#man you're so right I know why I love you so much

[oikarma]

how you get the girl | pt.1

pairing: lando norris x reader

summary: everyone knows you as the "girl timothee chalamet made out w at coachella" until he's with kylie. so you're picking up the pieces of your heart until a certain f1 driver steps in and puts it back together

a/n: got stuck on my franco fic so here's another lando smau for you cuties <3

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liked by clubchalamet and others

deuxmoi A little birdie told us that Timothée Chalamet's Coachella hook-up might have been a little more serious than we thought...

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user1 genuinely tweaking out

user2 no cause who is she

user3 timothee baby come home the kids miss you

user4 Like how serious are we talking deuxmoi

user5 are we sure that's him in the third pic

user6 i'd know those anal beads ANYWHERE user7 lmao she looks so fed up with him

user8 she looks so fake...

user9 she's def had work done user10 how much you wanna bet he's going to go after a kardashian next?

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deuxmoi After months of speculation, Kylie and Timothée seem to have hard-launched.

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user1 bop bop bop

user2 how long is this gonna last?

user3 is it just me or does she genuinely look happy with him

user4 ignore the haters they're just jealous

user5 what does clubchalamet have to say about this

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yourinstagram has added to their stories

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liked by lilyzneimer and others

yourinstagram bet you can't tell my soul is black

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lilyzneimer what's cooking, good looking?

yourinstagram do you want my audition to be the next cassie lilyzneimer no getting a new man crush would destroy you

princejoeybreeze okay emo

yourinstagram okay ego

hattiepiastri you want to practice that spiderman upside down kiss

yourinstagram might get it wrong the first time...might need to do it a few times...you know? oscarpiastri can you stop flirting with my sister hattiepiastri i like it actually oscar will you stop ruining my chance at true love

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yourinstagram has added to their stories

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f1 Some fashion icons spotted in the paddock today!

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user1 alexxx 😍

user2 who's the girl with alex is it the same one in p2?

user3 i think its the same girl she just took her blazer off prob undid her hair too cause it was super hot user4 no idea

user5 lily mi amor!

user6 icons that's RIGHT the 2nd fit be eating so hard

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liked by hattiepiastri and others

yourinstagram thanks piastris!! had so much fun being pampered

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hattiepiastri miss you x

yourinstagram get well soon baby

lilyzneimer you should come with me to osc's races more often

yourinstagram i wish...my broke ass could never

oscarpiastri You're welcome

yourinstagram !! hattiepiastri he's such a bot

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liked by mclaren, kyliejenner and others

lando went out tonight x

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user1 looking cute, lando

user2 oh he's so huggable

yourinstagram it's all "manners" until you get the chicken tenders

lando hey they were yummy okay you weren't very demure either user3 WAIT GUYS ITS THE PADDOCK GIRL user4 the coachella girl?? user5 dang she sure gets around user6 what's she doing with lando

user7 why not on lando.jpg

user8 well it's a polaroid genius

oscarpiastri How come you never use utensils when you eat with me

lando i don't need to be classy around you osc oscarpiastri Hm. user9 oscar piastri are you jealous

user10 what is kylie doing in the likes??

user11 well she and lewis are friends maybe he introduced her to lando user12 liking your man's ex's new bf(?)'s post is wild

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a/n: hellooo here's a new lando fic for you guys <3 timothee may be appearing in the future and things may get a little dramatic so i hope you enjoyed reading pt1

[pomefioredove]

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ Love 101

my week-late valentine's post

summary: third years ask first years for love advice. the first years suck at giving it type of post: blurbs characters: cater, trey, leona, rook, vil, idia, lilia, malleus, rollo additional info: romantic, reader is gender neutral, reader is yuu

I. Cater and Deuce

Cater has always loved the thrill of the chase (or, really, the thrill of stalking your magicam at 2am) and he would have been content with keeping his digital distance if he didn't see you in Vil's last post. Suddenly anxious that he's fumbling, he does what he does best: info. And who would have better info than your best friend? "Uhhh, I dunno," Deuce says. "If you really like someone, then you should be honest with them- that's what my mom used to tell me, at least. Or did I read that somewhere? Uh, never mind. I'm sure the Prefect will understand! Just- you better treat them right, or else!" Be honest? When has honesty ever helped Cater? It'd take two more nights of crushing anxiety for him to send a risky text, spilling all of his feelings for you in a Magicam DM and then handing his phone over to a very confused (but pleased?) Riddle, so he won't check his notifs for your username every twelve seconds...

II. Trey and Ace

Trust me, he was not Trey's go-to. Okay, sure, Ace is your best friend. Sure, he knows everything about you, from your favorite desserts to your grades, and sure, you've probably told him everything about your dream man, but... It's Ace. And unlike darling, doe-eyed Deuce, if someone asked too much about you, Ace would get suspicious and go right into protective best friend mode. So, Trey keeps it vague. "Eh? You're asking me for dating advice?" Ace grins. "About time! I knew you were smart. What you're gonna do is give 'em a little, not too much. Maybe ghost 'em for a week or two, so they'll really miss you when you finally text back!" ...Yeah. Maybe Trey should just stick to desserts.

III. Leona and Jack

Listen, okay, Leona didn't want to ask him, either. But Ruggie had nothing, your other frosh friends couldn't flirt their way out of a paper bag, and Grim refused to give Leona the goods without tuna payments (and he's spoiled enough as it is). Of course, the moment Leona even implied he was thinking of you, Jack jumped. "You have to be direct and honest! This could be your life partner, you have to put your all in!" Right, sure. Why does he even bother with these kids?? You'd be turned off if Leona started spilling his guts like that. He would've given up then and there... but then Jack insisted he come to "support his upperclassman", as if it were a fight rather than a flirtation. Leona cursed the Seven, the stars, and every single student on campus as he stumbled his way through asking you out. "Not that you would, or that I care, but I-" he looks over his shoulder, and Jack is still there, arms crossed like an impatient parent. Leona grumbles. "If you want to..." "He wants to please you, Prefect!" Jack barks. "DON'T SAY IT LIKE THAT!"

IV. Vil, Rook, and Epel

It wasn't like Vil sought out Epel for the sole purpose of you, the freshman simply... happened to be in the room while Vil was thinking about it! Out loud! With Rook! In a... slightly argumentative manner! "Epel, settle something for us, would you?" "Oui, you see, I say the way to win the Prefect's favor is by anticipating their every thought!" "And I say that's insane. You know them best, so, tell us, what do they like?" The poor boy looks between them like he's being held at gunpoint. How should he have known?? It's not like you guys spent your time gabbing about boys! "APPLES!" he blurts out. "The Prefect loves apples!! My grandma always said the quickest way to a person's heart is through their stomach!" Rook giggles and Vil mumbles something about Epel's peanut-sized brain. ...Nonetheless, you wake up to crates full of apples at your door the next morning.

V. Idia and Ortho

beeeeeep... beeep... bing! Idia swivels around in his chair at the sound of the printer. Crap, did he accidentally hit print page again? What a waste of ink- that stuff's not cheap, you know! But it's just... Ortho. "Here ya go, big bro! I thought you might need this!" Idia cautiously takes the warm paper, entitled Romance Intel 101. "Uh... Ortho. Why are you giving me this? You know I max out the romance stats in all my games EZ," Ortho giggles. "It's not for a game, it's for the Prefect! Based on the data I've gathered, your heart rate accelerates by 1.2 seconds, and your pupils dilate by 40% when thinking of, or speaking to the Prefect!" Idia turns pink and crumples, as if he were the paper (the first line of which, BTW, reading "step one- make eye contact!") This is going to be a looooong school year...

VI. Lilia and Grim

You probably should've been suspicious when Lilia popped into Ramshackle and offered to babysit Grim for an afternoon, but you weren't- not with assignments due, at least. You said your goodbyes, and as soon as you were out the splintered door, Lilia spun on his heels. Short as he is, he towers over the little direbeast. "Hm, seems like we have time to spare. How about a casual conversation? Yes? Good! So, how do the youngsters these days go about showing their affections? I would like to make my feelings for a certain someone known, but I'm terribly out of practice." Grim thinks for a moment, and then: "Tuna. Looots of tuna. Heaps of it! It's all the rage!" Lilia nods sagely. "Ah, yes, I understand completely. There was a rotisserie chicken fad a few centuries ago... er, so I've read. Isn't love wonderful!" You come home from the library to an unconscious, drooling, but very happy Grim, and Lilia sitting atop a mountain of empty tuna cans and beaming. "Darling! You're back!"

VII. Malleus and Sebek

It had always been Sebek's honor and duty to serve the heir prince of Briar Valley, whether in war or in love. When Malleus wistfully said he wished to know you better, Sebek saw to it. That is, he spent the entire weekend shadowing you. And not subtly- he was never more than a few steps behind, pen and paper in hand. When you asked what in the world he was doing, he- "OBSERVING! NOW, QUIET! BEHAVE AS USUAL!" "You don't have to shout, you're right behind me. And observing what, Sebek?" "NONE OF YOUR CONCERN! ACT AS IF I AM NOT HERE!" At the end of the weekend, Sebek returned to Malleus' throne with a report that titled you "inquisitive, dense, and apparently hard-of-hearing."

VIII. Rollo and You

Your friends had seemed wary when Rollo asked you on a walk with him, though he promised he wouldn't take you too far from their clutches care. You had been in Fleur City for days and he didn't know a single thing about you, other than that you were magicless and pitiful. You were so often spoken over, interrupted, and dismissed, it took Rollo a strenuous amount of grace not to grab you by the wrist and drag you away from your rude, contemptuous classmates himself... He couldn't word the feeling. And he was hoping you could. "So," he says, "They refer to you as Prefect. That is your role? Do you enjoy it?" You shrug. Has being at that terrible school rendered you unfit for social interaction? "Very well. Then what do you do for... fun? You appeared to enjoy seeing the city. Are you interested in history?" You shrug again. How can he be expected to know you if you won't tell him anything?? Rollo decides that words are worthless, and his eyes land on your hands. His own fingers twitch and tingle in anticipation, and for a brief but terrifying moment, he thinks of reaching out to you. ...In the end, he can't will himself to do it. Maybe in another life.

[nemesyaaa]

sweet creature // truck driver!rafe x housewife!reader

summary : just a few mixed headcanons.

warnings : +18 content. minors dni. strong age gap. sweetheart x old man trope. smut. p in v. teasing. smoking. size difference. full nelson position bc big men lovers club here. hand fetish(sorry.). sleazy!rafe. squirting. loss of virginity. please, be aware of the warnings before reading.

author's note : muchas gracias a mi dulce @rafesangelita for giving me the idea bc i really loved to work on the concept of truck driver!rafe. shout out to crush by ethel cain too for give me the inspo of the story. <333

can't stop thinking about truck driver!rafe who's a proud working man. he's soooo bulky from charging alone some weighty goods on his eight wheelers everyday to deliveries driving for weeks and days. he's massive without forcing just because he's doing so hard with his hands on daily.

speaking of this, he's got such big sized hands. apparent thick veins on the back and calloused on the palms. large fingers with too much strength. easier for him to manhandle you or lift you up. they're very manly and rough. fat and round biceps with a strong size. he's tall and big, literally showing you without speaking who’s the man of the house, and who you belong to. you feel so secure every time he's around because you can be sure no one is touching you, no one is looking down at you, no one just dare to even glance at you. he doesn’t like to fight because he doesn't want you to think he's gonna hurt you one day, but if it's for you, he can do anything.

even if you don't like it, he's always smoking a bunch of cigarettes while he's driving and listening to some kind of old music. john denver or johnny cash are his favs.

he's always buying some new marlboro reds at the gas station with some gum when he's taking a break. if he's not smoking, he's chewing some gums until there is no flavor. he's just needs to get something in his mouth. just a bad habit.

he’s a loyal man that doesn't care about women hitting on him at the gas station. but sometimes, he's nostalgic because years ago , you were one of them. you were that pretty rebelious girl who's acting like she has no dad, no family and proudly flirting with him, doesn't give a fuck about getting away with a stranger. at first, you called him old man to joke. at contrary, he directly called you sweetheart, thinking that you're such a sweet thing.

both of you ended up in the motel. “ im curious of what you’ve got in your pants, old man. ” “ you're too young for that shit. ” “ huh, huh…don't you think it's more like you're too old for that shit, sir ? ” the smirk on his face at the moment was really something else. that fucking attitude of yours making him bite his lips.

the minute after, you were pinned down on the mattress, his whole body size over yours. “ repeat it. ” “ i said, you're too old to fuck, sir. ” “ isn’t a fucking virgin thing who doesn't even know anything about the word she's saying who's talking right now ? ” “ I'm not a virgin. ” you lied, rolling your eyes at the sight. “ i swear, I'm not ! ” he laughed softly. “ why are you lying, so eager to be a little slut ? that's why you ran away with strangers like me ?” it was the first time a man like that, and you were speechless. not in a bad way. it was just surprising. “ i think you're forgetting your manners. ” he said carefully, his blue gaze burning over yours.

“ if you want it, i will fuck you. but i need you to say it. clear and ‘oud. ” you turned your head away because there's no way you're gonna say such a thing to him. “ i will find someone else then. that receptionist girl was pre…” “ fuck me. ” you quickly said before repeating it slower and clearly. “ i want you to fuck me…” “ alright. spread those fucking legs for me, sweetheart…huh, look at you, being so wet for me…you really need me.” “ ugh, just touch me ! stop talking, old man. ” you gasped. “ remember that you asked for it. ”

“ yea, yea. ” he started to unbuckle his belt before taking off his pants. your mouth was gagging at his fat cock hanging between his heavy thighs. “ it’s not gonna suck itself. ” you gasped loudly, swallowing hard. “ i j-just don't know how to do it…show me please. ” “ fine. after all, it's my job as your eldest. ”

and that's how you consumed your first night with rafe.

truck driver!rafe who’s got such a pretty polaroid of you that stays and never leaves his truck. there is your lipstick stains on it and a sweet “ good luck ” written on the white space.

as a good housewife, you always prepare him some delicious meals to keep him fed even if he's away. you're always checking on your man' and loves when he's gaining more weight.

he's starting to get old, hitting his forties soon. he doesn't really care about his physic anymore but you still find him so attractive. when you met him, he was already a grown man so it didn't really change anything. he loves to wear a cap on his messy mullet, thinking that it makes him look cool. biggest tees with long sleeves lover. the fabric is not good enough to hide his muscular frame because his big size is so obvious. and he's wearing those blue jeans that fit his muddy boots.

he's not very hairy, but he's not the type to shave often like he used to when he was younger. he's fine with the apparent thick hair of his happy trail and mustache that makes him look like an 80's pornstar. when he's come home, shirtless and sweating, he's just serving you the best look to fuck.

you're obsessed with his scent after a long shift work. you don't care how strong he smells, you just want to hug him and never leave. while he's holding you tight, he's getting you locked on his hug, your face buried against his heavy and glistening chest. and you can't help but kiss his wet sweating tee.

even if he's tired, just knows this man gonna fuck you very hard, especially when you're so clingy to him. you can forget vanilla with truck driver!rafe, there's no way he's gonna be sweet on your fucking pussy, especially after you've been teasing him with dirty pictures of yourself while he was away and driving. also, he does need some stress relief so prepare to be dumb for at least one fucking day raw.

he's excited the moment he sees you. there is no more teasing. he's now in charge of everything and you better take everything he's gonna give you. this is not like he gives you other choices. at this moment, his favorite position to fuck you will be full nelson because you're trapped on his tight muscular hold, forced to bounce on the thickness of his dick. he's dicking you down so hard that you could hear the famous flap flap flap of his heavy balls slapping your skin.

“ don't fucking move. ” he treaths you with the raspy sound of his voice, while your body is bouncing at every of his thrusts. you're shaking loudly on his rocked abs, lips filled with drool and tears running down your heated cheeks. ” you're so fucking tight..! gonna give your pussy a big stretch…fuck ! ”

every back and forth is powerful enough to make your pussy throbs. the way his fleshy cock is moving and bruising your hole — going further and further to the point your stomach is filled with every inch of his shaft, the veiny lines of his dick pulsating inside your cunt and growing harder on your belly. all your whines and cries are nothing for the truck driver, nothing more than a sign to fuck you even faster and stronger. he still holding your twitching body against his toned chest, feeling every squirms of yours on his sweaty skin, and his hands grips at your back legs, while giving you the craziest thrusts. his hands feel so warm and huge on your lower tummy, fingers bruising at your belly while his length is striking to your spot each time. “ you're d-deep…fuck, rafe !! ah…it feels so good…” you cry out of emotions, tears bursting on your face again. “ yea, right ? fucking deep’. you really feel it inside you baby. ”

he's stretching your cunt so well that you can't stop screaming and quivering, feeling his sweat sticking to your body. his breathing is hard and heavy on the side of your cheeks, his jaw slacks but he keeps his mouth wide open loudly panting and getting deeper and stronger, lips tugging at your ears.

he's such a bully. i mean, his dick is. hitting and hitting your g-spot with any fucking breaks, always striking at it like a weapon. getting no mercy and pity on the way he's making you cry. he loves to see your face turning dumb, eyes wide shut, mouth leaking too much saliva, stupid babbles coming from your trembling lips. he's just pushing himself so deep inside your swollen core, breathy moans filling his lips as his cock hardly twitch between your walls, making your throbs even more. you can't even breathe without choking on yourself.

it's like he knows how to take all your energy with his thrusts. his cock won't leave your pussy alone, the veins still hard and bulged with pumping blood, and balls full even after your first orgasm. but not only he wanted you to come but to squirt too.

“ r-rafe, i feel it coming…nghh! ah stop. i c-ca…” “ just let it go, baby. can you do that for me ? ” and it happens just two seconds after, your stretched pussy opening bigger to splash a strong liquid over your folds and making a pool everywhere on yourself. you can't even process the situation that his dick is back into your walls again, merciless pounding your wetted hole. with the same fucked pace. you're such a shivering mess you can't feel anything except the length that's driving hard in your soaked insides. now that you're squirted, it's such a big wet place on your cunt. and he leads him to make you squirt another time. the sound of your pussy pumping his dick is so squishy and loud.

when he comes inside you, you can be sure it's gonna leak a lot from your slick. he's gonna fuck until his balls are empty, and your pussy gonna coats with so much of his sperm.

to be sure of his cock being dry, he's softly slapping at your lips with the tip, and making you clean it. he loves how sloppy you're sucking when you're tired, but he's a hard sucker for the look you give him when his dick weakly falls out of your mouth, and a stream of his sperm sticks at your lower lips.

and you're just off, laying your body back to the sheets.

you can't believe this man was soon forties. you simply can't believe it.

[rainbowpopeworld]

Image description below the cut

Screencap of black text on a white background.

In a suburban house in Paisley a wee boy was sticky-taping the leg of his oft-snapped spectodes back together. He couldn't remember a time when they hadn't been augmented with at least one area of peeling sellotape. Suddenly and quite without warning there was a rupture in the fobric of space and fime and a tall, skinny man tumbled through a wormhole in the middle of the living room and landed in a puddle of brown coat at the boy's feet.

"Who are you?" asked the boy. Confused and a little scared, but mostly loving it.

"Oh - oh, hello. If's you! I'm you... you're... me."

"Eh?" the boy asked. (Try as she might the boy's mother could not get him to say "pardon".)

"'m you. In your future. I'm thirty-eight years old."

Because he was eight the boy accepted this quite quickly. "Is that my coat then? Can I try it on?"

"No, no, no - " interrupted the skinny man, slightly disappointed his time-travelling was being greeted with so little wonderment. "This is my costume. These clothes are The Doctor's. In thirty years' time you get to play The Doctor. What do you think of that?!"

"Tom Baker leaves!" the boy boggled.

"Well.. yes, eventually - "

"And then I take over?"

"Not quite, no, there's a bit of time in between but....

"And that's what The Doctor wears?"

"Yes. Yes it is."

The boy took a moment to give this his full attention. "I prefer the scarf."

The skinny man looked a little crushed. "But this is really cool. People write about this outfit in newspapers and style magazines. This is geek chic!... But actually you're right; people never really get over the scarf."

"Are the monsters good?" the boy asked.

"Oh there are some great ones. And you get to fight the Daleks, and the Cybermen

" - and the Zygons?!"

"Erm, no, no not the Zygons. But loads of other ones that you'll love. And guess what... Sarah comes back! And K-9!"

"K-9 leaves too!!" the boy groaned.

"Well, yes but he comes back - with you. And there are loads of great companions. Some of them aren't even born yet - but they're just brilliant! And you won't believe this, but you know Bernard Cribbins from 'The Wombles'?"

" - and 'Jackanory' - "

" - and 'Jackanory', yes. Well he's in it too. You get to do all sorts of scenes with him."

"That's amazing!"

"It is."

"Why do I have to wait so long?" asked the boy.

"Eh? I mean, pardon?"

"You're really old."

"I don't think - well - not so - it's all relative. The skinny man protested.

"And how come your hair's all dark?" the wee boy asked.

"That just happens... round about twelve I think" The skinny man regarded his younger self. "Look there's quite a bit of stuff to get through first but hang in there. It's worth it. I promise. I can't tell you how much you'll love it."

"Really? Do I really get to be The Doctor?"

"You do. And listen - you are going to have: the best time of your life."

And with that the skinny man disappeared in a swirl of pulsing temporal vortex. The wee boy held his damaged glasses in front of his face as the wormhole blinked out of existence. That was unexpected, he thought. And pretty unlikely.

Then he turned his attention back to the sellotape and the glasses. 'The Creature From the Pit' Part Two was on later. He needed to be ready.

David John McDonald, 3rd November 1979/2009

Apparently David Tennant wrote this for a doctor who episode guide and it’s the cutest thing

https://welleyenever.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/doctor-who-series-4-specials-foreword-2.jpeg?w=840

girl NOT David Tennant writing doctor who fanfic about himself and himself 💀

[norikuna]

❛ lousy liquor, loose lips ── 𝓖𝐎𝐉𝐎 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐔

✶ 𝓬𝔀 ｡⠀五条悟 ㅤ&ㅤsfw ㅤ( 660 ) gojo is drunk and very much in love w/ you

"you're really so lucky that i like you," you're huffing, tightening your grip around gojo's firm waist, letting him sway against you as he's practically one drink away from belting out sea shanties in the quiet streets of tokyo, "i should have left you on the side of the road." the idiot's still half-laughing, half-stumbling down the empty corridor.

but now he's leaning heavier against you, a beefy arm draped lazily around your shoulders, and the scent of sake has mingled with his expensive cologne, "you like me?" echoing, but you can hear the teasing tone in his slurs.

"that's what you took from my words?" you adjust your hold, cursing under your breath, "you're six-foot-something of dead weight right now. focus on walking."

"not a fan," gojo grins, head lolling towards you so soft strands of white hair brush your cheek in soft, petal-light kisses. his blindfold is shoved up onto his forehead, exposing glassy, flushed skin and hazy blue eyes, "i can teleport, y'know. being the strongest and all that shit."

you yank his staff uniform collar, hard. pulling gojo back from running towards a stray cat and making ridiculous baby noises, rolling your eyes, "then, pray tell, why aren't you using it?"

"because," gojo stops walking entirely, making you stumble with the sudden halt, "i wanted to spend more time with you." gojo, being the grown man he is, has the audacity to top off his little sentence with a giggle and a teehee.

but you're doing your best to drown the frozen block of ice leaping into your throat. gojo's drunk, so very drunk and off his rocket, but you're not an idiot and you definitely don't miss the uncharacteristic softness painting his creamy cheeks awash in a pretty, berry shade of watercolour.

"satoru...," you're warning, doing your best to not buckle under the weight of the strongest sorcerer alive as he patters up the stairs.

but gojo's just smiling, slower this time, and more genuine, "you never call me that."

"because it makes you smug." you're reaching into his pockets, practically wrapped up against him as you fumble for his apartment keys. and he just lets you.

"i like it when you say my name," gojo's leaning in, forehead nearly pressed against yours, close enough that you can feel small puffs of hot air against your burning skin, "i like a lot of things 'bout you."

what a dangerous dilemma. drunk gojo was charming in a messy, unguarded way that left you defenceless, with a pounding, traitorous heart.

"you're going to regret saying all this tomorrow," you mutter, but your hands don't quite loosen up on him. yeah, you know that you like holding gojo satoru in your arms.

"or..." gojo's gentle grin widens, ocean-blue eyes wide as they search yours, "maybe i'll regret not saying all this sooner."

gojo's hand, so very calloused from battle wounds and bruises, are practically tracing hearts around your face. warm skin. brushing your cheek, thumb ghosting over your lower lip like he's going to kiss you.

and you want him to kiss you. so, rationally, what do you do next?

"well, yippee!" you yelp, pushing gojo's apartment door open so you can shove the ridiculously tall man in, "time for you to hit the hay, pal! talk to ya' tomorrow."

waving him off, ignoring his whines and whimpers as he's muttering to himself, tearing his blindfold off and chucking it on the pricey leather couch.

you just close the door abruptly in his face, gnawing at your inner cheek when you hear a sweet, crisp call from the other side of the wood, "i love you!" followed by a thump, most likely the sound of a grown, adult man crashing out on his couch — ready for a nasty hangover tomorrow morning.

[hitoshitoshi]

I Love You More Than You Know [Caleb X Fem!Reader 18+]

CW: DEAD DOVE: DO NOT EAT, smut, dubcon, dubious morality, training, incest, praise, rough to soft sex, abandonment issues, angst, grinding, cunnilingus, oral sex, inappropriate use of EVOL -- DO NOT READ IT IF YOU'RE NOT INTO DEAD DOVE FICS. You've been warned.

Summary: Big bro Caleb's a big meanie in bed and he uses his evol on his cute little sister!

WC: 1257 words.

“Oh fuck, baby… just like that.”

