#oh man that’s when I was 18 and I’m 25 now oh fuck oh shit the passage of time got to me

[dykehayleywilliams]

I can’t believe I paid $10 to see Julien with Phoebe opening in April 2016 and now I’ll have to fight for my life and probably empty my bank account to get boygenius tickets

[joelalorian]

Fall Into Me - Chapter Three: No Mirror for Monsters

dbf!Joel x f!reader

Summary: Joel is hanging on by a thread as a single father to a tenacious 10-year-old Sarah. Feeling like he's drowning, like the world is about to spit him out, he needs some help before he breaks in half. At your dad's insistence, you show up in his life and change everything.

Story is inspired by the song Fall Into Me by Forest Blakk. Chapter titles will be lyrics from the song.

Word Count: 4.3k

Chapter Warnings: Mature, under 18 take a hike. No outbreak AU. Lots of feelings, confusion, and self doubt. Joel goes on a date but not with you. Two idiots falling and pining for each other. Lotta swearing, because, yeah, I like it. Reader has long enough hair for a ponytail and likes comfy clothes. Age gap of about 9 years (Reader 24/25, Joel 33/34). No use of y/n. Reader has a nickname used by her dad.

Dividers by the wonderful @saradika-graphics

Thank you for reading this little tale! I did not expect all the love - my heart is fit to burst over all the wonderful comments and reblogs!

Chapter Two | Main Masterlist

“Good morning, Millers!” you greeted as you let yourself into their house the following morning. Nearing late October, it was a beautiful day outside and the crisp morning air made you happy. It would heat up later, but for now you were enjoying the comfort of a beloved hoodie and yoga pants.

“Hi darlin’,” Joel replied with a lot less enthusiasm as he leaned against the kitchen doorframe. Still nursing his first cup of coffee, his sparkling personality hadn’t kicked in yet. “Sarah’s just gettin’ dressed. Want some coffee?”

“Nah, don’t drink the stuff. Smells good, but the taste is just…” You scrunched up your nose, at a loss for the right word to describe how utterly disgusting you found the taste of coffee. You moved through the house to join him in the kitchen.

Turning back to the counter with a chuckle, Joel poured himself another cup and shrugged. “There’s no accounting for taste, I guess. More for me, then.”

“There’s the silver lining!” you teased. “So, you guys have any big plans this weekend?”

“Nah, should be qui—Oh shit, I almost forgot!” Joel closed his eyes, bumping a fist against his forehead. His gaze was shuttered when it met yours again. “Would you mind watching Sarah on Saturday evening?”

“Yeah, sure. I don’t have any plans, so I’m happy to hang with the nugget. You got a hot date or something?” You meant it as a joke, but the way Joel winced clued you in. Your face fell at his next words, and you hoped he didn’t notice.

“Uh, yeah. Tommy set it up.” Joel drained the rest of his cup, tossing it into the sink, and ran an anxious hand through his curls. “First one in a while, ya know.”

No, you didn’t know. But it wasn’t really your business, was it? Sarah’s arrival in the kitchen saved you from having to say anything else as the little girl launched herself at you.

“Hey nugget,” you said, wrapping your arms around her little body as she clung to your waist. Despite your best efforts, your greeting lacked your prior enthusiasm. You could feel the heavy weight of Joel’s gaze on you like a laser, but you refused to look in his direction. “You ready to go?”

“Uh huh, I already ate breakfast,” Sarah said proudly, spinning to hug her father. “Bye Dad, love you.”

You turned away, already heading for the door as Joel pulled her in for a bear hug, feeling your heart constrict at how much they loved each other. You didn’t bother to say goodbye.

Joel had a date.

A date who wasn’t you.

Man, that fucking sucked.

Could you blame the guy, though? He was still young and handsome, hardworking and responsible to a fault. And, most of all, he didn’t know that you harbored growing feelings for him. Nor could he ever find out, you reminded yourself, not when your dad was his best friend.

The ride to drop Sarah off was full of silence, your mind weighed down with thoughts of Joel and the valiant effort of trying to convince yourself to stop thinking about him. Coming out of the fog as you moved up in the school drop-off line, you wished Sarah a good day and watched as she bounced up the steps into the building. You envied that sweet obliviousness of youth.

Driving away from the school, anxiety started to kick in. The thought of going back to your house to sit alone as the four walls closed in on you made your stomach churn. You drove around for an hour, no real destination in mind, and ended up at Peace District Park. With nothing much else to do, you walked the trails of the urban oasis and let nature work its magic in calming your nerves.

It worked.

As you sat on a bench watching songbirds flutter around the flora, you texted one of your best friends from high school who still lived in the area. You needed a girl’s night out.

Distractions were dangerous in his line of work, but Joel struggled to get his mind to focus all morning. He fixated on the way your face fell and your entire demeanor changed when he mentioned the date, like you were disappointed, hurt even. But that couldn’t be, could it?

There was no way you felt something for him. Was there?

Joel went over and over every interaction between you two since the day you met, trying to see if he was reading into things too much. He wasn’t the most observant guy, he knew that well enough, but there were moments when he’d catch you gazing at him with this look of wonder in your eyes… that had to mean something. Right?

Fuck. He was really bad at this stuff. So out of practice and lacking confidence.

Maybe he just imagined it all. Maybe you had something else on your mind and didn’t give a shit about someone like him going on a date.

What could he do about it if you liked him anyway? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. So, what did it matter. You were JB’s daughter and Sarah’s babysitter, nothing more and nothing less.

Joel’s mind continued to cycle through the same thoughts all day, until he smashed his thumb with a hammer because he was so distracted. Pissed off and in pain, he called it a day a couple hours early, leaving Tommy in charge of the site. He needed to get home and put some ice on his thumb.

By some cosmic coincidence, he arrived home at the same time as you and Sarah. He couldn’t hide his thumb from your eagle eyes as the three of you entered the house.

“Jesus Christ, Joel!” you hissed, trying not to swear in front of Sarah, your delicate hand already reaching for his larger, dirtier one. “What happened to your thumb?”

“It got in the way of a hammer,” Joel mumbled, doing his best not to wince as you gently prodded at the swollen digit. He also did his best to ignore the softness of your skin and the warmth of your touch on him, wishing you would touch him everywhere. “You don’t have to fuss, darlin’. It just needs some ice.”

“Oh, hush up, you. Go wash your hands then sit down and relax, I’ll get you some ice and aspirin to help with the swelling. You’re lucky it’s not broken!”

“Bossy lil’ thing, aren’t you,” he grumbled, doing exactly as you ordered once his boots were kicked off to the side of the foyer. Sarah nestled against him on the couch once he sat, fussing over his thumb just as much as you did. His lips quirked upwards at the thought that it meant you both cared about him.

You returned minutes later with a bag of frozen peas, two white pills, and a bottle of cold beer in hand. “Take these,” you directed, offering him the pills and beer. Once he swallowed, you placed the bag on his hand, carefully adjusting it to wrap around his thumb. Your teeth bit into your bottom lip as you concentrated on not hurting him and he nearly groaned as an ache built up in his belly at the sight.

“Thank you, darlin’,” Joel said, voice deep and husky before clearing his throat. His eyes clocked your movements as you stood up straight and your eyes widened when they met his half-lidded gaze. He catalogued the moment to add to the growing list of moments between the two of you that hinted at something deeper, something more lingering in the air.

You waved off his thanks and headed back to the kitchen, calling over your shoulder, “I’ll make some dinner for your two before I leave.”

He wanted to follow you, to let you know he wanted you to stay for dinner, and maybe watch a movie with him and Sarah afterwards, but Sarah’s sweet little voice distracted him.

“Will you help me with my homework, Daddy?” She peered up at him with eyes that matched his own and his heart swelled with love.

“Of course, my little nugget. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

They worked on math problems until you called them for dinner, Joel relieved at the break. An exceptionally bright girl, Sarah didn’t really need his help, but she enjoyed it when he tried. Math made his head hurt, a headache starting to build between his eyes. The headache grew at the sight of only two plates full of spaghetti on the table.

“You’re not eating?” Sarah’s voice squeaked, making her dissatisfaction clear. Turning to him as you shook your head, she added, “Daddy! Tell her she can stay!”

Joel’s mouth barely opened before snapping shut again. You were already speaking, cutting off whatever he would have said.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, nugget. I gotta go now.”

“Oh, okay.” Sarah’s disappointment broke his heart, and Joel felt helpless.

“You sure you can’t stay? I thought maybe we could watch a Disney movie after.” He looked at you with unmasked hope in his eyes. He wanted you to stay even more than his daughter did, but he couldn’t tell you that.

Something flashed in your eyes but disappeared before Joel could figure out what it was. “Sorry, I have plans with a friend and I can’t stay. You two enjoy the movie without me,” you said with a smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes. “I’ll come by at 4:30 tomorrow, okay?”

Joel nodded, cringing at the reminder of his date, and watched you leave with a pang of disappointment rivalling Sarah’s.

Emily never changed. She was still the prettiest girl in the room and funny as hell, lifting your mood just like she did back in high school. The pair of you sat at a swanky bar downtown, catching up like you never missed any time together. You stayed in touch a bit over the years, but the distance and different priorities led to your friendship taking a back seat to everything else. Now that you were back, it was easy to dive right back into that unbreakable bond the two of you always shared and pick up where you left off.

You didn’t realize how much you missed that bond until now.

The bar filled with the typical Friday night after work crowd as the two of you sipped at your drinks and rehashed the past few years. Soon, the conversation moved to your current love life – or, more accurately, your complete lack of one.

“So, you seeing anyone lately?” Emily asked, signaling to the bartender that you were ready for another round. “Last I heard, you were with that dude… what was his name? The one that would gaslight you and always insisted your tears were weaponized when he made you cry.”

“Yeah, Tom. That asshole. I wasted too much time on him not knowing any better, but we broke up about a year and a half ago, thank God.” You cringed at the thought of all the emotional damage you had to overcome after that one. You worked hard on finding yourself again after that disaster. ���No, I’m not seeing anyone.”

Ever the receptive one, Emily picked up something in your tone that you couldn’t hide. Tilting her head curiously, clocking your movements with her sharp eyes, she continued, “But there’s someone who caught your eye? Do tell!”

Without hesitation, you launched into a long-winded explanation of how you met Joel and how you’re now a mess over the guy.

“Dad’s best friend, huh? When did you become such a cliché?” Emily teased, her shoulder gently bumping yours. “He sounds dreamy, though!”

“I am not a cliché! We don’t all get to all get to marry our high school sweetheart because we met ‘the one’ when we were 15. Talk about a cliché!” You cackled, drawing the attention of two men in suits a few seats down from you, but you ignored them.

“Alright, alright,” Emily mock surrendered. “Back to dad’s best friend. What is the problem? The JB I remember is a cool guy who wouldn’t have a problem with you dating his friend, not when said friend is only a bit older than you and such a good guy.”

That caught you by surprise. “You really think my dad would be okay with it?”

Emily shrugged. “I mean, I haven’t talked to your dad in years, but I remember him being a pretty reasonable guy and he always wanted the best for you. Why wouldn’t he want you to be with someone responsible and caring like this Joel guy?”

You nodded thoughtfully, your teeth worrying your plump bottom lip. “Even if my dad was cool with it, there’s the fact that Joel is not interested. He’s going on a date tomorrow, for fuck’s sake.”

After a moment of consideration, Emily asked, “Does he do that often? Date, I mean.”

You shook your head, fingers dancing absentmindedly along the edge of the bar. “Apparently not. He said it’s the first one in a long time.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed. “And you don’t find the timing suspicious?”

That caught you off guard, your eyes darting to hers. “Should I?”

Shoulders shrugging beneath long layers of dark hair, Emily hummed. “Maybe? From what you just told me about your interactions, I find it interesting that he’s suddenly going on a date. Makes me think he has feelings and he’s struggling with them just like you are.”

“Yeah, I don’t know about that.” You blew off her observations, you couldn’t afford to start having hope now when he was going on a date tomorrow. Instead, you changed the subject. “So, how are you and Ed doing?”

The rest of the night passed in a blur of conversation and mixed drinks with the occasional interruption from a few brave men hitting on you. It crossed your mind to flirt with one or two of them, but you were having too much fun catching up with Emily and blew each of them off. Before you knew it, the hour was late and Emily’s husband, Ed, picked you both up to make sure you got home safe.

“What the hell am I doing?” Joel asked his reflection as he tried on his fourth shirt from his closet. He wasn’t looking forward to this date at all, his mind a mess between feeling guilty about leaving Sarah, the confusing mix of emotions revolving around you, and his complete lack of confidence.

Torn between trying too hard and not trying at all, he huffed in frustration, ripping the buttons of the shirt open before tossing it onto the growing pile of discarded clothes on his bed.

He had no business going on a date. What had he been thinking when he agreed to go?

Joel slumped onto his bed in defeat, his right fist coming up to bump against his forehead. How could he ever think that going on a date would get his mind off you? Not to mention, he felt like a dick for asking you to watch Sarah while he went on said date.

God, he really wasn’t good with this kind of shit.

A glance at the clock got him moving. You were due to arrive shortly, and he had to pick Annica up for a 5:30 reservation Tommy insisted he make. There was no room to dilly dally.

Another glance through his closet and Joel settled on a blue flannel and dark jeans, paired with newer black boots. Best to just be himself, he thought. Using a bit of gel, he pushed his curls back from his face. His beard was freshly trimmed, and he ran his truck through the car wash earlier in the day.

“That’s as good as it’s gonna get,” he said to his reflection before leaving his bedroom, the doorbell ringing as he reached the bottom of the stairs. Joel opened the door to find you standing there, your feet shifting uncertainly. You looked tired, yet beautiful as always and he gulped. “Hey, why didn’t you just come in? You have a key.”

“Hey Joel,” you greeted with a shrug, your voice quiet. Your eyes scanned from his head down to his feet like you were drinking him in. “Just didn’t feel right, I guess.”

“Ok?” Confused, he waited for you to explain, but you kept your mouth shut. Something was off with you. He wondered if something happened last night – you said you had plans, had it been a date of your own? His heart skipped a beat as he shook his head clear. “Well, come on in. You doin’ alright, darlin’?”

“Mmhmm,” you hummed back causing Joel’s brows to pull into a frown as you followed him into the house. “You look nice. Ready for your date?”

Was it just him or did it seem like asking that question pained you? What the fuck was wrong with him? Shaking his head free of thoughts like that, he blushed. “Oh, uh, thanks. As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.” After a beat, he added, “I’m kinda nervous, actually.”

Joel watched your eyes soften at that. “You shouldn’t be. Any woman would be lucky to go on a date with you.”

Including you? he wondered. There was a wistfulness to your voice that shattered him, leaving him ready to ditch his date and stay there with you and Sarah. “Hey, I, um—”

“You’re here! Finally! Come on, I want to show you something!” Sarah sprinted into the living room, grabbing your hand, and stealing your attention before Joel could finish his sentence. Maybe that was a good thing. God only knows what was about to come out of his mouth.

“Slow down, nugget! I’m coming,” you laughed as the young girl dragged you toward the stairs. It was the first smile of yours Joel glimpsed since you arrived, and his heart beat heavy in his chest when you turned to speak to him over your shoulder, your broad smile dimming with your next words. “Have fun tonight, Joel. You deserve a nice night out.”

“Thanks, darlin’,” he replied, the words heavy in his mouth. Clearing his throat, he called out, “Be good, Sarah! I ordered pizza for you both, should be here soon.”

“I always am, Dad! Love you!” Sarah yelled down the stairs, her attention already focused on whatever she wanted to show you.

“Love you, too.” Joel continued staring up the stairs long after the two of you were out of sight, a sense of yearning knotted deep in his chest. Forcing himself to look away, he grabbed his keys and headed for the door, once again asking himself why the hell he agreed to this date in the first place.

“Can we go see it tonight? Please?” Sarah gazed up at you with her dark eyes widened like a baby cow and you were powerless. How did Joel ever tell this precious, sweet girl ‘no’? It was impossible.

“Let’s see what the showtimes are first. We can’t be out too late.” Scanning the movie listing Sarah pulled up on her tablet, you found the showtimes for the latest kid friendly adventure movie she wanted to see. “There’s one at 6:30. We can totally do that one and still have you home for bedtime. Sound good?”

“Yes! Can we get popcorn?”

“Of course! No trip to the movies is complete without popcorn.”

The two of you ate some pizza before getting ready to go. You liked getting there early enough to find your seats and see the trailers before the movie started. Texting Joel on your way out the door to let him know you were taking Sarah out, the two of you climbed into your car.

The movie theater was busy as usual for a Saturday evening, but you found a good parking spot beneath a light post not far from the entrance. There were lines for tickets and concessions leaving you relieved at arriving early. With tickets in hand, you led Sarah to the shortest of lines in front of the concessions counter. That’s when you saw them.

A tall blonde with big hair and legs for days, wearing tight fitting jeans like a second skin and yapping away while walking closely with a taller man with broad shoulders and curly, dark hair. The man’s sleeves were rolled up, his left hand placed low on the woman’s back, gently guiding her as she gripped a bucket of popcorn and a fountain drink. Another fountain drink was clutched in the man’s right hand. As if he felt the searing heat of your jealous gaze, the man turned, and your stomach plummeted.

Joel’s dark umber eyes met yours in surprise, his hand dropping from the woman’s back as he watched your face fall. He looked uncertain, like he didn’t know whether to carry on with his date or rush to your side. His eyes darted to find Sarah standing at your side, her focus on the snacks displayed within the glass counter. Forcing a half smile to your face, you dipped your head in greeting and turned to move forward, your attention refocusing as it was your turn to plan an order. All the while, your mind raced with thoughts of Joel and his date. Knowing that he wouldn’t want to introduce his daughter on a first date, you never told Sarah that you saw him.

Handing the bucket of popcorn to Sarah, you said, “Careful now. I’ll grab napkins and carry our drinks.” You led the way past the concessions toward the designated theater, which was, thankfully, on the other side of the building from where Joel and his date had been heading.

You phone buzzed in your pocket once you and Sarah were seated – in the middle of the aisle, at Sarah’s insistence, because you’d have the best view. It was a text from Joel.

JM: Sorry darlin’ just saw your text. Hope you and Sarah enjoy your movie.

Torn between responding or just leaving him on read, you went with a third option and gave his message a thumbs up before shoving the phone deep into your pocket. Minutes later, you relented with a sigh, pulling the phone back out to respond a little kindlier.

You: Thanks. I didn’t know you were taking your date to the movies or we would have gone somewhere else.

Bubbles appeared as he was typing, but you didn’t want to see what else he had to say. Silencing your phone, you shoved it back into your pocket.

You were distracted the entire movie, staring blankly at the large screen as you over-analyzed every detail about Joel’s date. She was closer to his age, maybe even a bit older, with big, perky boobs and a pretty face covered with a thick layer of makeup. Her hairstyle fit the old quote, “the bigger the hair, the closer to God” and likely took her an hour or more to style. She made an effort, that’s what seemed to matter. Meanwhile, you sat in the theater with your hair scraped back into a messy ponytail and wearing worn jeans and a hoodie. You felt like a child compared to Joel’s date.

Part of you wanted to hate her for having all the features that Joel apparently found attractive, but you couldn’t. It wasn’t her fault the man you were pining over wasn’t the least bit interested in you.

Finally, the credits rolled, and you pretended to have paid attention to the movie as you listened to Sarah gushing over it for the entire ride back to the Miller house and in the moments between brushing her teeth and tucking her into bed.

The living room couch was particularly comfortable when you sat on it, your body settling into the pillowy cushions with a sigh as you stretched across it. Staring at the ceiling, eyes blinking tiredly, you wondered when Joel would be home, both eager for and dreading his arrival. Still mortified over nearly crashing his date and self-conscious about not fitting the mold of what he found attractive, you wondered what you’d even say to him when he walked through the door.

The pull of sleep too strong to fight, you submitted to the emotional exhaustion, dozing off until a gentle shake of your shoulder caused you to stir.

“Darlin’, go sleep in the spare room,” Joel murmured as you blinked your eyes open.

It took you a moment to come back to your senses, your body following his orders before your brain kicked back to life. He stepped back as you got up, one strong hand reaching out to hold you steady as you wobbled. You met his eyes as the haze of sleep began to clear. He gazed at you with such a soft look you trembled.

“You okay there?” he asked with a quiet laugh and your eyes flicked down to his mouth, catching the glint of something on his cheek, just above his beard. Focusing on that spot, it became clearer. A very distinct lipstick mark. He wasn’t even bothering to hide it.

Wrenching yourself from his gentle grasp, you slipped on your shoes and pulled your keys from your pocket.

Joel watched your every move, confused and clearly not wanting you to leave. “Hey, where are you going? Just take the spare room. You’re still half asleep.”

Shaking your head, you avoided looking at him. “Nah, Imma head home. G’night Joel, see ya Monday,” you said, turning your back on him as you headed for the door. Unable to help yourself as you wrenched the front door open, you added, “Might wanna go clean your face off.”

“What?” his baffled question echoed behind you as the door closed.

tbc

Taglist: @mellymbee@untamedheart81@anoverwhelmingdin@runningmom94@leilanixx@pedropascalfan221@lovelyjess69 @sarahhxx03 @sofiparallel @tammythr @lulawantmula @islacharlotte @allyourfavesinoneblog @lover-of-books-and-tea @pedropascalsbbg @ashleyfilm @brittmb115

[strniohoeee]

Vile

Pairing: Chris Sturniolo X Female Reader

Synopsis: Y/N is a mean girl who hates a soft boy! She wants her men mean and rough. When Chris doesn’t take this well things start to change….this is for my best friend who literally held me at gun point to write this long ass story😅

Warnings⚠️: This is juicy juicy SMUT. I’m talking hair pulling, smacking, spit, manhandling, knife kink. Chris is mean as fuck and a douchey asshole. So read at your own risk just know she’s juicy

Song for the imagine: One of The Girls- The Weeknd, JENNIE, Lily-Rose Depo

⚠️This is an 18+ story, so minors do not interact, or do??⚠️

Chris was such an annoying little clingy boy. We were friends for some time now, and we were literally the definition of black cat and golden retriever energy. I was always a bitch and cold, I mean I had my soft spots but ehhh. And he was so childish and giddy all the time.

I’m not sure how we became friends, or how we actually liked each other, but we did. I had actually really liked Chris, but something about him acting too childish for me kept me away.

Most of the time we hung out it required me to literally watch him like he was a child. He acted like such a little baby, and one part of me wanted to coddle him, and the other part of me wanted to smack him to reality.

“I can tell you why she ghosted you” I told Chris

“And why is that?” He said rolling his eyes

“Because you’re such a little pussy. You get pussy whipped and you’ve never even met the girl” I told him

“Not fucking true at all” he said sounding offended

“No, it's very true. You’re a munch, and girls don’t like that. Ease off. You’re doing too much” I told him

“Excuse the fuck out of me! Miss perfect. How many guys actually want you around. You’re so meh and dark and MEAN” he said

“Guys like mean girls…..I’ll have you know I get any guy I want” I told him

“Yeah right! I couldn’t be with a girl who’s mean” he said back

“Yeah because you’re too nice, and you’re like a baby. Tighten the fuck up” I responded back to him

“Could you not be mean to me” he said

“Uhhh let me think?? No” I said rolling my eyes at him

“Chris, I'm telling you. Stop being a little softy and you’ll see every girl will fall to their knees for you” I told him

“Would you fall to your knees for me?” He asked with a puppy dog face

“Not until you get mean…..i like my men just as mean, and you doing this puppy dog face is putting you at the bottom of my roster” I said giving him a weird face

“Not a single nice thing out your mouth” he said scoffing and rolling his eyes

“Oh! You see that the scoffing and the eye roll? Yeah, keep doing that. A bad attitude looks good on you” I told him nodding my head

“Ouu are you flirting with me?” He asked smirking

“Most definitely am not” I said laughing in his face

His face drops and he clenched his jaw

“Ohh Chris that was hot as fuck, keep doing it” I told him running my tongue along my teeth

“You think so?” He said getting happy again

“See now I was flirting with you, and that shit went right over your dome” I told him

“Uhhh whatever” he said giving up

I worked at a bar/lounge that Chris and his brothers always frequented. I’m sure it was for me because this is not their scene at all. I found it amusing, but Chris just wasn’t my type

I hadn’t seen the triplets in a good month. Their fame skyrocketed and they were on tour the last I saw on instagram. Man I kind of missed my munch I was getting bored with these guys.

I was working a boring night shift on a Tuesday when nobody would be in. We were so slow I think I washed the shot glasses 25 times….actually might be 26

The front door opened and Chris and his brothers walked in. Immediately my face lit up

“Hey guys” I said

“Y/N heyyyyy” Nick said walking over to sit at the bar

“Yoo” Matt said sitting next to him, and then Chris sat next to Matt

“Hey Chris” I said

He just nodded his head at me….whos this fucking cool guy? I asked myself

“How have you guys been?” I asked them

“We’ve been good, just got back from tour actually” Matt said

“Oh nice how was that? Insufferable I imagine with all the teenage girls screaming” I said

“I missed your negativity! Actually it was really fun” Nick said

“How many tits did you sign Chris? Oh wait your whole fanbase is like 16, and you’re too pussy to do it for the girls that are actually of age” I told him

“Fuck outta here” he said giving me a dirty look

“Oh someone’s a little feisty” I said looking at Matt and Nick

“Yeah he’s been a total dick lately. He’s really fucking pissing us off” Nick said rolling his eyes

“Shut the fuck up” Chris said rolling his eyes

I’m not sure who this new Chris is, but it was really fucking hot.

“Let me take you on a date” Chris randomly blurted out

“Fuck no….have you lost your mind” I told him laughing at him

“Why you gotta do me like that. I’m tryna be nice and ask you out” he said rolling his eyes

“I told you I like my men mean….not posers pretending to be mean” I said back

“Want me to smack you around and call you bitch then? Before you agree to go out with me” he asked scoffing

“Mmm that does sound enticing” I said winking at him

The triplets had left about an hour after hanging around, and I had to finish my boring shift. I was closing solo tonight since it wasn’t busy, and everyone cleaned their area, so I only had a small portion to clean

It was 2AM, and I walked over to the door switching the open sign to closed

I walked back to my area and was wiping down the bar and the tables that were mine. When all of a sudden I heard someone come in….I thought I locked the door??

