#love and deespace xavier

[lwonn]

Galaxy kid with that stupid ugly bunbun

[kykyonthemoon]

Limerence

(noun) — a mental state of profound romantic infatuation, deep obsession, and fantastical longing.

⋆˚✿˖° This chapter is a part of a mini-series of dark fairy tales and romance sets in another universe. It consists of three chapters, each with a Male Lead and is separated from one another.

⋆˚✿˖° Character x Reader/MC, from another (OC's) point of view. Reader/MC's pronounce is "she/her/hers".

⋆˚✿˖° Warnings & tags: 16+, MDNI, angst, hurt, thriller, obsession, major character death, dark fantasy, dark fairy tale, necrophilia.

⋆˚✿˖° Howard is my OC.

⋆˚✿˖° Read more chapters:

✦ Rafayel's ✦ Zayne's

⋆˚✿˖° Masterlist

⋆˚✿˖° My friend Cery made an art for this fic here: x

Chapter: The Sleeping Beauty — in which he paints this world blue for his Queen

⋆˚✿˖° Word count: ~3k

There was something about the lakeside cottage which scared Howard to the bone.

That area was formerly abandoned, dingy, damp, and home to numerous insects and reptiles. Few people ventured there except to hunt or fish. An ideal spot for Howard and his fellow children to hide and play when they did not wish to be found out by their parents.

Yet a few months ago, when a young couple bought the property and moved in, all of a sudden it was transformed into a paradise. A variety of peculiar flowers and plants bloomed, forming a meadow surrounding the cottage. The warm light emanated, and the aroma of tea and baked delights consistently made the kids drool. They were occasionally handed sweets by the new owner, and everyone of them was bribed in this manner, oblivious to the fact that their headquarters had just been taken from them.

Nevertheless, that was not what bothered Howard. That cottage made him anxious because, in addition to the abrupt change that he had yet to adjust to, he felt little sympathy for the new owners.

The brain of a ten-year-old child prevented him from generating an answer for this. He knew only one thing: there was an odd vibe beneath the new neighbors' tenderness, as if they were keeping some sort of secret that they wanted no one else to find out. His hunches were usually right.

“Here's your pie.” The husband said as he handed Howard's friend a hot, fragrant loaf of pie. “I'm sorry, kids, but you must find somewhere else to play. My wife is not well. She's in need of a quiet place to rest.”

All the children nodded, except Howard. He paid close attention to his neighbor. The man appeared youthful, clothed simply and comfortably. With his bright hair and blue eyes, he made people feel at ease and cozy. His beaming face appeared quite amiable, and the way he dealt with the children indicated that he was a trustworthy person. However, in fairy tales, witches frequently disguised themselves as nice people as well. And the person who took away these children's playground was clearly not a decent one, even though according to the law, they had every right to do so.

Howard's reluctance was not enough to stop him from returning to the lakeside cottage. He appreciated this location and the tranquility it offered. He went about nearby alone, inquisitive about the area and its new residents, but did not dare venture forward to alert them. On average, he would see the husband awake at about midday. He went into the forest to harvest fruits and hunt, and they occasionally ate the fish he caught in the lake. On the contrary, the wife was rarely seen. Howard sometimes caught her figure sitting at the window, staring out. He was unable to see her face properly, but he had the impression that she was really beautiful and gentle.

On pleasant, sunny days, the neighbor would maneuver his wife's wheelchair out into the heart of the blue flower field he had planted. He rested next to her on the ground, listening to the birds sing and told her about everything that had transpired here, including the children.

"Isn't this area quite calm? You enjoy it here a lot, don't you? I do too. Children come every now and then to bother us. But fret not; I told them to find another place to play. It appears that they are effortless to handle... Such adorable little ones."

The husband paused for a moment. He took a hold of her hand and caressed it. “Children could be a source of delight. Do you also wish we could have a child of our own in the future?”

There was no response from his wife, but he smiled as if he had heard her heart.

Aside from the two odd neighbors, Howard was intrigued and horrified by the flower meadows around their property. He had never seen such flowers blossom in this land before. They were an elegant blue tint, similar to forget-me-nots, but at night they emitted a soft glow under the moonlight. They eventually extended from all sides of the cottage to the woodland and the edge of the lake. They appeared pleasant at first sight, but Howard was alerted the moment he attempted to pick one.

“Don't touch them.” The neighbor said, now known to Howard as Xavier.

“Why is that?” The boy inquired promptly.

“…” Xavier gave not an instant answer. It seemed that he was finding words to explain it to a child. “It's best that you stay away from this place.”

Howard pouted. He did not like the feeling of being unwelcomed.

“Are these flowers poisonous?” asked Howard once more.

“These flowers are for healing… Don't damage them, kid.”

"Oh is that so." The youngster nodded. If the flowers were used for healthcare purposes, he would be more cautious around them. At the same time, he was intrigued about what diseases these flowers might cure.

The peaceful days continued to pass. After a few conversations, Howard realized that his neighbors were not as frightening as he had imagined. They were just a little odd. Xavier did not have any official employment; he simply stayed at home and relied on his hunting talents. He must have chosen to live this way since his ailing wife required particular care. Howard was tremendously curious about his wife, though. Especially after one afternoon when he happened to meet her by the window.

That day, Howard spent his time pursuing his family's mischievous cat. That cat was quite old and sick. Yet for some reason, she managed to find her way to the neighbor's cottage and slept soundly in the middle of the flower meadow. It was said that when a cat knew he or she was about to leave this world, he or she would flee to a place where the owners could not discover. But Howard prayed that day would not come soon enough.

He called the cat from afar, but the animal paid no heed. After a while, he entered the neighbors' private space.

The cat laid close to the couple's open bedroom window. Howard stared for a while, fearful of being caught and chastised. Not seeing Xavier's shadow anywhere, he felt secure in moving on.

Someone sat beside the window. Howard suspected it was the wife. She did not move even though he was certain that in her sitting position, she would have seen the boy approaching.  She simply remained there like a statue behind a thin curtain. Howard was hesitant and intrigued. He halted when he was only a few meters away from her.

“Erm… Hell, ma'am… M-May I bring my cat home?…”

He held his breath and waited, but she did not answer. Perhaps she was asleep. He saw her and Xavier by chance several times previously, and in those moments she also remained silent. Her condition must have caused her to be like this. He once had overheard grownups discussing how her entire body was immobilized and that she could not even talk at times.

Without seeing any reaction from the neighbor, Howard reached down and scooped up the cat. At that time, a powerful breeze blasted through the area, causing the curtains to lift. Howard looked up, but the dust in the air caused his eyes to squint. He could barely see a portion of the pallid face of the woman seated in the room. Her eyes were closed.

Then, blocking his view of the window was a familiar tall figure. It was Xavier. He flashed the child an expression of rage.

“Get that cat out of here. Now!”

It was the first time Howard had seen him angry. Although the neighbor remained cordial, the tone of his words dismayed the child. In an instant, he pictured witches consuming children in his head. But Xavier was much more terrifying than that. Howard instantly embraced the cat and fled out of their meadow.

For the following week, Howard refused to enter the area surrounding the neighbors' cottage anymore. He occasionally came across Xavier around town on his way home from school. The man had reverted to his regular state, even waving at Howard despite his intentional turn in another direction.

However, Howard's cat was fearless. She continued to stray off to Xavier's place frequently. One time, the youngster caught the animal on her way home in the early morning, in her mouth a blue flower that only blossomed in his neighbors' meadow.

“What are you doing?” Howard yelled at the cat. He removed the crushed flower and discovered a glittering blue tint in the animal's tongue.

The cat must have swallowed the neighbor's medical plants. Howard kept this a secret because who knew how enraged Xavier might be if he found out? Perhaps there was truly enchantment in those flowers. His family's elderly cat, who had been severely ill, suddenly became healthy again. She ran around and lived with them for a very long time, surprising everyone, but Howard kept his mouth shut.

That was presumably one of the neighbors' mysteries, which the child eventually came to respect. He stopped being inquisitive, but something about the cottage still made him shiver every time he passed by. Perhaps not because he still feared Xavier, but more because of his wife.

One brilliant sunny day, Howard happened to see her sitting alone in a flower meadow. She turned away from the child and appeared to be reading a book. Initially, Howard intended to just observe from afar. By coincidence, the book in her lap glided to the ground. Howard was concerned, unsure if he should come and help or just leave. He glanced about, but failed to locate Xavier anywhere. Perhaps he had gone into town or was hunting in the woods.

Howard went to help the neighbor. He thought about having his whole body paralyzed like that, it would truly be a curse. What would become of him when he could no longer dance and play? What would happen when he could only watch life pass in front of him while remaining motionless as a sculpture? He wondered if the neighbor could still feel the warm sunlight embracing her. What a pity! Pity for the husband who was at her side day by day, taking care of her. They were too young to have suffered such a tragedy.

When Howard approached her, he detected an unusual aroma. The scent was comparable to their flower field, but with a really nasty undertone. The stench made him think there was a dead animal lying somewhere. The youngster leaned down to take up the book. It was not an ordinary book, but it featured characters and illustrations that he could not comprehend. Yet another kind of language? Nevertheless, it was not appropriate to delve into other people's affairs, so he closed the book and returned it to the wife.

Only then did he get a close look at her. And it required all of his courage to stay on his feet.

Seated in the wheelchair was a person, or he did not know if she was still a human then. He still recognized her appearance; still seemed like what he had seen a few months earlier, but half of her face was lost. Howard saw half of the skull covered in pale skin, while the other half had rotted just completely. The white bones were utterly visible, from the cheeks to the chin. Howard claimed to have seen her collarbones exposed with no skin covering them, despite the fact that the majority of her body was clothed in heavy layers of clothing. She presumably lacked a heart inside all of that. 