Caleb’s eyes rolled back as he groaned, his voice was husky and rough against your ear as he pressed the tip of your cock against your folds—the fabric of your cute little panties damp and clinging to you. He could see the outline of his cock through the thin material that was glistening more and more with each rut of his hips. He wanted to rip the fabric away—to bury himself deep inside of you and to feel your cunny clench around him.  Caleb closed his eyes as his breath hitched. He smeared his pre-cum against your cunny as his fat tip caught onto your entrance as he gripped your hips and dug his fingers into your soft flesh, bending you over as he kept grinding against you.

There was something so hot about all of this—something that turned Caleb on so much… but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was exactly that made his tip leak so much. Was it how you were so pliant under him while he was bending you in half? Or was it the fact that you were letting out the sweetest mewls while your face was flushed—all wet and ready for him? 

Or was it because even after all these years of fucking you—training his dear little sister’s cunny to take each and every inch of him, training you to seek that pleasure high, and teaching you to depend on him and him only to get you off and getting wet to the sight of them—that he’s finally made the perfect cockslut for him.

—-

It definitely wasn’t easy at first, you were so young and innocent—he had to plan it al out perfectly so that you were addicted to him at first touch; so much so that you would need him like your body depended on it to live.

Caleb was so gente,  whispering sweet nothings in your ear, making sure that it was both intimate and light, making you giggle with each soft kiss that he pressed upon your skin. He wanted to make it so that your giggles turned into begging—begging him to touch you so that it would just be your big brother Caleb doing you a favor. He was just making you feel good, so why would he ever get into trouble if he was just helping his sweet little sister out, right? 

If only you saw through your fluttering eyes—the smirk on Caleb’s face the first time he kissed your cunny; how you let out the prettiest whimper; your hips subconsciously bucking up to meet his lips—that’s when he knew he had you hooked.

Caleb hummed against your clit, “Mmm, that feels good, right?” He chuckled as he felt another roll of your hips against his lips as he continued, “Such a good girl… yeah? Your big brother’ll make you feel so good… Just promise not to tell anyone, okay? They’ll be jealous of us and won’t let up play anymore, and you don’t want that, right?”

Before you could even shake your head no, Caleb reeled it in even more as he hooked your thighs tighter around his neck. Caleb alternated between flattening his tongue and flicking it against your clit as he lapped at your sopping wet pussy like a starving man that hasn’t eaten in days. He knew he won when he heard your innocent breathy whines… whines that promised him that you wouldn’t tell anyone and how you wanted to feel whatever pleasure he made you feel even more.

—

“Mmfh.. Please, ah-please, Caleb… wan-” You let out desperate whines as you tried lifting your hips up so that Caleb’s cock could finally sink into your ready pussy after sooo long of him just fucking his cock between your lips. But unfortunately, it was futile because your big bro Caleb was just so big and strong that he held you bent in half, not letting you do anything. 

Caleb let out an ‘aw’ as he tapped his cockhead against your clit, letting out an amused huff as he mocked you, “‘Wan?’ C’mon, use your big girl words. ‘m not givin’ you what you ‘wan’ unless you tell me it.”

He was always like this—so mean to you whenever you two were in bed. Sometimes it made you question what happened to the Caleb outside of bed. Caleb would always spoil you with whatever you want, so why was it that he was always so, so mean at times like these?!

“Caleb! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I don’t need you to get me off y’know?” You whined as you tried batting at Caleb’s arm, until you couldn’t.

You shouldn’t have said that.

Not at all.

Caleb suddenly used his evol to keep you exactly in the position he wanted you in; legs stuck on top of his shoulders with your arms  stuck on top of the bed, unable to lift anything up. There was a shift in Caleb’s eyes—one that you’ve barely seen fully; it was a look that told you that you probably should’ve listened to him and told him what you wanted instead of resorting to being childish… but you couldn’t help it. You were hot and needy and he should’ve been a good big brother and given you what he’s always given you. His cock. 

But unfortunately for you, the words have already left your lips, and all the air was knocked out of your lungs as Caleb sunk his cock sharply into your cunny. You wanted him deep inside of you, right? And that’s what you got. His pace was relentless as he thrusted deeply as he closed his eyes, letting out quiet grunts as he just concentrated on fucking you. 

He was too deep into his mind to even enjoy the moans and the feeling of you wrapped around him. He hated what you said—truly. The thought of you hating him… the thought of you not needing him anymore… It terrified him. He couldn’t imagine life without his dear little sister, and the thought of you needing someone else—replacing him with someone else—Caleb gritted his teeth as he thrusted harder into you. 

Caleb desperately smashed his lips against yours, murmuring against your lips as his balls slapped your ass, “You don’t mean that, right? That you hate me and that you don’t need me?” 

Anyone in the world would see Caleb’s questions as something someone would ask before the other would get punished in bed, but you knew otherwise, even though you were completely blissed out, unable to say anything other than to shake your head from side to side, signalling to Caleb that your answer was a no. You loved your big brother a lot and knew that this was a moment of vulnerability. A side that only you got the privilege to see, and you weren’t about to ruin what the two of you had just because you were joking.

Caleb visibly relaxed once he got confirmation that you weren’t serious. He thrusted his hips faster as he was finally able to focus on the pleasure that you gave him. His desperate kiss turned soft and he gently caressed your lips with his tongue, his hips stilling as he came deep inside of your cunny. You needed him just as much as he needed you, and he would do anything for you.

Anything at all.

“I love you more than you know.”

A/N: First dead dove fic :3 Anyways, it's been a longgg long time since I've posted a fanfic, and I just had to go all out, really. Life's been busy, but I hope you all are doing well <3. Feel free to follow my twitter if you'd like if you wanna be moots!

TWITTER | MASTERLIST

[23victoria]

7/11

ꨄ༊*·˚ pairings: f1 drivers x fem!reader

₊✩°｡⋆ authors note: this was in my drafts but it’s based of the tiktok challenge!! this is format is a bit different lmk if you like it!! i hope you guys enjoy!! also let’s pretend seb and jenson have tiktok and use it….well seb at least jenson def has a secret tiktok

ꨄ༊*·˚ synopsis: doing the 7/11 Beyoncé song challenge on tiktok “in secret” not realizing your man was standing there watching the whole time!

₊✩°｡⋆ wanna be tagged in my works?! CLICK HERE!

ꨄ༊*·˚ F1 MASTERLIST

You’re alone in your room, music blasting, focused on getting every move perfect as you record yourself doing the 7/11 dance challenge. The rhythm flows through you effortlessly, your body moving with precision and confidence. After finishing, you stop the recording, catching your breath as you play the video back. A grin spreads across your face as you watch yourself.

"Oh, I ate that up."

Satisfied, you post it without a second thought.

Then—

"Oh my god!"

You yelp, nearly dropping your phone when you turn and find him standing in the doorway, arms crossed, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.

"Did I scare you?" he chuckles.

"What are you doing just standing there?!" you demand, clutching your chest.

"I was coming to ask what you wanted me to cook for you," he says casually, tilting his head. "But I saw you looking at your phone smiling really hard and got curious."

Heat rushes to your face. "Oh... well—nothing. It’s nothing."

He raises a brow. "Mhm. Nothing, huh?"

You swallow nervously. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Not long," he shrugs, stepping closer. "Just enough to see you smiling at yourself like you just changed the world."

You roll your eyes, trying to brush it off. "Anyway, I want [random food] for dinner."

He grins. "Alright then, let’s go, baby." He takes your hand, leading you to the kitchen.

·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* •̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*:･ﾟ✧·̩̩̥͙

Two Hours Later

You’re curled up on the couch with him, eating and watching a movie while your phone charges. Eventually, you reach for it and notice an insane amount of notifications.

"What the hell?" you murmur, unlocking it. Your jaw drops as you see your TikTok video has blown up. Thousands of comments flood in—

"Look at how he’s looking at her." "OMG, he’s so in love with her." "I need a man to look at me like that." "This just made me feel so single." "She’s so hot, he’s lucky."

Your stomach drops as you quickly rewatch the video. That’s when you see it—

Through the mirror’s reflection, he had been standing in the doorway the entire time, completely mesmerized by you.

"Oh my god."

Then, just as your embarrassment peaks, you see his comment:

"Oh, she’s definitely getting it tonight 🤤"

Your phone nearly slips out of your hand.

Lewis

You gasp and slap his arm. “Lewis!”

He lets out a deep chuckle, eyes twinkling with amusement. “What?”

“Did you really have to comment that?!” you exclaim, face burning.

He smirks, leaning closer. “Why? It’s true.”

You shove his face away, groaning. “Oh my god, I’m going to delete it.”

“No, you’re not.” He swiftly takes your phone, holding it above his head while you struggle to grab it.

"Lewis, give it back!"

"Nope," he grins, "you should be thanking me for hyping you up."

You narrow your eyes. "You're insufferable."

He leans in, lips brushing against your ear. "And yet, you love me."

Damn it. He’s right.

Charles

Your face burns as you shove his shoulder. “Charles! Why would you comment that?!”

He bursts into laughter, completely unbothered. “What? It’s the truth, no?”

You groan, burying your face in your hands. “The whole world didn’t need to know that!”

He tilts his head, smirking. “You’re acting like they don’t already know how much I love you.”

Your heart skips a beat.

Charles leans in, whispering, “Besides… now they know what to expect tonight.”

You smack his arm again, but he only grins wider, completely enjoying your flustered state.

Max

Your stomach drops. “Max, please tell me you did not just comment that.”

He shrugs, fighting a smirk. “I mean, it’s not a lie.”

You groan, covering your face. “I hate you.”

He chuckles, wrapping an arm around you. “No, you don’t.”

You glare up at him. “What if my parents see that?!”

Max snorts. “Your mom already likes my comment.”

Your eyes widen in horror. He laughs even harder, pulling you closer. “Face it, schat, you’re stuck with me.”

Oscar

You nearly drop your phone, whipping around to face him. “Oscar! Seriously?!”

He bites his lip, barely holding back a laugh. “What?”

You gesture wildly at the screen. “That comment! ‘She’s definitely getting it tonight’—are you insane?!”

He chuckles, playing innocent. “I’m just stating facts.”

You groan, throwing a pillow at him. He catches it with ease, grinning. “Don’t be mad, babe. It’s kinda cute seeing you all flustered.”

You glare. “You are never living this down.”

Oscar smirks. “That’s fine. As long as I get to prove my comment right.”

Your face burns as he winks at you.

Lando

Your jaw drops. “Lando, WHAT THE HELL?!”

He bursts out laughing, falling back on the couch. “Oh my god, your face right now!”

You smack his arm repeatedly. “That was NOT funny!”

He’s wheezing at this point. “Babe, you should see the comments. Everyone’s obsessed with how I look at you.”

You pout. “That’s not the point, Lando.”

He grins, wrapping an arm around you. “Fine, fine. I’ll make it up to you.”

You narrow your eyes. “How?”

He smirks. “Let’s just say… my comment won’t be a lie.”

You groan, pushing his face away while he laughs.

Carlos

You turn to Carlos, horrified. “Carlos! Did you seriously just post that?!”

He smirks, leaning back with a satisfied expression. “Sí. Why?”

You groan. “You’re so embarrassing!”

Carlos shrugs. “It’s true, though.” He leans in, voice dropping to a whisper. “And I don’t lie, cariño.”

Your breath hitches. “I hate you.”

He grins. “No, you don’t. Now, finish eating, so we have energy for later.”

You blush furiously while he chuckles, clearly enjoying your reaction.

Jenson

You clutch your chest. “Jenson, why would you comment that?!”

He smirks, sipping his drink. “Because it’s true, love.”

You glare. “Do you have any shame?”

“None whatsoever.”

You sigh dramatically. “I can’t believe I’m dating you.”

He leans in, pressing a kiss to your cheek. “And yet, you are. Lucky me.”

Damn it. You can’t even stay mad.

Sebastian

Your heart races as you read his comment. “Seb, what is WRONG with you?!”

He grins innocently. “Nothing, why?”

You wave your phone. “‘She’s definitely getting it tonight’—DO YOU HAVE NO FILTER?!”

Seb shrugs. “Should I delete it?”

You nod frantically.

He smirks. “Too late. It’s already viral.”

You groan, burying your face in your hands.

Sebastian chuckles, pulling you into his arms. “Don’t worry, liebling. If anything, now everyone knows just how much I adore you.”

You sigh, defeated. “I hate you.”

He grins. “I love you too.”

·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* •̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*:･ﾟ✧·̩̩̥͙

ꨄ taglist! : @ham1lton @ietss @animeandf1lover @nelly187 @heartsfromtaeyong @bloodyymaryyy @nor-4 @zacian117 @mel164 @uhhvictoria @hadidsworld @zabwlky1999 @sya-skies @lillysbigwilly @avengers-assemble123456 @santanasaintmendes @km-23mr @hookhausenschips @avada-kedavra-bitch-187 @Ronpho @minekarina @aeongism @Formula1-motogpfa @slagclarens @aleexvqa @f1updates4you @booksandflowrs @chaostudee @winkev1 @strawblueberrys @Blakesbearblog @cel-b @perfumejamal @aykxz98 @pandora-08 @teti-menchon0604 @bxtosa @fadingcloudballoon @whatevenisthisxxxxx @anamiad00msday @luula @tellybearryyyy @exotic-iris13 @magixpracticality @eoduuung @eternoangel @ihtscuddlesbeeetchx3 @flowerpetalk @oledoledoffen @jimcarreyfann42 @revolutionsingingintherain @acesbakery @oliviah-25 @matcha—-matcha @unkownmystery_22 @sophienorris18-blog @armystay89 @paucubarsisimp

[altarecs]

note: welcome back to altarecs! we're reviewing in depth tonight, fellas. strap in.

today's fic is actually by a dearest friend of mine. shall we?

spoilers under the cut!

notes before reading: POSEIDON THIS PU-*gunshot* also, i wrote a fic for this collaboration too! but anyway i digress. onward!

real as hell already, jessifer.

me either, chan!! sometimes i think about them

oh i'm already so sad...

ageism prevalent in the world of greek gods is CRAZY work but i see the vision.

i have no idea why this made me as sad as it did. it really shows how losing all you know, everything you have can change you as a person and warp your sense of self. it's kind of like losing yourself in the past while still trying to prevail in the present.

no clue what you're talking about, i'm never wrong.

mentions chan without mentioning chan is my favorite thing ever.

MY FAVORITE PLOT DEVICE EVERYBODY, KWON SOONYOUNG!!

this entire paragraph reminds me of the call of the void, actually. i feel the same.

OH I LOVE LEE CHAN I LOVE LEE CHAN LEE CHAN DO YOU NEED HEAD!

i do girl, give that application here.

me convincing myself that everyone isn't out to get me

girl fym 'thankfully'??! that's pookie! he's our endgame, idiot!

CLOCK HER, TIGER MAN!

oh lawd the goin' is gettin' GOOD.

goodness me...maturity does the soul good, doesn't it.

soonyoung, oh soonyoung...i love you so dearly.

GUYS IT'S SHERLOCK

I AM GIGGLING AND KICKING MY FEETTTT AUAUAUAUA

still cutie patootie chan, after all. i love him so dearly, it's like that video of him at a photoshoot when he got shy after lifting up his shirt. i love himmmmm so BADDD FREE ME

that wasn't the question, chan. you're not slick.

circle time with mr. lee telling us stories is my new favorite thing.

something about it makes me think of that connect the dots meme

this one

anyway, i digress

OH YOU BITCH THEY KISSED

I LOVE A MAN THAT LIVES FOR VERBAL CONSENT I LOVE A MAN THAT ASKS FOR CONSENT I LOVE CONSENT

alright bro.

BLUSHES LIKE A SLUT? HELLOOOOO LEE CHAN?

man i wanna come work at the aquarium too tf

yanno, i could feel the angst coming and yet i ignored it

butter me up and call me a biscuit bc i'm stupid as fuck for that

when did you meet my ex, jessifer???

YN IS ME YN IS MEEEE

WE'VE REACHED THE IMAGE LIMIT SO WE PROCEED IN INDENTS.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And that’s when it clicks. That’s when he realizes. You’re not just a reincarnated sea nymph. No, it’s much deeper than that. He knows your soul more intimately than he knows his own. He can’t believe that he didn’t see it right away. Can’t believe he’s had you in his bed for months now without realizing.

girl this is amphitrite, get with the program.

“Poseidon. The one true love of my life, yes,” he says. 

is this where we kiss again!! long lost lovers found each other across the time and space continuum!!!

She should have been given a say in her own life rather than treated like property by her father and the man who claimed to love her. 

ah yes. because we are somebody, not just some body. thank you for touching base on that.

Now, it just felt like she had been forced into a life she never wanted.

this makes me so incredibly sad for the both of them, and i've read and reread poseidon and amphitrite so many times.

There’s the sparks that always fly between you two.

sparks flyyyy it's like electricityyy

also funny because he's the god of the sea and sparks =/= water

Then, almost as if on cue, that whispering voice returns. It reminds you of how you felt when you first met Chan. Of the distaste you had without being able to place it.

we can never have nice things, can we? sigh...

a part of me feels really...i understand her. but thinking about the hurt that both of them have been through, and to think that she could potentially rip herself away from him after all of these conversations and all of these truths...where does that leave her? where does that leave him?

He’s incredibly sorry, but he’s going to be leaving for a while. He knows that it’s not fair to you, but it’s something that he’s got to do.

for some reason...i can hear 'the power of love' by celine dion playing in my head right now.

also, i've begun to tear up! yay!

It’s selfish, he admits, so incredibly selfish, but he can’t move forward with you, even if that’s what you want, without knowing more. He can’t watch as you age and he doesn’t. Can’t grow to love you more and more only to know you have an expiration date. It’s cold, he knows, to say it that way. It’s also the way he’s going to approach it. The whole letter is filled with apologies and acknowledgements followed by buts. 

seeing the route you took and comparing it to the route i made seungkwan and y/n take in my fic is so insane. we are so different and i love it, i love how your mind works.

'wherever you will go' by the calling is playing as i type this.

It seems like both of you have a lot to figure out before you see each other next.

i hate you for doing this to me.

ENDING NOTES:

This fic has made me incredibly sad, and I could physically feel my chest tighten and loosen up with every word. I wanted to understand mc, and while I do...I think I appreciate both of them taking the decision to search deeper for answers. Do I think maybe Chan could've done this face-to-face? Yes, of course. But then I'd also be hoping for a yearning, a begging scene of rekindlement, of "we can do this together, please don't leave me."

Well done, Jessifer. I love it.

as wild and untamable as the sea | l.c

pairing: greek god!chan x reincarnated sea nymph!f!reader genre: angst, romance, smut | reincarnation, fantasy, greek gods!au rating: explicit, minors DNI word count: ~15.8k warnings: mentions of past unhealthy relationships, (possibly inaccurate) greek mythology, lots of POV switches (but i don't think it's confusing) mentions of eating, explicit smut, multiple sex positions, unprotected sex (just don't), slight edging, overstimulation, fingering, oral sex (f. receiving), chan is strong and very in control, i think that's all but let me know if it's not

summary: Chan remembers everything. Every little thing that's happened to him since his days as one of the twelve Olympians. Poseidon to be exact. Even though he tries not to think about it now that he's living in modern times running a sad little aquarium, some memories are more vivid than others. Then, you stumble into his life and he can't explain the draw. You can't seem to figure out how this man is keeping an aquarium like this running when it seems like it's not that busy. Something about him really seems to put you off, despite the fact that he seems drawn to you. None of it makes any sense...until it does.

a/n: this is for the 13 Gods of Olympus collab that @beomcoups & @wooahaeproductions have been tirelessly working on. thank you so much for hosting this! i know this isn't the end for this couple, but i really needed to get this out into the world. if you want to know what happens next with them, let me know.

a/n 2: this is semi-unedited and i'm just throwing it out into the world but i'll come back. if you see anything glaring, no you didn't!

tag list: @illiadiaz, @syluslittlecrows, @yini-yang, @fancypeacepersona, @bitchlessdino, @newjihoonie, @tinyelfperson, @dokyeomkyeom, @miriamxsworld, @hongrizon, @klecksstorys, @gyuminusone, @aaniag, @straykidswhoo789, @kimseokgen, @beomesbabe, @haolistic, @vanishingboots, @harry-the-pottypus, @pyeonghongrie, @nuttywastelandmentality, @writingbarnes, @gyuhao365, @divinityyy, @dibidibidismynameisleeknow, @tusswrites, @cookiearmy

Another day, another dollar. 

Wasn’t that what the humans said about another day spent working at some mindless job? Despite all the years he’s spent blending into their world, Chan still doesn’t really understand the humans. Doesn’t really understand why they put up with so many things they seemingly hate. Doesn’t really understand why they waste their short lives on something that makes them miserable. But, in fairness to the humans, Chan has also never had to worry about the trivial things that come along with working like money, possessions, or a home. When you’re one of the original gods of Olympus and life is seemingly infinite, money isn’t really an issue. 

That’s who Chan was in another lifetime: Poseidon. The God of the Sea, among other things. At least, until Olympus fell. A painful thought that he usually tries to push from his mind.

In the early days after Olympus fell, Chan still went through life acknowledging who he was. He leveraged his powers for favors or for payment. He used his control of the water and everything in it to get him what he needed. But, the years went by and the Olympians became the stuff of myth. Of stories. The kind of characters that you read about in books. Only the most eccentric members of society continue to worship the Olympians as if they’re real. Which they are, Chan reminds himself. Or, they were. As the faith faded, so did the Olympians’ belief in restoring themselves to full power. One by one, they gave up the task of finding a way back until it was only Chan and Zeus left. Two of the brightest minds of Olympus. Even they had to admit their own defeat. 

Which leads to the present day. Chan has taken on a new persona, for the…well, he’s lost track of what number this one is. He’s just thankful for his ability to shapeshift into someone new whenever he needs to. Takes a new name every time, too. At first, he tried to keep in touch with his siblings and the other Olympians. That, too, fades over time. It’s been at least a century since he’s spoken to any of them. Though, occasionally, he’ll catch wind of something through the chattering of local sea creatures. Something that says at least some of them are still out there.

Chan sighs. There’s really no reason for him to be wandering down memory lane in this way. He thinks, not for the first time, that maybe he needs to pick a different cover job. One that will keep his mind a little more occupied. The reality is, though, he’s tried nearly everything he could think of over the centuries. Changing professions is a frequent occurrence when he doesn’t want to let his body show too many signs of age. Not that he minds, it’s just that people start to ask too many questions about how he’s handling things someone “his age” shouldn’t be able to handle. In the end, working with sea life has always been the best. And this set up, where he’s running a smaller aquarium off of some long forgotten boardwalk in an area that doesn’t get much traffic, is also great. It isn’t even that Chan doesn’t like being around people. He finds humans entertaining in most senses. It’s just that nothing in this life is permanent for him. He’s not going to fall in love and grow old with someone. Best to just keep things at arm’s length. 

Most days are more or less the same and Chan works the majority of them. On the rare days off, he’s not far away since his little house is within walking distance of both the aquarium, the boardwalk it’s on, and the water. He trusts the limited staff that he has because he pays them well. Better than any other similar business, but he values loyalty. And they don’t seem to question how he’s able to make things work. That is largely due to the anonymous donors that make monthly contributions to the aquarium. Really, it’s just Chan funneling money that he’s earned over his many years on Earth so that he can keep a business afloat. Nobody seems to have anything to say. Beyond the staff not asking questions, they are all very good at their jobs. It makes life easier for Chan that way because he doesn’t have to micromanage them. Everyone knows what they’re supposed to do and will only ask questions if they hit an actual block. No, the aquarium runs very smoothly. It just doesn’t get a lot of business.

Since every day kind of blends together, Chan almost never realizes as days or weeks or even months pass by. He’s in a sort of autopilot where he also knows what he has to do and just does it without question. It’s just rinse and repeat day in and day out. 

Until it’s not. Until the first day that he notices you in his small, out of the way little aquarium. Until the day that everything starts to change.

You’re not really sure what pulls you in for the first time. You’ve probably passed this sad little aquarium dozens of times without giving it a second thought. Then, one day, you decide that you might as well go in. The cost of admission is incredibly reasonable, but you think that’s probably why you haven’t gone sooner. It might seem counterintuitive. You just wonder how well the animals can be taken care of with such a low cost of admission.  You’re not sure if you can handle seeing animals mistreated. Still, there’s no going back now. Even with the outside seemingly a little poorly cared for, you still find your feet pulling you forward. 

You’ve never been more wrong about anything in your life. 

The dingy outside gives way to a vibrant inside that’s teeming with love and light. The art on the walls is carefully curated to match the different areas of the aquarium. There are workers with genuine smiles going about their days. Even the animals seem to be happy. It’s also deceptively large on the inside. It makes you wonder why it looks so run down from the outside. Surely, someone that cares this much about the animals could care a little more for the outside as well. Maybe that’s the point. Why waste money on an outside nobody really cares about when it can go to the best care possible?

Almost immediately, you feel a sense of peace wash over you. Just this morning, you were ready to explode from all the stress in your life. Now, stress feels like the furthest thing from your mind. In fact, you can’t even remember what you were stressed about. Strange. This is the first time you remember a single place erasing any sort of worry. Just as you’re about to consider that the place holds some kind of magic, you realize that not everyone seems to be as at ease. A mother scolds her child and an elderly couple bicker. It breaks a little bit of the illusion, though you still feel calm. 

Subconsciously, your feet carry you to the area with the sea otters. They have always been some of your favorites, even if they’re not the typical sea resident that people think about. As you watch on, two chase each other around the enclosure. They seem like they must be young with the way they can’t seem to stop playing. It’s incredibly endearing to watch. Another, slightly larger, otter emerges from around a bend and the original two quickly dip under the water to shoot off. It almost seems like a mother scolding her children, but maybe you’re creating too many stories within your own mind. Your imagination, especially around sea life, can be a bit active.