“I’m sorry we’re closed” I yelled out since my back was turned

“You left the door open….rookie mistake” I heard someone say, I knew that voice

“Chris what the fuck” I said turning around

“Not happy to see me?” He asked frowning

“No…waiting around like some creep” I told him cleaning my last table

“Ohhh you wound me” he said

“Chris you’re so fucking corny please stop” I said shaking my head

“Just give me a chance please I really like you” he said

“You’re acting like a freaky obsessed teenager, NO” I told him

“I can be mean” he said back to me

“Yeah sure you can” I said laughing at him

“I can be mean, and I can fuck you like a dirty slut you annoying bitch” he said walking closer to me

“The fuck did you just say?” I asked shocked, and pleasantly surprised

“You heard me…” he said smugly

“I can make you take back all those things you said about me. When I fuck you like A DIRTY SLUT YOU ANNOYING BITCH” he said raising his voice at the last part

“I doubt you can fuck me good” I said feeding into him

“Oh I’ll have you fucking weeping and limp” he said laughing

“Come on then rude boy, I can take you” I said

Chris stormed over to me and slammed me into the edge of the bar table (fuck that will leave a mark tomorrow). He smashed his lips against mine in a disgusting and sloppy kiss, but it was so fucking hot my knees buckled a bit

“You’re getting nothing but my dick tonight, and I’m going to give it to you how I want, and you’re gonna take it, GOT IT” he said gripping onto my chin harshly

“Yes” I said

We started to make out and he was groping my body harshly with want and need

He pulled away and looked me over while licking his lips

His hand came up to my throat and he started to choke me

“You’re gonna be mine” he spat at me like venom on his tongue

He removed my shirt and my bra. Immediately grabbing my boobs massaging them while looking at my face

“Fuck Chris” I said biting my lip

He grabbed the back of my head and leaned my head down. I was looking at his palm

“Spit” he demanded

“What the fuck no” I told him

He smacked me, “I said spit” and he pushed my head a little harder

So I spat on his palm

“Good fucking girl” he let go of my head kind of pushing me back and brought his palm up to my nipple massaging the spit in

“Ohh fuck” I said throwing my head back

“Yeah what a fucking slut” he said massaging my other breast

“Stop fucking talking and do something” I said which he didn’t like because he spun me around and pushed me against the counter again

“You need to learn to be nice” he said, pulling my hair causing my head to go back. I winced in pain and pleasure

He pulled my skirt down and had me step out of it

“Red lace thong. You’re a mean bitch and a slut” he laughed

“Fuck you” I said

“OH! So vulgar” he said pulling my hair again

“How do you feel about a knife” he asked me massaging my ass with his right hand

“Chris what the fuck are you on” I said trying to look over my shoulder but he didn’t let me

“If I brought a knife up to your pussy would I make you shudder?” He asked in my ear

“You wouldn’t….you're a pussy” I said laughing

The next thing I heard was the sound of a pocket knife opening. This sick fuck, he really had a knife

“I would choose my next words wisely” he said

“Or what” I said rudely

Chris placed the blade on my ass slowly grazing it. This sent a chill down my spine

“I don’t know….you tell me” he said back

“Chris I’m not fucking around don’t be stupid” I told him

Slowly I felt the blade travel further until he slid it under my underwear, and cut the side of it, and then slid it to the other side, and cut the other side letting my now destroyed underwear fall to the floor

He then swiftly turned me around

“Speechless are we?” He said with a smile on his face

He took the knife and slowly ran it up from my stomach to the valley of my breast

“Am I scaring you?” He asked with a fake pout

“No you’re turning me on” I said looking into his eyes

He then pulled my head back allowing my neck to be exposed, and he lightly slid the knife against my neck

“Mmmm how about now” he said taunting me

“Maybe a little bit. The knifes at my fucking throat” I said getting scared

“Good” he said then placed the knife on the counter, and grabbed me harshly throwing me against a table

He flipped me around so my chest was against the table and my ass was up

“Now I’m going to fuck you so hard you won’t even know your name” he said smacking my ass

“Fuck” I said wincing in pain

Chris kicked my legs apart, and started to unzip his pants. Taking his hard dick out. He walked around to where my head was

“Be a good girl and spit on my cock” he said smacking me lightly

I opened my mouth and spit on his cock. He then used that to jerk himself off. Slowly walking back behind me

He was teasing my entrance at such an agonizingly slow pace

“CHRIS PLEASE” I said already fucked out

“Shut the fuck up” he warned

And slowly he slid into me bottoming out in one go

“Mmmm this pussy was made for me” he said groaning

Within a few second Chris was pounding into me like a feral fucking animal. His hips connecting to my ass in loud smacks

“Fuck Chris you feel so good” I moaned out gripping the table

He was pounding into me relentlessly like I was some fucking ragdoll. His dick was touching all the right places

“Give me your hands” he said, but I ignored him

He grabbed my hair and pulled me up

“I said. GIVE ME YOUR FUCKING HANDS” he said throwing me forward

“IM SORRY IM SORRY” I said giving him my hands

He grabbed them together and started pounding into me even harder. How was this humanly possible

“Oh my god Chris” I said moaning and drooling everywhere

He lifted my leg up so my knee was on the table as he thrusted into me

“Such a good fucking slut for me” he said laughing as he smacked my ass with his right hand

“You gonna let me take you on a date now?” He asked

“Yes Chris yes! Whatever you want” I said moaning as tears fell from my eyes from the pleasure

“Good! Letting me fuck you like a dumb slut, and then letting me be your man” he said thrusting into me hard

“Fuck I’m gonna cum” I screeched out

“Yeah cum on my cock” he said as he pounded into me

“Fuck fuck fuck” I said and I came all over his cock. I was shaking and moaning out incoherent words as my legs were about to give out

“Let me cum on your tits” he said as he pulled out of me and roughly turned me over

He jerked himself over before moaning out my name as his lower abdomen constricted and he he came all over my tits

He came down from his high, picking his pants up and catching his breath

“Now how’s that for signing tits” he said lightly smacking me in my face

“Touché” I said rolling my eyes at him

“Let me clean you up, so I can take you home” he said

Chris had cleaned me up, and helped me clean the bar up again before I fully closed, and he decided to take me home

“So about that date?” He said when we pulled up to my house

“Yeah?” I asked him getting ready to get out

“Are you down?”he asked

“Of course! Pick me up tomorrow at 6” I said before kissing him on the lips, and walking to my house.

The End

I hope yall like this one! I haven’t done a Chris smut in a minute. Can’t wait to finish these imagines! I love writing 🤭❤️❤️

-J💅🏽

[cressthebest]

Crimson Rivers thoughts pt. 33

chapter 52:

1. why is the title “boggarts” …. i’m so worried

2. dorcas just put lucius in his place 😌

3. 😐 laser eyes at mcgonagall. i know why she’s doing it, but this boggart is pissing me off

4. nothing is a more powerful motivator than wanting to beat your siblings

5. NOOOoooo ELI! NO! i had hopes he’d last till the escape

6. once again, making connections. the horcrux hornet venom is like the cruciatus curse

7. that boggart to marlene was CRUEL

8. omg that boggart is getting worse. pulled out vanity and hodge. imma catch hands with someone

9. 😦 if marlene doesn’t make it out of the maze i’m gonna fucking lose it

10. “Like the person [Sirius] fought in his last games where he quite literally bit their finger off. A whole finger. Blood and muscle and bone. He bit right through and spit it out. Didn't choke, didn't gag, didn't even slow down.”

😦😦 also canon peter pettigrew reference!!

11. NARCISSA!! MY GIRL!! she has to make it out plsss

12. reg saved marlene ☺️☺️☺️

13. 😐 i am not amused by the james boggart at all

14. i am in fact PISSED at the james boggart

15. james boggart dying and regulus crying like he never has before has me SOBBING

16. james is both upset that reg thinks he’s dead, and so so pleased that he’s loved so intensely. and i- yeah. yeah, he’s right about that one, i’m afraid

17. reg even in his head is so casually like ☺️☺️ my fiancé

18. shit SHIT NO!! AUGUSTA!!

19. the augusta and alice scene is HEARTBREAKING and the fact that frank has to watch and can only touch the screen and AAAAHHH

20. “Now, this—oh, this is fucking brutal, and Sirius relishes in it.”

that fight with bellatrix was long coming yet i’m so scared for it

21. bellatrix has a spear and literally all sirius thinks is “Well, great. Just great. There she goes, and—yep, she has it. Lovely.” 😭😭😭 he sounds so british like “pip pip how unfortunate”

22. 😧 bellatrix admitted to having attempted to murder sirius by pushing him down the stairs. yo, i don’t think that’s how you treat a kid

23. holy shit holy shit, sirius just caught the spear as it was thrown at him. bro that’s wild

24. … um wtf. actually. sirius got pulled into the hedge and the cannon sounds. but like… pov??

25. nobody listens to reg. like my man was literally like “if you kill sirius, i kill you” and yet they’re somehow surprised when he kills them

26. “Regulus' very sense of identity is stamped with Sirius' signature. He is who he is because of Sirius, and he can never be anything else, and he doesn't even really want to be.”

um actually that’s the sound of my heart shattering into a million and one pieces

27. reg: I THOUGHT YOU DIED??

sirius: lmao no?

28. “"I'm not scared of anything," Regulus croaks, because he is scared of too many things to even count, because is scared of everything and everything itself.”

this is sad but like so so so relatable of him

29. when augusta dies and frank breaks down sobbing around everyone, i’m so fucking pissed that he had to witness that, that others had to witness his breakdown, and that he’s in the position of knowing she was in the arena for him. i’m so angry at riddle

30. fuck YEAH james is about to get recruited. thank fucking god

[beardedjoel]

closer | part four

joel x f!reader. non-apocalypse au.

series masterlist | main masterlist | ao3  

chapter summary: you go to joel’s house, unsure of what to expect when you finally confess how much you want him, and what follows doesn’t disappoint in the least. 7.4k words.

warnings: 18+ MDNI, smut, age difference (joel is 42 and reader is 25), porn with some plot, soft!dom joel, fingering, mutual masturbation, dirty talk, praise kink, pet names for reader

a/n: if you held out to this chapter to get to the good stuff bless you !!! *saluting emoji*

Joel had spent the rest of his evening sobering up, now left with just his thoughts about what an absolute mind fuck that moment in the hallway with you had been, and the ensuing argument with Tommy. His brother really got under his skin with all the shit he said, but Joel also hated that he was right about most of it. He sighs, leaning back on the couch and trying to equally distract himself with the TV and at the same time, sort out his thoughts. A sudden knock at the door takes him by surprise, but the shock only increases when you’re the one standing on the other side of it, looking beautiful and enticing in your summery outfit, standing with your hands wrung nervously in front of you. Yeah, I’m fucked, Joel instantly thought to himself.

“Hi,” you squeak out, giving Joel a timid smile. 

“Hi,” Joel says, giving you another one of his boyish grins. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” Joel asks, leaning on the doorframe. He can’t believe he’s the one feeling slightly awkward at seeing you now, worried that he possibly overstepped with you again earlier.

“My mom… wanted me to bring you - oh, shit!” You realize, looking down at your empty hands. “The cookies,” you say, biting your lip. “There were cookies, but I forgot them.” You can’t believe in your rush to see Joel, you’d left them sitting on your counter.

Joel laughs, noticing the tenseness he was feeling loosen up, and seeing your teeth bite those perfect, inviting lips he’s unable to let you leave for even a minute to retrieve these cookies for him. “S’alright, why don’t you come on in,” he says, low and rumbling, his eyes quickly giving you a once over. Your heart jumps in your chest and you nod. 

“Okay,” you say, already breathless from the nerves of what you’re about to do. You step inside, slip off your sandals, and walk towards the middle of the room. Now that you’re actually getting a good look at it, his house is pretty much what you’d imagine - quaint, put together, and it feels cozy and lived in. Dark gray couches and chairs, wood coffee tables and features, and a large television make up the living room you’ve now stepped into. It’s tasteful, but definitely decorated by a man, having an overall, undeniably masculine feel to it. You realize you’re just silently taking in and judging his home, and feel self conscious at the way he’s looking at you expectantly.

“You have a really nice home,” you mumble, half looking down at your feet. “S-sorry about the cookies.”

“I don’t care about those cookies, if I’m honest,” he says, his head cocked to the side as he steps a little closer to you. His voice is getting lower, and your heart is pounding out of your chest. You think it might just be loud enough for him to hear as he draws nearer to you. “I’m sorry about earlier, darlin”, I had a little too much and was eager to see you again and see what you were thinkin’. Shouldn’t have put you on the spot like that, though,” he apologizes, his eyes a bit softer and wider than usual as he looks down at you. 

“Oh…” you breathe, unsure what to do next, avoiding his eyes as you inspect the ground. “That’s okay, Joel. That’s actually kind of most of the reason why I came here,” you admit to him. 

“Didn’t just come over to deliver some cookies, then?” Joel is now right in front of you, and he gently puts his fingers on your chin, tilting it upwards to meet his eye line. You almost shrink back out of nerves, but melt when you catch a glimpse of his dark eyes boring into you, two pools of desire staring right back at you. 

“N-no, I didn’t,” you say, bravely not breaking eye contact. 

“Didn’t think so,” he says, “Why don’t you tell me what you’re really here for.”

“I just… I needed to say that the other day, it was okay. More than okay. I wanted to do that, and to keep doing that with you. I was just nervous, it didn’t mean I didn’t want it. You make me nervous.”

“Nothing to be nervous about, girl,” he says sweetly, looking at you with soft eyes, but he can see his words have had no helpful effect on you. “I really make you that nervous, huh?”

“You do, more than you could know.” you admit, breathing out a long breath, wanting to steady yourself before your next words. “You told me to say what I want. I’ve been wanting to talk to you, been wanting to… kiss you like that. I- I’ve been wanting you and… watching you since I got here.” Once the words are out of your mouth, you can’t believe you’ve admitted it to him, but it feels good, so good. It’s out in the universe now, up to Joel to reciprocate or not.

“Oh, baby,” he tuts, almost condescendingly, but it turns you on, his gaze hardening with desire at the confirmation of your feelings towards him. “You think I haven’t noticed? The way you eat me up with your eyes? Always lookin’ at me when you think I can’t see it,” he says with a little head shake, and his voice has gone deeper with suggestion. You gasp a little, looking up at him with a shocked expression. He simply smirks, knowing he has you all figured out. 

“Bet you’ve been thinkin’ about me, haven’t you? What you’d do if you could get me alone like this? If I wanted you too?” he continues, and your knees feel like jelly. 

“I do, every day,” you manage to squeak out, nodding in response. You can’t believe he’s seen right through you, and this entire time you had thought he wasn’t paying any attention to you. He lifts a hand up again, holding a forefinger and thumb on your chin now. You feel your whole body shudder at the touch, and Joel’s smirk grows as he notices the effect he’s having on you. You stare back eagerly, awaiting whatever he has to say next.

“You sure this is what you want, darlin’? Be honest now,” he says. 

“Yes, so badly… please,” you whisper, feeling desperate now that it’s so close within your reach. 

“Just what I wanted to hear,” Joel responds simply, his eyes going a shade darker. You can barely breathe as his hand slides to cup your cheek, and in one fluid motion he’s leaning down closer to you, his lips brushing against yours. You flutter your eyelids shut and lean into the kiss, putting a little more pressure into it, until Joel pulls away slightly. 

“Shy little thing you are,” he hums, and the rumble of his voice so close to you sends another shiver up your spine. “S’okay, I don’t mind, we can take our time,” he says gently, stroking your cheek again. You want to prove him wrong, you want to unleash yourself and give in completely to it, so you lean forward again, tilting your head up and deciding to fully commit to it. You won’t mess it up this time, you think with determination.

You grab the back of his neck, feeling his thick, gorgeous hair under your hand and press your lips back into his hard, immediately deepening the kiss. Your lips part enough for his tongue to slide in and you groan a little at how incredible it feels, like a dream. He tastes slightly of beer, and you take it all in, the wetness of his mouth on yours, and delicate slide of your tongue against his now. You are quickly losing control, grasping harder at his neck, your nails scratching along the skin as your mouths and tongues come together again and again. Joel groans, one of his hands sliding up onto your shirt and squeezing your breast. He makes a satisfied grunt when he feels you have no bra on, thumbing your nipple through the fabric. You moan into his mouth at the sensation, hips automatically arching towards him as he pinches and flicks at it, the buds now hard and aching for him. Your core is burning hot, already tingling and turning with desire, desperate for him to touch you more. You practically gasp when he suddenly grabs your hips, pulls his mouth off of yours, and spins you around, pulling your back and ass flush against his front. He holds you tightly against him by putting his arms around your hips, his head nestling in the crook of your neck. You look down at his strong, tanned arms holding you and feel your knees go weak again - this feels better than you could have imagined.

“Bet you thought I didn’t notice how you got all dressed up in your little bikini just for me the other day did you? Or the way you walk around with that perfect body making me go crazy, smiling like the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen,” he purrs, and you are writhing under his grasp, your pussy beginning to ache and pulse at his words.

“Y-yes, it's all for you. I just wanted -“ you trail off, feeling embarrassed. 

“Wanted what?” he commands, his grip on your hips tightening.

“For you to notice me,” you blurt out. 

“Done much more than notice you, you sweet thing. You’re makin’ me wild, you know that? Wantin’ you day and night? Knowin’ I shouldn’t...”

“R-really?” you ask, even though the answer seems obvious at this point. You’re simply having a hard time believing this isn’t some fever dream right now. “Why s-shouldn’t you?” you say, your body trembling slightly at the way his hands are now roaming over the front of your body, teasing you.

“Isn’t it obvious, baby?” he rumbles, placing a kiss on your neck. “You ever been with a man like me? Someone older?” he asks quietly, his voice hushed and breath hot against your ear. 

You shake your head, then say a soft, quiet “no” in response. He makes a small, pleased hum at your answer. 

“J-just a few people, here and there. Nothing really,” you reply breathlessly, thinking of the few drunken hookups or shorter-lived relationships you’d experienced during college. None of them felt like this - they hadn’t known what they were doing with you, hadn't been able to drive you wild like Joel already was able to. “No one like you,” you add quickly, hoping he’ll like to hear it.

“Good,” he purrs, his grip on your hips tightening as he pulls you even closer to him, your ass now pressing even harder against his crotch, feeling how hard he already is. “I like bein’ the only one,” he says, and the possessiveness of his words sends another wave of desire through you. You grind your hips back into him slightly, rubbing on his cock, to show him how you felt about what he said. 

“Oh, you like that then, baby? You like when I’m a little jealous?”

“N-nothing to be jealous of,” you barely breathe out, trying to tilt your head in the direction of his, your lips looking to find his again.

“That’s right,” he says, his hand on the waistband of your shorts now, the tips of his fingers threatening to dip below and explore. “Cause this is all mine,” he continues, his fingers going slightly lower but not anywhere close to where you’re throbbing for him. You breathe heavily, and a small whine comes out of you involuntarily when he slides his hand down, his fingers brushing along the outside of your pussy. He’s gentle, yet to explore further, just stroking your lips, teasing a bit of a finger further in periodically. You melt into him, your head lolling back onto his chest. He tilts his head down and kisses your neck, the scratch of his beard adding wholly to the feel and experience of it. It sends a shudder through your entire body when Joel suddenly sucks lightly on the skin there, his breath coming hot down your neck and chest. He sucks harder as his fingers feel slightly deeper in your slit, just how slick it is, biting down on your neck a bit. You let out a breathy yelp at the sensation, never having any man do that to you before.

You’re trembling, and you know Joel can feel it. You’ve never been so nervous to be with someone like this before, and you don’t know exactly why. There’s something so defined in the way he carries himself, the way he treats you, and it makes you worried you aren’t experienced enough for him. 

“Shh,” he pulls his hand out of your shorts and tries to soothe you a bit, holding you tightly to him and rocking slightly. “You sure it’s okay?”

You gulp and nod, willing your body to stop shaking underneath him. “I wish I wasn’t so nervous,” you scold yourself out loud. 

“How about this, sweet girl…” he says, and you tilt your head enough to look back at him, your eyes meeting his. “You be okay if I just take control from here? You won’t have to worry about a thing that way.” Joel leans in and kisses the side of your face and you melt into it before he plants another one on your neck, eliciting a breathy moan and nod in response to his question. 

“Okay… yeah,” you decide, “Tell me what to do.”

“Okay,” he says, a devious smile crossing his face. “First thing, let’s take a look at that pretty little pussy,” he says into your ear, voice low and suggestive. You just nod again, already undone by everything he’s doing, and willing to do anything he wants to next. You don’t know what you thought his plan was, but it certainly was not for him to pull away, spin you around, and start pulling your shorts down right there as you stood in the middle of his living room. You step out of the shorts now bundled at your feet, and Joel’s lust filled eyes linger on your panties - red lacy ones you’d picked out hoping he might see them. The smirk that comes across his face as he eyes them gives you a rush of satisfaction. 

“Do you like them?” you ask shyly, already thinking you know the answer. 

“Oh, I do,” he replies quietly as he stares. “Do a little turn,” he commands, making a spinning motion with his hand. You slowly spin around, revealing the thong strap with a bit of lace at the top that makes up the back of your underwear. Joel groans quietly and before you can continue turning back towards him he grabs your ass, both hands fisting full of your plush flesh there. “Perfect ass,” he murmurs, “Askin’ to be smacked,” he says, giving one of your cheeks a light tap as he lets go of where he was grabbing onto you. You turn back and Joel is on you again, his arms pulling you right against him, this time facing from the front. 

“Smacked? W-what, have I been bad?” you ask, half teasing and knowing you’re no good at this dirty talk stuff. You haven’t had nearly enough practice to know what to say, but Joel seems to say whatever comes to his mind. 

“As a matter of fact, you have,” he says suggestively, and you see a sly grin cross his face. “Saw you up in your window those few times, teasin’ me.” You feel your face get hot at the confirmation that he saw you, despite it being for him. 

You let out a small nervous chuckle. “You saw that, huh?”

“Gonna act like that wasn’t all for me, your little show? You know, I’ve been turned for days after seein’ that, just that little glimpse of ya,” he says. You smile a little more confidently now at the confirmation that it had such an effect on him.

“Did you… touch yourself thinking of me?” you say, running a hand down Joel’s chest now. The fabric of his t-shirt is soft, but you can feel his toned chest and stomach underneath. You sigh as your trembling fingers reach lower, resting on the waistband of his jeans. 

“Sure did, you naughty thing,” Joel says, “And don’t think I don’t know about what you do, when you rush off after seein’ me outside, goin’ off to think about me while you touch that little pussy of yours.”

You gasp, mouth hanging open in shock that he’d guessed that much, that it seemed he’d been observing you just as much as you had him. “I-uh-“ you stutter, completely turned on and embarrassed at once. 

“It’s alright, baby,” he coos, a finger fiddling with the waistband of your underwear now. “Makes me happy that I turned you on so much.” He reaches down and feels you through the outside of your panties now, and you know he must feel how you’ve been getting wet, soaking through the fabric already. You’re dazed, and as he grabs your hand, leading you to his couch and sitting you down, you allow him to move you around without any resistance - you’re complete putty for him. 

Joel stands above you, and leans over your body on the couch, bringing his hands to the sides of your panties and pulling down, revealing your bottom half in full now. Joel lets out a groan, seeing your pussy lips already swollen and ready for him. 

“Tsk,” he tuts, “Look at that wet little pussy, just for me,” he says, delicately swiping a finger through it, causing your hips to buck forward towards him. He kisses you deeply, hungrily, and you soften into it, just loving the way his lips feel against yours, the urgency behind it. He’s palming your thighs, his large fingers covering so much of them as he strokes his fingers along the skin there. You are aching, dripping, on the verge of begging for him to put an end to your misery and just touch you. 

“Joel,” you gasp, pulling away from the kiss. 

“Hm, what is it baby?” He continues to kiss your face and trails then down to your neck, eliciting a small moan from you. 

“P-please, touch me,” you say, unable to take another second of his hands being so close yet so far away. 

“Thought I was the one makin’ the calls here,” he says with an arched brow, and you can tell he gets off on it. He wants that control, to know you’re at his whim, pleasuring you when he wants, making you come when he decides to. 

“S-sorry,” you say, feeling lost. You don’t know how to go about any of this, you’ve never had a man offer to do what he did. 

He slides himself down over you slightly, then pulls your tank top over your breasts and just… stares for a few moments, taking it in, appreciating it.

“Shirt off,” he commands, and you lift your arms up so he can pull the tank top over your head. He discards it on the floor, not once taking his eyes off your naked form sprawled open on his couch, every nerve in your body on fire under his gaze. He finally brings his head down to your chest and begins flicking his tongue on each nipple, taking equal time with each one.  You squirm, feeling another rush of warmth and wetness between your legs, panting hard now as you rub them together slightly trying to relieve some of the throbbing.

“You need my fingers on that pussy, don’t you?” he says, noticing your writhing movements and quiet whimpers. Simultaneously he takes one of your hard nipples back into his mouth and rolls his fingers over the other, rubbing gently. A moan like you’ve never made escapes your lips, and you’d normally be embarrassed, but it feels so good, your thoughts too clouded to care. You pant, nodding furiously.

“P-please, I need it, I need it,” you call out, feeling like crying at how much your cunt is aching now. Your deliriously half lidded eyes look at Joel, and he looks downright sinister now. 

“You’re being so good, waitin’ for me, I think you deserve that,” he smirks, and you feel like you’re starting to catch onto his game, and you have to admit - it’s fucking hot. You wait with baited breath as his hand dips down, his finger starting to rub circles on your clit and your hips instinctively rise up to meet his finger harder, wanting more from him. You practically yell out a moan at the feeling of his finger giving you that bit of relief you’d been dying for. 

“My, my, you are absolutely gorgeous, baby,” he says, the vibration of his mouth over your nipple sending a shiver through you. 

You make begging, whining sounds, panting and moaning as his finger circles your clit slowly, and he increases the speed slightly at your noises. He begins to tease a finger at your entrance, slowly pushing it in.

“How’s that, baby?” Joel asks, kissing the curve of your breast and sucking lightly.

“S-so good,” you pant in response, feeling your climax rising up inside of you, feel it close, within your grasp already. “Can I ask for more, please?”

“So polite and sweet, you insatiable little thing,” he says, biting his lip slightly. He pulls out and adds a second finger, sliding them both into your pussy and you grind your hips onto his hand at the sensation. He rubs your clit with the other hand as he steadily pumps his fingers in and out of you, the sound loud and sloppy echoing through the living room. 

“Taking it so good,” he coos, watching his fingers pump as deep as they go inside of you.

“Need more… I need your cock, Joel. I want you to fuck me,” you yell out suddenly, unable to take the urge to have him fill you anymore. You know he said that he had control over what you’re doing right now, but you think fuck it, as your mind keeps drifting to having him inside of you. It takes everything in him to not whip out his cock and pound it into your soaking wet pussy, but he decided that he wanted to take things slower with you. He wanted to treat you well, give you what you deserve, not rush into things and hurt you in some way.

“Oh darlin’, not today, I want to enjoy this perfect pussy of yours nice and slow,” he says, peppering kisses over your chest again but more tenderly this time.

“I-I’m on the pill and everything, I swear,” you say desperately, just trying to think of any reason he wouldn’t want to sleep with you. 

