#lol i´m a sham

[the-kr8tor]

Ok, it’s a bit early for this type of request but hobie brown on Valentine’s Day with reader. Even though he hates the capitalist part of it, reader convinces him it’s all about the love and they celebrate together. (They make each other homemade gifts, and if they want something from the store hobie would steal it) <3

-🪩

Thank you for the adorable request!! Ly 🫶 (uploaded early bc i tend to forget abt valentine's day lol)

Pairing: Hobie Brown x gn! Reader/ Spider-Punk x gn! Reader

Tags: No use of Y/N, No specific physical description of the reader, CW food mentions, FLUFF.

ʕ⁠·⁠ᴥ⁠·⁠ʔ

The loud music blares right inside your eardrums, chocolate aroma filtering through the entire flat, there's dried bits of it in your hair, apron and hands. You hum while putting the melted chocolate in its heart shaped molds.

Hobie's initials are freshly painted using icing on the prototypes or what you called ‘the rejected batch’ after you dumped more cocoa powder in it, making it lumpy and in turn making the hearts look wonky.

Stretching your aching neck, you place the tray of chocolate inside the freezer to cool, nodding to yourself at how you've practically perfected the last batch; now you just have to wait for it to freeze over so you could paint his initials and cartoon versions of you two on the chocolate. After that you can finally box them up and gift them to Hobie's as a valentine's gift—

“What's all this then?” A chin plops atop your shoulder, fingers taking off your earbuds for you.

You jump in your skin, back hitting the fridge door in surprise. “Fucking fuck!”

Hobie grins at your reaction, his hand hidden behind his back. “Cute apron. You look bloody fit in it.”

You clutch your imaginary pearls. “You're such an ass.” calming your racing heart, you flick his forehead. “You're early.”

“Time is a construct.”

“I'm not done with your gift.”

“Valentine's day is a sham holiday that capitalists invented so you could buy shit your partner doesn't need.” He raises a brow at you.

You loop your arms around his neck, smile widening at every word he utters. “What's that behind you then?”

“Flowers,” he sighs, revealing a bouquet of flowers from behind, the colorful paper crinkles, a thin red ribbon tying it all together. You're sure you've seen the flowers somewhere. “Before you say anythin’ it's from my garden.”

“You're an absolute sweetheart, Hobie brown.” eyes sparkling, you lean to press numerous kisses on his whole face, he scrunches up, feigning offense at your comment, but the way he subtly chases your lips says otherwise.

“My big punk sweetheart got me flowers!” You can't help but squeeze his cheeks. “From his beloved garden no less!” Pressing kisses in quick succession, he surrenders to you, sighing with every smooch you give him.

You lean away, affection satiated. He looks properly smooched with his face relaxed and lips smiling lopsidedly. His eyes are the same shape as the chocolates you've been making.

“The holiday's still a bloody cash grab.” He huffs, not an annoyed huff but a content one as you wipe the sheen you've left on his skin.

“I know it is.” You chuckle, busying yourself on cleaning his face. Your movements remind him of a cat grooming another cat; tender and soothing for the one they love. “It's about the thought, the love that comes with the gifts. Purchased or made there's love underneath it all.” Voice soft, lashes fluttering, you look at him like you've got the whole world in your hands.

“Or stolen from a multi million store that doesn't pay their employees fairly?” Hobie holds you by your middle, spare hand still clutched around the precious bouquet.

“Oh especially then!” you take his gift, smelling the petals. Your heart is full.

Smiling, you embrace him that he welcomes wholeheartedly. Nose nuzzling the crook of his neck, you leave a soft kiss on his jaw for good measure.

“Based on the chocolates on the walls, 'm guessing you got me a new guitar?” Hobie jokes, voice muffled by your temple that he's currently pecking like a man deprived of kisses. (He isn't)

“Wait a few more hours to get your gift?” You lean away to look at him, he's eyeing the prototypes on the counter.

“Stay with you for the rest of the day, getting snogged by you every second?” You nod, giggling. “Sounds like pants.” Before you could say something witty, he crashes his lips to yours.

Hobie tastes chocolates in your lips, making him kiss you deeper. Hands gliding along your lower back, he finds penchant on your hips, molding the soft skin in his hands.

He leans back, watching your flustered face gawp at him. “Tastes good, love.” His voice is deep and saccharine. You're absolutely melting in his arms, the bouquet almost slipping from your clammy hands.

“Let me get another taste.”

[anesidoraa]

sd gundam gaiden's shrine maiden miorine is really interesting. as this is an au, there's a lot that's different from the anime of course. but her character has some really cool and intriguing changes.

disclaimer: i'm using mtl (google lens) to understand this au so i might not be 100% correct. and before you ask, i don't have scans of the booklet. a kind soul just sent me pics of it m(_ _)m.

i'm not sure if you need to buy an entire box to get one but the cards come with a booklet that has all the info about the setting, the characters, and the story. this au's premise is pretty much similar to the anime. vanadis in this setting was a village where the people worshipped a dragon god. "gund" is the power of the dragon god and gund tech is the "gund gems" the villagers made which use that dragon power to enhance one's strength. delling of course didn't like this, he declared the dragon god to be a sham and ordered an attack on the dragon village. the survivors and their children escaped into a forest where they would hide and eventually reside. years later, it's now protected by the summoner prospera and is where suletta, miorine, and other earth house characters live.

in the booklet, it's said that miorine, as the village's shrine maiden, is the bridge between the "dragon god" and humans. she protects the village from evil? magic and is in charge of the agriculture. miorine also has a... baby dragon??? hiding in her bosom???? she really saw the utena sword and said i could do you one better lol. i'm so curious if the baby dragon is another aerial or calibarn.

this role is probably a callback to her being the ceo of gund-arm but it feels like she's much more closely associated to vanadis in this setting. she could connect to the dragon god?? and hides a dragon in her??? but that's not all...

delling in this setting is the chief of the benerit tribe. in his description, it's said that he has no successor, so he will choose the next chief from the three major factions... there's also this line from michaelis which further suggests miorine is not with benerit and delling in this au. i'm just not sure if this line meant surprise at the fact there is still a shrine maiden for vanadis' dragon god or that miorine is still alive. it might be the former.

so i'm thinking it's possible that it's not publicly known (or maybe only a handful know) that miorine is delling's daughter, or that he even has one. she probably got separated from delling very early in the timeline and was raised in the dragon village. maybe it was notrette who ran away and took miorine with her??? we'll see if there's anything to explain these in the next edition.

but yeah i thought the shrine maiden role, being so closely tied to vanadis/gund was really interesting. while the shrine maiden is an important role in this story, i like that miorine being pretty weak is still a thing in this LMAO. because as you can see on her card, she has very low MP. but the tomatoes she grows, which are an item card, are imbued with power and i reckon that's how she helps mage suletta, her cute tanuki protector (like literally, she was assigned by prospera to protect the shrine maiden).

[alectoperdita]

For the ficlets request, 'meeting upon the threshold' more in that universe of DSOD Kaiba realizing what the could have had and now he fucked up or just jealous DSOD Kaiba . (hope all is well with you sending all the good internet vibes)

Oh anon, I hope you were ready to receive a full-ass sequel chapter. Hope this satisfies your prompt(s). 🥺 They gave me a lot to think about (lol obviously, based on how much I wrote), and it's driving me more insane with yet more to consider. For now, I yeet this for peace of mind.

Read "Meeting upon the threshold" on AO3

word count: 4281 rating: M tags: post-DSOD, Kaiba being an asshole, one-night stand, open ending, mild sexual content, anal sex, unprotected sex

---

The forbidden fruit of knowledge sat with him—day after day, then week after week, festering with the sickeningly sweet scent of onsetting rot.

He should've discarded it. As soon as Isono, knitted brows visible above the lip of his sunglasses, handed him the dossier he'd requested, he should've ordered it disposed of. Kaiba recognized his employee's confusion, even concern. He even felt a bit of it toward himself. It had been years since he'd shown any interest in someone on the mortal plane who wasn't an active security risk, much less in Yugi's ilk.

Kaiba lost track of Yugi years ago when he retired from dueling.

But that was what made it confusing. Kaiba hadn't requested information on Yugi, but Jounouchi fucking Katsuya.

As much as Kaiba refused to admit it, his meeting with an alternate version of himself, one engaged to Jounouchi, haunted him. He spent more time than warranted replaying the encounter again and again in his head, searching for any hint of disharmony simmering beneath the surface. They might be blissfully happy or lying to themselves in a sham of a relationship. But Kaiba couldn't tell because he didn't know them.

Not anymore than he knew or understood the Jounouchi of his universe, no matter how much dirt Isono and the security team dug up on the man.

The files sat in a drawer in his office, the digital copy in his email. Against his better judgment, he'd pull it up and review the content every few days. After the first week, he practically had it memorized.

By the end of the second week, its luster grew too bright, too deceptively tempting, to ignore.

Call it a capitulation to curiosity; a momentary weakness. Either way, he counted on it finally purging his fixation.

Kaiba was ready to forget the unfortunate detour and move on. Put everything he saw of the other Seto and his fiance and bury it in a mental compartment never to be unearthed again.

Again, Isono demonstrated mute surprise not only because Kaiba left the office early in the evening, but the slight lift of his eyebrows said he recognized the address Kaiba requested to be driven to.

His bodyguard knew better than to say anything, though. If he hadn't made a peep when Mokuba divested from the company and moved to America, why would he start now?

Jounouchi, the other Jounouchi's words rose unbidden in his mind: "You already pushed everyone away, haven't you?"

Kaiba shoved the memory aside.

Traffic was light as they made their way to the old commercial district. Thanks to stubborn neighborhood associations, new development had stalled in this area compared to the rest of the city. The businesses here were family-owned and run by old timers more concerned with nostalgia than progress.

Time was on Kaiba's side. He could wait them out.

Really, he wasn't surprised Jounouchi opened his establishment here. If only so he could be another thorn in his side.

The first time he saw it in Jounouchi's files, he'd laughed. The sound resonated through his office. Never in a million years would Kaiba have pictured Jounouchi as a small business owner, especially given his rather spotty employment history. But a death in the family, and not the one everyone would've guessed, had gifted the man an unexpected windfall.

The restaurant license was legitimate. Kaiba checked twice.

Removed from the city's more vibrant business and entertainment districts, the neighborhood resembled a slice of time crystalized in amber. Its vibes were positively sleepy, and its streets were devoid of pedestrians. Hardly bustling. Kaiba doubted any business in the area qualified as booming.

He sneered. Appropriate—a third-rate restaurant in a deadbeat part of town, run by a deadbeat.

"Stay here," he ordered Isono when they stopped at the curb. "I'll call if I need anything."

Isono nodded. "Understood, Seto-sama."

Jounouchi's little restaurant was located down a narrow side street, on the ground floor of a similarly narrow two-story building with a slatted wooden roof. The place was little more than a hole-in-the-wall, with only enough seating to serve maybe half a dozen people. Perfect for a one-man operation.

Kaiba didn't hesitate before ducking under the entrance curtain. Red and patterned, it was surprisingly traditional.

"Welcome!" rang through the small shop. The lone figure behind the counter dipped into a deep bow. His voice was immediately familiar to Kaiba, almost instantly transporting him back more than a decade.

The shop's proprietor, Jounouchi, straightened. Something jangled against his chest, a long necklace slipping out of his collar. Kaiba's blood pressure spiked before he realized they were dog tags hanging from it.

Not a ring on a chain.

Slowly, Kaiba uncurled his fists, one finger at a time.

Clearly, Jounouchi remembered him too. Of course he did. Kaiba's presence in Domino was not one that could be ignored. His face was frequently plastered on billboards and featured in local and national media. Yet Jounouchi gawked, nonetheless.

It was amusing to watch the myriad of emotions flashing across Jounouchi's face—the shock, the confusion, and finally the outrage. Satisfaction welled inside Kaiba.

"Get lost," barked Jounouchi once he recovered, reaching for a knife before thinking better of it.

Kaiba did not. He crossed the threshold and took a seat at the empty serving counter directly in front of Jounouchi.

Up close, he scrutinized the other man in return. Seeing Jounouchi in real life didn't compare to the covert surveillance shots. The dark bandana around his head kept his blond hair under control. Navy chef's jacket and a white apron; he at least dressed for the job. His face was the same, more or less, yet his jaw cut sharper, the underside of his eyes darker, and his brown eyes less mirthful.

There were faint remnants of his once youthful boyish charms, but he was undeniably older now.

