#midnight temptation

[yourfavoritewitchbitch]

Midnight Temptation

Sweet Seduction

An encounter with a handsome, intriguing stranger who has his eyes set on you. Are you prey... Or something more.

This will be a series of blurbs featuring Vampy Steve!

As always, my works are 18+ MDNI! This one does not contain any smut.

CW: This one is pretty mild. Smoking. Mentions feeding on humans/blood lust. Vampires. No use of Y/N.

WC: 1.6K

The chilled autumn breeze catches you off guard, as you tighten your coat around yourself. Early October winds stripped most of the reds and yellows from the trees, littering the sidewalk with its array of discarded foliage. A pity none crunch under your feet, dampened by the rain that seems to be never ending this week.

It's only another few blocks but the sudden drop in temperature wasn't what you expected today. Then again, you hardly ever caught the weather forecast.

Glancing at your watch, you picked up the pace, trying to avoid another earful from your boss for being late. It was just a shitty dive bar, you could easily pick up another shift at a handful of places around the city, but you’d just gotten the job a month ago and didn’t want to start looking again so soon.

Arriving just in time, you barreled through the door to avoid any backlash, but your spirits were immediately dashed when your boss told you the other waitress called out with no replacement, leaving you alone for the night.

It started out easy enough, a few regulars filtering in that were easy going but before long the place had gotten packed. You were making a mad dash around the place to keep up for the rest of the evening into the late night.

He had slipped in easily, going unnoticed, weaving through the crowd with sure and measured steps. Women took notice as he passed by, along with a few men, as he navigated to the dimly lit booth in the far corner of the bar making himself at home, spreading out and making himself more comfortable. His long legs stretched beneath the table, crossing as the ankle.

You were taking a couple's drink order, pausing mid-sentence when his eyes caught yours. He was shrouded by the dark, but for a moment you could have sworn his eyes were glowing amber before he looked away.

“Are you even listening to me?” The blonde bimbo squeaked, snapping her perfectly manicured fingers in front of your face pulling your attention back to her.

“Shit, yeah, sorry. That was a gin and tonic for him and a cosmopolitan for you, right?” Plastering your best fake smile across your face as you said it. She rolled her eyes replying with an annoyed “yeah.”

You nodded, eyes drifting back over to him as you walked away but he was gone. It had only been a mere few seconds and somehow, he had managed to sneak away. Quickly surveying the room, trying to catch a glimpse of this mystery man, you spot a head caramel highlighted tresses slipping out the door into the night.

Weird.

You checked the rest of your tables before telling your boss you were taking a smoke break, walking through the kitchen and out into the back alley.

-

He was walking downtown late one evening, making his usual rounds. Local dive bars, near the east side, frequented by vagrants and some homeless. They were easy prey, though he had to watch the addicts, their essence tasted like battery acid, burning the entire way down.

He looked for people that weren't believable. The ones that if his mind manipulation failed, no one would bat an eye at thinking an actual vampire lurked in the streets and shadows of Indy. His thoughts drifted to Eddie, how easily he could ease into someone's thoughts, simply by gazing into their eyes. He had always been so much better at making sure no one remembered his late night visits.

He was close to his usual spot, a small diner situated near an alley that was backed up to a row of abandoned warehouses when he caught a scent of someone intoxicating that hit him so hard and potent it stopped him in his tracks.

His body was on autopilot following his nose and blood lust to a small dive bar on the edge of town. He stepped in, eyes quickly searching everyone in the dimly lit bar, but no one stood out right away.

He grabbed a booth at the far end, half shrouded so he could watch the room without being noticed and that's when you stepped out from the back.

His senses were flooded, causing him to close his eyes and take a deep breath. Why you? Why were you so special?

When he allowed himself to look back up, you were staring directly at him. He knew his eyes were burning embers as his canines suddenly pierced his bottom lip, hissing to himself from losing control as he looked away.

You were distracted once he had regained composure, so he quickly moved to leave.

His cold, dead heart suddenly felt like it was pumping blood through his body again, coursing through his veins at a rapid pace. That nervous trepidation when meeting someone that made your stomach flip overtook him. He hadn’t felt like this in years, not since he was still alive.

He HAD to get out of there.

He turned the corner to take the alleyway to stay away from the crowds on the main strip and maybe snag a quick late night snack.

He was taking his time but then you walked out. He moved lightning fast, his back pressed up against the brick exterior of the adjacent building, silently watching you from the shadows.