“Sweet girl, it’s not that,” he laughs a little, and you whine as he completely removes his fingers and he moves to reach a hand up to stroke your hair. You look down at him with fraught, pleading eyes. “Just wanna give you some respect, darlin’, treat you right, okay?” You frown a little but understand where he’s coming from, nodding in agreement. 

“Just let me take care of you, okay?” he adds sweetly, and you smile at the tone he’s using, so soft and gentle.

He moves to sit next to you on the couch, then tugs on your hips, pulling you onto his lap so that you’re facing him, legs straddling him. You’re feeling half drunk on the desire and look down at him with bleary eyes and wrap your arms around his neck, leaning close. The heady desire in your wide gaze almost has Joel regretting his decision to not fuck you tonight, and his cock strains against his jeans a bit harder. He kisses you, reaching a hand in between your parted legs and playing with your clit again, stroking it along with the slit of your pussy. You immediately grind your hips, the position you’re in on top of him only increasing the pleasure as you push down onto his hand. 

He lets out a groan as he slides two fingers back in, feeling how easily it slips inside of you, how wet and ready you were for him. He dares to add a third one and you cry out a little, the way he’s stretching his fingers inside of you.

“Look at you, taking all my fingers like that,” he groans, looking down at where his hand is connecting to your body. You bury your face in his shoulder as you ride his fingers, increasing the rhythm in and out of you. His thumb is steadily rubbing your clit while he curls the fingers in the most perfect way and you moan into his ear, his name spilling out of your mouth. His other hand is now in your hair, pulling lightly, then stroking your back, landing firmly on your ass and squeezing hard. It’s like he can’t get enough, finding new places for his hand to explore.

“Joel… joel…” you say urgently, breathless.

“Let it out baby, let it out. Let me hear you come for me,” he purrs, nosing the side of your head and ear while keeping up the steady push of his fingers. You’re shaking, your hips rocking onto his hand, sliding over his legs quickly. “Let me feel you come all over this hand, filthy girl. Do it,” he commands.

“My god. Oh my god,” you call out, and his last commanding words send you over the edge, your orgasm beginning to rock through you, sending your hips and body shuddering, coming onto his fingers. You pull your head off his shoulder, dipping it back and exposing your face and neck. Joel grips your chin with his free hand, holding you steady, and watches your climax as it crosses your face, your mouth open and letting out moans that only serve to make his cock painfully hard now. 

“Atta girl, just like that,” he praises, and it’s incredible, his fingers hitting the perfect spot inside of you as your whole body trembles at his touch, fire coursing through your belly and tingling on every inch of you. Your climax slowly subsides, and you breathe heavily, daring to slowly open your now heavy eyes. You see Joel with an intense, satisfied grin on his face. He pulls a hand up and brushes the hair back that’s now stuck to your face with sweat. He kisses you, a tender, sweet kiss now and chuckles. 

“That was gorgeous, baby,” he says, and you smile shyly, tilting your head down a little. 

Coming down from your post-climax haze, you’re now very aware of his cock, feeling it hard and pressing against his pants underneath you. You slide off his lap and kneel in front of the couch, reaching up for the belt on his jeans. He grabs your hand, stopping you from going any further. 

“Woah, darlin’, that’s alright. Wanted tonight to be all about you,” he says, grinning. 

“B- but I don’t want you to not - you’re turned on, and I want to… help.” You look up with a furrowed brow, confused as to how he couldn’t want this.

“‘Course I’m turned on, when I’ve got your pussy all over my hand, you lookin’ beautiful like that, but I’ll be alright. We’ll get to that another time.”

“You’re sure?” you ask hesitantly, hands planted firmly on his thighs.

“Promise ya,” he says, leaning forward and cupping your cheek, planting another kiss on your lips. Joel reaches underneath your arms and pulls you back into his lap so that you’re sitting sideways over him, wrapping his arms around your lower half and resting you against his chest. You lean into it, breathing in his scent and smiling. Joel starts to stroke your bare back gently with his fingers, and the feeling alone of his hands on you like this could turn you on all over again. You shiver a little at the electric touch and pull your arms around his neck. You’re painfully aware of his hand increasingly going lower and lower, and feel like you already need him again, the familiar wetness coming between your legs.

“I make you feel good tonight, baby?” he asks suddenly, planting a kiss on your head, sounding so sweet, and you smile. 

“Mhmm,” you let out a small sleepy moan, nuzzling your face against his neck. “Thought that was obvious,” you chuckle a little nervously. His hand gently squeezes and kneads your ass that’s perched on his lap and you make a small whining noise without meaning to. 

“What’s all that?” Joel asks deviously, “Didn’t get your fill?”

You feel a little flush come over you at how easily he’s turned you on again but you pull your head off of his shoulder and try to look him in the eye. “Guess not,” you say with a small smirk. Joel returns it and glances down at your naked body sprawled over him, the gears in his head turning as to what to do to you next. He grabs a hold of you, spinning your body so that your back is against his chest. 

“Listen, baby, if I touch you again, I don’t think I’m gonna be able to handle it without things gettin’ painful for me, so let’s get a little creative, okay?” His voice is low next to your ear. 

“Okay.” You nod. “You’re in charge again,” you say, and he smiles into your neck, the words clearly exactly what he was hoping for.

“Good girl,” he whispers, the sound of it rumbling across your skin and making you twitch and shiver a little. You do wish he’d just fuck you senseless already, but he seems to be the one setting the rules here, and you realize rightfully so, you’re the one who’s let him. 

Joel reaches a hand down and strokes through you again, feeling how wet you’d already gotten again. “Christ, you’re so swollen for me, look at you,” he marvels, teasing your folds apart with his fingers. You breathe a little sigh of relief as his touch eases some of the aching going on between your legs. 

“You’re gonna touch yourself now, baby, while I watch you and take care of myself. You do a good job with all that, and I’ll finish you off, okay?” Once again, you know it’s not a question - this is how Joel has decided you two are getting off. You’re feeling skeptical and shy about touching yourself in front of him, and it must read openly on your face. 

“Um, okay, I’ve just never touched myself in front of anyone,” you admit timidly.

“Think of it like this - let me see what you’d do to yourself when you’d think of me, hm?” he says. You think you can handle that, so you smile a little and nod in approval. 

“I can do that,” you say, wanting desperately to hear what you think he’s about to say. 

“Good girl,” he smiles, and it’s music to your ears. Your heart starts to beat more wildly as he moves you off of his lap and sets you on the couch, standing up in front of you. You sit awkwardly for a moment, adjusting yourself in the seat to try and look as sexy as you can.

“Okay, darlin’,” he says, nudging your legs open wider with his knee as he stands in between them. “Go on now.”

You take a shaky breath and reach your hand down between your legs, gently feeling the outside lips of your pussy. The look on Joel’s face immediately emboldens you a bit, he looks desperate to see more, squirming a bit where he stands.

You look down at yourself, still feeling embarrassed to look Joel in the eye while you do this next part. A finger slides down into your slit, rubbing your clit slowly, and you watch as your finger starts to become slick and shiny as your hips grind a little onto it. Joel grunts a little at the sight.

“Look at me,” he commands, and you snap your eyes up to his face, then downward. He has a determined, absolutely hungry look in his eyes as he reaches to his belt and undoes it, unzips his pants, reaching in and pulling his cock out. It springs free, and he immediately fists it, stroking lightly. You try not to have a visceral reaction to it, but fuck. It’s bigger than any cock you’ve ever taken, or seen, for that matter, and you are barely paying attention to what you are doing to yourself now with your jaw slack and your eyes wide and trained on his dick. 

Joel chuckles devilishly, beginning to stroke himself faster. “Focus up, darlin’,” he says, and you try to move on from the surprise of the sheer size of Joel’s cock, but it’s hard to do as you watch his hand move along its length. 

He suddenly stops, and holds out his hand, palm up to you. “Lick it,” he says, and you stare a little stunned and wide eyed for a moment before leaning forward and running your tongue along his hand, finger still rubbing on your clit. You stare up at him as you do it, light moans coming out as you coat his hand in your saliva. It’s strangely erotic, tasting the salty skin of his hand and the leftover remnants from where he touched your cunt earlier. He fists his hand around his cock again and the sound is much louder, your saliva making the shaft slick as he returns to a slower pace, enjoying it. 

“Let me see you put a finger in,” he says, and you immediately move your index finger to your opening but stop there, slowly circling your clit with your thumb. 

“How many?” you ask, looking up at him alluringly, finally starting to feel more bold. 

“Oh, filthy girl,” Joel tuts, tugging a bit harder on his cock. “Just one for me now, don’t wanna rush anything.” You frown a little and whimper, knowing it’ll get a reaction out of him, but you slide one finger inside of yourself, beginning to pump it in and out. Joel makes a small groaning sound at the sight, his eyes glued to where you’re beginning to fuck yourself harder with your finger. 

“Yeah, that’s it, sweet girl, add another one,” he moans, his movements becoming even quicker on his cock and you try to match his pace as you add another finger and continue rubbing your clit. You’re moaning at the sight of it all, the way his cock is so hard from just watching you do this, the way Joel’s strong hand is moving over it like his life depends on it. You want his cock in your mouth so badly, you want just a taste of him if he’d let you, and seeing the little bit of precum on his cock makes you salivate and lick your lips. Your hips are arching up into your touch, wet and sloppy noises the only sound in the room for a few moments as Joel’s fist slaps into his flesh over and over. 

“Please Joel, let me taste you,” you beg through your panting breaths, desperate to have the length of him inside of you in some way. 

“Shit, you cock hungry little thing,” he grunts out, shaking his head, but he doesn’t stop what he’s doing. You are writhing, desperate to hold out until Joel can make you climax instead, but it’s so difficult when your view is what it is right now. You can tell Joel is close, he’s panting hard, a sheen of sweat on his face, and his cock looks like it’s absolutely throbbing. 

“Into my mouth,” you try begging once more, thinking he’s about to come at any moment. 

“No,” Joel says, voice strained, and you frown. “Let me paint those gorgeous fucking tits,” he grunts out. 

He doesn’t wait for confirmation, but instead continues watching your fingers plunging into your pussy as he climaxes, his body shuddering slightly as ropes of cum release out onto your chest. He almost leans his head back, closing his eyes, but he can’t tear his eyes away from the way his cum is coating you. You stop moving your fingers, simply relishing in the sight and feeling of his climax. Joel groans out a few expletives along with your name, breathing heavily, and he still stands over you, looking down with that post orgasm bliss on his face while you smile up at him. 

He leans down, placing his hands on either side of your body on the couch, getting his face close to yours. He moves one hand to your chest, swiping the cum up onto his fingers and holding it up to your mouth. 

“There’s your taste of me,” he says gruffly, and you open your mouth almost immediately, craning your neck forward to take the fingers in deeply, licking and sucking them clean. The look on Joel’s face is a mixture of surprise and satisfaction, feeling like he’s seeing a new side to you now that he’s gotten you out of your shell a little bit. 

“Good fucking girl,” Joel says each word slowly and carefully, then smirks as his fingers pop out of your mouth, completely cleaned off all his cum.

“I did a good job for you?” you ask, suddenly feeling a bit shy again as you seek his validation. 

“Oh, yes,” he replies, pressing his lips to yours deeply, and he opens his mouth to slide his tongue over your lip. You shudder a bit and return it, your tongues flitting in and out of each other’s mouths. Your hips are bucking upwards, missing the pressure of your fingers now, and you moan desperately into Joel’s mouth. Joel reaches between you and slides his fingers down your slit, immediately pushing three fingers inside of you, picking up right where you left off. He pushes them in hard, and you inhale sharply, the immediate feeling of him filling you so much taking you by surprise. His fingers move furiously, pumping in and out of you, and your body tries to squirm away from the intensity of it once he puts his thumb on your clit. But the way he’s hovering over you, your body below him on the couch, you have nowhere to go, and he’s relentless with his speed now, curling his fingers inside of you.

All you can do is make strained moaning sounds as he places his lips to your neck and sucks on the skin, trailing his lips down and doing the same thing on your chest. You know it’s going to leave a mark, and you don’t care, you can’t care right now with the way everything feels so incredible. Your whole body is shaking with the intensity of his movements, your climax practically at your fingertips as your hips push back into his fingers, driving him deeper.

Joel murmurs praises into the skin of your neck as you continue lifting your hips. He presses a hand down on your thigh hard, holding you in place, leaving you to take exactly what he’s giving you. And what he’s giving you is absolute fucking ecstasy. Your crying moans urge him on, and he’s pushing all three fingers as deep as he can, and everything suddenly feels… different as he hits the most sensitive spot inside of you. You let out a little yelp, surprised by the sheer intensity of it as he hits it over and over.

“Look at you… tight fuckin’ pussy, taking my fingers so good. You like when I fuck you hard like this?” he growls, plunging his fingers more aggressively into you, enjoying the loud, sloppy sounds he’s making as you leak all around his fingers.

You simply moan, long and low, in answer as he curls his fingers and hits that spot again. Holy shit, is the only thought running through your mind, over and over again.

“Of course you do, you fuckin’ dirty little thing. My perfect girl, taking my fingers however I want you to.” His words make you practically scream, his name on your lips repeatedly as you feel the sensation of your impending climax beginning to overwhelm you.

You stutter, trying to say his name again, let him know you’re going to come, but he already knows, of course he already knows, because he’s kissing your neck again and telling you.

“That’s it, baby, come right on this hand again,” he says before sucking on your neck again. You’re completely devastated, the orgasm burning through you as your hips spasm and grind down. He’s keeping up the pace, his fingers hitting deep as you ride it out onto his hand. You scream his name and practically lose all sense of anything else you’re saying or doing while your entire body is taken over by the fiery, tingling sensation as you come.

“My… god…” you breathe out, muscles finally loosening from the way your entire body had tensed up during your orgasm. Your head flops back onto the couch and you feel your whole body go limp as you try to steady your breathing. You don’t even dare open your eyes, you’re in such a haze right now and don’t want it to end. Joel’s lips find yours and press into you, and you lazily return the kiss, bringing an arm up so you can gently stroke his cheek. He pulls back, taking in the satisfied smile on your face, closed eyes, flushed cheeks, and wild hair, and he thinks you look more gorgeous than he’s ever seen you.

“Had your fill yet, baby?” he asks, sitting down next to you and nuzzling the side of your hair with his nose. His smell so close to you is immediately intoxicating all over again, and you don’t know how you’re expected to leave this man’s side.

“Mm-mm,” you shake your head, “Not even close.” Joel laughs heartily, and the sound lifts your heart - you don’t think you’ve made him laugh like that before now, so you peek your eyes open and look over at him, grinning in response. “Don’t worry, we’ll save that for another time,” you assure him, rubbing your eyes to try and make yourself more alert.

"Now what makes you so sure there’s a next time?” he teases you, and your eyes widen in shock. You don’t think he’s being serious, but…

“I- I just thought… you seemed to like it too…” you stutter, tripping over your words around him yet again.

He laughs again, that hearty laugh you’ll be chasing hearing forever, you think, and grabs your face.

“I’m just messin’ with ya, darlin’,” he reassures you, capturing your surprised, pouting lips in a kiss. You giggle a bit into his kiss and then deepen it for a few moments before standing up off of the couch, getting dressed. Joel gives a slight look of disapproval at the fact that you’re putting your clothing back on, but lets you go ahead anyway.

You’re unsure of what your next move should be. Should you stay over longer? Stay the night? Would Joel even want you to stay the night?

“Why don’t ya head home, sweet girl,” he says, answering the question before you can even ask, standing up next to you and wrapping his arms tightly around you, pulling you in. “I’ve got an early morning tomorrow.”

“Okay,” you reply, understanding but feeling disappointed. “Can I see you again? Tomorrow?” You look at him with eager eyes, praying his answer will be yes. Now that you’ve crossed this line, there’s no going back, and you want more of him, need more of him.

Joel chuckles. “Impatient, impatient,” he drawls. “Sure thing, I’ll be ‘round tomorrow evening.”

You give him a hopeful smile, waving your goodbye to Joel after stealing one last kiss. You rush up to your little apartment, barely bothering to turn on any lights as you run over to your bed and promptly scream into your pillow like you’re fifteen years old again. Once you get the rush of excitement out of your system, you sit up, eyeing the plate of cookies on the counter and laugh loudly to yourself. You pad over to them and pick one up, biting into it and smiling to yourself, unable to help the feeling that this man is going to ruin your life in the best way possible.

[tgmsunmontue]

Season to Taste - 36/42 WIP

Explicit Hangster - Celebrity Chef Bradley and Naval Aviator Jake Seresin who have a relationship spanning the globe before they realize how tightly bound they are to one another.

PROLOGUE/1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (interlude) 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 (interlude) 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 (interlude) 31 32 33 34 35

CHAPTER THIRTYSIX

                “Okay. Listen up. My boyfriend is in town. I’ve got him on the chef’s table. Now… he fucking auto-condiments. It’s a character flaw, but also it’s so very much him that I don’t think he’ll ever stop. So… don’t get your hackles up worrying about it. Or worrying about what I might think. He’s either added ketchup to everything I’ve made, or said it’s too sweet, or that his mom and grandma can make it better… I don’t think he’s actually ever paid my cooking a compliment now that I think about it.”

                His staff are all looking at him in undisguised horror and Bradley knows he’s probably exaggerating a little, because Jake has been plenty complimentary, but he also knows what he likes and isn’t ever afraid of letting Bradley know in no uncertain terms.

                “Oh, also, he doesn’t really know quite how famous I am. At least I don’t think so. We met a decade ago and he knows me as Leonardo, so he gets to call me Leo or Leon or Leonardo if he’s really pissed off.”

                Jaws lower even further toward the floor and Bradley grins at them all.

                “Yeah, I know. I’m in a good mood. My boyfriend is in town. Let’s have a good service okay?”

                “Yes chef!”

…            …            …

                “How did it go?”

                “Fuck…”

                “Again? Seriously? Bradley!” she punches him on the arm and she doesn’t hold back any strength and he flinches away. “What does he do? Suck your brain out of your dick?”

                “Uh…” he not sure whether to confirm or deny, because the weekend had been… illuminating. And amazing. And exhausting both physically and a little emotionally, just with them talking about more things which they might like to try out.

                “Ugh! It’s your funeral. Just tell him over the phone, or through Facetime. I think this is going to be a bigger deal for him than your fame and fortune.”

                “I know! Which is why I want to tell him in person!”

                “Well next time you see him I’m coming as chaperone to make sure it actually happens. You keep beating yourself up over it and it’s not good for you.”

                “I know…” Bradley says, and from the look Vi is giving him he knows it maybe isn’t contrite enough. “I’m… I do know. Sorry. I’ll try to not let it bother me, okay?”

                She snorts at that and rolls her eyes, but Bradley knows he’s forgiven when she rests her head on his shoulder as their plane takes off.

…            …            …

                Jake looks at the email attachment and pulls a face.

                It’s fine.

                This is the life he signed up for, and he’s been spoiled the last few months with being stationed at Fallon. It’s not the closest he could be to Leo, but he’s still seen him fairly regularly. It’s been really nice and he knows he’s going to miss him even more than usual. He rings in his lunch break, know Leo will be deep in the prep stage in the kitchen. He never thought he’d understand so much about how a restaurant is run, but he could listen to Leo talk about it for hours. Has listened to Leo talk about it for hours in fact.

                “Jake! He’s just stepped out front. We didn’t want to ignore the call though… how’s it going man?”

                “Uh, Kieran right?”

                “That’s me! And don’t worry, I know you’re probably on a time crunch. I’ve sent someone to fetch Bradley.”

                “Thanks. I appreciate it. And I’m going good. You know. Pretty standard…”

                “Lather, rinse and repeat right? Same here. Same shit, different day!” Kieran says, the last few words a little louder and he hears other jeers and laughter, has met most of them now and they’re Leo’s squad. He’s glad he has a good bunch of people working with him.

                “Get back to work you bunch of reprobates…” Leo says, his voice loud and clear and happy and Jake can’t help the thrill at hearing his voice. “Hey…”

                “Hey. Uh. Can you give me a couple of minutes?”

                “Of course,” Leo says, and Jake can tell from the change in sound that he’s no longer on speaker, that Leo is moving somewhere quieter. “What’s up?”

                “I got new orders. Direct to Kitsap, then Ronald Reagan for about five months.”

                “Shit.”

                “Yeah. I know you’ll get you hand on the manifest and meet me when you can. Just… I’m going to miss you.”

                “Yeah. I’m going to miss you too. So much.”

…            …            …

                It’s fine.

                Not the end of the world.

                The first few months slip past quickly enough.

                It is grating that he can’t meet Jake in Brisbane when he has leave. The entire crew are slated to take part in the Talisman Saber, which Ice has been telling him about, because he’s involved now that he’s the COMPACFLT and Bradley tries not to think about telling Jake that. He’s going to be seeing Jake when he’s got shore leave in Japan, when the Ronald Reagan berths there after it has done whatever it needs to do in the Pacific Ocean. Bradley can, and will, finally tell him all about Maverick and Ice and he can stop waking up in a cold sweat thinking about Jake being hurt and upset that he didn’t tell him. He runs his finger over the gold band on his finger, knows that the ring he bought Jake is hanging around his neck right now wherever he is and it makes him feel grounded somehow, despite their distance.

                His phone rings then and he startle a little, not expecting anyone, a little wary when he see Ice’s contact name showing. Since finding out how much it hurt’s Ice to talk Bradley has insisted on video calls where Ice can type out what he wants to say. The fact that he’s calling is… worrying.

                “Hey Ice…”

                “Bradley…”

                The scratchy rough pitch does nothing to lessen the tone of Ice’s voice has his knees shaking and he grabs for a chair and lowers himself into it. Is reminded of the time Mav told him about Ice’s cancer, but right now he has Jake somewhere in the Pacific Ocean… Don’t go borrowing trouble a little voice in his head whispers, and it’s been a while since he even remembered his mom saying that.

                “What’s wrong? What’s happened?”

                “Maverick is missing.”

                He feels relief flood through him, quickly followed by guilt in equal measure, that it’s Maverick Ice is ringing him about and not Jake. Shit. Mav is Ice’s though, and while he might still be cautious around Mav he doesn’t want Ice hurting. And he doesn’t ever want Mav dead.

                “What? How?”

                “He was flying…”

                “He… Did he crash?” Bradley asks, because how is he missing if he was flying? A plane is pretty fucking thing to go missing. “Or is the plane missing as well?”

                “I…”

                “Shit. Sorry. I know you can’t talk much.”

                “Classified.”

                “Of course it fucking is… Do you think he’s alive?”

                “He’s Maverick.”

                Bradley lets out a long annoyed sigh, because that shouldn’t be an answer, or an end to a line of questioning, and yet…

                “Yeah. I guess he is.”

[oubliette-odette]

The Reluctance of Love Pt. 31

Okay so I didn't get a post out like I planned, because I got so sick between my travels and basically have been sleeping for the last week. Everyone remember to take vitamins, get vaccinated, wear masks, and stay hydrated! Okay?

Orc Male x Half-Elf Male, Fated Mates, Forbidden Love, Slow Burn Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 Content Warnings: violence, light torture All orcish is from orcishdictionary.com, created by Matt Vancil.

It felt as if my mind was no longer mine. I was caught in a vicious cycle between hurt and lust. Bitter pain and earnest desire. I thrashed on the floor and wished I could stop because the pain was too much. It would have been better if the Duke had managed to knock me out, because now I was stuck in a frenzy I had no hope of getting out of. 

Altan. I could feel him. I felt how far he was from me and I ached to be near him. He was the only person who could help me, save me. Stop this pain. At that moment, I needed him more than air or food or medicine. 

I was left alone in the cage, but I could sense the Duke’s looming presence as he watched in mute fascination at my thrashing. I looked up at him and caught the glint of satisfaction, exultation in seeing me writhe and growl on the ground like some common animal.

If he had stayed in the cage, I would not have hesitated in ripping his throat out with my teeth. To kill the man who hurt my beloved would have brought me the greatest satisfaction. 

But instead, I suffered in a cage, unable to do anything.

Time felt slow and dragged as I labored through each breath. The longer I laid without Altan near me, the harder it was to remain controlled. But I was in so much pain, every breath made me shudder and shake. Would I be able to survive this? I wondered how much longer I could fight back all that was stifling me.

“Do you wish to die now, orc?” He asked.

I rolled my eyes back to see his sneer and I growled in response. 

“I rather enjoy seeing you struggle like this.” He said, “You finally are where you belong.”

I rolled onto my back, the hay beneath me scratch and dug into every open, infected wound and I bit back the yell I wanted to let out. 

“Oh how interesting.” I heard the Duke say.

I couldn’t see him, but I felt his stare. 

“Pain seems to arouse you, I see.” He said. “Had I known that, I would have played with you much sooner.”

I recognized that I wore nothing but the ripped and torn pants that I had worn traveling with Altan, nothing hid the effects of lordhovid from the Duke. I tried to roll back, but I heard the crack of a whip and suddenly a sharp sting on my arm. 

“Don’t move.” The Duke said. “I’m not done with you yet. Not until I see you breathe your last.”

I let out a broken breath. He couldn’t mean to torture me until my death. No one could be that cruel. I felt another sharp sting on my arm and I felt the hot blood that slipped free from the newly opened wounds and began to drip to the floor. 

“Since you seem to be aroused by this pain, I won’t disappoint you with my performance. I’ll be sure to tell Altan just how hard you fought and how you enjoyed it like the beast you are.”

“Fuck…you…” I managed to groan out. 

He paused and raised an eyebrow. “Is that all you can say?”

He raised the whip to strike me again when I heard the creaking of a door opening and someone shouting to stop. The room stilled and I inhaled deep, holding the pain in.

“You’ll have to delay your delectations, my Lord.” A harsh voice said, they sounded panicked. “We have a problem.”

“What do you mean?”

I rolled back on to the flat of my stomach and exhaled, my body finally feeling a moment’s rest. My consciousness was wavering. I blinked and recognized nothing in front me, it all becoming a indistinct blur. A heaviness overwhelmed my body and mind.

“Gideon. He’s found us.” I heard the person answer.

“Shit.” The Duke sword. “Where is he?”

“Our secrets are no longer a secret, my Lord.” Another voice sneered, they sounded more confident and disdainful. “You’ve not been as careful as you promised.”

“What exactly are you insinuating here, Mavis?” The Duke yelled. “I’m not the one about to attack this hideout.”

My eyes fluttered closed, I was drifting, losing focus. 

“No, but this is your fault and word has reached us that your son has already begun to usurp your power in Berdusk.”

Son. 

Could it be?

I felt separate from my body and I struggled to open my eyes. I thought I felt my fingers clenched into fists but I wasn’t certain what was real and what was becoming delusion.