As was Kaiba.

But some things never changed between them.

"Is that any way to greet your customers?" he drawled, a familiar smirk lifting the corner of his lips. It was almost comforting, like slipping into a well-worn sweater.

Jounouchi clenched his jaw, the muscles jumped visibly. "I'm doing the neighborhood a favor and running off the vermin."

Kaiba's gaze darted upward. As he saw from the surveillance photos, Jounouchi indeed boosted an eyebrow piercing, two red studs framing the top and bottom of his left brow. Combined with his pierced earlobes and the short ponytail, he hadn't made a clean break with his delinquent past.

But maybe Jounouchi's lady friends appreciated the vaguely thuggish look. Or his boyfriends, if this universe's Jounouchi had similar tastes as his counterpart.

Seto couldn't be sure. The dossier reported next to nothing about Jounouchi's romantic relationships beyond his current singlehood.

As he met Jounouchi's gaze, his smirk widened, displaying every tooth possible. "Funny, that's what I figured you served in a shitty establishment like this, grilled vermin."

To his surprise, and perhaps even disappointment, Jounouchi didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he calmly gestured to the wooden plaques hanging over him. "I'm sure a smart guy like you can read."

Kaiba scanned the offerings. He didn't frequent establishments like this, as he preferred Western cuisine. The menu boasted the usual assortment of grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables, along with some ready-to-serve appetizers. The rest was a limited alcohol menu. When his gaze darted back to Jounouchi, he folded his hands on the counter and said, "Chef's choice."

For a second, Jounouchi didn't move, barely twitched as he took a shallow breath. Then, his expression steeled itself in preparation to meet Kaiba's unspoken challenge, and he burst into a flurry of movement. For a moment, he disappeared behind another curtain divider and emerged on the other side of the counter with a tray.

"Your otoshi," Jounouchi grumbled when he set a trio of small plates, a sake cup, and pourer down in front of Kaiba. He leveled one last glare before returning behind the counter.

Kaiba tried not to snort. Picking up his chopsticks, he poked at one appetizer, strips of braised burdock root and carrots. It looked correct and smelled fine. The texture crunched as he sank his teeth in, while the flavor was both sweet and savory. Out of the corner of his eyes, he spotted Jounouchi pausing in his other preparations to watch him chew.

Kaiba swallowed without comment, and poured sake into the serving cup. Well aware of Jounouchi's lingering gaze, he threw it back in one gulp.

The sake was nothing special, nothing to write home about, but its crisp taste complemented the braised vegetables' flavor.

Their eyes locked as Kaiba lowered his cup. Jounouchi broke eye contact almost immediately, brows knitted as he concentrated on his knife and cutting board. He wielded the blade with confidence and ease, making straight cuts that sliced cleanly through a small horse mackerel. There was already other food cooking on the grill. Kaiba could smell it from across the counter that separated them.

If anyone walked in on them, an outsider might think they were nothing more than a cook and his sole customer. Despite the casual air Kaiba affected, he watched his every move. Jounouchi wasn't the sort to poison his food. Probably. Jounouchi didn't lower his guard, either, carrying his tension in shoulders and jaws despite his smooth and controlled movements.

The image of the other Jounouchi came to mind unbidden. Kaiba wondered what he did, if he even worked or if he mooched off the other Seto's good grace. It was hard to imagine Jounouchi, any Jounouchi, as a kept man, simply because he shouldn't have that sort of appeal. Compared to the other Jounouchi with his bright eyes and well-fitted clothes, the one native to his home dimension was rougher around the edges. Not just in how he kept his appearance, but also in his mannerisms. Like Kaiba, Jounouchi had also filled out since their teen years, namely in the chest and arms. The muscles in his forearms flexed as he worked his knife and grill.

After several long moments of silence, Kaiba couldn't hold his tongue any longer. "It figures this is the kind of cooking you took to—grilling meat on a stick. Positively caveman."

Jounouchi stiffened. He bristled, red creeping into his cheeks. He bit his tongue and said nothing, though. Instead, he plucked two skewers of seared meat and delicately placed them on a serving plate. He didn't touch the prawn and fish still on the grill.

Balanced on a wooden paddle, Jounouchi presented the dish to him across the counter. "Chicken hearts," he said gruffly.

Kaiba arched an eyebrow. Did Jounouchi mean to imply something by his choice of meat? But he took the plate with a neutral expression and, as much as he hated to admit it, the smell had him salivating.

He'd skipped lunch. It was the only reason the deadbeat's cooking seemed even remotely appetizing.

This time, Jounouchi made no effort to hide his staring, studying Kaiba as he ate.

Whatever Kaiba's usual culinary preferences, well-seasoned and well-cooked meat had universal appeal. The food settled heavy in his belly, warmed by sake. The otoshi and the alcohol had served their purpose, whetting his dormant appetite.

There was nothing to criticize. Not the flavor. Not the presentation. Not without lying outright or, worse, nitpicking. They both knew it, too.

Most infuriatingly, he wanted seconds.

Chair legs screeched as he stood. Without counting, he threw a handful of notes on the counter, easily three or four times what the modest meal was worth. Jounouchi made no moves to stop him, but his eyes drilled into Kaiba's back as he stalked out of the restaurant.

***

He should've thrown the files into the shredder the next day. He didn't look at them again, but their presence weighed upon him.

Later the same week, he ducked under the curtain to enter Jounouchi's robatayaki shop again. Two older diners, neighborhood retirees, were already seated at the far end of the counter, making friendly conversation with Jounouchi as he cooked for them. Jounouchi was nothing but smiles and laughs for them, beaming as if Yugi sat across from him.

Like leaden weight, the mirth dropped almost instantly from his face when he spun to greet Kaiba.

"Welcome," Jounouchi said flatly, drawing curious glances from his current customers.

Ignoring the pricking sensation, Kaiba sat at the opposite end of the counter. Jounouchi took his sweet time before suddenly appearing at his side and serving him a trio of compulsory appetizers and sake, like last time. To add insult to injury, he went straight back to his other diners without even trying to take Kaiba's order.

Frowning, Kaiba picked at the otoshi. Today's selection included chilled mung bean sprouts, kimchi, and potato salad, and the sake was warm. Same as last time, the food was palatable, probably even tasty to more pedestrian taste buds.

Every so often, a burst of laughter disturbed Kaiba, causing him to shoot daggers in Jounouchi's direction before he caught himself and forced his eyes back to his food. By the time the deadbeat acknowledged him again, Kaiba's sake had cooled entirely.

"Whaddaya want?" asked Jounouchi, voice flat and without mincing words.

They both knew he wasn't asking about what Kaiba wanted to eat. What did Kaiba want with Jounouchi? Why was he bothering him again?

Kaiba had no sane answer to give him.

To spite him, he ordered one of every item on the menu. His stomach churned unhappily at the prospect of so much food, but he refused to allow Jounouchi to intimidate him.

The chef boggled at him for a second before snapping out of it. "Your funeral," he said with a shrug before walking away.

Plate after plate, the food kept coming. By the third one, Kaiba felt ready to vomit. Instead, he left the food untouched as it piled up next to him, focusing on the alcohol instead. Time simultaneously rushed past in a torrent and crawled like molasses. It lost all meaning, reminding Kaiba of the limbo he crossed to and from Aaru. The only constant was Jounouchi, hovering right on the edge of his perceptions but otherwise refusing to engage with Kaiba more than strictly necessary.

Not unless Kaiba called to him, and he refused. People tripped over themselves to serve Kaiba, not the other way around.

Eventually, Isono came to investigate when he failed to respond to his texts. Slamming his palms down on the counter, Kaiba knocked over his chair when he shot to his feet and stormed out, leaving Isono to settle the bill.

He swore he'd never go back.

The same night, he dreamed of the heat blasting out of the charcoal grill, the dots of sweat running down Jounouchi's neck when he hunched over the fire, and large hands wrapped around the handle of gleaming knives skimming Kaiba's underbelly.

***

"Seriously, why are you here?" groaned Jounouchi. "Why are you haunting me like an evil spirit?"

Kaiba could ask the same of himself. Why did Jounouchi, first the other Seto's smooth-faced fiance with his soft hair and softer mouth, and now this rough but sure-handed Jounouchi occupy so much of Kaiba's thoughts?

Kaiba had lost count of how many times he'd been a patron of Jounouchi's restaurant. Their interactions may have thawed somewhat, but they were, by no means, friendly. At first Kaiba lingered after closing time for petty reasons, forcing Jounouchi to close and clean around him. Last time, Jounouchi plopped down next to him with a can of beer instead, complaining and insulting Kaiba the entire time. More sake bore Kaiba through the experience. Plus, it was nothing Kaiba hadn't heard before.

Tonight, Jounouchi had deflated. His face was almost haggard under the warm yellow light, nooks and crevices exaggerated by the shadows within them.

Kaiba felt as tired as Jounouchi looked. In the end, they were nothing more than two browbeaten men.

"Well?" Jounouchi demanded when Kaiba didn't respond. "Usually, you can't shut the fuck up, but now nothing? Not a damn peep?"

Kaiba hummed and sipped his sake. His tongue lapped the last drops from the cup. He licked his lips absently, noting how numb his tongue felt.

Jounouchi stared, his eyes as scorching hot as burning coal.

Kaiba did it again, and Jounouchi's eyes narrowed in anger? Suspicion?

Lifting his chin high, he smirked. It was always satisfying to needle the other man. "I don't have to explain myself to the likes of you. But it's certainly not for the pleasure of your sparkling company."

Jounouchi swore and lumbered to his feet. Kaiba watched, a passenger in his own body, as the other man stepped behind him and loomed over him, bracing the counter's edge to cage him in. "You're a shitty liar," he accused, so close Kaiba could smell the malt on his breath. "I dunno exactly why, but you're here because of me."

"You think too highly of yourself. You're a nobody."

Kaiba's head spun. Must be the sake he drank.

Jounouchi didn't back down. Kaiba wondered if tonight might end in a brawl. He could break Jounouchi's nose and give him a taste of the iron Kaiba found in the hearts and gizzards he served up. Jounouchi could turn his knife skills on a target capable of fighting back. And if they could walk away afterward, they could never see each other again.

Warm fingers nudged his chin, tilting his face up to allow Jounouchi to scrutinize him. Up close, his eyes resembled whisky, dark and honeyed. Blond fringes, dark pierced eyebrows, crooked nose, full mouth—when considered as a package, even Kaiba admitted it was not unappealing.

But Kaiba had better tastes in food and style. Better standards for people and the partners he kept in his life than Seto.

Jounouchi was fit enough to fuck, nothing more.

"Is this how you bewitched him?" he snarled, unable to stop himself from canting toward the other man.

Jounouchi blinked, then laughed, incredulously. "I can't believe it. There's no way we share an ex. There's no way that's why you started coming here outta nowhere. You're drunk, Kaiba. Call Isono so he can take you home."

He rolled back on the heels of his feet, preparing to draw away. To leave. To dismiss him.

Fueled by impulse—insanity, Kaiba spun in his seat, chasing him. His hands moved without his command, fingers closing around Jounouchi's chin in an iron grip and yanking him down to him. Their teeth knocked before their lips met. But Kaiba didn't release him, squeezing Jounouchi's jaw hard enough his own ached in sympathy.

A sharp inhale, and Kaiba instinctively tensed. This Jounouchi wouldn't hesitate to lay into him or perhaps gut him for an unwanted advance. But when he unfroze, he didn't shove Kaiba away, instead meeting him head on with surprising fervor. Kaiba hissed, both from the counter now digging into his back and the stinging nip of Jounouchi's bite.

The kiss he stole from the other Jounouchi remained fresh on his mind, as if it happened yesterday; mint-flavored, supple yet soft lips, and a hint of crisp aftershave, faded though it might've been.

Sweat and smoke clung to Jounouchi, and he tasted of beer. His lips were slightly chapped. Fingertips fluttered across Kaiba's cheeks, ears, hair, and neck, never settling on any spot for more than a second before soaring off. His hands were everywhere, roaming over Kaiba's body as if he was entitled to do so.

It made Kaiba light-headed. Good thing he was already sitting.

Heat. Spit. Teeth. The hint of copper on their busted lips and warring tongues. The unforgiving plains, peaks, and valleys of their bodies grinding against each other, like the catastrophic collision between tectonic plates, upending worlds and locking together for minutes that felt like hours and days.

They didn't so much kiss as fight to devour the other.