Inhaling another deep breath, he willed his lungs to expand, relishing your scent this close and personal without the obstruction of other people.

He'd never smelled anything like it. It was sweet. Strawberries and honey, an alluring mixture that called to him like a siren's song, one that he couldn't ignore. It was too tempting to steer himself away before crashing into the rocks and letting you drown him.

He couldn’t stop the words from tumbling from his mouth as he stepped out of his hiding place.

-

There were a couple of old crates stacked in the corner by the dumpster that everyone used as a makeshift stool. You plopped yourself down onto with a heavy sigh, pulling out a crumpled pack of smokes and lighter.

“Great.” Huffing to yourself pulling out the last one and placing the filter between your lips, lighting the end with a cherry red glow illuminating your face.

The back alley was dark, except for one streetlight to the left at the main road. It was quiet. You relished in the few peaceful moments you could steal away from the loud music that faintly trickled out.

You took a long drag, holding the nicotine laced smoke in your lungs for a few seconds, slowly releasing it, when you heard a gravelly voice from the shadows.

“Those things’ll kill you.”

Your head shot toward the sound, heart rate ticking up slightly with the knowledge that he had obviously been watching you.

Slowly he stepped out into the light, worn denim jeans on long legs, slim waist and an expansive chest, clad in a simple black v neck t-shirt under his matching leather jacket. Your eyes trailed slowly up, a silver chain around his neck catching the light and reflecting it back to you when his face was finally revealed.

He was handsome. Too handsome for a place like this.

From your vantage point, you made out his strong jawline and aquiline nose. His dark eyes seemed to look straight through you.

“Sorry, if I spooked you.” Rushing out as if he could feel the tension suddenly radiating from you, making a show of his hands taking another step in your direction.

“You make it a habit of skulking around in dark alleyways?” You smirked, sliding the cigarette back between your lips. There was something about him that intrigued you, your eyes shifting to examine his charming exterior, but it felt like there was something more dark lurking just below the surface.

The words slipped out before you realized it, that snarky, tough girl attitude seeping through but he simply grinned, amused with you.

“Not usually.” He kept his gaze firmly fixated on you as he spoke, giving no other explanation. “Got a smoke I could bum?”

“Sorry, fresh out.” Making a show of crumpling the empty pack and tossing into the dumpster as you stood, finishing the last of yours before stubbing it out. “And I need to get back to work.”

“Right.” He nodded. “Maybe next time.”

“Yeah, sure, pretty boy. Yo—”

“What'd you just call me?” His suddenly demanding voice cut you off as you turned back around, suddenly face to face with him, startling you once again wondering how the hell he got across the alleyway so quickly.

“Wha— I,” your brows marry with confusion. “I— pretty boy?”

“Why'd you call me that?” He asked, leaning further into your space. This close you could see his eyes were a golden array of warmth.

“I don't know. It just— your eyes are really… beautiful.” Blurting out without a second thought, as if those eyes had you pinned under some sort of spell.

He suddenly took a couple steps back, looking away and breaking whatever the moment was.

“I'm sorry, I— you should go back to work. Sorry I bothered you.” He backed further away and turned, working his way towards the shadow. Hoping it wouldn't be the last time you'd see him; you spoke back up.

“Aren't you coming back in?” You rushed out.

“Maybe some other time.” He lamented, a hint of regret in his voice as he stopped but didn’t turn back around.

“Well, can I at least get a name, or do you just prefer pretty boy?” You smirked.

“It's Steve.” If only you could see the smile that split his face. It had been a long time since he'd told anyone his real name and he's still not quite sure why he told you.

“Well, Steve, guess I’ll see you around.” You smiled, as you headed back toward the door without waiting for a response. You gripped the handle and peered back in the direction he had just been walking, but much to your surprise he was already gone.

[yume-kara-samete]

Midnight Temptation - ºC-ute

ºC-ute Concert Tour 2014 Aki ~Monster~

[lilrobinbird]

With the update I FINALLYYYY can get rid of all the rubbish lmao, at one point I even stopped picking it up and just let Eris throw it everywhere and make mountains out of it

[courseyoulovemeyoudontknowme]

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012, Stephen Chbosky)

01/12/2024

[broke-on-books]

Need to watch my favorite movie again sometime soon

[pyrriax]

hi tumblr i. cannot get a thought out of my head so take this little wip thing....

