#mental health. and she really wants to live with her man; and he seems great

[fingertipsmp3]

I think one of my closest friends is pulling away from me and I’m like 70% sure it’s all in my head but that conviction is dropping day by day because all the evidence says she does not want to interact with me. And it is absolutely fucking heartbreaking

[foreverisntenough]

‘OURS’

Summary: You were his and he was yours but what would it be like adding one more? Thrust into a whirlwind romance you never could’ve imagined that became your forever love. You continue building a new life across the pond with a very beautiful Scouser. A sequel to the ‘You’re Mine’ fic.

INDEX

Warnings: This series is 18+ and will contain fluff, suggestion, SMUT (unprotected sex,) pregnancy, parenting, mental health struggles, eating disorder, self doubt, body image issues, daddy kink, angst, alcohol consumption - not sure what else really… if i miss anything please lmk!

Note: Thank you for reading! Please be sure to like, comment, or message me what you think of the series! Try not to nitpick with any real pregnant/ baby logistics it’s better if you just read along happily :)

Chapter 27 - In Magazines and On TV | ‘Ours’

word count - 9.2 k

When you heard the doorbell of the house ring throughout the rooms echoing, your heart almost dropped. It was the day of your interview for British GQ. Trent had gone to training already in the morning and you had been sitting impatiently in your kitchen waiting for Bentley Brown to arrive for what felt like hours at this point since. 

“Hi, I’m so happy to have you. Come in, come in. Erm… it’s just Teddy and I here at the moment. Trent should be home a little later on. I apologize if she’s in the way, we’re not keen on babysitting currently but anyhow, can I get you anything? I put out a spread but anything really, I can get.” You babbled nervously letting Mr. Brown and a small team of people in through the foyer of your house. You had set up all sorts of drinks and light bites in your dining room for him and his team but you were just worried, no amount of preparation or niceties would calm you.  

“Y/N, we’re perfectly fine. Thank you for having us. I’m really looking forward to speaking. We’ll just have a conversation, keep it relaxed. Not to worry.” He smiled sensing your nerves, following you into your living room that you had meticulously cleaned and arranged to be set for the interview down to correctly aligning the large books just the right way on your coffee table.  

“We can sit in the living room. If that’s alright.” You sat down on the boucle couch in your living room pulling your legs up onto the couch bathed in sunlight. You sat there fidgeting, worried how the words coming out of your mouth would look in print. Suddenly the dark washed denim jeans you were in felt incredibly constricting. He came with a personal assistant and a camera as well as a sound guy to record the conversation. Tyler said he would stop by at some point to make sure everything was fine. He had already really managed the entire operation for you. You didn’t need a ‘manager’ day to day but this was a big opportunity so he was just taking care of you as his sister and organizing this interview. It was massive this was happening so you prayed it went well.  

You sat in the office of your home at a big desk in the dark illuminated by the your mac’s screen as you read the edit of Mr. Brown’s piece that would be going to print soon weeks later. You read line by line and tried your best to view it as a third party and not be critical of how you sounded in it. 

- article snippet -

'When I first met Y/N. I immediately thought what a beautiful woman. It was no surprise she was entangled in a relationship with a professional footballer. It took me by surprise though when Trent Alexander-Arnold introduced her as his fiancé, now his wife after a wedding in New York this summer. She was kind, polite, had an infectious laugh, and really seemed to have a way about her that left you wanting more. More of what you ask? That’s exactly what I wanted to know. What made the person standing next to a highly regarded athlete more interesting and drawing. That’s not to say he is not but she was a mysteriously demure yet electric and people noticed.  When she walked in, every man’s head turned. Isay this with great mind to the people they are but externally the pair turns heads. They are beautiful and beautifully matched with the other drowning in the luxuries of their lifestyle in a way that has you paying attention. There’s minimal logo mania or flashy pieces that are trending. It’s all curated and quiet, as are they. Timelessly woven and carefully chosen. I arrived at the newlywed Alexander Arnold home in the greater Manchester area. A large estate tucked far back on a property in a private neighborhood. The Liverpool fullback insisted that he ‘Just wanted a place with good bones’ but this place is much more than that. I had asked Y/N where she might feel most comfortable to speak with me and she was quick to tell me none of this was comfortable for her but she’d love to have me come to their home. That was her safe space.

Y/N sat on a boucle couch in their modern minimalist living room across from me. It felt like an ad. No, the photoshoot wasn’t today, this was simply her. When I had the chance to speak to Trent alone he shook his head in disbelief telling me that his wife ‘hasn’t got a clue the effect she has on people.’ I initially had a hard time believing him but became aware of her naivety quickly watching her adjust her posture that didn’t need so, her perfectly manicured hands pull at her glossed lip, even the way she spoke had you slightly transfixed and it was the innocent yet sincere nature of it all that had you hooked. She pulled her legs up onto the couch. In dark denim, barefeet, and a tank top. Her slender frame model-esque, the jewelry dripping off her clinking every time she moved exposing her very monetarily comfortable life. Although maybe not all that comfortable. 

‘When he’s away it’s difficult. I am, we are, so lucky to have the support we do from family, friends, and the club. There are mornings or days when he’s in another time zone and I feel like a single mum momentarily but I hardly experience what they might. It’s definitely a bit of a reality check when you feel frustrated and you turn on the Telly and there he is. You know when the final whistle blows he’s returning to you. We FaceTime as much as we can. It’s hard on him as well to miss so much time away from her.” Referring to their daughter. “We travel to games if it makes sense or aligns with schedules. When she starts going to school obviously that will change but probably be a bigger adjustment for me but we deffinetly spend a lot of time on planes and at stadiums.”

“What’s that like? Does it ever feel groupie-esque?”

“I suppose. It can be hard to take a step back from it all when you’re so immersed in it. I try to view it like any other job or career anyone’s partner might have.”

“But it’s far from that and I’d go as far to say maybe even slightly more rewarding.”

“True. I mean I didn't mean to say it to diminish how accomplished he is. I couldn’t be more proud of him. More in awe of what he does. He deserves what he receives. I was unaware of the hierarchy within the sport though. The separation of treatment of players and clubs so it’s all relative what is seen as a reward. I feel like he and our family is the reward as cheesy as that sounds. I think the fans, the media, the frenzies that ensue is when I feel most groupie-esque like you said. There’s definitely plenty of times where I get stopped at a door, asked who I am, all sorts of things because as much as we share a life together it is very much his world. As it should be.” 

“You believe that it’s his world. Not a shared experience?” 

“Oh it’s definitely a shared experience but from completely different perspectives. I’m not in the dressing rooms, I’m not on the pitch, I’m not at training. I didn’t put in the sacrifice he did and still does. I’ve always said, I think I mentioned this to you when you first broached this interview, I haven’t really done anything to merit the same adoration or affection and unfortunately the criticism he receives. I make sacrifices like we all do in relationships. I didn’t love the idea of a summer wedding but when he’s in season he’s in season and that’s the way it is.” 

“Her coquettish laugh echoed through their home and I hated to break that sound and her light demeanor but I wanted to know the answer to a hard question. 'Does that ever feel disheartening to feel that way? That football has to take a priority in his life.” 

“Erm… The thing is football is a priority because it’s our entire life, everything revolves around it but I certainly don’t resent that. That said, I’m human, of course, I have my days. I am really fortunate to live the life I do but just the same way I wonder about his experiences as he does for mine. He never has been an adult unknown.”

“An adult unknown… sounds like a book title. Are you saying that in a critical way?”

“Maybe I’d use that as a title if I wrote one. I identify with it a lot.'" The sound of her laugh returned. "Growing up in Manhattan you experience this unbelievable juxtaposition going from completely anonymous on the street to receiving invitations to galas.”

“Not everyone is receiving invitations. In part a reason I am curious about her and I’m not the only one. When you google Y/N Alexander-Arnold plenty of articles emerge about her and her husband. Mostly surrounding his matches, paparazzi photos, notably the ones that shed light on their relationship years ago in a Manchester club or on a yacht in Greece with the Bellinghams, occasionally a touch point on something they have chosen to share with the public but if you dig a little deeper a click or two further appears a very interesting read. The Y/L/N family rooted in the New York City socialite scene, a dynastic surname, academic accolades at her university, her mother a philanthropist, a career in fashion, her name mentioned in articles, Getty images of her at parties, and peculiarly she never mentions any of it at all.” 

“But no, not in a critical way at all. He just entered into the spotlight before he even turned 18. An introspective lens or spotlight focused on him. I wouldn’t say I got away with things but I probably did comparatively. He couldn’t have done the things I did growing up without scrutiny.' I smiled at her because her humility is both charming and glaring a lie. Y/N was far from what one might consider ‘out of the spotlight.’”

“Now you say growing up… You’re American as you said, manhattan born. Have you adapted or adjusted to life in the UK?” 

“I’d like to think so but there is always an odd day where I say ‘band aid’ instead of ‘plaster’ and my daughter or Trent will give me stick. Although, it wasn’t entirely foreign to me but also moving to another country comes with a lot more than an adaptation to accents and vocabulary. I’m fine, I think I am at least."    

Another thing that stuck out to me in my search engine deep dive about the new Mrs. Alexander-Arnold had been her English background but I wondered more about her present than her past. Trent arrived home in the middle of our interview. Watching their exchange felt like you were in a film. Their daughter Teddy 's bare feet pitter pattering to the front door eager to greet her dad. Trent quietly snuck into the room first greeting his wife. They were magnetic. None of it a show. Nothing contrived.  His hand held her face in a way that made you question what love really was all before he pressed a kiss to her lips. He held their young daughter in his arms and she wrapped herself around him. He adjusted his hold of her before shaking my hand apologizing for interrupting. This is what I was so eager to understand. The man of the house turned to his wife and whispered in her ear asking if she was okay. I was interested in the protective nature but I understood it from the viewpoint that he was no longer a footballer, he was a father and husband. She squeezed his arm with a kiss to his cheek. Teddy adamant about receiving one as well. Y/N returned her focus back to me with an apology. 

I managed to finagle a way of getting Trent to sit with us. Teddy was now comfortably asleep in her mum’s arms. They were picturesque. I sound redundant but it pings in your brain every time you blink. 

“I really didn’t want to sit for this if I am being honest, I want this to be for her. Not in believing I could take focus off her, I mean.’ He gestured to his wife still in awe 5 years in. ‘But I get to see her everyday. I understand how incredible she is and I think more people should know.”’

Trent said that and I wondered why the secrets then. Why the push for privacy. 

“I think firstly it’s a safety thing. It’s a terrible reality but we have to be conscious of it especially with Ted." Ted's nickname that they’ve fallen into the habit of 

“I definitely didn’t understand. I was offended at first. I’m not one for attention.’ The irony as she says that because she’s had everyone captivated unintentionally. I don’t know if you remember.’ She looked at Trent” 

“I deffo remember. You weren’t thrilled and I looked horrible."

‘You didn't, I just didn’t understand. I remember leaving Anfield for the first time and camera flashes flooded the car. It was so jarring. People talking about you, sharing your image in such a strange experience."

- end of article snippet -

You closed your laptop and sighed, that was enough reading. The article was set to be published in an issue come December and you prayed that what you just read and the rest would be perceived well. You did a photoshoot for the piece at your house as well later that past week. You laid on the same couch you’d done the interview on. Trent was lying beneath you shirtless in a pair of trousers. You dragged your lips up his abs teasingly. The photographer asked you to do it again, apparently it made a good photo, you seemingly tickled Trent causing him to laugh. You giggled with a smile keeping your lips on his skin as the shutters flashed in the big room with his hands on you. Another set of photos were taken in the kitchen with you wearing a pink shimmering sequined column gown with a center floral appliqué along its halter neckline. The luxurious dress was juxtaposed by the causal feeling of being in your kitchen pretending to be cooking in it. Trent held you in his arms dressed in a suit having a taste of a little something off your finger. It was sweet and cheeky and a funny play on what your home life actually looked like. In one other setting, the magazine had Trent run on the turf in your back garden with you dressed in a cotton Mui Mui blue set thrown over his shoulder with Teddy chasing after you two giggling away. The last shot of the piece was you alone upstairs in the en suite of your bedroom. You stood in your mirror leaned forward onto the vanity applying a lip gloss in a pair of jeans unbuttoned in a Sandy Liang bra top. All in all you were happy with how they turned out and still a little amazed that they were going to be published in British GQ for everyone to see. You idolized fashion magazines growing up so the fact that you were going to be in one was bizarre. You’d been mentioned in the Mail or the Sun time and time again with Trent since you began dating but this would be tangible in your hands, this was an article with quotes from your mouth.

In the following days, marking the middle of November, Winnie had flown over which was lovely. She was on her way to Germany to see Jadon. It wasn’t the most sensible way to get there but she wanted to see your little fam so she stopped over in England first. George popped over to your house as well after Trent had come home from training. You were currently cooking dinner for the four of you and a slightly modified version of it for Teddy. 

“What are we having for dinner, baby?” Trent asked, coming into the kitchen, Teddy trailing behind him in giggles holding onto his joggers. You loved cooking dinner at home. A lot of times you had Trent’s personal chef come over to cook for him because he needed personal dietary needs but when he could just eat as normal without a match the following day you loved to make family dinners. 

“Trent, you're an adult cook for yourself.” Winnie snapped, teasingly. She was just giving him a hard time, of course. That was the banter that was bound to ensue once they were in the same room. They loved the odd jab. As girly as Winnie was, they treated each other like they were brothers. It felt like you were healing a lot of things you never got to handle during your childhood from the family you had created. You and Trent were really close with each other's siblings and friends, so having things like dinners in your warm cozy home just healed a piece of yourself. You and Winnie didn’t get to have a lot of them growing up. Dinner rarely included your dad, he was traveling, your mum, usually moderating portion sizes and it was fairly often that either you or Winnie was missing from the table, busy out and about. 

“Oh fuck off, Win!” Trent quipped with a laugh cupping his hands over Teddy’s ears. She giggled not fully grasping that it wasn’t a game he was playing but that he didn’t want her to hear his curse words. You guys were very ‘pick and choose’ when it came to cursing in front of Teddy, it was a case by case scenario. Some days it was the end of the world if she caught one, other days you didn’t even bat your eyes.

“Teddy, do you like daddy’s food? Like when I cook?” Trent uncovered her ears and crouched down in front of her. You turned away from the stove and Winnie spun on her chair to listen to her answer with smug smiles. Trent didn’t cook all that often. It was either his chef or you making him food, it used to be Dianne but he could make toast or eggs, a pasta or something for Teddy when he needed to. 

“What food, dada?” Teddy asked him in return with her cute pout agape. Her brow furrowed. You think she was trying to clarify which dish he was referring to but the response was hilarious. Winnie was quick to laugh, you attempted to bite your lip.

“Ted, don't do me like that.” Trent laughed, palming his face as he shook his head in front of her. He pulled her into his embrace and stood up, picking her up in his arms. 

“Fine, whose music do you like better though?” He asked her with a coy smile brushing his thumb over her cheek. He flicked his eyes to George as if to say ‘see, I’ll win this one.’ Trent definitely fell into a more lenient parenting style than you. If Teddy wanted to listen to pop or rap as opposed to some children's bop he’d happily obliged especially if there were his friends or teammates in the car. 

“No, no, no! That’s not fair, T. You let her listen to things she shouldn’t be.” You yelped out pausing her answer. Trent whipped his head back to Teddy after he turned to look at you kissing his teeth at your interruption. 

“You told?!? You ratted on me to mummy?” Trent laughed pretending to be shocked. He gave her a faux surprised face or maybe not all that fake. He didn’t know Teddy had told you but he had assumed you’d probably know just through just a mum’s intuition. 

“Nos.” Teddy giggled. Trent tilted his head at her knowing she was lying to him. Lying was a no go in your household but it was cute the times that she did do it. “Georgey too.” Teddy giggled some more, hugging Trent around his neck.  George let out an offended gasp.

“Oh, so you’re not only ratting on me, you’re also ratting on George. Ratted on us to mummy.”  Trent laughed, kissing her, rubbing his big hand up her back. You shook your head. Trent telling your daughter she had ‘’ratted’ on him was as childish as it was cute. 

“Don't you cook for Sanch, Win?” You asked, turning your attention off of Trent, George, and Teddy’s conversation that turned more into them giggling away, Trent tickling her before he put her down on the kitchen floor chasing her towards George.

“Erm no? I’m not doing that.” Winnie raised her brow confused like it was an insane question. Winnie wasn’t the most domestic nor did she really want to buy into that lifestyle. It wasn’t of interest to her.  She didn’t need to cook, frankly neither did you, but you liked to cook.  

“Winnie, shut up!.” You were trying not to laugh. You always wanted her to take an initiative to learn maybe more domestic things but it wasn’t for everyone and you needed to accept that.      

“What? Am I not allowed to say that?” Winnie questioned you resting her elbows on the marble island counter. She picked up her wine glass and swirled the liquid inside of it. You laughed and then took a deep breath in. 

“I mean…” You paused picking up your own wine glass with a silly smile teasing her. George scooped up a squealing Teddy with a laugh, the chaos continuing on in the kitchen. 

“I feel like I'm watching a reality show.” George quipped, giving Teddy a few kisses on her cheek before he picked up his own glass off the island before the water on the stove boiled over its pot after you had left it unattended.

“We are in a reality show.” Trent answered him surely, wiping Teddy’s cheek, nodding towards the stove seeing the pot steam and splash.  

“Oh shit…” You muttered in a panic seeing the water boil over despite Trent’s calm reaction. “What reality show are you watching, G?” You laughed trying to imagine what show George was watching, you couldn’t picture him doing that. Trent and George would love to tell everyone they were above reality telly but you knew better than that. Maybe George watched but Trent, you knew for sure. Trent would cave. He’d linger when you’d put ‘Celebs Go Dating’  or ‘Love Island’ on and then find himself cuddled up with you on the couch watching back to back episodes peppering you with questions about what was happening in the series.

“We should have one.” Winnie chimed in with maybe some seriousness to her comment. You all looked at her in disagreement. She laughed knowing it would cause a reaction. 

“No. we shouldn't.” You told her firmly turning back to tend to the pasta on the stovetop. You could never invite that type of lens into your life.

"You'll look sexy in a magazine and I know you'd look sexy on tv, I've seen your videos." Trent cheekily whispered behind you, coming to cage you in front of the stove. You giggled shaking your head at his innuendo. Yeah, sure, he'd seen a video of you with him and he'd be the only one to see it. One magazine publication was just about putting you over the edge, a reality show…never. Trent could keep his videos.

“I hate the rain. I don’t know how you live here.” Winnie quipped shivering in the stands at Anfield. You sat covered by the roof but still out in the cold late fall air as rain crashed down onto the pitch. 

“Win, I think you’ve said that every time you’ve ever visited.” You cooed to her, trying to smile and ignore the horrible horrible weather crashing down around you. The rain pelted onto the pitch. 

“Because it’s rained every time I’ve ever come.” Winnie complained, pulling the sleeves of her sweatshirt over her hands. You laughed, shaking your head, then turning when you heard the big glass door behind you slide open.

“Look at this little reason though. Hi baby! Did you get something yummy to eat with Marce and Ty?” You cooed spinning in your seat to see Teddy in Tyler’s arms in her little black Mocler puffer jacket and tiny white sambas kicking. They had kindly offered to take Teddy inside to get a snack before the game. You reached up and grabbed her from him and plopped her down onto your knee. She shoved a packet of apple crisps at you to show you. “Oh my goodness! These look so good. Will you share any with mummy?” You asked her and she nodded with a giggle. “ Thank you, Teddy girl. Do you see dada? Can you wave hi to him? We’ll blow him a kiss, okay?” You spoke gently to Teddy pointing down to the pitch where Trent was warming up with the team. Teddy followed the line of your finger to find him with a beautiful smile on her face mirroring his. You blew him a kiss and he returned it. You kissed her chubby cheek.   

“How do you know daddy isn’t waving to me, Ted?” Marcel chimed in with a cheeky laugh teasing Teddy from his place behind you. Teddy’s forehead wrinkled. She tilted her head towards him in confusion before falling into an adorably cute but offended pout. 

“No, Celly. Waving to Teddy.” She corrected him crawling across your lap to get closer to him in the seat next to you. She sat in the red plastic seat holding onto the back of it staring back at him in disagreement. 

“Well, what about mummy then? Is he not waving to her? Daddy only waves to you. Maybe he’s blowing a kiss to us as well.” Marcel pushed his argument a little further, moving his face to be directly in front of hers, squatting down to her level, their noses pressing to each other. His smug smile frustrating Teddy.

“Oh…” Teddy replied, taking a pause to think about what Marcel was telling her, taking in all the possibilities. Maybe it was true.  “Waves to mama and Teddy, tay?” She cooed, correcting him once more that Trent was in fact waving to you and her, not him. 

“Oh Marce, stop. It’s for you, baby. Daddy is waving to his good luck charm, huh?” Dianne cooed, plucking her up from the seat. Marcel moved to take a seat next to Winnie with Tyler. You got up and moved to the empty seat Teddy was in towards Dianne. 

“Yeah, baby. You're daddy’s good luck charm. Think he will win today?” You cooed, wiping your thumb over Teddy’s cheek. You weren’t sure how much she really understood after a win or a loss so it wasn’t that she was particularly lucky for Trent to win a match but she was definitely very comforting to him after any result. 

“Yeah huh, mama. Dada win!” She yelped excitedly as the players began to line up ahead of kick off. She pointed down to the pitch excitedly. Last season she couldn’t really hold her attention all that long but now it was slightly better. You were able to have her occupied trying to ‘find daddy’ on the pitch most of the match, of course interspersed with plenty of snacks and cuddles. 

“Can you tell me what you think the score will be?”  You asked her, zipping her coat up a little bit more. She kicked her legs off Dianne’s lap playfully thinking for a moment. 

“Five!” She squealed with a giggle when you tickled her tummy. Five was just a number she was loving at the moment mostly because she was working her way up counting and doing simple maths. You weren’t sure why that number was sticking. It didn’t really pertain to the actual result of the match which was cute. She just wanted to impress you. 

“Five what?” You laughed with a big smile continuing to squeeze at her. 

“Don’t knows…” She giggled, not being able to defend her answer. The ref blew the whistle and the first half began. You kissed her cheek encouragingly accepting five as an answer to the what the score would be. 

“Who do you think will score, Teddy girl?” Dianne asked her craning around her, pressing her cheek to hers. 

