#oh wow the lighting is impeccable!

[callsigns-haze]

Unexpected twist

Pairing: Tim Bradford x Reader

Chapter Summary: Tim and Y/N's first date at a fancy restaurant is interrupted by a robbery, turning a romantic evening into a spontaneous takedown and leaving their relationship exposed to their curious colleagues.

Chapter Warning: This chapter contains a sudden shift from a romantic date to an intense, potentially dangerous situation involving a robbery, with moments of suspense, gun use, and police intervention.

A/N: My first fic about the rookie eeeeeeeeek

The evening was perfect—the kind of night that begged for romance. The sun had just set, leaving behind a soft twilight that bathed Los Angeles in shades of purple and gold. The upscale restaurant Tim Bradford had chosen was nestled in a quiet corner of the city, known for its elegance and discretion. It was the kind of place where celebrities could dine without being disturbed, and tonight, it was the stage for a first date that had been a long time coming.

Tim arrived first, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and nerves. His usually steady hands betrayed a slight tremor as he adjusted the cuffs of his navy-blue suit. The suit was perfectly tailored, accentuating his broad shoulders and athletic build, the sharp lines giving him an air of authority even out of uniform. The crisp white shirt he wore beneath it was open at the collar, revealing a hint of tanned skin, and his dark leather shoes were polished to a mirror shine. His hair was neatly styled, though a few rebellious strands fell across his forehead, softening the hard lines of his face. He glanced at his reflection in the window, making a mental note to ease up on the cologne—he wanted to make an impression, not overwhelm her.

Just as Tim settled into his seat, Y/N Y/L/N entered the restaurant, and for a moment, he forgot how to breathe. She was a vision in an emerald-green dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, the rich color bringing out the warmth of her skin. The neckline was a perfect balance—elegant yet suggestive, hinting at the strength beneath the softness. Her hair was styled in loose waves that cascaded over her shoulders, and her makeup was subtle but impeccable, with a soft shimmer on her eyelids that caught the light just so. A delicate gold necklace adorned her neck, matching the small, sparkling earrings that completed her look. She moved with a grace that was both natural and practiced, each step exuding confidence.

Tim stood as she approached, his heart beating a little faster than usual. "Wow," he said, his voice dropping an octave, full of genuine admiration. "You look... stunning."

Y/N smiled, a hint of a blush rising to her cheeks. "Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself, Bradford. I almost didn't recognize you without the uniform and scowl."

He chuckled, the tension easing slightly. "I save the scowl for the rookies. And for bad guys. I promise you won't see it tonight."

She raised an eyebrow playfully as she took her seat. "We'll see about that. I’m sure I could get it out of you if I tried."

Tim’s eyes sparkled with amusement. "Careful, Detective. You don’t want to see me at my worst tonight."

"Oh, I’m not afraid of you," Y/N teased, her voice dropping to a flirtatious whisper. "In fact, I’m looking forward to it."

Tim leaned in slightly, his gaze locking with hers. "You know, I wasn't sure you'd actually say yes to this. We've worked together for a while, and I didn’t know if you’d be interested in mixing business with… pleasure."

Y/N's lips curled into a slow, seductive smile. "Who says I’m interested in pleasure, Bradford? Maybe I just wanted to see if you’re as tough off-duty as you are on."

His grin widened, clearly enjoying the banter. "Oh, I’m just as tough, but I can be pretty charming when I want to be."

"Charming, huh?" Y/N’s tone was light, teasing. "I’ll believe it when I see it."

They continued to flirt as the evening progressed, their conversations flowing easily from work to personal interests, each revelation bringing them closer. The chemistry between them crackled like electricity, unspoken but undeniable. Every now and then, they would exchange a glance, both of them half-expecting a familiar face from the station to walk through the door.

"You know," Y/N said, breaking the momentary silence, "I keep thinking someone from work is going to walk in and ruin this."

Tim nodded, his expression softening. "Same here. It’s like we can’t escape the job, even on a night like this."

"Well, if they do show up, we’ll just tell them we’re working undercover," she suggested with a mischievous grin.

Tim smirked. "Yeah? And what exactly are we investigating?"

"Restaurant quality," she replied with a wink, making Tim chuckle.

Just as they were starting to relax, the door to the restaurant was thrown open with a loud crash, and the once tranquil atmosphere shattered like glass. A man in a black ski mask stormed in, waving a gun wildly in the air. The room fell into a stunned silence, every patron freezing in fear.

"Everyone stay where you are!" the man shouted, his voice edged with desperation. "Empty your wallets, your purses—now!"

Tim’s eyes sharpened, his instincts kicking in immediately. He looked at Y/N, who had already reached under the table, her hand on her off-duty weapon. Her expression had gone from flirty to deadly serious in an instant. She gave Tim a quick nod, and they both moved with a speed and precision that spoke to years of training and experience.

"Hey!" Tim barked, standing up suddenly. His voice was authoritative, commanding the room. "LAPD! Drop the weapon and get on the ground, now!"

The robber spun around, momentarily thrown off by the unexpected confrontation. His gun wavered, but his desperation outweighed his common sense.

"Don’t move!" he yelled, his voice cracking. But it was too late—Y/N was already moving, her gun drawn and trained on him with deadly accuracy.

"Put the gun down!" Y/N ordered, her voice steady, every bit the seasoned detective. "This doesn’t have to end badly for you."

The man hesitated, his eyes darting between the two officers and the terrified patrons around him. The tension in the room was palpable, everyone holding their breath, waiting for the situation to explode.

Tim slowly approached, his gun also drawn. "You’re outnumbered, and we’re not going to ask again," he warned, his voice low and threatening. "Drop it."

The robber’s resolve broke. His hand shook violently as he looked from Tim to Y/N, realizing he had no way out. With a defeated sigh, he let the gun slip from his fingers and clatter to the floor. Y/N was on him in an instant, kicking the weapon away and securing his wrists with a pair of handcuffs.

Tim kept his gun trained on the man until he was sure the situation was under control. As the adrenaline began to fade, he glanced around the restaurant, noticing the wide-eyed stares of the other patrons. Applause broke out, tentative at first, then growing louder as relief washed over the room.

Y/N looked up at Tim, a grin spreading across her face. "So much for a quiet evening, huh?"

Tim couldn’t help but smile back. "Yeah, I guess we have a talent for finding trouble."

Y/N stood, pulling the cuffed robber to his feet. "Or maybe trouble just finds us."

Before they could share another quip, the sound of police sirens filled the air outside, and moments later, a familiar group of officers burst into the restaurant, weapons drawn, ready to respond.

Nolan was the first through the door, followed by Harper, Aaron, and Lucy. Their faces were a mix of surprise and confusion as they took in the scene—Y/N and Tim standing over a cuffed suspect, both looking more like they were on a night out than responding to a robbery.

"What the hell is going on here?" Harper demanded, her sharp eyes narrowing as she holstered her weapon.

Tim and Y/N exchanged a quick look, trying to come up with a plausible explanation. Y/N opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Lucy chimed in, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Were you guys on a date?" Lucy blurted out, the question hanging in the air like a bomb waiting to explode.

Tim felt his face flush, the color rising from his neck to his ears. Y/N seemed equally flustered, though she quickly tried to recover.

"Uh, we were just… grabbing a bite to eat," Y/N said, her voice a little too casual.

"Yeah, just happened to be in the right place at the right time," Tim added, though his tone didn’t quite carry the confidence he hoped for.

Nolan raised an eyebrow, a slow grin spreading across his face. "A bite to eat? In suits and fancy dresses?"

Harper crossed her arms, clearly amused. "Right place, right time, huh? Sounds more like a date to me."

Y/N sighed, knowing they were caught. "Fine, it was a date. But in our defence, we didn’t expect to be playing hero tonight."

"Well, you certainly picked a memorable first date," Aaron remarked with a smirk, looking at the subdued robber. "Though, maybe next time choose a place that’s less likely to get held up."

Lucy’s eyes sparkled with excitement. "I knew it! I knew there was something going on between you two!"

Tim shot her a look, though there was no real heat behind it. "Can we maybe focus on the fact that we just stopped a robbery?"

Harper chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation. "Sure, Bradford. But you know this is going to be all over the station by morning."

Y/N groaned, rubbing her forehead. "Great. Just what I wanted."

Nolan grinned, clapping Tim on the shoulder. "Hey, at least you didn’t have to pay for dinner."

Tim couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head. "Yeah, I guess there’s that, still get to keep the two hundred in the budget."

As their colleagues began to process the scene and take the suspect away, Y/N leaned in close to Tim, her voice low and playful. "So, how about round two? Somewhere a little less public?"

Tim’s eyes lit up with a mix of humour and affection. "Sounds perfect. And maybe this time we can actually finish a meal."

As Tim and Y/N walk out of the restaurant, still riding the adrenaline from the robbery, Tim glances at her with a playful grin. “So, any ideas for our second date? Preferably somewhere without armed robbers?”

Y/N laughs, shaking her head. “Yeah, I think we’ve had enough excitement for one night. How about something a little more low-key? Maybe a quiet dinner at my place? I make a mean lasagna.”

Tim’s eyes light up at the suggestion, and he nods. “That sounds perfect. But just so you know, I’m bringing dessert.”

“Deal,” Y/N replies, smiling warmly. “And this time, let’s keep our badges out of sight.”

They exchange a look filled with anticipation, both eager for a date that will hopefully be free of interruptions—and a chance to really get to know each other.

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[mrsbuckybarnes1917]

20: HENNA HIJINKS

Previous chapter < MASTERLIST > Next chapter

Summary: As the mehndi celebration begins, you and Bucky navigate playful teasing of your friends, and the unspoken changes in your relationship. Between warm laughter, lingering glances and invented meet-cute stories, Bucky realizes he’s no longer playing a part— he’s exactly where he wants to be.

Warnings: Fluff, mutual pining, teasing friends, light angst (Bucky’s self-doubt), fake dating, shameless flirting.

Word Count: 4128

Just as you were adding the finishing touches of your makeup, there was a knock at the door. The distinctive tap of Bucky’s vibranium knuckles against the wood was unmistakable. Stealing a quick final glance in the mirror, you smoothed out the skirt of your lehenga. The flowing fabric was a masterpiece, adorned with intricate floral motifs in vibrant shades of pink, purple, and blue set against a dark base. The design was bordered with bold stripes on the hem, which complemented the cropped blouse with its thin straps and matching striped pattern. A dupatta was decorated with delicate floral details and rested gracefully on your shoulder, completing the look.

You rushed to the door, taking a steadying breath as you placed your hand on the handle and then opened it, finding Bucky standing there. His eyes widened the moment they landed on you, his jaw going slack as he took in every detail of your outfit.

“Wow…” he murmured, his blue eyes sweeping over you, lingering on the flowing lehenga. A slow smile spread across his face. “You look… breathtaking.”

A blush rose to your cheeks as you dropped your gaze, pretending to smooth out an invisible wrinkle in your dupatta. “You think so?” you asked, attempting to sound casual, even though your pulse was pounding in your ears.

“Think so?” he chuckled softly, taking a step closer. His hand hovered hesitantly, as if seeking permission to brush against the delicate fabric of your skirt. “I know so. You’ll outshine everyone today. No contest.”

“I’m pretty sure that should not be my intention.” You bit your lip as a wave of anxiety flared inside you. Had you gone overboard with your choice of outfit? It looked relatively simple compared to the other outfits in the store. 

Bucky tilted his head down as he caught the look of uncertainty in your eyes. “Hey,” he said softly .“Don’t overthink it. It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”

You let your hair fall across your face, trying to hide your smile. “You clean up pretty well yourself, Sergeant Barnes,” you teased, finally meeting his gaze. He looked impeccable, his crisp shirt and well-fitted dark jeans accentuated his form.

“Are you sure this isn’t too casual?” he asked, glancing down at his jeans, then back at your intricate lehenga.

“Yeah, absolutely fine,” you assured him with a smile, trying to ease his nerves.

He nodded, exhaling softly. “Alright then… should we go?”

“Yes,” you replied, reaching for your bag. “Let me grab this, and we’re good to go.”

Bucky drove the two of you to Hanna's family home, his fingers occasionally tapping the steering wheel to the rhythm of the soft music playing in the car. It was nice to see him looking more comfortable around you, you liked the way he looked at you. Things had changed dramatically since Louisiana, but you felt like he was still holding something back from you.

“What?” Bucky asked, as he caught you staring at him.

“Nothing!” You looked away, but you knew it was too late, he had caught you.

“You're staring…” he teased. “I thought that was my thing,”

“I was just thinking about our relationship agreement.”

“Oh that old thing,” Bucky chuckled, but his grip on the steering wheel tightened.

“I'm pretty sure we broke all the rules on it,” you glanced at him out of the corner of your eye with a smirk on your face.

For a moment, Bucky didn’t respond and the playful air between you shifted to something a little more serious.

“Are you disappointed?” he asked very quietly, his voice almost a whisper.

Your mouth dropped open in surprise, wiping the smirk off your face. You turned to study his profile and even though his eyes were fixed on the road, you could see his jaw tighten, as if bracing himself for your negative response.

“Disappointed?” you repeated softly, your tone laced with disbelief. “Bucky, no.”

Even though his shoulders relaxed, he still avoided your gaze.

“Why would you think that?” you pressed, keeping your voice gentle.

“There was a reason we chose this path… the agreement… I guess I just wanted to know if you regret—”

“I don’t,” you interrupted, your heart aching at his words.

“I’m sure I’m not the kind of guy you imagined yourself being with.”

“I think my problem was that I imagined myself with people who weren’t right for me.” You reached out, placing your hand over his on the gearstick. “Bucky, listen to me,” you said firmly, but your voice was soft, kind. “When we made those rules, we were trying to protect ourselves. But this? What we have now? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

“You sure?” His eyes flicked towards you and you caught the glimmer of vulnerability floating under the surface.

“Absolutely sure,” you replied with a small smile. “You’re not perfect, Bucky, but neither am I. And I’m not disappointed— not even a little.”

He let out an exhale, as if your words had released a weight off his chest. “Okay,” he said quietly and a faint smile pulled at his lips, his face filled with a mix of relief and gratitude.

The rest of the short drive passed in a comfortable silence, leaving you with a feeling of closeness with Bucky that warmed your soul. When you arrived, you made your way around the house to the backyard, where the celebration was set up. A tent had been pitched across the yard, with huge colorful cushions arranged neatly on the grass underneath. It didn’t have an expensive regal look like you would have expected from the Sharma family, but it was cozy and undeniably beautiful, just like the Marins.

Bucky’s eye scanned the scene and he leaned down toward you. “This is nice.”

But you could see his look of hesitation and you followed his gaze, noting the familiar faces of Hanna and Aditi’s bridesmaids— Camille and Swan— chatting animatedly near the tent while laying out trays of food. The brides themselves, looking radiant in their matching pastel lehengas, were laughing together and holding hands— looking at each other as though there was no one else in the world.

“It is,” you agreed, smiling at the warm, intimate atmosphere.

Bucky took your hand and pulled you closer, lowering his voice. “So, just to clarify… I’m not that underdressed, am I?”

You let out a soft laugh, nudging his shoulder playfully. “You’re fine, Bucky. Trust me.”

As the two of you approached the small group, Hanna turned to greet you, her eyes lighting up when she saw you. “Oh my gosh, you look stunning!” she squealed, rushing over to take your hands.

“And you!” you replied, motioning to her outfit and Aditi’s. “You two look like a dream.”

Aditi threw her arms around your neck and kissed your cheek. “My second best girl.”

You snorted and Hanna rolled her eyes. She turned to Bucky and said in a loud whisper, “My fiancé is a little emotional.”

Aditi pulled back from the bone crushing hug to glare at Hanna. “You bought the Sergeant. Looking sharp, Barnes.”

“Thanks,” Bucky replied, his cheeks tinting the faintest shade of pink.

“So, when’s everyone else arriving?” you asked, glancing around the cozy setup and the henna artists entering with their supplies. 

Camille sauntered over, a mischievous glint in her eye. Looping her arm into Bucky’s, she grinned up at him. “We’re all here,” she replied casually before turning her full attention to him. “Well hello again, Sergeant Barnes.”

Bucky stiffened slightly, his blue eyes darting toward you for a split second before offering Camille a polite smile. “Camille,” he greeted with a small nod.

You fought the urge to roll your eyes. “Oh yeah, right. I forgot Bucky met you and Swan at the bachelorette party, didn’t you?” You looked up at Bucky for confirmation.

“Of course,” Camille said, brushing an invisible speck of dust from Bucky’s shoulder with unnecessary flourish. “Hard to forget someone like him.”

Bucky cleared his throat, gently untangling his arm from hers and moved to stand behind you. “I’m just here with her.”

Camille laughed shamelessly before stepping back.

“Well seeing as we’re all here, we might as well get started!” Swan stepped forward and gave you a quick hug and a more appropriate handshake for Bucky.

“What do you mean ‘all here’?” Bucky asked.

“The mehndi’s just for us, hun,” Hanna murmured in your ear.

Unfortunately Bucky caught every word.

“Wait,” he said, his expression changing from confusion to realization as he looked between you and Hanna. “You mean… I’m not supposed to be here?”

Aditi bit her lip, trying to suppress a laugh. “Well… traditionally, no. The mehndi is usually just for the brides and bridesmaids.”

“Oh,” Bucky said, looking around the yard again. “Then I guess I should leave you ladies to it.” He turned towards you, silently seeking your permission to leave. “I’m just going to…”

But before he could finish, Hanna and Aditi pounced on him.

“Oh no, you don’t.” Hanna grabbed his arm lightly.

“Absolutely not,” Aditi added with a grin, blocking his path to ensure he couldn’t pass.

Bucky blinked, surprised by their insistence. “I mean… if this is a girls-only thing…”

“It’s not,” Hanna interrupted firmly, waving off his concerns. “Not tonight. You’re staying. Right, Aditi?”

“Right,” Aditi agreed, her tone leaving no room for argument. 

It was then that you realized that Hanna and Aditi had invited Bucky on purpose, knowing full well that he had no reason to be there. They had wanted him to come, and now they weren’t going to let him leave. You felt Bucky shift behind you, like he was using you as a shield against your friends.

“This feels like a trap,” he muttered under his breath, hot against your ear.

You couldn’t help but laugh softly, reaching out to touch his arm reassuringly. “I think it kind of is,” you admitted, giving him a small smile. “Would you stay?”

He nodded slightly, trying to maintain a grumpy expression, but he knew he’d do anything for you.