She was a dried skeleton draped in decaying human skin.

Cold sweat streamed down Howard's spine. He trembled and placed the book in her lap, where her decomposing hands were nicely positioned. Before he could shout, he heard the rustle of trodden leaves behind him. Bewildered, he whirled around to see Xavier emerge from the forest, wielding a sword.

It was unimportant if he had been apprehended yet. Howard sprinted all the way home with all the strength left in him. His fever reached forty degrees celsius, and from that day on, he vowed never to return to that wooden cottage by the lake again.

“My dear,” Xavier's warm voice like the sun filled the room, which included a bathtub full of flowers in the center. He lifted his loving wife from her wheelchair and tenderly dipped her into the bathtub. The cool blue water enveloped her entire body. He put in a few other necessary details before kneeling alongside her.

“Today is our five hundredth day on this planet.” Xavier used his hand to catch the magical water and let it fall through his fingers, touching his beloved wife. “Do you like this place?”

The wife was silent as she always was. Her eyes closed, allowing Xavier to soak her hair and face. Half of her face had decayed, revealing bones and teeth. But it was of no significance; as soon as this ritual was over, she would revert to her original beauty.

"That neighbor kid saw you." Xavier's voice rang evenly. "He raced away. But do not be sad. "To me, you are always the most beautiful person."

Xavier picked up a flower from the water and set it in her hair. Nothing in this universe could compare to her. Even if her physique had changed. Even if she was only a withering skeleton.

"I always love the way you look, no matter what."

Xavier's hand continued to repeat the ritual of taking water and pouring it all over her body. Moments afterward, a new layer of skin began to develop around the decaying remnants.

"Worry not that others would discover our secret. That child wouldn't open his mouth. Even if he does, I have a way to silence him. Nobody will believe him. All of this was due to my carelessness. I left you alone out there."

The rustling sound rang out again as Xavier bathed his wife. From head down to neck, body and arms and legs. Her body was gradually restoring under the effect of the magic water.

“I apologize to you, my Queen. From now on I will never let you be alone."

He kissed her forehead. The water was as blue as the flowers outside their cottage, covering her exposed body. He planted them for her. As long as they grew, she would not perish. They would be together forever. Nothing could separate them anymore, not even death.

Xavier, the Crown Prince of Planet Philo, was to wed the girl he loved. Yet fate tore them apart, as she endured a terrible disease and did not survive much longer.

“Wait for me. I will go find a cure for you. When I return, we shall hold the wedding immediately.”

Xavier whispered beside her sick bed before departing. He and his fleet had discovered traces of a legendary flower, said to have the ability to cure all diseases. He traveled light years to find it and returned, only to find her lying cold in a coffin.

It was supposed to be their wedding day, but when he came back, a funeral was all that greeted him.

Her family members told him that she could not wait for him, and all she wanted for him was to forget about her and move on. But, how could he? He had no desire to go through a single day without her.

He refused to accept her demise, grasping the flower in his palm, he stole her coffin.

They traveled to another world where no one knew or could track them. He performed the wedding ceremony for only the two of them. Then he planted the miraculous flower he had found and utilized it to nurture her. It failed to bring the dead back to life, but it did keep her body from withering. As long as the magic from these flowers lasted, she would forever be young and beautiful.

They would live, happily ever after as in a fairy tale. She was his Queen. For her and only her, he could paint this whole planet into a blue meadow.

“Stay with me… Please…” He begged. His tears combined with the poison created from blue flower petals that he poured over her body. He held and kissed her eyes, lips, then fingers, and hands. He wished to feel her warmth again.

Yet that warmth had been lost, along with her soul. What Xavier could hold on to was only her body, which no longer felt anything, including his love.

Many moons later, the woodland transformed into a fascinating forest of blue flowers. Everyone was drawn to its beauty, yet only those who had witnessed the horrors concealed deep inside the forest held its tale in high regard. The tale of Sleeping Beauty and her Prince.

Howard, now an elderly man, had returned to his hometown after spending several decades far away. He could still recall the path back to the wooden cottage by the lake. In fact, the blue blossoms led him back.

Perhaps, his neighbors no longer lived there. Possibly it was his old eyes that were deceiving him. Howard saw that nearby the cottage was the silhouette of a familiar woman still, the most beautiful flower in that meadow; she was sitting and reading a book. And, always at her side as a shadow, that young man with the same features as in his childhood memories placed a hand on her shoulder. He gently turned his head, glanced at Howard, and smiled.

[ridox]

Questions about Xavier & Theories Following Chapter 8 —

I need anyone’s input/theory/thoughts regarding this matter because I haven’t gone through much of Xavier’s Secret Times and Tender Moments yet, and I’ve only unlocked 3/9 of Shooting Stars

Discussion under the cut for potential spoilers

Anyway, I just finished going through Chapter 8 of the Main Story and based from this conversation with Jeremiah. Does this mean Xavier has direct/or indirect influence over what happened to Josephine and Caleb on Chapter 4?

I’m assuming the Nonintervention Principle is for the Lightseekers who venture through space, calling for them to basically NOT ALTER anything in the timeline they’re hopping onto as a preventative measure to creating a butterfly effect (?)

I remember some people saying that Xavier caused the explosion but now that I think about it I don’t think he inherently has anything to do with it. Rather, I think his presence, Jeremiah’s, alongside all the other backtrackers or whatever you call them, is what caused Josephine and Caleb’s death (?)

I have to gather my thoughts for a more concrete theory about this but in essence, the fact that some of the residents of Philos never returned to their own home and their correct timeline… caused a major butterfly effect that essentially kickstarted the catastrophic events that’s happening in MC’s life as of the moment

I feel like Xavier knew what was going to happen to MC’s grandmother and PERHAPS he even knows if Caleb really died or not but he’s bound by this rule to not intervene and to just let it pan out the way it’s supposed to be

Which kinda creates a loophole because his existence itself in this timeline is what caused it to happen in the first place (?) if that specific theory is right

ANYWAY MOVING ON TO MY ACTUAL QUESTIONS —

I remember reading a theory or perhaps an actual explanation that - in an attempt to try and save Queen MC - Xavier created a Möbius Strip that essentially catapults him back in time creating this unending loophole in the Philos timeline

MY QUESTION IS… IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT THE MÖBIUS STRIP IN QUESTION IS WHAT RESULTED IN THE DEEPSPACE TUNNEL? OR THE DEEPSPACE TUNNEL ITSELF IS THE MÖBIUS STRIP?

I haven’t done enough research to support this theory because it’s 12 AM and I just finished the chapter and want to document these thoughts but I’m theorizing that Xavier’s effort to save his MC in his own timeline resulted in a time rift in the form of the Deepspace Tunnel.

The same tunnel that was the main reason why MC’s heart got implanted with the Aether Core in the first place. What if the Wanderers that ravaged Linkon City those many years ago were actually Philos citizens (backtrackers, lightseekers) that died during the creation of the tunnel and emerged on the other side as just that… Wanderers?

What if the Wanderer that stabbed current MC through the heart is an alternate timeline/Philos timeline MC who recognized herself and essentially transplanted her heart to hers?

LIKE MY MIND IS GOING MILES AN HOUR THINKING ABOUT THIS BUT I KNOW EVERYTHING’S MESSY AND UNORGANIZED SO LIKE MAYBE I’LL WRITE THIS UP MORE IN THE FUTURE WITH SUPPORTING FACTS AND STUFF

But yeah! To summarize it all —

- Xavier and the rest of the backtrackers/lightseekers in Linkon City are Space and Time anomalies

- Their existence in itself is wrong and is what resulted in the catastrophic event many years ago

- Possibly the Wanderer that pierced current MC’s heart is her from a Philos timeline

- Also Xavier may have been indirectly involve to the death of MC’s grandmother and Caleb

- BUT ALSO I think Xavier knows whether Caleb is truly dead or alive

- Bonus: I feel like Caleb found out that an alternate timeline exists and he had to fake his own death for the sake of MC’s safety

- Just by the end of Chapter 8, everyone was talking about the recent discovery of Philos and imo I feel like this happened prior to Caleb coming home in the first place

- I feel like since Ever pretty much runs everything in Linkon, they tried to sway Caleb into turning MC in for the sake of ��research” or something after they found out she’s probably the only living person who fused well with an Aether Core

ANYWAY SORRY FOR THE RAMBLE I WOULD LIKE TO HERE ANYBODY’S THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS PLS I’M SO NECK DEEP INSIDE L&DS LORE

[odoraful]

my jaw actually dropped when i saw this...

[prclns]

New silly otome game

[cordidy]

Inviting them..

The L&Ds guys reacting to YOU paying for a date 🥰 (cause we like being spoiled but we are strong independant women too !)

It's my first L&Ds HC and english os not my mother tongue so please be nice 🙏

Zayne remains unphased by that. He is a pragmatic after all and while he loves spoiling the shit out of you, he also knows you like to be independant.

Big dates like fancy restaurants or trips will be for him (I mean, he is a doctor ffs) but afternoon coffee or, God forbides, quick unhealthy lunches before the movies or in between work are yours.

Neither of you mention it and it's a very normal thing (although he will never back of from paying if money is tight cause you had an unexpected expenditure)

It was a stupid accident !