[ Image ID: A sketchy, grey-scale comic, reading from left to right. Zenith, a lanky, thin man with fox ears and a long tail walks toward the right, having an indistinct conversation with another character who isn't visible. His ears are tilted back, and his shoulders are raised; he's nervous about where he's going. A small triangular cut out on the top right shows Zenith's expression as he stops, he's looking down at something, and looks afraid. His ears are pinned completely back, and his mouth is open slightly in shock. There's a small dialogue box between this cut out and the next, reading in shaky text, "what the...". The next cut out is a trapezoid on the bottom right, almost connecting with the top. There's an indistinct person sitting on the ground, half-leaning against the wall with their head down. Their hands are cuffed together, and their legs are splayed. They've been hit in the head. There's blood on the side of their head, dripping down their face and onto their arms, as well as blood smeared on the floor. /End ID. ]

@my-little-versaille (in case you want to reblog it for your own storage purposes :3)

[wikiangela]

WIP Wednesday

tagged by @buddiearemydads and @honestlydarkprincess 💖

While I am still working on the 6x17 fic and the holiday fic, I just started the dog fic I mentioned in temptation tuesday lol so here's a little snippet

It starts as a random remark on a sunny Sunday afternoon when the three of them are at the park. They’re just taking a walk, with the goal of getting ice-cream from the best ice-cream place in the city, according to both Buck and Chris – which is just an ice-cream stand in the middle of the park. 

There’s a lot of people around, strolling and talking just like them, or having picnics, or walking their dogs��� and that last thing is what starts a conversation.

Because a big dog runs up to Buck – Eddie’s not even surprised at how every single breathing creature, human or otherwise, is just enamored with Buck, he’s used to it – and he stops to pet it with the brightest smile. Meanwhile, the owner, a young girl probably in her early twenties, catches up and apologizes profusely, saying that the dog tugged the leash out of her hand, and assures that it’s friendly and it’s safe to pet her – which is what Buck’s already doing, anyway.

“Hey, pretty.” he coos, crouching down, both hands petting the dog’s head, while it pants happily, tongue out. 

“Can I pet her, too?” Christopher asks, giving Eddie the most adorable pleading expression, and Eddie just can’t say no. 

“Of course. Just be careful.” Eddie says and watches as Chris walks closer to Buck, who holds one of his crutches to prevent it from falling, when Christopher hurries to pet the dog with the brightest smile.

No pressure tags: @silentxxsoul @diazass @elvensorceress @rose-buddie @mrevanbuckley @shortsighted-owl and whoever else wants to do it hah

[keenie-bopper]

“OZZIE IT IS MIDNIGHT FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!”

“I don’t care what holiday it is! Go the 🐑 back to sleep!”

@the-delightful-temptation

[willowremixes]

Two awesome Within Temptation mashups from channel SwiftieNation Mashups. I had never heard of Within Temptation until I downloaded these, but they seem epic!

The Great War x A Dangerous Mind - A Dangerous War. Karma x Stand My Ground - Stand My Karma

Both the mixes feature Taylor's acapella over Within Temptation's instrumental track. So it's more like a super rocked up version of the songs than a true mashup.

[yourfavoritewitchbitch]

Midnight Temptation

My Bloody Valentine

Part I

You learn a little more about the handsome stranger but not everything is as it seems. Still aloof and secretive but there's just something about him that has captivated you.

18+ Only! MDNI

CW: Slow Burn. Dark and mature themes. Vampire!Steve. Reader is pushed and attacked. Harsh language. Mention of blood and abrasions. Let me know if I missed anything!

WC: 4.7K

Steve… Steve… Steve…

Those eyes. You couldn’t forget those pools of molten amber that bore into yours as if he could see into your very soul.

The tall, dark and handsome stranger edged past the corner of your dream land that very night, catching a glimpse of him in your peripheral, out of place but not unwelcome. Hidden in the shadows, just as he had in the alleyway, watching and waiting. Each time you turn your face to gain a better look, he disappears, always just out of reach.

You awoke the next day with his name on your lips, a breathy whisper before you opened your bleary eyes and adjusted to the early afternoon light.

You sit up with a groan, the bedside table reading 1:16 pm. A little more sleep would have been ideal, but you took whatever you could get. Most days sleeping past noon was a miracle.

It would be another late shift, and you wondered if he might drop by, but you shook the thought from your mind just as quickly as it was there.

“No! Nope… not doing this.” You said to yourself, getting up from bed to get yourself ready. Just some dude. Just some handsome dude… with pretty eyes…

You had to mentally scold yourself once again before getting into the shower.

-

He didn’t show up that night.