Hanna clapped her hands together excitedly. “Now, Sergeant Barnes, go grab yourself a drink and make yourself comfortable.”

“And no sneaking off,” Aditi added laughingly with a wink.

Bucky sighed, his lips curving into a reluctant smile. “Alright, alright,” he said. “Guess I’m staying.”

You showed him to the food table, pointing out the samosas and insisting that he bring over extra for you.

“So, Bucky. We officially get to meet you,” Hanna said with a bright smile. “Y/N has done an amazing job at keeping you hidden from us.”

“Yeah,” Aditi chimed in, her grin widening. “At one point, we thought you might be… imaginary.”

You chuckled nervously, though the irony wasn’t lost on you— there was a time when Bucky had only existed in your imagination.

“If you’re going to be part of our girl’s life,” Hanna continued, leaning in slightly, “we’re going to need to know a little more about you.”

Bucky’s laugh came out a little strained and you could feel his shoulders stiffen beside you. His eyes darted to yours for help and you shot him a pointed look as a gentle reminder of the responses that the two of you had once planned for this very situation.

He cleared his throat. “Fair enough. What do you want to know?”

“Oh, don’t play coy,” Camille inserted herself, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “We want all the details. How did you two meet? When did you realize you liked her? What’s your five-year plan? You know, just the basics.”

“Cami, maybe we should let him answer one question at a time,” Swan interjected with a laugh, though she looked just as curious.

“Well,” Bucky began, stealing a mischievous glance at you, “we first met when we got trapped in our building’s elevator together. Power went out, we were stuck for hours. We bonded over shared snacks and complaining about the maintenance guy.”

Your eyes widened slightly in surprise at the fabricated tale, it had been your original suggestion for your meetcute and you remember Bucky vetoing it with gusto, now here it was embellishing it for good measure. You barely held back a laugh as you saw Hanna and Aditi lean in, utterly intrigued.

“Wait, what?!” Aditi exclaimed, her jaw dropping. “That’s so dramatic! What happened next?”

Bucky feigned a thoughtful look, his lips twitching like he was fighting back a smile. “Well, eventually, someone fixed the elevator, but by then, we’d already exchanged numbers. I mean I could easily have just opened the doors and gotten out but, I was having too much fun.” He looked down at you and winked. “The rest is history.”

There was a pause before Hanna squinted suspiciously at your face. You felt your cheeks burning under the intensity of her stare— you’d never been a good liar. Hanna turned back to Bucky after a beat. “You’re messing with us, aren’t you?”

Bucky chuckled, finally letting his playful facade drop. “Yeah, I’m kidding. The real story’s not quite that exciting,” he admitted, shooting you a sheepish look.

“Ha! I knew it.” Aditi bounced on her seat, earning a glare from the henna artist working on her hands. “Sorry,” she apologized to the woman before turning back to her guests. “Bucky might have a good poker face, but Y/N’s gonna give away all the secrets without even trying.”

The others laughed along with yourself and Bucky. You gave Bucky a nudge with your free elbow.  “Go on,” you said, encouraging him to share the truth.

“We actually lived across from each other for a while before we met,” Bucky explained, his voice softer and more genuine now. “But it wasn’t until my cat decided to play matchmaker that we really started talking. Alpine kept sneaking over to her place— like, all the time. I think she liked Y/N more than she liked me.”

“That’s because I fed her treats,” you added with a grin.

Bucky’s laugh was unrestrained and filled your chest with warmth. “Yeah, well, that’s how she won me over, too.” He turned back to the group, shrugging lightly. “Alpine gave me an excuse to knock on her door one too many times. Eventually, we stopped pretending it was about the cat.”

A collective “aww” went up from the group, and Hanna clutched her heart dramatically with her free hand. “Okay, that’s even better than the elevator story.”

“Way better,” Aditi agreed, her tone teasing. “Although I can’t believe you used your cat as a wingman.”

“I didn’t use her,” Bucky protested with mock indignation. “She had her own… agenda. I just went along with it.” He shrugged.

Camille looked between you slyly— as though she was trying to catch the two of you out at the game you were both playing. “So what was the treat that finally won you over?”

You turned to Bucky and he looked down at you, knowing exactly what the other planned to say. You turned back to the girls and in unison, you said, “apple pie.”

The group laughed, and even Bucky relaxed more as the atmosphere lightened.

Camille leaned forward, despite the small ‘tsk’ from the artist who was holding her arm. She clearly had her sights set on making Bucky squirm. 

“Alright, Sergeant Barnes,” she began, locking eyes with him. “What’s your favorite thing about Y/N? And no,” she added, wagging a finger, “don’t say her eyes— too cliché.”

Bucky turned to look at you, contemplating his answer. His mouth parted and for a second you thought he was going to protest Camille’s question but after a pause he turned back to her. “I mean her eyes are pretty hard to ignore, but actually I had something else in mind… her sass.”

“Seriously,” Camille blinked with disbelief. “Her sass?” she repeated, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” Bucky huffed a small laugh and his gaze flicked to yours playfully. “She’s got this way of hitting me back with those quick, sharp jabs, usually just the right amount of attitude. Keeping me on my toes.”

“Well, someone has to keep you in check, Barnes. Keep you from getting too… cocky,” you quipped.

The group erupted in laughter, but Camille had caught onto the little flirtatious quip between the two of you. Her sharp eyes darted between the two of you, the knowing smirk on her face growing larger. “Well, well. So, Barnes, care to share your shoe size with us?”

Bucky frowned, baffled by the strange question. “Uh… I wear—”

“Bucky!” you cut in sharply, your voice just a touch too loud, your cheeks heating as you shot Camille a warning look. “Don’t answer that!”

He turned to you, utterly baffled. “Why? What’s wrong with—”

“I’ll explain later,” you interrupted as the rest of the girls tried to stifle their laughter, with Camille looking particularly pleased with herself.

“Oh, come on,” she teased, biting back a grin. “We were just curious.”

“Camille, you’ve really got to work harder at being subtle. This? Amateur hour,” you retorted, your glare softening as you caught Bucky’s still-confused expression.

“Wha—?” He looked back at you, clearly still lost.

You leaned against his side and muttered so only he could hear you. “Later… just trust me on this one.”

“Okay…” he muttered, trailing off, though the confusion lingered in his eyes as the girls dissolved into laughter once more.

Swan leaned forward with a sly grin, taking the opportunity to make her contribution to the questioning. “What’s Y/N’s worst habit, and don’t say ‘nothing.’”

Bucky didn’t even hesitate, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. “She always steals the blanket.”

The girls erupted into laughter, while you gasped in mock offense. “I do not!”

You marveled at how quickly he had made up this answer.

“Oh, you absolutely do,” Bucky countered, his tone teasing. “You’re like a blanket ninja. One second it’s there, the next, it’s gone, and I’m freezing.”

“You’re exaggerating,” you said, pursing your lips defensively.

“Am I?” he shot back, his eyebrow arching. “The other night you once cocooned yourself so tight, I went back to my apartment at three in the morning and slept there.”

Your eyebrows flew up in surprise. You had woken up alone, but you’d assumed that he had a busy day and had gotten up early. Was it the truth?

Camille was practically crying from laughter at this point. “Y/N, I think this man just declared war on your sleeping habits.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t hide your smile. “It’s not my fault if I get cold. Maybe if you snuggled better this wouldn’t be a problem.”

This time, it was Bucky’s turn to be flustered, his cheeks tinting just the faintest pink as the girls roared with laughter around him.

Their ruckus died down just in time for them to catch the loud rumble of your stomach, which only set them off even more.

“I told you to eat something!” Aditi screeched at you between fits of giggles.

“Oh I would kill for a samosa right now,” you looked longingly at the food table.

Without asking, Bucky jumped up and came back with a plate loaded with food and set it down beside you.

You looked up at him, a sheepish grin on your face. “Yeah, I can’t exactly eat right now.”

“Oh I know,” Bucky responded, dropping back down on the cushion beside you and grabbed a samosa off the plate.

“Guess you’re going to have to wait… or have someone feed you like royalty.”

“Don’t mind if I do,” he said, holding the pastry up to your lips.

Your cheeks flushed as you opened your mouth and took a bite. You couldn’t help but moan softly in appreciation of the warmth and spices on your tongue.

"Okay, who gave him the right to be this cute?" Swan joked, making everyone laugh again.

Piece by piece, he fed you the whole samosa, keeping his vibranium palm under your mouth to catch any stray crumbs. The teasing around the table didn’t stop, but neither of you seemed to care. On the last bite, you let your lips linger over the tips of his fingers, licking the remnants of the flaky pastry of the tips. Bucky froze, his eyes wide and his ears turning a deep shade of pink.

“Can we try and keep this G-rated, please?” Camille groaned, throwing a napkin at you, which only sent the group into another fit of laughter.

“Oh I have a question!” Hanna piped up suddenly and you rolled your eyes at their persistence in this interrogation.

Expecting a light hearted answer, she asked “Who would win in a fight: you or Captain America?”

You looked at Bucky, thinking about his relationship with Sam. Bucky might be a super soldier, but you knew Sam had a lot of tricks up his sleeve. But you also knew that they would never fight each other. You were expecting to see his eyes light up with mirth, but for some reason, the question hit harder than anyone anticipated.

Bucky froze, his jaw tightening as a shadow passed over his face. And it was as if he wasn’t in the backyard anymore. He was back in the past, seeing the world through the eyes of the Winter Soldier as he punched Steve’s face over and over, a mix of rage, pain and confusion consuming him.

You noticed the change immediately— the way his shoulders stiffened, his gaze dropped, and his breathing became shallow. You’d seen him like this before, moments where he’d lose himself in his past. Without hesitation, you jumped in with a smile, trying to stop him from spiraling.

“Sam? Please. He’d spend half the fight boasting about how he’s the new Cap, and Bucky would just walk away out of frustration.”

Aditi, always the lifesaver, caught on quickly and leaned forward with a grin. “Bucky, you know what your real challenge is tonight? Finding your initials in her henna.” She nodded her head at you.

That snapped him out of the trance that threatened to consume him, his eyes darting to hers in confusion. “My initials?”

“Yep,” Aditi said with a playful nod. “It’s tradition for the groom’s name to be hidden in the bride’s henna design. And it’s your job to find it.”

Your eyes widened, heat rushing to your cheeks as you tried to stop yourself waving your hands in protest. “Wait, wait, wait! I’m not the one getting married here!”

The henna artist working on your hands glanced up with an apologetic smile and winked. “Oops. Too late to make changes now.”

The girls burst out into another round of laughter and to your relief, Bucky relaxed and gave you a small but fond smile. “Guess I’ve got my work cut out for me.”

You groaned, dropping your head and trying to hide your face behind your hair. “I swear, this was not meant to be in the cards.” You shook your head as the others cackled.

“What’s the matter, Y/N?” Camille smirked. “Worried he’ll find something he likes?”

“You’re all terrible influences, you know that?”

Another wave of laughter rippled through the group and Bucky moved to sit closer to you as a sea of goosebumps erupted on your back when a cool gust of wind swept through the tent.

Hanna caught the sweet moment between you and took the opportunity to steer the attention away from Bucky. “Alright, alright, I think we've tortured the Sergeant enough for one night. Let's get back to celebrating!”

The sun had finally set and the girls were starting to look exhausted. You tried to get up from your seat on the floor but your legs seemed to have lost their strength and you couldn’t use your hands to support you in case you ruined the henna design. Before you realized what was happening, Bucky had grabbed your waist, lifted you up and set you down on your feet.

He grabbed your shoes and slipped them onto your feet and picked up your handbag. The two of you said your goodbyes to the others— Camille and Swan’s partners, Gabriel and Jung, had both arrived to pick them up. The two of you walked back to the car, Bucky steadying you with his hand on the small of your back. He opened the door and helped you inside.

“Thank you for staying today.”

“Yeah, I can handle a few friends… but I think we’re going to have to work on the blanket-stealing habit…”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help grinning. “Still not my fault.”

Bucky chuckled softly. “I’m willing to freeze every night if it means I get to stay beside you.”

Previous chapter < MASTERLIST > Next chapter

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Posting schedule will be Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays around 2.30pm EST / 11.30am PST / 7.30pm BST

[beaviu]

𝜗𝜚˚ ⋆₊ LOVE iN THE AiR — tension all over the aircraft 😇

⌗ masterlist :: next :: prev

The sun had barely crested the horizon when yn stepped onto the private jet, iced Americano in one hand, tablet in the other. Amber was in the galley, stacking energy drinks like a bartender with a caffeine problem, while Karina arranged throw blankets like she was starring in a flight themed lifestyle shoot.

“Ten says they’re late,” Amber muttered, squinting into the fridge.

“Fifteen says they come in like a Kdrama cast, dramatic slowmo and wind machines,” Karina replied, smoothing down a velvet cushion with precision.

Yn didn’t look up. “I’m betting emotional damage in the form of glitter and lost chargers.”

They all snorted. The world’s favorite chaos factory, known for their impeccable vocals, infuriating charm, and total disregard for packing essentials.

“I’m just hoping no one takes their shoes off mid-flight and declares war on the cabin with socks,” Yn muttered, scanning through the final checklist.

“No promises,” Amber said, then glanced at Karina. “We still hiding the spicy ramen from last time?”

“Top shelf, behind the hummus,” Karina whispered.

The unmistakable sound of SUV doors slamming outside the hangar pulled them all to attention.

“Showtime,” Amber said, jokingly pretending she’s choking herself

The loyalist filed in like a movie cast—hoodies up, sunglasses on, expensive cologne and perfume already trailing behind them. Yn was handing off a drink menu to Karina when a voice interrupted.

“Hey, sorry quick question?”

Yn turned to find Yumi by the entrance, crop top perfectly sitting at her waist showing off her abs, lips curled into a warm, curious smile.

“Yeah?” Yn said with a warm smile.“Who’s responsible for this interior upgrade? This actually feels… cozy. Like someone gave a fuck.”

Karina perked up with a smile. “I gave several fucks, thank you for noticing”

Yumi’s eyes lit up as she took it all in—the soft lights, the carefully arranged snack corner, the mood playlists already cued up. “Okay, but this is a serious glow up. Last flight we were on, I think the seatbelt nearly took my finger off.”

Yn cracked a smile. “We aim for safety, not combat.”

“Big improvement,” Yumi said, then glanced at yn. “And I like your aura. You seem like the one who actually keeps everyone in check.”

Karina leaned over with a wink. “oh she does. Yn’s the boss around here.”

Amber added, “And immune to celebrity nonsense. Which is great for you guys, not so great for the flirts.”

Yumi laughed. “Good to know. I’ll try not to test the boundaries… too much.”

Yn chuckled. “As long as no one spills anything green on a pillow case, we’re good.”

Yumi mock gasped. “Wow. One time.”

They shared a look that lingered just a second before a voice called Yumi back to her seat. She gave a little wave and smile.

“See you guys up there.”

As she walked away, Karina looked at Yn knowingly teasing her. “So… you’ve got a favorite already?”

Yn kept her face neutral. “I like people who don’t treat the plane like a jungle gym. That’s all.”

Amber grinned. “Sureeee boss.”

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ🪷་༘࿐

Thirty minutes later, the jet was still grounded. A minor delay on the runway. The rest of the crew was inside the cockpit waiting to get an update from the captain, and Yn had stepped off the plane for a breath of fresh air. The early morning was quiet, warm wind cutting the chill.

Then came footsteps.

Heeseung, heartthrob, and certified walking distraction, emerged from the plane with a stretch and a soft groan.

“Didn’t think anyone else would be out here,” he said, spotting Yn.

“Didn’t think any of you would be awake,” Yn replied, admiring the runway and scenery.

He laughed, deep and low. “Fair. I’m usually horizontal with an eye mask on by now.”

Yn glanced over. His hoodie pulled over his head, sipping from a green smoothie.

“You’re brave drinking that before a long flight.”

“It’s a power move,” he said with a grin. “Mind if I hang out here for a minute?”

“It’s your plane after all. You can hang out wherever you want.”

“Nah,” Heeseung said, leaning against the metal stairs. “You’re the boss here. That much is clear.”

Yn shrugged with a faint smile. “Well someone has to be.”

He looked at her for a second too long, head tilted just a bit. “You’re pretty yk that?”

Yn gives a soft and low laugh. “Is this you trying to charm my socks off to try and break every safety rule that I’m trying to enforce on the plane?? ”

He chuckled, eyes playful but not too intense. “You got me. I was *this* close to sneaking back there and raiding the snack cabinet.” His hands very close together.

“I’d tackle you before you even make it to the fridge.”

“Oh wow,” he said, smiling. “Maybe I’ll behave. just maybee.”

Before Yn could respond, Amber stuck her head out of the cabin.

“We’re cleared for takeoff in five. Chip chop, Romeo and Juliet.”

Heeseung raised a hand in surrender and looked back at Yn.

“Guess I’ll see you in the air,” he said, then added with a sly grin, “Try not to miss me too much while I’m gone.”

Yn rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched.

As he jogged back up the stairs, Karina passed Yn with a knowing smirk.

“Not too flirty, huh?”

“Don’t start.”

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ🪷་༘࿐

A few minutes later, as the group settled in and the band scattered across the cabin, a conversation had broken out between the group members, half lounging across the couches.

Amber walked past the group with a basket of snacks when Sunghoon’s eyes flicked up. His gaze lingered a second longer than necessary.

“Be right back,” he said to the group, standing up smoothly without waiting for a reply.

Amber didn’t notice him at first until he was suddenly next to her, casually leaning against the counter as she reorganized protein bars.

“You always walk around like you run the place beautiful?” he asked, voice low, eyes scanning her face with that unreadable calm expression.

Amber didn’t flinch and let that flirty comment slide. “Only when I do.”

Sunghoon let out a quiet laugh admiring her features. “Makes sense. You’ve got that look I guess.”

She turned slightly toward him, brow raised. “What look is that?”

He shrugged. “The look that can emotionally wreck someone”

Amber tilted her head teasing him. “So… you wanna be emotionally wrecked..?”

Sunghoon smirked. “Only if you’re the one doing it.”

They locked eyes, the tension subtle but clearly there, like two people testing the temperature of the water before jumping in.

Yn passed by and blinked. “Am I interrupting something?”

Amber, without missing a beat “Just teaching Sunghoon the difference between bold and reckless.”

“Oh,” Sunghoon said, eyes still on her. “Pretty sure I’m both.”

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ🪷་༘࿐

A little later, after takeoff had been cleared and everyone was settling in, yumi wandered into the galley where karina, amber, and yn were catching their breath before takeoff.