Xavier had woken up late for your date and forgotten his wallet in the process. He was MORTIFIED when he realized he did not have any payment method, even more so when he saw you casually take out your own card like it's nothing at all. How could you be ok with him, your knight in shinning armor, using YOUR money ?!

Yet...it kind of feels nice to be provided for right ?

And you look soooooo happy as you tease him for being a "pampered little princess" since you paid for his coffee.

He will make sure to forget his wallet from time to time just to see your happy face.

The waiter starts to actually wonder if he should call an ambulance considering how much Rafayel is dying from laughter.

"You want to pay ?" If a look could kill he would be dead considering how embarrassed you are as you get red as a tomato.

Yes it's a fancy place but, come on, you work !

"Sure sure little Guppy" he adds, pating your head while CRYING as he gives his card to the waiter who doesn't know how to react as you start to pout.

9 for Rafayel - 0 for you still

Sylus LOVES IT.

At first, of course, he doesn't. You are his princess, his world, his everything and all he wants is to spoil the shit out of you as you deserve it just because you grace him with your presence buuuuut....

People are always around him for his money or power....

Even the twins started like this before becoming like annoying little brothers so, when he sees you readying your card in a Linkon coffee to pay for both your drinks, he is, for the first time, throwned off. Even more so as you act like it's the most normal thing in the world. After all, he "paid diner last night in a fancy restaurant and it's just coffee" you shrug off, rolling your eyes.

He will keep spoiling you and paying for basically everything but THIS cafe is your kingdom and whenever you go there, he gets to be "spoiled" (although he bought the place and put the money it makes on a private bank account for you)

[loveanddeepstress]

I imagine baking around zayne would be a nightmare, like you'd just be mixing the batter and turn to grab an egg and he's already got his hand in the batter, some by his mouth and of course he's going to say "it needs more sugar"

Xavier on the other hand would be watching you from the table asking you if you need help, looking up at you with his cute ass puppy eyes, and it's not even intentional. If you do let him help, keep a close eye on him, he might put the wrong amounts of things or just the wrong things in general.

Rafayel would be standing with you watching everything, commenting in everything that's done, you best not drop an egg shell in there or you'll never hear the end of it.

Sylus would be teasing you every step of the way as you and the twins stumble around eachother, they don't know shit about baking so you have to stop them from adding a literal salt shaker into the bowl.

[beneathashadytree]

TOY REVIEW - TEXTING THE LOVE AND DEEPSPACE MEN

Warnings : NSFW obviously, mentions of toys and masturbation, mentions of sex, reader is gender-neutral!

Genre : smut (but lowkey funny😭)

Additional notes : My shame has all but dissipated into the wind. Hope you guys like the way this request by @obiwanmcprobie turned out!!

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[le-monchou]

cold, cold feet || xavier

hello. this is a repost from my old accounts, don't mind me :) just trying to make @aprityormarj motivated to finish her work. || 490 words.

"you're already ready for bed? that was fast." xavier smiles as you beam at him, snuggled into his quilts for the night. he turns off the lights in the room besides a small glowing mushroom lamp you'd bought for him, and he opens the quilts to quickly dive in in a valiant attempt to protect you from the cold.

"you sure took your time changing from a hoodie into another hoodie," you tease as you cuddle up to him, exhaling as he wraps his arms around you. "whatever shall i say, hmm? perhaps my boyfriend decided to abandon me in favour of hunting wanderers in some far off zone again?" you laugh as xavier frowns like a kicked puppy, one of the most prominent expressions on his face.

"i would never," he insists as you turn away from him to laugh, burying your face in a pillow that smells too much like him, heavy and heady with his scent. "[name], listen to me. i would never. [name]. [name]." turning back after a good long chuckle, you see his lip jutting out ever so slightly, clearly affronted by your lack of attention and affection for him.

"you're like a needy puppy," you hum as you pull him into your chest, xavier humming as he snuggles closer, not even bothering to deny what you said. "needy puppy who mildly sucks at both cards and the claw machine."

"watch it, he grumbles half-heartedly, an arm extending towards your lower back to rub and pat it. "you're threatening my masculinity here." you laugh, attempting to slowly slide your feet over to xaviers as he frowns once again and pulls away. "no. i know what you're going to do, and i won't allow it."

"please? pretty please? you're my boyfriend, this is a boyfriend duty!"

"the last time i agreed to this, i was feeling ice stamps on my back for most of the night. no thank you." he retorts, kicking your feet away as the duvet rises, letting in a draft as the two of you huddle closer for warmth. "okay. maybe i understand your pain a little bit. but it is still a no," he adds quickly as you beam and then grimace.

"y'know, why do i even care," you mumble as you shove him off of you, turning him around and putting your feet on his calves. xavier flinches and kicks his legs, hopefully to throw you off, but you aren't the hunter's super rookie for no reason, and you stay exactly where you burrowed yourself, waiting for xavier to stop thrashing around like a piece of meat.

and when he eventually does, you kiss his shoulder as he mutters his own version of expletives at you, a silent apology for the pain he will be going through every other day now. "come spring," you murmur next to his now flushed ears, "i'll let you put your cold feet on mine, okay?"

some of my headcanons for xavier, i hope y'all don't mind :3 i hc he gets cold in spring instead of winter (idk, it just suits the image i have of him).

[sylusmistress]

Run Kitten... Run

Chapter 3: Fire and Desire

“Have you heard from her?”

“If I had, do you think I would be wasting my time speaking with either of you humans?”

“Watch it, Rafayel. All of us care about her and there’s no reason to take your frustrations out on me or Xavier.”

Stubborn tapping can be heard throughout Zayne’s medical office as Rafayel sits in one of his wooden arm chairs across his oak desk and lets his annoyance with this current situation be heard loud and clear. Meanwhile Xavier sits to the right of Rafayel with a calm demeanor, but Zayne can see past the façade and knows that Xavier is on edge the same way the other two men are. You were expected to return from your mission three days ago and your absence has caused the trio to gather in an effort to try and locate you. After interrogating Tara and doing some digging with ‘unethical’ sources of information, Rafayel and Xavier made their way over to Akso Hospital to inform Zayne about the dangerous mission Capitan Jenna sent you on.   

“That wicked captain should have never sent my beloved to find this King of the Wanderers fellow by herself. She’s just a rookie hunter! I should have placed a tracker on her when I had the chance.”

Pinching the bridge of his nose before taking a much-needed deep breath, Zayne does his best to calm his nerves before addressing Rafayel. Between the three of them Zayne and Rafayel are known to constantly bump heads because of the differing methods they choose to use when it comes to loving and protecting you. “I have told you this countless times before Rafayel, you cannot place a tracker on her because that would have been an invasion of her privacy. My patient is not a piece of property, and we do not own her. We have no right to keep track of her location 24/7.”

Out of the three of them Xavier is typically the sensible one that agrees with Zayne and his perspective, but for once he actually agrees with Rafayel’s proposal. It has been hell not knowing where you are or if you are okay and it is driving him crazy. He hasn’t eaten, hasn’t slept, and his heart has constantly been aching knowing that you might be in danger he can’t protect you from. Shifting in his seat he looks between Rafayel and Zayne before speaking up in a calm but detached voice. “That’s actually not a bad idea Raf, when my universe returns, we should definitely place a tracker on her. I can simply mark her with –,”

Swirling his head to the side, Rafayel directs his aggression towards Xavier before glaring at him with his blown-out pupils filled with possession. “You mean when my muse returns to me. And you will NOT be the one marking her. I will!” The sudden shift in Xavier’s energy isn’t lost on Rafayel as he abruptly stands up from his seat and prepares to land an attack on the man sitting next to him. Even though Rafayel and Zayne are the main ones who bump heads and argue, Rafayel and Xavier are the main ones who provoke each other enough to engage in physical battles that typically leaves them needing medical assistance from either Zayne or you.

Noticing what might happen next, Zayne also stands up from his seat and Xavier follows as all three men begin breathing heavily with their Evol energy flickering in the air. It is a miracle that neither one of them have succeeded in killing one another because every time the three of them are all together in a closed space their egos and obsession for you forces all rational thinking to leave their minds. “That is an INVASION of her privacy, Rafayel!” Zayne can feel his resolve slipping and he wants to do nothing more than put Rafayel in his place. Your history with the other two men doesn’t matter to Zayne. You are his patient and his to keep safe. You belong to him. You are his to keep. “She is my patient, and she will not be receiving any trackers, modifications, or marks on her body without MY approval.”

Feeling his Evol energy prickle beneath his fingers, Rafayel swiftly climbs over Zayne’s desk until the two of them are face to face with mere inches separating them. “Who the fuck died and left you in charge? You are nothing but a hypocrite. Didn’t you just say that she isn’t our ‘property’, and we don’t ‘own’ her? Or does that only apply to me and Xavier?” Pausing, Rafayel smirks with malice intent before lowering his voice to a murderous tone. “If it wasn’t for my beloved caring about your pathetic life I would’ve killed you already with a simple song. Your human body is so fragile that you stand no chance against me, doctor.”

Squaring his shoulders to make his body look bigger than life, Zayne lowers his voice and stares deeply into Rafayel’s eyes. There is nothing but icy animosity in his expression and after a year of having to share you with the other two men Zayne has grown accustomed to Rafayel’s mirrored feelings of hatred towards him. “Save your threats for someone who actually gives a fuck, fish boy. Put your childish behavior aside so we can work together to find her. Three heads are better than one… even if one of the heads is a hotheaded brat.”

Scoffing and rolling his eyes, Rafayel returns to his seat and plops down with an aggravated huff before looking over at Xavier who has also returned to his seat. “Lumiere, tell Zayne all of the information we found out about this King of the Wanderers fellow and how he’s been searching the black market for a specific Aether Core.”