A few minutes later, a worker comes out and starts feeding all the otters. They’re quick to come and get the food, showing just how many there are. You weren’t expecting to see such a large population in this off-the-beaten-path aquarium. The man feeding them looks young, but that’s true of nearly everyone that you’ve seen here. They all look young and entirely too pretty. This man is no different. He’s sporting a very blond, shaggy semi-mullet that doesn’t look like it could possibly be his natural hair color. Yet, it looks remarkably believable on him. When you frown at the amount of food he’s giving to the otters, he walks over to the side of the enclosure and leans on the railing close to you. He tosses a bucket of crab legs out into the water and the otters go crazy for that. It seems an odd choice for animals living in captivity, but what do you know? 

“Did you know,” the man begins, “that sea otters eat 25% of their weight in food every day?” 

Well. That certainly explains it. “I didn’t.” 

“I like to give them the crab legs too because it’s a fun little activity for them,” he carries on with a smile. “It’s also something they’d eat in the wild.” 

“That seems…expensive,” you say carefully. 

The man only smiles bigger. “Oh it is! But our boss has really great donors for the aquarium and we can afford to feed them well.” 

“Well, then the otters are definitely lucky,” you note and turn back to the otters.

“We all are. Chan takes care of us just as well as all the animals that live here,” he says. 

“Chan?” you ask. 

“Oh, our boss,” the man carries on happily. “I’m Soonyoung, by the way.” 

You take his extended hand and give your own name in response. Soonyoung happily carries on with telling you all about the otters they have, including the name of each one. Then he offers to take you on a tour of the aquarium because of your interest. It’s too nice of an offer to turn down. It also further proves that you should not judge a book by its cover. Every inch of the aquarium is so masterfully cared for and every living being seems happy. That is, if a fish can also seem happy. The tanks aren’t overcrowded or dirty. And, you can’t explain it, but you can just tell they’re happy. Each person that they encounter seems to genuinely love their job. You’re not even sure why you’re paying such close attention. Or why you care so much. 

Truthfully, there’s always been something of a call to the ocean. A peace that comes over you when you’re near the water. It was enough to get you to move cities, figuring that would satisfy that need. The pull only got stronger. Plenty of people feel at peace surrounded by water, you reason, and don’t think further on it. You don’t consider that worrying about the conditions in an aquarium may not be normal. Don’t consider that most people don’t start getting moody when they’ve been separated from the ocean too long. Don’t consider that it really is only the ocean. Although sometimes a freshwater lake, when it’s big enough with plenty of fish in it, will fill up your cup, it never lasts as long. It also never works to alleviate your mood when you do something as simple as going into the pool. 

The trip around the aquarium with Soonyoung seems like exactly what you need. Until suddenly, it doesn’t. As he’s taking you through an exhibit area, a young man appears from behind a closed door marked as Staff Only. He’s got a dress shirt on with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. His short dark hair highlights striking features. And, you think, he would be beautiful if it weren’t for the frown on his face. He looks entirely too serious for someone so young. He’s also much more dressed up than anyone else at the aquarium.

“Oh, there he is!” Soonyoung exclaims, causing the man to turn towards the two of you. His face softens a bit at seeing Soonyoung before studying you somewhat quizzically. 

“Soon,” he says with the air of someone exasperated at Soonyoung’s antics. 

“This is Chan, our boss,” Soonyoung carries on and your eyebrows fly into your hairline as he introduces you to his boss. 

Truthfully, Chan looks younger than Soonyoung in some ways. But, there’s a wisdom in his face that your new friend lacks. Like he’s lived a hundred lifetimes already. It catches you off guard. But, Chan extends his hand to shake yours and that’s when you feel it. A sudden surge of annoyance that lasts only as long as your hands are connected. If he feels anything, he doesn’t show it. His smile is friendly and it only confuses you further. 

A moment later, Chan excuses himself from the pair of you and Soonyoung leads you away to continue the tour. You can’t really shake the odd feeling you got from the handshake, though. When Soonyoung concludes his tour, you ask about opportunities to volunteer. There’s something about this place that feels like home and you’re not really sure what it is. Soonyoung’s face brightens. 

“Chan doesn’t believe in volunteers. Even if you only come in once a month, he pays you for your time and obviously waives the entrance fee so you can come visit even when you’re not working,” he says with a bright smile.

“Oh, I don’t need a job…” you start before he waves you off. 

“Leave me your contact information and I’ll pass it on. He coordinates everything himself and he can go over it all with you. I’m sure he’d be happy to have another animal lover around here,” Soonyoung says with a smile that you can’t ignore. You just met this man, why are you already incapable of saying no to him? 

“Do you have some paper?” you ask.

Chan spends the rest of the day thinking about you after a simple handshake. Then, when Soonyoung tells him that you’re interested in helping out, his pulse races in a way that’s entirely foreign to him. He can’t remember the last time a human turned his world upside down with something so seemingly trivial. In fact, he was so focused on keeping his face neutral, he didn’t notice the look on your face in response to him. He’s too concerned with seeing you again to consider anything else. Too consumed by the need to unravel whatever mystery there is to you that he can’t seem to place. Honestly, Chan can’t remember the last time he felt anything even approaching this. Nothing makes him really feel in this way. Not anymore, at least. He finds himself counting down until your first shift.

Until it actually gets here, that is. 

You report to Chan’s office, just as he asks. He holds his breath as you cast your eyes around his office area. Wonders what you’re thinking when your gaze lingers on certain things within the office. For a second, Chan considers whether it seems human enough. It’s been nearly a year since anyone new joined the staff and he wonders if he’s gotten sloppy. Nothing in your face seems to give any sort of feeling away. It surprises Chan a bit that he can’t seem to read anything about you. When your eyes rest on him, he sees a flicker of something he can’t place. Something that looks an awful lot like annoyance. 

He confirms it when his hand accidentally grazes yours to hand over your new ID. It says volunteer since you insist on only being there when you have the time, but it’s a full ID anyway. That’s just how Chan does things. When his hand meets yours briefly, he gets the sharpest flash of irritation he’s ever felt. It’s confusing because it is definitely not his own emotion that he’s feeling. And that’s not something that Chan can remember happening before either. Not like this at least. 

Chan has powers, he knows that. He can, sometimes, tune into the emotions of others. It’s easiest when he’s trying to tune into a sea animal or someone at home in water. Back before Olympus fell, he was able to tune into the emotions or even the minds of all the creatures in the sea, like the sirens, sea nymphs, merpeople, and everything else you could imagine. Even then, he usually has to actively try to tap into those emotions. It’s not something that just…happens. Not when all he’s done is let his hand graze someone else’s. Not when he’s not actively trying to feel something. It shouldn’t be something that happens with a mere human, either. 

You, for your part, don’t seem to realize there’s anything out of the ordinary. Your face looks the same. The same annoyance that you’re trying your hardest to mask under a poor attempt at indifference. Trying to shake it off, Chan calls for Soonyoung to come into the office. But, that doesn’t make it any better. It’s worse, really, because your face immediately changes into one of genuine happiness. Soonyoung seems just as happy to see you and happy at the prospect of showing you around. To be fair, Soonyoung always seems happy when there’s someone new around for him to chat with. Still, your face lighting up for him frustrates Chan in a way he can’t explain. 

Your first few times volunteering at the aquarium go really smoothly. Well, once you’re handed off to Soonyoung, it’s smooth. There’s just something about your new boss that you can’t really put your finger on. Seeing him causes annoyance to flare within you. It’s something deep that you can’t really explain and can’t recall feeling before. There’s no reason for you to dislike this man. He’s really just a man, which shouldn’t be enough on its own. Whenever he’s around, he’s perfectly friendly. It’s obvious that he cares deeply for every living thing within the aquarium. This is something he’s incredibly passionate about, which should endear him to you. Yet, it doesn’t. You can’t recall ever disliking a fellow animal lover until now. 

Thankfully, you don’t really have to deal with Chan very often. Soonyoung handles your training when you’re working, but everyone that works there seems kind. And everyone seems young. The place is full of bright-eyed 20-somethings who all genuinely seem to want to be there. It contributes to that little nagging feeling in that back of your mind that something is just…off. Not with anyone that works there apart from Chan, though.

Soonyoung seems delighted to see how quickly the otters warm up to you. Apparently, they can be a bit picky with new people. But, the first time you meet them, they all flock to you instead of their normal handler. Anyone else might be frustrated. Instead, he only thinks it’s cute that they seem to love you. Tells you that he thinks he means you're a good person. Apparently, he often judges people based on how the animals react. You both have that in common. It only seems to reinforce the point when this happens with each new enclosure you go to. None of the animals seem to treat you like a stranger. It’s more like they’re greeting an old friend. You can’t really explain that you feel the same way. Your brain periodically supplies a story for some of your new animal friends, too. It’s not the first time it’s happened and you figure it only makes sense in this setting. Your imagination is active and you love the sea creatures.

Each new visit to the aquarium seems somehow better than the last. Well, in most ways. You often feel Chan’s gaze on you before you even look over at him to check. And each time he is actually looking at you. There’s something that just sets your nerves on edge about it. Even the animals around you seem to react to the sudden surge of anger that courses through you. It’s a strong physical reaction without any clear reason that you can figure out. Yet, it’s the way you feel every time you sense his attention on you.

“You good?” Soonyoung asks, eyes cast down at your hands balled into fists. 

“Yeah, sorry,” you apologize, turning back to him. “What were you saying?” 

“What’s going on with you and Chan?” he asks skeptically. 

“Between Chan and me?” you ask with clear surprise.

“Yeah,” he says. “He spends half the time you’re here watching you and…” 

“He does, doesn’t he?” you ask, a little too loud. “What’s up with that?” 

“What’s up with your hatred for him?” he asks instead.

“I don’t know, I just get a bad feeling,” you say after a moment. “Do you like him?” 

“Do I like the boss that overpays me to hang out with animals all day?” he asks with a laugh. Then, he looks at your face and carries on. “Oh, you’re serious. Yeah, I love Chan. None of us really know him that well because he keeps his distance from the staff outside of work, mostly. But, he’s the best boss I can imagine having. I don’t ever get bad vibes off him.” 

“Huh,” is all you say before turning back to whatever Soonyoung is teaching you.

Your eyes catch on the mysterious aquarium owner once again and that anger flares. But, you realize that it’s something more complicated than anger. It’s far too complex an emotion to put a name too and definitely too complex for someone you barely know. 

It’s just odd you think, not for the first time, that someone seemingly so young is running an aquarium that doesn’t seem to be that busy. How is he affording to take care of the animals and pay his staff so well? How is someone that seems so unlikeable able to convince so many donors to give money when it could be better spent elsewhere?

The nagging voice in the back of your mind reminds you that you seem to be the only person that doesn’t love Chan. Everyone on the staff seems to love him. The few donors his staff have met also seem to only have good things to say. You have to consider the possibility that your feelings about him could be personal or that you’re seeing something that doesn’t impact anyone else. It’s still weird, though. Nothing about this business model should work. Is that a reason to hate someone you don’t actually know? You’re not sure.

Chan speaks with a dolphin that he’s grown to trust. No, not Chan. Poseidon. He’s Poseidon again, in all his glory. And he’s asking the dolphin to find someone for him. He’s explaining where she might be and what to say to her when the dolphin finds her. Stressing how important it is that the dolphin is the one to find her because they’re not the only ones looking. There are others looking as well and Poseidon doesn’t want them to find her. It would be bad, he knows, if anyone but himself or someone working on his behalf were to discover the truth. He’s protecting her as much as he’s protecting himself. At least, that’s what his brain insists. Whether it’s true or not, well…

The scene blurs and shifts. Poseidon is once again by the sea and this time speaking to a giant squid instead of the dolphin. The squid tells him that the woman has been found. That the dolphin succeeded and is currently speaking to her. That brings Poseidon a small sense of relief. Surely, when she understands the situation, she’ll be not only willing to come home but happy to do so. Nothing can keep them separated any longer. They are truly meant to be. 

Again, the scene blurs and shifts. This time, Poseidon sits on his throne, trident in hand, while one of his brother’s messengers kneels before him. When she rises, she delivers the message that Zeus has requested for Poseidon and his bride-to-be to join himself and Hera for an upcoming event. That’s not good, Poseidon thinks, not good at all. Surely his brother isn’t fully aware of the situation and yet he sends his messengers with invitations like this. Just as Poseidon prepares himself to make an excuse, the door to the room opens. Usually, he doesn’t allow interruptions, as his guards well know. But, the sight of his love walking through with her head held high keeps him from scolding the guards. He cannot believe that she’s back and walking in as if nothing happened. As if it hasn’t been weeks since they last saw each other. He got word she was coming back, but had not dared to hope for this.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt, my love, but I heard your brother had sent an invitation,” she begins. The messenger won’t notice the hesitation or the emotions that pour off of her because she doesn’t have that gift. Poseidon feels it, though. It doesn’t put him at ease

“It’s fine. You are always welcome to hear anything shared here with me,” he says quickly. 

She turns to the messenger with her signature soft smile. “I would still apologize for interrupting your message. However, I heard that you were here with an invitation. I fear that my darling may have declined as I was recently suffering an illness.” 

“Yes, that is what I was about to do,” Poseidon agrees.

“There is no need for that as I have told you that I am feeling much better now,” she says with a brief, but calculated, smile at Poseidon. She returns to the messenger. “Please inform Zeus that we would be delighted to join him.” 

“I am thankful to hear you’re feeling better and to…see you with my own eyes,” the messenger says slightly suspiciously. 

“I am also thankful that I will get to see Hera. After all, we have so much to discuss with the upcoming wedding,” his bride-to-be says. 

With pleasant goodbyes, the messenger takes her leave and Poseidon excuses the guards remaining in the chamber. He indicates that his bride should follow him to a much smaller room off to the side so that they can speak. After all, there is so much to discuss after her running away and only to finally return. Yes, she had indicated to the messenger that she intended to go through with the wedding, but Poseidon needs answers. He needs to know why she left and to impress upon her that she could not do something like that again. 

Chan wakes up in the early hours of the morning in a cold sweat from the most vivid dream he’s had in centuries. The fact that a dream lingers at all is strange on its own. He doesn’t dream. Not anymore, at least. When he does, the subject is usually something inane and the remnants of it are gone by the time he’s fully awake. This dream is both vivid and lingering, seared into the back of his eyelids like it may never leave him. Perhaps it is because it’s not just a dream.

There’s a lot to Chan’s past that he wants to forget and for good reason. When he was one of the gods of Olympus, he made a lot of decisions that he wouldn’t make now. Or, he likes to think he wouldn’t make the same decisions now. It’s hard to remember the feeling of the weight of the world so many years later. But, he knows he did a lot of things in the interest of finding the greater good. Something that ruined some of his closest relationships and clearly still haunts him today. 

Which leads him to this dream. A dream of Amphitrite. The legends about the gods of Olympus over the years have gotten a lot of information both right and wrong. Unfortunately, the legend of Poseidon and Amphitrite seems mostly right, at least to Chan. She was the one true love of his life. The only being in the entire universe that he actually wanted to spend an eternity with. And he had not treated her the way he should have. Hadn’t appreciated her and respected her autonomy the way he should have. That’s something he thinks about now, as he continues to mature and evolve to understand all the mistakes he made once upon a time. He knows that the way he tried to hold onto her was wrong and that he worried entirely too much about what the other Olympians would think if he lost her. 

There’s also a part of him that lingers on the way she looked in the dream. He remembers that conversation because it actually happened. But, he’s not sure if he’s actually remembering the way she looked or the way he felt a tightness to his chest. That could just as easily be him looking back on the interaction through a different lens. There are so many things he wishes he could go back and change with her. So many things he wishes he could say. Mostly, even though he loved her more than he even loved himself, he wishes he could go back and give her the chance to walk away. To leave him without any sort of reprisal from the other Olympians. 

After all these years, he regrets how their relationship went. It wasn’t love when someone didn’t have options. He knows that he can’t change the past. He knows that he can’t even ask for forgiveness. It’s part of why he keeps himself from getting too close to anyone now, he thinks. As a sort of penance for forcing the only one he ever loved into a marriage that he can’t say that she wanted. Of course, she told him when she came back it was because she wanted to. Insisted that she was just nervous to be thrust into such a spotlight by his side. Says that she was worried because he had other relationships with other people and she saw how it affected other Olympians, like Hera with Zeus. That wasn’t who she ever wanted to turn into. Chan took her at what she said. It was only after he lost her that he realized it may not have been the truth. Their love may not have been the great story that he created in his head. 

He knows that he won’t be able to fall back to sleep, so he resigns himself to starting his day. After he gets ready, he sits down with a cup of coffee and his schedule for the aquarium. Today is the once per month visit from the local marine veterinarians. Although miraculously, it seems the animals never need much care, the vets still come in every month. They collect samples and run their tests to ensure that everything is going well as a general health study. They have staff that come over more frequently for some of the animals that need more consistent care. It’s also an excellent place to study since Chan allows them such complete access. 

That monthly visit isn’t what really catches his eye. Your name is on the schedule and Soonyoung has you listed as the person who will be working with the vets to make sure they have the help they need. It’s standard, really, and Chan knows Soonyoung will be around as well. That man can never ignore a chance to chat with anyone that comes through regularly. Chan also knows that Soonyoung trusts you. There’s just something about your name that sends his stomach lurching without an explanation. Sure, you haven’t exactly been the warmest in the interactions with Chan, but you’re good at the jobs assigned. It’s like there’s something just on the edge of his consciousness about you. Something just out of reach. A connection that he should be able to make and can’t. At least, not yet. 

Even though he’s going to be very early, he sets off for the aquarium and tries to shake the feeling that there’s something about you he should see. He’s never been very good when he can’t solve a problem. You may present his most complex puzzle yet. 

It’s one of the best days since you first started volunteering at the aquarium. Somehow this is the first time you’ve gotten to see the vets there for a full day and it even makes you extend your own shift. Well, it’s partially influenced by Soonyoung’s offer to buy dinner if you’re still there when he gets finished. Mostly, though, you’re just fascinated watching the vets do their work. It’s interesting to see how willing the animals are to be still for tests and how it seems like they know what to expect. You know that animals are smart and they can learn. There’s something a little different about this, though. Not only do they seem to actually see the veterinarians, but they also actively wait their turns to be seen. 

At the end of the day, you’re a little tired and feeling very accomplished at the same time. Maybe all of Soonyoung’s energy is actually infectious because you find that you’re ready to go get dinner with your friend after work. His presence is somehow calming to you even in all of the chaos. Once you make sure everything is done, you change into the spare clothes you have with you. The last thing you want is to smell like fish and whatever else got on you over the course of the day. Then, you go to find your friend. 

“Hey, are you ready for dinner?” you ask without realizing that he’s standing with Chan.

“You guys have plans?” Chan asks with curiosity, looking from you back to Soonyoung.

Soonyoung looks incredibly apologetic. “I’m so sorry, but I completely forgot that it’s roomies night in and I can’t skip it because I missed the last one.” 

“Oh, that’s fine,” you say quickly and wave it off. 

“You should come! We always have a bunch of appetizers and stuff. I can’t remember what movie it is tonight, but it’ll be fun!” he says, as enthusiastic as ever. “I know I offered to buy dinner tonight…” 

“I appreciate it, Soonie, but I think I’m just going to get dinner and go home,” you say. “I’m going to hold you to your dinner offer, though.” 

“I was actually just about to go get something to eat myself,” Chan interrupts and you narrow your eyes. “I would be happy to get dinner for you as well as a thanks for everything you’ve been doing here.” 

“I don’t want to make…” you start, only to have Soonyoung cut across you.

“That’s so nice of you, Chan,” he says and turns to you. “You should go! He’s got the best taste in restaurants. I still think about the last time he took all the staff out.” 

“It’s really fine, I can just get something on my way home,” you say. 

“I insist,” Chan says with something unreadable on his face. “Please. Let me say thank you for jumping in so completely.” 

“Yeah, what reason could you have to say no?” Soonyoung asks with a smirk. That’s the other thing about your new friend. He can be such a shithead when he wants to be. Of course he’s using this to needle you about your dislike of the boss. It comes up at least once every time you’re at the aquarium (and plenty of times when you’re texting outside of work).

You sigh, knowing that there’s no easy way to get out of this. “Okay, let me just get my things and I’ll meet you at the entrance.” 

The walk from the aquarium to Chan’s favorite restaurant is outwardly quiet. It’s not entirely uncomfortable to walk in silence with you. Or, it wouldn’t be if your emotions weren’t screaming into the silence. The general annoyance that seems to be present any time Chan is in the same space as  you comes through loudest. There’s more now that it’s just the two of you outside of work now, too. He feels a kind of anger and distrust coming off of you along with confusion about why you feel any of these emotions. It takes time to separate that as your own confusion because Chan’s also confused. The two of you barely interact at work and yet your distaste for him rolls off of you in violent waves, like an angry ocean. It’s the only time he’s felt something like this from someone at work. Everyone else seems to like him at the very least. Something about you is very different. 

Thankfully, it’s harder for Chan to sense you once you get into the restaurant. It’s a little busier since it’s a weekend, but you still get seated right away. If you’re impressed with how Chan greets the staff like old friends, you don’t show it. Just sit down in the chair and accept the menu with a smile before disappearing behind it. Suddenly, this doesn’t really seem like the best idea. What does it matter if you don’t like him? 

“You don’t like me,” Chan announces a second later. He never has been able to let a mystery go unsolved. He’s also always prided himself on being able to work out a puzzle. He tries not to ever be as arrogant as his brother, though. 

That makes you peer across the table at him. When he thinks you’re not going to answer, you blurt out: “No, I don’t,” and seem genuinely surprised.

Chan chuckles and looks back at the menu. “At least you admitted it.” 

“I really don’t know why I just said that,” you carry on, setting your menu down. 

“Is it not true?” Chan asks. 

“No,” you say and that makes Chan raise his eyebrows. “I mean, it is true. I don’t really like you. I’m just not sure why…”

“Why you said it? Or why you don’t like me?” he presses.

“Both,” you say with a shrug. 

“Can I ask you something?” he wonders.

“You can,” you say. “I’m not gonna promise to answer if I don’t want to.” 

“That’s fair,” Chan says with a smile. “Why do you volunteer at the aquarium if you don’t like me?” 

“I like to be around the animals,” you say immediately. “I feel at peace.”

“You misunderstood part of what I was asking,” he says. Your eyes are wide. “Why not let me pay you if you don’t like me? You could be making money instead of offering your time for free.” 

That actually makes you laugh. Not a fake polite laugh, one of the real laughs he hears when Soonyoung gets you going. It’s a beautiful sound and it instantly reminds Chan of something. Or someone. He’s not really sure beyond wanting to hear it again. 

“You’re kind of funny. I’ll give you that,” you concede. 

“I’m glad you think so,” he says, eyes still glued to you. 

“I don’t know why it doesn’t feel right to take money for working at the aquarium. It just doesn’t,” you shrug. “It’s the first time in my life that I’ve ever really felt like I was where I’m supposed to be and I probably sound crazy saying it. But, I get to the aquarium and my brain gets quiet and it’s like a weight lifts off my chest.”

“You don’t sound crazy,” is all Chan can say for a second. 

He’s looking at you differently now and he’s not even concerned if you realize it. It’s like something clicks for him. Like he finally pinpoints what it is about you. Of course he didn’t realize at first. It’s so unbelievably uncommon that he never thought to look. But, there’s no denying it. The way you are around the aquarium, the way you seem to slot in like you’ve been there all along, the way he can read your emotions without trying. 

This isn’t your first life. He’s only seen it a handful of times since Olympus fell. The main gods of Olympus, like himself, were able to seek refuge on Earth. Other beings were not so lucky. Many managed one or two reincarnations, but more still just…ceased to exist. It’s something he and some of the others spent a lot of time working through in the beginning. It’s been over two hundred years since Chan came across a reincarnated soul. Yet, here you are. Sitting before him. There’s no mistaking it. Once upon a time, you had been a sea nymph in Olympus. Everything clicks into place when he acknowledges that. He knows the sea nymphs as well as he knows himself. It seems impossible that he wouldn’t recognize all the signs and mannerisms. Then again, he hasn’t come across a reincarnated sea nymph in a very long time. Centuries. 

“Are you okay?” you ask after a few moments. 

“Yeah, sorry,” he says and shakes his head. This isn’t the place to try to process this. “I just haven’t met anyone that could relate to the way I feel in a long time.” 

“You don’t think I’m crazy?” you ask, voice thick with hope. It’s the first time he’s been around you without feeling any negative emotions. 

“Not at all,” he assures you. “I should have known that you understood as well. I felt like you were a kindred spirit, but…”

“I’ve been cold?” you offer with a light laugh. 

“Cautious, I would say,” he disagrees. 

“Maybe we should just start over,” you suggest and that makes Chan smile. 

Dinner actually gets much livelier from there on out. Realizing your past allows Chan to entirely change his approach. Without saying anything before you’re ready, he lets his guard down. In doing so, he hopes that some part of you will realize the connection runs deep. It seems to work, even if it’s only a little. Curiosity becomes the most prominent emotion and he capitalizes on it. 

Chan is able to suggest some of the dishes that he really likes before you ask if you can just get a few things and share them. You’re asking questions about the aquarium and his life that he tries to answer in a way that sounds honest without inviting follow up questions. Instead, he finds himself wanting to know more about you. Despite your initial reluctance to talk too much about yourself, he gets you to open up to his questions. Each answer you give draws him in further. Gives more of a glimpse into you as a person. Nothing feels too small to learn. He wants to map each of your reactions to things you actually love to things that seem difficult to speak about. 

Before either of you realizes it, it’s been over two hours and the restaurant is starting to wind down. Of course, nobody rushes you since Chan knows everyone there by name. But, you still insist it’s probably best to head out. Surprisingly, he’s still only picking up on warmer emotions from you now and maybe that makes him a little bolder. 

“There’s this really great ice cream shop just a little walk that way,” he says as you’re exiting the restaurant. 

The sideways look you give him leaves him wondering if he’s misread the situation. Then, you’re smiling like you know a secret. “I’m shocked you eat dessert.” 