They broke apart, wild-eyed and chest heaving. They remained physically connected; Jounouchi's hands were now on his hips and Kaiba clasping his strong jawline, absently caressing the rough grain of his late-night stubble. Jounouchi licked his lips, and Kaiba mirrored him, causing the other man's eyes to darken further.

After a beat of hesitation, as if he was waiting for Kaiba to deny him, Jounouchi leaned in for another kiss. It was softer, reminding Kaiba of another mint-flavored one. But he kindled the embers of Kaiba's want as deftly as he fanned the flame in his cooking.

Something roiled deep in his gut, something familiar as he often felt it when he saw Jounouchi these days.

"I'm hungry," Kaiba muttered against the other man's warm mouth. "Why else would I bother coming here?"

They both knew he wasn't referring to food, though.

Jounouchi shivered. "Got it. Let's take this somewhere private."

***

They didn't need to go far. Jounouchi lived right above his humble shop, a fact Kaiba already knew from his background check. He didn't get to see much of it as they stumbled in the dark from one room to the next, hands clawing at each other and mouths biting one another. They fell in a similarly tangled heap into Jounouchi's futon, already spread open on the bedroom floor.

The slob must've never put it away after getting up in the morning.

But in this case, it was convenient. Kaiba didn't want this encounter to last longer than strictly necessary. So he was secretly glad when Jounouchi went down on him without asking. In the dark, he concentrated on the warmth and suction enveloping his cock. He could almost forget, forgive, it was Jounouchi Katsuya blowing him.

Jounouchi turned out to be quite talented at fellatio. Perhaps this was the reason the other Seto wanted to marry his Jounouchi.

A cackle bubbled in his throat; more madness. He swallowed it and slammed into Jounouchi's spasming throat, drawing a choked groan from the other man. The other sounds he made, the slurping and slobbering, were disgusting, but they made Kaiba even harder. They drove him to the brink of madness and back again.

Want, lust, want—they pounded on the back of his skull and throbbed in the base of his spine.

Grabbing hold of Jounouchi's ponytail, he yanked him off his cock. The hair tie came loose, spilling soft strands over Kaiba's fingers. He wove his digits through them and pulled again. Jounouchi moaned, low and wanting, going limp in his grip.

"Degenerate," Kaiba growled while his heart raced in his ears. "Do you want me to fuck you, Jounouchi?"

He felt, rather than saw, Jounouchi nod.

This was a mistake.

This was a mistake.

The words blared repeatedly in his brain like klaxons, but he ignored them. Just as he ignored his better sense protesting the lack of condoms and Jounouchi's pained grimace as he pushed into his achingly tight hole for the first time. Kaiba was clean, and if Jounouchi dared to give him anything other than an orgasm, he'd destroy him.

"Kaiba, move!" groaned Jounouchi, writhing under him. "C'mon, I ain't gonna break!"

Gritting his teeth, Kaiba shut out the rest of his thoughts and focused on the only thing that mattered at this moment: fucking Jounouchi. There was little tenderness to their coupling, though. No honeyed words or promises exchanged as he imagined their other selves might, their limbs twined together and sharing the same breath.

The pleasure was still real. It was enough. He lost himself in the other man's heat and tightness, gorging himself on his wanton moans and the flavor of his lips and tongue.

Soon, it was over, a flash in the pan, with semen cooling between their clammy stomachs and leaking from Jounouchi's ass when he pulled out.

He sucked in a breath through clenched teeth, held it—dreading the change in the world; in himself to come—and released it before he dared to look down.

A diagonal slash of moonlight illuminated Jounouchi's eyelashes, his crooked nose, and his kiss-bruised lips. His eyes were squeezed firmly shut, peaceful if not for the furrow between his brow. As Kaiba counted the rise and fall of Jounouchi's shoulders while he caught his breath, however, nothing stirred within him—no newfound affection blossoming within his ribcage, no epiphany on how any version of himself could care about this man enough to want to marry him. No hate or disgust, none of the previous passion and hunger either.

Everything evaporated. The air between them hung stale and still, reeking of old cigarette smoke and poor decisions.

Instead, the hollowness in his chest was vacuous, and a bone-deep fatigue flooded the empty cavern.

Stupid, idiotic, he scolded himself.

Why would sex with Jounouchi change anything?

Rolling away, Kaiba grabbed the nearby discarded cover and cleaned himself wordlessly. It'd have to do until he got home. He didn't look at Jounouchi while he tucked himself away and fixed his appearance, even if he was within arm's reach.

The floor creaked as he stood, and he bit his tongue to keep from swearing. But Jounouchi didn't shift—never spoke to stop him as he beat a hasty retreat to the exit.

Pausing at the threshold, he glanced backward at the shadowed lump of the half-naked Jounouchi curled on the futon, with his back facing the door. They both knew he was still awake. But what was there left to say to each other? Nothing of consequence. Nothing which changed who they were and weren't to one another, two strangers who were barely acquaintances, hardly lovers. Kaiba showed himself out without a word of goodbye, only a faint snick as the door swung closed behind him.

---

Notes: An otoshi is a "compulsory" appetizer, which mainly means it's not free like you would see in some Western restaurants where they serve you bread and butter or even banchan in Korean meals. They are usually smaller dishes prepared ahead of service, like edamame or kimchi. Customers are billed for the otoshi. It is treated almost like a cover charge to ensure the customer doesn't occupy a seat for a long time after ordering one drink. Jounouchi gave it to Kaiba on purpose, so he's obligated to pay for something even if he doesn't order any food.

While this is basically a second chapter, I wonder if I should publish it on AO3 as a second chapter or as a separate fic. But maybe Meeting upon the threshold is better off without being attached to this sense of non-resolution? I'm curious to hear people's thoughts! <3

[pianokantzart]

Hi Piano! I've been recently seeing stuff about your Mr.M AU and I was wondering if you already had a timeline for it in mind? More specifically what I meant was: does Mario in your story dissapear alongside Luigi at the beginning or around some time after finding Peach, maybe even Bowser? I hope that makes sense. And if you've already answered this, sorry for the bother! Keep up the great work man!

First of all AAAAA thank you! I am an enormous fan of your stuff! Okay okay... so... Mr. M alone is not my AU (I have no idea whose AU it was originally, but the primary inspiration for my interpretation of the character comes from @neetclown's work: X )

For a timeline where there's just Mr. M, I picture Mario and Luigi's roles are swapped: Luigi jumped the gun in attacking Count Bleck and got knocked out while Mario, Peach, Bowser, and co. got sucked away to Bowser and Peach's sham wedding. Luigi gets woken up by Tippi, gets teleported to Flipside, and from there the plot of SPM carries on but... y'know... with Luigi and Mario's roles in the story swapped.

For my Super Brainwashed Bros AU, it's a little different:

Mario is partnered with Luigi for most of the timeline: they were teleported to Bower and Peach's wedding together, they both got transported to Count Bleck's domain after the chaos heart was unleashed, and they both tried to sneak behind enemy lines to release Bowser's minions and save Princess Peach.

Working as a team, they were halfway successful. With their efforts Peach managed to escape alongside whatever remaining members of Bowser's men weren't brainwashed, but in the end Mario and Luigi succumbed to Count Bleck's forces and ended up becoming Mr. M and Mr. L.

What follows... I am not sure... but that is my context for the AUs. Don't even get me started on how the whole "prophecy" element applies to them lol, I'm still kind of piecing things together.

[mahi-does-some-art]

Oh another headcanon I have is the reason team M elites are called elites.

They spent a long time trying to decide what to be called(Shamrock recommend Upper Ranks which got vetod for "sounding lame"), they couldn't decide on a good name, then one day during a fight a c3 agent was like "Oh fuck it's the melancholy elites run" and they were just like "Fuck it let's go with that, sure"

Hey, it saved them some effort and it strikes fear into the hearts of wussy C3 members! They'll take it!

Also I can only imagine how often something Sham suggests is swatted away for "sounding lame" www. If its a not so serious matter where they dont gotta lock in, Sham's "lack of creativity" is clowned on a lot by Belkia and Higan. He gets so mad LOL

[destinyc1020]

damn they are clowning my boy 😭🥴

https://www.insider.com/timothee-chalamet-kylie-jenner-relationship-wonka-promotion-2023-9?amp

Daaaaanggg... yikes 😬 lol 🤣

This part right here took me ouuuuut lol...

🤣😅🤣

Now, when you have even MAJOR media outlets clowning your rlshp and assuming it's just PR, then it's probably a sign that you and your "significant other" aren't doing a very good job of "selling" your love to the public lol....😅

Even randoms are thinking smthg is off with this rlshp lol 😆

I don't think a rlshp has been clowned THIS hard since Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston's union rofl 😂 (aka: "HiddleSwift").

Even Stevie Wonder could tell that rlshp was FAKER than FAKE lol. Didn't they come out and admit that they were just together coz Tom wanted to play Bond, and Taylor wanted to play a Bond Girl at some point lol? 🤭

I feel like I vaguely remember that.

Either way, if you get "off" vibes about a couple, then it might just be a sham lol 🤷🏾‍♀️

It will be interesting to see how long kylothee lasts after The Kardashian new season airs, and all of Timmy's films come out lol 🤭

[aita-blorbos]

AITA for not looking into the problem before acting?

Okay so, one day I (?? Don’t know, please don’t ask. M) got really mad that the lines at the bank were so. So. Fucking long. And I decided to take down the guys that caused it to be this way

i thought it was like a sham that they were actually defending against something so when I did take them down apparently something really bad went down. Not gonna mention it.

Look, they needed to be brought down a peg because no transport and no net (How am I supposed to get my paycheck??????) is really harsh. So of course I was mad. A lot of folks were mad!

I didn’t really know that the stuff was that bad though. Everyone was being cagey with the info, and honestly I’ve just been out of the loop. Plus, I know the leader. His dad led a robot uprising so like I thought he might be following suit.

Okay fine, I was mostly angry. Not really much justification, but can you blame me? In my anger, I didn’t really just, y’know. Ask what’s up. But at the time I hated the guy (we’re cool now)

As much as I do regret my actions I’m wondering if it would be considered asshole-ish to act this way.

Sorry lol haha. It probably is. I still wanna know though.

[daisywords]

confession tho everything I draw is tiny

and I draw everything on scrap paper w/ this lil folder for support just. chillin in bed like in case u thought I was being fancy abt this no just me and my trusty ticonderoga pencil and the noir filter on my phone camera

but! ft my favorite twins: progress?

but anyway re: the point of this post: chronologically u can trace my art from smallest to biggest pretty much and I’m happy bc I think my subconscious is getting over its fear of detail and letting me start out w/ faces bigger than my fingernail so yeah

[legendoftheotherside]

Legend’s Fairy Tail fics Master list

1. A Sham

Wherein Gray, tired of Juvia's advances, gets Natsu to agree to be his fake boyfriend. As with every ridiculous idea, things don't really go as planned.

Gray x Natsu; rating - T; multi; 17k

I love this story so much because it was the first time I experimented with my writing and finally found the voice that fits me. 

2. Fruitful exhibition

Gray is a closeted exhibitionist and gains a voyeur while training in the forest.

Gray x Natsu; rating - E; oneshot; 4,6k 

my first gratsu ‘porn without plot’ fic, I was really proud when I wrote it lol

3. Emergence 

A Fusion AU written for day 1: prompt create of Gratsu weekend 2022

rating - T; oneshot; 1,6k

Can be read as both gratsu and brotp fic, there’s not much shipping though.

4. On a Dare

“Wyverns are like little brothers to dragons.” “Oh, shut your trap or I’ll shut it for you. Permanently.” “What are you going to do?” Gray asked, barked a short laugh, then shifted to look Natsu directly in his eyes. “Kiss me or something.” Natsu did kiss him. Gray should’ve known better than to challenge him.

Written for day 2: prompt challenge of Gratsu weekend 2022

Gray x Natsu; rating - T; oneshot for now, plan to add one more chapter; 1,8k

5. Warmth

Wherein Gray and Natsu have a tradition of helping each other relax.

Written for day 4: prompt tradition of Gratsu weekend 2022

Gray x Natsu; rating - E; oneshot; 2,1k

6. Of Immanence (and how to find the way beyond)

The foray into the Alvarez Empire leaves Natsu and Gray transfigured and mentally scarred: one exhibiting a horn, a wing, and scales; the other grappling with a murderous voice sweet-talking him into killing his best friend.

