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sceletaflores · 6 months ago

Text

you need a seat? i’ll volunteer!

pairing: tashi duncan x fem!reader

summary: how much of a selfish douche does patrick have to be to not beg tashi to sit on his face every night? you certainly would.

—or: you show tashi what she’s missing out on…

word count: 3.7k

contains: 18+ SMUT MDNI, girl kissing, oral (fem!receiving), fingering (fem!receiving) but not really, cheating (i can't stop lmao), patrick catching strays, a hint of "there's only one bed" trope, kinda sad angsty wlw pining, like this got a little depressing at the end lmao, more plot than i thought it would have when i started writing it (i physically can't not write so much plot it's a disease), no use of y/n.

author's note: AHHH HAPPY PRIDE!!! this is purely self indulgent lmao no one asked for this but i just had to write it. this is my first ever wlw fic!!! I know, please stop clapping, it was my duty to post one during pride month. i'm still writing the homoerotic wlw friendship fic, i promise it's coming! i just wrote this one way faster than i thought i would lol okay hope you love it! mwah xoxo

You and Tashi sit across from each other on the bed of some fancy hotel room in Texas the night before a match against UT with a new, exciting charge in the air between you.

Actually, the two of you sit on the only bed in the room after a mix up with the hotel’s booking but “You girls are close, you don’t mind sharing? Right?”

Your coach was right, you don’t mind sharing at all. Not one bit.

You and Tashi were more than close. The two of you have been best friends since middle school, and playing tennis with each other just as long. Whether it was playing side by side or with one of you standing on the opposite end of the court. It was you and her, always.

You realized your feelings for Tashi Duncan were a little more than platonic when you were 15 years old. You were staying the night at her house, laying on her bed with your legs tangled together under the covers watching Mean Girls as Tashi idly braided your hair. It was during the Halloween party scene where Cady catches Regina and Aaron kissing when Tashi spoke up, breaking the comfortable silence between you. “Have you ever kissed a boy like that?”

You just shook your head silently, leaning further into her hands as Cady stormed out of the party on-screen. You didn’t know why she was asking you, you told her everything. If a boy kissed you like that she’d be the first to know. Tashi was silent for a few more seconds, tying off the end of your braid and resting her hands on your shoulders.

“I could show you how,” she had said, “You know, for when guys want to kiss you like that.”

You immediately felt your heart start to race, palms suddenly sweaty. Her suggestion caught you off guard, but you think you heard that girls actually do stuff like that. It’s just practice, it’s not like it’s a big deal. Plus Tashi’s your best friend, you trust her.

You turned up to face her, searching her eyes for any hint of a joke, but you found nothing. Her face was earnest, bottom lip trapped between her teeth as she looked down at you, and her eyes filled with a mix of mischief and something deeper.

“Okay,” you whispered, your voice barely audible.

Tashi smiled, moving closer until your faces were inches apart. You closed your eyes as your breath mingled with hers, her hand settling softly on your jaw. The first touch of her lips was soft and sweet, sending a shiver down your spine.

You gave in, parting your lips to let her tongue brush against yours. You felt something deep inside of you slot into place, like a missing puzzle piece finding its home. You got lost in the moment, mind going blank and fuzzy as your tongues explored each other's mouths. The thought of kissing boys suddenly felt unimportant and distant with Tashi’s lips moving against yours.

All too soon she was pulling back, her face soft and flushed. “See? Not so scary,” she said with a smile, you swore you could hear a slight tremor in her voice. She brushed her thumb across your cheek once before she laid back against the headboard and cast her gaze to the movie still playing.

“Yeah…” you trailed off, leaning against her to watch Regina get hit by the bus. Your mind was still buzzing, the feel and taste of Tashi lingering on your lips.

That kiss changed everything for you, but the two of you never talked about it again. Tashi woke up the next morning as if nothing had changed, smiling at you over breakfast talking a thousand miles a minute about the new tennis club in town. It’s been years since then, years of pretending like you’re not really in love with Tashi Duncan, that it was just a phase. You just adore her so much, a totally normal platonic best friend kind of adoration, that’s all.

It’s well past the time you and Tashi should have been asleep by now, pre-match jitters and excitement keeping the two of you up late. You’d been talking for hours already, and somehow the topic has shifted into raunchier territory. Maybe later you’ll blame the pent-up energy for blurring your filter, but for now you were content swapping recaps of the latest hookups you’ve shared with Art for her stories with Patrick.

The addition of Art and Patrick was definitely a new development in your relationship with Tashi. Two boys who thought they were being discreet following the two of you around the Adidas party all those months ago, taking turns chatting you up on the beach and inviting you back to their hotel room.

Then college started, and Patrick and Tashi were suddenly dating, and things sort of changed. Tashi was spending more time with him, leaving you alone to stew in your anger of feeling like the next best thing. Well not completely alone, Art was always there. In a similar situation as you, with Tashi taking up all of Patricks time when he’d visit campus. Leaving the two of you to sit in Art’s dorm sharing a handle of cheap vodka every time you got kicked out of your room so Tashi and Patrick could have some “alone time”.

Art’s hot, and he seemed to like you so it felt easy enough for the two of you to pair off like Tashi and Patrick did. You wouldn’t call it dating, friends with benefits fit better, but he was a nice distraction from the new Tashi shaped hole in your life, so you indulged. Tashi was overjoyed when she found out, so happy for you in every sense of the word. Constantly badgering you for details, like she was just before your conversation took a complete one-eighty.

“No way Patrick hasn’t asked you to do that before,” you ask a little too loudly, beyond shocked as you stare at Tashi sitting across from you on the mattress.

She scoffs quietly, shaking her head as she picks at a loose thread sticking out of the comforter. “It’s kinda been all about him lately,” she trails off with a shrug, like that’s a good reason.

Fucking Patrick. You think bitterly, fighting the urge to roll your eyes. What a fucking loser.

You knew he wasn’t good enough for Tashi the second you met him. All flashy bravado and superficial charm, like a peacock strutting around with no substance. Tashi seems to like him enough so you bite your tongue at every dreadful detail she’s told you about their relationship, because you’re such a good friend.

Seriously though, how much of a selfish douchebag does Patrick have to be not to beg Tashi to sit on his face every night?

You certainly would.

“Art and you do that a lot?” she asks nonchalantly, but her eyes have a certain look to them. One you can’t quite place, they’re sharper than they were before. Maybe even a tiny bit challenging, as if she’s daring you to go there. You were never one to back down from a dare, especially in front of Tashi.

You nod slowly, fingers toying with the edge of your shorts. “A couple times.”

“How’s it feel.” She makes it sound like a question, you know her well enough to recognize that it’s more like a thinly veiled demand. Her voice is barely above a whisper but she may as well have shouted at the top of her lungs with the way it cuts through the space between you so sharply.

You see flashes of Art red-faced and needy as you knelt on top of him with your knees on either side of his head, of him spilling inside his boxers as you rode his face, using his tongue to get yourself off.

It has warmth pooling in the bottom of your stomach, thighs subconsciously clenching together. You imagine yourself in Art’s place, laying flat on your back as Tashi kneels above you, chasing after the taste of her with your tongue.

“So good…” You whisper back, voice breathy like you just got done training. You can feel Tashi’s eyes on you, intense and persistent.

You meet her gaze, her familiar brown eyes dark and blown out in a way you’ve never seen before. She looks flushed, her cheeks tinged with the slightest hint of red. Her lips part ever so slightly, revealing a glimpse of teeth as she bites down on her full lower lip, a tiny gesture that sends a zing up your spine. It's like the room's temperature just shot up by ten degrees, creating a kind of heat that makes you feel light-headed.

Tashi’s stare is unwavering, it makes your skin crawl in the best way possible. She looks hungry, you feel a pang of unfiltered need shake your body like thunder. You’ve never felt deja vu before, but you’re guessing it feels something like this.

The offer slips past your lips before you can think of stopping it, “I mean…I could– I could like show you. If you want.”

For a second, there’s silence. All you can hear is the sounds of the city three floors below you flowing in through the window. The distant hum of traffic and faint chatter blend into a muted sound that underscores the tense quiet in your room. You hold your breath, forcing yourself to meet Tashi’s gaze. Every second that passes feels like an eternity, you’re inches away pretending it was a joke, from running away with your tail between your legs.

Then, Tashi’s eyes narrow slightly, her lips curling into a sly smile. She leans closer, bridging the small gap between the two of you, the mattress shifts under her weight. “Show me,” she murmurs, her voice an assertive whisper. The intensity in her eyes deepens, locking you in place.

Your heart pounds in your chest, each beat echoing in your ears louder than the city noise outside. It wasn’t really a joke when you offered, but you never thought Tashi would actually call your bluff. You thought she’d just laugh, roll her eyes and call you gross with a smile on her face. You swallow hard, a mix of excitement and nerves churning in your stomach.

Tashi’s hand moves to your chin, gently bringing you closer to her. The electricity between you is palpable, a charged connection that sparks and crackles. Her thumb brushes across your lower lip, and you feel yourself leaning into her touch, your body responding before your mind can catch up.

“Show me,” she repeats, her voice firmer now, a command wrapped in velvet. Her words hang in the air, thick with anticipation and promise. You nod, a small, almost unnoticeable movement.

“We- Art and I - we…uh, usually kiss before,” you try to sound casual. Tashi’s eyes soften, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of her mouth.

“Then kiss me,” she says. You can feel her breath on your skin, warm and inviting. You lift your hand, reaching out slowly. Your fingers brush against the bare skin of her arm, you’ve touched her millions of times before, but this one is different. It’s a hesitant touch that feels both daring and delicate. She doesn't tense or pull away; instead, she leans into your touch, her eyes never leaving yours.

Your throat feels dry, your mind racing, but you push through, your hand glides up her arm, tracing a path to her shoulder. Her skin is smooth, warm under your touch, and you can feel the slight tremor that betrays the relaxed front she’s putting on.

With every inch you cover, you feel more confident, your movements becoming more assured. You lean in, close enough that you can see the slight rise and fall of her chest, hear the faint hitch in her breath.

It’s been years, but you swear her lips feel the same. It’s far from the slow, sweet, timid kiss you shared on her bed. The moment they touch yours, it’s like a jolt of electricity runs through your veins, reigniting a fire deep within you that never truly died. Tashi’s lips are soft, yet demanding, moving with a hunger that mirrors your own. You can taste the faint hint of her coconut lip balm and something that’s uniquely Tashi, a flavor you had almost forgotten but that comes rushing back with each second that passes. You lose yourself in the rhythm, the pressure, the way her tongue teases yours, exploring, claiming.

If you weren’t so fucking turned on, so fucking wet that you’re drenching your panties, you’d probably laugh. You’d laugh at how easily you ended up back here, kissing Tashi just because she asked you too. You wonder if she’s thinking about that night too, if she ever thinks about it.

Your hands find her waist, pulling her closer as the kiss deepens, becoming more urgent, more needy. Without thinking, you drag Tashi onto your lap, her chest pressing flush against yours as her knees fall on either side of your torso. She responds quickly, her fingers tangling in your hair, grip tight enough to have you softly moaning into the kiss.

It’s messy, wet, and consuming, with spit mingling as your mouths fight for dominance. Tashi still refusing to let go of the upper-hand even though you’re technically supposed to be the one showing her something, but you don’t mind. She bites your lower lip, hard enough to make you groan, sending a shock-wave of heat straight to your core. Her nails scratch against your scalp, pulling you impossibly closer. The air is thick with the sounds of your ragged breathing and the soft, breathy moans escaping your throats.

When you finally pull apart, both of you are breathless, your foreheads resting against each other, a small thread of saliva connects your lips before it falls and breaks.

“Show me,” she whispers again, this time softer, almost a plea. And with a newfound confidence, you nod, ready to give her whatever she asks for.

“Off,” you say impatiently, tugging at the waistband of her shorts. Tashi’s eyes darken, her breaths coming in shallow, rapid gasps as she quickly complies, shimmying out of her shorts and tossing them aside. You waste no time, falling on your back so fast your body bounces on the mattress. You can hear the bed creaking as Tashi crawls towards you again, you can feel the warmth of her as she throws a leg over your hips and starts to make her way up your body. She pauses at your chest, hesitating. She looks down at you, her eyes more unsure and vulnerable than you’ve seen in a long time. You just smile softly, giving her a small nod and bringing your hands up to squeeze her thighs reassuringly. Her body is warm and firm beneath your palms.

“Tash,” you whisper, thumbs rubbing soothing circles against her skin. “It’s just me.”

Her eyes search yours for a second longer, the tension melts from her face, and she smiles. A real smile, not the fake one she gives pushy interviewers, one that reaches her eyes. Her vulnerability bleeds into tender determination as she gives you one sharp nod of her head and shuffles the rest of the way up your body.

With a sense of urgency, your fingers hook around the edge of her panties. Tashi’s trembling, her fingers digging into your shoulders, hips lifting slightly to aid you slide her panties to the side.

Being face to face with Tashi Duncan’s cunt feels euphoric. It feels right, like this is where you should have been all along. She’s so wet for you and so beautiful and so perfect and you can hardly wait to taste her.

You lean in, trailing soft, deliberate kisses along her inner thigh, feeling her shiver beneath your touch. Tashi’s breath hitches, a soft moan escaping her lips as you get closer to her core. Her eyes never leave yours, her pupils completely blown out and swallowing up the warm brown.

“Please,” she breathes, her voice strained with longing. The plea sends a thrill through you, has you feeling power drunk because the great Tashi Duncan is begging you. Begging you to touch her, begging you to make her feel good, begging you to make her come.

You lean your head up, you can feel her body tremble as your breath brushes against her. Your lips part, placing a soft kiss directly over her clit, making her squirm and moan softly above you. You flick your tongue out, teasing her, drawing more desperate sounds from her lips.

The taste of her is intoxicating, flooding your senses and making you crave even more. She tastes like girl sweat, like girl sex, you moan into it, gripping her thighs hard to try in vain to steady yourself.

Tashi’s eyes flutter shut, her head falling back as your tongue slides through the wet slit of her cunt. Her response is immediate, lowering herself down against your tongue as a low moan escapes her lips. Tashi's hips start to move, instinctively seeking more, needing more.

You watch her through half-lidded eyes, mesmerized by the sight of her losing herself in the pleasure you're giving her. Her hands tangle in your hair again, guiding you, urging you on as you work your tongue along her slick entrance. The rhythm of her hips matches the movement of your mouth, and you can feel her growing wetter, absolutely drenching the bottom half of your face.

“Fuck, that’s so good,” she mutters, pretty face pinched in pleasure. You moan into her cunt, angling your head up to drag your tongue up her slit slowly until you reach her clit, sucking it into your mouth and swirling your tongue over it.

“Oh my God,” Tashi huffed. She opened her eyes and looked down between her legs, catching your glassy eyes with her own. The sight only made her grind her hips faster, “You’re so pretty,” She muttered. Your loud moan is muffled by her cunt, heart fluttering in your chest at her words. You can feel your hands start shaking with the intensity of the moment, way more intimate than it probably should be.

Her right hand lets go of your hair, shooting out to lace her fingers with yours. She squeezes your hand hard, gripping onto it like a lifeline as she rides your tongue. You respond in kind, using your free hand to guide her, to hold her steady as you delve deeper into her cunt, your nose bumping up against her clit. Her taste, her reactions, everything about her is perfect, and you can feel her body tightening, her muscles clenching as she gets closer and closer to the edge.

Her other hand tightened its grip on your hair, pulling you closer as she threw her head back, a low, throaty moan escaping her lips. “Don’t stop,” she gasps, her voice breaking, “I’m close.”

You increase your pace, tongue working even faster over her clenching cunt. You lose yourself in her, in the rhythm of her movements, in the sounds of her moans and gasps. You need her to come, you need to see, need to feel it, need to hear it, need to fucking taste it.

And she does, her body tensing, then shaking as she cries out your name, the sound filling the room. You hold her through it, your tongue moving in gentle, soothing strokes as she rides out her orgasm, her body slowly relaxing under your touch. You keep going, tongue greedily soaking up everything she has to give you until she’s spent, her body going limp, her breath coming out in ragged, uneven gasps.

Tashi leans back, blindly shoving her free hand down your shorts to delve between your slick thighs. Your hand grips hers harder, moaning out as her fingertips brush over your throbbing clit. Your eyes open to find Tashi already staring down at you between her thighs, the fancy hotel lights making a halo of light around her messy hair. She looks fucking ethereal.

You’re so worked up it only takes a few clumsy circles of Tashi’s fingers to push you over the edge. Back arching off the bed as you come, hips bucking up into her touch. Waves of pleasure crash through you as you soak your panties in your release as Tashi watches with sharp eyes. She keeps going, fingertips sliding over you with featherlight touches until you’re squirming away, thighs instinctively clenching shut.

Tashi falls back onto the bed next to you, the two of you laying beside each other trying to catch your breath. The room is filled with the soft sound of your synced heavy breathing, you can feel her hair tickling your neck from where it splayed out on the pillows.

“Patrick’s coming to the UT game tomorrow,” her voice breaks the silence, voice raspy and winded, “Art will probably be with him.”

Her impassive tone feels like a bucket of ice water dumped over your head. You look at her, but Tashi keeps her gaze trained on the ceiling, her chest rising and falling quickly. She’s sweaty, baby hairs sticking to her forehead, her face is stony. She closes her eyes, it feels like a door slamming in your face. Your heart sinks in your chest, dread starting to wrap its tendrils around you.

Patrick and Art. Their names hang in the air like a storm cloud threatening to burst, casting a shadow over the fragile intimacy of the moment. You swallow hard, trying to muster a response, but words elude you in the suffocating silence. Tashi speaks again before you can, “We should all go out to dinner after, like on a double date or something.”

You trace the outline of her profile with your eyes, the curve of her jawline, the faint sheen of sweat on her skin. Each detail seems sharper, more defined, as if etching itself into your memory with painful clarity all over again. You have to close your eyes too, scared if you keep them open that the tears burning your waterline will start flowing down your cheeks. All you can do is lie there, next to Tashi, and feel the weight of her words settle into the space between you, putting up a barrier you're not sure how to breach.

“Yeah…sounds good.”

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maximwtf · 1 year ago

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readder takes a bullet for izzy. need this fic asap. omfg. did u want finale yet???

Izzy x Reader

words: 1700

google docs pages: 3

warnings: ! S2E8 Spoilers (Kinda?) ! Gunshot wound, mentions of smoking and drinking, blood, death

opening: Ricky turns to fire his pistol and run, but you saw it coming and push Izzy out of the way.

AN// Reader can be any gender! I can’t even lie, my angst loving heart was highkey excited for this one XD Thank you for the request, I love writing stuff like this !! This shall also heal my soul after watching ep8, I’m still a mess from it waaa

“I’ll wait for you”

The long ferns dragged along the freshly stolen British navy coat as you made your way towards the shore with the rest of the crew. Your palm was around the handle of your sword, still convinced that this was a clear suicide mission. There seemed to be absolutely no chance for the whole crew to make it alive all the way to the ship and to make an escape. The Republic of Pirates was swarming with British soldiers, every corner being watched and checked actively. Though, you weren’t going to try and stay here either. You’d rather die as a pirate than get captured and be hung by the British.

Izzy marched a little ahead of you with Ricky. You weren’t sure why he had been put in charge of the man, but there was no use in asking for him to hand over the job to you. He was still the first mate, and as loyal as he was he continued on with his duties. You weren’t scared for his sake, he was most certainly a more skilled fighter and a sailor than you were. But there was always the what if, at the back of your mind. As far as you knew, the whole area was surrounded by British soldiers. Each and every time you’d peeked to take a fast look, at least three men stood near with their guns. So the odds of one of them spotting the group and shooting weren’t nonexistent.