“Are you…are you checking me out?” he splutters. Very little manages to catch him off guard and you have him stumbling over a simple question. 

Without answering, you just laugh and start walking in the direction he indicated. When he doesn’t immediately follow, you look over your shoulder and call out to him. “Well? I thought we were getting ice cream.”

“You can’t just say shit like that and expect…” he starts as he hurries to catch up with you.

“Expect what?” you ask, actually poking out at his side. “I would bet my entire life savings that I’m not the first person to check you out.”

“Oh, so you were checking me out,” he says like he’s just won. 

“I think that’s only fair with how many times I’ve already caught you checking me out,” you fire back, effectively wiping the smug look of Chan’s face. 

It’s been a long time since someone challenged him the way you seem to. Now that you’re talking openly, it feels like he’s known you for years. There’s a comfort that he can’t remember feeling in centuries. It feels like you just implicitly understand a piece of them that he tries to hide in any other situation. 

Something whispers from the back of his mind, like a tickle of familiarity. He ignores it, though, in favor of getting to know the incredibly interesting person before him that doesn’t seem to hate him anymore. 

After having dinner with Chan, you start to look forward to your shifts for an entirely different reason. Yes, you still get the peace that comes along with being around so many beautiful animals and so much water. You also get to feel the pleasant shift of feelings when Chan is around. Instead of feeling like something gnaws at your consciousness, now you feel a warmth coursing through your body. It’s a little strange, too, because it’s like nothing you’ve ever felt before. 

Soonyoung notices the way you and Chan gravitate towards each other now and says nothing despite the knowing smile. You don’t have to ask him to know that he thinks it’s down to him insisting you get dinner together. He doesn’t comment, though, and you’re not going to give him the satisfaction. It’s hard to stop yourself from smiling, even when that makes Soonyoung smile even harder. It’s like he wants all the details of something that you don’t have many details on. At least, not at first. 

Hanging out with Chan outside of the aquarium becomes a regular thing, even on the days that you don’t go in. Each of you shows the other your favorite places in the area and you find yourself looking forward to that time more than anything else. Once or twice, you even consider asking Chan if he’s got a more full time position for you at the aquarium. You don’t quite realize you’re not living fully until something like this happens and so much more of life opens up before you. For now, though, you’ll settle for dragging him to a couple of food trucks that you love. He looks entirely out of place in his slacks and dress shirt, though at least he’s rolled up his sleeves. 

“So when are you going to come work with us full time,” he asks after sitting down with his food in front of him. He doesn’t ask you to work for him. Even his phrasing is considerate.

“Oh, well, I…” you stutter out.

“You don’t have to, of course,” he assures you. “I’ve just never met anyone that’s better at it than you and you’re not even there that often” 

“I have been considering it,” you admit. 

“What’s holding you back?” he asks. 

You take a bite to give yourself a minute to think about the answer to that. What is holding you back? Admittedly, you’ve never felt more at ease anywhere else. It’s increasingly harder to leave every time your shift is over. You look forward to when the next one will be. Have even added extra shifts when you can fit them in. There’s a part of you that also looks forward to seeing Chan. Although, you know that you could see him whenever you wanted. He always seems to make time for you. 

“I don’t know,” you finally say.

“Well, there’s a position waiting for you if you ever want it,” he says with a look on his face that you can’t quite read. 

“Why are you so patient with me?” you ask.

“Because we understand each other,” he answers a little too quickly. 

“It’s more than that,” you press, feeling, for the first time, like he’s keeping something from you. 

Chan sighs and sets his food down. “It is, but this isn’t the place to discuss it.” 

That catches you a little off guard. Thinking that there was more to the story and having him admit it so easily were two different things. “You’re not secretly in love with me or something, are you?”

He laughs at the look on your face and it eases a little of the tension. “I don’t think it’s a secret that I love being around you.” 

“No, I guess that’s true,” you say with your own laugh. 

“You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I’ll tell you when we finish eating and we can leave. This kind of thing…well, it’s best to say to you somewhere that’s not so out in the open.”

That announcement surprises you, but it also excites you a little. It’s difficult not to rush through dinner, a fact that Chan picks up on and laughs about. Makes a joke about wanting to get him alone that has color rising on your cheeks. There’s an air of confidence about him despite whatever he’s going to share with you. It makes it a little easier for you to also be calm because it can’t be that bad. If it were bad, he would not seem so confident. 

After dinner, and a short back and forth, he takes you back to his apartment, which includes walking by the aquarium. Somehow, you’re still much more nervous than he seems to be. It seems like the most natural thing in the world for him to invite you back to see where he lives. He also seems quick to assure you that it’s not that he’s trying to get you alone. It just needs to be a space that is actually private. 

Despite any better judgment you may have, your curiosity is piqued. What is it that he has to say to you that others can’t overhear? Is he about to admit some crazy belief? Or tell you that somehow you were destined to meet? You’re not really sure what sort of comment might come once the two of you are alone, but you’re distracted the second you step into his apartment. It’s amazingly decorated. It feels both cozy and modern at the same time. It also feels so impossibly like him and the ocean combined into one. Maybe that’s saying the same thing. He does give you the impression of the water sometimes. 

Being inside of Chan’s personal space also feels surprisingly natural. He disappears off into the kitchen without a second thought and allows you to look around the space. When he returns, it’s with a drink for you as he encourages you to take a seat on his couch. It’s the most comfortable couch you’ve ever sat down on.

“How much do you know about the Gods of Olympus?” he asks without any preamble. Thankfully, you haven’t taken a drink yet. Otherwise, you might have spit it out.

“Like the stuff from mythology?” you ask. It’s so unexpected.

A little voice whispers in the back of your head asking if it’s really that unexpected. The truth is: you’ve always been incredibly fascinated by the myths. There’s a draw to them almost to the point of getting lost in them. But, are you going to admit that you’ve read all the books you could find and watched all the shows or movies? It’s only fantasy, really, when you think about it. You’ve bared a lot of your soul to Chan without meaning to. You’re not sure you want him to laugh at you about this. That same little voice comes back to ask if he would laugh. You’re not so sure.

“Not exactly,” he says with a knowing laugh. “You consume it though, don’t you? I can see it on your face.” 

“I - well, lots of people do, don’t they?” you ask noncommittally. 

“Not like you, I’d bet,” he answers, unbothered. 

“I guess it’s a bit of a guilty pleasure,” you finally admit. 

“I think it’s more than that,” Chan presses. 

“How can it be? They’re just myths after all,” you say.

“Do you believe that?” he asks and it’s like he’s challenging every one of your long held notions. 

“Chan, what did you want to tell me?” you ask.

“Let me tell you about Olympus as I remember it,” he says. 

“As you…remember it,” you say slowly. “Chan, what…”

“Just hear me out and let me tell you a story. You can decide afterwards if I’m crazy or if it makes everything fall into place,” he says. 

And he does tell you a story. It’s a story about the Gods of Olympus with more information thrown in than you’ve ever read in any story or seen in any movie. It’s at once more fantastical and somehow more believable than anything. There are parts that you recognize. Parts that seem to line up with the stories. And there are parts that feel entirely new. Parts that are deeply emotional and clearly difficult for Chan to say. You delight in the way his face lights up when he talks about the parties or living amongst the sea animals. Completely accept it at face value when he tells you about how his scouts used to be dolphins and how much he misses that. Your heart breaks when he talks about the fights with his siblings and the other Olympians. It all feels like you’re walking along beside him in his stories. 

It’s insane to think that any of this could be real. You keep telling yourself as you listen to the stories. But, it’s hard to remember that when you see the look on Chan’s face. There’s fondness when he talks about some of the sillier memories. Like he can’t believe that anyone was ever that ridiculous. There’s genuine pain as he tries to get through the more complicated parts. When it comes time to tell you about how Olympus fell, he chokes up. 

You believe him. It’s like something shifts and you can tell that he’s not crazy. He’s not delusional. He’s not on some crazy conspiracy theory. He was Poseidon once upon a time. The feelings of calm that you feel every time you walk into the aquarium wash over you. Like this is the only thing that’s ever made sense. That should be a little disorienting to take in all that information. Instead it feels like the most natural thing in the world.

Chan isn’t even done talking when you lean over and press your lips against his. You’re not even sure why you do it or if it’s the right thing to do. When you go to pull away, he puts his hand behind your head and holds you against him. Kisses you breathless like nobody has ever kissed you before. It feels instantly familiar and new all at the same time. Like something you may have done before. But, it also sends sparks flying through your entire body. 

“So, should I carry on with telling you how you fit into all of this?” he asks when the two of you break apart from the kiss. 

“Me?” you ask, still recovering from the impulsive act of kissing him. 

“Yes, you,” he says with a soft smile. 

“I’m just a person lucky enough to meet an actual god, what could I…” you start.

“You’re not just a person,” he contradicts with a frown.

“I’m not trying to diminish myself or anything,” you assure him, but he still shakes his head.

“Can I talk?” he asks without any exasperation, though you may deserve it. You just nod. “You’re not just a person. You’re…well, I’m not sure how it works, really. I’ve come across it so infrequently. You have the reincarnated soul of a sea nymph within you. Possibly even one I encountered in another life.” 

“How can that be?” you ask with wide eyes. “No, I’m just a normal person, I…” 

“If you think about it, it actually makes perfect sense,” he says and carries on.

It sounds so simple when he outlines it for you. He asks you about your connection with the ocean, talks about your instant familiarity with the aquarium and how at peace you feel. Points out that you never feel at peace in a swimming pool, though you’re sure you’ve never said that to him. He talks about your mood shifting when you’re away from the water for too long or the way that everything about the water just seems easier. He even laughs when you admit that once when you were on vacation, a dolphin came right up to you in the ocean and seemed like it wanted your attention. It’s also not the only time something like that happened. 

Everything starts to fall into place. It’s like decoding the last little cypher of your life up until that point and showing you memories in a different light. You wonder if you’ll be able to remember anything from being a sea nymph and Chan looks apologetic when he says he doesn’t think it’ll work like that. But, he admits he’s never gotten close enough to another reincarnated soul like this to fully be able to answer it. The excitement drowns out a small voice in the back of your head that’s urging you to move cautiously. Urging you to consider if all of this really sounds right. 

You can’t really help the way your bodies seem to be drawn to each other. Many more kisses follow now that the invisible barrier seems broken. When he’s not kissing you, Chan runs his hands along whatever part of you that he can reach. 

Eventually, you don’t really want to talk. It seems absentminded, the way that Chan runs his fingers along your arm or squeezes your thigh. It’s driving you insane, though, and you need to know if he’s feeling as bothered as you are. 

“How much are you paying attention to this conversation?” you ask.

“Uh…” he says, eyes widening a bit at the question. It’s the first time he’s looked remotely out of control. 

“You’re driving me crazy,” you whine and look at his hand gripping your thigh. 

That causes his look to change entirely. He’s not out of control anymore. Now he looks a bit smug. “Oh, I’m driving you crazy?”

“Yes,” you admit without a second thought.

“I thought you weren’t even sure if you liked me?” he presses and you huff out a breath.

“I already kissed you, Chan. I think it’s clear I’m not on the fence anymore,” you say.

“Maybe I should show you my bedroom,” he says and stands.

You take his outstretched hand without hesitation. “Finally.” 

The two of you get through the doorway into his bedroom and he doesn’t even bother pretending to give you a tour. He only turns around to face you, crowding your space and forcing you back into the doorframe. He takes your face in his hands and kisses you hard. It’s not desperate, it’s perfectly controlled. Nobody has ever kissed you like this before. At least nobody that you can remember. His body presses tight against yours until you’re gasping for breath. Still, he doesn’t let you relax. He’s proving a point. If you thought he was driving you crazy earlier, it’s nothing to this. 

You gasp into his mouth when he moves a hand to hitch one of your legs around his hip. Gasp again when he does the same to your other leg and he’s balancing you against the doorframe. It seems impossible that he’s this strong. Maybe that’s part of being a god because he also barely seems to lose his breath as he keeps kissing you. You’re not usually so content to let someone else lead, but it’s so easy with him. It helps that nothing is frantic. Even though he’s driving you crazy, you love that it doesn’t feel rushed. Love that he’s really taking his time with you.

It could be minutes that Chan kisses you or it could be hours and you’re not really sure if you would know the difference. When he sets you down, it feels like an immediate loss. At least until he pulls you towards the bed. Only his eyes give away how badly he wants you. They’re dark with lust that you’re sure your own eyes reflect back at him. 

“Is this still okay?” he asks, voice thick with desire. You nod. “I need to hear you say it.”

“Yes, Chan. I want this,” you assure him. 

Thankfully it’s the only reassurance that he needs. He gently pushes you back onto his bed and immediately gets to work pulling your clothing off you. His eyes drink in every mark on your body and for the first time, you’re not self conscious. You don’t feel like there’s something wrong with you and it has nothing to do with the way he looks at you. Though, it doesn’t hurt that his desire only grows as he peels your clothing off. No, there’s just this inexplicable comfort with him. That voice in the back of your head quiets. You’re not sure if it’s because you’re so in the moment or because this is actually right. You’re not really sure it matters. 

When Chan steps back from you, you have the briefest moment of insecurity. It’s gone the next moment when he starts to undo the buttons on his shirt. Actually, your entire mind goes blank. If Chan was beautiful with clothes on, it’s nothing to seeing him removing his shirt. You know that he can change his appearance at will and know that it’s how he’s fit into places this long. So, you know that it might not be entirely him, but you’re not sure you care. Your eyes travel over the scars he still has. Probably remnants of real scars over the years. Somehow the imperfections make him more perfect in your eyes. You’re so caught up in looking at the scars that you miss him removing the rest of his clothing until he’s approaching you.

“Sit back,” he instructs.

You do as he asks without even thinking twice about it. That, at least, makes a voice stir in the back of your mind. Makes you wonder why you’re so content to do as he asks. When he climbs onto the bed and settles between your legs, the voice goes quiet again. He peppers up your leg and down the other with feather light kisses. He doesn’t draw out the build up, though. 

Chan runs a finger carefully through your folds and it makes you shudder. He watches your body carefully as he does it again, like he’s trying to map your reactions to everything. Like he wants to know exactly how to make you come undone. It’s such a simple action that works you up. When he licks into your pussy, you think it’s your new favorite feeling. It makes your entire brain go fuzzy. You don’t even realize that you’re arching your back until one of his hands snakes up your stomach to press you back into place. 

It’s almost too much, the way he works you over. He’s constantly changing the pace and his movements. His mouth moves up to suck on your clit and his finger moves down to pump into your pussy in lazy motions. The contrast of the movements makes you squirm. When you feel like you’re getting close to an orgasm, he switches it up again and pulls you back from the edge. Over and over again. He keeps switching up his attention every time you feel yourself getting close. 

“Chan, oh my fucking god,” you groan. “I’m going to die if you don’t let me come.” 

“Well, you got one thing right,” he says, pulling away from your pussy. “I am a god.”

“I hate you,” you say without any heat.

He pulls himself up your body so that he’s hovering over you, entirely too close. You can see the way your juices cover his lips. He eyes you greedily and it’s the hottest thing in the world. It’s even hotter when he lets you pull him down on top of you and kiss him. You moan into his mouth when he ruts his hard length against your thigh. 

When he pulls back, you know that you lost whatever game you’re playing. “Doesn’t seem like you hate me.” 

“Just please fuck me,” you say, completely breathless. 

“Anything you want,” he says. 

You gasp when he leans forward again to capture your lips in a bruising kiss. Everything about him seems so in control. Yet, you can feel how much he wants you, too. It’s obvious that you’re not alone in wanting this and that he’s just better at controlling the situation. 

Somehow, as he’s kissing you, he manages to spread your legs apart underneath him. It’s embarrassing the way you chase his lips when he pulls back. Or it would be if you didn’t meet his eyes to see all the desire reflecting back at you. He repositions so that he’s between your legs again and lines himself up at your entrance. Chan runs his tip through your folds while he watches for your reaction. It’s all you can do to stop yourself from wiggling to urge him to work faster. Nothing he does is fast, though, and why would this be any different. Slowly, he presses himself into you. Even as you’re begging him for more, he inches into you instead of snapping his hips forward. 

Finally, after what seems like minutes (and is probably only seconds), he’s fully buried and it’s the best feeling in the world. Your fingertips dig into his shoulders as he adjusts his position. Then, he pulls almost all the way about before snapping back in and your mind goes blank again. Like nothing else exists apart from the two of you, the sound of his skin on yours, and the words shared between you. Praise spills from Chan’s lips as you’re just asking for more and more of him. 

This time, he doesn’t bring you right to the edge only to pull you back. He picks up his pace and has you coming so hard that you see stars without warning. You’re so thankful that you don’t immediately realize that he doesn’t pull out of you. He stills himself inside you and peppers gentle kisses all over your face as you work through the orgasm. 

He’s definitely not so gentle once the aftershocks work through your body. 

In one motion, he has you in his arms and in a completely different position. It’s a level of strength and speed you’re not expecting. You’re sitting up now and about to protest that you don’t have the energy to fuck him like this, when he does the work for you. Even though you’re straddling his lap, he plants his feet and thrusts into you. It’s a slightly slower pace than you’re expecting. Just enough that you feel the tension building, but not enough for it to do anything. At least for you. You’re not sure about Chan. 

You can’t help it. All you want to do is kiss him so that he knows how good this feels. Not that he really needs more of an indication. You think he can probably read your body pretty well. The first time with someone new is usually awkward. This has been anything but. He knows exactly what you need and just how far he can push you before it’s too much.

And that really does seem true. You’re just about to go into overstimulated territory when he changes the position again. You get the briefest of breaks for him to settle behind you. It could be as innocent as cuddling until he hikes your leg up and presses his length into you without warning.

“Chan, jesus fuck,” you cry out. 

“You’re being so good for me, baby,” he coos into your ear. “Can you be good for just a little longer?”

“Yes,” you pant. 

“Even if I fuck you hard?” he asks, experimentally picking up his pace.

“Yes, please, just…fuck,” you yell out as he snaps into you harder.

“So perfect,” he murmurs into your skin. 

His thrusts immediately get faster and you can tell he’s ready to stop dragging it out. He’s still doing more than his share of the work and it’s insane to realize how much stamina he seems to have. The new angle allows him to hit you deeper than before. You’re already so worked up that it’s not long before he’s pushing you into your second orgasm. This time, he follows right behind you, erratically thrusting as his breath stutters by your ear. 

He collapses behind you, but still holds you close against his chest. Your breathing matches his without even thinking about it. Neither one of you really needs to say anything to know that it was something completely unexpected. You can’t remember ever having better sex than with him. Leave it to Chan to ruin you for anyone else that could possibly try to come after him.

Eventually, Chan pulls himself out and off the bed. He holds out his hand to help you into the bathroom with him. You make a joke about how you don’t have another round in you and his smile is instant. His features go soft when he says he just wants to help you clean up. 

(That doesn’t hold true for the next morning since he insists you should sleep over. You may be incredibly sore afterwards. You also know that you don’t care. In that moment, you think you would let Chan fuck you senseless for the rest of your life without complaining. Who cares if you’re a little sore? You’ve never felt so connected to someone in your entire life. And he just happens to be one of the gods of Olympus.)

Things seem to fall into place quickly for you and Chan after he shares his past with you. It’s like the last two puzzle pieces in an absurdly complicated puzzle. One of those ones where the pieces aren’t in the standard square shapes. Yet, now that you’re perfectly slotted together, it’s like you’ve been that way your whole lives. The two of you are together more often than you’re not. Late nights exploring or staying up until the early hours of the morning talking. Lazy mornings wrapped up in the covers of the bed (where you actually get Chan to spend more time away from the aquarium than he ever has before). Chan doesn’t even really have time to overthink anything.

His biggest win comes when you finally admit that you’re ready to leave your boring job and come to work at the aquarium full time. That only takes a few weeks after he tells you that you were a sea nymph in a former life. He’s still even a little at the complete lack of pushback on it. You accept it just as easily as you accept that he was Poseidon once upon a time. And you’re not accepting it in the way someone does to pacify a crazy person. That much is clear with how much more time you spend anywhere that Chan is. Somehow, the rest of Chan’s staff doesn’t even seem to comment on how quickly you become inseparable. Soonyoung seems to be smiling even more than usual (a feat Chan didn’t think possible). But, otherwise everyone just accepts the new normal. Everyone seems thrilled to have you around more permanently and that makes Chan’s heart constrict. 

He doesn’t have time to think about any of it. Until he does, very suddenly, think about all the feelings you bring up in him.

Chan is careful with relationships. He’s friendly with his staff, but they’re not really friends (despite Soonyoung’s best efforts). He doesn’t get to know anyone at any of the places he shops or have any hobbies where he interacts with people. It can get lonely if Chan thinks too closely about it, but what is the alternative? People’s lives are finite, measurable. Chan’s is not. At least, it hasn’t been yet. There are no signs he’s slowing down over the many centuries he’s been through. Then there’s you. You who are very much human. Though, it’s been a long time since he’s come across another reincarnated Olympian. There isn’t a rule book for how those lives go and there’s never been one that Chan stuck by long enough to find out. 

The real question, though, is whether he’s willing to stick around this time to see how it works. Is he willing to risk everything only to figure out that you’re merely a mortal? That you’re going to fall victim, if you’re lucky, to the curse all humans succumb to? That’s if you’re lucky enough to live to old age and something else doesn’t happen before then. Human life is so fragile. It’s a lot to process. More so since he’s not really talking to you about how he’s feeling. 

You notice. Of course you notice. Chan starts to get a little more distant as weeks turn into months. He’s still physically present with you and he still tries to act like everything is fine. But, he can feel it in the shift of your moods. Doubt creeps in and he gets snippets of your feelings or even your thoughts. It isn’t fair and he knows that it’s not. He knows he has to talk to you instead of just acting like everything is normal. 

“Are you ready to talk to me yet?” you ask one evening when you’re sitting on his couch with your feet in his lap. 

He stops scrolling through something on his phone and looks over at you. Somehow, you always seem to know when it’s best to apply just a little pressure. Knows his moods and senses when he’s ready to talk about something. There’s no use in acting like he doesn’t know what you mean.

“It’s nothing you’ve done,” he starts and you smile.

“Oh, I know that,” you assure him. That makes him laugh. It’s you all over. 

“It’s just…I don’t usually let myself get close to anyone,” he starts and your eyebrows knit in confusion.

“Bit late for that, isn’t it?” you say with an attempt at a joke, though it doesn’t quite land.

“I think we both know you’re special,” he says quickly to reassure you. “It’s just…well, there’s a reason for that. Human life is so fleeting.”

“Ah, yes,” you say with a wry smile, “because you’re ancient.”

“Enough,” he chastises without any real heat. 

“Sorry,” you say and throw up your arms.

“I am kind of ancient, though. Not in this body since I’m always changing forms, but in mind. I’ve been around a long time and you…” he says and trails off.

“You’re so sure I have an expiration date?” you ask.

“You’re human,” he says simply.

“And also have the soul of a reincarnated sea nymph,” you remind him. As if he could ever forget. 

“I know,” he concedes. “But I don’t know what that means for your…”

“Life expectancy?” you offer. There’s something almost detached and also calming about the way you say it. “You can’t say for sure that I won’t live beyond a normal human life, either.”

“No, I can’t,” he says. “I’ve never wanted to stick around another reincarnated soul the way I can’t seem to let you out of my sight.”

“Doesn’t that mean it’s worth at least considering?” you ask. 

There’s nothing desperate or emotional about the way you approach the conversation. It’s all based in fact and the information in front of you. As much as you and Chan like to go out on dates, you also like to sit with him while he tries to do research. Both of you want to understand what your soul means for the rest of your body. You want to understand why sometimes he can feel your mood or even hear some of your louder thoughts. It’s fun when you can control it and send something disruptive towards Chan. Fun for you, at least. He doesn’t always appreciate the image of what you want to do to him while he’s trying to do something at work. 

So, you go through all the knowns with him again. Go over everything that you’ve learned. Go through the questions you have unanswered and where there might be more information. You talk things through logically in a way that feels familiar to him. Chan finds himself getting lost in his amazement at your brain and the way you process information. It’s also incredible to him to watch you work through a problem. It lulls him into a place that he hasn’t been in since…

And that’s when it clicks. That’s when he realizes. You’re not just a reincarnated sea nymph. No, it’s much deeper than that. He knows your soul more intimately than he knows his own. He can’t believe that he didn’t see it right away. Can’t believe he’s had you in his bed for months now without realizing.

“You’re not listening anymore,” you comment. You don’t seem upset, only curious. It’s like you want to know where his mind goes.

“No, I’m sorry,” he says and you wave it off. “It’s just, well, I figured out who you used to be.” 

“Uh,” you say, clearly missing a piece. “Yeah? A reincarnated sea nymph? We’ve already covered this.” 

“No,” he disagrees. That makes you raise your eyebrows. “Well, you are, but you’re also more than that. Your soul, it’s…”

“What is it, Chan?” you ask, full attention focusing on him. 

“I should have known. You feel so familiar, like I’ve known you for years,” he says and it’s like he’s talking to himself. “It’s not just some ordinary sea nymph’s soul…”

“Yes, because sea nymphs are so ordinary,” you say with a scoff. “Like people every day are just coming across sea n-”

“It’s Amphitrite’s soul,” he finishes and that stops you mid sentence. Your eyes lock onto his, wide and wondering. 

“Amphitrite? As in Goddess of the sea, most prominent of the sea nymphs and wife of…” she says and can’t seem to finish the sentence.

“Poseidon. The one true love of my life, yes,” he says. 

If you think anything of him referring to Amphitrite as the one true love of his life, you don’t say anything. You go into a contemplative silence. Like if you think hard enough, you may be able to remember her or the relationship with Poseidon. Who knows? Maybe you can. Try as he might, Chan can’t seem to think of a single instance where something like this has happened before. Doesn’t remember someone like Hera returning in this way. He also can’t think of any reason why you would return now, after all this time. Unless this is just the first time he’s found you. There are far more questions than answers. 