Written for Fairy Tail Reverse Bang 2022

Gray x Natsu (mostly brotp); rating - M; oneshot; 6k; relevant tags: angst, hurt/comfort

This is one of my favourites, so go ahead and read if you haven’t already.

7. Of Acceptance (and learning to trust completely)

*continuation oneshot of Of Immanence Natsu and Gray take their relationship to the next level. All it takes is a bit of trust, sinful whispers, and sharp teeth.

Gray x Natsu; rating - E; oneshot; 4.6k; relevant tags: porn with feelings, blood, biting

I had so much fun writing this one since from starting Of Immanence I already wanted to tell this part of the story as well.

8. Accidental Boyfriend Acquisition

In which Natsu and Gray discover that they can be friends, rivals, and lovers at the same time.

Under the guise of their usual challenge, they collide like supernovas, with all the sparks and explosions in tow. No one told them it would be so hot.

Gray x Natsu; rating - M; multi with one chap published; 2k; relevant tags: friends to lovers, first kiss, sexual tension, coming in pants

Not my best work I must admit but it was fun to write.

9. Inevitable

Wherein Natsu and Gray have some fun. Natsu learns how to give a proper blowjob, doesn't get to finish giving one, and realizes that Gray talks a big game but delivers much more.

Gray x Natsu; rating - E; oneshot; 2.5k; relevant tags: rivals with benefits, oral sex, mutual masturbation

I think I outdid myself with this one, classy dirty porn with some humor and feelings sprinkled in. 

10. From inside out

It is said that the first scale to be shed by a dragon holds an immense amount of luck. Even though the Dragon Slayer powers aren't kind to Natsu, Gray is always there to help.

Gray x Natsu; rating - G; oneshot; 1.8k; relevant tags: angst, hurt/comfort

This one is really popular with readers — so much that it pleasantly surprised me. Written for Gratsu Week 2023 Day 1: First / Day 4: Angst

11. Out, in the light

This is their secret and it will last as much as it can. ... He’s starting to think his purpose is to be by Natsu’s side. ... Gray is weak, but Natsu is there to be strong for him. ... Yes, it’s time to burn down the shackles that bind him. One secret at a time.

Gray x Natsu; rating - G; oneshot; 1.2k; relevant tags: slight angst, secret relationship, introspection

I attempted something slightly different with this one. I never really wrote introspection POV. Written for Gratsu Week 2023 Day 3: Secret / Day 4: Angst / Day 7: Journey

12. Wilde Jagd

In which Natsu doesn’t know he’s pining after Gray, Magnolia is a melting pot of different cultures, and some traditions are more revealing than others.

Gray x Natsu; rating - T; multi- one chapter for now; 4.3k; relevant tags: developing relationship, friends to lovers, mild hurt/comfort, humour

A fic written as a gift in the secret santa event with winter holidays as main theme. Somewhat filled with world building because I wanted to make Magnolia a melting pot of cultures and well. It took off lmao.

13. if I could burrow under your skin

The look of hunger on Gray’s face stokes the flames coursing through Natsu's veins. He’s up, licking his way to Gray’s jaw, leaving openmouthed kisses—first over the collarbone, then over the curve of Gray’s neck, until soft lips meet his, and he melts. Sags into the icy embrace of Gray’s respective magic, the complete opposite of the fire resting just under his skin.

His body sings with energy, far more than he’d expect it to, he’s warm with inner blaze, with everything that he is and always will be.

Gray x Natsu; rating - E; oneshot; 1.3k; relevant tags: kissing, hand jobs, porn with feelings, copious amounts of saliva

*I hope I don’t have to say, click on each title if you want to read

As you can see I mostly write gratsu content lol 

anyways, I’ll add more as I publish. 

[katzkinder]

I found your incorrect quote of Higan and Tsubaki here and for some reason I was wondering if you ship anybody with Tsubaki. Idk I think he kinda unshippable and shippable at the same time 😂

Okay but I know what you mean wheeze

I both have a lot of ships for him and also kind of none? Like there isn’t really anything I actively go out of my way to find (although I really do enjoy TsuBeru)

I think his devotion to and relationship with his family is both wonderful and… Really complex. In general, team M are a weird little family who absolutely refuse to give themselves nuclear family roles unless it’s a joke (usually to tease Sakuya)

Like in a business setting Sakuya is Tsubaki’s adopted little brother and Otogiri is his fake wife, but as soon as they exit those roles Otogiri and Sakuya would rather McFucking Die than continue with that illusion. Tsubaki complains about what a good catch he is 😂

Shamrock I think has an extremely one sided crush fueled by his hero worship of Tsubaki that’s actually uncomfortable for Tsubaki to be subjected to! But because Sham is so clearly using that hero worship as a prop for his emotional state Tsubaki gets backed into a corner where he can’t do much to discourage it.

Higan is Higan. I think Tsubaki, and the rest of his family, fall into a very exclusive category of people Higan actually cares about, but as Licht pointed out before, Higan’s love is self serving and selfish. He doesn’t truly act for Tsubaki’s sake, even though he’s grateful to and loves him. He’s too free a spirit to ever truly devote himself, body and soul, to another person. And I think that’s why he loves Tsubaki so much? For being someone who not only recognizes but fully accepts that Higan isn’t the sort of person who can be tamed or held in place.

Really, the two characters who are the closest to Tsubaki are, of course, Belkia and Sakuya. However, because of Sakuya’s clear adoration for Mahiru, I just can’t picture him ever falling in love with Tsubaki. Not to mention that Tsubaki is way too overbearing for Sakuya to handle without blowing up…

Belkia though?? He understands Tsubaki on such a deep level and their friendship feels like something that naturally blooms into a casual and loving relationship. Which is why I’m worried about them… Belkia supports Tsubaki in everything he does, but I don’t think he has the strength to put the breaks on what Tsubaki is doing. He’s too concerned with chasing what will make Tsubaki happy to notice that what he’s chasing isn’t happiness, but self destruction.

As for Otogiri we don’t know enough about her for me to make an in depth comment on their relationship lol ^^;;

[dayseternal-blog]

Hello Days! Have you read any NH fanfic where they rewrite The Last? Like, where Naruto naturally falls for Hinata without the genjutsu but the whole moon mission still happens. Maybe Naruto gradually realizes his feelings throughout the mission. If not, I have a follow up question lol 😅

I'm sorry for this really late reply. I haven't read one without the genjutsu. The only reinterpretations of The Last I have read are

“The Last: Menma the Book” by OrenjiRabenda and @chloelapomme - Rated M, Canon-Divergent, Multi-chapter, Ongoing. When Namikaze Menma, the next Hokage of Konohagakure, and Hyūga Hinata, the next head of the Hyūga clan, find themselves in a rather confusing state of choosing between love and mission. A mysterious phenomenon has been occurring, the moon threatening the existence of man kind.

and

“My Favorite Night” by @peppercornpress - Rated M, Canon-Divergent AU, Multi-chapter, Ongoing. Hinata harbors deeper feelings for Naruto after three years of being his roommate. Facing hostile relations from her old clan, another odd phenomenon with the moon, and Naruto still hopelessly pining after Sakura; Hinata makes the painful choice to end their sham of a relationship and try her luck in another hidden village. Unbeknownst to her, this move kickstarts a series of events that forces her and Naruto to confront their past, present, and future.

and the only retelling of The Last I have read is in Chapter 29 of

“secret lovers” by @quirrrky - Rated T, Canon-Compliant, Series of related one-shots. After the Fourth Shinobi War, Naruto was gradually falling in love with Hinata and the whole village of Konoha knew it…Well, aside from him.

If anyone knows of one that has The Last with no genjutsu, please recommend it!!!

So, what is the follow-up question?

[zoufantastical]

How do you feel now that you know that you were always wrong about Loki and Sylvie's relationship?

They are fucking canon baby~ the director, the writer and Tom confirmed it and this without mentioning the episode lol

They will definitely kiss in the last episode

Is Loki really “in love” with Sylvie?

In an attempt to give the writers the benefit of the doubt regarding episode 4, I’m going to address that scene the whole village is talking about (mostly because I have a lot of annoying asks of y’all going “na na na na na it’s canon1!1!”).

Recap: who is this Loki? (You can skip this if you want)

This is 2012 Loki. Before the TVA captured him, he had a rough year (or couple of years). He found out he was a frostgiant, basically taught to hate their own race, found out he was never going to be king of Asgard, tried to commit suicide once he realized (and felt) he wasn’t as loved as Thor even by his “friends”, then unfortunately was captured by the Other and Thanos, fed lies of promises that they will be king in return they must acquire the space stone with the help of the mind stone, then Midgard will be all theirs…except that not only did he lose but they lost both the space and mind stone. They have a bounty on his head since he was threatened with torture and death.

Why am I saying all this if theirs a chance of being told “I already know this what’s the point” by a Loki stan?

To REMIND you this Loki has been through SHIT. THEY are not in the greatest state of mind. Add to the fact that he just watched a recap of a life they will never return to, watched their family die and themselves by the hand of Thanos. Giving up much hope of a life outside the TVA only to find out the latter is a sham of a organization run by god knows who.

Loki more than likely never had the chance to truly express themselves. To truly confess how much they care about someone. The moment he does and feels something different, they caused a damn nexus event. Loki just saw the one person who gave them a chance and believed in them wholeheartedly pruned to existence. This is layers of trauma. Sylvie had a chance of being by theirself, so they know what it’s like to be alone- they had time to develop a harder shell in order to protect themselves and survive. Loki didn’t have that chance. The circumstances he lived didn’t give them a chance. He is emotionally vulnerable.

I truly believe the scene of pretending to “confess” to a being such as yourself in the midst of utter chaos and confusion is a red herring. It also adds since Mobius made a big deal about how truly sick and disturbing would it be. How it’s not meant to be (and probably how even both of them feeling something [doesn’t have to be romance]) damn near cause a nexus event never before seen.

There’s also the ambiguity of the whole thing. Sylvie doesn’t look like they feel the same way and I have a feeling they might not return the same feelings IF they make it seem Loki is “in love” with Sylvie (something utterly unrealistic).

One thing I really want to get out of the way is how unhealthy this will be IF they go the route of uniting Loki and Sylvie. Putting aside the many implications I already discussed about selfcest, these people have TRAUMA.

T R A U M A

Getting into a relationship when both parties have undeniable buckets upon buckets of trauma is UNHEALTHY. IT IS TOXIC. I want you all to understand that TRAUMA BONDING is a real thing and it is toxic! Displaying two beings of the same kin in a relationship after everything that happened is not something anyone should want to see transpire. Regardless of who’s the pairing. YES THAT INCLUDES IF YOU SHIP LOKI AND MOBIUS.

It doesn’t matter if it’s “fiction”.

Also if y’all are going to say something is canon, you better link it up or else I’m going to assume it’s bullshit. Because a lot of y’all take things out of context for your own benefit.

If I’m wrong I’m still going to go against it and call it out. “Canon” or not.

It should be noted that there is a lot of fans against this if such relationships really happens. If a lot of your fans are divided regarding an aspect of the show, then it is valid to criticize why.

[pintsizemama]

Heroes & Heartbreak

Chapter 13

Summary: Carrillo displeases his superiors with the murder of Gustavo Gaviria and the raid on La Dispensaría. Escobar turns himself in and Carrillo gets transferred to Spain. The DEA agents say goodbye to the colonel. After intercepting a carrier pigeon form La Catedral they make a deal with the truck driver delivering goods to the narcos.

Pairings: Javier Peña x OFC Ariana Morgan—DEA Agent and daughter of Pablo Escobar

Fandom: Narcos

Rating: Explicit 18+ ONLY

Word Count: 7,142

Warnings: language, references to violence, murder, & torture, conflicting emotions about family, drinking, kissing, SMUT, dominating sex/fight for dominance, oral (m rec), vaginal fingering, talk of anal sex, biting, hair pulling, PiV, unprotected sex, talk of safe word, squirting, breeding kink (blink and you’ll miss it), cream pie, pigeon killed, choking, threats...let me know if I missed anything, and I’ll happily add it here!

A/N: This chapter (and probably the next couple) will be a little less on character/relationship development and more on plot development. Javi and Ari are kind of at an impasse right now, and we don’t need more of the same, so I want to focus on moving the story forward before we dive back into their fucked up relationship (I have plans…and I need the plot to be at a certain point first). Though we do get a little bit more of a look of what’s going on inside Ari when it comes to this mess with her father. This was originally two chapters…trying to beef them up a bit to get to the good stuff faster lol.