Moments passed in a strange stillness, a darkness that felt like the bring of something permanent, something I wasn’t ready for, before I opened my eyes again and all the sensations flooded back and I gasped in pain. My vision was clouded with shadows and my hearing was unfocused and everything was garbled. I needed to stop fighting the darkness, but I needed to resist that sweet emptiness a bit longer. There was someone who needed me.

I blanked again and managed to make out the shape of the Duke, his posture tight and coiled like a wild animal, I could hear the sounds of his shouting and then the shapes of red rushing to him and pulling him away. 

I heard the clang of a metal door and suddenly hands on my body. I didn’t know where they were taking me, only that there was no place on me that didn’t scream for them to stop touching me. I growled out in pain, I had had enough and I felt their hands tense on me. 

The darkness taunted the corners of my eyes and begged me to release my control to it, but I instead fought back harder. I was the son of many proud orcs. I would not be broken by this. 

I was uncertain of where this strength came from but I flung myself back and threw off the people on me and with a roar I flailed and fought back. At the first sign of red, I would follow their unclear shape and rip it out of my way. The thrumming pull of my mate kept my feet moving forward, and the burning inside me fueled me. Perhaps this was the trail to my death, but I would die for him, not for anyone else.

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@eltrolodecadadia

@sizzlinghideoutcoffee

@carjis

[dailyautophagy]

I have to do a small ramble

Or a XL ramble lol because I can’t fathom what would have happened if Camila won the election like would we just keep sending billions of dollars to Ukraine and Israel or like the only reason I am a little disappointed that Trump won is because I wanted to see how bad things could get And as it turns out, we might be able to see that shit before Christmas because Putin is not thrilled

Can you blame the guy?

Were we thrilled about the whole day of cakes thing were we pretty sure we were not pretty sure we did everything in our power to defend our border and that Russia is doing

Again, it’s Camilla had one how much a daughter wouldn’t we have a little bit excited to use these luckily no illegal immigrants were dropped off immediately outside of my city, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen within this state at a different city that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen in Ohio And of people literally there being like what the fuck is this?

Oh my goodness gracious I should not be doing a ramble when I am still at work what an odd choice for me the benefits of being alone so I’ll just make it work make it work make it work make it work to push the speaker button and just hope that it understands what you’re saying and sometimes it doesn’t and that’s fine. It literally doesn’t matter.

So I did my wild yams this morning. I put it in a small tiny spray bottle

Just in case someone balanced a little because it felt like even though my period was perfectly timed and even though the PMS was minimal it still felt like I could’ve done better so it’s not like the wild and hurts evidently people a.k.a. one specific human being is hell-bent on no one trying anything holistic ever But like I wouldn’t have brought it up if it didn’t work like I’m getting money by telling other people to buy the shit I don’t make it. I have no brakes racing. Why is that phrase? Sometimes I don’t understand very basic things about like I’m sure dog racing used to be it a thing it’s raining why is it raining? I mean it’s right that it’s raining and not snow but I’m pretty sure it’s gonna get cold overnight and then it will be snow.

So wish me luck wish me luck tomorrow. I’m probably just because I know that way is more traveled and less. It’s like more elevation but less close to a river I don’t. I don’t really know which way is the best way to go so I’m just gonna go the way. The other car is tend to go which literally is the way I go already there other cars that go that way, but I feel like it freezes quicker. That way I don’t know man hard choices Trees fall down that way sometimes yeah I’m just the way I can get gas because my lover has told me that the gas at that gas station that way is cheaper than four dollars for the supreme that I get which is pretty fucking good

I bring my car to the car I go to on 18 December even though my inspection is due this month. I like to push that shit to the limit because I am a bad person… I’m actually a very good person and I realize that more and more with every interaction I have

Like genuinely there are some… Maybe it’s just because they are unfortunate looking? Like does that inform their actions is that why they are so hard to interact with I don’t know like how is your personality so shitty you’re that hard to look at and I guess Tumblr is the best place for you because no one has to look at you. We only get to experience your shitty personality 

Like I get to get away with a decent amount of shit because I’m pretty and I know it pretty sure my ass would’ve been in jail luckily when I got arrested three times as a young idiot

OK, so the thing about being in your 20s is sometimes you think you might know.. something 

And do you do not know yet you’re not grown your brain aids fully developed until after 25 I used to say about 25 but no especially now that we’ve interacted with many 2425-year-olds no we’re gonna give that shit till 30 now and that’s probably why I only started having big girl thoughts when I turned 30. How am I gonna retire and Kill more babies

That’s the weird part about the freaking abortion argument thing because men you’re allowed to kill strangers in your house or women aren’t allowed to kill strangers in their vagina and it is something that argument I could come up with for abortion and I’m like well if you get raped, it’s not the kids fault. The dad was an asshole you know it, however I understand that opposing view exist, and that many young people would like the ability to not have their life ruined by mistake so yeah Pro Abortion for life

OK, I think I’ve done enough rambling. I don’t really remember what the point was like even if I start to feel my hormones imbalanced, I can always just do a spray supplements, herbal remedies like the ingredients of everything I put on or in my body. It’s oil oregano. I don’t know if that’s different than oregano oil but this is oil oregano and Wild and for 12 months, I am going to do the Lyme disease medicine protocol thing which is the reserve at all couple other weird names for her, but they are just plants rounded up putting capsules for me to consume easily because I can’t just grow the shit although I did buy seeds of all of the shit so I can just grow it but right now I want it now and I just realized a few days ago that I think is Lyme disease in my brain could easily be toxicosis toxicosis toxoplasmosis is that what it’s called I can’t remember but the cat parasite thing I could easily have that because there’s cats everywhere in my house

in our house, baby, love you lol

I don’t wanna have kids just feels like I owe it to the world to not just let Idiocracy happen without a fight you know at the same time are you really trying to produce a creature that you know gets to suffer their entire existence you will just be suffering you’re gonna have to go all the time With jellyfish with the flow like whatever the fucking retards of this country want is what will happen and now I’m like absolutely not insane. Insane we have done a bad job maintaining our freaking world. Are we funding different wars right now why are we doing that? Don’t think Trump totally stop doing that Actually

All I wanted to do last night was cuddle with my human and he just didn’t want to. He literally wanted to talk to people on his fucking computer instead of hanging out with me and that made me so offended and I didn’t even do anything about it like definitely used to just start sending people nudes when that shit would happen Now, like you hurt my feelings

Because that’s what being an adult is like fucking stupid but you have to be communicating and you have to be understanding and you have to be not a spaz all the time because life goes on and you’ll see him again tomorrow

I have to keep reminding myself that we are not codependent. I mean, we definitely are but like there is no reason to be. You really have to think about like the basics every fucking day. I am thankful I can breathe. I am thankful I can see. I am thankful I can hear. I am thankful I can feel. I am thankful I can I am thankful I can smell and I am thankful. I am not alone in life. I am thankful I have a home. I am thankful. I am thankful I have a sister that is a piece of shit that bothers me all the time because apparently some people siblings are just assholes But luckily I have a sister that has two jobs and her boyfriend is actually the preloading asshole so whatever that’s half the reason I’m like I’m not selling this fucking house. I will buy you out of it and you can take that money and blow it in half but I’m not going to not have a home because of that And I’m also I’m afraid that she will have a baby and then she will die and then I will be stuck taking care of her baby because Josh will never stand up like be a man in that regard he wouldn’t be able to support financially a and B not a great role model I mean, I wouldn’t fight him for custody. That’s the baby father you want you can have it we both know who would raise it better raised and worked out

My parents were not even the best parents in the world, but they really thought they were doing awesome jobs as parents me and my sister turned out fine I guess but I am way below my potential earnings wise, but I’m not worried about going to hell I don’t believe in hell, but if I did, I’d be worried about an actuary or a lawyer Like I don’t understand how people have jobs for their just genuinely digging other human beings over all day every day and that’s what you get a paycheck for like!? OK OK devil people that’s fine. I’m not going to do that but you can

I was going to be a teacher. I was going to be a high school math teacher and then I learned about inclusion and I said never fucking mine because that’s not fair. Why do I have to teach retards with smart kids at the same time I don’t I’m abandoning that career path and I should’ve just stopped being a math major and then I should’ve just been an actuary and I should’ve just made bank But no, I’m gonna go to community college and then transfer to a real college and then I ended up working for a hotel. Literally years

And then my mother got sick … Well, she didn’t get sick. She found out she was sick and had been growing cancer for many many years and they were basically like you have six months to live and they were right she didn’t tell us she was dying until September and then she was gone in January so thanks for not dragging it out Ma at least you did it with Grace

And then my father was like you can mourn for a couple months but then you gotta get a fucking job. Did a pretty decent career for not having a fucking college degree literally everyone else at my job does have a college degree and you didn’t need one so why do you whatever you had your time I had my time we both made stupid mistakes. Yours was a little bit more pricey than mine but

It is what it is

Life is like a box of chocolates you do know what kind you’re gonna get though. It’s fucking labeled

Did I drink all of my water today? No, no I did not but did I drink all of my water yesterday also, no I know I’m supposed to drink like two or 3 L a day and I just barely drink one then I wonder why my body is not operating at prime level no shit Sherlock it really is just input output. If you do not input all the water output all the waste output waste but you can’t clean as much as it wants to want to feel it if you give it the right conditions and the number one right conditions is hydration and I know this and still?! Sailing to drink a water

FAILING

whatever I can’t be editing this ramble it’s a ramble. That’s literally how it works. Whatever comes out comes out. I didn’t mean it. I can’t believe that there are like delivery services in the world. Can you just please use one? I’m sick of five trucks trying to get into my driveway, keep running over the sewer right now. It’s the water like the water that I use for tapwater and shower water and stuff have a meter thing out by the street and there’s a teeny old manhole cover thing on it and all these delivery freaking trucks run it over and break it so I put a cone on top of it. I didn’t put the cone the water company themselves put the cone still I think they’ve come out three times to fix it. I’m just worried once it starts freezing. My water will freeze and then I won’t have water and then I’ll have damage to my pipes somehow not to jinx it, but I think my house was built back when they still built houses correctly and, somehow nothing knock on wood. I am 100% on my own head right now but pretty please the only part of the water heater situation in the basement that was ever replaced is the only part that doesn’t work so yeah gonna have to smack it every once in a while, it gets stuck on which doesn’t make sense like I’ll get home and it’ll be 75° when the shit is set at 65 goes off so that’s what I’ve been doing and that’s what I’m gonna keep doing trying to explain somebody suddenly turns into a $10,000job

So yeah, I’ll just keep hitting it. I don’t care that’s way cheaper. I mean I’m sure that my gas bill would be less. I’m not even sure that actually so fuck him. The evil I have because I know we know the evil we have.

It’s so weird to hate somebody you’ve never fucking met I mean at least on Tumblr when you claim to hate me it’s like all right. Well, you’ve been interacted with me a little so that’s warranted, but the people that claimed to hate Trump who have clearly never interacted with anyone in power or with a high IQ, it seems I feel like if people just watch the first 10 minutes of Trump and Joe Rogan, that’s probably your opinion of Trump like like he’s just rambling but he has a point always there’s always moral to the story. The man is so he doesn’t waste time like that. It’s absolutely ridiculous that I like an hour of his time is probably worth $1 million seems ridiculous that he was willing to that election because you don’t always have to be in charge and that was such a fucking move to exhibit that to everyone and then watch Kamala be like well me too. I’ll come on but you have to do it on my terms because she they have to be in charge and I don’t even mean she I don’t think she she was supposed to go in and chat, but I do think she has handlers and they were not bad at speaking

So yeah, everyone’s really upset and like arguing I mean all argue in the comments because I can’t be spending money this month and Tumblr is free, but normally I wouldn’t be arguing this much in the comments because those people are never going to change their mind or their life… Which is more sad you don’t even know you’re doing it to yourself you’re under your own thumb… That’s hilarious to me. I know you’re suffering but like it’s still funny because you don’t know you’re doing it to yourself. I don’t know. I wish that I would’ve found Barbara 20 years ago, but maybe I wouldn’t have been ready to have it because I probably would’ve been like fuck this religious bitch I don’t take anything. She says seriously I can’t even sit through the little Bible verses she says 

I mean, I definitely found her at the right time to save me and I definitely found her at the right time to help my sister because her ass got vaccinated like an idiot literally was like yeah we get money if everyone that works for us who’s vaccinated so you have to and that’s what happened so I imagine it was similar for people who were dying in the hospital if Dr. Oddone Covid somebody got money to avoid all you more than you came in like I literally thought appendix or something was bursting so I went like two or three years ago and they did some CT scan and they gave me some contrast die and I swear my brain I saw aura for like two months after that Frequently gotten migraines prior in my lifetime unaware of what happens after the aura goes to the edge. Normally the pain starts but no pain. It would just be after the contrast I had something to do with this and I know that I think it’s out of my fucking body because I had a real migraine like a year ago And was never so grateful to actually actually learn how to get down just put your feet in hot water for like 10 minutes. I mean the pain goes like in the first 30 seconds so I was afraid to take my feet out after that until the water is not hot and then go get some more hot water because honestly, it feels good to have your feet in hot water even if you don’t have a migraine

Soak them Puppies

All right, I’m basically done my job so I’m gonna get my ass in gear and stop rambling at my phone

That’s what you gotta do sometimes if you got let it all out so that you don’t feel the need to talk and annoy other human beings because that’s not right. These people can trap you in a conversation and even if they wanna end it they’re like keep talking to me fucking hate those people And don’t act like you’re not aware of what I mean like everybody feels vibes. I’m pretty sure and if you don’t, I don’t know what to tell you you’re evil and your hair is too short. I don’t know my hair is my antennas. That’s why I have so many five feeling abilities I think, my favorite hocus-pocus science ever Hair on your head, acting like an antenna

 an antenna for the vibes OK

Yes, good OK

All right, everybody stay safe. Stay fly. Stay safe all day every day. Holler at your boy.

[thetarttfuldickhead]

A Jamie-centric pre-OT3 Christmas story told in 25 short chapters.

Masterpost / AO3

18.

The door swung open to reveal a knocked over side table, a smashed lamp on the floor, and Jamie Tartt sprawled next to it, bleeding from one hand. Over him stood a man Roy didn’t recognise. He was short, with unkempt grey curls and a wild beard.

He was also drunk, Roy noted, as the man turned toward him. Steady enough on his feet, but his gaze was slightly unfocused, and the smell of stale beer unmistakable.

“You expecting visitors— “ the man began to drawl, but then his eyes lit up with recognition. “Oh, Roy Kent, is it, didn’t expect to see you making house calls to old teammates, but I guess you have a lot of free time on your hands now, eh?” He looked down on Jamie, adding, “Get up, Jamie, no need to lay around like a little bitch just ‘cause you took a tumble, I taught you better than that.“ He turned back to Roy, shaking his head in mock-commiseration. “Footballer, and can’t even stay on his feet. Might be why you lost so badly today, eh, son? Your balance’s gone to shit now that you’re faffing around with a bunch of amateurs instead of a real team.”

Roy stared at the man with mounting disbelief and disgust, then turned his gaze on Jamie, who was unsteadily climbing to his feet. The look on his face shocked Roy far more than the signs of a scuffle had; he’d never imagined that Jamie could look so fucking small; curled in on himself, pale, and with downcast eyes, like a child awaiting punishment.

Like a child. Son.

Roy jerked his head toward the drunk. “This your father?” he asked, surprised at how level he sounded.

Jamie’s eyes flitted to the man, then quickly down again. He gave a small nod.

“Uh-huh. You want him here?”

“Hey now, Kent, you’ve no business— “

“Not talking to you.” Roy cut him off with a curt gesture, eyes still trained on Jamie. “Tartt, do you want him here?”

Jamie didn’t say anything; didn’t nod his head yes or shake it no. But he looked up at Roy and in his face there was such resigned hopelessness that it hit Roy like a punch to the gut.

Roy nodded once. “Right.” And before Jamie’s father had time to react, he grabbed hold of him and dragged him towards the door, ignoring the flailing arms and the kicks and the yelling, and tossing him down the step with enough force that the man fell flat on the gravel, hopefully cutting his ugly mug on the pebbles as he went. Roy shut and locked door on his cursing and threats, and turned back to Jamie, who hadn’t moved.

“The fuck happened here?” Roy asked. “You all right?”

“Yeah, yeah, good, yeah,” Jamie said, sounding slightly dazed as he cradled his injured hand with his good one. “Fell. Knocked the table over, cut my hand on the lamp, but I’m good. Yeah.”

Like hell you are, Roy thought, and might have said if they weren’t interrupted by a loud banging on the door. “Jamie, you open this fucking door, you hear me! Kent, I don’t care who you think you are, you posh southern twat, I’ll still—“

Roy stopped listening. “He got a key?” he asked Jamie, who had started violently at the sound of his father’s assault on the door.

“No.”

“Good. Let him tire himself out, then. Or you want me want to call the police?”

Jamie’s eyes widened at that. “No! No, just… don’t do that. Don’t call the police.”

“All right.” He’d have offered to knock the bastard out, but an unconscious man on the porch might cause all sorts of annoying questions; Roy knew that from personal experience. Besides, he had more pressing matters to attend to. “Come on then, let’s have a look at that,” he said, gesturing toward Jamie’s hand. “This the kitchen through here?”

Had anyone told Roy that there’d come a day when he’d find Jamie Tartt not talking back concerning, he’d have laughed them right in their idiot face, but as Jamie silently followed him into what indeed turned out to be a kitchen and obediently took out a first aid kit and then sat down when Roy asked him to, he was just that: concerned, and not a little thrown off-kilter by the turn his impromptu visit had taken. 

There were two cuts on Jamie’s hand, neither of them deep, and Jamie didn’t protest when Roy quickly cleaned them out and put plasters on them. Just sat there, hand held out, letting Roy do whatever he wanted.

Fucking disconcerting didn’t even begin to describe it.

“There,” Roy said when he was satisfied with his efforts. “He got you anywhere else?”

Jamie stirred at that, shifting uncomfortably. “He didn’t— He just shoved me, like. Hit the wall, tripped on me feet and knocked over the table. Fucking clumsy,” he added, more to himself than to anyone else.

“Oi,” Roy said sharply, then pressed his lips together tightly when Jamie flinched. “Fuck. Sorry. You’re a lot of things, Jamie, but you’re not clumsy. This wasn’t your fucking fault.”

Which might have been a hasty conclusion, perhaps, given Jamie’s general propensity for starting fights and the number of time Roy himself would have been more than happy to shove – and do more than shove – Jamie, but given what he’d seen of Jamie’s father, and given what he saw of Jamie now, Roy did not doubt for a second that he had this right. Whatever had gone down, it hadn’t been on Jamie. And hadn’t been the first time either.

“Yeah,” Jamie said, softly. Too softly to sound convinced.

In the quiet that followed, Roy noted that the banging on the door had stopped. Which was a fucking relief, of course, but it also made the silence between them a tangible, thorny thing, stretching out painfully and awkwardly as Roy wondered what the hell to do now. He could  clean out wounds and put plasters on them, sure, and he was fucking brilliant at getting rid of deadbeat fathers, but as for what came after… He wasn’t great with words at the best of times, wasn’t any good at offering comfort – and it wasn’t like him and Jamie were friends. Up until yesterday, and if Roy had been a dramatic arsehole, he would have gone so far as to call them enemies. Yet here he was, in Jamie Tartt’s kitchen, trying to think of one single useful thing to say or do; anything that might draw the loud, obnoxious, swaggering Jamie he knew (and loathed) out of this slumped, muted version of the man.

”He show up here a lot?” he asked eventually, mostly for something to say.

“No.” Jamie’s voice was still much too quiet, but at least he was responding. “He lives up in Manchester.”

Roy remembered a confession made around a sacrificial fire. Bragging about me scoring goals. Calling me soft if I don’t dominate.

“He pissed about the missed goal?” he hazarded. He hadn’t watched the game, but heard enough about it from Keeley to know it hadn’t been Richmond’s, or Jamie’s, finest hour.

But Jamie shook his head. He was fiddling with the plasters on his hand, eyes averted. “Not really. Doesn’t give a shit if I’m not playing for City, does he. Was in town for their game against Palace, decided to drop by.” A small, unhappy shrug, and quick, almost furtive look in Roy’s direction. “Wanted to know what I was getting him for Christmas. Since I’m rich and all.”

“Broken bones and a fucking restraining order if he shows his fucking face here again,” Roy said grimly. When Jamie didn’t react other than to hunch his shoulders, Roy’s eyes narrowed in realisation. “He’s coming back, isn’t he? Bring some mates, wait ‘til I’m gone?” Yeah, Roy knew the fucking type.

A shrug from Jamie, one that said yes.

Roy made a disgusted noise – but at least this meant that there was something he could actually do.

“All right,” he said, straightening from the counter he’d been leaning on. “Let’s go, then.”

Jamie didn’t stir from his chair, just looked up at Roy with a mix of confusion and suspicion. “Why? Where are we going?”

“My place. You’re coming with me.”

“Why?” Sharper this time. More like the normal Jamie.

Roy raised an eyebrow. “Because if your arsehole father is planning a grand return, you not being here when that happens sounds like great fucking idea to me.”

Colour rose in Jamie’s cheeks. “None of your business, though, is it,” he snapped. “I don’t need a fucking babysitter, Roy. I don’t need anything from you.”

He definitively sounded a lot more like himself, to the point where Roy had to actively fight the urge to snap back. It was far easier than it once would have been though; easier to forgive the rudeness when the shame it was meant to hide was still plain on Jamie’s face.

“You think Keeley’d let me hear the end of it if I left you here alone, knowing that that piece of shit might be coming back?” Roy asked, carefully making sure he kept his voice light and dry. Then he sighed, holding a hand up in surrender. “Listen, I’m not going to make you stay with me if you don’t want to, but you’re not staying here either. I can drop you off at Ted’s or… or fucking Isaac’s, if you’d rather. Take you to Keeley’s and bugger off myself, even. Just… fucking come with me, Jamie. Please.”

In the back of his mind, some small part of Roy was wondering how the fuck he, in the span of 24 short hours, had gone from genuinely wanting to smash Jamie’s teeth in to feeling really fucking desperate that the other should accept his help.

He’d need to think on that, probably. Later.

Jamie mumbled something. Roy frowned. “What?”

“I said, your place is fine.” He glanced up at Roy, and tried for a weak, wobbly smirk. “Hear the porch looks dead good.”

Roy barked a short, surprised snort of a laugh. “Was done up by a fucking lunatic, but yeah, I guess it isn’t half-bad.” He jerked his head toward the door. “Let’s go.”

This time, when Jamie went without further protests, it felt like a victory.

---

The drive back to Chelsea was slow, and quiet. When they stopped for a red light, Roy glanced over at Jamie, who hadn’t said a word since he got in the car, and bit back a low, startled curse.

Jamie was crying soundlessly, silent tears running down his cheeks while he stared straight ahead into nothing.

Roy felt a rush of panic course through him. What the fuck was he supposed to do? His first instinct, which was to offer a gruff get yourself together, Tartt would not – of that he was very sure – serve. But what else was there?

Keeley would know what to do. She was great at this emotional shit. Wasn’t scared of a few tears.

Keeley wasn’t here.

It has to be me. It can’t be anyone else.

Keeping his eyes on the road and one hand on the steering wheel, Roy reached out – slowly, carefully – to put his other hand on Jamie’s neck. Jamie was tense under his palm, but didn’t shy away from the touch.

Roy squeezed, once, briefly. “You’ll be all right,” he murmured.

[carmenized-onions]

Chap 13 STRAP ON IN MOTHERFUCKER

tumblr not notifying me of this WHEN I HAVE NOTIFICATIONS ON is a crime, like be so fr rn

1. OMG FIRST MEET WITH MIKEY OH SHIT. was this inspired by napkins perchance?

2. i love the word ‘indulge’. you kinda went off when you invented the english language

3. unrelated to this but the age thing. it’s so funny that we were all shocked by mikey’s age when his best friend literally said “dude i think i’m 45 polishing forks”

4. Yoink!

5. it will be HER sandwich indeed🥺

6. MIDDLE-AGED i mean it’s true but dang you really did them like that,,

7. THE COFFEE MACHINEEE. BABYYY WE’RE GETTING ALL THE TIDBITS

8. the mirror to carmen broke my heart. also we get his pov of the *situation* now so im gonna be sick

9. UGHHH YOUR WRITING!!!!! >>>>>> it deffo feels like we’re in his head

10. every time you tried food for him - IM ACTUALLY CRYING SHUT UP

11. gary with the ‘ick’🥺🫶🏼🫶🏼

12. CARMEN ARE YOU NOT GONNA THINK ABOUT HOW HE WANTS WINE GIRL’S NUMBER

13. he cannot get it to smell like you again. - babyboyyy

14. He thought he didn’t want that? - 😭😭😭 BRING THEM BACK

15. You looked so good. You always look good. Better, in his clothes, but you always look good - BARK BARK BARK

16. It’s probably the onions from the broth making her tear up. - THE ONIONS👀

17. You’ve been out of Carmen’s life for 0ERR minutes. Yeah. That’s exactly how long it feels like. - YOOO YOU FUCKING KILLED WITH THIS

18. oop the thin line for the mikey / flashback parts !! we back. (or maybe it’s the same as it’s always been and i’m dumb) ALSO MARCUS<333 the bread guy💀 he IS the nicest

19. “My ears, kid.” - T🥹🥹🥹

20. ugh here we get to see chippy be such a nerd, no wonder her and squid are besties

21. Sometimes you think about asking if she needs you anymore. - clutching my chest

22. mikey calling her ‘kid’ is so accurate

23. OMG SHE WAS COOKING WITH THEM TOO🥺🥺🫶🏼

24. Like he can see the invisible snake coiling around Carmen. - oh you popped off onion

25. “Can we step out, for a second, Chef?” - OH FUCK

26. “You should reply!” - her being an angel to carmen before they even met i’m so🥺🥺🥺

27. “No, no— Oldest.” - REAL, or like only child but not in the spoiled way - in the had to be the mediator way cause they’re the only one there

28. Mikey is really good at being an older brother, you think. - mikey being a caring older brother figure to her is soooo cute

29. Did his mouth taste bad, every time he’d kiss you? Probably. - NOOO CHIPPY WANTS TO GIVE YOU ALL THE SMOOCHES - well not rn but hush

30. I just— I just made the—The only fuckin’ good thing in my life leave - STOP OMG THEIR LOVE IS EVERYTHING IM GONNA BITE AN XLR CABLE

31. “Heard and resented.” - RICHIE IS SO CUTE STOP chip and richie are my fave besties

32. “Want your coffee?” - I too would fold immediately

33. “Fucker.” - I LOVE THEM

34. He kisses your temple as you pass him, making an all too aggressive ‘muah’ noise - STOPPPP HE IS THE CUTEST GIRLDAD EVER I WANT TO BE HIS BEST FRIEND 😭😭😭

35. the syrups<3

36. “Cousin!” - okay bad timing but she called him cousin🥺

37. naloxone kit - i had to google this and OH SHIT

38. “You got her number, by chance?” - PUKE

39. I’ve had her number for three years, memorized - actually fuck it all, THEY are everything to me

40. I would be so fucking lucky, if a woman like that— - this had me crying, he’s so special to me actually

41. And he pivots his head, to speak very deliberately, to Carmen - man he’s just the best friend and guard dog

42. If fuckin’ only. If I had someone like that— I’d be on hand and fucking knee, for her. - biting into a pillow because oh my god ?? their friendship owns me

43. It also wouldn’t hurt to get your number, you’re perfect. - 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️

44. There’s a joke in here somewhere, and it’s probably Carmen. - STOP HURTING ME ONION THATS SO SAD

45. “I’d fucking kill him.” - are they talking about lee😁 cause go for it bestie!! kill that fucker

46. “Hard to speak in those rooms.” - he’s so intelligent and that just makes it all so much sadder

47. “I would’ve said something.” - So true but chip is a superior being so

48. Like you can take the compliment, but you can never say ‘I know, I’m doing it on purpose.’ - crying again. the way you write mikey is just unmatched. better than the show - *tamisha iman voice* I SAID WHAT I SAID

49. because you’re the guy, too. - this scene is so special and precious

50. “Like a nerd?” “Like a nerd.” - something about chip’s friendships with middle-aged men is so dear to me

51. There was this girl - her girlfriend!!

52. also love that we get to hear some of her addiction story🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 and the way you handled it was beautiful❤️

53. “Oh don’t you point a finger when it comes to burying a fucking lead.” - GET HIS ASS

54. “Michael The Bear Berzatto, you have officially been sober for twenty-four hours.” - YOOO this is the cutest thing, them spending time together so he won’t - yeah:’)))

55. he’s still your guy - big brother🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 ugh like i *kinda* get why carmen was jealous cause it’s like mikey was SUCH a big brother to her that it makes sense that carmy would wonder why mikey couldn’t be that to *him* - his actual brother

56. “That’s what she said—” “Fucking gross!” - amazing

57. this chapter is fully like 7 chapter shoved into one worth of content and i love that

58. “[…]Don’t forget that. That we’re on the same team and I love you.” / “I’m not gonna forget you love me, Chip.” and neither of you know this is a lie, yet. - 🥺🥺🥺

59. “And I don’t want that shit for Chip, either—“ - he’s always protecting her 🥺🥺🫶🏼

60. “Cousin, what the fuck did I say to her?” / “You said she failed him.” - the tears are coming back. i’m really alice crying in wonderlanding this chapter

61. zero pulse - oh the throw backs

62. Mikey desperately trying to escape the freezer - I KNEEWWWW HE WAS STUCK IN IT AT SOME POINT. maybe you actually mentioned this in a chapter but !! anyways this wasn’t the way i imagined but this was better

63. YOU WROTE THIS SCENE SO SPLENDIDLY MY LOVE I AM IN AWE OF YOU

64. “Don’t open it.” - he’s trying so hard 🥺

65. “Because the last person that helped you just ran out crying.” - GET HIS ASS RICHIE!!!!