Blackbeard and Izzy had a long history together, but so did you and him. From what you’d talked with Izzy, you’d joined the crew only a short time after him. The man wasn’t even the first mate just yet, which was one of the reasons why you’d dared to start chatting with him in the first place. By God, you wouldn’t have started hitting up someone in a much higher position in the crew just after joining. But there had started your decades long, complicated relationship. He’d always been a little snappish, and that had only amplified once he was given the position as first mate. But every time you’d been with him at the sidelines where he usually spent his time, he was just slightly different. He was the same man, but like there was less of a wall he had to keep up. So because he was seemingly comfortable with you around, you sometimes spent time with him. Share cigarettes, watched him carve figures out of small pieces of wood, whatever he was doing. Sometimes there were no words, just silent companionship. At times the air felt tense, and at some point that wasn’t just an itch you had sometimes. There was real tension, but neither of you addressed it. All the way up until you’d sat down to drink a bottle or two of rum with him. There were not many memories of said night, just one of the tension breaking kiss you’d shared with him. And of course the morning after, and the days that followed. The silence that suggested the both of you being at loss of what to do next.

Your eyes focused on the soldiers in front of you, listening to Ricky speak to them as he’d been told to before. So far the plan was going as intended, but that wouldn’t last for much longer. The prince swung around, alerted the soldiers that the group he was with were pirates and pulled out his pistol. Your eyes widened and without more than a second to think you pushed the man next to you. There wasn’t time to check if he'd landed okay, since that hadn’t been a part of your plan, only to get him out of the bullet’s way. You heard the thud as he fell over, and soon after followed one of the most agonizing pain you could have imagined. The bullet must have hit you instead. There was no time to properly locate where it had hit, but you didn’t have to just yet. As long as you could somewhat walk, that was enough, since after you’d made it to the ship you could take a look at the damage.

The rest of the unit had heard the gunshot and were hurrying to the scene. You reached out and offered a hand for Izzy, the other hand holding the spot you could see blood seeping through. He took a hold of your hand, noticing that something was clearly wrong. You could see his mouth open slightly, but before he was able to question you, you let go of his hand and pushed him forward by his back. “Fuck off, go!” You growled, eyes scanning the area for the easiest way out.

The walk to the shore was a blur. You could tell you were stumbling, even the smallest of rocks getting in your way. Izzy was walking in front of you, but you could tell he was stalling more than a person running for their life would. “Did I not tell you to go?” You snarled a little at the stinging pain, now more obvious that it was coming from somewhere deep near your side. You wished he would have just followed the others, gotten away faster. But this brand new version of him wouldn’t do that to you, to anyone from the crew for that matter. You’d been proud of him through his change, but this was not the time for him to care about you. “Come on, I’m not leaving you here.” He paused enough to get you closer to him, and hoisted you up a little by your arm. “Fuck you.” You cursed, trying to walk a little faster now that he was helping you.

The boat ride felt like forever, and as each of the waves hit the boat the stings of pain just felt worse and worse. You felt light headed and even without noticing you leaned on Izzy just a little more for support. He stiffened up, but kept you in place so you wouldn’t accidentally lean over the edge. You could have sworn you felt his thumb repetitively go over your forearm, as if to keep some sense in the moment .

Izzy got out of the boats first, and with the help of the others he got your form on the main deck. The first mate tore off his coat, laying it flat on the wooden deck before leaning your head over his lap. You could feel cold sweat creep onto your forehead and back, breaths shallow and quick. It was only now setting in what had happened, but you tried to bite back the feelings of panic. You felt Izzy tap your cheek, making your eyes land on his face. Some dirt had stuck to his face from the fall he’d taken because of you, you thought to yourself. “Come on, stay awake.” Izzy said, his voice a little shaken, but the same old commanding tone somewhere in there. “Oh, you’ll be fine, you carouser.” A groan left your throat, making you close your eyes for a moment. You didn’t feel like opening them after, but you did. You did when Izzy’s hand made contact with your cheek again.

Before this you’d thought of the crew members watching. You’d noticed they were around Izzy, some of them hurrying to get anything to help. Though, you knew this was the day you’d feed the fish. Izzy’s expression looked tight. Like he wanted to cry, but tried not to for your sake. He was hunched over your form as his eyes watered. “Aye, now. Don’t hang the jib. You’ll be fine.” You tried to reassure him. He’d changed so much, gotten to see how much the crew actually cared about him. He’d be just fine even if you weren’t there with him to stand at the sidelines. Only if he could see that as well. “You don’t do this now, ye fucking hear me?” He said, brows furrowed. You looked at him, his eyes. He looked oddly blurry, your head was spinning from the lost blood. Though, you didn’t mention it to him. “I’m not going anywhere.” You grit your teeth, finding breathing a lot harder than it had been before. You wanted to go, if that meant the struggle would finally end. “But even if I did, I’d be leaving you with the…best possible people.”

Your gaze stayed on Izzy, trying to follow his lips in case you missed something he said. But he was silent, like he was holding back something. The first mate swallowed uncomfortably, leaning over carefully, just to hide his words from anyone else. “You need to tell me if you-” He started, but that was enough. A faint smile appeared on your face. “Of course I fucking love you.” You said, for his sake silently, but you didn’t find it in you to speak any louder anymore. Izzy froze for a moment, some tension leaving his shoulders as he nodded. It was subtle, but as long as you’d known him you’d learned to find even the most minimalistic emotions from his face. His jaw trembled, but his mouth opened and he silently replied; “I love you.” Which was enough for you, more than so. But at that moment, you hoped those words would have been said earlier. Then maybe, just maybe everything could have been different. “I’ll wait for you.” You said, the struggle starting to feel better, like it was coming to an end. Izzy’s face blurred into a soft darkness, which slowly became the only thing still holding you.

AN// Requests for Izzy are open, I love writing for him ahhh >:(

#izzy hands x reader #izzy hands #israel hands #ofmd #our flag means death #ofmd x reader #our flag means death x reader #x reader #fanfic #izzy hands beloved #yar har I love pirates

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ask-astf-characters · 24 days ago

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Reg, RHM, Henry, Charles, Ellie, Dave, Rupert, Sven, Burt, Galeforce, Carol and MacBeth, your favourite song/s, singer/s or band, genre? Well I made a list but if anyone else wants to answer feel free to. Dave: You like cartoons? Would you watch them with Rupert or are you too ashamed to do so next to someone so tough? Sven: Have an Almond Cake! I read Swedes like Almonds! Also do you know where exactly in Sweden you come from? Burt: Are you afraid of anything? No, breaking up with Sven or him getting hurt doesn't count lol. Reggie and RHM: I once saw a meme where shaking a battery box makes RHM come like a cat. Does that work? (idk if RHM is a cyborg here, if not don't answer that) Ellie: People are mixed weather your hair are naturally scarlet or are they actually blonde and dyed. What's the truth? Also, is Jacob your brother? Amelia/Turtle: You watch TMNT? >:) Rupert and Charles: Do you like dogs? They are used in the military afterall.

{Mod here! This will have no semblance of time in the real world bc I am a little lazy when it comes to looking up songs, sorry!}

Reginald: Me and Righty like anything by Frank Sinatra.

RHM: Before I was like this, I had a damn good voice for his songs.

Reginald: Oh, dear, you still do! And before you ask, no, I'm not talking about the voice changer. I still like your natural voice, warping and all~

RHM, flustered and pulling his hat down to cover his face: ... Good god, Reg...

Reginald: As for the battery box thing, no, Righty doesn't do that. His cybernetics run on a generator that's connected to his heart, so he has no interest in batteries. But he does always come when I scream.

RHM: Because I'm your protector, so if anything might be hurting you, I'm not taking any chances.

-In the Airship Brig-

Henry: I dunno... I kinda like parodies or anything funny, really... Maybe Vending Machine Of Love?

Dave: I like Fireflies. It's a cute song, honestly... And yeah, I like cartoons, but mainly older ones, like classic Looney Toons and stuff. Me and Rupert used to watch them all the time... It was actually the first secret I told him! ... God, I miss him...

-In one of many hallways in the Airship-

Sven, carrying a stack of paperwork: WOAH! *catches the cake, trying to balance it and the papers* I don't really remembER- *manages to stop the papers from tipping over in his arm* M-Me and Earrings wandered a lot before- skit! *readjusts his grip on the cake before it falls, and manages to balance it on the paper stack, sighing in relief* Before we followed Pa to the old base there, so I never got to memorize where we were before we were off again. As for my favorite song, both Burt and I love Orbit by Mars Mignon! It's calm and soft, like a lot of the time we spend together.

-In Communications-

Burt: Orbit by Mars Mignon. I like how it kinda relates to me and Sven. As for the fears thing, I dunno, surprise attacks, I guess? I'm the first one to know about attacks, so someone getting the jump on us scares me. And geese. I got chased and bitten by a goose once. Not fun.

-Just outside of the Armory-

Mr. MacBeth: I don't really think about it, I've never been much of a music lover. Hm... I guess I can enjoy an old video game music track. Dunno about a favorite, though...

Carol: I like Jack Stauber songs, but my favorite is probably Oh Klahoma. It's very catchy, and a nice rhythm to work to.

-On General Galeforce's Base-

Rupert: I like Safe And Sound by Capital Cities... me and Dave used to sing it when we were off-duty sometimes. But Fireflies absolutely comes in a close second...

Charles: Hm, I like all kinds of music, but... I guess my favorite would be Born For This. It gets me really pumped up before a mission!

Rupert: And yeah, both me and Charlie are basically dog people, though in very different ways. I like stronger working breeds, since they're both helpful and good companions...

Charles: And I like smaller breeds. Easier to carry and treat like the adorable fluffy babies they are!

Galeforce: You'd never believe it, but I'm actually pretty fond of musical tracks, like anything from Hamilton.

Charles: Hey, General, good seeing you outside for once!

Turtle: I did when I was little, it was my favorite cartoon.

Frog: Wait, is that why Turtle is your codename?

Turtle: :)

-Somewhere in Vegas-

Ellie: Hm, I like stuff like Lotta True Crime and Product Of My Own Design. Also, of course this isn't natural, c'mon guys, you really think my hair would naturally be this red? Though I do have naturally red hair, it's not to this extent. Also, Jacob's not my brother, he's my little cousin. *sighs a bit* I miss him sometimes, honestly.

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madrone33 · 1 year ago

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Right so... been going crazy trying to catch up on the explosion of stuff peeps have been doing since the EPIC: The Musical Ocean Saga release, but. Got some downtime now, and I just wanted to post my reaction to listening to the songs, 'cause it was wild bro.

Fyi, this is all taking place at around 11:30 pm 24th Dec for me, as I'm an australian, so that would make it... uh, 8:30 am 24th Dec for americans I think? Idk, timezones are weird bro. Basically, I listened to the songs and then wrote down my immediate reactions at like 1 am lol.

*ahem*

OK HOLY SHIT HOLY FUCK. OK OK. They came out for australians. They CAME OUT FOR AUSTRALIA!!!!

I was on dicord, right? And then another australian says they're out, and i'm like wait what but there's still like 16 hours till midnight in est, but i look up 'luck runs out jorgre rivera-herrans' on yt (cause it's a unique name) and scroll down and FUCK IT'S THERE!! THE STANDARD AUTO TOPIC VERSION!! IT'S NOT EVEN MIDNIGHT HERE YET?? (23:24 at the time of discovery. The vid says it was uploaded 3 hrs ago already)

The piano. I heard the first notes of piano and ohhhhh shiiiit it's actually happening!!!

i opened the door and called out to mum 'cause i was still in disbelief and she was still awake and i was like "mum... i think it's out" or SOMETHIG LIKE THAT IDK THE EXACT WORDS. She said jokingly she'd thought i had an existential crisis and GIRL IT KINDA FELT LIKE IT?? I WAS NOT PREPARED! I WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE ANOTHER 16 HOURS!

I tapped on the link thingy to the album in the description and then i had the album RIGHT THERE HOLY MOTHER OF JESUS. IT'S STORM. IN THE FLESH. THERE'S A FUCKING TRUMPET-

I did my civic duty and informed (read: screamed in all caps) to everyone in the discord while mum listened to the first song 'cause she said she was interested and asked and i was so excited and gave her my headphones to listen to storm and then I took em back once I was done and now it's time to go dark. I said goodnight to mum and... pressed play.

Here's the highlights:

Storm: mixing is on another level bro. The vocals, the harmonies, the chorus, and hearing all those snippets without breaks in between, actually flowing and making sense and that ending beat is AHHH-

It went so fast. It's three min long how did it go by so fast what-

Luck Runs Out: the piano is godly. They actually changed the melody of the 'you could be caught off guard' part. My first thought after ooo? Was 'damn it no longer sounds like shut up and dance w/ me' lol.

I think this one changed the most from the snippets. Jsut the way they say lines, and stray words. I love it. The harmonies-

KYFC: the intro is that one atmospheric snippet he did with the flutes!! Aeolus sounds so sassy compared to the old snippets oof hell yes! There's a small instrumental interlude between the first chorus and the crew asking about the bag which is new.

THE PENELOPE PART. OH. MY. GOD. I LEGIT TEARED UP, I WAS CRYING, I'M CRYING JUST THINKING ABOUT IT AND TYPING THIS OUT IT WAS SO FUCKING HEARTBREAKING.

Trying to hold them in his arms? Time to be that father he always wanted to be?? His eyes and heart and soul is heavy??? I'm FUCKING CRYING-

Also wow he really just stayed up for 9 days huh? Respect. Also, fuck those crewmates man. Bet they felt real stupid when it got them killed. Oh, wait, fuck it didn't Poseidon killed everyone but them oh hell nah- And Odysseus still goes to save them from Circe?? Bro. BRO. Just let them die. It ain't worth it.

And that's how Jorge introduces the land of the giants? Cool! I was wondering about that.

Poesiedon pull up! (Is it bad that i thought he sounded like ares in the pj musical there lmao-)

RUTHLESSNESS: it's here. Oh my lord it's here. Everyone stay calm. Fuck it IT'S FUCKING HERE!!

The chanting, Ody's terrified 'Poseidon...', the electric guitar on Poseidon's verse, the fucking growl in his voice is amazing, the 'Die.' is as;ihfd HELL FUCKING YES!!

I love that the 'Captain-!'s of the drowning men is more apparent here, and the silence afterwards... ooof you can hear Ody's horrified stuttered breaths and the way the lyric's changed to '43 left under your command' is soooo fucking good.

And then Ody's sudden defiance and the fucking burning in his eyes as he defies a god and escapes death- Yes. YES! It's so good-

... No wait it's over?? That's it??? WHYYYYY-

(Side note - the fact that there weren't any ads between vids is incredible and I thank the gods for this blessing.)

Ok, but all seriousness, that was incredible. I- I couldn't stop smiling. My face actually started hurting I was smiling so much. I was shaking the whole time, and I had to keep reminding myself to breathe, and- It was amazing. This was an amazing experience, and I'm so glad I could freak out to mum, and she was excited with me, and it was such a good surprise, like an actual chrismas gift from Jorge or some shit. I love it. I love this. Genuinely. It's an amazing thing he's given us and I thank him, sincerely. Thank you, Jorge, and everyone involved in creating this for people to enjoy and love. You should all be proud.

Thanks for reading me freak out, whoever made it to the end lmao. Tagging @dootznbootz because their rambles gave me the confidence to throw my own into the void. Thx :D

#epic the musical #epic the ocean saga #ocean saga release #rambles #rants #odysseus #poseidon #storm #kyfc #luck runs out #ruthlessness #immediate reaction #timezones ftw #25 december #reaction #my posts

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dandyd · 2 years ago

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Fic Recs!

Hi! This is just a masterlist of all of my favorite works (some Tumblr wouldn't let me reblog :( so I'm putting them here too)! It's more or less a way for me to find my favs easier, but if you find this and wanna snoop through, you're more than welcome to!

Everything that is indented will be what the fic is about/a synopsis.

Ps. I categorize "full fics" as anything with more than 1 part or a series

Kpop

Full fics

Stray Kids

Sanguis Limerence - (Vampire!chan x reader x Vampire!minho)

"You have a job to do. That job is simple, in of itself. Yet the elusive vampire family you find yourself entangled with, the target of your job, makes things anything but straightforward. Can you traverse the thin lines between right and wrong when harsh truths are exposed and realities come to light? Can you resist the allure of danger, the appeal of the unknown? Experience this story of unlikely friendships, lurking threat, and entirely unexpected love."

SKZ Imprinted - (werewolf!skz x reader)

Individual stories that have OC’s in your place if you want to read the others’ stories! I highly recommend reading them all in order to get everyone’s full story! This writer also has a Seventeen Imprinted series that is also SO good! (Everything they write is amazing!)

Red Moon - (Werewolf!SKZ x reader) (Yes, all of them. But mainly Chan and Hyunjin)

"Hana’s life was planned out perfectly. She would marry the pack alpha, become Luna and do her duties. But the appearance of a mysterious stranger turns her life inside out she finds herself outcast and alone. Will she find her new home in Chan and his pack of strays? Will she find what she’s been looking for all along in the mysterious alpha? Or will everything crumble under her again?"

Bite Me - (vampire!felix x reader)

"you're more than familiar with the concept of 'beards' - you've been one for a few of your gay friends to protect them from the suspicious glares of their families within the horribly conservative korean society. however when lee felix - infamous at yonsei for breaking men's hearts - asks you, someone he has spoken to maybe twice, to pretend to date him so he can shake the rumours and prove he really isn't gay, you find yourself caught up in a very complex situation, a mild identity crisis and… wait - are those fangs???"

Light in the Dark - (Vampire!chan x reader)

"You knew the fairy tales were true, you knew Oddinaries existed but you also knew you were an ordinary human who wasn't considered interesting to anyone. At least that is what you thought you knew." (all of skz are different supernatural creatures) (a person who has AMAZING stuff!)

A Thump in the Night - (vampire!hyunjin x reader) (going to be more than one part?)

Uninvited - (Hybrid!chan x witch!reader) (ft. Vampire!felix, Vampire!hyunjin, and witch!jisung)

Unhinged - sequel to uninvited^

No Nut November with SKZ

This is a series of imagines (one per member) of the boys participating in nnn and it is pure glorious filth.

Hierarchy - (Mafia!Changbin x reader) (kinda mafia!felix x reader)

"You have always been utterly uninteresting, safely boring as close. You had a normal job, normal friends and the sweetest bestie on the planet but now everything is upside down and that best friend of yours is far more dangerous than you could have ever imagined." (All of their stuff is SO good so I tagged the whole masterlist but this is very specifically about Hierarchy)

Ateez

Blinding Lights - (mafia!Seonghwa x reader) (also kinda a hongjoong x reader)

"You are your father’s daughter. he taught you everything - how to lie, how to steal, how to kill. but after your younger sister’s marriage, it was only a matter of time before you were paired off with someone. your parents arrange a marriage with a powerful and dangerous up-and-comer who is determined to dethrone your father as king of the underworld. your match is a no-brainer - you and park seonghwa are not only perfect together, you are the best. The two of you are like new royalty - and you would stop at nothing to keep control."

Horizon - (pirate!hongjoong x reader)

"Once a princess of a kingdom you loathed to call yours, you have somehow found yourself aboard a pirate ship, stuck on the ocean waves. Now you try to figure out how to escape them, but as you continue to journey with them, you find yourself wondering if you even want to."