“My dada.” She answered confidently, very sure Trent was the best footballer in the world. You thought so as well but you both probably had a bit of a biased opinion. 

“I don’t know, maybeee we’ll see.” You laughed. The likelihood of Trent scoring was an odd one. Like it was possible but you didn’t want to get Teddy’s hopes up. The game ticked on and you continued peppering her with silly questions until you had one for Dianne. “Di, what do you think about one more?” You cooed, turning towards her in your seat setting down an antsy Teddy trying to run over to Winnie, Tyler, and Marcel who were coyly provoking her from afar. You plopped her down and she took off. 

“What! Are you pregnant?” Dianne suppressed a shocked yelp, harshly whispering. You weren’t totally sure why but it just had been on your mind a lot lately. Teddy was getting older and you and Trent had always said you wanted more kids but you didn’t know when you’d do that and you wanted her opinion because her boys were fairly spaced out. 

“No, no, no, I'm just, you know, curious what your thoughts were.” You cooed calmly with a smile. The thought of having another little cutie running about at matches was really adorable but it definitely rang in the back of your mind how scared you were of the actual pregnancy. She gave you her opinion but it was fairly vague and encouraging. She just said she’d be there for you, no matter what happened. Ninety-five minutes later and Trent’s post match media duties later Trent made his way up to you all. He plucked Teddy out of your arms giving her a big kiss but Teddy was disinterested holding onto a pout, turning from him. 

“Ted, what’s with the attitude, baby? What’s happening?”  Trent asked her rubbing his nose to her cheek. She remained steadfast recalling Marcel’s earlier comments before the game. 

“Baby, have to tell daddy if you’re upset, okay? Can’t just be in a huff with him.” You tried not to giggle but her pouty face was kind of funny especially considering it was identical to his “Are you upset about who daddy was waving to before the match?” You asked Teddy and she nodded with a humph.  “Apparently, you blew a kiss to Marce.” You informed Trent since Teddy seemingly wasn’t going to. 

“Oh baby bear… Trust me that's just for you. I promise.” He looked at her, turning her head towards him by her chin then looking for Marcel in the room with a glare. Getting Teddy to believe something wasn’t exactly a difficult task so Marcel had convinced her fairly easily. “I’ve never blown a kiss to Celly in my life. Just for my Teddy, alright?” Trent confirmed bringing his attention back to her.  

“And mama?” Teddy asked Trent, making sure that you and her were the only people his pre match kisses were for. You thought it was sweet she wanted to include you. 

“And mama too. Just for my Alexander-Arnold girls, okay?” He cooed, pulling you by the belt of your jeans into him. He kissed your temple. You wrapped your arms around his waist and leant your forehead to rest against Teddy’s.   

“I miss you, baby.” You whined, dragging your body to lay on top of Trent in the cinema the day after the match. Trent usually did bare minimum after match days so he was just hanging out but you were desperately missing him despite him being at home with you. You were craving a cuddle with him. You nuzzled up to him saying nothing really, just snuggling into him. 

“Wow, hello, you. You haven’t been this cuddly in ages, baby.” He cooed smiling, liking your affection. He kissed your hair before flicking his attention back to the big screen running his massive hands up and down your spine.   

“I miss you so much.” You whispered again, hiding your face in the nape of his neck. You just couldn’t get close enough to him. You breathed him in and sighed smushing your nose against him.

“I’m right here, beautiful.” He softly spoke starting to gauge that you were in a bit more of a mood then he had initially thought  but he wasn’t sure why. He was right. You hadn’t been alone and this clingy to him in forever. When you had a baby with you all the time it was hard to drop your roles in the house. You felt like you had responsibilities and couldn’t let yourself be ‘babied’ by him. Time alone was so coveted and it was sparse but lately… you needed Trent. You felt lonely. “Everything okay? Besides missing me, everything is going okay?” He asked hesitantly knowing that he wasn’t exactly looking forward to hearing anything but that you were okay. You thought about it for a minute and tried to think if you were okay. You hummed trying to assure him you were before falling into tears. You were sobbing. You felt so overwhelmed. “Hey, hey, hey… baby. Please, take a deep breath for me. Don’t get worked up. I’m here, okay?” He hushed you, running his hand over the back of your head keeping you tight to him.  

“I just miss being yours. I miss you all the time and when you’re away…” You tried to keep talking but your sobs got in the way. He made you take a few breaths before you tried to speak again. “ I feel like I miss you more than you miss me when we're apart.” You whimpered out keeping your face pressed to his skin.Trent felt his heart drop into his stomach. He felt horrible you felt that way.  That wasn’t true but Trent just had maybe a more relaxed approach to being apart but of course he missed you. He hated being away from you and Teddy. Although that was half the issue, it was you* and Teddy now. It was a package deal and as much as you loved that and had come to terms that was it for the rest of your life, it was still an adjustment to make. Especially as Teddy talked more she was more of a person, you felt like it was a competition for his attention and  you wanted his all focus sometimes. 

“Baby, that’s impossible.... You have no idea how much I miss you when I’m away. A bed never feels more empty when I don’t have you in it. You know I’m a sap for you, come on. You’re everything to me.” He smiled, pulling your head from his neck to hold your face in front of him. “Baby, you will be mine, you are mine forever. Alright?” He whispered, ghosting his lips over yours. You nodded sheepishly. “You want to know how much I miss you, sweet girl? I go to sleep holding a pillow like it’s you, my baby. That’s how embarrassing you make me, alright?” He laughed at himself as you hid embarrassed against his chest.

“Really?” You giggled fairly happy even though basically he was telling you that he was upset being apart.   

“Yeah, I’ll embarrass myself for you, baby. I miss you so much. I think about you all the time. Don’t think for a moment. I don't think of you every second of every day. C’mere, sweet girl.” He cooed, pulling you tight in his arms, refusing to let you go. 

“Thank you for choosing me. I’m forever grateful I have you. I just hate being apart because I like being together so much. I love you with all my heart, T. My forever.” You whispered moving to kiss him. You pressed your lips to his with a hum. Every kiss with Trent was perfection. 

“Sweet girl. I know. I’m just the same as you. It makes it harder to be apart because of how good it is when we’re together. You know though, I can’t say it enough but I’m so lucky to get to share my life with you. Thank you for letting me into your life. You’re everything to me. Wish we could spend every day just like this. Keep you in my arms right here.” He softly spoke peppering you with kisses. 

“Will you watch Love Island with me please?” You scampered into the cinema to get Trent late one night a few days later before the show was on the telly. Since your little melt down in the cinema Trent had been so sweet making sure he was attentive but he wasn’t really planning on pausing his game of FIFA to come watch with you.

“You can go watch it. Don’t need me, do ya?” He responded as you laid over top of him childishly. He patted your ass with his big hand to send you on your way but you gave him a dramatic pouty face, rolling your lip. 

“Nooo, baby with me though. And you’ll ask what happened anyways please.” You whined kissing his lips a few times to try to persuade him. 

“Yeah, alright, alright. Fine.” He laughed, shaking his head knowing that was facts, he always ended up asking as you watched. You dragged him with you and cuddled on the couch in your living room settling in his arms as the show began. You watched about a half hour or so before you turned to Trent who was giggling away at one of the girls. 

“The accents throw me when they’re all mashed together.” You laughed with him at a welsh accent. 

“Baby, what? You’re around these all the time…” He questioned you, turning your shoulders for you to come and look directly at him. 

“But no, it’s different because it’s your voice and they are from Wales and all that or I don’t know. It just gets overwhelming.” You babbled trying to defend your comment. He shook his head before kissing the bridge of your nose then turning back to watch more of the episode.  

“Do you ever wish I was like that? Like with a full beat?” You spoke up, breaking the silence you had fallen into. You questioned Trent because you never really thought about your ‘look’ compared to some British girls, particularly like some of the girls on the show you were watching. You tried your hardest not to compare yourself to the previous girls you’d heard he’d been with and even though he was your husband now, of course you wondered if he liked your makeup, your hair, your looks, he said it all the time but you’d ask again and again. 

“Nah, never. I like you how you are, beautiful. I couldn’t manage all that though” He gestured to the screen. “Having boys trying to crack on with you. Not having that.” He laughed with a trademark scowl on his face. 

“My head wouldn’t be turned. Don’t worry, cute boy.” You giggled, kissing the frown off his lips. You couldn’t imagine the idea of going on the show but if you were there against your will, you definitely wouldn’t entertain anyone but him.   

“Better fucking not be be. You're with me forever, beautiful.” He chirped cheekily wrapping his strong arms across your chest from behind you, swaying you back and forth rocking you involuntarily side to side.  

“So, you’d you couple up with me?” You laughed smitten in his arms, turning your head back towards him with a childish smile.  

“You?” Trent laughed at your naivety, looking down at you. “Yeah, I’d do a lot more than that. Put another baby in you. How about that?” He spoke fairly calmly with a sure tone as if that was a real proposition but you weren’t sure. You giggled at the absurdity. It felt like unintentionally it kept coming up again and again. 

“Yeah?” You could only laugh. Was that something he had been thinking about? It came up here and there and you’d have genuine conversations but the last like concrete decision on it was to give you some time to chill after Tedd, which you’d done and then just kind of ‘have fun’ in the bedroom and if it happens it happens. Now, it seemed to be on your mind more and more though. If it happened, it happened, that’s all well and good but what if you really wanted it to happen? What if he really wanted it to happen? 

“Yeah, You’re not running about with little bikinis for anyone else. Snog, marry, pie. All your answers better be me. Your only option is to pick me.” He kept rattling on and you tried to play catch up getting lost in your thoughts of pregnancy and the whirlwind that would be another baby. 

“Pie?” Your brow furrowed when you heard that last bit. You didn’t really think he’d want that. The conversation snapping back to playful banter.

“Well, yeah. I don’t want some other man holding that much space in that pretty head. So I better be the only one you’re thinking about.” He continued. You just hummed and tucked back into him getting comfortable again turning your attention back to the show you just missed the last 10 minutes of so you were playing catch up there as well. “You smell so good.” Trent whispered resting his chin on your shoulder from behind you tilting his head to press his nose to the nape of your neck.

“I smell how I always do.” You tried to stay passive about his comment as you were trying ardently to follow a row kicking off in the villa on the tv. 

“Just take the compliment.” He cooed with a bit of feigned frustration in his voice. He wrapped his arms around your waist a little tighter and pulled you a bit closer to him, tucking his face entirely in the crook of your neck now. 

“You’re not watching, T.” You whined as he began to place soft gentle kisses against your skin. You could feel the goosebumps arise on your skin. You’d be lying if you didn’t take note of the stupidly sensual nature of them and the obvious downward direction his hands had been moving in. 

“I’m distracted, sorry, baby. Paying attention to something I’m much more interested in.” He whispered in a tone that managed to consume all your thoughts. You gave in and leaned backwards into him pushing him into the couch cushion behind him. You rolled your body in his arms to lay on top of him. You giggled at how charmed he had you. You were going to miss the episode but suddenly you didn’t care and you just wanted to hear him keep talking to you like that. You hid your face in his neck this time and he sighed dramatically. “Well, now you aren’t watching. Don’t get shy on me, baby. If you’re not gonna watch at least come gimme a kiss.” He cooed and you beamed, smiling against his skin but he couldn’t see that. You pulled away from him momentarily and adjusted your seat, placing yourself on top of his lap, straddling him while laying forwards almost entirely on his chest. You gave him a sweet peck on the lips as you held his perfectly pretty face in your hands. 

“Nah, nah none of that. Gimme more of you.” He rumbled dropping his hands to palm your ass and pull you forward on him more. You giggled and hid from him purposefully trying to draw out this playful version of him you were so enjoying. You laid your head on his shoulder hugging his body to you.

“Yum. So so yummy.” You softly spoke as you licked down his neck. You dropped your hands to his waist and slipped your hands under his t-shirt running them up and over his abs. 

“Show me that side of you I love, the one that’s only for me, baby. That you’d never show on tv.” He whispered, rolling his head to the side to give you more room and you took him up on his offering. You began to work small kisses, nibbles, and licks to the most sensitive part of his neck. 

“Maybe not tv but for your camera I’d do this.” You responded, working your kisses up his neck over to his ear as you spoke. You bit on his earlobe and tugged gently. He let out a groan and you could feel him push his hardening cock in his shorts into you. “T… I want you to do it.” You hummed moving your lips down his jaw before finding his lips with yours crashing into them with a hasty passionate kiss he wasn’t expecting. You had gone zero to sixty in no time. 

“Do what, beautiful? What do you want me to do for you?” He asked pretty coy considering he genuinely didn’t know what you were asking for. He knew it was related to possibly having sex right now but the specifics? Not a clue. 

“A baby, T. Put another baby in me.” You whined, dragging him back into a kiss. You night escalated as expected and in the following days since your Love Island love making, you had been all over Trent. You were horny* to say the least. It felt like you had just met him again. You were obsessed with everything he did and he wasn’t exactly complaining. You fucked in bed last night, you fucked in the shower this morning and here you were enjoying your morning in a way you didn’t think you would have been. In fact it was stupidly better than what you could have imagined. You were laying in Trent’s lap and by that you mean you were laying on your stomach, your legs spread open for him while he watched an F1 race and played with your pussy in the cinema. It started fairly innocent but then when you found yourself laid the way you were his hand wandered as you scrolled on your phone. He kept his gaze fixed on the tv and laid back pulling you with him by your thighs. You let out a soft giggle but neither of you said anything more. He just liked to do this. He massaged your thighs and then moved his hands to your ass and slowly but surely Trent continued to push your clothes to the side revealing more and more of you and was more than thrilled when he found that you had decided not to wear any panties, you were tempting fate. He was gradual but direct as he began to run his thumb in between your folds. He couldn’t stop himself. He couldn’t keep his hands to himself, you were magnetic to him. Your ass and pussy from this angle made his cock twitch but he was just relaxing. It was nothing more than just wanting to be close to you and you weren’t even paying attention. He played with you until you were a wet mess. You tried to stay fixated on your phone but this had morphed into some sort of competition. He drew his thumb away from you and you bit back a whine. He lewdly slurped your slick off himself coating his fingers in more of his saliva and moved them back to you to your relief, you were getting needier by the second. You weren;t sure what would qualify as a win or a loss but you were pretty sure both of you caved when he grabbed you by your thighs once more and angled your pussy up towards his lips. He slid his hands up to your hips and pulled your pussy to his pout, sinking his face into you fast but smoothly. You didn’t stop him. You would’ve never. In your day to day you felt the need to have some semblance of control but the second Trent drew near… you crumbled for him. His big hands kneaded your ass squeezing you to his face. And soon enough, his lips had found your clit, he had you under his command. He let out a moan of his own as he spread you open more for him. You grinded back into him desperately feeling yourself so close to reaching your high.  He ravenously ate you out. He made out with your body with zero shame. He was messy and hot, groaning, holding you securely, drinking you in. You tried to hold back a moan but it was a lost cause at this point. The way he ate you out was devilish and you just wanted him to keep sinning. You could feel his hard cock pushing up into your stomach from underneath you. He hummed and slurped hearing you finally whine for him. You just let him eat you out attempting to turn your attention back to your phone despite the pleasure coursing through you. He swirled his tongue around your clit as he dragged his fingers towards your entrance. You could feel yourself tumbling towards your release. He groaned, pulling away for a moment spitting onto your soaking wet pussy. He was drunk off you. Completely transfixed. He had no idea if the race was still on the TV and he really didn’t care.

“Good girl, baby.” He hummed. “You taste so good, just relax and let go, beautiful.” He whispered kissing and licking you all over. He moved his fingers to come back to you and slip inside as he adjusted his position to flick his tongue against your clit more and more. Your back arched as you pushed back into him, feeling your orgasm crash over you. You whined pathetically as he kept working through your high. You could feel him smiling into you. Your chest heaved as you came down but you were fairly quick to turn yourself around to come and face him. 

“Oh my god…” You giggled. “ So will you let me give you a proper thank you, T baby?” You asked as you outstretched your arms to his shoulders sliding your hands under his t-shirt. He shook his head trying to say no, although he had no plans to stop you, knowing you were determined. He moved one of his hands up to cup your cheek. You let him stroke his thumb over your skin before you pulled his hand from your cheek dragging it down to your lips. You kissed the inside of his palm before you wrapped your lips around one of his fingers. He watched you suck on his finger with his mahogany brown eyes following your every movement with a smirk. You released his finger and moved kisses from his hand up his arm coming to his chest. 

“Fuck, go ahead baby.” He hummed with a smug look on his face allowing you to slink down the couch placing yourself in between his legs. You looked devastatingly innocent and cute as you pulled on his shorts. You worked to undress him with a begging hum. In swift succession you were lost sucking his cock, working up and down his length, gagging on the size of him, loving the feeling of running your tongue along a bulging vein. Trent thrusted his hips up into you gently. “Such a good girl, baby. So good f’me.” He groaned barely holding up. You began to move a bit slower, feeling him get closer to his release. He narrowed his eyes on you watching you begin to tease him. You flashed him a cheeky smile. You swirled your tongue around him, sliding your hands up his strong thighs. Trent readjusted his position and reached forward to pull your top down. Your cheeky smile returned, smug that he needed to see more. He hummed seeing your hard nipples from how turned on you were from his tongue on you earlier and him in your mouth now. You whined as you watched his abs tense as you continued to work. “Gonna cum. Fuck…” He grunted simultaneously as you felt his release run down your throat. You smiled with a giggle and pure pleasure sitting back onto your heels after swallowing all of him. He leaned back onto the cushion running his hands over his face letting out a puff of air. You stuck your tongue out licking over your lips to taste him and to clean your mouth up. You laid on top of him childishly and moved for a cuddle as if you hadn’t just done anything remotely dirty.

“Want to see something exciting?” You giggled after a long while still tucked on the couch. You shuffled off him. You turned to stand up and he raised his brow confused why you were leaving such a comfortable place.

“What’s up, baby? Where are you going, beautiful?” He cooed with a smirk thinking you looked adorable readjusting your tiny shorts before running out the room.

“Hold onn!” You yelled back to him as you scurried out of the room. You came back into the room quickly with a few things in your hand. You plopped down sitting cross crossed next to Trent again on the couch. “Loookkkk!” You giddily squealed, shoving the things in your hand towards him. You showed him all your documents, your passport and driver's license  you had gotten officially changed to Y/N Alexander-Arnold.  “I forgot to tell you I finally got these!” You giggled surprised you hadn’t remembered to tell him the moment you did but you had just tucked everything away and got lost in the days since. That said, having his cock in your mouth had you reveling in the fact that you were now Mrs. Alexander-Arnold, reminding you.

“Oh my days. Wow that’s massive, baby. That’s so big. My girl.” He kissed your temple, taking your license from you to really inspect it. “Seems so surreal. You look leng in this, damn.” He laughed looking at a particularly good photo of you. You giggled cuddling into him. “All mine, even the government knows that, yeah?” He cooed and you hummed in agreement with a smile. 

•

Thank you for reading! Please like, comment, or message what you think of the chapter 🤍

Next part - Chapter 28 xx

[lokisprettygirl]

Rain to his Fire (Modern! Daemon Targaryen x Female Reader) (Non Canon 80s Au) (18+)

Read Chapter 12 here// Series Masterlist

Chapter 13

Summary: Daemon finds out that he was destined for greatness but it's not the journey he is supposed to take with you.

Warning: 18+, kidnapping, assault, smut, crude language, kidn description of Statutory rape, discussion of mental health (it's a fic based in a mental health facility), mention of child molestation, mention of physical assault, the fic would contain several mentions of several disorders like mpd, did etc, if something triggers you don't read, smoking

It's been a week since Daemon had rescued you from King's landing, you have had plenty of time to collect your thoughts in that warm cozy cabin of his. The dramatic change in your life, which was once so ordinary, has taken some time to comprehend. At first, all of it felt like a dream, however, as the days went by, you had come to terms with the fact that everything that has transpired was indeed real and not a product of your imagination. In just a few months your boring, mundane life has changed so drastically that it seemed surreal.

Two days after he rescued you he went back to get Caroline on your insistence, you had called her at the center pretending to be a relative and had instructed her to be at the terrace anyhow late at night, the door was barricaded but the locks were no match for Daemon's strength.

He didn't bring her back to the cabin though, when asked he simply told you that it was his special place where he came to recuperate and relax, he expressed you in clear words that the only reason he brought you along was because he wanted to share his home with you, he had been thinking about it for a while.

When you asked him whether he had the chance to go look for the book he simply shook his head in response and changed the topic altogether.

You had also been suffering through bouts of nightmares every time you fell asleep but he was there by your side, holding you close, making you feel safe, making you feel as if you were invincible around him and nothing would ever harm you again.

It was also getting harder and harder to keep your hands off each other and it's not that you didn't want to take that step further with him but a part of you always hesitated.

Things weren't exactly normal, you could pretend that you were on a vacation but the reality couldn't have been any farther, you were deemed missing and police had been looking for him because they thought he was the one to kidnap you, of course you wanted to go to the London police department and file a complaint against Viserys and Cole but Daemon convinced you otherwise, and at first you felt offended by it but then you realized that going to cops would only put him in danger since he already had a hit on his head due to the man he had hurt in the past.

“You know it's rude to snoop on other people’s belongings,” he whispered as he wrapped his arms around your waist and hugged you from behind. You were admiring his book collection in the living room when your eyes fell upon the dresser below the shelf, you were about to open one of the drawers when he interrupted you.

“Where were you ?” You asked him as you turned to face him so he gave you a smile and pecked your lips.

“Went to see Caroline” he answered truthfully, making your brows perk up with curiosity.

“Mmm okay”

“Wanted to check on her well being.. nothing else” he clarified even though you didn't need a justification, not really, she was a friend and he was allowed to see her whenever he wanted.

“That's not what I..never mind”

“What's bothering you?” he asked you as he caressed your head before he leaned into you to kiss you briefly.

“Nothing I just don't like being alone here ..in the middle of the woods with animals, predators and what not-” he couldn't help but chuckle as you said that.

“Mmmm you're living with one, you realize that right?” you rolled your eyes at the statement, he was anything but a predator.

“You're not an animal.. certainly not a predator, you are a.. very special man, kind and gorgeous and so rare” you mumbled softly as you caressed his cheek, making the corner of his mouth curve into a smile. He was always shy about receiving genuine compliments, the only ones he could digest were those that were sexual in nature.

“You look good in my clothes” he murmured tenderly.

“Mmmm they're comfy but i do need to get my stuff back, I left everything behind, everything that was important to me is there in that room or I'm afraid they must have thrown it all away” you sighed so he cupped your cheeks.