66. Thank you, for softening him up, because if you hadn’t, again, Carmen would be going headfirst through the fucking window right now. - love that

67. “You want me to take all my money, okay, and place it in a fucking furnace? Is that right?” - LMAO UNCLE JIMMY IS SO FUNNY

68. “So I’m sensing—” You curl your hand in the air. “A touch of hostility, which is fair.” - they’re so funny i just - also she sounds like squid, love that

69. No, the manager at Wells Fargo was. - OH???

70. “She could be my daughter!” - the chipxmikey allegations are dead🥳🥳 a win!

71. And I’m gonna bring Carmy on, and we’re gonna do like - omg this is better than canon🥺

72. it’s the blind leading the fucking blind. - you make the drama funny

73. “Every week that you keep going, that’s ten grand.” - JIMMY!!!

74. Fingers crossed he likes you - 💔💔💔 don’t do me like that😭😭😭

75. “If that’s what getting a star takes, I don’t want it.” - ayo???🥺🥺🥺 (no pun intended)

76. “Can you stay after close?” - OH OH OH!!!!

77. no fucking idea where he’s been putting it - and she would not be able to guess it because that’s insane

78. It’d be more accurate of him to say he likes the sticky notes you tack on to each mug - she really is just the cutest ever

79. “I know. But I wanna prove I can, too.” - 🫶🏼

80. “Child incoming, no expletives please!” - EVA COMING!!!!! chippy being the gay aunt LETS GOOOO (also shout out richie for knowing big words)

81. “You’re gonna break your neck, Mike.” - can it just be this? the three of them? forever?

82. “I don’t wanna plan your funeral.” - YOOOOOOOOOO

83. A LITTLE PATOOT IS RIGHT

84. removing your hands from Eva, but then she holds them there. - i combusted🥹😭💕

85. kiss your cheek just short of a million times. “The perfect woman—” - hgnnh inlove them so muchhhhh. i need this to be in the show, WHERE IS CHIP IN CANON (i like to think that whenever we don’t know what richie or syd is up to they’re with chip:’))

86. “Not Italian!” is the synchronous reply from you and Mikey. - love this

87. Eva interrupts him, taking as much as a shining to you as she does her father. “Exp—Expultive!” She looks at you for approval and you nod in delight. - 😭🫶🏼💖😭🫶🏼💖😭🫶🏼💖

88. richie calls eva sweets!!!!!

89. “I want you to start talking to Carmen, when he comes back.” - their biggest believer besides me!!

90. “Cause you’re you.” - speechless

91. “Are you trying to hook me up right now?” “He’s a virgin, so it’s definitely not a good deal for you—” - IANDJDIEJEIEIEJEJEIRJFHRJ

92. “I just want you to be prepared for what you’re getting into, he gets performance anxiety so—” - aiaiwneoeneiwhrjrje?!?!!!

93. “Thank you! I ask for so little.” - this is just PEAK

94. He grabs the notepad and rips off the twenty seven points. - richie is so funny actually

95. deli containers of coke. - sniff sniff?👀

96. “Solve it hard and fast—” “Why hard—?” - BALEGDEH

97. Richie’s got lists of books now, instead of zingers. They somehow hit harder. - YOU GO RICHIE!!

98. “We know.” - that’s so cute!! he soft launched their relationship without knowing

99. Carmen’s gonna do right by you, for the rest of his life. - ONION🥹🥹😭😭

100. He’s gonna be your man - *in the arms of the angel🎶🕊️*

101. When he knew you’d be out of the city. - that is so heartbreaking and i’m crying again

102. Maybe Carmen will figure it out. It’s meant for him anyways. - i mean technically i already knew this, but it’s so sweet to see it written anyways

103. With his three month sobriety chip hanging off of it.  - 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️

104. “Nephew didn’t take a liking to you?” - STOP YOU CANT BE THIS FUNNY WHEN THE CHAPTER IS THIS TRAGIC

105. My best friend died on February 22nd. On the State Street Bridge - and the tears are rolling

106. “Go inside, soon. Come home.” / “I will” - crying again

107. MICHAEL FUCKING SAW HER

108. Wells-Fargo will ask if you want to close your account. - ohhh that’s why they asked about the baby

109. Next time you’ll think of everything, next time you won’t fail. - chiiiip🥺

110. You will go, and you will sit on the curb across from the church, and you will not go inside. - THE MIRRORING OF HER AND CARMY UGHH IT’S SO POWERFUL

111. You will stare at the little stuffed bear, the roses, the picture frame of him, and you will finally say it aloud. - more crying

112. When Carmen shows up, two hours later, not honestly that long after you finally left, he will add a bouquet and a prayer candle - they’re so meant to be and just ugh these moments are so special

113. “Guys I— Guys I don’t know how to run bar, and I don’t think I should’ve been trusted, with this.” - LMFAO

114. “I’m gonna fix it.” Carmen will tell you -🥺 i’m soft🥺

115. No more fucking shoes, because it's all out now. -😭💖

116. It’s not negotiable. - YOOOOOO THE MIC DROP AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER YOU FUCJING ATEEEEEEE THIS AND THEN SOME

I think you’ve gotta be crowned for longest ask? I believe you’re currently number one fan of the blog (like in terms of the literal activity stats), so perhaps that’s enough of a reward. 

LETS STRAP ON IN I MEAN I won’t respond to every point because that would be insane but let’s GO

We’ve messaged about it hhehehe BUT FOR THE CLASS!! Had the intro planned pre-napkins!! Slash this whole chapter. I was very much going off of Fishes for my flashback inspo but then they gifted me Napkins and I got to YOINK that scene like Mikey yoinked that sandwich. and for that Mr Storer and Ayo I thank u

THE AGE THING LISTEN I NEED TO REWATCH FORKS BECAUSE I THOUGHT RICHIE SAID 40 NOT 45— It’s WHY I was so shocked about Mikey being 43— I shouldn’t have been, it’s only 3 years, but in my minds eye I was like “well surely they’re the same age, they give ‘went to highschool together’ energy because when the fuck else would you meet— But I can’t remember a single freshman I STAYED friends with in both high school AND college for that matter so WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED

Writing in Carmen’s head for Friday was so fucking fun. No wonder they make him freak so much in S3 it’s just FUN TO MAKE HIM SQUEAK. Also man idk if I ever have the best grip on Gary/Sweeps but I felt like bro HAD to be thinking “what? You want the number of the kitchen princess? The personality hire that also actually does things here? I’m going to threw up.”

Carmen spiral being very sweet as he actively ignores the elephant of his EC being a creep,,,, ohhhhhhh babbyyyyy highway to the DANGERzone. I really felt like that moment was simply “I literally cannot process this information so I’m just not going to”

THE THIN ASS LINES!! They’re the same colours as before (though I did debate changing them, I couldn’t think of a colour scheme that would suite Mikey/Chip’s flashbacks better, but maybe I’ll ninja edit and change them in the future, we’ll see.)

Chip was/is SUCH a nerd I loved writing her back when she was in Syd’s position of being completely new to this family and needing to integrate (YOU’RE NOT INTEGRATED IN THE DREAM WEAVE!!!)… ahhhh

100% Chip could also be an only child i see that in a million ways, A MEDIATOR FOR SURE!! I think any childhood dynamic could work for her honestly, I made her a baby truly for the sake of representing the other babies out there like me— WE ALSO ARE DEPENDABLE!! WE CAN BE DA ROCK TOO!! And I honestly think Carmen needs someone who was a baby sibling in his life. Babies work very well together. 

BITING AN XLR CABLE IS SUCH A SPECIFIC FEELINFDKNVJFD been there. How many times have I hung an XLR around my neck? Too many times (for convenience I swear!!) (those equipment hauls SUCK ALRIGHT!!)

Girldad big brother Rich !! My beloved!! I love that after the naloxone scene comes Richie’s “I’ve had her number for three years, memorized— You know why?” — He never actually gets to say why— And is it cause they’re besties? Yes 100%, but it’s also BECAUSE OF THE NALOXONE SCENE!! Chip was absolutely his borderline emerg contact for awhile. I absolutely headcanon he considered calling her when he went to prison. That would’ve been his version of Syd calling her during opening night. Her two besties KNOW Chip is the most dependable person they know (My legacy is to be an excellent emergency contact !! aah shit)

Mikey does the same shit Chip did with Lee/Carmen!! Tried to justify/critically think through the emotions of the other people/person in order to emotionally recover!! CAUSE THEY’RE BOTH THE GUY I’M SICK. IM WRETCHING. CHIP AND HER SUPPORT MIDDLE AGED MEN DOGS ARE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE SO PERSONAL

BETTER THAN THE SHOWOWWJLFKJSF I try I try. I really do hope I was on point with my Mikey characterization, because I do think if he had a chance to be vulnerable this is how he WOULD speak because it’s VERY clear in his episodes that he’s extremely emotionally intelligent, and like a fucking sniper, I see me in him and him in me and i can TELL that motherfucker is doing it on purpose. FUCK. He knows what he needs to be for people! And he knows he does it for people! We always know! We always fuckin’ know! We’re the guy on purpose!!

Her girlfriend!!!!!!!! There’s nothing to this point besides her GIRLFRIEND!!

It compLEETTEELYY makes sense for Carmen to be jealous of Chip for being so close with Mikey— But I think the thing that he’s started to realize— Is that yes 100% Chip got to be Mikey’s guy when Carmen didn’t, but Chip very specifically got those last two extremely turbulent two years, like it was NOT all good. The only memories Carmen has of Mikey are either positive or ruined purely by the rest of his family— HE never had to see Mikey go through HALF the shit that Richie/Chip saw him go through, and I think he’s realized, Oh I don’t have legitimate reason to be mad over a time that literally was not even that fun

Richie’s always protecting her!!! Fully prioritized her!! Parking lot scene softened the shit out of Richie for this fight honestly because after crying with Chip he managed to realize “oh yeah Carmen’s just a fuckhead. He’s wrong about everything he said. I’m going to go kill him to avenge you now.” love him. Love him love him.

There’s a shocking amount of title throwbacks in this one, I can’t remember, but if you keyword search you might find a couple. Zero Pulse, Doing too much I know is in here. Something to do, obviously. Tony Terry Or Tommy, not exact title but that’s here. Some version of do the thing is in here. Easter eggs? Yeah let’s call them easter eggs. 

MIKEY IN THE FREEZZEERR It’s referenced in the first chap (which I imagine you caught on your reread, and in Chap12) but like you said, I think both times I worded it in such a way where it was like, oh he got stuck the same way Carmen did— nononono I DID SOMETHING WAY MORE FUCKED UP!! That trio was trying so hard man. I love them as a trio, I never wanted to stop writing for them.

Put my money in a furnace you say? I’m in. (Uncle Jimmy to both of his nephews 1 million times)

Chipxmikey the ship has drowned. The ship has careened into the ocean. The ship is getting visitors from billionaires in a barely functioning submarine. The ship just killed the submarine. 

AYOOOOO If that’s what a star takes I don’t want it— BITCH. MAKEOUT!

The sticky notes on the mugs!! And they end up being the sticky notes in his ICE folder!! The ones that Carmen loses his shit over!! Fucker feels real bad now, I bet. 

Eva’s whole moment is inspired by my co-workers kid who immediately upon meeting me and finding out I know what Sanrio is— Fell head over heels for me as a best friend. Fully kept asking me to come out of the office to watch her do backflips and then ask if I could do that, and I went “Honestly no but I think I can kind of almost a little bit do the splits”

I SO WISH CHIP WAS IN CANON MAN,, SYD AND RICHIE CLEARLY NEED A PERSON— I know inevitably their person will likely end up being each other, but like, Chip is so good for both of them. Made me so sad when either of them were lonely in S3 cause I was like baby. Your Work Wife is just offscreen. Just look over there she’s right there man what do you mean she’s not canon

Mikey shipped CarmTony before it was cool. ALSO CAUSE YOU’RE YOU is one of my favourites. I think Tony says it to Chip first at one point, and then he says it back to her in Doing too Much, ahhhh houston the house boottts

TOO MANY PEOPLE FREAKED OVER THE PERFORMANCE ANXIETY— LISTEN I DONT THINK MIKEY KNOWS HIM LIKE THAT BUT LIKE CLEARLY CARMEN GETS PERFORMANCE ANXIETY IN EVERYTHING HE DOES ALRIGHT? ALRIGHT???

I love going from “I ask for so little” to Richie/Syd asking Carmen to completely 180 his entire life in a week. Like that’s so fucking funny to me. As is “oh Good” and TEARING off the list lmao

We cANT MAKE COKE JOKES IN THE SOBRIETY CHAPTER!!! This one did slip by me though honestly I had to fucking change coke to Diet Coke in the intro of Zero Pulse to make it clear that Carmen did not fall asleep on his couch covered in chip dust and cocaine. Or did he…

Chip thought she was so slick soft launching with the jacket when Carmen did it immediately by accident. 

This whole final scene I’ll try to condense down into one point because if I don’t we’ll all go insane listening to me fucking yap again about it. But MIKEY SAW HER MAN!!! This last call sucks so much because he’s STILL the fucking guy in it. He’s still making sure she and everyone else are okay and trying to make her laugh with the nephew thing DESPITE the fact that he’s got a clear plan— i’m soooo—- I’m gonna reach into heaven and beat MB’s ass. 

The mirroring of their mourning!! Hell!!! I imagine they drove past each other not knowing the other was doing the same shit. How fucking different would their lives be if they overlapped at that vigil man i’m ill

HE’S GONNA FIX IT!!!! IT’S NOT NEGOTIABLE!!!! ALSO SOMEONE PLEASE HELP FAK RUN BAR HE’S FUCKING DYING!!!!

Thank you for these thoughts as always, can’t wait to see what you think about my bullshit with Chapter 14. YOU’RE GONNA LIKE IT. I THINK. I HOPE.

I literally had to take the numbers off this because the block was so long tumblr would not let me post it. this has never happened before JESUS CHRIST

[goldenheartgirl1]

Ch.17-It's Just 25 Cents TWST Mafia AU

Ruggie was a lot of things, a scammer, penny pincher, good shot, vice leader to Leona, a helpful soul, and an outgoing cunning guy. Being 18, working with a gang, and now almost finished with homeschooling, things felt so rosy to him. He wasn’t concerned with the future, he liked to live in the present and focus on his family. He was heading to the gang base after helping his grandmother with a few chores, listening to his headphones while riding his motorcycle in and parking it right outside. The loud laughter and crashes of the members were muted by Ruggie’s music, he happily went upstairs to greet Leona and opened the door briefly but closed it quickly in time for a glass to shatter against the wood. He chuckled, taking off his headphones and opening the door again. “A little grouchy this morning boss?”

“Fuck off, Ruggie. I’m trying to take care of some expenses.”

“Oh boy, money problems?” Ruggie replied, stepping into the bedroom, where Leona was sitting at the small desk and looking over some papers. “Is it related to the gang?”

“No it’s related to the fairy galla,” Leona replied sarcastically and then snapped back. “Yes, it’s related to the gang! We don’t have a lot of money to begin with even with my connections, and Vil is not going to spare money unless it’s an emergency. And those idiots downstairs are mooching a little too much.”

“You can’t really blame them, this place is becoming more like a fraternity since I’m always gone on missions you don’t want to do.” Ruggie replied, smirking as Leona glared at him. “Hey, I’m not lying. But what do you want to do? We can’t exactly take out a loan.”

Leona thought for a moment then got an idea, feeling himself relax in his seat and spoke calmly. “I have an idea..I want you to see if you can get some of them jobs in parts of the Golden Sands, Pyroxene, and possibly in the Rose district. The more we have working the more money we save, and it gets us closer to areas of concern if that damn mafia tries anything.”

“Huh!? Why do I have to find them jobs?” Ruggie demanded, his body tensing up as Leona glared at him again.

“Because, you can smoothly talk people into accepting the gang members. Just spin tales about how looks aren’t everything, even throw in sob stories if you need to.”

“And..what if Vil or Riddle catch onto this?”

“Don’t give a shit. And don’t say a word to Vil, I get enough of his lazy talk crap as it is. Just go around each district for the next few days.”

Ruggie bit the inside of his cheek for a second, almost tempted to argue but then smirked and said. “Okay, buuuut, I might need some money for the expense of gas and food-”

Leona stood up abruptly, making Ruggie chuckle, and took out his wallet before handing him 500 thaumarks. “Here, now shut up and go do it.”

“Pleasure doing business!” Ruggie said and quickly took the money before racing out of there before Leona could change his mind.

Ruggie gave a brief warning to the boys that they were getting jobs before speeding out of the house and jumping onto his motorcycle. He revved it up and chuckled to himself while thinking about places that might be able to overlook the boy’s ruggedness. It’s not as if Ruggie wasn’t going to take the job seriously, but he had some doubts of how easy it would be to smooth talk some of the stores in the Pyroxene district and the Golden Sands. But he raced over to the Rose district first in the belief that he’d have better luck there first. The day was warm but beginning to chill from the fall weather, making the beauty of the Rose district change from its vibrant greens to its colors of gold, brown, and red. He knew the Rose district was perfect for community jobs, cleaning up the parks, keeping roads paved, and other labor jobs that could use the guys.

Ruggie’s charm was always one of his greatest qualities, the young man was intelligent when it came to work ethic as well since he worked a lot of odd jobs since he was much younger. He visited each of the job locations that were hiring and buttering them up with compliments and words of confidence in the gang members he was considering for each task. There was a small sense of satisfaction with the way employers turned from confused to flustered with the compliments and words of praise. Ruggie left the fourth building he visited and happily walked to one of the nearby parks to just relax, putting his hands on the back of his head and humming to himself while walking. While walking he stopped when he saw three kids, two boys and one girl, trying to climb a tree, each of them trying with their might but barely able to make it up more than a couple feet.

“Hey kids, what are you doing?” Ruggie called out and dropped his hands as he walked over. One of the boys, with scruffy brown hair, looked at Ruggie sadly and pointed up at the rabbit kite stuck in the tree.

“We can’t get the kite down..”

Ruggie smirked and popped his knuckles. “Don’t worry, I got it~” He started to climb the oak tree with ease, climbing up the trunk before carefully stepping on the branches as he made it to the kite and carefully set it free from the leaves and branches.

The gang member dropped down and smiled as he handed the kite over to one of the children. “Here you go kids~”

“Thanks mister!” The girl shouted with happiness and gratitude, her bright hazel eyes glimmering happily while running off with the boys to presumably go fly the kite again.

Ruggie, feeling even better now, kept walking until he got back to where he locked up his motorcycle and hopped onto it. Just as he was putting on his helmet, his eyes caught a glimmer of something and he got up for a moment and walked over to see a quarter on the ground. “Oh hello~ free change.”

Picking up the quarter, Ruggie was going to turn to leave but noticed three guys walking his way, all dressed in the casino colors. He didn’t panic, instead he waved and tossed the coin up before catching it. “Hello fellas! What a fine day isn’t it?”

One of the guys, with dark eyes and hair a dark lavender color, raised a brow at Ruggie and demanded curtly. “What are you doing in our territory, claw member?”

“Oh ouch, so mean. Come on you guys, even I need a break from my work. Can’t a guy enjoy a lovely day?”

“It’s kind of suspicious to only see one of you around here.” The guy hissed back and took a step forward. “There’s always more of you somewhere.”

“Wow, so hostile.” Ruggie replied with a shrug and continued to flip the coin as he said. “Let’s not make this ugly guys, just let me go and let’s all enjoy the day separately.”

“How about we just take you to see Riddle and let him decide-”

Before the guy could reach out to grab Ruggie, the gang member flicked the coin right into the guy’s left eye and caught the quarter while the guy reeled back with a pained groan. The other two guys ran at Ruggie, to which the young man smirked and caught one of them by the arm and twisted it while tripping the other casino guy. He wasted no time stepping on the fallen guy’s back and knocked his open palm into the struggling casino member’s nose to make him drop as well. The lavender haired guy looked at Ruggie with shock but hurried to help his friends while Ruggie ran off and jumped onto his motorcycle, backing up and then turned around and sped off up one of the roads in the direction of the Golden Sands.

Ruggie cackled to himself and slowed down while entering into the busy district, by now everyone was out at work or guests were going through and shopping. He slowed down in front of Kalim’s bank and locked his cycle around a bike rest before walking down the street. The Golden district was always beautiful and lively, filled with peace due to the agreement of the two opposing forces. Ruggie enjoyed exploring the businesses hiring but knew that it would be hard to get a job in this area since a lot of the places required people with degrees in college and not just high school boys. However, that didn’t stop Ruggie from looking around and eating some of the delicious cuisine.

While on his walk he heard a familiar voice call out. “Hello, little imp!”

Ruggie paused and looked around before setting his eyes on Sam, who was sitting at a table in front of a cafe, and chuckled. “Sam! Long time no see! How have you been?”

“Good little imp, and yourself?” Sam asked politely with a big grin and took a sip of his coffee, his eyes watching Ruggie as the young gang member sat across from him.

“Hanging in there, it’s just been such a pain lately. All these responsibilities Leona keeps shoving onto me, managing the gang members from doing something stupid, and trying to save money.”

“Oh? How is your grandmother?”

“She’s well, bull-headed and tough as always!” Ruggie replied cheerfully before thinking and then asked. “Sam, what do you think the best way to earn money is?”

“Hmm, that is a tough answer to obtain.” Sam mused out and set his cup down, his head leaned onto his left hand, his right hand's fingers curling in the air in a mysterious gesture like he was trying to pluck something from the air. “That depends on what you’re willing to give to receive such a thing.”

“Well, it’s complicated. Vil doesn’t want to give the gang money, there are gang members using up funds, and Leona doesn’t want to dip too much into his family’s money. I’m supposed to be finding jobs for the members of the gang, but something tells me a lot of them won’t be able to get work due to their..current situations.” Ruggie complained, his fingers dragging at the skin of his cheeks, his eyes fluttering in agitation before releasing his own face and stated. “Plus, I don’t want them to be in danger from the goons of the Coin.”

Sam listened, taking another sip of his coffee before he grinned and suggested. “You know, I think I have an idea. I always need little strays to run around and collect things for me, and I will happily pay those that wish to work for me that can keep secrets.”

“Wait really? That’s great! How many of them can work for you?”

Well I certainly need at least five, but they must be able to keep quiet. Allow me to also warn you that this arrangement won’t last forever. Let me show you something, Ruggie.”

Ruggie leaned forward in his seat while Sam pulled out a deck of cards with royal purple and black backs and started to shuffle them, under and over the bridge, weaving the cards and rifle shuffling them before sliding them in an arch on the table. All of the cards face down for a moment before he scooped them back up into his hand and fanned them out. Knowing the game that Sam was playing at, Ruggie pulled three cards but didn’t look at the front. Sam grinned and put the other cards away, taking the three from Ruggies hands and laying them out.

“Here’s the deal Ruggie, you already have your troubles as it is,” Sam commented, turning the first card over to show a desolate and old town, it eerily reminded Ruggie of his home town on the outskirts where homes were left to rot and plants were sparse. “You have many worries of protecting your home, and helping the kin that are struggling to make ends meet. Money is the blood of your home and district, without it everything will wither.”

Ruggie listened, his eyes narrowing as the second card was turned to show a shield with a lion's head and a peacock's feathers fanned out behind the shield. He looked up at Sam with confusion while Sam continued to explain. “You have a protective group that will do what they can to help, and while you have security, funds will be needed. And those boys need to learn how to balance reality with their fantasy, to live their lives without sacrificing their futures.”

Slowly, the blue eyes peered at the third card and Ruggie felt a sinking feeling in his gut. “So, you can allow some to work for you to get paid for us, but for a short time. What’s the problem? I can warn them that it’ll be a short job.”