Treasure - (pirate!hongjoong x reader)

"The formidable pirate king Hongjoong and his crew aboard the ATEEZ are in search of something left by their mentor and forebear, Eden. Will they find Eden and his treasure or will they succumb to the many enemies and dangers of the seas, losing their way and each other?"

Pirate King - (pirate!ateez x reader)

"Life as an amnesiac on board a pirate ship ruled by the one and only Pirate King doesn’t seem very promising, but hey, anything’s better than becoming shark food." (honestly the best thing I have ever read)

Instructions Unclear - (android!San x reader)

"While walking home from work one day, you stumble upon an android from the world up-top, a world you were sure you would never be able to experience. once he opens his eyes, you become his master."

NCT

NCT as werewolves

A series of fic with beautiful moodboards/aesthetics to go with!

Vigilantes - (NCT x Superpowered!reader)

NCT werewolf au

"In a world where omega werewolves are a commodity and alphas can go feral/crazy with the need to ‘breed’ them when they’re in heats, things are rough for a pack of 23 alphas." (Each fic can stand alone, but they are in chronological order) (Johnny’s is a personal fav)

Humanity - (Kun x reader) (zombie apocalypse au)

"This is a story dedicated to people and their silly ventures and ways—hope, fear, familiarity, and adoration. Nothing short of catastrophic, but nothing short of human."

Stay Alive - (NCT Dream x platonic!reader)

"Nobody was ready for a zombie apocalypse. you were definitely not ready for a zombie apocalypse. while contemplating just giving up and accepting your fate, you meet a group of boys. life may seem pointless now, but at the very least, you now have a reason to stay alive."

Others (and multiples)

Post Mortem (Haechan x reader) (Zombie apocalypse au) (ft. skz and the dreamies)

Blood Red Skies - (Mafia! Bang Chan x reader) (mafia!skz, mafia!ateez, pirate!ateez)

"Spending most her time in the library and doing anything to keep herself distracted from her life is what Y/N has learned over the years but the situation changed in a matter of seconds and never did she even think of coming face to face with a mafia. She has to make the decision for her life which seems like it will be no different from what it already is." (All of their stuff is good but Blood Red Skies is at the bottom of their masterlist)

The Last of Us - (Kim Taehyung x reader) (zombie apocalypse au)

Dead by Dawn - (Kim Namjoon x reader) (zombie apocalypse au)

"You start to notice things in your small town turn weird. Thinking not much of it, you continue to live as you had been for the past couple of years. What happens when your simple conclusions turn into something more terrifying?"

Survive the apocalypse with BTS

A list of zombie fics

Imagines

Stray Kids

Heartbeat - (Chan x reader)

just a cute rainy day fic

Bad Neighborhood - (mafia!Changbin x reader)

Lost Notebook - (chan x reader) (zombie apocalypse au)

"It’s the end of the world as you know it. You’re alone and overhear a dangerous conversation. Should you help them?"

Vampire!hyunjin x reader (Genius writer. I love all of their stuff! just fluffy goodness)

Vampire!felix x reader (more fluffy goodness)

Dad!minho (pure fluff)

Minho x reader

Dad!chan x reader (he is lowkey a "single" dad but he has you)

Cute lil stragazing with Felix drabble

Excuses - (minho x reader)

"You ask your boyfriend for some private dancing lessons, and although he hears you loud and clear, he still manages to believe you're just making up excuses for him to come over."

Where the sun don't shine - (dad!chan x reader)

It really isn't about him or the reader but about their 2 kids going to school. This person has so much dad!skz stuff and they are all so cute!

On My Mind - (roommate!jisung x reader) (college au)

"You and Jisung are stressed over your upcoming exams. You need to clear your heads, but you can't find anything that works. That is, until Jisung suggests watching porn together."

Exhaustion - (best friend!chan x reader) (college au/f2l)

Random texts with skz

Ateez

Illuminate the ocean - (Pirate!Seonghwa x Pirate!reader)

"Seonghwa absolutely hates the idea of having a new captain on board 'Precious' with him and his crew, but he doesn't have a choice because you had insisted. You have a feeling that he isn't as bad as he makes himself seem and you're proven right through nightmares and colourful jellyfish…"

boxer!Yunho x reader (f2l)

Monster Energy Girl - (yunho x mingi x fem!reader) (college au/crack)

Entropy - (Mafia!yeosang x reader)

"Things never went according to plan; career wise, family wise, relationship wise and especially not when you were suddenly saddled with an infant to raise but you learned to roll with the punches. except the next challenge you were about to face wasn't a punch, it was a machine gun."

Dad!yunho x reader

"You come home to find your house a mess, your three girls nowhere in sight and in the middle of the chaos, your loving husband, Yunho, restrained and gagged."

Figure it Out - (streetfighter!Mingi x reader)

"Fighting is tough, fighting illegally isn’t any better but Mingi soon realizes that he’s one bad fight away from losing the most important thing: you."

Eternal Sunshine - (hongjoong x reader)

"You and Hongjoong meet on the train and instantly connect, going from friends to more. however, you're both plagued by a past that you do not remember, and when you both start to dig into it, you realise that your pasts may be connected and the situation might be graver than you thought."

NCT

See You Around - (Superhero!Jaehyun x Superhero!reader)

"You were once part of the world’s most renowned superhero organization, NCTsuper. Now centuries later, you’re still alive and you don’t know where anyone else is or if they are immortal like you too. The last person you expected to see after all these centuries was a member of NCTSuper, nonetheless your biggest rival within the organization. You really don’t want to talk to him, but you really need that milk."

Jaehyun x reader

Morning with jaehyun featuring an adorable little girl.

Not a Single Dandelion - (johnny x reader) (best friends to lovers)

"Johnny Suh has always been your whole entire sun, moon and all of the stars above. wishing for his feelings to finally be reciprocated is no use as you repeat the same ritual every year - not a single dandelion is on your side when you ask the solemn question and blow on the seeds, watching them fly away with your passing youth. years go by, yet, the question is still the same- does johnny suh finally love you back?"

Cry Wolf - (werewolf!haechan x hunter!reader)

"You keep running into an annoying, naked guy in the woods. Him being a werewolf is no excuse, at least not for the annoying part."

Phenomena - (conspiracytheorist!johnny x doctor!reader)

"The majority of your adult life you’ve been practically married to logic and science. until your superiors at the FBI assign you to work with special agent johnny suh on the so-called x-files project—cases that were never solved due to unexplained phenomena. as time goes by, and you chase case after case, you find yourself drifting further from logic… and closer to johnny."

Others

Lets mate.. I mean DATE - (werewolf!Jackson Wang x reader)

"Jackson has been working for you for months now and things have been going perfectly well, up until a single moment turns his world upside down. Suddenly all that occupies his mind and floods his senses is you and he’s going to lose his mind if he doesn’t figure out why."

Practice Makes Perfect - (Yoo Kihyun x reader)

"Kihyun catches your eye at the pool. You unexpectedly find yourself needing a very specific type of attention from this friend of a friend, and he is happy to help."

Pronoia - (Kim Namjoon x reader)

zombie apocalypse au/college au

Family Traditions - (Park Jinyoung x reader)

fluffy meeting the family trope

All About Luv

A collection of imagines from different groups based on Monsta X’s All About Luv album

Fanart

Bomb ass SKZ moodboards (skz x the walking dead)

1, 2, 3

Gods Menu

Lee Minho

Mark Lee

Marvel

Full fics

I Understand - (Bucky barnes x stark!reader)

"You’re the daughter of Tony Stark, and after meeting the Avengers for the first time, you begin to fall for the one who your father despises most…Bucky Barnes."

Almost Had Me Believing It - (Bucky barnes x reader)

"An undercover operation playing Bucky Barnes’ wife is a dream come true. Playing house in the suburbs while trying to take down a drug ring brings you and Bucky closer but a nosy neighbor causes trouble in paradise."

Like the Stars Miss the Sun - (Bucky barnes x reader)

"In the aftermath of the final battle with Thanos, you find yourself once again teaming up to fight with Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson, all while trying to navigate the complicated relationship you have with the super soldier."

Imagines

Spooky Season - (Bucky barnes x reader)

Hope and Hopelessness - (Bucky barnes x avenger!reader)

"You get inured on a mission and Bucky makes the biggest mistake of his life."

Fanart

Thor and Loki

Steve is an Asshole

Random/Others

Imagines

Cupid Anonymous - (Spencer Reid x agent!reader)

"Garcia sets up an anonymous valentine’s matching site for fbi agents, and you think it’s the perfect opportunity to get over your work crush, spencer reid."

Childhood Friend - (Spencer Reid x reader)

The ObeyMe boys experience MC’s worst memories of them

A whole ass ObeyMe blog

Blog recs for ObeyMe

Fanart

ObeyMe

ObeyMe meme redraw 1, 2

ObeyMe (Beel and Mammon's ice cream)

ObeyMe Levi

ObeyMe Solomon

ObeyMe x Peter Pan

ObeyMe Lucifer

ObeyMe dad!Mammon

Twilight

Jean AOT

Levi Ackerman 1, 2

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ladyelissarose · 2 years ago

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A Mother’s Revenge’

Chapter 4- ‘Miscommunication’

Warnings; This is call of duty, warfare stuff and such. Gun and bullets are mentioned. Thoughts of killing, shots fired. But we’ll mostly be seeing how one fuck up, can open a can of worms.

Melione’s POV

Her Dream...

‘“Baby girl, give your trust to those who you feel won’t appreciate it the most... and be careful with giving it to those who beg for it the most... those who want to be the closest.. are the most powerful ones to hurt you. You understand that right?”

I cried in my husband’s arms as he spoke to me. I had told him about my today’s situation, which was coming to the realization about my toxic relationship with a friend, which I ended. I wanted to feel bad and take back what I did, but Jacob made sure that I didn’t. His words meant so much to me in that moment, and I marked them on my heart, to carry with me forever. He honestly had the greatest advice for me, ever sense the day we became friends. He was like, the ‘mom friend’, always giving great advice and cuddling me close when I slipped up and needed help. I then moved my head from where I had it tucked under his head, and have him a reassuring smile, as I whimpered,

“I understand... thank you.”

“No need to thank me angel.. I love you.”

“I love you more... and so so much more.”

He smiled brightly and gave me a warming kiss, as he caressed my growing bump. Oh how I loved these moments, so homey... so filled with him-‘

End of dream...

And that when I was abruptly woken up by some shuffling noises in the room, I slightly panicked for a moment when I didn’t recognize the place, or the large person in front of me. Instinctively, I threw my pocket knife in hand, towards this large shadow of a person. I watched it fling strongly towards him, so fast and powerfully that it could pierce him well. But, he caught it in his hand, right before it could go into his skull, I had the perfect aim for his head. I then was quite slapped awake at the sight in front of me and I finally snapped out of it, feeling my chest take in and let out heavy breaths. Ghost, stood in front of me with about 10ft. in distance between us, cleaning out his gun at the large table. But now, he was sitting up straight, with the knife in his hand, right in front of his forehead, just holding it there. I swallowed harshly and felt slightly terrified at the fact he hadn’t said a word, or even moved.

‘That’s it... I fucked up and this Halloween skeleton guy is going to kill me-‘

“Not a bad aim, Lieutenant. Jus’ be careful nex’ time, hm?”

His voice sounded more deep today, or maybe just thick, he probably just woke up. I took a quick glance at my watch and saw the time shine the numbers, ‘6:35’, which made me confirm that indeed, it was still early. I then looked back at him when I heard him move slightly, leaning over the table to gently place the knife in the middle of the table, so I could retrieve it.

‘At least Halloween guy is giving it back...’

With utter caution, I rose slowly to my feet, feeling every bone in my body ache and crack from sitting in an awkward position on that damned chair for so long. Ghost eyed me attentively as I walked step by slow step towards the table. I felt slightly uneasy with his staring, so to break the ice I just responded to what he had mentioned minutes ago.

“I’ll be more careful, sir.”

“Hmm.”

It sounded kinda like a scoff, what he replied, but I did t pay attention to it further when he said,

“Price and Laswell would like to talk to you. Concerning your mission for tonight.”

‘Oooookay? When?’

I took a step back and looked around while I asked,

“When they get here I’ll talk to them or-“

“- as soon as you woke up, Lieutenant. You had to go find them. They’re in the basement, close the door when you walk in.”

“oh.. ok.”

An uneasy feeling crept up in me at the thought of going to the basement, anything could happen in there, and not a soul would hear it. But if Price was going to be there, I should be fine… I trusted him to a certain extent. Or at least more than the rest. I took a quick glance at Ghost before walking out, but he had his attention on what was in his hands, so I took that as my cue to go.

Prices’s POV

“Melione.. hope you slept well lass.”

As she walked in, I watched her massage her neck a little like trying to rub off a pain. Ghost had told me she stayed in the mission room, and refused to sleep in the barracks. I couldn’t blame her, she was new, and one of the only very few women here. She only eyed me at my comment and nodded her head shortly. Laswell then cleared her throat before bringing up our purpose to being here,

“So your mission for tonight Melione… how do you feel? Do you think you can do it?”

Melione leaned against the locked door behind her, with crossed arms as she replied coldly,

“Been ready all my life Laswell.”

I was impressed by her response. I was really thinking she’d maybe pull back and request a change of plans, but all she wanted to do was execute it. Laswell huffed out a breath as she rubbed her left temple and went on to say,

“Listen… I know what you’re after Melione. So are we. But you have to play it smart, if not things won’t work about. I know you’re going to be upset about this one, but I have to make it clear with you.”

I saw the look in Melione’s eyes change, she looked curious as she with one hand, gestured it as to say, ‘what’s that?’

Laswell then approached her a little and continued,

“You can’t kill anyone.”

With that Melione left the door and came to stand really close to Laswell, their noses almost touched. She looked down at Laswell and seethed with clenched teeth,

“You can’t be serious-“

“-I’m dead serious-“

Melione groaned out loud and turned away, leaning down and holding her hands on her knees as she shook her head. She looked so despaired at the news, like if we just took a prized possession or her breath away. I saw Laswell look concerned for her as she pressed on with more,

“I know you don’t like this but General Shephard-“

“-You realize that these men- these terrorists, don’t give a fucking damn about what your General or government thinks of them?-“

I was about to try my best to deescalate the situation as I saw both women about to go at it, but Laswell was quick to interrupt with a statement that ha Melione take a breather,

“-I know but I don’t have a choice! They were orders we were given to follow. And if you can’t simply do that, I’ll take you back to where you came from and I’ll have you really disappear.”

‘Well damn. She’s still got it.’

I turned to look at Melione as I heard her take deeps breaths, her shoulders were visibly moving for how hard her lungs were pumping air. It only took a few seconds for her to speak up and put forth,

“It’s just not fair.. and it doesn’t make sense… none of it. Your government doesn’t protect the innocent, but you damn well secure the villain, so people like me… innocent but hurt… don’t get to them. Because we can do a good number on them.”

Melione’s tone had changed from agitated to now calm and it showed her hurt. Slowly she came to a stand and faced Laswell with glossy eyes, and whimpered,

“All I want is justice… and if you can’t give it rightfully, I’ll find a way to serve it. Just know that.”

Laswell shook her head understandably, and then geared the attention towards me as she worded,

“Prepare her.. she ready to go.”

That was my cue to get Melione ready. She had passed the test indeed.

Laswell’s POV

All I wanted to know, was if this broken mother was indeed serious about what she was going to do, and not just insane about it all. But after what she said and threatened to do, there’s no way in hell, that I’m going to stand in her way. The only thing she has against me for now, is the fact that there’s a strict order to spare all life of the witnesses and those who work with Hassan. But I’m sure I can find a way to get things the right way… which was eliminate these men so they can’t ever escape and hurt another soul. But for some reason, General Shepherd wants them all accounted for, and it’s my painful duty, to do such as he pleases. Now I saw Melione look and Price and I with a frown as she asked,

“was this a test?”

Price patted her back gently and sent her a short smile,

“Just know, that you might be one of the best I’ve seen. Let’s go.”

She sucked a deep breath in with amusement, but either way kept her composure as I now watched them both leave the basement and ascend up the stairs. I could only think this as I saw her go,

‘She might be the best.. she has the willpower, the motive, the reason… a mothers drive for revenge.’

Melione’s POV

The crisp air hit my face as I rode in the spare boat I had found. The skies were covered with a light sheet of clouds, barely blocking the sun from raining down its burning rays. I looked around and admired the view for a few seconds, wishing I had met Italy under difficult circumstances. Jacob would’ve certainly liked to see the army of pigeons everywhere. He wasn’t totally fascinated by them, but he LOVED running after them and seeing them squawking around in panic. He’d always release the sweetest, deep belly laughs at the hilarious sight. I would’ve had a blast trying all the sweets they have here, and always making sure my ‘baby in crime’ Benjamin, had a taste as well, and of course my childish husband. But right now, unfortunately… they both rest in my heart and come to life in my imaginations, as I continue to live for them, and move on. Price had assigned his men to stay on guard for me, Graves was going to be keeping an eye out for the way towards the seaport. Soap and Ghost were watching for me at the seaport. Alejandro, Gaz and Rudy stayed at the safe house, they were going to be watching me by the camera I wore on a button that rested on my shirt. Price had a getaway car near by in the town, to follow wherever I went once I met the men and they took me to their place. So, it helped to know I had backup around here in different areas, but I still felt quite nervous at the whole interaction part. But it’s either do or die… and I’m not ready for the latter yet. My comms were connected to the rest of the 141, to keep communication with them just in case, so for now I could hear Ghost and Soap banter around childishly.

“Ghost.”

“Yea?”

“‘M glad ye are near me… I can see you more clearly now, I can even reach ye arm-“

“-don’t touch me. And don’t stare at me, we are to be on watch.”

“Ayyy Lt. Jus’ enjoying the view-“

“-Estan enamorados o que?”

That was now Alejandro who joined the chat, asking if the two were in love. I heard a beat of silence for a minute before Ghost replied quite irritatedly,

“No-“

“-you understood me cabron?”

“Of course… the more you speak the more I learn. Now let’s focus, Melione should be getting there soon.”

I cleared my throat as I clarified,

“I’m arriving, everyone in position?”

Graves voice came through the comms this time as he replied cockily,

“Yup, it’s showtime.”

I rolled my eyes at hearing his voice, then tilted my neck in every direction to pop it’s building nerves, and shook my hands a little to dry up the sweat that developed on them. To say I was nervous was a lie, I was terrified. But now I’m here, there’s no going back.

Ghost’s POV

From where I hid inside a spare house that was approximately 20ft away from the seaport, I could see Melione park her boat and tie it up on the hooks they had there to keep it in place. I could tell she was nervous, but the way she frantically looked everywhere and kept wiping her most likely sweaty palms on her jeans. Her hands kept fiddling with the handles of the backpack she carried, and her feet shuffled back and forth. It was like watching a little child, preparing themselves to embark on a scary mission or journey. Ready to go but nervous to take the first step.

“We got black Malibu on its way towards you.”

That was Graves letting us know about oncoming company, my eyes then jerked to the left when I saw the black car approach, and at that same moment Melione’s voice came through,

“They’re here. You guys still with me?”

I took my chance to reply and calm her nerves,

“We’re all here, no one’s leaving anyone behind.”

“ok..”

‘Alright Meli… play it smart, calm, be approachable but not all too welcoming. Trust your instincts and look deeper into every word and action that is committed. Read in between the lines kid.’

