#me at 6pm: i can kill you with my bare hands i WILL kill you with my bare hands. 🐻👋 <- watch out. bitch.

[martyrbat]

im still not over that video of the fat men in swimsuits dancing and partying and a cishet woman making an addition to the post saying how they looked friend shaped and like theyre safe and give good hugs like. girl can you take your fatphobia and infantilization someplace else some of us are horny !!!!

[prolix-yuy]

Plus One

Pairing: Francisco “Catfish” Morales x F!Reader "Ms Jackson"

Summary: It's Ms Jackson's company holiday party, and Frankie makes his debut.

Word Count: 3.9k

Warnings: Explicit, 18+ MINORS DNI, references to past escort work, semi-public sex, slight exhibitionism kink, references to oral sex and anal play, unprotected PiV sex (don't be a fool, wrap your tool), spanking, possessive play, little bit of brattiness, Frankie is too damn hot and Ms J is gonna make him pay for it (in the best way).

Notes: Here's my (slightly late) SW!Frankie Christmas story! This is dedicated to @lowlights for saying "All I want for Christmas is SW!Frankie" and I couldn't resist giving her exactly that. She also picked Frankie's holiday party outfit, which is absolute perfection and I would climb him like a tree if he showed up in this fit.

Takes place after Callback.

Cross-posted on AO3

Sex Worker!Frankie AU Masterlist

The internal monologue running in the back of your mind comments on the tasteful decor, how the poinsettias and fake candles and red and green tablecloths really dress up the restaurant. The thought that “HR did a really nice job” skitters through your mind, and the warm scent of cider and mulled wine and store-bought cookies all envelops you in a nostalgic holiday mood.

Well, it would, but on the other hand this holiday party might actually kill you. Honestly. And yet you have to pretend that you’re not dying inside, a calm smile on your face while you fight back against the urge to scream.

It all started with an email.

Hi Team!

It’s that time of year again - our annual holiday party! Please join us for appetizers and drinks at Lesandro’s at 6pm Friday, December 23rd. If you want to enter the raffle for a special prize, please email Alison for a ticket.

This was all fine and dandy until you got to the next line.

Plus ones are welcome!

You shouldn’t have been surprised. It’s not the first time your office has extended invites to partners. You had brought your ex-husband in the past, the brief sting of the memory flitting through your mind. It was to be expected every year, a night to enjoy yourselves on the company’s dime in lieu of bonuses. 

You would gladly accept a check rather than the cocktails and finger foods, but you weren’t not on the planning committee. 

A little tremor of excitement over that line lightened your spirits for the rest of the day. Thinking of Frankie schmoozing with your coworkers made a smile come to your face, and his solid comfort being by your side actually made you look forward to the event. The scales tipped more towards anxiety when you walked into your home, Frankie coming down the stairs with damp hair.

“Hey sweetheart,” he said, a quick squeeze of a hug before heading to your car for groceries. Worrying at your lower lip, you waited until you were both in the kitchen sorting produce before you spoke up.

“I’ve got a company party coming up in a couple weeks,” you said, toppling a few apples onto the counter.

“You’ll be out late?” Frankie asked, dumping fruit into a colander in the sink. The running tap let you take your time with your response.

“Actually, I can bring a plus one,” you tried to say breezily, rolling a stray lemon under your palm. It grounded you as Frankie turned to you. “If you want to come,” you added at the end. When his pause went on too long you hazarded a look up at him. He was smiling in that somewhat exasperated way that let you know you’d been overthinking again.

“Why wouldn’t I want to come? Maybe I can guess which one of those girls steals your yogurt on Wednesdays.” The remark made you giggle, leaning back against the counter as Frankie’s mischievous eyes eased your tension.

“I don’t know, I built it up in my head, asking you.” You shrugged, voice getting a little softer. “My ex never liked going to these things. Complained for weeks before and after, then would barely talk to me when we were there.” You shifted, crossing your arms over your chest. It wasn’t the first time you’d talked about your past relationships with Frankie, but having to feel the grief, the sickness in the pit of your stomach, the tension of revising those memories still made you want to crawl out of your own skin. Frankie’s hands, heavy and soothing, wrapped around your biceps.

“If you want me there, I’m there,” he said, rubbing your arms with a reassuring smile. You nodded, letting your forehead drop against his shoulder when he stepped closer. Sucking a deep breath in, Frankie’s clean musk and fresh soap smell released the tight muscles in your jaw. “Where are they having it?”

“Lesandro’s.”

“Oh, so it’s like, a nice party,” Frankie mused, hand kneading at the back of your neck where you held much of your stress. You melted into the massage, pressing your cheek to his plush chest.

“Eh, we come from the office, you don’t have to dress up,” you mumbled into his worn t-shirt. He hummed in response.

“Could be fun, though,” he said, working his thumb into the meat of your shoulders. “Dressing up for it. I’d like to make a good first impression.” 

Leaning back, you raised an eyebrow at Frankie.

“Oh really?”

He blushed, and you thought your heart might explode at the sight. Slipping your fingers into the wisps of gray-brown hair at the nape of his neck, you swayed against your boyfriend.

“Then bring your A-game, handsome.”

Which is why you’re standing here now, close to literally exploding.

Because when Frankie texted to tell you he was here, you didn’t expect what walked in the door.

First of all, no Standard Oil hat. You didn’t expect him to wear it, but it’s such a part of himself now you forget he can go without it. He styled his hair loose and curling, not a wild mane but controlled wisps that flick out around his ears and bounce along his forehead. Little glints of silver you refuse to let him cover up at a salon catch the glittering lights in the restaurant. He’s wearing a white button-up, the top two buttons open to bare a delicious vee of tan skin around his throat. He clearly wasn’t patient enough with the sleeves, though, because he’s rolled them up around his elbows, accenting his strong forearms. You’ve never seen the pants he’s wearing, some sort of dark blue-black slacks that hug his trim hips perfectly before descending to black leather monkstrap shoes. 

And he’s wearing his fucking glasses.

Your cunt throbs at the sight.

He searches the crowd, the smile that breaks out when you lock eyes making your legs weak. He weaves his way through your coworkers, a few watching him curiously as he scoots by. Once he’s made it to you, a hand on your lower back and a kiss to your cheek, the eyes that followed him now land on you. The pride this swells in your chest makes you giddy.

“Have I missed all the food?” Frankie asks in your ear, your response a shaken head. He mock-sighs in relief before Cindy strides up to you both, ever the nosy one. Her smile is too big, hand outstretched to Frankie.

“And who have we here?” she asks, eyes flitting between you both. You brim with a little more pride when Frankie takes her hand, giving her a kind but firm handshake.

“Francisco Morales, the boyfriend,” he says with a little jest in his voice, Cindy laughing louder than necessary. 

This is the theme of the night, Frankie approached by coworkers and chatting his way through the first impressions. You smile and schmooze along with him, but inside marvel over how smooth he is. The perfectly timed jokes, the attentive smiles. As Cindy (and some people you’ve never even met) approach and leave, he knows exactly how to engage and play off their differing personalities. Giving space to the chatterbugs, coaxing conversation from the quiet ones, engaging in interests and offering his opinions. 

“This won’t be my first time in a room full of strangers with high expectations,” Frankie had said a few days before when you offered him an out on the party. The implication flew over your head until he added, “I’ve been hired as an escort too.” 

The revelation led to another one of those matter-of-fact conversations that were so fascinating with Frankie. He talked about sex work (and escorting, in this case) with no more emotional attachment than discussing what cars he worked on.

“I did a charity event once, older woman who wanted a younger man on her arm but didn’t want to look pathetic.”

“A girl had a bodyguard fantasy we played out at the Plaza. One of the nicest hotel rooms I’ve worked in.”

“You learn a lot by acting like the trophy, and people will tell you the wildest shit if you just listen.”

All of these skills were in action now as you watched him listen to someone from customer support discussing chatbot services. The second glass of champagne in your hand is warming under your fingers but you barely notice because this is a Frankie you rarely see. He’s in an element that’s foreign to you, used to his soft competency and attention and now witnessing his surety, his confidence, his ease at shifting into exactly what everyone wants.

Even the moments when you feel a stab of jealousy - Debbie touching his arm when he makes a joke, how he gives everyone his undivided attention - he always makes his way back to you. His hand rests on your lower back,  pulling you into conversations when you’re being edged out. And when you’re leading, having a discussion with a coworker, he listens closely by your side and nods along, even if you know he’s lost as to the topic.

It’s turning you on way more than you want to admit. 

The party is grating on your nerves after an hour and a half, your brain screaming at you to leave. Listening to Carl complain about the cost of events planning pales in comparison to showing Frankie exactly how much he’s been affecting you all night. The ache only worsens when you catch a glimpse of his profile, smiley and easygoing, as his shirt gapes to reveal no undershirt underneath. You could slip your fingers inside and drag them along the smooth expanse of skin there, before slipping them down to pop every button open as you descend lower and lower…

“Your man not dress up for you much?”

Erica, one of your favorite coworkers and confidant, sidles up next to you as Frankie tries to leave a conversation by the drinks table, two glasses in hand. Your face heats up as you fan yourself surreptitiously with a napkin.

“Mmmhmmm, okay no need to answer that one for me. Boss left ten minutes ago, go get your man out of here before Johnson bores him to death,” she murmurs, giving you an approving look before going back to her lost-looking husband. Her revelation, coupled with your increasing need, rockets you across the room to Frankie’s relieved face.

“Sorry Johnson, I need Frankie for a minute. Nice seeing you!” you rush out, depositing Frankie’s proffered glasses on a waiter’s tray. Hands free, you tug Frankie to the exit, his voice lost in the rush of blood to your ears. 

Out of the stuffy room and into the cooler night, Frankie huffs in surprise when you push him back against the building’s exterior and steal a heated kiss, a quick press of the lips preceding your tongue pressing into his mouth, stifling his moan with your own. Taking the hint, he pulls your hips flush with his, attacking your mouth with as much fervor as you’re giving. His teeth scrape against your tongue, letting you grind him against the concrete wall before he spins you to switch places.

“You had to wear the fucking glasses,” you gasp when he pulls back enough to nibble along your jaw. 

“Thought they’d make me look smarter,” he whispers in your ear, palming one breast with the broad expanse of his hand. You mewl under the attention, mind hazily realizing you’re way too out in the open to be getting groped so thoroughly. 

“Thought you’d ruin my panties is more like it,” you hiss back, spreading your legs to invite him between them. He shakes his head against your neck.

“Not here, let me take you home and take my time,” he says, pressing a chaste kiss behind your ear. The whine you squeeze out surprises you both, “needy little thing” the next words that Frankie drips against your skin. 

“C’mon Frankie, feel how wrecked you made me,” you goad, the roll of his hips against your core revealing Frankie’s desire as plainly as your own. Stealing a glance towards the front door, he slides a hand under your skirt and swiftly pulls your panties to the side, sliding two fingers through the slick mess.

“Fuck, baby, all this for me?” he asks, and the buck of your hips against his hand slides his fingertips inside you shallowly. He growls in your ear, that feral noise that makes you want to push him until he snaps and takes from you. Pulling you away from the wall, he sucks his wet fingers into his mouth with a flash of darkness in his eyes.

“Get in the truck, we’re going,” he says quickly, his stride longer and faster paced than usual. His own need mirroring yours makes a wicked idea bloom in your lust-addled mind. It would get you into some trouble, but the reward would be as good as the punishment. Maybe better.

Frankie buckles in and drives you swiftly out of the parking lot, your house only a twenty minute trip from Lesandro’s. Twenty long, aching minutes with Frankie so close you can almost taste him. You need to taste him.

Palming his hard cock through the slacks earns you a groan and a swat at your hand, Frankie’s knuckles tightening on the steering wheel.

“Baby, stop, I need to get us home. You can last twenty minutes,” he admonishes, which only mounts your need. Another long stroke, another warning, and you’re popping the top button of his pants open. He says your name now, hand coming to wrap around your wrist as you slide his zipper down.

“Please, Frankie, just let me taste you. I’ll be good, I promise,” you beg, one hand slipped under your own skirt and sliding through your slick. “You got me so worked up, I just want to make you feel good.” Leaning over you blow a puff of hot air onto his cock, still straining against his boxer briefs. A string of curses fall from his lips as you mouth him, wetting the cotton with your tongue.

“Fuck, you just can’t wait, can you? Okay, baby, okay, but you can’t…you can’t suck me off, I’ll crash the fucking truck if you try. Just hold me in your mouth if you need it that bad,” Frankie gasps, the words finally allowing you to slip his cock from its confines and into your hot mouth. He groans loud at your heat engulfing him, your clever fingers finding your clit and stroking quick circles as you try your best to follow his rules. But Frankie is large and thick in your mouth. You can’t help sliding back up to adjust your jaw wider. Or when you slide back down your tongue flattens against the underside, lapping at the thick vein. That’s just a force of habit. 

When you hum at the feeling of his head brushing the back of your throat, you can’t help but admit that you’re doing it on purpose.

“Fucking Christ,” Frankie swears, and you feel the car move from asphalt to dirt before coming to an abrupt stop. You slide your lips up and off his cock to ask why he stopped, but Frankie is already unbuckling his seatbelt and pulling you up to his mouth. He crashes his lips against yours, holding you in place with one firm hand on the back of your neck. 

“Little tease,” he purrs, and the rush of heat to your cunt has you arching into his chest, burying your wet fingers in his hair. “I was going to take you home, spread you out on our bed and make you cum so many times you’d lose your voice.” Frankie’s thick fingers pinch your jaw, widening it so he can delve deeper with his tongue. You’re practically dripping on the bench seat, trying to move to your back but he holds you there, and the roughness of his touch makes your body thrum like a live wire.

“Was going to lick this pretty pussy until you came on my face, then flip you over and do it again. Maybe even tease your perfect little asshole,” he continues, your heart hammering in your chest as he pushes your arousal higher and higher. “Then I was going to make you cum around three fingers. Get you to squirt for me.” 

“Frankie, fuck, please…” you whine, hips rocking against nothing, but he wraps his hands around them and bumps your noses together.

“Oh I’d have you begging by then too, but no, you couldn’t behave. Couldn’t wait the twenty minutes to get you home.” Your world spins as Frankie turns you to face away from him, pulling your ass tight against his hips. Heat blooms along your chest and face when you realize you’ve pushed him enough to lead to this.

“So you’re getting what you wanted, sweetheart. I’m gonna fuck you, needy little thing. Gonna give you my cock and you’re gonna take it just like this.” With that he flips your skirt up over your ass and slides his cock through your slick. Your jaw drops open; the truck is barely off the road, hidden by a few overhanging trees and a lack of streetlights but still very visible to another car passing by. Thighs trembling, you try to steady your breathing. It’s dangerous and mollifying, exhilarating and terrifying. 

“You know what to say if you don’t want this,” Frankie murmurs in your ear, gentler than before. You do, you know the colors and the words that will slow Frankie down. But like hell do you want that right now.

“Green, handsome,” you shoot back, wiggling your butt against him. He chuckles darkly, guiding your hips to slide his cock over your clit. 

“Then put your hands on the door,” he says, nudging you forward to brace yourself against the passenger door. Knocking your knees apart, Frankie’s bulk settles against your ass before his thick head begins breaching you.

Eyes rolling back and your mouth open in a silent moan, you savor the girth of Frankie’s cock with no preparation. You’re so slick and yielding, but he always stretches you to your limits. Even as he fucks shallowly into you, getting you used to him, you beg for more.

“Please Frankie, fuck me, want you to wreck me, been wanting you inside me all night,” you groan, pushing back to bury him deep inside, grinding the base of his cock to tease your throbbing clit. Frankie’s hands tighten around your hips, and with a sharp snap that knocks a gasp out of you as he sets a powerful pace. 

The truck cabin fills with the lewd sound of Frankie’s fat cock fucking into your wet cunt, his guttural moans mixing with your higher ones. When you look behind you, Frankie’s baring his teeth and puffing air through his nose, curls sticking to the sweat at his temples.

“This what you need, beautiful? Needed me to pound this pussy until you can’t think? Needed me to claim what’s mine?” His filthy words hit a chord deep inside you didn’t know existed until he spoke it into life. You roll your hips back against him, leveraging your thrusts with your hands on the door.

“Yes Frankie, need you to fucking take me, make me yours, take what you want, I want everyone to know I’m yours,” you babble. A sudden crack of skin on skin makes you cry out, flooding your cunt with arousal. Frankie soothes the red handprint on your ass before tapping his fingers along it. 

“Fuck, baby, you like that?” he moans as you nod vigorously in response. “Yeah, I can feel how much you liked that. Take it,” he orders before he slaps your other cheek, admiring how your movements get sloppier as you writhe in pleasure. “Mine,” he growls, another gentler slap. “Mine,” he pants as he yanks you back and pushes your chest to the seat, arching your ass up high for him to keep pounding into. “Mine,” he growls into your ear when he folds over your body, his thrusts shortening but hitting that powerful spot, tightening you around his cock.