“This…changes things,” you say.

“Does it?” he asks. 

“Doesn’t it?” you immediately return. 

“I don’t know,” he admits. “It’s like it suddenly makes sense in a way I wasn’t expecting. But, it also feels…more complicated.” 

“Complicated, how? I mean, you were in love with Amphitrite and I assume she, or I, was also in love with you,” you say. “Doesn’t that explain this pull we have to each other?” 

“Our relationship was incredibly complicated,” he says softly. “I have…many regrets about how I handled things when it came to her. And I also can’t wrap my brain around her reappearing after so many years or what that means for you.”

“Why don’t we just start at the beginning? Tell me about your relationship,” you prompt.

“There are parts that were ugly,” he says without meeting your eye. 

The couch shifts and dips as you get closer to him. You lift his chin up gently so he’s looking at you. “The fact that you can admit parts were ugly or that you have regrets shows you’ve learned. So, tell me the whole story and then we’ll go from there.” 

So, he starts talking. 

It starts at the beginning. He was at a celebration when he saw Amphitrite dancing among the other Nereids, the daughters of Nereus, who was also known as the Old Man of the Sea. There had been other consorts before her, but he was instantly smitten. She symbolized everything beautiful and kind about the sea. Everything that he could ever want. So, he approached her father before ever approaching her and asked for her hand. Her father was, understandably, thrilled. It seemed like there was no better match than to allow Poseidon himself to marry one of his daughters. In hindsight, that was absolutely the wrong way to go about it. She should have been given a say in her own life rather than treated like property by her father and the man who claimed to love her. 

Chan talks about what he can remember of their courtship as honestly as he can. From his perspective, everything went wonderfully. After all, why shouldn’t she have been thrilled that he wanted to marry her. Once he had nothing but time to think back on what he had done, he realized that she had not seemed all that interested. It was more like she was going through the motions because she had to. He tried to include her in everything that he could so she would see what her life could be like. Maybe that had been the wrong choice. But, she was a natural when it came to hosting or offering opinions in meetings. At the time, it made him happy to see how well she settled in. Now, it just felt like she had been forced into a life she never wanted.

As the wedding itself got closer, she fled to the far reaches of the ocean. It was a dolphin scout of his that finally managed to find her. He never knew what his scout said to her that made her return. He only knew what he told the scout. They never spoke about it once she came back. She simply returned, assured him she had only been nervous about how important he was, and said she wanted to get married still. So, he also acted like nothing happened, which he knows was as wrong as he could have been. He does think that he tried to be a better partner to her after that, though he’s not sure he succeeded. When he had to make decisions between what might be best for her and what might be best for his position, he chose himself. He also chose the sea over her when he had to make those choices. It was never fair to her. 

Somehow, through all of that, he did really grow to love her. He valued her beyond what he showed. He appreciated her for her unfailing kindness and her insistence when she knew she was right. He appreciated her wit and her mind. He appreciated the way that she was never afraid to tell him what she thought or to let him know when he was making the wrong decision. He appreciated that she didn’t just bend over backwards for him or fawn over him. He only realized after she was gone that he never appreciated her the way that she deserved to be appreciated. Once he lost her, he realized that he should have done anything in the world to protect her. He realized he should have given her the entire sea and made her the ruler because she was far smarter than he had realized. 

You only listen intently without interrupting. In the few moments where Chan looks at you, he struggles to figure out what you’re thinking. Not that you won’t tell him. He knows you will. It’s just very daunting to speak that long without you interjecting. When he stops speaking, you’re still quiet for a moment. 

“I think…Chan, I think I’m starting to remember,” you say with wide eyes. 

And that’s the last thing he expects to hear. He figures you may tell him that he’s horrible for putting someone he claims to have loved through that. Or you could say that it sounds far-fetched to think she’s not just a sea nymph, but a specific nymph that he was deeply in love with. He doesn’t expect for you to look at him in wonder and say you’re remembering. That’s another unknown in this entire mess of a situation. 

Before he can consider if this is something that should even be possible, your lips crash into his. There are so many emotions behind that kiss that he can’t begin to process. There’s longing and a long-forgotten love. There’s excitement about returned memories. There’s the sparks that always fly between you two. The mix of the established feelings with ones Chan never expected to feel again is startling. So, he just lets his mind wander. He lets the feeling of kissing you consume him so thoroughly that it pushes any other conversation out the window. All that exists in that moment is the two of you, however you want to define that. 

The excitement of finding out a long forgotten identity wears off far quicker than you expect it to. Not that you have any frame of reference for this sort of thing. But, surely it should last longer than this. Longer than it takes for you to fall into bed with Chan again. Longer than it takes for him to worship your body as he’s done before and for him to bring you to an orgasm so good it has you screaming. Somehow, in the post-sex haze, he doesn’t realize that you’re quieter than usual. Perhaps that’s a blessing. He kisses you so softly, so sweet and tells you that he’s going to do some research. That’s fine, you insist, because you want to get back home to really get a good night’s sleep. It seems unspoken that he wants to let you process.

But…well, you’re not really sure if you’re still okay with the information. It’s like having sex this time triggered a new flood of memories. Some come across as clearly as if it was something you directly experienced. Others come through more as feelings than anything else. And it’s a lot. Overwhelming in a way that nothing else has been. It’s how you expected to react to finding out that all those myths you were so drawn to were actually real. That feels easy to accept, especially now. Remembering is something else entirely. Because remembering Amphitrite’s experiences as your own just feels complicated. 

Maybe it’s wrong to think of her as a separate person if her soul lives within you. That part isn’t hard to accept, not when you can feel it. The hard part is accepting the feelings about Chan. The memory pushes back on you calling him that. Accepting is also the wrong word. The hard part is reconciling the person you’ve gotten to know with the memories that come flooding back. 

Then, almost as if on cue, that whispering voice returns. It reminds you of how you felt when you first met Chan. Of the distaste you had without being able to place it. Which is true, isn’t it? You didn’t like him without any reason beyond just a feeling. The voice presses memories onto you. Things you actually experienced with Chan mixed in with scenes between Poseidon and Amphitrite. The more you see, the more it feels like your own memories. Like something that you took part in directly. 

It’s putting it mildly to say that things are complicated. There is clear affection there for the person that Amphitrite got to know. Although it’s clear she did not love Poseidon from the beginning, she grew into much stronger feelings. Yet, she can’t separate those fully. She can’t say for sure that the feelings would develop on their own. Did she just love him? Or was it because she, at times, had little contact with anyone outside their palace? Though, that was largely her own choice as things went on. There were too many things to do at home to leave. And there was too much unrest.

Yes, it feels complicated. Now your own memories or the past few months mingle with decades of memories from someone else. You can’t decide if you want to push your own memories aside to make room for the returning ones or keep them side by side. Your new memories don’t really seem to fit, though. Which isn’t surprising. The person you know isn’t the same one that Amphitrite knew. He’s grown in ways that she can scarcely understand or imagine. He’s thoughtful and considerate and much more mature. That doesn’t sit perfectly with the memories. Although, you can tell that there’s a part of the lingering voice that appreciates the growth. Maybe even feels a little responsible for it. Wants to believe that she’s part of the reason he made the changes. 

By the time you make it back to your apartment, your head feels like it’s going to split open. You’re no closer to any answers about what you want to do. No closer to reconciling incredibly complex feelings. No closer to the next step. That’s fine, though. All you can really do now is let yourself drift off to sleep and revisit 

The morning, unfortunately, doesn’t bring answers. You’re not sure how to approach Chan other than to ask for time to process your feelings. That seems like as good a place to start as any because it’s a lot to take in. He must know that. Surely he’ll understand. Even though you seemingly accepted the news yesterday, it’s a new day today. And your brain is fighting to catch up. 

You’re trying to figure out how to approach the conversation with Chan when you make your way through the apartment. A piece of paper by your front door catches your eye and you approach it. You pick up the envelope and recognize the writing on the front of it as Chan’s. There’s something so impossibly him about the gesture. Of course he would write a letter instead of…wait. A moment too late, your brain catches up. Why would Chan be writing you a letter? What changed?

Opening the letter feels close to the last thing you want to do. But, you know that you need to just open it to see what’s going on. See if anything changes. 

A lot can change overnight, it seems. Chan fills the letter with apologies for things you can’t even begin to understand. He’s apologizing to you and also to Amphitrite. It seems he got to the conclusion much faster than you, which shouldn’t be surprising. He’s had centuries, apparently, to learn and to spot things others may never notice. That’s especially clear as you read through his letter, now. 

Getting past the general apologies, you find more specific apologies. He’s incredibly sorry, but he’s going to be leaving for a while. He knows that it’s not fair to you, but it’s something that he’s got to do. At least he acknowledges that it should ultimately be your decision on how to proceed with the relationship. He can’t let you do that without more answers to his questions. He needs to know how it’s possible for Amphitrite’s soul to have found its way into your body. He needs to understand what that means for your own mortality. It’s selfish, he admits, so incredibly selfish, but he can’t move forward with you, even if that’s what you want, without knowing more. He can’t watch as you age and he doesn’t. Can’t grow to love you more and more only to know you have an expiration date. It’s cold, he knows, to say it that way. It’s also the way he’s going to approach it. The whole letter is filled with apologies and acknowledgements followed by buts. 

Chan goes on to say that he’s going looking for his brother, Zeus. He’s the only one that might be able to help them understand what’s happening. The problem is that he hasn’t seen his brother in centuries and doesn’t entirely know how to find him, or if he’s even still surviving. He just has to trust that he’s out there somewhere, going through the same motions as Chan and chugging forward in the only way either of them know how. Somehow this tidbit is a lot to process. Accepting the existence of Poseidon was easy. Maybe that’s because of your own past. Accepting Zeus is something else entirely. Some of that stems from your own disbelief. Most seems to come from Amphitrite’s complicated feelings about her brother-in-law.

Just as you’re about to put the letter down in frustration, you see the postscript. Chan asks you to help his staff look after the aquarium until he returns. He knows that it’s not fair to ask. He knows you may even say no. Your heart tightens at the thought of the animals without Chan. Now that you know who he is, you know that they’ll miss him when he’s not around. You don’t have powers the way he does, though. And it’s his choice to just leave on a whim to chase answers for a relationship that may not even be there when he returns. 

Well, two can play this game, you think. It may not be a fully rational thought. It may not even be fair. Before you can overthink it, you send a text to Soonyoung saying that you’ll be out of town for the next few weeks, at least. You just tell him that you have some things to work through and leave it at that. In the meantime, you throw things haphazardly into a suitcase and you’re out the door before even getting a response.

Your letter from Chan stays sitting on your table as you rush out of the apartment without a second thought. All you know is that you’re going to let Amphitrite guide you on a journey of your own to find missing memories before you make any more decisions. 

It seems like both of you have a lot to figure out before you see each other next.

[kaiquesrambles]

A Realistic Outlook on dating Hawks

Distorted Reflections - Hawks

This ended up kind of only focusing on the bad parts lmao-

Now lets get this straight- dating Hawks? Miracle. My next question is why?

He's... he's not an easy person to love. He's sarcastic and a sassy little shit most of the time when you actually get to know him properly, but flips on a dime to be the well-known and well-loved, kind-hearted, gentle hero everyone assumes he is.

The hero he lets everyone see.

He is not easy to love. Yes, he'll cherish and adore you, just shy of worshipping you, but he's also not very often around. He's a hero, and in his universe, that means he's spending weeks upon weeks out of town in the fucking trenches. He's shedding blood, hunting people down, planning. And if he's not doing any of that, he's patrolling.

"Hawks." You murmur gently, relief filling you as he settles quietly against the balcony. You stare at him- his golden eyes reflecting yours, catching the dimming sun and sending the warm light dancing. The smile on his face looks just a little less forced, just a little more real. "... hey, chickadee." He whispers, voice soft and affectionate. You slump into him, he catches you in a firm embrace. ... so many words are always left unsaid between you. It's better that way. You don't want to spend the time you have together fighting.

Hawks doesn't like being called Keigo, full stop. In fact, it triggers his flight or fight response and he gets very violent.

He would never, ever, ever raise a hand to you intentionally- but this man has undiagnosed C-PTSD with violent outbursts if he's ever triggered. He doesn't want to hurt you- god he doesn't want to hurt you- but he needs you to be patient with him.

Please, be patient with him. He's trying. He's never had a meaningful relationship in his life where both people's lives weren't on the line. He's never truly loved anyone.

So please be patient with him. He's trying his hardest but he's far from being perfect.

Oh- and don't think you went into this relationship unaware of any of this. He warns you that loving him, caring for him, being by his side is not going to be easy.

... which, I guess, brings us to the next part-

This man does not sleep. He has hallucinations, near constant ones that flicker at the corners of his visions and sometimes right in front of him because he won't let himself sleep. He can't. He's been conditioned to keep going until he passes out- and he does. And you can't force him to sleep, as much as you want to, because you can see the way he gets silently panicky whenever he even oversleeps for even a few seconds.

He never tells you about what he's been through, but it's not hard to see the signs that whatever it was, left him severely fucked up.

We don't even talk about how damn well he can mask. How he can cover up his emotions as if he can perfectly control every part of his body. Every inch. Every muscle. So sometimes you can't even tell. Not even his wings give him away.

You tell him you want more time with him.

"When the world is quieter." He offers you a lopsided smile- one that you're sure holds exhaustion and guilt behind it, "when I'm sure the world will finally leave you alone."

Because it's always for you. He always does everything for you. It's for you, or for others. You don't think he's ever done anything in his life.

The life of loving the number one pro is hard, but he's trying.

God, he's trying.

He just hopes that you can handle dealing with him and wherever the relationship ends up.

[blackcoldcrackedheart]

Write-y mood because .😮‍💨

Another what if: what if Tommy and Buck met after the firetruck bombing?

"Tommy?" Carla was taken back at seeing the man walking through the hospital waiting room with a strained expression, dressed in well worn hoodie and jeans. She had seen pictures of the man from when he used to date Abby. But never met him prior to this moment.

Which was why the man was looking at her with a odd look.

"Do I know you?" He asked slowly, as though he was going through a mental rolodex of people he had met in the past.

Carla laughed, realizing she had jumped the gun. "No, well I've seen you before. I'm Carla Price. I was the home aid for Patricia Clark."

"Oh." Carla thought the way Tommy's face scrunched up was cute, but she watched in slight alarm as he suddenly looked nervous- his shoulders tensing. "I-" he cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable as his eyes shifted around the room. "I heard about her passing, I'm sorry. I sent a bouquet to Abby and Matthew when I heard she passed. Do you know how Abby is doing?"

Carla scoffed, not missing Tommy frown at that, "I haven't heard much from her since she left for Ireland and left Buck, her boyfriend, in the wind." She sighed, "I know she was hurting but I didn't expect her to ghost the boy." She shook her head and nudged her chin towards the teddy bear dressed up as a firefighter and holding a small helium balloon that had "Get well soon."

"Take it you're here to see someone?"

Despite her friendly demeanor, Tommy still looked nervous. Carla chalked it up to Tommy perhaps being nervous for whomever he got the bear for.

Tommy looked around the waiting room, scrubbing his face worriedly as he explained, "Sort off? I'm a firefighter and I saw what happened to this firefighter who worked at my old station so I-"

"You know Buck?" Carla asked excitedly.

"Oh? No? Well not really?" He sighed and tried to recollect himself and then frowned. " Buck as in Abby's ex? There the same Buck?"

Carla pressed her lips to keep from smirking, "Yes." She chuckled to herself as she watched Tommy's shoulders finally drop.

"Thats- that's...wow." Tommy muttered into his hand. "I guess I shouldn't have bought this then." He lifted the teddy bear.

Carla waved him off, "I'm sure he'll love it." She stepped to his side, "He could use some company right now, he's awake but he's been upset about-"

"You don't honestly think I'm going to see him now? I doubt the guy would want to see the guy who used to date his ex."

Carla stood up straighter, "Well, first off, Buck has moved on from Abby. He has a girlfriend now and secondly, he could use all the support he can get. Especially from other firefighters." She looked at him imploringly once she realized he looked guilty about the second part. "Who knows? You two might hit it off." She motioned her hands towards Tommy's body, "You both have the whole tall and Hollister look going for you." She joked as Tommy finally laughed and allowed himself to be led by Carla to Buck's room.

Carla was the last to leave from the group that had been visiting Buck earlier. Ali had to leave to meet with a client, the others had shifts, and Maddie wanted to make sure Buck had food at his place once he was discharged.

"Knock knock." Carla was all smiles as she saw Buck struggle to sit up.

"Back to visit me already?" Buck snickered at Carla rolling her eyes. When he saw Tommy, Carla noticed Buck's eyes go wide. "Uh, who's your friend there?"

Carla gently pushed Tommy forward, the man seemed to freeze, his eyes wide in fear and his mouth ajar. "Well, he's hopefully going to be your friend." She poked Tommy's shoulder. "Want to go ahead and talk there Tommy?"

"Uh, hi." Tommy gave Buck a stiff wave. "I'm Tommy. Tommy Kinard. I-I hope you don't mind, I heard about what happened."

Buck sighed, looking rather put out and nearly snarky when he replied, "Who hasn't heard by now."

Tommy nodded at that, "Well a lot of people, but I was at the 118 so-"

Buck's looked at Tommy with new interest, "You're that Tommy? The one that Chimney called to help us out at the cul de sac fire?"

Tommy nodded, clutching the teddy bear nervously.

"That was so cool! You really saved our butts back there."

Carla felt relieved, Buck hadn't smiled like that since he woke up after being brought in.

"It was nothing." Tommy sounded so modest which only had Buck shaking his head in disappointment.

"It was definitely something!" He laughed, "Never met a firefighter pilot. You probably feel like a superhero when you fly."

Tommy laughed at that, "I mean- sort of?" He bit his lower lip, "I could probably show you around the harbor, if you want? I mean, once your leg gets better?"

"Really? Yeah- yeah I would love that. I don't think I've ever got to see any of the air-op stations before." Buck paused, looking down at his cast covered leg. "Probably less of chance of this happening if I went to the 217." He tried to joke but it only came out at bitter.

Tommy finally settled the bear down on the small table at Buck's side. "How is your leg?"

Buck grimaced at the question, "Doc said there's a chance I could walk again but it's gonna be awhile. I'm probably not going to be a firefighter any time soon."

Carla stepped up, ready to remind Buck that there was more to him than being a firefighter but...

"It's not an easy thing to go through." Tommy spoke up, "I think as firefighters we don't like sitting out because we know we can help, but if the docs are saying you can walk again then that's something to be hopeful about, right?"

The way Tommy sounded so sincere had caused a sort of light flicker in Buck's eyes- a first since he woke up at the hospital.

"Yeah, you're- you're right." Buck sighed, "I- I just-I'm scared. You know? What if I'm never a firefighter after this?"

Carla stood back, watching as the two created their own bubble. She figured Buck would feel that way, but the way he just opened up to Tommy was impressive as was how Tommy being receptive.

She saw Tommy place his hand on Buck's cast, "I know all those what ifs are going through your mind right now, but you have to take it one step at a time. If the doctors are saying you can walk then there's a good chance you'll be a firefighter again."

"You think so?"

Tommy nodded, his smile and voice comforting, "I know so." He patted Buck's leg again, "I should go. I'm sure you need to rest.

"Or- or you could stay? I-I mean, it would be cool if you stayed?" Carla pressed her lips tightly together to keep from laughing, flustered Buck was something else.

Tommy, on the other hand, looked relieved. "I could stay. Actually liking the company." Tommy joked, causing a bit of pink to spread across Buck's cheeks.

"Okay, uh- cool."

The two just stared at each other as Tommy sat down again on the bed, his hand back on Buck's leg.

"Guess I'm just invisible over here then?" Carla felt like she was repeating herself, first Buck with Ali and now Buck with Tommy.

At least both men looked sheepish as they apologized to her, but Carla rolled her eyes at them. "I'm kidding, I'm glad you two are clicking and any way, I need to see Christopher for his physio appointment. So Buck, I will talk to you later and Tommy?" She pointed to the man, "Make sure our Buck behaves."

"I definitely will."

Carla did not miss how Buck turned redder at that but Tommy most certainly did. Tommy finally looked at ease as he waved goodbye at Carla before turning back to Buck with a shy smile.

[waihtie]

Ladies, Gentlemen, Both, and Neither, things are about to get intense. I felt no connection to this show until this beautiful season.

Season 4 Episode 1 - Lazarus Rising

○ Dean trying to yell "help" from inside his grave. This is literally my fear (except I wouldn't have been able to climb out like he did)

○ No scars from the Hellhounds (thanks for showing us that, Dean 😉)

● But the mark he does got, GAWD DAMN

○ Bobby hanging up on Dean is kinda funny

● Almost as funny as him instantly trying to kill Dean the second he sees him

"You're the closest thing I have to a father!" 🥺🩷

○ Sam not letting Bobby burn Dean's body 💔

○ Ha, there was a presence that blew Dean away (so close to being his words, too)

○ "Hiya, Sammy" 🩷

● LMAO he also tried to kill him instantly

○ "So, are you two, like, together?" Lmao her messing with them

○ Sam didn't even know her name lol. He's changed a bit.

○ Dean's back for 5 minutes, and they're already fighting (he thinks Sam did something stupid to get him back)

○ Dean says he doesn't remember Hell, but he's getting little flashbacks. Is he lying?

○ Sam was immune to something Lilith did. That's gotta be important.

○ Using a psychic to see whatever it is that saved Dean. I was so on edge during this scene last year. I was so curious to know who or what the hell this "Castiel" was (spoiler alert for my past self: he's the love of my goddamn life)

○ "Pam took a peek at him and her eyes burned out of her skull, and you want to have a face-to-face?" My boy used to be quite something 🩷

○ Ugh the intensity. Dean's room getting blasted. Demons being terrified. More eyes being burned out. God, I wish I could get that curiosity back. "What is it??? Who is it????"

○ Okay, I knew she was Ruby, but I forgot Sam knew it, too. Earlier, he looked right into Dean's eyes and said he didn't mess with psychic whatever while he was dead

● But damn, I don't remember this psychic demon killing thing.

○ YES. I RECOGNIZE THIS BARN. No, why cut back to Sam. We are SO close

○ Okay okay okay we're back at the barn. Let's gooo. I'm getting IMPATIENT

○ YES. MY BOY. MY LOVE. MY BABY.

○ UGH the sheer power. He's literally coming in with a bang. Lights bursting. Dean and Bobby shooting him. Ugh they really die my boys power throughout the show.

"I'm the one who gripped you tight and raised you from perdition" Iconic.

○ Oh, the look in Cas's eyes. He's loving this. Hot. :

○ "That was you talking? Buddy, next time, lower the volume"

● Is that why Castiel's voice is so much lower than Jimmy's???? He doesn't want to hurt Dean again???

○ There it is. The summary of the whole show so far. Cas clocked Dean within 5 minutes of meeting him:

● Ugh Cas is so curious about that. He already sees something amazing in Dean.

○ I, too, would've folded instantly. Bc just LOOK at this man

UGH THIS WAS SO GOOD

Pamela Barnes: Psychic who went blind when she tried to see Castiel

[loveisallyouneed1125]

Bucky rubs a hand down his face, exhaling. He doesn’t know why he feels like this, because you’d taken to simply texting him the location these days, and then banging on his door.

The day just started and Bucky is already done with her shit lol

Bucky full-body recoils and it takes everything in him not to launch his fucking knife at the window.

Bucky is fighting everything in him to not absolutely loose his mind.

He contemplates ignoring you again, but experience has taught him that only makes things worse.

Five minutes later, he’s stomping down the stairs.

Bucky's telling himself he's going along with it but he's not going to be happy about it 😂

Bucky yanks open the car door and slides into the passenger seat.

Wordlessly, he shoves a coffee in your direction.

You blink at it. “How do you know my coffee order?”

Bucky grunts. “Do you want it or not?”

You take it, narrowing your eyes as you watch him chug it like it’s water. “Coffee doesn’t even work on you. Why do you drink it?”

He pauses mid-sip.

Instant regret. That's what Bucky feels right now. At this very moment.

The guy snaps his fingers. "You're the one on that show. Love Island, aren’t ya?"

Bucky’s entire soul exits his body.

He blinks. Once. Twice.

He processes the words and does not fucking understand them.

The guy nods, like he’s just cracked a case. “Yeah. My girlfriend fucking hates you, bro.”

Bucky opens his mouth. Closes it. Opens it again.

You, on the other hand, look like this is the greatest single living moment of your life. “Oh my god, Barnes.”

Bucky looks to the sky for help. None arrives.

“What the fuck is a Love Island?”

The guy crosses his arms. “Deny it all you want, man. But we all saw what you did to Lulu.”

“I was literally a prisoner of war for seventy years.”

I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH.

LITERALLY LOL WHILE READING THIS.

Bucky probably wishes he was on an island right now.

Bucky leans toward you. "You owe me five bucks."

"What?"

"I bet you earlier that he was going to say ‘seekers of truth’ within the first two minutes."

You peer at him. "I don't remember making that bet."

“We absolutely did.”

“You’re just trying to get back the five bucks you spent on the cloak.”

Let's be honest here. That wasn't even Bucky's money. It was Steve's 👀

unsolved (ix)

Summary: Bucky doesn't even believe in the paranormal. So who the hell thought it was a good idea to stick him in a series about everything haunted for the internet's amusement? With his loose-canon of a teammate who has no concept of subtlety or shits left to give, to make things even worse. (Buzzfeed unsolved AU)

Warnings: swearing, frustrated bucky, obnoxious reader, groups of people that believe in the paranormal

A/N: im sorry i disappeared i am employed now and also i am depressed. anyway pls lemme know what u guys think i love reading comments and screaming and everything you have to say MWAH. next one is a big one boys

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Bucky wakes up to a weary, bone-deep sense of dread.