I included conversations from the episode to help anyone who hasn’t seen it or hasn’t watched it in awhile. Sorry if it feels redundant if you’ve seen the show a million times like me.

Chapter 12 Chapter 14 Series Masterlist Main Masterlist AO3 Join my taglist

“We got an official cease and desist order for any further operation when Pablo officially surrenders,” Carrillo told them, leaning slightly forward, hands splayed on his desk. Steve and Ari sat across from him. “Search Bloc is gonna be disbanded.”

“We heard the terms,” Javier said from where he stood next to Ari, hand on hip. “No cops within two miles of the prison.” Ari scoffed.

“This is a fucking sham,” Steve said.

“It’s a death warrant for my men,” Carrillo told them. “I won’t be able to protect them. I won’t let that happen.” He paused, straightening as he pushed off the desk.

“Horacio,” Ari warned, knowing where his mind was going.

“There are cops who hate Escobar just as much as I do,” he continued. “More.” He sat down and leaned back in his chair. “They’re not gonna stop just because they’re told to.” Steve looked to Javier and then back at Carrillo.

“You talking about vigilantes?” Steve asked incredulously.

“Call it what you like,” Carrillo said, “but I’m still gonna need those intel reports.”

“We’ll get you anything we find,” Javier assured him, arms crossed, leaning back against the filing cabinet.

“Javi, you gotta cool it with that shit,” Steve warned. “They know we’ve been helping. One more and we’re out.”

“I thought you said you were all in,” Javi said with a disinterested shrug.

“Be careful,” Ari said quietly. “Both of you.” She looked between Carrillo and Javi. “I want to catch Escobar just as much as you, but we have to be cautious. One wrong move and we’re all sent packing. Your superiors are itching for an excuse to get rid of you, Horacio.” When Javi smirked she turned her frustration on him. “What’re you smiling at? Noonan wants to get rid of your ass just as much!” She could tell they weren’t going to listen. She huffed a frustrated breath and threw her hands in the air. She pushed out of her chair and walked from the office, muttering about stubborn men. Carrillo flashed Javier a grin, both men thoroughly enjoying the fact that they riled Ari up. Steve shook his head at the two idiots and followed Ari out.

“Holy shit,” Steve breathed into the phone. “You sure?” He paused to listen and nodded. “Thanks, man.” He hung up and looked at his partners.

���What’s going on?” Javi’s asked.

“They just found a body,” Steve told them. “A man beaten to death.” He swallowed. “Gustavo Gaviria.”

“What?” Ari said, coming out of her seat.

“Are they sure?” Javi asked.

“Yeah,” Steve nodded.

“Holy fuck,” Javi said sitting back. “That’s gonna piss Escobar off. Cali?”

“I doubt it,” Steve said. When they looked confused he explained. “He was beaten to hell, but had a half dozen bullet wounds in his chest…postmortem. Someone tried to cover up the fact that he was interrogated…rather sloppily.” Ari swallowed thickly.

“Goddamn it, Horacio,” she murmured. “Cali would never be sloppy. And the police wouldn’t have to worry about covering anything up well…”. She shook her head sadly. “He didn’t want this covered up. This was his final ‘fuck you’ to Escobar.” Ari threw her stapler angrily against the wall. Both men jumped at her outburst.

“Hey, calm down,” Steve said shakily. They weren’t used to Ari losing her cool.

“He’s being reckless,” Ari seethed. “He’s pissed off that Escobar won…he’s gonna get himself into a world of shit if he doesn’t watch it. I warned him about this.”

“What’s going on, Ari?” Javi asked, worried. “Carrillo does crazy shit all the time…you’ve never reacted like this before.” Ari sat down heavily with a sigh.

“It’s complicated,” she muttered.

“Well, then help us un-complicate it,” Javi pushed.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” she scowled.

“Ari—” Javi began.

“—No,” she said firmly.

“Yes,” he said stubbornly. She looked like she wanted to throw her stapler at his head this time. She glared at him.

“Please, Ari,” Steve said gently. She sighed again.

“Fine,” she relented. “I am worried about Carrillo. He’s playing with fire, and I don’t want to see him lose his job or get transferred out of here.” She paused and chewed her lip.

“I’m sensing there’s more to this,” Javi pushed. She always chewed her lip when she was worried. Ari sighed.

“Yeah,” she admitted. “When I was with Escobar for those four months…well, I spent a lot of time with everyone…including Gustavo. I know him and Pablo are cousins, but they’re more like brothers. Gustavo even called himself my uncle.” Steve and Javi looked at each other. Sometimes they forgot the monsters they were hunting were actually Ari’s family. She scrubbed her hands over her face.

“I don’t know,” she said quietly. “I guess…I’m just…I don’t know how to feel about his death. He was nice to me. Despite the situation I was in…I enjoyed the time I spent with him. We had a lot in common. Fuck, I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me. He was a goddamn narco. I shouldn’t feel bad that he’s dead—but I kinda do.” She paused and looked away from them. “Do you remember the night we met?”

“Of course,” they both said.

“When we were in the interrogation room,” she continued, “I told you Escobar was the worst one to be around.” Javi nodded, Steve hadn’t been there for that part of the conversation, but he didn’t want to interrupt her. “I told you he doted on me, and it made me sick. You assumed it was because of who he was—”

“—and you said that was only part of it,” Javi finished, “and you didn’t want to talk about the other part of it.” She nodded.

“Having him love me was unbearable,” she told them, “but not just because he’s a monster.” She swallowed through the lump in her throat. “It’s because he’s a monster, and he’s my father, and deep down—I want his love.” A lone tear trailed down her cheek and she quickly brushed it away. “I don’t want a man like that in my life or to love me in any way, but on some level I so badly want a father who loves me with everything he has. This entire investigation, I feel like I’m two different people. I want to bring them to justice, but sometimes I feel guilty about it.” She laughed sardonically. “It’s all very confusing.”

“Jesus, Ari,” Javi said softly. “You’ve been carrying that around all this time?” She looked up at him in surprise. She had expected him to be disgusted with her, not to sympathize with her. He reached across the desk and took her hands in his. “I can’t even imagine how difficult this is for you. But never, ever be afraid to talk to us, alright?” He squeezed her hands. “We’re here for you, no matter what.”

“Yeah, Ari,” Steve agreed. “We’ve got your back. Always.” Ari smiled as tears filled her eyes.

“Thanks,” she whispered. Javi looked into her eyes.

“You know this will probably end with a bullet in Escobar, right?” He asked her.

“Yeah,” she answered.

“How do you feel about that?” Steve asked.

“I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “I really don’t know.” And she didn’t. She wanted Escobar stopped. She wanted justice for her mother. But he was her father. The only one she’d ever have. She didn’t know how she would feel.

“I guess I’ll figure it out when the time comes,” she answered.

“Alright,” Javi said. “And we’ll be here for you when it does.” He squeezed her hands again.

“I know you will,” she replied. Javi let go of her hands, and she wiped her eyes. “Now enough with the therapy session. Let’s get back to work.”

“There’s our girl,” Steve said with a smile.

Carrillo, Javi, and Ari sat together at the table in their bar. Pablo had turned himself in. It was done. They had lost. They were drowning their sorrows together.

“¿Realmente te pidió que estuvieras allí?” (Did he really request you to be there?) Carrillo asked Ari.

“Sí,” (Yeah) she nodded. Escobar had surrendered to Sandoval, but he had asked if Ari could be present.

“¿Por qué no fuiste?” (Why didn’t you go?) Carrillo asked. Ari shrugged.

“Se sintió raro,” (It felt weird) she told him. “Sin embargo, condujimos hasta allí. Nosotros y Steve.” (We did drive out there though. Us and Steve.) She motioned between her and Javi. “Lo observé desde lejos… se sintió así. Una distancia entre él y yo.” (Watched him from afar…it felt right like that. A distance between me and him.)

“Lo entiendo,” (I get it) Carrillo said somberly. He had pulled her aside the first time they saw each other after Gustavo’s death. He wanted to make sure she was ok. Somehow he knew it would effect her, and he needed to make sure his friend was alright. She assured him she wasn’t angry with him. He was doing his job—and she meant it. Despite Gustavo’s kindness and his blood tie to her, Horacio was more her family than the Esocbars could ever be. Suddenly Carrillo’s phone rang.

“¿La Dispensaria?” Carrillo said into the phone. “Listo.” (Alright) He hung up and looked at Javi and Ari. “¿Adivina quién era?” (Guess who that was?) Javi lifted his eyebrows as he took a drag on his cigarette.

“Tú cumpañero. Me acaba de dar un regalito. Poison.” (Your partner. He just gave me a great gift. Poison.) Ari sat up straighter. He threw back the rest of his drink. “¿Ya sabe cómo lo voy a empacar?” (Does he know how I’m going to package it?)

“Sí, claro,” (Yeah, sure) Javi said. “No es ningún pendejo.” (He’s not an idiot.)

“Pues, me voy,” (Gotta go) Carrillo said as he stood from his chair.

“Ten cuidado,” (Be careful) Ari warned.

“Siempre lo soy,” (Always am) Carrillo smiled.

“¿Me vas a clavar con la cuenta?” (Gonna stick me with the bill?) Javi huffed. Carrillo grabbed a handful of peanuts and smirked.

“No te atrevas a pagar, princesa,” (Don’t you dare pay, princess) he told Ari. “Haz que este pendejo compre esta noche.” (Make this idiot buy tonight.) Ari chuckled as Carrillo made his exit.

“Pinche tacaño,” (Cheap son of a bitch) Javi grumbled as he stubbed out his cigarette. He motioned to the bar tender to bring him another drink as he quickly downed the remainder of his.

“Don’t be so grumpy, Javi,” Ari cooed. “Now that it’s just the two of us...” she trailed off and wiggled her eyebrows.

“Oh yeah?” Javi whispered huskily, leaning closer.

“Yeah,” she murmured. “Been thinking about fucking you in the bathroom all night.” Javier swallowed thickly, his dick hardening instantly.

“Really?” He asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

“Mmhmm,” Ari hummed as she took his earlobe between her teeth. “It’s been days since I’ve had you, Javi. I’m going through withdrawal.” The ambassador had given Ari extra work that week, so she and Javi hadn’t found any time together.

“You?” Javi scoffed. “My balls are turning blue over here, hermosa.”

“Blue are they?” Ari asked. She looked down and rubbed him through his jeans. Javi groaned. “Hmm, your other girls not taking care of you right?”

“I haven’t been to see any of them recently,” Javi said. Ari sat back slightly and looked into his eyes, not sure if she believed him.

“Why?” She asked.

“Because I didn’t want them,” he said simply. “I wanted you.” Ari’s heart dropped into her stomach at his admission. She tried to tell herself not to get excited, but she couldn’t help it. She stood up and grabbed the front of his shirt. He stood and she tugged him into the bathroom. She slammed the door shut and locked it, then pushed Javi up against it and kissed him deeply.

“What’s gotten into you, baby?” Javi whispered against her lips.

“You can’t just fucking say something like that, and then not expect me to fuck your brains out, Javier,” she panted as she moved her lips to his neck.

“What?” He asked.

“You told me you didn’t want to fuck anyone else the last couple days…just me,” she said. She pulled back and looked into his eyes. “Do you have any fucking idea how much that turns me on?”

“I’m starting to,” he murmured.

“Good,” she said huskily. “Now drop your pants. I want to suck your dick.”

“Huh?” Javi was thrown for a loop. This was a whole different side of Ari. He wasn’t used to her being in the dominant role when they fucked.

“Take. Off. Your. Pants.” She enunciated. “I want to swallow that gorgeous cock.”

“Fucking hell, Ari,” he breathed. “No.”

“Excuse me?” She said taking a step back.

“I want to fuck you,” Javi told her. “Take off your fucking pants and bend over the sink.”

“I want to suck you off,” she protested.

“And you will,” he assured her. “Later. Right now I need to be buried inside that tight little cunt.”

“Fuck,” Ari whispered. “Dammit, Javi.” He grinned. She stomped her foot in frustration. “I want to—” He cut her off when he fisted the hair at the back of her head and spun them around so she was pressed up against the door. He wedged his knee between her thighs.

“You’re not in control, hermosa,” he growled. “I told you before. You may be hot shit out there, but here, I’m in charge. And you. fucking. love. it.” Ari moaned as he claimed her lips. His hands moved to her waist, and he quickly unbuttoned both their jeans. He moved them over to the sink. He spun her around and pulled her pants and underwear down roughly. He groaned when her panties stuck to her slightly from the wetness that had already seeped out of her. He kissed the back of her thighs and stared at her a moment.