“Okay,” Yumi said, clapping her hands once. “I need to know, who made the playlist?”

Karina raised her hand. “It was me. I spent a questionable amount of time creating it.”

“It’s giving… soft main character energy,” Yumi said approvingly. “I almost cried and we haven’t even taken off.”

“I almost cried because someone put four versions of the same song on there,” Amber muttered.

Yn grinned. “To be fair, one’s acoustic and that’s a whole different emotional journey.”

Yumi laughed and leaned her hip against the counter. “This is honestly the best flight energy we’ve ever had. You guys are so cool.”

Karina smiled. “We try.”

Amber raised her water bottle. “To no mid-air meltdowns.”

Yumi raised her invisible drink. “And no matcha disasters.”

They all burst into laughter, the vibe casual, warm, and full of lowkey chaos—just the way Yumi liked it.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ🪷་༘࿐

Two hours later, back near the lounge area, heeseung stepped out from the cabin bathroom, spotting Yn near the crew curtain. His eyes lit up instantly.

“Hey,” he said, casually strolling over like he had nowhere else to be.

Yn looked up. “You again.” playfully rolling her eyes.

He feigned offense. “You wound me. I thought we bonded.”

“Over you admitting your smoothie tastes like sadness? yea sure.”

“Exactly,” he said, grinning. “And yet I’m still here, charming and full of vitamin C.”

Yn crossed her arms, eyebrows raised. “You’re not sneaking snacks, are you?”

“Nope,” he said, inching a little closer. “But if I did, would you tackle me again? Or was that a one time offer?” giving her a playful smirk.

Yn raised an eyebrow. “Depends. Your into public humiliation???”

He blinked. “Wow. That escalated quickly.”

“You asked for it.”

“Yeah,” Heeseung said, tilting his head. “And I kind of don’t want it to stop.”

They stared at each other for a beat too long. His smirk was lazy, his bambi eyes soft but undeniably flirty.

Yn shook their head with a smile and rolling her eyes, walking past him toward the galley. “You’re lucky you’re not ugly.”

He turned, watching her go. “So you think I’m cute???”

“Not what I said uglyy.”

“sure sure miss bossy.”

༘˚⋆ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁༉‧༘˚⋆ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁༉‧༘˚⋆ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁༉‧༘˚⋆ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁༉‧༘˚⋆ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁༉

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 — taglist :: @heesexual74 @starbyeol1512 @naevisringring @urmomssneakylink @lovenha7 @ari3ll4 @t1iqaa @gweoriz @millis-diary @androgynouscrownorbit @reibelhearts @melodiessvy @desssss-0

>ᴗ< authors note — ALOT of written chapt r coming so pls b prepared to read some shitting writing 😇😇💔 but taglist is still opened!!!!!!

[pascalislove]

THE CALL: Han Jeong-Won x Fem!Reader~4

Summary: Your arrival would change everything, even if Jeong-Won didn't know it yet.

The living room was completely silent. Y/N was sitting on the couch, petting Loki, while Jeong-Won stood with his arms crossed and his usual cold expression.

"We need to establish some clear rules," he said firmly. Y/N raised an amused eyebrow. -Rules? “What are we, roommates?” Y/N asked. "First rule: don't come into my room," he said without humor.

—What do you have there? A treasure? —she mocked. —Second rule: physical contact only in public if necessary. Third: do not interfere in my personal life. Y/N let out a sarcastic laugh.

—Wow, how romantic. Are you also going to give me a schedule to smile? Jeong-Won clenched his jaw.

—This is a business, don't forget it. She stood up, facing him with a defiant smile. "Understood, Mr. Han. But if we're going to spend a year together, you should relax." I don't bite...unless provoked. Jeong-Won frowned at her, but didn't say anything else.

The afternoon was warm and bustling in the Gangnam shopping center.

—Do you often come to places like that? —Y/N asked as she looked at the shop windows full of lights and colors. —No. “I prefer to shop online,” he responded without taking his eyes off the road. “What a surprise… you avoiding people,” Y/N joked with a smile. Jeong-Won ignored the comment, but Y/N noticed his lips tighten, perhaps holding back a sarcastic response. When they arrived at the central plaza of the mall, a pair of figures caught Y/N's attention.

A tall, elegant woman, dressed in designer clothing, walked confidently alongside an attractive man with a charming smile.

Seo Yeon.

Y/N had seen photos of her, but in person her presence was even more intimidating. What really surprised him was the man next to him: Yun Ji Woo, Seo Yeon's so-called "new husband."Jeong-Won immediately tensed as he recognized his ex-wife. His hands clenched into fists, although he tried to hide it. “Jeong-Won, long time no see,” Seo Yeon said with a sharp smile as he approached. “Seo Yeon,” he replied in a neutral voice, although Y/N sensed the tension beneath his cold facade. "Oh, and who is she?" Seo Yeon asked, feigning curiosity as she looked at Y/N. “My wife,” Jeong-Won answered firmly, wrapping his arms around Y/N's waist almost possessively. Y/N, surprised by the gesture, quickly recovered and smiled back at Seo Yeon.

—Hello, I'm Y/N. Pleased to meet you. Seo Yeon raised an eyebrow in obvious disdain, but before she could respond, Yun Ji Woo intervened with a friendly smile.

—It's a pleasure to meet you, Y/N. I am Yun Ji Woo, Seo Yeon's husband. Jeong-Won seemed to stagger slightly at those words, although he maintained his rigid posture. -Husband? he asked with barely contained disbelief. “Yes, we recently got married,” Seo Yeon said, linking her arm with Ji Woo's in a theatrical manner. Didn't they tell you? Jeong-Won gritted his teeth, but Y/N noticed the slight tremor in his hand. Despite everything, it still hurt him to see her with another man.What Jeong-Won didn't know was that this "new husband" was nothing more than a piece in Seo Yeon's cruel game. Ji Woo had been hired by her, not because she loved him, but to make sure that Jeong-Won could never forget her, to hurt him right where it hurt the most. “Congratulations,” Jeong-Won said with forced coldness. “Thank you,” Ji Woo responded, maintaining his impeccable smile. When they finally said goodbye, Jeong-Won let out a tense sigh as Y/N watched him silently.

-Are you ok? she asked, softening her usual mocking tone. "Perfectly," he lied while adjusting his sunglasses. Y/N, however, was not fooled. "You know...sometimes pretending like you don't care just makes it more obvious that you do care." Jeong-Won stopped, looking at her with his dark eyes filled with suppressed emotions.

—Don't get involved in this, Y/N. She raised her hands in surrender. "It's okay, Mr. Han. Just remember that I can pretend too... but maybe I'm not as bad at it as you." As they continued walking through the mall, Y/N decided that even if Jeong-Won tried to keep her in line, she would be there to show him that not everything in life was a cold war.

This story does not follow the plot of the series, tell me if you like it and if you want me to tag you in the chapters🫶

THE CALL MASTERLIST

Tag list:

@anamiad00msday

[eiralunaire]

Damian Wayne and Reader go on a "date" to a scary park.

It was an October night, the cold wind making the dry leaves crunch under your feet as you and Damian walked towards the scary amusement park, lit by flashing lights and red neons. Damian, always impeccable in his black leather jacket and a controlled expression, followed closely behind you. His thoughts were far from the idea of ​​a “casual” outing. To him, this was a *date*, though he hadn’t decided yet if he should mention it. His feelings for you put him on extra alert, always maintaining outward composure but with a storm of internal thoughts. Should he say something? Or should he continue acting like it was just a friends’ outing?

**“It’s a date. There’s no doubt about that,”** he repeated internally, casting a discreet glance towards you, who were walking happily beside him. **“He’ll be scared first, for sure,”** he thought with a small smile hidden in the corner of his lips, imagining what could happen in the park’s horror houses.

For your part, you were completely unconcerned. To you, this was just a fun night. The idea of ​​a scary amusement park delighted you, and you were more than ready to experience the adrenaline rush of scares. "This is just an outing with Damian to have a good time," you told yourself, not noticing his deeper intentions.

Before they left for the park, Flatline, in his direct style, had made sure to give Damian a small "gift": a tiny ear communicator.

**"It'll do, trust me,"** Flatline said with a smile as he placed it in Damian's ear, who had reluctantly accepted. He knew that Flatline only wanted to be aware of the "gossip" of the night. **"Just don't give me any of your inappropriate suggestions,"** he had warned, remembering his dark sense of humor.

Flatline, laughing as he walked away, had said, “Come on, Damian, relax a little. It’s not like I’m going to suggest something like… I don’t know… *give him oral in the house of mirrors*.” That was Flatline. Always taking everything to the extreme.

Damian sighed deeply, ignoring the comments and focusing on his goal: courting you, even though his pride told him he didn’t need Flatline’s help. However, the communicator was on, and Flatline was already listening to every single thing.

They arrived at the first attraction of the park: a house of terror with special effects. The doors creaked as they opened, and the atmosphere was filled with pre-recorded screams and shadows moving on the walls.

“You’re sure you won’t be scared before me, right?” Damian asked you, with a slight mockery in his voice, still observing every detail around him. Despite the gloomy atmosphere, he kept his posture firm and relaxed.

"Pff, don't get so excited. This is just for fun, you're not going to see me scream like a girl," you answered confidently, not noticing how he analyzed your every move.

In the background, Flatline let out a sarcastic comment: **"Oh, wow, Damian, looks like you're going to have to work harder to impress her."** Damian rolled his eyes, trying to ignore her.

They walked through rooms filled with strobe lights, narrow hallways, and actors jumping out of the shadows, but even though your heart was racing, you remained calm... for now.

"Are you scared?" Damian asked, clearly challenging you. But just then, a macabre figure came out of nowhere, and you let out a small gasp, jumping towards him, while Damian barely flinched.

"That doesn't count!" you said quickly, walking away as he looked at you with a small smile of victory.

**"You know, maybe you should take her to the house of mirrors. Maybe you'll like what you see in those reflections or whatever happens, wink, wink."** Flatline hinted over the communicator, obviously enjoying the entertainment.

Damian pressed his lips together, ignoring Flatline again and turned to you, hiding his growing affection with a neutral tone.

"Don't worry. Maybe I should protect you tonight," he suggested, but his gaze had a playful glint that you barely managed to notice. To you, it was still just a joke between friends. To him, every word, every gesture, was part of his plan to take this friends' outing to something more.

The ride continued with laughter, scares, and little moments where Damian couldn't help but look at you a little too long, while Flatline kept up with it, making jokes in the background that Damian tried hard to ignore. This "casual" outing for you was much more than that for him, but he would let you discover it at your own pace.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

As they made their way through the park, the flashing lights and terrifying creatures lurking around every corner kept causing a stir. The screams of other visitors mixed the atmosphere with a playful tension, but Damian barely reacted. His eyes were more focused on you, waiting with some amusement for the moment when you would get scared again. He couldn't help but feel a slight satisfaction every time he managed to keep his composure while you gave a little jump or made a muffled sound.

—"Don't laugh,"— you told him with a half smile, realizing that, although you tried to remain calm, the occasional scares were starting to affect you. The fact that Damian seemed immune only made you feel more competitive.

—"Laugh? I wouldn't do such a thing,"— he replied with a slight nod, although the small sparkles in his eyes betrayed his words.

They passed by an attraction called “The Labyrinth of Darkness,” an enclosed space filled with warped mirrors and seemingly endless hallways. Without hesitation, you decided that would be the next stop.

“Let’s go here, I bet you get lost first,” you said with a hint of mischief in your voice.

Damian raised an eyebrow, clearly accepting the challenge. **“Perfect. One more excuse to be close to her.”** He thought to himself, as Flatline once again butted into the conversation with his teasing tone.

**“Oh, the labyrinth. Great idea, Damian. Just don’t get so lost that you end up kissing her by accident. Or… is that what you’re hoping for?”** Damian didn’t bother to answer, gritting his teeth and moving on.

Inside the labyrinth, the lights flickered in green and red hues, casting strange shadows on the distorted mirrors that reflected their figures. You moved forward a little, confident that you could find the exit before him. But, as you moved forward, you realized how confusing the layout was. The mirrors distorted your face and the hallway seemed to stretch out, giving you an eerie feeling.

—"Ok… this is harder than I thought,"— you admitted, stopping to look around, and Damian, as always, seemed completely calm as he followed closely behind you.

—"Given up already?"— his tone was soft, but full of defiance.

Before you could answer, a dark figure moved in one of the mirrors. You let out a soft cry, thinking that someone had appeared out of nowhere, but upon looking closely, it was only a distorted reflection. You leaned against one of the mirrors for a moment, trying to calm your racing heartbeat.

Damian, on the other hand, didn't miss the opportunity to get a little closer to you, his voice soft and calm.

—"Don't worry. If you get lost, I'll find you."

You turned to look at him, and for a brief second, something in his tone made you doubt if he was really joking. There was an intensity in his gaze that you hadn't noticed before, as if he wasn't just talking about the labyrinth. You laughed nervously, trying to downplay the moment.

—"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. This is just a game, remember?"

Damian nodded, but the idea of ​​this being more than just a game was still lingering in his mind. **"A game... maybe. But for me, it's something more."** His thought was interrupted again by Flatline, who was still attentive to the development of the night.

**"Honestly, Damian, I don't know how you haven't kissed her already. What are you expecting, for me to ask you please?"** Flatline's laughter echoed in his ears, but Damian remained calm. You knew you didn't need to rush, that things would happen in their own time.

Eventually, you both found your way out of the maze, and though you had tried to hold your ground, you knew Damian had won that little battle of nerves.

—"Okay, I admit it. You won this time,"— you said with a resigned smile, while he simply looked at you with an expression of quiet victory.

—"It wasn't a competition,"— Damian muttered, although he clearly enjoyed your surrender.

With the park still vibrant around you, you decided that the next attraction needed to be something lighter. Before you could suggest anything, however, Damian looked at you with that intense gaze again, and this time he couldn't help it.

—"I don't know if you've noticed,"— he began to say in a low voice, making sure there were no interruptions at that moment. —"But this... isn't just a friends' outing for me."

You stood still for a second, surprised by his sudden comment, feeling how the atmosphere around you seemed to suddenly change. Although the park was still filled with lights and shouts in the background, the only thing you could hear at that moment was the beating of your own heart.

Damian kept his gaze fixed on yours, waiting for an answer. But before you could say anything, a soft but mocking laugh echoed in Damian's ear.

**"It's about time, Damian! I thought you'd never say it," Flatline commented, clearly enjoying the moment. **"Let's see what happens now. I'm waiting."**

Damian sighed, rolling his eyes as his gaze softened a bit.

"Is Nika... listening to all this?" you asked in amazement, the white-haired girl's powerful voice coming out of the earphone Damian was wearing, who you thought was only wearing an earplug for the entire ride.

The green-eyed one nodded, but without losing his focus on you.

"Don't listen to her. What's important is what you think."

The amusement park continued to spin around you, but for you, at that moment, the only thing that mattered was what was happening between the two of you. The lights, the sounds, everything slowly faded away as your mind processed what you had just heard.

As you analyzed Damian's words, trying to understand the meaning behind his confession, you were about to respond. Your thoughts were lining up, your mouth opening to say something, when suddenly a terrifying clown jumped out of nowhere behind you.

"Ah!" you let out a startled scream, as the clown, with a deep, sinister laugh, followed you with very fast, exaggerated steps, clearly enjoying his work.

His deep voice echoed as he said.

"Where do you think you're going? You can't escape!"

You circled around Damian quickly, trying to use him as a barrier between you and the clown. The clown, with his grotesque mask and stare, didn't seem willing to leave you alone, and you just wanted to get away from that terrifying figure.

Damian watched the scene with a mix of amusement and exasperation, until he saw that the scare was actually bothering you. Without saying a word, he took your hand firmly, pulling you away from the clown.

“Come on,” he said, with that characteristic calm, as he quickly led you towards the food court, leaving the costumed employee behind.

“Thanks,” you said, relieved but still laughing a little at your reaction. “That clown was starting to give me the creeps.”

“It was nothing I couldn’t handle,” Damian replied with an almost imperceptible smile, although deep inside he felt a slight satisfaction at having protected you, even in something so trivial. **“These kinds of situations bring us closer,”** he thought, his mind already calculating what could come next.

Flatline, who had been listening to everything, couldn’t resist.

**"Oh, Damian! How romantic! 'Come, take my hand and escape from the scary clown.' If that's not worthy of a movie, I don't know what is."** Her mocking voice echoed in his ear, but Damian just ignored it.

They arrived at a horror-themed food stand, where everything seemed to be shaped like skulls or monsters. They bought some things to eat, and the atmosphere became more relaxed again as they sat down to enjoy their snacks. It was hard not to feel good in that strange mix of scares and laughter that the park offered.

Finally, the night began to end, and they both decided it was time to leave. They were walking towards the exit, commenting on the best scares of the night, when suddenly the same clown that had scared you before appeared again. This time, you weren't willing to let him take you by surprise.

"Not again!"you said with determination, taking out a small bag of confetti that you had bought at a souvenir shop in the park. Damian had gotten it for you as part of a joke so you could “get revenge” for any future scares.

Just as you were about to throw the confetti at the clown, he stopped and slowly took off his mask. What appeared before your eyes was not the grotesque face you had imagined, but a man with incredibly handsome features. His black hair fell slightly messy over his forehead, and his blue eyes sparkled under the lights of the park. He had a charming smile, far removed from the scary character he had played all night.

“Do you have something for me?” the now ex-clown asked, in a much softer and more seductive voice. “Nice to meet you, I’m Ares.”

You stood completely perplexed, frozen for a second as you lowered the hand holding the confetti.

“Uh… I…” you began to stammer, clearly surprised by the unexpected transformation.

Ares gave you a knowing smile before saying.

“Sorry if I scared you so much earlier, it was part of the job. Everything okay?”

Damian watched the scene in silence, but the discomfort was palpable in his expression. He hadn’t expected the clown to turn out to be someone so striking, and the attention Ares was giving you wasn’t pleasing at all. His eyes narrowed slightly, and although he didn’t say anything, it was clear that he wasn’t enjoying the moment.

And, as expected, Flatline couldn’t contain himself.

**“Ha! This is pure gold, Damian! What’s wrong, wonder boy? Jealous of a handsome clown? Come on, I’m sure she’s just being nice, but did you see her face? I don’t know what she looks like but it must be great from that babbling of hers. Oh, I have to bother you with this for weeks.”**

Damian almost grimaced, but he kept his cool. He squeezed the hand that was still holding yours a little, as if to remind you of his presence.