Every time the door swung open, you found your gaze drifting in that direction, hoping he would walk back through and greet you with that broody yet enticing exterior but then as days stretched into a few weeks, you began to wonder if he’d been entirely a figment of your imagination. You felt foolish. It was one small encounter, yet it seemed to mean so much more. Why him? It felt as though in some way he had bewitched you.

Get a grip. He's just some guy… Some handsome, charming, mysterious guy… with a really nice ass. No. No. No. You cut yourself off, going back to check on your tables, making you momentarily forget about Steve, focusing on refilling drinks and taking greasy food orders.

He slipped in as your back was turned, talking to the bartender about some rude ass customer that you had just told off.

“I swear to God, if I see that douche in here again. It's the third time he's hit on me… some assholes just can't take the hint.” You huffed, as Jerry smirked and handed you two mugs of beer.

“Some dicks are like that, I'll make sure the bouncer keeps an eye out for him next time.” the man replies, his head snapping toward the back booth. “Shit, talk about guys that give off creeper vibes.”

Time seemed to slow as those eyes met yours. Those dark orbs flecked with amber shards that you dreamt about. He nodded, taking out a pack of smokes reaching for the ashtray in the middle of the table.

“He gives you the creeps?” You ask incredulously, reluctantly tearing your gaze away to look back at Jerry with a pinch of your brow.

“He's… odd. Been coming in here off and on for a few years. Never orders anything, smokes a couple and then he's gone.” He replies, while wiping down a few glasses.

You look back to Steve and regard him for a moment, his intense stare never leaving you as a cloud of smoke curls upward from his lips upon a heavy exhale, his features momentarily obscured by the cloud of nicotine.

“I dunno Jer, he's got that whole mysterious thing going on but maybe he just enjoys the atmosphere.” You smirk with a snicker, loading the beer onto your tray.

“Ha! In this shithole? That'll be the day.” He laughs, shaking his head and starts to work on some other orders.

Balancing the tray, you take a deep breath and head out onto the floor, navigating the small crowd and dropping off the round of beers, before heading over to where Steve sat.

His cigarette was now smoldering in the ashtray, his hands laced together and sitting on the tabletop as you approached, taking a deep breath to calm your sudden nervousness.

He’s just some guy. You begin to repeat, stepping in front of him.

“Hi stranger.” You greet him with a warm smile. “What’ll it be?”

He returns your smile, with a soft, lopsided one. Cute, you thought.

“Uh, nothing for me, thanks. Just enjoying this cancer stick before I head out.” He replies smoothly, pulling the cigarette back to his lips.

“Head out?” You asked, with an air of disappointment. “But you just got here– Well, I mean…” Your cheeks heat with the sudden slip up as his small grin grows wider, tongue darting out to lick his lips before he spoke once more.

“Keeping tabs on me, are we?” He smirked, a hint of playfulness in his tone.

“What? No.” You scoff. “In case you didn’t know, it’s my job to notice when customers walk in.”

“And talking to your co-worker about me?” He lifted a knowing brow.

“How did you–” Trailing off and looking back to where you had been standing with Jerry, all the way at the other end of the building, at least twenty feet away. How could he have heard that?

“Creeper vibes?” He asks, as your head snaps back to him.

“Hey, I didn’t say that… That was all Jerry.” You defend, placing a hand to your hip.

“I’m only teasing. I am well aware of my mysterious vibes.” He says with a chuckle, letting your tension melt away as his reassurance and light teasing puts you at ease.

“Well, I should at least apologi–”

“No need.” Dismissing the notion with a small wave before taking another cigarette to light.

“Let me buy you a beer?” You ask, voice low and sweet, hoping he would accept. For some reason, you were unwilling to let the conversation end so quickly.

“Don’t drink but thank you. Really.” He replies, lips wrapping around the filter as he takes a drag. His pink, pouty, perfect lips. That you were most definitely, unabashedly staring at.

He wears a knowing grin. “Buy me a pack of smokes. We’ll call it even, yeah?”

“Right.” You clear your throat, backing away. “Yeah! Of course.”

He chuckles to himself, watching as you turn and hurriedly make your way over to the bar.

A while later, you took your break running into the convenience store a few storefronts down to buy him that pack of cigarettes but by the time you made it back he was already gone.

“What the fuck?” You hiss, looking around at seeing his empty seat but this time there was a napkin left behind. A simple promise scrawled in fairly neat handwriting.

Sorry, had to dash. Save it for next time. – Steve

You smiled to yourself, pocketing the pack into your apron before making your next rounds.