I wish I could say those words out loud to her, but my mouth never moved to do such, it was like a barrier that kept that sensitive part of me sealed and hidden away. It was a protection. But I’m sure she knew how to go by this, I had heard Price guide her step by step as Gaz and Soap helped her put on the camera and gear back at the safe house,

“Very simple Meli, only talk about business. No need for more, they are there for what you have, not for you. But if things change, take it back toward business an’ if they get difficult, act like an unpleased business woman and walk out. You don’t have to deal with their bullshit, many men underestimate women, and like to treat them like a game. But you show them how’s it played. Understood?”

Melione squared her shoulders and subtly gulped before she replied,

“Yes sir.”

She then took a quick glance at me and I gave her a simple nod of approval. She lightly raised her brows and looked down, unable to hold eye contact any longer.

4 men had gotten off the car, and headed towards Melione slowly, and I heard Gaz comment,

“Looks like Hassan isn’t here… no other men are in the car-“

“-maybe they want to make sure the area is clear and that the business is real… then maybe he’ll come around. He had said he was willing to see her in person.”

That was Rudy and Gaz who were communicating about what was ahead of me, and they were pretty accurate. I didn’t see Hassan either, maybe Graves will catch sight of him first as he’s watching the road that leads to the seaport. I took a deep breath in as I saw Meli leave her boat and touch ground as she walked up to the men confidently and with her chin up.

‘Nice and steady kid… play it smart.’

Melione’s POV

I knew what Hassan looked like, and it for sure wasn’t this very tall man and his shorter partner who both wore matching frowns. The other two behind them looked like the guards, huge men almost appearing like oversized statues, unmoving and expressionless. I could only thin for second as I saw this approach,

‘Where Hassan?-‘

The shorter man then replied to my unsaid question as he went on directly,

“-I know you conducted business with our boss, but just know he’s on his way, we gave him the clear.”

‘Alright. That’s miracle 1.’

I sent him a curt nod and a short reply.

“I understand.”

The very tall man with dark hair that matched his cold eyes then wordlessly pointed towards the large backpack I held, his pal then spoke up for him and asked me,

“What’s in the bag?”

I pulled it off my shoulder with ease but didn’t open it as I responded,

“What you’ll need to make the missiles and other combat machinery. From start to finish. From scratch.”

The tall man remained as if he was unimpressed, but the shorter one seemed like he was the outgoing one as he spoke up,

“And you conducted this all on your own?”

I cocked my brow at his question,

“You only see me here don’t you?”

And that’s, when I caught the taller man’s attention, as his eyes finally met mine.

‘Maybe he was impressed.’

BANG!!!

I couldn’t help but mightily flinch at the sudden pop, and my mind threw back a memory at the unpleasant sound,

‘JACOB!! JACOB WHERE ARE YOU!!’

I closed my eyes for a split second to try and wipe the horrific memory, but a sudden touch had me blink back to reality. It was definitely a gunshot that had the taller man approach me quickly as the others scattered off. He grabbed my arm tightly and put his lips near my ear as he whispered harshly,

“Get the hell out of here and don’t let a soul see you. Next stop is in Mexico. Go.”

He then shoved me away and sparred my eyes a last look of his before he darted towards the car and got in to leave. Leaving the others behind.

‘Ok what the fuck was that all about-‘

“Melione you need to get out of there!!”

I heard Soap’s voice scream out loud as another shot was sounded, but my attention wasn’t on him or his panic, when I saw the shorter man run towards a house that was near by.

‘Yeah you’re not getting away motherfucker.’

And without a second thought, I secured my bag around my shoulders, and darted for the house, not knowing who or what was inside, besides the shorter man.

Prices’s POV

‘What the hell just happened?’

I heard that shot ring through as I was near by, but it came from where Graves was at. I angrily called out to him as I questioned,

“What the bell happened Graves?? Where’s Hassan??!”

I could hear him panting,

“I was attacked sir, my rifle rang out before he got closer, so his driver made a quick turn around and they left. I couldn’t see any more of them.”

‘Damnit… Melione is going to be so pissed.’

“Come towards my truck so we can get out of here. The others will have to find find another way out somewhere else, we’re to compromised here. Are you injured?”

“Bullet grazed my leg, but I’ll live, the other guy got hit but he got out, so I think he’ll live too.”

‘Fucking hell… ughh!’

In my anger of an incomplete mission I could only growl.

“Fine, let’s go.”

Ghosts’s POV

I had seen the short man run in, and before he went further inside I took him out by simply hitting his head with the back of my gun, sending him to the ground quite knocked out. I went back for Soap, and ordered him to run towards the boat and get it started. So I could have time to grab any information that was on this man, then leave on our way back. But when I came back to the man, he was gone. And an instant thought kicked in,

‘Melione.’

My heart skipped a beat at not knowing where either of them where, but that’s when I heard Alejandro come through my comms in a panicked tone,

‘Melione’s disconnected! Where is she-

And through his voice I also heard, what sounded like a large knife, sliding out of its pocket. I then responded calmly,

“I have her, don’t worry.”

Slowly, I then made my way towards where I heard the sound, and in the darkest corner of the room, I saw her. Hovering over the man, with the glimmering knife, in her right hand. I swallowed hard, feeling like this sight felt familiar.. and it was… I saw myself in her. But I still, remember our explicit order,

‘don’t kill anyone.’

So I carefully, to not startle her, I said.

“Don’t do it Lieutenant, and that’s an order.”

Melione’s POV

I heard his words sink in like a dangerous warning,and yet I still inched closer to him, raising my knife slowly higher. My adrenaline rushed higher by the passing second and by the centimeters I got even closer, and in a whisper I begged,

“I just want... a taste.”

Damn right I did, a taste of what it felt like to bloodshed. Bloodshed the wicked, take away the breath of a man that thrived to do the same, but to the innocent. I could only see the images of my lifeless husband and baby boy as I grew, lastly, only one, single inch away from him. And this man was completely unknown to my presence lurking behind him, hungry to take his soul, which gave me the complete advantage to snatch it away. I sucked a deep breath in and raised it above his head, ready to strike, but it never came. I felt a strong grip on my wrist, and a low sigh escape into the silence, I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was, I God damn knew it was Ghost. I felt him lower his head towards my ear, as he whispered harshly,

“If you move me, it’ll be the last thing you do Melione... let’s go.”

And with that he jerked me away from the man and ushered me to follow him as he still held onto my wrist tightly. I could feel tears beginning to brim in my eyes, not cause of the pain Ghost was causing me, but because I couldn’t do what I wanted. They were angry tears.

‘How fucking dare you... how fucking.. dare you.’

And only because Ghost was way larger than me, and from what I saw and heard, he was absolutely more experienced and quicker in fighting and killing.. I’d be dead even before I thought about making a move on him. So trying to get my way through him, would be highly impossible. That too made me angry. Soon we quietly made it out of the house, and began to run toward the boat and escape just in time before anyone arrived to the seen. I stood next to Soap, but I watched Ghost, and he looked pissed off, but distant. He’d side-eye me to check I was still there and ok, but that was it. He was definitely pissed off, and probably going to report what I did to Laswell and Price.

Ghost’s POV

Never in my life had I been so scared of a woman. The way she looked at that man with such a desire... to take his life, was something I had never seen before. I maybe looked like that when I craved the same... scary, horrifying. What was the only thing saving her right now, was the fact that she for some reason respected my word, and never stepped over me. If not, she probably would’ve taken out the whole place. I didn’t understand her anger, it was so raged and hateful, what once was a candle was now a blaze. When I glanced a few times at her, I could see her glossy eyes look ahead, but those tears weren’t sad tears... fuck no. I knew I pissed her off. But she couldn’t kill him, we were given specific orders by General Shepherd to not engage that way. Though, I was upset as well... I’d kill them all if I could too. So having to work around these men and not be able to terminate them, grew my curiousness on why.

‘Why can’t we terminate them as we go? As we always do. Why save them? What’s so important about there lives that we have to save them? Are they going to use them for something?’

Laswell’s POV

It was a few minutes ago that Ghost and Melione came back from her first mission. And from what I could tell, neither looked ok, if not quite pissed off. They sent each other deathly glares as they stood in front of each other, but on opposite sides of the mission table. Soap had tried to ask her if she was fine, but she only nodded curtly but while still staring at Ghost. I knew the tension was heavy, and I intended to know why. I walked in with Price, as I wanted to be reported on every part of this mission, and stood next to Ghost, feeling the anger radiating off his skin. I took a deep breath in as I went on to ask,

“Mission report?”

Melione changed the look in her eyes as she waited for Ghost to speak up first, like if he had something important to say. I turned to Ghost and awaited it. He slowly looked down from staring at Melione and replied,

“Things took a turn, we couldn’t see Hassan... but he’s willing to see her again, in Mexico.”

‘Things took a turn?’

“What do you mean things took a turn?”

Price then spoke up and said with an upset tone,

“Graves was attacked and his gun rang out.. it was a slip up that caused the problem.”

Melione scoffed with unbelief,

“It was him? How did he not see it coming? I almost had him there!”

Price lifted his hand toward her to signal that she needed to calm down, she only sighed and shook her head.

“that slip up was close Captain-“

“-It was not a slip up on purpose soldier. My gunshot hit his door and that’s why made him leave.”

And there finally entered Graves, who came in awfully later. Because he was checked up by medical staff.

But didn’t even take a step in more when Melione launched herself at him and seethed,

“Not a slip up? You mean shooting his car door wasn’t a slip up!?”

“I was attacked ok?! And my rifle went out!!! Mistakes happen soldier!!”

She stood tall in front of him as she bit back with clenched teeth,

“It’s Lieutenant... and for these missions, there shouldn’t be mistakes... ever. I almost had him and you took him away!”

Graves was breathing heavily in front of her, and I could see how angry he and she was. I didn’t understand why he slipped up, he should’ve kept an eye out everywhere, to avoid these things. Ghost’s voice then broke through as he questioned with an irritated tone,

“You’re the one that shot the fuckin’ car door Graves? That could’ve cost us everything, if not they could’ve killed Melione on the spot, thinking she was a part of your ‘mistake’.”

Graves clicked his tongue at Ghost and turned back to Melione as he asked unbothered,

“Did he tell you anything else besides him going to Mexico?”

She took a quick step away from him and gaps softly,

“I never said anything about Mexico.”

Graves eyes went wide for a second but then he cleared his throat,

“But he did tell you something… didn’t he?”

Melione looked at Ghost for a second then replied,

“he did. But he said it in my ear on the side that didn’t have the comm… so how’d you know-“

“-that’s not important. I know a lot more than you do ok.”

Ghost rocked on his heels as he watched the interaction go down, and Soap looked curious. Price was taking into note everything that was being said, and so was I. Nothing made sense, but it all did at once.

Price then walked up to Melione and asked,

“did he say anything else?”

Her eyes went on his as she replied seriously,

“No. Why?”

Graves stepped closer to her and mockingly said,

“He’s just asking... maybe even a word or code? Something to know how and where to meet him exactly? Or are you not trusting us enough to say that too.”

I then saw her change in demeanor, which went from pissed to defensive. And so did I.

‘Why’s he questioning her... when she already told him no?’

But before she could say anything, I wanted to step in and settle it, but Alejandro beat me to it.

“She said no, Graves. She’ll be getting more information once she sees him in Mexico... we’re recording everything that’s happening, we’re not missing anything.”

Graves took a look at Alejandro and huffed at his words,

“You bring in a random girl and expect us to trust her-“

“And you expect me trust you? Slipping up is going to be a flaw that’ll get you killed in the end, soldier.”

And with that Melione pushed past by him, bumping his shoulder harshly, to make a point on her anger. He wanted to go after her but Ghost and Soap stood in his way, not letting him go. Laswell went after her, as I spoke to my team quite seriously.

“Listen boys, that was a close call. And to make you aware, she is trusting. Please, don’t screw this up, she’s our only chance to get close. Soap, try to talk her down.. please. And as for you Graves, keep some distance. Dismissed.”

Melione’s POV

Laswell tried to talk me to calming down as she went on,

“Listen Meli, I know there was a mistake today-“

I spun on my heel to face her as I lifted my finger to interrupt,

“-That, was no fucking mistake. I know it wasn’t. I want to believe it wasn’t.”

Laswell shook her head with a shrug, and questioned.

“What are you talking about? Then why are you mad?”

I so badly wanted to say what was on my mind, but as it was... I appeared crazy and a little outcast from them, I didn’t want to make it worse. So instead, of saying what I really wanted to, I simply warned her,

“Be careful with who you trust... those closest to you, can hurt you the most Laswell.”

And with that, I walked out. Still letting my mind swirl around in circles with what I thought.

‘Ughh... I know that wasn’t a fucking miss… it sounded like a signal. A signal for Hassan to get out of there before I caught him. The only thing is… why?’

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crookedherringcolorclod · 6 months ago

Text

Rejection over coffee? How cold. (Asa’s Pride Month Oneshot🏳️‍🌈!)

A/N: Hi guys! It’s been a while hasn’t it? Lost of stuff happened and I just kept on adding to the story just to make sure it was coherent. Other than that I’m kinda glad about how this oneshot turned out. I hope I did it justice since Asa should be the first oneshot because I seldom see AroAce rep in media.

“Thank you for accepting my invitation, Miss Sakamaki.”

The young lady walking by his side gave him a curt nod in response, stray blonde curls escaping from the small bun she tied on their way to the cafe, framing her face, “There is no need to thank me. You offered and I accepted your invitation.” He could not help but chuckle at her response, already familiar with how blunt she can still be, even after work. “It seems so. There is a coffee shop I’ve been going to frequently. Their coffee has a unique aroma that you might enjoy.” He ponders to her, taking her silence to continue talking.

She stops in her tracks. He almost didn’t notice. Just barely.

“Since when?” she asks, closing the distance between them.

He had already halted in place, breathing in the cold air and her much colder and authoritative tone, “A month, the café is thirty years old, it sits in an idle street, and they have few regulars.” The report left his lips easily, a practiced routine he has grown accustomed to when working with her. “How many of them are there?” she asks again, tilting her head to the side, not breaking her gaze on his face. “Seven, most of them are adults. They all arrive at the café at separate times. Only early to late noon.” He continues, ending his report with a sigh, the tension in his shoulders dropping.

She looks up at him, craning her long neck just to continue pinning him under her gaze.

“So, they close early,” she remarks.

He already knows that she never looks to him for reassurance or comfort on the matter. n all the years they stood together, she never faltered, always carrying herself with ease, leaving no invitation for vulnerability. Solace was never something she looked for, not from him, at least. Or anyone, if he lets himself ponder further in the matter.

“Yes, that’s right. Shall we?” He averts his eyes from hers, feels as if he lets himself gape at her face any longer, his slow heart will race through his years.

It comes as no surprise to him or anyone in the Demon World or even the Human World for any matter, that Asa Sakamaki is beautiful, truly. The elegant kind that he would associate with classical paintings in museums he would visit, the kind of beauty he finds so lovely that it leaves him with almost nothing to say nor comprehend in his head.

All of this, yet he would not dare to say out loud or even attempt to preserve in paper and ink.

Whenever he tried, he would find himself faltering, just barely at the edge of risking it all.

He was afraid and still is. There was too much to lose.

It was his duty to report to her, to lend his hand in the most important, yet often overlooked task of ensuring that vampires remain a myth to the humans forever.

To discard any traces left by their fellow kind, reckless as they are. Leaving any indication of their existence unattended for anyone with a brain to piece together.

He had sworn to her all those years ago and had intended to keep his promise, not letting a single piece of information slip from his grasp no matter how insignificant it seemed, to sort and sift one report at a time, as accurately as possible, to be laid out before her eyes to study.

He would have given Asa Sakamaki anything if she had asked.

Yet she had never asked for his heart. Nor his affections.

And yet, it’s still with her.

His heart leaps as a smile graces her face, a rare sight for him. “Lead the way.”

“You look rather anxious, are you alright?”

“No, I’m quite alright. Again, thank you for accompanying me, Miss Sakamaki.” he lied, he was nervous and surprised at both his ability to muster up the courage to invite his colleague over for drinks at a small café sparse of people and the fact that she even accepted his offer was something he would have never expected from her considering the amount of time she would dedicate to her work despite his efforts on aiding her on any of the smaller tasks. “I see, the pleasure is mine. If anything, I should be thanking you for inviting me since I seldom give myself the time to not work in the first place.”

A quiet laugh left his parted lips, taken aback by her unexpected quip. “Yes, I suppose you should, shouldn’t you?” he continued to chuckle until he coughed into his hand, attempting to compose himself before her. “Would you like something to eat, maybe drink first? I’ve had coffee here before and I enjoyed it ever since.” she nodded at his offer, “If you say so it must be right. I’ll just have coffee for now, thank you.”

He gave her a nod before standing up on his feet to give their orders to the young man behind the counter. “Yes, I’ll just have that, thank you. My companion and I will just have our orders over there.” The vampire points over to where Asa sits, face curtained by gold curls as she looks on by the window.

Curious, the young man followed who he had pointed to, and his brows raised. The young man remained quiet, speaking only to tell him that his order would be delivered in twenty minutes or less, much to the vampire’s relief. How he wished he had something to anchor himself as he found his way back to her, just a seat across from hers.

“Miss Sakamaki, Asa,” His voice hitches when he lets himself use her given name, “I have come to know you for a long time. We have worked together ever since you arrived in Japan,” under the Vampire King’s wing, he added in his head, though he could not find it in himself to bring it up to her, she would have motioned him to stop otherwise.

Or worse, she would have glared at him to silence.

Any vampire smart enough would have guessed why family is a sore subject for any Sakamaki.

Instead, he simply resorted to folding his hands together as his eyes met her’s again.

“Yes, we have, your support is and always has been appreciated,” she confirmed, her gaze now completely fixed on him, still polite and elegant with her hands neatly folded together. “Tell me, is there anything weighing in your mind?” she asks again, concerned, so easily he had to steel himself from impact. He let in a short breath before continuing, “I… I’m sure that you would have guessed that I have thought highly of you over the decades. I admire you more than I could possibly say…”

Her brow raised, then furrowed in confusion, “Hm?”

Although vampires have a pulse, it is weak, a stagnant river in comparison to the overflowing stream in a human’s veins, yet he felt like he was caught upstream, his eyes squeezed shut, close to drowning in his thoughts before he could tell her that-

“Sakamaki Asa, I wish to court you, if you would have me.”

The words left his lips before he could ever hope to take any of them back, the dam had already broken, spilling his affection and admiration like cards laid out for her to decide whatever she may do with it.

“This… Is this so?”

Her question rings in the café’s tranquil atmosphere, hushed by the blood rushing to his face.

Ringing in his head.

He tries to quell his dread, force his eyes to open, and look at her. It was the least she deserved, what he could offer after placing her into this predicament. Grasping onto hope that she never felt pressured or even obligated to say yes to him.

Yet here she was, still seated across from him, hands neatly clasped together, light sapphire eyes widened ever so slightly. Her cheeks did not flush red or pink, retaining their pale smooth surface since they stepped foot in the café, mush to his dismay. He fears that he won’t even receive a reply to give his heart any closure.

“I see…”

She pauses for a moment, leaving him waiting with bated breath.

“I cannot accept.”

The words washed over him as quickly as they had left him there in shock. Deafening him to the world around him with nothing to anchor him back to the reality he lives in.

It was over, wasn’t it?

And so quickly too.

Maybe he shouldn't have told her.

How can he go to work the next day?

“…na… ta”

“…Hi…ta”

“Two coffees for Hinata Watanabe, correct?”

“Hinata’s” eyes darted toward the source of the voice calling for him, a waitress standing over him, and Asa, with eyes narrowed in his direction. “Yes, that’s right, my apologies. The black coffee is for me, espresso for her.” “Hinata” bows lightly, embarrassment washing over him, she must have called him several times, forced to hold a flimsy tray and their drinks as he spaces off.

