would, like honey and saltwater. This only furthers the proof that he can’t help but be somewhat cruel, you know this will change nothing, and yet you can’t pull away. So you kiss him back, it’s really so brief, and you can taste the alcohol on both of your breaths as well, but this is the only time this can ever happen so you let it. When he finally pulls away he just rests his forehead against yours and you notice that he’s crying. So you don’t say a thing, just let him. He presses another kiss to your forehead when he’s finally been able to force the tears away, and it’s time to head back inside. With the silent acceptance that neither of you will talk about this ever again, and you keep to that promise.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

“I hate him.” Finnick remarks, throwing a random rock he found into the waves.

“Well, it’s a good thing you're not the one dating him then, isn’t it?” You stretch your arms out to let the wind fully engulf your body.

Finnick glowers at you, “I should have some say, you’re my best friend, I’m just looking out for you.”

“I don’t need you looking out for me, Finnick!” You say it too harshly and your laugh is much too incredulous for either of your tastes. “Sorry. Finn, I know you mean well.”

“Then just listen to me, not him, okay? Anyone, but him.” He’s turning to you, pleading, grabbing your hands in the warmth of his.

“Finnick, you said the same thing about Irving-” He’s about to cut you off with some excuse, but you don’t let him, “And Malik, you can’t do it to Lir too!”

“Don’t we have veto power? Like, with Moira!”

“I didn’t ask you to do that, Finnick, and it was two years ago! We’ve grown up and I have let you veto and veto, but Finnick, I- I don’t want to be alone forever!” You knew eventually this conversation would have to be had, especially now, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

“You’re not alone, you’re never going to be alone.” Finnick is letting go of one of your hands to cradle your head and you don’t know why you let him when you should try to pull away.

“You know what I mean.” He does, you both do, and the waves crash as the words settle into the recesses of each of your brains. Finally he’s letting go of you completely, rubbing his face, trying to hide his emotions somehow. “Finnick, listen…” He looks up at you expectantly, raising an eyebrow in a way that feels somewhat scathing, but you have to brave it. Despite the fact that you can feel your heart beating out of your chest and that you are completely sick to your stomach, “Lir and I, we’re, we’re, um, fuck, Finnick, Lir and I are getting married.”

Whatever he expected you to say it most certainly wasn’t that and his reaction makes it seem like you’ve just shot him in the chest. You so desperately want to take it back, but you know that you can’t. You have to move on, you can’t let your life be dedicated to wishing for a love that he’ll never commit to giving you. Then you’re shocked because he’s laughing, sliding himself back into his cocky persona.

“Honey, you’re 19. This is a life commitment, don’t act out like this.” The idea that you’re ‘acting out’ makes you angrier than you’ve ever been with him in your life.

“Finnick, you know better than anyone that someone’s life can be gone like that.” You snap your fingers, “I want to live my life!”

He nods, angrily, swallowing, “So, you love him?”

“He loves me.”

This time Finnick’s laugh is cold, biting, “And that’s fair to him, how? Wow, I’d expect more from you, honey-”

“Don’t you fucking dare.” The way you say it makes him still, he’s never seen you like this before, never heard your voice be so rigid. “I never said it was fair, do you think I feel like I’m doing the right thing? Because I don’t. Fuck, it keeps me up at night, I know, he deserves better, I fucking know that. And it’s so selfish, but what about me?” The tears have started slipping down your face before you can stop them, it’s like you’re trying to choke on them. “I want to be loved, really, truly loved. And maybe it will haunt me for the rest of my days, but it’s the only thing I have ever really wanted.” You take a second to let yourself breath, to wipe some of the tears away, “Finnick, I have never pushed you, or asked you, I have done exactly what you wanted because I respect your decision. You don’t even have to tell me why, you never do, but if I can’t be with the person who I love, why can’t you let me have this?”

You’ve finally calmed down your tears and your breathing has become steady once again, and Finnick is nodding slowly. “You’re right, I’m sorry. You’re not selfish for that.” He finally says.

“Thank you.”

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

The soft fabric of the dress is so comforting on your skin, not itchy like you’d expect a wedding dress to be. No, it’s flowy and the wind is sure to make it billow around you. One of your bridesmaids, Nerissa, is weaving flowers into your hair with the seashells that had been so carefully attached to the little pins. As always, the sound of the ocean waves through the open window relaxes any nerves that tried to approach.

“You look beautiful.” Finnick’s voice startles you and you smile at him in the mirror.

“Finnick! What are you doing here?” You ask and Nerissa tries to stick in one final pin.

“I know technically I shouldn’t sneak in before it starts, but I have something for you.” He’s got a twinkle in his eye as he approaches, and you can’t not smile back at him. Nerissa moves and suddenly he’s standing beside you, carefully moving your hair out of the way. Finnick adjusts a necklace onto your neck, glistening pearls, you notice they’re blue, the rarest color.

“Oh, Finn.” Your fingers trace across them as he clasps the necklace together/

“I got them for you last time I was in the Capitol, made me think of you.” His face is then right next to yours, warm cheek pressed to yours, “Something new and something blue.” He’s got that award-winning, cheeky smile, but there’s something sad in his eyes that makes you sad too.

“Thank you.” You turn to actually face him and say the words so softly, even though you know you shouldn’t, like you’re trying to let him know that you do still love him. Finnick looks at you, smirk turning into a soft smile.

“Of course, honey.” A nickname he definitely shouldn’t be using, but you don’t care, and he raises his hand to brush a stray hair behind your ear. His burning touch is so comforting, and yet it unearths all the anxiety about what you’re doing, all the anxiety you’ve been trying to push down. Suddenly he seems to realize what he’s doing and pulls his hand away, which you accidentally chase after. “You really do make the most beautiful bride.” Finnick straightens himself and stands up, about to walk out, “Oh, and I got you another gift, out on the table, a proper gift. And, I snuck some good bottles of champagne out onto the table.” He smiles and you can’t resist smiling and chuckling back at him.

“Thank you.” You watch him go so fondly, and then have to shake yourself off a bit. You need to remember what you’re about to do, why, you can’t get distracted. You want him so bad, but he can’t be the one you need, it’s not him.

That’s the mantra you repeat to yourself when you’re finally about to walk down the aisle. You’re so thankful that it’s on the beach, desperately wishing for the sound of the waves, the smell of the ocean, the feeling of its misty breeze to give you the same comfort it always does, but it refuses. The churning of your stomach refuses to subside as you clutch onto the arm of your father to try and not fall, as your feet are starting to feel resistant. This happens to every bride though, right? Nerves are common, so is the feeling of cold feet, but you can do this. You have to do this. It’s the closest thing you’re ever going to have to the life you really want, to who you really want.

You feel almost like you’re out of your body as you walk down the seemingly infinite aisle. Lir is smiling so sweetly, he is so sweet, with his bright blue eyes, the curl of his brown hair, but you can’t stop your brain from filling all those attributes in for a sea green pigment instead, or waves of blonde. You’re scared your bouquet might break from how tight your fingernails are crushing into it. Everything feels heavy, you can’t even hear the waves anymore, just the rapid beat of your heart. You wonder if you look as terrified as you feel, that’s the last thing you need. Maybe it does just look like nerves though, if you’re really lucky.

When you finally reach the end, you’re trying not to visibly hyperventilate, and as your father lets go of you to sit down you try to look at him, to ask for some sort of help, but he doesn’t seem to notice. “Are you okay?” Lir asks you quietly, brow furrowed. You don’t know why you nod, you do, because you need this, but you know you shouldn’t. You’ve never felt more trapped even if it’s a cage of your own making. “You look stunning.” He whispers before looking back at the officiant who is going on about something. You try to smile, but your eyes dart around the audience, looking for someone they most definitely shouldn’t be looking for. “I’ve never seen that necklace before-” Lir says something else, but you don’t hear it, your fingers trace up to it, feeling each bump.

Every movement, even your breathing suddenly freezes, “I’m so sorry.” You quickly blurt out, staring at Lir, and you really do feel bad, but that guilt isn’t nearly as terrible as the way you feel like you might suffocate. Everything has stopped, even the drone of the officiant, and you are so aware of everyone’s confused eyes being on you, so you make a run for it. Dropping the bouquet and suddenly you feel freer than a bird.

The ocean air is whipping around you and you are getting as far as you can away from all of it. Ripping off your sandals as you go, just letting your feet feel the coarse sand of the beach. Your cheeks feel frozen from the mist hitting them so harshly, but it makes you feel so alive. Most of the flowers and pins of seashells have probably been flung around the ground, the path of you. You keep running until you can’t breathe anymore, until your sides are burning and aching in the best of ways, a fire that burns so perfectly. Letting yourself stop in the water, it wades up to your knees, and you like the dress better that way too. This is what is real.

“Fuck!” You exclaim to no one but yourself as you stare at the sky, spinning in the water. Feeling the sun beat down on you, laughing at yourself, at everything, at nothing in particular.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Suddenly Finnick’s grabbing your arms, steadying you, his cheeks are bright red and you can tell he was running after you. “If it’s just nerves, he’ll understand, everyone will, you can go back, honey.” You’re smiling as you shake your head and he’s furrowing his brow in confusion. “Isn’t this what you want?”

“Oh my god, no! I thought I did, but no.” You press a hand to your forehead, and then to his chest, “And don’t think this is me trying to make you do something that you don’t want, Finn. It’s not, I respect you too much for that, I just, I thought that I needed that, that I needed someone to love me, but I can’t do that to someone. I can’t just hope to love him eventually because that’s just not going to happen, I can’t give up the only thing that might let me.”

Finnick still looks confused as you maintain your smile, your breathing finally allowing itself to go back to normal, “Are you absolutely sure?”

“Yes, oh my god, yes! I’ll be an old maid by the sea, I don’t care, I can’t do it!”

Finnick takes a deep breath and something about the way he does it just tells you exactly what he’s going to say, “Honey, I-”

“I know, Fin, I’ve always known, but I also know you have your reasons for what you do. It’s enough for me to just know.”

He looks at you, like he’s thinking just for a second, “No it’s not.”

“What?”

“That’s not enough. It’s not enough for you, and it’s definitely not enough for me. They can’t have all of me! Maybe it’s selfish, but I want this one thing for myself.”

“You don’t have to say it just because I-”

“I’m not! I almost let you marry another man and I realized, it wasn’t worth it. If you want this, and I want this, let’s just do it. I’ll figure everything else out, just, you should marry me. Please.”

The shock almost stops you from doing anything at all, but the excitement far overcomes that. You pull him in, kiss him, and his hands find your face. Melting into his touch, and never had life felt so right. Wind billowing around, sun shining down, and come what may, at least you have each other.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

As always, thank you so much for reading. Likes, comments, reblogs, and asks are always much appreciated. I love you all, and I hope you enjoyed this, I really enjoyed writing it, and I cried while I did 💋

[freeabortionslol]

first day at the lake house (lake house gc x reader fic) feat. jack hughes, luke hughes, quinn hughes, trevor zegras, cole caufield ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

summary: !!this stems from the lake house group chat so if you haven't read those you should!! reader is apart of the lake house friend group, flirtatious with each boy, this fic is pretty crucial to the plot I can't lie, i put in a lot of comedic moments (bc ik y'all love those), TENSIONNN, a little bit of angst towards the end, each guy has their own nickname for her (ex. babe, sunshine, princess, sunny, and bunny) warnings!! cursing, angst, i only proofread once (I think that's it) a/n: ahhhh!!! finally the FIRST lake house fic (I say first bc I cannot wait to write more of these). this one is pretty long which I did by accident so bare w me. please keep sending suggestions they're so fun to read!! quinn & jack lovers, this fic is for you. love u lots <3 wc: 11.4k lake house series masterlist

The harsh Michigan sun slipped through the thin curtains of the lake house, waking you in almost an instant. You grabbed the dark throw blanket off the ground, covering your face to shield your eyes. You shuffled, trying to settle in more carefully on the half deflated air mattress so you could get just five more minutes. You maybe got two hours of sleep last night, being kept awake by Trevor’s snoring from the bed above. Several times throughout the night, Cole got frustrated with his snoring and kicked him. Trevor kicked him right back, sending Cole straight down to your mattress. He never landed directly on top of you as you chose to sleep as far away from the boys as possible, but he did come close. It happened four times (yes you counted) throughout the night, deflating your mattress little by little each time Cole’s body was thrown down. You closed your eyes, balling your body up under the blanket as you quickly let yourself drift back to sleep.

“Oh my god, shut up!” Cole groaned sleepily at Trevor who was too deep into his slumber to hear. You heard the shuffle of Cole’s foot reaching to kick Trevor, rolling your eyes at what was about to happen. You pulled the blanket from off your head, moving over to the side to give Cole some space to land. Just five seconds later, Cole let out a slight scream, falling right next to you on the air mattress. You turned to look at him, anger evident in your eyes as he made himself comfortable on your makeshift bed. You quickly grabbed the pillow your head was lying on to hit him square in the face. 

“Ow! Trev-” He paused, opening his eyes which softened at the sight of you, even if you were furious. “Oh. Hey, baby.” He said with a soft smile, letting his eyes shut again as he reached his arm around to pull you close to him.

You pulled yourself out of his grasp, scooching closer to the edge of the mattress as you sat yourself up straight. “Don’t ‘hey baby’ me!” You groaned, your mind still not fully awake. “You assholes kept me up all night!” Cole kept his eyes shut, nodding his head as he listened to your incoherent words. 

“Should’ve just slept down here with you.” He mumbled through his sleepy state, snaking his arm around your waist to pull you down. You scoffed, moving out of his grasp to stand next to the mattress. You crossed your arms, looking at Trevor who had his whole body splayed across the bed, then down at Cole whose smaller frame still managed to take over your territory. Somehow, the two boys were able to continue their sleep, even with the bright light shining through the window. You stared down at the scene before you, shaking your head in disbelief. It was like babysitting two toddlers who had somehow gained the bodies of grown men. Cole was already softly snoring again, his arm flung over the edge of the deflated air mattress where you had been moments before. Trevor, meanwhile, let out a particularly loud snore, causing him to twitch and sprawl even further across the bed above. You picked up a pillow from off the ground, throwing it at Trevor whose body didn’t even flinch at the action. You took one last look at the boys before huffing out your breath and exiting the room. You walked down the hallway, your legs wobbling slightly through your sleepy state. You were pissed when you found out you’d have to share a room with Trevor and Cole this trip. Normally it was Jack who shared with the two of them in his room, but he decided this year he wanted to “Bunk alone. For the greater good, you know?” whatever that means. The spare bedroom where you slept every year (alone might I add) had been quickly invaded by the two most testosterone filled creatures you knew, and you were not happy in the slightest. The lake house had always been your escape, but this year it felt more like torture. You made your way down the stairs, hair messy, voice groggy as Luke’s Michigan t-shirt fell slightly past your athletic shorts. You walked to the kitchen, grabbing a glass to pour yourself some water. 

“Mornin’” You heard a low voice hum through the quiet of the kitchen. You turned your head slowly, seeing Quinn walking down the stairs to the kitchen. His hair was ruffled messily in his face while the neckline of his t-shirt hung low. You tried your best to send him a smile as you continued to fill your glass at the fridge dispenser. He walked closer, placing a hand on your lower back as he shuffled behind you to get to the pantry which sent a quick shiver down your spine. 

“Morning,” you mumbled back, your voice still heavy with exhaustion as you sipped your water. The cool liquid soothed your dry throat, but it did little to fix the throbbing headache that lingered from your sleepless night.

Quinn grabbed a box of cereal from the pantry, his movements slow and deliberate, clearly still half-asleep himself. “Rough night?” he asked, his tone light but laced with understanding.

You let out a bitter laugh, rubbing your hands against your face. “Rough doesn’t begin to cover it.” You said, leaning against the counter as you looked at him. “Trevor snored all night, and every time he snored, Cole would kick him. Then, Trevor would kick Cole back, sending him flying down to my mattress.” Quinn’s face cringed up as you spoke. “Four motherfuckin’ times. And each time, my mattress deflated just a little more.” 

Quinn chuckled softly, pouring himself a bowl of cereal. “Sounds about right. I told Jack you’d kill him for sticking you with those two.”

“Oh, I’m definitely killing him,” you replied, crossing your arms. “This lake house is supposed to be my sanctuary, not…whatever that was.” You gestured toward the ceiling, as if the chaos of the night was still lingering above you. 

Quinn smirked, grabbing the milk from the fridge and shaking his head. “Jack probably thought it’d be funny. He’s always been the king of passing off the worst roommates.”

“Well, his reign ends today,” you muttered, rubbing your temple. “I’m moving to the couch if I have to. No way I’m surviving another night like that.” 

Quinn paused mid-pour, glancing up at you with a hint of mischief in his expression. “You know…” he started, “My room’s always an option. No snoring, no body-slamming. Just saying.”

You raised an eyebrow at him, skeptical. “Is that your way of offering me your bed while you take the floor, or are you actually trying to convince me to sleep with you?” 

He grinned, unbothered by your teasing tone. “I’m offering you peace and quiet. What you make of it is up to you.”