“Oh fuck, sweetheart, I can feel it, you’re so close. Cum on me baby, I’m…fuck, I’m yours,” Frankie gasps, the possessiveness now curling in your own heart as you listen to him rail you within an inch of your sanity while repeating “yours” under his breath. 

“Frankie, please…” you ask, not sure of what you need but he nods against your spine. Threading his fingers between yours, he slides his other hand to your clit and strums it fast and hard, the intensity throwing you off the edge of your impending orgasm. 

With a muffled shriek you cum, feet scuffling against the leather seats and your hips bucking beneath Frankie’s weight. He holds you down, guiding you through it as he works his cock slowly through the grip of your channel. When the aftershocks subside, Frankie pumps into you a handful of times, then pulls out to spill on your ass with staccato moans. 

For a long moment the truck is filled with gasping breaths, Frankie using your own skirt to wipe up his spend. When his heat disappears you prop yourself up to catch him leaning against the driver door, legs splayed and his head tipped against the cool glass, chest heaving. It takes a moment to rearrange your limbs but you finally slide between his legs and rest your head against his chest. His arms come up to cradle you there, stroking your back. You enjoy the silence, the comforting cadence of Frankie’s breathing bringing you back down.

“Was that too much?” he asks, a little apprehension in his voice. “I know we don’t go down that kind of path often…”

“Frankie, that was fucking amazing,” you soothe, grinning into his chest. “And I instigated that, I knew what I was asking for. Though you did almost make me end it with that plan you laid out.”

“Oh did I?”

“Very tempting.”

“You made your choice.”

You both laugh a little, the glow of the truck’s clock reminding you of the late hour. But Frankie has one more question to air in the dark.

“You weren’t jealous tonight, were you?” he asks, tucking his chin to look at you. “Because nobody in that room held a candle to you tonight. Or any night. I’m yours, babe,” he says, stroking his thumb along your cheek. The love that blooms in your chest is all the answer you need, but you’ll still say it.

“I loved being yours tonight. And every night.”

After getting back on the road, Frankie hums thoughtfully.

“If you wanted to do that every now and then…” he says tentatively, drawing your attention to his stunning profile. “You know, tease me, get me riled up, I’d be into that.” 

A wicked smile curls your lips, half hidden in the dark.

“You like it when I rile you up?” you ask, leading Frankie’s hand back between your legs. You could find the energy for another round, your folds still soft and dripping. He gives you a look like he could devour you whole.

“I like it when I can show you you’re mine,” he rumbles, cupping your sex as the minutes until you’re home tick by.

“Show me again, then.”

END

The story continues in Frankie's First Time

[itsaninfestation]

🎭

Kylee woke up.

She had never awoken in a prefect sitting position before, but she supposed she had little choice in the matter when her hand and securely taped to the back of her dining chair.

Her head throbbed. She wanted to curse in pain, but the motion only revealed that her mouth was also duct taped.

"Well, good morning sleepy head! Or should I say, good evening? It's, like, 6pm." The voice was peppy and bright with a haunting hint of familiarity that sent chills up her spine.

Her vision was blurred from her skewed glasses made it difficult to properly see the brightly colored figure that approached her. The stranger chuckled and adjusted them for her.

The first thing Kylee noticed was the amber eyes that stared back at her through their own cat eye frames. The same eyes she saw in the mirror every morning.

Kylee let out a muffled cry of confusion. She could taste the adhesive on her lips.

"I know, weird, right?" The woman giggled as she pulled up the matching dining chair. She sat down with poise, ensuring that her pencil skirt did not wrinkle. "I was particularly confused when I arrived here. I wasn't supposed to dimension hop here. I was supposed to end up in a world where we don't exist, but c’est la vie."

The woman pauses a moment, looking upset, but that is quickly replaced with the same canned smile.

"Yes. I did say 'we', because we are the same person in a sense," she huffed and waved a manicured hand. He bright yellow nails flickered in the light. "Though I'm sure you know a thing or two about alternate dimensions since you keep close tabs on the X-Men of this world. So, we can simply say that I'm just a better version of you and just move on."

She did look like Kylee; if Kylee decided to bleach her hair blonde and wear the gaudiest clothes imaginable (she hated cheetah print)! The woman was every bad esthetic that she would have never picked. A twisted, colorful version of herself.

Emphasis on the 'twisted'; who the hell kidnapped a version of themselves instead of having a normal adult conversation?

(Scratch that; she could think of at least one.)

Kylee wanted to protest; she wriggled conformably as she tried to mumble through the tape.

"...No, I'm not going to un-tape your mouth; I'm not an idiot. I just establish that I'm you. That includes powers. Powers that you never truly tapped into; I might add."

Kylee cocked her head.

This time that alter-Kylee smiled a genuine, terrifying smile that showcased her large front teeth.

"'Bugging' people is only the bare basics of what we can do," shed slid her chair closer to Kylee -- close to the point of uncomfortable. "Did you know we infiltrate a human body; that we can taint their soul with a piece of our own and bring out their worst insecurities? I can even tap into my little beauties while they are separated from me. I can use them to manipulate a person's body. A person's mind, like the psychics we both hate."

She laughed a truly joyous laugh.

"The Betsy Braddock of my world learned very quickly that there is more than one way to get into someone's mind. She may have had control of the metaphysical, but she could not touch the literal bug crawling inside her brain... She will never read minds again."

"Don't worry, I won't kill you or make you braindead."

Alter-Kylee's voice echoed through her head. Her head pounded with each word.

"I actually would like to be your friend! You can even think of me as a twin sister if you want; I'd like that!"

"I'd hate for things to go south between us. That's why I had to show you who the superior Kylee was first, to prevent any unnecessary squabble.

Fuck, in another world she was a psychopath.

"Psychopath is a bit of a strong word. No, I'm not insane. I'm just ...assertive."

The woman gently danced her fingers on the tape that covered Kylee's mouth.

"What do you say, sis?"

[rxin3akamallory]

The self inserts: “I just feel a little dizzy.. But it’s okay, I probably just haven’t eaten yet. I’ll have something later.”

How the self inserts’ s/o would react to them not eating yet (2/4)

(Excluding Maggie, Mackenzie, Marcella, Marnie, Maeve, Marjorie, Marcie, and Marley because they don’t have partners)

[I wrote these to sorta comfort myself because this was almost exactly what happened yesterday. I didn’t bring food prior to going to work and didn’t go on my break so I had to sit through a 6+ hour shift with no food until 6pm. By the time I did eat I was not satisfied I still felt hungry after. I’m okay now, dw <3]

1 | 3 | 4

Felix (to Madeline)

Felix shakes his head.

Felix: “No, this can’t be. We need to get some food into you, pronto!”

Madeline: “Fix-It, it’s not that-“

He takes her hand.

Felix: “No protesting against this one, lady love.”

Madeline blushes and lightly chuckles as she follows him.

Kristoff (to Mara)

Kristoff glances from one side to another.

Kristoff: “Okay, Sven would kill me for doing this, but if it’s for you I think he’d make an exception.”

Mara: “What’re you talking about?”

He reaches into a small bag stashed in his sleigh and hands Mara one of Sven’s uneaten carrots.

Kristoff: “Here”

Mara: “I’m not your reindeer, you know that right?”

Kristoff: “I know it’s not much, but you can stomach it until we find you something better.”

Mara sighs as she tries to hide her blush.

Mara: “Alright, only because I can’t let food like this go to waste.”

She takes a bite before glancing back up at Kristoff.

Mara: “You’re not gonna make me share this are you?”

Kristoff: “What? No, of course not! Unless you want to.”

Mara: “Not a chance, ice cutter.”

Barley (to Maria)

Barely re-routes Guinevere.

Maria: “Whoa!”

Maria manages to stabilize herself in the passenger seat.

Maria: “What’s going on?”

Barley parks Guinevere.

Barley: “Wait right here.”

Maria: “Wha-?”

Before Maria could fully argue, Barley has already left the van. After a couple moments, he comes back with a bag of take out.

Maria: “Bar..” *gasp* “I have to pay you back!”

Barley: “Nope, none of that. You already know it’s my absolute pleasure to get to take care of you.”

Maria: *blushes* “… Thank you, Barley..”

Barley: *in his quest voice* “Anything for my fair princess!”

Tadashi (to Makoto)

Tadashi: “Makoto, that’s only gonna do you more harm than good. You’re gonna get sick if you don’t eat something.”

Makoto: “I know.. I just.. I really need to get this final done by the end of the evening so I can’t go out right now.”

Tadashi: “… Right.”

Tadashi leaves Makoto’s apartment bedroom and enters her kitchen. Makoto pokes her head out the bedroom door frame.

Makoto: “Now what’re you doing?”

Baymax: “He is preparing food.”

The sudden sound of Baymax’s voice made Makoto flinch.

Makoto: *sigh* “‘dashi doesn’t have to do all this for me. He’s got assignments to get done too.”

Baymax: “If I may ask, are you concerned about Tadashi losing time he could be spending on college assignments instead of your health?”

Makoto: “Sometimes I forget how well Tadashi programmed you. I just.. I really wish I wasn’t burdening him with this.”

Baymax: “Makoto, you are Tadashi’s girlfriend.”

Makoto: “So? What does that have to do with anything?”

Baymax: “When you’re in a relationship with someone, your priorities start to shift to where you’re not only looking out for yourself, but your partner one as well. Tadashi loves you. He wants nothing more than for you to be healthy and cared for. He couldn’t properly focus on himself until he knows you’re alright. Because that’s what partners are and what they do.”

Makoto turns back toward Tadashi. He was giving her a warm smile. Makoto returned the smile, mouthing “thank you” before Tadashi went back to cooking.

Luigi (to Madeira)

Luigi: “Wait, you haven’t eaten today!?”

Madeira: “N-No, I-“

Luigi practically leaped over the counter of Madeira’s bakery and booked it to the kitchen. He grabbed one of the sample doughnuts and handed it to her, breathing heavily.

Madeira: “Luigi, oh my goodness! Are you alright?”

Luigi: “I’ll be” *pant* “much better” *pant* “if you eat this.”

Madeira: “Lu, that’s a sample. I can’t just-“

Luigi: “Please?”

He makes a lil puppy face. Madeira couldn’t resist it so she hesitantly grabbed the doughnut and took a bite.

Madeira: *softly smiles* “Thank you. You really know how to look out for others.”

[unearthlychild34]

A Prayer, or On Planting Peaches in the Dark

When I paid for the trees, it was 4pm. It would be dark by 7. Not much time to get them in the ground.

I have a thousand thoughts about the wisdom of this decision. I don’t know anything about peach trees. I don’t know if March is a good time to plant a tree. I planted a persimmon last year, a scraggly thing that was half-dead before I brought it home. It died, eaten by deer in the winter. I have no reason to assume this will be different.

It’s 5:20 when I get home. I started digging before I put away my groceries, desperate to use whatever light is left in the day. I know it won’t be enough. I keep digging.

It’s too easy to rip up the grass. Life is too fragile. My grandmother is sick, her dog is dying, innocents in Gaza are dying. Maybe I’m dying too. Is that why I’m doing this? To regain some sense of control?

The tree won’t come out of the plastic pot. Suddenly there seems something cruel about making a tree grow in a confined pot like this simply for my convenience. I brace it against the ground with my shoe and it pulls free.

The instructions specify well-draining soil. This ground is almost all clay, there is no drainage to be had. I bury it anyway. Now who’s being cruel?

The remaining soil is heavy and doesn’t want to go back onto shovel to fill in the hole. I resort to my hands. Now, I’m up-close and personal with all the half-worms I killed while digging the hole, with this awful soil that seems determined to resist new life. I have nothing else to offer this tree.

It’s now 6pm. I haven’t eaten in 7 hours. Im running out of daylight. The cats puzzle over my odd behaviours tonight. I can offer them nothing but mud-stained jeans and hands for explanation. I can offer myself nothing more, either.

I start on the second hole. It is an honor, a luxury to bury your dead in the midst of war sometimes. How many in Palestine have had their burial be the ceiling that fell down upon their head, rather than a ceremony with dignity? How many loved ones remained unburied because they had no one who loved them left alive to do it?

I keep digging. I can barely see as the darkness encroaches. This peach tree is a different variety, but it desires the same well-drained soil. It is 5 feet away from its sister and is no better off. Ive dug the hole too deep.

Filling in the second tree feels like allegory. Perhaps this is a kind of memorial, a symbolic burial for someone I never met. It isn’t enough. It can never be enough. I can’t do enough. I can’t fix it.

I direct that question skyward as I search for a bucket. Why can’t I do more to fix it? Why is it that I’m here in my yard instead, planting peach trees in the hopes of blessing my mother with their fruit in several years? Is this a good use of my time? What good can these filthy hands that can barely plant a tree do to even help, anyway?

The silence holds a looming answer- do you pray because you want to fix it? Or do you pray because you want Me to fix it?

Isn’t this collaboration, I fire back? Am I not meant to be your hands and feet? And what exactly are you doing about it anyway? What good are you? What good are either of us?

There are no answers. For a moment, I feel a grief even greater than I can comprehend. I don’t know if I imagined it, but I don’t think I did. I do not think it was mine. I toss a half-bucket of water onto both trees and walk away. It’s 6:50 and it’s dark, so dark that the distant floodlights barely show the base of the trees. I cannot see my handiwork.

I sit and stare into the dark for awhile, alone but not alone. I will try to keep an eye on the peach trees, but tonight Ive done all I can. I wish I could have given them better. I wish I could do more. I cannot stop death. But all I can do tonight is give life a home in the ground and pray, pray that it’s enough.

[relaxxattack]

okay this is prob au/ooc bc it’s banking on jackie knowing ran wants to kill him and thinking it’s funny when he fails but here u go (if I cuts off i’ll send the rest of it. also I’m on my phone and not checking for typos sorry)

Jackie jumps up to sit on the bench, leaving Ran to stand awkwardly in the middle of the room. The general is talking about something. And Ran should really be listening, but all he can think about is how much this one person is ruining his life. If he goes back to Terminus a failure what then? The delays are already had enough.

He snaps out of it when he hears his name being called. And Jackie is gesturing for him to come closer so he does. He tries to leave a respectable gap between them - most people don’t like having their personal space crowded (Ran included). But Jackie frowns, drags him closer, and then frowns again.

“What the hell! You’re still so much taller than me.”

“Maybe you should try standing up.” Ran suggests, painfully aware of the fact Jackie’s hand hasn’t left his wrist. “Although I don’t see how it’ll help your ego if you need to stand on a bench to be taller than me.”

Jackie laughs, and finally lets go of Ran’s wrist. Only to loop his arms loosely around Ran’s neck. What. “You’re lucky you’re so cute because that was really rude.”

And he doesn’t have anything to say to that so he doesn’t respond. He’s sure that at any moment, Jackie will release him and go back to talking about whatever. But Jackie seems content. And Ran is quickly growing uncomfortable by how much he feels the same.

This is an opportunity, he reminds himself suddenly. He’s close enough to his target to reach his back. And the knife hidden up his sleeve means he won’t draw suspicion when getting it into his hand. All he needs to do is lean forward slightly to rest his hands on the bench behind Jackie.

So he does. He hoped to make it a casual shifting of pose. But he’s close enough to hear Jackie’s sharp intake of breath so he pulls back. Surely Jackie suspects him. There’s no other explanation for it. He didn’t think the general would be smart enough to interpret such a subtle movement as a threat. But he supposes Jackie was an assassin as well.

But when Jackie unloops his arms from around Ran’s neck, he doesn’t shove him away. He slides on hand down to hold his shoulder, and the other up to cup his cheek.

Oh.

Slowly, giving Ran more than enough time to move away, Jackie drags him down so their faces are almost level. (It forces him to put his hands behind Jackie on the bench, but that barely registers in his mind.) Jackie stops just before their lips touch.

And Ran will never admit this to anyone - not even himself - but he’s the one that closes the distance. It’s a short kiss. That’s the excuse his jumbled mind provides him for not taking advantage of his potion and Jackie’s distraction to complete his mission. It’s a short kiss, but they only barely pull away from each other. Jackie’s eyes are still closed and there’s a soft smile on his face.

Ran desperately tries to collect his thoughts. He has never wanted to complete a mission less. Because Jackie’s touch burns in the best way possible and he doesn’t want to ever move. And that scares him more than anything.

He could go in for another kiss. Now that he knows what’s happening. He can approach it calm and collected, and he won’t be too distracted by the shock of it to complete his job. He can finally be rid of the whirlwind force that is General Jackie, who spins around him and leaves him disorientated at every moment.

He leans in again, and forces himself to focus on the cool metal of his knife in his hand. It’s an easy angle straight to his heart. If Ran was perhaps less focused on not being distracted by the kiss, he’d be able to note how poetic it is.