“I'll get them back for you i promise”

“You shouldn't go there again”

“Someday I'd have to confront him”

“I know..it's just not safe” he chuckled as you said that.

“I can take care of myself sweetheart”

“So I'm not supposed to worry because you can take care of yourself?”

“Don't mind me, I love that you worry and that you can't live a second apart from me when I'm gone” you wanted to roll your eyes but then he wasn't wrong now was he? “They have our posters everywhere” He said to you, making you sigh in response.

“I'm officially a missing person aren't i?”

He picked you up effortlessly by the waist and walked a few steps to the side to gently put you down on the table in the living area, the gesture brought an instant rush of adrenaline.

You did look tempting in his shirt and boxers and it was getting harder and harder for him to control himself around you when you looked as if you belonged to him, the animal in him wanted to be sated and pleasured, he wanted to love you and fuck you at the same time, have your body so close to him that nothing would ever seperate him from you but he sensed your resistance everytime he was around you, he sensed your hesitation, that feeling of something holding you back, he could smell your desire for him but he also knew you weren't ready to go all the way.

“I'm on my period” you said to him as you kissed down from his jawline to his neck, it wasn't easy keeping yourself away from him but there was this lingering feeling of foreboding keeping you on edge, you felt as if something bad was about to happen to you and you didn't know how to stop feeling that way.

A moan escaped your lips as he pressed his palms below your hips and pulled you closer to him. When you woke up this morning you were surprised to find a paper bag filled with sanitary napkins, painkillers and a bunch of snacks. He knew you were about to bleed soon even before you did, his senses were intertwined with your body in a way that excited you and terrified you at the same time.

He had the ability to make you feel so important and special that it terrified you, you knew you wouldn't be able to feel that way ever again.

No man would ever be able to compare or compete.

“You think I don't know that you daft girl?” he licked on his lower lip subconsciously as his hand slid up your back and he clutched your hair between his fist, his eyes glued on your plump lips, kissing you was nothing short of an addiction for him, the longer he did it the more addicted he got to you.

“You know I'm not young enough to be addressed as a girl anymore” you chuckled as you spoke and his lips did break into a small smile.

“You'd always be my girl, little darling”

“That's cute, you're cute”

“Not the word a man likes to hear when he's hard darling”

“Mmmhmmm you're so tensed” you murmured against his mouth and he let out a lowly deep growl as you fiddled with button of his jeans.

“You're the reason”

“Mmmmhm?” you couldn't help but smile, he took his shirt off as quickly as he could while you pulled his cock out of the restraints, he then placed your other hand on his chest right where his heart was, his skin was ever so hot to the touch “Then I shall release some of that tension” you whispered in his ear as you gave him a small stroke and all you heard in response was a slight groan.

You looked down as his cock became fully erect in your hold, a flush warmed your cheek, you were still getting used to seeing a man this way, you never knew that holding a man's cock and pleasuring him could make you feel so pleased in return. He was a god amongst the men, even without the powers he owned, he was different from any other man you have ever known and you just wanted to satisfy and please a man like him. The way his cock pulsated in your grip was enough to make you wet and dripping.

“Do all cocks look this good?” you whispered and his eyes opened all wife and perplexed.

“Look at you running that filthy mouth, you couldn't even bring yourself to say the word a month before”

“You're the one corrupting me” he snickered as you said that.

“I didn't ask you to give me a handjob sweetheart” His fingers dug into your thighs as he held onto you possessively, you couldn't help but grind your hips against the table, the friction from the pad stimulated your clit almost perfectly. “The answer to your question is inconsequential because mine is the only one you'd ever get to see, and taste, and get fucked with”

And how you wished for it to be your destiny but your peaceful life with him seemed too good to be true. Two days later while cleaning you found the book stashed under the couch in the living room and when asked he barely gave you a disinterested shrug as if he didn't care to learn more about his heritage. However you did care, knowing that Daemon had been restless all his life and this book held some answers was the only motivation you needed. So you grabbed the book and his arm to drag him to the bedroom, then you both sat down in front of the study table.

“We will talk about your lying ways once we are done reading this” you glared at him so he sighed but he definitely adored it when you went all strict on him. The book seemed old but it was preserved well somehow. As you began to read you noticed that Daemon was beginning to take interest in it as well.

There was an illustration in the book that depicted the history of the dracosapiens, starting in 110 AD. It showed that the Targaryen family used to own real dragons, those majestic creatures were bonded to their ancestors since birth. As the dragons were about to go extinct, a blood ritual was performed by one of the Targaryens, and the first dracosapien of its kind was born.

This first born child was tasked with protecting the world from an inevitable threat during his lifetime and then passing the responsibility on to its offspring. The book claimed that since that time, hundreds of these creatures had been born and their duty was to protect the earth from the imminent danger that carried the ability to wipe out the majority of the population.

“I don't understand, it says the first born child is the one to carry the genes forward but i wasn't the first..i was the second son” he said to you and it confused you for a moment as well but then you realized why it had to happen this way.

“Maybe that's why he resents you so much, he must think that he should have been the one to have that honor” he hummed as you said that.

“Yeah he should have been the one” he mumbled under his breath so you placed your hand on his and disagreed.

“Perhaps the universe knew that your brother didn't deserve to have such a divine power, he is not a good person Daemon, he'd have misused it, i mean he kept the book all his life and he made you feel crazy about it, there's so much more he's hiding, he told you that your father disappeared but why would he do that? If he was the same as you then according to the scripture it was his responsibility to teach you everything about this”

Daemon sighed deeply, you always made so much sense to him and he knew he had so much to learn about his parents and especially his father. He leaned closer to kiss your cheek so you gave him a smile.

“It's kind of sexist though, just men being born as the protector of the realm” you mumbled playfully so he nodded.

“It is.. perhaps we should change that”

Your face flushed as he said that and just to hide that embarrassment you chose to roll your eyes instead even though the thought of having a family with him made you giddy.

As you flipped through the pages there was a section that sparked your interest.

“The current bearer and his mate for life would spend their days restless in their own skin until they find the other. In order to pass down the blood magic to the next bearer, the current bearer must find his soulmate in the one whose womb would serve as the collector of his seed. The right time will always bring them together in the same place. She shall be the one born with a mark on herself, a sign of a dragon's wings, for they are two halves of the same body. Only upon the union will their lost souls be find peace with each other.” your heartbeat sped as you read about the mark.

“Blimey this is utter crap -” Daemon interrupted as he rolled his eyes so you looked at him before looking down again.

“Daemon-” your eyes teared up as you turned the page and saw the sketched illustration of the said mark that is supposed to be on his soulmate “I think I have seen this mark on Carol–” he shut the book before you could even finish your words.

“Shut up okay?” he turned to you and cupped your cheeks as he leaned into you to kiss you, pouring every ounce of emotion that he felt for you. He didn't want to read any further, he didn't want some book to tell him who he was supposed to be with.

“Daemon -”

“Shhhhh don't be silly alright-” he kept interrupting you because he was afraid that you'd lean into this idea and then you'd try to push him away.

“I have no mark like that anywhere on me” your voice broke as you spoke, the reality of the situation was beginning to kick in.

“So?”

“You have a soulmate” he snickered as you said that.

“You sound crazy, you know that?”

As if everything else was completely normal about this situation. You didn't want to hurt him but if everything written in this book was correct then it was clear that it wasn't you he was supposed to meet in King's landing.

It was Caroline.

She had the wings mark on her thighs, that's what you had seen that evening when she was standing half naked on her door frame.

“This is crazy for you? You know what else sounds crazy? Your existence..but it's not..it's as real as it could be” he groaned as you said that.

“Where are you even going with this thing huh?”

“The mark..i have seen it on Caroline, it's on her thigh, perhaps you have seen it too” he let out a disgruntled sign as you said that.

“I don't care, okay?”

“How could you not care? Aren't you the least bit curious about this?” you wiped your tears, there was this sinking feeling in your gut that made you feel doomed.

“So that is it huh? You speak of it as if it's no big deal? So what now? We break up and I fuck Caroline? And all my issues would resolve magically because we were supposedly born for each other?” he asked as he stood up and began to pace the room frantically.

“I don't know what you're supposed to do with her but in the book-”

Before you could even finish your sentence he stormed towards you and slammed his fist on the table which made you flinch in response. For a moment you saw the scales appear on his face and his eyes had turned red.

He was angry and rightly so but you didn't want to fuck up his life any further then it has been already, he had suffered so much, he deserved to find peace and happiness even if it was without you.

“God damn it y/n. Am I really this easy to discard for you? Hmm?” He asked as he hovered over you, his eyes pleading with you to let it go.

“Easy? You think this is easy for me?”

“It sure looks that way. You know what? I don't want to talk about this.. you want to get the fuck out of my life ..do it..”

He stormed out of the room and you knew you had to give him time to cool down, words said in anger were hardly ever true or honest.

You needed to calm yourself as well, you didn't want him to think that this relationship and the time you had spent with each other in the past few months meant nothing to you, when it was in fact the opposite.

As you came out of the shower he was already in the bed so you quietly climbed in, he had his back turned to you so you brought your fingers up and caressed his skin slowly before you snuggled into him.

“All my life I have waited to feel something for someone, just something that would make me feel alive, that burning fire, that romance that people often spoke of, that urgent need to kiss the man you're attracted to, to be consumed by someone you're so in love with, i never thought that it existed but then I met you and I felt it all and I felt it all so quickly that it didn't even feel real at times. You think this is easy for me? Knowing that I'm not the one you're supposed to be with? That I'm not made for the only man I would ever want?”

He turned around as your voice choked on your tears and cupped your cheeks. His own eyes were teary, his skin even warmer than usual.

“You’re going to let a fucking book decide who I am supposed to be with? You're being stupid” he asked, his voice tender but desperate,

“Is it stupid though? Our thing..this..it's new, i know we have all these intense feelings at the moment but what about our future?”

“What about it?”

He huffed as he sat up and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

“Ten years from now it won't be the same, and you'd resent me as I'd be the reason you're not able to fulfill your destiny ..i won't be able to give you your dragon babies-”

“I don't even like kids-”

“You don't..but that's how you feel now..in this moment-”

“So what now? Caroline is my ‘soulmate’-” he airquoted the term as he wasn't really taking it seriously and you didn't blame him “So I should be with her even though I have no such love for her?” you sat up as he said that. He wasn't really looking at the situation the same way as you.

“Don't you think it's weird that she went to that same exact center as you and was put in the room right next to you? And then she was the first person to see you in your natural form? I didn't get to see you in months but she saw you the first night she met you. And how quickly you were able to trust her, remember that? Perhaps something more would have happened if it wasn't for me..i–” there was a lump in your throat rendering you unable to speak but you knew you couldn't be this person that would held him back from being with his mate “I got between you both” he turned to you as you said that, his arms wrapped around your shoulders as he pulled you closer.

“You're breaking my heart”

“Not just yours -”

“Don't do this darling..”

Your arms wrapped around his neck as you hugged him as tightly as you could before you held onto his face and kissed him as if you were kissing him for the last time. You wanted to engrave this moment in your head, the feeling of his lips upon yours and how it left every inch of your existence ablaze because you knew you'd never be able to feel this way again. In order for Daemon to fulfill his destiny you'd have to step out of his life.

“I want to go to the cops and tell them everything, I'll tell them that you weren't the one to hurt me but that you saved me, I'll get us out of this problem” You said as you stepped off the bed as quickly as you could, you couldn't even bear to look at his face at the moment because you knew your resolve would crumble.

“What about me? What am I supposed to do without you?” he asked you, his voice no longer carried hope, it sounded broken and hopeless, reminding you of the day you had met him for the first time.

“Do what you were born to do, you wanted to learn the truth about yourself and you did but your truth is not the end of your purpose, you were born to do greater things with your gift and you have to carry your legacy forward, that's what your parents would have wanted for you…give her a chance Daemon, maybe she's all you need in your life, how would you know if you won't even try?”

🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

Taglist

@anukulee @ammo23 @littledark11 @stupidthoughtsinwriting @daenny-t @avalyaaa @shuichiakainx

[mickeyswhore]

Runaway

Request: hello! ive been having MAJOR house of wax/vincent brainrot....im wondering if you can do a vincent sinclair small fic? or something like that, im not used to fic terms,,,,,, it can be anything you want to write abt :3

A/N: Vincent Sinclair is so pookie, having brainrot about him is so valid and I totally get you, I hope you like it, let me know. 🫶

Summary: After suffering a mental breakdown, you decide to go on a road trip. You stumble upon a small town called Ambrose, and things escalate from there.

Vincent Sinclair x Reader

Warnings: just your run of the mill murder mentions, nothing much and dark undertones, this was low key fluffly.

GIF by @coppoladelrey

After you had a mental breakdown for being too overworked, you decided to go on a road trip so you can relax and just see new places. You avoided the highways because driving on those was extremely depressing so you were in country roads, now you were in Louisiana. It was hot and you were so thankful for your A/C being so powerful.

You decided to stop in a small town that you stumbled upon, it was around 1:00 PM and it was time to get more snacks and water, you parked your car in front of the small shop and you left the car. When you tried to enter the shop, it was locked. You found it odd since it was 24 hours, but you decided to wait to open again, you were in no rush so you decided to wait in your car.

Losing track of time playing games on your phone, you heard someone knocking at your window, you yelled and put your hand on your chest. You looked and you saw a man in a suit, you smiled tightly at him and left the car to be able to talk to him.

“You alright, sugar?” Bo thought it was extremely odd that not even Lester was able to see where you were coming from.

“Yeah, just passing by. I needed to buy some snacks for the journey, but it seems to be closed.” You pointed at the shop and Bo smiled at you.

“I think the owner had to leave for a few hours, you’re than welcomed to wait. But you shouldn’t in the car, come on I’ll walk you around the city, we have a wax museum that’s really cool. I’m Bo, by the way.” He raised his hand for you to shake and you did, you also introduced yourself.

The two of you walked towards the museum, and Bo kept asking questions such as why you were travelling, where you were heading and why you were by yourself. You didn't like the fact that he was almost interrogating you but you tried to keep your answers to a minimum. You weren’t to divulge the state of your mental health for this trip to be possible, you didn't resent Bo, you simply blamed it on southern hospitality so you remained pleasant and polite.

“Here we are, I have the keys to it so I can show you around.” Bo opened the door and allowed you to enter before him and he started telling the story about the museum. “Trudy was the woman that started it all, she had great talent we try to keep her legacy alive.” You looked at the the wax figures and they’re amazing, you’ve never seen anything like this before.

“It’s beautiful, who’s the current artist?” You asked whilst still looking at the statues, it was like nothing you’ve ever seen in your life before.

“His name is Vincent.” Bo informed you, he was watching you admiring Vincent’s work with genuine wonder and that made him smile.

“I’d love to meet him.” That was the only outcome for you, meeting the genius behind these sculptures, you felt a connection with him even though you have no idea who he is.

“He’s, well how do you say it? A recluse?” Bo explained to you and the way you deflated made his heart clench, why was he so affected by your sadness? He already looked at you with this sense of protection, he didn't want to kill you, it was strange.

“That’s a pity, it would be great to meet him.” You looked so sad, and Bo couldn’t have that. Vincent would kill him but if it was a bad idea Vincent was going to kill you anyway.

“Well, he lives down here. You can try to talk to him, can’t make any promises though.” Bo showed you the way and so you did, it was dark and you could tell that candles were lit.

Vincent was freaking out, why would Bo do this? Vincent didn't want to kill you at all, and you seemed very interested in his art. Ever since you and Bo entered the museum, Vincent was admiring you and he wanted to make you his muse.

“Hello? Vincent? I was looking at your art and it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, and I’d love to meet you if you want.” The hope in your voice was the most amazing thing for Vincent, you were so respectful and you loved his art Vincent’s heart was skipping a beat, he wanted to get to know you but you would scream and run away as soon as you saw him. “I hope you can hear me, your art is amazing.” Vincent took a deep breath and showed in your field of vision and he couldn’t even look up to your face of disgust.

“Hi! I’m so glad to meet you, Bo said that you were more of an introvert so it’s an honour.” You got close to him and raised your hand to shake Vincent’s, he reluctantly raised his and looked at you and you had the biggest smile Vincent has ever seen. He didn't say anything and you assumed that he was a man of few words. “Well, I think that I should leave you be. You’re probably very busy and I didn't mean to intrude, so I should get going.” Vincent started panicking, he didn't want you to leave.

Vincent grabbed your arm and guided you to one of his almost finished figure, you were admiring Vincent’s work and he was admiring you, your eyes, your cheeks, your complexion. He didn't want you to leave, and he didn't want you to die, he needed you.

“That’s amazing, Vincent. Thank you for showing me this.” You put your hand in his arm and smiled at him warmly, you couldn’t deny that his shy nature drew you in. You wanted to learn more about him, maybe you could stay a bit longer in this town. Vincent nodded and in a bold move, he put his hand on top of yours. “I hope that you can say yes, but totally alright if you don’t…would you like to go out for a cup of coffee with me?” You internally cringed with how awkward you were but Vincent couldn’t help but love it. He nodded and he was glad he did, because he was able to see the biggest smile he has ever seen.

“Great, well I better find a hotel. Do you know any?” Vincent nodded his head, he would need Bo’s help to keep you here. He doesn’t want you to leave.

You’re his, his muse, forever.

Bo already got your car broken when he didn't hear any screams he realised that Vincent didn't want you to leave, at all. Meanwhile, you and Vincent were spending this time contemplating art and talking about it, you were so excited where this was taking you, and Vincent already knew that you weren’t leaving at all.

[maiko-san]

TADC x Robotic Jester Reader ( Part 1 )

You have a robotic jester avatar that is straight up Fizzarolli.

(Y/o/n) : Your other name

The reader is non-binary ( Reader is a Yes ), age 23.

Ft. Kinger, Ragatha and Caine

Part 2

The last thing you remember was putting on a headset and boom, you spawned in a circus and forgot your name.

Great.

The ringmaster names Caine gave you a new name which was (Y/o/n). You accept your new name and your new life in this circus. Oh, also a new body which was a jester but a robot? You find it cool that you can extend your limbs and is incredibly flexible. At first, you find it hard to control your body parts but "practice makes perfect" and you manage to control your limbs like a pro.

Anyways, you're one of those people that accept your fate and live normally in the circus unlike the others who got obsessed finding the exit, went insane and then abstracted. It was to a point it was only you and Kinger left in the circus. ( Ragatha is actually the second oldest member but I'll make her the third after Reader )

Kinger

Kinger sees you as a good and loyal friend. Both of you are really close.

After Queenie abstracted, you were there to comfort him. The poor man's mental health had deteriorated after witnessing all his friends abstracted causing him to become paranoid, easily scared and forgetful.

There are times that whenever you're talking to him and the next thing he does is scream due to him forgetting who you were ( you were slightly hurt by it at first but you can't blame him for having a short term memory ).

Plus, your avatar is kinda scary tbh. Glowing eyes, sharp teeth and all?

Anyways, whenever Kinger made a pillow fort, you would help him make a bigger one! A castle pillow fort!

It was lonely and uneventful when it was just you and Kinger but it didn't take long for new members to pop in.

Ragatha

Oh dear lord.

Isn't she the sweetest doll you ever met? Well, really not actually no. Not in a bad way, you could read someone's body language and you know she's forcing herself to be happy in this digital world.

"Come on now, dollie! Don't force that smile, you might hurt those lil cute cheeks of yours~" you giggled, poking her cheeks.

Ragatha doesn't know whether she should blush or weirded out with you.

During her first arrival, she had a hard time fitting in and she avoided both you and Kinger at first.

She also tried to find the exit which she failed to do so.

She knows that you want to have a conversation with her but you didn't force it on her. Which she appreciates.

At that point she can see that you genuinely want to befriend her. After she sees how close you and Kinger are.

As time goes by, she starts to talk to you and Kinger. Man, you are one happy jester!

You get to know about Ragatha more, she's actually a nice person and also she knows how to knit and make embroidery!

She actually made a plushie of you and Kinger, how cute!

"Awwwww~" you awed at the sight of the plushie version of you and Kinger. "Kingy! Hey, Kingy! Look how scary my plushie is!" you said, running towards the chess king like a child who got a present. Kinger holds the plush version of you, but when you show his plush ver "AHH—"

Ragatha couldn't help but giggle at the sight.

Whenever the three of you are in the tent, you usually practice your circus act during your free time.

What is a circus without a circus performer anyway? You would do juggling balls and proceed to do the extreme, like juggling the closest thing to you like chainsaws, swords, chair, Kinger—

Dancing on a tight rope? Check.

Eat a sword? Check.

Blow a huge ball of fire? Check.

Magic tricks? Check.

Ragatha, Kinger and Caine would watch you do the tricks, they were impressed how quickly you learn all of it. Especially Caine, who assists you with all of your circus acts.

Caine

He loves how you know how to do circus acts! ( It seems the ai has a favourite child ).

What is the point of a circus without a circus performance? Him being the ringmaster and you're the performer.

Caine did try to make Ragatha and Kinger join in the fun but they ended up failing miserably. Like jumping through a fire hoop and on a spinning wheel?

"I-I think we'd rather be the audience, Caine" Ragatha chuckles nervously as she pulls out a cleaver from her head and pretends it was normal which it wasn't. Kinger on the other hand is shaking uncontrollably from the experience and his robe is on fire which you out. You tried to hold him down, only to have him clip through the floor.

"Kingy!!!!" you let out a panic scream as you scratch the floor after witnessing your bestie glitching into the floor. "Caine! Do something, what if he went to the cellar or worse, trapped in some weird endless yellow room filled with monsters?!" you shrieked, pulling on your jester hat.

Caine with a snap of his fingers teleports the chess king back into the tent, unharmed. Much to your relief. "Kingy? Are you alright?!" you asked the chess piece, pulling his head down and you checked on him. Basically smashing your forehead against his. "I'm totally fine, (Y/o/n)" he said, you let out a sigh of relief. "Did ya see a gameshow under there?" you asked him.

"Anyways! Let's head out for new adventures my fellow friends!" announce Caine, disregarding the fact he nearly set Kinger on fire and threw cleavers at Ragatha, without knowing that he had traumatized them.

Oh well, it seems that only you could do circus performance, well for now.

Anyways! Adventure, here we come!

He really likes how you would go along with every one of his adventures within the digital world and is very adventurous.

It keeps everything lively!

He wishes that the others are as adventurous as you!