_

It would only be a few days until your next encounter, passing him the small white pack with a smile. From that day forward, you began to see him every few days, learning a little more about him each time.

That aloof and mysterious facade quickly started to slip away, revealing a mild mannered, albeit a little broody sweetheart. There was still an air of secrecy around him, which you found all the more appealing adding to his already charming demeanor. Being devastatingly handsome was just an added bonus.

Sometimes he spoke like a true old soul with a friendly piece of advice or a few words of wisdom slipping out with ease in the middle of a conversation.

He never drank, didn't even ask for water, just smoked a couple of cigs in his corner keeping to himself. You'd seen a couple of women and men approach him but he always politely turned them down.

You learned he lived close by and liked to get out and stretch his legs, eventually finding his way down to the bar district each night.

When it came to what he did for a living, he kept it very simple yet vague, only stating that he did the occasional odd job. Whatever the odd job may be, it must have paid well considering the clothing he sported was stylish and always well put together, including his TAG Heuer watch. He looked much too expensive for a grungy, dimly lit place like this. It was a wonder he hadn’t been mugged yet.

He was a night owl, yet so were you, keeping you company most evenings and going out to the alley to join you for your breaks.

“So, where are you from originally?” You finally asked, trying to gain some sense of better understanding of the man before you, eyes shifting over to him expectantly.

“A small town, not too far from here.” He replied, looking toward the ground as he leaned against the wall next to you, knocking the ashes from his half smoked cigarette. Yet another vague response to something that should be easy.

“Why do you always do that?” You huffed a little, shifting on your makeshift stool, putting your hands inside your coat pockets, glaring up at him.

“Do what?” He asked flatly, feigning ignorance to his obvious aloofness.

“I ask a question, and you give a half-assed answer. You do it all the time.”

“Sometimes the answer, it’s… complicated.” Answering thoughtfully, with a sigh, a hand running through his perfectly quaffed hair, not meeting your gaze.

“Complicated? That’s as basic as it gets, I would hate to see you try to come up with something for more intricate questions.” You scoff and stand, taking a few steps toward the building.

He heaves another heavy sigh, dropping the butt and crushing it under his boot, watching as you stop and look back at him.

“Look, if you don’t want to tell me, it’s fine. You’ve obviously got some sort of walls built up to keep people out, so I won’t pry.”

He didn’t expect that, meeting your gaze with soft, tired eyes. There was a small, poignant pause between you, as if this would define a small turning point and for whatever reason, he didn't quite understand he let the truth slip free.

“Hawkins.” He quietly said. “About two hours from here, or at least it used to be.”

“No shit?” You asked, bewildered.

A natural gas explosion from an extensive underground cave system had decimated the sleepy town. Everyone in Indiana knew about the events that reeked of a government cover up and had conspiracy theorists coming out of the woodwork. Luckily, most of the residents had already been evacuated, so most of the damage was isolated to the land and structures. You’d remembered reading about it in some of your history classes.

“Wow, that was in ‘88 or ‘89… wait… how old are you exactly?” Your brows pinched with confusion as you mentally calculated the time frame.

“Yeah, the end of ‘89. And I'm… older than I look.” He shrugged, biting his lip, trying to gauge your expression.

“So… you're fucking with me?” You nod, face falling a bit, crossing your arms over your chest. “You know, it would've been easier just to say literally any BFE town in Indiana, or hell the world. It's not like I'm going to go snoop into your history, Steve.”

His lips part but you hold up a hand, silencing him.

“Nope. I get it. Keep your secrets.” You quickly spin away and leave him standing there crestfallen and a little stunned. It suddenly occurred to you that he wasn't taking anything seriously, so neither should you. It stung a little, but at least you knew where he stood or rather didn't stand.

-

Steve knew he was getting in too deep.

It had been years since he had any sort of meaningful connection with someone, finding himself craving your company. He knew better yet found himself sitting at his usual booth again and again.

He still didn't understand it. No one has ever smelled as divine as you do and he imagined no one ever would. It was maddening, but the more time he spent in your presence he was able to control his impulses, keeping those beastly urges at bay.

Those first few weeks were pure agony. He left the alley in search of a quick meal, finding it a couple of blocks down in a dimly lit parking garage. It warmed his throat but tasted like ash on his tongue, doing little to quench his bloodlust, his mind drifting back to you. To have you so close, yet letting you slip right through his fingers seemed such a waste.

After he'd finished, letting the chap go on his merry way, he wandered back toward that same alley finding it vacant, but your powerful scent lingered. He stayed close by until you were finished with your shift.