He kisses Jackie, and feels his knife skate off Jackie’s armour. The armour that Ran didn’t realise he was wearing due to his layers of clothing effectively concealing it. Jackie laughs a little into the kiss when it happens. And there’s no way he hasn’t been found out now. The hand on his cheek disappears, only to reappear around his wrist. Where Jackie must press some nerve or something because Ran’s hand spasms and the knife clatters to the bench.

The smile on Jackie’s face would almost be cruel if Ran thought the general was capable of such a thing. But surely smiling in the face of his failure is cruel no matter how soft it looks.

“You’re going to have to try a bit harder than that.” Jackie murmurs. And they’re still so close that Ran can practically feel the words against his lips.

He’s so sure that this is the end. That Jackie will shove him away and call for the guards so he can be jailed and executed. Or pick up the knife and kill Ran himself. And he should be running. He should be trying to make a hasty escape. Which is something he wasn’t even considering in his desperation to finally be done with this.

He hadn’t checked to see if Jackie was unarmoured and unarmed. He hadn’t planned his escape route. Jackie has disorientated him so thoroughly that he may as well be a novice at this.

If he runs now, he’ll go back to Terminus a failure. But at least he’ll be alive. And he can pass off whatever knowledge he’s gathered in his stay here to the council so they can finally finish the job.

But he’s frozen in place.

Jackie pushes him back enough to so that he can jump off the bench. Ran feels inexplicably cold now that Jackie’s no longer touching him.

“You’re lucky you’re handsome.” Jackie is grinning, as though he didn’t just thwart an assassination attempt from someone he was kissing. “Let’s go get dinner tomorrow night, yeah?”

Ran takes a step back and forces his brain to start back up again. He’s half convinced that he made the whole thing up due to Jackie’s strange reaction. But the knife is still sitting on the bench.

“Okay.” He says. Because he’s simply not sure what else to say.

“Um, I don’t really have a time preference. 6pm sound good to you?”

“Sure.”

“Or, if we hang out during the day doing investigation work or whatever else then we can just go whenever we’re hungry.” Jackie shrugs. “Doesn’t need to be a fancy event.”

“If you say so.”

“Great!” Jackie grins and makes an excited motion with his hands. “It’s a date! See you tomorrow!”

The general gives him a lazy salute, and then practically skips out of the room. Leaving Ran to stand there and try to process what just happened.

He’ll have to go back to his room and figure out what to do now that Jackie knows for sure he’s trying to kill him. He’ll have to figure out if dinner is some obscure play to trap him, or whether Jackie is really just stupid enough to let this slide.

(The best and safest solution, is for Ran to just leave. But for reasons he can’t and won’t explain, he pushes that thought away.)

THIS IS SO GOOD HELLO. ITS LIKE. FUCKED UP AND I AM SO INTERESTED. JACKIE IS DEFINITELY FUCKED UP LIKE THAT LIKE I THINK LIKE THIS SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING HED DO.

[melismaticmadness]

TOILET PAPER

Owen Joyner Imagine 

(ITS A LONG ONE BUT ITS DEFINITELY SMUTTY)

Y/n has been dating Owen for a little over a month, and he’s invited her over for the first night in his new, empty apartment. 

3700 Words

Warnings: Contains Smut (18+), language 

Hope you enjoy!

****************************

Oklahoma City is nothing like LA, I don’t know what possessed Owen to buy a place here when his parents' house is 25 minutes away. Most of his time is spent in LA anyway, but he’s Owen and he wants home to be Oklahoma.

We haven’t been together long but it was nice that he invited me over for the first night in his apartment, sitting on the floor unpacking the last few boxes with some trashy tv on and drinks. What could be better? It’s always nice to just be with him - no matter how boring we are.

As I jumped into my too-tight jeans and put on the button-up crop top I planned to wear, I was a little nervous for tonight. He’s taking a huge step in life, and I’m stuck. My acting career isn’t taking off, college is sucking the life out of me, and I hate my job. Now wasn’t the time to worry about my life though, so I put a little makeup on and turned the music up.

Owen picked me up around 6pm and we stopped to grab burgers for dinner. Eventually, we started making the drive through the city to his apartment. It was so weird knowing that when he’s going home now he’s going home to an empty place. He could do whatever he wanted now, he was finally free. Girls could come and go and no one would know. Girls who are not me could come and go...not that I think he would ever do that. Owen is well known though. He could have any girl he wanted, so I’m sure the temptation has been there. Especially since I won’t put out, not yet. We talked about it and I just have to feel like the moment is right. It’s a big deal for a girl to have sex for the first time.

The apartment is so nice. It somehow feels warm and industrial at the same time. All the paintings he ordered are resting on the wall by the big window, and his tv is of course set up already. Owen takes me by the hand and leads me to his room, abandoning our food on the living room floor.

“Cute. A mattress on the floor, O” I snickered.

“Shut the hell up. I ordered my bed too late and it won't be here for another three days. My mom made me take the mattress from my room at home until it’s here since I wanted to move out now.”

“In a hurry to get out?”

“You have no idea…” he smirked. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

“Owen, you better get used to starving because you still can’t cook.”

“Maybe one day you can teach me.”

***********************

Burgers were great as usual, and we put The Music Man on at Owen’s request. He must have just tossed things from his house into random boxes on his way out. I started unpacking and found two hats, a drum pad, hangers, dress pants, and salt and pepper shakers.

I started roasting him for his packing skills and before I knew it he was using the pile of hats as a weapon and was attacking me with them.

“I HAVE NO WEAPONS THIS IS UNFAIR!”

“FIND SOMETHING OR SURRENDER!”

“Never lover boy. You’re going down,” and with that, I found a wooden spoon and started whacking the hats away and eventually swatting him with it.

“I tap out. I TAP OUT!” he yelled in between laughs. I was pinned underneath him on the hardwood floor still playfully hitting him on the butt with my weapon of choice.  

“Ha! You’re no match for me.”

“I think I can win in other ways..” he said, lowering his lips to mine.

I slowly put my arms around his neck and pulled him to lay on top of me. As I was running my hands from the back of his neck down his shoulders, he slid his leg up ever so slightly in between mine. He had gotten so strong in quarantine, not that he wasn’t before, but I could tell he was working out more to keep himself busy. I wasn’t complaining about it though. It felt nice to be held in strong arms.

It felt like we were making out on the floor for hours and we finally came up for some air. It was getting hard laying on the hardwood with this 5’10 blonde on top of me, but I knew he wouldn’t make a move because of our conversation a few weeks ago about me not being ready. That could change now.

“O, since you don’t have a couch yet...can we like to switch or something? You’re cute and all but the floor isn’t.”

“I think my floor is sexy,” he whispered. “Wanna go to my room?”

“Lead the way..”

We were hardly up off the floor before Owen picked me up and carried me to his room and tossed me on the bed. This time our kiss was different. My hands wandered up and down the sides of his body as his tongue traced the depths of my mouth. I returned his edginess by running my hands under his shirt and pressing him closer to me. My hands came around the front to feel the edges of his bare chest and waist. Ungluing my mouth from his for a moment for a gasp of air, I tugged his shirt up.

“You sure?”

“Mmhmm. Take the damn shirt off.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He removed the shirt in one quick motion and I propped myself up on my elbows to get a good view. As he tossed the shirt off to the side we both were sitting up and I was grazing my hands over his arms.

“Enjoying the view?” he asked.

Instead of responding, I inched forward and kissed right above his waistband and traveled all the way up to his lips leaving kisses as I went. He let out a strangled breath as I made the journey and stopped me before I planted my last kiss on his lips.

“You’re gonna have to calm down a little if you don’t want me to have a situation to take care of…”

“Who said I didn’t want to help you take care of it…” His eyes were looking down at me and straight through me.

“I was- Y/n, you don’t have to - I was just kidding,” he said running his hands through his hair and looking away from me.

I had to prove that I was okay with taking things up a notch, so I grabbed his hips and started massaging him over his pants. Owen grabbed my face and kissed me, sucking all the air out of me as I kept kneading his hips and thighs. Slowly my hand moved to palm his dick through his pants.

I could feel his chest tense up and he sat up a little straighter.

“I think it’s time I lose some clothing too.. What do you think?”

Before even answering he was reaching for the buttons on the front of my shirt.

He was struggling with so many buttons. I knew they were too small for him to get so I stopped what I was doing and had to pull the shirt over my head.

Owen immediately told me I was gorgeous and I could tell he was trying to look me in the eyes versus at my boobs.

“You can touch me, ya know..” I whispered, almost as if I was scared of someone hearing me, but no one would. We were finally alone. It was just us at this moment. No thought of parents or siblings coming home. No worry about roommates hearing, or puppies crying from outside the door to kill the mood. This was it. I was ready. Tonight, I am going to christen this apartment with him.

Owen’s hands were shaking ever so slightly as he rubbed my arms and made his way to my chest. He placed a kiss right where my cleavage met and I could’ve died. His hands were huge and looking at my breasts in them made me worry that he had seen bigger.

He was kissing my collarbones and tracing every inch of exposed skin with his tongue. He slowly laid me down and said, “You’re perfect. This is perfect. We can stop, just tell me-” His voice was so low and raspy, but I cut him off with a kiss before he could keep talking.

Owen continued licking and petting my boobs, so I decided to be daring. I was dragging my fingers down his abs when I hit the little trail that led into his pants. Instead of reversing my course like I did before, this time my hand wandered lower into his boxers.

Gently, my hand explored the warm skin and curly hair before grabbing hold of his dick and giving it a squeeze.

“Woah,” he grunted, “Can't do that, you’re gonna kill me.”

“I’m still winning then, see?” I said teasingly.

“Do you trust me?”

“Yeah, O. Why?”

“Let me try something. Tell me to stop if you need me to.” He said planting a kiss on my lips after I nodded.

He readjusted himself in his pants and then started attending to me. Sliding my bra straps off my shoulders he lifted me up and reached behind me to unhook it. My breath caught in my throat when I felt the clasp fall open. He pulled it away and I reacted by covering myself up.

“It’s just me. Are you ok?”

“Yeah, just go slow.” Now I was shaking. I want this, but I’m still scared.

“I won’t do anything without asking.” He’s being such a gentleman and I was the one teasing him first.

He pulled my arms down and took a nipple in his mouth. He twirled his tongue around and sucked while playing with the other. My stomach was flopping around and the feeling of butterflies was traveling down between my legs. Owen started giving my other nipple attention with his mouth as his hand traveled down my torso.

His hand stopped when he hit the button of my jeans and just started playing with it. He looked up at me with his green eyes asking if he should keep going.

I took his hand and shoved it into my pants. He was definitely surprised but he found the top of my folds while still staying over my thong.

“Babe, your jeans are too tight my hand is losing circulation in there.” He said pulling his hand out.

“I can fix that,” and off my pants went.

Now we were both doing this dance in our underwear of making out and dipping our fingers into uncharted territory.

Owen suddenly pulled me to the edge of his bed and was kneeling on the floor, nudging my legs open.

“What are you-“

“You still trust me right?”

“Owen, I-

“Do you want me to stop?”

“...No. But I haven’t done anything yet-“

“Let me keep going then you can help me with my… situation,” he smirked. “Close your eyes. Relax.”

I did as I was told and felt Owen reach for the elastic waistband of my thong and pull it down. Oh my god. My cunt was throbbing at this point. I was dying for him to touch me again, but he was teasing me.

His hands started massaging my feet and up my calves and legs. He got to my thighs and kept his hands low. Then I felt him lay next to me on the bed as his lips met mine and his hands rubbed my stomach and fingers inched back down to my cunt.

His dick was pressed against the outside of my body and I could tell he was rock solid. How he was still in his pants, I will never know.

“Y/n, do you want me to stop?” I shook my head no and his finger gently parted my folds. I was holding his shoulder so tight, partly because of nerves and partly because I had never felt this way before.

“Have you touched yourself before? Like we talked about...” He whispered as his finger slid past my clit agonizingly slow.

“Yes,” I gasped, “just a few times.”

“What do you think about?”

I couldn’t answer him. My mind was racing and my heart was beating too fast.

“What do you think about when you touch yourself, y/n?” This time he asked through gritted teeth.

“You...I think about you…”

“Show me how you did it”

“No!” He took his hand out from between my legs, grabbed my hand, and led it down my body to the place he just left.

“Show me.” Owen sat up and slid back to the floor to watch what I was doing.

I lightly dipped one finger down to my vagina and back up to my nub. I started alternating between rubbing circles around my clit and the opening of my vagina. My legs were still moderately closed so Owen wasn’t happy with his view.

He pushed my knees apart and now my pink folds were on display.

“Keep your eyes closed, y/n.”

Owen used one hand to spread my lips wide open and the other to trace my wetness up to my clit. With his thumb, he applied pressure and moved in circles painfully slowly over my most sensitive spot.

Soon his hand left my clit and started poking my entrance ever so slightly. The next thing I knew, his tongue was on my clit picking up the pace and his finger was two knuckles deep inside me.  

His tongue was working even faster now and I was so wet I could feel it dripping down to my ass cheeks.

Suddenly, there was a lot of pressure down there and I opened my eyes to see him two fingers deep in my pussy and his nose hurried in my folds. I was panting and he was giggling at the noises I was making because of him.

His hand never stopped moving but he looked up at me and said, “You’re unbelievably tight. Have you touched yourself like this?”

Truth be told, nothing had ever been inside me until now. Not even a tampon. I never had a reason to use one.

Inside of me, his fingers curled and hit a spot that made me jump.

“You still good?” He asked, stopping everything.

“Don’t stop,” I panted, “please, faster...harder.” I was squirming now with his hand stationary inside me.

“What exactly do you want me to do for you?”

“Keep touching me god, Owen. Lick me again.”

With that, he was pumping his fingers harder and faster than ever and his tongue was flicking my clit. I started feeling like I was hyperventilating and like I was going to pee. The butterflies and pressure building inside of me were intense but the moans coming out of my mouth told Owen he was doing a great job.

“Owen, I’m gonna pee! O, I’m gonna-“ He took his mouth away and replaced it with his hands to watch me finish for the first time. He continued to pump his two fingers and started rolling my clit between his thumb and index finger with his other hand. I was lifting my hips to meet his hand and he was trying to push me back down to the bed. My whole body was starting to spasm and I was a little scared. I was losing control of my body and had no idea what was happening. His hands were like magic. Owen spread my legs even wider and continued his rhythm. His fingers curled into me even further and it sent shockwaves through my body and I was lost in a frenzy. To his surprise and mine, I squirted all over his hands. He didn’t stop pumping and circling my clit until I was squeezing my legs together and pushing his hands away. Owen kissed me as I came down from my high and I caught my breath.

“Oh my god. Owen, I’m so sorry. I- I didn’t know I would pee. Oh my god.”

“Babe, you didn’t pee. That’s just what happens when you get off really well. It’s all good; no worries.”

“I never felt that way before. I felt like I never wanted you to stop but I also felt like I was exploding”

“Well, I don’t have to stop,” he said laughing and fake spreading my knees again.

“Hey, lover boy it’s your turn,” I said pushing him to the bed now.

“Wait, you don’t have-“ I was too quick. I already had his pants down by his knees and was fighting to get them off. After some help from Owen, and him removing his boxers, we were both completely naked together for the first time. He was much bigger than I anticipated with my hand down his pants. That was not going to fit inside me. There was just no way. He could barely get two fingers in me.

I looked him up and down and was taking it all in when he just blurted out, “Take a picture. It’ll last longer.”

“Maybe next time, blondie,” I said as I traced through his neatly trimmed hair and all the way down his length to his tip. He closed his eyes and shivered, so I stuck the tip in my mouth.

His eyes opened and bulged out of his head at the sudden sucking I was doing. My tongue swirled around his most sensitive part as my hands played with him at the base and his balls.

Owen tucked my hair behind my ear as I looked up at him. I slid more of his member into my mouth taking almost all of it without gagging. As I slid back to the tip, I let my teeth drag just a bit.

“Jesus Christ, y/n. You gotta go easy on me or I won’t last long.”

With a pop, I released him from my mouth and his dick was flushed and the veins were purple. Twitching as I slowly pumped it with my hands, his dick was releasing a tiny bit of clear liquid. I used my hands to spread it all over him which made my job even easier.

I had an idea, so now it was his turn to trust me.

“O, help me. I need you inside me.”

“Are you sure?” He was breathing heavy and I knew he didn’t want to stop, but would if I asked him to. I wanted this though.

“Yes. Tell me what to do.”

“No, let me take care of you.”

He flipped us over and began rubbing me again while kissing my neck.

“I love you. You know that?” Owen said in between kisses.

“I love you too.”

“Let me just- fuck!”

“What? What’s wrong?” I was startled by how mad he suddenly got.

“I don’t have anything. We can’t.”

“I have an IUD. It’s ok.”

“You wanna- No. Let me go run and see if I have something in my wallet. It’s your first time I don’t want you to worry.”

“Owen, I want to feel all of you since it’s my first time,” I said reaching down and grabbing his dick and lining it up with my heat.

“Babe, it might hurt. I’m so sorry, I’ll stop if you need me to.”