Author's Note :

For characters age, Kinger (45), Ragatha (30), Gangle (26), Pomni (25), Reader (23), Zooble (22) and Jax (22).

As for now I do Kinger, Ragatha and Caine. I will do the others in the second part. The reader and TADC casts won't have romantic interest yet. I am not sure about Kinger since he's a middle aged man but I think it's better to have platonic relationship with him.

[storiesforallfandoms]

look at me ~ bo burnham

word count: 2323

request?: yes!

“so you already know that inside: the outtakes has gotten so many people back into their bo thing. me included. sooooo i was thinking, he’s a big guy, ya know👀 so my lil brain was doin some thinkin (not at all while horny) and it came up with this: bo fucking you in front of a mirror!! he’s holding you up, fucking you from behind, saying things like ‘look at how much of a pretty little whore you are for my cock’. just, please please please do your thing and make this something great🥹”

description: after a long day of filming his special, he finds himself pent up and wanting to release his aggressive sexual energy, so he decides to take his girlfriend in the first place he finds her: in the bathroom in front of the mirror

pairing: bo burnham x female!reader

warnings: swearing, smut

masterlist (one, two, three)

Bo had a lot of feelings surrounding the filming of his quarantine special. At first he was upset over having to cancel his plans of returning to live performances, but then the idea of filming, editing, directing, lighting, etc., his own special seemed exciting. And getting back into writing comedy felt almost therapeutic. The longer quarantine went on, though, the more his mental health struggled. He was enjoying creating, but he hated that this was how he had to create. And he hated how much he struggled to make everything perfect.

But more than anything, he was unbearably horny. To a point where he was writing extremely horny bits into the special.

It was his own doing really. Bo would spend every day - from the moment he woke up to the moment he fell asleep - working on the special. Most nights, that was late enough that his girlfriend, (Y/N), would be fast asleep. Other nights, he felt too mentally exhausted to try and initiate sex.

He felt guilty for the quality time he was losing with her by working all day, but (Y/N) was incredibly supportive. She would check on him every day to make sure he was doing okay, occasionally bringing him food so he would eat. She’d get him to take little break every now and then before going back to long hours of working on the special. Bo felt extremely grateful to have her in his life. But man, did he ever miss being intimate with her.

He was sat in this guest house one evening, editing his most recent bit, which was a song about sexting. His mind was on (Y/N) as his own voice played through the speakers. He thought about how badly he wanted to hold her, feel her body against his, her warm walls around him. His horniness was definitely trickling into his work and it was something he needed to fix soon or else he felt like he might explode.

Bo stood and looked out the window that faced towards his house. He could see a light on in the room that belonged to him and (Y/N), signaling that she was still awake. He quickly rushed out of his guest house, leaving the unedited song running.

(Y/N) was in the ensuite bathroom getting ready for bed. She had peaked out to the guest house to check on Bo. The lights were off besides a dull blue light that she assumed was Bo editing another bit. She had sighed to herself before going to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. As proud as she was of Bo for working on this special all on his own, she really did miss getting to spend time with him. Their bed felt too empty without him.

She was leaned over the sink, washing her face, when she suddenly felt two arms wrap around her. She let out a yelp and stood up quickly to see Bo’s towering figure behind her in the mirror. He buried his head in the crook of her neck, lightly kissing the area, causing her heart to flutter for a different reason.

“Hey,” she said. “You finished up early tonight.”

“I can’t standing being away from you anymore,” he responded. “It’s getting too hard to not have you in my arms.”

“That’s not the only thing that’s hard,” she teased.

Bo chuckled and grinded his hard, clothed dick against her. “You got me there.”

He continued to kiss her neck as he pressed himself against her. She lulled her head to the side, giving him more access to her neck. She closed her eyes and sighed. His hands moved from around her waist, one going upwards to cup one of her breasts and the other moving down between her legs. Her breath hitched as he teased the waistband of her pajama pants.

“Is this okay?” he asked, his hot breath fanning over her ear in a way that sent a shiver down her spine. She nodded in response. “I need to hear you say it, baby.”

“Yes,” she breathed. “Yes, please Bo.”

Bo grinned and nibbled on her ear as his hand dipped under her waistband. He ran a finger through her folds, teasing her clit with a feather-light touch.

“You’re already so wet,” he whispered. “Desperate for me to you, baby?”

“Yes,” (Y/N) whimpered. “I’ve missed your touch so much.”

“I’ve missed touching you. You don’t understand how much I’ve missed having you. I think about being inside of you practically every waking moment, and when I’m sleeping too.”

She moaned as he finally applied pressure to her clit. He rubbed slow circles into the bundle of nerves as he continued to kiss over her neck. He nipped at the sensitive skin, leaving red marks in his wake that he really hoped would turn into hickies. There was something so hot to him about marking (Y/N) in a way that other people would see and know she was his. He slipped his hand under her shirt to cup and knead at her breasts, one at a time, making her nipples pop out underneath his fingers.

(Y/N) was a moaning mess; putty in Bo’s hands. He was essentially holding her up at that point as she was leaning back against him, her legs wobbling to a point where she wasn’t sure she could stay up much longer.

“Are you close already?” Bo asked. “I can feel you trembling.”

“I-I’m s-so close,” she said.

“Open your eyes, baby. I want you to look at me while you cum.”

She pried her eyes open to look into the mirror. Bo’s eyes were staring back at her, dark with lust. It was hard to keep them open as her orgasm washed over her. Her legs just about gave out from under her as she cried out. Bo held her, smirking to himself as she trembled in his arms. He whispered praises into her ear as she came down from her high.

“I need you,” he whispered. “Right here, baby, please.”

“The bed is just a few steps away,” she teased.

“I can’t wait. I’m a slight breeze away from cumming in my pants.”

She giggled and turned her head to kiss him. She reached back to run her hands through his long hair. At first, she wasn’t a fan of the idea of Bo growing out his hair and facial hair, but now, with his beard leaving a tickling sensation in its wake and his long hair giving her something to hold on to, she suddenly loved it.

Bo broke away from the kiss to shove (Y/N) down over the bathroom counter. He pulled her pants and underwear down around her ankles, helping her to step out of them and kicking them off to the side. He let his own pants fall to the floor as well, his hard dick springing free from his pants. He took it in one hand and ran it through (Y/N)’s drenched folds, collecting her slick to use as his own lube. (Y/N) bit down on her lip as she whimpered, but couldn’t contain her moans once Bo pushed the head of his dick against her entrance. He easily slid his cock into her, slowly moving inwards until he was buried at the hilt inside of her. He dropped his head against her back, groaning at the sensation. It was a feeling he had been longing for, and now that he had it he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to last.

He slowly pulled himself out halfway before slowly thrusting back into her again. The head of his dick so easily nudged her g-spot that it made her already shaky legs even more wobbly every time he thrust inwards. She held on to the counter, digging her nails into it with such a grip that she thought she was going to break the counter.

Bo kissed over (Y/N)’s neck and what he could reach of her face again. “Can I start fucking you, princess?”

She nodded, unable to speak. Bo took that as enough of an answer for him this time and started thrusting into her at a quicker speed. He held on to her hips as he slammed into her, the sound of their skin slapping together filling the room. (Y/N)’s mind went blank, the only thing she could think of being Bo, Bo, Bo! She cried out his name, a sound more beautiful than any song Bo had ever heard.

“I might not last long,” he told her. “Do you think you can give me one more before I shoot this hot load inside you, baby?”

“Yes!” she cried. “Yes, yes, yes.”

It became a chant, like that was the only word she knew.

Bo smiled and put his hand around her throat, pulling her up so that she was flush against his chest. He continued thrusting at his brutal pace while reaching his other hand between her legs to rub her clit again.

“Look at how much of a pretty little whore you are for my cock,” he said. “God, you look so fucking hot, falling apart for me like this.”

Her eyes were rolling in the back of her head, which clearly was not what Bo wanted. He squeezed her throat slightly, just enough to block her airways and make her lightheaded.

“I said look at me,” he growled into her ear. She opened her eyes and looked into the mirror. He smiled at her. “Good girl. Look how fucking good you look, all cock drunk for me like this.”

Her eyes were hooded, threatening to close again, and her mouth was in a permanent “O” shape as her body bounced with every thrust. Bo looked like a man on a mission, watching her face intently as he rubbed ruthlessly at her clit and thrusted hard into her. He took his bottom lip between his teeth, a sight which just drove her further over the edge.

She didn’t have to tell him this time that she was close. Actually, she didn’t even have time to tell him. Her second orgasm hit her quickly and intensely. Her vision clouded for a moment and her entire body felt heavy. Bo wrapped an arm around her lower stomach, keeping her up for his last few thrusts before he also hit his own climax. He buried his head in her neck again, muffled groans tumbling from his lips as he gave a few more shallow thrusts.

They were both panting and sticky with sweat once they finally started coming down from their highs. Bo was reluctant to pull out, but he could feel himself becoming soft and slipping from between her legs. (Y/N) gasped as she felt the hot trail of cum running down her legs.

“Let me clean you up so you can finally lay down,” Bo said.

He reached past her to grab the face cloth she had been using early and ran warm water over it again. Turned her so she was facing him and knelt down in front of her to wipe her legs and between them. He planted a kiss on both of her inner thighs, causing her to twitch a little from overstimulation. When he stood again, he discarded the cloth onto the floor and took (Y/N) into his arms. She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her to bed.

He laid her down first before crawling into bed next to her. He took her into his arms, reveling in the feeling of her warm body against his. It had been so long since they had been able to fall asleep together. He rarely tried to cuddle her when he came into bed after she had fallen asleep in fear that he would wake her.

“Are you done working for the night then?” (Y/N) asked, her voice soft and sheepish.

“Definitely,” he decided. “This takes so much more precipitant than working on that stupid special.”

“Hey, it’s not stupid. I think it’s going to be really good.”

Bo chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “You haven’t even seen any of it.”

“I saw that one that was a parody of Drake’s music.”

“Eh, I’m thinking of cutting that one. I don’t even like it all that much.”

“Don’t do that! It’s my favorite one!”

He squeezed her slightly and kissed her again. “Okay, no promises, but I’ll try my best to put it in.”

“Thank you.”

They laid in silence for a while. It was quite comforting. Bo never wanted to leave the bed. He just wanted to hold (Y/N) and lay here in the dark and silence.

“I miss this,” (Y/N) whispered into the silence.

Bo sighed. “Me too. I promise I’ll try not to work too late so that we can have these moments more often. And I promise I’ll try to finish the special soon so that I’m not working on it at all anymore.”

“You don’t have to finish it soon if you don’t feel it’s ready, but I would prefer it if you were here in bed with me when I fell asleep at night. It’s not the same to fall asleep in a lonely bed all by myself.”

“I promise. Now get some sleep. I can tell you’re fighting off the unconsciousness.”

(Y/N) shook her head and smiled to herself. Of course he was right, she felt exhausted now after their bathroom activities. Being curled in his warm embrace didn’t help that matter either. She settled herself next to him and closed her eyes, letting the sleep take hold of her. Bo wasn’t too far behind, placing one last kiss on the top of her head before closing his eyes and letting himself drift off to sleep.

[desultory-novice]

...Needs Therapy? Tierlist

I don't often do these but I happened to see @icedragonlizard ‘s list and liked it enough that I wanted to do my own take on it based around my own HCs for the cast! (in a light-hearted way!)

[BREAKDOWN OF THE WHY'S BELOW!!]

-

[Row 1 / Doesn't Need Therapy]

I almost put Kirby in his own tier for "...is the therapist" but I thought it might look like he was giving up on the last row! (And in some cases he kinda did but still! XD) But anyway, yes. I think Kirby is just as strong mentally as he is physically. He doesn't need someone to talk to about bad dreams. He's the one who eats up bad dreams. ^_-

OG Animal friends (Rick, Coo, Kine) are all good in my book. Maybe they're just blissfully unaware of some of the chaos from the later games or maybe they're just okay with it cause they've got such a good foundation of support built up already? And despite creating "Apologies," I think Adeleine is not all that troubled on the day-to-day and is being an adventurous kid living her best life right now! Ribbon went through some trauma but I actually think she'd be handling it okay? She could arguably be moved down a tier though. Gryll MIGHT could be moved down a tier too, depending on whether you see them as a compulsive thrill-seeker or not! Elline is also doing great. That notebook-diary of hers is peak good mental health routine!

-

[Row 2 / Got Sorted Out in a Few Sessions]

I don't think Gooey's actual -problems- would/could be solved in a few sessions, but it's clear to me he's living his best life and I think our fictional therapist would see that and encourage him to keep going! Just let the guy know that it's okay to not know who you are. Bandee by my judgement has some issues, but he seems the type to respond really well to therapy and healthy suggestions!

Pitch could maybe be moved up a tier if he really is just a baby bird. But I look in those eyes and I just...wonder sometimes if he's okay up there?? Vul definitely needs someone to talk to, but I don't think his issues are all that severe either? Voted #1 Regular Guy on this entire table. The Fairy Queen and Claycia could use someone to talk to about possession trauma, I think. Void's here instead of a lower tier because the way I see it Void already GOT therapy in game! Clawroline and Gorimondo could be moved up a tier as well, but Carol may want to talk about seeing her partner, y'know, lose his soul and Gorimondo's routines MAY be slightly unhealthy?? (How many times are you going to let Meta Knight curb stomp you, man?)

-

[Row 3 / There's a LOT to Unpack Here...]

Whispy Woods has got a long history with Kirby, sure, but the whole attacking people as soon as you wake up? I think life's taken a toll on him and that's gonna need some discussion. Dedede is...obvious. Nothing unique to add here! Chuchu's placement depends on if she's still crushing hard on Kirby after all this time or not or just sees them as friends now. Kind of a joke placement at her expense! I’m sorry, Chuchu! I really do think you’re great! Best flapjack octopus!!

Skirby could maybe be moved down a tier as their coping methods are leaning a little into the sketchy as of late! Have they turned to violence for kicks or are they just challenging their mainverse self to grow stronger? Daroach is less here for Dark Nebula and more for all the OTHER stuff he lets slip in Mass Attack! (When did your hatred of tomatoes first start, Daroach?) Prince Fluff is here entirely because of the unused missing mom lore. Without that, he's so fluffy (haha) I'd moved him all the way up to "Doesn't need therapy." Flamberge definitely has issues, as the who~le cult does, but she still strikes me as the most balanced of the three mages? As I recall it, she actually sounded kinda excited to see the Star Allies during their second fight, as opposed to the first, which was just revenge for Fran. Leongar could be bumped down a tier, since he had his soul shattered in addition to being body-puppetted and forced to speak and adopt a foreign culture for years (?!) by an evil alien lifeform(!!) but...I dunno, he seems so chill in the ending and is seen back with the support of his pack? I think he'd be really receptive?? Elfilin also has sooooo many issues, but he's demonstrated so much growth already that I think with some help processing the return of/unification with his other self, his prognosis is very good!

-

[Row 4 / Gonna Be There for the Long Haul]

It's not that I think the lonely/jealous thing for DMS is particularly damning, but when combined with the ~Dark Matter~ thing and the fact that it may be nearly impossible for them to willingly go against hive programming/defy Zero is what's gonna give them a difficult road ahead. (Gooey's a sign it can be done though.) Honestly, Drawcia might could maybe be moved down a tier? I mean, if you see her "art therapy" as the World of Drawcia then... :sweats: But I have a lot of positive Drawcia HC and I want her to be happy ^^

I think Magolor is another self-explanatory one. Even Merry Magoland makes you wonder if he's still, y'know, "okay" on the inside. Taranza and Sectonia are obvious ones too. Susie is the only one I would consider maybe moving up a tier because she's got issues but the only one she was clinging badly too in my mind was the stuff with her father and she's moved on from that better than Taranza, who was still looking to resurrect Sectonia circa Star Allies. Was tempted to move President Haltmann down a tier simply because...I don't think a therapist can do anything about the evil super computer induced brain damage/LITERAL MIND DELETION.

Francisca gets here because of the corpse-sicle thing but maybe she should be moved down a tier too? ^^ I think most of the fandom has similar feelings on Zan and her level of damage. (/loving) And while he would have deserved it mid-game, I didn't want to put Hyness in the bottom tier now because that felt kinda cruel given the guy is trying his best to get better in the end of Star Allies!

-

[Row 5 / "...Well, I think we're done here."]

I don't think there's ANY reasoning with Kracko. Kracko is just a lifelong hater! (And we love him for that!) With Marx and Meta Knight, of course the joke is that they're both irreparably unhinged (/pos) but I think there's an element of, "Well, you SEEM to have your life sorted out according to priorities that make the most sense to you (...even if those aren't what the rest of society feels is healthy OR safe...) and you seem happy where you are so, best of luck to you!"

Zero is either emotionless or made of negative emotions and neither feels receptive to therapy, I'm afraid. With Galacta Knight... I just think it's best for the therapist to get out of there before the office is destroyed! Why risk the chance it doesn't work out?! And while I don't think Dark Meta Knight is hopeless myself, I DO think the therapist would be totally valid to politely tell them, "...I don't think you need MY help ^^; Have you considered checking out your local SCA chapter?" (Alternatively, DMK could be raised a FEW levels because between the joy with which he goes at those crayon drawings and the wing-sunning flappies, he may know how to treat himself better/ know better self-care than MK - hilariously.)

ShaDe may a walking bundle of possessions in a body and I don't know how you would tackle that in therapy?! Get him an exorcism?! Sillydillo is also living their best life with, um ...a-art...therapy... so I think they're fine...? Yes. Fine. Let's go with fine. (I love you so much, Sillydillo. I love you and your only-boss-in-Kirby-with-a-one-hit-instant-kill-attack-and-it's-shockingly-brutal-in-a-still-safe-for-little-kids-way! Shine on, you crazy star!) ...Attempting to talk down Fecto Forgo nearly led to the destruction of TWO planets so let's give them a little more time centuries to cool off first, yeah? Sounds good!

...Lastly, I almost moved Morpho Knight up to the first tier because, I mean, THEY don't seem to have any problems. THEY'RE just doing their job! Maybe their problems are everyone else's problems?! XD

-

As stated before, this is more my HC (with a dash of humor) rather than an entirely objective view of the Kirby cast and is all meant in fun! (Especially the placement of guys like Meta Knight XD)

I hope it amuses/inspires rather than upsets...!

[bubuslutty]

40-something Moon Man ROCKS the Dancefloor! (REAL NOT CLICKBAIT!)

pairing: Marc Spector & Female Reader

word count: 4026

warnings: none

summary:

Marc Spector accidentally goes viral on TikTok after his uni student neighbour/friend drags him to the club with her.

a/n: i wrote this in a silly goofy mood and i love marc sooo much <3 Also I used Darling instead of Y/n cuz im funky like that.

“Please, Marc.” Darling begged the 40-something man while he tried to clean his flat.

“No.” Marc answered flatly, wearing a very washed-out and loose t-shirt and a pair of dark blue shorts. His hair, now longer was tied at the back of his head in a tiny man bun.

“Why??? We’ll have so much fun and you need a night out to dislodge the stick up your ass.” Darling groaned and fell on her knees in the kitchen, ready to hold onto his legs and beg if need be. Marc sighed and ignored the 19-year-old teenager on his kitchen floor as he cracked another window open and increased the volume of the radio on the window ledge, BBC Radio 1 playing a Central Cee song in the flat as he picked up stray books, papers, food wrappers, socks and random junk, a bin bag clutched in one hand and a laundry basket clutched in his other arm.

Marc finally got himself to start cleaning his flat, he read that it would help his mental health to live in a cleaner space. That’s why she was over, she was meant to help him clean so it wouldn’t be too overwhelming on his own, and motivate him to get on with cleaning so he finished faster and could escape her non-ending yapping sessions. But now, it seemed like she was more interested in annoying him, which is literally second nature now, a natural reaction she had to him, annoying the shit out of Marc. 

I mean, he could literally kick her out, and scare her enough that she’ll leave him alone for good, he’s done it before, to other people. He’s tried, but she’s Steven’s friend and he can’t do that to him. And he knows deep down he actually enjoys her presence and would kill anyone that hurts her then himself. He cannot lie, the kid had a big heart and was incredibly kind and patient. He was a little jealous that her parents were able to make a girl like that because Marc knew he could never produce that level of goodness into the world. He can never come close. She was too good.

Marc dropped the basket on a chair and the trash bag on top of it, letting out a long sigh and putting his hands on his hips. “Why do you want me to go with you?”

Darling’s miserable puppy eyes immediately vanished and she got up from the floor, walking up to him with a huge grin on her face. “Well, first of all, you’re my friend, and I like hanging out with you.” Marc raised one brow and didn’t say anything.

“I found this club with great music and I really want to try it out,” Darling said shrugging.

“Why don’t you go with your friends? People your own age.” Marc asked, his arms now crossed over his chest. “People from my uni are… I never really enjoyed going out with them, sure, nothing terrible happened cuz we always stuck together but uh-” Darling tried to explain and Marc failed to understand why the hell she wanted him to go with her out of all people.

“I’ll just be in the way if I go with you. And I can always pick you up at the end of the night, you know?” Marc said and Darling frowned in confusion, “In the way of what?” 

Marc almost laughed in disbelief but held it together, “Don’t you want a boyfriend? No one will get close to you if I’m with you.” 

Darling looked unimpressed, “What boyfriend? You mean drunk finance bros with an Andrew Tate mentality? Plus, I don’t do hookups, I have anxiety, mate.” Marc was confused and Darling remembered he wasn’t as chronically online as she was, so he probably had no idea who the abomination of a man was.

“I just want the experience. I just want to dress up and dance all night without men I don’t know breathing down my neck.” Darling explained, picking lint up from her way too big t-shirt with a Pikachu plastered on the front, so she wouldn’t have to look at him in the eyes.

Marc understood and thought about it for a second before picking up the trash bag and walking to the area that was his kitchen and putting it on the floor, next to the bin. “You want me to be your bodyguard?”

Darling’s head snapped up, eyes wide, “No! I mean- Yeah, sure..” 

Marc pondered over the thought and asked, “When?” 

“This Friday.” Darling quickly answered, smiling big and all, excitement radiating off her in waves.

“Alright, but so you know, I don’t dance.” That’s also what Chad from High School Musical said but go off. Darling knew to keep her mouth shut instead of calling him out.

“Thank you. Thank you so much!” She squealed, jumping up and wrapping her arms around his waist.

“Alright, enough.” He grumbled even though he was smiling, and ripped her away with his hands on her shoulders. “You won’t regret this,” Darling promised and Marc just nodded, he’ll see about that.