Around 2 am, you finally found your way going toward home with Steve close behind. For a moment, it crossed his mind to drag you into the nearest dark corner and feed, but he pushed that thought away. You were something special, that much was obvious, he had to control himself if he wanted to get closer to you.

He silently followed you every night, staying undetected and keeping to the shadows, until his fangs no longer had a mind of their own every time he caught a whiff of your sweet essence. In all these years, he had never felt the need to do so with anyone but the overwhelming urge to have you, to claim you in every way began to slowly overtake his brain. In his mind, you were already his.

Talking about Hawkins brought up a lot of memories he would have much rather forgotten but he didn't think about the logistics, his mouth working faster than his mind when it slipped out.

The look on your face had made his heart ache. An immediate lump formed in his throat at your mere mention of being anything but truthful, suddenly wishing he had lied instead. The real truth of the matter, the town being overrun with creatures from the Upside Down would have been too much for someone to understand.

Of course, it didn't help that he was forever stuck in this twenty-year-old form, now at fifty-seven. Even if he had actually been born closer to the downfall of Hawkins, it would have been a stretch to believe.

The government did come in to cover it up, as far as he knows, they're still covering it up. No one is allowed in. The secure barrier that they created is heavily monitored by the military but somewhere deep in his bones he can still feel it. The influence, the pull that ties him to all manner of creature and beings still beyond his manner of understanding.

He supposed that's why he hadn't managed to go further than Indianapolis. Something tethered him to the Upside Down, a bond that would probably never be severed.

Fall faded as winter quickly approached and the temperatures began to nosedive. There was early snow at the end of November that had turned into a grey frozen sludge on many of the sidewalks making it a literal icy hell. You lost count of how many times you had slipped and fallen already.

Christmas Eve was no different. You made the hazardous trek in but it was still business as usual once you had arrived. The glow of the neon and promise of cheap beer was just too much for some people to ignore, most patrons seemingly unfazed by the wintery tundra just outside the door, self-preservation be damned.

On holidays the bars were usually filled with the lonely and broken, people with no other place to go so they filled their time with a buzz and familiar conversation. No family. No friends. You seemed to fit right in.

Steve hadn’t come back around, and you admittedly missed his presence. His booth remained empty, and it left you feeling a little remorseful at the last conversation. Maybe you were too harsh and quick to judge but then again, why did he lie about the most mundane question.

In those few short weeks, he’d become a staple. Even Jerry had commented that he hadn’t seen the “creeper” in a while. Though “creeper” seemed to now be a more affectionate term, as he saw the way Steve had looked at you, though he kept his commentary to himself after you had seemed so heartbroken the last time he had been here.

The longer the night pressed on, the flow of customers only began to trickle. Midnight left you and Jerry alone with one of the regulars, Jimmy. An older man whose wife died a few years back, so he drowned his sorrows when he could.

You were sitting at the bar, counting your tips when Jerry spoke up.

“Want to go home early? I don’t think anyone else is going to come in tonight. If they do, I can manage.” He says, nonchalantly, wiping down the bar.

“Not like I have anywhere else to be Jer.” Responding nonchalantly. “But if you're trying to run me off I won't object.” Your fingers drift to the back of your apron, untying it and hopping off the stool.

You slipped into the restroom to empty your bladder for the walk home, as if by habit your eyes drifting to that empty booth upon exiting. There was a small red gift bag sitting there.

Looking around, the place was just as you had left it. Jimmy was nursing his drink at the bar and Jerry had his back to you, cleaning up the bottles in the back. You wipe your damp hands down the front of your jeans and begin to make your way over.

Upon further examination the small tag indeed has your name scrawled across it, making your heart leap a little in your chest. You pull the matching red tissue paper up to reveal a small note tucked into the side.

Please accept this small token as gratitude for your time and listening ear.

Merry Christmas, Steve.

You look around again. How had he slipped in and out so quickly?

A black velvet box lay in the bottom of the bag. Your fingers hesitantly wrap around the smooth exterior, before opening it to reveal a diamond tennis bracelet. It sparkled back at you in the neon and low lights. It was breathtaking and assuredly cost more than what you made in a month's time.

You trace the edges in awe, so enraptured that you hadn't heard the footsteps behind you.

“What's that?” Jerry's voice pulls you back to reality.

“Uh, nothing.” You quickly recover, snapping the box closed and shoving it back into the bag awkwardly.

“That didn't look like nothing.” He prodded with a small grin.