Not the kind of dread that means a sniper is lurking outside his window. No, this is a very specific kind of dread that sets in suddenly, altogether at once.

He knows exactly what it means. 

You are about to ruin his day.

His eyes flicker open, adjusting to the light filtering through his windows. 

The floor is quiet. Too quiet, almost. 

Alpine is curled on the windowsill, tail flicking idly. But he finds her staring at him already with mild judgment, as if she knows exactly what’s about to happen.

Bucky rubs a hand down his face, exhaling. He doesn’t know why he feels like this, because you’d taken to simply texting him the location these days, and then banging on his door. 

It was routine. He’d come to expect it. Like it, even, the way someone likes mundane sounds such as the buzz of the microwave heating up their lunch everyday. 

Except there’s a sudden, loud slam against his window.

Alpine launches off the windowsill, scrambling away with a hiss. 

Bucky is out of bed before his brain catches up. Years of instinct launch him into motion as he grips the knife under his pillow, pivots toward the sound– 

And sees you.

Hovering. Three stories up.

Waving.

Bucky full-body recoils and it takes everything in him not to launch his fucking knife at the window. 

He glares at you, barely awake, trying to process the absolute absurdity of this moment.

You tap your wrist like a watch, mouthing, "Video shoot."

Bucky turns around and launches a pillow at the window, furiously mouthing back, “I hope you fall.”

You grin.

His furiousness turns to raging annoyance at best. Which, in turn, makes him angry again. 

Just as he’s about to throw something heavier, FRIDAY dims the window until you fade from view. He doesn’t know who FRIDAY is protecting. 

Bucky collapses back onto his mattress.

He contemplates ignoring you again, but experience has taught him that only makes things worse.

Five minutes later, he’s stomping down the stairs. 

Bucky yanks open the car door and slides into the passenger seat.

Wordlessly, he shoves a coffee in your direction.

You blink at it. “How do you know my coffee order?”

Bucky grunts. “Do you want it or not?”

You take it, narrowing your eyes as you watch him chug it like it’s water. “Coffee doesn’t even work on you. Why do you drink it?”

He pauses mid-sip.

You tilt your head. "Do you even like the taste?"

Bucky slowly stares at the coffee like it personally wronged him, because no, he’s coming to realise that didn’t really like it. 

“…No,” he allows slowly. 

“Then why are you drinking it?”

His grip tightens around the cup. He doesn’t have a good answer, so he doesn’t look at you.

“Bought it,” he grumbles. ‘M gonna drink it.” 

“Sunken cost fallacy, right there,” you hum. “You bought it, so now you have to suffer through it. That’s a weird thing you do, y'know.”

Bucky exhales sharply, already done with this conversation. “It’s just coffee.”

“It’s just coffee,” you agree, watching him out of the corner of your eye. “And you just can’t let yourself pick something else. You a glutton for punishment?”

He scowls, taking another sip of the stupid beverage he didnt expect to be having a crisis over in the evening. 

"Whole world of warm drinks out there, Barnes. You ever tried chai? A matcha? You could be a matcha guy."

"No."

"You could be drinking hot chocolate. I think you'd like that. Marshmallows and everything.”

Bucky grips his cup harder.

"Hell, even warm lemonade would be a better choice."

Bucky scrunches his nose at the thought of warm lemonade and chugs his coffee out of spite.

You shake your head. “Whatever. Drink your hot bean water then.”

Silence stretches. The car hums down the highway. The weight of whatever he’s been avoiding lingers in the air between you.

Only five minutes later does it occur to him to ask.

“Where are we going?”

You shoot him a wide smile. “To make you some friends.”

Bucky closes his eyes. “I have friends.”

“You have Sam. And Steve.”

“Sam and Steve are enough.”

“Sam and Steve are legally obligated to be your friends.”

Bucky side-eyes you. “That’s not how friendship works.”

“You’d be surprised.”

He groans, dragging a hand down his face. "Is this another haunted house? ‘Cause if it is, I'm staying in the car."

"No haunted house."

"Then what?"

You drum your fingers on the wheel. "We're going to check out the fastest-growing paranormal club in the city."

Bucky exhales through his nose, mentally preparing himself. 

"What’s the scam?" he deadpans.

"No scam." You pause. "Well, maybe a little scam. But I’m choosing to believe in the inherent goodness of humanity."

Bucky glances at you. “What kind of scam?”

“Maybe you’ll find yourself today, y’know? Maybe you’ll even be a treasured member of this club.” 

Bucky leans all the way back in his seat, shutting his eyes before he has an aneurysm. 

The location is exactly as sketchy as Bucky expected.

Which, to be clear, is very. 

A run-down community center at the edge of the city, sandwiched between a failing laundromat and a storage facility that definitely has bodies in it. 

The parking lot has three cars, two of which are missing doors. The third is a white van with no plates.

Bucky stares at it. “I’m staying in the car.”

“No, you’re not.”

“You can get your organs harvested. I’m not in the mood for that today.”

“We are not getting our organs harvested.” 

“We are about to walk into a situation that requires a white van with no plates.”

You tap the steering wheel. “You’re focusing on the wrong details.”

“Oh? What fuckin’ details should I be focusing on?”

You refuse to make eye contact. “I will not be taking questions at this time.”

A sign by the door says:

WELCOME, SEEKERS OF THE TRUTH.

Bucky points at it. “What the fuck is that?”

“They’re just seekers, Buck.” You unbuckle. “They’re seeking. Let them seek.”

“That’s not what that means.”

“They have over five hundred members in their Facebook group.”

Bucky rubs a hand down his face. “The Boogeyman fan club has eight thousand, so what?”

“Okay, but to be fair— Boogeyman’s hot.”

Bucky stares at you.

You stare back, unblinking.

“Do you want me to respond to that?”

“Only if you agree.”

Bucky inhales slowly, counting to ten.

Still, he gets out of the car. Because he always does.

The guy at the door looks exactly like someone who would be enthusiastic about this kind of thing. Whatever it was. 

Late twenties, cargo pants, black t-shirt, and… a cape. He stands in the doorway like he’s personally responsible for deciding who gets to know the truth.

Bucky is already exhausted.

You, however, are delighted.

“Hi!” you chirp, walking up to him. “We’re The Gra–”

Instead, the guy squints. “Hold on. I know you. You’re from TV.”

“Uh, yeah, he is–” you glance at Bucky, who glares at you for throwing him under the bus, but it’s not like you had been set up for interviews just yet or had any major public saves like the Battle of Earth. You operated on a scale similar to Spiderman until now. The Avengers were really just your first big corporate job. 

“No, I recognise you,” he looks pointedly at Bucky, before narrowing his eyes. “You got no reason to be out here–”

A few years ago Bucky’s shoulders would have tensed immediately, already bracing for the inevitable Winter Soldier comment.  

“Hey now,” you force a smile onto your face. 

“--showing your face in public,” the guy continues, gearing up. 

“Okay,” Bucky says, because he’s dealt with enough of public vitriol to really have it faze him anymore.

You prepare to take a step in front of him, body stiff. “Now let’s not get–”

“After breaking her heart like that? Shame on you.”

Bucky blinks. You also blink, steps halting.

“I’m sorry, whose heart?” he asks, looking between you and the guy.

The guy snaps his fingers.  "You're the one on that show. Love Island, aren’t ya?”

Bucky’s entire soul exits his body.

He blinks. Once. Twice. 

He processes the words and does not fucking understand them.

The guy nods, like he’s just cracked a case. “Yeah. My girlfriend fucking hates you, bro.”

Bucky opens his mouth. Closes it. Opens it again.

You, on the other hand, look like this is the greatest single living moment of your life. “Oh my god, Barnes.”

Bucky looks to the sky for help. None arrives.

“What the fuck is a Love Island?”

The guy crosses his arms. “Deny it all you want, man. But we all saw what you did to Lulu.”

“I was literally a prisoner of war for seventy years.”  

“And yet,” you say, eyes twinkling with evil delight, “you still had time to emotionally devastate a woman named Lulu on national television.”

Bucky turns to you, betrayed. “Who the fuck is Lulu?”

The guy shakes his head in disappointment. “Shame on you, man.”

You clap the guy on the shoulder. “You’re so right– what’s your name? Troy? You’re so right, Troy. Bucky here thinks just because he has a pretty face and a rockin’ bod, he can break hearts without consequences.”

“What the fuck is a Love Island?” Bucky asks in despair. 

“Ashamed of what gave you your fame?” You click your roof to the top of your mouth. “People would do anything for the opportunity to be shirtless on a beach for three months–”

“Someone tell me what the fuck a Love Island is.” Bucky drags a palm across his face.

“It’s not you? Oh.” Troy deflates, glancing at you instead. “Are you the one from Love Island then?”

“I wish.” You pull your lips into a straight line. “Some people just aren’t grateful for the chance they’re given.”

“Oh wait. I recognise you, you're from that ghost show.” He brightens up again, wagging his finger at you. “My niece loves you.”

You nudge Bucky in excitement at the news, as if you hadn’t induced fifteen years worth of self-hatred into him twenty seconds ago. “Tell your niece she's got great taste.”

He nods briefly. “So, what are you doing here?” 

“We heard this is the fastest-growing paranormal group in the city. Just wanted to check it out.”

The guy perks up immediately. “Oh yeah! The Ghost’s energy is real strong tonight. Dennis said he’s been slamming Monster Energy all day, so the vibes are there, man.”

Bucky’s expression does not change. “Who is Dennis?”

“Our medium.”

You nod sagely. “Of course.”

“He’s got a newsletter. You wanna subscribe?”

“Gee, I sure do,” Bucky says dryly.

You elbow him. “We wanted to join the club first.”

“Alright,” he chirps. “I’m sure Dennis won't mind. Meeting starts in ten minutes. You can grab your cloaks by the door and head on in.”

Bucky stops. “Cloaks?”

“Yeah, it's imperative to the Ghost that we dress the same.”

“Absolutely fucking–” 

“Don't worry about him, he's only upset that he didn't get to bring his own cloak,” you interject immediately. “It came free with his coffin and some sunscreen.”

Bucky steps on your foot. You give him a small kick.

“Alright, well, you can have ours. It’s usually five bucks each but I’ll let it slide if you sign something for my niece,” Troy says. “If you're filming, please keep the flash off.”

“You got it, boss,” you salute.

The guy shrugs. “Meeting starts in ten. You can drink from the chalice and head on in.”

Bucky immediately locks onto that second part. “The what?”

The guy pulls out a black goblet filled with dark red liquid.

Bucky immediately takes a step back.

The guy holds it out. “It’s the Ghost’s essence. Dennis prepares it before every meeting.”

Bucky and you stare at it.

You lean in, sniffing inconspicuously. “What ingredients are in the Ghost’s… essence?” 

The guy shrugs. “Dunno. Dennis just goes into a room, talks to the Ghost for a bit, and comes back with this. It’s different every time.”

Bucky’s stare is flat. “Oh yeah. That’s normal.”

“Here, try.”

Bucky does not move. “I’m allergic.”

“To what?”

“Yes.”

The guy frowns. “You haven’t even tasted it–”

“I’m allergic,” Bucky repeats. “Real bad. Death and everything.”

You nod solemnly. “I already had some.”

The guy blinks. “You did?”

“Yep, just couldn't help myself. Found some around here and I felt the Ghost really call to me.” You beam rather convincingly. 

“I think it’s calling to you again, you should try some more,” Bucky tells you.

“Nope. Had plenty. Gotta save some for the others,” you say loudly, kicking his foot again. “It was great, though. Ghost tastes great– I mean, got great taste.”

“Well in that case, here’s your cloak and you can head on in,” he smiles at you before turning to Bucky. “You’ll have to pay, though.”

Bucky’s face scrunches. “I’m in the fuckin’ show too.”

“So you are from Lo–”

“I was not on Love Island,” he declares definitely.

“Right,” he drags, like he doesn’t quite believe him. “Five bucks.”

Bucky stares at him. Troy smiles right back.

Bucky grumbles, relenting as he reaches out into his pocket to shell out five dollars.

Bucky had taken the mandatory black cloak with all the enthusiasm of someone being handed a parking ticket.

You, on the other hand, are already swirling yours around your shoulders like you’re about to perform a monologue.

“Personally, I’m not too fond of the silhouette, but it’s fine for a last-minute fit, I guess.” You adjust the hood, pulling it low over your eyes before striking a pose. “Do you think I look cute?”

Bucky blinks. He wasn’t expecting the question. His brain short-circuits almost immediately. 

You tilt your head, waiting.

He cannot figure out what to say, so he simply lets out a grunt. It’s extremely embarrassing. 

"I'll take that as a yes."  

Bucky makes a face. 

Instead, he moves to something else entirely. Flips his cloak over his shoulders, tying it into a perfect, military-precise knot in two seconds flat. 

You raise an eyebrow. “Well, that was fast.”

“It’s a knot. Not rocket science.”

You step in closer, reaching out to tug lightly at the strings of his cloak. “Did you go full Boy Scout at some point? Or was that just, like, a super useful skill in your assassin era?”

Bucky does not move. “Are you done?”

You grin. “Nope. I like being all up in your space. You’re even hotter up close.” 

He immediately steps back.

“Coward.”

“Don’t want you ruining my knot.” Bucky tugs it tighter, then glares down at your very haphazardly tied cloak. “Jesus. That’s a disaster.”

"I was going for a more casual look."

Bucky rolls his eyes. “Give it.”

“Oh, so now you want to touch me?”

Bucky freezes for half a second, until you laugh and then it turns into a half-hearted glare. 

Then, without reacting, he reaches out and untangles your mess of a knot with infuriating ease.

You watch him carefully as he ties it. He’s surprisingly gentle, fingers working quickly.

“You’re being very careful.”

“You’ll find a way to strangle yourself otherwise.”

“Is this your version of caring?”

Bucky ignores you.

“Oh, it is.”

“Just– shut up. Five minutes. I’ll pay you.”

Bucky steps back, hands off. The knot is perfect. He gives it a quick tug to test it, then nods.

You stare at him.

Bucky raises an eyebrow. “What?”

“Oh, nothing.” You grin, pulling the hood over your head. “I just think it’s adorable that you want me to live.”

Bucky mutters something unintelligible under his breath and gestures toward the meeting hall. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”

The room is set up like a middle school talent show.

Rows of metal chairs, some folding, some clearly stolen from a diner, all arranged in a rows in front of a small, elevated stage. The stage itself is haphazardly draped with black fabric, trying to give the illusion of magic but mostly looking like a supermarket Halloween clearance aisle.

There is, for some fucking reason, a fog machine in the corner, already hissing out an unnecessary amount of smoke. The whole room smells faintly of lavender essential oils and burnt plastic.

"I gotta say, I expected more," you hum, adjusting your cloak as you scan the room.

“Like what?”

You shrug. “I dunno. Maybe some candles? You’d think they’d at least have, like, a bowl of blood or something.”

Bucky side-eyes you. “Not everything has to fuckin’ theatrical all the time. Just ‘cause you’re floating around 23 hours of the day, scaring the shit out of everyone.” 

You grin. “Oh, so you do think my theatrics are effective.”

Bucky realizes his mistake immediately. “That is not what I said.”

"No, no, I heard it," you smirk, nudging his shoulder as you lean in slightly. "You're saying that my supernatural entrance at your window was extremely well-executed."

Bucky glares at you. “I am saying nothing.”

"You're saying I have a flair for the dramatic. That my execution is flawless. That you—"

Bucky reaches over and yanks your hood over your face.

"Mmph—" You flail immediately, dragging it back. "Rude."

Bucky hides a smile to himself but doesn’t say anything.

You narrow your eyes. “You know, you should consider a little showmanship yourself.”

"No."

"I mean, look at you," you gesture vaguely at him, ignoring him. "You've got the sexy ex-assassin, current caveman aesthetic locked down. I’m imagining a trench coat. Maybe a few monologues in the rain. You’d be unstoppable.”

Bucky pinches the bridge of his nose. “What do I have to do to get you to shut up?”

“Put your tulips on my tulips–”

He gets up and moves one seat over, away from you and the heat blossoming on his face. 

You follow right behind him with a grin, satisfied.

Mercifully, something your attention is drawn to the people entering the room before you notice his face flushing. 

The crowd is a mix of true believers and people who are clearly just here for the novelty of it. Some attendees look fully committed, hoods drawn, faces solemn. Others are whispering and pulling out their phones, probably posting about this on some platform.

You, however, are too busy fiddling with your cloak.

"This fabric is trash," you mutter, pulling at it. "What is this, polyester? It’s so staticky."

"That’s the real issue here," Bucky mutters.

"It is when I keep getting shocked," you say, rubbing your wrist where the fabric clings.

Bucky watches you for half a second too long when you tug at it with annoyance, brows pulled together.

Maybe he should’ve been honest earlier when you asked how he thought you looked. 

Instead, he clears his throat and looks away.

More people take seats. 

The atmosphere changes suddenly when a man in his late thirties walks up to the podium. 

He wears a deep purple cloak, slightly different from the ones given at the door. His hair is combed neatly back, his expression calm and composed.

He raises a hand. The murmurs in the room die down almost immediately.

You lean toward Bucky slightly. "Okay, so we have our medium."

Bucky doesn’t respond, but his jaw shifts slightly.

The man smiles. "Welcome, seekers of truth."

A few people nod reverently.

Bucky leans toward you. "You owe me five bucks."

"What?"

"I bet you earlier that he was going to say ‘seekers of truth’ within the first two minutes."

You peer at him. "I don't remember making that bet."

“We absolutely did.”

“You’re just trying to get back the five bucks you spent on the cloak.”

On stage, Dennis continues.

"Tonight is special," he says smoothly. "The Ghost’s energy is stronger than ever."

A few people murmur in agreement.

Bucky leans in again. "If I start screaming, do you think they'll kick me out?"

"Fuck around and find out, babygirl."

Instead of responding, he reaches over and yanks the knot he had tied securely for you loose. 

You glare at it. Then at him.

"If you wanted to take my clothes off, you could have just asked," you whisper. “At least buy me dinner first.” 

 "I hate you."

"You don't."

"I’ve never hated anyone more."

"You don't," you say, tapping his knee lightly. "You like my company, even if it causes you physical pain. That’s why it sucks even worse for you."

Bucky makes a sound that is a little too like a growl. 

The speaker, oblivious, raises his hands again.

Then, with a slow, practiced movement, he turns back toward the stage.

The room settles. The tension shifts.

Bucky doesn’t like it.

Not because it’s weird, exactly– he’s been in weirder places. But because he knows a performance when he sees one.

Dennis moves deliberately. Every step, every gesture, designed for impact.

And then, in a voice as smooth as a radio host’s, he speaks.

"The Ghost moves among us tonight," he says, pacing slowly across the stage. "I felt it earlier. A shift in the air. A whisper."

Bucky leans toward you.

"Did the Ghost also tell him to crank the fog machine to maximum?"

You bite back a grin. "It adds ambiance."

"It adds a fucking fire hazard."

You both glance toward the corner of the room, where the mist machine continues pumping out thick, curling fog.

It’s a lot, and smells faintly chemical and like no fog Bucky has ever smelt before. It spills along the floor, reaching all the way to the back row of seats.

Dennis stops, tilting his head.

"The energy here is special," he murmurs. "Do you feel it?"

A few people murmur in agreement.

Bucky does not murmur.

Instead, he tunes in, watching the room, the way people react. Watching the way Dennis pauses just long enough to let silence work in his favour.

It's polished. Which means it’s bullshit.

You’re half-listening, half-scanning the room. Not just in the way you usually soak in information, but in a subtler way. Like you’re looking for something.

Bucky notices. He wonders if he should ask. 

Dennis closes his eyes briefly, as if receiving a message.

"Some of you are new," he says suddenly, his voice shifting slightly. "Some of you have never been here before. You’ve been drawn here. Led here. Perhaps by curiosity, or fate, or something deeper. Whatever the reason, you are here now."

And then Dennis gestures to the audience.

A few nods in the audience. Someone exhales softly, like they’re already halfway into a trance.

Dennis begins to pace. Slow, measured steps, his fingers twitching slightly as if he’s channeling something.

"The spirit has whispered to me once again." His voice lowers. "I have seen visions."

A murmur spreads through the audience.

Dennis stops. Closes his eyes for effect.

"Dark visions. Visions of the Great Ghost of Nickasta’s past."

Dennis opens his eyes, gaze sweeping the room. "Tonight, we will consult with– is someone filming?"

Every head snaps around, straight toward you and Bucky.

Bucky doesn’t move.

You blink. Then, very slowly, you look down at the camera in your hands.

“Uh, yeah. Hi.” You raise your hand slightly, like a student in class. “We're new. The Graveyard Shift here to witness the—”

You dig around in your pocket, pulling out a folded-up flyer, squinting at it in the dark.

"—transformative power of communicating with ghosts."

You fold it back up and look at him expectantly.

Dennis’ smile tightens. "Recording is not encouraged." 

Bucky raises an eyebrow. "Why?"

Dennis stares at him. With just a touch too much hesitation, he says “It disturbs the Ghost from reaching full power.”

Bucky’s head cranes.

"Keep that thing on," he tells you as if you had any plans of shutting it off, before raising his voice. "Why not? Don't you wanna get your message out there? Help people?"

Dennis' clasped hands remain tight.

"It is not my message," he says smoothly. "It is the Ghost’s. I am merely a vessel."

Bucky’s lips press together. "Great. Free publicity for the Ghost."

"Yeah, we're doing pretty well on YouTube," you add, twirling the camera slightly in your hands. "Could be doing better on Instagram, but this guy refuses to go live."

Bucky glares. “It’s not gonna happen. Let it go.”

Dennis’ jaw tightens slightly. His gaze does another quick sweep of the room.

Then, finally– 

"No." He plasters on a tight smile. "You may continue. But know this—some things cannot be captured by a device so primitive as a camera."

"I’ll take that risk." Bucky leans back in his chair, smug, before adding under his breath to you, "He’s definitely scamming."

You snort. "Give him a chance."

"I gave him five bucks."

"And you got a very hot cloak out of it, which your shoulders look incredible in."

Bucky glares ahead.

"What visions were you having?" someone in the crowd shouts, following it up with a strange laugh. 

Bucky’s eyebrows pull together. 

Dennis claps his hands together, a smooth pivot away from the interruption.

"Ah, yes, the visions!" he announces, voice swelling with importance. "The Ghost has revealed to me a story of great suffering! Of betrayal! Of a spirit trapped! A mighty beast who could not be contained!"

A few people in the crowd gasp, others burst into tiny giggles. Bucky wonders if others were here for the shits and laughs too. 

"How big?" someone in the crowd shouts.

Dennis' eyes light up. He lifts his arms wide, stretching as far as he can.

"He was... huge!" he exclaims, pacing the stage, cloak billowing slightly behind him. "Larger than life itself! And he was trapped, my friends."

A few people gasp softly.

Dennis cries out, "Trapped in chains by the very people who claimed to ‘love’ him!"

Bucky’s face remains blank.

"His mighty beast was strong, yes, but he was misunderstood. He wanted to be free, to live among the people in peace. But no! They took him, they made him fight, and then they... they trapped him!"

Dennis throws himself against the table, inhaling deeply like he’s just been hit by divine revelation. "They made him climb a tall tower!"

He wonders if it actually hurt the guy, all the throwing himself around that he was doing. 

"They paraded him for all to see, mocking him!"

Bucky's eyes close briefly, as if in pain. "Okay."

Mist grows stronger around the room, almost like he’s stuck in a room with a bunch of vapers.

His nose scrunches up immediately, eyes stinging lightly as he blinks.

“What the hell is that smell,” he blows the air in front of him.

“Chemical, with undernotes of sweetness,” you note. “Is that what the Ghost smells like or is it a creative interpretation?”

“It's gonna give me a migraine.”

“Breathe through your mouth, then,” you say, raising the camera up and zooming into Dennis doing… whatever.

Bucky just shrugs the stupid cloak off his shoulders and ties it around his face in a makeshift balaclava.

“I feel it,” Dennis announces, throwing his hands in the air. “It is here.”

“What is?” the crowd cries.

“My migraine,” Bucky answers.

You shove at his knee with yours.

Someone stumbles to their feet. “The beast... the spirit... it’s... it's all so beautiful!”

People around him burst into giggles.

“I can feel it, it’s... inside me!” someone in the front laughs loud enough to drown out the music.

“Yes! Yes! The Ghost is in all of you!” Dennis shouts, pointing. “We are all like the beast, misunderstood and bound by chains, but we must rise above it all—

“I am rising,” the same cloak guy from earlier chuckles, knocking the chair behind him to the ground as he stands up. “I see the Ghost.”

“Oh,” you comment, looking around to see everyone with their hands up in the air.

Bucky's arms stay firmly crossed over his chest as he sits slumped in his miserable little chair, staring at the crowd around him around him.

“Everyone's doing something,” you observe through all the loud laughter.

“I can see that,” he says, noticing that your knee continues to brush against his after you shoved at him before coming to a rest. His throat constricts in a way that makes talking a little more difficult.

He pulls the stupid cloth tighter around his face because whatever the smell was, it clearly was giving him a physical reaction.

“I’m having FOMO.”  

“By all means, do not let them make you feel that way,” Bucky grumbles, in what he thought was a tone dropping with sarcasm.

“You're right,” you say, dumping the camera on him before standing up with your hands in the air.

Great. Now he was responsible for this thing too.

“They tried to tear him down from his tower,” Dennis shouts.

“Who?” you shout back like it’s a fucking improv show.

“The Witch! The righteous witch, walking along her path of gold!”

“What?” you stop immediately. “The fuck does that mean?”

“It’s the pink lady from Wizard of Oz,” Bucky says casually.

You turn to him, eyebrow raised.

“His great beast is King Kong. Tower, beast, misunderstood, made to fight,” Bucky replies. “Nick and Asta are characters from The Thin Man.”

You lean toward him. "What?"

“He’s bastardizing movies from the 20s.”