“Just do it, I’ll be ok.” With that, he pushed himself right up to my entrance and I already could tell this wasn’t going to work.

“It’s not gonna fit, Owen. Oh god.”

“Hey, relax. I know you’re nervous but it really won’t fit if you’re not relaxed.” He laughed.

“I’m gonna kiss you as I go in, okay? You can still tell me to stop.”

He went in for the kiss and slowly pushed the tip inside me. It was uncomfortable but bearable.

“It’s going to get worse before it gets better, I think. I’m going to keep going.” He was holding his breath at this point as he slid about three inches further inside of me. He didn’t want to rush me but he wanted to fuck my brains out at the same time.

He hit something inside of me and I yelled.

“Ah! Stop! Wait!”

“Okay, Okay. Do you want me to stay or pull out?”

“Stay, stay...okay. Just do it fast.”

He pressed his forehead to mine and broke the barrier. I grit my teeth and cursed, and tried to close my legs. He held me close and wiped a tear as it escaped. We didn’t move for a solid minute as I waited for my vagina to get used to his size.

“Move. You can move.” I whispered.

He gave a little grunt in response and started pumping in and out of me slowly.

After a few minutes of Owen going painfully slow, he lifted my knees up higher and started going faster. I grabbed his butt and started pressing him into me.

“Harder. Please.”

He listened and started pounding me. I didn’t know anything could feel this good.

“Babe, I’m close.” He panted.

“I think I am too.” At that point, he picked up the pace again. Now I was bucking my hips up to meet his thrusts. I could feel him throbbing inside of me trying to hold back. I clenched my muscles a little and heard him let out a high pitched little yell.

I pulled his chain and we were pressed chest to chest, covered in sweat, and fucking like bunnies.

“Do you want me to pull out?”

“No!”

“Then I won’t last much longer,” he slid a hand between us and started rubbing my clit as fast as he was pounding me.

“Me neither.” I spread my legs wider and he finally hit the spot.

My walls tightened and as soon as they did I felt him release inside of me. His moans were intoxicating and I came undone.

“O, O, I’m cumming. Don’t stop.”

He did a few more hard strokes and we both were too sensitive to keep going.

Owen pulled out after a few minutes and I missed him inside me. We were naked, facing each other after being as close as two people could be.

“Thank you for that,” I said.

“Glad to be of service,” he joked.

“I’m gonna go grab things to clean up. Be right back.”

“Mm ‘kay,” I responded, almost drifting to sleep.

“Fuck me.” I heard Owen say from the bathroom.

“What’s wrong, hun?”

“I forgot to buy toilet paper..”

“Guess that means we both need a shower..”

[snxffer-tv]

I will fulfill this request. Hope you enjoy

It is a Lucas Baker x Gender Natural Reader.

You are a bit chubby bare with it.

English is not my first language, there will be some mistakes.

Y/N (your name)

H/C (hair color)

F/C (favorite color)

F/O (favorite Outfit)

XV.I.MMXXI 6pm

Y/N P.O.V.

I finally did it. I completed Resident Evil 7 Biohazard for the 5th time. Yes for the 5th time. I only played it so much because of Lucas. He is hot. I love him so much. I only find it sad that he was killed at the end. I'm bored and it is only 6pm ... Should I play it again? Mhm... Yeah, Imma play it again.

XVI.I.MMXXI 10pm

I was playing Resident Evil 7 Biohazard until ,,Y/N GO GET SOME SLEEP IT IS 10PM" My mother suddenly burst into my room. ,, Okay chill" I turned off my Pc. Before I went to bed I looked out my window and saw a shooting star. I wished that I was in Resident Evil 7.

The next morning

XVI.I.MMXXI 6am

Y/N P.O.V

,, Y/N Wake up" I heard Ethan say ... WAIT ETHAN. I suddenly woke up and looked around. I saw that I was not in my room. I stood up and looked around in the room and saw on the closet my F/O with my F/C on it. 'You Are The Sibling Of Ethan Winters' I heard a voice say in my head. 'Cool ... Wait that means I am in Resident Evil' 'Yes you are to be exact in Resident Evil 7 Biohazard' I just smiled to myself. I went to the closet and put on my outfit. After I put it on I went downstairs. ,, Ah you are finally here" Ethan said. I just nodded. ,, Today we are going to investigate the house of the Bakers!" 'Hey, then there is gonna be a chance to meet Lucas. I finally gonna meet him".

At the Bakers House

Lucas P.OV.

Tch Ethan Winters is gonna be here today or more like the next days. Evie and I need to stop him. Hopefully, I can kill him. I pretty much don't like him.

Y/N P.O.V.

I'm with Ethan at the Bakers House. It looks more cooler irl than in the Game. I love the House. Ethan and I went into the house. ,, Okay so where do we wa-" I cut myself off and I realized ... that Bastard is gone. He is not beside me anymore. ' Well looks like I have to go by myself '. I walked upstairs to Lucas's room. I went through his door room and was stunned. It is everything like in the game. I was so in my own world that I didn't hear how the door opened again. ,, Hey who are you" a voice asked. I was straddled and looked behind me and who was standing there ... LUCAS BAKER. I didn't how to react should I fangirl, scream or just faint. I just stood there. ,, Hello?!?!" Lucas waved his hand in front of my face. ,, Ah Hi" I only said. ,, I asked you a question" ,, My name is Y/N Winters, and my brother is Ethan Winters" I introduced myself. ,, Huh?! He has a sibling?" Lucas said. I only nodded. ,, Wow never knew this. Shouldn't you be with your brother?" Lucas asked me. ,, Well I wanted to ask where we want to start but he was already gone so I decided to explore and now here we are talking" I told him. ,, Does he even realize that he left you alone?" ,, Probably but I think he doesn't give a fuck about it. He doesn't need to baby me every time. I mean I am grown up and I can take care of myself" Lucas nodded just.

Ethan P.O.V.

Tf is wrong with this house. I just fought an angry guy named Jack Baker. I also realized that I left my sibling alone ... Nah they can take off themselves. But I'm scared of what is more going on here plus if they survive. I hope I will see them alive.

(A time skip where Lucas locks Ethan in that room where you have to do that Birthday Task)

Y/N P.O.V.

Here am I standing beside Lucas who has cameras on my brother who is trying to escape that room. I laughed a bit by seeing Ethan struggling. ,, You like seeing brother struggle escaping the room" Lucas asked me. ,, Yes but I also feel bad, but hey I can't do anything, can I?" I talked back. ,, WHY THE FUCK IS IT SO DIFFICULT!" we both heard Ethan scream. We both just started laughing. ,, Oi oi oi you know where my sibling is?" Ethan asked Lucas. I looked at Lucas if I can talk to him. He nodded. ,, I am here and if you ask me, I am fine, and yeah noth-" I suddenly stopped since I felt a slap on my ass. I looked behind me and saw Lucas with a grin on his face. ,, What it looks good" Lucas just whispered. ,, Did you just slap my sibling on the ass?!" Ethan asked more angry. I wanted to say no but Lucas interference and told proudly yes. And now Ethan is throwing a tantrum. ,, I don't know if he is a grown-up or a man child" I said to Lucas

[softinkshadows]

running into adultrio for the first time (x female reader) (3/3)

disclaimer: this is a feels fic CHROLLO The melodic sounds of pop rock from the speakers are louder this evening, over the clink of beer bottles and rowdy conversation. Propping your chin with one arm on the pub counter, you scan the sparse crowd - sure enough, business is slow today. Even the cigarette smoke which usually cling obstinately to the walls feels more distant. As expected of the Halich festivities, where most people in Saherta would be home with their families. For a small establishment like yours, in a town just on the eastern outskirts of the Gordeau desert, this means an early closing day. You are itching to get some rest tonight after handling the merrymakers in the past week leading up to the festive season. It is almost 6pm, you note, your eyes wandering across the pub. There is just a table of three regulars, and a man sitting alone in the far right corner near the windows. He looks slightly out of sorts, dressed in a long purple coat, his black hair combed back but slightly tousled. You can’t see his face properly now, but you recall the unusual cross tattoo on his forehead and the way he came in earlier, silent with the tell-tale shuffle of a worn traveler. You were a bit annoyed that he only asked for a glass of water before taking his seat, not budging an inch. Strangely, he seems preoccupied with the decorations on the wall, in particular the large and fading world map placed amongst photographs and notes from customers.  “Sweetheart! The tab please!” You hear a familiar yell that jolts you out of your thoughts. You stride over to the table of the three, late middle-aged men who are already slightly tipsy from all the drinks. “Hope you gentlemen enjoyed,” you hum cheerfully, collecting the cash. As you bend forward to clear the bottles, you feel a hand on your lower back moving down to pat your bum cheekily through your skirt. Internally, you roll your eyes. You immediately brandish the dagger sheathed in your belt and stab it right between the fingers of his other hand resting on the table. You move so fast that no one has the time to react, but you sense the man in the purple coat look up and glance your way. “How many fingers do you want to lose this time, Hanz? Shouldn’t you be getting back to Lina now?” you retort teasingly, used to your regular’s drunk antics. The table breaks out into hearty laughter as Hanz turns sheepish, and they shuffle out of the pub to return to their families for the night. You gather up the empty bottles and bring them to the counter, before turning down the music. Now it is just you, the yellow glow of evening light slanting through the dusty windows, and the strange traveler in the corner. “Hey,” you say as you walk over, wiping your hands on your shirt, “I’m closing up. You don’t need to pay for the water, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” You notice the slightest shift in his eyes to the sheathed dagger around your waist. Then, he looks up and you meet his gaze for the first time. He is extremely good-looking for a traveler, and the light scuff marks around his cheek somehow accentuate his attractiveness. His dark grey eyes are undeniably beautiful, but something about their intensity catches you off guard. His eyes are alluring, almost calculative, but they harbour a flicker of vacant sadness. It’s the latter that stirs something in you, and against your better judgement, you ask, “Do you... need help with anything?” “I am just travelling through the area, but I am looking for a place to stay the night,” he explains pleasantly, smiling slightly. His tone is friendly and warm, you’d dare say even charismatic, but your gut tells you that something is off. You spend a few seconds wondering about sending this dangerous-looking man out into town, rapping on the doors of houses filled with elderly and young children for the holidays... Here, it was just you. You could probably handle him. And it’s been many years since you had company on an occasion like this. You sigh deeply. “If you don’t mind sleeping on a couch, you can stay at my place. It’s just upstairs. Every other home will be packed today.”  ---- “Here you go. There’s nothing much,” you say as your swing open the door to your apartment. Thankfully you didn’t make much of a mess, save for some books left open on the sofa. The deepening orange glow of the sunset filters through the glass doors to the balcony, and your apartment appears cosy. The simple furnishings, the small table near the open kitchen, and the few cutlery by the sink only serve as an indicator that you live alone, and coming home to this sight every day always tugs at your heart slightly. You hear the click of the door closing shut behind you, and you wonder why the man hasn’t as much as said a word.  You walk to the kitchen counter, intending on offering him a drink, when you register a sudden flash of movement. You feel the dagger in your belt being pulled out swiftly, so quick that the hair on your neck stands on end, so quick that you don’t even have the time to feel shocked, as it is immediately followed by the telling rush of air as the blade swings down above your hea- your instincts kick in, and you turn around rapidly, missing the blade by a few inches, ducking fast before pinning the man to the kitchen table with his arm twisted behind his back. All is silent except for the clattering of the dagger to the floor.  “Listen, you piece of shit,” you growl fiercely. “I didn’t bring you up here so you could kill me. Here, you’re my guest, and I am your host. So you better start treating me like one.” You’re not sure why you’re hesitant to finish him off, but you release him. He turns to face you, rubbing his wrists, and in his dark eyes you notice a glint of intrigue. Somehow, he looks impressed. “I apologize for my rudeness,” he says with an amused chuckle, his previous innocent demeanour falling away. From this short interaction you can tell he is incredibly powerful, but you are not going to let it faze you. You pick up the dagger and place it back in your belt, giving him a glare.  “The least you can do now is help me with dinner. You haven’t had anything to eat didn’t you?” The man looks at you stunned for a brief second, a puzzled look crossing his face, before he relaxes. “Alright,” he relents, removing his coat and draping it over a chair.  You find yourself trying to stifle a laugh as you pan fry some meat, watching the man clumsily washing vegetables at the kitchen sink, his long fingers peeling and prodding the lettuce leaves without much experience. He doesn’t speak much, you realize, but you notice his eyes wander to the meat cleaver on the counter. “Don’t even think about it,” you snap, and you see a smile tug the corner of his lips. Later, you have dinner outside on the balcony, overlooking the glimmering lighted windows of other homes in the town. Beyond it the large rolling sandy hills of the desert. On most days you’d feel a crushing sadness being on this balcony as the past creeps back upon you. But tonight, it feels bearable. Your look to your side at the man eating in silence, looking out to the view occasionally, his eyes glazed with pensiveness and slight discomfort. He catches you looking at him. “The food is not to your liking?” you asked, preparing to be offended. “No, it’s just... this is new to me,” he replies. “What is? Eating?” you snort derisively. “Being taken care of,” he replies so softly you think you must have misheard. Your cheeks feel warm, and you grumble in your own awkwardness as you collect the plates and head back inside.  “Earlier on, why did you let me stay?” he asks, following you. You let the water from the tap run over your fingers absentmindedly before falling to rinse the dishes below. “Even after I tried to kill you? Aren’t you afraid not knowing what I could do?” You hear his voice coming closer, now a shade darker. “Who knows...” You turn off the tap, sighing, then turning around. “What more can you possibly d-” He grips your wrists firmly and pushes you against the counter, his knees between your legs pushing them slightly apart, making you lean back to maintain your balance. His face presses close to you, lips almost touching. The suddenness of intimacy sends a shiver up your spine, and for a while, you’re speechless and confused, searching his gaze for answers. “I could take you, like this, right now,” he murmurs, his warmth breath fanning your face, and for a moment you feel your desperate loneliness rush into your chest, lightheaded and heavy with want. You could kiss him now and not care what happens later. You could let him ravish you without a thought, graze your body with his lips and hands in places you’ve long craved for...Then you notice his eyes, lidded, sultry, but beneath it a pained undercurrent of emptiness. The rippling desire in you begins to fade, and you understand. “I’m a killer and a thief. Yet you still help me, and you don’t even know my name.” He whispers, his hands not letting go of yours. “You never asked for mine,” you reply, looking straight into his eyes. You both stay like this for a while, in silence, though it feels like he’s on the brink of saying something more. Then, he pulls away. For the rest of the night, you and him barely talk. He spends some time checking his phone, reading the books you left on the sofa, while you clean the dishes, shower and make some preparations for the pub tomorrow. Every now and then he gets up to help you wiping the dishes, or carry the laundry to the balcony.  When it is time for bed, you watch as he removes his shirt swiftly, before lying down on the sofa.  “Goodnight,” you say softly, turning into your bedroom. “Goodnight,” he replies, not looking back.  The events of the day and the past week catch up to you, and exhausted, you fall asleep almost instantly. You don’t notice when he comes into your room in the early hours of the morning. It is still dark, and his footsteps are quiet so as not to wake you up. You don’t notice as he bends over at your sleeping figure, gazing with fondness. “It’s Chrollo,” he whispers. He leans in closer, and cups his hand around your face. You shift and mumble a little in your sleep. He smiles to himself before placing a kiss on your forehead. He knows you aren’t listening, but says it anyway. “Wait for me.” Then he pulls on his coat and heads out the door, leaving soundlessly into the cold, dark morning as the first slivers of light begin to break across the sky.

[petri808]

A Bond Built Through Adversity

For @itafushiweek bonus day

Bang Bang Bang “WAKE UP!!” Gojo cackled in the dorm’s hallway. Bang Bang Bang “RISE AND SHINE!!”

Slowly, but surely two grumpy faces shambled out from their rooms, each using the doors threshold to hold themselves upright. The sun had barely cracked the horizon, and neither were thrilled by the early morning wakeup call!

“What the fuck do you want?” Megumi spat out as he rubbed his eyes. “It better be good!”

But Itadori…

“Oi!” Gojo clapped his hands loudly in front of the man. “Wake up!”

… Itadori was sleeping where he stood. “Huh?” One eye cracked open. “Ye-yeah I’m up. What’s up?”

“Today we’re going on a special field trip to the mountains!” Gojo clasped his hands in front of himself with a mischievous grin. “You’re growing too soft, so a lo—ng hike is just what you need.”

“Are you crazy!” Megumi snapped to attention.

“Of course, I am,” Gojo’s smile never faltered. “Isn’t that obvious by now?”

Megumi crossed his arms in a huff. “Well, I’m not moving until you give me a damn good reason.”

“Megu—” Gojo reached out with a whiny voice, and pulled his hand lose, throwing on his saddest, please, for me smile. “Be a good boy for me, Megu…”

Yuuji quickly straightened up stiff as a board in annoyance and smacked Gojo’s hand away from Megumi. “Stop it with that cutesy stuff, just answer the question.”