“It’s late. We should get going,” he said, effectively cutting off the conversation between you and Ares, his tone sharper than usual.

Ares raised an eyebrow, clearly picking up on the tension, but smiled anyway. “Well, take care of yourselves. It was fun scaring you,” he told you, winking at you before turning around and disappearing into the shadows of the park.

Once outside the park, and with the atmosphere much calmer, you let out a nervous laugh, trying to soften the moment.

"Well, that was... unexpected."

Damian didn't say anything at first, just glanced at you out of the corner of his eye, clearly still upset.

"What? Are you upset because I was handsome?" you asked him, amused to see the prominent frown he threw at you.

"It's not relevant," she answered, although her tone hinted otherwise.

Flatline, laughing in Damian's ear, added her last comment to close the night: **"It definitely is, Damian. It definitely is."**

As they left the terrifying park, the silence remained for a long time as they walked towards Damian's motorcycle parked in the parking lot. He was walking with his hands in his pockets at your side, his gaze forward with his neutral expression, except for the frown that betrayed his bad mood when he saw your expression upon seeing the face of the masked clown. You decided not to comment anything about it, although Ares seemed handsome to you, you weren't going to say it in front of the green-eyed man because there would be a chance that he would get annoyed and abandon you in the middle of nowhere just to get rid of "an inconvenience". After a few more minutes of silence, Damian broke the silence.

"So..."

"So?" You asked back, encouraging him to continue gently.

"About what I told you."

"Yes?"

"What do you think about it?"

You thought a little more, you knew what he meant, what he said a while ago definitely stayed in your mind, but you just wanted to leave it as something casual that the dark-haired man said, you were sure that wasn't the case, much less when it comes to Damian because he means anything he says. But you didn't want to think about that, at least you would ask Flatline first and gather information so as not to jump to hasty conclusions.

"I think I'll first make you an essay on slides about what I think and present it to you." The green-eyed man raised an eyebrow and smiled mockingly.

"Oh yeah?"

“Then I'll have to see your presentation, in order, clean, with margins and with images so you can explain it in detail. Without errors.”

“Hey, it's a casual presentation with slides, not the final delivery of a project to go on vacation.”

“Now the presentation will be serious.”

You push Damian's shoulder while you laugh amused to see his serious face when he says that, it makes you laugh and scare you if he gives the slides a lower grade, if that happens you throw the player at his beautiful face.

[xcherryerim]

A kiss On the Lips

Derek x chubby gn!reader | wc: 3.1k

“And if it feels right, promise I don’t mind. And if it feels right, promise I’ll stay here all night” — Let Me Love You by Ariana Grande

SMUT ONE SHOT | MDNI | +18 ONLY

Warning: Sexual tension | oral sex (to reader) | unprotected sex | penetration | light spanking | a bit of aftercare. | porn with plot

If you wanna go directly to the smut look for the “…”

As you continued to prepare drinks for the eager patrons, your hands grew weary, but there was no time for rest. This was no ordinary night; Derek Danforth, the wealthy and notorious playboy had decided to splurge on a round of drinks for the entire club. Glancing at the impeccably dressed man with blonde highlights, his fishnet shirt adorned with sparkling diamonds, and a black coat was surrounded by an entourage of stunning models. You couldn't help but let out a wry chuckle. Just another night at the club, you thought to yourself.

When you tried to get back to your work, your gaze quickly met his hazel eyes. Derek flashed you a dazzling smile, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared right in front of you, leaning casually against the counter. 

Derek scanned the menu above you with a confident air before turning to face you once more, his smile unchanged. "Let me get a 'Kiss On The Lips,' please."

The unexpected request caught you off guard, but you tried to hide your surprise. With a deep breath, you regained your composure and replied, the corner of your lips raising lightly. 

"That's going to cost ya."

Raising an eyebrow, Derek slid onto a nearby stool, his gaze locked on yours as he queried, "How much?"

You leaned against the counter and without missing a beat you responded. "Fifty bucks." 

His eyes widened slightly, seemingly surprised by your bold response. "For a drink?"

Surprised by his reaction, you couldn't resist the urge to chuckle at his expense. "Oh, it's a drink?! I must admit, I've never heard of that one before." The corner of your mouth curved into a playful grin as you watched him burst into laughter, the sound echoing throughout the bustling club.

Recovering from his fit of giggles, Derek shook his head, still chuckling softly. "You thought I meant..." he trailed off, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

With a wink, you retorted, "Yeah, sorry. I should've known better, seeing as how you have a certain... type." Your attention shifted towards the VIP section where the models were dancing and sipping their drinks, unable to hide your amusement at the sight.

Derek raised an eyebrow, his expression turned more serious despite the lingering twinkle in his eyes. "What are you implying?"

You got closer, your eyes scanning the new sight of him. "I mean, I'm not a model." You shrugged, chuckling as your clothes clung tight to your curvy body from the hot atmosphere of the bar, a sight that wouldn’t go unnoticed by Derek. 

He bit his rosy lips and stared at your form longer than intended. "Are you kidding? You're way past attractive," 

"Hey, wow, I never said I wasn't," you returned, flashing a proud grin in return. "But you prefer models."

Derek's hazel eyes flickered over you, appraisingly, before he responded, "There are models your size. And bigger." A faint smile played on his lips as he subtly traced his fingers along the contours of your hand, his touch both teasing and intimate.

"You'd make a good one, actually...and your hands are quite beautiful too," With a sense of reverence, he delicately traced the lines of your fingers, drawing out each touch as if savoring every moment.

 "You'd make a great hand model as well..." His voice trailed off, lost in thoughts of your nimble fingers exploring his body, teasing and pleasuring him in ways that left him wanting.

You rolled your eyes at his flattery, trying to keep things professional. "All that charm won't get you a free drink." You attempted to maintain a stern facade, but the heat in your cheeks gave away your true feelings.

Derek's eyes twinkled with mischief as he proposed, his voice velvety smooth, "How about this? If you give me a 'kiss on the lips' after I finish my drink, you'll reward me with another kiss for being such a 'good boy.' And then..." His fingertips trailed along your knuckles, making your knees weak. "I take you to the dance floor and then, we finish the day off with you taking me home?"

You stood there, processing his words, uncertainty clouding your thoughts. Was he truly serious about this proposition? But the way his eyes lingered on you, tracing your form, and the subtle hint of pink in his cheeks left no doubt. Derek was dead serious.

You nodded in agreement, focusing on preparing the drink while avoiding eye contact. Your hands trembled slightly, a mix of nervousness and excitement causing your pulse to race. Derek's proposition was bold, and you found yourself torn between curiosity and caution.

He snickered, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Why so shy now? I don't bite." He smiled innocently, but the promise in his voice was anything but innocent. "Unless you want me to."

He winked a sly challenge hanging in the air as he patiently waited for his drink. You couldn't help but feel drawn to him, the allure of danger and passion swirling around him like a magnetic force.

As soon as you finished mixing the concoction, Derek took a sip, his full lips moving sensuously around the rim of the glass. You found yourself mesmerized by the sight, eager for the promise of his next kiss.

When Derek finally set the empty glass aside, you leaned in close, your heart pounding in your chest as the electricity between you reached a fever pitch. His lips were warm and inviting, urging you to lose yourself in the moment. The kiss deepened,  sparks flying as tongues intertwined.

Breathless and panting from the intensity, you reluctantly pulled away, gazes locked on each other, admiring their mutual disheveled image. Derek's eyes danced with lust as he whispered hoarsely, "Now, can I take you to dance?"

You hesitated for a moment, the thrill of the unknown coursing through your veins. Nodding, you allowed yourself to be swept away by the music, joining Derek on the dance floor. The pulsing beats fueled your passion, and you found yourself lost in the sensuality of the moment.

His strong arms wrapped around you, pressing your body tightly against his. The heat of his touch sent waves of desire through you, and you couldn't help but notice the evidence of his desire pressed against your rear.

You teased him gently, your voice dripping with flirtation. "Having fun?"

Derek's response was a low murmur, filled with unbridled hunger that made your heart race. "Oh, you have no idea," he whispered, his left hand resting possessively on your hip while his right hand gripped your ass cheek, drawing you even closer.

As the night wore on and the club began to wind down, Derek's eyes darkened with desire as he looked at you, the longing in his gaze unmistakable. He ran his hand through his hair, a nervous gesture that belied his usual confidence.

"Let's go to your place," he suggested, hastily shrugging on his black coat. You raised an eyebrow, aware of the stark contrast between your humble apartment and his lavish estate. 

"Why not yours?" you asked curiously, wondering why he chose your home over his.

Derek's expression softened, a hint of sadness flickering in his eyes before disappearing as quickly as it came. "It'll be nice to be somewhere else that isn't home..." he murmured, his voice tinged with melancholy that piqued your interest.

Before you could probe further, he gently lifted your chin, his fingers firm yet tender. "Let's go," he whispered, his breath warm against your skin. There was a sense of urgency in his voice, a need that spoke volumes about his desire for you. "I can't wait much longer."

… 

"Mmh... oh, fuck!" Derek exclaimed, his voice barely above a whisper as he ravaged your lips in a desperate kiss. As soon as you opened the door to your apartment, he wasted no time unbuttoning your uniform, his hands trembling with anticipation. The intensity of his kiss left you breathless, struggling to catch your breath.

"Where?" he asked between frantic kisses, his eyes searching for guidance in the dimly lit room.

You managed to point towards the bedroom, your voice barely audible above the sound of his lips crashing on yours. Satisfied with your answer, Derek continued to kiss you with reckless abandon, guiding your body toward the room with a sense of urgency that bordered on desperation.

Finally, he threw you gently onto the bed, landing on top of you with a primal need that left you gasping for air. The weight of his body pressed against yours, and you could feel the evidence of his desire through his pants.

His trembling lips trailed down to your neck, nuzzling the sensitive skin as he discarded the long-sleeved shirt you wore. His hands roamed over your body, and you felt a surge of excitement and anticipation that left you breathless. Through his groans and the hickeys he left behind, you could just make out the words, "You smell so good."

As you ran your fingers through his curls, you watched Derek's reaction, his body melting under your touch. It wasn't until you tightened your grip slightly that he reacted, releasing a guttural moan that shook his entire frame. Surprise and confusion crossed his features, his dilated pupils fixated on your face.

Without warning, Derek's skilled fingers worked their way across your zipper, swiftly undoing it. Gasps escaped your lips as he did the same with his clothing, revealing his arousal beneath.

"Can you face fuck me?" he demanded abruptly, his eyes locking onto yours. The change in his tone was unmistakable; this wasn't a request for permission but a claim of what he desired.

Surprised by the sudden shift, you stammered, "What?" before realizing the implications of his words. Before you could protest further, he peeled away the rest of your clothing, revealing your naked form beneath.

"You're lucky," he whispered hoarsely, his voice tinged with a husky timbre. "I'm usually the one doing the face fucking, not the other way around... but,”

He parted your legs, his eyes gleaming with forbidden hunger. His eyes locked with yours, filled with raw desire and a promise of pleasure yet to come. 

“I want to be choked between your thighs as I taste you."

His eyes locked with yours, and you felt a wave of desire wash over you, catching your breath in your throat. There was a mix of shock and excitement at his request, but the allure of his suggestion was impossible to deny. Nodding in agreement, you encouraged him to proceed, curiosity getting the best of you.

Derek's eyes darkened, and you felt a deep sense of intimacy as his gaze never left yours while he positioned himself between your legs. His lips gently grazed your skin, sending shivers down your spine. As his talented tongue began to explore, each delicate flick and swipe, created a sensation that was unlike anything you'd ever experienced.

The tips of his fingers lightly brushed against the throbbing between your legs, eliciting gasps from you. His rhythm was steady, yet passionate, his tongue delving deeper, coaxing you higher and higher with each pass. Your breath became uneven, mingling with the sounds of his eager exploration.

As the intensity built within you, so did the connection between you two. You could feel Derek's focus solely on pleasing you, the lovemaking becoming a dance of sorts, a beautiful exchange of pleasure and desire. Each lick, suckle, and nibble drove you wilder, your body arching in response.

you reached out and ran your fingers through his hair, holding him in place with a firm grip. Your moans grew louder and more intense, and your thighs instinctively wrapped around him, pulling his head closer, and urging him to delve deeper into the forbidden territory. Your fingers dug into his curls, silently begging him to continue as the pleasure built within you.

Derek moaned loudly, his arousal growing with every sound you made. Wrapping his arms around your thighs, he pulled you closer, positioning himself perfectly between your legs. His tongue darted and swirled, sending waves of pleasure coursing through your body like wildfire.

Derek tapped your thighs, signaling the need for air. Reluctantly, you released him, your eyes drawn to the mixture of fluids and saliva coating his mouth and chin. There was something undeniably erotic about the sight, its raw nature turning you on even more.

He panted heavily as he commanded, "Get on fours." Without protest, you complied, laying your stomach flat on the bed while your legs dangling off the side. The vulnerability you felt only added to the excitement building within you.

Derek admired the view from behind, his eyes tracing the curves of your body. "So big..." he murmured, biting his lip in anticipation. His large hands smacked your ass, the stinging sensation leaving a clear mark on your skin. Each strike was deliberate, designed to heighten your arousal even further.

He admired the sight of his length disappearing between your rounded behind, and you could tell he was struggling to maintain control. A low, pained whimper escaped him, the sound raw and genuine. It seemed as though he'd been yearning for this moment since the very first time he'd laid eyes on you at the bar.

With renewed vigor, Derek began thrusting, his movements fierce and unrestrained. "God," he breathed out the words, the phrase echoing in your ears. "I can't get enough of you," he said, his nails digging into your love handles as a testament to his desire and the intensity of the moment.

The room was now filled with the sounds of skin slapping against each other, a symphony of uncontrolled whimpers, and your hungry moans. 

"Don't hold back, let me hear you, baby," Derek panted, his voice barely above a whisper. His words were a command, an invitation to let loose and give yourself to the pleasure completely. As he sank even deeper inside you, your body convulsed, the intensity growing with each thrust.

You countered his statement with a smirk, "You can do better than that," your words laced with challenge, goading him further into the realm of pleasure.

Chuckling, Derek responded, "Is that so?" His smirk only grew wider. "Fine. Hands behind your back." He quickly seized your wrists, guiding them into place and holding them firmly. With each thrust, he increased the force, his body moving in a cadence that pushed you to the brink of madness.

"Louder," he commanded, his voice taking on a different tone when he whispered your name, tinged with a hint of neediness. The demand was evident in the tone of his voice, and you knew that obeying would only fuel the fire raging between you both.

"Let me hear you," he insisted, his authority unmistakable. Your body trembled, anticipation building with each word and thrust.

You cried out in pure pleasure, your voice echoing through the room as Derek's thrusts became more forceful. His command had pushed you beyond any limits you thought existed, driving you to new heights of ecstasy. Your body writhed beneath him, your moans filling the space as he continued to dominate you in every sense of the word.

The tension built, each second drawing you closer to your climax. With each thrust, your ecstasy grew, coupled with the knowledge that Derek's release was near. He leaned forward, pressing his lips to your ear, the heat of his breath mingling with yours.

His voice was a rough, desperate growl as he declared, "I bet all our neighbors can hear you, I bet they all know what a dirty little slut you are." The words were tinged with pride and possession, his grip tightening on your wrists as if to emphasize his claim.

You giggled despite yourself, the playfulness in your voice belied the intensity of the situation. "I bet they can hear you too."

"How can't they?" Derek retorted, his eyes gleaming with devilish delight. With a resounding slap, he struck your ass, the sting only adding to the pleasure. "If I'm fucking this sweet thing of yours."

He paused, admiring the sight before him. Tracing his hand along your ass, he marveled at the hickeys on your neck and the marks covering your body. "You're already hot, but you look even hotter with my marks all over you." The admission was equal parts tender and possessive, a testament to his need for dominance and control.

You began to sway your hips in tandem with his thrusts, your movements teasing his length with every motion. Derek groaned loudly, his body tense with anticipation. His eyes remained glued to the sight unfolding before him.

"Oh, yeah," he muttered, his eyes glued to the sight. "Thrust against my cock." His voice was a plea, a silent command that you couldn't ignore. With a wicked smile, you obliged, matching his movements with your own. Each thrust sent waves of pleasure coursing through both of you, the rhythm intensifying as you fed off each other's energy.

Derek bit his lip, his eyes gleaming with lust as he watched the spectacle unfold. The room was alive with the sounds of your bodies connecting, the evidence of your passion on full display for anyone with the courage to peek inside. 

Time seemed to slow down, each moment stretching into eternity as you lost yourself in the dance of flesh and desire. The world outside faded away, leaving only the two of you to revel in your primal connection. As you moved together, Derek's hands traced the marks he'd left on your body, a visual testament to the night you shared.

After several minutes of intense passion, Derek found his release, burying himself deep within you as warmth flooded your core. His body shook, his breaths becoming ragged as he sought to regain control. He continued to thrust, prolonging the sensation until you too reached your peak. Together, you rode the waves of pleasure, surrendering to the power of your connection.

Once spent, you both collapsed on the bed, your bodies sticky and slick with sweat and passion. Derek's head fell onto your thighs, the same limbs that had choked him moments earlier. His breaths were shallow, his heartbeat slowing down to a normal rhythm. He pressed a gentle kiss to your skin, the gesture charged with meaning and gratitude.

Contentment washed over both of you as you lay there, catching your breath. His lips curved into a satisfied smile, his eyes filled with affection. He offered a soft yet meaningful remark, "This feels nice."

With a smile, you continued to caress his hair, enjoying the quiet moment of intimacy that followed the frenzy of desire. Your fingers ran through his locks, a soothing gesture that spoke volumes about the connection you shared.

Thank you for reading!

If you only want to see my smut work, consider following @xxxcherryerim where I reblog my work!

btw sorry if this was lowkey bad but i been feeling shitty the whole week idk why.

taglist: @freak-accident419 @joshhutchersonsgf @valreanakuroo @jhutch-bf @cassiecasluciluce @jhutchismyl0verb0y (if you want to be added let me know!)

[wowzer-bowzer]

Title: A Parisian Encounter

Summary: You and Paige meet at Paris fashion week

The streets of Paris buzzed with an energy that felt almost electric as you stepped out of your hotel, your heart racing with anticipation. The air was crisp and laced with the scent of freshly baked croissants, wafting from nearby patisseries, inviting you into the romantic embrace of the city. Today was a landmark event—your debut at Paris Fashion Week. The thought of mingling with the elite of fashion, cinema, music, etc. sent shivers down your spine, a blend of excitement and nerves dancing in your stomach like butterflies.