You rolled your eyes, but you couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at your lips. ��I’ll think about it,” you said, taking another sip of water.

“What the hell are you guys doing?” Luke shouted, his voice piercing through the quiet air as he ran into the kitchen. “It’s the first day at the lake! We’re wasting perfectly good hours of sunlight here.” You glared at Luke as you chugged the water, sending him a stern look. 

Quinn sighed, walking over to put an arm around your shoulders. “I think little miss sunshine over here needs a nap.” 

“She looks more like little miss raincloud.” Luke let out with a light chuckle. You quickly stretched out your leg, sending him a kick to the shin. “What the hell-”

“Stop being a dumbass.” You interrupted with a stern tone to your voice. 

Luke rubbed his shin dramatically, his face a mix of confusion and mock offense. “We just got here, and you’re already assaulting me?” 

“Consider it a warning,” you said, setting your glass down on the counter and narrowing your eyes at him. 

Quinn chuckled, keeping his arm around your shoulders. “She didn’t sleep last night. Trevor and Cole made sure of that.” 

“I heard my name, what’s going on?” Trevor came jogging down the stairs looking way too happy for your liking.

You groaned audibly, your head dropping into your hands as Trevor bounded into the kitchen, his grin almost as obnoxious as the snoring that kept you up all night. "Why are you so chipper?" you asked, your voice dripping with exhaustion and irritation.

Trevor shrugged, grabbing a banana from the fruit bowl. “Got a great night’s sleep, that’s why.” He peeled the banana, dramatically biting into it. “Man, I feel amazing.”

You glared at him, your patience wearing thinner by the second. “Oh, I’m so glad someone enjoyed their night.”

Trevor tilted his head, clearly enjoying your misery. “What’s the problem? Air mattress too lumpy for ya?”

“She’s mad because you snore like a freight train,” Quinn interjected, smirking as he leaned against the counter. “And because Cole used her mattress as a trampoline every time you kicked him off the bed.”

Trevor laughed, a full, hearty laugh that echoed through the kitchen. “That’s hilarious! Why didn’t anyone wake me up? I would’ve joined in.”

Your jaw dropped. “Are you serious right now? I barely survived the night because of you two.”

Luke, still nursing his bruised shin, smirked from the corner. “You really should’ve just slept outside.”

“That’s it,” you said, throwing your hands up and stomping toward the doorway. “I’m finding Jack. At least he won’t mock me to my face.” 

Trevor called after you, still grinning. “Tell him we need more snacks! Oh, and maybe some earplugs for tonight!” You flipped him off without looking back, earning a loud cackle from the kitchen.

As you stepped into the living room, the sound of Jack's voice floated down from the upstairs balcony. "Yeah, I knew this would happen," he was saying, clearly talking to someone on the phone. "But hey, it’s not my problem."

You stormed up the stairs and into his room, ready to give him a piece of your mind. “Jack Hughes!” you yelled, startling him mid-sentence. He looked up at you, wide-eyed, as you jabbed a finger in his direction. “We need to talk. Now.” 

Jack stared at you, the phone still pressed to his ear as he sat up in his bed. “Uh, I’m gonna have to call you back,” he said quickly, hanging up before you could even see who he was talking to. He set the phone on the nightstand and raised his hands defensively. “Okay, okay, don’t kill me. What’s this about?” 

“What’s this about?” you repeated, your voice dripping with sarcasm. “This is about you deciding to ditch Trevor and Cole on me. I know you masterminded this. ‘For the greater good,’ my ass.” 

Jack’s lips twitched like he was fighting a smile, which only fueled your anger. “I didn’t think it’d be that bad,” he said, trying to sound innocent. “I mean, come on, they’re not that annoying.” 

You shot him a glare so intense it could’ve melted steel. “They are exactly that annoying. Trevor’s snoring was like sharing a room with a lawnmower, and Cole-” You stopped yourself, throwing your hands up. “I don’t even have words for what Cole did to my air mattress.”

Jack finally broke, laughing so hard he nearly fell off the bed. “Oh man, this is even better than I thought.” 

“It’s not funny, Jack!” you snapped, but his laughter was contagious, and you felt the corner of your mouth twitch despite yourself. 

He wiped a tear from his eye, still grinning. “Okay, fine, I’ll make it up to you. How about this, you can sleep in my room tonight. I’ll take the couch.” 

You narrowed your eyes at him, weighing your options. As much as you hated giving him the satisfaction, a full night’s sleep in a decent bed sounded like heaven. “Fine,” you said, pointing at him. “But you’re on thin ice. Scoot over.” You quickly walked over to climb into bed next to Jack, making yourself comfortable under the blankets. 

“What are you doing?” He asked, grinning down at you from his sitting position. 

You looked up at him once and then closed your eyes, shifting your head against the pillow. “Taking a nap in my bed.”

Jack raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. “Your bed, huh? I don’t remember signing off on that.” 

Without opening your eyes, you muttered, “You forfeited ownership when you subjected me to Trevor and Cole. Consider this reparations.” 

He chuckled, shaking his head as he scooted over to make room. “Fine. But if you start snoring, I’m kicking you out.” 

You peeked one eye open, glaring at him. “Unlike some people in this house, I have normal human sleep habits. No snoring, no body-slamming, no dramatics.” 

Jack leaned back against the headboard, crossing his arms. “Guess we’ll see about that.”

“Not if you don’t shut up and let me sleep,” you mumbled, already nestling deeper into the blankets. The bed was ridiculously comfortable, and the faint scent of Jack’s cologne lingering on the pillow didn’t hurt either. Within minutes, your body began to relax, exhaustion taking over. Jack stayed where he was, scrolling on his phone and glancing at you every so often. The corners of his mouth tugged upward as he watched your breathing slow, your features softening in sleep. Despite the chaos earlier, he couldn’t help but feel a little smug. As you shifted slightly, your hand brushed against his leg, and Jack froze, his gaze flicking down to where your fingers rested against his knee. A faint blush crept up his neck, but he quickly shook his head, muttering to himself. “Nope. Nope.” Still, he didn’t move, staying right where he was to make sure you got your much needed nap. After all, if you woke up cranky again, he was pretty sure you’d murder someone, and it probably wouldn’t be Trevor or Cole. Jack scrolled mindlessly on his phone, glancing at you every now and then as you slept peacefully beside him. He couldn’t help but chuckle quietly at the contrast between your current state and the fiery temper you’d displayed just an hour ago. He was used to your sarcastic remarks and quick comebacks, but seeing you this calm, curled up in his bed, was different. He sighed, tossing his phone to the side and letting his head fall back against the headboard. It was still early in the day, but the lake house was already buzzing with chaos. From the sounds of it, Trevor had probably convinced Luke to start some sort of ridiculous competition outside, and Quinn was likely refereeing with an eye roll and a resigned sigh. Jack was tempted to join them, but his eyes drifted back to you. He knew you’d been looking forward to this trip as much as anyone, and now, thanks to his little prank with the room assignments, you were already worn out. Maybe he’d gone too far this time. You stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent as you shifted closer to his side. Jack froze, not wanting to wake you, but when your head lightly bumped against his arm, he couldn’t stop the small smile that crept across his face.

 “Great,” he muttered under his breath, his tone dripping with mock annoyance. “Now I’m a pillow.” You didn’t respond, of course, but your fingers curled lightly into the fabric of his hoodie, and Jack’s heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t used to this; being this close to you without the usual teasing or bickering. It felt...nice. 

The sound of the door slamming downstairs startled him, followed by Trevor’s unmistakable shout. “Jack! Where are you? It’s boatin’ time!” Jack groaned, glancing down at you. Your face scrunched up slightly at the noise, and he could tell you were seconds away from waking up. 

Before you could fully stir, Jack leaned down, his voice soft. “Do you wanna go for a boat ride or stay here longer?” 

You let out a heavy sigh, moving your head from Jack’s arm to rub your eyes. “I guess I should probably go.” He smiled down at your sleepy state, running his hand through your hair as you woke up. 

Jack’s touch was light, almost hesitant, as his fingers combed through your hair. “You sure?” he asked softly, his grin teasing but warm. “I can fend them off if you wanna sleep longer.”

You groaned, sitting up and stretching your arms above your head. “If I stay, they’ll just find a way to drag me out of here anyway,” you muttered, your voice still thick with sleep. Your eyes flicked to Jack, catching the way he was watching you. His grin softened into something gentler, and it made your stomach flip in a way you weren’t prepared for.

“Fair point,” he said, standing up and offering you his hand. “Come on, princess. Let’s go tame the animals.” You took his hand lightly, letting go as soon as you stood up. You and Jack parted ways when you reached the spare room. He made his way downstairs to the dock while you put on your bathing suit. You entered the room, not bothering to lock it since everyone was already outside. You let out a dramatic yawn, stretching your arms above your head before grabbing your swimsuit. You opted for a forest green triangle bikini with side tie bottoms. You stared at yourself in the mirror for a moment before taking off your shirt, just looking at your tired eyes. Dark circles had formed and you looked utterly exhausted. You grasped the hem of your shirt, pulling it over your head in one swift motion before removing your shorts. You slipped on the bottoms first before reaching for your top. You slipped it over your body first, then flipped the backside to the front to retie the strings. You were topless fiddling with the strings when you heard the door swing open.  

“Hey babe-” Cole stood at the door, stopping in his tracks when he caught sight of you with no top. He was like a deer in headlights, making direct eye contact with your breasts. His mouth parted slightly as his eyes widened. 

“Cole! Get out!” You yelled, knocking him back into reality. He covered his eyes with his hands as he let out a slight scream.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” He cried out as he stood there with his eyes covered. “I didn’t see anything! I swear!” 

You stood there, flustered as you tried to cover yourself with your arms. “Why are you still standing there?!” You scolded. 

“I-I-I-I don’t know!” He shook his head, still standing there. 

You shook your head, letting it hang for a moment. “Oh my god. Oh my god.” You muttered. “Get out, Cole!”

“Okay! Okay! I’m sorry!” He cried out, still in disbelief at what he’d just seen. He turned his body around, eyes still covered as he walked towards the door. His memory of the layout had betrayed him quickly as his head made direct contact with the door in front of him. You quickly tied your bikini top on before walking closer to him. 

You sighed, torn between annoyance and concern, as Cole stumbled slightly, rubbing his forehead. “Cole, are you okay?” you asked, your voice a mix of exasperation and amusement.

He peeked through his fingers, cautiously lowering his hands when he realized you were now covered. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” he mumbled, avoiding eye contact as a bright blush spread across his cheeks. “Didn’t mean to barge in…I didn’t know you were in here.” As he turned to leave, the door swung open again. This time revealing Quinn, who immediately froze, taking in the scene. You in your swimsuit, Cole looking flustered and guilty. 

Quinn’s eyebrows shot up. “Uh... what’s going on here?”

Cole stammered, pointing at you as if that would somehow explain everything. “I-it’s not what it looks like!”

You pinched the bridge of your nose, already feeling the headache forming. “Cole accidentally walked into the room while I was changing. End of story.” 

Quinn’s lips twitched, but he fought to keep a straight face. “Accidentally, huh?” He glanced at Cole, then back at you, his teasing smirk forming. “You sure you weren’t just trying to put on a show, sunshine?”

Your face burned as you shot him a glare. “Quinn, don’t even start.” 

Cole held up his hands, desperate to escape the situation. “I’m leaving! I’m leaving!” He practically bolted out the door, muttering apologies under his breath as Quinn stepped aside to let him pass. 

You groaned, dropping onto the edge of the bed. “If anyone makes one joke about this, I’m throwing them off the boat.” You looked up at Quinn who was wearing a perfect, teasing smile. He had his yankees hat on backwards, his canucks shirt fitting perfectly over his build. If you weren’t stressing about the moments just before, you’d be absolutely drooling over him right now. 

Quinn chuckled, pushing off the door to walk closer. “Don’t worry, I’ll back you up. But for the record...” He sat beside you, tilting his head to catch your eyes. “I don’t blame Cole for freezing. You’re kind of hard to look away from.” 

Your heart skipped a beat at his tone, and you playfully shoved his shoulder. “You’re impossible.” 

He laughed, standing up and extending a hand to you. “Come on, Sunshine. Let’s go make sure Trevor hasn’t capsized the boat yet.” 

You rolled your eyes but took his hand, letting him pull you to your feet. “If he has, we’re throwing him in the lake.”

Quinn grinned, his hand lingering in yours for a moment longer than necessary. “Deal.” Quinn led you out of the room, his hand brushing yours as you both descended the stairs toward the dock. Outside, the sun glinted off the water, and the sound of laughter and splashing filled the air. Trevor was already in the lake, standing on the edge of the boat, waving his arms dramatically. 

“Come on!” He yelled. “We're losing precious hours of sunlight!” You scoffed and rolled your eyes as you and Quinn made your way down to the dock. You slipped one of Cole’s t-shirts over your head that you’d swiped from the room before heading down, not wanting to be fully exposed just yet. “O’captain o’captain,” Trevor started with a terrible fake British accent. “Come to ye mighty wheel and commandeer this ship from lord Luke.” 

You made your way onto the boat, sending Trevor a nudge that almost pushed him into the water. “Shut up.” You mumbled, taking your spot in one of the seats, isolated from everyone else. You tucked your legs underneath yourself as you leaned your elbow on the edge of the boat. 

You looked over at Trevor who rebalanced himself, jumping back into the boat with a smug grin. “Heard about your ‘bodacious rack’.” He said with a slight laugh. Your face flushed and you scoffed, turning to Cole who sat in front of you.

Fear struck his eye at the sight of your glare. “You told them that?” You scolded. 

“No, no! T-That’s not what I said.” He let out with a nervous laugh and a sheepish smile, straightening his posture. 

“Uh, that’s exactly what you said.” Luke chimed in, taking a sip of his beer. 

Your jaw dropped, a mix of shock and irritation bubbling up as you glared at Cole. “Seriously?” you said, crossing your arms. “Cole, you’ve got about five seconds to explain yourself before I toss you in the lake.” 

Cole raised his hands defensively, his face already bright red. “Wait, wait, wait! It wasn’t like that- I swear! I didn’t say it like that.” 

Trevor, of course, was grinning like the Cheshire cat. “Oh, but you did, buddy. Don’t try to backtrack now.” He mimicked Cole’s voice, dramatically exaggerated. “‘Man, I saw everything. Her whole top was down and she’s got this bodacious rack.’ Classic, Cole.” 

Luke snorted into his beer, clearly enjoying the show, while Quinn groaned from the driver’s seat, his head falling back slightly in exasperation. “Trevor, do you ever stop instigating?”

Trevor placed a hand over his heart, feigning innocence. “I’m just here to deliver the truth.”

Cole stammered, his words coming out in a jumbled mess. “I-I didn’t mean it like- like that! It was…it was an observation, okay?!” His hands flew up as if that would somehow help his case. “I was just- it slipped out, and then Trevor-” He gestured wildly toward Trevor, who was enjoying this far too much. “He made it worse!”

You raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Oh, so it’s Trevor’s fault now?”

“Absolutely!” Cole nodded enthusiastically, latching onto the lifeline. “Trevor twisted my words!” 

You rolled your eyes, biting back a laugh despite your irritation. Turning to Quinn, who was still steering the boat, you said, “Can we leave Trevor and Cole stranded on an island somewhere?”

Quinn smirked, glancing at you over his shoulder. “Tempting, but then who would provide the entertainment?”

“Jack can,” you quipped, giving Jack a pointed look. “He’s just as bad.” 

Jack raised his drink in a mock toast. “Guilty as charged.” You looked over at Trevor who was still wearing a wide smile. You scoffed, rolling your eyes as you settled further into your seat, occasionally glancing over at Cole.

“Now I feel like I can’t take my shirt off.” You mumbled, adjusting your sunglasses on your head. 

Luke laughed slightly, walking over to sit next to you. “Don’t be ridiculous, bunny. You can take off your shirt.”

You looked over at him, a glare in your eye as he made himself comfortable next to you. “I really can’t.”

“It’s fine.” He said, his voice low. “You’ve done it a million times before, what’s so different about today?” You sighed, rolling your eyes once again. Reluctantly you grabbed the bottom hem of your shirt, pulling it up your body. Once you had the shirt halfway up, you glanced over at Cole. He was staring, watching as you slowly removed your shirt. His mouth was parted slightly and you could've sworn drool was going to slip out. 

“Nope, nope.” You said, still holding your shirt up. “Can’t do it.” You said glancing over at Luke. 

Jack groaned from his seat, tossing his head back slightly. “You're such a baby.”

“Look at Cole!” You pointed toward Cole, whose wide-eyed stare was a dead giveaway. 

His face turned even redder, and he immediately scrambled to defend himself. “I wasn’t- I wasn’t staring! I swear!” he stammered, his hands flailing wildly as if that would erase the moment. 

Trevor burst out laughing, practically doubling over. “Oh man, Cole, you’re making it so much worse!” 

“Exactly!” you shot back, lowering your shirt again and crossing your arms over your chest. “This is why I can’t take it off.”