He's such an idiot.

As he takes a sip, thankful that his brew was not hot enough to burn the roof of his mouth, he finds himself unsure of what to do to the new silence washing over them. Should he have pressed further as to why she could not accept? Was it better to leave his questions unfinished and let himself guess as to why he could not have a chance even to court Asa?

Was it because Karlheinz, king of the Demon World would not have his firstborn niece marry a man who was barely even considered high-middle class?

“Miss Asa?”

“Yes?”

Hinata felt as if someone stuffed his mouth with cotton, “May I take a leave? For work, that is.”

Asa looked up from her coffee, to look at him, mildly surprised at his sudden request, “… you never asked for any days off…”

He knows, he never did give himself any rest from her work, but neither did she. Hinata didn’t want to bear the weight of their work all on her own. Guilt swallows Hinata’s mind as he steels his resolve, “I just need to clear my mind, Miss Asa. I hope you understand…”

Silence envelopes both vampires, leaving the sound of coffee brewing and utensils clinking together as other customers lounge in their seats.

Her lips pursed together in a thin line. “I understand…”

“… I’ll be fine take care of your part of the work. So rest assured.”

Hinata could only give her a bitter smile in return, “I’m sorry…”

Asa’s pale hand finds his, grazing his skin with her feathery touch, “Don’t be, I should be thanking you for… this… for everything.”

Looking down at her hand on his, Hinata finds a sense of relief in this small gesture, letting himself close his eyes for a moment before he raises her hand to his lips. He counts his luck when he noticed she never pulled her hand away from him and his affections that he will need to bury deep in his heart.

“Don’t push yourself, Miss Asa.”

Hinata smiles into her skin and lets her go.

“Your eldest sister might become a spinster at this rate, don’t you think?”

Amaya lets out a huff at the fedora-clad vampire, “Oh that’s just rich coming from you, Laito. No, no, it’s not like everyone in the manor can smell at least five different girls on you every night, no, no, that’s definitely not the case.” she waves her hand around as if to prove her point as Ayato lets out a laugh at her unexpected comment, much to Laito’s dismay. “Ayato-kun, don’t laugh, aren’t you supposed to defend your brother? How can you let her say that to your own flesh and blood?” Laito lets out a dramatic whine when his triplet swats his hand away, “Tch, I ain’t defending you for shit.” Ayato snarks back, still snickering at Amaya’s quip. “Hehehe, The Grudge over there can actually come up with something funny for once. Ore-sama can give her respect for that.”

“Tch, as if you can come up with anything better.” Subaru scowled under his breath and roll his eyes at his older brothers, but decided to save the bickering for the moment, “So you haven’t seen Asa lately?” he asks Amaya, she frowns at his question, slumping back into the old velvet of the sofa, one of the oldest pieces of furniture in the manor he has yet break in a rage, if he remembered what Reiji told him.

“Well, I do see her, just not as often lately. Busy with work and all.” Amaya pondered carefully, twirling her inky strands between her fingers, “I don’t know how to describe it, other than telling you she has been acting kinda off.” Amaya pauses, tugging at a lock of hair, “Akemi even agrees with me, so I’m not alone on this!” she adds quickly, still doubtful of her limited observations. Ayato scoffs at her, “Hah? Crazy Eyes has alway acted like that, hasn’t she?” He counters, “I’m telling you, she needs some guy to remove that stick up her ass-“

“Anything else you want to add, Ayato?”

The red-haired vampire turns to the sound of a new voice behind him, his green catlike eyes meeting her sapphire blue’s, flickering like embers, waiting to catch fire. Laito lights up at the sight of the blonde, “Relio, isn’t this a lovely surprise? Feel like joining us for a chat?” He purrs, letting his hands slowly trail down to his lap, petting it, “Come sit right here, wont you? I promise I’ll behave.” He coaxes her softly, ignoring Subaru glaring daggers at the back of his head, his fists clenching as his nails dig into the fabric of his seat. “No, in fact, I was just passing by to go to Asa’s room, if you would excuse me, Laito.” Akemi huffed in response, glaring at the fedora-clad vampire before walking her way up the stairs.

“Akemi!”

Taken aback, Akemi halts in her step to find her youngest sister calling after her. “Are you going to try and ask Asa what going on?” Amaya asks, the concern in her voice apparent to her. Akemi’s gaze softens, “I’ll go try and talk to her, I’ll see you at dinner, okay?” she gives her sister a smile, hoping that would be enough to reassure Amaya who only nodded in return.

Making her way up the hallways she had long memorized in the back of her mind, Akemi knocks on her sister’s door.

“Asa, are you there? I need to talk to you.”

No one answers. Akemi knocks again. Harder.

‘How odd’ ,Akemi swears she can feel Asa’s presence behind the door. That and there is warm light pooling out of the door’s gaps. Most likely from her ancient study lamp that seems to run on the power of the sun. It burns like the sun too, considering she had touched it once when she would lounge at her sister’s room on any other uneventful day.

“Even if you’re not going to answer me, I’m coming inside!” Akemi hollered, her hand reaching for the knob, waiting, giving her sister one more chance to at least respond to her call.

A faint but very familiar voice replies from the door between them, “Just mind your step”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Opening the door, Akemi is greeted with an unexpected surprise. Something Akemi would have never guessed her sister be so capable of as she makes her way in the dimly lit room, the desk lamp being the only source of light, still burning bright enough for her eye to see.

Her sister’s room is a complete mess.

“Well, would you look at that, did a hurricane hit your room? Care to tell me, sister dear?” Akemi let out a short laugh at the absurd situation she find herself in, bending down to pick up the papers strewn about on the floor, fluttering about as if they’re butterflies in the wind that takes them everywhere but her sister’s desk. “Trying to channel your inner Hamilton?” She jokes, inspecting the sheets of paper covered in her sister’s sharp writing.

“I’m busy.” Asa answers curtly, returning to the parchment in her ink-stained hands, haphazardly grabbing random pen strewn across her desk. “Leave those papers be, I’ll handle them in a bit. I’m just about done here. Only one more left” She adds immediately after hearing the shuffling of files behind her back to see Akemi placing them on her bed, on top of her blankets.

“Alright, alright, don’t point your pen at me. I’m wearing the dress I just bought a week ago.” Akemi raises her hands in mock defeat, letting the papers fall from the covers, slithering down to the floor again. “You were never this busy, Amaya is getting worried.” she could hear the scratching of the pen halt, finally getting Asa’s attention again. Bringing up their youngest sister never failed in stopping either of them in their tracks. “Japan may be smaller than Europe but don’t you think it’s too much? Didn’t Uncle hired Hinata to help you?”

Asa tenses at her sister’s words. “He requested for a temporary leave. Something personal.”

“That’s it? Just like that?” Akemi asks, “He left with no reason?” Her eyes narrowed, clearly suspicious of the eldest’s evasiveness , “Can’t even come up with a reason why?”

“Its the truth.”

Sighing, Akemi grabbing a stool from the vanity, plopping both the stool and herself right next to her eldest sister. ”Did he confess to you already?” She asks, not caring if it was wrong or not. Akemi normally would make a game of prying the truth out of anybody, yet in all honesty, she was already tired of dancing around with questions when her sister is throwing herself back in work in whatever underworld she has created herself.

Taken aback, Asa turns to her, “You knew?”

“I have eyes.” Akemi chuckled, finding some humor in her sister’s obliviousness. “Thought he’d never tell you, considering you worked together and all. Would have been awkward” she adds, much to Asa’s dismay. What a predicament her sister found herself in, Akemi would’ve never though she’d see the day.

Asa let out a deep sigh, pinching the skin between her brows at “I never knew… How was I supposed to have known he…” she murmurs to herself, her head collapsing into her table with a soft thud, “How did this even happen?”

“Did you love him?” Akemi asks, nudging her shoulder, already having her fill of fun at her sister’s expense, “In a way you wanted to be intimate with him?” Asa raises her head from her desk, looking more lost than Akemi had expected. An unusual sight for her.

“I… I don’t feel the same way…”

Akemi raises her brow. Clearly confused and unsure who she could possibly do to help.

Maybe it wouldn't hurt to try another question, maybe a few, “You never loved anyone? Kissed? Anything?” Akemi asks again, and again, knowing she can at least name a handful she had loved and lost to time. Mortality was cruel, and longevity is another kind of hell humans strive for.

Didn’t matter, the way most of those loves ended were her fault anyway.

But what about her older sister? What about the people she loved that Akemi and Amaya never got to know? Before they were given another chance to start over together?

Asa shakes her head, “No, no one.”

Oh.

“I once thought that perhaps I might pursue that kind of love, when I would finally stop focusing on surviving until tomorrow… I thought I might want settle down like how our mother and father did.” Asa groaned, running her hand down to her face. “But I didn’t, I had no desire for it. It’s been years, Aurelia. Decades.” she continued, letting out a deep sigh as she faces Akemi, “I don't think I’ll ever understand it… perhaps I’ll never understand.”

Blinking back her shock, Akemi looks at Asa in awe, surprised by her words. Acts of vulnerability or any stories of when they were separated were never shared. Too much pain under the ugly scars long mended with time buried deep down to their bones. Yet here Akemi was, sitting next to her sister as she let herself open up to her.

“I… I don't think there’s anything wrong with feeling that way…” Akemi voices out, still unsure of what she could even say. “Look at me, most of the men who ogle me on the streets are complete crap. Following me, asking me to drink with them, you're not exactly missing out on anything.”

Bursts of quick laughter left Asa’s lips, leaving a breathy and pitched sound in the air.

“Maybe so…” Asa smiles, feeling a bit of weight leave her shoulders. “It’s just that, Hinata… I’m mostly worried for him,.” she winces at the memory, remembering the aroma of coffee wafting over her nose. “I was never as good with my words like you or Amaya.”

“I’m sure he’ll understand… maybe I might have to help you when his leave is over-“

A knock on the door interrupts the two sisters before it was open slightly ajar, revealing Reiji. “Asa, do come downstairs to help me set up the table in approximately fifteen minutes. Dinner will start shortly.” He states cooly, looking over at the pair of blond vampires staring back at him as if he intturupted their conversation. Although he did, both of them would not tel hm otherwise. “Ah yes, and Akemi, fold and sort the laundry downstairs as I have washed them yesterday. Make sure to bring clean clothes back upstairs in their respective rooms.”

Rolling her eyes, Akemi stands from her seat, “Guess we can try to come up with something later. Want to talk after dinner?”

Asa gives her smile, it reaches her eyes “Of course.”

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lenievi · 2 years ago

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snw #9 (rewatch)

- hmmmmmmmmmmmmm La’an said she was with Dr. Sanchez, a headshrinker... is it the same Dr. Sanchez that was in TOS or is it just a name coincidence again (like Mitchell + Mitchell - even though we don’t know if that is just “a same name no relation” yet). Like Kyle is there now and will be in TOS too [like there’s nothing wrong with having same names, because people have same names without any relations, but it’s fiction].

- I still hate that they made Sam Kirk be the one insulting Spock (I mean as long as they also make it a thing with Jim Kirk at least once or twice in snw, then I’ll take it back, but if they ignore that Kirk was all “Will you try for one moment to feel? At least act like you've got a heart.” in WNMHGB then like it’s just erasing so much from their relationship) [I just want them to respect that Kirk wasn’t always respectful towards Spock; he did not understand Spock from the get go; sure he was impressed, he was intrigued, they bonded over loyalty, duty, mutual admiration, and chess, but Kirk was not 100% respectful until the very end. Still funny that their last conversation ever ended with Spock being “don’t be insulting” because Kirk called him human.]

- ah, okay, it was not just Hemmer’s death that affected Spock. It was Duke’s, too, and his own helplessness, then lowering his shields and then not being able to get them up again. I wonder if that will still continue in s2 (would probably explain a few things in the trailers). Kinda feels like they aim to completely break Spock, in order for him to become tos!Spock, but I feel like they forgot that Spock was still quite emotional at the beginning of s1 - smiling and shouting, still being quite violent etc. But we’ll see, maybe it’ll track. The thing is... Spock had a breakdown in Discovery, Kirk’s 5ym led him to Gol to purge his emotions*, and now they want to break him in order to make him less emotional... it just feels a bit too excessive

I guess this post is still very relevant...

* maybe that’s why they made it a point that it’s something all Vulcans do, so it doesn’t feel like Spock had a breakdown and decided to purge his emotions because of that, but rather as the next step on his path to being a Vulcan because that’s what Vulcans do (maybe that was always what it was supposed to be, but the fandom (novels included) made it appear to be something different idk, like I said, I haven’t seen TMP (and I ignore kolinahr when thinking about fics set in the movie era), but it always seemed like the general consensus was that Spock chose kolinahr because he couldn’t handle his emotions anymore...)

- I wish they showed more scenes between Spock and Hemmer. There was so much potential lost in s1, I feel, just because they focused too much on romance with Spock (again, as you could notice, I don’t mind the romance and I enjoy it, I just kind of don’t get why that was what they went with. I would also love to see more Pike and Spock’s scenes, because at this point they still just work with nostalgia and viewers knowing that they’re supposed to be close... but getting those scenes would just mean more Spock screen time, which is also not something I want, so it’s just ugh LMAO I mean as long as they keep any Spock and Kirk’s scenes also this shallow, then it’s fine lol)

- SST has the next preview picture be of Kirk and I’d hate that so much if that was my first time watching. Season 2 seems to have just promo pictures rather than a screenshot from the episode, which is way better.

- I think I might watch episode 10 and then start season 2 today too, but we’ll see.

I do kind of nitpick and have thoughts lol but I genuinely enjoy SNW and am curious where some of the stuff will lead

#snw nonsense #i just feel they should stop focusing on spock :D

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emoshep · 6 months ago

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thoughts on dawntrail thus far

(BIG SPOILER WARNING, BIG OL' LATE GAME SPOILERS BENEATH THE BREAK)

wuk lamat fucking dies.

just kidding.

i'll try my best to sort my thoughts on the expansion into different areas. i'm not a master of the game by any means and i don't often do in-depth stuff on media i like (i'm very much a "enjoy it for what it is" type most of the time) but i'll give the ol' college try. let's rock.

STORY

i like it for the most part. fun stuff. the first arc that focuses on the contest for dawnservant is fun and light-hearted but also has moments of emotion and growth for wuk lamat and koana. some don't like the focus on wuk lamat and koana but i enjoyed it, it kinda felt like the scions and i were guiding some budding heroes on their first grand adventure, one more grounded in a more believable goal, a nice change of pace from the universe-ending emotional climax that was endwalker.

it's great and cute and i love both main characters BUT... the contest. there wasn't much sense of rivalry or real competition between the candidates. this is a point that i think the story kinda missed. i mean, i like that wuk lamat and koana get along well and it makes sense that they'd work well together, but in the days before release we did get some hype about how "the scions would be divided" and yada yada yada. the only real moment i caught that vibe with was in the first dungeon when thancred goes "lol fuck y'all" and cuts off your way forward, forcing you to take a longer path.

like, we know the scions would never actually become foes after all they've been through together but i was hooked on the competitive aspect so... y'know... i was kinda looking forward to the rivalry and maybe a chance of fighting thancred and urianger? like the friendly duel we had with gulool ja ja. that'd be fun, i think. just me though, so maybe it's wishful thinking.

edit: i literally forgot about bakool ja ja while writing this initial post. lol, get rekt scrub. i guess he's fine where he's at in the end but boy howdy he took up ZERO space in my head.

i did like the cowboy stuff up in xak tural, that was fun, though to me it did feel like filler. but i like the characters involved so, it's filler i can live with.

it would've been nice to not have a world ending threat over the horizon to worry about so we could have our little beach episode in peace. nice lil summer vacay, twenty minute adventure morty, in and out. i think the turn toward alexandria would've been better left for later.

for what it was, i did enjoy going through living memory and helping people fulfill hopes they never got a chance for in life. the scenes with cahciua had me feeling all the feels. at the same time, does this content belong in the "beach episode" expansion? why do all this right now and not later when many actually expected a new big story to begin?

that being said, the ending was fun and we got all the payoff we needed. everyone gets along and eats tacos together now, it's nice. however i do feel there is a loose thread with alexandrians' regulators and extra souls. like, we're gonna do something about those, right? like, anything at all? even if it's just a "we'll get to it later," just say anything at all to wrap that point up and move on. maybe that's just a me thing.

overall, it's final fantasy so of course it was a fun story and i liked it anyway. can't wait for the stuff that comes next.

BATTLE CONTENT

fucking nuts, loved it.

doing dungeons with npcs is normal and expected but i was scared that all of the trials would be doable with duty support, which i think would've taken away from the experience for the last trial. i always get nervous in duty finder even after a couple years of playing the game, so i like the first trial being available for support like a nice warmup but i've come to appreciate how playing with others for the final final boss keeps me on my toes. i only went down once on the last story trial, and i would have played much worse had i had the leniency of a party that can't yell at me for sucking at the game.

there was one dungeon boss (i think it was the final boss in vanguard?) that i found disappointing. i'm mega casual so i'm normally not one for high difficulty but that boss was so piss fucking easy it was laughable.

all other battle content though? sick af, really had me on the edge of my seat.

IDK, GEAR?

gear looks cool, not much else to say there. reaper gear looks fuckin GORGEOUS on my bungirl main.

CLOSING

that's about all i got for now. perhaps i'll add more if i think of it later but i'll leave it here for now. thanks for your time if you read through and do remember, these are just my thoughts and it's totally chill to not think the same (if that's the case you're more than welcome to share your thoughts with me). this has been a good expansion, just as we expected it would be.

#dawntrail spoilers #ffxiv spoilers

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thaywrites · 1 year ago

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heyyyyy, GEBF here! sorry, i got swamped by irl commitments, but im finally hereeee again! how has your break been, bestie? also i just wanted to ask you about your favorite muse(s) so far. is there any character you're currently all about? are they in their main character era in your head?

that's completely understandable with the holidays and all, but nice to hear from you again, GEBF! and oh, it's been both amazing and busy all at once but I'm just glad to be able to rest and spend time with my family. hmmmm so I have like a loooot of muses lol bc I'm always coming up with new ideas and love to build characters and stories and worlds. I adore all of them but there are some that I just feel more musey when writing bc they live in my head 24/7 rent free. so here are some of them:

aurora "rory" cohen ( victoria pedretti fc ): rory's a character that came to me when i got back into the rpc and she has been my baby since. she's a baker and pretty much, all sunshine and honey and freshly baked cookies. she's kind of a celebrity in her hometown, since she's the mayor's daughter from a small town, and kinda loves it bc she loves to get to know new people. she also just tends to talk too much. her family fell apart a couple years back bc daddy cheated and the whole town was all over it and then her first love broke her heart so she's currently in her healing era, living with her pitbull and trying to get her own bakery up n running.

adrien zahir ( avan jogia fc ): adrien is a muse i've had for yeaaars and i never get tired of writing him. he's a guitar player in the kinda famous rock band loudmouth ( and i write all the band members too ) and basically his background is that he was kicked out of his family by an overly religious father who hated the fact his only son was queer. so he found himself a new family instead. he went through many revamps and as of his latest one, he went from a sex crazed, addicted, alcoholic, messy rockstar to a soon-to-be daddy, pretty much married, recovered and decent human being. he's still loud, brazen, flamboyant and that's why we love him sm.

theodore becker ( andrew garfield fc ): theo is my broadway star. well, currently on a break. so he's basically a sweetheart broadway actor who was head over heels in love with the man of his dreams and he thought it was time to take things to the next level. he proposed, got a no for an answer and decided he needed some time away from new york, so he moved back home to help his dads out with their small business. he's pretty much a goof, big musical theater nerd, and just has a lot of love to give. i adore him sm.

alev özberk ( alperen duymaz fc ): poor man's version of clyde from the infamous duo bonnie and clyde. his bonnie is written by a friend of mine and we just have sm fun with those two. alev is my badboy, he's been part of a gang and has done some pretty hefty stuff in his life. he's a burglar, a liar, a drug dealer and all around a shitty person. but he's honestly so much fun to write bc he's always getting up to something and honestly, i miss him sm.

bowie monroe ( sophie thatcher / kiana madeira fc ): my little delinquent redneck enby babygirl. so their background is super messed up, mommy was a groupie that partied too much and didn't care about her motherly duties, so bowie was left at the cares of their older siblings (all half, all from different fathers) and was raised by them. they grew to be pretty pissed off at everything and everyone but they do try to be on a good behavior for the sake of their siblings, which is hard considering the friends bowie usually keeps by her side. she also has a pet lizard she's very fond of.

there's like so many others i could add to this list but i wanted to keep it on the shorter side lol

#rphservergifts #answered.#accidentally posted it without finishing omg

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a-tiny-frog-girl · 2 years ago

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do u have any more borrower head cannons? like maybe abt animals or something?