Dressed in a sleek black dress that hugged your silhouette just right, you felt an air of sophistication. As you approached the venue, a magnificent structure that blended contemporary artistry with classic Parisian architecture, you couldn’t help but marvel at the grandeur surrounding you. The cacophony of cameras clicking, voices murmuring in various languages, and the occasional burst of laughter set the perfect backdrop for your first day.

Taking your seat in the front row, you glanced around, soaking in the illustrious atmosphere. The dimming lights signaled the beginning of the show, and as the first model stepped onto the runway, you were entranced. But amidst the waves of fabric and the rhythm of heels clicking against the floor, a familiar figure caught your eye.

Paige Bueckers, the basketball prodigy and rising star, slipped into the seat beside you. Draped in an oversized, yet impeccably tailored purple blazer, she exuded confidence and charm. The air around her seemed to hum with excitement, and you felt a rush of warmth at her presence.

“Wow, you look amazing! What brings you here?” Paige asked, her eyes sparkling with genuine curiosity as she leaned in.

“I’m here for the fashion…obviously,” you replied, a playful smile dancing on your lips. “It’s my first time at Fashion Week, so I’m just soaking it all in.”

Paige nodded, clearly excited. “You picked the right place! It’s a whirlwind, but I love every minute of it. Speaking of love, how about dinner after this? I’d love to hear more about your projects.”

Caught off guard by a wave of different thoughts, you hesitated. The glimmer in her eyes was infectious, but you felt a sudden wave of shyness. “Oh, I really should focus on networking and getting to know people,” you said lightly, hoping to keep the mood bright.

“Fair enough,” she replied, her smile unwavering, though a flicker of disappointment passed through her gaze. “Maybe next time?”

The show continued, but you could feel the tension lingering between you, the unspoken possibilities hanging in the air like a tantalizing perfume.

The next day dawned bright and clear, the sun casting a warm golden hue over the bustling streets of Paris. As you made your way to the next venue, the anticipation of seeing Paige again quickened your heartbeat. The city felt alive, with the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze and the distant sound of laughter ringing through the air.

Seated once more in the front row, you scanned the crowd, and soon enough, Paige appeared, her aura magnetic as she waved excitedly from across the room. Dressed in a striking ensemble that showcased her unique style, she maneuvered through the throng of admirers with effortless grace until she reached you.

“Look who it is!” she beamed, her eyes lighting up as she took her seat. “Didn’t think you’d come back!”

“Of course! I can’t get enough of this place…plus, this is the whole reason I’m here,” you joked, her enthusiasm enveloping you.

As the show commenced, you found yourselves deep in conversation. Paige spoke animatedly about the latest trends, her passion infectious. “I love how fashion can tell a story, you know? Like, each piece has a life of its own,” she mused, her fingers tapping lightly on the armrest in rhythm with her excitement.

After the last model made her walk, the crowd erupted in applause, and Paige turned to you, her expression hopeful. “So, about that dinner? I like talking wit you, and want spend some more time together.”

You felt a pang of temptation. The idea of spending time with her was appealing, but you wanted to keep the allure alive. “I appreciate it, really, but I’m swamped with meetings and press stuff,” you said, trying to keep your tone light, though you could see the disappointment flickering in her eyes.

“Got it! I understand,” she said quickly, her smile faltering for a moment before she rallied. “Maybe next time then?”

The two of you continued chatting, but the air felt charged, a sense of something unfulfilled lingering just beneath the surface. You could see the passion and determination in her eyes, but for now, you felt compelled to maintain the mystery between you.

As the final day of Fashion Week unfolded, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. You arrived at the venue, your heart fluttering at the thought of what was to come. The excitement of the past few days had created a whirlwind of connections and memories, but it was your growing connection with Paige that lingered most prominently in your mind.

You spotted her almost immediately as she made her way through the crowd, her energy undeniable. Dressed impeccably in a sleek outfit that showcased her unforgettable style, she approached you with a gleam in her eyes. “You look incredible today!” she exclaimed, her lively energy reeling you in, allowing your already excited nature to reach a new peak.

“Why thank you. You look good yourself, as always,” you replied, feeling a familiar warmth bloom in your chest.

As the final models glided down the runway, the energy in the room reached a fever pitch. When the last designer took their bow, the applause roared through the venue. Turning to you, Paige leaned in with an earnest expression. “So, may I finally get that chance, to take you out. I would love to spend some of my final hours here in Paris with you,” she says, her confident tone and charming smile, making it difficult for you to say no, once more.

You took a moment though, weighing the excitement bubbling within you against the thrill of the chase. This time, however, your heart spoke louder than your reservations. “You know what? Yes, let’s do it,” you replied, a smile breaking across your face, doing very little portray the actual amount of overwhelming joy you felt throughout your body and mind.

Paige’s face lit up, her grin wide and radiant. “Really? Awesome! I’ll make a reservation at this amazing little bistro I found. You’ll love it!”

As you left the venue, the Parisian sunset painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, and you felt the magic of the city wrap around you like a soft blanket.

The dinner was enchanting—a blend of laughter, shared stories, and the warmth of connection that felt effortless.

Over candlelight, you shared tales of your careers, dreams, and aspirations. Paige was as captivating off the court as she was on, her confidence radiating with every word. As the evening progressed, you found yourselves lost in conversation, the outside world fading away.

It felt as if you guys known each other your whole life. The conversation never having a dull moment, or awkward pocket of silence.

“So, do you ever feel like you’re in a movie? Besides when your actually filming for a movie,” Paige says, lightly giggling at her comment, “I mean, here we are, in Paris, during Paris Fashion Week, making our dreams come true, mingling with the highest of people,” her eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight.

“It definitely feels surreal,” you replied, feeling a giddy rush at the moment. “But it’s even better when you’re sharing it with someone who gets it. Someone, who can understand the insanity of what we’ve accomplished at such young and crazy points of our lives.”

By the end of the night, as you both left the bistro, the cool air felt refreshing against your skin. “Let’s keep in touch,” Paige said, her voice earnest. “I feel like there’s so much more to explore between us.”

In the weeks that followed, your lives began to intertwine more deeply. Text messages turned into long phone calls, and you both found joy in sharing the mundane and the extraordinary. You navigated the complexities of your careers together, each interaction deepening the bond that began at Paris Fashion Week.

A/N: I apologize for my two week hiatus. I was extremely stressed with school, and had to regather. Love you guys. Also Paige is so fine in that butterfly fit, just muah. 🤍

[blueberrybirdsworld]

Unspoken Attraction

I post 2 chapters today because I got more inspo, also sorry but I really like angst so be prepare to some fight between the two ;)

Enjoy :)

Warning : angst

Chapter 6: The Ball in Monaco 

The grand ballroom of Monaco’s most prestigious venue was a vision of elegance. Sparkling chandeliers cast their light across the polished marble floors, where an elite crowd of drivers, team principals, and their glamorous guests mingled. Y/N stepped through the gilded doors alongside Pierre, feeling the weight of the evening’s grandeur settle on her shoulders. 

Her emerald green gown shimmered with every step, the tailored fabric hugging her figure before cascading into soft folds that brushed the floor. She looked stunning, but her nerves gnawed at her. She didn’t want to be here, especially knowing who she might see. 

“Relax, Y/N,” Pierre said with a teasing smile. “You’re going to make jaws drop tonight.” 

She rolled her eyes, mustering a weak smile. “If by ‘jaws drop,’ you mean they’ll wonder why I’m here at all.” 

“Not a chance,” Pierre said firmly. “Just enjoy yourself, alright?” 

But as she stepped further into the room, her heart sank. From across the ballroom, she heard a familiar laugh—rich, warm, unmistakably Charles. She glanced over her shoulder and felt her stomach twist. 

There he was, dressed impeccably in a tailored tuxedo, his arm draped around the waist of a woman who looked like she belonged on a magazine cover. Her sleek gown hugged her curves, and her glossy hair fell perfectly over her shoulders. Charles leaned down, whispering something into her ear, his lips dangerously close to her skin. The woman threw her head back in laughter, her hand resting on his chest. 

What an asshole. 

Y/N’s jaw tightened, and she turned sharply to the champagne table. She took a glass and sipped, trying to quell the bitterness rising in her chest. Fine, she thought. If he wants to play games, I can play too. 

It didn’t take long for her to spot her target. Lando Norris stood near the bar, his boyish charm and playful grin lighting up his conversation with a group of drivers. He was perfect—a friend of Pierre’s, harmless enough, and, most importantly, guaranteed to annoy Charles. 

She approached with deliberate confidence, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Lando’s eyes lit up when he saw her. 

“Y/N!” he greeted, his grin widening. “Now this is a surprise. You look… wow.” 

She feigned modesty, glancing down at her gown. “You think?” 

“I know,” Lando said, his gaze trailing over her with open appreciation. “If Pierre knew you looked this good tonight, he’d be dragging you home to keep the vultures away.” 

She laughed lightly, stepping closer. “Good thing Pierre doesn’t get to decide who I talk to.” 

“Oh, I like this side of you,” Lando said, his tone teasing. “Rebellious. Careful, though. It’s dangerous.” 

“I think I can handle a little danger,” she said, her voice soft and flirtatious. 

Lando chuckled, clearly enjoying the attention. “Well, in that case, may I have the honor of a dance?” 

“You may,” she replied, taking his outstretched hand. 

On the dance floor, Y/N let herself relax. Lando was an easy partner, his movements lighthearted and confident. He kept her laughing with playful spins and exaggerated footwork, but his touch lingered longer than necessary—his hand settling at the small of her back, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin. 

“You’re a natural,” Lando said, his voice low as they swayed closer. 

“Don’t let Pierre hear you say that,” she quipped, smiling. “He still thinks I have two left feet.” 

“Pierre doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Lando murmured, his gaze meeting hers. “You’re full of surprises.” 

She laughed softly, but before she could respond, her peripheral vision caught a familiar figure. Charles stood by the edge of the dance floor, his sharp jaw clenched and his green eyes fixed on them. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his stance was palpable. 

Y/N turned her attention back to Lando, leaning closer. “You’re not bad yourself,” she said, her tone playful. “Where did you learn to dance like this?” 

“Secret,” Lando replied with a wink. “But I might be persuaded to teach you more.” 

The moment was interrupted by a low, clipped voice. “Mind if I cut in?” 

Y/N and Lando turned to see Charles standing just inches away, his expression a mixture of irritation and something darker. 

“Charles,” Lando said, surprised. “Uh, sure, mate.” 

Before Y/N could protest, Charles took her hand and led her off the dance floor, his grip firm but not rough. He didn’t stop until they were in a quiet hallway outside the ballroom. 

“What the hell was that?” Charles demanded, his voice sharp and accusing. 

“What was what?” she shot back, yanking her hand free. “I was having a good time.” 

“With him?” Charles spat, his eyes blazing. “He had his hands all over you.” 

“So?” she snapped, her chest heaving. “It’s none of your business.” 

“It is when he’s—” He stopped himself, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “You don’t know what you’re doing.” 

“Oh, please,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “And you do? Whispering in some girl’s ear like a sleazy playboy?” 

“That’s different,” he growled, stepping closer. “This isn’t about her.” 

“No, it’s about you being a hypocrite,” she said, her voice rising. “You rejected me, Charles. You told me I meant nothing to you. So why the hell do you care?” 

“Because I—” His voice broke, and he stared at her, his breathing uneven. “Because it drives me insane seeing you with someone else.” 

She blinked, stunned into silence. “You don’t get to say that. You don’t get to make me feel like this and then—” 

Her words were cut off as he stepped forward, his hands cupping her face. The tension between them snapped like a taut wire, and he kissed her—fierce, desperate, and consuming. Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she gave in, her hands clutching his jacket as she kissed him back with equal fervor. 

But then he pulled away, his forehead resting against hers as his breathing slowed. “This is a mistake,” he whispered, his voice raw. 

“No,” she said softly, her eyes searching his. “Charles—” 

He stepped back, his expression filled with regret and self-loathing. “I can’t… We can’t. I’m sorry.” 

Without another word, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the empty hallway. Y/N stood frozen, her chest tight and tears streaming silently down her cheeks. 

He was gone, leaving her shattered once again. 

Taglist : @linnygirl09

[optiwashere]

A2 Galeheart please🥰❤️

Wow, that's quite a surprising request! I've never written this ship before, so bear with me on this one lol. Thanks for asking for it, I had a lot of fun writing this one! 💜

---

A2. Cooking together (w/ Act One fun)

The freshly cleaned cooking pot hung from an iron rod over the camp's central fire. Shadowheart had pilfered it from one of the abandoned houses in the village, though she told herself it was because she was tired of raw vegetables and charred meat.

Steam drifted from the pot. A broth boiled within, filled with their supplies that were on the brink of edibility. The medley of root vegetables and fresh herbs forced Shadowheart to sit nearby and let the delicious scent wash over her.

She could pretend all she wanted to be a stoic ascetic. The first smell of that soup destroyed any willpower remaining.

The first night of real food in weeks was too good to pass up.

This was, of course, the sole reason she bothered hunting through the rotting, cobwebbed houses on the off chance that she just might discover anything that could be used for cooking.

"Ah, the aroma of a freshly started soup never ceases to amaze me," said Gale, his eyes closed. He knelt before the cooking pot with a ladle in one hand.

His focus on the soup matched his focus in all other things. The careful study in his eyes as he scanned each ingredient. Using a pinch of salt bought from the merchant in the grove, testing for flavoring as everything cooked together.

Shadowheart told herself it was in her best interest to study the habits of her companions.

In the event that she needed to extract information from them for her Dark Lady, knowing even these seemingly meaningless details could prove the difference between a successful interrogation and a failure.

So she studied him more.

Watched the way he ladled out a bowl for the first person to arrive at the fire with him.

He handed the bowl to Shadowheart.

She looked around and realized that nobody else had come to sit with him by the fire. How none of them could smell the mouthwatering food, she didn't know.

"For you," he said, "for sitting with me and assisting with the process."

"I did nothing," she scoffed. She still took the bowl. "Simply sat here and prayed."

"But that's just it, isn't it? A work of mundane magic loses its luster when there's no one to witness it."

Shadowheart snorted a brief laugh. "This soup is magic now? And you're the one creating it, that should count for something."

"It doesn't," said Gale simply. He gave her a faint, almost forlorn smile that lacked any light in his eyes. "But I never did thank you for finding the pot. A magician without his apparatuses can't exactly perform exciting magic, can he?"

"I nearly tripped over it," she lied, "so don't flatter yourself."

"Of course. I didn't realize goblins went around cleaning houses they raided."

"What?"

He chuckled, this time with real humor. "Oh, it's likely nothing. Just that you said you 'tripped over' the pot, which implies that you found it by happenstance. However, the pot you gave me was impeccably clean."

"Those aren't mutually exclusive," countered Shadowheart, looking down into the soup in her bowl. She counted carrot chunks.

"True," he admitted. "It is a curious thing though, isn't it?"

Shadowheart refused to answer him. She left with an annoying flare of recognition in her chest as she sat outside her tent by herself.

While she ate, she realized that he was absolutely, infuriatingly correct.

[oldsargasso]

pit babe movie stream of consciousness

staying up very very late to watch a movie recut of a show I've already seen several times…what a time to be alive.

Dean cleaning the helmet for sooo long kills me every time

forgot Babe blatantly hitting on Charlie immediarely like okay buddy. the first thing I notice about a stalker is how hot they are as well.

anybody else incredibly distracted by babe's tits in that tight white shirt

what DO they call you babe btw

my soul would genuinely leave my body trying to watch this in a cinema full of other people. I'm here clutching my chest and making squeaky noises how do people watch things normally

I'm genuinely insane over this like!!! the way charlie is kissing him the way babe is touching charlie's face. they were gone IMMEDIATELY. worth the price of admission for this extended scene tbh

forgot how insanely delightful everyone's faces are in the bar scene where Babe brings Charlie along for the first time

I love winner so muchhhhhh

the car winner uses for the drag racing is hot tbh the tyres??

the EYE CONTACT the SONG they are IN LOVE five minutes after meeting each other it's honestly wild

god this scene with the rosy dawn light coming in I CAN.NOT. it's so gorgeous. GIVE US THE LONGER SCENE YOU WOACRDS (<- not fixing this typo I love it)

dean's in his crime hoodie

I never noticed jeff's litle smile in thisd scene before! he knows he can do it!!

insaaaane watching this scene knowing charlie already knows all of it.

the little "well, I also want something from you" exchange is sooooo.

it doesn't have quite the same emotional weight coming so soon but goddd their first kiss still has me clutching at my heart. SO SOFT AND ALSO TENDER!!!!

babe's delicate soft curtains are p[erfect

tony's bonsai time is so deserving of being included regardless of plot-relevance of the conversation happenning

the fact that in this cut we see Kenta first in babe's flashback holding him to get hurt and then now as Tony's proper assistant sure is something

Alan the strongest man alive I would give Dean everything he wanted the moment he asked nicely HE DESERVES IT

"you're a promising young racer" so he HAS been racing already just not anything major

everyone's squeaky shoes on the garage floor is killing meeeee I've never noticed that before

PETE!!! is his suit not fitted correctly

bitchy way my beloved. the peanut gallery just like :D the whole time lmao

godddd the fact that charlie is the only one jeff lets close for so long 😭😭😭

"meditate" is that what the kids call it these days

I never noticed dean all in black for this race

I adore how the only time Kim looks pleased is right before they finish and he knows he beat babe for real

Winner is soooo delightful how can anyone hate him. so pathetic. so terrible.

babe being so overcome by charlie's steady belief in him…if anyoen needs me I'll be on the floor.

tony's pinstripe suit IMPECCABLE

charlie must be the fastest runner around

oh thank god they left the kim confronting winner scene in IT'S PERFECT (second only to the cigarette scene but alas)

jeff, way and dean all in x hunter gear during this scene when they're all on different sides itches my brain like crazy

charlie walking in and blocking dean out….chef's kiss

the way Way is trying to be like "wow Charlie's LYING to you" and babe's just like "they're brothers yay"

they left in the sponge bath scene kill me babe's little smile DEATH

just realised what's missing where's l;actasoy

"I don't care" he said, caring deeply

babe gives up soooo easy truly the babygirl of all time

honestly understandable from dean in the long run I too would try and murder someone who waltzed in and took the job I was gunning for just because they were sleeping with someone. and then babe's just like "sorry dean you're just not good enough" like! murder. acceptable tbh.