“Would you ever let me have this ass?” He said gruffly. He gently bit the luscious swell.

“Yes,” Ari whimpered. He stood to his full height and pulled her back against him.

“You would?” He asked again.

“Yes, Javi,” she repeated. “I’d let you have anything.” Suddenly she grinned. “Anything except the control tonight.” She spun back around and pulled his pants down as she sank to her knees. Before he even realized what was happening she had engulfed him in her mouth.

“Fuck!” He shouted. His hands tangled in her hair and he tried to pull her back up. She slapped his hands away and grabbed his hips, pulling him deeper down her throat. “Dammit, Ari, stop. I want to fuck you.” He tried to move her again, but she wouldn’t budge. “Bend over that fucking sink.” She pulled off him with a pop, and looked up into his eyes.

“Shut the fuck up,” she hissed. “I’m in charge right now. Now be a good boy, and maybe I’ll let you fuck me later.” His eyes narrowed, and she took him back in her mouth.

“Oh, no,” he said with a shake of his head. “That’s not how this works.” He gripped her hair tighter and tugged her up.

“Ow, ow,” she yelped. He pulled her up to standing and leaned down to be eye level with her. He loosened his grip just enough so he wasn’t hurting her, but not enough to allow her to move much.

“We’re doing this my way,” he insisted.

“We always do it your way,” Ari pouted.

“I want to make you feel good, hermosa,” Javi said. “I don’t want you kneeing on a filthy fucking floor and pleasuring only me.” He spun her around once more. His fingers trailed down and began rubbing circles on her clit. She pushed against him, trying to gain the upper hand again.

“You know what to say if you want this to stop, querida,” Javi whispered against her ear. If she really didn’t want him in charge she just had to say the word ‘narco’ and he would stop immediately. He wanted her to know that ultimately she was still in charge. She felt powerful in that moment. No matter how dominating Javi got, Ari was always the one in charge because she held the power to stop it.

“I know,” she whispered back.

“Good,” he returned. He pulled her head to the side and kissed her neck as he inserted two fingers inside her. “This is gonna be hard and dirty,” he warned her.

“Just how I like it,” she teased. He pushed her forward, bending her over the sink. His large hands spread her ass cheeks, looking at her glistening folds. His gaze traveled up to her tight little asshole. He shivered when he remembered what she said. He’d claim that little hole one day.

He took himself in hand and swiped along her slit. She was so wet. He lined up and plunged inside in once thrust.

“Shit,” Ari hissed. It was a stretch, but it felt so fucking good. Javi gripped her hips and rocked in and out.

“You ok to take more?” He asked. He knew she needed a moment to adjust when he didn’t prep her long enough before.

“Yeah,” she told him. He picked up the pace and slammed into her. “Fuck!” Her hand slapped against the mirror as he pounded her into the sink. Her hips would be bruised tomorrow from where they banged against the porcelain, but she didn’t care. Javier was filling her perfectly, and she felt too fucking good to worry about tomorrow’s aches and pains. He dropped his hips slightly, changing the angle.

“Oh god, Javi,” she whimpered. He smirked. He knew he was spearing into her g-spot. He loved it when she made a mess. He hit into it over and over and over, more forcefully each time.

“Come on, baby,” he grunted. He pistoned into her. Her whole body tensed and she keened as warm cum shot out of her onto the floor. “That’s it. Fuck, it’s so fucking hot when you squirt, baby.” Her head dropped to her forearm that was resting on the sink. She practically turned into a rag doll after squirting, the orgasm was so intense. Her pussy clamped tightly around Javi. Suddenly she stood up and pressed her back against his chest. She reached behind her and grabbed the back of his head and pulled him down into a sloppy kiss.

“Come for me, Javi,” she whispered against his lips. “I wanna feel you fill me up.” Javi groaned—his mind going to that dark place again…filling her with his seed…it taking root. He shook himself. She clenched tightly around him, and he saw stars.

“FUCK!” He shouted as he unloaded in her pussy. He kept thrusting, delirious from the pleasure. He came so much that it leaked out around his cock. He shuddered and tipped them both forward over the sink. He lay against Ari for a moment, trying to regain his bearings. He stood up and carefully pulled out. Ari straightened and looked down.

“Damn, Peña, you were really backed up, huh?” She said breathlessly and motioned to the copious amounts of cum dripping from her cunt. Javi shrugged.

“It’s been a few days,” he reminded her. “I’m used to cleaning the pipes out more often than that.” Ari laughed and shook her head.

“You’re fucking ridiculous,” she said with a smile. He smiled back. That lopsided, satisfied, sexy smile that Ari loved. It was the smile he always wore her after they had sex. It was a content, happy Javi. One she rarely got to see, so she treasured it when she did. They grabbed paper towels and cleaned up their mess—including the one Ari had made on the floor.

“We were kinda loud,” Ari said once they were redressed. “Probably should get outta here.”

“Yeah,” Javi agreed. “Let’s head back to your place. We can drink there. And you can suck me off if you still want to.”

“Always,” she said with a smile.

The next day they had to go over the scene at La Dispensaria. Carrillo had managed to take out Poison and Sure Shot. Unfortunately, an innocent woman was killed in the crossfire. Steve was solemn as they took pictures. They knew he felt guilty since it was his tip that caused the massacre. When they finished up they went to see Carrillo. They walked into his office to see him packing his things.

“What’s going on?” Ari asked.

“I’ve been transferred,” Carrillo told them.

“WHAT?!” Ari shouted. “What the fuck?” Carrillo shrugged, not wanting to get emotional.

“Where?” Javi asked.

“Spain,” Carrillo answered.

“I don’t see why they’re sending you to Spain,” Javi told Carrillo. “It’s not like the cocaine war is over. Galeano and Moncada are fronting for Escobar.” Carrillo was slowly packing his desk up into a box. Javi sat down across from his desk, one leg propped up over the opposite knee. Ari sat next to him while Steve sat to the side on top of a small filing cabinet.

“My superiors say I play too rough,” Carrillo said. He got quiet for a moment and Ari knew he was running through all the shit he had done to try to catch a monster.

“God damn it,” Ari said angrily. “I warned you about this.” She put her hands on her hips and shook her head. Carrillo looked at her, and she turned away. He could see the tears glistening in her eyes.

“It’ll be alright, princesa,” he assured her. She still wouldn’t look at him. Her best friend was leaving.

Her heart was breaking.

“At least Escobar is in jail,” Javi said, scratching the side of his neck, “and...you can leave knowing you helped put him there.” He lightly slapped his hands on his knees. Steve and Ari shared a look.

“Jail?” Carrillo said incredulously. “I know you gringos aren’t allowed to do flyovers, but um—” he reached down and grabbed his briefcase “—I got some photographs, courtesy of the Colombian military.” He pulled out a few photos and set them on the desk. All three of them stood up and walked closer. “I want you to look at ‘em, tell me if this qualifies as a jail.” They stared in amazement at what Carrillo revealed to them.

“He’s got a fucking soccer field,” Steve said in disbelief.

“Escobar is moving more coke than ever,” Carrillo told them, “without the Colombian government breathing down his neck, all he’s gotta worry about is the Cali cartel.” Carrillo paused, disappointment clear on his handsome face. “Let’s face it, fellas...he won.” The four of them were silent for a moment.

“Not if we have anything to do about it,” Ari said, finally looking at him.

“That’s my girl,” Carrillo said with a smile. “Give them hell for me.”

“We will,” Ari promised. Suddenly she deflated and a look of sadness came over her face. “I still can’t believe you’re leaving...what am I gonna do without you here, Horacio?”

“What? We’re not fun?” Steve said, motioning between him and Javi. Ari looked them over.

“Eh, you’re alright,” she teased. “Drinks tonight?” She looked at Carrillo. “One last hurrah before they take you from us?” Carrillo nodded.

“Sounds good, princesa,” he agreed.

“Let’s get back and see what the CIA can tell us about these photos,” Steve suggested. “We’ll see you tonight, Colonel.” They departed Carrillo’s office and went back to the embassy.

They quickly rounded up Russell and Wysession.

“If we get solid proof that Escobar is violating the terms of his surrender, then they have to send him to a real prison,” Javi told them, “but we need more than these aerial shots.” He was leaning over the table, bracing his weight on his forearms.

“Can you get us satellite communications or wire intercepts?” Steve asked.

“There’s a no-fly zone over the prison,” Wysession informed them, “with antiaircraft guns manned by the Colombian army to enforce it.” Javi put his head in his hands, clearly frustrated.

“You’re playing with fire if Noonan finds out,” Russell warned them. Steve was looking closely at the photos.

“We don’t got shit on him without intercepts—” Javi began.

“—We don’t need ‘em,” Steve cut in.

“What?” Javi said. “The hell we don’t.”

“They’re not using phones,” Steve said as he placed the photos down and pointed to a spot.

“The hell is that?” Wysession asked.

“I could spot a coop a mile away,” Steve told them. “That’s how they’re sending messages.” They all looked at where he was pointing. Javi picked up the photo and placed a finger over the coop.

“Murphy,” Ari said with a huge grin, “God bless your hillbilly ass.”

The three of them walked into the bar and immediately spotted Carrillo at a booth. Ari slid in next to Carrillo. Steve and Javi sat across from them. They ordered drinks and chatted for a bit. Suddenly Ari’s head fell back against the cushion.

“This is bullshit,” she groaned. The men all nodded in agreement. “I can’t believe those assholes are sending you away. I know your methods are…unorthodox, but they’re effective. Fucking cowards.” She downed the rest of her drink.

“They truly believe this war is over,” Carrillo told her. “They don’t think they need me anymore.”

“We need you,” she pouted. She lay her head against his shoulder. “I”m really gonna miss you.” He kissed the top of her head.

“I’m gonna miss you too, princesa,” he told her. She laughed. “What’s so funny?”

“Who would have thought we’d end up here?” She asked him. She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. “I would have never guessed the man who tortured me for three days would end up becoming my best friend.” Carrillo winced at her reminder of how they met. “Nuh uh,” she scolded. “Don’t do that. No guilt. I wouldn’t change a single moment.”

“Why the fuck not?” Carrillo asked, overcome with regret.

“Because it was the start of all this,” she waved to everyone at the table. “It got me transferred here—where I really wanted to be working. It got me partnered with these two—” she turned towards Steve and Javi—“who, despite being annoying sometimes, are the best partners I’ve ever had. And it brought me to you. My best friend.” She looked at each of the men. “You guys are my family. I love you all. And I wouldn’t change anything that led me here…to you.” She decided to leave out the most important part—it lead her to the only man she’s ever loved.

“I guess I never really looked at it that way,” Carrillo said quietly.

“I always try to find the bright side when I can,” Ari said.

“You’re incredible,” Javi murmured. Ari smiled.

“So I’ve been told,” she teased. The men shook their heads at her. She never was comfortable taking compliments. The night continued on, and they tried to push their grief to the side. They wanted to have one last night of fun before Carrillo was taken away from them. When it was time to say goodnight—and goodbye—Ari couldn’t stop the tears.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Carrillo said softly. “No tears for me, princesa. I am not worth it.”

“Yes you are, Horacio,” she sniffled. She hugged him fiercely. He hugged her back, just as tightly. She cried against his neck for a moment before she reigned herself back in. “Stay in touch, ok?” She whispered before pulling away.

“I promise,” he said caressing the side of her face. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.” She let out a watery laugh. She moved aside so Javi and Steve could shake his hand and say their goodbyes. Carrillo took his leave—and a part of Ari’s heart with him.

“You alright, hermosa?” Javi asked, rubbing her back.

“I will be,” she said thickly.

“Let’s go home,” Steve said. “We could all use some sleep.” Once they were back to the apartment Steve bid them goodnight and trudged upstairs. Once his door closed, Javi turned to Ari.

“Want me to come over?” He asked. She shook her head and yawned.

“Sorry, Javi,” she said softly. “I’m not in the mood for sex, and unless you plan on spending the night, you’d just be wasting your time.” He stared at her, stunned into silence. She stood on her tip toes and pressed a kiss to his lips.

“Goodnight,” she mumbled as she tiredly rubbed her eye. Before he could respond she disappeared into her apartment.

“Huh?” Javi whispered, stunned. Had she really just blown him off and called him out on his shit? All while looking like an adorable, sleepy little kitten? She hadn’t even given him the chance to respond. Which meant she knew he’d decline…he didn’t know how he felt about that. He went into his apartment and undressed, a scowl on his face, deep in thought.