I HAVE SO MANY YOU DONT EVEN KNOW!! Thank you for the ask my beloved! mwah!

okay so I already talked about crows in my original borrower hc post but DID YOU KNOW that crows can learn and adapt to what their friends want based on their reaction??

so a crow that notices a borrower get visibly excited at food or something and suddenly the borrower has a pile of that stuff every other day waiting for them

ALSO animal's parental instincts!!! A borrower is found by a cat that just had kittens? Oh, one of my babies must have gotten loose better take em back to the den and clean em

Chicken who just hatched a brood of chicks? Puts the borrower with the eggs and sits back down. Borrower is not cold anymore but they are also very stuck in the nest

some borrowers getting lost as a kid and growing up with stray dogs/cats??? Feral borrower babey with big animal siblings!!!!

HOW TO TRAIN A DRAGON BUT THE PEOPLE ARE BORROWERS AND THE DRAGONS ARE CATS????? SO CUTE AAAAAA

A stray animal has a litter and ditches the runt who hides in the borrower's tunnel, borrower finds them and raises them!!!!

extra points if it's a big animal that starts off really small and the borrower maybe doesn't know what it is

imagine a borrower teaching a baby bunny how to hop!!!! my heart!!!

what if borrower farmers??? they keep a little garden and shear rabbits for their fluff!!

also imagine a borrower that is scared TERRIFIED of big animals but somehow ends up befriending like a house cat

kitty is so fluffy and makes distractions for the borrower!! the first time the kitty catches a mouse and tries to feed it to the borrower might be a little traumatizing tho

pets in a human home that discover the borrower and decide they're best friends now??? now the borrower has to come out for cuddles every night or the pet will come whine at one of the tunnel entrances and maybe even carry them around when they finally come out

borrowers with pets!! they can either be ultra useful and help the borrower survive or the borrower could be a lil soft and have a lil dumbass bug following them around all the time

scenario: borrower is on a midnight borrowing trip and currently in the middle of crossing the floor. The human is half awake needs a quick drink of water and goes into the kitchen only to see a lil tiny thing moving and just. stands and stares. Borrower notices and freezes, scared out of their mind. Dog trots up, picks the borrower up by their collar and brings them to the dog bed where they curl up around them. Human rubs their eyes and goes damn I just hallucinated my dog's toy moving and goes back to bed. Many pets for doggo!

Cat who has decided a borrower is family and has a litter of kittens and wants a break, so goes and fetches the borrower and plops them in the nest and leaves them to babysitting duty

kinda off topic but ANIMALISTIC BORROWERS >>>>>>>>

Borrowers with cat or mouse ears!! Borrowers that purr!! Borrowers with pupils like cat's eyes!!!!!! TERRIFYING GLOWING BORROWER EYES IN THE DARK!!!!!

house borrowers who have to leave and live in the woods and learn from the animals!

as always, my hcs are free to use! I'd love it if you credit me, but you don't need to! I hope you like my little rants!

#froggy speaks #borrowers #g/t #gt community #g/t headcanons #sfw gt #answered asks

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blue-jade · 3 years ago

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duty before love (i) | jeon jungkook

➛ pairing(s): king!jungkook x servant!reader, king!jungkook x queen!oc

➛ genre(s): angst, implied smut, historical au, royalty au

➛ summary: many people believed you were lucky to be given the task of baring the king’s heir, but they didn’t know the troubles and heartache that came along with it.

➛ warning(s): implied smut, mentions of infertility, forced infidelity, unrequited love, unhealthy/toxic relationships, the queen is a bitch and jungkook and the reader deserve better, forced pregnancy (kinda?), brief discussions of parenting styles, (that’s all I can really think of, please let me know if i missed anything)

➛ word count: 3,995 words

➛ author’s note: sorry everyone for taking so long to get something uploaded. i’ve been busy with finals and i’m finally on break so i should be able to get more stuff out now that i have more time. hope you enjoy this and please let me know what you all think of it.

masterlist

You didn’t recognize the woman in your reflection—she no longer appeared as a servant anymore, more like a lady of royalty. The simple servant uniform that has adorned your body for most of your life now laid across the ground, elegant royal robes replacing them.

“You look beautiful, my lady.”

Goosebumps formed along your skin at the title—your title.

“Thank you,” you said, eyes never leaving your reflection in the mirror as the female servant continued to help you with your wardrobe and performing any finishing touches that needed to be done.

Another servant suddenly approached your side, a smile spread on her lips as she delicately ran her hands across the expensive fabric of your robes. “His Majesty will surely be satisfied with you.”

Your chest tightened at her words.

“I think she’s ready, don’t you think?” The same female servant who complimented you asked the other one, getting a nod from them in return. “Would you like us to escort you to His Majesty’s chambers, my lady?”

You shook your head, “that will not be necessary. I know where His Majesty’s chambers are located. Thank you again girls for your help.”

The two girls bowed their heads at you in reply, keeping them down as you walked past them and made your way out of your chambers.

While walking down the narrow halls of the palace, hands clasped over each other and eyes trained forward, you couldn’t ignore the stares you were receiving from other passing servants and night guards, their sympathetic expressions burning into the center of your mind. They knew exactly why you, a servant girl dressed as royalty was doing in the palace at the dead of night.

You’re the one that’s going to bare the King’s heir—the one the Queen chose herself. Everybody in the palace has heard of you.

“My lady,” the other servants and guards would bow to you as you passed them. Even though their heads were down you could still feel their eyes trained on you, silently wondering how you, a mere nobody servant managed to rise up in the ranks to become a royal.

Some people pitied you, knowing that you were nothing but a vessel to the court, to the King and the Queen.

Some were jealous of you, wanting to be in your position, believing that if you impressed the King enough you could become one of his concubines—his first concubine. And if you’re lucky enough, maybe even become his second consort.

But the ones that have served the royal family since the young King took the throne, they knew that it was not possible. The Queen has always been the only woman in his heart—and nobody would change that.

Your thoughts came to halt when finally arriving at his Majesty’s chambers, your body freezing in front of the door, your knuckles brushing against the smooth yet hard surface. After a few seconds of hesitation you knocked softly against the door, a cold, stern voice speaking up on the other side. “Who’s there?”

“It’s servant—I mean, Lady ____, your Majesty.” Your voice stuttered and your head was slightly bowed even though he couldn’t see you.

There wasn’t any sound for a couple of seconds. You thought he was ignoring you—you knew that he wasn’t happy with this arrangement either. You were about to step away until the doors then suddenly opened abruptly, and there he stood. Jeon Jungkook, the king of the Jeon Kingdom and literally the most handsome man your eyes has ever laid on.

He didn’t look happy to see you. His cold, emotionless eyes staring down at you and his lips forming a straight line. He continued not to say anything, stepping aside to let you in and closing the door behind you. “So you’re the one that she chose?”

You bowed your head, saying, “yes, your Majesty.”

Suddenly you felt his hand on your chin, raising your head and forcing you to meet his cold gaze. You stayed silent and remained completely still, allowing him to do whatever he wanted—needed. His eyes scanned your figure while his other hand ran slowly and delicately down your body, starting at your shoulders then ending at your waist.

Your lips were sealed and body completely still, hands clenching onto the material of your robes. Even though his eyes held barely any emotion in them you could still see small hints of hesitation. And you knew why, because he didn’t want to do this either.

You could just tell from his heavy gaze that he was currently going through an inner battle within himself, and you couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in his mind.

“No, absolutely not!” Jungkook exclaimed, staring at his wife with complete disbelief as he paced around his chambers with her already in their bed, ready for sleep. “I will not bed another woman.”

“You can and you will,” his wife, Kim Seohyun said, voice stern and clear. “You must produce an heir and since I’m incapable of doing so that means another must bare your kin.”

Jungkook scoffed, shaking his head. “How can you be so calm about all of this? We’re married, we made vows—”

“Before we’re husband and wife, you’re the King and I’m the Queen.” Seohyun interrupts him, her serious facial expression never changing. “We married each other for the sake of our kingdoms, not because of love.”

That made Jungkook’s heart clench in his chest.

He did. The only reason he accepted their marriage was because of the love he had for her. When his parents first informed him of the marriage he agreed to instantly, his first thought not even being about his person or his kingdom, but the idea of being with the one person he has been in love with ever since they were children.

Seohyun sighed, noticing his frustrated look. “Listen, you can select the woman you want—”

“Absolutely not!” Jungkook exclaimed, practically seething at this point as he shook his head. “You can’t expect me to do that.”

“Then I’ll choose her myself,” she then says nonchalantly, making Jungkook stare at her with disbelief. “Now let’s go to bed.”

Jungkook couldn’t believe she was accepting this so easily. When they found out Seohyun was infertile, surprisingly he was more torn up about it than she was—having to accept the fact that he is unable to have children with the love of his life. He couldn’t believe that she was so calm when learning that, as if it was just some sort of minor inconvenience and not something major, life changing.

Jungkook climbed into bed without saying another word, glancing over at Seohyun, seeing her already laying down on her side with her eyes closed. He was debating on whether or not he should reach over and wrap his arms around her, like he did most nights. But he decided not to.

He just wanted this night to end, praying that this was all just a terrible nightmare and when he wakes up the next day everything will be back to normal again.

“—your Majesty?”

Your soft voice broke him out of his thoughts, shaking his head and bringing him back to reality, his eyes fell on you. The first thing he noticed was the concern glint shining in them. “Are you alright?”

You could feel the way his hands were slightly trembling against your arms, and the way his eyes were wide and breathing uneasy. You knew that this wasn’t easy for him—having to cheat on his wife, the woman he loves with all his heart, and sleep with another woman. “We don’t have to do this tonight. We can take our time—”

“No!” Jungkook immediately cut you off, his sudden change in tone startling you slightly, and when noticing that his eyes softened. “Forgive me, Lady ____. I just want to get this over with.”

You nodded your head understandingly.

Next thing you knew his hands were on your hips and was guiding you towards his bed.

That night there wasn’t any love or passion, with his lips molding against yours and the rough pace of his thrusts, he left you trembling underneath him, clawing at his back and legs wrapped around his waist, holding him close while crying out his name.

There wasn’t any foreplay, both of you eager to reach your releases and end the night.

You were the first to reach your climax, body shaking uncontrollably as you came around him, bring him to his own release, cumming deep into you with one last thrust and groan coming out of his mouth.

Jungkook was kind enough to let you stay, knowing that his wife was expecting him to stay with you as well. You two slept in silence, neither speaking a word to the other and the both of you slept with your backs facing each other.

That’s how the next two months went.

Once a week your two servants would dress you up in elegant clothing and send you over to Jungkook where you would spend the night with. The sex never changed—still rough and fast, the both of you only wanting your release and that’s it. Neither of you cared for or wanted foreplay, only to get through the night.

But that also didn’t mean you two didn’t care for one another—platonically. There would be some times where you two would lay in bed afterwards and chat with one another, sharing what hobbies you two enjoyed, where you originally came from, just about anything.

Even though your hearts didn’t belong to each other, that doesn’t mean you two can’t at least be friends.

“Congratulations, my lady, you’re pregnant.”

When hearing the physician say that, you could feel the heavy weight on your shoulders finally get lifted off. Turning to Jungkook who was beside you, you could see that he felt the same way too. “Congratulations, your Majesty,” you softly spoke, “you now have your heir.”

Jungkook grinned at you, eyes shining brightly. “You’re dismissed,” he then says to the physician who bows his head before leaving. “Thank you,” Jungkook mumbles lowly, his hand holding yours, “for this.”

“I’m just doing my duty, your Majesty.”

Silence then filled the room for a few seconds until you broke it, a frown forming on your lips. “So, I guess that means the nights we spend with each other talking is over then, huh?”

That made Jungkook chuckle and shake his head. “No, it doesn’t. I’ll spend time with you—after all, you are carrying my heir.”

That brought a smile on your lips.

A small knock forced you two to glance away from each other and to your chamber door where a female servant stood. “Your Majesty, the Queen has requested for your presence in the gardens.”

“Very well,” Jungkook nodded his head. “Inform her that I’ll be there shortly.”

Once the servant left, Jungkook returned his attention back towards you, flashing you a warm smile. “I’ll see you later, alright?” And when you gave him a reassuring nod he squeezed your hand briefly before slipping away.

Jungkook followed the servant’s instructions and went to the gardens where he then found his wife sitting at a table with a cup of tea in her hand. “So how did the meeting royal physician go?” She asks without even properly greeting him or even turning to stare at him, her back facing him.

“She’s pregnant,” was all Jungkook said, taking a seat across from her. “He said that she is at least a month along.”

“That’s good,” Seohyun took a sip of her tea, still not even glancing at him. “That means you won’t have to go and see her anymore.”

That made Jungkook raise a brow at her confusingly. “What do you mean I don’t have to see her anymore? She’s carrying my child, she needs someone there for her to help her and take care of her—”

“That’s what her servants are for.” Seohyun cuts him off, voice cold and stern. “You don’t have to trouble yourself with that anymore. The only time you’ll have to see her is when she giving birth to our child.”

Our child.

Jungkook didn’t know why that didn’t sit right with him. “That’s not going to happen, Seohyun. I’m not going to let some nameless servants take care of ____ and my baby, and not me, the father.”

“So you two are on first name bases now?” Seohyun chuckles, taking another sip of her tea before setting it down on the table. “Seems like you two are quite close to each other, am I right?”

“Well, that can happen if those two people have been sleeping with each other for two months,” Jungkook instantly fires back, noticing the way her jaw clenched and the grip she had around her cup tightened.

“Do you love her, then?” Seohyun asks, smirking slightly. “Is she going to be your new Queen, or perhaps maybe your first concubine?”

Jungkook’s heart clenched at her words and shook his head, reaching over and taking her other hand in his. “No, of course not. You know my heart belongs to you and only you, Seohyun. I-I just find it unfair for ____ to be treated this way. She’s my friend and I should be the one that takes care of her.”

Seohyun didn’t say anything, only rolled her eyes.

That made Jungkook furious. “Listen, all of this was your idea anyway. I was fine with choosing one of my distant cousins as my heir but you were so keen on me making my own. So why are you mad now?”

“Because you were only suppose to fuck a baby into her and that’s it!” Seohyun snapped, slamming her hand onto the table and startling her two servants that stood beside her. “Now you want to be by her side and take care of her—pathetic. You’re the King, you shouldn’t be doing such trivial tasks, that’s what servants are for. Now that you have secured an heir, you should now focus on what is actually important—your Kingdom.”

“That doesn’t change anything, Seohyun.” Jungkook sighs. “You know me, you know how much I want to have children and not to just have them but to experience their growth as well. You can’t stop me from being there for my unborn kid. I’m still the King, you’re still my wife. ____ is only my friend and the mother of my child, nothing is going to change, okay?”

Even though he said it so calmly, the skip in his heart when saying it told him otherwise that it is not going to be that simple.

“Fine,” Seohyun finally speaks up after a few excruciating seconds has passed. “I won’t stop you from being there for her and your unborn child. But you must spend the next few days with me and help me plan out a banquet for all of our allies to announce your heir.”

Jungkook sighs again and nods, “okay.”

That was all she had to hear before standing up from her seat and leaving Jungkook alone in the gardens.

Jungkook knew that this whole thing with another woman carrying his child would cause some troubles with Seohyun. But he didn’t know that it would be this bad—and this early.

The next few days dragged on forever.

Jungkook spent them along Seohyun the whole time. He thought he should be happy about this, being able to spend time with the girl he loves but she only seem to care about planning the banquet, not even bothering to have breakfast with him to start the day or even have dinner with him to end the night. Jungkook didn’t why that bothered him so much, it’s not like it’s new for her not to spend time with him, but I guess he got accustomed with somebody always being around him—that somebody being you.

He was lonely.

At first, Jungkook and you would only spend time with one another at night, sharing a late snack or dinner with each other before moving on to your more intimate tasks. But as time went by there were some moments where Jungkook would even request for your presence during the day. He enjoys his time with you and he’s not afraid to admit it, despite the rumors he hears from guards and other servants.

You were his first friend and he was not going to let some petty talk ruin that for him.

So when the night of the banquet came and Seohyun was distracted by the other royal wives, and the visiting kings were all drunk, Jungkook snuck away and made his way to your chambers. Luckily every servant and guard was in the hall so nobody could snitch on him for sneaking away.

When Jungkook got to your chambers, a gentle knock was the only thing he had to do before the door opened, revealing you—in your sleepwear. “Forgive me for intruding,” he apologized, bowing his head. “Were you sleeping?”

“No, your Majesty.” You shook your head, flashing him a small smile. “Would you like to come in?”

Jungkook only nodded, smiling back as you stepped aside to let him pass before closing the door behind him. “If you don’t mind me asking, your Majesty, but what are you doin there? Aren’t you suppose to be attending the banquet with the other royals?”

“Not my cup of tea,” was all Jungkook said. “Sitting with other kings and queens, drinking and gossiping aren’t really my thing. I rather be here talking with you.”

Your heart swelled at his words. “Thank you, your Majesty.”

“____,” Jungkook’s voice turned soft. “After everything we’ve been through together you don’t have to address me so formally…”

You opened your mouth to protest but when he gave you the look, you kept your lips sealed. “Yes, your Maj—I mean, Jungkook.” Silently, you then gestures towards your bed, inviting him to take a seat which gladly did right beside you.

“Forgive me for not visiting you these past few days,” he then apologizes once he was sat down. “I’ve been busy with planning the banquet with Seohyun and—”

“You don’t have to apologize, Jungkook.” You interrupted reassuring him. “I understand, plus her Highness is your wife, you don’t have explain yourself to me—the woman carrying your child.”

Jungkook’s heart clenched at your words. Did you really think of yourself as that—as the woman who bares his child? “You’re not just that, ____. You’re my friend too, and it’s unfair for you to go through his alone.”

You only smiled in return, unsure on what to say.

“By the way,” Jungkook spoke up, “why weren’t you at the banquet tonight? I instructed some of your servants to dress you and take you the hall.”

“Her Highness informed that I was not to attend the banquet,” you answered, making Jungkook’s eyes widen.

“She did what?” He gaped at your words. “She had no right doing that. This party is for you as much as it is for me, we made this baby, not her!”