“Bye Jerry.” You squeeze past him to head out for the night, with the bag clutched tight to your chest.

“Sure Y/N, have a good night.” He chuckled as you made toward the back.

Later that night you examined the bracelet with a big dopey smile plastered to your face. No one had ever given you something so lavish. Too lavish that wearing it out to work seemed out of place but it was too beautiful not to show off. Jerry never said anything, but he always gave you a knowing smile when he saw the jewelry on your wrist.

-

You hadn't even been able to thank him properly for the bracelet. Steve’s note had been short, not surprising the way you two had left things but you continued wondering if you would see him again or if he would forever keep his distance. It would be weeks before you would finally see him again.

The day before Valentine’s.

A made-up holiday for big corporations to profit off of lovesick saps. Being single for so long had turned you a bit cynical toward love, not that you had meant for it to happen, but you had grown accustomed to the idea of being alone.

The bar was having a big event the next day, so it already looked like cupid had thrown up around the room. Streamers, paper hearts and heart shaped balloons decorated the space.

Jerry chuckled as you grumbled about your shift, thankful you would be off the actual day of, happy not to have to wait on cheery couples or the occasional depressed loner.

Steve’s booth remained relatively empty as if it was always waiting for his return, until tonight. You watched as two men strolled in like they owned the place and quickly took up residence in the back.

“What can I get you two gentlemen?” Asking as you walked up to his booth. A silly notion that he should have such a claim over it. He didn’t own it; hell he never even bought a drink.

“Hi sweet cheeks.” The one to the left of you hummed, tongue licking across his lower lip as his eyes drifted down your legs, even going as far as shifting in his seat to gain a better look. It made your skin crawl. He was pushing every bit of fifty, pudge hanging over his pants and balding.

You had your fair share of sleazeballs, but these two were the big door prize.

“Pitcher of Bud Light,” The younger one spoke up, eyes settling unabashedly on your cleavage. He could have been the other’s son but still had all of his sandy blonde hair. Something in the way he stared at you made your hairs stand on end. It was unsettling the way his eyes lingered, looking you up and down like you were his next meal.

“And sweet cheeks, how about some shots of Jack to go with that.” The older one grinned. “My boy just got home today and we’re celebrating.”

“Coming right up,” you responded cheerfully, dropping your forced smile as soon as you turned away. It was bound to be a long night, and these two were only going to make it worse.

A little while later, you brought their drinks over, careful not to lean too far over the table to give them the wrong idea.

“Here we go. One pitcher of Bud Light, two glasses and two shots of Jack.” You smiled, friendly enough, setting everything out between them. “Anything else for you right now?”

“How about you do a shot with us, huh?” The younger man leaned slightly forward sporting a sardonic grin.

“Sorry, don’t drink on the clock but let me know if I can get you anything else.” You nod and turn to head back out onto the floor.

“Woah, hey, don't leave yet.” He grabs your wrist, halting your movement, causing you to spin back around with an icy glare. He chuckles, but lets you go, holding his hands up in defense but his eyes drift to the bracelet around your wrist.

“Don’t touch me again.” You spit.

“Sorry darlin. Just thought you might want to help me celebrate later. Once you get off…” Pulling his bottom lip between his teeth, his eyes lingering up and down your curves, but the offer is short lived as you scoff.

“I’ll pass.” You shoot back, not bothering to wait for a retort or to watch his all too forced smile turns into a heavy scowl, cussing under his breath, calling you a “fuckin’ bitch” as you walked away.

You were too engrossed in taking orders and gathering drinks to notice them leer at you from the corner, leaving only after one round of drinks. You weren’t shocked to find they had paid exact change, no tip included. Good riddance.

The rest of your shift went smoothly, all but forgetting those two idiots and letting the rest of the night fade away.

You left the warmth of the bar behind around two in the morning, along with the smell of stale beer heading for home, making sure your coat was zipped securely as you began to hum “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, an earworm you couldn’t shake since it had been playing on rotation all night.

“Happy Valentine’s Day…” You murmured, tossing your knit beanie over your head and securely over your ears.

Much to your surprise the flurries had stopped earlier, leaving a clear and quiet night behind. The crusty slush and salt mixture crunches beneath your boots with each step. Once you made it past the main storefronts, it began to turn into that thin sheen of icy danger making you slow down a few beats to make sure you didn't slip.

The strap of your backpack kept falling, making you pause to push it up your shoulder again as you suddenly thought you heard what sounded like footsteps falling in behind in time with your own. You stop, and so do they.