“Well, there’s something coming little imp, something that could be critical to your future. While there will be wealth, there will be loss, that is the price of desiring something.” Sam flipped the last card, which showed a discarded and bloody looking bandana, the background was dark with shadows as well. “To receive you must give.”

The air around them was bitter and chilly despite the sunny day, Ruggie feeling a shudder rolling down his spine as his and Sam’s eyes met. They stared for a moment before Ruggie questioned. “Anything we can do to prevent severe loss.”

Sam smirked and took his cards back. “The only way to stop a great war is a wave of peace. But that’s not for us to decide.”

Ruggie thought for a moment, feeling conflicted but tried to shake it off and stood up with a gleeful smile. “Well! Nice talking with you! I’ll find a few volunteers to help serve you and have them meet you-”

“Hey! There he is!”

Both Ruggie and Sam looked over in surprise as the three casino men that Ruggie saw before were heading their way. Ruggie jolted and gave a shy grin as he yelled back. “Hey guys! You’re not still mad about the quarter are you?”

Sam noticed how the three just looked angrier at Ruggie, one of them even had a bandage on their nose, and he playfully said. “Better run little imp.”

“Agreed, bye Sam!” Ruggie replied and raced off, running in the opposite direction of the casino boys and quickly slipping past all the civilians he approached.

Ruggie wasted no time heading in the direction of Kalim’s bank and was just about to run up the steps but ran into Jamil before even reaching the first step. The two both fell to the ground, Jamil dropping a briefcase in the process and his charcoal eyes narrowed at the sight of Ruggie. “Ruggie! For heaven’s sake, look where you are going-”

“Sorry Jamil, having a bit of trouble with some persistent casino boys.” Ruggie replied with a cheeky smile and stood up, offering his hand to Jamil and assisting the banker up.

“Casino goons? Don’t they know the rules of the Golden Sands?” Jamil grumbled while grabbing his briefcase.

“Guess not~” Ruggie replied and looked towards the goons as they slowed to a stop a few feet away. “Hello boys, this is my friend Jamil!”

Jamil glared at Ruggie and muttered. “Friends are a stretch..” His attention then turned to the three and his tone changed to frustration and sternness. “As for you three! The Golden Sands District is a place of no dispute between the groups. You should go back and stop making a fuss over nothing!”

“It’s not nothing! That pest broke my nose!” The brunette shouted while the lavender haired goon stepped forward.

“He has to pay for also nearly taking my eye out!”

“Oh come on you guys, you attacked first.” Ruggie pouted a bit with annoyance but stayed back while Jamil took a step forward as well.

“I said, leave this be.” Jamil replied sharply, setting down his briefcase for a second as the lavender haired teen still approached.

The goon tried to shove Jamil but the banker grabbed his arm and with a quick motion he slammed his knee into the goon’s stomach and shoved him back on the ground. The young man coughed and looked up in surprise but Jamil just glared and repeated. “Leave this be. Or I will get the authorities involved..and I’m sure you wouldn’t want Riddle to know about this.”

The mention of Riddle made the three freeze up with terror but then they quickly left after Jamil’s warning. He picked up his briefcase and fixed his outfit while Ruggie smirked and walked closer and said. “Nicely done! Thank you Jamil.”

“Don’t thank me, this is your fault too.” Jamil said coldly before starting to walk again, heading to a nearby cafe. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m on a break.”

“Hold it, Jamil! I have a question for you.” Ruggie quickly followed after him and stated. “Look, I had a word with Sam and something he said really put things into perspective. I need to find some of our guys jobs that they can earn money and really live for! Gain valuable experience and make a life for themselves.”

“What about businesses in your district? Aren’t they always looking for workers?” Jamil questioned as he got in line at a cafe.

“The big companies are looking for people to help renovate the city rather than help and preserve it.” Ruggie exasperated, and continued to plead his case. “Come on Jamil, don’t you guys need more guards at the bank? Messengers? Other purposes like that?”

“Sure we do, but the fact that they are part of a gang can be troublesome, especially since the Pride and Coin both do business in this region.” Jamil stated sternly and looked at his phone with an angered sigh. “Great…now Kalim is having a problem. I can’t get one moment away from the office..”

Ruggie pursed his lips for a moment, thinking of a scheme and suggesting. “You know, if I give you some of our guys, they could learn a few tricks from you, so that way they could watch Kalim and you can take a proper break.”

“And what makes you think I’d trust any of your men? Most of them are probably looking to rob the bank rather than help it.”

“I’m offended Jamil! I’m looking for honest work for the guys, and you insinuate that they can’t change?”

Jamil sighed from Ruggies faux hurt, putting his buzzing phone into his bag to ignore it while rubbing his forehead. “And you think you have one that can manage to hold a job with us?”

Ruggie smirked, knowing he found a way in. “Yes of course! All of them are eager for a real job and to provide for their futures. Even if you pay them on nickels and dimes they would be pleased.”

“Don’t insult me, Ruggie. We pay our employees normal fees.” Jamil replied and took a step forward as they approached the counter to order. “Besides, I doubt anyone can live on nickels and dimes.”

“My family did. No matter how you look at it, money is money-” Ruggie replied, taking out the quarter he obtained and twirled it around his fingers. “Even a little quarter, if saved properly, can get you great things. How about I buy you a drink, what’ll you have?”

Jamil was about to retort but then growled as his phone started ringing with calls and turned his frustration to the phone and took it out to silence it. “I’ll take poison!”

“Oh good choice, I’ll have my poison with a little club soda.” Ruggie joked but then nudged Jamil as they got to the counter, the poor barista looking confused at their poison comment. “No seriously, what do you want?”

Jamil’s face flushed a bit with embarrassment and he cleared his throat to obtain his composure. “Uh, an Al-Dari coffee please, 12 ounce size. And..” Jamil’s eyes glanced at Ruggie, sighing as he gestured for Ruggie to take the spotlight.

“Oh, I’ll just have a bacon and cheese breakfast sandwich!” Ruggie chimed in and then took out some of the thaumarks Leona gave him, giving them to the barista and taking his change.

The two stepped out of the line and Jamil contemplated for a moment before asking in a serious tone. “Do you really have people willing to actually work and learn?”

“Yep! Besides, those kids need to start thinking about their futures. The gang life is fun but I still hear about their parents' grievances through the grapevine.”

Jamil pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment before finally conceding. “Fine, find me someone that can protect Kalim and actually has some brains. If he can listen to orders and actually learn, then I’ll consider hiring him. As for other job opportunities I’ll reach out and ask around.”

“You’re wonderful Jamil! I’ll repay you another time.” Ruggie replied with a smile and felt relief wash over him.

“Well, I figured if you’re pursuing this so vehemently then Leona must have put you up to this.” Jamil replied, noting how Ruggie was taken aback by his words. “Don’t be so shocked, whenever the Pride needs something they always pursue it for personal reasons.”

“Wow, aren’t we bitter?” Ruggie pouted before patting Jamil’s shoulder and saying. “Best of luck Jamil! I have to head home.”

Before Jamil could reply, Ruggie grabbed his sandwich and walked off, leaving Jamil to grab his coffee and pray he didn’t just make a mistake. But before he could take a sip he noticed someone heading in Ruggie’s direction and his brows furrowed with concern.

Ruggie happily walked down the street and started eating his food, letting out a groan of delight at the delicious taste and satisfying his hunger as well. He decided to take a quick walk around and went off the sidewalk and past the buildings towards the park and residential regions of Golden Sands. The district may not be large in width on a map, but it almost entirely cuts the districts apart, almost like a river that starts up in Thorn Valley and melts all the way to Ernte. To get to Pyroxene, Afterglow, Coral, or the Rose district in a timely manner, anyone would have to drive through Golden Sands. Otherwise, you’d have to drive up through the mountain pass of the Thorn Valley or down the farm lands of Ernte to avoid Golden Sands entirely.

As Ruggie enjoyed the children running around and playing in the fields, with the neatly cut grass and perfectly trimmed trees, he finished his sandwich and tossed the wrapping in a garbage bin. He felt something off and was about to turn to look but felt a hand on his shoulder and something cold pressed to his back. Ruggie, although inside was a bit worried, outside he grinned and chuckled. “Ah, an assassin..I should have guessed one of you was skulking around here.”

The Dorniger Drache agent was taller than Ruggie and certainly stronger, wearing casual clothes and a brown trench coat, but black gloves on his hands and wore a black trilby hat to hide his face. “What was the conversation you had with Samuel?”

A chuckle slipped out of Ruggie before he could stop himself. “Oh of course..it’s stupid of me to think that you were actually looking for me. Although I didn’t think the agency was getting so desperate for information on Sam..by the way, how is your search for his residence going?”

Ruggie flinched as the gun to his back was pressed more into his spine, making him quiet as the agent hissed. “Don’t test me filthy mutt..Now what is it you both were talking about?”

“Careful friend..there’s a lot of families around here.”

“Oh..my mistake.” The man hissed and started leading Ruggie back towards the business buildings, but Ruggie knew that he would be cornered there. “Let’s talk over here then.”

The gang member allowed himself to be led, only because he didn’t want to scare the families nearby, but spoke up while they walked. “You realize this area is a treaty of peace.”

“You think that we haven't killed in the Golden Sands before? I assure you Ruggie, every district has blood somewhere that we’ve spilt on.” The man growled quietly and continued to lead on.

His heart raced in his chest, adrenaline beginning to spike and Ruggie slowly moved his right hand down to his appendix. “Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but all we talked about was money.”

They made it to the back of one of the service buildings, but before the agent could inquire more from Ruggie, the gang member elbowed the man and hissed in pain as his elbow made contact with a bullet proof vest. That didn’t deter Ruggie however, and pulled out a small .380 pistol from his waistband holster and turned to shoot the man in the leg, but his arm was seized and the agent grip twisted Ruggies arm to an uncomfortable and frightening angle. The gang member managed to spin out of the uncomfortable angle and turned to face the agent, kicking his leg into the man’s calf but was shocked by the muscle that was concealed by the man’s pants. The guy didn’t even flinch and instead squeezed on Ruggie’s wrist to make him release the small pistol. The gun was aimed at Ruggies gut and when the trigger was pulled Ruggie just barely managed to twist again to yank the agent off balance and narrowly escape the bullet. Ruggie felt something pop painfully in his shoulder, knowing that he pulled his arm out of socket with his desperate attempt to get free and avoid being shot.

The agent let out an annoyed grunt while Ruggie had to bite his lip to avoid yelling in pain, the man then backhanded Ruggie with the pistol still in his hand, making the gang member tear into his lip a bit and his head was forced back from the impact. Ruggie felt his left leg getting kicked, causing him to fall over as he gasped in pain and blood pooled on his bottom lip, his right cheek stung and was surly bleeding from how the hand and the rough texture of the gun's slide hit his cheek. He attempted to get up but froze as the silencer on the end of the agent’s gun was pressed to his head.

“That was foolish and a waste of time.” The man snarled back and asked with a cold tone. “Now what did you and Sam talk about?”

Ruggie was about to snap back but the man suddenly wrench bach and shot another round at the person racing over to them. But the shot missed as Ruggie’s savior moved quickly before proceeding to kick the gun out of the man’s hand and elbow him right in the face. the blue eyes peered over in surprise to see Jamil standing there, the banker was much faster but not as strong as the man, but that didn’t matter as Jamil took the snake pin off his shirt and jammed it into the assassin's neck. For a moment, it seemed like a normal pin, but the man started to convulse and fell over with short spasms, but he was still making noise meaning that he wasn’t dead.

Jamil walked over to Ruggie, noting the state of the gang member and sighing as he grabbed Ruggie’s right arm and quickly shoved the arm back into place. Ruggie let out a groan of pain but instant relief as the arm’s ache was fading. He rubbed his shoulder for a moment and asked. “What did you do to that guy?”

“Just a homemade tranquilizing fluid, it’s in all my pins.” Jamil stated before helping Ruggie up and then retrieving his pin from the agent’s neck, double checked that the man was still breathing before muttering. “I better not see you harassing others here again..”

Jamil got up and walked off with Ruggie, the two staying silent for a moment before Ruggie spoke up. “Thanks for the assist. How did you know I was in trouble?”

“I’ve been noticing a lot of strange activity, specifically with the spies and assassins roaming around trying to find Sam’s hideout. Just because he’s here often doesn’t mean he lives here though.”

“Do you know where he lives?” Ruggie asked curiously, his right brow raising. Jamil just shook his head and replied while checking his phone.

“No, I doubt anyone does. But because of all this stress, it has Kalim worried that they might start bothering our employees too.”

The gang member nodded in understanding before saying. “Sam mentioned something about..something bad coming. Do you think there’s something more serious going on?”

“If there is then I’m not sure..I’ll ask Kalim about it, he’s friends with practically everyone.” Jamil replied and then asked. “Are you able to get home safely?”

“Oh sure, now that my arm is back in place I can ride my motorcycle.” Ruggie brushed off with a smirk and then waved to Jamil a bit while walking faster ahead of him. “Catch you later, and thanks for the help!”

“Just stay out of trouble!” Jamil shouted back as Ruggie started to flee, burying his concern with annoyance.

Ruggie’s smirk faded as he ran to his motorcycle and hurried to get on and drive straight home. He was really fed up with how the day went, even if some good did come from it. Getting home while enjoying the wind was a moment of peace, letting his mind wander and his body acted on getting him home safely. Ruggie pushed his worries aside as he returned to his grandmother's home, a small one story home that had busted shingles and needed to have the yard mowed and weeded. Plastering on a smile while entering the house, Rugged called out. “Grandma! I’m home!”

His grandmother, a shorter and older version of himself came over and scolded him. “Ruggie! What did you do this time? Your lip is bleeding!”

“Oh I just bit my lip while deep in through grandma, nothing special.”

“I swear, you always come back with such injuries..” she grumbled and lightly ordered him. “Go clean up, dinner will be done soon. And wash your hands! They look dry and dirty!”

Ruggie didn’t argue and only went to the bathroom to clean up, the room was just recently cleaned but there were still stains on the old tile floor and the tub still had an ancient ring around it from years of use. He washed his hands before cleaning up his lip a little then proceeded to go to his bedroom to change into a lazy shirt and sweatpants. While his home may be old and shabby, it was still home to him and his grandma. As he entered the kitchen, he helped his grandma set up the small dining table that was next to the open kitchen and took in her words about him needing to help with the yard work in the morning.

It wasn’t a glamorous life, but it was something nonetheless, and Ruggie added the quarter he found to the jar in the kitchen that was labeled “house repair funds” which he was happy to see was already almost full. He relaxed in his chair and joked with his grandma about her needing to slow down, but he just smiled as she said she was still young. This kind of family was small, and Ruggie liked it that way, a true and honest family that he loved.

[blindrapture]

MONDAY JUNE 6TH, 2011 ("Doppelganger")

7:46 AM This place has a basement.

7:54 AM I’ve been waiting for a while now. Nothing’s happened. I guess not every basement is a rabbit hole.

7:56 AM Shit. It was only when I left the house’s front door that the rabbit hole “kicked in.” This is a library. The library extends far off into the horizon. It’s one big building. I guess apocalyptic monsters like to read.

8:01 AM “British people.” “French people.” “Spanish people.” …what’s down “American people?”

8:03 AM Millions and millions and millions of books, oh my god. The title of each book is someone’s name. …Rhodes, Annabelle?

8:05 AM I opened it, but it would only go to one page; every other page felt glued shut. The page was towards the end of the book, and it said “First they take my family, now they take the cool dudes in the record store? This is starting to turn from scary to stupid real fast. Meh. I gotta find a hotel, I’m sick of sleeping on the streets.“ These books contain our lives. That book contains the life of my ex. It’s.. surreal.

8:10 AM I found Fentzy’s. I.. I just want to make sure she’s not dead. I mean, the chances of her dying are very slim, but.. I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE. “Woke up. Dreamed of the Beast. Still finds me even in New York. Is it even real? I’m.. gonna try to go back to sleep. Hopefully when I wake up Dwyn will be back.” There, she’s alive, that’s all I wanted to know. And it’s a relief. Now, let’s see what else is around here.

8:17 AM Other people? One person. Old man. He’s entering the “British people” section.

8:18 AM ..he’s got my book. Holy fuck. He can flip through all the pages. “Good morning, young nomad.” afdijadjsi Hi! Um. ..where am I? “You’re in my Peisistratos. I let you in, you could say.” And who are you? Chuckled. Grinned. “Doppelganger.”

9:53 AM ..I’m in Spain again. I’m in a shop. The old man looked at me and held out the book. And.. he said something. I don’t even remember what.

9:55 AM What he said was written in my journal. o_o I don’t remember it!

10:25 AM I miss company. I’d even settle for Mistress. I’d love to just have someone to talk to.

10:39 AM Bright sun today. …wait, that’s not the sun.

10:45 AM It was a fucking.. You know that thing from Teletubbies, the sun with a baby’s laughing face in it? Yeah, that’s what that was. Except it wasn’t just laughing; it was in fucking hysterics. But it was about as hot as you’d expect a mini sun to be; I couldn’t let it get too close or it’d burn me up. But throwing the crowbar at it made the sun disappear. I don’t get paid enough for this shit.

10:49 AM ..ope, the babyface sun is back CAN’T TALK GOTTA RUN

10:53 AM IT’S LAUGHING SO LOUD I CAN’T HEAR ANYTHING BUT ITS FUCKING LAUGHTER

11:00 AM CAR ..the Babyface is crying. It’s flying away. The car, what the fuck. That’s a pickup truck. And the people inside are waving for me to come in.

11:13 AM These people speak English. They call themselves “freelance rebels.” They said Spain is mostly free of the monsters because of the SLCEMs. The driver asked where I was headed, and I said Manresa. Come to think of it, I don’t even know why the hell I’m going to Manresa. The puppet driver guy told me about Ferdinando in Berga, but I’m only going to Manresa because…. well, the SLCEM messenger was supposed to, I suppose. But whatever. It’s a lead.

11:19 AM One woman here’s from Finland. I asked how she got here, and she said she was lost in a rabbit hole for days. Oh god, I hope it wasn’t the Dogscape one.

11:30 AM Road sign said “Manresa.” Shit, that was fast.They’re dropping me off here. There isn’t a single building over one-story here. Everything that used to have a second floor… well, they seem to.. have been levelled. It’s like a giant sword went through and cut all the tops of the buildings off.

11:37 AM My paper says the second conversion will be of a guy named Danny Ligato. Where could he be?

11:46 AM Asked a person, they pointed at a building nearby. Let’s do this.

11:51 AM Found him.

11:54 AM “Ohhhh Danny Boy, the pipes… the pipes are calling.” I heard someone singing that as I killed him, I swear I did. He tried to defend himself with a gas canister, but I thrust my thrusty trusty crowbar forward, through the can, and through his skull. He’s not alive anymore, needless to say. ..I’m sorry.

12:02 PM Where am I even going now? The paper says my third and last guy is some dude named Gregori Rimara. But where is he? I’ll ask around. Lloret de Mar Right off the bat, people were able to help me. They wrote it down above. Lloret! They told me to keep going south. Said it was a seaside town.

12:09 PM …gunshots.I heard “el bufon blanco.” Fuck.

12:14 PM RUNNING RUNNING RUNNING I MADE IT OUT OF CLAY AND WHEN IT’S DRY AND READY THEN OH GOD I HEARD A MOTOR START RUNNING RUNNING FASTER I MADE IT OUT OF CLAY AND WHEN THE GUNSHOTS FALTER THEN RUNNING I’LL DO ALL DAY RUNNING RUNNING FASTEST I MADE IT OUT, NO WAY I’M PROLLY GONNA DIE, THOUGH SO TELL FENTZY I LOVED HER. …AY. ..THOUGH I’VE ALREADY TOLD HER THAT SO UH… TELL ANNA. I DUNNO, TELL SOMEONE. TELL ANNA, AND THEN TELL SOMEONE. I GUESS. ..I’M NOT DEAD.

12:39 PM I’m hiding out in a bathroom. o_o

12:41 PM Yeah, I think I’m safe for now. …yep, that was a rabbit hole somehow.Where the hell is this.Tripped over something. ..MOVING I’M MOVING WHOA LIGHT THIS IS A ROLLERCOASTER I AM ON A ROLLERCOASTER HOW THE FUCK AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH

12:56 PM Oh god, it stopped. The fuck was up with that. This is some kinda amusement park.

1:11 PM Okay, I’ve been looking for a while. Can’t find the exit. There’s a lot of people here, and they’re all shadows. Freaking Shadow People. Great.

1:12 PM I asked one where the exit was, and a whole line of them disappeared. The line’s leading in this direction, so let’s check that out.

1:15 PM This is a hall of mirrors, not an exit.

1:16 PM All of a sudden, the park is empty. ..maybe the exit’s through the hall of mirrors. What could POSSIBLY go wrong.

1:19 PM It’s just one long hall. I see the exit at the other end. A shadow person’s there, waiting for me.

1:20 PM This is one long hall.

1:21 PM …wait. That’s n.. the hall’s only half as long as I thought; that’s a mirror. There’s a shadow person at the entrance. …then where’s my reflection?

1:22 PM Oh dear god I’m a shadow. ..I need to get out of here, they say. The mirror is what could be. Where’s the exit, though?

1:24 PM I fell. Through the floor. Now I’m in a sewer.

1:28 PM OH DEAR SWEET Oh. It’s.. not doing anything. It’s a motherfucking alligator. But it’s not doing anything. It’s not breathing or anything. Just standing there, eyes open. Standing on its fucking hind legs. The fucking Bipedagator.

1:29 PM ..I can hear breathing. I’m walking faster now.

1:30 PM Second sound of footsteps in water from far behind me. From where that Bipedagator was. Fuck.

1:31 PM running running running i made it out of sewage and when it’s dry and ready then sewage will be fucking RUN OH GOD RUN ROAR HEARD A ROARLIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL GO GO GO GO LET THERE BE LIGHT THAT’S NOT LIGHT THAT’S A BABYFACE FUCK BIPEDAGATOR’S THERE CORNERED oh god no no no please I love life please no. >_< EAT CROWBAR BIPEDAGATOR KAY BYE OH GOD RUN RUN RUN TAKE A LEFT HERE NOW A RIGHT LET’S TRY FORWARD

1:39 PM Ladder!

1:45 PM I’m in a warehouse, just.. ohhh my god. I shut the sewer entrance. Now I’m safe. Safe, that is, except for the man in the room with me. ..that’s the creepy red-jacket man. o_o I stepped forward, and suddenly, he was just.. gone. Right, well. Door’s over there.

1:52 PM I’m walking through loads of hallways. No windows anywhere.Big double doors here. This looks promising.

1:56 PM Holy goddamn. I’m in space. The Sun of Nothing’s over there. I’m floating towards it. It’s actually just a black hole. Fuck Okay, I grabbed an asteroid-type thHOW AM I BREATHING, I forgot about that. Am I really in space? Probably not. I grabbed an asteroid, though. Now I’m not floating towards the sun, the sun of nothing. It’s also not really a black hole; I was wrong. It’s a giant eye ball. Not sure how the fuck I got the two confused, in retrospect.

2:14 PM Okay, uh.. fuck. There’s not really much to do except hang on to this asteroid. HALP? Fuck it, I’m letting go.

2:15 PM FARRRRRRRRRTHURRRRRRRRRRRRR AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWAY.

2:17 PM Yeah, so wherever I am now, I’m looking in a mirror. I see myself. I’m… uh.. This is a bathroom. Okay.

2:20 PM I’m back in the real world now. No idea where the fuck I am. Guess I’ll keep walking down the only road I’ve ever known, like a drifter I was born to walk aFUCK YOU SHUT UP I WILL SING WHAT I DAMN WANT

3:01 PM This sign says “Manresa,” and a triple-digit number. Fuck, I’m going the wrong way.

4:41 PM Oh my god I hate walking.

6:38 PM I’ve got to be getting close to Lloret, surely. HEY DON’T CALL ME SHIRLEY LULZ I’M SO WITTY

7:24 PM “Lloret de Mar, 69.” …heh. “69.” Heh heh. Ha.

8:45 PM God, I am exhausted. Fuck it, I’ll resume walking tomorrow. I gotta get some sleep. I mean, a Mistress’s bitch has gotta sleep, ain’t he?

9:11 PM This house looks as good as any. I’ll stop here.

(Attached: ”While ancient Greek heroes lost on adventures through other worlds often had to test their wills and the very idea of who they were, Jordan is not an ancient Greek hero. All he can do is wander through a thousand meaningless worlds until he thinks he sees meaning, and that’s when we can come in. Let me tell you about the time I met myself. Long ago, during my stay in a country at the time called Aegyptus, I had learned that people worshipped me as an arbiter. I used this as an excuse to step into human affairs and keep the peace; I broke up a fair number of atrocities and gave the people something to believe in for a time. But something about my actions in Ukhu Pacha still left a barb in my heart; how could I be the arbiter when I had revived the greatest threat to the universe? More on that in another note. At that point, the only thing I thought to be certain was that I had made a mistake. It was with this thought that I heard the unmistakable meow of the Omen marking my arrival home. And it is because of all that I have just written that, after stepping into my home for the first time in months and coming face-to-face with an identical copy of myself, I punched it– myself– in the face. He had no sunglasses covering his unseeing eyes, this doppelganger. His face had grown over with foliage quite thick: a goatee of pubic lice. His hair brought to mind Skwisgaar Skwigelf on a black dye-it. His clothes, faded surely with time his lonely friend, consisted of a rag so long I mistook it for a dress and shoddy sandals scarcely scraping together. He was exactly as I, a moving mirror, malnourished to the Bones. I felt sure our consciousnesses would merge, but no such mercy could come my way that day. Who would you say holds the obligation to speak first in a chance encounter between identical selves? How would English grammar allow that question to be answered? I could say I had the obligation, but if he is I, then which I is it that holds the obligation? One would assume, I suppose, that any attempts to communicate would likely result in both speaking as if one. Mirrors, bah. In any case, the sentence two sentences ago is a fallacy– experience, not identity, dictates action. I spoke first. By which, I mean he. -- What the fuck? Said me, or he. -- My thoughts exactly, said I the narrator. Who are you? -- I’m Thoth, arbiter of the gods. Who are you? -- You am I– Stuttered I, I am you. -- How is that possible? -- My thoughts ex– uh, yeah. -- What the actual fuck? The conversation went nowhere for a while. I apologized for punching him in the face. He said he understood and asked me what memories I had. I recalled my time in the past and my long walk home. He spoke of galactic fugues and leaving his own: The apocalypse took him or me to a land of confusion, as they said once in the 80s. I or he watched worlds breathe new life from within my or his self-inflicted prison in the skies. I or he felt so proud of them that he or I composed a funeral march for the evil we or they had just vanquished. This guy, I the narrator thought, was more pretentious than I. ..the narrator. I couldn’t stay there all day– that is, still I the narrator– so I entered Tuonela and immediately found the Colour of Blood, who will always find you. The other me, however, snapped his fingers and went his own way.Then the Colour of Blood told me we gods had to arrange a thing or two. But enough of my ramblings. I am old, and you came to read the same journals everyone else did.”)