“Now, do me a favour,” Marc said, turning around and picking up two trash bags in his hands. “Take out the trash.” 

Darling groaned and Marc fixed her with a look and her shoulders slumped, taking the bags out of the door to put them downstairs.

🌙

“How do I look? Be honest.” Darling asked, standing in the corridors as Marc locked his door and shoved the keys in his pockets, his black leather jacket held in his other hand.

Marc straightened his back and analysed her outfit from head to toe. She was wearing a sleeveless, backless sparkly blue top paired with jean shorts and white trainers. Simply put, she looked pretty and it surprised Marc a little, he didn’t know she was capable of wearing anything but washed-out old t-shirts with unhinged slogans on them. It was an addiction at this point, she loved buying the weirdest t-shirts she could find on the internet. She even bought him a t-shirt once that said “I lactate”. And swear to God, Marc almost killed her right then and there. It’s still ranked as one of her “biggest Ws” whatever the fuck that meant.

“Not ugly,” Marc answered flatly and Darling grinned, that was Marc’s way of saying she looked nice. 

“And you look great, did Jake pick the clothes?” She asked, looking him over.

“No.” Marc lied and she giggled, because the one who dressed cunty every single time without fail, was Jake, and unfortunately, Marc didn’t possess the level of serve Jake did.

Marc was wearing a black short-sleeved button-up, unbuttoned at the top, where his David’s star necklace glinted against his tan chest, paired with black trousers and black shoes. Simple, clean. His hair was brushed back this time, but still, some curls fell over his forehead no matter how many times he ran his fingers through it.

“Let’s go,” Darling said after checking she had everything she needed in her small handbag.

The two decided to take the underground rather than Jake’s cab because it was faster than being stuck in traffic in central London. It was a bit busy and lots of people looked like they were heading to clubs and pubs for the night, dressed in all sorts of manner. Marc was honestly just looking around and taking everything in, he had never witnessed London’s nightlife like this, maybe saw some things from rooftops while tracking someone, but that didn’t count.

He saw an alarming amount of young men dressed in techs, standing in hoards. And girls wearing matching bodycon dresses. The underground station was hot, extremely loud and stinky. Darling was standing next to him, complaining about the prices that TFL charged. How ridiculously expensive the tube and trains were, even with a student oyster. He just hoped he wouldn’t get a nasty headache by the end of the night.

They hopped on the tube when it came, screeching to a stop, people spilling out of it in crowds. When they got in, they sat across each other as more people sat around them. And if it couldn’t get any louder, a man walked in with a big speaker resting on his shoulder and a cracked iPhone gripped in his other hand. “Bassline Junkie” blasted loudly as he sang along, and soon enough, a group of rowdy teenagers, around Darling’s age, started singing along too. Darling started laughing and Marc watched as the man started approaching them, goading the sitting people to get up and start singing with him. Darling got up and shouted the lyrics at some girls as they sang together. They somehow managed to drag Darling away from her seat, holding each other and singing loudly, multiple phones recording the scene. When they reached their stop, Marc got up and pulled Darling by the hand out of the tube before they missed it.

“BYE!” She shouted over her shoulder, laughing and breathing hard.

Marc let go of her hand and watched her put her hands on her knees, panting and straightening, fixing her hair and looking at Marc with bright eyes, “I’ve never done that before.”

He smiled a little, “Good job.”

“To the club!” Darling pointed in the direction of the gates, pulling Marc by his arm.

When they left the station, Darling let out a shuddering breathing, suddenly feeling very cold in the polluted crisp air of London. Marc noticed and frowned, “Don’t get sick.”

“Wow, thank you, Marc.” Darling rolled her eyes and started walking down the street, Marc following her behind. She turned around, walking backwards, “By the way, I have your jacket so I won’t get sick.”

“I’m not giving you my jacket, dipshit.” Marc said and Darling rolled her eyes, “Yeah, whatever you say.”

They spent 30 minutes trying to figure out where the hell that club was, bickering while following the map on Darling’s phone. At some point, she ended up locking arms with Marc after a rando whistled after her when she walked by and had to physically stop Marc from turning around and bashing the man’s face in.

When they finally reached the club, Darling was so excited and Marc had a hand wrapped around the back of her neck, guiding her through the crowds of people to the bar so they could get a drink in their system first and take in the place. “You’re paying, by the way,” Darling said over the loud music, taking a sip of her cocktail, this drink will probably be her first and last. She didn’t plan on throwing up on the pavement, and she wants to be able to remember tonight.

“You’re the one taking me out, aren’t you supposed to be paying?” Marc asked, leaning in so she could hear him over the music. “I’m paying for kebabs later. 50/50, yeah?” She said and he hummed.

He looked around and noticed how a lot of people were dressed, it faintly reminded him of the early 2000s with twists to fit today’s fashion trends. He could tell that this was the look Darling was going for, then he finally allowed himself to actually hear the music and was surprised when Flo Rida was blasting from the speakers, the floor vibrating under the weight of the bass.

“Come on, let’s dance,” Darling said after she finished her drink and dragged him on the dance floor, drink still in hand. Rihanna was now playing and Marc was a little mortified because he doesn’t remember the last time he danced in a club. Darling gave him encouraging nods while she practised a Just Dance routine without missing a beat as Marc nodded to the music, finishing his drink and trying not to laugh at her and failing miserably.

At some point Darling got rid of his empty glass for him and ran back, almost crashing face-first on his chest if he didn’t catch her. “THAT’S MY SONG!” She shouted over the music and Marc immediately recognised the beat. It was that Usher song that even the aliens from outer space could recognise, the one and only: “Yeah!”. Marc was a little confused because he was sure as hell she wasn’t even born when it came out.

“I WAS BORN TO SERVE CUNT AND SLAY THE CLUB!” She shrieked and Marc knew she must be out of her mind because there’s no way one drink made her say shit like that. He was dragged to the centre of the dance floor and Darling started busting moves he never saw her do, and Marc had to admit, she was a good dancer. But he was a great dancer.

He ran a hand through his curly hair and watched her dance with fire in her eyes. Marc smirked. Alright , if this is how this is going to go, then so be it. He popped another button open from the top of the shirt and rolled his neck, getting his muscles loose, nodding to the beat. Darling watched him as she bounced with the beat and honest to God, Marc started krumping. Krumping in the club.

Darling’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets and she screamed in delight, hyping him up with her whole body, “I knew you could do it!” 

He was good. Really good.  

So good in fact that the people around them started to notice and the space between them got bigger, creating a clear space where they could see Marc and Darling better. Darling didn’t even notice, her eyes glued to Marc who was absolutely destroying the dance floor. She didn’t even notice the phones pulled out to record the scene. And when it looked like Darling was starting to lose against Marc, a random girl squeezed herself through the crowd, handing Darling her drink and started dancing battling Marc. Darling was losing her mind, laughing and having the time of her life. The crowd hyped both the girl and Marc.

Marc was smiling the whole time, his curls moving this and that way, now falling over his eyes, sticking to his forehead. His face was warm and his necklace kept constantly swinging as he ate up every single person who decided to battle him. In between songs, he kept being offered drinks while Darling kept complimenting his skills. She was proud to get him out of his shell and was genuinely so grateful that everything went as planned. But most importantly, she was proud of him.

Hours later, by the time they left the club, the two were walking down the streets, singing together to a Britney Spears song, arms linked and still warm and sweaty. Darling had Marc’s (Well, it was actually Jake’s) leather jacket draped over her shoulders, keeping her shielded from the cold wind. Meanwhile, Marc may as well unbutton his shirt all the way down and take it off because it was sticking to him and a huge, very generous chunk of his chest could be seen, still shining with drying sweat. His hair was a little crazy because no matter what he tried to do, it refused to stay still and he didn’t have anything to hold it with. But that’s alright, he looked very pretty and he had a great time to care about his hair at the moment.

The two made their way to the first kebab place they saw. “What do you want?” She asked, looking at the old and worn menu above the counter, on the wall. “A number 2.” 

“Bossman, let me get two number 2s and two Coke Zero’s.” Darling said and the man nodded, “£22.98, please.” Darling reached for her purse. “I got it,” Marc said, digging in his pocket for notes before she had the chance to protest.

“I was going to pay.” She mumbled, rubbing her eyes, feeling tired.

“You can pay next time.” He said, patting her head.

“You always say that and you never let me.” She complained, leaning her weight against him, cheek squished against his warm arm. “Yeah, yeah.” Marc checked his phone for any notifications and scrolled a bit while waiting for their food to be done. When they got their food, they left the joint because there were literally no seats in there, you just collect your food and leave. Marc held the plastic bag in one hand and wrapped the other around Darling’s shoulder just in case she tripped, she didn’t drink much but she exhausted herself to the bone, and he didn’t want to end up in the ER looking after her.

“Do you want to eat in the tube?” He asked.

“No, I’ll get sick. Aren’t there any chairs anywhere?” She asked.

Marc hummed and looked around, spotting a park? A garden? It was really small and fenced, and in the middle, there was a big statue of a man Marc couldn’t recognise. He walked closer and saw that there was an empty bench inside. Perfect.

They got settled down, Marc unwrapped their food and Darling complained about the cold bench against her thighs. “Sit on the jacket.” He said, opening his Coke and taking a sip.

“But then my back will touch the bench.” She complained and Marc rolled his eyes.

“Just eat your food.” He said and they dug in.

They didn’t speak for a long time, both looking up at the dark sky. There were no stars to be seen due to the city lights, but they could see the moon and the clouds. It was as peaceful as London could get. When they were done, they collected the trash in the plastic bag but didn’t move, still sitting on the bench, looking at the moon together. “Uhm-” Marc spoke and Darling turned to look at him. As soon as she met his eyes, he snapped his mouth shut.

Darling didn’t say anything, just looked at him with an open expression, eyes heavy-lidded due to sleepiness. Marc licked his lower lip and parted his lips to speak but nothing came out. So instead, he opted for squeezing one of her knees in his warm hand, trying to make her understand what he was trying to say with his eyes.

He wanted to say thank you. He wanted to say that he appreciated her taking him out with her. He appreciated her patience and kindness. He appreciated how she never judged him for being himself. How she was brave and strong and didn’t get scared easily. 

And Darling understood.

🌙

It was around 12 in the afternoon the next day when Darling got a text message from one of her uni friends. She frowned in confusion, she usually never received any messages from them during the weekends. She put her spoon in her cereal bowl as she chewed, and paused the YouTube video she was watching on her laptop.

Darling opened the message. It was two messages actually, one of them read, “Is this you?” And the other was a link. 

She suddenly felt scared as her finger hovered over the link, she was sure she had a good digital footprint. I mean, she had profiles where family and friends followed, and she also had separate accounts online where she caused havoc without revealing her identity. And she was sure there was no way anyone she knew in real life could find her accounts and link them to her. She was careful.

Darling opened the link and instead of loading in a browser tab, it opened the TikTok app. Now, what the hell is this?

At first, she didn’t know what she was looking at, but her brain caught on and she felt like screaming. It was a video of the day before, from the club. There she was dancing battling Marc in the middle of the circle. Her jaw was on the floor, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Then she looked at the likes and screamed because why did it have 2M likes?

Her finger pressed the comment section before she could think and was flooded with comments like “This is what I mean when I say I want to go to the club”, “Okay but why did he eat?”, “Where is this??”, “Get this man in a Step Up movie NOW”, “Goo Goo Ga Ga”.

Darling leapt off the bed laughing and scrambled out of her flat, phone in hand. She didn’t even bother to wear slippers and instead ran over next door, Steven’s door, knocking quickly. When the door didn’t open in a millisecond, she turned the doorknob and walked inside without bothering to shut the door properly behind her, “Marc, you have to see this!”

Marc was in bed, shirtless and wearing a pair of loose PJ bottoms, wearing his reading glasses as he read his book. Well, he wasn’t reading it now . He was looking at Darling with an annoyed expression. She ignored it and ran to him, but not without throwing a quick “Hi, Gus” to the tank. She dived knees first on his bed and he sighed, slamming his book shut and placing it on the bedside table.

“What do you want?” 

“Look!” She held her phone in front of his face and he tried to comprehend what he was looking at. Darling saw the moment he realised what it was, he grabbed the phone with both hands, a look of horror plastered on his face. “All of London saw the video. You’re viral, Marc.”

“Delete it.” He said without ripping his eyes from the screen.

“What?” Darling frowned.

“Delete it. Right now.” He repeated.

“It’s not my video. I can’t delete it.” Darling said and Marc dropped the phone in his lap, gathering his head in his hands, groaning. He truly had fun, but he didn’t know how he felt about all of London seeing this video.

Darling picked up her phone again, “I’m going to send it to DuChamp, he’s going to love it.” 

Marc screamed and ripped the phone away from her hands, scaring her. She got scared not because he had taken her phone but because she never heard the man scream before. “Give it back!” She said, trying to grab her phone but Marc didn’t let her. It was a struggle because not only Marc was stronger, way stronger, but he wasn’t wearing a t-shirt so she didn’t have any grip on him, except his shoulders and hair. But she knew if she even thought about pulling his hair he’d throw her out of the window. “I’m going to report the video so it can be taken down.” He said and Darling gasped, “You don’t even know how to do that! You never used TikTok in your life, boomer!” 

“Watch me,” Marc said through gritted teeth as Darling struggled against him, then she somehow managed to wrap her arms around his free arm and threw herself down on the bed, back first and swung her legs up to wrap them around his head, choking him. Marc let out a surprised shout, his eyes sent 500 million invisible daggers to Darling. He threw the phone down on the floor, out of her reach and lifted her off the bed, her legs still wrapped around his neck and she screamed when he flipped them around and slammed her down on the bed, head first, WWE style. 

The two kept wrestling and clawing at each other until Darling ended up in a headlock, Marc squishing her body on the bed with his whole weight, “Help!” She wheezed, clawing at him, trying to get away from him. “Quit it.” He hissed as she tried to kick him with the heel of her foot on his ass.

A cough startled the two out of their fight, both of them looked up and Marc froze.

“What are you…doing?” Layla asked, looking at Marc, then back down at Darling. She had her phone in her hand, and a big Tesco shopping bag in the other. God bless her heart, she brought her disaster of not-technically-divorced husband groceries.

“Oooh, is that the bad bitch you fumbled-”

🌙

Tag list (pls ask to be added or removed): @bobastayhigh @weblesstherains @h-leigh @unspokenmoon @ahookedheroespureheart @thursdaywritings @gebstargeb @softieekayy @fem-moony @peachjellypackets @pakhiya @darlinglittledevil @anixluxtt @mrs-cupidd @gebgeb @poeticabomination

this work is part of the "I'm friends with the moon" series. You can read it as a stand-alone or delve deeper into this AU.

[blaque-honeyy]

*sigh* I have so much to say about The Bear S3.

I think s3 exists in this type of limbo where there are soo many things happening but none of it is really moving the story forward. My confusion lies in not knowing if this was intentional or not.

I feel dissatisfied, but I'm slightly okay with it (?) knowing that we were told some of these events were going to happen and it wouldn't be authentic if these problems were resolved within the season. Whether or not I remain okay with the events of this season depend on figuring out what the purpose of s3 was.

There is this parallax effect happening throughout the entire season: where Syd & Carmy start out AGREEING to go through this together but once Carmy starts slipping into old behaviors, their perspectives on how to get to that goal become different. Opening the restaurant was supposed to be a big point of unity and fulfillment for them but it has only created more distance and promoted an unequal power balance between them. They are stuck and it feels like chaos moving in slow motion.

The silence between them is so damn loud it's unbearable. Watching the individual descents of both characters is so rough and exposes the toxicity of trying to create something new without addressing unhealed wounds.

I think the restaurant is a toxic relationship for Sydney. She loves and admires Carmy so much, and doesn't want to walk away from something that she's put so much effort into, but there's only so much compromising you can do before you start losing yourself. Syd is rightfully scared that she will forever live in Carmy's shadow.

Carmy is spiraling, blinded by tunnel vision to reach "success", and has lost the fucking plot. It was so interesting to see flashbacks of his career and seeing how compassionate and nurturing his mentors were and instead of trying to embody that, Carmy, DEEP in his trauma, is actively imitating the one man he accuses of destroying his physical and mental health.

Of course he still cares about Sydney. He wants to make her happy, give her the star she wants. But in his obsession to gain that success, he has completely pushed her (and everybody else) aside. His mission to prove himself individually (based off insecurities around his competency as a chef/business owner & not being able to provide for his friends & family) has taken precedence over his commitment to her. As painful as this evolution of their relationship is, I do like the direction and I think it was handled pretty well.

Points of contention for me:

I couldn't give two shits about Claire–sorry. The fact that they retroactively added soo many scenes from when they were together seems contrived and looks like another bid to put another relationship above Syd & Carmy's. Neil telling Claire "you're the peace"???? DON'T PISS ME OFF.

Is this The Bear or The Fak Show? There were a lot of Faks introduced in this season and their banter seemed like it was created to fill in dead air. It was very annoying at some points. (John Cena was great though I can't say anything bad about that man.)

Adding too many tertiary characters. The Faks, the old employees of The Beef to help Ebra. Adding all these characters instead of fostering interactions between the core group.

This might be a hot take but they spent WAY too much time on Nat's pregnancy before the birth. Also, she had this baby and NOBODY but the Faks came to see her in the hospital?? BYE.

Things that I solidly liked:

T's episode! Her struggle with unemployment, losing hope, and then meeting Mikey was easily the most endearing moment of the season for me. Then watching her start to develop her own ideas and creativity in the kitchen was just 🤌🏾🤌🏾🤌🏾.

Again, although I'm team SydCarmy, I like this stage of their relationship. Exposing the flaws, and exploring ways they need to improve for themselves and for each other. I WANT Syd to leave The Bear because 1) it would be good for her health and to see how a good restaurant is supposed to operate 2) I firmly believe that will be the catalyst to making Carm get his shit together. I want him to PANIC. I want him to BEG. I want him to CRY. 😊

As you can see, the latter list is not long enough. There were plenty of things I didn't touch on but that would make this post 5x longer.

I can see how s3 could be the low point of the series. A lot of these episodes would be considered fillers in plenty of other television shows. I appreciate the change of pace but would like it more if it was handled better. And I'm mad that I have to wait a YEAR to get REAL story development after this.

[lazycats-stuff]

The New Heir - Chapter 9

Alright everyone, lets hurt Elias a little bit more. As always, feedback is nice.

Warnings: angst and fluff, mentions of panic attacks... Hurt and comfort maybe...

Word count: 1.8k

Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10

Bruce was sitting in front of the computer in the Batcave, rubbing his forehead, refusing to look at the screen. The test he made to prove that Ra's is Elias' father came back positive.

99,9% match.

Bruce sighed and rubbed his face. How the hell is he going to break this to Elias? A huge chance is that Elias will get a bad panic attack and get worse when it comes to his mental health. Elias could spiral and that would be even worse. But, there is also a chance that if he doesn't tell Elias, he will be pissed at Bruce and the others.

Bruce said and looked down at the printed out results. Thankfully, Ra's wasn't pushy with telling Elias anything. It's been a week since the gala and Bruce was working up the courage to tell his soon to be son that Ra's is his biological father.

A mass murderer and one of the best assassins in the world. An eco terrorist too.

Ra's and Bruce have stayed in contact and Bruce told Ra's he would Elias today. Now he just needs some courage. Sure, it sounds odd that Bruce Wayne, aka Batman needs courage, but this was different. In a way, this could break Elias.

And that won't be a good thing at all. But he had to tell him. He had to tell him.

He told Damian to take him to the living room and just hangout there. The others were there too and it wasn't going to be pretty by any means. If Elias passes out, it won't be good. And yet again, he has a right to know. And besides, Ra's can help with looking for his mom...

But that wouldn't come without something in return. And Bruce has a feeling that it had something to do with Elias. He really didn't want to think about what would Ra's want in return. Ra's did say he wouldn't be forcing Elias to meet with him, but he could if he were to help...

Bruce sighed yet again. He had to man up and just tell Elias and pray he wasn't going to pass out from the severity from the news. Or get a panic attack from it.

Bruce quickly left the Batcave and quickly went to the living room, paper folded in his right hand. He heard some chatter and saw Elias on the couch, bundled up in a blanket with some tea in his hands. Bruce noted forest fruit scent it was a nice way to start this evening. Bruce knew that online classes were a great idea.

Elias is studious young boy and he had no worries about Elias focusing on school. Sure, it isn't easy to focus when your mom is missing, but Elias was making it work. Alfred made sure that Elias takes his breaks, eats and drinks enough water.

Elias was leaning on Damian as he was drinking his tea. He looked a bit tired, but still good none the less. And Bruce was going to wreck this peace with this piece of paper and with the results on the same paper.

He sat down and everyone got quiet and everyone could feel that something is off. The four sons know exactly what is going to happen and Elias has no idea what is going to happen. His life would be turned on its head and he will thrown into a whole lot more chaos than he ever wished for.

" I have some news for you Elias. " Bruce said as he sat across from his boys in the arm chair.

" What is it? " Elias asked, still leaning on Damian's shoulders.

" After the gala, Ra's and Talia stayed after the gala to talk. It was about you. " Bruce said as he glanced down at the paper in his hands.

Elias tensed up and just sighed. " What about me? "

" Elias... Well, he implied that he might be your father. " Bruce said and glanced back up at Elias, who looked back in Bruce in both shock and fear.

" What is that supposed to mean? " Elias asked and everyone looked at Bruce.

" It means that he was with your mother. He seemed to love her very much. She seemed to hold an important place in his heart. And I did a DNA test to see if you are his son and Talia's brother. " Bruce said and handed Elias the paper.

" And you are. Ra's al Ghul is your father and Talia is your sister. " Bruce said as he watched Elias unfolding the paper. His eyes widened and his hands shook, dropping the paper in pure shock. Bruce watched him intently, trying to see if he was having a panic attack. Dick moved away the tea from the coffee table so Elias doesn't tip the cup over.

Jason stood up and moved to get some cold water instead of hot tea and Tim moved closer to Elias, to comfort him if necessary.

" This is a mistake Bruce. " Elias said shakily and Bruce saw tears in his eyes.

" I did it 10 times to be sure. It's not a mistake. " Bruce said as he moved closer to Elias too.

All eyes were on Elias, wondering what is going to happen.

Elias just sat there as he looked at the paper.

His world is burning. His world is in shambles. His mom, was an assassin... His beloved uncle Aseel was one too probably...