Your breath fogs ahead of you as you swallow thickly around a small lump beginning to form in your throat. Something felt off. You turn to look over your shoulder, seeing nothing but an empty sidewalk in a frozen cityscape. A breath of relief escapes you, spinning back around as you pick up the pace.

It was only another two blocks before you would be back in the warmth and safety of your apartment, suddenly aching for a hot bath and a glass of wine to wind down.

A noise from the darkened alley ahead makes your head snap in the direction it came from. The streetlamp was out, making you feel a strange unease once more. You didn’t stop, looking down the street there was a dumpster but nothing else that seems out of place.

It was sudden, knocking the breath from your lungs as your body crashes to the frozen ground, you gasp harshly as something grabs onto you, quickly pulling you back up to a standing position and dragging you closer to the secluded alleyway.

“St—” You try, still too winded from the initial blow to speak, a raspy sort of squeak escaping you instead, your legs thrashing out in front of you.

Whoever it was didn’t let go, forcing their hand over your mouth to stifle any more noises that escape you as their arm wound around your waist, hauling you up as they continue down the dark alleyway. This is it. You think bitterly.

“Stupid bitch.” They hiss. “I asked nicely earlier, ya’ know.”

It suddenly hit you. The asshole from earlier.

You attempt to scream, finally getting the breath back in your lungs but it comes out too muffled behind his large palm.

“Shut the fuck up!” He grits out, right by your ear, suddenly throwing you up against the metal dumpster. Your head hit hard, knocking you dazed as he let you crumple to the ground with a dark chuckle. “Least I can get a pretty penny for that piece of ice on your arm.”

You reach up, your fingertips are met with a warm, wet patch at your hairline, making your grimace as blood slowly trickles down the side of your face.

It all happened so quickly. One second the idiot was right on top of you, breathing down your neck and then he was being pulled away from you with a forceful tug.

There was a half scream, half screeching noise followed by a gurgling sound that was abruptly cut off as an eerie silence hung in the air. You wince, trying to turn your head to see behind you.

Your eyes squint in the dark, two black silhouettes in the shadows clinging closely to each other, or rather, as your eyes begin to focus, one holding the other up. You watch in silence as the figure in a long, dark coat lets the other go. They fall to the ground with a resounding thud in a limp, unmoving heap as a shiver runs down your spine at the sudden revelation.

You try to move back, but your feet fai you, feeling heavy and lethargic, sending you back into the dumpster beside you with a resounding thud, causing his head to snap toward you.

His eyes. That molten amber glowing brightly in the dark. Those eyes that you had dreamed of, it hadn't been your imagination, only now seeming more like a nightmare as he stares at you.

You gasp, covering your mouth as he takes a step forward, his face finally illuminated just enough to see those handsome features come into view only to be obscured with a splatter of crimson splashed across his alabaster skin.

“Steve?!”

[yume-kara-samete]

Midnight Temptation - Kamikokuryo Moe, Kawana Rin, Kawashima Mifu, Kasai Yuumi, Kamimura Rena

Hello! Project 2025 Winter Fes. "Gou"

[many-gay-magpies]

every day since completing eden and regaining all my wings i have been struggling against the temptation to do it again

[sexylittleslutsls]

When some late night cooking turns into a lot of late night fucking together …. 😈😈

[courseyoulovemeyoudontknowme]

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012, Stephen Chbosky)

04/08/2024

[goblin-enjoyer]

I need to continue my list of “things I don’t know but show up in the corners of my social media feeds.”, but homestuck has put its barbs in a nice corner of my brain and is currently talking up a lot of my brain time thinking about it. It’s like a high tide, I can’t really get past it at the moment so I have to just wait it out, not the best metaphor but you probably get the jist. Like I can’t start anything new until this interest fades a bit. What worries me the fact that this kind of thing only really happens when I get another major interest (warhammer 40,000, world of Warcraft, team fortress 2 and older major interests that go too far back into my past to remember fully) and after that happens there’s NO GETTING THEM OUT OF MY HEAD. By the corpses I’m going to become a homestuck fan aren’t I? What are those gits even called? Homestuckers? Sburbheads? Greyskins? Ugh, if I do get obsessed with this dang comic(?) can I at least go play wow again without getting distracted? I need to gear up my warlock, I’m pretty sure I still have some greens on. Zog me,the raid is already out.

[canadianno]

I would bully you but i am feeling of good humor

-alz, so it is your problem

My tears ain't landing on you so we good