“My, my, Yuuji, such a morning grump,” Gojo teased knowingly. “Fine. It’s a bonding exercise, so dress for a hike, pack a backpack with water, a towel, and be out front in 20 minutes.” But still when nobody moved. “Chop, chop!” He clapped his hands condescendingly. “It’s best to get an early start before the sun is high.”

Through the muttered swears and slams of dresser drawers, the students gathered the things their teacher had told them to pack. Megumi was the closest to a morning person of the pair and even he was fuming over being awoken at such an early hour. If it were for a mission, fine, but not some stupid hike into the mountains! They each had their reasons for being annoyed with the whole situation, but for Yuuji it was different. Frankly, he didn’t care about going on a hike, or a bonding exercise. The moment Gojo grabbed Megumi’s hand it woke him up and not in a happy way.

“Oh, hell no!” Megumi snapped as his eyes trailed up the steep, long, narrow stone steps leading through and disappearing into the thicket of pine trees. “You’ve got to be kidding us!”

“There’s a prize at the end,” Gojo wrapped an arm around Megumi’s shoulders, taking his time to lean in and whisper close to the man’s ear. “I promise you’ll like it.”

Seeing his friend’s fist ball up, Yuuji pulled Gojo off Megumi. “Come on, come on, let’s get this shit over with.”

Yuuji did his best to stay between Gojo and Megumi as they walked up the stairs, but it wasn’t easy. The incline was quite steep, following the side of a mountain, with dense brush along the edges. It was certainly a very old, worn trail and one not used very often in modern times. Could anyone be blamed for not using it? First off, it was in the Hakone national park, half a kilometer off a hidden trail, and up a ridge. Park rangers probably didn’t know it existed, so how Gojo knew of the place Yuuji had no idea. He assumed this would lead to some ancient and abandoned mountain shrine once used by jujutsu sorcerers. Maybe Sukuna would know of its existence?

‘I don’t, so don’t ask,’ the voice in his head answered the question. ‘I’m old, but I don’t know everything.’

‘Surprising,’ Yuuji growled back at Sukuna for eavesdropping on his thoughts.

‘Oi, pay attention,’ the voice growled back.

‘To what?’

‘Your boy.’

‘My—’ Yuuji cut off his response when he saw what was happening ahead of him. He’d been so focused on the natural surroundings, he forgot about the unnatural one taking place. ‘That damn, irritating!’ Yuuji walked faster to catch up with Gojo and Megumi, cutting in between and forcing Gojo to step backwards. “Less talking, more walking.”

“But Yuuji,” Gojo wrapped his arm around the man and forced him to line up with him. “How are we supposed to…” he leaned in with a grin, “bond without talking to each other.”

Ugh! Gojo’s voice was so irritating when he whined and acted childish. “You can talk,” Yuuji shoved the man off. “But talk doesn’t involve hanging all over us.”

Gasp! Gojo feigned surprise. “Yuuji are you jealous of me touching Megumi?”

“WHA— what?!” Yuuji caught himself quickly before Megumi would hear him. “I am not!” He spat back through gritted teeth. He crossed his arms. “I’m still annoyed you dragged us out here so early.”

“Oh…” Gojo chuckled. “Mmhmm, I guess that would account for your behavior today.”

For two hours the back and forth continued. Yuuji watched with a locked jaw in frustration when every chance Gojo had he took to touch Megumi. Playing with the man’s hair, hanging on his shoulder, talking so closely as if the man was deaf and it was necessary. And each time, Yuuji would cut between them. Oh, Megumi fought back too, snapping at Gojo, and pushing him away, but the man never took the hint. What was up with their teacher today! This was not the norm for Gojo. He never showed so much interest in either of the students before! So, why now? Why bring them here? ‘And what was with the obsession with Megumi!’ Yuuji snapped in his head.

It took almost three hours, but the trio finally reached the top of the stairs and breached the tree line. Okay, Yuuji had to admit the view was quite spectacular from this vantage point. On one side Mt. Fuji rose like a Goliath ready to smite any who dared to disturb it. On the other side, they could see the expansive blues of the Pacific Ocean stretching out to the horizon. And lastly, a handful of steaming hot ponds in various sizes. A couple of them were small, enough for maybe two people to be comfortable in, and one was large, almost the size of a residential swimming pool.

“Surprise!” Gojo’s arms raised above his head as he cheered. “A secret onsen! Isn’t it cool! Geto and I found it years ago by accident while tracking a curse.” He pulled the two students close, one under each arm. “It’s perfect for a little bonding time.”

Megumi shoved Gojo away. “I can’t believe you dragged us up a mountain ridge just for this.”

“Oh, don’t be like that!” Gojo flung himself onto the man in a tight hug from the back. “I wanted to share something special with you,” his voice whined.

“That it is!” Megumi completely snapped. He wiggled out of Gojo’s hold and swings a fist at the man. It misses, but that didn’t stop him from continuing his tirade. “You damn perverted teacher! Go flirt with someone who wants your attention, cause I don’t!” Without waiting for a response, Megumi grabbed his back and stomped away to one of the smaller hot ponds further away with Gojo only standing there watching him leave, with a big grin in his face.

That’s when Yuuji, who’d had enough as well, followed the energy left in Megumi’s wake to confront their teacher. He whipped Gojo around, grabbing the front of his shirt with his hand raised to strike. “Talk! What’s your deal? Why are you acting like this?!”

Gojo shrugged, his trademark cool grin never leaving his expression. “Someone had to push you.”

“What the hell are you talking about?!” Yuuji screamed.

Gojo simply flicked the hand of Yuuji’s holding onto his shirt causing the man to let go and wince in pain. His simple strikes were always so much harder than they looked. He then smoothed out the wrinkles on his shirt left by Yuuji. “Two weeks ago, do you remember the day you were supposed to be mopping the dojo?”

“Yeah.”

“Mopping the dojo,” Gojo reiterated, “as in cleaning and not dancing…”

“Yea— oh… maybe…”

“It was adorable, really, and that dip— I was impressed that you knew how to dance like that Yuuji. Your partner was a lucky… mop,” he snickered.

“Ha, ha, funny,” Yuuji pretended not to care. “So, what if I was dancing with a mop? As if I don’t do weird things sometimes.”

“Oh, that’s certainly true,” Gojo chuckled again, “but I heard you thanking your partner…” He wrapped his arms around his body in a reenactment, adding exaggerated kissing sounds for effect. “Thank you for a lovely dance, Megumi. smooch, smooch, smoo—”

Yuuji slammed a hand over Gojo’s mouth to stop him. “Shhhh!! I get it! Okay, you caught me!” His ears burned and heat dusted his cheeks in embarrassment. “So, you were actually trying to make me jealous.”

“Yup! As if it was hard to do.” Gojo jabbed a finger in Yuuji’s chest. “Now, run along young one and go bondwith your love interest.”

“Ugh,” Yuuji groaned. Did Gojo have to be this transparent?! “You’re not cute.”

“Yes, I am.” Gojo turned away to leave. “Oh, and by the way, Nitta will pick you up at the bottom road at 6pm, so don’t be late. That gives you…” he checked his phone, “at least 4 hours of cuddling time.”

“Bastard!”

Gojo winked in a side-eye with a two-fingered wave. “See you back at campus!”

‘Wanna kill him?’ Sukuna laughed in Yuuji’s head. ‘Push him off the cliff?’

“No…” Yuuji sighed, and shoulders slumped.

‘You’re so not fun.’

“Hush!” Yuuji snapped at Sukuna. “Go back to sleep or something!”

‘Pfft, suit yourself loser!’

And just like that, Yuuji was alone again. Hopefully. After dealing with Gojo, the last thing he needed was an annoying Sukuna in his ear constantly teasing him too. He had a much bigger issue to deal with now. Megumi. What to do about Megumi?!

He followed the same trail around a sheer cliff face and found the man already submerged in a hot pond at its base. It was a cute little tucked away spot, and under other circumstances the perfect place to relax away from society. But not today, and for probably the first time in Yuuji’s life he was embarrassed to undress in front of another person. He’d never been the shy type about his body, at least when it came to other men, but this wasn’t just any man he was facing. Yuuji took a deep breath with an even longer exhale in preparation.

“Hey!” Yuuji waved as nonchalantly as he could under the weight of emotions circling his brain. “Mind if I join you?”

“I don’t care.” Megumi responded. He looked around. “But where’d Gojo go?”

“Oh, um… he left.”

Megumi sat up in the water. “Seriously?! He dragged us up here only to ditch us?!”

“Yeah…” Yuuji scratched his head nervously. “Said something about giving us time alone to bond. Nitta’s gonna pick us up at the bottom road at 6pm.”

Megumi groaned and slumped back into the water. “Guess, nothing else to do but forget about him then.” He closed his eyes and leaned back. “Actually, the peace and quiet is a good thing.”

Yuuji chuckled nervously. “Oh, yeah, that’s true.”

He removed his clothes and slipped into the water adjacent to Megumi. The water was the perfect temperature, not overly hot but bearable on this light snowy day. It was deep enough to where the water almost covered their shoulders too and wide enough with legs stretched out not to hit the other’s feet. Yuuji does his best to relax, closing his eyes and letting the steamy waters melt away the torment brewing in his heart. Gojo had put them in this situation for a reason. He knew the answer, but did Megumi suspect anything? Kami he hoped not! It was his fault for getting caught in the first place. Gojo wasn’t even supposed to be on campus that afternoon, off on a mission a few towns away outside of Tokyo. In fact, none of the other students had been on campus except him. So, he’d thought, why not have a little fun? ‘I got carried away,’ Yuuji groaned in his head.

Several minutes pass by in relative peace and quiet. The only sounds were of the water anytime one of them shifted, occasional birds risking the winter air, or just the natural sounds of the forest. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. Their profession could be daunting at times and breaks like this one a luxury. Yuuji couldn’t remember the last time he’d been to an onsen. Was it before he’d even become a jujutsu sorcerer? But now that he thought about it, this spot was also romantic in its own way. The natural beauty bathed in the shadow of Mt. Fuji. The random, wispy little snowflakes that fell around them, to the instrumental music of the forest lulling them into a comfortable mood. Even the heat played its role, soothing their muscles and warming their bodies. A great way to hide the emotional heat stirred up on his skin for sure! If Yuuji stopped controlling his mind, his cheeks would certainly be marred by a cherry finish.

“By the way, thanks back there,” Megumi broke the silence. “You know, with Gojo.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, sure. He was being overly annoying today.”

“Yeah, I don’t understand what his problem was. He’s usually not this bad.”

Yuuji chuckled nervously. “Yeah, that guy is something else.”

Catching the anxiety-laden tone in Yuuji’s voice. Megumi opened his eyes and stared at the man. “Do you know why he was acting like that?”

“What?! Me, ehrm, no!”

“Now I know you lying, cause you suck at it. Yuuji, why was Gojo being an idiot?”

“He, um… It’s because he, you know, notices things.”

“Uh-huh? Like what?”

“Things.”

“What things?!”

“You know, like about people. He’s perceptive.”

“While I don’t disagree, I’m sensing a specific thing is the reason. So just tell me what it is.”

“I told you. He said we needed to bond more.”

“Bond? As in what? We already work together just fine, what more bonding do we need to do?”

“Um… I don’t know… he’s got weird ideas sometimes; you know that Megumi.”

“If you don’t want to tell me, then fine.” Megumi closed his eyes again in a huff.

Oh, fuck! Oh, fuck! Oh, fuck! Yuuji cringed all the way down until his nose barely treaded water. He could tell plain as day Megumi was irritated with him by the inflection of the man’s voice. This wasn’t good! Ugh! It was going so smoothly too! Tell him? Don’t tell him. Tell him? Don’t tell him… the choice flipped back and forth in Yuuji’s head.

‘For fucks sake just tell him you damn virgin!’

“Shut up!”

“What?!”

Oh, fuck! “N-not you!” Yuuji waved his hands to clear the air. “Sukuna. H-He won’t shut up in my head.” He watched Megumi’s eyebrow raise slightly before he closed his eyes again, seemingly satisfied by the answer. Yuuji breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Let me run my own life!’ He screamed at Sukuna.

‘Fine. Virgin boy, I’m just trying to help so you’d shut up about it.’

And again, silence once more in Yuuji’s mind. Oh, how he wished he could reach into his own head and strangle the cursed user! ‘I’m gonna enjoy killing you,’ Yuuji spat back a final retort.

But both Gojo and Sukuna were right. Yuuji had a choice to make. Tell Megumi how he felt or forever bury his peace and learn to live with the pining… which would include not getting jealous— ‘that’s not happening…’ Yuuji sighed internally. Lately it’s been getting harder and harder to curb those tendencies. With Gojo, well, it’s Gojo, so he’d reacted on instinct. But others, the public, victims, fellow students… Yuuji might develop TMJ if kept his jaw locked any more times just to stop from reacting. He didn’t want anyone too close, especially men. Things were getting out of hand. ‘This isn’t me! I’m the nice guy!’ And yet here he was acting like a fool.

“Yuuji, why do you look so tense now?”

Eek!! Yuuji sat up quickly. “No, why do you ask?”

Megumi narrowed his eyes. “Because you looked constipated. Talk.”

“I—” Yuuji started ready to make another excuse, but his mouth slammed shut when Megumi’s brow raised with his ‘no bullshit’ look. “Okay,” he sighed. “I’ll tell the truth.” Yuuji shrunk down as his voice lowered and eyes turned away. “I… like someone… like, a lot and well, you know how Gojo kept bugging you, he um, was actually trying to rile me up about the… person… but yeah, so that’s why I was acting weird.”

“I already know you like me idiot.”

“Wait! You do?!”

“You’re not hard to figure out. That’s why I never said anything when you kept running interference with Gojo.”

“I can’t believe you knew all this time… now I’m so lost.”

“Also not surprising, good thing I don’t mind.”

“Don’t mind?”

Megumi rolled his eyes. “Will you just ask me out and get it over with. I’m trying to relax.”

Yuuji moved over tentatively until he was sitting next to his friend. “Megumi, will you be my boyfriend?”

Megumi chuckled under his breath and simply closed the small gap between them, leaning his head against Yuuji’s shoulder with a contented sigh.

Oh, this was perfect! Yuuji sighed too and leaned his head against Megumi’s. His heart still raced, but for a new reason. It was an exciting rush to have his best friend at his side, in a new relationship built on trust and bonded by experiences. Yuuji felt invincible at that moment.

‘You’re still a virgin idiot.’ Sukuna laughed.

‘Tch. Not even you can ruin this for me,’ Yuuji spat back and closed his eyes with the biggest smile of his life.

[up-to-some-good]

Part 3: 5 times I fixed it...

Sirius was getting tired of receiving hugs. He and Fabian had been broken up for months when the news of his and Gideon’s death came. He was devastated, of course, they were his friends and didn’t deserve to die in such a brutal way, but he was not the only person who deserved comfort.

In some ways, he felt like he didn’t even deserve the comfort. He and Fabian had broken up because he didn’t love Fabian the way he loved Sirius. He hadn’t been a good boyfriend to him. Why should he receive any comfort? Perhaps, if he had been a better boyfriend, Fabian wouldn’t have been with Gideon that night, but rather at Sirius’s apartment, and he would have been okay.

The day after the Order found the Prewetts, each member received an owl in Dumbledore’s curly handwriting.

All members must be at headquarters tomorrow evening at 6pm. It is time to honour those we have lost and make plans for the future. Food and wine will be provided for all.

The second Sirius walked through the door; James started towards him.

“Prongs, I swear to Merlin if you give me a comforting hug, I will hex you,” he said menacingly.

“Can I give you a normal hug?” James asked with a grin.

Sirius didn’t have a chance to answer before James pulled him into an embrace, tackling him to the floor.

When the pair had recovered and straightened their robes, they went with Lily to greet the rest of the Order. Moody barely grunted in response, but everyone else was amicable if tired.

Marlene arrived leaning heavily on a cane. As soon as she was asked about it, she launched into the grandiose tale of her last mission – sparing no detail about how she was attacked but had heroically saved both herself and Dorcas.

“Sure, honey,” Dorcas said when she was done, her voice dripping with irony.

Marlene grinned and kissed her cheek before they were all called into the dining room by Dumbledore.

The table had been enlarged to fit all of them, and it seemed the Hogwarts house elves had been employed to cater the meal, as it greatly resembled the traditional Halloween feast, a slight oddity in January but welcomed, nonetheless.

Halfway through desert, the door opened. Sirius and a few others stood up, wands out, to defend from the intruder. Remus Lupin stepped through the door, looking dishevelled. He had been gone for months, since just after Harry’s birth. There were new scars on his neck and a long gash running across his face, barely scabbed over.

“Moony,” Sirius breathed, before pulling the taller man into a tight hug.

“Happy to see me, Pads?” Remus chuckled into his shoulder.

He didn’t have to words to express his relief, so he squeezed Remus tightly before releasing him and pulling up another chair to the table between him and Lily.