You squint toward Dennis, who is still in full Shakespearan mode.

"Can you feel the injustice, my children?" Dennis exclaims. "Can you see the Ghost at work?"

You grin. "Are you telling me you sat through movies in the ‘20s?"

"I was alive in the ‘20s, what the fuck else was I supposed to do?"

Dennis continues, "We are all on a journey, a journey just like those travelers in the great dust storm– oh yes, yes, the spirit shows me! We must keep pushing forward, even when the sand storm rages!"

Bucky grimaces immediately. "Grapes of Wrath."

"What?" 

"Saw it when it was released. Thought it was boring as fuck."

You try to stifle a laugh. "You look so young, sometimes I forget you were childhood friends with Adam and Eve."

Bucky glares at you. 

Dennis throws his arms out. "Another! Another in the room with us! This mechanical Titan with a heart of gold! They saw him as just a machine, but no, no! He was so much more! The spirit showed me! He was a reflection of the true power within us all—"

"Metropolis," he mutters. “Thea von Harbou's novel."

“Bucky, you fucking nerd.” You tap his shoulder, grinning. “Look at you, busting scams and quoting movies made during the dawn of time. Do you know how hot you are?”

“What?”

“I said, are you single? I’m asking for a friend.”

“Uh huh,” he replies, when the mist pumps into the room.

“I’m the friend.”

“Got that,” he replies, focusing on literally anything else.

Dennis continues without missing a beat. "But wait! Not all of you have followed the spirit’s true path!"

The room goes quiet. Dennis' eyes scan the crowd before he points suddenly.

"You! Yes, you!"

For a second, Bucky thinks he’s pointing at him.

"You betrayed the spirit, didn’t you? You–"

You poke Bucky. "Did you betray the spirit?"

"Only when I felt like it," he mutters.

However, the man in the row ahead of you suddenly lets out a panicked noise.

"I– I needed to go to the bathroom so bad!" he cries. "The line to the club was so long, and the bouncers weren’t letting anyone in, so I just cut ahead–"

Dennis gasps. A few others in the room let out soft, horrified whispers, as if the man had committed a felony. 

"No!" Dennis shouts, pointing like he’s passing divine judgment.

The poor guy visibly withers in his seat.

"You have broken the trust of the divine!" Dennis booms. "You must atone!"

The man trembles. "W-what should I do?"

Bucky mutters under his breath. "Is everyone here on drugs?"

Dennis softens slightly, his voice taking on a careful, patronizing tone.

"The spirit demands retribution," he says. "But the Ghost is merciful. And today, so very generous. For a small donation, you will have the chance to cleanse yourself from the darkness."

Bucky watches the guy scramble for his wallet. "Is he selling forgiveness?"

The man hands over thirty bucks.

"This is literally how the Church split,” he mumbles.

You suppress a laugh. "Did it affect your Sunday plans?"

Bucky shoots you a dry look. "I was born in 1917. The Church split four hundred years before that."

"Oh, right." You nod seriously. "I just assumed you were there when Martin Luther nailed his stuff to the door."

Bucky exhales, pressing the heel of his palm into his temples.

The fog thickens.

Dennis' voice rises. "Everyone quiet! The Ghost is speaking!"

You turn to Bucky. "The Ghost is speaking, Buck."

Bucky groans. "You mean till now he’s been freestyling?"

Dennis throws his hands up toward the ceiling. "I feel it! It is here!"

Bucky’s nose twitches. The smell is stronger now, almost becoming hard to see through– 

A split second later, you both realize.

Your eyes widen. "Is that–?"

"Nitrous oxide," Bucky confirms, standing up.

"Pumping laughing gas into the room, are you fucking kidding me?" you curse. “We need to air this place out.”

“Fuck’s sake,” Bucky turns sharply, scanning the room. He watches as shoulders slump, as people laugh for no reason. A guy near the front sways slightly, blinking like he’s forgotten where he is.

Someone else lets out a dazed giggle.

Bucky’s focus zeroes in on the mist machine, still hissing. There are small metal canisters stacked neatly beside it, refilling the room.

Bucky crosses the room in four steps.

Dennis barely has time to turn and register the movement before Bucky grabs one of the small pressurized canisters, gripping it in one hand.

"Hey! What are you—"

Bucky doesn’t answer, instead throwing it straight through the window.

The glass explodes outward, scattering onto the pavement outside.

A rush of cold air floods in.

The sound shocks the room, pulling some people out of their haze. Others are still too fogged up to react.

Dennis' face twists in outrage. "What the fuck?!”

"Show’s over," he mutters, chucking the second one too.

It slams into the glass and tumbles outside, hissing as it empties into the night.

Dennis looks like he might actually explode. "You’re ruining–"

"You can talk to the great Ghost through your one phone call in jail," Bucky interrupts, brushing glass off his sleeve.

Dennis lets out a furious noise, grabbing the stupid silver chalice from the table beside him and hurls it directly at Bucky’s head.

Bucky barely tilts his head to the side but finds that there’s really no need.

The chalice stops midair. Hangs there. Slowly floats back to the table, settling back into place.

Dennis' rage turns into something closer to panic.

"Let’s not get pissy now," you remark, voice syrupy sweet.

"Fuck you," Dennis snarls.

And then, in an act of desperation, he grabs a knife from the altar.

It’s cheap plastic. It’s definitely a prop. This guy was fuckin’ nuts.

Still, he lifts it like he’s going to lunge at Bucky.

Except his own cloak yanks tight around his arms.

Dennis lets out a choked sound as it wraps, pulling his limbs against his sides.

The curtain behind him rips off its hooks, swirling around him.

In seconds, he’s bound to the chair behind him, like some kind of villain in a medieval play.

The room stares.

You smile, pleasantly.

"Enough," you say, voice cooler than it should be.

Dennis glares daggers at you.

Bucky glances at you, mouth twitching slightly. 

Only then do you notice silence has fallen. 

You look at the crowd, only to find them watching you.

Someone in the back lets out a horrified whisper. 

"The spirit is here."

The crowd erupts.

"Where?" you ask, genuinely confused.

"The Ghost!" someone screams. "It's you!"

You blink. "Oh, me?"

They nod fervently.

A few drop to their knees.

You process this for a moment. Then grin like you just won the lottery.

"Oh, right. Yeah. Of course it’s me." You lift your arms slightly. "Hey, y’all." 

The crowd gasps. 

“Guide us.”

Bucky groans. "Some fuckin’ role model you’ve got there."

You pretend not to hear him. Instead, you do what you’ve seen Wanda do a million times, even though it really did nothing for you. 

You lift your hands slightly. Let your feet rise just a little off the floor. 

The room erupts in gasps.

"Fuck’s sake," Bucky mutters, dropping his head into his hands.

You clear your throat. "Yes, it is I. Spirit of Stick Blasta."

"Nickasta," Bucky corrects.

"Nickasta," you confirm. "I have traveled a long time to be here."

"Twenty minutes."

"Twenty millennia."

Bucky watches as you fake-peek through your half-closed eyes.

"I have some wisdom to share," you announce.

The crowd leans forward.

Bucky leans back.

"First!" you bellow. "Do not listen to anyone who stands on stage and says they've got a spirit moving through them. They're lying."

"But you’re doing that," Bucky heckles.

"Except me. I’m legit," you add quickly.

Bucky watches as you subtly flip him off with one of your raised hands.

"Second!" you continue. "Do not pay people for forgiveness."

You pause. "Unless that person’s name is Prosecutor and you’re bored of how long the case is being—"

"Next one," Bucky interrupts loudly.

You wave a hand dismissively.

"Third…" You falter. "I don’t know. Does anyone have suggestions?"

The crowd stares.

Bucky facepalms.

"Right. No suggestions." You clap your hands together. "Meeting adjourned."

The room is silent.

Then, someone whispers, "What… what do we do now?”

You land lightly on the floor again, brushing nonexistent dust off your cloak.

"For realsies, though, I suggest you get any money you paid this guy back. And then sue him into oblivion.” 

Dennis makes furious muffled noises from under the curtain still binding him.

You glance at him.

With zero effort, Dennis gets dragged backward, vanishing backstage.

The crowd stares.

Bucky pinches the bridge of his nose.

"Everyone out," Bucky orders.

The crowd obeys instantly.

Still dazed, still giggling from the leftover gas, they shuffle toward the exits.

Bucky looks at you. "Are you fine?"

You ignore him. 

Instead, you call after the crowd, "And call someone to pick you up!"

They nod vaguely.

"I already called the paramedics, they'll be here in a minute!" you shout. “Don’t go anywhere.” 

Bucky’s expression tightens.

"Are you fine?" he repeats.

You wave it off. "Oh yeah. It takes way more substances to get me high. All this was covered under the Leviathan Weapon of Mass Destruction starter kit.  What about you?"

"Me too." Bucky shrugs. After a pause, he clears his throat. "You didn’t have to tie him up."

"He was annoying,” you say flippantly. 

"I wasn’t actually in danger."

"I know."

"It was probably grape juice."

"I know."

"I didn’t need help."

"I know."

Bucky narrows his eyes at you. "What’s your play here?"

"My play?" You scoff. "I know this emo lone wolf thing is something you’ve been cultivating carefully for years, but sometimes, people can do things for you and have it not be a play."

Bucky stares. "Like what?"

"Like-- I don’t know– trying to protect you even if you don’t need it." You turn on your heel, hopping down from the stage. "Or like checking to see if you’re still breathing when you’re lying face down on the table."

Bucky does not respond, feeling his fingers get all fidgety. 

 “C’mon,” you tell him, halfway out the door. “We’ve got some explaining to do.”

He clears his throat, rolls his shoulders back and starts behind you.

“We’ve got all the footage. So that should be good." You turn to eye him. "But you know what’ll really help our case? You keeping that cloak on.” 

Bucky groans, yanking at the fabric that hung across his neck like a bath towel. "I’m gonna set this thing on fire."

"You won’t. You are the cloak now.""

"I will."

“You’re still wearing it. I think you actually like it.”

Bucky grinds his teeth. "I’m leaving."

"In the cloak?"

"Shut up."

"I think it makes you look distinguished."

Bucky storms toward the exit.

You follow, grinning the whole way.

here’s my ko-fi if you’d like to support my writing!

to know when this fic updates, please follow @shurisneakersupdates and turn on post notifications! it's the only way tumblr will let me have a taglist and i don't post there at all except for fics </3

[midnightshindig]

The rex meeting parents thing was absolutely adorable🙏 bouncing off of it could we get something similar but with meeting your younger sibling(s)? And just generally how he is with kids💕💕

Rex x Reader: meeting the siblings

my qualifications: I have a sister in middle school and a six year old brother, they've both met my partners multiple times over the course of the last five years. And they're snotty little menaces (/pos)

hcs under the cut!

After meeting your parents, Rex is cocky

He's terrible with parents but that went great, he's going to be amazing with your siblings

"Thank you for coming with me to babysit, sorry about our date..."

"No no, it's okay! I bet they're gonna love me, I'm great with kids."

and, much to your chagrin, he's right

The minute they set eyes on him, your ten year old sister and six year old brother are allllll over him

"I like your hair! Why is it like a girls? Do you wear jewelry? Do you want to see my tiara collection? Can I braid your hair? Does it hurt to be pulled up like that? Can you do my hair like that?" your sister, spouting off a million questions a minute

In comparison, your brother is quiet, staring at him in awe

Rex FEEDS off of this attention, opting to pick up your brother with his permission, tossing him in the air effortlessly

What's even the point of being a superhero if you can't throw a six year old every now and again?

You stand off by the doorway, eventually migrating to sit on your sisters bed, watching them play

He takes to children like fire

your sister is teaching him how to have a tea party, and your brother is tangling his hands in Rex's now-down hair.

He'll regret that later when trying to brush it

But for now they're having a grand time

"Would you like more sugar, Sir Rexinold?"

"You know, I think I would!" He holds out his plastic teacup, your sister dropping in a fake sugar cube, and the two of them giggling over it

He fits in so well with them

The only problem is his.... Rex-isms

they don't turn off

"You are under arrest for being a bad guy!" Your sister yells, pointing a fake sherrifs gun at him

"You'll never catch me alive, kiss my ass!" Rex yells back, running through the halls with his hands fake-handcuffed behind his back, held together only by the imaginary bonds of play pretend.

"REX!" You call after them, poking your head out the bedroom door as the two of them race through the halls "No swearing!!!"

you're not certain, but you think you hear Rex hit something before calling back "Shit- Sorry!!!"

soon after your sister returns to the room, holding Rex's "handcuffs" and throwing him in "jail" (on the bed next to you)

You two chat while your siblings briefly entertain each other

"so, does this make you my prison husband or?"

Rex laughs, headbutting you playfully "No way, you're definitely under my protection."

"Says the guy who got arrested by a little girl."

"Hey man!!" He defends, raising his hands "She's vicious, I don't know how you're the superhero in the family, she's so badass all on her own."

"Psshhhtt-" you punch his shoulder, pushing him off the bed inadvertently

He would've caught himself, but, again, imaginary handcuffs.

Soon after dinner, you give Rex the task of putting the kids to bed

"They'll want you to read them a story, or a dozen, but feel free to limit them at three."

You walk in thirty minutes later to find Rex dramatically reenacting the kids' bedtime stories

Your sister is fast asleep, bored of childish tales

but your brother? he's enthralled.

"And then the dragon said 'but I'm just hungry!' and the knight said 'But you're eating the people!'-"

cough cough

Rex turned to look at you, a wide smile filling his face

"And here comes our princess- will you do the voice?"

and how can you not?

So three more storybooks later, and your brother is asleep too

The two of you retire to the couch, your head laid on his shoulder, hands pressed together

"What can I say? they love you." you relent, sighing

Rex wraps an arm around you, pulling you closer "I always wanted real siblings, like, ones that cared about me."

You lean into him "Well these ones love you."

that means so much more to him that you could possibly know.

BONUS:

"Rex- stop fidgeting!"

"But this sweater is so itchy-!" he whines, pulling at the collar

Your sister pulls him by the hand towards the spot where your father, mother, and younger brother are standing, "Rex, Y/n, come onnnn we're gonna miss it!"

You laugh, walking past the two of them and joining the rest of your family

"Cmon kiddo, between me and Y/n, in front" Rex corrals your sister into position

Your matching sweaters blend into a sea of red and silver as the cameraman steadies his focus

"Ready? Say Cheese on three-"

"One-"

Rex looks at the people around him briefly

"Two-"

You slip your hand into his

"Three-"

There isn't anywhere else he'd rather be

"CHEESE!!"

the flash goes off, and your family Christmas photo is taken

[wetpussyju1ce]

Coconut & Tangerines

jax teller x poc fem reader

1.7k words

tags: pining, love at first sight, size difference, threats of violence, canon-typical jax behaviour/violence, Jax is in lovvveeeee, not beta read, writer is in love w this dumbass and thanks to him, this side blog exists + he brought writer out a writing rut <3 all because he made me horny. don't ever underestimate the power of an ovulating woman and her pussy. amen.

Jax doesn't expect to meet the love of his life in their dingy bar, barrelling through the doors, fuming and crying no less.

Everything was as usual, smoke filled up the place, stinking like tobacco and cheap beer. Men laughed and cheered as they played pool and gambled, random profanities would be shouted once in a while over the radio playing in the background. It was just like any other day, pretty mundane for the gang of bike riders, that is until the doors burst open, a pretty sight graced their establishment.

Jax didn't look up from the game of cards he was in the middle of, that is until she spoke, "Where is he?" The words were growled, more like. With as much ferocity as a kitten in Jax's eyes when he finally looked over.

The girl was panting, standing there while clutching her handbag in one hand, and her phone in the other. Her eyes were glassy and furious, scanning the bar's clientele frantically, looking for someone. And, Jax hoped that no one of the assholes in his gang were dating her because she was oh so pretty. She had on a long sleeved white top, the material soft and fluffy, cropped and falling off one pretty shoulder, her hips were covered in a small jean skirt, held close by a sparkly silver belt, more for show than anything as the skirt was tight and small enough to stay still on her body.

Then came in her heeled boots, that stopped right where her knees started, leaving the soft skin of her thighs exposed to the elements, and to the eyes of everyone in the bar to ogle at.

"Where are you? You stupid dickhead!" She shouts, pushing through the bigger bodies of the bike riders in search of the origin of her anger. Jax leans back in his chair, to get a better view of her glassy eyes and those devastatingly gorgeous and plump pink lips, the lower lip trembling when she's not shouting.

That's when she finally gets her hands on a shoulder, spins the man around and rips the hood off his head, Jax's frowns when he sees a young face, a much too young face to be in here. So he pushes his chair back, placing his cards face down and walking towards the woman and the boy she just grabbed, "Did you lose your fucking mind? What the fuck are you doing here? Your friend told me about your little plan!!"

She's fuming, crying now, hitting the boy on the chest, and be barely budges, her hits not affecting him in the slightest, but her words do make him lower his head in embarrassment at getting caught. "Huh? What do you have to say for yourself?"

The whole bar is watching them at this point, no one moving to interrupt them, watching the drama unfold. Except Jax, who easily makes his way to the crying, distressed girl, "Now, what's going on here?"

He stands next to the girl with the wet Bambi eyes, offers her a small smile and looks at the boy, putting a hand on his shoulder, "How old are you, son?"

The boy shakes his shoulder, trying to escape his grip with an uncomfortable look on his face, "I'm 18-"

"He's 15, and he's my little brother." She sniffles and glares at her brother.

"You're not old enough to drink, but you knew that. So why did you really come here?" Jax asked, bending his head to try and meet her brother's eyes. The boy doesn't say anything and when Jax thinks he won't speak, he looks up, meets his eyes with as much confidence as possible and says, "Let me in your gang."

Jax just stares at him, "Do you even have a motorcycle?"

"I'm not stupid, I know what you do! I'm fast and-" Jax decided he's heard enough and grabs him by the neck like a disobedient pup and drags him out of the bar, his sister right behind them as the boy tries to escape his hold, spitting curses left and right.

"Actually, you are pretty fucking stupid. You want to know to know why?" Jax throws him on the pavement, watching the boy catch himself on his hands and knees. "I'll tell you," He runs a hand through his hair, "You believe made up stories you hear in the streets, and that will get you killed. That's why you need to stay in high-school and never step a foot in our bar!"

Jax sighs, "You better thank your sister for saving your life."

Her brother gets up, looking extremely embarrassed and angry, dusting himself off, he clenches his fist and glares at Jax, at that he can understand, the boy is young and dumb, he was handled like a puppy out in public. But what he can't stand for, is when her brother turns to glare at his sister, and Jax moves the second he sees the boy take a step forward, jaw set and fists clenched.

Jax stands in front of her like a mountain, "Try it, and I'll break your fucking jaw, boy."

Jax hears a whimper and his blood boils, his sister cares for his well-being and the shit wanted to repay her kindness with violence and hurt.

Her brother spits right in front of Jax's feet and takes off. Jax would chase him and set him straight if it was any other day, but it wasn't. He had the prettiest and sweetest girl in his hands to check up on. Jax straightens his kutte and turns around, seeing sadness written all over her smaller face. She covers her face with her hands and lowers her body so she sits on the hard, cold and dirty concrete of the pavement.

He looks around, rubbing the back of his neck as he watches her shoulders slump and her phone to ding with a notification, she wipes her wet eyes with the back of her hand and reads the message she received. Her wet, dark eyelashes blink as her eyes read over the message and she sighs again, eyes welling up with tears. Jax sighs and goes to sit next to her as she shoves her phone in her handbag.

"You alright?" He asked, studying the side of her devastatingly gorgeous face.

She sniffles and turns to look at him, their bodies just barely touching, and Jax's heart jumps at the bounce of her dark curls, framing her face like a cloud, a real life angel, "I was meant to go on a date, you know?"

"What happened?" He blinks.

"I'm officially 30 minute late and my date messaged me. Let's just say he isn't happy at being stood up." She mumbles. Jax hums, "Why don't you call him and explain why you're late?"

She closes her eyes for a second, then opens them again, smile wobbly, "He's going on a date with another girl. He hates me now. It won't change anything."

Jax frowns, "Sorry but your date sounds like an asshole. You could have been kidnapped or got into an accident and he's-"

"It's okay," She chuckles, not a ounce of humour behind it.

"It's not. You've had a down right shitty day, darlin'" Jax says, suddenly getting up. "Look, come have a drink or two." He sticks one of his hands out, looking at her expectantly. She bites her lower lip, "I'm sorry I don't- I don't drink." Jax smiles a little, "Then how about this, let's get ice-cream."

She brings her knees to her chest and shakes her head, "I don't-"

"You're already all dolled up, so you may as well do something. Let yourself have one good thing today, hm? On me." Jax added, he's starting to feel a little stupid because he's sure he's not being subtle at all. He hopes he doesn't come off as some jackass who sees her as an opportunity. He wants to help, he really does. And the fact that she happens to be so pretty that it makes his heart melt, wasn't his fault. "And we'll talk about your brother too, if you want."

She thinks about it and nods, finally placing her hand in his. Jax's eyes almost widen at the size difference, but he acts cool and clears his throat, getting his hand back to shove it in his pocket, his fingers tingling where she touched him. She dusts herself off, wiping the back of her skirt with her hand as he rushes inside to settle his tab, slamming cash on the counter and ignoring his guy's hollers and whoops, he shakes his head, a small smile on his lips as he makes his way to his parked bike, pulling his keys out of his pockets.

"Have you ridden a bike before?" He asked, getting his only helmet out as she made her way to him, looking at his bike, "Like this? No."

"I'll drive slow, don't worry." He kindly smiled at her, taking a step towards her, holding his helmet with both hands, "Can I?"

"Oh yeah, of course." She jumps, straightening her back and watching Jax push her curls out of her forehead with his fingers, and then place his helmet carefully over her head, snapping it shut and taking a step back.

She watches him throw a leg over the machine and put his key in the ignition, the beast roaring to life as he pulls it up with his feet and arms, "Get on," He motions with his head and she wears her handbag on one arm and sits behind him, getting comfortable and placing her hands on his shoulders, "What's your name?" She asked.

"Jax. What's yours?" He said loudly over his bike's engine. She replied and he whipped his head back, "WHAT?"

She nudged closer, repeating her name again and he grinned, knowing full well he heard her the first time, he just wanted her closer, for safety purposes of course!

"You smell real nice, what's that?" He shouted over his shoulder. She got closer, her chest pressed against his back, "Coconut and Tangerines lotion!" Jax grinned, she smelled delicious and he was hungry. He hopes wherever they're going, that they'll have tangerines flavoured ice cream, because he really doesn't think she'll let him bury his teeth in her sweet skin like a greedy bastard after knowing him for 10 minutes. Or maybe she would, who knows.

"Where's your helmet?" She asked, wrapping her arms around his waist as he finally turned the bike around, entering the road.

Jax looked over his shoulder, "Don't worry about that. Hold tight, Tangy." That's all the warning she got before he took off, leaving a cloud of dust behind.

"I'll drive slow" my ass.

[oclovingmaniac]

EPIC - The Musical LIVE BLOG (bc I've never done one of these)

Damn okay vocals from Odysseus

THEY WANT HIM TO KILL A CHILD???

Yeah don't do it bro just raise him as your kids brother or smt

Okay he actually did it goddamn

Oh they hungry

Polites is such a little cutie omg I love him❤️❤️❤️

THE LITTLE CUTIE GOT TUNES OKAY POLITES I SEE YOU!!

I better see Polites with a lover at the end of these and they better greet him with open arms

Okay the lotus eaters are really cute

Never mind they're a hive mind okay😭

OH OKAY ATHENA OKAYYYY (Lil biased cus I'm a worshipper of her but whatever)

Ooooh sheep okay, I've seen this part specifically. Poor cyclops guy.

DONT GIVE THE CYCLOPS WINE???

Hear me out, maybe just flee the cave and don't fight the big ass bitch??

POLITES NO!!! WHAT THE FUCK!? WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK I HATE THIS I HATE THIS, FUCK YOU EPIC DIE KILL THE CYCLOPS IMMEDIATELY

Yeah die you stupid one eyed bitch and stay thay way fucker. I hate the cyclops. Fuck the cyclops man.

Hell yeah Odysseus remember them indeed. Mainly Polites.

Oh damn there's more of the big fuckers oh no

Oh wait the cyclops is lonely. Wait they left him and he went "Don't go" why the fuck does my heart hurt now. Fuck this musical man😭

Odysseus, my guy, you can't just say NO to Athena???😭😭

OKAY ODY GET IT BUDDY

THE INFAMOUS ODYSSEUS HELL YEAH

Why did the cyclops smile that was so fucking creepy.💀

Okay back to Athena hell yes.

Okay a little harsh girlie, you can't blame him for getting emotional there.

OKAY DON'T INSULT HER DUDE???

Oh damn the girls are fighting guys just hug it out please🙄

JESUS ODY THATS A BIT MUCH???

Valid crash out Athena😭

They'll talk it out don't worry guys😔

Oooh "Storm" okay

Is Poseidon about to fuck them over?😭

OH THESE VOCALS ARE HEAVENLYYY

STOOOOOORRRM (STOOOOOORRRRMMM)

Eurydice be positive omfg yall have dealt with enough death

Yall really about to shoot the fucking sky???💀

Ohhh there was an island okay I wasn't paying attention my bad yall

Oh wind god? Okay fun.

EURYDICE SHUT UP MAN POLITES WOULD NOT APPRECIATE THIS

Oh okay okay

How much longer till yo luck runs out duh duh duhduh vibe okay

Okay I get Eurydice's concern now I shouldn't have shit talked I'm sorry everybody deals with grief differently I guess😭

NOT THE FUCKING POLITES FLASH BACK ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE ME JUMP OUT MY BEDROOM WINDOW AT HALF TEN AT NIGHT????

Oh shit the passive aggressiveness

"I need to talk to you in private" Ooooooh Eurydice's in troubleeeee

Shit bro fr getting scolded below the decks right now😭

Oh the flute love that okay

Aeolis? How do you spell it???