__________________________________

Desire and temptation fill the thoughts in your head as you let Sylus led you to his private master bathroom. Just like his bedroom you can tell that no expense was spared, and this man enjoys the finer things in life. To the left you take note of a lavish walk-in shower that could possibly fit ten people inside, to the right there is a white agate vanity attached to his and her sinks and sitting directly in the middle of the bathroom is an amethyst bathtub that calls to you. Taking calculated steps towards the tub you hold back a small sigh when your bare feet touch the warm marble floors. Of course, this man would have heated flooring in his bathroom. Leaning against the bathroom sink, the red eyed devil of seduction watches you with a calculated expression as you walk closer and closer to his bathtub. You can feel his analyzing red orbs staring past your physical form and deep into your soul, causing you to suck in a tight breath. One. Inhale. Two. Exhale–

Red sirens are going off in your mind and you know that your focus should be placed on finding a chink in his armor or exploit any of his weaknesses to arrest him but right now you want nothing more than to be cleaned and pampered as promised. Who would have guessed that almost a week outside alone in the wilderness would have such a drastic impact on your body and mental stability. A tense silence befalls between you and Sylus as he continues watching you struggle with turning the correct knobs on the faucet to his tub. He knows you are struggling, and you know you are struggling but there is still a part of you that is too prideful to ask him for help. You are already breaking every rule a hunter swears their life to and to keep some semblance of your dignity you refuse to ask your captor for help.

Captor? No that’s not right… Frowning to yourself you faintly shake your head and get lost in your thoughts. Technically you haven’t been kidnapped and Sylus has informed you that you are free to leave whenever you want. He even took the time to show you where the exit was before leading you to his private bathroom. No, you made a choice to be here because you feel that you can still complete this mission. You aren’t a captive and he is not your captor. Instead, Sylus is your fugitive, and you are his lawful huntress that will bring him down no matter what.     

Another agonizing beat of silence passes, and Sylus has finally had enough with watching you attempt to turn on the water to fill the tub. After all, he was the one that promised to pamper you and despite him being a criminal he is a man of his word. With nothing said, Sylus straightens his frame to his full height and walks behind you so that your back is pressed against his clothed muscular chest before reaching around your waist and turning on the faucet to his tub. The movement is small, but you can feel heat collecting in your lower stomach as you become tipsy on the closeness between you and him. “Remove your clothes princess. Unless you plan on bathing in that filthy uniform.” The low treble this man speaks in almost causes your knees to buckle beneath your weight but the cockiness in his tone is enough to bring you back to your senses… for now.

Putting much needed distance between yourself and Sylus you place your hands on your hips before turning around and glaring at him with a fire that doesn’t truly reach your eyes. “You need to leave the bathroom so I can get undressed.”

“No.”

His reply is so simple, short, and final that you swore you heard him incorrectly. It takes a moment before you realize Sylus has denied your request and before you can open your mouth to yell at him about respecting a woman’s privacy your jaw hits the floor when he begins peeling away his clothing. With that smug smirk on his face Sylus pulls his sweater over his head revealing his sculpted abs before tossing the article of clothing somewhere on his bathroom floor. Next, he reaches for his belt buckle and slowly begins undoing it while holding eye contact with you. You feel your throat grow dry when he tosses his belt next to his discarded sweater and then trails his fingers down to the button and zipper of his pants.

Feeling your face flush with embarrassment you quickly turn your body away from Sylus and stare at the wall in front of you. While trying to stop this growing need that’s festering in the bottom of your stomach you think back to the three men that are waiting for you back home. As someone with three boyfriends you shouldn’t feel shy about undressing in front of a fugitive. You are a hunter and it’s not like you are attracted to him in a sexual kind of way. Right? Pushing aside the possible outcome of Zayne, Xavier, or worse Rafayel finding out what you are about to do your mind drifts over to the thought of a possible promotion if you succeed in completing this mission. After moments of stillness, you decide that playing along with whatever game Sylus has planned for you is just something that needs to be done for the greater good of the mission and your lovers will understand. You know they are unstable and will NOT understand.  

Scanning your eyes through the massive bathroom you locate a towel rack and figure out a loophole to this challenge. Quickly you discard your vest and shirt before wrapping the large towel around your chest and once you are covered you hastily remove your pants and underwear. Once you are free of your clothing with just a towel covering your frame you turn around to face Sylus and notice that he has already settled into one side of the steaming bubble bath and is patiently waiting for you to join him.

Quirking up an eyebrow Sylus grins mischievously when his eyes drift from your face and settle on the towel that’s wrapped around your body before leaning back against the edge of the tub and letting his arms drift on the sides. Closing his eyes he releases a breath he didn’t realize he was holding in as he allows his muscles to relax under the water.

You may be oblivious sometimes and miss social cues here and there, but you are able to read his quiet gesture loud and clear. He is giving you an opportunity to enter the bathtub without him looking and you take advantage of the opportunity as you slip into the other side of the bath before removing your towel and letting it sit on the pile of clothes nearby.

For a long moment you sit in the shared bath with Sylus and take in his Greek god physique without an ounce of shame. With his eyes closed and his head tilted back it is a lot easier to get a good look at the man before you. The King of the Wanderers. Originally you expected to find a man who looked like a beast or even a weird looking old guy that shouldn’t be within 5 feet of the human population. Never in a million years would you have ever guessed that the one who has been pulling the strings to wreak mayhem in Linkon City would be a man that looks as if he should be on the front page of a fashion magazine.

You have questions you want to ask but you also don’t want Sylus to stare at you right now. The bathwater is therapeutic, and you can feel every knot in your muscles loosening up the longer you sit in the warm water. You also genuinely wish to wash away days of grime you’ve accumulated while in the woods trying to track this man down. Biting the inside of your cheek you reach for a nearby loofah and bath soap before you start quietly cleaning your body. First you begin with your hair and face, to your surprise there’s items used to moisturize and detangle your knotted hair with little to no effort. Next you focus on cleaning your arms, chest, and stomach but you avoid your sternum with fear of applying too much pressure and triggering your Aether Core since you are still unsure what has been the cause of your attacks. After, you place your focus on your calves and thighs before shyly holding the loofa over your untouched mound.

“Go ahead and ask your questions, Kitten.”

After twenty minutes of silence, the man before you finally decides to speak and reopen his eyes as he stares intently at your flushed face. The heat of the water in combination with being under his penetrating stare is enough to cause a subtle red hue to peak across your cheeks. He is fulfilling the second part of the promise he made earlier and is giving you the opportunity to ask him whatever questions you may have but you feel your throat constrict with nerves. It was easy to sit naked in this bathtub with a man who is your enemy when his eyes were closed. But now… Now that his sweltering red glare is on your face and drifting down to the hand you have under water that is still hovering over your untouched mound you feel like a deer caught in headlights.

You don’t want to appear weak, or at least not weaker than what you currently look like as you take a deep breath and then open your mouth to speak. It is not lost on you that Sylus eyes have drifted back up to your face and are zoned in on the plumpness of your lips. “Explain what you meant when you said I am a pawn in a game I do not know the rules to.”

More silence passes between the two of you and for a moment you think that maybe you weren’t loud enough for Sylus to hear your question before he lets out a disgruntled scoff and you watch his chest dramatically rise. “I know your Captain very well. She is a persistent thorn in my side that has been tracking me down for almost a decade and has never come close to finding me.” He pauses before reaching out to grab your arm that’s still ducked underneath the water. Before you can protest, he grabs the loofa from your hand and twirls his finger around, motioning for you to show him your back. “She has never come close… until now. You are – hmph… How do I put this lightly?… You have something that I want but I am not willing to return with you as a prisoner to Linkon City to get it.”

Furrowing your brows together in confusion you comply with his request and turn around to show him your back before biting back a whimper when you feel his hands washing your spine with the loofa. “What do I have that you want?”

Your question hangs in the air as Sylus chuckles slowly before returning to his quiet monk state and continues washing your back. It is impossible to not feel distracted as his calloused but gentle hands slide up and down your back to ensure that every inch of you is clean before sliding the loofa lower down your body until he reaches your tailbone. The moment your body stiffens, and you think he is going to slide the loofa down lower you suddenly feel his breath hovering over your left ear and your back is pressed tightly against his bare chest. Gripping your wrist lightly, Sylus places the loofah back into your hands before placing his hands on your bare waist and dropping his voice to a tantalizing whisper. “What I want from you hasn’t been cleaned yet. Finish, Kitten.”

As the words leave his devilish lips you feel your mind turn to literal mush. Your skin feels hot and not just because of the steaming bathwater the two of you have been sitting in. Suddenly you can feel your nerves shift to a heightened sensitivity and your mind is fighting between running away from the man holding you or staying and seeing where this goes. Like a veil has been torn away you can now feel every breath Sylus releases onto your skin, the expanding of his broad chest behind you, how his fingers are gripping your waist as if he’s done this with you a million times before. And you begin to stiffen up when realization hits you that you are sitting on his lap… his bare lap… with little to no space separating the two of you. And the specimen sitting beneath you next to your core is quite large.

Shifting his thighs wider, Sylus hooks your knees over hip and positions your bodies so that you are completely exposed while sitting on his lap. Grabbing onto your delicate wrist he guides your hand down to your chest and hovers over the one area you refused to clean. You feel confused when he places your hand on your chest and not your untouched cave of pleasure. There is nothing in between your chest that he could possibly want since no one, but your trio back home knows about the Aether Core in your heart. Instead of questioning the red eye devil of seduction you decide to allow him to continue since this is for the greater good of the mission. How he knew you skipped over this part you are unsure since his eyes were closed, at least you thought his eyes were closed. “Tell me when you’ve had enough, and I’ll stop.”