they need to put little nametags hovering over the cars in this scene for idiots like me who can't understand anything because all cars look the same

way in his sunnies god he's SOOOO pretty and soooo unimpressed by everything that is happening in front of him

the subtitle's translating phi as brother like. hm.

this scene under the stars is the prettiest scene ever. the headlights, the fog… gorgeous. THEY ARE IN LOVE BTW

COWARDS GIVE US THE MAMA/PAPA ROLEPLAY BEGINNINGS

way hates everything so much I love it

honestly insane of babe to light his cigarette off way's like NO WONDER way's in love with him

god this scene is exruciating. babe knowing and ignoring so they can stay best friends. way just hoping the whole time.

way's breakdown in the car deservedly included SO PRETTY

honestly wild that kim and babe are like half a room away and tony and co don't notice. there's a SHEER CURTAIN in between and then babe yells at charlie lmao

charlie giving babe the glass of water is such a great note in this scene

the fact that this is the first time they're mentioning babe's sense disapearing is hilarious tbh this movie cut is really for people who watched the show

locker room scene in the flashback my beloved

they dropped the child plotline but still kept the enigma mention in lmao AND THE "can mama not break up with papa" incredible

this is my favourite scene I think the HUG "you have to make up for it for the rest of your life" that's marriage actually

bloodied kim on his knees LOOKING RESPECTFULLY 👀👀👀

HOW is tony's security so bad. jeff is RIGHT THERE

Pete buying all the kids to save them 🥺 the only rich man who should be allowed to live

who's phone IS jeff using. I say kenta's

Pete immediately punching babe back is my favourite thing actually

Pete's casual "btw I am the most powerful guy around" and we don't even know he can read minds yet

Way bluescreening as Babe reveals Pete's an enigma. nut is SUCH a good actor

'Charlie ❤️' leave me here to die actually

it's the way Way is so CALM about it it's skin-crawling

at all times I am wondering why Tony values babe's powers over Way's. he can MIND CONTROL PEOPLE

it's midnight and there's still an hour to go. I could pause and continue tomorrow but no. we are committed.

way getting slapped and bent over the table is just for me actually 👀

Winner's smug face!!! that's my boy

jeff's lucky he established himself as very stoic because his reaction is like "oh well. I guess he died. 🫤"

wait I]m not emotionally capable of watching babe go trhough this

honestly pit babe having such a raw real depiction of grief is. I'm constantly thinking about it.

not enough Kenta in this cut but thankfully they left in him getting slapped until there's blood in his mouth. best scene.

way getting tossed around 👀 I am watching very respectfully

aww we didn't get the kim getting not rescued scene. this movie cut isn't great for north and sonic enjoyers (everyone)

pete's sweaters look so soft

babe appealing to kenta using their shared history my HEART

kenta! on! his! knees! kenta begging…. I will never be normal about this

imagine giving winner responsibilities 💀

pete dressing down by wearing a hoodie zipped alllll the way up

they really went "eh people will get the gist" when cutting these scenes lol. dean just straight up disappeared.

alan just leaving the kids behind I cannot get over that like WHAT are you doing

actually this would've been amazing in the show too if this was the first we saw of charlie after he died. this reunion lives in my mind forever the way babe's voice goes all wavery as he says charlie's name "when you weren't here, I wasn't happy at all" GOD. charlie starting to understand that he is important to babe because of WHO he is

they gave pete a chair but not way lol

I know its not the point but jeff's pants are like. perfect.

I hope winner is exactly the same in season 2 he's perfect 😌

I know that scene's not in this cut but what's the point of pete being so good with a bow and arrow if he can't also use a gun just as well. like one's a little more practical these days

KNIFE🔪 TIME 🔪 it's the best. that single tear… kill me as well actually

the fact that none of them even tried to crawl over to way while tony was monologuing they didn't even TRY

I forgive every flaw when babe cries so well and way is so pretty even dying

(god I'm so hungry but it's like 1am)

charlie kissing babe's stomach and babe calling him "dad" that's because babe's pregnant actually 🤠

LOCKERROOM SCENE AS THE POST CREDITS SCENE genius. give them an oscar right now.

final verdict: no regrets definitely worth ~$20 and staying up late for no reason

[i-love-sweet-william]

out of context pre-stozyers #7

it's been a long while. I have a lot of drafts that were just Not Done Enough that have been sitting around for...literal years at this point. but I decided to maybe try to post some anyway

so uhhh have Richie/stozier's early pov of Will + Notes

—

R: my roommate might legit be a zombie. I've never met anyone That dead inside before and I grew up with Bill (...do you think it's a William Thing??) dude's only tethered to the land of the living by like a few spider threads and a pot of coffee

S: wow. what a description. I'm sure he'd appreciate hearing that

R: hey do not snitch on me! you're not allowed to repeat the shit I confess in confidence!

-

R: I really think I can work with this. his music taste is impeccable and his band t-shirts are worn to optimal softness. this is gonna be a good final year. I can feel it. in my balls.

S: lovely

-

R: I can't tell if he's ignoring me or just mentally peaced out from brain matter withdrawal....or maybe he's listening to full albums in his head and my instrumental-less voice simply isn't worth pausing for. should I—

S: do not fucking serenade him in your dormitory just to test that theory.....at least do it outside so you can be properly witnessed and viciously mocked by the student body

R: you're so right, I'll report back to you tomorrow

-

R: (quietly) bro I swear to god I think he buys espresso off the black market to shoot directly into his veins like heroin.

S: is that really what you called to tell me. I'm hanging up—

R: wait wait wait! no okay listen, forget the zombie thing, I feel bad now, and I'm only telling you this because you'll never meet him and I can't just ask what's going on because I'm physically incapable of discussing Serious Shit in a Serious Way and I don't wanna make shit awkward the first week into the semester and it would be—

S: Richie.

R: right okay—

so listen. in a previous fandom, there was a character with Big Hospital Trauma and I...I used T shots to prompt angst. I had a trans guy who was chill about his shit like he wasn't trying to hide it or anything but also didn't feel the need to explain it unless asked, so the character with Hospital Trauma would see the needles or just the very specific marks left by needles and immediately assume the worst, that their new friend was secretly on death's door and would die shortly after they bonded.

Richie doesn't have hospital trauma but he still got worried that maybe whatever the medication was for was why Will had so little energy and felt a little bad about possibly having judged uh tHE EXHAUSTION OF FIGHTING SOME UNSPECIFIED CHRONIC OR TERMINAL ILLNESS (he previously assumed it was just exhaustion from moving in so it was fair game to mock). anyway Will's not sick but he is autistic and traumatized and fucking tired.

btw Will took a gap year so he's the same age as the losers but one year behind in college. that's not important. but I'm mentioning everything else why not go off on one more unnecessary detail. aight back to stozier dialogue

-

R: he gives me these serious "done with your shit" vibes—

S: you get those vibes from everyone.

R: ......okay, first of all, Rude. second, there are multiple types of "done with your shit" vibes, and his are like yours. like for instance today the way he begged me to shut the fuck up and tried to light me on fire with intense eye contact alone reminded me of you...almost feels like I'm at home.

S: he seems competent. I like him

-

R: Will shared caffeine with me today and I felt so fucking soft holy shit, I mean I'm saving it for tonight I didn't wanna crash in class [sometimes caffeine helps chill out ADHD people, some can even use it as a sleep aid, and I chose to give Richie that trait], but—

S: maybe he was trying to knock you out

R: what? nah.......oh shit maybe....no......you think— 

-

R: b..bro. y'know th.....y'know that Eyebrow Thing Ben does when he's...really into some poetry shit. W—Will has a Thing. but it's f—it's fuckin...he sticks his tongue out—like just a tiny bit—and it's. it's so fucking blessed. holy fuckin shit.

S: are you okay

R: no. no I'm fucking not. I might cry. I'm having a fucking meltdown over a mlem. fuck.

-

R: I heard the cutest softest most angelic laugh in the world today ohhh my god. like if you took Bev's warmth, and Eddie's innocence, and your upsettingly persistent aversion to expressing loud positive emotion which prevents anything more than a sinister little nightmare giggle, and rolled them all into one. that's Will's 

S: ..........I'm sorry, sinister li—?

R: I said what I said. and I still love and cherish it because it's a part of you💜

S: disgusting, thank you

-

R: your #1 source for new Byers trivia is back babey, today we've uncovered the movie snack of choice and the method w—

S: Please just get to it

R: reese's pieces. one at a time. like a fuckin.....hamster eating seeds. it gives the same effect as watching Mike lift hay bales with his massive sexy arms and then 5 minutes later be delicately eating little berries or some shit. except the hay bales are stage props and the berries are imposter m&ms

S: I'm gonna pretend you didn't just insult reese's pieces like that

-

R: he always seems moments from passing out so I wanted to share my energy through osmosis and tried to hold him and you won't fucking believe what happened

S: he punched you in the face

R: he let me!! just carried on with his business like I didn't even exist!!! what does that mean?!?! did he not even know I was there?? did he know and not care because he's already adjusted to my glorious presence??? is he actually just chill about it and I finally have a compliant body pillow after three years of loneliness???? I NEED TO KNOW THE TRUTH—but I was too shook in the moment to ask

S: .........good luck with figuring that out

Stan's not worried or anything like he's had 20 years to get used to how touchy Richie is. he genuinely wouldn't mind if Richie had a person to use like a "body pillow" when he's away from all his Losers, and doesn't see an issue if Will ends up okay with being an outlet for Richie's pent up physical affections. besides Will doesn't seem to have shown any particular interest anyway

......and that's because he's the type of aro that just doesn't even think about romance shit unless someone asks him to think about it (or there's literally someone standing in front of him giving a confession). however if asked, he would still label himself gay because the last time he had to think about it he came to the conclusion that, hypothetically, if he were to be in a relationship, it would probably be with another guy. but he has no interest in searching for specific terms for himself when he could spend his time like.....having fun instead of having a perpetual identity crisis. if he's not in or pursuing a relationship, why should it matter to him??

meanwhile Stan's the type of aro that Did think about hypothetical relationships but never pursued one, but also wouldn't mind if someone did want one with him, so he just had to say yes when Richie eventually asked about going out with him. Stan only starts pursuing Will because he's half of stozier and it would feel weird to him to let Richie "do all the work" when it was a Mutual decision to see if Will had any interest in Them.

also Stan's aware of more terms, he Wanted to study up, and is aware of his place on asexual spectrum (and wears a black ring to silently display it), but since he's been in a long term relationship with Richie he's less concerned with claiming arospec

okay jesus christ I'll shut the fuck up none of this is important but There's A Lot Okay

-

S: what's wrong with your voice, it sounds like after we—

R: listen man.....I was legit blasted into the stratosphere like Team Rocket and then dropped back to earth just as hard. let me catch my fucking breath

S: you...do mean mentally right? what'd he do this time

R: .....yeah, mentally. mind: blown, worldview: shook, lessons: learned.

-

R: I used the Platonic Pleasure Zone on him

S: you what

R: I used—

S: no don't fucking repeat it I heard you the first time. why the fuck do you insist on saying that. no one says that besides you

R: do you wanna know how he reacted or not

S: *deep fucking breath* carry on

R: (instantly softer voice) like a tired kitten holy fuck....I thought he was actually gonna fall asleep until—uh...........I spoke

S: uh huh. did you tell him you Used The Platonic Pleasure Zone

R: yes

S: and did he go for a chokehold

R: No but there was a very sexy shirt grab and even sexier glare

btw the "platonic pleasure zone" just refers to like.....back pat/shoulder squeeze/hair ruffle level intimacy that Can feel really nice and soft but can Also be done in a casual way that doesn't mean anything. but Richie uses that shit specifically in a soft comfy way, and Will is too stupid to notice anything unusual until Richie verbally states what he's doing

-

R: (whispering) he sings.....

S: (also quiet for some reason) like for a minor?

R: no dude........just.......I don't even know if he knows he's doing it but he's doing it and I'm having palpitations it's too much.....it's too quiet to be on purpose it's gotta be unintentional right?? no one should be allowed to be this soft I can't do this I'm....bro next time Ima send you a fucking recording I don't give a fUck—

-

R: after weeks of patient training, I am now able to cradle the William in my lap. I saw the face of god the first several attempts, but now we can cuddle in peace. we've learned to navigate this cramped habitat. we live in harmony.

S: why are you suddenly talking like he's a feral animal—

R: because he absolutely is and it's great. I could perish any day now but it would be okay because he'd make my death quick.

S: wh....what did I miss

R: nothing at all don't worry about it~👍

-

R: where was he in previous years. what universe was he hiding in. I needed him. I wanna bring him home with me. do you think it's legal to take him across state lines??

S: well don't just fucking toss him in the trunk. I'm not out here studying to be a lawyer. use your words like a functional human being.

R: ........you think I'm functional??? that's the most romantic thing you've ever said to me.....

S: let's not get ahead of ourselves. I said "like" a functional human being

-

in the first post I said "Stan's seen some of Will's drawings online" but now....now you get to know more of the Context of Stan seeing those "drawings". if anyone doesn't like the idea of an asexual Will drawing vent porn and didn't see that coming, now would be the time to stop reading

R: (ultra high speed) okay I know this sounds like a fuckin joke but I am being so serious rn when I say I think I've been rooming with one nastyass motherfucker, holy fucking shit—

S: what—

R: I mean you would not believe the shit I just saw and there was so much of it bro like deadass he might be a freak—

S: R—

R: Our kind of freak.

S: …

R: .........

S: .............oh.

R: .........................should I try to find out?? I mean of course I'm gonna find out. how fuckin insane would it be for my sweet innocent caffeine-fueled feral child to have been One Of Us this whole fucking time, how the fuck could I not notice—

-

R: disclaimer, I got permission to expose his filth blog like this...after. exposing all of us. to him....but Anyways uh jesus fucking christ dude how tf did he manage to be so active without me noticing.....I'll text you the blog name I forgot how he said it already, shouldn't even have a pronunciation, some random shit like...vuh.....vufi..bifim…

S: ............vwhbfmbu? [first letter in s1 ep titles]

R: yeah that! how tf did you say that out loud.......wait. have you been...?? no...no. Stan. Stanley. Stanford. hey. answer me. do not hang up. Staniel. you look at porn without me? and on the fucking regular if you're familiar with that Literal Gay Keysmash of a username! what kind of—I can't believe this!! the betrayal!!! STANLEY!!!!!

-

from here to the end, stozier is texting at various points during the following days but like.....make Richie's messages barely decipherable and split into numerous tiny texts (which is why Stan's able to interrupt), and give Stan's messages uncomfortably proper capitalization/punctuation

R: do you think Will knows he's a monsterfucker?? his tag usage is sHIT

S: he's not a monsterfucker there is literally no fucking happening

R: babe you don't gotta fuck to be a Fucker. I mean just look in the mirror

S: jesus fucking christ

R: you looked in the mirror and saw selfcest? that's hot.

S: you're going to hell god told me himself

R: oh shit god's there too??? Spicy [Stan turned off his phone after that] wait come back!! we haven't determined whether he knows or not!!!

-

R: do you think he had an Awakening, or just always knew but didn't know it was a thing to be known? do you think he had any gross friends like we had each other, or kept it to himself until I fucked up his perfect record? do you think he's just here for the eldritch horror shit, or thinks about shit that's actually possible too? do you think he—

S: he's literally like 5 feet away from you why are you asking me Any of this

R: .......dude do you want him to die??? I thought he was gonna have an aneurysm when I first told him I found his forbidden sketchbook, and he had one foot in the grave by the time he gave up that blog name. if I ask for more details directly he might just vanish from this plane of existence. we gotta be Delicate

S: you've never been delicate in your fucking life

-

R: maybe he's tired all the time because he expends all his energy in secret. I mean I've never caught him drawing in that sketchbook and Also never caught him jacking off. coincidence? I Think The Fuck Not

S: go to sleep Richard

-

R: I gotta admit......for not having any reaction to hen tie jokes he makes good tentacle porn

S: they're vines

R: ok sure but I'm not gonna say "vine porn" that just sounds like 6 second videos of—

S: and it's hardly porn. this is some aesthetic shit

R: ......buddy if I can get off on it, it's porn

S: you can get off on anything your opinion doesn't fucking count. you could get off on two lines of shitty chicken scratch in a bathroom stall.

R: you underestimate me. I can even get off on Nothing thanks to all the memories you've given me

S: compliments won't make me change my mind

-

R: what if like—

S: you know what? give me his number. I'll fucking ask him myself

R: .....my heart says don't do this, Will is already suffering. but my hand says 618-555-0189

S: you sure took a lot of convincing

—

Stan was just gonna message Will real briefly (preferably like a Normal Person who Didn't have memories of old posts/tags Will had probably forgotten he ever typed), see if he could get a couple of Richie's dumb questions answered, and then leave him alone. clearly that didn't happen. they bonded over roasting Richie.

if you want to know the general vibe of what's going on in Will's art, just think of various ways to be trapped/restrained.

for instance like the vines that caught Hopper in s2. or for clown reference, there's also "spiderwebs" but it's visually more like that corpse pile at the end of s1 that Will was stuck in. so it's "hardly porn" in that yeah there's no fucking, and it does have An Aesthetic, but like....you're not gonna make it your phone lockscreen and try to convince some random person who sees it that it's 100% sfw.

it's vent porn in that he draws when he feels Some Kind Of Way but he tends not to draw the faces of whoever/whatever is restrained. but when he does, it could be any kind of emotion. whether it's panicked or defiant or just resigned or even out cold. or something else.

[metamorphosisff]

|Chapter 13| Goodnight Gotham

(Authors Note: For an amplified reading experience, listen to the songs mentioned here. Enjoy 🧡)

“Oh we about to turn it.”

Standing in front of me is Jazz alongside another one of her other honorary daughters who went by Chanel. Together these two had made Mari and I seem like we had always been a part of the House of Illusion. There were seven of us in total dressed impeccably waiting for our turn to enter the raucous ballroom down the hallway, live with colorful commentary, and beat pumping music. Tonight the theme the houses were competing over was intergalactic odyssey. We had been made up to look like sirens from outer space, with our glittery makeup, and tight aquamarine spandex outfits that left very little to the imagination.The reflective sequins sewed on gave off the effects of us having gills. On our skin were tribal markings similar to those from the movie Avatar. Chanel was a trained makeup artist who worked on movie sets all over the city. It took her less than an hour to get us ready. The look while far fetched and last minute were stunning on us both. Though I promised Mari a spectators view, I can tell she was excited to be pulled into the chaos of Jazz’s world, and so was I even though I was scared shitless. 