OH SHIT HES A SHE??

I love her.

AWE THE LITTLE LOTUS EATERS AWEEEEE

Lmao this animator drew the lotus eaters twerking💀

Okay I really fuck with Aeolis (I do not know how to spell her name and I refus to use subtitles)

DAMN THE LOTUS EATERS ARE SHIT STIRRERS😭😭😭 "It's treasure!" "...what?" "Buh-bye!"

THE WAY HE HAS TO TALK TO THEM LIKE THEYRE KIDS DUDE💀 I love them bro

Shit they arguing😔

Okay they're almost home great wonderful awesome cool. And they all lived happily ever after and no one opened the bag.

For the love of fucking God don't open the bag PLEASE.

ODYSSEUS STAY AWAKE FOR FUCK SAKE. PLEASE.

MORON.

THEY TIED HIM TO THE FUCKING BOAT??? DUDE??? YALL ARE WARRIORS YOU CANNOT BE THIS STUPID COME ON😭😭😭

WHAT. THE. FUCK. DID. HE. TELL. YOU???

EURYDICE YOURE HIS SECOND IN COMMAND SURELY YOU TRIED TO STOP THEM OR SOMETHING??? FUCKING IDIOTS.

OH SHIT ITS POSEIDON YALL ARE SO FUCKED-

Oh damn he's yelling lemme turn this shit down.

Damn bro really just tryna chill with the waves and yall pissed him off because you're IMPULSIVE FUCKING BUFFOONS-

Shit the cyclops is Poseidons kid??? You guys are actually already dead write yo damn wills😭

RUTHLESSNESS IS MERCY UPON OURSELVESSSSS

I may have a crush on EPIC Poseidon...

Hey the sea man (with tentacles I may add) has got a point and I would listen to him if I were you I'm just saying like I'm totally not biased or anything because he's hot that's ridiculous-

Bro really would've preferred if he just offed his son omg😭

His vocals are fire tho fr

Oh damn the rest of his men are about to die aren't they😭

I FUCKING KNEW IT DAMMIT POSEIDON

Okay at least it wasn't all of then I guess?😭

OH DAMN HE STABBED THE WINDBAG OKAY-

Yeah okay that was such a smart move but also Ody you're such a little shit and it's hilarious😭🙏

Oh where the fuck are we now

Eurydice shut the fuck up nobody said you could speak be quiet.

HIS NAME IS EURYLICHUS? I GOT HIS NAME WRONG THE WHOLE TIME? FUCK SAKE MAN

Yeah no shut the fuck up baldy (that's what I'm calling him from now on cus fuck yall)

TELL ME MORE MEN DIDNT ACTUALLY JUST DIE MAN😭

Yall just... entered a random Palace because the voice sounded pretty??? NO WONDER ODY TALKS TO THEM LIKE THEYRE CHILDREN ITS BECAUSE THEY FUCKING ARE😭

"A woman😔" "...what-" Bro is so done with baldy and so am I honestly-

Ody is APPALLED at how easy it is to grasp these stupid men bro😭

LMAO SHES SO ICONIC WAIT I LOVE HER

Also you cannot tell me baldy was the only one to stand there skeptical I refus to believe that.

STOP I LOVE CIRCE WTF SHES SO ICONIC

SHE TURNED THEM INTO PIGS LMAO WHAT A DIVA

Baldy shut up bro.

HERMES YAY HERMES IS HERE

STOP I LOVE HERMES VOCALS AND THIS SOMG IS SUCH A BOP WHAT- THEY DID MY BRO PROUD IM SURE

HIS VOCALS ARE INCREDIBLE DUDE I CANTTTT

Did Hermes actually just get Odysseus high???😭

Hermes is just there for the drama bro. What. A. Queen.

"REVEAL THEIR TRUE FORMS" SHES SUCH AN ICON BRO I LOVE HER

The way she knew this was Hermes doing those two have beef I guarantee it😭

ODY LEAVE CIRCE ALONE SHE'S JUST TRYNA PROTECT HER NYMPHS DUDE

THEYRE LIKE HER DAUGHTERS??? ODY JUST LEAVE BRO😭😭😭

IS SHE ACTUALLY ABOUT TO TRY AND SEDUCE HIM TO SAVE THE NYMPHS FUCK MAN I LOVE HER

Okay if there's one thing I knew before listening to this it's that Odysseus like refuses to cheat on Penelope so I'm not worried rn

Hell yeah we love loyal men- NOT HIM SITTING NEXT TO CIRCE LIKE SHES A FUCKING THERAPIST BRO I CANT😭

I'm gonna pause and assume she keys them go with absolutely no catch whatsoever and then Ody gets home with no further issues the end. THE. END. PLEASE. IM DYING.

Damn okay R.I.P to the prophet I guess😭

DONT SEND HIM TO THE FUCKING UNDERWORLD BRO- WITH HIS LUCK??? HES FUCKED DONT DO THAT-

Awe she was in love?😭

I KNEW WE COULD FUCK WITH CIRCE MAN I LOVE HER

Let's hope they fucking listen this time man, especially in the fucking underworld???

Yall ever go to the airport when you were younger so your mom would scare you into staying near her so you wouldn't wander off? Yeah that's what Ody should do here.

Damn bro is being YELLED AT

YOU CANT SPRONG A DEAD POLITES ON ME LIKE THAT MAN ILL FUCKING SOB AGAIN I MEAN IT IM A WEAK BOY PLEASE

(I doubt Polites would be in the underworld, he'd probably be in the Elysian fields but fucking whatever man ignore me)

DO NOT FUCKING BRING HIS MOTHER INTO THIS-

WAIT SHES DEAD?? OH MY FUCKING GOD DUDE-

You've got me sobbing in the middle of my bedroom at that "Bye mom" Jorge I hope you fucking know that. You're paying for my therapy.

OKAY NOW YOURE YELLING??? SHUT UP-

Do we meet the prophet now-

We do yay.

Oh he's cute as fuck wait-

Bro is just refusing to help okay😭

Okay if you can predict all that could you not have maybe predicted all the current bullshit going on and maybe idk WARNED US?? Sorry I shouldn't talk about politics my bad🙄

But my guy is actually just refusing to cooperate what a diva

"WHO?" Bro take a wild fucking guess Ody-

Okay I no longer fuck with the prophet. He may be a diva but he's also a bitch so-

Ody: "It's me, hi. I'm the problem, it's me."

R.I.P Ody you would've loved Tay Tay

THANK YOU ODY YOU FINALLY UNDERSTAND THE NECESSARY KILLINGS FUCKING HELL DUDE.

SCILLA IS FREAKING ME THE FUCK OUT GET AWAY- IM TRYNA SEE ODYS REACTION TO BALDYS STULIDITY AND SHES SITTING THERE WIDE EYED FUCK OFF-

SHES SO FREAKY HELP-

EW WHY DID HER NECK FUCKING ELONGATE???

oh bro got snatched okay-

WHY IS SHE SNATCHING EVERYONE EXCEPT THE BALD FUCKER???

Okay but how many died just now???

Six okay, also stfu and sit yo Baldy ass back down Eurylichus

PUT THAT SWORD AWAY IMMEDIATELY LIKE YO DUMBASS WOULDNT HAVE DONE THE FUCKING SAME-

THEY STABBED HIM??? YALL MAD CUS HE LIKES WIFE MORE THAN YOU??? JEALOUS FUCKS-

THE FUCKING NECK OF THESE GUYS MAN OMFG-

Omg no pls listen to Ody- BALDY FOR ONCE JUST FUCKING LISTEN TO ODYSSEUS PLEASE-

You are not about to slay a cow that belongs to Lord Apollon bro😭

Idiots. All of them.

OH NOW YOU WANNA FUCKING LISTEN TO ODY??? FUCK OFF MAN YOU STUPID FUCKS-

I KNEW ODY SHOULDVE THROWN BALDY OVERBOARD IN SCYLLAS LAIR

GET THEIR ASSES APOLLON!!!

Oh or Zeus that works too ig I was excited to see Apollo-

WHY IS ZEUS SEDUCING A CLOUD RIGHT NOW???

This is grossing me out wait😭

EUGHHHH NO FUCK OFF I HATE THE MYTHS OF ZEUS DUDE😭😭😭

Lmao Zeus avenging Apollo's cows instead of Apollo is pretty funny to me honestly

Okay why are we dissing pride rn Zeus you homophobe-

LET THEM DIE THEYRE USELESS AS FUCK! THEY LITERALLY JUST STABBED YOU LIKE AN HOUR AGO LET THEM DIEEEEE PLEASEEEE

OH FUCK OFF BALDY WITH YOUR SAD PUPPY LOOK YOU BROUGHT THIS UPON YOURSELF YOU DUMBASS BITCH YOU CLEARLY SHAVED OFF PART OF YOUR BRAIN ALONG WITH YOUR HAIR

NO DONT CRY ODY THEY WERE USELESS ITS OKAY!

Oh 7 yrs later

Oh damn is this Telemachus? My boy rocking those dangling earrings okay-

NO HES NOT DEAD DUDE HAVE HOPE COME ON!

He has a dog???

Buddy you do not want to fight those monsters maybe just stay with you, yourself and... thou? And the dog ofc and Penelope I'm guessing.

OHHH OKAY L-L-L-L-LEGENDARY! GET IT TELEMACHUS!

Damn not them rocking up in the Palace just to disrespect the Prince wtf???😭

OWL??? ATHENA??? ARE YOU BACK???

STOP I LOVE HIMMMM

"Where is he ehememememe" SHUT YO DESPERATE ASS UP-

HOW DARE YOU CALL PENELOPE A FUCKING TRAMP???

YOU STAY AWAY FROM HER FUCKING ROOM!!

HELL YEAH TELEMACHUS DEFEND HER NAME!!!

BEAT HIS ASS TELEMACHUS!!!

STOP SINGING AND STAB HIM WTF???

HELL YEAH GET HIM!!!

THE FUCKING NERVE OF THIS CUNT??? GET HIM TELEMACHUS!!!

GET YOUR HAND OFF OF HIS NECK IMMEDIATELY???

TELEMACHUS GET UP OMFG-

HOW IS THIS BOY PENELOPES SON??? I KNOW DAMN WELL SHE CAN PROBABLY FIGHT LIKE A BEAST WHY IS SHE NOT TEACHING HIM???

ATHENAAAA YESSSS HELP THIS POOR GUYYYYY

YEAH UPPERCUT!! FUCK YES!!

YES ATHENA!!! FUCK HIM UP!!!

YES FUCK HIM UP TELEMACHUS!!!

GET IT LITTLE WOLF!!!

I HATE THIS GUY?? NOT TELEMACHUS BUT THE FUCKER HES FIGHTING-

Yay Athena has a new student and it's her old students son we love thatttt

Damn just tell him you were his father's mentor??? No? Okay-

Stop Telemachus is such a fucking cutie I can't-

OMG SHE HIGH FIVED TELEMACHUS BUT NOT ODY THATS AMAZING-

"You're a good kid..." "Thanks :D" I LOVE HIM-

Damn she really just hasn't even checked on him for ten years-

Athena, girly, you have missed alot😭😭😭

Damn now he's missing alright

Okay now who is this girly calling him "sleepyhead"?

LMAO NOT HER JUST BRUSHING PAST THE WIFE COMMENT😭

OH EW FUCK OFF??? HOMEWRECKER GTFO-

Damn okay it's kind of a bop though

Okay this is low-key SA I'm gonna be honest so I'm actually not gonna joke much about Calypso and Ody out of personal preference.

Oh okay he's just gonna jump off a cliff, cool-

CALYPSO HES TRYING TO KILL HIMSELF CAN YOU STOP HARASSING HIM FOR LIKE TWO FUCKING SECONDS YOU ANNOYING HOMEWRECKING BITCH I HATE YOU-

STOP SPRINGING FLASHBACKS OF POLITES ON ME!!!

let's not mourn the baldy he was useless anyway-

Valid crash out.

HE CALLED FOR ATHENA OMG THIS POOR GUY DUDE

YEAH GO HELP HIM ATHENA!!!

Wtf are the god games

Oh she asking for Zeus's help okay

Bro, your kid is asking for your help, and you wanna make it a game fuck off-

YAY WE ACTUALLY GET TO SEE APOLLO OMG

Okay, so, she has to convince all of them to help save Odysseus and then they'll let him off Calypso's Island cool awesome fun-

Imma do this in sections wait

Apollo

Love the vocals omg? Bro mad about the sirens. OMG HE DIDNT EVEN CARE ONCE HE FOUND OUT THE SIRENS WERE FINE😭 BRO SAID "TF AM I HERE FOR"

Hephaestus

Yeah valid reasoning very valid

LMAO HE DOESNT SOUND ARSED TO ARGUE WITH HER I LOVE THAT-

Aphrodite

Oh I love her

No I don't never mind.

Ehhh.

Ares

LMAO COMING TO BACK UP HIS WIFE AND ANNOY HIS SISTER I SEE YOU ARES!!!

I kinda love him

Oh oh rapping okay get it get it

AYE DONT DISS TELEMACHUS-

Yes Athena get his ass.

Lmao the simultaneous response between him and Aphrodite what a power couple honestly. Love Ares.

Hera

AHHHH LOVE HER

Lmao she's low-key on Athena's side she just wants a good reason. She's here for fun.

LMAO SHE WAS CONVINCED BY THE LACK OF CHEATING THATS SO AMAZING-

Zeus

Oh he being scary.

DONT YELL AT HER???

Bro don't get pissy because you lost

(LMAO ALL OF THE OTHERS LOOKIM AT ZEUS LIKE "UH WTF-")

GET UP ATHENA GET YOUR ASS UP-

GET UP GIRL PLEASE😭

YESSSSS LADY ATHENA!!!

LISTEN TO YOUR FUCKING DAUGHTER ZEUS??? WHY ARE YOU ACTUVELY HURTING HER??? YOU BITCH-

Oh not fucking Calypso again please-

YEAH HES LEAVING GOOD FOR YOU ODY!!!

Shut up bro nobody likes you

CAME ON TOO STRONG!? YOU FUCKING ASSAULTED HIM YOU WORTHLESS BITCH???

Oh NOW you'll say you were wrong huh? What's up with assholes apologising far too late in this fucking musical???

I do hate you yes.

Bro BE sorry for loving him??? HE HATES YOU AND HE HAS EVERY RIGHT TOO-

ODY DONT FEEL FUCKING BAD FOR HER? DONT TRY AND COMFORT HER??

Okay sad backstory, yeah, but that doesn't really excuse you assaulting him now does it, Calypso?

STOP GUILT TRIPPING HIM YOU MANIPULATIVE BITCH-

IS THIS NOT ABUSE??? IS THIS NOT ABUSE???

He should hate you and he has every right to hate you because you're a fucking bitch-

"Ehememememe I have all these negative emotions so it's your problem now EHMEMEMEMEMEEM" that's all I hear right now-

ODY NO! DONT TRY TO MAKE HER FEEL BETTER?? WHERE'S THE BEAST GONE?? WHERE'S THE MONSTER??? STOP IT!!!

I HATE THIS WHOLE SEGMENT AND NOBODY CAN EVER MAKE ME LIKE CALYPSO IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM! ARGUE WITH THE WALL!

Ain't no way he's getting all the way back to Ithica on a fucking raft😭🙏

HERMES IS FUCKING BACK WITH THE WIND BAG WHAT AN ICON!!!

HIS STUPID FUCKING LAUGH OH GOD I LOVE HIM SO MUCH-

Can I just mention how amazing Hermes would be at hosting a circus? Like je would fucking love the greatest showman

STOP BECAUSE HES GENUINELY ACTUALLY ROOTING FOR ODYSSEUS HERE LIKE I LOVE HIM SO MUCH MAN

Do. Not. Open. That. Fucking. Bag. I swear if this bag opens I'm suing SOMEBODY-

This song is such a bop btw

AHSGDHSKDHDGW I LOVE HIMMMMM

Love how he's low-key shit talking a sea monster

OKAY DONT GET CARRIED AWAY ODY PLEASE JUST THINK FUCKING LOGICALLY YOURE MAKING ME NERVOUS-

YAY HE CAN SEE ITHICA!!!

WHY THE FUCK CANT WE JUST LET THIS FUCKER BE HAPPY FOR LIKE TWO MINITES? POSEIDON FUCK OFF-

DO NOT GET IN THE FUCKING WATER-

Oh maybe get in the water actually...

AYE DO NOT THREATEN TELEMACHUS AND PENELOPE???

POSEIDON YOU HEARTLESS FUCK

Lmao he's really trying to reason with Lord Poseidon, get it ig-

LMAO ITS OKAY ODY YOU WERE SO CLOSE KEEP TRYING BUDDY

OKAY POSEIDON CHILL CHILL CHILL-

ODYSSEUS NOOOOOO

STOP. GIVING ME. POLITES. FLASHBACKS. PLEASE BRO-

BRO CMON YOU CANT DIE NOW-

OH? OH OKAY HE GETTIN BACK UP!!!

WHY THE FUCK IS HE FLYING WHAT IS GOING ON-

Oh damn was he just empowered by like three different gods???😭

Oh he screaming okay-

GET HIM ODY!!!

OH DAMN DID HE JUST KILL POSEIDON??

Oh he didn't okay.

HE OPENED THE BAG??? ODYSSEUS WHY???

Oh he threatening him-

OH- NOT THE TORTURE!

HES REALLY TORTURING A GOD FUCKING HELL-

BRO JUST TORTURED A LITERAL GOD TO GET HOME OH JESUS-

"Next to my wife" COLDEST LINE IN FUCKING CINEMATIC HISTORY- YES ODYSSEUS GO AND GET EM TIGER!!!!

Oh we back in the Palace okay

PENELOPE YOU WILL NOT CHOOSE A SUITOR BRO-

PENELOPE YOURE AMAZING DONT CRY I LOVE YOU-

I KNEW SHE WAS A BADASS!!!

NO DONT SET AN ACTUAL CHALLENGE FOR THEM PENELOPE THEY HAVE PLOT ARMOUR-

STOP GIRL DONT CRY YOURE SO STRONG WERE ALL SO PROUD OF YOU HONEY!!!

NO, YOU HEARD THE QUEEN, IF YOU CANT STRING THE FUCKING BOW THEN YOURE USELESS AND SHE HATES YOU SO FUCK OFF!

FUCK. OFF. STUPID. UGLY. BASTARD. I WISH SOMEONE WOULD HOLD YOU DOWN AND GUT YOU FOR FUCK SAKE-

STOP- NO- LEAVE TELEMACHUS ALONE YOU FUCKING FREAKS FUCK OFF I HATE THIS DONT YOU DARE LAY A FINGER ON THAT BOY!!!

SLIT WHOS THROAT?? I WILL CUT YOUR DICK OFF-

WHAT EVEN IS THIS GUYS NAME??? FUCK OFF YOU FREAK NOBODY LIKES YOU-

IF YOU TOUCH PENELOPE IM GONNA FEED YOU TO THE CYCLOPS-

EW EW EW EW EW EW EW EW EW EW EW EW EW EW EW EW EW EW EW EW I CANT EVEN JOKE ABOUT THIS THATS JUST FUCKING DISGUSTING???

OH ODYSSEUS IS HERE? FINALLY!!

HES DEAD! YES! OLAY PENELOPE AND TELEMACHUS ARENT HURT WE'RE GOOD!

TELL THEM ODY!!!

KILL THEM ALL!! 600 STRIKES PER FUCKER!!!

HES BAAAAAACK!!!

yall ever play hide and seek in the dark? Yeah that's what this is to me-

HUNT THEM DOWN ODY!!!

FUCK YES ODYSSEUS!!!

NOT THIS FUCKER TRYING TO SWEET TALK ODYSSEUS SIT YO ASS DOWN AND TAKE THIS ARROW BITCH-

"Open arms insteaaaa-" "No :/" FUCK YEAH ODY!!!

YESSSS ODY

OH IT WAS TELEMACHUS!!! FUCK YES BUDDY!!!

OH YOU COWARDS LEAVE THE KID ALONE

YOU WILL NOT ALL ATTACK THE LRINCE FUCK OFF-

FUCK THEM UP TELEMACHUS!!! YOUVE GOT THIS!!!

ODY TO THE RESCUE FUCK YES

MERCY???

KILL THEM ALL ODY!!!

SCREAMMMMMM COWARDSSSSS

AAAAHHHH THEY FINALLY MEET THE FATHER AND SON OMG YAY-

Oh buddy😭

I'll be too busy sobbing to react to this part so uhhh yeah

See, this is why I can't watch father and son things because I genuinely do just start sobbing. I'm not joking, there's tears streaming down my neck it's really annoying me actually-

OH YAY ATHENA IS BACK FUCK YES!!!

GO AND SEE YOUR WIFE ODYSSEUS!!!

Wait I don't like that song title I thought they were already madly in love??? THEY STAYED IN LOVE NO??? IF I CRY AGAIN IM MAKING IT EVERYONES PROBLEM-

YES ITS REALLY HIM TF-

YES YOU ARE ODY FUCK OFF.

ODYSSEUS FUCK OFF STOP BEING STUPID YOURE STILL HER LOVING HUSBAND STOP IT😭

SHUT UP STOP MAKING THINGS HARDER JUST BE IN LOVE-

YOU WANT HIM TO TAKE AWAY YOUR FUCKING WEDDING BED??? PENELOPE ITS A TREE THATS NAILED INTO THE FUCKING GROUND ALSO WHY THE FUCK-

Oh wait she was just testing if it was him oh my god my heart stop fuck off I'll cry-

STOP SHE'S SO IN LOVE WITH HIM IM GONNA CRYYYY-

OH MY FUCKING GOD KILL ME NOW DUDE MY HEARTTTTT

Okay so uhhhh

Verdict: Masterpiece, absolutely loved it, never getting over Polites, Hermes is an icon and I love him, and this might be the topic of all my solitudious discussions for the next like month or so-

Okay it's half three in the morning GOODNIGHT-

[stoneybun]

Another idea you'd love,

What if y/n is triggered by screaming and kinda by men in general, and they're visiting ted in LA (where the "do it for the bit" fiends live) and someone does some dumb screaming shit like that, and jschlatt, already annoyed, ushers them out of the area very quickly and calms them down, kinda telling them "hey its okay, you're safe w me" 

💕

YOU GET IT i always hated when ppl would do that in my high school,,, loud men are scary (but not our beloved) Schlatt x gn!reader, usage of toots and doll Schlatt has a crush on reader but doesn't really give a shit once he sees how panicked they get, instincts taking over.

Loud. That's all you could think, your head practically buzzing, the sensation even going into your eyes. This was a bad idea from the start, knowing you couldn't handle being in a group of guys like this. You were in LA for the time being, conveniently as Schlatt was also in town for something he was recording with Ted. Not like you could recall, especially not right now. It was at least manageable; currently you, Schlatt, Ted, Ludwig, Hasan, and multiple others you knew but just didn't have the energy to acknowledge. Drinking had been involved, having a drink in your own hand but it had barely been touched. Maybe a few sips to get your nerves down, but with how you kept bouncing your leg and chewing on the inside of your cheek, it was obvious it wasn't doing anything. You desperately were trying to get past this, to feel normal, but you never understood why it didn't ever work. Among the group, you noticed Schlatt a little more closed off right now. Not from you; if anything, you'd caught a few glances he was throwing your way. What you were oblivious to was the soft worry in his eyes when they'd land on you, only catching on to the look of his eyebrows being lightly furrowed, a look of aggravation on his face as the boys had started up yet another dumb bit. The buzzing in your head only grew louder as one of the boys let out a booming "THAT'S SO FUCKING-" Schlatt didn't bother even trying to listen to the rest. Enough was enough. He could see the way you flinched, your eyes widening as your gaze flicked to the boys as they were busting out laughs and profanities at one another. While he already had his own reasons to be unamused by this all right now, the sight of you looking like a scared puppy made his heart ache. He knew you needed space, fast, and he was more than happy to make it happen. Before you knew it, Schlatt's figure was looming over yours. "Hey," he murmured, hesitating before his hand ghosted over your back, just barely putting any pressure but you could feel the heat from his palm seep into your shirt. You blink, somewhat pulling yourself out of your trance and looking up at him. Really, you didn't need to say anything. He knew that look, the 'I'm physically here but not processing a single thing' look of your eyes as they were unfocused. "C'mon, toots," he whispers to you, genuinely being as soft as he could in that moment. He didn't want to make your overstimulation or anxiety sky rocket, knowing you probably were at a breaking point. You don't even process the pet name as he guides you to stand up, letting him take you out to a different room down the hall, seeming like a living room of sorts.

"Let's just sit 'n breathe for a minute, alright?" he coaxes you, making you just briefly nod since talking felt like too much. Something about him was different from guys you were used to being around, like you genuinely felt at ease; protected, even. "There y' go," he coos, not even really paying attention to how gentle he was being. Sure, the guy had the biggest crush known to man on you, but right now he wanted to make sure you weren't about to break down. You took precedence over those dumbasses. Schlatt lets you get comfortable first before he sat beside you, leaving a gap that was literally on the lines of being too close, swallowing a lump in his throat. He cared so deeply about you, feeling his heart leap when you slightly moved even closer to him. "...You can.. lay on me if ya want, y'know. They can be a lot, and-" You shut him up by just letting your head fall onto his shoulder, making him blink and turn his head to look down, watching as some of your hair fell into your face. He smiles at this, a soft chuckle rumbling in his throat as he lets his arm drape around your shoulders, shifting you so your head went onto his chest, your body lightly laying against his side. He let himself sink down into the couch, his legs spreading a little more than they already were as he just wanted to melt into the damn fabric and just relax with you like this, finally having some quiet. Well, almost; you could still faintly hear the boys. "I'm always here for ya, doll," he murmurs, letting himself rest his head on top of yours. Your heart already felt lighter, a soft smile on your face that makes Schlatt feel like his heart would give out.