Jack, who had been observing the chaos with growing impatience, groaned again. “For the love of god, we’re on a lake. You’re wearing a bikini. Just take it off and let Cole get over it already.”

“Easy for you to say!” you snapped, narrowing your eyes at him. “No one’s staring at you.” 

Trevor perked up, his grin widening. “I could stare at Jack if it makes you feel better.” 

Jack threw a bottle cap at him. “Shut up, Trevor.”

Luke, meanwhile, nudged you lightly with his elbow. “Come on, Bunny. You’re overthinking it. It’s just us.” You sighed, glancing between Luke’s calm expression and Cole’s absolute mortification. Despite the teasing, you knew Luke was right. You’d done this a hundred times before, just not after that incident. 

“Fine,” you muttered, your voice begrudging as you peeled the shirt off in one swift motion. You avoided Cole’s gaze entirely, tossing the shirt onto Luke’s lap for good measure. “There. Happy?” 

Luke smirked, casually picking up the shirt and tossing it toward the front of the boat. “Much better.” 

“Get me a drink?” You asked, pulling your hair into a bun. Luke nodded his head, walking to the cooler and returning with a peach high noon. He handed it over before returning to his spot next to you. He splayed his arm across the back of the boat behind you as you tucked closer into his side.  You leaned back on Luke's side, your legs tucked up in front of you as you cracked open the can, staring at Quinn pulling the boat from the dock. “This is nice.” You said with a sigh of relief, leaning your head back to look up at Luke. 

Luke glanced down at you, his lips quirking into a soft smile as his arm shifted slightly to rest more securely behind you. “Yeah,” he said quietly, his voice low enough that it felt like it was just for you. “It is.” The boat cut smoothly through the lake, the gentle hum of the engine blending with the sound of water lapping against the hull. The sun was warm, the breeze just cool enough to keep things comfortable, and for the first time in what felt like ages, you felt completely at ease. 

“Hey, Sunny,” Trevor said, walking over to sit next to you.

“Oh my god.” You groaned out as he took his spot. You lifted your legs so he could sit, then rested them on his lap. “What do you want?” 

Trevor lifted his hands in mock surrender, a smug grin forming across his face. “Just wanted to apologize.”

​​You raised an eyebrow, skeptical of Trevor’s sudden attempt at sincerity. “Apologize?” you echoed, crossing your arms as your legs remained draped over his lap. “What’s the catch?”

​​Trevor placed a hand over his heart, his grin never wavering. “No catch. I just felt bad about earlier, you know, with the whole…‘bodacious rack’ thing.” He paused dramatically, glancing at Luke, who was watching him with narrowed eyes. “I realize now that my words may have caused some…discomfort.”

“Oh, you realize now?” you said, your tone dripping with sarcasm. 

Trevor nodded solemnly, but his playful expression betrayed him. “Absolutely. So, to make it up to you…” He leaned in closer, his grin growing wider. “I’m offering you the first push when we inevitably throw Luke into the lake.”

Luke snorted, shaking his head. “You’re really working hard to shift the blame, aren’t you?”

“Trevor, the human deflection machine,” you muttered, shaking your head as you took another sip of your drink. “Your apology could use some work.”

“Hey, I’m trying here!” Trevor said, leaning back dramatically as he adjusted your legs on his lap. “But seriously, Sunny, no hard feelings, right?” 

You studied him for a moment, his ridiculous grin and puppy-dog eyes impossible to stay mad at for long. Finally, you sighed, rolling your eyes. “Fine. No hard feelings.” 

Trevor pumped his fist in victory. “Yes! See, Luke? That’s how you handle things like a mature adult.”

Luke smirked, his arm brushing against your shoulder as he leaned closer. “Pretty sure you wouldn’t know maturity if it hit you in the face.”

“Bold words from the guy who’s about to be pushed in,” Trevor shot back, winking at you as if to say game on. 

You couldn’t help but laugh, shaking your head at the chaos brewing. “You’re both children.”

“Children with impeccable charm,” Trevor quipped, holding out his fist for you to bump. 

You ignored his fist but gave him a teasing shove instead. “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood.” Trevor let out a gentle laugh as he leaned back in his seat. You shuffled your position, lounging further into Luke’s side. You glanced over at Cole who sat awkwardly as he talked to Jack, looking uncomfortable as ever. You frowned slightly at the sight. You were used to Cole constantly hitting on you, showering you with compliments, and you wouldn’t admit it but you missed it. “Cole!” You shouted in an attempt to gain his attention. He quickly whipped his head over to you, his face flushing slightly. “Those swim trunks look nice on you.” You said with a smirk before pushing your sunglasses further up the bridge of your nose, leaning your head back to look up at the sky. 

Cole’s eyes widened, his posture stiffening as a flush crept up his neck. “Uh- thanks,” he stammered, clearly caught off guard by the unexpected compliment. His gaze darted to Jack, who smirked knowingly, giving him a little shove.

“Relax, man,” Jack teased. “She’s just messing with you.” 

“Am I?” you replied, tilting your head slightly, your tone teasing as you kept your sunglasses on. You didn’t bother looking directly at Cole, but you could feel his nervous energy from across the boat. It was almost too easy. 

Trevor let out a low whistle, leaning forward from his seat. “Rare occurrence to see her flirting with you. Not even gonna attempt one, Caufield?” 

“Yeah, normally you treat her like she’s the love of your life.” Luke chuckled, his arm shifting slightly. 

Cole let out a heavy sigh, his face turning bright pink which he tried to cover with his sunglasses. “Alright,” He started, his voice shaky at first. “Come over here, hot stuff.” A satisfied smile wiped across your face as you got up from your spot leaning against Luke. Cole’s sudden confidence caught everyone off guard, including you. As you made your way over, you couldn’t help but smirk, your sunglasses hiding the glint of amusement in your eyes. 

“Hot stuff, huh?” you teased, standing in front of him with your arms crossed. “Big talk for someone who’s been blushing like crazy all day.” 

Cole leaned back slightly, regaining some composure now that he’d committed to the bit. “Gotta keep you on your toes, don’t I?” he replied, his voice steadier but still tinged with nervous energy. He patted the spot next to him. “Come on, don’t leave me hanging.” You glanced at the others, all of whom were watching with varying degrees of amusement. Trevor was practically bouncing in his seat, grinning insanely hard. Jack looked seconds away from gagging, and Luke raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical of Cole’s sudden bravado. 

Sliding into the seat next to Cole, you leaned into him slightly, your tone dripping with mock seriousness. “So, what’s the plan now, Mr. Smooth Talker?”

Cole chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck. “Uh… I didn’t think that far ahead.”

Trevor erupted into laughter, slapping his knee. “Oh man, this is gold. Caufield finally shoots his shot and fumbles it immediately.”

Jack groaned, leaning back with a hand over his face. “This is painful to watch.”

You shook your head, biting back a laugh as you leaned closer to Cole. “Relax,” you said, your voice softer now. “You’re doing fine.” 

“Fine?” Cole repeated, his confidence returning slightly. “I think I’m doing great, actually. You’re sitting here, aren’t you?” 

Luke, who had been quiet for the past few moments, finally chimed in. “Don’t get used to it, Cole. She’ll be back here in, like, two minutes.” 

You turned your head, narrowing your eyes at Luke. “Oh, really?”

Luke shrugged, his smirk smug. “Yeah. You’re just messing with him. I know how this works, Bunny.”

Cole crossed his arms, leaning back as he grinned at Luke. “Jealous, Hughes?”

Luke rolled his eyes, but you caught the slight flush creeping up his neck. “Hardly,” he muttered.

Trevor clapped his hands together, clearly living for the drama. “Alright, let’s settle this with a little wager. How long does she stay over there before she’s back at Luke’s side?”

Jack groaned louder this time, standing up. “I’m jumping in the lake. Someone let me know when this disaster ends.” As Jack dove off the side of the boat, the group erupted into laughter, the tension breaking as you leaned back against the seat, still smirking. 

“You’re all ridiculous,” you said, shaking your head.

Cole grinned, nudging you lightly. “Yeah, but you love us anyway.” You couldn’t argue with that.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

After a long day of sitting in the sun, swimming in the lake, and dealing with Trevor, Quinn finally pulled the boat back into the dock. The sun was already setting when you stepped off, Cole’s hand out gallantly to help. You took it gratefully as you stepped onto the dock, the air already cooling down which left you freezing in your bikini. 

“Cold?” Treavor asked, walking up next to you.

Your teeth chattered as you tried to warm your arms with your hands. “Very.”

Trevor let out a soft laugh, looking over at you. “Race you to the house.” He said before taking off, sprinting through the yard.

“Not fair, Trevor!” You giggled, following close behind him. As you took off after Trevor, the cool grass tickling your feet, you couldn’t help but laugh despite the chill creeping into your skin. The fading sunlight painted the yard in shades of orange and gold, and Trevor’s exaggerated sprint ahead of you was just enough motivation to push you to keep up. 

“Come on, Sunny!” Trevor yelled over his shoulder, his voice full of mischief. “Can’t let me win that easily!”  Trevor reached the porch first, dramatically throwing his arms in the air. “Victory is mine!” he declared, spinning around to face you as you came to a stop, slightly out of breath. “Man, you’re slow.” 

You rolled your eyes, still laughing. “You had a head start, idiot.” 

Before Trevor could respond, Jack jogged up from behind, tossing a towel over your shoulders. “Here,” he said softly, his voice a stark contrast to Trevor’s boisterous teasing. “You’re freezing.” 

You gave him a grateful smile, pulling the towel tight around yourself. “Thanks, Jack. At least someone’s a gentleman.” 

Trevor feigned offense, holding his hand to his chest. “Wow. That hurts, Sunny.”

“It’s true,” Luke said as he strolled up the steps, shaking his head. “You ditch her in a bikini to sprint to the house, and you think you’re winning points?” 

Trevor shrugged, unapologetic. “She had fun.” 

“I’m gonna hit you,” you said, your voice light despite the threat. 

“Promises, promises,” Trevor quipped, dodging past you and into the house before you could retaliate. As you stepped inside, the warm air enveloped you like a hug, and the sound of the others following behind filled the space with a cozy buzz. 

Quinn wandered in last, shaking his head at the lingering chaos. “Do you guys ever relax?” he muttered, though there was no real annoyance in his tone. 

You plopped onto the couch, wrapping the towel tighter around yourself. “Relaxing is overrated,” you teased, looking up at Quinn. “Right, Quinny?” 

Quinn rolled his eyes but smirked as he tossed a sweatshirt your way. “Here. Before you start whining about being cold again.” 

“Whining?” you repeated, feigning shock as you pulled the sweatshirt over your head. “You’re lucky I like you, Hughes.” 

“Luckiest man alive,” he echoed dryly, shaking his head as he disappeared into the kitchen. You let out a sigh, sinking into the warmth of the couch. You sat back for a moment, watching Trevor and Jack laugh about something on Jack’s phone, Cole mumbling the lyrics to ‘Cardigan’ by Taylor Swift, Luke and Quinn searching the fridge for water bottles, just admiring the scene. You couldn’t have been happier anywhere else, and you were glad you finally made it to the lakehouse. 

“I’m gonna go take a shower,” You said, standing up from the couch. “Cole, please don’t barge in. I’ll lock the door just in case.” 

Cole, mid-verse in his rendition of Cardigan, froze, his face turning red as everyone burst out laughing. “Don’t do that!” he protested, his voice tinged with mock offense. “It was an accident!” 

Trevor smirked, leaning against the back of the couch. “Doesn’t mean we don’t expect it, lover boy.”

“Trevor, shut up,” Cole grumbled, glaring at him. “You’re the one who can’t go two minutes without harassing her.” 

“Hey, I’m just here to make her day a little brighter,” Trevor quipped, winking at you. “I’d never cross the bathroom boundary.” 

You rolled your eyes, grabbing the towel Jack had draped over you earlier. “Good to know the bar is that low. Thanks for clearing that up, Zegras.” 

Jack looked up from his phone, smirking. “Lock the door anyway. These guys are like wild animals.”

“Speak for yourself!” Luke called from the kitchen, holding up a water bottle like it was proof of his innocence. You giggled, ruffling Jack’s hair as you made your way up the stairs. 

You loved the lake, but if you were being honest, it made you feel disgusting. Sitting in the heat all day paired with swimming in water where you couldn’t see the bottom was bound to shake you up. You stepped into the shower, letting the hot water entrap your body, washing away every germ on your body. The steam from the hot water filled the small bathroom, cocooning you in warmth as the water cascaded over your skin. It was a relief, both physically and mentally, to scrub away the day’s grime. The mix of sunscreen, lake water, and sweat felt like a distant memory as you lathered soap over your skin, enjoying the sensation of being truly clean again. You tilted your head back, letting the water soak your hair, rinsing away the tangles left by the wind and water. The faint scent of your favorite shampoo filled the air, calming you further as you massaged it into your scalp. The day had been fun, filled with laughter and a little chaos, but this moment, just you and the hot water, felt like exactly what you needed to recharge. You stepped out of the shower, throwing a fresh towel over your body as you walked out of the bathroom. You headed down the hallway, hearing the faint sounds of everyone laughing. It was like music to your ears. You slipped into the spare room, making sure to lock the door behind you this time. You dropped the towel, taking a moment to fix your hair in the mirror before throwing one of Trevor’s Ducks sweatshirts over your head, along with some small athletic shorts. The soft fabric of Trevor’s sweatshirt engulfed you, its faint scent of laundry detergent and cologne oddly comforting. You smiled to yourself, knowing full well Trevor would make a big deal out of you “stealing” his sweatshirt the second he noticed. But for now, it was your little secret. You padded back down the stairs, the wood creaking softly under your bare feet. The living room came into view, and sure enough, chaos was in full swing. Trevor was standing on the couch, dramatically reenacting some story, while Cole was doubled over in laughter. Jack looked utterly unimpressed, scrolling on his phone, but the corners of his mouth twitched like he was holding back a smile. Luke was sprawled across the floor, throwing an occasional quip into the mix, and Quinn leaned against the wall, shaking his head but clearly amused. You walked over to Quinn first, wrapping your arms around his waist for a hug. You leaned your head against his chest, taking in his fresh scent. Judging by his wet hair and the warmth of his clothes, he’d also showered, unlike the other guys. 

“I’m so exhausted.” You croaked out, digging your face further into his chest.

Quinn chuckled softly, his hand instinctively resting on the back of your head as he returned the hug. “Long day, huh?” he asked, his voice low and soothing. 

“You have no idea,” you mumbled, your words slightly muffled by his shirt. “Between the lake, the sun, and Trevor being Trevor, I’m wiped.” 

He smirked, his hand brushing gently down your back before he pulled away slightly to look at you. “You still gonna have energy to deal with round two tomorrow?”

You groaned, leaning against him. “I might need to sleep for like, twenty hours first.” 

He shook his head, his smirk softening as he looked back at you. “Go sit down before you fall asleep standing up.” You nodded, letting him guide you toward the couch where Jack quickly shuffled to make room. You plopped down beside him, tucking your legs under you as you pulled Trevor’s oversized sweatshirt tighter around your body. 

“Nice sweatshirt, Sunny,” Trevor said, raising an eyebrow as he finally noticed. “Looks familiar.” 

You glanced up at him with an innocent smile. “Oh, this? No idea where it came from.” 

Jack snorted. “You’ll never get it back anyway. She’s stubborn.” 

“Exactly,” you said with a grin, leaning back and resting your head against Jack’s shoulder. “It’s mine now. Deal with it.” 

Trevor rolled his eyes but grinned, clearly enjoying the banter. “Fine. But only because it looks better on you.” 

“Everything looks better on her.” Cole let out with a soft smile as he laid back on the couch.

You raised an eyebrow, giving him a pointed look. “Smooth, Caufield. Very smooth.” The group erupted into laughter again, and you couldn’t help but smile, the exhaustion of the day melting away as you relaxed into the warmth and chaos of this little family. 

“Alright,” Quinn started, raising a hand as he stood in front of the couch. “First night at the house, what’s for dinner?”

“Pizza!” You shouted, raising both your hands in the air. 

Jack chuckled, putting his arm around your waist to pull you up closer. “Yes, pizza!” He yelled.

Quinn smirked, shaking his head at the sudden burst of energy. “Alright, pizza it is. Who’s calling it in?” 

“Not me,” Trevor said, holding his hands up defensively. “Last time I ordered, you all complained about the toppings.” 

“That’s because you thought anchovies were a good idea,” Luke quipped from his spot on the floor. “You’re banned from ordering.” 

“Hey, anchovies are a valid choice,” Trevor shot back, pointing a finger at Luke. “You’re just uncultured.”

Quinn sighed, already pulling his phone out. “Fine. What do we want?”

“Pepperoni,” Jack said immediately, his arm still casually draped around you. “Keep it classic.”

“Hawaiian,” Cole suggested, earning groans from most of the group.

“No pineapple!” you and Jack exclaimed in unison, making the others laugh. 

“Alright, alright, pepperoni and maybe a veggie for balance,” Quinn said, ignoring the chaos as he dialed the number. “Anything else?”

“Breadsticks!” Luke called out, raising his water bottle like it was a toast.