This was not what Jazz had initially told me to expect. I should have known something was up when Jazz told me to leave my hair in braids because she had an idea. Currently my braids were intertwined with a mix of blue and green tinsel, styled in a crown that glimmered underneath the lights from every angle, adorned with gold cuffs and pearls. Mari’s curly mane had been wrangled into a fishtail braid using the same materials. The style showcased her cat like eyes and siren lips in a way normally hidden by her hair. 

“Wow,” I breathed out, not believing the reflection I was looking at was my own. “You made me look so beautiful, thank you Chanel.”

“No honey, that was God. All I did was embellish here and there,” Chanel said with a wink. 

“I’d pay you to embellish me everyday if I could. I look good enough to eat,” Mari cracked, phone already in hand, snapping a million pictures. 

Neither of us got to have much fun, Mari even less than me, and watching her get excited helped my nerves some. 

“I know that’s right. Keep that attitude when we hit that floor. Ma’ I’ma go check on the boys,” Chanel said, grabbing her kit to go to the room next door.

“Thank you boo, We’re meeting in that hall in five minutes. Don’t want to hear nothing from Lionell about us being late,” Jazz said, as she brushed at imaginary flyaways with her hands. 

Jazz looked otherworldly in the silver sequined bodysuit that had flounce sleeves that were cut in the style the seventies were known for. A forty inch platinum blonde wig waved down her back, the tips dyed in the same sea green color as the tinsel weaved in our hair. Her makeup was flawless, eyes bejeweled by hundreds of rhinestones while her cheeks were carved out of metallic silver. Pointy stiletto nails dipped in the same metallic shade could poke an eye out but she wielded them carefully and strategically as she delegated tasks to get us floor ready.There were also the pair of jewel encrusted six inch heel less platform boots that went mid thigh she had to put on. She was a vision, an all knowing force, and carried herself as such. 

“How do you do this all of the time?” I asked in awe.

“When I was younger, the answer to that question would have been drugs,” Jazz cracked, as she turned away from the vanity mirror to look at me. “But now, it’s love. I love ballroom, the culture, the people, and my family. These kids come from all walks of life abandoned and found fellowship under my roof. It keeps me going.”

That’s exactly who we were. Abandoned kids forced into adulthood before we were ready. Being around Jazz’s house felt like what a home should be: warm and inviting. 

Leaning forward, I grab her hand, and give it a squeeze. “Thank you for being you to me even when I didn’t deserve it. You mean the world to me and I’m honored to be considered one of your daughters. I’ve missed having a mom.”

Jazz lips tremble as she tries to offer a watery smile. “Chile, don’t get me to crying this close to showtime. Damn you Birdie.”

I chuckle softly before saying, “I love you too Jazz.”

“Aww, now I’m crying. Que linda,” Mari sniffles, snapping pictures of Jazz and I.

Jazz gives my hand one last squeeze before slipping her hand away in order to clap two times. “There will be none of that. Chanel will kick all of our asses if these beats get undone by water works and if you think I’m scary, you have seen nothing yet.”

“Yes ma’am,” Mari says, quickly reaching for a napkin to pat against her face.

“Now, we only have a few minutes. Let’s practice your walks.”

And like that, we are back into the whirlwind of the ball. In literally three minutes, Jazz choreographs a walk for each of us respectively. Whispering in both of our ears what our motivations should be and loudly declaring to keep it to ourselves until after we handle business lest we get confused. 

Worthy. You are worthy, Birdie. To be in this building, to be in that room, to be in this world. Show them bitches the respect you demand with that crown. 

I let Jazz’s voice play in my head on a loop as we lined up in the hallway. As we pumped our way through the crowd that parted like the red sea at the sight of Jazz leading us. A mix of Beyoncé’s Alien Superstar played at deafening levels as we reached the center of the room. As soon as the first verse dropped we each hit our individual marks. The boys: Danté and Kevion began tumbling, landing into dips before launching into new school voguing choreography in tandem with Chanel and Ruby. Jazz was serving face in the center of the floor, commanding attention while Mari and I weaved through what Jazz had called an alien invasion. The lyrics pulsed through me as I swayed my hips, letting my hands rove over my body making sure to highlight my waist like Jazz said I should. We met on either side of Jazz right on time for the last dips of the piece. While the dancers hit the ground, Mari and I dropped low, holding onto Jazz’s legs dramatically, an act of deference to the house mother.

When I came back to myself it was to see that we have garnered three 10’s  and one 9 as scores from the judges. I am so amazed that Mari has to tug me back into action as we walk off of the floor so the remaining houses could walk. I remain in this daze when we go up for second prize, collecting a trophy that would be added to the House of Illusions trove for the night. Chanel wins first place in Femme Queen, Jazz wins first in Femme Queen Face ,Ruby wins first in Female Figure, Kevion wins second in Old Way versus New Way, and Danté wins second in Male Sex Siren. There is cause to celebrate which we do as the ball turns into a full fledged party once the categories wrap up.

I’ve never felt as free as I do amongst my friends, old and new. I am happy I get to call them family and hope that with time I earn the right to do so without Jazz’s influence. In the interim, I imbibe drinks, and dance with them like it’s something we have all done hundreds of times before. The magic of ballroom is the community because it builds you up in a way where you can stand alone but you don’t have to. The House of Illusion has instilled in me the confidence to go after everything I want. To reach out and grab anything I claim as mine because the world is for the taking.  A power that might slip away with the first highlights of dawn. I have to capitalize on it while it lingers in my bones. Pulling out my phone I sent a quick text: I want to see you.

It vibrates with a response instantaneously. 

I want to see you more. Your place or mine?

From the moment I walked through the door, Xavier encircled his arms around me, bringing me close. He smells like a hint of smoke, alcohol, and cologne as he’s just come in not too long before me after hanging with his friends. I want to nuzzle my face into his neck but refrain due to my makeup and all of the glitter I am doused in. Instead, I place my hands on top of his and sink further into his embrace. 

“Think I need you to save this lil outfit for when I take you and Papi to Comic Con,” he said, pressing a kiss onto my neck.

I giggled as I turned in his arms to face him. “I’m not even a real character. This is Jazz’s creation.”

“Don’t matter,” he said, pressing another kiss to my lips. “Remind me to thank her, you look good as hell.”

“Thank you. Help me get out of it?” I ask, smiling up at him.

“I thought you’d never ask,” he said, before hoisting me into his arms. I squeal as he playfully tosses me over his shoulder and leads the way to the bathroom. He hits the lights and turns on the shower before setting me on the counter. “You are shining.”

“I know,” I groan. “They covered me from head to toe with something called Diamond Bomb by Rihanna.”

“Nah, I’m not talking about that. Your eyes, your smile, hell your energy is transcendent,” he says, causing my cheeks to heat up.

“You're always saying things to me that I have no idea how to respond to,” I say softly, meeting his gaze.

Always affirming.

Always recognizing.

Always present.

Stepping closer, he invades the space between my legs as leans down so that his nose can tease mine. “Is that a bad thing?” he asks.

“No,” I answer quickly, leaning forward when he places his hands on my hips. The warmth from his palms radiating outward. 

“Sometimes it’s okay to just say thank you babe,” he says, lips hovering over mine. “Or smile at me the way you do that makes your eyes disappear.”

I laugh and he absorbs the sound with a kiss. My hands fly to his torso as our kiss goes from innocent to urgent. In a flash my fingers are under his shirt and helping to lift it from his shoulders. Next to go is the bralette I’m wearing. We undress each other with a franticness that can only belong to new lovers. His touch is gentle and appreciative when I’m fully bare before him. 

“Look at me,” he says, pulling back from our kiss. 

My eyes flutter open at the command and meet his heady stare. Gone is the Xavier who bides his time. This version of him knows the best use of the seconds that drag by. In his eyes I see his desire for me unravel and marvel in it. All the while he trails his thumb over my bottom lip, swiping side to side, until he slips it into my mouth. Instinctively I suckled it causing him to groan before pulling me into another searing kiss. 

I widen my legs further as I scoot to the edge of the counter. “I need you,” I breathe against his lips. My hands are roving against the sides of his torso, ghosting over hard, well defined planes of muscles.

“Okay,” he says, pulling my bottom lip into his mouth to nibble on. “Okay.”

Reaching down, I watch as he fishes his wallet out of his pocket and grabs a condom. He smirks as he catches my eye. I motion for him to come fill the space between my thighs once more which he doesn’t hesitate to do. He licks into a kiss the same time his fingers push inside of me. My lips tear away but that doesn’t stop him from covering me in equally as hungry kisses starting down the column of my throat as my head tilts back. He kisses me on the hum of my pulse, biting down gently as his thumb finds my clit.

My nails are digging into his biceps but he doesn’t let that deter him from working me into a fast orgasm. One that preps me for him pushing himself in so deeply that my breath is caught in my chest. Instinctively, my hips roll forward meeting his thrust. 

“Shit,” I curse, releasing his biceps so that I can slam my hands against the counter. 

“Talk to me, this shit feeling good to you? Huh?” he questions, yanking on braids so that my eyes pop open. 

“So good Xay, please, just like this,” I moan, as he steadily strokes me to what I’m sure will be the best orgasm of my life. 

He dips his head so that he can capture a nipple in his mouth. His teeth graze the sensitive flesh and I arch into it and the oncoming stroke in a way that makes us both groan out. A hand holds the back of his head close, lovingly, as he laps at my other nipple. All while feeding me steady strokes that don’t ease up in pressure or frequency. Thanks to the gym Xavier’s stamina is out of this world. Our bodies move in a tandem dance, working with each other to bring us both pleasure. Regardless of the steam filling the air, I’m warm all over because of him.

It’s the way he folds against me, whispering things that would make a nun blush in my ear while holding my legs straight up. The position leaves me unable to do anything but moan and succumb to the promise of his desire. With both of my ankles in one hand, he uses the fingers on the other to rub figure eights onto my clit.

“Xayyy please,” I said, hands reaching to grab onto something because the counter no longer feels like enough. I settle onto the forearm of his left hand, the one that’s supplying sweet torture.

My gaze lifts to meet his, which is unsurprisingly locked onto my face. His bottom lip is wedged under his top row of teeth, arms bulging from how tightly he holds onto me, and the view makes squeeze onto him.

“Fuck,” he curses, hips slowing momentarily. “Do it again.”

And because I’m such a great listener I do. 

I do it again and again as he places sloppy kisses behind my knees that are my undoing. If I were to pass away in this very moment then it would be worth it having been experienced by this man. The reverent cry that escapes my lips is proof of that sentiment. There is banging on the opposite side of the wall but we don’t care. Nothing matters in this moment but he and I, the shared breaths we take, the trembles we place in one another’s spines. We don’t stop until we’re both utterly spent.

Somehow we end up in the living room, sprawled out on top of one another while Sade’s Stronger Than Pride vinyl spins on the record player. It took another round in the shower and then a thirty minute joint effort of trying to rid my skin of makeup before we left the bathroom. I’m dressed in a Thor t-shirt that barely grazes my thighs as they drape over his legs. My phone is in his hands as he goes through all of the pictures I managed to take tonight as well as the ones that have been sent to me sporadically from my new friends. I watch as he stops on one of Mari and me, mid laughter, drinks in hand. For once we actually look our age.

“Y’all look so much alike that you could be sisters. How did y’all meet? I want to know the origin story,” he says.

“We have lived next door to each other our whole lives. I don’t know a day where she’s not in it in some kind of way,” I said, strumming my fingers on top of his chest to the beat of the current song.

“Our brothers were super close too before Lonso moved away. After he left, Mari’s brothers got pulled toward the streets. The summer of our junior year they robbed this drug dealer in our neighborhood. That man was known for being vicious and as soon as word got back that it was them it was all downhill. Her second oldest brother Ramon was killed outside of his highschool and a few weeks later Martin, the eldest got locked up for killing that same drug dealer in retaliation. He’s serving life upstate and her parents went back to DR right after we graduated. During this time I was almost evicted three times and was struggling to survive.”

Xavier’s hold on my waist tightens as I go through memories in my mind. They play vividly as I try to sum up the hardest time in my life. “And through it all, we looked out for one another. I did her homework on the days she spent at court translating for her parents and she always made sure I had something warm to eat. We have gone through so much in that building. More than we should have had to honestly but we remained constant. We’re sisters in all of the ways it counts.”

“I’m glad that you two have each other. That y’all were never alone even when it felt like you were,” he said. 

“So am I,” I said, watching as he locks my phone and sets it aside. “How did you and your friends meet?”

At that he smiles as he shakes his head. “Aiden and I met in first grade. He asked me to be his lookout on a cookie caper. Rah we met in middle school during 7th grade gym class and once the three of us got together, we’ve been at the hip ever since.”

“Cookie caper is hilarious. I like Aiden, he seems like a good time and Rah seems like the opposite of both of you,” I said.

I had gotten the chance to speak to both of them via Facetime not too long ago. Aiden ended up stealing the phone from Xavier and locking himself in the bathroom. For twenty minutes we talked about why rap girls are dominating and the best place for wings in the city. It was Rah who jimmied the bathroom door open with a belt buckle and proceeded to put Aiden in a headlock all while apologizing for his friends foolishness as Xavier retook possession of the phone. I laughed so hard that my stomach ached afterwards.

“That’s a pretty accurate observation except Rah is like the balance of us both. He just talks way less,” he replied, playing with the fingers I had laid on my chest.

“When I was…doing the most our senior year they never gave up on me. They would call me out for being on bullshit and even tried to help me find other ways to get out from underneath my father’s thumb. I had been so adamant about having to be loud with my actions so I wasn’t listening for real. I was desperately trying to be heard.”

I watched as his face lost some of the playfulness that had been there only moments before. His expression grew more grave as thoughts from the past came flooding forward.

“Is that how…,” I trailed off, knowing he would fill in the blank.

“Yeah. I was hanging out with the wrong crowd. Guys I knew would help me on the mission to piss my father off. One night, they decided that we should steal cars and we did. I got caught because I crashed into a pole. It was a stick shift and I never drove one of those before. Due to my father’s connections those three months were the only ones I served  but I was on probation for five years. When I got out, they helped me enroll in school and find a job because at that point my parents were done with me. I was living with my grandparents which is why I feel like I owe them so much. They took a chance on me when no one else would,” he said.

It angers me that Xavier has often felt like there wasn’t anyone in his corner. Coming from a family of his size I assumed the opposite would be the case. I’m grateful he had his grandparents and friends to lean back on when his parents gave up. For some reason I wish that he didn’t have the uglier experiences of life. He is too much like light to hold onto such darkness.  

“I love them for that. Your friends too. Parents…they forget what it’s like to be young. To be scared. To be discounted. Or hell, sometimes they remember and they hold on too tight instead of pushing away,” I say.

“In either scenario they only see themselves and that is the problem but it’s their problem. Not mine, not yours,” he said, using the arm wrapped around my waist to hoist me on top of him fully. I caress his face in my hand, tracing over the slopes of his high cheekbones with the pads of my fingers, willing the tension to ease from them.

We both carry the weight of burdens that don’t belong to us. They merely have been passed on from generation to generation with the expectancy that there will always be someone to shoulder the load. We are tired from problems that aren’t our own. In our respective ways, we have been trying to unload the weight, and find ourselves in the freedom that is being able to move freely. 

“I agree,” I said, settling my legs around his waist. He reaches up to play with the ends of my braids. The cloudiness is clearing from his expression and I use the opportunity to pivot. “It’s crazy that it’s almost four in the morning but I could stay up and talk to you for hours.”

A smitten grin spreads across his lips as he says, “I know what you mean. I talk to scores of people every day but no conversation holds a candle to yours.”

“Xay,” I say softly.

“I’m for real. You’re the best part of my day. Even when we don’t have time to talk for real just knowing you’ll answer the phone whenever I call is enough to temper the worst of days and highlight the best of them,” he said, adoration in the forefront of his gaze.

 I don’t have to second guess any of his words. It’s more than evident that he means each one with the way my heart wants to escape my chest. His vulnerability inspires my own.

“You brought the sun back into my world Xay. The least I can do is answer the phone,” I said, fingers settling on the sides of his neck. His hands move to cover mine, fingers threading between. He brings our joined hands up to his lips and kisses the back of my hand repeatedly. 

“You are my world Mila.”

I almost tuck my chin as the blush takes over my face but I’m reminded of words from earlier when he squeezes my fingers. Worthy. This is another sign from the universe that anything I want is at my fingertips and I want Xavier more than I thought I had the capability to. Between him and Jazz, I am an unstoppable force. This in mind, I meet his eyes as a smile takes over my face which he returns with his own. We stare at each other until the space between us closes. Until his lips are on mine. Until I’m sinking on him. Until the sun rises over our shoulders.

[tuiyla]

i trust your takes more than anyone else’s in the whole glee fandom. what would you say are the best kurtcheltana episodes?

Oh wow Anon that's very flattering considering I've dropped off the face of the Earth and barely interact with tumblr or the Glee fandom anymore, but I appreciate it! Because I've been basically gone for a year and abandoned my rewatch my Glee memory isn't what it used to be but I'll gladly go down memory lane with you.

Previously Unaired Christmas

As soon as I remembered this ep there was no question in my mind that it's the ultimate Kurtcheltana ep. Yes yes it's not even technically canon but I've famously never cared about that. For starters, it has their only trio song, technically a quartet that is admittedly a bit yikes but then also a final song feat Kitty and ND. Since it's "set in 2012" Santana doesn't even officially live with Hummelberry, she just chose to visit them and give them thoughtful and also Santana-esque gifts. I think that's really cute. And yeah, the Mall Santa stuff is a little icky but the three of them are so cute and fun. It's just a low-stakes Kurtcheltana adventure where they're being silly and young and delightful. I love the Pezberry moments, of course, but it also has some of my fav Kurtana shots and just in general they feel like a very cohesive trio. PUC is legit one of the eps that best showcases the chemistry between these three and I can't not love that.