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[lovestuckyhatemarvel]

Dear Billy: how did you end up with such a fucking stranglehold on this show? Rest in Pieces you fucking dweeb.

1.) These agents are terrible at talking to teenagers.

2.) I wanna brush Jonathan’s hair. Just because it looks like he hasn’t done it in a while.

3.) I am glad Max is admitting it as soon as she figures out that she’s cursed. I think everyone at this point is tired of the ‘got bit by a zombie and hides it’ shit. Like yeah, she hid headaches and shit, but those are normal trauma things.

4.) Yeah, you wield that lamp, Steve.

5.) I know it’s mostly for the audience but Dustin saying they have bigger problems and then looking at Max should be absolutely incomprehensible to Lucas at this point.

6.) Erica is painting a mini and I love her. Oh Jason is talking to her. Erica, kick Jason’s ass. But also, ERICA, DON’T FUCKING TELL PEOPLE THAT SHIT. GODDAMN IT.

7.) I adore Steve’s ‘a little humility’ line and then sitting down like that. Lmao

8.) Murray is right. You can’t be late to a ransom exchange. That’s kind of dire. Also, you’re in Alaska. They’re in California. What the fuck are you gonna do for your kids from here?

9.) I haven’t mentioned in a while that stranger things or Netflix or both filmed in a holocaust site and then turned it into a tourist airbnb. That’s fucked up, y’all.

10.) of course the boring feds are watching boring golf.

11.) Mike, you literally can’t even tell Will that you need to tell El that you love her. How are you gonna tell El that you love her?

12.) Jonathan’s got PLANS. PIZZA PLANS.

13.) Does Argyle give that pineapple spiel every time?

14.) Lucas, Steve, and Dustin are all idiots if they didn’t immediately recognize these as goodbye-I’m-dead-we-failed letters.

15.) since when does max know a good lawyer. Is it Saul Goodman?

16.) Robin can not walk in heels.

17.) Robin to the rescue with an infodump filled with some laws. It actually works. I’m in love with Robin. Does anyone else think Nancy fell just a tiny bit in love with her after that speech? Loved the low five, btw, babes.

18.) ???????????????????????? Ok Yuri.

19.) Actually I’ve done a rapid turnabout. I love Yuri. He’s a goofy little cartoon man.

20.) Hopper with a stick vs guard with a gun. Who will win? Obviously hopper. Oh god, not the gross foot again. And now the sequel, Hopper with a chain vs guard with a gun. Well, a guard with a gun and then a wrench and then a gun again. Damn that gun was loud.

21.) Hopper did you not put your shoe back on?

22.) THat fucking explosion was hilariously big.

23.) None of these Russians can. Aim for shit.

24.) Hey, kids, I know one of you is cursed, but could you wear your seatbelts?

25.) I love Max so much and I’m gonna rip Vecna apart just for hurting Max. But also why did her mom just kind of leave her there zoning out???

26.) Robin and Nancy are a dream team.

27.) oh they fully copied Silence of the Lambs for this shit. Lmao

28.) Is that Robert Englund? I recognize him from his voice and silhouette. Oh hell yeah it is him. Casting Freddy Krueger in a role like this is actually very fun. Also the way they did his makeup/prosthetics is once again way cooler and more interesting and dare I say creepier than literally all the Vecna corpses combined.

29.) [emotional, tender music playing] over Will and Mike’s little talk. Friends. Best friends. Sure.

30.) Oh damn. People with guns. Honestly this is too much stress to put a fun stoner under.

31.) Okay Hop has a bit to go to get to the fucking church. Oh nvm. He’s like, there already.

32.) This escape is brought to you by JIF’s creamy peanut butter. When you have a busted foot and are on the run from Russian guards, there’s only one type of peanut buttery goodness that will keep you going.

33.) HEY. DUFFER BROTHERS. IT’S NOT SHOCKING IF YOU HAVE EVERY SINGLE FUCKING PLAN IN THE SHOW GO TO SHIT.

34.) The timeline of this season is extra stupid.

35.) Flashback time. “This was a SPAWN OF SATAN!!!’ It killed a rabbit. Like yeah later it turns into hallucinations but at first it was literally just killing small animals. Virginia’s death is so fucking goofy. Oh, Victor Creel was a war criminal. Super not understanding why Henry Creel did all this shit.

36.) Oh, my girls have been found out.

37.) March 29, 1967 to July 4, 1985. Here lies a dipshit.

38.) Max, I love you, but this dream is a tiny bit stupid.

39.) I don’t think the Duffer Brothers have ever mourned someone they hated. Especially not a family member. If I ever rewrite this scene, I’m going in a very different direction.

40.) Steve’s Overprotective Dad Senses are tingling. And he’s RIGHT. Also, I just realized that their eyes don’t go white, they go milky. Their eyes aren’t even rolled back. They go milky and bloodshot for some reason.

41.) Can we talk about how Billy the Racist Shithead got to be in this show and come back way more than LITERALLY EVERY OTHER DEAD PERSON COMBINED? Fuck this douche.

42.) Okay I’m gonna be real with you, but if Billy turned into Vecna, I’d laugh my ass off.

43.) Robin is the one who figured out the music.

44.) I love the music thing but I think there should also be the option of beating Vecna if you just fucking forgive yourself.

45.) Me walking through Vecna’s nightmare mindscape: Hey, have you ever seen that one melting clocks painting? Fuckin’ wild, right? I think you’d be into it. Anyway, I’ve done worse to myself, you ABSOLUTE FUCKING AMATEUR.

46.) Like for real, have the Duffers ever truly hated themselves? Because these Vecna visions have been kind of tame in comparison.

47.) The montage of moments actually is very cute.

48.) I bet some freaks on ao3 have done weird tentacle porn about Vecna.

[jiminjamms]

sex therapy :: 13. fantasy vs reality

chapter tags/warnings: misogynistic! naoya. family drama. political corruption. oh, and financial corruption too. infidelity/adultery. strong language. humiliation. classism.

word count: 3.3k

notes: in this chapter, i tried something i haven't done before in this fic, which is to offer a perspective outside of our own. through this, I hope to provide a more fulfilling experience in the overall plot and show that, despite their differences, perhaps y/n and naoya are just two sides of the same unfortunate coin. enjoy! as always, likes, comments, and reblogs are very much appreciated. xoxo

fic masterlist | 01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.

𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗧𝗪𝗢 • 【 house of cards 】

Naoya Zenin knew he was in deep trouble for two reasons.

First, the time in Japan was currently well past three in the morning. Second, his father—rather than his trusted secretary—dialed Naoya’s personal mobile number.

And Naobito, as the old-fashioned man he was, never phoned Naoya personally. Ever.

In fact, Naoya had not even realized his phone’s incessant buzzing until the sixth call, during which the young CEO tossed over in bed, still snug in plush covers when he finally reached for the device on the nightstand.

“Who the hell?” he grumbled to no one in particular as he sat up. When the chilled air that circulated in the suite pricked at his skin, he grabbed the nearby bath towel to cover his otherwise naked torso. He stared down, the screen’s glare blinding him momentarily and forcing him to squint past the brightness.

“Fuck,” Naoya mumbled when he finally made out his father’s name on the Caller ID. He strolled from his bedroom and out into the similarly dimmed hallway in groggy motions, all the while keeping his eyes peeled on his screen.

His thumb hovered over the green ‘Accept Call’ button, but he hesitated when he noticed his pulse pick up pace. Was he…afraid?

Remain calm, he assured himself.

There should be no reason for him to be nervous—he had been under more high-stakes situations as the Zenin Corporation’s top-dog, circumstances where billions were on the table. Compared to those scenarios, one simple call with his very own father should be like a walk in the park.

With one deep breath, Naoya finally pressed at his screen and brought his phone to his ear.

“Hel—”

“You fucking piece of shit!” Naobito Zenin spat through the line. Vicious was the venom in his voice. Although Naoya was accustomed to his father’s insults, the shouts remained so loud that he had to dial the volume down. “Care to explain where in hell you’ve been ever since disappearing during the family reunion last week?”

“I’m in Beijing,” Naoya explained, keeping his voice level so as to not lose his temper as well. “Haven’t you heard from my assistants? I’m here for the Investor Conference and will be back in the office next Monday.”

Normally, the Zenin Corporation’s Chairman would relent at that. Despite his advanced age, a businessman as experienced as Naobito would understand the importance of foreign investment into the family-led conglomerate, particularly if the cash was flowing in from the world’s second-largest economy.

This time, however, was different.

“No, you’re coming back to Tokyo now.”

It wasn’t uncommon for Naobito to simply bark orders and for Naoya to just as simply obey. The older man had raised his only son with an iron fist, exerting near-absolute control over every action.

‘It’s because you don’t have the brains to do things better,’ Naobito had once explained. While the words had stung, Naoya was completely powerless in front of the Zenin patriarch, a man that held enough influence that any wrong move would cost the young CEO far too much in return.

Noticing the sudden lump in his throat, Naoya swallowed heavily. “Why? Did something happen?”

“Are you…Are you fucking kidding me?!” The chairman roared. Internally, Naoya was grateful that he was not in the immediate presence of his father, whose glare would most certainly feel like a thousand knives grazing at his neck. “Why don’t you tell me, huh? Why don’t you tell me why your fucking pictures are on fucking Japan Times with another fucking woman?”

“What—"

Immediately, Naoya brought the phone down from his ear and placed his father on speaker. No way. His heartbeat quickened exponentially as he tapped into his search engine, where googling his name revealed a low-resolution photo at the top of the search results.

Alarmed, Naoya tapped into one such source, pinching on the screen to zoom into the picture. As was typical of tabloid journalism, the photographs were hardly anywhere near good quality—pixelated with an obscure view of the main subjects.

But Naoya immediately recognized the Off-White bomber jacket that draped over his shoulders, the Ray-Ban sunglasses and the AMI Paris baseball cap that attempted to shield his face from onlookers. Most certainly, he also recognized the similarly well-dressed woman captured next to him, frozen in the pictures where the two walked up the steps to his private Gulfstream G650ER jet.

Those fucking paparazzi stalkers always had to be on his tail, didn’t they?

The more important question, however, was...how would he explain himself?

“That’s…” Was his voice actually shaking? “That’s not me, though.”

“Well, it better fucking not,” his father snarled, “because you’d have to be crazy if you think that Daisuke would keep his now-pregnant daughter married to a cheating bastard like that. You’re lucky that these photos only came out twenty minutes ago and it’s too early in the morning for anyone important to have seen them. Have you even checked on your wife?”

Right, his wife. Naoya had nearly forgotten about you since leaving the country. “She’s doing well.”

“Good.” The older man sounded reassured by the news, and Naoya was similarly relieved by his father’s gullibility until Naobito added, “But I’d wish you’d stop lying to my face.”

At the comment, Naoya felt his eyes grow wide and nearly dropped his device. “I wasn’t—"

“Listen here.” Although Naobito’s volume had lowered considerably, his voice teetered between a warning and a growl. “I wasn’t born last night. I don’t know specifically where you are or who that new woman is or what crap you’re up to, but don’t fuck more shit up. To cover up for all the antics you had done in America, I had to pull all possible strings just so Daisuke would let his beloved daughter marry you. Do you understand how difficult that was for me?”

“Yes,” Naoya replied curtly.

That was really the last straw. Just hearing his father—for the millionth time—bring up his past, his marriage, and his apparent lack of gratitude was such an earsore, and Naoya quickly felt his panic transform into aggravation.

Truthfully, Naoya resented this. He hated how he was nothing but a pawn for the family name, hated how he was rushed to marry some random girl just to improve his public image, hated how his goddamn wife was the real trump card in the distinguished family that he—not you!—was the heir to.

Yet, at the same time, Naoya relished his power. In fact, he loved it. Oftentimes, he would tell himself that he was merely making a short-term sacrifice of his sanity for long-term security in his money and prestige.

The Zenin heir had an elaborate plan, actually, for the moment Naobito Zenin would kick the bucket. How amazing that day would be. Just fantasizing about the financial and political prowess he would inherit could leave Naoya lightheaded—the turquoise waters he would sail, the litany of riches he would indulge in, the family members that would then bow to his every demand.

However, until that fateful day came to fruition, he had to bear with the old oaf that was his paternal parent.

“It doesn’t matter that you are my only son,” Naobito continued to fume, which scattered his son’s reverie. “If you botch this marriage with Daisuke’s daughter, you won’t ever step into this household again. Besides, you should know full well how easily I can oust those who tarnish the Zenin name.”

Naoya internally scoffed. Was his father really trying to threaten him? “Yes, I under—.”

“Although, with every passing day, I am realizing that I should’ve allowed your cousin to take his rightful place in the company. At least he’s infinitely more capable than you could ever be.”

Well, this was new. Out of everything his father said today, Naoya surely found this last bit the most outrageous.

The comment was almost uncharacteristic when coming from a stringent man like the patriarch. Since when did his father ever look back on his decisions? Was Naobito Zenin seriously thinking about the nephew that he himself banished from the Zenin household, claiming that…that outcast had more brains to be in the C-Suite than his only son?

He’s got to be kidding me.

Naoya clenched his jaw, blood rushing to his brain from unadulterated anger despite his silence. Even if he wanted to argue that he had every right and competence to lead the family conglomerate, he didn’t want to threaten his position by squabbling with his father any further.

“Call these newspaper publishers and tell them to take those damned articles down. This better be done before dawn. Bribe those brats with hush money if you must. I know I can trust you with this.” Naobito then laughed sardonically. “Besides, you’d proven in your history to be an expert in that field.”

Naoya’s lips pressed into a thin, wavering line. “I will.”

“Wonderful. We will talk more later then.” For the first time during the call, his father seemed pleased. “I will see you at the office in the morning then.” And at that, the Zenin leader promptly hung up.

Arms dropping to his sides, Naoya huffed as a thousand thoughts whizzed in his mind.

“In the morning, huh?” he pondered to himself.

Normally, the trip was no tall order. The Gulfstream aircraft, at full speed, could easily take the young CEO from Beijing to Tokyo in about four hours. If Naoya pressed his pilot to go a tad faster, he could make it back in three.

Except Naoya was actually eleven thousand kilometers away from the Chinese capital, which meant that a flight home would cost him half a day at least.

He should have foreseen such a situation before he made the impulsive decision to travel from the Eastern Hemisphere to the West, from the Land of the Rising Sun to the coastline of Baja California.

Now here he was in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This was the perfect destination for luxurious resorts, spectacular beaches, fresh cuisine, and tropical weather. There was a reason he planned a much-needed getaway here, after all. Yet, this had to be the worst place for Naoya to be if he ever hoped to reach home anytime soon.

Sighing, he peeked past the nearby curtains. Outside, the midday sun in Cabo hung hot and high, a sharp contrast to the current darkness in Tokyo. The next thing he took in was the stunning view of the Pacific, sparkling water that stretched for miles out into the horizon. He spotted some empty Bali beds at the beach, and oh—how he longed to lay there with not a care in the world.

“Baby?”

Immediately, the soft voice from the bedroom broke Naoya’s thoughts loose, the nervousness that once ran hot in his blood giving way to a flood of serotonin.

“Sorry,” he whispered apologetically. “Did I wake you up?”

Rising from the mattress was someone who must be the goddess of beauty herself, rubbing at her dewy eyes as she rose gracefully from her slumber. With her caramel-colored hair and peachy skin, she was nothing short of a literal angel, stealing Naoya’s breath when he spotted her past the doorway.

“Are you okay?” Between sentences, she stretched her arms but remained as ethereal as ever. “I heard that old man’s voice over the speaker. He isn’t the type to call.”

As much as Naoya longed to leap into the woman’s embrace, to tell her about all his familial troubles, to release all his pent-up anguish, Naoya—knowing that his paparazzi predicament involved her as well—kept his reply vague to not worry her.

“Something had come up. I’m going to have to head home in a bit.”

“You mean right now?” she asked with an irresistible pout. “But you booked this suite for the rest of the week, Naoya. We were supposed to go sailing at Santa Maria Bay tomorrow and head to the spa on Saturday, too.”

“I know.” The sincere disappointment was evident in his voice. Naoya stepped back into the bedroom, tossing aside the towel at his waist in exchange for a fresh button-up and trousers.

“When my father tells me to deal with personal matters at home, I must do as he says,” he elaborated while tying his dress shoes. Once he finished, he walked over to his lover’s bedside and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. “But you should stay here in Cabo and have fun for me, Mari.”

“But…” The woman—Mari—glanced up at him with the largest brown eyes. “But I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you, too.” Despite his forlorn smile, Naoya reached into the nearby nightstand’s drawer and pressed the retrieved Amex Black Card into the woman’s hands. “I’m taking the PJ but if you call my assistant later today, he’ll help you book a first-class flight back to Tokyo. Tell him to charge this card. Don’t forget to buy something nice for your daughter while my credit card’s with you.”

Mari chuckled quietly at the suggestion. “She will get suspicious, babe.”

He knew about the…let's just say, interesting dynamic that existed between her daughter and the rest of her so-called family, but he chose to feign his surprise instead. "Really?" he asked with a raised brow. “You think so?”

“Yes. Tsumiki is very close with her stepbrother and stepfather, you know.” With a pause, she then added, “Or shall I say, ex-stepbrother and stepfather.”

Gentle laughter then bubbled in the room.

That was what Naoya loved about Mari. She was honest, sensible, witty, and incredibly, incredibly charming. This was the woman whose body he could never get enough of, a woman who deserved the world—deserved his world. And to Naoya, there was nothing like a gorgeous MILF that could flatter him and make him feel like the center of her universe.

Of course, there was a selfish intent in his relationship with her as well. Amazingly naïve, she had a tendency to run her mouth, often spilling more information than necessary (such that Naoya sometimes had to worry about how much she might accidentally leak about himself). But she was well-informed about just the right people, and after his conversation with his father, Mari’s intel might just prove valuable very soon. 

At the thought, the Zenin heir smiled, amber eyes crinkling at the corners. “At least treat yourself while you’re here in Mexico.”

“Aw, you are too sweet. This is why I love you.” Warmly, Mari wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace and planted a firm kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”

“Of course.”

Truthfully, there was no need to thank him. The thousands (or even tens of thousands) that she would end up spending would barely make a dent in his fortune. Furthermore, there were also selfish reasons to make sure Mari was on his good side as well, for her to feel indebted to his kindness. However, given her plain background, Mari was easily impressed and appreciated the littlest things. Her refreshing reactions made her just too easy and amusing for Naoya to delight.

“I’ll text you,” Naoya promised as he gave Mari one last peck and trailed toward the exit.

“See you soon,” she called behind him.

Soon. In their world, there was no guarantee regarding when ‘soon’ would be. It could be tomorrow; it could be a month from now. Once they stepped back in Japan, his busy schedule, his stupid trophy wife, and the many prying eyes and ears—all hungry for upper-class gossip—always made their secret meetups difficult, as proven by the mess he was in right now.

Oh, which reminded him…

Just before he dashed out the door, Naoya scrolled through his contacts in haste. He stopped at one entry, calling the number and exhaling with relief when the other line picked up the phone within two rings. Before the recipient even had the chance to greet him, Naoya already jumped in.

“It’s me,” he said sternly. “It’s about my pictures in your newspaper.”

Denial, as you may know, is the first stage of grief.

‘Naoya Zenin is cheating on you.’

No, that couldn’t possibly be.

You don’t even remember much after Toji said that. Nothing but you rushing out of that meeting room and calling the nearest taxi home, thoughts all blurred from the influx of information. You had barely processed the full conversation in your head because news kept coming one after another, leaving you in a befuddled state.

But perhaps you had believed Toji, given that you googled your husband’s name upon your arrival at home in the wee hours of the Tokyo morning. Adrenaline coursing through your veins, you had scrolled through the result’s ‘Images’ and ‘News’ sections, eyes rapidly scanning row after row only to see praises for Naoya and his extraordinary business skills.

Hours later, you had discovered nothing to support Toji’s preposterous supposition, and suddenly, you were riddled with guilt for ever doubting your husband’s faith in the first place.

This was why you found yourself with your face pressed against your kitchen bar’s marble countertop, the white surface colder than what you had remembered. How long have you been here? Faintly, you remember phasing in and out of sleep at your seat, as well as the memory of your housekeeper patting your shoulder earlier in the day and wondering if you were okay.

What made the situation perhaps even more ironic were the texts you received from your father in the afternoon, all links to various Harvard Medical School publications regarding what to do and not to do in your supposed first trimester of pregnancy. He was trying his best to guide you through an important time in your health, given that you didn’t have your mother long enough for her to be your advisor. Yet, with his every reminder for you to take folic acid supplements or avoid undercooked foods, your heart only broke further at the thought that your father only saw your life as a fantasy far from reality.

The aching, loveless, tortuous reality.

‘Naoya’s too preoccupied thinking about someone else when he’s with you.’

In the midst of your gloom, Toji’s words re-emerged in your thoughts. From the amusement in his tone, you wondered if he had known something back then during your appointments with him. If Naoya truly had a mistress, was that why Toji was so willing to offer his help? And why now? Did Toji finally realize that you could never be happy in your hopeless marriage and suddenly decide to take pity on your love life?

Your sad eyes flickered from the nearby glass of merlot to the penthouse’s windows, which offered a wonderous view of the orange-pink views from the sunset outside. You weren’t sure how long you were staring at the warm skies, floating between daydreams when the entrance beeped and your eyes widened at the unexpected noise.

Sitting up, you immediately whipped your head in the direction of the sound.

It was Naoya Zenin who emerged from the doorway, and you were thoroughly surprised. You only called his secretary yesterday morning about his whereabouts, but he informed you that your husband wouldn't return to Tokyo until next week.

While you didn’t expect his sudden and unannounced return, you hated to admit how your heart stuttered at how fantastic he looked, how immaculate he was in his Giorgio Armani suit, how sharp he appeared with his blonde hair combed to one side.

“Hey, I’m back,” he said with a small smile with he spotted you at the bar. When Naoya didn't start slipping his shoes off as per usual, you curiously observed him as he stood in the foyer and dangled his Ferrari keys in front of him. “So...you wanna go on a date?”

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[trickkombowerskru]

Caught In Confrontation-Patrick Hockstetter X Tozier!Reader Imagine

Request: No here is the 19th day- yes 19th the people who got days 17-18 never responded to my message- of the 25 days of trickkombowerskru! which goes to @sinjindrowningsblog​ and they want a Patrick Hockstetter imagine where the reader is Richie's older sister and secretly dating Patrick with the Loser's catching them on a date one day and confronting them

A/N: So uh this is faaaaar overdue and I am so so sorry thank you for being patient with me. 

Warnings: The absolute slightest mention of sex

Richie was suspicious lately, his sister Y/N was being secretive and he wasn't a fan. They told each other everything, so she were either in big trouble or she got wrapped up into something sketchy. Regardless, he was going to get to the bottom of it. 

Meanwhile, you were getting ready to meet up with your boyfriend. You was excited to get to see him, as you rarely did with all this sneaking around. Of course dating Patrick wasn't easy, and it especially wasn't easy when you couldn't see him around school for Richie's sake. 

You always did feel a twinge of guilt for being attracted to the guy who tortured your little brother everyday, but since the two of you started dating at least he laid off a little. You couldn't say the same for the rest of the gang unfortunately, but you would never be able to control those asses anyway. Shaking the thoughts out of your mind, you put the final touches on your outfit and smile, telling your parents you were going to be out in town and would be back in a few hours. 

Shortly after you left, Richie followed saying he was meeting up with the losers, which he was, he wanted them to help him stake out and figure out what was going on with you. They bike a few blocks behind you watching as you get to the quarry.

"She seems fine so why are we stalking your sister again?," Eddie questions.

"Because Fuckface she might be in trouble," Richie replies.

"Yeah she really looks like i-woah what the fuck"

"I-Is that....," Bill trails off.

"What is she doing with Hockstetter?," Stan wonders. 

"Oh man she's in trouble than I-OH FUCK I'M GONNA THROW UP," Richie interrupts himself when he sees the two of them kiss.

And it wasn't like Patrick was being creepy and making you kiss him no no YOU leaned in first. The couple pulls away at the sound of Richie yelling, quickly seeking out the culprits.

"What the fuck are you doing here Rich?!," you demand. 

"You've been so secretive lately I thought you were in trouble turns out you've just been with trouble and have terrible taste," he explains making you roll your eyes.

"Yeah well, now that you know I'm fine can you get out of here?"

"I will as soon as you tell me, why him Y/N," Richie questions, tears threatening to spill over, Patrick had to hold in his laugh.

"You don't think I feel bad and question myself being a terrible big sister? I can't help that I like him Rich, I just do okay. I'm sorry, but you're gonna have to deal with it."

"Yeah Tozier I'm banging your sister fucking deal with it," Patrick sneers putting an arm around you, making you look at him.

"Not helping,” you scold, before turning to Richie.

"Just go home Rich we can talk more about this later."

"No, I gotta know how long?"

"We've been together for about two months, I thought my feelings over for a year, and was sure of them for six months before he asked me out. There you have all your answers. Now go home and we'll talk about this later."

"SIX MONTHS?! HOW COULD YOU HAVE LIKED ANY PART OF THIS SHIT STICK FOR SIX MONTHS?!", Richie demands, feeling absolutely sick to his stomach.

"I ALREADY TOLD YOU WHY STOP MAKING ME FEEL LIKE SHIT FOR FINALLY LETTING MYSELF BE HAPPY. HE'S LAID OFF YOU SINCE WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER ANYWAY YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE SO HE HASN'T TORTURED YOU FOR MONTHS JUST GO THE FUCK HOME AND WE'LL TALK MORE LATER ," you scream back.

Everyone was stunned at the outburst, even you.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Can you please just go home?”

Without another word Richie turned around and biked away, the losers were going to have to make him feel better now.

You turn back to Patrick in shock.

"I...I can't believe I did that."

"He earned it, he was in our business. You had a right to scream Babe."

"I guess but I just, I feel so bad."

"Well I can think of something that'll make you feel better," Patrick chuckles, pulling you close into another kiss. 

Fuck it, Patrick was right the more you lingered on it the worst you would feel, you could and would absolutely make amends at home, this was your couple time, and that was so few and far between. You felt each thought get further and further away as you melt into the kiss.

You push everything to the back of your mind and enjoy your date. And as things usually go on your dates they end up back at Patrick's place after a bit, which naturally lead to sex. You were currently snuggled into his chest, gently moving your thumb up and down one of his pecs. 

"I crave the way I can just throw all my cares out the window with you and just relax and feel...free. Fuck Patrick...I think, actually no I do. I love you."

"Love you too," he replies in a tone that to you would sound convincing but to anyone else close to him would make them scoff. 