“And wings!” Trevor added, clearly back in high-energy mode.

Quinn sighed but nodded, pacing to the corner of the room as he started placing the order. “You guys are lucky I’m feeling generous.”

You leaned back against Jack, letting out a contented sigh. “See? This is why you’re my favorite, Quinn.”

“Careful, Sunny,” Trevor teased. “Jack might get jealous.”

Jack scoffed, giving your side a playful squeeze. “Please. I’m her favorite, and we all know it.”

“Hmm,” you hummed, pretending to think. “Debatable.” The group laughed, and the warmth of the moment settled over you like a blanket. The boys continued their chatter as Quinn called the pizza place from the corner. You pulled out your phone as Jack moved to the corner of the couch, pulling you along with him. You rested your back against him, his arm draped around you, tracing careful circles on your skin. As you scrolled through your phone, you couldn’t help but feel the soothing rhythm of Jack’s fingers tracing lazy circles on your arm. It was a small gesture, but one that anchored you amidst the playful chaos surrounding you. The hum of the boys’ voices filled the room, their laughter punctuated by Trevor’s dramatic retelling of some ridiculous story, likely exaggerated for effect. You scrolled on instagram, catching a post by the Devils of Nico and Timo. Your curiosity took over as you pressed on Nico’s tag, beginning to scroll through his profile. You smiled, looking at pictures of him back home in Switzerland. One of him crouching next to a dog in a flower field made you blush as you zoomed in on his face. 

“Why are you looking at Nico’s instagram?” Jack asked, his voice quiet.

“Why are you looking at my phone?” You snapped back, leaning your head up to look at him. 

Jack raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a smirk. “You’re on my teammate’s profile, zooming in on his face. It’s hard not to notice.” 

You huffed your breath, setting your phone down. “Maybe, if you just let me have a shot at him I wouldn’t-”

“Oh no, no, no,” He interrupted. “No way in hell am I gonna let you do that. We’ve been over this.” 

You raised an eyebrow, leaning back to fully face him, his arm still resting loosely around you. “Excuse me?” you said, your tone dripping with mock offense. “Let me? Since when do you get to decide who I can or can’t date?” 

Jack’s smirk faded slightly, replaced by a stubborn set to his jaw. “Since it’s Nico,” he said firmly, his voice low. “He’s not some random guy you can flirt with. He’s my captain. My teammate.” 

“And?” you countered, crossing your arms. “What does that have to do with me? It’s not like I’m asking for your permission.” Jack groaned, running a hand through his hair. “What, are you worried I’d distract him? Or embarrass you?” 

“No!” Jack said quickly, but the flicker of guilt in his expression made you narrow your eyes. 

“Wow, that’s exactly what it is, isn’t it?” you said, your voice laced with disbelief. “You think I’d embarrass you.” 

Jack sighed, his hand still tracing slow circles on your arm as if trying to calm the brewing storm. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?” you pressed, your voice softer now but still holding its edge.

Jack hesitated, his eyes flickering down to where his hand rested on your arm. “I just…It’s complicated, princess. Just- shit I'd rather not get into right now.” He said, his hand moving to rub his face. You softened slightly at Jack’s uncharacteristic hesitation. It wasn’t often he struggled to find the words, and the way his hand rubbed his face told you he was trying to bury something deeper than the surface-level teasing you were used to.

“It’s complicated?” you repeated, your tone quieter now, curiosity lacing your words. “Jack, you know that’s not gonna fly with me. Just spit it out.” 

Jack sighed, dropping his hand from his face to rest it on the back of the couch. “It’s just… weird, okay? You and Nico. I can’t explain it.” 

You tilted your head, studying him as he avoided your gaze. “Weird how? Like, you’re protective of him? Or…?” You trailed off, waiting for him to fill the silence. 

Jack let out a frustrated laugh, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know, alright? I don’t want to see you with him. It’s not about Nico. It’s about…you.” 

Your stomach flipped at his words, but you kept your expression neutral. “About me?”

Jack finally met your eyes, his gaze steady and uncharacteristically serious. “Yeah. About you. I’m used to having you around, and I don’t want anything to change.”

You blinked, caught off guard by his sudden vulnerability. “Jack-”

“It’s stupid, okay?” he said quickly, cutting you off before you could say more. “Just forget I said anything.” 

You shook your head, sitting up straighter. “No, it’s not stupid. Jack, if you’re trying to tell me something, just say it. I’m not gonna bite.”

He groaned, leaning his head back against the couch. “It’s not that easy.” 

You reached out, placing a hand on his arm. “Then make it easy. It’s me, Jack. You can tell me.” Jack sighed again, his eyes flicking back to yours. For a moment, he looked like he was on the verge of saying something, but then Trevor’s loud voice broke through the tension. 

“Hey! Pizza’s here!” Trevor yelled from the front door, his excitement cutting through the quiet.

Jack immediately pulled away, the moment dissipating as he ran a hand down his face again. “Saved by the bell,” he muttered, standing up and avoiding your gaze. You stayed on the couch, watching him go as your mind raced. There was something there, something he wasn’t ready to admit, but the weight of his words lingered, leaving you wondering what exactly he was holding back. 

“You good, bunny?” Luke asked, standing in front of you as you processed the interaction with Jack.

“Yeah, yeah. I-I’m good.” You stammered out, getting up from your seat on the couch. 

Luke smiled, placing an arm around your shoulder to pull you close. “Good. We have a pizza to demolish.” He said, shaking you slightly in his arm. ​​You laughed softly, allowing Luke to guide you toward the dining area where the rest of the guys were already gathering around the table. Trevor was handing out plates with exaggerated flair, Cole was busy inspecting the pizza boxes like he was on quality control duty, and Quinn was unboxing the breadsticks with the precision of a surgeon. Jack was leaning against the counter, his arms crossed as he watched the scene unfold. His expression was unreadable, though his gaze lingered on you for a moment before he turned his attention back to the pizza. You felt a twinge in your chest, but Luke’s arm around your shoulders helped ground you.

“Sunshine, c’mere.” Quinn said from the counter where he unboxed the breadsticks. You escaped Luke’s grasp, skipping over towards where Quinn stood. You got up next to him, putting your face close to his as he looked down at the box. 

“What’s up?” You asked playfully.

“Got these just for you,” He said, holding up two small containers of ranch. “Don’t let Cole see ‘em.” He laughed quietly before slipping them into the pocket of your hoodie.

You beamed at Quinn, his quiet thoughtfulness making your chest warm. “You’re the best,” you said, slipping your arms around his waist for a quick hug. 

“Don’t let that get out,” he teased, patting the top of your head affectionately. “Gotta keep my reputation intact.” 

Trevor, never one to miss a beat, leaned against the counter dramatically. “I feel like I’m missing out on a secret conspiracy. Sunny, spill the tea.” 

“Um there is no tea,” you replied, grabbing a slice of pizza and making your way back to the table. “Unless you count Quinn looking insanely good handling those breadsticks.” 

Trevor’s jaw dropped in mock shock as the rest of the table erupted into laughter. “Whoa, whoa, pause. Is this the first time you’ve hit on Quinn outside the group chat?” Trevor asked, pointing dramatically between you and Quinn. Quinn, unfazed, smirked and shook his head, placing the breadsticks on the table.

Jack, who had been leaning back in his chair, finally chimed in, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Yeah, princess, tell us more about Quinn’s breadstick skills.” 

You rolled your eyes, biting into your pizza. “Don’t be jealous, Hughes. It’s not a good look on you.”

Jack’s smirk faltered, his brow arching slightly as he stared you down. “Jealous? Of him?” He gestured toward Quinn. “I don’t need breadsticks to be the favorite.” 

“Debatable,” Luke quipped from his spot, grinning. “Quinn’s got the ranch hookup. That’s game changing.”

“Thank you, Luke!” you said, gesturing toward him with your slice. “Finally, someone understands the value of ranch.” 

Cole, however, narrowed his eyes suspiciously, leaning forward in his chair. “Wait. Ranch? Where’s the ranch?” 

“Uh, nowhere,” you said quickly, pulling the hoodie pocket closer to your body. Cole’s gaze darted toward Quinn, then back to you.

Quinn raised his hands in mock innocence. “Don’t look at me, Caufield. I have no idea what you’re talking about.” 

“There’s no ranch,” you said firmly, though the slight smile tugging at your lips betrayed you. The dinner consisted of stories about past summers, laughs over things Cole had said, Luke attempting to do a backflip in the kitchen which ended with a face plant to the floor and a “You’re gonna get injured before the season even starts” from Quinn. You smiled, taking in the scene before you, just grateful you made it to this moment. After you all finished with dinner, everyone made their way to the back deck for a bonfire while you and Quinn stayed back to clean up. The soft hum of laughter and chatter drifted in from the back deck as you and Quinn gathered plates and empty pizza boxes. The kitchen felt warm, not just from the remnants of the oven’s heat but from the lingering joy of the evening. You caught Quinn’s eye as he stacked a few plates, his expression calm and content.

“Hey, is Jack acting…weird- to you?” You asked, cutting Quinn off guard as he finished stacking the plates. 

Quinn paused, his hand hovering over the stack of plates as he turned to look at you, his brow furrowing slightly. “Weird how?” he asked, his tone steady but curious. 

You shrugged, trying to sound casual. “I don’t know, he’s just been... quieter than usual. And earlier, he said some stuff that didn’t really make sense. Like, he wanted to say something but couldn’t.” 

Quinn tilted his head, considering your words. “Jack’s always been a little hard to read. But yeah, now that you mention it, he did seem a little off tonight.”

You leaned against the counter, crossing your arms. “It’s like he’s holding something back, but I can’t figure out what. It’s...frustrating.” 

Quinn’s eyes softened as he studied your face. “You two are close. Maybe he’s trying to work through something but doesn’t know how to talk about it yet.” 

“Maybe,” you murmured, your gaze drifting toward the back door where the sound of Trevor’s exaggerated laugh carried through. “I just feel like there’s something I’m missing.”

Quinn set the plates aside and turned to face you fully, his expression calm and reassuring. “Give him some time. If it’s important, he’ll talk to you when he’s ready. Jack’s stubborn, but he’s not one to keep things bottled up forever.” 

You smiled faintly, appreciating his steady presence. “Thanks, Quinny. You always know what to say.” 

He smirked, bumping your shoulder lightly. “Someone’s gotta keep the peace around here.” The two of you stood there in silence for a moment. Quinn, glancing down at the floor, fiddling with the keys in his pocket and you, crossing your arms as you stared into the living room entryway. “Listen, sunshine,” He started, breaking the silence. “There’s something i’ve been wanting to talk to you about-”

Before he could continue, Trevor’s voice rang out from the deck, louder than before. “Sunny! Quinn! Stop being lame and get out here! The marshmallows are calling!” 

Quinn let out a sigh, pushing off from his spot against the counter. “We’ll talk later.” You nodded, though curiosity flickered in your chest at Quinn’s abrupt pause. He gave you a small, reassuring smile before heading toward the back deck, the sound of Trevor’s persistent shouting growing louder as he opened the door. You followed close behind, filing the moment away in your mind to revisit later. The deck was alive with the glow of the fire and the warm energy of the group. Luke was busy toasting marshmallows, though half of his attempts ended up charred. Trevor was narrating his process like he was on a cooking show, while Cole argued about the correct marshmallow-to-chocolate ratio for the perfect s’more. Jack, as usual, lingered on the edge of the chaos, leaning against the railing with his hands stuffed into his hoodie pocket. You grabbed a chair near the fire, letting the warmth soak into your skin as the cool lake breeze rustled through the trees. Jack’s quiet demeanor didn’t escape your notice, and your earlier conversation with Quinn lingered in your mind. After a while, Quinn sat beside you, nudging your knee with his. “Feeling better?” he asked, his voice low enough to stay between the two of you. You nodded, glancing at him with a faint smile. 

Trevor’s loud laughter broke through your moment, drawing your attention back to the group. “Jack!” he called, pointing dramatically at his friend. “Stop brooding over there and make a damn s’more.” 

Jack rolled his eyes, pushing off the railing and walking over. “I’m not brooding.”

“Sure,” Luke said with a smirk, handing Jack a marshmallow. “That’s why you’ve been staring at the fire like it owes you money.” Jack snorted, but his gaze flickered to you briefly before he sat down across the fire. You caught his look and held it for a second, a silent question hanging between you, but he quickly turned his attention to skewering the marshmallow.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

The night air had grown cooler, and the flickering embers of the fire cast long shadows as you stretched, feeling the day’s exhaustion settle into your bones. Cole and Luke had already disappeared inside, their playful banter fading into the house as they headed to bed. Quinn had followed not long after, muttering something about being the responsible one and making sure the fire was fully out. You, Jack, and Trevor were the last to carry your tired bodies inside. You walked into the house next to Trevor while Jack followed not far behind. You rubbed your eyes, ready to get a real goodnight's sleep, unlike the night before. 

Trevor let out an exaggerated yawn as he reached the spare room, quickly moving to give you a side hug. “G’night, Sunny.”

“Night, Trev.” You said, your voice raspy as you craved sleep. You released yourself from Trevor’s hug, mirroring his yawn as you walked. You made your way to Jack’s room, your hand just barely touching the doorknob before he spoke up behind you.

“What are you doing?” He asked, his voice low but laced with a sort of sterness you’d never heard from him.

You turned to face him, your eyes narrowing slightly. “Uh…going to bed?” You replied with a sassy tone. 

Jack rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. “That’s my room.”

You scoffed, moving away from the door. “Yeah, obviously. This morning you said-”

“Yeah, but I decided I want to sleep in my bed tonight.” 

You raised an eyebrow, crossing your arms in defiance. “Oh, so now you’re kicking me out?”

Jack shrugged, leaning casually against the wall. “Pretty much.” 

You groaned, throwing your hands in the air. “Jack, I’m exhausted. Just let me crash in your bed. You can take the couch.” 

“No.”

You sighed, looking up at the ceiling in an attempt to not make eye contact. “I don’t know what the hell is going on with you tonight,” You said, tilting your head back down to face him. “I don’t know what kind of shit you’ve got going on in your life that you won’t talk to me about, but don’t take it out on me.” 

Jack pushed himself off the wall, his expression growing meaner. “The kind of shit I've got going on doesn’t concern you.” (IT TOTALLY DOES) He said with a nasty tone as he moved closer to you. “Go sleep in the bed you were given at the beginning of this trip.” Your jaw clenched at his words, and you could feel the sting of them settle in your chest. Jack had always been quick with his sarcasm, but this felt different, harsher, colder. You took a small step back, crossing your arms tightly across your chest like you were shielding yourself. 

“Wow,” you said, your voice quieter now but still firm. “I didn’t realize I wasn’t allowed to care about you anymore.” Jack flinched at your words, his mean exterior cracking for just a moment. He opened his mouth to respond, but you held up a hand, cutting him off. “Whatever,” you said, shaking your head as you turned toward the hallway. “I don’t need this right now, Jack. Sleep wherever the hell you want.” You heard the door slam as you made your way down the hallway, your blood boiling with every stomp of your foot. You made it to the spare room, cracking the door slightly to get a look at Trevor and Cole. Trevor was man-spreading over the entire bed, snoring even louder than last night. You looked down to see Cole on your air mattress which was fully deflated at this point. You let out a sharp sigh, not knowing where to go.

“My room’s always an option. No snoring, no body-slamming. Just saying.” Quinn’s words from this morning echoed in your mind as you took in the scene in front of you. The thought of Quinn’s offer lingered, a tempting alternative to the chaos of the spare room and the sting of Jack’s harsh words. You closed the door quietly, leaning against it for a moment to steady your racing thoughts. The day’s exhaustion tugged at your body, and all you wanted was a peaceful place to sleep. With a deep breath, you pushed yourself off the door and made your way toward Quinn’s room, your steps quiet as the house settled into silence. When you reached his door, you hesitated, your hand hovering over the handle. Is this a bad idea? you wondered, biting your lip. But the muffled sound of Trevor’s snoring and the image of your deflated air mattress pushed you to turn the knob. The door creaked softly as it opened, revealing Quinn’s room in complete pitch black darkness.

You carefully walked over to the edge of the bed, seeing Quinn with his eyes closed and his hair tousled against the pillow. “Quinn,” You whispered. He stirred slightly at the sound of your voice, his eyes fluttering open as he turned his head toward you. The dim light from the hallway illuminated his face just enough for you to see his sleepy confusion.

“Hmm?” he mumbled, his voice groggy. “What’s up?” 

You quickly moved your knees onto the bed. “Scooch over.” Quinn let out a soft smile through his closed eyes as you pulled the comforter over your body. “Cole took over my air mattress.”

Quinn let out a low chuckle, his voice still thick with sleep. “Of course he did,” he muttered, shifting slightly to give you more space. His arm brushed against yours as he adjusted the blanket, the warmth of his presence instantly comforting. 

“Thanks,” you murmured, sinking into the mattress. The bed was far more comfortable than your deflated air mattress had ever been, and you couldn’t help but sigh in relief. 