“Now that we’re all here,” Dumbledore called, standing at the head of the table. “I’d like to propose a toast.”

A few wine bottles floated around the room, filling everyone’s glass with their preferred wine.

“To those we have lost,” Dumbledore continued. “May they rest in peace, having died for what is right.”

Everyone raised their cups. Dumbledore watched as everyone took a sip, catching each person’s eyes from behind his half-moon glasses.

“Now that that is done,” he said. “I have another reason for gathering you tonight. Although it is undeniably important to honour the lives lost, we have a pressing matter. There is a spy in our midst.”

Next to James, Peter squeaked. Everyone turned to those around them, muttering.

“I knew it,” Marlene whispered, seemingly to no one.

“Because of this,” Dumbledore called, quietening the room. “I have spiked the wine with Veritaserum. Every member of the Order is here, and you shall all be allowed to leave here unscathed, provided you have no secrets. I will ask each of you in turn, and you will not be able to lie.”

“Start with Black,” Dearborn yelled from the across the table. “He’s the one with links to dark magic.”

“And his ex was just killed,” Fenwick added with a grimace.

“He has nothing to hide,” James called back.

“Mr Black,” Dumbledore asked calmly. “Do you have any secrets?”

“James, Peter and I are all Animagi,” he answered without hesitation. “Also I’m in love with Remus.”

Immediately, he smothered his mouth with his hand and sunk down in his chair. The words had been forced out of him before he could stop them. Beside him, Remus was having a similar reaction, blushing furiously, and muffling any words being forced from his own mouth.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and with a slight chuckle, continued.

“Thank you, Mr Black, you are cleared. Mr Lupin, is there anything you have been hiding?”

“I’ve been spying on the werewolves,” he said quickly. “And I’ve been in love with Sirius since fifth year and I broke James’s favourite mug months ago and hid it from him and…”

Lily covered his mouth for him before he could continue. She gave her a small grateful look.

“Perhaps I should be more direct in my questioning,” Dumbledore said, clearly amused. “Mrs Potter, you’re next. Are you the spy?”

“No,” she said easily.

“Mr Potter, are you the spy?”

He scoffed before saying, “no.”

“Mr Pettigrew, are you the spy?”

“Yes,” Peter choked out.

Fifteen wands were on him in half a second, everyone except Dumbledore had moved. He squeaked looked at James pleadingly.

“Try anything,” James dared him.

Peter took a sharp breath in and tried to lean away from James’s wand, only to run into Marlene’s.

“Fucking rat,” she muttered.

“Wait –” Remus started.

Peter grinned at Marlene.

“Exactly right,” he said before transforming into Wormtail and scurrying under the table.

Within seconds, Sirius and McGonagall transformed and sought him out, tracking him around the room as Remus barricaded the door.

McGonagall was triumphant, dropping the rat into Dumbledore’s hand with a smug look at Padfoot. The rat was placed in a cage, conjured by Moody.

“Well,” Dumbledore said, clapping his hands once. “I think that was enough excitement for one night. You may all leave. The Veritaserum will wear off in an hour.”

The Potters Sirius and Remus apparated to Godric’s Hollow. James fetched a bottle of Firewhiskey and poured them each a glass.

“Fucking rat,” he muttered darkly. “We should’ve known.”

“To Wormtail Sirius said, raising his glass. “May he rot in Azkaban.”

The group solemnly raised their glasses and took a sip. They finished to bottle as the night went on. James disappeared when Harry started crying, Lily shortly after to sleep, offering Sirius and Remus the guest bedroom for the night.

“So,” Sirius said, after they had sat in silence for too long. “Werewolves?”

Remus chuckled and set down his glass.

“Werewolves, yes,” he said. “Not where I was expecting that sentence to go.”

Sirius put down his own glass and turned to Remus, inching ever so slightly closer.

“No?” he teased. “Where were you expecting it to go?”

“Somewhere romantic, preferably,” Remus said, leaning closer.

“Well, Moony,” Sirius said, against his lips. “Would you like to go somewhere romantic with me?”

Remus didn’t respond, choosing instead to press his lips to Sirius’s in a gentle kiss and tangle his fingers in Sirius’s hair. When they broke apart, their foreheads were still pressed together, their noses just touching.

“Preferably,” Remus whispered.

[dontmindifidontt]

EARLY MORNINGS AND OVERTIME | Chapter 3: Nanami's POV

Pairing: Nanami Kento x Reader (fem, first person pov) Word count: 1873 Fic Summary: A smutty fic in which Nanami Kento brightens up the mundane, flour-dusted life a college dropout working in a bakery. Chapter Summary: That Day from Nanami's pov. Warnings: None yet.

Read on AO3. Masterlist. Please feel free to ask me to correct anything in the above info, this is my first fic and I want to be sure I’m following all fic-posting etiquette. Ty!

11 am. That day.

Phone calls with angry clients. Emails with angry clients. More calls. More clients. Still angry. Pacing back and forth in the cramped office kitchen waiting for the coffee to brew. More emails. Another call, this time with a not so happy investor. Checking the clock. Still waiting for that coffee. Still only sticking around in this job for the money.

I lean back in my chair and drum my fingers atop my nearly bare desk, resting my chin in the palm of my other hand. If I quit now, I begin to muse, I'd have saved up enough to last me a few years before needing to find work elsewhere. No, I wouldn't want to return at all. I need to wait longer so I can be out for good. Though I don't know how much longer I can take...

Check the clock again, it's 11:50am. The slightest twinge of excitement escapes through the deafening exhaustion in my brain: it's almost lunch. I figure I'll grant myself the short break to think it over and come back to my desk with a clear mind.

I rise and sling the grey jacket of my suit back on, pushing my chair in and quickly making way for the elevator. It's Friday and my usual spot for lunch has stopped selling my go-to, so I ought to try somewhere new. Perhaps it wouldn't kill me to buy from an actual bakery, it's not like I can't afford to stray from my usual convenience store.

The walk isn't far, but I take the time to consider my options, consider my future. All I want is to live life on my own time, without distraction from work or other people's problems. Everywhere I look, all I see are problems. Money problems, loneliness, or even worse, all the problems cursed energy brings. I try to shut it out and stick to myself. I tell myself that's not my job anymore.

I spot the bakery ahead and the negative thoughts begin to clear from my mind. To put it plainly: food makes me happy, it's one of the simplest pleasures I enjoy. I can't help but at least briefly forget the problems of the world when I'm about to take a bite out of a favorite meal.

I pull the door open and step inside, briskly walking to the register eager to begin my lunch. Impatient, I clear my throat to signal I'm ready to pay - only to be met with a reminder of why I was so desperate to clear my head in the first place. Tilting my head to get a better view, I see it clear as day: a fly head curse wrapped around the woman at the register's wrist. In an effort to ignore it, I avert my eyes, only to meet hers.

She's a few years younger than me, though I immediately recognize the familiar look captured in her eyes. The look of someone who's tired, overworked, and waiting on the clock to crawl forward. There's something else in her eyes, though, almost a bit of wonder. Is that aimed at me?

"Just the sandwich, please," I say while taking out my wallet, trying not to stare. There's no denying she has a pretty face, a beauty that appears effortless or natural, even when overtired from what I imagine was a long week of work. How one person can manage to look so charming even when carrying around the weight of a fly head I have no idea.

I notice she looks to the side before she speaks again, as if she has to look away to concentrate on what she's going to say next. She asks if I'd like a receipt and I decline, still watching over her pretty features and beginning to feel badly she has to work with that extra weight on her wrist. I'm usually better at ignoring this... there's just something about her expression. I can almost feel a sense of silent, shared exhaustion between us. I'm sure she works just as hard as I do, and she does it with a curse hanging off her body, and yet here she is smiling up at me when I'm just a customer who makes her day even busier.

I can barely make it to noon on a Friday without threatening to quit.

I turn to walk away only to hear her voice call out behind me, "come again please." With that request, something clicks. I pause as I reach the door. I tell myself these next words are based not only off of my attraction to her, but also out of a want to help someone whose work actually means something. It wouldn't cause me any harm to remove that fly head... in fact, I'm sure helping her live a more comfortable life would end up positively benefitting a lot of other people in return. Her work brings sorry people like me even a fleeting moment of joy. "Thank you. I will," is all I say.

The rest of the afternoon I couldn't shake the thought of returning to the bakery. Not returning next week when I'd order another lunch, or even Monday morning when it would open again. I had to return today. But how do I just reappear to secretly exorcise a weak cursed spirit? I'd look ridiculous to the non-sorcerer eye. There needs to be another reason for my return. I could use the situation to my advantage and ask her out to dinner... It's a pretty selfish solution, I'll admit, but the excitement and nerves building up in my stomach at just the thought were confirmation enough. She had a certain glow about her despite the clear exhaustion of her work, I can only imagine how she'd clean up for a proper date.

It's decided then, I'll offer to give my help over dinner.

6 pm. That day.

I arrive at the door at 6pm as promised, with her appearing only a few seconds later. My prediction was correct - having changed from her flour-dusted work attire to a much less casual ensemble made her beauty bloom. Seeing her round the corner in a perfectly fitted dress and heels I had to hide a smile, she must have matched her attire to fit the occasion of my own.

After introducing ourselves I turn to lead the way, excited to share my favorite steakhouse with my date. I answer her question about where we're headed by stating I'd assume that she'd prefer to spend dinner somewhere totally different from a bakery.

"What's the opposite of baked goods? A sushi bar?" I catch her eye as she asked this question, and I see a gleam of excitement and joy that hadn't yet presented itself in the short time I'd known her. She looked so eager and somehow already grateful... I wanted this happiness to last. Sushi it was then.

"Now you've guessed right. It's just around the corner here," I answer while internally sighing in relief for knowing a sushi bar nearby. It's one I used to frequent in the evenings before work began to keep me at the office too late on a regular basis.

As suspected, the hostess recognizes me straight away and we're seated in my former usual spot. Sitting face to face with my date now, I can't help but stare.

She has her hair pulled back, accentuating her cheekbones and putting each beautiful feature of her face on full display. Full lips, long curled lashes, and an ability to stare at me with eyes that will me to hold eye contact without breaking.

"So, how exactly do you plan to heal the ache in my wrist, Not Dr. Nanami?"

I guess she wastes no time in getting to the point. I don't blame her, considering I'm still a stranger and all... I chuckle at the thought of how selfish this entire idea was of me once again. Taking advantage of a curse as an excuse to share a meal with someone this beautiful? I have to laugh.

I reply to her question with the the truth: that I'll distract her while I swat this weak curse away and heal the soreness. Though I wasn't expecting to do this so soon... I need to think fast on how to create a proper distraction.

In the brief time I've known her I have noticed her tendency to look away while deep in thought. I'm counting on my observation to hold true when I blurt out, "Why don't you tell me three things about yourself, and when you're done I'll do the same."

At first she's taken aback, but just as I suspected she instinctively turns her head to the side while deep in thought, searching for a response to my proposition. Now's my chance.

I raise my right hand just a few inches above the table, keeping it low enough not to catch any attention. With fingers aimed at the pesky green fly head I flick my wrist with a snap, sending it flying and disintegrating in thin air.

She doesn't get the chance to finish even the second item about herself before feeling a difference. I smile and ease up in my seat. She looks so pretty with that hint of amusement in her eye. I feel myself hungry for more... more of her expressive eyes staring up at me, pleasured and thankful.

It hasn't even been an hour and I'm enjoying her company more than I expected. Did I hear her say she likes to cook earlier? I want to keep hearing more about her...

"So you never finished," I offer as a means to continue the conversation.

As she shares more about herself I find myself relaxing more each second, soaking up just how comfortable I feel in this moment. I'm not worried about the problems of those around me, I'm not worried about watching the clock or wishing time would pass - for the first time in a long time I'm actually wishing for the opposite.

"So you stay out of people's business, and yet here you are providing unsolicited help to me along with asking me to describe details about myself over dinner?" she asks. I barely let out an audible laugh at the way she worded this - a fair question no doubt.

"Both of those things are correct, yes," was all I let up in my response. I could never tell her the true explanation behind this date, the way I used a weak cursed spirit to my advantage. I'd sound beyond unbelievable and absurd.

We continued to play slightly coy and stare back at one another, enjoying the solitude of each other's company. By the time our meals were finished and the check arrived it felt as if the day I experienced this morning and evening I'm experiencing right now were a part of two entirely different years. Can meeting just one person make such a difference?

I closed server's book with the signed check inside and stood to pull out her chair. "Shall we?" I ask while lifting my forearm for her to hold on to as she stood. "How about I walk you home?"

.........

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Thank you for reading! Please inbox me to be tagged or to say hi :)

[betterthebest]

Here We Go Again | An MJF Fanfic Part 5

Status: *Not requested*

Description: Bella was a teen wrestler working in the Indy circuit until an injury cost her her short career. She and MJF were friends turned lovers, turned strangers and friends again. What happens when she joins AEW to lead a faction with her ex? Will their history jeopardize their rekindled friendship?

A/N: This is an alternate universe (no covid :p) where MJF didn’t earn a spot in the inner circle. Hope you all enjoy my original story!

Triggers: mention of addiction

A week went by and Max hasn’t answered my calls. I wanted to discuss what we were going to do for the next show. I spent the whole week thinking about him and our relationship. Did I really lose him as a friend again? I wanted things to be different. I wanted it to be easier. We’re supposed to be best friends that could tell each other everything. He knows all the good and bad about me. He knows about my mental setbacks and how broken I really am. It makes me cry every time I think about him not being in my life in some way. It killed me to think that this could be the end. Why should he be my friend, I broke his heart. He could never trust me. I don’t want to hurt him, but it seems like I do without even realizing. 

For the next week I moped around my room. Tony texted me for the script the last few days, but I haven’t responded until today, Sunday. He called me cause I gave a vague answer. “Bella, what’s going on?” “I’m just not myself.” “I need a script, it’s late. Work with Max and get it to me.” Tony paused for a few seconds. “He’s being funny too.” “He’s not going to um...answer me.” I scratched the back of my neck. “Oh. Ohh. You two need to get here asap. We’re settling this. You guys have to work together.” “But...” “No buts, I’m sending you the flight info in a half hour.” He hung up before I could even answer. I finally got out of bed once the shock wore off and packed. Like he promised I received the flight for 6pm. I looked at the clock and saw that it’s 2pm. I rushed to get dressed and throw everything in my bags. 

I decided to go to the arena early. I needed to get into the zone especially since I only wrote a script yesterday. I walked though the hallways and stopped when I saw a shadow in the distance. The person went from a standing position to a seated one on the ground. I approached the person slowly. I knew security was tight around here, but I wanted to be safe. I stayed far enough away to get a glimpse of who it could be. It was definitely a man. I got closer until I could see who it was. “Orange juice?” I called out. He looked up and flashed me a smile. I sat next to him against the wall. “Hey Bella. Is everything okay? You were texting real weird.” I took a deep breath. “I’m just distracted. My mind is all over the place, I can barely form a sentence.” I brought my knees closer to my body. James looked at me with a concerned look in his eyes. He reached his arm out to me, but quickly pulled away. He probably didn’t know what to do.  “Is there anything I can do to help?” “I don’t think there is.” I shook my head. He reached his arm out again and slung it over my shoulders. I leaned my head on him. He reached his other arm out and held me in an embrace. His hand ran up and down my arm comfortingly. We sat in silence for a few minutes. I closed my eyes tightly or tears would have spilled. I didn’t want to cry in front of him. I don’t think he would judge, but I couldn’t help but guard myself. I had to collect my thoughts and decide whether I should tell him. It did have to do with James in a way. I only went on one date with him, but I think I owe it to him to say what’s on my mind. I don’t want things to go forward without laying things out on the table. I picked my head up and turned to look at him. He dropped his arm in front of me, back to his own side. His other arm stayed around my shoulders. “I thought I could go through this without some sort of feeling for Max, but I figured out that...I can’t.” James didn’t say anything for close to a minute. “You love him?” “I think I might.” “So go after him.” I looked back up at James quickly after I put my head down. I wasn’t expecting him to say that. I didn’t know what he would say, but that caught me off guard anyway. “Wait, what?” James chuckled, “Tell him. Maybe he’ll feel the same.” “I don’t think he wants to talk to me.” “He’ll just have to suck it up. If this is weighing down on you then you should let it out. Forget about him for a minute, don’t do it for him, do it for you. Take it a step at a time and if you need me, I’ll be right here to back you up.” He pulled me closer and pressed a soft kiss to my head. I needed to hear those words. My mind is just so full of all these thoughts that it’s actually giving me a headache. I needed peace of mind. “Thanks orange, I appreciate you.” “Anytime Bell.” We pulled away from each other and I stood up. He stood up with me to give me a hug before I go find Max. “Good luck.” I pulled away, “thank you.” He went back to sitting on the floor and put on his sunglasses which made me laugh. That’s the two sides of Orange Cassidy. 