Patrick was...well Patrick of course he didn't mean it, but you had to think that he did. Once you finally leave his place, you come home and immediately all the thoughts come flooding back. You go upstairs to Richie's room, it was locked so you had to knock in the special way your mom does to trick him to open up. Looking at each other you both break down, embracing. 

"I'm sorry," you say in unison.

"Why are you sorry?," you question, again in sync.

"I'm sorry for making you feel like shit."

"I'm sorry for snapping at you like that. I shouldn't have."

"But can you at least see why I was so upset?"

"Of course I understand it, I just I can't help my feelings for him."

"And I get that I guess in a fucked up way, could you at least try to get the rest of those asshats to leave me alone?"

"I can make no promises they'll actually listen, but I'll see what I can do. Come on Mom said dinner's almost ready and it's your favorite," you tell him with a smile.

You two race down the stairs to be greeted by your mother Maggie, just taking dinner out of the oven, and your father Wentworth at the table, finishing the paper from this morning. 

Richie turns to you and smirks, "You know if you piss me off I can tell them about Hockstetter," he jokes in a whisper.

"You know that you don't have to worry because I will next week," you reply.

"What are you kids talking about?" Maggie questions.

"Nothing," you reply in unison laughing. 

You were thrilled that seeing Patrick hadn't entirely imploded your relationship with Richie, as annoying as he could be you always would need your little brother, and he'd always need you. 

[bakugostiddies]

Please god do a villain!au with Todoroki 🧎‍♂️ I usually don't like those but omfg with him it would totally work

Absolutely. This turned into a 4k word fic, but I am too attracted to this man to be ashamed.

Icarus | Todoroki Shouto x Reader

Warnings: eventual smut, temperature play, impact play, kind of dub-con but not really, degradation, praise, villain!au, corruption kink, no gendered terms but reader has a vagina and breasts.

NSFW | 18+

You had fucked up.

The room was dark and dank, eerily quiet save for the sound of your breathing. You looked around frantically, struggling to break loose from the bonds that held you. Shit. Shit. Shit.

As your eyes adjusted, you noted that there was a door ahead of you, a steel one with two deadbolt locks. You could feel a metal chair beneath you, rattling each time you moved even slightly. Your arms and legs were restrained by some sort of extremely strong fabric, but your mouth was unrestricted. Shit. Shit. What was Endeavor going to say? You were still just his sidekick, but this was your first big operation and you blew it completely. He would kill you when you got back, you just knew it. Endeavor took his temper out on you even when you did well, which meant you had no clue what he would do to you after a fuckup this bad. Shit.

Calm down, Y/N, you told yourself mentally. You were safe and unharmed, so maybe they just wanted information. You attempted to activate your teleportation quirk, but it didn’t work. What happened? You could feel yourself beginning to hyperventilate. You didn’t want to die here, after being kidnapped by some asshole who wouldn’t even fight you face to face.

“If you’re wondering why you can’t use your quirk, we just took it away for a while.”

A voice emerged from the shadows of the room, soft and almost velvety. You flinched. You hadn’t even realized someone was here. How could you have missed something so obvious? You felt like a shitty fucking hero.

“Who are you?” You said after a moment.

“Im surprised you didn’t recognize me. Well, I suppose it is a bit dark in here.”

And suddenly with the flick of a match, the voice became a man and the shadows around the room came to life. You swallowed harshly, all of the moisture in your mouth gone. The man stalked towards you with a sureness of a predator and stopped a few feet away from where you were sat in the metal chair. You looked up at his two toned hair, his strong, rugged figure in the flickering light. He wore a suit not too different from that of a hero’s, but he was tinged with scorch marks and small icy spikes. He looked like he was made of fire.

“Well?” He said it softly, but there was a hint of malice in his tone. “Who am I?”

You couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe, your body almost paralyzed with fear. You knew who he was, of course you did. He was the one who helped blew up that building on the case you were on a month ago. He was the one who ambushed those (kind of sleazy) businessmen on their way to a cartel. He was the one who’s name was whispered in fear and awe on the nations’ streets. He was standing right in front of you, looking… bored?

The man sighed and fiddled with his match. “Hurry it up, hero, I don’t have all day.”

You spoke almost inaudibly. “You’re Icarus.”

He smiled slightly and a chill ran down your spine.

“See? That wasn’t too hard.”

He moved a bit closer to you and leaned down, his heterochromatic eyes almost level with your own. A single gloved hand moved to touch your chin with his thumb and index finger, moving your head from side to side with a feather-light touch. You hoped he couldn’t feel how scared you were, how your body seethed and rejected his very presence.

He finally released your face and you let out a sigh of relief. Icarus removed a single glove and touched his fingers gently to the match. It went out without smoke or a flicker, just a gentle hiss of frozen silence. The room was dark again, and he was moving, knocking on one of the walls.

“Turn on the lights, Red Riot.”

Your eyes widened. Red Riot? Wasn’t he the pro-hero who became a villain after Dynamight? Holy shit, was Dynamight here? Icarus interrupted your train of thought as the lights flickered on almost menacingly. You noted your surroundings carefully, seeing a bed in the corner, a small table, and another chair. The room looked less like a prison and more like a shitty motel suite.

“Do you know why you’re here?” He sat down in a chair across from you, leaning forward with his arms on his thighs and his legs spread slightly.

“I don’t know, Icarus.”

“Heres a hint; it has something to do with your boss.”

“Endeavor?”

You could feel bile rushing up your throat but you swallowed it down. The man before you clenched his jaw rigidly, as if it pained him to hear the name, but returned to normal so quickly you might have imagined it.

“You’re a bright one. Yes, hero, the very same. And do you have any idea on what he’s planning to do, say, sometime in the next six months?”

“I’m not telling you.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

His tone was harsher now and he got out of his chair, moving closer to you again. You felt so small under his scrutiny, yet drawn to him like a moth to a flame, like Icarus himself to the sun.

“You see, I’m the only reason you’re alive. And if you want to keep your pretty little head-“ he circled around behind you- “you will listen to what I say.” His voice was barely a whisper in your ear, and your voice hitched in your throat.

“Do you understand?” He asked, straightening up.

“Yes.”

“Yes, sir.”

This was so goddamn humiliating, like your first day working with Endeavor all over again. With him, it was always a yes, sir, no, sir, please don’t make me work weekends, sir. But you swallowed your pride again and spat it out.

“Yes… sir.”

“A hero that obeys commands, what a find,” he said tauntingly. “But you could stand to lose that attitude.”

You wanted to slap him, to beat him up to the point of him being bruised and bloody and broken and then have him call you sir instead. God, if only you could teleport out of these fucking restraints-

“You’re thinking about using your quirk, correct?” It was like the asshole could read your mind.

“You can’t. Aizawa Sensei took yours away. You know him as Eraser-head.”

Fuck, Eraser-head was here too? All of the biggest villains were gathered here together and you- you could do nothing.

“So I’ll ask you again. What are Endeavor’s plans?”

At that moment, you made yourself a promise; that you would not let Icarus win. Little did you know that you would break that promise a thousand times over.

———-

Two days later:

———-

“Did Endeavor tell you about the attacks?”

“No, sir.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Come on now, you can tell me. I won’t hurt you.”

“...”

“Still no response? No matter, I have time to get it out of you.”

———-

Seven days later:

———-

“Still not talking, hero?

Look at that, the silent treatment.

I never thought an adult could be so petty. Just tell me where I can get more information.

Nothing?

Okay. Eat your soup, I can’t have you dying on me before you start talking.

And hero? You will have to open your mouth sooner or later.”

————

16 days later:

————

“Cut the bullshit, hero. We know he has plans for a big attack sometime during the next six months, so either Deku is wrong, or you are lying to my face. And Deku’s never wrong.”

“Well, I guess he’s wrong this time.”

“Then I guess we’ll return you since this has all just been one big mishap.”

“Really?”

“No. You aren’t the smartest, are you?”

“Maybe my brain will somehow recall something about this totally real attack you think is happening if you give me better food?”

“Don't be a brat, hero. I wouldn’t have gone through all this trouble if I had known you would be so inconvenient.”

“Whatever you say, sir.”

————

20 days later:

————

“Thanks for the bread, sir. It's quite an upgrade for a kidnapped person’s shitty meal.”

“You have low standards, hero.”

“Hey, why do you call me that?”

“What, hero?”

“Yeah. I have a name, you know. It's-“

“I know what your name is.”

“Okay, Jeez. If you knew it, then why not use it? Plus, I’m not even a hero yet. I’m still technically just a shitty sidekick who’s totally blown it on my first solo mission. I’m never going to be a pro at this rate, I might as well just give up.”

“I think you’re good.”

“What?”

“I said, you’re powerful and good at using your quirk. You have a lot of assets and it’s a shame your talent is wasted on Endeavor and the fools at the pro-hero agencies. It was difficult to actually catch you off guard, to get past your guards, to make sure your quirk was out of commission. And we are very strong.”

“Oh. Um, thanks, I guess?”

“Don’t thank me, hero. I’m just stating the obvious.”

————

25 days later:

————

“Why is your name Icarus?”

“It's not my real name.”

“Well no shit, dude. I'm asking why you chose it.”

“Icarus was a boy who followed his father’s instructions perfectly, but the moment he strayed from the path set out for him, he was punished, scalded by the flames of the sun, and cast away. But I think it was worth it for him in the end.”

“Why?”

“Because he was free. Because Icarus flew, and he was able to be his own person, even if it was just for a moment.”

“Do you feel like Icarus?”

“Most of the time I do, yes.”

“Sir?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you think that right now, you’re flying or cast away?”

“At this very moment, I think I am flying.”

“You know what? I think so too.”

————

29 days later:

————

“So what’s your real name, sir?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Why?”

“Classified. Also, I don’t need you to know my name.”

“But you know mine!”

“That's because you’re a prisoner, in case you’ve forgotten. You are almost unnervingly at ease here.”

“I’ve met three people so far and you have all given me no reason to fear.”

“Really? Not even Dynamight?”

“His hair makes me laugh. Plus, I can’t take airheads with overinflated egos seriously.”

“I agree with that assessment wholeheartedly.”

“You agree with my assessment- Sir, you sound like an old man.”

“I’m only three years older than you, you know.”

“Really? But you have all of these wrinkles?”

“I do not have wrinkles.”

“Fine, frown lines then.”

“That makes it sound like I don’t smile.”

“Well, you don’t!”

“It’s hard to find things to smile about.”

“God, you’re such an Edgelord.”

“What do you mean by that? hero, stop laughing.”

“You are definitely an old man.”

————

30 days later:

————

There had been a new development a couple of days ago in the kidnapping situation. You could feel your quirk again, which meant a lot of things. It meant you weren’t here against your will anymore, that you were free to go. Yet you remained. You still stayed in the same room with Icarus checking in on you in the afternoons. However, it had been given furniture- a desk and more comfortable chairs, a small rug on the floor, and thicker blankets. It was almost like you weren’t even a prisoner anymore. You could always leave, you reasoned. You could teleport out of here. Your quirk was back, and yet you stayed.

The other villains had taken a liking to you for reasons beyond your comprehension, but all it meant was that you were never short on company. Dynamight would burst in to complain about how Deku always got the best missions, Red Riot would bring in a deck of cards and the two of you would play go fish or bluff, even Deku would occasionally check up on you and make sure you were comfortable. But your afternoons? They were always set aside for your favorite visitor- Icarus.

...

“You haven’t answered my question about your name yet.”

You were sitting on the cot in your almost room, feet dangling off the edge and swinging back and forth. Icarus was sitting on his chair again, but lazily, with his arms locked behind his head and his legs precariously balanced against the edge of the bed.

“You haven’t answered any of my questions since you got here, so I don’t believe you have a right to complain.”

He was right, of course. He always was. But technically, he was equally at fault in this case. He was the one who sucked at interrogation, so much so that you took pity on his colleagues. They would have to deal with his lack of results.

You weren’t complaining, however. You enjoyed talking to him, looking at him, being in his presence. It was a stupid crush to have, but you didn’t care. He was beautiful to look at, the way his biceps curled behind his head, the lean toughness of his body, the sheer strength he possessed. Your eyes trailed down his sprawling figure, tracing each indent and dip and curve of his skin in your mind.

“Are you finished staring at me?” His words jerked you out of your stupor and you felt heat rushing to your cheeks.

“I-I wasn’t- I didn’t-“ you babbled until he stopped you.

“Don’t worry, it’s only natural to find me… appealing. You haven’t spent time with anyone else for a very long time.”

You almost screamed on the spot, burying your face in your hands. You peeked out between your splayed fingers to look at him, seemingly unbothered save for the slight pink tinge hidden beneath his bangs.

“How can you say things like that, sir?”

“Like what?”

“Uhm, never mind.”

You wanted the ground to swallow you up whole. He was so, so dense, it was a wonder he even noticed you basically eye-fucking him. You felt the cot creak beside you and a slight dip in the weight. Icarus had seated himself beside you on the small bed and was looking at you with eyes full of concern.

“I did not mean to shame you for your gaze, hero.”

He said it gently and kindly. It would be almost romantic if not for the situation you were in. You remained silent, so he continued.

“I believe it is normal for you to feel this way towards someone who has been in such close quarters with you for so long a time. You should be glad that you still have these urges.”

You suppressed a groan. This felt like having the sex talk with your parents all over again. “Sir-“

“-in fact, everyone feels them!”

He was rambling, oh god you needed him to shut up-

“I feel them for you all the time, and I’m completely normal.”

And suddenly, the air changed between you into something charged and heated.

“You… have urges around me?” You wanted to hear him say it again, just once, but he turned away from you, tensing up and rising from his seat awkwardly. His face was stony and his hair covered his eyes like bicolored curtains. There suddenly was space between the two of you, some insurmountable gap that could not be bridged.

“I apologize deeply. I have misspoken.”

“Sir, wait, you don’t have to leave!” You cried out as he made his way to the door.

“But I do. You don’t deserve this treatment, and it is cruel of me to hurt you in this manner.”

And that was when something broke within you, something that had been holding you together this whole time.

“No.”

He turned around, almost scared by the anger in your voice.

“This is when you decide to stop? You have literally kidnapped me, interrogated me, left me in all but isolation, for a fucking month. You took me from everything that I wanted and everyone that I love and yet, and YET, I wanted you. Goddamn it, I still want you. I don’t understand why. So don’t apologize to me for misleading me or whatever bullshit excuse you’ve decided to use as a sheild. Apologize for everything you have done to me, you fucking cunt.”

And then your voice broke and you could feel the tears rushing to your eyes, your vision turning glassy as your chest heaved with sobs. You could feel yourself slipping away, your breaths growing shallow and your body shaking. Why did you stay here? Why didn’t you leave when you could? What was the point, if Icarus didn’t even want you?

And then, suddenly, you felt warm.

Icarus, sir, whoever the fuck he was, was holding you tightly in his arms, head dipped down into the crook of your neck, his arms enveloping you in his warmth. He was your sun. And he could scorch you again and again but you would still be drawn to him.

Your panic died down and you wept for the first time since you arrived. The two of you sank down to the floor, his apologies muttered swiftly and quietly against your skin. You were in his lap now, your body curled up into a ball in his embrace, one of his palms cupping your face. He turned you slightly towards him.

His eyes were wet too, but only slightly, and his fingers were thumbing at the tears on your cheeks. One of them got close to the corner of your mouth and slowly but surely, with almost childlike fascination, he pushed the tip of it in. Your tongue ran along the edges of it, the salty taste leaving you wanting more.

And slowly, Icarus leaned forward, his lovely face the closest you had ever been to him. He removed his finger from your mouth and kissed you instead, gently, and then all at once.

It was a furious kiss, on that burned and heated a cold room. You could feel teeth and tongue and hot tears, a clashing finale of a kiss. It was against your lips that he murmured his name.

“My name is Todoroki Shouto.”

He said it softly, leaving your lips to place open-mouthed kisses on your neck that left you moaning and had wetness pooling between your legs. But suddenly, your eyes snapped open.

“Todoroki? As in-“

He kissed you again to silence as you felt the questions racing through your head. Endeavor was Todoroki Enji, right? But he had never mentioned having kids to you? Was Shouto lying to you? Why did he want to destroy his father? And how were you-

“Shh.” Shouto tapped his forehead to yours. “Let me take care of you.”

Fuck it. The questions could wait.

Shouto reached down to pull off your shirt and groaned at the sight of you. He looked at you in wonder.

“You- hero, you make me feel like I’m on fire.” He said it with such sincerity that you nearly cried again were it not for his palming of your breasts, his burning fingertips tweaking your nipples and making you whimper slightly.

“I am so sorry. I’m sorry for everything I put you through-“ you were placed on the bed- “I’m sorry for taking you away-“ He was kneeling, fucking kneeling, between your legs- “but most of all-“ fuck, he placed hot kisses on your stomach as he pulled your pants down-

“I’m sorry I didn’t have the courage to do this sooner.”

And with that, his tongue was lapping at you through your panties, new ones that the villains had provided for you, with reckless abandon. Your hands tugged at his hair and you heard his hum of a chuckle as a vibration on your pussy. There was pressure, so much pressure from him against you, like nothing you had felt before, and when he finally pushed your panties aside, they were soaking wet.

Shouto looked up at you for a moment, meeting your gaze with his own, eyes sparkling with desire. And then, without a word, He pressed a small kiss to your clit that had you jolt slightly before he dove in. He had you moaning within seconds, his tongue lapping at your folds before swirling around your clit. You felt yourself reaching a climax- it was too good and too fast and too much and- Shouto pushed a finger inside you and crooked it slightly and you began humping your hips upwards as he nursed at your clit. Your climax was swift and powerful, but he didn’t move throughout it. Even as you came down from your high, his mouth planted on you and his finger gently pumped in and out. Shouto added one more easily, and you swore you saw stars when he began thrusting. He fucked you with his fingers, marveling at your reactions, the sounds you made, your pussy pulling him in.

“Fuck, hero, you’re so wet. Is this all for me? Have you gotten off to me fucking you like this in this bed?”

You moaned loudly and Shouto removed his fingers, leaving you feeling empty. There was a dark look in his eyes that you remembered from the first day you arrived.

“Answer me, hero.”

You nodded your head slightly, but that wasn’t enough for him. He rose to his feet and without warning, he smacked your clit. You squealed loudly from the stimulation, the pain turning into pleasure quickly. His palm was cold as ice, and you squirmed dumbly against his touch.

“Answer the question.”

“Yes, yes, sir, I’ve thought about you fucking me everywhere in this room-“

Shouto’s palm reverted back to his normal temperature and you sighed with relief as he cupped your pussy and rubbed it gently.

“What a good, slutty, hero. Have you touched yourself when you think about me?”

You blushed slightly and hid your face behind your hands. God, this was embarrassing. Of course you had gotten off to the thought of him, but to say it out loud was a different feeling altogether.

You took too long and Shouto spanked your clit again. You let out a shriek and tried to wriggle away from him, but he just pulled you closer.

“I want to see your face, doll.” You whimpered at the new pet name. “Now, have you touched yourself when you think about me?”

“Y-yes sir-”

“Y-yes s-sir-‘ so shy for someone who wants a villain to fuck your hero pussy into behaving.” he palmed himself over his trousers, letting out a little huff of pleasure. “I want to, shit, want to fucking ruin you.”

Shouto pulled you to him as your hips thrust desperately against the air.

“Yes sir! Want you to fuck me, want you inside me-“

He groaned and humped into you, the metal of his belt buckle catching against your clit and making you flinch with overstimulation. Shouto noticed and pulled you closer as he stood at the side of the bed, your back flat against the mattress and your hips arched upwards to meet his bulge. He rutted into you again, forcing your pussy to kiss the metal of the buckle once more. You felt your body seizing up, your orgasm building inside you, and Shouto, with a sadistic gleam in his eyes, pressed his buckle harder against you.

The longer it stayed there, the more it heated up, almost more pain than pleasure, until Shouto wrapped your legs around his waist and thrust against you. There was a wet patch on his pants and you kept shrinking away from the burning hot metal that teased at your clit.

“You have no idea what you do to me, fucking hell-” He managed to spit out, “I’m not even inside you and you’re dripping all over me like a bitch in heat-”

He continued to hump you roughly, each time more forceful than the last until you came loudly as Shouto pushed your body into the belt buckle. “No more, Shouto, please, no more- its too much-”

“Too much for you already, hero? I haven’t even come yet. And you- how many times have you reached your climax today?”

You almost screamed with frustration- how were you supposed to know, you didn't fucking keep track-

“I can tell you, brat.” He grabbed your waist and flipped you easily onto your stomach. You were completely exposed to him now, unable to see his face, out of control entirely.

“You have come three fucking times. That doesn’t feel very fair to me, does it? Do you want my cum inside you?”

You buried your face into your pillow, and he pushed down slightly on your lower back, creating an arch. You startled when he teased his cockhead against the surface of your pussy, wetness coating his dick.

“Shouto, I want your cum-”

His palm came down hard on your asscheek, forcing a gasp out of you as he rubbed it softly with his palms. He leaned closer towards you, his voice whispering in your ear.

“Then beg.”

And, with your voice muffled by the pillow, you followed his orders.

“Sir, fuck me, please, please- I need you inside me, I need you to cum for me, please- Shouto, Daddy-“

Your begging got cut off by him thrusting into you. You screamed and he shushed you gently, holding your hand with his own. “Do you think you can take the rest of it?”

The rest of it? There was more? You looked over your shoulder and nearly passed out. You had barely taken half of his length and you were already completely filled up. But… you wanted to feel him, all of him, so you muttered a soft “yes.”

“Okay, baby, take it easy…” he eased a couple more inches into you before you tightened up, your pussy clenching and back arching as he slid in. “Oh fuck,” Shouto groaned. “Do that one more time and I won’t be able to hold back.”

And of course, you grinned. And proceeded to clench yourself around his length again.

Shouto nearly growled. “I warned you, hero.”

And then, he thrust into you. Hard. And he kept going, pumping in and out of your body like a machine, his thumb rubbing against your clit and his other hand on your leg. You are screaming and crying and babbling on about how good his cock is, how good you felt, how this is what you wanted. And Shouto? The cocky bastard was gloating.

“Look at you, such a good slut on my cock. Are you crying? God, thats so fucking hot. I’ve got a cute little hero crying on my dick. I know you can use your quirk now, Hero, I know Aizawa sensei returned it to you. Did you stay because you wanted me to fuck you like this? Did you want to be corrupted?”

“Yes,” you’re almost incoherent, “yes, ruin me, make me a villain, I wanna be a villain!”

Shouto slows his pace for a moment. “You would leave Endeavor? Leave the agency?”

“Yes, I would, Shouto, fuck, anything for you-”

He slapped the inside of your thigh before resuming his pace again. You had never felt so full before, his dick reaching places within you that you didn’t even know existed. His palms gripped the sides of your hips so tightly you thought you might bruise, tiny burn marks already forming in the place of his fingertips. You were close, so close, your tears and drool spilling over your pillow and your body limp and helpless before him. Shouto felt you clenching around him, completely spent.

“Do you want to cum again? What a greedy pussy you have, hero, a needy little cumdump.”

You couldnt get words out, croaking out your mumbled yeses and nodding your head vigorously. He pounded even harder into you and reached around your thighs to your clit, rubbing it in tiny circles as he fucked you. You could feel your climax building for the fourth time and you twitched pathetically beneath him. Finally, Shouto pinched your clit slightly and you came with a wail of his name.

He fucked you through your orgasm, but he was slower now, his strokes hitting you deeper than before.

“Do, fuck- do you want me to cum in your pretty pussy?”

Shouto was hunched over you, his head resting on your back and his arms caging you in so that he was all that surrounded you. His breath came out in cold pants and his thrusts got more and more erratic as he neared his own climax.

“Please, I need you to want this, I need you- shit, I...” You could hear the desperation in his voice, how he yearned for you, and you the words fell out of your mouth before you could stop them.

“Yes, Daddy! Want you to come inside, fucking breed me-”

“Oh fuck, Y/n-”

And then Shouto came with a groan, his cum splattering your insides with warmth. He pressed kisses to your spine, trailing his fingers down your arms as he turned you to the side. He didn’t pull out of you as he did so, causing you to groan slightly. Finally, he released you and gently removed his dick from where you were connected. Some of his cum oozed out and he pushed it back in with his fingers, trapping his seed within you forever.

The pair of you laid together side by side for a moment, Shouto’s fingers tracing your body with slow, lingering touches as if he was afraid you would shatter the moment he pressed too hard.

You were the one who broke the silence. “ You said my real name.”

“I did. I love your name, Y/n. It just felt... wrong to say it when you were my prisoner. It was easier to distance myself from you if I just thought of you as a random hero. But you’re more than that now.”

You stared straight into his eyes, your hands reaching up to run gently through his silky hair. “I’m not leaving, Shouto. I’m never leaving this place. And I’m not just staying for you- I like it here. The villains like me, and they respect me. You aren’t bad people- if anything, the rest of the world has been far worse than anything or anyone I’ve faced here. It feels like I’m finally home.”

Shouto gathered you into his arms and pressed you tightly to his side. “You will be mine now,” he said almost matter-of-factly.

“And you will be mine as well.” You planted a small kiss to his nose that made his eyelids flutter and a slight blush crawl onto his cheeks.

“You deserve the world, Y/n,” he said hesitantly. “And I am not even close to being good enough for you.”

Shouto’s eyes were downcast and you could see the doubt creeping in. You gently pressed your fingers to his furrowed brows and soothed the wrinkles away. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” He asked.

“Put yourself down. You are more than enough for me. And Shouto? I don’t need the world. I already reached my sun.”

He smiled at you then, with no underlying malice, no undertone of darkness. It was blinding. Goddamn it, you would do anything to see that smile for the rest of your life.

“That was terribly cheesy, Y/n.”

“Shut up, Shouto.”

He kissed you, and you could feel the butterflies in your stomach fluttering up a storm. Todoroki Shouto was your sun, and you were his. And even if you both melted away under your flames, it would have been worth the loss.

-Bonus-

2 weeks later:

“So, uhm, Y/n, Todoroki, we were reviewing the footage from Y/n’s old room the other day. While we’re all happy you two are *ahem* together now, maybe you can display your... appreciation for one another in a more private place?” Kirishima was blushing profusely and refused to meet your eyes. Suddenly, it clicked for you.

“WE WERE BEING RECORDED?”

“And?”

“SHOUTO!”

“Ah yes, how horrible and violating, I feel as though I have been exposed indecently without my permission for the perverted public to see. They will be unable to contain themselves when faced with my immeasurably sexy figure.”

“You are NOT being helpful.”

“I beg to differ, Y/n. Kirishima, is there any way you can send me a copy of the tape-”

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A/N: I hope you like this and please let me know if I should do a villain!UA series because I only write under the influence of peer pressure.