He swallowed hard as he felt his tears well up with tears. He tried to keep himself together, but it was difficult. He felt like he was going to jump out of his skin and then die... Elias took a shaky breath and everyone moved so he didn't feel suffocated and could try to breathe properly.

His hands shook as he took the paper back into his hands and he quicky wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. He can't cry now... Sure, his world may be in shambles... May burn right now, but...

How does he even respond to this?

" Wh- " (Y/N) pauses to swallow and breathe. " What now? " Elias asks Bruce as he wipes his eyes again, refusing the tears to fall down.

Bruce watched Elias and was really impressed at how Elias was taking this. He wasn't having a panic attack. Not yet at least.

" I will let Ra's know you know the biological connection. "

" Don't force me to meet him. " Elias said, eyes wide with panic and fear. He doesn't want to even think of Ra's, let alone see him.

" No, no. " Bruce said and moved closer to Elias. He knelt down to be at Elias' level and grabbed his shoulders. " Look at me Eli. " Bruce said quietly and Elias looked at Bruce, eyes watery.

" You won't meet him unless you want to. Ra's only wanted you to know and that's all. " Bruce soothed and Elias wiped his tears.

Then, Bruce brought Elias into a hug, holding him by the back of his neck and positioned Elias to hide his face into his chest, allowing him to break down. Jason finally came back with some water and watched the scene.

" You guys can leave us alone, okay? " Bruce said to his sons and the four left, some more hesitant than the others, but they left.

Now it was Bruce and Elias, who was on the verge of a panic attack.

" Hey, relax. You won't see him if you don't want to. " Bruce said firmly and Elias tried to calm down.

" Are you sure? " Elias whispered, hugging Bruce back tightly.

" Yes. Talia and Ra's won't come near you unless you want them to come. " Bruce explained to Elias. If that meant that he would have to fight the two then so be it.

Elias' safety and security is important and if that meant fighting... Then so be it.

" You mean it? " Elias asked quietly and Bruce nodded.

" Every word of it. And Ra's promised to wait too, so there is no need to worry. "

Elias just nodded and sighed. " This is... All of this is nuts. "

" I agree, but you are strong and you have me and the boys. You aren't alone in this. " Bruce said and watched as Elias moved his head back, now fully looking at Bruce.

Bruce softly wiped the tears off and smiled softly. " You are not alone. Now, please drink some water and try to relax. " Bruce said and watched as Elias sipped on some of the water that he got.

Bruce watched him like a hawk, trying to see if he was going to have a panic attack. The worst may have past, but you never know with panic.

It can pop up in mere seconds.

Elias put the glass down and wiped his eyes again. " I hate feeling so weak. "

" It's normal to feel weak, but you can't stay weak can you? " Bruce said quietly and Elias nodded.

You can feel weak, but you can't stay weak. You have to stay strong in this world, no matter what.

" Would I betray Damian if I decide to meet up with Talia and Ra's? " Elias asked quietly.

While Ra's may be a monster, an assassin and what not, he is his father... The part that he has always wanted to meet... To know where his Arabic side came from...

" Well... Talk to Damian about first. Wanting to meet your father is nothing wrong, it's completely normal to meet your father that you have never meet. Just talk to Damian first okay? " Bruce said and smiled softly. " Talk to him tomorrow, when everything is sort of where it's supposed to be and see what you are going to do. "

" But won't this be a betrayal for you too? " Elias asked and Bruce knew it was one good question.

" You could see it that way, but I'm telling you I won't be mad if you do. It's normal. "

" Oh God, I hate life right now. "

Bruce chuckled and patted Elias' back softly. " I feel you. Now, lets get you to your room and lets get you some sleep. " Bruce said and stood up from his position and then gently led Elias to his room. Elias followed, tired from the all emotional turmoil he went through tonight.

" Come on, lets tuck you in. " Bruce said as he helped Elias to bed.

Elias allowed himself to be tucked in by Bruce. Bruce made sure that Elias was warm in his bed.

" Good night Elias, sleep well. " Bruce said, turning the lights off.

" Night Bruce. " Elias whispered and closed his eyes.

He heard the door closing and the footsteps in the hall. Elias took a deep breath and started relaxing. He needs his sleep in order to deal with this father thing.

And he needs energy to think about Ra's being his father... And the potential meeting... Oh dear God, none of this will end well.

[destinyc1020]

Tom's fans are different, but they speak the facts. It's absolutely normal to want a successful project for your favorite actor because his work and talent should be recognized. It's also normal when you want to see activity on Tom's part. Sometimes some of Tom's fans are negative, but in many ways they are honest, to me they are much better than some hypocritical TZ fans who claim to be equally staned Tom and Zendaya, but in fact they are Zendaya's fans first and foremost. By the way, your theory is very interesting and I think to some extent I can agree with it. But at the same time, it amuses me how sometimes you are too optimistic or do not notice serious problems with some things related to Tom

I mean, I don't mind if fans are honest about their faves. I've always said that I'm 100% honest here on my blog about how I feel about a variety of people and topics. 🤷🏾‍♀️

But to me, it seems as though some fans of Tom (notice I said SOME) can be a bit harsh on him, or complain about things that in the grand scheme of things, really aren't big deals in the long run. 🤷🏾‍♀️

Or, they'll make blanket negative statements that aren't even true, like, "it's normal to want a successful project for your favorite actor" (as if Tom hasn't had MULTIPLE successful projects already?? 🥴🤔), or, you"want to see activity on his part" (as if, we don't get Tom content either through himself, friends, and or family on a REGULAR basis). Look, some actors out here don't even have social media at all, or never post, or don't have their parents posting content about them. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Yet, ppl are still their fans.

I've already made peace with the fact that we're not going to get the same social media happy Tom that we got in 2017. I've made peace with that with both Tom AND Zendaya tbh. If smthg harms my fave and their mental and emotional health, I'm not going to be upset if they're not posting on social media.

I will agree with you that a lot of Tom's fans are actually fans of him by extention of Zendaya, his gf. But he can't help that. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Their stars happened to rise at the same time due to their Spiderman movie that they were in together. Many fans of Z were fans of her BEFORE she got to the level that she is today though, but it's not a bad thing imo?

But at the same time, it amuses me how sometimes you are too optimistic or do not notice serious problems with some things related to Tom

I just feel like Tom's fans are a bit hard on him, and undermine his success already in the industry all the time (his R&J PLAY sold out in like 2 hours!!!) Like, c'mon. 😏

And what "serious problems" are there related to Tom exactly? Is he on drugs? Is he wilding out? Does he look depressed? Is he looking homeless? Has he lost a ton of weight in a short amount of time? Is he acting crazy out in these streets? To me, those are "serious problems" and signs that an actor is going through smthg. All the other stuff you've mentioned aren't "serious problems" imo Anon.

Yes, we all want great things for our fave actors, and of course we wish them the best! 😃 But unless there are some serious issues going on in that actor's life, we need to know our place as FANS, and let an actor live his (or her) life! Actors usually only film about 1 or 2 films a year (if THAT), and the rest of the time, they're working bts, negotiating other future projects, promoting current projects, or simply just taking a break. When you're at Tom's level of success, you can afford to take longer breaks if needed. He's been working and going non-stop for over 7 years. If the man wants to take a break, his fans should be okay with that. Jmho 🤷🏾‍♀️

[yutahoes]

Polarity

Chapter Sixteen (Final)

Masterlist

characters: mafia boss! Yuta Nakamoto x innocent! florist! reader

summary: While running away, you seemed to be moving closer to the man you were avoiding. Are you even heading to the right direction?

chapter word count: 5.5k words

chapter genre: angst, fluff

chapter warning: crying, mention of death, mental health problems, voices in the head, a slapping scene, lacking ending

taglist: @sourirensoleillee @kyuprincess @nuoyipeach @anonjyxd @a-bts-world @a-place-filled-with-random @smolbeanieee @yumilovesavocado @imnotsureokay @dhaly-g @spicyryujin @doodoodove @blueeyedlove-blog1 @kosmoreads @joepomonerof @calipsou @yutadae @juungvely @hangyeomcult @cherrphoenix @itsyntt @winterwritesblog @yutazen27 @ytzvivi @brightestmark @yujaesstuff @johnbanana @fullsunncit @loverofnct @127lvr4 @scuzmunkie

a/n: I am terribly sorry for the super late update (I have been saying that a lot) A lot of things just happened personally. I have a terrible time thinking of how to end this story and this wasn't the best option but this is the only thing that made sense. Thank you for coming with me on this wild ass ride. I am sorry if I disappointed you with the ending but I'm really thankful for the time you spend reading this series. I'll try to be better and update faster in the coming days.

It was the longest month of your life: one funeral, after another, then another. A lot of lives were already lost. And the last one is the hardest one to accept. 

This is the reason why you planned to run away, why you wanted to leave in the first place, to save Yuta and Momo from you. In the end, you were the reason why they died. You cannot accept the reality presented in front of you. The people you once met and loved are now ashes jarred in a columbarium. 

Doyoung and Jaehyun kept on assuring you that you were not at fault. It was an accident. Yuta was driving fast for someone who doesn’t drive that much and the roads are steep because of the cliff. Johnny hated to see you kept crying and forced you to come with him to his hometown. To forget and move on from everything. 

But how can you move on from this? How can you forget the best yet most traumatic thing that happened in your life? 

The voices were louder in your head. The nightmares became more vivid each night. 

You just wanted the things in your mind to stop. 

So when Johnny brought you to the best psychiatrist in Chicago, you didn’t hold back and kept crying at the stranger in front of you. You told him everything and you only got a piece of a fantastic quote from him, “If you put it out, it will come out.” 

It didn’t make sense at first but when you found yourself listening to one of the doctor’s past patients, who became a great speaker, you found yourself inspired by how she managed to turn the things in her head into something amazing.

If your nightmares become your reality, why not make your reality into fiction? 

You worked part-time, as Johnny’s assistant, to pay for writing courses in a nearby college and started to put your life back to pieces by writing a novel. With Johnny’s connections as the son of the feared mafia in Chicago, you got your book published. It didn’t take a year for it to become one of the best-seller fiction books in the country. A book about a friend and a traitor. Sophie and Mark. The love story you wished they had, if none of these happened. 

Then the following year, as per the readers' demand, you created a story based on two of your friends who you found out are dating in real life. A well-known doctor and a nameless club hostess. Jaehyun and Lexi. 

It still amazed you when Jaehyun came to Chicago and he shared that he was dating Rachel, a friend of yours. You didn’t know anyone named Rachel and when he shared a picture, you were surprised that it was Lexi. He did share that he first saw her when they came to check on Kyoko. And when you were confined to the hospital, after the whole ordeal with Mark, the feelings just developed. It inspired you to make the book that became your second shot at fame.   

By the third year, you shifted to fiction from self-help books and it had been selling like pancakes. 

Maybe this is your calling. 

The voices come to you as a whisper now. The nightmares become blurry each night. The therapy is working. Putting it out is working out.

You’re slowly getting your life back together. 

“Aren’t you going back?” Johnny asked one morning and you gave him a confused look. “It’s Sophie’s death anniversary.” You stared at the floor. Are you ready to face her? “You’re doing so well, maybe it’s time to tell her that.” He was right, you definitely should go back. Maybe you can brag about the books to her. That you made a name for yourself, that you created a new world for yourself. That you’re slowly surviving these all. 

But you’re scared. “Will you come with me?” 

Johnny shook his head, smiling at you. “I still have work here.” You pouted. You don’t want to go back alone. “But I’ll message Jaehyun.” 

The airport looks the same as when you last left. Busy. Crowded. A lot of memories had happened in this same place. You remembered being nervous to board the plane for the first time. You remember crying so hard when you received the bad news on the phone. You remembered Johnny telling you how happy he is that you chose your happiness. You remembered being abandoned by your dad. You remembered being saved by a person with chocolate brown eyes.  

You grasped the sling of your body cross bag at the memory. He’s passing your mind again. It’s making your heart hurt. 

“Baby!” Someone called and you saw Jaehyun waving his arm while running to you, Lexi glaring at him. “I’m so glad you’re here. We have something to tell you…” You greeted the girl, “Love, tell her.” Before the woman beside you could speak, Jaehyun held your hand. “Rachel and I are getting married.” 

It still makes you wonder who Rachel is. But when Lexi rolled her eyes, you gasped and then looked at her in surprise. “It’s a small wedding. Family and just a few friends.” She claimed as if it was not a big deal. But it is, your eyes are even tearing up at the announcement they shared. 

“And she’s going to make you her maid of honor.” 

Lexi slapped Jaehyun’s shoulder, “I should be the one telling her that.” The tears fell and they both looked at you in surprise. “I’m sorry. Don’t you like that?” 

You shook your head. “No, I love it. But why me?” 

The girl smiled warmly at you, “Because you were the reason why we met.” Jaehyun wiped the tears on your cheek with his thumb, “Y/N, you are the best thing that happened to both of us.” He claimed that it made you tear up more. Lexi scolded her fiance at how he made you cry but you only laughed at that. 

Who would have thought that they’ll be perfect for each other?  

Instead of heading to the hotel first, you decided to visit Sophie’s tomb located in a cemetery in her hometown. It feels nostalgic to be back in the place. The first time you’ve been here, you were filled with grief. Now, you have mixed emotions. 

The marble was obviously taken care of. Sophie’s picture made you mirror the same expression as hers, smiling. “I miss you.” You started, brushing your hand along her embossed name. “I miss your burnt toast and that overly bitter coffee.” The side of your lips curled up as you fixed the flowers, camellias, to adorn her marble. “I miss talking to you.” 

The tears automatically fell like waterfalls, “I’m sorry.” You whispered, “I’m sorry I put you in danger. I should have listened to you from the start. I’m sorry, Sophie.”

You didn’t know when was the last time you cried in pain, you’ve been crying a lot in joy for the past years. You let the tears flow, making their way to her marble as if wiping the sins you’ve done to your friend. You kept on apologizing, grasping the cold marble in your fingertips. The weather seemed to match your mood as it suddenly rained, masking your weeps of grief. 

It was really dark when you left the cemetery and drove back to town. You didn’t even know if the road you’re traveling on is the right way since the GPS is busted because of the thunderstorm. It didn’t help that your phone was out of battery. You were getting frustrated that when your car overheated and stopped on the road, you just bumped your head on the steering wheel. Why is your day so unlucky like this?

A knock on the door of your car startled you, an old man with a clear umbrella looking at you in worry. You didn’t realize that you were honking the car so loud with your action and apologized to the man you bothered. “Do you want to have some tea inside?” You glanced at the small homey shop with the sign that said ‘closed’ on the door. You stared at him in confusion before he smiled, “No one really wants tea at night. But you might need some.” 

You didn’t know why you said yes. But in your defense, the old man looks so nice. The scenario has an element of horror fiction or just a small funny anecdote that made you laugh. The old man left a tray of tea in front of you just as the smell of lilies filled the air. The last time you had tea with Yuta, the last time you saw him, you were having this exact flavor of tea. You smiled at the painful memory. “You’re not from here, aren’t you?” The old man asked, sitting in front of you. 

You nodded before taking a sip of tea, the taste almost the same as you had before. Painful. “I visited a friend.” It must be a lot of information for a stranger but being put into therapy sessions to open up, you were so used to talking to other people. “The tea tastes great. And your place feels so warm.” You took in the interior of the shop: the wood tables and chairs, the warm atmosphere, and the flowers on each table. 

The old man grinned, “My son loves tea so with the little money my wife and I saved, we opened this shop.” He smiled once again and you noted how warm it feels, must be why the small shop is homey. “It’s not that huge but we’re surviving.” This should be advertised more. Let some locals, and even tourists, know about how warm this place is. With the atmosphere, it will be good to put a library on one side. “My son wanted to put a small library on that side,” Your eyes widened in surprise, you were just thinking about that. “He works in the library.” 

“I can donate some books.” You claimed before you could stop yourself, “And maybe I can write about your tea shop in one of my books and let some readers visualize the experience here.” 

“You’re an author?” You nodded. “My son loves books. He’ll be over the moon if I get your sign.” He stood up and then took a piece of paper from the counter. 

You were embarrassed. Why did you say that? Your books are catered more to female audiences. Even if you give your autograph, you doubt his son reads your books. But the older man looked so excited that you didn’t burst his bubble. “What should I put as a name?” You asked, uncapping the marker. 

“Hayate,” he answered. “My son’s name is Hayate.” 

—---

Lexi kept on talking about Jaehyun's quirks that would only make you smile. It still fascinates you how the person who hated you before is now talking about a person you first knew in this mafia business. Who would even think that Lexi and Jaehyun would end up together? It’s impossible. But then, there’s nothing impossible right now. 

“Thank you for coming with me,” Lexi started and you gave her a heart-warming smile. This is something that you wanted to tap into for a long time. “If you feel uncomfortable choosing my flowers, it’s fine. You can tell me.” 

You smiled then shook your head. You have to face the trauma. “I’m fine.” You said in a lively voice. “We have to get pretty flowers for your bouquet.” 

The stalls were adorned with colorful flowers, a huge reminder of the work you first had. Before all of this. If only you stayed in that time, maybe Sophie is opening a stall here. The smell of flowers, woody and musky, filled the air. A very nostalgic sight and scent. 

Since Lexi doesn’t have any ideas about flowers, the reason why she asked for your help, you settled on finding a very particular flower that you knew would look good in a wedding bouquet. Ranunculus. It is a very common flower but not that common in the season and when you spotted a certain stall selling that exact flower, you immediately approached the owner. She was an old woman, probably in her late fifties, with a nice smile. You found out that she has her own garden filled with ranunculus and with Lexi’s permission, ordered flowers for her bouquet. You even added some protea to decorate the wedding hall. 

It was a fruitful errand. You were thankful that Lexi asked you to come with her. The flowers really did calm you down. You missed being surrounded by their colors and scent. The last time you were in a room full of flowers was at the flower shop, with Sophie. The last time you saw so many flowers was in the garden Mark cultivated. They would really love it here. 

You glanced at Lexi and the old woman talking so you just looked around for flower species that you remembered. A certain six-petaled, white flower caught your attention. Lily. “Hi,” you heard a female voice say before taking a piece of the flower you were eyeing. “This is for you.” Your smile fell when you saw the young girl. “You might have liked Lilies.” Momo.     

“Haruhi!” Another female voice called that made the young girl turn at the old woman talking with Lexi. She smiled your way before excusing herself and running to the older woman. 

She looks so much like Momo. Are your eyes fooling you? 

“Y/N,” Lexi called which snapped you back to your senses. “Are you alright?” 

You nodded then smiled. Maybe you just miss Momo so much.  

The Columbarium didn’t change. The jar where Yuta and Momo’s ashes were surrounded with dying flowers that you quickly replaced. Their picture, smiling widely, a bitter reminder that they’re both gone. 

“I missed you both more today.” You whispered, fingers grazing the porcelain jar. “I keep wishing that you’re still here with me.” It was a selfish wish. But it’s the only wish that would keep you sane. The only wish that makes sense in your life. 

You thought you could continue living without them: Sophie, Mark, Momo, and Yuta. You’ve been living well all this time. But right now, you realize how heavy life is without them. You cannot change the past. You were the reason why innocent lives were killed. You didn’t deserve to be happy with your life. You need to be miserable and pay for your sins. 

It was the idea you wanted to instill in Doctor Moon Taeil’s mind in your therapy session. He complimented how you look well compared to when he last saw you and you hated that. “I thought I’m okay. That I’m done fighting the voices in my head,” You started. Taeil was still the same smiling guy as he listened to you and it frustrates you. “But seeing them, knowing that they’re dead because of me, I hate that I’m doing well.” 

“You’re poisoning yourself,” Taeil claimed as his smile faded. “Do you remember what you desperately wanted before?” 

“To go back to my normal life.” 

He nodded, tapping his pen on the clipboard. “Now, you’re back to your normal life and more. You have everything that you wanted, Y/N. Shouldn’t you just live this life for them?” The smile on his face was back. “Yuta would definitely like it if you live your life happily.” 

You didn’t know if the talk helped. But for the first time, since you came back, you dreamed of him. Yuta and Momo were in the middle of a large lavender field, calling you over. You were running in their direction but they seemed to get farther as you grew closer. 

You woke up in cold sweats, voices in your head shouting ‘You don’t deserve to be happy, Y/N’. You tried to block them out by covering both your ears repeatedly. “I’m not crazy. This will stop.” You kept on mumbling to yourself to drown out the annoying noise but you can’t seem to make it stop. Your fingers kept on shaking as you poured the pills into your hand. 

You need to fight these voices inside you before it kills you alive. 

The pills aren’t helping. Even writing your thoughts isn’t stopping the voices in your head. A drive. Maybe a drive can help. 

Johnny used to do it a lot in Chicago. Whenever you cannot sleep and your mind is clouded with dark thoughts, he would take you out for a drive and watch the city lights. It used to calm you down. It turns the voices into a whisper. 

But Johnny isn’t here. And this is not Chicago. There are no night lights, just pure deserted fields. The weather isn’t helping at all. Why has it kept raining ever since you came back? 

You didn’t know why your feet and hands brought you to a familiar place. Maybe you needed to calm down so badly and this is the first place, here, where you felt that calmness. The lights were closed, as expected for a small shop that operates in the daytime. The rain was falling hard and the thunder rumbled as loud as it could. You knocked on the door loudly, hoping for someone to open the shop for you. 

The old man looked awake from his sleep and you profusely apologized when he opened the door. “It’s fine. Are you lost?” You’re not but you felt like you are. You nodded. 

Apologies kept on coming out of your lips as the old man walked you to the table by the corner of the shop. You smiled at how one part had an enormous shelf of books, some of the books looking very familiar. Your books. The world you created. Maybe the old man bought your books after your encounter. 

You are thankful that your feet brought you to this place. It really did calm you down. 

From the inside, you can hear hushed conversations and wonder if there was someone else awake because of you. You were once again apologetic. 

The old man came out with hot tea that made you thank him. It was a selfish request to prepare tea this late at night so you kept on thanking him while holding the hot cup in your hand. It was calming. A nostalgic feeling. “Are you having trouble sleeping?” You nodded, drinking the familiar tea. “My son said that chamomile can help you sleep better.” 

Chamomile. That’s why it’s too familiar. It was the first tea Yuta made for you. How memorable. 

Thunder rumbled and lightning came like a flash that startled you. You dropped the cup, earning a loud crashing sound. “I’m sorry,” You immediately crouched down to get the broken pieces of the cup, fingers shaking. “I’m sorry.” You repeated. The broken pieces of porcelain cut your fingers but it doesn’t hurt even if blood can be seen dripping from the cut. 