Carefully he guides your covered hand up and down your sternum to wash away any lingering flecks of dirt the bathwater hadn’t washed away. You can feel your breathing shift from small pants to irregular gasp each time he guides your hand to brush over one of your perky nipples before returning to between your chests. Technically he isn’t touching you and is leading your hand on where to touch on your body, but it still feels as if you can feel the heat of his fingertips.

Eventually the loofa in your hands is tossed somewhere in the bathtub as Sylus begins lightly nibbling and licking along  the flesh of your exposed neck as he continues to silently instruct you where to touch on your body. Every controlled flick of a finger, every calculated rub of a thumb, every little thing this man is doing to you is driving you crazy and you want more. You need more.

“S-Sylus… Please…” The desperate need in your voice catches you off guard for a moment. You knew you were feeling like a kitten in heat, but you didn’t know how intense your feelings were until you opened your mouth to beg. To beg your enemy and your fugitive to touch you more to ease the rising tension in your lower stomach.

When you decide to beg for more Sylus simply smiles and bites down onto your neck in a way that will leave a pretty bruise. You have no idea how you are going to justify your actions to your trio back home but that’s another problem for future you to deal with in the future. At this point the future version of yourself might create a time machine just to punish the past version of yourself and all the reckless choices you have been making.

“You haven't finished cleaning yourself, Kitten.” While still guiding your hand, Sylus leads you down your stomach back inside of the bath water and past your belly button as the anticipation grows stronger. Inch by inch you can feel yourself become wetter even though you are sitting in a tub of water and Sylus is able to tell as well when he inhales a strained groan the moment your controlled fingertips brush over your folds.

Although Sylus has tried to not directly touch your skin and to only guide your hand where he wants you to be touched, you can feel his fingertips slide away from your hand to brush against your heated skin each time your fingers travel along the needy heat between your thighs. The breathing between the two of you is in sync and is filled with lust and desperation. There is no more denying the physical attraction you two feel with each other as you feel his hardening member that’s now been shifted between your plump ass cheeks twitch each time his finger brushes along your slit.

Biting down on your lower lip you watch through the now murky bathwater that’s finally started to grow cold as Sylus teases you to the point you are now wiggling around in his hold eager for more. He’s finally given up on controlling your hand and has decided to touch you with his own fingers. Each touch from him is too much but also not enough as he purposely avoids touching your sensitive pearl.

Before you can open your mouth to complain Sylus swiftly picks you up and carries your naked body with him back to his bedroom. Because of his lengthy height it only takes him a few strides before reaching his bed and  you are gently tossed down onto his four-poster bed dripped in silk sheets.

While laying on your back and staring up at Sylus with a heated gaze he wastes no time with talking before lavishing your neck in kisses and bites. It’s as if he wants to mark you the way an animal would to prove that their mate belonged to them and only them. All the way down your neck Sylus ensures there isn’t an inch of your skin he hasn’t claimed for himself before shifting his attention to your unattended breast. Taking the left one into his waiting mouth and rolling your right nipple between his thumb and pointer finger you can’t believe you are already close to the edge from just light teasing and nipple stimulation. You want so badly to finally reach your peak, but you don’t want to finish with just this as you place your hands on his head and gently push against him to signal you want him to go lower.

Letting out an annoyed growl Sylus eyes flash to a dangerous shade of red before he pushes your hands away from his head and positions himself over your body while tightly holding your wrist down against the mattress beneath you. “If you wish for us to continue there are a few rules you need to follow, Kitten. Break them and I’ll escort you and this needy little cunt of yours out of my home. Understand?”

The sudden switch in behavior causes you to nervously swallow as you stare up at Sylus. You are used to your trio of men dominating you in their own way in the bedroom and find comfort in submitting to them. But something about submitting to the red eyed devil of seduction seems like it would bring you more than comfort. Something is clawing inside telling you that submitting to this man is second nature to you and you should do it before he becomes annoyed and refuses to touch you. Staring deep into his glowing right eye you bite your swollen bottom lip before nodding shyly. “Yes, sir. I understand.” 

[lwonn]

My friend asked me if galaxy kid wears pants. IDK, if anyone has some pants suggestions for galaxy attach it asap. It CAN'T stay butt booty naked.

[tumbling-through-deepspace]

The Hunter, a baby and the unexpected forming of family in unlikely places

Summary:

Hunter Lyssa Williams finds a baby abandoned outside her apartment complex. The 24-year-old is way over her head and does not know the first thing about looking after a tiny human. However, as the saying goes, 'it takes a village to raise a child' and in her case a group of unlikely men come along for the ride.

Genres: Slice of life, comfort, eventual relationships, eventual romance, enemies to friends, frenemies, fluff...

Word count: 2772 words

Eventual Relationships: Xavier/MC/Rafayel

Zayne/Sylus/Lyssa

Chapter One: The Introduction to It All

It was one of the worst days of her life. Work was hell having to battle high level wanderers—just thinking about it made the cut on her arm burn. Then Tara and her bestie could not shut up about their last shipping escapade.

Their captain was in one of her moods as well, despite the woman trying to mask it well, Lyssa always had a way of picking up the slightest twinge of facial muscle and body language that speaks otherwise. Then finally her motorcycle refused to work, keeping her stranded in Linkon city.

“This day couldn’t get any worse than what it already is.”

Like a preferable middle finger sent her way from the Deep space tunnel, the sky opened sending a heavy shower of rain. The biggest fuck you were shouted to the sky as she stormed off, ignoring the shell-shocked looks from a few co-workers that exited the building at that moment.

Lyssa disliked the busy city life and only ventured in it due to working for the Hunter’s Association and its necessities that she couldn’t get from her home that was located on the outskirts of the city before it crossed over to the N109 zone.

The scowl on her face deepened knowing that her only option now was having to use the apartment she had on standby for emergencies.

Cursing profanities under her breath she continued along, too angry to care about the rain soaking her clothes and temporarily obstructing her vision.

Within fifteen minutes the doors of the apartment building came into view, and she hurried along, shaking the water from her hair as she finally took shelter. Lyssa sighed, leaning against the wall and willed herself to start her deep breathing exercises recommended by her therapist whenever she felt overwhelmed.

It took a while, but she came back to herself as her breathing regulated. The hunter slowly made her way to the door when her hearing picked up on soft whimpers and the rustling of fabric.

Years of training sharpened her senses, and her eyes zoned onto a few boxes that were left out. At first, she thought maybe it was a trick of her ears until the whimpering became a little louder. Moving forward she squatted and inspected the boxes.

Stuffed to the back of the wall was a box of medium size, slightly opened. Lyssa was expecting a puppy or maybe a kitten, the shock of finding a baby blew her mind out of the water.

Like who the hell leaves a baby in a fucking box, outside a building were anyone could either steal it, kick it or heavens forbid, the garbage disposal unit fetches it away unknown to anyone. There were orphanages for crying out loud, child protective services… just why? Why?

Wasting no time, she scooped up the box, punched in the building’s security code and raced to get to her apartment. The child needed to get warm and fed. Oh God! How long were they in the dam box?

The whimpering stopped and Lyssa panicked, peeping inside to make sure the child was still breathing. She let out a relieved sigh at the steady rise and fall of the child's chest. Only a few minutes ago she was angry at being stranded in the city and now was appreciative of the inconvenience.

She refused to let her mind think of what if. As the hunter entered her apartment, she knew making decisions on what next raised her anxiety, and so she needed a second opinion. It was time to call an old acquaintance.

“The number you’ve dialed in currently unavailable. Hang up and try again or leave a message after the beep.”

This was the third day in a row they were unsuccessful in getting on to Lyssa. Dr. Zayne looked at his phone as the call disconnected once again. A week ago, his colleague Dr. Waverly came to him in concern that one of his patient Lyssa Williams missed a very important appointment which was unusual for the young woman to do; there was no call, no correspondence.

Why the doctor told him this left him a bit puzzled. Zayne and Lyssa—even though they have been acquainted with each other for a few years—rarely spoke to each other and sometimes on visiting the hospital she would exchange pleasantries and nothing more.

Dr. Waverly stated that Lyssa did not have a next of kin or emergency contact listed on her record, making it difficult to make any contact. Even her place of employment hasn’t seen the young woman for the same duration and being unable to make contact. Dr. Waverly came to him with hope that might find a way to contact the woman.

The light rapping on his door brought the doctor from his thoughts. Looking up his gaze met his friend and patient Jasmin.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything important. I can always come back.”

Zayne cleared his throat “No. That won’t be necessary, you are scheduled for a checkup, and it would be counterproductive if you rescheduled.”

Jasmin entered the room taking a seat. She was about to speak again when her eyes landed on the file on Zayne’s table, recognizing her co-worker’s face even though it was upside down.

“Have you gotten on to her?”

Zayne took a moment to understand who Jasmin was referring to. He looked at the file once more before closing it.

“I take it no one has been successful on your end?”

“No and it is concerning. Lyssa is not one to go AWOL. As much as she complains about hating having to work in the city, she is always present. I swear her attendance is almost perfect, works even when sick but this sudden disappearance is so unlike her.”

“Has no one taken the initiative to visit her home, to see if she is there?”