He hadn’t been thinking of sex—well, not entirely, he always thought about sex when it came to Ari. He just wanted to be there for her since he knew she was taking Carrillo’s transfer hard. Maybe she needed a shoulder to cry on, or another drink, but she had assumed he just wanted to fuck.

Did Ari really expect that little of him? He knew he hadn’t given her any reason to expect more, but it still stung that she had such low expectations of him—even if they were well earned. He lay back on his bed and rubbed his hand over his eyes. She had him all tangled up in knots. He didn’t even recognize himself anymore.

The DEA agents had been camped outside La Catedral for hours. Steve’s discovery of the pigeon coop had given them an idea to shoot down one of the carrier birds and intercept the message. They were waiting patiently for them to send one out, but so far they had no luck.

“You see anything yet?” Steve asked Javi. He walked back over after pouring himself some coffee out of the thermos. Javi lowered the binoculars and rubbed his eyes tiredly.

“No, man,” he answered.

“You’re blind as a bat,” Steve said in exasperation. “Give me those.” He took the binoculars from Javi and handed him the coffee. Steve watched the prison as Javi took a sip of the coffee. Ari noticed the grimace on his face and then laughed softly as he dumped the rest of the coffee on the ground. Javi always hated Steve’s coffee.

“Next time you make the coffee, querida,” Javi told her quietly. He loved Ari’s coffee. She knew how to make it just right.

“You got it, baby,” she whispered back with a wink and discreetly squeezed his ass. Javi jumped slightly and gave her a warning look. She just grinned at him.

“Oh, one’s going,” Steve called out. “Ten o’clock. Coming in low.”

“I got it,” Javi said.

“You got it?” Steve questioned.

“Yeah,” Javi assured him as he raised the shotgun.

“Low,” Steve reminded him. Javi fired three shots...and missed each one.

“Ah...that’s a fast fucking pigeon,” Javi grumbled lightly. Steve motioned rapidly with his hand for Javi to give him the gun.

“Give me the gun,” he ordered.

“What’re you trying to say I’m a lousy shot?” Javi asked.

“Yes,” Steve confirmed, “I am saying you’re a lousy shot.” He took the shotgun. “Here.” He shoved the binoculars to Javi. He wrapped the shotgun strap around his arm to anchor himself. “You’re a shit shot,” he mumbled under his breath. Ari laughed and Javi shot her a dark glare before using the binoculars to watch for the next bird. Steve cocked the gun.

“Heads up, heads up,” Javi called as another pigeon was released.

“I got it,” Steve replied.

“One o’clock,” Javi informed him.

“I got it,” Steve repeated, aiming and turning as the bird flew past.

“Shoot,” Javi told him. Steve still aimed, not taking the shot. “Shoot!” Steve fired and the pigeon fell to the ground. Steve lowered the gun and lightly slapped Javi on the chest.

“You never been duck huntin’?” Steve said with a hint of sarcasm. He walked forward to grab the dead bird. Javi stood there chewing his gum and fidgeting with the binoculars. Ari watched him in amusement.

“No, I have not been duck hunting, you...fucking hillbilly” Javier grumbled, pissed that Steve had bested him at something. Ari laughed and squeezed his arm.

“Come on, grumpy,” she teased, leading him to Steve who had picked up the pigeon.

“Bingo,” Steve said triumphantly. He pulled the message off the bird’s leg. “It’s in Spanish. Read it.” He handed it off to Javier.

“Jesus, Murphy,” Ari sighed. “You ever gonna fucking learn Spanish?”

“Why would I do that when I have you two?” Steve said with a smile.

“I’m gonna stop translating for you, you lazy sack of shit,” she replied playfully.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Steve said in mock horror.

“Oh, I would—” Ari began.

“—Cut it out, kids,” Javi scolded. He looked down at the note. “Delivery due with El Paisa in the tunnel,” Javi read aloud. He shook his head. “The son of a bitch built a tunnel under the jail.” Ari snorted.

“Of course he did,” she said. “As soon as they said he was building his own prison I knew that’s the first thing he’d plan on doing.”

“Really?” Steve asked her.

“Yeah,” she said with a shrug. “It’s what I would do.” Steve and Javi just looked at her. “What? Don’t look at me like that. I would do it because I’m not a fucking idiot. Not because I think like my father. Anyone with half a brain would immediately think to build a tunnel.”

“I wouldn’t have immediately gone there,” Steve argued.

“I said anyone with half a brain, Murphy,” she deadpanned. “Obviously I wasn’t talking about you.” Javi laughed. “What’re you laughing at? You looked just as surprised as this fucking redneck”—she jerked her thumb towards Steve—“when you realized he built a tunnel. You’re both idiots who would be never manage a prison escape.”

“And you would?” Javi asked, cocking his brow.

“I’d be out years before you two,” she bragged playfully. “Now shut up, and let’s see if we can find this fucking tunnel.”

Javi, Steve, and Ari looked up form the aerial photos they were studying when they heard someone rapping on the window of their office. Russell and Wysession filed in.

“Against orders, we did a couple high-altitude flyovers of the prison with our infrared cameras,” Russell told them. He handed the file to Javier.

“No tunnels,” Wysession said roughly. “Tomography report indicates nothing. Seismic measuring, nada.” Javi looked through the file.

“Can we measure radio frequency energy?” He asked them.

“Well, we could try,” Wysession offered. “Doesn’t penetrate deeper than thirty feet.”

“If he’s bringing shit into this tunnel,” Steve said, eyebrows raised and fingers steepled together, “you can bet he’s going out that way.” Javi rubbed his forehead in frustration. Ari picked up the photos he was done looking through.

“If there’s a tunnel there,” Wysession said, “he must have dug it to China.” With that he turned and walked out.

“Good luck,” Russell said before following Wysession out. Steve leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms over his head, letting out a frustrated sigh.

“Fuck,” Ari groaned, tossing the photos on the desk.

“Do you have any idea how he may have planned this out, Ari?” Steve asked her hopefully.

“No,” Ari shook her head. “Our pathetic excuse for father-daughter bonding time never included prison design and escape plans. Sorry.” Javi chuckled wryly.

That night they sat tiredly at Steve’s kitchen table. They’d been looking over the aerial shots for hours, trying to pinpoint where the fuck Escobar had put the tunnel. Their half eaten dinners were sitting in front of them. Javi was shuffling through the files again while Steve fiddled with the mustard bottle. Ari sat next to Javi, staring quietly at the photos on the table. She had been uncharacteristically quiet the whole night.

“Maybe we can...” Javi trailed off a moment with a deep sigh. He rubbed his eyes tiredly. “We can ask the military to do light detection and ranging.” He scratched his forehead.

“You got a better chance of Noonan authorizing a divining rod,” Steve said sarcastically as he licked mustard off his finger. Javier smirked and scoffed.

“Alright, man,” Javi said tiredly, “I’m calling it a night.”

“Nah,” Steve told him, “finish up.” He gestured to his food.

“No,” Javi argued, “you can’t even smoke in here.” He pulled his cigarette from behind his ear and placed it in his mouth, glancing towards Connie in the kitchen.

“Maybe I could go in,” Ari said.

“Go in where?” Steve asked her.

“La Catedral,” Ari clarified.

“What?” Javi asked, a scowl darkening his handsome face.

“I could reach out and ask to come for a visit,” she told them. “Scope things out...see what I can find.” The men stared at her in silence. “It could work. I’m sure Escobar would say yes to me coming in...”

“No fucking way,” Javi ground out.

“Absolutely not,” Steve said at the same time.

“Fuck, it was just a suggestion,” Ari grumbled. “We’re getting nowhere.”

“You’re not going into that place, Ari,” Javi warned. “Ever.”

“Javi’s right,” Steve agreed. “You go in...Escobar probably won’t let you back out.”

“I’m DEA,” Ari argued. “He couldn’t keep me there without bringing a shitstorm of trouble down on himself.”

“He’s smart and cunning,” Steve countered. “He could sneak you out this tunnel and hide you away. Or he could just tell the government you chose to stay with your father. Never even give you the chance to say otherwise. You’re a Colombian citizen too. He could use that to get around US intervention.”

“We’re not taking any chances, querida,” Javier said in a tone that suggested he was done having this conversation. He stood up and put his jacket on. “Get those crazy ass thoughts out of your head.”

“No luck?” Connie asked as she walked over to the table. She started grabbing the condiments off the table.

“These aerials don’t indicate a single tunnel in the whole mountainside,” Steve told her.

“Hmm,” Connie hummed. She looked down at the photos. “Well, the only thing I can see in all of them is this truck.” She pointed to three different pictures...all showing the same truck. “Are you finished with that, honey?” She grabbed Steve’s plate.

“Yeah,” Steve answered distractedly. The three agents all leaned in closer to look at the photos, then each other. Ari smiled big, and the two men quickly returned her smile. They finally had a break.

They decided their best bet was to lie in wait along the route the truck took from the prison. Steve blocked the road with his Jeep and made it look like he broke down. Once the truck stopped to see if he needed help, Ari and Javi got the driver out of the truck and had him open the back. Unfortunately, he had already made his delivery.

“We missed a very important delivery,” Javi said from inside the empty truck. He was reading the manifest of what the driver had just dropped off while Steve installed a camera in the back. “Sex toys, back issues of Hustler, a waterbed, a legal correspondence course.” Javi chuckled. “He’s bored shitless in there.” Ari grimaced at the items on the list. “What?” Javi asked when he saw her face.

“Sex toys...nudie magazines...ugh,” Ari grimaced again. “That’s my father in there...don't want those images in my brain.” She shuddered in disgust. Javi and Steve laughed quietly.

“Oigan, gringos,” (Look, gringos) the driver spoke up suddenly, “ustedes no tienen derecho a hacer esto.” (you don’t have the right to do this) Javi leaned down close to his face.

“Claro que tenemos el derecho,” (Of course we have the right) Javi told him. “Usted solo presione el botón que instalamos en la camión” (You just press the button in the truck)—he pointed towards the camera—“y nosotros hacemos el resto, ¿OK?” (and we will do the rest, ok?)

“Si el patrón se llega a enterar de que pusieron cámaras en el camión, (If the boss finds out that I let you put cameras in the truck) he argued, “me va a mandar a quebrar,” (he’ll kill me) Steve watched him silently, unable to follow what the man said.

“What did he say?” Steve asked Javier.

“He says if Pablo finds out, he’ll kill him,” Javier told Steve. Steve bent down in front of the driver.

“Amigo,” Steve said gently, beckoning the man closer. The driver leaned towards Steve. “¿Pablo es tu patrón?” (Pablo’s your boss?) Steve asked. He nodded in affirmation. “¿Sí? Sí.” (Yeah? Yeah.) Steve patted him on the shoulder, looking down. Suddenly his large hand founds its way around the man’s neck. He choked him and looked back up. “Yo soy tu patrón.” (I am your boss.) He put his gun to the terrified man’s forehead. “¿Sí?” (Yes?)

“¡Está bien, está bien!” (It’s ok, it’s ok!) The scared man choked out, waving his hands in front of him in surrender. “¡Yo hago lo qué ustedes digan!” (I’ll do whatever you say!)

“¿Sí?” (Yeah?) Steve asked darkly. He tossed the poor man on the floor and walked out of the truck. Ari and Javi stood there calmly watching the man gasping on the floor.

“¿Estás bien, Paisita?” (Are you ok, friend?) Javi asked blandly, reaching out to help the man up.

“I guess I hit a sore spot about his language skills the other day,” Ari chuckled, referring to Steve’s sudden use of Spanish with the driver.

“His Spanish is still shit,” Javier laughed.

“True,” she agreed. A few minutes later the truck was driving away from the grinning DEA agents.

“Well, that was a success,” Steve said once the truck disappeared from sight. Javi hummed an agreement.

“I gotta say, Murphy,” Ari said, turning to him, “that was pretty hot back there. You should choke guys out more often.”

“Jesus, Ari,” Steve said, embarrassed. She laughed.

“Don’t get all shy on me,” she teased. “Don’t worry. I don’t want to fuck you or anything. Just admiring this new side of you.”

“Fuck,” Javier said in exasperation. “You’re a goddamn menace, Ari”

“And you both love it,” she said with a smile. “Let’s get outta here. First round’s on me tonight. We need to celebrate.”