He turned slightly, lying on his side to face you. The faint glow from the hallway cast just enough light for you to catch the gentle amusement in his eyes. “You gonna steal all the blankets, or are we sharing?”

You rolled your eyes playfully. “I’ll share, but no promises if I get cold.”

Quinn chuckled again, his hand tugging the comforter up over your shoulders. “Fair enough.” As the silence settled between you, the warmth of the bed and the quiet intimacy of the moment began to sink in. You shifted slightly, trying to get comfortable, and your leg brushed against Quinn’s. The faint contact made your heart skip, but before you could move away, his arm slid around your waist, pulling you closer. 

“Better?” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Your breath caught for a moment, but the warmth of his touch and the steady rhythm of his breathing calmed you. “Yeah,” you said softly, relaxing into his hold. “Much better.” Quinn’s fingers rested lightly against your back, his touch gentle and unassuming. You let your head rest against his chest, the steady rise and fall of his breathing lulling you into a sense of calm you hadn’t felt all day. His other hand came up to rest lightly against your shoulder, holding you close but not overwhelming.

“You’re warm,” you mumbled, your voice heavy with exhaustion as you nestled closer. 

He let out a soft hum, the sound vibrating through his chest. “Guess I’m good for something.” You smiled against him, the tension of the day melting away as you let yourself relax fully in his arms. His presence was steady, grounding, and you couldn’t help but feel safe as the quiet of the room wrapped around you both.

“Goodnight, Sunshine,” he murmured, his voice filled with a quiet fondness.

“Goodnight, Quinn,” you replied, your words barely audible as sleep began to pull you under. With his arms around you and the warmth of his body against yours, you finally felt at peace.

[slu7formen]

MDNI. luke castellan x fem!reader (halloween) 🎃

you prepare luke’s make-up for halloween night

warnings: just pure sexual tension 🫦

₊˚⊹♡

"You´ll be taking care of me, little Red Hood?" Luke asked, sitting down on the wooden chair placed in the middle of the room at cabin eleven.

Your silk red skirt brushed the back of your thighs as you turned around, cleaning the last bit of face paint from a thin brush. "I will, Mr. Castellan" you joked.

The cabin is packed, like most of the time, but today was for a different reason. A bunch of Hermes´ boys were getting their make up done by you and your sisters, the reason? Halloween night. It was kind of a tradition for the Aphrodite cabin to help out with the costumes for the big party. And as much as a pain it is to help all the campers, you couldn´t deny that it was fun to pick out what your friends should be dressing out as for tonight and then doing their makeup to match the costume, and right now, it was time to help the worst breed; the boys.

They were men, therefore, they were basic, they´ve all decided to dress up as skeletons.

Soft pop music was playing inside the cabin as you felt a faint smell of cherries and hot chocolate. It was a comforting yet fun place to be at right now, like a beauty salon, but chill and without the white lights and burning chemical smells. More of your sisters were currently taking care of some other boys´ make up, painting their faces in black and white scary features that would barely make them look human at night, and now, it was Luke´s turn.

Luke´s face was already quite chiseled, like those marble Greek statues. You stepped back a second to take a good look at his face; sharp features, big nose, small eyes, plushy lips. Good, this would be fun.

"Alright" you state, "Just stay still and let me do all the work"

You leaned in slightly, starting to draw the outline of Luke´s face with a white make-up pencil. You and Luke stood silent, unlike the rest of the campers who kept on chatting and screaming at each other due to failed skeleton features. You planned on doing the simple; a white or pale base with black features like eyes, nose, cheekbones and mouth, maybe even some shadows, just like you did with Connor and Travis, who specifically asked for you to prepare them.

"I didn´t know you were so good at this" Luke finally spoke, anticipating to break the ice a little.

"What can I say?" you smiled, "I have many hidden talents"

You continued on, working in the lines, making the transition between the white and his perfectetly tanned skin. He was such a lovely canvas, his skin was clean, and smooth. You were actually a little scared to end up making him look bad. "Your jawline´s perfect" you muttered as you dragged the pencil there, more to yourself than to him.

Luke chuckled, "Is it now?"

You only dart your eyes away from your work to look into his eyes for a second, then back to your progress. Your teeth barely show as you smile a little, glossy red lips only shining brighter. "Okay, don´t get all cocky now" you tease.

Luke was used to flirting with everyone he met, and of course, people flirting back. But seeing you so focused on his face, the pen working on his face with you so close to him, gave him a weird feeling in the pit of his stomach.

You felt so close. Luke could smell a faint scent of cherries coming from you, and the hairspray of your hair. He could almost feel the warmth of your body too, standing so close to him, your body leaning down towards his face, making him look upwards to take a look at your face. You hissed then, taking a soft grip of your lower back, "Shit" you whisper. You were uncomfortable, being hunched over for so long.

"You okay?" Luke asked.

"Yeah" you reply, "Just-, my back´s killing me. I´ve been like this for an hour" you explain, you´ve been in the same position for the past other two boys you prepared.

Luke looked concerned for a second. So he shifted on his seat then, opening his thighs, basically welcoming you.

You stood speechless, pencil in hand as you chuckled softly, unable to react, or move.

"Come on" he urged you softly, his eyes locking on yours as he patted his thigh. You knew he wasn´t inviting you to sit there, —even though he wouldn´t complain if you did—, rather than in between them. "I don´t bite"

You scoff then, shaking your pencil in between your fingers. Your boots step into the tiny space then, back straightened as you only have to look down to Luke´s face, "Sure you don´t" you reply.

He lets out a short chuckle, tilting his face up to maintain eye contact. The air feels weirdly tense. Your fingers take a soft hold of his chin as you tilt his head a little more up, dragging the pencil over the lines once again; just in case. Luke´s eyes remain open, taking a look at your costume.

A deep scarlet skirt almost too short paired with tall, heeled backboots and a white button-up that hugged your figure just perfectly, and the black corset over it did just the rest of the magic, along with, of course, the red silk cape and hood.

"You look great" he muttered out, trying to get a reaction out of you.

You stop your movements for a second, looking at him dead in the eye again, but with a serious face, only to go back to your job as if he said nothing. "Great doesn´t cover it" you reply, tilting your head slightly.

He chuckled at that. You had no idea how right you were. You were gorgeous in that outfit and he could swear you looked like a damn goddess, a vision come to life just to taunt him.

"Cocky-" he muttered with a playful smile.

"Don´t move" you interrupt, leaning down a little bit more just for a second, the thin pencil brushing past the outline of his lips.

Your face was closer to his now, the scent of his cologne made you feel lightheaded.

Luke had that type of aura; the one that was always surrounded by a nice scent. The type that made you want to lean in closer, the type that was warm and comforting, yet he was no sweet pea, but a little more rough. Manly, with his legs spread open like that for you to stand in between, or for you to sit whenever you liked.

And with his face so close to you, you made and observation; Luke was handsome.

Very.

Just when you finished tracing the outlines of his eyes, lips, and cheekbones, you turned around to dip a pencil into some black face paint. Luke remained politely silent, lips closed and hands over his thighs as he followed your every movement. He was watching you intently as you worked. You looked so focused and careful, like it was an important and serious job, and for gods sake, it was Halloween makeup. He wondered if you were just doing it so perfectly to impress him, which was working, and Luke had to admit it was cute to see you so fixated on his face.

He could feel his heart pound in his chest. Sitting there, having you so close, all he could think of was touching you. How could he not when you were wearing such clothes that he loved?

Of course he wouldn´t. He was patient, and he was very much enjoying the game so far. But you were so close , it was so tempting. And he did have a very bad self-control.

You took your sweet time blending the black paint over Luke´s face with a small brush. He was being an obedient boy, sitting still, with no smart remarks coming from his mouth. How rare.

He enjoyed just watching you, watching your expression change slightly as you applied more and more paint on, watching the tip of your tongue dart out of your mouth every once in a while. It was so hard to keep his hands tucked into balled-up fists on his thighs.

But he wouldn´t stop staring at you, your face.

But you stepped back, pencil on your hand and a small smile growing on your glossy lips, but your brows furrow. You were slightly confused. Luke stared back, not a single expression on his face. His face was sharp looking, focused, stone. And the black paint was doing nothing but only making him look more-, attractive.

"Don´t look at me like that" you smile barely, more confused than actually chilled about what was happening.

"Like what?" He asked, the black paint only remarking the scary and sharp features on his now painted face.

You looked a bit flushed, your makeup and hair perfect. But he wanted to mess it up , ruin it a little. He kept staring at you, not bating an eye. "Like-," you cut yourself off, turning slightly to the side to grab a different pencil before dipping it in more black face paint, "Like you´re undressing me with your eyes or something" you say, too shy to say the words loudly, stepping in between the space of his thighs again, too afraid that somebody else would hear you.

Oh, but Luke heard you just right.

He hums quietly, a smirk pulling at his lips at your embarrassed expression.

You´re standing there, in between his thighs again, and he has to force himself to keep his hands in place. He looked up at you, eyes focused on you as you applied the paint on him. And you were so concetrated on the task in front of you, on his face, you didn´t realise how badly he wanted you.

He was hungry, and it took every bit of his self-control to keep from touching you.

"Maybe I am" he responds quietly.

His voice is low, and the tone he uses makes you freeze. His eyes burn into your skin, like he´s daring you to respond, to say something, anything, back. And for the first time, you have nothing to say, no witty response. You just look back into his eyes.

And there is something in them, something that makes your heart beat faster.

He stares back, not moving, not speaking, and the tension is almost palpable. You swallow hard, your throat suddenly dry, and you try to ignore the way your body is reacting. Luke has never had this effect on you before.

“Perv" is the only thing you manage to reply, not even a full sentence, not even speaking fully, just whispering into his face as you go back to your task, you only wanted this to be over now.

You can tell by the way his shoulders are tense that he´s struggling not to move. But he doesn´t, and his silence makes your stomach twist and turn. You know he´s enjoying this, and the fact that he knows what he´s doing to you is almost enough to make you snap.

Luke saw the way he made you blush and trip into your own thoughts, and that was enough for him.

You remained awfully silent for the rest of the time, with Luke´s eyes still piercing through your soul until you´re done. "There" you say as you finish touching up the last bits of shadows onto his lips, "All done" you say softly, walking back to the small table to start cleaning brushes again.

Luke stood up, turning around to face you. His face was completely covered in white and black, his skin was unrecognizable.

He walked over to you slowly, and the way he was moving was almost predatory, like he was stalking his prey. You felt a shiver run down your spine, and the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. The rest of your sisters and his brothers didn´t seem to notice a thing or even try to look to your direction, too busy invested into their own conversations.

You grab a towel, and you feel it-, oh you feel it. Like when someone´s standing behind you, the cold feeling that drips down your spine, ready to attack. Luke places his hand on each side of the table, his chest so close to be pressing to your back, trapping you against the table; and you couldn´t even see him properly.

"Just a question-," he says, clearing his throat briefly, "How effective is the make-up remover?"

Your breathing hitches for a moment. His voice was ridiculously low and whispery against you. You swallow, and the room suddenly feels too hot.

“Um-" you reply, trying to focus on cleaning the brushes instead of the man standing right behind you. "Very. It´ll clean right away, don´t worry" you reply poorly.

"Oh-. no, I wasn´t asking because of me", he replies, and he leans in a little closer, his lips brushing against the shell of your ear. You can feel the heat of his breath and it sends a jolt of electricity through your body, "I was asking for you. I don´t wanna leave any mark on your face after you´ve worked so hard on yourself"

Well, who would´ve though this guy was a poet? Hiding meanings behind words?

"That´s very considerate of you" you reply, trying not to sound too eager, but the way your voice cracks tells him all he needs to know.

Luke nods once, a smirk on his lips, and you can practically hear it in his voice. He leans down, his lips grazing the skin of your neck and his nose ghosting over the shell of your ear.

"I´ll make sure you find me", he whispers.

And with that, he steps back, his presence gone as fast as it arrived to the scene. Your hands tremble slightly as you finish putting the last brushes away, and your face burns hot. He had suddenly left you wanting, a feeling you didn´t even have when you first started working on him.

But you had to head back to your cabin now, and fuck-, were you mad you couldn´t get what you wanted now.

Luke surely knew he had started some type of game, your pretty little self caught in between his webs… but the night was only starting, and soon enough, you would be the one trapping him.

[bu3ck3r]

breaking the silence

paige bueckers x azzi fudd

wc: 11.4k

a/n: hi loves here’s the prompt and im so sorry it took so long for me to write it but i was really busy and i just wasn’t satisfied with what i wrote at first so i had to change it and im still not that satisfied but i hope y’all like it also i really wanna know y’all’s opinions about my writing so just dm me or smth ty

Paige Bueckers wasn’t nervous.

That wasn’t her thing. She was confident, always had been. Whether it was playing basketball, working out, or even training some of the best up and coming athletes, she handled everything with ease.

So why was she standing outside this gym, adjusting the strap of her bag for the third time, pretending she wasn’t stalling?

She sighed and shook her head. This was ridiculous. She was here for work, simple as that.

Pushing open the doors, she stepped into the facility. It was a top tier private training center, the kind designed to bring athletes back from career-threatening injuries to the peak of their game. Really nice equipment, therapy rooms, nutritionists, it had everything.

Including, apparently, her.

Azzi Fudd.

Paige had been briefed on the team working with the player she’d been assigned to help, but nowhere in that email did it say Azzi was the sports psychologist on board.

And yet, there she was, standing near the weight racks, holding a clipboard, looking annoyingly beautiful.

For a second, Paige thought Azzi hadn’t noticed her. She was in deep conversation with the athlete they’d been called in to assist—Aaron Williams, a promising young player who had suffered a brutal ACL tear and was fighting to make a full comeback.

Then, just as Paige thought she might make it to the locker room unnoticed, Azzi turned.

Their eyes met.

A flicker of surprise flashed across Azzi’s face before she schooled it into something unreadable. Paige felt her breath hitch. It had been two years since they’d seen each other. Since UConn. Since late night study sessions that turned into them just talking for hours. Since sitting next to each other on long flights, shoulders pressed together, Paige always whispering something dumb to make Azzi laugh. Since that one night, the one they never talked about, where the line between friendship and something more had blurred just a little too much.

Paige should’ve been prepared for this. But Azzi Fudd standing in front of her, dressed in fitted leggings and a zip-up hoodie, her arms crossed, eyes scanning Paige like she was assessing whether this was real or not.

“Didn’t think I’d see you back in a gym,” Azzi said, voice smooth but carrying that familiar edge of teasing.

Paige forced herself to smirk, ignoring the way her pulse picked up. “Didn’t think I’d see you pretending to read that clipboard.”

Azzi huffed a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “Still the same.”

“And you’re still avoiding my question,” Paige shot back.

Azzi sighed, finally lowering the clipboard. “I’m the mental performance coach for Aaron. Have been for a couple of months now.”

Paige arched a brow. “Damn. And you didn’t think to warn me?”

Azzi smirked, tilting her head. “Would you have come if I did?”

Paige opened her mouth, then shut it.

Before she could fire back, Aaron walked over, glancing between them. “Wait, you two know each other?”

Azzi answered first. “We went to UConn together.”

“Best friends,” Paige added, her eyes flickering toward Azzi to see if she reacted to that term.

Azzi didn’t, at least not outwardly. “Something like that.”

Aaron let out a low whistle. “Well, this should be fun.”

Fun. Yeah, that was one word for it.

Paige kept her focus on Aaron, running through the first set of evaluations. Strength, mobility, balance, she handled it all professionally. Except for the moments when she was way too aware of Azzi’s presence.

Like when she was stretching Aaron’s hamstring and felt Azzi’s eyes on her. Or when she caught Azzi biting her lip, deep in thought as she made notes, and Paige’s brain short-circuited for a solid two seconds.

She knew she wasn’t subtle, either.

At one point, Azzi walked past her to grab a resistance band, and Paige’s gaze dropped, completely involuntarily, to her waist, then her arms, then back up.

And Azzi saw.

Paige knew because the second she looked up, Azzi was already watching her, eyebrows raised, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

“Something on your mind Paige?” Azzi asked, her voice light but laced with amusement.

Paige, caught red-handed, rolled her shoulders back. “Yeah, actually. I was just wondering how long it’s been since you picked up a dumbbell.”

Aaron laughed, and Azzi’s jaw dropped.

“You—” Azzi huffed, shaking her head. “You’re literally impossible.”

Paige grinned. “It’s part of my charm.”

Azzi muttered something under her breath, but there was no hiding the small smile that slipped through.

And just like that, the tension they had been pretending didn’t exist started to feel even harder to ignore.

They wrapped up after an hour, Aaron heading off to cool down while Paige and Azzi were left alone near the lockers.

Azzi leaned against the wall, arms crossed, studying Paige like she was still trying to figure her out. “You didn’t tell me you were training athletes now.”

Paige shrugged, unzipping her bag. “You didn’t tell me you were counseling them.”

Azzi’s expression softened. “It helped me a lot, back when I was recovering from my own injuries. I figured maybe I could do the same for someone else.”

For the first time all day, Paige didn’t have a quick comeback.

Instead, she smiled, genuine and warm. “That’s really amazing Az. I mean it.”