Jasmine huffed “Tara and I have but the only problem with that plan is no one knows where she lives. The address in the Hunter database is fake. She was so crafty about it, using an address that wouldn’t be suspicious if you don’t know what you’re looking for. I went to it to find a bakery.”

Zayne raised an eyebrow. He never realized that Lyssa was such a private person that she would lie about where she lived.

“I even went to our Captain, but she said Lyssa was away on a mission which I don't believe. I just hope she’s alright.”

The good doctor couldn’t help but nod in agreement, yet he felt he was missing something. “If you don’t mind, can you give me that address.”

A week and change ago

“At this point I should stop being surprised every time I get a call from you. Yet again, the only time you do call is when you’re in a predicament. So, what is it this time?”

Lyssa groaned in exasperation, her nerves were already in a state of turmoil and this jackass wasn’t helping “Dox now is not the time. You have experience with babies, right?”

The voice on the other line went silent “What the fuck did you do this time? You pregnant or something? Dam Lyssa, I know we haven’t spoken in a while but the last thing I expected was you popping out kids. Wait didn’t your doctor say that doing that would--”

“WOULD YOU STOP TALKING! IT’S NOT MINE! I NEED YOUR HELP CAUSE I’M WAY OVER MY HEAD HERE.”

The child in her hand squirmed before letting out an ear-piercing scream. Lyssa dropped the phone in surprise, hearing it clatter to the floor but did not try to pick it up, her focus entirely on calming the crying infant.

“Shh… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout but I have no idea what I’m doing. Shh… it’s alright.”

“YO LYSSA! PICK UP THE PHONE AND PUT ON YOUR CAMERA.”

She glanced down, hearing Dox shouting and carefully retrieved the phone.

“I have you on speaker give me a minute to boost up the computer and switch the call over to that device.”

Lyssa did that quickly while simultaneously rocking the now fretting child. The exasperated expression of Dox popped on; his eyes swept over her person before landing on the child in her arms. He grinned like the cat that caught the canary.

“Well, well, well. Child theft is a new low even for you Dove.”

“I called for your assistance not your judgment and if you must know, I found them outside my apartment building, abandoned and left in a box. What was I to do? Leave them there?”

The cheerful look in Dox’s eyes left almost instantly “In a box? Don’t people know about orphanages or child services—whom you should have contacted. Why are you taking on this responsibility Lyssa?”

“My thoughts exactly. Why I haven’t called them is because I don’t want to. Have you forgotten my own experience or Alexandra’s or what about Rose?”

“That was years ago, the system has improved, you know this.”

“I don’t care. I refuse to let this child go through even a smidge of what we experienced and the thought of any organization raising a child sickens me.”

“Your bleeding heart is raising its head. Here I thought you locked away these emotions.”

“You are such a jackass Dox.”

Dox laughed “The jackass you called for help. Anyway, you should come to my place. I have tons of space, and the gang will be happy to see you again.”

“I refuse to come to the N109 zone. I think you’ve forgotten who I’m employed with.”

“Something you shouldn’t have done but I guess at the time you didn’t have much of a choice but be honest, is there really anything holding you back from quitting?”

“Not really,” she said without hesitation “But I don’t want to right now.”

Dox groaned “Girl, it’s not like you have to work. You got a shit ton of money than most people left by—”

Lyssa hissed angrily, being careful not to wake the child that fell back asleep “which I will not touch.”

“Lyssa, we spoke about this already. The money is yours. You deserve it after what happened. If you’re going to keep and raise the child which I know you will, your hunter salary wouldn’t last. Looking from here, they don’t look older than 5 months and you can’t return to work unless you hire a nanny which I advise against.”

Lyssa scowled “I hate when you’re right.”

“Saved you tons of headaches over the years because I’m mostly always right. Now, take my advice like the cute Dove you are and tell me what you want for dinner, Rose and I will be there in under an hour with some things for you and the kid.”

“I really need a crochet hook and wool of every color. This apartment doesn’t have any of my supplies and I feel out of place without seeing wool around the house.”

“You are such a granny.”

“Fuck you, Dox.”

“Sorry Dove, I am spoken for but thanks for thinking of me in that light.”

“Eww. Get off my computer. I’ll see you in an hour.”

True to his word, Dox arrived just under an hour, hands filled with bags of all sizes. Rose followed behind with several boxes.

“Where’s the wee babe. Let me get a good look at ‘em,” Rose asked excitedly. She was a petite woman, three years older than Lyssa, with red curly hair and soft features.

“That babe is sleeping so please don’t wake them.”

Dox snorted “Relax Dove. Rose is a baby expert; she is a Pediatric nurse after all.”

It was at that moment that Lyssa noticed Roses’ medical bag.

Rose gave her a reassured smile “Get something to eat, you look like you haven’t eaten all day and for the love of sake get out of that Hunter uniform.”

Dox gently pushed Lyssa to the direction of her room “You heard the nurse, get going, I’ll dish out dinner.”

Thanking them she did as was instructed. The warm water did wonders for her aching muscles and as she stood under the shower, a list of things that she had to take care of rushed through her mind.

Dox was right, she couldn’t rely on her hunter’s salary alone and speaking of work, being a Hunter wasn’t a safe career if she was going to be raising a child. She would have to request time off. Lyssa didn’t think it was smart to just up and resign, it would raise suspicion which she didn’t want.

She would have to call Captain Jenna in the morning. Next would be getting a crib and stocking up on formula and baby items. Then there is also the issue of making sure the child is not found out by Child services which shouldn’t be an issue with Alexandra and Dox involved.

Then there is her upcoming doctor’s appointment with Doctor Waverly which she would have to miss. Dam, it’s only been a few hours and already her whole life was being reshuffled.

Stepping out the shower, she hurried to get dressed and rejoin the others not wanting to keep them waiting.

When she stepped into the living room, Rose was in the process of putting a new outfit on the baby, cooing and looking excited.

Not too far from the couch stood a crib and a baby swing. Then on the center table had a pile of clothing, diapers, wipes, some books and other baby things.

“Lyssa come join me. Dox is in the kitchen putting away the bottles and formula.”

“When he said he was bringing a few things I wasn’t expecting all this. Saves me the hassle of getting them myself. Thank you.”

“None of that, we weren’t going to leave you headless about this. I think what you’ve chosen to do is admirable, and I agree with your decision to raise this child. Now, you will be pleased to know that apart from a few diaper rashes, she is a healthy baby. Dox wasn’t off about her age either; she is five months old. Poor thing being left alone the way she was.”

Lyssa sat down and observed the way Rose clothes the child. The delicate movements and soft touches. It was a relief knowing the baby's gender since it will help with research.

“To be honest I wasn’t sure whether or not you guys would help, after all, I stay away.”

Rose raised a brow “We know your personality. We know you little one. Even though you act like you’re better off alone, we’ll always offer a helping hand despite you being a stubborn arse.”

That made Lyssa laugh “Thank you regardless.”

“You’re welcome. Now let’s leave this other little one to sleep since I’ve given her a feed and we can move this conversation to the kitchen. Dox and I have a few things to discuss with you.”

Present day

Lyssa rouse from her nap at the sound of rapping on her door. The night before little Ella refused to sleep, extremely fussy and did not want to be put in her crib. The little girl was now puckered out, fast asleep on her chest, fist clutching the shirt she wore.

The rapping persisted and Lyssa had a good mind to ignore whoever was at the door. All she wanted to do was sleep. Sleep deprivation was no joke.

Carefully putting the babe to her shoulder, one hand on her back and the other supporting her bottom, she slowly got up and walked to the door.

Blame it on her state of tiredness because she opened the door without checking the peephole.

“I guess I should be relieved that you’re alive, but this was the last thing I expected.”

All traces of sleepiness left her body at the voice of Doctor Zayne. If he found her it means that Doctor Waverly will find out and Jasmin, who will then tell Tara who will tell everyone at the Association, and they will get up in her business. She should have returned home when Dox offered to.

“Whatever you’re thinking, stop. I’m sure you have your reasons for disappearing.”

Lyssa groaned at the absurdness of it all “How the hell did you find my apartment?”

“Jasmin gave me the address from your workplace and your Captain helped with the rest.”

Cursing, she turned and told him to get inside. The day was starting and already turning out to be a pain. She really didn’t want to talk to Doctor Zayne.

A/N: A new chapter will be out every weekend, on Sundays. If you wish to read it on my AO3 account, here's the link.

[rainbowsalt0412]

My birthday is on the 12th... If only the release was a couple of days ahead, I would have got a chance to see Sylus sing me the birthday song, but guess I'll just have to wait an entire year for that now.

[celestialmoonblue]

Lads twt is discussing the bad characterization of the guys, and like, I get annoyed when ppl give these hcs of Xavier being dumb and Rafayel being too childish, but...

When it comes to sex, I think ppl are exaggerating a little bit?

Don't get me wrong, I personally see all the mls as being totally vanilla doms. But, like, what's the deal with some of you guys getting so upset about the possibility of hcs of them being submissive?

The guys would do anything for MC so this kind of wouldn't be out of character. In fact, I think any kink they would totally be down with.

[cordidy]

Grieving...

The LaDS men helping you after Josephine and Caleb's fake death (cause he definitively is "shady guy" idc).

I took the part of not dating cause I wanted some friendly comfort and since Zayne is a chilhood friend I assumed he would be more present than the others, hence his is longer (😏🤭)

TW : mention of death, funeral

Featuring Zayne, Xavier, Rafayel and Sylus.

English is not my mother tongue.

- Zayne was in surgery when the explosion happened and it's only a couple of hours after you got admitted to Akso's ER, when he got back to his office to relax, that he got the memo as your physician.