“Hell yeah,” Steve agreed with a smile.

Chapter 14

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[scrollypoly]

I'm not a simp okay but like zelgo abcs maybe?

Ah Zalgo. King of Hell, ultimate sugar daddy, also ultimate sugar baby. My Zalgo is fairly different from canon too, so fair warning for that. He's still a fun brat tho 😏

MINORS/AGELESS BLOGS - DO NOT INTERACT, you will be blocked

Zalgo NSFW Alphabet

A = Aftercare (What they’re like after sex)

Sleepy baby. More than happy to curl up next to you and be pampered or spoiled, or do the same for you. Probably a very luxurious bath, maybe some goofing off after too.

B = Body part (Their favourite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

One of their female forms is the aspect of vanity. Arguably their most attractive form, and one they like to take often. So pretty much everything on that body, she's very voluptuous and sensual. Other than that, their eyes never change in any of their forms, deep deep ruby red that seem to burn when emotions flare up. That's a favorite.

On you? Your chest and stomach, your whole torso really. Loves to run their hands down it and kiss and suck on you 😋

C = Cum (Anything to do with cum basically… I’m a disgusting person)

Paint them with your cum and watch their eyes go dizzy and foggy, their face go dark and their breathing go off kilter. It's a big weakness.

D = Dirty Secret (Pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

They totally presents himself as a figure of authority and power but its all a sham. This demon wants to be pushed around and controlled and told what to do. They want to be dommed.

E = Experience (How experienced are they? Do they know what they’re doing?)

Like most demons they are older than they let on, but being royalty they've been sheltered quite a bit. They still flirt around and have gotten a bit handsy, but they've been wanting to sort of save themselves til they found a mate. It's cute in theory, it also means their mate is gonna have a lot of fun on their hands breaking them in 😈

F = Favourite Position (This goes without saying. Will probably include a visual)

Not particularly picky about stuff like this tbh. If they're feeling especially bratty, or leaning to a more dom attitude, they'll flip you around and ride you out. Otherwise, they're more than content to let you manhandle them into wherever you want them.

G = Goofy (Are they more serious in the moment, or are they humorous, etc)

More a goofball with the teasing or foreplay, but very quickly melts into subspace once you assert yourself lol 😏

H = Hair (How well groomed are they, does the carpet match the drapes, etc.)

Very well groomed. They've got appearances to keep, after all, so they're well groomed all over. Cleanly shaved, or at least trimmed, in all of their forms.

I = Intimacy (How are they during the moment, romantic aspect…)

They would like some intimacy. I keep joking about them being a whore, and they are, but only for their person or mate. So intimacy is a must, and they will only really behave this way if that intimacy is assured. Otherwise, they're just really flirty.

J = Jack Off (Masturbation headcanon)

Loves to masturbate sdjfjsdjflks Will dress up for it and make a show of it, loves to do it to tease you, gets super into it. Prefers doing it in one of their afab forms cuz of how soft and wet they get

K = Kink (One or more of their kinks)

Being tied up, or having their senses cut off. Especially likes gags and blindfolds. Public stuff, group stuff (for their 7 different forms). I hope you have a royalty rp thing, cuz there's no escaping that with them, at all.

L = Location (Favourite places to do the do)

Anywhere luxurious. A bed draped in silks and pillows, a bath filled with bubbles and oils, their golden throne, thrown down on the polished dining table, pulled aside and pushed down into the cobble stones of the gardens.

Or if you catch them in the human world, feel free to just use them anywhere you want, they have no shame 😏

M = Motivation (What turns them on, gets them going)

Very easy to get them going. They're still young for a demon and it shows, their libido is crazy. You could be wearing something different and they'll be wrapped around you in seconds. They're devoted and needy, and everything about you will drive them crazy.

N = NO (Something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

Anything with someone else. Listen, they're a slut, not a cheater or unloyal🥺The only group thing you will be getting is if they split bodies at all, but boy is that fun~🥴

O = Oral (Preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc)

7 mouths and skilled in all of them. Though to be fair, if you two do anything sexual they're probably split into one of their glamours. Still, if you let them go down on you, whoo golly. Be prepared to see heaven

P = Pace (Are they fats and rough? Slow and sensual? etc.)

Loves to be spoiled and treated like a princess, but also fucked like a whore y'know?

Q = Quickie (Their opinions on quickies rather than proper sex, how often, etc.)

Please? Just kinda yoink them aside and fill them up, bounce them on your hips or drag them against your tongue til their legs shake and send them on their way while they struggle to walk.

R = Risk (Are they game to experiment, do they take risks, etc.)

Open but cautious. So long as consent is clear and safe words are in play, most likely they will be down to clown.

S = Stamina (How many rounds can they go for, how long do they last…)

Demons already have some crazy stamina, but Zalgo is also of an expensive pedigree. Demon lords were chosen by their prowess and strength, so those genes passed down. They are insatiable, good luck to you if you take them as a sexual partner dksdjfkl

T = Toy (Do they own toys? Do they use them? On a partner or themselves?)

Has a collection, oh god. Probably has them all displayed too, really pretty colors or glass shapes and plugs and restraints and bdsm tools. A Freak™, shows them off too

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

Huge tease. Will casually bare their ass for you, or let the breeze catch their clothes and show everything. Rubs up against you and toys with you a lot. To be fair, it's so easy to get them back too, so feel free to 😉

V = Volume (How loud they are, what sounds they make)

Loud, whiny. Loves to dirty talk too. If you get them unraveled enough, some of their other voices come out and it sounds super scary if they weren't twitching and babbling like a whore underneath you 🤭

W = Wild Card (Get a random headcanon for the character of your choice)

Switch leaning bottom. This demon can simultaneously be your sugar daddy and sugar baby. They're also a spoiled brat, and a bit of bastard too. Very fun to play with, just be sure you can handle them when they get you back~

Also I should mention, my Zalgo is genderfluid, and has 3 female forms and 4 male forms, to correspond with each mouth. They are all very similar in personality, but each one differs slightly, as they all correspond with a region and sin as well. Less of a kinky thing, but I wanted to bring it up as I talk about them too.

X = X-Ray (Let’s see what’s going on in those pants, picture or words)

Since they have multiple forms they choose to take with varying states of anatomy, this one would be hard to do with all of that. So instead I'll talk about their massive true form that they almost never show. I base this true form off something similar to Baphomet, so technically I guess they would also be intersex? Maybe?? I didn't think of it til now, but anyway 🤭

Their true form has a C cup and a decent sized package. Course they're not on a human scale at all, but if you did scale them down, it'd probably be about 7.5 inches and gets thicker in the middle. But when they're the size of a large building . . . yeah.

Y = Yearning (How high is their sex drive?)

Very slightly a romantic, so the romantic yearning is there. But let's be real, they just want whatever parts they have at the moment to be rawed until they're screaming. They are just a bit of a whore

Z = ZZZ (… how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

Very likely to pass out on you. They want you to wear them out, so if you succeeded, you will be their pillow and they will pass out on you. You might get drooled on, be wary lolol

[blutopaz15]

18 & 24 for the fanfic ask?

#18: Current Number of WIPs

Ohhhhh boy. So, uhm, a lot.

Currently published and waiting on updates, in order of most recent update...

cursed: just an epilogue left (rated M, heed the tags)

clean slate: between s3 and ttm fic, will prob be the next ongoing to get an update because it's almost definitely my favorite, self-indulgent wip <3

absolutely smitten: oops I abandoned my modern au again...

birthdays: (rated E, heed the tags) wrote callum birthday smut for rayllum month and fell off from the prompts...rayla never got her birthday smut :'(

quite daring: (rated M, heed the tags) dumping ground for rayllum spicy antics around the castle

crossroads: rayllum meets thru-hiking the "xadian divide trail", modern au, written to drag my outdoorsy fiance into my rayllum nonsense

harvest moon: rayllum reunion fic that I intended to continue...but then I decided that I wanted to make it fit/work with clean slate, so I needed to write THAT first......and yeah, again, OOPS

next time I mention a new wip, someone pls stop me, good grief

speaking of....

Random WIPS on my google drive....

working on winter drabbles from prompt list...first one is hopefully gonna get done this weekend

rayla coaching callum up the giant tree in 3x02

the planning of the earthblood elf disguise in 3x03 XD

kinda wanna flesh out a rayllum month drabble about callum drawing rayla's blades, based on stuff in Callum's Spellbook

vaguest ideas for some intense post-battle (or something, idk context) smut........

I have more smut ideas, including some drabbles that might see the light of day eventually, but I'll keep this post vague and t-rated, hehehe

"flowers" from hadestown inspired post-ttm rayla fic.........

quit job to write fanfic full time, when???? /j

#24: Favorite Fic(s) Read This Year

I REFUSE to pick just one, lol, so how about three?

everything that @numptypylon writes is amazing, but I think home free has got to be my fave. I'm not usually the biggest modern au person, but cottage cuddles hits the SPOT.

@jedidragonwarriorqueen's valentine's week amnesia fic is SUCH a treat. SO good!

(funny that both the first two were published valentine's week!!)

I also love love love love purgatory by @zuppizup (even tho I'm a sham and haven't read most recent chapter yet.)

---

end of year fanfic asks

[auroraknux]

(EDIT: This is somewhat out of date now lol)

My SPM AU has evolved since the last posts I made about my ideas (which I can't find now anyway), so I figured it was time for an updated post. It's still a mess of ideas with no clear outline, unfortunately. I'll try to keep it as brief as possible, so some details are going to be left out. So, in no particular order, here are a bunch of my ideas:

There is only one Prognosticus. It tells of a terrible future where a void will consume the world. The "twin in green" will play a significant role in this. The book states that the only way to destroy the Chaos Heart is if the "twin in red" destroys the "twin in green". Mario doesn't want to lose Luigi, so he's desperate to find another way.

Blumiere never became Count Bleck. Timpani was never "killed" and never became Tippi. Dimentio is the main villain from the very beginning.

Mario and Bowser are dating. Luigi and Prince Peasley are dating. Peach is either dating Pauline or has a crush on her. (I don't think Pauline will play a huge role either way, but she may still show up at some point.) I was considering pairing Nastasia and O'Chunks but I'm not sure yet.

Peasley is one of the main heroes, alongside Mario, Peach, and Bowser.

Mario and Luigi have their Firebrand and Thunderhand.

Nastasia can change between her human form and her original bat form at will.

Luigi becomes Mr. L right away and stays that way for most of the story. The characters actually recognize him here. However, they don't know about Mr. L at first, and think that Luigi has been captured or something. It's a huge shock to them all when Mr. L first shows up and starts attacking them.

Mr. L is basically the personification of a lot of things that Luigi has kept pent up over the years. The heroes think he's just under mind control at first, but later realize that the situation is far more complicated than that.

Nastasia was still the one who turned Luigi into Mr. L. However, she was more reluctant about it here. She is unhappy working for Dimentio, but feels trapped in her situation. Luigi was really sweet and his visits made her happy, so she feels guilty about what she did to him. She doesn't want the world to be destroyed--but again, she feels trapped. (I'm not sure what convinced her to join Dimentio or why she's afraid to leave.)

Dimentio spent a lot of time manipulating Luigi into joining him, so that he could fulfill his role in the prophecy. It was when Luigi started to realize that Dimentio was evil that the brainwashing took place.

Nastasia, O'Chunks, and Mimi also have roles in the prophecy (though I have no idea what they are). They all eventually turn against Dimentio for whatever reasons, completely defying the roles they were meant to play. (This gives the heroes hope.)

There's no flipping or other worlds. Everything takes place in one world. The current plan is that the story will mostly use locations from the M&L games and Odyssey.

Mario and Luigi still have their mental connection they had as babies that allowed them to sense where the other was, and if he was in danger. Mr. L deliberately cuts off the connection, which causes Mario a lot of distress.

One of the Pure Hearts is in the Pi’illo Kingdom. There's a scene where Mario has a nightmare involving Mr. L, and the gang go into the dream world to help him. This strengthens the bond between the group, which causes the Pure Heart to appear. (I'll give more details about the nightmare if anyone wants to know.)

Peasley and Mr. L can't stop flirting during battles. It drives both sides nuts.

The Chaos Heart is still created by a sham wedding between Bowser and Peach. I was considering having the day be saved by a Bowsario wedding, since I'm pairing them here. (They don't die/disappear like Blumiere and Timpani did in the original, don't worry.)

That's all I can think of at the moment. Feel free to ask questions (or, you know...suggest things to help me out...)