2. Girls (and Boys) On Film

This ep is actually where I abandoned my rewatch and that's weird to me because I was really looking forward to seeing it again. Santana, following the iconic ending to Diva immediately establishes herself as a force to be reckoned with in Bushwick and it's so, so delightful. Her casual "yeah it's a thing I do" to going through everyone's stuff is something only she could pull off. There is some hostility here, of course, as Rachel and Kurt never actually invited Santana to live with them so they're understandably thrown off by Santana not only inserting herself into their flat but also firmly into their lives. Excellent moments for the whole dynamic, best of all being Santana's whole speech starting with "Kurt, sit down" and, of course, the final scene with Pezberry. That scene to me embodies so much of what makes Santana in her current state work as a ch, an agent of chaos who is ultimately trying to be there for her friends. It's an excellent showcase of what she brings to the NYC plot and a simply impeccable Pezberry scene. Really strong establishing ep for what having Santana in New York will be like. Actually, it's also a real shame because it introduces what this trio dynamic will be like and then there are barely any more episodes truly following through on it. Shame.

Honourable mention to the two subsequent eps as I consider this to be an NYC trilogy of Santana being accepted as a full-fledged member of the loft. Feud has her calling Hummelberry her family and Guilty Pleasures the wholesome scene of reconciliation where they really become roommates.

3. Love, Love, Love/Tina in the Sky with Diamonds

Unfortunately, in general we more so have episodes that have good Kurtcheltana moments rather than being Kurtcheltana eps. The Beatles two-parter is a good example, where the few Kurtcheltana bits we have are excellent but unfortunately they're less prominent as a trio and more so have duo moments, mainly Pezberry in the first half and Hummelberry in the second. But there's good stuff here, from Rachel and Santana during the engagement to their cute little promise to each other when Kurt starts working in the diner. As with many things Glee, this cute trio moment is soured in hindsight of the direction s5 ended up taking but nothing can take it away from us, or how Kurt and Santana celebrated with Rachel after that.

These are the only ones I feel like are worth actually ranking but some other honourable mentions:

Lights Out: overall I found Kurt and Rachel encouraging Santana to find her dream to be underwhelmingly executed but who doesn't love At the Ballet and the three mini-mes during the sequence

A Katy or a Gaga: the formation of Pamela Lansbury

Trio: gets a DIShonourable shout out as it should have been a strong Kurtcheltana ep but the Pezberry feud overrode all

Old Dog, New Tricks: honestly barely counts but it's the last of what I could even call an ep with a Kurtcheltana moments. The back half of s5 gives us a crowded NY scene with not NEARLY enough Santana, much less Kurtcheltana - i.e. Opening Night has Kurt call Santana as reinforcement for encouraging Rachel but they don't actually have a moment. Sigh. But 5x19 at least gives us the best hug and Kurt and Santana both supporting Rachel and Kurt being supported in return. It's wholesome and it's the very last trace of our favourite dysfunctional Bushwick family.

Utter disgrace I can't name any season 6 episodes that would fall into this category but special shout out to Kurtcheltana starting us off on Home in 6x02, a moment I treasure very much. Thanks Anon, it was fun to think about all this stuff again! And now, predictably, I have Pezberry feels.

[femmmie]

…tbh can you write one that’s like that moment where mykie kissed him with the liquid lipstick except you’re the girl and you guys aren’t together yet 😳

Ooh a self insert fic thats next level!! But im up to the challenge! Anything for Anthony day :D

Peachy

"Oh my gosh [your name], I have booked you an amaaazing online show!"

Your eyes light up as your agent is babbling to you over the phone.

"He's this really hot internet celebrity. You've never heard of him? He's like, one of the original YouTubers! Yes, I swear to you he's hot, incredibly hot, you'll have a breeze putting makeup on that one!"

After the phone call, you smile to yourself. You reassemble your makeup kit for the hundredth time and still decide at the last minute to include a nice peachy liquid lipstick. You eat a healthy dinner, brush your teeth and proceed to watch Too Hot To Handle on Netflix until you fall asleep.

You're the new girl on the block in Hollywood, you're originally from Japan but you're just obsessed with American culture. A reverse weaboo if you will. You have a proud collection of shiny cowboy boots, hats and you own a vintage, actually antique pair of Levi's jeans.

Next morning you wake up and make yourself some coffee. You read the email your agent sent you yesterday. "Hmm, Anthony Padilla, never heard of him," you think when you read the summary your agent has sent you. The photo she included shows a handsome guy, but not THAT handsome, not as handsome or hot as she had described. "Well then at least I'll have something to do!" You think and you giggle inwardly and breathe out your nose. "lol"

You get into your hot pink but small Honda Civic and drive to the location for the interview. Anthony will ask you about your life as a beauty guru. Although you're still a small fish, you had a couple of viral moments and are making connections in the beauty world. So you feel like you do have plenty to say.

The waiting room is really cozy and well-stocked with vegan snacks and cold drinks. You take a few, as you don't get the opportunity often to just snack for free.

Just as you're chewing on some peanuts, Anthony enters.

You're taken aback. Anthony is indeed very handsome. What the heck was your manager thinking sending that now obviously very unflattering picture?! This man is a Greek sculpture. A hero of old, looking muscular but at the same time sensual and feminine. He has incredible tattoos, and you immediately worry your makeup is going to ruin the impeccable look he's got going on.

"Hi," he giggles as you quickly swallow the nuts.

"Uhh, hi! I'm [your name], you stammer. Not only is he hot but he's also cute, kind and charismatic. Oh no! You silently curse your agent but smile through the strain this puts on you.

"Wow, you're so pretty and cute, wait.. what?" He jokes but then he still looks at you expectantly so was he really joking??

During the interview you're sat across from each other and his eyes keep fluttering to your lips as he asks you about all things beauty. He keeps flirting. You don't mind at all. You start to feel a bit more confident and flirt back a little, which delights Anthony.

"I.. thank you Anthony, you don't look too shabby yourself, if I do may say so my…self" - you fool! you tell yourself off for being so awkward.

And then you see it. He's wearing Levi's jeans. It's over for you. You've fallen.

"Shall I make that cute little face even more beautiful?" You ask him.

"Hit me with whatever you've got!" he answers with a grin. You look through your kit and just can't decide. Until the orange liquid lipstick catches your eye once more.

"Now, do you know what this is?" You ask when you finish putting it on his lips. You felt his breath on your hands, it was very warm and it sends shivers down your spine.

"Uhh, lip.. lipgloss or something?" He giggles and it's truly the most wonderful sound you've ever heard. You're fully intoxicated by Anthony's charming personality and being this close to him makes you blush. Luckily you have your face of makeup on.

"It's liquid lipstick. It's very special because it's waterproof, snack-proof… and…" In a moment of either courage or lapse of judgement, you say "kiss-proof" and you plant a nice little peck on his lips.

Anthony breathes in with a smile, looking startled but very happy.

"Oh, it's the good stuff!" he jokes. He leans in again. This time he kisses you. His lips feel great even with the lipstick on, and Anthony smells extremely good, although you have no idea what scent it is. It drives you nuts. You get so carried away in the kiss that you run your hand through his curls and tug on them. Anthony moans. You break the kiss. "You like it that way, huh?" You ask him. "Whatever you say, [your name]" and he kisses you again.

This morning you'd never have believed that by noon you'd be kissing an internet celebrity. You're going to call your agent and thank her for booking the best interview of your life.

[urbuddynova]

Hi!! I found your art of Red/Dunce and I absolutely love the style, but you mentioned that you made up a whole backstory for the game, and I'm interested!! Is there any chance u can elaborate on the origin story you thought of for Rainbow Friends?/genq

Yeah sure!

i guess here goes my rant XD

Pretty much in my little version that Oswald and Trenton made a successful kids tv show. The characters were vibrant and had good morals at the end of each episode. The personality of the characters are kinda like this:

Blue: the leader (obviously-) , he is seen as that king like character who’s loyal, brave and always thinks things through before jumping to action. He’s pretty energetic and enthusiastic but has a running gag where at the start of the episodes he’s sleeping on his thrown and the kids have to wake him up by shouting his name.

green: green is the party goer, the one that plans and puts others before himself. He has impeccable eyesight and is able to see every detail imaginable to make sure a party goes PERFECTLY. Green is also blues best friend, always helping when the igns go wrong

orange: Orange is a pretty smart guy and is a train conductor on the railways. He’s quite the goofball and likes to talk a lot. He LOVES cake, a running gag for him is him chasing a piece of cake as the end credit of the episode, when the rainbow friends need i ride they can count on the fastest train conductor in the show!

purple: purple is a small little guy that has a fear of water and tight spaces. They’re quite the pipsqeauk but just like orange is a huge chatterbox and loves to help green witch parties. Whatever it is that’s exciting they’re down to help! As long as it doesn’t end up with them stuck in a high area or on a boat in the river.

yellow: yellows is an eccentric bird that is known to be the best flyer in all the show! No matter the height he can reach for the sky! Quite a social one like the others but also loves the spot light! Tight spaces? He can fly through! Closed areas? He’s great at gliding! The wind is his direction and the sky is the limit!

cyan: a sweet bubbly Dino! With an obsession with fun facts about bugs! If there’s a problem with any small critter she will know what to do! But she gets distracted easily and is abit of an air head so watch out! She will fight with you if you say spiders are a bug, (they are arachnids!!!). Overall is kind and curious.

Dunce: oh sweet dunce. An dumb little lookie that grew legs, doesn’t even know what to do with them! If you need help with math homework he’s the last person you wanna ask. Doesn’t speak but is expressive through chirps and hand gestures. Is a pro at baking sweets and will make you a cake on your birthday. Don’t worry the kitchen is the only thing he can’t mess up! He did blow it up once though-

all these characters with these personalities. Yet once they were recreate in real life their personalities and even physical traits were distorted. That’s what happens when you try to make life out of nothing…you get flaws. There are only snippets of their original personality.

Blue cannot think straight and has the brain power of a toddler. He will put anything in his mouth especially if he’s hungry. Don’t have food near him he will steal it. The only thing that was correct was his love to sleep. Especially in a sitting position.

Green came out completely blind. Couldn’t make a single sound except squeaks and party noises.Still surprisingly good friends with blue and silently follows him around when he hears his footsteps.

Orange…he’s just a rabid dog…he can’t drive he can’t speak the only thing he does is eat, run and sleep….he’s a strange thing. His live for cake is still there however.

purple. Wow…not only did they turn out HUGE. But they seemed to love dark murky areas where as their tv show counterpart despised it. They hate to socialise and stay in the vents. Do not put your feet near. No matter what you are they will grab you.

Yellow. Had it bad. They were created flightless. He needs a propeller on his back to help him fly. He’s not one to like the spotlight either and has become quite shy and secluded. He still has a live for flying…he just can’t do it indoors or as high as his tv show counterpart could.

Cyan. Aggressive, always alert. Still likes bugs but once only gazes at it. she hears something she will lock onto it. A true predator. Yet she’s still curious.

The scientist (or red). The one thing he keep was his love for baking. Despite not doing as often when he does he goes all out. He usually just makes the cake for the party room where the players go on the final night.

And if you wanted to know “dunce” was the one that tried to create blue and Oswald and Trenton mysteriously disappeared one day. It’s not known why they left but Mabye it was red to blame. They were at first happy to see him be so Intelligent and help them try and bring the friends to life. But as more of the rainbow friends were created and incidents happened….like blues….first and LAST friend incident…..They started to get upset and more agitated as to why he couldn’t have just been a dumb lookie. Red wanted to do something amazing and didn’t want them to slow him down from wanting be something more that just the “dunce”. He hates the name and when someone calls him that he seems upset. At least he still has his lookie family.

anyways here’s my little beliefs on how the characters were like. It’s abit silly since it’s late and I am not the best at putting words together to make a coherent sentence XD

[emo-cosplayer]

The Shadow of Blue Pegasus- Chapter 1

*Hello, I hope anyone who reads this enjoys it. Let me know what you all think.* “‘The Trimens go on their first ever mission, and they meet a troubled girl. what will happen now?’”

A long time ago, three young men and their leader walked along a dirt road in northern Fiore. The sky rushed against their faces, and anxiety inevitably filled the young boys as they stared at the road ahead. “Now, now, young men,  it’s not the time to sulk; you must not let those disgusting boys ruin your faces,” says Ichiya, as he jumps in circles around these young men in a shout. However, they cannot help it; Ren, Hibiki, and Eve are all new members, still new to magic, and their very first mission together: as the trimens!

“Mr. Ichiya, sir! I don’t know if this is such a good idea. I mean, this is an entire dark guild we are after. Shouldn’t you have taken anyone else?” Hibiki speaks up, and Iciya runs in Hibiki’s face. 

“No, you are all capable young wizards, and with me, as your fabulous and handsome leader, I will guide you all to victory!” The three young men looked at each other and smiled. They may be young, but Iciya, the strongest wizard of Blue Pegasus, taught them everything they needed to know. What can go wrong? 

After a while, the four of them made it to the dark guild named Eclipsed Thorn. Its hideout was once an old Fiore church, but a black substance stained the once bright white siding, and the cross that hung on the roof was broken in half. “I’m surprised no one is outside waiting for us, I guess we just go inside?” asked Eve. 

“ Shouldn’t we plan out ahead before we go inside?” 

“Don’t worry about that in your pretty head. Our perfume is supreme, and these boys have no chance against us, so let us head inside!” Ichiya then charges into the dark building. 

“ Boss, wait!” The trimens all cry out in confusion over Ichiya’s brazen attack but they must head forward. They all went, and saw a crowd of members of Eclipsed Thorn, already prepared for battle in a room with torn up walls but bright red velvet floors. 

“C'mon, pretty boys, ready for a fight!”

“I bet I can easily kick their asses!”

“I hope I don’t ruin your pretty faces!” 

However, those wizards didn’t know what hit them. Ichiya grabbed his vial and sniffed a strong sweet scent. The dark guild wizards saw Ichyiya grow twice his size and grow impeccable muscles and strength. Ichiya thrusts into battle, and the trib men join in. Eve created a snowstorm, attacking five wizards at a time. Ren threw a gust of wind, knocking out a couple of wizards, and Hibik, using his archive magic, stunned anyone who came near them. After a while, the horde of wizards was defeated. “WE DID IT, WE DID IT! The three men cheered and danced around in glee, but the leader could only stare at them foolishly.

“NOT NOW! We haven’t finished the mission, we need to go take down their leader. Veyl Duskbane.” They stopped their gleeful dancing and understood, and the four men then went and headed up the velvet stairs. 

When the men finally arrived at the top, they were met with the evil grin of the man himself: Veyl. His dark hair fell to his waist, his pale skin shone against the little sunshine that crept into the room, and his red eyes stared at the tribe men. The men noted he was only wearing black jeans and a fancy black furry coat, probably one he bought with all of his “dirty” money.  “Wow, nice get up,” said Ren sarcastically. Veyl could only just laugh.

“Oh, like you can talk, pretty boy. y’know I was just playing with my little princess right here; why did you guys have to come and ruin it?” Veyl whines at the thought of what he planned to do with the girl right next to him. Wait, a girl? The four men looked down at the man’s feet to see a girl around their age crumble against his feet, her light blonde hair disheveled, her skin bruised and cut to bits. Her only clothes was a small black dress that rode up to her thighs. They were horrified; how could a man do this to a woman? It was despicable. “C’mon princess, get up now for master.” The girl slowly stood up, her dark blue eyes open, and her face held no emotion. The trimens could only stare at her; all they could see was beauty.

“How could you do that! She’s just a girl, why would you-” Hibiki was cut off by Veyl’s horrid laughter. 

“Now, now, don’t be like that. She is grateful for what I have done, isn’t that right, princess?” The girl could only nod slowly. “How about you show these snobby Blue Pegasus wizards the power that I’ve bestowed on you.” She nodded once more and looked at the trimen. Suddenly, shadows surrounded her body, her once-blue eyes turned all black, and immense magic surrounded the room. 

“I’ll finish them off, master.” Before anyone could react, the girl ran close to Eve’s face and threw a shadow punch into his face.  Eve’s body flies into the torn-up wall, causing Eve to pass out. The three men, confused as to what happened, ready their magic and attack the girl. Ren pushes wind against her, pushing her against the ceiling, but she moves quickly and yells, “Shadow Demon Slayer, Demon’s Grasp!” and hits Ren with a shadow claw. Hibiki tries to stun her but is quickly thrown to the ground by the same attack. However, Ichiya, using the same vial, gained more strength and faced the girl.

“I don’t like hurting a beautiful lady like yourself, but you have hurt my teammates, so I shall stop this rampage of yours.” The girl stared at the man with disgust.

“ I can’t,” she mumbled under her breath. The trimens could only stare at her in confusion. “I CAN’T, I CAN’T DISAPPOINT MY MASTER. HE GAVE ME EVERYTHING. HE LOVES ME AND I LOVE HIM.” The shadows around her circles faster around her, her anger pulsated, her fist tightened, she was done. She turned to Ichiya and called another spell, “SHADOW DEMON LAYER, SHADOW EVIL RAG-” however, Hibiki shot another stun spell, causing her to stop mid spell which allowed Ichiya to move closer to her and land a hard punch, knocking her down.

The girl lies down in defeat. She couldn’t help but stare into the abyss, but before she could do anything, she heard her beloved speak. “GOD DAMMIT BITCH YOU’RE SO USELESS” Her heart shattered into pieces, her body became rigid, she felt so sick to her stomach. “God, I guess I have to finish this myself.” She then blanked out, only hearing the spells being cast right next to her. How could this have happened? How could Veyl do this to her, how could he, she gave him everything. She slowly stood on her trembling legs, the shadows coming back to surround her. Her gaze sharpened with anger, she slowly walked towards the battle. The three men were casting spells, but, of course, Veyl dodged them. As he looked at the tired trimen, he spoke once more, “You guys are so pathetic, I can easily just destroy-” The girl grasped her hands around Veyl’s throat, her shadows then joining her, tightening the grip around his neck. “What the hell are do-in-g?” The trimens looked at her with shock.

“Fuck you,” before she could kill him, Hibiki walked towards the girl, putting his hand on her right arm.

“Please, don’t do this.” He said softly.

“I can't. He ruined me for nothing.”

“I understand, but don’t do something you will regret.” She cries and lets go of Veyl, who has already passed out.

“Why, why doesn’t he love me?” The girl wept and fell into Hibiki’s arms. 

“ Don’t worry about that now, he doesn’t deserve you.” Ren, Eve, who has now woken up confused, and Ichiya looked at the two in awe. “How about you come and join Blue Pegasus? we can show what love is.” The girl looks at Hibiki with teary eyes and smiles lightly.

“Yeah, I should.

“Good, good, how about you tell us your name, pretty girl.” The girl then laughs quietly. 

“Summer, Summer Sand is my name.”