- He spends the night by your side, refusing to move until you wake up and holds your hand the next day when the police comfirms they did not find any remains in the rubble of the house.

- The man will be HERE for you all the way down, moving onto your couch the moment he brought you back home. While he can't clear his bussy schedule, his free time will be dedicated to you, making sure you get healthy meals, rest and all the support you need but also leaving you space of needed.

- Zayne is very organized so wether it's the paperwork with the insurance or the funeral organization he will help and will even step up to take decisions when you mentally can't.

- He's madly in love with you but won't try anything innapropriate in your weaken state, going as far as gently push you away when you try to hit on him one night just to feel something else than the despair you've fallen into.

- "Not like this" he will whisper as you try to kiss him before breaking down in his arm. He will hold you while carressing your hair to try and sooth you thou, kissing your forehead gently, lulling you to sleep with sweet words.

- The day of the funeral he stands by your side, holding your hand tight to remind you you are not alone, your fingers intertwined being the only thing grounding you.

- On the following weeks he will abuse his prerogative as you physician to check your tension and run tests to make sure you are not letting yourself drown in sorrow. Dropping by you place after work will also become a habit and he won't hide the fact IT IS to check up on you, no shit given at the side eye you give him while he is cooking you dinner instead of instant noodles.

- Xavier finds out when the news reaches the Association.

- He will volunteer to bring you flowers and condoleances on behalf of your coworkers and will offer to drive you home when you get discharged from the hospital since you are neighbors.

- He will find ANY occasion to show up at your door. "I ran out of sugar" "do you have hot water ?" "The delivery guy (he bribed) gave me your package" all of these just to check on you without saying it out loud cause he knows you don't like people seeing you in a weak state.

- He will barely get sleep as he wants to be sure he won't miss your knock on the door when you'll start doing the same just to not be alone with your thoughts.

- It will become a habit for you to fall asleep on his couch whihe watching a movie to try and change your mind since your place, so full of memories, will become unbearable. His place will turn into your sanctuary even when he is at work as he gave you a spare key.

- After the funeral, once you're back to work, he will always offer to train together whenever he sees that look in your eyes, just to keep you busy and will start to do some overtime (mainly in the firm of sleeping at his desk) so he has an excuse to walk home with you.

- Whenever one of your friend come to visit and he knows he had a couple hours he will take the opportunity to turn the N109 zone upside down, looking for intel

- Rafayel heard about the explosion on the news, like everyone else but did not realize you were involved so, when you did not answer his messages for the past 3 days (cause you were at the hospital) he got pretty annoyed at being ignored, spaming your phone with complains.

- One evening, he shows up at your door unannounced, all pouting and whinning, thinking the bruises on your face are from another "stupid mission" and it's the reason you didn't show up to his last exhibition when he "really needed you to protect me from all these snobs !"

- "You obviously don't care about me or your job as a Bodyguard ! I could have died over the past 3 days and you wouldn't care" He complains dramatically, not expecting you to snap at him (very poor choice of words from his part thou !) and break down in tears, telling him how immature he is, that the world doesn't revolve around him and you don't want to see him again before slapping the door to his face.

- Thomas is the one telling him what happened when he reads about the upcoming funeral in the news and Rafayel is mortified. He shows up at your doors with flowers and when you tell him you don't want them he stops you "they are for your family..."

- He will spend all his nights on the phone with you, talking about everything, listening to you cry or just being there and won't hang out until you fall asleep (also answering on the first ring whenever you call him back if you had a nightmare)

- Sylus is not around at that time but that doesn't mean he doesn't know someone is trying to frame his organization and himself for the explosion. He will remain in the shadows thou while trying to find out who did it.

- Not being involved with you yet, it's not really about you but more about "fuck around and find out" to him.

- Luke and Kieran will attend the funeral discretly to keep an eye on the survivor and see if anything suspicious happens.

- You also start noticing strange little trinkets left here and there, a little coin, a shinny rock, a pretty leaf....

[prettyobsessed]

LDS boys x tomboyish reader

🦢𖥔 ۫Friendship & Unexpected Feelings ₊ ♪ ˚. 𐙚

this is my very first request, and i want to thank you so much for sending it in! out of respect, i didn't include any smut in your request because i wasn't sure if you're a minor, and there wasn't any indication that you wanted smut. but still, i hope you like this one!♡

✧. ┊/ pairings: (LDS boys) Rafayel, Xavier, Zayne x tomboyish f!reader ˚ ༘♡ ˚ / genre: slice-of-life friendship [sfw, safe for minors] ₊˚ / tags: comfort read, headcanons, fanfiction, gaming, personality appreciation, comedy, best friends, slow burn, romantic drama, contemporary fiction, self-discovery, slice-of-life, unexpected feelings, feelings for best friends, might have a continuation, comedy ✿ / word count: 2.7k words — Warning: Story contains swear words, please take note! ૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡ —

As someone who had experienced the sting of a failed relationship, I knew firsthand the ache of heartbreak. My lack of experience and my innate tendency to be a 'hopeless romantic' were often cited as the reasons for its demise—a painful reminder of love's complexities.

However, amidst the ruins of a failed romance, I found solace and genuine happiness in the unbreakable bond shared with my best friends: Rafayel, Xavier, and Zayne. Over the years, their infectious personalities and idiosyncratic habits had gradually rubbed off on me, molding me into a more laid-back and tomboyish version of myself.

Despite having the knowledge and ability to dress femininely and meticulously care for my appearance, I found solace and authenticity in dressing down. Jeans and flannels became my signature attire, offering a sense of comfort and familiarity in a world fraught with expectations. One cherished pastime that solidified our bond was our shared love for gaming, particularly the adrenaline-fueled battleground of CS:GO. Whether day or night, we would convene from the comfort of our respective homes, united by the glow of our screens and the thrill of virtual combat.

"Z, what the fuck are you doing?!" Rafayel's voice rang out, a mix of concern and frustration evident as Zayne struggled to perform well.

Amidst the chaos of enemy territory, I urgently signalled to my teammates, "On me, on me, on me," alerting them to the imminent threat nearby.

With Xavier's decisive shot, our team emerged triumphant, and a wave of celebration swept over us, filling the room with jubilant shouts and sounds of triumph.

Amidst the highs and lows of our gaming sessions, we discovered a sanctuary and reprieve from the complexities of the outside world, weaving memories that would linger far beyond the final kill.

At times, I mused over the intricate dynamics of our friendship. The presence of three close male companions brought both excitement and solace, each contributing their own quirks to our group dynamic.

Within our close-knit circle, trivial disputes and negativity held no sway, fostering an environment where genuine companionship thrived unencumbered. Encircled by my unwavering allies, I reveled in the simple joys of camaraderie and the enduring warmth of genuine friendship. ••• The following day, feeling the need for a wardrobe refresh, I enlisted Rafayel's assistance, grateful that he was available. We ventured into the bustling streets, the sunlight casting a warm glow on the storefronts. Stepping into the store, the scent of new fabrics greeted us, and racks of clothes beckoned from every corner.

For nearly two hours, we lost ourselves in the aisles, pulling out garments of all colours and styles. Rafayel, with his discerning eye, wrinkled his nose at most of my selections, insisting I try on the pieces he deemed worthy.

"This one's a definite no," he declared, holding up a bright floral dress that clashed with his taste.

I shot Rafayel a tired look and shook my head as I discarded the dress. "Okay? Fine, your turn to pick something for me then."

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Rafayel disappeared into the racks, emerging moments later with an armful of clothes he deemed suitable.

"Trust me, you'll thank me later," he teased, handing me the pile.

I rolled my eyes playfully, but curiosity got the best of me as I headed to the fitting room, ready to see what he had in store. ••• The fluorescent lights of the dressing room cast a soft glow over the array of clothes strewn about. After spending what felt like hours trying on various outfits, I finally settled on a few pieces that Rafayel had picked out. As I admired myself in the mirror, I realised that his taste wasn't so bad after all. Grabbing my phone, I snapped a few quick shots of the outfits I liked and sent them to our group chat, eager to get Xavier and Zayne's opinions too.

"Y'know, you actually look good in all of the outfits you picked. Even with jeans and t-shirts. I just like teasing you," Rafayel admitted with a sheepish grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. I couldn't help but chuckle at his confession, relieved that my fashion sense hadn't completely failed me. With a playful swish of the fabric, I twirled in front of the mirror, admiring how the dress draped elegantly over my frame. He thinks I look good? The thought danced through my mind, a pleasant surprise amidst our playful banter.

"You're not getting off that easy," I teased back, shooting him a mock glare before breaking into a smile. Rafayel's grin softened into a gentle smile at my reaction, his eyes reflecting a genuine warmth as he observed my bashful response. "Seriously though, you've got great taste. You don't need my approval," he added, his tone reassuring. ••• On a crisp afternoon bathed in sunlight, I embarked on a journey to explore the hidden corners of the city by myself, my camera poised to capture the allure of undiscovered beauty. Lost in the enchanting scenery, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder, and as I turned around, I was met with the captivating gaze of a stranger. With his tousled brown hair and piercing hazel eyes, he exuded an irresistible charm that instantly drew me in. "Are you new around here?" he inquired, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity. 

Affirming his assumption, I nodded, prompting him to respond with a compliment: "I thought so, I've never seen you before. You're really pretty." His words sent a flutter through my heart, and as he introduced himself as Alex, he graciously offered me his number before bidding farewell.