The old man called for someone and you only heard footsteps before it stopped in front of you. Rough hands pulled your fingers away from the broken pieces which made you turn to the person who spoke up, “Does it hurt?” 

You had to blink twice. The familiar black orbs. The familiar face. “Yuta,” you whispered, which made the guy in front of you stare in confusion. The tears fell from your eyes. He’s alive. He’s here. 

“Miss Y/N, are you alright?” The old man asked before the guy in front dropped your hand, covering the lower half of his face while gasping.

“You’re the author Y/N Y/LN?” The younger man stood up as if he were on fire. “Father isn’t kidding. I can’t believe I’m in front of an amazing author and I held your hand.” He stared at his hands before shaking his head, “I must still be dreaming.” 

It was your turn to be confused. He is Yuta. He looks exactly like Yuta. But why is he acting so differently? The old man chuckled when the younger ran back inside, “That’s my son, Hayate. He’s a huge fan of yours.” 

You chuckled to yourself. 

That does it.

You finally went crazy. 

—---

“Hayate Suzaki,” Doyoung recalled, showing you the folder that is filled with information about the person you asked for help. “He is a researcher from Romania and is currently a librarian in a local bookstore.” You kept on glaring at the copy of his passport picture and ID presented in front of you. “He does look like Yuta Nakamoto but I can assure you that he’s legit.”   

Jaehyun took the folder and nodded to himself, “He does look very much like Yuta.” He then glanced at you, “Y/N, you’re not crazy. It’s not a hallucination.” 

“Doyoung, there must be something not adding up. How can he look exactly like Yuta?” 

The said guy shrugged, “Y/N, I’m a policeman. Not a scientist.” 

The doctor beside you tapped your shoulder, “Y/N, Doyoung already broke the rules in helping us find information about this Hayate Suzaki. Let’s cut him some slack.” The man beside you held his chin as if thinking deeply, “And it’s possible that they might look alike. Yuta has a very generic face.” You glared at him. “He wouldn’t be Yuta. Yuta is dead.” 

“But what if he is Yuta?” 

Doyoung shook his head while Jaehyun heaved a tired sigh, “Maybe this is Yuta’s way of telling you to move on.” You stopped and stared at Jaehyun, “Let him go, Y/N” 

You tried to. Desperately. Jaehyun had always been with you that you didn’t have the chance to come back to the tea shop. Instead of moping over it and just kept on letting the voices get louder in your head, you busied yourself with the preparations for Lexi and Jaehyun’s wedding. 

The white gown looks so good on your new bestfriend. The initial impression of Lexi looking like a Greek Goddess came to you once again. Jaehyun is such a lucky man. “Why isn’t my bouquet here?” She asked. Your eyes kept on glancing at your phone, biting your lip in nervousness. This is your fault. You should have followed up on the bouquet. Now, you’re in a rush. 

A knock on the door can be heard and you open it to see the old woman you bought the flowers from, apologizing. “My husband’s car broke down. I’m sorry.” You shook your head. The important thing is that the flowers are here. Immediately, you fixed the flowers in the bouquet and handed them to Lexi. Before you could close the door, an old man came while holding the remaining flowers to use in decorating the hall. A very familiar old man.  

The girl who looks like Momo. The young man who looks like Yuta. The old man in the tea shop. The old woman selling flowers. It’s not just a coincidence. 

“Mr. Suzaki,” you called and the man smiled at you, greeting you. Both the old woman beside him and Lexi looked surprised. He introduced his wife and their flower business before introducing you as Hayate’s favorite author. “Hayate,” you called, “He’s not your son, isn’t he?” 

The couple’s face obviously frowned, “Mr. Suzaki, Hayate is not your son. He is Yuta Nakamoto.” You claimed, “The young girl in the flower stall. You call her Haruhi,” You cried, “She’s Momo. They’re not yours.” 

You heard a loud slap before feeling pain on your cheek. “Hayate and Haruhi are my children.” The old woman said, anger flashing in her expression. You held your hurting cheek. The room is spinning. Everyone’s eyes were on you. “They’re mine.” 

The old man held his wife’s shoulder, trying to calm her down. “Miss Y/N, I'm sorry for your loss but I think it’s time to move on.” 

When the couple left, your knees weakened and you quickly fell to the ground. Tears kept springing from your eyes but you weren’t sure if it was from the weight of their words or the slap of reality. “Y/N,” Jaehyun called, looking dashing in his black tuxedo. Lexi looked worried as she crouched down to check on you, ruining the form of her dress. “Are you alright?” 

It’s time to move on. 

You have to accept the reality. 

“I’m sorry,” you whispered, crying. “I ruined your wedding.” Lexi shook her head. “I’m sorry I ruined everything.” 

It’s time to move on. 

You have to accept the reality. You have to face reality. A reality without the love of your life. 

------

You kept on muttering an apology but both Lexi and Jaehyun just smiled at you, both shaking their heads. “You don’t have to come to Chicago with me. Johnny will pick me up from the airport.”

The newly wedded girl smiled. Radiance can be seen on her face. She looked prettier now that she was officially Mrs. Jung. “Think of it as our honeymoon.” 

Jaehyun chuckled, pulling his wife closer and then kissing her on her temple. “And it might take a long time before we can see you again.” You smiled timidly. With everything that happened, you decided not to come back in the meantime. If you want to move on, you should forget everything. Fight the demons in your head. Face the reality.   

This will be the last time you’ll run away from everything. 

“Miss Y/N,” you turned to the person who called you, a young man running to where you are. He stopped and then breathed hard as if he was having an asthma attack. Jaehyun, a typical doctor’s reaction, checked on him and Lexi gasped that he looked so much like Yuta. “This is so uncool,” Hayate whispered, then shook his head while assuring Jaehyun that he was fine. “Father told me what happened and I’m terribly sorry that mother hurt you.” He came all the way here to apologize? “I’m so embarrassed. I’m sorry, Miss Y/N.” He hung his head low which made you smile. 

They’re right. They do look alike but they are so different. Like opposite sides of the magnet. 

“You actually came here to apologize for them, Hayate?” 

His eyes, round and sparkly, stared at you. “You know my name? You said my name?” 

You nodded, “Hayate.” He gasped then stepped backward. Why is he so weird? You stepped forward and he took another step back. “Are you alright? Your face is red.” You stepped forward to move closer to him but he walked briskly to hide behind Jaehyun. “Hayate.” 

“He’s so opposite of Yuta,” Lexi noted. “He’s like the nerdy Yuta.” 

“Yuta,” Hayate called. “Yuta Nakamoto.” You stared at him in surprise. “He was the guy you always describe in your blog posts.” Wait, he reads your blog posts? “The man crazy about fighting. The man who taught you how to love.” You smiled then nodded although his eyes were focused on the ground. “Your first love.” 

It’s comical how he said those words. They’re really different. You can now fully say that Hayate isn’t Yuta. 

“Yuta is a mafia boss.” He claimed and you nodded, “He isn’t just crazy about fighting. He’s crazy about you. He thought your dress was slipping. He dyed his hair blonde because your childhood friend said that you don’t like men with black hair.” You stared in surprise. How did he know those things? You never mention any of it in your blogs or your stories. “Yuta, who has a secret penthouse where he took your…” 

“Stop,” you said in a loud voice. “How did you know all that?” 

His eyes finally stared at yours. The black orbs turned chocolate brown, the warmness that you only felt from Yuta’s eyes. “They were dreams before. Fighting people, killing someone, holding someone.” The way he said those words were quiet yet it resonated so loud in your ears. “Then I saw you in the shop and the dream became clearer. The person I’m holding was you.” 

No, it can’t be. “That can’t be possible.” Jaehyun claimed, “Yuta died.” 

“There was a car crash, Haruhi crying beside me so I tried to push her out.” He stepped forward but it was you who stepped backward. “There was an old man who helped pull us out. Then an explosion.”  

You choke on a sob. How can this be possible? Hayate is now centimeters in front of you but you didn’t make any move. “I always thought your stories were oddly familiar. That even if you used a different character name, it’s always Sophie and Mark in my head.” You released a gasp. “It’s always Jaehyun and Rachel.” You glanced at the couple who looked as surprised as you are. 

“Your stories are my reality, Y/N.” 

You are not crazy. Yuta didn’t die. He’s here. In front of you. Pretty much alive. 

“I don’t have anything. I’m not even a mafia boss,” You chuckled, tears falling from your eyes. Hayate wiped the tears from your cheeks with his thumbs. “But I’m begging you to let me in your world.” 

“Please choose me this last time, Y/N.” 

—----

Our life is filled with choices. 

What to eat for breakfast? What to wear today? Should you cut your hair short? Should you make a move and talk to that cute boy? 

There are always choices. 

A choice to fall in love. A choice to be happy. A choice to be crazy. 

Just like how Cinderella chose to stay with the prince and not come back to the life she had before. Just like how Ariel chose to be a human rather than accept who she truly is. Just like how Rapunzel chose to trust a man she just met and live her life.  

Choices that lead us to our own happy ending. 

Is this a happy ending? 

No one knows. 

Because happy endings are always on the last page of the story. And only you can unlock the last page of your own story. 

You closed the book as applause can be heard from the audience. It still feels surreal that your new book is loved by many even if it is way different from the usual ones you write. 

A mafia boss and an innocent girl. 

A story very close to your heart. 

“Baby,” Jaehyun called, handing you a bouquet of pink roses. “You were amazing.” You giggled, thanking him. Lexi smiled widely, repeating the same thing her husband noted. 

Johnny gave you another bouquet of sunflowers, complimenting your book and audience. “Where is the biggest bookworm of all?” 

“Her biggest fan?” Lexi teasingly asked. 

You pointed at the dark-haired guy standing in front of the bookshelf, totally immersed in the book he was reading. A smile escaped your lips watching him in his own world. A total contrast to the person he was before. “You’re going to London, right?” You nodded at Johnny’s question. It was inevitable since the book is gaining popularity across the globe. “Is he coming with you?” 

“How about Momo? Are you bringing her to London?” Lexi asked. 

Once again, you nodded. “We might bring Haruhi with us.” You claimed, “We can’t leave our daughter with her grandparents. I told Hayate not to come, his parents are already old, but he is stubborn.” You noted before sighing, “Father-in-law says he’s like a magnet stuck with me so wherever I’m going, he’s going.” 

Jaehyun chuckled, shaking his head. “At least there’s still some Yuta left in him.” Johnny smirked, “Possessive.”   

The mentioned guy started walking to where you are, slipping a hand on your waist then pulling you close. “Still a jealous freak.” Jaehyun nodded at what Johnny claimed, “I can’t believe you married a guy like him, Y/N.” 

“You managed to charm the feared mafia boss in town and yet you married a nerd.” You giggled. Why does Jaehyun love to tease Hayate so much? Maybe because your husband wouldn’t retort and would just accept all their teasing. At least he’s not as hot-tempered as before.  

You smiled at the person beside you warmly, “It’s still the same. Yuta is Hayate. Hayate is Yuta.” 

Lexi teased that you are so in love with your husband that made you chuckle. Who wouldn’t? He’s perfect. The man who made you crazy and saved you from craziness at the same time. The man you’ll choose over and over again. Your first love. When Johnny asked you for any plans for your next book, you just gave him a huge grin. 

You closed the book you recently published. The bright embossed silver letters of the title explain the concept you might just continue in your next story.  

A popular book author and an easily flustered bookworm.

The current story of your life.  

Opposites that attract each other. 

Like magnets. 

Polarity. 

[zoeykallus]

Hello, I hope your doing ok! And I love your work with writing. Hopefully your in a good mental health right now cause I got a Agnst request!

So the reader and clone of your choice, have been together for a while and she or he introduces them to there parents. The parents don’t approve because they are clone racist! And would rather her or him be with someone nat born. How would clones react to that?

(Also if you wanna go for the headshot and really spice it up, the reader is pregnant. That gonna be a real messy one! P.s this is for when every you feel like it or get the time. I understand writing is just a hobby and some people can be rude. So when ever you get time or you just don’t wanna do it. That’s cool to. P.s.s I’m still support your blog weather my request gets answered or not. You’re awesome writer!)

Aloha!

Still breathing! Thanks for asking :)) Hope you are doing great!

Oh, that's an interesting idea, one I can actually imagine would be true for some people if it was reality... Let me try my take on this one. I hope you don't mind me leaving out the pregnant part, though, I'd like to focus on the 'racism' part itself.

The Bad Batch x Fem!Reader HCs - The Worth Of A Clone

Warnings: Angst/Tension/ uhm, Clonecism? (racism)

_____________

Meeting your parents for the first time is excitement enough for your batcher, the whole thing takes a nasty turn when it turns out that your family doesn't have a good opinion of clones, especially when it comes to courting you.

AC:

Keep in mind that I am writing this from my point of view, how I would imagine the situation, and also how I might react. I cannot guess how others would react. Well, I could, but then I would have to have at least ten versions.

_____________

Initial situation (For everyone but Echo): Your batcher and you are invited to dinner at your parents' house. Your parents finally want to meet the man in your life. When asked what your beloved does for a living, soldier for the republic army, the first reaction is restrained but quite sympathetic. When your father makes the joking, casual remark, "At least you're not one of those clones," disaster takes its course.

Hunter

He takes a breath, collects himself, he already feels that the truth will not make him any friends here, but he does not intend to lie.

"I am a clone, not exactly like the others, but I am created in the same way and do more or less the same job".

The looks he earns are at first puzzled and incredulous. Your parents scrutinize him.

Your mother says quietly to your father, "I didn't know there were different ones, he doesn't look like the others".

Your father frowns critically, it takes a while until he finally says something again.

"I can not tolerate this connection, and I certainly can not support it".

The words sound rough and harsh. He seems annoyed, as if you and Hunter had deliberately tried to deceive him.

"With all due respect, your daughter is an adult, we don't need your permission. We're here out of respect and decency."

"Decency," echoes your mother, "How can someone like you talk about decency, you're not even a real person."

Shocked and deeply disappointed, you want to retreat with Hunter. Your parents give you a choice, "Family or clone".

The decision is easy thanks to their disrespectful attitude.

"I'm going with Hunter"

Hunter feels touched, hurt and guilty at the same time. He is overjoyed that you stand by him, despite everything, but he feels guilty because you break with your family because of him.

Echo

From the start, your parents react very dismissively and Echo feels very insecure. He wants to be polite, because after all they are your parents, actually he had hoped to make a good impression. However, he realizes very quickly that clones are not very welcome here, and the fact that he is not even an 'intact' clone anymore makes things even worse.

"A clone, a broken clone, half a droid," your father growls to himself, not even having the decency to address Echo directly.

Your mother stands in the background, not giving Echo a second glance, a steep, stern crease between her brows. When she finally speaks, she sounds reproachful and disappointed.

"How can you do this to us, bringing this thing here?"

Echo says calmly, "I'm not a thing. A clone I am by all means, yes, but a human being nonetheless."

Your father points disparagingly at his prosthetics, "That one doesn't look human."

Echo sighs, he feels anger, but mostly a heavy disappointment and pain over this situation.

"Yes, I lost a few limbs fighting for the Republic. Other soldiers are decorated for that"

"Because they're real human beings," your father rumbles.

"Echo is a real human being!" you exclaim angrily.

It quickly becomes clear that the evening is over. You retreat. You are so sorry for the way things have gone, for the things Echo has had to listen to.

Sitting alone with you in your apartment, Echo says after a while of silence, "They're not wrong about one thing, you deserve better".

When you try to contradict him, he says, "Cyare, I know I'm a good soldier, I'm a real person, whether I'm a clone or half a droid. Still, you deserve better."

You hug him warmly, kiss him and say, "There is nothing and no one I love more, you are wonderful Echo, the best thing that has ever happened to me. What we both have, I will never give up, no matter what anyone else says".

Wrecker

At first, your parents are thrilled with the friendly giant. Especially your father seems pleased with your choice, "A soldier and what a soldier, look at this guy, I don't have to worry if my daughter is protected," he says enthusiastically and shakes Wrecker's hand with pleasure.

Wrecker smiles, very happy to have made a good first impression.

The mood shifts drastically, however, when it is revealed over the course of the evening that Wrecker is a clone soldier, obviously not a regular one, but a clone soldier nonetheless.

Your father sighs and says, "I'm sorry, but I can't condone that."

Wrecker asks in surprise, "Why not? Did I say something wrong? I assure you, I respect your daughter and love her very much."

"That's not the problem, it's more what you are" your mother says.

Wrecker looks at you questioningly, he can tell your heart is sinking right now, you already seem to know where this is going.

"I'm human," he says calmly.

"You're a clone, a copy of a human," your mother says somewhat snidely.

Wrecker blinks, then sighs. He's had this reaction before, only here, and now he didn't really expect it. Somehow he had hoped, or expected, that your family would think like you and be just as wonderful people.

After this evening, Wrecker is very unsettled, but he still behaves calmly. He is afraid that you will end the relationship. His pleased, relieved face when you make it clear to him that you will not be influenced by your parents' opinion is priceless.

He pulls you into his arms and cuddles tenderly with you all evening, incredibly happy that he can be so close to you.

Tech

"That would explain why he talks so pompously, like a droid. He's not a real person at all."

Tech raises his eyebrows in shock. He's used to hostility towards his heritage, but he didn't expect this, sitting at a table with you and your parents.

"Mother!" you exclaim, startled and annoyed.

"It's true, isn't it?" your father says, making a throwaway hand gesture.

Your gaze bounces back and forth between Tech and your parents. You feel ashamed of their behavior and the expression on Tech's face pains you, he looks genuinely surprised and hurt.

Tech clears his throat and says, "I guess I should go, I'm obviously not welcome here."

"We agree on that," your father says.

Tech swallows the comment that's on the tip of his tongue and stands up, still politely indicating a bow as he departs. You grab your jacket and hurriedly follow him, against your parents' calls for you to stay.

Tech looks at you in surprise as you catch up to him and reach for his hand.

"Mesh'la?"

"You didn't think I was just going to let you walk away from me because my parents had a stick up their ass, did you?"

He blinks, then smiles gently.

"I'm honored, my dear, but I don't want you to fight with your family because of me."

You stand on the tips of your toes, and he leans toward you. Gently kissing his cheek, you say, "My beloved, I don't care what they think. Admittedly, I would have been very happy if they had accepted you, but the fact that they don't, doesn't change my feelings for you. I won't turn my back on you".

Crosshair

"At least you're not one of those clones"

Crosshair's gaze moves from your father to you and back again, slowly, with what you realize is a suppressed sigh.

"Well, I'm no ordinary clone, a special version if you will, but a clone nonetheless".

"Can you clones feel anything at all. Can you even love?", asks your mother.

Crosshair says dryly, "I can only speak for myself. Theoretically we are all capable of emotion, I just like it in small doses, however with your daughter I make an exception"

Your parents are not very enthusiastic, neither about him as a clone nor about his dry humor. Crosshair faces a well-known hostility.

The mood is tense, but Crosshair is not the sort to put up with this nonsense. He stands up and says sharply, "The clones are the reason we can sit here at dinner tonight and not be under Separatist rule. But keep being condescending and ignorant, that seems to have gotten you a long way in life."

You also hastily get up, leaving your perplexed parents in the dining room. You follow Crosshair out, hastily quickening your steps to keep up with the strides of his long legs.

"Wait, Crosshair, don't run like that."

He stops, turns around and raises his brows.

"I'm not running, your legs are just too short" he says teasingly, finally smiling at you.

"I'm sorry-"

He raises his hand to interrupt you.

"It's okay, I'm used to this kind of behavior. I was hoping your family would be different, but I'm not exactly shocked that they're not."

He strokes your cheek and says, "It's okay, I don't blame you."

"I don't care what they say or want, I still want to be with you."

He smirks and says, "Of course you do, Kitten"

Ko-Fi (If you feel like giving me some coffee)

@rintheemolion

@andyoufollowyourheart @clone-whore-99

@brynhildrmimi @kaliel2310

@misogirl828 @tech-deck

@meshla-madalene

@chxpsi

@thebahdbitch

@nahoney22 @ladykatakuri

@darkangel4121

@ttzamara

@arctrooper69

@padawancat97

@agenteliix

@allsystemsblue

@palliateclaws

@either-madness-or-brilliance

@ortizshinkaroff

@andy-solo1

@hunterssecretrecipe

@heyitsaloy

@greaser-wolf

@extrahotpixels

@hated-by-me

@hunterxcrosshair

@malicemercy

@bebopsworld

@echos-girlfriend

@taskfork-archive

@cpnt616

@starwarsnerd111

[heardchef]

Okay, so, can I offer a perspective as a viewer with no shipping expectations/affiliations whatsoever? 

What I respect a huge amount about the writers and Storer is that they seem genuinely determined to make sure that the woman characters in the show are whole people, with stories and lives that exist outside of their connection to the main character (Carmy). I do think that’s admirable. And I also get the sense — especially having seen the reaction to the romantic storylines being what it has been — that the resolution on their part to come out and say, ‘No, it’s never happening between them’, might have something to do with *all that*, tangentially. Which is to say, would Sydney as a character suffer to be considered as a whole apart from her relationship with Carmen if that’s where they went with it? Or would she be reduced to just that; just her relationship *to* him? Because, internet fandom do be weird like that sometimes.

But, I do also think that people are underestimating what the *intention* of Carmen with Claire — and Syd with her Dad, Marcus with his Mom, The Berzattos with The Berzattos, Richie with his ex/daughter, Tina with School, etc — was, this season. Storer said that it was always meant to be a season where we meet who these characters are outside of who they are to each other, and the restaurant. And so because we get to leave the restaurant, when we’re back there, it feels like more. It feels like being trapped in a pressure cooker (or, a walk-in, if you will). Because everyone is all in, and the risk has to work, or they’re all screwed. And it all means more to us, the audience, as well, because we know exactly what there is to loose. 

Part of the point with Claire specifically, to my mind, was always to properly bring Carmen home. He’d been holed up in The Beef since he got back, pointedly avoiding his life outside of those four walls. And so, when he’s forced back into it, he’s forced to accept that he *is* home — that people know him, that there’s nowhere for him to hide. He’s forced to accept who he is to other people, and to understand who he is, without Michael. He’s not just Chef, he’s Brother/Friend/Son/Uncle/Man. And so in facing that — that, despite himself, he does exist outside of a kitchen — it was always going to be that he went with safe if he went anywhere. Girl he’s been in love with since he was in school who knows his family and all his shit and who he doesn’t have to get to know because he already knows her, and who already knows him? That’s safe. Living up to an idea of himself that people already had? That's baby steps.