I walked around and asked whoever I could see where Max is. No one had seen him yet so I went to catering. Everyone usually gathered there or the locker rooms at this time. I sat down at a table with some of the girls. I sat in between Britt and Olivia aka Penelope Ford. We all talked about random things that happened when we weren’t working. I wish I had a story to tell, but I just listened in on the conversations. About 20 minutes in Dustin came up to the table and tapped me on the shoulder. “Heard you were looking for Max. He’s down there now.” He pointed down the hallway to the right. I thanked him and made my way down there. I could hear him talking to someone else around the corner. I realized he was talking to Chris Jericho. My name was mentioned so I listened in. “You were able to come up with something?” Chris asked him.  “Eventually,” he sighed. “I did well with not showing how bothered I am about what happened last week. She just seemed so fine, you know?” “You still have feelings for her?” He paused for a few seconds, “I do. I didn’t think I would, but I do.” “Even though she hurt you?” Chris asked. When I didn’t hear anything, I peaked my head to see Max nodding. “How many times is this now? Twice? You said that this was like your breakup.” I covered my mouth with my hands. I couldn’t believe Max actually told him that. He doesn’t open up to people like that so it must be true. That was the last thing I wanted. Hurting him sucked. “I know Chris, I know, but I don’t want things to be weird between us. I have to keep this to myself and not let her on to anything.” “That doesn’t sound smart Max. Tell her straight up how you’re feeling. Things will be resolved much quicker if you’re honest. If you really love her, you owe it to her and to you.” He thanked Chris and I ran off down the hall in the opposite direction. I bumped into Britt on my way. “Hey, I was just going to find you. Why are you running?” She held my arms to steady me.  “I heard something I shouldn’t have.” “Is someone having an affair?” She covered her mouth with her hands.  “You always jump to conclusions, chill. Max and Chris were talking and it was about me.”  “That’s juicier.” “Ya think?!” “What did they say?” I told her everything they said. I basically said it verbatim. The conversation was so fresh in my mind it was like I was the one in it. I also told her about my conversation with James. She pretty much agreed with everything. I had to brace myself for what Max was going to say to me. I didn’t have much time because Max walked up to us. “I’ll leave you two alone,” Britt touched my arm and walked away. I looked up and Max and waited for him to speak. He let out a deep breath, “we need to talk.” “We do,” I nodded.  He didn’t say anything for a good minute. I could see the wheels turning in his head, thinking of the right words. “Come with me.” He walked to the utility closet we talked in just last week. He closed the door behind us and turned on the light switch. “Bella...” He still couldn’t form the words I knew he wanted to say.  “I heard you talking to Chris” I blurted out. He blinked his eyes twice. “You did?” “I’m sorry Max. I-I just I feel like a monster.” He sighed, “you’re not a monster. Bella ever since we slept together I’ve been thinking about us and where we were back then. You did hurt me, you broke me actually. When we started talking again I thought we could pick up, but obviously we never did.” There was a period of three months where Max and I didn’t speak. I couldn’t speak to anyone especially him. After a while I answered his call. I was still in a bad place. It got to the point where I took sleeping pills so that I would be able to calm my anxiety. I didn’t want to be awake unless I absolutely had to. I was able to hold a part time job though in the midst of it. I was taking the sleeping pills for about a year until I worked through things in therapy. I was lucky that I was able to stop and never look back. Max knew that and he helped me as well. “I always knew that I loved you, but a few weeks ago I fell for you all over again. It’s okay if you don’t feel the same, I just really needed to say that.” I tried to process everything he said. He’s in love with me. Am I in love with him? “When we slept together my mind went back to our relationship like you. I guess I had nothing to worry about then since we feel the same.” We got caught up in trying to be just friends and not making things awkward that we forgot to just be honest with each other. There was never an issue when it came to honesty. We just tried to be big and bad instead of just trusting each other with our true feelings. “I still love you Max.” A smile formed on Max’s face. I could see the weight lift off his shoulders and I could feel the tension I felt leaving my body. “So where do we go from here?” “I guess we’ll have to pretend to hate each other out there,” I laughed. He laughed and pulled me close to his body. “I guess so. It might be hard since I love you and all that.” He flashed his signature crooked smirk.  “I love hearing you say that.” I grabbed onto his shirt and pulled him even closer so there wasn’t any space between us. “You’re going to hear it a lot, but first, I want to hear it from you.” “I love you too Max.” He cupped my cheek and planted a soft kiss to my lips. My whole body shivered and my knees went weak. The feeling of his lips drove me crazy. Max pulled away and smiled, “that was great.” I laughed, “just how I remembered it.”

[gloomyhearts]

That's life || Steve Harrington

Chapter six

November 8, 1983

Y/N's POV:

"Y/N" I was about to answer a question in my lesson as Hopper stepped into the doorframe.

"Miss Henderson could you come with me?" I nodded and followed him into a small and quiet room.

"Okay do you know anything about Barbara Holland?" He leaned against the door.

"No why?"

"Were you on Steve Harringtons party yesterday"

"Yeah I was but only one hour because Dustin was alone at home. I drove with my own car"

His elbows rested on his knees and he bend further to me, "so you want to tell me what's happened?"

"I arrived at Steve's house *how long has it been since I was here the last time* and Steve opened the door and let me in. We walked through the house to the backyard where everyone except Barb sat. Tommy and his girlfriend looked at me a bit irritated but I didn't cared that much.

After a while Steve came back with canned beer and gave everyone a cane but I passed but Barb took one I knew she would drive Nancy back home but Nancy kind of drilled her to drink it. Barb tried to opened the bottle like every other with a knife but it hadn't succeeded and she had cut herself. I went with her to the bathroom after we were finished I went back home and Barb stayed there." I buried my face in my hands, "I didn't even know she's missed. What happened?"

"Y/N we'll find her I promise" Hopper is kind of a good friend to my mother but it isn't like Joyce and his "relationship".

Sometimes all the families meet and Hopper is there too; he always looks like he wants to kill everyone but he's the nicest person on this earth.

"What has Nancy told you?"

"I haven't spoken to her yet."

"Talk to her yourself. And support her, please" I nodded and walked out of the room just to see Nancy walking around the floor.

"Nanc?"

"Y/N. Barb. I know what happened."

"Are you alright?" I asked her.

"Yeah mostly."

"Tell me what happened, please."

"After you went home Steve took me to his bedroom and Barb waited for me to finish "it". She sat at the pool and when I went to the backyard she wasn't there anymore. It's my fault." I embraced her; all her tears are falling on to my shoulder.

"We'll find her" I let go of her and wiped  her tears away.

"I think whoever took Barb wasn't a human. It was nobody who lives here." She whispered.

"What?"

"Yeah maybe a bear or something else but not a human trust me."

"You're serious?" She nodded.

"I heard clicks like a camera but Steve said I should brush it off. It was only in my head. I went back there Y/N and there was something it was big and it scared me."

"Okay Nancy I believe you but was someone else there? To support your sentence" she just shakes her head.

Hopper came out of the room and looked over to Nancy and me

"You're ready Nancy?" She walked over to him and turned to me when I gave her a small smile.

When I walked to my car which was in the near of Steve's. I heard how Steve and his friends threatened Jonathan. It looked like a picture what was torned into pieces. Steve has thrown those pieces onto the floor next to Jonathan camera. He did not; he's such an asshole. I opened my door and get in.

A few seconds later Jonathan sat next to me with tears forming in his eyes.

"Everything's good?"

"No Y/N. Steve is such an asshole how can he think that he's the king? He's just threading everybody like shit. How can Nancy be with him? She deserves so much better"

"I know Jonathan. But you know how Steve was in elementary school. And to be honest I have the feeling that Steve and Nancy aren't really in love."

"Really?" I nodded and started the car.

"But it doesn't bother me anymore they're allowed to do anything they want and if they want to pretending a relationship so they do."

Ten minutes after leaving the parking lot I was at Jonathan's house.

"Thank you Y/N. See you around." We all know that won't happen.

"Yeah. See you" I drove to my home when I was greeted by a nervous Dustin.

"Hey Dusti. What happened?"

"What? What happened?"

"Why are you acting so weird "

"Mm nothing. Really nothing."

"Dustin. You promised something."

"Okay so. Mike Lucas and me went searching for Will but we found a girl. Eleven. She said she would know where Will is."

"You did what?! You can be happy that mom or dad aren't here. You would get so much trouble."

"Yeah I know and I'm really sorry but this girl. She has powers" what?

"Yeah trust me. She has telecinese powers like"

"Yeah I understood but where did you guys found her?"

Dustin rubs his neck, "the forest"

"Next to Wills house?"

"Yeah"

"Where is she now?"

"At Mikes"

"you meet them tomorrow?"

"Yeah we meet at his."

"I'm coming with you"

"Y/N no that's no Jesus we're boys"

"Yeah and Mike has a girl in his basement. I'm coming with you" Dustin frowned because of me; because I'm embarrassing.

"I don't care what you think Dustin." I smiled and walked to my room.

I did my homework and was currently cuddling with meows on my bed.

"Y/N" I got called from downstairs.

"What?" I began to walk towards the stairs.

"What Dustin?" The frint door was opened.

"Steve? What the heck?" The second time? What's he doing here?

"Y/N" he hasn't spoken my name in years.

"You're friends with Nancy right ?" I nodded. "So she's kind of mad of me. Maybe you can talk to her."

"Mm maybe."

"What?! Why what's so difficult" he shouted

"you're asking me what's difficult to talk to her?! Why aren't you standing at her door right now and talk to her? Why the fuck are you here Steve Harrington"

"I actually thought we can talk to each other again," his graze trailer down.

he what? Oh I would love to but I can't not after all what he had done to me.

In middle school school Steve did everything to impress Tommy; he even cancelled our hang out session; he threw food in my face; he had pushed me off the swing; he took my food without asking, I mean he always did but that wasn't like the other times.

"You want to talk? About what?"

"We were best friends and now you aren't even looking to me in the breaks"

"Do you know why?! Because you're with Nancy, you're best friends with Tommy our enemy. You just left me" after those words I closed the door and slide it down until I sat on the floor.

"Y/N everything's okay?" Dustin walked over to me. He found me sobbing and searching after breath on the floor.

"Yeah everything is fine Dusti. It's just that Barb went missed too" he sat next to me and embraced me.

"Why was Steve here"

"he told me everything about Barb" he just nodded. He can't know it.

"Y/N?"

"Yes?"

"I know that you love Steve." Damn.

"Since when?"

"Don't know since the beginning? And I think you two would be the best couple in the world" he hugged me even tighter.

"Oh Dustin if that would be so easy"

"I know. Life sucks."

"Don't say that we'll find Will baby Dusti" we stayed in this position a few minutes until the phone rung.

"Henderson's."

"Y/N?"

"Nanc? What's wrong?" Nancy was in the other end; sobbing.

"Steve. He's just... Steve has thrown Jonathan's camera to the ground. He know Jonathan is my best friend. And now I know that I was right with the click sound. Jonathan was there and he has a picture. It isn't a human neither a bear. It's strange..."

"sorry Nancy wait a moment" I hold the phone a few inches away from me.

"Dustin Henderson where are you going?"

"Lucas and I wanna study something"

"it's already 6pm"

"yes but this can't wait. See you"

"wait Dustin. Call me when you arrived at Lucas'" he nodded and left.

"So it was not human or animal?"

"No it was as big as a bear but it hadn't a fur. It ate a deer and then when I wasn't around it took Barb..." she began to sob more.

"Nancy. Please calm down. Talk to Jonathan clear things up. Talk to Steve tell him what an asshole he is and that it can't go on like this."

Dustin pov:

Lucas, Mike, El and I were at the quarry. There were ambulances and police cars and officers everywhere. My friends and I looked at each other until Mike began to scream at Eleven for lying that Will is still alive.

Will is death.

I grabbed my bike and drove. My feet drove me to the only person who understands this.

Y/Ns POV:

The door rang what means I have to stand up; I was halfway sleeping.

As I opened the door I was kind of surprised.

"Dustin what are you doing here. I thought you'll sleep at Lucas'?" Without answering he took me in a tight hug.

What happened?

"Dustin what happened?" By now he was crying.

"Wi.. Will" he could barely answer in between his sobs. His teary blue eyes are looking at me

"What's with him?"

"He.. he... quarry"

"they found him in the quarry?" He nodded and by now more tears are streaming down.

"Oh Dustin. I'm so sorry." I'm not the best in emotional support..

"do you wanna cuddle with me?" He nodded again and I took him piggyback into my room. I set him on my bed down and walked out of my room.

"Where are you going?" He asked frightened.

"I'm going to pee"

After a few I was back and we laid down in my bed and he quickly fell asleep.

[agathasangel]

you deserve to feel good all the time (sally mckenna x reader)

for anon who requested: “oh okay so me and my overactive imagination have a new autistic reader idea 😅what about reader and her parent(s) goes to Hotel Cortez. her parent(s) aren’t the best, maybe they’re kind of abusive and don’t accept reader because she’s autistic. well, Countess ends up feeding on her parent(s) so reader is left alone. reader finds out and maybe has a meltdown, but Sally is there and surprisingly knows a lot about autism so she’s able to calm reader down and help her through it. reader has to either stay at the hotel or go live somewhere else because her parent(s) were all she had so Sally makes the decision to have reader stay at the hotel and take care of her because obviously she would do a better job than Countess because Sally knows more about how to help someone who’s autistic. and reader ends up bonding with Sally too because of how accepting she was and her parents were never like that. i know this is super specific and you don’t have to do it, but i thought i would share in case you were willing to do it. 😊”

so yeah basically that’s the summary ^^ also this is kind of an AU because the timeline I’m using does not line up with the show at all lol.

Trigger Warnings for meltdowns, death, ableism and mentions of sally’s drug addiction

I myself am autistic (at least according to my therapist) and a lot of these reactions/experiences that the reader has related to her autism are my own or close to my own. Hopefully I do this request justice and do a good job and don’t oversimplify anything.

You ran through the hotel, searching for your parents, but they were nowhere in sight. 

Breathe, you thought to yourself, don’t break down, they’re probably just out getting food or something and didn’t want you bothering them. You just have a couple hours of freedom, you can let yourself enjoy it.

You tried to enjoy the few hours you got to yourself without your parents. Without them mocking the way you talk or walk or move your hands, without them grabbing you with full knowledge of how uncomfortable it makes you. No cracks about how you had to leave college because you “can’t take care of yourself”.

The first words your dad said after you checked into the hotel were “God, it would be so much easier if we had a normal kid, wouldn’t it?”

As if you didn’t have feelings. As if you weren’t a human being who could fucking hear them.

It was 4pm. Your parents didn’t come back.

6pm. Nothing.

10. No sign of them. Neither one answering their phones. Maybe they’re finally abandoning you the way they’ve threatened to for ages.

Midnight. Still nothing.

2am and you started looking again. You couldn’t find anything. 

What happened?

You started to panic and could feel a full-on meltdown coming on.

You tried to be still and silent, but it proved impossible. You began to cry and cry uncontrollably, rocking and hitting your head, unable to stop. You felt like your life was ending. 

Two women showed up beside you. One was older and appeared to be the manager of the hotel, the other was a bit younger, with crimped blond hair and heavy makeup. You barely noticed either of them, however.

The older one touched your back and you screamed. You hated when people touched your back.

“Hey, do you want to take my hand, honey? It’ll be alright, I promise.” said the blonde woman. You obeyed her.

“Wh-Who are you? Where are my parents? Do you know?”

“Your parents... died. I’m sorry you had to find out this way. It was The Countess..” said the older woman.

You couldn’t speak, but you had about a billion questions for the two women. For example, Who the fuck is The Countess?

“You don’t need to speak. Just breathe, okay? In and out, good. Good girl. I’m Sally, by the way. This is Iris. You’re gonna be okay, I promise. I’m not gonna let anyone hurt you.”

You waved, not knowing what to do, completely overwhelmed.

“You know what, it’s late. I’m gonna take her back to my room and have her rest. We’ll deal with the rest of this shit tomorrow when she can talk and isn’t so clearly exhausted,” said Sally.

“I-I.....can..... talk. It’s...okay.” you said, each word making you more spaced out and tired.

“No. You’ve been through too much. I’m taking you up to my room and you’re gonna rest. You don’t have to speak or do anything you don’t want to do.”

You followed Sally, so scared and tired and in need of some damn sleep.

“You’re safe with me. I promise. Here’s, um, the bed. Get some sleep. I’ll be right here if you need anything. The Countess doesn’t want to hurt you either, I think she wanted to- it doesn’t matter now.”

“Who is... The C-Countess?”

“It’s a long story and you likely won’t believe me until you meet her. But it’s alright, you’re safe. I’ll protect you. Can I come over there and hold you?”

You nodded. Sally got on her bed next to you and put an arm around you. You winced as she touched your upper back.

“You don’t like when people touch you there, do you?”

You shook your head no, and she put your arms around your waist instead.

“Thank you.”

“Hey, I understand.”