Azzi met her eyes, and for a moment, it was just them.

Then Azzi looked away, pushing off the wall. “Guess we’ll be seeing a lot of each other again.”

Paige watched her go, her heart doing something stupid.

Yeah. A lot of each other.

And that was definitely going to be a problem.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

Paige Bueckers had always been competitive. It didn’t matter if it was basketball, a casual game of horse, or trying to make Azzi Fudd blush. If there was a challenge, she was taking it.

So when she caught Azzi checking her out during a session?

Yeah she was ready.

Aaron’s recovery plan was a grind, and today’s focus was rebuilding lower body strength. Paige was in her zone, demonstrating exercises, correcting Aaron’s form, and making sure the player wasn’t compensating in ways that could set them back.

Azzi was standing off to the side, observing, her arms crossed, her expression serious.

Paige pretended she didn’t notice the way Azzi’s eyes lingered on her, but internally? Oh, she noticed.

And she was about to make it worse.

Aaron was finishing a set of deadlifts when Paige stepped next to the weight rack, stretching casually, making sure Azzi had a full view of her arms.

“Gotta love strength training,” Paige said, flexing a little as she rolled out her shoulders. She glanced over, catching Azzi’s reaction.

Azzi’s eyes flickered down for half a second, half a second too long, before she looked away, lips pressing together.

Busted.

Paige smirked. “What do you think, Az? Solid form?”

Azzi exhaled through her nose, not meeting her gaze. “Your ego is truly something else.”

Aaron, completely oblivious, snickered. “She’s always like this?”

Azzi huffed, shaking her head. “Always.”

Paige grinned. “You love it.”

Azzi didn’t answer, just focused very, very hard on her clipboard, but Paige caught the way her fingers tightened slightly around it.

After wrapping up, the three of them walked toward the facility’s smoothie bar. Aaron was chatting about their progress, but Paige was fully focused on Azzi, who was fully focused on avoiding looking at her.

Paige leaned in a little as they walked. “You know, Azzi, if you wanna feel my arms, you can just ask.”

Azzi actually choked.

Aaron turned, confused. “You good?”

Azzi coughed, waving it off. “Fine. Totally fine.”

Paige bit her lip to keep from laughing.

Azzi side eyed her. “You’re ridiculous.”

Paige shrugged, completely unbothered. “And yet, here you are.”

Azzi had nothing for that.

Aaron, still clueless, shook his head. “Y’all are something else.”

Yeah. They really were.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

Paige was lying on her bed, mindlessly scrolling through her phone when it buzzed.

Azzi: Do you always flirt that much in professional settings?

Paige grinned.

Paige: Only when there’s someone worth flirting with.

Azzi took a full two minutes to respond.

Azzi: Unbelievable.

Paige laughed, rolling onto her back.

Paige: So you admit it?

Azzi didn’t text back.

But Paige knew.

Oh, she knew.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

Azzi Fudd prided herself on her discipline. It was what got her through grueling rehab sessions when her own basketball career was on the line. It was what made her a damn good sports psychologist. She knew how to separate emotions from the job. So why, why, was Paige Bueckers making that impossible?

Aaron’s training session was intense today: heavy lifting, explosive movement drills, the kind of work that left them exhausted but satisfied. Paige was coaching them through the last of their reps, and Azzi was supposed to be focusing on their mental stamina.

Supposed to be.

Instead, she was losing a battle with herself.

Because Paige was in her zone, all confident energy, all muscle and smirks and cockiness.

And Azzi hated that she liked it.

She tried to ignore it. She really did.

But then Paige had to go and push her buttons.

Aaron was mid-sled push when Paige glanced over at Azzi, catching her watching.

Busted. Again.

Paige wiped her forehead with the hem of her shirt, flashing toned abs she definitely didn’t need to show off before throwing Azzi a look.

“Wanna race?” Paige challenged.

Azzi blinked. “What?”

Paige nodded toward the sled. “Me vs you.”

Azzi scoffed. “That’s not my job.”

Paige grinned. “Oh, I know. Just wondering if you still got it.”

Azzi felt her pulse spike. Paige knew exactly what she was doing.

Aaron looked between them, sensing the tension. “Ohhh, this is happening.”

Azzi exhaled slowly. “This is stupid.”

Paige just shrugged. “Backin’ out?”

Azzi gritted her teeth. Damn her and her stupid, competitive ass.

She stepped up. “Fine.”

Aaron counted them off. “Three… two… one—”

They pushed.

Paige was strong, annoyingly strong, but Azzi had power too. She dug in, matching her stride for stride, neither of them giving an inch.

By the end, they collapsed, breathless, tied.

Paige, still grinning, turned to her. “Not bad Az.”

Azzi rolled her eyes, trying not to let her smile show.

When they finished the workout Aaron left first, exhausted. But Paige and Azzi stayed back, cleaning up the space.

Paige stretched, exhaling. “Didn’t know you still had that in you.”

Azzi, despite herself, smirked. “What, thought I got weak?”

Paige’s gaze flickered over her too slowly, like she was definitely thinking something else.

“Nah,” Paige murmured. “never.”

Azzi’s stomach flipped.

She looked away fast. “I should go.”

But Paige just kept looking at her, eyes unreadable.

Azzi turned, walking out before she did something really stupid.

Like kiss her.

Or admit she wanted to.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

Azzi had a problem.

And that problem was Paige Bueckers.

She’d spent years perfecting self control, learning how to separate personal feelings from professional situations. But then Paige had waltzed back into her life, all cocky smiles, ridiculous muscles, and relentless flirting, and suddenly, Azzi was failing.

Badly.

And tonight? Tonight was worse.

After their intense training session, the gym was nearly empty. Aaron had left, but Paige and Azzi lingered, tidying up the space.

Azzi turned to grab her water bottle from a bench, and that’s when she felt it.

Paige’s eyes. On her. Lingering.

Azzi froze for a beat, then slowly turned. Caught.

Paige didn’t even look away.

In fact, she smirked.

Azzi narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing?”

Paige shrugged, completely unbothered. “Just admiring the view.”

Azzi’s face heated. “You’re unbelievable.”

Paige just grinned wider. “No, seriously. Do you even know how good you look in those leggings?”

Azzi’s brain short-circuited. “Paige-”

“I mean, the way they fit?” Paige kept going, knowing exactly what she was doing. “It’s honestly kinda unfair.”

Azzi opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

Paige tilted her head. “What? No comeback? That’s new.”

Azzi’s jaw clenched. She could not let Paige win this one.

So she took a breath and fired back.

“You know,” Azzi said, crossing her arms, “for someone who talks this much, you don’t seem to notice that you’re the one getting checked out half the time.”

Paige blinked.

And that’s when Azzi saw it, Paige was not expecting that.

Azzi smirked. “Yeah. Thought so.”

Paige recovered fast. “Oh, so you do think I look good?”

Azzi rolled her eyes. “Like you don’t already know that.”

Paige stepped closer, voice dropping slightly. “Yeah, but I like hearing you say it.”

Azzi swallowed. Why was it suddenly hot in here?

She grabbed her bag before she did something dumb. “I’m leaving.”

Paige, still grinning, walked with her. “Uh huh. Sure you don’t wanna keep talking about how good I look?”

Azzi did not answer.

Mostly because Paige was winning again.

And Azzi was in serious trouble.

Paige insisted on giving Azzi a ride home. Azzi should have said no. She didn’t.

The car was quiet at first, just the soft hum of the music.

Then Paige spoke. “So, you really think I look good?”

Azzi sighed. “You’re not letting this go, are you?”

“Nope.”

Azzi exhaled, glaring at the window like it could save her. “Paige.”

Paige grinned. “Azzi.”

Azzi groaned. “Yes, okay? You look good. You know you do.”

Paige smirked, pleased. “And you look good too.”

Azzi glanced at her, surprised. “You’ve already said that.”

Paige nodded. “Yeah, but I really mean it.”

Azzi looked away, fighting a smile.

Because for all of Paige’s teasing, when she said things like that? She meant them.

And Azzi felt it.

Too much.

Azzi had spent most of the ride home trying not to think about Paige’s words.

You look good too.

She should’ve brushed it off. Paige was always flirting, always teasing,it didn’t mean anything. Right?

Except, it kind of felt like it did.

And Azzi was starting to think that maybe, just maybe, she wanted it to.

Paige pulled into Azzi’s apartment complex and threw the car into park. Neither of them moved to get out.

Paige drummed her fingers against the steering wheel. “You gonna invite me up or just leave me sitting here?”

Azzi snorted. “Why would I invite you up?”

Paige shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe because you enjoy my company?”

Azzi rolled her eyes. “Debatable.”

Paige smirked, turning in her seat. “Nah. I think you like having me around.”

Azzi hesitated.

Because she did. Too much.

Paige’s voice softened. “You ever wonder what would’ve happened if we kept in touch?”

Azzi blinked at the sudden shift in tone. “What do you mean?”

Paige leaned back, exhaling. “I mean, we were close. And then… we weren’t.”

Azzi swallowed. “Yeah.”

Paige tapped the wheel again, thoughtful. “I missed you.”

Azzi’s heart skipped.

She hesitated, then admitted, “I missed you too.”

Paige smiled, slow and real. “See? I knew you liked me.”

Azzi sighed. “Get out.”

Paige laughed, but she didn’t push.

Not yet.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

The next day, Paige and Azzi met at the gym again for another training session with Aaron.

Azzi told herself things would be normal.

Then Paige showed up in a tight black tank top that did nothing to hide the definition in her arms, and Azzi immediately lost that battle.

Paige caught her looking.

And smirked.

“Like what you see?”

Azzi refused to react. “You’re so full of yourself.”

Paige flexed, just to be annoying. “Can you blame me?”

Azzi turned away, muttering, “Unbelievable.”

Paige, still smirking, leaned in. “If you want me to train you, just say the word.”

Azzi ignored the way her pulse spiked. “I’m fine, thanks.”

Paige grinned. “Yeah, maybe for now.”

But Azzi could feel her looking every time she moved.

And maybe… maybe she liked it.

After the session, Paige handed Azzi a smoothie without asking. “Drink. You look tired.”

Azzi huffed. “I’m not tired.”

Paige arched a brow. “Lying to me? Wow.”

Azzi took a sip, because arguing was pointless.

Paige watched her, something softer in her eyes. “Seriously, Azzi. You taking care of yourself?”

Azzi hesitated.

Because sometimes, she wasn’t.

Paige nudged her shoulder, quieter now. “Do I need to start looking out for you too?”

Azzi hated that her stomach flipped.

She covered it with sarcasm. “Oh, great. Paige Bueckers, personal trainer and life coach.”

Paige grinned. “Yes ma’am.”

Azzi shook her head, smiling despite herself.

Because the truth was she kind of liked having Paige in her corner again.

Even if it was dangerous.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

Azzi wasn’t stupid.

She knew exactly what was happening between her and Paige. The lingering glances. The teasing that wasn’t just teasing anymore. The way her pulse jumped whenever Paige got too close.

She told herself it was harmless. That Paige was just being Paige, flirty, cocky, impossible.

But then Paige stopped playing.

And suddenly, Azzi wasn’t so sure anymore.

It started with an offhand comment.

Aaron had just left, and Azzi was about to grab her stuff when Paige stretched, arms over her head, tank top riding up just enough to be distracting and said, “You know, I could fix your form.”

Azzi blinked. “What?”

Paige grinned. “Your squat form. It could use some work.”

Azzi scoffed. “Excuse me? I have perfect form.”

Paige laughed. “Oh yeah?Prove it.”

Azzi narrowed her eyes. “Fine.”

She set her feet, dropped into a squat , textbook perfect, and glanced up at Paige. “Happy?”

Paige tilted her head, amused. “Hmm.”

Azzi rolled her eyes. “Oh my god.”

Paige stepped behind her, too close.Her hands hovered over Azzi’s hips. “Can I?”

Azzi froze.

Her brain screamed at her to say no, to shut this down before it became something she couldn’t ignore.

Instead, she whispered, “Yeah.”

Paige’s hands landed lightly on her waist.

Azzi forgot how to breathe.

Paige’s voice was softer now. “You’re leaning forward too much. Engage your core more.”

Azzi couldn’t focus on anything except Paige’s hands.

“Try again,” Paige said.

Azzi did.

Paige’s thumbs brushed over her sides. “Better.”

Azzi stood up fast, almost knocking into Paige. “Okay. We’re done here.”

Paige just grinned. “Told you I could fix it.”

Azzi grabbed her water bottle, refusing to meet Paige’s eyes. “You’re insufferable.”

Paige chuckled. “You love it.”

Azzi didn’t answer.

Because maybe, Paige was right.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

They left the gym together, like usual. But something was different.

Azzi could still feel Paige’s hands on her.

And she was pretty sure Paige knew it.

The car ride was quiet. Tense in a way that wasn’t bad, just charged.

Paige tapped the steering wheel. “You okay?”

Azzi exhaled. “Yeah.”

Paige glanced at her. “You sure?”

Azzi nodded, too quickly.

Paige smirked. “You’re flustered.”

Azzi groaned. “Shut up.”

Paige laughed, but it was softer now. “Relax, Az. I’m just messing with you.”

Azzi didn’t know how to explain that that was the problem.

Because it wasn’t just messing around anymore.

And they both knew it.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

Azzi lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, replaying every single stupid little moment with Paige.

The way she looked at her. The way she touched her.

The way she made Azzi feel like she was always one second away from something she couldn’t take back.

And for the first time, Azzi didn’t think she wanted to.

Azzi wasn’t used to this.

She could handle stress. Pressure. High stakes situations where the difference between winning and losing was a split second decision.

But she couldn’t handle Paige looking at her like that.

Like she knew exactly what she was doing to Azzi.

Like she was waiting for Azzi to break.

And the worst part?

Azzi wasn’t sure she wanted to hold it together anymore.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

Paige had always been confident. It was part of who she was. But this? This was something else.

They were in the gym again, another session with Aaron, and Paige was being a menace.

Every time Azzi looked up, Paige was watching her.

Not subtly.

And when Azzi caught her? Paige didn’t even look away.

It was infuriating.

And unfairly attractive.

Azzi tried to focus on Aaron, on the work, on literally anything but Paige’s gaze burning into her skin.

It didn’t work.

Because Paige was relentless.

She stretched, flexing way more than necessary. Smirked when Azzi’s eyes betrayed her and flickered to her arms.

And when she caught Azzi looking, again?

She grinned. “Something you wanna say?”

Azzi rolled her eyes, forcing herself to look away. “I’m ignoring you.”

Paige chuckled. “No, you’re not.”

Azzi exhaled sharply. This woman.

Paige wasn’t done, though.

She leaned in, voice low. Too close. Too warm. Too much. “You know, if you wanna keep staring at me, you could just admit it.”

Azzi turned to face her, fully prepared to shut this down.

But then Paige’s eyes dropped, just for a second.

And Azzi realized, she was doing it too.

For the first time, Paige looked a little…caught.

A little off balance.

And that’s when Azzi did something she never thought she’d do.

She pushed back.

Azzi crossed her arms, tilting her head. “You’re staring too P.”

Paige blinked.

Azzi smirked. Gotcha.

Paige recovered fast. Grinned. “Can you blame me?”

Azzi’s stomach flipped.

She opened her mouth, to say what, she didn’t even know.

But then Aaron called for them, and the moment was gone.

Azzi exhaled. Thank God.

After the session, they walked out together, like always.

Paige was quieter than usual.

Azzi nudged her. “What? No smart comments?”

Paige glanced at her, thoughtful. “Just thinking.”

Azzi raised a brow. “That’s dangerous.”

Paige snorted. “Shut up.”

“You ever think about it?”

Azzi blinked. “Think about what?”

Paige stopped walking. Looked at her.

Azzi’s heart jumped.

Paige exhaled, almost like she was about to say something real.

Then she smirked. “Never mind.”

Azzi frowned. “Paige—”

But Paige was already walking again.

And Azzi was left standing there, wondering what the hell just happened.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

Azzi was laying in bed, replaying every moment.

Every glance. Every word.

The way Paige almost said something.

And for the first time, Azzi admitted it to herself, really, truly admitted it.

She didn’t just like this thing between them.

She wanted it.

And maybe…

Maybe it was time to stop pretending otherwise.

Azzi wasn’t in denial anymore.

She had spent weeks pretending that what was happening between her and Paige was just playful banter, harmless, a game they both enjoyed.

But now?

Now, it was too obvious. Too intense.

And Azzi was so tired of pretending.

It started early next morning.

Azzi had barely walked into the gym when Paige leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, looking way too pleased with herself.

“Morning pretty,” Paige drawled.

Azzi sighed. “What do you want?”

Paige smirked. “Not even a hello? I thought psychologists were supposed to be nice.”

Azzi rolled her eyes. “Hello, Paige.”

Paige grinned. “Much better.”

Azzi tried to step past her, but Paige blocked her path, deliberately.

Azzi raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

Paige tilted her head. “You seem tense. Need a personal trainer to help loosen you up?”

Azzi scoffed. “I’m fine.”