Your heart stammered at his reaction, heat spreading on your cheeks and down your neck. “T-Thank you, Jungkook—but this is her baby as well. Actually, this is your guys’ baby. I’m just the surrogate for you two.”

“But that doesn’t mean she can treat you this way,” Jungkook instantly interjected. “This whole thing was her idea anyway, and just because I want to be a part of your pregnancy doesn’t mean she can treat you this way.”

“Why do you want to be part of the pregnancy?” You couldn’t help but ask. “If you don’t mind me asking, it’s just that normally servants would be the ones to help during the pregnancy—that is why her Highness gave me ones in the first place, to help me through it all.”

“I’m the father,” Jungkook immediately stated. “They shouldn’t be ones helping you, I should be—it’s the father’s job to help the mother—” he suddenly pauses, realizing what he was saying. He cleared his throat before adding, “you know what I mean. I won’t allow you go through this alone, mark my words.”

You could feel the heat on your cheeks spreading even more and heart stammering inside your chest from his words. “Thank you, Jungkook.”

There was something about the change in your tone that made Jungkook’s heart suddenly stop. Your usual calm, soothing voice turning into a more soft, gentle one. In all of his years of living, Jungkook has never been thanked or ever been shown gratitude. Anytime he would do anything that gained his parents’ attention, they would just tell him how he should’ve done it in the first place or whenever he would do something for Seohyun, she would just nod or shrug her shoulders.

This was the first time Jungkook ever felt appreciated.

For the rest of night you and Jungkook just chatted with one another, enjoying each other’s company. You two talked about what you both have been up to these past few days—mostly you since Jungkook already told you what he has been doing. You then discussed on how he was going to raise the child, which he kindly asked you help him through. You were hesitant at first, knowing how a certain female royal despised you, but after staring at you with his wide, set eyes you couldn’t deny him. Lastly, you two talked about names, deciding on which ones you would go for a girl or a boy.

You thought at first he was going to be like any other male, royal or not, and want a boy and only a boy—but you came to learn that he didn’t care what gender the child would be. He would love them regardless of their gender and they will be the heir of the Jeon Kingdom. That only made your heartbeat increase even more.

Jungkook is definitely not like any other man.

You were the first to fall asleep with your head resting on Jungkook’s clothed chest and his arms wrapped securely around you. Despite still being in his formal attire, Jungkook made sure to pull the bed covers over both of you and making sure you were warm in his embrace.

As you slept, Jungkook couldn’t help but admire you in his arms. You looked so peaceful, with the moonlight shining through the balcony doors and focusing on your body, making your skin glow. You were stunning, absolutely beautiful.

Jungkook couldn’t ignore the rough beating of his heart as you slept soundly in his embrace. He has felt this way before with Seohyun but not intense enough to where it literally feels like his heart was going to burst through his chest. He could feel his palms sweating and throat bob as he held you. He didn’t know how to describe this feeling he was having as he stared at your sleeping figure.

Was this love—real, actual love?

As you and Jungkook slept the night away, the party in the banquet hall continued on.

Seohyun sat beside the wives of the other kings, drinking some wine while the men were drunk out of their minds and speaking gibberish.

“So, your Highness,” one of the wives spoke up with a devious smirk on her lips. “I heard that his Majesty finally is going to have an heir. You must be anxious about that.”

Seohyun raised a brow. “Now, why would I be, Lady Jung? My kingdom and husband having an heir, ensuring that there will be someone left to take over when the time comes—I consider that as a blessing for our home. So please tell me, Lady Jung, why would that make me anxious?”

Lady Jung shrugged her shoulders, still smirking. “I’m just saying, having a baby with someone can create a strong bond. And we all know how much a romantic his Majesty is,” she says, making Seohyun squint her eyes at her slightly as if she was waiting for her to continue. “So be wary, because you never know—that servant may take your throne from you.”

Seohyun chuckled, shaking her head and dismissing the topic. “That’ll never happen, trust me.”

“Oh, how are you so positive? Is the love his Majesty and you share that strong? Or are you just that confident in yourself?”

“Tell me,” another one of the wives spoke up. “Where is his Majesty right now?”

That made Seohyun’s blood instantly boil. The silence they got in return was enough for them to know their answer, the other wives sharing looks.

Through her gritted teeth, Seohyun then said, “She will never take the throne—my throne from me.”

Because she would die first before letting that happen.

there will be a part two with actual smut, more angst and may i dare say—fluff.

permanent taglist: @yeoreos, @articpup

#bts #bts x reader #bts angst #bts smut #jungkook #jungkook x reader #jungkook angst #jungkook smut

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starglitterz · 3 years ago

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sheeeeeesh can i req like.. diluc with back hugs like he's just exhausted with the tavern and u h m darknihhy hero duties (batman say what ‼️) ANYWAHS LAMAKSHS and s/o just comes and *back hugs* nedd i say more I'm so sorry for the typos i swsat🤕

HIIII MY LOVE !!!!! can i call you typo anon pretty please KJAKJDSSD 😭 all your asks are so chaotic i love it /pos /g

yes diluc the darknihhy hero so true <3 /j HAHASKJDKJDS ILY DONT BE MAD AT ME LMAOOO

ok sorry i'll shut up and write now 😔

dedicated to my love atlas @xiaophobic for helping me w stuff for this fic !!!!! ILYSM MY LITTLE MEOW MEOW 💓♥💘❣❤💝💖💕

diluc.

"luluuuuu," you mumble, dragging out the syllables of your affectionate nickname for your boyfriend. diluc ragnvindr, known by all as the wine tycoon of mondstadt, and known by few as the darknight hero, actually adores your pet name for him - he thinks it's cute coming from you. he's standing over the counter at the angel's share, wiping down the wooden surface with an old rag until it's gleaming like a piece of treasure in the ocean's depths. the tavern is devoid of anyone other than the two of you, as the other workers left diluc to clean up after he encouraged them to go home for the night.

burying your face in his back, your arms snake around his waist, with one hand tugging on his black coat. beyond the feeling of home which comes with embracing diluc, you can also sense exhaustion emanating from his figure. "yes, my love?" he replies, concern flooding his tone, and you actually want to scold him. how can he always forget to take care of himself, yet still prioritise your wellbeing and ensure you're doing alright even as he seems to be a second away from collapsing of fatigue? "i want you to rest," you murmur, pressing your cheek against the rough material of his raven black coat. the coat suits him, all coarse and prickly on the inside "but y/n, i have to finish this-" diluc begins, only for you to interrupt, "diluc, i'll even do it for you if it means you'll go to bed."

diluc's eyes widen, and he turns around to face your pouting face. oh no, he thinks, you're making that irresistible expression! how on earth is he supposed to deny you anything when you look this cute?! "y/n... fine. i guess i can stop for tonight," he mutters, furrowing his brow as he ponders the likelihood of mondstadt being invaded by hilichurls if he doesn't go out and perform his self-appointed duties as the darknight hero. however, the smile that graces your features upon hearing his reply is enough to chase away all his reservations about halting work.

later that night when you pull him into bed and snuggle up next to him, diluc thinks he should take breaks more often if it means he gets to spend more time with your warmth beside him like this.

quill speaks !

WHY DID THIS BECOME SO LONG IT WAS INITIALLY MEANT TO BE ONE PARAGRAPH HELP /lh

it's okay tho dilucs kinda cute he deserves the rest (but if he breaks my pity ONE more time i will beat him up no cap all fax) hashtag speaking from the heart

anyways do i add my taglist since this is just a drabble or what... HELP ill add it since it became too long i think LMKJSDKS

taglist; @noirkkat @bookuya @ohmykazuha @glazelilyy @mikachuchu@oreoz-unfortunately @tiny-aroace @xiaophobic @test-tube @yanphobics @childe-support @aelatus @eternism @icecappa

ANYWAYS ILY ALL I HOPE YOU LIKED THIS !!!

i hope you enjoy your stay at quill’s dessert cafe, and do check out my ongoing streamer!xiao x reader smau cynosure + the menu if you’d like ! 🍭

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callsignspark · 1 year ago

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Jordan: queen of making me blush with kind words 💕 the pining is unreal!! I'm two seconds away from smooshing them together like two Barbie dolls and making them kiss (jk their first kiss isn't for a while. or is it? 👀)

i love them interrogating annabeth!! and her rationale for why bradley liked mary’s bathing suit “he kept staring at her….he liked her butt” and then TWIRL BOBBY!! i love how much she loves bob, it’s so cute! poor jake tho - I love little kids, providing all the details except for the one thing you're actually looking for. though her outing Bradley's staring at her ass, good work Annie. (poor Jake indeed. he does end up almost puking after spinning. has to lay down on the floor and take deep breaths. Annie? completely fine and trying to get another adult to spin her.)

this is such a good line - Callie and Nat trying to get Annie to tell them things

this sounds so cool! i know it was mentioned previously but i also think it’s really cool she has a masters degree! she’s so smart and capable in her work life, now she’s just gotta get as good of a handle on her personal life 🥺 - she's so incredible when it comes to professional stuff! she's so smart! you're definitely right about the personal life stuff! things will start to get better in part six. (it's going to messy but it'll be progress.)

i agree with mary, but also think it’s funny that he’s so blunt. it’s like he’s trying to get their easy banter and relationship back, but just jumps the gun a littleeeee too much - bradley: quick, brain! what can I say that won't make things awkward? "you think they're fucking?" that did not help!! (he's been trying to respect the fact that she clearly wants space, but he's also tired of her avoiding him. he misses his friend.)

awwww honey! i do get how based on this behavior why bradley says they should forget what happened? like he’s trying and it just breaks my heart for both of them? - it makes sense! he's having a normal, reasonable reaction! the problem here is that their friends (bless their hearts) are trying to force things instead of letting them happen at their own pace. (the blame here is like 40% Mary, 30% Bradley, 30% Dagger Squad)

i always liked that she called him bradley - like we talked about earlier, she calls all of them by their real names most of the time. even at work she’ll usually go with Rank Last Name. there’s very few people that she consistently uses their call sign, and it’s only because those people prefer their call signs. she's spent a lot of time around naval aviators (from retired pilots, to newbies, to active duty with several tours under their belt) and she witnessed firsthand in Missouri and Florida how this job can consume people and suddenly they only feel like they can be their call sign and now themselves. so she purposefully calls everyone that she’s close it’s by their real name(s). including Bradley. but she also calls him that because she really likes his name.

oh sweet girl! i get it being so scary, this totally breaks my heart. like he’s just so pretty and kind and smart and he wants me?? - I cried writing this entire part and while editing. absolutely gonna kick the ass of every man that's been mean to her.

‘we can have just one night or we can have one whole life’ i also wonder if they weren’t interrupted and did have sex would mary have tried to brush it off and keep it as a one time thing in order to save her feelings? despite what’s occasionally popular in fics, i don’t really see bradley as a big one night stand guy and don’t really see him letting that happen? - (first of all, I love that song <3) and I agree that he's not a one night stand kind of guy. at least not any more, when he was younger he would occasionally hook up but he definitely wasn't a different woman every night kinda guy. as for the third point, if they weren't interrupted and did have sex, what would have happened? that's a create question! and I'm actually planning to write a special one-shot "different ending" where we see what would happen in that scenario!

the line ‘i have never been able to forget my body’ reminds me of this ee cummings poem ‘i like my body when it is with your body’ and then the line at the end ‘and possibly i like the thrill of under me you so quite new’ this entire part is so beautiful but also sad - I just read that poem and I love it so much, especially the last line. it's just so beautifully them. this part was hard to write, emotionally. it's very raw. but I'm very proud of how the final draft came out. (ps. Jordan knows this but if anyone else actually reads this, I wrote the rough draft of this section at 4AM one night and cried the entire time.)

i’ve told you how much i love this line before, but like just imagining how cozy she’ll be in it and like as weird as it is to say, bradley would be a little proud that she’s wearing his sweatshirt? and like despite what they’re going through she knows he’d lend her one? and then that means she has to give it back to him? and it smells like her ☺️ oh i’m so excited for his pov in chapter 6! - Bradley loves her in his clothes!! (even this time, when things are rough between them - it makes his heart race a little bit to see his callsign on her! that's his girl!) and she knows that Bradley is a good man and would help her out if he could, no matter if they're fighting or not. she does have to give it back to him! (she does in part six! where we see things from his perspective! y'all it's about to get messy!)

i totally feel for both them and see both sides because her behavior wasn’t exactly the best re avoiding him but also she was really embarrassed and so shocked, but like she didn’t give him any indication that she was like into it in the following weeks?? my heart hurts - my heart hurts too, they're both not handling this the best way and could be in such a better spot if they had just talked to each other. but alas, both of them are not the best about letting themselves open up to other. (don't worry they get better about it.)

this reminds me of that scene in little women when laurie unties amy’s apron in her little art studio? you perfectly described it, like it’s mixed with sadness and longing - how dare you tell me this reminds you of one of my favorite sad scenes in one of my favorite movies. (affectionate) (thank you so much for that comparison)

oh this is gonna be TROUBLE (in the best possible way) like the two of them? at a club on valentine’s day?? mary in a cute dress?? bradley pinning? mary pinning? - I've said it before and I'll say it again, but chapter six is just one word: messy

Mar[r]y Me - part five

pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Mariella “M&M” Vertucci (fem!OC)

summary: A love story told through friendship, laughter, and food.

series warnings: 18+ minors DNI, discussion of insecurities, difficult family relationships, discussions of food and alcohol use, discussions of body image, conversations on what it’s like to be a fat woman trying to date in today’s society, warnings to be added as needed

word count: 5.3k

previous part | series masterlist | main masterlist

note: happy Friday! we're really getting into the meat of the story in this one! thank you for all the love on this series! can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts on this one!

part five - buffalo chicken dip

“What do you mean you’re not coming?!”

Mary yanks the phone away from her ear; Kristina’s voice is much shriller than she expected it to be when declining the invite.

“Kris, I don’t care about football. I don’t even know who’s playing! Why would I go to a Super Bowl party?”

“Uhh, to drink wine, watch the funny commercials and eat buffalo chicken dip? Why else?”

“That’s not a good enough rea- hang on, I’m putting you on speaker so I can keep folding laundry.” She puts her phone on the end table. “That’s not a good enough reason to come. Who's making the buffalo chicken dip anyway?”

“You! Like you did for Friendsgiving!”

“Kris…” She sighs. “I really don’t want to come. I’m sorry; it’s nothing against you guys. I’ve just been in a weird mood lately, and I won’t be much fun. I don’t want to ruin it for everyone.”

“Are either of you ever going to tell anyone what happened that night?”

Mary freezes, a half-folded towel tucked under her chin. “Nothing happened! I don’t know how many times that has to be said before someone finally believes me!”

Nothing happened, my ass. Kristina rolls her eyes, remembering the desperate measures the Dagger Squad had taken to try and figure out what happened between Mary and Bradley. The previous Friday, a group had even gone as far as interrogating Annabeth. At the same time, Harvard, Fritz, and Omaha had invited Bradley to join a “boys' night out.” It was a failed attempt to get information out of him, figuring he would be the easier of the two to break.

“Come on, Annie. Think really hard! What happened the day you, Aunt Mary, and Rooster went to the beach?” Danielle questions from the couch.

“We played in the sand and the water! Aunt Mary didn’t like when I got her wet, but she didn’t get mad. And Rooster liked her swimsuit. Twirl, Bobby!”

Bob spins around, looking a bit green in the gills after their twenty-fifth consecutive rotation. “I gotta tap out, or I’m going to throw up.” He hands Annie off to Jake.

Mickey pushes a water bottle into his hands, giving him a pep talk while Reuben rubs his shoulders. The three of them looking like a poor parody of a boxing team between rounds.

“How do you know he liked her swimsuit?” Coyote asks, feeling a bit ridiculous that they’re relying on the memory of an almost five-year-old to find out what happened over three weeks prior. But it was their last resort. The two adults involved had given them nothing.

“Spin, Jake!”

“Answer our questions first. Then we can spin as much as you want.”

Annabeth’s eyes go wide. “As much as I want?”

“Jake, you may not want to-”

“As much as you want.” He nods solemnly. They’re going to get this information, one way or another, even if it means that someone pukes. He can’t stand another week of being front row to the droopy Rooster and sad M&M avoiding each other show. “How do you know Rooster liked Mary’s swimsuit?”

“He kept staring at her.” She giggles before adding, “He liked her butt.”

It sends titters through the ten adults assembled, silence falling over the group at Jake’s glare. 'What else happened?”

“We went to the grocery store, and Rooster says I get his sunglasses when I’m bigger! We had beach meal and ice cream sundaes and watched Cars!”

“What else did you guys do?” Callie questions, her and Natasha sending encouraging smiles from where they’re crammed together in an armchair. As if showing more teeth will release the details they’re looking for.

“Then I brushed my teeth and went to sleep.”

A disappointed hush falls over the room. “That’s it? Nothing else?” Logan’s voice edges on desperate, the realization that they’re not going to learn anything helpful sinking in.

“I had a bad dream! The dinosaurs were there. They were scary, but Aunt Mary let me watch Frozen on the couch with her and Rooster, and then I wasn’t scared anymore!”

“Dinosaurs? What dinosaurs, Annie?” Danielle questions, confused as to what she could be talking about.

“The dinosaurs from the movie! Jurassic Park! I watched it with Daddy!”

“What is she talking about, Reuben?”

Danielle’s voice is deathly calm, causing the butts of every adult to clench in fear. The little girl pokes at her pseudo-uncle, not realizing the situation she’s created. “Spin, Jake! Spin!”

“Yeah, kid, we’re spinning, we’re spinning. Gonna spin so much while mommy and daddy have a chat in the kitchen.”

“You let her watch that?! Reuben! That used to give you nightmares if we watched it too late at night!”

A doubtful hum comes over the phone. “Okay, dropping the subject. How about this? You make the buffalo chicken dip, drop it off, then when you’re here, you can pick up your dress - I got a chance to fix the zipper.”

Mary raises an eyebrow at her phone. “You really want dip as payment for fixing my dress?”

“I want dip because I’m extremely pregnant, craving buffalo chicken dip, and you make the best I’ve ever had. The dress repair is free of charge because it took me two seconds.”

“I was going to stop by next week to pick-”

“Mary, I have three kids, and I’m eight months pregnant. This thing could blow at any time, and I don’t want you to have to wait four years to get your dress back. Which is definitely what will happen if you don’t pick it up before I give birth.” The two of them laugh at her exaggeration.

“Okay, okay. I’ll be by on Sunday with buffalo chicken dip to pick up my dress. What time should I come by so I don’t interrupt the party?”

“We officially said to come around three, but people will probably start dropping in sooner, so any time after two would be good. And you’re coming to the party.”

“I will be grabbing my dress, and then I will be leaving, Kristina.”

“Whatever you say, Mary.”

Mary weaves through the partygoers, smiling tensely at everyone who greets her.

“I thought you said this was starting - be careful, that’s hot - in an hour! Why is everyone already here?” She hisses in Kristina’s ear after adding her dish to the buffet line.

“It is! I also said people were probably going to come by early!” She pops a chip full of buffalo chicken dip into her mouth and moans. “Oh my god, that is so good!”

“I thought you meant like a few of the guys, not the entire guest list! I told everyone I wasn’t coming! How am I-” Mary gets cut off by Kristina shoving a ranch-covered baby carrot in her mouth.

“Calm down. Hang out for a little while, eat some food, and once the game gets going, you can sneak away and avoid whatever is happening between you and Bradley that you both insist isn’t happening.”

Mary splutters, trying to come up with a response, but gets interrupted before she can defend herself.