Sally made you feel more comfortable speaking and you said,

“My parents didn’t understand that. They used to touch me there as much as they could, just to upset me. They laughed at me trying to keep my wet hair off my back when I took a shower. They thought it was funny.”

“What does that feel like to you?”

“I don’t know. It doesn’t, like, hurt, but it’s terrible, it makes my skin crawl just thinking about it.”

“Aw, honey...”

“It’s dumb, I’m sorry I’m so sensitive.”

“Hey, no, don’t apologize. You know, you remind me of my baby sister. I loved that girl so much when we were growin’ up. I practically raised her. So God only knows how she turned out as good as she did. Our parents were terrible, they were never there. She was the only one who stayed with me. Until she didn’t.”

“What happened to her?”

“It was all my fault, really. I put her in danger. I sold drugs in the 90s, and I started using when we were living together. She was in school, and I had to find her somewhere safer to live. So I did. She’s okay, very successful actually, and she’s still alive. I’m the one who died young. I miss her.”

“You... died? What? I’m sorry, you-”

“Yes. I’m a ghost, The Countess is a vampire, I think Iris might also be a vampire now too? I don’t know. I know you think I’m crazy now but trust me.”

Sally saw your look of disbelief, then held out her hand and said, “Watch.”

As she spoke her fingers began to disappear and reappear.

“What-”

“I’m a ghost. I can alter the way I’m seen by others, if I want to. I’m surprised other ghosts don’t do it more often really. One time I scared some kid by making all my teeth fall out. It was awesome. I didn’t wanna scare you though. I like you.”

“Thanks?”

“Sorry, I-”

“No, it’s- um, how did you die?”

“Iris fuckin’ pushed me out the window.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah.”

“What was your sister like?”

“She was the best. Sweet, talented, sensitive. But people didn’t understand her. I did, though. At least best I could. We only had each other. Our parents didn’t care, the kids at school bullied her relentlessly. I had to protect her. She sometimes had meltdowns like the one you had earlier too-”

“I’m sorry-”

“No! It’s not your fault! You were terrified. Anyone would be. It was pretty intense though, I was worried.”

“Was your sister autistic like me?”

“She was. We didn’t know for sure until after she stopped living with me, but we both kinda knew.”

“Oh.”

“Anyway, it’s almost four in the morning, you really gotta get some sleep. Come here.”

You did, and you fell asleep in Sally’s arms.

When you woke up, Sally was still there, as well as another woman, blonde and glamorous. They were arguing.

“What do I do then if you don’t want me to turn her? Kill her-”

“Please don’t hurt her, I can- she-”

Sally noticed you were awake, and saw your scared face.

“It’s okay, no one’s gonna hurt you. I’ll protect you.”

The blonde woman who you assumed was The Countess approached you.

“Do you have anywhere to go?”

You shook your head no. Sally spoke up for you, intuiting that you must be stressed.

“She can stay with me. I’ll make sure she’s safe. She won’t bother you or anything. She’s sweet and quiet and-”

“Sally, it’s okay. You want her, you keep her.” said The Countess.

“Alright. Thanks. Can you get out of my room now? You’re freaking her out.”

She left without saying a word.

“I’m sorry about that, (y/n). You’re safe here. You can stay as long as you need to. I’ll be here. This is a dangerous place but I’ll make sure you’re safe, alright?”

“Okay.”

You still felt sad. Not about staying with Sally, you liked her, but about the way The Countess talked about you. The way your parents talked about you. 

“Hey. I just want you to know that I don’t see you as some kind of pet or anything. I know that’s what you’re thinking, that’s how people treated my sister sometimes too. It was awful. No, I just want- I just want you to be okay. I want someone to spend time with. it’s awful lonely being a ghost, but I thought maybe if-”

“I understand, Sally. I like you a lot, and I want to stay here. It’s just sad the way most people see me.”

“It isn’t your fault, you know. I need you to know that.”

“I do. You make it easier to feel okay because you’re so nice to me.”

“I’m glad. You deserve to feel good all the time.”

You started to tear up a bit. No one had ever said that to you before. You were always expected to make yourself uncomfortable, speak when you didn’t want to, shut up when you wanted to talk, wear clothes that pinched, let people touch you when it made your skin crawl, and you were still made fun of because still, somehow, none of it was enough. But with Sally you didn’t have to do any of that, and yet you still felt loved by her in a way that you never have been before.

“Aw, hey, don’t cry. You’ll be okay. I’m gonna make sure of it. I can’t actually leave the hotel, but I can make sure you get everything you need. Are you a picky eater by any chance?”

“A little bit, but not as much as I used to be.”

“Alright. And you’re good on clothes?”

“I think so.”

“Good. I’ve gotta say, I’m excited. It’s been so long since I’ve felt a real connection to anyone here.”

“You really feel a connection with me?”

“Yes, honey, I do. Do you.... feel the same way?” Sally asked you. She said it as if she was worried you may say no.

“I do, Sally. I really do. I know how it feels to be lonely like you are. It’s how I’ve felt my whole life. Maybe... I...”

“Maybe you’ll learn to love it here. Once you’re comfortable I’ll introduce you to the other ghosts. They’re annoying, but we’re still a family or whatever it is they call it. They’ll like you. I promise.”

You spent the rest of the day in Sally’s room with her, barely talking, not really even needing to talk. She was the one who broke the silence by telling you

“I like this. Just being here.”

“Me too.”

“I want to kiss you. Can I?”

“Yes.”

You had never been kissed before, but you let Sally be your first. You felt so... loved by her as she kissed you and held you lightly by your waist.

You stayed in the hotel with Sally, and it quickly felt more like home than anywhere else you’ve ever lived. You became a part of the family, and you and Sally fell deeper in love. Sally protected you, knowing the dangers of the hotel, and made sure you felt okay. Your meltdowns became far less frequent as you were no longer being forced to be someone you weren’t.

[moldisgoodforyou]

march madness

this is dedicated to @sunnypogue​ and @oopmyheartwent-obx​ because they’re the homies and I said so 

wordcount: 2.2k

warnings: cursing, I didn’t edit this for shit, mentions of sexual situations

____

Every year, the Delt house held a March Madness bracket competition. There were cash prizes involved and it was taken extremely seriously, only significant others were also invited to participate (no hookups allowed, unless the hookup was consistent enough to stick around through the end of the tournament in April). James was in charge this year as brotherhood chair and was taking it to the next level, upping the buy-in and scheduling several watch parties throughout the month. 

When Rafe casually let it slip that he was participating, Sophie’s interest was piqued right away. They were all hanging out in his room, Sophie’s legs draped across his lap while Rafe kept a constant touch on her ankle, her calf, anything.

“Can I do it with you guys?”

“Well...” Rafe trailed off, trying to think of any excuse possible. He knew Sophie’s competitive nature to a tee and was already predicting the fight that’d come of it.

Unfortunately for him, James loved nothing more than seeing Rafe lose in the tournament every year. “Yeah, of course you can. Why not?”

Rafe winced and Sophie caught it immediately, furrowing her brow. “Yeah, Rafe, why not?”

“No reason.” He squeezed her ankle and gave her a little smile. She merely raised her eyebrows back, skeptical, and started googling on her phone, pulling up a few sites.

“What are you looking for?” Rafe asked, leaning over to see.

She quickly moved her phone out of his reach. “None of your business.”

“Sophie, c’mon.”

“Jeez, Sophie, is he always this whiny?” Colin teased and Sophie laughed, clicking her phone off. “You should know, you live with him.”

“Nah. He’s different around you. Softer.” James reached over and ruffled Rafe’s hair, causing a mini scuffle between them.

“Yeah, see, he’s always aggressive with us.” Colin pointed out.

“He could stand to be a tiny bit more aggressive with me.” Sophie mumbled under her breath with a smirk, just loud enough so only Rafe could barely make out what she said. He whipped around, eyes wide. “What did you say?”

She grinned and batted her eyelashes innocently. “Nothing. When can we fill out our brackets?”

“They’re due in three days.” James told her, handing her an extra blank bracket from his desk. Sophie accepted it with a thank you and stood, not before kissing Rafe on the cheek. “Looks like I have some work to do then.”

“It’s not that complicated, Soph, you can just pick it on, like, jersey colors or mascots or whatever.” Rafe told her carelessly. She kept up with Ohio State sports and knew the rules of the game, but didn’t really seem to care otherwise. She’d prioritize alone time in the architecture studio for big games sometimes, or study through a tailgate instead of watching the other games on air that day. What Rafe failed to remember is that she was also extraordinarily stubborn, and always determined to win.

“I’m not just going to throw my money away. I need to research.”

He laughed. “When have you ever researched before a game in your life?”

With that she flicked him in the head, scowling. “I’ve never needed to before. Have you filled yours out yet?”

Rafe went to bat her hand away a moment too late, letting out a little yelp. “Hey! No, I’m just going to fill out the day before. Let the experts help me out.” He gestured to the TV, where ESPN hosts droned on in the background. 

“Hm.” She gathered her things and Rafe leaned over, tugging at the sleeve of her jacket. “No, wait, stay. We can do it together, if you want?” 

“And let you cheat off me? Absolutely not.” She fixed him with a scrutinizing look. “Why, need someone to tell you whether the green or red team is better?”  

He laughed. “No, baby, I’m not just gonna wing it.” 

Even James could feel the annoyance radiating from Sophie in the moment and he face-palmed behind her back, anticipating her response. She frowned at Rafe, arms crossed. “So why would I just wing it?” 

“Well that’s - that’s not what I meant -” He hastily backtracked. 

“Smooth.” Colin muttered under his breath, shaking his head. She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure. Now if you’ll excuse me, darling, I have some work to do.” The pet name held absolutely no affection to it, hurled like an insult instead. 

“Darling? Huh? Sophie, I didn’t mean it like that -” Rafe started again and she leaned over, kissing him shortly to cut him off. “Sure you didn’t. When do we hand them in, James?” 

“6pm, Friday. Hard deadline.” He responded cheerfully. 

“I’ll have it to you tomorrow.” She grinned and gave them all a little wave before leaving, ignoring Rafe’s small noise of protest. It wasn’t til she had hardly stepped out of the house to walk home when she had three texts from James with individual links to stats from prior tournaments and comparisons of each team’s performances throughout the season. 

James: If Colin and I can’t knock his ass out, I’d want you to do it 

Sophie: :) I’ll accept the honor 

The next day, Rafe was entirely unbothered by Sophie’s participation in the bracket challenge, after she had reassured him that she was mainly teasing about his comments. She also knew the exact time the Bracketology show aired on ESPN, as well as the shows on other networks, and made it her mission to distract him at every opportunity possible. 

She was over again the next day while James and Colin were busy, so they had the room to themselves. Sophie had brought over her homework, like usual, and the two were just enjoying each other’s company for a while - until she noticed Rafe pull out his bracket, completely blank. “You’re not done yet?” 

“Huh? No, the ESPN show’s about to be on. Do you mind if I keep the volume low?” He reached for the remote. “That’s fine, I just have a few questions left on this.” She purposely made a show of stretching her arms high, the hem of her cropped sweater lifting just enough to show a flash of her lacy bralette. 

He stopped in his tracks, clearly eyeing her over. “Your sweater’s short.” 

She hid a smirk, giving him a confused look instead as she tugged the hem back down. “Is it?” 

“You said you have how many questions left?” Rafe tried curling his hand around her hip and pulling her close, but she swatted his hand away. “Just five, but they’re long answer.”  

“Just five.” He nodded to himself and turned the TV, remembering why he had gotten his bracket out in the first place. She kept her head down, working as she listened to the hosts’ banter for a few minutes. When they started actually getting into the bracket predictions, Sophie rolled her shoulders, then tilted her head to crack her neck. “Rafe?” 

“Mm?” He replied, half paying attention to her as he scribbled out some of the early game decisions. 

“Do you mind rubbing my shoulders? They’re killing me.”  

“Course not, c’mere.” He turned on the couch to face her, keeping the bracket and pen in his lap. 

She didn’t waste any time pulling the sweater over her head, letting it drop to the floor as she moved to sit closer to him. He laughed, loud. “What was that for?” 

Sophie glanced at him over her shoulder, moving her hair to expose her back fully. “Figured it’s easier to massage on bare skin than through a bulky knit sweater.” 

She had fully captured his attention now, and he ran a finger down her spine, grinning. “Just a shoulder rub?” She was glad to be facing away from him, unable to hide her eye roll. “Mind out of the gutter. Just a shoulder rub.” 

Rafe nodded but couldn’t resist placing a few kisses along her bare shoulder before massaging her shoulders, pressing hard. When she noticed his massage got weaker as he got more distracted by the TV, Sophie let out a breathy moan. It sounded horribly fake even to her ears, but got his attention right away. 

“Soph.” He warned. 

“Hm?” She questioned, wincing as she faced away from him, hoping she sounded innocent enough. 

Lucky for her, Rafe was pretty clueless to the motives of her game. “You can’t say just a shoulder rub then make sounds like that.” 

“Sorry, sorry.” She grinned. “I’ll be good for you.” 

“Sophie.” 

“Rafe.” She mimicked, turning back around and finally giving him an eyeful of her chest. He groaned and pulled her onto his lap immediately, hands going straight to her waist. “Sure you need to finish your homework?” 

She grinned. “How long are James and Colin gone for?” 

“Uh...” He glanced toward the door, at the TV, then at his watch. “We have an hour.” 

Sophie stood, blocking the TV, and held both her hands out. “Let’s take advantage of it then.”  

_ 

Her plan worked perfectly over the next three days, right up until the deadline for turning in the bracket. It laid forgotten on his desk while they made out on his bed, lazy kisses shared as their hands wandered. James barged in with only a single, split-second knock. “Hope you have your clothes on!” 

(They both did - they had almost been caught once and Sophie always triple checked the lock before taking her shirt off after that.) 

Rafe groaned and threw his pillow at James. “Give us a fucking warning, dude!” 

“Bracket’s due in five. You finished yet?” 

“Oh shit.” Rafe sat up immediately, glancing around for it. “No, I’ve been busy.” 

Sophie held back a smirk. “I think it’s on your desk.” 

“Did you ever finish yours, Soph?” Rafe asked as he got up to scramble for a pen. Unfortunately for him, she had taken all of them over the last few days - not a hard task, because he only owned four. 

“She turned hers in two days ago. It’s like, annotated and shit. You have four minutes now.” James tapped his watch, then decided to take pity on him and toss him a pen from his own desk. 

Rafe frowned, frantically filling out the bracket. “Annotated? With what?”  

She shrugged. “Stats to help me out.” Sophie leaned over, watching him fill out his choices. “Texas Tech is red and Purdue is gold, I think you should pick Purdue there. Gold is a fun color.” 

James snorted. “Two minutes, Cameron.” 

“Fuck, okay.” Rafe finished it quickly and handed it over, but Sophie grabbed it out of his hands first. 

“Wait, you picked Michigan to win? God, Rafe, do you have no loyalty?” She was violently offended, disbelieving of her eyes. 

“They’re a solid pick!” 

“They’re our fucking rivals!” 

He laughed and grinned, smug, as he remembered the nickname she had tried to use against him days earlier. “I’m playing to win here, darling. You didn’t seriously pick Ohio State to win, did you?” 

“I picked Villanova, thank you very little.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

“Oh.” He was surprised at her logical pick, which irked her even more. “Well, I don’t have the emotional attachment like you do here.” 

“You’d think two and a half years of school would be enough. Don’t need your parents as alumni to do that.” 

“She makes a point.” James chimed in, thoroughly entertained by the arguing, but made his way toward the door to collect other brackets. “Dude, you’ve had weeks to work on this, what happened?” 

“I don’t know, every time I’ve turned on ESPN to watch I...” He trailed off, thinking.

James shook his head and made his exit, making a point to securely shut the door behind him. 

Rafe finally put two and two together and pointed an accusing finger at Sophie. “You sabotaged me!” 

She grinned, giving herself up right away. “Yeah, what of it?” 

“That’s so low.” Rafe shook his head, scowling. 

Sophie laughed, sitting up on her knees and leaning forward to smirk at him. “Yeah? What are you gonna do about it?” 

He stood at the edge of the bed and placed both palms on her knees and slid them up her legs, leaning over her. “You don’t really think you’ll win, do you?”

“Might not, darling, but at least I’ll beat you. You screwed up on several brackets, by the way.” She met him with a kiss, nipping teasingly at his lower lip.

“Huh?” He mumbled against her lips. 

“Wichita State plays Marshall, not West Virginia, and Auburn plays Charleston. Not Clemson. So that’s already two games you’ve lost.” She grinned as he curled his fingers into her thighs and stood up on her knees to kiss him harder, locking her hands to rest behind his neck.  

“And you didn’t correct me once. I can’t believe you.” He slid one hand up to squeeze her ass, laughing when she let out a small squeak of surprise.  

“Cameron.” She tried pulling him down to the bed.

“What.” He didn’t budge, keeping a firm grip on her butt.

“Shut up and finish what you started.” 

“Yes ma’am.”