Paige shrugged, stepping closer, too close. “You sure? Cause you’ve been looking at me like you’ve got a lot on your mind.”

Azzi’s stomach flipped.

But she didn’t back down.

Instead, she held Paige’s gaze. “Funny. I was gonna say the same thing about you.”

For the first time, Paige looked caught.

Just for a second.

Then she grinned. “You’re getting cocky Azzi.”

Azzi smirked. “Maybe I’ve been spending too much time around you.”

Paige’s eyes darkened, just slightly.

And that’s when Azzi knew.

They weren’t dancing around this anymore.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

Aaron was in the weight room, stretching before their session, which meant Azzi had a few minutes of freedom. Or at least, she thought she did.

Because Paige was still in her space.

She was lifting weights, deliberately showing off. Flexing a little too much. Making sure Azzi noticed.

Azzi did.

Unfortunately.

Paige caught her staring. Again.

And this time, she didn’t let it slide.

She set down the weights, wiping her hands on a towel and turned to Azzi with a slow, knowing grin.

“You checking me out Fudd?”

Azzi’s heart jumped.

She tried to play it cool. “You’re imagining things.”

Paige chuckled. “Mmm. Am I?”

Azzi refused to let her win this one.

She tilted her head. “Even if I was, it’s only fair. You’ve been staring at me for weeks.”

Paige blinked.

Azzi smirked.

Paige recovered quickly. She stepped closer, so close Azzi could smell her shampoo.

“You’re right,” Paige murmured. “I have been staring.”

Azzi’s breath caught.

Paige’s voice dropped. “And you like it.”

Azzi didn’t answer.

Because Paige wasn’t wrong.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

Later that day, they were alone in the office, going over Aaron’s progress.

Paige was leaning over Azzi’s chair, pointing at something on the laptop, but Azzi wasn’t listening.

Not when Paige was this close. Not when Paige smelled this good. Not when Paige’s voice was low and teasing.

At some point, Paige stopped talking.

Azzi turned her head, and suddenly, they were inches apart.

Neither of them moved. Neither of them breathed.

Azzi’s pulse pounded.

Paige’s eyes flickered to her lips, just for a second.

Then she pulled back.

Too fast.

Azzi swallowed. “Paige—”

Paige cut her off. “We should go.”

Azzi exhaled, frustrated. “Right. Yeah. Of course.”

But as they walked out together, she knew it was only a matter of time.

Because whatever this was?

It was about to explode.

Azzi couldn’t deny it anymore. She had been trying to focus on her work, on her client, but everything kept coming back to Paige.

Every time she saw Paige’s easy smile, the way she leaned in when they talked, the way her eyes sparkled when she was excited about something, it made Azzi’s chest tighten in a way she couldn’t ignore. She wasn’t ready to admit to herself that this wasn’t just a fleeting feeling. It had been building for months, creeping in unnoticed.

But the next day, as they walked together to the gym after their session with the player, it was harder than ever to ignore.

Paige was walking beside her, close enough for Azzi to catch the faint scent of her perfume, a mix of lavender and something more, something that felt entirely like Paige. It made her heart race, and she kept her gaze straight ahead, trying not to let Paige see how much she was affecting her.

“So, how’s the day been?” Paige asked, glancing over at her with a playful glint in her eye. She was leaning into her usual teasing energy, but Azzi couldn’t shake the vulnerability that seemed to linger in the air between them.

“It’s been fine,” Azzi replied, her voice steady even though she felt anything but calm. “Busy, but good. You?”

“Same,” Paige said. There was a beat of silence before Paige added, “I’m really glad we’re doing this together again. I didn’t think I’d miss you this much.”

Azzi stopped walking for a second, her heart skipping in her chest. She turned to face Paige, not hiding the surprise in her expression. “You didn’t think you’d miss me?”

Paige’s eyes softened. “Well, maybe I didn’t realize how much I needed this. Having someone who understands me… who gets how I think. It’s been nice.”

Azzi’s breath caught, her thoughts swirling. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Paige reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face. It was a casual gesture, but there was something so intimate about it, something Azzi couldn’t ignore.

Paige’s hand lingered for a second longer than necessary, and Azzi felt the warmth of her touch sear through her. She swallowed hard, trying to regain some composure. “You’re always so… forward,” she said, her voice quieter than usual. “Don’t you ever hold back?”

Paige smirked, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “Not really. Why hold back when I know exactly what I want?” Her words were playful, but the intensity behind them made Azzi’s heart race. There was something heavy in the air between them. Something that wasn’t just about their work or their friendship.

Azzi couldn’t take it anymore. “And what is it you want, Paige?”

Paige stepped closer, her gaze steady on Azzi. “I want this..this connection we have. I want us to be… more.”

Azzi’s breath hitched, her thoughts a tangled mess. She didn’t know what to say. She had been trying so hard to pretend that her feelings weren’t there, that she was fine just being friends, but now it was impossible to deny. Her pulse quickened as she stood frozen in place, staring at Paige.

“More?” she whispered.

Paige nodded slowly, her expression softening. “Yeah. More. More than just this. More than what we’ve been pretending this is.”

Azzi felt her heart pounding in her chest. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and she could feel the pull between them like a magnetic force, drawing them closer with each passing second.

“I—” Azzi started to say, but before she could finish her thought, Paige’s lips were on hers.

It wasn’t a kiss of desperation or heat, but something deeper, more tender. It was a kiss that held all the weight of their unspoken feelings, all the years of friendship and unacknowledged longing. Paige’s lips were soft against hers,, asking, inviting her to take the leap.

Azzi hesitated for only a second before she kissed back, her hand resting gently on Paige’s neck, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath her touch. The world seemed to disappear as they stood there, caught in the moment. It was everything Azzi had been holding back, everything she hadn’t been able to say or express.

When they finally pulled away, both of them were breathless, their foreheads leaning together in a moment of shared vulnerability.

Azzi smiled softly, her heart still racing. “I’ve wanted that for a long time.”

Paige’s lips curled into a grin. “Same.”

Azzi shook her head in disbelief, but there was a lightness in her chest now, a freedom she hadn’t realized she needed. “You really know how to mess with me, don’t you?”

Paige laughed, the sound light and warm. “Guess I’ve had a lot of practice. You’re just too cute when you try to act all composed.” She winked playfully.

Azzi rolled her eyes, but her smile was soft, filled with warmth. She stepped closer to Paige, her voice quieter now. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

The moment felt fragile, like a delicate thread that might break if they weren’t careful, but for once, Azzi didn’t feel afraid. She didn’t feel like she had to protect herself from what she was feeling. With Paige, everything felt right.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

The following days felt surreal for Azzi. It was as if the world around her had shifted just slightly, like an invisible weight had been lifted off her shoulders. After that kiss with Paige, things felt different, better, more open. Yet, Azzi was still trying to figure out what this meant, both for their personal lives and their professional dynamic.

They continued to work with the athlete, pushing through each day with a mix of intensity and subtle glances, the air thick with unspoken words. Paige was constantly teasing her, her playful energy never far from the surface. Every time Azzi caught herself staring at Paige, she quickly looked away, her face heating up with the kind of embarrassment she hadn’t felt in years.

But then Paige would catch her, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “You okay there, Fudd? Something on your mind?”

Azzi would force a smile, trying to maintain her professional composure. “Just making sure you’re not slacking off,” she’d joke, though it was clear the teasing was a cover-up for the unacknowledged tension between them.

They were in the gym one afternoon, the athlete pushing through some light drills. Paige was on the other side of the room, working with the player, while Azzi kept an eye on their progress. She couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly Paige moved, how confident she was. There was a strength to her that Azzi admired, but also something about her presence that made Azzi’s pulse quicken.

As Paige turned and caught her staring, she raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a teasing smile. “You’re doing it again, Azzi.”

Azzi’s heart skipped. “Doing what?” she asked, trying to keep her tone casual.

“Staring at me like you’re about to say something,” Paige said, her voice playful but laced with something else, something that hinted at deeper feelings.

Azzi cleared her throat, glancing away quickly, trying to regain her composure. “I was just making sure you didn’t break your own rules.” It was a lame excuse, but it was all she could think of in the moment.

Paige crossed the room, her footsteps light but confident. She leaned in slightly, her breath warm on Azzi’s cheek as she whispered, “You know, you really should just admit that you’re into me. It’d be a lot less confusing for both of us.”

Azzi froze. She hadn’t expected Paige to be so direct. The words hung in the air between them, too close for comfort, and yet Azzi found herself unable to move. There was something intoxicating about the way Paige looked at her, something that made it hard to keep her guard up.

“I—” Azzi started, but the words caught in her throat. Her heart was racing, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts, but she couldn’t find a way to express what she was feeling. Instead, she took a step back, breaking the moment, trying to regain some control. “I’m just… not sure we should mix things up like that.”

Paige’s eyes softened, and for a moment, Azzi could see the vulnerability beneath her confident exterior. “I get it, Azzi,” Paige said, her tone quieter now. “We’ve been friends for a long time, and I don’t want to mess that up. But I also know what I want, and I’ve never been one to shy away from what I feel.”

Azzi let out a slow breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “I don’t know if I’m ready for all of this,” she admitted, her voice soft.

“You don’t have to be ready right now,” Paige said, her voice gentle, reassuring. “I just want you to know that whatever happens, we’ll figure it out. Together.”

The warmth in her words was undeniable, and for the first time, Azzi felt the weight of her own hesitation begin to lift. Maybe Paige was right, maybe this didn’t have to be as complicated as Azzi was making it. Maybe they could still have what they had, even if it meant something more.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

It was the night before their athlete’s championship game, and the atmosphere in the hotel was buzzing with excitement. Paige and Azzi were sitting at the bar, having a quiet drink together to unwind before the big day.

The room was filled with the hum of excited chatter, but all Azzi could focus on was Paige. She was sitting next to her, her leg brushing against Azzi’s every so often, sending electric jolts through her body. They hadn’t talked much about what had happened between them earlier in the week, but it was impossible to ignore the tension that still lingered between them.

“You okay?” Paige asked, her voice low, a smile playing at the corners of her lips as she studied Azzi.

Azzi took a deep breath, trying to shake off the nervous energy that had settled in her stomach. “Just thinking about the game tomorrow,” she said, though that wasn’t entirely true. There was something else on her mind, something that had nothing to do with the game.

Paige tilted her head, her eyes never leaving Azzi’s. “You know, I can’t help but notice how quiet you’ve been tonight.” She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “what’s going on?”

Azzi let out a soft laugh, trying to hide the fact that her heart was racing. “It’s just… this whole situation. I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Paige reached out, gently placing her hand over Azzi’s. The touch was simple, but it sent a shockwave through Azzi’s body. “You don’t have to figure it all out right now,” Paige said quietly. “We can just take things one step at a time.”

Azzi swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to their intertwined hands. She didn’t know what she was waiting for, but the closeness between them was undeniable.

Paige’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Azzi,” she said softly. “Look at me.”

Azzi did, meeting Paige’s gaze, and for a moment, everything else faded away. There was no pressure, no expectations, just the two of them, here, in this moment.

Paige’s thumb gently brushed over Azzi’s hand, and her voice was barely a whisper when she spoke again. “I’m not going anywhere, okay? Whatever this is between us… it’s worth exploring.”

Azzi’s breath caught in her throat, and for the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of peace. Maybe Paige was right. Maybe they didn’t have to have everything figured out. Maybe they could just take the leap and see where it led.

And so, with a soft smile, Azzi finally allowed herself to give in. She leaned in just enough to let her lips brush against Paige’s, and for a brief moment, the world fell away.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

The locker room was alive with excitement. The team had just clinched the championship win, and Paige couldn’t stop smiling. The athlete they had been working with for months had finally broken through, pushing past all the mental and physical barriers that had held them back. It felt like a hard-earned victory for everyone, especially for the athlete, who had fought tooth and nail to get back on the court after a serious injury.

The after-party was buzzing with energy, everyone celebrating their success. Paige and Azzi were both basking in the afterglow of their hard work, watching their athlete bask in their well-deserved spotlight. Paige had her drink in hand, and Azzi, looking impossibly beautiful in a tight, deep brown dress, had already drawn the atttention of several admirers.

As the crowd shifted around them, Paige couldn’t help but focus on Azzi. She hadn’t been able to stop stealing glances all night. Azzi’s dress hugged her body in all the right places, and Paige could feel her heart rate spike every time her eyes lingered on her. There was a magnetic pull between them, one that Paige had never quite been able to ignore.

“You look incredible,” Paige said, stepping a little closer to Azzi, her voice a bit more unsteady than usual. She was trying to keep her cool, but the alcohol and the way Azzi looked in that dress was making it nearly impossible.

Azzi glanced up at her with a smile that was both playful and warm. “You’ve said that like five times tonight,” she teased, but there was something in her eyes, something soft, something more vulnerable, that Paige hadn’t seen before.

Paige leaned in, her voice low as she replied, “Well, it’s true. Every time I look at you, it’s like I’m seeing you for the first time again.”

Azzi’s smile faltered just slightly, her eyes flicking between Paige’s lips and her eyes. “You’ve been staring at me all night. What’s going on P?” she asked softly, her voice laced with curiosity.

Paige didn’t shy away. Instead, she stepped even closer, her chest brushing against Azzi’s. “Can’t help it,” she murmured, her hand lightly grazing over Azzi’s arm. “Every time I look at you, I can’t stop thinking about how damn beautiful you are. You make it hard to think about anything else.”

Azzi’s breath hitched at the compliment, her eyes widening for a second before she let out a quiet laugh. “You’re something else, you know that?” She took a small step back, as if she was trying to process the gravity of Paige’s words.

Paige couldn’t hold back the smile that stretched across her face. “What can I say? I speak the truth,” she said, her gaze intense but playful. She took another sip of her drink, feeling the alcohol ease the tightness in her chest. “Besides, you’ve always made it hard for me to think straight, Azzi.”

Azzi raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by the honesty in Paige’s voice. “Is that so?” she asked, her tone both teasing and serious. “You’ve always had a way of getting under my skin.”

Paige’s pulse quickened at the words. The tension between them was almost unbearable now, thick with unspoken feelings and long-buried emotions. She took a step forward again, the space between them practically nonexistent.

“Yeah, well,” Paige said, her voice suddenly much softer, “there’s something about you that makes it impossible for me to forget you. You’re always on my mind.”

Azzi bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. “You’re not exactly helping me out here,” she said, her words coming out slightly slurred. “I’m trying to keep it cool, and you’re making it really hard.”

Paige, now fully aware of how touchy she was getting after a few drinks, couldn’t stop herself. She took a step forward, letting her hands rest gently on Azzi’s waist. “Maybe that’s the point,” Paige said, her eyes softening, the tension between them palpable.

Azzi’s breath hitched, but she quickly recovered with a laugh.

The party was still in full swing around them, but it felt like the rest of the world had faded away. Paige couldn’t tear her gaze away from Azzi, not when she was so close, not when the chemistry was so thick in the air.

Azzi let out a little laugh, her eyes catching Paige’s in a way that made her stomach flip. “You’re dangerous when you drink, you know that?”

Paige shrugged, looking at her with a teasing grin. “I’m just being honest,” she replied. “If you want me to be real with you, I’ve been wanting to kiss you all night.”

Azzi froze, her eyes wide, as she took in Paige’s words. “Are you serious?”

Paige was no longer sure where the alcohol ended and the honesty began. “More serious than I’ve ever been,” she said softly, her gaze intense as she watched Azzi’s reaction. “I want to kiss you, Azzi. Right here. Right now.”

Azzi blinked, clearly caught off guard. “God, Paige, you’re drunk,” she said, though there was a flicker of something in her eyes, something that told Paige Azzi wasn’t entirely opposed to the idea.

“Well,” Paige said with a grin, leaning in just slightly closer, “I’m not the only one who’s been sneaking glances all night, right?”

Azzi’s expression softened, and she let out a sigh. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it either,” she admitted, her voice quieter now.

The words hung in the air for a second, both of them processing what had just been said. Then Azzi, looking a little tipsy herself, surprised Paige by reaching up to touch her cheek, her hand warm and steady.

“You’ve always known how to make me blush,” Azzi said, her voice low, and Paige’s heart leaped in her chest. “I’m just… afraid we’ll mess it up. But damn, it feels like it’s already happening, doesn’t it?”

“Maybe that’s the best thing,” Paige said, her tone flirtatious but also gentle. “We’ve always been in sync. Maybe it’s time we let ourselves have something real.”

Azzi smiled, her eyes soft. “Maybe you’re right,” she said. “But you’re still dangerous when you’re drunk.”

“I’m dangerous all the time,” Paige winked.

Paige looked down at Azzi’s lips, the desire clear in her eyes. The words she had held back for so long seemed to surge to the surface. “You… You always make me second-guess myself,” Paige admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I never knew what to do with what I felt for you. I still don’t.”

Azzi’s eyes softened, and she reached out, her hand gently resting on Paige’s arm. “I’ve always felt it too,” she said quietly, her voice full of emotion. “But I was afraid… afraid of what it would do to everything we’ve built, to what we were.”