“Mary! I want you to meet someone!” Natasha joins them, pulling a brunette woman behind her. “This is my best friend, Flora Phillips! Flora, this is Mariella Vertucci. She’s the one I was telling you about!”

“Oh! You’re the one who made that coffee cake? Nat brought me a slice; it was amazing!” The two women shake hands. “It’s so nice to meet you!”

“You too! Nat said you run that flower shop down on Madison Ave?”

“She doesn’t just run it. She owns it. She’s Flora of Flora’s Florals!”

“Oh wow, that’s awesome!”

Phoenix and Kris move to greet Mav and Penny, who pop in to say hello before continuing to Warlock’s watch party. The other two women continue getting to know each other.

“So you’re in charge of all jet maintenance and repairs?”

“Yup, it’s my job to know everything that changes or gets fixed on the planes. It’s a lot of paperwork, meetings and debriefs, after-action reports, and training. Plus, I still cram hands-on time into my afternoons.”

“You do all that, and you’re still physically working on the planes yourself?”

“It helps keep me and my team on top of things. It’s much easier to sign off on a new mechanic’s report if I can see how they work and problem-solve through a roadblock in real-time.” Mary shrugs. “And I enjoy it; it makes the endless conference calls worth it.”

“I’m so glad I don’t have to deal with conference calls - hi Flora - it would be such a downer.” Jake wraps an arm around Flora’s shoulders, smiling down at her.

“Just wait until you make captain, Jacob, and all the fun responsibilities that come with that rank change.”

“Well, that’ll probably be happening soon enough, right, Bradshaw? It’s been a few years since I made lieutenant commander.” At his beckoning, Bradley comes over, standing next to Mary but refusing to make eye contact.

“You disobeyed orders on that carrier, got reamed into next year, and somehow got lieutenant commander before everyone else. I doubt you can pull the same thing for captain, Hangman.”

Jake turns to Mary, ignoring Bradley’s snark. “Where’s your better half tonight?”

“Stephen has a cold, so the Fitch family is staying home. And stop calling Danielle my better half! She’s married to my other best friend, and people keep getting the idea that we’re a throuple.”

“Are you not?”

“We are most definitely not. We’re platonic life partners.”

“See, that sounds like a relationship to me.”

“That’s because Javy does 95% of the emotional lifting in your friendship, Jake.” A muffled laugh interrupts their bickering. “Sorry about him, Flora. He gets less annoying the more you get to know him.”

“Oh, I know. Ever since Nat introduced us, Jake stops by the shop every few weeks for a plant checkup or to send some flowers to his mom, so I think we can officially be considered buddies.”

“Buddies? That is so hurtful, Flora! Would I make someone who is just a buddy my infamous TUA punch? Excuse us, Mary.” He directs her towards the makeshift bar on the dining room table.

“You know infamous is the bad one, right?” Flora questions as they go, making Mary laugh.

“You think they’re fucking?” The question startles her; she hadn’t forgotten Bradley was next to her, but she didn’t expect his first non-professional words in a month to be so blunt.

“I don’t know; they get along well, though. Lots of chemistry.” She moves toward the living room, ignoring the call of her name and joining a conversation with Brigham and Aaron, Fritz’s husband.

The next hour passes in a similar fashion. She’ll settle into a conversation, enjoying the company of her friends and their loved ones that have joined the party, when one of them brings Bradley into their chat. The next few minutes are uncomfortable, and Mary makes an excuse to leave the group. It happens over and over again until she finally makes her escape to the kitchen, where she pretends to be engrossed in getting food. Everyone leaves her alone, and it’s a nice moment of peace.

Until it’s not.

She groans internally when, out of the corner of her eye, she sees Bradley enter and make his way over.

“Did you make the buffalo chicken dip again? It’s delicious, even better than the one at Thanksgiving.”

“I did; thank you, Rooster.”

The entire room winces; she never calls him Rooster outside of work - barely even calls him Rooster at work - and everyone knows it. He tries to make more small talk, anything to get her to make eye contact with him again when someone bumps into his back. He’s jostled, and it loosens the solo cup in his hand, pouring red punch all down the front of her pale yellow sweater, seemingly in slow motion.

The kitchen is frozen, everyone staring at the duo in shock until yelling from the living room breaks the silence.

Bradley grabs a handful of paper towels and is trying to clean up her sweater when she grabs his wrist to stop him. He turns as red as the punch staining her top once he realizes exactly where his hands had been rubbing.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, Mary, I-”

He’s cut off as Kristina takes charge of the situation, the elementary school teacher and mom of three having a spidey sense for when tears are looming on the horizon. “Alright, no big deal, folks. Mary, head upstairs, I’ll be right behind you, and we’ll get some stain remover on that. Bradley, Logan, please take care of the floor - I do not want ants in my house. Anyone who I did not just mention, if you’re done getting refreshments, please file into the living room so we have an easier time cleaning up.”

Everyone springs into action at her instructions, and she grabs Flora on her way, “Mind coming with me? I think I’m going to need a Switzerland for this one.”

The two women climb the stairs to find Mary standing at the sink in her sports bra, rinsing her shirt and taking deep breaths, trying to blink back tears. Flora nudges her to the side, grabbing the sweater and working stain remover into the fabric.

“So, do you want to talk about what just happened?”

“Nothing happened.” Mary insists.

“Really? That’s why Rooster has been walking around looking like a kicked puppy for the past four weeks?”

“He has not-”

“Yes!” Kris interrupts. “He has! Something happened the day that we went to the beach, and no one knows what’s going on. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, but everyone is worried.”

Mary sniffles and starts to explain, tired of holding everything inside from that night. The other women stare in shock when she finishes.

Kris blinks at her. “I don’t understand; if all that happened, why have you been avoiding him for the past month?”

“Because it’s scary!”

“What’s scary?” Flora gently questions.

The tears in Mary’s eyes finally slide down her face, and her lip trembles as she takes a shaky breath. “It’s hard being fat. Men don’t ever want me for me. It’s just sex they’re after. No one ever wants to love me. They just want to fuck me. So it’s hard to believe that Bradley would actually want me.”

Flora grabs her hand when the tears start coming faster.

“He’s a gorgeous man who can have any woman he wants. But when I think about what it felt like to be on his lap, I know he wanted me. It’s not a question of did he or not - he did. Which is something I’ve never had before. When I realized how hard he was and he told me that I was the reason - that he’d been like that for two hours and wasn’t even going to say anything if I hadn’t brushed him - that’s the first time I can ever remember not worrying about my body. I didn’t think about what my stomach looked like or if my shirt was tucked into a fat roll. I didn’t worry about how my boobs sag, and my nipples point toward the ground. I didn’t even care about how much I weigh! I just climbed into his lap, and he welcomed me.”

She’s crying through her words, interrupting herself every so often with a hiccup.

“That look in his eyes… no one has ever looked at me like that before. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt desired. Wanted. And I wanted him. I want him so badly. If Annie hadn’t had that nightmare and interrupted us, I would have had sex with him right there on my couch. And I would have enjoyed it. I know it would have been good. And instead-“

She cuts herself off and presses a hand over her mouth, muffling a sob that shakes her shoulders. Kristina rubs her back, both women trying to comfort her.

“God, I fucking hate crying over this; it’s my own fault!” She angrily swipes at her tears. “Because after I put Annie back to bed, instead of talking to him or picking up where we left off, I sent him home! And I immediately regretted it, and I wanted to call him and tell him to come back, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it! Because I’m so scared of how he makes me feel! I have never been able to forget my body and just enjoy a moment. I am constantly aware of my body. What it’s doing, what it looks like, making sure my clothes sit just right so I don’t look too big. It’s fucking exhausting. I've never felt so comfortable with someone that I completely forgot to care about what I looked like because I knew they didn’t care. That they wanted me. I don’t know how to handle it!”

She tries to catch her breath, a month’s worth of built-up emotions pouring out at once, making her hyperventilate. Flora sits her down and rubs her back until her breathing evens out.

Kristina silently hands over a damp washcloth, Mary giving her a wobbly smile as she runs it over her face and rests it on the back of her neck, the cool sensation making it easier to ground herself.

“So, I know nothing about this situation except what you told us.” Flora breaks the quiet. “But from what you said and what I saw today, it seems like he has feelings for you. You should go for it.”

“I- really?”

“Mary, you’re a very nice person, but I don’t know you well enough to hold back or lie to you. He cares about you. As a friend? For sure, that’s obvious, you know that. But something in his face told me it’s more than that for him. You should talk to him.”

“If nothing else, I should apologize for kicking him out and ignoring him without any explanation, huh?”

“That would be a good start!” Kris nods encouragingly. “And then the next step is explaining how you love him and want to have his babies.”

Mary blinks up at her friend. “I think I’ll just go with the apology and see how things progress from there.”

“Fine, be boring! Seriously though, it would be good to talk to him. You’ve missed each other. Also, you should try the dress while you’re here and make sure the zipper is good.”

“I need you guys not to tell anyone what happened. I haven’t told anyone, and I don’t think Bradley has either.”

“I can’t believe you haven’t told Dani or Reuben.”

“They have a four-year-old and a newborn. I can’t tell them right now because they’ll worry too much - and they’re already not getting enough sleep as it is. Not to mention there’s a good chance Dani would try to kick Bradley’s ass.”

Flora injects. “But you started it? Why is he hypothetically getting beat up?”

“Because those two are extremely overprotective, and their actual children aren’t old enough to date yet, so all that energy gets focused on me. Not to mention how everyone would try to help and give advice. And while I appreciate that everyone cares so much, having that many people involved would just make it worse and more confusing. So at least until I talk to Bradley, please don’t say anything to anyone.”

“Too many cooks in the kitchen kinda deal, I get it. Not a peep from me.” When Kristina agrees, relief rushes through her body.

“Thank you, guys. Now where’s the dress?”

“Bedroom, through that door.” Kris directs her through the connecting door. “Hey Flora, can you ask the boys if one of them has a shirt Mary can wear home? There is no salvaging that sweater; sorry, babe, the red Hawaiian punch got to it.”

“Please just ask Bradley. He’s the only one who would have a shirt that would fit me. And thank you for everything, Flora. I owe you.”

“I’ll let you know when you can return the favor.” Flora winks at her, heading downstairs to find her something to wear.

“Will you stop wiggling!” Kris scolds, struggling to get the zipper all the way up with the way Mary keeps moving. “There! Now take your socks off; it’s ruining the image.”

“Oh, like how my bra was “ruining” the image?” Mary mocks, bending over to pull her socks off.

“You had a yellow sports bra poking out the sides of your sexy, little black dress. Yes, it was ruining the picture.” She unclips Mary’s hair, fluffing it out before spinning her around. “Damn, if I wasn’t happily married and you were into women, I would be all over you.”

Mary doesn’t even blush like she usually does when one of the girls flirts with her. She’s transfixed by her reflection. She’s never looked so good. Even with the puffy eyes and red nose, she looks good. Twisting side to side, she can’t believe this is the same dress she bought last month.

“What did you do?”

“I fixed the zipper! And adjusted the side seams and fixed the hem. I know clothing isn’t made by hand nowadays, but god, this was shitty even by mass production standards.” Kris scoffs and rolls her eyes.

“Thank you! You’re magic, oh my god, Kris!” She’s in awe. She never thought she could feel this confident in a skin-tight dress. “What do I owe you?”

“Nothing, it was fun, and honestly, after I got in there, it would have driven me insane to know I was sending you with such a poorly constructed piece. I was happy to do it. Though, if you want to occasionally bring goodies over when the squad is deployed, I would not complain.”

“Done. Just send a text whenever you need a break from cooking, and I’ll stop by with stuff to get you through a few days. We were already planning to rally the troops to bring you and Danielle stuff when the boys are gone, so we’ll have to start a list of stuff the kids like to make it easier.”

“Deal.” Angry screams interrupt them. “Speaking of my children. I have to take care of that before it turns into crying.”

Mary waves her away. “Go, go. Flora can unzip me when she comes back.”

When the door shuts, she goes back to admiring herself in the mirror. She can’t even bring herself to feel silly for the way she twirls, smiling so big her cheeks hurt. This is the best I’ve looked in years…

Her internal monologue is interrupted by a knock.

“Come in!” She strikes a pose. “What do you think?”

“You look beautiful.”

“Bradley!” She turns in surprise, her heart thrumming. “I’m sorry!”

“What?” He freezes just inside the door, a sweatshirt clutched in his fist.

“I’m trying to apologize. I’ve been avoiding you since we went to the beach. That night… I just didn’t know how to handle it. I know I started it, but I wanted to explain how-”

“I think we should forget what happened.” He interrupts.

Her heart stops. “What?”

“I don’t regret what we did, but you clearly do-”

“I don’t regret it!” She protests. “I started it because I wanted it, Bradley. I wanted you.”

“Mary, you kicked me out, and the only reason you’ve talked to me in the last month is if it was necessary at work.” Bradley says gently. “I don’t want to lose you as a friend, and I don’t want you to resent me, so I think it’s best to act like it didn’t happen.”

“But I don’t want-”

“It’s the best thing to do, Mary.”

“You’re not going to let me explain? You just want to forget about it without even talking about it?”

The tension is high, the two of them staring into each other’s eyes.

“Here’s a sweatshirt to borrow; I’m sorry for spilling on you.” He tosses it onto the bed and turns to leave.

“Bradley…” Her voice is thick, tears starting to build again, even as he stops to look at her. “I- I-”

I can’t believe you won’t let me explain.

I can’t believe you don’t want to talk about this.

I can’t believe I put myself out there just to get rejected again.

His eyes tell her that she won’t be able to change his mind; he’s determined and stubborn. Qualities she usually admires about him. She sighs in defeat, knowing she can’t win.

“Could you unzip me? I can’t take this dress off by myself.”

He crosses the room, and she turns around, goosebumps erupting when he moves her hair to the side. He undoes the clasp and grabs the zipper, pulling it slowly down her back. His fingers brush her skin, sending shivers up and down her spine.

They make eye contact in the mirror. His hands pause at the middle of her back. Hers pressing the dress against her chest so it doesn’t slip. Both of them flushed from the proximity, from sadness; it’s not clear what emotion is winning out.

“Is that far enough?” He mummers in her ear.

She nods, “Thank you.”

He lingers for a minute, not moving. “You are so beautiful, Mary.”

He’s gone before she can even process the compliment, the door punctuating his departure. Mary tilts her head to the ceiling, willing herself not to cry again.

It doesn’t work.

The sweatshirt is his version of the one she wore that night. His call sign stitched on the sleeve in the same place as hers. The navy blue fabric absorbs a tear as she runs her fingers over the white letters.

Rooster.

She slowly redresses, hesitating slightly before pulling her borrowed shirt on. It fits, just like she knew it would. It’s slightly loose on Rooster when he wears it, so she knew it wouldn’t be too tight on her. She still has to roll the sleeves a few times, sniffing back tears as his cologne reminds her what it’s like to be near him. What it was like to be so close to him that night.

There’s a quick knock, and Phoenix’s head pops through the door, eyes closed. “Are you decent? Can we come in?”

“Just one second!” Mary wipes her face, making sure it doesn’t look like she was crying. “Okay, come on in.”

“Wow…” Nat wiggles her eyebrows, flopping on the bed. “Look at you, wearing Rooster’s flight school sweatshirt! It’s like the adult equivalent of giving you his letterman jacket.”

“That’s ridiculous! I have my own flight school shirt with my own call sign. I don’t need a man to give me his.”

“How do you have one?” Natasha sits up, almost knocking heads with Flora.

“When I was the engineering liaison in Pensacola, I got to know the brass pretty well. One of the admirals kinda took me under his wing and showed me the ropes. Really helped me understand how the Navy works. And, of course, I was so brilliant that I quickly became his favorite civilian. So when I left, he got me a sweatshirt.” She dramatically flips her hair over her shoulder. “Mostly because I had been subtly complaining for like three years that I wanted one, and it wasn’t fair that all the gross boys got one, but I didn’t.”

“You’re not a pilot, Mary.”

“That’s exactly what he said! So unfair.” She rolls her eyes and tuts.

It’s all an act. Can’t you tell it’s an act?

The jokes feel flat coming out of her mouth; the words taste bitter. But she can’t give Natasha any trace of sadness. She knows Bradley was just in here; she’ll smell the blood in the water. And she’s not ready to give so much of herself away to another innocent bystander today. She didn’t even mean to earlier, even if they were nice about it.

“That’s gotta be over soon, right? How long can this game go?” Kris asks as cheering from the living room mingles with their laughter.

“Wait! Oh my god, did I tell you? For Valentine’s Day, Logan hired a babysitter and said we’re going to get massages and then eat Taco Bell alone in our mini-van. At eight months pregnant, it’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”

“You gonna get frisky in the backseat?”

“We’re gonna try, but we might just nap instead, which sounds just as good. What about you, Flora? Any plans?”

“No plans. Not only am I extremely single, but Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for me at the shop. It’s tied for first with Mother’s Day. And it being a Sunday this year just adds even more difficulty because half my vendors won’t ship on Saturdays, so it’s been a logistical nightmare trying to get all the flowers ordered.”

“How many orders do you have this year?”

“God, even more than last year, Nat!” Flora flops back. “Which is great - I’m so happy business is growing - but it’s so stressful. I hired a second driver! Thankfully Calliope’s brother was looking for some extra cash because we’re bordering on 350 orders right now. And I’m still accepting orders until close on Friday.”

Natasha pets her best friend’s head. “Let me know if you need help. I’ll happily come by on Saturday and process roses for you.”

“You have plans Saturday.”

“Not until Saturday night, and I would skip it if you needed help.”

“What are you doing on Saturday?” Kris asks, relaxing in the rocking chair on the other side of the room.

“Oh! I didn’t tell you guys yet!” Phoenix pops up, looking excited. “Streets, that club over on Elm, is having a special thing for Valentine’s Day! It’s apparently a speed dating thing, but I think everyone is just going to drink and dance. All the single people in the squad and some of the control room people are going. Mary, you’re coming - I won’t take no for an answer - and you should invite your mechanics!”

“Okay! That sounds fun! What’re we wearing?”

“Really?! I don’t have to convince you? All the boys took forever to say yes! I don’t know what I’m wearing yet, but you, me, and Callie should get dinner tomorrow and figure it out!”

“Zero convincing needed.” Mary’s smile is strained, not fully reaching her eyes. All three women notice but don’t say anything. “I’m single with zero prospects on the horizon. Maybe I’ll find a boyfriend! Or at least a date.”

Kris freezes, eyes snapping to Flora, who is equally confused. Both of them wondering what changed in the few minutes they were gone.

“What time is it? I should get going. I still have to go to the grocery store.”

The four women make their way downstairs, Mary yelling a quick goodbye as she pulls her sneakers on.

“You can’t leave, M&M! The game isn’t over yet!” Jake complains from his post against the living room doorframe.

“Jake, sweetie, I don’t know how to explain to you how little I care about football. Also, when I do care about football - which is approximately once a year, and unfortunately, you’ve missed this season’s opportunity - it’s to cheer for the Bills.”

“You like the Bills?” Omaha’s voice edges on disgusted. “You’re just like Payback.”

“I’m from New York, went to school in Buffalo, and my family doesn’t do football. All that plus my thousand-year friendship with Reuben equals reluctant Bills fan by association.”

“But they-”

“Suck? Yes, I know. I also don’t care.” She opens the front door, waving sarcastically. “Okay, bye!”

Her eyes meet Bradley’s before the front door closes, and her chest instantly tightens. The happiness that had built up from spending time with the girls dissipating in a second.

I can get over him. I can do it… I have to.

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