As I continued my solitary exploration of the city, the encounter with Alex lingered in my thoughts, his charismatic presence leaving an indelible impression. Despite the warmth of the sun overhead, a newfound excitement coursed through me, fuelled by the possibility of new connections in this unfamiliar terrain.  Our exchanges of messages had been ongoing since our serendipitous encounter, each conversation deepening the intrigue I felt toward the enigmatic stranger. ••• A typical Saturday saw my apartment bustling with the familiar energy of camaraderie as the boys gathered for our customary hangout session.

Xavier lounged comfortably on my lap, reading his book, while Rafayel and Zayne engaged in an intense round of Apex Legends. Glancing at my phone, I noticed a message from Alex inviting me out for coffee. Excitement bubbled within me at the prospect of a date, and in my haste, I jumped up, accidentally causing Xavier to topple over the couch. Ouch!" Xavier exclaimed, his sudden fall disrupting the otherwise tranquil atmosphere. With a startled yelp, he flailed his arms, desperately trying to regain his balance, but only managing to knock over a pile of magazines in the process. Pages fluttered through the air like confetti, adding a whimsical touch to the chaotic scene.

Rifling through my wardrobe, I deliberated over what to wear for the occasion. After much contemplation, I settled on a denim skirt paired with a white frilled sleeveless top. Taking extra care with my makeup and hair, I aimed to impress Alex, despite feeling a tad uneasy in the unfamiliar attire.

Just as I was about to step out, Rafayel's knock interrupted my preparations. Opening the door, I welcomed his scrutiny with a hint of apprehension. "Do I look okay? Be honest," I asked, hoping for reassurance. His puzzled expression quickly shifted to scrutiny as he eyed my outfit. "Where are you off to? We just got here? And what is that?" he questioned, pointing at my attire.

With a slight pout, I defended my choice of outfit, the fabric of my mini denim skirt swaying gently with my movements. Xavier, still half-asleep, his hair tousled and a little messy, chimed in with a mumbled observation about my seldom-seen skirt. "I've never seen you in that skirt before. Is it new?" he mumbled, his words laced with curiosity.

“Yeah, no shit. She never wears these kinds of outfits when she’s with us,” Rafayel replied, his tone tinged with skepticism.

The banter continued as Zayne joined in, his eyes scanning my attire with curiosity. “With whom are you going out?” he asked, his interest piqued. When I revealed my plans to go out with a guy I met at a cafe, Xavier's concern was palpable, prompting Rafayel to demand a wardrobe change.

“Okay, yep, nope. Sit your ass back down and change back into your regular clothes,” Rafayel demanded, his protective instincts kicking in.

“Bruh, let her go, she can dress however she wants. Besides, she looks… good,” Xavier interjected, coming to my defense.

“Oh, I’m sooooo sorry for wanting to look out for her?!” Rafayel retorted sarcastically, tension rising between them.

Now they’re both bickering, their voices escalating as Rafayel inches closer, attempting to deter me from going out. “Both of you—please shut up,” Zayne sighed, his finger massaging his temple.

“Fine. Whatever. Have fun! Be home by 8, sweetie! No later!” Rafayel's sarcastic tone echoed behind me as I headed out the door.

Unfazed, I playfully stuck out my tongue in defiance, determined to follow through with my plans. Excitement and nerves intertwined as I stepped out into the evening, eager to see where this unexpected encounter with Alex would lead. ••• As I approached the bustling coffee shop, my senses were bombarded with the sights and sounds of the crowded scene. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, blending with the melodic hum of conversation and the rhythmic clinking of cups. Amidst the throng of people, I spotted a familiar figure with his back turned – it was Alex, engrossed in a phone call. Maintaining a discreet distance to avoid detection, I couldn't help but overhear snippets of his conversation amidst the bustling ambiance. With each word, a sinking feeling gnawed at my heart, and a sense of betrayal washed over me like a tidal wave. "Yeah, bro, I'm gonna make her sleep with me tonight," his voice carried over the din. "Yeah, she's probably easy. She's on her way here now. I'll play the lost wallet card and let her pick up the tab. Classic move, right? Haha. Catch you later."

As the weight of his words settled upon me, a mix of emotions swirled within – betrayal, anger, and disbelief intertwining like a tumultuous storm. The reality of his intentions struck me like a heavy blow, leaving me reeling in shock and dismay.

With a heavy heart, I quietly turned away from the scene, my mind racing with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The encounter had shattered any illusions I had about Alex, revealing his true colours in stark contrast to the charming facade I once admired. As I walked away, a bitter taste lingered in my mouth, tainting the once-promising prospect of our interaction with deception and manipulation. Hah. What a douchebag.

Anger simmered beneath the surface, but there was also a strange sense of relief—relief that I had uncovered Alex's true intentions before things went any further. With growing disillusionment, I found myself losing faith in men, specifically men like Alex. Why hadn't I listened to Rafayel's warnings? It was a question that echoed in my mind, taunting me with its hindsight wisdom.

Returning home, I was met with the unexpected sight of all three of them lounging on the couch, their faces a mix of surprise and curiosity as I entered. Rafayel, ever the joker, couldn't resist making a quip. “Oh, back so soon? Didn't know it was a speed dating," he joked, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. But Xavier's quick intervention halted his words in their tracks, recognising the storm in my eyes. Zayne, usually the silent observer, watched Rafayel with a sharp gaze, sensing the tension in the air.

"Don't talk to me," I managed to utter, my voice thick with emotion as I pushed past them and retreated to the sanctuary of my room.

Collapsing onto my bed, the weight of disappointment and hurt bore down on me, and the floodgates opened, releasing the tears I had been holding back. Rafayel, Xavier, and Zayne knocked on my door, their concern palpable through the wood. "Give me a minute," I managed to choke out, needing to gather myself before facing them. After what felt like an eternity, I emerged from my room to find them waiting outside, a protective barrier of support.

"Hey, uh, wanna grab some ramen nearby?" Rafayel suggested, his voice gentle yet reassuring, cutting through the heavy silence like a beacon of warmth. His eyes, usually filled with mischief, now held a softness that mirrored the concern etched on his face. Xavier nodded in agreement, his expression mirroring Rafayel's empathy. "Yeah, a warm bowl of ramen might be just what you need right now," he chimed in, his voice a comforting undertone amidst the turmoil of emotions swirling around us.

Zayne, typically the quietest of us all, offered a supportive nod, his eyes conveying a silent solidarity. "It's always comforting to have your company," he remarked, his gaze softening as he directed a reassuring smile my way. ••• As we sat slurping noodles at the ramen stall, the aroma of savoury broth filled the air, enveloping us in a comforting embrace amidst the bustling street. With each tale of my encounter with Alex, the steam from our bowls seemed to echo the rising tension within our group. "Do you want me to beat up that jerkface?" Rafayel offered, his tone a mix of jest and genuine concern, his eyes flickering mischievously. I chuckled softly at his offer. "Yeah, I can join in," Xavier added, leaning in with a playful glint in his eyes. He noticed a stray noodle nestled in the corner of my lips and instinctively brushed it away with his thumb, his smile warming my heart. But before I could react, Rafayel interjected with a mischievous grin. "Move over, (your name), it's my turn," he teased, his mischievous side shining through as he mimicked Xavier's gesture. Delicately placing a small noodle on the corner of his own mouth, he grinned mischievously.

With a chuckle and a playful eye roll from me, I opted to flick his nose instead, contributing to the lighthearted atmosphere of our gathering.

Turning my attention to Zayne, I noticed a quiet contemplation in his expression, a subtle tension beneath his calm exterior. His gaze shifted between me and his bowl of ramen, a silent dialogue unfolding within him.

“You okay, Z?" I inquired softly, sensing his internal struggle.

He hesitated for a moment before finally breaking the silence. Placing his bowl down, he gave me a gentle head pat.

“...You know, you’re perfectly fine just the way you are. Don't feel pressured to change your appearance for other people but yourself,” his words, though simple, resonated deeply within me, serving as a gentle reminder of the unwavering support and acceptance within our circle. With a smile, I expressed my gratitude, thanking him for his encouraging words.

“Okay, bro, you can stop patting her,” Rafayel interjected, breaking the moment.

Zayne cleared his throat, and resumed eating, seemingly to alleviate the awkward tension in the room. As his words settled in my heart, I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me, reaffirming my sense of self-worth and empowerment. ••• After our late dinner, we strolled back to my apartment, the city lights casting a gentle glow on the sidewalks. Along the way, Rafayel couldn't resist his usual teasing, his playful jabs punctuated by bursts of laughter. In a moment of clumsiness, I accidentally elbowed him too hard, causing him to yelp in pain. Xavier chuckled at Rafayel's misfortune, offering a playful "Serves you right," as he fist-bumped me in solidarity. 

Meanwhile, Zayne, ever the silent observer, couldn't suppress his amusement, quietly chuckling at the banter unfolding before him.

As their laughter filled the air, I found myself falling behind, enveloped in a profound sense of gratitude. Despite the playful banter, I couldn't shake the depth of connection we shared.

A sudden realisation began to dawn on me. My heartbeat quickened, a whirlwind of emotions stirring inside, my gaze shifting between the three of them. Panic seized me as I grappled with the truth, the weight of my feelings crashing over me like a tidal wave.

"No. No. No. This can't be happening. Why is my heart racing like this?" I murmured to myself, halting in my tracks. The revelation unleashed a maelstrom of conflicting feelings, engulfing me in a tempest of uncertainty.

Could it be? Am I starting to have feelings for my best friends? ��by prettyobsessed⋆˚✿˖° Editor's notes: i hope you like it! i left it open-ended for your interpretation. feel free to request for more! ૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