Paige swallowed, her heart pounding in her chest as she looked into Azzi’s eyes. “I don’t care about that anymore,” she confessed, stepping even closer. “I don’t want to hold back anymore, Azzi. I just want to be around you.”

Azzi hesitated, her breath coming a little faster now. “Paige…” she started, but the words were cut off when Paige closed the space between them, capturing her lips in a slow, lingering kiss.

It wasn’t like the first kiss. This time, it was deeper, more urgent, filled with everything they had both held inside for so long. Paige’s hand moved to Azzi’s waist, pulling her closer, feeling the heat of her body against hers. Azzi melted into it, her fingers curling into Paige’s hair, tugging her closer. The kiss deepened, each of them exploring, savoring, like they were both finally giving in to everything they had been resisting. When they finally pulled back, their foreheads rested against each other, both of them breathing heavily.

Azzi smiled softly, her hands resting on Paige’s shoulders. Paige smiled back, her fingers brushing over Azzi’s cheek. “What are we waiting for?” she asked, her voice light but filled with desire

Azzi’s smile widened, and for the first time, she seemed completely at ease. “I think we should get out of here,” she murmured, her lips curling up at the corners. “Before we do something crazy.”

Paige chuckled, her hand finding Azzi’s as they began walking toward the exit. “You’re right.”

Azzi raised an eyebrow, a playful gleam in her eyes. “You’re bold when you’ve had a little to drink,” she said with a laugh.

Paige shrugged with a grin. “Guess you’ll just have to get used to it,” she replied, her voice low with a hint of flirtation.

They walked out of the party, the cool night air hitting their faces, and they both knew that things were about to change. They didn’t need to say anything more. The unspoken connection between them was all they needed now.

As they reached the elevator, Paige glanced at Azzi, feeling a surge of affection. “I don’t know where this is going, but I’m glad it’s with you.”

Azzi smiled, her eyes soft and sincere. “Me too, Paige. Me too.”

The door to Paige’s hotel room clicked shut behind them, locking them in a space suddenly charged with anticipation.

Neither of them spoke at first, but the silence wasn’t empty, it was full. Full of all the words they weren’t saying, all the tension that had been building between them since the moment they reconnected.

Azzi stood near the edge of the bed, her eyes never leaving Paige’s. “I’m gonna take a shower” her voice soft, playful.

Paige exhaled a laugh, running a hand through her hair. “I think i need one too.”

Azzi took a step closer, her hands finding the hem of her shirt, pulling it over her head in one smooth motion. The tank top underneath did nothing to hide the toned muscle beneath her skin, and Paige felt her mouth go dry.

Azzi smirked at the reaction, tossing the shirt aside. “You gonna just stand there staring, or are we actually doing this?”

Paige rolled her eyes but couldn’t fight the smile tugging at her lips. “You’re getting real cocky, you know that?”

Azzi grinned. “Only ‘cause I know you like it.”

She wasn’t wrong.

Paige didn’t hesitate any longer. She reached for Azzi’s wrist, tugging her toward the bathroom without another word.

The bathroom was warm, a subtle mist lingering from when Azzi had turned the shower on earlier. The sound of running water filled the space as they stepped inside, the small room amplifying the intimacy of the moment.

Paige turned to face Azzi, watching as she peeled off the rest of her clothes. Every inch of skin revealed made Paige’s breath hitch just a little more.

Paige raised an eyebrow. “You gonna join me or what?”

Azzi exhaled, shaking her head at how effortless Paige made this seem. She quickly stripped down, feeling the heat of Paige’s gaze as she did.

The moment they stepped under the water, it was over.

The first touch was tentative, Paige’s fingers brushing against Azzi’s skin, tracing droplets of water sliding down. Azzi inhaled sharply at the contact, her own hands coming up to rest against Paige’s waist.

“You’re so beautiful,” Paige murmured, voice barely audible over the sound of the shower.

Azzi smiled, softer this time. “You too.”

Paige leaned in, pressing her forehead against Azzi’s for just a second before tilting her head, letting their lips meet in a slow, deliberate kiss. It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t desperate. It was perfect.

Azzi’s hands tightened on Paige’s waist, pulling her closer. The warmth of their bodies pressed together sent a shiver up Paige’s spine.

“Damn,” Paige breathed against her lips. “Been waiting for this.”

Azzi smiled, tilting Paige’s chin up so she could kiss her again, deeper this time. The steam wrapped around them, making every touch slick and heated.

Paige’s hands moved, trailing down Azzi’s back, tracing every line of muscle, every dip of her skin. Azzi let out a soft gasp when Paige’s fingers pressed into her hips, nails digging just slightly.

“Paige,” Azzi whispered, breathless.

Paige groaned at the way her name sounded on Azzi’s lips, pressing their bodies impossibly closer. “Yeah, baby?”

Azzi let out a breathy laugh, leaning into Paige’s touch. “Just… don’t stop.”

Paige had no intention of stopping.

Paige’s strong hand reached out, tracing a slow, deliberate line along Azzi’s damp shoulder. The warmth of her touch sent shivers down Azzi’s spine, igniting every nerve. As water streamed down their intertwined forms, Azzi leaned in and captured Paige’s lips in a searing kiss, deep, unhurried, and filled with years of unspoken desire.

Their kiss deepened, each caress a tender exploration of every hidden longing. Azzi’s fingers danced along the curve of Paige’s neck, pulling her closer until the heat between them grew undeniable. In the steamy glow, they kissed again, more urgently this time, fingers interlacing as they sought to erase the distance that had always lingered between them.

Paige’s hands roamed over Azzi’s ass, feeling the curves of her body that had always captivated her. Every touch was a conversation, every gentle squeeze or lingering stroke spoke of a passion that had been waiting to be confessed. The rhythm of the falling water echoed their soft moans and shared laughter as they exchanged playful kisses along the collarbone, their lips soft yet insistent.

“Tell me you’re feeling this,” Azzi murmured against Paige’s lips as she traced light kisses down her jawline. The intimacy of the moment left them both trembling, their kisses becoming a silent affirmation of everything they’d longed for. Paige’s response was a series of delicate, searching kisses that traveled slowly, mapping the contours of Azzi’s face and expressing a vulnerability that was as powerful as it was beautiful.

In the warm shower, the boundaries between them dissolved completely. Their touches became bolder, their kisses more fervent, each one a promise of the connection they’d always shared. Azzi’s hand cradled Paige’s face as she pressed her lips against hers once more, the passion building with every lingering, heartfelt caress.

Under the steady cascade of water, every kiss, every touch, wove them closer together, washing away the hesitations of the past. In that exquisite, sensual moment, their souls communicated in the language of tender kisses and gentle caresses, each movement a declaration that nothing, not even time, could keep them apart.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

The soft light of the morning streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the hotel room. The air between Paige and Azzi was thick with unspoken words, but there was also an undeniable shift in the atmosphere, a soft, almost comforting tension.

Paige woke up slowly, her head feeling slightly fuzzy from the drinks the night before, but it wasn’t the alcohol that made her heart race. It was the fact that Azzi was lying next to her, their bodies tangled in the sheets, the warm weight of Azzi’s arm resting across her waist.

For a few moments, Paige just stayed still, trying to process everything. The kiss. The touches. The confessions that had been hanging in the air for so long. She had never expected any of this to happen, yet here they were, in the quiet aftermath.

Azzi stirred, her eyes fluttering open. When she saw Paige, a small, shy smile spread across her face, and for a second, Paige’s breath hitched in her throat. The woman she had secretly wanted for years was here, next to her, and it felt more real than anything she had ever imagined.

“Good morning,” Azzi said softly, her voice still a little groggy but warm and full of affection.

Paige smiled, her heart doing a little flip in her chest. “Good morning,” she replied, her voice a little hoarse. She moved closer, resting her head on Azzi’s chest, inhaling the scent of her shampoo, the softness of her skin.

There was a comfortable silence, just the two of them, wrapped in each other’s arms. Paige finally spoke, her words carefully chosen. “So… what now?”

Azzi chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair out of Paige’s face. “I don’t know,” she said. “But I think we’ve got a lot of things to figure out.”

Paige looked up at her, her eyes serious. “I know we do. But… Azzi, I don’t want to pretend anymore. Not after last night. Not after everything.”

Azzi’s expression softened, her hand gently caressing Paige’s cheek. “I don’t want to pretend either,” she whispered. “We’ve both been pretending for too long, haven’t we?”

Paige nodded, her heart pounding. She could feel the weight of their history, the years of unsaid words, but now, here in the quiet of the morning, it felt like everything was finally falling into place.

“We have all the time in the world,” Azzi said, her voice warm and reassuring. “Let’s figure it out. Together.”

The sincerity in Azzi’s voice made Paige’s chest tighten with emotion. She smiled, her heart swelling with happiness. “I can’t believe we’re here,” she whispered, almost to herself.

Azzi smiled back, her thumb tracing soft circles on Paige’s arm. “Neither can I,” she said. “But I’m glad we are.”

They stayed in that quiet, intimate moment, not needing to say anything more. Words weren’t always necessary when it felt this right.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

A few weeks had passed since that night in the hotel room, and things between Paige and Azzi had shifted in ways that felt almost surreal. They were no longer just two people reconnecting, they were building something new, something real. Something that felt like it had been waiting for them all along.

The gym had become a regular meeting place for them, but it wasn’t just about the athlete they were helping anymore. It wasn’t just about recovery or progress. Now, it was about them, about what they were becoming.

Paige and Azzi had slipped into a new routine, one where they were constantly teasing each other, exchanging glances full of meaning, and laughing at all the inside jokes that only they understood. Their playful flirtation had turned into something deeper, something that neither of them wanted to rush, but neither could deny.

One afternoon, after a particularly intense training session, they found themselves alone in the locker room, the rest of the team having already left.

Azzi was sitting on a bench, stretching out her muscles, when Paige came over to her, a mischievous grin on her face.

“What?” Azzi asked, looking up at her, her expression a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

Paige leaned against the wall, her eyes narrowing playfully. “You look good in that tank top. But I bet you’d look even better without it.”

Azzi laughed, shaking her head. “You never stop, do you?”

Paige smiled, moving closer. “Why would I? I’ve got to keep you on your toes.”

Azzi tilted her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. “You think I’m not already?”

Paige paused, then gently reached for Azzi’s hand, pulling her up from the bench. “You know,” she said softly, “I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.

Azzi’s breath caught in her throat as she looked into Paige’s eyes, seeing the depth of emotion there, the vulnerability she had never seen before. “What do you mean?”

Paige took a step closer, her hand resting against Azzi’s arm. “I mean that I’m all in. No more pretending. I want this. I want you.”

Azzi’s heart skipped a beat. She had known how she felt for so long, but hearing Paige say it out loud made everything feel more real than ever. She smiled softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I want you, too.”

The space between them seemed to disappear in that moment, and before either of them could second-guess it, their lips met in a kiss that was soft and slow, full of all the unspoken things they had been carrying for so long. The kiss was a promise, a promise to no longer hide, to no longer be afraid of what they wanted.

As they pulled away, Paige smiled, her forehead resting against Azzi’s. “I’m glad we’re finally here.”

Azzi’s smile mirrored hers. “Me too. We’ve got a lot ahead of us, but I think we’re ready.”

And for the first time in a long while, Paige felt at peace. The future was uncertain, but with Azzi by her side, she knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

It had been a couple of weeks since they had finally admitted to each other how they felt, and things had only gotten better between Paige and Azzi. Their playful banter, shared smiles, and stolen glances had turned into something deeper, something that was now moving toward the kind of relationship that Paige had always dreamed about but never quite knew how to find.

One evening, Paige decided it was time to take the plunge. She had been thinking about it all week, and as much as she hated to admit it, she was nervous. Sure, she had always been confident, but when it came to Azzi, it was different. The weight of her feelings was heavier now, and she wanted to make this moment special.

Paige found herself pacing around her apartment, running her fingers through her hair and muttering to herself. “You got this,” she muttered, glancing at her phone. It was already 6 p.m., and she still hadn’t called Azzi. She wasn’t sure if she was going to be too forward, but she finally dialed Azzi’s number, trying to keep the nerves from showing.

The phone rang a few times before Azzi answered, her voice soft and sweet. “Hey, what’s up baby?”

Paige grinned, suddenly feeling a little more at ease. “Hey beautiful, so, I’ve been thinking,” she began, biting her lip. “I know we’ve been hanging out a lot, but I want to do something different tonight. I was wondering if you’d be up for, well you know, going on a real date with me?”

Azzi was quiet for a moment, and Paige could hear the smile in her voice when she finally spoke. “A real date, huh? That sounds nice.”

Paige’s grin widened. “Yeah. Dinner, maybe. Something low key. We could do whatever you want, though. It’s just… I want to spend more time with you.”

Azzi laughed softly. “I think I can manage that.” There was a brief pause before Azzi added, “When do you want to do this?”

Paige’s grin widened. “How about in an hour? I’ll come pick you up?”

“I’ll be ready,” Azzi replied with a slight chuckle.

A little over an hour later, Paige arrived at Azzi’s apartment, her heart pounding in her chest. She had chosen a casual outfit, a black leather jacket, a white t-shirt, some silver jewelry and a pair of jeans, something she knew would make her feel confident, yet still look effortless. She rang the doorbell, her palms sweaty from the anticipation.

Azzi opened the door, and Paige’s breath caught in her throat. Azzi was wearing a simple, yet stunning, black dress that hugged her figure just right. Her soft curly hair, falling over her shoulders, and her smile was enough to make Paige’s heart skip a beat.

“Wow,” Paige said, her voice barely above a whisper. “You look… amazing.”

Azzi’s cheeks flushed a soft pink as she adjusted the strap on her dress. “You look really good P” she said, reaching for her purse. “I didn’t think you’d actually go all out for this date.”

Paige raised an eyebrow. “You think I don’t know how to impress a girl?” She winked playfully, and Azzi rolled her eyes, clearly trying to hide her smile.

“You’re ridiculous,” Azzi said, but she was laughing. “Let’s just get going before you talk me into something I’ll regret.”

Paige chuckled, offering Azzi her arm like it was the most natural thing in the world. “I promise, no regrets.”

─────────── ౨ৎ ──────────

The night was filled with laughter and conversation, and it felt so effortlessly easy to be with Azzi. They went to a cozy restaurant that Paige knew Azzi would love. It was quiet, intimate, with soft lighting and an incredible menu.

As they sat down, the chemistry between them was undeniable, but this time it wasn’t just about playful teasing, it was about getting to know each other in a deeper way.

“So,” Paige began, taking a sip of her wine, “tell me something about your time at UConn that I don’t know. Something I don’t even know about you.”

Azzi leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful look crossing her face. “Hmm. Well, I don’t know if you remember this, but when i was freshman, I used to sneak into the gym in the middle of the night just to practice my shots. Everyone was always so busy with their own schedules, but I hated being behind. So I’d go by myself, thinking no one would catch me.” She smiled at the memory. “You were one of the only ones who ever caught me.”

Paige laughed softly, shaking her head. “Of course I caught you. You were always sneaking around, trying to get better. I remember that night so clearly. You were drenched in sweat, trying to make that one shot. I should’ve known then that you were a little bit of a perfectionist.”

Azzi chuckled. “I was such a perfectionist back then. Still am sometimes.” She met Paige’s gaze, her smile softening. “I think I just wanted to prove myself.”

Paige’s expression softened as well, and she nodded. “I get it. You’ve always had this drive. It’s one of the things I admire about you.”

Azzi raised an eyebrow playfully. “Really? You admire my stubbornness?”

Paige smirked. “I admire your dedication. You’re always pushing yourself, even when it’s not easy.”

Azzi grinned. “Well, I’m glad someone noticed.”

Paige leaned back in her seat, her fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass. “What about you? What’s something about me you’ve never told me?” she asked, her voice quiet and teasing.

Azzi thought for a moment, then leaned in slightly. “Honestly, I always knew you were going to be amazing. You were always so calm and collected. I think you were one of the only people I knew at UConn who didn’t let the pressure get to you. And I could tell you cared so much about everyone, even when you didn’t say much. You’re always the one who listens, always the one who makes sure everyone’s okay.”

Paige blushed slightly at the compliment, ducking her head. “I… I never really knew what to say in those moments. But I always tried to be there for my teammates, for you.”

Azzi’s heart warmed at the sincerity in Paige’s eyes. “You were always there, Paige. Always.”

Paige smiled, meeting Azzi’s gaze again. “I’m glad. And… I’m glad we’re here now.”

The words hung in the air between them, and for a moment, it felt like the world had slowed down. They weren’t at UConn anymore. They weren’t players and trainers, they were just two people, sitting across from each other, sharing a quiet moment that felt like it was meant to be.

“Me too,” Paige whispered, her voice softer than before. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Azzi smiled, and for the rest of the evening, they talked more about their past, their memories at UConn, and everything that had led them to this moment. It was a night full of laughter, warmth, and a connection that was undeniable.

And as they walked out of the restaurant, side by side, Paige knew that this was only the beginning. There were so many more moments ahead of them, and she couldn’t wait to see where it all went.