(And beyond just that, beyond trying for safe, is it really so unrealistic that Carmy would be bad at balancing life and work? He’s literally never done it before, by any measure.)

But another thing I think the final episode makes clear, is that Carmy had, at least subconsciously, been avoiding taking on the full responsibly of the risk he — the great hope, Food and Wine's Best New Chef — has lead everyone into taking. He lets Nat handle it, and he lets Syd handle it, he lets Jimmy handle it, and he even lets Fak and Richie handle it. But he was always terrified of handling it. And to be honest, he never really does — he doesn’t cram or keep his skills warm or go on a tasting adventure all over Chicago. He regresses into habits he had from before, that contributed to making him the wreck that he is, and he actively avoids having to confront the reality of work by escaping into not-work.

And so that’s where we’re left — with everyone a mess, in a mess. Season Three: Season One, Electric Boogaloo. 

i talked about this a little bit before [here].

i think that part of the reason why people want to a see a romance between syd and carmy is because of how well-developed, interesting, and nuanced the women in this show are. i think people want to see romance tackled as beautifully and intricately as this show has tackled grief, addiction, and mental health.

i agree with your points about claire. yeah, this season was about expanding horizons and experiencing life outside of the kitchen. i understand what her purpose was for carmy, being the guiding hand to show him that yes, there is more than these four walls you trap yourself in. you are more than your work. i just think the execution was a little lackluster.

people calling her carmy's pete isn't the compliment they think it is. we don't see pete much but when we do see him he doesn't exist just to act as nat's lighting rod for all of her negative emotions. is he that sometimes? yeah, for sure! his relationship with nat is a big part of his character but he gets to exist out of that and i don't think claire was afforded that same dimensionality.

at the end of the day i truly do not give a flying fuck what this show does with romance, who ends up with who, or any of that. that's not what got me into the show and it's not what'll keep me invested. i just want to watch a show about a motley crew of chefs and how they evolve and change.

i appreciate you offering your perspective! sidenote: i found it sweet how carmy picks-up drawing again after reconnecting with claire. he's still drawing his ideas but instead of pants it's food. he may not be able to handle the responibilities he's faced with or balance his two lives but he knows how to handle some prismacolors lmao.

but, yeah. shitshow for season 3, shitshow for season 3, shitshow for season—

[vouam]

just found this guy’s answer to a question on quora (“is misandry a problem in the US?” or something of that nature) and was wondering what your reaction to it would be. there are some points i wouldn’t be sure how to refute, though it’s certainly not enough to change my radfem beliefs lol. i’ll copy and paste it since i can’t send ss in anon

Q:“is misandry prevalent in today’s society?”

A:“I would say so.

Woman: doesn't want a child so she secretly aborts it.

Man: doesn't want a child and is forced to pay child support for 18 years while being ridiculed as a dead beat dad

Woman: my body, my choice

Man: has his genitals forcibly mutilated for no good reason at birth

Woman: free drinks at the club on ladies night

Man: there is no men's night. Drink prices increase to cover all the free drinks ladies get

Woman: oh please keep yourself safe

Man: forced to sign up for selective services (a.k.a. draft) at 18.

Woman: complains about low paying job

Men: 67% of work place injuries happen to men, 93% of work place fatalities happen to men. No one bats an eye

Woman: mostly automatically given custody of children no matter what

Men: you can see your children on the weekend only and pay for child support

Man: simply accused of abusing a woman and goes straight to jail.

Woman: beats the man senseless and if the man defends himself goes to jail. If he doesn't defend himself he still might go to jail or if he is lucky police will tell him to quit making a big deal about it. Has 1 place in the country to go to for sheltering battered men despite the fact that women are the perpetrators of domestic violence some 40% of the time. Woman, have countless battered women shelters to go to.

Man: gets raped by woman at gun point being forced to give oral sex and held captive for days. Society has a good laugh

Woman: gets raped and her perpetrator is rightfully punished. No one is laughing about it. Woman gets psychological help and all kinds of assistance from society. Also if she makes false accusations of rape, ruining a man's life, no one says a thing about it and she is free to go on accusing.

Men: penalties for the same crime as women are much longer sentences.

Men: comprise 60 some % of homeless population

Men: comprise of a majority of suicides

I could go on but it's only going to anger the feminazis more and more”

reading crap like this makes me so mad tbh, like i understand moids don’t have easy lives just because they’re moids but GOOD FUCKING GRIEF it’s like they just can’t fucking get enough of acting like society wasn’t built by men for men. 🙏🙏 sorry it just gets me upset. anyway love ur blog!!

Oooof this is a really great ask so thank you for sending this in! I guess I’ll approach this by answering each one individually (although I might repeat myself)

Men pay child support while women can just have an abotion

This is a very strange argument. Because firstly not every country has fully legal abortions. 47 countries only allow it for health reasons, 43 to save the mother’s life and 22 it is fully illegal. A lot of men like this seem to forget that there are other countries on this planet. I’d personally rather be the gender that has to pay child support for an unwanted baby. Even in the case of legal abortions, abortions are not easy to go through. It is mentally very difficult and can be an invasive procedure. Women are shamed for having abortions in every country, even the most ‘accepting’ places.

Circumcision

I am very against circumcision and this was probably his most valid point(?) But his point excludes the fact that FGM is practiced in many countries and cultures. And while male circumcision is usually done for religious reasons claiming its ‘hygienic’ and has little to no bad side effects while FGM can kill women and girls, and is done for far more malicious reasons that I can’t even begin to describe.

Men’s drinks night

Does he know the implications of what ‘buying a woman a drink’ means?? Yeah, I’d much rather be a man in this situation 😭

Drafted at 18

I am against anyone being drafted, and I’m against any military work period. But men made this rule because they deem men to be brave and strong - a stereotype designed to benefit them.

Work place injuries and fatalities

Most injuries and fatalities happen with manual labour, construction/factory work etc. Same stereotype as listed in the point before this.

Custody over children

Again, this happens due to a stereotype that benefits men. Women are ‘better parents/nurturing’ while men are not and should go out there and work and achieve their goals while women stay at home. Literally designed to benefit men. Also, a lot of men view the custody struggle as a privilege because they cannot be bothered to be fathers.

Going to prison because of a simple accusation and less abuse shelters for men

This is the craziest point because men do not go to prison over some random accusation pulled out from thin air. In order to accuse someone of abuse, you need extensive indisputable evidence. Even then, the police will not take it seriously or the defence will win the case for whatever reason. These are the hardest crimes to prove in a court and the statistics show this. Less abuse shelters for men because they are far FAR less likely to be a victim. Yes, its’s sad but this literally proves misogyny is a thing rather than misandry - because I know damn well which sex I’d rather be in this instance.

People laugh at male rape victims and women are given full support/legal justice

I addressed this in the previous point. Women are ridiculed and not believed/not given justice at an extremely higher rate than men.

Longer male prison sentences

Same stereotype that I’ve said before about being stronger/braver vs weak/nurturing. The stereotype was made to benefit them. Also this ignores that a lot of the time there are other aspects to a crime that result in a higher sentence given. For example 1st degree murder done for financial motive vs sexual motive.

Larger male homeless population and male suicide rate

I guess this is more of a question of why men are more likely to be homeless or commit suicide. Make suicide rate studies suggest it’s harder for men to admit mental health struggles/reach out for help. Again, it’s sad but the strong brave stereotype was designed to benefit them, like I’ve said before. Permanent homelessness is largely due to addiction, mental health, childhood poverty, financial crisis, loss of relationships to family/partner. These can all happen to women, except a lot of the female homeless population are trafficked, resort to prostitution, enter abusive relationships to escape the streets. In a lot of countries, people seem to think its 99% men that are homeless, but its usually not. You just typically only see male homeless people sitting/sleeping on the street in public spaces - that’s a more terrifying place for a woman to be compared to a man.

—

I guess this guy’s main problems is that he:

- Thinks USA/Europe/western countries are the only places that exist

- Can’t see that bad things that happen to men are actually a result of stereotypes designed to benefit the male population

- Makes up statistics in his head that aren’t true

- Has a crazy victim complex

- Can’t see that the women’s position in his scenario is actually worse

I hope this helps with any future debates and refutes! And I hope I explained myself well enough 😭

[beyondtheglowingstars]

Ndbasjbhdasjhdv these two have been RATTLING my brain for the longest time (is there actually a time when they're not?) so I had no option but to give in and write a fic. Post ST Link chooses to remain an engineer, I'm pretty sure you'll notice a few specific headcanons of mine shining through on this fic etc, etc. I hope you like it regardless.

Gift

Pairing: Zelda x Link (platonic) Word count: 3.1k WARNING(S): None :) General info: Link had picked up on a small detail during their travels. What he had noticed, it bothered him; but he wanted to fix things and help Zelda experience what she wasn't given the chance to. Meanwhile, she feels in great debt with him and while she isn't able to fully repay him, she does the best she can in that moment even if it's something small.

His mind had been thinking about it for a while now, back to the way she had reacted when she first got on the Spirit Train and experienced what was beyond the immediate proximity of Hyrule Castle.

“It’s so pretty and peaceful out here! I’d love to run through these fields if I ever get my body back.”

And every other comment whenever they traveled to a different area was filled with pure, child-like wonder and excitement; they only helped confirm his suspicions of the princess never having set foot past Castle Town. Had she really been walled up in the castle almost her entire life?

Maybe he was exaggerating things a little. After all, she mentioned that she had seen snow before. Perhaps it was more accurate to think that Zelda had not stepped foot outside of the castle since her parents, the former king and queen, were still alive and in good health. She must have been around eight to ten years of age back then. Which was a very, very long time ago.

He found it ironic, how everyone else essentially had more freedom than the princess of New Hyrule herself. But he wasn’t judging or making fun of the situation, goodness, he could never think of it that way. But it did put into a more clear perspective just how much influence Cole had back then, however. And the more he thought about it, the more upset he felt.

The way her face lit up when she saw snow again since who knows how many years ago, how she had laughed with joy when she saw the dolphins keeping up with the train then leapt out of the water when the whistle was blown, how her eyes fixated with interest on the many flowers and animals in the forest… At this point he realized that he may have, unconsciously, created a mental album where he recorded Zelda’s every reaction to all those new experiences. His anger within did not subside, but there was no use in getting upset about past injustices, was there?

She had gone with him everywhere during the adventure and explored almost every corner of New Hyrule because of it, but there must be a big difference between having seen the world as a ghost compared to a living person. He was on his way to Hyrule Castle to complete a delivery after all, maybe he could try to talk to the princess once he got there and arrange plans for taking her across the vast land of the country; maybe catch up with her too, it had been a month since the adventure concluded and they had seen each other. But as hopeful as he was about getting to see Zelda again, he knew that she had to be incredibly busy with royal duties and wouldn’t have time for something so insignificant. Perhaps some other day.

Link sighed as he set his gaze on what was ahead, Hyrule Castle was quickly coming into view. The train was set to a slower speed, the engineer blew the whistle as he got closer to his destination, and even though he was nearly there, his mind couldn’t stop making him anxious and more wistful for getting to see the princess. Adjusting the gearbox, he brought the train to a slow and calculated stop at the station.

Once he stepped off from the train, he was greeted by a castle town resident. A large man that seemed to be accompanied by another male.

“Link! Thank you so much.” Grinning, the man stretched his hand out for the hero to take, which he did.

Only to later feel a large hand pat his back with enough strength that almost knocked him off-balance. The handshake concluded, Link was about to speak before being beat to it.

“I’m guessing it will be as much as last time, right?” The blond nodded his head in affirmation.

“Here you go!” A small pouch filled with rupees was handed over to the young engineer.

“Don’t worry about unloading, I’ve got a friend to help me with that.” The statement revealing the reason for the other male being there.

And for one, Link was glad about not having to unload the cart from the heavy shipment. The two men almost effortlessly picked up the big boxes and expressed their gratitude towards the hero once again before leaving. He was left alone to his thoughts after that.

His hand absentmindedly clenched around the knot keeping the rupee bag sealed, his body gently rocked back and forth on his heels; maybe he should give a shot at trying to see Zelda again after all, and if it turned out that her hands were too full for something like that, he could always try again later, no problem. Hopefully he wouldn’t be a bother.

The blond put the newly acquired rupees into his wallet and marched towards the castle garden. Various people around the town waved and addressed words of admiration at him, which in all honesty, all the attention overwhelmed him and lowered the small amount of confidence he struggled to gather just to get to the front of the castle. But when he actually got there, one could swear the last remaining fragment of confidence he still had could be heard shattering into a million pieces.

He found himself in a familiar scenario, approaching the two guards at the front of the castle, with one of them eyeing him suspiciously. Even if he had saved the world, it seems like some guards would remain the same as they’ve always been. Link looked back at the guard and swallowed thickly, rehearsing in his mind again what he was about to say to the watchmen as he opened his mouth to speak.

“LINK!!” But this time he would be interrupted by the person he least expected to see.

Both the young engineer and the guards turned to the source of the sound. Clear as day, there was Princess Zelda running to the castle entrance, heading to their direction as she waved to her friend. Link’s face immediately brightened, and he instantly felt relief from all the things he’d been worried about. Zelda practically squeezed in between the two guards, she ran at Link with outstretched arms implying an incoming hug, the hero mirrored her gesture in expectance of a soothing embrace.

What he was not counting on, was for Zelda to squeeze him in a bone-crushing hug. He gasped in surprise, and then it became painfully apparent that he should have taken in a big gulp of air before engaging with the princess, seeing as he wouldn’t be able to properly breathe until the girl chose to let him go.

“LINK! Why didn’t you come visit earlier?!” As if he hadn’t already experienced enough emotions the last few seconds, he also felt himself being lifted off the ground a few centimeters, his cheeks warmed up with a faint red hue.

To make matters worse, he could see one of the guards trying his best to not laugh out loud, while the other one ignored the basic concept of giving the teens a small moment of much needed privacy.

“Pardon my interruption, but Your Highness, you should not venture outside the castle unannounced.” The man in green uniform stated, Link swore that the watchman was looking down at him with a menacing stare.

Zelda put the boy back on his feet after hearing the voice. Not that Link didn’t appreciate the gesture or how the princess was beaming with excitement to see him, but he was definitely grateful to be able to breathe normally again.

“You’re right. Let’s go, Link!” Zelda politely nodded at the guard, taking the engineer’s hand in hers as she replied and practically dragged Link into the castle.

The boy nearly tripped and fell from the unexpected dash. Zelda’s smile had not let up even now as she ran through the corridors holding Link’s hand, the guard in charge of watching the stairs leading to the throne room had to step away or else he risked being ran over by an enthusiastic princess. The hero had no clue where the girl got this much energy from and neither did he know how she was able to run so fast with heels on, all he knew was the way to Zelda’s chambers was a blur and suddenly found himself sitting down on furniture that was probably more expensive than anything he’s ever owned. The monarch sat beside him, the icy blue of her eyes trained on his face.

“Really, what took you so long to come back, Link?” Her arms crossed in front of her chest, face showed a minor pout.

“I’m sorry, Zelda. I figured you were busy so I didn’t want to bother you.” The engineer took his conductor cap in his hands and began fidgeting with it.

Zelda’s eyes widened with a gasp.

“Link, don’t ever say that again!” She lightly squeezed Link’s shoulders, the gesture making the boy become slightly tense, but he loosened up again just as quickly.

“You have no idea how much I’ve missed you! Had it not been for the train’s whistle and I wouldn’t have known you were here. You can come whenever you want, you know?”

“If you say so…” Link refused to meet her gaze for the most part, opting to direct his attention to his cap instead, which he was still playing with.

Zelda flashed him a sympathetic smile, one which made the hero audibly let go of a breath he didn’t know he had been holding, and copied her smile. The princess drew back her arms to rest on her lap, the engineer took this moment to adjust the cap back onto his head.

“Yes, really! I mean it. And I haven’t been too busy as of recent, actually. So don’t think you interfered or anything like that.”

Link internally sighed in relief, instantly feeling lighter after knowing that he wasn’t inconveniencing the princess. The boy cleared his throat.

“I’m glad to hear, Zelda.” A shy smile popped on his face.

“Umm, since you’re saying that you haven’t been too busy, I was wondering if you’d like to go on a trip with me across New Hyrule. I figured you didn’t get to enjoy much from the places we went to since we were tight on time and you were, well, a ghost back then.”

The engineer twiddled with his fingers, searching through his brain for the some of the things he’d been practicing in his mind to say in this moment.

“Of course, it doesn’t have to be to be today! You probably have something to do later on, so just tell me when you’re able to go, if you’d like. I can take you anywhere you wish, just tell me where and I’ll get us there.” A half-nervous smile on his face as he hoped that Zelda would take his offer.

The princess stared into Link’s eyes, her expression unreadable to him, and he was almost sure that she was about to reject him and never consider the offer. Until she squealed and he felt himself being squeezed in a hug again. It took him a few seconds to fully process what had happened, but when he reoriented himself he wrapped his arms around Zelda in return. At least this time he didn’t feel like his ribs or any other bone would fracture.

“I’d love to go! Thank you so much!” She separated much sooner than before, lips curved in a grin.

Link thinks it’s the happiest he’s ever seen her until now, and he couldn’t help giggling at her antics.

“Oh, I never did thank you properly for everything you’ve done for me. Yet here you are, giving even more without asking for anything in exchange.” Zelda’s expression became pensive.

“What do you mean? You were always looking out for me during the adventure and saved my butt more than once. Without you, I would have died on the first day! I have nothing to ask of you. I can’t.”

The princess averted her eyes, silently giggling to herself as she recalled a few fun memories from the adventure.

“I guess you’re right. You’re lucky you had me! Otherwise I think you might have slept in the dungeons.”

Link’s cheeks flared up as he picked up on Zelda referencing an embarrassing moment he had in one of the quests.

“H-hey! Here I am, offering to do something nice for you, and this is how you pay me?” A glint of mischief in his eyes as he added exaggerated his tone in a joking manner.

“If you don’t like it, then maybe you should take better care of yourself! And maybe then I’ll stop teasing you.” Link gave a fake huff of indignance.

“But it’s true! If I find out you’re still as careless as you were back then, I’ll put a phantom in your house so you’re reminded of me and do the minimum to take care of yourself.”

The hero pretended to roll his eyes in annoyance, face decorated with an evil smirk.

“If you do that, I’ll invite a rat family to your bedroom so they can turn it into their home.”

The princess gasped in disbelief. This time she was the one whose face dusted with pink on the cheeks as Link chuckled at her reaction.

“Here I am, worrying about your well-being, and this is how you pay me?” Zelda imitated his tone from earlier as if to mock him.

It only made the engineer laugh loudly, until his contagious laughter caught on to Zelda herself and the room was filled by the sound of their combined laughs. They were probably heard all the way from a few corridors away but neither of them cared about the volume of their voice, taking them at least a minute until they were both gasping to recover air and finally calmed down. Zelda was the first to speak again.

“Okay, but really now. I do hope you’re actually looking after yourself now.”

“Alright! I’m not as careless anymore, I promise.” Link put his hands up as a sign of defeat.

Zelda showed a smug smirk, knowing she had won this time, but having no further intentions of teasing Link.

“Well, it was a lot of fun talking with you again. Let’s go, Link!” Zelda swiftly stood up from her seat and set her hand out for Link to take, her demand and actions snapped him out of the head-space he was in.

“H-huh? Go where?”

“On that trip you said you’d take me, dummy!”

“Right now?! Are you sure?” The hero hesitantly took the princess’s hand, standing up much slower than she did in comparison.

“Yes! Oh wait, I forgot to ask you if you’re free for the rest of the day, didn’t I?” Zelda flashed him an apologetic smile, letting go of his hand. “Do you still have to do something today?”

Link looked to the side, scanning his mind to make sure there wasn’t any unattended business he has to take care of later, but he didn’t find anything. Well, there wasn’t anything except for a minor favor Alfonzo had asked him to fulfill. But he knew his instructor well and it wasn’t anything urgent; surely, Alfonzo wouldn’t mind if Link took longer to complete his task if he found out that Zelda was involved.

“No, not anymore. I’m free now.” He smiled to hide the lie, which Zelda bought anyway.

The girl punched the air in celebration. Link half-expected the princess to bolt out of the room right that moment with him in tow like she had done earlier, but was thankful to see that wasn’t running out yet.

“So, where would you like to go, Your Highness?” The engineer wiggled his eyebrows at Zelda as her formal title rolled out of his tongue.

The princess rolled her eyes and poked one of his sides a few times to tickle him, making Link cover that vulnerable section and Zelda drew back her hand, satisfied on the inside that she was able to get back at the other teen. She held her chin on one of her hands, taking on a pose of thought as she hummed and wondered where she wanted to go.

“How about you take me to Aboda Village? I want to know more about you.”

Link stared at her with a face of confusion, but ultimately didn’t question her decision like he first intended to.

“If that’s where you wanna go, then I’ll take you there.”

“Great! It’s time to go, then.” Zelda was beginning to head out, but Link didn’t follow her as a question of importance spun in his head.

“Zelda, wait. Don’t you need a guard to go with you?”

“Under regular circumstances, I would. But since I’m going with you, you’ll be my escort this time.” The princess stated as if she weren’t talking about something important at all.

“You can do that?! Are you sure?” Link’s eyes widened in surprise.

“I have more freedom now that a certain someone isn’t here anymore, so I fully make the rules now! Well, I do for the most part…” The last sentence coming out in a whisper.

“I trust you, Link. You saved my life before, and I know you’d do it again if you had to. Just like I’d do the same for you in a heartbeat if it ever came to it.”

The hero was left speechless, body unmoving as several feelings ran through his head.

“And if anyone were to doubt you, I’ll be there to remind them why you’re more capable than any other swordsman in New Hyrule! If you had chosen to become part of the castle guard, you’d have ended as my personal body guard.”

Link let out a giggle of joy and took the princess’s hand in his, feeling more determined than he ever had before.

“Well, Your Highness, you’re in luck that I keep my sword in my train. Now let’s go back to adventure!”

Zelda mentally pat herself on the back as she considered to have achieved a significant victory for the day. She was happy to see Link come out of his shell little by little, but she thought the cherry on top was to know that he was feeling confident. She nodded at him in approval with energy, while making it a new goal for herself to help Link have more of these moments. She believes that he very well deserves them more than anyone else.